FEBRUARY 18, 2018

This week we celebrate the shopping holiday: PRESIDENTS DAY.  By lumping both Lincoln and Washington's birthday together, we get bombarded with sales advertising for nearly a month.  So happy shopping, but as you do, stop to think about two GREAT American Presidents!!!!

DARWIN's newest restaurant featuring what he calls "evolutionary cuisine" is alive and kicking.  So much so they have outgrown their 4141 Tamiami Trail location and are expanding next door!!   If you haven't been you're in for a treat, as all meals are unique and served with sauce and sides not regularly seen in Sarasota. 

 The night we were there, the menu special was Whole Snapper including the head.  Our friends loved it.  I could not watch them eat it!  However, my salmon was served with special Peruvian sauce and along with a plantain side, I went away happy.

Located within walking distance of Trader Joe's, Darwin is open 7 days with early and late happy-hour.  Another very positive note: You can talk without shouting; something we're finding more difficult in today's modern restaurant.  Learn more about Darwin by clicking here.

If you read the TICKET in this week's paper and didn't come away overwhelmed by the number of theatre, live performance, street fair, baseball promotions, etc. then you didn't read the entire insert.  What with the ORIOLES, PIRATES, RAYS and YANKEES all within a few miles from here your baseball appetite should be satisfied.   Spring games begin in a week or so; BUT a word of caution, most games have limited availability.

I know many of you are into JAZZ; especially with all the rap and hip hop music now invading our space.  The 38th Annual SARASOTA Jazz Festival takes place March 7-10 at The Riverview Arts Center at Riverview High School.  This is a change from original venue Art Ovation Hotel due to construction delays.

   For more information on schedule click here.

The 9th Annual JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL is less than a month away.a few weeks away.  Featuring 12 outstanding Israel themed films, including the un-cut director's version of one of our all time favorites EXODUS.  How do you think that one would fare against today's BLACK PANTHER???

 There are 11 other movies including the Southwest Florida Premier of Ben-Gurion, Epilogue, a rare and intimate reflective interview with Israel's founding prime minister.  Though filmed 50! years ago; his vision for the future of Israel stands the test of time.  Tickets will be on sale soon. and when I have that information, I will pass along.  Click here to learn more about the movies and events for the Festival.

This week's fifth Masterworks is called Midori Honors Bernstein:  Feb 22-25.  Join Sarasota Orchestra with guest conductor Michael Balke in a romantic post Valentine program featuring a tribute to Leonard Bernstein who if alive, would have been 100 this year.

Balke  is an internationally known conductor, regularly appearing with symphonies in South Korea, Russia and Japan.  Call 941-953-3434 for tickets. 

World renowned violinist Midori joins the orchestra for this special program.  You can click here to purchase tickets and see upcoming events.

JIM'S RANT....The year was 2004, and in  September, the ribbon was cut opening Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.  Mickey Fine and myself were just two of the many volunteers working there.  Visitors to our front desk position were few and far between, and time spent uneventful.  Fast forward to this week's announcement of a $28.5 Million Dollar expansion. One more clue to the rapid growth of this community........Thanks for reading.  Have a great week......JIM

CORRECTION...The February 25 screening time for ITZAH  at Jewish Federation is 4:00 PM.  For Perlman fans, this is the one to see.  Call 941-706-0033 for more information.