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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Castles in the Sand

Adjustable rate mortgages right for some

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

Less than a month ago, around the middle of July, I reported that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan interest rate was nearing 6%. It never went over 6%, but instead started dropping back down. As of July 15, the average 30-year fixed rate according to Forbes was 5.86% and the average 15-year fixed rate was 4.97%. It may not appear to be a big difference in interest rates, but when you convert it into actual money at the elevated prices of homes, it makes a difference.

The typical U.S. family will spend an additional $400 on their mortgage payment each month than they would have in January, according to the Federal Reserve Bank. It could be the difference between qualifying for a mortgage, not qualifying or looking for a less expensive property, either way, the average prospective homeowner is affected by the rate fluctuation and is likely watching the daily activity closely.

To help fill the gap for some borrowers, the interest rates of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are increasing. The Mortgage Bankers Association indicated there was a 3% increase in people applying for ARMs since January.

The popularity of the adjustable rate mortgage peaked in 2009, helping to create the financial crisis. This was because ARMs carry a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages at the beginning of the loan, then they adjust at regular intervals based on one of several indexes. This allowed lenders to make loans with ultralow teaser rates to subprime borrowers who, when the rates went up, could not afford the new payment and ultimately let their houses be foreclosed.

Although ARMs certainly have their place in the real estate world, we don’t want to go back to those years. It can be a good option as fixed rates increase to help buyers qualify for a mortgage with the hope of being able to refinance at a later time if the rates go down. The risk in this is the temptation to buy too much house that will end up being too expensive down the road. This was part of the fallout of the financial crisis.

It’s also a good option for buyers who may not plan on owning the property long-term or who are confident their income will increase enough to keep up with mortgage rates as they adjust. The calculation is whether the monthly payment savings with an adjustable-rate mortgage is worth the risk of increased rates.

Don’t let someone talk you into this just because you are crazy anxious to get into a home. Understand the complications and risks associated with an ARM, do the math and avoid being enticed by pricey upgrades just because you realize you will actually qualify for them.

On July 26, the Federal Reserve has its next meeting and it is rumored that the prime rate will increase by 0.75% again this month. My guess is a couple of months from now, buyers may be wishing they can get a 6% rate.

So, we’ll wait and see what effect, if any, that has on the daily rates.

No mercy for Bridgetender, Fin

No mercy for Bridgetender, Fin

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

ANNA MARIA – Youth indoor soccer action at The Center passed the regular season midpoint last week with overwhelmingly dominant leads in the U9 and U13 leagues.

U9’s Ugly Grouper had a big 16-2 win with the strikes of Beau Sanson and Landon Leach, with a hat trick. Sanson scored 13 points in the new form of play, which includes no goalie on the pitch.

Leach also was credited with two assists, along with three critical passes leading to the goal by Silas Whitehead.

On the other side of the ball, Bridgetender Inn’s Paul ten Haaf put two strikes in the net, with an assist by Parker Suoboda. The team’s loss puts their season record at 1-3.

In more U9 action, Blalock Walters and Solid Rock Construction finished last week tied in the middle of the pack with 2-2 records. In week four play, the Solid Rock team beat Blalock Walters by two goals, 3-1.

Matthew Darak and Isaac Roadman were the scoring pair for Solid Rock. Darak put two in and Roadman had a single goal in the all-important, season-tying game.

Olivia Wyatt prevented the shutout with a solo goal in game four.

The 12-2 blowout by Progressive Cabinetry in the U13 league was a true team effort, with four of the five players scoring and three players credited with assists.

With four goals, Barrett Raina topped the week’s scoring chart. Teammates Jackson Wyatt and Alonso Valle both had hat tricks in addition to the two goals by Mattox Caseman.

Caseman and Valle each had single assists in the lopsided match-up. Progressive Cabinetry’s Ethan Angel made two critical assists in the victory.

Freckled Fin’s loss was not without a valiant effort by the entire team. Chandler McRae and Briahna Robertson each put points on the scoreboard, with an assist by Tucker McRae.

Team Shady Lady and Freckled Fin share the bottom rung of the league’s ranking going into week five of the season.

Shady Lady kept it a close game against Moss Builders, now with a 2-2 record. Moss Builders’ win came at the skillful feet of Callin Westfall, Mason Moss and Riley Karecki.

With two goals each in the game, Moss and Westfall continue to consistently score for their team. Westfall also had a recorded assist for the Moss Builders team.

Spreading out the scoring for Shady Lady, Amelia Blunkall, Braelyn Curtis, Alex Monserrate and Jesse Zaccagnino each scored one of the four team goals. Assisting with the scoring for Shady Lady was Ava Mason.

Progressive Cabinetry goes into week five undefeated. Can the team finish the week with another win against Moss Builders with just one more week left before playoffs?

 

Sun Scoreboard

July 5

Youth Indoor Soccer – Week Four

U9

Ugly Grouper (3-1-0) 16

Bridgetender Inn (1-3-0) 2

 

Solid Rock Construction (3-1-0) 3

Blalock Walters (1-3-0) 1

U13

Progressive Cabinetry (4-0-0) 12

Freckled Fin (1-3-0) 2

 

Moss Builders (2-2-0) 5

Shady Lady (1-3-0) 4

Green sea turtle released

Green sea turtle released

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA – Five months after an apparent collision with a boat left him with multiple injuries, a rehabilitated green sea turtle nicknamed “Pierre” by Mote Aquarium staff was released back into the wild on July 5.

Pierre had been found on Jan. 31 floating on the water’s surface near the Anna Maria City Pier. He had suffered multiple fractures and a large piece of his carapace – or upper shell – was damaged, but there was no neurologic damage.

“Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota was kind enough to do a CT scan for us to determine the extent of the trauma,” Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital Aquarist Weston Spoon said.

Pierre had numerous fibropapilloma tumors, which were surgically removed. After a second surgery to remove a tumor on his eye in May, he continued to gain weight and eat well.

Following his successful recovery, workers from the facility released Pierre into the waters off Bayfront Park, a short distance from where he had been found.

“He was found stranded near the City Pier, so it’s best to release them near where they’re stranded,” Spoon said, adding that Pierre is expected to acclimate easily back into his watery environment.

“Studies have been done that show they will go about their lives just as before,” Spoon said.

Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital has admitted more than 650 sick and injured sea turtles since 1995.

“We aim to help all our turtle patients return to the wild and contribute to their populations for years to come,” according to the Mote website. “This matters greatly: All sea turtle species are threatened or endangered.”

While it was difficult to determine Pierre’s age, Spoon said he was a juvenile less than 10 years old. Green sea turtles have a life expectancy of up to 80 years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are far less common in the waters off Anna Maria Island than loggerheads, but both nest on area beaches from May through October.

Castles in the Sand

Homeowners consider renting in tight market

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

The majority of people in my generation and even those decades younger couldn’t wait to stop paying rent. It was drummed into our brains by our parents and grandparents that paying rent was a waste of money and you need to buy, buy, buy. Like so many other norms in real estate, that philosophy has also been somewhat upended.

An increasing number of professionals around the country who can more than afford to purchase a home and young retirees who may have just sold their family homes are reluctant to buy another one and have decided to rent instead. To make their decision just a little bit more confusing is the shortage of rentals, creating a similar market for rentals that we have been experiencing with sales, including bidding wars and offering more than the asking rental price.

They point out the increase in mortgage rates, the astronomical asking prices and the shortage of inventory to justify their decision. Instead, they are considering renting high-end rentals, way above the $2,000-a-month median national rent, with a lot of amenities, not caring about the cost-versus-owning calculation. Those calculations may have changed, and there are online calculators you can use to determine what the real cost of owning versus renting is over a period of years.

For most property owners, just the straight math of owning versus renting is in favor of renting. This is including the cost of mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance and many other homeownership-related expenses. Of course, property appreciation is not included in this calculation, but many new renters have already cashed out their equity in their previous homes and may be looking for just an easier and less expensive lifestyle and/or are willing to wait for a more normal real estate market.

Renting, of course, will give you more flexibility and freedom to make life decisions. There are no maintenance responsibilities and the burden of doing those repairs is someone else’s problem. Of course, your landlord can increase the rent at the end of your lease, there are no tax benefits to renting, you can’t make changes, pets could be a no-no and rules must be followed.

We all know the pros of owning a home, starting with the appreciation. Becoming a homeowner is the best way for average middle-class people to accrue wealth; over time, it’s a good investment and probably beats the stock market. But what really appeals to buyers about ownership is, of course, the freedom to modify your property, have a tax benefit during the years you will live in the home, have a big deduction on your equity when you sell and privacy.

Owning a home can be inconvenient. There is nothing liquid about a home if you need to sell, and there is a process, even in this favorable market. Monthly expenses can dramatically change in the face of a major repair bill or an increase in property taxes. And even though home ownership traditionally has been a good solid investment, we all saw during the financial crisis that property values can go down.

Renting has been frowned upon in the past by previous generations, but it’s getting another look from a large segment of the population, including young people who can’t afford the real estate environment we’re in and older people and professionals who can afford a home but choose not to buy at this time. Whoever you are, renting is not what it once was, so leaving the housing market and going into the rental market may not be as easy as it sounds.

Chief concerned about lifeguard shortage

Chief concerned about lifeguard shortage

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Parking spots at Cortez Beach were nearly filled last Thursday and beachgoers packed the prime areas near the water, but one location remained empty – the lifeguard stand.

The three Anna Maria Island public beaches – Manatee, Cortez and Coquina – have been subject to lifeguard staffing shortages for about the past year and a half, and weekend-only coverage at Cortez Beach has been one response to the scarcity of staff, Manatee County Marine Rescue Chief Joe Westerman said.

“When something happens at one beach, we have to bring people from other beaches to help,” he said. “It has a domino effect.”

With six vacant lifeguard spots, Manatee County is currently running at slightly more than 70% capacity of its 21 potential positions. Westerman said that the current staff has been working overtime to make up for the shortfall in coverage.

“We have a core group of dedicated professionals right now that thrive in this job,” he said. “I’d like to keep them and get more.”

Despite staffing shortages, Westerman said with an annual average of 90-135 riptide rescues at the three beaches, Manatee County lifeguards may have prevented a corresponding number of potential deaths.

“I would call riptide rescues critical rescues,” he said. “Those are possible deaths. If someone gets caught and a lay person tries to help them, someone may drown.”

A rip current warning poster on the lifeguard stand at Cortez Beach issues the following cautions: “Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current then to shore. If you can’t escape, float or tread water. If you need help, call or wave for assistance.”

“You can’t predict riptides – you don’t know when they’ll happen,” he said. “A sea breeze could kick in and it could only take a one- to two-foot chop for it to happen.”

Manatee County is far from the only location where lifeguards are in short supply.

“There is a national shortage for lifeguards where one-third of the nation’s pools aren’t opening,” Westerman said. “The ocean is different. We can’t close the door. People still come to the beach.”

He said the requirements to become a lifeguard are more stringent than some people may think.

“I could get 12 applicants and send out invitations to test and maybe one or two of them will show up,” he said.

According to the Beach Lifeguard I or II job posting by Manatee County, the following are among the job requirements:

“Must be able to demonstrate successfully 50 meters of each of the following swim strokes in a pool: Freestyle, Breaststroke, Sidestroke and Backstroke. Must be able to run ½ mile in 3:30 minutes or less, swim 500 meters in open water in 10 minutes or less and demonstrate a non-equipment rescue of an active, panicked victim from 100 meters offshore. Must be able to demonstrate paddling a rescue board approximately 200 meters.”

“This is a physically demanding job. They (our staff) are professionals and athletes,” Westerman said. “The 500-meter swim in 10 minutes is a nationally-set standard. There’s no deviation from that.”

Candidates must also be able to acquire and maintain American Heart Association CPR certification and First Responder/EMR or First-Aid Certification within 30 days of the hire date.

“First and foremost, get in the water and swim and be honest with yourself,” Westerman advises potential candidates. “Don’t just be satisfied with 500 meters, swim 1,000. Practice back, side and breaststrokes.”

The pay range for a Beach Lifeguard I is between $17.80 and $24.75 per hour.

“There are some pay-related issues,” among others, he said. “When COVID hit, people rethought what they wanted to do with their lives and in this job, you are putting your life on the line.”

Westerman said there was a recent increase in offered pay and praised Manatee County commissioners for what he called their great support.

There is a $1 per hour incentive for those with an EMT license, and a $1 per hour incentive for Rescue Diver certification.

“Currently we have six state-certified EMTs and one state-certified paramedic on our roster,” he said. “If someone wants to become an EMT, they can be reimbursed for school.”

Lifeguards respond to water and land-borne emergencies and provide rescues to beachgoers and boaters in the surf environment as well as on shore, and provide basic emergency medical care, according to an online job posting.

“We are the only entity besides the fire and police departments where we have seconds to make a decision to save someone’s life,” Westerman said. “This is with minimal equipment. We actively watch all day for something to happen.”

There is a community-oriented aspect to the job as well.

“We want people who are comfortable talking with the public and working around tourists,” Westerman said. “My wish list would be to have qualified candidates in a line out the door.”

For more information, visit mymanatee.org/jobs.

July Fourth weekend crowds return to Anna Maria Island

July Fourth weekend crowds return to Anna Maria Island

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island was packed and traffic stretched for more than a mile to get onto the Island most of the weekend as everyone from international visitors to local Floridians flocked to AMI beaches to soak up the sun for the Fourth of July holiday.

Major holidays are always a big draw as visitors look to beat the summer heat.

“We came from Orlando. The traffic was insane, but it’s worth it to be on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world,” said Carlos Ramirez, who was visiting Coquina Beach with his wife and four children. “It took forever to get a parking spot, and now that we have one, we’re not leaving. We brought food to grill and we’re here until the sun sets.”

Ramirez was fortunate to get a parking spot. On Monday, July 4, cars were lined up bumper to bumper, with drivers hoping a parking space would become available at the beaches.

After the sun set on Saturday night, visitors continued to flock to the Island for the return of the Sandbar Restaurant’s annual fireworks display after a sabbatical due to COVID-19.

And the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July parade both delighted beachgoers and further slowed traffic on the Island’s two main roads on Monday.

“The beaches are incredibly crowded. We barely have room to drive our ATVs because there are so many people out there,” Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said.

Tokajer also addressed the use of Anna Maria Elementary’s parking lot for overflow parking. The lot was free to use July 2, 3 and 4, but not without controversy.

“The school was open for parking Saturday, Sunday and Monday, but in reality it shouldn’t have been,” Tokajer said. “County Administrator Scott Hopes told Superintendent Cynthia Saunders that he would have the flashing beacon for the crosswalk installed before the July Fourth weekend and it was not. It was a dangerous situation with people crossing the road with their families carrying beach gear in an area without a proper crosswalk.”

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First indoor wins for Bridgetender, Moss

First indoor wins for Bridgetender, Moss

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

ANNA MARIA – After three weeks of youth indoor soccer play at The Center, U9’s team, Bridgetender Inn, and U13’s team, Moss Builders, finally earned their first win of the summer season.

Bridgetender’s 1-0 victory over Solid Rock Construction gives the team a 1-2 record going into the second half of the regular season. Campbell Collins’ single goal, along with the fighting offense and defense of the Bridgetender squad put the W in the record books.

Team Solid Rock never gave up and left it all on the indoor pitch.

Ugly Grouper’s win put them on top of the U9 standings along with Solid Rock Construction. Both teams play game four hoping for their third win.

Camden Rudacille and Parker Svoboda put the points on the scoreboard, with two goals for Rudacille, also credited with an assist.

Beau Sanson had four goals in Ugly Grouper’s victory, 5-3 over Blalock Walters, shares Bridgetender’s 1-2 record. Teammate Landon Leach had the additional goal and two saves, while Hadley Cook supported the scoring effort with an assist.

In the U13 league, Moss Builders made way with the Freckled Fin defense, putting a notch in the win column with a score of 8-2. A hat trick by Callin Westfall, along with four goals between Mason Moss and Riley Karecki gave team Moss Builders 7 points.

Austin Guess contributed to his team’s win with a solo goal in game three of the season. Moss is credited with two assists, with another critical assist by Westfall.

Freckled Fin’s second loss comes despite amazing efforts by the team, including goals by David Zupa and Chandler McRae. Teammate and brother Tucker McRae had an all-important assist.

Alone at the top of the charts, Progressive Cabinetry won their third game 15-4, keeping them undefeated with a 3-0 record. The other three teams share the spot for second with only one win. After June 28, only two regular season games have yet to be played until the start of playoffs.

Team Shady Lady struggled to keep the Progressive Cabinetry players out of scoring range despite all effort. Playing with heart and purpose, Shady Lady’s Jack and Jesse Zaccagnino each worked their magic, scoring a goal. Jack Zaccagnino also made an important and selfless assist.

Alex Monserrate and Sterling Holiday shared in the scoring with the Zaccagnino brothers with goals of their own. Shady Lady’s Ava Mason is credited with an assist in the valiant effort by her teammates.

Without a mercy rule, the Progressive Cabinetry crew ran away with the game, scoring 15 points in regulation play.

Four Progressive Cabinetry ballers scored four goals in the win: Ethan Angel, Barrett Raina, Mattox Caseman and Alonso Valle, who put three additional points on the scoreboard for the team’s win. Jackson Wyatt had three critical assists, along with assists by Caseman and Raina.

With playoff games in sight, any of the teams in the U9 and U13 leagues can end the season champions, despite big losses or slow starts to the season. Not a single team in either league should be counted out.

Sun Scoreboard

Tuesday, June 28

Youth Indoor Soccer – Week Three

U9

Bridgetender Inn (1-2-0) 1

Solid Rock Construction (2-1-0) 0

 

Ugly Grouper (2-1-0) 5

Blalock Walters (1-2-0) 3

U13

Moss Builders (1-2-0) 8

Freckled Fin (1-2-0) 2

 

Progressive Cabinetry (3-0-0) 15

Shady Lady (1-2-0) 4

Castles in the Sand

Mortgage interest rates rising again

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

Here’s a little perspective on the continuing increase of the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage. Several months ago, I did an analysis of the average fixed-rate mortgage rates starting in 1971 recorded on Freddie Mac’s website. At the time, something told me that I should hang onto this research, however, I had no idea how much I would be referring to it during the past couple of months.

Since the Federal Reserve decided to increase interest rates in an effort to control inflation, the housing market has been substantially disrupted. Currently, the U.S. mortgage rates have reached their highest level in more than 13 years. The average interest rate for 2008 was 6.3% and we are already seeing rates at or near 6%. In June, the Federal Reserve increased rates by 0.75% points and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicates things are not likely to change soon. He hints that at the July meeting there will be another 0.75% increase. Mortgage rates don’t automatically increase when the Fed raises rates, but they are heavily influenced by it.

What we’re seeing happening around the country and in Florida is a decline in the number of sales, not a decline in sale price. Even though there is some increase in the number of new properties hitting the market, it is so marginal it doesn’t even come close to providing enough inventory to satisfy hungry buyers. In Manatee County in May, the supply of single-family homes finally exceeded one month, which is anemic when you consider that a six-month supply of available properties has traditionally been the benchmark for a healthy real estate market.

Complicating the availability versus demand ratio even further is the fact that so many homeowners refinanced their mortgages when rates were under and just over 3%. These homeowners have no incentive to sell any time soon and move on or up to another home. Even potential retirees are rethinking the benefit of selling, helping to freeze the market, not to mention the pandemic providing a new way to do business remotely, allowing employees to work from areas of the country with lower housing prices shifting the market.

Because the interest rates were so low for so long, buyers were able to purchase larger and more expensive homes. However, now with less purchasing power, young buyers are facing the reality of settling for a smaller home with fewer amenities in an area they may not really want to be. Housing costs in the country have jumped from 24% of the average household budget in the early 1970s to 27% in the late 1980s to 35% in 2019 with higher housing costs likely to come based on the increase in sale prices.

Most real estate professionals and economists don’t see prices going down. Goldman Sachs estimates housing prices will grow around 10% this year nationally and Bank of America forecasts 15%. So, it doesn’t look like the Federal Reserve’s plan to lower the heat on the housing market by increasing mortgage rates has worked; there is still a huge demand for properties. It has, however, brought a lot of pain to first time and marginal buyers.

Tony Veldkamp, the president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee wisely says, “If the time is right for someone to purchase a home, they should not let interest rates deter them if they can afford the increase in payments. Homes can be permanent, whereas interest rates are temporary.”

I agree. The big picture is that interest rates are still low relative to other times in our history, and that’s my perspective.

Reel Time: Guiding principals

Reel Time: Guiding principles

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

I have always been a great fan of fishing guides. They can provide a terrific initiation to the local waters and are indispensable when angling new destinations. Not only do you get the benefit of their extensive knowledge of where to find fish, but you’ll get a lesson in the natural world as a bonus.

Most guides not only take you to the action, but they will show you some of the area’s most beautiful natural areas. I know many experienced anglers who regularly fish with guides. They know that there is no substitute for the local knowledge gained from being on the water on a regular basis. They also appreciate the convenience of stepping on a boat, being taken to the fish, having the guide fillet fish if they decide to keep any, and not having to clean the boat.

While many people have the mistaken impression that guiding is an easy job, few people really appreciate the rigors of long days on the water. For anglers, an eight-hour day on the water translates into 10 or more hours for the guide. Not only do guides provide experiences that last a lifetime, many work tirelessly to protect the resources that we all too often take for granted.

My first introduction to guiding came in the 1980s when I was new to area waters. A friend invited me to fish with Holmes Beach guide Capt. Scott Moore. That first trip was a revelation to an angler new to the Gulf coast waters. Moore amazed us with his uncanny ability to find fish. He would literally say, “We’ll start over here and catch a trout, then move to that point and find snook and finally fish that mangrove edge for redfish.” And that’s just what we did. He introduced me to snook fishing, taught me lessons that have made me a better angler, and, most importantly, helped me appreciate the need to protect our marine resources.

I learned a lot of what I know fishing with guides, and they have saved me countless hours of frustration with their “tricks of the trade.” I learned how to remove a backlash from a spinning reel, how to find fish by looking for subtle signs, how to remove a hook from my hand, how to throw a cast net and so much more. Guides are not just anglers, but trained specialists that can help you find and catch fish on your own, if you listen and learn.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of a day on the water with one of the many professional guides in our area, I would encourage you to give it a try. When you do the math, it’s one of the wisest investments you can make for your fishing future. It’s also a great way to spend a day with friends and family and introduce kids to “catching.”  You’ll find information on local guides in the pages of The Sun every week, and I’ll share my experiences with the guides I still fish with regularly.

Campaign for Ukraine continues

Campaign for Ukraine continues

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

The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island and Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez, continue to raise funds for Ukraine.

The Concert for Peace on June 12 raised over $50,000; Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island also sent $5,000, which was matched by a Rotary District in New Hampshire (7870) for a total of $10,000; and the Rotary Club of AMI and Slicker’s Eatery Partnership released another $10,000 to President Wojtek Jankowski of the Rotary Club of Czestochowa, Poland.

Polish Rotarians are using the funds for a make-shift hospital, a refugee center for families and making regular supply runs to soldiers on the battlefield to get them food, medical supplies and clean clothing.

Slicker is currently in Eastern Europe witnessing firsthand the work being done on the ground. He is set to return on July 7.

“While in Poland, Bob is being taken care of by our Rotarian friends in Czestochowa so we are comfortable he is in good hands,” said Rotary Club of AMI President James McDaniel in a press release. “He will be accompanied by an international grad student affiliated with Rotary who will be filming his visit and documenting the conversations he has with the leaders and the people he meets. We feel this will help us explain the strong connection that Rotary is providing for our efforts to provide funding toward the cause. It also helps us bring awareness to this very trying situation that our world neighbors are experiencing and the importance of our work to this small area of the much greater area affected by this war.”

McDaniel said that when Slicker returns, the next fundraising event, slated to take place in August, will be announced.

 

Related coverage

 

Campaign for Ukraine rocks The Center

 

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

 

Mystery tour raises money for Ukrainians

Solid Rock, Progressive start off summer hot

Solid Rock, Progressive start off summer hot

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

ANNA MARIA – Youth indoor soccer on the first night of summer brought the heat on The Center’s indoor pitch.

Thanks to the hot leg of Progressive Cabinetry’s Ethan Angel and teammates Barret Raina and Alonso Valle, the team handily defeated Moss Builder. Raina and Valle each had a single goal in the game, contributing to the 5-0 final score.

Progressive’s win puts them at the top of the rankings as the only undefeated team in the U13 league.

The U9 league leader, Solid Rock Construction, also goes into week three of indoor action with a 2-0 record.

Solid Rock shut out their opponent Ugly Grouper last Tuesday night in U9 play, putting in seven goals in the game.

Matthew Darak scored a solo goal and had two assists. Darak’s sister, Mckenna, had a hat trick, adding three goals to the score. Roadman brothers Isaac and Eli contributed to Solid Rock’s 7-0 win with three total goals. E. Roadman made two shots and Isaac added to his stats with an assist.

The two undefeated teams match up against worthy opponents in week three.

Solid Rock plays Bridgetender Inn and Progressive Cabinetry goes up against Shady Lady.

Bridgetender Inn narrowly lost to team Blalock Walters last week with the final score 5-4. Shady Lady lost their game against Freckled Fin with the score 7-5.

In the final game of the night last Tuesday, Shady Lady’s scoring came from Ava Mason with two goals and Alex Monserrate with a hat trick. Making the teamwork happen, Jesse Zaccagnino is recorded to have an assist for Shady Lady in the close game.

For the win, Freckled Fin’s Chandler McRae heated up the field with four of his shots making it past the Shady Lady defense. Tucker McRae had a goal of his own for Freckled Fin. Teammate David Zupa scored two goals in the last game of week two play.

The U9 match-up of Blalock Walters against Bridgetender Inn had powerful shooting and dominating defending on both sides of the soccer ball.

Olivia Wyatt scored three goals for Blalock Walters, while Campbell Collins and Paul ten Haaf each had single scoring strikes for the Bridgetender Inn team.

Wyatt’s scoring was nearly matched by teammate Gavin Angel with two goals. Matching in goals, Bridgetender Inn’s Colton Cook also put two into the indoor soccer net.

The four games of week three start Tuesday, June 28 at 6 p.m., marking the start of the second half of play in week four.

 

Sun Scoreboard

Tuesday, June 21

Youth indoor soccer
Week Two
U9

Solid Rock Construction (2-0-0) 7

Ugly Grouper (1-1-0) 0

 

Blalock Walters (1-1-0) 5

Bridgetender Inn (0-2-0) 4

U13

Progressive Cabinetry (2-0-0) 5

Moss Builders (0-2-0) 0

 

Freckled Fin (1-1-0) 7

Shady Lady (1-1-0) 5

Castles in the Sand

Homebuyers getting hit every day

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

Buying a home was once a happy time for families. Homes were plentiful to choose from, and imagining your grandmother’s credenza in the dining room and the Christmas tree in the living room front window made for happy thoughts.

Now, however, looking for a home is a stressful event if you’re just the average potential homeowner. Inventory is low, prices are high, and, of course, now we have to stress even more about the increase in mortgage interest rates.

As of June 23, according to Forbes, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.89% and the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.13%. These numbers are slightly down. However, typically they are going up, forcing buyers to make some serious decisions, especially if they may not qualify for the additional monthly cost of the increased financing rate.

They can come up with more cash and apply for a smaller loan – usually not a good option for marginal buyers. They can lower their criteria for what kind of home they want at a lower price point and hope it exists. Or they can drop out of the market completely with the hope things improve in a year or whenever. Unfortunately, this is an option that is happening more and more as the interest rates and the selling prices keep going up.

New home buyers are getting hit even harder. Buyers who are in contract for new construction but haven’t closed are facing mortgage interest rates that are getting close to doubling since they agreed to purchase the home. In addition, they are also confronting construction that is taking longer than usual due to supply-chain and labor constraints. Some new home buyers also have to make difficult decisions; how long can they hold out while they’re watching mortgage interest rates go up and the construction on their new home crawling along?

Time now for the May Manatee County sales statistics published by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

Single-family homes closed 7.3% less than last May. The median sale price was $550,000, 37.5% higher, and the average sale price was $715,504, 26.1% higher. The median time to contract has not changed at six days but the month’s sup- ply of available properties has changed to 1.2 months availability. The good news is new listings are up 17.2%.

Condo sales were up 6.3% over last year. The median sale price was $369,900, 51.9% higher, and the average sale price was $441,674, 41.5% higher. The median time to contract is six days, the same as single family, and the month’s supply of available properties is one month. The good news for condos is also that new listings are up 15.5%.

A combination of higher interest rates and our normal summer slowdown is resulting in a fewer number of sales and more available properties on the market. However, prices, both average and median, remain very strong, according to the president of the Realtor Association, and are still increasing.

Making the biggest investment of your life has always been a stressful event, but it was also mixed with pleasant thoughts of the future and paint colors. Now, however, for the average buyer who needs to watch their dollars, the pleasant thoughts are gone, and they’re left with the stress. My heart goes out to them.

Fire district to reallocate taxpayer funds

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

MANATEE COUNTY – Property owners who are confused by a six-page letter arriving from West Manatee Fire Rescue District staff are not alone.

The letter, legally required to be mailed to every property owner in the district, covers two separate topics – that the district’s staff is reallocating some taxpayer funds to cover non-transport advanced life support service and that the district’s non-ad valorem assessment will increase for the 2022-23 tax year beginning Oct. 1.

The non-transport ALS service is not new to WMFR or the people it serves in the district, and the assessment rate increase isn’t happening because of the increase in service. In fact, WMFR’s non-transport ALS service has been ongoing for the last few years. Now that it’s fully launched at all three fire stations and the majority of the district’s first responders have been fully trained as paramedics, attorney Maggie Mooney said it’s time for staff to send out a letter informing taxpayers that some of the funds the district receives are being spent to provide the service.

With the non-transport ALS service, WMFR firefighters provide the same critical care service that EMS provides except that they cannot transport patients to the hospital. And the cost of the enhanced service has been factored into the district’s budget for more than three years, meaning that the increase in the assessment rate isn’t directly related to the increase in service.

Reasons for the assessment rate increase include a jump in the personal income growth number used to determine how much a special district like WMFR can increase rates each year, rising costs due to insurance and a new contract with the firefighters’ union, and an attempt to build reserve funds for future large purchases, such as replacement fire engines.

Assessment rates are planned to increase 4% for the new fiscal year over the current rates. For a residential property owner with a home of 2,000 square feet, the rate will increase to $336.22, a $12.94 increase over the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Commercial property owners also will see a 4% increase with the rate increasing to $753.19 for a 2,000-square-foot property, an increase of $28.96.

Anyone who has questions about the non-transport ALS service and how it affects the assessment rate or who wishes to dispute the assessment rate increase
is invited to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at the district’s administration building at 701 63rd St. W. in Bradenton.

Reel Time: Learning to fish – back to basics

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

Anglers of all stripes like to keep up with state-of-the-art innovations in the angling world. While that new jig or special fly can perhaps improve their odds at catching fish, it’s important for new anglers to learn and apply the basics, the foundation 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 still 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 it is, 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 lure anglers. Even the basics like line and hooks come in many shapes and colors, each promising the angler an advantage over the fish. Lures dazzle the eye with a rainbow of colors in mind-bending holographic patterns. 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.

Reel Time: Learning to fish – back to basics
The best place to shop for fishing tackle is at your local fishing outfitter. There you have the advantage of local knowledge. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

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 should 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 lead-headed jigs with plastic bodies, the original lead-head jigs with bucktail skirts are still a great choice. My second choice would be a topwater 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.

Youth beat the heat with indoor soccer

Youth beat the heat with indoor soccer

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

ANNA MARIA – With the weather heating up going into the summer, the youth indoor soccer action is heating up the hardcourt at the Island’s community center.

Island area kids will not be playing traditional center indoor soccer this season. Instead, the young ballers will play a modified version of micro soccer intended to give the players more opportunities for touches on the ball in the fast-paced sport.

Unlike the original micro soccer, The Center’s league will continue to bang the boards with the soccer ball, a key skill in indoor soccer, elevating the fan excitement.

Testing out a new league configuration, two youth indoor soccer leagues will play this summer in recreational competition: U9 and U13. In general, the U9 league will include players 9 and younger, while the U13 league will roster youth between 10 and 13 years of age.

Despite the league name changes, The Center’s goal with the recreational youth sports leagues remains to help ensure all children are playing in the league that best fits their age and level of play.

In the first official game of the season, Solid Rock Construction beat Blalock Walters 5-1 in the new U9 league. Playing seven-minute quarters in three-on-three action, Solid Rock put three points on the scoreboard thanks to the offensive skills of Tess Bolognone, Mckenna Darak and Aidan Guess.

Each of their single goals contributed to the team’s first win of the season. The team effort was fortified by two goals by Solid Rock Construction’s Matthew Darak, who also had two assists in the game.

On the other side of the ball, Parker Svoboda, for Blalock Walters, scored the team’s only goal in the season opener. Teammate Gavin Angel precisely fed the soccer ball to Svoboda, making the goal possible.

With a strong lineup, Angel and Svoboda are joined by Olive Bannick, Evita Moyer, Olivia Wyatt, Brendan Gerrish, Camden Rudacille and Owen Purcell. The season is early and Blalock Walters knows the win is in reach.

The Solid Rock Construction team goes into week two with a 1-0-0 record. Turner Worth, Isaac Roadman, Eli Roadman and Obie Roadman round out the squad with five more regular season games to play.

Adding a twist to the game, both leagues will be playing without goalies this season, making overall defensive play critical.

In the second U9 game, Bridgetender Inn lost to Ugly Grouper 6-3. Landon Leach and Beau Sanson each had a hat trick for Ugly Grouper.

Bridgetender Inn’s Paul ten Haaf was high scorer, making two goals to keep his team in the game. Madeline Kimmons added a goal to the scoreboard as her team played hard until the final game whistle.

The final two games played last Tuesday night brought U13 teams to the indoor pitch. Moss Builders lost their first game of the season against Shady Lady by one goal.

The single goals by Mason Moss and Elisabeth ten Haaf just were not enough against the three goals by Shady Lady’s Jack Zaccagnino, Jesse Zaccagnino and Alex Monserrate.

High-scoring action proved to be just the way to end a night of indoor soccer at The Center. Scoring 8 points, team Progressive Cabinetry outscored team Freckled Fin for the victory.

With five goals, Barrett Raina started week one on the top of the leaderboard for points scored. Raina’s teammates Walker and Jason Wyatt each had solo goals, as well as Alonso Valle, to keep the point spread comfortable for the Progressive Cabinetry squad.

Showing they will be contenders this season, Freckled Fin scored four goals in the game. David Zupa got past the Progressive defense for two goals. The McRaes, Chandler and Tucker, each tucked a shot in for two additional Progressive Cabinetry points.

The road to the playoffs is promising for all of the teams playing indoor soccer at The Center this summer. The U9 finals are scheduled for Tuesday, July 26 at 6 p.m., while the U13 championship game schedule has yet to be determined.

 

Sun Scoreboard

June 14
Youth Indoor Soccer
U9

 

Solid Rock Construction 5

Blalock Walters 1

 

Ugly Grouper 6

Bridgetender Inn 3

 

U13

 

Moss Builders 2

Shady Lady 3

 

Progressive Cabinetry 8

Freckled Fin 4