SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN....SEVERAL SPOTTING'S THIS WEEK ALL HEADED TO

LONGBOAT KEY....GOODBYE SUMMER....HELLO SEASON....

Jim Knows SARASOTA will be on hiatus the next two weeks. When the blog returns on Sunday, October 12 it will be less than a week before the grand opening of UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER.....The most eagerly awaited opening in years.  When the doors open,  one of my favorite restaurants will take center stage........

The Cheesecake Factory will be serving all those wonderful over sized salads as well as a menu full of items such as pizza, meatloaf, onion rings to die for, pasta, hamburgers, much more and of course their famous CHEESECAKE. And just a month ago Cheesecake Factory was voted consumer's favorite casual restaurant.  Guess who was voted favorite for steak...Capitol Grille...also opening that week.  More on them in a future blog. 


A few weeks ago we paid a visit to granddaughter Cori in her new digs at University Of Georgia.The campus reminds me of my own, University Of Illinois, spacious over acres of land with their football stadium within walking distance from every fraternity and sorority.  Even had a chance to visit the TEP house.  It was much more luxurious than the house at University of Illinois.

Cori lives at The Standard, an apartment complex that opened just in time for this semester.  Sharing an apartment with 4 other young women; each with their own bedroom/bathroom sharing a common kitchen, dining, laundering and entertaining area.  Easily within walking distance from campus or football/basketball, this is the only way I would ever go back to college; especially after visiting her previous Athens residences!!

I almost forgot to mention best features of her digs...a roof top pool; a game room; a state of the art fitness center; computer center and a media room.

Downtown Athens is a quaint campus town with loads of restaurants, shops, amusements, and of course bars.  OH TO BE YOUNG AGAIN!!!

NEW RESTAURANT ALERT.....TIN FISH a Florida chain serving fresh fish, salads, burgers, loads of sides, soup and full bar, has opened in SARASOTA Commons on Beneva in the shopping center before you come to In-Between  Bridge Club.  Open for lunch as well as dinner, this is a great place to eat before or after that afternoon or weekend bridge game.  Very causal, with great friendly service,  Tin Fish has a salmon special served on a bed of cole slaw, which is not only the house specialty, but served both lunch and dinner.  The portions are big and the lunch menu is also available in the evening.

Over at IN-BETWEEN-BRIDGE CLUB fall lessons are underway.   Easybridge 1 is Thursday mornings 9-11:30.  This class is for absolute beginners.  The cost is $8 per lesson.  Books (optional) are $15.  Easybridge 2 is on Saturdays 9-11:30 and is a great way to refresh what you've already forgotten.  The same price applies.  Easybridge Workshops resume Monday, September 29, 7-9. For information on all classes and games as well as future tournaments click here.  

In a few weeks the Jewish Community will begin our holiest days of the year as we celebrate the beginning of a New Year and remember our friends and family who have passed away this year and previous years.  Normally their is a TASHLISH service for Jews to come together and cast away their sins.  Such a service is being held at Selby Gardens on Day One of Rosh Hashanah.  The entire community, no matter what Synagogue affiliation is asked to assemble at 4:00 PM for a meditative walk through the gardens before meeting at the water's edge to perform the TASHLICH ritual of casting away our past misdeeds.

Last week's blog gave you a list of adult education for the fall.  Several of you reminded me of a very good program at USF.....Lifelong Learning Academy.  Featuring an extensive course program similar to the others.  Their lecture series is already on a wait list. For a list of courses and additional information click here.

As I write this week's blog am listening to Barbara Streisand's new album PARTNERS.  It contains duets with a who's who of your favorite superstar artists from Billy Joel to Josh Groban, John Legend,  Blake Shelton, Stevie Wonder plus several more.  Buy it on iTunes for $7.99.  You won't be disappointed!!

JIM'S RANT....What did I read in the paper this week?  Can it be true a widening of I75?  Hope to be alive for its completion...in fact hope to be alive for its start.  Something will need to be done, and soon.  Have you tried driving near the Mall or at Target Shopping Center lately?  Several exit routes are closed due to construction.  This will go away in a few weeks.  The I75 problem will be years before resolution.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!  John Dough, one of the few breakfast/lunch restaurants in the University Parkway area between I75 and Lockwood Ridge,  has shut it's doors at Cooper Creek.  Their commissary in Lakewood Ranch remains open.  Farewell to a friendly neighborhood restaurant.  You will be missed; HOWEVER now is the time for Benderson to fill the space with BAGELS!!!! YES!!!!


L' SHANA TOVA to all my Jewish friends.  I'll return just in time for the UTC opening as well as a surprise announcement in the October 12 blog...Until then...JIM.....and less I forget
Thanks Tracy.....

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES ON THEIR PENNANT....NOW ON TO THE PLAYOFFS....