Tricky balance evolves in parking dilemma

ANNA MARIA — Finding a balance between pedestrian and bicyclist safety and fulfilling the parking needs of the property owners in the residential/office/retail district is the charge of a newly formed committee set to meet early in January.

Staff members are trying to schedule the first committee meeting for Jan. 8. More...

Legal petition opposes project

ANNA MARIA — Several Anna Maria property owners have filed a petition against the city, challenging land development regulations in the community’s residential/office/retail district.

Robert and Nicky Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Muzzy and Pineapple Corner, LLC, the owner of 303 Pine Avenue, served the city with the petition on Dec. 23. More...

Segways, scooters gain in popularity

ANNA MARIA – Personal electric transportation devices, such as the two-wheel Segway and motorized three-wheeled scooters, are the new rage for residents and visitors who want to get a closer look at the Island.

However, some of those riders are not using them safely, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dave Turner, who heads the Anna Maria substation. More...

Judge lets Buehler request stand

A judge has denied a motion to throw out Thomas Buehler’s request to have his estranged wife declared dead.

Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas ruled Tuesday against Great American Life Insurance’s request, agreeing with Buehler’s attorney’s assertion that law enforcement authorities are treating Sabine Musil-Buehler’s disappearance as a homicide. More...

Island contractor rides the wind

The bike, a racing Harley, is sleek and clean. There’s not a spot of dust or oil on it. Wheelie bars, secured to the bike, jut out from the rear to grab the ground when the bike takes off.

It’s that powerful. Were it not for the wheelie bars, the bike would flip over from the thrust and power of the engine. More...

Marty Noble’s artwork on display at The Studio

ANNA MARIA – To say art is in her genes is probably an understatement when you’re talking about Marty Noble.

“All four of my grandparents met while attending the Cleveland School of Art,” she explained. “I was encouraged from an early age. Ever since I was a child, I just wanted to do my art.” More...

A 20-year passion for orchids

ANNA MARIA — A love of orchids has become passion for an Anna Maria resident.

Betty Yanger, who has been coming to the Island since she was a little girl visiting her grandparents, has created an orchid wonderland in her back yard. More...

City saves money on drain cleaning

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners smiled recently as they approved a $3,034 payment for cleaning storm drain catch basins and pipes.

The bill was a lot smaller than last year’s, thanks to the efforts of the city’s public works department.

According to public works director Tom Woodard, his crews inspected the catch basins and took care of some of the small problems and the result was that the company that did the work had less work to do. More...

Explore the Gulf Coast Heritage Trail

Hit the trail! The Gulf Coast Heritage Trail winds through Anna Maria Island on its route from St. Petersburg’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge south to Englewood Beach. Accessible by car, motorcycle, trolley, bicycle or on foot, 10 of the trail’s 117 stops are here on the Island, showcasing some of the best cultural, historic, and scenic areas around. Have fun touring the trail! More...

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Sarasota Bay Watch evolves

2009 was a pivotal year for Sarasota Bay Watch. During the last 12 months, the organization’s identity has evolved through events, partnerships, a new e-commerce Web site, and a membership database. Sarasota Bay Watch also produced a brochure, window decal and a public service announcement, which is being broadcast through media outlets in Sarasota and Manatee counties. More...

Deficiency judgments becoming reality

I know, I know, tomorrow night is New Year’s Eve and I should only be thinking about positive stuff for the new year, funny party hats and pink champagne. But for an awful lot of Florida homeowners who may be facing foreclosure 2010 will not be any better than 2009 and may in fact be much worse.

If you’re a property owner, either investor or primary residence, who is facing foreclosure or has just been foreclosed on, the tragedy may not be over. Florida mortgage law allows for a lender to file a deficiency judgment against a borrower for the difference between the outstanding balance of the mortgage note plus costs and attorney’s fees and the value of the property foreclosed. More...

Wedding festival adds amenities

HOLMES BEACH – The planning committee for the 2010 Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Wedding Festival on Sunday, Feb. 28, is looking to add to the event’s appeal toward taste buds and future grooms.

The event, in its third year, is looking to attract more people. The festival in January 2009 drew an estimated 700 prospective brides, grooms, wedding planners and suppliers and was termed a huge success. More...

Safety – At a price

Investors and savers scour the landscape searching for the bank certificate of deposit that will pay them that extra one-fourth of 1 percent on their savings, while offering the peace of mind of the FDIC insurance guaranteeing them against the failure of the bank up to a limit of $250,000.

CDs, bank money market and savings accounts are always popular with savers who wish to place a portion of their funds in vehicles which are safe from market fluctuation and have a guarantee of return of principal value. When the financial markets go through one of their periods of extreme volatility, we typically see investors flee vehicles like corporate bonds and equities, which traditionally return more over time, but can go through periods of fluctuating principal value. More...

Saturday, Jan. 2
Susan Oberender will demonstrate glass fusing in making jewelry, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive in the S&S Plaza, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.

Friday, Jan. 8
Opening reception for 16th Annual James Pay Exhibit, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd, Holmes Beach, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Opening reception for featured artist Jane Curtan, Artist’s Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Opening reception for featured artist Joe Fletcher, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9
Privateer’s Thieves Market, Coquina Beach, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Master Gardener Tour, DeSoto National Memorial and Riverview Pointe Preserve, 75th Street West north of Manatee Avenue, Bradenton, 9 to 11 a.m.

Barbara Orear will demonstrate painting Florida boats and water, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive in the S&S Plaza, 10 a.m. to noon.

Sunset and Stars Shutter Stroll, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 5 to 7 p.m. Call 941-742-5757, ext. 9, for reservations.

Sidewalk Astronomy, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call 941-748-4501, ext. 4605, for reservations.

Sunday, Jan. 10
Master Gardener Tour, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 9 to 11 a.m. Call 941-722-4524 for reservations.