Volunteer at Selby Gardens

If you would like to learn more about volunteering at Selby Gardens, or if you are interested in becoming better informed about the Gardens’ mission and activities, please join us at a volunteer orientation on one of these dates: Thursday, June 19, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Scully Conference Room, upstairs in the Mansion Friday, July 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Scully Conference Room, upstairs in the Mansion Monday, August 25, 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. – Scully Conference Room, upstairs in the Mansion Tuesday, September 16, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Scully Conference Room, upstairs in the Mansion Please RSVP to Emily Lane at (941) 366-5731 extension 267 or e-mail elane@selby.org. Attendees should dress comfortably, as the orientation includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the Gardens.

Dream Home Giveaway

There's a raffle happening for a new home in Wisteria Park in Bradenton.  Proceeds benefit Manatee Childrens Services.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.

DreamHouseCharityFL.com.

30 Days of Discovery

Sarasota & Her Islands (www.sarasotafl.org), renowned for being Florida’s cultural coast, and the Discovery Partnership have joined forces again this year to offer the second annual “30 Days of Discovery” promotion. The promotion invites Florida residents to experience eight of Sarasota’s attractions in September 2008 and enjoy substantial savings through a special “buy one, get one free” offer on admission. Eight attractions will participate in the promotion in 2008. For more information on saving and discovering in Sarasota, call the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 522-9799 or visit www.sarasotafl.org.


Keep Manatee Beautiful Awards Nominations

Keep Manatee Beautiful is pleased to announce that nominations are currently being accepted for their 2008 Awards Program. Local businesses, governmental agencies, community groups, neighborhoods or individuals are encouraged to compete in categories such as litter cleanup and prevention, recycling, landscaping and beautification. Award recipients will be recognized for their outstanding efforts at a banquet on September 25, 2008. For information about the program or to enter a nomination, call Ingrid McClellan at 941-795-8272. Nomination forms are also available online at www.manateebeautiful.com

Give Blood, Get Gas!

Our local hospitals are in need of blood, and we are all in need of some relief at the pump. So right now Florida’s Blood Centers (FBC), your local blood bank, is giving donors who come to its branches some gas to say thank you. Branch donors will receive a $10 gas card when they make an appointment or walk into a center to donate blood. And each day, one donor (system wide) will receive $100 in gas. The winner is selected at random, and each day branch donors are automatically registered to win the $100 award. Gas cards are limited to one per donor. Check out eligibility questions on our web site at www.floridasbloodcenters.org.

Kids Summer Spectrum @ MCC

For the first time this summer, the annual Manatee Community College Kids’ Summer Spectrum will expand to serve ages 12 through 15 with Youth Extravaganza classes geared to career exploration, video game design and more at MCC Lakewood Ranch, 7131 Professional Parkway East. The summer camp traditionally serves ages 7 through 11. Beginning June 16, four weekly sessions of Kids’ Summer Spectrum Youth Extravaganza will be offered. Fees range from $70 to $135 per session. For more information, visit mccfl.edu/Kids or call (941) 363-7203.

Business Help

There is help for any business that runs into a persistent problem involving expansion or permitting.  Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County staff work to resolve the problem with the help of LINK partners.  Call them at 309-1200 x 123. 

Embracing Our Differences in North Port

Embracing Our Differences® 2008, an outdoor juried art show featuring 39 billboard-sized displays of artwork, will move from Sarasota’s Island Park to the front lawn of North Port High School the first week in May through June. The unique art exhibition seeks to teach the value of diversity, the benefits of inclusion and the significance of the active rejection of hatred and prejudice. To find out more, log onto www.EmbracingOurDifferences.org.

MCC Summer 2008 Open House

Manatee Community College will offer an opportunity during Summer 2008 Open House programs for high school students, their families and others interested in higher education to learn about the college and the programs and services it offers. Visitors may take campus tours, and an MCC scholarship drawing will be held for eligible high school students. They are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays: June 3rd, MCC Venice; June 10th, MCC Bradenton; July 15th, MCC Bradenton; and July 22nd, MCC Venice.  For more information, call 941- 752-5420 in Bradenton or 941- 408-1400 in South Sarasota County. Driving directions and campus maps can be downloaded from the college Web site at mccfl.edu/maps.


Summer Driver's Ed Classes

The Sarasota Board of Education, in conjunction with Ault’s Driver Education Center, will hold a FREE Summer Driver’s Education Program in Sarasota County. The program will be offered in two sessions. The first session will be held on June 16, 2008 thru July 1, 2008 at Booker and Venice High Schools. The second session will be held on July 2, 2008 thru July 18, 2008 at Sarasota and North Port High Schools. The program will consist of behind the wheel instruction. Any Sarasota County student who is at least 15 years old and enrolled in a public, private, religious, charter, or home program school, and possesses a valid Learners License at the beginning of the session is eligible to enroll. Parents are encouraged to contact their insurance companies regarding possible reduction in premium with completion of this program. All instructors are state-licensed professionals. Applications may be picked up at any Sarasota County Middle or High School. For more information contact your school’s guidance office.

Register for Summer Classes at Venice Little Theatre

Registration for summer classes for youth, teens and adults is underway now at Venice Little Theatre. All classes will be held at the theatre at 140 West Tampa Avenue on the island in Venice. Registration forms (deposit required) are available at the Theatre’s Box Office or on the website at www.venicestage.com.


Summertime Arts Camp

The Art School of Colleen Cassidy-Berns has a fun and exciting Summertime Art Kids Camp for ages 7 - 17. The Art School has 8 teachers that teach classes in watercolor, painted furniture, jewelry design, knitted art, weaving, collage, drawing, sumi printing and clay. The Summertime Art Kids Camp schedule is also posted on the art school’s website – www. colleencassidy.com

Know Before You Go

Perfect Neighbors today announced the launch of its new initiative “What You Need to Know before You Go”. Designed to help seasonal visitors prepare before they leave, regardless of whether or not they use a Home Watching Service, What You Need to Know before You Go puts a comprehensive free information pack in the hands of any seasonal visitor. Packed full of useful information on how to prepare a home before leaving and what to do if a crisis occurs, this initiative is designed to help every second home owner sleep more easily. To get your free copy of What You Need to Know before You Go simply call our 24-hour recorded information line at 888-710-KNOW(5669) and leave your details.

Foodbank Needs Volunteers

Volunteers are needed at The Food Bank of Manatee to help with daily operations, including food basket assembly, food sorting, food basket distribution, and produce bagging. The work load at The Food Bank is heavier than ever, as the majority of volunteers are leaving town for the summer. Volunteers are welcome Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. Volunteers should be able to lift boxes. Business and professional groups are welcome. The Food Bank of Manatee distributed over one million pounds of food last year alone and serves all areas of Manatee County. Anyone interested in helping can call Cindy Sloan at 941-747-4655.

Suncoast Humane Society 2009 Pet Calendar Photo Contest

It’s that time of year again. Get your cameras ready for Suncoast Humane Society’s 2009 Pet Calendar Photo Contest. Each month will have a winning Pet of the Month. A $25.00 entry fee per photo includes a free calendar. All acceptable entries will be included in the calendar. Please review the official contest rules and complete entry form at www.humane.org or call the Animal Care Center 941-474-7884

Prostate Cancer Support

This year 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Team up with Major League Baseball to find a cure. Pledge any amount to the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Home Run Challenge by calling 1-800-798-CURE.

Health Insurance Available for Charlotte Co. Kids

Many uninsured Charlotte County kids are eligible for low cost health care coverage through the Florida Healthy Kids program. Your child could be one of them, even if you work! If your kids don't have health insurance, call toll-free 1-888-540-KIDS (1-888-540-5437) or stop by the Charlotte County Family Services Center to complete the online application for Healthy Kids coverage!

Exodus USA Needs Donations

Exodus USA is a non-profit Christian faith-based organization that's primary goal is to help people and their families break the bondage of substance abuse. We have several centers here in the Sarasota area where the rehabilitation process itself takes part. All over the country ministers go out into their community and look for individuals who are in need of help and are willing to come here to Florida. We are expanding greatly and are in need of donations from the community.  For more info, call 204-4587.

Rabbit Rescue

Little Miracles Rabbit Rescue is a non-profit group that rescues domestic rabbits, as well as other small and "exotic" pets such as ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, etc. We take them from kill shelters as well as strays, owner surrenders, etc. We have around 30 domestic rabbits for adoption at any given time, and we hold adoption appointments, fundraising events and do lots of web-based operations to raise money for our spay/neuter and medical fund. You can find lots of pictures and info about our group at www.littlemiraclesrr.org and our myspace page, www.myspace.com/littlemiraclesrr


Cruise for Suncoast Humane Society

Support Suncoast Humane Society and enjoy a fabulous 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise at the same time. Depart from Tampa on the Carnival Legend on November 9, 2008 and visit 4 ports of call: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mexico, Roatan Island, Honduras and Belize Enjoy a great vacation and help our animals at the same time. Book Now! For more information please contact Rotonda Travel 941-697-2300 or Suncoast Humane Society 941-474-7884 or visit www.humane.org.

Mentors Needed

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County is looking for adults who can make a positive difference in the life of a child.  To find out how you can become a mentor, call 929-2090, or visit www.boysandgirlsclubs.com.  

Women's Rescource Center Needs Help

The Women's Resource Center of Manatee, has immediate openings for Front Desk volunteers. This position includes, answering telephones, making appointments, greeting visitors and sharing information about our programs, as well as services in the community. For information, please call the WRC at 941-747-6797.