Center Scoreboard: Adult flag football
CENTER ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
Edible Cookie Dough Café 48
G.I. Bins 29
Reel Coastal Properties 43
Moss Builders 25
Cortez Pump & Sprinkler 35
Bubble Binz 33
Tag: Center of Anna Maria Island
Center Scoreboard
INDOOR SOCCER – WEEK 4
8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD DIVISION
Revive Nutrition 9 (3-0-1)
Mi-Box 6 (1-3)
Diamond Turf 5 (2-2)
Moss Builders 4 (1-2-1)
11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD DIVISION
Poppo’s Taqueria 5 (3-1)
AMI Outfitters 1 (1-3)
Westfall’s Lawn Care
& Pest Control 13 (4-0)
Jiffy Lube 3 (0-4)
ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 3
Moss Builders 39 (1-2)
G.I. Bins 19 (0-3)
Coaster Continent 36 (2-1)
Edible Cookie Dough Café 20 (0-2)
Bubble Binz 26 (1-1)
Salty Printing 14 (2-1)
Solid Rock Construction 27 (2-0)
Reel Coastal Properties 19 (0-3)
Slim’s Place 52 ( 2-0)
Cortez Pump & Sprinkler 18 ( 2-1)
Flag football playoffs at Center
SUN SCOREBOARD
8- TO 10-YEAR OLD DIVISION – PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
Moss Builders 31
Diamond Turf 13
The Fish Guy Aquarium Services 18
Solid Rock Construction 2
11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
Moss Builders 39
Shady Lady Horticultural Services 18
Sandhoff Construction 19
Jiffy Lube 13
Solid Rock Air Conditioning 27
Salty Printing 19
Sato Real Estate 21
Poppos Taqueria 7
14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
HSH Design 25
Reel Coastal Properties 14
Cortez Florida Vacations 19
Solid Rock Air Conditioning 13
ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK 11
Moss Air (7-3) 33
Mi-Box (3-7) 20
Moss Builders (10-0) 34
Gulf Drive Café (8-2) 19
Floridian Mortgage (8-2) 31
Slim’s Place (0-10) 12
Coaster Continent (5-5) 39
Slicker’s Eatery (5-5) 25
Ross Built (4-6) 39
Reel Coastal Properties (1-9) 19
ADULT INDOOR SOCCER
Pool America (5-2) 14
Solid Rock Construction (3-4) 9
Hampton Painting (3-4) 8
Bubble Binz (1-5-1) 5
Sato Real Estate (5-2) 6
Moss Builders (3-3-1) 4
Anna Maria providing $25,000 to The Center
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is providing The Center of Anna Maria Island with $25,000 in annual funding.
On Thursday, May 27, the city commission unanimously supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s recommendation to provide The Center with the same amount the city provided last year. The money will be taken from the city’s recreational fund that had a $35,000 balance prior to expenditures for the city-sponsored Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute.
Murphy said he finds The Center’s $25,000 annual request to be reasonable. He also said the city plans to help The Center recoup some of its lost 2020 revenues when the city receives its first installment of American Rescue Act funds.
The city expects to receive a total of approximately $740,000, with the 2021 installment expected to be approximately $370,000. Murphy told the commission and Center Executive Director Chris Culhane that the exact amount of the American Rescue Act funds to be shared with The Center and three other non-profit organizations can’t be determined until the federal funds are in hand.
Commissioner John Crane would still like to see The Center tighten its belt a little.
“It seems like every year The Center falls a little short. It seems odd that an entity that doesn’t pay any rent still can’t make ends meet. I’m a big believer in how good The Center is for the community, but I would like to see a little more fiscal responsibility,” he said.
Crane said he hopes The Center’s financial shortfall is less next year.
Commissioner Joe Muscatello said he thinks a small city paying $25,000 for a facility like The Center is a great deal compared to most other small towns in America. He said some towns he’s lived in have paid $300,000 to $400,000 a year for such a facility.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring noted that under Culhane’s leadership, The Center has added new programs and activities – including the recently resumed revenue-generating concert series that was postponed last year due to the pandemic. Sebring said she’s encouraged by what she sees in The Center’s financial records.
Commission Chair Carol Carter said The Center is doing a much better job of balancing its budget than it was five or six years ago. She also praised The Center’s environmentally-friendly Go Green Campaign that helps preserve the Island’s fragile natural environment.
After acknowledging that he serves as a volunteer member of The Center’s Finance Committee, Commissioner Mark Short said, “Can The Center sharpen its pencil a little better in terms of watching costs? The answer is obviously yes, but I think that goes to us individually, to the city and to any other business that’s out there. I’ve been involved with The Center since early 2018 and I’ve seen a remarkable improvement.”
Short said The Center administration did an admirable job of controlling costs while experiencing decreased revenues during the peak of the COVID pandemic.
Thursday’s discussion was a follow-up to the May 13 meeting, when Culhane presented The Center’s annual funding request. After Thursday’s vote occurred, Culhane thanked the mayor and commission for their continued support.
Youth flag football winners play through cold for victory
In the bitter winter cold that hit the island last Friday night, five teams in the youth flag football program at The Center finished the week undefeated.
Going into week four of play, MuniPlan and Hashmark Sports find themselves with no losses in the 14- to 17-year-old league. Team Killer Bait suffered one loss after completing three games, giving them a 2-1 record.
MuniPlan had a bye week, while Hashmark Sports easily got their second win of the season against Gulf Drive Café.
Hashmark Sports’ defense dominated with five interceptions by Shawn Balvin and Nate and Noah Costello. Noah’s interception resulted in a pick six.
Nate Costello nabbed a touchdown reception. Teammate Chance Hayward caught three TD passes.
In the 11- to 13-year-old league, Progressive Cabinetry is the only remaining undefeated team with two wins in the season. Playing their third game last week, Team Solid Rock Construction ended with 2-1 in the record books, with a loss against Progressive Cabinetry.
Despite the loss, Solid Rock’s Luke Winsper had two sacks in the game and Jack Mattick scored twice with a run and reception.
The point after made by Progressive Cabinetry was the difference in the close and well-fought game that ended with the score of 12-13.
Progressive’s Matthew Hennesey passed for one touchdown to Kenneth Nieding. Luke Bowes scored on the ground with a rushing TD and made the critical extra point for his team.
HSH Designs and Diamond Turf finished the night with no losses also with the 2-0 record. Moss Builders got their second win in the season putting their record at 2-1.
With the night off, HSH Designs’ wins in the first two weeks put them in good company with Diamond Turf.
Diamond Turf beat the Rays Ramblings squad by 32 points. Two interceptions returned for touchdowns by Maddox Culhane and Carson Clover contributed to the team’s win. Culhane’s scoring included two rushing touchdowns, one catch for points, and an extra point.
Clover also scored with receiving and rushing yards on top of his interception.
Jack McCarthy threw for Rays Ramblings only score. His target was Kellan Hunt who also had an interception in the game.
Five more regular season weeks of play still remain, making it anyone’s season to win.
Sun Scoreboard
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Youth Flag Football
Eight- to 10-Year-Old League
Beach Bums 29
Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar 6
Diamond Turf 38
Rays Ramblings 6
Cool Today 32
Moss Builders 33
11- to 13-Year-Old League
Solid Rock Construction 12
Progressive Cabinetry 13
Slim’s Place 26
Ugly Grouper 24
14- to 17-Year-Old League
Killer Bait 29
Ugly Grouper 18
Hashmark Sports 31
Gulf Drive Café 0
Anna Maria provides ongoing Center support
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.
“People talk about those concerts,” Seymour said.
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Surf shop reopening soon
HOLMES BEACH – The surf is up for the reopening of the West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive, after a fire heavily damaged it on April 15, 2018.
Owner Jim Brady was notified Tuesday that the shop’s certificate of occupancy has been approved by the Holmes Beach Building Department.
“We just got the word,” Brady said. “We’ll take down the fence and move the dumpsters and call our suppliers.”
After the fire, Jim and his wife, Ronee, salvaged some merchandise that was in the store and held sales outside, under the fire-damaged facade. They braved high summer temperatures under tents to keep the income flowing.
Friends of the Brady family held a fundraiser at The Center of Anna Maria Island in early July to help them get through the wait as the insurance company settled the claim and reconstruction began.
There were no injuries and the structure stayed intact during the fire.
“We expect we’ll restock and reopen our doors within seven days to two weeks,” Brady said. “Then we’ll have a soft opening soon after that.”
The West Coast Surf Shop is the oldest on Florida’s west coast and the Bradys have been active members of the business community.
During the fundraiser, longtime island resident Joe Hutchinson said, “We decided to have a good old-fashioned fundraiser just like many we’ve held so many times in the past. Through all those events, the Bradys were there contributing items to sell and helping with the work it takes to put on these things. They were at every one of them.”
Now, with a little help from their friends, the Bradys will soon be back in business.
Youth soccer takes to the pitch for another season
The 8-10-year-old age group is a tight three-team league with Planet Stone currently on top with a record of 2-1-1
Ugly Grouper is right behind having played an additional game and having one more loss. Progressive Cabinetry’s fight hard attitude gives it a current record of 1-2-2
Team Planet Stone and Progressive Cabinetry met head-to-head last Tuesday night. The defensive battle ended the first half of play with the score 1-1.
After 12 minutes of play in the first half of the game, both teams took the field for what would be a scoreless second half.
Putting the second tie in the record book, Planet Stone proved there are contenders in the fall soccer season.
Playing back-to-back games, Progressive Cabinetry could not keep up with the offensive attack of Team Ugly Grouper. Ugly Grouper dominated the field ending the game with the score 3-0.
In a role reversal, Ugly Grouper’s second game of the night was a challenge against Planet Stone. The third game of the night ended with Planet Stone taking the win with three goals.
The 11- to 13-year-old league has a clear leader early in the season with Bins Be Clean undefeated for the time being. Slim’s Place has a 1-1 record, while Wash Family Construction plays with determination looking for their first win.
Bins Be Clean won both of its games last Tuesday night, scoring two goals against Slim’s Place and four against Wash Family Construction.
In their head-to-head, Slim’s Place took the win against Wash Family Construction. Both teams worked hard on the field, having already played one game. The defense of Wash Family Construction could not stop the offensive attack of Slim’s Place, losing the game 3-6.
With four more weeks of regular season play, each of the six teams face off each Tuesday night leading to the championship games on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
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After the rain, four remain
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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Ugly Grouper Red Team champions
Center fans rock the lanes at bowling tournament
BRADENTON – More than 300 bowlers took to the lanes Sept. 8 in a bowling tournament that was more about comradery than competition.
Bowlers filled 52 sponsored lanes for the annual LaPensee Bowling Tournament held at the AMF Bradenton Lanes. Two kids’ lanes, sponsored by the Zaccagnino and Talucci families, were filled with laughter and a lot of excitement as children took turns rolling bowling balls down the lanes. After taking a year off in 2017, the tournament returned stronger than ever as one of the primary fundraisers for The Center of Anna Maria Island, this year bringing in more than $15,000 in sales and donations.
Throughout the three-game tournament, bowlers cheered on each other and surrounding teams as some people rolled strikes and others rolled gutter balls. Everyone agreed they had a great time as they came out to support the Center in one of the organization’s signature events. Though the competition was all in good fun, there were a few awards handed out.
The bees of Team Bins Be Clean took home the award for best team costume, beating out the “Dodgeball” inspired costumes from Team Purvis. Young bowler Fiona McCarthy took home the award for the highest kids score. Bowler Charles Wade, from the team from Roser Memorial Community Church, won the award for the highest male score after bowling three nearly perfect games. Lauren Powell took home the highest scoring female bowler award. The award for lowest male score went to Greg McKinney, while Isabella Miller took home the award for the lowest scoring female in the bowling tournament.
In addition to competing for awards, bowlers also were competing against each other for silent auction items and raffle prizes along with $603 in the 50/50 raffle. Auction and raffle prizes included gift baskets from local businesses, a two-hour sunset cruise with Capt. Ben Webb, an original artwork print by artist Patricia Bowers, a trip to LEGO Land, a fishing charter and a one-year family membership to the Center. The two largest raffle prizes were a grill donated by Rice’s Appliances and a beach cruiser bicycle donated by Beach Bums. Winner of the bicycle, Alex Harllee, even considered taking the bicycle for a quick spin through the bowling alley at the urging of Center board chair David Zaccagnino causing a round of laughter to erupt from nearby bowlers.
While not everyone went home with an award or a prize, everyone agreed they had a great time. Center executive director Chris Culhane said the tournament was a lot of fun for everyone involved.
“We’re thankful to everyone who came out tonight,” he said.
Ugly Grouper Red Team champions
The Center of Anna Maria Island’s gym was filled with fast-paced, wall beating, bouncing ball youth indoor soccer. With six regular season games under their belt, the three teams sponsored by the Ugly Grouper headed into playoff night last Wednesday with Team Blue at the top of the rankings.
Ugly Grouper Team Red and Team White went head-to-head in the first game of the night to decide who survived elimination and play in the championship game. Consistent with the final season standings, Team Red won the semi-final game.
After a short break in the action, Ugly Grouper Team Blue and Team Red took to the court for the last 40 minutes of play in the season.
Ugly Grouper Team Blue came into the game with the stronger record, but the championship game proved once again that the win could be earned by any team.
Frankie Coleman started off the game with the kickoff back to an Ugly Grouper Team Blue teammate. Team Red’s Gregory Jordan quickly showed the many friends and family in the stands his abilities on the indoor pitch with a shot rocketing to the goal.
Jackson Pakbaz, the eldest son of coach Sam Pakbaz, made the first assist to Coleman for the tying goal soon after.
For the first half of the game, the scoring went back and forth, making for an exciting match-up. Key player Anthony Nguyen, for Team Red, put the third point on the scoreboard giving his team a one-point lead.
Pakbaz’s first shot of the night was saved by goalie Harrison Schenerlein. Fighting back his brother Pakbaz scored the second goal for their team with the assist from William and goal by Jackson.
Tied up, Team Red played a strong offensive game with two girls playing in the big game. Ava Harlan and Laila Yavalar covered the entire court, supporting their team on both sides of the bouncy yellow ball.
Nguyen, all by himself with coach Pakbaz trying to get his team to cover him, scored his second goal of the game. He followed up quickly with another shot only to be stopped by J. Pakbaz.
Coleman made a fast-paced charge toward the Team Red goal. With strong defense by Payton Harlan, Coleman could not find the net.
Back and forth action with post shots and Schenerlein saves charged the atmosphere with energy.
Playing to the direction and encouragement of Team Red coaches Gary Harlan and Kris Yavalar pushed offensively and attacked defensively with a no quit attitude.
Dribbling through defensive traffic, Nguyen got his hat-trick pushing Team Red’s lead up by two points.
Team Blue’s W. Pakbaz and Coleman put the pressure on Jordan blocking his shot and preventing the score. The defense could not stop the offensive assault by P. Harlan and Jordan. Harlan’s shot went just wide of the post, but Jordan’s quick thinking and speed chased down the rebound for the fifth Team Red goal, moving the score to 5-2.
Despite having just played the semi-final game, Team Red showed no sign of fatigue as the first half of the championship game came to a close.
After a great halftime talk by coach Pakbaz, J. Pakbaz came out from behind the boards to stop Nguyen in his tracks. Pakbaz scored on a free kick sparking a fire for Team Blue narrowing Team Red’s lead.
Team Blue’s goalkeeper Michael Coleman saved another missile shot by Nguyen. His relentless pursuit gave Nguyen another scoring opportunity, this time successful.
Caden Quinby, for Team Blue, took the court with a vengeance helping to give his teammates support as they fought to make a comeback.
Both teams used the boards to move the soccer ball past the immediate defenders. Jordan took advantage of the indoor rules finding an opening for his second goal in the game, widening Team Red’s lead.
Team Blue’s drive to win continued and the crowd exploded when J. Pakbaz’s midcourt shot went through the hands and legs of Schenerlein.
Team Red shot another strike for a goal before F. Coleman fired a shot that went off the back of Yavalar. The team’s MVP J. Pakbaz took another free kick that went past the goalie advancing the score to 8-5.
Minutes later J. Pakbaz hit another goal reducing the deficit for Team Blue by only two points.
The Team Blue defense just could not stop the Team Red offense in the last minutes of the game. Once again not covered, Jordan took the behind the net pass by Nguyen for a goal.
After a brilliant stop by Yavalar on the offensive press by J. Pakbaz, Team Red scored its 10th goal of the game.
Nguyen scored the final goal for his team after a tough possession battle between Jordan and W. Pakbaz.
With the remaining fight in the game, Team Blue’s F. Coleman scored the final goal of the game, capping the score at 11-7, giving the underdog Team Red the championship title.
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LaPensee Bowling Tournament to benefit Center
Dust off your bowling shoes and come out to the AMF Lanes, 4208 Cortez Road in Bradenton, to support The Center of Anna Maria Island at the LaPensee Bowling Tournament.
The tournament returns for the first time since 2016 and takes place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8. This year’s event will include three games for participants, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and door prizes. Some of the items for the door prizes and auction include themed baskets, along with a $50 gift certificate and Yeti cooler donated for the event by Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware. Donated items are still being accepted for the door prizes and silent auction at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
This year’s awards ceremony will be held at the bowling alley immediately following the tournament. Prizes will be awarded for the men’s and women’s highest and lowest score and the highest score for ages 12 and under. An award also will be given for the best team costume.
As in years past, The Anna Maria Island Sun is once again a sponsor of the event.
Though LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air is the title sponsor, lane sponsorships are open for businesses for $150 and will come with the business logo displayed on the lane and at registration. Lane sponsorships at $200 also include playing for up to five bowlers, shoe rentals, and a choice of pizza or chicken wings to munch on during the three-game tournament. Individual bowlers also are welcome at $30 each, which includes three games, shoe rental, and a choice of pizza or wings. Children’s lanes with bumpers to help discourage gutter balls for the little ones also will be available for play.
Participants are encouraged to register early to make sure they have a space reserved. Bowlers can register by calling the Center at 941-778-1908 or going online to www.centerami.org. For more information, or to sponsor a team or lane, call the Center or email info@centerami.org.
Brazil and Belgium undefeated: Island soccer’s unbeatable
It’s four weeks into the adult soccer season, and two teams are atop the leader’s board with three wins and no losses. Josh Sato’s Team Belgium, sponsored by Sato Real Estate, and Ryan Moss’ Team Brazil, sponsored by Moss Builders, so far this summer season cannot be beaten.
The two teams not only have 3-0 records, but the scores of their victories show they are easily the most dominant teams so far.
After seasons of struggling to put together a strong roster on the pitch, Moss may have a championship team. Sato always has shown his mastery in the draft room by picking teams that not only look good on paper, but that also perform on the field.
Team Brazil faced Team Sweden, sponsored by Bins Be Clean. Team captain Nate Welch was sidelined with a back injury and could not take the field for Bins Be Clean.
The squad representing World Cup quarterfinalist Sweden also played without key players Ricky Anderson who went in the second round of the draft and league newbie Brayan Felipe.
With no players on the bench in the heat of the 6:30 p.m. game, Bins Be Clean just could not hold its own on the Island’s pitch against a speedy and organized Moss Builders.
The stats sheets for Team Brazil clearly show the diversity of the squad. With all but one player scoring goals, Moss’ team may just be the team to beat on the way to the championship.
Team Belgium will not let Brazil maintain the top position without a fight. Sato is no stranger to the top of the heap. With a strong goalie, two former college level female soccer players and undeniable strength on the field by the remaining teammates, Sato Real Estate is likely to be one of the top teams at the end of the regular season.
At the mid-point in the season in a league in which all of the squads made the first round of the playoffs, it is still anyone’s championship. Injuries, game suspensions due to misconduct on the field, the heat of the summer games, and absences because of vacations can make the difference for any of the seven teams.
Only time will tell.
Center board makes plans for the future
ANNA MARIA – Changes are coming to The Center of Anna Maria with the hopes of drawing more community members back to the nonprofit’s campus.
One of the most visible changes, if approved by Anna Maria City Commissioners, would be the addition of a covered area at the front of the building. The proposed metal awning would cover the walkway from the west parking area and the main entrance. Board member Mike Thrasher, who designed the concept for the awning, said if approved, the steel and canopy structure will not take up any of The Center’s parking.
After being told that people find the entrance to The Center “unattractive and uninviting,” Thrasher said he created a “scribble that turned into a plan” with the design for the awning. He suggested the space also could be used for events.
Before the awning structure can be built it must first be approved by the city’s Planning and Zoning Board before going to commissioners because it would be partially located within required setbacks.
Thrasher and board Chair David Zaccagnino said they want to find out if the plan is feasible before moving forward with getting quotes or seeking out local businesses to volunteer materials and labor.
“The object is to make it look more inviting to come in,” Zaccagnino said of the project.
For a list of already-planned capital improvement projects including roofing repair, field maintenance, plumbing for two bathrooms and the purchase of exercise equipment, Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously May 22 to honor a request from the three Island cities to donate $100,000 from the county-managed excess concession fund. County commissioners also granted a transportation request from The Center board by donating up to an additional $22,500 from the concession funds for the purchase of a new van for the nonprofit.
New Executive Director Chris Culhane said he’s very thankful for the support from the local and county governments.
Board treasurer Christine Hicks said The Center fell $25,000 short in April, closing out the month with a $14,635 loss for the fiscal year to date. She estimates the organization will close out the fiscal year at the end of June $5,141 in the black. Zaccagnino said ending the year $5,141 in a positive position would show significant progress from the -$171,000 closing of the 2016-17 fiscal year. Hicks said so far this year The Center’s finances are within 2 percent of meeting budget and 35 percent over this time last year.
To help bring in more people and raise money for The Center, board member Karen Harllee said several events are already in the works for the coming fiscal year. The planned events include the annual Murder Mystery, bowling tournament, Lester Family Fun Day, golf tournament and the Tour of Homes. A new event making its debut in 2019 is a fashion show.
Harllee said a search is ongoing for volunteers and committee members to help plan and orchestrate the community and fundraising events. Anyone who would like to volunteer can email events@centerami.org.
“We’re planning a year in advance versus one month in advance,” she said.
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Sato Real Estate controls the field
Six games into the adult soccer season at The Center, Lancaster Design and Sato Real Estate meet on the pitch. On paper, the two teams are evenly matched, and after game seven, the teams are neck and neck with Lancaster just one game up on Sato.
The game of the week started with quick goals by Eliza Faillace for Sato Real Estate and Lancaster Design’s Greg DeMeuse.
With a tied score, Nate Talucci scored the go-ahead goal for Sato Real Estate. The defensive battle ensued and goalies Trey Horne and Jordan Demers protected the net.
Sato Real Estate’s keeper Demers finished the game with six solid saves. Horne held his own at his end of the field with five recorded saves.
Five minutes ticked off the scoreboard before Faillace made her second goal, giving Sato Real Estate a two-point lead before the end of the first half of the game.
Still in the hunt, team captain Danny Anderson quickly put a point on the board for Lancaster Design, moving the score to 3-2.
Despite all efforts defensively, Lancaster Design could not stop the movement of the soccer ball by Sato Real Estate. Captain Josh Sato found himself in front of the goal with teammate Damir Glavan to his left. Sato smartly passed to Glavan, who put the right touch on the ball to hit the next for his first goal of the game.
Anderson found himself with a free kick opportunity after being pushed by Demers in front of the Sato Real Estate goal. The shot on goal was saved by Demers, giving his team another offensive push.
Lancaster Design moved the ball well on the field but just could not score. Anderson came close with a shot that sailed just above the crossbar.
Eight minutes into the half of play, Glavan took a corner kick for Sato Real Estate that made it into the net for his second goal, which was the final goal scored in the game.
With a three-point lead, Sato Real Estate held Lancaster off, giving it the victory going into the final regular season game.
Week eight has Sato Real Estate playing last-place Acqua Aveda at 6 p.m. Seventh-ranked Moss Builders goes against undefeated Legler Flynn Law in the second game of the week.
Lancaster Design, currently in second place, faces Ross Built Construction in the 7 p.m. game. Rounding out the night Mar/Kis Insurance, with a single win, goes head-to-head against Slim’s place to finish the regular season of co-ed adult soccer.