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.

Zoom Town

Out-of-Towners Are Fueling Sarasota’s Hot Real Estate Market

“In my 34 years, I’ve never seen inventory as low as it is today,” realtor Roger Pettingell says. “I tell buyers, ‘Be prepared to buy.’”

11/13/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

It's a hit

First Watch Rolling Out Alcohol Menu Around the Country

The Manatee County-based chain is planning to bring its drinks menu to half of its 400-plus locations by the end of 2020.

11/11/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Good things come in threes

Origin Pizzeria Opening Third Location Near University Town Center

The new restaurant will be located at 8193 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton, near a CROP juice shop and Scullers Draft House.

11/11/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sweet stroll

'Chocolate Walk' Takes Place in Venice Next Week

Participating businesses will be offering chocolate snacks, drinks, ice creams and even chocolate CBD.

11/10/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

It's been too long

Sage Will Reopen Next Week

The reopening coincides with the launch of a new fall menu.

11/09/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Dining Guide

Sarasota's Best Delivery Options

Whether you use Bite Squad, Uber Eats or another app, our area has tons of great choices for a quick delivery. Here are some of our favorites.

11/08/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Creative Spirits

Meet Eight Local Artists Who Find Inspiration Everywhere

Even a pandemic can't stop these creatives from practicing their crafts.

11/07/2020 By Allison Forsyth, Cooper Levey-Baker, Kay Kipling, Susan Burns, and Megan McDonald Photography by Jenny Acheson

Creative Spirits

Julie Kanapaux Fuses Fine Art and Digital Design

Kanapaux’s practice blends traditional painting techniques with high-tech digital manipulation.

11/07/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Creative Spirits

Keenan Perren Creates Skateboard Collages

“There are just a lot of creative people out there. They help each other out.”

11/07/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Burning question

Asking for a Friend: Am I Supposed to Be Drinking in Public?

A hang session in Bayfront Park made me curious about the City of Sarasota's rules for drinking in public. Here's what I found out.

11/05/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Amendment 2

Florida's Minimum Wage Will Rise to $15

Low-wage workers and labor activists on Tuesday celebrated the passage of an amendment that will gradually raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour.

11/04/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker