E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Santa’s got a shoebox
PAGE 7B
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FREE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
VOLUME 22, NO. 4
YOUR TOWN
Opposition builds to SR 64 car lot Residents say a car dealership isn’t a good fit for their East County neighborhoods. PAGE 4A
Liz Ramos
Students like trash talk Most people would just see empty water bottles as trash. A group of Lakewood Ranch High students saw them as art. On Dec. 3, the school’s Marine Conservation Club transformed trash, such as the water bottles and old fishing line, to build pieces of mobile art, including a jellyfish. “We thought it would be a fun idea to make art out of recyclables and trash materials,” said club president Audrey Dixon (pictured above with Izzie Uribe). The club will hang the art in the hallway during the second semester.
Prep for polo The Sarasoto Polo Club season begins Dec. 15, so it’s a stampede to the training track. SEE PAGE 8A
Jay Heater
Josh Shelton, Brandie Joy and Mannie Shelton lead horses to the Sarasota Polo Club’s training track in preparation for the season opener.
Courtesy photo
Rescue’s construction unleashed
Picture perfect While visiting In Focus Family Eye Care at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, East County 7-year-old Caleb McCaffrey put his artistic talents to use. He colored a picture of a turkey for a coloring contest held by the Lakewood Ranch Main Street Merchants’ Association. He and fellow winner Lenie Nebra, of Anna Maria Elementary School, earned certificates of artistic excellence and a frame made up of $1 bills, 25 in all. “The money will never be spent because it will be behind a frame,” said Caleb’s mom, Tara McCaffrey. “He was so excited and proud.”
With $7 million in the bank, Nate’s renovation begins. SEE PAGE 3A Pam Eubanks
Wiggles is happy to see visitors during the groundbreaking Dec. 6, and he also loves his chew toy.
BLACK New museum worth the wait. INSIDE
TIE