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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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April 17, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Featured artist combines nature, stained glass

Featured artist combines nature, stained glass

HOLMES BEACH – The final Holmes Beach Art Walk of the winter/spring season on April 14 offered a chance for the public to meet many of the talented local artists who are members of the Artists’ Guild…
April 10, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
April brings big crowds, heavy traffic

April brings big crowds, heavy traffic

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local observation and tourism statistics have long pointed to mid-March as the height of tourist season, but last week, April 3-9, brought what could be the largest crowds, longes…
March 27, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Veterans go fishing thanks to Elks Club

Veterans go fishing thanks to Elks Club

CORTEZ – In 2013, the Bradenton Elks Club began an annual event to spend a day fishing with local veterans, and 10 years later, it’s still going strong. This year’s fishing trip featured e…
March 27, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
AMI Chamber awards scholarships

AMI Chamber awards scholarships

HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Business Card Exchange is always a great networking event, but the March 23 event at LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air was ex…
March 21, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Garden Club flower show proves flowers can be art

Garden Club flower show proves flowers can be art

ANNA MARIA – It was St. Patrick’s Day on the Island, but the shirts, hats and beads weren’t the only thing green that was drawing attention. March 17 was also the annual Anna Maria Island Gar…
March 21, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Artists’ Guild featured artist celebrates light

Artists’ Guild featured artist celebrates light

HOLMES BEACH – There’s still plenty of time to see the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s March Featured Artist display. Sharon Tarras grew up loving to draw and doodle, but the Wiscons…
March 21, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Privateers hold raffle for The Skullywag

Privateers hold raffle for The Skullywag

BRADENTON BEACH – Just about anyone who’s been on Anna Maria Island during a holiday parade or large community event has seen The Skullywag, the road-going pirate ship that almost always has…
March 13, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Multiple departments fight Bradenton Beach fire

Multiple departments fight Bradenton Beach fire

BRADENTON BEACH – Black smoke could be seen rising high into the air after a fire started on March 8 at 403 Gulf Drive S., Unit D in a four-unit condo building known as Birds Nest. Bradenton Beach…
March 13, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Spring break in full swing on AMI

Spring break in full swing on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Thousands of students, many with their families, have flocked to AMI to escape the still-freezing temperatures farther north, trading quizzes and tests for beach volleyball and fu…
March 13, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
‘The 39 Steps’ is outlandish fun

‘The 39 Steps’ is outlandish fun

ANNA MARIA – When hearing that “The 39 Steps” is an early Alfred Hitchcock film from 1935, comedy is probably not the first thing that comes to mind, especially considering the adaptation by Patrick…
March 13, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
IGW says goodbye at Art Walk

IGW says goodbye at Art Walk

HOLMES BEACH – Monthly Art Walks always draw a crowd to Island Gallery West (IGW) and the Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island, as well as many surrounding businesses that participate in the e…
March 13, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Jewelry sale success for Island Library

Jewelry sale success for Island Library

HOLMES BEACH – Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Island Library, significant funds will go to help the Island Branch Library and those who use it, raised at an event that couldn’t have happ…
March 6, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
AMOB employees save man from drowning

AMOB employees save man from drowning

BRADENTON BEACH – An unidentified 80-year-old man who strolled to the end of the Bradenton Beach Pier at the end of Bridge Street on Friday escaped injury due to the heroic efforts of two Anna Maria…
March 6, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players present ‘The 39 Steps’

Island Players present ‘The 39 Steps’

ANNA MARIA – Coming off a hilarious run of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple, The Female Version,” the Island Players are ready to take the audience for a ride across England and Scotland to stop an inter…
March 6, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
IGW’s March featured artist shines with pastels

IGW’s March featured artist shines with pastels

HOLMES BEACH – Like many artists in the area, Island Gallery West’s March featured artist, Terri Westbrook, is inspired by nature and places she has lived and traveled, including Charleston, South Ca…