5 Things to Know Today, March 16

1. Americans are rallying to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. The American Red Cross announced an initial contribution of $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to assist in its ongoing efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance to the people of Japan.

As concerns mount about damage to nuclear power plants in the north, the
Japanese Red Cross is also focused on supporting the 200,000 people who have been evacuated from the exclusion zone. Many of the Japanese Red Cross branch offices have trained nuclear decontamination teams and equipment, including special tents for decontamination, which can be used to support a government response. A specialist medical team at the Nagasaki Red Cross hospital is on standby, ready to receive patients if people become ill as a result of radiation poisoning. Other hospitals in the area are monitoring radiation
levels to protect the patients they are currently treating.

At public shelters and throughout the country, local volunteers are handing
out relief items, including more than 65,000 blankets which are of great
comfort to the displaced, many of whom had been sleeping outdoors, in their
vehicles and wherever else they can find space since the earthquake.

Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan
Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

2. Wednesday is Karaoke Night at J.F. Kick's Bar & Grill. Each Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., local singers are invited up on stage to sing. 

3. The Campo Family YMCA will host judo classes for all ages Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m. for ages 13 and up and Saturdays at 10 a.m. for ages 5 to 12. There is no cost for facility members.

4. The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center hosts learn-to-swim classes for adults Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at the center, 405 Beverly Blvd. Brandon. The center also offers learn-to-swim classes for children in the mornings and afternoons.

5. The Elite Poker Challenge is a bar poker league created by poker players for poker players. It welcomes all skill levels each Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. with registration. The first tournament starts at 7 p.m. and the second at 10 p.m. at FishHawk Brews and Spirits, 16144 Churchview Drive, Lithia. Although these are free tournaments, players will compete for  prizes including bar tabs, seats in the World Series of Poker events, shirts, massages, an MP3, sunglasses, vacations, chip sets and poker tables.