JULY 9, 2017

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR TO KICK BACK, GET A GOOD BOOK, AND ENJOY YOURSELF

The beauty of Selby Gardens

One place to start is SELBY GARDENS.  You have the rest of this month to see one of their most popular exhibits in years, Marc Chagall, Flowers, and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams.

This exhibit combines the botanical imagery of Chagall with the living artwork of horticultural displays.  Overlooking Sarasota bay, this is a truly beautiful display of flowers, plants and painting.

Over the course of the past two weeks, several of you recommended newly opened Il CONTE Ristorante Pizzeria & Bar.  Located in the San Marco Center, Lakewood Ranch 8209 Natures Way.  We went with neighbors last week, and the four of us were underwhelmed.  

Though the interior is bright, modern and trendy, the food was not.  Our salads came without dressing and the pizza was over-baked.  In fairness, this was their first week; so we'll be back once the dust settles and report in the fall.

If you think summer could not get any hotter, it will starting July 31, as MTV premiers its new reality show  Siesta Key.   Taped in May and June, it's centered around "wealthy" college students home for the summer.

There is already kick-back from Siesta residents as they fear the notoriety will add to the year long congestion now associated with this Sarasota hot-spot.  What with a full parking lot for the July 4 holiday along with a packed beach most weekends. Siesta Key/Beach is hot already!!

Don't You Wish

Letter, I get Letters....  Randy writes of his wine store discovery in Lakewood Ranch.  Fine Wine & Tastings 8111 Main St. "is comparably priced to the big box stores but offers a selection of hard to get small production wines.

The inventory is eclectic and more interesting in choices than some of their better known competition."  Their Wine Bar offers over 25 choices as well as a weekly happy hour Mon-Fri 5-7pm.

For Fine Wine and Tastings inventory click here.

MUSIC MONDAYS will resume in the fall, but sadly without June LeBell, who lost her courageous fight with cancer last April.  In her stead will be husband Edward Alley.  The entire 2018 season is dedicated to June's memory.  The list already announced will be sure to please those of us who attended these wonderful mornings in the past.

Leading off January 8th is Bruce Adolphe, pianist, composer and author of NPR's Piano Puzzler.  The programs continue through March 26 with several guests including John Miller of the Sarasota Orchestra,  MET opera tenor Rafael Davilia and saxophonist Ashu.

To subscribe NOW, click here and then click red button that says ORDER TICKETS.  See you there next year!!!

Several restaurants are continuing SAVOR SARASOTA through September.  Table Creekside, Hyde Park Steakhouse, Bijou Cafe, Salute, Ruth's Chris Steak House and The Rosemary are just a small sample.  If you haven't been out in awhile there is value to be had at these and more.  I suggest you check with your favorite and see what specials they're offering through July and beyond.

 JIM'S RANT......After a 70% voter approval of Medical Marijuana in November, we are finally seeing some dispensaries open in Florida.  But not in Sarasota, as officials banned sales within the city limits.  Instead, a vote was passed allowing for an additional 60 days in able to draft an ordinance that will eventually allow sales here.   Only in Florida could the will of the people be so ignored.

Once again thanks for reading.  I'll be publishing next week, but then it's off until sometime late September......JIM