News Briefs

+ Physician group helps prevent blindness locally
The Center for Sight recently performed 41 surgeries at no cost to individuals with no insurance or no means to pay for the operation.

The effort was part of Mission Cataract USA, a nationwide project involving eye surgeons throughout the United States.

With locations throughout Southwest Florida, Center for Sight is a multi-disciplinary physician group providing patients with advanced ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology and other car. The organization recently formed the Center for Sight Foundation, a donor-advised fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, to provide surgical care to prevent avoidable blindness.

+ Manatee utilities customers can go paperless
Manatee County Utilities customers now can access their monthly bills and payment history online.
New Internet-based software now will allow customers to pay online, order recycling bins and sign up for paperless billing, among other benefits. The effort is one by the utilities department to improve customer service.

For more information, visit www.mymanatee.org/utilities or call 792-8811.

+ Buchanan awarded for ‘spirit of enterprise’
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan was awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the “Spirit of Enterprise” award March 29, for his record on job-creation and pro-growth policies.

The award is based on rankings it gives members of Congress for key votes on issues established as priorities by the chamber’s board of directors.

“As a former member of the U.S. chamber, I am honored to receive this award,” Buchanan said. “I will continue working to strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work.”

Additionally, Buchanan also recently lobbied the Suncoast U.S. Postal Service to reconsider its proposal to transfer postal jobs from Sarasota and Manatee counties to Fort Myers and instead keep jobs in the Manasota area.

+ Junior Achievement moves to Lakewood
Junior Achievement Manatee/Sarasota has moved its regional offices to Lakewood Ranch.

The local chapter of a non-profit that teaches young people about the “economics of life” has moved to a space at 5319 Paylor Lane, Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. Its phone number, 907-9229, remains the same.

+ Asolo to hold auditions for 2012-13
The Asolo Repertory Theatre will host auditions for the 2012-2013 season this month.

Auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 14, and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 23, in five-minute slots at the theater, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail.

The production team is looking to cast both equity and non-equity roles for the season opener, “1776,” and various roles throughout the season.

Actors must be available to attend callbacks from 3-6 p.m. April 26.

Casting information for equity roles is available at www.actorsequity.org.

To schedule an appointment, call the audition hotline at 351-9010, Ext. 3311 and leave a message with your name, number, preferred time slot and whether you are doing a musical audition.

+ Correction
The Summer Fun Guide 2012 contained an error in the listing for the Acting Up Performing Arts Camp. This year’s production will be “Aladdin Jr.”

For more, visit www.actingupcamp.com.