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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Reel Time: Catch and release redux

Reel Time: Catch and release redux

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

Catch and release is a term I haven’t heard much recently. I’ve actually seen postings on social media that make me wonder if maybe this important conservation tool needs to be revisited. Catch and release wasn’t commonly discussed in saltwater sport-fishing circles when I was growing up. It became prevalent when fish populations became stressed in the late 1980s and organizations like the Florida Conservation Association (now the Coastal Conservation Association) were being formed. Slowly, it caught on as an important tool to help flagging fisheries rebound.

Most anglers I know who practice catch and release have no problem with taking an occasional fish home for dinner. It’s more about enjoying the sport and trying to be proactive in helping it to remain healthy and viable. There are many species that have little or no food value that anglers seldom intentionally kill. But catch and release is not just about releasing fish that you don’t want, it’s also about releasing undersized and unwanted species. Catch and release is a wise use of the resource and that’s why it’s important that anglers know how to handle fish properly from hook set to release.

When we get cut or bruised, we can head for the local drug store, or in more extreme cases the emergency room. Not so for fish. In their world, it’s the sick and wounded that fall prey to predators. Releasing fish with a minimum of damage is important with a 6-pound trout, a 150-pound tarpon and everything in between.

Start by making sure you’re using the right tackle for the species being pursued. Trying to land a 100-plus pound tarpon on 20-pound tackle might be okay if you’re experienced, but to the uninitiated, it’s like announcing a free meal to sharks that ply local waters looking for weak or injured prey. You want to enjoy the action but land the fish as quickly as possible. Once you have the fish under control, it’s best to never take them out of the water.

It might be necessary to revive big fish. That’s best accomplished by slowly motoring forward while holding the fish underwater. They’ll let you know when they’re ready to be released.

The hook is another important consideration. Some anglers don’t like to bend their barbs down because they’re afraid of losing the fish. The key to keeping fish on a barbless hook is keeping a tight line. When you’re ready to remove the hook, use a de-hooker.

De-hookers will prevent you from having to handle your catch, keep your hands clean, prevent you from inadvertently harming the fish’s protective mucus membrane and come in various shapes depending on use. The simplest is J-shaped and removes hooks in or near the jaw. A circular-shaped longer version allows anglers to remove hooks that are deep in the throat of a fish. A set of pliers can also be used if the hook is easily accessible.

Anglers who fish for reef fish like snapper and grouper need to learn how to “vent” fish with inflated swim bladders. Bringing the fish up from deep depths quickly bloats their bladder, which has to be punctured to allow the fish to return to the bottom. For bigger, hard-to-vent fish like Goliath grouper, new technology uses a descender device to get them back down in good shape. Visit the Return ‘Em Right project web page to learn how to use the device and get one for free.

By being prepared, anglers can use proper catch and release methods to increase a fish’s chance of survival. Taking the time and having the tools and knowledge to release fish properly is a great way to help ensure healthy fish populations both now and in the future. Catch and release is an important concept that needs to be practiced and discussed among anglers.

Summer’s unofficial end comes quietly

Summer’s unofficial end comes quietly

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The official number of visitors to the Island won’t be available for a few days, but this Labor Day weekend appeared to be a more subdued event than last year, when the post-COVID travel boom brought a record number of visitors to the Island.

“We came to Panama City first to visit a friend there, then we headed here,” said Tom Biscontine, who traveled here with his wife, Stacy, from Illinois. “We have a wedding to go to in Bradenton, so coming to the Island was a no-brainer.”

Biscontine says his father was a regular at the Coquina Beach Cafe for years, even having his own reserved chair with his name on it. The couple likes to come to the Island, but says they usually avoid the busy holiday weekends.

“We are surprised, it’s not crazy at all here right now, it’s really nice,” Biscontine said. “We love the beaches here, the people, the food, and, of course, the live music. We love to go see a great band and there are plenty here.”

Both Lt. Lenard Diaz of the Bradenton Beach Police Department and Chief Bill Tokajer of the Holmes Beach Police Department say Labor Day weekends are not typically as busy as the Fourth of July or Memorial Day weekends because children are back in school and it’s a tight window for air travel in that short time frame. Regardless, all the police departments on the Island increased the number of officers on patrol last weekend and got assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which not only patrols the city of Anna Maria, but brings in additional officers to Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach on holidays.

Normally, holiday weekends on Anna Maria Island cause serious traffic issues, but this year, some beachgoers found roads less crowded.

“It took us over an hour to cross the Palma Sola Causeway last year,” Brandon resident Tommy Stamper said. “This year on the same day it took less than 20 minutes.”

According to statistics from Manatee County regarding the tax dollars brought in from the 5% tax on tourist rentals on the Island, the summer months have seen a sharp decline from 2021, showing that the freedom to travel burst after the COVID-19 lockdown has started to level off.

“I know we need our tourists to keep our economy strong, and I love them,” said Maria Nunez, of Holmes Beach. “On the other hand, it’s nice to get to work in just a few minutes rather than planning for chaos.”

Hurricane season’s second half could be unusually active

Hurricane season’s second half could be unusually active

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors.

CORTEZ – Halfway through a quiet hurricane season, it’s too soon to relax, as experts are still predicting above-normal 2022 Atlantic hurricane activity.

Atmospheric and oceanic conditions still favor an above-normal 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) annual mid-season update, issued this month by the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

A timely rotating exhibit currently at the Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) titled “Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” revisits some of the worst coastal storms to impact the state – several of which hit locally.

An unnamed hurricane in October 1921 covered the Gulf coast in water from Fort Myers to Tarpon Springs, causing devastation to the Cortez waterfront.

“In Cortez, fishermen watched their industry be nearly swept away. The storm’s waves left behind mounds of debris tangled in nets where fish camps and docks once stood,” according to the FMM exhibit. “Left without markets to sell to, the fishermen created their own, some of which still remain on Cortez’s waterfront.”

The Cortez Public School, which still stands at 119th Street West and Cortez Road and is now the Florida Maritime Museum, is the highest point in Cortez and was used as a shelter during that storm, which had an 11-foot storm surge.

In October 1944, a major unnamed hurricane known unofficially as the Cuba-Florida Hurricane “struck the Bradenton/Sarasota area causing trees to fall across the road taking out power lines and disrupting all communications between the Keys and the mainland.”

Hurricane Alma in June 1966 was another storm highlighted in the exhibit, with the following recollection from Cortez resident August Antilla, “…by nightfall Ellen and I had purchased $12 worth of cheeses, cold cuts and candy, and we were looking forward to our cozy hurricane party, just the two of us. The radio was blaring continually… ‘Evacuate, Anna Maria Island. The tide will be 7 to 11 feet above normal.’ ”

The largest hurricane evacuation in U.S. history happened just five years ago in September, 2017 with 6.5 million people fleeing their homes in anticipation of Hurricane Irma. Hurricane track predictions included a “cone of uncertainty” with Irma; that cone covered the entire Florida peninsula. In an abundance of caution, many counties issued mandatory evacuation orders.

So far this year, the season has seen three named storms – Alex, Bonnie and Colin – and no hurricanes in the Atlantic. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

NOAA forecasters have slightly decreased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% from the May prediction of 65%, but more than 60% of hurricanes that make landfall do so after the peak of the season in September.

“We’re just getting into the peak months of August through October for hurricane development, and we anticipate that more storms are on the way,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said.

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant as we enter the peak months of hurricane season,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said.

For more information, check out The Sun’s Hurricane Guide.

Castles in the Sand

Is Florida the new New York?

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

What’s happened in the last two years with the rise of COVID-19 has changed our culture, our housing and our geography so much that it’s hard to wrap your brain around it.

Everything we do has the cloud of the pandemic over it in small and big ways. But eventually, those changes will fade and some of the cultural changes will also start to fade. What then?

The way I view it through my real estate-soaked brain is that remote work has been the number one factor in the shifting real estate market. The fortunate people who had jobs that could be performed remotely were encouraged, and in some cases mandated, by their employers to leave the office. Many of these white-collar workers moved out of major metropolitan hubs and into small towns or small cities, increasing the population substantially. According to an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank, people migrating from high-cost, large metro areas to small cities, towns and rural areas was about 15% higher during the four quarters ending in March compared with the average for the three-year period preceding the pandemic.

All of this increase in population based on remote work also reshuffled the housing markets. Home values went up, new businesses were started, school enrollments increased and workers who said they would never leave major cities suddenly found themselves filling the bird feeders in the morning instead of waiting in line for their coffee.

We all know that Florida has been one of the major beneficiaries of this reshuffling, with real estate values increasing to unprecedented levels. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Florida increased by over 200,000 new residents between July 2020 to July 2021 and, of course, this does not include what the increase has been since July of last year.

Unincorporated Manatee County, Bradenton and the three towns on Anna Maria Island were always considered small towns. There is no doubt that right in our own backyards we can see the benefit of remote work and how it has impacted our real estate market.

Now it’s time to look at the July Manatee County real estate statistics recorded by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. I’m sorry I’m a little late with this report, which came out while I was away.

The median sale price for single-family homes was $521,000, up 21.2% from last year. The average sale price was $689,490, up 21.7%. New listings were up 49.8% and closed sales were down 22.2%.

The condo median sale price was $354,500, up 41.8% from last year, and the average sale price was $409,848, up 32.3%. New listings were up 11.3% and closed sales were down 20.9%

Both single-family and condos had a median time to contract of nine days.

We’re still seeing double-digit increases in sale prices with condos jumping ahead of single-family homes. But the real story is the increase in inventory and the decrease in sales. The supply and demand ratios are shifting, so watch those sale prices eventually take a hit.

Being someone who was born and worked most of my adult life in New York City, I can’t believe that the major cities are dead. Cities offer culture and energy that is hard to find outside of that environment. They don’t, however, offer beaches, mountains or small-town life.

How long will this new lifestyle last – who knows? I can’t help thinking that eventually, you start thinking there’s more to life than filling the bird feeder.

Former AME Dolphins moving up in volleyball

Former AME Dolphins moving up in volleyball

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

ANNA MARIA – Following in the footsteps of former Anna Maria Elementary School Dolphins, a new generation of talented high school volleyball players have their roots on the Island.

With hard hitters Mallory Cosfeld, Mackenzie Cosfeld Fortenberry, Sarah Howard and Kelly Stewart blazing the trail playing volleyball in high school, several AME alumni are set to play for Manatee High School (MHS) and Bradenton Christian School (BCS) this year.

As a freshman, making the varsity volleyball team at MHS was a hard-earned accomplishment for Natalie Talucci. An Island girl through and through, Talucci started at the School for Constructive Play, graduating to becoming an AME Dolphin. She went on to King Middle School and in the summer of 2020, with COVID protocols in place, discovered beach volleyball was a safer sport to play. A passion was born when Talucci took to the sand with Nancy Cothron, director of the Manatee Area Volleyball Club (MAV).

Playing on the Bradenton Riverfront beach volleyball courts in the beginning, Talucci expanded her game to Manatee Beach. She went from playing to competing with AME alumni Ava Baugh in a Coquina Beach tournament. The duo continued to play this summer and her love of the sport grew. Talucci joined the MAV indoor club in 2020.

Former AME Dolphins moving up in volleyball
Natalie Talucci and Ava Baugh partner for beach volleyball action this summer. – Submitted

As a seventh grader, she played for King, and by the eighth grade, Talucci decided she wanted to improve her game.

“Being shorter I have to work harder to get on the court usually. I play back row as Defensive Specialist or Libero,” Talucci noted in an email. “My dad warned me that I will probably need to play myself onto the court where taller girls usually have to play themselves off the court.”

Understanding her strengths and weaknesses and liking the hardcourt, she played with the Wave Volleyball Alliance in 2021 seeking opportunities to improve. The weaknesses only made Talucci want to work harder.

“I want to play,” she said.

After finishing the eighth-grade season, Talucci joined the Bevolley Beach Volleyball Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida, to stay on the court year-round.

“I knew that I could not take the off-season off. I had to keep working,” she said.

With her sights set on making the varsity squad, Talucci enlisted the assistance of her older brother, Evan. An inspiring personal trainer, Talucci’s brother jumped at the chance to help her improve her overall fitness and ability in time for MHS tryouts.

“I wanted him to push me,” she said. “I needed more conditioning.”

She has seen him running before school and going to the gym during the summer after football practice.

“He works hard and we are both super competitive,” Talucci said, adding that “Don’t you want to be great?” is one of Evan’s favorite things to say around the house.

The trainer-athlete relationship was not without its challenges as siblings, but the goal prevailed. Working together, Evan’s motivation toward his personal goal propelled his sister with a sense of accomplishment.

“When she first came home from school the day she made varsity as a freshman, I knew I helped her get there,” he said. “The summer conditioning we did helped her show up when she needed to.”

Training whenever they could this summer, Talucci and her brother saw results. The hard work paid off.

After making the team, her mother, Amelia “Amy” Talucci, noted on a Facebook post, “We are so proud of Natalie, she has spent the last year determined to learn more and become a better athlete and volleyball player and teammate.”

Her trainer/brother made clear, “She is a TALUCCI – she is loud and brings the energy to the court!”

Former AME Dolphins moving up in volleyball
Fiona McCarthy joins other AME Dolphins on MHS varsity volleyball this year. – Submitted

Fiona McCarthy joins Talucci on the varsity team at MHS. Starting at AME as a second grader, McCarthy started playing volleyball when she was 12 years old.

For her, playing varsity will allow her to train with more skilled and experienced players.

Along with McCarthy and Talucci, former AME student Ava Baugh was named to the MHS varsity team.

In addition to MHS varsity players, former AME student Marley Culhane earned her spot on the BCS varsity volleyball team as a sophomore. Culhane left AME, following her siblings to BCS after finishing the third grade.

A few years later in 2017, Culhane started playing volleyball after watching her sisters, Mikaela Culhane and Kiera Johnston, play for BCS.

“After all, I wanted to be like them,” she said.

Even though her sisters are no longer playing the game, they motivated her to work hard to make the team. Dedicated to her goal, Culhane could be found in the gym every day, as well as available scheduled workouts.

“If there were no workouts, I would go to the gym by myself or with a friend,” Culhane said.

She also trained with former Dolphin and recent BCS graduate, Emma Laade. Selecting Laade to work with this summer, Culhane wisely used her talents and experience. Laade, BCS’s athlete of the year for 2022, committed to St. Leo University in Dade City, Florida after receiving four offers to play at both Division 1 and 2 schools and earning two NCAA scholarships for indoor and beach volleyball.

Culhane’s goals for this season are to always play her hardest and improve her vertical jump height.

As a varsity underclassman, she is excited for the season.

The MHS junior varsity volleyball team is complemented with AME alumnae Ava Harlan and Gabriella Gilbert.

Harlan started at AME in kindergarten, moving on to MHS before finding volleyball in April 2022 with Wave Volleyball Alliance. Volleyball clinics took Harlan full circle to Manatee High.

“So far, I have loved being a part of the MHS volleyball team. I have already made a ton of new friends and reconnected with my old AME ones! So happy I decided to go for it!” Harlan said.

The future of local high school volleyball is looking bright with the help of the former AME students and Dolphin pride.

Reel Time: Meet Suncoast Waterkeeper’s Abbey Tyrna

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

Suncoast Waterkeeper’s new Executive Director Abbey Tyrna brings an impressive record of accomplishments to the organization.

Tyrna received her doctorate in geography from Pennsylvania State University in 2015, where she researched the effects of development on wetlands. Tyrna earned a master’s degree in wetland science and management in 2008 from Louisiana State University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies from Florida State University. She has taught at Penn State University and State College of Florida.

Reel Time: Meet Suncoast Waterkeeper’s Abbey Tyrna
Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna takes a water sample from one of the area’s creeks. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

She has honed her leadership skills serving as secretary of the Florida Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals while co-creating and chairing the Society of Wetland Scientists’ Wetlands of Distinction initiative. She has been a member of the UF/IFAS Extension and Sarasota County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In addition, she is a technical advisor for the Natural Assets Advisory Committee with the Palmer Ranch Community Association in Sarasota.

Before joining Suncoast Waterkeeper, Tyrna worked with Sarasota County government and the University of Florida to help bring scientific knowledge and expertise to the public as a water resources agent for UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability.

“The board of Suncoast Waterkeeper is proud to welcome someone with Tyrna’s experience and credentials,” founder Justin Bloom said. “The board and I look forward to taking this organization to the next level under the direction of someone with the dedication, energy and expertise of Abbey Tyrna.”

Raised in Cape Coral on Florida’s west coast, Tyrna realized the importance of clean water, ponds, creeks and coastal estuaries as a child.

“In seventh grade, I got to walk through Six Mile Cypress in Fort Myers,” she said. “I was in water up to my chest and I couldn’t have been happier. Even though it was 30-plus years ago, I still remember the serenity of the swamp and the feel of the water. I knew the swamp was special and learned it was connected to our limited groundwater resources. From that day on, I devoted my education to learning about wetlands and protecting Florida waters.”

She believes working with Suncoast Waterkeeper is a natural extension of that work.

“At Suncoast Waterkeeper, I plan to expand our waterway monitoring efforts and staff capacity to engage the community and influence decision-makers to protect our waters,” Tyrna said of her future plans with the organization. “I will be intentional in my effort to seek out diverse voices and points of view. In doing so, I hope to lead Suncoast Waterkeeper to realize its vision of clean water for all.”

Tyrna lives in Sarasota County with her husband, two kids and their dog.

She likes to kayak and paddleboard with her kids and intends to explore every creek and bay on the Suncoast.

Castles in the Sand

Waterfront home buyers have lots to learn

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

To say that waterfront living is not for the faint of heart would not do justice to fainting. It’s more like a daily swoon, especially in storms or high tides. But even just plain old daily living can be daring.

Do you think you’re ready?

As soon as you walk through the front door of a Gulf-front home, your first instinct is to get out your checkbook. But buying on the water is not as conventional as buying inland. You need to do a lot of research about the expenses and consequences of water intrusion when you live in a flood zone.

Also, don’t think just because your home isn’t direct waterfront that you’re safe; chances are if you’re living along the west coast of Florida, you’re still in a flood zone. Remember that all of Anna Maria Island and the waterfront areas of Cortez are considered at high risk of flooding, as well as riverfront properties in Manatee County. Waterfront properties in flood zones will have required elevation regulations put in place by the county, state and FEMA for new construction and major renovations.

Finally, flood insurance and homeowner’s insurance are seriously impacted by living in a flood zone. FEMA’s flood insurance is capped at $250,000, which requires most homeowners in a flood zone, and certainly on Anna Maria Island, to purchase additional private flood insurance.

Buyers need to be especially vigilant when buying waterfront properties because of everything from minor corrosion to seriously impaired bulkheads on canal front properties. The average cost to replace seawalls in Florida runs between $500 to $1,200 a linear foot. Even if your seawall is only 60 linear feet, assuming an average price of $800 a linear foot, you’re looking at somewhere in the range of $40,000 to $50,000. There are federal loans available to repair seawalls, which may be the only ray of sunshine if your bulkhead fails.

The point here is that if you’re buying waterfront, you don’t just need a home inspection, you also need a structural engineer experienced with bulkhead and possibly dock inspections and pilings. In addition to the structure, the dock area needs to be inspected for mold, termites and other wood-boring insects.

Just to make life on the water more interesting, you can expect your appliances as well as air conditioning systems to have a reduced life due to salty air and wind exposure, even getting into the interior of your home. The best way to stay on top of this is to set up a schedule to inspect your home regularly for evidence of corrosion, rust, mold and little buggers. This is where hiring a manager for rental properties becomes important and worth the price.

If you live in a waterfront condo, most of the inspection process and replacement of association-owned infrastructure are taken care of. That doesn’t mean you won’t pay for it, but it does take the responsibility off your shoulders and the cost is spread around.

Notice I haven’t said one word about the threat of hurricanes. It goes without saying that hurricanes can be the biggest test to waterfront living and require organization and preparedness.

Living on the water is both a challenge and a blessing. Would you trade the cool evening breeze for a suffocating landlocked property and just a little peace of mind? Or do you want to be one of those people who walk outside every day and marvel at the view and can’t believe how lucky they are? Not even close.

Reel Time: Planning a successful fishing trip

Reel Time: Planning a successful fishing trip

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

Planning any fishing trip can be a challenge given the peculiarities of weather and the idiosyncrasies of fish. Add a few thousand miles, a different language and an exotic species or two, and some serious planning is advisable.

Chances are you’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time and finally, you’ll have the opportunity to do nothing but eat, fish, sleep and repeat for a week or more. More than likely, it’s taken a tremendous amount of time and money to get this opportunity so it makes good sense to develop a plan to assure that you have the best possible chance of success.

Deciding where to go and when are the first decisions you’ll make. While it’s not impossible to book your own trip, knowing the best time, tides and lodging can be daunting. In addition, juggling the details of plane reservations, transfers, accommodations and guides can increase the challenge of putting together a self-guided trip.

A knowledgeable outfitter or travel host can provide you with the experience and insider information that will allow you to immerse yourself in the experience instead of the details. Even when using an outfitter, you’ll need to do some research to assure you’ve matched your angling needs and expectations to your chosen destination. There are a lot of resources online, including some great groups on Facebook, but you’ll need to vet those sources.

On recent trips to the Bahamas and Montana, I traveled with groups hosted by Capt. Rick Grassett of Sarasota. While I’ve planned my own trips around writing assignments for years and am familiar with many of the destinations I’ve traveled to with him, having all the arrangements, including air travel, coordinated by someone else is a big asset.

When choosing an outfitter or destination host, be aware that knowing what you want from your trip and asking the right questions is important to fulfilling your expectations. Some of the best fishing is available at sites that have the least amenities. If you require a certain level of service or are traveling with non-fishers, you’ll want to research locations that offer specific conveniences as well as good fishing. While you won’t want to plan your trip based on secondhand information, you’ll find it can be helpful to talk to others who have made the trip you’re planning. Ask the outfitter or host for several references and question them carefully. Make sure they have been to the location recently and at the time of the year you plan to visit.

In foreign countries, (the Bahamas is a foreign country) you’ll be hard-pressed to replace items you forgot to pack, particularly fishing tackle. This is one case when it’s probably better to pack more than you think you’ll need, within reason! Making a packing list and checking it before your departure will pay dividends. Most destinations provide lists that you can use to make sure you don’t forget anything important. While their recommendations are a good place to start, customizing your own travel list can help ensure that you have what you need while streamlining the amount of baggage you take.

Many tropical fishing destinations are very near the equator, so anglers need to pay special attention to the sun. Long-sleeved pants and shirts with sun protection are advisable along with a high SPF waterproof sunscreen. Polarized glasses with glare guards and a fishing hat with a dark under brim are mandatory and a second pair of each should accompany you. For years I’ve used a full-face mask and gloves for sun protection. Recently, I started wearing a fishing hoodie with thumb holes that protect my face, hands and wrists. I find hoodies much more comfortable and invested in several that have bamboo (very comfortable) fibers woven in. Invest in a good pair of flats wading boots and a sling or fanny pack with a water bottle holder and you’ll be good to go.

The success or failure of any fishing adventure will vary due to conditions beyond your control but being mindful of the things you do have control over can make or break your trip. Be prepared, do your homework up front, ask good questions of knowledgeable sources and be flexible. The time and effort you expend in planning the trip will pay in dividends of tight lines and lasting memories.

COVID-19 level remains high, new vaccine coming

COVID-19 level remains high, new vaccine coming

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Health.

MANATEE COUNTY – For the tenth consecutive week, the COVID-19 Community Level remains high countywide.

COVID-19 Community Levels help individuals and communities decide which prevention actions to take based on the latest information. When the Community Level is high, health officials recommend that anyone at high risk of getting very sick wear a high-quality mask or respirator when indoors in public. Anyone having household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick is urged to consider self-testing to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many people in the United States have some protection, or immunity, against COVID-19 due to vaccination, previous infection, or both. This immunity, combined with the availability of tests and treatments, has greatly reduced the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 for many people.

However, health officials warn that vaccines and previous infections may not provide adequate protection against newer strains of the virus, BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants.

At least 73.1% of Manatee County residents have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 62.9% of county residents vaccinated twice; 46.3% have chosen to get at least one booster shot.

Despite being fully vaccinated, many are still testing positive.

“My wife and I have both had all four shots, but we both tested positive in July,” said Jim Haas, who is visiting Bradenton Beach from Virginia. “We wore masks on the plane, but I wouldn’t need both hands to count how many people besides us had them on.”

Currently, masks are not required for air travel in the United States, and there are no mask mandates in the state of Florida, including schools. Recommendations by the CDC and Florida health officials should be taken seriously, but are not law.

To combat the new subvariants, the U.S. is planning a fall booster campaign with new shots amid concerns about another wave of infection. Public health officials hope the new shots will provide more durable protection against infection and mild illness.

Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, have asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize new booster shots that target the subvariants for people 12 and older. The current vaccines are FDA approved for anyone six months of age or older.

The new shots must be approved by the FDA before they can be released to the public, and currently it is unclear whether the FDA’s independent vaccine advisory committee will meet to review more data on the shots before the agency authorizes them. As of yet, no date has been given for exactly when they will be available, but officials say when they are, they should be at local pharmacies and the process will be the same as it was for the original vaccines.

Castles in the Sand

Renovations, teardowns rampant on Island

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

I challenge you to take a ride around Anna Maria Island and find a street where there are no properties either being currently or recently renovated or torn down. I can’t guarantee you won’t find any and I won’t take that bet, but all of us who either live on the Island or visit it often know what I’m talking about.

Finding the right home in the right location is everyone’s dream. Unfortunately, in spite of increased interest rates and a slight downtick in demand, the housing market is still a three-alarm fire. So, what do buyers with cash in their pockets do when what they’re looking for just isn’t available? They buy location and plan a major renovation or a complete teardown.

However, if you’re planning on taking on this kind of project, you need not only professional help but also the ability to stay focused. It’s important not to overbuild even on an island where properties are selling at what seems to be extraordinary prices. There is a broad calculation when remodeling a home or deciding on a complete teardown. The finished home should be worth no more than three to five times whatever you paid to acquire the original property per Ken H. Johnson, Ph.D., a real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. To quote him, “…otherwise you might develop way too much home for the neighborhood.”

Of course, building on waterfront property in the state of Florida opens up a Pandora’s box of regulations and requirements. First of all, in most of Florida and certainly here, if the cost of the improvements you’re making exceeds 50% of the market value of the existing structure preconstruction, you will be required to bring everything up to code.

Therefore, if you purchase a cottage on the beach on Anna Maria Island for $2 million and you plan on renovating it at a cost of $1.5 million, you will be required to bring it up to current codes. That means current hurricane codes for doors, windows and height as well as building materials and techniques for the roof structure like roof tie downs. All of this could make the cost of the renovation prohibitive and result in a complete teardown being more cost-effective. In addition, properties in a flood zone – all of Anna Maria Island – will need to meet FEMA’s requirements requiring that elevations have pilings of a certain depth, concrete walls and more.

Another factor supporting teardown as opposed to renovations are the hazardous materials you’re likely to find in older homes. Asbestos and lead paint were used with abandon in construction for many years and were great products until they were found to be lethal, especially to children. Getting rid of hazardous materials can be an expensive proposition since they need to be disposed of in a very specific way. I’ve been in a lot of older homes where all of the plumbing and heating systems were wrapped in asbestos; it was a nightmare to remediate and not unusual for the homeowners not to have any idea there was a problem.

Clever real estate agents are marketing properties not just in coastal areas but around the country as ripe for teardown in view of the shortage of available inventory. As in any real estate transaction, if you’re thinking of this type of purchase, doing your research and getting the correct advice is paramount.

Just for fun, pick a non-beach day and take a ride around the Island and count the number of renovations and teardowns you encounter; I doubt you’ll be surprised.

Beach market shakeup disturbing

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

I am appalled and disturbed that Manatee County abruptly ended – and without due cause or notice – Nancy Ambrose’s job running the Coquina Beach Market.

For over 10 years, she worked hard building up a business and helping many small artisans to sell their various items. As Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, Nancy Ambrose did this without any help from the county.
Now a greedy Manatee County official has taken it upon himself to steal away someone’s hard-earned business. This is wrong! There is no need required or requested for the Convention and Visitors Bureau to take this away!
I thank Nancy for her dedication and building up small businesses in the area. I detest county takeovers when it was selfish and unasked for and apparently for their profit. County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan’s comment of “no further comment on the contract termination” shows no transparency in his views. It’s just wrong!

Natalie Thrasher
Bradenton, Holmes Beach, Anna Maria

Castles in the Sand

Is the country in a housing affordability crisis?

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

This pains me to say, but I’m glad I‘m not in my 30s anymore. Not because I didn’t think it was the best decade of my life, but because I would hate being in the real estate market now shopping for my first home.

Housing affordability is hitting first-time buyers the hardest. They’re getting it from all sides, high prices, low inventory, tremendous levels of inflation and interest rates that keep inching up. Back in 2020 and 2021, buying a home was more affordable due to record-low interest rates in spite of the fact that inventory was also extremely low. The big question is, will this ever happen again?

Now, however, interest rates and prices are still going up, and although there is some movement in the amount of inventory available, it is still historically low. Now that the Federal Reserve has raised rates again at the end of July to another 0.75%, everyone is watching the mortgage rates to see what happens. As of this writing, the rates went up slightly and were standing last week at an average of 5.55% for a 30-year fixed mortgage per Forbes.

Since the rates have increased, many of the first-time buyers who were doing pretty well on the affordability scale are dropping out of the market. Not only are the monthly mortgage carrying charges going up with the rates, but likely their rent is also climbing too, creating a situation where nothing is being added to their down payment nest egg.

The result of this is the share of first-time buyers is dropping every month. A year ago, their market share was about 31% per The National Association of Realtors, but this year that percentage is dropping into the mid-20% range. In addition, millennials who are between 25 and 40 years old, the age when most adults are starting to own a home and build equity in that home, are being denied that opportunity.

In addition, the favorable tax position that homeowners have is also eating into their wealth. Many of these first-time buyers also live with the fear of overpaying for a home in the real estate frenzy that’s been going on, stretching to buy that home and worrying that it could come crashing down on them. Everyone remembers the financial crisis that was largely fueled by an overheated real estate market and way too careless lending practices.

The National Association of Realtors’ housing affordability index measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home at the national and regional levels based on the most recent price and income data. The last time this was updated was in May of this year when the index fell to 102.5. This was the lowest level of affordability since the index fell to 100.5 in July 2006. Also, this was very close to the lowest level recorded in July 1990 when the index stood at 100.2.

The decline in affordability makes it especially difficult for first-time home buyers to find their way into the real estate market. There are economists who say we may never see the level of affordability we experienced in the past year or two again. This perfect storm of COVID-19, inflation, interest rates and housing shortages has put an enormous burden on this generation, and it will affect the country’s economy for many years to come. The answer is yes, we are in a housing affordability crisis right now, ask a 30-year-old.

Reel Time: The ups and downs of tides

Reel Time: The ups and downs of tides

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

I’ve written about tides before, but I’m constantly being reminded of the importance of understanding them to the success of any given fishing trip. Having said that, I must admit that the more I learn about fishing and the behavior of fish, the more I realize how much I don’t know.

There’s a lot of truth to the maxim, “The best time to go fishing is whenever you can,” but understanding and tracking tidal fluctuations and the way they affect feeding fish is going to improve your odds whenever you go fishing.

While there are myriad factors that influence the tides, basically it’s the gravitational pull of the moon on the Earth and its oceans that’s the prime driver. This means that the oceans on opposite sides of the Earth experience high tides as the water is pulled away from the Earth. The other object in the solar system that influences the tide is the sun, which has approximately half the influence of the moon. When the sun and the moon line up at the full and new moon, their combined influence creates the greatest “pull,” creating what is known as “spring” tides. When the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, during the moon’s first and last quarter, they interfere with each other, and we experience weak, or “neap,” tides.

In addition, the tidal ranges are greater when the moon and sun are at perigee, or closest to the Earth.

Wind is another factor that affects tides. In our area, a strong east wind can push tides lower and later, hold up a rising tide. A hard west wind can do the opposite, pushing in a rising tide and holding up a falling one. Experience will teach the angler how to benefit from the myriad tidal dynamics that affect fish and their feeding patterns.

I learned a valuable lesson about tides on trips to the Bahamas in search of bonefish. My first several trips were planned to coincide with a full or new moon to take advantage of the increased feeding activity that generally takes place during these times. Instead, I found that the bonefish I was stalking would disappear into the mangroves as the tide rose, giving me a shorter window to pursue them along the mangrove fringes. Based on that information I planned subsequent trips when “neap tides” slowed the progress and size of the tide, providing many more opportunities for sight fishing.

Recently, I found that there are areas (like the Florida Keys) where you can run east or west to find the tide you want, lower or higher.

Just the opposite is often true when I explore local waters. While I still fish whenever I have the opportunity, I target days of extreme high and low tides because I know they stimulate feeding and concentrate fish. Depending on the time of year and the temperature, you can use the tide to take advantage of the season. In the winter when the waters chill down, I like to seek out locations where a late afternoon falling tide brings warm water off the flats. The holes, slues and channels the water drains into attract gamefish and can provide some excellent action.

When fishing the flats, working from the deep water to shallow on the falling tide and in reverse on the rising tide is a very effective way to target fish. Very low tides (during “spring tides”) provide an excellent opportunity to scan the flats for channels, slues and holes on the flats where fish congregate. Armed with this knowledge, anglers can return when the flats are covered with water and benefit from that awareness. Planning your day to take advantage of these variations can make a real difference in action.

No matter what species you target, you’ll have a better chance at success if you understand and track the tides. They can tell you where to concentrate your effort and help you avoid other less productive areas. Pick up a tide chart at your local tackle shop or download one of several apps on your smartphone. Tides are no guarantee of success, but understanding them will mean you’ll have more ups than downs.

No-Swim Advisories lifted at Manatee Beaches

No-swim advisories lifted at Manatee beaches

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Beach, Featured, Outdoors.

MANATEE COUNTY – It’s safe to go back in the water.

The no-swim advisories that have been in place since July 26 were lifted Wednesday morning for Bayfront Park north, Manatee Beach north, Coquina Beach north and the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway. Lifting the advisories means that bacteria counts have dropped to acceptable levels and that the public can once again safely enter these waters.

“The flag system has nothing to do with bacteria in the water.” – Christopher Tittel, Florida Department of Health communications director

As a participant in the Healthy Beaches Program, the Department of Health-Manatee collects water samples at select beaches each week. The samples are then sent to labs to determine whether or not levels of enteric (fecal) bacteria – which can cause disease, infections or rashes – are acceptable based on EPA standards. If levels are unacceptable, a no-swim advisory is issued; the advisory is lifted once the levels read as acceptable.

According to Florida Department of Health Communications Director Christopher Tittel, the cause of the bacteria was rain and runoff that washed animal feces into the water. Recent heavy storms have churned up the sand beneath the surface; this mixed with extremely warm water is believed to aid in the elevated levels.

DOH-Manatee received test results from samples taken at all four beaches on July 26 that show an elevated level of enteric bacteria.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Manatee Beach there appeared to be some confusion about water safety as many beachgoers were in the water. Some cited the green flag, indicating low hazard, flying above the lifeguard station. The flag system is a warning system for rip currents or stinging marine life.

“The flag system has nothing to do with bacteria in the water,” Tittel said.

At Manatee Beach, the Department of Health advisory was posted at the base of the lifeguard station. The sign said in part, “High bacteria levels swimming not recommended.  Increased risk of illness at this time.”

Additional information about the Healthy Beaches program can be found by calling 941-714-7593, or by visiting the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.FloridaHealth.gov and selecting Beach Water Quality under the Environmental Health tab of the navigation bar.

Reel Time: You have to do your homework, son

Reel Time: You have to do your homework, son

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

For anglers who aren’t familiar with Andy and (son) Nicky Mill’s podcast, Mill House, you have a treat in store. I’ve watched the podcasts from the beginning but had recently not been following them. That was until a friend kept commenting on the excellent information he was getting that helped him be a better fisherman. That led me to the most recent episode with Capt. Randy Towe of Islamorada, a highly respected guide, multiple tournament winner, innovator and the owner of an Islamorada landmark, Islamorada Fishing Outfitters.

While Towe’s accomplishments and contributions to fly fishing were the theme of this podcast, Andy Mill steered the conversation to the legendary (and recently deceased) Key’s guide Capt. Billy Knowles, who was a mentor to Towe and the reason for the title, “You have to do your homework, son.” That phrase always followed any question Towe had for Knowles as he was learning the flats of the Upper Keys. Not a deflection, but an intentional lesson that paid dividends to Towe over the years.

I had been a sponge for the Mills’ interviews with the men and women who were the creators of the flies and techniques that introduced so many of today’s anglers to fly fishing for tarpon, bonefish and permit. In the episode with Towe, I was getting an appreciation of how the Mills are both preserving the legacy of these anglers while at the same time sharing the wisdom of their success with a new generation of anglers. Nothing could have been more poignant than getting that message and then relistening to the episode with Capt. Knowles.

I was fortunate to meet and fish with Andy Mill and Capt. Bob Branham at the Cheeca Lodge’s 1998 Presidential Bonefish Tournament in Islamorada. That was a fortunate introduction, via Mill, to some of the Key’s top guides, legends themselves. During the 90s through my involvement with the Florida Outdoor Writer’s Association, I was also fortunate to meet and fish with Keys guides like Nat Ragland, Dale Perez, Jose Wejebe and Stu Apte. I also had the good fortune to meet Joan Wolf, know Lefty Kreh and interview permit legend Del Brown.

What those experiences taught me was the importance of the information those men and women possess and the fact that the Mills were now preserving that legacy in these legend’s inflections and humor, and in their own words. “Do your homework, son.” Those were the words of wisdom that Towe received from Knowles, and he explains in the episode how those words made him a success. More importantly, he eulogized Knowles as the man who made him a better angler and a better man.

Thanks to the Mills, we can still see and hear Knowles tell his life story while experiencing what impact that had in Towe’s life. That’s a wonderful life lesson that resonates far beyond the flats.