5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Thursday, October 18

TAMPA - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Thursday, October 18.

1.  Paul Ryan to attend campaign rallies

Mitt Romney's GOP running mate, Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan, will attend two campaign rallies in Florida today.  The Wisconsin congressman will first be at an event at the Ocala Town Square at 12:40 p.m., and then he will attend a rally at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to introduce Ryan at the Fort Myers event.

A Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday shows Mitt Romney closing the gap between himself and President Obama. The President now leads Mitt Romney by only three percentage points, 50% to 47%, compared to the last poll which had Obama up by 6%.

For more information about Ryan's campaign stops in Florida, visit http://www.mittromney.com/FL.

2.  Sign spinners on St. Pete City Council agenda

St. Petersburg City Council members will take up the issue of sign spinners during today's meeting.  The proposed ordinance would create the definition of a "human sign," and ban people form spinning, twirling, spinning or gyrating themselves--or the signs--to draw the attention of drivers.
    
According to the ordinance, people would only be allowed to use human signs on the property of the business being advertised, and only during active business hours.  The person holding or wearing the sign would be prohibited from using a podium, and could not venture past the street-side edge of the sidewalk.

For more information, visit http://www.stpete.org/meetings/weekly.asp.

3. Saks'"Key to the Cure" weekend begins

Saks Fifth Avenue at International Mall begins their "Key to the Cure" charity shopping weekend today.  All of the proceeds from a Carolina Herrera-designed t-shirt will be donated to Moffitt Cancer Center, and a percentage of all sales made in the store through this Sunday will also be donated to Moffitt.

Actress Penelope Cruz has been named the 2012 Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer
Research Fund ambassador for Saks Fifth Avenue's 2012 Key To The Cure campaign.  Cruz will appear in a national public service announcement wearing the Carolina Herrera limited-edition T-shirt.  

The "Key To The Cure" PSA will also appear in major fashion and lifestyle magazines in September and October.
 
Saks Fifth Avenue initiated its charity shopping weekend in 1999. Since then, the company has donated $31 million to women's cancer research and treatment organizations throughout the United States.

Organizations benefiting from these funds include Moffitt, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund, Cleveland Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Nevada Cancer Institute and many others.

4.  Clearwater Jazz Holiday begins

The Clearwater Jazz Holiday opens this afternoon at Coachman Park.  Tonight's headliner is blues singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, and a variety of jazz artists perform sets across four days.  

Ticket prices start at $10, with kids under 12 admitted free all weekend long.  

According to its website, the festival is now in its 33rd year.   In it history, the festival has featured such legendary talents as Tony Bennett, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Stephan Grappelli, Stan Getz, and the Count Basie Orchestra, to name only a few.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.clearwaterjazz.com/ or call (727) 461-5200.

5. Bradenton Riverwalk opens tonight

The City of Bradenton will open its $6.2 million dollar Riverwalk project tonight with a grand opening ceremony.  The program begins at 5 p.m., and will feature music and refreshments and the cutting of an 800-foot long ribbon.

After the ribbon cutting, the Riverwalk comes alive with art talks, walking tours, and skateboarding, volleyball, and tai chi demos. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota's Music Program will enliven the festivities with their Chamber Choir, Jazz Combo, Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Brass Choir. Refreshments are catered by Renaissance on 9th and sponsored by NDC Construction.

Numerous events are scheduled through the end of the year for the new complex.  For a complete list, go to www.bradenton.com/arts or call (941) 840-0013.