Manatee Movers and Shakers, 10/11/12

Local Rodeo Association Fights Breast Cancer in a "Tuff‟ way

On October 20th, 2012, the Circle S Rodeo arena in Myakka City will host another monthly rodeo. However, this rodeo will be a little more “Gator Tuf” than usual. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Gator Tuf sanctioned rodeo association, started and based in Myakka City, will hold its “Tough Enough for Pink?” rodeo this Saturday with the mission to raise money for the fight against cancer. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the American Cancer Society.

Circle S Rodeo is an avid supporter of the community. Every year, the association participates in “Relay for Life”, and believes that giving back is one of the best things a business can do. “We appreciate our fans, and the people of this community. We want to give our audience the gift of one of the toughest sports on the planet with some talented bulls and individuals, while giving back at the same time. It‟s the least we can do.” Vic Scarbrough, a Myakka native, has been passionate about this family-oriented rodeo from the minute the idea was conceived back in 2007.

At Circle S, the name of the game is Rodeo. Some of the best cowboys come out and try their luck at riding some of the rankest bulls in the business. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 through 12 while kids 5 and under are free. The gates open at 5pm. Parking is always free and there are food vendors waiting to serve up a great meal. The youth bull riding starts at 6pm, and the professional bull riding begins at 7pm. There will also be a costume contest this month for children ages 13 and under.

SBEP Bay Guardians Plant Thousands Of Native Plants At Perico Preserve

A group of 38 volunteers with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) Bay Guardians planted thousands of Florida native plants at Perico Preserve on Saturday. Manatee County Natural Resources and Around the Bend Nature Tours supported the morning project. SBEP provided a picnic lunch and some of the volunteers included students from Martha B. King Middle School in Bradenton. The plants, including cord grass, buttonwoods and sea grapes, were donated by the Florida Wildlife Commission and the Southeast Littoral Society.

Perico Preserve is the newest preserve in Manatee County located across Perico Bayou from Robinson Preserve. The 176-acre property was originally farmland and the extensive mangrove fringe is currently undergoing restoration to become another natural habitat within Manatee County’s coastal preserve system. Plans include the construction of a lagoon to support seagrass growth and a bird rookery island. During construction, public access is only permitted through sneak peek tours hosted by Manatee County Natural Resources or volunteer workdays.

The outing to Perico Preserve is the fifth Bay Guardian volunteer outing this year in Manatee and Sarasota County. Prior outings were held at North Lido Beach Park, Emerson Point Preserve, North Water Tower Park, and Quick Point Preserve on Longboat Key. Many of the local parks and preserves are visited annually by the Bay Guardians to build on prior efforts. Most of the projects focus on planting Florida native plants and removing exotic plants or trash and debris.

The Sarasota Bay Guardians is a family-friendly program that SBEP manages in partnership with Around the Bend Nature Tours. New volunteers receive a blue tee shirt featuring the Bay Guardians logo. Each outing features environmental education and a picnic lunch. Join the Bay Guardians for a single project or as an ongoing commitment. Local school, scout and church groups interested in volunteering can contact Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.

Manatee Habitat Blitz Build Engages Local Women

Manatee County Habitat for Humanity will host a “Blitz Build” to construct the walls of a new Habitat home on Thursday, October 11^th- Saturday, October 13^th.  During the “Blitz Build” women are invited to volunteer their time to help in the first phase of the construction of a 4-bedroom “green” home.   No experience is necessary and Habitat construction staff will be on hand to provide instructions.  Volunteers can sign up to work a 3 hour shift from 7:30am-10:30am or 11:00am – 2:00pm on any day during the Blitz by calling Habitat Volunteer Coordinator at 941-748-9100 ext 104.

This event “kicks-off” the 2012-13 Manatee Habitat Women Build project designed to engage local women in efforts to actively address the needs of children and families living in substandard and poverty living condition.  “More than 12 million children-one in every six- live in poverty in the United States alone, says Lisa Marie Nickerson, associate director of Habitat for Humanity International Women’s Build program.  Manatee Habitat’s is literally putting the tools into the women’s hands that enable us to move families out of poverty one house at a time”

The Habitat Women Build project is underwritten by Lowes who will also provide a series of workshops to assist women in learning the skills of construction. Funds are being raised locally to purchase the materials to construct the home.  Sponsors of the Women Build home include New Village Church and the Arnold Simonsen Foundation, Manatee Women Build Founders Club and friends of Habitat.

 A Women Build fundraiser “Blues, Blue jeans and BBQ” is scheduled for Saturday, October 27^th from 5-8pm.  For more information on the Manatee Habitat Women Build visit www.tinyurl.com/manateewomenbuild or call 748-9100 ext 107.

SouthTech Continues Local Hiring - Ben Doherty and Matt Engel

SouthTech, an IT services firm that has delivered and supported infrastructure and business management solutions throughout Florida since 1994, is proud to announce the addition of Ben Doherty and Matt Engel to the SouthTech Team.

Ben Doherty has joined SouthTech as a Business Development Associate responsible for inside sales activity and lead generation. “His performance as an intern has been stellar and contributed to successful marketing campaigns” stated Paul Hoffman, president of SouthTech. Ben graduated from the University of Florida, the Warrington College of Business, with a degree in Business Management. He is also the incoming president of the Kiwanis Club of South Sarasota and supports being involved with charitable organizations and giving back to the Sarasota community.

Matt Engel has joined SouthTech as a Systems Support Specialist and will continue assisting clients on SouthTech’s Help Desk, as well as account technical support and projects. “As an intern, Matt brought great energy, a desire to learn, and a strong technology aptitude. As an employee, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to the team” stated Tom Frank, Director of Operations for SouthTech.  Matt is graduating from ITT in December, 2012 with an Associate of Science degree in Computer Networking Systems.

Your Art in Pride Park - Pictures of Harllee Mural Progress!