SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2013

Season of Sculpture, one of SARASOTA'S most popular exhibits, is here!  You can take advantage of this exhibit for free through Memorial Day.  Spaced along Bay Shore Drive are 18 of the most magnificent sculptures by famous and non-famous sculptors.  One of the many wonders of Sarasota. To learn more about the exhibit and artists click here.

These are exciting times for the University Parkway corridor.  By now, most of you should have read the growing list of retailers and restaurants scheduled to arrive next year.  This week comes an addition to the corridor that will create more traffic, but at the same time  be a very valuable asset to the retail choices in the market.  FLOOR & DECOR, a large national chain in twelve states with thirty locations offering a huge selection of tile, wood and stone is opening it's 62,000 square foot Sarasota store Thursday in former Albertsons at 8145 Lockwood Ridge Road. 


Floor and Decor carries the broadest selection of marble, travertine, granite, ceramic, tile, and laminate flooring available to both individual consumers as well as contractors. In addition, they sell a full array of tools and related accessories necessary to complete any hard surface flooring surface.  A do-it-yourself consumer friendly store.  Open early until 11 during the week and 9 on weekends.

There are two charitable events this weekend that need your support.    Please take the time to attend both or if you cannot attend you can always make a contribution of money or time!!!

On Saturday, Tree of Life Community Project Kickoff is being held from 1-3pm at Art Center Sarasota, 701 N. Tamiami Trail.  Immediately following  Downtown Farmer's Market there will be music, Bar-B-Q, discounts from several local businesses, and a new live plant to take home for the holidays.    Proceeds go to those who need support and encouragement in their quest for a second chance. For more information please click here.

Art Center Manatee is holding their 2nd Annual is holding their 2nd Annual Holiday Pottery Sale Saturday and Sunday from 9am til 3pm at 209 9th ST. W Bradenton.  Shop early for the holidays as talented potters offer great deals and selection for the discerning shopper. For more information click here.


The SARASOTA Medieval Fair continues today and next weekend at Ringling Woods behind Sarasota Fairgrounds.  Featuring nationally renowned acts along with rides, games, music, holiday shopping and food.  There is a Medieval Village where you can even get a haircut.  Face painting for kids and horse rides as well. 

If you are looking to spend a few hours in a world that only exists in our imagination then Medieval Fair is for you.  With art shows ,wine fests, and Chalk Festival,  this little gem of an attraction did not get its fair share of attendance or attention last weekend.  For something different, I recommend a look see.

Have you noticed the return of slot machines in a different form?  Sprouting around Sarasota in the former locations of the shuttered slots are Jacks...Bingo and more. I walked into the Lockwood Ridge location and saw several people hovered over bingo machines with plates of food by their side.  The location manager claims several thousand visit on the weekends.

The day I was there, the lot was busy but far from full.  For $3 admission you receive breakfast, lunch and dinner along with snacks.  There is a full bar as well.  Each game costs $7, but there are other opportunities to gamble. Why the state does not allow gambling is a mystery since the money generated from these places would go a long way to improve roads, decaying infrastructure, etc.

Half Shell Seafood House is thriving in it's new location on University Blvd. in the Kohl's shopping center.   Moving to the totally renovated Red Elephant location they offer oysters and mussells,  and have expanded their menu to include fresh fish, pasta and a good old-fashioned hamburger.  I was not a fan of the former location, but did enjoy my meal in their new digs.  The decor is charming with a New Orleans look, their new menu is still a work in progress as is their service.   To make a reservation call 941-952-9400.


Mandela...a long walk to freedom had its area premier at CINE-WORLD, and opens here on 11/29. It is a powerful, well done movie that delves into the life and mystique of Nelson Mandela, who after 27 years a prisoner for his only crime of dark skin is finally granted freedom and in due time  becomes President of South Africa .  It is a powerful film filled with wonderful performances; especially Mandella played by Idrus Elba, who plays Luther in BBC's crime series.  It should be mentioned as Academy Award possibility next year.

I want to thank APOLLONIA owners,  brothers Eddie and Ben for assisting our neighborhood party of over 50 for cocktails and dinner last week.  The service was excellent and every meal came hot and as ordered.  If you are thinking of a holiday party and are looking for something new and unusual this year, I highly recommend APOLLONIA.

JIM'S RANT is directed at our magnificent Opera Company.  Not the singers or musicians, but management.  Their ticket return policy is for the birds!!!  If a season ticket holder passes away and a refund is justified  a death certificate is required as proof.  Once received, instead of a check or offer of credit towards next season, a refund is sent to the deceased's credit card used in the transaction; even though the card has  probably been cancelled.  I would hope in respect for the grieving family a more compassionate way of refund be considered.

Tracy did her usual fine editing job this week....until next week's Thanksgiving edition with breaking news only revealed here,  I leave you with a photo many of us witnessed on television in 1963.....JIM

A very young John John saluting his father's casket.  Hard to believe it's been 50 years!!!

NOVEMBER 10, 2013

Tomorrow is VETERANS DAY.......The one Federal holiday to fall on its original date happens to be on a Monday this year, allowing for a three day weekend for many.  There will be no mail,  and banks are closed, but department stores are open with pre-holiday sales!!!  ABOVE ALL, this is a day of celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Keeping the Veteran theme, this year's SARASOTA Chalk Festival's honors our veteran's.  The chalk drawings on display beginning 11/13-11/18 will capture that theme.  Taking place in historic Burns Court district, the festivities escalate on the 15th with music, food and chalk drawings all over the place.  For more information and a schedule of activities click here.

While visiting the Chalk Festival if you walk to corner of Pineapple and Orange you will discover yet another new restaurant. I heartily recommend MATTO MATTO an Italian cafe and wine bar.  Owned by Alessandro and Alana Settimi  by way of Toronto/Rome you will be treated to some of the best thin pizza in Sarasota, as well as a menu rich in original pasta dishes, antipasta, panini, salads,  and a salmon dish  served on spinich which is one of the best I've ever had.  Save room for dessert, as we were treated to owner Alessandros mother's tiramisu...a mix of rich decadence. 

There is ample outside seating as was the case of former owner Citrus.  You will be much better served at MATTO MATTO.  Open at 11 for lunch and most nights until 9:30 or later, this is a perfect addition to the very popular Burns Restaurants Owens Fish Camp and Nancy's BBQ. Live music is available on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays,  but could be extended for the Festival.

It seems like we eat out most nights, but the fact is, we eat home a lot.  By now, you know our favorites, but all of you have your own favorites and discoveries all over Sarasota.  Stephanie Hochfelder writes...."Cafe Posh is a cute little place 33 S. Palm.  A Victorian Retail front window & a small cafe in the back.  Allen & I love their scones.  Among our favorites are lemon chocolate chip with lemon frosting and clotted cream. They also have very good sandwiches along with coffee, tea, water, etc.  Everything is made fresh daily on premises."

Dick Gross loves Sarasota Ale House. on Kenny Drive near Bee Ridge and I-75.  "I ordered the osso buco.  The portion was large and delicious.  My friend had their ribs and he said they were excellent.  My wife had a hamburger, ordered medium-rare, and it was cooked perfectly."  Others have also suggested this little gem which my  guess is crowded with locals form that area and has not been discovered by tourists because of its location.

The theatre season really takes flight this week with two openings.  Both are Tony winners from years ago, but have stood up over the years.  

SHOW BOAT, winner of the 1994 Tony for best musical, opens the ASOLO REP season with a four week engagement.  This is classic musical theatre from an era when a Broadway musical was known for its score as much as for story....Ol Man River....Can't Help Lovin Dat Man...and Make Believe are some of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein 11 most popular songs.  SHOW BOAT is in previews Tuesday-Thursday and opens its run Friday through December 29.

A few miles South, FST, brings the 2005 Tony Winner, MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT to life in the Gompertz Theatre to help kick-off their winter season.   Literally ripped off from a classic film with similar name, this outrageous parody is funny, campy and full of music from a long ago era.  This is a BIG musical and will fill the new Gompertz stage.  To my knowledge, this production is the biggest in FST history with a cast of 16 and several set changes.  Opening night is Wednesday and runs through January 11, 2014!!! (cannot believe we are only a few months away from the New Year).



CINE-WORLD is history, but two movies will stick with me for a long time.  Opening this weekend in selected cities is The Armstrong Lie, a documentary started in 2009 as a celebration of Armstrong's return to competitive cycling but  quickly turning to a condemnation  of a fallen hero.  Accused of doping and  after many denials Armstrong earlier this year admitted years of doping to Oprah and others.  He comes off as arrogant, deceitful and you will not have one ounce of pity for him.  Though two hours long, if you are a fan of cycling and know of Armstrong, the time is well spent.

The other movie, August: Osage County, will certainly be nominated for several Academy Awards for picture and actors.  Meryl Streep is never better.  But there are so many wonderful performances from Julia Roberts to Chris Cooper to Juliette Lewis to Abigail Breslin it is hard to single out anyone.  The Weston family gathers for a family crisis and bare their souls over two hours of some of the best ensemble acting you will ever see.  This one comes out on Christmas.  Do not miss it!!!

UTC UPDATE....Justine Griffin reported this week in one of her many excellent SARASOTA Herald Tribune articles that at long last APPLE has committed a store for the University Town Center Mall set to open October 2014.  In Friday's paper she listed several more stores, including Gucci, Tiffany, Armani and Kate Spade, with more to come.  Her list is not "official", but as close as it gets!! To read the entire article click here.  If you have not kept up with Justine, in her short time at the paper she has covered all the major retail store openings as well as breaking business news as good or better than anyone before her.


JIM'S RANT is for those of us who do not stop at some point tomorrow and give thanks for the valiant men and women who  served and continue to serve our country.  Whether in peace or war they risk their lives to preserve our freedom.  At least, the Armed Services, gets it right.  Can't say the same about Washington!!!
 
Thanks to Tracy and all of you who continue to read this blog.  Readership has grown to almost 600!!!!



Honoring our Armed Forces at Bay Shore Park

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2013

This morning (Sunday) at 2 am we turned back the clocks ending daylight savings time and moving into a period of shorter days and longer nights.  If you forgot, lucky you!!  You just gained an hour.

November marks the "Dawning of a New Season" or as the Sarasota Orchestra calls it, the debut of Anu Tali in her first concert as music director.  It also marks the orchestra's 65th anniversary.  This Friday through Sunday, the first Masterworks concerts include Eller's gorgeous Dawn, Rachmaninoff's passionate Rhapsody, and finally Dvrak's Symphony Number 7, a piece the composer called "capable of moving the world."  Tickets can be purchased for as little as $30.  For more information on Masterworks as well as all the programs click here.

Restaurant news........DRY DOCK, though still under construction is now open for dinner.  I went there last week, and the food as well as the outside dinning view of the bay was spectacular.  For those of you coming back for the season, DRY DOCK is very good at honoring call ahead seating; which I highly recommend.

Opening tomorrow (Monday) in the former home of defunct Red Elephant, is former Main St. restaurant, HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE. It will be open for lunch and dinner daily and Sunday brunch, they have expanded their menu from oysters to pasta, burgers, salads and fresh catch sea food.  I will have a review for you in a few weeks.


For the young adult downtown or anyone young at heart  SOCIAL eatery and bar located 1219 First Street across from the shuttered Ceviche is the place for you.  It took the better part of a year to get it right, but the decor and ambiance, especially the outside bar area which is as comfy and cozy as any you've been to in Sarasota, makes this a wonderful place to socialize with cocktails or snacks before or after a movie. 

The current menu is being revised as I write this.  I do know one of the more popular dishes, vegetable lasagna is gone,  but pasta, pizza, soup and several meatball items remain.   I will wait a month and revisit when menu is finalized.

Next week, in addition to my reviews, I have several from readers and will share those with you.  It seems like I eat out every night, but I don't.  So if you have a restaurant favorite please email jfox1043@comcast.net with your review.

I recently had computer issues and  asked Computer Advantage to recommend someone they use for non-Apple products.   Kinetic ProTech was the first name they offered, and I am glad they did.  Alan Rowley answered the call, cleaned up the computer to where it works as good as  new.   Alan is efficient, reliable, dependable, and most of all KNOWLEDGEABLE in all matters related to computer.  You can learn more about Kinetic by clicking here or call 941-462- 9127.

This afternoon 11-3 Phillipi Estate Park in support of all faiths food bank, BOWLS OF HOPE once again is offering a chance to help a good cause while at the same time giving YOU something back.  For only $25 you will receive a beautifully handcrafted bowl to keep.  Using that bowl you will be able to feast on soup donated by some of our finest SARASOTA restaurants....Bijou Cafe, Broken Egg, Cafe L'Europe, Michael's on East, Morton's Gourmet&Catering, Whole Foods Market, Sharky's On The Pier and many more.

Bread, dessert and light beverages are included along with live entertainment.  Tenting is set up for sun, and the weather forecast for today is sunny and mild so you have little excuse, other than football (the BUCS play a late afternoon game today) to avoid this wonderful annual event.



SATURDAY LAKEWOOD RANCH POLO CLUB
TICKETS $60 FOOD/WINE 1-4

Mark your calendar for next weekend's 12th annual Suncoast Food and Wine Festival There are over 40 area restaurants participating  as well as wine samplings from many of your favorite vineyards.   This event is always well attended, so my advice is to get there early.  To view a list of food and wine vendors click here.





Shopping reminder, as if you need one.  NORDSTROM RACK officially opens its doors Thursday.  Located in the Cooper Creek Shopping Center along with many restaurants and other fine retailers, this is SARASOTA'S first Nordstrom. One can only hope for the BIG one!!!

  

The 25th anniversary of  St. Armands Circle Arts Show begins Saturday.   Running through Sunday it brings together some of the nations best artisans displaying and of course selling pottery, paintings, jewelery, posters and so much more.  While at the show you can also take advantage of many casual restaurants on the Circle.

JIM'S RANT.....snowbird season has begun.  You can feel it as you drive around the city.  Not so much the increase in traffic.....NO...the increase in bad drivers.  They come here from every state and many countries with their own traffic laws.  Now, more than ever pay attention while driving.  And remember, while we now have a non-texting while driving, many states don't......

Editor Tracy has done her usual fine job.....until next week....JIM


October 27, 2013

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.....the last time we saw trick or treaters was several years ago in Baltimore.  But if you live in a development with children, now is the time to stock up on all that delicious candy you can eat for several days later.  Looking for a fun HALLOWEEN activity....

TreeUmph's Zombee Zip has been open during the weekends since October 18.  November 1 and 2 is the final weekend for this event and you must be at least 9 years old to participate.  For three hours 7:30-10:30, the Zombie Zip Tour will amaze and thrill.  The course has not changed just the ghosts and goblins around to greet and frighten.  This is the only HALLOWEEN-themed zip line in the region.  Cost is $20, but only $17 if you bring a non-perishable food item to benefit all faiths food bank. Click here for more information or to sign up.


OROLES announce 2014 Spring Training schedule......  The first game at Ed Smith Stadium is March 1st, and before that month is out the Birds will play 15 home games.  Featured are three with Boston and Tampa, two with the Phillies and one with the Yankees.  Single tickets go on sale Jamuary  25. For more information click here.

Last week, FST kicked off it's new season at the John C. Court Cabaret with one of their best shows EVER, THE PRIMA DONNETTES. The show features music from female singing groups of the 50's and 60's including The Shirelles, Martha and the Vandellas and others  as well as solo artists Dusty Springfield, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.   The show is 90 minutes of familiar music sung by four terrific performers.  Donnettes runs through February 7.  Those of you who are already in SARASOTA should grab your seats NOW....If you are coming down between now and the closing date click here to purchase tickets on line.  Word of mouth will make this a sellout!!!

Along with theatre, symphony, performances at Van Wezel, and ballet we also have a SARASOTA opera company performing downtown in their home on Pineapple.  Their season kicks off this week with Die Fledermaus, a Johann Strauss, Jr. favorite.  This one has several well known melodies.  It is performed in English and features the Sarasota orchestra as well.  There are only six performances including two matinees on November 3rd and 15th at 1:30 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets for this and other operas all season click here.

Several of you have discovered a new shopping experience on Fruitville and Honore adjacent to Target......YES HSN....Home Shopping Network has opened its first outlet store in Sarasota.  Many of the items featured on their cable channel are here to purchase at drastically reduced prices from the ones listed on television.  What a great place to shop for early Hanukkah or Christmas gifts.  Everything from jewelry, clothing, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, crafts, kitchen items....obviously reduced due to high inventory.

Many have questioned the construction on Honore just beyond University Parkway heading south.  I am now able to report construction will soon start on a town home development.  No idea of builder or price range, but something to keep in mind if you are contemplating a move or know of friends who are moving into the market.

Last week we celebrated a friends very special birthday at Hyde Park Steakhouse and Grill.  Great attention was paid to our party and everyone enjoyed their excellent meals....steak, salads, salmon and chicken.  The chef prepared a special appetizer and the evening ended with a sampling of decedent desserts.  Since season has not yet started the restaurant though full was not overwhelming.  For special occasions or one of Sarasota's best Happy Hours, I recommend Hyde Park.

Next week I will have exciting restaurant news from University to  First St. to Longboat.  Old and new and more coming. 

JIM'S RANT this week is directed at my IN BOX.  When did all the email start happening?  It seems to have exploded and there's no way to stop it.  Friends send multiple jokes???? many questionable.....businesses from all over send special deals....everyone wants to add you to face book or linkedin or twitter....life was so easy before we stopped using the phone....

Lots going on in the next few weeks.  November starts a busy fall/winter season.   As always thanks to Tracy for putting the final touches and edits on the blog....see you soon....JIM

Mark your calendar Sunday 11/3 Phillippi Estate Park  More next week