bserver O EAST COUNTY
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
RACE DAY
Runners lace up for school band programs. PAGE 19
OUR TOWN + Children bicyclists wanted for parade Calling all kids! Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. and Manasota Operation Troop Support need children to decorate their bicycles for the upcoming Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day parade, to be held May 25, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Children participating in the Children’s Decorated Bike Contest should arrive at the Regions Bank parking lot between 5 and 5:15 p.m., with judging occurring from 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. Winners will be selected for cutest, most patriotic and most creative decorating. One lucky winner will receive four tickets to Aquatica. Children then will join the parade as one group. Parents or group leaders are responsible for their children and must be present at all times. To register for the bicycle contest, visit lwrcac.com/ memorial-day-tribute-toheroes or call 757-1530 with questions.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
HEALTH MATTERS
ANNIVERSARY
Community Haven celebrates past, looks to future. PAGE 3
Goodwill veteran preps for five-month hike on Appalachian Trail. INSIDE
Health Matters Observer
EAST COUNTY
MAY 2014
Chris Davis, a veterans job coach at Goodwill Manasota, stops at Springer Mountain, Ga., the southern starting point of the Appalachian Trail, in November.
GOODWILL
WALKING
Courtesy photo
Goodwill Manasota’s Chris Davis embarks on a five-month hike. PAGES 2-3 GOING GREEN:
FITNESS:
HEALTH:
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Leafy greens provide great fuel for summer.
Ballet bar boosts fitness sans dance.
Business aims to improve overall patient care, outcomes.
history lesson by Josh Siegel | Staff Writer
Commission holds Villages’ fate A May 21 vote by Sarasota commissioners may spark the construction of the 5,500-acre Villages of Lakewood Ranch South project. LAKEWOOD RANCH — The progress of The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South has been so slow that Todd Pokrywa, vice president of strategic affairs for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, keeps a document listing key events and dates in the life of the project.
The timeline begins in December 1999, when the Urban Land Institute identified 5,500 acres of SchroederManatee Ranch (SMR) property as a potential mixed-use village. It has no
SEE VILLAGES / PAGE 8
Josh Siegel
The land for Villages of Lakewood Ranch South is located between two major employment centers.
MOM MOMENT
+ Volvo takes best in show honors Lakewood Ranch resident Glenn Todd was eating dinner on Lakewood Ranch Main Street with his family May 7, during the monthly Lance’s Cruizin to the Hop Car Show, when he excused himself to find out if the show had announced its winners. Todd arrived just in time. As he walked up, his 1972 Volvo 1800E was awarded best in show. “I was certainly a little surprised,” Todd says. “There were many other deserving vehicles at the show.” Todd has had his vehicle for about 10 years and likes his Volvo because of its European style and design. He says the vehicle’s light blue metallic color receives plenty of attention, as well. Todd bought his Volvo from a family in California who had owned it for 30 years.
Pam Eubanks
Loreilai Kelley, 4, gives her mom, Janeen, a kiss before a Mother’s Day breakfast at All God’s Children. See more photos on page 21.
LAND BATTLE
by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer
Community joins forces to block subdivision After two years of non-use, C1 Bank plans to build 24 homes on 25 acres on Lorraine Road. EAST COUNTY — Neighbors of Faith Christian Church have become accustomed to seeing the building sit empty and unused, week after week. It’s off-white paint and green roof are still in perfect condition, even though services haven’t been held there since C1 Bank foreclosed on the property more than two years ago.
Neighbors say the structure brings them comfort and a sense of peace. Although the Faith Christian Church building is fully functional, the 12,225-square-foot facility, located at 5215 Lorraine Road, may soon face demolition.
SEE FAITH / PAGE 9
Amanda Sebastiano
C1 Bank proposes developing 24 homes on the site of Faith Christian Church.
INDEX Calendar...............12 Classifieds ...........29
Cops Corner..........13 Crossword.............28
Neighborhood.......19 Real Estate...........24
Sports...................15 Weather................28
Vol. 16, No. 27 | Two sections YourObserver.com