Vol. 12 No. 10 - December 21, 2011

news

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Rental problem draws packed house

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach commissioners began delivering on their campaign promises to make short-term rental problems the focus of the new administration by holding a public work session last week.

A commission chamber overflowing with residents, property managers and others brainstormed suggestions to solve the noise, trash and parking problems caused by tourists in vacation rentals, the result of a recent redevelopment boom and the Island's growing reputation as a wedding destination. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryPopular sky lanterns causing concern

Safety concerns about releasing sky lanterns into the air at weddings and on holidays such as New Year's Eve have lit a fire under county officials to begin working on an ordinance regulating them.

Sky lanterns are made of paper, usually on a wire frame, with a candle that heats the air inside the paper, causing the lantern to become airborne. When the flame dies, the lantern lands – on the ground, in the water, in a tree, even on airport runways. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryOperator floats water shuttle proposal past board

ANNA MARIA – A water shuttle operator will have to get permission from the city pier's lease holder to dock there, commissioners said last week.

Tracey Dell said he and his wife, Kathleen, own a small vessel charter business and would like to offer service to and from the city's historic pier at the end of Pine Avenue. He said they have purchased a 50-foot vessel, which is big enough to cross Tampa Bay. More...

Center offers cooperation on cell tower

ANNA MARIA – Representatives of the Island Community Center told city commissioners that they want to cooperate with the city regarding the possibility of a cell tower at the Center.

"We met as a board several times in reference to a cell tower," explained Randy Langley, treasurer of the Center's Board of Directors. "We were approached by cell tower providers. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Kids feel the holiday spirit

ANNA MARIA – The stage was set for a watery appearance by Santa Claus, but the skill of Manatee County Rescue Lifeguard Rex Beach assured Santa made it to the kids with only sand and surf on his boots. More...

Churches schedule holiday worship

The Island's churches will hold services during the holidays for residents and visitors. Here is a list of those services:

• CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 778-0719, www.crosspointefellowship.com, will hold a Christmas Eve service on Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Christmas Day service at 10:15 a.m. More...

Commission approves Waste Management contract

ANNA MARIA – After hearing changes negotiated by staff to the city's franchise agreement with Waste Management, commissioners approved it last week.

Provisions of the agreement, which begins on April 1, 2012, and will be in place for seven years, are:

• Residential service for homesteaded properties will remain the same. The collection rate will be $18.94 per month, which includes a $1.25 fee for a recycling cart. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryBoard OKs baseball house move

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners gave their blessing to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society to move one of the city's historic "baseball houses' to the society's complex on Pine Avenue.

Melissa Williams, president of the Historical Society said Greg Spahn, the son of baseball legend Warren Spahn, has offered Infield to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. More...



features

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Boat parade sets holiday atmosphere

The Annual Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade was another holiday success, with dozens of vehicles and people on bikes, Segways and roller skates making their way down Gulf Drive from Bay Front Park. The Privateers led the parade with their pirate ship, "Skullywag," firing salvos from their mighty on-board artillery. Their destination was Coquina Beach, where Santa had a date with the kids who assembled to talk with him. It was another perfect parade with perfect weather. More...



OUTDOORS

Anna Maria Island Sun News StorySarasota Bay Watch begins historic scallop restoration

On Friday, Dec. 9, Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) instituted a revolutionary restoration project in Sarasota Bay. In multiple locations from Manatee County to Sarasota County SBW released close to 3 million scallop larvae over healthy grass beds. The group accessed the location with boats provided by Cannons Marina on Longboat Key. SBW considers the scallop restoration a true legacy project. Sarasota Bay Watch is undertaking a sustained, multi-year restoration effort, releasing scallops multiple times a year. More...

Review: The Hell's Bay Biscayne

I have to start this boat review with a disclosure. I've owned a Hell's Bay boat for close to eleven years and I count it among one of my prized possessions. When I got a call from Captain Todd Fuller with an offer to try out the Biscayne, Hell's Bay's newest boat, I jumped at the chance. Not only was there the opportunity to drive and fish the new model, but  I would also have the chance to meet and fish with Captain C.A. Richardson, host of "Flat's Class" a popular TV show that airs on Sun Sports, The Sportsman's Channel and The World Fishing Network. More...


real estate

Outdoor furniture stepping inside

It's Christmas week, and although we may not see any snow, there is a nip in the air. Never-the-less it's still Florida where everyone has to furnish not just the inside of their homes, but also the outside all year long. Wouldn't it be nice if you could do one stop shopping for all your furniture? Well now, thanks to some very creative European designers, you can. More...



business

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryNew generation shakes it up at Duffy's

HOLMES BEACH – A couple of years ago, if you went into Duffy's Tavern in Holmes Beach and ordered anything but a burger, a dog or some bean soup or chili, you would have been greeted with the famous raised eyebrow. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

The Walt Disney Company has confidence

Investment Corner

The Walt Disney Company, typically know as Disney, is perhaps one of the most economically sensitive corporations. Almost 100% of their revenue comes from the discretionary spending money of families. No one "needs" to travel to Orlando or Anaheim, pay the $60 - $70 per person admission, then spend additional money on food, beverages and souvenirs, and pay for a hotel room for a couple days. I think we'd all agree this is "want" based spending as opposed to "needs" based spending, and would be the first spending cut if things got tight. More...



SPORTS

NFL Flag Football Preview

The Sun Sports game of the week was the Center Cup Soccer Tournament finals in the Adult Co-Ed division. The number one ranked team, Ross Built Construction, battled the number two seeded team, Sato Real Estate, for the coveted title. More...

BBQ goes vegan — the ultimate mixed marriage

Feasting on Fitness

I was minding my own business doing a book signing at Geraldson's Community Farm, the source of amazing organic produce off 75th Street in Bradenton, across from Robinson Preserve. A woman starts chatting with me as people often do. I'm trying to multi-task not messing up my handwriting and focusing on the message I'm printing. So she says, "Have you ever eaten at Mr. Bones on the island?" More...


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