Story by Nancy Guenther Chapman on September 8th, 2010 at 6:29 pm

Brazilian Peppers surround one of the few pieces of evidence that there was ever a golf course on the corner of Gasparilla Pines Boulevard and Placida Road. The Lemon Bay Conservancy plans to turn the 80-acre property into a park.
The speculation and the waiting are over — the former Wildflower Golf Course is now the property of the Lemon Bay Conservancy.
The Conservancy’s president, Jim Cooper, and vice-president, Jim Wade, signed the closing documents Wednesday, finalizing the purchase of the 80-acre parcel along Placida Road in Cape Haze, according to a press release.
The purchase price is approximately $750,000. The Conservancy has gone into debt to buy the land.
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Story by Nancy Guenther Chapman on September 8th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
The Building and Growth Management Department will be holding a public informational meeting on the proposed rezoning of Weston’s Resort of Manasota Key at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13 at the Tringali Recreation Center, 3460 North Access Road. Representatives from Harmonie Development Group, LLC will be discussing future plans for the continued use of the property as a resort and answering questions.
For more information contact Roxann Read at roxann.read@charlottefl.com or 941.764.4928.
Story by Nancy Guenther Chapman on September 8th, 2010 at 3:51 pm

The Lemon Bay Playhouse is offering “a playful introduction to performing” with creative drama classes.
Submitted by Mary Ellen Seyle, Lemon Bay Playhouse
The Lemon Bay Playhouse is offering a children’s theatre workshop on Saturdays from Oct. 2 through Oct. 23. The grand finale will be a showcase performance by the new thespians for their family and friends on Sunday, Oct. 24.
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Story by Mark Chapman on September 8th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Submitted by Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center
The International Coastal Clean Up is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. Interested individuals and groups are encouraged to participate in this annual event at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road.
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Story by Nancy Guenther Chapman on September 8th, 2010 at 1:09 am

Children collect candy at last year’s Safewalk.
Two things were on the agenda at last night’s meeting of the Old Englewood Village Association.
Elaine Miller and Dawn Kennedy wanted to stretch the hours of the annual Halloween Safe Walk by adding a costume contest before it starts. Janet Landis wanted to discuss the arrangements of the Winter Arts Festival, which OEVA has taken over from the Englewood Rotary Club.
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Story by Nancy Guenther Chapman on September 7th, 2010 at 11:16 pm,
with photos by Photos by Nancy Guenther Chapman unless noted otherwise.

Suzanne Park, left, leads the Bit of Hope Horse Ranch in Monday’s Pioneer Days parade. Behind her is Alex Schlapman, 11, on Mercy. Alex spends as much time as she can at the ranch.
The children from the Bit of Hope Ranch looked happy during Monday’s Pioneer Days parade, but they have something on their minds now.
Mercy, one of their beloved horses, is having surgery at noon today.
“All of our kids are very upset, saying their prayers and things like that,” said Sherri Obirek, one of the volunteers who helps Suzanne Park keep her non-profit ranch going.
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Story by Mark Chapman on September 7th, 2010 at 8:58 pm,
with photos by courtsey SCSO

Security camera photo of the suspected South Venice bank robber.
Submitted by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a bank robbery that occurred in Venice at the Wachovia Bank, 1301 S. U.S. 41 Bypass, just before 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The suspect implied he had a weapon, but none was seen. He is described as a white man, 40 to 50 years old, 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, with salt and pepper hair and a scruffy beard. The suspect was last seen wearing a camouflage baseball cap, red and white checkered flannel shirt and tan pants.
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