A nearly native Floridian, Ilene Denton has lived in Sarasota since her senior year in high school. Besides her long journalism career, she had a 10-year stint as deputy director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. (Ask her about some of her backstage shenanigans sometime.)

Weekend Planner

Your Top 8 Things to Do: June 27-July 4

Fireworks! Big racing boats! A kayak festival at Snook Haven! And much, much more.

06/27/2019 By Ilene Denton

Making Waves

Christina Unkel Believes in the Power of Sports

She is one of only three FIFA-licensed female referees who represent the United States Soccer Federation in the U.S., Canada and across South America and the Caribbean—even as far away as China.

06/27/2019 By Ilene Denton

Architecture News

Local Architects Win Awards in 2019 Florida/Caribbean Design Competition

Among them is a Siesta Key condo makeover by Halflants + Pichette.

06/24/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: June 20-26

Free outdoor concert at the Van Wezel, summer solstice yoga at the Ringling and more.

06/20/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 6 Things to Do: June 13-19

Ari and The Alibis at Selby Gardens, Father's Day "orienteering" at Oscar Scherer State Park and more.

06/13/2019 By Ilene Denton

Top Sale

Anna Maria Island Notches Highest Bayside Home Sale Ever

A Key Royale home in Holmes Beach sells for $3.725 million.

06/06/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 6 Things to Do: June 6-12

Summer Circus Spectacular, "Around the World in 80 Days" at the Asolo Rep and more.

06/06/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 30-June 5

Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week and the Sarasota Music Festival begin, and more.

05/30/2019 By Ilene Denton

Essential Intelligence

USRowing Nationals Returns to Sarasota

Fifteen hundred elite high school rowers from across the country will descend on Nathan Benderson Park this month.

05/30/2019 By Ilene Denton

And They're Off!

Free One-Mile Beach Runs Begin This Month

Hundreds of families turn out for the free weekly one-mile fun runs.

05/30/2019 By Ilene Denton

Grand Hotels

The Don CeSar Recalls a Romantic Era

The "Pink Palace" is a wedding cake of a resort hotel that has towered over St. Petersburg Beach since 1928.

05/27/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 6 Things to Do: May 23-29

Memorial Day at the Myakka River Blues Festival, Patriotic Pops at CoolToday Park and more.

05/23/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 16-22

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s ‘70s Soul Party at Ed Smith Stadium, a jazzy Garden Music concert at Selby Gardens and more.

05/16/2019 By Ilene Denton

Sneak Preview

Manatee Rare Fruit Council’s Annual Rare Fruit Tree Sale is May 19

More than 5,000 trees will be available for purchase.

05/15/2019 By Ilene Denton

Architecture Events

“Unbuilt Rudolph” Exhibit Opens at Center for Architecture Sarasota

The exhibit runs through June 15 at CFAS’ McCullough Pavilion.

05/15/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 9-15

Sarasota Orchestra plays Ed Smith Stadium, Harvey Milk Festival returns and more.

05/09/2019 By Ilene Denton

Home View

What $335,000, $730,000 and $7.4 Million Will Buy You in Sarasota

In the market for a new home? We've got options.

05/02/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 2-8

"Sweeney Todd" comes to the Asolo Rep, Gauguin Nights at Selby Gardens and more.

05/02/2019 By Ilene Denton

Best of Sarasota 2019

Our Editors' Picks for the Best New Restaurants, Shopping and Services in Sarasota-Manatee

We celebrate the best in dining, shopping, the arts and attractions.

04/30/2019 By Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Megan McDonald, Kay Kipling, Ilene Denton, and Giulia Heyward

Top Sale

A Longboat Key Mansion in Regents Court Sells for $7.5 Million

The beachfront estate is the highest MLS sale on Longboat in five years.

04/30/2019 By Ilene Denton