OFF SEASON 8/13- 12/15/2011

Dear Vacation Guests,

If you haven't gone on vacation yet, now is the time to book your reservation. Our "Off Season" begins August 13th and the rates drop significantly. Mid-August through mid-December is a quieter time of year on Anna Maria Island. The beaches aren't crowded, you don't have to wait in line at Publix, and reservations are not needed at our restaurants.

Anna Maria Island is "one of the world's most important" nesting areas for endangered sea turtles. Turtle Nesting Season is May 1- October 31. During this time of year, turtles return to the same spot that they were born to lay eggs.

Please help protect these beautiful creatures by not disturbing nests on the beach. Any lights that could shine on the beach are strictly prohibited during the nesting season. (including patio lights, car headlights, fishing lamps, flashlights & flash photography) Artificial lights confuse seas turtles & jeopardize their instinct to return to the Gulf waters.

It is against both state & federal laws to disturb nests, hatchlings, and sea turtles. For information to help protect our amazing turtles please visit www.islandturtles.com or call Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch at 941-778-5638. When you're here, stop by our office for free information & activity books.

Cheers & beach wishes,
Marianne

MEMORIAL DAY ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Dear Guests,

If you want to have a GREAT Memorial Day holiday, what better way to spend it than on Anna Maria Island?!

Please call our office for "last minute" specials on select rentals for the Memorial Day Holiday.

We do offer a handful of properties for an "extended week-end" stay (3 night minimum).

The beach is beautiful right now & the water is gorgeous!

Call us at 941- 778- 6696 or 800- 367- 1617.

Kind regards,
Mike Norman Realty
Rental Department

March is Here!

March is here and the weather is truly beautiful! Today was 80 degrees & it isn't changing anytime soon. Everyone is on the beach, riding bikes & enjoying just being outside. We couldn't have planned for more perfect weather.

If you are currently renting from us for the month of March, please let us know by the 11th if you plan to return to the same rental next year. Visitors are stopping by daily inquiring about next year. So, please let us know as soon as possible!

If you haven't found a rental for Easter yet, we still have a variety of properties to choose from.

Finally, as always this time of year, the traffic is terrible. With weather this amazing, everyone wants to be on the beach. Please be careful and have patience when driving around the island.

February Discounts on Vacation Rentals

Dear Guests,

If you haven't made a reservation for February 2011 yet, the following "featured properties" are open & are up to 20% off. 800-367-1617 for reservations.

"Wheeler's Turtle Watch": 3 bedroon beach front home
"White's Beach House": 3 bedroom beach front home
"Gulf Sands Condo": 2 BR beach front condo w/POOL
"Beach View": 3 bedroom beach front home
"Caribbean Casual": 1 bedroom beach front w/POOL

SHOVEL SAND, NOT SNOW!

If you haven't made plans yet to spend the winter on Anna Maria Island, now is the time to call. We still have availability for February with some properties offering up to 20% off. So, shovel snow for the last time & come on down! The sun is shining. Call 800-367-1617 to make your reservation in paradise.

Snowman on A.M.I.?

I had the most amazing day last Sunday at the beach with my family & friends. We created our annual "sand-man" for Christmas cards. After we got done, we had several vacationers ask if they could take their picture with our sand-man too. It was a lot of fun & the weather could not have been more perfect.

We even got to see beach front property owners that we work with. Tom & Bonnie, it was great to see you, and it is so wonderful to know you enjoy your beach house. Thank you for not using it too much & letting us rent it though!

Holiday Events on Anna Maria Island:

Dec. 3rd is the lighting of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree & holiday party at 5313 Gulf Drive.

Friday December 10th, Anna Maria Island businesses will host a city wide open house in Holmes Beach. Participating businesses will extend their hours to kick holiday season into gear.

Saturday December 11th, the Anna Maria Island Privateers will host a parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. The parade will start at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria & will end at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

Saturday Dec. 18th the Bridge Street Merchants will host their annual "Christmas on Bridge Street" with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, raffle prizes, caroling & great holiday gifts from "The Back Alley" & "The Hive". (Historic Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach)

Have fun!

Cheers & beach wishes,
Marianne

Sand Sculptures & Exceptional Weather on A.M.I.

I had the extreme good fortune to spend Veteran's day at the beach with my family. The weather is amazing right now. The Gulf was a bit cold for swimming, but this didn't stop my nephew from throwing my son, Marlin, in anyway.

We were mid-island on the beach and someone had created huge sand sculptures. We pitched our chairs next to a 20' sand alligator.

I assume it was created by someone practicing for the annual sand-sculpting contest, "Sandblast" located at the "Beach House Restaurant". This year professional sculptors & local youth will create amazing works of art in the sand Saturday November 20th.

To preview what you'll see visit www.teamsandtastic.com . "Team Sandtastic" is one of the professional teams that will be participating in this event. In 1998 they created the tallest sandcastle ever hand crafted. It stood 28' tall and still maintains the Guinness World Record!

If you have never gone to "Sandblast", you must check it out. Its just too bad that the creations don't last forever.... Just a couple of weeks typically until the wind & elements slowly weather them away.

Cheers & beach wishes,
Marianne