Spreading sands
Work crews from Florida Dock & Dredge spread sand dredged from Bimini Bay, then pumped north to renourish the Tampa Bay shoreline by the Anna Maria City Pier. The pumping operation was to move north, between the pier and the Lake LaVista Inlet, once job wraps up on the south side of the pier. The project is funded by a West Coast Inland Navigation District grant to keep the Bimini Bay pass open for marine navigation, and the city requested the pumped material for the shoreline. A WCIND press release said the project, which began Feb. 9, should be completed in two weeks, and at no cost to the city. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin
FEMA awards fire agencies $800,000
Thanks to the grant-writing skills of West Manatee Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Brett Pollock, the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded an $800,000 grant this month to improve Manatee County fire-rescue communications.
“Brett Pollock should be congratulated on this,” said WMFR Commission Chair Randy Cooper at the district’s Feb. 16 meeting. “I’m really impressed with his effort. His grant writing makes us look very good.”
Cooper also credited U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, and the Manatee County Fire Chiefs Association for their support in obtaining the grant.
Although Pollock wrote the regional application, all fire districts and departments in Manatee County will benefit with funding to help replace some 286 portable and mobile radios. Depending on pricing, Pollock hopes the grant will allow for even more radio replacements.
“Radios are a vital part of what we do,” he said, “having our radios function properly (is vital) to our job as emergency responders.”
FEMA used the peer-review process to award the grant, the largest awarded to the department and the only regional grant, according to Pollock.
WMFR Chief Andy Price said the district was looking at doing its own radio replacements, and the grant has provided a “tremendous cost savings.”
Pollock said West Manatee will realize $97,000 in savings.
The funds are limited to replacing obsolete equipment.
“I couldn’t have written the grant without the cooperation and data input from all the departments,” Pollock said.
In other matters, with the dissenting vote of Commissioner Scott Ricci and absence of Commissioner Jesse Davis, the commission approved 3-1 a motion to seek requests for proposals from contractors to remodel Station No. 2, 10350 Cortez Road, Bradenton.
Ricci said the district wants to explore options for the station’s parking lot, possibly obtaining more land or moving the cell tower, before undertaking the RFP process.
Other commissioners said the options could still be explored during the process.
Chief Andy Price said, “Personally, I feel the need to get the project off the ground.”
At the commission’s December meeting, Cooper indicated a consideration for remodeling Station #2, which was not part of the 2011 project, is the possibility of the firefighters’ living quarters being relocated.
The remodeling of Station No. 2 is similar in scope to the 2011 remodeling of Station No. 1, both having a projected cost of $150,000-$200,000, according to Cooper.
Island real estate transactions – 02-22-2012
104 Sunset Ln., Holmes Beach, a 2,577 sfla / 4,237 sfur 3bed/3bath Gulffront home built in 1992 on a 80×326 lot was sold 01/27/12, Rybak to Mikles for $1,800,000; list $1,950,000.
1112 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach, a 1,464 sfla / 1,709 sfur 3bed/2bath Gulffront home built in 1995 on a 50×100 lot was sold 01/27/12, Hamrich to Dedrick for $965,000.
402 South Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, a 1,953 sfla / 2,489 sfur 3bed/2bath/2car bayfront home built in 1952 on a 60×85 lot was sold 01/25/12, Coughlin to Mikles for $790,000; list $899,000.
307 63rd St., Unit A, 63rd Street Coastal Cottages, Holmes Beach, a 1,650 sfla 3bed/3bath/1car land condo built in 2011 was sold 01/31/12, 63rd Street Coastal Cottages LLC to Litchfield for $550,000.
209 73rd St., Holmes Beach, a 1,559 sfla / 2,711 sfur 3bed/2bath/2car pool home built in 1963 on a 96×105 lot was sold 01/31/12, Myers to Willis for $510,000.
6006 Gulf Dr., Unit 114, Playa Encantada, Holmes Beach, a 1,154 sfla / 1,322 condo with shared pool built in 1980 was sold 02/01/12, Allen to Hayhow for $372,000.
117 North Bay Blvd., Anna Maria a vacant 57×110 lot was sold 01/30/12, Hebebrand to Perraud for $340,000.
6250 Holmes Blvd., Unit 27, North Beach Village, Holmes Beach, a 1,536 sfla / 2,055 sfur 3bed/2½bath/2car condo with shared pool built in 1989 was sold 01/27/12, McDonnell to Trivisonno for $301,000; list $325,000.
1325 Gulf Dr. N., Unit 168, Tortuga, Bradenton Beach, a 1,120 sfla / 1,260 sfur 2bed/2bath condo with shared pool built in 2006 was sold 01/27/12, Priakos to Spiral Galaxy LLC for $270,000; list $285,000.
1000 Gulf Dr. N., Unit 8, Beach House Resort, Bradenton Beach, a 450 sfla 1bed/1bath Gulffront condo with shared pool built in 1983 was sold 01/25/12, Frady to Seybold for $250,000; list $280,000.
600 Manatee Ave., Unit 130, Westbay Cove, Holmes Beach, a 1,179 sfla / 1,567 sfur 2bed/2bath condo with shared pool built in 1977 was sold 02/01/12, Howe to Howard for $205,000; list $229,900.
2711 Gulf Dr., Bradenton Beach, a 1,350 sfla / 2,090 sfur 2bed/2bath home built in 1987 on a 50×100 lot was transferred 01/31/12, Daugherty to Federal National Mortgage Association for $142,100.
2312 Avenue C, Unit 5, Jack of Hardts Lay Z Liv N, Bradenton Beach, a 651 sfla 2bed/1bath condo with shared pool built in 1979 was sold 01/27/12, Aucar to Amey for $135,000; list $149,000.
117 7th St. N., Unit 35, Bay View Terrace, Bradenton Beach, a 594 sfla / 638 sfur 1bed/1bath condo with shared pool built in 1973 was sold 01/26/12, Tedhams to Moritz for $110,000; list $124,900.
Jesse Brisson, broker/associate at Gulf-Bay Realty of Anna Maria, can be reached at 941-778-7244.
Sunset promise
The Islander Promise Day group of some 45 couples and friends walk to the shore to share the final rays of daylight on Valentine’s Day 2012. The event was co-sponsored by Anna Maria Island Café on the Beach. Islander Photos: Jack Elka
Obituaries – 02-22-2012
Patrice Conner
Patrice Conner, 55, of Holmes Beach, died Feb. 8.
Service was Feb. 16 in Tampa. Garden of Memories Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Mrs. Conner is survived by husband Jeffrey; sister Linda and husband David Blatt; a step-son and nephews and their families.
Patricia Hanahan Engman
Patricia Hanahan Engman, of Anna Maria, died Feb. 20. She was born May 1, 1942, at Camp Stuart in Hinesville, Ga., and grew up in Lakeland, Fla., where she attended Lakeland Senior High School.
Mrs. Engman received her A.B. degree, cum laude, in 1965 from Coker College, Hartsville, S.C., and her J.D. degree from the University of Florida Law School in 1969.
Following law school, she clerked for Judge David McCain of the Fourth District Court of Appeals of Florida.
In 1970, she was assistant to the campaign manager for Lawton Chiles during the first Walkin’ Lawton Campaign for the U.S. Senate. She moved to Washington, D.C., in 1971 as a staff attorney for Senator Chiles. In following years, Mrs. Engman served as a congressional liaison officer for the Federal Trade Commission, counsel for legislative and administrative affairs for Bristol-Myers, and as the executive director at the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs of leading U.S. companies. In 2006, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to a President’s Emergency Board.
She was active in numerous community and civic affairs in Washington and in her Florida retirement. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., and Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach. She was a member of the Washington Women’s Forum. She served on the board of trustees of Coker College 1993-1999 and received its distinguished alumni award. In her retirement, she sat on the board of Florida House and was a member of the Suncoast Women’s Forum. She was a member of Key Royale Club and the Bradenton Country Club.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb 25, at the Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice & Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota FL 34238.
Mrs. Engman is survived by sons Geoffrey of Texas, Jonathan of Michigan and Richard of Florida; brother Dr. Ralph Bailey Hanahan IV; sisters Christy Hanahan Powell and Elizabeth (Lisa) Hanahan Taylor; eight grandchildren; and her fiancé, John Kolojeski.
Penny Anne Miller
Penny Anne Miller, 53, of Holmes Beach, died Feb. 8.
She was born Sept. 8, 1958, in Allentown, Pa. She had moved to Florida in 1979.
Schaeffer Funeral Home, Lehighton, Pa., was in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Miller is survived by her longtime companion, Ben Azerli, of Holmes Beach.
Vienna E. Miranda
Vienna E. Miranda, 93, of Holmes Beach, died Feb. 18.
Vienna was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and the Women’s Auxiliary at the church.
Mrs. Miranda is survived by her sons, Frank Miranda of Tampa and Edward Miranda of Sarasota; sister, Edwina Letteriello of Philadelphia, Pa.; grandson, Michael Miranda and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home. Funeral mass will take place at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at St Bernard Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mansion Memorial Park.
Theresa J. Treni
Theresa J. Treni, 84, of Holmes Beach, formerly of Bradenton and Sarasota, died Feb. 16. She was born Sept. 24, 1927, in Altoona, Pa.
Mrs. Treni came to Florida in 1983 to Sarasota and Bradenton, and then to Holmes Beach. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic church, Holmes Beach.
A memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated sometime after Easter at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Holmes Beach. Shannon Funeral Home-Westview Chapel, Bradenton, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.
Mrs. Treni is survived by husband Henry; sons Michael of Ramsey, N.J., Stephen of Englewood, and Henry of Venice; daughters Rebecca of Beorne, Texas, and Tammy Riddle of Venice; sister Donna Stoltenberg of Altoona, Pa.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Peter Johnson Van Pelt
Peter Johnson Van Pelt, 74, of Bradenton, died Feb. 6, after an extended illness. He was born June 13, 1937, at Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y.
Mr. Van Pelt served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962 installing landing equipment. His career included work in management for W.T. Grant, Singer, WLFH Radio and Moval Management Corp. In 1974, he joined a team established by U.S. Rep. Donald Mitchell (N.Y.) to rescue the Library Bureau Inc. The team organized and purchased the Library Bureau. Mr. Van Pelt was its sales manager in Florida.
Mr. Van Pelt retired in 1991 to Bradenton, where he established two businesses, Birkey’s Cleaners and the Deli and Bagel Shop at Braden River Plaza, Bradenton.
He was a member of the Herkimer Area Development Corp., Lions Club and Kiwanis Club, a life-time member of the Elks Lodge and Roser Memorial Community Church.
A memorial service was held Feb. 17 at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Memorial donations may be made to Roser Church, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria FL 34216.
Mr. Van Pelt is survived by his wife of 51 years, Louise (Smith); son Craig J. of Ilion, N.Y.; extended family and many friends.
The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
Island police blotter – 02-22-2012
Anna Maria
• Feb 4, 200 block of Elm Avenue, disturbance. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy, while on patrol, heard a car horn blaring and stopped to investigate. According to the report, a tenant was upset that another renter was moving into the residence before she moved out. After contacting the rental agency, the complainant discovered she had confused the dates and was supposed to have moved out the previous day.
• Feb. 11, 100 block of Peppertree Lane, burglary. Unknown persons entered the residence of a man visiting from West Virginia. The victim reported a Toshiba laptop computer and a mouse, and a Motorola cellphone, valued at $500, were taken while he was sleeping.
Anna Maria is policed by the MCSO.
Bradenton Beach
• No new reports
Bradenton Beach is policed by the BBPD.
Cortez
• Feb. 11, 12506 Harbour Landings Drive, burglary and vehicle theft. Unknown subjects entered the home of an elderly couple during the night by cutting the screen of the couple’s pool enclosure, then entered the residence through an open window on the second floor. Several items were reported stolen, including the victim’s car. Fingerprints were taken at the scene.
• Feb. 11, 4334 127th St., vehicle recovered. A business owner contacted MSCO in regards to a vehicle that was improperly parked in the business parking lot. It was discovered that the vehicle had been stolen out of Pinellas County.
Cortez is policed by the MCSO
Holmes Beach
• Feb. 9, 100 block of 50th Street, burglary. Renters reported they watched television on their back patio until midnight. Upon waking, one renter joked they should check to see if they still had a TV, as one was stolen next door the previous day. The TV was stolen.
• Feb. 10, 200 block of 69th Street, burglary. Police responded to the report of a stolen TV from the back porch. While investigating, police determined that a TV also had been stolen from the neighboring residence.
• Feb. 9, 100 block of 78th Street, burglaries to vehicles. A complainant reported that her vehicle had been ransacked overnight. The victim reported she left her vehicle unlocked. The only item missing was a pair of sunglasses. A second victim in the same block also reported a vehicle burglary. He reported to police he also left his vehicle unlocked. Stolen items were a black case with classical music CDs, a Garmin GPS unit and prescription eye drops.
• Feb. 9, 100 block of 50th Street, burglary. A TV was reported stolen from the owner’s back porch.
• Feb.12, 6000 block of Flotilla Drive, elderly abuse. A Department of Children and Families adult protective investigator contacted police over possible abuse to an elderly woman. The investigator reported that a 90-year-old woman had suffered abuse at the hands of her 25-year-old grandson, and that he had stolen money, according to the report. The woman denied any abuse had occurred. Police observed the woman was coherent and had no visible marks. No action was taken.
Holmes Beach is policed by the HBPD.
Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach police departments and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Sports – 02-22-2012
The Steelers’ Andrew Early makes a sliding flag pull against Colts receiver Malachi Goode during 10-12 division NFL Flag Football action at the Anna Maria Island Community Center. Islander Photo: Kevin Cassidy
Colts remain undefeated in AMICC NFL 10-12 division action
Mr. Bone’s BBQ Colts showed why it’s the team to beat in the 10-12 division with a convincing 44-29 victory Feb. 18 over the Sand Dollar Steelers, which fielded only five players.
Substitues may not have figured in this game, as Mr. Bones’ Rory Houston ran wild. Houston had runs of 34, 43 and 45 yards, and it appears nobody on the Steelers team, or in the league for that matter, can run with him. He also threw for 145 yards and finished with 101 rushing yards on only four carries in the victory.
The other side of the 10-12 division also had a first-versus-second place matchup as the LPAC Cardinals took on Ross Built Broncos. The second-place Broncos took it to the Cardinals 44-20 to move into a tie for first place, and only a couple of games remain to play before the playoffs.
The 8-9 division is a wide open affair as evidenced by Gettel Toyota Texans and Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys — the two teams in a tie for last place — beating the first and second place Beach Bistro Vikings and Waterfront Restaurant Raiders last week.
The 13-16 division is a two-horse race between Integrity Sound Redskins and Jessie’s Island Store Steelers, but the Redskins one-upped the Steelers with a close 25-22 victory Feb. 18 to almost lock down the top seed for the playoffs.
Jospeh Andruzzi led the Redskins with eight catches for 92 yards and three touchdown receptions. Quarterback Joey Carder completed seven of eight passes for 88 yards and three touchdown passes. Joey Carder also caught one touchdown pass thrown by brother Justin Carder, who completed eight of 12 passes for 94 yards. Andrew Zink added five receptions for 31 yards and an extra point in the victory. Joey Carder paced the defense with four flag pulls, including two quarterback sacks, while Ryan Gilman added three pulls and Andruzzi picked off one pass.
Michael Duffman had a strong all-around game, finishing with 52 rushing yards and 135 passing yards, while also scoring a touchdown, a two-point conversion and throwing two touchdown passes. Nehemiah Goode added three receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown while Cody Tsai finished with 66 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Michael Duffman and Knox Wheelis paced the defense with three flag pulls while Brad Duffman and Evan Thompson each added two pulls in the loss.
Key Royale golf news
With the women’s and men’s club championships ongoing, as well as the couple’s championship, there’s a lot of golf action coming out of Key Royale Club.
However, nothing grabs the attention of golfers more than a hole in one. Ken Rickett did just that Feb. 17 with an ace on the 123-yard, eighth hole with a nine iron.
Congratulations on the accomplishment.
The Key Royale Club men’s 18-hole golf champion will be crowned Feb. 20 — after presstime for The Islander — as Tim Friessen takes on Lex Halagan. Laura Purcell took a big step towards being crowned the 2012 women’s club champ when she defeated 2011 champ Jean Holmes. Purcell now will meet the winner of the Liz Lange-versus-Diane Miller matchup, Feb. 23.
The second round of the club couples championship, played with a Pinehurst Handicap System, continues. Jerry and Kris Landkammer are in first place with a 25, while Karen Cini and Larry Pippel are at second place with a 26. Bob and Liz Lange are in third place with a 27.
Round three action saw Heather and Ron Pritchard finish with a 23 to take over first place, followed by Bob and Liz Lange at 24. Sue Hookem and Merrit Fineout came in third with a 26. The final round of the couples’ champioship will be played on or before Feb. 23.
In regular men’s golf action last week, an 18-hole, better-ball-of-partners match was played Feb. 15. The team of Don LaTorre and Jack Isherwood took first place with a 14-under-par 50. The team of Ernie Hauser and John Sagert matched the 10-under-par 54 carded by Jim McVicar and Andy Barber to finish in a tie for second place.
The KRC women took the course Feb. 14 for a nine-hole, low-net-in-flight match. Judy Crowe fired a 5-under-par 27 to grab a one-shot victory in Flight A over Helen Pollack and Laura Purcell.
Beverly Neville and Ginny Nunn both carded 4-under-par 28 to tie for first place in Flight B. Liz Lange, Jan Turner, Margrit Layh and Beth Lindeman finished in a four-way tie for second place at 29.
Maryanne Kaemmerlen and Judy Ward fired matching 3-under-par 29s to finish in a tie for first place in Flight C. Barb Estok was one shot back in second place.
Vicki Anderson carded a 4-under-par 28 to grab a one-shot victory in Flight D over Shirley Cessna. Marty Clark was alone in third place with a 2-under-par 30.
The team low-net game of the day was won by the foursome of Judy Crowe, Jean Holmes, Margrit Layh and Laura Purcell with a 114 total.
Rich Papini’s plus-8 gave him first place in the Feb. 14 modified-Stableford match and helped his team of Gary Alvord, John Purcell and Jack Isherwood to an almost-perfect plus-11 total and a first-place finish.
The men played a two-better-balls-of-foursome match Feb. 13. The team of Chet Hutton, Tom Warda and Jerry Landkammer took first place with a 50. Second place went to the team of Charlie Knopp and Bill Martin at 52.
The men played an 18-hole, individual-low-net match Feb. 11. Gino DiClemente carded a 3-under-par 61 to take first place by two shots over Earl Richie. Bob Elliott was alone in third at even-par 64.
Horseshoe news
Two teams emerged from 16 that started pool play during Feb. 18 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. George McKay and Norm Good defeated Sam Samuels 22-20 in the finals.
Four teams qualified for the knockout round during Feb. 15 horseshoe action. In the first semifinal match, John Crawford and Norm Good rolled past Herb Puryear and Bruce Munro 23-9. Bob Lee and Adin Shank edged Gene Bobeldyk and Bob Brown 21-17 in the second semifinal. Crawford-Good then slipped past Lee- Shank 21-17 in the finals.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
AMICC NFL Flag Football scores
8-9 Division
Feb. 13, Beach Bistro Vikings 27, Beach Bum Steelers 6
Feb. 17, Gettel Toyota Texans 19, Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys 6
Beach Bistro Vikings 18, Southern Greens Jets 6
Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys 20, Waterfront Raiders 12
Gettel Toyota Texans 14, Beach Bistro Vikings 7
Beach Bum Steelers 14, Southern Greens Jets 12
10-12 Division
Feb. 13, Eat Here Bears 39, Sandbar Falcons 12
Feb. 18, Sandbar Falcons 31, Air & Energy Chargers 27
Eat Here Bears 41, Cedars Tennis Resorts Seahawks 26
13-16 Division
Feb. 13, Integrity Sound Redskins 46, Mar Vista Raiders 6
Feb. 15, First American Bank Ravens 40, Galati Yacht Sales Texans 20
Feb. 17, Mar Vista Raiders 27, Jessie’s Island Store Steelers 24
Feb. 18, First American Bank Ravens 20, Walter & Associates Bears 14
AMICC NFL Flag Football Flag Football standings
8-9 Division W L
Vikings 6 2
Raiders 5 3
Jets 4 4
Steelers 4 4
Cowboys 3 5
Texans 3 5
10-12 Division
East
Colts 8 0
Steelers 4 4
Bears 4 4
Seahawks 1 7
West
Cardinals 6 2
Broncos 6 2
Falcons 3 5
Chargers 0 8
13-16 Division
Redskins 6 1
Steelers 5 3
Ravens 4 5
Texans 3 4
Bears 3 4
Raiders 2 6
Adult
AFC
Ravens 5 1
Packers 3 2
Raiders 3 2
Falcons 3 3
Vikings 3 3
Chargers 1 4
Bears 0 5
NFC
49ers 6 0
Dolphins 4 1
Bills 3 3
Texans 3 3
Broncos 3 3
Browns 2 4
Bengals 0 5
AMICC NFL Flag Football schedules
Ages 5-7
Date Time Teams
Feb. 24 6 p.m. Vikings vs. Colts
Feb. 24 7 p.m. Broncos vs. Cardinals
Ages 8-9
Feb. 24 6 p.m. Cowboys vs. Steelers
Feb. 24 7 p.m. Jets vs. Texans
Feb. 25 1 p.m. Raiders vs. Vikings
Feb. 27 2 p.m. Jets vs. Raiders
Ages 10-12
Feb. 22 6 p.m. Colts vs. Bears
Feb. 25 9 a.m. Chargers vs. Cardinals
Feb. 25 10 a.m. Broncos vs. Falcons
Feb. 25 11 a.m. Seahawks vs. Steelers
Feb. 28 6 p.m. Chargers vs. Broncos
Feb. 28 7 p.m. Cardinals vs. Falcons
Feb. 28 8 p.m. Seahawks vs. Colts
Ages 13-16
Feb. 24 8 p.m. Raiders vs. Texans
Feb. 25 1 p.m. Steelers vs. Ravens
Feb. 25 2 p.m. Redskins vs. Texans
Feb. 25 3 p.m. Bears vs. Raiders
Adult Coed
Feb. 22 7 p.m. Dolphins vs. Chargers
Feb. 22 8 p.m. Vikings vs. Raiders
Feb. 22 9 p.m. Packers vs. Falcons
Feb. 23 6 p.m. Bears vs. Ravens
Feb. 23 7 p.m. 49ers vs. Broncos
Feb. 23 8 p.m. Browns vs. Bills
Feb. 23 9 p.m. Texans vs. Bengals
AMICC Adult Coed Volleyball
Feb. 21 7 p.m. Best Buy vs. Slim’s Place
Feb. 21 8 p.m. Best Buy vs. Tyler’s Ice Cream
Islander Calendar – 02-22-2012
Wednesday, Feb. 22
11 a.m. — Einstein Circle discussion on “Why We Worked: The needs that jobs have fulfilled throughout history” at the Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
Saturday, Feb. 25
9 a.m.- 1 p.m. — White Elephant Sale at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 778-1638.
10 a.m.-noon — Acrylic demo with Nancy Law at Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Free and open to public. No reservations. Information: 941-778-6648 or www.islandgallerywest.com.
10 a.m.-noon — Painting acrylic palette petal demonstration with Nancy Law at Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648.
6-9 p.m. — “Memories of Elvis” dinner show at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.
Sunday, Feb. 26
11 a.m. — Public vote for Bridge Street Macaroni-and-Cheese Challenge at the Bridge Street Market, 107 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies.
Wednesday, Feb. 29
11 a.m. — Einstein Circle discussion on “Things We Can’t Live Without: Recent Inventions” at the Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-359-4296.
Ongoing:
• Saturdays through March 18, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra rehearsals at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-7853.
• Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meetings at the BeachHouse Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-794-8044.
• Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m., duplicate bridge games at Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3390.
• Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m., coffee and conversations for seniors at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.
• First Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m., Pier Regulars meet at the Rod & Reel Pier, 875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria.
• Second Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., VFW Post No. 8199 meets at the volunteer fire station, 201 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-4400.
• Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., teens meet at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.
• Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m., players pitch horseshoes in the pits at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.
• Thursdays, 5-7 p.m., Thirsty Thursday hosted by Bridge Street Merchants on Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.
• Thursdays through March, Bingo at Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23 St., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1915.
• Fridays, Senior Adventures Group meets for outings to various locations. Information: 941-962-8835.
• Third Fridays, 5-8 p.m., Pine Avenue Porch Party
in Anna Maria. Information: 941-896-3132.
• Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meets at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
• Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Bridge Street Market hosted by Bridge Street Merchants, Bradenton Beach. Information: 215-906-0668.
Off-Island
Thursday, Feb. 23 — Sunday, March 11
Times vary —AIDA at Manatee Players, 102 Old Main St., downtown Bradenton. Tickets: $25 for adults and $11 for students. Information, tickets, call 941-748-5875.
Saturday, Feb. 25
5:30 p.m. — Concert-on-the-lawn with Amernet String Quartet at De Soto National Memorial Park, 8300 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton. Admission is free. Blankets and chairs suggested. Concessions available. Information: 941-792-0458, ext. 107, or www.nps.gov/deso.
Wednesday, Feb. 29
1-2 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. — “Hear the stories behind the quilts” with Quilt Storyteller, Jeanne Wright at Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free admission, donations appreciated. Register: 941-741-4075.
Coming Up:
• March 2, reception for March featured artist, Barbara Hines, at Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648 or visit www.islandgallerywest.com.
• March 2, reception for March featured artist, Ginny Eitman, at the Artist’s Guild of Anna Maria Island Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.
• March 2, art Appreciation night at the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-708-6120.
• March 3, 36th Annual Longboat Key Garden Club Home Tour.
• March 4, Courtyard fundraiser for American Cancer Society Relay for Life at AMI Concierge office, 9908 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-328-3775.
Save the Date:
• March 13, Island Players benefit “Solid Gold Cadillac,” for American Cancer Society.
• March 17, 19th annual Anna Maria Island Community Center Tour of Homes.
• March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance, St. Bernard Catholic Church.
• March 17, Palma Sola Botanical Park plants, antiques and crafts sales event.
• March 18, St. Patrick’s Day parade in Holmes Beach.
• April 13 and April 14, Island Cityfest – A
Holmes Beach Founders Day Celebration, Holmes Beach City Hall Field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
Send calendar announcements to news@islander.org. Please include the time, date and location of the event, a brief description and a contact via e-mail and phone.
Fishing – 02-22-2012
Bob and Renee Ross, visiting AMI from Chicago, show off a redfish caught on a recent trip with Capt. Warren Girle
Sheepshead bite heats up to spite warm weather
The beginning of the big winter sheepshead bite is on target.
Good numbers of the convict fish are showing at the Rod & Reel Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier, in addition to all wrecks and nearshore reefs in Tampa Bay and just off the beaches.
Whether you are a boater or a shore fisher, now is the time to cast to some fierce fighting fish, not to mention the pleasure at the dinner table.
To catch these tasty striped fish, you first need to know what gear to use. Most pier fishers like to use a short, stout rod and a reel spooled with heavy line. A setup like this means business — no muss, no fuss. Set the hook and slap your fish on the dock.
The reason for using this combo is simple. When you’re fishing around barnacle-studded pilings and other structure that can cut your line, you to have to be able to control the fish and get it topside before it cuts the line.
If you try to play one of these fish, there’s a good chance it’ll wrap your line around a piling, resulting in a lost fish.
Next, you need some small, stout hooks, leader materials and lead. For hooks, a size 4 will suffice. Just make sure it’s a durable, thick gauge hook. This aids in both the hook set and removal of the hook after the fish is caught.
Sheepshead have an extremely bony mouth that aids them in crushing crabs and other crustaceans. A strong sharp hook is required to pierce through the mouth of the fish.
Also, when removing a hook from a sheepshead’s mouth, a strong hook won’t bend as easily, saving you from having to re-rig after every fish.
For leader material, 30-pound fluorocarbon will suffice. As far as lead is concerned, you’ll have to evaluate how the tide is moving to determine how much weight is needed.
Now, let’s talk bait. Sheepshead can be extremely finicky at times so make sure to carry an assortment of favored baits. There are a number of live baits that work; it’s just a matter of having the right bait at the right time. Some of the baits used for sheepshead can be labor intensive to collect, like tubeworms or oyster crabs, while others, such as shrimp and fiddler crabs, can be purchased at a bait shop.
There are five proven baits for sheepshead in this area — tubeworms, oyster and fiddler crabs, sand fleas and shrimp.
If you’re willing to dig tubeworms, you’ll have the ultimate sheepshead bait. It may be hard to find tubeworms, and it takes most of a morning to dig up a sufficient number.
The same applies for oyster crabs — which are like candy to a sheepshead, but an angler could spend a whole morning tipping over rocks to find them. There’s also some labor involved in sand fleas. First, a sand flea rake or sifter is needed. Sand fleas are found in the shore break by sifting the wet sand.
But anglers can also use live shrimp or fiddlers, and both can be purchased at bait shops, which makes things a little easier — just pull out your wallet, and you’ve got bait.
Now that we’ve got bait and tackle taken care of, it’s time to go fishing. If you’re fishing without a boat, there are three fishing piers on Anna Maria Island. All are holding sheepshead, so your chances are good for catching one. If you’re in a boat, try fishing around bridges, docks, wrecks and reefs to find the bite.
Remember, sheepshead have to be 12 inches in length with the tail pinched, and you can keep 15 per day per person.
Good luck and happy herding.
Tom Cassetty at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing stringers of sheepshead hanging from the dock. Yes, it’s that time again. Pier fishers using live oyster crabs for bait are reeling up sheepies in the 1- to 3-pound range. “We’re not catching our limits, yet,” says Cassetty, “but we’re getting awfully close.
With the limit of sheepshead at 15 fish per person, close is pretty good.
Along with sheepshead, pier fishers are hooking up some flounder in the sandy bottom areas adjacent to the pier. Live shrimp is a good offering to get these flat fish to bite. Most of the flounder being caught are under the minimum size limit, but some pier fishers are reeling up larger fish.
Last but not least, pier fishers using live shrimp are catching decent numbers of black drum. Pound for pound, these fish give a great fight and they’re not bad as table fare if you cook them the same day. Most of the drum caught at the pier are ranging 14- and 18-inches.
Dave Sork at the Anna Maria City Pier is seeing good numbers of sheepshead landed daily. Pier fishers in the know are using live oyster crabs or tubeworms to get the bite. The catch is averaging 15- to 18-inches in length and weighing up to 2 1/2 pounds.
Other catches at the pier include flounder, jack crevalle and some blue runners. Fishers using live shrimp are catching flounder around the edges of the pier, while the blue runners and jacks are hitting small white jigs cast and quickly retrieved.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing nearshore structure catching a variety of species. To start, he’s bringing in decent numbers of bonito by flat-lining live shiners or shrimp behind the boat. Bonito may not be meant for the dinner table, but they sure provide drag-screaming action for whoever is holding onto the rod.
Also on the nearshore structure, Girle is catching flounder up to 18 inches. He says live shiners or shrimp cast to the sandy areas around the structure is producing fish for the frying pan.
To finish out the reef trips, Girle is catching near limits of sheepshead and a few mangrove snapper. For both of these fish, Girle is using live or fresh-cut shrimp pieces to get the bite.
Moving to the flats of Sarasota Bay, Girle is finding redfish and spotted seatrout. By fishing the sandy potholes on lower tides, Girle is catching redfish in the 16- to 32-inch range on live shrimp. The same applies for the seatrout, although the top length was 22 inches.
On the deeper flats, Girle is catching ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and an occasional pompano on a 1/4-ounce jig head with an Exude Dart. Also, when fishing these deeper flats, Girle likes to drift fish to cover more area and increase the bite.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business charters is working nearshore structure with good results. To start with, he’s catching sheepshead up to 5 pounds on live shrimp. When targeting sheepies on the reefs, Gross likes to use a baited knocker rig.
Along with the sheepies, Gross is catching good numbers of Key West grunts and triggerfish by the same method with impressive numbers of fish coming to the boat.
Moving to the backcountry, Gross is working the flats of Sarasota Bay for spotted seatrout. He likes to use a 1/4-ounce jig head tipped with a new penny MirrOlure Lil John to target these trout. His average catch was slot-sized fish 15- to 20-inches, although his clients reeled in a few bigger ones. While jigging for trout, Gross is also catching pompano and keeper-size flounder.
Around rocks and docks in the bay, Gross is targeting redfish, with live shrimp on a knocker rig which is producing keeper-size fish.
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