Having the time of their lives

A lot of young ladies at Anna Maria Elementary School had their first date on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the school's first Father-Daughter Valentine's Day Dance. Around 200 people attended, and they lined up to go backstage to have their pictures taken. Those pictures are on pages 41-43 and will be available for downloading at www.amisun.com. More...

Board to decide where to allow cell towers

ANNA MARIA – During a discussion of a new cell tower ordinance, commissioners said they want to hear from the public on where a cell tower should be allowed in the city.

According to the draft ordinance, they are only allowed on government property or in areas zoned for commercial or industrial development. But because of other restrictions, City Attorney Jim Dye said the only location that meets all the requirements is Galati's spoil island, but it is in the wrong land use category "You need to write the requirements," Dye said. "It's a policy decision the commission has to work its way through."More...

Festival's 30th a smash

The 30th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival drew record crowds – more than 20,000 people – to the historic fishing village last weekend to enjoy seafood, fish stories, arts and crafts, live music and displays at the Florida Maritime Museum. More...

Mainsail stays the course

HOLMES BEACH – Mainsail Lodge and Marina has been riding out the economic doldrums, but is still on course with plans for a 40-unit condo hotel with a 50-slip marina and a 120-seat restaurant, according to the company.

Anna Maria Island real estate is recovering faster than other areas in Florida, said Joe Collier, president of Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging and Development, projecting a possible fall start date for construction. More...

City rejects liquor permit request

BRADENTON BEACH – After hearing from the police chief that the department might get stretched too far if the city allows the Coquina concession stand to sell liquor, the city commission voted down a request for a conditional permit.

The request came from United Park Service (UPS), the company that the county hired to run concessions at the stand at Coquina and Manatee County public beaches. In making the request, UPS co-owner Alan Kahana updated the commission on the refurbishment of the stand at Coquina. He pointed out they were already selling beer and wine at the Manatee County Public Beach outlet with no problems. More...

Beach Bistro to host St. Patrick's Day Parade

The Beach Bistro will host the Fifteenth Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 8, starting at 4 p.m., beginning at Eat Here, on the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive, and ending Palm Drive and 79t Street around 5:30 p.m.

Those who want to participate are welcome. It's free. This parade attracts upwards of 15,000 spectators with its music and marching. In the past, World War II veterans were parade marshals but this year, Judy the elephant and her companion, Mr. Bones, will be the feature presentation. More...

Jazzfest draws huge crowd

ANNA MARIA – The thought of listening to jazz on the beach apparently appealed to a lot of people on Thursday, Feb. 9, as more than 250 people showed up for Jazzfest on the Beach, a fund-raiser for the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra (AMICCO).More...

Provisions made for surplus mullet

CORTEZ – Local leaders and fish processors are working together on a game plan to keep food fish from going to waste if another record mullet season occurs.

Last month, dead mullet washed up along local shorelines when net fishermen inundated with fish discarded less valuable male (white roe) mullet in favor of high-dollar female (red roe) mullet. More...

Climate change in Cortez

CORTEZ – If the state would lift the 1995 ban on gill nets, hearts would leap and boats would launch in the commercial fishing village of Cortez.

But there's no time to waste daydreaming. More...

Photograph catch and release digitally

While you've read these words before, I think it's important to keep reminding anglers of how easy it is to record a great catch and release it after taking a picture. For me, and I suspect many of you, there's a special satisfaction knowing that a fish that gave you pleasure and a great fight is still swimming. Photos of a special fish, magic light on the natural world or an outing with a friend hold the promise of years of enjoyment. More...

Surplus lines – make your voice heard

What do Punxsutawney Phil and Citizens Insurance have in common? One is a cute little rodent that makes predictions and one is a government agency that also likes to predict the future, only their predictions aren't so cute.

This month the Florida House passed a measure that would allow less regulated surplus lines insurance carriers to take over polices from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Surplus lines insurance carriers operate outside the safety net that pays claims when insurers fail. More...

Casino Night helps Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island will hold its ninth annual Casino Night on Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. Bernard Church auditorium, 248 South Harbor Drive in Holmes Beach. This year's theme is "An Evening in Las Vegas." The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. More...

Web Security 2.0

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

Security while using the Internet and e-mail was not something I envisioned as a priority when I started my registered investment advisory firm 20 years ago this month. Of course, many Internet-based services and tools we take for granted today weren't available back then. More...

Fantastic finish for first

The Sun sports game of the week was a thrilling exclamation point to an outstanding Saturday of flag football action. Nine games were played at the Community Center field on Feb. 18 and almost every contest winner was determined within the final few minutes of the games.

None were more exciting than the last of the day. A fantastic finish for first place in the 13-16 year old division between the Integrity Sound Redskins and the Jessie's Island Store Steelers.More...

There's no magic bullet

Feasting on Fitness By ellen Jaffe Jones

Breaking news: Whole Foods is going to start carrying my book. They carry very few. More on that next week.

Meanwhile, I wish I could tell you magic bullets exist. We want one for weight loss, getting off medications, and just feeling energetic. As a personal trainer, and from being a gym rat most of my life, the real magic bullet (drum roll please) is – ta-dah – diet and exercise. OK, what did you think I was going to say? Wink, wink. More...