SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

CELEBRATE THE JEWISH NEW YEAR

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown today.  For Jewish people in Sarasota and beyond, this day marks the beginning of inner renewal and divine atonement.  The observance ends at sundown on Tuesday October 1,  continuing to October 8-9  with the observance of  Yom Kipur.

With perfect timing,   The Players Center began its 2019/20 season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last week.  Continuing through October 6, this Webber-Rice musical opened on Broadway in 1982,and has been revived several times.  With only a few lines of dialogue, Joseph is a musical that  can be seen by the entire family.

Players venue is 838 N. Tamiami Trail.  Most performances begin at 7:30 with weekend matinees at 2:00 Best to call 941-365-2494 for tickets.  For more information www.theplayers.org.

I've noticed several newspaper and television ads for Once, a nine-time Tony winner in 2012.  Coming to The Van Wezel for only one performance Wednesday October 9, I can only assume several tickets remain in all price groups.  It's a shame, since this show I saw on Broadway, features a cast of singer-musicians playing their own instruments while performing the musical numbers.


A love story of boy meets girl in the most unusual circumstances while he is performing on the streets of Dublin, Ireland.  A songwriter and musician, he is about to give up his dream when the girl falls in love with his music and him.

In addition to a Tony, the cast album won a Grammy for best Musical Theatre Album the following year.  

Tickets are available at 941-953-3368, www.vanwezel.org, or the box office open Monday-Saturday on site.

I had the good fortune this week of being at the right place at the right  time.  Met

my Tuesday ROMEO group for lunch at Baker and Wife which was closed.  No problem, since right across the street are many good restaurants to choose from.  We met at Connor's , but before we entered, someone came up to us and told us lunch was free across the way.


Luckily we were one of the first to sample Bravo serving from their new Italian Mediterranean menu.  The place was teeming with hosts and servers; we were later told management brought in 4 people from their Tampa office to assist with the opening.  In addition to lunch each table received a 1.5 Liter bottle of Pico Rosso wine of which I was fortunate to take home.

The food was OK. Bread was warm and served with seasoned pesto sauce, the salads were better with meat prepared when ordered, and a side of olives was well seasoned and delicious.  Once their act is together, and I have no reason to believe it won't be, we will go back.

Jim Reading Laura

Laura Finaldi's review in Wednesday's Herald, goes into great detail about menu,  new carry-out display and structural changes.  Worth the read if you're going soon for lunch or dinner.

Only two weekends left to take advantage of $7 Saturdays at Mote Marine.  One catch, you have to be a Florida resident.  "The real goal of $7 Saturdays is for Mote to give back to the community with a discounted admission so those who live here and haven't been in awhile can come and learn about the oceans and animals who inhabit them." Proof of Florida residency is required for admission.



Mote is located at 1600 Ken Thompson  Parkway at the gateway to Longboat Key.  Open Saturday 10am-5pm.  Another suggestion, pick up Ticket at most newspaper boxes in Sarasota to learn of several more attractions.

Fall is here, and with it comes a beautiful few months

New College Logo

of cooler, drier weather and the beginning for school for those of us who attend the many courses offered throughout Sarasota.  Not a course, but an anticipated lecture series has been announced for early November start.

New College announced speakers committed for their lecture series.  A five-lecture program featuring Jan 23 speaker Andrew Prince, the artist behind everyone's favorite Downtown Abbey.


On Feb 20, the CEO of Art Recovery International will speak to that topic.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 941-487-4888 or ncf.edu.

SO FRESH is now downtown/Sarasota at 1455 2nd Street.  They join the growing list of healthy fast-food options within waking distance from Whole Foods.  The restaurant (eat-in/carry-out) offers warm bowls, salads, wraps and quesadillas that can be customized.  During this opening week, I ran into several neighbors.  The service was quick, and the food quite tasty.  Open daily 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.  For information call 941-803-5800 or ilovesofresh.com.


JIM'S RANT.....Throwing caution to the wind, Sarasota County Library is adopting a

no-fine policy for books exceeding the borrowing limits.  They claim it's costing more to collect the fines than the fines themselves.  So now when you borrow a book from them for say 2 weeks and keep it 4 you won't be charged for the additional 2 weeks.  LOL with this one......JIM.....thanks for reading....I'll see you next week.....