5 Things You Need to Know Today: September 30

1. Studio 84 Productions presents "Almost, Maine" by John Cariani at 8 p.m., tonight and Saturday, and Oct. 6 through 8, in the David S. and Anne V. Howard Studio Theatre, 5840 26th St. West, building 11. A matinee performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday and on Oct. 9. In the fictitious town of Almost, Maine, residents experience the complications of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways as the northern lights hover above on a cold winter night. General admission is $10. Tickets are $5 for SCF students and employees. For more information, call 941-752-5252.

2. A Country Night Dinner & Dance to raise money for Manatee Children’s Services takes place Saturday night from 6:30 p.m.  to 11:30 p.m. in the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium, 1005 Barcarrota Blvd. Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner catered by and dessert from Blondie’s Cookies. There will be a cash bar. Other specials include a bullriding contest, line dancing with Jean Myers from , a silent and live auction, and vendors with “country-themed” products. The grand prize of the raffle drawing is a brand new VW Jetta. They’re only selling 300 tickets for the raffle at $100 each. Call 941-345-1200 for information.

3. students and staff will collect canned foods items beginning on Monday and continuing through October 13 to benefit the Food Bank of Manatee. Over the summer, Food Bank officials reported supplies were alrminglylow and requested emergency help from The United Way. Manatee Elementary hasn't forgotten and is coming to the rescue. Donations may be dropped off at the school office. For more information contact Bernadette Pletcher at 741-3319, ext. 2015.

4. offices in Manatee County continue to serve as donation sites for new and used books for the Manatee County Literacy Council’s Annual Book Sale. The book drive, which kicked off this summer, will culminate with the annual book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 19 at First Bank’s Village Green branch located at 7051 Manatee Ave. W. New and used books can be dropped off at the following First Bank locations: 2412 Cortez Road W.; 9819 Cortez Road W.; 4601 Manatee Avenue W.; 7051 Manatee Avenue W.; 415 53rd Avenue W.; 1301 6th Ave. W; 3005 53rd Avenue E. and 1301 6th Avenue W. Lobby hours for the First Bank locations are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information contact the Literacy Council of Manatee County at 941-746-8197 or the Manatee literacy council.

5. It's expected to be a good weekend for yard work. A cool front is pushing through the area Friday night. That will mean lower humidity, cooler temperatures and faster mowing times! Saturday's high temperature is expected to be 81-degrees and the lows are forecast to be 65.