Spring crowned national pie champ

On Sunday, Andrea Spring made history as the first professional to win the Crisco American Pie Council National Pie Championship twice.

“This year I gave it everything I had,” she said. “I tried to do everything as well as I could. I stayed extremely positive and focused.” More...

County cracks down on Cafe's 'lobbying'

HOLMES BEACH – Petitions urging Manatee County to reconsider its second place ranking of Café on the Beach’s bid for the concession contract and signs urging people to contact county officials regarding the ranking have all disappeared from the Café.

“I took everything down immediately,” Dee Schaefer said after receiving a letter from the county stating that such activities are illegal. More...

Charges swirl around recall drive

ANNA MARIA — Supporters of a petition seeking the recall of Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus say they are being “threatened” and intimidated, according to the person who started the petition drive.

“We’ve had people threatened that if they sign this petition that they will have to turn over all their records and all their e-mails,” said Bob Carter, who chairs the Recall Stoltzfus Committee. More...

City may pay Stoltzfus' legal fees

ANNA MARIA — A lawyer representing Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus put the city on notice Monday that he’ll be looking to them to pay his client’s legal fees.

“This correspondence is to advise the city of Anna Maria (hereinafter, the 'city') that Commissioner Stoltzfus will seek reimbursement from the city of all attorney’s fees, costs and legal expenses incurred by him in defense of this recall effort. Commissioner Stoltzfus is entitled to such reimbursement as a matter of right under the law of Florida,” Richard Harrison wrote in a letter to the mayor, the city commissioners and City Attorney Jim Dye. “Accordingly, the city should begin planning immediately for what may be a potentially significant financial liability.” More...

Volcano ‘fallout’ reaches Island

A volcanic cloud of ash over Europe is creating fallout for businesses on Anna Maria Island, even though the ash itself is a continent away.

“Europeans can’t come here and our visitors can’t get back there,” said Mary Ann Brockman, president of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. More...

Planning board to recommend 308 Pine Ave. approval

ANNA MARIA – The planning and zoning board will recommend that the city commission approve a preliminary site plan for a two-building mixed-use property at 308 Pine Avenue in the city’s residential/office/retail district.

The city planner informed the board that the preliminary site plan was in compliance with city codes and ordinances.

More...

Recall Stoltzfus petition circulating

ANNA MARIA — One city resident felt so strongly about what is happening in her city that she postponed a trip to visit her mother in Pennsylvania to ensure she could sign the petition to recall City Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus.

“I feel I was misled,” Mady Iseman said. “If I had known that he’d take part in lawsuits against the city, I’d never have voted for him.” More...

Recall effort not the first on the Island

BRADENTON BEACH – While it has been a long time – 22 years to be exact – Anna Maria’s recall effort is not the Island’s first.

This city holds the distinction of having two recall efforts in 1988, one against Mayor Lynda Barrett-O’Neill and two city council members and one against three city council members. More...

Judge orders Stoltzfus to preserve computer records

Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Stephen L. Dakin refused to grant a request that an image be taken of the hard drives of an Anna Maria city commissioner’s computer and other electronic media devices.

Judge Dakin had agreed to hear the request from legal consultant Michael Barfield and his attorney, Valerie Fernandez, to order the capture of the information on Commissioner Harry Stolozfus' hard drives. He set aside an hour on April 21 for an emergency hearing. More...

Volunteers needed for emergency training

County officials are seeking Island residents who would like to be part of a team to be trained to assist in emergency situations.

The program, called CERT, means Community Emergency Response Team, and its trained members will work with emergency services personnel on basic response following a disaster. More...

Affaire to Remember – an amazing evening

ANNA MARIA – It was truly an Affaire to Remember when country music star Lee Greenwood rocked the house with a selection of his songs at the Community Center’s annual dinner auction Saturday night.

His performance was the highlight of the evening for the sell-out crowd of 350, and when his set concluded, he threw out a challenge – he would sing his most famous song, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” for the highest bidder. More...

Cobia: heavyweights of the sea

Sheepshead may not be at the top of most anglers' catch lists, but maybe they should. These feisty game fish are plentiful during the winter and early spring when other species may be hard to find. They fight hard, are challenging to hook and make a great meal. Recently, I happened upon a group of anglers on a north Longboat Key dock and stopped to inquire about the fishing.

The report I got from Andrew Moriarty, who was fishing the dock with his dad Jim and brother Luke, was encouraging. The trio of anglers hails from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. They travel to Longboat Key to visit "Nana" Kip O'Neil, who lives in the Longbeach Village. More...

Foreclosures are the good news

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then why do so many of us take Internet and newspaper headlines literally? If you’re in the habit of only reading the headlines, this would be a good time to change your habits. More...

Floating rate funds – a good bet in rising rate environment

It is a good bet to assume that in-terest rates will rise at least moderately in the next several years. A couple primary reasons for what we believe will be a gradual trend higher in rates are:

1. The Federal Reserve will start to raise tits target for the federal funds rate most likely in 2011. It may not be a dramatic series of increases, but it will be looking to remove the potential for the next speculative bubble as the economy continues to grow. More...

Turtle Tom Van Ness an Island legend

Turtle nesting season is literally just around the corner. It will officially begin on May 1.

This year, it’ll be a bit of an adjustment to think about sea turtle nesting without Turtle Tom Van Ness.

He passed away over the weekend after a long battle with mesothelioma. More...

Turtle rules start May 1

Sea turtle nesting season begins on May 1, when Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteers will begin patrolling the beaches to stake off nests for their protection.

Gulffront property owners, residents and beachgoers must start their monitoring activities, too, making sure they comply with federal, state and local laws regarding contact with turtles, lights, tree trimming and beach furniture and equipment. More...

It’s turtle time and volunteers are ready

The Gulf temperature is in the mid-70s and rising.

When it hits 80 degrees, Mother Nature will cue mother sea turtles to lay their eggs on Anna Maria Island beaches.

The volunteers at Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring are ready. More...

Events are free unless indicated.

Wednesday, April 28

Einstein Circle discussion on “U.S. foreign policy: Are we headed in the right direction?” The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling 359-4296.

Friday, April 30

Arbor Day tree plantings, Spring Lake Community Park, 6807 Holmes Boulevard, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. and Bayfront Park, North Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria, 11 a.m.

Saturday, May 1

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

Grand opening for visitors’ center, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Afternoon paddle, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Bring your own canoe or kayak and personal floatation devices. Children under the age of 16 must have adult supervision. Call 742-5757, ext. 7, for reservations.

Saturday, May 8

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

Master Gardener tour, DeSoto National Memorial and Riverview Pointe Preserve, end of 75th Street, Bradenton, 9 to 11 a.m. Call 941-722-4524 for reservations.

Saturday, May 15

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

Snooks Adams Kids Day, Bayfront Park, North Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Dog stroll for socialized dogs on leashes, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 3 to 4 p.m. Call 748-4501, ext. 4605, for reservations.

Tuesday, May 11

Volunteer orientation, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 6 to 7 p.m. Call 748-4501, ext. 4605, for reservations.

Saturday, May 15

Naturalist led 60-minute wagon tours, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 2 and 3 p.m., $3 per adult and $2 per child. Call 742-5757, ext. 1, for reservations.