5 Things To Know: Domestic Partner Registry Coming To Sarasota?

1. The City Commission will be busy before Independence Day today as it will take the next step in exploring whether a domestic partner registry should be created.

The measure, which is gender/sexual orientation neutral, would grant couples certain legal rights in a partner’s life without challenging laws on civil unions and gay marriage. had requested an ordinance similar to one in Orlando.

Domestic partner registries are becoming more common across the country and Florida, as

At today's meeting, which starts at 2:30 p.m. in City Hall, City Attorney Robert Fournier is expected to discuss with the commission how to enforce the registry, the city's authority, and other general legal issues concering the ordinace.

Also up today at the commission's meeting is a move to , and the .

2. Plenty of options for Fourth of July celebrations this week. Two of note include the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular on the Sarasota Bayfront Wednesday, beginning at dusk. Another is in as fireworks illuminate the sky and Green Bridge. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and fireworks at 9 p.m.

3. Mote Marine reminds everyone to keep an eye out for dolphins and manatees while roaming the water in your boat or Jet Ski. A pod of dolphins and recently born calves have been spotted in Sarasota Bay while manatees are in mating season, so look for splashing in the water as well as snouts and eyes in the water. Manatees can come close to shore in shallow waters during a mating chase, and Mote advises people to keep a safe distance and not to try to push them back into deep water as you might be injured by these large sea creatures.

4. Most county and city offices will be closed for Indpendence Day and SCAT buses will not run, so plan accordingly. Payne Park Tennis Center will be open from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and the Arlington Park Recreation Center will be open from noon-5 p.m.

5. Make sure you visit  to nominate the Best of Sarasota and beyond in our 25 categories up for grabs. The winners will then be elgible to move on to a voting round to face off. We're only a few days away from closing the nomination period!