🌱 How will Anna Maria’s commissioner lead Manatee County in 2026?

Good day Anna Maria! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Anna Maria’s commissioner lead Manatee County in 2026?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas in the Garden - Brian Gurl Trio: piano, violin and cello.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Anna Maria? Post it to Anna Maria photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 74 and low of 61 degrees.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 72, low: 65.
• Thursday: Partly sunny with a shower, with a high of 76 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Tal Siddique selected as chair of Manatee County Commission (yourobserver.com) — Anna Maria Island residents will be represented by District 3 commissioner Tal Siddique as he steps up to chair the Manatee County Commission for 2026, after a close 4-3 vote. Siddique, whose district includes Anna Maria Island and nearby communities, will run meetings and help set agendas that shape county policy and services affecting local life.
   

📸 Around Anna Maria

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Anna Maria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday December 16

• Christmas in the Garden - Brian Gurl Trio: piano, violin and cello
  Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 31

• Harry's Grill
  Harry's Grill , 9903 Gulf Dr , Anna Maria
  6:00 pm

📣 Anna Maria Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 17

• City of Palmetto Blood Drive
  Palmetto Calendar , 516 8th Avenue West , Palmetto
  9:00 am
• Making Sense of Medicare & Medicare Enrollment
  Island Branch Library Meeting Room,
  11:00 am
• Musical Motion
  Palmetto Branch Library Auditorium,
  11:30 am
• Scenic WAVES - CANCELED
  Bradenton Beach, FL Calendar Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
  1:00 pm
• OneBlood Bus
  Palmetto Branch Library Library Grounds,
  2:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• CRA Meeting
  Bradenton Beach, FL Calendar Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
  9:30 am
• Kid's Playgroup
  Palmetto Branch Library - Florida Auditorium, Palmetto Branch Library
  10:00 am
• Island Morning Book Club: The Book Club for Troublesome Women, by Marie Bostwick
  Island Branch Library Meeting Room,
  10:15 am
• One-on-One Tech Help
  Palmetto Branch Library - Florida Library Grounds, Palmetto Branch Library
  11:00 am
• City Commission Meeting - CANCELED
  Bradenton Beach, FL Calendar Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
  12:00 pm
• Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet
  Island Branch Library Meeting Room,
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Mr. Electric posted a job opening for Customer Service Dispatcher in Bradenton. Apply here.
• Walmart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Ellenton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anna Maria here.

🗞 Nearby News

Holmes Beach

• As Powerball hits $1 billion, Florida Lotto is $6.25 million for Saturday, Dec. 13 (heraldtribune.com)

Palmetto

• VIN'S PEOPLE: Manatee County Schools honors Samoset, Lincoln Memorial educators (heraldtribune.com)
• This Week in Local Government: 12/14/25 (thebradentontimes.com)
• Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library (yourobserver.com)

Sarasota

Ok Anna Maria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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