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Best Lighting Fixtures – Franklin Lighting

Best Lighting Fixtures – Franklin Lighting

With over 10,000 lights and fans in the region’s largest showroom, Franklin Lighting in Sarasota is sure to satisfy all of your lighting needs. They carry thousands of high quality lamps, ceiling lights, wall lights, outdoor lights, and fans. Along with lighting fixtures, they also have a selection of home accents like mirrors, bookends, plaques, and more. No matter what look you’re going for, contemporary or traditional, they will have the perfect fixture to suit your style.

The dedicated, professional, and highly trained sales staff truly makes the process enjoyable and trouble-free. Because of all this, Franklin Lighting has won an abundance of titles. Since 1994, they have consistently been voted the “Best Lighting Store” from the Sarasota Herald Tribune. They also took the 2018 title for “Best Lighting Fixtures” in SRQ Magazine. 

FRANKLIN LIGHTING

Address: 3600 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: (941) 355-2550

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Waste Collection Schedule for Anna Maria Island

Waste Collection Schedule for Anna Maria Island

If you are visiting or relocating to Anna Maria Island, it is important to be aware of the waste collection schedule for all three Island cities. Below, you will find the garbage and recycling pickup days for Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach.

Anna Maria Island Waste Collection Schedule 

Holmes Beach:
Household Garbage (solid waste) – Collected on Mondays and Fridays
Residential Recycling – Collected on Tuesdays
Residential Yard Waste – Collected on Wednesdays

Anna Maria City:
Residential Yard Waste and Recycling – Collected on Mondays
Household Garbage (solid waste) – Collected on Mondays and Thursdays.


Bradenton Beach:
Household Garbage (solid waste) –  Collected on Monday and Thursday
Residential Recycling – Collected on Thursday
Residential Yard Waste – Collected on  Wednesday

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Community Center on Anna Maria Island

Community Center on Anna Maria Island

Center of Anna Maria Island

The Center of Anna Maria Island, located in Anna Maria City, is a non-profit community center open Monday – Saturday.  The Center provides an abundance of different human service needs for children, seniors, and every age group in-between.

Whether you’re looking to take up a karate class with the whole family, or get out of the house by-yourself for the Center’s yoga class, there are tons of fun activities to take part in for everyone.

Along with the variety of classes taught there (Meditation, Cycling, Tai Chi, etc.), they also provide an awesome before and after school program, summer camps (ages 5 – 14), and different recreational sports.

Becoming a member is easy, and a great way to meet new people. You can get individual annual passes, or a family pass for only $105 a month. If you’re visiting Anna Maria Island for a vacation, the Center also does daily, weekly, or monthly passes.

 

Address: 407 Magnolia Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216
Phone: (941) 778-1908

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Wildlife Inc. – Animal Rescue on Anna Maria Island

Wildlife Inc. – Animal Rescue on Anna Maria Island

Wildlife Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center on Anna Maria Island has been rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals in Manatee and Sarasota County since they opened back in 1988. This animal rescue would not be around if it wasn’t for the tireless dedication of Gail and Ed Straight. This is a non-profit, volunteer run organization for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife in Bradenton Beach.

Wildlife Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center is the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in all of Manatee County! Now that’s impressive!

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.

Wildlife Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center also has a unique agreement with Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton. Through this agreement, they are able to keep several animals at Mixon’s as a part of educating the public on their tour. So next time you visit Mixon’s Fruit Farm, take time to take the tour as well!

Click here to find out what to do if you come across injured or orphaned wildlife while on or near Anna Maria Island, FL. 

Wildlife Inc
Phone: (941) 778-6324
Mixon Fruit Farms Address: 2525 27th St E, Bradenton, FL 34208
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The Annual DeSoto Grand Parade

The Annual DeSoto Grand Parade

Parades are a big thing on Anna Maria Island. It seems that every holiday there is a coordinating parade that takes place. People will line up off the road and wait for the floats to come by. It’s truly always a fun time, no matter what occasion the parade is for.

However, there is an extremely impressive (and massive) parade that takes place in Bradenton every year since 1939. The DeSoto Grand Parade is a huge event, and in recent years, it has brought in a crowd of over 200,000 spectators. To give a little background, In the early 1500’s, Conquistador, Hernando DeSoto, and his army of soldiers walked the grounds of Bradenton, making local and national history.

The parade travels 2.4 miles in a 3 hour time span with over 150 illuminated floats/entries. The parade starts at Manatee High School, and then travels to Manatee Avenue where it continues until it reaches Downtown Bradenton.

The event takes place on a Saturday, typically in the month of April. You’ll know the parade is going to start soon once you see lawn chairs out on the side of Manatee Avenue. This brings me to another important aspect of the DeSoto Parade, GET THERE EARLY! Walking to the parade is the best to avoid traffic. So if you have a friend or family member that lives close to the parade route, I’d ask to park at their place. Remember, Manatee Avenue will be closed starting around 5PM from 44th Street West, to U.S. 41.

So bring the kids, wear comfortable clothing, and collect some beads and other goodies at the annual DeSoto Grand Parade in Bradenton!

Parade Route

Click Here to View Larger Map Photo
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Yoga on Anna Maria Island

Yoga on Anna Maria Island

beach yoga, sup yoga, and so much more! 

If you’re staying/living on Anna Maria Island and looking into beginning yoga, or are already an experienced yogi, then you definitely want to continue reading this blog.

AMI is the perfect place to get your yoga on, and luckily, there are a few different local options when it comes to finding the right instructor for you. Below are three companies based on Anna Maria Island that will definitely help with developing your yoga skills.

Island Yoga Space
Along with owner/directer Cindy Phillips, there are 6 other yoga teachers at Island Yoga Space. They offer quite a few different classes, including; Gentle Yoga, Flow Yoga, Restorative Yoga Therapeutics, Basic Express Flow Yoga, and more! Island Yoga Space also does beach yoga every Saturday morning, and even has a SUP yoga class you can register to take.
Teacher(s): Cindy Phillips, Frannie Hoffman, Jenny Bieselin, Hillary Bardwell,  Rachael Croll, Nicole Cook, and Angela Simone.
Phone: 941-224-0292

Salty Buddha Paddle & Yoga Co
Salty Buddha Paddle & Yoga Co offers SUP yoga classes. Owner/instructor, Rachael Croll, will guide the group through a yoga lesson on the water during the daytime, or the evening during her Sunset SUP Yoga.
Teacher: Rachael Croll
Phone: (941) 932-3671

Aluna Wellness Center & Spa
Aluna Wellness Center & Spa has two yoga classes, both taught by yoga teacher Jennifer VanGraupen. There is a Basic Hatha Yoga every Saturday morning, and a Yoga Nidra class every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
Teacher: Jennifer VanGraupen
Phone: (941) 778-8400

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The Tranquil Trails of Robinson Preserve

The Tranquil Trails of Robinson Preserve

Located in North West Bradenton, FL, you will find the tranquil trails of Robinson Preserve. With over 682 acres of mangroves, marsh, and coastal wetland habitats, this place will turn your morning jog into a relaxing adventure through nature.

Along with the trails, Robinson Preserve also has kayak launches, restrooms, and picnic areas. There is also an incredible observation tower, where you can look out on to gorgeous views of the preserve, Tampa Bay, and the Skyway Bridge in the distance.

In early 2018, Robinson opened their new expansion to the preserve, called the “NEST”. The NEST is short for the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology. The new space is a beautiful, multi-purpose building that is home to a ton of hands-on interpretive programming for all ages. You can even rent out the NEST for your own private event.

Robinson’s Preserve has a variety of activities to indulge in while you’re there, including:
. Hiking/walking the nature trails. You can always bring your four-legged, furry friend along with you (as long as their on a leash)
. Kayaking/Canoeing through the numerous trails through the mangroves (this activity I highly suggest, it is simply a wonderful experience)
. Biking
. Rollerblading
. Long boarding
. Managed fishing
. Bird Watching
. Wildlife viewing areas
. Group Camping (by reservation only)

Accessibility to the trails isn’t an issue. The trail that begins at the entrance is paved, and travels the entire preserve. However, most of the other trails are packed shell.

So take the trip out to Robinson’s Preserve, get outdoors, and enjoy nature!

Address: 1704 99th St NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
Hours: Open daily, THOUGH HOURS vary by season
Phone: (941) 742-5923
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Where to Vote on Election Day – Anna Maria Island

Where to Vote on Election Day – Anna Maria Island

Below you will find the local locations to cast your vote at on Anna Maria Island.
Remember, it doesn’t matter who you’re voting for, as long as you make your voice heard.

Anna Maria Island Voting Locations:

For Holmes Beach, voters should go to:
. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (6608 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217)
Or
. St Bernard Catholic Church (248 S Harbor Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217)

For Anna Maria, voters should go to: Roser Memorial Community Church (512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216)

For Bradenton Beach, voters should go to: Bradenton Beach Fire Hall (107 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach, Florida 34217)

Polls will be open from 7am – 7pm on election day. You will need to bring a valid and current photo and signature ID. 

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Annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

Annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

Who Dun it? Find out at Anna Maria Islands annual  Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. The dinner has a different theme each year, and typically done two nights (Friday and Saturday).

This fundraising dinner gets the audience involved, and is always a night full of fun, laughter, and murder of course.

Tickets for the Murder Mystery are $45, and go towards supporting the Center of Anna Maria Island.

Besides crime and food, there are also raffles, a live auction, and a cash bar.

Where: The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave, Anna Maria, Florida 34216
Phone: The Center’s phone number is, (941) 778-1908

This Event is for adults only!

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