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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.

Mannatee Sports Grill

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Dining.

Mannatee Sports Grill
7423 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 941-794-1400

The closest I ever come to being a ‘Sports Fan’ is a distant memory of having breakfast years ago with Hank Aaron in Atlanta!! I still remember Hank’s generous grin when he became aware that I did not have a CLUE as to who he was!!!

So, WHY would I opt to go to a restaurant that billed itself as a “Sports Grill”?

Mannatee Sports Grill is NOT your typical fried food & brews establishment. In the evenings they also showcase some incredible Music Groups! That coupled with one of the best dance floors in our area, makes this a multi-dimensional venue!

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.

Myakka Blues Festival

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Events.

For Immediate Release:

Snook Haven, Florida Ave Ales and The Suncoast Blues Society present the Second Annual Myakka Blues Festival.

The Second Annual Myakka River Blues Festival will be held at Snook Haven in Venice on Memorial Day May 27th from 11-7 pm. This venue is located right on the Myakka River. Kettle Of Fish will be headlining the 2013 festival. George Worthmore, RJ Howson, Bob Dielman, Steve Arvey, Belmont and Jones and Roger Hurricane Wilson will also be performing. This festival will feature a wide variety of blues reaching from the Acoustic sound of the1920’s and 30’s all the way to today’s modern sounds in the blues. This will be a membership drive event for the Suncoast Blues Society.

Savannah Brady & Her All Star Band

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in SRQ Scoop.

Savannah Brady & Her All Star Band

Laurie and I had the pleasure of attending the 3rd Annual “Food and Wine on Pine,” on Anna Maria Island on Saturday. It was the first time we ever attended this great event. Fabulous food, lot’s of street vendors, awesome beverages and great music. It was an all day event. The main reason for going is that I heard that Savannah Brady and the Jimi Gee “All Stars” were going to be playing.

Patricks 1481

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Dining.

Patrick’s 1481
1481 Main Street, Sarasota, FL, 941-955-1481

One of my FAVORITE things to do is have lunch in downtown Sarasota!        
I had taken a stroll down Sarasota’s Main Street on a Monday evening a while back and noticed that Patrick’s 1481 was BUSTLING!! Taking this as a good sign, (busy on a MONDAY) I set my sights on Patrick’s 1481.  I feel compelled to tell you, that I had HUGE expectations! I had been an avid FAN of the original Patrick’s, (located where Florribean now stands) so I wondered if the NEW Patrick’s would live up to its previous glory!

IMMEDIATELY upon entering Patrick’s, my lunch companion and I were greeted and promptly escorted to our preferred location.  Having just settled in comfortably and

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.

Laurie Interviews the Songbird, the Lovely Rebecca Bird

Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.

While hanging at the Jam each week at the Flying Dog Café, Sande Caplin and I did a number of interviews with various musicians and interesting characters that were regulars at the Dog.  One of my distinct favorites was my interview with Rebecca Bird, a.k.a The Songbird.  So as we were setting up the camera and the lights, I began to get to know Rebecca and I was taken with her soft personality, her Marilyn Monroe-type sex appeal and with her love of her Dad, whom she spoke about so passionately.  When people like Rebecca are up onstage you don’t really wonder about their backgrounds because you’re so caught up in the performance, but she did let go of some intimate details of her life.

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