5 Things You Need To Know Today: December 20

1. The County Commission meets today and will discuss terminating its contract for red light cameras in the county after the state began taking such a large portion of the fines that the program now coss the county too much money.

2. The Longest Night Homeless Memorial and Candlelight Vigil begins at 6:00 PM Wednesday on the The Salvation Army campus in Sarasota. Join the Suncoast Partnership To End Homelessness as the names of Manatee and Sarasota men and women who died while experiencing homelessness in 2011 are read and remembered. View the full program for the  Homeless Memorial Vigil 2011.

3. Check out Patch's column for ideas on ways and places to volunteer now and in the coming year.

4. Want to win $500 to pay off your holida electric bills? How about $100,000 for Manatee County Schools? Enter Patch's Deck Your House holiday lights contest. Here’s how the contest works. You can nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site by Dec. 26. You and your neighbors will be able to vote for your favorite festive home. The winning entry will be forwarded to a national Patch judge who will select 24 finalists. Each finalist will receive $500 that they can apply to their December electric bill. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 you will be able to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch. The grand prize winner’s school district will receive a $100,000 check from Patch.

5. Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department has scheduled a special canoe and kayak paddle trip around Robinson Preserve that is designed to give participants a break from the hectic holidays. Participants will help clean up the waterways of Robinson Preserve by paddling in and collecting trash to take out. The waters of Tampa Bay, Palma Sola Bay, and Perico Bayou converge upon Robinson Preserve and bring with them whatever trash has been blown, or thrown, into the waters. The preserve is carefully cleaned by both Rangers and volunteers, but it’s a daily job that always needs to be done. This paddle isn’t just a trash safari. There will be  opportunities to scope out the wildlife that hide along the water’s edge. Participants do not have to supply their own canoe or kayak. A small number of boats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Safety gear will also be provided to individuals using County boats. Reservations are required for this paddle trip. The group will meet at the Robinson Preserve Canoe/Kayak Launch on December 28th at 1:00 p.m. and paddle until 4:00 p.m. For reservations contact Aedan Stockdale, aedan.stockdale@mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501 ext. 4616.