News Briefs 11.18.10

+ Sanborn formally opens Ranch studio
Sanborn Studios held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 30,00-square-foot television production and film studio in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park Nov. 12.

Chief Executive Officer Ken Sanborn, studio President Karinne Behr and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan cut the ceremonial ribbon during a ceremony in front of business and community leaders.

The studio already has sold initial episodes of its action-packed drama series “Miamia 24/7” to foreign distributors.

+ Regulators OK Tallevast cleanup
Florida regulators have given final approval to Lockheed Martin’s plan to clean up a 200-acre plume of contaminated groundwater in Tallevast.

The plume was left by an old beryllium plant in the community. Lockheed Martin, who acquired the property in 1996, has been working to delineate and to remediate the site since 2000, when it learned of the contamination. Residents learned of the plume in 2003.

Construction of a new treatment facility could begin by next spring.

+ American Idol singer visits Rowlett
American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado will visit students at Rowlett Elementary School Nov. 18. Mercado will speak with fourth- and fifth-graders about pursuing their dreams.

+ CEVA changes boat ramp policy
The Country Club/Edgewater Village Association has again made changes to its usage policy for the Lake Uihlein boat ramp.

Director of Community Associations Cynthia Wills reported Nov. 16 that CEVA recently lowered the amount of liability insurance required to use the ramp from $1 million to $250,000 in coverage.

+ School district, community ‘stuff bus’
School buses will be parked outside Manatee County Publix store locations this weekend to “Stuff the Bus” with non-perishable food items for The Food Bank of Manatee.

The Manatee County School District is asking the community to help with the cause. Last year, the campaign collected more than 47,000 pounds of food for the food bank, and organizers this year hope to collect 100,000 pounds.

Buses will be on site from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 20 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 21.

Participating East County Publix stores are: 5001 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton; 8330 Market St., Lakewood Ranch; 1755 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch; 11205 S.R. 70 E., Lakewood Ranch; 2875 University Parkway, Sarasota.

+ Work on Linger Lodge Road to start
East County motorists will experience delays next week as contractors make repairs to the joints of Linger Lodge Road over Interstate 75.

Work will be done on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Linger Lodge Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 22-23.

+ Correction
The East County’s first car dealership, which will be located near the State Road 64 Walmart, will be called Toyota Scion of Lakewood.

Owner Jim Gettel broke ground on the East County dealership Oct. 28.