Meeting on U.S. 301 upgrades set in Parrish

PARRISH -- The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public information meeting for the roadway improvements along U.S. 301 from County Road 675 to Moccasin Wallow Road in Manatee County. The meeting is from 5-7 p.m. March 5 at Parrish United Methodist Church, 12180 U.S. 301.

The meeting will be an informal open house. There will be no formal presentation. Citizens are welcome to attend. Department staff will be available to discuss the project, receive public input and answer questions. Improvements in this project include expanding the road from two lanes to an urban five-lane road. It will be built within the existing right-of-way.

Information: project manager Gwen Pipkin at 863-519-2375 or Gwen.Pipkin@dot.state.fl.us.

Florida Friendly Family Festival set for Saturday

PALMETTO -- Florida Friendly Family Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Sutton Park, Sixth Street West and 10th Avenue.

The fest will feature a variety of fun activities, eco-workshops and entertainment that appeals to children of all ages.

Admission is free. Tours will highlight Florida-Friendly Landscapes and Palmetto's Green Street, Fifth Street West. The Manatee County Utilities Department will be hosting a shower head exchange. Bring your old shower head to be exchanged for a new water conserving model. Free food.

Have coffee with a Guardian ad Litem representative

BRADENTON -- John Sakelaris, a representative of the Guardian ad Litem group for Manatee County, will be at Starbucks Coffee shop, 102 Manatee Ave. E., 10-11 a.m. Friday to answer questions and recruit volunteers. Guardians ad Litem are individuals appointed by the court to speak for, and advocate services for, underage children who are living in foster care shelters and in need of assistance.

Information: 941-650-6933.

Comments invited on flood insurance rate maps

MANATEE -- After months of collaboration and the regular sharing of information resulting in preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps, officials with the incorporated and unincorporated municipalities in Manatee County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are asking the public to participate in a comment-and-appeal period.

Flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding by the 1 percent annual chance flood, also known as the base flood, and are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements. Property owners, renters, Realtors, mortgage lenders and insurance agents in Manatee County are encouraged to view the preliminary maps. Anyone with comments or who would like to file an appeal has until May 6 to do so.

Residents may view the preliminary maps online at http://www.mymanatee.org/gisapps/mapviewer/index.jsp?type=dfirm

Comments and appeals should be sent to a local official, usually a floodplain administrator or building official, who will send them to FEMA. Residents of unincorporated Manatee may submit their feedback to Floodplain Manager Sandy Tudor at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton or by calling her at 941-748-4501, ext. 3843.

City residents may report their comments at their respective city halls.

-- Herald staff reports