2017

It's always hard to think of good, creative holiday gifts for your loved ones. Instead, try exploring for some great holiday gifts and while you're out and about, enjoy some festive happenings around town.

We've all been there at this time of year: it's a few weeks before the holidays, and you're still scratching your head at what to give to your family members for the holidays. Try exploring some of the shopping districts in Sarasota County and while your out enjoy festive events and activities around the area.

There's nothing sleepy about this must-visit spot that deserves its frequent praise

"Mom! It's the motherlode!" I follow the captivated gaze of my son and see what has him so enthused – thousands and thousands of fiddler crabs are scuttling in unison along the sand below us.

True confession – I cannot dance and I strongly dislike country music. So one would assume that Sarasota's most popular line dancing establishment, The White Buffalo Saloon and I would be destined to clash. But it was my friend's 30th birthday party and I like her, so I slapped on some jeans and a smile and joined the party.

My daughter and I drew in the smell of a saltwater breeze, the sounds of a jubilant crowd, and the sensation of fine white sand squishing beneath our shoes as we made our way to the starting line adjacent to the yellow lifeguard stand on Siesta Beach. At only three years old my little girl has developed a curiosity to explore and a desire to run at any opportunity.

My morning was rushed. It was earlier than I’m usually moving on a Sunday morning. And in the twenty minutes before my mother in law arrived to babysit, I needed to make and pick up breakfast, get the kids dressed, beds made, lunches prepped. It looked like a thunderstorm so do I pack a raincoat? It might clear up. Maybe I need sunscreen. Did I have enough water? Does the camera have batteries and memory space? Do we have the address?

Discover the wonderful, colorful botanical gardens of Sarasota County.

Lush, tropical and awe-inspiring, Sarasota's botanical and succulent gardens have been drawing spectators for decades. 

Traveling need not be agonizing! Arrive with time to spare using the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) 511 Traveler Information System.

Motorists traveling through and around Sarasota County, as well as other Florida destinations, can take advantage of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) program called 511 Traveler Information System.

The program is designed to help inform travellers with information about crashes, congestion, construction and more on all of Florida's interstates, toll roads and major metropolitan roadways.

We've compiled a list of five things visiting young professionals will love about Sarasota.

We've all heard the stereotypes: Sarasota County is a retirement community; there's nothing here for young people; everything cool is in bigger cities. I'll admit, when I first came here, I had some of these same concerns. But after I arrived, it didn't take long to realize how much Sarasota County has to offer young professionals.