Privateers parade to coquina for holiday celebration

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will lead a parade through the three Island cities from Bayfront Park in Anna Maria at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, to Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

At the end of the parade route, the Privateers will host a holiday party with Santa Claus aboard their ship for visits and gifts for children.

The Privateers also will provide a free hot dogs and soda for the kids. Adults are asked to pay a nominal fee for refreshments.

For more information, call 941-752-5973.

Roser hosts Bethlehem Walk Dec. 11

Roser Memorial Community Church will host the traditional Bethlehem Walk at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, beginning at the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

The walk re-enacts the journey of the biblical Joseph and Mary in their search for “inn to inn” search for shelter for the birth of Jesus.

Along the walk, carols will be sung.

Some walkers attend in costume, and Roser helps create an atmosphere for the nativity seen by bringing in animals — a donkey and goats.

At the conclusion of the walk, the church hosts a reception, including refreshments.

For more information, call 941-778-0414.

Wednesday, Dec. 8

7:45 to 9 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce sunrise breakfast at Freedom Village, 6406 21st. Ave. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-1541. Fee applies.

11:30 a.m. — Off Stage Ladies of the Anna Maria Island Players lunch at The Feast Restaurant, 5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-518-4431. Fee applies.

Thursday, Dec. 9

Noon — Potluck lunch to benefit the SOLVE House in the activity center at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769. Donation of infant items requested.

7 p.m. — “Coyotes: Their Behavior, Diet and Habitat” workshop at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-722-4524.

Friday, Dec. 10

1 to 3 p.m. — Author Mary Erickson will sign copies of her new children’s book “My Wee Book of Rhymes” at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-798-9692.

2 to 3:30 p.m. — Island Caregiver Support Group discussion on “Medicare vs. Private Pay: Who pays for what?” at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-747-4655.

5 to 7 p.m. — Anna Maria businesses host citywide holiday open house. Children can visit with Santa.

6 p.m. — Italian Night spaghetti dinner at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769. Fee applies.

Saturday, Dec. 11

10 a.m. — REAL Women present “The 24-Hour Gift” with guest speaker Christi Haag during brunch in the fellowship hall at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719.

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. —Anna Maria Island Art League Winterfest: Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts at Holmes Beach City Hall field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-2099.

6:30 p.m. — Bethlehem walk at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414.

Sunday, Dec. 12

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. —Anna Maria Island Art League Winterfest: Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts at Holmes Beach City Hall field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-2099.

Monday, Dec. 13

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Paula Schoenwether demonstrates bottle-cap jewelry making at the Artists Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

Tuesday, Dec. 14

Noon — Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island will discuss aid in Guatemala during lunch at the BeachHouse Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-518-1965.

Wednesday, Dec. 15

Noon — Anna Maria Garden Club Christmas program and meeting at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

5 to 7 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange at LaPensee Plumbing and Pools, 401 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1541. Fee applies.

Ongoing:

• The first and third Mondays of each month, the American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24, 2005 75th St. W., Bradenton, hosts dinners for the public. Fee applies. Information: 941-794-3390.

• Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., duplicate bridge at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive W., Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-3390.

• Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Coffee and Conversations for Seniors at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

• Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., Inquiring Minds cross-denominational study group meets at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4579.

• Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., teens meet at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

• Alternating Wednesdays, 11 a.m., memory loss support group at the Longboat Island Chapel Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491.

• 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.

• Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meets at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach.

• Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Open air market on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-518-4431.

OFF-ISLAND EVENTS

Wednesday, Dec. 8

11 a.m. to noon — Longboat Island Chapel caregiver support group at the chapel’s Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491.

7 to 9 p.m. — “The Star of Bethlehem” science conversation with Howard Hochhalter at the South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-4131.

Friday, Dec. 10

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Evening Christmas tour of Palmetto Historical Park, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto. Information: 941-721-2034. Reservations required.

Saturday, Dec. 11

Noon to 4 p.m. — “A 1910 Florida Cracker Christmas” at Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Information: 941-741-4075. Fee applies.

Sunset — Deep Sky Observers group will set up telescopes for public viewing of the night sky in the northern parking lot of the South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-4131.

Sunday, Dec. 12

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Plantation Christmas open house at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park, 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton. Information: 941-723-4536.

Coming Up:

• Dec. 17, Film screening of “Fred Claus,” Rossi Park.

• Dec. 18, Christmas on Bridge Street and Lighted Boat Parade.

• Dec. 18, Where’s Woody Art Sale, Island Shopping Center.

• Dec. 18, Children’s Christmas party, Moose Lodge.

• Dec. 18, Manatee County Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Bradenton Circle.

• Dec. 18, Book signing with Mary Erickson, Restless Natives.

• Dec. 18, Bridge Street Merchants Holiday open house.

Save the Date:

• Jan. 15, Anna Maria Elementary School Dolphin Dash.

Send calendar announcements to diana@islander.org. Please include the time, date and location of the event, a brief description and a contact via e-mail and phone.