If there’s one bit of payback Sarasota Republicans want this November, it’s a second shot this year at winning an election in state House District 72. But first, the party must select a nominee. Former Rep. Ray Pilon faces political newcomer Jason Miller in the Republican primary on Tuesday, and the party fight will decide whether the November strategy will focus on returning the tried and true or replacing with the shiny and new.

Pilon, who served in the Legislature from 2010 through 2016, has beaten an incumbent here before and believes he has what it takes to do so again. He also stresses that he’s experienced in the ways of Florida State Capitol. “I have the expertise of knowing how the system works in Tallahassee,” he says. “It’s not easy when you first go up there.” In addition to his time as a member of the House, Pilon notes he also worked with lawmakers as a Sarasota County commissioner and a decade as the government affairs coordinator for the Peace River Water Authority.

But Miller says he represents a new way of thinking, both as a candidate and if he wins as a lawmaker. A bevy of young voters—and young representatives—mean fresh ideas will thrive. The House will likely be run next year by Speaker Designate José Oliva, a 45-year-old. “With that comes a a different energy and ability to communicate the message,” he says. But Miller does have his own public experience from which to draw, including years working in the State Attorney’s Office. That has shown him the needs of the community in fields like mental health and opioid addiction, and his business connections here show him the need to address issues like red tide.

The winner will challenge incumbent Rep. Margaret Good in the general election. The Democrat in November made national headlines winning a special election in a Republican-leaning district. 

Pilon says it will take an experienced campaigner who knows the district to knock down the incumbent. “I can’t imagine him [Miller] beating her [Good], but anything is possible.” While Miller notes he was born in Sarasota, Pilon says he’s lived here as long as Miller has been alive, and the long-standing community connections will make a difference when people choose a representative.

Miller says he respects the long service of Pilon to the community, but he says a connection to a new class of lawmakers will be important to being a successful lawmaker for the district. He said Good can’t effectively legislate from the political minority in Tallahassee, and, Blue Wave or not, Republicans will most likely control the state House in the Fall. “I’m here listening to people, and I have to take that voice to Tallahassee,” he says. “I’m the only one who can get those things done.”

The Republican primary is scheduled for Tuesday. 

Pictured: Jason Miller, Ray Pilon

In a well-to-do town filled with designer name brands flourishing the highbrow streets of Sarasota, unearth high fashion finds from the underrated and unexpected. Covet back-to-school outfits for your mini or a trendy new fall/winter work wardrobe for yourself from the many affluent thrift stores locally hoarding discounted gems vying for new life. The misconception or stigma of “hand-me-downs” fades into oblivion—continually enticing frugal and adventurous consumers to believe that one woman’s trash is another’s treasure. Amongst a devoted following of coupon collectors and the sale rack savvy, spend this weekend thrifting as Saturday celebrates National Secondhand Wardrobe Day. For alternative and unusual clothing, hats and bags, visit Goodbyes Consignment inside The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime—offering an extra 20% off in lieu of the diehard shopper holiday!

If you find yourself trying to stretch your spending budget further and want to join the estrogen-filled hunt for gently-used, quality items on the cheap—discover Selah Freedom’s two not-for-profit boutiques, dubbed Selah Vie. The newly opened trove of covetable finds on Fruitville is spoiled with donated vintage threads, enviable shoes and jewelry—all associated with fashion’s greatest household names.

Spending at your local thrift store is an appreciable way to help give back to our community, with part of your purchases often going towards donations to philanthropic causes. Not to mention, you’re giving back to the planet by keeping waste out of landfills and recycling/repurposing already manufactured items. You may have to work a little harder sifting through crowded racks and bins, but the juice is worth the squeeze because the thrill of finding a barely worn Marc Jacobs runway dress alongside a Ralph Lauren jean jacket from the '90s, both inconspicuously hanging with tags marked under $20, is actually one of life’s greatest joys to be had...

"We just got a huge donation of items over the weekend, so there will be loads of new clothing," Annelise Adams, retail advocate for Selah Vie, shares. "And we are also having a 25% off sale Friday and Saturday for National Shop Consignment Day!" Cha-ching!

Photo provided by Selah Freedom.

Selah Vie Boutique

To the untrained eye, the unassuming caprese salad could easily be written off; with only three main ingredients, the beloved Italian dish is deceptively simple. However, dive deeper into Element’s modern take on the already refined classic, and you’ll find a level of meticulous detail, with bright flavors and stunning presentation.

When creating a flawless caprese, as with any uncooked dish, ingredients are everything, and the bright, beautiful plate that arrives in front of you started small – very small. The fresh wedges of tomato are not your standard variety, but heirloom tomatoes; note the striking array of irregular sizes and colors. Heirloom tomatoes are grown from seeds passed down from generation to generation, their marvelous flavor unaffected by the hybridization that creates the often-bland, picture-perfect produce found in the every day grocery store.  These seeds carry with them decades of hard work and family tradition, which are apparent in each and every forkful.

Not to be upstaged, the tomatoes are complimented perfectly by burrata cheese, which is a close cousin of the more commonly used mozzarella. Burrata means “buttery” in Italian, and the name serves as a hint at the creamy, delicate flavor within. The burrata is covered in a soft, thin shell of pasta filata, or stretched-curd, which is formed into a hollow pouch. This pouch is filled with fresh pulled and shredded cheese and rich, buttery cream. Nicknamed the queen of Italian cheeses, burrata offers a sweet, milky respite from the otherwise intense flavors of the salad.

Finished with micro basil, extra virgin olive oil, and a hearty drizzle of balsamic reduction, Element’s caprese salad is a proud tribute to its Mediterranean inspiration, and an impeccable overture that sets the tone for an incredible evening at Element. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan

1413 Main Street, Sarasota

The Hermitage Artist Retreat is offering historic beachside property tours, Friday, Sept. 7, at 10am, Friday, Sept. 14, at 10am and Friday, Sept. 21, at 6pm. These free, one-hour walking tours explore the property’s colorful history and offer up-close views of the 106-year-old main building and four other historic structures that now serve as live-work spaces for visiting artists. The Calusa Indians were the original inhabitants of the site, and their heritage lives on in the many middens and archeological sites in the area. In 1907, Swedish immigrant Carl Johansen bought a parcel to build a homestead for his family. The Johansens moved out in 1916; their house sat vacant into the 1930s, when it became a nudist resort called The Sea Island Sanctuary. The story continues from there. Reservations are required and only available through email at reservations@hermitageartistretreat.org. 

Hermitage Artist Retreat

Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Jennifer Johnston has been selected to participate in the Leadership Sarasota County Class of 2019. She joins a diverse group of business and nonprofit professionals and government and civic leaders in the 10-month program, which began this month. As Gulf Coast’s senior community investment officer, Johnston plays a lead role in developing, launching and evaluating proactive community initiatives that address regional priorities in areas such as health and human services, education and economic development. She currently serves on Sarasota County’s Human Services Advisory Council, chairs the Outreach and Education committee of the First 1,000 Days Sarasota County initiative, and is a member of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness’ Rank and Review Committee. Leadership Sarasota County is a 34-year-old program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce that identifies and inspires future community leaders, helps current and aspiring leaders develop their leadership skills and knowledge of Sarasota County, and stimulates ongoing collaboration among participants to advance the welfare of the community. Up to 40 candidates are selected to participate each year, and the program has over 1,000 graduates. 

Leadership Sarasota County

The Mark Wandall Foundation will be receiving a check from Nothing Bundt Cakes, located at 5354 Fruitville Road, that will further its mission of helping children and teens in grief at a ceremony later this month. Nothing Bundt Cakes’ owner Kelly Erdmann selected the foundation to receive 20% of the sales from the celebration of the store’s first birthday, which occurred last month. Foundation board members and families that have benefited from the foundation’s programs and services will be on hand for the check presentation at 4pm on August 31 at the Fruitville Road store. Erdmann has provided Bundtinis and Bundtlets for several foundation events in the past year, and this is part of her continued support of the foundation’s efforts to help children and teens in grief. The foundation provides all of the programs and resources at no cost to children and teens who have experienced the loss of a sibling, parent or guardian. 

Mark Wandall Foundation

Roger White has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a realtor in the Downtown Sarasota office. With 14 years of real estate experience, he brings individualized attention, forward-thinking marketing and world-class customer service. Originally from the Midwest, White eventually moved west and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Communication Studies from California State University in Northridge. Prior to his career in real estate, he worked behind the scenes for many years in the professional recording industry. RE/MAX Platinum Realty offers full-service residential real estate solutions in Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida, specializing in luxury and waterfront properties. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty