The Home Builders Association of Sarasota County has recognized John Olliver, of Precision Custom Homes, as Builder of the Year for an extreme makeover project he spearheaded in which a Habitat for Humanity home was constructed in a remarkable five days. As head of Precision Custom Homes in Venice, John Olliver builds homes for a [...]

As the New Year rings in, you may be wondering if the ringing of the market bell signals gloom or boom for your investments. To look into the financial future, we asked some leading experts about their strategies for the coming year-and about their great investments of years past. Stanley Kane, a well-known Sarasota philanthropist, [...]

Why Sarasota? I came here as a Ringling School of Art and Design student 43 years ago and founded Pedlar’s Village Interiors in 1972. Style defined? I don’t have a style. I like to do all different types of design, from classic modern to period design. Who inspires you? Mother Nature. You can’t fight her. [...]

Among the low-key pleasures of the tourist season are Historic Spanish Point’s living history performances, where actors play out vignettes, from pioneering homesteaders to the grand Bertha Honore Palmer era-yes, that Palmer, of Chicago’s famed Palmer House hotel. As Mrs. Palmer, Kate Holmes dons a formal cream lace dress and greets visitors in the Sunken [...]

If you would rather garden than do anything else, you’re in good company. Gardening is now considered the No. 1 outdoor activity in the United States. And if like many gardeners, you love learning more about your passion, you might do what Andrea Griggs did when she moved to Sarasota: earn your Master Gardener certification. [...]

The two championship courses at Palm-Aire Country Club-the Dick-Wilson designed Champions, and the Lakes, laid out by Joe Lee-are in immaculate condition and very "member-friendly," more strategically challenging than penal. What’s more, the driving range, chipping and putting greens are in tiptop shape, too, all of which makes for a great golf experience. Both courses [...]

It’s hard to tell who’s wealthy and who isn’t these days. With the tab for an entry-level Mercedes-Benz just a few thousand more than a souped-up Nissan, it’s not what they drive that distinguishes the upper crust from the merely upper-middle class anymore. And in this dressed-down decade, it isn’t what they wear, either. As [...]

The greatest journey begins with a single step, and sometimes the greatest interior design begins with a single sofa. When Judy Osney answered a telephone call from Patricia and Dave Glen, the request was simple enough: The couple wanted to replace their worn-out couch. "The Glens are from Canada and they referred to the desired [...]

If you believe everything you read or see on television, plastic surgery has become as easy as teeth cleaning. Step into a doctor’s office or medical spa, listen to music while doctors train gentle lasers on your face or inject fillers to plump up hollows under eyes, and be ready for a shopping trip with [...]