SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

THIS IS THE  WEEK MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR......AN EVENING WITH ALAN DERSHOWITZ.....

Those of you who are lucky enough to have purchased tickets to this event should have received a letter with tickets and parking instructions.  If not, here is some very important information for the February 25th event at the Ritz-Carlton.  Doors open at 6:00PM.  Attendance for this first Len Mazur Memorial Lecture has grown to 1,000.  

Valet parking will be available.  NOTE, if you intend to valet your car there will be traffic in the area so expect delays arriving and departing.  Gratuity is not included.  The best option is to carpool  and park elsewhere.  The Palm Parking Garage (1289 N. Palm Ave) and Marina Jack Parking Lot 2 (Marina Plaza) are available.  There is street  parking East of 41, but it will go quickly.

If you did not receive your ticket in mail, you can pick them up at the door. For those arriving early there will be a cash bar.  AND, in addition to his books for sale, Alan Dershowitz will be available after his lecture for a signing.

TONIGHT at 8pm on ABC is the 87th annual ACADEMY AWARDS with this year's host of hosts, Neil Patrick Harris.  All the stars from this year's nominated pictures will be there either as presenters or winners.  Among them, Bradley Cooper, Julianne Moore, Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Rosamund Pike, and Michael Keaton.

As with all these award shows now, a Red Carpet presentation begins at 7pm.  There you will see arrivals of many of the nominees and others who make up a dream team of Hollywood performers, directors, and entertainers.  Melissa Rivers is carrying on without her mom on the E channel starting even earlier welcoming the same A list you will see on ABC. It just won't be the same without Joan!!

In my estimation there are two locks:  Julianne Moore for her flawless portrayal of a woman in the early stages of Alzheimer's and how she prepares for the inevitable in Still Alice, and J.K. Simmons for his creation of an over the top college orchestra professor in Whiplash.


Other picks are not as easy.  After going with Bradley Cooper for weeks, I am switching to Michael Keaton for his over the top portrayal of aging movie star forced to Broadway to regain his footing in Hollywood.  I am also going away from Boyhood as winner to Birdman.  Both failed to find a significant audience, but both are worthy of the big prize.  Tune in next week to see how I made out. 

Continuing my "magical mystery tour" of older SARASOTA Main St. restaurants, we visited CAFE  EPICURE last week.  We had not been there in a few years and noticed significant changes since our last visit. 

The biggest is the FOOD...it is better with more to choose from including specials, pasta, soup and of course thin crust pizza.  The main dining room has eliminated several tables which helps reduce the noise level greatly.Their dessert display has been increased with the addition of several varieties of pastry along with  homemade gelato selections
.

On this evening, several tables were occupied outside and the wine bar was nearly filled to capacity with diners or others drinking at their magnetic bar.  There is also gelato available in this area along with those wonderful pastries.  The prices are reasonable for dining out these days and you won't find a better atmosphere anywhere.  I am happy to say Epicure has gotten better when faced with competition across the street and around the corner.

Good friend, neighbor and rapidly gaining stature as a renown painter, Lori Simon, has left real estate to devote full time to painting.  Several pieces were commissioned by Saks Fifth Avenue at UTC.  They are available for viewing on the second floor.  Here is a sample of her work.  You can learn more about Lori by clicking this recent article written about her.  The article was written by well known journalist, Suzy Farbman.
 
Lori works most days at her studio in the Rosemary District away from the big downtown galleries.  For more information you can email her at  lorisimon@gmail.com . 

Having been to CHICKEN KITCHEN at 5215 University, I can attest to the quality and taste of their famous Chicken Chop salads either on a bed of lettuce or rice.  The large is enough for two.  Now part-owner Gris Bette is offering a 50% discount to readers of Jim Knows Sarasota.  Stop by the rest of this month (February) and mention you saw his video in blog or read about the Kitchen and get your discount. Click the following address to learn more about this truly delicious meal  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oQ-Tw7kK5&feature=youtu.be 

JIM'S RANT.....Driver beware.  If you park downtown or for that matter in any parking space that has a time limit you will be subject to a ticket with hefty fine.  A good friend found a ticket on her car and after getting home realized it couldn't be.  She left  the parking space several minutes before her time expired.  Further examination confirmed her suspicions.  Someone else was ticketed and left same ticket on her car in hopes that person would pay.....the world is full of scammers....even in SARASOTA........

Where would I be without Tracy????.......See you next week....JIM

THE WAIT IS OVER....DWTWILER'S NOW OPEN at University and Lockwood Ridge.  An amazing store with fresh produce, fruit, meats, fish and other tasty items. Lots of free food at grand opening.  Closed today (Sunday) but open Mon-Sat every week.   See you there!!