5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 6

Update on Bradenton restaurant's Food Network debut, tree trimming, free cats and more.

1. For those who were looking forward to catching Jose's Real Cuban Food on the Food Network tonight, as first reported by Bradenton Patch, you'll have to hold off. The episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" featuring the Bradenton restaurant has been put on hold. We'll update you as soon as we hear about the new air date. And if all this is news to you, check out our story from Guy Fieri's visit to Bradenton back in March. 2. School's out for summer, which means it's summer camp time. Here's some information on several camp programs offered by the Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department. 3. A Florida Power & Light contractor will be trimming tree branches and limbs near its lines this month in the Palma Sola area. This is …

Bradenton Business Spotlight

Yolo Parasailing Adventure: A First-Hand Account

For this week's Bradenton Business Spotlight, Patch got a chance to do something a little different. The folks at Yolo Parasailing in Cortez gave us an unforgettable ride in the sky, and we thought we'd share the experience.

When I contacted Yolo Parasailing to inquire about writing a business feature, I had no idea what to expect. I had observed the activity from a distance on numerous occasions and always thought it looked like it could be fun. When Yolo presented me with the offer of a free ride, I knew that it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up — even though I am secretly afraid of heights. It was a windy day and the water was choppier than usual. Captains Ryan Davis and Scott Flinn were right at home on the rocking boat, but I had a little trouble at first gathering my sea legs. As Flinn helped me get into my life vest and harness, Davis assured me that the winds were safe enough to fly in, but that I would be in for a “more dramatic ride that …

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Jason Bartolone

2:42 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Cool! I did it once before elsewhere, and as someone who's not especially adventurous, I have to say it wasn't bad at all ...   more ›

Family Things To Do This Weekend

There's fun to be had around Bradenton for you and the kids.

1. Take the kids to Mixon Fruit Farms for their Orange Blossom Express tour, where they'll get to check out orange groves, the Children's Magical Maze and the Mixon Wildlife Refuge. Tram tickets are just $4 for kids 10 and younger. Oh, and they've also got ice cream. 2. Bring the whole family to Red Barn Flea Market to check out the fresh produce, arts and crafts, clothes, toys and more. It's free to browse. 3. Ever been parasailing? Yolo Parasailing can give you a view of Anna Maria Island unlike any other. It's not as scary as you might think. 4. Chuck E. Cheese's is a kids' paradise. Buy them a few tokens and let them run wild this weekend. 5. Have a picnic on the beach this weekend. Anna Maria Bayfront Park, on the northern tip of Anna…

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