Top Stories this week: Wednesday, March. 16, 2005 St. Playa for St. Paddy's Day Playa Encantada condominium residents and friends came out in force, wearin' green, marchin' and pedalin' hard, and having way too much fun in celebration of St. Patrick's Day for the annual parade from Holmes Beach to Anna Maria - just a wee bit early on Sunday. INSERT: Riding in a St. Patrick's Day parade - in a firetruck! - put the excitement level over the top for these two little guys, Seth Miller, 7, and brother Mason, 3, sons of Keith Miller, new firefighter at the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District. Spring Avenue residents clarify wishes to ad hoc committee The Anna Maria Ad Hoc Committee met once more prior to its March 15 joint meeting with the planning and zoning board to clarify changes in land-use zoning they plan to recommend for the city's Future Land Use Map. Full Story... Island-style music may get the Anna Maria boot By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Jimmy Buffett: Take your cheeseburger out of paradise! If Anna Maria city commissioners are unable to resolve their current impasse over whether or not to permit outdoor entertainment at restaurants, Jimmy Buffett-style musicians and music may no longer be welcome in the city - at least outdoors. Full Story... Sandbar site plan Anna Maria's planning and zoning board will take up the issue of the Sandbar restaurant site plan again at its March 21 meeting. Full Story... Land-clearing begins for Arvida's Perico condominiums That smoke Islanders have seen rising from north Perico Island the past week isn't a brush fire. It's the beginning the initial phase of land-clearing for the Arvida-St. Joe project that will lead to construction of its 686-unit condominium project. Full Story... Title company says Beach House owns parking lot By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Reports that a portion of the parking lot on the south side of the Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach was actually owned by the city were a bit premature, said City Commissioner Bill Shearon. Full Story... Bradenton Beach City Pier deemed unsafe, closed By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter The Bradenton Beach City Pier is closed indefinitely due to safety concerns. Full Story... Vacation would lead to extra condo at Morland Marine By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Developers of the Morland Marine condominium project in Holmes Beach certainly believe in the old adage that: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Full Story... DOT coming to Holmes Beach Representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation will meet with the Holmes Beach City Commission April 12 to discuss construction of the Key Royale Bridge. Full Story... Sex offender still listed two blocks from school A convicted sex offender is back living two blocks from Anna Maria Elementary School, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Web site on convicted sex offenders. Full Story... Bradenton man found unconscious at Kingfish Boat Ramp Scott Pugh, 25, of Bradenton, was transported to Blake Medical Center Sunday after two of his friends reported finding him passed out next to his car, which was parked at Kingfish Boat Ramp on Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach. Full Story...