E A ST COUNTY
SEASON SPRING 2018
Observer
TS A N D S O C I E T Y G U I D E TO T H E A R T H E O B S E R V E R ’S
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
MUSIC DANCE ART THEATER BLACK TIE
INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018
VOLUME 20, NO. 15
YOUR TOWN
Taxing district showdown nears Paying for a Braden River Preserve leads to angst in nearby neighborhoods. SEE PAGE 3A
Pam Eubanks
Marauder meet and greet Ninety-four-year-old Jarrell Atkinson was eating lunch Feb. 15 at the Daybreak Adult Day Center when in walked a pirate. His name? Marty, the mascot for the Bradenton Marauders. “It’s special,” said Atkinson, a Marauders fan who posed for a photo with Marty (above). Marty’s visit was the fourth stop on the Marauder’s “50 Community Celebrations” campaign, an initiative to visit schools, nursing homes and perform other outreach events. The campaign began Feb. 12.
Amelia Hanks
Marina Mainella has been a best friend to Lakewood Ranch sophomore Morgan Trevithick during her battle against complex regional pain syndrome.
THE NERVE Amelia Hanks
Prized effort in pickleball Country Club East’s Teresa Barcelona and Carol Lucas (above) wore big smiles Feb. 24 as they were handed their packages of three pickleballs for winning the doubles division of the Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club’s Dinking Tournament. “I’ve been playing for over two years,” Lucas said of the competition at Country Club East’s courts. “It’s great exercise.” However, both said the tournaments have other benefits as well, such as the networking. The competitors often exchange business cards after the tournament and build social connections as well.
TO FIGHT BACK
Complex regional pain syndrome strikes Lakewood Ranch High student. PAGE 8A
A+E World of Jazz turns in Sarasota.. INSIDE
Cellphone prison with no bars Some Lakewood Ranch residents frustrated with quality of cellular service. SEE PAGE 4A
Pam Eubanks
Summerfield resident Alan Roth checks to see the signal strength of his cell service in his home. He has trouble making and receiving calls from home.