JANUARY 20, 2019

I HAVE A DREAM...................

As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King this weekend..."Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

One of our great leaders who left us too soon.  Take time this week to reflect on the man and his messages.


January kicks off the season of craft shows with one of the year's biggest and BEST, the 16th Annual St. Armands  Art Festival.  Blocks and blocks of art, crafts, paintings, jewelry, and food.   Lots of food on the street as well as inside the many Circle restaurants.   Open this weekend 1/26-27 from 10 am-5pm.  

Parking is at a premium so I suggest you carpool from Van Wezel parking lot.  There will be shuttle trolley and bus service throughout both days. 

If you have the time and don't mind travelling to Venice, their 14th Annual Craft Festival is running 1/26-27 in their Downtown area.  That both major shows are on the same weekend tells you the depth of talent in our area.

Conductor Chung Park

Sarasota Orchestra presents its 3rd Great Escapes program January 23-27, and if you don't have tickets yet you better do it now!!  The Wednesday and Friday 5:30 programs are sold out.  Tickets remain for Thursday and Saturday.  Guest conductor Chung Park will ask  the audience to take control of part of the concert as music is picked from a menu of options.

The audience will pick from a menu of options.  From Broadway to the movies, jazz to light classical and more, it's up for grabs as the audience members surprise the orchestra with their picks.  Titled Shuffle with good reason.


The box office is open daily at 709 N. Tamiami Trail.  You can call 941-953-3434.  Or go on-line at www.sarasotaOrchestra.org for tickets to the remaining tickets 1/24,26,27.



If you attend the Art Festival next weekend and want to make a day and evening of it, there are many restaurants to choose from.  Though some distance from the Circle, Euphemia Haye at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive continues to thrive as one of that area's better restaurants.  If you're lucky enough to get a table with garden view, it makes for a romantic way to spend an evening.

To be honest, our meals were good, not great.  Maybe we're spoiled with all the new Sarasota dining choices; with several more to open in the next few months.  However, their duck, which I did not have, is served crisp, partially boned, filled with bread stuffing, served with fruit sauce, and was given a positive review by those who ordered it.

Serving dinner only, reservations are a must.  Located at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive and open daily call 941-383-3633 to reserve your table for next weekend.  
Their more casual restaurant The Haye Loft does not take reservations, but is a popular for casual dining serving pizza, hamburgers, upscale bar foods, and to die for desserts.




Looking for a complete change of pace this week?  Food, fun and entertainment return to the Palmetto Fairgrounds for the 103 rd annual Manatee County Fair.  Running through 1/27 in the Manatee County Fairgrounds, `1402 14th Ave. W. Palmetto. 

 Lots of country and bluegrass entertainment along with rides including a Ferris wheel like the one shown here.   The livestock exhibits have over 600 exhibitors registered so far.  

 For more information call 941-722-1639 or visit their web site www.manateecountyfair.com.  For a map and updated information pick up a copy of this week's Ticket at any Herald news box.

View of Art Ovation Lobby

We had a visit from good friends this week, and recommended they stay at The Art Ovation.  This Marriott Autograph hotel is barely a year old, but is quickly gaining traction among tourists and locals for over-night stay, galas, and dining.   The rooms are ample and come equipped with the standard stuff along with an IPad for personal use.  Door service, garage parking,state-of-the-art phone usage, art all over the place, and a breakfast worthy of a local visit.  our friends would gladly stay again.

A Marriott member can take advantage of their points at Art Ovation.




JIM'S RANT.......A day doesn't go by when we don't take advantage of the many activities made available to us through the generous support of our  community.   How could we attend the RCLA Shaquille O'Neal lecture,  Ballet, 
Symphony, Asolo, FST, or West Coast without the generous contributions of you and others?   On behalf of Sarasota...THANK YOU......SEE YOU NEXT WEEK......JIM