Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from August 2003

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from August 2003

Kaestners celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Jerome and Lee (DeNapoli) Kaestner of Venice celebrated their 50th anniversary May 17, 2003. They were married May 17, 1953, in Chelsea, Mass., and have lived in Venice for nine years. They are the parents of Linda Lee DeMaio of...

Manipulation supplants debate.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
August 31, 2003... Byline: John Hamner I met Katherine Harris once. Which of course is not to say that I know her. We did not have an opportunity for, or interest in, conversation. I could volunteer that I have no pressing desire to know her better, but...

Baesler-Winslow.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Sarah Josephine Baesler of Sarasota and Rhett Tyler Winslow of Punta Gorda were married June 28, 2003, at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Boots and Sandy Baesler of Sarasota. The bridegroom...

A grand entrance; The public gets its first chance to walk, run or pedal across Sarasota's newest, biggest, boldest landmark.(A SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Byline: LISA RAB lisa.rab@heraldtribune.com ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Wednesday, September 03, 2003: * Because of a photographer's error, Fred Shultz was misidentified as Frank Shultz in a photo...

Gallagher-Marks.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Theresa Rose Gallagher and Kevin Cecil Marks, both of Venice, were married June 28, 2003 at noon at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The bride is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gallagher Jr. The bridegroom is...

IN BRIEF.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Cultural Center offers college prep classes CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- The Cultural Center and Florida Gulf Coast University are offering algebra and writing classes for college-bound students. The algebra preparation class is designed for...

Are index funds a good investment?(BUSINESS & MONEY)(The Rational Investor)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Dr. Robert Stepleman Recently, I was driving to an appointment and listening to one of the many financial advice shows on the radio which are hosted and paid for by a financial professional who makes his living selling financial...

Education commissioner flunks history with dismissive snub of NAACP.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Tom Lyons Despite all the Black History Months during his life so far, Florida Education Commissioner Jim Horne must have skipped every session. It is embarrassing -- at best -- to have the state's top education official say...

CRUNCH TIME; USF takes early lead at Alabama before the Tide turns.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- For 28 minutes, the University of South Florida flirted with destiny. The rest of the afternoon, they became just another footnote for Alabama's historic football program. USF had...

Schulte-Olivieri.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Brooke Christian Schulte and David Anthony Olivieri, both of Sarasota, were married June 21, 2003, at 5 p.m. at St. Boniface Church in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Allan and Marcia Schulte of Sarasota. The bridegroom is the...

Tax certificates bring cash; The county will get about $6.7 million this fiscal year from the sale or redemption of overdue tax bills.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Byline: JAMIE MANFUSO jamie.manfuso@heraldtribune.com CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- Howard Shidlowsky is 64, lives near Miami, and has a New York accent. Last year, he was involved -- but not charged -- in a scam that resulted in the...

'Noles take a stand; After two years of relative decline, the perennial powerhouse opens with a bang.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: CHRIS ANDERSON chris.anderson@heraldtribune.com CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- On Saturday night, Florida State climbed back up to the top of the slide with no obvious intention of going down again. Returning for revenge and receiving...

Rains bring work for crews; Soaked lawns and the storm season are keeping restoration companies busier than ever.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Byline: DEBI SPRINGER debi.springer@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Thoughts of worms and pesticides floating through her house cause Lisa Wagner to cringe every time it rains. Rising water seeped into her children's playroom through...

The Murdock Village spin by any other name still smells the same.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Eric Ernst Bucking the trend for reality TV, Charlotte County government's first impulse was to go with fantasy television. Monday's town hall meeting about a project known as Murdock Village didn't turn out as rosily as...

Gregorys celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... James W. and Imogen (Lowden) Gregory of Sarasota celebrated their 50th anniversary June 15, 2003. They were married June 15, 1953, in Bluffton, S.C., and have lived in Sarasota for 40 years. They are the parents of Barbara Pittenger...

Edwards-Forbis.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... The engagement of Alisa Edwards and Wayne Forbis, both of Sarasota, is announced. She is the daughter of Doug and Nancie Edwards of Sarasota. He is the son of Chuck and Michelle Forbis of Sarasota. The bride-elect graduated in...

Story circles at library feature alphabet letters.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Learning their ABC's is part of the new Story Circle at the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 S. McCall Road, Englewood. Children listen to different stories each week with a theme correlating to the letters in the alphabet. The first week's...

Gator season opens Monday.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT Things will be a little different this year when alligator hunters take to the water Monday for the start of the state's annual alligator harvest. In addition to specified water bodies that are traditional...

Self-evident truths, and glaring inconsistencies.(PERSPECTIVES)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Thomas Tryon Two score years and three days ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. commenced his most famous oratory with these words: "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
August 31, 2003... CHARLOTTE COUNTY March D. Miller March D. Miller, 66, Punta Gorda, died Aug. 8, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte. He was born in Monroe County, Tenn., and came to Punta Gorda several years ago from Fort...

Don't miss Colombian Alliance's arts exposition Sept. 5.(B SECTION)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Yvette Kimm Dr. C. Eduardo Cortes has a family practice in Bradenton, but he's not an ordinary doctor. Not only is he dedicated to keeping his patients healthy, he is doing all he can to help many local immigrants from his...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Some offices to close for Labor Day holiday All Manatee County government offices, libraries and schools will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday. All area municipal government offices will also be closed. Regular Manatee...

Make the power grid obsolete.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Waldo Proffitt The United States is on the verge of making a multi-multibillion-dollar mistake in response to the massive blackout of Aug. 14 -- a mistake which will have immense security ramifications and will almost guarantee...

'Jane's Trust' to make donations in Florida, New England states.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Marjorie North The late great Jane Cook, who repeatedly showed that she had a heart as big as her pocketbook, just keeps on giving. Before the Dow Jones heiress died two years ago, Jane created a trust that will give out...

Growing the local economy.(PERSPECTIVES)
August 31, 2003... Everyone agrees that Southwest Florida's economy can use some diversification from its roots in tourism and real estate. The larger question is how to make this happen. For almost a year, Sarasota County business and community people have...

Kaney-Sietz.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... The engagement of Reeny Kaney and Eddie Sietz, both of Sarasota, is announced. She is the daughter of Jane Sarfaty of Sarasota and the late Bernard Sheiman. He is the son of Joseph Sietz and Encarnita sltz of Madrid, Spain and...

VAST VATICAN; From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel to the artifacts and iconography meant to inspire awe, "The Legacy of the Popes" exhibition in Fort Lauderdale is spectacular.(ARTS & TRAVEL)
August 31, 2003... Byline: KEVIN COSTELLO CORRESPONDENT FORT LAUDERDALE -- Image is everything and the Vatican has two millennia of art to prove it. "Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes," an exhibition at the Museum of Art, Fort...

DiTarantos celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Leonard and Peggy DiTaranto of University Park celebrated their 50th anniversary July 13, 2003. They were married July 13, 1953, in Marietta, Ga., and have lived in Sarasota County for 34 years. They are the parents of Chuck...

Charlotte County Transfers.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
August 31, 2003... $125,000 MINIMUM Source: Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court. Recorded July and August 2003. Listed alphabetically by sellers' last names. Abel, Nancy A., to Shick, Kenneth E. and Marsha M., Lot 24, Block 4453, Section 82,...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Adult store's former owner facing trial SARASOTA COUNTY -- One of four adult store owners accused of running fronts for prostitution is expected to go to trial Tuesday. Nick Jannette, who owned Ultimate Dreams, was charged last year...

Manatee County Property Transfers.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
August 31, 2003... $125,000 MINIMUM Source: Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court. Recorded February and March 2003. Listed alphabetically by sellers' last names. 4 Star Tomato Inc. to John Falkner, Portion of Section 18, Township 34s, Range 18e,...

At home with nature; Woodlands II at Bent Tree is as known as much for its gardens as its elegant homes.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
August 31, 2003... Byline: DOROTHY STOCKBRIDGE-PRATT dorothy.pratt@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- The buyers of 7712 Weeping Willow Circle will be getting more than a home in Woodlands II at Bent Tree. They'll be getting a butterfly sanctuary,...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
August 31, 2003... MANATEE COUNTY V. Jane Davis V. Jane Davis, 83, Bradenton, died Aug. 29, 2003, at Westminster Manor. She was born July 2, 1920, in Charlotte, Mich., and came to Bradenton in 1983 from Flint, Mich. She retired as a secretary for...

Willie rocks (again), Dylan is an enigma (again).(ARTS & TRAVEL)(Review)
August 31, 2003... Willie Nelson Yesterday's Wine A RCA Nashville/BMG Heritage When Willie enthusiasts -- those who go deeper in their appreciation for him than crowing about his late 1970s/early 1980s pop-crossover hits -- consider Nelson's...

Babes, bullets, bucks; A Bradenton entrepreneur with a colorful past launches a Web site with two sure attention-getters: sexy women and machine guns.(BUSINESS & MONEY)
August 31, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRAGA michael.braga@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- There's nothing in particular that strikes you about Andrew Bigelow's gun shop behind the Bob Evans Restaurant on the corner of Cortez Road and 14th Street West. ...

Cranford-Barr.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... The engagement of Michelle Lee Cranford of Sarasota and Garrett Allen Barr of Bradenton is announced. She is the daughter of Bobby and Diane Cranford of Sarasota. He is the son of Sam and Dee Barr of Bradenton. The bride-elect...

Sarasota County Transfers.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
August 31, 2003... $125,000 MINIMUM Source: Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court. Recorded March 2003. Listed alphabetically by sellers' last names. Adams, Patricia L., to William F. and Patricia L. Huffman, Lot 11, Re-Sub of Amended Plat of...

Pafford-Thacker.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... The engagement of Rhonda Gail Pafford of Jacksonville and Mark Andrew Thacker of Sarasota is announced. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Pafford of Jacksonville. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thacker of Sarasota. ...

Wilson-Purdy.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Michele Lynn Wilson and Joshua Brandon Purdy, both of Venice, were married June 28, 2003, at 5:30 p.m. at First Christian Church in Venice. The bride is the daughter of Robert and Tammy Wilson of Beloit, Ohio. The bridegroom is the...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
August 31, 2003... SARASOTA COUNTY Theresa D. Baker Theresa D. Baker, 78, Venice, and formerly of Englewood, died Aug. 29, 2003. She was born March 17, 1925, in Lebanon, Ore., and came to Venice in 1999 from Englewood. She had moved in 1997 from...

Bathgate-Rowan.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... The engagement of Tara Jean Bathgate and Douglas William Rowan, both of Odenton, Md., is announced. She is the daughter of Laurie and Timothy Akin of Sarasota. He is the son of Joan and F. Joseph Rowan of Phoenix, Ariz. The...

Art in the everyday; Actor-turned-educator advocates a new way of looking at "the work of art" in our daily lives.(FLORIDA WEST)(Review)
August 31, 2003... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com Educator Eric Booth thinks the reason the arts are rapidly becoming marginalized in our culture is precisely because the arts have separated themselves from everyday life. "The arts...

Double trouble; Florida's Bryan and Gregg Watts are shooting for top honors on the ESPN Redfish Cup tournament trail.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Steve Gibson Growing up in Lithia, a tiny Hillsborough County town, was just perfect for Greg and Bryan Watts. As youngsters, they lived in a dream world. They fished for bass in local ponds. They hunted. They played...

Young Gators blister San Jose State.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com GAINESVILLE -- When the beginning was over, the Florida Gators had accomplished several goals Saturday in their 65-3 rout over outclassed San Jose State. They got an embarrassingly easy...

65 points and still no quarterback.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Doug Fernandes GAINESVILLE -- BC -- Before the Crushing -- the quarterback depth chart of the Florida Gators read as follows: Ingle Martin or Gavin Dickey or Chris Leak. AD -- After the Domination -- the quarterback depth...

Polderdykes celebrate 75 years.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Selma and George Polderdyke of Bradenton celebrated their 75th anniversary July 14, 2003. They were married July 14, 1928, in South Bend, Ind. They are the parents of Kenneth, Carolyn and the late Keith Polderdyke. The couple has...

Walters celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Elmer and JoAnn (Norris) Walter of Sarasota celebrated their 50th anniversary June 20, 2003. They were married June 20, 1953, in Newport, Ky., and have lived in Sarasota for 33 years. They are the parents of Ken Walter of Sarasota...

Baniukiewiczs celebrate 65 years.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Frank and Irene Baniukiewicz of Venice celebrated their 65th anniversary July 2, 2003. They were married July 2, 1938, in Detroit, Mich., and have lived in Venice for 13 years. Mr. Baniukiewicz is retired from Damler Chrysler in...

Card-makers use rubber stamps to create art.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Those attending a stamping workshop at the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 S. McCall Road, Englewood, learned the tricks of the trade for making greeting cards. Instructor Lysa Wanner put the women at ease by giving them advice. She...

ON THE SCENE.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Tot Time More than 30 children arrived at the Venice Public Library on a recent morning to hear youth librarian Joanne Lize tell a story. From 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday, children up to age 3 take part in Lize's story time,...

Tiki! A singing, bartending and hula-dancing visionary reinvents herself as a dog costumer.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL tom.becnel@heraldtribune.com With so many anecdotes to share, so many angles to explore, it seems almost too easy to start with the hair. We're talking, after all, about a woman who designs, makes and sells...

ESPN Redfish Tournament's parties as much fun as fishing.(B SECTION)(Out & About)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Ann Henderson A whole lot of partying was going on during the recent ESPN fishing tournament that brought 110 teams to Punta Gorda to compete in the third leg of the tournament. Starr Boykin and Debbie Morrow made up the sole...

Smith pitches Red Sox to win.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Right-handed pitcher Chris Smith was scheduled to be one of the premier players for the Sarasota Red Sox during their 10th anniversary season here at Ed Smith Stadium. An offseason dune...

From Kandahar to Sarasota; Friends, family welcome a soldier home from Afghanistan.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Byline: JAMIE MANFUSO jamie.manfuso@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- For eight months, a 2 a.m. phone call was David and Donna Disbro's best hope to hear from their son Nathan in Afghanistan. Even then, it could be hard to know what...

Ringling bridge and the power of institutional memory.(B SECTION)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: Janet Weaver Executive Editor The editors working on our story for Friday's front page about the history of the Ringling bridge controversy asked me to be sure that I read it before it went into the paper. It wasn't because...

State won't file charges at police request; Detectives now believe the victim may have orchestrated a robbery.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Byline: JENNY LEE ALLEN jenny.allen@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Nearly three months ago, a local woman and her nephew found themselves in the county jail facing a combined six felony charges. Punta Gorda police detectives had...

Failure is not acceptable; Florida should revise its rigid third-grade retention policy.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
August 31, 2003... Florida is setting up many of its third- graders to fail. And the fact that they're being failed in shocking numbers should worry all Floridians. Based on preliminary state figures, some 33,000 third-grade students have been retained...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Schools, offices closed for holiday Schools, libraries, community centers and government offices throughout Sarasota County, including city halls in Venice and North Port, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day. Sarasota...

Learning Place offers many kinds of lessons.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Adults are enjoying taking classes this summer at the Learning Place, Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. With a variety of classes to choose from, participants learn new skills, brush up on dormant ones or...

Good winds give 284 boats a big boost.(SPORTS)
August 31, 2003... Byline: MORGAN STINEMETZ CORRESPONDENT With stable southeasterly winds that made the racing more a boat speed day than one involving tactics, 284 boats of all shapes and sizes took to the water from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron...

Slackers need to remain invisible.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
August 31, 2003... Byline: David Grimes You may not have heard about National Slacker Day in Britain earlier this month due to the fact that the event's organizers lacked the motivation to tell anyone. Which is exactly what makes National Slacker Day...

Cox-Flerlage.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... The engagement of Jennifer Lynn Cox and Ronnie Paul Flerlage, both of Sarasota, is announced. She is the daughter of Peggy and Steve Cox of Sarasota. He is the son of Patti Flerlage of Sarasota. The bride-elect graduated in 1999...

GOING UP/River Park at Mote Ranch, Manatee County; New subdivision models on pond, conservation area.(SUNDAY REAL ESTATE)
August 31, 2003... Byline: DOROTHY STOCKBRIDGE-PRATT dorothy.pratt@heraldtribune.com The new Roxburgh IV model is attracting buyers to the 49-lot River Park at Mote Ranch in Manatee County. Some of the sites have direct access to the Braden River. The...

Pavalock-Sancho.(FLORIDA WEST)
August 31, 2003... Diane Elizabeth Pavalock of Osprey and Dennis Sancho of Sarasota were married June 28, 2003, at noon at Church of the Incarnation in Sarasota. Maid of honor was Christine Pavalock of Osprey. Matron of honor was Michele Pavalock of...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
August 31, 2003... Motorcyclist dies in morning crash PORT CHARLOTTE -- A local man died Saturday morning after the 2001 Kawasaki motorcycle he was riding struck a 1986 Toyota, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Kenneth R. Belding Jr., 66, 23500...

Hard knocks; Defense for both teams comes up strong in Pirates' 10-6 win over the Cougars.(SPORTS)
August 30, 2003... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com MURDOCK -- Both coaches came away pleased following Port Charlotte High's 10-6 victory over Cardinal Mooney in Friday's FHSAA Kickoff Classic at the Pirates Cove. Pirates...

Penalties hurt Bayshore.(SPORTS)
August 30, 2003... Byline: CHAD BROCKHOFF CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Penalties were Bayshore High's Achilles' heel as the Bruins dropped a 13-0 decision to host Sarasota High in Friday night's Kickoff Classic at the newly rededicated Cleland Stadium at...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... IMPAC donates to Do the Right Thing IMPAC was one of the initial five sponsors of the Do The Right Thing program, administered by the Punta Gorda Police Department. The program recognizes youths for doing good deeds in the community. ...

University of Florida 2003 at a glance.(SPORTS)
August 30, 2003... OVERVIEW * A year ago Florida football fans braced for change. They knew things would be different without Steve Spurrier. Unhappily, they were right. New football coach Ron Zook kept promising that things would get corrected and...

Florida State University at a glance.(SPORTS)
August 30, 2003... OVERVIEW * The 'Noles are coming off a 9-5 season, including a 26-13 loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. However, as disastrous as last season was, FSU still won the ACC. OFFENSE * QB Chris Rix returns for his red-shirt junior...

Facing the unknown; There's no book on Alabama's offense, so USF has to be ready for just about anything.(SPORTS)
August 30, 2003... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- When University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt says his defense has to be prepared for anything in today's season-opener at Alabama, he is not spewing typical coach's...

Car-van collision injures 4 people; A witness says the car ran a red light at C.R. 771 and S. McCall Road.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Byline: KARA CHALMERS kara.chalmers@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- Four people were injured Friday around 11:30 a.m. when a Lincoln Continental smashed into a Sears van at the intersection of South McCall Road and County Road 771. ...

Disc players join golfers on the links.(PLAY!)(Go!)(Column)
August 30, 2003... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL SARASOTA -- Local disc golfers can play for free at Lakeview Park, just east of I-75, or on the newly improved course at North Water Tower Park. But some would rather pay to play the same game at the Sarasota...

Sarasota's one-of-a-kind span.(A SECTION)
August 30, 2003... There are more than a half-million bridges in the United States, and most of them are considered one of a kind from an engineer's perspective. The new Ringling Bridge fits that description. Technically, it's a balanced cantilever, precast...

August was one for the books; A month of heavy rain has left the region saturated and prone to flooding.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Byline: VICTOR HULL victor.hull@heraldtribune.com With the month nearly over, this August is set to go in the record books as Southwest Florida's wettest in 22 years, and one of the wettest ever. More than 17 inches of rain have...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Mission to Costa Rica Jamie Victor, 32, a recent graduate of Goshen College, spent a week on a missionary trip to Costa Rica in July. The trip was organized and sponsored by Bayside Community Church in Bradenton. Victor and a team of...

Jefferson injured in 'Noles loss.(SPORTS)
August 30, 2003... Byline: DOUG FERNANDES doug.fernandes@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Paul Maechtle will overlook the six fumbles, the one interception. He'll overlook the sometimes sloppy tackling. But one thing the Southeast head coach can't...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Some offices will close for Labor Day Schools, libraries, community centers and government offices throughout Sarasota County, including city halls in Venice and North Port, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day. Sarasota...

From your reader advocate.(A SECTION)
August 30, 2003... My phone etiquette is less than warm, and I am not the most patient person on Earth. So being called into duty on the Reader Advocate desk really put me on the spot. It was not something I was eager to do. And having done it, I'm glad...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Janie Poe rezoning up for vote Tuesday SARASOTA -- The Sarasota Housing Authority will ask the city for permission Tuesday to raze the Janie Poe public housing complex and and replace it with mixed-income homes, shops and offices. ...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Women's Legal Fund The Women's Legal Fund recently announced the appointment of Michele Smith Jacobs as executive director. Jacobs is a graduate of Bethune-Cookman College and a 20-year resident of Sarasota. Suncoast Workforce...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Teen volunteers This past summer, 45 Venice High School students volunteered time at Bon Secours Venice Hospital, the Nursing Care Center, Venice HealthPark and the North Port HealthPark Home Health Department. Their volunteering is...

Suspected car thief caught after chase.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA -- Following a high-speed chase, police arrested a 25-year-old man they say stole a car Friday afternoon. The pursuit, which reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, ended after 5:30 p.m. when Kevin...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
August 30, 2003... Compiled from Punta Gorda Police Department, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and Sarasota County Sheriff's Office reports filed through Aug. 29. PORT CHARLOTTE Tamiami Trail, 900 block, Aug. 27. James A. Brozik complained that...