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East County | Neighbors

Sam Woolf, a Braden River High School student, performed Friday, Sept. 6, at MacAllisters on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Photo by Harriet Sokmensuer.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 11, 2013
Television show contestant is no false idol

Sam Woolf, a 17-year-old Braden River High School student, performed at MacAllisters - the place that first gave him a stage - in front of an 'American Idol' crew.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 11, 2013
The Good News: Shelley Thayer of Cat Depot

Shelley Thayer has been the executive director of Cat Depot since 2009. Read more about her in this week's Good News.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
Risen Savior seeks donations

The Risen Savior Lutheran Church is accepting donations of unneeded reading glasses (not full prescription), dress shirts and ties for students in rural Nigeria.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
Paws-itively adorable

Windsor Retirement Community held a dog fashion show for its residents Friday, Aug. 30. Proceeds went to Nate's Place, a retail and adoption center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barbara Romig, Dawn Clayton and Nancy Kopnisky. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
Generous golfers give back

Booker Elementary kindergarten students received school uniforms thanks to the University Park Country Club Ladies Golf Association and the 9-Hole LGA.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dylan Jones hopes the festival becomes an annual event.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 4, 2013
East County performer puts on first Manatee Playreading Festival

Dylan Jones, an actor, writer and composer, wants to share the playwriting process with the public.

  • East County
  • News
Hosts and co-owners of Supper Sleuths Christa and Wes Harding pose as their characters for the evening, artist Michaela Gelato and architect Mark Chase.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 4, 2013
Lakewood Ranch solves murder mystery

Wes and Christa Harding are murder-mystery game writers who host a dinner during in which their guests solve the pretend murder the couple has scripted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Don Thompson, center, with his family: daughter and son-in-law Karen and Tom Vaclavik and their children, Alicia Vaclavik, Breanne Vaclavik, Brian Gaydek and Jeff Vaclavik. Courtesy of Nancy Lively.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • September 4, 2013
Centennial Celebration: Don Thompson

Bradenton resident Don Thompson, who turns 100 this week, looks back fondly on his Navy days in World War II.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The first formal concert of the FWCS Youth Orchestra was held in 1960. Pictured is the Youth Orchestra in rehearsal in 1978.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 4, 2013
Orchestra celebrates instrumental moments

In an economy with orchestras facing musician strikes, closures and bankruptcy, the current news for orchestras is not always positive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen Rawlings submitted this sunrise photo, taken in East Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
Observer Weather: East County

Karen Rawlings submitted this sunrise photo, taken in East Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • August 29, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Port to Port

The Manatee and Sarasota chambers held a joint meeting Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Holiday Inn Sarasota-Airport to hear Manatee County Port Authority Executive Director Carlos Buqueras and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo talk about the economic impact and future plans of both businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Enjoy special coverage of the football season on YourObserver.com
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 29, 2013
2013 Football Preview

Enjoy the 2013 Football Preview and view extra coverage brought to you by YourObserver.com.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA junior setter Monica Costa netted 37 assists during the Lady Thunder's 3-1 victory over Sarasota Christian Aug. 26.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 28, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA vs. Sarasota Christian School

The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team defeated Sarasota Christian 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21 Aug. 26. Natalie Buffett powered the Lady Thunder with 16 kills, 14 perfect passes and eight digs. Lauren Maxey added 13 kills and three aces. Cameron Graham finished with 17 perfect passes and 16 digs. Setter Monica Costa had 37 assists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pam Eubanks and her husband, Andy, welcomed the newest addition to their family, Andrew Elliott Eubanks, at 1:34 a.m. Aug. 22, at Birthways Birthing Center, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2013
Observer babies make headlines

It happens once in a blue moon: The Observer welcomed two new additions to its family on the same day! East County Observer Managing Editor Pam Eubanks and Sarasota Observer Managing Editor Randi Donahue each welcomed their first child into the world Aug. 22 (two days after the blue moon).

  • East County
  • Neighbors
GreyHawk Landing CDD took control of the new pool and amenity center in July. Photo by Harriet Sokmensuer
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • August 28, 2013
Residents wait for GreyHawk Landing's new amenity center

There's been progress on the new pool and amenity center in GreyHawk Landing West, but the lights are still out for public use.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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