Larry - Island Real Estate Blog

June 30, 2014January 22, 2021

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island – Dine and Drink El Fresco!

Outdoor Dining on Anna Maria Island is the quintessential way to hang out in beautiful tropical climate! There’s nothing better than when going out to grab a bite to eat or drinks, having the warm island breeze surrounding you. Some of the wonderful restaurants I’ve listed below have beautiful water views of either the crystal clear Gulf or Bay, or an open-air setting directly across the street from the beach.

The fresh air of AMI always makes your food taste that much better and your drinks that much tastier, bringing you relaxing vibes that will be sure to lift your spirit. I have suggested different places from smaller and more quant spots, to casual any-time spots, to romantic night spots.

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island

Sandbar (featured in above image)– 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria

Direct Gulf front

The Waterfront – 111 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
Bay views

Anna Maria Pier – 100 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
Out in the middle of the Tampa Bay

Bridgetender – 135 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach
Direct bay front

Island Time Bar & Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach
Open-air setting, across the street from the Gulf

The Beachhouse – 200 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach
Direct Gulf front

Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe – 4000 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach
Direct Gulf front

Larry

Meet Larry Chatt. Larry is the Broker/Owner of Island Real Estate – and has owned Anna Maria Island investment property while residing in New England, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa and across Europe. He and his family have been on the island for decades and Larry has served his community in various roles with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

June 18, 2014November 20, 2020

Ernie Would Be Proud!

Anna Maria – Back in the day….When you walked into the IGA grocery store at 9807 Gulf Drive , you would most often find old Ernie Cagnina chewing on his cigar, barking at a stock boy or cracking jokes with customers. He always had colorful Gladiolas for sale when they were available. Ernie was a big part of Anna Maria Island. He served his community through volunteer work, as mayor of the city of Anna Maria and by quietly extending credit to members of his ‘island family’ if they fell on hard times.

These days, the store that has spent so many years serving residents and visitors, is busier than ever carrying on the tradition. No, you won’t find cans of corn neatly stacked on shelves, but you will find one of the best latte’s this side of the Mississippi (I highly recommend the “STAR WARS”), wonderful trinkets and treasures from local artists and kitschy, take home gifts (just to remind your friends that YOU spent time in paradise and they got a key ring!) .

Now Ginny’s & Jane E’s offers a WIDE variety of wonderful goodies; the cinnamon rolls are the size of a dinner plate, it took six different trials before they found the PERFECT corned beef for the bestest Rueben around! You can take your breakfast or lunch to the beach or hang out in the big casual dining area that is just as much a mish mosh of tables and chairs as the visitors to our beautiful island

Breakfast entrees run from $4.95 to $9.00, for omelets to tantalizing scones and pastries, fresh fruit to waffles. Lunch is just as deserving of raves. Sandwiches, salads, soups, Panini and wraps will average $7 to $10 per person for a wonderful lunch of comfort food with a twist. It shows that the team at Ginny’s & Jane E’s are passionate about being a part of the great Island experience for our visitors and residents. Ice cold beer and wine are also available. How good can it get?!

Larry

June 12, 2014November 20, 2020

Historic Green Village – the Model of Going Green on Anna Maria Island

If you’re on Anna Maria Island you have to check out the Historic Green Village (HGV). This unique combination of commercial and residential buildings combines today’s modern energy efficient technology in a historic setting.

Historic Green Village

Owners Mike and Lizze thrasher had a vision for Pine Ave when they vacationed here in 2007. The couple bought 4 adjacent lots on Pine Ave which only had two usable properties and a few abandoned garages. In 2009, when the renovations began, they purchased two different historic abandoned houses from around the island; the Sears Cottage, and the Anglers Lodge.

Building the Green Village

The Anglers Lodge is a huge two story house which required 300,000 lbs. of concrete reinforcement and required a temporary bridge built across one of the canals to move. It took three “heart slipping” hours to move the Anglers Lodge across the canal but was successfully delivered to the lots on Pine Ave.

During Renovations Architect Gene Aubry assisted the thrashers in choosing high quality building materials that reduce energy consumption. They also added in a fifth building, brand new, that was built to match the historic look of the other buildings. Mike and Lizzie Thrashers vision was to establish a group of buildings with a high level of sustainability. With the guidance of environmental consultant, Raymond Kaiser, the HGV was able to become only 1 of 100 places worldwide to earn the Platinum LEED certification and achieve Net Zero Energy during its first 18 months of operation.

Net Zero Energy

Net Zero Energy (NZE) building is one that relies on renewable sources to produce as much energy as it consumes. There are several main areas where buildings are evaluated to determine LEED certification. All the buildings are insulated with a special soy based formula that completely seals and insulates attics, keeping them at the same temperature as the rooms. The HGV also uses special energy efficient windows. These allow in maximum light and filter out the heat carrying infrared spectrum.

On top of the HGV buildings lay 400 photovoltaic solar panels which generate about 100kw, or 14,000$ in electricity annually. The photovoltaic solor panels collect energy from the minute the sun rises until the sunsets. The surplus energy created by HGV is sent to Florida Power and Light. The surplus comes back to the HGV when needed during rain storms and at night. Also, the buildings collect rain water to flush the high efficiency toilets and water the landscaping. Another way the HGV is saving energy, is the 450ft deep well pull that brings up 80° water from deep below the surface to help cool the AC, increasing efficiency by 30-50%!

A model of Green

The Historic Green Village is an inspiration to the local community. The Thrashers are hoping to influence others by proving that this is possible not only for commercial but residential. Despite the serious impact of this quaint historic village, don’t forget to check out the shopping venue while you’re here. Lastly, make sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with a delicious cupcake at Hometown Desserts , Dips and then browse the Bob Brown art gallery.

Larry

June 4, 2014January 22, 2021

Wildlife, Inc. – Animal Rescue Anna Maria Island

This animal rescue Anna Maria Island is small but the tireless dedication of Gail and Ed Straight is huge.

The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit organization for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife located in Bradenton Beach.

Animal Rescue Anna Maria Island

Since 1988 they have cared for thousands of animals every year. 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. They also supply medicine, food and surgeries for injured or orphaned animals until they can be released to the wild. Their mission is supported by an all-volunteer staff. During the course of a week 10-15 volunteers are helping to achieve this goal alongside the two primary operators Ed & Gail Straight.

All funding comes from donations and occasional grants. Springtime is usually the busiest for them, but they are always in need of supplies and funding. The next big fund raiser for Wildlife, Inc is the upcoming 14^th Annual Blood Drive on Saturday, June 7 and 8, 2014 at 9 am – 4 pm, Saint Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S Harbor Dr., Holmes Beach. Please visit this link to stay informed about the organization’s activities.

If you find an animal in distress or like to get involved please call the center at 941-778-6324.

Larry

May 28, 2014November 20, 2020

Have You Been to Island Time?

Bradenton Beach – Anna Maria Island is known for having fantastic locally-owned restaurants like Island Time! One of my favorite places to go on the island is Island Time Bar & Grill in Bradenton Beach. This is an open-air restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. You are right across the street from the beach to see the sunset too! While enjoying some of their delicious food, cocktails and live music, you’ll love the atmosphere!

Island Time

They have live music 5-7 days a week. Have you ever been to a bar or restaurant and the band/singer starts performing and it’s just no good? It’s a bummer because it can potentially kill the good vibe going on. Well, Island Time always has great bands/singers that everyone enjoys! This restaurant is both family oriented and fun for a night out.

Island Time has awesome food. Every time I’ve eaten there, I’ve always liked what I ordered! They have an awesome 7 layer dip for an appetizer along with other great choices. You’ll also find really good sandwiches, lobster bisque, burgers, and much more! Don’t be afraid to try something new – you will love it!

I know when I’ve been at the beach all day I love to walk across the street to Island Time to get an ice cold drink! Island Time’s bar staff is all very nice and attentive. It’s no fun when you have to wait forever to get a drink! The staff is great and they acknowledge you as soon as you get to the bar. Check out some of their drinks specials below!

Happy Hour

Mon. – Fri. 11:30am to 4pm

$2.50 Domestic Bottles

$6.00 Signature Cocktails

$2.00 Bud & Bud Light Drafts

$5.00 Frozen Drinks

In the mood to dine outside? Check out more information on outdoor dining on Anna Maria Island.

Larry

May 22, 2014January 22, 2021

Anna Maria Island Drinks to Aid in Relaxation

Here is a list of Anna Maria Island drinks to get you relaxed island style! When you are thinking of an Anna Maria Island beach vacation what complements the tropical breezes better than a delicious tropical drink! There are so many to choose from, but these are by far my favorites.

They will complement any palate, occasion or any meal for that matter. I have listed them below with their recipe that anyone can master! Also there are a few places to purchase your favorite liquors right here on the island… Hurricane Liquors or Walgreens Liquor Store. I hope this makes all of your stays on Anna Maria Island a little more relaxing…

Mojito:

You Will Need:

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar
8 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup (2 ounces) white rum
1 cup ice
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) club soda
lime slice for garnish

Directions:

Add lime juice, sugar and eight mint leaves to a cocktail shaker. Use the end of a wooden spoon or cocktail muddler to bash (or muddle) the mint into the lime juice and sugar. This releases oils from the mint and helps the sugar dissolve into the lime juice.
Add rum, stir well then pour into a glass filled with ice, leaving about an inch of room then top with club soda. Garnish with extra mint leaves and a lime slice.

La Paloma:

You will need:

2 ounces blanco or repesado tequila
6 ounces fresh Jarritos Grapefruit soda (if you can’t find Jarritos don’t make this drink)
1/2 ounce lime juice
Salt for rimming (optional)

Directions:

Rim a glass with salt.
Fill the glass with ice and add the tequila and lime juice.
Top it off with grapefruit soda.

Strawberry Daiquiri:

You will need:

2 ounces light rum
1/2 ounce triple sec orange liquor
1 ounce lime juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 cup ice
5-10 strawberries (to taste)

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a blender.

Dark & Stormy:

You will need:

2 ounces Gosling’s Black Seal rum
3 ounces Barrit’s Ginger Beer
Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

Pour the ingredients in a glass one at a time filled with ice cubes.
Garnish with the lime wedge.

Margarita:

You will need:

1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/2 ounce triple sec(Cointreau is recommended)
1 ounce fresh lime juice
Lime wedge for garnish
Salt or sugar to rim the glass (optional)

Directions:

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Shake well
If desired, salt the rim of a chilled glass.
Pour contents, with ice, into the glass.
Garnish with the lime wedge.

Larry

May 15, 2014August 24, 2024

Rules to Live by During Anna Maria Island Sea Turtle Season

This is our list of rules to live by during Anna Maria Island Sea Turtle Season! Every year between May 1st and October 31st hundreds of turtles crawl up onto the Anna Maria Island beaches and lay thousands of eggs. Once these eggs hatch tiny turtles emerge, scurry to the water, and begin the unimaginably difficult journey through gulf waters. If they are lucky to survive these early stages of life, females of the five Anna Maria Island turtle species will come back each year to lay their own eggs. Here are some important rules to follow to make sure they aren’t disturbed as they start their lives.

Anna Maria Island Sea Turtle Season

– Turn off outdoor lights that are visible from the beach at night. They can be disorienting to nesting and hatching sea turtles.

– Don’t aim camera flashes at the Sea Turtles.

– Don’t use flashlights or other light sources at night on the beach.

– Remove chairs, umbrellas, tents, grills and all objects from the beach at night.

– Fill in holes dug in the sand so that nesting and hatching turtles don’t get trapped.

– If you see a nesting or hatching turtle, be quiet and don’t touch it under any circumstance.

– Again, don’t touch the Sea Turtles.

– Watch for Sea Turtles and Manatee’s while boating.

– Stay away from the staked nesting areas along the beach.(This applies to the staked bird nesting areas too)

– Don’t chase the birds.

– Dispose of fishing line, hooks, plastic bags and other trash.

– No fireworks, balloons or sky lanterns from the beach. The debris is dangerous to the turtles, birds and other wildlife.

For emergencies or questions about Sea Turtles, birds and other wildlife, call the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization at 941-778-5638, or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922.

Larry

May 5, 2014November 20, 2020

Island Real Estate Resource Link Guidelines

This is the Island Real Estate Resource Link Guidelines. The Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island website is a valuable resource for locals and visitors to our Island. Our site has more than 500 webpages of information that supplies fantastic insider information to those visiting IslandReal.com. We are often supplemental links for informational purposes. The goal of this webpage is to supply Anna Maria Island information. Therefore you can determine if Island Real Estate benefits from your listing your services. The following are some guidelines to help understand if you should contact Island Real Estate to let us know of your service.

Island Real Estate Resource Guidelines

1) Island Real Estate lives and breathes Anna Maria Island, as most would expect, we feel the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is passionate about ensuring our local resources continue to service locals and visitors. We ask you become an Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce member.

2) We require our link appear on your website. Also, “Anna Maria Island Real Estate and Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals” is provided as anchor text in the hyperlink.

One of the two items above is required to be linked on our local scene of our website however if you do have both we generally try to provide premium placement on our website. Of course non Anna Maria Island related businesses will not be linked. For example vacation rentals in Italy or a business to business service like servicing photo copiers will not be linked. The service needs to support local tourism as well as the clientele Island Real Estate works hard to service in our area.

If you have questions you can email us or call 877 778 6066 and request the marketing department. Have a wonderful day and thank you for patronizing Island Real Estate.

Larry

February 14, 2014November 20, 2020

Olympic Skating in Florida

While our visitors come to Anna Maria Island to escape the cold, my daughter and I couldn’t wait to see the ice. The ice, that is, of the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex and the pairs skaters who will be representing Team U.S.A., Team Canada and Team Great Britain in the Olympics in Sochi this month. These teams train in Ellenton and are world class athletes. My daughter was excited to see Nathan Bartholomay and his partner Felicia Zhang, who captured the silver medal in the U.S. National Figure Skating competition in Boston last month, earning them a spot representing the United States in the Winter Olympics.

A few weeks ago, we went as a family to the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex for the public skating, which is held daily. My son, in his rented skates, made a valiant effort to make his way across the ice. He was focused and moved his feet in impossibly little steps as he circled the rink. He was most delighted in the Zamboni machine as it resurfaced the ice. Meanwhile, my daughter, glided across the ice- gracefully, existing in a state somewhere between pure joy and pure beauty that made me want to sign her up for lessons immediately.

When we returned home, the boy fell asleep early- which makes me want to take him back again and again. The girl showed off her bruises- some spectacular black and blue ones on her knees- and asked if we could watch the skating competitions on television. I told her that I could do one better, that I would take her out of school early to watch the young Olympians as they practiced before their trip to Russia.

Together we braved the cold inside the arena to watch the skaters perform spins, jumps, fancy footwork and overhead lifts. We were delighted and amazed as we cheered on our Olympians. We took photos for our British and Canadian friends too, and rooted for them all to perform a flawless program. When the event was over, the athletes gave television interviews, and made time to meet a ten-year-old fan named Bella from Anna Maria Island who came to cheer them on. Best of luck Team USA! We will be watching you as you compete, and be ready to greet you when you come back home to your little spot of winter ice in your sunny Florida home.

The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex is Located just North of the Prime Outlet Mall in Ellenton, Florida, (exit 224, Old Exit 43, off I – 75). The 115,000 square foot “igloo-like” complex is a state-of-the-art facility on the Florida Gulf Coast offering recreational and entertainment activities for all ages. Public Skating is offered daily.

Still need to get more of your “ice” on? You might want to check out a Tampa Bay lightning game if in season. What fun!

Larry