Buchanan town hall meeting set in Palmetto

PALMETTO -- U.S Rep. Vern Buchanan has scheduled a town hall meeting on the topic of jobs at 11 a.m. Saturday in Palmetto.

In a recorded phone message to constituents, Buchanan, R-Sarasota, announced the meeting will be held in the City Commission building, 516 Eighth Ave. W.

Information: 941-747-9081.

Free first-time home buyer class set for Bradenton

BRADENTON -- Catholic Charities of Manatee County will offer a free first-time homebuyer class 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 16 at the Bradenton Central Public Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W.

Four topics to be covered include: Steps To Successful Home Ownership which includes funds available to first-time home buyers as well as fair housing rights; Winning Credit History/Shopping for a Loan which includes items required to make a loan contract, budget and money management, and the loan and application process; Shopping for a Home/Choosing a Realtor which includes what to know when looking for a home and realtor, understanding a sales contract, and negotiation and home inspection; and Home Ownership which includes what it means to be a home owner, how to care for your home and maintain it, security issues and avoiding foreclosure.

Participants will be eligible for assistance from Manatee and Sarasota Counties bond and/or grant programs for down payment and closing costs. For more information and to register for the class, please call Catholic Charities of Manatee County at 941-714-7829.

Air Force Association to conduct STEM meeting

SARASOTA -- The Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the Air Force Association invites all the members of the local Air Force community to a general membership meeting 6 p.m. March 16 at Pineapples Island Grill, 133 South Tamiami Trail, Venice.

The speaker will be Chris Pfahler, the Community Foundation's director of community investment, who will discuss the STEMsmart program, promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Reservations: Mike Richardson or Irene Murray at 941-371-037.

-- Herald staff reports