Port Dolphin delays project

Port Dolphin Energy has received a three-year extension to complete its onshore facilities, two years less than it requested after changing natural gas market conditions prompted the company to re-examine its project. More...

Trend of manatee deaths continues

For three years in a row, endangered manatees have died in record numbers in Florida waters, with 2011 ranking second with 453 documented dead manatees, according to state wildlife officials.

The number is down from a record 766 in 2010, which shattered the 2009 record of 429 deaths, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). More...

Sun photo helps save the day

A nationally acclaimed double bassist who performed Nov. 13 with the Anna Maria Island Concert Choir and Orchestra and whose picture was featured on the front page of The Anna Maria Island Sun Nov. 16 got his instrument back after it had been stolen, thanks in part to that picture. More...

Taylor county employee of month

Clean beaches don't just happen; seaweed, used diapers, dead fish, cigarette butts and a blue million of those little plastic bucket handles seldom bother beachgoers thanks to Mark Taylor. More...

Dick Hyman opens concert series at Roser

ANNA MARIA – Roser Memorial Community Church welcomes world-renowned pianist and composer Dick Hyman as the first musician in its concert series, which kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Hyman's musical career began in the 50s and includes film, orchestra and chamber music compositions; concert appearances and more than 100 albums. He served as music director for Arthur Godfrey and orchestrated the hit musical, "Sugar Babies." More...

Dolphin Dash takes center stage

HOLMES BEACH – The weekend gets off to an energetic start Saturday morning, Jan. 14, with the Sixth Annual Dolphin Dash at Anna Maria Elementary School.

Conceived by parent Rebecca Walter as a way to get kids into a healthy lifestyle, the race gets more popular each year as more children and adults sign up. This year, Walter said initial signups are running above last year's. More...

Five candidates seek four FISH board seats

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board has unanimously accepted the 2012 slate of candidates for officers and membership on the board.

The five candidates for the four open board seats are four incumbent board members – John Banyas, Kim McVey, Jane von Hahmann and David Zaccagnino – and FISH volunteer Marshall Fisher. More...

New director at AMI Art League

HOLMES BEACH – Christina Reginelli's first few months as the new director of the Anna Maria Island Art League have been a baptism by fire, but that has only fueled her enthusiasm.

"My first week we had the faculty show," she said, "and I got to meet the faculty members and see their work. Next was artsHOP weekend, which was great because I got to meet people involved in Island arts and culture, and then came Winterfest." More...

Narcissus may follow Regina as underwater preserve

'A Few Great Flies ... And How To Fish Them'

One of the last things I expected from an Aussie (Australian), especially a fisherman, was for them to be too serious about anything. On a recent trip to the Cook Islands, I had the pleasure of fishing with and spending a bit of time in a local pub with several professional fly anglers from Australia. We were on the atoll of Aitutaki to teach fly casting, tying and rigging to a group of local anglers who were hoping to become bonefishing guides. 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...

Is refinancing still an option?

Investment Resolutions

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

By now you've made it and probably started to work on resolutions for 2012. Weight Watchers has been busy taking in new clients who are trying to fight the bulge, as have the health clubs trying to help those stay in better shape.

So, while it's not exactly an early start for the investment related resolutions below, I don't think it's ever too late to implement some or all of these in your financial life. More...

Strong defense for Southern Greens Jets

The opening contest for the Sun Sports game of the week was an eight to nine year old, Division III, defensive game between the Southern Greens Jets and the Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys. More...

Kickstarting your New Year's resolutions

Feasting on Fitness By ellen Jaffe Jones

The owner of VitaminSeas Health Foods on the Island came to a health food store expo for the Southeast at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center in Kissimmee recently and saw that I was the featured author. In fact, I was the only author invited by my publisher and the largest distributor of health food books in the U.S. The expo was open only to health food stores across the Southeast. Since my book is the distributor's #1 seller, they used it as a free giveaway to attract health food store owners to their booth. More...