SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2013

 

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND........A time set aside to honor all of those who have given so much to keep AMERICA free.  Please pause during the next 48 hours and say thank you to the brave women and men who no longer enjoy our freedom.

In a few weeks those of us in SARASOTA can once again take advantage of several restaurant specials.  Menus are already on line and reservations at some of the most popular will be hard to come by after the first few days.  One of those restaurants participating is Mozaic, where effective immediately you can take advantage of their summer menu special three course dinner for $29.  If you've never been to Mozaic, you are in for a wonderful meal , and if you have; especially for Savor SARASOTA you,  will be rewarded with great value for the money.  Of all the restaurants participating, and there are many, Mozaic's menu is one of the best. Click here for a list of participating restaurants .

 

Bruce Fox & Friends

Randi LaSalle Fox & Friends

Last weekend we celebrated the 60th birthday of friend and tenant Bruce Fox.  Several of Bruce's friends and family gathered at Village Green for a southern feast prepared by an old favorite, Hickory Hollow. Their Ellenton location is worth the trip!

Debbie writes " a small group of friends dined at Ruth's Chris.  It had been many years since any of us had been there.  We made the right choice for a very special birthday celebration.  Our meals were excellent.  Some opted for 3 course prix fixe while others ate ala carte.  The prix fixe menu offers several choices including fish, chicken or STEAK.  While there are several excellent steak house's closer to those of us living near University, LBK, out East or downtown, Ruth's Chris is definitely worth the ride."
Exec. Assignment Editor George Miles also shares his dinning experience this week...."I have never been to the Bijou Cafe. I rate this dinner AAA a 5 Star dinning experience..I had stuffed crispy duck, and I have never had anything more delicious ....and I have been blessed to have eaten all over the world.  The white table cloth restaurant is one of the finest in our region and I am looking forward to going back and enjoying other items on the menu."

George is on the board of Ringling College of Art and Design and rightfully so is a champion of this fine institution.  In his email to me he goes on to state " it is one of the many hidden jewels of our region.  A first rate college with outstanding students along with a national and international reputation. ' Both George and I encourage your visit to the campus and the many buildings open to the public.

Saw The Great Gatsby and though I found it entertaining and well acted it was nevertheless too glitzy to thoroughly enjoy. Director  Baz Luhmann is well known for his over the top production and Gatsby is no exception.  He shot this in 3-D and even watching it on a regular screen, I could sense the third dimension aspects of the scene.  There have been many screen adaptation's of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel set in the early 1920's, but none as bold or loud as this one.  For instant pleasure, I suggest you re-read the book.

Breaking News!!!!!!!! Breaking News!!!!!!

 

CIO Debbie breaks the news...."JOHN DOUGH, successful restaurant and bakery at Cooper Creek has been sold to  the family who owns KILWIN'S.   As residents of Lakewood Ranch, the family sees a future in the concept of John Dough and hope to expand the brand.  John Dough  owners, Bill and Glenda will stay on through the summer to ease the transition and train new people.  The new owners anticipate a seven day operation and expansion to dinner. " 

It will be several months, but competition lurks for the breakfast/lunch fast food crowd.  That out-parcel under construction at the Target Shopping Center is Panera Bread.  Rumored as a tenant there for years, it is now a fact giving those who shop the University Corridor many choices for a quick and good meal.

 

TELEVISION ALERT....This week BRAVO celebrates the 250th episode of their Emmy award program Inside the Actor's Studio with a 2 hour retrospective featuring some of the best interviews live and on tape.  The questions are scripted by host James Lipton, but the answers are never the same.  Nathan Lane, Robin Williams, Bradley Cooper and Tina Fay are scheduled to appear. ON-DEMAND is still showing several first run movies:  Venus and Serena, The English Teacher, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Black Rock and Pieta.

JIM's RANT is a simple one this week.......where is the rain????  We moved to SARASOTA ten years ago.  Each afternoon at around 4 it rained and rained and rained...then it stopped until the next day.  NO MORE.  We are in a severe drought.  Our grass, trees, plants and flowers need some moisture to survive the summer.  Rain, and lots of it was predicted for this week.  Some areas of SARASOTA received several inches, but nothing wide-spread...maybe this week.

JIM KNOWS SARASOTA will return next Sunday and won't be back until FATHER'S DAY.  Thanks as always to Editor Tracy, CIO Debbie, Executive Assignment Editor George, Membership Director Carole and all of you who keep encouraging me to continue.  Have a great week......JIM....