Good morning!
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means.
— John Adams in a July 3, 1776 letter to his wife, Abigail
Tomorrow is the nation’s 241st Independence Day! I really like John Adams. Imagine just how difficult it must have been becoming president after George Washington. People wanted to call Washington, “Your Majesty” until he put the kibosh on that. There is a Washington Monument and a Jefferson Memorial. I would love to see an Adams Memorial. He did some not great things in hindsight but — and this is critical — he proved the concept of the peaceful transfer of power. Twice. And he was a good man in trying times. John Adams was an original American patriot. I don’t know of people like him today.
All that said, let’s ignore the “guns” part of his letter on this July 4. Shooting into the sky is crazy dangerous in our time — no one wants to be the cause of the death of a child, or a grandparent sitting in a lanai in Sun City Center, from a falling bullet. If you want to blow stuff up, stick to fireworks but keep our skies bullet free, please. Thanks! That means a lot. See Bullet Free Sky for more
The U.S. Constitution in pocket-book form: Thanks to a generous benefactor, there are 1,000 small booklets containing the U.S. Constitution available completely free — just stop by M&M Printing / The Observer News offices at 210 Woodland Estates Ave. in Ruskin.
Today’s weather: I could describe it as hot but…it will be worse in August. So enjoy the relative cool. From the National Weather Service Office in Ruskin:
“Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 99. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.”
Overnight? Scattered showers and thunderstorms and a low around 77. Ugh.
Personal forecast: My advice would be to enjoy a four-day Fourth of July weekend. Wear what you want! I wish I could…
Eye on the tropics: There is a bit of a disturbance in the Force. Or rather in the Eastern Atlantic. From the National Hurricane Center:
For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
A broad low pressure system has remained nearly stationary for the past several hours about 650 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Although shower and thunderstorm activity is currently disorganized, environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for the development of a tropical depression after midweek. The disturbance is expected to drift westward for the next day or two, followed a motion toward the west-northwestward at around 10 mph.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…10 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…high…70 percent.
What to do?
Given the mixed up “is it a long holiday weekend?” or “is it just a week with a day off in it?” the schedule at the SouthShore Regional Library is understandably light.
At 2 p.m., however, you can get started learning the many facets of the library’s connection to a genealogy database with “Ancestry Library Edition for Beginners.”
Check it out…it’s fascinating to learn about from whence you came.
The SouthShore Regional Library schedule is found here: http://hcplc.evanced.info/signup/calendar?lib=10
Busch Gardens in Tampa celebrates “Summer Nights” with extended hours.
MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa is offering free admission to exhibit galleries to active duty military personnel and up to five immediate family members from today through Aug. 13. Proof of service is required. https://www.mosi.org/explore-mosi/plan-your-visit/special-offers/
Check out what’s playing at the Ruskin Family Drive-In.
Happenings in Hillsborough:
Honestly? Here is what is happening with Hillsborough County Government today: El Zippo!
So…where can you watch the fireworks on July 4?
Whelp, there aren’t organized fireworks specifically in South Hillsborough. But you can watch the downtown St. Pete fireworks display from across the bay at Little Harbor Resort in Ruskin. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., although weather conditions at the time may make it 8:30 or, less likely, 9:30 p.m.
If you are up for rounding or crossing the bay to downtown St. Pete, head over to the Vinoy and plan to arrive by 5 or so to enjoy all of the festivities.
If you are willing to make the drive into downtown Tampa, there will be festivities and fireworks in the Channel District from 6 to 10 p.m.; there will be fireworks at the Florida Aquarium (really?) with revelry running from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost for the Aquarium celebration varies by age but we’ll settle on the younger / middle-aged crowd with $24.95.
Fireworks are expected at George M. Steinbrenner Field with the Tampa Yankees. I think.
Oh, and just for the record, The Hillsborough County calendar is here: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/calendar
Happenings in Manatee:
OK, like Hillsborough, there is absolutely nothing on the county schedule for today in Manatee County. Literally, nothing is on the calendar.
The county calendar is located here: https://www.mymanatee.org/home/county-calendar.html
The City of Palmetto, however, is suggesting a spectacular fireworks display over the Manatee River. No time given so keep an eye and ear out.
The print edition of The North Manatee Observer News also contains numerous things to get you out of the air conditioning and into the beauty of Manatee County.
News to know:
The Observer News website contains only a small portion of what is in the print editions (yes, there are four editions!). Pick one up. If you can’t find one (well, you won’t find one in Delaware or some place like that (actually, you might)), then email me and I’ll help.
And, in the end:
First, if you want to blow stuff up on your own, try to keep in mind that a lot of pooches and a few veterans could well be sensitive to the booms and the rockets red glare. Try to be understanding and accommodating. We’re all Americans, right? Let’s be good to each other. Again, thanks!
On this day in 1863, the Civil War was effectively lost by the South at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the final day in some of the bloodiest days in American history, culminating in Picket’s Charge, ordered by General Lee, from which the Confederate Army never really recovered.
But somehow, we did as a nation.
On this day in 1913, Confederate veterans re-enacted Picket’s Charge. Upon reaching Cemetery Ridge, known as the high-water mark of the Confederacy, they were met… “by the outstretched hands of friendship” from Union veterans, all survivors of Gettysburg.
Seriously, how amazing is that?
Have a great day and a happy and safe Independence Day! See you on Wednesday.
Observer Today is a morning briefing out (usually) by 7 a.m. (or so) and updated until around 10 a.m. Do you have news tips or suggestions for this feature? Please email or leave a comment.