As the temperature of the summer heats up, so does the action on the indoor soccer court at The Center on Anna Maria Island.
With more than half of the games played in the season, the dominant teams in both the Intermediate and Advanced leagues have risen to the top, but the season is still young and the championship is any single team’s to win.
Last Tuesday night Cloud Pest Control and Island Vacation Properties faced off, with Cloud eeking out the win, and both teams have very similar mid-season records in the Intermediate league.
Cyrus Ryan was credited with a hat trick, scoring all three goals for Cloud Pest Control. Clancy Cusack and Kason Davis scored a single goal each for Island Vacation Properties.
In the second game of the night during Intermediate league action, Moss Builders once again dominated, beating Solid Rock Construction with a score of 3-0. Dylan Sato scored two goals and Jackson Titen had a solo goal for the Moss Builders squad.
The last two match-ups of the night saw the Advanced league teams go head-to-head. Team Ugly Grouper struggled against both of their opponents in the back-to-back games.
Team AMI Locals won their game against Ugly Grouper, ending with the game score of 5-1. Will Wright scored the single goal for Team Ugly Grouper.
Evan Talucci hit the net twice for AMI Locals, with teammate Savana Coba scoring a hat trick of her own.
Victor Albrecht scored the lone goal in the final game of the night for Ugly Grouper. Top-ranked G&G Yardscaping played with a tremendous amount of teamwork, with assists by Katie Stembridge, Ryan Joseph, Cale Rudacille and Connor Samblis.
Each of the G&G players with assists also scored goals, with Samblis credited with three goals in the game, clinching the win with a score of 6-1.
With one more week of regular-season indoor soccer play on the schedule, the youth players continue to play hard toward the championship game on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.
Every dance has specific dance steps. Even though some dancers may look like they’re just winging it, they’re at least the ones that you keep looking at. Living in a condo requires learning a multiple of dance steps, so if you’re not good at condo dancing, you may need to rethink your purchase.
Condo living is great. It frees you of all the day to day maintenance issues that a house requires – exterior painting and pool cleaning are done, the lawn is mowed and roof repairs are a thing of the past. But all of these services come with a price in both money and control.
The first dance steps you need to learn are those in the condo maintenance fees or homeowner association fees dance. These fees are established in order to pay for all of the services and expenses the condo association is responsible for. Owners pay either a monthly or quarterly fee that goes into the association’s funds and is allocated to specific reserves.
As soon as you are in contract for a condo property, the condo fees are disclosed to you. You, in turn, need to disclose these fees to your lender if you are applying for a mortgage. Condo fees are calculated by lenders right along with principal, interest, taxes and insurance in order to qualify for financing.
Condos with high fees can kill a deal if the potential buyer does not qualify for a mortgage because of the fees. This can be a tricky calculation for condos that are new construction since it’s not uncommon for the developer to lowball common charges in order to sell units, which means that marginal buyers may not get their financing if the fees are adjusted upward prior to closing.
The second dance that has very complicated steps is the giving up control to the condo boards and management company dance. If you’re one of those people who needs to dot every “I” and question every rule, you may have a hard time learning this dance.
There’s a fair amount of freedom you give up to live in a condo. For instance, if you liked skinny dipping in your single-family home pool you better start buying a bunch of bathing suits or, if your neighbors on the other side of your common wall have their grandchildren over every Sunday to watch football, either you join the party or go out for the day. Condo living is nothing if not a compromise.
There is, however, a way to gain some control and that’s by volunteering to join the condo board. Based on how the condo documents are drawn up, condo board members have a lot of power. They can change rules, choose contractors to do jobs and move money around. There certainly are decisions the boards cannot make without a vote of the residents, so learning what decisions condo boards can and cannot make is important before going forward.
If you don’t join the board yourself, make sure you vote for board members that you feel are qualified and ethical. In addition, condo boards that have good management companies to advise and guide them are better run.
Successful condo living is a “live and let live” concept. Minor infractions of rules should be overlooked and flexibility will make your living experience rewarding. If you want a carefree lifestyle and the ability to lock your door and leave, like so many people in Florida do, condo living is a perfect fit. But first you need to learn the condo dance and how to dance like a pro.
This summer’s indoor soccer action at The Center includes two skill levels and age group divisions: Intermediate (five- to nine-year-old) and Advanced (10- to 14-year-old).
In the first game of the third week of play, the intermediate teams of Moss Builders and Island Vacation Properties faced each other in 40 minutes of rapid-fire action.
Dylan Sato started the play for Moss Builders. Immediately, Maddie Kimmons showed what a defensive powerhouse she is for Island Vacation Properties.
Sato brother Brandon made a nice reaching attempt to stop the soccer ball, but just could not quite get to it.
Six minutes into the game, Moss Builder’s Jackson Titen made a nice shot attempt. Teammate Mason Moss hit a rocket shot that was stopped by Kimmons, playing by the net.
Sato made a shot attempt that went just right of the post seven minutes later.
Island Vacation Properties made a great run down the field before being stopped by Moss.
With three minutes left on the scoreboard, Moss made another shot attempt, finding Kimmons away from the goal.
Despite what looked to be domination on the field by Moss Builders, the first half of play ended with the score 0-0.
Island Vacation Properties started the second half play. Camden Rudacille made a nice pass down the line. Kimmons was caught off guard allowing the first Moss Builders’ goal.
Implementing the three-line rule, teammates are required to touch a long pass before it crosses the third critical line down the court.
After a near own-goal by Moss Builders, Brandon Sato shot the Moss team’s second goal of the game. Moss followed two minutes later with another ball in the net, pushing the score to 3-0.
The Moss Builders team put its fourth goal on the board less than three minutes later.
Miles Moss worked with his team on the court allowing big brother Mason a clear shot over everyone’s heads for the team’s fifth goal.
Mason Moss hit another perfect shot for the final point of the match with a little more than four minutes left in the game, to end with the score 6-0.
For several years, I wrote about how the millennials were moving into the cities. They didn’t want anything to do with the suburbs and their parents’ lifestyle. Well, in the space of two weeks I discovered that everything old is new again.
In the 1950’s families, including mine, were moving from the city to the suburbs, buying up new homes in what were once potato fields and family farms. This migration from the cities to the suburbs happened because of the demand for housing after World War II when the veterans could finally settle down and start their families.
When the grandchildren of those families grew up, they said, “No way,” and vowed not to return to the mundane lifestyle of backyard barbeques and Little League. But don’t ever say never since the millennials, many of whom are in their late 30s, are coming back with families in tow, only this time instead of moving to the suburbs outside of major Northern cities, they’re coming south. This reversal has a lot to do with the mobility of jobs and the growth of the South, which is benefitting from the real estate slow down and taxes of the Northeast.
Recently, a very extensive piece in the Wall Street Journal studied the reversal from city to suburban life. It reported that the growth rates of the suburbs are far outpacing metropolitan areas and the South is winning the race. This supports what I wrote about last week regarding investors buying up first-time buyer properties, hurting millennials who suddenly want to buy houses and raise families.
Some of the hot Sun Belt areas with good job opportunities that are benefitting from this influx of young families are Frisco, Texas, Nolensville, Tennessee, Scottsdale, Georgia and our very own Lakewood Ranch.
As fate will have it, the same day I read the story about the city to suburban reversal there was a report in the Bradenton Herald about 3,000 new homes that will be built in Lakewood Ranch. After a little research, I discovered a couple of interesting things about Lakewood Ranch that we who live surrounded by water probably haven’t paid attention to.
First of all, 74 percent of Lakewood Ranch residents are either between the ages of 25 – 44 or over 65. I also read that Massachusetts General Hospital is opening a Brain Health Initiative that will be based in Lakewood Ranch, kind of an achievement for the Bradenton area. Also, the median age in Lakewood Ranch is 49.4 compared to Anna Maria Island’s 64.3. There are not too many millennials with families moving here. Finally, Lakewood Ranch is 31,000 acres and 29 square miles with a population of over 11,000.
The reason I’m telling you this is two-fold. First of all, to keep everyone aware of changes in real estate trends both locally and nationally and second to help us sun and sand worshippers appreciate what’s going on east of our shoreline. We’re all part of the same region, so what happens in Lakewood Ranch can have a serious impact on us – traffic, parking, success of restaurants and shops just to name a few. The millennials may prefer to live in Lakewood Ranch, but for them visiting Anna Maria Island is one of the reasons they came here.
Well, once again, millennials are picking up where baby boomers left off. Now it’s their turn to influence all aspects of life in the country. Everything old is new again.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island lost a beloved friend and local character when 67-year-old George Cameron Wilson Jr. passed away on Monday, July 8.
Wilson worked at the Anna Maria General Store in Anna Maria and lived in Holmes Beach with his roommates Lisa O’Connell and Rick Weaver.
According to General Store owner Brian Seymour, who was out of town at the time, Wilson started feeling sick on Saturday, July 6. He came to work the following day not feeling well and went home. Wilson was hospitalized Monday and passed away later that day.
“He was at the hospital for about four or five hours, and his heart stopped four times before they pronounced him dead,” Seymour said.
As of Sunday, an autopsy report was still pending, and the exact cause of death remained unknown.
“The great thing is that George lived every day of his life. He didn’t have to be taken care of, he wasn’t in a home and he wasn’t under treatment for cancer or anything like that,” Seymour said.
“He was the first associate I hired. He was working for the previous owner and he was the only associate I kept when I bought the store in 2010.”
At the time, Wilson also worked as a substitute teacher at Lee Middle School in Bradenton, which he did until he retired from teaching.
“He was my nighttime guy, working the register, greeting customers, making sandwiches, stocking the shelves – he pretty much did it all. He wasn’t just an employee, he was probably my best friend on the Island,” Seymour said.
“He was sometimes misunderstood, but if you got to know and love George you’d find out he was fiercely loyal. He was fiercely loyal to making sure kids had a good experience at the store. He liked to take care of the fish tank, and he’d teach kids all about the fish.
“There was no one more dedicated and loyal to the success of the business than George. He would show up early every day, never called out and he was always talking about the business and trying to grow the business. And he, by far, had the most repeat visitors who came in here year after year asking for him,” Seymour said.
Celebrating George’s life
A celebration of life will take place on the deck of the Anna Maria General Store at 503 Pine Ave. from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22. at 8:30 p.m., Wilson’s friends will walk down to the bay and place flowers in the water. At 9 p.m., the celebration will resume at D Coy Ducks in Holmes Beach.
Seymour started a GoFundMe page – “In memory of George C. Wilson” – for those who wish to assist with the costs for Wilson’s celebration of life.
Now living in Mexico, longtime Island resident and visitor Dee Brady loved spending time with George. – Submitted
Childhood friends
Dave Cochran is the general manager at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.
“I’ve known George as long as I can remember. We’re from the same hometown, I knew him growing up in New Castle, Penn.,” Cochran said.
Cochran said Wilson attended Youngstown State University in Ohio and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education in 1976. He then spent the next year teaching at inner-city schools in Houston, Texas.
Through the 1980s and 90s, Wilson worked as a performance and executive recruiter in Dallas, Texas, as a sales manager for the Northern Light Company in Pittsburgh, as a sales and operations manager for Environmental Resources Inc. in Wampum, Pa. and at a consulting, sales and marketing group in Hermitage, Pa.
Cochran said at some point after 1996, Wilson became a substitute teacher in the New Castle/Wilmington/Shenango area, and he did that until he moved to Anna Maria Island in 2003 or 2004.
“He took a vacation in Key West and was on his way back to Pennsylvania because he’d gotten a teaching job in Pittsburgh. But he decided he was going to stay here, and he didn’t take the job,” Cochran said.
“George was a free spirit that made everyone feel good and happy around him. Everybody loved George. He’ll be missed by all,” Cochran said.
Friend of the bride
Wilson became close friends with Holmes Beach residents Morgan and Ben Bryant.
“He was definitely a one-of-a-kind person. Everybody loved him. He came to be part of our family. We’d have him over for Christmas and things like that. And Ben and George went for coffee almost every morning,” Morgan said.
“Then we had our son, Finn, and Finn started going to coffee with them, so they’d have a little men’s group. George never had kids of his own, so he wasn’t sure how to act around Finn at first, but they grew to love each other and he became Finn’s Uncle George,” Morgan said.
“George was a groomsman in our wedding. We didn’t have a honeymoon planned. After we got married, George and the group from the General Store were going on a cruise, so we ended up honeymooning with George,” she joked.
Lisa O’Connell, George Wilson Jr. and Rhonda Gula attended a Paul McCartney concert together. – Mike Field | Sun
Best buddies
“George was friends with my stepdad, Tim Sullivan, who passed away four years ago. Tim and George hung out at Bortell’s, and George would come over for family get-togethers when I was younger. I’ve known George for probably 15 years,” Ben Bryant said.
“During the last four years we hung out every day. He was my lunch buddy and my coffee buddy. I also have a property in California, and George came to work on the farm last year. We were knocking off some bucket list items,” Ben said.
Ben was flying to California the day Wilson died.
“I had just landed in Sacramento, and I started getting calls from the ICU because I was his healthcare surrogate. The doctor was asking me when was the right time to stop giving him cardiac support and CPR. I just got back to yesterday, so it’s all becoming real,” Ben said on Sunday.
When asked what he’ll miss most about Wilson, Ben said, “His honesty and realness and living in the present moment. It’s rare to find people who live for the present day and who are so open and sharing.
“We’d drink together and George could definitely hold it down, even at 67. This celebration of life is going to be a stellar event. It will feel like George is there,” Ben said.
Getting out of the heat of the summer, The Center’s gym is filled with soccer enthusiasts to play and watch indoor soccer Island style. With the Ross Built Construction boards up and the stage occupied by fans and players, the fuzzy yellow soccer ball whizzed across the court last Tuesday night.
Team Ugly Grouper matched up against Team AMI Locals in a game that ended in a tie after 40 minutes of fast-paced action.
The scoring started with a goal by Savanah Coba for AMI Locals just one minute into play. The team quickly took possession of the soccer ball to put another shot into the net, giving AMI Locals a two-point lead.
Without goalies in the game, the defense in the indoor soccer league has to play tough to protect its house. Both teams effectively utilized one player as a quasi-goalie, unable to use their hands in play.
Jayden Sparks scored a goal for Ugly Grouper putting the score to 2-1.
Coba took a nice shot only to be stopped by Jack Whiteside, Ugly Grouper’s goalie.
Newly added player Carsyn Deligans, visiting the Island for the season, showed the players and spectators she is a force to be reckoned with on the indoor soccer arena with the first of three goals in the game.
Utilizing their feet, heads and the walls, the two advanced teams fought hard for possession and position. The score moved closer after an own goal for AMI Locals.
With the score 3-2, a one-point lead for AMI Locals, the game headed into half time.
AMI Locals started the second half of play with a kickback to a defensive teammate. Evan Talucci, with Team AMI Locals, showed why he was named Goalie of the Year in the previous soccer season – this time playing without the use of his hands.
Will Wright scored his first goal of the game with Talucci just a little too far away from the net.
An accidental handball by Team Ugly Grouper allowed a direct penalty kick by Jack Harrison to hit the net and tie the game at 4-4.
Deligans scored another goal, once again giving her team the lead. Angelina Albrecht tried to close the gap with a shot saved by Talucci.
With 10 minutes left on the scoreboard clock, Albrecht took another shot, this time against Deligans who blocked the shot.
A minute later, Ugly Grouper tied it back up. Dalton Fox took the soccer ball down the court until there was one man to beat. Fox took the shot and scored for AMI Locals.
Jackson Long brought the game back to an even score, getting a strike past Talucci.
Albrecht and Long worked together, using the boards to move the ball into scoring position. Victor Albrecht took his own shot that went just right of the post.
Hoping to regain the lead and end the game with a win, Deligans showed an incomparable hustle and skilled footwork.
Deligans’ first shot sailed right of the post. Her next shot was blocked by Whiteside. As the clocked ticked down, Whiteside maintained the tie for his team with another save on the Deligans strike, ending the game with the score 6-6.
ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have decided the exteriors of the new pier restaurant and bait shop buildings will be covered with HardiePlank lap siding instead of Kebony hardwood siding.
HardiePlank is a non-wood material made with cement fibers.
The commission’s unanimous decision on June 27 reverses a previous 3-2 decision made in April 2018 in favor of Kebony siding. At that time, commissioners Carol Carter, Amy Tripp and Dale Woodland voted in favor of Kebony siding. Commissioners Doug Copeland and Brian Seymour opposed the Kebony and expressed their preferences for HardiePlank instead.
The pier walkway is being built with Ipe decking made of Brazilian hardwood.
After noting the commission previously favored Kebony, Mayor Dan Murphy said the city’s contractor for the new pier buildings, Frank Agnelli, recommends HardiePlank.
Murphy said using HardiePlank would reduce the pier project costs by $18,000. He also said HardiePlank is fireproof, has a very long life and he concurs with the contractor’s recommendation.
Copeland said HardiePlank comes with a 30-year warranty and is available in different colors, which will also save the city the expense of painting it. The commission did not discuss color choices last week. During past discussions, it’s been stated that the pier and pier buildings would have greyish tone that fades over time and resembles the old pier.
“I didn’t vote for the Kebony to begin with,” Commission chair Brian Seymour noted.
“I didn’t either,” Copeland added.
Tripp made the motion to use HardiePlank and the commission unanimously supported that motion.
The spring 2019 adult co-ed soccer season came to a close last Thursday night June 27 with three spectator-pleasing games. With the inevitable back-to-back games leading to the battle for the Hayward Cup, all four teams in the semifinals had to give it their all hoping to have enough left to win the final game of the season.
In the first game of the night, first seed Team Gulfview Windows and Doors met up against Jiffy Lube, the fourth seed coming into the playoffs. The play in regulation time ended with the score at 6-6, taking the game to a shootout.
With Sean Flynn in the goal for Team Jiffy Lube, Gulfview’s Keith Mahoney made the first shot. Omar Polar followed with a goal of his own against Jordan DeMers for Gulfview.
Team Captain Ryan Moss’s shot went wide of the post giving Jiffy Jube a chance to make the go-ahead shot. Ricky Anderson’s laser focus strike hit the net.
Aaron Parkin made Flynn go the wrong way, making easy work of his shot, tying the goal count. Looking for the go-ahead point, Jiffy Lube’s Emily Argeros missed her shot opening the door for Jose Urbiola Bolanos of Gulfview.
Bolanos’ shot sailed into the goal after hitting the hands of keeper Flynn. Jiffy Lube’s captain Danny Anderson drilled his shot into the post missing the shot.
A late addition to the Gulfview team, PJ Smargisso sealed the deal for his team with a successful strike, putting the team into the first championship slot.
Although with less scoring, the second semifinal game also finished in a shootout with the score after 50 minutes of play 1-1. Fifth seed Team Flynn Law, playing without Sean Flynn, started on defense with Mark Rudacille at the net attempting to stop the shot of Team Beach House Real Estate’s team captain Kris Yavalar. Yavalar started the final shots off with a goal.
Flynn Law’s Tyler Robinson took his position to make his strike against Cliff Powell. Robinson’s shot soared away from the goal.
David Greene, for Beach House, and Flynn Law’s Lexi Sato both made their shots. Ryley Moore missed the next shot for Team Beach House, and Flynn Law’s captain, Kevin Roman, made his tying goal.
Nick Bouchard had perfect placement with his shot and Olaf Krause’s shot went off of Powell’s hand right into the net.
With even goals, Beach House Real Estate’s Adam Bujarski put in the winning shot, despite Rudacille’s goal attempt, moving his team to the final match-up for the league title.
The game for the cup started with 23 minutes on the scoreboard and Beach House Real Estate with the first touch of the soccer ball. Six minutes into the game, Parkin found Moss down the field providing the opportunity for a cross to Ashley Friszman, who scored the first goal of the game.
After a misstep on the field leading to a penalty kick, Yavalar took and made the shot, tying the soccer game.
Moss made a beautiful shot with eight minutes left in the first half that went right into the arms of goalie Powell. Moore hit his shot for Beach House starting the back and forth scoring battle.
Gulfview Windows and Doors’ Mahoney tied the game with a free kick with less than one minute on the scoreboard.
The scoring of the second half of the game started with Beach House’s Bouchard with a little more than 16 minutes on the clock. Parkin’s tying shot, making the score 3-3, brought excitement to the crowd that was looking for another shootout finish.
Gulfview prevented that outcome with a strong run by Parkin to move the soccer ball to the Beach House end of the field, giving Mahoney another scoring opportunity.
Mahoney’s goal was soon followed by teammate Parkin’s score, giving their team a two-goal lead.
A strong defense kept Beach House from taking a shot, earning Gulfview Windows and Doors the ultimate league prize, the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup, giving Moss his first championship in several years.
ANNA MARIA – City officials are grateful for the continued support the city’s receiving from the county and the state for the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier.
On Monday, June 17, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommended county commission approval of the city’s request for $435,000 in additional pier funding. The funding request still needs county commission approval, which is expected.
Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland is a member of the TDC and he made the motion last week seeking the county commission’s support.
“I’m extremely pleased that the TDC has recommended to the county commission another $435,000. We’re grateful for what they’ve done in the past and this will go a long way toward completing the pier,” Copeland recently said.
“This is a big deal. Our residents will appreciate that this is $435,000 that doesn’t have to come out of the city’s general fund,” he added.
Mayor Dan Murphy is also happy.
“We’re very pleased. This helps us finish the pier project. We had a funding gap and the county helped fill half of that gap. The gap was created by FEMA not giving us the full amount they originally promised us,” Murphy said last week.
“I want to thank Elliott Falcione, County Commissioner Carol Whitmore and all the members of the TDC and the county commission for their support,” Murphy added.
Commissioner Carol Carter agrees.
“I’m thrilled with the additional support. We had to find additional funds after FEMA reduced what they planned to give us. I’m thrilled that the TDC and the county commission are stepping up with this additional assistance,” she said.
“We also appreciate the original funding the county provided. That was really important to us. Thanks to the TDC and Commissioner Carol Whitmore for their support. And hats off to our mayor, who’s pursued all these funding sources for the city – and for Doug’s good work as our TDC representative,” Carter said.
Funding snapshot
In previous budget years, Manatee County Commissioners pledged $1.5 million in TDC-recommended tourist tax revenue funds and $333,000 in surplus beach concession fund revenues for the pier project.
County Commission approval of the city’s latest request would bring the county’s total pier project contribution to more than $2.26 million.
On Friday, city officials learned Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the city’s $285,000 funding request supported by the Florida Legislature earlier this year. Last year, the Florida Legislature approved $750,000 in state funds for the pier.
Murphy and Carter previously expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided this year by Senate President Bill Galvano, Senator Joe Gruters and State Rep. Will Robinson Jr.
FEMA is providing 810,000 in federal funds and an additional $135,000 in state funds.
According to Murphy, the city anticipates contributing approximately $712,000 to the project – and the contribution of the current and/or future pier tenant has not yet been determined.
Headed by city resident Sissy Quinn, the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust is contributing $1,100 to the efforts.
According to Murphy, the latest estimated cost of the pier project is $4.97 million. The pier and the new restaurant and bait shop at the pier’s T-end are on track to reopen by year’s end.
BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue’s soon-to-be Chief Ben Rigney’s employment contract is approved and ready to go into effect when current Chief Tom Sousa retires from the fire service in October.
WMFR’s board of commissioners voted unanimously June 18 to accept the terms of the contract negotiated by board Chair David Bishop. Once the vote was taken, Sousa and the five fire commissioners each took a turn congratulating Rigney on his promotion and the acceptance of the contract.
The contract is for five years and requires Rigney to reside in the district for the entirety of the term. The fire chief position is the only one with WMFR that carries a residency requirement. Until October, Rigney will continue in his current position as battalion chief.
Bishop said that during negotiations he also argued for the chief’s salary to be raised somewhat to come up to current standards and bring it more in line with other Florida fire districts. He said he tried to negotiate a raise for Sousa during his three years as chief, but that Sousa refused.
“When you have talent, you pay for talent, and you have high expectations for results,” Bishop said.
Rigney, a career WMFR firefighter, was selected by commissioners in March to succeed Sousa. He was the only candidate to emerge from a three-month internal selection process and received recommendations not only from commissioners but also from his fellow firefighters.
The candidate selection committee was headed by Commissioner Larry Jennis, who gave Rigney a positive recommendation during the March meeting.
In addition to taking on the mantle of fire chief, Rigney also will be undertaking a two-year training program to achieve the top certification for a fire service officer with the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program. Rigney said the program, previously a four-year endeavor, is undergoing some restructuring and that he hopes to start sometime in the next year. He was accepted in the program in mid-2018.
The last game of the regular season last Wednesday night, June 19, was just the beginning of the dominating soccer play by Team Jiffy Lube. In a shocking defeat against the number one ranked team, Gulfview Windows and Doors, Danny Anderson’s Jiffy Lube squad paved its way to the quarterfinal games to be played Thursday night.
Despite its nearly flawless record, Gulfview, lead by Ryan Moss, could only put one goal on the scoreboard.
Jiffy Lube started quick out of the gates with the one-two punch of Anderson and Omar Polar. Anderson’s pass to Polar was right on the money, allowing Polar to hammer the shot less than five minutes into the game.
Three minutes later, Anderson got his first goal after several shots were taken and saved by Gulfview goalkeeper Jordan DeMers, who was credited with nine saves in the game.
Veteran player Ed Moss scored the one and only point for his son’s team in the ninth minute of play, taking the score to 2-1.
Flawless play by Jiffy Lube and unforced errors by Gulfview allowed Anderson to hit the net for the second time in the game.
With a two-goal lead, the game became a defensive battle leading up to the half. Jiffy Lube keeper Robb Marshall worked hard to keep the soccer ball out of his net with eight saves in the game.
To start the second half of play, Ricky Anderson scored his team’s fourth goal only to be followed by another goal by teammate Anil Akbulut, advancing the score to 5-1.
Moss took over in goal, putting DeMers on the field. Jiffy Lube’s Eliza Falliace took her shot only to be saved by R. Moss.
Taking the ball the full length of the pitch at The Center, D. Anderson found a scoring opportunity and took the shot for his team’s sixth goal.
Falliace took another shot against R. Moss that went just left of the post. R. Anderson fired a cannon that was just over the crossbar.
With less than eight minutes left in the game, Falliace hit the net for a goal of her own, widening the Jiffy Lube lead with a score of 7-1 to finish the game.
In a season with 10 teams, wild card games between the bottom four teams had to be played to determine the quarterfinal contenders. Moss Builders, lead by Diego Felipe, took the field against defending champions Sato Real Estate with team captain Josh Sato.
After 50 minutes of play, the regulation play ended with the score of 3-3, leading to a shootout. Sato Real Estate came out on top despite rocket shots by Amy Ivin and Jake Parsons. Goalkeeper Jason Sato’s skillful saves gave his brother’s team the opportunity to finish on top critical goals by Josh Sato, Murat Akay, and Steve Wertovitch.
The last quarterfinal game played Thursday night ended in another nailbiter. Once again, fifth seed Team Jiffy Lube prevailed, but this time in a shoot out after regulation play ended with the score 3-3 against the fourth seed Blalock Walters squad.
Missed shots by Matt Plumber and Stephen Perry, against Jiffy Lube keeper Sean Flynn, cost the team of lawyers the game. The netted shots by Greg DeMeuse and Matt Staggs just were not enough against the skillful strikes of O. Polar, Emily Taylor, R. Anderson and D. Anderson. Blalock goalie Scott Rudacille’s agility and talent just was not enough Thursday night.
The stage is set for this Thursday’s semifinal match-ups and the championship game. Gulfview Windows and Doors will face Jiffy Lube June 27 at 6 p.m., while Flynn Law will take on Beach House Real Estate at 7 p.m. The championship game for the Paul “Ace” Hayward cup will be played at 8:30 p.m. with the winners of the two earlier games to end another season of adult co-ed soccer at The Center.
The rain flooded the fields at The Center Thursday night, but not before the adult soccer players took to the pitch the night before. Nearing the end of the regular season, two games were played Wednesday night, with Blalock Waters and Ross Built Construction emerging as the victors.
Finding redemption after its loss to Team Flynn Law last week, Team Blalock Waters handily defeated the young skill-filled team sponsored by Duncan Real Estate.
Duncan Real Estate’s Raymond Gardner watches as veteran Blalock Walters keeper Scott Rudacille saves the goal. – Monica Simpson | Sun
With new players on the roster, Blalock took the early lead after 11 minutes of play with two goals. The single goal for Duncan Real Estate hit the net on a strike by Joey Hutchinson during that time despite numerous shots taken by Hutchinson and Clancy Vaughan.
Blalock struck gold again with less than three minutes left in the half, advancing the score to 3-1.
Four minutes into the second half, Matt Staggs score the last Blalock Walters goal.
Skaggs’ goal added cushion to the goals by Greg DeMeuse, Matt Plummer and newcomer Dan VanEtten.
Neither team could score a goal in the last 19 minutes of the match-up. Misstrikes and a strong defense left the score 4-1, with 12 saves by Trey Horne for Duncan Real Estate and nine for Blalock Walters’ own Scott Rudacille.
A minor tweak of the schedule keeps the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup championship game on track for a Thursday, June 27, at 8:30 p.m.
The surroundings flooded my senses as the morning dawned, a receding thunderstorm having just ionized the air with a freshness that only served to enhance the fragrance of white stopper blooms that wafted from the island. The sun had just crested the horizon throwing a golden light on the sinuous shoreline of Smokehouse Bay, while black clouds on the western horizon added a surreal aura to the scene. As we wound our way through the twisting labyrinth of mangroves, I was suddenly struck with the promise of the morning run.
I was fishing a few days with my good friend and guide Captain Joe Harley in Pine Island Sound. We had planned this outing for a month and unfortunately, the weather gods weren’t with us when it came to catching. Catching aside, we managed to find a place to fish out of the wind each day and dodged the frequent thunderstorms that dotted the four corners of the compass. We knew that the conditions were going to make things challenging at best, but we also knew from experience that sometimes you can turn a game to your favor in the bottom of the ninth.
For years I judged the success of the day by the numbers of fish I caught. Over time I realized all the other gifts that a day on the water provided me. I learned from experience that it’s possible to have an unforgettable day, even when the fish refuse to cooperate. That has been a good thing, especially since I settled on fly fishing as a way to pursue my passion. Don’t get me wrong, I like to catch fish as much as anyone, but this realization has kept me coming back. Without this attitude, I fear fishing would have long ago lost its appeal.
Time spent on the water in Pine Island Sound is always a treat. It’s one of only a few places in Florida where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the natural world. It’s a place filled with thousands of acres of mangrove-lined channels, labyrinths filled with manatees, dolphins, sea birds, turtles and most every species that swim Florida waters. The biggest draw for me is the abundance of tarpon, large and small, twelve months of the year.
The tarpon were there this trip too, but conditions conspired to keep them from feeding. The day on the water may have been the highlight of the visit, but there was a lot to like about three days in Matlacha, Pine Island and unique communities like Pineland, St. James City and Bokeelia. I stayed at the Angler’s Inn in Matlacha, a friendly accommodation with boat dockage and just a short walk from a great breakfast at The Perfect Cup or dinner at the Blue Dog restaurant.
I’ve been fishing the waters of Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass for close to two decades, a destination that feels a world apart but is easily accessible (1½ hour drive) from Anna Maria. I highly recommend a visit to the area for fishermen but also birders and nature lovers of all stripes. Captain Joe Harley can be reached at 239- 443-7412. Contact the Angler’s Inn at 239-898-2121. Wherever you go, sit back and enjoy the morning run. Even if the fish don’t bite there are lessons to be learned and experiences to savor. If you’re lucky, the fish might just smile on you too.
ANNA MARIA – In response to its annual funding request, The Center of Anna Maria Island will receive $21,000 from the city of Anna Maria.
Center officials sought $28,000, but during the Thursday, June 13, city commission meeting Mayor Dan Murphy recommended $21,000 instead. Murphy said that’s what remains in the city’s recreation fund for the current fiscal year.
The city’s contribution will help support The Center’s youth programs. There was some discussion about earmarking some of the money for senior programs, but that idea remains on hold for another year while those additional programs are developed.
When addressing the commission, Executive Director Chris Culhane introduced The Center’s new director of development, Jim McDaniel.
“He’s going to be a huge part of The Center moving forward,” Culhane said.
Culhane then reviewed the financial figures provided to the commission.
“We had a good year. In the past 18 months we’ve had a dramatic turnaround,” Culhane said.
“In addition to the significant revenue increase, we’ve also cut operating expenses by $120,000,” he said.
Culhane said fundraising increased by about $30,000, due in part to the new concert series The Center and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council initiated this year. Culhane said six more concerts are planned for the coming year.
“We’re not going to do anything outrageous,” Center board of directors’ chairman David Zaccagnino added. “As much as I like Van Halen, we’re not going to bring Van Halen out here.”
Zaccagnino addressed The Center’s current financial position and the financial challenges it faced in recent years.
“The numbers are fabulous, but this has been working with a skeleton crew for most of the year. We plan on hiring people,” Zaccagnino said, noting that Culhane’s former position, director of operations, still needs to be filled.
“We have 3,000 members. It’s not just kids anymore, it’s the whole gamut – people from four to 95. The confidence is back in the community. Two years ago, we were on the ropes and you gave us a chance,” Zaccagnino said.
He also noted that Anna Maria Elementary School is the only school in the county school system that doesn’t provide after-school care. He said The Center providing this service allows parents to continue working.
At one point, Culhane held seven-year-old Dylan Sato in his arms as the youngster expressed his support for The Center.
“Hi, my name is Dylan. I’ve been going to The Center ever since I was one. Last year I started playing, soccer, T-ball and I also watch my dad (Jason Sato) play sports,” he said, getting very emotional as he spoke.
“He’s a fourth generation Island resident,” Culhane added.
When recommending the $21,000 contribution, Murphy said, “You’re to be commended for what you’ve done, and I look forward to you doing more in the future.”
Commissioner Dale Woodland revisited an idea he’s proposed in the past as a potential means to address the Island’s changing demographics and shift toward a more tourist-oriented community. He suggested the Island’s real estate and vacation rental companies add a half-percent fee to their rental rates and donate that money to The Center. Their guests would then gain access to The Center in exchange.
“We’re working on that,” Zaccagnino said of those efforts that remain in a very early stage of development.
“You guys have done an outstanding job. You guys have really focused on turning around your financials,” Commission chair Brian Seymour said.
Seymour praised the concert series and said they provide an opportunity for people to get together and see each other again. The inaugural concert series included performances by The Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws B.J. Thomas and others.
If your smartphone has become an extension of one hand and the TV remote an extension of the other, then iBuying may be the next logical step in selling your home.
There have always been people who need to sell their homes quickly because of a lost job, a sudden move or personal tragedy. Usually, selling fast comes at a price, but Zillow and other online tech companies think they can efficiently predict the value of a home, make you an offer and get you moving.
Last year, Zillow moved into home flipping, and it now has nine regions in play and expects to be in 20 markets by early next year. Interested homeowners complete a questionnaire on Zillow’s website and they receive an initial offer within 48 hours and a final one after an inspection. There is a service fee of about seven percent of the purchase price based on needed repairs. If accepted, Zillow closes the transaction within 90 days and then attempts to resell the house.
Sounds easy, right? Well, it is in the sense that you don’t have to pick up the kids’ socks and put away the breakfast dishes to get ready for a showing. You also may not have to make maintenance repairs or updating if you’re willing to accept Zillow’s offer reflecting these changes.
This can cut both ways. Yes, you don’t have to come up with the money to do the repairs and you avoid the inconvenience, but you may give up money in the long run. Most buyers like properties that are move-in ready and don’t want a renovation project. It’s easier for them to pay more and build the work that’s already done into the mortgage than close at a lower price and come up with the money to renovate. Zillow says let that be our problem, here’s your money, goodbye.
Zillow and other online companies are primarily working in areas that are homogeneous, consistent neighborhoods where many of the homes are the same and value is quick and easy to determine. Arizona and Florida are prime areas for iBuyer programs where many of the homes are in subdivisions with identical or similar homes.
However, their goal is to move into more diverse and more expensive areas in the Northeast. They’re throwing the dice and hoping that homeowners are willing to pay higher fees for a convenient and speedy transaction. Higher priced properties tend to take a longer time to sell, costing homeowners more in carrying charges and potential repairs, especially if another property has already been purchased or is about to close.
Zillow admits its margins are “razor thin,” but is moving forward quickly. In 2018 Zillow bought less than 700 homes, but it expects to expand that to 5,000 homes per month in three to five years. The business model is to turn the property around in 90 days and remove the emotional aspect of the sale, which frequently slows down the process.
Naturally, not being part of the smartphone generation, I’m a little worried. Worried about these companies being overextended and left with a bunch of houses not selling and flooding the market. Sound familiar? On the other hand, the generation that embraced Uber may be ready for the click and swipe of selling their home.
Frankly, I kind of like the emotional aspect of selling a home you’ve lived in for many years, raised a family in and lovingly took care of. Recently my nephew and his wife purchased their first home, over full ask and with other buyers breathing down their necks. What got them the house was a personal letter to the owner with their recent wedding picture enclosed. That was the couple he wanted his beloved house to go to. I’ll take emotion any day.
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