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.

Take a hike

Thanksgiving Is the Perfect Day to Visit a State Park

It's become an annual tradition for my family to head out to Myakka River State Park on Thanksgiving Day.

11/24/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Shopping for a good cause

Taste of Immokalee Begins Selling Holiday Gift Bundles

One hundred percent of the profits go toward scholarships and job-training programs for Immokalee students.

11/24/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sugar rush

Specialty Chocolate Shop Opens Tuesday

The new Norman Love Confections store is located near the University Town Center mall.

11/23/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Shopping list

How to Find What's in Season in Florida

Florida has a unique growing season. Here's a month-by-month guide to what the state's farms are typically producing.

11/20/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Party City

'It's Not All Doom and Gloom': There Are Signs of Life for the Catering Industry

Even as the number of cases of coronavirus is rising again in Sarasota, many people are starting to plan events for next spring.

11/20/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Saga Continues

Siesta Key Will Return for Season Four

No date has yet been set for when the new episodes might air, but production is beginning this week.

11/18/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Market Report

Everything You Need to Know About Sarasota's Bustling Farmers' Markets

Your top spots for fresh produce, seafood, artisanal local products and much more.

11/17/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Brewing

New Kahwa Coffee Shop Opens Wednesday

And to celebrate, the store will be handing out free hot and cold coffees all day.

11/15/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

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

Count the Votes

Sarasota's Supervisor of Elections Urges Calm While Waiting for Election Results

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner walks us through how his office will count the historic number of votes being cast this year.

11/02/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker