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EAST COUNTY
Merry Christmas!
You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.
HEALTH
Pinheads sew support one stitch at a time. special section
OUR TOWN + Grill to host dinner for needy families The Ranch Grill and its parent company 1st Choice Industries will close their doors Christmas Day to give to a community in need. The Ranch Grill, located at 14475 State Road 70 E., in Lakewood Ranch, will be open Christmas Day for anyone in need of a Christmas dinner. “It’s for anybody who’s less fortunate or doesn’t want to have a meal alone,” 1st Choice Industries CEO Gary Simone says. “We decided as a company we really want to make sure we’re giving back.” Volunteer staff will prepare a full buffet dinner and Santa will be present to spread Christmas cheer. Alcohol will not be served. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help with the free event or make donations for the cause should contact Eileen, Tabitha or Allyn at 866-241-0070
Mike Towns as Santa, Patricia Reed, Julie Zimmerman, Daisy Vulovich, Mindy Towns, Jennifer Lahurd and Jan Eckle
+ D.E.A.R.S. spreads holiday cheer Earlier this month, the D.E.A.R.S, a Lakewood Ranch book club, visited the Windsor Assisted Living facility to spread holiday cheer. The ladies enjoyed cookies and conversation with the residents, while they had their photos taken with Santa and his elves. The residents received a printed photo for themselves, as well as extra prints to send to relatives.
+ Students welcome foster children Students in the Manatee District Technology Student Association shared the holiday spirit with more than 140 families in foster care and their families. The event was held Dec. 7, at Haile Middle School.
Thursday, DECEMBER 20, 2012
NEIGHBORHOOD
SPORTS
Braden River Girls basketball team sets sights on top spot.
‘Nunsense’ comedy brings holiday laughs.
PAGE 15A
PAGE 8A
proactive purchase
by Pam Eubanks | Managing Editor
District buys land for future stations East Manatee Fire Rescue closed on two parcels of land Dec. 14. EAST COUNTY — Officials of East Manatee Fire Rescue are working to fulfill a promise made to voters in 2003 — better coverage for nearly every home in the district. East Manatee officials closed Dec. 14, on two land parcels that will put nearly every homeowner in the district’s boundaries within five miles of a fire station, once stations are constructed on them in future years. “We’re excited,” East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Byron Teates said. “It was a wise move on behalf of the district. We’ll have about
95% of our district within five miles of a fire station (once those stations are built).” The first property, currently an orange grove, sits on about five acres on the southwest corner of the intersection of State Road 64 and Dam Road, just west of The Concession. The second parcel, now sod fields, is located near the northeast corner of State Road 64, immediately west of the Panther Ridge community’s western border. “We know there (are projects) already being planned for out there (but we don’t know when
they’ll be built),” Teates said. “The bottom line is it’s not going to be any cheaper in the future to buy this property. The most important thing is (we got property) where we need the stations, not where we would have to settle for (once development occurs).” Teates said stations will be built on the properties as growth in the area demands, likely not for another three-to-five years. East Manatee purchased the properties from Lakewood Ranch
SEE FIRE / PAGE 8A
Pam Eubanks
East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Byron Teates
Andy Eubanks
Let There Be
Light
This home in Riverwalk Ridge has a ginger-bread house charm.
by Pam Eubanks | Managing Editor
Ray Papiano
Above: This home, owned by Ray Papiano, is located on Yellowtop Drive in Lakewood Ranch. Top: Teams of rowers and sailboats greet drivers from University Parkway as part of the holiday display at The District at University Town Center.
In celebration of the holiday season, many East County residents and businesses have brightened the night, stringing up lights and other displaying other decorations for neighbors and friends to enjoy. Here is just a sampling of Christmas cheer aglow in the East County this year.
SEE LIGHTS / PAGE 12A
INDEX Briefs....................7A Calendar............ 13A
Classifieds ........ 10B Cops Corner....... 14A
Crossword............ 9B Real Estate.......... 6B
Sports................ 15A Weather............... 9B
Vol. 13, No. 51 | Two sections YourObserver.com