It’s no coincidence that Venice, Florida shares its name with the legendary City of Canals. In the late 1800’s a prominent Gulf Coast pioneer, Frank Higel, suggested the name “Venice” because he was moved by the scenic bayous, creeks, and canals leading out to the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The name, Venice, was accepted [...]

When I first discovered Towles Court in Sarasota it was very much by accident. This lovely artist colony is kind of like Narnia - an enchanting destination that you wouldn’t even know existed unless you happened to stumble upon it. In fact, even once you know it’s there, it can be hard to replicate your journey and find it once more. [...]

Visitors to Sarasota’s downtown are in for a tuneful treat - a new interactive art project just got underway involving local artists, musicians, and well, pedestrians. Called “Sarasota Keys,” The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County coordinated the addition of six colorful pianos to the downtown landscape.

Anyone with a desire to run their fingers over the ivories can have a go! (Watch as the crowd begins to grow bigger and [...]

You can tour the 19^th annual Jewels on the Bay Designer Showhouse January 19 – February 16. Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County, twenty-three of Sarasota’s most talented designers have transformed every room of a spectacular bayfront estate. Located at 2145 Alameda Avenue, this Michael Saunders & Company Sarasota home for [...]

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 [...]

I like to do my fair share of antiquing. It’s all about finding that perfect item – overlooked by everyone else (maybe even the shop owner) – but you know it’s true worth and, by golly, you are buying it and bringing it home with you! Fortunately, there is a place in southwest Florida where you may just uncover that forgotten [...]