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.

Bang the Gavel

New Florida Senate President Bill Galvano Outlines His 2019 Priorities

Galvano, a Bradenton attorney and Republican first elected to the state Senate in 2012, was sworn in as Senate president last fall, making him one of the three most powerful officials in state government until he steps down in 2020.

02/27/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Grape Dispenser

A New Wine Shop Offers Unusual Finds and Personalized Guidance

Buying a bottle of wine can be stressful. Thomas Morgan of Seagrape Wine Company wants to put you at ease.

02/26/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Remember When?

The People, Milestones and Game-Changing Events That Made Us Who We Are

A decade-by-decade look at Sarasota over the past 40 years.

02/25/2019 By Susan Burns, Pam Daniel, Ilene Denton, Cooper Levey-Baker, Kay Kipling, and Megan McDonald

Healthy Beginnings

First 1000 Days Sarasota County Gives Hope to Moms and Babies

The care their children receive during their first 1,000 days will go a long way toward determining the trajectory of their lives.

02/04/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

Rudolph's, a Hip Restaurant and Bar, Enlivens the Stylish New Sarasota Modern Hotel

The restaurant is gorgeous—and the food matches the look.

01/28/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Life of the Party

How to Plan the Ultimate Party

One party can change everything.

01/25/2019 By Ilene Denton, Giulia Heyward, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Michael Riedel

Life of the Party

How to Plan the Ultimate Party

One party can change everything.

01/25/2019 By Ilene Denton, Giulia Heyward, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Michael Riedel

Cheers!

Today's Hot Party Drink: The Aperol Spritz

This drink has taken over cocktail menus in recent years.

01/25/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards 2019

Meet the Winners of Our 2019 Unity Awards

We’re a closer, brighter place thanks to the winners of our 2019 Unity Awards.

01/24/2019 By Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Isaac Eger, Kay Kipling, Megan McDonald, and Ilene Denton Photography by Everett Dennison

True Romance

Love, Sarasota Style

Love blooms brightly in our seaside city.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

True Romance

Love, Sarasota Style

Love blooms brightly in our seaside city.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Looking for Love

Matchmaking Is Serious Business for Mimi Lee

Lee has been in the business of bringing together Sarasota’s singles for nearly a quarter century.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Swipe Right

Love in the Age of Tinder

Online dating is wildly popular—and despised.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Love Factually

Our Marriage Rates and Divorce Rates Are Falling. Why?

Fewer people are getting married today in part because fewer people are getting divorced.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards 2019

Meet the Winners of Our 2019 Unity Awards

We’re a closer, brighter place thanks to the winners of our 2019 Unity Awards.

01/24/2019 By Susan Burns, Isaac Eger, Cooper Levey-Baker, Ilene Denton, Kay Kipling, and Megan McDonald

Unity Awards 2019

Demetrius Jifunza Helped 1.6 Million Floridians Win Back Their Right to Vote

Jifunza founded the Sarasota chapter of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the statewide organization behind Amendment 4, a measure created to restore voting rights to most felons after they have completed their sentence.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Goodness Gracious

Jerry Lee Lewis Brings Throwback Rock 'n' Roll and Country to the Van Wezel

The man behind "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On," "Great Balls of Fire" and other classics performs on Sunday, Jan. 27.

01/17/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Civil rights

Floridians Affected By Amendment 4 Begin Registering to Vote

'Today is a new day,' says Demetrius Jifunza, the founder of the Sarasota chapter of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the group that led the effort to pass Amendment 4.

01/08/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

A New Taqueria Specializes in the Home Cooking of Central Mexico

Siblings Gino Calleja and Leticia Calleja pay tribute to their mother's food at Reyna's Taqueria.

01/07/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Honors

Meet the Winners of Our 2019 Unity Awards

This year's winners are advocates for those in crisis, for the physically and mentally disabled, and for those from different cultures, genders, races and religious backgrounds.

01/04/2019 By Staff