Community News - Manatee Spotlight July 3, 2011

Manatee Sarasota Siera Club Hosts Successfull Camping Trip for Inner City Youth

Manatee Sarasota Siera Club campers.

The Manatee Sarasota Sierra Group's chair for Inner City Outings conducted a successful  overnight camping adventure at Oscar Scherer Park. Eleven 4th- and 5th-graders from Rogers Garden Elementary School experienced a guided tour of the interpretive center,  making colorful fish prints on T-shirts, they donned bathing suits and swam in the lake.

After dinner was served and s’mores toasted over a campfire,  the campers took a short, moonlit hike, searching for a bobcat they were sure was nearby. 

Sunday morning found our intrepid nature-lovers pulling invasive rosary pea vines as part of a service project. In the afternoon they went canoeing and hiking the nature loop trail.

These enriching experiences help inner-city children develop a greater awareness of and caring for the precious world of nature they seldom get to see. 

On a later date, again  eleven 4th- and 5th- graders from Rogers Garden Elementary School with a day of sailing on Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton. This exercise was the culmination of a four-part learn-to-sail class, entailing three classroom sessions and one hands-on sailing experience. Each budding sailor was paired with an experienced sailing teacher and set out to test his/her skills, becoming ”one with the wind and water“ in a small sailboat. The kids loved skimming across the waves and learning about the fantastic marine life. 

The Sierra Group thanks ICO chair Pam Luerson who has stepped down from her position after many years of dedication to the Inner City Children's project. She will be missed.

Cedar Hammock Fire Control District Honored

Fire Marshal Jeff Hoyle, Division Chief Dan Center, Fire Commissioner Steve Litschauer, Fire Chief Randy Stulce and Florida Association of Special District’s President Clete Saunier.

Cedar Hammock Fire Control District was honored on June 16, 2011, as the  ”2011 District of the Year“ at the annual conference of the Florida Association of Special District’s awards banquet.  This award is presented to a District which works in a team effort to achieve and surpass all priority goals while staying within budget guidelines, and meeting and/or exceeding expectations.

There are over 1500 special Districts in the state which provide limited purpose government on a local level.  Fire Control, Library, Port and Inlet, Mosquito, Water Control, Community Development, Roads, Hospitals, and other districts all provide unique services, but all with the same need to be accountable and accessible to the citizens they serve. Cedar Hammock’s Fire Commissioners, Chief Stulce and his personnel are proud and honored to receive the 2011 District of the Year award.

In addition to the District award, Fire Commissioner and Board Chairman, Stephen Litschauer was announced as the 2011 District Board Member of the Year.  He also completed and received his certification as a Certified District Official and Fire Marshal Jeff Hoyle completed and received his certification as a Certified District Manager.

Community Bank to host Job Fair with 25 open positions

• Branch Tellers, Personal Bankers and Managers – Candidates who are consumer bank product & services oriented and experienced in providing first class customer service will be great additions to our team.

• Commercial Relationship Managers – If you are the best in your field and own the market – but want a better platform – then come talk to us.
• SBA Lenders – If you have extensive 7a and 504 knowledge and experience - then please apply.
• Credit Underwriters – Experienced commercial and residential underwriters with spreadsheet analysis and residential compliance experience and who have a ”can-do“ productivity oriented philosophy are encouraged to apply.
• Information Technology Experts – Experienced network engineers and hands-on help-desk professionals are encouraged to apply.
• Accounting Professionals – Looking for a Jr. CPA candidate (CPA certification required).  Banking experience a plus! 
• Facilities Management Technicians – One position available in this department for an experienced, trades person.  Electrical and A/C skills desired.  

Community Bank will recruit, hire, train, and promote employees in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, handicap, genetic information, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, ancestry or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.  Community Bank operates a drug free workplace and employs only non-smokers.

The Hernando de Soto Historical Society Fishing Tournament

The Hernando de Soto Historical Society will kick off its 15th Annual Fishing Tournament, Presented by Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar at Manatee Landings Marina will be held on July 8– 10, 2011.On Friday, July 8 at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 Snead Island Road, Palmetto, registration begins at 5:30 pm followed by the captain's meeting at 6:30 pm. The public is invited to join in on the weekend fun! Weigh In and Auction is Sunday beginning at 11 am. Come see what the angler's catch and who brought back the "big one" with over $25,000 in cash and prizes being awarded! For more Information call 747-1998.

Children's Activities at Ag Museum & Palmetto Historical Park

Bring your children by to enjoy the Junior Ag Spots and the Pint-size Pioneer Spots at the Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park. While visiting, children can use the Farm Flannel Board, sit a spell in the Summer Reading Corner, watch a movie, play dress up, mail a letter in the historic post office, challenge themselves with a "What is it?" activity, and more. It's the perfect solution for a child who is bored during a summer afternoon!

Admission is free. The museum and park are located at 515 10th Ave. West, Palmetto. Operating hours are Tuesday through Friday and the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. For more information call 723-4991 or 721-2034.