AUGUST 17, 2014

DO YOU HAVE A PIECE OF FURNITURE GATHERING DUST IN YOUR GARAGE?  CLOTHES THAT HAVE OUTLIVED THE SEASON? DISHES AND SILVER YOUR CHILDREN LAUGH AT WHEN YOU OFFER TO THEM?????  Why not try SARASOTA'S Woman's EXCHANGE, INC?

This non-profit consignment shop sits on Orange Ave. just before Pineapple.  Never been there?  You're in for a surprise.  Neat, well organized and run by a slew of dedicated volunteers, it is always busy.  And the quality of their merchandise is top drawer. For more information, store hours and how to donate or consign click here.

I recently had the opportunity to revisit Selby Botanical Gardens.  It has been several years since our last visit, but nothing has changed.  This is truly one of SARASOTA'S treasures with some of the biggest banyan trees imaginable and orchids to buy you can't find anywhere else.  Open daily and some evenings, Selby is a great picnic location or just the spot to get away from the world's problems and get lost in their beauty. To get the latest in exhibits and pricing click here.



EXCLUSIVE....EXCLUSIVE....The University Parkway corridor is about to get more populated . 

PARKWAY COLLECTIONS at the corner of University and Lockwood Ridge,  home to Parkway Cinema's, Infuzion, Outback Steakhouse, Peaches, Ufit, Tuesday Morning and others is about to reinvent themselves.  Detwiler's has signed a lease for the former Sweetbay location,  and is about to begin construction on the interior.  No announcement of opening date.  Known for its organic fruits and vegetables, Detwiler's also carries homemade pastries,  seafood, deli,  and many other healthy items.  To learn more about this unique food market click here.


There are several new movies to tell you about.  Playing for a few weeks now, the James Brown biography, Get On Up starring Chadwick Bosman of 42, reconstructs the troubled life of the so called "King of Soul".  I found it disjointed and difficult to follow with the director cutting from present to past to make his point.  The music is great as is the acting.  However after over two hours I was happy for the blast of hot air as I left Lakewood Ranch Cinema.

Also playing at Lakewood Ranch, a far better movie The Hundred-Foot Journey starring Helen Mirren is playing.  Adapted from the best selling book,  this is the third food themed movie of the summer and it is equally as delightful and entertaining as the other two.  And, when has Helen Mirren ever been in a really bad movie?  She is simply one of the best actress's of our generation.  If this one doesn't send you out of the theater hungry there's not much more I can do for you.

There are several first run-before theater release movies appearing weekly right in your living room.  VOD....Video on Demand is generating more revenue for art releases then their actual theatre release.  Playing now are The Calling with Susan Sarandon, Ellyn Burston and Donald Sutherland; Frontera with Ed Harris, Eva Longoria and Amy Madigan,  and Four Minute Mile with Richard Jenkins and Kim Basinger.  All rent for 48 hours at $9.99.


Located at Philipi Creek Village with a magnificent waterfront view, The Table, offers you an exciting SARASOTA dining experience.  From its beautiful and modern bar to main dining room to their spectacular outside seating along Philipi Creek you will be treated to as good a meal you can find anywhere.

And if you hurry, their $29 summer menu is still in effect.  The menu is full of wonderful dishes very creatively prepared by their chef and served by a professional wait staff well trained in their craft.  We were told, when crowded, The Table was noisy. Not anymore.  Fully occupied on a Saturday night, the sound level is what you would expect from such a big crowd.  Go enjoy a wonderful meal at The Table.

As we move closer to fall, several major venues are announcing all or parts of its schedule.  Florida Studio Theatre which just concluded a very successful summer program released its first  attraction , and it's a Whopper..............

.....they are following  up last season's hit production of Monty Python's Spamalot, with another big Broadway musical, the multi-Tony Award winning HAIRSPRAY.  Opening date at Gompertz, is Nov.14. I've seen  Hairspray on Broadway, aboard a cruise ship, as a movie and now in Sarasota.  This is one show you can see again and again and come away as entertained as the first time.

A true comedic genius is no longer.  I will always Remember Robin Williams for his humor, sensitivity and willingness to go where others were reluctant.  He was tireless in his travels to entertain our troops all over the world. Mork and Mindy, Tonight Show appearances, The Bird Cage, Good Will Hunting.....so many wonderful Williams moments...rest well Robin....you will be missed.

JIM'S RANT....The primary for November's election is still a week away, and I don't know about you, but I am totally finished with the campaign.  Ad after ad after ad..mostly negative....thankfully I record most programs so miss many of them.  The Supreme Court's decision to allow unlimited PAC money will go down in history as one of their worst...If Crist loses does he become a Libertarian next????And Scott has done so many good things for us I am at a loss to remember them......

I'll be with Tracy and family next week and will return with last blog of summer the following week.   Effective that day, 8/31 Jim Know's SARASOTA returns to a weekly blog. Until then, have a great two weeks.....JIM