I can't get the image out of my head of reporter Sara Kennedy backing a pickup truck, loaded with an enormous canoe jutting out the back. Somehow, she missed a couple of big trees in the Linger Lodge parking lot.
Sara had hoped to put the boat in the water at the quirky restaurant's ramp, but the level of water was too low because of the drought.
So Sara and her daughter Kate drove over to Jiggs Landing and put in there, while a flock of vultures watched their every move from a nearby tree and wall. Spooky.
It was all in a day's reporting for the Herald's multi-part series on the Braden River which begins Sunday, June 14, and runs through Thursday.
It's a really nice piece of work. We hope you enjoy it.
Jim
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Southern Manatee getting new fire chief
Foster Gover, a 35-year veteran of the fire service in Manatee County, replaces Tom Hennessey as fire chief of Southern Manatee Fire Rescue on Friday.
Hennessey announced his retirement several weeks ago. Between the two men, they have more than 65 years of fire service experience.
Gover worked for the City of Bradenton Fire Department for 25 years. He has worked in the Southern Manatee Fire District for eight years as deputy chief and fire marshal.
Southern Manatee serves a 32-square-miles area of Southeast Manatee County. Gover will oversee the operation of five fire statiosn, an administration office, 94 personnel and an operating budget of more than $15 million.
Jim
Hennessey announced his retirement several weeks ago. Between the two men, they have more than 65 years of fire service experience.
Gover worked for the City of Bradenton Fire Department for 25 years. He has worked in the Southern Manatee Fire District for eight years as deputy chief and fire marshal.
Southern Manatee serves a 32-square-miles area of Southeast Manatee County. Gover will oversee the operation of five fire statiosn, an administration office, 94 personnel and an operating budget of more than $15 million.
Jim
Five tons of pull
What weighs five tons, has 30,000 times the magnetic pull of the earth and can actually run forever if it stays cooled by liquid helium?
It’s the magnet for the new $1 million Lakewood Ranch Medical Center MRI, built by Philips Healthcare.
The machine’s magnet is so powerful that it could cause a metal oxygen tank to fly toward it from across a room. That’s why the utmost in caution must be observed when it goes into use, probably sometime in late July.
For more, see Friday's Lakewood Ranch Herald.
Richard
It’s the magnet for the new $1 million Lakewood Ranch Medical Center MRI, built by Philips Healthcare.
The machine’s magnet is so powerful that it could cause a metal oxygen tank to fly toward it from across a room. That’s why the utmost in caution must be observed when it goes into use, probably sometime in late July.
For more, see Friday's Lakewood Ranch Herald.
Richard
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
New farmers market in Ellenton
If you’re a fruit and vegetable lover or just like to shop for the freshest local produce, you’ll want to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting at the new Ellenton Farmers Market Saturday.
The market is planning its ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., featuring state Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, and Manatee County Commissioners Carol Whitman and John Chappie.
The market at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, north parking lot, 5309 29th St., Ellenton, will be open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
It is expected to be among the largest year-round markets in Florida specializing in "green" natural, organic and environmentally-friendly products that makes for a healthier lifestyle and a better environment, said owner Phil Pagano.
He is hoping local residents will rediscover the benefits of buying local produce that he says is fresher, tastier and more nutritious because it is harvested within hours of sale rather than weeks.
The market buys directly from local farmers, such as the True Family Farm, Dakin Dairy, and Sheppard Farms, to name a few, said Pagano, who added that “it also helps the local economy.”
Sara
The market is planning its ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., featuring state Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, and Manatee County Commissioners Carol Whitman and John Chappie.
The market at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, north parking lot, 5309 29th St., Ellenton, will be open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
It is expected to be among the largest year-round markets in Florida specializing in "green" natural, organic and environmentally-friendly products that makes for a healthier lifestyle and a better environment, said owner Phil Pagano.
He is hoping local residents will rediscover the benefits of buying local produce that he says is fresher, tastier and more nutritious because it is harvested within hours of sale rather than weeks.
The market buys directly from local farmers, such as the True Family Farm, Dakin Dairy, and Sheppard Farms, to name a few, said Pagano, who added that “it also helps the local economy.”
Sara
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Villages of Lakewood Ranch South
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the developer of Lakewood Ranch, today is petitioning the Sarasota County Commission to approve comprehensive plan amendments that would waive certain greenbelt buffers on the perimeter of a new project, and OK the company’s request to remap a greenway area and remove a portion of wetlands from it, according to plans filed with the county.
The company is also seeking to designate Lakewood Ranch Boulevard through the project as a four-lane, rather than a two-lane, arterial roadway.
The company is planning nearly 5,500 homes on the same number of acres, along with 390,000 square feet of commercial space as part of its development, The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South, plans indicated.
The company envisions a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented community south of University Parkway, north of Fruitville Road and east of I-75. It proposes approximately 25 percent of the project’s residential units as affordable and workforce housing product; with a significant portion in close proximity to two major employment centers – Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park and the International Trade Center.
Plans call for additional north/south roadways and connections designed to relieve I-75’s use as a local roadway.
The company also hopes to provide a multi-tiered greenway and trail system that would accommodate pedestrians and provide links to the larger Lakewood Ranch community, according to the company.
For the outcome of today's meeting, see Wednesday's Lakewood Ranch Herald.
Sara
For more information, click on the following links
The Villages of LWR South Master Plan Map
Map of Proposed Amendment Areas
Reasoning for Proposed Amendment Changes
The company is also seeking to designate Lakewood Ranch Boulevard through the project as a four-lane, rather than a two-lane, arterial roadway.
The company is planning nearly 5,500 homes on the same number of acres, along with 390,000 square feet of commercial space as part of its development, The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South, plans indicated.
The company envisions a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented community south of University Parkway, north of Fruitville Road and east of I-75. It proposes approximately 25 percent of the project’s residential units as affordable and workforce housing product; with a significant portion in close proximity to two major employment centers – Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park and the International Trade Center.
Plans call for additional north/south roadways and connections designed to relieve I-75’s use as a local roadway.
The company also hopes to provide a multi-tiered greenway and trail system that would accommodate pedestrians and provide links to the larger Lakewood Ranch community, according to the company.
For the outcome of today's meeting, see Wednesday's Lakewood Ranch Herald.
Sara
For more information, click on the following links
The Villages of LWR South Master Plan Map
Map of Proposed Amendment Areas
Reasoning for Proposed Amendment Changes
Monday, June 8, 2009
New city of Lakewood Ranch
Roughly 100 involved in Lakewood Ranch governance will preview a proposed city charter next week, as incorporation moves back in the spotlight.
But, with the economy still struggling, is this the right time to be considering such documents, some wonder.
Supervisors from community development districts and homeowner associations as well as neighborhood chairs and their voting members are expected to attend one of two by-invitation-only events.
The events are scheduled 6:30 p.m. June 15 and 5:30 p.m. June 19 in a salon in Town Hall.
For more, see Tuesday's Lakewood Ranch Herald
Richard
But, with the economy still struggling, is this the right time to be considering such documents, some wonder.
Supervisors from community development districts and homeowner associations as well as neighborhood chairs and their voting members are expected to attend one of two by-invitation-only events.
The events are scheduled 6:30 p.m. June 15 and 5:30 p.m. June 19 in a salon in Town Hall.
For more, see Tuesday's Lakewood Ranch Herald
Richard
Friday, June 5, 2009
What the doctor ordered
At the commissioning of eight students at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton this week, Army Lt. Col. Walt Stanish told the new officers to “always choose the hard right over the easy wrong. Integrity is non-negotiable. Once you lose it, you can never get it back.”
Good advice for all of us.
Jim
Good advice for all of us.
Jim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
