5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 23

1. Bestselling author, Todd Burpo and his family will share his family's story of hope, peace, comfort and joy from their book, Heaven is for Real during a community event at McKechnie Field Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Joining them will be the praise worship band, Read You and Me. Tickets can be purchased at , Family Christian Stores or the. Also tickets for both events are available for purchase online at www.bcspanthers.org/heaven.

2. The most talented, creative and innovative student filmmakers in the Manatee County School District will premier films on the big screen during Film Rush 2012 on Saturday at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. The screenings begin at 7 p.m., admission is free and the public is welcome. Film Rush is a unique collaboration between the school district, Manatee Educational Television, the Film Club at and the . Submission categories include Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animated, Music Video, Public Service Announcement and Field Report News/Informational News Package.

3. About 200 Seniors in an Advanced Placement literature course will be at this morning to read original stories they wrote. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will gather to hear the stories from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Affectionately known as “Kiddy Lit” the purpose of this reading project is to emphasize the importance of literacy to both the senior high students and the elementary school students.

4. The Parent Teacher Organization will hold a “Rummage Sale” on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds will go towards the Accelerated Reader program, an online program that  gives students immediate feedback on their comprehension using the books they have read.

5. Manatee County's latest splash park will open on Saturday at 9 a.m. during a grand opening ceremony of Lincoln Park Splash Ground. The new splash ground at 715 17th St. East in Palmetto features geysers, jets, interactive equipment, sprinklers and water aerators. The splash park will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through May 27. Expanded days and hours will begin on May 30. Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also went to construct picnic pavilions, a new restroom and renovate existing restrooms. Manatee County Parks and Recreation will staff the splash ground under a lease use and maintenance agreement with the City of Palmetto.