SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2013

Many of us have children, grandchildren and friends graduating High School and or College in the next few weeks.  To all of them and you CONGRATULATIONS...I have faint memory of High School and College graduation, but both marked the beginning of a great adventure.  Roberta and I will be in Baltimore celebrating our grandson Jason's graduation and will return FATHER'S DAY, June 16 with the next JIM KNOWS SARASOTA.

Several of you have seen the exciting new show at Asolo and all recommend it highly.  What a perfect Father's Day gift.  George Miles, who saw the show with his wife Janet writes..." just got in from seeing Noah Racey's PULSE....The Beat of Song and Dance at the Asolo Repertory Theatre.  I cannot begin to tell you how GREAT this show was...The choreography was world class...It is a must SEE electrifying theatre experience...There were several standing ovations throughout the performance.  PULSE is premiering at the Asolo with visions of Broadway.  In my view, PULSE will make it to the BIG WHITE WAY....."  Better purchase tickets as the show closes  June 16.

Starting tonight, AMC'S original and thrilling series THE KILLING returns with a two hour premiere at 8.  There are 12 episodes this summer, and if you like your television dark and scary, this is the one for you.  And since I will not be publishing next week THE 67th TONY AWARDS airs Sunday June 9, 9-11 on CBS. 

FUN WITH JOSH AND BRYSON

Last weekend we had a visit from grandson Josh and his friend Bryson.  Both live in Atlanta and were in SARASOTA for the long MEMORIAL DAY  weekend.  We started with brunch at UPCC, which has the best Sunday valued brunch in Sarasota.  After chilling out at home we went to TREEUMPH! which is as close as it gets to an amusement park here . 

 

THE adventure can last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours depending on crowds and time of year.

After a long day we were treated to a tasty meal of Italian specialties with inexpensive prices at

 

  We had not been here for several months due to heavy in-season traffic ,  and were pleasantly surprised with the quality and quantity of food as well as the wonderful service for which they are known.  We ate pasta, mussels, chicken, salads and more.  No one went home hungry.


We dropped Josh and Bryson off at St. Armand's Circle where the traffic approached July 4 size.  We rarely get to the Circle this time of year.  What with beach traffic, tourist shoppers and those who actually live in that area it is busy..busy..busy.


Nik Wallenda begins practice for his June 23 walk across the GRAND CANYON this Thursday at Benderson Park off Cattleman Road and University Parkway.  Nik and his team will be practicing twice daily with times tbd.  This is a tremendous coup for Benderson and SARASOTA.  Expect to see coverage on NBC, whose Discovery Channel is carrying the 23rd walk live as well as several other networks.  Television stations as well as newspapers from around the world have indicated a desire to cover this unique SARASOTA event.  This week's PEOPLE has a Wallenda article which mentions his home town!!!

Today's update on Christian's new restaurant ANTOINE'S located on Fruitville Rd. east of McIntosh:   I stopped by, and there has been much progress since my last visit.  Permits are forthcoming with an anticipated opening in a week or two.  The interior is modern contemporary with intimate seating.  If it is anywhere near Brasserie Belge quality, ANTOINE'S will be a big hit.  It recently had a feature article in the Hearald.

 

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE has kicked off its summer season this week with Kander and Ebb's popular musical THE WORLD GOES ROUND.  Following is Steve Martin's hilarious play THE UNDERPANTS and ends with SOUTH BEACH BABYLON.  Many performances sell-out so you would be wise to purchase tickets now.for more information click here .

Looking for a bike or bike repair, my SARASOTA favorite is VILLAGE BIKES with locations on S. Osprey Ave. or Main Street in Lakewood Ranch.  Reservations a must for a tune-up, but they are fast and efficient with flat tire repairs.  for more information click here .


JIM'S RANT this week is a positive one.  A thank you for all who contributed food distributed by the post office last week.  ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK received over 155,000 pounds this year compared to 99,000 last year.  Feeding the homeless and less fortunate is an ongoing problem.  You can contribute money or food to ALL FAITHS at any time for more information click here . And, I don't know if last week's rant helped, but RAIN finally came to SARASOTA this week.

My next blog is  Sunday June 16.  We will be in Baltimore for Jason's high school graduation as well as a visit to Philadelphia.  Much more on all of that in a few weeks.  Thank you, Tracy, who will also be with us in Baltimore...Debbie, George and Carole who will not be and to all of you who keep reading JIM KNOWS SARASOTA....JIM