9/11 EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

“Triumph over Tragedy -- Remembering 9/11 a Decade Later” program: Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 4 p.m. Presented by USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Institute for Public Policy and Leadership, a group of first responders and those directly affected by the events of 9/11 will share their personal experiences and stories. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend, however an RSVP is strongly encouraged due to space limitations. Call (941) 359-4602.

The event will feature Dan Hoffe, who was on the 61st floor of the South Tower when the North Tower was hit and was still in the building when the second plane hit the south tower; Jackie Barron, who was reporting for NewsChannel 8 and was at Booker Elementary with President Bush when he received the call and had to address the nation; Luke Bencie, who was hired following the attacks to serve with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Emergency Support Team; Bonnie Greenball Silvestri, who worked at the Family Assistance Unit at Pier 49 in New York City and helped victim’s families obtain death certificates; and Christopher Wenzel, Master Sergeant, US Air Force (Retired), deployed to the Middle East after the attacks and author of a comprehensive wartime action plan checklist utilized for Operation Enduring Freedom.

THURSDAY

Former NBA referee and undercover policeman discussion: Local resident Bob Delaney will speak to Bayshore Elementary students regarding the events of 9/11 at 11 a.m. Prior to his work as a referee, Delaney worked as an undercover agent for the New Jersey State Police. For more information, contact Bayshore Elementary Principal Annette Codelia at 751-7000.

Panel discussion remembering 9/11: Presented by Manatee Tiger Bay Club, Pier 22, 1200 First Ave., Bradenton. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Meeting starts at noon. Cost: $20 For Friends, (members are known as “Friends” and pay annual dues of $100, pro-rated as of July 1 at $50); $25 for guests. Reservations: Email manateetigerbay@aol.com or call (941) 746-1151.

The panel includes:

n Cathy Giliberti, who on 9/11 was executive vice president and the attorney for Silverstein Properties Inc., which held all the World Trade Center leases.

Giliberti will talk about her role in helping the many businesses, companies, professional firms and their employees relocate with the resources, limited staff and infrastructure that was left. Giliberti has seen the best in people in the worst of times. n Sheriff Brad Steube. With Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, Port Manatee and more than 100 miles of shoreline lying within its jurisdiction, the sheriff’s office has been required to expand its vigilance and mission since 9/11. Steube will speak about MSO’s post-9/11 mission and the changes in laws and law enforcement and advances in technology and how such changes have been implemented.

n Rick Piccolo, president and chief executive officer of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Airports and travelers continue to be impacted by new laws and policies that have been put in place due to 9/11 and post 9/11 concerns.

The meetings are open to the public. Panelists will give a short presentation. Those who join are known are “Friends” and are allowed to ask questions of the panelists.

FRIDAY

Memorial service: Braden River High School auditorium, 9 a.m. The service will include eyewitness accounts from people who experienced the attacks. The purpose of the service is tohelp students understand what took place and how it continues to impact our society. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Dan Crumpler at 751-8230, ext. 2321.

Special announcements at King Middle: The school will air a “special edition” of school announcements at approximately 9:11 a.m. The announcements will include video interviews with faculty and staff regarding where they were on 9/11 and what they remember. A female student will also read a letter written by another young lady who lost her father in the attacks. For more information, contact King Middle Social Studies Department Chair Tara Rhodes Takacs at 798-6820, ext. 265.

Hero/service personnel luncheon: Nolan Middle School cafeteria, 11 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Local Firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical techs are invited to this event commemorating 9/11. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and a 9/11 tribute will be presented during school history classes. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Tamara Cornwell at 751-8200, ext. 2016.

Tribute to Heroes Luncheon: Bradenton Municipal Auditorium, 11:30 a.m.

City of Palmetto Evening Community Observance: Palmetto Historical Park, 515 10th Ave. W., 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

‘Never Forget’ bows: Freedom Elementary will place large letters spelling out “NEVER FORGET” around the flags in front of the school. Each letter will have a collection of small bows that will add up to 3,000-plus bows to symbolize the lives lost in the attacks. For more information, contact Freedom Elementary Principal Jim Mennes at 708-4990.

Learn & Serve class: Buffalo Creek Middle students in Learn & Serve class will write letters of thanks, decorate bags and fill them with cookies to give to local firefighters and law enforcement officers to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The “thank you” bags will be delivered Friday. For more information, contact Buffalo Creek Middle School Principal Matthew Gruhl at 721-2260.

SATURDAY

Second Annual Clancy’s Charity Tricycle Race: Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub and Grill, 6218 Cortez Road, Bradenton. Clancy’s will host its second annual Charity Tricycle Race for adults 4-9 p.m. There will be prize drawings, dunk tank, cash prizes and more. Proceeds will benefit Wounded Warrior Project: www.185forheroes.org. Information: 794-2489.

Lakewood Ranch Remembers 9/11: Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., 5 to 8 p.m. Event will include music, student essay readings, flagpole and monument dedication, emergency vehicle procession, resident reflections and more. For more information,

Summon the Heroes: A 9/11 Remembrance: The Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel pay tribute to 10th anniversary of 9/11. Concert proceeds will benefit local charities. Time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10, $20 and $35. They can be purchased online at www.VanWezel.org or through the Van Wezel box office at (941) 953-3368.

SUNDAY

9/11 Patriot Day freedom rally observance: American Victory Ship Mariners Museum, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 8 to 8:45 a.m. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Following the ship’s observance, the Tampa Firefighters Museum will continue with the observance as well as a memorial dedication. Information: (813) 228-8766 or www.americanvictory.org.

“Let’s Roll” Remembrance Ride: A tribute to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and for the brave men and women of the armed forces, the fifth annual Manatee County 9/11 Remembrance Ride begins with registration 9:30-11 a.m. at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office parking lot, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. The opening ceremony will be 11 a.m.-noon featuring multiple local celebrity guest speakers, a live performance by Boss Hawg, and the Vietnam Brotherhood will be presenting the colors and honor guard. At noon the fully escorted ride leaves and will travel to Coquina Beach for a short memorial service. Information: www.911remembranceride.com.

Free admission to boat show: To thank active duty military, law enforcement and fire fighters for their service to the Tampa community, the 2011 Tampa Boat Show is offering free admission Sunday to those who present a valid active ID upon admission. In addition to hundreds of boats and marine products for sale on land and in-water, the boat show offers fun and educational attractions for boaters of all ages and experience levels, including appearances by the Harris brothers from the hit show Deadliest Catch; the new Discover Boating Resource Center featuring on-the-water educational courses and free boat rides; live music at the Party Barge; the return of “big boats;” and much more. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; venue is Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin Street. General admission: $10 for adults (16 and older); free for children 15 and younger. Information: (954) 441-3227 or TampaBoatShow.com.

Prayers for the victims: Steps of Manatee County Courthouse, 1 to 2 p.m.

Multi-faith, multi-cultural gathering: Temple Beth El along with Unity Church In the Woods, 5 p.m., Retired New York Firefighter Garrett Lindgren will be keynote speaker. Temple Beth El is at 4200 32ndSt. W., Information: (941) 755-4900.

Artists’ roundtable: Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, commemorates 9/11 with photographs and a program. Len Price ventured to ground zero on Sept. 12, 2001, and the MFA will premiere 11 of these photographs in the installation, Remembering September 11, which will continue throughout the month. The images will be on view in public spaces off the glass Conservatory and in the Mary and Fred Shuh Lobby on the second floor of the Hazel Hough Wing. The MFA also will hold a roundtable at 3 p.m. Sunday with Director Kent Lydecker and Dr. Gary Mormino, the Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History and Director of the Florida Studies Program at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. Dr. Lydecker was Associate Director for Education at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when 9/11 occurred and planned programs to help the city heal. Admission to the Museum that day is free to all law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel with I.D. and their families. The MFA is at 255 Beach Drive N.E. For more information and admission details, call (727) 896-2667 or visit the website at www.fine-arts.org.

Roller Derby: Astro Skate Center, 3611 Third St. W., Bradenton. The Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby League will honor all first responders and veterans at a Roller Derby featuring The Bombers against the Ocala Cannibals at 7 p.m. The event features a presentation by future responders, the Bradenton Police Explorers. First responders or veterans showing ID will receive five free tickets toward the first prize drawing. Please bring a chair as limited seating is available. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Information: www.bradentuckybombers.org.

“9-11: Ten-Year Community Commemoration”: Local government representatives, faith leaders, first responders and interfaith associations will participate in a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1670 Main St., Sarasota. Information: the Reverend Dr. Tom Pfaff, (941) 724-5018 or tompfaff@verizon.net.

This story was originally published September 5, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "9/11 EVENTS."