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🌱 Why Longboat Key just made a top national islands list
Longboat Key, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min readGood day Longboat Key! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Longboat Key just made a top national islands list
- See which Longboat-area homes just sold and for how much
- How Longboat Key firefighters are fighting cancer risks on the job
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 89, low: 76.
- Saturday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 88 and low of 77 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Longboat Key Named One of America's Best Islands for 2026: Here's Why - WENG 98.1FM, 107.5 FM & 1530 AM (wengradio.com) — Longboat Key has just been ranked No. 9 among Travel + Leisure’s best continental U.S. islands for 2026, spotlighting the community’s quiet beaches, wildlife, sunsets, and new St. Regis resort. The recognition highlights how the island blends luxury amenities with a relaxed Old Florida feel that keeps residents, snowbirds, and visitors coming back. 
• Top residential real estate sales for July 20-24 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key (yourobserver.com) — Several Longboat Key–area homes and condos, including properties on Gulf of Mexico Drive and Longboat Club Road, changed hands in late July for prices up to $4.5 million. These sales offer a snapshot of current demand and values across Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key, and nearby waterfront communities.
• Firefighters have higher cancer risk from foam, firefighting apparel (yourobserver.com) — Longboat Key firefighters face elevated cancer risks from PFAS in foam and gear, but the town’s fire department is proactively switching to safer products and expanding cancer screenings with Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The story also highlights a Longboat Key businessman whose PFAS-free foam is gaining traction with departments statewide as Florida phases out older chemicals.
📸 Around Longboat Key
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Longboat Key
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
The Opal & Onyx Ball →
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, 1601 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key
6:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
📣 Longboat Key Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Artwalk Weekend! Saturday Night 11am-4pm →
Manatee Chamber of Commerce 12th Street West, Bradenton, FL
11:00 am -
Education & Workforce Committee Meeting
Manatee Chamber of Commerce 215 Manatee Ave. W Bradenton School Board Building
12:00 pm -
Creation Station: Adult Beginner Sewing - Tissue Pouch
Selby Public Library 1331 First St., Sarasota, FL, 34236, US
1:00 pm -
Adult Arts & Crafts: Painted Rock Cactus
Gulf Gate Public Library 7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL, 34231, US
2:00 pm -
Teen Craft Zone: Squishy Comforts
Gulf Gate Public Library 7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL, 34231, US
3:30 pm -
Meet the Teacher
Phillippi Shores Elementary School Sarasota, FL 34231
4:00 pm -
Meet the Teacher 2026
Brentwood Elementary School 2500 Vinson Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232, USA
4:00 pm -
Alta Vista School Meet the Teacher
Alta Vista Elementary School Sarasota, FL 34237
4:00 pm -
Back To School Night
Virgil Mills Elementary Palmetto, FL 34221
4:00 pm -
McIntosh Middle School Open House
McIntosh Middle School 701 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232, USA
4:30 pm -
L.R. Johnson K-8 Back to School Night
Johnson-Wakeland School of International Baccalaureate Bradenton, FL 34208
5:00 pm
Thursday August 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Longboat Key PatchAM possible:
- Town Square University Park — (941) 277-5048
Local Senior Center, Resource Center, and Medical Adult Day
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- LEAKY ROOF?
NEED HOME REPAIR? Call HANDY JACK USA for a FREE ESTIMATE! Over 20 years experience in all types of roofing and home services. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews… (Nextdoor Buttonwood Dr)
- Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. posted a job opening for Full Time Assistant Manager - University Town Center in Sarasota. Apply here.
- Molly Maid posted a job opening for Residential House Cleaning Professional in Sarasota. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Longboat Key here.
🗞 Nearby News
Cortez
- Breezy Bakery in Cortez, Florida Serves Scratch-Made Pastries, Custom Cakes and Sweet Local Flavor (suncoastpost.com)
- Take It To-Go: 14 Reviewer-Loved Lunch Boxes on Sale on Amazon Right Now (bradenton.com)
- RoadWatch – 08-05-26 (islander.org)
Bradenton Beach
- Early Voting Opens Saturday, August 8 (thebradentontimes.com)
Sarasota
- This Is The Top-Ranked Hospital In Sarasota-Bradenton: U.S. News (patch.com)
- Water-Main Break Shuts Down Section Of Busy Sarasota-Area Road: Sheriff (patch.com)
Ok Longboat Key! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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