5 Things You Need To Know Today: November 14

1.The ribbon-cutting for the long-awaited takes place this morning at 10 a.m. at the site of the former city hall parking lot.

2. The Manatee County School Board will meet at 5:45 p.m. The school board is expected to make a decision on what to do with the 34th Street West once the new Manatee Techinical Institute campus opens on S.R. 70 near Braden River High School.

3. The County Commission will meet in a work session on Tuesday to discuss the county's rowing facilities, to get an update on plans for the Crosley Estate and to discuss redistricting with the Manatee County School Board.

4.The will be up for adoption starting Saturday where you can see them at Canine Christmas to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of . This is a great place to pick up Christmas gifts for your pet and for people too. Bring your dog and get in on the Guiness Book of World Records with an attempt at the largest number of dogs to sit and stay at one time. Don't miss the doggy fashion show or the American Fido talent contest.

5. Manatee County Neighborhood Services Department will host three focus groups this week to get input on the County's  Consolidated Plan for 2012-2017. The Consolidated Plan guides how Community Development Block Grants are spent. Last year Manatee County distributed $2.3 million in CDBG funds. The three meetings will be held at Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W. Housing services groups are encouraged to attend on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Social services and faith-based groups are scheduled for Thursday from 1:30 to  4 p.m. and economic development and business groups are encouraged to attend the meeting on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  To RSVP or to learn more about the workshops, e-mail Linda Childs at linda.childs@mymanatee.org or call (941) 745-3719.