The Right Thing at the Right Price - Right nearby

Are you looking for a collectible? An antique? A designer bag? Or an oriental rug? May we suggest a few places in Southwest Florida where you can score a great deal, snag something unique and still not break the bank. Read More »

Worlds from Within - The pictorial visions of Alexis Lago

A fine-looking gentleman stands on what looks like an infinite landscape. The vast space resembling the stratosphere is endless. The man’s beard makes him look familiar, and there are birds flying around him. Read More »

More Than a Gallery - Tower Gallery on Sanibel is a unique family of artists

Walking toward the Tower Gallery on Sanibel, you cannot help but smile. The building itself is a piece of art, with its brightly painted turquoise wood panels, and its indigo blue and spring green railings adorned with cutouts of tropical fish. The smile only widens as you walk inside, where beautiful creations of a strong and passionate community of local artists are revealed. Read More »

Out-of-the-Box Materials = Inspired Pieces of Art

Setting aside their paintbrushes, charcoals and pastels, several Southwest Florida-based artist are creating works using fewer traditional materials. Some of their pieces are larger than life, others will fit on a shelf—but all will surprise and interest those who see these amazing artworks. Read More »

Discover a Sanctuary Within the Arts - Fall programs at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs

The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs invites you to escape the everyday and enjoy the arts. The organization offers year-round programing to the public and its 2,000-plus members, ranging from art classes for all ages, exhibitions, film series and three national art festivals. Read More »

Hurricane Romance - Suspense and history swirl around in the 1935 Labor Day storm

As we tip-toe our way through another hurricane season, hoping for a quiet fall, it’s a good time to find a cozy corner and curl up with a bit of history, romance and suspense to while away the dog days. You will find all these ingredients in The Last Train to Key West, a novel by Chanel Cleeton that uses the catastrophic Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 to generate a stormy story. Read More »

Crossword Puzzle for September/October 2020

Try your hand at this month's crossword puzzle! Read More »

Beauty Column - The Must-Haves of Beauty Products (September & October 2020)

Are you a lipstick lover or face-cream fanatic? Then you’re in the right place. Every issue, we give you the lowdown on fabulous fragrances, luxurious lotions, must-have makeup and everything in between. Because whether you’re a laid-back surfer babe or a total product junkie, you know it’s a beautiful thing to look as good as you feel. Read More »

Do It in Your Sleep! Learn about eucalyptus bedding from company founder Elle Liu

I tend to live by the old Irish proverb that says, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” Elle Liu, founder and CEO of sustainable bedding company Eucalypso, subscribes to a similar philosophy—especially when the products she sleeps on are good for the environment. Read More »

A Moment in Time - Ramon Kingsley creates sought-after watches inspired by World War II–era materials

Lots of kids grow up playing with Matchbox cars or G.I. Joe figures. Ramon Kingsley wasn’t like lots of kids. At a young age, Kingsley developed a fascination with the military and would use his father’s vintage airplane parts and military ammunition casings to make playthings. Read More »

Finding Strength in the Arts - Alliance inspires through creativity

The arts have kept the world entertained and inspired in this time of great uncertainty. During stay-at-home mandates we heard neighbors joining their voices from balconies, watched videos of frontline workers choreographing dances, explored the great museums virtually and even indulged in the release of the highly anticipated screen version of Hamilton. Read More »

The Music of Abba Makes for a Memorable Musical - And a mighty good meal

Why is Broadway Palms’ show, Mamma Mia! worth seeing? Let’s start with the Abba classics “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “SOS” and the title song—1975 chart-topper, “Mamma Mia!”—all woven into this tale of love, laughter, family and friendship. Read More »

Pets Often Included in the Big Day! Weddings, special occasions feature dogs or other animals

Pets are considered part of the family—and that role is increasingly extended to being part of special occasions. As Dara Dunbar notes, “We do get requests for pets in wedding pictures.” She and her husband, Brendan, own Bohemian Road Photography, a wedding photography service that is based in Fort Myers and serves all of Southwest Florida. Read More »

Sundays Made Brighter - Cape Art League opens its doors to students

The Cape Coral Art League (CCAL) offers a chance for children ages 6 to 13 to do something creative on Sunday afternoons from October through July. This popular session, “Teaching Young People Art,” is back again this year with new teachers and new lessons changing every month. Read More »

Therapy Through Creativity

Art therapy is a creative way to help individuals view things differently, gain insights and discover solutions... Read More »

Ecological Importance of Tree Cavities

The creation of tree cavities begins with the red-cockaded woodpecker. This is the only woodpecker in North America that excavates its roosting and nesting cavities in live mature pine trees. Read More »

Ancient Art in Southwest Florida - The Calusa left an impressive body of artwork

In the spring of 1895 on Key Marco Island, J.D. Collier was digging in his garden and unearthed some wooden objects, shell tools and fiber that appeared to be ancient in origin. This began an exploration over the next year that still amazes archaeologists and people from all over the world... Read More »

Recipes We Love - See What’s Cooking in SWFL (September/October 2020)

Delicious recipes (a cocktail, roasted chicken breasts, and lobster pot pie...oh my!) from a variety of distinguished restaurants in the SWFL area. Read More »

Casa Ybel Resort - Tying the knot in style, delivering the perfect wedding venue

Weddings are all about love, and the staff at Casa Ybel Resort knows plenty about love and weddings―couples have been saying “I do” at this romantic Gulf-shore setting for more than a century. Read More »

Discovering the late Paul Badura-Skoda: Extraordinary artist—on modern and period instruments

When I was studying piano performance in graduate school, I had the good fortune to work with a wonderful pianist and teacher named Seth Carlin. Next to the obligatory Steinway behemoth in his studio, Seth kept something special, more diminutive and delicate-sounding: a beautifully made replica of an 1820s Graf fortepiano. Read More »

A Hidden Gem You’ve Missed - Gulfport is St. Pete’s secret

Somewhere between the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Tropicana Field, there’s a small but cool waterfront community that not only isn’t on the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s never even made most Floridians’ radar. Put it on yours. Read More »

SWFL Journal (September/October 2020)

A journal from the perspective of Southwest Florida. Read More »

Designing Drinks - New and Creative Beverages Find Their Way to Florida Shelves

The beverage industry is like fashion––trends come and go with thousands of producers vying for shelf space and your attention. Even the best-tasting product could quickly get bumped if packaging and messaging are not on point. Read More »

What’s Hot in Southwest Florida (September/October 2020)

Learn more about the hottest items - jewelry, food, clothing, and more - for sale in Southwest Florida! Read More »

The Science and Art of Design

Schopenhauer’s definitions came to mind when I was reading a scientific article about transportation. The author stated that a person mounted on the correctly sized bicycle exemplifies the most efficient use of energy per weight in movement, expending less energy than a salmon, seagull, horse, car, or jet plane. Such a calculation represents engineering talent. Read More »

MISE EN PLACE

‘Reset-Reconnect-Focus’ for success Read More »