Food + Beverage

Harvest "Pumpkin" Salad Magic

Venice Olive Oil shares a colorful, flavorful October salad recipe. Article and Photography by Marci Weidemiller October’s bounty comes alive in this vibrant harvest salad, created with the flavorful touch of Venice Olive Oil. Golden roasted butternut squash, deep jewel tones of berries and cabbage, and crisp greens capture the beauty of the season. Playful “pumpkin” oranges add whimsy, while a rich maple black pepper vinaigrette ties it all together. It’s autumn on a plate—colorful, fresh...

Food + Beverage

Hearty Kitchen Academy

Loveland Center Venice is cooking up skills, confidence, and community! Article by Jessica Baird | Photography by Loveland Center Venice At Loveland Center in Venice, the kitchen isn’t just for cooking—it’s where independence is seasoned, stirred, and served. The Hearty Kitchen Academy (HKA) gives adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to sharpen essential life skills while building confidence, teamwork, and self-reliance. In HKA’s fully equipped kitchen...

Arts + Culture

Gulf Coast Gypsy: Nightbird’s Rise

Florida tribute band transforms reverence into its own unique magic Article by Yvette Wasserman Angela Chang, lead singer of Nightbird SWFL, has loved Stevie Nicks for as long as she can remember. An alto like Stevie, she slips into that dusky timbre so naturally that fans often say, “Close your eyes and it’s Stevie.” The band was built to be different by honoring both Nicks’s solo work and Fleetwood Mac classics. Between songs, Chang shares backstories that give the show shape and heart...

Food + Beverage

BrewBurgers and Beyond

Michael Bacon continues to give people what they love - burgers, bagels and more! Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Brian Glantz - 1st Glantz Media When you talk to Michael Bacon, owner of BrewBurgers, the theme that emerges is resilience—seasoned with more than a dash of perseverance. Bacon opened the original BrewBurgers in 2011, and it quickly became a go-to for locals craving classic burgers and friendly service. A few years later, he doubled the fun by opening BrewBurgers Back...

Food + Beverage

Chefs on Deck

Venice culinary luminaries board a vessel at Venice Yacht Club for candid photos and lively conversation Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Brian Glantz, 1st Glantz Media Venice City Lifestyle gathered five of the area’s top culinary doyens—Bryan Meek of the Venice Yacht Club, Steve Longet of Longet: Fusion with a French Accent, Jimmy Nadell and Judy Gaspar of Tuscany Nokomis,  Ashley Lauren of Plated Per Palate—for a stylish photo shoot and conversation about food, creativity, and...

Food + Beverage

Mix, Sip, Repeat

Seasonal recipes and spirited reads to shake up your glass Article and Photography by From cozy fall sippers to spooky party potions and booze-free beauties, these books bring the “drink” to our Food & Drink theme. Whether you’re toasting the harvest, channeling Halloween vibes, pairing novels with cocktails, or skipping the spirits entirely, you’ll find a recipe here worth mixing. Autumn Spirits: Cozy Fall Cocktail and Drink Recipes By Adams Media Cooler days call for a seasonal sip. This...

Home + Design

Family, Flooring & Florida Style

Inside Montgomery’s CarpetsPlus Colortile Article by Emily Leinfuss Walk into Montgomery’s CarpetsPlus Colortile showroom in Venice, and it won’t take long to spot a member of the Montgomery family. That’s by design. “We stagger our days off so that one of us is always here,” said Mike Montgomery, who co-owns the company with his brother Mark and sister Missy. Most days, customers will find either Mike, Mark or Missy on the showroom floor. This kind of hands-on approach is one of the many...

Life + Culture

What's Your Self-Care Style?

Daily habits that work: simple actions for busy lives Article by Emily Leinfuss Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all—that’s what makes it interesting! Some find peace in meditation, others in a jog or quiet family time. Whether it’s a treadmill podcast, five minutes of silence, or saying “no” guilt-free, self-care comes in many forms. This article shares real stories of how people make self-care fit their busy lives. Ready to find your style and feel more energized? Let’s dive in! Deniese Kragel...

Life + Culture

The Little Black Dress

Accessorize to infuse new life into a classic you already own—making it reflect your unique style Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Janie Jones (Styled by Amani Skalacki) Most of us can say we have that one staple black dress that can be worn at any occasion, and the classic look is not only popular but is elegant and timeless. It is the dress in our closet that can be accessorized to fit the event and often is the dress we go back to time and again. It is one of the most versatile...

Education

Coach, Mentor, Educator

Sascha Hyer wins "Ripple Award" by making a lasting impact at Venice High School Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Courtesy Sarasota County Schools Sascha Hyer has always believed that relationships come first. “For me, it’s about building trust with students. Once you’ve got that, you can teach anything,” he says. That student-first approach, combined with his leadership in the classroom and on the field, recently earned Hyer one of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Ripple...