Unpaving Paradise

Slowing down traffic on Pine Avenue by removing the yellow lines and narrowing the lanes is the goal of the city's environmental committee members.

"We're trying to unpave paradise and reclaim the ambiance of our city," member Jane Coleman said. More...

Resident calls for moratorium on 'big box' construction

HOLMES BEACH – A resident heartbroken about her neighborhood's transition to rentals asked the Holmes Beach Commission to institute a moratorium on "barns with bedrooms" last week, a request that has been voiced more than once in recent months. More...

Tourism frustrations aired

BRADENTON BEACH – Island elected officials did not let lack of attendance deter them from sharing their frustration with issues regarding residential rentals, including local efforts to increase tourism. More...

Gate border quarrel widens

HOLMES BEACH – The dispute over the gate in the fence bordering Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach at 27th Street has widened, involving a mortgage bank, a title company and the FDIC in addition to the two cities and a mobile home park.

The issue is now too large to be settled between the two cities in an intergovernmental conflict resolution proceeding, Bradenton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry told officials from both cities last week at a dispute resolution conference. More...

Cortez Bridge still on FDOT's list

With the fate of the Anna Maria Island Bridge sealed, the Florida Department of Transportation is now eyeing the Cortez Bridge.

Manatee-Sarasota Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Executive Director Michael Howe reminded everybody an initial study of the 54-year-old drawbridge is in the works. More...

City denies beach market extension

BRADENTON BEACH – The Beach Market held in the chickee hut at Bridge Street Café on Sundays will not be around after this Sunday.

After listening to 10 people talk for and against the market, the city commission failed to get a motion to extend permission for the market past its January trial period. More...

Concerts in the Park begin Friday

HOLMES BEACH – The first in a series of free, monthly Concerts in the Park begins Friday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Holmes Beach Pavilion in the field next to city hall.

Concertgoers will enjoy live music by Highway 41 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Shotgun Justice from 7 to 10 p.m., with D.J. Chris Grumley from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and in between sets. More...

Going to the dogs?

HOLMES BEACH – Dog owners want to change Birdie Tebbetts Field from a ball field/dog park to a dog park/ball field.

The fenced field, named for the late Anna Maria Island resident George "Birdie" Tebbetts, a professional baseball player, manager and scout, is designated as a ball field, but if no one is playing ball, dogs are allowed to run off leash. More...

I've looked at clouds from both sides now...

Spending a lazy day doing absolutely nothing on an Anna Maria Island beach is like a tonic for the soul - relaxing, restorative and exhilarating all at the same time. What better place, then, to be a complete slug, plop down in the sand and watch a shifting caravan of towering clouds drift by. It's a lot of work, to be sure. More...

Tailor angling plan to suit your surroundings

It's good to have a plan, but anglers have to be careful not to get hooked to it when fishing. When heading for a destination to "work" a plan, it is important you are not so caught up with where you're going that you miss opportunities that might be passing you. Being present and aware with each moment can yield some unexpected results. I'm sure everyone has experienced that in one form or another. As you run an edge, the subtle flash up on the flat catches your eye and, upon inspection, you find a school of fish that may be in a totally different area than you expected. On many occasions over the years I've had a plan in mind and never gotten to it because something better shows up along the way. More...

Turning over a green leaf

Shop chic at Chelsie Danz

Downtown Bradenton is on the verge of a renaissance and the heart of the change is along Old Main Street. Although Bradenton's renaissance may not be a European cultural movement, there are trends that do provide some of the same character. More...

Investors stay away

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

As a group, individual investors are voting with their parking spot for capital, and they voted for safety during the first 11 months of 2011. In fact, according to data from market research firm Trim Tabs, the investing public at large put eight times more money into checking and savings accounts, which pay little if any interest, than they put into stock and bond mutual funds. Even more astounding, the pace of favoring safety over potential accelerated toward the end of the reporting period. More...

Broncos blitz Bears

The Sun sports game of the week was an interleague game between the undefeated East Division Eat Here Bears and the West Division Ross Built Construction Broncos in AMICC 10- to 12-year-old flag football action. More...

Eating veg for the environment

Feasting on Fitness By ellen Jaffe Jones

A blogger asked me to write a guest blog about how eating vegan (nothing with a face) helps the environment.

There are many reasons to eat a plant-based diet. One of my favorites is what it does for the earth. The Pugh Commission released a report that said factory farming is not sustainable. More...

Note: Events are free unless indicated.

Wednesday Jan. 25

Gal pal party with treats, drinks and a special sale, Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique, 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Starry night walk, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Call 941-742-5757, ext. 8, to reserve.

Thursday Jan. 26

Naturalist-led 60-minute wagon tours, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, $3 per adult and $2 per child, 9 a.m. Call 941-742-5757, ext. 1, to reserve.

Coffee with Holmes Beach City Commissioner Jean Peelen, Holmes Beach City Commissioner, Paradise Cafe, 3220 East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.

St. Bernard Catholic Church Women fashion show, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, noon, $15.

Friday Jan. 27

Anna Maria Island Senior Adventures Group, Annie Silver Community Center, 102 23rd St., Bradenton Beach. Call Pat at 941-962-8835 for a schedule.

David Weber discusses new tax issues, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.

Over 50 Club, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Concert in the park, food, music, arts and crafts, Holmes Beach City Hall pavilion, 5 to 10 p.m.

Drum circle, Manatee County Public Beach, 7 p.m. Bring drums and instruments to bang on.

Saturday Jan. 28

Pancake breakfast, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 8 to 11 a.m., $5, and Roser Thrift Shop yard sale across the street, 8 a.m. to noon.

Citizen Science Academy: Beneath the Waves, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 10 a.m. to noon. Suitable for age 9 and up. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 4616.

Music on the porch, Bratton Store behind Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez Road and 119th Street West, Cortez, 1 to 4 p.m.

Travel program: Vickie and Tim Edwards' Appalachian Adventure, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Sunset Shutter Stroll, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Suitable for age 13 and up. Reserve to 941-742-5757, ext. 9.

Sunday Jan. 29

Beach Market, Gulf Drive Café and Tiki, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bridge Street Market, Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday Feb. 1

Meet the artist with treats, drinks and a special sale, Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique, 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 7 p.m.

"Postcards from the Sun," an exhibit featuring photographs by Cindy Lane, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, through Feb 29.

Thursday Feb. 2

Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 102 23rd Ave., Bradenton Beach. Doors open at 6:30 and play at 7 p.m.

Friday Feb. 3

Anna Maria Island Senior Adventures Group, Annie Silver Community Center, 102 23rd St., Bradenton Beach. Call Pat at 941-962-8835 for a schedule.

Over 50 Club, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Drum circle, Manatee County Public Beach, 7 p.m. Bring drums and instruments to bang on.

Saturday Feb. 4

Book sale, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday Feb. 5

Bridge Street Market, Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday Feb. 7

Tuesday Night Jazz Club, The Village Café at Rosedale, 503 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 8 to 10 p.m., $10 in advance, $12 at door, optional buffet $15.Reserve to 941-896-8890.

Wednesday Feb. 8

Meet the artist with treats, drinks and a special sale, Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique, 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 7 p.m.