Your Town

+ Bernie Farber celebrates 102 

With music by KlezMania on the Gulf, snacks and wine, Bernie Farber celebrated his 102nd birthday Feb. 22 at Kobernick House.

“I believe that moderation in life and maintaining a good sense of humor have helped me to live so well over the years,” Farber said.

+ Skill sets

Whether they were interested in repairing a car door after a collision, building a wall made of wood or styling a mannequin's hair, technical school students showed off their skills Feb. 25.

Manatee Technical College hosted the annual SkillsUSA competition, which featured more than 430 students from nine counties. MTC students won 53 gold, 27 silver and 20 bronze medals. Students competed in 50 categories, such as carpentry, cabinetmaking, barbering, hair weaving, car repair and a range of others.

 "Having judges look over their work and this level of competition will help boost their confidence and ease some of the anxiety of finding a job after school,"said Aric Youmans, a cosmetology instructor at Manatee Technical College. 

+ First birthday

Kara Young is celebrating her first birthday, but she's 4. 

She's a Leap Day baby, who was born Feb. 29, 2012. With blue iced vanilla cupcakes and a birthday girl crown, Young celebrated her first birthday bash in style, with her friends at Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch Town Centre. 

The Young family celebrated Kara with a party on Saturday, a class party at Primrose and a family party Monday  night. "It's probably over the top, but it's once every four years," Kara's mother, Betsy, said.