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EAST COUNTY
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Thursday, october 20, 2011
SPORTS
SCHOOLS
East County ODA’s big tips pink drink O’s turn up to cancer care. the heat.
Willis hosts Grandparents Lunch event.
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tail waggin’ By Pam Eubanks | News Editor beauty and the feet
County adopts no-kill policy Manatee County has become the first county in the state to adopt a no-kill animal policy. The plan focuses on owner retention, adoption and spay/neutering programs.
+ Sisters donate to Locks of Love East County sisters Lauren and Madleen Kvederis Oct. 8 each donated more than a foot of hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that makes hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering from longterm medical hair loss. Six-year-old Madleen, a student at Braden River Elementary School, gave her hair for the first time; her 12-year-old sister, Lauren, a student at Braden River Middle School, contributed for the second time. “It’s fun helping people who actually need it,” said Lauren, who last donated hair five years ago. “If I had cancer, I would want somebody to donate their hair.”
EAST COUNTY — With no additional funding and the potential for cutting costs, Manatee County commissioners have embraced a resolution and action plan for converting the county to a no-kill community for animals. The plan already is gaining national attention, winning praise
from local animal advocates as well as inquiries from a rescue group in Georgia that hopes its local officials will adopt a similar ordinance. Additionally, a Kentucky couple has proposed that a local museum feature 5,500 paintings of euthanized dogs. “The exciting part is getting
everybody energized,” said Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who has championed the cause for the past four years. “It’s overwhelming. I’m having people every day congratulating me. It’s taken us three years to get this far. It’s not
SEE NO-KILL / PAGE 8
making strides
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
East County rallies against breast cancer The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be held Oct. 22, at the Sarasota Polo Club.
EDUCATION
since the school opened its science lab, garden and greenhouse this school year. Students, faculty and staff at McNeal Oct. 13 celebrated a ribbon cutting for the lab and
SARASOTA — After her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 31 years of age, East County resident Pete Roberton knew she’d be next. And even after having several non-malignant lumps removed over the years, Roberton still wasn’t quite prepared for the emotional and physical turmoil she experienced after finding her own Stage 2 breast cancer nearly seven years ago, then undergoing a mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery. “For the first nine months of my diagnosis, I didn’t want to have anything to do with (services for breast cancer patients),” Roberton said, noting her daughters brought her information about classes and other services provided by the American Cancer Society. “But then, I went to an (American Cancer Society) meeting with (my daughter); I didn’t look back.”
SEE GARDEN / PAGE 9
SEE STRIDES / PAGE 9
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor Pam Eubanks
McNeal Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Doris Byal’s class gathered Oct. 13 for a picture in front of the school’s new science lab.
+ Cardinal Mooney students raise funds Students from Cardinal Mooney High School’s Key Club gathered Oct. 1 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Light The Night Walk at Ken Thompson Park in Sarasota. A total of 110 Cardinal Mooney students participated in the event to celebrate the lives of students and relatives who had died with the disease. The group raised $1,605 for cancer research.
Pam Eubanks
Abby, a sheppard mix, is one of several dogs available for adoption at Honor Animal Rescue.
McNeal Elementary opens new science lab, greenhouse Teachers will use the facilty to educate students about science. LAKEWOOD RANCH — Upon entering the garden at McNeal Elementary School, first-grader Gabriella Nieves steps toward a mass of green leaves and vines and smiles. Small yellow flowers dot the greenery, but Gabriella squats
down and gingerly lifts the plant at a familiar spot. “Look, it’s a pumpkin,” she says, pointing to a bead-sized fruit. Gabriella and other students at McNeal Elementary are excited about learning, especially
INDEX Briefs......................4 Calendar...............20
Classifieds ...........29 Cops Corner............5
Crossword.............28 Opinion...................6
Sports...................23 Weather................28
Vol. 12, No. 42 | One section YourObserver.com