5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Thursday, August 23

TAMPA - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Thursday, August 23.

(1) Postal Service removes collection boxes

The U.S. Postal Service will remove 16 post office blue collection boxes in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

The boxes are being removed for five days in the interest of public safety and national security due to events connected with the Republican National Convention.

The locations of the boxes are as follows:

• 441 1st Avenue North
• 527 1st Avenue North
• 600 1st Avenue North
• 700 1st Avenue North
• 150 2nd Avenue North
• 501 6th Street North
• 1 Progress Plaza
• 125 5th Street South
• 100 3rd Street South
• 300 5th Street North
• 800 2nd Avenue South
• 50 5th Street South
• 205 9th Street North
• 700 Central Avenue
• 525 Mirror Lake Drive North
• 1035 Arlington Avenue North

The boxes will be put back in place on August 28. Customers who used these collection boxes are asked to take their mail to any St. Petersburg post office location.

(2) Ellie paints an elephant

An elephant at Lowry Park Zoo will paint an elephant on Thursday.

"Ellie" will be painting one of the last 4 foot-by-4 foot elephants that are being displayed as part of the Outdoor Arts Foundation's Herd About Tampa Bay art exhibition.

"Ellie" often paints with her trainers as part of Lowry Park Zoo's behavioral enrichment program.  Activities like painting are designed to encourage physical and mental activity while stimulating the animals' senses and behaviors.

Throughout August and September, close to thirty Herd Across Tampa Bay painted elephants will be displayed at two main locations: the Main Transfer Level at Tampa International Airport and Channelside Bay Plaza in downtown Tampa. Additional elephants can be seen at various businesses.

The elephants are part of an art exhibit in celebration of Tampa as the host city of this year's Republican National Convention.

"Ellie" is scheduled to begin painting her elephant at 11:00 a.m.

(3) Raymond James 50th anniversary

Raymond James is hosting a celebration on Thursday for the company's 50th anniversary.

Executive Chairman Tom James, CEO Paul Reilly and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster will speak before Foster presents James with a proclamation from the city declaring Aug. 23 as "Raymond James Day."

Letters of congratulations from Governor Rick Scott, the Florida House of Representatives and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners have been received by Raymond James.

The ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Raymond James headquarters in the Carillon Office Park.

(4) Tianna Madison receives Key to the City

Olympic gold medalist Tianna Madison will receive a Key to the City during a public ceremony in Tampa on Thursday.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn will present Madison with the Key to Tampa and an official proclamation at a 3:00 p.m. ceremony in the lobby of the Tampa Municipal Office Building.

Tianna Madison earned a gold medal as part of the world record-setting 4x100m relay team. She is a resident of Tampa.

(5) Star Wars Celebration VI

Ewoks! Jedi! Wookies! Oh my!

The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando will be overrun by Star Wars fans beginning on Thursday.

The four-day Star Wars Celebration VI gives fans the chance to meet celebrity guests, attend panels and fan-inspired activities, get autographs, buy Star Wars merchandise, and enjoy screenings and an interactive show floor.

The main exhibit hall is open Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Other activities could run until 10:00 p.m. later on Thursday through Saturday nights.

Among the actors scheduled to attend are Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Warwick Davis (Wicket), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett in Star Wars Episodes IV, V, VI), Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars Episode I), Daniel Logan (Boba Fett in Star Wars Episode II), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Temuera Morrison (Jengo Gett) and many more.

For a complete list of activities going on during Star Wars Celebration VI, visit www.starwarscelebration.com .