THIS IS A BUSY WEEK IN SARASOTA WITH SEVERAL SPRING EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN!
You still have time today (Sunday) to attend the final day of SIESTA FIESTA, but if you wait until Saturday 4/18 there is yet another show on ST. ARMANDS, a Fine Art Festival with original paintings, sculpture, jewelery, pottery, glass, textiles, wood, photography and more. Seems like a weekend doesn't go by without at least one of these. For more information and a list of exhibitors click here. This event is brought to you by the same company responsible for the March show on Gulfstream in downtown SARASOTA, easily the best of winter's shows!! While visiting St. Armands you might want to sample one of their many fine restaurants, mostly old and established, but there is a new one causing lots of comments a few steps away from the Festival.
BLU KOUZINA, on N. Blvd. of the Presidents near the Circle has been drawing lots of crowds since its opening several weeks ago. First returns were mostly positive for the food but negative on service. I am happy to report, the food reviews are correct, even better than advertised, and the service on the night we were there was excellent. I realize not everyone likes or even understands Greek food, but if you give BLU a chance, I think you will become hooked.Our group ate way too much from the large menu including warm bread to Greek Salad to Lamb and more. Everything was served piping hot and easily shared. Be prepared to eat family style as portions are ample and designed for sharing. We did not have their coffee or baklava as we were stuffed from the meal, but our friends raved!
My advice to those of you who were disappointed last month go back for a second helping.
Continuing through 4/19 is the SARASOTA OPEN professional tennis tournament in its new Lakewood Ranch location. This Southwest Florida event attracts many of the top players on the ATP World Tour. Past champions include Kei Nishikori, James Blake and Nick Kyrgios. Moving this year to Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center, it features two stadium courts including the newly constructed James T. Driscoll Centre Court. For more information on schedule as well as directions to Lakewood Ranch site click here.
Longtime reader, Judy Bronstein writes this week of a new restaurant find on Osprey. Just a few doors down from neighborhood favorite Knicks and across the street from Serving Spoon is FANDANGO'S. Owner Fred, who first became prominent here as one of the original owners of Chutney's way back to the mid-80's, is reinventing himself in a big way.This is a very casual, reasonably priced restaurant featuring Middle Eastern, Persian, Indian, Caribbean, Oriental and vegetarian. I don't know how they accomplish this feat in such a small space, Judy and friends were very pleased with their meals and recommend we all try it and let Fred know who sent them. I am going to take her up on that suggestion next month.
Those of you who have not purchased tickets for this week's GREAT ESCAPES/DOWNTON ABBEY concerts at Holley Hall, waited too long. All four evening's are SOLD OUT!! You can add your name to a wait list starting Sunday, April 12. Their web site does not make it clear the best way to go about this. Here are two ideas....call the box office tomorrow morning 941-953-3434 or click here for the site and scroll to "send email" and try that way.If the popular PBS series is one of your favorites, I would try to get on that wait list. The holidays are over, and the young spring breakers are not into Abbey. Included in the program will be music from Titanic, War Horse, and a tribute to Charlie Chaplin.
Starting Sunday April 12th and for the next four Sundays, the Spring Music Series at Selby Gardens is back. The music changes from week to week. Your membership gets you in for free, or become a member for a day. Bring your own lawn chairs, sit in the shade of many banyan trees. listen to great music and enjoy food from several unique vendors. Don't tell me there's nothing to do in SARASOTA in the spring!! 
At this point in the blog.....A friendly reminder....if you have not already filed your 2104 income tax forms they are due on Wednesday....but you already knew that...right????
JIM'S RANT.....Friday's Herald editorial on the Florida on our WEAK texting law was right on!!! Since October 2013 the grand total of 45, yes you saw it correctly, 45 citations have been issued. Florida's law is secondary; cars cannot be pulled over for just texting. C'mon guys get with the program. Texting is illegal in 45 states and The District of Columbia. When was the last time you saw someone texting and driving??Today maybe.....Tracy as always has done her creative job of manipulation and making me look good. Have a great week.....JIM
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| OLD FRIENDS ENJOYING A NIGHT OUT IN SARASOTA |
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