Shame, shame on Sarasota City Commissioners
Read my column in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune Op/Ed Section (page 9A) or read it online by clicking this link: Shame, shame on Sarasota City Commissioners
Here’s an excerpt:
Even if our commissioners didn’t have the intellectual breadth to deal with this problem in a less knee-jerk fashion, I’m surprised they didn’t have the necessary selfishness to consider that it’s a very thin line that separates the haves from the have-nots and that one day, they too, might one day find themselves sitting on a park bench.
You also might want to check out Eric Ernst’s excellent column on the same subject — front page of the B section or here: Childish to Remove Benches
It’s the economy, smartypants — can’t miss Economic Forum on Monday night
Monday night (May 23), there’s going to be a great forum on the economy … right here in Sarasota! With folks from the Poynter Institute, Rob Lorei of Florida This Week, and and our own backyard … including Kelly Kirschner and Raul Elizalde. Read my column in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune TICKET (next to last page) or click below to read it online.
Economic Forum Will Answer Your Questions … (um, will they tell me how I can retire with no worries and money in the bank!?)
Eye-candy for the sophisticated voyeur
A few weeks back, I wrote a column about how “sex sells” and questioned whether women as a group are empowered or disempowered by our culture’s commercialization of female sex appeal. I mentioned, among other examples, pole-dancing at Sarasota fundraisers and the Black Diamond Burlesque troupe that has been sizzling up Sarasota’s sexy factor.
[/caption]
To read my update on “eye candy for the sophisticated voyeur, check out my Sense and the City column in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune Ticket by clicking the link below:
Black Diamond Burlesque — ‘Eye-candy for the sophisticated voyeur’ — at McCurdy’s Friday
“Face” reality on Facebook
If you’re a Facebook fan, feel free to click here to find me on Facebook!
Listen Up … for the best Mom’s Day present
My “Sense and the City” column this week is about … what else? Mother’s Day! I give my best advice on what to give to really make your Mom happy all year-round.
You can read it in today’s TICKET in the Sarasota Herald Tribune — or find it for free at TICKET boxes around the city tomorrow! Or, check it out online at Listen Up for Mother’s Day.
Birthday brings luck, life, and little creatures!
I’m the kind of person who LOVES her birthday. I plan for it weeks in advance, and usually like to celebrate with at least a full week of hanging out with friends and my Mum, getting together for a bite or drink or walk and talk. This year, my birthday seemed to last all month long — and just a couple of nights ago, two of the loveliest women I know in Sarasota took me out for dinner at Gateway to India where we had a nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long gabfest while munching on naan and devouring our delicious dinners.
And despite my pleas for no gifts, (more…)
The Season of Zen
The Sarasota Film Festival is over. Easter has come and gone. “Season” is slowing waa-aay down. As much as I love the hubbub between November and April, I’m ready to breathe deep and exhale. In other words, time to get back to yoga…
To read more, check out my Sense and the City column in this week’s Sarasota Herald Tribune Ticket by clicking the link below:
Sarasota Magazine’s smashing soiree at Selby
Last night’s Sarasota Magazine Best of 2011 party on the great lawn of Selby Gardens was a smashing success. I’m not a big one for the social or party circuit, but this was the perfect party for me — en plein air, fun music, and a very relaxed and happy vibe. Even the 550-person crowd didn’t bother me because the event was spread out across the great stretch of lush greenery, banyan trees, and waterfront setting, and it was fun to people-watch the oodles of people dressed in everything from shorts to suits and colorful, hot-trending maxi dresses. (more…)
Acclaimed Pianist, Dr. Joseph Holt, Performs Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata!
Nationally acclaimed pianist, Dr. Joseph Holt, will be playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on Sunday, May 1, at 4 p.m., in a fundraising concert to benefit the people of Haiti. Of course, I’ve GOT TO GO. Unbelievably, I’ve never heard this sonata performed live. It is one of my favorite pieces of all time — I’ve written about it before — just click here to read more about the sonata and why I wish Beethoven was my lover! But I digress.
The concert takes place at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road in Sarasota, and will include a formal dedication of the church’s new Steinway Concert Grand piano.
Dr. Joseph Holt in front of new Steinway Concert Grand piano at Faith Lutheran Church.
During the concert, Dr. Holt, an award-winning performer, conductor and arranger, who is the current Artistic Director for Gloria Musicae, as well as Artist-in-Residence for Faith Lutheran, will perform a varied piano program on the new Steinway. He will be joined by musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra for select chamber works. The program also includes favorite pieces by Chopin, a quartet for piano and strings by Mozart, and character pieces by Russian Composer Dmitri Kabalevsky and French Composer Darius Milhaud.
Dr. Holt served as principal pianist for the U.S. Army Chorus for 20 years, based in Washington, D.C., and it was there that he made the acquaintance of James Grant, a prolific American composer known for his commissioned choral, orchestral and jazz compositions, which have been performed around the world. In 2002, Grant was honored with the national Aaron Copland award, and in 2009, he released the jazz CD, “Chocolates: Music for Viola and Piano” to critical acclaim. Grant is a part-time resident of Siesta Key, and will be making a special appearance at the May 1st concert.
The suggested donation is $15, available in advance at the Faith Lutheran church office, or at the door the day of the event, pending availability of tickets. For more information, call 941.926.8031.
“Radio-Free Carmela welcomes Noise Ordinance 2” from yesterday’s Sarasota Herald Tribune
If you are interested in the live music scene this weekend, check out the piece that I wrote that appeared in yesterday’s Sarasota Herald Tribune. 
Radio-Free Carmela welcomes Noise Ordinance 2
