DECEMBER 22, 2019

SEASONS GREETINGS........AS WE CELEBRATE HANUKKAH AND CHRISTMAS........



















Today marks the beginning of Hanukkah.  This eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the second Temple in Jerusalem, where Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.

Enjoy this week as we head to 2020 next week!

If you're reading Blog early on Sunday, you still have time to join in the fun at the 9th Annual A Taste Of Chanukah at Phillipi State Park.  Along with activities for children of all ages there will be a rich array  of Kosher food prepared by Sarasota's finest Kosher caterers.  Activities for children of all ages, The Skyriders trampoline show, Plenty of free parking.  The prediction of rain may dampen the spirits, but has not cancelled the event.

Florida Studio Theatre is once again demonstrating why they, along with West Coast Black Theatre provide the best in local theatre.  And on a larger scale, The Asolo Rep continues on that path.


Recently opened Handle With Care is FST's second Main Stage production, and it's generating great reviews from Jay Handelman as well as readers of this blog.

Kay Kipling wrote in Sarasota Magazine...."Handle With Care is anything but showy or splashy, but is a holiday package most audiences will enjoy."  Blog reader Paul Hollinger writes..."a must see.  Good writing and acting.  Also a Baltimore connection with a Jewish theme."  Playing through March 8,2020.  For tickets call 941-366-9000 or floridastudiotheatre.org.

JPAN continues to be my choice for sushi in Sarasota.  We first started going to

the Sarasota  location when it opened 11 years ago and recently went back for a Sunday dinner of sushi and creative Japanese appetizers.  For me,nothing has changed over the years; good food, great service and reasonable pricing.  It's equally as good as UTC location, only more convenient to downtown living.

Their Sarasota location is 3800 S. Tamiami Trail, conveiently located at Shops At Siesta Row; while UTC location is 229 N. Cattleman road.  Call 941-952-5726/Sarasota or 941-954-5726 UTC for reservation or carry-out.  As of this writing, JPAN is not affiliated with any food delivery service.

In addition to sushi their menu is wide,  offering chicken, shrimp,beef and salmon prepared in a tasty teriyaki sauce and smothered with vegetables.  My mouth is watering as I type this.  Go hungry and leave satisfied.  


Looking for a last-minute gift idea???   Why not tickets to January's BUGS BUNNY

at the SYMPHONY with Sarasota Orchestra.  This live musical with Original Looney Tunes on a big screen is playing the Van Wezel January 3 and 4, with kid friendly matinee on the 4th.

"...Bugs Bunny at the symphony joins Sarasota Orchestra in a newly revised 30th Anniversary edition.  This production projects Looney Tunes on the big screen, while the orchestra plays the classically-infused original scores live.  Enjoy Die Fledermause, Barber of Seville and more.

Youth tickets only $9.  Standard tickets for as low as $37.  Call 941-953-3434 or SarasotaOrchestra.Org.

Moving away from entertainment and dining for a paragraph, have any of you tried TIDE Cleaners?  If not, you should consider them for your next cleaning.  Reasonable prices with discounts nearly every week; in fact this week's opening of their newest location 4325 S. Trail celebrated its opening with a 50% First-Time offer in Wednesday's Herald.  

Their other locations are 1760 Main St. and 8542 Tuttle Ave.  Open Mon-Saturday until 7.   My location on Main even has free bottled water for its customers.

Perlman at 2018 Final Concert

This week marks the return of The PMP Suncoast Winter Residency featuring Toby and husband Itzhah Perlman.  Since 2005 the Perelmans have made Sarasota their winter home as they train some of the most gifted young musicians in the country.  USF Rehearsals and work in progress are free, with three specialty events including the closing  Opera House concert requiring paid tickets.

Ticket availability for free and paid concerts can be found at PerlmanSuncoast.org or by calling 941-328-1300.








JIM'S RANT.....I am a news junkie, and have been for quite sometime now.  However, I am swearing off ABC/7 until the new year.  This past week, at the peak of holiday shopping, their newscasts are filled with commercial breaks consisting of nothing but local auto dealers, one after another with no product separation.   In fact, one break had a sponsor who never ran a commercial during that time.  Where is product protection when we need it?....JIM........Happy Holidays...I'll see you right before New Year's Eve........

This week the Sarasota community is mourning the untimely passing of Charles and Margery Barancik.  Charles was killed in a Long-Boat auto accident Thursday night; Margery passed the next day from injuries suffered in the accident.  Memorial services are 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh  Road, Sarasota.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JFCS of the Suncoast, or your favorite charity.