5 Things You Need To Know Today: November 2

1. Devin McDermott of is one of 20 finalists in the state for the 2011 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award program. The prestigious award, now in its 18th year, is given to top scholar athletes. On Friday one male and one female finalist from each state will be named State Winners. Of those State Winners, 12 will be chosen as National Finalists and will go on to compete for the National Winner title in New York City on December 9. National Finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN networks and will receive gold medals and $2,000 awards for their high schools. The two national winners will receive a Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy and Wendy’s will donate $10,000 to each winner's high school. The winners also will be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast on ESPN, December 10. 

2. Manatee County Schools and are sponsoring a poster contest promoting the message that “Graffiti Hurts” our neighborhoods and community. The contest is open to students in schools across Manatee County. A panel of judges will select and announce the contest winners Friday at 9 a.m. in the . Posters will be judged on originality, technical difficulty, artistic execution and message effectiveness. First, second and third place winners will be named in Elementary, Middle and High School. First place winners will receive $300 to improve their school compliments of Keep Manatee Beautiful and a pizza party hosted by Demetrio’s’ Pizza House. Second place winners receive $150 for their school and third place will receive $50.

3. The black-tie affair to salute Manatee County’s most famous resident takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Snooty's Gala is an annual fundraiser that supports the South Florida Museum’s educational and cultural programs and exhibitions designed to engage and inspire learners of all ages. The gala will feature an open bar, dinner by Michael’s on East, live music by Double Vision, a silent auction and exclusive jewelry raffle offering a custom-designed piece from Jess Jewelers. Tickets are $175 per person. Contact Jamie Jalwan at 941-746-4131, ext. 14 or email her for information or to make reservations.

4. As daylight savings time comes to an end this weekend, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that they operate consistently with current water restrictions. Under the District’s current year Phase I water shortage restrictions, lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a two-day-per-week schedule, and residents may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.  Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stress: Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard; grass blades appear blue-gray or grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

5. opens its basketball season on Saturday at Daytona State College. The Manatees will open their home schedule at Hal Chasey Gymnasium on November 9 against the College of Central Florida. Manatees Basketball Head Coach Joe Whelton brings a wealth of basketball experience as he prepares for his first season at SCF. The Venice resident coached two years in high school, two years as an assistant coach at the University of Hartford and 27 years as a professional coach in Europe. SCF follows its home opener with the SCF Classic November 11-13. The Manatees face Monroe College out of New York in its first game of the event at 8 p.m., Nov. 11.