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East County | Neighbors

Local artist Trevor Bystrom and musical partner Peter Mawanga, from Malawi, Africa, performed their music for Lakewood Ranch on Dec. 18 at Ranch Nite Wednesday at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 7, 2025
Two musicians bridge gap between US and Africa

Regular Lakewood Ranch performer Trevor Bystrom unites with Malawian musician Peter Mawanga for a Waterside show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The band Funky Bonez brings a "Neon New Year Party" to the Green at UTC on Jan 2.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 3, 2025
Neon dance party packs The Green at University Town Center

Funky Bonez performed at 2025's first installment of UTC Live on the Green in Sarasota on Jan. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
SCF student LaShawn'te Lee, MTC students Emma Ramirez and Krystal Camacho, Scholarship Committee Chair Peg Buck and SCF Foundation Chair Chris Romine pose for a photo during the Palm Aire Women's Club Scholarship Luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County women's club aims to make a difference

The Palm Aire Women's Club raises money for charity and scholarships.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By None
  • January 1, 2025
Make Space for Good

As you reflect on your resolutions, take a moment to go through closets, storage bins, and those forgotten corners of your home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Elks' Faith Frost joins Prodigal Daughters' Denise Gattuso and Ruth Perez-Hernandez and the Elks' Darrin Simone in distributing toys to kids in need during the Elks Toy Drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2024
Elks show their heart in Lakewood Ranch with toys for children in need

More than 7,500 toys were collected during the Elks Toy Drive with help from Walgreens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Boats numbering in the hundreds came out in support of keeping Midnight Pass open.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 21, 2024
Your Observer's most-viewed stories of 2024 reveal not-so-surprising observations

Thirteen of the 25 most-viewed stories of 2024 on YourObserver.com were hurricane-related.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • December 19, 2024
A New Lease on Life, Following Weight-Loss Surgery

For years Russell tried to lose weight through exercise, dieting and medications, but nothing seemed to help. Her decision to finally turn to weight-loss surgery at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was in part, because of her profession as a licensed practical nurse.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mike and Sandy Sobzack return home to East County for the holidays. The couple stop by the University Park Country Club for lunch on Dec. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
East County world travelers stop home for the holidays

Mike and Sandy Sobzack set off on a whirlwind retirement tour around the world in March.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Two-yeear-old Wells Whitehead and his mom Aston Whitehead visit with Santa before the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade Dec. 13.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2024
18 holes of community fun at Tara Golf and Country Club

Neighbors decorated their golf carts and themselves to enjoy the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Laura and John Bourjaily are grateful to be celebrating Christmas together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
Tara resident saved by daughter's kidney donation

John Bourjaily feels blessed to be alive this Christmas after receiving a kidney from his daughter.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This giant Santa is new to the University Town Center's holiday display.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2024
University Town Center holiday lights get bigger and brighter

A 25-foot Santa and 15-foot snowman, imported from Italy, are new to this year's display.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A laser light show will cap New Year's Eve festivities at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 17, 2024
Biggest Lakewood Ranch holiday events ready to kick off

Everything you need to know about the upcoming Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's celebrations this season in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County first graders write letters to Santa
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 16, 2024
East County first graders write letters to Santa

With Santa soon on the way, East County children are sending off their letters to the North Pole in the hope that a wish or two is granted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka’s wildlife respond favorably to the habitat restoration zone, which prevents human disturbances and improves their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 16, 2024
Habitat Restoration zone returns to Myakka

By reducing human disturbances, temporary fencing protects plants and wildlife, while offering visitors superior wildlife viewing opportunities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Richard Pierson, who checks out the cap gun exhibit at his Sarasota Toy Museum, says toys have declined for a while, but he expects a resurgence.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 16, 2024
Lakewood Ranch toy aficionado hopes to spread passion to local kids

Richard Pierson has seen a shift in the way toys are appreciated.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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