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Articles by Colleen Thayer
Put a Traditional Spin on Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate Mexican culture with pork stew and cinnamon sweets
(Family Features) Whether Cinco de Mayo means an opportunity to celebrate your family’s heritage or it’s simply an excuse to gather with the ones you love, every holiday truly is about the same thing: special moments together. While those treasured times at the table revolve around camaraderie and conversation, it can start with a filling meal and end with a sweet treat.
Curbing Colorectal Cancer in Minority Populations
(NewsUSA) - April is National Minority Health Month, and Black Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and underserved Americans, are among those disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance), the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the disease.
Election integrity or controlled outcome and the death of democracy?
In the interim between presidential elections, election fraud rhetoric has given way to the creation of apparatuses that could impede free and fair elections under the Orwellian guise of protecting them. Florida's Office of Election Crimes and Security stands as one of the most troubling examples. In 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 524 into law, establishing the OECS under the Florida Secretary of State’s office.
Newly designed Florida panther license plate available
Looking for a way to show your support for Florida panther conservation? Consider getting the newly designed Protect the Panther license plate, whether you are renewing your Florida plates or licensing your car in the state for the first time. Staff with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) worked with photographer Carlton Ward and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to design the new plate.
BOCC to Hold its First Budget Work Session of 2024
Posted Saturday, March 30, 2024 12:15 pm BRADENTON — Manatee County Commissioners will convene for their first work session meeting of 2024 this Tuesday, April 2. The meeting will be the first of several work sessions scheduled as part of the county’s FY24-25 budget process.
Red Tide Status Update: 3/29/24
Red Tide was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Florida’s East Coast over the past week. In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed. In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed. Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Palm Beach County. No reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week.
The BioFile: Danielle Collins
WTA tennis pro Danielle Collins has reached the Miami Open finals. Currently ranked no. 53 in the world, the Bradenton resident has won two WTA singles titles in her career. Her highest ranking is no. 7. She frequently trains at IMG Academy and Harrison Tennis Academy in Bradenton. DOB: December 13, 1993, St. Petersburg, FL Ht: 5-10 Wt: 130 First Tennis Memory: "Crawling on the court when my dad (Wally) would play his league matches.
Weekend Sounds: March 29-31
BRADENTON — It's another weekend, and you know what that means. If you guessed another great lineup of local, talented musicians in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties, you would be correct. Check out The Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch at your favorite venues.
Mejore su salud caminando
(Family Features) Una caminata no solo es buena para el cuerpo, sino también para el alma. La actividad física, como caminar, es una de las mejores formas de reducir el estrés y mejorar su estado de ánimo. Sin embargo, los informes revelan que las tasas de caminatas están disminuyendo constantemente en los Estados Unidos.
Final Installment of WSLR's News Education Series Set for Tuesday
SARASOTA — The final installment of 96.5 WSLR's Public Newsroom series will take place Tuesday at its Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. Titled "Community News and Democracy," it will feature three regional news leaders: the Herald-Tribune, WUSF, and the Barancik Foundation. A thriving democracy relies on an informed and engaged electorate. Local news, in particular, is essential to civic engagement, trust, voter participation, and community vitality.
Major US city skylines in photos, then and now
Posted Friday, March 29, 2024 2:00 pm Today, certain city structures across America have become synonymous with the skylines they dot, from Seattle's Space Needle to Chicago's Willis Tower and New York City's Empire State Building. While they may now be indelible markers in their metros, these buildings are relatively new. After all, it wasn't until the late 19th century that cities in the United States started to grow at a dramatic rate.
The environmental impact of smartphones—and what the industry is doing to make them more sustainable - The Bradenton Times
Since the first cellphone call was placed from a New York City sidewalk in 1973, the mobile phone has revolutionized everything from our ability to simply communicate on the go to having an entire computer fit in the palms of our hands. Though cellphones existed by the early '70s—and car phones predated those by a decade or two—they weren't widely accessible until the 1980s. And it wasn't until the '90s and early 2000s that they had shrunk in both size and price enough for most people to buy them.
A rare total solar eclipse is coming on April 8. Here's what it means for your astrological sign - The Bradenton Times
In 2019, Claude Chalk decided to turn his decade-long interest in astrology into a profession. He moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, where he felt the spiritual community was more prevalent, and started honing his astrology skills into a practice. A few years later, the stars told him it was time to make a change.
The FDA doesn't test dietary supplements before they hit the shelves. Here's what you need to know. - The Bradenton Times
If you take melatonin when you are struggling to get to sleep, vitamin D to help maintain healthy bones, or fish oil to help prevent heart disease, you are among over half of U.S. adults over the age of 20 who reported using dietary supplements, according to 2017-2018 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Epicurean Cuisine Amid Perfect Ambience at Calida Kitchen & Wine
Posted Thursday, March 28, 2024 2:54 pm ST PETERSBURG — In search of a new restaurant near my girlfriend’s house in downtown St. Petersburg, I happened upon a tiny spot called Calida Kitchen & Wine. The discovery would prove quite invaluable. Securing a reservation at Calida can be a feat in itself. The intimate setting, accommodating scarcely 30 patrons if you include a few seats at the cozy bar, adds to its exclusivity.
Interview: Grace Potter
During the pandemic, Grace Potter and her husband (and producer) Eric Valentine, set about mapping out their future after what had been a roller coaster of experiences over the preceding years. Potter had been through the breakup of her band, the Nocturnals, and divorced her husband, Nocturnals drummer Matt Burr.
Hands Across the Sand to Protest Loss of Home Rule on AMI
Hands Across the Sand will hold a demonstration on Manatee Public Beach, north of the entrance, on April 13 at 3:00 p.m. Look for our white tent. Our beautiful island cities are under attack by lawmakers who want to usurp local control. Send the message that residents and visitors love AMI the way it is. Insist on keeping the three Anna Maria Island cities intact.
Permanent Plaque Pays Homage to Dr. Mary Fulford Green at Cortez Cultural Center
It was a beautiful day on the Suncoast when a crowd gathered at the Cortez Cultural Center on March 16, 2024, to honor the late Dr. Mary Frances Fulford Green at the unveiling of a plaque erected there in her honor. The Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) board of directors designed and approved the plaque that was placed on the Center in recognition of Mary’s tireless efforts to preserve the culture and history of Cortez Village.
Some Florida mayors are getting testy about a contentious vacation rental bill
Pinellas County Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie gave a brief presentation about a controversial vacation rental bill when he went before a group of mayors, vice mayors and other elected officials in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday. He was immediately challenged by Redington Beach Mayor David Will, who said the legislation removes the ability of residents in his city to have any discussion about how to regulate short-term vacation rentals.
Outlet Mall Shooter Convicted of 2nd Degree Attempted Murder
MANATEE COUNTY — On Wednesday, State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced that his office had secured a conviction in a 2022 shooting at the Ellenton Outlet Mall. Octavio Banos was convicted of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 24 Years, previously found delinquent. According to the investigation, the victim was shopping at the Ellenton Outlet Mall with friends when Banos began taunting and antagonizing the victim to fight.
Big Picture Manatee: Part 2 with TBT's Mitch Maley
Big Picture Manatee: Part 2 with TBT's Mitch Maley Posted Thursday, March 28, 2024 10:30 am In part 2 of our discussion on the highly controversial Musgrave Property, we are joined by Mitch Maley from The Bradenton Times to dive deeper into this complex issue. If you haven’t seen part 1, find it here. VIDEO
These were the biggest sources of stress for Americans last year
Stress levels are rising in America. A full quarter of adults in the United States reported high levels of stress in 2023, up from 19% in 2019, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in August 2023. The four-year shift is hardly surprising, considering the shutdowns, social distancing, uncertainty, economic fallout, canceled vacations, and 24/7 remote-work culture Americans were plunged into during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Important facts about lupus: 4 ways to protect your kidney health
(BPT) - Living with lupus for over 15 years has meant dealing with some very uncomfortable moments for Grammy award-winning singer Toni Braxton. But according to Toni, the discomfort is worth it to manage her kidney health and prevent life-threatening complications from lupus. "Getting routine tests is not my favorite thing," Toni acknowledges.
Twenty-Five Marauders Alumni Featured on Opening Day Rosters
BRADENTON—The 2024 Major League Baseball season kicked off on Thursday, and 25 former Bradenton Marauders players were featured on Opening Day rosters this season. The group is headlined by 2019 Marauder infielder Oneil Cruz, Gold Glove Award-winning infielder Ke’Bryan Hayes, and 2023 All-Star pitcher Mitch Keller.
Self Care Fair to Raise Awareness About Mental Health
The community is invited to a Self-Care Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Girl Scout Camp Honi Honta in Bradenton. The family-friendly event will feature a variety of hands-on activities focused on health and wellness for all ages. Activities will include arts and crafts, games, yoga sessions, parent resources, and more. Additionally, there will be pet therapy dogs and light and healthy snacks available.
Local Pub & Music Venue Bunny & Pirates Forced to Close
My partner Jeffrey and I originally soft-opened Bunny & Pirates Bazaar in late 2017 as an eclectic coastal store with new, vintage, and repurposed items, beach and fishing gear, snacks, beverages, and packaged craft beer. By the end of April 2018, we launched the pub and live music. Announcing that we have been forced to close the venue has been among the most difficult things we have ever endured. Back then, Cortez was a sleepy Florida town.
EarthTalk: Companies Reneging on Emissions Reductions?
Posted Wednesday, March 27, 2024 8:52 pm In February 2024, three major investment companies stepped back from efforts to limit climate-damaging emissions. JPMorgan Chase’s and State Street’s investment arms have both quit a global investor alliance encouraging companies to avoid emissions, and BlackRock has largely limited its involvement. These companies aren’t the only ones backing out on climate agreements.
Shelton’s 2024 Season as Buccos’ Manager Could Be Best Yet
Posted Tuesday, March 26, 2024 2:11 pm Derek Shelton has the Pittsburgh Pirates prepared for the 2024 MLB season. After six weeks of spring training in Florida, a manager and his coaching staff can learn a great deal about their squad.
Chief DiPino's comments on mental illness only fuel stigma, ignorance
The recent comments attributed to Sarasota Police Department Chief Bernadette DiPino about a homeless local man who is living with mental illness are, if validated, disappointing. Mental illness is a disease that does not discriminate. It knows no age limit. It does not select by color or race, economic background or housing status. Mental illness is also not evidence of a weakness of character; in fact, one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness in a given year.
Thayer: Holidays can bring joy and sadness
By Colleen Thayer, Guest Columnist Monday Dec 31, 2018 at 5:36 AM The holiday season is a time for families and friends to connect and share their joy. It can also be a time of isolation and stress overload. Recent social media posts on suicidal ideation from celebrities who have been harassed and the recent murders and suicide of a family in Tampa exacerbate negative feelings.
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