5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 4

1. Don't miss today's free courthouse square concert beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Tony Castellano Trio will play favorite songs and standards using vocals, piano, bass, and drums. Realize Bradenton and The Food Bank of  Manatee will host a food drive at the event. Please bring non-perishable food items to benefit the cause. Renaissance on 9th will provide an optional lunch special including a wrap, drink, or cookie combo for $6.  Feel free to bring chairs and/or a blanket.
For more information, email Laura@RealizeBradenton.com

2. The SCF Veterans Collegiate Association will host a Mobile Vet Center to provide free services for veterans and their families today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the Library at .The Mobile Vet Center will provide community resource information, individual and group counseling, and referrals for substance abuse, sexual trauma, employment assessment and veterans' benefits. For more information, contact Paul Nolting at 941-752-5239 or noltinp@scf.edu.

3.Music Student Showcase winners will perform in a concert at 8 p.m., Tuesday in Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. West. Outstanding Students of Merit are Dylan Courtney, saxophone; Dan Wesson, percussihttp://bradenton.patch.com/admin/articles/newon; Michael Carp, percussion; Jessica Tilicky, classical voice; and Tyler Bazenas, music theatre. Honorable mention winners include pianist Fernando Valbuena and vocalists Christianna D’Amico, Chelsea Davidson, Esther Dickmann and Ethan Howland. Featured soloists will be accompanied by the SCF Symphony Orchestra. General admission is $8. Tickets are $4 for students and SCF employees. For information, contact the SCF music department at 941-752-5351 or the Neel Performing Arts Center box office at 941-752-5252.

4. Buy your tickets now for the 2nd Annual Eat Local Farm to Fork lunch with well known farmer and author Joel Salatin. His Polyface Farm has been featured in Smithsonian Magazine and National Geographic. Joel Salatin was featured in the book The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. The cost of the event is $45. Other free educational events are planned for the eat local week. Get the most up to date schedule here. The kick off is a gathering and potluck at Geraldson's Community Farm on April 15th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bluegrass musicians Passerine will perform.

5. The Manatee GLBTA Democratic Caucus meets at 6:00pm at , 4950 Peridia Blvd. E. There will be a social meeting with refreshments and food available. Contact Gordon Gregg, president at 822-2755 or gordon@gordongregg.com, or Randy Coleman at 794-0339 or randall.coleman@verizon.net.