In 1968, the opening of Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall helped the city realize its ambitious vision of becoming Florida’s premier destination for the arts and culture.  Now nearly 50 years later, a group of engaged local citizens and organizations—calling itself [...]

Not unlike the Dots Per Inch (DPI) that combine to form a vivid printed photograph, Veronika Bajtala looks at her life as a collection of dots. Now a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company’s Siesta Key office, her journey to this Sarasota barrier island is as unique as the images she captures though her photography lens. And as part of the [...]

It was 6:30 in the morning. Michael Saunders & Company Realtor Connie Lyke Brown’s phone started to ring. “Don’t worry about picking it up,” she told her husband. “If it’s important they’ll leave a message.” She looked over to see that he had already answered the phone. Calling from North Carolina (and a true morning [...]

How do you tell the story of a unique property in a way that is interesting while also defining the essence of the house and the community? Well, if you live in Sarasota, where the sea and sky marries arts and culture, then the canvas for creativity is as endless as the shimmering Gulf horizon. Such was the background for a recent [...]

Who doesn’t love spending time on one of our Gulf beaches? Dipping your toes in the warm water, reading a good book on the white sands, listening to the rhythmic sound of the waves, or simply standing there and watching the sunset… To enjoy endless days of [...]

Now onto part three of my Florida island hopping adventure. The day began almost seven hours earlier at the Cape Haze Marina where I departed with my friends from the Freedom Boat Club on a quick voyage to Useppa Island (read the first blog here). Then, we trekked to Boca Grande for lunch before being "castaway" on Little Gasparilla Island (read the [...]

In my last blog post, you read about the start of my island hopping adventure with the Freedom Boat Club. We began our day at the Cape Haze Marina and voyaged to a very enchanting Useppa Island. Now, we continue the journey on to two nearby barrier islands. Beloved Boca Grande Within fifteen minutes of our departure from Useppa, we were floating through the captivating canals of [...]

From spectacular waterfront fireworks to exciting live concerts and pets on parade, there's more than enough fun to fill your Fourth of July on Florida’s Gulf Coast. So in honor of our great nation’s birthday, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best ways to party like a patriot: 1. Start Your Engines - Fourth of July weekend in Sarasota [...]

A lot can be said about summers in Florida – the most obvious being that it’s hot. And while I would certainly agree with that, I am a huge fan of being in Sarasota during the off-season. Here are 17 splendid reasons why: 1. Crazy Cool Sunsets. Our summer sunsets are truly awe-inspiring to behold. The weather patterns over our warmer [...]

When a Siesta Key property sold for $10.25 million in late May, it not only established a new benchmark for the much sought-after barrier island but also spoke volumes about the reinvigorated state of the region’s luxury real estate market. After several years in which property sales above $1 million limped along listlessly, they are [...]