🌱 How will Cortez feel Siddique’s new power on the county board?

Hello Cortez! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Cortez feel Siddique’s new power on the county board?

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Cortez? Post it to Cortez photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 75 and low of 61 degrees.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 76, low: 64.
• Thursday: Nice with partial sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 68 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Tal Siddique selected as chair of Manatee County Commission (yourobserver.com) — Residents of Cortez are directly represented by District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique, who has now been chosen to chair the Manatee County Commission for 2026. Selected in a close 4-3 vote, he’ll run meetings and help set county priorities that affect Cortez, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, and downtown Bradenton. Commissioners debated whether Siddique or Bob McCann would better reflect taxpayer concerns before the final decision.
   

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📸 Around Cortez

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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📣 Cortez Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
  Town of Longboat Key Town Hall , 501 Bay Isles Rd , Longboat Key
  9:15 am
• Free Weekly Tai Chi classes for seniors
  Discovery Villages Sarasota Bay , 1414 69th Avenue West , Bradenton
  10:00 am
• Pop-Up Library
  Town of Longboat Key Town Hall , 501 Bay Isles Rd , Longboat Key
  10:00 am
• POP-UP: Storytime @ Longboat Key
  The Bay Park , 1055 Boulevard of the Arts , Sarasota
  10:30 am
• SWAT Networking Bradenton Luncheon
  Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside , 6906 14th St W , Bradenton
  11:30 am
• Pop-Up Stop: Longboat Key
  600 Bay Isles Rd , Longboat Key
  3:00 pm
• Let's Talk Longboat
  Bayfront Park Recreation Center , 4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr , Longboat Key
  3:00 pm
• New Realtor Seminar
  Skyway Title Services, LLC , 339 6th Ave. W. , Bradenton
  6:00 pm
• Southeast Seminoles vs Manatee Hurricanes
  Southeast High School , 1200 37th Ave E , Bradenton
  6:00 pm
• Bayshore Bruins vs Parrish Community Bulls
  Bayshore High School , 5401 34th St W , Bradenton
  6:00 pm
• Bradenton Toastmasters
  Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Bldg , 322 15th St. W. , Bradenton
  6:15 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Become a Turning Points Community Partner
  Turning Points , 701 17th Avenue West , Bradenton

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Mr. Electric posted a job opening for Customer Service Dispatcher in Bradenton. Apply here.
• O'Reilly Automotive posted a job opening for Merchandier/Stocker - Hub in Bradenton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cortez here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Holmes Beach

• The Islander Classifieds: Wednesday, Dec, 17, 2025 (islander.org)
• As Powerball hits $1 billion, Florida Lotto is $6.25 million for Saturday, Dec. 13 (heraldtribune.com)

Longboat Key

• Newest addition to The Centre Shops offers sophisticated picnic supplies (yourobserver.com)
• Which Longboat homes dazzle the most with holiday lights? (yourobserver.com)
• Daniel Wade (thebradentontimes.com)

Sarasota

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Ok Cortez! 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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