Life + Culture

Wild Myakka Wonders

Nature photographer Brian Glantz captures the delicate and fierce beauty of Myakka River State Park Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media Myakka River State Park contains 58 square miles of outdoor adventure and serenity. Otters, turtles, and fish swim in the Myakka River while alligators gather in large numbers to rest on the shore, and deer, bobcats, raccoons, and more than 100 species of birds grace the subtropical forests and dry prairies. The park’s...

Education

Investing in Tomorrow

The STSCC and Target Masters honor and support local students Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media This year, the Shark Tooth Sports Car Club (STSCC) and Target Masters gathered at Venice City Hall to honor high school seniors Luke Kenneth Hamilton and Alexis “Lexi” Karajman, respectively, for their achievements in the classroom and beyond. Throughout their educational careers, Hamilton and Karajman have demonstrated a deep appreciation for and devotion...

Life + Culture

Unveiling 75 Years of Friendship

The VYC’s Diamond Jubilee celebrates tradition, companionship, and extraordinary art Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media The Venice Yacht Club’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated not just a milestone anniversary, but the camaraderie, friendship, and shared love of the water that have defined the club for 75 years. From the energetic music emanating through the building to the Italian themed desserts, wines, and charcuterie upstairs and fresh seafood and...

Food + Beverage

Five Nine Grill & Tavern Comes to Osprey

Popular Bradenton favorite brings scratch-made comfort food, brunch and community spirit to Osprey Article and Photography by Emily Leinfuss Food lovers in Venice, Nokomis and Osprey now have a new spot to explore with the arrival of Five Nine Grill & Tavern, the popular Bradenton restaurant known for its elevated comfort food, welcoming atmosphere and scratch-made Southern-inspired specialties. Situated in the former Bay Leaf space at Blackburn Point Plaza on South Tamiami Trail, the new...

Entertainment

Snook Haven Prepares for Fall Opening

Historic Myakka River landmark undergoing major transformation while preserving its beloved Old Florida charm and live music traditions Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Sweet Sparkman Architects (Renderings) For decades, Snook Haven has been one of Venice’s most beloved slices of Old Florida—a laid-back riverside destination where visitors gathered for live music, airboat rides, casual meals and scenic views of the Myakka River. While the historic landmark closed last year, Sarasota...

Beauty

Restored, Refreshed, Renewed

Three area wellness spas blend beauty, healing and modern therapies into transformative self-care experiences Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Florida Lakes Spa In Sarasota, Venice, and Wellen Park, the modern spa experience has evolved far beyond traditional pampering. Today’s wellness destinations blend relaxation, preventive health, restorative therapies, and advanced medical aesthetics into highly personalized experiences designed to help clients feel their best—inside and out. ...

Health + Wellness

Leisure, Legacy, and Gentlemanly Connection

Recreational activities such as pickleball, golf, and boating unite generations of men in Venice Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz-1st Glantz Media Whether they’re serving a winning pickleball shot, teeing up on the greens, or sailing on the Gulf or the Bay, generations of Venice’s gentlemen are finding connection and fulfillment through recreational sports and activities. Plantation Golf & Country Club’s pickleball courts provide fun, accessible games that build...

Food + Beverage

Where Fire Meets Flavor

Venice Olive Oil Co.’s wood-fired take on bold, simple cooking Article and Photography by Marci Weidemiller Grilled ribeye steaks with espresso balsamic mushrooms  is a   delicious, rich and savory recipe that’s one of Venice Olive Oil's customer favorites! Perfect for dazzling company or enjoying a quiet dinner for two. Ingredients 1/4 cup garlic olive oil 3 tablespoons espresso balsamic vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon VOOC porcini sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly...

Arts + Culture

Art, Craft & Purpose

Different lives, same instinct: to create, to solve, and to stay engaged through meaningful work Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Brian Glantz-1st Glantz Media No matter the age or stage of life, many men find themselves drawn back—again and again—to making something with their hands. Whether it’s shaping clay, building furniture, assembling a collage, painting on a canvas, or designing something entirely new, the impulse is often less about the finished product and more about the...

Life + Culture

VCL’s 2026 Remarkable Man

Public service leader Peter M. Casamento focuses on prevention, structure, and partnerships to transform lives across South Sarasota County Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Brian Glantz-1st Glantz Media With a career in public service, Peter M. Casamento, M.A., has long been driven to make a difference. After retiring as a law enforcement captain and teaching at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, he recognized that many challenges begin long before a crisis. That insight shaped...