Spring break has sprung on AMI

You’re right - it’s really crowded

If it seems like there are more visitors here than last year, you may be right.

On both Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, February hotel occupancy was up slightly from a year ago, according to the latest statistics from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). More...

One more bridge hearing

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will host a public hearing on the Anna Maria Island Bridge Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study on Thursday, March 26, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. An informal open house will begin at 6 p.m. and the formal public hearing, consisting of a presentation by FDOT on the project and its associated impacts followed by a public comment period, will begin at 7 p.m. More...

How public are our public records?

ANNA MARIA — A new electronic mail policy may not provide citizens with any greater access to public records in the city.

Access to electronic records is subject to all the requirements of Florida’s Sunshine Laws, according to Adria Harper, the director of the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee. The non-profit agency is dedicated to providing expertise and assistance to the public and media about the state’s open government law. More...

Different Affaire planned for April 4

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Island Community Center’s annual dinner auction, a new and different event, "An Affaire Under the Starfish Sky," is planned for the evening of Saturday, April 4, from 6 to 11 p.m. More...

Pet bird’s disappearance a mystery

HOLMES BEACH – The chorus of birds talking and wolf-whistling in front of Sun & Surf Apparel, 5418 Marina Drive, was reduced last Saturday night when somebody apparently took Wizard, the African gray parrot, from his cage.

Storeowners Helen and Marty Duytschaver found out that Wizard was missing Sunday morning, after someone moved the cage and opened the feeding door on the side. He said Wizard’s friendliness is another reason they think he was stolen. More...

City poised to eliminate duplex zone

ANNA MARIA – Construction of duplexes within city limts may be prohibited if a new zoning ordinance being considered is approved.

The city commission had a first reading March 12 of an ordinance that would combine the single-family (R-1) and R-2 districts into one residential zone. More...

Commissioners give Washington an earful

All Manatee County commissioners except Ron Getman traveled to Washington, D.C., last week for a three-day whirlwind visit to our elected officials and some of Washington’s well-connected senators and congressmen to try and get some federal dollars.

Commissioners Carol Whitmore and John Chappie made the rounds and pressed for funding for local projects, including some on Anna Maria Island. More...

Great parade and that’s no blarney

HOLMES BEACH - Everything was green and very crowded on Sunday as the biggest and best Beach Bistro St. Patrick’s Day Parade wound through the streets of Holmes Beach. A seemingly endless line of cheering crowds lined both sides of Marina and Palm drives beginning at 4 p.m. at the Tidemark and heading north to Bistro led the action, followed by Holmes Beach officials in the city’s boat. Bands included the Dunedin Pipe Band and Braden River, Southeast and Manatee high schools. The Progress Village Fiddlers entertained with Irish music and youths from Rowlett Magnet Elementary School danced the jig. More...

The architects of modern saltwater fly tackle

The modern saltwater fly angler has a problem, just like his predecessor in the early days of the sport. Back in the late 50s and early 60s, when competitive anglers were discovering an amazing variety of saltwater species from Miami to Key West, their problem was finding dependable tackle. Today’s anglers, on the other hand, are hard pressed to keep up with all the innovations in tackle. There are literally hundreds of rods, reels, lines and gadgets available. Exotic rod labeling systems denote rod stiffness and flex. Fly reels feature advanced drag systems with space age materials and computer designed specialty fly lines are available in mind-bending quantities. In short, saltwater anglers today have to figure out what to use; anglers in the 60s had to find something to use. More...

A plan for homeowner affordability and stability

If you’re a homeowner who has been unsuccessfully trying to sell your property, maybe you’re thinking the words successful and seller shouldn’t even be in the same sentence together. However, properties are selling out there, and if you’re an owner who so far hasn’t been successful, here are a few tips that could change your luck if not your perspective. More...

It’s really bad – right?

I have been way too optimistic. I admit it. I didn’t see the extent to which the bursting credit bubble would impact our financial system and the stock and bond markets. Real estate price declines were easy to predict, what we like to call a no brainer, and I went on record warning of that pending disaster back in 2005. More...

Majors squad sweeps Yankees

The Island Majors team pulled out consecutive victories this week, improving its overall record to 2-4 this season. The offense was running on all cylinders on Monday, March 9, as the team pounded out 13 runs to win 13-12 in an extra inning thriller against the National Youngsters Yankees at the Community Center. Several players scored multiple times with run support coming from big hits by members of the team up and down the lineup. More...

Crawford, Slagh prevail in horseshoes

Three teams and a walker were waiting for the horseshoe pits when it was time to organize for another tournament on Wednesday, March 11. Four teams qualified for the playoffs by winning three games and losing none. More...