5 Things You Need to Know Today: September 23

1.  , in collaboration with Minority AIDS/HIV Social Services (MASS), will host a health fair on Monday intended to raise awareness about health issues in the Gay community. Participants will be able to take part in various health screenings and activities, all offered free-of-charge.  Health screenings and services will include cholesterol education and testing,
blood pressure, diabetes and HIV/AIDS rapid testing (results in 20 minutes). Family-friendly activities will include face-painting and children's games. The event, which is open to the general public, will take place at Touch of Class, 5331 14th St W, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. No appointments needed. Additional HIV and STD testing will be offered at various locations throughout the week. Check the Manatee County Health Department's website for details.

2.  AT&T has upgraded 45 cell sites in Manatee and Sarasota counties so far this year to optimize network performance and provide faster data speeds.  Since the start of the year, AT&T has added layers of capacity to 26 cell sites in Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Sarasota, North Port, Osprey, Englewood, and Longboat Key. The extra capacity makes it possible for the sites to accommodate more traffic, which helps improve the performance of mobile broadband data and voice connectivity. For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Manatee and Sarasota counties, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.

3. The Verizon Foundation awarded $18,000 to the to fund Cash for Classroom Grants for School District of Manatee County teachers. The literacy grants were presented to teachers last month. The 36 grants average $500 and provide for special projects including classroom reading libraries, family reading nights, reading workshops, reading/book clubs, literacy technology and even a grant to aid the morning announcements television show at Verizon has been a Gold Level Partner in Education of the Manatee Education Foundation for the last three years. 

4. A fundraiser for of International Studies will take place Thursday. “Walking For Wakeland Walk-A-Thon”  is designed to raise money for student projects at Wakeland. A portion of the funds will go to help build a roof for a sister school in Guatemala. The Walk-A-Thon will take place between 9:20 a.m. and 2:55 p.m. at the Runners Track and the covered Physical Education area. For information, contact Wakeland Clerical Assistant Rosa Castro at 741-3358, ext. 2000.

5. Studio 84 Productions will present Jon Cariani's "Almost, Maine" at 8 p.m. Sept. 30,  Oct. 1, and  Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, in the David S. and Anne V. Howard Studio Theatre, 5840 26th St. West, building 11 West. Matinee performances are scheduled at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 9. The SCF production is directed by Dean Anthony, assistant professor, theatre. Cast members include SCF students Rachael Bayor, Jeff Beghtel, Nicole Cunningham, Nicholas DeLisi, Pamela Dillon, Sally Fint, Austin Peed, Marina Kaminskiy and Robert Potter. General admission is $10. Tickets are $5 for SCF students and employees. Tickets are on sale in the Box Office. For information, call 941-752-5252.