Life's a beach -- let's celebrate

On Day 89 of the oil disaster in our Gulf, reports show that the well's new cap continues to hold. Not to jinx ourselves, but that brings increasingly strong indications that Tampa Bay's shoreline will be spared.

So while we decry the untold damages to the Gulf's ecosystem, we celebrate our good fortune while it lasts. And we hope that's for years to come.

We may have gone a little over the top today in the Herald and on Bradenton.com, but the focus on sunshine, white beaches and clear water feels wonderful. In my column today, we point you to Bradenton.com/ourbeach, where each day we will bring you snapshots, videos and factoids about our beaches.

That news is worth bookmarking.
-- Joan

P.S. Here's a view from our favorite bench at sunset