Longboat Key: Your Calendar

DON’T MISS

Freedom Fest

What: Celebrate the Fourth of July with the world’s shortest parade. In addition to the quarter-mile parade, the event will include games for children and a dog costume contest. Call 383-2466.

When: 9 a.m. Monday, July 4

Where: Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Tuesday, July 5

Operation Kindness Community Night — Takes place at Café L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle. Operation Kindness Florida Inc., which raises funds for veterans who have sustained emotional and physical injuries while in service, will receive 20% of the evening's proceeds. For reservations, call 388-4415 and mention Operation Kindness.

Friday July 8 to Sunday, July 10

Lionfish Derby — Takes place at Mote Marine Laboratory’s WAVE Center, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. Help collect the invasive and ecologically disruptive lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico in the third annual three-day competition. Teams will compete for more than $3,500 in cash prizes.  Cost is $120 per team; the weigh-in from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday is free. Registration is required at mote.org/lionfishderby.

Wednesday, July 13

Networking @ Noon — Takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tommy Bahama, 300 John Ringling Blvd. Enjoy lunch while networking with chamber members. Cost is $25 for members; $35 for nonmembers. Call 383-2466.

RECURRING EVENTS

Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive

RSVP to [email protected] or 383-6493.

Fridays

Beginners Bridge or Refresher Course — Takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Coffee and cookies are provided. Cost is $10.

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road

Call 383-8161.

Tuesdays

Rotary Club of Longboat Key — Meets at 5:15 p.m. Cost is $8. Call John Brill, 383-1210.

Feel Good Yoga, 6350 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Call 904-610-7565.

Thursdays

Connected Warriors —Takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. beginning May 12. Debby McClung’s trauma-conscious teaching methods can help service members, veterans and their families. Cost is free.

Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Call 383-6491

Thursdays

Shifting Sands Support Group — Takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Ruth Cushing Room. This group is open to any adult going through a difficult transition.

Longboat Key Club Tavern and Whiskey Bar, 3110 Harbourside Drive

Thursdays

Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key — Meets at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $10 and includes a breakfast buffet. Call Donna at 388-2847.

Longboat Library, 555 Bay Isles Road

Call 383-2011.

Wednesdays

Wonderful Wednesdays Book Sales — Take place from 9 a.m. to noon. Gently used books will be discounted by 50%. Paperbacks will be 25 cents, and hardback books will be 50 cents to $2.50. Call 383-2011.