Top Stories this week: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Trumpeting St. Pat's An elephant marched up the street toward the Anna Maria border in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade March 16. The event took place late Sunday afternoon, drawing hundreds of participants and hundreds of observers. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff Lakewood Ranch High School's marching band brings a beat to Marina Drive in Holmes Beach during the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 16. The parade, presented by Sean Murphy of the Beach Bistro, featured additional bands, as well as local businesses and elected officials, nonprofit groups and social clubs, horses, one Chihuahua and an elephant - no blarney - and lots of green. More on the parade, page 4. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff The Anna Maria Island Privateers toss beads to paradegoers. Jim Gabarer, a winter resident of Tidy Island and a veteran of World War II, serves as the grand marshal in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday. Gabarer was an Army Ranger on D-Day. Guests of the annual Irish breakfast at the Moose Lodge on St. Patrick's Day were greeted and treated to "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" by Fred LaCrosse on his bagpipe as host Bonner Joy, publisher of The Islander, announced a tribute to the late Don Maloney, the Irishman who started the event, and, finally, Anna Maria Island's "Irishman of the Year." Islander Photos: Nancy Ambrose The late Don Maloney at last year's Irish breakfast, an event he founded that benefits the food bank, Our Daily Bread. Islander File Photo The Anna Maria Island Ceili Dancers. Bridge draw slims, draw times change, vehicles slowed by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Only one “leaf” will raise for boat traffic during the duration of the Florida Department of Transportation’s renovation project currently ongoing on the Anna Maria Island Bridge, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Full Story... DCA gives initial OK to Anna Maria comp-plan by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria officials learned from the Florida Department of Community Affairs last week that their comp-plan "appears to be complete" and the adopted plan review is "under way." Full Story... Grant committee reviews options on trolley shelters by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Members of the Anna Maria Transportation Enhancement Grant Committee voiced preliminary consensus at their March 12 meeting to a trolley shelter design submitted by contractor John King. Full Story... Anna Maria ready to adopt stormwater fee by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter After more than two years of study, Anna Maria city commissioners at their March 13 work session unanimously agreed to adopt an ordinance creating a stormwater utility fee that will provide funds for the maintenance of current and planned stormwater drainage projects. Full Story... Despite perception, tourism normal by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Tourism for Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key this winter is at the same levels as last year, according to recent figures from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Full Story... Dogs, bikes, dock topics in Bradenton Beach by Paul Roat Dogs and bikes were hot topics in Bradenton Beach last week. Full Story... Cortez festival figures revised - way up by Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Cortez knew it had another record in hand, it just didn’t realize what a great height its Commercial Fishing Festival had reached. Full Story... Legislator seeks honor for Olson by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Florida state Rep. Bill Galvano is asking his colleagues in the state Capitol to adopt a resolution honoring Rod & Reel Pier employee Christine Olson. Full Story... Islander slugs deputy, arrested Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a Holmes Beach man following an altercation at a bar in Bradenton. Full Story... Duplex owner seeks reduced fine by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Joe Hieronimus wasn’t bashful about his reasons for appearing before the Holmes Beach City Commission March 11. Full Story... Holmes Beach works to fast-track floodplain measure by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach commissioners agreed last week to fast track the adoption of an ordinance that would allow them to lift a hold on building permits in the floodplain. Full Story... Transcripts detail city's approach in suit by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Transcripts from three “shade” meetings held by the Bradenton Beach officials detail the city’s strategy in responding to a public information suit filed by The Islander. Full Story... Key Royale closed after crash A vehicle accident on Key Royale Drive Monday forced emergency personnel to close the road for much of the morning. Full Story... Ooh La La-coustic Dan Mobley, right, pictured with friend and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder Jimmie Fadden, will tote his guitar to Ooh La La! Bistro, 5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, for a performance starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 20. Mobley, a former Islander who has gigged about here and in the Keys, also will perform with Fadden at the March 22 party to kickoff the Sarasota Songwriter Festival. Advance tickets are required for the fest party, which starts at 4 p.m. at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island. For festival tickets or more information, call 813-240-3987. For Ooh La La! reservations, call 941-778-5320. Palma Sola group to mark progress by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Spring fever has arrived on the Palma Sola Causeway, where multiple projects are under way to beautify the stretch of Manatee Avenue linking Anna Maria Island to the mainland. Full Story... Evidence challenged in officer shooting case by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The attorney for a man charged in the mainland shooting of an off-duty Holmes Beach officer is challenging the use of evidence associated with a possibly illegal wire tap. Full Story...