Downtown Crowd, February 2021

FEB. '21 Also in this Issue:

Military Matters

LOAVVaElenHtinUe'sRDTayS

an Armed Forces News Section

Playlist

V-DAY GIFT GUIDE o Best the Worst

f

Romance Movies

Date Ideas in the Midst of Coronavirus Free

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Submissions due by March 15, 2021 Editorial-style shots by your professional photographer are prefered.

Please include the names of the bride, groom and photographer.

These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

*The coin you see is an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) token, given to those in alcohol or drug recovery. The tokens give AA members a physical reminder to take sobriety one day at a time. *The coin you see is an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) token, given to those in alcohol or drug recovery. The tokens give AA members a physical reminder to take sobriety one day at a time.

We are a non-profit, faith-centered ministry offering food, addiction recovery services, housing, spiritual guidance and more to Escambia County’s most vulnerable and under-resourced residents.

850.912.8383 • BrightBridgeMinistries.org

*The coin you see is an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) token, given to those in alcohol or drug recovery. The tokens give AA members a physical reminder to take sobriety one day at a time.

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DOWNTOWN CROWD FEBRUARY 2021

Editor’s Letter

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Owner Malcolm Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden

Art Director Guy Stevens Graphic Designer Garrett Hallbauer

Editorial Interns Jesse Gann Fiama Mastrangelo Sky Rivera Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode Paula@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

My favorite part of Valentine’s Day is actually the day afterward.

Feb. 15, all of the festive candy gets marked for clearance, and I affectionately call it: Half Price Candy Day. It’s really odd how holidays get aggressively paired with capitalism to the point where the day isn’t even about the holiday anymore. It’s about what you bought or if you received roses. Those are the elements of Valentine’s Day I’ve always disliked.

However, the idea that the world somehow becomes just a touch more romantic on Feb. 14 and everyone gets butterflies in their tummies from just the thought of their sweetheart—I’ll always have a soft spot for that half of Valentine’s Day.

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. © 2021

7

Gina Castro, Editor

Editor Gina Castro

Editorial Assistant Dakota Parks

CONTENTS

For that, I’m a hopeless romantic. Love is one of the most precious gifts of all, and it’s the perfect gift to give any day of the year. In short, don’t spend a fortune on Valentine’s Day to tell your loved ones you love them.

Your love is enough.

Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way, we got quite the lineup for you this month. This issue has a solid guide to Valentine’s Day from COVID conscious date ideas, to a round up of gifts from local stores, a playlist for the lov-

ers and broken hearted and finally, the ultimate list of god-awful romance movies. You can enjoy these articles no matter your relationship status.

9

This issue takes a dive into the importance of African-American history. The Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center’s newest exhibit Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow traces the evolution of racism in the U.S. from the 1600s to current. The exhibit will be up for the duration of this month.

February is Black History Month, but don’t use this as an excuse to recognize black history only in February, the shortest month. African American history is American history, and it should be celebrated all year through. There are numerous ways one can celebrate black history. The Artel Gallery is showcasing Black Arts Matter - A Collaborative Show in the vault until Feb. 25. Admission is free. You can also enjoy films focused on the black experience.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, now on Netflix, tells the story of the Mother of Blues: Ma Rainey. It also features the late Chadwick Boseman. There’s also African Americans’ fascinating contributions to numerous music genres such as country, rock and punk.

How will you be celebrating Black History Month? Tell us on social media @Downtown Crowd.

14

17

22

18 7 5 Questions with Creatives

17 Valentine’s Day Essentials

9 Dismantling Racism through Education

18 Best of the Worst Romance Movies

13 Love Hurts: A Valentine's Playlist

20 February Events Calendar

14 Steal their Heart: Date Ideas in the Midst of Coronavirus

22 Military Matters ON THE COVER – Design by Guy Stevens

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 5

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5 QUES TIONS WITH

CREATIVES TIM UY

BY FIAMA MASTRANGELO

Pensacon may have been postponed this year due to the pandemic, but a local illustrator and character designer may have just the zest for fantasy that you need to get through the rest of this month. Tim Uy is a Pensacola native who uses his unique style of illustration to bring 2D characters to life. Uy’s expansive portfolio includes many pop culture favorites, such as Nintendo’s Mario and Luigi, Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Uy teaches graphic design courses at Pensacola Christian College, where he also received his master’s degree in studio art in 2017. In addition to mentoring the next generation of illustrators and graphic designers, Uy works as an illustrator for children’s literature, bringing a sense of adventure with him into every new project. You can find his work on Instagram @tim_ooee or on his website timooee. com. For aspiring illustrators, Uy’s YouTube channel, Timooee, has a variety of useful videos for improving your craft and gaining inspiration.

How would you describe your illustration style?

A lot of people have told me that I have a fun illustration style. There’s a sense of adventure and a lot of exaggerated shapes. I’m very cartoony in that way. Since cartoons and comics have been such a big influence in my life, I kind of subconsciously copied that way of illustration. I also like bright colors; there’s not a lot of muted colors in my own work.

How has the pandemic influenced your artistic process and inspiration?

Luckily, I didn’t have too much of a hard time with illustration, especially with my job. For inspiration, it definitely helped me out. For about a month, I had to be in quaran-

tine, and it led me to be very introspective. Being at my house and working from home, it forced me to try something new with my illustrations. I would try a different pose that I don’t normally do, or I would try drawing from a different angle than my illustrations are at right now. Maybe I’m just more introverted than I thought.

How have you used your art to connect with others in the age of social distancing?

You know, I never really thought about that when drawing. I guess being isolated can be hard for someone—if they looked at my artwork, and it’s something fun, it can cheer them up.

I just like to draw fun

things. On social media, when you post something, you have something to say as well. With everybody social distancing and being at home, maybe something I drew can inspire them.

Reginald and Ingrid are my favorite original characters of yours. Do you have any plans to bring your original character designs to life?

I don’t usually like telling people what I plan on doing; most of the time, I never follow up—that’s just who I am. I told my wife this— I’m not usually one for resolutions—but this year, I want to make a comic. It’s going to be really short and really simple, nothing serious. You won’t find Christopher Nolan doing a movie on my story. I really want to use those characters.

Ingrid is the one that stuck around for a long time. I created her in grad school, and I really want to include her in that.

What would you say to someone that is aspiring to be an illustrative artist?

I guess I would tell them what I tell my students: I think the most impor-

tant thing is to realize that your art does not equal your self-worth. What I mean by that is that art can be very personal to the artist. When I was a student, I would present my work to a teacher and they would critique it.

Sometimes it was good; most of the time it was bad.

When it’s a bad critique, it’s a learning experience, not an attack on your person or your art. It’s easy to graduate with all this knowledge of how to draw, but then you can see this overwhelming ocean of great artists and think “My art’s bad and I’m bad.”

Many times, people think they’re not good enough because they think their art isn’t good enough. It’s just something you have to learn to deal with. There will always be someone better than you. That’s not a bad thing. It would be a lot of responsibility to be the best.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7

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Y O U H A VE TH E P O W E R TO C H A NG E A C HILD’S LIFE. K NO W C H I LD A BUS E .

If African-American African-American history were were taught taught along with with American American history… history… more more people people would would understand understand the the dynamics dynamicsof of this this country country called called America.”

America.”

Dismantling Racism Through Education

by Fiama Mastrangelo he summer of 2020 marked a social justice awakening for many. Worldwide protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement sprang up in response to many African Americans who were murdered by police, especially the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Advocates turned to social media platforms to expose police brutality and explain systemic racism to those who chose to listen. But after a year of BLM peacefuls protests, spread of #ShopBlack and frequent discussions about systematic racism—many wondered “What is the silver bullet to racism? How do we end it for the next generation?” If you were to ask local historians, they would say education is the key.

Roger Williams University Nashville, Tenn. Normal Class, 1899.

Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

The recent exhibit Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow was brought to the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center in collaboration with the AAHSP. Voices of Pensacola is one of the many branches of Historic Pensacola and UWF’s Historic Trust. This multicultural center presents the heritage of Pensacola through the lenses of the diverse cultural groups that shaped the city into what it is today. The exhibit originated from the New York Historical Society as an eight-poster presentation detailing the African-American experience when Jim Crow laws were in effect. Dr. Howard curated the exhibit for its debut in Pensacola and tripled the content from the original exhibit. The exhibit now begins in the year 1619 and follows the evolution of racism in America from enslavement to Jim Crow to voter suppression and then mass incarceration.

“As a nation, we have not concentrated enough on teaching a complete history of the country. . . There seems to be a lack of understanding as to how we got here—this moment in history. If African-American history were taught along with American history, I think we would have a more educated citizenry, and more people would understand the dynamics of this country called America,” Dr. Cheryl Howard, the president and co-founder of African American Heritage Society of Pensacola (AAHSP), said. “Because we have not inBlack Citizenship in the Age cluded African-American history in of Jim Crow is unapologetiwith the rest of the history—subjucally accurate in detailing the gating it basically to the month of FebAfrican-American experience in ruary for Black History Month. Overall, Scipio Moorhead, Phillis Wheatley, 1773 Library of there is an incomplete understanding. Congress Prints & Photographs a country with a history of violence against them. This exhibit I think this exhibit [Black Citizenship in Division, Washington, D.C. was carefully curated to illustrate relevant exthe Age of Jim Crow ] is very timely; it’s probamples of history repeating itself in today’s ably the most complete coverage of the Afriseemingly unprecedented political climate. can-American experience, exhibit-wise, that As visitors walk through the exhibit, they are we have seen in a while [in Pensacola], and it presented with stories of children being sepahas been very well received.”

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9



Convicts leased to harvest timber. State Archives of Florida. ca. 1910.

stages. Mathis asserts that practices such as direct file support what the exhibit calls the “New Jim Crow.” Unpaid prison labor, mass incarceration and police brutality are new strains of the same disease that has been running rampant in the United States’ criminal justice system since its inception.

Prison is no place for a child to be raised.” 

Dr. Cheryl Howard, the president and co-founder of African American Heritage Society of Pensacola, curated the exhibit for its debut in Pensacola and tripled the content from the original exhibit.

rated from their families through state-sanctioned practices. The rise of the Ku Klux Klan is documented and supplemented with methods of voter suppression used by domestic terrorism groups to deny freemen their constitutionally protected rights. The exhibit includes accounts of how presidents used their positions to uphold racist doctrines and promote falsified “Lost Cause” narratives.

“Prison is no place for a child to be raised,” Mathis began. “We need people who understand the process of direct file to [hold] these state attorneys’ offices accountable. How did you direct file this child? What made you feel like they need to be direct filed? Did you follow these steps and guidelines?

Did you go to these schools and talk to their teachers or Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow follows the evolution counselors?

Why of racism from 1619 to today. did they do this?”



The presentation of these moments in national history flow seamlessly from one poster to the next. Systemic practices are broken down into digestible narratives for visitors of all educational backgrounds. The history is painful and soaked in blood, but it presents a very necessary reminder of why the status quo must always be questioned.

Franscine Mathis, a paralegal, local politician, and member of the AAHSP, emphasized the relevance of identifying forms of systemic racism present in today’s climate. Mathis identified the legal practice of direct file as an especially oppressive practice.

Florida is one of only a few states that allows prosecutors to charge minors as adults without the approval of a judge.

This practice of direct file enhances the school to prison pipeline that puts black minors into the prison system where they will not receive sufficient education, psychological services or familial support appropriate for their developmental 

10 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

The exhibit manages to accurately portray the stakes of repeating history while simultaneously lifting up black heroes. Harriet Tubman is celebrated for her bravery while Martin Luther King Jr. is revered for his leadership in tumultuous periods of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Howard indicated that the exhibit is still evolving during its stay at the Voices of Pensacola.

The current exhibit ends with the names of black citizens who have died from police brutality, but Dr. Howard wants the exhibit to end on a more uplifting note.

Thomas Nast. The Georgetown elections.

Harper's Weekly, v. 11, no. 533. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

“The last one will be a very uplifting final [poster],” Dr. Howard explained. “The one that is here now is very good also because I think it does remind us that black lives do matter—and we remember the catalyst for this awakening that we have had by asking [visitors] to remember these people. But I think that it is also important to show that despite the odds, what we have been able to accomplish.”

Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow will be featured throughout the month of February at the Voices of Pensacola. Admission for this exhibit is free.

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These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

We are a non-profit, faith-centered ministry offering food, addiction recovery services, housing, spiritual guidance and more to Escambia County’s most vulnerable and under-resourced residents.

850.912.8383 • BrightBridgeMinistries.org We are a non-profit, faith-centered ministry offering food, addiction recovery services, housing, spiritual guidance and more to Escambia

Love Hurts A VALENTINE’S PLAYLIST

by Gina Castro

S o n e gs v o L Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye

If I Ain't Got You

Alicia Keys

At Last

Etta James

Best of My Love

Break up Son gs

I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor

The Emotions

The Flamingos

I’ll Be There

Can’t Hide Love Earth, Wind & Fire

Forget You

thank you, next

I Only Have Eyes for You

The Jackson 5

1.

2.

3.

4.

Music is a powerful thing. Its melody and lyrics can inspire memories and even empower you. Since this month is Valentine’s Day, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few love songs on your playlist. The sultry tune of love songs just has a way of making you say… well, in the words of Marvin Gaye: Let’s get it on. On the other hand, break up songs, especially the upbeat ones, can help you release some pent up anger or even laugh at the silliness of past partners. But most of all, it’ll remind you that heartbreak doesn’t last forever. So whether you are belting these songs to your cat, reminiscing with your friends or vibing with your honey, this soundtrack of love songs and break up songs is sure to set the tone.

CeeLo Green

Ariana Grande

Before H Cheats e

Carrie Underw ood

Tyrone

Erykah Bad

u

Go Your Own Way

Fleetwood Mac

Bust Your Windows

Jazmine Su

llivan

Open the Spotify app on your mobile device.

Tap Search in the menu at the bottom of the screen.

Tap the camera.

Point your camera at the Spotify Code below.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 13

Steal their Heart

by Gina Castro

L

ove is in the air, or is that COVID-19? Honestly, probably a little bit of both. Valentine’s Day is this month, and even our pal Cupid is wearing a mask. The pandemic has managed to change how just about every holiday this past year is being spent. Although the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise once again, it’s become increasingly important to show love and support to friends, family and significant others (SO). This past year has been lonely for many. So if having a Valentine, whether it’s the love of your life, your mom or your BFF, brings you joy, indulge in it! Usually, people spend Valentine’s Day at a dinner and a movie. Restaurants and movie theatres are currently open in Pensacola, but some would prefer socially distant date activities instead. Although Downtown Crowd chose to focus mainly on socially distant date ideas, we did name a few dates that will be near other individuals. So, if you choose to do an option where there are others nearby, we encourage you to wear a face mask and remain six feet apart. This collection of fun date activities can each be adapted to fit couples, friends and family. Happy Valentine’s Day!

14 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Show Some Love for the Ice Flyers

This Valentine’s Day, the Ice Flyers are coming in swifter than cupid’s arrow. They started the season with an incredible 6-1 win against the Birmingham Bulls and are expected for another win Feb. 14 at 7:35 pm. If cheering on the sidelines during an action packed hockey game while drinking an alcoholic beverage isn’t an aphrodisiac, then I don’t know what is. But you don’t need a significant other to enjoy an Ice Flyers game. If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, grab a few friends to tag along with you. Hockey games just got better at the Bay Center. The arena has a new Samsung video scoreboard and two Samsung video walls. The Ice Flyers are also taking COVID-19 seriously. Guests will be socially distanced by pods of up to six people. Groups of guests who plan to attend the game collectively can sit together up to six people, and the groups of guests will be socially distanced from other groups in the arena. Masks are required in shared spaces outside of pods. Visit pensacolaiceflyers.com to purchase your tickets.

Book a Couples Massage

A professional massage is such an amazing form of self care. From the calming music to the soothing scents, massages are a magnificent way to relax. Many choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day with tons of chocolate and expensive nights out, but why not give you and your partner a gift your bodies and mental health truly desire?

Pensacola has a lengthy list of massage therapists. Some might even offer special couple Valentine’s Day packages. Visit Groupon to save some cash on this experience.

Photo by Guy Stevens

Date Ideas in the Midst of Coronavirus

Photo by C. F. Easton Photography

Reserve a Romantic Evening Downtown

Downtown Pensacola is filled with amazing restaurants, and many restaurants created delicious menus just for Valentine’s Day dinner. Award winning Jackson’s Steakhouse will be serving up 4-ounce beef tenderloin medallions with creamed spinach and small batch bacon, fried Louisiana oysters, roasted butternut squash mash with butter, cane and maple syrup. This dinner pairs excellently with Jackson’s handcrafted cocktails. Dinner at Jackson’s begins at 5 pm. For those looking for a more laid back scene with friends, brunch with mimosas is always a go-to outing. Jackson’s brunch is from 11 am to 2 pm. Great Southerns other local restaurants The Fish House and Angelena’s will also be serving brunch and dinner. Brunch at The Fish House is from 11 am to 3 pm and dinner starts at 3 pm. Angelena’s brunch is from 11 am to 2 pm and dinner starts at 5 pm.

To make a reservation at these restaurants for Feb. 14, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

Bumble

Dating Apps

If Tinder were created with the ladies in mind, it would be Bumble. In this app, the ladies make the first move.

Clover

A combo of OkCupid and Tinder but really customizable like ordering pizza online.

The League

Indulge in Your Creative Side

Learning something new is always exciting, but learning something new with your BAE by your side is an opportunity to create a memorable experience together. The First City Art Center has dozens of classes in ceramics, glass, painting, drawing and more. Perhaps you and your SO could create something for each other or even make something together that you’ll treasure forever.

Of course, this opportunity isn’t just for lovers. It can be just as special with your friends or family. The real sweet part of indulging in First City Art Center’s classes is you’re helping support Pensacola’s art scene. Visit firstcityart.org to see the available art classes. Masks are required while at First City Art Center.

Dinner and a Movie at Home

Dinner and a movie is a classic date night.

It's an opportunity for couples from first dates to marriages to experience something new together and then chat about it over dinner. But this date can become even more intimate at home. At home, there is much more of an opportunity to personalize your experience. For instance, you and your SO can bond over cooking dinner while sipping wine and jamming to our Love Hurts playlist. If cooking is not your thing, you can pick up food to-go from a local restaurant. Later, get cozy on the couch with a movie from our Best of the Worst Romance Movies list. A night like this can instantly turn into a fun night with friends and family. Check out our Valentine’s Day Essentials to see what items you need to make this night special, and of course, tune into our Love Hurts playlist to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit.

Looking for a match on your playing field? Your job title, college and LinkedIn are major factors in this app.

OkCupid

This app starts with an extensive questionnaire but has a Tinder like feel.

Her

Typical dating app but tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women.

Grindr

Tinder but just for men seeking other men.

Hinge

Have a lot of deal breakers? This app lays them out plain as day.

Book an Epic Scavenger Hunt

Looking to put your love to the test? Book a scavenger hunt downtown! Whether it's your first date, 207th date or just an activity with your pals, completing a scavenger hunt is sure to be a bonding experience. You can book an exciting scavenger hunt through the mobile app Let’s Roam. In this downtown scavenger hunt, you can explore Pensacola’s landmarks, art, culture and history.

You’ll be solving riddles and trivia questions that can only be answered at your location. If a scavenger hunt outdoors isn’t an option for you, Let’s Roam also offers a scavenger hunt inside your home, which is perfect for bonding with your SO or loved ones. No matter which scavenger hunt you choose, both hunts can easily be socially distanced activities. If you’re interested in booking a hunt, visit letsroam.com or find it in the app store.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15

Experience Stargazing

There is something incredibly beautiful and humbling about gazing at the night sky. This simple activity can easily become a romantic escape.

Just find quiet space without any light pollution such as the UWF area, the beach or any nature park near you. Then grab some pillows, blankets (extra if it’s a little chilly), a flashlight and some snacks. Get cozy and just take in the night sky. Don’t know much about constellations? Don’t worry. Just download the Night Sky app. It uses your location to help show you what stars, satellites and planets are shining above you. Who knows, you might even catch a shooting star. This activity is also an amazing learning opportunity for children and a wonderful bonding experience for all involved.

To make this night just a touch more romantic, play some soft background music and a bottle of wine. You can find the Night Sky app in the app store.

Have Date Night Brought to You

Why plan a romantic surprise for your SO when someone else can do it for you? Planning a surprise date with all the bells and whistles can be stressful, especially when you’re juggling work, kids and other priorities. Lucky for Pensacolians, there are two companies in the area who can take this labor of love off of your hands. Cora’s Custom Creations and Pensacola Picnic Co. both offer an event planning service where they set up a romantic meal for two. Cora’s Custom Creations brings the restaurant dining experience to your home—equipped with a multi course menu. Pensacola Picnic Co. offers an inclusive picnic service at any picturesque location of your choice. Although perfect for a romantic date in Pensacola, both companies can easily be adapted to suit a group of friends. These hands-off services are perfect for social distancing. To learn more about these companies, find them on Facebook.

Explore Nature

Now is a great time to hike nature trails with your SO, family or friends. The weather is a lot cooler, so you most likely won’t break a sweat or get too bogged down from the heat. Hiking is an excellent way to connect with nature and others. It’s an opportunity to detach from distractions like cell phones and TV. Plus, being out in nature boosts serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. Pensacola has so many amazing nature trails. Bay Bluffs Park is good for all ages and beginners. The UWF Hiking Trails is a huge area that includes bodies of water and multiple trails in the woods.

It’s great for bike riding, too. Then there are Big Lagoon State Park and Johnson’s Beach, which is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, in Perdido Key. Those two are a little ways away, but they are totally worth the drive. Wherever you decide to go, pack a picnic to finish out the trip.

16 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

This One’s for the Single Ladies or Lads

Not sure how to celebrate this holiday without a partner? Galentine’s or Broentine’s is your answer! Head to the Palafox Market with your friends to shop some local goods and grab Sunday brunch afterwards at the Fish House with mimosas by the bottle! Whether you want something sweet like their Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast or savory such as a Chicken Biscuit, they’ll have something for everyone on a Sunday morning! Make the most of it with your friends.

Valentine’s Day Essentials

by Sky Rivera

Nothing says romance like Valentine’s Day during a pandemic, right? Although times are a little stressful right now, Downtown Crowd is here to help you make the most of this romantic holiday and give you gift ideas and more! Whether you’re staying in or having date-night out on the town, our guide has you covered with local shops and services to make your Valentine’s Day a memorable one! Take this time to indulge yourself and do something nice for you and your special someone.

Chocolate

Candles Help spark the romance with a candle from the Rusted Arrow Mercantile. They have other small gifts and scents for everyone - whether you prefer sweet magnolia or earthy tobacco.

This Valentine’s Day, get the perfect sweet and sensual gifts like a chocolate dipped wine bottle, or chocolate covered strawberries from Peterbrooke Chocolatier. They will be available in white, milk and dark chocolate.

Flowers One could argue that it isn’t a proper Valentine’s Day without flowers. Get the custom bouquet of your dreams at the Petaler Flower Boutique, located inside the The Garden at Palafox & Main.They specialize in dried floral arrangements, fresh cut flowers, house plants, candles and unique gifts.

Shop their Instagram or their website for a more stress-free holiday!

112 Palafox Pl Feb 13th | 10am–10pm Feb 14th | 11am – 6pm

Contact Scarlett & Samantha at thepensacolapetaler@gmail.com

130 Palafox Pl Monday–Saturday | 10am–6pm Sunday 11am–4pm

Wine

Aphrodisiac

Staying in this year? Prepare for a romantic dinner at home by stopping at The Bottle Shop and indulging in your favorite bottle of wine.

Whether you want a red, white or rosé, they have a wine for everyone.

Want to bring an aphrodisiac into the mix? Stop by the Asher & Bee Apothecary and Teahouse to pick up the “Love Herb” for a romantic evening, or take it up a notch with the “Great Rite” for something a little more sensual.

118 S Baylen St

3014 N 9th Ave Suite B

Monday–Saturday | 10am–7pm Closed Sundays

Tuesday–Friday | 11 am–4 pm Saturday | 9 am–2 pm Closed Sunday and Monday DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17

Romance

THE BEST OF THE WORST

MOVIES

by Dakota Parks

Maybe you’re alone on Valentine’s Day this year or maybe you want to get together with the guys, gals and nonbinary pals to pretend it’s still possible to find love bumping into an attractive, albeit, facemask covered human at a coffee shop—not swiping aimlessly left and right on stranger’s selfies and photos of their dogs. If romance movies were truly accurate, 50 First Dates would be about self-induced amnesia to forget terrible Tinder dates and Must Love Dogs would be its own dating app entirely devoid of people still convinced that you can actually domesticate cats. Nonetheless, it’s the month of clearance chocolates at Publix and romance movies, so buckle up or cuddle up to your significant other and enjoy some cult classics and contemporary romance movies with questionable plotlines.

Pretty Woman

(1990) AMAZON PRIME If you don’t think a rich busi-

nessman falling in love with a prostitute and showering her with money, etiquette lessons and high-end shopping sprees is romantic, then you’re not the only one confused by this SugarBabies.com plotline. After 2020, I think we could all use a Richard Gere in our lives—maybe just his credit card and not the jealousy, possessiveness and toxic tropes that embody his character. Julia Roberts as Vivian shopping and singing Prince in the bubble bath is a mood though.

Titanic

(1997) HULU Ahh, a classic love story where

a poor artist saves a rich heiress and reinforces that class relations should go down with the ship. Sorry, no plot spoilers here, but Jack sets a high precedent for chivalry—painting you like one of his French girls and offering to do more than just hold a door for Rose. Cue every mathematician that tried to determine that door was big enough for two people.

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Never Been Kissed (1999) HULU

Sure, the main plot here might be Drew Barrymore trying to get her first kiss as a grown adult working as an undercover reporter, but let’s talk about going undercover as a teenager and catching feelings for the male English teacher at school. Yikes. That Ferris wheel scene gives off some uncomfy To Catch A Predator vibes.

The Notebook (2004) HULU

It might be the origin of your favorite meme asking your girlfriend what she wants to eat, but The Notebook remains one of the most popular Nicholas Sparks’ romances. When another wealthy heiress (seriously though, where do these rich women keep coming from), Allie falls in love with a poor lumber mill worker, Noah, the two fill an entire notebook with their drama and seem to make a habit into making out in the rain, or something like that.

The Vow (2012) HULU

What’s with romance movies and amnesia? You would think the last thing on someone’s mind after waking up from a coma is how to get the groove back on in the romance department. Apparently a voicemail is compelling enough for Paige to go home with a stranger from the hospital after completely losing her memory in a car accident. But her husband is dedicated to helping her get her memory back, one awkward surprise party at a time.

Friends with Benefits (2011) AMAZON PRIME

Admittedly any movie starring Justin Timberlake or Mila Kunis is dreamboat, but this rom-com is a classic that gets funnier each time you watch it. While most people just hope their friends with benefits share their Netflix password, lead characters Jamie and Dylan are convinced that they can remain platonic friends while having casual sex, meeting each other’s family and even climbing the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on a dare.

I’m sure you can do the rom-com climax/resolution plot map and guess the ending, but, hey, what did you expect?

Warm Bodies (2013) AMAZON PRIME

Finally, a zombie movie for the hopeless romantics. This romance/horror/comedy mash up starts out with a plague in an abandoned airport, (I know a little close to home currently), and reminds us that even the walking dead deserves to find love. Maybe it’s a little cliché—girl meets zombie and warms his heart, but, hey the soundtrack slaps and they made Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet dystopian.

The Lobster

(2015) HULU It’s weird, absurdist and

a classic A24 produced film. We’ve all imagined what animals we’d like to turn into as kids, but in this film, all single people have 45 days to find romantic partners or they’re turned into animals of their choice. For main character, David, that choice is a lobster and he’s accompanied by a dog, who happens to be his brother. People can extend their deadline only by hunting down other single people in the forest like The Most Dangerous Game or your aunt that constantly wants to set you up on a blind date.

Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) AMAZON PRIME

Notoriously trendy on Pornhub, this classic French film gets an A+ for making everyone that watches it crave pasta—yes, nearly every meal in this film features giant pots of spaghetti. When Adèle passes blue-haired art student Emma on the street, it sets her off on a journey of discovery, courtship and heartbreak. At nearly three hours long, this LGBT+ romance is filled with drama and a heap of emotional overeating that anyone post-breakup can relate to.

Love, Simon

(2018) HULU Have you ever fallen in love

with an anonymous person in an online chat room? Oh, the good old days of Omegle and Chatroulette, which totally didn’t emotionally scar anyone. The plot sounds vaguely close to that movie Her where the man falls in love with his computer, but it’s a little more wholesome. Simon, a 17-year-old closeted gay high schooler falls in love with an anonymous classmate online and sets out to discover who he is. Simon might spend half the movie in a relationship with his phone, but isn’t that just modern dating?

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 19

Black Arts Matter: A Collaborative Show

January 19-February 25 Join Artel Gallery in welcoming its vault display of the five artists who received notoriety for their amazing work on Pensacola’s Black Lives Matter street mural. Artel Gallery has invited them to showcase their artistry with them during the Celebrating Diversity Show.

The show offer a big welcome to: Carter J. Gaston, Kenneth Burrell, Ashley Gibson, Alys Richardson and Bobby Booker.

Celebrating Diversity

January 19-February 25 Diversity is beautiful. Artel Gallery has a diverse group of artists, a diverse selection of media, and a diverse array of exhibits all under one roof! Couple that with the gallery’s fresh new look and you have an amazing gallery experience! Come check out the exhibit and the winners in show.

An Evening with Poet and Author Claudia Rankine

February 4 Join the University of West Florida in an evening with Claudia Rankine, nationally renowned poet and Frederick Iseman Professor of Poetry at Yale University. Rankine will be sharing from her work “Citizen: An American Lyric.” In “Citizen: An American Lyric,” Rankine boldly recounts mounting racial aggressions in ongoing encounters in twenty-first-century daily life and in the media. As part of the Downtown Lecture Series, attendance is free, and the event is held on Zoom from 6-7 p.m.

Constant Coffee Open Mic

February 2, 9, 16 & 23 Join Pensacola Poetry at the longest running open mic in Pensacola at Constant Coffee & Tea. Every Tuesday of the week at 6:30 pm, poets and creatives come to flex their voices through poetry, rap and spoken word.

Come out and support the local arts community and hear a beautiful bricolage of words.

Kiss of Death Valentine’s Murder Mystery Dinner Show

February 5-6 Seville Quarter and Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre Presents: Kiss of Death Valentine’s Murder Mystery Dinner Show. Catch the newest show on Feburary 5th and 6th in Heritage Hall (Seville Quarter). Doors open at 6:00pm, show begins at 7:00pm. Purchase tickets through this event for $59 (includes service charge, tax not included). Ticket also includes choice of two entrees - see menu at checkout.

20 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

200 South Small Business Saturday

February 6 On the first Saturday of each month the 200 South will host the Small Business Saturday Promotion. This is an initiative to support local business friends and those that support them by buying their products, food and drinks. Bring in a receipt from a purchase made from another downtown business (it can be ANY downtown business) and receive 10% off your bill here at 200 South. This is redeemable at Graffiti Pizza, World of Beer, Taco Agave and Blend Lounge. *Must be a receipt dated that specific Saturday and can only be redeemed that same day.

2021 Double Bridge Run

February 6 Pensacola Sports is pleased to announce that the 2021 Double Bridge Run will go on as scheduled with a modified start and finish area. The 15K, 5K and 6K races will begin in front of the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. The 15K will run east toward Portofino, turnaround and run over Bob Sikes Bridge into Gulf Breeze. Registration is open at doublebridgerun.com. A complete COVID-19 safety plan will be in place for the race and can be found on the event website.

Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade

February 6 The annual Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade will set sail at 6:00 p.m. to do a loop around Little Sabine and from Sabine Marina make its way around the Santa Rosa Sound/ Boardwalk side. Come out and enjoy the show.

Gordon Open Mic

February 11 Come out and flex your artistic muscles at the newest open mic in town at The Gordon Community Art Center in Belmont DeVilliers. Every second Thursday of the month from 7-10pm is an open mic rich with musicians, poets, writers, comedians and a diverse crowd of performers and listeners. Whether you want to bare your heart or lend your ears, this is just the spot. The Gordon is following social distance protocol with mask usage at events.

Galentine’s Sip&Paint

February 12 Join 5eleven Palafox on for a night of painting and wine with the girls! This hands-on painting class includes: A full painting session with Uniquely Creative (materials included) and your beautiful creation to take home; a drink of your choice; access to full cash bar.

So, bring your best gal pals, put your smocks on, grab a glass of wine, and have a fun night painting with the girls! Doors open at 6:00PM and the class starts at 6:30PM!

February 12-14 Join Ballet Pensacola as they bring together the arts of Pensacola for a repertory evening of dance, music, and art. Joining Ballet Pensacola will be members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Little Theatre, and Artel Gallery, to name a few. Enjoy an evening of bringing the arts together in Pensacola!

Valentine’s Comedy Date Night

February 13 Come celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with comedy at the the Rex Theater, laughing the night away. Featuring stand-up comedian Byron Trimble and comedy magic from the The Illusionist, Tom Coverly. Perfect day night for only $35 per couple. Grab your tickets today.

Saenger Theatre Presents Encounters of Hope

February 13 Since 2007, a group of committed volunteers, including dancers and choreographers of the Chaddah Dance Company have performed its signature multimedia live program entitled Encounters of Hope for audiences in communities across the United States. The mission of Chaddah is to educate, activate and connect people within a local community so they can unite and fight for victims of trafficking in the cities where they live. For each performance, Chaddah invites local organizations to set up in the lobby. These organizations provide assistance and services needed to support efforts including prevention and protection education, identifying and rescuing victims, safe houses, and services to help with rehabilitation and recovery for victims.

Saenger Theare Presents: One World Many Voices

February 21 One World, Many Voices celebrates the diversity and possibility of our musical world. This choral concert is everything but traditional, and it features music of renown composers from around the world. Showtimes at 1:30 and 4:30.

Pensacola Opera Presents: Brown Bag Opera

February 23 Join Pensacola Opera each month during its season for a FREE mid-day performance by Artists in Residence. Featuring favorite arias, duets, and popular songs, these concerts are just what you’ll need to brighten up your afternoon. New for the 2021 season, you can either attend these concerts in person at the Opera Center, or you can livestream them right from the Pensacola Opera Facebook page.

Self-Awareness Symposium

February 24 Presented by Studer Community Institute and Clark Partington Attorneys at Law, this symposium will help attendees learn their values, personality type, needs, habits and emotions, and how they affect your actions and the actions of others. Through a hybrid approach of speaking (learning) and interactive activities (practice/doing), speakers will help attendees communicate effectively, manage stress, make better decisions and ultimately lead others to do the same.

Celtic Woman Celebration

February 25 The four fantastic Celtic women soloists – Tara McNeill on fiddle and Irish harp who weaves her magic around the spine-tingling voices of Mairéad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and Megan Walsh – touch the hearts of a global audience with the centuries-old Irish tradition of telling stories through song: stories of the land, stories of love, and stories of dancing that bring a piece of Ireland to audiences everywhere. Get tickets to the show at the Saenger Theatre.

Haiku Death Match

February 27 Join the Poets Roundtable, The West Florida Literary Federation and The Asia Project at Emerald Republic Brewing Co. from 6-9pm for a haiku slam like no other. Come watch as local and regional poets go head-to-head in a rapid-fire poetic competition. The winner of the competition takes home an Emerald Republic Brewing Co. gift card.

Ice Flyer’s Schedule

February 14 Macon @ Pensacola. Game starts 4:05.

February 19 Macon @ Pensacola. Game starts 7:35.

February 20 Birmingham @ Pensacola. Game starts 7:05.

February 21 Huntsville @ Pensacola. Game starts 4:05.

Photo by C. F. Easton Photography

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Ballet Pensacola Presents: Voices of Art

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T

ordo G e h n Community Art Center

A place to create, inspire and connect. . .

a place for everyone.

Rentals:

• Studio for classes & performances • Music Room • Theatre Arts Library

Open to all:

• Outdoor Community Garden • Lobby • Adjacent Parking

The Gordon Community Art Center 306 N DeVilliers | 850.857.8961 | TheGordon.org

MILITARYMATTERS

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAVY READINESS: CIWT’S LREC TEAM PROVIDES WORLDWIDE

LANGUAGE, REGIONAL EXPERTISE, AND CULTURAL TRAINING RESOURCES

by Glenn Sircy, Center for Information Warfare Training

I

t’s no secret effective communication, enabled through skill in foreign languages and understanding of foreign cultures and regional dynamics, is paramount to Navy readiness in order to fight and win during Great Power Competition.

So, did you know there is a dedicated team of professionals onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station, 22 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Pensacola, Florida, persistently working to develop, update, and provide various culture orientation and foreign language training resources, free of charge, for Department of the Navy personnel and family members?

As a critical force multiplier, the Navy’s Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture team, as a part of the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT), delivers training

on foreign cultures and languages to prepare Navy personnel for global engagements to strengthen ties with enduring allies and cultivate relationships with emerging partners.

The Navy’s LREC program is part of the DoD-wide program, and managed to maximize LREC capabilities through recruitment and accession policies, skill development, maintenance, enhancement, employment,

and incentivizing of skills aligned to mission needs.

LREC courses, presentations, and working aids present general information about the nature of culture and specific information about particular cultures, including history, geography, ethnic groups, religious institutions, societal norms, culturally-driven individual behaviors and etiquette, and culturally-appropriate and taboo be-

MILITARYMATTERS haviors of many nations. All resources support the Ready Relevant Learning, or RRL, initiative of Sailor 2025 by providing the right training, at the right time, in the most effective manner for our Sailors.

Olmsted Scholar Program; foreign war college) • Cryptologic technician (interpretive), or CTI rating • Foreign area officer, or FAO community

The Every Deployment - Global Engagement, better known as Navy EDGE, Cross-Cultural Competence course talks to cultural barriers and the importance of cross cultural communication. The EDGE course, Culture Shock, describes the phenomenon and its effects. It also identifies symptoms of culture shock and provides strategies to avoid and mitigate it.

Don’t hesitate to explore and utilize these resources to better prepare yourself and your teams to succeed in sustained, day-to-day deck-plate diplomacy. To order culture or language training materials, schedule language training or testing, access pertinent instructions, or just ask a question, please contact the LREC team: Commercial: 850-452-6736; DSN: 312-459-6736; culturetraining@navy.mil; languagetraining@ navy.mil; and languagetesting@navy. mil.

Culture-specific EDGE courses exist for the overseas fleet concentration areas of Bahrain, Italy, Korea, Japan, and Spain and for China, Iran, and Russia, nations of strategic interest. Cultural Orientation Training presentations, or COTs, are for the Sailor visiting a foreign country or engaging with someone from a foreign culture. Currently, COTs are available for 37 nations with more under development. EDGE courses and COT presentations are on Navy e-Learning, Navy e-Learning Afloat, and the Navy Global Deployer Application for mobile devices.

The Global Deployer App works on Apple and Android devices and is tied to the Navy’s Learning Management System; Sailors completing EDGE or COT courses via the app receive credit for course completion in Navy e-Learning and their Electronic Training Jacket. To find CLREC training on Navy e-Learning, navigate to the course catalog and search for the key words, “EDGE” and “COT”. The Navy Global Deployer App is free and available for download by anyone from iTunes and Google Play.

Numbered fleet operations orders mandate commanding officers ensure their crews establish and maintain cultural awareness when visiting foreign ports and when operating in and transiting foreign operating areas.

“We have designed our cultural and language training to support Navy mission and to permit commanding officers to satisfy combatant commanders’ theater-entry training requirements,” said Christopher Wise, director of the Navy’s LREC office.

“Satisfying training mandates is… well…mandated, but our goal is to have those using our training materials and participating in our instruction acquire the knowledge and skills to feel comfortable in the foreign environment, to help them have positive experiences and interactions, and to be great ambassadors for our Navy and nation,” said Wise. “Sailors who understand others’ cultural perspectives better understand their environment and are better able to shape their own attitudes and behaviors.”

In addition to culture and language training, LREC manages foreign language testing administered for Navy personnel at various sites throughout the world.

“We’re excited to be able to provide language testing services,” added Wise. “Measuring foreign language proficiency through testing gives Navy leaders insight to the language capabilities available to them and, for a Sailor, a language proficiency score can establish eligibility for training, a new career field, or a special assignment. Demonstrated proficiency may result in award of secondary Navy Enlisted Classifications, Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus pay, and / or college credit. There are many benefits to testing.”

Presently, due to COVID, testing is limited to those who require testing.

Normally, Navy foreign language testing sites offer the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB), the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT), and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

The DLAB measures the aptitude for foreign language learning by the typical native English speaker and screens personnel for: • Assignments requiring foreign language training (e.g., Personnel Exchange Program; Attaché duty; Defense Threat Reduction Agency;

To learn more about LREC along with their products and services, visit: https://www.netc.navy.mil/CIWT/ NavyLREC/ With four schoolhouse commands, a detachment, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT trains over 22,000 students every year, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.

For more news from the Center for Information Warfare Training domain, visit https://www.netc.navy. mil/CIWT, www.facebook.com/ NavyCIWT, or www.twitter.com/ NavyCIWT.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 23

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