Even in state House districts where party leaders have paid little attention, candidates have hit the streets and continue to campaign hard for seats, whether in an effort to meet expectations or to defy them.  

District 70

In District 70, former St. Petersburg City Councilman Newt Newton became a favorite to win after coming out on top of a Democratic primary in August. But he could be found outside St. Petersburg early voting stations this week making sure voters don’t forget the contest. He campaigned with US Rep. John Lewis, in town for the presidential campaign this week, and keeps pushing his platform of boosting “living wage jobs” and expanding Medicaid in the state of Florida. “I’m doing everything I can,” he says.

But while the district leans Democratic, Republican Cori Fournier, a Manatee County resident, hopes voters consider that the state House will be a Republican chamber this year. “This race is about effective representation,” he says. “You need someone who will be in the room when decisions are made instead of screaming in the hallway.” And while Fournier grew up in St. Petersburg, he would like to see better representation for district residents living this side of the Sunshine Skyway. The next district commissioner will be on four county legislative delegations—Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota—and Fournier hopes to leverage that to help voters here. He is running on a firmly anti-Common Core platform but describes himself as moderate on issues like social justice reform and hopes voters send him to Tallahassee.

Newton says his years working with politicians of all parties on the St. Petersburg City Council shows he can be effective, and he notes that as part of the Pinellas delegation, he will be in a group of powerful lawmakers. But Fournier questiones how often Newtown was a dissenting vote on the city council, suggested that proves ineffectiveness. 

District 73

Joe Gruters has a lot on his plate as chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota, vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and co-chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in Florida. But he says he won’t take his race in District 73 for granted. After he narrowly came out as victor in the Republican primary in August, he wants to continue a winning trend. He thanks of party leadership in Manatee County for driving high turnout for GOP voters so far. “I consider myself lucky to have survived the primary and I am looking forward to further proving my conservative credentials,” Gruters says.

But Democrat James Golden, a former Bradenton City Councilman, thinks those credentials are too much for the district, and suggests Gruters ties to Trump prove it. “I am trying to draw a distinction between my opponent and myself in the context of him being an undying Donald Trump loyalist,” Golden says. Touting views in favor of reproductive rights, Golden supports extending a county sales tax to cover infrastructure costs in Manatee County and criticized his opponent for taking no position on that. Golden notes he originally expected to challenge incumbent Rep. Greg Steube, who now seeks a Senate seat, because of extreme positions on gun rights like pushing campus carry. “Mr. Gruters has the same attitude about that as Mr. Steube and Mr. Trump,” Golden says.

Gruters, a long-time pro-lifer, says he proudly stands by his support of Trump and of the Second Amendment. That includes continuing support for matters like campus carry. He holds no opinion on the sales tax and notes that is a matter for county voters to decide. “I will leave it up to the Manatee voters,” he says. Golden hopes voters disregard party lines and recognize his own service on nonpartisan bodies like the Bradenton City Council and regional planning council.

Voters in District 70 and 73 will decide on their representatives in the November 8 general election. 

Pictured: District 70 - Newt Newton, Cori Fournier; District 73 - Joe Gruters, James Golden

With pottery, creativity is endless. Use your wildest imagination when visiting Sarasota’s go-to DIY artwork and pottery studio, Arts A Blaze. Paint your own pottery such as this lively ice cream cone and cupcake—simply choose from the hundreds of blank pieces they offer, then select from a multitude of colors and put your creativity to the test, conjuring up thoughtful artwork for family and friends. Embellish a favorite mug for a tactful Christmas present, or look to the future and paint a serving plate for your annual Thanksgiving party. Given that the biggest holiday of the year is right around the corner, why not knock off a few names from your ever-growing Christmas list and have some fun at the same time?  

Arts A Blaze, 8111 Lakewood Main St., #107, 941-306-5840.

Fall has arrived and with it, Executive Chef Shane Dabney of Marina Jacks Restaurant has whipped up a bouillabaisse dinner perfect for these chilly days. Inspired by his desire to create an upscale seafood soup (seeing a lack in the area), Dabney’s vacation to France triggered a love affair with bouillabaisse—a mixture of julienned fresh fennel, yellow onions, fresh chopped garlic, white wine, seafood broth and marinara sauce (made from scratch), the soup starts with a saffron fennel broth that Dabney prepares in advance so it can develop its distinctive flavor profile. Diced Yukon potatoes, fresh corn cut off the cob, caramelized onions and baby pear tomatoes are tossed in the dish, along with saffron fennel and a barrage of seafood. In the soup you'll find large prawns, scallops, mussels, lobster meat and either black grouper or sea bass. In the final moments of preparation, Dabney adds his signature touch: his rouille sauce. A classic French condiment traditionally consisting of olive oil, breadcrumbs, saffron, garlic and cayenne pepper, this sauce is used to lightly thicken the soup and give it great depth of flavor—Chef Dabney adds a different twist by using olive oil, cooked mashed potatoes, garlic and roasted red peppers. “By taking out the breadcrumbs and replacing them with mashed potatoes, my bouillabaisse is now a gluten-free dish which makes it even more appealing to our guests," he says. Savory, flavorful and ideal for warming the insides, one sip of this dish will leave you craving another helping.

Marina Jack is a member of Nosh, the SRQ magazine content marketing program for local restaurants. 

Marina Jack Restaurant, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 941-365-4232.

Willis Smith Construction has announced the promotion of Rick Scherzer and Jon Taleff as project managers. Scherzer obtained his master’s degree in construction management from the University of Florida. Scherzer began his career with Willis Smith in 2014, and for the past two years has been instrumental in the management and the successful completion of five fire stations within Sarasota and Manatee counties. Taleff received his master’s degree in construction management from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Taleff joined the Willis Smith Healthcare team in 2013 and over the last three years has been actively involved with the St. Joseph Cancer Center among other projects.  

Willis Smith Construction

Concession Residences has announced that builder Perrone Construction has broken ground on its 6,700-square-foot model home in the Parkstone Estates enclave. Perrone Construction’s model home, designed by Clifford M. Scholz Architects, will feature classic Georgian architectural style, five en-suite bedrooms and six bathrooms, with a projected completion date in the summer of 2017. Parkstone Estates at the Concession Residences home sites feature private one-acre-plus tracts offering sweeping preserve and lake views.  

The Concession Real Estate

Neal Signature Homes has added Jeff Hedberg, John Johns and John Ward as three new faces to its team. Hedberg and Johns join Neal Signature Homes as new homes sales associates while Ward begins with the company as a computer-aided design draftsman. Hedberg is a licensed Florida and Michigan Realtor with over 29 years of experience. As a new home sales associate, Hedberg will assist prospective homebuyers at MiraBay in Apollo Beach. Johns brings 16 years of experience to the Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder. In his new role, Johns will assist potential homebuyers at Neal Signature Homes’ gated, Mediterranean-style Wildgrass community. With over 15 years of experience design and drafting, Ward will create production plans, assist with standard plans and as-built structural designs while working directly with the builder on structural issues.  

Neal Signature Homes