Sarasota, Florida -- Residents and visitors to downtown Venice can sample the area's best cuisine, visit the finest cultural attractions and dance the night away, all in one night during "A Taste of Culture" tour, 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

"A Taste of Culture" is a progressive dinner that gives guests a chance to tour each campus facility, talk with the great staff, learn about the exciting programs offered for the upcoming season and enjoy a delicious meal along the way.

Sarasota, FL -- Bright House Networks have teamed up with Florida Blood Services and Chili’s restaurants to host their 7th Annual "Thanks-4-Giving" blood drive on Tuesday, Nov. 22 to build our community's blood supply before the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. 

Florida Blood Services bloodmobiles will be on site from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at these participating Chili’s restaurants:

Sarasota, Florida (Danielle Palli for Metromix) -- I know. I had the same reaction. "The Bearded wha...? A family restaurant?" It did not compute. So, before I ventured out to the Bearded Clam Waterfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar (located adjacent to the Ramada Waterfront Hotel ), I made a phone call to owner Terri Pulaski.   

Turns out, she's a former competitive surfer turned restaurateur. Back in the day, when she would travel back and forth between California and Hawaii, surfboard in tow, she, her friends, bikers and other adventurers would stop in to what people referred to as "Bearded Clam" surf shacks for a bowl of fried noodles en route to wherever they were going, or wherever they were coming back from. Pulaski wanted to create the same vibe for her Bearded Clam restaurant - the place where people can come to relax, listen to music, go for a swim and have lunch.