bserver O EAST COUNTY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Health Matters Observer
EAST COUNTY
DECEMBER 2013
SPORTS
Siegel sisters take the tennis courts by storm. PAGE 15A
OUR TOWN
The gift of
HEALTH
Local experts offer suggestions to help you maintain optimal health while tackling a hectic schedule and too many to-do’s this season. PAGE 2
HOLIDAY HELPERS: Many holiday favorites have medical uses, as well. PAGE 4
PICTURE OF HEALTH:
Business coach Marc Simms began coaching himself two years ago — in the area of wellness.
PAGE 6
FLORIDA FRESH: East County offers several farms where you can pick produce yourself. PAGE 9
HEALTH MATTERS
VIVA ITALIA! East County celebrates Christmas story. PAGE 1B
Give the ‘Gift of Health.’ INSIDE
money matters by Josh Siegel | Staff Writer
State report threatens school district recovery The Manatee County School District could see as much as a $7.2 million reduction in its general fund balance as a consequence of a report from the state’s Auditor General’s Office.
Courtesy photo
Diane Shaw, Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club program chairwoman, poses with ice sculptures.
+ Icy affair Members and guests of the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club ventured Dec. 4 to Orlando, to view holiday decorations at the Grand Floridian and to have lunch at Downtown Disney. They also stopped to see the famous ice sculptures at the Gaylord Palms, in Orlando, along the way.
EAST COUNTY — A preliminary report from the state’s Auditor General’s Office determined the Manatee County School District misused funds and lacked controls during the 201213 school year — findings that
threaten the district’s financial stability in the future. The report says the misuse of funds and other mistakes could cost the district $7.2 million from its general fund balance, biting into the $10.3 million the
administration is trying to save to meet state-mandated reserves. The district has not met minimum reserves — equal to 3% of its fund balance — for three straight years.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the auditor general to remediate many of the re-
SEE BUDGET / PAGE 8A
CAROLING CUTIE
Photo by Nan Miller
Art Association of PalmAire co-presidents Sara Masciopinto and Mary Beth Grey enjoy the luncheon.
+ Tall tales The Play Readers of the Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild were in fine form as they entertained at the Art Association of Palm-Aire’s opening winter luncheon with “Fractured Fairy Tales.” Zany social-commentary versions of Grimm’s tales — What if Chicken Little was less concerned with the sky falling than with whom to sue? What if the Big Bad Wolf was a nasty businessman trying to put three honest competitors out of business? And, what if Red Riding Hood was a resourceful animal lover who didn’t need the Woodsman to save her and Grandma from the wolf? — kept the audience laughing and served as a prelude to lunch.
SEE OUR TOWN / PAGE 14A
Pam Eubanks
Olivia Morrissey enjoys singing during the Tabernacle Christian School’s “iHope Christmas” musical Dec. 7. For more photos, see page 7B.
DEVELOPMENT
by Josh Siegel | Staff Writer
Benderson Park continues transformation While the park constructs facilities to host a multitude of sporting events, officials work to make it a hub for locals’ recreational activity as well.
EAST COUNTY — As Nathan Benderson Park readies to become a world-class venue, officials are also working to make it
fit for people at home. Construction on the west side of the park — and its five “pocket parks” — is ongoing.
The original plan for this now-closed portion of the park, dubbed phase two of the overall project, calls for separate orna-
mental, water and butterfly gardens, a playground and a fitness center. Carolyn Brown, director of Sarasota’s Parks and Recreation department, says the west side of
SEE PARK / PAGE 2A
INDEX Calendar............ 12A Classifieds ........ 15B
Cops Corner....... 11A Crossword.......... 14B
Neighborhood...... 1B Real Estate........ 12B
Sports................ 15A Weather............. 14B
Vol. 14, No. 36 | Two sections YourObserver.com