Do you like WhatsHappeningManatee.com? If so- I am personally asking you to show your support for the Family Partnership Center . They need sponsors, golfers and prizes for their annual fundraising event on Saturday May 3rd. In big ways and small ways you can make a real difference to the families in our community- call me at 756-3007  or email me at   Denise@whatshappeningmanatee.com to find out more Friday April 25 10am-Storytime @ the Central Library Each week, the storytime will feature a new and exciting theme. January 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; and March 7, 14, 21, and 28. Seating for storytime will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not required. Storytime will be held in the first floor Meeting Room at the Central Library. The Central Library is located at 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West in downtown Bradenton. For more information, please call 748- 5555, ext. 6319 FREE Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. North Port Library, North Port * Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. *861-1300        North Sarasota Library, Sarasota * Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.     861-1360 * 3pm- Winter Training Sessions for the Royal Lipizzan Stallions-  Thursday and Friday at 3pm and Saturday at 10am. You can spend the entire day on the ranch, food is available for purchase. These sessions are free to the public.However, donations are greatly appreciated. Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions 32755 Singletary Road Myakka City, Florida 34251 Reservations requested for groups of 20 or more.Please call 941-322- 1501 to make your reservation. We hope you will visit and support this lost art. more info HLipizzans@aol.com FREE Saturday, April 26 8am-1pm The Lakewood Ranch Mom's Group will be hosting our annual Growing Up Sale Saturday, April. 26th. It's a great place to purchase any children’s items you need under one roof! Gently used children's items such as toys, clothing, strollers, car seats, and other baby items.  A truck from Mothers Helping Mothers will be on hand the day of the sale to take any unsold items from participants and any other individuals wishing to make donations.  Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. For more information, please visit our website at www.LWRMomsGroup.com or contact Joelle Hennesey at 751-4065.   9:00 AM - 12:00 PM – GEOCACHE BASH – Rye Preserve has some cleverly hidden caches just waiting for you to find! Come out and make new friends as you hunt for caches throughout this east-county preserve. All you’ll need to bring is your portable GPS unit to participate in this fun family event! Great for families, adults, and kids of all ages! This program is suitable for all ages.  Reservations are requested. Please Call 941- 748-4501 ext. 4605. Rye Preserve FREE NEW!- -9am-10am Dads in Motion- Playgroup for fathers and their 0-5 year olds   this   fun filled   group designed specifically for fathers will meet at Faith United Church of Christ on SR 64- west of I 75. This group is only for 2 more  weeks--don't miss out!!!! Presented by Family Partnership Center- Learn & Play with your child and other parents. Explore music, poetry, sign language and much more For more information call 756-3007 FREE 9am-1pm VPK roundup for Fall 2008- ENROLLMENT BEGINS FOR FALL 2008 VPK PROGRAM FOR 4 YEAR OLDS AT THE VPK ROUND-UP! Location: Manatee Convention & Civic Center One Haben Blvd., Palmetto, Florida  (this is for the FREE preschool for 4 year olds in case you are wondering what VPK is ) FREE 6:30 pm- The Grand Parade- Beads, Beads, Beads!!!!  You can't miss this 2 mile parade route starting at Manatee High going west on Ninth Ave and north along 39th st w to Mantee Ave to Ninth St W.  Family fun at its best- FREE Sunday, April 27 Sunrise to Sunset  DeSoto Memorial (end of 75th St W Bradenton)  De Soto National Memorial is located at the end of 75th Street NW in Bradenton.  Entrance to the park is free, as are all activities.  The Park is open from sunrise to sunset; the Visitor Center and parking area close at 5:00 p.m.   FREE 1:30-4:30pm- Manatee Village Historical Park Come explore what life was like for the early pioneers of Manatee County.  Park buildings include a chapel, a general store, a "cracker" house and the first courthouse in Manatee County.  Admission is FREE more info 749-7165 Sunset Drum Circle, Siesta Key Beach, FREE Monday April 28 Partners in Play * Free to the Community  Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center  for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. 9:15am-10:15 AND 10:30am-11:30am-Fruitville Library, Sarasota  * 861-2525 * FREE 10:30am Selby Library, Sarasota * Mondays,. 861-1130   Mondays are FREE at the Ringling Art Museum-  visit www.ringling.org FREE Tuesday April 29 Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. Elsie Quirk Library, Englewood * Tuesdays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. 861-1200 * North Port Library, North Port * Tuesdays AND Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. *861- 1300 11am & 4pm Little Bookworms Bookstore Tuesday Storytimes: Ages 1-3 at 11 a.m. Ages 4-6 at 4 p.m. 8111 Lakewood Main Street #103 ∙ Bradenton, FL 34202 ∙ 941-907-3808 FREE All Day- Dollar Movies at DeSoto Square offers 1/2 price movies every Tuesday 303 US 301 Blvd, 744-2950 for movie listings and directions.  COST=$.50 4pm- "After School Board Games" @ THE BRADEN RIVER LIBRARY  program for school age children and their families. A variety of popular games will be played at the library on the following dates: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, and 27. Game-playing spots will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Braden River Library is located at 4915 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton. For more information about this or any of the library’s programs or events, call 727-6079. FREE Wednesday April 30 9:15- 10:15am The Family Partnership Center presents Musical Motion-    Explore music, sign language, ABC's with your 0-5 year old.  Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required. Faith Chiristian Church 5215 Lorraine Rd Bradenton. for more info call 756-3007. ( I co- facilitate the group- I'd love to meet you !) FREE 10am-11am NEW! The Family Partnership Center presents MUSICAL MOTION IN SPANISH Explore music, sign language, ABC's with your 0-5 year old.  Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required. Tillman Full Service Family Center in Palmetto for more info call 756-3007. FREE 10 and 10:30am - The Braden River Branch Library Storytimes for the period January through May, 2008.TOT TIME for children ages 0-2 and their parents will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the following dates: January 16, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14.Hi-5 STORYTIME for children ages 3-5 and their parents will be held  at 10:30 a.m. on the same dates as Tot Time listed above The Braden River Library is located at 4915 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton. For more information about these events, call 727-6079 FREE 10am- The Palmetto Library  Pre-school Storytime: January  16, 23, and 30 . in the library’s meeting room.  Stories and related activities will be presented to two-to five-year olds by Altemease Williams-Edwards, Library Assistant. The Palmetto Branch Library is located in Palmetto at 923 6th Street West. For more information, please call 722-3333. FREE 10 am Wed and Sat Free Gardening Classes 10am, Earthbox Research Center 1023 Ellenton Gillette Rd, Ellenton, 723-2911 10:30am 12 noon Manatee Mom's/Dad's Club- 0-5 years,  Drop in play group for children & parents.Bradenton Branch YMCA, 3805 59th St W, Bradenton   $3 per child or $6 per family 11am -12noon Intergenerational Musical Motion- Explore music, sign language, ABC's and much more with your 0-5 year old.   Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required.  Our intergenerational program meets in Assisted Living facilities and includes "grandfriends" in the fun!  at College Park Club  Activities Room- 5612 26th St W.Bradenton.  for more info call 756- 3007  ( I co-facilitate the group- I'd love to meet you !)FREE 11:30-1pm Mom and Baby Group at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Women's Center, $3.50 for lunch optional Thursday May 1 9:15am - 10:15am Musical Motion with the Family Partnership Center -  (birth -5 years) Explore music, sign language, ABC's with your 0-5 year old.  Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required. Community of Christ, 5817 33rd St. East- . for more info call 756-3007. ( I co- facilitate the group- I'd love to meet you !) FREE 10:30am--11am  Rocky Bluff Branch Library Ellenton, preschool storytime ages 3-5.  723-4821 for more info. FREE 11am 12noon Family Partnership Center Presents:  FREE Playgroups -   Musical Motion -(birth - 5 years) Learn & Play with your child and other parents. Explore music, poetry, sign language and much more. Thursday mornings , Bethel Baptist Church 1805 30th Ave West, Family Partnership Center, for more information call 941-756-3007. Cost: FREE 11am - 1pm Walkers & Talkers support group for mothers of children over 1 year.   Manatee Memorial Hospital. 206 Second St E. Bradenton FREE call 745-6925 Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community.      Gulf Gate Library, Sarasota * Thursdays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. AND And 11:00 a.m. – Noon * 861-1241 *       Venice Library, Venice * Thursdays, 9:30 – 10: 30 a.m. 861-1330 North Port Community Center, North Port * Thursdays, 11:15 – 12:15 p. m. 6-7pm- NEW! FREE Evening Program for Parents and Children 0-5 Musical Motion by Moonlight, rotating locations presented by Family Partnership Center- Learn & Play with your child and other parents. Explore music, poetry, sign language and much more If you wish to reserve your spot call Denise at 756-3007.  Otherwise, Musical Motion will begin at 6pm- first come first served limit 15 families. FREE 7pm- Braden River Library FAMILY STORYTIME :  April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15. Each week, the storytime events will feature a new and exciting theme. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Braden River Library is located at 4915 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton. For more information about these events, call 727-6079. FREE Friday May 2 10am-Storytime @ the Central Library Each week, the storytime will feature a new and exciting theme. January 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; and March 7, 14, 21, and 28. Seating for storytime will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not required. Storytime will be held in the first floor Meeting Room at the Central Library. The Central Library is located at 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West in downtown Bradenton. For more information, please call 748-5555, ext. 6319 FREE Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. North Port Library, North Port * Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. *861-1300 North Sarasota Library, Sarasota * Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.     861-1360 * 5pm-8pm Multicultural Festival  at Palmetto Elementary School  FREE Admission Saturday, May 3 NEW!- -9am-10am Dads in Motion- Playgroup for fathers and their 0-5 year olds   this   fun filled   group designed specifically for fathers will meet at Faith United Church of Christ on SR 64- west of I 75. This group is only for 2 more  weeks--don't miss out!!!! Presented by Family Partnership Center- Learn & Play with your child and other parents. Explore music, poetry, sign language and much more For more information call 756-3007 FREE 8am-5pm- Air Fest 2008- MacDill Air force Base, Tampa, the event is free and open to the public 10am- May Meeting Features Talk About Native Plants A Master Gardener from the Manatee County Extension Service will speak at the next meeting of the Palmetto Historical Commission The topic of the presentation will be native plants in Manatee County . Literature will be available to all attendees. Light refreshments will be served. The meeting will be held at the Carnegie Library, Ree Hunt Auditorium (downstairs), 515 10th Ave. West , Palmetto. This event is free and the public is invited to attend. For more information, call 723-4991. Sunday, May 4 Sunrise to Sunset  DeSoto Memorial (end of 75th St W Bradenton)  De Soto National Memorial is located at the end of 75th Street NW in Bradenton.  Entrance to the park is free, as are all activities.  The Park is open from sunrise to sunset; the Visitor Center and parking area close at 5:00 p.m.   FREE 1:30-4:30pm- Manatee Village Historical Park Come explore what life was like for the early pioneers of Manatee County.  Park buildings include a chapel, a general store, a "cracker" house and the first courthouse in Manatee County.  Admission is FREE more info 749-7165 8am-5pm- Air Fest 2008- MacDill Air force Base, Tampa, the event is free and open to the public Sunset Drum Circle, Siesta Key Beach, FREE Monday May 5 Partners in Play * Free to the Community  Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center  for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. 9:15am-10:15 AND 10:30am-11:30am-Fruitville Library, Sarasota  * 861-2525 * FREE 10:30am Selby Library, Sarasota * Mondays,. 861-1130   Mondays are FREE at the Ringling Art Museum-  visit www.ringling.org FREE Tuesday May 6 Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. Elsie Quirk Library, Englewood * Tuesdays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. 861-1200 * North Port Library, North Port * Tuesdays AND Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. *861- 1300 11am & 4pm Little Bookworms Bookstore Tuesday Storytimes: Ages 1-3 at 11 a.m. Ages 4-6 at 4 p.m. 8111 Lakewood Main Street #103 ∙ Bradenton, FL 34202 ∙ 941-907-3808 FREE All Day- Dollar Movies at DeSoto Square offers 1/2 price movies every Tuesday 303 US 301 Blvd, 744-2950 for movie listings and directions.  COST=$.50 4pm- "After School Board Games" @ THE BRADEN RIVER LIBRARY  program for school age children and their families. A variety of popular games will be played at the library on the following dates: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, and 27. Game-playing spots will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Braden River Library is located at 4915 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton. For more information about this or any of the library’s programs or events, call 727-6079. FREE Wednesday May 7 9:15- 10:15am The Family Partnership Center presents Musical Motion-    Explore music, sign language, ABC's with your 0-5 year old.  Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required. Faith Chiristian Church 5215 Lorraine Rd Bradenton. for more info call 756-3007. ( I co- facilitate the group- I'd love to meet you !) FREE 10am-11am NEW! The Family Partnership Center presents MUSICAL MOTION IN SPANISH Explore music, sign language, ABC's with your 0-5 year old.  Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required. Tillman Full Service Family Center in Palmetto for more info call 756-3007. FREE 10 and 10:30am - The Braden River Branch Library Storytimes for the period January through May, 2008.TOT TIME for children ages 0-2 and their parents will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the following dates: January 16, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14.Hi-5 STORYTIME for children ages 3-5 and their parents will be held  at 10:30 a.m. on the same dates as Tot Time listed above The Braden River Library is located at 4915 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton. For more information about these events, call 727-6079 FREE 10am- The Palmetto Library  Pre-school Storytime: January  16, 23, and 30 . in the library’s meeting room.  Stories and related activities will be presented to two-to five-year olds by Altemease Williams-Edwards, Library Assistant. The Palmetto Branch Library is located in Palmetto at 923 6th Street West. For more information, please call 722-3333. FREE 10 am Wed and Sat Free Gardening Classes 10am, Earthbox Research Center 1023 Ellenton Gillette Rd, Ellenton, 723-2911 10:30am 12 noon Manatee Mom's/Dad's Club- 0-5 years,  Drop in play group for children & parents.Bradenton Branch YMCA, 3805 59th St W, Bradenton   $3 per child or $6 per family 11am -12noon Intergenerational Musical Motion- Explore music, sign language, ABC's and much more with your 0-5 year old.   Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required.  Our intergenerational program meets in Assisted Living facilities and includes "grandfriends" in the fun!  at College Park Club  Activities Room- 5612 26th St W.Bradenton.  for more info call 756- 3007  ( I co-facilitate the group- I'd love to meet you !)FREE 11:30-1pm Mom and Baby Group at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Women's Center, $3.50 for lunch optional Thursday May 8 9:15am - 10:15am Musical Motion with the Family Partnership Center -  (birth -5 years) Explore music, sign language, ABC's with your 0-5 year old.  Creative activities using props such as puppets, parachutes, bean bags and scarves.  No preregistration required. Community of Christ, 5817 33rd St. East- . for more info call 756-3007. ( I co- facilitate the group- I'd love to meet you !) FREE 10:30am--11am  Rocky Bluff Branch Library Ellenton, preschool storytime ages 3-5.  723-4821 for more info. FREE 11am 12noon Family Partnership Center Presents:  FREE Playgroups -   Musical Motion -(birth - 5 years) Learn & Play with your child and other parents. Explore music, poetry, sign language and much more. Thursday mornings , Bethel Baptist Church 1805 30th Ave West, Family Partnership Center, for more information call 941-756-3007. Cost: FREE 11am - 1pm Walkers & Talkers support group for mothers of children over 1 year.   Manatee Memorial Hospital. 206 Second St E. Bradenton FREE call 745-6925 Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community.      Gulf Gate Library, Sarasota * Thursdays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. AND And 11:00 a.m. – Noon * 861-1241 *       Venice Library, Venice * Thursdays, 9:30 – 10: 30 a.m. 861-1330 North Port Community Center, North Port * Thursdays, 11:15 – 12:15 p. m. 6-7pm- NEW! FREE Evening Program for Parents and Children 0-5 Musical Motion by Moonlight, rotating locations presented by Family Partnership Center- Learn & Play with your child and other parents. Explore music, poetry, sign language and much more If you wish to reserve your spot call Denise at 756-3007.  Otherwise, Musical Motion will begin at 6pm- first come first served limit 15 families. FREE 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – WILD FLORIDA 101: REEF MADNESS – Ever wonder about the creatures that wash up onto the beach? Wondering what lurks below the tidal waters’ surface? This special grown-up gathering will reveal the mysteries of the deep as we wade into the water to dip-net and discover the critters that call the Manatee River home. Dress to get wet! No fishing, please. Program suitable for age 16 and up. Reservations are required. Please call 941-748-4501 ext. 4605. Emerson Point Preserve FREE 7pm- Braden River Library FAMILY STORYTIME :  April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15. Each week, the storytime events will feature a new and exciting theme. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Braden River Library is located at 4915 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton. For more information about these events, call 727-6079. FREE Friday May 9 10am-Storytime @ the Central Library Each week, the storytime will feature a new and exciting theme. January 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; and March 7, 14, 21, and 28. Seating for storytime will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not required. Storytime will be held in the first floor Meeting Room at the Central Library. The Central Library is located at 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West in downtown Bradenton. For more information, please call 748-5555, ext. 6319 FREE Partners in Play * Free to the Community Join Forty Carrots Family Center at any one of 8 Sarasota County Public Libraries and a local community center for creative play experiences and parenting education.  For mobile babies thru children up to age 5, accompanied by parent or caregiver.  No pre-registration is required, space is limited. FREE to the community. North Port Library, North Port * Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. *861-1300 North Sarasota Library, Sarasota * Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.     861-1360 * 9:30am-11:45am Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) meets  at West Bradenton Baptist Church for more info  call 941-748-6926.  meets every second friday of each month Saturday, May 10 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM – SUNRISE BEACH WALK – Wake up early for a healthy walk and a beautiful sunrise! Stroll along the beach trail for a hike and views of the Gulf and the Bay. We will walk at both Leffis Key and the Coquina Beach Trail. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. Please do not bring dogs to this event. Suitable for all ages.Reservations are required! Call 941-748-4501 ext. 4615. Leffis Key Preserve & Coquina Beach Trail<