Orange Blossom Community Garden

Renowned slam poet Anis Mojgani will be performing a set of his original work at the New College of Florida for students and the general public on Saturday, 19 February 2011 starting at 7pm. Anis Mojgani was a back-to-back champion at the National Individual Poetry Slam in 2005 and 2006. He has published two collections of his poetry, including most recently The Feather Room. The show at New Colle...

Huge rummage sale to help raise money to find the cure to breast cancer. All proceeds go the the Susan G. Komen for the CURE. Help support local 3-day walkers of team Walking In Sunshine....

[From Nov 10, 2010] Nights are getting chilly, and a few days ago, in the evenings, we started lighting the wood stove at Kendall’s house in town. It takes some skills. Paying attention to the mechanics of heating was never part of the mix in my few years of winter farm living. It was either central heating by oil furnace, or with electric space heaters, and both ways, really no different from city life convenience: adjust a thermostat or click a switch, pay the bill, and that was that. Pretty mindless.

Here in town with Kendall, natural gas central heating is the main heat source, but she offsets that as much as possible with good ol’ wood heat. So, oddly enough in my ongoing tiny farming career, it’s in an urban setting that I’m first learning how to build and feed a fire, adjust the air intake, get a feel for the draft in different weather conditions, safely dispose of the ashes and embers. And, of course, there’s the wood: bush cords and face cords, hardwood and softwood, well-seasoned vs. green, splitting and stacking, the never-ending quest for good kindling…

Just as your awareness of weather explodes with attention to detail and a certain urgency when you go from city supermarket life to growing food, the same thing happens when you become intimately involved with fending off the winter cold (especially here in Canada, where you can literally freeze to death!). Only a few days of casual evening fires in relatively mild temperatures, hovering around freezing, and already I’m hooked! So much to learn, so little time… :)

The public is invited to participate in a guided hike at South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve, 5472 Kenisco Road, Venice on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 9 am. This hike will take visitors through a brackish water wetland, a higher salinity mangrove and saltern area, scrubby flatwoods, and coastal woodlands bordering Lemon Bay. Participants may observe wildlife and wildflowers while learning about the i...

Calling all birding enthusiasts! Join Charlie Sample, Sarasota County volunteer, Venice Audubon Society and Friends of Sarasota County Parks Board member, as he leads you on a birding nature adventure on Saturday, February 12, from 7:30 am – noon. Be amazed by the vast array of bird species and nature found at the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve). You won’t be...

Lee Ann Harling, Sarasota County and Carlton Reserve volunteer, and certified Florida Master Naturalist, will lead an enjoyable winter nature walk from 10:00 a.m. - noon, Sunday, February 13, 2011 at the T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve). Lee Ann will share some history of the Reserve, introduce hikers to an authentic log cabin that serves as a Visitors Center, and lead an e...

Join Sarasota County volunteers and Audubon Society members Tom and Connie Plaskett on a guided birding nature walk through oak hammocks and tidal marsh areas found on Curry Creek Preserve in Venice (west entrance) on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 9 – 11 am. Curry Creek Preserve is one of many natural areas available through Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection P...

Do you love nature and strenuous off road bicycling, but are reluctant to go out in this wilderness area alone? Looking for advanced off road experienced bicyclists to discover the natural rugged beauty of the T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve while getting a great cardiovascular workout. Sarasota County and Carlton Reserve volunteers Lori Biagini and Pat Richie will lead you on a bike advent...

Got bikes? Then grab the whole family to join Sarasota County and Carlton Reserve volunteer David Reynolds and his family for an off road wilderness bicycle ride through the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve on Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. for approximately 1 to 2 hours. Expect to see lots of wildlife! If you are too busy for this one, don’t fret! This great family bi...

The South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve is far from dead in the winter! Explore this preserve with Sarasota County volunteer and Florida Master Naturalist, Lee Ann Harling from 9 – 11 AM on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. Lee Ann will share some history of the site and its habitat restoration, along with information about the local wildlife and vegetation. Participants will pass through a brackish water...

The hunt is on! Come search for wild lupine and explore South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve with Sarasota County volunteers Al Squires and Denny Girard from 9 – 11 AM on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Al and Denny will introduce you to wild lupine while sharing information about the native vegetation. Participants will pass through a brackish water wetland, a high salinity mangrove area, scrubby flat...

Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Jeff Weber on Thursday, February 24, 2011 from 9 - 11 AM as he leads participants on a winter woodland stroll from upland habitats to the shores of Shakett Creek at Pocono Trail Preserve in Nokomis. Along the way, participants will see a variety of plant and animal species including live oaks, eastern red cedars, cabbage palms, bracken ferns, osprey, w...

Please join us for the kick off party for our annual "Diamonds in the Rough" Mental Awareness Luncheon. Baubles & Bubbles is sponsored by The Golden Image Jewelry Store and MK Designs. This free event will feature door prizes, a raffle for two free tickets to the elegant luncheon, refreshments and champagne. 15% of all jewelry sales will benefit Sunshine from Darkness and our mission to provide...

The 4th Annual Chillounge Night in Sarasota will take place on historic Palm Avenue. Hundreds of chic daybeds and other outdoor furnishings will be set up to create a cozy, comfortable setting for an evening of food, drink and entertainment. In addition to the signature line-up of live musical entertainment, which includes Tango/Flamenco performance by Cabal and Smooth Jazz there will also be a ...

An evening of Cocktails, Dinner and Entertainment Fundraiser, Sponsorship opportunities available...

Stroll under ancient oaks,visit art galleries and boutiques, dine, listen to music, see a dance program by Fuzion, - discover the charm and beauty of Sarasota "Old Florida" at Towles Court Art Colony in downtown. FREE PARKING...

Collector, appraiser, historian, Eileen Hampshire will give a lecture on Oriental Rugs, followed by appraisals of YOUR rug. 2nd in the Afternoon Series of Historical daytime Lectures...

Wayne T. Bell, Author & Historian and appraiser will give a lecture on American Pressed Glass 1840-1910, followed by appraisals of your pressed glass....

Warm Mineral Springs, located in North Port is probably better known in Europe than here! Join lecturer, Gene Vaccaro as he brings us up to date on this historic site....

Celebrate spring with friendly singles in the warm tropical lobby bar. Meet new friends, happy hour specials, enjoy the sunset Gulf view. Admission $10.00 name tags provided, cash bar. You never know who may be looking for YOU!...