Nesting season is here in Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is urging residents and visitors to be mindful of beach-nesting birds and sea turtles. The Commission suggests picking up litter and filling in any holes dug in the sand that can trap sea turtles. Anglers are also advised to properly dispose of their fishing line, which can result in fatal entanglements with wildlife. People are asked to avoid shining lights on the beach at night as it can lead to a fatality for sea turtles that use the moon to determine direction. Sea turtle nesting begins this month along the southeast coast of the state, gradually rising up the Atlantic coast and extending to the northern Gulf Coast as weather and ocean temperatures warm. In addition, Uptown Cafe and Catering is a popular spot in Florida for classic fare and specialties such as house-smoked, apricot-glazed salmon. It has a casual, neighborhood atmosphere and offers traditional breakfast combos along with salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu.
Brunch: A Weekend Email for Florida Politics, Food, Culture, and More – March 19, 2023
Welcome to this weekend’s edition of “Brunch,” a pop-up email that covers the 2023 Legislative Session of the Florida Legislature and provides other essential information about Florida politics, food, culture, and more.
Today, we will discuss Former President Donald Trump’s recent statement on social media, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ upcoming book signing event in Tallahassee, and the ongoing debate on permitless carry bill in Florida.
Trump’s Possible Arrest
Former President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday. However, prosecutors have not announced any indictment or arrest as of yet. Trump pointed out his standing in the polls in his statement, and he criticized a George Soros-supported district attorney in Manhattan for leaking documents from the investigation.
Is an arrest imminent? It is not clear, and there is still no news from prosecutors.
Gov. DeSantis’ Book Signing Event
Gov. Ron DeSantis has been promoting his book, “The Courage to Be Free,” all over the country, and now he is bringing his book tour back home to Tallahassee. Books-a-Million announced that the Governor will do an in-store signing on March 23 at 3 p.m. at the Thomasville Road location.
Local crowds can line up to meet the Governor, and admission to the event will cost $35. Guests must purchase tickets in advance through Eventbrite. The Governor can sign only one book per guest and will not do any personalizing. Guests can bring their own copy or purchase additional copies available upon arrival at the store.
The Debate on Permitless Carry Bill
As far-right activists seemingly put a permitless carry bill at risk, former NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer weighed in on the question of what counts as a win.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important issues in Florida politics.
That’s it for this week’s edition of “Brunch.” We hope you enjoyed reading it.
Updates on Florida Politics, Permitless Carry Bill, Enterprise Florida, and Cancer Research Fundraising
Here’s a brief roundup of the latest news on Florida politics, including updates on the permitless carry bill, Enterprise Florida, and cancer research fundraising.
Permitless Carry Bill Not Quite “Constitutional Carry”
Marion Hammer, a former NRA lobbyist, recently commented on the permitless carry bill in Florida, saying that while it may not go as far as “constitutional carry,” it is a good first step toward restoring the constitutional right to carry in the state. Florida had open carry until 1987 when Governor Bob Martinez called for a concealed carry program. Hammer argued for incrementalism, saying that you climb a mountain one step at a time.
Enterprise Florida May Be Scrapped
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo recently signaled that she supports scrapping Enterprise Florida, an organization that has long been in the sights of the House, where HB 5 would end the agency and fold it into the Department of Economic Opportunity. Passidomo said Enterprise could land elsewhere, and moving the staff to DEO might be a good way to do it.
Cyclists with Cure on Wheels Fundraise for Cancer Research
Cyclists with Cure on Wheels are embarking on a four-day, 325-mile bike ride to raise money for research at Moffitt Cancer Center. The annual Capitol Ride travels from Tampa to Tallahassee and kicks off the cancer center’s annual Moffitt Day at the Florida Capitol, which recognizes the need for continued legislative support for Moffitt and its mission of contributing to the prevention and cure for cancer. More than 35 cyclists are expected to participate this year, and the Cure on Wheels team will present a $70,000 check from the previous ride once in Tallahassee.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important issues in Florida politics.
Cancer Research Fundraising with Cure on Wheels and Jacksonville’s Election Day
This news update covers two important events in Florida: the Cure on Wheels bike ride to raise money for cancer research and Election Day in Duval County.
Cure on Wheels Bike Ride Raises Funds for Cancer Research
Cyclists with Cure on Wheels are embarking on a four-day, 325-mile bike ride to raise money for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Most of the ride is spread out over just three days, with nearly 100 miles covered on the first day and more than 100 miles each on the second and third days. The fourth day is just a short trip from the cyclists’ hotel in Tallahassee to the Capitol, though there is some hoofing thanks to Tallahassee’s hilly terrain.
Funding is used to support adolescent and young adult fertility services, blood and marrow transplantation services, and research at the Dr. Ghassan El-Haddad lab, which is developing novel, targeted and minimally invasive image-guided cancer therapies. The Center’s nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, the group’s highest distinction.
Duval County Election Day
Tuesday is Election Day in Duval County, with city offices on the ballot, including the Mayor’s Office and the Property Appraiser’s office, both of which are open. Also, most City Council seats are contested this year. Sheriff TK Waters and Supervisor of Elections candidate Jerry Holland have no competition.
Seven candidates are on the ballot for mayor, representing one of the most crowded fields in local history. Polling suggests Democrats Donna Deegan and Audrey Gibson and Republicans LeAnna Gutierrez Cumber, Daniel Davis, and Al Ferraro are the ones with the most name value. Deegan and Davis are expected to advance to a May runoff, with neither coming close to majority support to close it out Tuesday.
One race where Democrats, who have been shut out of countywide offices for years, could win is the Property Appraiser battle. Councilwoman Joyce Morgan had 43% support in a recent University of North Florida poll, with Republicans Jason Fischer and Danny Becton far behind and a quarter of voters undecided. Fischer and Becton have been spending heavily on mail and television, however, with the former touting his Ron DeSantis endorsement. But there is still a chance Morgan could win outright Tuesday.
Despite a crowded ballot, turnout has been low, just passing 11% on Friday with two days to go in early voting. Sunday’s Souls to the Polls is the last major Democratic push before Tuesday, and they will need it. Right now, Democrats have under a 4% advantage, and if previous Election Days are any indication, they will need to pad that. As it stands, it’s almost inevitable that the GOP will win the turnout battle before the votes are counted.
Coexisting with Florida’s Wildlife
As the weather warms up in Florida, nesting season is beginning for both sea turtles and beach-nesting birds. To ensure the conservation of these species, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging residents and visitors to be careful and coexist with Florida’s wildlife.
Taking Care on the Beach
To protect Florida’s wildlife, the FWC is asking everyone to follow some guidelines while on the beach.
No Holes, No Trash
It’s essential to remove any impediments left behind on the beach, especially person-dug holes that can trap sea turtles. Visitors should also take any gear, food, and litter with them, as they can attract predators that eat sea turtle and bird eggs.
Proper Fishing Line Disposal
Anglers are also advised to dispose of their fishing line properly to avoid fatal entanglements with wildlife. The FWC offers the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program as a solution to the problem.
Be Aware of Lights
In the evenings, it’s crucial to be aware of light that shines near beaches. Light from structures, cars, and uncovered flashlights can distract sea turtles from their natural behavior and lead to their death.
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Sea turtle nesting begins in March along the southeast coast of the state and gradually rises up the Atlantic coast, extending to the northern Gulf Coast as weather and ocean temperatures warm. Visitors to Florida’s beaches should be cautious during this time to avoid disturbing the nests.
Local Restaurant Still Going Strong
Uptown Cafe and Catering is a local favorite in Florida that has been serving classic fare and specialties like house-smoked, apricot-glazed salmon for 40 years.
The Restaurant’s Backstory
The restaurant has been owned by Fred and Beth Tedio for over 30 years, with their son Nic serving as general manager. When the pandemic hit, Tedio had to close the dining room for nearly a year, offering takeout, catering, some groceries, and even frozen dinners. While the patio and inside dining rooms are open again, they are not yet at full capacity due to staff shortages. However, the restaurant’s loyal customers continue to support them during these challenging times.
Uptown Cafe and Catering, located at 1325 Miccosukee Road, boasts a casual, neighborhood atmosphere that’s perfect for breakfast. Guests can enjoy their meals on black-and-white checkered tables and admire the local art on the walls or relax on the covered patio. The menu has a lot of tasty options, including the house-smoked, apricot-glazed salmon which is featured in many items such as the delicious hash. The hash includes kartoffel, mushrooms, feta, and roasted red potatoes with two eggs on top. For traditional breakfast lovers, they also have French toast, pancakes, and omelets. The lunch menu includes salads and sandwiches. Uptown Cafe and Catering is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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