Thursday, Oct. 02, 2008

Homeownership forum is Oct. 25

A free FHA forum on homeownership on topics from first-time buying to prevention of foreclosures, in both English and Spanish, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Manatee Convention Center.

The U.S. Federal Housing Administration is conducting the forum called Homeownership Preservation Forum. Manatee and Sarasota counties, and the city of Bradenton, joined to host the sessions.

Separate classes will be conducted in English and Spanish, Manatee County spokesman Randall Beckwith said.

There is no fee to attend, and reservations are not necessary. For more information, call (800) 225-5342, or go online to www.fla.gov.

Celebrating on Old Main

BRADENTON - Pubs and bars along Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton will celebrate October with a day-long beer tasting event from 5-8 p.m. Saturday.

Participating in this event are Cork's Cigar Bar, 425 Old Main St.; Fisherman Joe's, 436 Old Main St.; and Lost Kangaroo Pub, 427 Old Main St.

These drinking establishments will offer a variety of full-flavored and microbrewery beers, including Weyerbacher, Dogfish Head, Shipyard Pumpkin Head, The Beast, and Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale from Southhampton, Lagunitas, Pen Brewing, Seadog Brewery, and Clipper City mircobreweries.

The tasting also will feature beer and cheese pairings, with three distinct cheese flavors, and food and beer pairings, including fish tacos, hog shanks and sliders.

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at the participating establishments.

For more information, call the Lost Kangaroo Pub at 747-8114.

Citizen's Report published

BRADENTON - The Bradenton City Clerk's office has published a Citizen's Report, giving residents a snapshot view of government operations.

The four-page pamphlet looks at the city's economic performance, as well as the challenges and priorities facing the city.

The report is available on the Internet at the city's Web site at www.cityofbradenton.comwww.fha.gov.

Habitat celebration

PALMETTO - Residents of Village of the Palms will celebrate the completion of their new community with a dedication ceremony and speeches from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Five years in the making, the construction of the 34 single-family homes was the largest project for Manatee County Habitat for Humanity.

The project was a joint partnership between the Manatee Habitat organization and the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Authority.

Mike Kennedy, Manatee Habitat board president, will be speaking, along with Tanya Lukowiak, executive director of the Palmetto CRA; Palmetto Mayor Larry Bustle; Palmetto City Commissioner Mary Lancaster; and Village of the Palms homeowner Melissa Adams.

Village of the Palms is located at the intersection of 11th Street Drive West and Fifth Avenue Drive West

On-street parking available in Village of the Palms area or at St. Luke's Primitive Baptist Church on 12th Street Drive West.

For more information, call Catherine Ferrer, development director of Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, at 447-9406 or e-mail her at cferrer@manatee habitat.org.