5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 18

1. The Bradenton City Council will not pursue an ordinance on banning horses along the Palma Sola Causeway after the city attorney found that the Florida Department of Transportation controls activities along the causeway, not the city of Bradenton. The City Council had considered a ban after several residents complained about horse manure along the causeway. 

2. Manatee County is accepting applications for Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly, a state grant which offers financial help to residents age 60 and older who have an economic hardship. Tracie Adams, Manatee's Human Services Manager, said with state grant money the county may approve up to $600 in assistance for a household twice a year: Once during the cooling season, April 1 to Sept. 30, and again during the heating season, Oct. 1 to March 31. Manatee has about $78,000 to distribute to customers in need through March 31, 2012. The program is extended to Florida Power & Light and Peace River customers. To be eligible for assistance, applicants must:
Be part of a household with at least one person age 60 or older in the home; have a documented heating or cooling emergency (a past due amount on your bill; a final notice of disconnection has been issued or you owe a deposit); have a gross household annual income equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That means a one-person household could have an income of about $16,000 or less to be eligible, and a two-person home must show an income of less than about $21,500. If the applicant receives food stamps, income verification may be waived. For more information call (941) 749-3030 or visit the Aging Services area of mymanatee.org

3. It's opening night for the Manatee Player's Production of Chicago. 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.

4. The Manatee Sheriff's Office will conduct a DUI patrol Friday. Ten deputies, with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol and Bradenton Police, will patrol from 5:30 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. in areas with a history of high DUI related incidents.  The MSO Traffic Unit has made more than 270 DUI arrests this year with nearly 10 percent of those being drug impaired drivers. The purpose of the Saturation Patrol is to bring awareness to Manatee County's DUI problem in an effort to reduce the number of DUI’s and avoid serious crashes.
                   
5. Redeemed Christian Center and Just for Girls will its Eighth Annual Back to School Resource & Wellness Rally on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m..  This fun filled day is designed to celebrate the family and promote “Unity in the Community” by addressing the community's  physical, social, emotional, spiritual, vocational, intellectual and nutritional needs. The event will be held at the East Bradenton Just for Girls Center located at 1011 21^st St E. Free back packs filled with school supplies will be given to school-age children who attend with a parent. All food, games and services such as physicals, immunizations and screenings will also be free to the community.  The 2010 Resource & Wellness Rally was a huge success with more than 1000 back packs and 100 bags filled with school supplies given away. Anyone who wants to contribute, may drop donations at the Just for Girls Center.