5 Things You Need To Know Today: January 18

1. The Bradenton City council will meet in a worksession at 8:30 a.m. today to discuss elections. Supervisor of Elections Bob Sweat will offer a presentation on the deadlines and details for the city's upcoming election cycle.

2. Economist Hank Fishkind will meet with the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday to offer an economic update on Manatee County. He has said conditions across the state are improving.

3. ArtCenter Manatee kicks off the New Year and its 75^th Anniversary with the National Traveling Exhibition “Blossom II – Art of Flowers” which opens today. ArtCenter Manatee will offer a celebration of flowers including demos, workshops and events that run the duration of the Blossom II exhibit. The opening reception is Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. See the full list of events including workshops by renowned artists Anne Abgott, Bonnie Jones, Carol Ann Sherman, Kristy Kutch, Jack Nolan, Janet Rogers and Robert O’Brien. BLOSSOM II is the second in an on-going series of traveling exhibitions of artworks depicting and interpreting flowers of all kinds. There is a $10 suggested donation for the Blossom II exhibit.

4. Commissioner Robin DiSabatino will host the first 2012 Town Hall Meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at Trailer Estates. Rep. Bill Galvano will talk about senior issues.  Various county departments will discuss public goals and responsibilities. Round table discussions will allow for open discussions and to allow everyone to ask their particular questions.

5. Yard waste that was not collected in the city because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday will be collected on Thursday.