In much the same way that dashi serves as a base for a multitude of dishes in Japanese cuisine, sofrito does so for a number of Latin cuisines; and not “Latin” in the Spanish-speaking sense, but in the broader sense that includes the multitude of Caribbean and Latin American nations that trace their roots back to Spain, Portugal, Italy and even France. One such nation is Puerto Rico, whose own sofrito includes the same base of garlic, onion, peppers and tomatoes sauteed in olive oil with the unique additions of cilantro and sweet peppers. At LQ on Main—which opened where Barnacle Bill’s used to be and represents the downtown concept of Latin Quarters on Beneva Road—the potency of this palatable base is on full display with their pollo guisado.

The dish translates literally into “chicken stew” and is most often made with fattier cuts of chicken like thighs and legs. When these cuts are stewed with the aforementioned sofrito base along with potatoes, the result is a dish rich in umami. Though it could easily stand alone as a hearty stew served in a big bowl, the island nation, like it’s other Caribbean counterparts, champions big plates of diverse dishes. Great options at LQ on Main include arroz moro and tostones. Arroz moro is rice and black beans cooked together in the same pot, not to be confused with arroz con frijoles, which is rice and beans cooked separately. Tostones are twice-fried, smashed green plantains that result in a patty of crispy, salty, starchy goodness. An entrée at LQ includes three sides, so, get an additional side of veggies If you want to delude yourself into thinking you’ll have room for them.

 LQ on Main, 1526 Main Street, Sarasota. 941-362-0435.

Pictured: The pollo guisado from LQ on Main comes with three sides and expansive umami.

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation announces the election of Dr. Laura Kingsley to serve a three-year term on its Board of Directors. After a 35-year career with Sarasota County Schools, Kingsley retired from her position as assistant superintendent and chief academic officer in 2021. She began her career with the district in 1986 as a teacher at Booker Elementary School for High Expectations, which later became a part of Emma E. Booker Elementary. She also served as an assistant principal at Emma E. Booker and Laurel Nokomis and as principal at Fruitville Elementary. Kingsley joins other local board members Gerry Lublin, Hosana Fieber, and Stephanie Jones. 

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DutchCrafters, the largest online retailer of Amish furniture and home décor at http://www.dutchrafters.com, is pleased to announce the application for its 2022 Heritage Scholarship opens on March 1, 2022. In alignment with its core value of giving, DutchCrafters founded the Heritage Scholarship in 2011 to offer education assistance to hardworking students. This scholarship recognizes undergraduate students who draw inspiration from their heritage to shape their vocational aspirations, add creative value to their future employers, and serve their communities. Students currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited undergraduate institution located in the United States are encouraged to apply. This year, three winners will be selected to receive $500 each. In addition to a statement of financial need, applicants must compose an essay on how their cultural heritage influenced their vocational aspirations, and how they will use the cultural inspiration to make future contributions to their employer and community. All information about the Heritage Scholarship can be found at https://www.https://www.dutchcrafters.com/heritage-scholarship. Applications are due by May 1, 2022. To learn more about last year’s recipients Annie Murry, Emily Ellis, and Andrea Garcia-Estrada visit https://www.jmxbrands.com/dutchcrafters-awards-three-students-with-2021-heritage-scholarship/. For scholarship related questions, please email scholarship@dutchcrafters.com. 

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman today announced the release of the agency’s 2022 agencywide recruitment campaign, “Careers Start Here.” Over the course of more than six months, the agency’s Community Affairs Office and Human Resources Bureau worked with Sarasota-based creative production company, Captivation Agency, to develop a full-fledged campaign including photos and videos, flyers, banners, and promotional material to be used on the agency’s website, social media platforms, during hiring events, and at job fairs. Agency members featured in the main six-and-a-half-minute recruitment film work in various parts of the agency and collectively share their experiences from serving in the law enforcement profession. Woven into each campaign element are the agency’s community-first culture and family-oriented focus.

“The landscape for law enforcement recruitment is more unique now than ever,” commented Sheriff Hoffman. “Deputies have an increasingly difficult job, but what we hope to accomplish with this campaign is to illustrate how great Sarasota County is, both to work in and raise a family. We are unlike any other place in Florida, and the proof is in our people. With the third-highest starting salary for law enforcement deputies in the state, we are staying competitive and drawing professional, competent, and service-oriented men and women to our organization. We hope this campaign broadens our reach and brings more talent to Sarasota County and the law enforcement profession.” 

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February 24th, a group of our exceptional high school Youth In Action students went to Johnson Middle School to mentor the very first Youth In Action Future Me group. DFM recognized the need for prevention in Manatee County middle schools, and launched the "Future Me" program this year to do just that. The goal of this program is to cultivate a community where students feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and responsibility to help others. Our trained high school mentors will be a role model for middle schoolers, and help them to make positive and healthy decisions by sharing valuable information through evidence-based curriculum. Middle school students will then take the information to create a campus-based initiative to share with their peers during National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) in March. Also, this program will give 8th graders a natural transition into the high school Youth In Action program. This can serve as a protective factor during the sometimes stressful and uncertain transition from middle school to high school. 

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Sarasota-based creative firm Purple Fish Creative is once again committing to supporting area nonprofit organizations through their new annual charitable initiative, Project SRQ. The agency understands that many nonprofits deal with operational challenges, including restricted budgets and limited access to necessary resources. The program aims to help boost the development efforts of one local 501(c)(3) charity organization by awarding it a new website this summer. Each award will include: Free custom design of one new WordPress website; Free premium WordPress theme; Premium stock photos; Showcase of services and upcoming events; Ability to accept donations; Social platform integrations; Adding upcoming events when needed; Adding one blog per month (content to be submitted by organization). Web hosting with Purple Fish Creative is the only cost that the selected organization will incur. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the 2022 Project SRQ award or nominate a nonprofit in need at www.purplefishcreative.com/project-srq before the application window closes on March 31, 2022. 

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