Professor to address Democrats

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- New College professor Keith Fitzgerald will be the speaker at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Lakewood Ranch Democratic Club, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Benderson mall to be topic for East Manatee GOP

PERIDIA -- The East Manatee Republican Club will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. March 14 at Peridia Golf and Country Club, 4950 Peridia Blvd.

Guest speaker will be Mark Chait, director of leasing for the Benderson Corporation.

Benderson is building a new shopping mall at I-75 and University Parkway.

Cost of the lunch is $15.

Reservations: Diane at 941-739-3813.

Crist to speak at Democratic awards dinner and dance

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will be the keynote speaker at the Manatee County Democrats annual awards dinner and dance at 6 p.m. March 15 at the Fete Ballroom of the Polo Grill, 10670 Boardwalk Loop.

Crist was a Republican governor of Florida from 2006 through 2010 who ran in 2010 for the U.S. Senate as an Independent. He campaigned for President Barack Obama in 2012 and late last year changed his party registration to Democrat.

Manatee Party Chair Patty Benson notes that Democrats are eager to hear the message of someone who has a history of working across the aisle, but also one who brings a track record of supporting issues that are important to local Democrats and many Floridians.

Event organizers have put together an evening of cocktails, dinner, auction and prize-drawing activity, and dancing to music by The Ciceron Brothers. Auction items include rounds of golf, fine art, restaurant gift certificates and a three-night stay at a Bermuda beach resort.

The cost is $75 a person. Checks may be mailed to Manatee County Democratic Party, PO Box 10605, Bradenton, FL 34282.

Lucy Lapides is chair of the dinner-dance committee. She can be contacted at 941-704-5971 or lucylap@yahoo.com.

Southeast Manatee Democrats to meet

PERIDIA -- Southeast Manatee County Democratic Club lunch is set for 11:30 a.m. March 21 at Peridia Golf and Country Club, 4950 Peridia Blvd.

The featured speaker will be Richard Coe, professor of economics at New College of Florida. His topic will be "The U.S. Budget, Taxes and Expenditures."

Checks for $15 are pay-able at the door. RSVP by calling Paul Dain at 941-756-4050.

-- Herald staff reports