E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Main Street hosts a Bud. SEE PAGE 20
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017
VOLUME 19, NO. 47
YOUR TOWN
CAUSE FOR PAWS Braden River Elementary gets its students moving with a ‘Shumba’ class. SEE PAGE 8
Courtesy photo
Time to vote This year’s “It’s Read Everywhere” contest has come to a close, and it’s time to vote for your favorite submissions. Go to yourobserver. com/itsreadeverywhere to vote now through Oct. 29. The winner will be announced in our Nov. 9 issue. Last year’s winners, shown above, were Cathy and Larry Duguay, who took their East County Observer to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
Berkley Mason
Braden River Elementary pre-K student Finn Heffernan practices his reading with the school’s new therapy dog, Shumba. Courtesy photo
Proud mom Braden River Elementary School Principal Hayley Rio was one proud mom on the evening of Oct. 10, when her son, Calen MacDonald, a senior at Southeast High School, was honored for his academic excellence by the School Board of Manatee County. MacDonald was one of four Manatee County students named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholar Competition.
BLACK
Newest school’s design approved by district
Faith in Waterside First buyers in Waterside are banking on their dream. PAGE 3
TIE
Key to the Cure INSIDE
Courtesy rendering
Brandi and John Joyner will be among the first Waterside at Lakewood Ranch residents, picking this Homes by Towne model.
Willis Smith will begin construction in February on Lakewood Ranch’s public middle school. SEE PAGE 6