INTERVIEW: Amy Bell
The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) promotes tourism to Manatee County and the communities of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch. As Executive Director of the CVB, Elliott Falcione has overcome countless obstacles during his 10+ years in the role. However, most of those past problems pale in comparison to the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has put a major dent in the …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
Every Tuesday, outside the JCPenney end of the DeSoto Square Mall, Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mobile Pantry gives nearly 2000 Manatee County residents food. The organization sets up from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. or until the food runs out.
“Some recipients aren’t people who needed food six months ago,” said Ava Ehde, Director of Manatee County’s Neighborhood Services Department (NSD). Ehde, who, with members of her team, volunteers …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Sun-drenched and coated in sand, a young kid with wobbly legs and a warm smile stands upon a donated surfboard, bobbing in the beach’s rolling waves on White Avenue on Anna Maria Island for the first time at Eternal Summer Surf Camp. Pure joy radiates as Kris Cox – a Bradenton native who helped found the non-profit Christian surf camp in 2008 – …
WORDS: KidsHealth from Nemours
In many places, people are wearing masks or cloth face coverings when they’re in public because of coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s an important way to help slow the spread of the virus.
At first, it was mostly doctors, nurses, and others in health care settings who wore masks. But now, as other people wear them, more and more kids are seeing something they’re not used to seeing. …
WORDS: ChildCare Aware America
In this new world of COVID-19, everyone is trying to kill germs and avoid sickness. However, our fears should not distract us from the mindful use of cleaning chemicals, including hand sanitizer. Even chemicals that are meant to keep us healthy can cause poisoning or even death when used improperly, especially around children.
Why are children at high risk?
Children are curious. Their natural tendency to …
WORDS: Infant CPR
So you have a little crawler and it’s time to babyproof your home. You clip your cabinets, remove the choking hazards, and plug the outlets.
This is a great start!
Baby proofing is as much about your peace of mind as a parent as it is about your child’s safety.
Here are 6 additional techniques that will help you make your home a safe and fun place …
WORDS: Kristin Louis
When you work from home, it’s almost impossible to keep your career and family life from bleeding into one another. Separating work and life is important for everyone, but it’s a topic that deserves even more attention for parents who work remotely. If your kids are in school, you might also be dealing with the added stress of managing your children’s remote learning on top of …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
In the span of one hour, I watched Allie McLaughlin, 10, laugh, cry, speak with a convincing British accent and belt out two — pretty difficult — songs. She wasn’t on stage. She was in my living room.
I was interviewing Allie, who’d performed in two big local shows in the past year. Allie played Marta, second youngest of the von Trapp children, in …
Words: Amy Bell
Picture: Whitney Patton
For most of her life, Margaret (Peg) Delegato has been on a quest to end poverty and rid the world of hatred. It’s certainly a lofty goal — but if anyone can come close to pulling it off, it’s a dedicated philanthropist like Peg.
Born and raised in Detroit, Peg says Motown was a vibrant and exciting city during her childhood. “I grew up …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Like a luminary shooting warm light through a grey winter sky, Kara Moates rises each day to comfort and guide. Not long after sunrise, she dives into a day chatting about theology and spiritual concepts with a man eager and grateful to share his thoughts about the world while she assesses his vitals. On the same day, she visits a woman in her …
WORDS: Katelyn Disbro
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) wanted to do everything they could to support their ‘Untold First Responders’ – childcare providers who were open every day during this health crisis looking after and continuing to educate our local children!
To help and support them, the ELC procured paper products, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, and much more to distribute …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside has been one of Bradenton’s most beloved restaurants for more than two decades — quite a feat. Situated on busy Tamiami Trail, just north of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, other restaurants nearby regularly come and go. But Landside thrives.
“They always say, ‘location, location, location,'” said John Horne, who, with his wife Amanda, owns Landside, plus three other Anna …
WORDS: Kris Louis — Parentingwithkris.com
Now that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, schools are slowly gearing up for the start of the new year. Of course, you’ll need supplies — and children’s school supplies can add up fast! From clothing to computers, your budget can really take a beating. Here are some thrifty ideas for moms and dads who want to get everything their kids need without overspending.
Dip Into Online …
WORDS: Katelyn Disbro
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) recently rolled out; pun intended, the newest member of its fleet! The third educational vehicle, named the Mobile Learning Lab, will run alongside the Book Bus and the STEAM Machine, adding additional resources to the ELC’s community educational initiatives.
The former Manatee County school bus was generously donated to the ELC by the School District. The …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Nancy Griffith pulled up to the G.T. Bray playground three years ago with her two grandsons Easton and Nathan – born just six weeks apart and who share a love for all things play – and felt a sense of deflation filter through her body like a party balloon sinking with a slow leak. Apprehension replaced joy as she scanned the playground stretched …
