============================================================ DIGITAL DIGEST � http://www.bonitanews.com � December 29, 2004 ============================================================ Subscribe to the Bonita Daily News: http://web.bonitanews.com/circulation/ EERIE NORMALCY IN UNAFFECTED THAILAND, HORRIFIC REALITY FOR CLEANUP CREWS PHUKET, Thailand � Two days after a series of tidal waves devastated coastal towns on this resort island in southwestern Thailand, an eerie normalcy pervades the streets in areas unaffected, while a horrific reality overwhelms those involved in the cleanup and increasingly futile rescue efforts. On Sunday morning an earthquake in Sumatra generated a series of tsunamis, or tidal waves, that pummeled coastlines in India, Asia and Africa, killing more than 55,000 people. BONITA RESIDENTS GRATEFUL FAMILIES ARE OK AFTER DEADLY WAVES Borhan Ahmed's brother knew a disastrous storm was coming, but he didn't know how prophetic he'd turn out to be. Ahmed, whose extended family lives north of the devastating tsunami's deadly strike zone in India, said he spoke with his brother last week before Sunday's undersea earthquake and ocean tsunami. "He said disaster (was) coming," said Ahmed, who owns Passage to India of Bonita. "The weather was so gloomy and cloudy, they predicted a storm." THRIFT SHOPS SWAMPED BY DONATIONS THIS TIME OF YEAR Randy Howell has a bargain for anyone with $8,000 to spare and a truck handy. The five-piece custom-built entertainment center is wood with shell-shaped accents, measures about 8 feet tall and retailed for $10,000 more than Howell, the manager of the Bonita Springs Lions Club Thrift Shop, is asking for it. It ended up with him the same way a lot of things do: A man who sold his house didn't want to move it and the new owners didn't want it in their living room. LOOKING BACK AT 2004: COURT BATTLE BETWEEN PARENTS, SON EXPECTED TO GO TO TRIAL NEXT YEAR Keith and Anne Waterhouse may stay in the Bonita Springs home they share with their son's family for now, but expect a protracted court battle next year. The elderly couple bought their Stillwell Parkway home a decade ago, after they said they lost millions in a brokerage house scandal. That financial hit forced them to sell their expensive homes in Bonita Bay that they shared with Christopher and Sally Waterhouse and their three sons. Get details on all these stories and more at http://www.bonitanews.com PERSPECTIVE: EDITORIAL: AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY -- POSSIBLE LAW SCHOOL SHIFT NEEDS DELICATE HANDLING Southwest Florida may get a law school sooner than many could have imagined. Officials of Ave Maria University, which plans to open a teeming campus in eastern Collier County in 2007, have confirmed there is talk of moving the Ave Maria Law School from Ann Arbor, Mich., to this part of Florida. The law school was founded in 1999 by Tom Monaghan, the founder of the Domino's Pizza chain and champion of conservative Roman Catholic causes. See more of today�s Perspective stories at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/perspective BUSINESS: AVIATION CONSULTANTS PLAN MOVE TO NAPLES It took a little coaxing. But it looks like The Regional Business Alliance of Southwest Florida Inc. has its first success story. The headquarters for Advocate Aircraft Taxation Co., an aviation consulting firm in Indianapolis, may soon move to Collier County. The company's executives want to see it happen. See more of today�s Business stories at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/business NEAPOLITAN: BOXES OF BAGS: WEB SITE DELIVERS THE TRENDIEST TOTES Handbag enthusiasts disappointed that Santa didn't drop off the latest Fendi baguette or Prada backpack this holiday season have another option: Bag, Borrow or Steal. The Internet-based company that Lloyd Lapidus co-founded with brother-in-law Greg Pippo several months ago offers access to more chic handbags than an army of fashionistas could sport in a single season. See more of today�s Neapolitan stories at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/neapolitan
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