Tiny DASHERS

HOLMES BEACH – Two hundred and fifty three runners of all ages registered for the fifth annual Anna Maria Elementary School Dolphin Dash Saturday morning, a significantly higher turnout than last year's 175 as this once-small event continues to grow in popularity.

"We had 212 pre-registrations this year with 70 of them at Holy Cow Ice Cream Friday night," Dolphin Dash organizer Becky Walter said. "It was the best weather we could have and the kids in the runners club made their 1,000 miles – it was the best race ever." More...

View Race Results | View Photos

Parking on Pine: One sticking point left

ANNA MARIA — City commissioners are down to a choice between two very similar parking plans for Pine Avenue with only one point of contention left.

That is whether or not to cede public right of way to developers who have agreed to put public sidewalks on their property.

At their Jan. 13 work session, it all came down to those two choices. More...

Local real estate ends year strong

The real estate market on Anna Maria Island produced a strong upturn in sales in 2010, according to Island Real Estate agent Alan Galletto, who publishes sales results from the Multiple Listing Service of Manatee County in his monthly newsletter.

Galletto called 2009 the year of stabilization and 2010 the year of the market poised to turn up and predicts 2011 will be the year of a modest increase in prices. More...

Cortez festival: 'You Are Here'

County commends Privateers

The Anna Maria Island Privateers invaded the Manatee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 11, and received a proclamation of support for their 40th anniversary from the commissioners, without having to take hostages.

Former Bradenton Beach Mayor and County Commissioner John Chappie read the proclamation after former Holmes Beach and County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, whose father had been a Privateer, introduced them. More...

Pier centennial plans taking shape

ANNA MARIA — Plans for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Anna Maria’s city pier are taking final shape.

A committee charged with organizing the event met last week and went over a list of activities planned for the two-day festivities.

“Everything’s pretty much set for the parade,” Terry Gritzmacher from the Anna Maria Privateers told committee members. “We’re still working to get an honor guard.” More...

Island hazardous waste, E-scrap collection

Manatee County Utilities Department and the four island cities are holding a household hazardous waste and E-scrap collection on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Coquina Beach Gulfside parking lot.

HHW materials include solvents, latex or oil-based paint, garden pesticides, waste oil, gasoline (in approved container), ammunition /flares, propane tanks, florescent and compact florescent bulbs, batteries (non-alkaline) and household chemicals. More...

City ponders cell tower

The city of Anna Maria would like to have a cell tower within its borders.

City Commissioner Gene Aubry said he's frustrated with the cellular phone service he gets — or doesn't get — in Anna Maria. More...

Uncle George's cookbook

There is a plethora of cookbooks about. One of the worst was authored by my Uncle George.

One of Uncle George's more successful business ventures was a tourist shop in famous, rockbound, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Peggy's Cove is a giant thumb of granite thrust into the North Atlantic Ocean with a picturesque lighthouse at its tip. Huge 70-foot waves regularly crash into the massive rocks and sweep away people from New York. More...

Fishing 'frigid' Florida waters

Local anglers are hopeful that the historic cold weather that decimated fish stocks state-wide last year will not repeat this year, even though this season began with even colder temperatures than last year. Water temperatures have been near killing lows several times this season, but we luckily have not seen anything like the massive fish kills that affected fish as far away as Flamingo and Islamorada. Chief among the victims last season were snook, tarpon, bonefish, cravelle jacks; but species including catfish, grouper, snapper and even mullet perished in large numbers. Every year in January and February, anglers need to change tactics to effectively target local gamefish. Conditions over the past two winters make catching fish more challenging than ever, but the same winter tactics we have always employed still produce results. More...

La Casa Costiera - a bit of Italy on the Island

Have you been to the Amalfi Coast or as the Italians call it Amalfi Costiera? If not, you'll be happy to learn that without packing a bag or buying an airline ticket you can have that glorious Mediterranean experience right in your own back yard.

I last profiled La Casa Costiera at 73 Street and Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach about two years ago, midway between the real estate downturn and the beginning of the recovery. Since this boutique luxury condominium embodies much of what Anna Maria Island is all about, I decided to take another look. More...

Mermaid features Gulf Coast regional food

ANNA MARIA – For a delightful and delicious culinary journey around the Gulf Coast, try visiting the Sign of the Mermaid on Wednesdays.

Chefs Andrea and Ed Spring are offering Gulf Coast regional dinners every Wednesday for the next four weeks. On Jan. 19, you can sample the cuisine of Key West, on Jan. 26 travel to the deep south low country, on Feb. 2 kick up your heels with Texas coastal and on Feb. 9 New Orleans beckons..More...

2010 - Looking for balance

In my final article of 2010 I suggested a few resolutions to consider implementing in your portfolio planning. An important part of the investment process is reviewing what has worked and not worked for you, and the beginning of a new year is a traditional and appropriate time to do this. More...

Steelers and brothers too much for Chargers

The Sun sports Game of the Week was a Division II (10-12-year-old) matchup between the Mr. Spiffy Cleaning Chargers vs. the Walter & Associates Steelers in Community Center NFL Flag Football action. Strong Steelers defense and a cohesive offense proved too much for the Chargers. More...