Bradenton, FL|News|
Weekend Planner: Music on the Bayou, Poodle Skirts and More....
Here are five things you can do this weekend!

Hello Patch readers. My name is Merab-Michal Favorite.
I graduated with her B.A. in journalism at the University of South Florida. Before taking a few years off to crew on a yacht through the Caribbean. Before that, I attended Manatee Community College (now SCF) and Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville.
I grew up on Snead Island, which is located in Palmetto. Before there was a county park (Emerson Point Park) on the island, the Native American mounds served as my playground. As a child, I would hide in the woods surrounding the park as well as swim and play at the mouth of the Manatee River.
In addition to working for Patch, I recently completed two pictoral histories of local towns, one of Palmetto and one of Bradenton, which are available through Arcadia Publishing. So, if you like history and want to know more about the area, just ask.
I love anything to do with the bay, so you will probably see me paddle boarding, boating, sailing or camping on one of the local keys. My all time favorite thing on the planet is to be completely disconnected from the rest of the world -- 100 miles offshore and under sail at night.
Some of my favorite places to visit are Greer (Beercan) Island, Skeet’s Key and Starfish Co. in Manatee County and Burns Court Cinema and Epicure in Sarasota.
As part of my beat, I would like to do a profile of an elected official every week and I was wondering, what would you, as readers, like to know about the people running your city? Please comment on this article and let me know.
Do you have a news tip? Please drop me a line.
I can be reached at merab.favorite@patch.com or 941-730-8766.
Be sure to stay connected via Facebook and Twitter, too.
Looking forward to seeing you around town!
Here are five things you can do this weekend!

Officials from the School District of Manatee County are requesting public input on the 2013-2014 district budget during a special meeting on Thursday.
Authorities have identified a person of interest in connection with the woman who was fatally shot while working in a orange grove in east Manatee County.
Do you know this man? He is accused of disturbing a sea turtle nest on Casey Key in Sarasota County which is a third degree felony punishable by up to a $5,000 fine or five years in prison.
A Sarasota woman was arrested after she allegedly tried to back over two people with her car, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Are picket lines coming to a Wendy's near you, Bradenton?
Are picket lines coming to a Wendy's near you, Sarasota?
Don't plan on visiting the library or bother taking out the garbage on Labor Day. City and Government offices will be closed, however parks and beaches are open and the trolley will still be in service!
The not-so-uncommon common cold packs a punch that rivals, if not surpasses, the winter cold. Here's why.
The not-so-uncommon common cold packs a punch that rivals, if not surpasses, the winter cold. Here's why.
How far would you go for your child's protection? A Bradenton father allegedly went to a neighbor's house armed after he reportedly tried to lure his daughter.
Here are five things we thought you should know today....
Here are five things we thought you should know about today...
The world's largest food truck event is coming to the Tampa Bay area on Saturday, Aug. 31, so get ready for some good food!
The world's largest food truck event is coming to the Tampa Bay area on Saturday, Aug. 31, so get ready for some good food!
Find homes for sale in Sarasota on this page every week, from our partners at Zillow.
Find homes for sale in Bradenton on this page every week, from our partners at Zillow.
Officials are seeking input on several proposed upgrades they plan to give the South Coquina Boat Ramp, located at the southern end of Coquina Beach.