5 Things You Need to Know This Weekend: Aug. 6-8

1. Manatee County is on the back-to-school countdown. The school district will open phone lines on Tuesday for back to school information and bus schedules and stops. The phone line will be available beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.  The phone number for general information is (941) 708-4971, while the number for bus transportation is (941) 782-1287 (782-1BUS). The county will offer a two day back-to-school beginning Friday August 12. School begins August 22.

2. Eliseo Ortiz, 51, will be from the Pinellas County jail to face charges for beating a nun. Deputies have been searching for Ortiz for nearly six months since he , 81, a diminutive but tireless advocate for the poor. Crime Stoppers and the Gold Star Club both offered rewards for information leading to his arrest.

3. will meet Monday at 5:45 to set its priorities for the next legislative session.

4. The 21st Annual Business and Education Partnership Awards Breakfast will be held Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Freedom Village. The awards recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have worked together to enhance education in Manatee County. More than 200 businesses have partnered with local schools. They have provided countless volunteer hours and support to Manatee County students.  The Awards Breakfast is sponsored by Freedom Village, with support from Digital Image Business Solutions and Tropicana Products.  Reservations are required.  For information, call Jahna Leinhauser at 941-748-4842, ext. 172 or email JahnaL@ManateeChamber.com.

5. The Manatee Players is rehearsing the popular hit musical Chicago which is set to open on August 18 and play through September 4.   The show is being directed and choreographed by Dewayne Barrett with Bobby Brader as Musical Director. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $11 for students, including facility fee.  Tickets may be reserved now by calling 748-5875 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. or on the Manatee Players’ website.   All performances are at 102 Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton. Chicago is a Kander and Ebb musical set in prohibition era Chicago. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice, and the concept of the "celebrity criminal." The original 1975 Broadway production ran for a total of 936 performances. Bob Fosse choreographed the original production, and his style is strongly identified with the show. Chicago's 1996 Broadway revival holds the record for the longest-running musical revival.