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.)

On the Homefront

New Model Homes at Silverleaf and Babcock Ranch, Artisan Lakes Welcomes Eave’s Bend, and More

Real estate news and notes.

07/11/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 6 Things to Do: July 5-11

Splashin’ Saturdays at Selby Gardens, World Series of Comedy at McCurdy’s and more.

07/05/2018 By Ilene Denton

Interior Design

What’s It Like to Design for HGTV’s Property Brothers?

Just ask Sarasota and Greenwich, Connecticut designer Brittany Zachos.

06/29/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: June 28-July 4

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, Fourth of July fireworks and more.

06/28/2018 By Ilene Denton

Female Factor

Jennifer Rominiecki Harnesses Selby Gardens' Flower Power

Since Rominiecki's appointment in 2015, visitorship has jumped 36 percent, annual revenues have risen 26 percent and memberships have grown 29 percent.

06/27/2018 By Ilene Denton

Female Factor

Gina Ford and Susannah Ross are the Design Leaders of Sarasota’s Biggest Cultural Improvement Project in 50 Years

Called The Bay, the project will transform 53 acres of underutilized city waterfront that, up until now, has mostly been a vast parking lot for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

06/27/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 4 Things to Do: June 21-27

Van Wezel’s free Friday Fest outdoor concert and more.

06/21/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: June 14-20

Jazz guitar at Selby Gardens, a tribute to Carole King, a free Father’s Day offer and more.

06/14/2018 By Ilene Denton

Gardening

Note These Upcoming Summer Gardening Classes

Orchid growing classes at Selby, butterfly gardening at Twin Lakes Park and more.

06/11/2018 By Ilene Denton

Historic Preservation

New Life for the Grand Old Belle Haven

The developer of Quay Sarasota is adapting the interior for its temporary offices.

06/11/2018 By Ilene Denton

Top Sale

Longboat Key Penthouse Sells for $5.5 Million

The L’Ambiance residence was originally on the market in 2015 for $7 million.

06/11/2018 By Ilene Denton

People's Choice

Vote Now for the 2018 Spirit of Sarasota Architecture Award

Choose from 10 iconic buildings that represent Sarasota’s unique sense of place.

06/07/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: June 7-13

Openings for the Sarasota Music Festival and Summer Circus Spectacular, and more.

06/07/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 31-June 6

Jungle Book at the Asolo Rep, Savor Sarasota starts and more.

05/31/2018 By Ilene Denton

Why I Care

Blood Donor Bill Pooley Reaches the Remarkable 100-Gallon Milestone

Pooley is one of fewer than 150 100-gallon donors in Florida out of millions of donors since World War II.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Bravo!

Art Ovation Fills an Empty Corner Downtown

The hotel is creating buzz on a corner of downtown that has been vacant for years.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

My Five Favorite Things

My Five Favorite Things: Selby Gardens Horticulture Director Mike McLaughlin

Horticulture director Mike McLaughlin lovingly tends the 15-acre Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Splash!

Cool Off at These Four Fantastic Splash Parks

It’s hot, the days are long and the kids are out of school. We’ve got four great places to let off steam.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Sneak Preview

Public Can Soon Tour the Twitchell/Rudolph Cocoon House

Sarasota Architectural Foundation to launch tours of the famed midcentury modern residence this summer.

05/29/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 24-30

Myakka River Blues Fest, a sunset kayak tour, Memorial Day parade and more.

05/24/2018 By Ilene Denton