5 Things You Need to Know Today: September 27

1. Manatee County Government is accepting volunteer applications for Special Magistrate positions and the Code Enforcement Board which hold the authority to hear and decide alleged violations of Manatee’s Land Development Code. All Manatee County residents may apply. The Special Magistrate is generally made up of of two people with a legal background or law experience and will fill three-year terms which expire in October 2014. The Special Magistrate holds hearings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the . The Code Enforcement Board is generally made up of those who may have experience or interest in code enforcement responsibilities. They will also fill three-year terms which expire in October 2014. The Code Enforcement Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Manatee County Administrative Center. Applications are due Oct. 14. For more information, contact Code Enforcement Division Manager Joe Fenton at (941) 748-2071 or at joe.fenton@mymanatee.org.

2. Tickets are on sale now for the 3^rd Annual Chowdown for Charity to be held October 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Riverhouse Banquets and Weddings facility in Palmetto. Celebrity judges, including Jamie Gregorich of Hell's Kitchen fame, will choose the Best of the Best among twelve area restaurants. Attendees will also be able to vote for their favorite dish. A judge’s trophy and a crowd favorite trophy will be awarded. Students from Manatee Technical Institute, Manatee and Southeast High School’s culinary programs will take part in a special competition.  Polo Grill owner, Tommy Klauber and Euphemia Haye, owner Ray Arpke will judge the school competition. Tickets for the charity event are $25.00 each with a cash bar or $50.00 for VIP which includes complimentary bar. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chowdown2011.eventbrite.com or at participating restaurants; Riverhouse Reef and Grill, O’Bricks, Renaissance on 9^th and Anna Maria Oyster Bar. For more information contact Amanda Edge at (941) 545-3620 or amanda@oysterbar.net. 

3. The Manatee County Extension Master Gardeners will hold its annual plant fair on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds

4. The second annual will be held at the Manatee County Central Library on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This comic book convention is geared to teenagers.

5. will host a from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday outside of the Neel Performing Arts Center located off 26th Street and 60th Avenue West.