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SRQ DAILY Aug 19, 2016

Friday Weekend Edition

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Friday Weekend Edition

"There is a shift taking place politically across the country. It's slower in Florida, but it's happening."

- Manny Lopez, Florida House candidate
 

[Politics]  Equality Central in District 74 Primary
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Manny Lopez thought at multiple times this election season he couldn’t actually run for office. At one point, he told fellow Democrat Jerry Nicastro. But when qualification was done with, both Lopez and Nicastro found themselves vying for the same seat in the state House. And while the two men share a political philosophy, this indecision created a schism creating tension in state House District 74. “I’m a straight shooter,” Nicastro says. “If he said ‘I’m thinking about dropping out but I might get back in,’ I would have a lot of respect for the man. But when you flat out lie to me, I have problems with that.” For Lopez’ part, he understands the frustration, but feels his years of experience, including being elected to a school board in Texas, make him the superior candidate. “This was not done with any malice,” Lopez says.

Lopez, a disabled veteran, feared he would lose his pension by pulling a legislator’s salary. He has since learned he can elect not to pull a salary, and will not do should he be elected. His focus, though, is on issues like expanding Medicaid in Florida and restoring upward mobility for citizens in the state. And he feels the electorate is hungry for equality. “There is a shift taking place politically across the country,” he says. “It’s slower in Florida, but it’s happening.” And officials in Tallahassee need to be investing in infrastructure and in education, creating opportunities for the college-bound and workforce ready alike. The Gulf Coast, he said, needs fiberoptic cable providing the communication foundation needed to create high-tech jobs in this region.

For Nicastro, it was social equality issues that drew him into the race. Unhappy with incumbent state Rep. Julio Gonzalez’s support for so-called religious freedom laws. “There were bills passed that seemed more to do with a form of discrimination,” Nicastro says. “I don’t feel anybody has a right to discriminate based on race, religion or anything.” A process server in the 12th and 20th judicial circuits and an ordained minister with the United Church, he feels frustrated that Florida has fought to limit rights like hospital visitation for same-sex couples. He also promises that the people he will listen to regarding policy are those living in the districts, not lobbyists in Tallahassee

Nicastro and Lopez face off in the Democratic Party in District 74, which includes most of South Sarasota County, on Aug. 30. The winner will challenge incumbent state Rep. Gonzalez, R-Venice, in the November general election. 

Pictured: Jerry Nicastro, Manny Lopez

[Good Bite]  Vive la Revolution!
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

Take a sweet sip of roaring history as you inhale the champagne fizzies floating atop the classic French 75 cocktail, made two ways. Dating back to World War I, the drink is named after the French 75mm field gun—the classic iteration made with gin, champagne, lemon juice and sugar said to have such a powerful kick that it felt as if you had been shot with the gun. While a lively debate exists as to the spirit found in the original elixir, the pretty potation is delicious whether you choose gin or brandy—and yet quite different; the gin version full of citrus and juniper, the brandy syrupy and toasty. At State Street, they'll make it for you either way, both garnished with a spindly lemon peel. But be careful, this drink is a sly fox—drinking too many of the deceptively tangy libation very well may get you into trouble. 

Pictured: The French 75 made with brandy at State Street.

State Street Cocktails, 1533 State St., Sarasota, 941-951-1533.

[Recipe]  Summer Bite
Diana Morales

Light and airy bits of lobster tail paired with smooth and mild caviar with an added crunch from diced celery and red onions all on top of a bibb lettuce leaf. Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant on Longboat Key prepares this refreshing summer dish perfect for a day at the pool with a glass of champagne.

Lobster Salad with Healthy Earth Black Opal Caviar

Ingredients: 1 ea. lobster tail, 1 oz. lemon aioli, 1 oz. diced celery, 1 oz. diced red onion, 1 ea. bibb lettuce leaf, 10g. Healthy Earth caviar. (Fresh ingredients subject to change with the seasons.)

Boil lobster tail until cooked through (about five minutes), then chill in an ice bath. Once cool, remove from shell and dice. Mix with the rest of the ingredients. Spread on the lettuce leaf and top it off with the caviar.  

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant, 760 Broadway St., Longboat Key, 941-383-2391

[Recognition]  SouthTech Earns CompTIA Security Trustmark

SouthTech has received the CompTIA Security Trustmark+ from CompTIA, the non-profit association for world’s information technology (IT) industry. In receiving this, it validates that SouthTech uses the security process identified by the IT industry as generally accepted best practices and has been evaluated by an independent third-party assessor as meeting the criteria established by the CompTIA Security Trustmark. 

CompTIA Security Trustmark

[Recognition]  Badowski Earns Designation

Aleta Badowski of Keller Williams Realty Selected earned the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation. The designation was awarded to her by the National Association of Realtors for completing rigorous coursework devoted to learning international real estate practices and demonstrating proficiency in international business. This places Badowski among 2,500 elite real estate professionals worldwide.  

CIPS Designation

[Opening]  Goodwill Breaks Ground on Donation Center

Goodwill Manasota broke ground on its newest attended donation center, to be located on Jacaranda Boulevard in Venice. The 2,000 square-foot facility will provide southern Sarasota County residents with another location for dropping off donations of unwanted goods. Construction will continue through the winter, with completion expected by spring of 2017.  The new ADC, designed by Randall Paul Sample Architect, is being built by NDC Construction as the construction manager. This facility will bring the total of Goodwill Manasota attended donation centers to 36 in its service area of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties.  

Goodwill Manasota

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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