Vol. 12 No. 14 - January 18, 2012

news

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Aerial Artistry

Anna Maria Island, our place in paradise. From the ground it’s beautiful, of course. But from the air, it's breathtaking, with hues of impossibly blue water fading into sugar-white sand. Take a photographic voyage with aerial photographer Troy Morgan, of Photos From The Air, and enjoy the views he shares with the seabirds. View the PDF

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Dude, where's our pier?

HOLMES BEACH – The pier at Manatee Public Beach, demolished for safety reasons in 2009, is missed by visitors and residents and needs to be replaced, Manatee County Commission Chair Carol Whitmore says.

The commission voted in 2009 to replace the structure, which still appears in tourism ads, and helped keep the beach from eroding, Whitmore said at a recent county commission meeting. More...

Anna Maria tackles residental rental issue

ANNA MARIA – The rental business is booming here in this small city just like it is all over Anna Maria Island. And, just as in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, problems with noise and overcrowding have some permanent residents wishing business wasn't quite so good. More...

Different, but still the same

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...

Center hopes to force cell tower issue

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...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Making use of unwanted mullet a Catch-22

Try to find a way to keep discarded mullet from washing up on local shorelines and get it into the hands of the hungry, and you're likely to wind up in a catch-22.

As reported in The Sun on Jan. 4, a plentiful harvest of mullet over the past few weeks filled Cortez fish house freezers to capacity, causing them to buy only female mullet, which carry high-dollar red roe, an Asian delicacy. More...

Birdie Tebbetts Field safe

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

HOLMES BEACH – The city can't allow Birdie Tebbetts Field to go completely to the dogs, despite requests from citizens, according to Mayor Rich Bohnenberger.

The field is listed in the city's comprehensive plan as part of its "recreational" element, he said, adding that private donors and the Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department contributed funds for the field with the agreement that people would always be able to play baseball there. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryGate talks continue this week

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach officials and attorneys plan to continue negotiating a property dispute over the 27th Street border between the cities on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at Holmes Beach City Hall.

The Holmes Beach City Commission also is expected to discuss the matter Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at its regular meeting at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. More...

7th annual Jazz Fest set for Feb. 9 at the Sandbar

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...



features

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Record crowd braves the chill

HOLMES BEACH – A record 280 runners braved temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s last Saturday to run in the Anna Maria Elementary School's Dolphin Dash, co-sponsored and sanctioned by the Bradenton Runners Club.

The runners ranged from youngsters, including AME students, up to one man more than 75 years old. There appeared to be no serious injuries, although a spectator with a son in the race passed out and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. More...


OUTDOORS

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryTailor angling plan to suit your surroundings

It's good to have a plan, but anglers have to be careful not to get hooked to it when fishing. When heading for a destination to "work" a plan, it is important you are not so caught up with where you're going that you miss opportunities that might be passing you. Being present and aware with each moment can yield some unexpected results. I'm sure everyone has experienced that in one form or another. As you run an edge, the subtle flash up on the flat catches your eye and, upon inspection, you find a school of fish that may be in a totally different area than you expected. On many occasions over the years I've had a plan in mind and never gotten to it because something better shows up along the way. More...


real estate

Smart money finding investments in rentals

My generation had it beaten into our heads that owning your own home was the only sensible choice both financially and socially. I can still hear my parent's voice in my head "paying rent is throwing money away," but financial times have changed drastically during the past five years and what was once a given is now only a luxury. More...



business

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Goin' to the dogs at AMI Beach Doggies

In 1958, when Bobby Darin wrote and recorded his great hit, "Splish Splash" I doubt he thought his signature song would ever be used to promote a pet grooming boutique. But when you call AMI Beach Doggies to make an appointment for your furry friend that's what you're likely to hear. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Investment Resolutions

Investment Corner

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...



SPORTS

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Ravens roll Raiders

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...

Tough to lose in good humor

Feasting on Fitness

I really, really try to be a good loser. Mama taught me that. I play Words With Friends (the #1 app on smart phones that's an abbreviated scrabble game) and beat everyone most of the time. I play other cookbook authors around the country. You can chat with opponents, too, and we authors chat about how we see words in our head and are just, well, a little "different." That's why we are authors. That's why we write. We love words and we love to put them together. I look at a scrabble board and see all kinds of words. More...


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