5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 30

1. The need a win tonight to clinch the second half championship in the Florida State League South Division after Monday's 11-3 win over the St. Lucie Mets. The Marauders travel to Palm Beach today for a 6:30 start with radio coverage at 6:15 on 1280-AM WTMY.

2. Speaking of the Marauders, outfielder Robbie Grossman and third baseman Elevys Gonzalez have been named to the Florida State League postseason all-star team. Grossman lead all of baseball in runs and the all of Minor League Baseball in walks with 123 and 102 respectively.  Grossman is the team’s leader in home runs with 13 and has driven in more than 50 runs while hovering around a .300 average. His stolen base total is at 24. He has also shined defensively with nine outfield assists. Elevys Gonzalez has eclipsed his previous career highs in average games, at-bats, runs, doubles, triples, RBI, walks, strikeouts, on-base percentage and slugging.  He is one shy of his total in homeruns. His 79 RBI ranks second in the Florida State League.

3. is about to be transformed into the after the owners decided to split from the Mattison Company. A celebration to will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1. The party, open to the public, will include live music and prizes, complimentary wine tastings, menu samplings and an offering of specialty drinks.

4. Patch welcomes its newest blogger, , whose first post discusses Manatee County Animal Services' ' In the coming weeks and months Peelen plans to chronicle the county's efforts, challenges and successes in becoming a no-kill community.

5. First responders and those directly affected by the events of 9/11 will share their personal experiences and stories at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.  Presented by the university's Institute for Public Policy and Leadership, the program, “Triumph over Tragedy: Remembering 9/11 a Decade Later,” will take place in the Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota beginning at 4:00 p.m. Among those featured will be Dan Hoffe, who was on the 61st floor of the South Tower when the North Tower was hit and was still in the building when the second plane hit the south tower and Bonnie Greenball Silvestri, who worked at the Family Assistance Unit at Pier 49 in New York and helped victim’s families obtain death certificates. The public is welcome. Space is limited so those who want to attend are encouraged to RSVP to 941-359-4602.