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The Main Street Station Band

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.

A Great 60’s, 70’s & 80’s Band!
Florida’s Gulf Coast is truly blessed to have one of the great bands in the area that plays 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music.  If you haven’t heard the “The Main Street Station Band,” you should.  Last night, they put on a truly inspiring performance at Mannatees Sports Grill in Bradenton, FL.  There were lot’s of “baby boomers” out there last night who were smiling, dancing and enjoying the fabulous music.  Mannatees Sports Grill menu offers something for everyone and they have a great selection of beer, wine and top shelf liquors. 

Don Mckeon- Go Tonight!

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.

I love interviewing people because you never know how crazy their past was or how different it was from your pre-conceived notion. Don McKeon is the perfect example.  Ever a gentleman, well groomed and dapper, I honestly thought he was going to tell me he was a V.P. of a Fortune 500 Company, or a retired lawyer, or maybe even a politician.  So I was giggling inside when I was hearing him tell me that he’s done a myriad of interesting careers from owning a head shop to owning/managing upscale retail women’s wear shops.  I love it!

Ca’ d’ Zan Welcomes Lauren Mitchell

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in SRQ Scoop.

Last night was a very special evening at Ca ‘d’ Zan at the Ringling complex.  The Lauren Mitchell Band performed to a huge and I mean HUGE crowd.  The weather was absolutely perfect, the water views were extraordinary and the entertainment was magical.  If you are a “blues” fan, this was the event to be at last night!  My pal Laurie and I had such a great time.  What a great way to spend a Thursday eveining in the beautiful Sarasota sunshine and fresh air!

Kara Nally, Beautiful Songs From A Beautiful Lady

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kara Nally for breakfast twice over the last 30 days at “First Watch” on Main Street in Sarasota.  Both times, Kara was stylishly late!  I have come to learn that is Kara being Kara!  It didn’t bother me…..it’s Florida and no one is chasing me!  Kara never stops talking- she has so much to share.  She is a bundle of enthusiasm.  Kara was born in Weymouth, Mass and also lived in Norwalk, Mass.  She went to the same high school as Susan Tedeschi……different years!  Kara started singing Mariah Carey songs when she was in the first grade.  She has played with many different bands since the age of 14.  She always sang in the chorus in her high school years.  She proudly told me that one of her uncle’s performed on “Broadway” in New York City.

Nutritious You, Healthy Deserts

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Blog.

Nutritious You, Healthy Deserts in Sarasota, Florida

The idea of making healthy desserts started with Marina’s daughter. When she switched her to a “clean” diet due to her health condition, she couldn’t give her just any dessert and you know the kids have to have some dessert!  Their clean diet consisted of no refined sugar/flour, no highly processed ingredients, no chemicalized sweeteners, no artificial flavors, or any lab created food-like products. She was sensitive to gluten and dairy so they stopped buying those too. Her diet was however rich in fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, and free-range no-antibiotics meat and wild fish when possible. 

RJ Howson…An Old Soul in A Young Man’s Body

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.

RJ Howson…An Old Soul in A Young Man’s Body

Resonating, I am actually sitting here listening to RJ Howson sing and play guitar on “Make  A Fool of Me” (one of his original songs) recorded live at a legendary Blues club Chicago called Kingston Mines.  I’m channeling the vibe from yesterday when we sat down with our high test iced coffees and talked.  The problem for me was that this could have ended up being a 5 hour interview because RJ has the gift of gab and the experiences that make him an old soul.  I’m not sure if it’s because he might have been here before or if he’s just taken in so much more than the average person in deep thinking and life studying in his years.

Computer Renaissance….. Write Down That Name, It’ll Be Worth Your While

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Businesses.


In a time when stores are closing down, and store-keepers are moving out of their strip malls by the tens, it’s nice that Cortez Plaza seems to have new businesses sprouting up, and some that have weathered the recession. One such store (it’s in between Pet Smart and Burlington Coat Factory) is Computer Renaissance, at 4405 14th St. West. I went in to see Mike De Giovanni, the manager and main-stay at the store, and decided to find out more.

Ron Unger- IBE

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Businesses.

The International Barter Exchange and Ron Unger…Two Names You Should Remember!
A Laurie Story!

I was thrilled to be able to get Ron Unger to spend a few minutes with me explaining the realm and concept of his business, IBE, the International Barter Exchange.  At one time there were 16 different barter companies in the area, but now there are just a few.  I asked Ron why, and he proceeded to tell me the scope and the possibilities that barter makes accessible to businesses, their customers, their families and how they fuel the economy.

AeroNaut Has it All Sewn Up!

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Businesses.

As boaters love their boats, as do pilots love their planes, and drivers love their cars. When they need work done on their prized possessions, whether it be re-upholstering, redesigning or just fixing a small area, those in the know take their crafts to AeroNaut Upholstery Solutions.  AeroNaut has a proven track record in the local upholstery business, and word-of-mouth has spread that great reputation all through Manatee and Sarasota Counties and into other areas of Florida.

IBE- International Barter Exchange

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Businesses.

IBE- International Barter Exchange
by Sande Caplin

If you’re a business on Florida’s “Suncoast,” you need to know more about “IBE.”  Barter saves cash, increases profits, and decreases the cost of doing business.  There are over 800 businesses in our area that use barter and the International Barter Exchange.

What are the goals of every business? Increase your sales by driving more customers to your business.  Another important factor is to decrease the costs involved in doing business.   By doing both, your business will be much more profitable.

What is the easiest way to increase revenue and decrease costs?  Start bartering  through the International Barter Exchange, the goods and services you currently have.  By bartering, you can buy the goods and services you need WITHOUT SPENDING CASH.  That’s right, without spending cash.  

Savannah Brady…A Lovely Young Lady!

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.

I had a chance to sit down and have dinner with Savannah Brady and her mom and dad, Jodie and Tom.  They are kind and gracious people, and you’ll never meet nicer, down-to-earth folks.

I first heard Savannah sing, play the violin and guitar, a couple of months ago at the Flying Dog Cafe.  I immediately knew that this very talented 14 year old young lady was “going places!”  She was absolutely awesome.  She came to a couple of “open jams” at the Dog and received a standing ovation.  That is when I got the idea to have Savannah join “Ladies Sing the Blues.”

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