Parade attracts smilin' Irish eyes

The Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade was bigger and better than ever, according to organizer Sean Murphy, who estimated the half-mile long parade went past as many as 10,000 spectators. He said he felt St. Patrick would be proud. More...

City OKs building moratorium

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners approved a moratorium on commercial and mixed use construction in the residential/office/retail (ROR) district, including site plans that are already in the process.

City Attorney Jim Dye will draft an ordinance containing the specifics, and bring it back to commissioners for two readings. More...

Officials' e-mails sought

ANNA MARIA — A Sarasota-based legal consultant has submitted a public records request to the city asking to inspect e-mail records of City Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus and Planning and Zoning Board member Jim Conoly.

The request was made by Michael Barfield, a legal consultant with offices in Sarasota, and is dated March 10, 2010. The request, made under that portion of the Sunshine Laws pertaining to public records (section 119.07, Fla. Stat.), asks for the following: “All e-mails, including attachments, regardless of whether on a personal or private e-mail account, sent or received by Jim Conoly and Harry Stoltzfus beginning on March 1, 2009 through March 10, 2009.” More...

Tourism industry hopes spring sticks

After a winter of worrisome weather and a Friday deluge, spring burst forth on Anna Maria Island on Saturday, pulling new leaves from bare tree branches and drawing sun-starved beachgoers to the coast.

Just in time, they agree.

Optimistic snowbirds who had been saying, “At least it’s not snowing,” were beginning to tire of bundling up for beach walks, and patience had waned among tourism operators, who had only one glimpse of spring last Wednesday when a long-awaited sunny day backed up traffic from Holmes Beach to Anna Maria. More...

Commissioners oppose $35 business tax

HOLMES BEACH – After an appeal by a resident, all but one city commissioner said they oppose the county’s proposed business tax.

Last month, Manatee County officials said they are seeking a $35 tax on every business in the county to fund a recruitment effort to encourage business to relocate to the county. More...

Pier centennial stamp in works

ANNA MARIA – To commemorate the City of Anna Maria Pier’s centennial in April 2011, the city’s Centennial Committee is considering creating a postage stamp.

Stamp aficionado and Island visitor Charles Fields suggested designing a stamp that features the pier, ordering a limited number, perhaps 250, and arranging to have the stamps cancelled on the day designated as pier centennial day at a temporary satellite post office on the pier. The cancelled stamps could be sold to collectors and Island enthusiasts for $250 each to pay for the project. More...

Haitian pastor to visit CrossPointe

ANNA MARIA – Haitian Pastor Julio Jn Giles, will meet with his supporters at CrossPointe Fellowship this week to give them an update on conditions in Haiti, thank them for their support through the years and tell them how their money is used in his ministry.

Giles is the founder of Bethesda Ministry, a church and school located in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, which members of CrossPointe have supported with donations of supplies for children and money to build a church. More...

Bridge Street Pier work finished

BRADENTON BEACH – Wood Dock has completed its permanent fix of the Bridge Street Pier after a long, weather-related delay.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said that Wood Dock informed him the work was done late last week. He opened it to the public on Friday, March 12. More...

Tour of Homes features Island living

Various styles of Island living will be showcased during the Community Center’s 17th Annual Anna Maria Island Tour of Homes on Saturday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Homes include Susan Lee, 320 63rd St., Holmes Beach; Jim and Maura Kelly, 540 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach; Greg and Pat Shorten, 542 67th St., Holmes Beach; Bill and Kathy Cook, 527 70th St., Holmes Beach; and Erik Abrahamson, 857 North Shore Drive, Anna Maria. More...

Sharpen your saw for spring boating and fishing

Winter continues to keep a virtual stranglehold on local waters, but there’s still a lot of fishing to be done. I’ve always liked the old adage, “When it’s slow you sharpen your tools.” Anglers have a chance to do that at the upcoming event being held at Cannons Marina on Longboat Key.

Cannons Annual Open House will be held on Saturday March 27. Here’s an opportunity to get valuable information on fishing, boating and the weather that affects our favorite sport. Boaters, fishermen and all who love the outdoors will find the event fun and informative. More...

Others are green with envy

Are you wearing green today? You should be and not only because it’s St. Patrick’s Day, but because there are homeowners all over the state of Florida and indeed the country who are green with envy because you live in Manatee County.

Last month it was reported that Florida is far outpacing the rest of the country in real estate recovery, and so far it looks like that trend is holding steady. The Manatee Association of Realtors’ February sales statistics indicate that although February’s numbers are slightly lower than January’s, we’re still in positive territory. More...

There’s an investment lesson in Toyota’s problems

Interpreting investment trends and indicators is rarely an exact science. It strikes me, and I’ve written about this many times, that most investment decision processes break down when the decision maker gains confidence that recent trends will continue far into the future and he/she begins to concentrate his/her portfolio into those areas that have had the most recent success. More...

Events are free unless otherwise indicated..

Wednesday, March 17

Einstein Circle discussion on “The nation is polarized. How can we find common ground?” The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria,11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration required. 359-4296.

Friday, March 19

Floor Cloths with Deeana Atkinson, AMI Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $68 members and $78 non-members.

Island Music Fest, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria, 3 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, March 20

Bridge Street Market, 107 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community Center’s Tour of Homes, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anne Abgott will demonstrate watercolor painting techniques, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive in S & S Shopping Plaza, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.

Five centuries of Florida History, DeSoto National Memorial, end of 75th Street, Bradenton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 21

AMICCO concert, "An Invitation to the Opera,” CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m., $20.

Wednesday, March 24

Lecture on “Architecture’s Nobel: The Pritzker Prize,” by Dr. Peter Lizon, The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 11 a.m.

Learn about Florida edible plants and preparation, age 16 and older, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 6 and 8 p.m. Reservations required. 941-742-5757, ext. 5.

Friday, March 26

Two Gourds, Two Days, Two Techniques with Pam McMillen, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $68 form members and $78 for non-members.

Fit2 run – 5K and one-mile fun run and after party with food, music, prizes, and a silent auction, suitable for all ages and levels Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 5 p.m. Registration is required. To register visit www.Fit2Run.com

Saturday, March 27

Bridge Street Market, 107 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Naturalist-led wagon tours, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 9 and 10:30 a.m., $3 per adult and $2 per child. Call 941-742-5757, ext. 1, to reserve.

Jean Ehlis will demonstrate watercolor painting techniques, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive in S & S Shopping Plaza, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.

Afternoon adventure paddle, bring your own canoe or kayak and safety gear, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 2 and 4 p.m. Reservations required. 941-742-5757, ext. 7.

Wednesday, March 31

Einstein Circle discussion on “Can we trust scientific data? Did science become too political?” The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration required. 359-4296.

Full moon wagon tour, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 7 p.m. Reservations required by calling 941-742-5757, ext. 1.