Local Lawn Care – Shady Lady Horticultural Services

Founded in 2012 by Anna Maria Island resident Joan Bowling, Shady Lady Horticultural Services provides service with a focus on the specific and unique needs of island properties. For example, sea spray can end up with plantings looking rather plain. The simple addition of salt tolerating colorful shrubs and moisture holding mulch make for a much nicer view. A nice balance of form and function.

Shady Lady Horticultural Services prides themselves by offering turnkey solutions for island residents. Shady Lady offers landscape design, construction and maintenance services with both native plants and custom designs.

Shady Lady’s design services are unmatched, offering both residential and commercial solutions. They use a “Best Practices Approach” to construction and provide service worthy of their island neighbors.

Local Lawn Care – Stewart’s Landscape Management

Stewarts Landscape Management has been serving locals since 1980 with full service residential and commercial landscaping and maintenance. They provide design and construction services, grounds maintenance, plantings, holiday decorating, and specialty outdoor spaces, comprehensive all season maintenance services.

Stewarts Landscape Management has a single focus – to be Extraordinary FROM THE GROUND UP. Complete customer satisfaction is what they are all about. The entire staff is committed to ensuring that the job is done right the first time, on time. They are recognized as one of the premier landscape companies in the area, and this did not happen by chance, rather they earned it as a result of dedication and hard work. At the end of the day, when the job is done, the quality results speak for themselves – customers understand that Stewarts Landscape Management is beyond a doubt Extraordinary FROM THE GROUND UP.

Their success begins with a team of experienced professionals. Many employees have been with the company for years and are knowledgeable in all aspects of landscape construction, installation and maintenance.

Stewarts provide complete project management, designed with each client’s unique needs in mind. This has made us one of the most respected landscaping companies in south Florida. The staff at Stewarts Landscape Management looks forward to working with you on your next residential or commercial project.
In a world of mega marts and multinational corporations it’s nice to know that at Stewarts Landscape Management you can still get personalized service. They can customize a maintenance program that meets your needs and fits into your budget.
For our commercial customers your business partners they know the importance of “Curb Appeal”. Your landscape is the first thing a customer sees as they arrive at business and the last thing seen when leaving.
Whether it is a residential home or a multi-million dollar commercial property, as a full service landscape company you can rest assured that your property will always look its best.
Reach Stewarts Landscape Management at 941-778-6036.

Kid’s Corner – Anna Maria Island for Kids

Kid’s Corner

Welcome to Kid’s Corner! Looking for information about stuff for us kids to do on Anna Maria Island? Well, this is the place to find it! For kids, by kids…this info will help give you ideas while you are staying on our awesome island! Have an idea to share? Please leave us a comment! We want to help you guys learn all the fun that is available on the island…with some insider tips, too! Hope you enjoy your stay on the Gulf Coast, and we hope we can help make it even more fun!

Tampa and St. Petersburg area information

Tampa Area Activities and Information

Looking for something to do in the Tampa/St Petersburg area? Our Tampa and St. Petersburg area information page will for sure help tick off your things to do while visiting Anna Maria Island. There are plenty of things to do like catch a ball game, or a concert, or plan to take a day trip to one of the theme parks, visit the Florida Aquarium, the Lowery Park Zoo, or the Dali museum. Here are a few places to get you started on planning your next Tamp/St Petersburg adventure.

Boasting the nation’s fourth largest zoo, Busch Gardens features African animals roaming free and exciting amusement park rides Kumba the renowned roller-coaster, Montu. Kids will like the Land of the Dragons and the whole family will like Hollywood Live on Ice and Dolphins of the Deep.

Another member of the Busch Gardens Amusement Park family, Adventure Island water park is right down the road from Busch Gardens. Experience thrills and spills on Key West Rapids, or splash through over 700 feet of water mines, twists, turns and a spectacular grand finale plunge into a refreshing pool.

Located Channelside in Tampa, Visit The Florida Aquarium and follow the path of a single drop of water from underground aquifer to the deep blue sea. Birds, plants ans sea creatures of all sizes, shapes and colors in their near-natural habitats.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo features rare Asian animals and a native Florida wildlife area, shaped like the Sunshine State itself. See Florida Manatees in a unique underwater habitat. The zoo’s Aquatic Center is home to one of three critical care facilities in Florida for this endangered species.

Watch a movie at the Ruskin Drive in Theater or take the family to see the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Tampa International Airport

9TH Annual Trail of Treats on Anna Maria Island

Monday October 31st is the 9TH Annual Trail of Treats 2010. The Annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Trail of Treats on Anna Maria Island is a safe alternative for children of all ages to trick or treat. The Trail of Treats will take you on a Halloween adventure through Anna Maria Island, stopping at participating businesses in Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and The City of Anna Maria.

The Trail of Treats kicks off at 3:30 with a kiddie costume contest at The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, located at 5313 Gulf Drive North, Holmes Beach. After the costume contest it’s time to hit the trail, visiting Merchants and Merchant communities throughout the Island for this special and safe event.

Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
5313 Gulf Drive North
Holmes Beach FL 34217

Learn To Fish Program For Kids At Anna Maria Island Community Center

Little Girl Fishing With Her Dad — Learn To Fish

Learn to Fish program for kids this summer is being held with the help of the Anna Maria Island Community Center, Little Toots Charters, and Island Discount Tackle. The Learn To Fish Program is for children 5-12 years old and will be held on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm where your kids can learn to fish from Anna Maria Island pro’s.

Put some sunscreen on the kids, give them a fishing pole, and make sure they have their swimsuit on so they are ready for their Anna Maria Island fishing adventure. Take a look below for the Learn To Fish Program schedule.

Learn To Fish Program Schedule

Boy Fishing On The Rod & Reel Pier — Lets Go Fishing

July 23^rd
Anna Maria City Pier

July 30^th
Robison Preserve

August 6^th
Florida Maritime Museum, AP Bell Fish Company

August 13^th
Boat Trip

Note: Boat trips have limited space available and you will need to make a reservation at least 1 week in advance. The boat trip includes: bait & tackle, drinks, snacks, and transportation. The cost is $15.00 per day for members and $20.00 per day for non-members.

Anna Maria Island Community Center
407 Magnolia Avenue
Anna Maria FL
941-778-1908

Donate Blood And Raise Money To Save Area Wildlife

Wildlife, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the rehabilitation of injured, and orphaned wildlife so they can return to the wild. Wildlife Inc. runs completely on donations, their biggest fundraiser every year is the Island Blood Drive.

This weekend you will have your chance to help our community, you can provide much needed blood, and help Wildlife Inc. to fulfill their mission at the same time by donating blood in the name of Wildlife Inc. The Anna Maria Island Blood Drive will be held Saturday June 4^th & Sunday June 5^that St. Bernard’s Church located at 5408 Marina Drive Holmes Beach FL, 34217. The Blood Drive is from 9am – 4pm both days, and will raise money for local non-profit organizations. Continue reading Donate Blood And Raise Money To Save Area Wildlife

June Events On Anna Maria Island

Ongoing Events This June

Wednesday’s

Free Concert with Mike Sales

2 hours before sunset at Katie Pierola Park, Anna Maria Island trolley stop #27 in Bradenton Beach

Bring a picnic and beverages of your choice (alcohol is permitted on the beach for this weekly event) and enjoy the sunset as Mike Sales sings.

Wednesday’s & Saturdays

Horse Shoe’s at Anna Maria City Hall

9 a.m. Anna Maria City Hall

Players toss horse shoes in the pits at Anna Maria City Hall

Friday’s

Sunset Drum circle

Manatee Public Beach

7 p.m. – sunset join in the drum circle at Manatee Public Beach

Other Events This June

Friday June 3^rd

Anna Maria Seniors Adventure Group

Annie Silver Community Center

102 23^rd Ave Bradenton Beach

Call Pat for schedule 941-962-8835

Saturday June 4^th

Afternoon Silence Stroll through the mangrove system

Robison Preserve

99^th Street NW & 17^th Street NW Bradenton

Call for reservations 941-748-4501 ext. 4605

Saturday June 4^th & Sunday June 5th

Island Blood Drive

St. Bernard’s Church
5408 Marina Drive Holmes Beach FL, 34217

Donate blood this weekend for the Island Blood Drive, which raises money for local non-profits. A private donor will contribute $100.00 to for each person who donates a pint of blood in the name of Wildlife, Inc., AMI Community Center, AMI Privateers, or the AMI Rotary.

Friday June 10^th

Anna Maria Seniors Adventure Group

Annie Silver Community Center

102 23^rd Ave Bradenton Beach

Call Pat for schedule 941-962-8835

Saturday June 11^th

Naturalist-led 60 minute wagon tours

Robison Preserve

99^th Street NW & 17^th Street NW Bradenton

Call for reservations 941-748-4501 ext. 4605

Thursday June 16^th

Summer Program for kids

Island Community Center 407 Magnolia Ave Anna Maria

Music by Jose Olarte

Starts at 10:30am

Friday June 17^th

Anna Maria Seniors Adventure Group

Annie Silver Community Center

102 23^rd Ave Bradenton Beach

Call Pat for schedule 941-962-8835

Anna Maria City Pier Celebrates 100th Birthday!

In 1911 during the beginning stages of commercial development on Anna Maria Island, one of the first steps was to build a city pier on the bay side of Anna Maria Island. The idea was to attract excursion steamers from Tampa to unload passengers on Anna Maria Island so they could enjoy everything that the Island has to offer.

Today The City Pier is still a popular spot for tourists, day trippers, and local fishermen. This weekend May 13^th & 14^th we will celebrate The Anna Maria City Pier’s 100^th Birthday. Start your weekend with a parade, 6p.m. Friday evening May 13^th at Cross Pointe Fellowship Church, and ending at The City Pier where the Privateers, The Islander, & The City Pier Restaurant will host a reception for the parade participants and officials.

Saturday May 14^th will launch the beginning of Food & Wine on Pine Event, an all-day centennial celebration from the SandBar Restaurant on the beach down Pine Avenue to The City Pier on the Bay. Taste food from area’s best restaurants, and local wine curators that will give you something to talk about.

The Food and Wine on Pine Event will end at 4pm, but stick around the Festival will continue until at least 10p.m. with live music, artist demonstrations, chalk art for the kids, an art show, and character actors dressed in full costume telling tales of Anna Maria Island back in the day. Make sure and stick around for the Grand Finale an estimated $10,000 fireworks show, that will be launched over the Bay Saturday evening.

In your quest for entertainment, dining, or the best shopping, check in with one of our Anna Maria Island vacation specialists and make sure that you get the most out of your Anna Maria Island Vacation. We have beach house rentals all over Anna Maria Island. Call Island Real Estate today 877-778-6066 and book your island getaway!

Party On The Plaza Downtown Bradenton May 21ST

Party On Plaza — Image Provided By RealizeBradenton.com

Party on the Plaza is a Realize Bradenton Event Saturday May 21^st on the parking plaza of Fist Bank in Downtown Bradenton. Experience an outdoor evening with libations, dancing, food, and live music from Have Gun Will Travel. Also appearing DJ and signer Jonathan Cortez, Cable World Music Ensemble with Tango Dancers, Tahja International Dancers and Street Performers, Skateboard demos, and a funky fashion show.

Don’t miss this event the plaza opens at 7:00p.m. Saturday May 21^st, tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the event. Limited VIP tickets are available for $85.00 but you need to purchase your tickets soon before they are sold out.

Just remember in your quest for entertainment, dining, or the best shopping, check in with one of our Anna Maria Island vacation specialists and make sure that you get the most out of your Anna Maria Island Vacation. We have beach house rentals all over Anna Maria Island. Call Island Real Estate today 877-778-6066 and book your island getaway!