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