SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2013

                                    "WE GOT IT"

This headline from Monday's SARASOTA Herald Tribune article by Justine Griffin says it all!!  Official word came down late last Sunday awarding the 2017 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS to Nathan Benderson Park. No official date yet, but it should be either in September or October of that year.  With the expectation of over 40,000 participants and tourisits, this will be biggest event ever to be staged in SARASOTA.  Congratulations to everyone at Benderson Development who worked so hard to make this happen. 

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE kicks off its 2013-14 season with one of Broadway's most popular musical of recent years, SPAMALOT.  Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical of 2005, it ran for over 1,500 performances before closing in 2009.  SPAMALOT has played large venues, Tampa and Van Wezel,  among them, but this will be a big first for FST.  Enlargement of Gompertz Theatre means more of the same in the future.  SEASON tickets are on sale now.  FST season tickets continues to be best entertainment value in SARASOTA.

As we get closer to the opening of UTC more tennant information is leaking out.  What should come as no surprise is word of two STARBUCKS, one for each floor.  One will be the standard store normally seen at malls and another more elaborate version with ample seating in a cafe setting featuring a bigger variety of food currently served at local STARBUCKS locations.

We have over thirteen months to go before the grand opening.  As soon as information is available I will have it for you here.

2014 marks the 60'th anniversary of the BALTIMORE ORIOLES, (we don't know how the 59'th team will make out, but the candle is still burning on their playoff hopes for this year) and with it comes an event surely to bring visitors to SARASOTA January 26-February 1, when they conduct their first Dream Week at Ed. Smith Stadium.  Join former stars like Boog Powell,  Rick Dempsey, Jim Gentile and Don Buford for instruction and actual games. 
With your participation comes locker and uniform.For more informaiton including video click here.

The SELVA GRILL on Main St. downtown SARASOTA, is one of our top restaurants.  Even after undergoing ownership change, the food and presentation continues to be first class.  Selva is currently offering a 25% discount for the rest of this month so long as you are seated by 7pm. My gripe with Selva is their pricing.  Their entree prices are some of the highest in the market.  I know they put a value on presentation, but without the discount I don't see the value here.  I know many of you frequent this restaurant and will disagree with me; however eating out as much as I do, unless there is a GROUPON or a discount I will pass on this one.  Please let me know how you feel and I will gladly publish your comments next week

Several weeks ago, I wrote about a new exciting restaurant in the Cooper Creek Shopping Center.  I've been back twice now, and their consistancy, quality, pricing and product is as good as if not better than their sister restaurant on Main St.  I again call your attention to APOLONIA.  Taking the space once occupied by Urban Flats, they have somehow found a way to bring quiet to what once was a loud and somewhat unfriendly enviroment.  The menu is consistant with El Grecco.  When you are in the mood for quality Mediteranian food, I heartily reccomend APOLONIA.

Television ALERT:  HBO is in the midst of a free weekend of programming.   Watch the shows people will be talking about this fall.  Newsroom, Boardwalk Empire and Veep are available now!!!

On Wednesday, my Jewish friends, neighbors and realtives began the celebration of ROSH HASHANAH, the Jewish New Year.   It is a time for personal introspection and prayer.  The year is 5774 when Jews remember the relatives and friends who lost their lives not only this year but in past years.

YOM KIPUR ( the day of atonement) falls on the evening of September 13 and lasts the next day.  It is traditonal to fast until sundown.  The purpose of YOM KIPPUR is to bring about reconcilliation between people and between individuals and God.  According to Jewish tradition it is the day when God decides the fate of each human being.  L'shana tovah tikatevu  May you be inscribed for a good year.....

JFCS is offering four sessions of MIND SET, a series designed to teach you to exercise your brain, create healthy habits and improve communication.  These classes offer an organized approach to everyday living and will provide activities to stimulate memory and thinking, and are open to all faiths.   Four sessions will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning September 16-24, 2-4pm at Jewish Family & Children's Service of Sarasota-Manatee, 2688 Fruitville Rd.  Cost:Single Ticket-$15-Couples $20.  Seating is limited! Call today 941-364-7560.

JIM'S RANT this week comes from a Tom Lyons column in the SARASOTA Herald Tribune addressing fees charged at the recent Rowing event at Nathan Benderson Park.  A reader complained about being charged a $5 parking fee to attend an event he felt was supported by his tax dollars and should have been free of all costs.  He assumed the $5 was an admission fee, but having driven by the event on more than one occasion the $5 sign for parking was prominanlty displayed as were other signs offering even less expensive parking away from the center.  Those spaces came with bus serivice to the door!!  In addition, there was and is ample FREE parking adjacent to Sports Authority.  I saw the bus give service to those folks as well.

 If our tax dollars gave us free access to various SARASOTA venues, we could view Oriole games and park for free at Ed. Smith Park, go to concerts at The Opera House, gain free admission to Ringling Museum daily, not only on Mondays, see Symphony performances....you get the idea. The Van Wezel even charges $1 per ticket for parking.  There is no such thing as a free ride even when our tax dollars are covering some of the costs.

As I close this week with thanks to Tracy for her editorial judgement and Jason for providing the ORIOLE'S information, I want to share with you a sight of the season.....UGH

Have a great week.  Just as soon as the Love Bugs are coming so are the transports....JIM