Vol. 14 No. 7 - December 11, 2013

news

Builder fined for hiring offenses

HOLMES BEACH – The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department has finished its inquiry into Beach to Bay Construction regarding hiring practices and has fined the Holmes Beach builder $52,247.80 for worksite enforcement violations, according to a release issued by the department.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has concluded its investigation into Beach to Bay Construction. The agency served Beach to Bay Construction with a final order in the amount of $52,247.80 for worksite enforcement violations.” More...

Sand to flow Thursday

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island’s beaches are scheduled to get new sand beginning on Thursday, county tourism officials learned on Monday.

The $16 million beach renourishment project will begin at 78th Street in Holmes Beach near the Martinique condos, work north for a short distance, then turn around and work south to Bradenton Beach, finishing around Bridge Street on Feb. 10, according to Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department. Coquina Beach renourishment to Longboat Pass will follow immediately and last another month, with the entire project targeted for completion in late March, depending on weather conditions. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryPier bait shop to open Saturday

BRADENTON BEACH – Last week, Jeffery “Rusty” Roberts was busy readying the Bradenton Beach Pier-based Rusty Anchor bait shop for its Saturday, Dec. 14, opening.

During the Thursday Dec. 5, Bradenton Beach Pier Team meeting, Roland Pena informed Pier Team members that the family business group intends to open the Pelican Perch concession stand on the same day. More...

Santa to stop in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – It’s an old-fashioned outdoor Christmas celebration on Friday as the merchants along Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue open their doors and porches to visitors and shoppers. It’s also a great way to see the new shops on Pine Avenue.

Come on out and see the new face of Pine Avenue. There are some truly unique items for sale and the merchants will have entertainment, food and drink. There will be a bingo game for prizes and you can vote for your favorite holiday decorations. Listen to the Roser Children’s Choir sing carols at Anna Maria Historical Park at 402 Pine Ave. at 6 p.m. Visit with Santa at The Sun newspaper in the AMI Sun Plaza. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryParade starts the shopping season

The mainland has Black Friday to mark the start of holiday shopping. On the Island, they have the Privateers Parade to start the shopping.

This year’s parade might have been a bit smaller than parades past, but there were lots of decorations on the vehicles, and the candy and beads flew through the air to the outstretched hands of the parade watchers. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

BRADENTON BEACH – Bridge Street has been a non-stop source of activity of late, and the fun continues Saturday, Dec. 14, during the sixth annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration taking place from 3 to 10 p.m.

Happening in the Bridge Street Market square, 107 Bridge Street, the holiday extravaganza will feature snow, Santa, a holiday bazaar, raffles, a 50-50 drawing, holiday music, live entertainment, and the Children’s Craft and Cookie Bazaar. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Holmes Beach, Chamber start celebration

HOLMES BEACH – It began at the Chamber, as board members gathered to watch the lights go on at the Christmas tree decoration in the parking lot, thanks to Miller Electric owner Ed Gocher, who spent final moments before the lighting making sure everything was secure.

After that, everyone went across the street to the stores to look at the merchandise and sample yuletide eats and drinks. There was live music in front of D Coy Ducks and lots of holiday lighting in the shops. More...

PAR pulls money for park development

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners got an earful last Thursday when an ongoing argument over parking spaces in the six-lots park development at Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard resulted in two people walking out of the city meeting. Pine Avenue Restoration (PAR) member Micheal Coleman withdrew a PAR offer of $100,000 over four years for further development of the commercial district. Coleman sent a letter to Mayor SueLynn the next day asking for the $9,379 PAR had already given the city.

Former City Commissioner Gene Aubrey, who drew up plans for the six lots that included trees around the perimeter, bathrooms and the parking spaces that have become so controversial, also walked out saying he would no longer donate work to the city. More...



features

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryLester Family Fun Day packs the house

ANNA MARIA – Lester Family Fun Day lived up to its name Saturday, providing a day of exciting activities, fantastic performances and visits with the big man himself – Santa Claus – for Island families and friends.

“It’s absolutely fantastic!” mom Jennifer Chatt declared. “It’s such a great place for the kids to be and have fun.” More...



OUTDOORS

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story The secret to finding fish

Finding fish is the goal of every fisherman and the best strategy I’ve encountered after years on the water is to stay aware and be flexible. While there are many “tried and true” methods to finding fish, there is no magic formula. I’ve used Captain Scott Moore’s explanation before, and while it’s simple, there’s a lot of truth to it.

When I asked him his secret to finding fish, his answer was, “Fish move around.” Moore was referring to the fact that fish move from one area to another according to a number of factors that we’ll never completely understand. Successful fishermen are flexible, keep an open mind and are always alert for clues. More...



real estate

What's included in a sale?

Selling your home is right up there with death and divorce in the emotions department. So when you’re placing your property on the market, be very careful about what you intend to remove and even be more specific about what you intend to leave.

In the spirit of full disclosure the inspiration and some of the facts for this column came from a recent Wall Street Journal piece about unusual contingencies sellers and buyers are putting into contracts of sale. Not only are pieces of art and furniture being included as part of sales contracts, but actual live animals and pets that sellers cannot take with them are being included. Apparently the practice of asking for unusual contingencies in sales contracts is up about 25 percent over the past five years as reported in the journal. More...



business

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

P.O.O.F.

Investment Corner

The curious title of this is an acronym originating from four words which greatly affect the outcome investors may receive on their investment plan. Predictions, outlooks, opinions and forecasts are all around us and generally lead to poor performance when followed by the masses.

Turn on CNBC or any investment oriented channel and the day is filled with talking heads that make predictions, render opinions and forecast where prices are headed. Sometimes they’re right, for a while, but for investors following the herd of the most popular investment predictions, history has not been kind. More...



SPORTS

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Island NFL Flag Football season begins

Are you ready for some football? The Anna Maria Island Community Center sure is. Last week marked the beginning of the NFL Flag Football season.

The Center’s Athletic Department registered 242 players and drafted those players into 35 different teams. The Community Center runs the only NFL Flag Football program in the area. Each team will have a local sponsor and wear a jersey from a NFL team. More...

Cooking classes coming in February

Feasting on Fitness

The weather this week has been amazing in the entire country. My old reporter-anchor memories came reeling back as I looked at the radar images in most of the states above Florida – a reminder that I don’t work for the chamber of commerce and do this column as a volunteer. But I bet you’re as glad as I am to be right here in paradise.

I have never seen such a large splotch of pink on a radar map. It had nothing to do with breast cancer and everything to do with massive ice storms. And some snow behind it for good measure. More...


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