5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 11

1.The will meet in a work session today at 8:30 a.m. The board is working on the $6.5 million on the downtown waterfront. The project includes a boardwalk, sand volleyball courts, a skate park and public art.

2. Departments have joined facebook and have engaged in a friendly competition over which department can get the most "likes." The county's natural resources department is closing in on 300 likes, while the libraries have nearly 190 and Animal Services has 90. Parks and Recreation passed 70 likes. Visit the county's facebook pages for fun facts, information and photos.

3. opened its parent information phone lines this week for back-to-school information on school zones, class schedules and bus schedules and stops. The phone lines are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The phone number for general information is (941) 708-4971, while the number for bus transportation is (941) 782-1287 (782-1BUS).

4. The Manatee County Public Safety Department is hosting a grand opening ceremony and tour of the new Marine Rescue Facility on Monday at 2 p.m. The two-story, 8,800-square-foot facility at 2651 Gulf Drive South in Bradenton Beach will serve as a headquarters and training station for Manatee County’s lifeguards. The Marine Unit of Manatee Sheriff’s Office will also operate out of the new building. The storm-hardened building can withstand 130 mph winds. There will be a brief dedication ceremony on Monday followed by tours of the building and light refreshments.

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.