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Tag: Anna Maria Island

four remain soccer

After the rain, four remain

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

The daily rains got the best of the island pitch for the originally scheduled first-round adult co-ed soccer playoff games. A week later, after three games, four teams remain in contention for the Paul “Ace” Hayward cup.

With Sato Real Estate off the schedule with a bye week as the number one ranked team at the end of the regular season, the remaining six teams went into head-to-head single elimination matches Thursday night.

All three games were a great matchup, making it anyone’s game to win. Team Russia, sponsored by Ross Built Construction, started off the action against Team Croatia. The team sponsored by Progressive Cabinetry looked strong on the field and carried the lead for a good portion of the game.

Team captain Greg Ross sealed the deal for his team with a rocket shot low and powerful in the last five minutes of the game for Team Russia. Teammate Maxim Panchenko nailed the Progressive Cabinetry coffin shut with the final goal of the game, moving Ross Built Construction to the semi-final round of the season.

Third-ranked Moss Builders struggled in the second game to put it together on the field against MAR/Kis Insurance. The feisty Team Uruguay, sponsored by MAR/Kis Insurance, was called early for a foul when Omar Polar was caught pulling the arm of Team Brazil’s Aaron Parkin.

Tony Morales later got into it with Parkin with Moss Builders team captain Ryan Moss holding Parkin back to keep him in the game. With a zero-tolerance policy, either player could have been ejected out of the game for fighting had the incident escalated.

Moss relieved Olaf Krause of his goalkeeping duties, taking him off the field action. Meanwhile, David Greene started in goal for Team Uruguay until Mario Primo arrived in scrubs to protect his net.

All four of MAR/Kis’ goals were scored in the first half of the game with two goals for Miguel Ajoy, and Joel Sanchez and team captain Jeremias Gramajo with a single goal each.

Moss Builders tried to make a comeback in the last 23 minutes of the game. Team high scorer Chris Scott was the only Team Brazil player to score in what would be its last game of the season.

In the last game of the night, last place Bins Be Clean took advantage of Lancaster Design’s roster. Missing one of its key players, Robert Armstrong, Team England, sponsored by Lancaster Design fell short of victory Thursday night.

Bins Be Clean’s Team Sweden played smart soccer in its first win of the season. Team captain Nate Welch was on fire with a hat-trick. Additional goals by Ricky Anderson and Francisco Oliviera gave Team Sweden the goals needed to progress to the second round of the playoffs.

Despite the efforts of Team England, and the breadth of talent on the squad, the goals by Adam Mott, Jake Parsons, Steve Oelfke and Nate Talucci just were not enough.

The semi-final action starts at 7 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 20, with the bottom two teams, MAR/Kis Insurance and Bins Be Clean, matching up. Sato Real Estate gets back on the field after weeks off at 8 p.m. against Ross Built Construction.

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catch and release moore

Local captains support catch-and-release order

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local charter fishing captains support the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) executive order that temporarily imposes catch-and-release restrictions on snook and redfish because of red tide.

Issued by the FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton on August 30, the executive order applies from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Gordon Pass in Naples and Collier County.

Sutton’s order is scheduled for review and additional discussion at the FWC Commission’s Sept. 26 meeting.

“I support Eric Sutton’s decision to implement the executive order as we continue to manage this world-class fishery for future generations. We will continue working with our partners and will evaluate next steps at our commission meeting,” FWC Chairman Bo Rivard said in the FWC news release.

“We’ve seen the devastation of redfish and snook populations in southwest Florida and we support the catch-and-release initiative taken by FWC,” said Brian Gorski, executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA).

“We’ve heard support from members and guides throughout the state who also understand the need for such a change to ensure that generations to come can enjoy the thrill of catching one of these iconic species.”

Local reaction

Holmes Beach resident charter fishing Captain Scott Moore has been fishing the local waters near Anna Maria Island for more than 40 years, and he supports the catch-and-release order.

“If they limit snook and redfish to catch-and-release for one season, that will give those fish a chance to rebound and it won’t hurt anybody economically. There’s plenty of other fish to eat. We’ve got mackerel, beautiful mangrove snapper, trout and other fish that are eatable. With my customers, we’ll go catch and release a few snooks and then we’ll go catch some snapper and Spanish mackerel to take home to eat,” Moore said.

“From Tampa Bay south, the reoccurring red tide has really knocked down the population of snook and redfish. What we want to do is give them a break and preserve what’s out there so they can spawn,” he said.

“Snooks, from here south, had significant brood stock snook killed because of the time of the year we had the red tide. In June, they had horrific red tides south of here and it killed those fish that were spawning in the passes. Right now, redfish are going out in the Gulf to spawn, which I’m very concerned about. Redfish spawn in September, October and into November. If that red tide is lying offshore it will kill the brood stock,” Moore said.

Local charter Captain Nate Weismann supports the catch-and-release order.

“I do not allow clients to harvest snook, and starting about nine months ago, I stopped keeping redfish as well. I just don’t feel good killing these fish given the number of them here locally. Redfish stocks have seemed to decline sharply in the last several years. I would’ve loved to see the FWC extend the emergency closure to trout as well,” he said.

Weissman said he’s seen a 75 percent decline in business in August and September due to the red tide.

“It literally happened overnight,” he said.

Local charter Captain Carson Wooten supports the catch-and-release order.

“It’s a positive thing for the fishery in our area. For me, it doesn’t really make a difference as far as it being closed on those two species. I always encourage catch-and-release on my charters anyways, but if they want to keep a couple fish, there are plenty of other fish to keep such as trout, snapper, mackerel and flounder,” he said.

Captain Lance Plowman said the catch-and-release order does not impact Cortez Deep Sea Fishing and others whose fishing excursions go much further out in the Gulf.

“You’ll see redfish sometimes at three miles out, but snook you don’t really catch past the beach. They go out deep and spawn, but you don’t really catch them out there.”

When asked how the red tide is impacting the local deep sea fishing industry, Plowman said, “Other than people not being here, it’s not affecting us at all.”

Holmes Beach Jessie's exterior

Jessie’s Island Store looks to expand

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

HOLMES BEACH – A resolution to amend the site plan for Jessie’s Island Store is moving forward to a vote in November after commissioners approved the proposal for expansion during a September work session.

Building Official Jim McGuinness, along with City Planner Bill Brisson, presented the site plan amendment to commissioners. McGuinness said the business has outgrown the current 1,400 square foot structure at 5424 Marina Drive and the owners hope to add 1,025 of additional space behind the current building to allow for more retail and storage space.

His only concern with the project, he said, is that the owners of the business, Atco, Inc., provide adequate screening along the western side of the property to protect the nearby residential residents. Currently, he said, there is a dilapidated chain link fence that the property owner proposes to replace with a six-foot opaque fence which McGuinness said would bring the property into compliance with current building codes.

Appearing on behalf of the property owners were engineers Matt Morris and Camden Mills, of Morris Engineering.

Mills said the project proposes to improve stormwater drainage and parking on the Jessie’s Island Store site, provide two additional parking spaces to bring the total number of spaces to 12, including one compact space, and replace shell on the lot with sod. Mills said the cooler currently located behind the existing building would be incorporated into the expansion, bringing it into compliance with local ordinances.

Once the site plan amendment passes a commission vote, the property owners will have 180 days from the approval to apply for permits with the building department. Morris said the intent is to begin work on the project as quickly as possible.

“This was the easiest site plan we’ve ever had to look at,” Commissioner Judy Titsworth said.

“They did a good job with it,” Brisson added.

Castles in the Sand

Honesty is the best policy – especially in real estate

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

Good old Benjamin Franklin had it right well over 200 years ago – when you’re dealing with people the best course of action is to be honest. And when you’re selling real estate, it’s more than a good idea, it’s legally imperative.

Traditionally, let the buyer beware was the principle most real estate transactions lived by. It was the buyer who was responsible to inspect the home and discover whether there were any unacceptable conditions or defects before closing. That’s why home inspectors became so important when purchasing a property.

However, in an ever-increasing number of states, courts and lawmakers have held that sellers are in the best position to know all material facts relating to their properties, particularly those that are not visible to the naked eye, and should disclose these to the buyer or face legal liability.

Florida is one of those states that is holding sellers responsible to disclose defects before closing. Since 1985, Florida law has provided that, with some exceptions, the seller must disclose any facts or conditions about the property that may have a substantial impact on the value or desirability of the property that may not be visibly obvious.

To assist sellers in making all relevant disclosures, the Florida Association of Realtors provides a standard form which covers many common property characteristics about which buyers want to know. Although sellers are not required to complete and sign this form, they are still required to disclose all relevant information to buyers, even when they may not be obvious. This can be done either in writing or orally, but to protect their statements sellers should have a written document as proof.

Some of the items contained on the seller’s disclosure form are potential claims, or court proceedings; nature of condominium or HOA association rules; boundary issues; status of any sinkholes; any environmental hazards such as asbestos, lead paint, mold, Chinese drywall; damage from wood destroying organisms; flooding or ground leaks; disclosure of condition of major systems such as central air and heat, plumbing and electrical systems and brands and condition of appliances.

This may be intimidating to homeowners who may be worried about problems they’re not aware of. The law states that you will not be expected to know or learn about or disclose property defects which you have no actual knowledge of. If in the future the buyer of your property discovers a problem after closing, the onus is on him/her to prove that you knew about the defect and did not disclose it. They also would have to justify that the defect has had a substantial impact on the value of the property and that the defect would not have been easy for the buyer to detect. Essentially Florida homeowners are required to disclose only those property defects of which they have actual knowledge.

There are a few facts that do not need to be disclosed to buyers. One is that the property has been inhabited by a person infected with HIV or AIDS or that a murder or suicide has occurred or is suspected to have occurred on the property.

And even if you’re selling your property in an as-is condition, that does not dismiss you from the requirement of full disclosure. You will have to disclose any material defects that you are aware of.

I would encourage sellers to prepare a written disclosure statement to protect them and instill confidence in buyers. Honesty and transparency is the proper way to sell a property, even in those few cases when it may not be required. “Honesty is the best policy” are words to live by.

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symphony on the sand 2017

Symphony on the Sand preparations underway

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

BRADENTON BEACH – Tickets are on sale for the Sixth Annual Symphony on the Sand concert and gourmet food event at Coquina Beach on Saturday, Nov. 10. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.

Taking place at Coquina Gulfside Park, 2650 Gulf Dr. in Bradenton Beach, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., the open-air symphony concert on the beach will feature the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO) and vocal soloists Michelle Giglio, Ashley Thunder, Russell Andrade, and Daniel Hoffman.

“This year we’re going to do some great uplifting pieces. We’re going to do a bit of Mama Mia, and then we’re going to do some disco dance tunes, so there’ll be a lot of dancing. And we always have the patriotic pieces for our warriors, which we celebrate because it is Veterans Day weekend,” event chair Jeanie Pickwick said.

Regarding the dress code, Pickwick said, “You can dress up if you want, and a lot of people do but wear flip-flops because we are right on the beach in the sand. The tables and chairs and the general admission area where you bring your own chairs are right in the sand, so wear something you’ll be comfortable walking in.”

Those who purchase $125 tickets will be treated to salad, small plate entrée selections provided by participating restaurants, dessert, and complimentary fine wine and select beers.

The Beach|House, The Lazy Lobster of Longboat, Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Hometown Desserts and the Coquina Cafe at Coquina Beach are this year’s featured restaurants.

Tickets for this rain or shine event can be purchased online at www.SymphonyOnTheSand.com, and Pickwick advises folks to purchase their tickets early. Online tickets will be available until noon on Friday, Nov. 9. If not sold out, tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.

Those with $50 tickets receive a chair for the concert and two drink vouchers, but no food. Those with $20 tickets can bring their own chairs or blankets and sit in the roped-off area near the stage. Attendees with $50 or $20 tickets can purchase concessionaire food and purchase drinks at the cash bar. Bringing your own alcohol onto the beach is prohibited.

There will be plenty of free parking at Coquina Beach, and the free Island-wide trolleys will be running before and after the concert.

Pickwick began serving as the Symphony on the Sand event chair prior to the second annual outdoor concert.

“I really believe in it. I had been the executive director for AMICCO for over 10 years. I stepped down from that position, but I still handle this one event for the organization.

“It’s such a great event and we love doing it. It brings a lot of attention to the talent that we have in our area and it’s a great community outreach. It’s an honor to do it,” Pickwick said.

Manatee County is contributing $30,000 to help cover the costs of the stage, sound, and lighting, and what’s left will help pay the musicians’ stipends. Proceeds from the event will benefit AIMCCO’s youth and outreach programs.

Pickwick is still seeking additional event sponsors. Interested sponsors or those seeking additional event information can contact her by email at info@amicco.org or call 941-795-2370.

Holmes Beach coyotes Wooten

Coyotes are here to stay

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

After an increasing number of coyote sightings in West Bradenton and on the Island, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is cautioning residents to treat the canines with caution.

And to get used to them.

“In the past, we had no coyotes in Florida,” said Angeline Scotten, senior wildlife assistance biologist with FWC, who spoke to about 30 people at a special meeting last week at Palma Sola Botanical Park.

“We had red and gray wolves, but their numbers declined as farmers moved in and so did coyotes,” she said, adding that FWC  fielded about 900 reports of coyotes statewide last year.

Scotten said agricultural areas offered coyotes food, protection from the elements and space to breed. She said as time went on and the county built bridges to the Island, some coyotes walked from the mainland while others probably swam.

Meanwhile, coyote sightings on Anna Maria Island have increased in recent months. Residents have reported seeing coyotes in all three Island cities, in and around Cortez and in the Perico Island housing developments.

Recently, a coyote was spotted in Anna Maria near the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Tarpon Street, while another was seen crossing the humpback bridge, also in Anna Maria.

Sgt. Mike Jones, who heads the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office substation, said they have had numerous calls from people saying they have seen coyotes in residential areas, both during the day and at night.

Jones said one coyote was spotted by a deputy on the beach.

“It was near Bean Point, and my deputies saw it,” he said. “At first, they thought it was a dog, but they identified it as a coyote, and it left on its own.”

Ed Straight, of the Bradenton Beach-based Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation Center said they recently had a report of a coyote near St. Bernard Church, and they scared it off. It was last seen headed toward West Bay Cove.

He added that coyotes are extremely hard to capture because they are so smart and that most standard animal traps simply don’t work.

Cats are a favorite food of these wild animals, according to Straight.

“We have a habit of leaving feral cats alone,” he said. “All that does is attract coyotes.”

Straight told The Sun in July that residents should take care with their small pets.

“I don’t think they (coyotes) are dangerous to people unless somebody starts feeding them,” he said. “They’re afraid of people and usually run the other way. If you value your cats and little dogs don’t put them out at night. They definitely like cats and they can jump a pretty high fence. We’ve always felt like it’s a matter of time before they’re out here because they’re everywhere else in Manatee County,”

“Coyotes are omnivores, which means they’ll eat practically anything,” Scotten added. “The more people there are around, the more opportunities for food.”

Scotten said FWC examined the foods found in the stomachs of dead coyotes and found a varied diet.

“There was dog food, cooked human food, vegetation, trash, small mice and insects,” she said. “If you don’t want to attract coyotes, keep pet and human edibles away from the outdoors.”

Conversely, there are pluses for having coyotes around, according to Scotten.

“They control some of the smaller predators like mice and raccoons that hunt birds,” she said. “They don’t compete with endangered species like Florida panthers and bobcats because they live in separate areas.”

Coyotes have undesirable habits though, like going after sea turtles and shorebirds, as well as cats and small dogs.

If a person does encounter a coyote, Scotten said to scare it off by making some noise either by yelling or using a noise-making device like an air horn. She also said to keep dogs on a short leash when taking them for a walk and to make sure all garbage is secured in a bin with a lid.

holmes beach city field proposal

New concept emerges for city field remodel

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

HOLMES BEACH – City Engineer Lynn Burnett has a new plan for city field and it’s one that commissioners are more willing to get behind.

Burnett said her new plan takes into account the history of city field and the many residents who have donated to the project and the dedicated trees and equipment in the complex. In the hopes of meeting both the requirements of the city’s comprehensive plan and providing the amenities residents and visitors are looking for, Burnett suggests creating a large parking area on the western side of the property along Marina Drive, relocating the skate park and large dog park nearer to the city-owned basketball courts, realigning the baseball field and moving the tot lot next to the existing gazebo.

She suggested building shuffleboard and horseshoe courts near the skate park with bocce ball courts near the dog park. She suggested using the existing skate park area as a staging area for city contractors and public works projects.

By moving the skate park and the dog park, Burnett said the two potentially loudest noisemakers in the complex would be relocated as far as possible from residential neighbors. By placing parking along Marina Drive, she added the park would have a focal entrance point and the city would be able to provide more on-site parking for large events.

She recommended a slight realignment of the baseball field to close to the center of the complex and leaving the outfield without a fence to allow for more space for special events in the park. Ultimately, she said a walking/jogging track could be added with some exercise stations around the perimeter of the park with little additional cost to the city.

Burnett presented commissioners with an estimate of costs, not including the creation of the off-street parking facility, of $300,600 to be divided evenly over the 2018-19 and 2019-20 fiscal years.

While commissioners were primarily in favor of the project, City Attorney Patricia Petruff suggested that Burnett may have overlooked one important item – overflow parking for the nearby city boat ramp.

Commissioner Pat Morton agreed, saying that during season he sees several boats parked in the lot adjacent to the city basketball courts, where Burnett proposes to relocate the large dog park. To resolve the issue, Commissioner Rick Hurst suggested swapping the location of the small and large dog parks with the proposed parking area on Marina Drive. He said the location would allow for dogs to be kept away from where they may disturb residents, there already are a large number of trees in the area and part of the enlarged parking area could be designated for overflow boat ramp parking when needed.

Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she liked the ideas presented by Burnett but that the project needs public input from local stakeholders. She also suggested Burnett develop a map of where memorial trees, benches, and other items will be placed so that donors can see where their items are located in the complex.

“I like it,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said of the new concept. She agreed that there are changes that may need to be made to the proposal but that the project should be presented to the public for comment and review before commissioners vote to take action.

Burnett agreed to work with the city’s parks and beautification committee to reach out to local stakeholders and set up a public workshop.

Once work begins, she said it would take about two weeks to relocate the tot lot, four to five months to work on the dog parks, and if a design is approved by commissioners by February 2019, construction could take place May through September of 2019, allowing the park to open just in time for season. If commissioners vote to approve the plan when it comes before them in a regular meeting, she said some projects could be done in conjunction with the public input phase, such as the demolition of the existing skate park.

Related Coverage

City Field could get big makeover

Giving Back Billy Rice

Giving Back does it again

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – The Swordfish Grill, Sande Caplin & Associates, The Sarasota Post, A Paradise Realty and the local community raised more than $20,000 for Hungers End during the Thursday, Sept. 13, Giving Back fundraiser.

Founded and run by Vicki and Carl Snyder, Hungers End is a Bradenton-based food pantry and blessings closet that’s provided free groceries, clothes and hygiene products to those in need in Manatee County for the past four years.

Last week’s fundraising efforts included the annual event ticket sales, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and a live auction featuring Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker as auctioneer. The Billy Rice Band, TC & The Troublemakers and Tanya McCormick and Rick Fass provided the live music, sponsored again this year by A Paradise Realty.

Giving Back A Paradise
The ladies from A Paradise Realty were the highest bidders for a fishing trip for 35 people with Cortez Deep Sea Fishing and Capt. Lance Plowman. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“What the Swordfish Grill, Sande Caplin & Associates, and A Paradise Realty do is just amazing, and we were so honored to be the selected beneficiary this year,” Carl Snyder said during the fundraiser’s final hour.

“This is such a blessing, and we want to thank everyone so very much. This will go a long way towards helping us purchase our building at the end of this month. We feed 500 to 600 folks each month, including the elderly in the Grand Palms retirement home,” Snyder added.

“We serve a meal every Monday night to the homeless, and our food pantry at 1802 14th Street West in Bradenton is open the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month from 10 a.m. until noon. We’ll give out free meats, groceries, dairy and whatever else we get donated,” he said. “This is a community-supported, 100 percent volunteer organization. It’s just a lot of loving people who want to give back to the community. We saw how big the need was, and we were led by compassion to help people in need.”

Giving Back organizers
Bob Slicker, Katrina Cox and Sande Caplin play key roles in the annual fund-raiser and Rose Lipke, second to the left, served as a bid spotter during this year’s live auction. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“What we started with four years ago has turned out to be something we can thank God for – and all the volunteers that make this happen,” Snyder said.

“It was amazing and overwhelming. I was just blown away. I’m so humbled by the giving hearts of Sande, the Swordfish Grill, A Paradise, all their employees and all the people who came tonight. It will help us tremendously,” Vicki Snyder said.

When asked what else the community can do to help, Vicki said, “We’re always looking for volunteers and looking for people to do canned food drives to help stock our pantry. We also need clothing and hygiene products.”

Those who wish to volunteer their time or donate to the Hungers End efforts can learn more from the organization’s website, at the Hungers End Facebook page or by calling 855-777-0259.

After completing his auctioneer’s duties, Slicker said, “We do our Giving Back event every year to benefit a local charity that takes care of people in our community. For four years in a row, we’ve been sold out for this event. It raises a lot of money, and it’s nice to give back. I’d like to thank the sponsors and everyone who came out, and I’m blessed to be a part of it.”

Caplin then said, “This is my seventh year and the fourth year with Swordfish Grill, and this is the best one yet. There were a lot of people who’d never been to the Swordfish Grill and some who’ve never been to our Giving Back event.

“It’s a great fund-raiser, and it’s great to give back. Laura Bell Adams, who works at my company, and Katrina Cox from the Swordfish Grill, pretty much run the whole thing now and A Paradise gave us the money for the bands.

“Every charity in town is important, and it’s a tough decision for us now. We met the Snyders earlier this year and Betsy (Plante) from the Blessing Bags Project recommended them. I’ve been over there on Monday nights when they’re feeding the homeless and it’s phenomenal,” Caplin said.

Related Coverage

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Island Players celebrate 70 years of entertainment

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – A piece of Island history is celebrating its roots and looking to its future and its 70th season.

The Island Players spurred on by entertainment-hungry tourists and locals, took over a historic home, converted it into a theater and began the business of providing opportunities for would-be thespians to entertain.

Island Players Herman B and Joe E
Island Players official Herman Brandt with movie star and comic Joe E. Brown. – Submitted | Anna Maria Island Historical Society

According to records at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, it all began in 1912 when area pioneer farmer William Gillet had a house built at the north corner of 121st Avenue East and 72nd Street East in Parrish.

The Gillet family sold the house in the 1940s to Bill McKechnie, a longtime manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and it was towed by barge to Anna Maria Island for use by ballplayers during spring training. It was later given to the city and used as Anna Maria’s first city hall, a community center, a tourist information center and eventually, the Island Players Theatre. They held their first performance in 1949.

The building fell in disrepair in the 1960s and its only use was as a theater. In 1971, at an Anna Maria City Council meeting, Mayor Harry Cole faced some opposition to having the termite-ridden building placed under the city’s care. It had some nostalgic value, but it would be a drain on the city’s budget, opponents said.

After much debate, the Island Players, who were planning to build their own theater, agreed to use the building and presented plans for a new stage, seating and to remove some of the building that would be unnecessary for a theater.

Island Players cast rehearsal
The cast for the upcoming play, “An Unexpected Guest,” from left: Heiko Knipfelberg, Kristin Mazzitelli, Colin Brady, Dan Coppinger, Valerie Lipscomb and Mark Shoemaker. On the sofa, Sylvia Marnie and Caroline Cox. – Submitted

Over the years, the Island Players’ productions became a favorite for locals, snowbirds and tourists. Within the past 25 years, they replaced the seats and the curtain with one that is a regal red shade.

Today, the players have the support of Island businesses that sponsor its productions and advertise in its playbooks, and there is an Offstage Ladies of the Island Players group that supplies volunteers as ushers, in the ticket booth, and behind the stage.

There is also a corps of actors that appear regularly as well as new faces, young and old, who make their acting debut here. Island Players President Sylvia Marnie, a veteran of several plays, said there is a lot of love that goes into each production.

“It’s like a family,” she said. “People know you, and they enjoy that.”

Due to its small size, the Island Players use more than the stage. They sometimes stand in the aisles and say their lines

“We do a lot, considering our size,” Marnie said. “At the Island Players, you’re only limited by your own imagination.”

As the Island Players celebrates seven decades of fun, they won’t take too much time out because, as they say, “The show must go on.”

Red tide seagull

Red tide continues to increase

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Red tide.

Red tide increased in waters off Anna Maria Island during the week ending Sept. 14, according to the latest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and forecasters predict high concentrations through at least Sept. 18.

While the Sept. 14 report shows that overall Manatee County red tide levels were from 5 percent to 25 percent lower than the previous week, high concentrations of red tide were found in water samples taken at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at Longboat Pass and Cortez Beach, both in Bradenton Beach. Low concentrations were found at the Palma Sola Bay bridge. Samples in all those locations showed higher red tide concentrations than the previous week.

University of South Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Submitted

At least 140 manatees have died during the red tide bloom that has plagued Southwest Florida since October 2017, and which reached Anna Maria Island on Aug. 3.

To date, 47 dead manatees tested positive for red tide, and red tide is suspected in 93 manatee deaths, according to the FWC.

Six manatee deaths have been recorded in Manatee County so far this year, two in Anna Maria Sound; none are confirmed from red tide.

So far this year, 599 manatees have died in state waters, compared to 538 in all of 2017.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration, which was reported on Friday, Sept. 14.

Respiratory irritation was reported from Sept. 9-12 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Sept. 7 and Sept. 9-14 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

The last reported fish kill in Manatee County was on Sept. 8.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

Related coverage

County approves $500,000 more for red tide beach cleanup

Red tide resources

Manatee County logo

County addresses red tide

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

Red tide remains off Anna Maria Island, and undoubtedly will continue to return in the future, Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources department, told Manatee County commissioners this week in his report on the county’s activities to address the outbreak.

“It’s still there. We’re still seeing results coming ashore on our beaches,” he said, adding that the county has two beach rakes cleaning the beaches, with Mark Taylor, the full-time beach raker, putting in 21 straight days without a day off.

“As a natural occurrence, it’s always with us,” Hunsicker said. “It’s only when it blooms in a fantastic abundance that it starts to affect the respiratory abilities of fish,” affecting the smallest fish first, then the larger ones as they ingest the smaller ones. “Red tide is in the water column. I can’t paint it any worse than that.”

Hunsicker predicted that the naturally-occurring algae, which was first reported as early as the 1700s off Florida’s coast, will continue to affect county beaches.

“As sure as we will see blue skies and blue water and sandy beaches again in the years to come, we may and will be revisited by red tide,” he said.

“The red tide is absolute in its effect and very difficult to mitigate,” Hunsicker said, adding that its severity can vary from day to day and place to place.

During the current outbreak, which began on Aug. 3, the county has taken several actions, Hunsicker said:

  • Adopted stringent local stormwater controls to protect the Outstanding Florida Waters classification for Sarasota Bay
  • Completed enhanced levels of wastewater treatment in March 2017 to lower nitrogen levels in its reclaimed water distribution systems at a cost of more than $21 million
  • Implemented summer fertilizer use restrictions
  • Mobilized a 12-hour-a-day/7-day-a-week project to clean beaches and boat ramps
  • Provided dumpsters at 16 locations to provide citizens the opportunity to dispose of fish
  • Mobilized emergency services through Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure and SWS to provide three collection vessels for floating fish, a transport vessel for hauling collected fish to shore dumpster locations, and administration for in-water collection services
  • Organized three volunteer clean-up events with department staff along the Palma Sola Causeway
  • Initiated the “Nets to Neighbors Program” providing nets to residents who are able to clean their own canals.

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Where’s Bortie?

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

Picking up the pace and moving ahead to 11th place from 12th in a field of 13, loggerhead sea turtle Bortie continues to swim off Everglades National Park in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles.

Bortie has traveled 128 miles since the race began on Aug. 1. The event is part of the organization’s research project tracking satellite-tagged turtles to determine where and how far they migrate.

Bortie was satellite tagged and released on Coquina Beach on June 19, and is sponsored by the Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, for which she is named.

Bortie’s nest hatched successfully in August.

Where's Bortie
Bortie is still hanging around the Florida Keys in the Tour de Turtles race.
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

County approves $500,000 more for red tide beach cleanup

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners unanimously voted on Sept. 11 to take another $500,000 from tourist tax funds and use it to remove dead fish killed by red tide from local beaches.

Red tide is causing concern for people with Florida vacation plans, and some are considering cancelling their reservations, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The bureau reports an increase in complaints filed against businesses offering vacation rentals during the current red tide bloom, which reached Anna Maria Island on Aug. 3.

Consumer complaints allege issues with receiving refunds following cancellation, and businesses not disclosing potential red tide issues.

The bureau recommends knowing your consumer rights, beginning with understanding the terms and conditions of your contract for a vacation rental, or the refund policy for a hotel reservation.

Establishments are not required under Florida law to issue refunds for prepaid reservations, according to the bureau.

Communication with the business is key, the bureau advises; talk with the management to resolve your issues. Most businesses want to keep you as a customer and will work with you to find a reasonable solution.

If you’re having a problem with your reservation visit www.bbb.org/howtocomplain for more information.

The vote raises the total tourist tax funds allowed for beach maintenance to $1,250,000 a year.

“We don’t know how long this red tide event is going to go on,” Elliott Falcione, director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), told commissioners.

“We are standing down on marketing right now in certain areas,” he said. “We believe if we were putting our brand out there, our ROI (return on investment) would be next to nothing and we could be deceiving the marketplace.”

Marketing funds saved during the red tide outbreak will be used when the crisis is over to double down on the area’s tourism message, countering negative publicity in the (UK) Daily Mail and other publications, he said, adding that a $1 million contingency fund is also available to be used for marketing after a disaster, including hurricanes and red tide.

County commissioners amended the Tourist Development Plan in 2014 to allow $100,000 per year in tourist tax funds for maintenance of county-owned beaches. The following year, commissioners increased the funding to $750,000. Last month, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council voted unanimously to recommend the commission approve the additional $500,000.

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Red tide assistance available for businesses

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

Loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network are available to businesses whose customers are staying away because of red tide.

The red tide bloom that continues to persist in the Gulf of Mexico began in September 2017 in Southwest Florida, reaching Anna Maria Island on Aug. 3. Since then, dead fish and the respiratory irritation caused when the algae’s neurotoxin is dispersed in the air have kept the Island’s usual crowds away from restaurants and retail stores.

SBA loan office opens Sept. 7 in Holmes Beach

The Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center opens Friday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. to assist such businesses affected by red tide.

The center is at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. After Sept. 7, hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary.

SBA representatives will provide information about disaster loans and assist business owners in completing loan assistance applications. Manatee County’s economic development team and local Chamber of Commerce partners also will provide information and resources to assist businesses in documenting financial losses.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is available to small business owners in designated disaster areas, including Manatee County, who experienced physical or economic damage because of red tide.

Small business owners can qualify for between $1,000 and $50,000 in interest-free loans, payable after 180 days. If paid late, an 18 percent interest rate applies.

The program is not designed to be the primary source of assistance to affected small businesses; program eligibility is linked to the pursuit of other monies, such as the proceeds of insurance claims or other loans, other financial assistance the borrower receives after receipt of the loan or proceeds from the revived business.

Applications will be accepted from for-profit, privately-held small businesses that have maintained an office in Florida since at least Aug. 13, 2018, employ between two and 100 employees and have suffered physical damage and/or economic injury because of red tide.

Borrowers will be required to sign agreements that proceeds of the loans will be used only for maintaining or restarting the businesses in the designated area. Use of proceeds to pay off debts already incurred for qualifying business maintenance or restart purposes may be authorized on a case-by-case basis.

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 12, contingent on availability of funds.

For more information, visit SBA or call 800-659-2955.

For more information, visit The Sun’s Red Tide Resources.

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red tide fishing license exception

Special license sought to lessen red tide fish kills

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Cortez fisherman and businessman John Banyas is seeking a state-issued special activity license allowing him a greater ability to harvest mullet and threadfin herring when those species are threatened by red tide.

Banyas will ask the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for the special license, and the city of Bradenton Beach has agreed to serve as the applicant and license holder for those efforts.

“My concern is to utilize the fish before they are wasted,” Banyas said when addressing the Bradenton Beach commission on Thursday, Sept. 6. “It’s like you were fish farming and knowing you were going to lose the oxygen in your fish ponds. A prudent farmer would harvest those fish before they die and go to waste.”

Banyas first proffered this idea during an Aug. 14 gathering of local restauranteurs. He then requested and received letters of support from the Manatee County Commission and Congressman Vern Buchanan. He’s also reached out to State Sen. Bill Galvano.

Banyas owns Cortez Bait & Seafood, Killer Bait, Gulfstream Boats Inc., the Swordfish Grill, N.E. Taylor Boatworks and the restaurant space leased to the Cortez Kitchen – all in Cortez.

He told the Bradenton Beach commission that a special activity license permit can only be issued to a municipality or a research or educational organization. He said he sought the city’s assistance because he was born and raised there – and the village of Cortez does not have its own city government.

On Sept. 26, Banyas will attend the FWC Commission meeting in Tallahassee in hopes of presenting a special licensing request that if approved would allow him and his crew to use a 500-square-foot nylon net with a two-to-four-and-a-half-inch mesh size to harvest mullet. He also seeks permission to use, at one mile out, the one-inch mesh purse seine nets he’s allowed to use at three miles out. Banyas seeks these temporary and limited provisions for waters within five miles of a red tide outbreak or an anticipated outbreak, as determined by FWC.

“This five-mile radius can be adjusted within 24-to-48 hours,” Banyas said.

“It’s only going to be the mullet and the thread herring. This gear catches a designated species. There’s no indirect catch of any other species. I would encourage FWC to provide a marine biologist observer to ride with me to see first-hand what is occurring, and in predicting these fish die-offs,” he said.

If issued, the special activity license would allow Banyas to harvest mullet and thread herring in any state water being threatened by red tide, as determined FWC. This would include Sarasota Bay.

“If red tide was here on Bradenton Beach and St. Pete was clean, clear and fresh, I couldn’t go over there. I would be bound to be within a five-mile radius within the red tide. It would have to be fish that are in jeopardy of dying,” Banyas said.

“Right now, this might not help us because all our fish are dead. This will potentially help in other areas as the red tide continues to travel north. The red tide is moving more over to Hillsborough and Pinellas counties,” he said.

Banyas seeks a one-time license that would expire on Dec. 31 but potentially establish a permitting precedent for future years.

“If all this doesn’t work this year, I’ve made ground getting through to them. If we’ve got to do it the next time this happens, the groundwork is set. We know red tide is going to come back, and I’d like to utilize the resource before they die the next time red tide is present,” Banyas said.

To protect the city from liability concerns, City Attorney Ricinda Perry recommended the city be added to Banyas’ insurance policy and that Banyas and the city enter into an indemnification and hold harmless agreement that relieves the city of any liability related to Banyas’ fishing activities. Banyas agreed to those terms.

After further discussion, the commission unanimously supported Commissioner Jake Spooner’s motion to authorize Banyas to apply for a special activity license using the city of Bradenton Beach as the applicant and license holder and to perform work under the license, if approved, as a non-exclusive contractor.

Banyas was asked later if he expects pushback from the recreational fishing community.

“I couldn’t see why, because who wants to waste the fish? I just want the mullet and the thread herring. Why sit there and watch them die and worry about cleaning them up and or the carcasses going to the bottom and creating bacteria that contaminate the water. I’m not out to change the law, it’s just to catch the fish before they die,” he said.

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