NOVEMBER 24, 2019

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL START OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING..............

BUT FIRST....HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thursday with its football, turkey, stuffing and  apple pie should give you a nice head start to compiling a list of gifts for family, friends and service people as we head towards Christmas.  Six less shopping days should make the shopping even more frantic this year.

When shopping the first place I head is UTC, inside the Mall as well as stores along Cattleman Rd. and University Park, where nearly everything on your list is available for instant gratification.  So many places to eat, even drink and party.  And plan a trip after sunset, as the HOLIDAY displays have gotten more elaborate this year.  And. if you have a young one, don't forget Santa is holding court in center court.




The Sound of Music has kicked off the ASOLO 19/20 season with a show for all ages.  Running through December 28, good seats remain for most performances.  Friend Merrill Wynne writes..."Always enjoy.  Saw opening of Sound of Music. "An absolute must to see". Merrill.

  The box office is open daily at 10am and closes at 5pm Monday, 7:30pm Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-8pm Fri/Sat and 10am-2pm Sunday.  Online ticketing is available 24/7 at www.asolorep.org/ticketing.  Single tickets range from $35-$97.

Be on the lookout for discounts as this past weekend Asolo sent an email offering 16% discount on all ticket pricing.  Might not be a bad idea to get on their email list!

There's always a lively debate about "season" and when it actually begins.  For those of us who call Sarasota home  we can judge by traffic congestion. 

 While shopping  at Total Wine this week I discovered another sign of seasonal arrivals.  When looking for house wine Radius throughout the store, none could be found.  The reason given from manager Ricardo, " The Canadians arrived this week and bought him out!

Went back a few days later and stocked up for the winter.

If you like Mexican food, EL MELVIN, 1335 Main St is now open, and it's a winner.   We had dinner there Wednesday night, and you would have thought they've been open years, not days.  The food is as authentic Mexican I've had in a long time; maybe best in Sarasota.

Many of you will recognize address of  now shuttered Two Senoritas, a so-so Mexican restaurant whose location kept them in business longer than warranted.  EL Melvin management completely renovated the interior for a more comfortable setting,  and if that wasn't enough, added Mexican chefs who know how to create all your favorites.  Our group did lots of sampling from Mexican beer to Tacos, Burritos, to Quesadilla.  And to fully satisfy our hunger shared two desserts.

This is a restaurant for sharing either before or after theater or a night out for dinner with friends.  EL Melvin is open daily 10AM-9PM, and take reservations at 941-366-1618.


Venice Theatre continues to bring back classic Broadway/Hollywood productions.  Now playing through December 1 is the never grows old Mamma Mia!  Yes, I know the recent movie with Cher and Meryl Streep among others still lingers, but there's nothing that beats seeing this show live.  

Michele Walker, writing in a recent Herald Tribune review states "....almost stealing

Venice Theater Mama Mia Cast

the show is the ensemble cast, the true star of this production.  What makes Mama Mia works are the production numbers.  Every time the ensemble enters the stage,the energy explodes.  I could have watched them all night."

There's only a few weeks left before MM closes Sunday December 1.  To order tickets call 941-488-1115 or www.venicetheatre.org.  You'll thank me for recommending this one.

 JIM'S RANT.......If you haven't been on Main or Lemon or Orange Streets or the bus station in the past few weeks, you've missed a growing Sarasota crisis.  The homeless population has grown to an alarming number.  One bastion of hope continues to be the Salvation Army which feeds, bathes and affords cots for sleeping.  The Salvation Army is all over the city with bells and kettles collecting money for these efforts.  They need our help...loose change, dollar bills into those kettles will go a long way to making life easier for our homeless population...JIM......thanks for reading...see you next week.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY