Summation Weekly Jan 7

Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Pensacola, FL

The Summati n Weekly This Community Newspaper is a weekly publication of Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar

Section A, Page 1

Vol. 15, No. 1

VISIT THE SUMMATION WEEKLY ONLINE: www.summationweekly.com January 7, 2015

1 Section , 4 Pages

Mardi Gras Mardi Gras might not be till mid-February, but Jan. 9 brings a party guaranteed to hold you off until the traditional season of beads-and-moon-pie extravagance arrives. Ten thousand people from near and far are expected to party long into the night as the season of pre-Lent excess begins.

“The Kick Off Celebration marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras Season,” said Danny Zimmern, president of Pensacola Mardi Gras. “Traditionally held on the 12th Night of Christmas, we decided to move the event to the first Friday after the 12th Night to better accommodate the Krewes and the public.”

Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc. is in charge of the shindig that will take place at 5 pm on Historic Palafox and Government streets. The best part is that the event is completely free. Wind Creek Casino and Hotel sponsors it all so that the Krewes and everyone else can participate without a problem.

Each Krewe and each Krewe’s membership will be ceremoniously blessed at the party and proclaimed ready to participate in the official 2015 Mardi Gras season. The blessing processional includes local celebrities like comedian T. Bubba Bechtol (who recently won a national comedy award), the Knights of Columbus, Pensacola Jazz’s brass processional band, and more.

“This is a parade in reverse,” said Zimmern. “The floats stay still, and the people walk by. All night, the Krewe members throw beads and party with the other Krewes and other revelers. The floats all have their music going , and it makes for a very energetic evening.”

The Town King Cake is provided by Oh Snap! Cupcakes.

All of Pensacola is then invited to dance the night away, courtesy of a second line jazz street band performance.

Local Krewes will be present to party along side the commoners until after midnight, as the whole city joins together in ringing in the festive Mardi Gras season.

“This is a great event kicking off o the Mardi Gras season for all of Pensacola,” said Zimmern. “The best Krewes will be there, including the Krewes this year from Mobile and Ft. Walton and Destin. Mardi Gras and Downtown Pensacola will be on display for this event unique to Pensacola, but known all along the Gulf Coast.”

By: Josh Newby

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Local Annoucements

Executive Director Mike Doubek mike@esrba.com Member Services Specialist Jason Boatwright jason@esrba.com Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Office 216 S. Tarragona Street, Suite B Pensacola, FL 32502 Publisher Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association Published At: 216 S. Tarragona Street, Suite B. Pensacola, Florida 32502 Phone: 850-434-8135 Fax: 850-436-8822 Email: esrba@esrba.com Website: www.esrba.com Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Friday 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Application to mail at periodicals Postage Rate is Pending at Pensacola, FL The Pending Periodical Number is 32 Subscription Rates $20/ year ( All ESRBA Members) $22.50/ year (Escambia/Santa Rosa/ Okaloosa County Non-Members) $27.50/ Year ( Other counties within Florida & All other States Non-Members) Postmaster Send Address Changes To: The Summation Weekly 216 S. Tarragona Street, Suite B Pensacola, Florida 32502 The Summation weekly is locally owned and operated. All rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herin is prohbited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opnions 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 ESRBA or the publisher. This newspaper accepts no responsibilty for these opinions. The ESRBA reserves the right to edit all manuscripts.

All advertising information is the responsiblity of the indiviudal advertiser. Appearence in this newspaper does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Escambia/ Santa Rosa Bar Association.

Local Attorney Julian Harris is closing his office on 2090 N. Palafox Street and is giving away Decorative Law Books (all or nothing). If interested call 850-433-7954 Dunbar, LLP is pleased to announce it has elected A. Phelps Dunba Grady “Bo” Williams, IV of the Mobile, AL office to partnership effective January 1, 2015. Mr. Williams has been a member of the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association since 2009 Terence A. Gross is pleased to announce that his son, Marcus “Rhett” Gross will be joining the law firm to practice in the areas of personal injury and criminal defense as of January 1, 2015.

Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association Calendar of Events January 15:

Bar Meeting Portabello Market Guest Speaker : Florida Bar President: Gregory Coleman Noon-1:00 P.M.

January 19

Martin Luther King Day Offices Closed: U.S. District Court First Judicial Circuit Court Florida Office of Compensation Claims Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Escambia County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association February 13 Investiture of the Honorable Jennie Kinsey M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building Courtroom 407 - 2:30 P.M. 190 Governmental Center Pensacola, Florida

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The Florida Bar is Looking for a Non-lawyer to Serve on its Governing Board The Florida Bar is searching for a new non-lawyer member of the public to serve on its Board of Governors. The opening comes as Orlando's Winston "Bud" Gardner, a former state legislator, finishes his second two-year term. The Florida Bar is one of only 13 state bars to include members of the public on its governing board. Public members of the board bring "a different perspective than a lawyer would have," Florida Bar President Greg Coleman said. Public members have been a part of the Bar's board since 1987. They take up two seats on the 52-member board and serve two-year terms. Applications for Gardner's seat are available on the Bar's website and by phone. The deadline to apply is Jan. 30

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25 Years of TLC Since 1989, TLC Caregivers, a partner with the Council on Ageing of Northwest Florida, has served Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, providing senior citizens with an array of non-medical services in the comfort of their homes while encouraging them to be active and independent. Clients are paired with caregivers based on client needs and schedules, as well as the characteristics expertise of the caretakers.

“Continuing our impactful reach outside the homes of our patients is something we are passionate about and strive to do on a daily basis [,]” the company states on their website. “With regular speaking engagements at hospitals, medical groups and civic organizations, we are able to educate and advocate for the needs of our community’s senior and disabled citizens.”

Don Gaetz, former president of the Florida Senate and current Okaloosa County senator, acquired the business in 1997. He has been involved with hospice care and hospital administration since the 1970s and is the cofounder of VITAS Healthcare.

To celebrate 25 years of care and service, Lou Donaldson, a company administrator, said that it was time to give back to the people that make TLC Caregivers run, awarding employees raises and bonuses.

“They’re an amazing group of people, and without their input, we would not have been in business 25 years,” Donaldson said. “And it was very, very important in this economy to give money back to the employee.”

While anywhere from 120-130 licensed and accredited professionals will staff the company, 170 employees would be instrumental in providing optimal care, Donaldson said.

As the business has grown, so has its direction when it comes to clientele. TLC’s services are offered in five packages, encompassing personal and respite care, companionship, homemaking and even child care. These services, though mainly geared toward senior citizens and physically and mentally challenged patrons, are available for whoever needs them.

For instance, the Respite Care package is unique in that even though it features several of the things that come with the Personal Care set (i.e. meal preparation, bathing, toileting, dressing), it accommodates regular family caregivers as well as their charges, giving those caregivers a much-needed break. While the Companionship service offers assistance with eating, bathing, meal preparation and the like, the caregiver focuses on socializing with the client and seeing that they accomplish their daily goals.

Another interesting company aspect is that it has special clearance to provide their clients with hands-on care (bathing, for instance). Donaldson explained that several years ago, organizations like TLC Caregivers had to register to become a home health agency in order to make such help available to the public. TLC is one of only 12 similar non-medical organizations to be granted this exemption.

Not only can TLC, further cementing itself as a solutions company, offer this kind of personal, specialized attention, they can do so at one-fourth of the usual cost, charging anywhere from $15.85-$18.85 per hour, Donaldson said.

With a diverse collection of services and an expanded focus and identity, TLC Caregivers is poised to increase its reach, as well as its local and regional notoriety. Not surprisingly, this success only amplifies the caregivers’ drive to gauge and

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