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Unregistered Airbnb fined $250 per day

Unregistered Airbnb fined $250 per day

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Personal finance, Real estate | Development.

ANNA MARIA – Special Magistrate Karla Owens has levied a $250 per day fine for the unregistered operation of an Airbnb vacation rental at 302 North Shore Drive.

Owens issued this order during the Tuesday, April 30 code enforcement and appeals hearing at Anna Maria City Hall.

The rental at 302 North Shore Drive is being advertised on Airbnb but is not registered with the city in accordance with the city’s vacation rental ordinance.

When issuing her ruling, Owens also gave the property owner, DLVAMI 302 North Shore LLC, until the end of the day to pay $587 in registration fees, pay an additional $150 administrative fee to help cover the hearing costs and provide the city with all documents required to register as a vacation rental.

Owens said if those conditions were not met by day’s end a $250 per day fine would begin accruing the following day and continue accruing until the matter is resolved. According to Mayor Dan Murphy, the Airbnb remained unregistered at week’s end. According to the Florida Division of Corporations website, Denise Valley has incorporated and dissolved four LLCs at that address, including two that list 302 North Shore Drive Suite C as the address.

According to the Airbnb listing, the Airbnb host is named Floyd and four of the five Airbnb reviews posted in April mention Floyd by first name only. The Airbnb listing addressed at Tuesday’s hearing lists a $97 per night rental rate and touts the property as the “best deal on the Island.”

State records list Floyd Calhoun as the registered agent for three dissolved LLCs using the 302 North Shore Drive address – including the dissolved Here Realty LLC that listed both Valley and Calhoun as registered agents.

Neither Valley nor Calhoun attended Tuesday’s hearing.

When presenting the city’s case, City Clerk LeAnne Addy said the unregistered Airbnb was discovered on Oct. 23 by the city’s contracted screen scraping firm that conducts online searches for non-registered vacation rentals.

A warning notice was sent to the LLC’s Anna Maria Post Office box on Oct. 24. A second warning was sent on Nov. 26 and a third on March 7. The last notice stated the alleged infractions would be addressed at the special magistrate hearing if not addressed within five days.

“As of today, they’re still advertising on Airbnb and they’re not registered,” Addy said during the hearing.

Addy said the property owner owes the city a $297 registration fee for 2018 and a $290 registration fee for 2019. The fees are based on the city’s eight-person maximum occupancy allowance for a three-bedroom vacation rental.

City Attorney Becky Vose said the accruing fines would become a lien on the property if unpaid. Vose said if the lien is not addressed and continues to grow the city could eventually pursue foreclosure on the property.

During Tuesday’s hearing, it was not known or noted that the property is already the subject of foreclosure proceedings initiated last July by HMC Assets. Manatee County court records list Valley, DLVAMI 302 North Shore LLC, Calhoun and additional unknown tenants as defendants in the ongoing foreclosure proceedings.

A visit to the property on Tuesday revealed a second address, 302 B, painted near one of the elevated duplex’s four garage doors. The Airbnb website includes a second listing for the property that mentions a pending full-scale remodeling effort and an anticipated total occupancy of 20-plus people.

“There is room for the entire family plus the in-laws plus the cousins,” the second listing says, noting the Airbnb rental has perhaps the largest swimming pool on the Island, spas and enough room to play volleyball.

Related coverage

Magistrate rules in city’s favor on noise citation

County collecting tourist tax from most Airbnb owners

County plans to pursue Airbnb users for taxes

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

No bumming around at the Beach Bums soccer clinic

No bumming around at the Beach Bums soccer clinic

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

With their little boots tied, shin guards on, sporting their Beach Bums soccer jerseys, six-and seven-year-old Island area kids took to the small field last Wednesday night in The Center’s soccer clinic.

Lead by coach Thomas Philpott, now-veteran players like Maggie Sue Niedzwick, Dylan and Brandon Sato, and Camden Rudacille participate this spring in the oldest age group training sessions before eventually moving on to the big field.

No bumming around at the Beach Bums soccer clinic
Dylan Sato shows his years of experience on the pitch at The Center’s Beach Bums soccer clinic Wednesday night. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Other players in this season’s soccer clinic include Giuliana Bankert, Braylen Briggs, Preston Brighenti, Patrick Burnette, Sophia Kerr, Kinsley Roehl, Sophia Travis, Polea Vacek, Evita Moyer, Brennan Rygiel and Lexi Baugher.

After working the drills, the kiddos took their skills into a scrimmage game. Dribbling the soccer ball past defenders, striking the ball for the shot and playing the right position were just a few of the important fundamentals taught in the clinic.

As these players move on playing Island soccer, they will progress to games where the score and statistics are kept, but the fun and love of the game remains.

Related coverage

Gulfview takes the win opening week

Rotary Club scores again with annual golf tournament

Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

Last pier piling driven

Last pier piling driven

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

ANNA MARIA – The last concrete piling for the new Anna Maria City Pier has been driven and the request for proposals (RFP) to build the new T-end restaurant and bait shop has been issued.

On Wednesday, March 17, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy emailed city commissioners a pier construction update.

“The last pile for the pier was driven today. The barge will be leaving for Tampa by the weekend, weather permitting, and returning next week with the timbers to build the caps and complete the bents. In other events, the RFP for the restaurant and bait shop was issued this week with a bid submission deadline of May 20,” Murphy wrote.

Murphy’s email update said the firm selected to build the restaurant and bait shop will have 200 days to complete the building, with a December 2019 completion date and a $475 per day penalty failing to complete that work on time.

Murphy also noted the commission must still make a final decision on exterior siding for the restaurant and bait shop. The commission originally selected Kebony hardwood siding but later discussed possibly using Hardie Plank instead.

Murphy’s email said the contractor of choice may also provide an additional siding option for commissioners to consider.

Later in the week, Murphy said, “The last pile driven is a significant event in that it marks a milestone of phase one in the reconstruction of our historic pier. I’m sure over 110 years ago the Anna Maria pier builders felt the same sense of accomplishment as they drove their last palm tree pile.”

Photographs of the original palm tree pier pilings Murphy referenced were displayed at the April 11 city commission meeting.

Construction continues

I+iconSoutheast is not expected to bid on the construction of the pier building. The i+iconSoutheast crew is now moving into the next phase of pier walkway and platform construction that includes the installation of the support bents and prefabricated concrete caps upon which the Ipe wood decking will rest.

The onshore pier pavilion is open again now that the pier pilings along the shoreline have been driven. At some point, the pavilion will be temporarily closed again while the concrete caps are installed close to shore.

Aug. 27 is the completion date for the construction of the pier walkway and T-end platform. The completed Anna Maria City Pier is expected to open to the public in late December or early January.

Related coverage

Pier pavilion closing temporarily

Two city pier pilings fail

Pier change orders requested

Gulfview takes the win opening week

Gulfview takes the win opening week

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

The spring adult soccer season kicked off last week with the ladies and gentlemen of the Island area taking the pitch. With 10 teams in the league, in a record-breaking season, two teams had a bye week.

Moss Builders, playing without Ryan Moss on the roster, went head-to-head with Solid Rock Construction. A new sponsor to the soccer league, owners James Roadman and Zachary Long played for the first time along with Evelyn Long, sister-in-law of Roadman.

In a close one, Solid Rock took the win to start the season.

The second game of the night between Beach House Real Estate and Gulfview Windows and Doors started off as a defensive battle. The first half of play ended with no goals on the scoreboard.

The game remained scoreless until nearly the 37th minute of action. Moss, captain of Gulfview, hit the net for the first goal of the matchup.

Four minutes later Adam Bujarski tied it up with Beach House Real Estate’s only goal of the night.

Beach House’s goalie, Cliff Powell, who had five saves in the game, could not handle the shot by league newcomer Jose Urbiola Bolanos leading to Gulfview’s second goal, advancing the score to 2-1.

Ashley Friszman, in her first game at The Center, shot her own goal with the assist by Aaron Parkin.

Gulfview Windows and Doors’ keeper Jordan DeMers successfully prevented Beach House Real Estate’s offense from scoring with 12 saves.

The final goal of the night was off the foot of Bolanos with two minutes left in the game with the score 4-1.

The tough matchup between Sato Real Estate and Blalock Walters ended in a 3-3 tie. Josh Sato, team captain of Sato Real Estate, scored all three of his team’s goals. Brother Jason Sato had nine saves in the game.

Blalock Walters brought in their team of attorneys and family onto the field, without Matt Plummer. Stephen Perry returned to the field after a long hiatus to score a goal. Matt Staggs hit two of his own.

Coming out of retirement to protect the net and play with his co-workers, Scott Rudacille had eight recorded saves.

The final game of the night ended with 19 goals on the scoreboard. Flynn Law faced off against Jiffy Lube in the shooting match.

Playing for Jiffy Lube, Sean Flynn had a single goal and assist in the night. Goalkeeper Robb Marshall had 10 saves against Flynn Law.

Stetson Matthews put up four goals against Flynn Law goalie Josh Bernet. The scoreboard lit up with Ricky Anderson’s four goals, with brother and team captain Daniel Anderson scoring his own goal to give Jiffy Lube 12 points and the win.

Team captain Kevin Roman, for Flynn Law, scored three goals in the game. Teammate Lexi Sato had a hat trick of her own, with an additional score by Olaf Krause.

The 12 game regular season ends with the championship match on June 27 for the recipient of the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup.

Related coverage

Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

Rotary Club scores again with annual golf tournament

Solid Rock Construction built a solid season

Pedal pub proposal falls flat

Pedal bus proposal falls flat

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

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria commissioners offered no support for a proposed eight-to-12 passenger pedal bus that would allow passengers to drink alcohol while traveling in traffic lanes at slow speeds.

Illinois resident and Anna Maria Island property owner Robert Secord pitched his pedal bus proposal to the Anna Maria Commission on Thursday, April 11. Secord said he would like to have one pedal bus in Anna Maria and another in Holmes Beach.

Secord said the pedal bus he has in mind has six seats on each side, with pedals underneath that are connected to the drive shaft. The pedal bus would be steered by a company employee who has full control of the steering and braking. Some pedal bus operations use a second employee as the tour host.

Secord said the business model is based on clients reserving the pedal bus in advance for a tour lasting 90 to 120 minutes.

Secord said a pedal bus can travel at 4 to 7 miles per hour and is equipped with a small motor for short-term use when needed.

“We don’t supply the alcohol. We permit it as a limousine or party bus, so they can bring their own beverages,” Secord said. “The primary marketing focus is the tour experience, coupled with maybe a beer or margarita.”

Secord said party bus operations have a strong appeal with women and are often used for bachelorette parties and wedding-related activities.

“The indirect benefit is how it promotes the rest of Anna Maria’s businesses,” he added.

“If it can happen, the pedal bus needs to be permitted as a private establishment to exempt it from open container and consumption laws on public roadways. That’s probably the biggest point of contention getting this business authorized in Anna Maria,” Secord acknowledged.

Commission reaction

Commissioner Amy Tripp asked if a permit is needed.

“The open container is the $5,000 elephant in the room,” Mayor Dan Murphy said.

“Open container would be the issue,” Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Jones said in response to Murphy.

City Attorney Becky Vose said the city would have to rewrite its relevant ordinance. She asked Secord if the pedal bus would also pass through Holmes Beach. Secord said it would, and he has not yet presented his idea to Holmes Beach commissioners.

Commissioner Doug Copeland said, “I think you would find yourself hated because traffic is bad enough. The people that live here will say, ‘What the hell is this?’ They already curse the golf carts that don’t travel even 25 miles per hour. I think you’ll face a lot of negative feelings from the community, even if it were allowed.”

Commission Chair Brian Seymour said his biggest concern was the impact on residential neighborhoods.

“You’re putting a party-type atmosphere on our residential streets,” he said.

Seymour said he’s seen pedal buses in Key West and Daytona, but he thinks it would be an issue in Anna Maria.

“I have a problem with the open container piece. You can’t ride a bicycle with a beer in your hand. You can’t walk down the street with a beer in your hand,” Tripp said of the city ordinances, also noting that a passenger in a car can’t have an open beer.

“Going way below the speed limit on these really crowded, congested roads it seems really dangerous,” she added.

Commissioner Dale Woodland shared the concerns expressed by the other commissioners.

“I encourage you to go present to the other cities and see what kind of feedback you get,” Seymour said.

“It’s not a make-or-break deal for me. It’s an idea I thought would be pretty cool to present to the Island,” Secord said as the discussion ended with no formal request made and no commission action taken.

Paid Island parking rejected by local leaders

Paid Island parking rejected by local leaders

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – If there’s one thing the leaders of the four Island cities, including Longboat Key, can agree on, it’s that they don’t support paid parking at Manatee County beaches or at county boat ramps.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore attended the April 9 Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, held at Bradenton Beach City Hall, to gather the opinions of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key elected leaders before beginning official talks with her fellow county commissioners.

Whitmore said she’s opposed to any paid parking on Anna Maria Island because she feels it takes away from the community feel of the area. If she had to choose a type of paid parking though, she said she’d rather have paid parking at county-maintained boat ramps than at the beaches.

Island community leaders said they’d rather see county commissioners find a different way to deal with the expense of required maintenance at boat ramps than charge people for parking.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said she feels that there isn’t enough parking available at the county-maintained boat ramps, including Kingfish boat ramp on Manatee Avenue, to contribute in any real way toward the millions of dollars it takes to periodically renovate boat ramps.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie agreed, saying that there are only about two dozen parking spaces at the newly renovated Coquina boat ramp, not enough to be a good financial source for the county.

Whitmore said the county relies on general funds, West Coast Inland Navigational District (WCIND) grants and funds from boater registration to pay for maintenance and upgrades to the county-maintained boat ramps. Because of the limited amount of funds available, she said the county is behind on needed repairs to boat ramps like Kingfish and is now looking at spending a lot of time and money to get the newly-acquired Palma Sola boat ramp, located on the southwestern end of the causeway, back to a safe operating state. A large-scale renovation at Kingfish boat ramp also is on the horizon.

Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner said that he’s not in favor of paid parking, tolls or anything that might discourage families, particularly those with limited financial means, from enjoying the outdoor activities offered for free at the local beaches and boat ramps.

“It’s not just about the money,” he said. “There’s other ways of finding the money.”

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek added that having paid parking at public beaches would push parking into nearby residential neighborhoods, adding to the strain already felt by residents due to the increasing tourism on the Island.

Though the city leaders did not support paid parking, they did support signage for the Cortez Road and Anna Maria Island bridges that would alert motorists to parking availability at boat ramps and beaches.

While Whitmore pointed out that many people would ignore the signs, West Manatee Fire Rescue Commissioner Al Robinson said that even if only 5 percent of people turn around rather than crowd onto the Island’s streets when parking is full, the investment in the signs, controlled by local law enforcement, would be worth the funds.

Whitmore said she’d ask the county and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council about funding for the project.

Fashion lights up Center runway

Fashion lights up Center runway

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

ANNA MARIA – The Island’s first fashion show at The Center of Anna Maria Island left attendees with an itch to shop at local Pine Avenue boutiques.

The elegant luncheon event brought around 113 patrons to The Center to see the latest in spring and summer fashions from local Pine Avenue boutiques Pink & Navy and Bella by the Sea, along with jewelry by Island Charms. Pink & Navy owner Amy Fleece and Bella by the Sea owner Jo-Ann Lefner styled the models, served as emcees for the fashion show and worked as members of the event committee.

Twelve models took to the runway to display casual clothing, beachwear and more elegant looks for men, women and children. Models for the event included Barbara Zdravecky, Darcie Duncan, Dr. Sarah Somai, Whitney Beasley, Ava Smith, Kara Bettle, Gigi Bettle, Daphne Bettle, Center Executive Director Chris Culhane, Kim Miccolette, Kelly Kary and Louise Platt. Joining her father for an impromptu final walk down the runway was Mikaela Culhane.

Prior to the runway show, event co-chairs Karen Harllee and Natalie Thrasher honored local entrepreneurs Mike Thrasher and Ed Chiles for their contributions to The Center and the revitalization of Pine Avenue as a green main street. Though Chiles wasn’t present, M. Thrasher was on-hand to receive a gift – a crystal clock in honor of the time he’s contributed to the Island community.

In addition to taking the runway as a model, Zdravecky also took the stage to give a speech on female empowerment prior to the fashion show. Culhane also stepped up to thank not only the fashion show’s sponsors and the vendors who put on the event but also the attendees, the proceeds of whose ticket purchases went to support The Center’s programs. Contributions to The Center also were raised through the selling of the orchid centerpieces used on the tables for $20 each and through the silent auction items and adventures specifically designed to help empower women to look and feel their best. All silent auction items and adventure packages were donated by local artists and business owners.

Attendees were greeted by the sounds of live steel drum music. A light luncheon also was served featuring a tropical grilled chicken salad by catering company The Loft 5 along with mini cupcakes and specially designed cookies by Hometown Desserts.

Sponsors for the event include Bella by the Sea, Beach Life AMI, Center Montessori School, Duncan Real Estate, Emerson Artist, Amy and Jonathan Fleece, Gagne Construction, Karen and Alex Harllee, Hometown Desserts, Island Charms, Jo-Ann and John Lefner, Joan McArthur, Marlane Wurzbach, Olive Oil Outpost, Palmer’s Orchids, Pineapplefish Unique Island Rentals, Pink & Navy, Salon Salon, Sheilegh Menzies, Shiny Fish Emporium, Sato Real Estate, Sounds of Steel, Mike & Natalie Thrasher, U.S. Tent and VACASA.

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Fewer storms forecast, but it only takes one

Fewer storms forecast, but it only takes one

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

FORT COLLINS – The Colorado State University hurricane research team has issued its first prediction for the 2019 tropical storm season and it is good news, for now

The forecast, authored by Dr. Phillip Klotzbach, predicts a total of 13 named storms turning into five hurricanes and two major (Category 3 or more) hurricanes.

Last season, the region experienced 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and two major hurricanes. One of those major storms, Michael, was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the United States. It leveled buildings in Mexico Beach, Fla., and throughout the Florida Panhandle, with winds just shy of Category 5 strength.

On average, the Atlantic and Caribbean region gets 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

According to Klotzbach’s report, “During the past several months, El Niño conditions have developed in the Pacific Ocean, meaning that sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropics are warmer than normal. In general, El Niño conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane formation, as a result of increases in upper-level winds that tear apart developing Atlantic hurricanes.

“Predicting changes in El Niño is extremely difficult during the spring season, so although we know there’s an El Niño now, we don’t know whether it will continue through the rest of the year,” the report says. “Very small changes in wind conditions can cause big changes in the ocean circulation at this time of year. Consequently, the models that forecast El Niño tend to have less skill, which is the measure of the accuracy of the prediction versus what really happens. Nevertheless, these models do have modest ability to predict conditions for the next several months.”

The CSU team will release updates to their predictions on June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6.

Related coverage

Hurricane Michael brushing Anna Maria Island

Hurricane Guide

Students learn about the bay beyond

Students learn about the bay beyond

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Community News, Schools.

Anna Maria Elementary School is unique because of its location on Anna Maria Sound and every year teachers take advantage of that to further educate students about life in an estuary.

Third graders took the tour Friday. Thanks to a grant, guides from Around the Bend Nature Tours were there to identify the critters that were netted, put in water-filled containers, observed and returned to their habitat.

Third-grade teacher Karen Paul‘s class brought in some starfish, a tiny seahorse, some whelps and other shells. Many of the kids knew something about the creatures of the sea because of living near the beach both on the Island or the mainland nearby.

AME Sunny Owens Livia Sauls
Olivia Sauls looks at some critters. – Karen Paul | Submitted
Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

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

Three months of adult co-ed flag football came to a close with the top two regular-season finishers meeting once again on The Center main field. What was anticipated by many to be a blowout ended up being an action-filled battle of speed and agility.

In the first play of the game, Progressive Cabinetry brought out the big gun of quarterback Don Purvis. Purvis hit Connor Haughey wide open in the middle of the field who sped down the field for the first touchdown in the game.

Purvis called on the steady hands of team captain Ray Gardner for the point after taking the score to 7-0 in the first minute of the game.

Lancaster Design team captain Tim Shaughnessy, Purvis’ football protégé in high school, was not to be outdone. Shaughnessy took his first snap of the game in much the same way, finding Lane Burnett. Burnett turned on the burners and entered the end zone untouched.

Caleb Roberts, the brother-in-law of Shaughnessy, got the call for the extra point reception to tie the game 7-7.

The Purvis-Gardner combination was once again successful on the field with a quick pitch to Gardner and stop by Lancaster Design’s Karri Stephens on the Progressive Cabinetry’s second game snap.

On second down, Gardner took the football all the way down the field, giving his team a six-point lead after the missed point after attempt.

Six minutes into the game Roberts gained four yards before Progressive Cabinetry’s stop with a Ben Sato flag pull. The Lancaster Design first down came courtesy of Roberts’ catch only to be stopped by Haughey.

Tasting the touchdown, Shaughnessy tried to get the football to his deep receiver, but the throw was short and landed right in the hands of Haughey for the Progressive Cabinetry interception.

The Progressive Cabinetry diverse roster flourished last Thursday night. Sato was Purvis’ next target with a nice catch and stop by Roberts. Gardner secured the first down after a quick pitch.

In the end zone on second down, Progressive Cabinetry’s Jake Parsons and Haughey collided with a thud that could be heard on the other end of the field ending the team’s offensive possession.

Shaughnessy took advantage of an unsuccessful march down the field by Gardner’s team by connecting with Burnett on the first two plays taking the football past midfield for the first down. Progressive Cabinetry’s Lexi Sato, Ben Sato’s sister-in-law, stopped the TD with the flag pull.

Sato’s stop only temporarily prevented the score. Stephens made a beautiful catch in the Progressive Cabinetry end zone, with the extra point by Burnett in the back left corner of the field to give Lancaster Design their first lead of the game 13-14.

With veteran leadership, Purvis steadily moved his team into scoring position nearing half time. Gardner, who has played QB in previous seasons, gave Purvis options offensively.

Gardner took the football from Purvis behind the line of scrimmage only to throw it back to Purvis who stepped out of bounds after the catch seven yards short of the first down. L. Sato quickly gained the first, with Parsons credited with the stop.

Two incomplete passes by Progressive took the game clock down to one minute left in the half and a third and goal situation. With Brianna Roberts covering L. Sato, Gardner trusted the capable hands, arguably the best female player in the league.

After L. Sato’s touchdown catch, Zachary Holder scored the extra point, advancing the score to 20-14.

The six-point deficit ignited the Lancaster Design team, bringing Mike Shaughnessy, father of Tim Shaughnessy and Brianna Roberts, to briefly take over as the quarterback. The former Kent State QB threw the football to his son just short of the first down.

Sato made the critical flag pull after Lancaster Design past midfield. T. Shaughnessy went under center and hit Burnett putting the ball on the Progressive Cabinetry 10-yard line.

On third down and in scoring position, Purvis rushed T. Shaughnessy and got the sack to stop Lancaster from scoring.

In the final play of the half, Gardner took the football more than halfway down the field, weaving in and out of traffic, evading defenders to the cheers of the spectators finally to be stopped by Stephens.

Taking advantage of half time to regroup his team and give words of praise and encouragement, T. Shaughnessy and Lancaster Design came out fighting, scoring a touchdown in three plays, including a 10-yard gain by Parsons and the scoring reception by Burnett. Failing to convert, Progressive got the ball back with the score tied at 20 all.

First play of the half for Progressive Cabinetry was to B. Sato who ran the football down the full length of the field after a short catch. Gardner’s pass to L. Sato was too tall going off her fingers, leaving the score at 26-20.

Keeping the game close catches by Stephens and B. Roberts, including a first down reception Stephens, and a run by Burnett put Lancaster Design in scoring position.

Roberts pulled the football in for a touchdown and followed up with the extra point nab giving his team the lead once again by one point.

With 12 minutes left on the game clock, Purvis found B. Sato for what looked to be a repeat of his early score. Parsons made the stop at the one-yard line.

Sato sealed the deal with a solid TD catch. Going for two points, Purvis took the snap and hit Haughey pushing the score to 34-27.

Lancaster Design could not make anything happen on their next possession, only to give Progressive Cabinetry another chance to score.

In six solid plays, Purvis and Gardner marched the team down the field chipping away at the yardage. Defensively, Chris Culhane put the pressure on Gardner, sacking him in the Progressive backfield.

A 10-yard gain by L. Sato, a first down catch by Haughey, and a long run by Gardner got Progressive to the Lancaster Design six-yard line. Gardner threw to L. Sato at the one-yard line.

On third down, Haughey scored the TD and followed up with the point after to give his team a 14-point lead.

The Progressive Cabinetry offense ate away at the clock leaving only one minute for Lancaster Design to score and hope to get the ball back before time ran out.

Unable to make anything happen on offense, Lancaster Design lost the championship game to Progressive Cabinetry who called the game with 44.9 seconds left on the scoreboard, successfully ending another adult flag football season on the island, with the final score of 41-27.

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Castles in the Sand

Traffic, real estate sales up

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

If you want to know why you’re starting to analyze traffic patterns so you can plan your trips to the supermarket, doctor’s office and Trader Joe’s, here’s the reason. During 2018, Sarasota and Manatee counties had more closed sales, an increase in overall inventory and a rise in median prices compared to 2017.

Sarasota single-family median home prices increased by 5 percent to $282,500, and Manatee single-family median home prices increased by 1.9 percent to $300,475 from 2017. Sarasota median condo prices increased by 3.2 percent to $232,300, while Manatee median condos increased by 5.8 percent to $190,500.

Meanwhile, the volume of single-family home sales in Manatee increased by 7 percent and in Sarasota, the increase was 0.5 percent. Condo sales in both counties as reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, recorded the highest number of sales over the last 10 years. Sarasota increased by 8.1 percent and Manatee increased by 11.1 percent.

These are great numbers especially when you look at them compared to last year’s sales number as reported by the National Association of Realtors. Nationally, last year was the weakest for home sales since 2015 with buyers pulling back because of rising mortgage interest rates, a shortage of starter homes and a volatile stock market. However, the February home sales of previously owned homes nationally were up 11.8 percent, the largest monthly gain since 2015, obviously due to the lowering of mortgage interest down to 4.28 percent in March from 5 percent at the end of last year.

Let’s take a look at Manatee County’s February closed sales reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Closed single-family sales were up 4.8 percent, the median sale price was down slightly by 0.5 percent to $298,500 and the average sale price was up 2.6 percent to $389,119. Median time to sell was 97 days up a little from 93 last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 4.5 months – no real change.

Condo sales were down, closed sales were down 14.9 percent, the median sale price was down 11.4 percent to $189,000 and the average sale price was also down by 10.9 percent to $227,849. Median time to sell was up to 101 days from 94 and the number of months supply of available properties was up to five months.

Keep in mind these types of statistics are a snapshot in time and there are a variety of things that can influence sale prices and sale numbers in any given month. It’s the overall picture for a sustained period of time that really tells the story, and the year over year story for Manatee and Sarasota Counties is spectacular.

The months of March and April traditionally experience the most closed sales, so I look forward to when those numbers are compiled before we head into our slower summer season. That said I may have to revise that statement down the road since there doesn’t ever seem to be a slow season anymore.

It goes without saying that Florida’s Gulf Coast is one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

We have beaches, sun, culture, low taxes and great choices when it comes to purchasing a home. And what comes along with all that is more people, more cars and overbooked restaurants, even Sarasota Airport is reporting a 35 percent increase in traffic during February this year, but would you change anything?

It just might take a little better planning.

More Castles in the Sand:

Should you digitally – or actually – renovate?

Technology can’t replace real estate brokers

Female empowerment takes the runway

Female empowerment takes the runway

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun, Food.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Come out to The Center of Anna Maria Island on Thursday, April 11 to see the hottest new fashions for women, men and kids, and support a good cause.

The first-ever Passion for Fashion Show will take center stage beginning at 11 a.m. The event will feature an elegant luncheon by culinary master A.J. Loft of The Loft 5, along with champagne and live steel drum music. Models will strut down the runway wearing the latest in spring and summer styles for women, men and children from Pine Avenue boutiques Bella By The Sea and Pink & Navy. There also will be a silent auction and Barbara Zdravecky will give a talk about her passion for women in business and female empowerment. The event also serves as a way to honor local businessmen Ed Chiles and Mike Thrasher for their work to help revitalize Pine Avenue and The Center while also encouraging local businesses to “go green.”

Pink & Navy owner Amy Fleece said the event has taken almost a year to come together. One of the things she’s most excited about, she said, is the opportunity to support The Center while also spotlighting some of the many female Island business owners and encouraging other women to pursue their passion and goals.

“There are so many women business owners on Pine, which is really neat,” she said.

Bella By The Sea owner Jo-Ann Lefner said that it’s very important for her and the other co-chairs of the event, Fleece, Leigh Thrasher and Karen Harllee, to not only showcase the female-led businesses on the Island and Pine Avenue in particular, but also to shed light on the programs available to the community at The Center.

In asking for silent auction items, Lefner said the goal was to create an “adventure” for the winners. Some of the items up for grabs include a party for 20 people at Bella By The Sea and Pink & Navy, a wine and cheese pairing lesson at Olive Oil Outpost, a luncheon hosted at Shiny Fish Emporium and a makeover at Salon Salon.

“We didn’t just want to do gift certificates,” Lefner said. She added that when asked, local business owners jumped on board to help create the experiences for the silent auction items.

Female empowerment takes the runway
Amy Fleece, owner of Pink & Navy Boutique on Pine Avenue, is joining fellow businesswoman Jo-Ann Lefner in hosting the Passion for Fashion Show at The Center. – Kristin Swain | Sun

The models taking the runway for Bella By The Sea will be showing off the latest in bold colors, particularly yellows and mustards, which Lefner said are very popular this season. She said people can also expect to see great beach hats and bags.

“You’re going to be seeing a full range from sportswear right up to dressy items,” she said.

From Pink & Navy, Fleece said people can expect to see spring and summer styles, including beachwear, for women, children and men. Everything from swimsuits to casual wear and more dressy clothes will be on display. Fleece said to expect lots of bold prints, florals and stripes.

“I want everyone to know that there’s fashion out there to feel good about yourself in, no matter what your size, your age or anything,” she said.

Each attendee will receive a swag bag full of goodies at the end of the show. All proceeds go to help fund The Center’s programs.

Tickets are going fast at $40 each and can be purchased at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Sponsorships are available. For more information, call 941-778-1908.

Marshall Tucker Band rocks The Center

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

ANNA MARIA – It wasn’t an April Fool’s joke – if you weren’t at The Center on April 1, you missed The Marshall Tucker Band’s stop on Anna Maria Island.

Greeted by thunderous applause and shouts from the audience from the moment the members took the stage, the band played for nearly two hours. Many of the concert’s sell-out crowd got to their feet and never sat down.

Known for the wide variety of music they play, spanning from rock to country and gospel with a little of everything in between thrown in, fans were delighted to hear both classic and newer songs. The set kicked off with the hit, “Running Like the Wind” and included other favorites such as “Can’t You See” and “Heard it in a Love Song.”

The Southern rockers are currently on their “Through Hell & High Water… And Back” 2019 tour, which still has many upcoming U.S. stops remaining, including several in Florida if you missed the show in Anna Maria.

Formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina in the early 1970s, The Marshall Tucker Band has been entertaining audiences for more than four decades. Now original member Doug Gray, on lead vocals and tambourine, leads a talented group of musicians including B.B. Borden on drums, Tony Black on bass and vocals, Chris Hicks and Rick Willis, both on vocals and guitar, and Marcus James Henderson on keyboards, flute, saxophone and vocals.

The Cabana Boys opened for The Marshall Tucker Band.

The band played to an energetic, sold-out crowd of around 750 people in an intimate show on The Center’s stage. The concert brought to a close the nonprofit’s first-ever concert series, presented in conjunction with the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Manatee County Tourist Development Council, along with The Manatee Performing Arts Center, which provided volunteers and ticket sales for the concert series.

Previous acts on the Center’s stage included The Outlaws, Phil Vassar and BJ Thomas. Part of the ticket sales from the concert series will go to help fund The Center’s programs.

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Marshall Tucker Band at The Center of Anna Maria Island - Kristin Swain | Sun

Two city pier pilings fail

Two city pier pilings fail

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

ANNA MARIA – According to Mayor Dan Murphy, two concrete pier pilings recently fractured and the cause of one of the piling fractures remained unknown at week’s end.

Murphy provided city commissioners with a pier construction update on Thursday, March 28.

“We will have divers on the pier this weekend inspecting the pilings. We had two pilings that failed. One failed because it was hit by a barge and it fractured the piling. The second piling failed during the process of being driven and we don’t really have the root cause of that failure yet. We do have experts looking at it. Was it a faulty piling, was there an obstruction, was there some other event that occurred during the pile driving process that caused that?” the mayor said.

Murphy said both piling failures occurred at the T-end of the pier.

“When we get the divers’ report I’ll be glad to share that and we’ll go from there,” Murphy told the commission.

“There are currently 135 pilings driven in the pier footprint. We have roughly 70 more to go. We expect that effort will be done in the mid-April time frame, assuming fair weather between now and the mid-point in April,” Murphy said.

Another work day lost

The i+iconSoutheast construction crew lost another day’s work due to windy conditions and rough seas on Wednesday, March 27. Prior to that, the mayor and city commission recently denied the construction company’s request to extend its completion deadline by nine days due to previous work days lost for similar weather conditions. City officials said those types of conditions on Tampa Bay should have been anticipated and accounted for when bidding on the project.