People sometimes ask me why I am in Florida. Years ago when I was in 4th grade my parents made a trip to Florida with the idea of moving. That is when I got “sand in my shoes”. My parents decided not to make that move and stay in Boston instead.

My husband and I made that move when our three boys were 10, 8, and 4. We sure are glad we did. Let me share with you just a few reasons why we made that move and why you will want to join us.

• Siesta Key Beach, rated #2 beach in the United States
• Sunny and Blue Skies ALL year
• Christmas boat parade
• No more ice scrappers
• Coffee on the lanai (that is a screened -in area around the pool)
• Your kids can play outside all year
• If you birthday is in January, you can celebrate a summer birthday
• Winter tennis outside
• No more winter coats, boots and mittens
• School Choice
• No heating bill
• Year round tan
• Outside restaurants
• No more salt and sand and slush being tracked inside your house
• Boating anytime you want
• Golf, Golf, Golf
• Windows open and fresh air flowing
• No snow
• No more coat closets or coat racks
• Taking down Christmas lights in December and not having to wait until March when they thaw
• Sunsets on the beach with your honey and a bottle of wine
• Enjoying your flowers all year
• Never closing your pool
• Great homes on the lake or golf course or bay or beach
• The arts and entertainment
• Everybody is happy
• Staying healthy during the winter
• Great architecture
• Everyday feels like you are on vacation
• You don’t have to shovel sunshine
• Relaxation, sunshine, warm sand between your toes, warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico
• Great prices on real estate

Come on down from that frozen tundra and make sunshine and sand your best friend!

Contact me at (941) 586-4790 or visit my website at www.SaraSellsSarasota.com.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

Is a picture worth a thousand words or will it inspire you to change your lifestyle? Sunny and 75 degrees or shoveling and 17? Digging out or sailing about?

             

Would you like to live on the water, on a golf course, a condo on the beach, on acreage with horses, or raise your family in a family friendly neighborhood? A friend of mine moved to Sarasota from Indiana years ago to raise his family. He is in the business of making dental implants and crowns. He did that same work in Indiana where it snows in the winter. Now he does it in Sarasota and takes every Friday off to go boating and fishing.

Are you living the life that you would like?

Our home prices have adjusted and properties are moving on and then off the market as people move into their dream homes. Now may be a very good time for you and your family to explore the possibilities of enjoying sunsets on the beaches, playing golf in the winter, and living without a snow shovel and ice scrapper. Do you know how good you would look with a year round tan?

             

To view your next home click onto SaraSellsSarasota.com and look at the homes and prices of your interests. You can contact me directly at SaraLeicht@MichaelSaunders.com or call at 941-586-4790. Come and join us where the sun spends the winter – on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

Imagine waking up one morning and seeing clowns everywhere as you strolled around downtown Sarasota.

Suddenly in 2007, 49 life-sized clown statues appeared around downtown Sarasota and Selby Gardens. This was just another one of the great surprise events that occur in this wonderful city.

Here is a Sarasota Herald Tribune article summing up the “Clowning Around Town” event.

This event was controversial, but reflected the Circus history of Sarasota. We salute the artists who participated and Jay Yahnke who had the vision and drive to make it happen. Wether you call this “good art”, “bad art”, or “not art” it got peoples attention and was fun. It also raised a lot of money for a good cause.

Clowns: Please e-mail us at robertlindeman@michaelsaunders.com and let us know where you are. Don’t forget to include your photograph.

Click here to view more clown photos from photographer, David Fimbres.

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

Walk around downtown Sarasota at dusk and enjoy the magic as the sun is setting.

Views from Beau Ciel, Kanaya, 1350 Main, are representative of the fabulous evening vistas from all of the downtown condominiums. At the street level the condominiums themselves, such as Plaza at Five points and The Savoy on Palm, are a pleasure to see. The waterfront “sisters” (Embassy House, Essex House, Royal Saint Andrew, Tessera, Regency House, Sarabande, Gulfstream Towers, Dolphin Tower, Bay Plaza, and Marina Tower) have unrestricted views of the Bay, Bird Key, Golden Gate Point, John Ringling Bridge, and sunsets over the water.

View from a penthouse unit at 1350 Main.

Photo by Sylvia Feuerbach
View from the roof top terrace of Kanaya.

Read the rest of this entry

I recently stepped inside Morton’s Market to say hello to Todd Morton, as the store was busy with shoppers preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Todd was kind enough to take me around the store and show me what makes Morton’s such a landmark in Sarasota. WOW! Upscale, Cosmopolitan, 1st Class, Like something out of a major metropolitan city is the only way I can describe this full service specialty food store to you.

The best way to give you a snapshot of what they have to offer is to use their own words from their web site,

“Morton’s Gourmet Market is Sarasota’s premiere full-service specialty food store that offers a wide variety of products and services including: a bakery & coffee shop, a hot deli, prime meats & seafood, from-scratch prepared meals, an extensive fine wine selection, gift baskets, cheese & patés from around the world, the area’s best deli, gourmet groceries & goodies, and a full-service catering department.”

Todd showed me the “Bell and Evans” turkeys that they are selling to their customers for Thanksgiving. “Bell and Evans” are the same turkeys that are served at the White House. They are all natural, free range, fed only U.S. grown grains, with no antibiotics or growth hormones used in raising these birds. Morton’s also sells “Bell and Evans” chickens and poultry throughout the year. As you walk around the store you will see all the specialty foods along with the “from scratch” prepared meals. Don’t want to cook for the holiday? No Problem! You can have your whole Thanksgiving feast prepared and ready to go, from appetizers to the dinner to the side dishes to the desserts. I’m not telling you what I do, but you could take it out of the Morton’s containers and serve it in your own favorite serving dishes and – well – who’s gonna know? I won’t tell!

But wait there’s more. A full service Bakery and Coffee shop. Pies, pies and more pies. Pumpkin, Jim Beam Pecan, Old Fashioned Apple, Key Lime. Or how about Baklava, Apple Strudel, Cannoli, or Tiramisu. You can order online through their web site at Mortons Market.com or stop in the store and hand pick what you will need. Don’t forget about what to have for breakfast on the morning of Thanksgiving, they have already prepared breakfast quiches for you; quiche lorraine, spinach, and crab meat to name just a few.

And keep in mind this is not just for the Holidays but they prepare this year-round.

Morton’s Market is just another great reason why people from all over the world choose to live in Sarasota, Florida. We have our beaches, and golf courses, and year sunny tropical weather but we also have a relaxed pace of life with the amenities of any major US city.
Morton’s Gourmet Market is located at 1924 South Osprey Ave. between Hillview Street and Hyde Park Street in an area know to many as “West of the Trail”.

Come join us where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota, Florida.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

Nancy and I live in downtown Sarasota and really do enjoy the “Downtown Sarasota Lifestyle.”

Our 9 blogs to date have described popular sites within 3 or 4 blocks of the intersection of Palm Avenue and Main Street as well as from our home.

We love strolling to restaurants, movie theaters, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Opera, Selby Library, numerous galleries, Selby Gardens, Marina bayfront, art along the Marina bayfront, Bayfront Park, Towles Court art area, John Ringling bridge, watching sunsets – all within a short walk.

Art Uptown is another of the downtown treasures. It is a co-operative venture by local artists who display and sell their works.

Please note: all artwork below is courtesy of www.artuptown.com.

	“Oil on Foil” by Laura Avery			“Florida Butterfly Orchid” by Cecile Moran
	“Quiet Quandary” by Cecile Moran			“Enro Raku Pottery” by Karen Case
	“Portraits“ by Tom Greely			“Pears” by Rita Rust
	“Cherries“ by Anne Abgott			“Red Peppers” by Jacquie Clark
	“Flamingo” by Joe Fletcher			“Medley” by Jackie Woolf
	“Plate of Cheese and Wine” by Pablo Rodriguez

Visit their Web Site at www.artuptown.com. Be sure to click on Shop by Artist to see all the artists and their works.

The gallery is open on the First Friday Gallery Walks.

Exhibits change regularly and a different artist is featured each week.

Make it a habit to visit often!

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

In 1910 the wealthy socialite and business women from Chicago, Bertha Honore Palmer, purchased over 80,000 acres of land in Florida. 10,000 acres of those where in Sarasota County. Bertha Palmer used this land to winter in Florida and to become a cattle and citrus farmer. What was once farming and cattle land for Mrs. Palmer has now become home to the master planned community of Palmer Ranch.

Now this area has over 21 different communities and neighborhoods, featuring 2 top quality country clubs; TPC at Prestancia and the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club along with the Private Tennis Club of Serendipity which is located inside the gated community of The Country Club of Sarasota.

Home ownership opportunities vary from gated communities such as Turtle Rock, Deer Creek, and Silver Oak to standing villa living such as Mira Lago and Marbella to condominiums such as Serenade and Vintage Grand to a combo of single family homes and villas with a variety of outdoor amenities in the gated community of Village Walk.

What I like best about Palmer Ranch besides the variety of homes is the conveniences of shopping, entertainment and recreation. The Westfield Shopping Mall has a 12 screen movie theatre along with a large selection of stores from J.C. Penny, Macy’s, American Eagle, and Hollister.

The YMCA and the Legacy Bike Trail are both in the heart of Palmer Ranch and the World Famous Siesta Key Beach is a close 10-15 minute drive. Click Palmer Ranch Real Estate to view all available properties by sub-division. Having lived and worked in this area for over 10 years I would be happy to help you find your next home for either year round living or for wintering in Florida like Bertha Palmer did in 1910.

You can reach me at SaraLeicht@MichaelSaunders.com or (941) 586-4790.

Come join us in paradise where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota, Florida.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

A View from the Bridge:

A beautiful place to walk, bike, enjoy the panorama of downtown Sarasota, the Keys, and Bays. Completed in 2003, this is work of art in it’s own right and a magnificent symbol of Sarasota’s vision for the future.

This is the highway for all those folks who come to Downtown Sarasota from Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Lido Key, St Armand’s Key, and Bird Key for work, restaurants, theaters, galleries, opera, parks, farmers market, library, airport, universities, golf courses, etc. Enjoy Bird Key Park and the parks under each end of the bridge which are under-appreciated.

City side park (Old Golden Gate Causeway). Stop by the historic Hart’s Landing for a sandwich, drink, or bait when you are walking the bridge or fishing.

For those of you who like construction details, click here.

And here.

The future of the bridge holds more events like the the one described here. (Please do not be offended if this does not represent your ideas. Whatever your system of beliefs, your turn will come and be represented when emotions rise high enough): Be sure to click on the AERIAL SHOTS.

For everyone: Don’t miss walking the bridge and visiting the parks at both ends!

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

The Most Beautiful Block in Sarasota - Historic South Palm Avenue

Visit these Great Art Galleries (click on the hyperlinks to view photos):

www.galleriasilecchia.com

photo courtesy of www.galleriasilecchia.com

Galleria Silecchia has a marvelous and varied collection of paintings, sculptures, mobiles, chandeliers, antique pianos, etc. in two showrooms. Owner Louis Chalupa & Candice Sillechia have assembled art for the knowledgeable art lover.

www.mgalleryoffineart.com

photo courtesy of www.mgalleryoffineart.com

This gallery features multiple artists and has a different vision from the other galleries on Palm Avenue. It is worth spending some time here!

www.hodgellgallery.com

photo courtesy of www.hodgellgallery.com

Brian O’Connell has a world-wide following for his exquisite Art Glass collection. Don’t miss this gallery!

www.arttowalkon.com

photo courtesy of www.arttowalkon.com

Ellen Hampshire loves oriental rugs and her passion shows in this gallery. Come in and enjoy her conversation and knowledge.

www.dabbertgallery.com

photo courtesy of www.dabbertgallery.com

Another gallery to savor. David & Patricia Dabbert have a different and exciting vision of art complimenting the other galleries in the block of Palm Avenue. Spend time here!

And a Restaurant and more Galleries and Boutiques:

Italian Cuisine
Jewelry
Works of Artisans from Other Countries
Handcrafted Works of Art
Fashion Boutique

Plan to attend Palm Avenue’s First Friday Walks

First Friday of Every Month 6 - 9 PM

Wander through open galleries and specialty shops. Enjoy live music, street performances, food, and dancing.

This Season’s Schedule

November 6, 2009 - “A Prelude to Season”
December 4, 2009 - “35th Annual Holiday Walk”
January 8, 2010 - “Pops on Palm”
February 5, 2010 - “A Taste of Palm Avenue”
March 5, 2010 - “Romancing the Arts”
April 2, 2010 - “An Affair to Remember”
May 7, 2010 - “Jazz on the Ave”
June 4, 2010 - “Sunset Serenade”
July 2, 2010 - “An American Salute”
August 6, 2010 - “A Midsummer Night’s Stroll”
September 3, 2010 - “September Swing”
October 1, 2010 - “An Evening of Classics”

Come on down to Beautiful Downtown Sarasota!

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

As Good as it Gets at State of the Arts Gallery on State Street.. Artist David Steiner, his wife Tre, and daughter Sienna (pictured at right) own and manage one of the most exciting galleries in Sarasota.

An inside view of the gallery:

The following is a small selection of the works by David Steiner, Dan Strothers, Dasha Reich and Larry Forgard. Many other artists are represented.

Click on each thumbnail image for a larger image (this is only a small sample).

	Tangerine Twilight by David Steiner			Vintage 1957 by David Steiner
	Kimono by David Steiner			The Waves by David Steiner
	Abstract by Dasha Reich			Millenium Totem by David Steiner
	Essence by Dan Strothers			Jazz Totem by David Steiner
	Double Vision by Larry Forgard

View their Web Site at: www.SarasotaFineArt.com
Be sure to click on “inventory” to see all the artists and the full collection.

BETTER YET: Visit the gallery, follow their shows, and meet the artists.

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

I remember Halloween as a kid in New England and planning where my friends and I could go to collect the most candy.

Turtle Rock in Palmer Ranch of Sarasota, FL is a very popular family neighborhood offering 610 single family homes and 148 maintenance free homes. Within this community, Turtle Rock has two gated and guarded entrances. One on the north side off of Palmer Ranch Parkway and the other is from the south side off of Central Sarasota Parkway. This family community is located in the Palmer Ranch area of Sarasota. The community amenities include 2 hard surface tennis courts and a basketball court both having night lighting, a recreational facility for family parties, and a swimming pool. There is also a walking nature trail and there are 17 lakes and ponds which can be used for canoeing by any of the Turtle Rock residents.

To view the current homes that are available click to view all Turtle Rock Homes for Sale.

This is a fantastic neighborhood for raising your family, about an 8 minute drive to the world famous Siesta Key Beach, 5 minutes to the local YMCA and it borders the Legacy Bike Trail that runs from Sarasota to Venice. And of Course lots of candy on Halloween night!

Posted by:Sara Leicht

This is a truly remarkable institution in the heart of Downtown Sarasota at Five Points. Five Points Park, Starbucks, many restaurants & shops, the Opera, and Whole Foods are near-by.

Here is a quote from the History Section of the Library web site: “The grand opening of the current Selby Public Library was held on Saturday, August 1998. Designed by architect Eugene Aubry, the two-story building is 74,000 square feet and has space for approximately 300,000 volumes.”

The inside is as beautiful as the outside.

Go with a child through the Aquarium Arch (Mote Marine) into the Youth Library and explore the children’s world of books, video, and internet.

Relax under the mobiles high in the rotunda. Numerous secluded areas to read or access a computer are all around the upper and lower levels. A competent staff is available to assist you. You can easily obtain a library card and take out books and other materials. Many public events are scheduled here.

Visit the Web site by clicking here.

Here is one of many surprises: (this one “a happening” from the Florida Studio Theatre)



Don’t miss this wonderful Sarasota experience!




Posted by:Robert Lindeman

Every Saturday 7AM to Noon

Mermaid Fountain at the corner of Pineapple and Lemon Streets – the southern gateway to the Farmers Market and Main Street.


Relax on the benches. Children love to climb on the fountain.






Stroll down Lemon Street.

Meet your friends.

Let your pets meet their friends.

Enjoy a coffee or pastry.

You will see a large variety of fruits, vegetables, seafood, organic and gluten free products, pastries, crafts, music and other art.

Visit neighboring stores: Whole Foods, Sur La Table, State of the Arts Gallery, Wearable Art.

Breakfast at Crepe Suzette or have a sausage or fish sandwich along the way.

Enjoy coffee & pastry the Old Heidelberg Pastry Shop next to State of the Arts.

Listen to the music. (FlakeSpear)

Carolyn & Bill Spear have been playing and recording “traditional accoustic music from the 1920s to the present” for the past 15 years according to Carolyn. They are one of the bright spots illuminating the downtown Sarasota lifestyle.

Walk up or down Main Street to visit more shops & restaurants.

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

Hands down the best place for optical wear in Sarasota, Florida is Soto’s Optical Botique, not just because they carry World Glass eyewear according to the Robb Report but because you get World Class service from Ron and his wife, Kim. Today I decided to stop by and just say hello. Kim welcomes me with the same warmth and professionalism I’ve come to expect. We spent a few minutes talking about our great town of Sarasota and all of the local chatter on Main Street. I told her I needed some desired AC on such a hot day. Kim told me their building was the first to have air conditioning. Well it’s a cool place now.

I have been in glasses for many years and I am telling you I have never enjoyed better vision since coming to Soto’s Optical Botique. Ron is an expert in lens processing and he stands behind his work. This is what separates Soto’s from the crowd of big house processing. He always does his best and with a winning personality that is only complimented by his wife Kim. You can tell when someone is warm and giving and these two are just that.

If you have the time, you will have the pleasure of knowing what Soto’s Optical service is all about.

I can tell you he has taken care of my “out of town friends “when they needed a quick repair” … and he is always giving back.

Whenever I’m downtown I have to stop by and say hello to one of our business jewels.

Ask him about his days as a magician, or any of his many interests like motorcycles, boating, rock & roll and he loves a good joke!!

For more information on Soto’s visit their web site. It is only a small sampling of the most wonderful lines of eye wear you have ever seen!!

Posted by:Jack Waterloo

Take Another Look At City Place at Pineapple Square

This is probably the only new condominium that will be built in downtown Sarasota in the next 5 or 6 years.

No other condominium developments have applied for approval. The ctiy is in a “no growth “ mode. The economy is beginning to improve but buyers are wary. There are few 3 bedroom units available in the city.

This is exactly the time for the smart buyer to act, and is an exciting opportunity to buy a condo in the heart of downtown Sarasota at today’s prices for occupancy in the year 2012 or 2013.

At this time It is possible to combine several prime units into one customized unit with wonderful views of the water and access to all the downtown activities. One buyer understood the beauty of this concept and has done just that.



Architect’s rendering of Arcade with shops and restaurants looking south on Pineapple.

The developer, Isaac Holdings, is a major national player who is committed to this project and is ready to break ground as soon as several more units are sold.

Special options are available.

Click for more information: www.cityplacesarasota.com

Posted by:Robert Lindeman