100 Years of Cortez

CORTEZ – "Finest kind."

They may be the most frequently spoken words in the fishing village of Cortez over the past 100 years, as in, "How's the fishing?"

"Finest kind."

"How's that mullet smoked?"

"Finest kind." More...

End comes for Cafe's beach market

BRADENTON BEACH – The open-air market at Gulf Drive Café died last Thursday when the city commission failed to approve a permit request for the Sunday sales under the chickee hut.

After hearing from 18 speakers, most of them against the market, at the start of the meeting, Commissioner Jan Vosburgh moved to approve the permit request, but the motion died when nobody seconded it. Mayor John Shaughnessy asked for another motion (to deny it) and nobody came forward. The mayor gaveled the issue dead, but City Ricinda Perry told the mayor they could table the request to come back up at a future meeting, but Gulf Drive Café and Tiki Manager Peter Barreda said he would abandon efforts for this year. More...

Split proposed for Tebbetts Field

HOLMES BEACH – An isolated incident between ball players and dog owners at Birdie Tebbetts Field has led to a proposal to split the field in two.

The field is designated as a ball field, but if no one is playing ball, the city allows dogs to run off leash. No dogs are permitted during ball playing activities, as noted on a sign posted on the field's fence. More...

City responds to vacation rental complaints

HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Commission discussed problems with vacation rentals, a dispute with Bradenton Beach, the usage of Birdie Tebbetts Field (see related story) and a possible outdoor dining violation at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Vacation rentals

The city has sent more than 40 letters to rental agents advising of code enforcement restrictions on vacation rentals, Mayor Rich Bohnenberger told the commission. More...

Opera comes to the Island

The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra presents Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria

The roles and soloists for this production are: Yum Yum, Joy Leitner; Nanki Poo, Alan Brunton; Ko-Ko, Alex Friedlander; Pitti Sing, Joan Fury-Parrish; Peep Bo, Sue Pontius; The Mikado, Joe Ryan; Pooh Bah, Robert Parrish; Katisha, Martha DiPalma; and Pish Tush, David Kesler. More...

Anna Maria tackles employee benefits

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners asked staff to begin research on salaries in similar communities in order to develop a salary scale for new employees.

Commissioner Dale Woodland brought up the issue at budget time last year and the board agreed to work on it after the first of the year. He pointed to a spreadsheet that showed the various categories of employee benefits. More...

Robinson parking lot awaits property purchase

BRADENTON – Manatee County has made a bid on a piece of property to complete the parking lot on the Palma Sola Causeway that will serve the back entrance to Robinson Preserve.

Manatee County Commissioner John Chappie told members of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Committee that the county offered $20,300 for a small piece of property needed for the turning lane. The owner has 30 days to respond. More...

Cortez festival coming soon

The theme of this year's festival is “Something’s Fishy in Cortez.”

CORTEZ – Celebrate maritime culture in a working fishing village at the 30th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Family-oriented fun and educational activities include live music, nautical arts and crafts, boat tours of the village, clog dancing, a marine life touch tank, history talks and fresh seafood and land lovers fare. More...

Snapshots of Cortez

CORTEZ – Ask a Cortezian about the village, and stories fly like mullet being tossed into a boat cooler. Here are some snapshots of the Cortez of yesterday – some fond, some funny, some frightening – told mostly in the words of the reminiscers, and, like all fish tales, mostly true. More...

Valentine's Day Love Stories

We asked and three people responded with stories about how they met their loves. Sometimes it's love at first sight, sometimes it grows from friendship and sometimes love comes late in life. As you celebrate Valentine's Day, check out these stories about love from people, on the Island. More...

A healthy bay is everybody's business

Sarasota Bay Watch was formed four years ago at the start of one of the worst economic downturns since the Great Depression. Despite the timing, the organization has thrived and in 2012 is moving forward with an aggressive agenda. Looking back at some of the accomplishments of the past year gives a picture of an organization whose mission has resonated in the community. More...

What are we going to do about the housing market?

Just about everyone from the upper reaches of the White House to television and newspaper pun dents to top national economists have an opinion on how to cure the housing crisis. The problem is there is no empirical knowledge of exactly what to do, since the country has never been in this predicament before. More...

Feast on fish at Blue Marlin

If you like your seafood fresh, your dining experience casual and your wine interesting and obscure, there's a new place in Bradenton Beach that could fill the bill.

In November, Adam Ellis opened the Blue Marlin Grill in the heart of historic Bridge Street. You'll know the Blue Marlin by the vibrant blue color of this historic 1920s cottage, and once inside you will feel like you're in a seafood house in coastal Maine. More...

A valentine's gift

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

The traditional day for spouses and loved ones to celebrate their relationship arrives next Tuesday. A lot of cards, candy, roses and dinners will be shared, but there is one gift that may have more enduring value than the others.

I have observed, in my almost 25 years as an investment professional, that couples tend to divide life's responsibilities through the years and while this works great when both are healthy and vibrant, it can cause problems when one spouse experiences a loss of capacity to fulfill his/her responsibilities, or worse, passes away. More...

Broncos trample Dolphin's perfect season

The 1-3 Edgewater Realty Broncos upset the undefeated 3-0 Slim's Place Dolphins by the score of 21 to 20 in AMICC Co-Ed Adult Flag Football. Bronco's quarterback Ryan Moss threw for 143 yards and rushed for another 50 yards and his brother, Brent Moss, caught two Tds and a big two-point conversion. On defense, Austin Mulrain had one interception, and Jonathan Moss had seven flag pulls for the Broncos. More...

Yoga on the Island

Feasting on Fitness By ellen Jaffe Jones

Yoga opportunities here are not to be missed. There are so many more places to take classes than there were when I first moved here in 2004. I used to go to classes a lot more, but as life got intense, something had to go. But I was reminded this week how important it is to keep up with a good class.

As a runner, running coach and personal trainer, you would think someone like me would get plenty of stretching. I stretch after every run, and I demonstrate all the stretches when I work with clients. I have them stretch for at 5 to10 minutes after every hour of exercise. But it just isn't the same. More...