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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2002
Briefs ands news of note
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, tour five homes on Anna Maria Island, ranging from funky beach cottages to architectural prizewinners. Tickets are $12 at the Anna Maria Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Cross the Skyway, follow U.S. 19 and take Business U.S. 41 south into Bradenton. (From Hillsborough, take U.S. 41 south into Manatee County and then Business 41.) Turn west on Manatee Avenue (State Road 64) and follow it toward the beaches. Once you're on Anna Maria Island, continue on Manatee, then turn right (north) on Gulf Drive. Follow it to Magnolia and the community center. Information: (941) 778-1908.
Kenneth R. Harney, whose syndicated column, "The Nation's Housing," appears in this section (see Page 4F), will be in Sarasota on Sunday participating in a free real estate panel. Harney joins fellow columnists David Myers and Katherine Salant at Lakewood Ranch for the sixth annual "Ask the Experts" day from noon to 2 p.m. (Harney speaks at 1:20) The trio will give an abbreviated version of their discussion from 3 to 3:30. Other speakers, demonstrations and food will be available. To reach Lakewood Ranch, take I-75 south to Exit 40, then drive 2 miles east on University Parkway and follow signs. Information: Call toll-free 1-800-307-2624.
If you own a Lane Home Furnishings cedar chest, take a good look at the lock. Is yours one of the 6.5-million such chests that latch automatically from the inside? Twelve children have died in the chests, five of them last year, when they became trapped in the chests and suffocated. Lane changed the locks on some models in 1981 and has used childproof locks since 1987, but many older chests (made under the Lane and Virginia Maid names) still have the self-locking latches. Owners may feel there's no danger because they have no children, but visiting grandchildren might be trapped, or the chest might be passed on or sold to others and pose a danger. Call the company toll-free at 1-888-856-8758, or visit the company's Web site at www.newlock.net to request a free replacement latch.
Here's a handy gadget: the lighted high-impact torpedo level from Stanley. It has an off-on button that illuminates the vials for easy viewing in poorly lighted areas. It automatically shuts off after three minutes. A magnetic edge is helpful on metal surfaces, and a V-grooved edge is designed for taking measurements on piping. It's available at hardware stores and home centers; suggested retail is $14.99. It's also available in a nonmagnetic, unlighted version for $6.99 or a magnetic, unlighted version for $7.99.
- Compiled by Homes editor JUDY STARK