MARCH 4, 2018

TONIGHT BEGINNING 8PM ON ABC IT'S THE 90TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

     

 

There are several outstanding movies nominated for this year's Best Picture Oscar.  Pleased to say saw all 9, and though I question some of the nomainaitons, enjoyed them all.  Most were dark and art house, but for me Three Billboards...., The Post.....and Lady Bird stood out.  My nod goes to Billboard.

Frances McDermand

With that said, I think best actress will go to Frances McDermand who is commanding her role as mother of murdered daughter.  Sam Rockwell as town sherrif should get Supporting Actor, and Mary J. Blige will win for her role in Mudbound.  Best actor has to be Gary Oldman. His portrayal of Winston Churchill was spot on.  Best Director will go to Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water...not one of my favorites!!!

Gary Oldham

The two movies that I enjoyed among the rest were The Post and one not nominated Mollly's Game.  Lots of movies, but not a great season for Hollywood.  If you missed some of the nominations you can still catch them at Parkway 8 for $2.  Three Billboards, Lady Bird, The Shape of Water, Darkest Hour, Phantom Thread(a total bore) and not nominated Molly's Game. 

Seen from Three Billboards

 SARASOTA ORCHESTRA continues its exceptional Pops performances at Van Wezel next weekend with POPS: Best of Broadway.  Music from old favorites Phantom of the Opera, Chorus Line, The Lion King and Hello Dolly to the new of Beautiful, Mormon and soon to open Frozen.

Along with the Orchestra, will be two Broadway stars Norm Lewis and Laura Osnes.  Their credits include Phantom, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Bonnie and Clyde and South Pacific among many others.

Performances are Friday March 9 at 8:00 and Saturday March 10 at 2:00 and 8:00.  Call 941-487-2740 for tickets.

Looking for lunch a sports themed restaurant that is relatively quiet with good food, then I suggest OAK & STONE, 5405 University Parkway across from CVS and near Starbucks.  I'd never been for lunch, but have had pizza and beer in the evening when the noise level was high though tolerable.  Their lunch menu is no different than dinner, but you can get salads or burgers, watch some TV and have a conversation without surrounding noise. 

With so many restaurant choices in SARASOTA, every once in awhile you make a bad one!!!!  Such was the case on Saturday when faced with an eating decision at 6:30 we chose CARMEL KITCHEN.  Though they eventually filled most tables, there was ample seating upon 6:30 arrival.

Serving Mediterranean and "modern" cuisine, this was easily the poorest meal we've had in Sarasota in quite a long time.  Our only happiness was when the bill came and we left.

For several weeks now, I have been promoting the Sarasota Jazz Festival.  Though not my music of choice, this has been a major event here for 37 years.  You would think by now they would have their act together...NOT.  The same ad without dates ran again this week in Ticket.  In case you're interested the Festival runs 3/7-10.  For more information click here.


Next weekend you'll have an other opportunity to visit with and purchase from several artists and crafts persons, as the Sarasota Fine Arts Festival returns for the weekend of March 10-11.  Running 10-5 Saturday and Sunday March 10-11 from Main Street & Gulf Stream Avenue.  This one promises to be different from the show a few weeks ago, as Paragon Events is the promoter. 

Rarely do I have the time or inclination to read Sarasota Magazine cover cover, but their new issue is something else.  Their cover story, and literally every story in their March issue has to do with THE FUTURE of our community.  I've been ranting for the past several years about the traffic growth at I75/University, Main St. area, Longboat and others.  Now the magazine in their feature article THE FUTURE, addresses why this is happening and while it will continue to get worse before getting better.

Especially eye-opening is the article from Editor Susan Burns:  Times Are Changing.  She says it better than anyone to date about what seems to have happened overnight to our charming Sarasota.  


JIM'S RANT....Most will agree with Herald Tribune's view "Diverging diamond a gem of a project."  Don't get me wrong here, as I am in agreement with their assessment; however have you ever tried the diamond going east or west around 4:30-6:00 pm Monday through Friday?  No Diamond can alleviate that kind of traffic this time of year.  So have patience, and use that diamond anytime but the afore mentioned hours.  Hope you have a great week and come back next week....JIM

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

SUNDAY MARCH11 7pm

There will be food/music/entertainment all at Jewish Federation Campus

$10 Adult/Kids under 18 free