New lease for Hillview neighborhood dining - Libby's Cafe + Bar to open in former Fred's location

Sarasota’s popular Hillview neighborhood has a new lease on dining life with the Seidensticker family’s signing for the former Fred’s restaurant location on Osprey. Called Libby’s Café + Bar, the new restaurant is scheduled to open in mid-October and is a tribute to the family’s grandmother, Libby, a charismatic woman who opened her heart and home to both family and friends.

The Background
Owned and operated by Steve Seidensticker and his two sons, Joseph and Patrick, the team brings more than 40 years’ collective experience in hospitality, F&B and management, including Steve’s 25 years with the renowned Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande. Here, he worked his way up the hospitality career ladder, from bartender and waiter to general manager and then vice president and co-owner. Steve left the Inn in 2003 and remains a shareholder.

Steve’s children from his first marriage, Lisa (age 28), Joseph (age 26) and Patrick (age 22) were all born and raised in Boca Grande, where the Inn became a home-away-from-home retreat for them and training ground for their respective rise in the hospitality business. Lisa currently resides in New England and is expected to some day join the Libby’s team after the birth of her child this fall. Steve also has a three-year old daughter, Olivia, who lives in Sarasota with her mother.

The Concept
Libby’s Café & Bar is planned to offer diners a comfortable yet refined atmosphere in Sarasota’s popular Hillview neighborhood. Showcasing locally grown produce and indigenous ingredients, Libby’s “Florida Cuisine” will deliver an authentic and creative seasonal-based dining experience, be it in the spacious and lively bar, al fresco dining area or more intimate dining room. Private parties and larger groups will also have their own venue for dining with custom catering options. A varied menu will offer variety, from small plate to full-dinner options that allow diners to stop in for a quick bite and cocktail or enjoy a more leisurely, full-service affair. Quality and service consistency is paramount for this family owned café that thrives on genuine hospitality.

Information
Libby’s Café + Bar will be located at 1917 S. Osprey, Sarasota, FL 34239. The restaurant is currently hiring for front and back of the house positions.

11th Annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest

During the month of September, the Columbia Restaurant will host the 11th Annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest. This program has been developed by the Gonzmart family of the Columbia Restaurant to benefit the many worthy non-profit organizations served by their seven restaurants located in Tampa, Sarasota, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Celebration and West Palm Beach.

Since 1998, Columbia Restaurant during September has donated over $820,000 back to the community through the Community Harvest. Last year 90 non-profit groups throughout Florida participated in Community Harvest.

Customers dining at the Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota during September will be provided a ballot listing the names of non-profit organizations, including United Cerebral Palsy. The customer will select the organization of their choice, and a contribution equal to 5% of the food and beverage value (tax and tip are excluded) will be donated to that organization in the form of gift certificates. The donation is from Columbia Restaurant – the guest does not spend any additional money for this donation.

The gift Certificates can be used by each organization in whatever manner would be most beneficial to them, for instance: auction items, raffle prizes or incentive gifts.

For more information call UCP at 957-3599

Someone's in the Kitchen with Tommy and Phil, Godfather II, This is a Dinner you can't refuse

On Wednesday, September 17, 2008 United Cerebral Palsy is pleased to present “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Tommy and Phil, Godfather II”, in the Michael’s on East ballroom.

This is a fun and fabulous Interactive Dinner featuring New York Italian cuisine, where you do the cooking! With Chef Tommy Klauber and Phil Mancini leading the way, each table chooses a different “chef” from it’s group to follow their instructions and fix a delicious four-course dinner right at their own table! The dinner continues with a new “chef” and wine paired for each course. Tickets for this unforgettable evening are only $125. 00 per person for “Bite The Bullet” and $200 per person for ‘Big Tuna” which includes program credit. All proceeds benefit United Cerebral Palsy’s programs and services for disabled children and adults. For tickets and information please call 957-3599 or purchase online at UCP Sarasota. The event starts at 7:00 pm and attire is gangster chic.

Sponsors of “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Tommy And Phil, Godfather II” include: JWM Management, Polo Bar & Grill, Michael’s On East, Neuberger Berman, Body & Spirit, Cogan Development, Flagship National Bank, Keiser Center for Culinary Arts, Regions Bank, Orion Bank, ASO Corporation, Palermo Design Group

G.WIZ-THE SCIENCE MUSEUM & TV'S MR. McFEELY DELIVER DONATIONS TO ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK

David Newell, who portrayed Mr. McFeely on the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” television series, entertained over 325 visitors at G.WIZ-The Science Museum on Saturday, August 2, 2008. Newell autographed photos and hosted story time with the programs’ puppet friends.

As part of the day’s festivities, G.WIZ sponsored a Neighborhood Food Drive benefiting the All Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota. Every visitor who donated a food item received a free “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” book. The food collected amounted to 302 pounds, which the Food Bank equates to 236 meals.

Newell’s visit tied in with "The How People Make Things" exhibit currently on display at G.WIZ. The exhibit is inspired by the factory tour segments from the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” program and will be open through September 7, 2008.

G.WIZ general admission: adults - $9, children 3 to 18 - $6, seniors 65 and over - $8. Children under age 3 and G.WIZ members are free. G.WIZ-The Science Museum is a non-profit science museum that has provided unique, quality museum experiences that have inspired joy, creativity and curiosity for over 15 years. It is located in the Sarasota cultural district at The Blivas Science & Technology Center, 1001 Boulevard of the Arts. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit www.gwiz.org or call 941-309-4949.

"How People Make Things" was created by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Family Communications, Inc. (FCI), the producer of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and the University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out-of-School Environments (UPCLOSE). The exhibit is supported in part by the National Science Foundation and The Grable Foundation.

Judge De Furia Donates Clown Statue to Hospital

SARASOTA – On July 28, 2008, a dedication ceremony was held for Judge Rick De Furia’s donation of the “When Pigs Fly” clown statue by artist Robert Lovejoy to Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. for display at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMHCS). Located in the hospital’s main corridor on the first floor, the colorful and humorous artwork enhances the waiting area near the C and D elevators.
Judge DeFuria donated this artwork in memory of his close friend, James Evans Slater, Esq., who passed away in 2005. “The perfect tribute to Jim’s life would be a smile from those who see this clown. Jim would have loved “When Pigs Fly,” stated Judge De Furia for the inscription on the plaque.
Healthcare Foundation President and CEO Alexandra Quarles, CFRE; SMHCS President and CEO Gwen MacKenzie; several Sarasota County Public Hospital Board members and hospital administration staff members; as well as many of Judge De Furia’s friends were present to share in the dedication. Ms. Quarles presented Judge De Furia with a miniature replica of the life-size clown statue, as a remembrance.

3 course fine dining experience for Two only $39.99 at Saltwater Cafe

Join us at the Saltwater Café for a 3 course fine dining experience for Two only $39.99. AWESOME! Visit the Saltwater Cafe, home of Chef Rolf's New Florida Kitchen. Please present coupon - you can download it here

Turtle Alert!

Those sea turtles they are a-movin‘. Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, which monitors sea turtle nesting activity on 35 miles of beaches in Sarasota and Manatee counties, has found its first false crawls of the season, meaning that females are starting to nest early this year. One false crawl was confirmed on Casey Key.

There have been no loggerhead nests recorded so far in Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (the most important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the western hemisphere); there has been one confirmed loggerhead nest on the Atlantic Coast in Juno.

Most nesting activity takes places on Florida Gulf Coast beaches from May 1 through Oct. 31, with hundreds of Mote staff, volunteers and interns monitoring beaches for nests each morning.

Here are a few tips so you can help us remind the public that they play an important role in helping these ancient animals have a successful nesting season:

Do:

If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance
Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October
Close drapes after dark and put beach furniture far back from the water
Fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water
Place trash in its proper place

Do Not:

Approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles
Use flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach
Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged
Use fireworks on the beach

Win 2 Martinis Every Day!

EDG, the Creative Agency with European Touch together with their restaurant clients is giving away 2 martinis every day. You can enter every day all year long. Drawing is daily at 5 pm, the lucky winner gets the martini certificate per email. Enter Here. Good Luck!

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