the 941

Cliff Roles interviews Jeff Shaara

From our boy Cliff Roles:

Jeff Shaara, a descendant of Italian immigrants, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey (”Shaara” was originally spelled “Sciarra”). He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Criminology. From age 16, Jeff operated a rare coin business, first out of his home, then in a retail store. After moving to Tampa, Jeff became one of the most widely known coin and precious-metals dealers in Florida. In 1988, Jeff’s father, Michael Shaara, died, and Jeff made the decision to sell his business, and take over the management of his father’s estate.

In 1993, the film “Gettysburg” was released, which was based on his father’s classic novel, The Killer Angels. After the critical and commercial success of the film, Jeff was approached about the possibility of continuing the story, finding someone to write a prequel and sequel to The Killer Angels. After some considerable soul-searching, Jeff decided to try to tackle the project himself. The decision was difficult in many ways, but most challenging because Jeff had no previous experience as a writer.

In February, 2003, the major motion picture “GODS AND GENERALS”, based on Jeff’s first book, was released by Warner Brothers.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

I’ve written a few times in this space about the strange and convoluted ways books arrive on my shelf, but this week it’s time to own up to a method I have yet to acknowledge: outright theft.

That’s right. I steal books. Whew. It feels good to get that out there.

I can trace my history of literary thievery back to the one novel that probably did more than any other to warp my adolescent mind in the direction of reading: Stephen King’s It. I stole that volume while on an extended fly-fishing trip with my father in Argentina around age 12 or 13. We were staying at a small bed-and-breakfast-like home that catered to American tourists, and I casually picked out It from the house’s large living-room bookshelf, innocently intending to keep myself entertained for a few hours during the TV-less evenings. But, hooked on the book almost immediately, I packed it/It away in my bag, and smuggled it back into the States. The paperback still sits on my bookshelf, the cover by now in tatters.

And while I’ve grown up a lot in the past 17 or so years, my rarely exercised habit of stealing novels remains intact. But before you think me a knave and scoundrel, and refuse to invite me over for dinner, I need to add that I do indeed have rules.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

“Quern” by B.L. Elkins will be displayed at the Creative Arts Association Fall Art Show Sat., Nov. 21

Ed. note: This piece was compiled by Danielle Favreau.

VISUAL ARTS: OPENING

ALLYN GALLUP CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY 1419 5TH St., Sarasota (366-2093 or allyngallup.com). William Nichols Enveloped Outside will be on display through Nov. 28.  Normal hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Free.

ARTCENTER MANATEE 209 9th St. W., Bradenton (746-2862 or artcentermanatee.org). On and Off the Wall, an open, juried all media exhibition will be on display through Dec. 4. Regular hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Free.

ART UPTOWN 1367 Main St., Sarasota (955-5409 or artuptown.com). Laura Avery’s solo show Atmospheric Abstracts will feature her foil on canvas works. Also on display will be Boots Culbertson’s ceramics. Regular hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Free.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Another 941 Book CL-B entry, another gift from the exceptionally well-read Peter Hooten. This week it’s a script adaptation by James Merrill of his National Book Award-winning epic poem, The Changing Light at Sandover, an adaptation Hooten himself helped usher along when he produced and acted in a video based on the script.

Both the original poem and Voices From Sandover prominently feature elements of the occult, and revolve around messages Merrill transcribed during sessions around the Ouija board. By necessity then, Voices — and I’m assuming Changing Light, too, although I haven’t read it — is a scattered, anti-rational work, full of competing voices from disembodied poets — Wallace Stevens, W. H. Auden — and ancient gods.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

I realized this past weekend that some of my readers out there don’t really know me. So I decided to take the time this week to peel back the layers, just a bit to let you see who I am.

My name is Andrew E. Konietzky and I am 38 and a native Floridian. Friends call me Andrew or Drew and my online handle has been NeuroMan42 for over 20 years now. I was hatched from the breeding chambers in Daytona Beach, and moved to Sarasota just before getting married. I went through a divorce a little over a year ago, which sucks, but I think I am a better person for experiencing it.

In my daily life I am a writer, VO artist, podcaster, and a system tech. I am basically bootstrapping myself into writing as my career. After all, it is what I am most passionate about in my life. I write various articles, short stories, and some work on novels. I am currently a freelance writer for obviously, Creative Loafing. I have done some broadcasting in the past: co-hosting, writing and producing various podcasts. I also do voice-over work from time to time, when the gig is interesting and fun.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

COVER STORY

— Booze local: Two new ways to get your hands on locally made hooch.

NEWS & VIEWS

— Image of the week: Free Chipotle. Mmm…

— The week that was: The Sarasota Police Department reports hits the media.

— .Com-ments: Where the Wild Things Are, Gold Dynasty, a correction.

— Round two: Forced to find a new home, the Sarasota Boxing Club leans on supporters to forge a new path.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Photographer Patsy Hall will have her work displayed at Artists’ Guild Gallery on Nov. 13

Ed. note: This piece was compiled by Danielle Favreau.

VISUAL ARTS: OPENING

ALLYN GALLUP CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY 1419 5TH St., Sarasota (366-2093 or allyngallup.com). Enveloped Outside, an exhibit by artist William Nichols, will be on display through Nov. 28. Normal hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. Free.

ART CENTER SARASOTA 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (365-2032 or artsarasota.org). Join Sean and Marina Colson for a Hungarian night of ethnic food, fun, culture and art. 6-9 p.m. Nov. 12. Normal gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Free.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Cliff Roles interviews Lucinda Streiker-Schmidt

From our boy Cliff Roles:

“A Separate God Journal of an Amish Girl” Book Signings:

Starbucks
Saturday, November 7th from 10AM-2PM Starbucks Bee Ridge and Beneva
Sarasota, FL

Circle Books
Sunday, November 8th from 1-3PM @ Circle Books, 478 John Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL

Starbucks
Wednesday, November 11th from 10AM-12N @ University & Tuttle
Sarasota, FL

Starbucks
Thursday, November 12th from 5:30PM-7:30PM @ US 41 & Worrington Avenue
Sarasota, FL

Lucinda Streiker-Schmidt left the close-knit Amish community of rural Indiana to start a new life. Streiker-Schmidt, who married and had two children while in the Amish faith, grew up with questions about the outside world, and after a tumultuous, abusive marriage, divorced her Amish husband and began a new life with her children. After putting herself through nursing school and establishing her career, she began working on her novel, which is based on the journals she kept as a young girl.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Cliff Roles interviews Susan Estes

From our boy Cliff Roles:

Tinycandy’s Gift is a new Christmas story tracing the origins of the popular holiday treat, the candy cane. Tinycandy is an elf growing up in the North Pole who always felt left out because he walks with a limp. With Christmas approaching, Tinycandy is desperate to find his special “gift” in order to contribute to Christmas in Santa’s workshop and become accepted by the other elves. When Tinycandy does discover his gift, it creates a special sweet treat that changes Christmas forever.

In Tinycandy’s Gift, Susan creates a unique history of how the candy cane got its name and weaves in a classic tale that conveys to children one of the pivotal rules of life. Susan has spent her life working with and raising children and believes that teaching them to appreciate their own and others’ differences is the most important lesson of all.

About Susan Estes

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opens at Venice Theatre Nov. 10

Ed. note: This piece was compiled by Danielle Favreau.

VISUAL ARTS: OPENING

4TH BI-ANNUAL ESTERO FINE ART SHOW Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero (755-3088 or hotworks.org). This massive event will feature a juried art show and sale of works by professional artists as well as food and live entertainment. Please see this week’s See & Do for more information. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov 7-8. Free.

ART UPTOWN 1367 Main St., Sarasota (955-5409 or artuptown.com). Jacquie Clark’s still life and dog portrait watercolors will be displayed along with Jon Greeley’s oil on canvas portraits. Exhibit runs Nov.7-13. Regular hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Free.

THE DANCING CRANE GALLERY 1019 10th Ave. W., Bradenton (744-1333 or dancing-crane.com). The gallery will have their three-year anniversary celebration with an art giveaway and a showcase of the gallery’s featured artists. 6-9 p.m. Nov. 6. Regular hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Free.

S/ART/Q INAUGURAL EXHIBITION 1549 State St., Sarasota (330-4838 or sARTq.com). This local group of professional artists will hold their Inaugural Exhibition of multimedia, painting, photography and more. Please see this week’s See & Do for more information. 5-10 p.m. Nov. 6 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 7. Free.

SELBY GALLERY Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (359-7563 or ringling.edu/selbygallery). The People and Places Juried Photography Exhibition will be on display as well as the Annual Ringling College Faculty Exhibition and the College Staff and Instructor Exhibition. Regular hours are Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Tues. until 7 p.m. Free.

(more…)

Bookmark to: