JANUARY 17, 2016

HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT JANUARY IS HALF OVER WITH SUPER BOWL A FEW WEEKS AWAY AND SPRING TRAINING SHORTLY THEREAFTER...........

Tickets for BALTIMORE ORIOLES spring games go on sale 10;00 AM Saturday January 23rd at the Ed Smith box office at 2700 12th Street.  Their schedule this year features games against the Yankees, Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays,  Phillies, Detroit and Atlanta.  Since the Orioles arrival and renovation of ball park a few years ago, this has been a hot February attraction and most games either sell out or come close.

Another event to put on your calendar is Monday, February 8. The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is proud to present An Evening with EHUD BARAK.  Former Prime Minster of Israel (1999-2001), Defense Minister of Israel (2007-2012), and Israel's most decorated soldier.
  
Barak will be speaking at the Hyatt Regency Hotel conveniently located at 1000 Boulevard Of The Arts.  He is expected to lecture about his service to Israel, promote his newest book: My Country, My Life, Fighting For Israel, Searching For Peace, as well as answer questions regarding Israel's current relationship with USA.

After  posting this, I learned tickets are sold out, but you can get on wait list by calling 941-371-4546 or by visiting here.  Tickets are only $18; no wonder the early sell-out.  Sponsors include Observer, Sarasota Memorial and The Mazur Family Fund. 

I've written countless times about this season's ASOLO schedule.  In my wildest dreams did I think they could follow-up West Side Story with a play equally as good or maybe even stronger, but they have. You must see All The Way.

The acting, staging, and overall production of All The Way goes along WAY in establishing this theater as our best.  The show grabs your attention with its very clever beginning and does not let go until its equally smart ending.  Running over two hours in length, it never slows.  All the Way Runs through April 9 with soon to be added shows click here for entire 2016 schedule and to purchase tickets to All The Way. You're in for a terrific evening or matinee of theater!!!
 

FEATURED SOLOIST NORM LEWIS

 SARASOTA Orchestra, under the leadership of Andrew Lane, is presenting a pops concert this weekend at its home base VAN WEZEL featuring Broadway favorites.  The program, Memories of My Favorite Things, features music from Andrew Lloyd Weber, Broadway hit musical School Of Rock, Rogers and Hammerstein and others.

  Guest vocalist Norm Lewis, who was the Phantom on Broadway performs a variety of songs from Sound of Music, Cats, Carousel, Phantom of the Opera of and Sunset Boulevard.  This Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets to this program as well as future programs click here.


Playing  in The Goldstein Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre, YESTERDAY, features the music of Who, Rolling Stones and The Beatles among others.  Journey back into a time when we really practiced peace, love, friendship as well as listening to our radio for the classic hits of the time. This one runs through May1, so there will be several opportunities to see it before you leave.

 Good friend, Larry Coleman is raving about this one.  Told me not to miss it!!!  You can see all the Cabaret shows this season for the ridiculous price of $39.  Still playing Soul Mates continues to sell out nightly. To get a schedule for Cabaret as well as Main Stage performances click here. Where you will find all current ticket information.

Now that 1st Street's construction is over, Social restaurant is thriving again with a full house most evenings; especially with their outside eating area reopen for business.  Friend and fellow biker Randy Silagy writes..."the last time we went to Social, we were disappointed with food.  After writing about our experience on open table, I was invited back with offer of free entree for what they called a "second" chance.  With a few friends we ventured back last week and were pleasantly surprised.  It seems Social once again has its act together.....we will definitely go back."  Randy also advises ALL meals comped.  Good PR for Social.

A few weeks ago,  we had an opportunity to revisit one of our favorite Main St. restaurants, Selva Grill.  It was during holiday week, so you can imagine the place was packed both inside and out. And though the noise was deafening at times, the food isn't.  That same consistent Peruvian taste and presentation has only improved with age.  There is ample food to share either an appetizer or main course, and if you go on Tuesday, wine bottles are 1/2 off.   Service is impeccable.  Though pricey, Selva,  is still one of our finest restaurants.

A REAL delicatessen counter courtesy Mark Freed

By now you are probably getting tired of my Sol Meyer updates.  Cannot resist the latest, since it came from Sol.  He is leaving the restaurant at the end of January to start still another one in the space formerly occupied by Applebee's in the building adjacent to Hollywood 20.  At the moment, that is all I know.  New menu is being kept under wraps. However, he is telling everyone it will be a NY style Jewish delicatessen.



All Faiths Food Bank, along with Temple Emanu-EL, honored their many volunteers with a luncheon this week at the Temple.   Attended  by several hundred, it was their way of saying thank you to all of us who spend hours helping to feed the thousands who go hungry on a daily basis in Sarasota. Kudos to Mattisons for a fine meal.  That All Faiths outperforms our neighbor market, Tampa, speaks volumes of management and the volunteers.  If you want to make a contribution click here for levels of giving as well as information on All Faiths.
 
JIM'S RANT....After nearly two years, the market has finally discovered the Cattleman Road extension from Fruitville Rd to University Parkway.   Friday morning during a violent storm with I75 backed up both north and south, Cattleman was moving along at its posted 30-40 mph with zero stop and go!!!  It's also a viable option when going north to south and easily avoids the University Park congestion especially during morning and afternoon rush.

Tracy did her usual fine editing job this week, and new contributor Randy, found a restaurant he really likes. Larry Coleman also provided his review of FST Cabaret.  And to Mark Freed, freezing his you know what off in Chicago who went to a REAL delicatessen for food and photo.   Until next week.....JIM.......

NEED I SAY MORE???? SO REGISTER ALREADY!!!!