5 Things You Need to Know Today: September 1

1. Take a fire safety quiz and help the win a $10,000 "Be Fire Smart" grant competition. Liberty Mutual's "Be Fire Smart Fire Safety Pledge" program will be give away ten $10,000 grants to fire departments in communities across the country. Through the Be Fire Smart Pledge, community members can take an online fire safety quiz that can in turn help their local fire department win a $10,000 grant. The fire department intends to use the money for outreach activities. The fire safety quiz opens today and runs through October 31 at www.befiresmart.com/Bradenton-Fire-Dept. Results will be announced in November. To learn more about the Be Fire Smart Pledge and all of Liberty Mutual's fire safety programs visit www.befiresmart.com.

2. The Manatee County Tax Collector reported a nearly 20 percent increase in Resort Tax Collections over the same time last year. The increase in revenues means an additional $103,000 for the county. “This is the sixth month in a row, in a tough economy, where our Field Services & Collections (FS&C) department has exceeded our projections.” said Tax Collector Ken Burton Jr.  “The Resort Tax Team is conducting audits and educating our community on their legal responsibilities in submitting this tax. I am extremely proud of their success, which benefits all the citizens of Manatee County.”  The Tax Collector has been targeting  “bed tax” evaders for several years and has set up a hotline (941-741-4809) for anonymous tips about rentals that may not be paying the tax.  The rate for the Tourist Development Tax in Manatee County is 5%, State sales tax on short-term rentals is 6.5 percent, putting the total tax rate for short term rental at 11.5 percent. Visit www.taxcollector.com for information or to report a resort tax evader.

3. Most people know by now that the Marauders clinched the second half Florida State League South Division championship with a win this week over Palm Beach. What's next? first half champion St. Lucie in a best of three series beginning Tuesday.  Games two and three (if necessary) follow on Wednesday and Thursday at St. Lucie’s Digital Domain Park. Tickets for Tuesday's home game are on sale now. They are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, students and military personnel and $5 for children.  Season ticket holders can purchase tickets at a discounted price of $3.  Regular season tickets cannot be exchanged for playoff games. KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night continues: Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 by bringing a package wrapper to the box office.  “Two for Tuesday” will also be in effect at concessions stands with two-for-one draft beer and fountain sodas. Tickets are available at the McKechnie Field box office every day except Saturday and Labor Day.  The box office opens at 10 a.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, closing at 4 p.m. on non-game days and at the end of the seventh inning on game days. For information or to purchase tickets call 941-747-3031 or go to BradentonMarauders.com.

4. has appointed Justin Doss to be its new chief operating officer.  Doss came to Manatee County from San Antonio, Texas where he served as the Associate Administrator for Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, a 331 bed facility. He will be responsible for the day to day general operations of the hospital including the development, implementation, and management of key performance, quality and growth strategies. Doss was an integral part of the construction and start up of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital as well as the Boerne Freestanding Emergency Department.  Doss received his BS from Texas A&M University and his Executive MBA from The University of Texas, San Antonio. 

5. Three new exhibits will open at , 1404 Manatee Avenue East, on September 10. The first of the trio is “Pioneer Voices” which highlights the lives and times of Manatee’s founding fathers. The earliest residents of Manatee Village viewed this area as a promised land, a place for new beginnings. Visitors can see portraits and study copies of land deeds and marriage records, early maps, business invoices, a yellow fever immunization card,  and read  moving excerpts from family letters that give insight into the period of history from 1840 – 1900.  “Vintage Vogue:  Part I” is the first of an exhibit series drawn from the permanent collection of the Manatee County Historical Commission. Fashion artifacts and tableaus will rotate as the series advances in time.  Part I represents fashions from the mid to late Victorian era from 1860 to 1900.  Delight in the unique colors, patterns and hand-tailored work. The oldest garment is a plaid top and dress outfit estimated to be from the civil war period. Also on display will be a vast array of ladies gloves. The third exhibit, the “Jr. Cow Hunters Corner” will be located in the Florida Cattle Room.  A hands-on interactive display area, custom designed for exploration by tots and primary school children. Museums exhibits are located on the second floor of the Wiggins General Store. Parking and admission to the Park and Exhibits are free. The exhibits will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.