Local Legacy

Local Firms Win Big at the 2025 AIA Florida Awards

From a Venice pavilion to a Longboat Gulf-front estate, Sarasota-area architects return with award-winning work across the map.

06/19/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Condo news

A New Condo Law May Offer Owners Some Relief. Is It Enough?

Florida’s new condo law aims to ease financial pressure after the Surfside collapse, but rising costs, insurance hikes, and mounting reserves continue to squeeze owners—especially in aging buildings.

06/06/2025 By Kim Doleatto

saddle story

Journalist Isaac Eger on Cowboys, Conservation and the Great Florida Cattle Drive

Eger went from city dweller to cowboy-in-training on an 80-mile cattle drive across Florida’s interior. His new book explores the state’s overlooked ranching heritage and what it means for the future.

03/04/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Sarasota Slays

Sarasota Architects Sweep the 2024 Florida AIA Awards

Sure, palm trees and beaches are beautiful, but Sarasota's design minds create a stunning built environment to match.

07/01/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Design Bosses

Sarasota Architects Sweep the 2023 Florida AIA Awards

"The Gulf Coast chapter is always well-represented, but this year was a standout," says AIA Gulf Coast president Damien Blumetti.

08/10/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Affordable Housing

New State-Wide Affordable Housing Act Draws Doubts from Local Experts

Key incentives include height and density bonuses and speeding up the application process for developers.

07/06/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Politics

Business Leaders Say Florida's New Immigration Law Will Make It Harder and More Expensive to Build

The construction industry may take a blow once the state’s new immigration bill takes effect July 1.

06/14/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Florida Woman

What to Know Before Moving to Florida

This December, I’m celebrating the anniversary of my three-year-long relationship with the Sunshine State.

12/29/2022 By Laura Paquette

Rudolph Who?

Six Florida Mascots We’d Like to See in a Holiday Parade

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Now meet their Floridian friends.

12/14/2022 By Laura Paquette

Film Screening

'Outta The Muck,' a Documentary About Black Life in Florida, Screens Tuesday Night at Fogartyville

This Florida narrative of love and power celebrates community, family and a unique history of Black achievement.

11/14/2022 By Yasi Bahmanabadi

Life is a highway

Florida Road Trip Destinations You Won't Want to Miss

Make the most of the Sunshine State this summer.

03/25/2022 By Samantha Lane

The Florida Relocation Guide Is Your Ultimate Resource

The weather isn’t the only advantage for people considering a move to the Sunshine State.

11/01/2021

Sunshine State

Oh, Florida!

In a new book, Tampa Bay Times reporter Craig Pittman chronicles some of our state's weirdest, wackiest moments--including, in this excerpt, plastic surgery gone wild.

07/29/2016 By Craig Pittman

Oh, Florida!

Award-Winning Writer Craig Pittman on Sarasota, the Environment and His New Book

Writer and frequent Sarasota contributor Craig Pittman on his new book, Oh, Florida!, which was just released to glowing reviews.

07/28/2016 By Pam Daniel

Article

How Will Redrawing Congressional Districts Affect the 2016 Election?

Sarasota Magazine's Election Fever blogger takes a look at how the redrawing of Florida congressional districts could affect the 2016 election.

08/04/2015 By Frank Alcock

Article

Florida Tomato-Ricotta Tart

I love Florida tomatoes, especially when they are in season. This super flavorful tart is fast, simple and good with almost any main dish.

06/11/2014 By Robin Draper

Article

Salt Water Cures Everything

My Florida mom had many "mom'isms"

05/27/2014 By Robin Draper

Article

Fresh Florida Blueberry and Peach Cobbler

When fresh Florida blueberries and peaches are in season, this fruit cobbler is as good as it gets - just like grandma would have made.

05/14/2014 By Robin Draper

Article

It's Time to Pick Florida Blueberries!

Now is the perfect time to grab your buckets and pick those precious Florida blueberries

05/05/2014 By Robin Draper

Article

Florida Orange Pound Cake

As the citrus season wraps up, Authentic Florida whips up an old favorite, Orange Pound Cake.

04/27/2014 By Robin Draper