Sunsets – An Anna Maria Island Ritual
Sun Setting Through the Pine Trees Just South of the Sandbar Restaurant
By Jim Abbott, Orlando Sentinel
June 6, 2010
It only takes about three minutes for the sun to disappear after it touches the horizon, but perhaps nowhere on the planet is that time celebrated with more passion than Anna Maria Island.
Watching the sunset is a cherished ritual on this sleepy barrier island, about 20 miles west of Bradenton in Manatee County. Visitors and locals alike gather on the beaches to savor the dimming of the day, an ordinary event extraordinary enough to inspire spontaneous applause.
“In Anna Maria, the sunset is a celebration,” says Kathy Wooten, manager of the Queen’s Gate Resort, one of the many mom-and-pop hotels that dot the three towns — Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria — on the seven-mile slip of island. “If you come here, it’s the one thing you have to do.”
Clapping is optional, of course.
It always seems to happen, though, whether on a secluded stretch of sand or at the iconic Sandbar restaurant on the north end of Anna Maria. In this spot, diners have gathered to watch the ritual since 1913, when a restaurant known as “The Pavilion” entertained guests who could only reach the island by boat.
Nowadays, the Sandbar features dining either indoors or on an outdoor deck with some of the tables perched on the sand itself. Employees and patrons alike stop to watch the show on the horizon, which is acknowledged by the ringing of a bell — and applause, of course.
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It always seems to happen, though, whether on a secluded stretch of sand or at the iconic Sandbar restaurant on the north end of Anna Maria. In this spot, diners have gathered to watch the ritual since 1913, when a restaurant known as “The Pavilion” entertained guests who could only reach the island by boat.
Nowadays, the Sandbar features dining either indoors or on an outdoor deck with some of the tables perched on the sand itself. Employees and patrons alike stop to watch the show on the horizon, which is acknowledged by the ringing of a bell — and applause, of course.
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Bradenton Scores Highest in “Emotional Attachment”
A Gallup survey ranking 26 U.S. communities found Bradenton scored highest of all in the category of “emotional attachment” as measured by social offerings, physical beauty and an open and welcoming nature.
Village of The Arts
That friendly vibe particularly permeates the Village of the Arts, an enclave where bountiful whimsy expresses itself in the district’s colorful cottages, studios, galleries, book stores and restaurants.
Bradenton is also home to the headquarters of Beall’s Department Stores, Tropicana and Champs Sports.
Just to the west, mile-wide Anna Maria Island is home to three laid-back island communities. Just to the east is Lakewood Ranch, one of Florida’s newest and hippest planned communities.
A Gallup survey ranking 26 U.S. communities found Bradenton scored highest of all in the category of “emotional attachment” as measured by social offerings, physical beauty and an open and welcoming nature. That friendly vibe particularly permeates the Village of the Arts, an enclave where bountiful whimsy expresses itself in the district’s colorful cottages, studios, galleries, book stores and restaurants. Bradenton is also home to the headquarters of Beall’s Department Stores, Tropicana and Champs Sports. Just to the west, mile-wide Anna Maria Island is home to three laid-back island communities. Just to the east is Lakewood Ranch, one of Florida’s newest and hippest planned communities.
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Local Home Sales Surge
By Duane Marsteller – dmarsteller@bradenton.com
MANATEE — The federal government played Santa Claus for local Realtors last month, delivering an early Christmas gift: A boon in business.
Sales of existing single-family homes and condominium units in the Sarasota/Bradenton market and the rest of Florida surged last month, fueled by a federal tax credit for home buyers and low prices, according to statistics released Tuesday.
Local Realtors sold 784 single-family homes in November, up 63 percent from the 482 they sold in November 2008, the Florida Association of Realtors reported. Local condo sales more than doubled, from 104 units sold in November 2008 to 239 sold last month.
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MANATEE — The federal government played Santa Claus for local Realtors last month, delivering an early Christmas gift: A boon in business.
Sales of existing single-family homes and condominium units in the Sarasota/Bradenton market and the rest of Florida surged last month, fueled by a federal tax credit for home buyers and low prices, according to statistics released Tuesday.
Local Realtors sold 784 single-family homes in November, up 63 percent from the 482 they sold in November 2008, the Florida Association of Realtors reported. Local condo sales more than doubled, from 104 units sold in November 2008 to 239 sold last month.— The federal government played Santa Claus for local Realtors last month, delivering an early Christmas gift: A boon in business.
Sales of existing single-family homes and condominium units in the Sarasota/Bradenton market and the rest of Florida surged last month, fueled by a federal tax credit for home buyers and low prices, according to statistics released Tuesday.
Local Realtors sold 784 single-family homes in November, up 63 percent from the 482 they sold in November 2008, the Florida Association of Realtors reported. Local condo sales more than doubled, from 104 units sold in November 2008 to 239 sold last monthMANATEE — The federal government played Santa Claus for local Realtors last month, delivering an early Christmas gift: A boon in business.
Sales of existing single-family homes and condominium units in the Sarasota/Bradenton market and the rest of Florida surged last month, fueled by a federal tax credit for home buyers and low prices, according to statistics released Tuesday.
Local Realtors sold 784 single-family homes in November, up 63 percent from the 482 they sold in November 2008, the Florida Association of Realtors reported. Local condo sales more than doubled, from 104 units sold in November 2008 to 239 sold last month.
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