Island responds to Haitian tragedy

The massive earthquake that struck Haiti has promoted an international response with aid for the victims and Anna Maria Island is playing its part.

Agencies are collecting food, clothing and other necessities plus money to help the victims. Here is a rundown of what is happening.

For the third time in recent years, Ed Chiles had employees take the dollar bills off the wall at the Pub at Mar Vista. Chiles said the $3,100 along with a corporate donation will go to Haitian relief but he hasn’t decided how he will distribute it. More...

Efforts under way to save Twin Piers

BRADENTON BEACH – A plan is in the works to save three crumbling erosion control groins, including two that form the popular Twin Piers surf spot, according to a Manatee County official.

The structures, which are subject to removal in the beach renourishment project planned for 2014, serve an important purpose in protecting Gulf Drive – a hurricane evacuation route – from erosion, according to Charlie Hunsicker, Director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department. More...

Tourists look on sunny side

It’s been in the 60s, 50s, 40s, even the 30s, but for many Northern visitors, our local weather beats the snow, ice and below-zero wind chills back home.

It’s hard to imagine for dyed-in-the-wool Island transplants who retired their heavy winter coats years ago, but visitors are renting rooms, walking the beaches and even sunbathing in swimsuits by the pool, despite an unusually long cold snap. More...

Mainsail selects architect

HOLMES BEACH – Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Development of Tampa, announced last week that the company has selected architect Steve Smith, of Cooper, Johnson Smith, as the architect for the Mainsail Lodge at 5325 Marina Drive.

“They did the Mansour house (on Bean Point in Anna Maria), have done work in Seaside and recently did a Ritz Hotel in the Bahamas,” Collier explained. “They have great experience in lodging and understand coastal architecture.” More...

Oil issue on front burner

Several groups are busily preparing for a second proposal to allow oil and natural gas exploration and drilling in Florida state waters in the legislative session that begins on March 2.

A last-minute proposal by Florida Energy Associates was voted down last year after taking lawmakers by surprise in the waning days of the session. More...

Oil protesters to draw line in sand

A public protest against oil exploration and drilling off Florida’s coast is scheduled for Feb. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Manatee Public Beach main lifeguard stand.

The Sierra Conservation Committee of Manatee County is sponsoring the local event, one of hundreds scheduled in the national Hands Across the Sand project. More...

Anna Maria named Tree City USA

How fitting that Anna Maria’s Deputy Mayor John Quam announced at Friday’s Florida Arbor Day celebration that the city’s application to be a Tree City USA was approved.

As the crowd gathered around the red cedar to be planted next to the Old City Jail at the Island Historical complex, Quam thanked the city staff, Tim Eiseler and members of the Environmental Education and Enhancement Committee for their work to complete all the steps required for the application. More...

Board approves project despite objections

BRADENTON BEACH – Holmes Beach City Commissioner Al Robinson continues to preach frugality three months after winning his election as Al “Lower Taxes” Robinson. His campaign crossed city borders last week as he spoke against a county project at Coquina Park Bayside.

Robinson said he was speaking as a private citizen as he submitted a letter and spoke out against a new $1.1 million Manatee County Marine Rescue Headquarters and Sheriff’s Marine Division building. More...

Dolphin Dash growth takes off

They came early to get a good parking spot nearby and enjoy the brisk morning air last Saturday and they came in record numbers.

They were the runners who participated in the Fourth Annual Anna Maria Elementary School Dolphin Dash. More...

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Cold closes fisheries

Widespread fish kills due to prolonged cold weather has caused the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to close bonefish and tarpon fisheries and extend the closed season on snook.

A temporary statewide closed season for bonefish and tarpon is in effect through March 31, and the statewide closed season for snook is temporarily extended until Aug. 31. More...

Cold weather impacts local snook

When I first started to write this column it was 1 p.m. on Saturday, and the outside temperature on the Island was 39 degrees. I had just gotten off the phone with Anna Maria’s Captain Scott Moore, who was the first angler last week to raise the possibility of a problem with snook mortality during the upcoming arctic blast. When I spoke to him at noon on Saturday he reported that snook were still swimming in his canal and not showing any overt signs of being in trouble.

“I hope that the fact that the cold weather came gradually might help the snook winterize,” he had said. He had measured the water temperature in his canal for the prior four days and it had averaged between 49 and 54 degrees. More...

The prairie meets the beach

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most prominent architects and proponents of the Prairie School of architecture starting around the turn of the 20th century. There may not be prairies on Anna Maria Island, but there is a lot of natural wonder, and one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s fellows has designed homes on the Island to be organic with the environment. More...

2009: The year of the bond market

Most investors are amazed at how well the stock market did in 2009 after a dismal 2008 and first three months of 2009, a period during which many thought life as we know it may be ending. Well, life isn’t ending, but will probably be changed for a good while, as investors continue assessing their ability and inclination to assume risk in the pursuit of investment returns. More...

Flag football teams shaping up

With the first game jitters and mistakes out of the way, most teams were able to make adjustments and improve in their next matchups. Only three teams remain undefeated thus far, with the Tortilla Bay Dolphins, Mr. Bones Bengals and Ross Built Raiders each picking up two wins this week and sitting atop their divisions. Two teams are also without losses in the adult division, as Raiders and Titans are tied for the league lead after big wins this past week. All the stats, standings and other league information can be found at the Community Center’s Web site at www.islandcommunitycenter.com. More...

Wednesday, Jan. 20

Lecture on “The Nobel Prize: Concept, History, Politics” with Jan Skalny, The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 11 a.m.

Save Our Seabirds’ Wine Tasting for the Birds, Harry's Continental Kitchen, 525 St. Jude's Drive, Longboat Key, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., $10 tickets include a $5 coupon toward any drink or food purchase.

Thursday, Jan. 21

The Island Players present “Self Help” through Feb. 27, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 2 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. evenings except Mondays, $15.

Saturday, Jan. 23

Save Our Seabirds’ class on how to help wildlife when an oil spill or other disaster strikes, 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway across from Mote Marine, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., $10, register at 388-3010.

Communities for a Lifetime kickoff with activities for all ages, Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Travel series on Galapagos with Tim Oldread, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Paul Achre will demonstrate watercolor painting techniques, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive in the S&S Plaza, 10 a.m. to noon.

Wednesday, Jan. 27

Lecture on “American Disasters in the Middle East/Walking on Thin Ice” by James McCartney, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 to 3 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30

Cecy Richardson demonstrates uses of various media, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive in the S&S Plaza, 10 a.m. to noon.