Pensacola Magazine, August 2020

Special Needs Pets Make the Best Companions

Education, Conservation & Interaction at the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Binoculars and Chick-a-booms Protecting State-Threatened Coastal Birds

Protecting Pets Florida bill protects domestic violence survivors and their pets

Also in this issue:

BUSINESS CLIMATE ON THE MARKET

A Real Estate Section

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Editor’s Editor’s Note Note Good morning, Pensacola! What a strange placeisweitfind ourselves already? in this spring. The novel How August coronavirus COVID-19 hasThese arrived in our How is it still 2020? community and, although we have so far been two questions may seem luckier than many, the fight to keep it from contradictory, but I can assure you spreading continues. We went to print with I am feeling them both equally— this issue on March 30. At that time, Escambia and I don’t think I am alone.

County had 42 confirmed cases and Santa Rosa had 30. Those numbers rose quickly once This year is just too much. All of it—the testing was expanded. Too quickly. The fact is, politics, the pandemic, the pundits. I’m over we don’t know who might have the virus or be it. So, this month we chose to focus on a carrying the virus without symptoms. That is much relaxing that and we, playful “P” word: stay whymore it is essential as a community, Pets.home Whoasdoesn’t go all gooey inside over much as humanly possible--leaving an adorable kitten oressentials. a playfulI pup?

Only only for absolute like the idea, too, the of most heartless among us, I suspect. practicing physical distancing rather than social distancing. We can remain social via Adoptions are oninthe rise duringworld—phone the pandemic many avenues this modern andcalls, it’s easy see why.

Pets alleviate the stress, texts,tovideo calls—and I encourage boredom and loneliness of social distancing everyone to stay connected to their tribe. Weand uncertain futures. may be don’t know whatThere tomorrow willmany bring things and out we of all ourneed control in 2020, but we can provide to feel connected to something or someone in order to pet get through a loving home to a sweet and get this. more

love than we could have imagined in return.

On the topic of physical distancing, in our While the Pensacola Humane Society has had COVID-19 resource guide, you will see that great success with adoptions and fostering Pensacola neighborhoods and community groups thishave year,found thoseseveral who love animals thatways clever, uniqueknow and safe the to shelters are never empty.

There is always stay connected and to make a difference a pet while in need, so if snuggling up to a sweet kitty practicing physical distancing.

I must or playing fetch with a playful pup sounds say, I am very impressed with the outpouring likeofa good waysupport to passI some time, check my love and have seen amongst Pensacolians—yeah, out fellow our adoptable pet profilesthe ontoilet pagepaper 34. hoarding was weird, but there are more than

We’ve got some stories for our up enough peoplefeel-good giving of pet themselves to make readers well.I get Gina Castro with some for it.asCan a big roundmet of applause for our

first responders and hospital workers? Thank you for putting yourselves onand the front incredible special-needs pets their lines owners to keep us as safe asthat possible. big shout and she discovered whileAlso, thesea precious out tomay all the teachers there scrambling babies take a littleout more care, the loveto put together online lessons to keep our kids they give in return is worth every second.

engaged and learning instead of worrying about

cannot We appreciate you!

If things exoticthey animals arecontrol. more your thing, head on over to the brand spanking new and On that note, I encourage you to read our significantly enlarged Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. COVID-19 Resource Guide, which provides The new location features all the hands-on, up resources for food, business, community close as the previous location and interaction more. The ever-changing nature of plus added attractions, amenities and experiences this crisis necessitates that I mention that that willresources make for a wonderful day out. these may or may not family be available to you by the time you read this issue. I

If hope you’reit interested check out will provideina conservation, place to start, some Dakota on local Panhandle Rooftop ideas orParks somestory inspiration either way.

Nesting Biologist, Rebekah Snyder. Through You maywith also notice that Florida, we have some nonher work Audubon Snyder helps related stories inhave this safe issue.nesting We made topandemic ensure local shorebirds the call alreadyoverpopulated planned articlesregion. that spaces in to aninclude increasingly might still be helpful, relevant or enjoyable for

Weahope you find Allour ofreaders. this, plus few DIY pet them treat useful. recipes and some good news from the As for us, Pensacola Magazine has been Florida legislature regarding protection published under one title or another for formore petsthan in abusive situations.

40 years.

We have no plans on changing that. We will continue to publish

So, turn off the news, put down your phone and to bring you all the information we can and enjoy these heartwarming tales and for as long as we can. Please reach out to us adorable of photos of local animals and with story ideas, inspiration or just a quick the folks who for them.

When hello. We are care all working from homeyou’re and we done, give your kitty a little catnip and are missing our water cooler conversations. throw your dog a bone. It’s these simple Stay safe,that staywill healthy strong, Pensacola! pleasures keepand us stay all sane.

Kelly Oden Kelly Oden Executive Editor Executive Editor

/pensacolamagazine

@pensacola_magazine

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6 Pensacola Magazine

Contents PROTECTING PETS

13

DIY PET TREATS

16

The Domestic Violence Injunctions Bill protects domestic violence survivors and their pets.

Learn to make delicious and nutritious treats for pets.

13

18

SPECIAL NEEDS PETS MAKE THE BEST COMPANIONS 18

A pet with special needs requires more patience, love and sometimes additional financial needs. Five owners of handicapped pets share their stories.

EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND INTERACTION AT THE NEW ALABAMA GULF COAST ZOO 27

The Little Zoo that Could has opened in a new location with an expanded facility and plenty of family fun.

OPT TO ADOPT

32

Pensacola Humane Society highlights a few of their adorable pets available for adoption.

27 IN EVERY ISSUE Editor’s Letter

6

Page 10 with DeeDee Davis

10

Community News

45

SPECIAL SECTIONS Business Climate On the Market

ON THE COVER: Joe Exotic Photo by Guy Stevens

8 Pensacola Magazine

53 69

32

MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2020 Owner Malcolm Ballinger Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Guy Stevens guy@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Garrett Hallbauer garrett@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Gina Castro ginac@ballingerpublishing.com Assistant Editor Dakota Parks dakota@ballingerpublishing.com Contributing Writers DeeDee Davis Editorial Intern Lilly Paradise Sales & Marketing Paula Rode, Account Executive ext. 28 paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange, Account Executive ext. 21 geneva@ballingerpublishing.com

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NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine and Pensacola Magazine is locally owned and operated. All Rights 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. Š 2020

HistoricPensacola.org

OPINION

PAGE 10 with DeeDee Davis

It’s late summer and it is very, very hot. It’s a time when all should be excited, anticipating a new school year and football season. New school clothes and supplies. Listening to ESPN radio and what they are saying about your team. But turn on any news and what do you get? More horrible Covid-19 updates and death counts. Testing locations with long lines of freaked out people. Continued warnings about wearing masks and social distancing, which eliminates pretty much any kind of gathering. Ongoing confusion as to what school will even look like.

And to make it even worse, the political squabbling, even within each party, is off the charts this year. It’s enough to make even the happiest among us turn reclusive and sour. But, there is an alternative to doom and gloom and social isolation.

The Hallmark Channel.

Don’t snicker if you haven’t watched any of their holiday movies. I write this fresh from their Christmas in July series. The king of greeting cards stepped it up when they launched this channel. My husband, who used to come home from work tired and occasionally grumpy, was hooked long before I was. You see, there is a wonderful escape mechanism tied into the brilliance of Hallmark. It’s even better than Disneyworld.

The stories are all pretty much the same.

Winter setting, complete with snow, cityscapes, mountain retreats, gingerbreadyou get the picture. All stories begin with a pretty girl who has an unworthy jerk of a boyfriend. Something happens to put her in a setting where lo and behold, she meets a great guy. There is drama and then a happy ending. No violence, other than cookie snatching, no explicit sex, no cursing and yet, they are wildly popular.

I began watching with my husband and honestly didn’t pay much attention at first.

10 Pensacola Magazine

I would do my usual multi-tasking during the 2-movies-a night marathon as I folded laundry, checked email, prepared for the next day, etc. But then it happened. I was reading and heard the most pitiful sounds coming from the chair next to me. I looked over at my beloved, all comfy in his recliner, and saw the strangest thing. Tears were rolling down his face. Over a Hallmark movie. We aren’t talking Schindler’s List here. We are talking about an evil developer who tried to take down Christmas land and put up condos, only to be outsmarted and overcome by the heir to the tree farm and the developer’s soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend. I looked at him in total disbelief, fetched him a tissue and watched as he feebly tried to recover from his emotional meltdown. Over a Hallmark movie. I started paying attention and discovered that he was really on to something. Some of them are absolutely hilarious (Hitched for the Holidays) and all of them show relationships as happy, functional, and normal (whatever that is). They are like taking the Andy Griffith Show to a new level. There is always an issue and it is always solved positively.

They are engaging enough that you don’t think about work or problems or Donald Trump. You feel good and that is a good thing. There are even at least two movies that are about football. Cheesy, yes.

But who cares? I have gotten use to my husband sniffling away most nights as Candace Cameron Bure tries to share the Christmas in her heart with others. I can’t

say that I have boo hooed over a movie since Sleepless in Seattle, but I can confess that I am a bona fide Hallmark addict.

And, evidently, plenty of people have taken notice. I read where there is pressure for Hallmark to be more “diverse” and inclusive. Since my husband and I have seen every episode at least a dozen times I am not sure where the criticism is coming from and certainly don’t agree that it is justified. Maybe the naysayers want more complicated socially charged plots, which would ruin the whole premise of the show.

I have always felt that entertainment, especially television, has something for everyone. There are news channels that drive me nuts if I watch for more than 2 minutes, so guess what? I change the channel.

We are far from back to normal yet and we are still strongly discouraged from gathering in groups of any size. For most, this means more television and how many documentaries can a person really watch? Leave Hallmark alone.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 7 Cherry Fitch 9 Justin Loftin 11 Jenny Noonan 14 Corbett Davis, Jr 18 Mary Davis 27 Sharon Duplantis 28 Jim Neal 28 John Griffing 31 Milton Usry The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Ballinger Publishing.

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Protecting

Pets

Florida bill protects domestic violence survivors and their pets.

by Lilly Paradise Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill to protect domestic violence survivors and their pets.

The Domestic Violence Injunctions bill ensures that pets are included in protection orders so that domestic violence victims can keep their pets.

More than 30 other states have enacted meaningful public policies to safeguard both humans and pets from violence in the home. As domestic violence cases rise during COVID-19, this law is providing relief to survivors and their pets.

Research indicates that up to 89 percent of pet-owning women in domestic violence shelters report that their abuser threatened, harmed or killed a family pet. Additionally, as many as 48 percent of domestic violence survivors with pets delay seeking safety, fearing what would happen if they left their pets behind. Âť

JULY '20

13

Protecting Pets

“

This lifesaving law now makes it clear that courts may include family pets in temporary restraining orders, and we thank Governor DeSantis for signing this bill to help domestic violence survivors and their pets reach safety.

Jennifer Bitner, Executive Director of the Pensacola Humane Society, was involved in getting the bill signed. “The desired outcome to protect pets and their people drew me to get involved,” Bitner said. “At our shelter, we helped one victim who shared her story. She came to relinquish her dog and she had had all of her personal belongings in her vehicle. She had fled a violent home. The staff came and brought me to the front porch where the lady was with her dog. I made the decision we would offer to foster her dog until she could get help and assistance and find a new place for her and her dog to live happily. They were reunited in a short period, less than 30 days. Jennifer shared this story with legislators on several occasions while supporting the passage of this bill. The Pensacola Humane Society is currently helping another client in a similar situation.

Bitner attended multiple legislative committee meetings to support the bill and testify to the urgent need for such protections. Representative Alex Andrade was on the committee and signed as the co-sponsor of the bill. Bitner continued to attend hearings and conferences through the process. She was asked to attend the ASPCA sponsored press conference on the

14 Pensacola Magazine

“

“Under normal circumstances, adults, children and pets living in an abusive home often face major obstacles to escape harm’s way. Unfortunately, the necessity of staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has made this situation substantially more dangerous for both people and pets,” Jennifer Hobgood, Senior Director of state legislation for the ASPCA Southeast Region, said. “As our nation responds to this pandemic, reports of increasing rates of domestic violence have surfaced in many areas, including Florida. This lifesaving law now makes it clear that courts may include family pets in temporary restraining orders, and we thank Governor DeSantis for signing this bill to help domestic violence survivors and their pets reach safety.”

bill where the three sponsors Sen. Albritton, Rep. Killebrew, and Rep. David Silvers, as well as Sherriff Ivey and Jen Hobgood, ASPCA Senior Director, Legislation, Southeast Region, spoke about the importance of this bill and why it was important to pass it this legislative session. The bill continued to move through the process and passed both houses and was signed by Governor DeSantis in June.

For more information on the Pensacola Humane Society and their programs, visit pensacolahumane.org.

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DIY Pet Treats Homemade pet treats are a fun and nutritious way to spoil your precious fur babies. Many treats can be made with ingredients already found in your fridge and pantry. Be sure to get the kids involved for a family baking time and always consult with your veterinarian before adding new food to your pet’s diet.

Tuna and Catnip Kitty Crackers

Cheesy Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients

Ingredients

1 5-ounce bag or can tuna, drained 1 cup whole wheat flour or oat flour 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil 1 tablespoon dried catnip 1 egg 1-2 tablespoons water

2 cups flour 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 2 eggs Âź cup shredded cheese 1/4 cup water

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 F.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine drained tuna, egg, flour, water, olive oil, and catnip. Blend in a food processor until mixture is smooth and completely combined. press pieces of the dough into small crackers and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake cookies for 12 - 15 minutes until they are dry on top and browned.

Cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Adapted from joythebaker.com 16 Pensacola Magazine

Instructions Mix together flour, peanut butter, eggs and cheese.

Add water one Tbsp at a time until the mixture becomes wet enough to roll out as dough.

Roll out your dough and cut out your favorite shapes with some cookie cutters.

Bake on baking sheet for about 15 minutes.

Adapted from puppyleaks.com

GARDENER, GRANDPARENT, VOLUNTEER AND DECORATOR. COUNCIL ON AGING HELPS SENIORS BE MORE THAN JUST THEIR AGE. coawfla.org | (850) 432-1475

Special Needs Pets Make the Best Companions

By Gina Castro

When people decide to add a four-legged friend to their family, kittens and puppies are the first to come to mind.

A young pet, a clean slate seems to be the ideal pet. Have you ever wondered about the not so perfect pets? Who adopts them? Handicapped pets are constantly overlooked because, well, some of them come with challenges. A pet with special needs requires more patience, love and sometimes additional financial resources. However, these pets have the biggest hearts. Their traumatic past makes them eager for your companionship and affection.

Pensacola Magazine spoke to the owners of five very different special needs pets, and they all agreed caring for a handicapped pet is a rewarding experience.

photo by Guy Stevens

18 Pensacola Magazine

Cadillac Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a clinic to raise a pet.

The Safe Harbor Animal Hospital staff have taken care of Cadillac almost all of her life. Cadillac started out as a stray puppy. When she was between eight to 10 weeks old, she wandered into the wrong dog’s yard.

The dog picked Cadillac up and shook her, which broke her back.

This attack caused Cadillac to lose use of her back legs, known as paraplegic. Some paraplegic dogs lose the ability to urinate and defecate on their own; however, she’s able to go to the bathroom without help more often than not.

“The clinic is very into giving animals a chance even if the animals

don’t have a home,” Elysha Dawson, clinic technician, said.

Some doctors from the clinic adopted Cadillac from the animal shelter and raised her inside the clinic. All of the staff adores her. “She is basically the clinic’s dog,” Dawson said. “We all just care for her up here. She has all of us taking care of her.”

The clinic staff tried to improve Cadillac’s condition by doing physical therapy, hydrotherapy and even acupuncture to no avail. One of the staff members, however, did improve Cadillac’s quality of life by making her a wheelchair. Dawson said the staff member

She’s the typical happy dog. When people see her, they think ‘aw poor dog,’ but honestly, she hasn’t had the use of her back legs since she was a tiny puppy. She doesn’t know any different. used PVC pipe and parts from a Cadillac to make the chair, which inspired her name. The clinic did a DNA test on Cadillac and found that she is a mix of Jack Russel and other breeds.

and bed in her own space at the clinic.

Now Cadillac is around 14 years old, and she’s had several wheelchairs since. Dawson, who is now her legal owner, calls Cadillac the “clinic queen.” Cadillac is known to wear a few tutus or two, and don’t underestimate her. She can run circles around you in her chair.

“She’s the typical happy dog. When people see her, they think ‘aw poor dog,’ but honestly, she hasn’t had the use of her back legs since she was a tiny puppy,” Dawson said. “She doesn’t know any different.”

To learn more about Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, visit www. safeharboranimal.com.

Cadillac has quite the bachelorette pad at the clinic, too. She has a gigantic crate

JULY '20

19

Vinny Van Gogh Vincent “Vinny” Van Gogh is a cat who certainly lives up to his name. When Vinny was just four weeks old, he was brutally attacked by an unknown animal resulting in the loss of his ear. Vinny’s right ear was mangled and he suffered a gash on the back of his leg. Since he was a stray, the wounds quickly got infected. A teenager found the kitten behind a building in Pensacola, and called his mom who happened to be a board member of Coastal Sunrise Animal Hospital.

Weighing in at barely a pound, Vinny’s chances for survival seemed slim. Vinny’s ear was filled with maggots, so Coastal Sunrise Animal Hospital removed the ear and the ear canal down to the skull.

The hospital did a second surgery shortly after to remove the lingering infection.

Despite it all, Vinny remained high spirited. Liz, a hospital employee, recalled Vinny’s personality just days after his major surgery. “He was super loving and super playful,” she said. “A day or two after his surgery, we put him in one of the exam rooms and played with a laser. If he weren’t missing an ear, you wouldn’t think there was something wrong with him.”

Even though Liz never considered owning a cat, she knew Vinny 20 Pensacola Magazine

was special. “For him to go through that surgery and being attacked, he was still super loving,” Liz explained. “He let everyone here handle

So on New Year’s Eve 2019, Liz and her husband Colin added Vinny to their family.

They named him after the Dutch painter who also lost an ear.

Today, Vinny leads a mostly normal life. We say “mostly normal” because many cats don’t have 59,000 fans on Instagram.

The hospital was concerned that Vinny would be deaf and have Horner’s Syndrome, which is when the head tilts or the eye droops down.

Fortunately, Vinny didn’t suffer from any of those potential complications.

him. He was not ferocious or anything like that. I really admire that about him.

I felt like he would make a perfect fit in my family and he did.”

“He can still hear. It took him a little while at first,” Liz said. “He didn’t really know where sounds were coming from. He would look around all over. But he adapted very quickly.”

Today, Vinny leads a mostly normal life. We say “mostly normal” because many cats don’t have 59,000 fans on Instagram.

At four weeks old, Vinny was brutally attack by an unknown animal, which resulted in him losing his right ear.

“He was so different.

I’ve been doing this for almost four years, and I’ve never seen a cat with one ear. But there are tons of cats out there with one ear for all different types of reasons. I know he

looks different, but he’s not different.”

To keep up with Vinny, follow him on Instagram @ VanGogh.Cat.

Big Head Fred Big Head Fred had rough beginnings, too. After sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg, Fred’s right shoulder and arm had to be amputated. Fred was then brought to Pensacola Humane Society (PHS) where he waited to be adopted.

While scrolling through Facebook, Jesse Goodyear saw PHS’s photo of their newest pet, a three-legged cat.

Theresa Goodyear, Jesse’s wife, remembered the first time she saw Fred.

“He [Jesse] showed him to me and said, ‘Look, he’s missing one arm.’

And I just immediately fell in love with him,” Theresa recalled. “I grew up with a special needs grandma who had both legs amputated. So I think that’s probably why I immediately wanted to keep him. He was really sweet to us right away. My husband picked him up and he just cuddled up with him. We knew we had to bring him home.”

The Goodyears adopted Fred during Christmas break in 2019. No one is really certain how Fred got shot, but he recovered from the situation.

Fortunately, Fred doesn’t require any medication or additional treatment for his disability, but that doesn’t mean having only three legs is easy. At first, Fred struggled with basic tasks like keeping balance while using the litter box and climbing the staircase. But just as he overcame losing a leg, he conquered those tasks, too.

“He can pretty much do anything,” Theresa said. “He can do everything other cats can do. He just figures out a different way to get it done.”

Aside from how he lost his leg, one of the first questions people ask upon meeting Fred is “Why is his name Big Head Fred?”

PHS actually gave him that name while he was in recovery.

“The lady at the humane society said that whenever she would

go check on Fred, he would just put his forehead on her head and purr,” Theresa explained. “He still does that. It’s so cute.”

Theresa described Fred as a cuddly, loving cat. “Whenever it’s bedtime, I’ll go put the kids down, read them a story and he’ll come in and cuddle with the kids while I do that,” Theresa said.

Inspired by Fred’s silly sleeping positions, Theresa started an Instagram account for him. You can follow him @BigHeadFredCat.

If you’ve never considered adopting a handicapped pet, Theresa has some advice.

because he beats the odds. He just shows me every day that anything is possible.

“Give them a chance,” she said. “I love him in a different kind of way JULY '20

21

Stimpy

I know he sounds challenging, but it’s worth it. He is just the most wonderful dog. It’s just one of the most beautiful dogs that I have ever met.

As dogs age, their hearing and vision declines. Add in the factor of being a stray and the health challenges accelerate. That’s the case for Stimpy. He’s a senior dog who has lived on the streets presumably all of his life. The humane society estimates that Stimpy is between eight to 10 years old.

Because of prolonged neglect, Stimpy has become blind and mostly deaf. He also has demedex mange, which is an infestation of mites on the skin, arthritis, heartworms, a history of seizures and dental problems.

The humane society picked Stimpy up from the Santa Rosa Animal Hospital so that his condition could be treated, and he could have a second chance at life.

“We try to go over there and take animals under our care so that the hospital doesn’t have to make any difficult decisions about who is going to remain in the shelter and who is going to be euthanized,” Darra Flanagan, Director of Community Initiatives at Pensacola Humane Society, said. We try to help them out as much as possible.”

Flanagan explained that the PHS’s

volunteer foster program gives them the ability to help more animals in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Right now, Stimpy is being cared for through what PHS calls “Fospice,” which is a combination of foster and hospice.

“He has had such a hard life. He’s going to need medical care for the rest of his life.

We will take care of his medical needs for the rest of his life until he passes,” Flanagan said. “That’s why we’re looking for a bighearted angel to take him into their home to live his golden years.”

Even though Stimpy is on a plethora of medications to treat his condition, his loveable personality couldn’t be more apparent.

“He just went from

22 Pensacola Magazine

person to person to person in the office asking for them to love him,” Flanagan said. “I hardly did any work yesterday because I was busy loving him. All he wants is attention, passion, love and cuddles. He is just so loving.”

Since Stimpy is blind and going deaf, it’s important to always let him know where you are so that you don’t spook him.

Flanagan explained

that making noise or causing vibrations gets his attention.

“I know he sounds challenging, but it’s worth it,” Flanagan said. “He is just the most wonderful dog.

It’s just one of the most beautiful dogs that I have ever met.”

If you are interested in fostering or adopting a pet, visit pensacolahumane. org/foster.

Lydia Hali Cherry was looking for a dog to adopt in time for her birthday, when a friend told her about a deaf puppy at PHS. Cherry’s friend knew that Cherry would be the perfect match for Lydia because Cherry has previously cared for deaf dogs.

“When I was younger, we had a pit bull that was deaf. And a couple years ago, I had a Catahoula Cur that was deaf because her parents were overbred.”

Lydia, formerly known as Kim, became deaf at just five months old. Although the reason Lydia became deaf is unknown, Cherry suspects it was a result of a deep ear infection that damaged the nerves in her ear. Cherry adopted Lydia on October 29, 2019, just days after Cherry’s birthday.

Otherwise, they would get scared and bark or growl,” Cherry explained. “Learning from my previous pets has taught me to teach her commands at an early age. Getting it done earlier was easier for me because I got her when she was five months old.”

Cherry’s prior experience with deaf dogs helped her discover the best ways to communicate with them as well as train them. She uses sign language to tell Lydia commands. For example, instead of verbally telling the dog to sit, Cherry uses her hands to sign the word “sit” to the dog.

Other than being deaf, Lydia is just a typical pup. She’s a pitbull mix with almost limitless energy, and just like most puppies, she has a short attention span.

Even though Lydia can’t hear sounds, it doesn’t stop her from making them.

“My previous dogs didn’t know any sign. They relied on vibration. So, I had to stomp on the floor to get their attention.

“I wouldn’t call what she does barking. I would call it— She talks. It’s insane the noises that come out of her, but she barks

sometimes when she feels threatened, “Cherry said. “Most of the time, she does these guttural noises that don’t really sound like anything an animal should make.”

Most dogs hear a guest’s knock. However, Lydia smells a guest’s scent.

“If she’s asleep when

I wouldn’t call what she does barking. I would call it— She talks. people visit, she will smell them before she sees them,” Cherry said.

“She’ll come sniffing around for them and then she gets all excited when she finds them.”

Although Cherry certainly has more experience owning a deaf dog than the average person does, she still had her challenges with Lydia.

“Every time we would leave the room, she would cry and scratch at doors and even eat doors to get to us, so that was something that was definitely new and frustrating,” Cherry said.

Despite these challenges, Cherry believes adopting handicapped pets is a rewarding experience.

“Not a lot of people want handicapped pets, but it’s really rewarding,” Cherry said.

“If you’re interested in adopting an animal with a disability, just know that patience is a virtue and it’s going to take a long time to get them to where they need to be.”

JULY '20

23

Binoculars and Chick-A-Booms: Protecting State-Threatened Coastal Birds

by Dakota Parks

The love for nature runs deep in all wildlife and environment conservationists. For Rebekah Snyder, that love for nature began in her childhood. Growing up in the Tampa Bay Area in Central Florida and later the Poconos Region in Pennsylvania, Snyder would rush through homework to get more time outside. In college, she studied biology at East Stroudsburg University while working as a field technician at Pocono Avian Research Center. From there, she worked as a seasonal coastal bird technician at Audubon Louisiana, where she fell in love with the birds she continues to work with and advocate for today: Least Terns.

As the Panhandle Rooftop Nesting Biologist with Audubon Florida, Snyder oversees rooftops in the fivecounty Northwest Florida region with around 40 suitable nesting roofs. Suitability means that they are flat, gravel rooftops that have been nested on in the past by seabirds or shorebirds on the focal species list. In Florida there are six focal species that nest on gravel rooftops: Least Terns, Black Skimmers, 24 Pensacola Magazine

Gull-billed Terns, Killdeer, American Oystercatchers and Roseate Terns.

“Least Terns are the most common, and they are statethreatened birds in Florida.

They’re only here specifically to breed and raise their young and then migrate back home to the Caribbean and South America,” Snyder explained.

“They are ground nesters, so they make a scrape in the sand or gravel substrate to lay

their eggs unlike birds that build their own nests. These birds are nesting on roofs because of increase pressure on their natural habitat.”

As Snyder explained, over 50 percent of Florida’s state population of Least Terns are nesting on gravel rooftops because of negative human interaction and habitat loss. They began nesting on these roofs as far back as 1950. Beach front property development, disturbances from beachgoers, increased predators like dogs and cats and rising sea levels are all issues affecting beach nesting birds.

“Protecting these birds is important to maintaining biodiversity. But, something most people don’t realize is that coastal birds serve as habitat indicators too,” Snyder said. “When we have birds nesting in a location, you can use them as an analysis of the habitat around them. What type of food are they eating and is it readily available?

Or, if you’re losing birds, that can be an indication of erosion and the loss of landscape. When we examine our coastlines, it becomes

a bigger issue than solely protecting our birds. Losing our beaches to erosion means losing businesses and homes and losing the land that protects us from hurricanes.”

Although these beach nesting birds have found gravel rooftops to breed and nest, the rooftops also pose another problem. Gravel rooftops first grew to popularity in the 1950s to 1960s and now, they are becoming obsolete and replaced with new roofs.

Bird conservationists are constantly thinking of new ideas and methods to combat habitat loss and diminishing gravel rooftops. On one of Synder’s monitored rooftops in Panama City Beach, Audubon Florida has installed rooftop nesting boxes, which are square enclosed boxes filled with gravel substrate. They are actively monitoring this location to determine the effectiveness of the nesting boxes.

In addition to gravel roofs being replaced, baby chicks that are used to growing up on the ground also pose a risk of falling off the roofs, and the rooftops provide little shelter to escape the sun or

Volunteers helping with Least Tern decoy painting

Least Tern behind rooftop chick fencing

predators. These compounding issues make Snyder’s work a round-the-clock job, even outside of nesting season.

During nesting season from March through late August, Snyder is out in the field every day doing surveys and checking for falling chicks.

“In the winter, I’m out on Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach doing non-breeding surveys on wintering birds,” Snyder said. “But I also have to maintain outreach with

Rebekah Snyder holding a Wilson’s Plover landowners, HVAC companies and roofing companies. All of the rooftops are privately owned, so I have to get the landowner’s permission to install something like chick fencing, which prevents the chicks from falling off. And, I

have to do all of that before the birds come back to nest, so I don’t disturb them.”

Minimizing disturbances is a big part of Snyder’s work.

She conducts surveys from the ground of her sites waiting for a flush count, where all of the birds erupt into flight at once.

In most locations, she also has vantage points, where she can access a nearby building to look down on the rooftops with binoculars. She also does outreach to help educate landowners about the birds and what to do if a chick falls.

“All of the landowners have my number to call if they find a chick on the ground, as well as local rehabbers in case the chick is injured, but I provide them with chick kits too,” Snyder said. “Chick kits help people care for the bird until I can get there. They have a small shoebox, a piece of cloth to throw over the bird to pick it up and Pedialyte if the bird is dehydrated.”

Snyder then uses a chick-aboom tool, which is a milk carton on an extension pole to place the birds back on

the roof without disturbing the other chicks. Last year, one of the chick kits was put to use by one of the local rooftop locations, the Publix on West Nine Mile Road. A chick had fallen off the roof and an employee found it and safely put it in the box and contacted Snyder.

With all of the intricacies of protecting and monitoring the birds, Snyder said that volunteers help out a great deal.

“Volunteers help us out a lot in monitoring and doing surveys.

We also have people help us with making decoys, which are little wooden replicas of the bird, and they’re painted to look like the bird. We use them

on the beaches and rooftops to help attract birds to nest there,” Synder said. “Other people have helped build chick shelters, which help shade the birds since rooftops don’t have vegetation or dunes to provide shade. There are a lot of ways volunteers can help out.”

Audubon Florida is still accepting volunteers following CDC guidelines. If you’re interested in learning more please email Snyder at rsnyder@audubon.org or visit fl.audubon.org.

•

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HELPING CHILDREN REACH HOME THROUGH HEARTFELT ADVOCACY The Northwest Florida Guardian Ad Litem Foundation thanks the Santa Rosa Sheriffs Dept., Escambia Sheriffs Dept., Okaloosa Sheriffs Dept., Walton Sheriffs Dept., Pensacola Police Dept. and Gulf Breeze Police Dept. for standing with us in our mission.

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A Zoo handler offers ambassador Bruce Quillis a treat. Bruce is a young African Crested Porcupine.

Education, Conservation and Interaction at the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

by Kelly Oden • Photos by Guy Stevens

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has opened the doors to their new facility in Gulf Shores and visitors are in for a real treat. The “Little Zoo that Could” is now a much bigger zoo, and it delivers a variety of animal adventures, education, interaction and fun for all ages. » JULY '20

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A view from the Soaring Eagle zipline. Lemur Island is a visitor favorite.

HE PREVIOUS INCARNATION of the zoo was housed on a 6-acre property, a portion of which was undevelopable wetlands. The old zoo was also located very close to the Gulf of Mexico, which led to its complete destruction after multiple hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. That destruction and the moving of all zoo animals to staff homes prior to the hurricanes garnered national attention and were the subject of an Animal Planet series called “The Little Zoo that Could.” After the show aired, the zoo received letters, donations and media requests from around the world, making it a popular destination for animal lovers.

Although the little zoo rebuilt in its original spot, the generosity of the Weir family allowed the zoo to dream even bigger.

The Weir family donated an inland 25acre parcel and zoo administrators began planning for the zoo’s expansion.

28 Pensacola Magazine

The first completely new zoo to be built in the United States in over twenty years, the new facility houses roughly 300 animals,199 sub-species and 22 endangered species. Species include primates, reptiles, birds, lemurs, wolves, tigers, lions, bears, sloths, kangaroos and their newest addition—giraffes Benjamin and Akayla. Ambassador animals include Chuckie, the famous 12-foot American alligator, who escaped during a hurricane Ivan; Simba the lion, whose roar can be heard through the zoo; Bruce Quillis, the African Crested porcupine; and Kevin Bacon a pig with an eye for art.

The zoo’s mission has always focused on education and conservation. Executive director Joel M. Hamilton says that focus was front and center when planning the new facility.

“The old facility being such a small one, the public was very up close and personal with both the animals and the educators. They could talk to the keepers and ask questions about the

The all New Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo features more than 25-acres of animal focused fun and education.

animals. That’s something we have strived for here—to make sure that we still have that same kind of interaction.

It’s very important—those impromptu discussions about an animal, the storytelling and intertwining information about the environment and conservation with that. It’s that intimacy that always made our facility a very popular one. We have animal encounter programs where people can come and have an opportunity to get very close to the animals and then we have the opportunity to talk about environmental education,” Hamilton said.

The new zoo has three different presentation areas as well as animal ambassador teams and education teams who do educational presentations several times a day.

The stunning butterfly collection donated by lepidopterist Dirk Bayer. The collection contains more than 10,000 moths and butterflies from around the world.

Officially opened in March of this year, the zoo features all the animals, attractions and small-town charm that made the previous location so well loved, but the size and layout allow for better conditions for the animals and visitors alike. For the animals, the new site allows for larger and more natural habitats and offer more amenities for play and enrichment. For visitors, the zoo’s circular design makes enjoying the many exhibits, interactions, gift shops, dining options and educational opportunities easy to navigate. In addition, a variety of buildings and outdoor spaces can accommodate group events—everything from corporate and community events to family reunions and weddings. The Savannah Manor is a rental facility that was designed to look like a traditional European manor out on the Savannah in Africa—complete with an African market. The unique décor and rolling lawn overlooking lemur island and the lion habitat make it a perfect place to host weddings and corporate functions.

A favorite of visitors, the zoo’s animal encounters continue to grow and now include time with kangaroos, sloths, reptiles, lemurs and giraffes. Animal JULY '20

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The Ababa Marketplace sits behind Savannah Manor and offers shopping and a snack bar during zoo hours. The space can be rented for private events in the evening.

encounter exhibits offer visitors the chance to get up-close, touch, hold, feed, and learn amazing things about these friendly animals.

One thrilling new amenity is the Soaring Eagle zipline a ski lift type of zipline that pulls riders 110 feet in the air where they can enjoy sweeping views of the zoo and surrounding areas. Once at the top, the zipline releases the passenger chair and riders come zipping back down for an unforgettable ride. In addition to the zipline, visitors can enjoy an animal themed carousel ride, safari cars and a kiddie train.

The Safari Club is a stand-alone restaurant and dining is available both during and after zoo hours. “It’s awesome,” Hamilton said. “You can come here in the evening, sit out on the veranda and enjoy a fine dinner while listening to the lion roaring, the lemurs calling and the macaws hollering.

It’s definitely a unique setting within the region.”

The menu at Safari Club is far from the traditional burger and fries at many zoo eateries. Executive Chef Greg Buschmohle and his team have created an internationally inspired menu that includes small plates, handmade artisan wood fired pizzas and a variety of seafood, meat and vegetarian selections.

The restaurant is also Alabama’s first certified Green Restaurant-focusing on conservation, recycling and reducing waste. The energyefficient operation does not use Styrofoam products or plastic straws and all to-go containers are bio-degradable and/or recyclable. The restaurant also features an onsite garden and composting operation.

30 Pensacola Magazine

Feeding the zoo’s new giraffes is one of the many animal encounters available.

In addition to the existing attractions, Hamilton said that many new exhibits are planned as well. A walk-through aviary is currently under construction and work is moving forward on expanded animal encounter areas, a hoofstock exhibit in the Africa section and an Australia themed area.

While the zoo is open to visitors, they are complying with CDC guidelines amidst the pandemic. All staff members wear masks when social distancing is not possible, the zoo path is one way to maximize social distancing amongst guests, deep cleaning is happening regularly and some animal encounters unavailable.

The new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is located at 20499 Oak Road East in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The zoo is open daily from 9 am until 4 pm and the Safari Club restaurant is open daily from 11 am until 9 pm.

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Adopt

by Kelly Oden • Photos by Guy Stevens

32 Pensacola Magazine

For the most part, pet adoptions and fostering have been on the rise since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S. While it differs from state to state and county to county, the Pensacola Humane Society has seen a profound increase in adoptions and fosters since April of this year.

Adopting a pet not only gives a loveable animal the safety and security of a loving home but also gives the adoptive family plenty of benefits as well.

Pets ease many of the negative emotional side effects of living through a pandemic—stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness can all be significantly decreased by a loving pet. So, if you’re feeling like it might be time to open your home to a new furry family member, check out a few of the adorable pets currently up for adoption at the Pensacola Humane Society.

Just a Basket Full of Puppies This litter of puppies are all female and were born 06/22/2020

Blondie (blonde puppy)

Dora The Explorer (brown with white on neck)

Kaleeni (darker fawn puppy)

Kai (lightest fawn puppy)

JULY '20

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Dude Male, 1 to 3 years, 59 pounds

A gentle, loving dog who is content to lay by your side all day. Dude has traveled a long way to be here with PHS. The staff adores him, and he adores everyone that he meets.

This sweet gentleman is happy to curl up on his bed while you work or watch tv.

He loves his canine friends, too.

34 Pensacola Magazine

Good Buddy Male, 3 to 6 years, 10 pounds

Super sweet and playful.

Good Buddy loves to get his scratches and he always comes running when you come into the room.

JULY '20

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Agave Agave

Male, 1 to 3 years 10 pounds Aloof, unflappable and low maintenance.

Agave just wants a soft place up high to sleep the day away.

36 Pensacola Magazine

Brick Male, 4 to 6 years, 46 pounds

A super smart, very sweet and loving dog. Brick is PHS’s own superstar.

He loves to perform and knows several popular tricks such as sit, shake, lay down, and beg!

JULY '20

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Garfield Male, 1 to 3 years, 19 pounds This big ole boy loves love. In keeping with his namesake, Garfield will try to steal everyone’s wet food and likes to chat about his day while getting his scratches.

38 Pensacola Magazine

Joe Exotic Male, 1 to 3 years, 9 pounds Skittish but playful. This baby loves treats and pouncing on toys.

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Community News Sea Turtle Hatchlings Expected on County Beaches Through August Escambia County’s sea turtle nesting season has just passed its halfway mark, with a total of 17 nests located on Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. Fifteen nests are Loggerhead, the most common turtle to county beaches, and the other two are rare Kemp’s Ridley nests.

As we approach the peak of nesting season, Escambia County wants to remind beach-goers to “Leave No Trace” for the safety of hatchling sea turtles. Nesting may occur through the late summer; however, the first nests are expected to hatch in early August. Sea turtle hatchlings face many threats on their first trip to the Gulf, both natural and human-caused.

Bright artificial lights from homes, cars and businesses may disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the Gulf and into danger. Furniture, toys, holes and other obstacles on the beach may trap hatchlings or cause serious injury.

Hatchlings that don’t reach the Gulf quickly are easy prey for predators and at risk of dehydration, starvation and death. Only 1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Do Your Part to Protect Hatchling Turtles by remembering: Lights Out! Both hatchlings and nesting turtles need dark beaches to find the Gulf of Mexico. Leave the flashlights and cell phones at home or use a red flashlight when on the beach at night. Turn off beach-facing lights and close windows and curtains to keep our beaches dark.

Leave No Trace! Remove all furniture and toys from the beach when you’re done for the day, including hammocks, tents, canopies, chairs, toys and sports equipment.

Stow It, Don’t Throw it! Trash and food waste can entangle turtles and other wildlife and attract unwanted predators. Always dispose of trash in the proper receptacle and refrain from feeding wildlife.

If you see a nest hatching or encounter hatchlings turtles on the beach, call Escambia County Marine Resources at 850-426-1257. If you encounter a nesting turtle, turn off all lights and retreat a safe distance away.

For more information about sea turtles in Escambia County visit www. myescambia.com/seaturtles. All sea turtle work performed by Escambia County was completed under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permit #032.

Escambia County Youth Employment Participants Honored During Ceremony Escambia County’s Youth Employment Program participants were recognized for their hard work this summer during a ceremony Friday, July 17 at the Brownsville Community Center, located at 3200 W. De Soto St. The Youth Employment Program gave 95 youth the opportunity to get paid work experience in various county departments, including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.

“I think the most important investment is an investment in human capital,” said District 3 Commissioner Lumon May. “ It’s about including the next generation of leaders, and that’s what this program is about. We’ve had a great time this year, and I would like to thank all of our directors who made it possible for young people to come and work.”

Through the program, youth worked up to 30 hours a week at minimum wage, gaining valuable experience all summer while learning workforce etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.

Youth Employment Program participants also received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them feedback about their job performance. The youth workers were recognized by District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, Senator Doug Broxson, Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley and Neighborhood & Human Services staff during the ceremony.

In his closing remarks, Senator Broxson encouraged the youth workers to donate blood as a way to assist the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You want the freedom to go to school, to go visit people, and to do what you want to do without restrictions,” Senator Broxson said.

“I am imploring you to go and give blood and sign a pledge to give blood.

If we come together as a community, we can defeat this horrible virus.”

Information about future cycles of the Escambia County Youth Employment Program will be posted at myescambia. com/youthemployment and on the Escambia County Facebook page.

JULY '20

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Community News Escambia County Turns 199 Years Old Escambia County turned 199 years old on Friday, July 17. Created on the same date in 1821, Escambia and St. Johns counties were Florida’s two original counties, covering the entire territory within modern state boundaries. The Suwannee River was the border between Escambia and St. Johns counties, which follows a winding path from the northern border of the state to the Gulf of Mexico. Essentially, the Escambia County government had jurisdiction over the “panhandle” and “big bend” areas, and St. Johns over the remainder of the entire state.

The 200th Anniversary Committee is diligently planning for the BIG 200! Committee members names are listed below.

“We would like to wish Escambia County, Happy 199th!,” said Escambia County Chairman and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. “We are looking forward to a year-long celebration where we can all learn more about what it was like when Escambia County was founded in 1821.”

A new logo was designed to commemorate the 200th anniversary, which includes a map of the state with the original boundary between Escambia County and St. Johns Counties, an American flag, the dates of 1821 and 2021, a banner showcasing the 200th Anniversary, and Escambia County and the City of Pensacola written around the outside. The colors of the logo include red, white and blue to represent the colors of the American flag with St. Johns County in purple.

“I’d like to wish a very happy 199th birthday to Escambia County and join them in celebrating our area’s rich history,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “I’m looking forward to celebrating the county’s 200th birthday in 2021 and hoping it will be a momentous year for our entire community.”

A website will be created soon with more information on how to get involved in the 200th Anniversary of Escambia County!

ECAT to Receive $10.1 Million Grant Through CARES Act Federal Funding ECAT has been awarded a grant of $10.1 million through CARES Act federal funding for operational and preventative maintenance expenses during COVID-19 for local transit

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services. The funds will also pay for PPE, sanitation supplies, and other COVID prevention measure implemented since March. Escambia County Area Transit ECAT provides service through the fixed-route bus, seasonal Pensacola Beach trolley, University of West Florida UWF on-campus trolley and paratransit demand response transportation.

Disease 2019. Funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020. Read the FTA news release.

“We are very excited to receive this funding to better serve this community,” Escambia County Mass Transit Director Tonya Ellis said. “Our priority remains the safety and health of our employees and passengers, especially during this pandemic.”

FTA is allocating $25 billion to recipients of urbanized area and rural area formula funds, with $22.7 billion allocated to large and small urban areas and $2.2 billion allocated to rural areas. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses generally eligible under those programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced a total of $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help the nation’s public transportation systems respond to the Coronavirus

Since April 6, ECAT has supported the county’s efforts to address the COVID-19 virus and has temporarily suspended fare collection for passengers of ECAT bus services. In addition, bus passengers have been instructed to

enter and exit through the rear doors only and sit behind the accessibilityreserved seating area. Front-door access is permitted only for passengers needing the boarding ramp or operator assistance to access the bus. ADA accessible seating space near the front of the bus is reserved for individuals in mobility devices, individuals in need of special assistance and families with children in strollers. These changes provide some separation between the operator and the passengers, and between passengers.

Please call ECAT Customer Service at 850-595-3228 if you need assistance with a specific route or have additional questions. Updated information is also available at www.goECAT.com.

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Community News West Florida Public Libraries Receives Census Grant West Florida Public Libraries received a grant from the American Library Association to purchase two laptops which are now located in the lobby of the Pensacola Library, located at 239 N. Spring St., for patrons to come in and fill out their Census forms.

American Library Association provided 59 libraries with a Library Census Equity Grant, $2,000 to bolster their service to hard-to-count communities and help achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census.

On Tuesday, July 14 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., all West Florida Public Libraries locationsare encouraging families to participate in the 2020 Census by giving

away Census tote bags and notebooks.

The giveaways will be distributed during the Feeding the Gulf Coast food program for youth. Giveaways are available until they run out. Masks will also be available as part of Escambia County’s Mask Up, Escambia! public health campaign.

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities including Escambia County and the City of Pensacola every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community throughout the U.S., from highway planning and public transit to educational programs and housing assistance. Read more here.

Escambia County’s current response rate is 59.9%, which is 20.1% lower than the goal of an 80% response rate.

A Place for You

Florida’s response rate is currently 59%.

View up-to-date response rates here.

The 2020 Census is your opportunity to shape your community’s future. Do your part. You can still complete the Census at my2020census.gov. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete. For the first time, you can choose to complete the census online, by phone or by email.

To learn more about the 2020 Census, visit 2020census.gov or follow the U.S. Census Bureau on Facebook for updates.

For more information about this and other library events call 850-4365060 or go to MyWFPL.com. For up-to-date event announcements, like us on Facebook and follow MyWFPL on Twitter.

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52 Pensacola Magazine

Magazine

SPECIAL SECTION August 2020

Superintendent Search Narrows Down to Six Candidates The County superintendent semifinalists move to the next phase.

p.61

OTHER STORIES

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ALDI Announces New Distribution Center Near Pensacola

Meet the Pensacola Police Advisory Committee Members

More stores are coming to the Florida Panhandle.

A brief description of the 12 members.

65

Around the Region Find out what is happening in business, government and cultural news in the greater Pensacola area and Northwest Florida.

JULY '20

53

Has the road to success become less defined?

V I STAG E F LO R I DA H E L P S PAV E T H E WAY BAC K

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ALDI Announces New Distribution Center Near Pensacola ALDI announced a new wave of coast-to-coast expansion that includes bringing its stores to the Florida Panhandle and Alabama. ALDI recently announced its plans for a new regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, which is only 40 minutes from Pensacola. ALDI is a German discount supermarket chain that has 180 stores in both Florida and Alabama.

This new regional headquarters will bring 200 new corporate and warehouse jobs to the surrounding area.

The 564,000-square-foot warehouse will have prime access to Interstate 10 and state Route 59. The facility is projected to serve more than 8 million customers and more than 80 ALDI stores in the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama, as well as in Louisiana, which will mark the company’s

presence in 38 states.

“We are proud to locate our newest regional headquarters and distribution center in Baldwin County. We selected Loxley as it offers a centralized location for our expansion plans across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and parts of Louisiana,” Dan Gavin, Vice President of National Real Estate for ALDI U.S, said. “Through our great partnership with Baldwin County and the

town of Loxley, we look forward to breaking ground in early 2021 with plans to open by the end of 2022.”

ALDI now has more than 2,000 stores across the country and has tripled its sales in the past decade. As part of ALDI’s five-year $5.3 billion U.S. growth plan, it plans to build 800 new stores in only the U.S. by 2022 to compete with popular U.S. grocery chains like Target and Wal-Mart.

ALDI also plans to open 70 new stores by the end of 2020.

Since November 2018, ALDI has gradually bought lots in the Pensacola area for future stores. Aldi bought a 2.15 acre lot, located at 4830 Mobile Highway in West Pensacola, from Terra Pensacola LLC back in January 2019. ALDI’s developers are in the process of building a 20,500-square-foot grocery store at the Mobile Highway location. In recent news, Aldi has plans to build a

second store at the intersection of Pine Forest Road and Longleaf Drive. The address will be 10290 Blue Angel Parkway. This location will be a 20,244-square-foot building with a parking lot. Aldi did not respond to Business Climate’s request for estimations on the construction or completion of the two locations.

Aldi is also building a location in Navarre. Navarre 19 LLC bought a 19 acre parcel at the corner of U.S. Highway 98 and Ortega Street alongside Culvers for $3.29 million in June 2018. The preliminary site plans show the grocery store at the front left corner of the property with 95 parking spaces. Construction for the Navarre location began in January 2020.

Those interested in applying for a position should visit the ALDI careers website at careers.aldi.us/aldi-growth.

JULY '20

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Meet the Pensacola Police Advisory Committee Members The Pensacola Police Advisory Committee had its first meeting on July 9. Mayor Grover Robinson decided to form this committee after calls from the Pensacola chapter of Dream Defenders and protestors. The 12 members were appointed by the mayor and city council members. The City attorney Susan Woolf spent the majority of the meeting time briefing the committee on the requirements of Florida’s Sunshine Law.

Lara McKnight, former president of the Scenic Heights Neighborhood Association

Woolf explained the committee’s limitations, which is they can’t conduct investigations into police officers or specific cases and can’t subpoena witnesses.

However, she did explain that the committee can make recommendations concerning policies, procedures and expenditures.

Scott Remington, attorney

Law enforcement expert Cedric Alexander, who was hired by the City as consultant for the police department and advisory committee, reassured the committee that their role will have an impact on the Pensacola Police Department.

Jonathan Green, community activist, former mayoral candidate

“You will have a great deal of influence in terms of being able to reform. To be able to have some influence and input as to what the things that you feel the community needs because you’re representing people from your respective areas,” Alexander explained. “So, you can make those recommendations that doesn’t mean that anything is going to change. But what it does mean you have an opportunity to have some input and some influence. We all have to be open to change, including the police department.”

Appointed by Council member Jewel Cannada-Wynn, District 7

Alexander also explained that when the committee agrees on a recommendation for the police department, that recommendation will be brought to either the mayor or the city council.

The Pensacola Police Advisory Committee will be having its second meeting this month. During this meeting, the committee will select a chair person and vice chair person.

56 NWFL’s Business Climate

Appointed by Council member P.C. Wu, District 1

Charles Bare, former City Council member, former mayoral candidate Appointed by Council member Sherri Myers, District 2

Drew Buchanan, former president of Sunday’s Child, former mayoral candidate Appointed by Council member Andy Terhaar, District 3

Appointed by Council member Jared Moore, District 4

Joseph Marshall, pastor St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church Appointed by Council member John Jerralds, District 5

Appointed by Council member Ann Hill, District 6

Kendra Carr-Pineda, pastor Redemption Faith Global Ministries

Hale Morrissettee, community activist Appointed by Mayor Grover Robinson

Kyle Cole, community activist Appointed by Mayor Grover Robinson

Kyle Kopytchak, realtor Appointed by Mayor Grover Robinson

Vin Durant, member of the Pensacola branch of the NAACP Appointed by Mayor Grover Robinson

Autumn Beck Blackledge, attorney Appointed by Mayor Grover Robinson

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SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH NARROWS DOWN TO SIX CANDIDATES

by Gina Castro

For the first time in Escambia County, the county school district’s superintendent will be appointed rather than nominated. The Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee, which is comprised of 22 members, has narrowed the list of 27 superintendent applicants down to six semifinalists. The committee members read through each of the applicants resumes, recommendation letters extensively. The committee voted to send the six candidates to the county school board for approval. The board approved of the candidates during its regular meeting on July 21.

Marques L. Stewart As a proud 1996 graduate of Woodham High School, it gives me joy in being able to apply for this position.

Over the course of my professional journey, I’ve always sought to return home to Pensacola to lead in a community that has given so much to my family and I. In my 20 years of experience as an educator, I have served in various roles in both urban and rural school districts. Having enjoyed successful leadership experiences spanning across the country, I have earned an esteemed reputation as a transformational and servant leader. Given the opportunity, I am confident that I will be the transformational and servant leader that the Escambia County School District needs.

The superintendent of Escambia County is in charge of more than 40,000 students, 5,000 employees, 58 schools and a budget of more than $650 million. The board plans to offer the next superintendent a three-year contract and a salary range of $145,000 to $175,000.

Business Climate reached out to each of the semifinalists for a brief summary of their background and experience. Some of the candidates didn’t respond to Business Climate by deadline, but you can view the applications for all 27 applicants on this website ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/superintendentsearch.

Dr. Earl Johnson It is an honor to be selected as a semi-finalist for the Superintendent of Escambia County School District.

I have been blessed to be in education for 32 years. I have worked on the elementary, middle, high school, and the district levels. My educational journey began as a high school mathematics teacher for 6 years, a school based administrator for 22 years, and currently in my fourth year as Executive Director of Leadership & Operations. As the Executive Director of Leadership and Operations, it is my responsibility to oversee all the schools and departments within our school district. For the past three years, I have served as the number two person for Flagler County Schools. I have loyally served in the Superintendent’s role taking charge of the day-to-day operations when the Superintendent is out of the office. I have had proven success over my career as an instructional leader, developing rapport with all stakeholders, and closing the opportunity gap for all students. My goal is to bring a sense of collaboration, charisma, positivity, knowledge, trustworthiness, and support to the position of Superintendent of Escambia County School District.

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Dr. Timothy A. Smith Excited and ready to lead the Escambia County School District, I am honored to be considered for the superintendent position.

Currently, I oversee 10 high school principals as an executive area director for Orange County Public Schools in the Orlando metropolitan area. I have been a teacher, dean, assistant principal, a principal of an inner-city middle school, a principal of a new middle school, and a high school principal. My goal would be to lead the district for students to learn, graduate, and grow to be productive citizens. This would include caring about each and every student, safety, effective teaching, staff training, parent involvement, and community engagement.

Dr. Vincent F. Cotter Dr. Vincent F. Cotter, as superintendent of schools, was the primary innovator of a unique school improvement program that dramatically improved student achievement, and for his efforts, he was awarded the prestigious American Society for Quality’s International Juran Medal (2010) in the field of education for sustained systemic improvement. Currently, Dr. Cotter is the cofounder of the Exemplary Schools Organization and is author of two educational leadership books. Previously, Dr. Cotter served as superintendent of schools in Pennsylvania for 11 years, a principal for 5 years, and as a District Curriculum Supervisor, an Assistant Principal, a Middle and High School teacher in both regular and special education for well over 15 years.

Escambia County and Pensacola is extremely attractive due to its downtown revitalization, its history, its diversity, its energy as a social, economic and educational center for the Panhandle region. He looks forward to the challenge of moving the district from “Good to Great.”

62 NWFL’s Business Climate

Keith C. Rittel Keith C. Rittel has been superintendent of the Provo City School District since June 2012. Since arriving in Provo, Mr. Rittel has emphasized evidence-based practices in effective teaching, graduation rates, and a technology-based “Innovative Learning Initiative.”

Prior to taking the reins in Provo, Keith Rittel was Deputy Superintendent of Clover Park School District (Lakewood, WA) for four years where he worked closely with Joint Base Lewis McChord and received several Department of Defense Education Grants for the district. Previously, he served 11 years as a high school principal with 4 years at Kamiak HS (Mukilteo, WA) and 7 years at Anacortes HS (Anacortes, WA). In 2004, he was honored to be selected as Washington State’s High School Principal of the Year.

Mr. Rittel has had a consistent record of success in each successive position he has held since becoming an educator.

His students have won awards, but most importantly his work has resulted in improved graduation rates among all student populations. Further, ACT, AP, and countless other measures of student success have all improved significantly unde Mr. Rittel’s leadership.

Keith Leonard Leonard is the only semifinalists who currently works within the Escambia County School District. He is the assistant superintendent of human resource services.

For the next step in the superintendent search, the school board will ask each of the finalists five questions, and the candidates will provide written and video responses. The board will then invite all of the semifinalists or a few of them for an in-person interview in Escambia County. The interviews will begin mid August.

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AROUND THE REGION “Because we will be analyzing water, biofilms from shellfish present at the various sites as well as sediment samples, we will be able to assess levels of potential pathogens in waterways and potentially track the sources of these aquatic bacteria,” Waidner said. “These data will help inform decision makers regarding living shorelines and in which basins swimmers and fishers are mostly likely to encounter Vibrio.”

The county approved a $60,000 contract to fund the researchers’ work.

UWF, Escambia County Partner to Test Local Waters for Vibrio Bacteria University of West Florida researchers are working with the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department to test local waters for the presence and abundance of various Vibrio species, including those associated with the “flesheating” disease necrotizing fasciitis.

Dr. Lisa Waidner, assistant professor, Dr. Jane Caffrey, professor, and Dr. Wade Jeffrey, professor, are heading up a largescale survey of Escambia County waters in a partnership between the UWF Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation and Escambia County.

The professors and a team of UWF students began sampling water from 44 sites on Feb. 3 throughout Escambia County.

The sites are in bodies of water, such as bays, bayous and rivers. Area waters being tested this year for Vibrio vulnificus and other bacterial species include lower Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, Escambia Bay, Bayou Chico, Bayou Texar, Bayou Grande, Perdido Bay and Big Lagoon.

The researchers will collect water, sediment, and biofilm samples and perform various

microbiological tests through the end of winter and will repeat all analyses in summer 2020. Waidner will report the team’s findings to the Board of County Commissioners once the project is completed.

The team’s goals are to determine whether various Vibrio species are present in local bodies of water, measure concentrations of the bacteria and identify factors that affect the bacteria’s growth.

Vibrio vulnificus, a species of vibrio bacteria, is usually detected in warm brackish or salty waters in coastal areas.

The bacteria can cause skin infections in humans. Though infections are rare and most are minor, they can be deadly for those who are immunocompromised.

Waidner suspects that warm water helps the bacteria reproduce, so she believes her team will detect Vibrio vulnificus at greater levels this summer than in winter and early spring.

She is also paying attention to other factors, including water salinity and sedimentmixing, that could drive the bacteria’s growth.

The project, the first large-scale testing of county waters for Vibrio, will provide baseline readings the county could later use to see how events, such as temperature changes and storms, affect the bacteria.

“The county has and continues to regularly survey area waters for enterococcus species,” Waidner said. “Contamination of waterways with dog feces and human sewage are often associated with higher levels of enterococcus species. But there is currently no monitoring for Vibrio, the flesh-eating bacteria you hear about on the news.”

As part of this project, Caffrey is analyzing water samples for levels of nutrients, chlorophyll, suspended solids and varying sediment characteristics. Jeffrey, director of CEDB, is working with the team as well.

“There has been increasing concern about Vibrio infections in local and regional waters, but there is currently no local data to understand whether Vibrio concentrations are changing, or whether there are hotspots,” Jeffrey said. “We hope to be able to start to provide data to local and regional planning and management decision-makers.”

Last summer, Waidner led a team of students who took samples from four sites in the Indian Bayou in Santa Rosa County.The team found no unusual levels of the bacteria in June or July 2019.

For more information about the UWF Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, visit uwf.edu/cedb.

For more information about Escambia County’s Natural Resources Management Department, visit myescambia.com/ourservices/natural-resources-management.

JULY '20

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AROUND THE REGION District 3 Commissioner Lumon May Selected to Serve on the FAC COVID-19 Committee Escambia County is proud to announce District 3 Commissioner Lumon May has been selected to serve on the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee by the President and Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay.

“I am extremely proud and honored to serve on the COVID-19 Committee for the Florida Association of Counties,” said District 3 Commissioner Lumon May. “Since the arrival of the pandemic in Escambia County, I have worked closely with local hospitals to ensure everyone had access to testing.

Escambia County Selects New Chief Budget Officer Escambia County is pleased to announce Amber McClure has been selected as the new Chief Budget Officer, with responsibilities to include key decisionmaking regarding budget development, administration, revenue forecasting, fiscal management, capital planning and policies affecting the overall fiscal health of the county.

McClure brings 17 years of experience in accounting and financial management to Escambia County. She most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer at Studer Entertainment and Retail, and began her career as a senior accountant for the City of Pensacola in 2004.

“I’m passionate about making a difference in people’s lives,” McClure said. “I look

66 NWFL’s Business Climate

forward to joining the team and serving the citizens of Escambia County.”

As CFO for Studer Entertainment and Retail, McClure served as a key member of the Executive Management team for seven years, overseeing the operation of Studer companies in eight locations and two states, which included the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Beloit Snappers, retail and restaurant shops at the Bodacious Family of Shops, 5eleven Palafox event rental space, Bubba’s Sweet Spot and Studer Community Institute, a 501c3. Prior to her work with Studer Entertainment and Retail, she worked for the City of Pensacola as a senior accountant from 2004 to 2012. She managed over $220 million in annual operating budgets and financial compliance and was an integral part of building the $56 million Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park, home of the Blue Wahoos Stadium.

I am looking forward to working with leaders statewide on COVID-19 related policies that will help return our state and counties back to normal while keeping residents safe and healthy.”

View the 2020 Policy Committees at https://www.fl-counties.com/ node/4073. The mission of the Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration. For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community.

McClure has been recognized for her leadership in the community and received the Southern League of Minor League Baseball Women of Excellence Award in 2018 and the Studer Family of Companies Bright Spot Award in 2018 and 2019. She currently serves as a Board Member of the University of West Florida Foundation and is a member of the Florida Government Finance Officers’ Association and the Panhandle Chapter of the Government Finance Officers’ Association.

McClure graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of West Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant.

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ON ATHE MARKET Real Estate Section Lawncare tips from domestic pro Martha Stewart herself page 80

By the Numbers: A Look at June’s Market Highlights page 70 5 tips for Creating a Low-Maintenance Home page 72 On-Trend Kitchen and Bath Upgrades page 74 Home Renovations to Fit the “New Normal” of Homeownership page 76 4 Home Improvements That May Affect your Homeowner’s Insurance page 82

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BY THE NUMBERS A LOOK AT JUNE’S MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

1100 51

Monthly Sales

Avg. Days on Market

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New Listings

Median Sale Price

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS New residential and condo listings for June were slightly ahead of the same month for the previous two years.

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June sales were the best on record for the month and surpassed May sales by 40%.

While 2Q sales were slightly off compared to the same period last year, combined with 1Q, YTD sales are nearly 3% ahead of sales compared to the same time period last year.

Combined DOM average was 51, three days more than last month.

Median sale price was $231,400 – the highest on record.

Pending sales were slightly above May’s, but 45% more than the same month last year.

Information courtesy of Pensacola Association of Realtors

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ON THE MARKET

5 Tips for Creating a LowMaintenance Home Because most people are spending more time at home than usual, ensuring your living spaces are clean and uncluttered can make being home more comfortable and enjoyable.

However, not everyone has the time, or desire, to devote to constant maintenance.

A shift toward less work around the house just takes some prep work and smart tools.

Organize and declutter. Working your way around stacks of things you don’t use frequently, or need at all, can make it difficult to keep your home tidy. Cut back on the clutter by sorting items into categories such as things you use often, those you rarely use and things you don’t need any longer. Donate what you don’t need then work on organizing the rest.

Invest in drawers, shelves and storage bins to ensure everything has a place, and only leave out the items you use frequently.

72 ON THE MARKET

Automate your cleaning. You can simplify your chores by putting technology to work for you. One example is an all-inone robotic vacuum cleaner and floor mop that keep floors clean so you don’t have to think about it, such as the Deebot T5 from Ecovacs. Its patented OZMO Mopping System allows it to vacuum and mop simultaneously, removing up to 99% of bacteria without any harsh chemicals. It smartly maps your home with laser technology, and the automatic carpet detection feature avoids carpet when mopping to keep it from getting wet. You can even schedule cleanings from your phone.

Manage paper. It can be easy to allow mail, magazines and other paper to pile up. To help manage the influx, create an “inbox” in a convenient location and put mail and paperwork there all week.

Designate one day each week to sort, take action, shred and dispose of mail and other paper you’ve collected.

Create a labeling system. The hassle of finding and remembering where you put extra linens, wading through a cluttered spice rack or locating the hammer can be unnecessary stressors. Consider investing in a label maker to help make it easier to keep organized and find the things you’re looking for when you need them.

Use time wisely. Devoting a small amount of time to daily maintenance is key. If a task takes just a few minutes to do – like scheduling your robot vacuum to clean or putting dishes in the dishwasher – do it as needed. Then, every day, spend 10-15 minutes tidying up and putting things away so they don’t pile up and lead to more time-consuming chores.

A low-maintenance home can free your time for more living. Find more ideas for less maintenance at ecovacs.com.

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ON THE MARKET

On-Trend Kitchen and Bath Upgrades Kitchens and bathrooms remain among the top picks for homeowners looking to upgrade because their functional contributions to the household can’t be overstated and they typically provide high return on investment.

If you’re considering a renovation project for either in-demand space, consider some of these on-trend ideas from Doug King, CR, MBA, owner of King Contracting, Inc. and president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Kitchen Bigger functional spaces. Not only do many kitchen renovations result in added square footage, they also add practical features to make living and entertaining more comfortable and enjoyable. When it comes to physical space, a popular choice is removing or relocating walls to make the room larger.

This added space can be instrumental in adding an island or peninsula for bar seating, which many homeowners view as a necessity when it comes to entertaining.

Other features like icemakers, tall wine refrigerators and walk-in pantries are high on the frequent request list. Another growing trend is a kitchen designed for 74 ON THE MARKET

two, complete with a second full-size sink, dishwasher and microwave drawer, along with a larger island.

Clever storage. Making the most of storage space has always been a top desire, and homeowners are getting increasingly clever about how to maximize their cabinetry.

Drawer organizers are in high demand, along with pull-out waste baskets that hide recycling bins within. Another popular approach is large base cabinets with pivoting shelving mechanisms for storing large items like mixers and other taller countertop appliances. Making use of every inch of space is common; even the toe-kick area for drawers are proving useful to hold smaller items or put kid-friendly essentials in easy reach.

Feature-rich appliances. Appliance manufacturers are adding all kinds of bells and whistles, and those features are increasingly attractive to homeowners. Upper-end appliances are becoming more mainstream as homeowners discover features the more expensive models offer for ease of use and comfort. Larger freezer and column-style refrigerators are especially growing in popularity.

Bathroom

Spa-like setting. One long-term trend that is still in top demand for the master bath is design that mimics a serene spa. This

plays out in cooler colors like white, blues and grays. Glass tiles are taking on a bigger role with many homeowners using them as artistic focal points in showers or opting for pebble-like tiles that spill from walls onto the floor.

Upscale practicality. Little touches that may have once gone unnoticed are now trending as opportunities to add elements of style. For example, curbless showers with offset lineal drains are preferred to traditional centered circular versions. Similarly, homeowners are upping the ante with lighting such as fixtures integrated with fans and mirrors, and even below floating vanities for ambient light at night. One more place you might find lighting: on the bidet, which is also an increasingly hot addition in the master bath.

A splash of tech. Whether it’s used to control smart features or simply add entertainment like TV or soothing music, technology has a permanent place on the list of bathroom trends. The available features make it easy to make a full escape from the daily grind of life.

Find more inspiration and trending ideas for your next home improvement project at remodelingdoneright.com.

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©2017 DBA. All Rights Reserved. DBA fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

©2017 DBA. All Rights Reserved. DBA fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

ON THE MARKET A fenced-in yard, for example, the third most popular project for 2020, didn’t even make the top 10 Realtor®recommended projects in NAR’s 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, which examined a variety of remodeling projects and their appeal, value and potential return on investment. A further 21% of homeowners expect new additions such as a home office, gym or other space will offer one of the greatest returns on investment - another project that Realtors® would not have recommended as a top priority based on 2019 data.

Home renovations to fit the ‘new normal’ of homeownership With people across the country spending more time at home than ever before, home improvement projects are increasingly becoming top of mind for homeowners.

Despite the financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic, 77% of homeowners say their home renovation budget for 2020 is the same or greater than last year, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

Whether it’s finally having time to make their dream home improvements a reality or preparing their homes to sell, homeowners are optimistic about completing renovations this year. NAR’s survey found the top 3 home renovations that homeowners hope to complete within their budgets in 2020 are:

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•

A new bathroom (28%);

•

A new kitchen (23%); and

•

Fencing in their yards (21%).

“In an ever-changing world, homeownership provides sanctuary, safety and financial security,” said NAR President Vince Malta, broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, Calif. “As we celebrate Homeownership Month, we recognize that buying a home is one of the most rewarding transactions people will make in their lifetimes. Making your home your dream home through remodeling projects takes time and patience, but Realtors® and homeowners alike recognize the feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction and potentially higher home values that come with it.”

The survey also revealed homeowners are attuned to how the pandemic may influence prospective buyers’ preferences.

“Homeownership looks different now than it did years or even months ago - our homes have become offices, gyms and studios, so we’re seeing a shift in priority of the types of features that homeowners and potential buyers want,” Malta said.

“Homeowners must keep in mind that some projects that sound appealing during a pandemic have not historically provided as much value when selling a home.”

Still, some renovation priorities remain unchanged: Kitchen and bathroom upgrades and remodels were highly recommended by Realtors® in 2019, and continue to top most homeowners’ lists now.

“Not only will improvements like updated kitchens for a better cooking experience be of interest to potential home buyers, but renovations such as adding space for a home office or gym will increasingly be in higher demand as we follow social distancing guidelines.”

Realtors® can help homeowners understand their local real estate markets as well as determine which home renovations improve quality of life and provide a greater return on investment during this ‘new normal’ of homeownership.

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ON THE MARKET

Lawncare tips from domestic pro Martha Stewart herself When you think of Martha Stewart, visions of picture-perfect cookies, floral arrangements and garden parties come to mind. Behind the scenes, however, Martha prides herself in getting hands-on while maintaining her personal 150acre farm in Bedford, New York.

“I have the privilege of living on a working farm, and while it is certainly serene and picturesque, it’s also a lot of hard work,” said Stewart. “I really enjoy getting my hands dirty in the garden and mowing my lawns each week – it’s satisfying to hop on my mower, listen to some music, and get my work done, all while carving out some ‘me time’ in the process.”

Martha Stewart’s tips for lawn maintenance: Schedule everything. A hobby farm is a continual work-in-progress. From the chicken coop to the horse paddocks, to the gardens, lawns and orchard, the changing seasons play a big role in guiding a year-round maintenance plan.

Juggling a farm and a busy work schedule can be tricky. The solution: Martha calendars everything at the beginning of the year, not only her backyard parties and events, but also her lawn care routine and needs - from monthly checks on the mowers (fluids, blade checks, etc.), to scheduling weekly mowing and trimming tasks. This way you don’t forget important maintenance tasks and your lawn will flourish and be party-ready year-round.

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Invest in quality. From the start, invest in a quality mower, whether it be a rideon, walk-behind or zero-turn mower.

Quality equipment will have a direct impact on the time it takes to manage your lawn and will contribute to the overall health of the turf itself. “We have been using Kubota zero-turn mowers for years - the reliability and durability is second to none for homeowners looking for a sleek, comfortable ride and professional results,” Martha added. “Did I mention how easy they are to operate?”

Don’t cut corners. One of the easiest ways to damage your lawn is by cutting it too short. You may think cutting it short will save you time in the long run, but you’d be wrong. As a rule of thumb, we cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blades at a time, because if we cut too much, it will damage the grass and cause browning and grass loss. Plus, grass that is cut properly thrives in a wider range of weather conditions.

Recycle and reuse. It’s important to outfit your mower with a grass catcher - not only does it give a clean finish to the job at hand, but the clippings can be composted and used back in the lawn to keep it healthy and happy. Have chickens? Feed fresh grass clippings to them - they go crazy for it, and it seems to increase egg production.

Don’t be afraid and have fun. A zeroturn mower can be intimidating if you haven’t operated one before. “I say, get over that fear and hop on – if I can mow my own lawn, so can any woman out there. We’ve got this! And, I promise it will be the one ‘chore’ you won’t give up – it really is quite fun.”

For more lawn care tips visit KubotaUSA.com.

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ON THE MARKET

home improvements that may affect your homeowners insurance

M

ANY OF TODAY’S HOMEOWNERS have been inspired by house-flipping shows to learn practical tips and savvy tricks to either increase their home’s resale value or, for those who prefer to stay put, refresh their living space for its long-term use. While these shows highlight the newest trends that resonate with new buyers or help customize a house to an owner’s current needs, what they don’t tell you is how remodeling might affect your homeowners insurance coverage.

“Building an addition and adding square footage, renovating a kitchen or bathroom, or other significant changes made to a home will increase its value,” said Jane Li, Mercury Insurance director of product management. “One thing that can’t be overlooked, however, is that these renovations will also increase the home’s replacement cost if it is damaged or destroyed, so it’s very important that homeowners also adjust their insurance policies to ensure the home is properly insured in the event disaster strikes.”

Here are four improvements Li recommends discussing with your insurance agent before making upgrades.

1. Roof replacement

The roof is the primary source to protect a home against the elements, providing shelter from rain, hail, wind, summer heat and winter cold. It’s likely not the first thing that comes to mind when a homeowner thinks of renovations but, eventually, it will need to be replaced to keep doing its job properly.

“The age of your roof factors into your homeowners insurance coverage because, as it gets older it becomes more likely to leak, which can cause structural damage,” said Li. “Certain roofing materials - like clay or concrete tile, slate or metal - provide added

82 ON THE MARKET

protection against wind and wildfires if you live in an area that’s prone to these conditions. If properly maintained, these materials also have a longer lifespan than an asphalt-shingled roof, which tends to last about 20 years.”

2. Installing a pool

Pools are a great way to cool off when temperatures climb and are also a nice centerpiece for outdoor entertaining. However, putting in a pool also adds to your liability risk, which will increase your homeowners insurance premium.

“If you decide to install a pool, be sure to also build a fence with a locking gate around it,” said Li. “The fence should not connect to the dwelling and, if possible, it should be built using fire-resistant material.”

3. Replacing plumbing fixtures

Sometimes, all it takes to give your kitchen or bathroom a new look is to swap out your old sink for a new one.

If you decide to replace some of your home’s plumbing fixtures, it’s important to make note of the upgraded materials as they may be of a higher quality - and thus have a higher replacement cost than the original equipment. It’s also a good time to consider installing a water-leak detection system, as claims due to water-related damages, like bursting or leaking pipes, or malfunctioning appliances, are the most commonly filed homeowners insurance claims, according to Mercury Insurance.

“Many leaks can be difficult to detect since most pipes are enclosed inside walls,” said Li. “We recommend installing water-leak sensors or shut off devices if you are making plumbing upgrades, because they

can be very helpful in preventing extensive water damage. Some can automatically shut off the home’s main water supply if a leak is detected and might even qualify you for a discount on your insurance.”

4. Revamping your landscaping

The trees, bushes, plants and stonework you choose can add to your home’s curb appeal and, in areas with dry climates that are prone to wildfires, your landscaping may even increase your home’s insurability.

“A good landscape in fire country will endure firebrands for days, intense heat for weeks, and do both without igniting,” said Douglas Kent, wildfire expert, author and professor of land management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

The five feet closest to your home is where you should retrofit with fire retardant materials and conduct simple maintenance like clearing away dead plants, and cleaning gutters and decks of leaves. The next 30 feet from your home should be green and clean landscaping, with lawns kept free of debris. Trim tree limbs so they are at least 10 feet away from your home and trim unruly bushes. Keep your lawn well-manicured and plants healthy. Hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete also work well in this space.

Finally, the next 70 feet should contain thinned out vegetation, removing flammable plants and brush surrounding your home. Trees should also be at least 20 feet apart.

Whether you plan to live in your home for many years to come or sell it to a new homeowner, be sure to assess your homeowners’ coverage needs annually as long as it’s your property.

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