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The Bridges of Manatee County

In the famous World War II movie "A Bridge Too Far?, there was a bridge that was considered essential to the Allies progress to the Ruhr Valley - the industrial heartland of Germany. The bridge was near the small town of Arnhem. It was the object of a substantial Allied parachute attack that was badly supported and ultimately the attack failed. There is a bridge drama unfolding on Anna Maria Island, only the bad guys aren't the Nazis, they are the Florida Department of Transportation, and the good guys are you, our readers, the people of East Manatee County. The DOT decided to close the Manatee Avenue bridge for repairs - a pretty good bridge slated for replacement in a couple of years - probably because a bridge fell down in Minnesota - another "Bridge too far?. They will be spending some $12 million dollars of your money. Initially the DOT announced to Island residents that they would close the bridge for renovations in April of 2008, "because April is in the off-season?. Off-season? ...if you live in New Jersey or Tallahassee. The good news - featuring the? good guys? - you, our readers and neighbors "out east? is that the south bridge to Anna Maria Island, the "Cortez Bridge? off State Road 70 will be open throughout the "Manatee Bridge? closing in October. It is the State Road 70, "Cortez Bridge? that most "out east? residents use to get to Anna Maria Island in any case. Throughout October Anna Maria is at its least crowded and most beautiful. This October Anna Maria Island will also be at its most festive. Businesses will be offering special rates, deals and offerings as part of a special "Bridging the Gap? program during the Manatee Bridge repair. This October visit the Island nearest and dearest to you. Check the Island Chamber's website (http://www. amichamber.com/events.cfm) for special events during the ?Bridging the Gap? month of October. You will see a listing of great events: the October 4th Concert in the Park, the October 12th Softball Tournament or the November 1st Fishing Tournament "for kids?. You can also call Ginny and Jane E's Antiques and Coffee House about events at (941) 778-3170. Be the good guys this October. Visit your neighbors across the bridge not "too far?- the State Road 70, Cortez Bridge. There is an island near you that is always beautiful and will be particularly welcoming this fall. Comments are welcomed at smurphybistro@aol.com. Any reader mentioning this article or any of Sean's articles in Living Out East TM will be welcomed at the Beach Bistro with a complimentary cocktail with dinner. By Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro in Holmes beach on Anna Maria Island - recipient of the Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence,? recognized by Zagat Guides as "One of the Top Restaurants in America? and Culinary Director of the Concession Golf Club and Community right here out east. He can be reached at sean@smurphybistro.com IM-LOE-Kaplan-2008:Layout 1 3/19/08 9:36 AM IM-LOE-Kaplan-2008:Layout 1 3/19/08 9:36 AM

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