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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
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November 22, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Christmas has come to Bridge Street

Christmas has come to Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – Take a walk down Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach and you’ll find it difficult not to be in the holiday spirit. On Saturday, Nov. 20, the city lit the most Christmas lights ever…
November 21, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Annie Silver remains without a president

Annie Silver remains without a president

BRADENTON BEACH – Annie Silver Community Center members were unable to elect a president at their board meeting on Nov. 15 due to a lack of attendance. During its first post-COVID-19 meeting on Se…
November 21, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Stone crab season is back, are they worth the hype?

Stone crab season is back

CORTEZ – Some people wait months for the return of the claw, the local signature delicacy, while others can’t wrap their head around the love of the pricey stone crab. While some seafood aficionad…
November 15, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Gallery West art walk returns

Island Gallery West art walk returns

HOLMES BEACH – After almost two years, Island Gallery West’s monthly art walk event returned on Nov. 12 to a large crowd of artists and art lovers ready to get back to a pre-COVID normal.  Art lover…
November 14, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Cortez celebrates stone crabs

Cortez celebrates stone crabs

CORTEZ – It’s a feast for all the senses with the sweet smell of stone crab and other delicious food offerings, the sound of live music, vendors offering beautiful arts and crafts and the hands-on ex…
November 8, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Gallery West’s new featured artist inspired by wildlife

Island Gallery West’s featured artist inspired by wildlife

HOLMES BEACH – Island Gallery West recently announced the artist of the month for November, and it’s not difficult to see what inspires Jody Goldman. A retired flight attendant, Goldman was fortun…
November 8, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players deliver another hit with ‘Same Time, Next Year’ BY JASON SCHAFFER

Island Players deliver another hit with ‘Same Time, Next Year’

ANNA MARIA – Bernard Slade’s comedy, “Same Time, Next Year,” was written in 1975 about a couple who have a one-night affair in a California hotel room in 1951. We first meet George (Mark Woodland) an…
November 8, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Expansion and growth continue at Sarasota Bradenton International airport

Expansion, growth continue at SRQ

SARASOTA – Between 2018 and 2019, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport was the fastest-growing airport in the U.S., with 43% growth, SRQ Chief Operating Officer Mark Stuckey told the Manatee Coun…
November 8, 2021
By Jason Schaffer

No COVID-positive students in Manatee County schools

HOLMES BEACH – For the first time since the start of the school year, Manatee County is reporting no new student COVID-19 cases and only one staff case at Ballard Elementary. COVID in Manatee Coun…
November 1, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Artist has unique take on Island landmarks

Artist has unique take on Island landmarks

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Some artists are inspired by nature, some by the people around them, and some, like Paul Arnold, by the places he liked to hang around growing up on Anna Maria Island. Although…
November 1, 2021
By Jason Schaffer

School mask mandate expires

HOLMES BEACH – After a sharp decline in positive COVID-19 cases in Manatee County schools, the county’s school mask mandate has been allowed to expire. As of Oct. 29, when the mandate expired, onl…
October 30, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Wreaths Across America honors local veterans

Wreaths Across America honors local veterans

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – With the holidays just weeks away, the annual sponsorship drive to support Wreaths Across America is underway, and the local Blue Star Mothers chapter is hard at work looking for…
October 25, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Gallery West’s featured artist for November

Artist Jody Goldman featured in November

HOLMES BEACH – Island Gallery West has 28 member artists from the Island and surrounding areas who choose one artist to be the featured artist of the month, with their work on a special display in th…
October 24, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players ready for season’s second production

Island Players opening season’s second production

ANNA MARIA – After a successful start to their historic 73rd season with “Savannah Sipping Society,” The Island Players are just days away from the opening night of their second play of the 2021-22 s…
October 24, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Avelo Airlines the latest to add flights between SRQ and the northeast

Avelo Airlines the latest to add flights between SRQ and the northeast

SARASOTA – As Sarasota Bradenton International Airport moves forward with its mission to continue record growth and expansion, a new carrier will now offer the first non-stop flights between Connecti…