When Steven Katzman started taking pictures in the predominantly black neighborhood of Newtown, he admits there was fear on his part and suspicion on the part of his subjects. Now, two years later, he’s well known to many Newtown residents, who call him the "Picture Man" and sometimes allow him to share their most personal [...]

Good news for homebuyers trying to navigate the myriad choices involved in building a new residence or remodeling their existing one: The 2006 Parade of Homes is marching into town from Saturday, Feb. 25, to Sunday, March 12. This 12th annual Parade, a joint production of the Home Builders Associations of Sarasota and Manatee counties, [...]

Benjamin Franklin reportedly took daily "air baths" by sitting in the buff in front of an open window. If he were around today, he’d surely opt for something more luxurious-a soak in a Zen tub perhaps, or a chromatherapy shower. Yes, there’s more happening in the bathroom now than ever before. Susan Mignone, an ASID [...]

Larry and Pat Merriman of Canton, Ohio, traded their seasonal Longboat Key bayside condominium for a higher one with a Gulf view, then hired designer Sally Trout to create a comfortable space that would also serve as backdrop for their collection of vivid Russian paintings. "We needed a quiet color scheme," explains Pat Merriman. "This [...]

The recent natural catastrophes that devastated housing for Floridians and people around the world make us all reflect on the importance of a home. A home has far more significance than bricks and mortar, a fact that is well understood by members of the Home Builders Association of Sarasota County (HBA). Larry Anderson, executive vice [...]

There are so many people to feel sorry for these days I hardly know where to begin. Poor Harriet Miers breaks my heart. Imagine being judged too insignificant for the Supreme Court. And that FEMA guy who had to resign, Michael Brown. He’s just like me at work: in way over his head and desperately [...]

I’m so confused. You might be, too, if you’d just interviewed Jerry Springer-yes, that Jerry Springer, host of the controversial trash-talkin’ television show that bears his name (and regularly erupts with chants of "Jer-ry! Jer-ry!" from his adoring fans), star of movies like Ringmaster that capitalize on his king-of-the-freak-shows persona, inspiration for the equally controversial [...]