Walk around downtown Sarasota at dusk and enjoy the magic as the sun is setting.

Views from Beau Ciel, Kanaya, 1350 Main, are representative of the fabulous evening vistas from all of the downtown condominiums. At the street level the condominiums themselves, such as Plaza at Five points and The Savoy on Palm, are a pleasure to see. The waterfront “sisters” (Embassy House, Essex House, Royal Saint Andrew, Tessera, Regency House, Sarabande, Gulfstream Towers, Dolphin Tower, Bay Plaza, and Marina Tower) have unrestricted views of the Bay, Bird Key, Golden Gate Point, John Ringling Bridge, and sunsets over the water.

View from a penthouse unit at 1350 Main.

Photo by Sylvia Feuerbach
View from the roof top terrace of Kanaya.

I recently stepped inside Morton’s Market to say hello to Todd Morton, as the store was busy with shoppers preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Todd was kind enough to take me around the store and show me what makes Morton’s such a landmark in Sarasota. WOW! Upscale, Cosmopolitan, 1st Class, Like something out of a major metropolitan city is the only way I can describe this full service specialty food store to you.

The best way to give you a snapshot of what they have to offer is to use their own words from their web site,

“Morton’s Gourmet Market is Sarasota’s premiere full-service specialty food store that offers a wide variety of products and services including: a bakery & coffee shop, a hot deli, prime meats & seafood, from-scratch prepared meals, an extensive fine wine selection, gift baskets, cheese & patés from around the world, the area’s best deli, gourmet groceries & goodies, and a full-service catering department.”

Todd showed me the “Bell and Evans” turkeys that they are selling to their customers for Thanksgiving. “Bell and Evans” are the same turkeys that are served at the White House. They are all natural, free range, fed only U.S. grown grains, with no antibiotics or growth hormones used in raising these birds. Morton’s also sells “Bell and Evans” chickens and poultry throughout the year. As you walk around the store you will see all the specialty foods along with the “from scratch” prepared meals. Don’t want to cook for the holiday? No Problem! You can have your whole Thanksgiving feast prepared and ready to go, from appetizers to the dinner to the side dishes to the desserts. I’m not telling you what I do, but you could take it out of the Morton’s containers and serve it in your own favorite serving dishes and – well – who’s gonna know? I won’t tell!

But wait there’s more. A full service Bakery and Coffee shop. Pies, pies and more pies. Pumpkin, Jim Beam Pecan, Old Fashioned Apple, Key Lime. Or how about Baklava, Apple Strudel, Cannoli, or Tiramisu. You can order online through their web site at Mortons Market.com or stop in the store and hand pick what you will need. Don’t forget about what to have for breakfast on the morning of Thanksgiving, they have already prepared breakfast quiches for you; quiche lorraine, spinach, and crab meat to name just a few.

And keep in mind this is not just for the Holidays but they prepare this year-round.

Morton’s Market is just another great reason why people from all over the world choose to live in Sarasota, Florida. We have our beaches, and golf courses, and year sunny tropical weather but we also have a relaxed pace of life with the amenities of any major US city.
Morton’s Gourmet Market is located at 1924 South Osprey Ave. between Hillview Street and Hyde Park Street in an area know to many as “West of the Trail”.

Come join us where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota, Florida.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

Nancy and I live in downtown Sarasota and really do enjoy the “Downtown Sarasota Lifestyle.”

Our 9 blogs to date have described popular sites within 3 or 4 blocks of the intersection of Palm Avenue and Main Street as well as from our home.

We love strolling to restaurants, movie theaters, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Opera, Selby Library, numerous galleries, Selby Gardens, Marina bayfront, art along the Marina bayfront, Bayfront Park, Towles Court art area, John Ringling bridge, watching sunsets – all within a short walk.

Art Uptown is another of the downtown treasures. It is a co-operative venture by local artists who display and sell their works.

Please note: all artwork below is courtesy of www.artuptown.com.

	“Oil on Foil” by Laura Avery			“Florida Butterfly Orchid” by Cecile Moran
	“Quiet Quandary” by Cecile Moran			“Enro Raku Pottery” by Karen Case
	“Portraits“ by Tom Greely			“Pears” by Rita Rust
	“Cherries“ by Anne Abgott			“Red Peppers” by Jacquie Clark
	“Flamingo” by Joe Fletcher			“Medley” by Jackie Woolf
	“Plate of Cheese and Wine” by Pablo Rodriguez

Visit their Web Site at www.artuptown.com. Be sure to click on Shop by Artist to see all the artists and their works.

The gallery is open on the First Friday Gallery Walks.

Exhibits change regularly and a different artist is featured each week.

Make it a habit to visit often!

Robert Lindeman

In 1910 the wealthy socialite and business women from Chicago, Bertha Honore Palmer, purchased over 80,000 acres of land in Florida. 10,000 acres of those where in Sarasota County. Bertha Palmer used this land to winter in Florida and to become a cattle and citrus farmer. What was once farming and cattle land for Mrs. Palmer has now become home to the master planned community of Palmer Ranch.

Now this area has over 21 different communities and neighborhoods, featuring 2 top quality country clubs; TPC at Prestancia and the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club along with the Private Tennis Club of Serendipity which is located inside the gated community of The Country Club of Sarasota.

Home ownership opportunities vary from gated communities such as Turtle Rock, Deer Creek, and Silver Oak to standing villa living such as Mira Lago and Marbella to condominiums such as Serenade and Vintage Grand to a combo of single family homes and villas with a variety of outdoor amenities in the gated community of Village Walk.

What I like best about Palmer Ranch besides the variety of homes is the conveniences of shopping, entertainment and recreation. The Westfield Shopping Mall has a 12 screen movie theatre along with a large selection of stores from J.C. Penny, Macy’s, American Eagle, and Hollister.

The YMCA and the Legacy Bike Trail are both in the heart of Palmer Ranch and the World Famous Siesta Key Beach is a close 10-15 minute drive. Click Palmer Ranch Real Estate to view all available properties by sub-division. Having lived and worked in this area for over 10 years I would be happy to help you find your next home for either year round living or for wintering in Florida like Bertha Palmer did in 1910.

You can reach me at SaraLeicht@MichaelSaunders.com or (941) 586-4790.

Come join us in paradise where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota, Florida.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

A View from the Bridge:

A beautiful place to walk, bike, enjoy the panorama of downtown Sarasota, the Keys, and Bays. Completed in 2003, this is work of art in it’s own right and a magnificent symbol of Sarasota’s vision for the future.

This is the highway for all those folks who come to Downtown Sarasota from Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Lido Key, St Armand’s Key, and Bird Key for work, restaurants, theaters, galleries, opera, parks, farmers market, library, airport, universities, golf courses, etc. Enjoy Bird Key Park and the parks under each end of the bridge which are under-appreciated.

City side park (Old Golden Gate Causeway). Stop by the historic Hart’s Landing for a sandwich, drink, or bait when you are walking the bridge or fishing.

For those of you who like construction details, click here.

And here.

The future of the bridge holds more events like the the one described here. (Please do not be offended if this does not represent your ideas. Whatever your system of beliefs, your turn will come and be represented when emotions rise high enough): Be sure to click on the AERIAL SHOTS.

For everyone: Don’t miss walking the bridge and visiting the parks at both ends!

Robert Lindeman

The Most Beautiful Block in Sarasota - Historic South Palm Avenue

Visit these Great Art Galleries (click on the hyperlinks to view photos):

www.galleriasilecchia.com

photo courtesy of www.galleriasilecchia.com

Galleria Silecchia has a marvelous and varied collection of paintings, sculptures, mobiles, chandeliers, antique pianos, etc. in two showrooms. Owner Louis Chalupa & Candice Sillechia have assembled art for the knowledgeable art lover.

www.mgalleryoffineart.com

photo courtesy of www.mgalleryoffineart.com

This gallery features multiple artists and has a different vision from the other galleries on Palm Avenue. It is worth spending some time here!

www.hodgellgallery.com

photo courtesy of www.hodgellgallery.com

Brian O’Connell has a world-wide following for his exquisite Art Glass collection. Don’t miss this gallery!

www.arttowalkon.com

photo courtesy of www.arttowalkon.com

Ellen Hampshire loves oriental rugs and her passion shows in this gallery. Come in and enjoy her conversation and knowledge.

www.dabbertgallery.com

photo courtesy of www.dabbertgallery.com

Another gallery to savor. David & Patricia Dabbert have a different and exciting vision of art complimenting the other galleries in the block of Palm Avenue. Spend time here!

Come on down to Beautiful Downtown Sarasota!

Posted by:Robert Lindeman