MARCH 20, 2016

 BREAKING NEWS......DOC SAM'S ON MAIN ST KAPUT!!!!!

After weeks of HYPE and promise, DOC  has closed its doors for good!!!  And, the Herald Tribune continues to defend their coverage with the following statement......"recent visits by this reporter and other Ticket staff members have found Sol's thriving."  In their dreams!!!!!




GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO A NEW AND MAGICAL SEASON, AS SPRING OFFICIALLY BEGINS TODAY AND LASTS FOR THREE GLORIOUS MONTHS!

 

This week will mark an historic moment in baseball's history, as our Tampa Bay Rays play an exhibition game in CUBA highlighting President's Obama visit.  Nothing like this has happened since 1999.  Should be interesting to watch and read about.  With travel to CUBA by air and cruise ship on the horizon,  ESPN is hoping to bring us the sights and sounds of this country before, during and after its 1:30 gamecast.

Today, the Sunday before EASTER, is PALM SUNDAY.   In many Christian denominations, worship services will include a procession of the faithful carrying palms, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem.  It is the end of lent and beginning of holy week culminating next Sunday EASTER.  After church services that day many of you will be heading to breakfast or brunch.

ON THE CORNER OF 4TH AND ORANGE

One of the most interesting brunch menus is served at THE ROSEMARY.   Sunday marks their first EASTER, and they intend to make it meaningful. No buffet or jacked-up pricing, just their breakfast and lunch menu along with a few chef specials served from 8:00am-3:00pm.   There will be limited reservations so if you want one call 941-955-7600.  Click here for a view of The Rosemary menu.

With more spring breaker's on the way, one of the area's better attractions is not in Sarasota, but Bradenton.  The SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM 201 10th Street.  It is the largest Natural and Cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast. 

 Planetarium shows run daily Mon-Sun.  In addtion, Wednesday-Saturday there is a live star talk on This Month's Skies at 12:30 and a Tour of the Universe at 2:15.  Whoopi Goldberg narrates a new film Journey to the Stars Mon-Sat 11:45 and 2:15 on Sundays.   For directions, pricing and additional information click here.

The summer-like weather of the first week of spring in SARASOTA signals an end to our seasonal calendar of events. In fact several venues are in the midst of announcing their 2016-17 schedules and in the coming weeks; especially for those of you who are already north and missed the announcements, I will post them for you.

Tuesday morning, marked the end of another highly successful Ringling College Library Association TOWN HALL program. General David H. Petraeus (U.S. Army, Ret.) closed the series.  As is the case each year, the next year's Chairman, Patrick Duncan announced the 2017 program....AND it is a powerful one with some very familiar names.  V.P. Dick Cheney is mentioned first since his appearance comes three days after the Presidential Inauguration January 23, 2017.  Some of the other names are Geena Davis, Kofi Annan and James Balog. To become a member click here.

New Library under construction opening 

2016

 Those of you with subscription for the morning and evening lectures are given the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the sold-out series.  However, not everyone re- subscribes so I urge you to join the Library now to be eligible for tickets if available. 


Asolo Repertory Theatre is in the last few months of their 2015-16 season.  Recently opened, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner has garnered rave reviews from critics and those who have already seen the Frank Galati production. 

  Most of us are old enough to remember the wonderful movie  featuring Spencer Tracy, Katherine  Hepburn and Sidney Potier in the story of an interracial relationship in the 60's.  Tracy died 17 days after the film was finished, and 6 months before the film was released the Supreme Court struck down the anti-miscegenation laws.

This production is timely today as we continue to deal with bigotry throughout the country.  You have until April 17 to see this powerful presentation. For a schedule of performances and buy tickets click here.

The date is March 30!!!!

There are just a few days left to help a worthwhile cause and have a great sandwich all for charity.  JERSEY MIKE'S and their 6 area locations have designated The Alzheimer's Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter this month's charity. 

 They are encouraging you to make a contribution to the organization and on March 30, 100% of  JERSEY MIKE'S sales will go directly to the Association.  The locations: 3820 Tuttle Ave,  5367 Frutville Rd, 2031 Bahia Vista St, 8210 Tourist Center Drive, 5820 Ranch Lake Blvd and 4020 4th St.

JIM'S RANT....Once again Sarasota County is beginning a road project during the season.  Claiming "safety issues", repairs to Coon Key Bridge will begin April 4.  Just east of St. Armands Circle.  Construction was delayed from September until now.  I guess those "safety issues" got worse??  I can name numerous road projects (Bee Ridge...Orange/Main Turnabout) started in season.  Bad idea to inconvenience our tourists with congested roads under construction....other than that,  this is still a great place to live and visit......

As always a big hug to Tracy for her editing.....see you next week....JIM