Bradenton welcomes RNC guests from Tampa

Surfers gather on Holmes Beach, near White Avenue, to take advantage of waves churned up by Tropical Storm Isaac. WADE TATANGELO/Bradenton Herald.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/27/4173556/surfs-up-on-anna-maria-island.html#storylink=cpy

The Republican National Convention has taken over Tampa.

And much of St. Petersburg.

It's a big mess of traffic jams and maybe even mayhem courtesy of those pesky anarchists.

But south of that big bridge called the Skyway, which spans Tampa Bay, it's business as usual in the Bradenton area.

(OK, Isaac might have made things a little wet and wacky, but it's quite sane here compared to life north of the Skyway this week.)

So, let me offer some suggestions for visitors to Manatee County.

Read more. 

Photo gallery: Surf's up on Anna Maria Island

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/26/4170790/bradenton-area-welcomes-rnc-guests.html#storylink=cpy

Six Tampa happy hour spots to visit during RNC

The Fresh Market in Bradenton: Our new favorite food spot

Sure, the drive to University Parkway isn't bad.

But we wanted to frequent the new store in our neighborhood.

So for months we glanced over at the construction at the Northwest Promenade in the 6700 block of Manatee Avenue West.

And counted down the days.

On Wednesday morning, it finally happened.

We joined thousands of other foodies for the grand opening of The Fresh Market.

"It's like Christmas," my fiancee whispered to me moments after we entered.

And like wide-eyed children surveying a living room full of presents, we walked the aisles of the gourmet grocery store.

Read more of my Sunday column.

—Photo of the bakery a The Fresh Market, 6701 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, by Wade Tatangelo.

DESTINATION SPOT: Star Fish Company in Cortez near Bradenton is Old Florida at its finest

Many people, even true Floridians, don't believe in eating outdoors here in the summer.

At least not for lunch when the temperature stays around 90 degrees.

I disagree.

Especially if seated along the water, in the shade, with a pleasant breeze blowing in from the Gulf.

At an Old Florida jewel like the Star Fish Company in Cortez.

At the cash-only counter, I had placed an order for two "highliner" dishes:

Sea scallops ($12.50) and blackened grouper ($12.95).

Read more.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/05/4142277/old-florida-at-its-finest-star.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

—The uncovered seating area of Star Fish Company Dockside Restaurant in Cortez. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/05/4142277/old-florida-at-its-finest-star.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/05/4142277/old-florida-at-its-finest-star.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy