A Polar What?

The newest and most overused phrase in the popular lexicon has got to be “polar vortex.”  Loosely defined, a polar vortex is an unusually frigid weather event usually reserved for the much heartier denizens of Canada.   Or so we’ve heard.  But when one of these weather patterns rudely stumbled across the border into the lower forty-eight a few days ago, it had shivering Americans from every state wishing they were in Florida. "Wish You Were Here" Though chilly winds did manage to infiltrate our region for a pair of days, the temperature gradient still showed more than an 80 degree difference between Sarasota and the upper reaches of the U.S.  The running joke around here, of course, was that we bravely survived a brutal two-day winter in which daytime temperatures plunged into the 50’s, forcing us to break out long-pants, infrequently-used sweaters; and, of course, to re-think wearing flip-flops without socks. A Variety of All-Weather Activities When all is said and done, however, a cold snap in Southwest Florida is never a cold slap in the face for activity-minded people.  In fact, a few inclement days here and there are just another reason to appreciate the region’s breathtaking variety of all-weather activities and events.  In those rare instances when our ubiquitous winter sunshine and warmth take a few days off, there are always plenty of first-rate alternatives to make you forget about the weather. Besides the usual tonics of great shopping and superb eateries, Southwest Florida is chockablock with top-notch museums, galleries, art centers, botanical gardens, aquariums, lecture halls, state parks, animal habitats and more. In Sarasota County, a short list of these choices include The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory, Art Center Sarasota, Historic Spanish Point, Venice Art Center, Englewood Art Center, Big Cat Habitat, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Crowley Museum & Nature Center, Sarasota National Cemetery and Myakka River State Park.  Manatee County counts the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Art Center Manatee, South Florida Museum & Bishop Planetarium, and Village of the Arts among its plethora of off-weather destinations. Winter Art Festivals As winter progresses, the region plays host to numerous art festivals and craft fairs.  Examples of upcoming events include the Jewels on the Bay House Tour (Jan.19 - Feb. 16), next weekend’s 11^th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival, the 34^th Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival (Feb.23 - Mar. 1), the Sarasota County Fair (March 14 – 23), La Musica International Chamber Music Festival (various dates in April), Sarasota Film Festival (April 4 – 13) and the Sarasota Wine & Balloon Festival (April 10 – 13). Performing Arts Venues Even when our daytime weather is at its customary best, the sun must eventually go down. And when it does, curtains rise nightly at dozens of renowned performing arts venues.  Some of the choices that have earned our region’s official sobriquet as “Florida’s Cultural Capital” include the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Circus Sarasota, Florida Studio Theatre, West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, Lemon Bay Playhouse (Englewood), Royal Palm Players (Boca Grande), Manatee Players, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, The Players Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, Venice Theatre, Sarasota Orchestra and Sarasota Opera. For a complete list of entertaining and constructive things to see and do throughout the region visit sarasotaarts.org. Naturally, if you’re here on a mission to liberate yourself from future polar vortices, be sure to visit michaelsaunders.com.  As the region’s real estate market edges closer to normal, our inventory of homes has been replenishing itself, making 2014 an exceptional year to finally secure your place in the Florida sun.