Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Diamonds are a girl's best friend X 3 Yes indeed, diamonds are a girl's best friend, and more so when you win them! And even more so when it's celebrated with friends. Such was the case at the annual Anna Maria Island Community Center Affaire to Remember where Suki Janisch, right, was the winner of the diamond bracelet raffle and she shared the "moment" with chairperson Trudy Moon, left, and executive director of the Center Pierrette Kelly. More auction results inside. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Click on image to enlarge Affaire raises $300,000, Center big winner Saturday's "An Affaire to Remember" raised at least $300,000 for its sponsoring Anna Maria Island Community Center, the Center said yesterday after collating the results. Full Story... Commission delay causes withdrawal of grant writing offer By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter An offer by grant writer Angela Brewer of Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Commission to write a grant proposal to fund a variety of city stormwater-drainage- improvement projects for a federally funded program has been withdrawn, just about 12 hours after it was offered to the city. Full Story... Parking questions continue in Anna Maria By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners held a special meeting on parking April 23 to again discuss the Plan X parking proposal for the designated beach access zone from Commission Chairperson John Quam. Full Story... MPO eyes Bridge Street Pier for water taxi By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If the Manatee-Sarasota water-taxi idea ever hits the waves, a major transit point would likely be the Bradenton Beach City Pier at Bridge Street. Full Story... Moratorium extension rejected by Bradenton Beach planners By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board members have recommended to the city commission that the current building moratorium not be extended another year. Full Story... Key Royale Bridge funding pushed back By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach elected officials at the April 21 Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials got some bad news from County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann. Full Story... No Davis settlement, court action awaited By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A court-ordered mediation March 30 to resolve a lawsuit filed in August 2003 by Holmes Beach residents Ruthanne McLean and Barbara Coloney against the city and resident Frank Davis was apparently unsuccessful and the lawsuit will continue. Full Story... Sandpile could be safety hazard as 'attractive nuisance' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter That pile of dredged sand behind the baseball field in Holmes Beach could be a safety hazard, particularly for young kids playing on it, according to Holmes Beach resident Joan Graham. Full Story...