APRIL 21, 2019

CELEBRATING TOGETHER THIS WEEKEND

The Passover-Easter Connection...Passover marks the biblical story of Exodus, of the Jews and their leader Moses, fleeing slavery in Egypt with the help of divine intervention.

Easter, widely considered the most important day of the Christian calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospels of the New Testament.........and there you have my history lesson for this week.

The 37th annual Suncoast Boat Show takes place in downtown Sarasota next weekend, April 26-28.  Located at Marina Jack.  Dozens of boat and yacht companies will be on hand displaying their boats.  The show will also have marine accessories, boating products and marine electronics on display.

Admission is $15 adults and free for children under 15.  There will be food to purchase from a variety of vendors.  Show runs 10am-7pm Friday-Saturday; 10am-5pm Sunday.


Several of our theatres are in their last production of the season.  Getting wonderful reviews, but little word of mouth is The Cake, playing now at Asolo Rep.  Anything written by Bekah Brunstetter is worth a visit.  You don't recognize the name?  Bekah is an Emmy Award winning writer-producer of the hit NBC series This Is Us !


Tickets remain for most performances, but best seating is late  this week.  The box-office is open daily.  You can also call 942-351-8000 or 800-361-8388.  Tickets are not available on line.

Opening May 1 and running until June I is another classic, Sweeney Todd.  Who can remember back to 1979 when Stephen Sondheim brought this to Broadway.  There was also a movie in 2007 with Johnny Depp.  Their season closes with Around The World in 80 Days June 7-23.  


It is rare for me to write a negative review about a new restaurant; however, my recent lunch at Lemon Tree was less than inspiring.  True, they had been open for only a few short weeks, but the owner is not new to the business.  The Seidensticker family, who runs several successful restaurants throughout the community,  has gotten off to a shaky start with this one.

With a menu featuring vegan, gluten free and vegetarian, most of us had salad which was not up to our expectations.  Aside from the less than average food, the service was even worse.  The decor is pleasant enough, but lime is not the color of lemon.

Several of you did write last week to give a more positive review to Lemon Tree.  Marlene writes "...our lunch was good.  I had homemade pimento cheese toast and friend had smashed avocado.."; "Joan writes.."We think it's a winner.  The menu is very user friendly. I had a margarita pizza.  It was delicious..."and Paul..."needed a quick bite before theatre. They have an extensive selection of lite fare options..."






I would like to correct information from last week's blog regarding Sarasota Cuban Ballet School's  end of year show.  The date is Sunday May 12 4:00pm at Booker High School 3201 N. Orange.   Price of ticket is $25 adults; age 12 and under $15,  and can be purchased at Booker day of performance.  In addition, tickets can be ordered by calling 941-365-8400 or stopping by  Ballet School at 501 N. Beneva Rd.

Bob and Renee in Sarasota

Following up his best selling novel, Fatal Volley,  Bob Ross has done it again.   Only this one, Tennis Doubles for Seniors, comes with the advice of a long time tennis doubles player.  When Bob is in Sarasota he plays as many days as the sun shines, which is alot!   I have known Bob as a fraternity brother and friend for over 60 years, and he is never at a loss for words.  You can pick up this book on e-bay or a favorite book store. 

JIM'S RANT....the Tampa Bay Lightening embarrassed themselves this week by failing to show for their Stanley Cup series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  After a record breaking season of wins being swept 4-0 is an embarrassment we and they will long remember.  Time to pay attention to the Rays, even if no one else does.  Sad, they cannot even draw 10,000 for a team with baseball's best record....As always have a great week..I'll see you next week....JIM