JUNE 2, 2019

WELCOME SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL..........

An Univited Guest Condutor

The Annual Music Festival began last night with a Holley Hall concert, and concludes June 22 with a grand finale presentation in the Opera House.  For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets call 941-953-3434 or go to sarasotaorchestra.org.

The Cause of Main/Lemon Closure

If you're planning a visit to popular restaurants HYDE PARK, BOCA, BRICKS or one of  the other restaurants  in that area, a word of caution.  The intersection at Main Street-Lemon Avenue is closed and will remain closed until July 4 the earliest.  All this for as pavers are installed on street and sidewalk in anticipation of Mark opening later this year.

Not to worry if you're a walker, as foot traffic will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.  I'm hopeful with construction finished, we will all be appreciative of the new look of Main-Lemon.



FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE continues to provide "swinging" entertainment throughout the hot summer nights.  Their recently opened The Marvelous Wonderettes has generated reviews reserved for fall and winter.  This is a main stage musical presentation normally reserved for the cabaret.  Though you're not able to enjoy a table side meal with this one, you will enjoy all the wonderful music from the '50s and 60's.  Funny how the music from that era never grows old, while today's music fades away in weeks.


Tickets remain for most performances.  As always their box office on site is a convenient way to purchase seats.  Or call 941-366-9000.  For a complete schedule you can find it at floridastudiotheatre.org.

The Cabaret begins performances June 11.  More on the first show Come Together next week.  With music from The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Cher and Billy Joel, how can it be anything but entertaining and nostalgic.

The day begins in Sarasota

Sarasota once again is being recognized as one of the Best Places to Retire in Florida; but we already knew that!!!!  This from an online personal finance portal Smart Asset (no, I never heard of them either).

  Their findings were based on tax-friendliness, medical care and social life.  Naples is ranked number 1; while our neighbor to the south Venice is ranked 8.  The complete list is available on their web-site.

This week's TICKET should be necessary reading for those of you taking advantage of SAVOR SARASOTA week 6/1-6/14.  Included is a list of their recommendations of the top 10 places to dine.  There are nearly 90 restaurants participating, but this is a good starting point.  As I've pointed out before, many of these restaurants extend SAVOR beyond the June 14 end date.

Three course meals are offered for lunch and dinner at a  price fixe of $16 and $32.  For a complete list go to SavorSarasota.com. 


My Tuesday ROMEO lunch group returned to Libby's in hope their newly renovated restaurant on Osprey would be an improvement from our last meal a year ago.  Sadly, other than a bright. exciting, open-space modern dining area, nothing else had changed.


The menu is large with several new and unusual additions.  Not too dissimilar to recently opened Lemon Tree.  Lots of salads, burgers, small plates.  Nothing out of the ordinary to set Libby's apart from the ordinary.

Larry was enthusiastic about his steak tartar,  but the rest thought our salads and soup just so-so.  It was our server who made the meal less than satisfying.   Late with some entrees, and not delivering what was ordered; instead of making us feel welcome, his lack of attention did otherwise.

I wish Libby's well, but they will go forward without a return visit from Tuesday ROMEO group.  

An article  in the aforementioned TICKET makes no mention of food quality or service, but serves as a rundown of what Libby's is attempting to accomplish with its brasserie feel and open layout.  However, a recent review by food editor Laura Finaldi was glowing; go figure. 




If you're not worn out from last weekend's St. Armands Circle Seafood Festival, they're inviting you back for still another CRAFT FESTIVAL next weekend.  Go early, as the afternoon heat does not make pleasant shopping.

If you don't mind the heat, our Sarasota  Farmer's Market continues year round.  If you look closely, crafts and other non-food items are available on both Lemon and Second St.

JIM'S RANT...... This week, Governor DeSantis and his cabinet paid a visit to Israel where he held a cabinet meeting and  visited  several historical sites.  For some reason this trade-goodwill mission was criticized by media and others who thought the trip was 'inappropriate."  With a large Jewish population in Florida and several business ties to Israel, DeSantis should be praised, not vilified.  Hats off to our Governor....JIM.....Have a great week, and I'll see you again next Saturday for my last blog before fall..........