Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from June 2005

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from June 2005

Harris offers to return questionable donations.(A SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE jeremy.wallace@heraldtribune.com WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris is offering to refund thousands of dollars to her biggest donor in the 2004 campaign because the money may have been obtained...

Broadcasting support; Maintain funding for public TV and radio.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
June 30, 2005... Supporters of public broadcasting recently helped Big Bird and friends stare down another major threat from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. But there's little reason to believe a long-running campaign to "zero out" funding for the nation's 1,100...

Explaining a war; President looked backward more than forward.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
June 30, 2005... It's not a good sign when an American president feels compelled to publicly explain whether the sacrifices of an ongoing war are worthwhile. In the case of President Bush's national address Tuesday, it's a sign he recognizes a decline in...

Towers flirts with no-hitter; Devil Rays prove to be just what the right-hander needs to end personal winless drought; Toronto gives him big cushion with five-run second.(SPORTS)
June 30, 2005... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- The sign on the message board in the Rays' locker room before the game read, "No hitting. Game time 12:15." Tampa Bay nearly took that literally. ...

NABI Club 577 holiday extravaganza slated for Lakeland.(SPORTS)(Bowling)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Bill Herald The National Amateur Bowlers Inc. Club 577 will conduct its annual Fourth of July Extravaganza in Lakeland over the weekend. Orange Bowl Lanes will be the host center and qualifying squads will be as follows: 11...

Mom's advice pays off with course-record 63.(SPORTS)(Golf)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Mark Cardon Genn Mendez keeps hearing the same words when she's putting -- "Don't leave it short. Don't leave it short." It's her mother talking. Daryl Mendez has given that advice to her only daughter many times. But she...

the answer man; THE ANSWER MAN.(SPORTS)
June 30, 2005... Only five golfers have won the four majors in the history of golf? Who are they? C.L., Sarasota Answer Man: Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan

AREA UPDATE.(SPORTS)
June 30, 2005... AREA TOURNAMENTS Toys for Tots tournament July 9 * The Marine Corps Reserves and Toys for Tots will hold its third annual golf benefit July 9 at Bent Tree Country Club in Sarasota. The cost per person for the scramble is $75. The...

AREA COURSE PROFILE.(SPORTS)
June 30, 2005... Bradenton Country Club * ADDRESS: 4646 9th Ave. W., Bradenton, 34209 *PHONE: (941) 792-4159 * WEB SITE: www.BradentonCC.org *YEAR OPENED: 1924 * OWNERS: Member owned *HEAD PRO: Joe Stencik * SUPERINTENDENT: Renza Berg...

RAYS NOTEBOOK.(SPORTS)
June 30, 2005... June swoon ST. PETERSBURG -- Wednesday afternoon's 12-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays dipped Tampa Bay's record for the month to 8-18, the second-worst June in club history behind the 5-21 posted in 2003. Tampa Bay compiled a 6.35...

Sarasota shuts out Dunedin.(SPORTS)
June 30, 2005... Byline: CHAD BROCKHOFF CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- The last of the unbeatens fell on Wednesday night at the hands of the Sarasota Reds. Mark Schramek led off the fifth inning with a home run to right field and Ben Himes had a...

AirTran to offer nonstop service between Sarasota, Indianapolis.(BUSINESS)
June 30, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT AirTran Airways, the discount airline breathing life back into Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, plans to start nonstop service to and from Indianapolis International Airport beginning Nov. 8. The airline...

Facing foreclosure; Riverside Plaza's owner had high hopes for her luxury project.(BUSINESS)
June 30, 2005... Byline: KATHLEEN McLAUGHLIN kathleen.mclaughlin@heraldtribune.com PALMETTO -- With its three stories of white terraces overlooking the Manatee River, Riverside Plaza was to be the ideal setting for a health spa. That's what Carolyn...

Slip leads to suits for Michael's Gourmet.(BUSINESS)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JOHN HIELSCHER john.hielscher@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- More than three years ago, Paul Mazzarese slipped and fell in the kitchen of a Sarasota restaurant, injuring his back and neck so severely that his attorney says he is...

(Wood St. offices sell for $9.2M New, high-profile owners say the 51,800 square feet of space is an investment.).(BUSINESS)
June 30, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL BRAGA michael.braga@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- A triumvirate of powerful Southwest Florida real estate developers plunked down about $9.2 million for two brick office buildings on Wood Street. The three developers...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
June 30, 2005... SAMA names board of directors for year The Sarasota Manatee Area Manufacturers Association recently installed its board of directors for 2005-06. Officers are: John Maxwell of Inland Specialities Inc., president; Ron Van Ostenbridge of...

Home $weet Home in Sarasota.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: David Grimes You might be in an over-heated housing market if... * The appliance carton you hauled to the curb receives at least six bids from interested buyers. * You work in Sarasota but live in Clewiston. ...

Family journey begins in North Florida.(FLORIDA WEST)
June 30, 2005... Byline: KARA CHALMERS CORRESPONDENT Families with toddlers, teens and in-betweens will find North Florida rich with destinations: historical towns, remarkable geological features, Southern hospitality and beautiful beaches. ...

Girls ID selves on tape at gym; Prosecutors: Coach put camera in bathroom.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: KRISTEN KRIDEL kristen.kridel@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- One by one, the young girls walked to the front of the county courtroom, took the stand and viewed video clips and photographs of themselves using the bathroom of...

Wading trip a family affair.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Wading alone into the waters of Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda is not advisable, but when led by Monica Dorken of the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, it can be fun, educational and safe for...

Christy Smith wants every child to have new shoes.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: AMY ABERN amy.abern@heraldtribune.com. Edison Community College math professor Christy Smith is looking for 1,600 pairs of shoes. Specifically, she's looking for people to donate new tennis shoes for Charlotte County...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Rehabbed turtles released into Gulf ENGLEWOOD -- Two turtles that were rehabilitated at Mote Marine Laboratory were released into the Gulf on Wednesday morning at Manasota Beach. The animals were released in Englewood because of...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
June 30, 2005... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Gordon Wayne Geddes Gordon Wayne Geddes, 92, Port Charlotte, died June 27, 2005, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. He was born June 25, 1913, in Barre, Mass., and came to the Charlotte County area...

Radio club sails through a rain-free Field Day.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com Every year the Englewood Amateur Radio Society sets up a tent, generator and antenna on the grounds of the Englewood United Methodist Church to take part in the American Radio...

West Charlotte Baptist ordains two.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT West Charlotte Baptist Church ordained two new ministers May 29 in its new sanctuary at 11050 Willmington Blvd. The Rev. Robert Hensley, 35, who serves as the principal and administrator of the...

Could beast become a beauty? Venice hospital plans to cover its brown brick with white stucco and terra-cotta trim.(A SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: WILL ROTHSCHILD will.rothschild@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- What happens if you put a Versace gown on the proverbial bull in the china shop? So it goes in Venice. In what presents the biggest challenge in the city's...

VHS all-class reunion this weekend; Wacky Warrior Games and a variety of other activities will greet graduates from the classes of 1930 through 2005.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: LAURA GREEN laura.green@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- Graduates of Venice High School from the last 75 years are expected to converge on the city this weekend for a mix of reminiscing and all-out war. On Friday, they'll swap...

Arts and crafts and so much more.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: FRANCINE MILFORD francine.milford@heraldtribune.com Visitors to the 13th annual Downtown Venice Summer Craft Fair could browse from among the 100-plus vendors who brought jewelry, clothing, food, arts, crafts and other goods to...

VHS welcomes back decades of alumni.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: FRANCINE MILFORD francine.milford@heraldtribune.com Plans have been under way for months preparing for this weekend's Venice High School Alumni class reunion. Beginning Saturday morning, alumni will be welcomed and encouraged...

Official: Offer for road may not last; The city engineer says the county must decide soon whether to let developers widen Toledo Blade.(A SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: LIZ BABIARZ liz.babiarz@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- An offer from three developers to widen Toledo Blade Boulevard within three years could slip through the city's fingers if it isn't approved soon, North Port's city engineer...

County agrees to maintain all parks; All North Port parks will be worked into the county's maintenance schedule.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: ERIN BRYCE erin.bryce@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- When the president of North Port Pop Warner needs the field at the George Mullen Center mowed for a tournament, he'll now know whom to call. Sarasota County agreed...

County to direct fireworks traffic.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT SIESTA KEY -- The masses flocking to Siesta Key's 15th annual Fourth of July fireworks display may be spared the usual gridlock on the way home. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has worked with the Sarasota...

On top of things.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... The Herald-Tribune will publish updates through Saturday on Habitat for Humanity's quest to build a home in a week in Venice. Wednesday Despite some delays because of rain, the roof and the home's drywall work was completed. Tuesday:...

People for Trees, YMCA team up for Eco-Kids summer camp.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: KIM HACKETT kim.hackett@heraldtribune.com The Eco-Kids Summer Day Camp is a first for both the new North Port YMCA and People for Trees, Inc. "I feel really good about the program," said Alice White, chairwoman of People for...

North Port invited to chat with Ley.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Sarasota County Administrator Jim Ley wants to hear what residents value and what legacy they want to pass on to future generations. Ley is hosting a series of community conversations this summer. North Port residents get their chance to...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... FHP blames driver in passenger's death RUBONIA -- The driver of a sedan in which a passenger was killed Tuesday evening was at fault in the three-vehicle crash, officials say. Gloria Green, 52, the passenger, died when a pickup...

Charter change seen in new light; Growth-control advocates may focus efforts strictly on Bradenton.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- The C word is back, but with a twist. A coalition of homeowner associations is talking about "charter" government again as a means of reining in growth. Yet the...

Man found guilty in arson plot at lingerie shop.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT TAMPA -- A jury Wednesday convicted a Tampa man for his role in a plot to firebomb a competitor's lingerie shop in Bradenton. Pele LaCruz Watkins, 29, faces up to 15 years in federal prison for orchestrating a...

Smith motions filed to avoid death penalty.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- The defense attorney for Joseph P. Smith, the man accused of killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, has filed a series of motions aimed at keeping Smith from getting the death...

State, Sarasota hotel reach settlement on price gouging.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com Janice Johnson said she was tired of getting pushed around, so she pushed back. The 65-year-old Bradenton resident was one of hundreds of people who complained about price...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
June 30, 2005... MANATEE COUNTY George J. Black George J. Black, 84, Bradenton, died June 28, 2005. He was born Aug. 3, 1920, in Milwaukee and came to Manatee County in 1979 from there. He formerly owned George Black & Son Auto Body Shop in...

Girls get a chance to horse around.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: YVETTE KIMM yvette.kimm@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Girls from throughout the region have a unique opportunity to horse around next week and learn about animals in the process. The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida...

The Hawaii Five-O; County commissioners to attend conference on island at taxpayer expense.(A SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: CORY SCHOUTEN cory.schouten@heraldtribune.com Five commissioners from Manatee and Sarasota counties will fly to Hawaii next month to learn how to govern better and cut costs. Taxpayers will foot the bill. Those attending...

Justice system should build fire under young 'anarchists' to change ways.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Tom Lyons Two 18-year-old boys, or men, or whatever we should call guys at that in-between age when brains are still so prone to misfire, apparently behaved like major idiots the other night. Their alleged actions were...

New plan to break cycle of addiction; The county is first in the state with a $2M plan choosing treatment over jail.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- The county embarked on a new plan Wednesday to get more people with drug and alcohol problems into treatment, but the plan is so innovative that even its architects...

Galvano opts out of run for Congress; The latest in District 13 shuffle.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Friday, July 1, 2005: Michael LaFevers, a Democratic candidate for the 13th Congressional District race, said he is a...

Counties plan to crack down on fireworks.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com Sparklers and black magic snakes are fine, but people planning their own fireworks displays on the Fourth of July should be aware that if a firework flies, explodes or detonates, it's...

County to direct fireworks traffic.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT SIESTA KEY -- The masses flocking to Siesta Key's 15th annual Fourth of July fireworks display may be spared the usual gridlock on the way home. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has worked with the Sarasota...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
June 30, 2005... SARASOTA COUNTY Ada Josephine Alakna Ada Josephine Alakna, 93, Nokomis, died June 23, 2005. She was born Nov. 21, 1911, in Stonington, Maine, and came to to Nokomis from New York. She was a teacher, a secretary and an Army...

Vivid descriptions a hallmark of guide's tour for the blind.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com Carole Beldon gave a detailed description of the painting of the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The tour guide talked...

CAP cadet earns coveted award.(B SECTION)
June 30, 2005... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com Civil Air Patrol Cadet Brent Rudisill received the Billy Mitchell Award Monday, a national recognition that is considered a milestone in a young person's military career. ...

Band gets boost from the parents.(H-T EAST MANATEE)(Editor's Desk)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Christi Womack Braden River High School Band Booster member Susan Jarrell sent word this week that members of the new Pirate Marching Band will have a busy summer. Music and marching practices will be from 5 to 9 p.m....

MAIN ATTRACTION; Business owners eager for opening of retail district.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: M. ROBYN JONES robyn.jones@heraldtribune.com ***** CORRECTION: The following clarification was published on July 7, 2005: Last week's story about the Main Street project in Lakewood Ranch contained an outdated list of...

Pedestrians face dangers in growing East Manatee.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: M. ROBYN JONES robyn.jones@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- Children in Tallevast have to jump into ditches to avoid cars on Tallevast Road because there aren't sidewalks, residents say. Children also don't have a crosswalk...

Celebrate July Fourth with fireworks, races.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: M. ROBYN JONES robyn.jones@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- Fourth of July celebrations will be marked with concessions, games, racing and fireworks at Heritage Harbor and DeSoto Speedway. Heritage Harbor, off State Road 64...

School board looking at selling excess property.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS and JENNY LEE ALLEN STAFF WRITERS EAST MANATEE -- School Board members are considering selling some of the district's property to nearby landowners. The excess parcels range from a .14-acre side yard off 22nd...

BRIEFS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... LAKEWOOD RANCH Bradenton mayor visits business leaders The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will meet at 4 p.m. July 21 at Manatee Community College's Center for Innovation and Technology, 7131 Professional Parkway E. The...

Work almost complete at assisted-living facility.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Construction workers are putting a fresh coat of paint and a barrel tile roof on the area's first assisted-living facility. When complete, the Windsor of...

Teeing off for better playgrounds, parks.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Members of the Lakewood Ranch Moms Group, a burgeoning network of 200 mothers, are determined to improve the parks in Lakewood Ranch. They planned their first golf tournament to help raise money. The event was...

BRIEFS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... * Manatee County School Board: 7 p.m. July 11 at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. * Lakewood Ranch's five Community Development Districts: 8:30 a.m. July 14 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. * Manatee County...

District OKs money for new fire station.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT MYAKKA CITY -- Fire commissioners want to tighten the district's budget to pay for a second fire station here. Last month, commissioners learned that it would cost $83,854 more to build the 5,620-square-foot...

Party pulls in potential customers.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... LAKEWOOD RANCH -- New businesses in the Lake Osprey Village shopping area in Lakewood Ranch hosted an outdoor block party June 21. Their goal for "Family Night" was to bring awareness to the new shopping area off Lake Osprey Drive, just...

Artist heeds call to ministry.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com Who: The Rev. Paul E. Forrey. Age: 41. Family: Married to Carol. They live in Parrish with Carol's mother, Barbara, and her brother, Michael. Where he worships: Faith...

BRIEFS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... MANATEE COUNTY Scavenge for items, help animals People will spend an afternoon scavenging for items to benefit an animal welfare group. The "Walter C. Watkins Memorial Scavenger Hunt" will be from noon to 3 p.m. July 30....

Radio contacts throughout the world.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... A group of friends and amateur radio operators known as the Loop Group spent the weekend calling people all over the world. They were among an estimated 35,000 amateur, or ham, radio operators participating in the American Radio Relay...

Fridays are fun in Ellenton.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Thanks to money raised by the Friends of the Library group, school-age children are entertained during the "Read Around Florida" summer reading program at the Rocky Bluff Branch Library. Programs scheduled at 2 p.m. Fridays at the...

Couples dine out as regular pastime.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- Cindy Bellacosa enjoyed going out to dinner with friends so much that she turned it into a club. The group of Heritage Harbour residents eat at various...

Local Games.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... SOCCER Walters makes ODP Florida state team Heritage Harbour resident Alex Walters made the Florida state boys soccer team and will compete in three weeks in Alabama for a spot on the Region 3 15-Under team. Walters, who will...

Heritage Harbour All-Stars make their mark during inaugural season.(H-T EAST MANATEE)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Jon Styf Heritage Harbour was looking for a baseball league to join. It built a beautiful complex with four fields but couldn't find any teams to play. It tried to get into Little League but the area leagues weren't...

The second season.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... The regular season and playoffs are complete. Little League all-star teams from Braden River and Manatee East have been selected and are ready to begin play in this weekend's district all-star tournaments. CAPTION(S): STAFF PHOTO...

Gerald twins are perfect double-play combination.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT EAST MANATEE -- Braxton and Brandon Gerald believe nothing in the world beats having an identical twin brother. It puts you one up on everybody except your parents. If Braxton and Brandon want to...

Ranch team looks to compete; Lakewood Ranch Swim Association team is making strides in only its second season swimming competitively in U.S. Swim program.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
June 30, 2005... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com LAKEWOOD RANCH -- In the Lakewood Ranch area, everything seems new. The landscape is constrantly changing and as every new day comes, the area becomes more self-sufficient. From the roads...

New district gives Manatee East a shot at repeating as district champs.(H-T EAST MANATEE)(At Home)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Alan Dell Winning consecutive district championships at any level is difficult, but with the field cut from 16 to seven teams, the Manatee East Little Major League All-Star team likes its chances. All of the players from last...

Things that go bloom in the night.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Editor's Desk)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Mark Chapman I stopped to smell the flowers. Doing so required me to stop nothing more than watching television, my nightly deadline-decompression ritual, but I did, in fact, stop. I then dragged myself out of my chair,...

Conversations to address county's future.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... Byline: KEVIN DALE kevin.dale@heraldtribune.com Sarasota County's traveling series of "Community Conversations" will come to Englewood on July 7. Hosted by County Administrator Jim Ley, the purpose of the discussion is to identify...

New classrooms, ballfields on the way at Lemon Bay.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... Byline: KEVIN DALE kevin.dale@heraldtribune.com Despite a deluge of post-hurricane construction, the Charlotte County School District will proceed this year with projects at Lemon Bay High School. Hurricane Charley, which didn't...

Making music and making friends.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... Byline: AMY HIBBERD CORRESPONDENT For the uninitiated, "fellowship" can be an abstract concept, but as soon as the doors opened Friday to the New Hope Baptist Church fellowship hall and the Rev. Tom Stroud extended a hand, fellowship...

Fun on the water.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... April Gillich, 3, above, entertains herself Friday as participants in the Lemon Bay Crew Club's second annual Youth Regatta race across Lemon Bay, part of the Lemon Bay Long Boat Camp. At left, coxswain Gloria Koss gets her crew ready to...

It's not news that raising a teen is expensive.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Englewood Scene)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Lonsdale In the "Tell us something we don't know" department, a column on msn.com last week by Liz Pulliam Weston concluded that raising a teenager is expensive. Basically she said while babies put a dent in your...

New YMCA facility close to completion.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... The new, 42,000-square-foot Warren Loranger YMCA building is located on 33 acres across from Englewood Community Hospital in Sarasota County. It has been under construction since August 2003. Currently, the Englewood Family YMCA is located...

Homemade chocolate-covered toffee's a delight to make and eat.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Recipe)
June 30, 2005... Byline: AMY HIBBERD CORRESPONDENT I grew up in southern Ohio, where our house was always filled with wonderful aromas and, mainly thanks to my twin brothers, tons of ravenous company. We all loved good food; the homemade kind, not...

Guitar teacher picks Englewood as location for his music school.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com Edward Janusz gave up a thriving music school with 300 students in Shrewsbury, Pa., when he moved with his wife and children to North Port to be closer to his wife's family. ...

Summer camp openings still available.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
June 30, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT There are only five more weeks before school starts, but those can be long weeks if the children have nothing to do. There are still several camps and programs accepting students for the summer. If you are...

Little League star teams have experience and depth.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Playing the Field)(Column)
June 30, 2005... Byline: Alan Dell The day before the Little League All-Star Baseball tournament begins is sort of like the first day of spring training. The optimism in the air has no boundaries, and everyone's energy level seems to be at the boiling...