MARCH 15, 2019

As this is being written, CORONAVIRUS cancellations and suspensions continue to hit my inbox.  The most recent is the 84th Masters.  Already cancelled or suspended are March Madness, MLB, NHL, NBA, Sarasota Farmers Market, Van Wezel, Straz/Tampa, Sarasota Film Festival,  and OLLI classes at Ringling College, with more cancellations to follow.   I too am suspending Jim Knows Sarasota until the fall when we will be virus free.   Stay safe and healthy while enjoying the rest of our beautiful weekend.  


JOIN THE CELEBRATION TUESDAY......

Once a year we all become IRISH for the day and party.   There are several bar/restaurants with special menus featuring corned beef/cabbage and beer.   Along with Main Street's Patricks 1481, Lynches Pub at 19 N. Blvd of Presidents has been celebrating this special day for years.  They were joined last year by IRISH 31, Located 3750 S. Tamiami Trail.  But you don't have to be IRISH to join the celebration. Go for it!

Before enjoying a cold one or corned beef sandwich on Tuesday, March 17,  head to your polling location and vote in our Florida Democratic Presidential Preference Primary to help nominate November's candidate.  We know who will be the Republican nominee, but the Democratic nominee is still to be decided; though Joe Biden seems like a lock.    Remember, you have to be registered as Democrat or Republican to vote in our Presidential primary.  The Primary Election is August 18, and November we ALL vote.

The Rosemary District has seen a construction boom these past several months.  New apartments, condominiums and town houses are under construction all over the place.

Panang Chicken

And while this is going on, new restaurants are joining one of Sarasota's favorites,  The Rosemary, affording us many choices for a casual meal.  One such spot, Spice Station, serving sushi along with a knock-out Thai menu has quickly established itself in the area.  In fact several readers from the Lakewood Ranch area recently told me they "love" Spice Station.

Spice Station 

Their Thai and noodle options are easily shared with the table.  Sushi is individual, but ample for sharing as well.  Wine and beer are available.  It's best to go early or after 7:30, but this time of year there is ample outdoor dining.  Located 1438 Blvd. of the Arts, and open for lunch and dinner.  Parking is either on street or parking lot across street from restaurant.

Ate at Spice Station Friday evening around 7, and though tables were occupied inside and out, there was room for more diners.  It's too early to tell, but other than grocery shopping, people are not venturing out much until the coronavirus outbreak subsides.

Dali Lithograph on Display

Just received email from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens with good news.  Selby remains open during these difficult days; however events scheduled for next weekend have been cancelled due to size of anticipated crowd in confined location.  You can still stroll the gardens and enjoy their Salvador Dali:Gardens of the Mind exhibit throughout the gardens.

Open daily 10:00am-5:00pm, with adult admissions without membership $25, and children 4-17 $15.

BUT, this is an ever changing environment, so be sure to check Selby before venturing out at 941-366-5731.

Went to Regal Hollywood 11 yesterday to see new Ben Affleck movie The Way Back.  Unfortunately, not many others in theatre for the movie, but if you want to get out of the house, The Way Back is worth the trip.  Most theatres are reducing the number of tickets sold to help eliminate spread of virus; however there was no problem yesterday as only a few additional seats were occupied.






JIM'S RANT.......Those of you who have been with me for several years know one of my favorite Sarasota restaurants is Selva Grill; that is until recently.  Armed with an Open Table reservation for 6:30, arrived 5 minutes early only to to informed by unsympathetic hostess we could wait in bar for table availability.  Manager was of no help, and after 20 minutes we were seated.  I'm not going to bore or waste your time with their lame excuses.  The meal, as always, was great, but the evening ruined by attitude of management.....JIM......Thanks for reading........

MARCH 8, 2020

WELCOME TO MORE DAYLIGHT.......

Though losing an hour on Sunday, we gain more daylight, and warmer temperatures in the days ahead.  Enjoy what many consider our best season.

Nik vs. Volcano

I was hesitant to watch Nik Wallenda during his latest ABC stunt, walking over an active volcano.  But when I heard Nik's wife Erendira was joining him in an unannounced capacity, I could not resist.  ABC, Wallenda's network for so many of his live performances devoted countless promotional time and a 2 hour live broadcast. 

 Was it worth watching?  Yes, and if you missed the special it is available On-Demand.  However, many of you didn't watch, and of those who did, many were critical of Nik's harness and oxygen mask.  The ratings for Volcano were miniscule!!  Come April Nik is taking his act to Legoland.

The Stars of Unchained Melodies

One of the more popular Florida Studio Cabaret shows, first performed in 2018,  is back for a limited engagement. 

Beginning next week and running through March 29, Unchained Melodies returns with all its nostalgic music from the 50's and 60's.  Who can forget the hits of our youth: Blue Moon, 16 Candles, Working My Way Back, Cathy's Clown, Everybody's Somebody's Fool, and a whole lot more.  Over an hour of memories, and if you arrive early, their snack or dinner menu is available.

The FST box-office is open daily.  Their phone number for tickets is 941-366-9000 or info@floridastudiotheatre.org.

Longtime Boston Pops conductor, Keith Lockhart, returns to Sarasota next week to lead our Sarasota Orchestra in a program of Beethoven & Bartok.  Performances extend over 4 days and will be playing at either Neel or Van Wezel.  All are evening performances with the exception of Sunday's 2:30 Van Wezel start time.


Lockhart will be holding a question and answer session "Classical Conversation" March 12, 10:30 am.  He will also speak at a Selby Gardens dinner March 10.  For more information, tickets call 941-953-3434, Van Wezel box-office, or SarasotaOrchestra.org.

The Sarasota Orchestra is one of our great cultural treasures, and deserves our support as they search for a permanent Sarasota location.  Hopefully they will reconsider the Payne Park offer, as this seems to be the best option for remaining in the city.



Marlene Meyer and friends are back again today (Sunday) with their Women 1 Show at Raine Studio, 728 Gillespie Avenue.  You'll find one of a kind crafted jewelery, unique handbags, crafted napkin rings, fine art and lots more.  Take a sip of wine, cup of coffee, water and a sweet or two as you shop for that special gift.

Sunday March 8 2:00PM-5:00PM.

The Sarasota Spring Art Festival continues today(Sunday) 10-5 at JD Hamel Park at Gulfstream and Main.


Spring officially begins later this month on Thursday the 19th;  but All Faiths Food Bank is already thinking summer.  Please join us Sunday March 29 for their 3 mile Walk to End Summer Hunger!  Beginning 8am at JD Hamel Park, the walk will take you over the Ringling Bridge and back.  Entrance fee is $10 adults, $5 children and includes a t-shirt and lite breakfast.

Register by March 20 at allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333.  Hope to see you on the Bridge.

The Jazz Club's annual Trolley & Pub Crawl is Wednesday.  Get aboard for a night of music and drink.  Trolley and tickets are available Wednesday 5:00-6:30 at the north end of the Van Wezel parking lot, Salute, Amore or sarasotajazzfestival.org.  View a list of participating pubs here.






JIM'S RANT....Traffic congestion, always a problem this time of year, became an even bigger headache this week with new Fruitville Rd. closure and revised traffic pattern on US 41.  Getting off Longboat Key is far easier than travelling north on the Trail after crossing the bridge.  You would think a project of this magnitude would be better suited for a June start.  Poor planning by our Department of Traffic and Transportation....JIM.....Thanks for reading.....see you next week......