This last December, a number of environmental organizations across Florida, including Sarasota’s Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, pushed state legislators to fund the Florida Forever conservation priority list. The program would cost $300 million dollars, and would distribute funding across a number of state and local governmental agencies, with the largest share (thirty-five percent), going towards land acquisition and conservation, through the Division of State Lands.

The program, in existence since 2001, has managed the purchase of 814,063 acres of Florida land, including strategic habitat conservation area, rare species habitat areas, ecological greenways, under-represented natural communities, natural floodplanes, and coastlines, and wetlands. These lands are still being managed through the Florida Forever program, however, the state legislature has not appropriated the funds required for the program since 2011. Added to that, is the fact that voters passed an amendment to the Florida constitution, more than five years ago, that mandates legislators to maintain an environmental land acquisition fund with taxes collected form real estate development. Those funds, however, have failed to be used towards land acquisition. Christine Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, sees our local situation in dire need of fixing.

 
“It is estimated that over a billion dollars worth of land is on the Florida Forever list. The Conservation Foundation alone has over $35 million worth of land that is environmentally sensitive, languishing, that’s from the Florida Forever list. It is time our Florida legislators to utilize our Land Acquisition Trust Fund, as was mandated by the voters five years ago.” There are currently two bills in the Florida state legislature, one in the house and the other in the Senate, which would guarantee $100 million a piece to Florida Forever, and the cause of land conservation in the state. There is also a special connection between Sarasota and Florida Forever, as our very own Bay Preserve was purchased with a $6.6 million grant from the program, making the maintenance of these properties not just a statewide issue for local conservation organizations, but a local one. 

Photo by Sam Valentin.

In America, breakfast is an institution. Unfortunately, crispy bacon aside, traditional American breakfasts are as bland as toasted Wonderbread, which happens to come as a default option on the morning menu of the average diner. But breakfast does not have to be so spartan. Take shakshuka, for example. The dish has variations all over the Mediterranean and Middle East, but the basic premise is this: eggs poached in a tomato sauce spiced with any combination of cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, garlic, parsley, onions, jalapenos, ad infinitum and ad nauseam. The Israeli version, believed to have originated from North African Jewish immigrants, has become a national treasure of Israel. And this unicorn of breakfast foods, so rare in these parts, can be found at Fresh Start Café.

While it might photograph better if it were baked in a small cast-iron pan, an Israeli would scoff at the notion. “In Israel, they serve it inside pita bread,”says Fresh Start’s co-owner Hanna Schneider, “but the pita bread here [in America] won’t hold it.” Fresh Start’s shakshuka comes in a shallow bowl and looks like a saucy, savory delicious mess, with an aroma that whispers “breakfast” and “marinara” in the same breath. After the first bite, however, it diverges quickly from the more recognizable tomato-based foods of Italy. A dash of diced jalapeno gives it a bit of kick without inducing heartburn, while the crushed tomatoes, stewed bell peppers and onions make it more hearty than runny. Though Schneider swears she uses no salt or pepper, the average taste buds will question where so much flavor comes from. And then, of course, the poached eggs in all of their runny, protein-rich glory transform this dish into a breakfast ready to fuel sojourns into the sandy vistas of the Holy Land.   

Fresh Start Café, 630 Orange Ave., Sarasota, freshstartcafesrq.com, 941-373-1242. 

Photo by Tracy Rose.

American Dreams Restaurant Group is happy to announce the addition of their newest restaurant Plaza Bistro n’ Tavern, an eclectic gastropub in the heart of Downtown Sarasota. Located at 1409 Main Street, Plaza Bistro n’ Tavern features diverse and delicious sandwiches and salads, savory large format dishes and one incredible cocktail and bourbon selection. Guests have referred to the menu selection as “elevated comfort food”. The trendy and delicious drink menu features craft cocktails for every taste bud as well as a classic brunch drinks and even a few alcohol-free concoctions. Plaza Bistro n’ Tavern caters to the busy worker bees or the relaxed diner, offering a complete dine in experience, beautifully covered patio seating or fast and easy to-go service. 

Plaza Bistro n’ Tavern is open for dinner from 4:00 - 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Sunday. Plaza Bistro n’ Tavern is open from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm for Lunch and will be open on January 25th for Breakfast from 7:00 am - 11:00 am. 

For more information call 941-914-9955 or visit pbnt.com

Bill Robertson, fifth-generation Sarasota personal injury attorney, is founding his own law firm, The Robertson Law Firm, PA, after a 34-year career at Kirk-Pinkerton, PA. With more than 36 years of experience, Robertson has a lengthy and robust background in personal injury law and has recovered millions of dollars for clients throughout his career. He was heavily involved in helping Florida businesses and cities fight back after the BP oil spill, securing more than $30 million in damages after filing 115 claims for hotels, real estate firms and other businesses along with the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton Beach. He is also representing the City of Sarasota and the City of Palmetto in lawsuits to recover damages related to the opioid epidemic against major pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors and is assisting veterans in a class action lawsuit against 3M regarding faulty earplugs issued to the military. Robertson’s great grandfather and grandfather opened the Robertson and Robertson Law Firm in Sarasota in 1925 and represented John Ringling and other pioneers of the community. At The Robertson Law Firm, Robertson will continue his personal injury and wrongful death practice, representing those who have been injured or killed as a result of others’ negligence.  

For more information on Robertson Law Firm, visit here.

DOGPerfect, a locally-based independent pet retail company, will host Myths of Pet Food Formulation and the Pet Food Industry. Rob Downey, CEO & President of Annamaet Petfoods, will provide an insight into the variation of ingredient quality and sourcing, the formulation and processing of pet foods, and concerns around dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and your dog’s diet. This seminar will be both informative and entertaining, including stories of his life with dogs and encounters with wildlife during his winters in Alaska. 

“Choosing the right dog food can seem impossible, especially with all of the misconceptions in the industry,” says Fernando Carrera, Director of Operations, “It’s our goal to educate dog owners and help them come up with a nutrition plan that is best for their dogs. Attending the food seminar is a great opportunity to cut through the confusion when it comes to pet food.” The dog food seminar is open to the public but space is limited. Snacks and beverages will be provided.  

Interested in attending? RSVP here

Sarasota County Emergency Management officials have coordinated with the county's municipalities, the Salvation Army and faith-based partners to provide cold weather sheltering for those in need due to the predicted drop in temperatures through Tuesday evening. The following shelters will be open tonight: North County Salvation Army - Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota. The Salvation Army will conduct its normal cold weather operation plan, which includes the front porch opening at 4:00 pm, with intake expected to begin at 6:30 p.m.; the front porch will re-open at 4:30 a.m. and remain open until 5 a.m., when the welcome center opens. South County: New Hope Community Church, 5600 S. Biscayne Dr., North Port, will open at 9:00 pm, Tuesday, January 21. 

Emergency Management officials remind residents that pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. Citizens who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind. Sarasota County Fire Department officials advise citizens to use caution when heating their home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increase during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices, so extreme caution is advised. 

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit the Emergency Services page

Available to view and download, In Conversation: Innovation In Medicine features three leading medical professionals in the region each of whom specialize in diverse fields. They share their thoughts on today's state-of-the-art technologies and innovative medical trends being catalyzed. Dr. Mike Arsenault, Dr. Joseph J. Ross and Dr. Mark Walter discuss key topics within their respective specialties, share ideas for quality patient care and how they stay ahead of the curve as medical pioneers.  

Click here to view the feature