June 2015
P e n s a c o l a • Yo u r C i t y • Yo u r M a g a z i n e
garden
HOME and
Villa on the Bay
Coffee Culture From the ground up Guy Harvey Special Section Business Climate Inside
editor’s note > my two cents on the subject Kelly Oden
So long, spring! Although the first official day of summer comes closer to the end of this month, I say June 1st marks the start of summer here on the Emerald Coast. The one thing that makes our summers bearable is our access to water. From beaches to bays and from rivers to creeks, we have plenty of opportunities to cool off. And, if you are lucky enough, you may even have the grand luxury of living on the water like the owner of our featured home this month. Natalie Ciano’s stunning villa on the bay is the epitome of living life on the water. With its sweeping views of Escambia Bay, this is the perfect home from which to enjoy our summer weather. Bay breezes, shaded outdoor spaces and lush landscaping offer respite from the heat while the luxurious
Executive Editor
interior offers a spa-like experience with plenty of high end indulgences. Read all about it and check out Jason Parker’s gorgeous photos on page 34. Coffee Culture in Pensacola has seen tremendous growth in recent years. No longer are we willing to settle for a quick cup of something that resembles coffee from the Circle K. We want the good stuff. From craft roasters to pour-over methods to cupping, coffee culture comes with itsown rituals and terminology. Emily Echevarria takes you on a tour of our local coffee scene and explains some of the concepts behind the perfect cup, starting on page 29. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans—how does your garden grow? The From the Ground Up community
Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.
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garden grows all this and more. Using heirloom varieties and organic methods this incredible, volunteer maintained garden will eventually produce thousands of pounds of produce per week. And best of all? Volunteers get a cut of the goods! What are you waiting for? Read our article on page 11 to find out how you can get involved. In addition to these great stories, we also have a Q&A with artist Guy Harvey, who is exhibiting at the Pensacola Museum of Art through Aug. 9. Plus, we have a story on the Voices of Pensacola Cultural Center and all of the wonderful work they are doing to keep our history alive. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and I hope you have a great summer. Stay cool!
ontents C Villa on the Bay p34
Coffee Culture p29 p11
p17
From the Ground Up p11 A Growing Community Sun Protection p14 Make Your Voice Heard p17 The Lure of the Ocean p20 Guy Harvey The Bayshore p23 Pensacola’s Oldest Condo Celebrate Dad p26 with a Backyard Brunch Play, Live, Give p42 Pensacola Scene p46
Northwest Florida’s Business Climate Magazine p20 Special Section p49 8
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On the Cover: photo by Jason Parker Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography, LLC
June
2015
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger • malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Pm Editor Kelly Oden • kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Rita Laymon • rita@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer & Advertising Coordinator Guy Stevens • guy@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Emily Echevarria • emily@ballingerpublishing.com Business Editor Josh Newby • josh@ballingerpublishing.com Editorial Interns Dawn Gresko Alina Newman Sales & Marketing Amanda Tomlinson, Account Executive ext. 28 amanda@ballingerpublishing.com
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 Guy Stevens • guy@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Emily Echevarria •emily@ballingerpublishing.com Business Editor Josh Newby •josh@ballingerpublishing.com Sales & Marketing Becky Hildebrand, Account Executive ext. 31 becky@ballingerpublishing.com Amanda Tomlinson, Account Executive ext. 28 amanda@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. © 2015
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UP
Ground
From the
Story by Kelly Oden
Photos by Guy Stevens
A Growing Community
Beneath the concrete behemoths of interstate off-ramps on Hayne Street a once abandoned community garden is getting a well-deserved reboot. The garden is called From the Ground Up and it consists of 36 raised garden beds filled with organic, heirloom plants in a dizzying array of varieties. Tomatoes, beans, peppers, cucumbers and plenty of complementary herbs and flowers have been brought to life by lead gardener Cat McCreery and a team of volunteers who believe in sustainability and the value of growing your own food. Funded by Innisfree Hotels’ corporate social responsibility program, the Hive, the community garden was originally inspired by a similar project in British Columbia called Sole Food Farm. The City of Pensacola and Mayor Ashton Hayward allowed the use of the land, which is an integral part of the City’s Hollice T. Williams Urban Linear Greenway Framework Plan. During the initial “dig in” volunteers repaired the garden’s structure, removed contaminated soil and prepared the beds for planting. This spring they planted over 4,000 heritage organic vegetable, flower and herb plants. June 2015
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The garden is about planting more than vegetables, though. They hope to plant opportunities as well. “We’re planting a chance for kids and their parents to grow healthy foods that will sustain their bodies, as well as their minds. There are many social advantages to growing community gardens. They improve the health and well-being of those involved, beautify neighborhoods, reduce family food budgets, and working in the garden is great exercise.” McCreery and her team of volunteers work hard to maintain the integrity of the garden. In fact, many of the plants are heirloom varieties passed down within McCreery’s own family. “Everything here is an heirloom. The definition of heirloom is something that has been sustainably grown and not altered for a minimum of 50 years. Some of the varieties that we have growing in our garden date back to the time of Columbus and discovery of America. So a lot of things that are in the garden are also part of a preservation effort, in that we are going to save those seeds and we will actively send those seeds into SeedSavers Exchange and they will get categorized and they will help to build up the availability of varieties that are slipping away from our food supply. One important function of this garden will be as a preservation garden,” she explains. The 4 by 10 foot beds can grow a tremendous amount of food—up to 30 pounds a week per bed in the height of harvesting. “Of course the eggplant and cucumbers will carry the bulk of the weight, but when you add all of that together, we are harvesting a tremendous amount of food within a very small space,” says McCreery. “It’s a reap what you sow garden, so volunteers are paid with a portion of the day’s harvest.” “We are going to build in phases,” says Jill Thomas, chief marketing officer at Innisfree Hotels. “The next phase will start in September
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and we are going to start a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program which is an innovative way to connect the consumer and grower, each making a commitment to the other. As a member, you purchase a share of produce in advance. We, in turn, commit to growing a variety of vegetables for weekly delivery. During the growing season members will be provided with freshly harvested produce. The bounty will vary from week to week and month to month depending on the season. We will also donate produce to the food bank and other charities.” Current volunteers range from children to senior citizens and from local celebrity chefs to neighborhood friends and families. Volunteer Jodi Brown spends about seven-10 hours per week in the garden. She values the time spent outside and the opportunity to meet likeminded people as much as she does the produce. “I’m a chef. Food is powerful stuff. If we can come together to grow food, it gives us an opportunity to get to know our neighbors better. Maybe even engage in conversations that might not otherwise take place, learn about each other. We spend too much time in front of our TVs and devices. Gardening brings people together with a common goal to nurture our bodies and our souls. I also live in an apartment and work a lot. I don’t have space to garden so access to an organic garden is a gift,” Brown explains. If you’d like to volunteer, public gardening times are as follows: Wednesday 4 pm-7 pm Thursday 4 pm-7 pm Friday 9 am-11 am
Lead gardener, Cat McCreery
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June 2015
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Protecting Your Skin From the
Summer
Sun
By Kacey Gibson, D.O., Family Medicine, Baptist Medical Group – Tiger Point
It’s summertime and
that means it’s time to play outside. The Gulf Coast offers plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, but before you head to the beach, think about sun safety for you and your family. Be aware of the UV index. The higher the number, the greater risk for your skin. The number one protection we all know to wear when outdoors is sunscreen. Make sure when deciding on a sunscreen to use one that provides at least an SPF of 15 and look for one that offers broadspectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the aging rays. They cause wrinkles and age spots and can pass through glass. UVB rays are the rays that burn. They do not significantly pass through glass. Both can cause skin cancer, so make sure you’re covered and keep in mind how long you’re outside. Most sunscreens need to be reapplied every two hours. When applying sunscreen, don’t skimp or miss spots. The most commonly missed places include the tops of feet, the back of the neck, ears and lips. Consider your skin type when choosing an SPF. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a lightweight gel sunscreen or look for sunscreens that are oil-free and noncomedogenic (does not cause acne). Invest in sun protective clothing with a high SPF. Wear a hat with a wide brim that goes all the way around instead of a baseball cap that only covers half of your face. Don’t forget sunglasses 14
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and remember bigger is better. Larger frames cover more of the orbital area around the eye, which has a higher sensitivity to light. Be sure to check your medications (such as antidepressants, blood pressure drugs or antibiotics), prescription retinoids (like Retin-A) and over-the-counter retinol products which can cause photosensitivity and can increase your chances of burning. Being mindful of sunscreen and protecting your skin will significantly reduce your risk of getting melanoma. Melanoma is the leading cause of death from a skin disease. Exposure to sun and ultraviolet radiation can increase your risk of developing the disease, which can affect all ages. Learning the warning signs can help reduce your risk and aid in successful treatment of melanoma. Learn the ABCDs of skin cancer: A is for asymmetry, meaning one half of a mole does
not match the other half. Normal moles are symmetrical. B is for border, if the edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular; have it checked by a dermatologist. Melanoma lesions often have uneven borders. C is for color. Normal moles are usually a single shade of color. A mole of many shades or that has lightened or darkened in color should be checked by a doctor. D is for diameter. A mole is suspicious if the diameter is larger than the eraser of a pencil. For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Gibson call 850.932.7303 or visit BaptistMedicalGroup.org.
FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING Fri. July 10, 8 am to noon Casino Beach on Pensacola Beach The Baptist Cancer Institute is sponsoring a skin screening for the 10th consecutive year. This is a free skin cancer screening event held on Pensacola Beach during Friday’s Blue Angels Air Show. For more information, call 850-469-7462.
free wellness events Skin Cancer Prevention Wed, July 22, 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar Presented by James Adams, M.D., Baptist Medical Group ? Radiation Oncology Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion, 1040 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Conference Room B Skin Cancer Prevention Thurs., July 23, 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar Presented by Sherif Ibrahim, M.D., Baptist Medical Group ? Hematology Oncology Baptist Medical Park, 9400 University Pkwy., Azalea Room Skin Cancer Prevention Wed., Aug. 12, 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar Presented by Nutan DeJoubner, M.D., Baptist Medical Group - Oncology Baptist Towers Medical Meeting Rooms, 1717 North E St., Avery Street Entrance
June 2015
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Make your voice
heard By Josh Newby
Photos courtesy of UWF Historic Trust
A New Partnership between the University of West Florida and Gulf Power
seeks to preserve history and tell the story of our city in a unique way. By giving various people and groups, both alive and dead, a medium to tell their tales using their own words, we can all better appreciate our role in Pensacola and the roles of those who have come before us.
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The Voices of Pensacola, a living museum that was renovated using locally sourced materials and whose design was inspired by various eras of Pensacola architecture, was made possible thanks to a grant of $600,000 by Gulf Power. “We want to celebrate our heritage,” said Sandy Sims, community development manager at Gulf Power. “We can do that through this live, growing exhibit, where visitors can experience culture and diversity, and tell their history and stories to others.” Walking in, visitors are immediately
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greeted by a historically preserved building and various installations that tell the history of Pensacola from the perspective of the different ethnicities that have called this city home—Native Americans, African Americans, Europeans, Hispanics and Asians. Oral history labs as well as a staged lecture space, changing exhibits and the Marketplace—the museum store with meeting space—are featured on the first floor. “The Voices of Pensacola is all about exploring people who have founded and developed Pensacola,” said Dr. Brendan
Kelly, vice president of UWF Advancement. “This area is rich in various cultures and this experience is emblematic of that. It helps us celebrate and relive the contributions and input of these people so they are not lost.” Rob Overton, the COO for UWF Historic Trust, said that as Pensacola and the people within Pensacola change, so too will the museum. “A lot of the features are on wheels for easy transportation,” said Overton. “We have put together an advisory committee who will recommend frequent and relevant updates.”
Visitors to Voices of Pensacola are encouraged to add to the living exhibits by marking their hometown on a large map, scrawling a picture or message with chalk, or even recording their own story with audio and video equipment in a small studio. The UWF Historic Trust, which manages the Voices of Pensacola center, will retain one copy of the recording and give one to the creator. Others can then come in and watch/listen to previously recorded stories. Overton and team took a page from the StoryCorps NPR program to inspire people to record each other’s accounts and learn from them. “We want to capture these experiences before they’re lost forever,” said Overton. “There’s nothing like feeling connected to another person through their story. We don’t want to lose a Vietnam vet’s first-hand account of warfare, for example; we want to preserve it for future generations even after the story-teller has moved on.” The first floor’s walls also feature blown-up black-and-white photos of buildings, civil rights protests, family gatherings and more from the past century. As Overton and team want the space to be a construct of those living here, they welcome non-profits and civic groups to use the space for free, whether for fundraisers or functions. Other organizations can rent the space for $75 an hour after closing time. One such group that has had great success is Pensacola Cinema Art, an independent film collective that shows art films in the complex every Friday night, November through May. “Art, culture, sports, religion, government—they are all threads in Pensacola’s tapestry, and we welcome them all,” said Overton. “We want to capture all stories, spontaneous and planned.” The Voices of Pensacola’s upstairs is filled with a history enthusiast’s fantasy— aisles and aisles of file cabinets filled with tens of thousands of historic photos, glass prints, city records, deeds, maps and more. Volunteers are working to digitize the content and eventually make it all available online for the community at large. “Voices of Pensacola is an extension of what UWF strives to be, which is a resource to the community,” said Kelly. “You may not always feel connected to an event, but you always feel connected to a people. We want to provoke thought and conversations around those people. This is a place for people to share their story and that perspective to be captured and retained.” Entrance to the facility is free. If you wish to assist in research on the second floor, the cost is $6 for members of the public and $5 for seniors and military. June 2015
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The
Lure of the
Ocean Story by Josh Newby Art by Guy Harvey
Fishing and ocean sports culture has fused seamlessly with the work of Guy Harvey, and for good reason: the conservationistturned-artist is unique in the way he captures undersea life and respectful in how he seeks to raise awareness for the depths. Born in Jamaica in 1955, Harvey was surrounded by fish and wildlife and became very interested in their existence, so much so that he earned a PhD in fisheries management from the University of the West Indies in 1982. Three years later, he drew scenes from Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea and fell in love with realistically depicting the creatures he studies and protects. 20
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Harvey brings The Lure of the Ocean: Original Works by Guy Harvey to the Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) May 9 through Aug. 9. The exhibition features some of Harvey’s best work in watercolors, mixed media and pen-and-ink drawings. The PMA is also creating additional interactive areas within the galleries for kids and adults to learn more about these beautiful creatures. Pensacola Magazine had the chance to chat with Harvey about his upcoming show, his passion for marine life, and his artistic methods.
PM: A lot of people probably don’t realize you’re very much interested in marine conservation and research and even have a PHD. How did you become interested in that? GH: I learned my appreciation for our ocean resources from my parents, who were both very accomplished anglers. It was understood early in my life that responsible anglers should not take more fish than they can consume. I kept that lesson with me as I got older and went to a university to study fisheries management, and eventually did earn a PH.D. with honors. Since that time we have learned even more about the threats facing our oceans and, thankfully, my business has succeeded to the point that I am able to use funds generated through the sale of my merchandise to benefit marine conservation through the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. PM: Tell me about how you started your artistic ventures. GH: I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I’ve never had a lesson in my life, but when I was very young, I would draw the birds and other wildlife I would see on my family’s property in Jamaica. Of course, this includes the fish we would see when we were out on the water. When I was eight years old, I was sent to boarding school in England and would draw these animals when I would get homesick. I continued to paint into adulthood and eventually sketched a series of scenes from one of my favorite stories, Hemmingway’s Old Man and the Sea. This was one of my first public exhibitions and helped launch my career as a professional artist. PM: What do you hope to communicate with The Lure of the
Ocean? GH: I always hope to give people a better appreciation of the wildlife that we have around us, especially the animals living below the sea surface that many people do not get to experience firsthand. Because these animals, and the ocean in general, can be so far removed from most people’s everyday life, it can be easy to forget and neglect. should give people a glimpse at the beauty of the undersea world and hopefully leave them with
a better understanding that our oceans are a valuable resource that needs to be conserved. PM: What, to you, is the lure of the ocean? GH: To me, the ocean is always exciting. We have this massive marine ecosystem on our planet that covers 70 percent of the surface and makes up 99 percent of habitable space on Earth, yet we still know very little about it. So anytime you can venture offshore, it is an adventure and you will experience something new almost every time. And of course for me, it’s all about fishing and diving. I still get as excited today as I did the first time I saw a big fish hooked up. So much has
to go right to catch one of these big, powerful fish that it is special anytime you can be near one. It’s the same with diving. To be underwater and experience this alien world first-hand is exciting every time. PM: Do you consider yourself an artist or a scientist first? GH: That’s a tricky question because art and science almost go hand-in-hand for me. I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember but
my first professional job was in the scientific field. The artwork obviously drives the business side of the equation, but a reason my art is so popular is because it is biologically accurate. I like to say that my hobby (painting) has become my profession and my profession (marine science) has become my hobby. PM: What methods do you employ when creating these pieces of art? GH: I paint in several different mediums, including acrylics and pen and ink, but my favorite is watercolor. I also do underwater photography and videography.
often than not, my paintings are of scenes that I have witnessed first-hand. PM: How do you feel about your name being synonymous with an entire culture of fishing and marine activity? GH: It is a big honor and I am very humbled that my name is so closely linked to the fishing and ocean-going lifestyles. People feel a very personal bond with the ocean world, from the coasts to the open ocean to undersea, so I am grateful that my artwork and I are part of that bond. But that is also something that I have worked hard for. Unlike some other fishing apparel brands, I think people appreciate that I am an actual person, out there living the lifestyle that my brand conveys. I am fishing and diving every chance I get and we have teams of researchers working to help conserve our ocean resources. It all comes down to authenticity. PM: Tell me about some of your recent conservation and research endeavors. GH: Through the Guy Harvey Research Institute, we are involved in ongoing mako shark and oceanic whitetip tagging and tracking studies and are getting some fascinating results. The mako sharks have traveled further than anybody ever thought they did. We are also tagging and tracking blue and white marlin. All of these tracks are available online at www.ghri tracking.org. And through the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, we are funding other researchers working with bluefin tuna and lionfish. We also fund fishing and marine science camps to better engage kids in ocean conservation, since they are the future stewards of our oceans.
But whatever I am doing, I try to keep the artwork authentic. More
June 2015
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June 2015
The Bayshore,
Pensacola’s Oldest Condominiums By Dawn Gresko
Welcome to The Bayshore—the oldest surviving condominium in Pensacola celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The Bayshore was originally an apartment building built in 1965 by the savvy female builder and native of Pensacola, Ouida Baggett Regan. Standing at 144 feet high with a sandy-colored stucco exterior, The Bayshore has weathered through the worst of Pensacola’s tropical cyclones with its sturdy steel and concrete foundation. Since Hurricane Ivan hit the Panhandle in 2004, The Bayshore has undergone well over $8 million in renovations. The 13-story building contains 98 condominiums with only a handful currently available for lease.
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Although Mrs. Regan came from an era when women were encouraged to stay at home, she chose to be a different type of homemaker—a home builder, who led the construction of Pensacola’s The Bayshore and Crescent Lake. It took no more than three years to complete The Bayshore, after which Mrs. Regan and her family occupied the spacious West and East penthouses on the top floor. The Bayshore’s Penthouse West even housed celebrities like popular icon Bob Hope, and PGA Golfer Gay Brewer. The penthouses not only have the largest balconies in the building, but adorning the concrete railing of the East and West balconies are doll-sized cherub statues posing peacefully in front of the beautiful backdrop of Pensacola Bay. The Bayshore is noteworthy for its personal, waterfront view of Pensacola Bay, as well as close access to Bayou Chico and two boat launches. The condominium is also located conveniently across from Pensacola Country Club, as well as minutes away from Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola NAS. The Bayshore is maintained by board members and an onsite manager, who were happy to tell me one of the many perks to living at The Bayshore is having the Blue Angels fly overhead during weekly practice runs. “When the Blue Angels are practicing, we have our own
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“The Bayshore Pensacola is indeed a site of many firsts—the first condominium in Pensacola to be built by a woman, the first (and only) to boast a golf course and bay front view, and the first to offer the bigcity services of a doorperson. ”
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‘private show’ at least two days a week,” said Jenny Johnson, onsite manager at The Bayshore. “The Bayshore is like a landmark for the Blue Angels, because they do lots of turns right above our building and we’re in the perfect spot to see it all happen.” Speaking of perks, living at The Bayshore grants numerous amenities, including but not limited to the four-story parking garage with up to three spaces for residential parking, as well as access to a pier that stretches into Pensacola Bay—ideal for fishing, crabbing, kayaking and other bayside activities. Plus, if you like to nature watch, then you’ll love checking out all of The Bayshore’s diverse marine life— from shorebirds and ospreys to stingrays and tiger sharks. “There are two reasons why The Bayshore stands out from other condominiums in Pensacola,” said Johnson. “First, there is major history here, especially with The Bayshore’s female builder Ouida Regan. Second, we are the only condominium in Pensacola that has both a bay front and golf course view.” If you don’t feel like taking a swim in the bay, you can always take a dip in the pool next to the patio area. Behind the outdoor seating and grills on the patio is a stone wall with a colorful collection of kayaks. The patio is also home to a small community garden, where members of The Bayshore can plant seeds and share the bounty with neighbors. As you might have guessed, The Bayshore prides itself on being neighbor-oriented. For this reason, members are welcome
to meet and mingle in several of the first-floor common rooms including the Regan Room, Bay Room, and Conditt Lounge. The fully-equipped workout area was dubbed the Regan Room, after The Bayshore’s builder. The Bayshore’s fun and festive events are held in the Bay Room, where there are monthly First Friday Happy Hours and game nights. The Conditt Lounge has fully-stocked bookshelves, a shared kitchen, as well as an area for visiting with other tenants and guests, or reclining for a good read. “Another thing that sets The Bayshore apart from other Pensacola condominiums is that we were the first to establish a doorperson service,” said Betty Archer Allen, editor of The Bayshore Condominium Newsletter and a fellow resident of The Bayshore. “Twenty-four hours a day, there is an active doorman or woman on duty who helps with carrying up groceries, greeting visitors, and maintaining security.” The Bayshore Pensacola is indeed a site of many firsts—the first condominium in Pensacola to be built by a woman, the first (and only) to boast a golf course and bay front view, and the first to offer the bigcity services of a doorperson. “The Bayshore is truly a unique place,” said Archer Allen. “There is a very friendly atmosphere because we believe in building strong communal ties, and we treat each other as true neighbors here.” Want to learn more about The Bayshore? Visit bayshorecondominiums.com.
For Today’s Business
www.nwflbusinessclimate.com
June 2015
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Celebrate Dad with a
Backyard Brunch
Courtesy of Family Features
Brunch isn’t just for mom. This Father’s Day, make eggs, toast and bacon on the grill for a breakfast that’s sure to spoil the man of the house. Not sure how to make eggs on the grill? It’s easy! Crack an egg into a cut-out hole in toast set on a cedar plank, then sprinkle with a little cheddar and an Applewood rub for smoky grilled flavor. To complete the meal on dad’s favorite outdoor tool, cook the bacon in a shallow disposable foil pan next to the eggs. Once the bacon is almost done, brush it with a honey-cinnamon mixture, then grill it directly on the grates for a few minutes to add a candied crisp.
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Cedar Plank Grilled Egg in Toast Makes 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes 2 cedar planks (about 12x6 inches each) 4 slices bread, such as brioche or challah (3/4inch thick slices) 7 eggs, divided 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Grill Mates Applewood Rub, divided 1/2 cup grated smoked Cheddar cheese Soak cedar planks in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and pat dry. Remove centers of each slice of bread with 3-inch round cookie cutter. Beat 3 eggs with milk and 2 tablespoons of the Applewood Rub in medium bowl until well blended. Lightly oil 1 side of each of planks. Place planks, oil side up, on preheated grill over medium heat. Dip bread in egg mixture. Place on planks. Break an egg into each of holes. Sprinkle eggs with remaining 1/2 teaspoon Applewood Rub. Cover grill. Grill 10 minutes. Sprinkle eggs with cheese and additional Applewood Rub, if desired. Grill, covered, 10 minutes longer.
Candied Grilled Bacon Makes 6 servings Prep Time: 5 Cook Time: 15 6 slices thick-cut applewood bacon 3 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon Arrange bacon slices in single layer on bacon grilling rack or shallow disposable foil pan. Grill over medium-high heat 10 to 12 minutes or until bacon edges begin to curl. Remove pan from grill. Drain drippings. Microwave honey and cinnamon in small microwavable bowl on high 30 seconds, stirring after 15 seconds. Brush bacon with honey mixture. Place bacon directly on grill over low heat. Grill 2 to 3 minutes per side or until crisp.
For more grilling recipes and tips visit www.grillmates.com, and check out McCormick Grill Mates on Facebook.
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Co f f e e C u lt u r e : Getting to Know the New Craft Brews By Emily Echevarria
by Photo
Ryan
y
le O’Kee
The morning cup of coffee is a ritual deeply
ingrained in the lives of many, whether it’s the drowsily completed process of scooping grounds into a drip coffeemaker or a French press, or a daily stop by your favorite coffee shop. Whatever way it’s enjoyed, the changing face of the beloved beverage is making itself known in Pensacola as a growing coffee culture in the area has encouraged people to think a bit more about the origins of beans that made their cup, the variety of flavors from different coffee growing regions, and even the farmers that produced those beans. June 2015
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Wine has long had legions of drinkers seeking a deeper appreciation and
understanding of varietals and flavors, and many craft foods and drinks have gained their own aficionados, as in the explosion of the craft beer movement. While beer and wine have the status of a drinks associated with leisure, recreation and social gathering, coffee has been closely tied to drinkers’ morning routines, or any time when a dose of caffeine is in order. But changing tastes and the availability of specialty coffees all over Pensacola are
Photos courtesy of The Leisure Club
helping people to slow down, sip and savor the diverse flavors in the new culture of coffee. Local baristas are the gatekeepers to an extensive array of knowledge about a coffee shop’s offerings, and they want to open the gate to anyone with an interest in knowing a bit more—or a lot more—about their brew. “It’s kind of a simple interaction but it’s really an open interaction to whatever the customer wants it to be,” says director of quality and education at Polonza Bistro, Drew Baker. “I think the best plan for someone interested in getting into specialty coffee is finding a café with baristas that are open and willing to share a little bit of their time.” The number of coffee shops serving specialty coffee in Pensacola is growing, and it has been since about 2010, when, as many local baristas agree, the opening of The Leisure Club started laying the groundwork for a greater appreciation of coffee. Owner Denise Berry opened the shop with Kimberly Brill on Palafox, and in the last year it’s moved to a new, more central location on 12th Avenue. “We had traveled to larger cities like LA and Chicago and we had seen 30
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“Changing tastes and the availability of specialty coffees all over Pensacola are helping people to slow down, sip and savor the diverse flavors in the new culture of coffee.”
Photo by Guy Stevens
different types of coffee than what was available here,” Berry says. “We saw that there was a potential for that and a need for that in Pensacola.” While coffee culture in America was previously dominated by comfy shops serving endless brew in giant mugs, the tides are turning toward a more slow-food style experience, where sustainability and sourcing are just as important as brewing methods and the flavor notes in the coffee itself. What has been dubbed specialty coffee, or third wave coffee, represents a growing trend in coffee culture to encourage production of a higher quality of coffee at every stage of the process, starting with the economics of working with a coffee farmer or cooperative of coffee farmers. One of the things that makes specialty coffee distinct is what goes into the coffee long before it hits the cup. Many specialty coffee shops work with one or two roasters from which they buy their beans, and those roasters engage in direct trade with growers, often forging long and mutually beneficial relationships with the farmers that grow the plants in regions across the world like Latin and South America and Africa. Berry says she chose to work with
Intelligentsia for coffee sourcing because of their quality standards and the good work that they do in the process. “They go into places like that and really work to establish schools and all types of other community support,” she says. “That’s kind of the foundation for our approach, the values as well as the quality you get with direct trade. It’s been a really rewarding thing for us.” Sustainability is a key tenet of the movement, as many coffee-growing regions are in third-world countries where conditions can be exploitive for farmers and growers that are paid very little for their product. With commodity grade coffee production, supply chains include multiple entities purchasing produce from growers for the cheapest price point possible and creating blends of beans from various origins. Specialty coffee roasters work to pay higher wages to growers in exchange for high quality processing on the farm, and in turn a higher quality coffee. Specialty coffee is also single origin, with each batch coming from one specific source. Roasters not only pay higher wages to farmers but also commit to other forms of community support projects that are meant to improve the lives of not only farmers and their families but the surrounding regions. From there the roasting process is also tightly controlled for quality, and sometimes beans are roasted more lightly to preserve the flavors in the beans. The flavor many people initially assume to be the actual taste of coffee is the toasty flavor of the roast itself, whereas small batch roasted coffee can often make the more subtle flavors more prominent. Passionate baristas talk about coffee much in the way a sommelier talks about wine, discussing flavor profiles ranging from fruity to floral to chocolate-y, and even noting the body and finish of a coffee. If you’ve never thought about those kind of attributes in your daily cup, you’re certainly not alone, but local baristas are seeing more and more people getting curious, asking questions and trying some new things when it comes to their appreciation of coffee. Bodacious Brew team lead Alan Bates says he’s definitely noticed more people with a deepening interest in coffee, from casual curiosity to one customer who recently
One of the things that makes specialty coffee distinct is what goes into the coffee long before it hits the cup. June 2015
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Batch brew is still an important part of specialty coffee, but pour-over coffee has gained popularity because of the precision and care that goes into each single serving. discussed his favorite type of coffee tree with the barista. “There are more people that are very interested in the tastes and the flavor profiles of coffee itself,” says Bates. “If you think of coffee as a fruit, no fruit tastes the same from one year to the next. It depends on where it’s grown, the rain, if there’s drought, the soil—there’s so much that goes into a flavor profile.” Bates and others talked about coffees they drank that changed their idea of coffee, whether it was a distinctive flavor of blueberries or a juicy Jolly Rancher, or one that seemed extremely delicate, or more like a tea than any coffee they’d had. These more offbeat flavor profiles are some of the coffees that piqued their interest or spurred them to learn more about different regions and the brews they produce. Owner of Constant Coffee and Tea, Philip Switzer previously worked at The Leisure Club before branching out and opening his own shop. He said he enjoyed working with The Leisure Club to bring specialty coffee to Pensacola’s taste buds and was ready to do even more with coffee, tea and other beverages at his own place. “I got a good location and a good idea and the stage has been set and people are ready for it,” Switzer says. “We took all that absolute passion for the purity of the drink and the classics like six-ounce cappuccino, traditional latte, and then we took that and used it as a base.” Now Constant serves up Counter Culture coffee as well as Rishi teas, handcrafted pharmacy sodas and tonics, and they make their own flavored syrups in house. The baristas themselves at places like Bodacious Brew, Polonza, The Leisure Club and Constant have often gone through specialized training or seek out continuing education on their craft. Whether it’s a series of courses sponsored by a roaster—classes that sound like any coffee-lover’s dream such as Espresso Fundamentals and Advanced Tasting—or reading books and seeking out specialized sources online, coffee professionals do more than press a button and swirl steamed milk. Batch brew is still an important part of specialty coffee, but pour-over coffee has gained popularity because of the precision and care that goes into each single serving. Pour-over method takes a bit longer than pouring a house batch coffee, but it allows for control over many variables and helps enhance the unique characters in a cup of brew. 32
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If expanding your palate for coffee is something that interests you, the first step is going to a coffee shop and asking a few questions, or get a suggestion from your barista. Baker suggests asking for something unique if you’re feeling adventurous, and give it a few sips before adding milk and sugar, then add sparingly. Most baristas are quick to laugh at themselves as they talk about the seemingly endless complexities and nuances behind what they serve, but their passion is clear and completely devoid of the stereotypical snobbery that some might assume is behind their coffee-theory musing. The job is as much about sharing what they love with others and making connections with customers as it is about the connections made between farmers and roasters, bringing consumers closer to the product and giving them access to a higher quality in that product. Baker dismissed the hipster barista cliché and the idea that people buy into coffee culture to seem cool. “We like it because it’s more interesting than that and if we can make businesses profitable by caring more about our product and where the money goes, then great,” he says. “It’s a pretty noble cause even if it just seems like something silly, like coffee.”
New Brews to Try This Month Drew Baker, Polonza Bistro “Hot Brewed Iced Coffee” We’re rolling out a new style of iced coffee that replicates the flavor and nuance of hot filter coffee without any of the negative effects from cold brewing.
Relax with a good read...
Your City, Your Magazine
King Crimson Sparkling Tea We brew a delicious herbal tea and top with sparkling water for a super refreshing summer tea. Denise Berry, The Leisure Club Finca Takesi Typica Organic Bolivia: (Direct Trade) This spectacular coffee is directly sourced from an organic farm in the Sud Yungas region. It is considered an Intelligentsia “in season” offering for its remarkable freshness, harvested in October. At altitudes reaching 2,500 m.a.s.l., Finca Takesi is the highest coffee farm in the world. Extreme temperature shifts between day and night slow cherry maturation, resulting in sweet, intense flavors of kiwi, green grape and candied ginger. Calle Copey- Costa Rica Limited Release (Direct Trade) Sourced from three producers in the District of Copey in Costa Rica, this is a new micro-lot offering from the Flecha Roja project in the Tarrazu region. The coffee has bright flavors of pineapple and white grape perfectly balanced with a honey finish. Direct trade and an in season offering, harvested just five months ago. Featured Espresso: Sugar Glider (Direct Trade) Sugar Glider is an Intelligentsia seasonal espresso that emphasizes the sweetness and softness of Southern Hemisphere coffees from the Americas and Africa. The current offering is a symphony of coffees from Rwanda, Colombia, El Salvador. Jellied fruits and caramelized sugars characterize this balanced, syrupy blend. Philip Switzer, Constant Coffee & Tea Drinks From the “Fancy Glass” Menu Launching in June Espresso Tonic The Espresso Tonic is artisan tonic with our house espresso and a flamed orange. It’s herbal and sweet and complex. Cafe Chantilly The Cafe Chantilly is our take on a Espresso Con Panna. We use a house made white chocolate chantilly cream and top it with our house espresso.
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Villa on the Bay The Splendor of the Mediterranean in Gulf Breeze Photography by Jason Parker Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography, LLC Written by Kelly Oden
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N
atalie Ciano and her late husband Ted built their stunning villa on the bay in 2001 after many travels to Italy and the Mediterranean. Built with every luxury in mind and no expense spared, this 4,935 square foot Gulf Breeze home boasts breathtaking, panoramic views of the bay, a stucco exterior and a red tile roof. The home is filled with treasures from the couple’s many travels—from pottery to paintings to architectural items, the home’s decor tells its own story of adventure and culture.
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Entry & Courtyard
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Living Spaces
Entering the massive Pine Crest doors, visitors are greeted by a light and airy open floor plan, complete with a custom designed, curved staircase and railing. Throughout the home, the 10 and 11 foot ceilings, exquisite custom millwork and limestone floors and baseboards add to the Italian villa feel. In the living area, a painting from Provence, France graces the wall above the stone mantel.
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Kitchen & Dining
The gourmet kitchen is fit for a professional chef, complete with a Viking range and appliances, granite counter tops, custom cabinets, a wine cellar, and a butler’s pantry. The informal dining area and the Garden Room with its custom built-ins are open to the great room as well.
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Bed & Bath
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Backyard Retreat
The half-acre lot is beautifully landscaped and is a well-loved location for bridal and family photos. Dripping with wisteria vines and lush plantings, the patio spans the whole back of the house and includes a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and dining space.
Want to Know More? This beautiful bayfront home is on the market! Scan this QR code for more information or contact Sydney McAbee at 850.432.5300.
MLS#481486
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Portside Villa
#18
Desirable Portside Villas, built to withstand anything Mother Nature has to offer after being totally destroyed 11 years ago in Hurricane Ivan. Insurance benefits include windows and doors using 140 mph high impact glass, concrete pilings, hardy plank siding, and metals roofs. There are 2 free standing condos in the complex, one on each end. Number 18 is one of of them and it is on the eastern end. Relax and enjoy the spectacular Gulf views from any of the 3 large balconies. This is 3 a bedroom, 3 1/2 bath fully furnished unit, has new carpet and new living room upholstered furnishings. The open floor plan is a huge open living area with soaring 20ft ceilings and a fireplace that incorporates the dining and kitchen as well. The kitchen has granite counter tops and a granite top island/ breakfast bar. The oversized 2-car garage can fit a boat and a SUV with room on the sides for storage! Just steps away are the sugary white sands, the crystal blue green waters, and all the sunsets and sunrises, one could possibly take in. Other amenities include a beautiful pool area and several well-kept tennis courts. If walking the dunes is not your cup of tea, there are several dune walkovers available. This a must see and a great opportunity.
Sydney McAbee
Coldwell Banker United, Realty
Sydney_McAbee@CBUnited.com w: 850.432.5300
m: 850.293.7665
fax: 850.435.7473 Š2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
PLAY•LIVE•give June 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30
PSC Summer Invitational
Blue Angels Practice
The Blue Angels will perform practice air shows over Pensacola Naval Air Station most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings starting in March at 11:30 am, with autograph sessions with the pilots inside the National Naval Aviation Museum on most Wednesdays. Admission to the Blue Angel practices is free and open to the public. The viewing area for the Blue Angels practice is located behind the National Naval Aviation Museum. Bleachers are available for seating about 1,000 people. Viewers can also bring their own lawn chairs, hats, sunscreen and water. For more information, visit blueangels.navy.mil.
May 26-July 16 Pensacola State College presents artwork and photography from artists Gregory Booker, Ryan Foster, Susan McCollough, and Kathleen Nowak Tucci. The opening reception is Thursday June 4 from 6-8 pm and gallery hours are Monday-Thursday 8 am-9 pm For more information call 484.2550
Thursdays 6:30-9 pm
Evenings in Olde Seville Square
Enjoy a night out in downtown at Olde Seville Square listening to a variety of musical talent. Each week hosts a different music artist. This month there will be the following: June 4 - Sasser Band June 11 - Not Quite Fab June 18 - Nikki Talley June 25 - Heritage For more information, contact: info@sevilleconcerts.com. June 5 June 4
Fiesta All Krewe Ball
All Krewes are invited to join the festivities at the Hadji Shrine Temple June 4 at 7 pm. The event will include live music, Krewe skits and dances, and a presentation of Krewe royalty. Applications are available online at fiestaoffiveflags.org for ticket reservations, royalty nominations, dance contest contestants, and table decorating requests. June 4
DeLuna Coronation Ball at the Pensacola Bay Center
In commemoration of Pensacola’s first citizen, Don Tristan DeLuna, the Pensacola Bay Center is hosting their annual coronation ball during the Fiesta of Five Flags celebration. The event will take place at 7 pm and will feature the crowning of DeLuna LXVI in a colorful ceremony accompanied by his Queen and Court. Also in attendance will be many former DeLunas as well as dignitaries from around the state. Guests will also be served a Coronation breakfast at 10 am.
RadioLive
WUWF’s RadioLive is back for the first Thursday of each month at the Museum of Commerce at 201 E. Zaragoza St. Concerts start at 6 pm. This concert will feature songwriters Sally Barris, Alan Rhody, and the Sarah Mac Band. Admission is free, but please bring canned food or money to donate to Manna Food Bank. For more information visit wuwf.org. 42
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June 5
Rat Pack is Back
With the glitz and glamour of classic Vegas, performers Mickey Joseph, Drew Anthony, Kenny Jones, and Brian Duprey have recreated the act from circa 1960 when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and
Dean Martin showcased their work at the Sands Hotel for the first time and turned it into a comedy. Tickets are $43 for balcony and $53 for orchestra seating and are available at pensacolasaenger.com. June 5-7
PLT Presents Everything’s Coming Up Sondheim
Everything’s Coming Up Sondheim will be performed at PLT June 5-7 at various times. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 and the Sunday performance is at 2:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at the PLT Box Office ranging from $10-$17. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5:30 pm. For more information call 432.2042
June 6
June 9-July 10
June 11
Improvable Cause
Faces and Places Feature Artist Show
ABC Beverage Tasting at Atlas Oyster House
Improvable Cause is Pensacola’s best (and only) improvisational comedy troupe performing the first Saturday of the month at 10:30 pm in the M.C. Blanchard Courtroom Theatre at the Pensacola Little Theatre. Improv is unscripted theatre where dialogue is created instantaneously. Tickets are $7 available at the PLT box office prior to shows. For more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.
Quayside Gallery presents Faces and Places featuring artists Laura Cole, Kathleen Sue Elwell, Hope Mastroianni, Manuel Rivas, and Laura Wolfersperger. The exhibit is free to the public and will be open Monday-Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm - 5 pm. For more information contact 438.2363. Through June 13
Blue Wahoos Home Games
The fourth season of Blue Wahoos baseball is underway. Take yourself out to the ballgame to cheer on Pensacola’s newest home team, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, at the glorious Maritime Park baseball field. Home games for this month are listed below. For more information and time for games, check out bluewahoos.com. June 6-10 vs. Jacksonville Suns June 17-21 vs. Mobile Bay Bears June 7
WWE Live
Pensacola Bay Center presents WWE Live at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale to see WWE superstars including Pensacola’s own Roman Reigns who is facing off against Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner Big Show, in a Street Fight. Other matches will feature Dolph Ziggler vs. “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus, “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose vs. Kane (subject to change).
PMA Presents Between the Layers
The Pensacola Museum of Art, in partnership with First City Arts Center, presents a dual exhibition that explores the imagery of artist, Rachael Pongetti, and her creation of the Pensacola Graffiti Bridge Project. A 2011 photographic chronicle of the constantly evolving local landmark, the Graffiti Bridge, located at the 17th avenue train trestle in Pensacola. Photographs include the change of the bridge to artistically abstracted images that convey the order in the midst of chaos between the graffiti. This dual exhibit will feature a variety of events including live graffiti demonstrations, artist-led gallery talks, and more at both the museum and First City Art Center. Pongetti is an MFA photography graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design and former instructor at Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. She is currently completing a book on the Graffiti Bridge Project following a recently successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $25,000 for publishing. For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
Dancers from the Five Flags Dance Academy will perform at 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $13 and $15 for various orchestra and balcony seating and are available at saengertheatre.com. June 9
Wine Tasting Event
The Wine Bar is providing eight to ten hand selected wines paired with hors d’oeuvres June 9 from 6-8 pm. Tickets are $35 with limited space. Contact 626.1332
June 15
SipSavorTalk at Five Sisters Blues Café
This month Five Sisters Blues Café is pairing up with DeLuna Winery to provide locals with a wine and barbeque tasting from a surprise barbeque chef. Tickets are available online for $10 and are first-come-first-serve at sipsavortalk.com. June 17
Cooking with Chef Irv
Enjoy a cooking demonstration and wine pairing at Jackson’s Steakhouse with Chef Irv Miller. For the June 17 demonstration Chef Irv will present “A Taste of Europe.” Tickets are $45 and there will be two seatings at 5 pm6:30 pm and 7:30 pm-9 pm. For reservations call 217.2347. June 19
June 7
Five Flags Dance Academy Recital at Saenger Theatre
Atlas Oyster House presents the next installment of Atlas Beverage Classes (A.B.C.). This semester will feature a presenter discussing the highlighted beverages, each paired with small plates. Classes are held on the Deck Bar the first Thursday of the month and will feature a presenter for four tastings. Classes begin at 6 pm and cost is $20 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The June 11 class will feature American Whiskeys – Part 1. Reservations are required. Call 516.2324 to reserve a seat.
Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay Concert Series 2015 Lineup
The Community Maritime Park Associates, Blues Angel Music, and the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department are excited to announce the 2015 Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay Summer Concert Series lineup. All concerts are held at the park on Sundays when the Wahoos are not playing. They begin at 6 pm and are free and open to the public thanks to sponsors. Please do not bring pets or glass containers into the park. For more information, call 436.5670 or visit pensacolacommunitymaritimepark.com. June 14 Crowned Jewelz June 28 Big Muddy and the King Sized Boogie Men July 5 Knee Deep Band July 19 Downbeat Jazz Orchestra
Pensacola Junior Angler Tournament
Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club is hosting their 27th annual Junior Angler Tournament at the WCI Lost Key Marina & Yacht Club in Perdido Key. Tournament contestants must be under 19 years of age, categories include 1-3 place, Tournament Champion, Top Boat, Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin, Bonita, Redfish, and King Mackerel, as well as Catch & Release. For more information contact 453.4638. June 19-21 & 25-28
PLT Presents 42nd Street
42nd Street will be performed at PLT at various times June 19-21 and 25-28. Thursday, Friday, Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm, Sunday performances are at 2:30 pm on the main stage. Tickets can be purchased online or at the PLT Box Office ranging from $14-$30. The show is rated PG-13. June 2015 pensacolamagazine.com
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June 20
Professional Boxing & MMA Island Fights 34 Don’t miss former WBA Featherweight Champion of the World Derrick “Smoke” Gainer in the Island Fights 34, an all pro MMA boxing event for all ages June 20 at the Pensacola Bay Center. The fight event features eight matches at 7 pm. Tickets are available at the Rodizio Grill Box Office, ticketmaster. com, and Ticketmaster outlets. For more information visit pensacolabaycenter.com. June 20
Fish House Craft Beer Fest The Fish House is hosting the third annual Craft Beer Fest from 3-7 pm. The Fest will feature live music and over 50 different beers from various breweries for tasting. For more information contact470.0003
WWII Historic Village Open House June 6
June 20
Life’s a Dance Benefiting Covenant Hospice The Fred Astaire Dance Studio presents the seventh annual Life’s a Dance benefiting Covenant Hospice at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre June 20 from 7 to 9 pm. Cast members such as Tony Dovolani and Val Chmerkovskiy from ABC’s hit television series Dancing with the Stars will perform. Along with celebrities, WEAR TV-3 news anchor Sue Straughn and Cat Country 98.7 personality Brent Lane will emcee the event. The “People’s Choice Award” contest title will be awarded to the local celebrity who raises the most money for Covenant Hospital. Fans can vote for their favorite performer by making a donation through their page or via mail. Tickets available for online at pensacolasaenger.com. June 24-28
Pensacola International Billfish Tournament The 44th annual Billfish Tournament hosted by Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club (PBGFC) features plenty of Billfish action in the Gulf for the sportfishing community and fishing enthusiasts at Palafox Pier. The event is open to the public. For more information contact PBGFC at 453.4638 June 27
Dodge Brawl 2015 at the Pensacola Bay Center
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The Historic Pensacola Village is hosting their 25th annual open house June 6 in memory of the 70th anniversity of the end of WWII in conjunction with Viva Florida’s Victory Florida. The event will be open from 10 am to 4 pm and is free to all attendees. Tours will run throughout the day. Other activities available include 1940s USO Swing Dance in the Museum of Commerce, a homefront and civil defense vignette at the McMillan House, a Rosie the Riveter photobooth, a mock scrap drive in the Village Proper, and Victory Gardening in the Village garden. Children’s activities and archaeological lectures will also be provided throughout the day. For more information contact Phillip Mayhair at 595.5985 ext. 108.
Contestants may range in age from 18-75 and in addition to annual bragging rights will also raise money for a charity/non-profit of their choice. Trophies and plaques will be given to the top three teams in each 64-team, doubleelimination tournament. Extra donations will also be given to the charities of the teams who win best uniform and most original name. All contestants must sign a release waiver at check-in before they play. For more information visit pensacolabaycenter.com. June 27 & 28
Pensacola Bud Light Fishing Rodeo
Come out and watch the best fishermen in the area catch king mackerel and cobia at Flounder’s Chowder House on Pensacola Beach. The event will feature more than 1,000 anglers and fans can follow the live scoreboard online or on their smart phone. Registration for Rodeo and Challenge entries are online for $25 ($30 with t-shirt) and children 16 and under are free. For more information contact 393.1602.
Through Aug. 9
PMA Presents The Lure of the Ocean: Original Works by Guy Harvey
This exhibition features original paintings, watercolors, mixed media and pen-and-ink drawings by celebrated artist, Guy Harvey. Recognized today as the world’s finest marine wildlife artist, Guy Harvey relies on his talents as a marine biologist, diver, photographer, and angler to visually represent the authentic underwater wildlife displayed within The Lure of the Ocean. Explore additional interactive areas within the galleries to inspire and educate children and adults of all ages. Create your own sea creature to place upon a digital underwater world created by museum goers. Capture a lasting memory in our Guy Harveythemed photo booth. Discover Sea Monsters through Mote Marine Laboratory’s hands-on learning components. Learn the fascinating “monster” characteristics within underwater environments. Conservation, creativity and interaction comprise this unique blend of visual arts and marine science. Dive into the arts this summer at the PMA! For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
Accessorize for Summmer
3 0 0 0 N o r t h 12 t h Ave n u e , Pe n s a c o l a , F L 8 5 0 . 4 7 0 . 0 0 01 • w w w. d e e m c d a v i d . c o m June 2015
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Pensacola Scene
Fred Levin’s yacht greets the Juan Seastian de Elcano at the pass.
Betty Roberts, Steven Welling and D La Porta
Lipo Davis, Kelly Oden, Santiago Galvez, Chris Horak, Darrin Land, Nina Fritz and Mrs. Galvez
Bella Miles, Joe Gilchrist and Victoria Keith
Fred Levin
Jennifer Cobb and Todd Pallin 46
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Darrin Land and Glenys Ballinger
Phillip Morris and Darrin Land
Teri Levin with Tony and Bonita Jacobs
Fred Levin and Teri Levin
Scenes from the Wreath laying ceremony at the Galvez monument at Fort George with Ambassador Romon Gil-Cesares
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SPECIAL SECTION
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BUILDING HISTORY
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A NEW KIND OF GREEN HOUSE
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START UP PENSACOLA
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PENSACOLA AND THE FELLOWS LOAN FOUNDATION
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AROUND THE REGION nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 49
BUILDING HISTORY Four-and-a-half blocks of prime downtown Pensacola real estate are now in the hands of a man who wants to make big things happen, including a breezeway, retail stores, a more open first floor, and maybe even residential properties. What will the next two years mean for downtown’s busiest intersection?
At the corner of Palafox and Garden in downtown Pensacola is a 4.5-acre area rich with restaurants, office space, parking—and opportunity. On this land sit the Blount and Brent buildings, century-old structures that were built by Francis Brent and William Blount for just a few hundred thousand dollars. Earlier this year, Brent’s great-grandson, Robert Switzer, brought the property back under the patriarch’s name for $7.5 million and has big plans for the entire area. Switzer has managed real estate purchases before, including the Thiesen Building a few blocks down in 2012. Switzer purchased the square block from Durnford Enterprises
BY JOSH NEWBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY STEVENS 50 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com 50 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
and the Rainwater family, who have owned and managed the properties for the past 35 years. During their tenure as the property’s
Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION
caretakers, the Rainwaters made significant improvements to the buildings, but much has changed in the past several decades. Today, portions of the buildings are very much intact and retain a historic charm, with wooden
“In a couple years, hopefully we’ll look back on now the way we look back on 2004.”
Switzer first had the idea to modernize the block 10 years ago, but said things just were not quite ready. “I don’t think I would have known what to do,” said Switzer. “I thought downtown
doors and floors, high ceilings, and expansive
was doing well then, but it’s doing really well
windows. Other characteristics, though, are
now.”
typical of older buildings and require additional renovation.
Then one day, Switzer and business partner Billy Lovelace began talking about the
That is where Switzer comes in, who has
idea and decided to work with the Rainwater
the resources, the motivation and the know-
family to make a mutually beneficial and
how to bring the buildings into the 21st
smooth transition of ownership. After seven
century with some smart renovations that
months of due diligence that included exam-
will include plumbing and electrical work,
ining structural and environmental factors,
exterior refacing and perhaps even geother-
the property closed on April 30 of this year.
mal energy through a partnership with Gulf Power.
“This is a really great property, and of course it was owned by my great grandfather nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com| |Business BusinessClimate Climate| |5151
up until 1980,” said Switzer. “The structure is in amazingly good shape,” said Lovelace. “The issues we do have are issues that every other building downtown is experiencing, which is some settling. Back when they built these buildings in the early 1900s, they didn’t do all that we do today, like soil testing and paying close attention to the slabs.” The first priority with the transition, according to Switzer, is making the current tenants happy. Many of them are under current leases and Switzer is determined to honor those, even if it means postponing some of his plans. “There’s going to be construction on the site for two years,” said Switzer. “I want to make sure the tenants know what’s coming and we do everything to help them. For a time, we’ll be moving those in the top of the Brent building over to the Blount so we can work over there. We want to take care of our tenants.” During this time, huge improvements will be made, both behind-the-scenes and right out on the street. Right now, some floors of the Blount building don’t have restrooms for both genders, the bottom floor has a labyrinth-like layout, and the entrance from the southwest side is somewhat confusing. All these will be corrected in short order while working hard to ensure there is as little disruption as possible to the tenants and the surrounding area. “Connectivity is a big deal for us,” said Lovelace. “We want the back end to be more connected to Palafox and even make it so that that side of the building has a fresh front. Our buildings should be a functioning corridor to the rest of downtown and a more natural conduit for traffic.” Switzer wants to help future and current restaurants, like Global Grill, develop outdoor, courtyard dining that is secluded and west-facing to allow patrons to enjoy the sunset. “You can drive in off of Romana Street [to the south], drop your date off, park right there in the lot, and enjoy outdoor dining,” said Lovelace. “The building will have two faces and each will offer different opportunities.” “We plan to take a page from how 52| |Business BusinessClimate Climate| |nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com 52
Tenant talk Jason Courtney, a local businessman and tenant of Switzer’s new property, discusses the coming changes.
How do you feel about the new ownership? Well they’re (Switzer and Lovelace) working hard to keep as many tenants as they can, and they’re being very nice about it. They’re great guys. Has your rent gone up at all? No, it’s actually gone down. I think they realize that with all the changes and renovations happening that it’s a good thing to lower lease costs for right now. Do you plan to move offices once things start happening? We will move, but we’ll just move to the third floor of the Brent building, so still a Switzer-owned building.
How do you feel about the direction Switzer seems to be taking with downtown in general? I think it’s great. He got Chuck Tessier, who does property management in Asheville, N.C. and helped with the Maritime Park, to come down here. I’ve talked with him a lot. I like that they’re honoring the historical significance of the buildings while still realizing that they need to keep things usable and current. There’s going to be some difficulties, as there always is with these things. Everything’s still up in the air right now, obviously, but I’m excited to see it all happen. It’ll be good for downtown. I’d like to live down here eventually.
Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION
New Orleans does things,” said Switzer. “I
“Honestly, it’s going to hurt equally for
want everything on the ground floors to be
everybody,” said Switzer. “But that’s okay.
restaurants or retail.”
something unique and historic without being too expensive.
You go to any comparable downtown in the
“These will be elegant apartments,” said
One of the big changes Switzer and
country, and people pay to park somewhere
Swizter. “They’ll have high ceilings, lots
Lovelace are excited about is a 20-feet-wide
often a few blocks away from their destina-
of natural light, and gorgeous facades. It’s
breezeway going through a portion of where
tion, and then they walk and spend time
definitely a smaller, niche market than other
New York Nick’s currently sits. This would
downtown. That means using the Jefferson
current residential developments downtown,
connect Palafox to the rear of the property in
Street parking garage. That might mean
but we think people will appreciate the total
much the same way the Wine Bar’s breeze-
working with the county on their parking
renovation we’re doing.”
way connects Jefferson Street to the rest of
garage or the Downtown Improvement Board
The apartments will be rentals, though,
downtown. Right now, restaurant owner
on how they do things. People need to be okay
not for purchase. As Switzer explained, he
Nick Zangari has a lease through March 2017,
with parking a few blocks away and paying for
will be going after the National Park Service’s
so that part of the plan will have to wait.
it.”
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, and in
Eventually, though, Switzer would like to see
Since Virginia College moved to north
order to earn that to ostensibly keep prices
a restaurant on one side of the breezeway and
Pensacola, a lot of parking space has been
low on the multi-million dollar renovation,
deep retail spaces on the other side.
freed up on the property’s southwest lot, but
he has to retain ownership.
That retail is crucial to the success of this entire project, according to Switzer. Having a drug store, a grocery store, or a place to buy greeting cards or shoes is the type retail
Switzer intends to charge for parking in that area eventually. “The way I see it, we’re lucky to even have parking on Palafox,” said Switzer.
Some changes are not so dramatic, but will pay huge dividends aesthetically. Many of the offices and meeting space are beautifully historic, and Switzer wants to retain that. Some
environment he is envisioning and that he
Additionally, Switzer foresees the cost of
of the visuals, though, clearly take their cue
believes the coming residential density can
rent increasing slightly, but hopes that those
from the 80s and 90s. Simple paint jobs and
support.
costs will be mitigated for the tenants by all
lighting updates will go a long way to updat-
the people the renovations will bring down-
ing the overall feel of the building.
“I want a bunch of little retail shops that don’t stretch too wide and are less deep,” said
town.
The wood siding on the first floor of the
Switzer, adding to the theory that window
The team is also trying to develop residen-
Blount building will feature metal and glass,
shopping and a new store every few steps is
tial space in the second and third floors of the
for an updated look that still preserves the
the key to successful retail in a growing down-
Brent building. They have not been able to
building’s historic appeal.
town. “Downtown is still in its infancy. If you
nail down an agreeable price for the process
“It’s about 50/50,” said Lovelace. “Fifty
try to do too much before the right time, you’ll
as of yet, but they are thinking the space will
percent of the work will be inside and the
have to subsidize it. But I think the time is
accommodate between 24 and 36 units, four
other 50 will be outside. We want it all to be
right now. It’s all there.”
of which will be two bedroom apartments and
timeless but fresh.”
In order for this to all work, locals will need to be reeducated about what a down-
the rest will be one bedroom. Size will fall closely on either side of 1,000 square feet.
Switzer and Lovelace see the entire project as not just another real estate endeavor
town means, according to Switzer. This means
The envisioned demographic for these
downtown, but rather a catalyst for ushering
changes to how people think about time spent
spaces will be young, single, working pro-
in the an exciting new phase of development
downtown, residential spaces downtown, and
fessionals; empty nesters who are looking
and growth for Pensacola.
yes, parking downtown.
to downsize; and single adults who want
“I think we’re really hitting the market at the right time,” said Switzer. “We’re going to tighten things up and change some stuff around, but hopefully in two or three years this will be a better downtown. Ten years ago, after the sewer plant moved and then the Maritime Park was built, I thought downtown was really starting to do well. Nowadays, there’s so much more. In a couple years, hopefully we’ll look back on now the way we look back on 2004.”
Photo courtesy of One Palafox Place, LLC
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54 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION
A New Kind of Green House
FO
SAF E
AF
It’s mold-resistant, fire-resistant and termite-resistant. It can withstand winds up to 160 miles per hour. It’s reinforced with steel wall and roof construction. The house of the future is here, in Pensacola, and it’s only around $150,000. By Josh Newby
NG
STRO
W
alking into a greenHAUS, a new kind of sustainable home developed by area visionaries Guy Balencie and Robert Bell, is like entering a home with a Mary Poppins-esque spell placed upon it. One immediately wonders how so much storage space and such expansive living areas fit inside the deceptively minimalist, understated structure. This type of subtle revelation, which continually rewards the resident with low maintenance and decreased energy costs, is the greenHAUS’s calling card. With seven houses already built and sold and an additional two under construction that are pre-sold, it is a surprise that Balencie and Bell only started with the idea of affordable, sustainable housing just over a year ago. In January 2014, the team began brainstorming an answer to what is many cities’ perennial problem: a lack of affordable, environmentally friendly housing for young people near a walkable and entertaining downtown. Right now, the average listing price of a home in downtown is more than $200,000. In the enviable East Hill neighborhood, that average price balloons to nearly $300,000. Add to that the fact that most of these houses are nearly a hundred years old and feature aging infrastructure and old technology and it becomes quickly apparent that these properties just are not the right choice for most millennials. With help from research partner Caron Sjoberg of marketing agency Ideaworks,
E
BL
A RD
the duo learned what millennials want from housing. They want it to be downtown, with easy access to walkable neighborhoods; they prefer compact, urban homes and value locale and amenities foremost; they also want proximity to culture, they appreciate the value of green building features, and most of all, want to be able to “move in and plug in.” Using this research with a team of dedicated professionals that included architects and engineers experienced in compact living in places
like New York and San Francisco, Balencie and Bell developed greenHAUS, the housing solution that answers all those challenges with a comprehensive game plan. “We’re not what you’d consider traditional builders,” said Balencie. “We’re dreamers and visionaries. We want to improve entire neighborhoods and areas of the city by offering a stepup, sustainable quality.”
Photo by Guy Stevens nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com||Business BusinessClimate Climate||55 55
How It’s Built
“
We’re not what you’d consider traditional builders. We’re dreamers and visionaries. We want to improve entire neighborhoods and areas of the city by offering a step-up, sustainable quality.
”
Balencie and Bell answer those problems with more than just words. Using a hands-on approach to selected building materials and ensuring that all products would be American-made, the two made certain that all aspects exceeded Florida building codes while providing stylish, elegant design that consumers want. Right now, the homes come in two sizes: 1,056 or 1,248 square-feet with a covered porch of 6 by 24 feet or 6 by 16 feet. The homes feature stainless steel appliances that all come with manufacturer warranties, a fiberglass entry door, 18-guage steel wall and 26-guage roof construction to withstand winds of up to 160 miles-per-hour and last up to 40 years, and double-pane insulated windows. All houses also come with vinyl plank flooring and all-wood shaker style kitchen cabinets that have a 10-year warranty. Perhaps most impressive of all, the entire home is fire, mold and termite resistant, thanks in large part to the use of DensArmor interior wall board. The square-footage may seem on the smaller side, but actually being in a greenHAUS proves that it is all about how you use the space you have. Storage is more ample than in many larger homes, yet seamlessly disappears into the flawless design of the house. The rooms are laid-out in such a way to maximize both privacy and living space, with a sense of togetherness that never feels cramped. The homes are also supremely wellmade, with tight construction that ensures precious conditioned air never goes to waste. “We’ve conducted a blowdoor test to determine the home’s integrity and see how well-insulated it is,” said Bell. “A lower score is better. A lot of homes nowadays score around a 15. GreenHAUS got a 5.” Gulf Power is carefully monitoring energy use of the greenHAUSes and reports that average electricity bills run about $85, about two-thirds the average electrical bill in Florida. And don’t think that utility costs are the only bills that will decrease. Insurance on a
56 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
comparable wood-frame home the size of a greenHAUS costs about $1,200 to $1,300 a year. With all the safety and structural measures in place, however, it costs half that on a greenHAUS. There are also various federal tax incentives in place for investing in green construction. Those already living in a greenHAUS are wowed by the entire experience, including Seth Hamilton, a realtor and the very first owner of the original greenHAUS. “I was actually showing the house to a client and it wasn’t quite big enough for him, so I scooped it up,” said Hamilton. “Living there has just been a great experience. I used to live off of Nine Mile but I couldn’t walk or bike anywhere. Now I can do all that, and my utility bills are lower.” Hamilton talked about the reduced stress of living in such a safe and secure structure. “Everything in that area is at least a hundred years old, but these units are brand new and can withstand virtually anything,” said Hamilton. “If a hurricane comes, I’ll just cover up the windows and not worry about it. That’s such a great feeling.” All that, and the home is on the less expensive side of the market. Current two bedroom, two bath houses run $149,000. A three-bedroom model will run you about $159,000. Homes under construction nearer to downtown run just $172,000, perfect for both millennials and
baby boomers who want something a little more economical. Important to the builders, the residents and of course the world we live in is the long-term sustainability and environmental friendliness of the end product. Balencie and Bell discovered that early in their research and continue to work hard to implement that attribute throughout the ongoing project. “We could easily be LEED-certified,” said Bell, referring to the system that rates green building practices. “It would not add real value, and to keep prices low while keeping quality high, we did not want to pursue the additional expense of getting certified,” added Balencie. Nevertheless, the attributes of LEED certification are there. Better insulation means lower energy costs for the consumer and less burning of fossil fuels. Understandably, the demand is huge. The first prototype greenHAUS was sold in two days. Those looking to buy rental houses are interested, too, because the maintenance costs are so low. “These homes work great for anyone you can think of,” said Bell. “So many people have wanted to live in downtown, but have been intimidated by the cost,” said Pensacola City Councilman Brian Spencer. “These houses offer a unique entry into the original downtown neighborhoods by creating an in-fill solution for residential density.”
Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION
The Future The future of greenHAUS is filled with possibilities. Though currently located in downtown Pensacola, greenHAUSes are starting to generate interest near and far. Eventually, Balencie and Bell would love to see the project expand to international markets to help the less advantaged. “In a lot of foreign coastal communities, entire neighborhoods can be wiped out by a flood or hurricane,” said Balencie. “Recently more than 350 people became homeless in Costa Rica because of a mudslide. We’d love to be able to ship these homes over there, give the victims a home and make it one that will stay there.” Assuming a slab foundation is in place, a greenHAUS can be built by five unskilled workers in just 30 days. Because of the unique construction of these houses, all materials can be shipped in a 40-foot container and assembled on-site. This not only makes these homes extremely versatile, but ensures that anyone anywhere can have a roof over their head without any complications.
“In other countries, if you’re short adaptable. Right now, homes are needed some wood or tools, you can’t just run to everywhere, but the problem is a lack of your nearest hardware store and get what materials and a shortage of laborers.” you need,” said Bell. “Often those supplies The beauty of greenHAUS is that it are an hour or a day solves both those problems by away. With greenproviding the materials in a preHAUS, everything packaged format and makes it The design you need is right so anyone can be a competent is proven and there in that conlaborer. tainer. We include “The concept is proven and the market is all the ingredients.” the market is ready,” said Bell. ready. The future does Closer to home, Bell is already not just belong to seeing non-traditional applicainternational martions for the greenHAUS that he kets, though. While current greenHAUSes anticipates will continue to expand. are built to Florida state code, the team “Because of the relatively low price and would like to adapt their design in the the great location, some people will use future to meet other codes, such as those this as a vacation house,” said Bell. up north that demand superior roofweight capabilities for snow, or those out west the require strong foundations for possible seismic activity. “The last great idea hasn’t been thought of yet,” said Balencie. “I like to think this is a really great idea. It’s patented and
“
”
A Changing Cityscape For Balencie and Bell, though, greenHAUS is about so much more than the greenHAUS itself. Their real mission is community betterment, and modern, energy-efficient, durable housing is just a means to an end. Take Strong Street for example, which features the longest stretch of the homes currently available, between 7th and 8th Avenues. The homes sit on manicured lawns behind roofed porches and pop with exuberant colors. Although the surrounding areas are your typical aging homes built atop cinder blocks with dusty yards, the greenHAUSes effectively transform both the space they occupy and the surrounding areas. In effect, greenHAUS helps to set the standard for the surrounding neighborhood. Improving neighborhoods has been the mission all along, at least for Balencie and Bell, and they are doing just that. No longer the products solely of progressive urban cities, houses that combine style and sensibility with no-nonsense adaptability now find a comfortable home in Pensacola. As our city’s demographics and attitude toward the environment continue to change, so too will the demand for these types of smart structures increase. “These houses are fabulous, great products,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “They’re environmentally friendly and perfect for what we continue to need in Pensacola: coastal-
looking residencies that are smart at a great price point.” Balencie and Bell saw a need and took steps to create a solution. They are building a brighter future for those here and possibly those far away, one house at a time.
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S
Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION
STARTING UP PENSACOLA Hidden behind Pensacola’s expansive culture and
historical attributes are some brilliant thinkers and innovators who are designing the ubiquitous technological staples of tomorrow. Thanks to the Greater Pensacola Chamber’s and Pensacola State College’s downtown business incubator, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, downtown is playing host to those who have invented, among other things, the next great job board, ground-breaking drone technology, and eyesightsaving cameras. ¶ The CIE provides high-growth companies in the
their infancies with the chance to increase their likelihood of success by providing shared, collaborative office space, reduced rental prices, and high-bandwidth internet. By serving as a catalyst for the next big thing, the CIE ensures that great ideas will not be derailed by the often prohibitively high cost of getting a business off the ground.
by JOSH NEWBY
nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com| |Business BusinessClimate Climate| |59 59
Tenants are also given access to educational
tests to those who need it
opportunities to help further hone their business
most.
Eventually,
acumen. Most companies spend about three
software should also be
years in the incubator, finessing their product
able to detect glau-
for full market penetration before they are able
coma and macular
to have dedicated office space and a workforce
degeneration.
has experienced about 9 per-
the
cent growth month over month and about 10 percent of customers actually pay for the freemium
that exceeds the CIE’s capabilities. Graduating companies provide metrics on jobs created, salaries paid, revenues earned, technologies commercialized and other economic gains to prove the viability and usefulness of a coworking space downtown. Recently, six companies demonstrated all
service,
which allows basic
PAY CELL SYSTEMS Another
messaging for free but requires a fee for more advanced
new
offerings and analyt-
business being devel-
ics.
oped in the CIE is Pay
Soon, Lepinay said,
they hope to offer the world in front of commu-
Cell Systems, an e-com-
they will launch on Android
nity leaders and panelists whose backgrounds
merce, app- and phone-based
include marketing, business administration,
platform for independent prepaid
and law.
phones dealers to sell minutes and receive com-
devices and in international markets such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and some nations in South America.
mission. Currently, an independent store that sells prepaid phones will not receive a slice of the profit if the individual does not return to that
IRIS IRIS, or Intelligent Retinal Imaging System, is a really exciting piece of equip-
COGNITIVE BIG DATA SYSTEMS
store to refill their minutes. Pay Cell sells custom
Cognitive Big Data Systems and its team of
platforms for these businesses to sell minutes
dedicated engineers is looking to change the way
easily and after business hours.
computing, data storage and cognitive comput-
ment whose creation as been facilitated by
“We’ve developed Cell Pay, which is a
ers operate. By taking devices that have cameras
the CIE. Jason Crawford is the CEO, who
subscription-based service that independent
or sensors, such as desktop computers, drones
helped develop the software algorithm
carriers can use to make sure they receive com-
and other products, Cognitive’s software can
that is installed on medical cameras that
mission on phones and minutes they have sold,”
convert any image, video or voice recording to
take pictures of the back of a patient’s
said Jibril Sulaiman, founder of the company.
a code replica of that information. Right now,
eye. Using the IRIS software, retinal
“We provide the refill solution that is important
most data is stored as the actual data itself. A
abnormalities can be detected quickly
to so many companies because of the residual
picture is stored as a JPEG, for example. With
and with 98 percent accuracy.
income.”
this new software, however, the data is stored as
At this time, IRIS’s main application
about
the metadata it is comprised of, allowing devices
is with America’s diabetic population, of
$750,000 worth of payments per month, or $9
to learn to recognize and retain memory in a new
whom there are 30 million people. Diabetic
million per year. Of the 20,000 independent
way.
Right
now,
Cell
Pay
processes
retinopathy is the leading cause of blind-
stores in the nation, Pay Cell is active in about
“We take that code and store it in the cloud,”
ness of America, and occurs because of the
300, and Sulaiman is using an aggressive sales
said Lloyd Reshard, who helped found the
microvascular impacts that diabetes creates
technique to get his important software in other
program. “We essentially build and sell sensor-
against the retina. The technology is available
stores soon.
driven neural memories in the form of computer
to stop most of the condition’s destruction in its tracks, but many diabetic patients do not receive the yearly eye exams necessary to catch it early enough. IRIS would change that.
code.”
CLEARSTREAM
Reshard hopes to be able to bring this tech-
Michael Lepinay is co-founder of Clearstream,
nology to the masses, via Microsoft’s BizSpark
a business-to-business mass-texting service that
Plus program to support the development of a
“We have the means to literally save sight,”
offers clean design, automation and ease of
highly scalable cloud-based solution to meet the
said Crawford. “Only about half of those with
use to companies hoping to communicate with
demands of the current disruptive era of smart
diabetes go to the eye doctor. By partnering with
many employees, customers, or potential clients
machines.
primary care doctors and hospitals to put in
at once. The web- and app-based product is FCC
these simple stations, these patients could easily
compliant and was designed to help create and
get a check-up on their annual visits and have a
manage marketing campaigns.
very accurate reading done automatically within 72 hours.”
“This is a product that does already exist,
ACCOUNTINGFLY Accountingfly, formerly known as College Frog, was one of the CIE’s very first tenants and
but it’s been interesting to see how different
has experienced a rebranding, realign-
The algorithm has received FDA approval
businesses use it for different purposes,” said
ment, and renewed interest by a
and IRIS has already begun partnering with
Lepinay. “We’re the only iOS-available service
wide range of industries in just
Johns Hopkins, Cigna, the Diabetes Care Group
and we already have 1,800 customers.”
a few short years.
and Florida Blue to provide the preventative 60 60| Business | BusinessClimate Climate| nwflbusinessclimate.com | nwflbusinessclimate.com
Lepinay went on to report that the company
“Job boards are terrible,”
Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION
said CEO Jeff Phillips. “It is expensive, as much as $25,000 to headhunt a viable
and applications in commercial, personal
and
defense
surveillance,
fields.
exploration,
transportation
and
However, the most popular type
more, anything with
accounting candidate, and it’s time-consuming
of drone remains land-based,
an emphasis in rough
with all the necessary paperwork. Accountingfly
yet features many problems
areas.”
streamlines all those problems and creates an
that are disadvantageous for
answer for accounting firms, candidates and
those wanting to make the
Unlimited
universities with inbound recruiting.”
most of the technology. Right
rently seeking about
Right now, there are 80,000 accounting
R o b o t i c s
now, most drones feature either
$600,000
employers in the nation for 1.1 million accoun-
wheels (which are fast but not
tants. There are also 900 universities that offer
suited for all terrains) or tracks (which
master’s programs in the field. Phillips wants
are great for most terrains but terribly slow
to unite all those, so he and his team created a
and energy-inefficient).
is in
curseed
money for hiring additional staff, equipment costs and further development. The CIE continues to foster inventive
new software in-house that emphasizes targeted
Dr. Sebastien Cotton hopes to solve both
upstarts such as these and Pensacola is better
location and experience to best match candi-
of those problems with Robotics Unlimited, a
for it. By creating new money and opportunity,
dates with future jobs, and vice-versa. The soft-
start-up bringing cutting edge transportation
instead of recycling local money or even bringing
ware is free for potential employees, and the cost
techniques for land-based drones to entertain-
in outside money, the Pensacola Chamber and
is minimal for firms and universities looking to
ment and defense markets. Cotton and his team
Pensacola State College are ensuring a hospi-
recruit workers and students, respectively.
essentially removed the tire from wheel spokes
table environment for innovation and the long-
“All these firms have career pages, so they
to allow the drone to travel across a variety of
term success of the area’s dreamers and doers.
are embedding an ‘apply through Accountingfly’
surfaces very quickly with alternating and paral-
link on those pages so we can have all the talent
lel pairs of between three and eight spokes.
in one centralized location,” said Phillps. “Soon, employers become their own headhunters and students can tailor their job prospects to meet
“It solves both problems and can travel up to 40 miles on one battery charge,” said Cotton. Robotics Unlimited recently inked a deal with toy manufacturer WowWee to license the
their ambitions and where they want to live.” the
product for children’s applications, and Cotton
industry’s only accounting-specific job board.
reports that Hasbro is interested in licensing
Eventually, the team would like to take this same
the patent for a new Transformers toy. He has
Right
now,
Accountingfly
remains
business model to other talent-reliant industries, like healthcare.
also been meeting with various defense contractors to fine-tune the technology
ROBOTICS UNLIMITED We hear a lot of
flying
nowadays,
drones their
for
military
purposes. “This
type
versatile
of
equip-
ment can be used for
a
number
automation, sur-
of things,” said
veillance abilities,
Cotton.
“Site
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PENSACOLA and the
operating policies and setting up the Fellows loan funds. The five trustees were Dixie Beggs; Rev. Henry Bell Hodgkins; Clyde Miller, M.D.; Dakin Ferris of the brokerage house of Merrill, Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith; and Harold Smith, a great nephew of Mrs. Fellows. Under Mrs. Fellows’ will, the new fund would have assets in 1961 of about $600,000 which would produce a modest operating income. Criteria was established for qualification of loan applicants who wanted to study medicine, nursing, medical technical subjects, and the clergy. Arrangement was made for the president of the Pensacola Junior College and his assistants to serve as consultants for promoting and processing loan applications. Audit procedures were put in place to protect the fund and its procedures. The Trust Department of a local bank was appointed to serve as agent for closing and servicing loans. These elements were finalized and in 1962, the first 11 loans were confirmed, nine for medical school training and two in nursing school. Each of the loan recipients agreed to a basic policy that upon graduation he or she would practice skills learned for a minimum of five years in either Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa or Walton county. All of that was more than 50 years ago. Since 1961, the four counties have enjoyed a huge collective population growth. Hospitals have been added, expanded, or relocated; specialties within hospitals or in clinics have multiplied (ultrasound, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physicians assistants); and the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid have created a great stimulus for healthcare. As specialties were introduced, the Fellows Fund trustees provided for loans as appropriate. Meanwhile, the investment practices of the trustees enabled the original fund’s capital to increase more than 10-fold. In those 50 years, the chairmanship of the Fellows Loan Foundation’s trustees have been held by just three men: Dixie
FELLOWS LOAN FOUNDATION by John Appleyard
Health care continues to be one of Northwest Florida’s major growth services in 2015. With local hospitals increasing patient capacity and adding technical options, there is a steady rise in the need for qualified medical staff. While our area’s medical capabilities have expanded, along with population, there has long been a shortage of doctors and nurses, especially in more remote communities. That was the principle reason for establishment of the Fellows Loan Foundation as a student loan resource more than 50 years ago. Establishing the fund was the dream of Dr. J. Hugh Fellows and his wife, J. Earle. Dr. Fellows had practiced as a Pensacolabased physician and surgeon for over 45 years. Dr. Fellows was greatly concerned about the medical skills shortages present in the four northwest Florida counties (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton). A number of communities did not even have a physician. Hospitals, physician offices, and the rising number of technical laboratories were chronically short of trained nurses. Clinical laboratories and radiology centers often could not obtain skilled people. Dr. and Mrs. Fellows reasoned that the shortages often were the result of prospective medical and nursing students simply being financially unable to pursue their education. As a dream, Dr. and Mrs. Fellows hoped to address that problem. Following her husband’s death, Earle Fellows took action. Her consultant was respected Pensacola attorney, E. Dixie Beggs. He included in Mrs. Fellows’ will a plan for a low-cost student loan fund that could assist prospective students. Following her death, five trustees assembled on Sept. 1, 1961, to further the plan of Mr. Beggs and Mrs. Fellows by preparing 6262| Business | BusinessClimate Climate| nwflbusinessclimate.com | nwflbusinessclimate.com
Beggs, Rev. LeVan Davis, and Judge Roger Vinson. Only 18 persons have sat as trustees. All of the presidents of Pensacola Junior College, now Pensacola State College (Drs. Henry Ashmore, T. Felton Harrison, Edward Hartsell, Charless Atwell, Thomas Delaino, and Charles E. Meadows) have served as originally planned. Ms. Virgina Santoni has served as marketing consultant. Over the past half century, more than 400 men and women have been granted student loans. By practice, loans are not scheduled for repayment until a reasonable time has passed for the recipient to begin a successful practice. Interest charges are modest, as the original planners had specified they should be. From the first, the organizational structure of the Fellows Loan Foundation has remained small and operating costs are negligible. Attorney Gary Leuchtman is now the legal consultant. Trustees are not compensated. All work is done to make the program known to students of area high school, colleges, or universities. Communication also is maintained with hospitals, clinics, and special care givers whose staffing needs might be met through the Fund’s loans. One unique note with the Foundation’s records has been the continuing escalation in the cost of health care education. The Fund’s practice has been to adjust the loan maximums to meet those changes. Over time, medical students with loans from the Fellows Fund have taken their degrees from 18 different universities; 26 training facilities have been utilized by nurse education candidates. Judge Roger Vinson, who has served as the Foundation’s chairman for almost 20 years, offered this summary comment: “The objectives envisioned by Dr. and Mrs. Fellows over 50 years ago remain the same today: to make financial resources available to young people who may proceed with medical careers to strengthen this area’s health resources. Our Trustees continue to study medical needs, the costs of medical and nursing schools, and ways to make our loans available to the young people of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. I’m sure that today Dr. and Mrs. Fellows would be very pleased with what their estate has provided for the health care of Northwest Florida.”
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around the region
United Way accepting applications for Loaned Executive Program United Way of Escambia County is accepting applications for the 20152016 Loaned Executive Leadership Program. Loaned Executives (LEs) are volunteers who are “loaned” to United Way by their employers to support the United Way’s Workplace Campaign through leadership and advocacy. This program is a perfect opportunity for you to make a HUGE impact on Escambia County’s nonprofit community while developing your leadership skills and professional network. As a Loaned Executive, you will be on the front lines of community change. Not only will you learn about the needs in Escambia County, but you will also work to meet these needs by supporting the United Way Workplace Campaign, which annually raises over $2 million for local nonprofit programming. Training for LEs will be provided. If you are interested in serving your community in an impactful way through United Way’s Loaned Executive program, download an application today at www.unitedwayescambia.org/LE. Applications will be accepted through May 29, 2015. For more information, e-mail frank@unitedwayescambia. org.
Saenger recognized as top performing attraction Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre recently announced that it has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. Now in its fifth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience.
AppRiver executive team expansion AppRiver, LLC, a leading provider of email messaging and Web protection solutions recently announced it has expanded its executive team, adding a new executive appointment and three promotions to round out its world-class management team. In newly created roles, Jeff Malone has joined AppRiver as vice president of Sales, Michael Hamstra has been promoted to vice president of Marketing, Chris Cain has been promoted to vice president of Software Development and Doug Coleman has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. The four bring to AppRiver decades of experience in sales, product, marketing and financial development. AppRiver was founded in 2002 and has experienced a compound growth rate of 74.7 percent, increasing revenue in the last financial year alone by 23.5 percent to $53.9 million globally. The company has also seen significant Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) growth with revenues up 120 percent and seat activations up 362 percent since this time last year. AppRiver also grew staff numbers and expanded operations in Atlanta, Austin, Texas and Barcelona, Spain.
UWF political science professor selected for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant Dr. Alfred G. Cuzan, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science at the University of West Florida, is the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant. Cuzan will be affiliated with the University of Tartu, the national university of Estonia, where he will be teaching American politics and Latin American Politics during the spring 2016 semester. Founded in the 17th century, UT is one of the oldest universities in northern Europe, and the largest and most highly ranked institution of higher learning in Estonia.
LBA Hospitality names Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola hotel of the year LBA Hospitality, a full-scale hotel management, development and consulting firm based in Dothan, Ala., recently announced Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola has been named its 2014 Hotel of the Year. According to LBA Hospitality’s President Beau Benton, Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola is known for its consistency, reliability and dependability, which are all qualities that were apparent when the hotel was graded using the company’s balanced scorecard. The hotel also has associate satisfaction scores of 90 percent and a quality assurance score of 90.91.
HCA Award of Distinction winners focus on patient-centered philosophy and peer collaboration at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Fort Walton Beach Medical Center announced last week the recipients of its 2014 HCA Awards of Distinction. The winners of the Frist Humanitarian Awards, which recognize one physician, one employee and one volunteer who each demonstrate extraordinary concern for the welfare and happiness of patients and their community, are Dr. Eric Duffy, Priscilla Moore and Mariece Herring.
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