Millage hike eyed

ANNA MARIA – The spirit of cooperation reigned after commissioners initially disagreed on the tentative millage rate for the 2010-11 budget.

After four motions and four votes, they settled on 2.05, which can be reduced during the budget process, but not increased.

Discussion began when Chair Chuck Webb pointed out that the millage rate has dropped from 2.0 to 1.7882 since 2007, and that property values also have dropped. More...

Island search for Sabine expands

ANNA MARIA –The large, yellow loader raises a shovelful of sand over the cab of the machine, and the operator gently nudges it forward until the sand starts to cascade slowly to the ground. Several pairs of eyes watch closely, hoping to spot something unusual in the sandy shower that might answer to the question law enforcement have been asking for almost three years – where is Sabine Musil-Buehler? More...

Suspect arrested in Key Royale case

HOLMES BEACH – The suspect arrested in the alleged embezzlement of more than $400,000 from the Key Royale Golf Club had a spotty record when it came to money.

Holley Elaine Connelly, 29, of Bradenton, surrendered to Holmes Beach police after the state attorney's office issued a warrant for her arrest on charges of scheming to defraud while she worked as a bookkeeper for the golf club. Her bond was set at $500,000. More...

City gets GSR settlement offer

BRADENTON BEACH – If the city commission approves, a large tract of beachfront land may become a new development instead of a weed-infested field

The commission is scheduled to consider a $70,000 settlement of a code enforcement action that dates back to 2005 when the developers who owned the land, GRS LLC, filed for bankruptcy. More...

Work begins on south boardwalk

Work continues on the boardwalk and shelter project at the Anna Maria City Pier. This week, the contractor will cleanup after construction in the north parking area and dumpster enclosures. The north parking lot is currently open to the public. Both the north and south shelters have roofing and work has started on the south boardwalk. More...

Neighbors get update on Banyan Tree Estates

ANNA MARIA – Neighbors got their first look last week inside one of the first homes being built in Banyan Tree Estates subdivision along Park Avenue and Beach Street.

"This is the second annual neighbors' meeting to inform you and keep you up to date on what's being done," David Teitelbaum explained. "It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions."More...

First trolley arrives

The first of the new trolleys has arrived in Manatee County and is being prepped by Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) crews and decorated with the ads that will keep it fare-free.

According to Island businessman David Teitelbaum, who is in charge of selling the ads for the trolleys through the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the second of the five trolleys the county ordered should be here on Wednesday, Aug. 3. That first trolley should be on the street by Monday, Aug. 8. More...

A new generation takes over O'Connor Bowling challenge

The torch, or bowling ball, has been passed to a new generation in the annual O'Connor Bowling Challenge set for Saturday, Aug. 27.

"This is the 21st bowling tournament and my first," said Mike O'Connor, who has taken over the tournament from his father, George, and hisuncle, Billy.

"My wife Katie and I had to keep up the family tradition and incorporate our generation. It's an Island reunion, and you go to see people you haven't seen in a year."More...

Cortez hosts Boys and Girls Club

Help monitor scallops in the bay

Island residents are encouraged to get their heads wet Saturday, Aug. 13, during Sarasota Bay Watch's fourth annual Scallop Search at the Mar Vista Dockside restaurant on Longboat Key. The 2011 Scallop Search is funded through a grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, from the Robert R. Harlan and Susan H. Lowy Harlan Fund. The Chiles Group is once again hosting the event and providing participants with lunch at their beautiful venue on the bay. The Anna Maria Island Sun is the T-shirt sponsor for the fourth year.

Buying distressed properties

My mother was fond of using the expression "penny wise and pound foolish," which I always thought was interesting coming from a woman who would track department store dresses waiting for them to go on sale. But, as usual, mom was right, especially when it comes to purchasing distressed properties. More...

Jose's goes nationwide

BRADENTON - Jose's Real Cuban Food, 8799 Cortez Road W., will be featured on the Food Network's program, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on Sept. 19 at 9 p.m.

More than a dozen customers, including a tourist from Germany, contacted the network about the authentic Cuban food served at the small restaurant, and the network called Jose Baserva to film a segment of the program. More...

Ignore television coverage of markets

It almost never fails. In the middle of a weekday golf game, someone will ask if the market is up or down that day. Or, perhaps during my morning walk with the dog, someone will ask me what I think the stock market will do that day.

Since the market experiences more up days than down over time, as evidenced by the long-term upward trend for stock prices, I suppose the best guess to make would be to predict an up day, but it would be just that – a guess. To the golf buddies I generally ask why they care – they should be concentrating on improving their golf swing, and not distracted by the daily coming and goings of up and down days for the financial markets. More...

Flag footbll playoff picture set

The playoffs are set and ready to start this week on the road to the Community Center's Flag Football Super Bowl. All eight teams made the playoffs, and there was a four way tie for third place, which was decided by drawing names out of a hat. Many teams are getting hot and finding their mojo going into the end of the season tournament. It's hard to predict who will be this year's Champion.

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football

Adult Co-Ed League playoff schedule:

Aug. 4, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Fourth place Tyler's Ice Cream Steelers
vs. fifth place Sato Real Estate Browns

Aug. 4, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Third place Beach to Bay Construction Bucs vs. sixth place Island Sun Panthers

Aug. 4, Thursday, 8 p.m.
Second place Agnelli Pool & Spa Dolphins vs. seventh place Integrity Sound Redskins

Aug. 4, Thursday, 9 p.m.
First place MartiniVille Saints
vs. eighth place Slim's Place Patriots
More...

What does a vegan runner eat?

Siesta Key hosted a recent triathlon. That's a race when you run, bike and swim at varying distances. Some include running a full marathon, but others "only" include a 5K, plus a 10-mile or so bike ride, and a mile or two swim. One of these days, I'll try it, although my husband thinks that running a marathon is as much risk as I ought to be taking.

Considering I totally wiped out at the "Run Through Hell 5K" (3.1 miles) in Tampa last weekend, he may have a point. Though I got up and still placed second in my age group. "Hard core trooper," my Facebook friends described it. More...

Note: Events are free unless indicated.

Wednesday, Aug. 3

Gal pal party with treats, drinks and a special sale, Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique, 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Free concert by Mike Sales, Katie Pierola Park, Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m. to sunset. Tiki tables and benches provided or bring blanket or beach chair.

Thursday, Aug. 4

Village Café at Rosedale, 503 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders will sign autographs and give away official team posters, noon to 1 p.m.

Privateers’ Walk the Plank Challenge, Cortez Clam Factory, 10104 Cortez Road W, Cortez, 7 to 11 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 5

Anna Maria Island Senior Adventures Group, Annie Silver Community Center, 102 23rd Ave., Bradenton Beach. Call Pat at 941-962-8835 for a schedule.

Over 50 Club, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday. Aug. 6

Scallopalooza – Repay the Bay fundraiser, Sarasota Yacht Club, cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., auction and presentations, $50 per person, register online at www.sarasotabaywatch.org or contact Ronda Ryan at 941-232-2363 or Pierre Schutte at 941-587-8174.

Wednesday, Aug. 10

Gal pal party with treats, drinks and a special sale, Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique, 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Free concert by Mike Sales, Katie Pierola Park, Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m. to sunset. Tiki tables and benches provided or bring blanket or beach chair.

Friday, Aug. 12

Anna Maria Island Senior Adventures Group, Annie Silver Community Center, 102 23rd Ave., Bradenton Beach. Call Pat at 941-962-8835 for a schedule.

Over 50 Club, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 13

Sarasota Bay Watch Scallop Search on Saturday, captain’s meeting at 8 a.m., followed by the search at 9 a.m. and a complimentary lunch for searchers at 12:30 p.m. at Mar Vista Dockside restaurant, 760 Broadway, Longboat Key. Register for the event at www.sarasotabaywatch.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 17

Gal pal party with treats, drinks and a special sale, Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique, 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Free concert by Mike Sales, Katie Pierola Park, Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m. to sunset. Tiki tables and benches provided or bring blanket or beach chair.