Cooper Levey-Baker has written about food, politics, civic issues, the arts, and music in Southwest Florida for 15 years. His work has won multiple awards from the Florida Magazine Association and the Florida Society of Professional Journalists, as well as an honorable mention from the Julia Child Foundation. Follow him on Twitter: @LeveyBaker.

Plant This

A Venice Beautification Project Helps Fight Climate Change

When completed, the new Venice Urban Forest will cover nearly 1.8 miles and provide shelter for insects, birds and other animals.

12/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Müv-ing Up

A Retired Lakewood Ranch Executive Is a Major Player in the Smoking-Hot Cannabis Industry

“We’re real pioneers,” Michael Smullen says, “but we’re just scratching the surface of what this could really look like.”

12/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Horse Whisperers

These Three Pros Help Horses Perform Their Best

Yes, even horses need therapists.

12/02/2019 By Hannah Wallace, Kay Kipling, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Ugly Delicious

'Ugly Produce' Delivery Company Begins Shipping to Florida

Misfits Market brings food that's not aesthetically pleasing enough for the grocery store right to your doorstep.

11/18/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Storage

New South Sarasota Detwiler's Farm Market Opens Wednesday

The store will hold a ceremonial "cutting of the pie," and the first 500 customers will get a gift card worth between $5 and $500.

11/18/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks or Less

Rincon Cubano Excels at the Basics of Habanero Cuisine

Rincon Cubano translates as “Cuban corner,” and that gets right to the heart of what this restaurant is all about.

11/06/2019 By Staff

Sip, baby, sip

Forks & Corks Tickets Go on Sale Monday

The 2020 Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival is scheduled to take place Jan. 23-27.

10/31/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Eastward bound

New Libby's in Lakewood Ranch Opens Today

The new eatery will ape the menu and ambiance of the Sarasota location and seat 189 between its indoor and outdoor spaces.

10/31/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

The Reborn Libby's Improves on the Original

This is French comfort food par excellence—delicious and satisfying.

10/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sound Wave

Restaurants Are Getting Louder. Not Everyone Loves the Trend

Let's hope restaurant owners are listening.

10/29/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

It's Showtime!

At One of Sarasota's Oldest Restaurants, Great Service Matters

Columbia Restaurant assistant manager Richard Appelgren shares the secrets to the restaurant's success.

10/29/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sunday service

Lakewood Ranch Farmers' Market Moves to Sundays, Starting This Week

The Market at Lakewood Ranch will run 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday from November through April.

10/28/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Health is Wealth

Healthy Café Delivers Fast-Casual Bowls With an Indian Twist

The restaurant is currently offering a 20 percent introductory discount on its dishes, plus free turmeric tea and watermelon juice.

10/21/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Farm fun

Eat Local Week Kicks Off Thursday

The theme of this year's Transition Sarasota celebration is "Exploring Food Waste."

10/14/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤

Sarasota Rapper's New Album Drops Today

YB's Fire & Desire contains 11 tracks of well-crafted Christian hip hop.

10/09/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

October is the coolest month

Student Poets Will Be in Residence at Art Ovation Next Week

Led by educator Joanna Fox, creative writing students from Booker Middle School will be typing up poems inspired by random words plucked from a jar.

10/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Snacks back

Bradenton Farmers' Market Returns Saturday

The market sets up along Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from October through May.

10/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

There Goes The Neighborhood

Is Airbnb Ruining Our Neighborhoods?

Do sites like Airbnb boost the local economy or tear neighborhoods apart?

10/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

Bridges Restaurant Marries Old World and New World Food

Be sure to ask for a table by the window for stunning views of downtown Sarasota.

10/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Cut!

Claws Will Return for a Fourth and Final Season

The program is one of TV's most entertaining shows, a witty blend of Florida noir, dark comedy and outlandish style.

10/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker