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

Stone Crab Season is Here!

Stone crab season runs from October 15 through May 15.

Florida Stone Crab Claws are a renewable resource! Our local crabbers remove the crab's claws on their boats and the crab is then returned to the water where it will regenerate 4 to 5 claws in its natural lifetime.

Once harvested, the raw claws are cooked dockside. Stone crab claws are a much desired delicacy usually served cold with a variety of sauces and mustards. They are perfectly delicious all on their own, but truly decadent when dipped in drawn butter.

Claws are graded according to size: medium, 5 to 8 pieces per pound; large, 3 to 5 p/lb., jumbo, 3 claws p/lb. and colossal, 1 to 2 claws p/lb.
Stone crab claws have a 5 to 7 day shelf life.

If you've never tried Florida stone crab, today is the day! You can purchase fresh claws from "Cortez Seafood Market" located at the end of 119th St. W in the Cortez Fishing Village. www.cortezseafoodmarket.com or go to the famous "Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant" located at 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key. www.mooresstonecrab.com

Cheers, beach wishes & buttery crab eating,
Marianne

"Off-Season" Starts Now

Thinking of coming to Anna Maria Island? The "Off-Season" begins this week. Not only are vacation rental rates drastically reduced, you also have the beach to yourself! Stay on the island for as little as $400 a week. (Off-Season ends Dec. 15th)

Cheers & beach wishes,
Marianne

July 4th Celebration

Dear Guests,

I can't believe July is already here! This weekend offers several major events. On Saturday July 3rd our parade will begin at 10:00 a.m at the south end of the island (at Coquina Beach) and will travel north ending on Pine Avenue. The "Beach House Restuarant" (200 Gulf Drive S, Bradenton Beach) will host their 17th annual "fireworks extravaganza" commencing shortly after dark Saturday night. Then Sunday July 4th their sister restaurant "The Sandbar" will also have a fireworks display shortly after dark.

If you are arriving on Saturday please be prepared for some traffic, not only from the parade during the day but also everyone coming to the Island to view the fireworks!

Please enjoy your holiday. We hope that it is safe AND fun.

Sincerely,
Marianne

OIL UPDATE, WE'RE STILL FREE & CLEAR!

Our hearts go out to the fisherman & residents of Louisiana... We hope that this horrific mess gets cleaned up, though it will take way too long for sure!

Our beach & waters are still unaffected,thank goodness. It took 45 days to reach the shores of Pensacola (which is the western most tip of Florida). This is still hundreds of miles away from us. So, when you hear there are "oil balls" floating near the beaches in Florida, know that they are NOWHERE NEAR US!

Sincerely,
Marianne

OIL STILL HAS NO IMPACT ON AMI

As another week goes by we are still monitoring the horrific oil crisis in the Gulf. It is still hundreds of miles away from us & our beach waters are as clear & beautiful as always.

Egmont Key, just off the tip of our island is a state-protected bird sanctuary. It is THE chosen sanctuary for the many birds that are being relocated due to the oil in Louisiana....

This should come as some relief to those that are vacationing here this summer.... If wildlife is being brought here to escape the effects of the oil, please come & enjoy the sanctuary they now will be calling home.

Cheers & "oil-free" beach wishes, Marianne Norman-Ellis

No Impact on AMI from Oil Spill

For everyone concerned about the Louisiana Oil Spill, we are currently COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED. Our beaches & water are gorgeous right now. The oil is hundreds of miles away from our island. For updates & more information you can visit Mote Marine Laboratory, www.mote.org .

Scientists are predicting that we will not see a negative impact due to our location on the coast of Florida. The continental shelf & loop current will likely protect us from seeing the oil. We are monitoring the information many times a day. You can see a live web-cam of our beach on "The Beach House" Restaurant's website www.groupersandwich.com

Call today for Summer discounts! 800-367-1617 or 941-778-6696

Cheers & beach wishes! Marianne

Wow, what a difference a week makes! So many vacationers that were on our tiny island over the Easter holiday have left. Anna Maria Island seems like a different place. You can find parking for the beach, get into a restaurant without waiting, and leisurely stroll the beach without bumping into anyone! If you are a local resident or anyone who just needs a vacation over the next 5 weeks-- call us. The weather is exceptional right now and we have plenty of vacation rentals open. So, call for "last-minute" specials. (941)778-6696 or 800-367-1617.

May the beach & sun be with you! Marianne Norman-Ellis

As March is in full swing, the traffic is at a stand-still. Occupancy is up 20% from last March. The amazing, beautiful weather is finally HERE TO STAY after an exceptionally cold January & February. The beaches, bike rentals, restaurants, sidewalks & stores are packed!

If you are searching for the perfect holiday rental, we have 4 openings for the last week of March & a nice selection for Easter. So,please call us at 800-367-1617.

Cheers & best wishes!

As February comes to a close, we are finally having beautiful weather. The past couple months have been cold & overcast due to the "El Nino" weather pattern. At least we don't have 10 feet of snow! But, for too long now, we having been patiently awaiting sunny beach days.

This past weekend was the "Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival". People turned out in record numbers due to the first "typical" Florida weather of the season. If you've never experienced this festival, try to next February. The seafood, music, and art are fantastic. The festival is a 2 day affair every 3rd weekend in February. Admission is only $2 and goes to the non-profit organization F.I.S.H. (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage).

As for Anna Maria Island, if you are here now you know how busy things are. This time of year the Island fills with winter guests. The 2010 Season is VERY BUSY. Vacation rentals, restaurants, the grocery store & more are full with our northern friends... not to mention the free Island Trolley!

So, be careful, slow down, be patient & watch for pedestrians & bicyclists out in droves!