Zimbabwe is the only African country with vast amounts of carve-able stone. In fact, the stone found there is of such great importance to the people of Zimbabwe, that the word “ Shona” is derived from a word  in their native language literally meaning “house of stone.” This art medium has been made into a world renowned traveling exhibition of these modern Zimbabwean Shona stone sculptures and, in 2022, the prestigious honor for the exhibition location has been bestowed upon the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda. Join the festivities and listen to the sound of chisels clinking against stone echoing throughout the gardens from February 4 through April 18. 

What’s the number one issue on most people’s minds these days? It’s the economy, of course. And who better to provide insight on the complexities of this important issue than the speakers at the Economic Summit 2022, which will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3 in the Community Center Auditorium.

The Literature Forum’s February session featured an animated discussion of Isabel Allende’s “A Long Petal of the Sea,” with presenter Simonetta Balzer providing an excellent analysis of both the book and the author.
The Forum’s upcoming meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 in the Houghton Room of the Community Center.

We’ve always heard that it’s better to own than to rent, but now you can also own where you store your vehicles, too.  If you’ve recently been to the car show that is held on the first Saturday of each month in Englewood, you might have seen or spoken with Mitch Mesenberg of Michael Saunders Realty in the parking lot of Vino Loco. Cars and motorcycles are two of Mitch’s personal hobbies, and this location is a perfect place to talk to other fellow collectors and enthusiasts.
It was his excitement about vehicles that led him to his current listing 7205 Gasparilla Road, the location where Gasparilla Hideaway Luxury Garage Condos are under construction. The property owner had the vision and approached Mitch some years ago with questions about his homes4chrome.com website.

Mitch said he’s getting the most interest from individuals who have “more cars than space.” According to Mitch, “It is really fun when you’re able to combine your hobby with your work.”

Plexiglass has gotten a lot more use in the last two years than ever before thanks to COVID, but now you see more and more of it being discarded. Local artist Gail Cleveland found some pieces that were headed to the dump and took advantage of a true artistic – and recyclable – moment. Using an old art form with a new twist, she is painting with acrylic on the polymer sheets … and saving the universe and the environment a little bit of grief as well.