5 Things You Need to Know Today: July 25

1. The meets at 5:45 p.m. The board is expected to approve its goals. It will also approve start and end times for the school day. There will be a public hearing on ammendments to the employee benefits. The board is also expected to approve new fees for Manatee Technical Institute for adults in 2011-2012. Several contracts are also up for renewal. The agenda is available online.

2. Hell's Kitchen the cooking competition show featuring Chef Gordon Ramsey airs tonight on FOX at 8 p.m. Tune in to see how Bradenton's own fares. 

3. The Manatee County Commission meets Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the agenda are several economic development incentive grants. The commission will meet again on Friday to set the proposed millage rate.

4. Inn an effort to jump start its annual campaign, the of Manatee County will host the Community Impact Leaders Breakfast on Thursday, July 28th at 7:30 a.m. at Headquarters 311 Manatee Avenue W. This free event is held in conjunction with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club. The Champs Sports Coffee Club will feature breakfast, networking, and door prizes.  
There is no cost to attend.  No RSVP necessary. 

5. The is looking for photogenic cats and dogs for its Pet Photo Calendar Contest. Pet lovers can enter by visiting humanemanatee.org and clicking on the calendar website. Voting begins once photos are uploaded, and the overall vote winner will be featured on the cover of the society's 2012 calendar. The other top five dogs and cats will be featured on individual months. Votes are $1 each, and all proceeds benefit HSMC. The contest ends Aug. 15. E-mail info@humanesocietymanatee.org or call 941-747-8808, ext. 311, for more information.