DECEMBER 8, 2013

Saturday, December 13 marks the 28th annual SARASOTA Christmas Boat Parade.  It starts at 6:30pm, with best viewing along Bay Shore drive. Several boats will be decorated with lights, trees and even Santa will be parading along the bay during this yearly holiday tradition.  Arrive early and eat at one of the many downtown restaurants.  For more information and good viewing suggestions click here.

Celebrating it's 10th anniversary, THE PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM/SUNCOAST, will be offering free rehearsal tickets at its winter residency Monday, December 9 through Wednesday December 11, at the Rotunda, USF Sarasota-Manatee 8350 N. Tamiami Tr 10am-2pm.  On Tuesday tickets will also be available at Pritchard Pianos-Venice 1855 S. Tamiami Tr.  $5 E tickets are also available on line for guaranteed up-front seating. Recital and Rehearsal performances begin on Monday December 23. The last performance will be Jan 4 with a final concert  at  Sarasota Opera House For a complete schedule of rehearsals, how to contribute and to purchase E tickets click here.

CIRCUS SARASOTA is offering two special productions to celebrate the season.  A new show CIRQUE DES VOIX  has performances  beginning Friday December 13-Sunday the 15th.  It will be performed under the big top at Tuttle and 12th.  This show is spectacular combining circus arts with the 100 voice Key Chorale.   Also returning is SAILOR CIRCUS holiday spectacular "It's a Wonderful Life" at their arena at 2075 Bahia Vista St. For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets in advance click here.

UTC update.....Had lunch at CHEESECAKE FACTORY/
International Mall in Tampa last week.  We have been going to this restaurant since discovering it in Silver Spring MD. several years ago, and am happy to report it just keeps getting better with age.  Their Cobb salad compares quite favorably with the one I always eat at SAM SNEAD'S.  The menu has been downsized, but not the portions. Also learned NORDSTROM is putting its money and energy into a New York location opening next year.  The fourth anchor pad  is still available for them, but if NORDSTROM does come this way it won't be in time for the Mall opening.

If you are hungry after reading the above, I am pleased to report the opening of DEMETRIO'S on University and Lockwood Ridge.  Literally impossible to drive into other than Lockwood ridge going South,  the place was packed with people waiting inside and out.   The menu is extensive as well as  inexpensive with portions that come in several sizes.  Tried the meat Lasagna and Sausage Sub.  The Lasagna comes with salad.  For a casual Italian or Greek meal try  DEMETRIOS;  just be prepared to wait.

AT LONG LAST.......The Fall/Winter movie releases are rolling out and there are three I can easily recommend.  I have not seen  12 Years A Slave, All Is Lost ,The Hunger Games: Catching Fire or Inside Llewyn Davis.  I did previously recommend Academy Award possible  Best Documentary,  ARMSTRONG LIE now exclusively at Hollywood 20 and MANDELA which will be here CHRISTMAS DAY ; now more than ever compelling with his passing on Thursday.  If you are not fatigued of the television coverage  of his life, death and funeral, you will find this a fascinating biography of one of the world's most influential people of all time.  I did see the following...........

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB starring Matthew McConaughey in his second Academy worthy performance this year (the other being Mud) is a true story of one mans fight for drugs against the FDA to help him battle HIV in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, and is gripping from start to finish.  Jared Leto also gives an Academy worthy performance portraying a transvestite so believable I thought him a woman until he revealed his real self.

 

THE BOOK THIEF , based on the hit novel of same name gives you a feel of what life was like in Nazi Germany as a couple hides a young Jewish girl who has a great fascination for books.  Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson are suburb as the parents and newcomer Sophie Nelisse will steal your hearts with her performance.  This one is playing at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas.

Judy Dench gives a gut-wrenching performance as a woman who searches for a son she was forced to give up as a teenager in PHILOMENA, playing at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas as well as  Burns Court. Her performance is Academy Award caliber, but after seeing Meryl Streep in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, Streep is the one to beat next February.

THANKSGIVING with the MILES family.  A most enjoyable afternoon and evening with George, Janet, Tammy, Taylor and several of their family flown in from New Jersey, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and University Park.  Three delightful Ringling College students were also invited and one is studying here all the way from Swaziland.  The warmth of the evening along with an unending parade of turkey, sides and desserts made this one of my more memorable Thanksgivings.

 

Looking for something different to do over the holidays in of all places SARASOTA?  The OR1OLES are turning Ed Smith Stadium into an ice rink with "ICE ON THE DIAMOND" a dazzling holiday themed show on a specially engineered ice stage on the ballpark's main field on Friday Dec. 20 at 7pm.  Tickets are on sale now at the stadium box office daily 10-4 and 10-2 on Saturday.  

While at the craft show this weekend, we saw local artist Su Griggs who invited us and all of you to an open house Saturday, December 14 1-6pm at her home 1750 Loma Lind St. SARASOTA, 34239.  You can RSVP 941-586-7972.  Art will be on display for sale along with refreshments for good cheer. 

JIM'S RANT.....Wonder why more and more of us use the DVR to record regular television programming?  Just count the commercials on any given break.  You can watch a 60 minute program in under 45...Oh for the good old days of real FCC control......saw The Sound Of Music,and though it garnered big ratings, it seemed dated and was slammed by most critics as being stiff and out of touch......

Have fun shopping this week.  I saw an interesting feature  comparing Black Friday prices to earlier ones in August....THE SAME!!!!  Buyer beware!!!

As usual, Tracy did a fine editing job........Until next week....JIM

If you did not attend Farmer's Market last weekend you missed a great opportunity.