5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 4

1. The Manatee Tiger Bay Club will examine the new Florida election laws and the affect of redistricting during its monthly meeting on Thursday at , 1200 1st Ave. Guest speakers are: Pamela Goodman, First Vice President of the Florida League of       Women Voters; Dr. Craig Trigueiro, President Lakewood Ranch Republican Club; Richard O’Brien, Chairman of the Manatee Democratic Party and Bob Sweat, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. Each of the speakers is expected to address early voting, redistricting and changes in provisional voter requirements. This comes as Florida gains two congressional districts. Panelists will give a short presentation and Tiger Bay members  are allowed to ask questions of the panelists. The new voter registration and early voting rules could impact the outcome of our elections, said Greg Porges, Manatee Tiger Bay president. "The amendments to the Florida Constitution approved last year will impact the shape of the Congressional districts. This certainly affects our representation in Washington and it is crucial for the public to understand what that means for Florida and Floridians." The cost is $20 for members and $25 for guests. Make reservations by emailing manateetigerbay@aol.com or call 941-746-1151. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The meeting begins at noon.

2. The Manatee County Commission will hold a land use meeting today beginning at 9 a.m. Expect a surprise in Commissioner Comments as Joe McClash has indicated that he plans to ask the board to hold a public hearing on repealing a controversial comprehensive plan amendment that was approved last year. Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve a 150-home development on Robinson Farm in northwest Bradenton.  In April an administrative judge said county commissioners erred when they approved the land use change that tripled the number of homes allowed. Nearby residents opposed the subdivision at the county commission meeting, saying a high density project would affect their properties and that adding that many people to the area would endanger existing residents in the case of a hurricane because evacuation routes would be further clogged with traffic. McClash will make a motion to prepare an ordinance repealing the decision and to set a public hearing.

3. It's World Breastfeeding Week and The Manatee County Health Department's WIC office is celebrating on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 212 6th Ave. E. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can participate in games, prizes and refreshments. The guest speaker will be Katie Powers RN, IBCLC, who will offer a free seminar on the benefits of breastfeeding. Displays and Information will be available from Community Partner Agencies including:
MOMMS's Place, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center; Whole Child Project, Manasota; Healthy Start Coalition of Manatee, Hope Family
Services; Women's Resource Center; Suncoast Work Force; Exchange Club Family Partnership Center; Healthy Families Manatee and Manatee Glens.
For more information call 941-748-0747, ext. 1394 or visit
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdManatee/index.htm

4. The Bradenton Marauders face off at home against the Fort Myers Miracle in the second game of a  three game series at . As part of the homestand series, the Marauders will feature a "Remote Control for TV Dig," presented by  Prior to the game a remote control will be buried under the McKechnie Field infield. After the game, fans will dig up the infield in search of the remote. The fan that finds the remote wins a 46” TV.  Fans who registered before August 4th receive a metal spoon for the dig.  Fans registering on the day of the game will have to use plastic. For ticketing information and more about the Marauders, visit the Bradenton Marauders or call 941-747-3031.

5. International Cultural Exchange Services is looking for host families in Bradenton for high school students, ages 15-18. The students will attend area high schools, so need to be placed with families before the start of the school year. The students, who come from Germany, Brazil, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, South Korea, China, and Finland, want to experience life with a typical American family. Every student is anxiously waiting to find out where they will be going and to meet their new American families. They come with their own money and insurance.  Families may agree to a 30-day trial period. Interested families should contact Rhonda Scharnus, Regional Administrator, International Cultural Exchange Services at 888-656-9481 or by email at rscharnus@icesusa.org.