Beach bums and society mavens alike dream of having a home in the Florida Keys . They ignore the threat of hurricanes and other storms and focus instead of the idyllic climate and stunning ocean views that abound in this beautiful island chain. Located south of Anna Maria Island is Longboat Key, a small community sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay.

Longboat Key is an incorporated town (est. in 1955). It straddles two counties, Sarasota and Manatee, and covers a grand total of 17 square miles, nearly three fourths of which is water. In addition to many residences, the city features a number of hotels, sports clubs, and retail shops and restaurants.

Ocean activities and views are the main attraction for those looking at Longboat Key real estate . They are drawn to the area for spectacular ocean views and homes located right on the beach. Swimming, sailing, fishing, and other water sports keep people busy year round. The 7000 residents are divided between snow birds who keep a vacation home here and homesteaders who call Longboat Key home. There are a number of single family homes as well as condominium apartments. Affordable homes are still available, though many newer residents are building multi-million dollar estates.

Mascots are generally developed as tools for marketing. These characters develop their own identity that is easily associated with a business, sports team, or other entity. The qualities of that identity then become part of the overall brand and, with luck and hard work, contribute to the brand’s success. Professional sports teams especially have recognized the importance of having kid-friendly mascots.

What kid isn’t attracted to and delighted by mascots? This includes cartoons, animated characters, and actors in Mascot Costumes . Mascots are about fantasy and kids love fantasy of all kinds. They relate to animals and inanimate objects that take on a life of their own. Some mascots are huggable and gentle while others are humorous and prone to antics. Both can inspire loyalty in fans and transfer goodwill for the mascot to the company, product, or team that it represents.

A good example of this is sports mascots. When very young children attend sports events they aren’t able to follow the complex rules and action of the sport itself. However, they will carry home with them the actions of the larger than life mascot — and want to return again and again. Eventually they start watching the team as well as the mascot and a lifelong fan is born.

Another example is the success of characters like Smokey Bear and the Give a Hoot Don’t Pollute Owl. These and other public service mascots draw kids in with their approachable characterizations and, in the process, teach valuable lessons and inspire children to develop better life habits.