Shorts and Boots
If the weather in Southwest Florida dips below 60 degrees I pull out my winter wear. Coats, sweaters, scarves, tights and boots all emerge from my closet and I am...
18
Dec
2018
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Author: Sarah Owen
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05
Dec
2018
Greetings That Stand the Test of Time
It has been four years since I sent a family holiday card. Around October my expectations and intentions reach a pinnacle and I believe that a festive greeting and a...
21
Nov
2018
I am Grateful We Are Not Alone
I just returned from a series of meetings and a conference in New York City. I was traveling solo most of the week which provided me plenty of alone time...
14
Nov
2018
Back to the Future
I knew it wouldn’t be long before someone asked me about ghosts. When the Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently moved into our new home, Collaboratory, we were following in the...
07
Nov
2018
Have Stanzas Will Travel
When I was a kid there was a corny saying that worked its way into conversations whenever someone said something that rhymed. I am guessing most of you have uttered it at...
05
Nov
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Be Bold and Bolder
There are certain times it is not wise to search for information on the internet. I am reminded of this every time I google an unknown medical symptom, or the...
24
Oct
2018
Writing to You, With a New View
Dear Readers, I have been writing this column for seven years, but this week feels as if I am reaching out to you for the first time. I always take the summer...
01
Oct
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Wait, What are You Doing Here?
My husband and I went to high school together, but we were not high school sweethearts. Although we were just one year apart and had mutual friends, we are fairly...
03
Sep
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: A Horse and a Storm of a Different Color
My front yard still hosts a small ditch that was created by a temporary power line that ran across the length of our property providing us access to the much-coveted...
06
Aug
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Ms. Owen Goes to Washington
The Washington Monument is beautiful at night and when I am on journeys to our nation’s capital I make a point to visit the iconic landmark in the moonlight. On...
02
Jul
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Idea Factories
I work alongside a team member who likes to ask “there are no bad ideas, right?” before she launches into an idea generating session at the office. I find myself...
04
Jun
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Relevant Scholars
The sights and sounds of commencements are all around us this time of year. I remember my own graduations and the sense that the whole world had stopped and noted...
23
May
2018
Change Making and the Soufflés of Life
I have never eaten a soufflé. In the scheme of things, it is not a big deal but recently I saw the offering on a menu and began to consider...
16
May
2018
Smooth Moves
Last week I ran into now former Fort Myers city councilman, Mike Flanders in a downtown coffee shop. I flagged him down on his way out the door to introduce...
09
May
2018
I Am Not Alone
I found out last week that I am not the only one with a storied past. If you are a regular reader of this column you know that I share...
07
May
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Out of Nowhere
Can you imagine standing up on stage in front of a large rowdy crowd and reading excerpts from your childhood diary? It seems unimaginable to me, but last weekend I...
11
Apr
2018
Beware the Allure of the Golden Egg
No doubt many of you are recovering from the recent Easter egg hunting season. Spring is in the air and for weeks leading up to the Easter Bunny’s annual pilgrimage...
02
Apr
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: No Great Future in Plastics After All, Mr. McGuire
Plastics. This one word is actually ranked number 63 in the American Film Institute’s list of the top 100 movie quotations in American Cinema. It appears in the 1967 movie...
28
Mar
2018
The Un-Power Hour
This column was not written on Saturday, March 24, 2018 between 3:30-4:30 pm or 8:30-9:30pm. The reason I am certain about the timing is my observation of Earth Hour 2018. Every year...
21
Mar
2018
Who are the Gift Makers?
When I walked into a Makerspace for the first time, I curled up on a well-worn sofa, surrounded by workspaces that were flanked by shelves and bins filled with tools...
14
Mar
2018
Where We Start Shapes Where We’re Going
Recently I was enjoying a cup of coffee with a new acquaintance who had reached out to learn more giving and philanthropy in Southwest Florida. When he asked me about myself...
05
Mar
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Translating for Change
As I stood in the massive ticketing lobby of the Mexico City International Airport I was swept up in a wave of unfamiliarity. I felt disoriented and it took a...
28
Feb
2018
There’s No Place Like Home(s)
As expected this time of year the line to valet at the Naples resort seemed to stretch out endlessly. Experienced Southwest Floridian’s have grown to expect this during season and...
21
Feb
2018
Not Lost in Translation
Wandering into the Chapultepec Forest seemed a bit mysterious. As I stood at the gates leading into one of the largest parks in the Western Hemisphere, I didn’t have a plan. I...
14
Feb
2018
You Can Change the World
When someone asks you to help them change the world, it feels exciting at the onset and then all of a sudden, daunting. Changing the world can mean many things to...
05
Feb
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Keep Dropping Keys
The theme of a recent conference I attended was delivered in the form of a question, “What Drives You?” Throughout the three days I spent with other grant makers and funders...
31
Jan
2018
No Regrets
I enjoy reading and listening to interviews with famous leaders and CEOs. No matter the media outlet the questions seem to follow a similar pattern and always include the “What...
24
Jan
2018
Let’s Keep Showing Up for Each Other
The plates of cookies and pitchers of fruit-infused water went untouched for weeks. This surprised me as I thought the smell of warm chocolate chip wonders and refreshing thirst quenchers...
17
Jan
2018
It Only Takes a Spark
I am a Girl Scout and a Boy Scout. I joined the Girl Scouts as a young girl, starting out as a Brownie scout and staying involved all the way through...
01
Jan
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT:Stepping Out of the Back Row
I always enjoy watching a crowd stream into a room with unassigned seating. There are normally two distinct groups; the front row people who rush in and claim their spots in...
01
Dec
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: We’ve Got Your Back, Southwest Florida
It is a miracle that any of my three children learned to ride a bike. All of them turned out to be great cyclists but can’t assign any of the...
29
Nov
2017
When School is Closed So Is the Kitchen
Our community does an amazing job providing food for hungry people during the holidays. My email inbox and social media feeds explode this time of the year with stories of...
22
Nov
2017
Thanks for Giving
Over the past year the Southwest Florida Community Foundation has sent at least two thousand thank you notes. Every letter we pen, whether electronically or handwritten reminds me of the generosity...
15
Nov
2017
Pull Over or Turn Back for a Great Report
Recently I was traveling on a back road in Northeast Florida that reminded me of car trips with my grandparents. I spent many of my childhood summers with them and...
08
Nov
2017
A Gentle Purposeful Push
Whenever my adult kids travel home for the holidays I can count on at least one conversation with each of them on the topic of why I didn't push them...
07
Nov
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Don’t Miss a Chance to Talk Turkey about Philanthropy
In just a few short weeks Southwest Floridians will be gathering around Thanksgiving tables with friends and family. I am in the gratitude business so you can imagine that Thanksgiving is...
18
Oct
2017
Pumpkin Spiced Philanthropy
There was a time when the calendar turned to October and I sought out ways to bring a little fall into my South Florida life. Years ago I would seek...
11
Oct
2017
I Want to Find Just the Right, New Words
I had committed to not writing articles about overcoming suffering and difficulties for the next few weeks. I felt like I had used all the words I had about hope...
04
Oct
2017
Dashed Dreams Can Create Beautiful Music
I was enjoying one of the many fantastic performers at the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest last week in downtown Fort Myers, and just about the time I was feeling envious...
02
Oct
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: The New Normal
I am both anticipating and dreading the restoration of my power and water post Hurricane Irma. The utility companies and linemen have worked tirelessly but I just happen to be...
13
Sep
2017
Hope Fueled by Gasoline, Flashlight and Neighbors
I am writing this one for those of my neighbors in Southwest Florida who are reading this by flashlight. This is being composed on a laptop that was charged via...
04
Sep
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: The Field Trip for Good
“Do you have any travel plans this summer?” This is one of my favorite questions to ask friends and colleagues as I am fascinated by other people’s journeys. It doesn’t matter...
07
Aug
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Books, Backpacks and Behavioral Health
Brace yourselves for the onslaught of back to school promotions. For those of you who grew up when school started after Labor Day the abundance of ads for all things...
03
Jul
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Do-Overs Can Start with Appreciation
I want to bring back the Do-Over. When I was a kid this strategy was effective in many circumstances. An errant ball in a kickball game; no problem just call...
05
Jun
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Love Actually or Love Mandatory?
When I walked into our office break room last week I was greeted by the aroma of bar-b-que, a beautiful bowl of tomatoes, fresh bread and a homemade Texas sheet...
24
May
2017
The Right Fit
I have a great pair of shoes that I never wear. I bought them the night before a special event and did not have much time to decide. When I...
17
May
2017
It’s Personal and Personalized
My latest coffee shop order is an iced grande cinnamon almond milk macchiato with sugar free cinnamon dolce, hold the caramel drizzle. I practice saying it in my head before...
10
May
2017
Community Storytelling
When I was a little girl if someone said you were telling a story that usually signaled you might not be telling the whole truth on a particular matter....
01
May
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: The Future Is Indeed Very Bright in Southwest Florida
Imagine the stories of 1800 students who have a dream for their future and are asking for support from generous strangers to help them get there....
26
Apr
2017
Throwback Thursdays Take on a Whole New Meaning
The gentleman at the monthly meeting of the Southwest Florida Historical Society had a twinkle in his eye as he shared the mischief he had created on the grounds of...