Skip to main content
Jason Schaffer

Jason Schaffer

March 29, 2021
Sun correspondent Jason Schaffer covers tourism, the arts, Anna Maria Elementary School, law enforcement, and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Email
Email Jason Schaffer
March 20, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Springfest features the best Island art

Springfest features art, entertainment

HOLMES BEACH – The 34th Annual Springfest Fine Arts & Fine Crafts Festival returned to an appreciative crowd at City Field March 19-20. The event is touted by organizers as a combination of pe…
March 20, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
A window of opportunity

Couple paints windows of opportunity

BRADENTON BEACH – A couple with a vision to work together is making a living doing what they love on Bridge Street – painting windows. Married for three years, Christina and Jessica Fonseca of M L…
March 13, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Art Walk spotlights two talented featured artists

Art Walk spotlights two talented featured artists

HOLMES BEACH – The second Friday of every month is an exciting time for art lovers on the Island, when The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island and Island Gallery West display the work of their featur…
March 13, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Anna Maria Island now a Monopoly game

Anna Maria Island now a Monopoly game

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Since it was first created 87 years ago in 1935, little has changed in the Monopoly board game. A few game pieces have come and gone, but the properties, which are based on real p…
March 6, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players bring the laughs with “A comedy of Tenors”

Island Players bring laughs with ‘A Comedy of Tenors’

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players have struck comedy gold with their latest production, “A Comedy of Tenors,” the fourth of five plays in the 73rd season of productions at the Island Playhouse. Dire…
March 6, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Art on the field

Art on the field

HOLMES BEACH – Arts and crafts lovers made their way to City Field over the weekend for the annual Invitational Fine Art and Craft Show, which offered everything from custom furniture to hand-crafted…
March 6, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
World record seeker stops at Island

World record seeker stops at Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anyone who’s ever owned or rented a personal watercraft knows that after about a half-hour in the turbulent ocean, it becomes quite a workout. Now imagine traveling more than 2…
February 28, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players present “A Comedy of Tenors”

Island Players present ‘A Comedy of Tenors’

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players are about to open the fourth play of their 73rd season with a production of Ken Ludwig’s “A Comedy of Tenors.” Directed by Preston Boyd, who has been involved in area…
February 28, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Good Samaritan helps newlyweds find lost ring

Good Samaritan helps newlyweds find lost ring

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Every week, excited couples make the trip to Anna Maria Island for their dream wedding in paradise. This was the case for Rochelle Lewis, who was thrilled to make Beer Can Island…
February 27, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

Tourism booming on AMI

BRADENTON – It appears to be an especially busy tourist season on Anna Maria Island, and there is data to prove it, according to Research Data Services’ Anne Wittine, who addressed the Feb. 14 meetin…
February 20, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Beach umbrella

Tourist tax collections 2021

2021 tourist tax collections compared to 2020 January Anna Maria ↑ 24% Bradenton Beach ↓ 25% Holmes Beach  ↑ 32% Manatee County ↑ 1% February Anna Maria ↓ 5% Bradenton Beach ↓ 21%…
February 14, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Local students add art to trash

Local students add art to trash

CORTEZ – The 2022 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, and thanks to the hard work of some local high school students, throwing away trash will be a bit more fun. Each year…
February 14, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Art Walk features Abgott, Karpay

Art Walk features Abgott, Karpay

HOLMES BEACH – Visitors to the monthly Holmes Beach Art Walk had plenty to be excited about. The Art Walks take place the second Friday of each month, and many local businesses stay open late to allo…
February 13, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Cortez is ready for a party with a purpose

Cortez is ready for a party with a purpose

CORTEZ – After more than a year of planning, the village of Cortez is ready to host the 40th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to raise money for the FISH Preserve. This two-day event, taking…
February 7, 2022
By Jason Schaffer

‘Gear up’ for Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

CORTEZ – The 2022 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival the weekend of Feb. 19-20 has something for everyone, even folks who don’t know how to bait a hook. The first festival in 1981 drew 500 people…