Find Your Best Self

It's a new year (thank goodness!) Meet our 2021 Unity Award winners and read about the spectacular tale of the Ringling Bros.' Elephant Polka.

In this issue:

Arts & Entertainment

The Elephant Polka

The Strange, Spectacular, Sad Story of The Ringling Bros.' Elephant Polka

In 1942, the Ringling Bros. circus convinced Balanchine and Stravinsky to produce a ballet—for elephants.

12/30/2020 By Robert Plunket

In Town (Virtually)

Author Susan Orlean on the Importance of Libraries

Orlean will give a free talk as part of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County's "Love Our Libraries" celebration on Feb. 9.

12/30/2020 By Kay Kipling

Best of Sarasota

Unity Awards

Our 2021 Unity Award Winners Are the Ultimate Connectors

This year more than ever, we need the hope and hard work of these women and men.

01/13/2021

Eat & Drink

Museum Dining

Take a Break From Gazing at Paintings at Two New Museum Restaurants

Museum restaurants must offer a wide enough selection of dishes to appeal to the masses and get you in and out in a jiffy, but they also can’t skimp on flavor. Here's our review of two local ones.

01/14/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Essential Intelligence

Strawberry Season Is Here

Wish Farms is one of the top strawberry growers in the nation, and a major sponsor of the annual Strawberry Festival.

01/01/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Fashion & Shopping

To Dye For

The Tie-Dye Trend Isn't Going Anywhere

Trend forecasters say its popularity is a throwback to our childhoods—a source of comfort in tough times.

01/15/2021 By Megan McDonald

Health & Fitness

Face Time

The Pandemic Has Sparked a Boom in Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

“We’re all looking down at the camera. Not many people over the age of 20 can do that and be happy with what they see.”

02/02/2021 By Pam Daniel

Set Your Mind at Ease

Four Everyday Things You Can Do to De-Stress

Our collective stress and anxiety are taking a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing. Try these calming pursuits to help you cope.

01/01/2021 By Ilene Denton

The New Healthy

How to Make 2021 Your Healthiest Year Yet

From enrolling in a Zoom fitness class to consulting with a genetic counselor, we’ve compiled dozens of ways for you to make 2021 your best ever.

12/29/2020 Edited by Cooper Levey-Baker Illustrations by Jordan Kay

Home & Real Estate

New Wave

Take a Look at This Curvy New Vacation Retreat on Longboat Key

The way it takes advantage of water views—with a long-distance view of Sarasota Bay to the north and an intimate view of the mangroves to the east—gives one the feeling of floating.

01/08/2021 By Ilene Denton