Wednesday, April 11
• 11:30 a.m. — Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players monthly luncheon meeting, Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive, N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-799-2181.
Thursday, April 12
• 5-7 p.m. — “Paint the Town” reception and art sale, ArtCenter of Manatee, 209 Ninth St., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-2862.
· 10 a.m.-noon — Coffee with Commissioner Jean Peelen, Paradise Cafe, 3210 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-896-5827.
Friday, April 13
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Artist reception for watercolor and silk artist Kathleen Masur, Artists’ Guild Gallery in the Island Shopping Center, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m.—Anna Maria Island Art League hosts opening reception for St. Stephen’s Episcopal School seniors art show, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-2099.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Phil Jensen’s photography exhibit, “The Beauty of Natural Florida,” opens with an artist’s reception at the Island Gallery West in the S&S Shopping Plaza, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648.
• 5-10 p.m. — Island CityFest, a Holmes Beach Founder’s Day Celebration, Holmes Beach field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1541.
Saturday, April 14
• 10 a.m.-10 p.m. — Island CityFest, a Holmes Beach Founder’s Day Celebration, Holmes Beach field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1541.
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran and Episcopal Church of Annunciation car wash, parking lot of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813 or 941-778-1638.
• 1-4 p.m. — 21st Annual Cortez Village Historical Society Community Picnic, Few-Miller dock on the waterfront adjacent to Star Fish Company, Cortez. Information: 945-538-0945.
· 8 a.m.-3 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers final season Thieves Market and Bake Sale, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-722-3212.
Sunday, April 15
· 6:30 p.m. — Mike Sales Sunset Cruise aboard Island Pearl, Mainsail Marina docks, across from the Island Shopping Center, 5400 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-780-8010.
Monday, April 16
• 8:45 a.m.-noon — “Getting Your Business in the News,” Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 4215 Concept Court, Lakewood Ranch. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-3411.
• Noon — Susan McManus speaks on “Florida Politics and Election Year 2012,” at the Anna Maria Island Democratic Club lunch meeting, BeachHouse Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-779-0564.
Off-Island:
Thursday, April 12
• 5-7 p.m. — Artists’ opening reception, “Artists and Animals of Myakka,” including artists Jean Blackburn, Craig Rubadoux and Florence Patterman, Durante Gallery and Cultural Media Room, Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key. Reservations required. Information and reservations: 941-383-2345.
• 7:30 p.m. — Opening night for “Wonderful Town,” Manatee High School musical, April 12-14, at the MHS Davis Center for the Performing Arts-Theater, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-714-7300, ext. 2089.
Ongoing
• April 12-27, “Paint the Town” exhibit, ArtCenter of Manatee, 209 Ninth St., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-2862.
• April 12-May 24, “Artists and Animals of Myakka” exhibit, Durante Gallery and Cultural Media Room, Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-2345.
· April 12-14, “Wonderful Town,” Manatee High School musical, MHS Davis Center for the Performing Arts-Theater, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-714-7300. Ext. 2089.
• Third Mondays, noon, through May, Anna Maria Island Democratic Club, BeachHouse Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-779-0564.
• 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, Information: 215-906-0668.
• 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. Information: 941-761-8834.
• Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Bridge Street Market hosted by Bridge Street Merchants, Bradenton Beach. Information: 215-906-0668.
Coming Up:
• April 19, Friends of the Library knit and crochet gathering open to all, Holmes Beach Community Room, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-792-4652.
• April 20-22, 30th Annual Suncoast Boat Show at Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 954-764-7642.
• April 21, Barbara Hines demonstration, “Mermaids Watercolor,” Island Gallery West in the S&S Shopping Plaza, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648.
• April 21, Titanic 100th anniversary historical fashion show and luncheon, Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908.
• April 21, Italian Night, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1813.
Save the Date
• April 28, Anna Maria Elementary School-Parent Teacher Organization Spring Fling, Anna Maria Island Community Center. Information: 941-812-7253.
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.
Anna Maria Island has been my home for the past 15 years. It is a slice of paradise that must be peesrrved. Hands Accross the Sand is a great way to remind us to take care of our planet. There is so much each and every one of us can do to keep Mother Earth healthy. It can be as simple as recycling, picking up trash when walking the beach, or not making unnecessary trips using your car. If each one of us does a little, we all can make a big difference. I am so grateful to call Anna Maria Island my home. Thank you, Manuela