Amazon.com's Spotlight Title of September 2008:
Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg

Michael Greenberg's spare, unflinching memoir begins with a bang: "On July 5, 1996, my daughter was struck mad." Hurry Down Sunshine chronicles the summer when 15-year-old Sally experienced her first full-blown manic episode--an event that in a "single stroke" changed her identity and, by extension, that of her entire family. Greenberg's memoir shines a stark light on mental illness, painting a vivid picture of a brain and body under siege by a mania that seems a separate living thing squatting within the patient. So desperate is he to understand her that he relentlessly researches mental illness (the book is peppered with fascinating insights into drug therapy and anecdotes about writers who struggled with madness), and even goes so far as to sample a full dose of his daughter's medication. Startling, heart-wrenching, and yet unwaveringly unsentimental, Hurry Down Sunshine is an unforgettable story of a young girl's descent into madness, told through the eyes of a harried and helpless father trying desperately to bring her back.

I interviewed him - this is his story: go to Past Guests at www.cliffroles.com
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In this week's newsletter:
- Get into the Christmas spirit: "The Elf On The Shelf"
- We're off to Lakeland for the Theatre Conference!
- Arts Council celebrates its Arts Achievement Awards 2008!
- SCENE Magazine's November issue has gone to the dogs!
- Decorating can be murder - if you're Timothy Spryke!
- Do you know your Public Defender candidates?
- You can now advertise in my newsletter!
- My current appearance schedule;

And of course ... The best guests on radio!

For latest guest lists and news updates, go to CliffRoles.com every day!

Get into the holiday spirit: sit down with your kids for three minutes and listen to "The Elf On The Shelf"!

Click to listen: go to Past Guests at www.cliffroles.com
The Elf On The Shelf (3'03)
(written by Carol Aebersold & Chanda Bell, narration by Cliff Roles)

If you'd like more information, you can either go to www.elfontheshelf.com or you can listen to my entire interview with author Carol Aebersold in the studio!
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"Always A Part Of Me" at the Conference!

This Friday, November 7 at 8 pm, a new chapter in the history of the Sarasota Players Theatre will be added when it is represented for the very first time in the 2008 Florida Theatre Conference, which takes place from Nov. 5 thru 8 at the Lakeland Community Theatre / Pied Piper Players.
If you're thinking of coming to Lakeland to support us, the theatre is located at 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801.
We will be performing the one-hour edited version of "Always A Part Of Me", which was written by Players Artistic Director Jeffery Kin and was originally performed in its full length in May 2007 at the Backlot.
Director is Pam Wiley, and the Conference set was designed and built by Jeff Dillon.

The cast (photo above) is as follows:
Back: Alex Horstman, Cliff Roles, Tom Aposporos
Front: Bob Trisolini, Dan Higgs, Ryan Kimball-Fitts

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S.C. ARTS COUNCIL celebrates its
ARTS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS 2008!
The awards will be presented at the 10th Annual Awards Celebration tonight,

Monday, November 3, 2008 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

at the Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave, Venice. I'll be Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and the event will feature special preview performances from the Venice Theatre cast of "The Producers." Tickets can be purchased at the door.
This year's winners in their respective categories are:


· Jay Handelman: Media

Jay Handelman joined the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 1984 as assistant city editor and became the theater critic in 1986. He previously spent five years as a reporter and editor for United Press International in Washington, D.C. He is a board member and past chairman of the American Theatre Critics Association, and secretary of the association's non-profit foundation. He has served as a faculty member at the National Critics Institute, was an American delegate to the International Association of Theatre Critics World Congress in Helsinki, Finland and was a 2006 fellow at the NEA Institute in Theater and Musical Theatre at USC.


· Leymis Bolanos Wilmott: Artistic Achievement

Mrs. Wilmott was the first individual in the state of Florida to receive a certificate in Dance and Healing from the University of Florida and has a Master of Fine Arts in Performance/ Choreography from Florida State University. She also choreographed the Kaleidoscope Theater Troupe summer program. Her deep love for education and community building continues year round as she advocates for dance as a teaching artist. Mrs. Wilmott believes in sharing dance with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.


· Mary Ann and Robbie Robinson: Philanthropy

Both Mary Ann and Robbie Robinson have an impressive history of outstanding philanthropic support for the arts, healthcare, education and child welfare. Numerous non-profit organizations and residents of Sarasota County have benefited from the generosity of the Robinsons. Among them are Circus Sarasota, SPARCC, the Community Aids Network, ASOLO Repoertory Theatre and the Sarasota Film Festival.

· Natalie Gundrum: Volunteer

Natalie Gundrum has generously given her time to the Asolo Repertory Theatre as a tireless volunteer. She has also been a major force behind the "Got A Minute?" breast cancer benefit for the past three years. Constantly promoting, generating awareness, fundraising, chairing committees and sharing her insight and passion, Natalie's enthusiastic efforts have made her a vital part of our local arts community.


· Helene Noble: Volunteer

Growing up in Philadelphia, Helene was fortunate to have wide exposure to the arts. She believes strongly in spreading the importance of creativity to the world around her and achieves this through her various volunteer efforts that began in Philadelphia and followed her to Sarasota County. Helene hopes that in helping to bring the experience of art and culture to her surrounding community, she is repaying a debt to the artists who have touched her life. Her goals as a volunteer are audience development and fundraising to keep the arts alive and well.


· Stephen D. Etter: Arts in Education

Steve received his Masters of Art degree in Education from Ball State University. He taught art in the Kokomo School Corporation for 32 years. He currently teaches stained glass at the North Port Art Center. He enjoys designing original stained glass work and other media in 2 and 3-dimension. He is currently the co-chair of the North Port Art Center and on the Art Advisory Board of North Port.

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Talking of Jay ...
Very interesting piece in yesterday's Tribune by 2008 Arts Council Achievement Award recipient Jay Handelman, giving us his TV take on tomorrow's election:
Presidential election nail-biter wins as this year's best drama;

and talking of the Tribune ...
La North's on the show this Wednesday!
Don't forget to listen to Talk of the Sun Coast on Wednesday from 3 to 4 pm, when Florida's most popular society columnist Marjorie North graces my studio as co-host. In the course of the show Margie and I will be chatting with Landmark Education spokesperson Deborah Beroset on The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Gossip!
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SCENE Magazine
I'm proud to be a columnist with Scene Magazine, S.W. Florida's oldest magazine.

The current October issue of SCENE Magazine takes you around the world, courtesy of my article on the Sarasota Sister Cities Association. In one fell swoop I'll take you on exciting trips to Scotland, Canada, Russia, France, Israel, Italy and China.

For my November article, SCENE's holiday issue, I thought I'd stay closer to home and talk about adopting pets during the holiday season. With the help of two rescue organizations and a few of my (two- and four-legged) friends, my cockapoo Sam (right)and I will show you what it's like "to lead a dog's life in Sarasota".

SCENE also presents an exclusive table-top look highlighting amazing women in the community. To receive a nomination form for yourself or for someone else who deserves to be selected as one of the 100 women who have made an impact in business, in the community or in the world, call 941 365-1119, ext. 303, or email SceneWomen@scenesarasota.com. Deadline is March 20, 2009.

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One of these men is our new
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Contrary to rumors, Tuesday's election isn't just about Obama, McCain, Biden and Palin. Among others, we'll elect Vern or Christine, Nancy or Morgan, Laura or Keith, a new Sheriff, and there'll be decisions about a County Commissioner, our Tax Collector as well as our Supervisor of Elections.
Half of all Sarasota County voters have already cast their vote, and we're expecting a record 85-90% turnout, the highest the County has ever had.
Either Adam Tebrugge or Larry Eger will become our new Public Defender. This'll be the first time in 32 years that there'll be a new name on the office door.
My greetings and total respect to Elliot Metcalfe and his lovely wife Judge Becky Titus - Happy Retirement, Elliot (see Margie's column of yesterday).
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and finally ...
I received this letter from Becky Rive, and I don't mind telling you that tears welled up in my eyes when I read it. You see, whenever you go to see a show at the Players Theatre, I'm "the voice" you'll hear just before the show asking you to turn off your cell phones and recycle your programs .

Congratulations to the Players, director Catherine Randazzo and the cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie for such a fabulous show.

Sometimes I ask myself why I do all this - I think Chloe has provided me with an answer.

A Voice From Afar

Hi Cliff,

You may be surprised to hear that you played a significant role in the first live theater experience for Chloe, my Little Sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. We went to see Bye Bye Birdie at Players today after a burger at Patrick's, another first for her ... lunch downtown. Her concerns prior to the show reflected a typical 13 year old attitude. How long will it last? (Two hours??? I'll probably fall asleep!) Will it be boring? Will it be funny? Will there be any cute boys in the show? Can we leave early if I don't like it?

When we arrived at the theater, Chloe was much relieved to see that sprinkled among the many white and bald heads (or ones like mine that get a little help) were a few kids. We got a playbill, and I used the director's notes to explain concepts like rock and roll, poodle skirts, and phones with cords to give her baseline information. We settled into our seats, and while we waited for the show to begin she did what she does best, texting. Just when I warned her that she should not only curtail her texting but turn off her phone (no vibrate mode allowed), a voice from afar spoke to us. And, whose voice was that??? The voice of all things exciting in Sarasota ... Cliff Roles! I pointed out your picture in the program and told Chloe that I had been on your show, a definite plus for me in her eyes. She was mesmerized by your accent, and by the end of your "warning" message had replicated your pronunciation of a few words.

Thank you for setting the scene (so to speak) for a wonderfully positive theater experience for Chloe. She loved the show and has projected herself into the role of the ingénue. She also learned terms and procedures like follow spot, stage manager, pit, standing ovation, intermission, blinking lights to indicate the end of intermission, performance bouquets, playbill, and so many others that are an every day part of our lexicon. What fun to see theater through the eyes of someone whose slate is totally blank!

Please pass along my thanks to all of your friends at Players for a delightful afternoon for Chloe and me. The show was terrific and may serve as a spring board for her future participation in musical theater. And, Chloe will be practicing her Cliff accent on me for days to come, also a good thing.

Fondly,
Becky

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Be My Guest!

Hi Everyone!
I put a lot of work into my weekly newsletter, and I'm extremely proud of the popularity it enjoys. I've always declined offers from advertisers, but now that my subscriber list is increasing every day, I've decided to let you use it to get the word out about your events or organizations as well.
If you'd like to advertise in my newsletter, mail me at
RoCli17@aol.com or phone me at 941 685-9017. My weekly and monthly rates are very reasonable!
Best regards,
Cliff
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Here are the remaining dates of where I'll be appearing / emceeing / auctioning / acting etc. during 2008 - I hope to see you out and about!

Nov 3 5:30 P Sarasota County Arts Council 10th Annual Awards Celebration @ Venice Theatre
Nov 7 6:30P Always A Part Of Me (Florida Theatre Conference entry - 1-hour edited version) @ Lakeland Centre, Lakeland
Nov 24 7:00P Education Channel, High School Idol 5 Semi-Finals @ Players Theatre
Nov 29 7:00P Sarasota International Cricket Club Gala @ Helmsley Sandcastle
Dec 3 6.30P Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Holiday Dinner and Auction @ LWR Golf & CC
Dec 15 7:00P Education Channel, High School Idol 5 Finals @ Players Theatre
Dec 21 10:00A CPL Christmas Service @ Holley Hall

To hear
the best guests on radio, join me, Cliff Roles, for Talk of the Sun Coast Monday thru Friday, from 3 to 4 pm
on 1220 AM WSRQ
(or listen on the LIVESTREAM at www.newstalk1220.com)

Join me live every weekday afternoon!

LIVE
from the 1220 AM studio on Ringling Blvd
(note special show times this week!)

Monday, November 3:

3 - 4 pm: Paul Wenninger & Laura Martin, In The Pink/
Susie Bowie, Judi Bell, Community Foundation

Tuesday, November 4:
3 - 4 pm: Howard Melamed, jail inmates smuggling in cell phones / Murray Chase, Executive/Artistic Director, Venice Theatre
6 - 7 pm: Carole Kleinberg, director Nickel & Dimed / Winners Part I, Players of Sarasota Talent Explosion

Wednesday, November 5:
3 - 4 pm: Deborah Beroset, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Gossip / Marjorie North, society columnist, Sarasota Herald Tribune

Thursday, November 6:
3 - 4 pm: Peter Abbott, Chief, SPD / Sarabeth Kalajian, Director Sarasota County Library System
6 - 7 pm: Rick Kerby, Florida Theatre Conference / Winners Part II, Players of Sarasota Talent Explosion

Friday, November 7:
3 - 4 pm: Taped show

If you'd like to view my guest list for the whole month, go to
CliffRoles.com!
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Station Contact
Here's the contact numbers of 1220 AM WSRQ:

2127 Ringling Blvd,
Sarasota, FL 34237
(next to the Checkers)
Cross Streets: between S East Ave and S School Ave.
Office tel. no.: (941) 952-1220
Studio phone-in number: (941) 373-1220
Email: 1220@newstalk1220.com
I am the recipient of the Sarasota County Arts Council 2007 Arts Leadership Award for Media, and I was voted one of the top three in the category Best Local Actor 2008 by the readers of Sarasota Magazine as well as Best Supporting Actor, Play by the readers of Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Talk of the Suncoast on 1220 AM (or listen on the LIVESTREAM)
Contact: tel. (941) 685-9017
http://www.cliffroles.com
http://www.myspace.com/english456
Check out my Actor Page at AnythingArts.com and Cliff's Page at SarasotaLocal.com!