Vol. 14 No. 24 - April 9, 2014

news

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryResidents vent over rezone plan

HOLMES BEACH – Residents opposed to a request for a zoning change at 214 54th Street vented their feelings at last week’s meeting of the planning commission.

“The ultimate end result is that is would be setting a terrible precedent and would have a very negative impact on the residential neighborhood,” Dick Motzer stressed, receiving applause for summing up the sentiment of the group. More...

Noise rules cause a commotion

BRADENTON BEACH – Two weeks after unanimously approving a new noise ordinance, Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon and Vice Mayor Janie Robertson are among those having second thoughts.

On Thursday night, commissioners unanimously agreed to reconsider the noise ordinance, beginning with the Tuesday, April 15, commission workshop that will begin at 1 p.m. The new commission workshop format will allow commissioners and staff time to discuss potential revisions to the ordinance, but does provide for public input. More...

Affaire live auction packages will delight

ANNA MARIA – Be prepared to bid on a fabulous selection of live auction packages at An Island Affaire’s "Just Another Day in Paradise” on Saturday, April 12, at the Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Packages at this annual dinner fund-raiser feature everything from trips to tropical island destinations to sumptuous dining to the ultimate baseball experience. A sampling of them include: More...

Affaire’s importance stressed

“The Island Affaire gala is an extremely important fundraising event for the Anna Maria Island Community Center,” Assistant Executive Director Scott Dell stressed. “It provides much needed programs and services to over 3,500 individuals ages 4 to 92 – never turning anyone away for lack of resources.

“With almost 20 percent of its annual budget derived from the Affaire, its success is vital to the accomplishment of the Center’s mission. It is not too late to truly make a difference.” More...

Hancock Bank offers parking spots

HOLMES BEACH – Congestion committee Chair Carol Soustek reported success in working with Hancock Bank as an alternative parking site near the Manatee Public Beach for beachgoers to use.

“They are so nice to work with,” she said. “They are blowing me away with their cooperation. They have 22 spots and they want four ATM parking spots with signs.

They do not want anybody parking in the drive through or on the grass.” More...

Charges added to stabbing suspect

HOLMES BEACH – A man charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in the stabbing of a woman March 15, faces more charges after the victim and her roommate found a homemade weapon in the suspect’s possessions. The crude device is not a gun, police said, but it can shoot ammunition with a limited range.

Andrew James Helderman, 23, has been charged with possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon. When questioned about the device in jail, he took the Fifth Amendment and refused to talk. More...

Easter fun in Anna Maria

The Easter Bunny will visit the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria on Saturday, April 19, starting at 9 a.m. for the 28th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, co-sponsored by The Anna Maria Island Sun. Refreshments will be served in the pavilion next to the restaurant starting at 8:30 a.m., followed by the egg hunt at 9 a.m. sharp. Kids will be separated into different age groups to hunt Easter eggs on the beach. Kids are urged to bring a bag for their eggs.

Following that, the Easter Bunny will lead a parade down Pine Avenue for the Fifth Annual Easter Egg Roll and the Fourth Annual Easter Bonnet Contest. More...

Easter services scheduled

The churches of Anna Maria Island will be busy the Holy Week of Easter as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here’s a rundown of their schedules.

• CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 778-0719. There will be a service on Good Friday at 7 p.m. and an Easter Sunday service at 9 a.m.

• Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 778-1638. Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday, April 14-16; Eucharist and healing at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 17; Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. includes foot washing, stripping of the altar and the vigil in the garden; the vigil in the garden continues on Friday, April 18, at 8 a.m. and there will be a Good Friday service at noon entitled Seven Last Words. On Easter Sunday, they will there will be a Eucharist Rite 1 with music at 7:30 p.m., at 9 a.m. Rite II with music, a 10:15 a.m. Easter egg hunt and an 11 a.m. Rite II with music. More...



features

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryWishes comes true in West Coast Surf Shop

HOLMES BEACH – Sometimes wishes do come true.

Just ask 20-year-old Matthew Bauer, who after recovering from leukemia, was treated last Friday to a daylong Make-A-Wish shopping spree that began with a limo ride to the historic West Coast Surf Shop in Holmes Beach.

Accompanied by his mom, Julie Pecor, his friends, Casey Coleman and Max Marnie, and Make-A-Wish representatives Sarah Robbins and Russ Larsen, Bauer’s wish list included a brand new Al Merrick Average Joe 57 surfboard, the first new board he has ever owned. More...



OUTDOORS

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Sarasota Bay Watch made great strides in 2013

In an executive summary prepared by Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) President Larry Stults Ph.D., J.D., he recapped the organization’s accomplishments in 2013. In total, Sarasota Bay Watch and its volunteers donated well over 2500 hours to restore and protect local waterways, marine life and habitat. Volunteers also removed over two miles of fishing line from local waterway bird rookeries and rescued live entangled birds.

During 2013, SBW sponsored seven volunteer-based events, including the 6th annual Great Scallop Search, the 5th annual Sister Keys Cleanup and a scallop nursery cleanup at Mote Marine. Students from numerous area schools and from Sarasota CREW partnered selected events. More...



real estate

Another way to sell high end properties

The first time I heard the phrase “Think outside the box” was in a real estate seminar when I first relocated to Florida. At the time, I thought it was a clever phrase encouraging sales people to try unique methods of marketing. Now, however, in spite of it becoming overused and trite, the spirit of the message is still valuable when selling property.

Even though the real estate market has improved all over the country, there are still ways to think outside the box, especially if your property is unique, only appealing to a slim range of buyers. Unusual locations or architecture always have a limited number of buyers, but properties that are considered luxury properties could also have challenges finding a buyer. This is where an old method that has been updated in our electronic age comes in, the auction. More...



business

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryYou'll lova Lava Lava tropical boutique

When is the last time someone actually said to you they want to enhance your vacation experience? If the answer is never, you only need to go to Gulf Drive in Anna Maria where the owner says her products are designed with that exact goal in mind.

Last year Sarah Michel found herself relocated to Florida from California as a result of her husband’s job transfer. Using her native Hawaiian heritage, her experience designing sarongs and working in the fashion industry for 15 years, Michel thought Anna Maria Island was the perfect location for her new business. In November she opened Lava Lava Tropical Beachwear adding another burst of color to the north end of the Island. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Was tax season too taxing?

Investment Corner

With about one week left in the official 2013 tax filing season, most readers will have filed their returns by now, but some will have procrastinated until the last minute or perhaps even intend on filing an extension. Sometimes procrastination is driven by fear of the unknown – in this case, the potential to have to send Uncle Sam some additional tax dollars if you under-paid last year.

Unfortunately, other than a last minute deductible contribution to your IRA or other retirement plan, there isn’t a lot you can do to affect the outcome at this point. But, it’s a great time to consider strategies that can help position you over the remainder of 2014 that may help with next year’s tax bill. More...



SPORTS

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Duffy’s Eagles are Super Bowl champs

The Sun sports game of the week was the 18 and over co-ed flag football Super Bowl game featuring the Beach to Bay Construction Dolphins versus the Duffy’s Tavern Eagles. The Dolphins entered the playoffs as the number two seeded team and the Eagles came into the playoffs as the underdog number four seed.

The Beach to Bay Dolphins struck first at the 12-minute mark in the first half. Quarterback Ryan Moss pitched back to his brother Jonathan Moss. Jonathan then passed back to Ryan who was sprinting down field for the touchdown. The extra-point was good on a crossing route Ryan Moss pass to Shawn Kaleta and made the score 7-0. More...

Healthy food can taste great

Feasting on Fitness

As a TV reporter ages ago, I used to get paid the big bucks (ha) getting all sides to a story and doing the research it takes. So this volunteer column is the result of my week’s experiences and what I can write in two to three hours time. I always hope to inspire and prevent needless suffering of humans and animals that occurs way too often.

It is my belief that in our area, it would be a huge financial benefit if we had more vegan restaurants. Really vegan restaurants.

Like the exclusively vegan restaurant Ionie’s in Sarasota. My friend, Carl Lovejoy, is the amazing chef there. Check out restaurants’ Facebook pages or websites to see what they’re serving. More...


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