5 Things You Need To Know This Weekend: November 12-14

1. Large crowds attended the 11th annual "Empty Bowls" luncheon on Oct. 20 at and Oct. 21 on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, raising more than $22,500 for the Food Bank of Manatee County.

2.The groundbreaking for the Wares Creek Dredging project will take place Monday at 10 a.m. at the site of the old city hall parking lot, at Manatee Avenue and 15th Street West, which will also serve as the staging site for the dredge project. The event is open to the public.

3. We are one week away from the 13th annual Canine Christmas Festival, sponsored by Animal Network and Bishop Animal Shelter. The popular festival for familes, their dogs and pet lovers of all kinds will take place on the grounds of the Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Ave W. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Festival information and registration forms are available at www.caninechristmas.com. The day features shelter and rescued dogs for adoption, a Canine Fashion Show, American Fido talent contest, doggy pictures with Santa, a 50/50 drawing, prize drawings, vendors with holiday gifts for all the pets and animal lovers, and information on free and low-cost spay/neuter programs. As a tribute to Manatee County becoming no-kill community, at 3 p.m. dogs in attendance will attempt to set a record in the Guiness Book of World Records for the most dogs to sit-stay.

4. The Manatee County Commission will have a joint worksession with the Manatee County School Board about redistricting in the county. District lines are being redrawn this year for both school board and county commission elections.

5. It will be cold again this morning and then warmer the rest of the weekend.