Skip to main content

Tag: Anna Maria Island

Castles in the Sand

Are there any houses without flaws?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

“A mark, fault or other imperfection that mars a substance or object.” That, my friends, is the definition of a flaw. If you think you can find a house that doesn’t fit this description, you’re probably dreaming.

Every home built or lived in has flaws; it’s up to the buyer and seller to decide
if the flaw is serious enough to repair or serious enough to not buy the home. Here are some things to think about on both sides of the transaction.

Buyers need to be aware of many things when first viewing a home. If you have young children, or are just sensitive to noise, be aware of traffic or boat noise at various times of the day. Sometimes homes on main roads are priced better but may not work for your family.

Naturally, obvious structural issues like sloping floors or cracks in the walls should raise a red flag.

Water is a problem if leaks get out of control in a home. Question water stains, mold, peeling paint or blisters on the paint and an overall musty odor. Look under sinks for water dripping and run faucets to see if they leak.

Check to see if the floors are maintained. Scratches on hardwood, cracks on tile and worn carpeting could be an indication of an overall maintenance issue in the home.

Look carefully at the appliances and see if they’re rusty or have dents and look worn out. It’s perfectly legitimate to ask if the appliances are in working order and ask their age. Any hanging wires or broken fixtures could indicate a worse electrical problem and should be questioned.

Finally, landscaping and the entire exterior of the home will give you an im- mediate negative or positive impression the minute you step out of the car. First impressions do count.

If you’re selling, sometimes rather than take on a major renovation of a kitchen
or bathroom it’s just as productive to use a little elbow grease. Even though there is still a shortage of inventory in most markets, buyers are frequently turned off by little things. Any type of odor, whether it’s musty, pet, gym shorts or baby, needs to be corrected. When you’re putting your house up for sale, the best favor you can do it is investing in a deep cleaning. The second-best thing you can do is enhance your curb appeal. Remove the bikes, toys and half-dead plants. Paint peeling on outdoor trim and dirty windows are a no-no.

If your home needs more than a good clean-up, fresh paint may not be as dramatic as a new bathroom, but it will do that first impression a lot of good. Refinishing hardwood floors or putting down an inexpensive piece of carpeting in the kids’ rooms will more than pay for itself. Other small fixes that buyers love are new doors and custom closets, many of which you can do yourself. Think about what appeals to you when you look at Realtor pictures of homes for sale. It could be as simple as new throw pillows and bed quilts. I once bought a $300 new sofa for my family room after my dog made the old one his home. It worked perfectly. The buyers even wanted to buy it from us.

Homes aren’t the only things that have flaws. Most of us can look in the mirror and see a long list of things that need fixing. Just remember, there are no perfect homes and no perfect people. A good lesson to keep in mind.

Reel Time: Wade in the water

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Believe it or not, winter is here. While air temperatures would have us think otherwise, bay and Gulf waters have chilled, if only a little, putting fish into an atypical winter-time pattern. Anglers considering their options on a sunny day should think about getting out of the boat and taking a walk. Although the water isn’t as cold as normal this time of year, the shorter days can produce some great results for anglers willing to “step outside the boat.”

Reel Time: Wade in the water
Andy Grosso of Sarasota caught his first redfish on fly while wading Sarasota Bay last December. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Like any time of the year, wading provides some distinct advantages over fishing from a boat. Wading puts you in the fish’s realm, giving you the advantage of a low profile and a silent approach. This can be particularly important during the winter months when the water can be gin clear, making gamefish extremely wary.

The key to comfortable winter wading is being prepared. A good pair of waders, wading boots, long pants and comfortable socks will do the trick on the coldest day. On warm days, wet wading is still an option. Add a pair of polarized glasses, a hat with a dark un- der-brim, a wade vest or pack and you’re in business. You won’t need heavy tackle unless you’re fishing docks or other structures. Under most conditions, an 8-pound test tackle will be sufficient. You can go even lighter if conditions permit. Fly anglers generally opt for 7- or 8-weight outfits unless wind or other conditions warrant otherwise. Thirty-pound bite tippets should be constructed of fluorocarbon and be approximately 18 inches long.

If the visibility isn’t great, or you’re fishing early or late, target the edges where grass and sand meet. These sandy areas (the seams) and potholes are perfect ambush spots for the predators you’re targeting. Start with presentations about 2 feet outside the area working towards, in and past your target. Make sure you include any deep grass at the ends of the potholes. These areas can be very productive and always warrant a couple of extra casts.

After working the edges of the holes and the seams, begin casting into the sandy areas. Work the nearside of the hole and cast progressively longer until you reach the other side. When fly fishing, try a clear sink tip line with a relatively (8- to 10-foot) short leader over deep grass.

During the winters, anglers who wade fish find big trout on the flats on cold, low-tide mornings. The fish will come into some extremely shallow water to feed, so start shallow and work your way towards the deeper edges, always staying vigilant for surface action, wakes or feeding birds.

If fish are particularly spooky or hard to see, try standing still and waiting for them to come to you. Try this approach if fish see you just before you see them. An- chor well away from the area you intend to fish, get out of the boat and stake out a pothole or sandy area where you have visibility. By staying a long cast away, you can easily see the fish when they enter a hole or pass across a patch of sand. Position yourself off to the side in the grass where you’re less visible, keep a low profile and be still. Just waiting them out gives you a big advantage when targeting reds, trout, snook and other game fish as they wander the flat. When you make a presentation, don’t make any quick moves and make your casts low and slow. It takes patience but can be productive when all else fails. When you “get in” you’ll discover some excellent angling opportunities and, as a bonus, get some exercise.

Letter to the Editor: A bone for every dog

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

I would like to thank The Sun for placing two articles in their paper for donations of Nylabones for the dogs at the County shelter.
We have gotten some wonderful donations from residents all over Manatee County. Their donations have made it possible to supply every dog with a bone.
I will continue to work with Chewy and some other vendors to get much-needed supplies – beds, bones and high-value training treats. We can never have enough because we keep getting new dogs.
The shelters are full and could use help walking the dogs. If anyone has time and would like to take a pup for a stroll around the facility it would be greatly appreciated. They need to get out to exercise and volunteers are in short supply.
I’ll keep updating everyone on what we are buying and show pictures of the very grateful pups.

Renee Ferguson

Holmes Beach

Champs at The Center: LaPensee Plumbing, Progressive Cabinetry win

Champs at The Center: LaPensee Plumbing, Progressive Cabinetry win

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – After weeks of amazing Island youth soccer, The Center lights lit up the fields as family and friends gathered to witness the U10 and U14 championship games.

In the U10 finale, underdogs Solid Rock Construction faced top-ranked LaPensee Plumbing. With only one loss going into the game, team LaPensee had the pressure of finishing the season at the top.

In the action-packed battle, Solid Rock’s Turner Worth scored the team’s two points, while goalie Isaac Roadman made five saves off the shots of the LaPensee strikers.

Roadman and Worth’s teammates Renan Kesten, Ruby Kesten, Luke Willing, Matthew Darak, Grayson Hinckle and Elijah Roadman supported their team during throughout the season.

Obi Roadman, the league’s recipient of this season’s U10 Sportsmanship Award, joined his Solid Rock teammates every week, working hard to get them to the final game of the season.

Team Solid Rock stayed in the championship game until the last second, but the offensive push by LaPensee was just too much.

On the other side of the soccer ball, the LaPensee team proved why they were the team to beat all season. Ending the regular season with only one loss, the back-and-forth battle was the nail-biter that soccer fans were wanting to see.

With three saves in the game, Owen Mahoney and the LaPensee defense made huge stops. Credited with goals for LaPensee, TJ Hagey and Preston LaPensee put two points on the scoreboard.

Luca Rosenkrans, the league’s Most Improved Player, scored a solo goal for the champions.

LaPensee Plumbing fought hard in the championship game and the matches lead- ing up to the final with the all-important field play of Elijah Agelus, Asher Patel and Chandler LaPensee.

LaPensee was joined by U14’s Progressive Cabinetry as the season’s youth soccer champions.

Champs at The Center: LaPensee Plumbing, Progressive Cabinetry win
Fall 2022 U10 youth soccer champions, team LaPensee Plumbing. From left, Preston LaPensee, assistant coach Jackson Pakbaz, Luca Rosenkrans, Elijah Agelus, Chandler LaPensee, TJ Hagey, Asher Patel, Coach Keith Mahoney and Owen Mahoney. – Monica Simpson | Sun

The Center’s oldest youth soccer players narrowed down their pack of three to Progressive Cabinetry and HSH. Meeting once again in the championship game, the two teams played in a hard-fought battle, ending with Progressive capturing the W.

Putting the single goal in the net for HSH was Jesse Zaccagnino. Zaccagnino’s older brother, Jack, played in goal. The Zaccagni- no siblings and their teammates Braelyn

Curtis, Ava Gitt, Austin Guess, Krosby Lamison and Jasmine Sparks brought their skills to the field week after week.

HSH’s hard work and dedication to their game was recognized by the coaches in the league with the awarding of Female and Defensive MVP, respectively, to Jayden Sparks and Sterling Holiday.

MaryTess Bolognone upped her game throughout the season, receiving the Most Improved Player award for the season. Bolognone proved why she received the award with a goal in the game.

Bolognone’s Progressive Cabinetry teammate Mason Moss also had a goal in the final game of the youth soccer season and night’s action.

The Progressive squad, including Gabe and Gavin Petrone, Aubrielle Clarke, Sarah Graham, Theo Aupelle and Grace Comegno along with Annie and Polea Vacek, who gave it their all for the team each time they took the field.

Included in the Progressive Cabinetry success in the season and the championship game, goalkeeper Charlie Serra made two game-winning saves, closing out another successful youth soccer season.

Adult soccer playoff games Nov. 17 narrowed the field from eight teams down to four.

Playing in semifinal action is Gulfview Windows & Doors after beating Pool America in first game of the playoffs.

Ross Built Construction was narrowly defeated after ending regulation play in a 2-2 tie against Wash Family Construction. In an overtime penalty kick scenario, Wash Family took the win and advanced to the next round of post-season play.

Shooting for Wash Family was Kevin Roman, Tyler Brewer, Austin Nutting, Amy Ivin and Ryan Hogan. Each got the soccer ball past keeper Steve Oelfke.

For Ross Built, Oelfke, Eduardo Schlueter, Dean Hinterstoisser and Kali Richardson each went to the line against Wash Family goalie Mark Long. Long’s stop of the shot of Richardson gave his team the win.

In addition to the match-up between Gulfview and Wash Family at 7 p.m., Sato Real Estate and Moss Builders will take to the pitch for the 8 p.m. game on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Sato earned the semifinal spot after finishing second in the regular season with a win against ServisFirst Bank.

Moss Builders took on Slim’s Place for their first playoff game.

The road to the Paul “Ace” Hayward Championship game is getting shorter but not easier as the two top-seeded teams are still in it to win it.

Youth Soccer Fall 2022 Awards

U10

Most Improved Players                   Luca Rosenkrans / Parker Svoboda

Goalie of the Year                          Salvatore Vera

Sportsmanship                              Obi Roadman

MVP Female                                  Adelaide McGraw

MVP Male                                     Callin Westfall

Defensive MVP                              Aidan Guess

U14

Most Improved Player                    MaryTess Bolognone

Goalie of the Year                          Jack Zaccagnino

Sportsmanship                              Dominik Zupa

MVP Female                                  Jayden Sparks

MVP Male                                      Jesse Zaccagnino

Defensive MVP                              Sterling Holiday

Reel Time on the Road: Wakulla Springs and Florida’s Big Bend

Reel Time on the Road: Wakulla Springs and Florida’s Big Bend

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Standing on the banks of the San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park where the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers converge on Florida’s Big Bend, I was struck by the vast and serene sweep of marsh and distant hammocks. This was a Florida that one could, with a modicum of imagination, picture unchanged since the Spanish explorer Panfilo de Narvaez arrived in the area with 300 men in 1528. The peaceful “silence” was unbroken except for the rustle of the reeds in the wind of an advancing front and the occasional sound of a distant outboard motor. The serenity was even more compelling with the knowledge that so many bloody battles had been fought here over the centuries.

The definition of Florida’s “Big Bend” varies according to the source, but in this telling encompasses an area of Florida’s coastline from south of Perry to Apalachicola. This stretch of coastline lacks the barrier islands that most often define the state, fringed instead with a necklace of marshes and cypress hammocks laced with spring-fed rivers. The St. Marks and Wakulla rivers are modern-day reminders of the best of wild Florida. The St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge preserves an increasingly rare wild and natural Florida Gulf coastline. Of all these, Wakulla Springs, lined with ancient cypress trees festooned in sinuous Spanish moss, is the jewel in the necklace.

Having gone to college in nearby Tallahassee, I had explored this area years before but, for some reason, had never visited Wakulla Springs. It was even on the short list of places we considered when we got married. That’s why my wife, Chris, and I decided to visit when the “fallout” from Hurricane Ian caused us to change our fall vacation plans. Once again, a cancellation of plans turned into a blessing in disguise.

Native Americans had lived on the lands surrounding the spring for thousands of years before the first explorers arrived. Wakulla Springs is one of the deepest and largest freshwater springs in the world and was purchased in 1937 by financier Ed Ball. Ball had traveled the world and considered the spring and surrounding land to be the most serene place he had visited. He constructed the Wakulla Springs Lodge in 1930s Spanish style as a guest house, hiring craftsmen and artisans and importing the finest U.S. marble from Tennessee. An elegant sanctuary with 27 unique guest rooms was created with a great lobby featuring murals depicting Florida scenes painted on its high ceiling.

Beginning in 1941, filmmakers were attracted to the primordial feel of the property and filmed movies including “Tarzan’s Secret Treasure” (1941) and “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954). In 1986, Florida purchased the spring and property and it became a state park.

Today, visitors can swim with manatees where mastodons once roamed and take guided boat tours where dugout canoes once paddled the river. During our tour, we encountered alligators, numerous fish, manatees and an assortment of birds.

A visit to the lodge is a step back in time with its period furniture, original elevator and rooms absent the ubiquitous television. We found the ambiance of the period lodge and grounds extremely relaxing and were grateful for the absence of the television, though Wi-Fi is available. The food in the restaurant was excellent and the natural amenities that surround the area were a bonus.

After almost six decades in Florida, it was refreshing to return to a place both familiar and new, where Florida could be experienced with “new eyes.” Go online for more information and see the video here.

Castles in the Sand

Let’s talk turkey

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

So, after the turkey is consumed, the pies are half gone and the dishwasher is running its first load, it’s time to talk turkey. And what’s everyone’s favorite dinner conversation – real estate.

Let’s start with one of the mysteries of the ages, why mortgage rates go up and down. If you think you’re going to get an understandable answer from me, guess again. Some mysteries are never solved.

As of this writing, the average rates are 6.89% for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and 6.26% for a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage. Adjustable-rate mortgages are 5.52%, not too much better but could put borderline buyers in the range of qualifying. These rates have actually ticked down a little from 7% a few weeks ago in spite of the Federal Reserve upping their rate by 0.75% again.

Nationally, home sales typically go down when rates go up since fewer potential homeowners qualify for a loan. Despite the sharp decline in sales, home prices are rising on a year-over-year basis, in part be- cause supply remains low. Unfortunately, a slower housing demand affects other goods and services. Furniture, appliances, lumber and plumbing sales declined in September due to less demand for those products, slowing down the overall economy.

Not surprising, the future predictions are all over the place. The Mortgage Bank-
ers Association thinks mortgage rates are expected to end 2022 at 4.8% and to decline gradually to 4.6% by 2024. Good news, if you believe it, for buyers who are trying to decide between an adjustable-rate mortgage and a conventional one.

The National Association of Realtors kind of agrees with the above, saying that all in all, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is likely to hit 5.3% by the end of the year, and that 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages will be at 4% by the end of the year.

Finally, a senior economist at Zillow says that competing dynamics suggest that there will be little reason for mortgage rates to decline anytime soon.

As far as pricing is concerned, the National Association of Realtors expects prices to post year-over-year declines starting next year.

Let’s just see what the Manatee County market did for the month of October according to the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

Single-family homes closed at 22.5% less than last October. The median price was $549,444, up 29.3% from last year and the average price was $711,358, up 25.8% from last year. Median time to contract was 24 days compared to 6 days last October and the month’s supply of properties was 2.8 months versus 0.8 last year.

Condos closed 22.5% less than last October. The median price was $368,700, up 32.6%, and the average price was $388,103, up 17.4%. Median time to contract was
22 days versus 7 days last year and the month’s supply of properties was 2.3 months compared to 0.6 last year.

The trend of fewer sales and raising inventory is continuing. Some real estate analysts feel the market is leveling off with less of a bounce to higher values. A lot of this as it relates to Florida is impacted by hurricanes, interest rates and inflation. And we’re not alone. Just coming over one of my news feeds is a report that home sales nationally fell for a ninth straight month in October, according to the National Association of Realtors.

I hope this gives you some debatable information to discuss at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Just remember that when it comes to talking turkey, you probably know as much as anyone. Happy Thanksgiving.

Holiday merriment takes over Bridge Street

Holiday merriment takes over Bridge Street

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Holiday.

BRADENTON BEACH – Merchants and city officials launched the Season of Lights and Spirit light display that will continue to shine through the New Year and that’s not the only holiday event happening on Bridge Street.

The holiday festivities began on Nov. 19 with the Light Up Bridge Street tree lighting ceremony and continue with a street party, boat parade and outdoor movie.

The tree lighting ceremony included a special appearance by Santa Claus. Longtime Island resident and former city commissioner Ed Straight had the honor of flipping the switch to light the 32-foot big tree for the first time this season.

Street party and boat parade

Coinciding with the annual Holiday Boat Parade is a festive street party taking place on and around Bridge Street on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 3-9 p.m. This family-friendly event starts in the post office parking lot with face painting, a kid’s holiday crafts station and photo opportunities with Santa.

Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the closure of Bridge Street to enjoy the waived open container rules, drink specials from local venues, live music, entertainment from local youth performers, a drawing featuring more than $2,000 in gift cards for one lucky winner and shopping opportunities at area merchants. A one-of-a-kind Bradenton Beach fillable ornament will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Turning Points of Bradenton, an organization that assists the homeless.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., the Bradenton Beach Pier will provide an excellent view of the annual Holiday Boat Parade hosted again this year by the Bradenton Beach Marina. Local entertainer Mike Sales will provide the musical soundtrack to the festivities and announce the boat parade participants as they pass by the pier.

The boat parade vessels will gather near the south end of Jewfish Key. At 6 p.m., the boat parade will head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then north up the Intracoastal Waterway. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the boat parade will pass alongside the pier at Bridge Street on its way to the Bradenton Beach Marina.

There is no entry fee to join the boat parade and interested boaters are asked to download the entry form at www.braden- tonbeachmarina.com or call John or Mike at 941-778-2288. The shops, restaurants and bars along and around Bridge Street will remain open until after the street party and boat parade.

Christmas on Bridge Street

The annual Christmas on Bridge Street is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3-9 p.m. The Anna Maria Island Privateers will arrive by sleigh in front of the big Christmas tree for pirate pictures with Santa. The afternoon’s activities also include a performance by the Crosley Theater Dickens Carolers, face painting and a kids’ holiday craft station. A free outdoor movie featuring a screening of “Home Sweet Home Alone” starts at 7 p.m. with a concession stand offering popcorn, soda and virgin daiquiris. Takeout also is available from many restaurants in Bradenton Beach.

At the same time, the Drift In will host its annual Christmas party and fundraiser benefitting the AMI Privateers’ youth programs.

For more information on any of these “Holidays in Paradise” events, go online or call 941-896-2222.

Red tide affects Manatee County waters

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has issued an alert for the presence of red tide in local waters.

Based on samples taken Nov. 7, a red tide bloom in varying degrees was shown at Bayfront Park, Coquina Beach South, Longboat Pass/Coquina Boat Ramp and Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) red tide status map on Nov. 17 showed a range in concentrations from very low at Rod & Reel Pier to medium at Longboat Pass.

Red tide is a type of algal bloom caused by high concentrations of Karenia brevis, a microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind and wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release toxins into the air, according to the health department. People should monitor conditions and use caution when visiting affected water bodies. Those in coastal areas can experience eye, nose and throat irritation during a red tide bloom. Some individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, like asthma or chronic lung disease, might experience more severe symptoms.

Red tide typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents. Once inshore, nutrient sources may fuel growth, according to the health department.

Soon after Hurricane Ian hit, some areas to the south of Manatee County experienced high levels of the toxic algae and local water quality experts were uncertain whether or not it would spread to the north.

“I never predict,” Dr. David Tomas- ko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, told The Sun in October. “Hopefully, this doesn’t get bigger. The wind is out of the west pushing water toward shore – that’s not going to help us.”

According to the FWC on Nov. 17, “Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.”

Also on Nov. 17, the FWC website stated that respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in southwest Florida in those same areas.

“Red tide toxins can also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, which can lead to fish kills and increased wildlife strandings or mortalities,” a DOH press release stated. “Eating contaminated seafood can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans.”

“Please note that it is safe to eat shellfish that are commercially harvested and sold in fish markets, restaurants and other outlets,” the Mote Marine website states. “Florida has a well-established monitoring program for all commercial shellfish beds and these beds are closed when affected by red tide or other environmental conditions.”

For local shellfish harvesting status results, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The FWC collects and analyzes red tide samples and results are updated daily. Status updates are issued twice weekly during blooms.

To hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state, call the toll-free hotline at 866-300-9399.

To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute on the FWC reporter app, call 1-800-636-0511, or report online.

The DOH warns the public to take the following precautions in and around affected areas:

• Look for informational signage posted at most beaches.

• Stay away from the water.

• Do not swim in waters with dead fish.

• Those with chronic respiratory problems should be especially cautious and stay away from affected locations as red tide can adversely affect your breathing.

• Do not harvest or eat shellfish, distressed or dead fish from affected locations. If caught live and healthy, finfish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are discarded. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water.

• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have had recent contact with red tide.

• Keep pets and livestock away from and out of the water, seafoam and dead sea life. If your pet swims in waters with red tide, wash your pet as soon as possible.

• Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner, making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications.

• If outdoors near an affected location, residents may choose to wear masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

To get answers to questions about red tide and its effects, contact the health department in Manatee County at 941-748- 0747.

Youth soccer championship matchups set

Youth soccer championship matchups set

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – Leading up to youth soccer semifinal playoff action, four teams in the U10 league took to the pitch at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Nov. 7. Cloud Pest Control lost 2-1 to Island Real Estate, advancing the team play against LaPensee Plumbing the following night.

The sure foot of Callin Westfall gave the Island Real Estate a goal and assist, while teammate Oliver Barr added a point to the scoreboard for his team.

On defense, goalkeeper Vincent Gollamudi made three critical saves in his team’s quarterfinal win.

The Island Real Estate offense kept Sawyer Leibfried busy with eight saves for Cloud Pest Control. Offensively for the Cloud squad, David Zupa had the team’s only goal in the game.

Solid Rock Construction easily defeated AMI Coconuts with the final score of 5-2. Solid Rock went on to play Sato Real Estate to determine which team made it to play in the championship game.

Despite a valiant effort by AMI Coconuts, Solid Rock Construction’s offense was too strong for their opponent.

With two goals, Renan Kesten led the scoring for Solid Rock with two goals. Kesten’s teammates Ruby Kesten, Turner Worth and Matthew Darak each had solo goals in the game.

Isaac Roadman protected his team’s goal in the quarterfinal game, saving two AMI Coconut shots. Roadman’s counterparts Jordan Steele and Sophia Kerr made a total of four saves against the strong Solid Rock offense.

The two AMI Coconut goals were made by Riley Karecki and Aidan Guess. Guess was credited with an assist to Karecki’s goal.

In a close one, LaPensee Plumbing went on to defeat Island Real Estate 2-1 in the second semifinal game on Nov. 8.

LaPensee’s big win comes after Solid Rock Construction’s narrow victory against Sato Real Estate. Taking the game into overtime, Solid Rock’s post-regulation play success gave the team the win, which clinched the first championship game slot for Solid Rock Construction in U10 play.

The U10 championship game was scheduled to take place on Nov. 14. After LaPensee Plumbing and Solid Rock Construction went head-to-head for the championship title, Progressive Cabinetry and HSH faced off for the U14 final win.

Progressive Cabinetry sealed the deal with a win against team Mac Parkman 3-2, paving the way to the team’s road to the U14 championship game Monday night.

 

Sun Scoreboard

Nov. 8

Youth Soccer – Semifinal Playoff Games
U10

 

Solid Rock Construction 4 OT PKs

Sato Real Estate 3

 

LaPensee Plumbing 2

Island Real Estate 1

U14

 

Progressive Cabinetry 3

Mac Parkman 2

 

NOV. 10

Adult Soccer – Quarterfinal Playoff Games

Postponed due to weather

Castles in the Sand

Zoom towns

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

They call them “Zoom towns” because so many of the new residents are working remotely and have given up their city and suburban lifestyles for a more relaxed environment in smaller communities. It’s no secret that this massive lifestyle change evolved because of COVID-19, but even now, when the danger of serious infection is substantially reduced, Zoom towns are still popular.

A recent National Association of Realtors survey reported that buyers who purchased homes in the year that ended in June moved a median of 50 miles from their previous residences. This is the highest distance on record, going back to 2005 when the median was a consistent 15 miles. This may not seem like a lot of mileage difference, but 15 miles from Boston, for instance, is still part of the city, but when you go 50 miles, you’re in real country. In New York City and other large metropolitan areas, however, you would need to go a little further than 50 miles to really be getting away from it all.

In the same survey, smaller communities were more popular, with buyers purchasing 48% of the homes. Again, this is a record and is up from 32% a year earlier. By comparison, traditional suburban home purchases dropped to 39% from 51% the previous year and only 10% of home purchases were in urban areas, down from 13% the year before. Naturally, the increased cost of homes and now the increased cost of financing has certainly influenced buyers.

Home buyers who are getting close to retirement are another influence on the popularity of small communities. Many who have the ability to work remotely chose to relocate now rather than after their retirement date. This gave them an edge before mortgage rates and prices went up further and set them up for easing into retirement.

Confirming further the demand for homes in smaller communities, The Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Indexes came out at the end of October. It reports that the demand for homes in low-cost cities with strong local economies is, in their opinion, “robust.” This annual survey incorporates economic and lifestyle data, including real estate taxes, home appreciation, unemployment, wages and commute time in their 300 biggest metro area rankings.

This survey places the North Port, Sarasota and Bradenton region at number four in the top 10. Unfortunately, as we all know, North Port has taken a big hit from Hurricane Ian since this survey was completed, so in next year’s survey it will be interesting to see where that area is placed.

The other Emerging Housing Markets were in this order: Johnson City, Tennessee; Visalia-Porterville, California; Elkhart-Goshen, Indiana; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana; Columbia, South Carolina; Columbia, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Yuma, Arizona.

Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said, “These more affordable markets continue to offer some opportunity. It doesn’t mean that they’re not seeing a slowdown in their housing markets, but they’re better positioned generally.” In other words, they had faster home sales and lower unemployment rates than the market as a whole, which is attracting buyers in an otherwise difficult housing market. Further, according to an economist at Nationwide Insurance, the trend toward less expensive housing markets looks like it will continue even if home prices start trending down.

I guess all of Florida needs to be considered a Zoom town based on the number of people who have relocated to our state in the past two years. We’re still a state with a lot of smaller, cozy communities, access to waterfront amenities and a friendly business environment. I believe our new diverse residents will only enhance those attributes. Time to pack your laptops and zoom your way to the Sunshine State!

Holmes Beach road work causes traffic delays

Holmes Beach road work causes traffic delays

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Anyone driving through the largest Anna Maria Island city knows that drivers need more patience than usual to make it through the traffic congestion snaking through the center of the community.

With increased traffic due to the start of the winter tourism season and two roadway projects, travel time delays aren’t expected to decrease until at least the end of December.

The issues stem from the start of a long-planned city center roadway renovation project at the intersection of Marina and Gulf drives along with work from a Manatee County utilities project.

The city center renovations include the addition of sidewalks, crosswalks, green space and lighting through the intersection as well as improvements to bicycle and vehicular travel lanes. To accommodate the work currently being done down Marina Drive from the Gulf Drive intersection to just past the Island Branch Library, that section of the road is closed with traffic diverted down Holmes Boulevard and the coastal section of Gulf Drive. Ongoing work includes the installation of concrete curbing and sidewalks, infiltration trenches and new drainage structures as well as regrading and repaving the street.

City Engineer Sage Kamiya said that the work on Marina Drive is scheduled to be mostly completed by the end of December with traffic lanes reopened as work allows. Once work is completed on Marina Drive, additional work will need to be done on Gulf Drive.

Addressing the somewhat controversial four-way stop temporarily installed at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Holmes Boulevard, Kamiya and Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer released a joint statement on Nov. 4 on Facebook stating that they believe the four-way stop is still the best traffic control method for the area.

The statement said they looked into the installation of a temporary traffic light and putting a police officer at the intersection to direct traffic as alternatives. Using a police officer to direct traffic was dismissed because the intersection is too narrow to allow for an officer to safely direct two-way traffic and reducing traffic to one lane would cause more traffic delays. Cost also was a factor as that solution would require a full-time police officer to be onsite at the intersection.

A temporary traffic light was also dismissed due to not being considered as effective in moving traffic as the four-way stop.

Adding to drivers’ woes is an ongoing potable water project by Manatee County which was supposed to be completed prior to the start of the city center project. Instead, both projects are continuing simultaneously with the county project first disrupting traffic along Holmes Boulevard and then blocking off a section of 52nd Street the week of Nov. 7, which kept traffic along that street limited for most of the week.

Ross, Wash tie going into playoffs

Ross, Wash tie going into playoffs

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – Ending the adult co-ed recreational soccer regular season at The Center of Anna Maria Island, last-place team Ross Built Construction and the top-ranked Wash Family Construction met on the pitch last Thursday night.

Week seven play ended in a 4-4 tie on Nov. 3 between the two teams, slated to meet again in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., according to The Center’s rankings.

The Center’s Marketing and Communications Director, Sam Parker, made a nice goal, tucking the soccer ball in the left corner of the net coming from the right side of the field. Teammate Raul Castano joins Parker in the statistics with a solo goal, along with two by Kali Richardson for Ross Built.

Getting past Steve Oelfke twice, Wash Family Construction’s Tyler Brewer’s two goals added to the single by team captain Kevin Roman and Austin Nutting.

Oelfke made eight saves in the final game. His counterpart, Mark Long, made seven all-important stops to help his team end the game a tie.

ServisFirst Bank’s defense kept the Gulfview Windows & Door scoring to only one goal by team captain Keith Mahoney. Teammate and keeper Tuna McCracken had eight saves in the game, only letting three get past him.

To score for ServisFirst, Selina Gonzalez-Salinas beat the Gulfview defense. Ugur “Lucky” Durmaz continued to strike successfully with two goals in the game.

In a blowout, team Sato Real Estate won against Slim’s Place with a final score of 8-0. Pedro Gonzalez had a hat trick with Danny Anderson and Lindsey Styka both scoring two goals against the third-seed team going into the quarterfinals.

Team captain Josh Sato made it on the board with a single. Finishing in second, Sato goes against ServisFirst next week.

Slim’s Place will match up against Moss Builders in quarterfinal play. With a surprising sixth-place finish, Moss Builders lost in a close one in the last game of the regular season against Pool America.

Hanging out in the middle of the pack with Gulfview, fourth-ranked Pool America scored seven goals against the Moss Builder goalies Ryan Moss, with seven saves, and James Roadman, with three.

Max Gazzo protected the Pool America goal, making three saves in the night.

Matthew Staggs earned his hat trick for Pool America along with Moss Builder’s Daniel Hampton.

Additional Moss Builder scoring came off the boots of Damir Glavan and Olaf Krause. The solid team came up short in the scoring department thanks to two goals by Nate Welch and solo goals by Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos and team captain Chris Klotz for Pool America.

The first game of the playoff season pits the mid-ranked teams against each other, as Gulfview Windows & Doors meets Pool America on Thursday, Nov. 10. Playoff action leads to the all-important Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup match on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.

 

 

Sun Scoreboard

NOV. 1

Youth Soccer – Week 7

U10

 

LaPensee Plumbing (6-0-1) 3

Sato Real Estate (4-1-2) 1

 

Island Real Estate (3-2-2) 1

Solid Rock Construction (2-3-2) 1

 

AMI Coconuts (2-3-2) 1

Cloud Pest Control (0-7-0) 0

 

U14

 

HSH (4-0-1) 3

Progressive Cabinetry (1-3-1) 1

 

Mac Parkman (0-3-2) Bye Week

NOV. 3

Adult Soccer – Week 7

 

#8 Ross Built Construction (1-5-1) 4

#1 Wash Family Construction (4-1-2) 4

 

#7 ServisFirst Bank (2-4-1) 3

#5 Gulfview Windows and Doors (3-4-0) 1

 

#2 Sato Real Estate (4-2-1) 8

#3 Slim’s Place (4-2-1) 0

 

#4 Pool America (4-3-0) 7

#6 Moss Builders (2-3-2) 5

Rankings and records provided by The Center

Reel Time: Master the basics

Reel Time: Master the basics

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Today’s anglers are barraged by the constantly changing “state-of-the-art” innovations in the angling world. Side scan fish finders, spot lock trolling motors and even lures with cameras might improve your odds at catching fish, but there’s no substitute for learning and applying what might be called the basics, the foundations that successful angling is built on.

Fishing means different things to different people. To some, it’s the simple pleasure of being on the water where catching is optional. To others, it’s serious business and the outcome can make or break a day on the water. For others, it’s the search for a meal or just an opportunity to share time with friends or family.

Whatever fishing means to you, it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, I’m convinced that the less complicated, the better your chance of success. That might not be apparent when browsing the tackle department at your nearest sporting goods store or tackle shop.

There is a plethora of gear lining the shelves meant to dazzle and “lure” anglers. Even the basics like line and hooks come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, each promising the angler an advantage over the fish. In truth, experience has taught me that there’s no special magic to finding the right gear for angling success. Instead, concentrating on a few basic time-tested techniques will improve the luck of even the greenest angler.

Most important is the essential outfit – rod, reel and line. Pick the best quality tackle you can afford, but not the most expensive available. I’m talking about gear that is solidly made and able to survive the rigors of saltwater. Whether you’re using spinning tackle, fly tackle or bait casting gear, get an outfit that’s balanced and appropriate for the kind of fishing you’ll be doing. A balanced outfit means that the weight is evenly distributed when held just forward of the reel on the cork of the rod. This isn’t an exact science, but you’ll be able to feel if one component is oversized.

An appropriate outfit is one that is up to the task of catching the fish you’re targeting, but no heavier than necessary. An 8- to 10-pound rig is perfect for snook, trout, redfish and other inshore species while a 20- to 40-pound outfit works best for anglers hunting kingfish and cobia along the beach or bottom fishing for grouper, snapper or amberjack over offshore ledges and wrecks. The line should also match the outfit you’re using and fill the spool of the reel. The most common problem I see is reels with too little line. This severely hampers the angler’s casting accuracy and distance.

When it comes to deciding whether to use live bait or artificial lures, I think artificial lures are a better choice, especially for beginning anglers. First and foremost, lures are less of a hassle. Live bait takes time to acquire, must be kept healthy and usually stays close to where it’s cast. Artificial lures by contrast don’t have to be changed often and aren’t affected by pests like pinfish. At worst it only involves changing the body of a jig occasionally. Using lures will allow you to cover more water, testing various water depths and retrieval speeds.

My personal favorite is a jig and, while I now use mostly weighted jigs with plastic bodies, the original with bucktail skirts are still a great choice. My second choice would be a top water plug. These lures require a bit of practice to master “walking the dog” but allow the angler to cover a lot of water and attract fish with their sound and surface disturbance.

Consult your local tackle shop when choosing an outfit. They know the area, have a wealth of experience and can be trusted to get you off to a good start. While big box stores might seem a good place to shop, you’re not as likely to get the professional advice of a local shop. Do some homework before shopping so you can pick the best rig for the fishing you intend to do. There is no doubt that innovations appear that you want to be aware of, but your overall experience will be enhanced if you master the basics first.

Castles in the Sand

Is the Earth moving under homeownership?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

As I’m reading that mortgage rates have topped 7% for the first time in 20 years, I can’t help wondering how all the events of the past two years will affect homeownership. As the affordability of purchasing a home deteriorates, will it take homeownership along with it?

I recently became aware of a book called “Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States,” written by historian and Columbia University professor Kenneth Jackson in 1985. The book focuses on the history of single-family homeownership in the United States and goes all the way back prior to the Civil War. However, my interest and probably yours was what happened to American homeownership after World War II.

Although the book outlines the history of how the suburbs developed, it also explains the psychology of why people want to own their own home and the piece of ground under it. It’s all about the “American Dream” and how for generations, owning a home represented the fulfillment of that dream and the success that it symbolized. Immigrants who came through Ellis Island at the beginning of the 1900s couldn’t believe their children could actually own their own homes and appreciated how important that was to their lives.

The economics of owning a home for most would-be homeowners was less important than the desire to own a home, regardless of whether the future math made sense. Find the home you want in the area you want and find a way to get it without really considering its future worth. Fortunately, the future worth of real estate has consistently risen since the early 1950s when the suburbs outside of major cities grew and grew and grew.

All we have to do is look to the last couple of years when home values in the United States have risen 36% since 2020, which is twice as large as any other two-year increase on record. Even the real estate crash of 2007 hasn’t changed anyone’s minds about the value of homeownership. All the value that was lost has returned and most people and economists feel that what happened then was just a blip on the real estate radar, not a trend. There has consistently been a 60% homeownership rate since the early 1960s.

The COVID-19 epidemic has certainly changed where people live almost as much as the advent of affordable automobiles and highways did. It gave citizens the ability to live far from their job’s home offices and “commute” via their laptops, pushing up the value of homes in areas of the country no one ever considered moving to until retirement, like Florida. This has unfortunately widened the gap between the wealthy white-collar professionals and everyone else. That combined with the rise of inflation and mortgage rates has locked a lot of middle-class people out of the market.

Nevertheless, history predicts that what we’re living through now will not be long-term and homes will continue to appreciate. Eventually, new buyers will find a way into the market. Florida has been one of the major beneficiaries of this unusual real estate trend and, although our market is going through a slight correction, don’t bet on it collapsing.

Since the Federal Reserve just passed another rate hike at a recent meeting, we can anticipate mortgage rates to continue going up. As the Earth keeps moving under the real estate market, the average buyer just doesn’t know what to do, so many are doing nothing. It’s a sad state of affairs for the country, but hopefully one that will not stick around for long.

Letter to the Editor: Leaders, preserve Island character

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

Years ago, I attended the Aqua by the Bay hearings where I was introduced to a typical MO: A corporation requests a special exception which is not supposed to have a negative impact, but it usually does. It’s a trade-off. A site plan is approved that disturbs the public and/or environment to the benefit of a private entity.

Many experienced people like Joe McClash and Jane von Hahmann spoke with great detail showing how the request did not comply with the comp plan or code. It was said that their $25 drawing was even more detailed than the applicant’s. The county chambers were overflowing. However, as we well know, the county approved the plan anyway.

Subsequently, the corporation bulldozed a conservation area and backpedaled on a stipulation giving the public a checkpoint on progress. Issues related to a retaining wall and mangrove trimmings ensued. It was only through the persistence of environmental groups that prompted DEP intervention. But the damage was already done.

Within a 900-foot radius in Holmes Beach between city hall and city center, minimally, there have been special exceptions in Resolutions 14-04, 16-07, 17-03, 22-08, and a settlement in the residential zone. In addition, during a recent site plan review, it was discovered that there had been egregious unacknowledged special exceptions over the years. Honoring and allowing special exceptions while saying that you are adhering to the code seems like an oxymoron.

It is these repeated approvals of special exceptions and the unaddressed violations which chip away at the intended city character which is well outlined in the comprehensive plan and code.

Lack of space is a common denominator of many of our city issues, and it is the density related to these special exceptions that is creating a negative impact. There will be a trade-off; testimonials are abundant from residents who have moved, as well as the dwindling few who remain.

Residents are not asking for special exceptions when they desire a normal quality of life that is promised in the code. We ask city leaders to please have vision and preserve the unique Island character.

 

Margie Motzer

Holmes Beach