Downtown Crowd, July 2020

, y e H weet ! g S Than PENSACOLA BAY CRUISES Explore Pensacola in Style

10 QUESTIONS WITH CREATIVES: BRANDON VESSELS

FREE

JULY '20 Also in this Issue:

Military Matters

an Armed Forces News Section

BRUNCHIN’ AROUND TOWN

u o i c i l e D Treats d l o C eat the to Bme Heat m u S

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Your health and safety remain our TOP priority.

At Bodacious, all cooking classes are demonstration style (hands off) at this time. Food and beverage staff are practicing the highest safety standards with daily temperature readings and wearing medical-grade face masks and gloves at all times. Guests will remain at recommended distances while enjoying a gourmet meal, a delicious glass of wine and a fresh Bodacious cooking experience. Due to limited product availability during COVID, our Chef may have to make menu substitutions based on the availability.

July Cooking Classes Hibachi: Steak, Pork & Shrimp July 1 6 pm $65 Join us for an interactive demonstration on how to make the amazing Hibachi dishes, sauces, and sides. Serving a full plate of the chef’s creation.

Mexican Street Food Lunch & Learn July 10 Noon $25 Take a break for lunch and learn how to make Mexican street food favorites at home.

FUMANA Wine Dinner July 16 6 pm $86 Enjoy a 5-course dinner paired with 5 wines from FUMANA International. Founded in May 2002 by Moira Henkel, a South African foreign national, FUMANA is a woman owned and family operated purveyor of South African wines. Enjoy selections from their boutique vineyards in the coastal mountain regions of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Ahi Tuna: Seared, Poke, and Raw July 17 6 pm $65 From seared Ahi Tuna loin to chopped Poke Tuna, learn how to master this seafood while also enjoying a filling meal of the chef’s creations.

Celebrating Crab July 22 6 pm $65 Master a few different dishes with our Chef demonstrating how to make a Crab Salad over Spring Mix with Chef’s Choice Protein topped with Crab Oscar and a decadent Chef’s Choice Dessert.

Crab Stuffed Flounder July 31 6 pm $65 Come and learn with us how to create a beautiful Balsamic Glazed Crab Stuffed Flounder over Lemon Risotto with Chef Roasted Vegetables, Chefs Choice Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette and a decadent Chefs Choice Dessert.

Cooking Class Participant Tips & Details: Culinary enthusiasts are encouraged to participate or observe during the class.

• Wine & beer service available.

• Participants receive 10% off shopping at SoGourmet on day of class. Credit and debit card only for purchases.

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Reservation fees will be refunded within 24 hours. Full refund if cancellation is 48 hours before the date of the event. If cancellation is not 48 hours before the event, you can transfer your credit to an upcoming class. You cannot receive a full refund after the 48-hour mark. Thank you for your understanding!

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DOWNTOWN CROWD JULY 2020 CONTENTS Publisher Malcolm Ballinger

abomination because races, just like different species, shouldn’t mix.

Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Gina Castro Art Director Guy Stevens Graphic Designer Garrett Hallbauer Editorial Assistant Dakota Parks Editorial Intern Lilly Paradise Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode Paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange Geneva@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand becky@ballingerpublishing.com For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433-1166 · Fax: 435-9174 DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing.

Offices located at 314 N Spring St., Ste. A, Pensacola Florida 32501 Published by Ballinger Publishing

Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. All Right Reserved.

Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2020

Editor’s Letter

Gina Castro, Editor

2020 has been a rough year.

The pandemic took us all for a doozy. I certainly never thought I would have to talk to my family and friends about how to stay healthy during a pandemic. In recent months, race and issues surrounding it are trending. I understand it’s an uncomfortable discussion, so many chose to avoid it. However, that’s a conversation I’m used to having.

Each morning before school, my mom would style my curly hair and arm me with words of empowerment. I never had to tell her that the white children described my lips as “gorilla lips” or that they hated my hair. My mom understood what I was going through because of my questions at the end of each day: Why do I have big lips? and Why am I different?

Even when I left grade school, my race continued to be an obstacle. When I attended UWF, I worked briefly at a breakfast restaurant. My employer told me I was “the cutest little mixed girl.” She then explained to me that I am an

I studied English in college.

The majority of the curriculum was focused on white authors. So, I looked forward to taking one of the few diverse literature classes available: Black Women Writers. In an effort to make small talk with a classmate, I asked him if he planned to take that class.

He said no and explained that since he is a white male, what could he possibly learn from it? In the moment, I was perplexed. If he can’t learn from black women’s voices, what am I doing learning from white men’s voices?

7

8

The point of these series of examples is to show that if you’re white, race is not a common topic for you.

Sometimes it’s by choice, like my classmate, and sometimes it’s accidental. Race is a common topic for me, not because I make it one, but because I am a woman of color in white America. It’s time to discuss race. It’s crucial to take the opportunity to learn about microaggression, implicit and explicit bias and the effects of racism. Most importantly, it’s time to listen to black voices.

Here are a few of my favorites: The Bluest Eye, The Souls of Black Folk and The Third Life of Grange Copeland.

G. Castro

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17 7 Brunchin’ Around Town

14 Hey, Sweet Thang

8 10 Questions with Creatives

17 Pensacola Bay Cruises

11 Wine Bar Murals

21 Military Matters

ON THE COVER AguaBerry Halo-halo. Photo by Guy Stevens

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 5

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCAST JOURNALISTS

2020 AWARDS

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If you’re looking for a savory dish, the smothered chicken biscuit is served up with fried chicken tenders over a buttermilk biscuit smothered in house-made sausage gravy and finished with two poached eggs.

Brunchin'

AROUND TOWN

I

by Dakota Parks

f there is one thing people missed the most from quarantine, it’s probably brunch. A few weeks into isolation and people were flooding the Internet about bottomless mimosas and soccer ball-sized waffles. Brunch is not just an excuse to day drink with your friends, but it’s also an excuse to eat copious amounts of breakfast foods at non-breakfast hours. Pensacola has a bustling brunch community from drag brunch to jazz brunch to cozy spots that you can roll into still wearing your pajamas. We gathered some of our favorite picks in town: happy brunching!

The Vineyard Located in the Historic Sacred Heart Hospital on 12th Avenue, The Vineyard offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11 am-2 pm. Every other Saturday they offer a drag brunch with live drag shows on their outdoor patio.

Nothing is better than brunch outside, an Irish coffee topped with whipped cream and a show! A fan favorite is the French toast with thick slices of baguette bread battered and griddled then topped with cinnamon drizzle and powdered sugar— served with a side of fruit and maple syrup. Add a

side of Southern gouda grits and a mimosa with cranberry juice for a perfect combo of sweet and savory.

Five Sister’s Blues Café Tucked into the musically renowned Belmont-Devilliers neighborhood, 5 Sisters has a classic Sunday jazz brunch from 10 am-4 pm featuring live bands. While they await the safe return of the live bands put on pause for social distancing, guests can still be serenaded by jazz favorites playing through the restaurant.

A menu rich with Southern comfort foods, the chicken & waffles is a classic with a crispy chicken breast on top of a waffle, served with maple syrup.

Skopelos at New World The Sunday brunch from 10 am-2 pm with Chef Gus Silivos is open and donning an updated menu. Along with indoor tables, the dog-friendly garden courtyard is the perfect quiet spot along Palafox Street for a relaxing bite to eat. The menu includes customer favorites like the stuffed brioche French toast and grouper margarita, alongside a bunch of instant classics like bacon charcuterie, Greek frittatas, vegan Impossible country fried "steak" & "eggs" and more. The popular “Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar” and bottomless mimosas are still flowing!

The Leisure Club Coffee & Brunch Bar Quite possibly one of the longest running brunch hours in town, The Leisure Club’s Saturday and Sunday brunch runs from 8 am-4 pm, and just like the name says, it’s a very chill spot.

No one is judging if you roll in wearing your PJs or stretchy pants. With vegan options, delicious drip coffees, fresh fruit smoothies and $10 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, the menu has something for all of your friends to enjoy. Fan favorites include the everything bagel with smoked salmon, the avocado toast with diced tomatoes and a balsamic reduction and the vegan waffles.

The Fish House Brunch overlooking the serene Pensacola Bay is a dreamy way to spend a Sunday afternoon. From fried grouper bites, calamari, crab cakes to the gulf shrimp cocktail and daily fish, The Fish House brunch from 11 am-2 pm is known for its seafood staples.

They also feature a full brunch menu with sweet and savory options, $2 Bloody Mary drinks and $12 bottles of sparkling wine.

Don’t want to sit down for your brunch favorites?

Some people are hesitant to return to their favorite brunch spots because of COVID-19. All of the restaurants mentioned above also offer take-out and delivery with Waitr and GrubHub. When in doubt, check your local restaurants on Facebook for their up-todate hours and service.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7

10 QUES TIONS WITH by G I NA CASTRO

BRANDON VESSELS

photos by DEEP SOUTH VISUALS

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE ARTIST BEHIND THE GEORGE FLOYD MURAL

Brandon Vessels has been an artist as long as he can remember. He grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and served in the National Guard. After leaving the military, he began his career as an artist in Key West, Florida where he met his wife on a snorkeling trip.

The two moved to Pensacola and now have a baby together.

Pensacola took notice of Vessels’ artwork at the end of May when his mural of George Floyd on the Graffiti Bridge was defaced. Floyd is a black father who was murdered by police during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vessels painted the mural of Floyd a few days after Floyd’s murder. Shortly after the mural was completed, an unknown person splattered brown paint over the mural. The incident quickly spread all over social media and local news. People gathered at the bridge daily, and it became the spot for local Black Lives Matter protests. Vessels repainted the Floyd mural, added a mural of Tymar Crawford who was killed by the Pensacola Police Department, and multiple murals of historical black figures.

His artwork on the bridge erupted a whole movement in Pensacola and redefined the Graffiti Bridge. Downtown Crowd interviewed Vessels for a special edition of our monthly creative feature.

Let’s start with how you became an artist. What was the moment that you realized you wanted to be an artist?

I have always been an artist—since I was about old enough to hold a pencil. I always knew that's what I wanted to do.

I never wanted to be an astronaut or a scientist or anything like that. My dream was to make art for a living. I kind of got away from that for many years while being in the military. I had a different mindset when I was in the military. I found myself after I got out of the military in 2013. In 2013, I started pushing toward my art. It helped me heal and see who I was again. It helped me get out of the mindset I was stuck in.

So, did you begin your career as an artist in Pensacola?

I already had a professional art career in Key West, Florida. I was selling paintings in a couple of galleries down there.

I also painted live for music festivals.

8 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

I got into Art Basel this year for mural work. That’s really when my spray painting kicked off. I picked up spray painting a couple of times before, but I didn’t take it quite that serious then.

After Art Basel, I really progressed in spray painting and started pushing more into it.

One of the first times I saw your artwork was when you painted Salvador Dalí on the Graffiti Bridge. Is street art a passion of yours?

Absolutely. I really want to focus on street art. I still want to sell paintings and be in galleries and be an artist of that form, but I truly love giving to the public. Not everyone can afford one of my $5,000 paintings, but everyone can come see my art on a bridge or on a building. Dalí is one of the fathers of my art career. He just pushed me in so many ways to think outside of the box. Dali was a brilliant mind and inspired me.

Your mural of George Floyd on the Graffiti Bridge gained a lot of attention and even more when it was defaced. What motivated you to paint Floyd on the bridge in the first place?

It was Memorial Day night. I had just finished up painting an American flag in a soldier's hands with white gloves as being presented to the person who lost someone.

I was tired, came home and I was sitting down relaxing. I saw this video of Floyd, and it disturbed me to the point that I couldn’t even sleep. I can’t understand how you can stand there and video it; I can’t understand how a police officer can’t have some compassion for these people begging to let this man breathe. It just disturbed me on every level. Being an artist, I knew I had to do something. That was really the only thing I thought

I could do was go and paint something nice for the man. Bring awareness to his life and what's going on in our country. So, that very next morning, it was raining. It was like every sign in the universe was telling me to stay away, but I stayed out in the rain and painted his portrait.

When you finished painting it, what reaction were you expecting from the public?

Truly, I just thought it would be something nice to go do. Painting on that bridge is like a Mandela Effect. You do it one day, it’s gone the next. That’s what I expected. I expected it to be painted over. I didn’t expect it to be painted over the way it was painted over. Hate covered that up. I wasn’t going to let that be the last word. I intend to keep that up for the city. They obviously

want to see it. I had so many people reach out to me after the mural got covered. I had so many ask me to go back out there and paint it again. I had to. Not because I felt obligated but because I felt I needed to. That’s when the community made this a thing. We all came together when we saw the hate that tried to shove out our love. I got drawn into this whole movement. It birthed itself.

Have you ever been moved by the Black Lives Matter movement before?

Absolutely. I’ve had many brothers along the way who have been discriminated against. I was in the military. I fought side by side with these men and women. We bleed the same blood when we are hurt. I feel very strongly for this movement.

I see there is so much going on in our country. These people are being persecuted, and it's not right. Period.

Since your Floyd piece was defaced, people have been gathering at the bridge daily. Do you think your art has changed what the Graffiti Bridge means to Pensacola?

It brings me to tears to see the com-

munity go out there every day. I can’t express the level of gratitude I have for these people. They have come together to show love when everyone else has shown hate. It’s all because of a painting. That just touches my heart. I think there is going to be a shift in what's going on with the Graffiti Bridge. I think it will be used to memorialize events like this from now on. I believe that we have caused a big change here in Pensacola. Not only in Pensacola hopefully around the world we can be used as an example. People are still spraying what they want on the bridge. There is a new level of respect since the incident. They are not tagging over these memorials. I think that's absolutely beautiful because normally no matter what the picture is it could be Jesus, it could be a historical figure and people come out there and scrawl stuff all over it every night. I cannot believe that these paintings have made such an impact on our community.

You also painted historical figures, such as Tymar Crawford, Malcom X and Rosa Parks, in a similar style to Floyd’s portrait. Why?

I want to feature all of the historical African-American figures who have either lost their lives as martyrs or who have stood for a cause that is worthy. I feel like certain people should be immortalized, and the people who are on that bridge need to be immortalized.

How do you think being a part of this movement at Graffiti Bridge is going to impact your career as an artist?

Hopefully, it will make my voice louder. I would like to use that voice for good. I would like to go around the world making these messages.

That’s my dream is to spread peace with art. Bring love and culture across the world. It's the only way our society will continue to grow. We are in the new renaissance, in my opinion.

What’s your next chapter? Are you working on an art project for Pensacola?

I’ve started it. I didn’t intend to start it, but overnight, they raised $1,800 for paint for me. That woke me up.

I'm asking for $10,000. I want to approach our city council to make

10 murals across the city. I will donate my labor, and the $10,000 is a $1,000 budget for each mural to be completed. I want to do it on large buildings downtown. That way they can never be covered with hate ever again. I need possible business owners who are willing to donate walls.

I want these people to be memorialized forever, and that’s my message. A better way to do that is to approach business owners and actually memorialize them forever on a building. I definitely want one mural to be George Floyd. He is the one who sparked this whole movement.

I want there to be a list for the community to vote on. I don’t want it to be about me and my beliefs. I want it to be about bringing us together.

Vessels has since raised $2,700 toward this project. If you would like to donate, his Cashapp is $BrandonVessels. For more of his artwork, visit his Instagram @VesselsArtStudio.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9

YOUTH ART CLASSES

ADULT ART CLASSES

Glassblowing Classes • Age 8+ Classes offered Friday and Saturday Starting in July!

Ceramic Classes • Age 16+ Beginner-Intermediate Pottery on the Wheel Handbuilding • Sculpture

Saturday Morning Art Class Yoga & Art for Kids | Age 6–12 Creating with Clay | Age 6–Adult Mixed Media Exploration | Age 6–Adult

Pins and Needles • Age 16+ Sewing for Beginners-Intermediate 6 Week Class Starting: Sept. 10th • Oct. 29th

Youth After-school Art Programs Hands-on Art Making!

Art Lab | Age 9–13 Art Kids | Age 4–8 Youth Art Day Camps Offered on teacher work days and holidays!

Columbus Holiday–Oct. 12th Veterans Holiday–Nov. 11th Thanksgiving Nov. 23rd–25th

Creative Painting • Age 18+ Mixed Media Workshop 6 Week Class Starting: Sept. 12th • Oct. 31st

YOUTH ART SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED! APPLY ONLINE FirstCityArt.org

TAKE AND MAKE ART KITS! Rainbow Glass Fusing Kits come complete with a fun step by step guide, drawing warm-up, and everything you need to create a beautiful fused glass suncatcher at home.

FCAC will fire your piece and it will be ready to hang in your window!

Meditation and Art • Age 18+ Connect, Create, & Breathe!

Sept. 25th, 5:30–7:30 Dec. 18th, 5:30–7:30 Announcing Fall Dates Soon for Stained Glass, Kiln Forming, and Flameworking Classes!

CERAMIC STUDIO RENTALS FCAC offers affordable studio rental rates and firing packages for makers.

14th Annual Pumpkin Patch this October!

More Details Announced Soon

FirstCityArt.org (8 5 0) 429 -12 2 2

*FCAC is closely monitoring the recommendations of local, state, and federal health authorities and taking all the CDC precautions to ensure the safety of students and staff. Class sizes are reduced, and masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer are available to students. If a class is canceled or a student cannot attend due to a health concern they will receive a credit or refund.

Throughout his career, Jolly has provided marketing design and illustrations to a wide variety of industries. Some of his clients include ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Hennessy, John Deer, Burger King, and WNBC New York. In 2014, Jolly was picked to be the lead designer on the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. He was a part of researching the blueprints for a mid-size attraction, laying out all of the habitats and buildings.

Wine Bar Murals Pay Tribute to Pensacola

by Lilly Paradise

The Wine Bar, located on Palafox Street revealed a unique set of murals in honor all of the amazing aspects the area has to offer. Downtown Pensacola has been the place to celebrate any special occasion.

These murals represent the colorful and meaningful moments that may have slipped the city’s memory. Each mural depicts an event or scene that is prominent to the city: Seafood Festival, Mardi Gras

Parade, the Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Greek Festival, and the Blue Angels.

Homer Jolly is the master behind the art and has been living in Pensacola since 2000. His artistic vision began in New York as a designer for King Features Syndicate of the Hearst Corporation. Eventually, he worked his way up to Director of Advertising and Public relations for Hearst Entertainment.

Because events like Gallery Night, Pensacola Beach Pride Weekend and the Foo Festival were canceled due to COVID-19, many businesses like the Wine Bar had to create strategies to draw in more customers. The Wine Bar made several renovations just before restaurants and bars were able to reopen.

Jolly explained how important it was to reveal these murals once businesses reopened. “We redid the whole inside while it was shut down, so we rushed into it and started redoing everything,” Jolly said.

“When they announced restaurants to open back up, we were ready more than ever. They came in and redid all of the tables so they’re fresh and bright.”

The vibrant colors in the art light up the surrounding area. Each design aesthetically compliments each

other and stretches across the whole inside building.

The idea of the stick figures is to create emphasis on the surrounding scene, not the person. Jolly decided to create these stick figures to depict the beauty behind the people. It showcases Pensacola in a unique and artistic way.

His motivation behind the murals was to attract people to the restaurant and spark conversation about the cheerful events in Pensacola. The murals showcase many events like the Seafood Festival, which is three day event in September. “We wanted to celebrate Palafox,” Jolly said.

“We also wanted to make it whimsical and remind people of what Pensacola has to offer.”

Out of all of the murals, Jolly talks about why the Blue Angels flying over Pen-

sacola is his favorite piece.

“My favorite canvas was the Blue Angels because it shows the Saenger Theater, which is one of the great places here,” Jolly said. The Blue Angels are a pivotal piece of Pensacola history and have been around since 1946 in honor of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

The main mural located inside the restaurant sets the tone of the Wine Bar and illustrates the beauty of the building, as well as a tribute to Kent Stanton.

“Stanton was a well-known musician who passed away recently, and we wanted to respect him,” Jolly said. Stanton became an icon for downtown life and everyone looked forward to listening to his music. He played his guitar on Palafox regularly for decades and even sung original songs. Unfortunately DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 11

on April 26, 2020, Stanton died suddenly in his sleep.

He was a local legend and will live on forever.

Jolly explains the process of designing these murals. “I went out and took the photos and created my perspective. I took a piece of tracing paper and traced it on my big screen,” Jolly said. “I had three pieces of tracing paper for each one. Finally I scanned those and used that as the line art. I do all the coloring in photoshop.”

As you approach the Wine Bar it will be hard not to notice these beautiful designs. “The outside murals took about three days a piece to make and the

main mural took weeks,” Jolly said.

three

In light of the golden summer season, these murals add nostalgia to downtown Pensacola and remind people of all the good that goes on around them.

“I think people will start identifying with the events on the murals and remind them of what is going on down here,” Jolly said.

Come and visit the Wine Bar, open seven days a week, and enjoy the beautiful art. While you’re at it, enjoy a glass of wine while talking about the good ole times and the many more to come.

Summer Camp Enrollment Now Open!

Homer Jolly discussing the  meaning behind the murals he created for the Wine Bar.

• • • •

478-320-5913

Piano Music & Movement Singer/Songwriter Instrument Exploration

EastHillMusicFirm@gmail.com

East Hill Music is dedicated to providing a music lesson experience grounded in professionalism and personal enjoyment and betterment. We want to supply useful musical knowledge to our students so they can excel in future musical endeavors. We make sure our lessons are fun, but also very informative. We offer music lessons for all ages, and are running summer music camps throughout July!

12 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

1206 E Cervantes St, Pensacola | 

easthillmusic | easthillmusic.com

Explore together HistoricPensacola.org

Hey,

Sweet Thang!

by Dakota Parks

I

DON’T THINK WE NEED TO DO MUCH CONVINCING FOR OUR READERS THAT COLD TREATS ARE A MUST HAVE IN OUR BLAZING FLORIDA SUMMERS. After you get back from the beach, a stroll down Palafox Street, walking the dog, or even an indulgent bite to eat downtown, a frozen or ice-cold treat is the best way to take the heat off. Who am I kidding? Go get yourself a treat unprompted—just because you deserve it. We assembled the finest list of ice-cold goodies just in time for the heat of July, taste tested and approved by your very own Downtown Crowd staff! Cool off with some of these local treats!

AguaBerry

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photo by Guy Stevens

A Cordova Mall staple, AguaBerry offers a wide selection of fresh fruit treats. Along with acai bowls, agua fresca and fresh all-fruit smoothies, they also serve some Mexican, Spanish and Filipino inspired treats. Mangonadas are a spicy slushy drink topped with mangos and a chili powder candied straw that originates from Mexico. They also serve sweet and creamy horchata, which is made with rice, cinnamon and vanilla. Last but not least, their halo-halo from the Philippines with purple yam ice cream and a heap of ingredients is the perfect balance of nutty, earthy sweetness.

Beyond The Grape

Taking their roots from New Orleans, where they operated a wine smoothie business in the French Quarter, the Beyond The Grape wine smoothies are the perfect way to amplify your shopping and baseball experiences. Located in Cordova Mall and the Blue Wahoos Stadium, the wine smoothies currently come in the following flavors: Mango (Riesling), Pina Colada (Chardonnay), Peach (Chardonnay) and the number one favorite Hurricane (Merlot). Pro tip: grab a wine smoothie first thing before you start shopping at the mall for the most enjoyable sipping and shopping experience!

Pineapple Express

Did somebody say dole whip? Known for their healthy menu and colorful rice bowls, Pineapple Express also loves pineapple, which is the main ingredient in dole whip! This dairy free treat is the perfect healthy treat on a hot day. You can even spice it up a little with Tajín, which is flavored with Mexican chilis, lime juice and sea salt, which work together to enhance the flavors of fruit.

Dolce & Gelato

Walls donned with eclectic art, unique light fixtures with toy dinosaurs and Barbie dolls, a vinyl record shop Revolver Records and, of course gelato, this sweet spot tucked off 12th Avenue is a must try. The gelato flavors are constantly rotating and evolving, but the staple flavors include chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel, strawberry, pineapple and coffee using either De Luna Coffee or Café Du Monde. However, the gelato expert is constantly trying out new flavors like butterbeer, strawberry basil sorbetto, lemon mint and other seasonal fruits. Be sure to check out their events drag and gelato and the once-monthly poetry night—made all the better with delicious gelato!

Sno DASH

Rolled ice cream hit peak popularity when it trended on Instagram, but it hasn’t gone anywhere! Located in the Cordova Mall food court, Sno DASH rolls out customized treats with a variety of toppings. From strawberry cheesecake to banana pudding, fruity pebbles, cookies and cream and even cotton candy, there’s no limit to what you can create.

Pick a rolled ice cream base and top it with whatever you’re craving.

Quickly

Serving up delicious Vietnamese cuisine such as pho soup, nigri and sashimi, bún thịt nướng and a variety of bánh mì dishes, Quickly is also home to a full boba tea bar. Guests can pick the type of tea, flavor and topping for their boba teas resulting in a rainbow of options. Types of tea include green tea, black tea, Thai tea, milk tea and taro milk tea and some flavors include mango, peach, coffee, lychee, sour plum and avocado.

Big Jerk Soda &. .Mrs. Jones Coffee.

If you’re looking for an excuse to swing by the Nomadic Eats food truck for a rice bowl, pop inside for a Big Jerk Soda and a bottle of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew concentrate to take home, then here it is! The trio have teamed up downtown in one location to bring their customers the ultimate dining and refreshment experience. Big Jerk Soda Company creates allnatural sodas in a variety of flavors such as Cherry Limeade, Ginger Beer, Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Lavender Lemonade. Mrs. Jones Cold Brew comes in a variety of options such as concentrate, home brew kits and, of course, bottled cold brew.

Frios Gourmet Pops

You’ve probably seen people walking down Palafox Street with these colorful popsicles. They’re a hit for an easy summertime refreshment without the mess—perfect for a stroll Downtown Pensacola.

Frios offers a wide variety of gourmet pops including blueberry cheesecake, king cake, key lime pie, strawberry mango, blackberry ginger lemonade, cold brew and many more.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15

GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS N O W O P E N F O R D I N I N G. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE

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To make a reservation, call or visit each restaurant’s website.

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PENSACOLA EXPLORE PENSACOLA BAY CRUISES IN STYLE

by Gina Castro

Have you ever wished traveling to the beach was easier? Parking at Pensacola Beach can be an absolute pain. Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on the toll bridge and then circling the beach parking lots for a spot to park can be exhausting.

On top of that, if you plan on drinking, someone has to make the sacrifice of being the designated driver. You can skip this headache and maybe even see a dolphin or two when you ride to the beach by boat. Pensacola Bay Cruises, located downtown, has catamaran-style vessels that can transport you to Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach and back to downtown.

For $20 per person, Pensacola Bay Cruises can take you on a beautiful ride across Pensacola’s waters from

downtown to Fort Pickens to Pensacola Beach and back again. These cruises are available Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are good all day. Seniors, military and college students are eligible for discount ticket prices.

Guests under two years old receive complimentary tickets, and admission is $15 for children between the ages of 3 and 15 years old.

Guests with Escambia and Santa Rosa counties residence are able to purchase the discounted Locals card.

The card is a set of 10 tickets at the price of $15 each, and it’s valid all season for scheduled service.

Pensacola Bay Cruises has two vessels: Turtle Runner and Pelican Perch. Each vessel can fit up to 149 passengers. Kelly Langley, the Events and Sales Coordinator

for Pensacola Bay Cruises, said that due to CDC’s social distancing guidelines, the vessels’ new maximum is 111 passengers until further notice. Langley also stated that the staff are required to wear face masks and that they are following CDC’s disinfection guidelines.

If you’re worried about the Florida heat, they’ve got you covered. The vessel’s first level offers an air-conditioned interior, where Imported and domestic beer, wines, soft drinks and water are available for purchase. On this level, there are plenty of chairs and tables to relax and enjoy lunch. You can also walk around the boat once it’s moving. The second floor has an air-conditioned interior, a covered exterior and seating.

This is the optimal location for dolphin viewing.

Pensacola Bay Cruises has bicycle racks and storage areas to make it easy to enjoy the hop on/hop off tickets, which will allow you to explore much of what downtown Pensacola, Fort Pickens and Pensacola Beach have to offer. On select trips, National Park Service Rangers speak on a variety of subjects including wildlife and landscapes of the area.

Guests can hop off at any of the stops, enjoy a few hours there, hop back onto the boat to see another spot and then return to downtown.

Fort Pickens is the first stop.

Fort Pickens is a great spot for families and nature lovers. The Fort Barrancas area is filled with thrilling history from throughout the centuries. The Naval Live Oaks area has more than seven miles of

hiking trails. There is plenty to explore at this spot. The Fort Pickens admission fee is included in the boat ticket.

The next stop is to one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S.: Pensacola Beach.

The boat drops you off at Quietwater Sound, the heart of Pensacola Beach. This stop is in walking distance to the boardwalk, where you can easily have lunch or dinner at any of the restaurants.

If you brought your bike with you, you can go for a ride on the sidewalk along the beach. Once you are ready to leave, you can catch the boat back to downtown.

The boat will then take you back to downtown. There is plenty of free parking at the Port of Pensacola, so you won’t have to worry about needing to feed the meter DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17

Pensacola Bay Cruises’ vessels transport guests  to Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach and downtown.

while away. Downtown has a plethora of unique boutiques, restaurants and events. Each Saturday, you can take a walk through the Palafox Market.

On Sundays, you can partake in the Palafox Sunday Stroll, which is when Palafox is closed to all vehicles. After enjoying this stop, you can hop back onto the boat to head to the next location or call it a day.

Pensacola Bay Cruises also offers speciality cruises and private charters. The two specialty cruises are the Blue Angels Practice cruise and the Sunset cruise. Both cruises depart from downtown and tickets are $20 per person.

Even though the Blue Angels travel all over the nation, they come back home to the Naval Air Station to practice. There is no better seat for this spectacular air show than out in the ocean with nothing above 18 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

you but the great blue sky. This cruise lasts about two and a half hours. This special cruise is based on boat availability and the Blue Angels’ practice schedule. Visit Pensacola Bay Cruises website for specific dates and times.

Sunset cruises are a great opportunity to watch one of Florida’s gorgeous sunsets while out on the water. These cruises are only on Fridays and Saturdays. They last one and a half hours and leave downtown at 7 pm.

Private charters can be the venue change your annual event needs. For $600 an hour, you can have the entire vessel to just you and your guests.

Catering is optional. There is also 120 square feet of dance floor with space for a DJ. Audio and visual equipment is available. Pensacola Bay

Cruises has had several weddings and birthdays aboard.

For more information about Pensacola Bay Cruises, visit pensacolabaycruise.com.

Based on our square footage with recommended social distancing we can take 111 total. Typically our maximum capacity is 149. Staff required to wear face masks. We’re following CDC guidelines and taking proper precautions between each route are being wiped down and vigilant.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 19

MIKE DOLLEN CMDCM USN (Ret.) | REALTOR ÂŽ Designated Military Relocation Professional and Florida Military Specialist

850.207.1191 4475 Bayou Blvd, Pensacola mike.dollen@floridamoves.com

I specialize in military relocations and proudly serve our military community.

MILITARYMATTERS AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS PENSACOLA HOLDS AWARDS CEREMONY FOR RESPONDERS TO DEC. 6 ATTACK

from Jason Bortz, Public Affairs Officer, NAS Pensacola

“

May we be inspired by their examples and, as they did, may we always answer the call of our fellow man in a time of dire need.”

* Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Holly Barber, Navy Security Forces (not present for ceremony) Capt. Tim Kinsella, commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, presents medals to first responders at a private ceremony.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola held an awards ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum June 16, to recognize personnel assigned to NAS Pensacola’s Navy Security Forces (NSF) and Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast (FEMSGC) who responded to the terrorist attack onboard the installation Dec. 6, 2019.

The attack resulted in the deaths of three Sailors and injuries to eight individuals.

NAS Pensacola’s NSF were the first at the scene, soon joined by paramedics and firefighters from FEMSGC. Along with other local first responders, NSF and FEMSGC saved lives that day.

“Without hesitation, these brave men and women ran toward untold danger, not knowing if they would return,” said Capt. Tim Kinsella,

commanding officer of NAS Pensacola. “They stared pure evil in the face, they stood their ground and they saved lives.

"I am honored and humbled to present the security and emergency services personnel with these prestigious awards.”

Kinsella presented the awards to military and civilian personnel. The list of awardees and awards were: Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom Police Capt. Charles D. Hogue, Navy Security Forces Navy and Marine Corps Medal Master-at-Arms 1st Class Donald Scott, Navy Security Forces Master-at-Arms 2nd Class David Link, Navy Security Forces

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal * Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Joshua Johnson, Navy Security Forces (not present for ceremony) Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Medal for Valor Police Capt. Charles D. Hogue, Navy Security Forces Police Capt. Robert Johnson, Navy Security Forces Cassandra Avant, Navy Security Forces Daniel Dugger, Navy Security Forces Commander, Navy Installations Command Certificate of Life Saving James McCabe, Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast David Clark, Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast Chad Goetter, Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast Robert Wragg, Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast

Vice Adm. Yancy Lindsey, commander, Navy Installations Command, provided a prerecorded message for the awardees that was played during the ceremony.

“Your rapid response in a chaotic moment saved an untold number of lives,” said Lindsey. “Some of those in our audience today are here because of your courage and your service. They and I… salute and thank you.”

“May we be inspired by their examples and, as they did, may we always answer the call of our fellow man in a time of dire need.”

Due to concerns of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the ceremony was not open to the public. The ceremony was broadcasted live on the NAS Pensacola Facebook page.

The video can be viewed at www.facebook. com/NASPCOLA. Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Naval Air Station Pensacola, visit www.navy.mil/local/naspensacola/.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 21

MILITARYMATTERS

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class David Link Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Donald Scott Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Daniel Dugger Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Medal for Valor

Charles D. Hogue Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Medal of Freedom Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Medal for Valor

Cassandra Avant Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Medal for Valor

Robert Johnson Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Medal for Valor

David Clark Commander, Navy Installations Command Certificate of Life Saving

James McCabe Commander, Navy Installations Command Certificate of Life Saving

Chad Goetter Commander, Navy Installations Command Certificate of Life Saving

“

Without hesitation, these brave men and women ran toward untold danger, not knowing if they would return.�

22 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Robert Wragg Commander, Navy Installations Command Certificate of Life Saving

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