News Briefs

+ Dentists collecting Halloween candy for troops
Two local dentists are collecting Halloween candy for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.

Lakewood Ranch’s Dr. Maribel Santos-Cordero and Sarasota’s Dr. Francisco Marcano of Sarasota Center for General Dentistry are asking patients and community members to bring bags of candy to their offices. Each participant will receive a ticket for a drawing of a $100 Visa Gift Card.

Items may be dropped off at Dentistry for Children and Adolescents, 7315 Merchant Court, Sarasota.
Drop-off deadline is noon Nov. 3.

For information, call 907-7762.

+ Ranch Rotary Club accepting applications
The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch is accepting grant applications from qualifying, local 501(c)(3) organizations.

Grants are made possible from funds raised annually during the Suncoast Food & Wine Festival. The Rotary Club has granted nearly $850,000 in requests from more than 40 organizations over the past nine years. For information, call Jennifer Grondahl at 807-0734 or email [email protected].

+ Boo Run, Beer Festival to benefit local charities
Lakewood Ranch Main Street this weekend will host two events benefiting local charities — the Boo Run and the International Beer Festival.

The annual Boo Run event will be held Oct. 29 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. A 5K event for runners and walkers starts at 8 a.m., with a Boo Dash Fun Run following at 8:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes.

Registration costs $30; individuals may register online at www.boorun.com or on the day of the event.
Proceeds will benefit Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.

The International Beer Festival will be held from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 29 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Tickets cost $35 the day of the event, or $25 if pre-purchased. Event includes unlimited samples of more than 100 craft and specialty beers, live music and a costume contest. Part of the proceeds will benefit Honor Animal Rescue.

For more information or to pre-purchase tickets, visit www.lakewoodranch.com/mainstreet.

+ Big Cat Habitat adjusts hours
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, a nonprofit safe haven for big cats, bears and other animals, is changing the times it offers its Sunset Safaris to accommodate shorter daylight hours.

Safaris will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Educational animal demonstrations will be held at 5 p.m. Saturdays, only.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and under. For information or to see daily hours, visit www.bigcathabitat.org or call 371-6377.

+ Manatee County launches energy-efficiency project
The Manatee County Extension Services is offering free energy-efficiency classes to help residents lower their energy bills.

Topics of classes include energy and money, the home envelope, your home’s biggest energy wasters, energy incentive programs and more. Classes will be held at the Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street W., Palmetto.

Five times are available: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25; 10 a.m. Nov. 12; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 1; and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Reservations are required.

Call Sharon McClellan at 722-4524 for more information or to make a reservation.

+ Scholarship fund launches wreath sales
The Taylor Williams Emmons Scholarship Fund has launched a new holiday-themed campaign to raise funds for itself and for All Faiths Food Bank. The Emmons Fund offers scholarships to select students who would not otherwise be able to attend The Out-of-Door Academy.

The fund is selling handmade wreaths from Maine for these causes. The wreaths are adorned with red berries and pinecones and a choice of red or burgundy bow. Organizers hope to sell 2,000 wreaths this year.

For more information, visit www.tayloremmons.org.

+ School District sets open enrollment dates
The Manatee County School District has announced it will hold its Open Choice Enrollment Period from Jan. 17 to Feb. 3.

The School Choice program allows parents to send their children to schools other than those to which they are assigned. Approval of School Choice applications is subject to enrollment capacities and other criteria.

For information, visit the district’s Parent Information Center at 234 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, call 708-4971 or visit www.manatee.k12.fl.us/parents.html and click on “School Choice.”