Unravel.us staff from left, Justine Griffin, Kylee Cress, Rachel O'Hara and Tony Elkins.

Are you ready, Sarasota?

Welcome to Unravel, your new go-to source for news and everything else in Sarasota. We know you because we are you.

Unravel is an online news and entertainment platform for young professionals in Sarasota-Bradenton, made and managed by young professionals in Sarasota-Bradenton.

Like you, we grew up on Facebook.  We Instagram photos of our food. We share photos of our friends with other friends. We’re outspoken about our beliefs on Facebook. We have an opinion on everything — from which bartender makes the best Moscow Mule in Sarasota, to the Common Core education standards at our children’s elementary schools. We don’t pay for cable. We binge watch shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards on Netflix.  We’re active. We like to travel. And we like to frequent hole-in-the-wall places that no one’s ever heard of.

Like you, we’re not going to be bogged down with the traditional way our parents get the news. Instead, we want to be in the know as we go. So check back for more updates worth knowing every day. Just don’t swipe, clip, scroll and drive, please.

We Unravel the news, so you don’t have to.

 

Meet the troops: 

tonyTony Elkins
Operations Director
Age: 39
College: At this point college is a distant memory and best forgotten
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Change, I love it.
One thing you believe in: That stories matter, and there’s plenty left untold in our community as well as new ways to tell them.
Favorite place in Sarasota: The dog beach in Venice . . . dogs are the best.
@telkinsjr | Insta: @telkinsjr

 

selfie 4 Justine Griffin
Editor-in-Chief
Age: 27
College: University of Central Florida
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I refuse to pierce my ears. Never have, never will.
One thing you believe in: The power of bubble baths.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Fox Lea Farm in Venice on a cool, foggy Sunday morning.
@SunBizGriffin | Insta: @hollywoodnvine88

 

kyleeKylee Cress
Creative Director
Age: 24
College:  Ball State University
What’s something you know you do differently than most people?  I hum when I eat and I never notice it.
One thing you believe in: I believe in puppies and French fries. Yea, definitely French fries.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Saga Japanese Steakhouse on Tamiami Trail.
@kyleecress | Insta: @kyleecress

 

rachelRachel O’Hara
Visual Editor
Age: 26
College: Ohio University
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I am most comfortable standing with one foot on the ground and one foot resting high up on my standing leg. People say I look like a flamingo when I do it.
One thing you believe in: Theater soothes the soul. Especially musicals.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Any of the beautiful beaches!
@RachelO_photog | Insta: @shutterbabesrq

 

zacZac Anderson
Contributor
Age: 34
College: University of Illinois
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I still write in cursive, but only when paying my bills. I have no idea why.
One thing you believe in: Eating your vegetables.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Anywhere on, in, or near the water, especially when the fish are biting or the waves are coming in.

 

selfie 1Katy Bergen
Contributor
Age: 25
School:  University of Missouri
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I don’t eat or drink at the same time.
One thing you believe in:  Thunder Road
Favorite place in Sarasota: Toasted Mango.

 

burgJacob Burg
Contributor
Age: 22
College: New College of Florida
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I probably listen to enough music to run an independent radio station.
Something you believe in: Language is not the boundary of communication.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Myakka River State Park and the south county wilderness preserves.

 

maggie2Maggie Clark
Contributor
Age: 27
College: Florida State University (undergrad)/University of Maryland (grad)
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I can’t wink.
One thing you believe in: Vacations
Favorite place in Sarasota: Lido Beach.

 

selfie 2Scott Davidson
Contributor
Age: 23
College: University of Florida
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I can only ride long/skim/surfboards goofy-footed.
One thing you believe in: The book is better than the movie.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Siesta Beach

 

ian_01Ian Cummings
Contributor
Age: 32
School: University of Kansas
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I pronounce “Italian” like “Eye-talian.” I get a lot of flak for it too, but that’s how my family has done it for generations, and I won’t be the one to break the tradition, damn it.
One thing you believe in: I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Kohls.

 

selfie 5 Jessica Floum
Contributor
Age: 22
School: Northwestern University
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? When I see an adorable dog, it’s pretty much impossible for me not to pet it and say something to it. My friend once asked me if I knew dogs can’t understand me…Yes. Yes, I know.
One thing you believe in: Don’t feed the seagulls
Favorite place in Sarasota: The Legacy Trail.

 

 selfie 6Elizabeth Johnson
Contributor
Age: 24
School: Murray State University
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? When doing eye makeup, I apply mascara first (to avoid smudges).
One thing you believe in: Use of the word “y’all”
Favorite place in Sarasota: South Lido Beach.

 

joshJosh Salman
Contributor
Age: 30
College: University of North Florida
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I eat pizza crust first
One thing you believe in: Big Foot
Favorite place in Sarasota: At home with my family.

 

alanAlan Shaw
Contributor
Age: 39
College: University of Florida
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I eat my bread without butter
One thing you believe in: Hops. (The kind that make beer, not ups.)
Favorite place in Sarasota:  Colonial Oaks Park

 

shelbyShelby Webb
Contributor
Age: 24
College: University of Florida
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? When I write, I hold pens as pencils so they’re almost completely perpendicular to the paper. My handwriting is crazy because of my grip.
One thing you believe in: Equality for all.
Favorite place in Sarasota: Shell Beach.

 

 

Staff photo by Mike Lang

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