Mannix on Manatee

Primary a pain in the ears

2012-01-27T14:13:00.000-08:00

My desk phone rings plenty.
Mostly folks with story ideas, a tip or a column item.
Some want information.
Or just chew me out.
It goes with the territory.
But I did receive a phone call the other day that threw me for a moment.
It was a campaign rep for one of the candidates in Florida’s Republican presidential primary on Tuesday.
He identified himself and said he wanted to tell me about his White House office-seeker.
Hold on a second, pardner, I said.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Southeast baseball Beast Feast Feb 3

2012-01-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Get your grub on at the annual Southeast Beast Feast, 2:30-8 p.m. Feb. 3 at the school cafeteria.The BBQ benefit for coach Dan Durrance’s Seminoles baseball team is co-sponsored by BJ’s Wholesale, Manasota Plumbing and Sam’s Club.
Call 741-3366, ext. 2217. Or email dadurrance@gmail.com.

When Palmetto football coach Dave Marino played at Rutgers in the 1980s, guess who was a grad assistant? New Bucs’ coach Greg Schiano.

The 13th annual Manatee Hurricanes Baseball Steakout & Reunion is Feb. 3 at McKechnie Field. Call head coach Dwayne Strong at 725-2293. Or Bruce Braithwaite at 720-9224.

Well done to Saint Joseph Catholic School’s winners in the Knights of Columbus Council #5604 Spelling Bee.
Lexi Boynes and MaryAnn Placheril went 1-2 in grades 7/8.
Ben Cendana and Elijah Gelongo were 1-2 in grades 5/6.
Not to be outdone, seventh-graders Leah Roddenberry, Mark Causin and Nate Ellis went 1-2-3 in the annual VFW essay contest.

Remember the national anthem auditions 9 a.m. Saturday at McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W.
Call Kris Koch at 747-3031, ext. 4361. Or email kris.koch@pirates.com.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

McKechnie auditions too good for Tyler

2012-01-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

Steven Tyler's abominable singing (if you can call it that) of our national anthem at last Sunday's AFC championship game got me to thinking.

The rock icon burnout would've bombed at McKechnie Field this Saturday morning.

That's when the Pirates and Marauders are holding auditions for singers good enough to perform the Star Spangled Banner.

He isn't.

Tyler probably would've put people in the stands for a Grapefruit League game, but so what.

Guaranteed they would've booed his skinny rear end out of the ballpark.

But enough about him.

The national anthem auditions are always a fun experience at McKechnie.

Unless you happen to be one of those unlucky people who forgets the words in mid-song.

That hasn't happened a lot in the years I've covered them.

Most folks perform smoothly, despite the elements (seems it's always windy) and the funky PA system setup where singers can hear themselves like an echo.

You get all types auditioning, too.

The truly talented types who make the cut year after year.

The young lady who talks in a whisper, yet belts out our national anthem like a virtuoso.

The woman who is out for her regular morning run, hears the singing and decides to try out herself.

The waitress you've been served by so many times, yet you didn't know she could sing like that.

I wonder if she'll be there again Saturday.

I'm looking forward to finding out.

They'll all put Steven what's-his-face to shame.

"Oooooh, say, can you seeeee ... "

Fair was one heck of a party, all right

2012-01-23T17:13:00.000-08:00

This was two weeks ago, the Monday before the start of the 96th annual Manatee County Fair.

Fair manager Dan West was running around the fairgrounds, taking calls, making calls, checking on this and that while he got back into his SUV.

Before he took off, though, he said something that said, he's got the right outlook on this 11-day affair.

What, Dan West worry?

"You know how you plan a party, making sure everything is ready, and checking things and re-checking things before it starts?" he said. "That's what the fair is like --- one big party. And when it starts and everybody shows up, you join right in and hope everybody has a good time."

Sounds like it was a whale of a party.

A record total of 172,400 people went to the fair, which wrapped up last Sunday, shattering the old high of 155,000 set by the 2006 fair.

The terrific weather throughout made a huge difference.

It used to be when the fair rolled around, rain came with it.

You could count on it.

Not this year.

The showers that fell one evening last week hardly mattered.

I'm sure a lot of folks who were outside during the past week-and-a-half would stop, take a moment to bask in the sunshine say, yes, it's another good day for the fair.

My family and I were at the fair during one of those glorious days.

Walked all around. Ate fair food. Rode the ferris wheel.

Had a real good time.

Yeah, Dan West and those fair folks sure threw a heck of a party, all right.

A man to be admired, emulated, mourned

2012-01-20T14:33:00.000-08:00

A loving dad and husband.
A good coach.
A super neighbor.
Don Vautrinot was all those and more, attest friends and members of the Bradenton Christian School family.
A man to be admired.
A man to be emulated.
A man to be mourned.
Last Wednesday Mr. Vautrinot was found dead after an apparent weight-lifting accident at home, a tragedy that tears at the fabric of our community.
That his daughters Katie, 12, and sister Lauren, 10, discovered their dad like that is unimaginably painful.
So is such a sudden loss for his wife, Lynne.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Rowlett's drum line makes big noise

2012-01-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

Big ups to the Strikers, Rowlett Magnet Elementary School’s drum line.
Ably coached in cool and cadence by music specialist Cathy Noeth, they strutted their stuff in red berets and shades and brought down the house during the Manatee County Fair’s second annual drum line competition.
The Strikers are Katia Armonda, Jack Barnard, Jayden Bayne, Luke Brunner, Dyjore Holmes, Eli Jeffs, Aliyah Lopes, Mark Lozado, Victoria Thomas and Leland Wheeler.

A salute to Bayshore High senior Olivia Trevorrow, who received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Speaking of crowd pleasing performances by our town’s students, “Yes, We Can Dance!” returns March 24 at State College of Florida’s Neel Performing Arts Center.
The fourth annual showcase will have a 3 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 performance, featuring high school teams from Bayshore, Braden River, Lakewood Ranch, Manatee, Palmetto, Southeast and Manatee School for the Arts along with middle school teams from Braden River, Haile, Lee and Sugg.
The event has been an annual hit, but needs business/organization sponsorships to continue.
Email Helen Dolbec at bhsmabear@verizon.net.

Props to Kevin Thielen, a new Eagle Scout for Troop 181 at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church.
The Southeast High senior planned, fundraised and built a recovery cage for raptors at Crowley Nature Museum.
Mark, Charlotte and Michael are proud.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Drum line camaraderie trumps competition

2012-01-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

It was the coolest thing and kept happening over and over.

During Tuesday night's high school drum line competition at the Manatee County Fair, one drum line would be performing, singing out a chant as they rocked, rattled and rolled --- and the other drum lines would call out the chants right along with them from the stands.

For instance, Lakewood Ranch was up, performing and chanting.

Nearby Southeast chanted right with them, waving their arms, bopping along.

Manatee, too.

So did Bayshore over on the other side of the Bright House Main Stage tent.

What gives?

Bob Schaer, Ranch's estimable band director, indulged me.

"All these kids know each other and respect what everybody else does," he said. "The drum line world is a family. No matter what school you're from, they call and cheer for each other. It's very cool."

So "competition" is a misnomer, because it's more about camaraderie.

That was evidenced, as well, by the high- and low-fives drum line members from the Ranch and Braden River exchanged as the latter finished performing and left the stage area.

Bayshore got the same warm reception after its performance.

"These kids like seeing other schools and what they're doing," said Danny Boyd, the Golden Regiment's new band director. "They're all doing the same thing and they respect how much work it takes to get where they're at."

Even when it came down to determining the night's winner -- judges used a decibel meter to gauge each drum line's level of crowd support -- each team cheered for the other.

Southeast was the champion, but all those drum lines were champs Tuesday night.

Fair weather good for grass, ducks

2012-01-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

When the Manatee County Fair nears, historically it brings rainy weather, too.
Charles Panacek is well aware of the quirky phenomenon.
It happens here and at other fairs when his Belle City Amusements, Inc., rolls into another town, especially during those midwest summers.
“Farmers love to see us when they haven’t had rain for awhile,” he quipped

Big ups to Amy Whittington, Danielle Williams, Emily Egan,Christopher Lawless, Jason Besse and Stephen Desch, Ultra Mixed team winners in the 2012 Ragnar Relay Race from Miami to Key West.
Starting at 1 p.m. last Friday, they helped run 198.5 miles in 26:11.12 --- and then crashed.
“They were too pooped to party,” said Beth Egan, Emily’s mom.

Just as Juan Roldan, Iraq veteran and Wounded Warrior, was settling into his new Parrish home, he went into the Bay Pines VA hospital for aanother surgery on Jan. 3.
A double amputee, Roldan faces 12 weeks of recuperation and rehab.

Remember the 13th annual Manatee Hurricanes Baseball Steakout & Reunion, 5-9 p.m. Feb. 3 at McKechnie Field. Call head coach Dwayne Strong at 725-2293 or Bruce Braithwaite at 720-9224.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

What was commissioner thinking?

2012-01-11T17:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but if I cause a fender bender on a major roadway, I'm not leaving the scene.

Even if the damage is slight.

Especially for a haircut appointment.

Which is tantamount to the little mis-adventure Commissioner Donna Hayes got herself caught up in Wednesday.

The 69-year-old East Manatee resident and prominent Manatee County Republican rear-ended another driver on State Road 70, gave the other motorist her contact information and told her she had to leave because she was late for an appointment.

At the hairdresser.

Well, excuse us.

Evidently, the Florida Highway Patrol was neither impressed nor sympathetic, even after Hayes reportedly took ill at the hairdresser and an ambulance was summoned, taking her to Blake Medical Center.

She was charged with careless driving and failure to immediately report a vehicle crash.

Hayes deserves ridicule for that stunt.

Now, I understand it's common for drivers involved in a minor fender bender to exchange the pertinent information and take care of business without involving law enforcement.

It happened to me and a neighbor years ago, we settled up no problem and no police were necessary.

But that was our quiet neighborhood street, not S.R. 70.

If it had happened there, I'm staying until everything is squared away -- and that includes the FHP.

Bug out for a haircut appointment?

Yeah, right.

Ten winners for my (wife's) recipe book

2012-01-09T15:57:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, the Manatee County Fair culinary volunteer judges had 80 entries to taste and tally.

A year ago, they had 140.

Last Saturday, it was 220.

Think I tried every one of them.

Or close to it.

The competition gets better each year.

Tastier, too.

During Saturday's grueling 2.5 hours of tough duty, I jotted down my favorites. They're listed 1 to 10 because that's the order in which I tried them, not ranking.

In fact, my favorite was one of the last entries I munched on.

If you recognize yours, I hope you win an award at the Fair.

If you don't, I'd still love a recipe!

1.) Nagasaki syrup.

2.) Acorn squash pie.

3.) Pumpkin crunch.

4.) Christmas cranberry cookie.

5.) Banana nut muffin.

6.) Double chip rocky road brownie.

7.) Banana pudding pie.

8.) Chocolate chip cookie dough brownies.

9.) Apple sauce cake.

10.) Marvelous canoli cake.

Bus video glimpse at best, worst

2012-01-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

Kids laughing.

A girl and boy flirting.

Indistinct music from the radio.

There wasn’t anything unusual happening aboard Manatee County School District bus No. 560 as it headed west on State Road 64 near Walmart with the surveillance video camera rolling Thursday afternoon.

How quickly calm became chaos for 26 Braden River Middle School students, most of whom would be hospitalized before the day was done.

A day they and their families won’t forget for a long, long time.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

From DeSoto queen to Miss America?

2012-01-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

When Ellie Ohlman’s reign as DeSoto queen ends in April, that will not be the end of the pageant trail for the University of South Florida freshman and future DeSoto queens.
For the first time in the pageant’s 70-plus years, the DeSoto queen is eligible to vie for Miss Florida.
And if they win that, it’s onto Miss America.
Vernon DeSear, a two-time national judge for the Miss America Pageant and former Miss Florida Pageant vice-president, said the Miss America Pageant has expanded its qualifying program to include fair and festival pageant winners, not just the traditional 50 state pageant winners.
That also means reigning Miss Manatee County Fair Queen Tiffany Elder and her successors could vie for Miss Florida if the Manatee River Fair Association chooses to sponsor its 16-21-year-old "Miss" division winner.
"They’re looking into it," said DeSear, a Manatee Memorial Hospital vice-president.
The Miss Florida pageant is July in St. Petersburg.

James Haddon a winter resident from Gaines, Mich., is 91.
He and Corinne have been married 47 years.

Lakewood Ranch High School’s Silver Stars dance team performed during the Discover Orange Bowl halftime show.
They are captain Melanie Hahn, co-captain Jessica Goodwin, Danielle Calabrese, Caitlin Currey, Keeley Daily, Isabella Giacalone, Rachel Gross, Casey Henshaw, Michelle Jackson, Brooke Kiser, Heather Krizov, Kylee McKinney, Kelsey McVaugh, Tyrese Taylor and Samantha Thomas. Hope Hahn is coach.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Ware's Creek is going to ... the hogs?

2012-01-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

Just when we thought Ware's Creek was all set to be dredged out and straightened up minus any more fuss, the old channel is still being used as a dumping site.

For hog remains?

Egad!

I've seen all sorts of refuse in the muck of Ware's Creek at low tide.

Patio furniture.

Rubber boots.

Plenty of beer cans. That's no surprise.

But wild hog remains?

How gross.

Bradenton City Councilman Pat Roff, whose home is on Virginia Drive on the channel's west side, said six carcasses have been dumped in the vicinity of the basin, just south of the Manatee Avenue Bridge.

Turkey vultures have been having feast.

He called it “unsanitary, unsightly, and certainly not civilized."

Roff might've included it stinks to high heaven, too.

Since wild hogs aren't part of the animal population in that part of Bradenton, it's a good bet they were caught in the rural parts of Manatee County east of the city.

That's natural.

But bringing their butchered remains all the way to Ware's Creek?

It doesn't make any sense.

Said City Attorney Bill Lisch, “Do we need to start a pig patrol?”

Crazy.

Death breaks up lifelong rock duo

2012-01-03T17:41:00.000-08:00

Larry Reinhardt. Mack Doss.

I can't think of one without the other.

What brings them to mind now is Reinhardt's passing Monday at 63.

I can only imagine how Doss is coping with the death of his lifelong friend, fellow guitarist and kindred spirit.

I met them years ago not long after I came to Bradenton in 1998 and wrote about them.

"Rhino," as Reinhardt was known, played with Iron Butterfly, an iconic rock group from the 1970s. "In A Gadda Da Vida" was their monster hit and defined that era.

Doss, played with Classics IV, known for their "Soft Southern rock" sound, with hits like "Traces" and "Spooky."

Those songs were part of the sound track of my life in college and in the early years afterward.

So it was a gas to meet Reinhardt and Doss, all of us in our 50s by then.

It was even sweeter to know and appreciate both were sons of Bradenton, who attended Southeast High School, then formed a successful local band, the Thunderbeats, before moving onto the big time.

Yet they never forgot their roots, playing gigs around town as Rhino & Doss.

One October a few years ago, they returned to Southeast, spoke to a first-year guitar class and were besieged by autograph requests. Afterward they jammed for Southeast's Renaissance students in the school theater.

The response was overwhelming.

When the duo played, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," and then, "Spooky," the students sang along, waving their lighted cellphones.

"Man, I can't remember the last time I had this much fun," Reinhardt said.

So did Doss.

"These are kids are hip and they've all got 3.9 GPAs --- just like me and Rhino did," he joked.

I hope Doss is comforted by the memories of those good times.

MSO represents at slain officer's funeral

2011-12-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

Among the more than 4,000 people who mourned slain Lakeland Police Officer Arnulfo Crispin last Tuesday were Manatee Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard members Lieutenants John Murrell and Lorenzo Waiters, Deputies Damon Ackerman, Anthony Brown and David Byington, as well as Detectives Darryl Davis and Jason Carey. The MSO motorcycle unit, Sgt. Mike Kenyan and Deputies Cyril Niklinski and Mathew Hall, was also there.

The honorable Ed Price is 94 Sunday. May he stay forever young.

Big ups to Rachel Brown. The Bradenton Christian senior hoopster broke 1,000 points for her BCS scoring career in the Smoothie King Classic.

The 13th annual Manatee Hurricanes Baseball Steakout & Reunion is Feb. 3 at McKechnie Field. Call head coach Dwayne Strong at 725-2293. Or Bruce Braithwaite at 720-9224.

Tracey Vita is 39. Again.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

A most 'Merry-Okee' Christmas, indeed

2011-12-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

It's funny what presents make a family's Christmas memorable.

Our family exchanged a lot of gifts over Saturday and Sunday.

Artwork. Books. CDs. Clothing. Jewelry. Wine.

There was plenty of love that went around.

A lot of laughs, too.

Especially because of something called a "Merry-Okee."

My sister-in-law brought it to the family's Christmas Eve gift exchange and it was the hit of the party.

Made by Hallmark, it's a battery-operated Christmas toy karaoke microphone advertised to "Change your voice to sound like an ELF!"

Well, I don't know about elfs, but we sure sounded like a bunch of Munchkins from the "Wizard of Oz."

The package also says, for "Ages 3-and-up."

Perfect!

We hadn't had anything to drink yet, either.

Each of us took turns and some of us sang on it together.

Not that I'd call it singing.

Either way, we had a blast with Merry-Okee and laughed so much our stomachs hurt.

It was fun.

So much fun, in fact, when my wife, mother-in-law and sister-in-law went shopping for holiday bargains Monday, they also snapped up enough Merry-Okees so every member of the family has one for next year.

Our Christmases may never be the same.

Two youngsters gone way too soon

2011-12-27T18:18:00.000-08:00

First Brett Wagner.

Then Joshua Rogers.

Two 18-year-olds, best friends, Lakewood Ranch High School seniors ready to take the next great step in their young lives, gone.

Taken after a tragic vehicular accident at Rye Road and State Road 64.

On Christmas night.

My God.

Wagner died at the scene.

Rogers, Tuesday at Blake Medical Center.

Only Terron Sanders, Wagner's cousin and a passenger in the truck, survived.

Only he wore a seat belt.

If only ...

They were headed to Walmart on S.R. 64, the west side of Interstate 75 when their truck was struck by another vehicle, causing it to roll, ejecting both Wagner and Rogers.

At a time of year when people should be sharing in the joyous afterglow of a truly blessed holiday, two Myakka City families will each be preparing to bury a son.

Sad.

How unbelievably sad.

Pray for them.

Christmas heroism resonates 50 years later

2011-12-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

George Leonard was a cop for 22 years in New Jersey.
You name it he did it. Did it proudly, too.
Starting youth programs.
Working undercover narcotics.
Assisting needy families.
"I always wanted to help other people," said the 71-year-old Union City, N.J., native and Bradenton retiree. "Be there for kids like I was raised. Help them get through life."
Or help save a precious life.
Leonard did that almost 50 years ago.
How appropriate for Christmas.
"I was at the right place at the right time," he said, sifting through old newspaper accounts, brown with age, of what happened Dec. 23, 1962.
"People use the word hero a lot," said Joan Gates, a Tampa executive and the elder of Leonard’s two daughters. "But he is what a hero should be."

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Supporters seek assist for Tiger banquet

2011-12-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

Palmetto High supporters need an assist for the Jan. 18 awards banquet at the Bradenton Yacht Club for the Class 5A state semifinalist and District 10 champion Tigers.
Call Chris Atkinson at 224-3478. Or Jim Amerson at 737-6600.

Oh, no! Janie Mo (Simpson) Ribley hit the Big 3-0!
Pepi, Jodie, Joey, Jennifer, Adam, Jane and Jim say, “You go, girl!”

A deep bow to Carol, Diane, Lin, Lois, Phyllis and Sandy, the wonderful women who wrapped thousands of gifts over the last few weeks for us holiday shoppers at Beall’s, 6355 Manatee Ave.

Enjoyed a good laugh with Paul Stander, who greeted each customer courteously at the Palmetto Post Office on 7th Street West during the holiday crush.
When Stander spotted the addresses of the Christmas cards I was mailing --- both were going to Ireland --- he smiled.
“We happen to have a one-day special,” he said. “For $1,200 I’ll deliver them in person.”
Then I pointed out one of the cards was going to a pub in County Kerry.
“That’s $50 off!” he joked.

Read more in Friday's Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

All done with your Christmas shopping?

2011-12-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

Got your Christmas shopping done?

It was a simple question in passing with an acquaintance, but it gave me pause.

Yes, I answered.

I'm all done.

I think.

Made a stop Tuesday for a couple of things that ought to do it.

Actually started shopping more than a month ago and worked my way along from there.

Did some at lunch, some after work and a time or two on the weekends.

All of it's for my wife.

Got some of the presents wrapped, but still have a few left to do.

Wrapping presents isn't my bag.

Which is why those women who wrap presents at Beall's have earned my undying gratitude and respect.

They can make the humblest gift look like a million bucks after they're done with the ribbons and bows.

Of course, come Christmas morning I'll tell Sherri I did it.

Maybe not.

She knows better.

2011-12-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

The roar grew louder and louder with 22 seconds remaining on the Citrus Bowl scoreboard.

It began to reach a crescendo as thousands of deliriously happy Manatee High School faithful, jammed into the stadium's lower east stands, counted down with the clock:

" ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... YEEEAAAAAAAAAAY!"

When the clock hit :00, a wave of Manatee Hurricane stampeded the field.

Players danced and cavorted around and around, overcome with joy, trailed by coaches who shook hands and hugged at the team's magnificent accomplishment.

The Manatee High School Hurricanes were the 2011 Class 7A state champs.

How sweet does that sound?

State champs.

"It's DYNOMITE," cried Tiki Jackson, waving pompons from the stands.

State champs.

"It sounds so great," said City Councilman Gene Gallo, beaming on the field. "I wish I could sign a a parade permit tonight."

State champs.

"It's beautiful," said coach Eddie Shannon, as the celebration swept around the team's patriarch.

Hurricane players bunched up, helmets held high, mugging for the cameras at the 35-yard line, thrusting their index fingers into the night.

Nearby, Debbie Krowe fought back tears.

"This is their time," said the Shake Pit owner, whose marquee on Manatee Avenue is must viewing for Bradenton.

"'State champs' is going up on the sign tonight!" she said. "Tonight!"

Up in the stands, so many wanted to join the celebration, but the security folks lining the field on the east side prevented that.

Regardless, there were a lot of good vibes emanating from the crowd.

Among them was Sean Smith, who played fullback for the Hurricanes when they lost to Tampa Plant on this same field two years ago.

"It's so excitrting, I want to be out on that field myself, playing," said the University of Central Florida sophomore. "I feel the love for all of them."

So did Casey Kraft, another Manatee alum and now a University of Florida.

"I wish this could've happend my junior year, but I'm glad I came back," she said. "This is so unbelievable."

Which was a common sentiment throughout the crowd as the Hurricanes steamrolled previously unbeaten Jacksonville First Coast and shut out the Bucs to boot.

Corey Gallian, yet another MHS alum among a throng of grads back for the big game.

Several of them had their faces painted in red, white and blue.

"I cant believe this!" he yelled above the din.

Believe it.

Drakkar Wilson did.

Like Smith, he's a former Hurricane who played in the same state championship game two years ago.

"Them boys earned it," said the Eastern Kentucky University defensive lineman. "I feel like I'm out there, too."

Don Keller, whose son, Blake, had a huge game Friday night, recovering a fumble for a TD, was happy for another reason, too.

Blake wears No. 55, the same number worn by his late grandfather, Dan Keller, a ferocious player for Manatee in his day.

"I know Dad's proud and happy, sitting up there in Heaven," said the photographer.

It was a heavenly night for the Manatee Hurricanes, indeed.

State champion Manatee Hurricanes.

2011-12-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

The jewelry box was on a living room end table.

Inside it was a blue ribbon, neatly arranged and attached to an inverted five-pointed gold medal that looked like an upside down Sheriff's star from the Old West.

It was the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor in combat.

It took my breath away.

It belonged to Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy, then a retired Chicago firefighter living out his life in Delray Beach and one of 27 Marine Medal of Honor recipients from the bloody February 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima.

No military engagement in our nation's history produced more such distinguished men.

What brings it to mind is Wednesday's news that Marine corporal Dakota Meyer's heroism in Afghanistan in September 2009, which won him a Medal of Honor two years later, may have been exaggerated by Marine brass.

Meyer, 23, was recognized by President Obama for driving twice into an ambush in Afghanistan against orders. He is said to have saved 13 U.S. soldiers and almost twice that many Afghan soldiers, while killing eight insurgents as he fought to recover the bodies of four comrades.

But is it true?

According to an investigation of dozens of military documents by McClatchy Newspapers, which owns the Bradenton Herald, "crucial parts that the Marine Corps publicized and Obama described are untrue, unsubstantiated or exaggerated."

Ban on texting drivers makes sense

2011-12-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

Texting while driving?

That some of our state lawmakers are talking about coming up with a ban on the practice makes sense to me.

I have difficulty answering my cellphone while I'm driving without being distracted.

I don't know how other motorists can keep their minds on the road and text at the same time.

I wouldn't even try.

Too dangerous.

The debate is whether the proposed ban would make roads safer --- and if it's an intrusion on our personal liberty.

I vote yes on the first part.

I've had people bump into me at the supermarket and step on me at outdoor concerts because they were so engrossed with their texting.

I shudder to think about what could happen when they're behind the wheel.

Which brings me to the other point:

As for it being an intrusion on one's personal liberty?

Tough.

I know when I'm driving along US 301 and I see the driver next to me texting, I want to put as much distance between us ASAP.

I don't want that driver intruding on my space while he's paying more attention to texting than driving.

Florida is one of 15 states without a ban on texting while driving, even though more people admit to the habit and support a law that would deter it.

Thirty-five states have texting bans on all drivers. Other states have added restrictions for groups, such as bus drivers and teens.

Florida has no such ban.

“It’s time that we caught up with the rest of the nation,” one Florida lawmaker said.

Here, here.

Lots of luck to Manatee, Palmetto

2011-12-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

Manatee High senior Nikita Bellinger will sing our national anthem at Hawkins Stadium tonight before Manatee’s Class 7A state semifinal showdown with Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer.
Good luck from mom Althea, sisters Dee Dee, April, Stacy, Chris, Big Ben, Amber, Nick and Aunt Francine as well as her other aunts, uncles and supporters at Palmetto’s St. James AME Church.
Go, Canes!

And go, you Palmetto Tigers in tonight’s Class 5A state semifinal against Miami Norland at Harllee Stadium.

Big Daddy will rock Clancy’s at 10 p.m. Dec. 23 — bet Santa’s there — and then help ring in 2012 at Tarpon Point on New Year’s Eve.

Jessica and Tony Velazquez named daughter Kynnda’s new baby brother Kaden Antonio. Grands Robert and Linda Boone are proud.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Folks, don't try this at home

2011-12-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

This could only happen to me.

Or can you relate?

I got home Wednesday morning after my daily trip to the gym and parked the pickup in our garage.

I grabbed my water bottle, which I refill and put in the garage fridge, and my truck keys as I got out.

For some reason, I thought better of it and slipped the keys back into the ignition.

Then I locked the door and closed it all in one motion.

Ever had one of those moments where you dumbly stare at something and say to yourself, "Did I just do what I think I did?"

Yep.

A tug on the door handle was all I needed to confirm as much.

Great.

Even better was the realization my spare set of keys was ... inside the truck, too.

After a brief panic attack, I called AAA and explained my predicament.

Help will be at the house by 10 a.m., I was told.

Cool. Could've been worse, given my stupidity.

So I took a quick shower and was toweling off when the doorbell rang.

Can't be.

I opened the door.

It was!

AAA locksmith Jeff "Whiskey" Harrell was on the scene.

Not 10 minutes had gone by since my phone call.

Man, I told him, that's what I call service.

Harrell said he was in the neighborhood when he got the message.

Then we went into the garage, he popped the lock, and I was good to go.

Wednesday was getting off to a good start afterall.

'Where the heck is Manatee County?'

2011-12-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Imagine this happening last Friday night.
Minutes into their euphoria over advancing to the FHSAA state semifinals, players at both Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer and Miami Norland probably asked their coaches, teammates and parents:
"Where is Manatee County?"
Or:
"What is Bradenton Manatee?"
Or:
"Isn't Palmetto High in South Dade?"
Oh, yeah.
Bet that happened a lot last Friday night after Dwyer's Panthers beat St. Thomas Aquinas in their region final in Palm Beach Gardens.
Ditto for Norland after the Vikings stunned unbeaten Glades Central on the powerful Raiders home field in Belle Glade.
And now they're coming here.
Welcome, y'all.
Dwyer's upperclassmen may be a bit more familiar with this side of the state, having played Plant and Armwood in the playoffs in years past.
They've probably made that long road trip across SR 60 a few times.
This trip will be a little different.
Come Friday they'll probably bus up SR 710 out of Palm Beach County, hang a left on SR 70 in Okeechobee and keep on going west.
Right at that flashing light at Brighton, they might see the sign that reads:
Bradenton 97 miles.
As their team buses barrel across SR 70 --- watch out for the state troopers in Highlands County! -- those kids will see all that Old Florida country we love and wonder, where in the heck are we going?
Norland's team will probably come across Alligator Alley then turn north on I-75 and wonder the same thing.
I really doubt if any of the Vikings have ever even been to these parts.
They'll be coming to a place where high school football is rock-ribbed and still holds sway over our lives every fall.
I spent 23 years on that other coast and after 14 years here, I still love telling people who ask me what Bradenton and Manatee County is like:
It's the kind of place where the high school football game is still the big deal on Friday nights.
None are bigger than this Friday night with two state semifinals at stadiums 15 minutes apart.
Here's hoping for two good games and another week of football for Manatee and Palmetto.
And thanks to Dwyer and Norland for visiting.
After Manatee's region final win at Hawkins Stadium, I shook hands with a lot of the Fort Pierce Central fans and wished them all a safe trip home.
I look forward to doing it again this Friday night.

Good riddance to another hurricane season

2011-12-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

There wasn’t much hoopla.

No celebrating or anything close to it.

Maybe a solitary raised fist when the date Nov. 30 finally arrived on the calendar last Wednesday.

It was the end of hurricane season.

Yes!

Florida went unscathed for the sixth straight year and that’s a beautiful thing.

After the beating we took in 2004 and 2005, none of us take hurricane season lightly.

When June 1 rolls around now, six months of dread ensues.

Anytime another system is brewing in the Atlantic, all eyes were on the horizon.

Traffic to the hurricane websites goes off the charts, too.

We load up on water at the store and have our plywood at the ready.

Prepare for battle stations!

So when we reach Dec. 1 without a tropically-related incident, that is definitely something to be happy about.

Although I can’t speak for everybody.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Rock with Big Daddy, Santa on Sunday

2011-12-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

Like good foot stompin’ rock-n-roll and a visit with Santa Claus, too?
Then head over to Woody’s River Roo, 5717 18th St. E., Ellenton, Sunday where Big Daddy will get the joint jumping at 1 p.m.
They’ll also be bringing along some Christmas cheer for the kids.
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves will arrive at 3 p.m. for free photos and fun for the family.
Call 722-2391.

Beloved Jeanne Parrish is 93. May she stay forever young.

The new all-weather turf at Ohio’s North Canton Memorial Stadium’s was named Don Hertler Sr. Field this season. The Imperial Lakes winter resident coached Hoover High for 20 years, leading the Vikings to a 163-43-3 record.

Say it ain’t so! Kenny Terrell hit the Big 7-0!

Manasota ARC and The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County will salute the "10 Magnetic Men of Manatee," 6 p.m. Saturday at a Diamond Jubilee fundraiser at the Bradenton Auditorium, 1005 Barcarrota Blvd.
The irresistible honorees are Dr. John Ayres, State Sen. Mike Bennett, Jim Butler, Dan Callaghan, Bruce Cassidy Sr., Dr. Richard Fletcher, Scott Kallins, Hugh Miller, Billy Rice and Dr. Andy Varga.
Call Dawn Mishler at 941-518-4997.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Hurricane season over? Hoooooray!

2011-11-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hurricane season is over.

Hoooooray!

Florida went unscathed for the sixth straight year and that's terrific.

Although I don't get the idea meteorologists -- our own Bob "Hurricane" Harrigan being the exception -- share that good feeling.

Watching some of them discuss the relatively peaceful passing of the 2011 hurricane season, one almost gets the impression they're disappointed.

All those dire forecasts by the weather experts about another dangerous season and nothing happened in our corner of the hemisphere.

Sure, there were 18 names storms, but most stayed out at sea, thank goodness.

Then there was Hurricane Irene, which flooded a lot of folks in the Northeast.

How weird was it for us Floridians to be calling family up that way to check on them?

Usually it's them calling us to find how we made out.

With the beating we took in 2004 and 2005, none of us takes hurricane season lightly.

So when we reach Dec. 1 without incident, that is definitely something to be happy about.

For another six months, anyway.

Or until we find that our homeowner's insurance has gone up again.

Christma$ pre$ent arrive$ early

2011-11-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

Dropped off my pickup truck at the local garage Saturday morning for an oil change.

Ask them to rotate the tires, too, please.

Nothing to it.

Matter of fact, by the time we got back home -- 15 minutes tops -- the garage was calling.

The truck was ready.

But ...

Uh, oh.

You're going to need new tires, they said.

I had a hunch that was coming.

Seemed like I just got new tires a couples of years ago, too.

You'd think I was a long distance driver.

Anyway, I bit the bullet and told them to go ahead with the new tires.

So much for getting away cheap.

After what those tires cost, they'd better last me a long, long time.

"Merry Christmas," Sherri said.

Meaningful Thanksgiving for my family

2011-11-25T12:40:00.000-08:00

An intensive care unit is the last place any of us would want to spend Thanksgiving Day.
Yet it was at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Ore., my sister, Maureen, and her family gave heartfelt thanks.
A week ago last Friday, Brendan Haddon, my 19-year-old nephew, was seriously injured. He was a passenger in a one-car accident when a friend spun out in snowy conditions and hit a guard rail near Oregon’s scenic Mount Hood, where the Haddons have lived for 30 years.
He lost his left foot and almost lost the other.
Five procedures in six days saved it.
The last, hopefully, was Thanksgiving Day.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee.

Do Black Friday? Don't think so

2011-11-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

Black Friday?

I've been inundated with emails about this deal and that bonanza for the past 10 days and I'm almost half-tempted to join the masses, who will flock to the malls to begin their pre-holiday hauls Thursday night.

NOT!

I have several friends for whom Black Friday is almost a Holy Day of Obligation and I'm always amused by the tales of their adventures going from store to store in the wee hours.

That's as far as it goes for me.

Same for my wife.

Sherri loves to shop as much as anyone, but as for doing the Black Friday deal?

Not her.

Not me.

By the time those folks are gearing up for the late night shopping spree, yours truly will probably be half-asleep in front of the TV, trying to stay awake for the 49ers-Ravens game between the Brothers Harbaugh.

And digesting a big Thanksgiving dinner.

Urp!

Henry Lawrence won some big fans

2011-11-23T13:32:00.001-08:00

When former Oakland Raider Henry Lawrence sang our national anthem prior to his old team’s Oct. 16 game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, he impressed many people with his poignant performance during pre-game ceremonies honoring the late Al Davis.
Among them was the wife of John Madden, the NFL Hall of Fame coach and icon.
Virginia Madden told her husband’s former right offensive tackle and three-time Super Bowl champion it was the finest rendition of the national anthem she had ever heard.

Faye Blackstone’s posthumous induction into the county’s Agricultural Hall of Fame generated fond memories for all who knew and loved her.
Take Buddy Keen, a rancher whose family owns orange groves in Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties.
"One morning we were saddling horses in the barn and I accidentally hit her," he recalled. "She came around and said, ‘Son, let me show you how to saddle a horse.’"
No fooling.
This was a woman who rode a horse for more than 90 years, was the featured act in Gene Autry’s Wild West Rodeo, and is enshrined in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas.

Go-kart racer Morgan Healey’s recent success would’ve made Dan Wheldon proud.
The Saint Stephen’s School freshman, who was mentored by the late British racing driver at Andersen RacePark in Palmetto, took second in the Rotax Junior Florida Karting Championship Series and was also voted Most Improved out of 200 drivers.
Wheldon, who had a home in St. Petersburg, was killed in last month’s Las Vegas IndyCar 300.

Read more Friday in Vin's People at Bradenton.com.

Thanksgiving looking good already

2011-11-21T15:56:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is still a couple of days away and already it's looking good.

Thanks to my mother-in-law.

Sherri and I hosted the family for the traditional feast last year and we're doing the honors again.

Maybe it's because we have a pool.

Anyway, my mother-in-law is taking care of the turkey while we're handling the sides and dessert.

But Sue Manring dropped off a little something ahead of time.

A case of Coors Light.

It was on the kitchen floor when Sherri and I got home Monday evening.

We looked at each other.

"Mom," my wife said.

Usually, when the family comes over for an afternoon at the pool and a barbecue, we spring for the beverages, too.

This time my mother-in-law beat us to it.

Don't misunderstand though.

Sue usually has a couple of beers and that's it.

Regardless, when Sherri called her mom to say thanks for the nice surprise, Sue gave explicit instructions for yours truly about getting those Silver Bullets cold ASAP.

"Make sure the mountains are blue," she said.

Gotta love my mother-in-law.

Save commissioners' prayers for Sunday

2011-11-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

Pray or don’t pray.

That’s a vexing issue facing the Manatee County Commission.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation from Madison, Wis., has requested our esteemed commissioners cease prayers before their weekly commission meetings.

Unnecessary, inappropriate and divisive.

That’s what a foundation attorney called the practice.

Expensive, too, he might’ve added.

If this turns into a lawsuit, that will not go over well with Manatee County taxpayers.

The commissioners want to fight to pray?

Don’t do it on our dime.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Playoffs already? Where'd season go?

2011-11-16T16:58:00.000-08:00

That our high school football playoffs start Friday night makes me wonder about one thing:

WHERE DID THE REGULAR SEASON GO?

Seems like just last week I was at Palmetto's kickoff classic against visiting Venice that was postponed due to lightning, then drove down to Manatee to catch its preseason tuneup against visiting American Heritage of Delray Beach.

Ditto for Southeast's kickoff classic against visiting Fort Myers and the Noles' subsequent season opener against Largo.

Boy, the regular season sure flies by, all right.

It happens every year.

You get psyched for those Friday night lights -- or Thursday night lights -- and, whoosh! it's over before you know it.

So we get to savor it a few more weeks.

The pre-game pageantry and marching bands at halftime.

Reveling in big plays and high-fiving friends after our team scores.

Going out after the game for beer and wings.

Those Friday night lights sure are fun.

Here's hoping the home teams who are in the dance keep it going.

All the way to Orlando.

Props for Southeast High's FFA chapter

2011-11-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

Big ups to Mike Buckley and Southeast High School’s FFA Chapter.

Out of more than 650 programs nationwide, SEHS was selected as the three-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program at the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis last month.
Southeast FFA president Andrew Merrill and VP Wyatt Fulghum (pictured with Buckley, l-r) were also on hand to accept the honor — the highest level of accomplishment a chapter may achieve.

"This is a big deal," said Buckley, the school's FFA advisor for 17 years. "It shows the high level of proficiency these kids attained. They aim for it every year. It’s like getting to the Final Four."

Formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization has more than 500,000 student members in nearly 7,500 chapters preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.

Those are the sounds of wedding bells Saturday for Ballard Elementary fifth-grade teacher Amber Whirtley and Jessee Hatch, who will marry Saturday at Bishop Planetarium. Her late grandmother, Norma Lloyd, will be there in spirit.

Speaking of wedding bells, former Manatee Sugar ‘Cane Lindsay Smith and former Marching ‘Cane drum major Steven Hussey say “I do” Saturday in Venice.

John and Jacquelyn Flinn are bragging on son, Colby, who won first in the Florida BASS Federation Nation non-boater category at Kissimmee's Lake Toho. The 17-year-old caught nine live bass for a winning total of 25.07 pounds, topping a field of 54 anglers.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Wanted: Local dogs for Guinness record try

2011-11-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Phoenix is one handy dog, said owner Trisha Antonelli.

The 2-year-old Red Heeler/German Shepherd mix picks up trash.

He gathers recyclables.

He retrieves his PVC agility equipment and loads it into her car.

He doesn’t drive, though.

“But he thinks he can,” said the 31-year-old trainer.

Phoenix will be asked to do something simple yet significant on Nov. 19.

Community dog owners are invited to the Animal Network’s Canine Christmas Festival 2011 on the Bishop SPCA Animal Shelter grounds. There they will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for Most Dogs Doing Sit/Stay.

The record is 100.

They want 101 — or more.

Read more Tuesday on Bradenton.com

Thank PETA for Mullet Smoke-Off publicity

2011-11-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

Got an idea for the Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association membership.

Send a thank you note to Dave Byer, manager of corporate affairs with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, for the free publicity.

Wrap it around a smoked mullet, too.

After the crazy flap over the traditional mullet toss at its annual Mullet Smoke-Off, the Terra Ceia fundraiser is bound to enjoy a boffo turnout next Saturday.

Smoke that, PETA!

Though a lifelong animal lover, I’m usually ambivalent about the animal rights organization.

The issue they raised years ago about wearing fur had a major influence on our society.

I get that.

But not this.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Score one for ex-Hurricane in Afghanistan

2011-11-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

Marine Capt. Doug Schofield, a 1991 Manatee High grad and former Hurricane, made a friendly wager in Afghanistan with Matt Hick, a 2004 Venice High alum and hospital corpsman second class.
When the Hurricanes and Indians squared off in their Class 7A-District 10 showdown Oct. 21 at Hawkins Stadium, the grad from the losing school had to wear the other’s school T-shirt.
Manatee won 52-19 and clinched the district title.
So Hick wore the shirt.
It reads “Manatee Special Forces.”

Good to hear Bill Crusselle is back as general manager at River Wilderness Golf and Country Club. Bill was GM from 1996 to 1999, then held similar posts at clubs and resorts in Florida and Arizona.
A graduate of FSU’s school of hospitality and a devoted Seminole fan, Bill liked to joke, “All I learned at FSU was the Seminole chop — and I don’t mean sirloin.”
He and wife Mary Jane moved back to their home in Parrish.

A camera crew was on hand the other morning filming Pastor Joe Connolly while he celebrated Mass at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.
It’s for TV so shut-ins can observe Mass at home if they’re unable to attend church during Advent.
How convenient, I told the good padre.
Especially if they fast forward through his homily and cut their Mass time in half.
Father Joe gave me a look I remember well from all those times I spent in the principal’s office during parochial school.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

It's showtime for new Sugar 'Canes director

2011-11-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Vicky Duquette’s day is like that of so many working moms.

Up at 5 a.m., work by 7 a.m., driving kids to soccer practice, making dinner, helping with homework, etc.

“Busy, busy, busy,” said the 38-year-old physical therapist assistant and married mother of three. “It’s non-stop.”

Yet at that moment Duquette was involved in something that made her day wholly unique.

Fine tuning a dance number by 24 Manatee High School Sugar ‘Canes practicing for Saturday night’s Mr. Sugar ‘Cane Show at the school’s new Davis Building Performing Arts Theater.

“Linda Boone said it’s almost like putting on a wedding, but I’m up for the challenge,” Duquette said.

Boone would know, having done 25 of the fashion and dance shows as Sugar ‘Canes director.

Lori O’Leary, her successor, did four.

Now it’s Duquette’s turn.

Read more Thursday in Bradenton.com.

Darth Vader, pirates and werewolf, oh my!

2011-10-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

"TRICK OR TREAT!"

It was a welcome sound Monday night.

Sherri and I were wondering whether we'd get any trick-or-treaters.

We did. Enough to keep us on our toes.

And the big orange bowl of Almond Joys at the ready.

When we ran out of that candy, there were mini-Chips Ahoy.

We were visited by a variety of delightful young characters.

There was Darth Vader. And a Storm Trooper.

There was a zombie princess, a queen, a witch, an indian, a fallen angel, Ironman and a Werewolf.

Then there were two ninjas. Or was it three?

And two pirates -- a boy and a girl.

Every one of them said, "Thank you," too.

One of them, the witch, I think, said, "See you next year."

We'll be waiting.

Trick or treat!

Pink Palace deal great step forward

2011-10-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah!

Word that the Pink Palace will receive its long overdue renovation is terrific.

The dowager of 10th Street West is saved.

I had my doubts.

The 1920s era Manatee River Hotel has been an eyesore since it became vacant almost seven years ago.

It was hardly a welcoming sight to motorists coming south across the Green Bridge.

Despite the City of Bradenton’s efforts to halt its deterioration, the historic eight-story building had languished to the point where it seemed the wrecking ball was inevitable.

Perhaps the time had come to put it out of its misery.

If this deal with developers had fallen through?

Kaboom!

Not anymore.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Ol' Raider tackle shows he's still got game

2011-10-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

Henry Lawrence performing in Bradenton a few years ago.

Folks here have always known Henry Lawrence has a great voice.
The Oakland Raiders, for whom he played right offensive tackle for 13 years while winning three Super Bowls, knew that, too.

So when the NFL team honored late owner Al Davis at their Oct. 16 home game against the Cleveland Browns, they invited Henry, who still looks like he can strap on the pads at 60, to sing our national anthem at Oakland Coliseum.

Before flying out for the game, Henry got an assist from Del Couch at Palmetto’s Howling Dog Studios, who came up with the arrangement for a poignant performance.

Looking to grab something good to eat before Friday night's Manatee-Palmetto game at Harllee Stadium?

There’s the annual Palmetto Rotary Steak Dinner 4-7 p.m. in the Palmetto High cafeteria.

You’ll get a 14-oz. ribeye with all the fixin’s for $20 per plate.

Proceeds go to Tiger athletics.

Steakmeister Dave Bailey is doing the honors.

It’s the final stretch for those handsome 11 Manatee High seniors raising funds to win the title of Mr. Sugar Cane, which returns 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 to Manatee’s new Davis Building Performing Arts Theater.

They are Rider Bilter, Hershel Caywood, Ryan Harris, Wyatt Hoffman, Tate Jernegan, Jacob Jordan, Chase Sandberg, Jacob Sperko, Matt Stevens, Nick Tankersly and Ricky Terrell.
Krystal Weaver, a USF senior and former Sugar ‘Cane, will emcee.
Call Sugar ‘Cane director Vicky Duquette for tickets and information at 232-4731.

For good sounds and suds, Goodbyeddie will rock 4-8 p.m. Saturday at the inaugural International Beer Festival between McAllister’s and Ed’s Tavern on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch.
That’s Jimi Camastro, Ted Eastmoore, Duncan Edgar, Doug Henderson and Russ Vega.

Read more Friday in Vin's People at Bradenton.com.

Face to face with an adult bald eagle

2011-10-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

It's a trip being practically face to face with an adult bald eagle.

Which is where I was Wednesday at Wildlife, Inc., the non-profit rescue and rehab on Bradenton Beach nobly run by Ed and Gail Straight for the past 25 years.

The eagle was a female at least 5 years old, who was brought to the clinic Saturday night from East Manatee, suffering from a chest wound of unknown origin.

The majestic bird hardly blinked as we gazed through the open door of the portable kennel housing her.

The eagle puffed up her feathers a bit when colleague Grant Jefferies got up close while taking pictures, but overall she was as poised as could be.

Regal, indeed.

"She could go right at you if she wanted," Gail Straight said.

Every other time I've seen this American icon has been from a distance --- atop the concrete pillar of a street light along US 301. Or perched on the limb of a dead tree in a marsh east of Myakka City. Or with other bald eagles gathered on a high tension tower at a hyrdoelectric damn on the Susquehanna River west of Havre de Grace, Md.

And that's with the benefit of binoculars.

Not Wednesday.

It was an experience, one that heightened my respect for the bald eagle.

Hurricane? Nah, too cold. Right!

2011-10-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Famous last words?

Upon arriving home after a week in Ohio's fall climes, we were greeted with a forecast that called for a potential tropical disturbance that might affect Florida.

Nah, I told my wife.

It's too cold.

Even watching the Weather Channel folks over the weekend didn't prompt concern.

Looked like it'd make the Honduras and those parts wetter than usual, is all.

Wrong!

Rina, the season's 17th tropical storm, blew up into a hurricane Sunday with 75 mph winds that are predicted to exceed 111 mph before nearing Cancun Friday morning.

While four computer models have it lingering around Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, two other models predict it moving northeast and across our state's southern tip.

The last hurricane to originate in that neck of the woods and rip across South Florida was Hurricane Wilma, which reached Category 5 briefly, in 2005.

And it happened in late October, too.

Uh, oh!

One raise our community isn't celebrating

2011-10-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

Getting a raise is usually something to celebrate.

Unless you happen to be a Manatee County commissioner.

That $272 bump they just got from the state?

They must wish it never happened.

That goes for Carol Whitmore.

Other county commissioners, too.

Given the economic straits their constituents have endured the past several years, it isn’t right.

Not with double-digit unemployment in our community.

Many of those who do have jobs probably can’t remember their last raise.

They’re just glad to still be working.

Our teachers must be shaking their heads.

Or considering running for county commission.

Seventy-five thou for a part-time gig?

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

9-year-old knows how to hit Tiger's funny bone

2011-10-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

Kevin O'Brien, Alex Cuadros and Michael Haynes

Funny moment at Blackburn Elementary School.

Kevin O’Brien, a Palmetto High offensive tackle, was working with fourth-grader Michael Haynes as part of a mentoring program Tiger head football coach Dave Marino instituted for his players.

A husky youth football player himself, Michael was asked if he thought he’d grow up to be as big as O’Brien, who goes about 6-foot-4, 300 pounds.

“I’ll be that big,” the 9-year-old said. “But with a lot less belly.”

Oh, no! Kiernan Wilkins is one year shy of the big 3-0!

If you’re up for a good steak for a good cause before a big game, check out Palmetto’s annual Rotary Steak Dinner 4-7 p.m. Oct. 28, at the Palmetto High cafeteria before the Tigers take on the Manatee Hurricanes at Harllee Stadium.
You get a 14-ounce ribeye with all the sides for $20 per plate.
Proceeds go to Tiger athletics.
Steakmeister Dave Bailey says Manatee folks are most welcome.

Speaking of Hurricane fans, do you remember Aaron Reese?
A former freshman, JV and varsity backup quarterback at Manatee several years ago, he graduated from Charles D. Owen High in Black Mountain, N.C., and is now the starting senior quarterback at Brevard College, Brevard, N.C.
Reese was the South Atlantic Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a school record five TDs on Oct. 1, leading the Tornados to their first victory, 41-24 over Tusculum College of Greenville, Tenn.
He’s their leading rusher and also plays baseball for Brevard.

Oh, no! Shawna DeLoach Kerley is one year shy of the Big 4-0!

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

"No Kill" recalls memory of two favorite cats

2011-10-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

I can understand Mike Picchietti's beef about the Manatee County Commission's decision Tuesday to work toward a "No Kill" policy at its animal shelters.

All the barking dogs at the new rescue animal shelter near his East Manatee home gets on his nerves.

A former neighbor's lone barking dog did the same to me.

I can also respect Dennis Vitton, a mobile home park president, who didn't oppose "No Kill," but didn't want fixed feral cats released back to the neighborhood under the shelter's trap-and-release program.

Cats will drive you crazy.

They will also break your heart.

I know.

I adopted a couple of wild kittens 24 years ago when I lived in Delray Beach from an acquaintance who was an animal lover like me.

They were Persians, a brother and sister.

Top Cat and Midnight I named them.

I can still see the curtains behind the couch moving as I rose every morning and they came out to greet me.

Midnight sunned herself in a window sill every day I left for work.

Top Cat jumped up on the couch behind my head as I watched TV at night.

I loved those cats.

Then a neighbor came over one day and remarked how thin Midnight looked.

I had thought the same thing, but never gave it more consideration.

The vet told me she had feline leukemia.

I had a choice.

Putting her down, or giving her a daily needle to prolong her life.

I chose the latter.

As fate would have it, Top Cat who seemed fine, got it, too, and died suddenly.

I had no choice this time.

I took Midnight, who was 5 like her brother, to the Palm Beach County animal shelter and had her euthanized.

I cried like I hadn't cried in years.

A lost weekend for family's pro teams

2011-10-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

What a sports weekend for Team Mannix.

A forgettable weekend, that is.

Just a few days after watching the Rays, my wife's favorite baseball team, end their season losing to Rangers in the ALDS, we watched my favorite baseball team, the Phillies, go down in Game 5 of the NLDS to the Cardinals.

That was Friday night.

Saturday wasn't much better.

Maybe even worse.

We had our family over for a BBQ and watched the Gators -- my sister-in-law's alma mater -- get beat up by LSU.

Then that night it was Ohio State -- my in-laws' favorite team as well as ours -- snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, blowing a 27-6 third quarter lead against Nebraska.

Sunday was more of the same.

First the Eagles, my team, continue their maddening brand of bad football, losing at Buffalo.

Then the Bucs, Sherri's team, end up getting pounded by the Niners in San Francisco.

A lost weekend for Team Mannix, all right.

Billing bank for cutting their grass

2011-10-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Occupy Bradenton?

I’ve got one for the folks who will gather this morning at 43rd Street West and Manatee Avenue to protest, among other things, banks giving us the business.

Tell me if it sounds familiar.

The house next door to ours was foreclosed on several weeks ago and the people who occupied it had to go.

Which left the grass untended.

So it grew and grew.

I’ll be darned if I’m going to cut it, I told myself.

Helping out a neighbor is one thing.

Helping out a bank that’s an absentee owner?

That’s another.

Besides, I’ve already got my hands full every Saturday morning keeping our own lawn maintained.

Let the bank hire somebody to cut their property’s grass.

Read more in Sunday's Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Can Manatee superintendent carry a tune?

2011-10-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

Big ups to Tim McGonegal, Manatee County’s district school chief, for being named the Florida Music Educators Association’s 2011-2012 Superintendent of the Year.
The honor recognizes his leadership in promoting music education and advocacy for the curriculum.
It’s not unusual for McGonegal to drop in unannounced on our schools to hear young musicians and drive out of town for their performances, too.
He’s also the only superintendent who’s been a regular attendee at the FMEA All State Chorus Concert in Tampa since 2009.
Give an assist to Witt Elementary music teacher Julie Hebert, FMEA’s president-elect, for fostering the nomination.
So did McGonegal sing or play an instrument during his halcyon days as a student in Dunedin?
Nope.
“I have absolutely no musical talent whatsoever,” joked the Dunedin High alum, Class of 1976.
He’ll be saluted Jan. 13 at the FMEA conference in Tampa.

Turns out Diana Shoemaker, Habitat for Humanity’s new executive director, is another member of our town’s esteemed Ohio University alumni.
There’s Hizzoner Wayne Poston, County Commissioner John Chappie, and former city of Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn.

Manatee High’s Sugar’ Canes Camper Dance Clinic is 9 a.m. Oct. 15 at the MHS gym for third-through-eighth graders.
They’ll perform at the Mr. Sugar’Cane Show Nov. 5 at the Davis Building Performing Arts Theater.
Call Laurie Smith at 730-6128 for details.

Read more in Friday's Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

$3-per-gallon gas? Make it $2.50

2011-10-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

Three dollars a gallon gas by Christmas?

That's what the economic experts say.

Pardon me if I don't fall on my knees, throw up my hands and say thank you, Santa.

That the lousy economy continues to take down gas prices with it is not news.

They're not going down fast enough for me. Or you.

If the analysts really want to get my attention, then let's talk about gas under $3 a gallon.

Like $2.50.

Gas prices have hovered around the $3-and-change mark for so long, it almost seems like Big Oil has been giving us a break.

It's not.

Getting gouged at the gas pump over the last several is one reason our economy has been in the dumper.

So I'm not impressed at $3 a gallon gas by Christmas.

I'm not going to complain about it, understand.

I like to save a few bucks at the pump as much as the next guy.

But the gas prices will have to come down more than that to put me in the holiday spirit.

A hell of a lot more.

Kirk's death reawakens an old ghost

2011-09-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ron Getman. Claude Kirk. Gene Witt.

The first, a former state trooper and county commissioner.

The second, a colorful, controversial Florida governor.

The third, a former educator and Manatee County school superintendent.

“A long time ago,” said Witt, 81.

A time that briefly came back for him and Getman last week when Kirk, 85, died Wednesday in West Palm Beach.

A moment in time when they were caught up in the wake of one of Kirk’s bombastic headline-grabbing stunts.

The week the governor, known as “Claudius Maximus” among other nicknames, appointed himself Manatee school superintendent, fired the school board, and took over the administrative offices in grandstanding defiance of school busing.

“A very interesting time,” said Getman, 67. “Short-lived, but interesting.”

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Special cake for special lady on Saturday

2011-09-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

Florence Rhodes Lawrence

Florence Rhodes Lawrence has been baking cakes for fellow worshippers at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for as long as the congregation can remember.
Which is longer than most of us have been alive.
Come Saturday, it will be the church’s turn to bring the beloved deaconess and former church Mother of the Year a cake.
It’s Florence’s 100th birthday.
The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and niece Susan Stubbs said more than 200 family members and friends are expected from as far as New York, the Carolinas, Georgia and Miami for the celebration.
Born in Madison, Fl., Florence came to Bradenton at 6.
“Auntie thinks she’s baking a cake for Saturday, but she’s going to get one instead,” her niece said.

Southeast High hosts Manatee 6 p.m. Tuesday in their annual Volley for the Cure volleyball fundraiser for the Susan B. Komen Foundation.
Pink will be the color du jour for the teams, referees and the volleyball.
Call Jan Drummey at 792-7398.

Norma Lloyd

Just a reminder there will be a Celebration of Life for Norma Lloyd, 2 p.m. Sunday at Norma Lloyd Park, 1024 24th St. E., Bradenton. The matriarch of Little League baseball in Bradenton passed away Sept. 18 at the age of 79.

Big ups to niece Lauren Pierce, who just made co-captain of the Manatee School for the Arts’ dynamic Heat dance team.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Rays' comeback worth staying up late

2011-09-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

"HOME RUN! HOME RUN! HOME RUN!"

No, it wasn't the Tampa Bay Rays' play-by-play guy calling a dinger against the New York Yankees in Wednesday's crucial regular season ending game at the Trop.

It was my wife chanting in front of our living room TV, urging on Matt Joyce to encore his Tuesday night 3-run blast.

Ditto for when Johnny Damon came up to bat.

"C'mon Johnny. C'monnn. HOME RUN!"

That was the bottom of the first inning.

After Mark Teixiera's grand slam in the top of the second, making it 5-0 Yankees, Sherri became a tad subdued.

As did most Rays fans, I imagine.

Which is the funny thing about my wife, who is anything but vocal when it comes to watching our national pastime.

Especially in our house.

That's because of my big mouth going when we've had the Philadelphia Phillies, my favorite ballclub, on MLB.com virtually every night of the season.

So since the Phillies clinched long ago, we've been watching her team.

Down 5-0, Sherri hadn't given up the ghost.

"Let's go Ra-a-ays, let's go!" she began repeating occasionally as the game wore on.

Her tone changed, however, when Teixiera went yard again to make it 6-0.

"Cra-a-a-a-ap," Sherri said, disappointedly.

It was almost the same when Andruw Jones --- this guy still playing? --- went deep to make it 7-0.

"Oh, ma-a-a-a-an," she said. "I think it's going to be over tonight."

Well, honey, we've still got the Phillies.

But ... several innings later.

Whoooooaaaaa!

When things seemed their bleakest for the Rays, Sherri went to the bedroom to watch the rest of that game while I watched the Phillies go onto snuff out the fading Atlanta Braves last chance to get into the playoffs.

I didn't have to watch the Rays game to know what was happening.

My wife's clapping heralded each big moment in the wild six-run eighth inning.

Then when Evan Longoria smacked his three-run homer, followed by Dan Johnson's two-out, two-strike game-tying homer in the ninth, all I heard were screams of joy.

I finally turned off the Phillies' game to join her.

"Oh, now you want to watch my team," Sherri greeted me, sweetly sarcastic.

As the game went into extra innings, she kept an eye on the game and the other on the clock.

She had to be in Tampa early Thursday, which meant getting up at 6:15 a.m.

Yet Sherri hung on through the 10th and 11th innings, then --- "YEEEAAAAAY!" --- fairly flew out of bed, arms held high just like Longoria on his dramatic game-winner in the 12th that propelled the Rays into the postseason.

It was worth staying up for, we agreed.

I hope my wife still feels that way when the alarm goes off.

No going to sleep during Rays' comeback

2011-09-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

"HOME RUN! HOME RUN! HOME RUN!"

No, it wasn't the Tampa Bay Rays' play-by-play guy calling a dinger against the New York Yankees in Wednesday's crucial regular season ending game at the Trop.

It was my wife chanting in front of our living room TV, urging on Matt Joyce to encore his Tuesday night 3-run blast.

Ditto for when Johnny Damon came up to bat.

"C'mon Johnny. C'monnn. HOME RUN!"

That was the bottom of the first inning.

After Mark Teixiera's grand slam in the top of the second, making it 5-0 Yankees, Sherri became a tad subdued.

As did most Rays fans, I imagine.

Which is the funny thing about my wife, who is anything but vocal when it comes to watching our national pastime.

Especially in our house.

That's because of my big mouth going when we've had the Philadelphia Phillies, my favorite ballclub, on MLB.com virtually every night of the season.

So since the Phillies clinched long ago, we've been watching her team.

Down 5-0, Sherri hadn't given up the ghost.

"Let's go Ra-a-ays, let's go!" she began repeating occasionally as the game wore on.

Her tone changed, however, when Teixiera went yard again to make it 6-0.

"Cra-a-a-a-ap," Sherri said, disappointedly.

It was almost the same when Andruw Jones --- this guy still playing? --- went deep to make it 7-0.

"Oh, ma-a-a-a-an," she said. "I think it's going to be over tonight."

Well, honey, we've still got the Phillies.

But ... several innings later.

Whoooooaaaaa!

When things seemed their bleakest for the Rays, Sherri went to the bedroom to watch the rest of that game while I watched the Phillies go onto snuff out the fading Atlanta Braves last chance to get into the playoffs.

I didn't have to watch the Rays game to know what was happening.

My wife's clapping heralded each big moment in the wild six-run eighth inning.

Then when Evan Longoria smacked his three-run homer, followed by Dan Johnson's two-out, two-strike game-tying homer in the ninth, all I heard were screams of joy.

I finally turned off the Phillies' game to join her.

"Oh, now you want to watch my team," Sherri greeted me, sweetly sarcastic.

As the game went into extra innings, she kept an eye on the game and the other on the clock.

She had to be in Tampa early Thursday, which meant getting up at 6:15 a.m.

Yet Sherri hung on through the 10th and 11th innings, then --- "YEEEAAAAAY!" --- fairly flew out of bed, arms held high on Longoria's dramatic game-winner in the 12th,

It was worth staying up for, we agreed.

I hope my wife still feels that way when the alarm goes off.

Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sandals not needed

2011-09-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Wanted: high-end, wealthy-looking Palm Beach types, ages 30 to 70.

That's what the cattle call ... er, casting call specified for extras needed during a three-day shoot at Ringling Museum's Ca' d'Zan Manson for "Parker," a thriller starring Michael Chiklis, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte and Jason Statham.

Hmmm.

It'd be cool to maybe meet Michael Chiklis. Or Jason Statham.

Well, I'm afraid I'm not high end.

Although my wife says I'm hard to put up with sometimes.

Champagne and canapes? I'll pass.

Make mine beer and wings.

I sure as heck ain't a wealthy-looking Palm Beach type, either.

According to the casting call it means tuxedo, tux shirt, bowtie, pocket squares, black dress shoes, black socks, etc., etc., etc.

Guess there's no room for a guy who prefers Hawaiian shirts, shorts and sandals.

That's OK.

I've been to Palm Beach for a few functions during my 19 years in Palm Beach County --- without getting thrown out! --- and I'll keep dressing the way I do, thank you.

But I am between 30 and 70.

One out of three isn't bad.

What's that?

The casting call is filled up?

Story of my life.

To know Norma Lloyd was to love her

2011-09-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

"Isn’t Norma Lloyd your grandma?”

Amber Whirtley has heard that a lot over the years.

More times than she can count.

It makes Whirtley proud.

“People I don’t even know will come up and ask me that,” said the Ballard Elementary School teacher. “‘Tell her I said, Hi.’ Everybody knew her.”

Everybody, indeed.

From county commissioners to concession volunteers at that little ballpark at 24th Street East.

It’s remarkable even for Bradenton, where so many people know one another.

Everybody knew Norma Lloyd.

And to know her was to love her.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

MHS seniors vying for Mr. Sugar Cane

2011-09-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

The 11 handsome young men vying for the title of Mr. Sugar Cane are Manatee High seniors Rider Bilter, Hershel Caywood, Ryan Harris, Wyatt Hoffman, Tate Jernegan, Jacob Jordan, Chase Sandberg, Jacob Sperko, Matt Stevens, Nick Tankersly and Ricky Terrell.
The show returns to Manatee’s new Davis Building Performing Arts Theater Nov. 5.
Krystal Weaver, a USF senior and former Sugar 'Cane, will emcee.

Norma Lloyd

The Southeast Seminoles will have a moment of silence at Kiker Stadium before tonight’s Sarasota game for Norma Lloyd, a longtime member of the school’s advisory council.
The matriarch of Little League baseball in Bradenton, Norma passed away last Sunday at 79.

Charlie McCullough is back in business!
The former Philadelphian proprietor has taken over the Longwood Grill & Pub, 5802 Longwood Run Blvd., Sarasota.
It’s a neat sports bar just off University Parkway.
Call 388-7613.

Jerry Koontz

After all those years in a suit, retired United Way honcho Jerry Koontz joked about his new getup:

Knee high black socks, slippers, shorts and a T-shirt that reads, “Beer and Cigars. Not Just for Breakfast Anymore.”

Jill and Josh McGarry named their first bundle of love Finnegan Daniel McGarry.

A grand Irish name.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Playing 'Grandpa' for a day. Or two.

2011-09-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

The sticker given out by the receptionist at Gene Witt Elementary School Monday morning was cool.

It read, "Grandparents Make Smiles Happen"

Even when they may not really be grandparents.

Like yours truly.

Leah James, a Witt kindergartener, thinks of me as Uncle Vinny.

Her sister, Brooke, a second-grader, does, too.

They are the darling daughters of my wife Sherri's boss Jon James and his wife Jen.

It was Grandparents Day at the school, but the girls grands live in Michigan and wouldn't be able to make it.

When we heard how disappointed they were, we decided to do something.

I volunteered to be a "Grandpa" for a day.

It turned out great.

Leah was surprised and gave me a big hug when Jen and I walked into the Witt cafeteria.

I had fun making sure two of her classmates finished their hot dog and hamburger, respectively, after they'd already enjoyed their red-white-and-blue popsicles.

The one with the hot dog finished, anyway.

When our half hour lunch was up, we returned to Leah's classroom where I got another hug and drove back to work.

I get to play Grandpa all over again Thursday for Brooke.

Can't wait.

9/11's aftermath resonates decade later

2011-09-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

My glasses were almost ready that morning at the Eye Center on Cortez Road and the overhead TV was tuned to BayNews 9.

It was just before 9 a.m. when the anchor said they were switching to New York for breaking news.

We were transfixed by what we saw:

A gaping, smoking hole in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Must be an accident, I figured.

Probably a puddle jumper, a twin-engine airplane like one I’d flown on a few years earlier from Newark to Cape Cod.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Ex-Cane holds own in Ole Miss debut

2011-09-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Chris Conley’s first game as starting holder and backup punter for Ole Miss went smoothly. The former Manatee Hurricane, No. 94 for the Rebels, held for two field goals and an extra point.
Unfortunately, Ole Miss lost 14-13 to BYU.

Suzanne Seagle finished two years working for SOAR, a Wyoming camp for special needs children, in high style. The Saint Stephen’s and FSU alum climbed Grand Teton, the highest mountain in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park at 13,775 feet.

Braden River High School will hold a special ceremony honoring Army Spc. 4 Patrick Lay and a presentation will be made to his family before its Sept. 16 home game with Palmetto.
The BRHS 2008 graduate and former Pirate tight end was killed in Afghanistan Aug. 11 and is buried at Sarasota National Cemetery.

Manatee Memorial Hospital and Shake Pit are double-teaming the “Manatee Football Is In My Blood Drive” for Suncoast Communities Blood Bank.
The drive is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Pit, 3801 Manatee Ave. W.
The first 100 blood donors get a free ticket to the MMH/SCBB Challenge Sept. 16 at Hawkins Stadium pitting Manatee against No. 1 ranked Don Bosco Prep of Ramsey, N.J., at 6 p.m. and Tampa Plant against Bergen Catholic of Oradell, N.J., at 8:30 p.m.
MHS cheerleaders will also be at the Pit selling tickets to their 4th Annual Lee Roy Selmon's Tailgate BBQ.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas is spinning in her grave

2011-09-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

Drilling for oil where?

When Republican presidential candidate Michelle Bachman recently put forth the idea of drilling in the Everglades, I thought --- what a great idea.

Great, that is, if you want to torpedo any support you might have for your candidacy in this state.

Now the Guv supports this inane idea?

OK, many of did not know there is a small oil drilling operation in Collier County, but it doesn't produce the kind of high grade we put in our rides.

It's low grade oil for tarring roads, among other uses.

So why even consider fooling with this?

"We have to be very cautious on any oil drilling, whether it’s already in the state or in our beaches or in the gulf because we aren’t going to ruin our environment," Scott said. "With regard to the Everglades, we have to be very cautious if there’s going to be any more drilling. It’s my understanding, we haven't had any problems to date so my goal would be to be very cautious."

Don't do it, Guv.

It isn't enough that our beautiful beaches are under siege every year by the "Drill, Baby, Drill!" gang.

Now Scott thinks it'd be OK to do so in the pristine Everglades?

Slick Rick, indeed.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the sainted environmentalist and author of "The Everglades: River of Grass." is spinning in her grave.

Photo, friendship endures long past 9/11

2011-09-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

Jay Rentz, yours truly and Bill Ruth in June 1991.

The framed photo is one of my favorites and it is never far from sight.

It was taken outside Bill Ruth’s home in Wheaton, Md., where there was a mighty party going on that June in 1991.

A teacher, Bill had just returned from Desert Storm where he’d served as a helicopter pilot with the Maryland National Guard and his wife, Georgette, wanted to celebrate.

I wasn’t going to miss it and flew up from Florida.

Jay Rentz, another longtime pal and Washington D.C. detective who’s also in the photo, was there, too.

What a great weekend, a remembrance I cherish more than ever as years go by.

It was the last time I saw Bill alive.

He was killed on 9/11.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Bradenton Nine Devils celebration Oct. 22

2011-09-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

How many of you remember or heard of the old Bradenton Nine Devils?
They were our town’s black baseball team that thrived during segregation in the independent Florida State Negro League from 1937 to 1956.
Waymon Armstead, James “Son” Copeland and Morris Paskell are among those surviving Nine Devils, whose home games at long gone Roush Field, as well as McKechnie Field, were festive affairs in the community.
On Oct. 22 at the 13th Av Dream Center, there will be a celebration, “Innings Ago,” honoring those players, that team and their legacy.
Families of deceased Nine Devils, the ballclub’s fans and public are invited to attend and reminisce about that bygone era.
Call 779-3598 for details.

Outgoing United Way honcho Jerry Koontz was runnerup in the Women’s Leadership Initiative’s second annual Bling Fling celebrity bartender competition.
Joltin’ Jerry’s potent “Appletini” was nosed out by Bling Fling King John Moyer’s funky Caribbean concoction, “All Day, All Night Marianne,” named for his wife, a self-proclaimed beach bum.
The event helped raise $1,500 at the Dan and Corrine McClure Center in Lakewood Ranch.

Welcome back to the “pilgrims” from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, who were among the estimated 1.5 million people attending World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain.
The pilgrims included Joshua Audet, Logan Jones, Spencer Jones, Andrew Kurutz, Shari Kurutz, Celeste Matthews, Luke Smith, Kandice Steele and Gina and Jeff Young.

Don’t forget Manatee High’s spanking new Davis Building Performing Arts Theater if you want to watch the Hurricanes play nationally ranked Good Counsel tonight in Olney, Md., on three big screens and hear it on surround sound.
Tickets are $10.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Hurricanes playing on my old stomping grounds

2011-08-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

A handsomely renovated Cashell Elementary School

When the Manatee Hurricanes play Our Lady of Good Counsel Friday night, they'll do so in a part of the country that has a special place in my heart.

Olney, Md.

I spent 2.5 years in that neck of the woods, working for the Montgomery County Recreation Department from January 1975 to June 1977.

It was during my hiatus from journalism and what a wonderful time it was, indeed.

I was a rec coordinator, refereeing kids basketball and umpiring youth baseball around the Rockville area, but my base of operations was running programs for the students at Cashell Elementary School in Olney.

Flag football, T-ball, softball, baseball, summer day camp.

It was a great time in my life in a setting that still had its rural charm despite the inevitable onset of growth.

I became fast friends with many of those families, especially in the Norbeck Meadows subdivision across the street from the school.

It was so hard to leave them when I decided to return to Florida --- I'd spent 1971-74 in Homestead --- and get back into sports writing.

I'd had it with those winters!

From time to time I wonder where all those children from Cashell went, realizing they're all adults now with families of their own.

Perhaps some of their kids will be playing against Manatee Friday night.

Family shoe was on other foot during Irene

2011-08-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

What a weird feeling it was, following Hurricane Irene.

Usually, it'd be my siblings up in South Jersey calling me to find out how I was doing.

This time it was the other way around.

Late last week as Irene churned north, I called my sister Jeanne and brothers Joey and Jimmy, trying to give them encouragment and tips about being prepared.

Given what Floridians have been through the past seven years, we know a thing or two about hurricanes, right?

I also told my sibs chances were the hurricane would lose its steam by the time it arrived.

After years of hearing how our warm tropical waters are "fuel" for hurricanes' engines, I knew that wouldn't be the case when Irene chugged into the Atlantic's colder waters off the coasts of Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.

Hey, I'm no meteorologist, but it makes sense to me.

I also told them to be more concerned about losing power and flooding.

South Jersey had already experienced a record month for rainfall.

Anyway, they made it through Irene OK, thank goodness.

Now you and I are keeping a cautious eye on the horizon for Tropical Depression 12, which looks like it'll be Hurricane Katia before long.

The family shoe is back on the other foot.

Veteran MCSO deputy suspension excessive

2011-08-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Let me get this straight.

Lt. John Murrell, perhaps one of the community’s most visible deputies in the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, worked more than 52 hours of overtime over a 16-month period, but didn’t put in for it.

So he gets suspended for three weeks.

What?

That sort of thing --- working OT and not claiming it on one’s time card --- has become part and parcel of having a steady job and wanting to hang onto it in this lousy economy.

It might even earn you a plaque from the company for dedication and devotion and all that.

Not a three-weeks suspension without pay.

What's the expression?

No good deed goes unpunished.

I realize the MCSO has to operate within certain rules and regulations, and it behooves it to avoid entanglements with federal labor officials.

But this is overkill.

Read more in Sunday's Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Canes' opener on new MHS theater big screens

2011-08-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Manatee Principal Bob Gagnon surveys Davis Building Performing Arts Theater

Want to experience Manatee High’s new Davis Building Performing Arts Theater and watch coach Joe Kinnan’s Hurricanes at the same time?

Canes hunker down for Sept. 2

Manatee’s regular season opener, Sept. 2 at nationally ranked Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney Md., will be shown on the 800-seat theater’s three big screens.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the administration building box office.

Refreshments are available from the school’s culinary program in the new Canes’ Cafe, but no food or beverages will be allowed in the new theater.

Call 714-7300 for details.

Eddie “Bear” Clark retired after 35 years with the City of Palmetto’s public works department.

A warm Manatee County welcome to NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw.

The Steeler icon and longtime FOX NFL analyst bought adjacent homes in the Concession for a cool $1.22 million.

The honorable Ed Price

Even at 93, Ed Price is one tough son of a gun.

The former state senator, ex-B-17 pilot from World War II and beloved community pillar had both a root canal AND an extraction on Wednesday.

Dance Theatre of Bradenton hosts an open house 1 p.m. Saturday at its new location, 5657 Manatee Ave. W. Call Barb Myers at 345-7495.

American Legion Riders Kirby Stewart Post 24’s chapter meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Palmer Building at 2000 75th St. W.

Contact Phil McArthur at 224-6756 or philmcarth@aol.com.

Read more in Friday's Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Finding right class a first-day adventure

2011-08-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

Nani Gomes and Joe Dhennin were just two of Manatee High School's many students walking the halls of the new and very improved Davis Building on the first day of school Monday.

And like many of their schoolmates, Nani, a senior, and Joe, a junior, kept walking and walking.

None of them could find their third period class.

Nani was looking for American Government.

Joe, German.

"A lot of people are lost," said teacher Linda Boone, standing outside her Spanish III class playing traffic cop. "The building isn't configured the way it was before."

Students weren't the only ones lost.

It took some teachers awhile to get the lay of the land before Monday, as well.

"I was lost for a long time, too," said Spanish teacher Jeanne Jordan.

Monday was her turn to play traffic cop, like Boone down the hall.

Jordan could spot lost students a mile away and then wave them over.

"If their eyes are big, then they don't know where they're going," she said.

Neither Nani nor Joe had big eyes, but were lost just the same.

Each traversed the Davis Building's sunlit foyer a couple of times trying to find that elusive classroom.

So, other than that, how did Nani like the sparkling new building?

"It's nice," he said. "I just wish I could find my class."

Joe liked the big skylight overhead, but was bamboozled about that German class's location.

"I don't have a clue," he said.

A heartfelt welcome home at airport

2011-08-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

It was raining when the private jet carrying Army Spc. 4 Patrick Lay's body taxied toward Rectrix Aviation at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Saturday.

"The angels are crying," someone said.

Little by little a crowd had gathered at the terminal's entrance off 15th Street East to welcome home a boy most of us probably didn't know. They parked their cars across the street up and down the block and hurried across under umbrellas.

Lay, who was killed in Afghanistan Aug. 11, was one of our own and that brought people to pay their respects to the 21-year-old Braden River High grad.

There were families with children and couples and older women with little American flags.

One family unfurled a big flag where the driveway intersects with the street.

There were also Patriot Guard Riders and the honor guard from American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24.

A high school JROTC unit, too.

Near 1:40 p.m., the somber procession bringing Lay and his family to Life Covenant Church off State Road 70 got started.

Everyone stood at attention, some covering their hearts, some saluting. Others wiped away tears.

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube's black SUV led the way, its lights flashing, followed by a motorcycle escort from MCSO and the Bradenton Police Department. Then came a series of limousines with family members and the hearse, followed by family friends in two other vehicles with flags.

The Patriot Guard Riders went after them.

The procession, emergency lights winking and flashing along 15 Street East, was on its way.

Slowly, the crowd dissipated, everyone lost in thought.

The rain had stopped.

Three most feared words: Back to School!

2011-08-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

So, I asked the child the other evening at McKechnie Field, are you looking forward to going back to school?

She nodded happily and gave me a smile that could’ve lit up the ol’ ballpark on Ninth Street West.

Sitting behind her, mama double-pumped a fist enthusiastically.

Hmmmmm.

With roughly 40,000 Manatee County public school students returning to classes Monday, I imagine there are umpteen thousand parents who share that exhiliration.

At least that many mothers anyway.

After being stuck with the kids for the last couple of months, they’ll be getting them out of their hair for several hours a day, five days a week until next May.

Yesss!!!

That's probably how my sainted mother felt about getting me out of the house and off to school at last every September.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

SEHS celebrates 50 years of Seminole football

2011-08-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Gina Fielding, an SCF student and Marauders concession supervisor, shows off a $1,000 Florida State League Scholarship awarded her by the Bradenton ballclub. That's Kris Koch, McKechnie Field's operations coordinator, and Marty the Marauder with her.

Southeast High is celebrating the program’s 50th anniversary and will honor a different decade of Seminole teams and fans at each home game.

The schedule is:

Game 1, Fort Myers, Aug. 26 — 1960s.

Game 2, Largo, Sept. 1 — 1970s.

Game 3, Sarasota, Sept. 23 — 1980s.

Game 4, DeSoto, Oct. 7 — 1990s.

Game 5, Palmetto, Nov. 4 — 2000s.

Former Seminoles should call AD/head coach Paul Maechtle at 741-3366, ext. 2013 or 920-0713.

Or email him at:

maechtlep@manateeschools.net.

My compliments to organist Bill Holt and harpist Cheryl Losey for their sublime performances during last Sunday’s funeral for Dr. Brian Murphy at Christ Episcopal Church.

Holt’s arrangement of Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” was a moving opening for the service, while Losey’s rendition of “Danny Boy” was a poignant tribute to the gone-too-soon Irishman.

Niece Lauren Pierce sent a cellphone photo of the digital temperature gauge in the family car while vacationing in Austin, Texas.

It read 120 degrees.

Manatee Children’s Services Country Night Oct. 1 fundraiser features a new VW Jetta raffle with proceeds going toward stopping child abuse and neglect.
Only 300 tickets are available and can be purchased by calling 345-1200 or going online at:
http://www.manateechildrensservices.com/.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

THIS IS NOT A BILL ... Riiiiight!

2011-08-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

DO NOT PAY. THIS IS NOT A BILL.

I always get a kick out of the all-caps message in the upper right hand corner of our annual notice of proposed property taxes.

Oh, no. I won't pay now, but, boy, I know I'll pay later.

Can't wait to see what happens to my monthly mortgage payments after all this comes out of escrow.

The assessed value on my home in Ware's Creek looks like it will be going down, again, but my local taxes --- city and county, school and sheriff --- look like they'll be going up, again.

Ah, yes. I won't be paying the non-bill now, but I will be paying it soon enough.

Can I get an Amen?

Caribbean cruise? When do we leave?

2011-08-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

Going on a Caribbean cruise isn't something we usually talk about now, not with us getting into the height of hurricane season, y'know?

But the notion of going on a cruise is something that definitely gets the juices going, even if we must wait until after Dec. 1.

Which was the topic of dinner conversation Saturday night for my wife and me and another couple.

They'd already been on several and swear by them as being the perfect vacation.

"Eat and sleep. Eat and sleep. Eat and sleep," is how my pal put it.

I had never been on a cruise until our honeymoon 16 months ago.

I didn't know what I'd been missing all those years.

I loved it.

We only did two islands to speak of --- St. Thomas and St. Maarten --- but it was enough to whet my appetite for next time.

Sherri and I talked Sunday about planning another one soon.

Well, my in-laws beat us to it.

We just found out they're going on an 11-day cruise during which they will visit, among other idyllic locales --- St. Barts, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Barbados --- just before Christmas.

Mmmmmmmmmm.

Can you say, envious?

Fallen soldier face of our community

2011-08-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

The images on the Facebook page could belong to any of the young men we hold dearest when they’re far from home.
Especially in a combat zone.
Making faces with his sister.
Getting a kiss from his fiancée.
Showing off a wild hog he’d bagged at night.
Patrick Lay was the boy next door.
A boy who grows up before you realize it to become a man.
A man who courageously puts himself in harm’s way for his country.
His county, too.
When word of the 2008 Braden River High School graduate’s death in Afghanistan hit us Friday, it conjured up the names of our six other fallen warriors, all Manatee County high school grads, who were killed in Iraq:
Christopher Cobb.
Scott Dougherty.
John L. Hartman Jr.
Paul Mardis Jr.
Christopher North.
Justin Schmidt.
They, too, were the boys next door.

Read more Saturday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com

Who needs gardeners when there are moose?

2011-08-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Aaron Lenox has some memorable first impressions of Anchorage, Alaska.

The Bradenton Christian and Furman University grad was there on business for a medical software company and was eating breakfast in his hotel when the building started shaking.

It was only a 3.0-plus earthquake.

Later, while working at Providence Alaska Medical Center, he spotted a pair of moose prance through the parking lot and begin dining on a hospital flower bed.

Aaron is the youngest of Ed and Joanne Dick’s eight children.

Elaine Tiberini, an administrative assistant in regional chancellor Arthur Guilford’s office at USF Sarasota-Manatee, is recovering from a double knee replacement.

Her co-workers miss her, say get fit and get back.

Florida Atlantic University senior Austin Jensen had withdrawal symptoms Wednesday watching the Owls' first full contact practice.

The ex-Manatee Hurricane all-state linebacker’s football career was cut short by a head injury he suffered from a 2010 car accident in which he was a passenger.

The ex-FAU safety wanted one more shot.

“If I could’ve, I would’ve borrowed somebody’s helmet and pads, hit somebody for just one play, then given back the gear and said, thank you," Austin said.

He gets his bachelors in exercise science in December and plans to pursue a masters in it, too.

The Philadelphian, a great sandwich shop run by the Charles McCullough family, closed its doors at 6086 14th St. W., but is supposed to reopen elsewhere.

Charlie, let us know!

Last and definitely not least, Julia and Brian Schultz were getting ready to leave a Biloxi, Miss., casino when they were told their return flight was delayed.

So the Bradenton couple got comped for their trouble.

Then Brian sat down at a slot machine and — bingo! — hit the jackpot.

How much?

Put it this way. In all the excitement, they almost missed the flight, but Brian didn’t care.

He’d won enough to easily spring for a couple of plane tickets home.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Familiar tune means ice cream man cometh

2011-08-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

The ice cream truck cruised through our subdivision Sunday afternoon about the usual time.

I couldn't tell whether any of our neighborhood kids were responding to its presence, but it always gets my attention.

Scott Joplin's wonderful piano rag, "The Entertainer," the catchy theme to "The Sting" is the ice cream truck's melody.

It reminds me of the ice cream guy we call "the Cappuccino Man" at Surf City, N.J.

There are a few other vendors who come to the beach near our rental on 25th Street, ring some sort of bells and draw a couple of customers.

Not the Cappuccino Man.

A burly 60ish guy who's a roofer the rest of the year, when he walks onto the beach he rings a big ol' firetruck's bell:

BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!!!

It sets off a cavalry charge of people running up the hot sand.

Adults included.

Like me.

It's a funny scene that plays out every day, a slice of summer vacation yearly.

A pleasant memory, for sure, once that returns every Sunday afternoon when I hear "The Sting" playing over and over in our subdivision.

I may have to check it out next time.

Get my wife some ice cream, too.

New Cadillac SUV for SCF? Bad idea

2011-08-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

Say I’m the president of the State College of Florida.

Enrollment is down.

Tuition is going up.

Ditto for fees and school expenses.

Beyond the campus, the local economy isn’t doing so well, either, what with 11 percent unemployment in the community the school is supposed to be serving.

Know something?

I’m thinking that including the school’s request for a new 2011 Cadillac Escalade SUV for executive use in the same budget that also contains the tuition hike is not a very good idea.

In fact, it is a very bad idea.

Maybe hanging onto the 2008 Lexus 400H with 73,000 miles would be the smart thing to do.

Show the community we’re being prudent with their tax dollars.

Evidently, that quaint notion never dawned on SCF president Lars Hafner or any of his minions within the administration who were aware of this outrageous proposal.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Wrestling coaches honor departed Hurricane

2011-08-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

Mike Kelly

The late, great Mike Kelly, who poured his heart and soul into Manatee Hurricane football and wrestling for 20 years, will be inducted Saturday into the Florida chapter of the National Association of Wrestling Coaches and honored with a “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” award at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort.
Kelly passed in June 2006. He was 56.
If you’d like join widow Belinda Kelly, son John and the folks going to Orlando for the ceremony, call MHS wrestling coach Andy Gugliemini at 720-0309.

Ashley Bower

Big ups to Ashley Bower, a Lakewood Ranch alum and 2009 USF secondary education grad who is bound for Columbia University where she’ll work toward a masters as a reading specialist.

Proud parents Debra and Vince will miss her.

Katie Hillman’s Southeast High Nolettes strutted their stuff at Univeral Dance Association camp at USF.
Led by UDA All-Americans Michelle Donato and Haley Parker, both co-captains, and Meg Rivera and Margaret Sanchez-Joynt, Nolettes Taylor Chesley, Cat Cropsey, Kenyetta McDonald, Neha Pathak and Nuri Salahuddin won superior trophies for home routine and routine evaluations, finished third overall and qualified for UDA nationals in February.

Bradenton’s Chris Perez, an American League All-Star reliever is on the cover of this week’s USA Today Sports Weekly, featuring the Cleveland Indians young bullpen. Perez converted 22 of his first 24 save opportunities this season and saved 32 of his last 34 going back to last season.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

Summer heat, humidity transplant's penance

2011-08-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

How are you holding up in this heat? a friend's email began.

Fine, I wrote back.

After 40 years living in Florida I've gotten used to our summer heat and humidity for the most part.

Doesn't mean I like it, but I am used to it.

You won't find me out in it very long, is all.

The only time that happens nowadays is when yours truly is doing yardwork.

Wore a broad-brimmed hat, a long sleeve shirt and drank plenty of water late last Sunday morning edging and trimming for a couple of hours before jumping into the pool.

Then I cut the grass Wednesday evening after dinner, took a long shower and I'm still sweating.

It's worth it, getting that chore out of the way, humidity or no.

Which reminds me of something a former colleague, a fellow Yankee transplant, once said about dealing with Florida summers in the proper frame of mind:

"This is our penance for not having to shovel snow."

Amen, brother. Amen.

Waiting, watching hurricane websites

2011-08-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

The waiting and watching has begun.

The hurricane watch, that is.

A tropical system begins stirring out yonder in the Atlantic Ocean and yours truly dials up the National Hurricane Center website and every other website I can find.

Every five minutes.

It started in earnest last Saturday and hasn't let up.

I can't help it.

What gets me is every time I've gone to the NHC website, the system is still a red circle without the proverbial "Cone of Death."

That includes Monday with the red circle creeping closer into the eastern Caribbean.

Having honeymooned down there 16 months ago, I think about those beautiful islands and their people whenever the words "Leeward Islands," are used in the tropical weather conversation.

Finally saw some "spaghetti models" that look like an octopus tentacles reaching out for the Florida peninsula.

The waiting and watching continues.

Sheriff's budget boost reasonable request

2011-07-30T04:14:00.000-07:00

Another 10 bucks a year?

If that’s what it costs Manatee County homeowners like us to maintain the reassuring presence of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, it’s a deal.

Friday’s 5-2 vote by the Manatee County Commission to tentatively approve another $2 million in funding for Sheriff Brad Steube to hire 20 additional deputies wasn’t what I’d call a slam dunk.

Not in a time or place where the words “tax increase” are political poison.

Our commissioners are politicians, afterall.

But when it comes to public safety, it’s not something you can affix to a dollar sign.

How could they not vote for the proposal when the numbers in the sheriff’s requested increase were so reasonable?

It’s less than $1 a month.

Read more in Sunday's Mannix About Manatee.

Irish eyes will smile on pastor's 70th

2011-07-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Pastor Joe Connolly will be celebrating his Big 7-0 in style.

The good padre at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is off to Ireland next week with a tour group for about 11 days.
Among the places they’ll visit are Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Killarney, Galway, Sligo, Derry and Belfast.

“It is NOT a party tour,” joked Father [Note] cq [/NOTE] Joe, whose ancestors came from County Cork, Galway and Tipperary.

Profootbballtalk.nbcsports.com posted an amusing item of interest for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and his family.

Although the long-anticipated trade to bring the Arizona Cardinals cornerback and Lakewood Ranch High grad to the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t happen until Thursday, the Eagles’ website included Rodgers-Cromartie’s name among its players jerseys for sale on Wednesday.
It was later taken down.

That wily ol’ stork is en route for Kelly and Mike Appalucci in Marlton, N.J.
Kelly, a Palmetto High alum and former DeSoto Queen, is expecting a boy.
First-time grands Dennis and Mary Stinson can hardly wait.
Condolences to 106.5CTQ’s Maverick Johnson, whose dad just passed from cancer. Outside of David Jones and Christina Crane, the popular Morning Crew at 107.9 WSRZ, there is no other radio personality who so strongly identifies with our community.

Condolences to 106.5CTQ’s Maverick Johnson, whose dad just passed from cancer. Outside of David Jones and Christina Crane, the popular Morning Crew at 107.9 WSRZ, there is no other radio personality who so strongly identifies with our community.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

How not to use your weed wacker

2011-07-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

My plan was to cut the lawn Wednesday evening before my wife got home, but rain scotched those good intentions.

Just as well.

After cutting the lawn after work a week ago, I'd spent a few hours in Saturday's brutal heat and humidity edging and weed wacking and trimming around the yard and that was an ordeal.

It didn't help that I almost took off my left ankle.

Well, it felt like it, anyway.

Our weed wacker is electric and I have to hook it up with an extension cord.

Which is what I was doing early in my chores Saturday.

I had the weed wacker near my feet, which should've been no big deal except I was wearing flip flops instead of the usual sneakers for yard work.

Bad move.

When I plugged the extension cord into the handle, I inadvertently tripped the trigger and the business end of the weed wacker started whipping at my left heel.

EEEEEYOUCH!!!

It was one of those moments where you're going --- did I just do what I think I did?

The blood was proof.

I limped into the house to administer first aid when my wife walked in and saw my ankle.

Don't ask, I said.

Talk about feeling stupid?

I still managed to get everything done, before calling it a day.

Cutting the grass can wait --- with my sneakers and socks on, for sure.

Bosox tickets suitable for framing, indeed

2011-07-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

The frame on the office wall contains a collage with a photo of Tim Connors, a pal and two tickets from Fenway Park.

Not just any tickets, understand.

Tickets to one of the 2007 ALCS games between the Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians.

How Connors got them is cool.

Wheelchair bound and battling cerebral palsy, the 34-year-old Boston native is the program and advocacy coordinator for the Suncoast Center for Independent Living in Sarasota.

The day of that particular game, Connors and a pal wondered if they could get tickets.

Of course, the game was sold out.

But Connors, who knows the nuances of the Americans with Disabilities Act, had an idea.

He'd handled football tickets and parking at Doak Campbell Stadium for fans with disabilities when he was got his masters in sports administration at FSU a couple of years before.

"It is sold out, but they have to keep some tickets for people with disabililties," Connors remembered telling his pal and fellow Bosox fan. "I did that at FSU."

So they went to Fenway, got the tickets and watched the Bosox who would eventually win the seven-game ALCS 4-3 en route to their 2007 World Series championship.

NFL lockout jeopardizing Sunday rest at our house

2011-07-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

Will Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie be wearing Philadelphia Eagles' midnight green?

Sunday is a day of rest at our house.

It’s what I believe, anyway.

My wife believes otherwise.

Somehow Saturday’s “Honey Do’s” always manage to spill over to the following day, as well.

Which is why I wish the NFL would settle its lockout once and for all and get this football season going.

There are other reasons, of course.

Like not having to look at Cowboy owner Jerry Jones’s stone face every five minutes on ESPN.

Or finding out which NFL team grabs ex-Bayshore Bruin Fabian Washington, a free agent cornerback.

Or seeing whether Lakewood Ranch High alum Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie gets traded to my Philadelphia Eagles.

After sporting sweet-looking Arizona Cardinal jerseys the last three years, his family could be rocking the cornerback’s No. 29 in midnight green.

Me, too.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee.

A lament over passing of a mentor

2011-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

When I moved here 13 years ago, two women made it a point to tell me about Bradenton.
One was Rona Livingston.
Along with best friend and fellow MHS Drill Teamer Helen Eason, Rona educated me about their hometown’s culture and character — its characters, too — and caring nature as a community.
Just days after celebrating her 76th birthday, Rona passed on July 10 and I feel her family’s loss.
I am indebted to Rona Livingston.

Uh, oh! City of Bradenton Fire Chief Chuck Edwards is one year shy of the Big 5-0!

Big ups to sisters Lindsay and Ashley Lane.

Lindsay graduated from Alabama-Birmingham with a masters in public health. Ashley graduated with a bachelors in design and management from Parsons New School of Design in New York.

Their folks Vicki and Pat Cunningham and Bob Lane are proud — and happy to finally have them both out of school!

Northwest Baptist Church hosts Christmas in July for 16 homeless children from Bradenton’s Salvation Army family shelter at 11 a.m. July 31. Clothing, school supplies and toiletries are needed.

Call Sylvia Hafling at 761-2832.

Gillian Palino will have some great stories to share with classmates when school resumes for the Southeast IB sophomore.

She spent 20 days this summer as a student ambassador with the People to People in Europe program. Among the places she visited were the Roman Coliseum, Vatican City and Venice, the Konzerhaus Concert Hall in Vienna, as well as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Read more in Vin's People at Bradenton.com.

What will Acosta do with his life?

2011-07-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

What does John Acosta do now?

That's a question on a lot of minds after the 27-year-old's release from prison Sunday.

Acosta was incarcerated for manslaughter, the tragic result of an after-school fight on Oct. 18, 2001 during which fellow Manatee High student James Brier died from a blow that ruptured an artery in the back of his neck.

A decade has gone by, yet feelings remain strong in the community about what happened that awful day, as is evident in today's story by Richard Dymond.

Brier, 16, was well thought of by classmates.

Acosta, 17, had a reputation in school as a bully.

Regardless, no one could have foreseen the fight turning deadly.

One young life ended.

The other, changed in a severe way.

Acosta served more than eight years --- eight years he will never get back.

He went to prison a teenager and came out as an adult.

Hopefully, a wiser one.

Ware's Creek brimming with silt, surprises

2011-07-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

This Ware’s Creek dredging project just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?

Governments have risen and fallen, civilizations have arrived and vanished and wars have been fought and lost in the time it’s taken to close this deal and start digging.

It was going to start in June.

Now it’s August.

Or September.

Then there are some minor details that have come to light of late.

Like finding out that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will only be dredging 37,000 cubic yards of mud, silt and who knows whatever else that has clogged Ware’s Creek for years and years.

It’s not remotely close to what Manatee County government officials had anticipated.

Try 200,000 cubic yards.

That’s a difference of almost 160,000 cubic yards of slop.

You know the old expression: Close enough for government work?

Don’t think that’s going to fly here.

Read more in Sunday's Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

'Twas old home week at SAL All-Star game

2011-06-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Michael Ohlman and J.R. Murphy, AAU teammates a decade ago ...

... and as SAL All-Stars on June 21

It must’ve been like old times for a couple of Bradenton kids on the first day of summer.

Boyhood pals J.R. Murphy and Michael Ohlman caught in the Class-A South Atlantic League All-Star game June 21 in Salisbury, Md.

J.R., who represented the Yankees’ Charleston RiverDogs, caught for the South.

Michael, with the Orioles’ Delmarva Shorebirds, caught for the North.

Both had baseball scholarships to Miami, but went pro after the 2009 draft in which J.R. was a second-round pick and Michael, an 11th-rounder.

The Yankees have since promoted J.R. to their FSL ballclub in Tampa.

Good to hear Brian Schultz’s voice, literally.

His vocal chords were affected by neck surgery and he couldn’t talk for months.

He's good now.

“He hasn’t shut up for three days,” wife Julia joked.

Singer and pianist Eli Mattson, the runnerup in season three’s America’s Got Talent, will be busy Saturday night at McKechnie Field. He’ll sing our national anthem pregame, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch and perform a post-game concert.

Good luck to father-and-son partners Patrick J. and Patrick S. George and their crew at the new Jersey Mike’s, 4020 14th St. W. They are Garret Barth, Anthony Catlett, Tiffany Curtiss, Aaron Gilbert, Don Johnson, Michele Lakey, Mark Mallioux, Chris Martin, Jenny Sutton, Jose Torres, Grey Tinkham, Colson Vautrinot, Daphne VonCannon and Shai Williams.

Read more in Friday's Vin's People on Bradenton.com.

A passing recalls celebration for all underdogs

2011-06-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Do you remember where you were the April night in 1983 when N.C. State shocked Houston for the NCAA men's basketball championship?

Lorenzo Charles' tragic death Monday behind the wheel of a charter bus in Raleigh, N.C., brings that historic game and night to mind. He was just 47.

It was Charles who dunked teammate Dereck Whittenburg's desperation shot at the buzzer for an improbable 54-52 upset victory, one of the greatest in the annals of the national championship game.

I was 33 and sports editor of the Boca Raton News.

Along with three friends, who knew more about basketball than I ever will, we watched the game at Tip's Tavern, a favorite neighborhood joint in old Boca with pool tables, a couple of TVs and a great jukebox.

It's long gone now.

Not the memories, though.

What I remember so fondly was how crazy we were with joy and laughter at the game's incredible ending.

It was so uplifting for anyone anywhere who believes in and roots for the underdog.

That's what N.C. State's iconic coach, Jim Valvano, who died in April 1993, did for us.

That's what Lorenzo Charles did for us that night, too.

We will never forget them. Or that magical night.

Ban against horses on Causeway? Get a grip!

2011-06-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Step right up, folks. Step right up.

You know that battle brewing over the City of Bradenton’s proposed ban of horses on the Palma Sola Causeway?

Well, we’ve got a product that will take care of all those horses’ behinds.

It’s called the Bun-Bag™.

That’s right.

Made in beautiful Sagle, Idaho, these horse diapers are smaller than most manure catchers, easy to attach and will do the job during fairs, parades, carnivals and circuses.

Bradenton City Council meetings, too.

The manure can get pretty deep in those august chambers.

It did last Wednesday.

Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Presidential helicopter detail brings perks

2011-06-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

Lance Cpl. John Scheiding salutes President George W. Bush and First Lady
Laura Bush after they exited helicopter Marine 1 a few years ago.

Serving on the ceremonial guard with the presidential helicopter, Marine 1, has some nice perks.
Ask Manatee High alum John Scheiding.
During four years on that detail with Presidents Bush and Obama, the 23-year-old Marine got to see most of the world.
Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Norway and South Korea were among John’s stopovers, sometimes two or three times.
His favorites?

Egypt and Ireland.

Lt. Dana Tindall

Oh, no! Say it ain’t so! The one and only Lt. Dana Tindall of the City of Bradenton Fire Department is about to hit the Big 5-0! Monday’s the day.

Bill Edwards brags on daughter Krista.

The 14-year-old received Lee Middle’s Female Athlete of the Year Award at the school’s sports assembly. Krista followed that up being recognized by the National Junior Honor Society, as well as receiving the Student Council Award, Citizenship Award, Presidential Academic Excellence Award and being named Outstanding Female of the Year.

Small world? My wife Sherri and I went to her class reunion at Groveport Madison High just outside Columbus, Ohio, and who should be there but classmate Rickie Fraley Kerns, a Bradenton resident for 22 years.

Sonny and Velma Jaudon will be celebrating more than just our nation’s independence on July 4 with 41 family members.

It’s also their 69th anniversary.

The Phyllis Marotta Benefit is noon-7 p.m. Saturday at Firkin & Fox, 2505 Manatee Ave. E. A popular waitress there, Phyllis is battling cancer and has no health insurance.

Call 748-7694.

Read more Friday in Vin's People at Bradenton.com.

Long weekend at Little Leaguers' hotel

2011-06-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

I love Little Leaguers.

Just not at 2 a.m.

Allow me to explain.

Sherri and I were in Groveport, Ohio --- a Columbus suburb --- for her high school reunion and we stayed at the same Holiday Inn Express we've used every visit.

It's never, ever crowded.

Boy, was it ever last weekend.

We found that when we checked in Thursday afternoon and the place was a madhouse.

Evidently, there was a 40-team tournament going on in the neighborhood and for the next three days it seemed like all 40 teams were staying at that Holiday Inn Express.

Kids were running around, up and down the hallways, carrying on.

We didn't have a problem with that we were out.

It was when the stampeding continued after 10 p.m. --- Thursday, Friday and Saturday --- and sounded like the roof was going to cave in on us any second.

Where were their parents?

Camped out in the parking lot, partying through 2 a.m.

Some of their kids were out there, too.

One of the reasons we like this hotel is the free full breakfast, but starting our day with a nice cup of coffee and relaxing over eggs and bacon was out.

It was chaos.

So we went to the Bob Evans next door.

Come Sunday, all the teams had checked out, so the hotel seemed normal again, thank goodness.

Even the hotel staff rejoiced at the peace and quiet.

A full house had been good for business, but it wasn't good for the rest of the hotel's paying customers.

Think we'll look for another place to stay next trip.

High school reunions cool for most people

2011-06-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

My wife and I are doing something this weekend I've never done myself.

We're going to her high school reunion outside Columbus, Ohio.

Sherri actually graduated from Bayshore High when her family moved to Bradenton after her sophomore year at Groveport-Madison High.

That's where she grew up and those bonds remain strong.

Me?

I graduated in 1967 from DePaul High in Wayne, N.J. , enjoyed my time there and dug my classmates.

But I haven't been back to any reunions.

Why not?

I choose to remember us as we were in those days of innocence.

Hanging out at the Milk Barn in Pompton Lakes, N.J., after football games, guys in their letterman's jackets, jeans and button down shirts and penny loafers; the girls in their sweaters, skirts and up-dos.

Drinking? That didn't happen until college, at least with my friends.

Dope? Nobody knew what that was then.

Maybe we were a tad naive, but they were good times.

Hitchhiking wherever we had to go.

Few of us had cars. I didn't.

Going down to the Jersey Shore was like a trip to California --- a journey that brought genuine excitement, because we didn't get to go that often in North Jersey where we lived.

Point Pleasant. Seaside Heights.

Those were the days.

I think of them whenever I hear certain tunes, especially something R&B.

They always trigger fond memories, which is the way I want to keep them.

We're forever young.

A light saber for Dad on Father's Day?

2011-06-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

What to get Dad for Father's Day?
Ties, socks and gift cards to Home Depot may seem like more of the same old thing.

If so, it's time to shake things up a little and give Pop a present that will really get his attention.

Like a Star Wars Lightsaber.

Say what?

Or a Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer.

For real?

Beezid.com says so. It's a penny auction site with some gift ideas that are definitely "out of the box" and are available, according to Beezid.com, for 75% or more off retail price.

To wit:

Cobra 14-Band Radar/Laser Detector --- Dad likes to step on it while driving, he'll find handy this apparatus with 360-degree detection and Spectre I to provide immunity from radar detector-detectors.

Drift X170 Action Camera --- Attach this wireless remote controlled camera to a helmet, goggles or handlebars and get photos and videos of all your extreme fun.

Fishing Rod with an Underwater Video Camera --- For the fishing dad who has everything else in his tackle box and boat, an underwater video camera transmits all the underwater action to a full motion LCD screen on the fishing rod.

Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer --- Ultraviolet light kills bacteria on the toothbrush, ensuring that your toothbrush is clean everytime you brush.

Star Wars Lightsaber --- Assuming Pop is hip to all things Star Wars, this is a realistic looking light saber with motion sensor-controlled sound effects just like in the Jedi Knights used in the hit movie series.

May the Force be with Dad. And you.

Sandpile destination: Hard Rock Bradenton?

2011-06-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

What next for the Sandpile?

After Bradenton’s city council threw a 5-0 shutout at attorney Ed Vogler’s unimpressive plan for a three-story apartment complex last Wednesday, it better be something that knocks their socks off.

Something that attracts restaurants and retail.

Something that brings people downtown.

Something that really and truly rocks.

I’ve got just the thing.

What about — ta dah! — a casino?

Read more in Sunday's Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.

Palmetto High alum now West Point grad

2011-06-09T15:59:00.000-07:00

A big salute to 2nd Lt. David Harley Matthews Jr., who just graduated from West Point. The PHS alum and former Tiger distance runner will report to Fort Stewart, Ga., the largest military installation in the eastern U.S., for training.

His proud parents are Charlotte and David.

That’s 15 years of wedded bliss for MCSO detective Darryl Davis and his lovely wife, Ratavia.

Zack Wilkinson was named outstanding BCS senior at graduation and is bound for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

Big ups from parents Drs. Tom and Suzanne Wilkinson and siblings Josh, Tim and Jenny.

The Lakewood Ranch Longhorns 12-Under baseball team is going to Cooperstown, N.Y., to play in the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament June 11-17.

The players are Andrew Csubak, Anthony DiMare, Nick DiMare, Matty Intihar, Seth Katzenberger, Seth Miller, Collin Moore, George Prince, Orlando Ruiz, Jakeub Scheid, Brock Sisson and Jake Starck.

John W. James, former department chair of fine arts at MCC, was recognized by the SCF president’s council on service and civic participation for his volunteer service to the college and community.

After six years finishing out of the money, Holmes Beach Police Chief Jay Romine took home the winner’s cup at the 14th Annual Beech Mountain Invitational Golf Tournament at beautiful Beech Mountain, N.C. Paul Riesterer, Ken Apple and Jim Simpson finished 2-3-4, respectively.

Read more in Friday's Vin's People on Bradenton.com.