5 Things You Need To Know Today: December 2

1. Third and fourth-grade students at and Sciences made close to 100 lap blankets for the Nursing Home Unit of Bay Pines VA Healthcare in St. Petersburg, and will donate the blankets during a special luncheon at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Daughtrey's Café of the Arts. The Manasota Elks donated the material for the students to make the lap blankets and the Elks will have members from the lodge, including Veterans, at the luncheon to accept the blankets.

2. The FFA Alumni at will host the “Patrick Lay Memorial Car Show” on Sunday. — a 2008 graduate of Braden River High — was killed in Afghanistan on August 11, 2011. He was 21. Registration for the car show runs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Braden River High FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund.

3. Manatee County Area Transit will host its Tour of Lights Dec. 16 and 17. Riders need only bring a non-perishable food item or an unwrapped toy for admission. The food will be donated to local social service networks and the toys will be given to the Toys for Tots program. As many as 2,000 people take part in the tour each year. Seating is limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Passengers should arrive no later than 6:30 p.m. and should be ready for departure at one of two park and ride locations: or the . For more information on the 2011 Tour of Lights, call (941) 749-3030.

4. will hold its “Annual Winter Carnival” on Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. The annual fundraiser features a Winter Concert by several performing groups at 1 p.m.  A Bounce House and slide, games,  activities and food are part of the fun.

5. Carlos Garcia will return as the Bradenton Marauders Manager after guiding the Class-A team to a playoff berth in 2011. Prior to last season, Garcia served as first base coach and infield instructor for the Pirates Major League team. Mike Steele will return as pitching coach. New additions for the 2012 season Coach Kory DeHaan and Athletic Trainer Dru Scott, who will take over for the Marauders’ former Athletic Trainer Keito Homma. Season tickets for the 2012 season are available for $245 for 70 games.  To purchase season tickets or for more information about the Marauders, call 941-747-3031 or e-mail MaraudersInfo@pirates.com. Information is available at www.BradentonMarauders.com.