News Briefs

+ Mote exhibit highlights extremes of survival
A new exhibit at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will showcase what it takes to survive as a marine animal or amphibian in today’s world.

“Survivors: Beautiful and Extreme Adaptations” will open Feb. 1.

The exhibit will feature the peacock mantis shrimp, which packs a “punch” with its appendages that’s as powerful as a .22-caliber bullet; the blue-ringed octopus, which has some of the strongest venom on Earth; the Vietnamese mossy frog, which is a master of camouflage; and many other survivors.

The exhibit is the third limited-time exhibit at Mote, following “Penguin Island” and “Sea Lions: On the Water’s Edge.”

The exhibit will run through Sept. 14. Admission is free with paid admission to Mote.

“Survivors will be the most diverse, colorful and exotic exhibit we’ve ever hosted — we’ll be featuring animals native to many different ocean basins around the world and demonstrating why nature has a place for all of them, including the most dangerous ones,” said Dan Bebak, vice president of Mote’s aquarium, in a prepared statement.

The exhibit will also provide information about how humans can stay out of the “most dangerous” category by helping ecosystems remain in balance.

+ Community health fair scheduled for Bayfront Park
The Longboat Key Community Health Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 29, at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The fair will offer blood pressure check, diabetes-glucose screening, HIV testing, body mass index screening, help locating ongoing medical care and tips for staying healthy. Call 861-5000.

Meetings & agendas
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.

Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.