JANUARY 22, 2017

THE TENT IS UP AT NATHAN BENDERSON PARK!!!  HERE COMES THE CIRCUS

The all new 2017 version of Circus Sarasota features the incomparable Nik Wallenda.  Always a treat as he walks above the crowd; so close at this one that you can almost reach out to touch him.  But there is much more to this show than Wallenda.  Acts from all over the world are recruited each year helping to make this an event not to be missed.

Playing from Sunday February 10 to Sunday March 5 tickets are on sale now.  Priced reasonably from $15-55 including a 20% OFF Opening Weekend Tickets.  If you are interested in going, I suggest you order here or call 941-355-9805.  Last year's show sold out WITHOUT Wallenda.  Need I say more?

This year's show comes at a time of angst for circus lovers,  coming on the heels of  last week's announcement of the demise of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus after a 146 year run.  Many newspaper articles and television features on what has been a great run for Ringling,  long associated with Sarasota.

Welcome To My Restaurant Section

 
Picked the wrong day to go to Columbia restaurant;  but even with MLK holiday and beach traffic made the trip from 75 to Circle easily.  As you can imagine, they were packed for lunch.  A table was found quickly. 

We all had their Cuban black bean soup.  Served over rice, it is one of the most outstanding soups anywhere.  We almost never eat bread, but their baked-on-the spot bread roll served hot out of the oven is irresistible.  We barely left room for half a portion of Columbia's Original "1905 salad."  Created table side by your server, with either turkey, ham, or both.  It is delicious.  A casual restaurant where you can come in a bathing suit for all they care.  Reasonably priced as well.

Did not save room for dessert, but their key-lime pie is really good.  Open for lunch and dinner and accepting reservations for either meal at 941-388-3987 or click here for on-line reservation and menu.

My Romeo group frequently meets at Gecko's Southside Location.  Neighbor Jack Klopstad and I go several times a year to their Fruitville & Cattleman location.  Hard to tell them apart except for decor.  For a sports bar or grill & pub or casual dining,  I'd be hard pressed to come up with a chain as consistent as Gecko's.

I have yet to finish one of their outstanding salads.  But don't stop there as their wraps,  sandwiches and  burgers are huge  portions along with side of cole slaw and french fries.

With six locations throughout Sarasota, I'm sure you can find one close to you.  Open for lunch, dinner and late night and every sporting event imaginable on their several big-screen television sets scattered around the dinning areas.  For list of area locations and menus, click here.


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Now open, and thriving!!  California Pizza Kitchen, 192 Cattleman Drive,  right in front of UTC.

Their parking lot was full the three times I drove by last week.
 

Last  week's Fine Arts Show in downtown Sarasota was superior to most shows we'll see this winter.  However, maybe the best of show is NEXT weekend when we celebrate the 14th annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival.  Enjoy works from the nation's best talent, long-time Festival favorites, along with the newest names on the contemporary art scene.  On display will be one of a kind jewelry, pottery, paintings, and much much more.

Not only will you run into friends and neighbors, but if you are not impatient, put your name on a list at one of the many restaurants on and off the circle.  You can even take my advice from above and visit Columbia.  You can't miss it; right across street from  Festival.   See you there.

A major Broadway and movie superstar is coming to Sarasota the end of May.  Idina Menzel, known primarily for her role in Broadway's enormously successful Wicked, will be touring as a recording artist and Van Wezel is one of her first stops.  The show is Saturday May 27 8:00 pm.  Tickets go on sale Friday.  Sometime Friday, call  941-053-3368 or you can click here to order those tickets on line. Binocular seats are $61, and go up from there to $186. 

Tickets will be available at their box office beginning at 10am Friday.


JIM'S RANT.......who can rant after a glorious week in January.  Sunny days and temperatures in the high 70's to 80's.  I'll have plenty to rant about next week when we hit low's in the 50's.  Until then enjoy.....

In response to last week's rant re: drivers not paying attention to yellow caution light, Joan Haring writes "I was hit last Feb. at Circus and Beneva by a driver who ran a red light.  The same thing happened to a fellow bridge player, Barbara Tabar at the light by Publix and Beneva this December.  Awful....."
  
Could not agree more....JIM