Observer, Herald-Tribune alumnus releases debut novel

Surely you remember the name Roger Drouin. During his stint as the Sarasota Herald-Tribune‘s city hall reporter between 2007 and 2009, Drouin landed countless local stories on the front page of our daily — notching scoop after scoop. When he left the paper, it was to earn his MFA in the Florida Atlantic University creative […]

Pelican Press alumnus launches new online Sarasota news outlet

It’s rare to report about a new publication opening up shop, but I’m happy to pass along the news: Former Pelican Press Editor Rachel Brown Hackney has launched a new electronic publication dedicated to all things local. The name? The Sarasota News Leader. Right now, it looks like your typical blog, but the long-term goal […]

Sense and the City: Picking the winners at this year’s Sarasota Film Festival

My column in this week’s Ticket is all about settling into the dark of the movie theater and enjoying some high-quality flicks, just in time for this year’s Sarasota Film Festival. Here’s a taste: My brain is a sieve when it comes to remembering people’s names, the ticker symbol for my miniscule retirement investment and […]

Satisfy your jazz jones in Sarasota

“Jazz gets under your skin like a sultry and slightly mysterious woman – improvising, free-form, leaving you never knowing what to expect next.” Read the rest of this week’s Sense and the City column … about all that jazz! Click here to read the online version.

Just Dessert Please — And Hold the Homelessness!

I’m going to be a celebrity (as if!) judge at the 4th annual Family Promise of Sarasota “Just Desserts” event on Friday, March 23 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. And all the proceeds benefit the nonprofit’s work to help homeless families regain self-sufficiency. Open to the public — the $50 entry donation gets you access […]

March Birds Herald Sing

Several nights, I’ve slipped quietly from the house to stand in the yard and listen. My eyes wide and searching what I call the “forest” of oaks, practically holding my breath, and unable to resist smiling; but for the life of me … Read the rest of this week’s Sense and the City column in […]

WSLR Community Radio — Raising Funds & Looking for New Members!

Sunday night, March 18, I’m going to be sitting in on the Louisiana Gumbo Show from 7 to 9 p.m., helping them raise funds for WSLR LPFM 96.5 radio. WSLR is a community radio station that airs programming on local politics, health and wellness, sustainable living … oh, and did I mention GREAT music? The […]

Women Make Great Entrepreneurs!

My Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sense & the City column this week profiles Flori Roberts, co-founder of Smart Cover Cosmetics and an honoree this year for Girls Inc of Sarasota County’s She Knows Where She’s Going award. Roberts is a fascinating, charming woman — the kind you’d like for your best friend. Click here to read Flori […]

Spring Break When You’re No Spring Chicken!

Ahhh, spring break. For the college-age set, those words signal a week of carefree bliss at the beach. It seems a tad unfair that once you grow up and leave college behind, spring break is expected to be a thing of the past. So, with that in mind, here are my top three picks for […]

Reinvent Yourself at Renaissance Luncheon

I doubt there’s a woman alive who hasn’t wanted – or needed — to reinvent herself at some point in her life. While we don’t have to go as far as Madonna (the boy toys, coffee table sex books and faux British accent), a refresher every decade or so or whenever a major life transition […]