A lot of people retire to Florida. You can hardly blame them, with our climate, beautiful scenery and abundance of attractions. But that does not mean a move down here is for everyone. As this interesting article from USAToday states, what more people should be doing is looking before they leap.
Read the whole article here
Retirement can be the best of times or the worst of times. What can make the difference, says psychologist Nancy Schlossberg, is planning.
Most people who plan for retirement focus only on their financial portfolio, but they should pay as much attention to their "psychological portfolio," says Schlossberg, whose new book, Revitalizing Retirement: Reshaping Your Identity, Relationships, and Purpose, was published in February by the American Psychological Association.
Q. What is a psychological profile?
A. Retirement challenges your identity, changes your relationships and may leave you feeling rootless. These three components — identity, relationships and purpose — make up each person's psychological profile.
Q. Are some people better prepared, emotionally, for retirement than others?
A. The lucky few are those who know exactly what they want to do. (They) start playing around with ideas in advance — how will they identify themselves? What gives them purpose? What will their new mission be?
Q. What steps can people take to get ready?
A. Maybe this is the time to join a volunteer organization, church group or community group and start making new friends or organizational ties. If you're thinking, "When I retire, I'm going to move to Florida," take your vacations there so by the time you move there, you know a few people. Is there something you've always wanted to do? Take a course and try it out. You have the same issues as the football player, the roofer, the lawyer, when you retire. There are ways you can begin to prepare. Retirement is just a continuation of your career development. Get involved. Engage in life.
Q. How can people combat loneliness?
A. Make a conscious effort to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Some people move to retirement communities with active social programs. Others take on new jobs or volunteer activities that are both satisfying and fun. One woman got together with friends to plan a Boomer party. Getting together regularly to plan the party was in itself rewarding. Fun provides relief, distraction from negative reality, bonding with others and a way to survive in troubled times.
Q. What are some of the unexpected pitfalls of retirement and how can people prepare for them?A. Relationships change. Former colleagues may not return your calls, and the relationship with your spouse or partner can be dramatically altered. I cannot tell you how many women, more than men, complain about being in the same place all day with their spouse. Couples may need to negotiate ground rules. One retired man was shocked to learn that his wife didn't want to spend every day with him. "As they say," he said, "for better or for worse, but not for lunch."
Q. What do we need most for a happy retirement?
A. We need to matter. It is important for people to believe that they count in others' lives. The loss of the challenge of the work itself, the relationship with colleagues, the connection to an environment, an office to go to, and the daily routines can leave people wondering whether they matter anymore. We all need to figure out ways to bolster our own sense that we count.
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Friday 24 April 2009
Drink up, eat up, be merry
Are you a foodie with a hole in your social calendar? Well, why not check out these great food and drink events going on in a city or town near you (so long as you live in Anna Maria Island that is...)
Wine festival
Esprit Du Cochon: The Winefest’s Esprit Du Cochon, “Spirit of the Pig,” begins at 6:30 p.m. April 23 at Mattison’s City Grille, 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota. Sample spirited and exotic flavors of a traditional pig roast by Chef Paul Mattison, hand-made charcuterie (prepared pork dishes, artisan cheese from around the world, a 1,000-piece chocolate truffle display and hand-rolled cigars by Bennington Tobacconist. Wines will be offered from Cambria Estate Winery, Cremashi Furlotti, Miner Family Winery, Tierra del Fuego and Zaca Mesa Winery. Cost: $95 per person ($47.50 tax deductible). Information: 952-1109 or www.floridawinefest.org.
Amy’s Southern Comfort Cuisine: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays at Bonni Bakes in the Village of the Arts, 930 12th St. W., Bradenton, featuring shrimp and grits, roast pork po’ boy, Bradentucky Boil, Cracker mac & cheese, sweet tater corn bread and more. Cash only. Information: 746-6647.
Cooking classes
Apron’s Cooking School: Publix holds classes and demonstrations at 2875 University Pkwy., Sarasota. Classes in April include culinary basics, couples cooking/appetizers and vegan. Reservations are required and classes fill up quickly. Information and reservations: 358-7829. A complete schedule, menus for each class and a reservation form can be found at www.publix.com/aprons.
Euphemia Haye: Chef Raymond and D’Arcy Arpke, owner-proprietors of Euphemia Haye Restaurant on Longboat Key, will offer their Famous Lesson Luncheon Series through May 6. Topics include From Russia with Love, Sunday Brunch, San Francisco cuisine, Via Duck, spring lamb, birthday treats and Little Italy. Space is limited and reservations are required. Classes will be held from 10:30 a.m. to around 1:30 p.m. Call Euphemia Haye at 383-3633 or visit www.euphemiahaye.com to make a reservation.
Wine events
WineStyles: 8225 Natures Way Suite 111, Lakewood Ranch, will host a free wine tasting on “Spring Wines,” 5-7 p.m. April 24. Information: 306-5804.
Wine tasting: The Waterfront Restaurant, 111 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, will hold weekly wine tastings 5-7 p.m. Thursdays beginning April 30. Hors d’oeuvres pairings are supplied. The cost is $10 per person. Vendors are present to talk about the products. Information: 778-1515.
Michael’s Wine Cellar at Michael’s On East: 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota, offers monthly open house wine tastings and winemaker dinners that offer friendly conversation and good cheer while sampling more than 50 world-class wines. Remaining open house dates are April 23, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2 and Nov 6. Admission is free to Gulf Coast Connoisseur members; a one-time $10 fee enrolls you as a GCCC. Information: 366-0007.
Mattison’s Riverside: 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, hosts Tuesday Tasting 5-7 p.m., offering the opportunity to sample a variety of wines from a featured vineyard, varietals or regional. This is a free event with light appetizers offered. For reservations and information, call 748-8087 or visit www.mattisons.com
Tuesday 21 April 2009
New bridge going up, across
Breaking news from the Anna Maria Islander this week: the Anna Maria Island Bridge will be replaced by a 65ft-high span. Here is their report:
Florida Department of Transportation project manager Chris Piazza said that the DOT will recommend that the Anna Maria Island Bridge be replaced by a 65-foot-high, fixed-span structure.
Piazza told a meeting of the Manatee Council of Governments that the recommendation will next be forwarded to the U.S. Coast Guard for final approval.
Piazza said the recommendation is based on a number of factors, including a DOT survey that indicates 77 per cent of respondents favor a high-rise structure to replace the 22.5 foot-high drawbridge that opened to motorists in 1956.
Other factors in the decision, said Piazza, were engineering data, costs and traffic flow.
The cost of a high-rise bridge was estimated at $102million, about $30million less than a drawbridge, Piazza said.
But the DOT has neither money nor a timetable for the project. There are no funds for engineering design or an environmental impact study on a new AMI Bridge in the Manatee-Sarasota Metropolitan Planning Organization’s current five-year master transportation plan.
DOT officials have indicated that, if the Coast Guard approves the recommendation, it would be a minimum of 10-12 years for a new bridge project to get under way. A more likely time frame is 15 to 20 years, Piazza said in March at the final public meeting on the bridge proposals.
Opponents of a high-rise bridge said the DOT announcement was not unexpected.
Save Anna Maria president Ursula Stemm said she was “disappointed,” in the DOT decision, but “I knew it was inevitable.”
Stemm said the organization, which fought against a similar high-rise bridge a decade ago, would again take up the fight.
“We’ve already spoken to our legal counsel and we have the same grassy bed issue as before. We are going to fight the DOT,” she said.
Stemm dismissed the 10-15 year timetable as irrelevant. “If it’s going to take that long, why did county commissioners go to Washington looking for money for a new bridge?” she asked.
SAM favors repairing the existing bridge as long as possible, Stemm said.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Sandy Haas-Martens, however, said public opinion polls show Islanders are overwhelmingly in favor of a high-rise bridge as a replacement.
“This project is still a long way off,” Haas-Martens said, “but 83 per cent of the people said they wanted a replacement bridge and 77 per cent said they wanted a high-rise bridge. The public is in favor of this and I believe the Island needs at least one high-rise bridge.
“We need a non-opening bridge for the Island that will have emergency lanes,” she said.
Florida Department of Transportation project manager Chris Piazza said that the DOT will recommend that the Anna Maria Island Bridge be replaced by a 65-foot-high, fixed-span structure.
Piazza told a meeting of the Manatee Council of Governments that the recommendation will next be forwarded to the U.S. Coast Guard for final approval.
Piazza said the recommendation is based on a number of factors, including a DOT survey that indicates 77 per cent of respondents favor a high-rise structure to replace the 22.5 foot-high drawbridge that opened to motorists in 1956.
Other factors in the decision, said Piazza, were engineering data, costs and traffic flow.
The cost of a high-rise bridge was estimated at $102million, about $30million less than a drawbridge, Piazza said.
But the DOT has neither money nor a timetable for the project. There are no funds for engineering design or an environmental impact study on a new AMI Bridge in the Manatee-Sarasota Metropolitan Planning Organization’s current five-year master transportation plan.
DOT officials have indicated that, if the Coast Guard approves the recommendation, it would be a minimum of 10-12 years for a new bridge project to get under way. A more likely time frame is 15 to 20 years, Piazza said in March at the final public meeting on the bridge proposals.
Opponents of a high-rise bridge said the DOT announcement was not unexpected.
Save Anna Maria president Ursula Stemm said she was “disappointed,” in the DOT decision, but “I knew it was inevitable.”
Stemm said the organization, which fought against a similar high-rise bridge a decade ago, would again take up the fight.
“We’ve already spoken to our legal counsel and we have the same grassy bed issue as before. We are going to fight the DOT,” she said.
Stemm dismissed the 10-15 year timetable as irrelevant. “If it’s going to take that long, why did county commissioners go to Washington looking for money for a new bridge?” she asked.
SAM favors repairing the existing bridge as long as possible, Stemm said.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Sandy Haas-Martens, however, said public opinion polls show Islanders are overwhelmingly in favor of a high-rise bridge as a replacement.
“This project is still a long way off,” Haas-Martens said, “but 83 per cent of the people said they wanted a replacement bridge and 77 per cent said they wanted a high-rise bridge. The public is in favor of this and I believe the Island needs at least one high-rise bridge.
“We need a non-opening bridge for the Island that will have emergency lanes,” she said.
Friday 17 April 2009
Island life has wide appeal
We know Anna Maria Island is a special place, but it's always nice when someone else recognises the beauty and unique charm of the place.
This blog post comes from the news site isawnews.com in their travel section.
There’s something special about an island. Surrounded by water and often only accessible by one causeway road across a bridge, the remoteness adds a feeling of isolation that is hard to come by in today’s super connected, WiFi world.
While some of the world’s most exotic islands will require a long plane ride and a passport for US travelers, there are plenty of islands waiting to be discovered just off the Florida coastline.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island offers a private island feel. Located about 20 minutes west of Bradenton, Florida off the Gulf Coast, you won’t find a plethora of convenience stores or chain restaurants on Anna Maria Island. You also won’t find - and probably won’t miss - the lines and crowds often associated with Florida tourism.
To read the full post click here
This blog post comes from the news site isawnews.com in their travel section.
There’s something special about an island. Surrounded by water and often only accessible by one causeway road across a bridge, the remoteness adds a feeling of isolation that is hard to come by in today’s super connected, WiFi world.
While some of the world’s most exotic islands will require a long plane ride and a passport for US travelers, there are plenty of islands waiting to be discovered just off the Florida coastline.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island offers a private island feel. Located about 20 minutes west of Bradenton, Florida off the Gulf Coast, you won’t find a plethora of convenience stores or chain restaurants on Anna Maria Island. You also won’t find - and probably won’t miss - the lines and crowds often associated with Florida tourism.
To read the full post click here
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Timely turtle tips
Here's a timely story from the Bradenton Herald, warning both visitors and locals alike of the danger of invading the privacy of nesting turtles. Remember, they have been visiting Anna Maria Island for longer than we humans, so leave them alone and hopefully they will be around to bring us joy for many years to come.
Read the full story here
Endangered sea turtles are expected to begin nesting any day now on Anna Maria Island beaches, and officials are asking for the public’s help not only in observing the ancient ritual but also in protecting the turtles.
Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on earth and are believed to have been nesting on beaches for 110 million years, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
But the journey from water to sand and back again is fraught for the turtles and their hatchlings, with peril from artificial lighting and scavengers. Survival of hatchlings depends mostly on beach-goers and residents.
Efforts to educate the public about the perils of beach lighting on hatchlings heading to the ocean from their nests have increased.
Turtle become disoriented and thousands are killed each year as they wander onto roadways instead of using natural light as a guide to the ocean, according to Fish and Wildlife. Artificial lights not only can send hatchlings in the wrong direction, but cause females to abort nesting and head back for the ocean without laying eggs.
Each year Turtle Watch teams up with the state to certify dozens of beach patrol volunteers to monitor one-mile stretches of Anna Maria for turtle activity.
The patrols are done daily at sunrise to search for nests and signs of turtles nesting. Data is tabulated and compiled for state research. And it is a popular endeavor, according to Fox.
Those wanting to volunteer for this year’s sea turtle season with Turtle Watch must attend an April 23 workshop held by the group at Holmes Beach City Hall, Fox said.
Read the full story here
Endangered sea turtles are expected to begin nesting any day now on Anna Maria Island beaches, and officials are asking for the public’s help not only in observing the ancient ritual but also in protecting the turtles.
Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on earth and are believed to have been nesting on beaches for 110 million years, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
But the journey from water to sand and back again is fraught for the turtles and their hatchlings, with peril from artificial lighting and scavengers. Survival of hatchlings depends mostly on beach-goers and residents.
Efforts to educate the public about the perils of beach lighting on hatchlings heading to the ocean from their nests have increased.
Turtle become disoriented and thousands are killed each year as they wander onto roadways instead of using natural light as a guide to the ocean, according to Fish and Wildlife. Artificial lights not only can send hatchlings in the wrong direction, but cause females to abort nesting and head back for the ocean without laying eggs.
Each year Turtle Watch teams up with the state to certify dozens of beach patrol volunteers to monitor one-mile stretches of Anna Maria for turtle activity.
The patrols are done daily at sunrise to search for nests and signs of turtles nesting. Data is tabulated and compiled for state research. And it is a popular endeavor, according to Fox.
Those wanting to volunteer for this year’s sea turtle season with Turtle Watch must attend an April 23 workshop held by the group at Holmes Beach City Hall, Fox said.
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Orlando hit hard by recession
Not even the mouse is immune from the effects of the recession it seems. Walt Disney Co announced last week a series of cuts brought about by falling numbers of visitors, about 1,900 jobs at its domestic theme parks in total.
The bulk of the cuts occurred at Walt Disney World in Orlando, where about 1,400 jobs were eliminated. About 300 jobs will be cut from the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, with the remainder coming from corporate headquarters in Burbank.
Disney, which employs about 80,000 people in its parks and resorts unit, said 1,200 people were laid off and about 700 positions were left unfilled.
The figures get worse for Orlando, where the number of passengers traveling to Orlando International Airport declined 14% in February compared with a year earlier, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said. Hotel bookings are down by double digits as well, according to Smith Travel Research.
Well, you know the answer, book into one of our wonderful vacation rental homes, and travel up to Orlando and back in a day. That way you get to save money by sharing the cost of accommodation in a rental home, and get to enjoy all that Anna Maria Island has to offer. Visit www.annamaria.com for the best rental homes on the island.
The bulk of the cuts occurred at Walt Disney World in Orlando, where about 1,400 jobs were eliminated. About 300 jobs will be cut from the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, with the remainder coming from corporate headquarters in Burbank.
Disney, which employs about 80,000 people in its parks and resorts unit, said 1,200 people were laid off and about 700 positions were left unfilled.
The figures get worse for Orlando, where the number of passengers traveling to Orlando International Airport declined 14% in February compared with a year earlier, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said. Hotel bookings are down by double digits as well, according to Smith Travel Research.
Well, you know the answer, book into one of our wonderful vacation rental homes, and travel up to Orlando and back in a day. That way you get to save money by sharing the cost of accommodation in a rental home, and get to enjoy all that Anna Maria Island has to offer. Visit www.annamaria.com for the best rental homes on the island.
Friday 3 April 2009
Preservation for future generation
It's been around for such a long time, sometimes we take it for granted. But thanks to some forward thinking individuals, Anna Maria Island can look forward with confidence that it will remain true to its roots.
That's because last week a local business owner, an elected official and an historian announced the formation of the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust.
David Teitelbaum, owner of several island resorts; Anna Maria Commissioner, Jo Ann Mattick, and Sissy Quinn, former director of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, organized the trust to complete the audit of historically significant buildings on the island.
The trust also will work to place sites that are 50 years or older on the Florida Master Site File in Tallahassee, install historic plaques and markers, save cottages, piers, churches and other historically important structures, create a historical walking tour map, and pursue grant funding for preservation activities.
The official launch of the trust will be on April 13, in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
For more information about the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust, contact Quinn at 778-5120.
That's because last week a local business owner, an elected official and an historian announced the formation of the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust.
David Teitelbaum, owner of several island resorts; Anna Maria Commissioner, Jo Ann Mattick, and Sissy Quinn, former director of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, organized the trust to complete the audit of historically significant buildings on the island.
The trust also will work to place sites that are 50 years or older on the Florida Master Site File in Tallahassee, install historic plaques and markers, save cottages, piers, churches and other historically important structures, create a historical walking tour map, and pursue grant funding for preservation activities.
The official launch of the trust will be on April 13, in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
For more information about the Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust, contact Quinn at 778-5120.
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