Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from February 2007

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from February 2007

CCI loan crisis casts wide net; Distress goes beyond Coast Bank or Southwest Florida lots.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STEPHEN FRATER stephen.frater@heraldtribune.com The loan crisis between Construction Compliance Inc. and Coast Bank of Florida is wider than one bank or one geographic area. A CCI customer who immigrated recently from China and...

A youthful experiment; Schools are teaching scientific method to students as early as kindergarten, a push visible at science fairs.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- L.J. Valery's first science fair project involved pouring vinegar over various samples of sand to check for limestone and charting the results in a bar graph. He is...

Crist backs limited stem-cell research; Critics: Plan doesn't go far enough.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that he wants the state to spend $20 million on stem-cell research in the coming year. But bowing to political pragmatism, Crist stopped...

Englewood hopes WiFi will attract shoppers.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: SARA LUBBES sara.lubbes@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- Like Punta Gorda, Englewood seems like an unlikely place for an Internet revolution. But the enclave's small downtown will have its own free Internet access starting Feb....

Make no mistake on Iran; Congress needs to guard against a broadening of war.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... The United States has made so many mistakes in Iraq that an "accidental" war with Iran should be out of the question. Yet the Bush administration -- in particular Vice President Dick Cheney -- has been ratcheting up the rhetoric against Iran,...

Jailing the victim; Woman's treatment could deter others from reporting rape.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... An apology has been made and a Tampa Police Department policy belatedly reformed. Nevertheless, last weekend's harsh handling of an apparent rape victim could set back years of progress in dealing with the devastating crime of sexual assault....

Armwrestling on ethics; Congressional one-upmanship thwarts reform.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... In an amusing turn of events, Republicans and Democrats in Congress are trying to outmaneuver each other to demonstrate who's the toughest on colleagues who run afoul of the law. The U.S. House recently followed the lead of the Senate and...

Abney's 20 points lift Venice to win; Senior continues scoring onslaught in celebrating win over Cardinal Mooney on Senior Night.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- Nobody on the Venice High boys basketball team has been hotter scoring than Kyle Abney entering Senior Night on Wednesday at Venice High. Abney, one of two seniors,...

Florida lights up Vandy in 2nd half.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com GAINESVILLE -- There was no panic for the Florida basketball team and that is one of the reasons the Gators remain the top-ranked team in the nation. While the Gators kept their composure...

Manning's mannerisms make sense.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: Doug Fernandes MIAMI -- A traffic cop on a caffeine overdose. A hammy orchestra conductor. OK, it's your turn. What do the pre-snap head taps, butt slaps, arm motions, general fidgetiness of Indianapolis quarterback Peyton...

Long snappers, holders don't seek spotlight because it's usually bad.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com MIAMI -- Patrick Mannelly and Brad Maynard. Justin Snow and Hunter Smith. They aren't the most household names at Super Bowl XLI, but they could play a vital role. ...

Da builder; Former Bucs exec shapes the Bears into Super Bowl squad.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com MIAMI -- Jerry Angelo was gone by the time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that he helped shape won the Super Bowl in 2003. Since leaving his position as Tampa Bay's director of player...

Tiger could tie, break Nelson's record in Florida.(SPORTS)(Golf)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: Mark Cardon Tiger Woods is on track to break Byron Nelson's record for consecutive PGA Tour victories, and there is a possibility that he could do it in Florida. Woods is scheduled to play two tournaments in Florida in March...

CHIP SHOTS.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... PODS CHAMPIONSHIP New name for Tour event Once known as the Tampa Bay Championship, the PGA Tour stop has been renamed the PODS Championship and will be played March 8-11 on the Copperhead Course of the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club...

Q & A: NICK RIGOPULOS; Sarasotan shows Woods his best.(SPORTS)(Interview)
February 1, 2007... Nick Rigopulos, 33, won a lottery to play in last week's Buick Invitational Pro-Am with Tiger Woods. Originally from Massachusetts, Rigopulos and his caddie, Matt Barnes, are partners in a Sarasota business, Dance Floors Custom Greens....

AREA COURSE PROFILE.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... Heritage Oaks Country Club * ADDRESS: 4800 Chase Oaks Drive, Sarasota, 34243 * PHONE: (941) 926-7600 * OPENED: 1997 and renovated in 2006 * WEB SITE: www.Heritageoaksgcc.com * OWNERS: Equity * HEAD PRO: Joe Angelo ...

Roberson is target in next King of the Hill event.(SPORTS)(Bowling)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: Bill Herald Jeff Roberson of Tampa is the reigning King of the Hill, and others will attempt to dethrone him when the popular tournament series resumes at AMF Venice at 2 p.m. Sunday. The scratch tournament consists of three...

Hunt for collectibles brings expert to area; George McCurley wants to look at rare stuff lying around your house.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2007... Byline: DEVONA WALKER devona.walker@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- George Magnum traveled from his North Port home to Sarasota on Wednesday morning to sell some pieces of history -- a 19th-century lighter his uncle bought in Europe during...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2007... ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Saturday, February 3, 2007: An item in Thursday's Business section misspelled the name of Bruce Whaley, a presenter at an upcoming Manatee Chamber of Commerce event. *****...

Get it in writing: no fountain pens.(FLORIDA WEST)(Where Was I?)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: David Grimes I read in one of the two or three dozen high-end magazines circulating around Lakewood Ranch that the fountain pen is making a comeback. I do not know if the author of the article is old enough to ever have used...

A wealth of caring; Minor league football team scores with community through its giving, serving and sharing.(FLORIDA WEST)
February 1, 2007... Byline: CYNTHIA A. KANE H-T RELIGION WRITER These men know a little something about turf. About finding heroes in a harsh world. About street wars, peer pressure and plenty of temptation as boys. They know grit beyond the gridiron. ...

Coach fosters team spirit in many ways.(FLORIDA WEST)
February 1, 2007... Byline: CYNTHIA A. KANE H-T RELIGION WRITER The spring in the step of the Sarasota Millionaires minor league football team might come from coach Gerald Benton, a former NFL player and physical education teacher at the Police Athletic League...

A good life is built on a generous spirit.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: Marjorie North "I've danced through life, and I'm still dancing," said Betty Schoenbaum, closing in on her 90th birthday with as much sparkle as anyone you'd ever want to meet, although being a strawberry blonde might have...

Bloody 'Lieutenant of Inishmore' is comic gem.(FLORIDA WEST)(Theater review)
February 1, 2007... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com Blood and guts are spilled with surprising regularity in Martin McDonagh's dark comedy "The Lieutenant of Inishmore." And don't be surprised if you find yourself laughing with each drop....

Punta Gorda considers free WiFi; For $2.5 million, the city could provide wireless service to everyone.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: SARA LUBBES sara.lubbes@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Laptop computers might soon become as much a fixture in Punta Gorda's downtown as bulldozers and construction workers. As the next step in the redevelopment of this...

FGCU OKs $398,000 settlement for Merwin, who quit abruptly.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT LEE COUNTY -- Florida Gulf Coast University trustees Wednesday approved a $398,000 settlement for former university president Bill Merwin, who resigned after a scandalous affair. The board also approved $92,649...

Laishley Park's future unveiled; Plan calls for fountain, fish and produce markets, restaurant.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: PATRINA A. BOSTIC patrina.bostic@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- The second phase of the city's riverfront Laishley Park will be a $4.3 million project with a restaurant, interactive fountain, and fish and produce markets, Mayor...

Charges elevated to attempted murder.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: KRISTEN KRIDEL kristen.kridel@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- An Englewood man originally charged with attempted battery of a 54-year-old woman now faces attempted murder and kidnapping charges instead. Virgil Allen Harvey,...

Punta Gorda boosts business; A new director will recruit companies and help the city recover from Charley.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: SARA LUBBES sara.lubbes@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- For seven years, Ron Thomas helped needy Charlotte residents build their own homes. Now, the former head of the county's Habitat for Humanity has a new job -- helping...

School honor bands to perform free concert.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT PUNTA GORDA -- The Charlotte County Middle School and High School Honor Bands will perform a free concert of traditional and contemporary music Friday. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for...

Lawmaker to hold insurance meeting.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- State Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, will host a town hall meeting Friday to discuss changes in homeowners insurance laws. The new laws, which the Legislature approved in a special session...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... SATURDAY Doug Cameron, violin virtuoso: Recording artist and world traveler Doug Cameron, known for his electric blue violin, will play music from Celtic to country and classic to jazz. The concert will be at the Center for Performing...

Hoops help local historical society.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT The Diva of Dribble, Lade Majic, and her Harlem Ambassadors took the court at Charlotte High School on Monday, squaring off against the Charlotte County All-Stars in a benefit game for the Punta Gorda...

SAT prep classes to be held at Edison College YMCA.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT Students who plan to sign up for the upcoming SAT prep course must do so by Monday. The course starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Edison College branch of the YMCA at 26300 Airport Road, Punta...

Vandal scratches swastika into hood of Volkswagen.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT PORT CHARLOTTE -- A vandal scratched a swastika and cut tires on a car parked Tuesday at the Port Charlotte Yacht Club, according to a sheriff's incident report. All four of the blue Volkswagen's tires were...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2007... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Bourdage, Robert F. Sept. 13, 1920 - Jan. 28, 2007 Age: 86 Residence: Port Charlotte, formerly of Port Huron, Mich. Services: Private interment at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte. Arrangements...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... SATURDAY Breakfast time: The twice-monthly Englewood United Methodist Church pancake brunch and crafts sale will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. A ticket buys unlimited pancakes, an egg, sausage, orange juice and a bottomless cup of coffee...

Englewood history is in the spotlight.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: AMY HIBBERD CORRESPONDENT Englewood history week is in its fifth year. Dubbed "Lemon Bay Fest: Englewood History with Zest," the weeklong celebration kicks off Saturday and ends Feb. 10 with the Cracker Festival on West Dearborn...

Myakka River Elementary honors pupils for character.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Myakka River Elementary School held its Winner of Winners recognition ceremony Wednesday for December and January. December's key characteristic was effort; for January, it was tolerance. December...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... UPCOMING The Arts and Culture Alliance, plus nine artists from the South Sarasota County, are sponsoring an ACA Tour of Artists' Studio from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 9-10 at various artists' studios . Tickets are $20 and are available at...

Exhibition offers a walk 'through the needle's eye'.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: FRANCINE MILFORD francine.milford@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- A walk through a needle's eye might seem impossible, but the Venice Art Center is making such a magical-sounding option available for everyone. "Through the...

Venice Area Orchid Society hosts 41st annual show.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT On Friday, the Venice Area Orchid Society will host its 41st Annual Orchid Show at the Venice Community Center. Known for its size -- it is the largest on the west coast of Florida -- and the quality of the...

Briefs.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Construction begins on park project VENICE -- City engineers began construction on a major section of the Venetian Waterway Park on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway this week. Work is expected to continue through March on the...

Glenallen volunteer joins the ranks of 'Golden PALS'.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: NANCY CHAPMAN nancy.chapman@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- David Goldstein spent a fair amount of time last week asking three children to divide a pie. Katelyn Terry, 9, Andrew Mackey, 9, and Tanis Smith, 10, were having a...

Woman reports razor in sandwich; Manatee worker says she was startled when she bit into a McMuffin.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Carolyn Bovey's second bite just didn't feel right. Maybe it was a bone, she thought. In a sausage sandwich? No way. Bovey pulled the McDonald's Sausage...

Manatee starts shaky, finishes strong; Hurricanes miss 14 of first 25 free throws, but drain nine of 10 down the stretch to edge Palmetto.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2007... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- The Manatee High boys basketball team missed 14 of its first 25 free throws. But down the stretch when it counted the most, the 'Canes converted nine of their last 10 to earn a hard-fought...

Clarification.(B SECTION)(Correction notice)
February 1, 2007... An article in Wednesday's Manatee Herald-Tribune stated that Lincoln Memorial Middle School is the only middle school in the county north of the Manatee River. Lincoln is the only school run by the Manatee School District, but charter and...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Mold trouble displaces Anna Maria officials ANNA MARIA -- This island city's government will use temporary quarters while workers eradicate mold at City Hall. City offices are temporarily on the second floor of Island Baptist Church,...

POLICE BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Cause still sought in deaths of mother, son SAMOSET -- An autopsy Wednesday of the bodies of an 89-year-old woman and her son did not immediately show how the pair died, Manatee County sheriff's officials said. Authorities said the...

Deputy reports difficulty bringing suspect down.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- James Michael Buck was running down a street when Vito, a dog for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, caught up and sank his jaw into Buck's right leg. ...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... TODAY A variety of Washington wines will be featured at a free wine tasting from 4 to 7 p.m. at Vino 100, 5222 State Road 64 E., Bradenton. Amy Jo Morris, national sales manager for Okanogan Estate and Vineyards in Washington, will pour...

Romantic concert event helps symphony's youth programs.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STEVE HEISLER CORRESPONDENT MANATEE COUNTY -- A renowned soprano and a dance duo put a fresh spin on the Valentine Pops, again making Neel Auditorium a destination of choice as the romantic holiday approaches. "Shall We...

Fans on deck to see new baseball exhibit.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT A new exhibit at the South Florida Museum examines history of spring training through displays that include three Pittsburgh Pirates World Series rings from 1960, 1971 and 1979, memorabilia, uniforms and unusual items...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2007... MANATEE COUNTY Boyle, George T. April 21, 1917 - Jan. 28, 2007 Age: 89 Residence: Bradenton, formerly of Oriskany, N.Y. Services: Memorial Mass at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Saints Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church in...

North Port investors face dual burden; Property owners grapple with higher tax bills and a slower market.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: JOHN DAVIS john.davis@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- Over the past few years, Chris Fountain and her husband bought 10 small parcels in the largely undeveloped eastern section of North Port, part of the couple's plan to dabble in...

Correction.(B SECTION)(Correction notice)
February 1, 2007... The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. A front- page story in Wednesday's Herald-Tribune gave an incorrect date.

Booker High scores big at deadline for trip; Last-minute donations help wind ensemble cover its trip to Carnegie Hall.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- At the eleventh hour, the checks just kept coming. The Booker High School wind ensemble will play at Carnegie Hall next month after all, thanks to more than $21,000 in...

19-year-old jailed in impersonation of police officer; Jesse John Briandi was also detained in October for similar behavior.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- He identified himself as Officer Vickerson, rattled off a badge number and called in information on his police radio. The problem, police say, is that when...

City tries carrot to open up Main parking; Sarasota will offer downtown workers free permits to park elsewhere to gain spots on Main Street.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Tough new rules and increased fines could soon dissuade downtown employees from parking on Main Street. Until then, the city is offering a gentler form of encouragement to...

Carlie's brother still in hospital.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA COUNTY -- Carlie Brucia's 9-year-old brother remains hospitalized after suffering serious head injuries earlier this week in a car crash near the intersection of Bahia Vista Street and McIntosh Road. ...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... State parks to be part of exercise program "Step Up, Florida," a statewide campaign this month to promote exercise and healthy lifestyles, will feature group hikes and other activities at state parks in the area. At 8:30 a.m. Friday,...

Cause still sought in deaths.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT SAMOSET -- An autopsy Wednesday of the bodies of an 89-year-old woman and her son did not immediately show how the pair died, Manatee County sheriff's officials said. Authorities said the bodies of Ruby Moore and...

Backpack helps locate suspect.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA COUNTY -- Deputies say they used a child's backpack recovered from a stolen car to find the person who stole it. The backpack was inside a Buick Park Avenue reported stolen last week. A parent...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... FRIDAY Learn the latest treatments for age-related macular-degeneration at a free seminar presented by Prevent Blindness Florida: "Don't Lose Sight: New Treatments for Macular Degeneration." The seminar will start at 9:30 a.m. Friday in...

'Grease' is the word at Julie Rohr.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: KATIE FLATH CORRESPONDENT Students of Julie Rohr Academy put their acting, singing and dancing skills to the test Jan. 18 in open-casting auditions for the school's upcoming production of the musical "Grease." At the auditions...

Lakeview students raise money through jogging.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2007... Byline: KAZUAKI NAGATA CORRESPONDENT Students, parents and faculty members of Lakeview Elementary School all frolicked at annual Jog-a-Thon fund-raiser, held last Friday. The day-long Jog-a-Thon gave each grade level, pre-K to fifth,...

INDEX.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2007... Obituaries for the following people can be found at HeraldTribune.com. BOURDAGE, ROBERT F., Port Charlotte BOYDEN, JAMES DOUGLAS JR., Westborough, Mass. BOYLE, GEORGE T., Bradenton CRITES, TAMITHA "Tami," Arcadia ...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2007... SARASOTA COUNTY Perry, Jeffrey Oliver Dec. 4, 1974 - Jan. 24, 2007 Age: 32 Residence: Roseville, formerly of Clermont Visitation: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Chandler's Funeral Chapel in Sarasota. Services: 3 p.m. Saturday...

Sit down with some good books.(H-T SOUTH)(Editor's Desk)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: Christi Womack There is a good reason to go shopping for books this weekend. Goodwill is observing the second anniversary of its East Manatee bookstore on Tara Boulevard, just south of State Road 70. The celebration at the...

History's eyewitness.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... Byline: EMILY MORRIS emily.morris@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- Harry Meier watched the synagogue across the street where he worshipped burn to the ground. It was Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, Nov. 9, 1938. The...

Circus comes to Main Street.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Children of all ages were invited to "Celebrate the Circus" on Saturday at Little Bookworms, 8111 Lakewood Main St., Unit 103, Lakewood Ranch. Circus Sarasota performers encouraged those attending to learn some circus...

All aboard! A steam visitor.(H-T NORTH)
February 1, 2007... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com PARRISH -- Up close, Flagg Coal No. 75 is a mechanical monster. Black as the coal that it devours, the 1930 locomotive clattered over the Parrish railroad Tuesday, breathing...

Fire commissioners to set tax rate in Duette for property owners.(H-T NORTH)
February 1, 2007... DUETTE -- Having won voter approval to become a taxing district, the Duette Fire and Rescue District is planning a public meeting in February to set a tax rate for residents. Tentatively set for 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Dry Prairie Baptist...

Fair days end for another year.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... PALMETTO -- The annual Manatee County Fair ended Sunday, but those attending were encouraged to heed the theme and have a "A Barn Raising Good Time." Saturday was a big day for FFA and 4-H students. The beef breeding and steer sales were...

BRIEFS.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... EAST MANATEE Party celebrates end of road construction Businesses in are throwing a party to celebrate the end of a long road construction project that hampered traffic in the area. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday...

Briefs.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... LAKEWOOD RANCH Learn to research family health history Professional genealogist Donna Moughty will speak about "Creating a Health History for Your Family" to the group she founded, the Lakewood Ranch Genealogy Club. The meeting...

Book sale raises funds for health care center.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... SaraMana Chapter of Women's American ORT sold fiction, non-fiction and children's books Sunday outside of Publix, 8330 Market Street, in Lakewood Ranch. Proceeds from the event will go directly to purchase new children's books for the Lawton...

Art show to benefit homeless students.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES tiffany.lankes@heraldtribune.com LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Deb Bailey struggles each year to come up with enough money to help the school district's homeless children. While the number of students identified as homeless...

BRIEFS.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... EAST MANATEE Drama students present play festival Drama students from eight local high schools will take the stage for the sixth annual One-Act Play Festival. The festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Ed Nock...

ODA drama students present 'Lend Me a Tenor'.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... SARASOTA -- The Out-of-Door Academy Drama Club is looking for laughs when it presents "Lend Me a Tenor." The farce will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Feb. 10 in the Multipurpose Room of at ODA's Lower School campus at 444 Reid...

Lakewood Ranch's Currey doesn't allow a little pain to stop her game.(H-T SOUTH)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Byline: Jon Styf Alyshia Currey thought her Lakewood Ranch High soccer career was over. And her coach at Lakewood Ranch, Guy Virgilio, didn't have much more hope than that. They held on to a shred though. The hope that she could...

Most improved; Pirates heavyweight Vuong puts 2-20 season behind him as he focuses on success at districts.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- Mike Vuong didn't want to wrestle. And it showed. That's not to say he didn't work at it. But the only reason he even tried it in the first place was football coach Josh...

Jackson saves best for last; Ranch senior scores career-high and game-winner in final week of season.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT EAST MANATEE -- Zach Jackson was frustrated and discouraged. He didn't want his high school basketball career to end with him sitting on the bench, forgotten and lonely. The Lakewood Ranch High senior...

Ranch's Chasky headed to state; Mustangs' senior qualifies for states in first season on school's lifting team.(H-T SOUTH)
February 1, 2007... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONENT EAST MANATEE -- Success is the fuel that drives Cydney Chasky's motor. Whether it's pumping iron, pole vaulting or running long distance, Chasky has the dedication and motivation needed to succeed. ...