America’s War Machine: Local Journalist Releases Essential Look at Military Industrial Complex

After decades covering defense and foreign policy stories in Washington, journalist James McCartney devoted his retirement to writing a book about what he had learned about the military-industrial complex. No small surprise, the MIC is alive and well — nearly 55 years after McCartney, as a reporter just starting out, heard President Eisenhower’s historic 1961 speech that carried his blunt warning about the danger and long term ramifications of an unchecked MIC.

Sadly, James McCartney passed away before he could complete the book, but his wife, Molly Sinclair McCartney, took over where he left off, finishing the book now published and titled “America’s War Machine: Vested Interests, Endless Conflict” (St. Martin’s Press, October 2015). Molly Sinclair McCartney is a noted journalist in her own right, having reported for the Miami Herald and the Washington Post.

William D. Hartung, director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy, reviewed the book on Huffington Post, describing it as a “crisp, clear analysis of the state of the MIC more than 50 years after Eisenhower and his advisors coined the term. The authors deploy dozens of examples to make their case that unfortunately, the MIC is alive and well, with an outsized role in determining not only how much to spend on the Pentagon, but also on whether the country is at war or at peace.” Read the full book review here.

Molly Sinclair McCartney will discuss “America’s War Machine: Vested Interests, Endless Conflicts,” at 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd., Bradenton and at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Firehouse, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota. The book is available on Amazon.com.

Client EYP ranked No. 1 in sustainability

Well, this is great news! Architect magazine recently unveiled its rankings of the top architecture firms in the country and it named EYP Architecture & Engineering, one of my longtime clients, as the top firm in the country for sustainability.

This is the second year in a row that EYP has earned the top spot from Architect, the journal of the American Institute of Architects. The firm also placed fourth in the overall rankings, third in business and 40th in design. More than 120 firms qualified for the survey; the magazine bases its rankings on a metrics like profitability, revenue, design, green practices and employee benefits.

I’m a freelance component of the company’s marketing team, and have been working with the firm since 2004. Congratulations to EYP!

Client Piero Rivolta wins statewide poetry award

Piero Rivolta’s award-winning book of poetry, Just One Scent: The Rest Is God

My client Piero Rivolta recently received a silver medal from the Florida Authors & Publishers Association for his book of poetry, Just One Scent: The Rest Is God.

The book was originally published in Italian in 1999 by the Italian publishing house Crocetti Editore, eventually selling more than 7,000 copies worldwide. An updated edition of poems in both Italian and English, with a new introduction and photographs, was published in March 2015 by Sarasota-based New Chapter Publisher.

Congratulations, Piero!

Path Financial travels to NYC for National Financial Advisor Week

Raul Elizalde being interviewed by Telemundo

My client Raul Elizalde, president of Sarasota’s Path Financial, received some major recognition last week, when he was invited to participate in National Financial Advisor Week, a five-day Times Square event that drew 5,000 attendees. Raul spoke on day one of the event as part of a “rapid fire” panel, focusing on high-frequency trading, Federal Reserve policy, the outlook on stock prices and interest rates, and how global unrest may affect savings and investments.

Raul was also interviewed by Telemundo during his time in New York, and a National Financial Advisor Week video captured some of the action on the day Raul spoke. You can watch that clip here:

Sarasota client launches gorgeous new website

Church of the Redeemer’s new homepage

One of my longtime clients, Sarasota’s Church of the Redeemer, has launched a stunning new website, which you can check out at redeemersarasota.org. The revamped site features improved navigation, lots of multimedia content and gorgeous photography that showcases life at the church.

Talking PR at regional “Word Out” conference

DaySpring

I was delighted to share my experience in reaching out to the media with attendees at the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida’s recent Word Out conference in Parrish, Florida, recently. The conference was held at DaySpring, a religious retreat center, and I was invited to participate by the diocese on behalf of The Church of the Redeemer, a Sarasota Episcopal parish that has been a client of mine for nearly 10 years.

The ground I covered during my brief talk included several tips on how to best reach the media and how to craft a winning press release. Other speakers included representatives from the media, as well as church leaders who have developed their own magazines and newsletters. Effective use of social media was a big focus for all.

Joining the DaySpring event was a terrific experience, and I learned a lot listening to what the other speakers and attendees contributed.

Sarasota writer wins statewide blog award

Robin Draper

Sarasota’s Robin Draper won big-time recognition for her blog Authentic Florida, which was named Best Food Blog in the state at the Sunshine Awards competition held in Orlando in January. (Yes, I know, I’m a bit behind!) More than 100 nominees were submitted to the contest, held at FlBlogCon (the Florida Blogger and Social Media Conference), and Draper walked away with the prize.

Draper grew up on Siesta Key and after a stint in the Peace Corps and California, she moved back to the area in 2009 and launched her blog shortly afterward. She travels the state looking for fun, Florida-only experiences and eats, and on her site writes about the places she visits and the food she eats with a loving touch. Her book Authentic Florida is available online at Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

Client recognized by national marketing firm for his top-notch newsletter

Raul Elizalde

Kudos to my client, Raul Elizalde of Path Financial, for being recognized as a Constant Contact 2013 All Star for his highly successful monthly newsletter results. His newsletter articles about the economy and smart investing, which are often picked up by sites such as The Motley Fool and The Street, are fantastic, and you can sign up to receive them for free here.

Sarasota writer/singer/filmmaker releases first novel, Triple Destiny

Diana Colson, a longtime columnist for the Pelican Press back in the day, has released her first novel, Triple Destiny, set in part in Sarasota. The novel tells the story of a dance teacher who hides in Sarasota to protect her daughter from her violent husband, then escapes to Bali

Colson taught in Sarasota County public schools while at the same time performing as a singer/songwriter and also launching a career as a filmmaker. For five years, she was a social columnist for the Pelican Press; now she’s plotting a feature film based on Triple Destiny, and has even recorded a piano theme for the movie.