News Briefs

+ Legacy gatehouse repairs begin next week
Repairs to the Legacy Boulevard gatehouse at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club will begin Monday, April 14.

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall officials said repairs would occur after Easter, but moved the project forward after the contractor, Prism Contractors Inc., had a sudden availability to begin the repairs next week.

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall has emailed a traffic plan for the repair process to country club residents.

During the majority of construction, the resident inbound lane at the Legacy Boulevard gatehouse will remain open.

The first of two complete inbound closures will run April 14 through April 18.

The second complete closure will last about three days, at an undetermined date.

Signage will be placed within the country club and along University Parkway and noticed on Town Hall’s website, lakewoodranchgov.org/IDA-ops.php. 

+ ManaSota Films expands
More than a year after its creation, ManaSota Films, a group of more than 40 actors, writers, directors and other members of the film field who meet monthly at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, announced a new champion for local films, SRQ Independent Films (SIF).

The group will promote and increase access to films produced in the area to “the outside world,” group pioneer Mark Troy said.

SIF showcases Bradenton- and Sarasota-produced films on its Facebook page so interested viewers can track local filmmakers’ projects. It will also feature interviews with directors, actors and other individuals involved with creating the film.

Troy launched ManaSota Films Nov. 8, 2012, to pursue his dream of creating movies.

+ Goodwill Manasota and AAA South join forces
From April 7 to April 11, members of the public can make donations to Goodwill at four AAA offices:

• 11531 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch;

• 6210 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton;

• 3844 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; and

• 2100 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

The groups will accept donations of all kinds, but stress a need for children’s books.
Goodwill also accepts non-perishable items and will donate the food to All Faiths Food Bank and The Food Bank of Manatee.

Donors may also give larger items, such as furniture and vehicles, by calling 355-2721 for pickup.

Donors who leave items at the designated AAA locations have a chance to win four passes to Busch Gardens or SeaWorld. For more information, visit experiencegoodwill.org.

Meetings & agendas
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Work Session — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.