Calendar for this week

WEEKEND BEST BET

Saturday, Sept. 26

Radio Controlled
Flying Event

Starts at 9 a.m. at 7315 71st Ave. E., Palmetto, with a special air show at noon that includes a candy drop for the children. The Manatee County Radio Controllers, a group of RC airplane, RC helicopter and control line enthusiasts, will host this event with the Beta Kappa chapter of the Phi Beta Psi Sorority. The event also runs Sept. 27, but opens at 9:30 a.m. that day. Coffee and danish will be available starting at 8 a.m. and hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. There also will be tethered hot air balloon rides, weather permitting, from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 6. at a cost of $5, and a car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Parking costs $2. Proceeds from the event benefit cancer research. For information, contact Bill Cryer at 807-2924.

COMMUNITY

Thursday, Sept. 24

Story Time

Runs from noon to 1 p.m., Thursdays, at the Braden River Branch Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. This story time is unique for homeschool moms and parents with children too young to start school. It is geared for children ages 4 to 7. The story time includes the reading of a few books, a poem of the week and followup with a related craft activity. For information, call 727-6079.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Embrace a Life of Health & Wellness Expo

Runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. This expo features more than 50 exhibitors in the health field. Exhibitors will focus on preventative medicine, the heart and circulatory system and the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition. Free screenings, including glucose and blood pressure checks, as well as posture and spinal checks, will be available. For information, visit lwrcac.com.

Yoga for Wellbeing

Runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m at the Braden River Branch Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. New yogis and experienced yogis alike are invited to practice invigorating physical poses, breathing methods and meditation. The class is open to anyone age 7 and up. All participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. The class will be offered the last Saturday of the monday in October, November and January. Space is limited and registration is required to 727-6079.

Wednesday, Sept. 30

Author Appearance:
Dianne Ochiltree

Runs from 10:15 to 11 a.m. at the Braden River Branch Library, 4915 53rd Avenue E., Bradenton. Author Dianne Ochiltree will present a special story time and book signing of “It’s a Seashell Day & It’s a Firefly Night.” Also featured at the event will be “Molly, By Moll! The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter.” For information, call 727-6079.

Friday, Oct. 2

Book Signing

Author Pennell Skinner will sign her new book “Passage to Cuba, Quest for the Masque of Gold” from 5 to 50 8 p.m. at Vanessa Fine Jewelry, 8131 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. For information call 373-6311 or visit pennelleontour-books.com.

Music on Main

Runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. TC & Sass will fill the air with sounds of Disco, Classic ‘60s and ‘70s, rock and Latin rhythms. Proceeds from food and beverage sales will benefit the Florida Center for Early Childhood. Guests may bring chairs, but no coolers. Dogs must be kept on a short leash. For information, visit lakewoodranch.com.

Saturday, Oct. 3

VFW Post 3233 Annual Men’s Auxiliary Golf Tournament 

Starts with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. at Rolling Green Golf Course, 4501 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. This event benefits East County-based nonprofit Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities. Cost is $70 per prerson and the price includes green fees, use of a golf cart, two free drinks and a prime rib dinner. For information, registration or sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected].

Getting the Most Out of Adult Preventative Care

Runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Drs. Matt Nessetti and Joseph Weatherly, of Allcare Medical Centers, will share how they use preventative care plans, including valuable health screening tips. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to 708-8100.

Beer, Bands and BBQ

Runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8501 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota. Presented by the Music Compound, this event will feature performances by the Matt Facciolla Band, Stonefish, Jah Movement, Lincense to Chill, Passerine, Gumbo Boogie and Southernback Sound Band, while benefiting the cause of child hunger. Tickets cost $15 for general admission or $85 for VIP. For information or to purchase tickets, visit beerbandsbbq.com.

Sunday, Oct. 4

Team Tony After Party

Riders in the Team Tony Foundation’s Cycle of Life two-day, 200-mile cycling event across Florida will start their ride in Ormond Beach Oct. 2 and finish Oct. 4 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, where they will gather for cold drinks and music for a celebration hosted by Village Bikes. For information on the ride, visit teamtony.org.

EDUCATION

Thursday, Sept. 24

Educational Futures
Conference

Runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Manatee Technical College’s main campus, 6305 State Road 70 E., Bradenton. The Manatee County School District invites the public to get involved in its long-range facility planning process by attending this conference. The purpose of the long-range facility plan is to address and prepare for the expected growth and shifts in the student population in the next 10 to 20 years. The plan will help determine if and where new schools may need to be built and which existing school buildings and support sites the district should keep, modernize, replace, reconfigure or repurpose. At the conference, participants will explore and discuss national trends in education, what public education will look like in the future and how the future of education will directly impact children. DeJong-Richter, a nationally recognized educational planning firm, will facilitate the evening’s activities.

BUSINESS

Thursday, Sept. 24

A Tour of Italy

Runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the USF Culinary Innovation Lab, 8130 Lakewood Main St., Suite D104. The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will host this “Tour of Italy” themed four-course demonstration dinner prepared and served before its guests. The evening’s menu includes pesto pecorino bruschetta, pasta alla norman, beef tenderloin with arugula and carrot in a red wine and porcini mushroom reduction, vegetables, an array of Italian desserts and coffee and tea. The lab does not serve alcoholic beverages, but guests may bring their own bottle of wine. Cost is $60 per person. To register, visit lwrba.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

‘See How Easy it Is to Know Quickbooks’

Runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Americinn, 5931 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. East County-based The Fox Business Group will present this seminar led by instructor Sharon Francis-Campbell, owner of It All Adds Up. She is a licensed advanced certified Quickbooks Pro adviser. Cost is $45. For information or registration, call 350-4162.

CLUBS

Thursday, Oct. 1

Lakewood Ranch Financial Forum 

Meets at 9 a.m. at the Country Pancake House restaurant, 8205 Natures Way, Unit 119, Lakewood Ranch. Meetings are held the first and third Thursday of the month and include presentations by experts and discussions on investment topics. Meetings are open and free to individuals interested in investing. For information, call 518-7909.