News Briefs

+ Tropicana names SMR top grower
Tropicana has named Lakewood Ranch-based SMR Farms as one of its top growers for the third year in a row.

SMR Farms earned Tropicana’s Grower of the Year Award for 2010-2011 based on fruit quality, load quality, varietal mix and agro-business management.

The company is working with Tropicana on a low-carbon footprint fertilizer trial and harvested the first crop from the trial in May.

SMR Farms, a subsidiary of Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, produces sod and improved turf grasses, containerized and field-grown trees, cattle and citrus.

+ East County rallies for local musician
East County residents and others will rally Nov. 12-13 for a two-day concert series benefiting local musician, Dan Toler, who is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Concert will run from noon to 11 p.m. Nov. 12-13, at Herschberger Ranch, 13010 Fruitville Road.

Tickets cost $20 for a one-day pass; $35 for a two-day pass; $100 for a one-day VIP pass; and $150 for a two-day VIP pass. The event is child-friendly and children 12 and under cost $5 at the door.

Festivities include live performances by bands such as The Billy Rice Band, The Dan Toler Band, Come Back Alice, Kettle of Fish, Greg Poulos and more.

For more information, visit www.dantolerbenefit.myevent.com.

+ Seafood restaurant to open on Ranch Main
Pincher’s Crab Shack has announced it will open a new location on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
The seafood restaurant, known for its fresh seafood and crab offerings, currently has seven locations in Florida, including one on Clark Road in Sarasota.

“We think Lakewood Ranch is a great area,” Pincher’s owner Grant Phelan said. “Main Street in particular is such a perfect location for us, and we are super excited.”

The new location will feature an indoor/outdoor bar and patio area and will be about 6,500 square feet.

The restaurant is expected to open in the spring of 2012.

+ Journalism program hosts conference
Braden River High School journalism teachers and students hosted the Florida Scholastic Press Association District 5 workshop Oct. 29, at the school.

Manatee County has not had representation at the District 5 conference for six years, and the event at Braden River marked the school’s first time hosting the FSPA.

The East County Observer’s Michael Eng, Pam Eubanks and Jen Blanco delivered a presentation about community newspapers and the future of print media.