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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Blue-green algae remains

Non-toxic blue-green algae remains

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Non-toxic blue-green algae lingers in local waters and showed up in a new place this week – Warners Bayou in Bradenton – according to today’s report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Filamentous cyanobacteria (Lyngbya-like) was found in a Warners Bayou canal on Tuesday, May 28, according to today’s report.

The same type of blue-green algae was found on Monday, May 20 in Anna Maria Sound at Key Royale and in the Intracoastal Waterway south of Grassy Point, and in Palma Sola Bay near San Remo Shores. A different type of blue-green algae, Lyngbya majuscule, was found on Wednesday, May 8 in Sarasota Bay near Whitfield Avenue.

No toxins have been detected in any of the blue-green algae samples collected in Manatee County through May 31, according to DEP.

Report algae blooms to DEP at 855-305-3903.

Report fish kills to FWC at 800-636-0511.

The two algae species found in Manatee County waters are not the same species that has plagued Lake Okeechobee, microcystis aeruginosa, according to DEP.

Of the 22 sites tested statewide from May 23-30 by DEP, seven were positive for toxins.

Blue-green algae can be blue, green, brown or red and emit a foul, rotten egg odor caused by the production of hydrogen sulfide gas, according to DEP, which advises staying out of water where algae are visibly present as specks, mats or water is discolored pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red. Additionally, pets or livestock should not be allowed to come into contact with the algal bloom-impacted water, or the algal bloom material or fish on the shoreline.

Even non-toxic blooms can harm the environment by depleting oxygen levels in the water column and reducing the amount of light that reaches submerged plants, according to DEP.

The growth of blue-green algae typically increases in the spring and summer months when water temperatures and daylight hours increase.

Red tide report

No significant red tide is forecast in Manatee County waters through Monday, June 3, according to today’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report.

Background concentrations of red tide were found in water samples off the Anna Maria Island Rod & Reel Pier in lower Tampa Bay and the Coquina Beach south boat ramp in Sarasota Bay on Tuesday, May 28, according to the report.

Background concentrations of the algae that causes Florida red tide, Karenia brevis, have no discernable effects on people or marine life, according to the FWC. In very low concentrations and above, red tide cells emit a neurotoxin when they bloom that can cause shellfish closures and respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or emphysema. In low concentrations and above, red tide can be deadly to marine life.

No fish kills were reported this week.

Scientists say that salinity, currents, temperature and light play a part in the formation of red tide blooms, as do nutrients from Florida’s natural phosphate and limestone deposits, Caribbean seawater brought to Florida’s west coast on the Loop Current, the Mississippi River, Saharan dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida’s waters, and fertilizer and animal waste runoff.

To help keep algae growth at bay, Florida law bans the use of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers during the rainy season, June 1 through Sept. 30.

WMFR logo

WMFR 2019-20 assessment rates set

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners held a public hearing May 21 to discuss the 2019-20 residential and commercial assessment rates. No members of the public offered comment, and commissioners approved a modest increase in rates with a four to one vote.

After being presented with five options ranging from a zero percent increase to a 2.5 percent increase, commissioners voted to adopt a 1.65 percent increase for residential properties and a 5 percent increase for commercial properties.

For residential property owners, the 1.65 increase equals a $3.09 increase in the base rate, increasing from $187.48 to $190.57. The rate per square foot, assessed on home square footage over 1,000 square feet, is being raised from $0.1106 to $0.1124. For a 2,000 square foot home, the total assessment is being raised from $298.08 to $303, a difference of $1.92.

Residential homes make up the majority of the properties in WMFR’s district, which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay to the north, Longboat Key to the south and city of Bradenton to the east. The district includes unincorporated Manatee County, Palma Sola, Cortez, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

For commercial properties, the increase is slightly higher to bring WMFR’s commercial rates closer to those assessed by other Manatee County fire districts. The base rate is increasing from $451.07 to $473.62 for commercial properties, an increase of $22.55. The per square foot rate for buildings over 1,000 square feet is $0.2051, a $0.0098 increase for square footage over 1,000 square feet. The increase equals a $32.32 total increase for 2,000 square foot commercial properties.

With the increase in assessment rates, WMFR’s projected assessment revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year is $7,285,989, a $144,203 increase over the current fiscal year.

Commissioner Al Robinson, who voted against the rate increase, said, “I think it’s insignificant in a $7.3 million dollar budget. We don’t need a raise.”

Commissioner George Harris said he was comfortable raising the commercial rates to get the district more in line with the surrounding districts but was happy to only give residents a minimal increase. “It’s nice to give the residents a little break,” he said.

With the rate increases, WMFR’s projected total revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year is $7,618,556. The new fiscal year begins on October 1.

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Fire & Stone taking corrective actions

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

CORTEZ – Fire & Stone Pizza owners Radka Watson and Peter Ross are working to address the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Manatee County Code Enforcement violations that led to the popular eatery’s recent temporary closure.

On May 14, the restaurant was closed by order of DBPR. According to the DBPR inspection report, raw sewage was observed on the ground of the establishment in a 5-foot by 6-foot by 15-foot hole dug at the east side of the building.

“Per Manatee County Code Enforcement Officer Jorge Martelo, they required the operator to seal off all drains going out of the building, as the operator was pumping the sewage into a drainage ditch,” the DBPR report states.

The drainage ditch near the rear corner of the restaurant property connects to Sarasota Bay about 200 yards or so to the south.

The DBPR report says the situation has “caused a slick in Sarasota Bay,” but Ross disputes this claim.

Also listed in the report as a high priority violation is this: “Grease interceptor/trap removed, with grease and sewage overflowing onto the ground outside, to the east of the building. Rainwater has filled the area where the grease trap was located. Per owner, he is waiting on specifications from Manatee County before the grease trap can be replaced.”

The report also cites as violations dented cans of chickpeas, jalapeño slices and green olive slices, employees eating in a food preparation or other restricted areas, equipment in poor repair, floor tiles cracked, broken or in disrepair, an unused ice machine on premises near the walk-in cooler and sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength.

Ross response

A recent visit to the Fire and Stone property revealed two large, white, plastic containers in the rear parking lot. Ross said he hopes to use these containers as temporary above-ground grease traps if the county will allow it. There are also several trenches dug along the east side of the building.

Fire & Stone grease traps
The Fire & Stone owners hope to use these storage tanks as temporary above-ground grease traps. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“We were working with Manatee County and the Manatee County Building Department to resolve a structural issue with our grease trap. During that repair process, unfortunately, our grease trap collapsed,” Ross said when contacted Friday by phone.

“No sewage whatsoever was disposed into Sarasota Bay two weeks ago when they showed up. Manatee County had a complaint that raw sewage was being dumped into Sarasota Bay and it was causing a slick. A certified letter arrived from the Manatee County Environmental Department and that letter said there was a light sheen, which would indicate maybe a slight bit of oil on top of the water in the first 50 feet from our property and we had 10 days to fix it,” Ross said.

“Manatee County would not leave until we blocked all pipes that exited our building. I already voluntarily shut the business down and the cleanup was already happening. Being the diligent person she was, the inspector was told this had to be done according to Manatee County Code Enforcement Department,” Ross said.

When asked when he hopes to be open again, Ross said, “As soon as the Manatee County Building Official can give us a special exemption to use a temporary system – which is already located onsite – until a final system and long-term resolution can be installed underground or above-ground, whatever needs to be done to satisfy the county’s requirements.”

WMFR board considers building construction

WMFR board considers building construction

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners are considering building a new administration building, and they’ve narrowed down potential lots to purchase to two thanks to the help of consultant Bob Gause.

During a May 21 work session, Gause presented commissioners with a report on four available lots that removed two of them from the running – one next door to the district’s temporary offices at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church and another adjacent to King Middle School. Gause said the lot adjacent to the church property is partially used for stormwater retention and wouldn’t be of sufficient size to house an administration building and necessary parking. With the Manatee County School Board unwilling to part with the King Middle School adjacent lot, that choice also was eliminated.

The two options left to commissioners are the old dentist office on Third Avenue across from the church property and an undeveloped lot behind the Fountain Court Shopping Center where Bealls is located on Manatee Avenue.

Commissioners asked Chief Tom Sousa and Chief Ben Rigney to continue looking into the two lots and meet with the owners or their Realtors to see what price the district could get each location for. The undeveloped lot behind the shopping center has frontage on 63rd Street and is 1.88 acres, priced at $295,000. Because the site is undeveloped, Gause said it would require the installation of a lift station and directional boring to gain access to sewer utilities.

The old dentist office site is smaller at 0.65 acres and is priced at $525,000, including the existing office building which would need to be torn down to accommodate a new administration building. The bonus of acquiring this lot, Rigney said, is that it might be possible to share a generator with the nearby WMFR Station 1 on 67th Street.

No matter which lot commissioners choose, the building they’re considering is planned to be a hardened building that could potentially serve as a westside emergency operations center in the event of a hurricane. If commissioners choose to build a hardened building, it could also be created to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour.

WMFR’s other two fire stations, Stations 2 and 3, are both in flood plains and would have to be evacuated in the event of a hurricane, leaving Station 1, and potentially the administration building, as the only places to store both response teams and equipment during a storm event and in the aftermath if the other two stations were damaged or inaccessible.

District resident Derek Warner stepped up to offer commissioners his opinion as a former fire chief. Warner was a part of a team that responded to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He and other first responders from around the country were the ones who orchestrated cleanups, rescues and investigations in a place that was foreign to them after the city’s first responders were scattered due to the storm.

“You have to think about who you want running your disaster – you or people like me who don’t know your situation or community,” he said.

Only a couple of stations and a few pieces of fire equipment in New Orleans survived the hurricane, he noted.

With first responders scattered and unable to respond to emergencies, Warner said the city had to rely on people who were just coming to New Orleans and didn’t have the knowledge that local emergency workers had.

“You want to be in on this,” Warner advised. “You want to be the decisionmakers.”

He encouraged commissioners to not only consider building a hardened structure but one large enough that it could accommodate fire crews, EMS crews, local law enforcement and provide additional areas to store supplies and equipment.

WMFR commissioners are currently considering building a structure around 5,000 square feet or less with the possibility of an additional warehouse-type structure to house additional fire equipment if necessary.

The administration building discussion will continue on June 18 at the next WMFR commission meeting.

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Reel Time: Dragonfly on the Soque

Reel Time: Dragonfly on the Soque

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

The mountains of northeast Georgia hold a special appeal for fly fishers and are one of my favorite destinations.

The countryside along the Sautee Valley was a verdant green and veils of mist floated over the rolling foothills as I made my way to Batesville and a rendezvous with my guide, Phil Culver. The early morning air was fragrant with the smell of honeysuckle, privet and wild roses and was, I hoped, an auspicious start to a day of fishing the Soque (pronounced so-qwee) River.

Today Culver was introducing me to a special stretch of the Soque run by Dragonfly, one of the top stretches of the river that regularly yields jaw-dropping double-digit rainbow and brown trout. Dragonfly’s section of the river is one of the South’s best trout fishing destinations, attracting neophyte anglers as well as seasoned fly fishers and past presidents.

We arrived at the river at 8 a.m., donned waders and rigged 5-weight rods for the day’s fishing. After crossing the river on a wooden bridge, we worked our way along a sinuous shoreline that was lined with blooming mountain laurel. After hiking about a quarter of a mile, we entered the river just downstream from a deep seam that undercut a bank and was in deep shade.

Culver carefully fished two small nymphs along the edge of the bank, then drifted them along and under the branch-covered bend. On his third cast he made a quick hook set when his indicator disappeared from the water’s surface and a deep bend in his rod telegraphed that he had a quality fish on.

The rainbow trout revealed its beautiful namesake colors in a jump before making several stubborn attempts to rub the fly free on the bottom. After a number of dogged attempts to lose the fly and two more jumps, we were able to net the trout, take a few quick pictures and release it.

The weather was clear and warm with a bluebird sky and, although the fishing was tough, we were both able to land and release a number of quality fish before we took a break and went to the Batesville Country Store for lunch. One of the pleasures of fishing the Soque is having breakfast before fishing and taking a lunch break at the store. Besides having excellent food, the ambiance fits perfectly with a day on the river.

The afternoon warmed into the 80s, but the temperature along the river was moderated by the shade and the cold flowing water. On days when the fish are not in the mood to bite, having a guide like Culver pays dividends. His 15 years’ experience on the river and a lot of fly changes yielded a number of fish for both of us. When we worked a particular section that he knew held a lot of fish, it would have been easy to doubt him had I not been able to see them with my own eyes. At the end of the day, it was, in a way, even more satisfying to have coaxed a number of fish to the fly when they were not in the mood to feed.

We had been near the end of the season when rising water temperatures prompt owners to begin limiting fishing in order to prevent stressing the big fish. I already have plans to return in October, when cooling waters turn on the trout’s feeding instincts. To experience the fantastic fishing on the Soque contact Phil Culver at 706-768-8922. Check out Dragonfly’s website or call Dave Sutton at 706-768-8800.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: Stripers on the Hooch

Reel Time: Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands

Reel Time: Sister Keys cleanup scheduled

Castles in the Sand

Home ownership and the millennials

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

It pains me to say this, and I hope it’s not true, but there are signs that the face of home ownership is starting to change. Housing was always the driver of the economy, both purchasing homes and the purchases that were associated with homeownership, but home ownership may be taking a time out.

More than 10 years after the financial crisis hit the housing market, it has not recovered on a national level to the same degree as the economy in general. According to the Census Bureau, last year there were a combined 5.4 million new and existing homes sold. This is about the same as in 1998, where we had 50 million fewer people living in the country. I don’t know why we’re surprised to learn that we still have a hangover from the financial crisis since housing was the primary reason for the financial crisis and the careless lending practices of government-backed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Now there is another little wrinkle in why the housing market has not picked up – millennials.

Millennials, those born from 1981 to 1995, were supposed to be the hope of the housing market when they reached the age when people usually purchase homes, only it’s not happening. The homeownership rate among households headed by someone under 35 was 35.4 percent as of the first quarter of this year. The Census Bureau goes on to say that, by comparison in 1999, the homeownership rate for this age group was about 40 percent.

The speculation is that the financial crisis hit this generation hard. The unemployment rate was high and it took millennials longer to get a foothold in the workforce, build careers and deal with college debt, leaving purchasing a home at the bottom of their list.

In addition, there has been a renewed preference for city living, which is where the higher paying jobs are and lower homeownership rates. And finally, this generation witnessed something that no one thought would ever happen – owning a home did not guarantee a good investment, complicated with a loss of incentive based on the 2017 tax cuts.

After all that good news, let’s see what’s happened in April in Manatee County based on the reporting of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Sale of single-family properties did well in April compared to last April. The number of closed sales were up 3.9 percent. The median sale price was up 1.6 percent to $315,000, however, the average sale price was down 3.5 percent to $390,612. The median time to contract was 48 days and the median time to the sale of the property or closing was 92 days. The month’s supply of available properties was 4 months down 7 percent.

As far as condos, Manatee County closed 0.7 percent fewer this April compared to last year. The median sale price was also down 4.1 percent to $196,500 and the average sale price was down 7.8 percent to $236,127. The median time to contract was 43 days and the median time to the sale of the property or closing was 88 days. The month’s supply of properties was 4.7 months, down 4.1 percent.

Overall, the single-family properties are holding well over $300,000, an important a benchmark, and although condo sales are down in value, they’re not down substantially in numbers closed. The really interesting numbers are the amount of available properties going down for both single-family and condos. Four months of availability is low. It’s good news for sellers, not so good for buyers and not really good for a vibrant market.

Are we entering a new era? If we are, new isn’t always bad, it may just a realignment of our priorities and expectations. Real estate markets are dynamic and that’s a good thing. Maybe we were standing still for too long.

More Castles in the Sand:

What’s in a hurricane name?

Falling in love with a second home

One of our favorite topics

Youth soccer champions crowned

Youth soccer champions crowned

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

Last week saw another youth soccer season come to a close with the naming of league champions and MVPs. CABB Cleaning defeated Lancaster Design in the 11- to 15-year-old league after the regulation play ended in a 0-0 tie, taking the championship match to a shootout.

Lancaster Design’s two shootout goals by Kieran Cloutier and Aiden Templeton were not enough against CABB Cleaning’s shooters. Net shots by JM Feeny, Connor Samblis, and Sam Liester lead to the game-winning shot by Travis Bates.

Center youth soccer CABB
11- to 15-year-old youth soccer champions CABB Cleaning celebrate in the deep corner at The Center. – Monica Simpson | Sun

In another nail biter in the eight- to 10-year-old league, Beach House Real Estate’s Dennis Gallagher scored two goals against Cale Rudacille to win the championship. Freckled Fin’s Duncan Cloutier hit the net with a goal of his own in the big game.

To end the season, 10 individual players were recognized for their accomplishments on the pitch. In the eight- to 10-year-old league, Dennis Gallagher and Taylor June King were named the MVPs. Defensive MVP was given to William Pakbaz, with Jack McCarthy earning the all-important Sportsmanship award.

Goalie of the Year honors went to Cale Rudacille. Rudacille follows in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Scott and Mark Rudacille, who play the keeper position in the adult league.

The 11- to 15-year-old league top players were JM Feeny and Angelina Albrecht as MVPs and Aiden Templeton the Defensive MVP. Kieran Cloutier, an outstanding player in his own right, won the Sportsmanship Award. Michael Coleman took home the Goalie of the Year Award, giving Lancaster Design three of the five top credits.

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Vickers sentencing set

Vickers gets life in death of toddler

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Holmes Beach.

David Vickers has been sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole in the death of 16-month-old Luca Scholey on Aug. 21, 2017.

Vickers was found guilty of second-degree murder and neglect of a child with great bodily harm in the death of the child.

Vickers was babysitting Luca and his sister for their mother, Melissa Scholey, when he called EMS to report the boy was not breathing. The child was flown to All Children’s Hospital where he died.

According to the Holmes Beach police report, Vickers said Luca had run into his sister while playing, but an autopsy showed signs of physical abuse, including broken ribs in stages of healing.

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Arrest made in child’s death

Anna Maria salutes veterans on Memorial Day

Anna Maria salutes veterans on Memorial Day

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria hosted its third annual Memorial Day Patriotic Salute this morning under the shade structure at City Pier Park.

“It’s a very special day for us in the city of Anna Maria. I welcome each and every one of you,” Mayor Dan Murphy said as the ceremony began.

Rev. Neil Crowell from the Roser Memorial Community Church then gave the invocation.

“What a joy it is to be here in a free land. Lord, we know freedom is not free. It comes very costly, at the lives of our service men and women. Thank you, Lord, for their great sacrifice and we honor them today,” Crowell said.

Murphy introduced the Anna Maria City Commission and thanked them for purchasing the property known as City Pier Park.

“It’s a wonderful asset for the city to have,” he said as Commissioner Doug Copeland passed out small American flags.

“What a joy it is to be here in a free land. Lord, we know freedom is not free.” – Rev. Neil Crowell, Roser Memorial Community Church

“We have a special guest with us today: President of the Florida Senate, Senator Bill Galvano. Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore is with us as well,” Murphy said.

He also recognized the other elected officials in attendance.

“Our city had two challenges facing us this year: threats to home rule in the Florida Legislature and funding to build our City Pier. Our two state legislators (Galvano and State Rep. William Robinson Jr.) were successful in helping us address both of these challenges. They supported us with home rule and they provided us with funding for the pier that you can see being built across the street,” Murphy said.

Murphy asked Galvano to come forward and be presented with a key to the city.

“On behalf of the city of Anna Maria we thank you for everything you did,” Murphy said.

Galvano said he grew up in New York and first visited Anna Maria when he was four. He said Anna Maria has always been special to him.

“I’m very proud that we have construction going on behind us and I look forward to continuing to support this area and in particular the city of Anna Maria,” Galvano said.

Murphy then noted the Manatee County Commission, the Tourist Development Council and Whitmore also played a major role in funding the pier construction.

When presenting Whitmore with a key to the city, Murphy said, “The city of Anna Maria thanks you so much for your support, and you can just look across the street to see the fruits of your labor.”

“I think he wants more money,” Whitmore joked before noting she’s lived on Anna Maria Island for 50 years and grew up on Pine Avenue.

Military recognition

Murphy directed everyone’s attention to 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion Color Guard from Tampa. Accompanied by drummer Fai Fai Ho from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, the Color Guard marched across the street from the direction of the pier and came to a halt by the City Pier Park flagpole.

Assisted by Public Works Manager and retired Marine Dean Jones, Sen. Galvano and his wife Julie participated in a memorial wreath ceremony commemorating those who lost their lives in service to their country, with orchestra member and trumpeter Alan Evans performing “Taps.”

Murphy recognized the spouses and significant others of those who served in the military and then asked the members of each branch of the military to step forward as the orchestra played their respective theme songs.

With the veterans standing side by side, Murphy said, “Thank you very much. I wish I had a key to the city for each one of you.”

He then recognized Sgt. Charles Sport for leading the Color Guard and presented him with a commemorative plaque.

The ceremony concluded with Maestro Leonard Murphy, a Navy veteran, leading the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra through a performance of patriotic songs that began with the “The Star-Spangled Banner” followed by “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” and several others.

While the orchestra performed, Mayor Murphy said, “I’m very pleased with the turnout and the public’s reaction. I hope we continue to put on events like this that continue to bring our community together and make people cognizant of the role the military and veterans play in maintaining our freedom.”

When asked about his own service, Murphy said, “I was Vietnam veteran. I operated a boat in the Mekong Delta in 1968 and 1969.”

In appreciation of the city staff, he said, “City staff came through with another remarkable performance. Our next event will be the Fourth of July and our Veterans Day parade in November.”

Jones estimated 500 people attended the Memorial Day Salute.

Drummer Fai Fai Ho and Color Guard members Corp. Taj Canngieter, Sgt. Charles Sport, Sgt. Joy Christian and Sgt. Emerson Walker proceed to the City Pier Park flagpole for the wreath ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Drummer Fai Fai Ho and Color Guard members Corp. Taj Canngieter, Sgt. Charles Sport, Sgt. Joy Christian and Sgt. Emerson Walker proceed to the City Pier Park flagpole for the wreath ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Color Guard leader Sgt. Charles Short receives thanks from Mayor Dan Murphy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Color Guard leader Sgt. Charles Short receives thanks from Mayor Dan Murphy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ninety-six-year-old retired Navy Captain Dr. Carl Voyles and his wife, Joan, were greeted by County Commissioner Carol Whitmore. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ninety-six-year-old retired Navy Captain Dr. Carl Voyles and his wife, Joan, were greeted by County Commissioner Carol Whitmore. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Florida state Sen. Bill Galvano received a key to the city from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Florida state Sen. Bill Galvano received a key to the city from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Orchestra member Alan Evans performs “Taps” with retired Marine Dean Jones saluting nearby. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Orchestra member Alan Evans performs “Taps” with retired Marine Dean Jones saluting nearby. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Public Works Manager and retired Marine Dean Jones guided Julie and Sen. Bill Galvano through the wreath ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Public Works Manager and retired Marine Dean Jones guided Julie and Sen. Bill Galvano through the wreath ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Southeastern Guide Dogs Issac

Five guide dog teams graduate from training

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Events.

It was a happy day May 24 as five newly-trained guide dog teams received their diplomas and graduated from Southeastern Guide Dogs.

The ceremony took place at the T. Pepin Hospitality Center in Tampa and was the final step before the handlers, who received 20 days of immersive training on the Southeastern Guide Dogs Palmetto campus, and their guide dogs, who received two years of training, could go home to start their new lives together. Class #278 included Lisa Murphy and her guide dog Snoopy, Gloria Miller and her guide dog Dougie, Tommy Gagen and his guide dog Isaac, Ronda Shore and her guide dog Giovanni, and Arnold O’Neal and his guide dog Rizzo.

For Shore, Giovanni is her fourth guide dog and for O’Neal, Rizzo is his second guide dog. For Gagen, Murphy and Miller, this is their first time receiving a guide dog.

Prior to being matched with Snoopy, Murphy said she relied on a cane to get around and didn’t find it to be very effective as she still bumped into things.

Southeastern Guide Dogs Lisa Murphy
Lisa Murphy and her new guide dog Snoopy celebrate with Lisa’s family during the May 24 Southeastern Guide Dogs graduation festivities. – Kristin Swain | Sun

“She’s so playful,” Murphy said of Snoopy, who she called her “sidekick for life.”

“She’s a little bit of puppy and I’m a little bit immature so it’s a nice match,” she joked.

“It’s nice to have a sighted guide, like you can go walking with people and holding their elbow and everything like that but to do it on your own, I mean I know you have help from a guide dog but to do it on your own, it’s a lot different. When I was walking down there (with Snoopy) you feel like your head’s picked up, like you can see where you’re going. It’s like a self-esteem boost,” Murphy said of the training program.

For Murphy, the end of the three-week training session at Southeastern Guide Dogs and graduation marked the time for her and Snoopy to go home to Clearwater where Lisa’s family is happy to welcome the new addition.

“I’m excited to have a new member of the family,” Lisa’s daughter Kaylee said of Snoopy coming home. “She’s like my sister.”

Miller said the word “independence” sums up her whole experience with Southeastern Guide Dogs. With Dougie by her side, she said she feels like she’s regained her independence and ability to do daily activities without relying on friends and family. For Miller, she said it took 10 years to work up to getting a guide dog.

“I’m here, I’m at graduation and I’m still pinching myself because I’m actually taking a dog home. Thank you all so much,” she said during the commencement ceremony.

“Southeastern is an extraordinary place,” O’Neal said. “My family and I are just so grateful. It does allow someone to go from a less than ordinary to an extraordinary life when you have a guide dog. It opens up so many opportunities, so I really am just so grateful.”

Southeastern Guide Dogs trains and puts into service more than 150 dogs every year that help with everything from being eyes for people who can’t see to providing emotional support for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and comforting military families and children who have lost loved ones. All of the services at Southeastern Guide Dogs are provided to clients at no cost. The organization relies solely on private contributions and receives no government funding.

Five guide dog teams graduate from training
Southeastern Guide Dogs Chief Executive Officer Titus Herman congratulates class #278 on their graduation from training. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Chief Executive Officer Titus Herman said the nonprofit organization has more than 220 dogs in training on their Palmetto campus with around 150 staff members and more than 300 volunteers who help the dogs along from birth through their two years of training. Anna Maria Island residents are probably familiar with some of these volunteers, particularly the puppy raisers who bring guide dogs in training into their homes for a year to socialize the dogs, house train them and teach them everyday skills before the dogs return to the Southeastern Guide Dog campus for the remainder of their training. Each dog undergoes about two years of training before being matched with a handler.

The guide dogs of class #278 were sponsored by puppy naming sponsors IP Capital Partners LLC, Jet Mobile Home Park, LC Industries Foundation, Mastro Brothers Auto Group and Barbara Miller and her sons. Scholarship supporters include Interfaith Social Action Council Inc., Pinellas Optometric Association Inc., and the Raymond George and Ruth Bitner Fisher Foundation. Puppy raisers for this class were Rosemary and Mike Cliburn, Janet Daniels, Tom and Chris Limanni, Haley Smith, Trudy and Kevin Vetter, and Eileen “Annie” Westermann. The commencement ceremony was sponsored by the NLH Family Foundation.

For more information on Southeastern Guide Dogs, call 941-729-5665 or visit their website.

Non-toxic blue-green algae lingers

Non-toxic blue-green algae lingers

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Blue-green algae lingers in local waters, but is non-toxic, unlike some places in Florida, according to a Friday, May 24 report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The report shows that blue-green algae was found in Holmes Beach waters on Monday, May 20 in Anna Maria Sound at Key Royale and in the Intracoastal Waterway south of Grassy Point. The same type of algae, filamentous cyanobacteria (Lyngbya-like), also remained in Palma Sola Bay near San Remo Shores. A different type of blue-green algae, Lyngbya majuscule, persists in Sarasota Bay near Whitfield Avenue.

The algae are less prevalent than in the previous May 9 report, according to DEP, which indicated that no toxins have been detected in any of the blue-green algae samples collected in Manatee County through May 20.

Blue-green algae can be blue, green, brown or red and emit a foul, rotten egg odor caused by the production of hydrogen sulfide gas, according to DEP.

Non-toxic blue-green algae lingers
Blue-green algae, which can appear brown, was evident near Key Royale on May 9. – Christine Wright | Submitted

The two algae species found in Manatee County waters are not the same species that has plagued Lake Okeechobee, Microcystis aeruginosa, according to DEP. About one-third of Lake Okeechobee may have blue-green algae present, according to the report, which states that the algae can be seen from space.

Of the 22 sites tested statewide from May 17-23 by DEP, seven were positive for toxins. Inland waters in Putnam and St. Johns counties near St. Augustine on Florida’s east coast tested positive for toxic algae, the report shows, citing an unconfirmed report that a dog died after swimming in Lake Broward in Putnam County.

Even non-toxic blooms can harm the environment by depleting oxygen levels in the water column and reducing the amount of light that reaches submerged plants, according to DEP.

The growth of blue-green algae typically increases in the spring and summer months when water temperatures and daylight hours increase.

Red tide report

Background concentrations of red tide were found in water samples off Beer Can Island in Longboat Pass on Sunday, May 19 and 4.6 miles off Coquina Beach in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, May 21, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Background concentrations of the algae that causes Florida red tide, Karenia brevis, have no discernable effects on people or marine life, according to the FWC. However, in very low concentrations and above, red tide cells emit a neurotoxin when they bloom that can cause shellfish closures and respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or emphysema. In low concentrations and above, red tide can be deadly to marine life.

No fish kills were reported this week.

Very low concentrations of red tide are predicted in Longboat Key waters through at least Monday, May 27, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Scientists say that salinity, currents, temperature and light play a part in the formation of red tide blooms, as do nutrients from Florida’s natural phosphate and limestone deposits, Caribbean seawater brought to Florida’s west coast on the Loop Current, the Mississippi River, Saharan dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida’s waters, and fertilizer and animal waste runoff.

To help keep algae growth at bay, Florida law bans the use of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers during the rainy season, June 1 through Sept. 30.

Report algae blooms to DEP at 855-305-3903 or online. Report fish kills to FWC at 800-636-0511.

Golfers go full-swing for Blessing Bags Project

Golfers go full-swing for Blessing Bags Project

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun.

CORTEZ – Ryan Young and Mike Divietro won the inaugural Nancy Franklin Flippin’ Mullet Open golf tournament that raised more than $16,000 for The Blessing Bags Project that assists homeless children and adults.

Swordfish Grill managers Katrina “Kat” Cox and Greg Koeper organized the tournament in honor of former bar manager Nancy Franklin, who passed away last year after battling cancer.

The two-person, best ball scramble was played Saturday, May 18, at the Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Club in Bradenton. After being paired together because their partners canceled, Young and Divietro collectively shot a 54 on the par 61 course.

“We’re very happy to win this tournament. Nancy Franklin was one of my good friends, and everybody that put on this tournament did a phenomenal job. The course was in great shape, and we’re happy we played as well as we did,” Young said during the afterparty and awards ceremony at the Swordfish Grill and Flippin’ Mullet Sports Bar in Cortez.

“The tournament was excellent, it’s a fun course and everybody had a good time. We knew Nancy and I met her mom today,” Divietro said.

Jerry Gore and Jim Keck shot a 57 to finish second. JoAnn Nevin won the women’s longest drive and closest to the pin contests. Jeff Marx won the men’s closest to the pin contest and Bob LeBlanc won the men’s longest drive contest.

As tournament play ended, Koeper said, “Everyone had a blast. It gives me chills.”

While making his way to the after-party, Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said,
“It’s no surprise the tournament was a success because Kat and Greg were involved, and their love for Nancy showed through. It was sold out, and he had more sponsors than we could have hoped for. “On the third hole, people got to golf against me and Kat, and they gave extra money to do that. This tournament truly emphasizes Nancy’s heart. Everyone was happy to be here because of Nancy and The Blessing Bags Project, and we’ll do it again next year,” Slicker said.

Cox said she never organized a golf tournament before. “Everything came together, and it ran very smooth. Everybody said how much fun they had, and almost every golfer contributed above and beyond their entry fee. Before any 50-50 or raffle tickets were sold we raised over $12,000 with the sponsorships and entry fees. That’s pretty amazing – and all in Nancy Franklin’s name,” Cox said.

Gratitude expressed

During the after-party, Blessing Bags Project President Betsy Plante expressed her gratitude for the fundraising efforts. The organization serves the Bradenton-Sarasota area by providing homeless adults with bags filled with personal hygiene products and other necessities.

“We have special bags that we use for our children. They’re cloth bags that are hand-sewn by different organizations all over the country. Seabreeze Mobile Estates in Bradenton just did one hundred bags for us for Easter. In every child’s bag, we try to include an activity book, crayons, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hygiene products and a healthy snack. And every children’s bag gets a Beanie Baby tied to the bag so they have something to hug,” Plante said.

Slicker served as master of ceremonies for the after-party fundraising activities and awards ceremony. He thanked U.S. Foods and other unnamed vendors for providing the golfers with an excellent lunch buffet. He thanked the Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Club for allowing $60 of each $80 entry fee to benefit The Blessing Bags Project.

When thanking the tournament volunteers, Slicker noted Alyssa O’Brien and Jessica Williamson raised $265 selling Jell-O shots at the sixth hole. Franklin’s friend, Nora Davis, sold the Basket of Cheer and 50-50 tickets that contributed significantly to the fundraising efforts. And with Slicker serving as auctioneer, the live auction raised more than $1,000. As karma would have it, O’Brien won the cooler filled with liquor and beer. She also won the $550 50-50 drawing and donated $100 of her winnings to The Blessing Bags Project.

Nancy Franklin’s husband, Brian, and her mom, Sharon Boden, attended the after-party.

“Nancy was always charitable, and she loved The Blessing Bags Project. It’s a special day to have this many friends from Cortez, the Island and west Bradenton come out to honor Nancy’s legacy,” Brian Franklin said.

“I think this is beautiful. Nancy was always giving. When she was in kindergarten, she gave away all her books,” Boden said. As the party ended, Slicker addressed the crowd one last time. “Thank you so much for what you did today. On behalf of Nancy Franklin and your big hearts the real winner here today is The Blessing Bags Project.”

The Anna Maria Island Sun was a sponsor of this event.

Related coverage

Flippin’ Mullet hosting golf tournament in Franklin’s honor

School turns back the clock

School turns back the clock

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun.

HOLMES BEACH – Part of the past was unearthed last week, although it was almost lost forever.

A time capsule, buried in 1994, was unearthed near the school’s auditorium after its location was blurred over time. The Manatee County School Board had to send a tractor to expedite finding it, according to AME Principal Jackie Featherston. “Instead of burying it just a little, it was buried four feet or so,” she told the crowd at the celebration Monday morning, May 20.

school time capsule 2019
A view of the future from 1994 by Shawn LaPensee, now Shawn Shield and a mother herself. – Tom Vaught | Sun

Staff opened the plastic capsule and removed stories students wrote in 1994. Some of those students attended the ceremony and some were parents of students today. Former principal James Kronus attended the ceremony and he was mentioned a lot during the festivities.

The students put on skits for the decades, beginning in 1900 when the school was a single room building in Anna Maria. The witty skits mentioned Kronus as they unfurled another decade.

school time capsule kronus
Former principal James Kronus speaks to the students. – Tom Vaught | Sun

After the ceremony, Kronus said it was great to see everybody and he was fervent about the need to keep the school going, despite the loss of Island residents. Presently, the majority of students live off-Island and attend the Island school through the School Choice program.

Reel Time: Stripers on the Hooch

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

The Chattahoochee River has an intimate connection with Florida, one that existed long before I first visited it near its headwaters at Jack’s Knob in northeastern Georgia.

It flows for over 400 miles, merging with the Flint and finally the Apalachicola River at the Florida Georgia border before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachicola Bay. Since my first visit nearly 30 years ago, I have enjoyed fishing its upper reaches for rainbow, brown and the occasional brook trout.

Recently, I was introduced to an entirely new fishery by Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters, and Jeff Durniak, a Trout Unlimited award-winning trout conservationist and Georgia DNR fishery biologist. Striper bass or stripers as they are commonly known are an anadromous (adapted to fresh and saltwater) fish, so in some regions, their upriver spawning migrations led some individuals to become landlocked during lake dam constructions.

Georgia’s Lake Lanier stripers were introduced to control an invasive forage fish. In recent years, abundant rainfall in the southern Appalachians and the subsequent high water has made it possible for populations to travel upstream as far north as the Nora Mill Dam near Helen. As luck would have it, this dam lies right behind Unicoi Outfitters and just 10 minutes from our cabin in Sautee. When I got a text from Harris that he and Durniak were fishing the river for stripers after closing, I jumped at the chance.

While I had heard of fish up to 20 pounds being hooked, I had no idea what to expect. The opportunity to fish with Harris and Durniak was reason enough to don waders that afternoon, but the experience was an eye-opener. We started fishing at the base of the dam at Nora Mill, which forms a barrier to the stripers that migrate up the Chattahoochee from Lake Lanier. This spot, as well as Unicoi Outfitter’s one and a half-mile stretch of the river leading up to it, concentrate the fish on their mission to spawn, search for food and find cooler waters.

I was fishing a seven-weight outfit and a large, flashy baitfish pattern. It only took two casts before I was hooked up with a small striper, and then in quick succession, Harris was hooked up, and then I missed another bigger fish. At Harris’ suggestion, we moved further downriver fishing the deep runs, pools and pockets along the way.

Harris positioned me on a rock that jutted out into the current and showed me how to swing the fly and work it in the swift current. On my third cast, a big striper crashed the fly on the surface and made a downstream run that threatened to have me sprinting after it. Fortunately, I was able to turn him at the last moment, fighting him back upstream from pool to pool. After another two or three spirited runs, we were able to slide the striper up on a shallow ledge where Harris landed and released him. We estimated the fish weighed about 9 pounds.

Stripers on The Hooch
Jeff Durniak holds a striper taken on the Chattahoochee River just below the Nora Mill Dam. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

I began to fish the same water again but soon became aware of Harris photographing Durniak, his rod doubled on a nice fish. Hurrying just downstream from the dam, I was able to get some good shots of the striper before it was released. I went back to fishing, but the action had slowed and the light was fading from the river. Durniak and I met Harris as he was returning from the base of the dam where he had hooked a fish that he thought was a rock. After tugging on the obstruction a couple of times, it took off and broke him off. Looking back up at the deck at Nora Mill heath, several bystanders indicated with outstretched arms that the fish had been a big one.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the river and the unexpected action on the stripers made it even more special. It’s always a treat to experience a new fishery and especially one that’s new to even those anglers living nearby. The run of striper just adds to the special nature of a place already on my top 10 list. This is partly about the quality of the fishing but also the level of expertise and professionalism exhibited by those associated with Unicoi Outfitters. To reach Unicoi Outfitters and experience the excellent fishing visit their website or call 706-878-3083.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands

Reel Time: Sister Keys cleanup scheduled

Reel Time: When opportunity meets preparedness

Ross Built Construction builds solid win

Ross Built Construction builds solid win

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

Heading into the second half of the regular season of the adult co-ed soccer season, Gulfview Windows and Doors, led by Ryan Moss, remains the only undefeated team in the league. Still looking for a win is the team sponsored by Moss Builders and Beach House Real Estate. The game of the week saw Blalock Walters battle against Ross Built Construction.

Playing with his son Jake Ross, Greg Ross’ team took the win. Playing without Stephen Perry, the Blalock team could not match up against the solid Ross squad. Taking the early lead after two minutes of play, Matt Staggs for Blalock Walters, could not stop a rocket shot by Chris Klotz to tie the game. Less than a minute later, Staggs scored another goal for the team of lawyers to move the score to 2-1.

Big man Chris Chicaro made his way toward the goal and stuck hard and fast for the second Ross Built Construction goal. With two goals each, team captain G. Ross made the first of two goals to give his team the lead for the first time of night. Showing his missile strikes, Vince Chicaro, brother of Chris, made the first of three goals in the 12th minute of the game, advancing the score to 2-4. With plenty of energy and talent on the field, the Blalock Walters team continued to fight back.

Center adult soccer
Matt Staggs for Blalock Walters travels down the soccer field with Ross Built’s Connor Bystrom hot on his heels. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Two minutes after the Chicaro goal, a fight for possession ensued in front of the Ross Built goal. Blalock’s Greg DeMeuse finally found the ball at his feet to make the third goal for his team. Down by one point, team Blalock Walters successfully fought on defense for the remainder of the first half of the game, leaving the score at 3-4 as the teams left the field for a much-needed water break and halftime strategy session.

After more than 11 minutes of play without a standout play or a goal, J. Ross, a sophomore at Florida State University, scored his first goal of the season with an on the ground shot that whizzed right by Blalock goalkeeper Scott Rudacille. Rudacille finished the game with seven saves, while back up Ross Built goalie Max Gazzo had six documented saves of his own. With cross-field rocket shot that hit the right corner of the net, V. Chicaro made his second goal of the night giving Ross Built Construction a two-goal lead. Two minutes later, V. Chicaro got his hat trick increasing his team’s scoring dominance with the score 3-6. Blalock Walters fought back with a near perfect shot by Matt Plummer that went just inches over the crossbar. Staggs took a shot of his own that went just right of the post.

With three minutes left on the scoreboard, G. Ross got his second point, giving his team a four-point lead. Plummer got his goal with 23 seconds showing on the board, put Gazzo on the ground for the save attempt. Finishing the game on the referee’s clock V. Chicaro struck and hit the net again with an unrecorded goal, and the official score of 4-8 and another win for Ross Built Construction.

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