5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 15

1. O’Brien Family Farms will host Naked Calories authors Mira Calton and Jayson Calton for a lecture and book signing on Saturday. In 2005, the Calton's set off on a 6-year, 100-country research journey to study the effects of modernization on the lifestyle and nutrition habits of people around the world. The Calton's will offer a lecture and book signing on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at , 16505 State Road 64 East.

2. The Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency will host a public hearing tonight at 6 p.m. for review and comment on a proposed for 13th Avenue West and 1st Street. The meeting is set to take place at the 13th Avenue Dream Center, 922 24th St. E. For more information, contact Timothy Polk, Interim CCRA Director, at (941) 932-9407 or timothy.polk@cityofbradenton.com.

3. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation will select  two dozen people from across the region for the 2012 class of our Gulf Coast Leadership Institute. Participants will receive seven leadership training sessions through the Fanning Institute of the University of Georgia, opportunities to network with a diverse group of fellow leaders, and an opportunity to use your newly aquired skills to benefit the community. Applications for the 2012 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute are due by 5 p.m. on March 21. You can learn more and download the application at GulfCoastCF.org.

4. Crane work will prompt a partial road closure on Saturday . A parking lane and a portion of the travel lane of 12^th Street West between Manatee and 6^th avenues will close from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Also, the east side of the 12^th Street West sidewalk in the same area will close.

5. The Traffic Unit will conduct a DUI Saturation Patrol on Saturday.  The DUI crackdown is part of a statewide effort to curb impaired driving on St. Patrick’s Day. About 10 deputies will patrol from 3 p.m. until 3 a.m. in county areas with a history of high DUI related incidents. The purpose of the Saturation Patrol is to bring awareness to the DUI problem in Manatee County in an effort to reduce the number of DUI’s, particularly the ones involving serious crashes. Last year, the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit made more than 450 DUI arrests.