News Briefs 01.27.11

+ Our Lady members complete ‘Ginny’s Quilt’
More than a year ago, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Community delivered an unfinished quilt to the women in the church’s Loving Stitches Ministry, which knits, crochets and sews handmade items for charity.

The vintage 1970s quilt, which came to the group in a box marked as “Ginny’s Quilt,” now is finished, having been professionally quilted by Cindy Baily.

Loving Stitches members hope to let “Ginny’s” family know the queen-size quilt is finished and soon will be available for raffle.

+ School district hosts town hall meetings
The Manatee County School District will host two public town hall meetings to discuss education and the state legislature.

The first event is scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 27, at Bayshore High School, 5401 34th St. W., Palmetto. A second town hall meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Feb. 10, at Palmetto High School, 1200 17th St. W., Palmetto.

Highlights of the town hall meetings include a panel of experts to discuss political issues pertaining to education and other topics, a discussion on the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature, practical ways for citizens to get involved in the process and a question and answer session to discuss topics pertinent to attendees.

+ District showcases student art
The artistic talents of Manatee County School District students were showcased as the Manatee Education Foundation hosted the opening reception for the fourth annual HEART & SOUL Gallery Show Jan. 20 in Palmetto.

The public event featured the top 25 pieces submitted by students during a recent competition. Artwork will be included in the 2011 HEART & SOUL Gala and Live Art Auction Jan. 29 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd. A cocktail reception starts at 6 p.m, and the gala starts at 7 p.m.

+ Red Cross exceeds fundraising goal
The Southwest Florida and Manatee County chapters of the American Red Cross announced Jan. 11 they had surpassed their $100,000 Holiday Challenge goal.

“We are in awe of the success of the challenge and just can’t thank the community enough for their support,” said Jeannie Slater, campaign cabinet and board chair for the Manatee County Red Cross.

The Red Cross started its holiday challenge in November as a way to promote year-end giving. Every dollar donated to the Southwest Florida and Manatee chapters during the challenge was matched up to $100,000 thanks to the support of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Neal Communities, CF Industries and the Slater-Kassan Charitable Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation.

+ Delaney to speak at prayer breakfast
Lakewood Ranch resident and veteran NBA referee Bob Delaney will be the keynote speaker of the Take Stock in Children of Manatee County’s fourth annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast Feb. 3.

The event, which begins at 7:30 a.m., will be held at the Bradenton Auditorium, and benefits Take Stock in Children, a college scholarship and mentoring program for low-income, at-risk students.

For information, contact Diana Dill at 751-7012, Ext. 2047.

+ County accepting exemption applications
The Manatee County Property Appriaser’s Office has partnered with the Tax Collector to provide East County and other residents more convenient locations to file 2011 exemptions.

From Feb. 1 to March 1, the office temporarily will be accepting homestead, low-income senior, disability and widow’s exemption applications at the Tax Collector’s Lakewood Ranch office, 6007 111th St. E., Lakewood Ranch.

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Owners/Occupants should bring copies of the following documents to submit with their applications: deed or tax bill in your name(s), Florida driver’s license or Florida ID card for non-drivers, Florida tag number(s) on all vehicles owned or Manatee County voter registration card(s), Social Security number(s), copy of trust agreement if the property is held in trust, and a resident alien card if not a U.S. citizen.

For information, call the Property Appraiser’s office at 748-8208.

+ Pedestrian killed after struck by SUV
A pedestrian was struck and killed around 10:25 p.m., Jan. 20, by an oncoming vehicle near the intersection of University Parkway and Medici Court.

A Florida Highway Patrol report states a 2000 Chevy SUV driven by 67-year-old Carol J. Conneen of Canton, Ga., was driving westbound on University Parkways in the center lane when a pedestrian, who was walking southbound across University Parkway, entered into the Conneen’s path. Conneen’s SUV struck the pedestrian’s left side, and the victim came to a final rest in the center lane of westbound University Parkway.

The victim has been identified as 38-year-old William N. Sapp, of Sarasota.

+ Correction
In an article titled “Top two teams join Keller Williams Realty” in the Jan. 20 issue of The East County Observer, a cutline for a photo said Jim and Donna Soda and Ian and Julie Cutmore were responsible for more than $250 million in combined real estate transactions over two years. The couples have been responsible for $250 million in combined real estate transactions over a period of eight years.