Downtown Crowd, January 2021

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a's l o c a s en P g n i ry t o a t r s i b e H l s Ce ra G i d r a M

JAN. ‘21

Fitness Deals & Discounts Soundtrack of the New Year Planting Roots for the Future Bruce Beach Revitalized

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DOWNTOWN CROWD JANUARY 2021

Editor’s Letter

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Owner Malcolm Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden

CONTENTS 7

Gina Castro, Editor

Editor Gina Castro Art Director Guy Stevens Graphic Designer Garrett Hallbauer Editorial Assistant Dakota Parks Editorial Interns Jesse Gann 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

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

Welcome to the New Year! And congrats on surviving 2020.

Each New Year starts out with excitement and hopefulness for the future. As we step into 2021, I think we’re all really hoping the horrors of last year won’t follow us into 2021. Unfortunately, time is a social construct, so nothing has changed. But! You can be the change you want to see in the world.

Your New Year's resolutions don’t have to be focused on just self improvement. Do you think COVID-19 regulations are negatively affecting local business?

Then stop shopping at Walmart and only support locally owned businesses. Don’t think your problems are being handled by locally elected officials? Speak up at the next City Council meeting Jan. 21, at 5:30 pm, or send your district councilmember an email. My point is that every day we have the opportunity to make a difference, so let’s take advantage of that this year.

Pensacola Mardi Gras has been rescheduled to May, but don't worry we have something to help you through the Mardi Gras season without a parade. We looked into Pensacola's long history of Mardi Gras celebrations and

handpicked some of the most interesting stories. You can read all about it in this issue.

8

There are some new developments sprouting at Bruce Beach.

Francis M. Weston Audubon Society is working to make this waterfront a habitat for migratory and native birds. You can read all about it in this issue.

For everyone with the New Year’s resolution about getting healthier, we've got you covered. We rounded up all the gyms downtown that are offering membership discounts.

So not only can you get a good workout in but you can also get a good deal! Lastly, we all know how important it is to start the year off in the right state of mind, so we collected a playlist of bops that you can jam to all year through.

11

12

For more Downtown Crowd content, follow us on social media @DowntownCrowd.

Happy New Year!

17

15 7 5 Questions with Creatives

15 Fitness Deals & Discounts

8 Bigger Together 11 2021 Playlist

17 Planting Roots for the Future

12 History of Pensacola Mardi Gras

21 Military Matters

19 January Events Calendar

ON THE COVER – photography by Guy Stevens

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 5

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5 QUES TIONS WITH

CREATIVES CAL DERMO DY

BY JESSE GANN

Cal Dermody, 23, is a music producer and DJ from “Earth.” Growing up as a military brat, Dermody lived in numerous places across the states, and even Italy, before settling in Pensacola where he finished middle and high school. Dermody went off to college in Mississippi and Nevada before moving back to Pensacola to finish his degree. He is currently studying Computer Information Systems at the University of West Florida. When he isn’t in school, Dermody hosts EDM events in the Pensacola area through the production company Floored Presents, where he serves as co-owner. You can stay tuned with Dermody on Instagram @iamcalmusic or listen to his music on Soundcloud and Spotify. Follow Floored Presents on IG @flooredpresents for upcoming events.

What started your journey as a producer in the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) world? Was it a festival?

I was originally motivated by my best friend Spencer Bagley to first go to a music festival. It was senior year of high school in 2015 and he bought me a ticket to go with him to EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) in Orlando because his mom did not want him to go alone, so he brought me along. I fell in love with the intensity and raw power of the stage and how much mayhem there is. When I was transitioning into college and was playing sports, I was a track athlete at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. I felt like I was achieving everything I could be doing already. The lack of progress in music though gave me more motivation.

I relate the journey of sports to music in a sense that anything can be achieved if you put in the work. I am more competitive with myself in music than I was with sports. I spent eight years playing sports.

Upon getting into college, I quit my first semester when I could’ve spent that time making music. With music, I enjoy obtaining the creativity of music that was not fulfilling me in sports.

What was the biggest obstacle with transitioning out of collegiate sports into producing EDM more seriously?

So at USM, in 2016, I found myself surrounded by people who weren’t very likeminded. It was demotivating because no-

body around me liked EDM. People would avoid talking to me because they knew I liked dubstep. I found myself DJing at a frat party and would often get criticized for playing my kind of music. Sometimes even heckled. “Bro you gotta turn that stuff off.” People would be very condescending towards me. “Oh you listen to that fruity space music?” Eventually, I moved to Las Vegas where EDM and music festivals are plentiful and continued to work on music after leaving Mississippi. I was taking recording technician classes at University of Nevada at Las Vegas, which drastically helped my technical skills of producing.

What is your process for creating your music? Favorite genre you like to work with?

Trap and Dubstep are my favorite to pro-

duce, but I am also really great at producing future bass music as well. The creative process comes and goes, and sometimes you need to force it out or it won’t happen. When you grind through the difficult stuff, everything comes together. The beginning is always the hardest part. The most difficult part is creating something from nothing. I really like to use external synthesizers and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) devices. Mine are composed of two pads and a keyboard. I make beats on a beat pad and I like to make them from scratch. I’ll make the drums and synthesizers with my MIDI beat pad. After that, I’ll quantize my sounds so that the notes will be in place, and everything will be on beat. Then, depending on the genre of music I am producing, I will make a bassline. Once I have the bassline I like, I’ll duplicate it and create variables of the sound that changes the structure, and once I have multiple bass sounds I like, I’ll mold them into different parts of the song in an appealing rhythmic nature. It is a lot of trial and error. I really like to play with the physical instruments of electronic music. I heavily rely on my piano too; I have been playing piano since I was a kid.

What is the biggest challenge that you have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I have been producing more and spending more time on school and family. I dedicated an old bedroom in my house to a full on studio. It has allowed me to

dedicate more time and sometimes produce later into the night more. Due to the pandemic, I’ve played only two shows in October and November this year. The lack of social gatherings has been my biggest challenge though. It stifles my motivation when it comes to producing music because I feel like I’m not connecting with people, and music is something I use to connect to people with. I greatly miss the raw energy of a reacting crowd. That reaction helps me solidify that I am doing what I should be doing.

Where do you hope to see yourself in the future? Do you ever want to create beats for other artists in other genres or musicians?

I want to be able to play a festival circuit.

I just want people to be able to have the same joy in my music as I do. I want people to be able to feel the same emotions I did at my first EDM show. I want to hopefully play at EDC Las Vegas one day and bring it all back together and help people feel the way I did when I was in the crowd.

To be a well rounded producer, you have to know how to produce different types of music, so it would only be beneficial to work with other creatives. Some might call that a sell out, but I think it would only be more helpful. I would like to also see success in between my friends and I. I would like to see success in every aspect of my life amongst my peers, and we all can grow together and prosper.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7

Match Specialists continued to pair Bigs and Littles together virtually and sent out weekly virtual kits to facilitate matches. The kits included new activities for Bigs and Littles to do together and promoted education and assistance with homework, as students were still adapting to virtual schooling. Bigs and Littles can now see each other in person wearing masks and following CDC guidelines, but the video chatting tools have brought them closer than ever and still allow them to stay connected between inperson outings. The theme of this year’s virtual gala comes from the support system vital to the BBBS mission: bigger together.

BIGGER

TOGETHER

Big Gala Goes Virtual

by Dakota Parks

or the last seven years, Big Brothers Big Sisters NWFL (BBBS) has been celebrating its biggest black-tie fundraising event of the year, the Big Gala. Each year, around 400 sponsors and community supporters dress up, dawning their best formal wear and head to Skopelos at New World for live music, a cocktail hour, silent auction and a paddle auction to support the mission of BBBS. Like many nonprofits facing canceled fundraisers and abiding by social distancing guidelines, this year, the Big Gala has gone virtual. On Jan. 15 from 7 – 8 pm, attendants can tune in to YouTube Live from the comfort of their home, sporting comfy pajamas or even their favorite black-tie ensembles.

Director of Development Dana Hall explained how BBBS has adapted virtually to keep Bigs and Littles connected through COVID using innovative technology. “It’s hard to know the long-term effects of social distancing on children, both academically and socially,” Hall said. “So, we really felt like mentoring was an essential service to these kids and we had to keep them connected. The goal is to support our Littles and be defenders of potential. Every child has potential, but some just need a little additional push of motivation in order to see and reach that potential.”

8 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

kits will feature different photo props, flowers for centerpieces, wine and small appetizers.

“I think one unique thing about the virtual gala is that several people are planning mini–Big Galas at their homes and they're going to get dressed up like normal,” Hall explained. “I think that's what our community is craving—just that slight sense of normalcy.

If you want to dress up in black tie and send in photos, we would love that. If you want to put on PJs and get comfy while you watch, we love that too. We just want to keep everyone safe and healthy and celebrate together.”

“We are bigger together The virtual platform also We want to celebrate that support because of our comallows for a bigger audimunity supporters,” Hall system and let the community know that ence to tune in, including said. “We are bigger to- we still need help funding our matches.” friends, families and prigether because of our or matches across the matches and the incredible things that our matches country. The live stream is free to attend and open are able to accomplish together. One thing that I love to the public. January is also National Mentorship about the bigger together theme for the Big Gala is Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters NWFL is openly that everyone—from a viewer to our staff and board, recruiting new Bigs—especially male mentors.

Bigs, Littles or their families have all experienced this.

We have all been impacted by this year and the chal“We are constantly looking for strong male menlenges posed by it. We want to celebrate that support tors to be matched with boys on the match waiting system and let the community know that we still need list. Men are a little harder to recruit as mentors and help funding our matches and making new matches these kids are at a pivotal point in their life that havfor kids on the waiting list.” ing a strong male mentor and role model would really help them. Being a mentor isn’t extremely time Proceeds from the Big Gala go directly toward supconsuming. It’s two to four outings a month and a porting child mentorships and the work that BBBS weekly touchpoint that can be a phone or video call does for the community. During the live stream, CEO just checking in on your Little. Those small check-ins Paula Shell will give a presentation, a Big and Little and outings together can really make a difference in a will video in to share their match story, and the stachild’s life,” Hall said. ple auctions will go completely digital. Celebrating sponsors is also a vital part of the gala as well. LoTo learn more about the Big Gala and volunteering as cal businesses and families that sponsor BBBS will a mentor, visit: www.bbbsnwfl.org. get recognized on the live stream and receive a hand delivered Bigger Together At Home Gala Kit. Bigs and Littles will be delivering kits to sponsors wanting to celebrate at home with a small gala watch party. The

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History of Pensacola

Mardi

by Gina Castro

Gras

Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Pensacola since Spain colonized the Gulf Coast. Although the celebrations fizzled out several times throughout the years and, at one point, for 50 years straight, Pensacola has always welcomed a good Mardi Gras celebration. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Mardi Gras looks different this year. The Krewe of Lafitte Parade and the Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade are cancelled. The Pensacola Mardi Gras Kick-Off Celebration and Parade have been rescheduled to May. Even though Mardi Gras festivities have been cancelled on the Gulf Coast, Downtown Crowd found a way you can get your party on—vicariously, of course. We found some interesting tales of Pensacola's Mardi Gras past.

So, grab yourself a slice of King Cake and laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll).

12 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

The First Priscus King

The date Pensacola named its first King of the Carnival is still not 100 percent clear. Multiple articles from the Pensacola Gazette in the UWF Historic Trust suggest that Pensacola had been celebrating Mardi Gras since the early 19th century, while other articles suggest that Pensacola has been celebrating since Spain arrived here. The Historic Trust dates the photograph of Pensacola’s first King Priscus, A. C. Blount, in 1900. While Pensapedia and the President of Pensacola Mardi Gras believe A.C. Blount was named king in 1874. Although the official year of the first King of the Pensacola Carnival is unclear, the origin of the name Priscus is clear. Priscus is the name of Rome’s fifth king: Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Priscus is known for having a good time. He is said to have established the first circus. Priscus was also known for his lavish wardrobe. He wore a purple robe with a gold crown on his head. Perhaps he is why purple and gold are the prominent colors in Mardi Gras.

The Best Mardi Gras in History

If you were to ask Pensacolians from the 20th century which year Mardi Gras was the best, apparently they would say 1915. The Feb. 17, 1915 headline called the event “The Best in History.” The moment that turned this parade up a notch was when King Priscus XVI made quite the entrance.

Instead of arriving at the parade in a regular old car, B.S. Hancock took to the sky. He flew an airplane above a crowd of thousands, but Hancock wasn’t the only one turning heads. Gladys Pierce was a shocking choice for queen. The Pensacola Gazette said “She was not a parlor queen at all.” The article states that Pierce seemed like a peculiar pick because she was a woman of business. Past queens had been ones of beauty who stayed home. Pierce on the other hand went to college in Baltimore and was even a part of the Army. The article named her “the first queen of a new era in Pensacola.”

The Creation of One of the Oldest Pensacola Krewes

The Mardi Gras Hiatus

Although there were numerous private parties celebrating Mardi Gras, Pensacola’s official parades were skipped several times throughout the decades.

In 1919, the Pensacola Journal reported that due to the world war, Pensacola skipped Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras wasn’t celebrated again, officially, until 1922. The spike in the need to celebrate again was probably a result of the Florida Land Boom, which caused many people to migrate to Florida, and the exciting Flapper era.

The festivities fizzled out again after 1930 due to the Great Depression. Fortunately, that final Mardi Gras was filmed by the naval air station’s school of photography. The Saenger Theatre showed the film for several years. Mardi Gras took a 50 year hiatus, but it was brought back to life in 1977.

If there is a group Pensacola could credit for keeping public Mardi Gras festivities alive in the city, it’s the Krewe of Lafitte.

This krewe was founded July 15, 1954. An article published May 15, 1957, states that the krewe was originally founded to host a parade and ball during the Fiesta of Five Flags week. As the number of krewe members grew, the Krewe of Lafitt’s celebrations got larger. They named their first king and queen, Harrison Wells J. and Mrs. Owen M. Ward, June 8, 1955. The krewe kicked off their Mardi Gras festivities with an invitation only cocktail party at Hotel San Carlos. Then the krewe hosted an after-dark parade. The krewe’s May 15, 1957 festivities included a parade of nine floats, which each cost $1,400, 10 bands, horses from the Mobile Mardi Gras and a 21-gun salute. The krewe closed out the night with an invitational ball. Today, the Krewe of Lafitte is the largest all male krewe in the Florida panhandle, and the krewe hosts the Krewe of Lafitte Parade each year. The krewe hosts several other parades and balls throughout the year, too.

Mardi Gras Returns

1977 shaped up to be a spectacular year for Mardi Gras. After 50 years of silence, the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce formed a Mardi Gras Committee. The committee rounded up eight hard-kicking bands, bluegrass groups, the UWF Black Gospel Singers and many other musical groups. Pensacolians flooded the streets to see the parade on Palafox Street.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 13

First African-American Krewe Forms

The Krewe of African Kings was established in 1990.

The krewe was formed by Martin Lewis and male members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Downtown Pensacola. The African Kings participate in the Krewe of Lafitte Parade, Mardi Gras Grand Parade and Fat Tuesday Parade in New Orleans, to name a few.

They also host an invitational black-tie ball each year where they select the year’s king. The queen is a guest who is randomly chosen at the ball through the cutting of the Queen’s Cake (King’s Cake). The African Kings also participate in the Krewe of African Queens annual Ball. Krewe of African Queens hosted its first ball in January 2003, and its Annual Ball is considered one of the top social events of the year in Pensacola.

Meet the Pensacola Parade People

The only store in Pensacola dedicated solely to parade supplies, Pensacola Parade People has been a part of Pensacola since 2012.

Mother and daughter Terry and Audrey Preston have been a part of the Mardi Gras scene for decades. When Terry moved to Pensacola with her husband in 1978, they and Terry’s parents joined krewes in Pensacola. Audrey grew up eating moon pies and catching beads.

Mardi Gras was the family’s favorite holiday. After the 2011 Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade, Terry and Audrey realized that they were tired of having to drive out to nearby cities to purchase throws for their krewes, so they decided to open up Pensacola Parade People.

“People have been very supportive of our store here in Pensacola.

Most of the krewes here make a point to shop with us because they want to support us,” Audrey said.

For Mardi Gras, Audrey and Terry estimate they sell about 3,000 to 5,000 cases of beads or around one million individual beads annually. But they don’t just sell products for Mardi Gras. They have products for all of Pensacola’s festivals, including Christmas and Fiesta parades. Visit paradepeople.com for all your parade needs.

Pensacola Mardi Gras Continues to Grow

Pensacola Mardi Gras, the organization, was handed down the city’s Mardi Gras celebration from Mardi Gras of Pensacola, which was run by David and Bonnie McDonald. The McDonalds hosted the Grand Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade and the Fat Tuesday pub crawl called the Priscus Procession for about 25 years. Danny Zimmern, who is now the Pensacola Mardi Gras President, along with several other volunteers had been lining up the floats for the parade for a couple of years. In 2000, the McDonalds passed the grand parade to Fiesta Pensacola. Fat Tuesday didn’t have an event that year. Zimmern and his volunteers helped Fiesta manage the parade by lining up the floats. After hosting the parade that year, Fiesta decided to pass it on to Zimmern. Zimmern and his volunteers became Pensacola Mardi Gras.

Although Pensacola Mardi Gras’ first year in 2001 was successful, it had its challenges.

Zimmern said that the organization lost $15,000 that year. “We didn’t know what we were doing yet, so with that loss, we went from being interested to being invested,” Zimmern said. “We took it all on at full force the next year. We decided that we had to either get smaller or bigger, and we didn’t want to get smaller.”

Zimmern said that they focused on growing the grand parade and Fat Tuesday since the Krewe of Lafitte Parade on Friday and the Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade, hosted by the Krewe of Wrecks, on Sunday were each excellent events. In 2011, the Executive Director Amy Newmen, who is from Louisiana, came up with the idea to launch a kick-off event on the 12th day of Christmas, which is the official start date for Mardi Gras everywhere.

Although the 12th day of Christmas is Jan. 6, Pensacola Mardi Gras chooses the closest Friday to the date.

This year, the kick-off has been postponed to May. What would have been Pensacola Mardi Gras' 20th year has been transformed to a unique one-time 2021 Carnivale Celebration. This celebration will lead into the Grand Fiesta Parade, which will be June 4, 2021.

The Carnivale will be cautious of COVID-19, too. It will still be a series of socially responsible events that include masks, socially distanced seating and dance areas, temperature checks at the entrances, and all transactions including entrance and purchases will be cashless using a special RFID technology. No matter what situations face Pensacola, Mardi Gras is always a hit in this city. In 2019, a survey found that people spent more than $18 million during the three-day Mardi Gras weekend. For more information about this upcoming event, visit pensacolamardigras.com.

14 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

FITNESS

DEALS & DISCOUNTS

by Dakota Parks

W

Move Period

Personal trainers utilize strength and conditioning training to exercise the whole body with resistance training and conditioning from a beginning intensity to high intensity. Through intensity progression, workout adjustments and daily focuses on different areas, Move gives everyone the ability to train like an athlete in a supportive group format. The first week is complimentary as a trial as each day is a different workout.

Anytime Fitness

hether you’re looking for a new gym or considering trying out a new fitness style to burn steam and let out stress, the Pensacola fitness scene has you covered. From traditional gyms, to cycling studios, personal fitness trainers, CrossFit, Jiu Jitsu, Pilates, boxing, yoga and pole dancing, there are endless possibilities to work up a sweat and get your heart pumping. With various discounts, trials and free classes, you can try out new programs and clubs to find out what works best for you. Local clubs have been dedicated to implementing COVID safety precautions and social distancing measures like mask usage, limiting occupancy, spacing out equipment and stations, offering virtual classes and lowering the number of members in group fitness classes. Visit club websites and social to find out more.

is offering discounts on 6-month packages, which can be shared with a spouse or family member and apply at either Gulf Breeze or Pensacola locations.

Packages include: 20 Pilates Equipment class package for $440 (savings of $60). 20 Pilates Mat class package for $195 (savings of $45). This package is applied for mat, TRX and yogalates classes. 20 Pilates or Gyrotonic private one-on-one sessions for $700 (savings of $200).

Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA

The YMCA welcomes new and returning members to “Join in January” and pay no Joiner’s Fee – a $50 savings. Membership includes access to everything in the YMCA branches, including strength and cardio equipment, all group exercise classes (including Zoom classes), KidZone childcare, pool, steam and sauna.

Nationwide membership also grants members access to more than 90% of Ys in the country when traveling.

Disko Lemonade is a mindfulness focused fitness studio and yoga school with a storefront boutique featuring activewear. The studio offers heated power yoga, inferno hot Pilates, yin yoga and barre classes. On January 22-24, Disko Lemonade will be hosting its annual free weekend for prospective members to try out classes. If students sign up during the trial weekend, they can receive an intro pass for $29, which includes a month of classes and two buddy passes.

Pure Pilates

URU Yoga and Beyond

Pure Pilates offers class instruction in Pilates, Aerial Yoga, Gyrotonic, Yogalates, Barre, TRX and Kangoo Jumps. Through the month of January, Pure Pilates

rope wall, yoga acrobatics, aerial silks yoga, circus arts, hot yoga and restorative yoga. In January, new members can sign up for New to URU for 30 days unlimited for $50. Other offers include four private yoga sessions for $100 and one year unlimited for $700.

BEutiful YOU Studio

At this studio, you can dance, laugh and have fun while breaking a sweat and getting a good workout.

Focused on high energy and body positivity, BEutiful YOU offers classes in Vertical Pole Fitness, Burlesque Cardio, Body Heat Yoga and more! Through the month of January, new students can enroll in the level one 6-week vertical pole course for $50 off. The regular $125 price will be discounted to $75. Each class is limited to 4 students per class and there are eight different levels with six-week courses for each level.

Disko Lemonade

With three locations and over 60 teachers, URU Yoga is a bustling yoga community that offers many different courses for different levels and ages. Some courses include beginner’s yoga, Vinyasa yoga, gentle yoga,

Several franchise groups throughout Pensacola will be participating in the “Join for $1 Campaign” from Dec. 28, 2020 to Feb. 2, 2021. The normal security activation fee of $49.99 is waved to $1 during the campaign.

For the first 30 days of membership, new members are limited to their sign-up club, but afterwards receive access to over 4,000 gym locations. Anytime Fitness clubs hold in person and virtual classes every week and are open 24/7.

Revolt Fitness

Get focused on fitness in the New Year through Revolt Fitness’s SlimDown Challenge 2021. From Jan. 11-Feb. 21, you can sign up for this 6-week challenge for $155. It includes a step-by-step guide on what to eat to encourage weight loss and body fat loss led by a nutrition coach, 6 weeks of unlimited functional fitness group classes at Revolt Fitness led by a certified coach, access to the Revolt Fitness app and eligibility to win cash prizes.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Downtown

Learn how to protect yourself through martial arts.

Gracie offers classes for men, women and children every day of the week. With military and family discounts and flexible class schedules, training is made simple.

For the first month, members can receive 50 percent off tuition. Prices vary depending on consultation.

Ride Society

At Ride Society, the first ride is always free! Led by an instructor in a dark indoor cycling studio, rides combine the influence of music, calorie torching cardio and the harnessed energy of the group to create 45 minutes of beat-bumping, sweat-dripping, unapologetic fun.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15

STAY STRONG TOGETHER

20 Pilates Equipment class package for $440 (savings of $60).

20 Pilates Mat class package for $195 (savings of $45).

This package is applied for mat, TRX, and yogalates classes.

20 Pilates or Gyrotonic private one-on-one sessions for $700 (savings of $200) The pilates packages can be shared between friends and family members.

They are also honored at both locations in Downtown Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.

Information on pilates packages can be found at www.purepilatespensacola.com.

FIRST CLASS FREE! Downtown Pensacola Gulf Breeze 221 Gulf Breeze Pkwy 426 South Palafox 850-607-2772 850-932-3424

Planting Roots for the Future

Community Works to Establish Habitat for Birds at Bruce Beach

by Gina Castro Photos by Joelle O’Daniel-Lopez & FMWAS

I

n the first decade of the 20th century, Bruce Beach played a major role in Pensacola’s maritime industry. In fact, it’s believed that this waterfront was created in the early 1900s as a result of dredging, the process of removing sediments from the bottom of waterways to make way for boats and ships. In 1917, the Bruce Drydock Company dredged thousands of cubic feet of sand creating several acres of Bruce Beach.

The environmental degradation from the maritime industry came to light more than a decade after the shipyard closed. In the 1950s, Bruce Beach was among the only recreational areas open to black residents under segregation, so the waterfront became a beloved gathering place for the black community. Because residents were unaware of the toxins, sunken debris and the steep dropoff feet from the shoreline, several young black children drowned at Bruce Beach. Black citizens filed a $1 million lawsuit against the City of Pensacola for its negligence— resulting in the waterfront being left dormant for nearly 50 years. In October 2018, the City cleared the overgrowth, picked up trash and created a road to the waterfront. From there, they installed lights in the dirt parking lot, created a handicap parking spot, installed a fence around the property, put in benches and built an overlook. The City also added signage detailing the history of the site.

Now, Bruce Beach has been given the opportunity to be reborn once more as a bird habitat.

Eastern Bluebird perching next to a recently planted Bald Cypress tree.

Cont. J

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17

The Francis M. Weston Audubon Society (FMWAS) is spearheading the Native Trees and Plants for Native and Migratory Birds at Bruce Beach project, which is a partnership between FMWAS, the University of West Florida, the City of Pensacola government and City Council.

Since one of the greatest threats facing birds today is loss of habitat, FMWAS reached out to the City to come up with a plan for Bruce Beach to be a habitat for native and migratory birds. In coordination with the City, SCAPE and Community Redevelop-

“When migrant birds come from the Yucatan Peninsula, where they spend their winters, Pensacola is one of the first places that they see. Because migrant birds follow north flowing waters, they are brought into the bay and navigate by using coastlines,” Brower continued. “They've never had a reason to set down at Bruce Beach because they don't see the indicators of food. When they see the indicators of food, they'll sit down, and some of them will nest here. Some of them will press north. But right across the bay, we see 90 different species in migration at Fort Pickens.

There's no reason it shouldn't be this way here as well.”

One of the many reasons the CRA is funding the Bruce Beach Redevelopment project is that it’s one of the Gulf Coast’s last undeveloped Gulf Coastal lowlands, which makes it an ideal habitat for local and migratory birds. With this established food web, FMWAS estimates that Bruce Beach can become a habitat for 80 different species of birds.

Long-tailed Skipper and Common Buckeye butterflies also benefit from the redevelopment.



ment Agency (CRA), FMWAS planted three groves of native trees and their associated tiered-understory of smaller native trees, shrubs, bushes and ground covers on the upper bank slope of the Washerwoman Creek Basin at Bruce Beach.

President of FMWAS, Michael Brower explained that planting these native plants is crucial for forming a habitat for these birds because it's an indicator to the birds that food is here.

18 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

The Longleaf Pine Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Escambia County Master Gardeners and experts from UWF and University of Florida selected the native trees and plants for native and migratory birds at Bruce Beach with the objective to replicate the ecosystem that existed here before colonization.

A grove of Live Oak and Sand Oak copse were planted near the coast of Bruce Beach and were augmented by Chickasaw Plums, wax myrtles, more than 50 native shrubs, perennials and selfseeding annuals including, rusty lyonia, inkberry, summer sweet, possum haw, saw palmetto, yaupon holly and winged sumac. The rest of the Live Oaks will be planted once the footbridge, which will

run across Washerwoman Creek, is built.

The Bald Cypress grove was planted in the middle along the bank of the creek, and Dahoon Holly, Sweet Bay Magnolia, wax myrtle trees, swamp lilies, scarlet hibiscus, swamp milkweeds were planted around the grove.

The third grove of Native Red Mulberry and Persimmon were planted on the edge farthest from the coastline. Its understory consists of oak hydrangea shrubs, American Beautyberry shrubs and sweet shrubs, and a meadow of native milkweed will be planted in the spring.

Brower explained that these groves can not only protect the coastline but also help heal the past years of pollution.

“These native Keystone trees are long survivors. We're planting them in groves because we want their roots to intertwine, which gives them more wind resistance,” Brower said. “They also clean the air. They're very pollution resistant, hydrocarbon resistant, and they do the CO2 capture. They're also phytoremediate, so they will take up the nutrients in the soil, bind them up and keep them from being oxidized into the air.”

Although these groves were only planted at the end of November, wildlife is already being drawn to the area. An Eastern Bluebird was spotted resting on a stake of a recently planted Bald Cypress tree. This bird is a natural pest manager as it eats insects.

One of the benefits of planting Keystone trees is that it creates a sustainable environment for more than just birds.

“Doug Khatami’s research has proven that Keystone trees produce 75 per-



100 volunteers gathered at Bruce Beach to plant the groves of native plants.

cent of the food web for birds and insects,” Brower said. “So with these specific native trees, we're upping the opportunity for attracting more and more native birds and the insects that they eat.”

While tending to the plants, volunteers saw a long-tailed skipper perched on the mulch surrounding one of the new plants. Skippers lay eggs under the leaves so that the caterpillars can feed on the leaves. Common Buckeye butterflies were also seen on Spanish Needles, a native plant that is an important plant for pollinators in Florida.

Revitalizing Bruce Beach has only just begun. Eventually, the Community Maritime Park will connect to Bruce Beach, and Bruce Beach will become an educational nature park with a focus on environmental sustainability.

“We think it's going to be very vital to the community. It's an important part of the link of who Pensacola was before it was developed,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Its natural history goes back thousands of years, so we're very happy to be a part of that.

We're happy to commit to being involved with native species that will help native birds flourish." W

JANUARY CALENDAR January Haiku Challenge

January 1– February 1 Sponsored by West Florida Literary Federation, the Haiku Challenge is a prelude to Pensacola’s February Haiku Slam, a new event featuring local poetry lovers and performance artists. The slam is the brainchild of the Poet’s Roundtable, a collaborative group of local poets organized by Poet Laureate Katherine Nelson-Born and local poets Charles McCaskill and Asia Samson. In the January writing event, participants are challenged to write a haiku, a short three-line poem, each day from the prompt or theme posted at WFLF’s Facebook page. The challenge will lead up to a poetry slam in February and celebrate National Haiku Month, designated for the shortest month of the year, February. Participants may share their haikus at the Haiku Slam in February.

Polar Bear Plunge 2021

January 1 Wash off 2020 at the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce’s annual Polar Bear Plunge. Head to Pensacola Beach at 2 p.m. and plunge (safely) into the Santa Rosa Sound. To practice effective social distancing, this year’s event will take place at its signature spot, Paradise Bar & Grill, as well as Red Fish Blue Fish, the family-friendly area. Registration begins at noon and the fee is $15 cash per person and participants will receive a Polar Bear Plunge t-shirt or a $10 registration donation to participate without the t-shirt. All proceeds go to the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce to fund events on the Island.

Pensacola Ice Flyers VS. Hunstville Havoc

January 2 The Pensacola Ice Flyers are hosting the Huntsville Havoc for Small Dog Race Night at the Pensacola Bay Center! Join the Ice Flyers on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 7:05 p.m. for a night of dog chaos on the ice. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticket Master or in-person at the box office.

Waterboyz Winter Classic Surf Contest 2021

January 2 Come out and watch or sign up to compete in the 2021 Waterboyz Winter Classic. This annual surfing contest will be held at Navarre Beach Pier from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first division winner will take home

the largest cash prize in the history of the Winter Classic: $2,500! Cash prizes are available for second and third place winners as well. Competition slots are limited. Attendants can sign up online at www.waterboyz.com/collections/events.

YIKES! Open Mic Comedy

January 7 Join Emerald Republic Brewing Company for its weekly open mic.

YIKES! Open Mic is Pensacola’s best (and only) Open Mic Comedy Show.

Hosted by Rampantly, the open mic will make you say YIKES—and welcomes newcomers and pros alike!

With a wide-open outdoor beer garden, good brews and loose screws, there’s nothing to lose. Beck’s Jamaican Kitchen will be serving up bites. Sign-Up is at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m.

Military Appreciation Night - Pensacola Ice Flyers Game

January 8 The Pensacola Ice Flyers are hosting the Birmingham Bulls for Military Appreciation Night sponsored

by Navy Federal Credit Union at the Pensacola Bay Center! Join the Ice Flyers on Friday, Jan. 8 at 7:35 p.m. as they celebrate our great service members. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticket Master or in-person at the box office.

Pensacola Mardi Gras Kick-Off Celebration

January 8 Join Pensacola Mardi Gras from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at their annual

kick-off celebration. The party has undergone COVID safety precautions and modifications: located in an outdoor venue, with contactless transactions, mask guidelines and a smaller attendance capacity. Attendants can enjoy entertainment from The Chee-Weez, an 80s and 90s rock and roll party band from New Orleans. Krewes will also dawn the stage in costume to receive their customary certificates. Tickets can be purchased online.

The Illusionist: Comedy Magic Show

January 9 Join REX Comedy at the REX Theatre from 7-8:30 p.m. for The Illusionist comedy magic show. The Illusionist has performed for nearly 4 million people LIVE. Grab your tickets for the most hilarious and mind-blowing 75 minutes of your life. Tom Coverly, The Illusionist, will have you on the edge of your seat as he performs the impossible. This show is full of audience participation that will have you laughing for years to come.

Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Expo

January 10 Getting married in the near future?

Please join The Bridal Loft at the Pensacola Bay Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day dedicated to helping YOU plan your perfect wedding!

Incredibly talented wedding vendors will be on site, with displays, samples and tips to help you with planning your most special day: venues, photographers, florists, decorators, DJs, caterers, salons and more.

Engaged couples in attendance are eligible to register for door prizes including a grand prize honeymoon.

Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance.

Cast Iron Filet & Shrimp Cooking Class

January 11 Cooking in cast iron can be intimidating, but this class will show you how to make pan-seared filet alongside a fabulous shrimp dish! Surf and turf is an iconic entree, learn how to cook this fan favorite from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Leave this class feeling ready to

pamper yourself at home with this decadent dish. Join Bodacious Family of Shops from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for this cooking demonstration.

Everything Sushi Class

January 16 Join Pensacola Cooks Kitchen in a sushi-101 class from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Following CDC guidelines and temperature screenings, the kitchen is “rolling" out the red carpet for our customers introducing the latest Hands-on Sushi Class. This class provides an opportunity to learn traditional sushi making skills, creating variations of the basic rolls, including design tips and techniques. Each student receives a sushi mat and recipes to take home after learning how to make signature dishes.

MLK Parade Pensacola 2021

January 18 The annual parade celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day will occur in Downtown Pensacola from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For announced parade route and details visit “MLK Parade Pensacola 2021” on Facebook.

Pensacola Opera presents “Carmen”

January 20, 22 & 24 Pensacola Opera favorite Elise Quagliata is Carmen— opera’s ultimate seductress whose charms cannot be tamed. Under the power of her spell, rival lovers force her to make a deadly decision. Bizet’s grand operatic masterpiece returns to Pensacola in an exciting spectacle, led by stage director Fenlon Lamb (Don Giovanni, 2020).Unable to join in person? New this season, consider joining Pensacola Opera for a special live stream experience!

Grand Opening: The Busy Bee Mercantile & General Store

local gift baskets and goods. The grand opening of the store will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony with Council Woman Teníadé Broughton of district five.

Great Southern Restaurants presents Winter Restaurant Week

January 25–31 The Fish House, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Five Sisters Blues Café and Angelena’s Ristorante Italiano will once again team up to present Winter Restaurant Week: Four restaurants, three courses, two seasons and one price of $33. In step with similar events in cities all around the country, Restaurant Week is a culinary celebration that offers residents and visitors alike world-class dining at a great value. Chefs from each restaurant will prepare a threecourse, fixed-price dinner menu utilizing the best in local and seasonal ingredients, showcasing their culinary expertise, for $33.00 per person, per restaurant. Menus will be available at each restaurant Monday, Jan. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 31, beginning at 5:00 p.m. along with our standard dinner menus.

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-firstcentury 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.

January 29–30 Join Asher & Bee Apothecary and Teahouse for the grand opening of its sister store, The Busy Bee Mercantile & General Store, a brand-new health-focused grocery store. Located next door to Asher & Bee at 3002 N 9th Avenue, the grocery store will feature healthy and affordable lunch items, fresh fruits and produce and DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 19

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ROBERT GEAN Broker/Owner GRI, MRP, MFP Retired Air Force

850.206.0395 3025 King Street Pensacola, FL 32526

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IT’S HERE! We are excited to announce that our Men Who Cook charitable cookbook, presented by The Law Office of J.J. Talbott and Brown Helicopter, Inc., is now available FOR SALE! Order Online TODAY at PaceCenter.org/MWCCookbook

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Sweet Deal: Buy 2, Get One 1/2 Off!

All proceeds of the cookbook will directly benefit Pace Center for Girls Escambia-Santa Rosa.

Cookbooks now available for pickup or delivery.

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Contact Rachel at rachel.mock@pacecenter.org

Pace Center for Girls Escambia-Santa Rosa 1028 Underwood Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504

MILITARYMATTERS

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NEW NAVAL INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT EVALUATION PROGRAM PROVIDES MODERN FOUNDATION FOR FLIGHT TRAINING

by Anne Owens, Chief of Naval Air Training Public Affairs

feel confident moving through the pipeline. Working with MFI mentors and applying appropriate study techniques early on is expected to reduce the number of initial progress checks, ready room UNSATs, and reduce academic failure overall.

T

he first 33 students graduated from the Navy’s new Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE) program aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Oct. 14.

NIFE, launched in September, combines and replaces the Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) and Introductory Flight Screening (IFS) programs, which have been in place for decades.

NIFE is the first step in the undergraduate aviation-training pipeline for every student naval aviator and student naval flight officer in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It is designed to provide students with fundamental aviation knowledge, introduce military procedural-based training and performance standards, provide aeronautical adaptability screening, decrease attrition later in the training pipelines, and improve

overall student performance during Primary flight training.

Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) facilitates the 8 1/2–week program, delivering students to Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) for their first flight experience in Navy aircraft.

While students will still get their first flight hours in civil aircraft with mostly civilian flight instructors, NIFE introduces students to military procedures earlier than ever before. NIFE also incorporates military flight instructors (MFIs), who provide flight instruction, serve as mentors, and oversee students’ progress throughout the program. This allows MFIs to manage students’ expectations of Primary training requirements, provide assistance to underperformers earlier, and lay the foundation of students’ military aviation knowledge so they

“The restructuring of NIFE is a major step forward in CNATRA’s vision for the Naval Aviation Enterprise,” said NIFE Director Cmdr. Mark Yates. “Students are briefing, preflighting, and executing procedures in flight just like they would in Primary, Advanced, and the fleet. When NIFE students arrive in Primary, they will be very comfortable with how to prepare and execute sorties. We have essentially moved the learning curve to the left with expectations of higher performance in Primary.”

NIFE is divided into two parts: ground school and flight. The first is what was formerly known as API. It covers the gamut from physiology and water survival to aerodynamics, weather, and engineering. The program includes five academic exams as well.

Students then progress to the flight phase where they review Primarystyled course material, conduct briefings, aircraft pre-fight inspections, and execute airborne procedures just as they would in Primary flight training and beyond. Instruction has a greater focus on Navy Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) and relies less on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) flight training programs. The goal

is to develop a more confident and successful flight student throughout the remainder of training.

The aeronautical adaptability-screening portion allows the earlier application of Naval Aviation processes to identify active and passive airsickness.

Students who are unable to achieve success due to physical considerations will know earlier to pursue alternate career choices, reducing Primary attrition and instances of airsickness.

“NIFE represents a generation leap in preparing students for success in Primary,” CNATRA Assistant Chief of Staff for Training Capt. Steven Hnatt said. “The program will shift skill set development to the left, reducing time to train and increasing competency for the officer beginning Primary. This permits opportunity to train to a more challenging Primary, Advanced, and FRS phase. We are training for victory in the high-end fight - each level of training becomes more sophisticated from year to year. The demands on skill sets and required competencies continue to increase based on the threat we train to as directed in the National Military Strategy.”

Ensign Kyle Roberts, a native of Chicago who grew up in Orlando, Florida, is currently enrolled in NIFE. He attended Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice in 2016 before commissioning via Officer Candidate DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 21

MILITARYMATTERS School in Newport, Rhode Island. He has already completed the ground school portion of NIFE and three of seven scheduled flights in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, a single-engine high wing civil aircraft.

“My favorite part has been the academic challenge,” Roberts said. “My degree is not in a related field so this is all new to me. I’m learning so much about aviation in general and it has been really fun.”

Roberts is on track to become a naval flight officer and will report to the

“Wildcats” of Training Squadron (VT) 10 at NAS Pensacola for Primary flight training in a T-6A Texan II turboprop aircraft. VT-10 graduates select either jets and go on to operate in EA-18G Growlers or F/A-18F Super Hornets, or they select “big-wing” aircraft and go on to operate in the P-8 Poseidon, EP-3 Aries, E-2C/D Hawkeye or E-6 Mercury.

NASC provides an educational foundation in technical training, character development, and professional leadership to prepare Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and partner

nation officers and enlisted students to become combat-quality aviation professionals. CNATRA trains the world’s finest combat-quality Naval Aviation professionals, delivered at the right time, in the right numbers, and at the right cost to naval forces that are ready to fly, fight, lead, and win.

For more information on NASC or the NIFE program, visit the NASC website at netc.navy.mil/NASC.

NASC MEMORIAL SERVICE, AWARD CEREMONIES HONOR VICTIMS OF NAS PENSACOLA TERRORIST ATTACK f rom Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

N

aval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) held a memorial service and wreath laying and Purple Heart Medal ceremonies at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Dec. 4.

The memorial service and wreath laying marked the one-year anniversary of the Dec. 6 NAS Pensacola terrorist attack that left four killed, including the shooter, and eight injured.

“It was almost one year ago today during a despicable and cowardly act of terrorism that Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Walters paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), who was the ceremony’s guest speaker. “As we lay this wreath for 22 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

our three fallen shipmates, we honor their bravery and their sacrifice.”

The ceremony also recognized those who were wounded during the attack – Ensign Kristy Lehmer, Ensign Brianna Thomas, Airman Ryan Blackwell, Airman George Johnson, Jessica Pickett, Capt. Charles Hogue, Deputy Matthew Tinch and Deputy Jonathan Glass.

“Today, we continue to mourn those who lost their lives,” said Garvin. “We also pay tribute to the eight Sailors, Marines, government civilians, Naval Air Station Pensacola security forces and Escambia County Sherriff’s Office deputies who were injured. They all exemplify honor, courage and commitment.”

Garvin commented on the strong relationship between the Pensacola community and the military at NAS Pensacola.

“Here in Pensacola, in the ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation,’ we are a family with an unshakeable foundation, a family that stands the test of time and is unwavering in our defense of the constitution and the country whose course it directs,” said Garvin.

During three separate ceremonies at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Garvin and Capt. Edgardo Moreno, NASC’s commanding officer, presented the Purple Heart Medals posthumously to the families of Watson, Haitham and Walters.

“In these times the war zone is no longer limited to battlefields, it all too often finds its way to bastions where it is least expected,” said Cmdr. Michael Lofgren, NASC’s executive officer, who provided remarks at the ceremonies.

“These heroes, selflessly and tirelessly preparing for a battlefield, suddenly and unexpectedly found themselves in a war zone.”

The Purple Heart Medal is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.

For more information on NASC, visitnetc.navy.mil/NASC. For more news from NETC, visit netc. navy.mil.

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.