Nordstrom Rack getting ready for grand opening Nov. 7

Last week, I was rummaging through the racks at TJMaxx for a last minute blouse to wear to a nice dinner in Disney. Out of the eight shirts I tried on, only two were a good brand name like Calvin Klein or BCBG. The rest: subpar names like XOXO. Not exactly the "designer" brands that their slogan touts. 

I'm not completely ripping the Maxx. I go there, I like it -- especially for CHI hair products and Essie nail polish. But when I'm really in the mood for designer clothes at bargain prices, I wheel over to Nordstrom Rack. 

Today I realized that the new Rack in University Park is opening in just a few weeks and I stepped out of the office to check it out.

The 35,000-square-foot shopping hub, located in the squeaky clean Shoppes at University Town Center at 7978 Cooper Creek Blvd., is gearing up for its grand opening 9 a.m. Nov. 7. Shoppers are encouraged to begin tailgating at 8 a.m., manager Karina Attar-McDonald said.

The store looked nearly perfect, ready to be picked over by passionate shoppers. The Marc Jacobs sunglasses, in all their glory, were neatly displayed at the front. To the right was a sparkling setup of  Kate Spade jewelry. I swooned over these rings.

Attar-McDonald said almost all of the 50 job opportunities have been filled, but she is planning to hire a few more employees. To apply, visit careers.nordstrom.com.

-- Sabrina Rocco, srocco@bradenton.com

Buy a home, get a free boat

PHOTO PROVIDED

Bruce Williams Homes has opened its model home, "The Blue Cypress" in the Winding River community in East Manatee. There are 62 expansive home sites available, but if you act fast, you could get a free boat.

That's right, a free boat.

The first four purchasers will receive a boat from Scout Boats, plus a motor and trailer -- a perfect deal since the community has a private, resident-only boat launch.

The homes will range from 2,600 to 5,000 square feet and start in the low $400,000s, according to a media release. 

Check out the model at 14205 9^th Terrace NE, Bradenton, just off Upper Manatee River Road. It's open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information visit www.bwhomes.com or call (941) 748-8834.

Who's got the scariest scarecrow?

Think you can create a scary scarecrow?


Enter the fifth annual Scarecrow Contest as part of Lakewood Ranch's Boo Fest, the annual free family Halloween gathering, Oct. 25 on Main Street.

You can register your scarecrow online now in order to have it displayed on one of the lamp posts along Main. Judging will be held during Boo Fest, 6-9 p.m., and the winners will receive gift cards from Trattoria, MacAllisters, Ed’s Tavern, Pinchers Crab Shack.

IMAGE PROVIDED

Attention Publix shoppers: This road is closed

Don't try taking the back way into the Lakewood Ranch Gateway/Publix Plaza at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 64 right now.

The rear access road from State Road 64 will be closed through Tuesday, Oct. 15 because of construction. You'll still be able to access the Bank of America, however.

The closure is so workers can repair a nearby water main and still supply water to the plaza, according to Billy Pinkston with Manatee County Public Works.

IMAGE PROVIDED

Fundraiser helps horse have a fighting Chance

In last week's editions of the Bradenton Herald, Lakewood Ranch Herald and on Bradenton.com we told you about Chance, a neglected thoroughbred in Parrish who was in need of some help, and Herald photographer Grant Jefferies brought you some fantastic photos and video of the horse and owner, Jovonnie Androy. 

Androy, owner of GoldenGael Farm, was hosting a fundraiser this past Saturday for Chance to help raise $1,700 for his dental bills. Now, she happily reports they rasied more than $2,000. Here's part of her email to the Herald, along with some photos of the event. See a full gallery here, courtesy of Vickie Pierson Crupi:

Wow, what a day we had raising money for dear Chance! It took a village, and a village we had!! So many people to thank! Dana Benedetto and team Chilly WILLY'S for the kettle corn, lemonade, and incredible frozen juice drinks. Brenda Hunt Alcorn for her incredible original works of art that had auction bidding wars going! John Whiteleather of Swamp DONKIE, who provided our live entertainment, and John was our live auctioneer as well. Vickie Pierson Crupi, and Joe Crupi for all of the photographs shown in the album below. Vickie has been a strong and generous supporter of Chance from day one. Team Equisports Unlimited, Niki Demma Pasley, Miss Gia, Tim Pasley. Halle Fischer and Rory Pasley for the Pony rides on Napa. Dr. Dave and Julie Bracciano for their continued support, Dr. Jim and Rita Hillman as well for their continued support. Dr. Mark and Ann Lupo for their generous support and for Mark pulling the winning raffle tickets. Leanne Thomas for her support and keeping the art auction bidding exciting! Randy Sue Wilson Fountain and Matthew Fountain for their exhausting efforts to get the word out and secure not only raffle items, but in securing the band Swamp DONKIE!

Special needs students find hope at Shepherd's Field

Shepherd's Field Agricultural College, a pilot program of Ave Maria Preparatory School in Myakka City, is hosting an open house Oct. 7. PROVIDED PHOTOS

Students with special needs and their families are invited to attend next month's open house at Shepherd's Field Agricultural College, a pilot program of Ave Maria Preparatory School in Myakka City.

Shepherd’s Field provides a university-accredited, two-year college education and diploma in landscaping and horticulture through South Florida State College. There are currently 12 students, ages 18-22, in the program, which launched last month. Enrollment is open for the upcoming spring semester starting in January 2014. Scholarships are available for students needing transportation from Sarasota and Bradenton.

Ave Maria Prep already helps students in grades kindergarten through 12th who are dealing with autism, attention deficit disorder, Asperger's syndrome, Tourette syndrome, anxiety and bipolar disorders. Shepherd's Field will allow graduates of Ave Maria Prep and others to continue their education, gain employability and social skills and transition to college and independent living.

"They look so dignified," said Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, the school's director, of the program's first class. "Some of these kids I have known for a long time."

Ave Maria Prep was recently the beneficiary of a $25,000 donation by Paul and Frankie Amato, owners of Paul's Pizza by the Foot in Bradenton.

The Shepherd's Field open house will be Monday, Oct. 7, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the school's campus, 6289 Verna Rd., Myakka City. For more information about the open house or the program, call 941-322-1601.

SMR Farms named Tropicana Grower of the Year

For a fifth straight year, SMR Farms has been selected as a Tropicana Grower of the Year for the 2012-13 citrus harvesting season.

The award from Tropicana Products, Inc. is based on "fruit quality, load quality, fruit variety mix and agribusiness management," according to a media release from SMR. Also considered are harvesting methods, grove practices, labor programs and commitment to agricultural sustainability.

“It’s a great feeling to see our citrus operations recognized in this way," said SMR Farms President, Mac Carraway in the release. "In spite of the very real and difficult challenges we face in the citrus industry, our production team continues to do a great job.”

Steve John, SMR Farms’ citrus production manager added that “we have a great relationship with Tropicana, and working with a top-line company like Tropicana certainly keeps us on our toes.”

SMR Farms and Tropicana are partnering on a multi-year citrus fertilization project aimed at comparing traditional fertilizers with low-carbon-footprint products as part of Tropicana’s global sustainability efforts.