Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from September 2006

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from September 2006

OWNERS SWAPPING PROPERTIES INSTEAD OF SELLING; 'Like Monopoly, but with real money'.(A SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com BONITA SPRINGS -- A sluggish real estate market is bringing new life to an old transaction: the swap. Paul Forsberg worried about selling his Punta Gorda waterfront investment...

Proposing a power shift; County commissioners need to explain move to restrict cities.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... Sarasota County commissioners have some explaining to do. On Thursday, over the objections of Venice's mayor and a North Port city commissioner, the County Commission moved closer to placing a major growth-control measure on the Nov. 7...

Disruptive development; Businesses need help coping with downtown construction.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... The redevelopment of a downtown is supposed to be a good thing: new buildings, new residents to support shops and businesses, new tax revenues and new opportunities. But redevelopment hasn't been so good -- not yet, anyway -- for...

Sidelined? Hardly; Bayshore receivers coach Matt Arcadi overcomes crash.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: CHRIS ANDERSON chris.anderson@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- He never appreciated the beauty of the barren farmland when he lived in South Dakota. Or the way the river meandered along in Oklahoma. Or the way the beach in...

Happy to give up the quarterback job; Mike Bennett stepped up when the Tarpons needed him. Now he's back where he belongs.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Travis Kreischer threw every pass for the Charlotte High football team a year ago. He also was the only quarterback on the roster. So, when the senior...

Charlotte's defense sinks Manta Rays; Tarpons remain unbeaten and hand Lemon Bay its first setback with a relatively easy 3-0 victory.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Nanci Daniel hadn't seen the Lemon Bay High volleyball team prior to Thursday. The Charlotte coach knew about the Manta Rays' strength in the middle. ...

Don't let reports of red tide spoil your fishing.(SPORTS)(Outdoors)(Column)
September 1, 2006... Byline: Steve Gibson Don't let red tide spoil your day. The pesky bloom isn't a blanket that covers every square inch of the Gulf of Mexico and area bays. In fact, this year's red tide is pretty patchy. Yet, local professional...

Allstate seeking rate hike; The double-digit request comes on the heels of an increase earlier this year.(BUSINESS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: JOHN HIELSCHER john.hielscher@heraldtribune.com Allstate Floridian is seeking another double-digit rate hike for 320,000 homeowners and condominium insurance customers. The proposed increases would average 24.2 percent for the...

Parties: Hyatt deal still going ahead; But observers believe slowdown will kill plan.(BUSINESS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: KATHLEEN McLAUGHLIN kathleen.mclaughlin@heraldtribune.com ***** CORRECTION: The following clarification was published on Saturday, September 2, 2006: The Grand Bohemian in St. Petersburg has increased the number of hotel rooms...

LEDs give little light some life.(BUSINESS)
September 1, 2006... This cute little night light, called the Everest Sensor, uses two light-emitting diodes powered by four AA batteries. Because LEDs are so much more efficient than traditional light bulbs, the light can run for 150 hours or more before you need...

Brothers give tips to start business; "Integration at the Crossroads" speakers offer practical advice.(BUSINESS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com Entrepreneurs clustered like bees in a garden Thursday for what was billed as Sarasota's first-ever technology conference, dubbed "Integration at the Crossroads." The 100-plus...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
September 1, 2006... Three join Exit Realty staff as sales agents Elke vonOertzen, Rusty Eterm and Curt Walma recently joined Venice-based Exit Realty as sales agents. Bouchard Insurance hires Matthew Mercier Matthew Mercier has joined the Sarasota...

Ocean Properties buys resort.(BUSINESS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: KATHLEEN McLAUGHLIN kathleen.mclaughlin@heraldtribune.com Ocean Properties Ltd., the owner of two barrier island hotels, added a third on Thursday when it bought the Lido Beach Resort for an undisclosed amount. The owners of...

And the commissioner is ... Brief comments on life and times in our communities.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... A lot to choose from Gov. Jeb Bush has a deep pool of potential Charlotte County commissioners to choose from to fill the unexpired term of Sara Devos, who resigned last month. Twelve people -- including two former county commissioners...

Event center's price goes up; Estimate comes in $500,000 higher than $15.7M available.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PATRINA A. BOSTIC patrina.bostic@heraldtribune.com CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- The preliminary estimates for the proposed Charlotte County event center have come in at half a million dollars more than the $15.7 million set aside to build...

Voters have clear choices in County Commission race.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: ZAC ANDERSON zac.anderson@heraldtribune.com CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- Phosphate mining, control of the water supply, managing growth: These are some of the major issues facing Charlotte County. How these issues are resolved could...

Getting under GOP's skin.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
September 1, 2006... Byline: Eric Ernst Charlotte County's Democrats may not be able to field candidates, but they've still finagled a way to get under the skin of their rivals. They're endorsing Republicans. Never mind that they're doing it in the...

Community to hold lock-in of sorts; South Gulf Cove's canals will be cut off while its boat lock is repaired.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: KATE SPINNER kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com SOUTH GULF COVE -- A closed navigation lock won't stop the hundreds of residents in South Gulf Cove from enjoying their yachts next month. A single lock -- a gated structure that...

Conflicting reports stump police.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT PORT CHARLOTTE -- Sheriff's detectives still do not know whether a crime occurred in the north Port Charlotte home where blood was found Wednesday evening, said sheriff's spokesman Bob Carpenter. The man who...

Man robbed in Wal-Mart parking lot.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT MURDOCK -- A Port Charlotte man was robbed Wednesday night outside Wal-Mart as he got into his car, according to a sheriff's incident report. The man was trying to pull his driver's door closed when another man...

Radio-control car racers can stay at recreation center.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: SARA LUBBES sara.lubbes@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- Sarasota County has found a solution to the turf war at the Englewood Recreation Center. Under a new arrangement, remote control race car drivers will be allowed to use...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... TODAY Party time: The 50th anniversary Pioneer Days celebration kicks off in the 300 block of West Dearborn Street. From 6 to 10 p.m., there will be be a carnival, arts and crafts, food and drink vendors and music with DJ Rob. The...

Concert Band prepares for season.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: MISCHA B. VIEIRA-KIRBY CORRESPONDENT With just about a month until the season's opening performance on Oct. 8, the North Port Concert Band is putting a call out to area musicians looking to perform with the band. Recently, the...

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe seeks actors and musicians.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: ALISON POSNER alison.posner@heraldtribune.com The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe season lineup is jam packed. Now all the troupe needs is actors. All potential actors, singers and dancers between the ages of 7 and 60 are...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
September 1, 2006... CHARLOTTE COUNTY June Elizabeth Chandler June Elizabeth Chandler, 85, Port Charlotte, died Aug. 30, 2006. She was born 26, 1921, in Burton, Wis., and moved to Port Charlotte from Janesville, Wis. She was a Methodist and a former...

Recent rains promote brisk fishing action in region.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com Rain is good for lawns and gardens. It's not bad for fishing, either. Freshwater and saltwater fishing fortunes have risen because of recent rains. "The snook action has been...

Abusing 911 calls can be real emergency.(B SECTION)(Arts Around Town)(Column)
September 1, 2006... Byline: Francine Milford Knowing how and when to use the 911 emergency call system could mean the difference between life and death. Misusing it could send you to jail. No kidding. "Intentionally abusing the 911 emergency call...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... WINE TASTING PARTY The Kiwanis Club of Venice is hosting a Wine Tasting Party to benefit the club's charities from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16 at Sharky's on the Pier Restaurant, 1600 Harbor Drive S., Venice. Tickets are $50 and are limited to...

New thrift shop rewards shoppers in many ways.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: FRANCINE MILFORD francine.milford@heraldtribune.com Finding a bargain or a special keepsake in a shop in Venice is always a pleasure. But that pleasure is multiplied when you know your purchase is going to a good cause. That...

Hodges carries the load for Bobcats; North Port running back gained 143 yards on 19 carries last week against Port Charlotte.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- The secret is out. There's no hiding North Port High's Maurice Hodges anymore. Not after last week's performance in the season-opener against Port Charlotte. ...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP A Homebuyers and Credit Rebuilding Workshop will meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 9 at the George Mullen Activity Center, 4956 City Center Blvd., North Port. Sponsored by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, the...

Pilates holds steady in North Port.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: NANCY CHAPMAN nancy.chapman@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- As a ballerina in her youth, Barbara Crump was in on an obscure form of exercise years ago. Invented in the 1920s, Pilates involved the use of a special piece of...

Scouts in search of members.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Calling all Scouts, both boys and girls. Cub Scout Pack 36 and Girl Scout Junior Troop 456 are looking for interested children wanting to have a good time. Scouting is meant to build character,...

Democrats fling mud in primary campaign.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- The Democratic primary for governor continued its descent into negativity on Thursday, with two new television ads slamming Rod Smith on the Everglades and other issues. ...

School Board candidates must spend a lot just to get noticed.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: LIZ BABIARZ liz.babiarz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- A campaign chest of $35,000 just doesn't go very far in a local race these days, particularly in this crowded political season. With contests for Congress, the...

Marjorie G. Kinnan, 1911-2006; Kinnan was a major force in education, social service.(A SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES and DALE WHITE STAFF WRITERS MANATEE COUNTY -- As a pioneering advocate for civil rights, women's issues and school reform, Marjorie Gearhart Kinnan is credited with helping shape the county's social service, mental...

'A woman of courage'.(A SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: JOHN HAMNER H-T COLUMNIST I really don't remember when I first met Marge Kinnan, except that it was soon after her husband -- the most enthusiastic fan Manatee High football teams ever had -- died young and unexpectedly. But I...

Marjorie Kinnan; A community leader in thoughts, words and deeds.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... Marjorie Kinnan was old school, yet ahead of her time. She broke barriers and crossed boundaries, yet steadily exemplified timeless values. She died yesterday, old of age at 95, yet young of heart. The marks she left on Manatee County...

Game features two top quarterbacks; The Mustangs' Andy Slowik led the county in passing yards last season. Chris Hart leads 'Noles.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- Southeast head football coach Paul Maechtle is most concerned with the psychological state of his team. Coming off a victory over archrival Manatee High, the veteran coach is worried that...

'Fantastic Three' lead Venice to win; Three freshman power top-ranked Lady Indians over Cardinal Mooney in three games.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- The "Fantastic Freshmen Three" at Venice High showed why they are on the varsity volleyball team. Outside hitter Dorothy Rahal, middle hitter Jillian Allen and setter...

Charges dropped in lot collisions; Leo Lissick, 83, was accused of ramming a woman's car 3 times.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Cecilia Harrison is convinced the man in the Buick LaCrosse aimed for her Volvo wagon when he backed into it not once, but three times one morning in a shopping...

Death of commissioner's husband delays MTI vote.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Thursday's much-anticipated vote on a controversial technical high school on Caruso Road was postponed because of the death of Commissioner Donna Hayes'...

Voters to decide on merger of fire districts; If merger is approved, Whitfield residents' taxes would rise; Cedar Hammock's costs would not.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: EMILY MORRIS emily.morris@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Whitfield and Cedar Hammock residents will vote next week on whether they wish to combine their fire districts, formalizing an informal arrangement currently in effect....

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Petition drive against cement plant starts MANATEE COUNTY -- East County Citizens for a Healthy Environment is starting a petition drive this weekend, yet another step in the fight against a ready-mix cement plant planned near thousands of...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... TODAY The Manatee County Master Gardeners are resuming monthly tours of Emerson Point at 9 a.m. the first Friday of each month through December at Emerson Point Park in Palmetto. This month's topic: "Larval and Nectar Plants for...

Getting the healthy word out.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: YVETTE KIMM yvette.kimm@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Always an advocate of women's heath issues, the advice Alberta Smith often gives to other women came in handy when to came to her own health a couple of years ago. ...

Peacee workshop, concert scheduled.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT On Sept. 11, 1906, Mohandas K. Gandhi launched the modern nonviolent movement by pledging to use nonviolence and civil disobedience in his quest for justice. To honor this 100th anniversary, local religious groups,...

POLICE BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Vehicle's speed under review in fatal crash BRADENTON -- Authorities are investigating a witness report that the driver in a fatal crash involving a woman in a wheelchair was drag racing before the Tuesday night wreck. The driver,...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
September 1, 2006... MANATEE COUNTY Vivian Ella Breidenbach Vivian Ella Breidenbach, 77, Palmetto, died Aug. 27, 2006. She was born Feb. 1, 1929, in Long Island, N.Y., and came to Palmetto in 1982 from Prattsville, N.Y. She was a homemaker. ...

Goggins has them gawking at Sarasota; Running back steps into the formidable footsteps of tailbacks Mike Ford and Antwan Graham.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: CHAD BROCKHOFF CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Ladarius Goggins doesn't have a cool nickname like his two predecessors, but he does possess the skills and football IQ needed to be the next great Sarasota High tailback. Billed as...

Sarasota-Riverview rivalry heats up; The Lady Rams take the match, but the Lady Sailors make them work for it.(SPORTS)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DONNIE WILKIE CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- If a rivalry is defined as two all-too-familiar opponents who each have a legitimate chance to win, then it's "on" again between Riverview and Sarasota. The Lady Rams (3-0) escaped the...

CATERING TO LATINOS; Stores try to appeal to their buying power.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ christina.sanchez@heraldtribune.com The sign that things are changing at the Walgreens on 15th Street in Bradenton isn't hard to miss. The billboard in front of the store reads, "WE NOW CARRY GOYA PRODUCTS,"...

Bridge's schedule could be changed; The Coast Guard moves forward with plans for Stickney Point Bridge.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: CAROL E. LEE carol.lee@heraldtribune.com SIESTA KEY -- The Coast Guard tried a new method to ease traffic on Siesta Key, and judging from the few responses officials got from the public, it didn't create much of a stir. Most of...

Correction.(B SECTION)(Correction notice)
September 1, 2006... A story, "Board hopefuls shelling out cash," that ran in Thursday's Herald-Tribune included the wrong picture of Bob Long, a candidate for the Sarasota County School Board, District 2. This is the correct photo. CAPTION(S): (Bob Long)...

County seeks to slow growth; Officials want to curb annexations in North Port and Venice.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- County commissioners pushed forward Thursday with a ballot measure that would rein in growth in Venice and North Port, despite the cities' objections and threats of...

Developer proposes redevelopment of Sarasota's public housing.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- A developer with extensive experience in affordable housing submitted plans to the Sarasota Housing Authority on Thursday showing what it has in mind for redevelopment of this...

Buchanan selling his business acumen; He says success in business makes him the most qualified candidate.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE H-T POLITICAL WRITER It was clear Vern Buchanan was getting into politics. Although the Longboat Key Republican built a fortune in business, over the past six years Buchanan was taking steps that signaled his...

Commission OKs tax rate cut.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PATRICK WHITTLE patrick.whittle@heraldtribune.com ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Saturday, September 2, 2006: A story in Friday's Herald-Tribune inaccurately stated the growth of Sarasota County's...

Holiday closings.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA COUNTY -- Government offices, libraries and recreation centers will be closed Monday for Labor Day. There will also be no Sarasota County Area Transit bus service that day. Solid waste collections...

House fire blamed on lightning.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA COUNTY -- A fire that destroyed a $665,000 home Thursday morning was likely sparked by a lightning strike, fire officials said. The two-alarm blaze started at about 9 a.m. at the home at 721 Shorecrest...

Woman accused of torturing child, 7.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Police arrested a 55-year-old woman Thursday on charges she beat and tortured a 7-year-old girl in her care. Lavon M. Jackson, is accused of beating a 7-year-old girl...

Undercover bust nabs 2 men.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA -- At a Perkins restaurant last month, two men told an undercover Sarasota police detective and her confidential informant that they wanted to purchase 100 kilograms of cocaine a week, federal agents said. ...

BEST BETS.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... AUDITIONS Due to scheduling conflicts, the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre of Sarasota will now hold Auditions for its upcoming production of "BINGO" on Oct. 2. at 25 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Appointments are necessary so call for an...

Venice man aided by specialist.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com Joe Young of Venice knows just how excited Debi Short Bailey is about having her eyesight restored. Bailey is the Sarasota woman who recently became one of a few people in...

New Woman Build leader ready for second event.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com Louise Bruderle, editor and publisher of West Coast Woman magazine, is chairing the second annual Women Build. This event recruits an all-woman crew of volunteers to fund and...

Crist, Gallagher keep on pitching.(B SECTION)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DOUG SWORD and JOE FOLLICK NYT REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS LAKELAND -- The front-runner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, Charlie Crist, is an old high school quarterback, and he broke out the gridiron analogies on Thursday,...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
September 1, 2006... SARASOTA COUNTY Richard Frederick Burkhardt Richard Frederick Burkhardt, 78, Englewood, died Aug. 30, 2006, at TideWell Hospice House in Venice. He was born Nov. 4, 1927, in New Britain, Conn., and came to Englewood in 1987 from...

Sarasota resident Pierce exemplified community service.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
September 1, 2006... Byline: MARK ZALOUDEK mark.zaloudek@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- As a volunteer, Jim Pierce helped set the course for Sarasota's future in the 1970s and '80s. The retired steel sales and marketing executive chaired a citizens advisory...

Labor movies for Labor Day.(TICKET)(Admit One)(Column)
September 1, 2006... Byline: Rod Harmon If you're in the mood for vegging out in front of the television Labor Day weekend, here are some labor-themed movies to get you started. (You'll have to make your own red banners and picket signs, though.) *...

BECKOLOGY; Jeff Beck gets back to his roots.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: ROD HARMON rod.harmon@heraldtribune.com Hopefully, Ernesto's recent run through Florida won't scare Jeff Beck into canceling Wednesday's concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall, the kickoff point of a fall North American tour. True, all...

Toby Keith protege readies for stardom.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT Having Toby Keith in your corner isn't too shabby a perk for a rising country star. For 21-year-old Lindsey Haun, it's the ticket to packed stadium venues, album sales and movie roles. The...

No reason to labor on Labor Day.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: STEVE ECHEVERRIA JR. steve.echeverria@heraldtribune.com Summer's swan song starts today. Then it's back to business Tuesday. Students return to school, grown-ups head back to work, and another summer fizzles. What better way to...

Cinder's house rising from ashes.(TICKET)(Making Noise)(Column)
September 1, 2006... Byline: DAWN E. SCIRE CORRESPONDENT Geffen Records signed a Fort Myers band named jesusgun back when New York City still had the World Trade Center towers. After Sept. 11, 2001, music and artists who'd been mainstream for years...

Dirty Pretty Things' debut stays true to Barat's leanings.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Dirty Pretty Things, "Waterloo to Anywhere" (Interscope): What happens when one of Britain's best new bands implodes because of one member's drug abuse and numerous arrests? That question -- queried in numerous music magazines and rock Web...

2 Live Crew still as nasty as we want.(TICKET)(No Cover)(Column)
September 1, 2006... Byline: Steve Echeverria Jr. The dance floor would have fooled you. Thirty minutes before last week's 2 Live Crew performance at the Sarasota nightclub Khrome, a couple swaying to the rhythmic, frenetic beats owned it. No one else. ...

Magical cinema; 'The Illusionist' makes you believe in film as art.(TICKET)(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... Byline: PHILIP BOOTH CORRESPONDENT Cinema is one of the oldest forms of mass deception, if you will, and writer-director Neil Burger ("Interview With the Assassin") carries on the tradition quite effectively with "The Illusionist." ...

'Crossover' is a double-cross.(TICKET)(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... Byline: GEORGE MEYER CORRESPONDENT Writing instructors advise beginners to avoid comic-style exposition. The idea is to let characters avoid dialogue that sounds unrealistic. For example, when two people meet, it's awkward for one of...

Cast props up lackluster 'Trust the Man'.(TICKET)(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... Byline: GEORGE MEYER CORRESPONDENT Tom, a writer, and his gorgeous wife, Rebecca, an actress, have struck a lull in their relationship. Making matters worse, Rebecca (Julianne Moore) has plenty of work in the New York theater, while...

'Time to Leave' eschews cliches.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT End-of-life sagas are often shot one of two ways: With a bittersweet, family-by-the-bedside finale, or with a climb-a-mountain adrenaline purge. Director Francois Ozon does neither in his French drama...

Museum madness; Sarasota attractions team up to offer monthlong discounts.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING H-T ARTS WRITER To help remind area residents of the cultural riches in their backyard, six Sarasota County museums are offering special perks for Floridians in September, ranging from free-admission weekends to...

Venice cast heads back to camp.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com For a generation or two of summer campers, the late Allan Sherman was a hero. His hit "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! (A Child's Letter from Camp)" captured all the ups and downs of...

'Rain' falls at St. Pete's American Stage.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com Richard Greenberg's "Three Days of Rain" may be best known these days as the play that brought Julia Roberts to Broadway. But the play enjoyed popularity in theaters around the...

Service problems mar (but can't spoil) Rustic Grill dining experience.(TICKET)
September 1, 2006... Byline: JACK WINNER CORRESPONDENT Sarasota's expanding culinary epicenter continues to spread north with the opening of Rustic Grill on North Lemon Avenue (actually it fronts an alley just east of Lemon). The restaurant, which has...

Oil costs lead FPL to lower its bills; The power company expects to cut its fuel charges in January.(A SECTION)
September 2, 2006... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com First there was relief at the pumps. Now it sounds like relief at the thermostat, too. Florida Power & Light, the main electricity provider in Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota...