Anna Maria Island

Transportation Projects - New Sidewalks, Resurfaced Roads and Landscaping

Anna Maria Island In-line for Stimulus Money...

It was in the news recently that Anna Maria Island was getting some stimulus money as part of the economic recovery program. The article I read was in the Herald and was writen by LEE LOGAN - Special to the Herald.

In the article it said, "Stimulus funding totaling more than $2 million will pay for multiple new transportation projects on Anna Maria Island in the coming months, including new sidewalks, resurfaced roads and new landscaping. Some of the more high-profile projects include funding for part of the Gulf Drive Improvement plan in Bradenton Beach and resurfacing all of Pine Avenue in the city of Anna Maria. There will also be 3.8 new miles of sidewalks along the island and a $500,000 beautification project along Gulf of Mexico Drive in Longboat Key."

Wow, that is very cool for the community of Anna Maria Island.

Fixed Span Bridge Option Still Possible

Bridge Building on Anna Maria Island...

We've been keeping our readers fairly well abreast of the controversy surrounding the proposed Anna Maria Island fixed span bridge debate.

What follows is just the latest in the ongoing saga of the fixed span bridge proposal.

New attitudes of Florida DOT and the public improve chances for Anna Maria high span bridge option.

Published: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.

It's no surprise that the Florida Department of Transportation recently proposed replacing one of the two drawbridges linking Anna Maria Island and the mainland with a fixed-span structure.

Riptide Dangers

Swim the Waters of Anna Maria Safely...

It seems ya can't simply enjoy life to the fullest without there being some kind of concern that results in restrictions to your right to risk.

By right to risk, I simply mean our right as human beings to make our own decisions to undertake activities that include a certain level of risk. When you think about it, just getting out of bed in the morning comes with some level of risk, but we are talking degrees of risk beyond what you would encounter during normal daily living.

Things like downhill skiing for example brings with it risks beyond normal daily activity, as does motorcycle racing, ski diving, parasailing and a whole host of other perfectly acceptable activities.

But of course there are limits. We are not permitted to barrel down the highway at warp speed because to do so puts others at risk. Well, apparently beach access on Anna Maria Island has succumbed to similar thinking.

Drowning at Longboat Key Pass

Tragic Death Highlights Dangers To Swimmers Off Anna Maria Island...

Play it safe in the waters off the coast of Anna Maria Island!

It's easy to get used to the good life here on Anna Maria Island. It is so laid back and peaceful, yet complacency can breed contempt towards the real risks we live with every day, especially risk associated with living next to the Gulf.

It is so beautiful and serene most of the time, we learn to take it forgranted. Beware the power of the sea to cause you and your loved ones a very bad day!

We were reminded of the risks by a tragic story reported in the Tampa Tribune that highlights perfectly the truth, that you can never let your guard drop in the ocean waters off the coast of Anna Maria Island.

The article reported, "State wildlife officer Terry Noll regularly patrols Longboat Pass, a channel he says is one of the most dangerous parts of Sarasota Bay. Last year, Noll was declared a hero when he rescued four people who left their boat and were caught in the strong currents that flow from Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. But on Friday, he was unable to save a Central Florida man who was swept under a barge and drowned after he and some friends lost control of an overturned jet ski."

July 4th Fireworks Celebration

Three Fireworks Displays on Anna Maria Island...

Haha... as it turned out, there were three fireworks displays on Anna Maria Island this July 4th weekend.

As we previously reported here on this forum and on our Anna Maria Island Life blog, there were two fireworks displays planned on Anna Maria Island for the July 4th weekend festivities.

Parasailing in the Gulf of Mexico

Parasailor Get More Than They Bargained For While Parasailing the Waters Off Anna Maria Island...

Gladly not all parasailing adventures are as exciting as the one experienced by the following Chicago family while vacationing in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. Fortunately it had a happy ending and noone was hurt.

As reported in the Anna Maria Island Sun earlier this week, the Calacci family got more than the usual 15-minute parasail trip when high winds kept a father and son up in the air for more than three hours.

The wind speed at the nearest weather station at Sarasota International Airport was nine miles an hour at that time, but shortly after Mike Calacci and his son, Alex, were launched into the air, winds had whipped up and whitecaps were rolling in, with the weather station recording wind gusts up to 32 miles per hour.

The parachute hung in the same place for several hours with the boat apparently anchored, according to lifeguards. A second boat attempted a rescue by attaching a rope to the vertical line and pulling it down with the force of the boat’s forward motion.

Keep The Trolley Free

Save Our Trolley Campaign...

Whether you are a local resident of Anna Maria Island or simply planning a vacation stay, the 'Free Anna Maria Island Trolley' is one of the best ways to get around.

Did I say "FREE"?

Yes I did, but it might not be FREE for long unless the proposed 'Save Our Trolley Campaign' is successful.

Real Estate For Sale

Anna Maria Island Beaches Real Estate...

Unlike the rest of the country, the Anna Maria Island real estate market is HOT, HOT, HOT!

It's true, in many cities, towns and communities across America, realtors and real estate companies are going broke, closing down and just plain going out of business as a result of the down turn in the real estate market and the economy.

But on the island of Anna Maria Island, its a whole other story. You can still find real estate businesses and realtors in numbers that seem somewhat out of proportion to the size of the island and it's number of residence.

That is because the Anna Maria Island real estate market is out of proportion to the rest of the country. So much so, we actually have a new real estate company on the block... Anna Maria Island Beaches Real Estate.

Why would anyone be entering the real estate market during these volatile times we live?

Well, that's because although they are technically new kids on the block, the folks at Anna Maria Island Beaches Real Estate bring years of island living and experience in the local real estate market to the table... and you are going to be hearing a lot about them.

They do have a web site up, albeit still in development, and its located at www.AnnaMariaIslandBeachesRealEstate.com.

If you love Anna Maria Island life as much as we do and you've decided to move there, you will need somewhere to live. Do yourself a favor and call 'AMI Beaches Real Estate'. They have the combined experience and know how to help you find your dream home in paradise.

Wedding Festival 2010

Third Annual Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival...

Planning a wedding next year?

If so, remember Anna Maria Island and February 28th, 2010.

That is when the next Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival is going to be held, and it promises to be even better than the previous two.

Anna Maria Island is the fastest growing and most popular wedding destination location in all of Florida, and on February 28th, 2010, from 11 am - 6 pm, over 40 local Anna Maria Island Wedding Merchants will host their third annual, strolling wedding festival.

This 'third annual', Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival is an Anna Maria Island wide, fun and informative day for anyone planning a wedding or thinking about getting married on beautiful Anna Maria Island.

Read about last years Wedding Festival on Anna Maria Island.

German Travel TV

Anna Maria Island To Be Featured on German Television...

As if Anna Maria Island hasn't been getting enough attention in recent years, now German television audiences are going to have the opportunity to view 17 minutes of scenes from Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Bradenton on two different travel programs in September.

What do you think? How will this effect the residence of Anna Maria Island?

Let us know at German Travel Television Highlights Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

According to Jessica Grace, of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, a production crew dodged unseasonal rains last week while filming segments for two German television broadcasts... the '100% Vacation' and the 'Travel Advice' programs.

These popular travel related TV shows are scheduled to feature Anna Maria Island area beaches and hotels, Snooty the manatee at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton and Prime Outlets in Ellenton.