Pensacola Magazine September/October 2013

September/October 2013

building a legacy The Pensacola Rowing club

THE JOE PATTI MEMORIAL REEF

For The Love of All Things Pensacola A Closer Look at Local Wildlife Explore

Pensacola: Land and Water

Also Inside

w w w .p e n sa c o la ma g a zin e .c o m

editor’s note > my two cents on the subject

Kelly Oden Executive Editor Like many of you, I am dreaming of the day when this hot, wet summer comes to crisp, cool end. For me, fall (what little we have of it) can’t get here fast enough this year. September, October, November and sometimes December are the months in which I love to explore our natural environment.

Sure, I enjoy summer trips to the beach or the river, but I also love enjoying our flora and fauna without the oppressive heat and greasy sun screen slathered skin as well. Give me a light sweater, a colorful scarf and some comfy boots and set me loose in the woods. Whenever I am looking for some good outdoor adventure, I turn to Shawn and Lindy Brown, the fine folks over at outdoorgulfcoast.com. Their first hand knowledge of all things outdoors in our region is a great resource for my daughter and me. So, of course, when I need outdoor related content for Pensacola Magazine, I often turn to them for advice. This month, the couple offers up great tips for exploring Pensacola by land and by water. We hope you take their suggestions and get outside and play!

Also in this issue, Ellie Grabski writes about the sinking of The Joe Patti Memorial Reef. This work of art is a true testament to the creativity and unique culture that exists in Pensacola. Hats off on a project well done!

Be sure to check out our profile of a great new sporting opportunity in Pensacola. The Pensacola rowing club offers locals both a great athletic workout and the chance to be part of a team and a community of rowers. Be on the look out for their Learn to Row events and go check out the rowing lifestyle.

Read about these great outdoor events and so much more in this outdoor issue of Pensacola Magazine. We hope you enjoy and we encourage you to get outside and explore!

Pick up any of our magazines at one of these fine locations: Barnes and Noble Ever’man Natural Foods Bookseller 315 W. Garden St. 1200 Airport Blvd.

Pensacola, FL 32501 Pensacola, FL 32504 850-438-0402 850-969-9554 Varona’s Airport Gift Shop Family Christian Stores Area Books-A-Million 1520 Airport Blvd.

Area Walmart Stores Pensacola, FL 32504 850-474-9324

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CONTENTS FEATURE 28. The Joe Patti Memorial Reef For The Love of All Things Pensacola

34. A Closer Look at Local Wildlife 36. Explore Pensacola: Land and Water

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DEPARTMENTS 10. PLAY Events & Adventures

14. SHOP Local Style

18. LIVE Art, Music & Culture

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34. 23. GIVE Nonprofit News

26. RUNNING EVENTS 40. REPEATS Pensacola Scene

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Cover photo courtesy of The Pensacola Rowing Club

September/October 2013 PUBLISHER MALCOLM BALLINGER malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com PM EDITOR KELLY ODEN kelly@ballingerpublishing.com ART DIRECTOR RITA LAYMON rita@ballingerpublishing.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR KASSIE MCLEAN kassie@ballingerpublishing.com EDITOR EMILY LULLO emily@ballingerpublishing.com BUSINESS EDITOR JOSH NEWBY josh@ballingerpublishing.com EDITORIAL INTERN ELLIE GRABSKI ellie@ballingerpublishing.com SALES & MARKETING SHARYON MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 28 sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com RHEANA RICE, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, EXT. 31 rheana@ballingerpublishing.com VINCE NUTT, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE vince@ballingerpublishing.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHAWN AND LINDY BROWN

OWNERS

MALCOLM & GLENYS BALLINGER PUBLISHER

MALCOLM BALLINGER malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR

KELLY ODEN kelly@ballingerpublishing.com ART DIRECTOR

RITA LAYMON rita@ballingerpublishing.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

KASSIE MCLEAN kassie@ballingerpublishing.com EDITOR

EMILY LULLO emily@ballingerpublishing.com BUSINESS EDITOR

JOSH NEWBY josh@ballingerpublishing.com SALES & MARKETING SHARYON MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 28 sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com

RHEANA RICE, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, EXT. 31 rheana@ballingerpublishing.com SIMONE SANDS, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 21 simone@ballingerpublishing.com VINCE NUTT, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE vince@ballingerpublishing.com WEBSITE:

WWW.BALLINGERPUBLISHING.COM

EDITORIAL OFFICES 41 NORTH JEFFERSON STREET, SUITE 402 PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32502 850-433-1166 • FAX 850-435-9174

PUBLISHED BY BALLINGER PUBLISHING:

Member of:

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. © 2013

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PLAY

The Pensacola Rowing club

Building a Legacy Photos courtesy of The Pensacola Rowing Club

By Ellie Grabski

There’s no arguing that football and baseball are two area sports that receive a great deal of funding and attention. They’re called America’s favorite sport and pastime for a reason, right? Yet it has become increasingly difficult for young athletes to carry either of these sports with them into their later years, be it at the scholastic, collegiate or professional level. Unfortunately in focusing so heavily on certain sports, the number of opportunities for student athletes becomes limited when access to the disciplined, healthy lifestyle of physical recreation should be available to all.

The Pensacola Rowing Club is here to make a change. Club founder Brendan O’Brien is taking an aggressive stance and seeks to help the Pensacola area produce more student athletes. “I fully

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intend to plant a 45 foot four man shell in just about every PTA meeting I can get the boat in the door. You play football and baseball in high school and if you are one of the lucky one percent you may play in college. 0.2 percent may have a career as a professional athlete. It’s likely not going to happen – for your entire life you’re going to be able to row.” Whether you’re looking to mix up your endurance training, or enter the sport competitively, the Pensacola Rowing Club has created an opportunity for community members and their children to explore another avenue of true athleticism. Regardless if local schools decide to get on board and form their own teams, the Pensacola Rowing Club plans to operate at the scholastic, collegiate and masters/club level so that anyone who is interested has the opportunity.

Apart from obvious lifestyle and physical benefits, there may also be monetary advantages to pursuing rowing. Division one universities actively recruit rowers and there are many collegiate scholarship opportunities available, especially for young women.

The Pensacola Rowing Club believes they can increase the likelihood that area students will get financial assistance with their education and they are eager for the possibilities. “We’re new at this game, but I guarantee we’re going to get people noticed,” said O’Brien.

A way of Life Despite the club’s sure impact on the area’s number of athletes, at its heart the club not only promotes a sport but also a way of life. “If you’ve ever been pulling oars you really get to see what it’s like to be part of another living organism and you start to understand what it means to be its heartbeat. You can really feel when the boat is pulling together. It is very indicative of how the entire rowing community operates amongst itself and within the community. Aside from good sportsmanship and teamwork, part of our charter is to be good stewards in the community and in the waterways upon which we’re rowing. That’s really what we’re about. Our job is to promote the rowing lifestyle. It’s not just physical fitness and being in the boat, it’s promoting a lifestyle that involves discipline and meeting challenges and is the kind of thing that is going to last for an entire lifetime,” said O’Brien.

Never heard of the Pensacola Rowing Club before? It’s no wonder – the club is brand new. Before now there hasn’t been a rowing group in Pensacola since the late 1800s! Back then, a group called the Southern Racing Association held regattas in Pensacola that attracted thousands of visitors. With cocktails and betting windows, the regattas were essentially the horse races of the day.

Yet the events were short lived and the group quickly dissolved.

Now, nearly 125 years later, the oars are finally getting back in the water. “There is a rowing history here in Pensacola but there is no rowing legacy.” Not yet, anyway.

The Pensacola Rowing Club O’Brien, a Navy instructor pilot who has lived in Pensacola for over ten years, has rowed on and off throughout his life and is also a tri-athlete. Though he spent time away from the sport, he readily admits, “Nothing quite captured my attention like rowing did.”

Being that the sport is so reliant on natural waterways and celebrates all that water provides for us, it seems absurd a rowing club did not exist in Pensacola before now. “I’ve always lamented the lack of rowing on the stunning water that we have here. We have water that is flat 18 out of 24 hours a day, seven days a week. My younger kids go to St. John’s right off the front gate of the base and I’m always driving over that bridge just as the sun is coming up. You see this pristine, quiet water. If you’ve ever been out in the water in the morning there is nothing to hear except the oars going into the water and it’s just this phenomenal sound. Every time I go over that silly bridge I think about it and look at it and go ‘There needs to be boats on that water.’ I finally got sick of it.”

Frustration led O’Brien to Google, and Google, eventually, led O’Brien to Messrs. Philippe Gonzales and Bob Ozburn. Having started their own efforts and even a web page, synergies were soon discovered between the three men as they conversed and decided to pool their efforts. “It actually turned out quite well that we had very specific interests for a rowing club. My interest was very closely related to scholastic rowing, Bob was very interested in collegiate rowing and Philippe was very interested in club and masters rowing,” O’Brien explained.

Once they united as like minds, they began to research locations for a boathouse and the best bodies of water to row on. Bayou Texar had the most visibility and would grant access to the Bayview Community Center. With the help of Mayor Ashton Hayward and Play Pensacola Neighborhood Services, the Pensacola Rowing Club

was able to successfully garner space to carry out their activities.

“The mayor has been a tremendous help, he’s just been phenomenal as well as the Director of Neighborhood Services, Brian Cooper, and his staff,” added O’Brien.

Once they had a space the true hurtle would be equipment. With the aid and friendship of both the Gainesville Area Rowing Club and the Alpha Omega Crossfit Gym, the group was able to acquire the necessary boats and rowing machines to host the club’s first ever Learn to Row Day. Luck ever on their side, Melanie Jacobi, another Pensacolian who had also been trying to create a club, contacted the group just before their first event. Jacobi had created her own business plan in hopes of starting a club and had many rowing contacts throughout the state and country. With her addition to the board and similar goals and ideas, the stars seemed to finally align for the Pensacola Rowing Club.

The first ever Learn to Row Day was a huge success and really assured the club that their endeavor would be well received in the community. “Pensacola rowers are coming out of the woodworks,” noted O’Brien. “On our very first day, with a short amount of time to advertise for it, we had 70 rowers come out. For a group that never existed and for a sport that hasn’t existed in 125 years we were tremendously pleased. We had three boats out on the water over the course of the day and we introduced the sport to over 50 people who had never been in the boats before.”

Led by such energetic enthusiasts, the club is ready to get some serious work done. With interests in scholastic, collegiate,

club/masters and middle school levels the group aims to essentially serve as five clubs in one. “We want to be the answer to rowing in the panhandle of Florida,” said O’Brien. Once better established, the group also hopes to begin fundraising initiatives and to possibly team up with the Wounded Warrior Program and establish an adaptive rowing program for anyone with limb injuries.

Currently, the club is out on the water Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. For only $25 a month, experienced rowers will be added to the club’s roster and have the opportunity to row a dozen times a month.

Never rowed a day in your life? Believe it or not a vast majority of collegiate rowers never row before setting foot on campus! The best way to get started is to attend a Learn to Row Day and to follow the Pensacola Rowing Club on Facebook for the most up to date information on the club and their schedule of events. The website is still under construction, but keep checking back at pensacolarowingclub.org for news!

Join today and gain an athletic skill set and community that can be a part of your life for years and years to come. “It’s not a sport that you do just for a little bit. Once you have rowed you’re a rower for life, I guarantee you will come back to it,” O’Brien promised.

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PLAY

2013 Pensacola Mud Run October 12, 2013 at 7:30 am at St. Matthews Baptist Church

Benefitting Pathways for Change, Pensacola’s first ever “Mud Run” is inspired by the adventure challenge craze currently sweeping the globe – “Tough Mudders.” These mid distance obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces transform the typical race into a total body and mind endurance experience.

While similar to a Tough Mudder in spirit, the Pensacola Mud Run will truly be unlike anything else. Though sure to be challenging, this run is on a 5k course and is not a strictly competitive event. Runners will have the opportunity to push themselves as hard as they desire as they tackle the 12 obstacles: dirt moguls, tires, haystacks, post to post jump, tunnel crawl, lug hurdle, angle wall, balance beam, log carry, low crawl, dirt slide and mystery deep freeze. “It’s on 117 acres and Josh Bukatz is an engineer with Tough Mudder experience and he’s developing and building the obstacles,” said Connie Bookman, Founder and Executive Director of Pathways for Change.

This is not only a chance to test yourself individually but also to engage as a team as the race is a great way to build camaraderie. “We want people to come in groups as teams, we would love for them to come in costume or in shirts they made.

Finish Line from the mall is registering their employees and competing against the Destin Finish Line staff. We would love military members to compete. Come in your work uniform, we’re looking for friendly competition and it supports a great cause,” said Bookman.

You can also walk this race if you prefer, as there will be two hours in between the races times. Races will take place at 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am and a 1-mile kids run will start at 1:30 pm. Afterwards there will be a large kids area as well as food, entertainment and music.

“We’ve got some surprises for the runners, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Everyone’s just going to have a great time. I can’t wait to see people’s faces when they see some of the obstacles,” added Bookman.

Packets will be available for pick up on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 3 pm to 7 pm at Pathways for Change (2050 W. Blount St. Pensacola, FL 32501) and on Friday, Oct. 11 from 3 pm to 7 pm at Running Wild Pensacola (3012 E. Cervantes St. Pensacola, FL 32503). St. Matthew’s Baptist Church is located at 3047 County Hwy. 95A Cantonment, FL 32533.

Pathways for Change is a faith based addictions treatment program that saves individuals by transforming their lives. Their Men’s Residential Treatment and Transitions Programs, Family Center, summer camp and after-school program help reduce crime and build futures for individuals impacted by poverty, drug and alcohol abuse and lack of education.

Register online at werunwild.com/events/event/Pensacolamud-run. The registration fee is $70 for the 5k, $63 for military, and $35 for the Kid’s Fun Run. The fee includes $20 insurance and parking fee as well the cost to design and create such a unique course and once in a lifetime experience.

Cooking Demonstrations & Wine Pairings with Chef Irv Miller

Pensacola Seafood Festival 5k

September 18 Enjoy a Cooking Demonstration and Wine Pairing with Jackson’s Chef Irv Miller. For the Sept. 18 demonstration Chef Irv will present “Culture by Course.” Northwest Florida cuisine is as critical to Florida cuisine as Florida is to Southern cuisine. Today’s South, including our neck of the woods in particular, comprises cultures of African, Indian, Native American, German, Irish, Italian, French, Vietnamese, Korean and Middle Eastern descendants, and many more make up our regional Florida cuisine. Chef will select four recipes deep in cultural richness to celebrate their contributions to our Southern cooking. Tickets are $45 and there will be two seatings at 5-6:30 pm and 7:30-9 pm.

For reservations call 217.2347.

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September 28 One of the most competitive 5k runs in the area, the Pensacola Seafood Festival 5k is sponsored by the Pensacola Runners Association. Run or walk the new certified course through Downtown Pensacola’s historic district around the festival, through the new Vince J. Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos stadium. The run will commence at 7:30 am on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Seville Quarter, 130 East Government Street. The post race party and awards ceremony will be held at Seville Quarter immediately after the race. Preregistration is $30 and race day registration is $40. This race is restricted to 1,000 participants so register early. Visit pensacolarunners.com for more information and to register.

Discover Earth Exhibit at the Main Library Branch Through September 27 The Discover Earth traveling exhibit will be available in the Main Library at 239 N. Spring through Sept. 27. This library was one of 10 selected in the US for this interactive museum quality exhibit designed for children of all ages to explore math, science, the weather, and other wonders of the planet. It is available in the main lobby of the library during library hours beginning at 10 am Monday through Saturday, and it is free. For more information call Bette Hooton, Friends of Library, 9690001.

Culture, Food and Fun at 54th Pensacola Greek Festival

RadioLive October 3 In July 2011, after a two-decade run, WUWF’s monthly acoustic concert, RadioLive, was put to bed. Donations kept the popular concert series alive for a year and a half but, in the end, RadioLive was a casualty of repeated budget cuts, necessitated by the long recession. In March 2013 the Clark, Partington, Hart law firm (CPH Law) came to the rescue, offering to sponsor the popular series for the greater community for its 2013-14 season. The audience can expect the same quality musical performances, the same slightly irreverent host, Pat Crawford, and the same welcoming venue – the warm and inviting Pensacola Museum of Commerce located in the historic Pensacola village. As always, RadioLive requires no admission fee but collects donations of non-perishables or cash for Manna Food Pantries at the door and gladly accepts donations to support quality programming on WUWF. October 3 artists include: Pierce Pettis, “The Sauce Boss” Bill Wharton, and Kate Campbell. More information on all things WUWF can be found at wuwf.org.

First City Art Center Seventh Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch

October 11-13 The Pensacola Greek Festival is a staple of the Pensacola Bay area’s signature fall festival lineup, mixing southern hospitality with Hellenic culture and cuisine. Live Greek Music, youth folk dancing, and Church tours make 1720 West Garden Street into the place to be during the second weekend in October. Join the Pensacola Greeks on October 11 – 13 at their 54th Greek Festival. This Three-day event draws upwards of 30,000 people from across the Southeast. The times, place and foods are the same as always. Festival hours are 11 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 12 pm to 6 pm on Sunday. Admission is always free. Live Greek music and traditional folk dancing will be among the entertainment highlights of the weekend. Youth dancers dressed in traditional costumes representing various regions of Greece will perform dance sets throughout the weekend. Free dance lessons will be offered and the dance floor is open to all between youth sets. The popular Kostas Kastanis band will be back to play traditional and modern Greek music throughout the weekend. On the menu this year will be traditional roast lamb, baked chicken, dolmades, moussaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, tiropita, and Greek salads. A baked fish dish will be sold in the dinner line on Friday only. All of these items will be served inside the hall in the dinner line. The outdoor taverna will feature the popular gyros, souvlakia (kabobs) and sausage wraps as well as chicken tenders for the kids, Greek fries cooked in olive oil, and of course calamari. As always, a variety of homemade pastries and cookies will be sold to eat-in or take home. Pastries can be purchased inside the hall or under the main tent across from the gift shop. For more information, visit www.pensacolagreekfestival.com

October 12 First City Art Center’s seventh annual Glass Pumpkin Patch takes place on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 am to 2 pm at 1060 N. Guillemard St., Creative Warehouse 1 (on the corner of Guillemard and Gonzalez St.). This year, attendees will have over 1,500 hand-blown glass and hand-thrown clay pumpkins to choose from. All pumpkins are created by members of First City Art Center‘s glass and pottery guilds, and come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Come and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces that are guaranteed to be “picked” quickly. First City Art Center is also throwing a Preview Party, sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Pensacola, from 6 to 8 pm, Friday, Oct. 11. The public is invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beverages, watch LIVE glass blowing demonstrations and be the first to shop the pumpkin patch and pick out their special glass pumpkin during this festive night out.

Entry is $25 per person at the door and $26 online until Oct. 10. There is a limit of one glass pumpkin purchase during preview party. For more information, contact 429-1222 or visit www.FirstCityArt.org.

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SHOP

infinite Universe

By Ellie Grabski

Karen Hendrix

Karen Hendrix has always had a creative side. Yet it wasn’t until the loss of a close friend that she reconsidered her day-today activities and started taking her own sketches seriously.

Now the founder and designer of infinite Universe, her new journey is a tale of travel, inspiration, happenstance and incredible friendship. With the support of her collaborative team, she is proud to announce the launch of their first collection of elegant handbags.

“I just started doodling and coming up with these designs. I have this tribe of great women friends and they actually really encouraged me to keep going. We would have these little group meetings and talk about what they should look like and what

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they liked in a handbag and it just kept evolving,” said Hendrix.

Hendrix surrendered to the muses of her two greatest passions: nature and travel. “I have lived in such phenomenally outdoorsy kinds of places,” noted Hendrix before rattling off the list – Corpus Christi, San Diego, Miami, Charleston and of course, Pensacola. “We live in such a fast paced world. For me, just to stop and to take a walk and look around – that is when you start noticing. It took me a long time to get there. You start looking at how everything meshes together in its own natural environment and universe.”

The first collection is comprised of four pieces, each with colors inspired by a platonic element: fire, water, air and earth.

The fall line also incorporates sustainable African black wood and natural fossil stones. “They actually replant the trees because it’s one of the key profit centers for those parts of Africa. They sell it everywhere and a percentage of the money paid to them goes into reforesting,” added Hendrix.

Susan Campbell, of Susan Campbell Jewelry, serves as infinite Universe’s gem and stone advisor and was able to connect Hendrix with stonecutters in Jaipur, India. The fossil stones used in the line are called “agate fossil stones” and were recommended to Hendrix for their character. “It’s an American stone found in different parts of the country and can contain fossils that are thousands and thousands of years old.” The stones are then hand smoothed by artisans in Jaipur after they are cut to reveal distinct patterns and coloring.

The sophisticated line will undoubtedly attract consumers as unique as the individual pieces of the collection. “I don’t have an actual age demographic because I think it’s all within the person: the person who wants to go beyond all the name brands and really carry something that is a statement for her and is a reflection of her own value,” said Hendrix.

Though some of the materials used are sourced from around the world, infinite Universe handbags are proudly made in America and have strong ties to Pensacola. Local talents Dennis Adrian and Bill Donahue serve as the team’s wood artisans and artistically prepare the wood for the line.

It’s clear Hendrix is very thrilled about the fall launch, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t already thinking about the future!

The second line is well underway and she has entered discussions about the third.

“The next collection is introducing an ecofriendly fish skin leather from an ecogreen tannery in Iceland. I’m working with that and actually using different kinds of wood and stone.” The third line in particular will incorporate several New Zealand sources including ancient Kauri wood and lambskin leather.

Having spent her earlier career in fundraising, Hendrix believes that each of us is a small “i” in the infinite Universe capable of making a difference. In keeping with that ideology, a part of the line’s proceeds will benefit Ocean Conservancy, an advocate group that helps protect the health of the waters through educational programs, policy reform and clean-up efforts. Visit oceanconvservancy.org to learn more.

For additional information and to see the complete line, please visit theinfiniteuniverse.com.

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L IV E

The 36th Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival September 27-29 The Fiesta of Five Flags 36th annual Pensacola Seafood Festival will be held Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 29 in historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. Treat your taste buds to a variety of dishes from carefully selected food vendors bordering the park. Enjoy foods such as grilled conch, seafood gumbo, oyster croquettes, soft shell crab, coconut shrimp, Caribbean crab cakes, and more. This year, the Gulf to Table area in Fountain Park will again feature local restaurants and caterers that will serve tapas style dishes of their signature recipes to festival guests. Listen to the sounds of country, rock and roll and the Caribbean next to Pensacola Bay throughout the festival weekend. The entertainment stage will be in Bartram Park and guests are welcome to bring chairs and blankets. Brothers Osborne, Molly Ringwalds and Mishka are set to headline this year’s event. The festival’s lineup will also feature Wes Loper Band, Soul Rebels, Sons of Fathers, Sol Driven Train, Eric Erdman Trio and local band, Heritage. The always popular children’s area will be located in Bartram Park. There will be plenty of fun activities for children of all ages to enjoy including hands on arts and crafts, sand art and face painting. Festival hours are Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 am to 11 pm; Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 am to 11 pm; and Sunday, Sept. 29 11 am to 5 pm.

PSC Switzer Gallery Features Artist Neal Ambrose-Smith Through September Works by Visiting Master Artist Neal Ambrose-Smith will be exhibited at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts on the Pensacola State College campus through Oct. 4.

Admission is free and the public is invited to the Artist Reception from 6-8 pm Thursday, Sept. 12, and to the Artist Talk at 9 am Friday, Sept. 13, at the Switzer Gallery. A respected painter, printmaker and sculptor, Ambrose-Smith also is an educator in using non-toxic printmaking techniques. His work combines drawing, painting, printmaking and collage to create a layered grouping of images. Ambrose-Smith often combines his Native America tribal imagery with current events to create images that are intended to tease, inform, educate and puzzle viewers. The Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts is in Building 15 at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Airport Boulevard. Gallery hours are 8 am-9 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am3:30 pm Friday. Admission is free. For more information, call 484.2550.

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Saenger Theater Summer Classic Movie Series Saturdays The Saenger’s Summer Classic Movie Series is back this summer with hits from yesteryear lighting up the silver screen in the historic theater. A survey was conducted allowing people to vote for favorite classic films to be shown.

Movies will be shown on Saturdays at 7 pm, and admission is $5. A movie 10pack, which can be used in any combination, is available for $40.

Seating is general admission.

September 21: The Godfather September 28: The Sound of Music

PMA Presents 24 Hours in Downtown Pensacola September 6-October 12 Anything can happen in a day. For the first time at the PMA, 24 Hours in Downtown Pensacola celebrates the diverse places, spaces, and people that make up our community— and you are the photographer! The exhibition consists of one to five photographs of each hour between noon on Friday, July 19, and noon on Saturday, July 20. The winning images represent the everyday life of downtown Pensacola. The exhibition will be on view Sept. 6 through Oct. 12. For more information, visit pensacolamuseumofart.com.

Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival October 1-6 Each October, Pensacola Beach transforms into a musical Mecca for some of the most recognized songwriters in the country.

From Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, October 6, 2013, The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival will present a rotating lineup of over 100 songwriters in 17 venues in lovely and historic Pensacola Beach, Fla. In years past, the festival has included the legendary writers and collaborators behind the hits of Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Phillip Phillips, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Ray Charles and more. The songwriters will perform several times over the course of the week in the various venues giving the true music fan an opportunity to see most of the performers. General admission is free to most of the venues throughout the festival. However, some of the special events, including entrance to some of the intimate listening room shows and the Sunset Cruise, will require a cover charge. An “All-Access Weekend Pass” is available for $50 and grants the patron entrance to all listening room venues during the week (except the cruise). For more information visit www.pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com, the PBSF Facebook page, or call 850-341-0889.

Just Pickin', Mark Osborn, 7:35 pm

PLT Presents Godspell September 19-22 Godspell is a fun, modern day retelling of the New Testament parables from The Gospel According to Matthew. This timeless tale of friendship, loyalty, and love has touched the hearts of countless theatregoers all over the world. Raise your spirit with the Tony-nominated score filled with the popular hits “Day By Day,” “Learn Your Lessons Well” and “Turn Back, O Man.” Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $14$30 and are available at pensacolalittletheatre.com, the PLT box office or by calling 432.2042.

East Meets West at Blue Morning Gallery

Living History Exhibits in Historic Pensacola Village

Through September 28 At the Blue Morning Gallery on Palafox Place, a touch of Asia arrives in Downtown Pensacola. In East Meets West, Through Asian Art, the trio of award-winners: Tammy Caspersen, potter; Suzanne Tuzzeo, photographer; and Tom Smith, painter, bring the beauty of Asian art and culture to life through their three powerful mediums. Tammy Caspersen demonstrates exceptional pottery skills with large sculpture pieces, sushi trays, sake sets and graceful orchid containers, all a must-see. Well-known photographer Suzanne Tuzzeo captures the dynamic color, shapes and ambiance that is Asian art. From fiery dragons to lush, serene landscapes, Suzanne brings a wonderful display of vibrant colors and natural beauty directly from the Far East.

Local painter Tom Smith brings a blend of acrylics and subject matter to the canvas in a way that reflects the time-honored artwork of Asia. Opening Sept. 29, the Blue Morning Gallery’s first “3-D” show of the year features the work of tile artist Mark Schmitt and works by the Gallery’s two new workers in wood, Ric Koressel and Tom Snyder. Titled Grout and Grain, the show will run through Oct. 26. Blue Morning Gallery is located at 21 Palafox Place, Downtown Pensacola. For information, call the Gallery at 429.9100 or visit the website at bluemorninggallery.com.

Fridays & Saturdays Learn early 19th century cooking techniques and trade-skills from costumed Living History interpreters every Friday and Saturday in Historic Pensacola Village. Cooking takes place in an authentically recreated detached kitchen house using actual 18th and 19th century recipes. Trades demonstrated include broom making, sewing, basket weaving, and wood working.

Demonstration schedules vary and are included with the Village admission, which is $6 adults, $5 AAA, senior citizen 65+ and active military, $3 children between 4-16. Visit the Historic Pensacola Village at 205 East Zaragoza St. or call 595.5993 for more information.

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Sister City Delegation Delivers “Great Floridian” Designation in Honor of General Bernardo de Gálvez Florida Governor Scott tasked Honorary Spanish Consul Maria Davis to deliver the “Great Floridian” designation, in honor of the late General Bernardo de Gálvez, to the Museum of the Army (Museo del Ejército) in Toledo, Spain in mid-June 2013. In 2012, Florida recognized General Gálvez’s victories during the American Revolutionary War and in particular, his spectacular successes along the Gulf Coast and during the Battle of Pensacola, which offered a significant turning point in that war. In the ceremony at the Museum of the Army, General Antonio Izquierdo, the director of the museum, accepted the award. This museum houses the iconic flag from the historic battle at Pensacola’s Fort George as well as many maps and displays from this period in our city’s history.

Those who traveled as delegation members with Nancy Fetterman, Nan Harper, Macharaviaya Mayor Consul Maria Davis within the cities of Madrid and Antonio Campos, Coronel Joaquin a. Barreñada Toledo included Molly Long Fernandez de Mesa Aparicio, Honorary Spanish Vice Consul Maria Davis, (daughter of Mary Ann Long and DAR President in Alfonzo Orioles, Molly Long Fernandez de Mesa and Lt. Spain), Nan Harper, and Nancy Fetterman. Also joining Col. Claudio Sanchez.

Consul Davis’ small delegation in Toledo for the museum presentation was Cristóbal Colón, the Duke of Veragua and direct descendant of Christopher Columbus.

Others included in the various ceremonial moments were former Spanish Ambassador Erik Martel and his niece Lydia Martel, Dr. Mercedes Sanchez of Madrid, and joining the events from our Sister City of Macharaviaya were the Honorable Mayor Antonio Campos and Alfonzo Orioles.

At Seville Quarter This Month

At Vinyl Music Hall This Month

Seville Quarter hosts a variety of entertainment from a wide array of genres. For more information check out SevilleQuarter.com.

Vinyl Music Hall hosts a huge variety of musical acts featuring many musical styles. For more information check out VinylMusicHall.com.

Mondays: Monday Night Blues Tuesdays: Kitt Lough Wednesday-Saturday: Dueling Piano Show September 27 & 28: Schofield, A Flock of Sea Monkeys & Chilikaya One Reggae October 4 & 5: Grand Theft Audio, Hotel Oscar, Big Jim Brown & the Speed Kings October 11 & 12: The Red Field, Banana Republic & Reed Lightfoot & the Collective October 18 &19: The Modern Eldorado’s, Schofield & Timberhawk October 25 & 26: A Flock of Sea Monkeys, The Rez & Swerve

September 21: Hypnaughty: Comedy Hypnosis Show (two shows) September 23: WHY?, Astronautilus September 25: David Cook, September 29: The Pretty Reckless, Heaven’s Basement October 3: Greensky Bluegrass, Fruition October 4: ZOSO- The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience October 5: Roger Creager October 11: New Orleans Suspects, RumpelSTEELskin featuring Ed Williams of The Revivalists October 12: Cody ChesnuTT October 15: Dawes, Caitlin Rose October 17: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band October 19: An Evening With Keller Williams

Artel Opens Experimental Art with a Lens Through October 4 Artel Gallery presents “Experimental Art with a Lens,” a juried exhibit, running through Oct. 4. Works in this exhibit were selected by juror Rachael Pongetti. The placement winners are: Best of Show, Sandy Ford; First Place, Geri Nettles; Second Place, Nancy Nesvik; Third Place, Dicky Hartley; Edgiest, Joseph Smith; Honorable Mentions, Anne Baehr, Bruce Buck, Polly Crongeyer, Joshua Kern and Bill White.

For more information call the gallery at 850 432-3080 or visit Artel’s website at artelgallery.org.

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Second Annual Long Hollow Equinox Festival September 21 The Long Hollow Neighborhood Association, North Hill Preservation Association and Living Concert Series are proud to present the Second Annual Long Hollow Equinox Festival, a day of music and community on Saturday, September 21st, 2013, 3pm to 10pm. The free rain or shine event features performing artists, refreshments, and interactive projects for people and families of all ages and ethnicities. Following last year’s phenomenal success, the historic Long Hollow neighborhood welcomes back the family-friendly music, community, and arts festival featuring a lineup of local music, organizations, food vendors, exhibits,

raffles, and an artists village. Performances will feature a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, funk, hip-hop, folk, classical, and experimental music. Also on the schedule are raku demonstrations, the Viva Florida 500 art exhibition-Artifacts, demonstrations in innovative technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, and circuit fabrication workshops. Equinox Festival is a collaborative effort of local community and arts organizations emerging in and around the Long Hollow Neighborhood, including the Long Hollow Neighborhood Association, North Hill Preservation Association, Open Books, Belmont Youth Band, First City Arts Center (formerly Belmont Arts Center), the Emerald Coast Community of Makers, and the Living Concert Series. The Equinox Festival will take place at 1040 N Guillemard St, Pensacola, Florida 32501. More information can be found online at Facebook.com/LongHollowNeighborhood or www.longhollowneighborhood.com.

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GIVE

PMA Presents Annual Fundraiser Suite Soirée September 26

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) will once again present its premier fundraising event, Suite Soirée—a culinary evening benefiting the artistic, educational and outreach programming of the Museum. It will feature both silent and live auctions, and Cat Country 98.7 radio personality Brent Lane will serve as auctioneer. This year the PMA is excited to announce that our participating chefs are the leading players inspiring the current cuisine of Pensacola.

They will each present one course, culminating in five total, with wine pairings provided by Wine Bar on Palafox. Introducing our esteemed chefs: Tricia Horton, Daniel Watts, Blake Rushing and Amber Solnick, MariCarmen Josephs, and Alex McPhail. This year’s event will once again be hosted in the Thornton and Kugelman Family Galleries, in conjunction with David Warner: Mountain, Shore, Stream, an exhibition of the Colorado-based artist’s vivid landscape paintings. As the major source of fundraising for the Museum, and the original celebrity chef event in the area, this event sells out every year! Tickets are $150. To purchase tickets visit pensacolamuseum.org, or call the PMA at 432.6247 Ext. 203.

Seville Rotary’s Third Annual Arrogant Steak Cook-Off

The Marine Corps Aviation’s 30th Annual Semper Fi Charity Run

October 3 Calling all carnivores! On Thursday, Oct. 3 at Seville Quarter, competitive cooking teams will be serving up NY Strip steaks for ticket holders to sample and each attendee will get to vote for their favorite steak. Tickets for admission are only $25 prior to the event and $35 at the door. Each ticket will get you steak, beer, salad bar, and potato bar. A full service cash bar will also be available, as will raffle drawings for lots of great prizes. Proceeds from this event will benefit the many efforts of Seville Rotary to positively impact those in need across the Pensacola area. The major benefactor for this event is United Cerebral Palsy. Other Seville Rotary benefactors include Oakcrest and West Pensacola Elementary Schools, United Way, Gulf Coast Kids House, FavorHouse, Take Stock in Children and many others. Event is sponsored in part by: Winn Dixie, Seville Quarter, Goldring Gulf Distributing/Miller and Seville Rotary Club. For more information, purchase tickets or to register a team please visit: www.sevillerotary.com or contact the event coordinator Steve McNally at 316-7900.

September 21 The Marine Corps Aviation Association Semper Fi Charity Run/Walk will be held on Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Race will start near Radford Gymnasium and feature a scenic route throughout the Naval Base. The race is a USATF sanctioned event. Post race events including food, drink, and music, will be held on base at the finish line. The Semper Fi Charity Run race participants may register online or with a mailin form. Both forms are available at www.semperficharityrun.org/registration.html. The Semper Fi Charity Run began in 1983 with the goal of helping the families of the 241 American service members killed in the bombing attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut. Today, the purpose of the race is to give back to the Pensacola community. All proceeds will benefit the local outreach programs: New Horizons of Northwest Florida, Escambia Westgate School, The Miracle League of Pensacola, Gulf Coast Kids House, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast.

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GIVE

Gulf Islands National Seashore Annual Coastal Cleanup

Pensacola Opera’s 2013 Jukebox Gala

September 21 Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Dan Brown announced the upcoming annual International Coastal Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 am to 12 noon.

Coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy, the International Coastal Cleanup is a major worldwide event “Our goal isn’t just to clean the beaches, it is also to educate people about keeping the beaches clean in the first place,” said Superintendent Brown. “Some pieces of debris can outlive the oldest fish in the sea.” Coastal cleanup volunteers are advised to wear closedtoe shoes, gloves, sunscreen and hats and to bring water to stay hydrated. Families, individuals, businesses, and community groups can choose their favorite location to register, receive trash bags, data cards and information.

For more information contact ranger Mike Aymond at 850-934-2634, by email at mike_aymond@nps.gov or visit www.nps.gov/guis.

October 26 Pensacola Opera will host its ninth annual Jukebox Gala at New World Landing on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 6 pm.

Jukebox Gala is the Opera’s signature fundraising event where, over a fivecourse dinner, opera stars will serenade guests tableside. The evening’s entertainment is determined by guests as they bid on popular selections from opera and musical theatre to be performed for them course by course. This year’s featured entertainment will be provided by: sopranos Kara Shay Thomson, Jane Redding and Sheila Murphy; mezzo-sopranos Chandra McKern and Eliza Bonet; tenors Erik Lautier, Roderick George and Brian Downen; and baritones Todd Thomas, Kenneth Overton and Corey McKern. Blake Riley will accompany on the piano. Tickets for this one-of-a-kind event are $125 per person. Dress for the evening is cocktail attire. This is a limited seating event. RSVP by Monday, Oct. 14 to the Pensacola Opera Center at (850) 433-6737. All proceeds from this event will support Pensacola Opera’s mission to enrich the culture of Northwest Florida by producing professional opera performances, educational programs and other operarelated community events for people of all ages, interests and backgrounds. Table sponsorships and single tickets are now available. For more information contact Jennifer Knisbell, Special Events Manager, at jennifer@pensacolaopera.com, or visit www.pensacolaopera.com.

Scrabble Soiree at Sanders Beach Community Center September 26 Learn to Read of Northwest Florida invites you to the 2013 Scrabble Soiree. This evening of exciting competition, good food, beverages, and guaranteed laughter is a great opportunity to support an amazing cause in a community which needs this service so badly. Learn to Read of Northwest Florida teaches adults the invaluable skill of reading to those who have not been fortunate enough to learn. Through free, one-on-one instruction, adults are taught basic reading and writing, English for speakers of other languages, and GED preparation skills.

This event will include a unique way to play a traditional game, including bribing judges and making up words, all in a team setting. Be sure to bring your bribe money and join us for this great night of friendly competition! Scrabble Soiree will be held Thursday. Sept. 26 and doors open at 6 pm at the Sanders Beach Community Center: 913 S. Tickets are $35 for individuals, $250 for a table of eight, $20 for individual to gaze and graze (eating and drinking only). Call 432.4347 or visit learntoreadnwf.org for more information.

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Friends of the West Florida Public Library Fall Book Sale September 27-29 The Friends of the West Florida Public Library Fall Book Sale will be held at the Pensacola Public Library at 239 N. Spring St. on Sept. 27, 28, 29—Friday 4-8 pm (members free, others $5); Saturday 9 am-5 pm free; and Sunday noon-3 pm ($5 bag sale). Books, paperbacks, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, children’s books, mysteries, novels and a Collector’s Corner will all be available. There will be thousands of books to buy! For more information call Meredith at 341.1434.

Stepping Out in Style Fashion Show

FWC Needs Experienced Pet Owners to Adopt Exotic Species

October 17 Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available for the Women’s Board of the Baptist Health Care Foundation’s 37th annual Stepping Out in Style Fashion Show. Support your community by taking part in this red carpet extravaganza at New World Landing set for Thursday, Oct. 17. Proceeds support the Mission of Baptist Health Care, to improve the quality of life for our community. Belk department store, the Womens Board’s generous event partner, will bring the fashions, lights, sounds and look to create a fantastic couture experience. Professional and local celebrity models will show off the latest runway fashions. In addition to the runway show, the event will feature both silent and live auctions, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. For more information visit BaptistHealthCareFoundation.org or call 850.469.7419.

Are you an experienced pet owner interested in adopting an exotic species? Do you know how to care for pets such as a boa constrictor, leopard gecko, African spurred tortoise, African grey parrot or sugar glider? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park are offering qualified adopters the chance to take home an exotic pet turned in by those who no longer can keep them. Those opportunities will come at Exotic Pet Amnesty Day on Oct. 5 at the Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island. Florida is the one state in the continental United States regularly holding Exotic Pet Amnesty Days to encourage owners to turn in their exotic pets without cost or penalty and discourage the release of nonnative species into the wild. This is the first time that an event of this type will be held in the Florida panhandle area. Pet adopters must be pre-qualified to receive surrendered animals.

Anyone interested in adopting exotic pets can download the application forms at myfwc.com/nonnatives. Adopters must have knowledge of natural history and safe caging requirements for the animals they are interested in adopting. There is no fee for becoming an adopter. Exotic Pet Amnesty Day at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park will be Saturday, October 5, from 10 am. to 2 pm., and will be free and open to the public. Adoption applications must be received by Oct. 3 to be processed in time for this event. A veterinarian will examine each animal, and the healthy animals will be placed with qualified adopters. For more info visit www.gulfarium.com or call (850) 243-9046.

Clay Shoot for America’s Heroes

Junior League Presents Second Annual Red Haute Royale October 4 The Junior League of Pensacola invites the community to attend the second annual “Red Haute Royale.” An evening of exciting casino-style games, great prizes, entertainment and delicious food, Red Haute Royale will also feature a happy hour and an incredible silent auction.

One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit the Junior League of Pensacola, Inc., a nonprofit organization of women dedicated to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and making a difference in the lives of others. Red Haute Royale will take place at Heritage Hall at Seville Quarter at 5:30 pm on Friday, Oct. 4. Tickets are $50 and are available at juniorleagueofpensacola.org or by phone at

Photo courtesy of MyFWC.media

November 7 Gulf Power Company and our employee service organization, Transformers, are proud to present the first annual Clay Shoot for America’s Heroes on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. This year’s event will raise funds to support two local charities that provide assistance to our wounded military members and their families, Fisher House and the Eagle Fund at Andrews Institute. The Eagle Fund at Andrews Institute provides wounded military men and women access to world-renowned athletic and health care facilities that assist in their return to the fight and to life. The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast located on Eglin AFB provides a “home away from home” for family members so military families can heal together during treatment for serious illness or injury. The Gulf Power Transformers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to provide support to our local communities through volunteer service and financial assistance.

This year’s event will feature two start times and will be hosted

by Santa Rosa Shooting Center in Pace, Fla. Flights will begin in the morning at 8 am and in the afternoon at 1 pm, with a fun and hearty lunch being served for both flights at noon. The lunch will feature barbecue by the award winning Big Juicy Butts barbecue team, a silent and live auction, and raffle prizes. You won’t want to miss out on this fun event! Sponsorship opportunities are now available and team registration forms will be mailed in late August. If you’d like to reserve your spot now, you can contact Susan Young at seyoung@southernco.com or (850) 444-6373.

MANNA is Turning 30!

September 21 Please join MANNA to celebrate 30 years of service in the community. MANNA’s 30th Birthday Bash will be held at the Main Pantry, 116 East Gonzalez St. on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 am - 2 pm. Tickets are $30 per person and include a barbecue lunch, beer, soft drinks, and water, and a variety of birthday cakes for sampling. All proceeds will benefit MANNA, who provided food to 44,209 people last year. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MannaFoodPantries.org or call (850)432-2053.

(850) 433-4421.

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RUNNING EVENTS SEPTEMBER September 7, 2013 Perdido Keymunity 5k Gumbo Run Perdido Bay Community Center, 13660 Innerarity Point Rd. Pensacola Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash Seville Square, Downtown Pensacola Benefits Mothers Against Drunk Driving September 14, 2013 Run for Water 5k Pace High School 4065 Norris Road Pace, Fla. Helps to give people in Haiti clean water through wells September 21, 2013 30th Annual Semper Fi 5k Charity Run Naval Air Station Pensacola, 190 Radford Blvd Pensacola, Fla. All proceeds go directly to local outreach programs September 28, 2013 Wonderful Wacky Women Making Waves to Wipe Out Ovarian Cancer 4 mile walk, 4 mile run & 1-mile fun walk FloraBama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola, Fla. Don McCloskey Seafood 5k Run/Walk Seville Quarter, 130 East Government Street.

OCTOBER October 5, 2013 Santa Rosa Island Triathlon Pensacola Beach Riverwalk Run 5K Benefits programs of the City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department Start location –10’ East of Int. BerryHill & Willing October 6, 2013 Sea Turtle Kids Triathlon Parking Lot G, 1.2 miles east of Portofino Island Resort on Pensacola Beach 1st Annual I Pink I Can Run 4 Mile Run Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola Fla. Helps local socioeconomically challenged women receive mammograms.

October 12, 2013 2013 Pensacola Mud Run St. Matthews Baptist Church, 3047 County Hwy 95A Cantonment, Fla. 32533 Benefits Pathways for Change Coastline 5k Coastline Campus, 1122 Oriole Beach Rd. Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

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In Hot Pursuit 5k Starts near the Pavilion on Pensacola Beach Proceeds support Florida Sheriff’s Association Youth Ranches October 13, 2013 Run for the Reef 5k Navarre Beach Pier, 8579 Gulf Blvd.

Navarre Beach, Fla. Benefiting Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary – Snorkeling and Diving Reefs October 19, 2013 Brain Tumor Run for Research 5k Plaza De Luna Park Pensacola, Fla. Benefits Miles for Hope Gulf Breeze Rotary 5k Pigskin Classic Casino Beach Pavilion Pensacola Beach, Fla. Proceeds to benefit Gulf Breeze Rotary Scholarship Foundation October 25, 2013 Pensacola Beach Glow Run Pensacola Beach Gulfside Pavilion Casino Beach Blvd.

Proceeds to benefit Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida October 26, 2013 Blackwater Trail Challenge – 50k Ultra & Relay Blackwater River State Forest, Bear Lake Pavilion, Milton Fla. NOVEMBER November 2, 2013 29th Annual Great Pumpkin Race and Little Fun Run 12th Avenue and Moreno Street, East Hill Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Cathedral School November 10, 2013 Pensacola Marathon & Half Marathon Veterans Memorial Park, Pensacola Fla. November 23, 2013 Gator March 5k Run/Walk Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, Fla. Supports Escambia HS band program November 30, 2013 2013 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis 10k & 5k Gulfside Pavilion, 6 Casino Beach Blvd, Gulf Breeze Fla.

DECEMBER December 14, 2013 2013 Ho Ho Hustle 5k Running Wild Pensacola, 3012 E. Cervantes St. December 21, 2013 The Christmas Run Seville Quarter 130 E Government St., Pensacola, Fla. Benefits Praying For Carolyn December 28, 2013 The Micah Mandate Run for Life The Drowsy Poet, Pensacola, Fla. JANUARY January 12, 2014 Service First Bank First Light Marathon Mobile Government Plaza, Alabama To benefit L’Arche Mobile FEBRUARY February 1-2 2014 Double Bridge Run 15k & 5k Maritime Park, Downtown Pensacola, Fla. MARCH March 8, 2014 McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Run – projected date March 15, 2014 Bayou Hills 10k Run, 5k Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run Bayview Park, Pensacola Fla. APRIL April 4-6, 2014 Gulf Coast Interstate Relay Run or Ride New Orleans, AL to Pensacola Beach, Fla. April 13, 2014 Gulf Coast Half Marathon MAY May 3, 2014 Sunset Stampede 5k – projected date May 10, 2014 St. John’s Sunset Run – projected date September/October 2013

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Artwork by Kevin Marchetti. Photos are the sole property of Renaissance Man Inc.

THE JOE PATTI MEMORIAL REEF For The Love Of All Things Pensacola 28

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Written by Ellie Grabski Photographed by Kassie McLean

As the month of July came to a close, so did the working life of a 175’ barge, long belonging to the Joe Patti family. In the early hours of July 31, a light, welcome rain fell from above as the barge was blessed behind the Joe Patti’s restaurant for its final voyage. With a spray of holy water dashed across the deck, Father John LiCari of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Bellview spoke of the sea as a symbol for not only life, but also death and resurrection. In a matter of hours, his words rang true as observers witnessed the barge successfully sink to the ocean floor where it lives on as a memorial artificial reef.

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Beautiful plaques that transform the barge into a piece of art are thanks to Renaissance Man. The metal artwork featured on the deck of the barge truly reflects all things Pensacola.

The barge had a long life and was originally acquired by Frank Patti, Sr. in the late 80s. “The barge was part of the flotilla that repaired Pensacola Bay Bridge when it was struck by another tug and barge. When the crew left, this barge was left behind, it didn’t fit in the flotilla,” said Frank Patti, Jr. Twenty some years later, when it became clear the barge was no longer in working condition, Frank Patti Jr. made the decision to transform it into an artificial reef – but not just any reef. “We wanted to do something significant so I put on plaques to enhance the barge and to extend the legacy of the Patti family because we’ve gotten our living from the sea,” said Patti. “That’s where Marchetti came in. I knew Kevin for years because the Marchetti family and the Patti family have a long history.”

The beautiful plaques that transform the barge into a piece of art are thanks to Renaissance Man, a custom metal fabrication company owned by Kevin Marchetti. While Marchetti says the “bread and butter” of his operations are more architectural elements like handrails and staircases, Renaissance Man often tackles more art-focused projects, as has certainly been the case with the Joe Patti Memorial Reef.

“With his [Kevin’s] skills with metallurgy and the art form and mine in the more production and the construction process we started putting things together. He has had a very good thought process on how to make this thing look professional. I wanted it to be donated to the Coast Keepers and then help pay Kevin’s costs. So that’s where the plaques started expanding into the general public when they wanted to have their interest displayed on the barge,” said Patti.

From iconic images portraying past and present, to long time Pensacola family memorials, the metal artwork featured on the deck of the barge truly reflects all things Pensacola. “There is the Pensacola lighthouse, the Pensacola beach ball, the Pensacola beach sign, the Blue Angels. We did the Florabama – a mini bar called ‘the dive bar’ with barstools and a mullet on it. We did a lot of fish – there is a thousand pound slab of granite that was cut into the shape of a flounder. I did a big Blue Wahoo because of the team here. There are also a lot of memorials for different families: my family, Frank’s family, and different people who wanted to memorialize their family or their loved one. We did stuff for the dive shops too because they wanted to be a part of it. We

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did a Spanish galleon ship for Galvez and de Luna because they’re so predominate in Pensacola’s history. I did a shrimp boat for Joe Patti’s. I actually put my mom’s ashes on there. My sisters and I were talking about scattering her into the Gulf but we thought this would be a nice place for her,” remarked Marchetti.

Marchetti went on to describe the physical process of making the plaques as quite lengthy, many involving several hours of labor including design, cutting and painting. Each plaque is made out of inch thick stainless steel and the art is painted with an anti fouling paint in order for it to be better preserved beneath the waves.

Over the last two months, you might have glimpsed The Joe Patti Memorial Reef (in the making) docked behind the Joe Patti’s seafood market and restaurant. The barge was moved from the shipyard to the restaurant so it could lie in shallow waters and for “land-loving” onlookers to get a peek at the artificial reef before it sank into the sea. Apparently, once the barge got wind it was destined to sink, it happily decided to hurry along the process for Patti and has proven incredibly difficult in all attempts to keep it afloat until the opportune moment.

After combating issue after issue throughout the summer months, Patti finally decided to have a seamless liner constructed in Arizona that stretched underneath the barge and sealed it off watertight. It proved just the ticket to getting the barge out to sea safely.

Believe it or not boats don’t actually sink all that quickly and quite a bit of strategy is involved in sending a barge such as this to the depths properly. Due to the top-heavy nature of the barge, holes were cut in only one end. This assured that one side of the barge would take on water first, causing the other to rise into the air and force the vessel to sink at an angle. If holes had been placed on both ends of the barge it would have been a faster process, but once submerged, the barge could have flipped over, crushing all of the memorial plaques and artwork.

With the liner intact, the trip out to sea was a success. Once in position, those riding on the barge that morning helped to pull the liner back and when all was clear, the tugboat that had towed the barge pulled alongside the sinking vessel to collected the men that made the collaborative process possible.

Frank Patti’s shrimp boat Captain Joe watchfully followed alongside, carrying Patti’s family and close friends eager to

As the barge finally sank, the air rang with cheers, pops of champagne corks and the horns of the 10 to 12 nearby boaters. celebrate the project’s final chapter. Local musician Kyle Coulahan provided a good-timing backdrop on the way out and as the barge finally sank, the air rang with cheers, pops of champagne corks and the horns of the 10 to 12 nearby boaters that had followed the ship to witness the voyage and sinking.

As Captain Joe made its way back into the bay, a pod of dolphins darted in and out of its wake and served as a reminder to all onboard of the marine ecosystem that would flourish from the barge’s place in the Gulf. The artificial reef will attract marine life and greatly benefit the area. In addition to providing for the county and the sea life, the barge will also serve the ecotourism business in Pensacola, attracting divers from all over the world to view the easily accessible work of art. At its 50 to 60 foot depth, the dive will be a possibility for more inexperienced divers due to its shallow location and close proximity to the shoreline. The exact location of the reef is 30 17.330 N / 87 13.755 W. According to Patti, the precise location was very important and determined through conversations with the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). “We all worked together with DEP and all of the core agencies to make this barge fit at this site which is just a mile and a half off of Pensacola beach. I wanted it to be accessible to all people. It’s going to be so far in shore that people can just canoe or kayak out to it. You could almost free dive to it, it’s in shallow water and at 30 feet down you’re right on top of it. You could snorkel and get a good view of it right from the surface.”

It seems a little backwards to imagine someone breathing a sigh of relief as they watch their barge sink beneath the waves, but after such a trying and worrisome experience, Patti did just that. “I think it’s a

As Captain Joe made its way back into the bay, a pod of dolphins darted in and out of its wake. perfect fit – it’s a win-win situation, it’s no cost to the county, the barge had to go anyhow and the material I had on hand I was willing to use at no cost. As for my man hours, I thought this was a worthy cause to honor the family along with other families and the Pensacola landmarks because I love Pensacola and I want the Patti legacy to be connected with Pensacola especially when it comes to our marine natural resources.”

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A Closer Look at Local Wildlife

By Emily Lullo Photos by Todd Amacker

The flora and fauna throughout this region and even in your own backyard is often something that goes unnoticed. The plants that we glimpse while walking through a neighborhood park or insects we swat away as they buzz around our face may seem mundane, but a closer look at some of the diverse species that are native to this area can foster a newfound appreciation for the unique array of wildlife right under our noses.

Local conservation photographer Todd Amacker hopes to bring awareness and inspire curiosity in the colorful native creatures that live, fly, swim and crawl all around us. As a photographer for an international initiative called Meet Your Neighbours, Amacker does this through vivid, highly detailed images of plants and animals against a stark white background.

Meet Your Neighbours is a worldwide photographic initiative co-founded in 2009 by nature photographers Niall Benvie and Clay Bolt. The project is dedicated to reconnecting people with the wildlife on their own doorsteps.

“It’s grown from those two to 50 photographers worldwide on every continent except Antarctica and we all have the same goal in mind—bringing about public awareness about critters that live in your community—but it’s also a great way to document species found in remote areas as well,” Amacker says.

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The photographers involved in Meet Your Neighbours span the globe and turn in photos of wildlife from fish and birds to plants and bugs to MeetYourNeighbours.net for nature lovers to explore. Amacker became involved after contacting Bolt and receiving an equipment grant from a local grassroots environmental organization called the Bream Fisherman Association.

A Pensacola native who studied environmental science at the University of West Florida, Amacker began taking an interest in bird watching during the two years he spent teaching environmental education at the Waterberg Academy in rural South Africa. He brought that interest home to Pensacola, but soon found he’d seen most of what the local bird world offered, so he set his sights and camera lens on more accessible wildlife including insects, reptiles and plants.

To get his subjects, Amacker heads to any spot that has a bit of overgrown grass where bugs like to hide. Sometimes he goes to a lot just blocks from his home and other times he travels to state and national parks throughout southern Alabama and Northwest Florida. Often loading his equipment into a stroller with his 19-monthold daughter, he makes blind sweeps through the grass with a large butterfly net and then checks to see what he’s caught.

Many of the creatures snared in the net are too small to fully appreciate with the

naked eye, but the blown up images showcase every miniscule detail like tiny bursts of color or delicate lacy wings.

Amacker looks for anything he hasn’t yet documented as well as anything particularly interesting he sees, like a tiny, opportunistic spider snacking on a fly that’s also been snagged in the net. He often sees repeats but even having taken hundreds of photos of different species, he doesn’t foresee running out of unique subject matter any time soon.

“Florida’s actually got one of the highest concentrations of insects in the country,” he says. “For example, there are 400 species of grasshopper in Florida alone, half of which you can only find in Florida and I’ve photographed maybe 12 kinds of grasshoppers.”

By setting up each subject on a white background inside a cube-shaped light box and shooting with a macro lens and two flashes, Amacker produces images with striking details. While most of his work displays insects and spiders, he also has photographs of lizards, snakes, frogs, toads and some aquatic creatures in his repertoire, and says his favorite subjects are the vast array of butterflies and dragonflies that flutter around this region.

Native plants can also become subjects, and some of his images portray the gorgeous, carnivorous pitcher plant, a threatened species in this area.

When he’s not taking photos in his own backyard or nearby lots, Amacker spends time in Southern Alabama, but says his favorite spot is the area in Blackwater State Park.

“A lot of people don’t know that some of the largest longleaf pine forests left on earth are in the Florida panhandle, so it’s a really important ecosystem and they house a lot of biodiversity,” he says. “They’re actually the most diverse forest ecosystem in the country.”

Amacker has no plans to stop documenting and sharing his photos of the seemingly unending collection of native species that call this area home, and he also sells prints of his work to nature lovers. He says he’s passionate about conservation photography as a way to share the beauty of local wildlife with the masses and hopefully inspire others to appreciate their unique environment.

“It’s great because it makes you feel like a kid again,” he says. “Just like a lot of kids I grew up catching insects and various critters in this part of the world. As I grew older I just found it to be more and more important to conserve all these creatures for the future so that the species that we call common now don’t become tomorrow’s endangered species.”

See more of Todd’s photos at toddamacker.wix.com/amackerlens.

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Pensacola Beach Eco Trail Signs

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By Shawn and Lindy Brown, Outdoor Gulfcoast

The Pensacola area is a naturalist’s paradise and a historian’s dream. It’s rich in diverse ecosystems with everything from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and white sandy beaches to salt marshes and coastal forests. History is extensive with Pensacola being America’s first European settlement.

That’s nearly five centuries of history to explore. Being set along beautiful Pensacola Bay with its abundance of fish species, Pensacola was an important port city for years.

There are many ways you and your family can explore the Pensacola area either by land or water. As fall sets in and cooler days come, it makes the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and discover all Pensacola has to offer.

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Historic Urban and Natural Pensacola Walking around downtown and Pensacola’s historic village is a great way to spend a sunny day. Some fun things to do while downtown are to take a historic tour, ride a bike, glide along on a Segway, or hunt for treasures geocaching style.

A unique way to discover Pensacola’s history is by Segway. I can’t think of a more fun way to explore downtown Pensacola.

Imagine gliding through history on an eco-friendly machine that’s intuitive and self-balancing. It only takes a few minutes to learn to ride and then you are off on a guided tour with Emerald Coast Tours.

On the tour, you’ll have the exciting experience of riding a Segway as you view many sites such as Plaza de Luna, Fort George, Admiral Mason Park, Pensacola Bay and Project Greenshores, and many other locations important to Pensacola’s heritage. If you prefer a little more muscle power, Emerald Coast Tours also offers the option of bike tours.

You can add another element to your exploration of Pensacola’s treasures by using your GPS device or smartphone GPS app.

Geocaching is a worldwide recreational activity of hunting for hidden containers with log books and various objects by means of GPS coordinates posted on Geocaching.com. This is a fun activity for the whole family. Our kids always enjoy discovering these little hidden treasures. There are thousands of geocaches available in Pensacola including Destination Archeology’s GeoTrail, a geocaching trail which leads you to a variety of archeological sites at both rural and urban areas. There’s also the Escambia County Environmental Geocache Tour which guides you through the area’s major environmental restoration projects and unique environmental habitats.

Pensacola Beach Footprints In The Sand Eco-Trail If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to explore

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Pensacola Beach, then check out the new Footprints In The Sand Eco-Trail. The tour includes 29 numbered signs which have been placed throughout the beach, each with a different ecological topic.

Have you ever wondered where the beautiful white sand comes from that lines our beaches? You’ll learn where the sugar white sand comes from, the importance of sea grasses, and marine life like dolphins, sea turtles, seashells, fish, and more.

When you’re out exploring you’ll notice some of the signs include QR codes to scan on your smartphone. These codes will take you to Visit Pensacola Beach’s website to access additional information. To share your educational adventure, check into each location on Foursquare.

Water Eco Experience There are some great new options for exploring the area by land and now, we also have paddle tours and hands–on activities where you’ll learn about our unique marine ecosystems from on or in the water. Outdoor Gulf Coast along with Water Warrior offer many different water–based experiences from an eco tour where you’ll get a bird’s–eye view from a stand–up–paddleboard (SUP) with a guide and trained instructors to a sea life discovery session. Book a birthday party or company team building event.

Learning about sea life isn’t just for the kids. Adults of all ages are also encouraged to learn about our sensitive marine environments. You’ll get the science behind saltwater fish nurseries, fishing in Pensacola Bay, and more. If you’re an artist interested in getting a new perspective for your nature art, take a guided tour by kayak to some of the area’s hidden treasures for a time of education, inspiration, and creation.

Pensacola Beach Snorkeling Reefs Park East – Sound Side Grab a mask and snorkel and get ready to discover the sea life at the artificial reef on Pensacola Beach. The reef is a great way to experience the underwater coastal environment.

These reefs attract a variety of colorful fish, sea turtles, and more. Over time the surfaces of the concrete reefs become covered with hydrozoans, barnacles, algae and more as habitats for other sea life.

Recently, we took our paddleboards and paddled out to explore the reefs. It was a fun experience to see up close our important types of fish taking shelter in the reefs.

The Park East reef is approximately 450 feet off the beach. The reef is located about 1.4 miles to the east of the Portofino Resort. To find the artificial reef, there are orange-tipped, range finding poles placed into the sand at the east side of Park East, and just snorkel straight out. The water depth varies from 12 to 14 feet deep and the tops of the reefs are 6 to 9 feet below the surface.

Park West–Gulf Side Another artificial reef that’s designed for snorkeling is located near Fort Pickens at Park West. Unlike Park East this reef is located in Pensacola Bay. The location of this reef is easy to find with clearly marked pilings just off the beach. The water depth varies around 12 to 14 feet.

Blueway Paddle Trail If you’re like us, you want to be on the water and Perdido Key (just outside of west Pensacola) is a great destination to kayak or paddleboard. The key is abundant with wildlife to observe while paddling shallow bays, exploring salt marshes, and discovering uninhabited Islands.

Above left to right: Park East reef Morgan Park Pensacola Beach Eco trail Green Heron, Morgan Park Pensacola Beach Morgan Park Pensacola Beach Eco trail Recently opened in November of 2012 is the Perdido Key Blueway Trail. This kayak trail is a 5.5 mile addition to the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The paddle trailhead is located in Johnson Beach which is part of the Gulf Island National Seashore and extends east to the end of the key.

Paddling the Blueway Trail gets you up close to the natural surroundings. Sit back and watch blue herons and pelicans hunt for a meal. Paddle along as you watch dolphins play. Explore the lifegiving seagrass beds, and even discover historical points of interest on this trail.

You may think that nature and history aren’t your thing, but with all the new ways of exploring your surroundings, you may just find that they are. With everything from SUPs and Segways with your teens to group kayak trips on the Blueway Trail, you may just fall in love with Pensacola.

Below left to right: Quina House Museum Emerald Coast Tours Admiral Mason Park Pensacola Beach Eco Trail Signs Soundside

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PENSACOLA SCENE

...at the Pensacola Chamber Inc. 5000 event at Seville Heritage Hall

The newly-elected Mayor of Niles, Illinois, Andrew Przybylo and his wife Amy with Mayor Ashton Hayward sharing info at Grand Marlin.

Mel Stinson and Steve Greunke

Gerry Goldstein and Ken Lawson

Randy Ramos and Frank Smith

Mark Faulkner, Dr. Ed Meadows, Jerry Maygarden and Adm. Robert Kelly at the Greater Pensacola Chamber Reception for Jerry Maygarden

Teri and Dale Knee at the Evening of Comedy

Jeff Willard and James Wirth

Sam Fleming and Uriah Matthews

Susan and David Peaden

...at the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Corks and Canvas unveiling party at 600 South

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John, Marianne and Donnie McMahon

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Jim Homyak and Pamela Woodiwiss

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