VIE January / February 2013

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA®

January/February 2013

The Men’s IssUe It’s a Man’s World af ter all

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viezine.com

In this issue:

22

62

46 16

124

58

Feature Retro Racy: Carlo Pieroni 22

Living Green Dave Rauschkolb—Super Fly and Super Charged 46

A Sense of Place Cowboy Culture: Shootin’ with the Panhandle Cattle Co. 124

For the Love of Food The Most Unique Beerhouses COLA 2 COLA 78

Arts and Entertainment Stunning Sharp Art: Art Knife Gallery 16 A Melodic Life: Boukou Groove 37 Couture The Twenty-First-Century Gentleman 30 Voyager The 2012 Le Mans Classic 62 Living and Diving in Roatán 112 The Big Game Hunter’s Manifesto 119 Form & Function Codename: Flanker 58

Get Healthy Testosterone: The Critical Male Hormone 95 Finding Your Inner Superhero at CrossFit 98 Business Exposé The Right Impression: John Finch of Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine 102 The Northwest Florida Golf Guide 73 People + Places A Lil’ Boukou in Your Cup CD Release Party 42 Alden and Emeril Lagasse at Lovelace Interiors 106 Pish Posh Patchouli’s Twentieth Anniversary on 30-A 108 The Taylor Haugen Foundation’s Third Annual “Savor the Season” 110

V IE ZINE.COM | 11

COLA COLA

®

Primary Targeted Audiences

W

e are thrilled you have picked up a copy of VIE and hope you enjoy reading about the people and places of our coveted region,

COLA 2 COLA®—Pensacola to Apalachicola. We live in a great place where life is good! We have a passion for our area and the people and businesses found here, and we hope that you will share in our excitement.

VIE can be found locally at Tourist Development Council centers, Chamber of Commerce locations, Sundog Books in Seaside, Florida, boutiques, restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts, and special events. VIE’s distribution has branched out to the following airports: Baltimore/Washington International, Houston Hobby, Memphis International, Nashville International, Orlando International, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International. In addition to these high-profile locations, VIE is also being added to the shelves of some of the country’s top-selling bookstores, newsstands, and supermarkets, giving our advertisers potential access to millions of people.

VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2013 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (The Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from The Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published at least five times annually on a bimonthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of The Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or The Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Digital magazine (iPad only) – One-year $11.99; Two-year $17.99 / Printed magazine – One-year $23.95; Two-year $34.95 (U.S. Only – price includes free access to digital magazine versions for iPad). Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEZINE.com.

On the Cover:

VIE Creative Team:

Ooh la la! Hop aboard this Love Boat for a tour of see-worthy pinup girls by artist-photographer Carlo Pieroni.

Pieroni has revived the art of the pinup and given it a thoroughly modern spin, as evidenced by his work in VIE ’s 2013 January/February—The Men’s Issue. Using photography and digital manipulation to “paint” his photos, he’s perfected a signature style of flawless execution that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Pieroni pours every ounce of artistic inspiration into each shot, often working for days on just one image. It’s no wonder he is one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the world.

Pieroni’s work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan and GQ. With his debut in this month’s issue, VIE is honored to join such prestigious company. Read more about Carlo Pieroni in “Retro Racy” on page 22.

Published by:

Lisa Burwell Publisher lisa@viezine.com

Gerald Burwell Editor-in-Chief gerald@viezine.com

Bob Brown VP of Creative Services bob@viezine.com

Jordan Swanson Public Relations Associate jordan.swanson@viezine.com

Tracey Thomas Graphic Designer tracey@viezine.com

Mary Jane Kirby Account Executive maryjane@viezine.com

Troy Ruprecht Graphic Designer troy@viezine.com

James Ryan Account Executive jim@viezine.com

Bill Weckel Web/Project Manager bill@viezine.com

Scott Sajowitz Account Executive scott@viezine.com

Benjamin Rosenau Video Producer ben@viezine.com

Eric Shepard Graphic Design

Tim Dutrow Videographer tim@viezine.com Ainsley Rogers Public Relations Director ainsley@viezine.com

Margaret Stevenson Copy Editor Shannon Quinlan Distribution Coordinator

Jordan Staggs Public Relations Manager jordan@viezine.com

VIE Contributors: Contributing Writers: Sallie W. Boyles Matthew Christ Kim Duke-Layden Dale Foster Bart Manning Clark Peters Tori Phelps Susan Vallée

Contributing Photographers:

(850) 231-3087

114 Logan Lane, Suite 4 | Grayton Beach, FL 32459 www.theideaboutique.com

Contact us at info@theideaboutique.com

Matthew Christ Linda Coiro Jim Cooper, SharpByCoop Photography Mike Coppola Peter Michael Dills Kim Duke-Layden Frazer Harrison Fletcher Isacks Claude Madoux Bart Manning

Carlo Pieroni Slaven Vlasic Avalon Photography Proffitt PR

V IE ZINE.COM | 13

Editor’s Note:

IT’S A

Man’s World AFTER ALL

Well, at least we men would still like to think so.

uncovering and undoing some of the most absurdly diabolical schemes a man could imagine. Or maybe it’s the Aston Martin with all those cool gadgets that Auric Goldfinger laughingly referred to as “interesting toys.” Could be.

VIE, our data has revealed, is read by almost as many men as by women, even though some may have deemed it a “women’s magazine.” To help combat the misconception, we decided to kick off 2013 by dedicating our first issue of the year to the celebration of men.

One of the most well-known artistic representations of man is the Vitruvian Man by Renaissance great Leonardo da Vinci—probably the world’s definitive depiction of perfect proportions. Da Vinci’s iconic image is one of the first examples to blend art with science, and it correlates his theory of how the proportions of the human body relate man to all things found in nature and the universe. Da Vinci spent his lifetime applying this complex theory through his explorations into some of the most beautiful paintings, sculpture, and stunning architecture known the world over.

Pondering this, I consider my occupation as an architect before becoming the editor of VIE. I thought it a great way to communicate and explore the complexities (or is it simplicities) of men and what makes them such an interesting breed. Yep, breed. As different as men are from women, it’s sometimes hard not to think of each as such. As men, we strive to be strong, and we pride ourselves in finding solutions to problems, forging a destiny for ourselves and our families, all while staying true to our primal instincts. It’s a simple concept but not an easy task.

Whatever the things that drive a man to be a man, no one may ever really know. There is, however, something that most of us do know, and that is this: Behind every great man is a great woman. As fun as it is to think it’s a man’s world, I am persuaded that could only be true if we had the full admiration, respect, and support from the capable women we love. To all of our mothers, sisters, wives, friends, and significant others—we’d be hopeless without you! I think Carlo Pieroni’s Love Boat gracing the cover of this issue is befitting in this respect because Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there isn’t a more perfect time for a man to shine in the eyes of his woman.

There is an age-old quest for men and women to understand what makes the other gender tick. We just passed the fiftieth anniversary of James Bond on the silver screen—maybe the answer to what makes a man tick can be found by studying the character and escapades of this icon originally concocted by Ian Fleming more than half a century ago. As a fan of the 007 films, I have to admit that the glamour, intrigue, and thrill are appealing. My personal favorite of all the Bonds was the one portrayed by Sean Connery.

So, what exactly is so appealing about Bond? Maybe it’s his uncanny ability to always thwart his nemesis or the way he always gets the girl? (“Oh, James!”)

Maybe it’s that he gets to traipse the world over,

This issue pays homage to topics that we believe will be of interest to men—pinup girls, fast cars, cool planes, beer, adventures into the great outdoors including shooting, hunting, and scuba diving—and more! But, ladies, don’t turn your noses up just yet.

The stories might be just fascinating enough for you, too. Who knows—maybe you will get some inside scoop on figuring out your man!

Cheers!

—Gerald

V IE ZINE.COM | 15

Knife by Dan Dagget

Knife by Robert Weinstock

By L. Jordan Swanson Photography by Jim Cooper of SharpByCoop Photography

A

rt is probably not the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing the word “knife.” But for Gregory and Silvia Giovannelli of Miramar Beach, Florida, the two words are as inseparable as they are as a couple. Gregory and Silvia opened Art Knife Gallery, which specializes in exquisite knives by world-renowned artisans, in 2008. When Gregory was just six years old, his dad gave him his first pocketknife (which he still has), thus igniting his passion for collecting custom knives.

“I met Gregory while he was doing business here in Miramar Beach, and we fell in love that weekend. He immediately invited me to Texas to visit him,” said Silvia, reminiscing. “On that visit, I asked him what he would like to do in life and he said he would like to turn his passion of thirty-something years into a business, and I encouraged him to run with that.”

“The next morning, Silvia took me to Eckerd’s and printed off a business card with our picture—we came up with a name that night,” added Gregory, who has been

attending knife shows since 1972 when he was in high school. “So, within twentyfour hours of my wish, Silvia made the dream come true.” In 2008, just two months after meeting, Gregory moved from Texas to be with Silvia in Miramar Beach— and a little more than a year later the two were wed.

Just five months after starting their business, the couple journeyed to Italy for their first custom knife show together. “That’s what I love about the business—we get to travel together to interesting places,” said Silvia. It affords the couple the luxury of traveling about twice a year to destinations like France, Italy, Russia, and beyond. In 2013, the two plan to attend an invitation-only custom knife show in Dubai. “It’s not what you might think—a group of rough, tough guys selling and trading knives. It’s a real family affair,” she said. Adults and children alike attend these knife shows. Silvia explained that, many times, a husband and wife duo will design knives together and present their pieces at these shows. Many international collectors attend the shows ready to spend some serious cash with their “suitcases of money,” as Gregory described.

V IE ZINE.COM | 17

Knife by Matthew Lerch Engraving by Ron Skaggs

They depict it as an international art knife business and consider themselves “art purveyors of an unusual medium.”

Art Knife Gallery’s ambition is to collect an assortment of specially crafted knives from popular artists who are passionate about their craft and pair them with collectors equally passionate about obtaining a truly unique knife. “Instead of putting a painting on the wall, they put a knife like this in a shadow box or in a display case,” Gregory said of an art knife he was holding during the couple’s interview with VIE. The couple uses their website, ArtKnifeGallery.com, to sell and ship knives to their customers around the world. They depict it as an international art knife business and consider themselves “art purveyors of an unusual medium.”

Art Knife’s target audience is made up of art collectors—people who appreciate a different kind of art. “Instead of going to a painting exposition, they go to a custom knife show,” Gregory elaborated. A specific artist holds a reputation among his or her admirers much like artists of other mediums do. Some of the knife makers whose works are especially popular are Robert Weinstock, Anders Högström, and Arpad Bojtos. Weinstock, who approaches knife making as a sculptural exercise as 18 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

a result of studying sculpture in college, fashions his knives by carving, grinding, and sanding a piece of steel and adding an inlay with a hand drill. Högström also believes strongly in handwork, fashioning distinctive looks by incorporating steel, ivory, and leather into his pieces. Bojtos uses mostly hand tools like chisels and hammers to create his knives, which are primarily based on his favorite themes—animals, mythology, and history.

Certain knives speak to their owners just as works of art do. Former knife maker Dan Dagget, who is now an author, created the art dagger featured on the Art Knife Gallery business card. This knife is special to the couple because it was the “muse” for their business, after its exquisite lines grabbed Gregory’s attention and convinced him to buy it.

In order for artists to achieve the layered effect of their knives, Damascus steel is often used. Steel is heated in a forge and then removed to “fold” and hammer it. The process is repeated until about 1,500 individual layers have been formed, which gives Damascus steel its swirl-like appearance. Depending on the maker, one of these highly specialized, custom art knives can range in price from about $1,000

Knife by Wolfgang Loerchner

Knife by Wolfgang Loerchner

to $180,000. The Giovannellis’ recent sales have consisted of a $44,000 knife and a $50,000 knife.

On average, Art Knife Gallery sells about fifteen knives per year. “We have had up to twenty-five pieces for sale at one time,” said Gregory. “However, our availability averages from eight to ten pieces at any given time.” Currently, folding knives seem to be the hottest commodity among knife collectors, but the popularity of fixed knives is likely to return in a few years. The business has a diverse clientele. It even serves celebrity clients who make repeat purchases due to their high satisfaction with Art Knife Gallery’s unique finds.

Gregory expressed that their business aspiration is to be able to continue to enjoy their international adventures while having their travel expenses paid for. But Art Knife Gallery is only a part-time passion. The couple’s main focus is on their

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Gregory and Silvia at Miramar Beach, by Linda Coiro

full-time partnership in another business—namely, Direct Builder Supply, Inc., a custom millwork company that serves the Scenic Highway 30-A corridor and specializes in antique timbers and beams.

“We’ve been having a blast. It’s been so exciting,” said Gregory of running two companies with his soul mate, Silvia. “We’ve met so many great people. The knifemaking and collecting community is like a second family.” This adventurous couple proves that, with support from each other and a positive outlook, a passion of any kind can be turned into a successful business model.

For more information on Art Knife Gallery, please contact (850) 502-6126, Artknifegallery@gmail.com, or visit ArtKnifeGallery.com.

Page 1

NOW OPEN! DESTIN 36062 EMERALD COAST PARKWAY 850.837.8000 ethanallen.com

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Architecture by T. Massey Architecture Landscape and renderings by Horton Land Works

C O MIN G SUMMER 2013

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We are pleased to present Maison de VIE—a life-inspired idea house complete with unique stateof-the-art architecture, interiors, and gardenscapes from local architects and designers in a creative collaboration. This showstopper, located in WaterColor Phase III, will be open to the public for a room-by-room tour for design inspiration and tips from our local industry experts.

Proceeds generated from the tours and other exciting events held in conjunction with the 2013 Maison de VIE will benefit local charities. Keep a lookout on our Facebook page and our website, VIEZINE, for more news and information as it unfolds!

Maison de VIE is sponsored by Coastal Elements Construction, Q Tile, and The Premier Property Group, as well as other select cosponsors. For information about this stunning showcase located in the 30-A area, please call Karen Wagner of The Premier Property Group at 850.231.6506 or 850.830.5374

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By Tori Phelps // Photography by Carlo Pieroni

C

arlo Pieroni’s signature pinup art is a va-vavoom nod to a classic style, achieved via a method that’s thoroughly modern.

Miles of bare leg, a coyly shrugged naked shoulder, a tantalizingly exposed midriff. Pinup girls knew how to suggest a devilish good time while keeping their naughty bits fully covered—a notion that seems outdated in an era where overexposure is the norm and naked backsides are indiscriminately paraded on primetime TV. So why does Carlo Pieroni’s photography feel so intimate, so sensual? By all accounts, the once-titillating genre exemplified by icons like Marilyn Monroe should seem tame. But when the concept is reinvented by an international photography sensation, “tame” is the last word that comes to mind.

If anyone was going to make old-fashioned hot again, Pieroni would appear the obvious choice.

Born and raised in Florence, Italy—the cradle of

the Renaissance, he points out—Pieroni grew up in a city dripping with majestic architecture, exalted sculptures and some of the most famous paintings in the world. The effect was inescapable. “You can’t live in Florence without absorbing the history and beauty of the city; it all permeates your soul,” he says.

Then there’s his family. Pieroni had the good fortune to be born to an opera singer mother and entrepreneur-art collector father, living in a home where music and art were practically living, breathing members of the family. “Our home was always filled with artists, painters and musicians,” he explains. “Expressing yourself through art was just a natural extension of life.”

Whether by chance or because she saw something in her son, Pieroni’s mother bought him his first camera—a Kodak Instamatic 100—when he was just eight years old. He was immediately mesmerized by the images he created and soon upgraded

V IE ZINE.COM | 23

“Being a self-taught photographer gave me the freedom to discover and develop my own artistic expression.”

camera equipment to keep pace with his developing eye. Following high school graduation he was finally free to pursue photography full time and, in quick succession, began booking professional assignments and opened his first professional studio in Florence.

A star was born, and that star ascended rapidly.

His resume reads like a Who’s Who of business and entertainment—not to mention every photographer’s fantasy: international magazine shoots; work featured in Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, and GQ; and brand partners ranging from upscale lingerie (La Perla) to candy (M&M/Mars) to media (VH-1/MTV).

Was it talent? Luck? A little bit of magic? His secret, Pieroni says, was blazing his own path from the very beginning, rather than shadowing another shutterbug. “Being a self-taught photographer gave me the freedom to discover and develop my own artistic expression,” he says.

And somewhere along the way, his muse led him to bring old-school glamour back in a big way, with pinup art that’s taken him to a whole new level of success and recognition. The photos are reminiscent of actresses like Sophia Loren, Rita Hayworth and, of course, Marilyn Monroe—all of whom embodied a distinct sensuality without putting their goodies on full display. Hypnotic. Iconic. And deserving of a comeback.

While the style may be classic, Pieroni’s method is state of the art. He begins with great photography, of course, but then incorporates digital manipulation to “paint” each image, resulting in a picture that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. “I painstakingly work on each image for days,” he says. “I work with a digital tablet and pen to create many layers for one image, and then I fuse them together. I’m a conceptual photographer who extends the image beyond the initial captured photograph, and by doing so, I’ve created a very distinctive style over the years.”

That distinctive style—along with an interest in the pinup brand of sex appeal—can be traced back to his childhood. Along with other businesses, Pieroni’s father ran a cabaret that featured burlesque shows on Monday afternoons. Naturally, his curious eleven-year-old son sneaked into the darkened theater to watch the shows, becoming

24 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

Champagne Marianne

Katerina Danseuse

“I love shooting nonprofessional models as much as I enjoy shooting famous actresses and singers.”

It also showed him that “fun” and “work” can—and should—go together. He insists he only has great memories from his shoots, though he admits he’s fortunate to have worked with fun-loving, talented crews on most of his assignments. He eventually married one of those fun-loving models. “I fell in love with my wife, Carol, on the set. She was charming, disarming and beautiful, and she laughed all the time,” Pieroni says of the attraction.

The couple now has three children—perfectly bilingual, of course—who can be credited with bringing Pieroni stateside. Two years ago his daughter, Chelsea, was accepted at Duke University, and his younger sons, Lando and Brandon, expressed interest in attending college in the U.S. So last year the family set up house in Charlotte, North Carolina, though they maintain a home in Tuscany and Pieroni continues to shuttle back and forth to Europe for assignments.

Katerina Pecheuse

completely mesmerized by what he saw on stage.

A far cry from the vulgarity of today’s strip clubs, Pieroni says these women were elegant, sultry performers who would wink and flirt with the audience, issuing subtle invitations. “I may have missed a few Latin lessons on those afternoons, but I got an enviable education, and it led me to a lifelong love of women who enjoy playing a calculated game of seduction.”

Nice work if you can get it, right? Whether he’s trying to make the rest of us feel better or whether it’s the truth, Pieroni says the life of a globetrotting fashion photographer isn’t as glamorous as one

V IE ZINE.COM | 27

“I love my job.”

would imagine. “There’s a grueling side to set construction, client meetings, wardrobe tests, etc.,” he insists. “I’m not Hugh Hefner surrounded by bunnies all day long.”

Don’t believe him? He invites you to step inside his world for an afternoon. While Pieroni does work with models to create pinup art, he also works with “regular” women who get to feel like a silver screen siren for the day. “Anyone can be a pinup,” he says.

“I love shooting nonprofessional models as much as I enjoy shooting famous actresses and singers.

Nonprofessional models are so much fun, and the excitement on the set is contagious. It’s magical for all involved.”

Professionals or temporary divas, Pieroni ensures their final products are the stuff of dreams. An admitted perfectionist whether shooting pinups for Vanity Fair or restoring properties in Italy, he won’t stop working on something until he’s fallen in love with it. “That’s my reference point,” he says simply.

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Perfection is a tough standard to maintain, but it’s served him well over the years. The same can be said for the signature style he’s honed, now easily recognizable thanks to the unmistakable purity of each image. It’s this, he believes, that grabs people’s attention and has earned him legions of fans. “Not to mention my images are slightly erotic and playful—that surely figures in there somewhere,” he quips.

Pieroni concedes it’s sometimes difficult for viewers to see past the “skin” element of his pinup work, but then again, narrow-minded people aren’t exactly his target audience. Rather, his goal is simply to make art and, in doing so, communicate with the world.

This ability to follow his dream is a rare privilege, he acknowledges. “I create beauty,” he marvels. “I love my job.”

To book a photo shoot, call (704) 776-3630. To purchase a Pieroni print, visit www.carlopieroni.com.

Association Management

Ready ... Set ... GoSouthern.com · 888.850.2303

John Bartlett debuted a totally linen line Photo by Slaven Vlasic

The TwenTy-FirsT-CenTury

GenTleman an update of Classic american men’s apparel By ainsley rogers

When it comes to men’s style, perhaps no figure is more iconic than the American gentleman. A dashing character, his carefully selected attire is as much a part of his mass appeal as the chivalry for which he is known. But where would our gentleman be without a lady? Isn’t it true, after all, that behind every great man is a great woman? It was with this thought that I went to New York Fashion Week Spring 2013, where I was assigned to pay special attention to the men’s collections.

My initial approach: Be on the lookout for the women who designed for men and therefore were responsible for their style.

I freely admit to being a woman with an intense interest in fashion, and I believe wholeheartedly that women dress for women. Prior to fashion week, I would have confidently stated that the same applied to men as well—that is, that they also dress for women. What man hasn’t asked for fashion input from a wife or girlfriend? Yet as each spring men’s collection appeared, I began to notice that the creators were, in fact, men. My conviction rapidly slipping away, I was forced to ask myself, “If women dress for women, for whom do men dress?”

The Gentleman Gets a 2013 update Many of the spring 2013 lines included the same wardrobe pieces shown in a variety of ways—clean-lined trousers, fitted blazers and suits, and a never-ending assortment of collared shirts. The runways were teeming with eclectic combinations of classic men’s staples in different patterns and colors—a tribute to the time-honored gentleman, but with modern execution. Cotton cable-knit sweaters tied around the shoulders of handsome models were a bit predictable, but this kitschy mainstay has persisted for decades. It was also refreshingly American in a Euro-inspired realm.

Bespoken Clothiers’ spring line included quirky combinations paired with traditional American pieces, as bold prints and pops of color brightened up the otherwise monochromatic, tailored looks. The J.Crew men’s collection was also devoid of embellishment, opting instead for strategic color. Men’s design director Frank Muytjens admitted being inspired by Ellsworth Kelly’s color-blocked paintings. Relying heavily on bold hues and, again, interesting combinations of classics in place of intricate details, the runway looks fused rugged menswear with the preppier elements characteristic of the J.Crew label.

Continuing the rugged-meets-preppy idea, Todd Snyder’s line kept the details to a minimum and focused on the basics to create an easy-to-wear American sportswear line. Blazers with pocket squares worn over colored shorts and hoodies zipped over dress shirts were just a couple of the combinations that reflected the unconventional—yet all-American—male.

The runways were TeeminG wiTh eCleCTiC ComBinaTions oF ClassiC men’s sTaples in diFFerenT paTTerns and Colors

Texture was a key factor in Ralph Lauren’s spring line Courtesy of Ralph Lauren V IE ZINE.COM | 31

THIS PAGE Graphic stripes took center stage at Tommy Hilfiger Photo by Peter Michael Dills

NEXT PAGE Top: Naomi Campbell and Coco Rocha with designer Zac Posen Photo by Mike Coppola Bottom Left to Right: Designer Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein Photo by Mike Coppola Designer Ralph Lauren Photo by Frazer Harrison 32 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

Fashion is BlaCk and whiTe For Guys ... men wear CloThes They Can move in, live in, and Feel Good in, wiThouT muCh more analysis.

John Bartlett celebrated his twentieth year in the industry with a line dedicated almost exclusively to linen. While safari jackets, Bermuda shorts, and pastels dominated the collection, the designer’s softly tailored suits stole the show. One notable example was a pink linen suit that put an ultramodern twist on classic menswear— although the average guy may find it a bit intimidating to wear in his day-to-day life.

Traditionally known for shocking, artistic designs, Zang Toi’s often-shirtless models walked the runway in relatively tame combinations of slacks, sport coats, and suspenders—some in pastels, some in neutrals, but all with a big impact produced almost solely by menswear staples. Tommy Hilfiger’s new line also surprised many in attendance, as bold-hued stripes graced the runway in a variety of sizes and primary colors. Perry Ellis by Duckie Brown, meanwhile, veered in the opposite direction with a completely neutral and minimalist spring line that channeled a military vibe.

Behind the line: designer style The runway turned out to be very informative in my quest to unravel the secrets of men’s attire. However, it was beyond the runway—or should I say behind the runway—where I began to understand men’s style inspiration, thanks to the acclaimed designers who led me there. For the most part, the spring 2013 men’s collections were easy and unfussy, and it was for this simple reason that the answer to my question eventually dawned on me: Men dress for themselves, in the most uncomplicated and efficient way possible.

Let me add that I appreciate that men express their individuality through wardrobe choices just as women do. However, men don’t subject themselves to the frivolities of high fashion in the same way. I’ve endured four-inch heels in the rain and will likely do so again. For men, fashion is simple. If they like it, they buy it and wear it. If they don’t, it stays on the rack and doesn’t sell. Fashion is black and white for guys, unlike the many shades of gray that define women’s attire. Men wear clothes they can move in, live in, and feel good in, without much more analysis. This is why the gentleman’s style has prevailed throughout history—it just works for men.

V IE ZINE.COM | 33

The male designers at fashion week proved this point. Despite any theatrics attached to their collections, these tastemakers all dressed similarly in simple, functional styles.

It’s these designers who, when the work day is over, know how to style their pieces in a way that says, “These are the clothes I live in.” Tommy Hilfiger, Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren, Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka, Gilles Mendel of J. Mendel, and so many other male designers took their bows from the runway while wearing straightforward styles that were both chic and unpretentious.

If New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 communicated one thing about what men should expect for the upcoming season, it’s that gentleman’s style is here to stay. The look can, of course, be updated by thinking outside the box when it comes to combining traditional elements with a little extra color or texture. A man might dress down a classic suit by pairing it with a gray or plaid shirt instead of the traditional white dress shirt, for example. He might choose to trade neutral ties for unexpected pops of color, or forgo a tie completely and opt for a pocket square in a bold, graphic print. For the more adventurous (and often, ahem, younger) man, colored shorts or pants are an easy way to make a modern statement and, paired with a neutral or denim button-up shirt or a sweater, still make for a relaxed, fuss-free outfit. Dressier separates can be combined with casual sweaters, hoodies, or shorts.

Tailored pieces with clean lines made of rich fabrics and colors permeated the style scene long before there were fashion critics or street-style bloggers proclaiming their allure. This style’s recurring popularity is all about the classic American gentleman— one who is dressed in chic yet masculine attire that elicits both respect and admiration. Of course, the most important element, as I discovered, is that the style satisfies the man’s tastes as he gets dressed—for himself.

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Lead singer and keyboard player Donnie Sundal always displays a passion for performing.

38 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

Derwin “Big D” Perkins, guitarist, often closes his eyes while performing so as to connect with each musical note.

Orleans saying, you know? So, ‘boukou’ meaning ‘big’ or ‘a lot of,’ like ‘boukou bucks.’ And so, it’s Boukou Groove because that is the concept of the band—it’s all about the groove and not necessarily a bunch of complicated concepts.”

The band has a third position that Donnie describes as a “floating” member.

“We’ve used a lot of different drummers, so we don’t have an official third member. We do a lot of traveling, so sometimes if the gig is in New Orleans, we just use a New Orleans drummer,” he explained. “And if the gig is here, we might use somebody from here, or we may import somebody.” Donnie said that they couldn’t really find a drummer locally who was the right fit for their New Orleans funk band. The band’s list of drummers includes notable musicians like Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander ( Jon Cleary, Papa Grows Funk), Jimmy “Boo” Hill, Jr. (Fantasia’s MVP Band), Raymond Weber (Dr. John, Harry Connick, Jr.), Terence Higgins (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), and Jeff Mills (Chris Thomas King). All of these drummers are out of New Orleans, except for Jimmy “Boo” Hill, Jr., who is from Jacksonville. Hill is the main drummer on Boukou Groove’s latest record, with Higgins and Mills each doing a track. Jamison Ross is the drummer who has been playing with Boukou Groove recently, and he is the one who played with them for the band’s album release event at FIRE Restaurant at Gulf Place on November 8, 2012. Other noteworthy musicians featured on the album are Jon Cleary, a New Orleans piano master who performed with Big D in the Absolute Monster Gentlemen; Sam Bush, newgrass legend from Nashville; Junior Marvin, guitarist for Bob Marley and the Wailers; and the Shadowboxers from Atlanta.

40 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

The band’s debut album, A Lil’ Boukou in Your Cup, was released May 4, 2012.

Donnie said the inspiration for the compilation derived from a melding of his and Big D’s musical influences. Donnie further explained that they strived for a record that was all about funk and soul, that was fun to dance to, and that had clear-cut messages, specifically mentioning the song “Stay Broke,” with the chorus line, “It costs a whole lot of money just to stay broke.” Heidi Pitre of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, created the artwork exclusively for the CD cover; artwork for the inside of the CD is by local artist Andy Saczynski.

Even though the band was formed just two years ago, Boukou Groove has already performed its soulful melodies across Florida, at destinations in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and as far away as Illinois.

In and around Destin, the band has performed at familiar favorites like Harbor Docks, Funky Blues Shack, 30A Songwriters Festival, and Red Bar, to name a few, and for 2013 they plan to be more festival bound.

Donnie and Big D’s goal for the band is to continue with what they’re doing but to get out and do more traveling to spread their music. The studio and their families are the main factors that keep the band in the area, but they love playing here and wouldn’t change it. Donnie said that lately the band has been selling more CDs internationally than at their gigs. DJs in Europe and the United Kingdom have picked up on the CD and are spreading it around the world of music.

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Melvyn Kerly of Panama City Beach won the raffle for a bicycle from Big Daddy’s Bike Shop in Blue Mountain Beach. Proceeds from the raffle and a dollar from each Boukou Groove CD sale benefited the Judy and Steve Turner Heart and Vascular Center at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. VIE’s video production team also filmed the performance as part of a full documentary on Boukou Groove’s journey to success.

42 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

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Super Fly + Super Charged Written by Sallie W. Boyles

What could dave Rauschkolb, the oWneR of noRthWest floRida’s bud & alley’s RestauRant, and elon Musk, the ceo of spaceX, a califoRnia MakeR of space Rockets, have in coMMon?

C

reating a dining experience that becomes a family tradition and designing spaceships that transport families to Mars are certainly eons apart in terms of career paths, but Rauschkolb and Musk are driven by at least one shared vision: to shift the world’s reliance on cars that run on fossil fuels to a global demand for electric vehicles (EVs).

In light of that vision, Rauschkolb and Musk also have vested interests (albeit at vastly different levels) in the success of Tesla Motors. The California-based car manufacturer, established in 2003, began turning heads with its award-winning, all-electric Roadster (a sporty two-seater) in 2008 and continues with the rollout of the Model S—an American-made, first-in-its-class, full-sized, fully electric, luxury “family” sedan.

“Our effort has been the only EV built from the ground up to be electric,” says Tesla spokeswoman Shanna Hendriks. “We’ve created an amazing experience, and we’re working hard and succeeding at motivating the market to move toward a sustainable solution.”

46 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

Technology Forges AheAd “When I heard about Tesla’s four-door sedan that would go up to three hundred miles on a single charge, I wanted to be first in line,” says Rauschkolb, also a proud early adopter of the all-electric Nissan LEAF. “I was one of the first to order the LEAF and waited patiently, about two years, for my car.”

Rauschkolb’s attraction to electric reflects his environmental stance (continue reading to learn how he has made a splash with a grassroots antidrilling campaign), and he’s downright thrilled to keep money in his pocket that would otherwise pay for fuel. “By not buying gas, I’m saving $3,000 per

The new Model S followed by the Roadster, the first electric car produced by Tesla

year,” he says. Having solar panels on his home also helps. “Pretty much everything we buy is dictated by the price of oil,” he continues. “I don’t know about you, but I hate being dependent on anything.”

And so, instead of Christmas in July, Rauschkolb celebrated a special kind of Independence Day at the start of the 2012 Christmas season when, on December 2, his gift to himself arrived. An eighteen-wheeler pulling an enclosed trailer came, as scheduled, to his Florida home with his personally

reserved Tesla—number “904” of the 1,200 Model S Signature Performance limited editions made. Presented like an impeccably wrapped present, the car showed up in mint condition along with a Tesla Delivery Experience Specialist’s white-glove, bumper-to-bumper treatment and tutorial.

Considering that the top-of-the-line Model S’s price tag with extras hovers around $100,000, a new owner might expect an abundance of hand-holding.

The no-frills model with a standard battery, reserved after January 1, 2013,

it'S Finally here. totals $52,400 after a $7,500 federal tax credit.)

For a customer like Rauschkolb, who never so much as test-drove the Model S before taking ownership, learning the nuances of the car is more than a nicety; it’s a necessity. (That’s correct: Rauschkolb, who, like other Tesla buyers, customordered his sedan online, had seen only a beta version of the Model S before receiving his car!)

Recognizing that the Model S does not operate like the typical car or even other EVs, buyers who take the leap must get down to learning a brandnew system.

And how seriously fun and cool that can be! Even critics who’ve scoffed at other EVs for trying to look weird are wowed by a classy, sleek design that grabs attention without pushing the limits.

The innovations are abundant. For starters, the door handles are retractable; they automatically slide out and present to the driver when he or she approaches with a key fob. Instead of a key or start button to ignite the engine, the driver touches the brake. An acceleration pedal replaces the gas pedal, and from that point on, the car is controlled via a seventeen-inch touch screen computer with full connectivity to the web. Located in the center console, the display looks like it belongs in a cockpit.

Operators use the touch screen for everything: Drag and drop an icon to open and close the panoramic sunroof. Raise and lower the body to suit terrain like deep snow or steep inclines.

Additionally, a task like charging the car, which is

ACCordingly, yAhoo! Autos desCribes the CAr As A “Computer on wheels.”

Simply put, if competing in a beauty contest, the Model S would give Maserati, Jaguar, and Aston Martin a run for the money. The car, however, also has brains, which is why the Model S has been named 2013’s “car of the year” by Automobile Magazine, Motor Trend, and Yahoo!

Autos. The Model S additionally earned Popular Mechanics’ award for technical innovation and further landed on Time magazine’s Best Inventions of the Year 2012 list.

48 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

pretty simple in terms of plugging in, comes with programming options. Using a smartphone or the touch screen, the owner can devise a customized charging schedule that takes advantage of offpeak electricity rates.

While the car is charging, the operating system also automatically downloads updates. “They sent an update to my car last night at 1:00 a.m.,” says Rauschkolb. Owners, therefore, benefit from

continuing improvements, like voice commands that were lacking in the launch models. The extensive yet intuitive system is enticing. “I’ll have to force myself not to surf the web!” Rauschkolb admits. Accordingly, Yahoo! Autos describes the car as a “computer on wheels.”

Photography sequence by Gerald Burwell

Those who are new to EVs must also adjust to a novel driving experience. With the absence of an engine and its usual noise, the sounds one hears while in motion are the wind and the tires.

“The quiet element is different,” says Rauschkolb,

explaining that even his Nissan LEAF makes what he describes as a “high-pitched spaceship sound” during acceleration. The Model S, in comparison, is silent.

Noted to be remarkably smooth and quick, the Model S promises a thrill. Tests have clocked its acceleration from zero to sixty miles per hour in 3.9 seconds—faster than a Lamborghini or a Maserati. “While I was driving on Highway 98 this morning, the car was almost frighteningly fast,” Rauschkolb says of his first wide-open ride.

The sleek and luxurious interior of the Model S features supple leather, exotic wood, and high-tech instrumentation, including an oversized touch screen interface in the center console.

“It was like being in a rocket ship.

My tonsils were in the back of my headrest!”

At Any speed, the model s eArns high mArks for the wAy it hAndles.

Some feel the powerful torque— that moment of force that causes rotation—in the stomach. “I’m not a speed freak at all,” Rauschkolb adds, “but it’s good to know I have the power; I don’t always have to use it.” In actuality, he claims that driving an EV has conditioned him to slow down to conserve power. Nevertheless, the Model S has enough range to scream for speed!

At any speed, the Model S earns high marks for the way it handles. Automobile Magazine describes its electric power steering as “nuanced and well-weighted.” Drivers further appreciate the control they have when taking sharp corners at high speeds or hitting the brakes. Although the car weighs more than 4,700 pounds, the battery pack is mounted low in the floor pan, adding stability yet maintaining a light suspension over wheels.

Placing the battery pack out of the way plus having no motor allow for a roomy interior with ample front and rear storage compartments. To make use of the extra space, Tesla offers the option of adding a third row of two rear-facing child seats. Thus, the comfortable five-seater becomes a seven-passenger sedan.

With all of its novel luxuries, the Model S could not take off without a reliable power source. Offered with three battery options (40, 60, and 85 kilowatthours), the Model S comes ready to plug into a common 240-volt outlet, a standard 120-volt wall outlet, or a public charging station. With a 240-volt outlet, the car will recharge at a 100-kilometer range per hour. Along with choosing the battery size, buyers can opt for a single or twin charger.

Twin chargers recharge the battery in half the time.

Since the Model S’s range is 265 miles with the 85 kWh battery, according to EPA testing under normal driving conditions, Tesla has solved the logistics problem for everyday use. Indeed, a Central Florida University professor is one of the first to prove that his Model S could exceed four hundred miles on a single charge. Although he drove slowly on a carefully planned rural route, the car went 423.5 miles before the Charge Now warning light blinked. “If I had ‘range anxiety,’ to quote an oil industry term,” says Rauschkolb, referring to the fear of running out of power while on the road, “I wouldn’t have it with the Tesla.”

Rauschkolb listens intently while Tesla delivery specialist Ben Bird gives instruction on the car’s instrumentation and key functions

Most owners develop a habit of plugging in at night, as many do with their cell phones.

Additionally, Tesla Motors has opened six of its own Supercharger stations, the electric alternative to the gas station, in California. The Tesla Supercharger facilitates a 50 percent charge in just thirty minutes. “That’s the time you would take to stop for lunch,” says Rauschkolb. To develop a national infrastructure that supports EVs, the company plans to roll out Tesla Supercharger stations in other states based upon where their owners are clustered. In that effort, Tesla will survey owners by region to determine their driving habits and thereby create station waypoints that best serve their clientele.

Tesla drivers may use any Tesla Supercharger

Rauschkolb’s Signature Series Model S—number 904 of 1,200 made

station at no cost. “We plan to open one hundred of these stations across North America by the end of 2013,” says Hendriks.

If developing a power station infrastructure seems ambitious, then bypassing the dealer network and opting instead to distribute cars through Tesla-owned boutiques is another example of the management’s innovative thinking.

Interestingly, Tesla strategically locates its stores and showrooms in high-foot-traffic areas as a way of generating curiosity and then educating consumers about the brand and EVs. American dealers, by the way, are in an uproar over being left out, and franchise laws in some states prohibit manufacturers from owning dealerships. Still, if

customers prefer Tesla’s model, which closely resembles Apple’s approach to retailing, the question becomes just how much ambition can one EV company muster to change the entire game, including the way people buy cars?

by SpaceX, the only private company that has ever returned a spacecraft from low earth orbit.

In comparison, an aggressive plan for rolling out EVs and power stations across the continent and beyond seems quite achievable.

The answer stems from Elon Musk, the cofounder who runs Tesla Motors as chairman, product architect, and CEO. If his name sounds familiar, it might be because, besides launching SpaceX, Musk is also the founder of PayPal and the current chairman of SolarCity. He is a visionary who gets things done. While his ideas for revolutionizing space travel might seem “out there,” Musk’s track record includes some history-making milestones with launch vehicles and spacecraft developed

Besides, in his role of overseeing the company’s product strategy, Musk has assembled an extraordinary leadership team, prompting even the naysayers to express some faith in this allEV manufacturer. For instance, JB Straubel, the other cofounder and chief technical officer, has developed electronic systems for the aerospace and car industries, including a long-distance hybrid-electric propulsion concept licensed to Boeing. Other top executives have made impressive V IE ZINE.COM | 51

Rauschkolb, a surfing enthusiast, has surfed exotic places such as Costa Rica and the South of France.

and shakers, that they, too, can lead the way by purchasing an EV without sacrificing luxury.

Rauschkolb understands why people don’t like to give up life’s pleasures. He admits being more interested in surfing than running a restaurant when the opportunity to open Bud & Alley’s came along about twenty-seven years ago. That’s why he and his surfing buddy and then-partner, Scott Witcoski, sealed the deal with a pledge to do both. inroads at places like Daimler, Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Google, The Gap, Apple, and the U.S. State Department. Daimler and Toyota, in fact, have partnered with Tesla for its power train technology.

Plenty could be written about Tesla’s potential, but the story, for now, returns to reasons why Dave Rauschkolb was determined to be one of the first one thousand owners of the Tesla Model S. He bought the car not to show off, but to walk the walk and show others, surely upscale movers

“The proposed site at Seaside looked like it would be fun,” says Rauschkolb. They could surf right outside the restaurant. “We made sure we got in the water; we even closed one month of the year to go on surfing trips to places like Costa Rica and the South of France.” He wasn’t opposed to work as long as he could play. “My father was diagnosed with lung cancer at an early age,” Rauschkolb explains, “so I was determined to have lots of fun in my youth in case the same thing happened to me.”

Understandably, Rauschkolb’s love and respect for the Gulf of Mexico run deep. “From the time I was twelve,” he says, “I remember my dad taking me fishing, and the first sport I did well as a teen was surfing. It allows me to be one with the water, and even when the waves are big and nasty and scary, it’s a pristine, beautiful, wondrous environment. My passion for the Gulf came from that, but everyone who chooses to live or visit here is passionate. Families and their memories are tied to the Gulf of Mexico—the water, the sea life, the weather. The thought of oil leaks violating our beloved and sacred waters was always abhorrent to me.”

Even so, he had no plans to be an antidrilling activist—at least not until politics provoked him. In the spring of 2009, Florida’s House of Representatives voted to lift bans on near-shore oil drilling. Rauschkolb learned of the legislation in late September, when friend and local attorney, David Pleat, informed him that the changes were pending approval by Florida’s Senate. “From going

Dave Rauschkolb—founder of Hands Across the Sand—draws the line.

a line draWn.

to places like Biloxi as a child and seeing the oil rigs close to shore there, the idea of near-shore drilling off our coast made me sick,” Rauschkolb says.

The impetus to act came on October 1, 2009, when Rauschkolb hosted an event at Bud & Alley’s for Pleat to announce his run for a seat in Florida’s House of Representatives. Pleat gave an impassioned speech about “taking a stand” against the drilling initiative. His message prompted Rauschkolb to say, “We need to draw a line in the sand.” The words “draw a line in the sand” stuck in Rauschkolb’s brain. By the end of the evening, he told his wife, Carol, “I know what we can do!” His vision for Hands Across the Sand developed from there.

Described as a “movement … of people of all walks of life and … all political affiliations and borders of the world,” Hands Across the Sand organizes gatherings of individuals along coastlines and other places of significance. A seemingly endless line of people joining hands creates a poignant visual.

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Two of Rauschkolb’s favorite things— Bud & Alley’s and his Tesla Model S

At the first demonstration on Saturday, February 13, 2010, ten thousand Floridians of all ages, from Pensacola to Key West, stood hand in hand to protest proposed state and federal legislation that would affect Florida’s coast. “We got tons of press,” says Rauschkolb of what became the largest demonstration against drilling in the state’s history. Regrettably, a catastrophe, more so than the success of the initial protest, fueled many more to join his cause: the Deepwater

continued with the release of about 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The gushing wellhead was capped three months later, on July 15, but reports reveal a persistent seep.

Whether or not Rauschkolb had a premonition about the disaster that threatened to ruin everything he loves about the coast, he had a structure in place to fight back. Working in conjunction with the Sierra Club, the Surfrider

if the trend in longer-lAsting, less expensive bAtteries persists, evs in All shApes And sizes will beCome inCreAsingly hArder to resist.

Horizon oil spill, or “the BP oil disaster,” occurred on April 20, 2010.

The episode began with an explosion that killed eleven men working on the oil rig’s platform and 54 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

Foundation, 350.org, and other groups, he organized a second Hands Across the Sand event on June 26, 2010. Thanks to social media and coverage gained through a network of environmental organizations, the event turned

Tesla Santana Row showroom in Silicon Valley— Tesla’s sales model follows a mission similar to Apple.

global. He had to scramble to pull it off. “If you scare yourself out of doing something, you won’t get much done in life,” says Rauschkolb, who was suddenly receiving e-mails from Japan and New Zealand. “I informed our web designer that we needed a translation tool and a world map on the site.”

Amazingly, one thousand events took place across the globe. Individuals from all fifty states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as from forty-two countries participated in the largest worldwide gathering in history against the expansion of offshore drilling.

“Joining hands sends a powerful political message,” says Rauschkolb. Guided by a mission to end the

“i will never buy Another gAs-powered vehiCle.” —dave rauschkolb

world’s dependence on dirty fuel sources, Hands Across the Sand events continue, with the next global event scheduled for May 18, 2013. “My next move is coupling Hands Across the Land with Hands Across the Sand,” Rauschkolb states, mentioning hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”)—a mining method that environmentalists contend can contaminate groundwater—and ending destructive mountaintop mining.

“I don’t have any illusions that we’ll completely end our dependency on oil within our generation,” Rauschkolb says, “but making clean energy the primary source of power for transportation is within our reach. For someone who never intended to become an activist, I see all the good that can come from embracing clean energy, and

there’s no turning back. That’s all the more evident now that I have a three-year-old daughter. And I hope her generation is smarter than ours.”

If the trend in longer-lasting, less expensive batteries persists, EVs in all shapes and sizes will become increasingly harder to resist. Tesla Motors already plans to build less-expensive cars. “Tesla’s goal has always been to create the proof-of-concept car at a high price/low volume, then to move to a lower price point and medium volume,” says Hendriks, referring to a concept under way that is slightly smaller than the Model S at a price point around $35,000.

For the time being, however, the Model S is at the forefront. “By the end of 2012, we need to be building four hundred cars a week,” says

Hendriks. “It’s an achievable goal and vital for us to be successful.”

As more consumers begin to follow first adopters like Rauschkolb, he’ll remain cautiously optimistic that the benefits offered by new technologies will gain momentum. For now, he couldn’t be more excited about driving his Tesla.

“I will never buy another gas-powered vehicle,” he concludes.

V IE ZINE.COM | 55

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www.LovelaceInteriors.com • 850.837.5563 12870 US Highway 98 West • Miramar Beach, FL (between Destin and Sandestin) Become a Fan on Facebook!

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ince the Vietnam War, the U.S. Air Force has taken a tag-team approach to fighter strategy. The heavyweight F-15 Eagle, with its exceptionally high performance and long range, is combined with the smaller, lighter, and cheaper F-16 Fighting Falcon. Although most nations can’t afford it, the U.S. can, and it makes sense from both a military and a budgetary perspective.

This tag team worked well in the Gulf War, the Balkans, and Iraq, and it continues to do so today in Afghanistan. The approach works so well, in fact, that we’re seeing it carried forward into the fifth generation of fighter aircraft development with the F-22 Raptor/F-35 Lightning II combo (although at $154 million a pop, the F-35 doesn’t exactly meet the “cheaper” criterion).

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The Soviets saw the wisdom in this approach, too. Heavily influenced by the new record-breaking F-15 Eagle, the Soviet Union began development of its own heavy/light fighter combo: Mikoyan supplied the lightweight fighter in the form of the MiG-29, and Sukhoi, the heavyweight Su-27. MiG, the moniker for the Mikoyan-and-Gurevich Design Bureau, was practically a household name in the West, with MiG becoming the generic term for any Russian jet. MiG had been providing the Soviet Union with the bulk of its frontline fighters since the fifties.

Sukhoi was, at least beyond the Iron Curtain, a less familiar name. Although the Sukhoi bureau had been designing aircraft since 1939, it hadn’t produced an aircraft that captured both the public imagination and the attention of Western military intelligence until the 1970s. We (the intel community) tended to think of the Sukhois as the ugly little sisters of the sexier MiGs—hence, the general surprise when an early prototype was discovered by U.S. reconnaissance satellites. Dubbed the “Flanker” by NATO, the new Sukhoi was massive—as big as or bigger than the F-15. Like the Eagle, it had twin engines and twin tails. The West would later discover, however, that the aircraft design was quite innovative in other aspects. Like many of the Soviet submarines, the new Sukhoi was constructed using vast amounts of titanium, a resource the Soviet Union possessed in near limitless quantity. The Sukhoi achieves lift by way of a blended wing design and can perform seemingly impossible maneuvers such as zero-radius turns, somersaults, and near-hovers. Called the Zhuravlik (Crane) by Russians, Su-27s consistently steal the show at exhibitions and air shows around the world.

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n ng i the i r be in num rving ies , g n pri tly se countr s f f n ir o curre dozen e h a t e and nds, ar e than s ’ 7 r a Su-2thous of mo s the force air Not unlike many great aircraft, the Su-27 had troubled beginnings. Several fatal crashes marred its early development. Design flaws were identified and corrected, and the aircraft went into full production, providing the backbone of the Soviet fighter force. Beyond the Sukhoi’s incredible maneuverability, it’s an outstanding weapons platform. It can carry an enormous amount and array of air-to-air and air-toground weaponry. The aircraft had an Achilles’ heel, however. Its radar system was fraught with design and performance issues that weren’t resolved until later follow-on models.

Despite the radar issues, the Russians knew they had a winner in the Su-27. The aircraft would form the basis for a franchise of follow-on models: a navalized version of the Zhuravlik, with folding wings, arrestor hook, and reinforced landing gear, would defeat the MiG-29 in the competitive bid for Russia’s new carrier fighter.

The Sukhoi’s development has often paralleled that of the F-15. A two-seat, all-weather strike/ interdiction variant, the Su-30, has been developed for both domestic use and export. The Su-30 and Su-34 strike versions are able to fight their way into the target area, defeat enemy fighters in air-to-air combat, attack their targets, and egress, all without the need for additional fighter escort.

The Sukhoi added supermaneuverability to its résumé with the addition of canards and thrust vectoring in the Su-35 and Su-37 models. The Su-37 Berkut is, arguably, the most maneuverable

fourth-generation-plus aircraft in the world. It did not, however, reach production stage. Instead, Russia has chosen to focus its development efforts on a fifth-generation aircraft that will directly counter the West’s F-22 and F-35 threat.

This fifth-generation “stealth” fighter is—you guessed it—a Sukhoi.

Designated the T-50/PAK FA, Sukhoi’s newest fighter is designed to be supermaneuverable, have very low radar observability, and be capable of supercruise (mach one-plus speeds without the use of afterburner). While the T-50 shares many of the same capabilities as the F-22 Raptor, and, visually, is very similar, the Russians made significant departures from the F-22 approach. The T-50 sacrifices stealthiness for maneuverability. Its sticker price is also lower.

Sukhoi can build three T-50s for every Raptor that Lockheed Martin delivers. At one-third the cost of its competitor, Russia can produce more aircraft for its own use and keep the aircraft affordable for potential export customers like India and Malaysia.

Su-27s and their offspring, numbering in the thousands, are currently serving in the air forces of more than a dozen countries. The Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft families are the threats most likely to be encountered by U.S. and NATO pilots now and for decades to come.

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ClassiC

The 2012 Le Mans Drivers scramble to their vintage race cars for the 1962–1965 vintage competition.

By Matthew Christ Photography by Claude Madoux

“You are driving ze wrong way,” the rental car agent calmly says as he pokes his head into my car.

I’m sitting in a now-stopped Renault Clio hatchback in a parking garage beneath the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris, France. If the garage extended another few hundred yards, I would be able to drive right up to Napoleon’s tomb in the Invalides, a beautiful military hospital designed in the Baroque style in the late seventeenth century that spurred the development of grand apartment buildings nearby. These buildings are extremely valuable real estate, housing well-heeled Parisians for generations, V IE ZINE.COM | 63

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1. A 1970 Ferrari 512 S with a 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 and a 1971 Porsche 917 in hot pursuit 2. A beautiful, sleek Jaguar C-Type leads this pack of vintage cars from the 1949–1956 grid, including Austin-Healey, Maserati, Porsche, and Triumph 3. Bentley 4 1/4-Litre “Embiricos” Pourtout Coupé (1938) 4. A 1978 Porsche 935: the unique wide-body styling at the time earned it the nickname “Moby Dick” 5. A 1934 Aston Martin Ulster and a 1935 Delahaye 135 S

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6. Some impressive specimens from the 1966–1971 grid roar down the straightaway 7. 1924 Bugatti Type 35 8. 1923–1939 vintage lineup

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and the cars in the parking area reflect the surrounding wealth: most are half-million-dollar Ferraris, Aston Martins, and Bentleys. Which has made turning around in this single-lane parking garage a little stressful.

“Can you spot me as I turn?” I ask the man who just moments before had guided me through the rental car contract with total mastery of the English language.

“Zi don’t understand,” the agent says in a heavy French accent before walking away.

Realizing I have to complete a fifteen-point turn in between four Ferraris and a brand-new Porsche Cayenne GTS, I slowly move the gearshift from first to second, through third, fourth, and fifth gears, and finally into reverse. Easing off the clutch, I wait for the Renault to start rolling backward.

Except it doesn’t. I try again, and again, and nothing happens. Two cars have entered the one-way lane and are pointed toward me; their drivers are just silhouettes with cocked heads, no doubt cursing the idiot who is blocking their way.

Frustrated, I start cursing as well. Four-letter words begin bouncing around the Clio, and I try again. I learned to drive a manual in a 1973 Triumph TR6, which had a clutch that was so difficult that I kept a hammer in the glove box to occasionally tap the gearshift into place. I’ve driven a 1,001-horsepower Bugatti Veyron, an Aston Martin DB9, and more than my fair share of Porsche 911s for a twenty-two-year-old. And I’m now being flummoxed by the French equivalent of a Nissan Versa.

As a door of one of the other cars opens, I heave the gear into reverse once more. “Click.” It works! With white-knuckle turns, I miraculously avoid damaging any of the near-priceless automobiles.

I’ve traveled from Florida to Paris only to have to leave it immediately.

Once I navigate the chaotic city boulevards and make my way to the motorway, my ultimate destination will be Le Mans, a picturesque town located on the Sarthe River in the Pays de la Loire region in midwestern France, about 130 miles west of Paris. But I didn’t come to Le Mans to look at winding streets and cathedrals; I came to visit the Circuit de la Sarthe, better known as the race track used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world-famous endurance sports car race that has been taking place here nearly every summer for the past eighty years. On this weekend in early July, a month after the eightieth race was completed, the nine-mile circuit has been reopened for the Le Mans Classic race, and car clubs around the world have shipped in their track-ready vintage cars to compete in a rendition of the Le Mans races of yore.

My Le Mans adventure begins with a crack of thunder. As I turn off of the A11 motorway near the old town, I see that onyx-colored clouds have laid

siege on the horizon. Fat raindrops begin smacking down on my windshield just as I start searching for the circuit’s parking lot. It takes me an hour to find a spot, partially because of my general incompetence at translating French traffic signs and partially because of the traffic-stopping, torrential rainfall.

I finally park and am walking toward the track when a red 1956 Ferrari 250 GTO drives past me. For vintage car novices, realize that the provenance behind the Ferrari 250 GTO is so great that I only have to look up on my smartphone pictures of the thirty-nine GTOs ever built to determine that this particular one belongs to Jon Shirley, the former CEO of Microsoft.

Shirley (or a very trusted friend or family member) rumbles past in the almost thirty-million-dollar car a few more times, most likely searching for the same track entrance I’m looking for. After an hour of walking back and forth between buildings where I can supposedly pick up my ticket, I finally find a ticket office and begin another trek back toward the circuit.

(Note to event organizers: invest in guide signs.)

Once inside the track, I’m confident that all the slogging around in the rain, crossing five lanes of traffic on foot—twice—and the bouncing in between ticket offices is worth it. The crisp exhaust notes that I have heard ricocheting outside the circuit for the past hour are much clearer once inside the gates. From a balcony in the stands, I take in the sight below. A 1970s-era Corvette swings into view on the track and snakes its way up to the famed Dunlop Bridge, a procession of 1970s Porsche 917s shortly behind. The action is almost too quick to process as dots of white, yellow, and red zip by and disappear around the corner.

I can tell I’m too far away from the action. Making my way back toward the main entrance, I find a tunnel leading to the inside loop of the circuit. I follow a gravel road until it turns into pavement and then grass.

On a manicured lawn, a display of rare cars has been set up, including a gleaming white Porsche 550 Spyder, the same model the actor James Dean crashed in. Next to it is a rare Jaguar D-Type that raced the 1953 circuit.

In a nearby courtyard, with purely formed raindrops still scattered across its long bonnet, is a 1935 Bentley 3.5 Liter amid more vintage Bentleys. This particular Bentley started its life as a formal saloon, but a new body inspired by the original Bentley Blower that won the Le Mans in the 1930s was fitted to its chassis in the late 1990s. It has drawn quite V IE ZINE.COM | 65

e e-rac of pr s r u e o ts th ing h usias morn y. r enth early a c e e h is t c d pla ring ric ra s on u o d ic t s is n s ake for h e cla oux t vent intag Maud o-to e s of v e g n d e e u h nt ecim

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Photography this page by Matthew Christ

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a crowd of spectators, but one spectator stands out with his silver handlebar mustache and pale blue racing jumpsuit. The man, definitely a driver in the event, looks to be the embodiment of the gentleman driver people speak of when they talk about the Le Mans Classic.

Suddenly, I hear a loud clamor of engines revving near the track. From a landing overlooking a staging area off the track, I take in the sight of twenty or so vintage Ferraris, including the former Microsoft CEO’s. A pistachio-colored 250 GTO sits idling, standing out from the more commonly colored Ferrari Rosso Corsa (racing red) cars for a reason other than its color: it recently sold for $35 million, the highest price ever paid for a car at auction. It was originally built for Sir Stirling Moss, the famed British racing driver, to compete in the 1962 Le Mans. Having been injured in an accident before the scheduled Le Mans, Moss never actually raced this GTO. Until now, I haven’t fully understood the Le Mans Classic experience. Yes, there are a lot of pretty cars here—so many, in fact, that phrases like “Oh, it’s just another Aston Martin DB4” become common mutterings. And, yes, many of these cars have racing pedigrees that can transport you back in time. But looking down on a small lot full of thirty-milliondollar Ferraris with engines chomping at the bit, it becomes apparent that the Le Mans Classic is more than just a collection of pretty cars. It’s about passion. Passion for the past, passion for these rolling works of art, passion for letting these cars do what they were designed to do—race. It’s a passion that is accessible, too. The fabulously wealthy may enjoy racing their multimillion-dollar vintage Ferraris, but many less wealthy connoisseurs can spike their adrenaline by racing their classic Mustangs against the clock. And those who can’t afford the car (after all, classic Mustangs aren’t exactly cheap) can still get in on the action—a weekend can be spent strolling the grounds gawking at these incredible machines and meeting fellow car aficionados from the world over.

Spying another thunderstorm approaching, I make my way to some covered stands. Just as I walk inside, torrential rainfall starts pouring down. The cars keep racing, undeterred by the tropical weather conditions. It will rain on and off so much this weekend that a few cars will crash from spinning out of control on the slick surfaces.

The rain is packing the stands in and, for a better look at the track below, I stand on a seat in the top row. A gentleman sitting in the next row below me is looking through some of the recent photos he’s taken on his digital camera. Typically, I tend to stay away from attracting attention that might come off to others as stalking. But, because I am alone in a foreign country, I decide to leave all inhibitions by the wayside. So I lean in and ogle at the incredible photos the man has captured. During a pause in the racing, in my broken French, I compliment his photography skills.

Between my poor French and his better-than-poor English, I learn that his name is Claude Madoux and that he is a journalist from Nantes, France.

Claude’s been coming to the Le Mans Classic since it began in 2000, and he’s attended many of the regular Le Mans races as well. He’s friends with a few of the racers and is also a dedicated gearhead like myself. I ask him if he would like his exceptional photographs to be printed in the magazine I write for in America, and he agrees.

It’s now just past 8:00 p.m. and I still have yet to check into my hotel in the small town of Flacey, France, about an hour away. I bid farewell to Claude and start the long walk back to my friendly, not-so-Le-Mans-ish Renault Clio. Before I leave the track, I stop to take in one final look up at the stands. They’re less than crowded now as the sun begins its evening descent. A silver 1938 BMW 328 roars down the center track.

Its driver, oblivious to the dwindling number of onlookers, is focused on the road ahead.

A Three-Hundred-Year-Old Hotel My hotel in Flacey isn’t a hotel in the traditional sense of the word. It’s actually a three-hundredyear-old château that was, at one point, owned by Caroline Bonaparte, a younger sister of Napoleon.

Domaine de Moresville is situated in the middle of a large field a few miles south of the A11, which I took from Paris to Le Mans. I’ve been warned that I have to check in by 10:30; after that, the château owner will have gone to bed himself. If I don’t make it on time, I’ll be forced to sleep in the Renault.

When I settle into my Clio, it’s 8:15 p.m. I have a little over two hours to make it from Le Mans to Flacey. That leaves me with just enough to time to pull over and grab a quick bite to eat along the way.

The road out of Le Mans is beautiful. The Pays de la Loire region is France’s breadbasket—literally. Fields

of wheat roll away from the roadside as far as the eye can see, with stray farmhouses here and there the only interruptions on the horizon. If the Latin Quarter is supposed to be the most Parisian district of Paris—where every street looks like it’s straight out of a movie scene—then the amber countryside I’m driving through looks like every romantic comedy movie location scout’s dream. The last rays of sunlight of this rainy day are escaping, striking the rolling hills at an angle that’s absolutely breathtaking.

When I come to a small town called Bouloire, my growling stomach eclipses whatever hold the scenery’s beauty has over me. I pull into the first restaurant I find and ask the hostess if it’s possible to have my order sped up—I’m on a deadline. The delicious entrecôte arrives soon, and I quickly shovel it off the plate and into my mouth. So much for trying to reverse any stereotypes of the fast-eating American.

Just as I’m about to leave, a Maserati coupe pulls up with two British couples inside. Being the only other English-speaking patrons in the restaurant, they’re seated next to me. Of course, we start talking and I discover that they too have spent the day at Le Mans ogling the same classic cars. Ten minutes talking turns into an hour. Suddenly, I realize I have thirty minutes to drive to Domaine de Moresville before they close the gates.

I gun the car out of Bouloire and point it towards Châteaudun, the nearest town to Flacey, and begin my own version of a timed endurance race. A little nervous about how close I’m going to cut it to check-in, I turn on the radio. Donna Summer’s “I Will Survive” blasts through the speakers. Scanning through the car’s CD tracks, I find that a Donna Summer album is stuck in the stereo.

I’m now hauling through the French countryside, wishing I could pull over at every scenic junction to take photographs. I’m racing against the clock as I wind my way through the picturesque streets of Saint-Calais. As I approach Châteaudun, I’m realizing I can make it to the château in time. That is until I nearly run into a roadblock that has obstructed the apparently sole route into the town. I turn around and try another road, but the car’s GPS won’t have any of it. “No alternative routes available,” a snooty computer voice keeps snapping. I’m five minutes away from burrowing my tired, cold, wet self into a warm bed inside a three-hundred-year-old castle, but this roadblock is going to require me to backtrack and take a thirty-minute detour. I’ve got ten V IE ZINE.COM | 69

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15. France’s Pays de la Loire region—beautiful rolling fields of golden wheat as far as the eye can see 16. The charming and cozy interior of the three-hundred-year-old chateau, Domaine de Moresville

minutes before the gates at the Domaine de Moresville are closed and latched shut for the night!

I start stroking my GPS’s ego, coaxing it to find an alternative route. “Please, baby! Please find another way!” I coo. I’m blindly pushing buttons now on the GPS’s screen, hoping that I’ll somehow unlock a section of its pea-sized brain that holds a hidden route to Flacey. I pull off the road and into what looks like someone’s narrow gravel driveway. As soon as I do, the GPS beeps to life, and an alternative route appears on the screen. I have four minutes to make it to Flacey, and I’m now barreling down a dirt road, cutting through a wheat field with grain stalks taller than my Renault. Three minutes are counting down. I depress the accelerator and turn up the radio. “I Will Survive” is playing again, and at this moment, I don’t just like this car—I love it!

The wheat maze comes to a sudden end, and now I’m working through a concrete maze of small homes. I turn a corner and my headlights flash upon a small and insignificantly placed welcome sign for the Domaine de Moresville. This is it! I turn in at exactly 10:30, and all the lights are off except for one above a large front door. I park in front of the entry and run up the steps. Behind the massive mahogany door sits the owner of the château, steadily tapping a pencil on the lobby desk.

“Bonsoir,” he says.

I’m too tired to try to speak French or attempt any cross-cultural diplomacy.

“I made it!” I say. “I’m here on time.”

“You are.”

My room key is fetched off a wall and I’m shown a spacious room. When I close the door and am alone again, I open my room’s drapes and look out to the château courtyard. My little Renault sits there, tufts of grass and gobs of mud sticking out of its rear wheel well. Both the Clio and I have had a long day, but together we proved that anyone can experience their own Le Mans adventure. All it takes is a little car, a winding road, and a clock to race against.

70 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

Transportation Europcar is the largest rental car company in Europe. Their rates are fairly competitive. If you’re not on a budget and happen to be older than twenty-five years of age, spring for a rental in Europcar’s luxury line.

A Porsche 911 is a great car to explore the French countryside in.

TRIP n OTes

Photography this page by Matthew Christ

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www.europcar.com Paris Invalides Railway Station Address: Terminal Air France Esplanade des Invalides Contact: Phone: +33 0 144110380 Fax: +33 0144110381

Experience The Le Mans Classic is held every other year. Check www.lemansclassic.com next year for ticket details for the 2014 Race.

Eat Auberge du Château 6 Place du Château 72440 Bouloire Stay Domaine de Moresville Located in Flacey, France, about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of Paris. The owner, François Santerre Saint Bonnet, will personally show you to your room. Be sure to ask for a history lesson about the grounds. Rates from 80 to 179 euros per night. www.domaine-moresville.com Route de Brou 28800 Flacey

A Testimonial Dear Alan, It has been almost five years since our wonderful Gulf-front home was completed, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you how happy Ed and I are with each and every detail. As an interior designer myself, and Ed with a career in real estate, we were knowledgeable and very involved clients. You and your staff handled our endless meetings with professionalism and patience.

Building a house on the dunes presents its own set of engineering complexities. Our project was especially challenging because of the massive amount of steel and concrete involved. You accepted the task with confidence and skill with an end result of beauty and structural integrity.

Besides hearing of the fine craftsmanship of Ficarra Builders from previous clients, we heard the words “honest and trustworthy� time and time again. Having worked with many builders in our respective fields, Ed and I really value quality and honesty. These qualities are often very hard to find, but we found both in you and your firm. We always felt you could solve any unforeseen problem, and that confidence allowed us to experience, with pleasure and excitement, the building of our custom home. We also appreciate the fact that you are as accessible today as you were during construction.

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Thank you, Alan, for everything. You have our highest recommendation.

Sincerely, Anne and Ed Erbesfield

Custom Residential / Commercial Additions / Renovations 228 Market St., Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 | 850.267.2898 www.ficarra.com | CGC1515280

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Hombre’s four sets of tees are nestled in the midst of wetlands and beautifully framed by palms and more. Updated pricing for the 2013 Winter Guest Program—Adam Brack is going to offer one complimentary lesson with the purchase of a monthly program: Single – $295 plus tax; Couple – $440 plus tax; and 10-Round Pass – $450 plus tax.

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334 Golf Club Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 For more information, please call 850.267.2229 www.santarosaclub.com 74 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

The Seascape Golf Course was designed by famed course architect Joe Lee and offers golfers a wide variety of shot selection. The course will surpass your expectations with its 18 contoured fairways and immaculate greens. Golfers can also stay at Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort for a relaxing getaway.

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Tap into the Area’s Tastiest Microbreweries and Gastropubs Story and Photography by Kim Duke-Layden

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COLA 2 COLA In 2005, my husband, John, and I took a two-week biking trip through Belgium that forever changed our lives—for the better. Around every hop-and-barley-filled bend, we discovered “beer nirvana”—Belgian beer. After returning home, our days of swigging mass-produced, lackluster lager were over! Instead, we continued cultivating our palates and appreciation for stellar craft beer, which to our surprise did not require us to venture abroad. Traveling to Maine, Montana, or Maui, and numerous places in between, we repeatedly stumbled upon world-class American craft brews—beers with an annual beer production of six million barrels or less.

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loser to home during the past few decades, a surge of microbreweries and alehouses have washed ashore in the Sunshine State, with the highest concentration appearing in or around Central and South Florida. Lucky for us, the craft beer craze has finally spread to our own COLA 2 COLA® backyard and is creating one heck of a fermentation frenzy. Join me and my drinking buddy and husband, John, on a sudsy sojourn in search of the best pint pit stops from Apalachicola to Pensacola.

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The Owl Cafe Tap Room 75 Commerce Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320 / 850.653.1910 / www.owlcafeflorida.com

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he Owl Cafe, Apalachicola’s wine and gourmand destination for the past fifteen years, added a laid-back roost in December 2011, where in-the-know craft beer connoisseurs have been flocking ever since. Enter the Tap Room from the northwest end of the rambling former post office and discover an inviting turn-of-the century gastropub with a witty sense of humor, like its mother-daughter co-owners and accomplished chefs, Susan and Cassie Gary. (Rex Humphries is also a co-owner.) Hanging from original, exposed, redbrick walls are colorful paintings by local artists and comical beer-related signs, like the one above

the restroom that reads, “Beer Return.” Written on huge chalkboards between “Beer Heaven” and “No Crap on Tap” are sixteen microbrews on draft.

Another thirty domestic and international craft beers are available in cans or bottles.

John and I walked across the original hardwood floor and bellied up to the Tap Room’s prized possession—a hundred-year-old, twenty-four-foot-long mahogany bar. Cassie joined us and told me about a chance encounter several years ago at a microbrew pub in Atlanta, where she tasted a Bell’s Two Hearted Ale—her first craft beer. The experience

Authentic ship’s wheel with “draft picks” awaiting their next turn

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“rocked her world” and ultimately inspired the creation of Owl Cafe’s Tap Room. Their drafts constantly change with each keg rotation, which reflects Cassie’s menu approach—“so many beers to try, so little time.” Within a few years, expect a few taps to feature Oyster City Brewing Company beer, brewed on-site.

Variety also appears in the Tap Room’s draft sizes: five, twelve, and sixteen ounces. By ordering the smallest pours, we tackled the entire list of intriguing libations—all in the name of research, of course.

Customizing our four-sample flights was almost as

much fun as drinking them. By the end of dinner, we had buzzed through them all, plus a few repeats of our top picks.

Killer beer isn’t the only thing that rocks at this locals’ haunt. Don’t pass up the Tap Room’s gourmet pub grub. One of my “OMG” recommendations are the duck confit fries—a mound of crispy fries topped with slow-roasted, pulled duck confit and cracklings, crispy prosciutto, and melted Gruyère cheese. Hands down the best freakin’ fries I ever tasted! Craving meat? Order the char-grilled alligator sausage topped with honey-caramelized onions and sauerkraut. Stick a fork in me ’cause I’m done!

Diners’ Choice

WINNER 2012

Consistently

Delicious Since 1995 The Tap Room’s unique, frequently changing beer menu

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Fishale Taphouse & Grill 7715 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408 / 850.640.1410 / www.fishales.com

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f you associate “beer” and “Panama City Beach” with an image of PBR being funneled through a beer bong, then you haven’t been to Fishale Taphouse and Grill. Last winter, experienced restaurateurs and co-owners Leo and Selma Hill completely overhauled the old Casa de Fogo Brazilian Grill building. It now houses Fishale Taphouse and Grill, an edgy gastropub with high, exposed ceilings, dark walls, and stained concrete floors. Lined behind the long stainless-steel bar are sixty-five beer taps that shimmer like the Radio City

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Rockettes. Flowing from their spouts are primo craft brews that have beer aficionados, both near and far, hailing high fives!

John and I snagged a four top near the fireplace, where Selma joined us. Her personality, summed up in a word, is “passionate,” which also reflects Fishale’s motto, “Lovin’ Life!” And lucky for us, Selma’s unbridled amore for craft beers, which started several years back during an impromptu stop at a brewpub in New Mexico with Leo, eventually evolved into

one kick-butt alehouse. American-made craft beers dominate Fishale’s drafts—seven are from Dogfish Head alone, including Selma’s favorite brew, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. For something a little different, try the hop blends at Fishale, like the “Terminator” (Turbodog layered with Andygator), or the “Black & Blue” (Guinness and SweetWater Blue).

Want to expand your horizons without draining your wallet? Join Fishale for Tasty Tuesdays and get a flight of seven beer samples for $6. The rest of the

week, create your own four-sample paddle for $8.50, or pay two bucks more for a higher-gravity version (more alcohol content). With all that paddling, you’re bound to work up an appetite. And if you have a hankering for some tasty, fresh seafood, you’re in the right place. Chef specialties are crab-cake tacos and an ahi tuna BLT with wasabi mayo. Although the latter was tempting, I ordered ahi tuna steak with a sweet, spicy glaze. John’s classic beer-battered fish and chips were just as mouthwatering.

By next summer, look for Fishale to test the waters with a few of its own microbrews. Careful—if they taste as good as the grub, you may get hooked!

Some of Fishale’s more than sixty taps on draft

McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery 600 E. Gregory St., Pensacola, Florida 32502 / (850) 433-6789 and 33 E. Highway 98, Destin, Florida 32541 / (850) 650-0000 / www.mcguiresirishpub.com

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cGuire’s Irish Pub has been an area institution for “Feasting, Imbibery, and Debauchery” (as their slogan goes). Having opened in Pensacola in 1977, it bears the distinction of being Florida’s first craft beer brewery. Nearly twenty years later, owners McGuire Martin—whose clan hails from Galway, Ireland— and his Mississippi maiden, Molly, opened a second location overlooking Destin Harbor.

With hardwood floors, brass railings, vintage memorabilia, and staff dressed in turn-of-thecentury garb, McGuire’s has re-created the feeling of an authentic old-world Irish saloon. Covering the ceilings and walls like paper shamrocks are more than a million autographed one-dollar bills, a ritual that Molly inadvertently started when she tacked up their first customer’s tip as a sign of luck. Rounding out the eclectic motif are trophy heads of various wild game, including the moose, McGuire’s beloved

mascot, which you may find yourself kissing before the night’s end. Hey, it’s a tradition! Pucker up!

At McGuire’s first location, which was originally an old firehouse, John and I were concluding a Pensacola pub crawl with a final round at McGuire’s before calling it a night. The featured entertainer kept a lively vibe in the dining room so we sat down and shared a sampler flight of McGuire’s beers, which are brewed on-site in traditional oak and copper tanks using their secret yeast recipe.

McGuire’s brews light ale, red ale, raspberry wheat ale, porter, and stout, plus a seasonal rotator. What made our Irish eyes smile most was their numberone seller, Irish Red Ale. Even famed brewmaster George Killian gave McGuire’s red ale an official “thumbs up,” according to McGuire’s guest relations manager, Perry Hunter. Our second pick was McGuire’s rich, smooth porter, which won

Florida’s 2008 Beer Championship. You’re in luck— McGuire’s Millennium Ale, bronze medal winner of the 2006 World Beer Cup, is back as the seasonal rotator for January and February.

The rave reviews this gastropub has received aren’t just for the brews; their cuisine is critically acclaimed as well. Named a “Top 10 Florida Restaurant” consecutively every year since 1994, McGuire’s has achieved Golden Spoon Award Hall of Fame status, according to Hunter. McGuire’s extensive menu includes both Irish and seafood fare—but the tavern specialties are hand-cut USDA steaks and ten-buck Blarney Stone–sized burgers grilled to juicy perfection. For lighter bites, I recommend steamed mussels and Irish “boxties” (breaded and fried mashed potatoes), washed down with another Irish red. Sláinte!

Pensacola’s dining room with a million-dollar view 84 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

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Props Brewery & Grill 255 Miracle Strip Parkway SE (The Shoppes of Paradise Pointe), Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32548 / (850) 586-7117 / www.propsbrewery.com

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efore relocating to Hurlburt Field a few years back, USAF C-130 pilots Mike Kee and Nathan Vannatter were accustomed to living in places run amok with microbreweries. Before long, these ale-loving airmen began pursuing their dreams of opening a brewery in what Mike calls “Florida’s last bastion for craft beers to take hold” because at the time, McGuire’s was the area’s only microbrewer. In December 2011, Mike and Nate landed Props Brewery & Grill at the foot of Brooks Bridge, making it Fort Walton Beach’s first microbrewery.

John and I walked inside Props and were greeted by friendly staffers and whiffs of aromatic ale. Suspended from the open-grid ceiling, a 330-pound DC-3 propeller slowly rotates. Large shell casings are stacked on the stainless steel bar top that winds along the full length of “Frankenstein”—Props’ own nickname for its bank of mismatched brewery equipment. Numerous flat-screen televisions line the steel-blue walls, which make this locals’ hangout especially popular with sports fans, like the owners’ buds from the 39th Airlift Squadron. Painted on one wall are the names of the Props Regulars Club members who each polished off one hundred pints in sixty days!

Regularly on-site, general manager Brian O’Neill (L) and co-owner Mike Kee (R)

Props’ animated sports bar and working brewery atmosphere

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We commandeered a high top, and our bubbly waitress brought us tastes of each of Props’ yearround ales: Flying Coffin IPA, Four Kings Brown Ale, and “Blonde” Bomber Ale. All hit the spot.

But as they say, opposites attract—John preferred the “blonde,” and I chose the smooth “brunette.”

Recently, Chocolate Stout joined Props’ brewski battalion, promoted from an “oops” mistake to seasonal rotator and then to full-fledged regular.

Expect their squadron of private-label craft beers to double within the next five years.

“Frankenstein” at Props Brewery gives new meaning to “Monster Mash”

After dinner, Mike Kee and general manager Brian O’Neill stopped by our table for a chat. As a former backyard brewer, Mike, who has perfected his recipes over the past five years, said the best part of the biz— aside from getting the obvious imbibing bennies—is witnessing the “Wow! This tastes great!” conversion that ensues whenever he introduces a non-craft beer drinker to his or her first high-quality beer. The same can be said about Props’ hefty portions of “made-fromscratch” chow. John devoured his fried barley-breaded tilapia sandwich—another of Mike’s recipes—and my blackened-fish tacos were right on target. Salute!

Props Regular Club Members

Pensacola Bay Brewery 225 East Zaragoza Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502 / (850) 434-3353 / www.pbbrew.com

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estled within the heart of the City of Five Flags’ historic district, Pensacola Bay Brewery (PBB) is fittingly situated just one block from its namesake. Outside the redbrick building’s breezy, dog-friendly patio with umbrella seating and pirate flags, wedding guests from the church across the street mingle with bikers, business professionals, and students. Inside the tasting room, the pungent smell of beer permeates the air. Above the cozy L-shaped bar, dried hop garlands dangle from wood beams, immediately transporting me back to Belgium. A pirate motif and wooden barrel

tables with stools create an inviting Cheers-meetsbuccaneer feel. Behind closed sliding glass doors, shiny metal tanks provide a sneak preview of where the booty is brewed.

Free tours, given on Fridays and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., are led by master brewer and co-owner Mark Robertson, who has been backyard brewing for twenty-five years. After the tour, Mark and I kicked back on the sunny patio with a cold pint and shot the breeze about his favorite topic—beer! Since opening PBB in November 2010, Mark and his

partner, Elliott Eckland, have built the business up from three to eight craft beers, including seasonal rotators, which they distribute throughout Florida’s Panhandle. Along with porters and ales, PBB brews a stout, a doppelbock, a pilsner, a raspberry wheat, and a German-style kölsch. All drafts can be sold to go in thirty-two-ounce “flip tops” or 128-ounce jugs called “growlers,” whose unique name dates back decades to when beer was carried in covered pails—as the carbonated air escaped through the lids, it made a growling sound.

PBB’s beer sampler

Enjoy a cold one on their sunny patio

“Flip tops” and “growlers” available for to-go orders

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Later that evening, John and I returned to wet our whistles with a sampler flight—eight beers for $9.50. The seasonal rotator, Pensacola Bay’s ESB (Extra Special Bitter), is worth its weight in gold. This velvety ale has become so popular it will likely become a regular soon. Due to stringent alcohol laws regarding off-premises beer distribution and on-site food service, PBB can’t sell sustenance other than chips and crackers. However, you can BYO or order delivery from several nearby eateries. Also, bring cash or an ATM card. Sorry, no credit cards. Regardless of the time of day or evening, PBB is an übercool locals’ pub that beckons you to stop in for just one more pint—or two.

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Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom 10 South Palafox, Pensacola, Florida 32502 / (850) 497-6073 / www.hopjacks.com Hopjacks Filling Station: 3101 E. Cervantes Street, Pensacola, Florida 32503 / (850) 466-2327 / www.hopjacksfillingstation.com

ast but not least—especially for the quantity of craft beers—with one hundred twelve taps and seventy-five or more bottled beers, Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom in downtown Pensacola is a beer lover’s mecca and a must-stop on any pub crawl. This bar-restaurant has racked up slews of awards for its brews, food, and party-hearty attitude; it has also been named one of the nation’s “Top 150 Beer Bars” by DRAFT Magazine.

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underserved niches in Pensacola’s landscape of latenight bites and craft brewpubs. So, the reformed “swill seeker” took a gamble by tossing in his toque and opened Hopjacks in what was then considered one of Pensacola’s defunct downtown districts. Joe not only hit a home run with Hopjacks, but this young entrepreneur has become somewhat of a “pied piper of South Palafox” by significantly contributing toward the area’s thriving revitalization.

In 2007, professional chef Joe Abston, a graduate of Johnson and Wales University, detected a few

Our pit stop at Hopjacks coincided with one of Pensacola’s Gallery Nights, which occur on

The laid-back tasting room at Hopjacks Filling Station 90 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

select Friday nights during the year. During a Gallery Night, downtown Pensacola becomes one continuous block party, featuring live bands, art exhibits, and food booths (www. downtownpensacola.com/things-to-do/gallerynight). We arrived during Hopjacks’ first dinner rush—the second one starts at midnight—and the centuries-old building was buzzing with activity. Inside, we snagged two stools and pulled up to the long, communal high top that runs down the center of the boisterous cavern-like room. Next to the bar, one wall is covered with

A sneak-peek of Hopjacks’ 112 crafts on tap

four rows of taps stacked on top of one another, the most I have ever seen.

Alongside world-class beers, killer pizzas are Hopjacks’ other specialty—but they ain’t your average pies.

Toppings include herb-roasted duck and filet mignon.

To offset the high-carb crafts, we ordered Hopjacks’ petite pita pockets. Mine had blackened shrimp with grilled peppers and onions, and John’s was stuffed with juicy Italian sausage. Combined with a side of awardwinning Belgian fries and washed down with pints of Dogfish Head, dinner was pure perfection!

For an exceedingly scaled-down version of Hopjacks, try Hopjacks Filling Station, which is a combination retail beer market and tasting room. Thirty-three specialty brews are rotated on tap, many of which are hard-to-come-by gems. Create your own foursample flights with help from their beer sommelier.

Besides pizza and fries, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie are available.

Cheers!

Owner, Joe Abston

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Honorable Mentions

Prost to the above pale ale pioneers, who together are blazing a trail along Northwest Florida’s Panhandle one pint at a time. Thankfully, the path is becoming more populated, with these other pit stops worth pursuing: Chan’s (several locations spanning from Panama City Beach to Pensacola); Hofbräu Beer Garden (Panama City Beach); Baytowne Beer Garden (Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort); Mellow Mushroom (Destin), Miller’s Ale House (Pensacola), Salty Duck (Fort Walton Beach), Shades at the Loop (Inlet Beach), and World of Beer and The Tin Cow (both in Pensacola). After all, life is too short to drink cheap beer!

My husband and drinking buddy, John, a.k.a “Lush Layden” (LOL), sharing a pint with locals at PBB’s tasting room

Kim Duke-Layden, an international adventurer with insatiable wanderlust, lives at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort with her husband, John, and is a Realtor® for The Premier Property Group at Grand Boulevard. Contact her at kim@theppg.net or www.kimsellsdestin.com.

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TesTosTerone The CriTiCal Male horMone

By Clark Peters

I would urge every man over the age of thirty to read this article carefully.

This is not hubris on my part. Rather, you will learn about a scientifically proven way to enhance a man’s quality of life for decades during midlife regardless of his age when beginning the protocol.

Our endocrine system (our various glands and the hormones they produce) is very complex and very delicate.

Imbalances within the system can vary from subtle to dramatic, but no imbalance is good for health or mood.

These hormones impact energy, sleep, libido, mood, aging, lean body mass, nutrition utilization, elimination, and so on—just about every function in the body. In short, these hormones control all the things that enhance our well-being and make for a healthy, happy life.

Most men will be aware of the hormonal changes women deal with monthly once they reach sexual maturity, but PMS pales in comparison to perimenopause and menopause (loose translation: the cessation of the egg production cycle and menstruation). For most women, this “change of life,” usually occurring in the midforties to early fifties, is a trying experience at best. Suzanne Somers named the symptoms “the Seven Dwarfs of Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sleepy, Sweaty, Bloated, Forgetful, and All Dried Up.” Some women escape some of these effects or sail through menopause with only minor discomfort, but, for most, it is a truly uncomfortable time—all caused by massive hormonal swings as the body shuts down the reproductive mechanisms. For middle-aged married men (or men with a significant other), this phenomenon can be a trying experience as well.

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The only proven way To address The slow buT InevITable declIne of your manhood Is Through bIoIdenTIcal hormone replacemenT Therapy.

Part of men’s consternation regarding this time is that we have no way to relate to it. While we, too, are going through hormonal changes, ours are so subtle and over such a long period of time that they are almost unnoticeable. Rather, what happens is that at some point during middle age (the midfifties, in my case), we start to realize that we have experienced a decline in things long taken for granted, including: ½ energy; ½ sleep; ½ muscle tone; ½ a well-defined waistline; ½ erections; ½ sexual drive, performance, stamina, and recovery time; ½ an optimistic, cheerful state of mind, and so on—each man will have his own list.

This occurs because, unnoticed, one of the key male hormones—testosterone— has been slowly but steadily declining each year, starting usually in the mid-thirties.

Studies suggest that a decline of between 1 and 3 percent per year is typical. Over a decade or two, then, a significant lessening of this key hormone slowly and subtly takes place. There are some notable exceptions to this pattern—for example, men in their seventies and eighties with testosterone levels at optimal levels. But for most men, the small, progressive loss of this key hormone is the rule. Clearly, then, starting in their thirties, men should have a hormone panel done with every annual physical. If undiscovered and unchecked, this slow erosion continues to the point where: ½ significant lean body mass is lost and usually replaced with fat; ½ libido, performance, and interest in sexual activity noticeably decline; ½ degradation of mood occurs—perhaps tied in part to loss of interest in sex, but more likely due to hormonal imbalance; ½ mild to significant depression is possible; and ½ sleep patterns, energy levels, and even eating, digestion, and elimination processes are negatively impacted.

Obviously, endocrine balance is critical and we know that one of the key hormones, testosterone, is a significant contributor to this imbalance after the small annual loss accumulates.

It is perhaps not surprising, then, to see a variety of products on supermarket and drugstore shelves that purport to “fix” the problem. Almost all have “andro” (the male equivalent of menopause is called andropause) or “testo” as part of the brand name. Do not be misled. All of these products make claims which, to date, have no scientific evidence of efficacy. Despite all the testimonials and claims, the only possibility for improvement would be due to a short-lived placebo effect.

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The only proven way to address the slow but inevitable decline of your manhood is through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. The phrase “bioidentical” is key.

Any substance that is not bioidentical will be resisted and ultimately rejected by your body. Fortunately, science and medicine have developed a substance that replaces and maintains, when used regularly, a proper and balanced testosterone level.

There are a variety of methods to achieve this hormonal improvement and balance. Because testosterone is a very powerful and important hormone, any of these methods will require a prescription from a knowledgeable doctor. The best doctors are those who very gradually introduce testosterone, followed by frequent blood work to determine the impact of the protocol not only on levels of this hormone, but on all other hormones as well. If you’ll recall, a change in one hormone has an impact on all the others. This program—which may take years, in some cases, until balance is reached—requires both patience and trust in a qualified doctor. The temptation, of course, is to think, “Well, if a little is good, a lot will be better.” Not true! Imbalances in this system ricochet throughout the body in a negative way, and overdosing is a sure path to serious problems.

The delivery systems for testosterone vary. The simplest would be a pill, of course, but a significant number of serious liver issues have resulted from ingesting the hormone rather than introducing it to the bloodstream via tissue. The next easiest are patches or creams applied directly to your skin and absorbed. These may not be the answer for some (myself included) if the patches irritate the skin or the creams are not absorbed. Intramuscular injections (usually twice per week and self-administered) work well but, while not painful, are not for the squeamish— the needle has to be long enough and substantial enough to penetrate through fatty tissue and into muscle. A recent breakthrough makes injections into fatty tissue just as effective and much easier for the patient—the needle is just long enough to break the skin and can therefore be much shorter and thinner. These shots are typically self-administered twice weekly also.

Another methodology involves out-patient surgery in which a packet of timereleased hormone is surgically implanted in the buttock. The packets are designed to gradually release the hormone into the system over a period of six months. Problems arise when the substance is released either too quickly or too slowly. Whichever occurs, the patient is forced to live with the resulting condition until the six months are up. I actually had this treatment done under the care of a previous physician, and I was the Energizer Bunny for about two months, after which I “crashed.”

This resulted in significant mood decline, which required medication for depression.

I suggest you avoid this approach if possible.

If you and your doctor can get it right—and again, I urge you to seek a knowledgeable and conservative doctor—the results are little short of astounding.

There are undoubtedly many additional positives of which I am unaware, but the major differences I experienced included:

½ significant increase in energy, almost immediately; ½ increase in sexual energy and substantial improvement in libido and performance; ½ better and more restful sleep;

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½ improved ability to convert exercise into lean body mass and loss of fat; and ½ subtle but definite improvement of mood.

Most men hear the word “testosterone” and think “sex.” To be sure, that part of your life will change for the better. But review the other changes above.

Literally every function of life seems to get better once you get your hormones balanced and back to the level of a young man. I believe the protocol turns back the clock and dampens the effects of aging going forward.

As you can infer, I am sold on this protocol for all men over thirty years of age, and I am positive that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can provide benefits at any age. I just wish it had been available and I had been aware of it earlier in my life.

I would be remiss, however, if I did not mention a couple of changes I experienced that I believe are common side effects and may be off-putting to some men. The first was but a minor annoyance—I started sprouting hair in places that were relatively bare before the protocol (back, upper arms, etc.).

This side effect was not a huge drawback for me.

The second will be potentially more troubling to some men. Your testicles will become noticeably smaller. That is because you are, with injections, taking over one of the primary functions of the testicles—that of producing (in addition to sperm) the hormone testosterone. Additionally, you should be aware that, once you have been on the protocol for a period of time, it is unlikely, if you stop the treatment, that your testicles will suddenly “wake up” and resume production of this hormone—even at the lower levels that caused you to begin the protocol. Consequently, the program is an activity that you should plan on continuing for most of the rest of your life. It should comfort you to know, however, that the rest of your life will become much more energetic, healthy, sexy, and fun!

114 Logan Lane, Suite 4 • Gray ton Beach, FL 32459 p: 850.231.3087 • f: 850.231.3089

www.TheIdeaBoutique.com

Gu l f Co ast’s l e adin G Po diatry Pr a C tiCe

Panama City: 2201 Jenks Ave, Panama City, FL 32405 • 850.769.0325 Miramar Beach: 7720 US Hwy 98 W, Suite 340, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (Sacred Heart Hospital)

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850.622.1607

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS Panama City Beach 850.769.0325 • Chipley 850.638.3668 • Crestview 850.306.1118 • Niceville 850.678.0110

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OS T I S F

Finding Your Inner Superhero

By Susan VallĂŠe Photography by Troy Ruprecht

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I never thought I would enjoy going to a gym. Or find a group of people who were navigating the tricky world of eating gluten- and dairyfree food. And then I found 30A CrossFit in Seacrest Beach. Owners Tony Young and Karen Katzenbach might just be the nicest (but toughest) gym coaches you’ll ever meet.

Classes are small and feel more like a private training session than a workout session at the gym. The philosophy behind CrossFit is to make you strong enough to do the things you need to do daily— without getting hurt. Tony likes to use the example of retrieving a Frisbee from a rooftop, while I prefer the more realistic (in my case) example of lifting and cradling a sleeping child. Or some groceries and a purse. Or a sleeping child, some groceries, and a purse. But hey, maybe you like to play Frisbee. Whatever the scenario, CrossFit will help you become stronger and more capable to do it, and less likely to throw out your back in the process.

The gym also encourages a grain-free, dairy-free way of life, but they aren’t pushy or fanatical about it. In fact, it was through food that I learned of the CrossFit world. 30A CrossFit hosts a semimonthly potluck of savory meats and dishes prepared with love by other gym members. It’s a bit like an old-fashioned social, as the sparse gym is transformed with tables, sofas and comfortable chairs. There is no sales pitch or gym brochure that gets passed out—just a time for people who are concerned about food (Ed Berry, owner of For The Health of It, is a member and instructor) to get together, stuff their faces, and leave with the knowledge that a healthy way of eating is not impossible or unsatisfying.

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CrossFits COLA 2 COLA

CrossFit 5 Flags 4115 Warehouse Lane Pensacola, FL 850-572-6879 CrossFit 8-Fifty 2447 Executive Plaza Dr., Suite 6 Pensacola, FL 850-501-3706 Razor’s Edge FitnessCrossFit Pensacola 42 E. Garden St. Pensacola, FL 850-433-RAZR (7297) Alpha Omega Sports Performance CrossFit 490 E. Heinberg St. Pensacola, FL 850-377-1862 CrossFit Gulf Breeze 3106 Gulf Breeze Pkwy.

Gulf Breeze, FL 850-934-1260 CrossFit Navarre 1927 Ortega St. Navarre, FL 850-373-2416 CrossFit Fort Walton Beach 29 Jet Dr. Fort Walton Beach, FL 850-499-4654 CrossFit Miles Militis 100 North Lloyd St. Crestview, FL 850-499-4654

CrossFit Crestview 5315 Shoffner Blvd.

Crestview, FL 850-826-4230 CrossFit Niceville 216 Kelly Rd. Niceville, FL 850-376-2362 T3 CrossFit 1494 Hickory St., #9 Niceville, FL 850-333-4634 CrossFit Destin 36054 Emerald Coast Pkwy., #100 Destin, FL 850-650-XFIT (9348) 30A CrossFit 9961 East Highway 30A, #6 Seacrest Beach, FL 850-366-3226 Battleship CrossFit 7521 Holley Circle Panama City Beach, FL 850-896-7739 Panhandle CrossFit 1331 Luverne Ave. Panama City, FL 850-691-5150

30A CrossFit owners Tony Young and Karen Katzenbach coach the CrossFit lifestyle from Seacrest Beach

“We like to do things with members outside of the gym dynamics, too. We really want it to be like a tribe,” Karen said. “We are a gym that talks about nutrition.

We want people to see that this is delicious and there are lots of options.”

“Or, as I like to say,” Tony interjected. “You can actually live without breakfast cereal and pasta. It is possible.”

The thought process behind the grain-free and dairy-free diet is that our ancient ancestors did not cultivate wheat or milk cows. They lived off of meat, vegetables, nuts and fruit that they could forage. Creators of this so-called “Paleo Diet” believe the human body evolved over thousands of years to process nutrients from whole foods and lean meats—not Captain Crunch or sandwich bread that will keep for two months.

But for many at the gym, it is not the food that brought them in—it’s the results. Realtor Bobby Johnson, an avid surfer, found the peace that he finds in surf within the timed workouts of the gym.

“You’ll have seven minutes to do as many burpees as you can,” he said. “Time slows. I promise you that is the slowest seven minutes you’ll ever have. And I like that. I don’t have my phone, I don’t have time to think about anything or worry about anybody. It’s just me and my seven minutes.”

CrossFit exercisers work toward achieving results that give them powerful muscles that are not necessarily large, macho-man muscles. It’s not about looking

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buff, it’s about training across multiple disciplines to develop various skill sets like strength, agility, speed and endurance, which is probably why some people choose CrossFit over other workout regimens.

“I think the CrossFit lifestyle is for anybody, but not everybody,” Tony said. “You have to find your inner superhero. Your inner bad ass. Everyone can do this, and I think they should, but not everyone will.”

With fifteen different CrossFit locations from COLA 2 COLA, there are many other exercise enthusiasts who are proud to be a part of the CrossFit family. Damon Rudish, a member of CrossFit Fort Walton Beach and a member of the United States Air Force Reserves stationed at Duke Field, describes the CrossFit craze as, “a lifestyle of being healthy and getting me mentally tough for anything I encounter throughout my day. It makes me feel as if I can make it through anything.”

He said that what gets people hooked on CrossFit is the environment at the gym, and knowing that a tough, but worthwhile workout is ahead when they walk through the door.

“At a CrossFit gym, you won’t find the traditional treadmills and pec deck/butterfly machines,” Rudish said. “When you walk into a CrossFit gym, you walk into loud music blaring, people climbing ropes, the sound of weights hitting the ground from Olympic weightlifting, people cheering/motivating/pushing each other to get through workouts. Or you might see people doing these crazy things called a muscle up or handstand push-ups.”

Rudish sculpted the CrossFit gym scene further, describing it as a solid mix of Olympic weightlifting, gymnastic/plyometric movements, and running or cardio of some sort like jumping rope, doing burpees, or rowing. This combination of movements is done at a fast pace for high intensity to accomplish more-than satisfactory results, which is what these hardcore exercisers enjoy battling for as a team.

What’s a grand addition to going to the gym and leaving with a buttkicking workout behind you? Building friendships in the process.

“Everybody helps each other,” Rudish said. “Plus, there are trained coaches that make sure you know what you’re doing, so you don’t hurt yourself or hurt anybody else.”

CrossFit was a fitness find like no other. It has the ability to alter anyone’s personal definition of what a workout is, whether the person is drawn to it through food or through results. Going to the local “Average Joe” gym to stand around waiting for a machine to open up or attend a group fitness class that only exercises a few of muscle groups is not going to provide someone with the results they can attain through CrossFit.

For more information on 30A CrossFit, visit 30ACrossFit.com, and to learn more about CrossFit Fort Walton Beach, go to crossfitfwb.com.

HV Ad

The FirsT impression is The righT impression

By L. Jordan Swanson

in an inFormaTive and condensed Q&a session, VIE delves inTo The mind oF John Finch and The sTory behind his TransporTaTion company oF eighT years, sunshine shuTTle and limousine in sanTa rosa beach, Florida. Finch also Talks abouT his inTeresTs and hobbies and abouT being a Family man.

Q. How did you get started in this type of business?

A. That’s a funny story. I’d never been in the transportation business. I got stranded twice on Highway 30-A when I didn’t even live here yet. I was still living in New York. I called a car service and needed a 6:00 a.m. pickup. I just needed to get to the airport at 7:00 a.m.—that’s not extremely early. I had an 8:00 a.m. departure, and no show. Called the phone number, no answer. I guess the guy went fishing. And this didn’t only happen to me once, it actually happened to me twice! Out of spite, I said, “Damn it, I’m going to start a car service on 30-A—it’ll be my own car!” So, I got in the business because there was a major need for an upscale transportation service in the area, a reliable one. I began with one vehicle and started working from there with a couple of prestigious people on 30-A. I’m also on the board of the Florida Limousine Association.

Q. What is a typical day on the job like for you?

A. It’s tougher than most people believe. I have forty drivers now. We’re servicing from Pensacola to Apalachicola and everywhere in between. We’re

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servicing all the airports every day, and we do everything prearranged. All of our business comes through our 1-800 phone numbers and through our online reservations. What makes us stand out among most other transportation companies is that we’re one point of contact for all of your transportation needs.

Let me give you an example. Say that a couple is planning a destination wedding, and they have two hundred people flying in—we will handle all the airport transfers. Then, they do a rehearsal dinner where they need buses to get everybody to Café Thirty-A. Then, the day of the wedding, they need a couple of limousines for the groom and the bride to get there. Normally, you’d call three different companies.

Call us, and we’ll handle everything.

Q. What did you get your degree in?

A. Well, my background is in fashion. I was in New York City for seventeen years, and Los Angeles for four. I owned an apparel company for seven, and I worked for other apparel companies for the other ten years in New York. So, design merchandising is my background. I actually still work as a consultant.

I have a younger brother and I advise him. He has a clothing company (Be Love apparel).

component of transportation for that, free of charge.

We play an active role in outreach in the community.

(The Be Love apparel brand is based on the belief that education can transform people and communities, and it has made the teaching of nonviolence a central focus of its outreach to youth.)

Q. That being said, would you like to discuss being on the board of the Northwest Florida Ballet Académie?

Q. Are you originally from New York?

A. No, I’m from Memphis, so that’s how I know the area. When I was a kid, I came down here a few times with my family every other summer. I love the area.

Q. When you look into the future of your business, what do you see five years down the road?

A. We’ll be the brand of the area, having a presence in all three airports (Pensacola Regional Airport – PNS, Northwest Florida Regional Airport – VPS, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport – ECP). In the next couple of years, we should be operating a hundred vehicles, up from our current forty-vehicle lineup. We’ll be expanding our building. We just moved from one location to a new location—it’s an acre-and-a-half facility now.

Q. What’s the best part about owning this business?

A. My role in serving on the board is really to bring more awareness of what is available here, and to bring the arts more to South Walton. We have the ability to really educate the children there, and that is why I have such a passion for it. The school is coed, but primarily it attracts girls. Our main focus is to educate these young girls and help with their self-confidence.

That’s what ballet does. There’s a link between ballet and education.

Q. How do you spend your time when you’re not working for the business?

A. I’m a simple family man. It’s all about family to me.

I’ve got a seventeen-year-old, a three-year-old, and a new baby. I barefoot water-ski, I surf, I take my trips to Costa Rica, and I paddleboard. My wife and I do quite a bit of traveling. We’ve got to get back to New York twice a year. I love the arts—anything from the independent films to the ballet to music. I like to try to get to festivals as much as I can.

A. When you hear from business owners and community leaders who take a moment to come over and say, “We really respect what you guys are doing.”

Q. We heard about the recent expansion of your business. Can you elaborate for us?

A. We acquired another transportation company, Tropic Coach, about a year ago, which is now called Sunshine Coach. We’re doing all kinds of big excursions now in the motor company business.

Q. What is your biggest motivation in life?

A. I’m very involved in charity work. We here at Sunshine do a great deal of charity work with many local charities, from public radio to Children in Crisis to the Taylor Haugen “Savor the Season” event. Almost any charity that asks for help, we’ll respond to. A lot of these events do auctions where they provide a weekend getaway or a dinner, and we’ll provide the

Photo provided by Sunshine Shuttle and Limousine

John Finch with his wife, Krissi; their daughter, Lilah; and the family dog, Sky.

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download the free 30A app on your iPhone or Android now

Photo by Lisa Burwell

Also, I still have a love for architectural development— it’s more of a part-time love. I enjoy working with architects and design. I have a development that I’ve been working with the county on for the last year, and we just received our development order. I’ll be building an apartment complex of twelve apartments— there will be everything from one- to three-bedroom units, and it will be called Santa Rosa Ridge. The scheduled start date for construction is January 10, 2013, and the completion date we’re shooting for is May 1, 2013. These will be apartments here in South Walton really to help support the infrastructure of a lot of the local businesses because so many people who are working in South Walton are commuting from DeFuniak Springs and Freeport and Fort Walton Beach.

Q. What are some tips you’ve accumulated over the years as an entrepreneur and through growing a business?

A. You attract people like you, and you have to go through a lot of people to do that. If you can articulate and clearly share your vision, you’re more likely to get people on board. I’m always meeting with staff and sharing information with them. I share sales goals with them. I guess I attract people who want to take ownership of seeing something all the way through.

For more information on Sunshine Shuttle and Limousine, located at 323 Lynn Drive in Santa Rosa Beach, please visit sunshineshuttle.com or call (850) 650-6333 or tollfree at (1-866) 650-6333.

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Shop.

DINE.relax.

30A Songwriters Festival Jan 18-20 Girls’ Getaway Weekend Jan 31-Feb 3 Classical Connections Feb 15 & 16 Spring Fling Thursday Concerts Mar 14-May 16 12th Annual 30-A Car Show Mar 23 7th Annual Bombora Bocce Tournament Mar 30 Easter at Rosemary Beach Mar 31

The Merchants of

on the east end of Scenic HWY 30A between Destin & Panama City Beach, FL

ROSEMARYBEACH.COM

PEOPLE + PLACES

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Alden and Emeril Lagasse at Lovelace Interiors On the afternoon of Monday, December 3, at Lovelace Interiors in Miramar Beach, Florida, the gracious Alden and Emeril Lagasse hosted Cocktails, Clothes, and Cookbooks. The event marked the official debut of the Alden Lagasse Collection, a new fashion line now housed on the second floor of Lovelace Interiors.

The excitement to shop spread like a contagion as attendees swooned over the beautiful and tasteful jewelry, accessories, and clothing by Alden Lagasse.

Everyone who made a purchase over $100 received a cookbook signed in person by Emeril Lagasse, one of the most recognizable personalities of our time. All in all, it was a very enjoyable end to a Monday and a

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wonderful evening for all who attended.

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Photography by Lisa Burwell

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Pam Burden, Laurie Beck, Mary Jane Kirby, and Kathy Barry

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Alden Lagasse

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Clayton Bonjean, Susan Lovelace, and Lauren Gall with Ava Bonjean

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Emeril Lagasse and Laurie Beck

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Mary Jane Kirby and Emeril Lagasse

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Lindsay Miller, Lauren Gall, and Steve Barber

PEOPLE + PLACES

Pish Posh Patchouli’s Twentieth Anniversary on 30-A On Thursday, October 18, Lynn Dugas, owner of Pish Posh Patchouli’s of Rosemary Beach, celebrated the boutique’s twentieth anniversary with a full day of fantastic giveaways, live music, and hors d’oeuvres and wine from Restaurant Paradis and La Crema. For the past twenty years, Patchouli’s has offered highly sought-after products from around the corner and around the world. Lynn’s refined taste and expansive knowledge of her clients’ needs and desires has helped Patchouli’s become the premier retailer of unique finds in Northwest Florida. To commemorate two decades on 30-A and to thank her customers for embracing the Patchouli’s lifestyle, Lynn hosted the open house for all to join in and celebrate

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the milestone.

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VIE was especially proud to be the media sponsor of the anniversary event. Entertainment at the celebration featured fire-hooping performances by Hoola for Happiness, a charity whose mission is to spread the joy of hooping and Christianity throughout the world, and live music by Kyle LaMonica. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefited Hoola for Happiness and Send Some Love, a nonprofit group that has partnered with several organizations to provide gift packages to girls rescued from human trafficking all around the world.

To see more from Pish Posh Patchouli’s twentieth

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anniversary party, visit viezine.com/vietv for an event coverage video. Lynn Dugas and her staff would like to thank the local community and their clients for an incredible 20 years on 30-A! Photography by Proffitt PR Allison Forbes and Jessica Proffitt with Charlie

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Patchouli’s carved pumpkins decorated the festive affair.

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Lynn Dugas with the Patchouli’s staff

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Kathy Kemp, Jim Bagby and Alison Schultz

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Steve and Lynn Dugas

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PEOPLE + PLACES

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Photo by Troy Ruprecht

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Lynn Dugas and Lesley Hoover

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A portion of proceeds from the evening benefitted Send Some Love.

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Michael Dobson and Demetrius Fuller

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Leah McGill and Lynn Dugas

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PEOPLE + PLACES The Taylor Haugen Foundation’s Third Annual “Savor the Season” In celebration of the spirit of giving, VIE attended the Third Annual “Savor the Season” event for the Taylor Haugen Foundation at Caliza Pool and Restaurant at Alys Beach on Thursday, November 8.

A gathering of family and friends of the foundation

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enjoyed wine tasting, silent and live auctions, and

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demonstrations by numerous local chefs from Panama City and Destin and points in between.

The Taylor Haugen Foundation was created to honor the memory of the fifteen-year-old Niceville High School student who passed away after an injury sustained during a football game on August 30, 2008. The foundation provides grants, education, and funding to athletic teams, schools, and districts through its YESS (Youth Equipment for Sports Safety) Program. The foundation also recognizes and supports outstanding scholar athletes with scholarships and awards. The Taylor Haugen Foundation raised more than $50,000 from the “Savor the Season” event, with proceeds benefiting the foundation’s YESS Program and other foundation

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activities. As a sponsor for the event, VIE was proud to help support such a great cause.

Photography by Gerald F. Burwell

Brian Haugen and Jim Ryan

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Nancy Coleal, Marta Rose, and Debbie Hicks

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Eric and Shelly Weeks, Heem Chee, Rick and

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Gretchen Severence Cathy and Brian Haugen

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Giselle Brantley with her daughter, Leilani Sophia Brantley

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LIvIng anD DIvIng In

RoaTan

By Dale Foster

Just breathe. Down a hundred and ten feet under water, surrounded by spectacular marine coral, colorful fish, and sunken shipwrecks, I enter a Zenlike state of mind. Being in the moment … no past, no future … just the now. Floating, feeling a sense of weightlessness. Hearing only the sound of breathing. Embracing the world around me, being one with it, aware that I cannot control it. It controls me. It is a world in which humans do not naturally fit. Yet, I am here … at this moment … at this place … breathing.

The almost constant ocean currents and trade winds into the Honduran Bay Islands make the water clarity among the best in the Caribbean: crystal clear at the surface, with excellent visibility at depths near one hundred feet, which is the approximate depth of the primary shipwrecks. Visibility was particularly important on our night dive at Grape Escape Reef. With small dive lights, we could witness the reef come alive with nocturnal species we would not ordinarily see in daytime. The most visited reefs are on the leeward side of the island, where the water is usually calm.

A highlight of our trip was to dive on Roatán’s largest wreck, the three-hundredfoot freighter Odyssey, sunk in 2002 near Mud Hole. We also dove on El Aguila, a two-hundred-thirty-foot-long, dual-deck cargo ship sunk in 1997. These are not the only wrecks around the island—the Prince Albert, and Mr. Bud are among the best known.

Such was my experience scuba diving off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Lying about fifty miles from the Honduran mainland, it is not a particularly large island—only thirty-seven miles long and about five miles across. Roatán’s lure is that it is located near the exquisite Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea and the second largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. As such, the island has become a scuba diving mecca.

The Cayman Trench runs very close to Roatán, where the reef ’s depth ranges from thirty to two thousand feet. “The Wall,” as it is called, was an incredible dive experience as we explored the very fringe of the reef while looking down into a seemingly bottomless abyss. The deeper water is home to a variety of pelagic animals such as turtles, dolphins, and rays. Recreational dives are limited to one hundred thirty feet, which is plenty deep, but a tourist submarine located in Half Moon Bay is available for deeper depths (www.stanleysubmarines.com).

Roatán sits on top of an underwater mountain range called the Bonacca Ridge, which includes the other Honduran Bay Islands of Utila and Guanaja. Evidence of its volcanic birth can be seen in the jagged lava fields, cliffs, and coves that make up part of the coastline. Inland is lush mountainous terrain that climbs to about a thousand feet. English is widely spoken by the native islanders, although Spanish is the primary language of the mainland Hondurans who have migrated to the island. Tourism is the island’s leading economic sector, and it has become an important cruise ship port of call, although fishing is also a vital source of income for many islanders. But it is the size, diversity, and convenience of the reef, the exceptional water clarity, huge shipwrecks, the Cayman Trench, and the friendly islanders that make Roatán special, particularly for divers.

The West End and West Bay beaches are two of the primary tourist areas. The closeness and splendor of the coral reef give this part of the island a special allure. The majority of hotels are concentrated in West End, West Bay, and Sandy Bay, with a few in Oak Ridge and French Harbour on the east end.

All feature an assortment of dive trips and snorkeling excursions. Many amazing reef sites are easily reachable within the protected Roatan Marine Park (www.roatanmarinepark.com), which stretches from the town of Sandy Bay on the north coast to West Bay beach.

WesT end and WesT Bay

The Reef The reef forms a magnificent, multihued ring around much of the island and is home to almost two hundred aquatic species. The biodiversity of the reef encompasses nearly every kind of living coral and sponge growing in the Caribbean. Bright white sandy basins, deep canyons, crevices, and caves accentuate the impressive topography of the reef and form a labyrinth within the delicate elkhorn and pillar coral.

Conveniently, the reef comes very close to the shoreline. Getting to our dive sites took only minutes by boat, and there were numerous spots for shore diving and snorkeling, too. With almost a hundred moored dive locations and many more unmarked sites, it would take years to visit them all. I met an American diver who had been diving in Roatán for nineteen years straight.

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Roatán draws

scuba enthusiasts

from all over

the world.

The diver-friendly West End, where we spent most of our time, is primarily for serious divers, and the hotels reflect that. Most of the hotels here are smaller family-run resorts or lodges affiliated with dive operators. The absence of modern high-rises is part of Roatán’s casual charm. The dirt road is narrow, with bulky ship ropes serving as speed bumps. Pedestrians vie for walking space with taxis amid dive shops, souvenir stands, and restaurants. There is a conspicuous lack of pretense on this end of the island, but no lack of adventure. Roatán specializes in adventure.

We lodged at the Seagrape Plantation Resort, a family-run hotel near Mangrove Bight, overlooking the reef. Located just a short walk from the town center, this quiet resort provided us very clean and comfortable hotel-style rooms with air

conditioning. Larger bungalows were available close to the water and pool. Having the dive shop on premises was a real convenience, since we did not have to refit for dive equipment every day. After each dive, we just hung our equipment out to dry and it was ready to go the next day.

Eating on the West End was an eclectic experience, from Argentinian Grill to Cannibal Cafe (serving Mexican cuisine) to Creole’s Rotisserie Chicken. While the chicken was delicious at Creole’s, we found the shrimp, sea bass, and cinnamon rolls to be especially good. Since restaurants on the island are not air conditioned, dining is alfresco. Americans will feel comfortable with the fare in most places, as pizza and hamburgers abound. We discovered three appetizing places for breakfast: the Linga Longa overlooking Half Moon Bay (ask for Nicki), and Janet’s The Bakery #2 across the street in a converted metal shipping container. (Don’t be fooled by the decor—Janet has some of the best bagels south of New York City.)

For a made-to-order special, Douglas will whip you up a scrumptious feast at the Calico Mission House (formerly the Casa Verde Beach House Hostel). Nightlife on the West End is centered at the popular Sundowners Beach Bar. The ambience in Roatán is easygoing and unhurried—so much so that a local radio DJ announced one day that the weather was going to be beautiful that Friday morning, and we should all just “piss away the rest of the day and enjoy it.” Being a dive haven, Roatán draws scuba enthusiasts from all over the world, so it is a fascinating crossroads of diverse international cultures and people. During our stay, we met visitors from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, mainland Honduras, Florida, and New York—and a hundred and twenty dentists from Utah!

At the very tip of the island is the more upscale West Bay, where beaches are oriented toward nondiving tourists and offer an assortment of other attractions.

While few of the island’s hotels are stylish, a notable exception is the elegant Infinity Bay Spa and Beach Resort (www.infinitybay.com). For snorkelers, an easily accessible place to see the reef is Black Rock, located right off the beach at Infinity Bay. Here the fish seem almost tame, coming right up to you. Nearby, the Buffalo Steak House—complete with a giant wall-mounted buffalo head—offers a pleasant atmosphere for lunch or dinner. Roatán is renowned for the intoxicating Monkey La La—a vodka-based drink. Each restaurant has its own variation. In West Bay, Las Rocas has one of the finest.

Transportation between West End and West Bay is primarily by water taxi. For US$3 per person each way, you can enjoy a scenic boat ride over emerald-green waters past moored sailboats, sandy beaches, and the rocky Key Point. Interestingly, the only road running along the shore is the short dirt stretch in the West End, so the water taxi saves time and money. At sunset, this is an especially nice ride and a good way to meet other visitors to the island.

The easT end We took a one-day break from diving to see the terrestrial wonders of Roatán. We rented a Nissan Xterra from Delzie at Roatan Sales and Rentals (www.roatansalesandrentals.com) in West End and, with a couple of American visitors we had met at the hotel, set out to explore the island from top to bottom.

Driving around Roatán was not particularly difficult but could be challenging at times, with people riding bicycles and walking the narrow roads with no sidewalks.

Generally, slower vehicles pulled over to let us pass. Traffic stops by local police were not uncommon, happening to us three times on our one-day excursion. Fasten your seat belts if you are driving on Roatán!

Enticed by their ad for the longest and highest zip line in Central America, we could not resist going to the Pirates of the Caribbean Canopy (www.roatanpiratescanopy. com). The “Extremely Extreme Zipline” reached heights of three hundred twentyeight feet and distances as far as 1,980 feet at the highest and longest points. The overall length of the line was around two miles. Zipping over and through the tree canopy, often upside down, was certainly thrilling, but probably just one “extreme” would have been a more accurate description of the ride.

In Coxen Hole and French Harbour, the island’s primary commercial centers, we found banks, specialty shops, and large grocery stores. Leaving French Harbour, the road steadily climbed the island’s mountainous and densely forested interior.

The upper elevations presented spectacular panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea’s turquoise water and the majestic reef that stretched for miles. We passed a number of attractive all-inclusive resorts on the island’s south side, including Fantasy Island, CoCo View, Parrot Tree Plantation, and the eco-friendly Palmetto Bay Plantation. Traveling further east, the paved road ended at the Black Carib (or Garifuna) community of Punta Gorda, a sleepy village that is the oldest permanent settlement on the island. The Garifuna have an intriguing culture, having preserved their African roots and language. Our next stop was Marble Hill Farms (www.marblehillfarms.com), a rustic eco-lodge known for its island-made, all-natural fruit jams.

Roatán is a comfortable

sanctuary from the excesses and

distractions of

modern-day life.

Continuing on the dirt road, we noticed a scarcity of homes and businesses in this less-traveled section of the island. Fortunately, we stumbled upon a delightful restaurant at the secluded Paya Bay Resort (www.payabay.com) just in time for lunch. Perched on a rocky bluff overlooking the northern reef, this tranquil boutique hotel is a blissful alternative for those who want to stroll along the Zen Path or commune with nature on private beaches. Traveling to the far eastern end of the island, we came to Camp Bay, a large tract of unspoiled beaches and rugged terrain. We passed La Sirena restaurant—a thatched-roof palapa built on stilts over the water. Jimmy, the owner, claims to have “Roatán’s best seafood.”

Returning to the West End, we stopped at Anthony’s Key Resort near Sandy Bay, a well-known, all-inclusive dive retreat.

LasTing impRessions Eight days was not enough to experience all the dive sites and aquatic adventures, much less all the other attractions the island has to offer. Hopefully, return visits will allow time to visit the Carambola Botanical Gardens and to indulge in deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, sailing, horseback riding, and, of course, diving the dozens of yet-to-be-explored underwater reefs and wrecks.

Stepping off the well-traveled tourist path, one sees another side of island life. On our road trip, we turned off the main street in Coxen Hole and saw congested communities with sidewalk vendors and overcrowded living conditions. The native islanders complain of the Honduran mainlanders who have migrated in large numbers to work in the tourism and transportation industries. The mainlanders work for less, and the islanders claim they are taking jobs away from the natives. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, so the government has little money to spend on education and social services in Roatán. These responsibilities are therefore left to the small island communities, which have extremely limited funds. Several nonprofit support organizations operate on the island, and there are many needs to be met, including schools, libraries, housing, clean water, and sports facilities. Island Friends Roatan (www.islandfriendsroatan.com) helps coordinate many ongoing projects. US-based humanitarian aid organizations and missionary groups are frequent visitors, so there is ample opportunity to volunteer or donate to these worthwhile causes.

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Tips foR TRaveLeRs Roatán is serviced directly by United and Delta airlines, flying out of Houston and atlanta, respectively. TaCa airlines flies out of Miami. all airlines fly into Juan Manuel gálvez International airport in Coxen Hole. It is possible to fly to the Honduran mainland first and then either take a regional air carrier over to the island or travel by ferry.

Roatán served as a welcome stop on my continuing journey to many enchanting islands. Traveling to developing countries has taught me many life lessons about happiness, spiritual growth, and a focus on what is truly important. Roatán is a comfortable sanctuary from the excesses and distractions of modern-day life. The island offers easy entry into an extraordinary underwater world, a world that is at once beautiful and dangerous, but where you can find inner peace at a depth of one hundred feet. Both in and out of the water, Roatán is a great place to just breathe.

Just as remarkable as the massive underwater reef are the wonderfully friendly island residents. Their cheerful attitude gives the island a relaxing and welcoming feel. I asked several islanders to describe in one word what life was like on Roatán.

They all said, “Paradise.”

Taxi trips from the airport to the West End run US$20. US dollars are accepted in most places, but bring small bills. any change for purchases is given back in Honduran lempiras. The exchange rate is about nineteen lempiras to one dollar. aTM machines are readily available, but they dispense lempiras only. Credit cards are accepted for most large purchases like car rentals, dive trips, and hotels, but not in many of the small restaurants and shops. Currently, the airport departure fee is US$39 and is required in cash, so be prepared. While visas are not necessary for US citizens on short-term stays, a valid passport is required for entry into the country. Traveling in late april and early May was perfect for avoiding

Dale Foster is a certified Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver and frequent contributor to VIE. His island adventures have taken him to Cuba, Haiti, the Galapagos Islands, Roatán, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, among others.

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By Ba rt M a n n i n g

Hunting is an act embedded deep in tHe fibers of our being. ever since man first walked this magnificent planet, he has hunted—first for sustenance and now for reasons ranging from nourishment to entertainment. for some, hunting is simply an escape from the fast-paced lifestyle we endure as a modern civilization. for others, it may be for the camaraderie. and for people like me, pursuing free-range wild game is both a solace and an awakening of senses that are otherwise numbed from daily comforts and conveniences. for me, there is nothing purer than witnessing a sunrise miles from civilization, my eyes alert to the slightest movement and my ears attuned to sounds that normally would be overlooked. at that moment, the body functions as it was intended; it is truly alive. i have had the privilege of traveling the earth in pursuit of some of the world’s most prized wild game. along the way, i have seen the almighty’s handiwork, and it is both humbling and empowering. i have experienced firsthand the many faces of the human race, and it has opened my eyes to the ingenuity of indigenous V IE ZINE.COM | 119

cultures. Hunting has taught me patience, perseverance, and an admiration for our magnificent global landscape, as well as the people who dwell within it. in very real ways, hunting has forged the person i am today.

There are many places worthy of pursuing the hunt. and while i have come full circle—back to my first hunts in the black belt region of alabama, where i cherish my time in pursuit of whitetail deer—i am always looking forward to my next hunt abroad. africa, for one, is a place that became part of my soul. Having hunted the “cradle of civilization” several times, i will take to the grave each unforgettable experience. my first trip, a twenty-eight-day tent camp in Zimbabwe, might be my fondest hunt to date. each day i awoke to a mopane fire and stout black coffee, with hyenas barking on the horizon and the occasional rumble of a lion asserting dominance over his kingdom. as the morning sunrise approached, so did the array of game. i learned that one may start the day intending to pursue cape buffalo but then quickly get derailed by kudu, wildebeest, waterbuck, or whatever fate sends one’s way. by lunch on most days, we had successfully tracked and taken one of africa’s prized trophies. our reward? a five-star, table-clothed lunch produced by the resourceful crew in the middle of nowhere. Then it was right back to the hunt. after a week, i traded my type a workaholic personality for an appreciation of a simpler way of life. i was living as god created me, the senses i was born with fully engaged.

Living in africa’s deepest bush for almost a month, we naturally experienced challenges, though we seemed to easily overcome each. i left africa with many magnificent trophies, from leopard to cape buffalo to nearly every kind of antelope. africa, in return, kept a piece of my soul and will always call for my return. since the Zimbabwe trip, i have hunted numerous other places. i have tackled the great canadian north on more than fifty occasions, chased deer in the arid mexican desert, and pursued most species indigenous to the united states. i have also survived—and i do mean survived—russia’s unforgiving winters. russia wins the prize for the greatest expanse of untouched wilderness i have seen in my lifetime. both of my trips there, centered in the wild eastern region, were full of challenges. ground transportation was difficult, to say the least, and air travel was via an ancient helicopter that would not have been given air clearance in most places. When i finally reached my destination on the first trip, hundreds

of miles from the nearest road, i stepped onto ground where few, if any, had trod and understood why i had made the effort. With my first glance at the surrounding snowcapped mountain peaks, i realized that, despite my illusion that i controlled my world, i was simply a man surrounded by god’s majesty. russia’s beautiful wilderness, however, is not without bite. The hunt was unquestionably trying—warm and sunny one day, freezing with pounding snow the next.

We hunted mile after mile by foot and retreated every night to small tents on the icy forest floor. food was scarce many days, and wet, cold gear was the norm. each morning we climbed seven thousand feet to peaks where the regal bighorns we pursued spent their days surveying the land, and each night we descended to the camp below in the dark, over an extremely steep gradient. after about twenty days of hard pursuit, i finally took the trophy we had worked so hard for. as i held my russian bighorn ram, i watched the sun slip behind the mountain peaks

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rising from the thick layers of clouds suspended below. it was a moment truly without measure. russia had tolerated my intrusion long enough for me to conquer my inefficiencies, acquire the trophy i had set as my goal, and experience a perfect, wild beauty most will never see. for me, hunting is what balances my world and renews my senses. i will forever stand amazed at earth’s wild places, and, until my legs refuse to carry me, i will pursue the hunt.

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if you are interested in planning a hunt abroad, my best advice is to research, research, and research some more before booking a trip. failure to do your due diligence could cost you time and money or, in some cases, actually put you in danger. for information on creating a trip of a lifetime, visit safari club international (www.safariclub.org), a global organization of hunters and conservationists. The club raises millions of dollars every year, which is funneled into protecting hunting rights as well as facilitating conservation efforts around the world. Joining sci is the first step. as a member, you’ll receive valuable information for your next hunt through sci’s quarterly magazine and the annual conference in Las Vegas. get out there and experience our planet’s magnificent wildernesses!

Gun smoke surrounds Michael “Hollifer A. Dollar� Murphy as he competes in the Panhandle Cattle Company monthly shooting match.

124 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

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The Single Action Shooting Society has club affiliates worldwide and holds many competitions for cowboy action shooting each year.

A

thunderous crack echoed throughout the woods as a flash followed by a thick cloud of white smoke spewed from his rifle barrel. Trading his rifle for a shotgun from the table before him, Michael “Hollifer A. Dollar” Murphy bobbed and weaved to take aim once more at the targets now obscured by the cloud of smoke clinging to the cool autumn air.

“He’s doing the cowboy dance,” Barbara “Buckskin Barb” Sims laughed as she watched the rest of the round. A sharp ping pierced the air as each shotgun target bit the dust: one, two, three, four.

Hollifer stepped back from the range and admired his handiwork as the gun smoke cleared. A clean stage—no misses and no penalties. He moved on to the next table, where his revolvers, rifle, and shotgun would be checked to make sure all chambers were empty and any live ammunition was properly stowed before he rejoined the throng of onlookers.

Meanwhile, “Panama John” began shooting his stage of the competition.

Around the clearing at a hunting preserve in Chipley, Florida, ladies and gentlemen in their best spurs, tallboy hats, and gun belts watched as each shooter stepped up to the ropes and fired at metal targets of all shapes, sizes, and distances. This was the beginning of Panhandle Cattle Company’s December shooting match.

The fourth Saturday of every month, the posse meets to engage in a competition of speed, skill, and style. Competitors shoot six stages, each with its own unique—and often humorous—storyline attached. Shooters of all ages and skill levels come out to test their marksmanship, but mostly to just have fun. Panhandle Cattle Company (PCC), a club affiliated with the Single Action Shooting Society, is dedicated to the love of cowboy action shooting and the community that accompanies the sport. It is not about winning the prize.

“The camaraderie is astounding,” said Dale Sims, a.k.a. “Desperado Dale,” president of PCC. Dale is a former lieutenant with the Broward Sheriff ’s Office, and he was a firearms instructor for the state, the 126 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

The ladies of Panhandle Cattle Company, such as “Flirt D. Lee,” all have their own cowgirl style.

Different props, including “Pokey” the horse, are used to facilitate the story for each shooting stage.

Cowboy action shooting has grown vastly in popularity since the 1980s.

FBI, and the National Rifle Association. “Everyone is just out here to have a good time, and these are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Our organization allows adults to become kids again and play cowboys, but with real guns and real bullets.”

Cowboy action shooting has grown vastly in popularity since the 1980s, when a fellow who went by the alias Judge Roy Bean—named so after the eccentric late-1800s saloonkeeper and justice of the peace in Val Verde County, Texas—established the shooting society to promote single action competitive shooting, wherein the hammer of the pistol must be pulled back before every shot.

“From there, it became an international sport,” said Desperado Dale. “There were over five hundred shooters at the world championship match in New Mexico this year. We met shooters from Australia, Europe—from all over the world.”

To ensure it is loaded and unloaded safely, each firearm is checked thoroughly before and after every round of shooting.

As one can imagine in a competition where firearms are involved, safety is the biggest factor when it comes to the rules. A briefing of all the safety procedures precedes each match. This includes ammunition loading and unloading, requirement of eye protection in case lead particles ricochet off the targets, and the One-Seventy rule, which requires shooters to keep their firearms trained in a downrange direction with a limit of one hundred seventy degrees of horizontal angle.

Any shooter who breaks the One-Seventy rule by aiming a firearm past the limit, and therefore in the direction of spectators, is automatically disqualified.

Accidental or not. Hasta la vista!

Each shooter competes in a specific category defined by age, gender, or skill level. Scores are compiled after each round of shooting based on time and accuracy. Five- or ten-second penalties are V IE ZINE.COM | 127

The overall winner is awarded Top Gun for the match, an honor that is commemorated by a ribbon, a slap on the back, and, of course, braggin’ rights.

“Desperado Dale,” the president of Panhandle Cattle Company, has competed in SASS events around the country.

given if a competitor misses the target, shoots the targets in the wrong order, or mixes up the order in which the firearms are to be used. The overall winner is awarded Top Gun for the match, an honor that is commemorated by a ribbon, a slap on the back, and, of course, braggin’ rights. “We never compete for money,” said Hollifer A. Dollar, who began shooting cowboy action in May 2011. “That keeps the professional shooters out. Here you’ll see times from fifteen seconds to sixty seconds, but everybody’s having a great time. It’s competitive, but people aren’t trying to get an edge up on you.” The sport is more about competing with one’s own times and trying to improve, which is what everyone in the club wants to see. They are constantly offering tips to help one another between rounds. “If you have a gun break during competition, five people will offer you one,” Hollifer said. “That’s the cowboy way.”

The shooters of the PCC are more than just cowboys, though. They are artisans as well. Many of the club members do their own leatherwork to craft gun belts, holsters, buttstock covers, and more, in intricate detail. The sport is all about having fun, and doing it in true cowboy style. Just ask “Flirt D. Lee,” the sassy cowgirl of the PCC who dons white leather duds and uses pink shotgun shells for matches. “I may not be the best shooter,” she said with a grin, “but I look good doing it!”

Cowboy action shooting continues to grow in popularity, and the PCC hopes to expand its monthly matches by improving upon the shooting range in Chipley, where they recently relocated from Port St. Joe. Future plans for the range allow for a storage building for targets and range equipment, including the life-size wooden rocking horse on 128 | JA N UA RY/ FEB R UA RY 2013

This posse is a tight-knit group that loves to have a good time—Western style!

Each match is opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the rules and safety guidelines.

which competitors are mounted for the last stage of competition. Buckskin Barb dubbed the horse “Pokey,” “since he mostly just stands still.” Other range improvements will include backdrops such as Old West–style storefronts and saloons, which will further lend to the cowboy ambience.

Panhandle Cattle Company encourages anyone who is interested to come out and try cowboy action shooting. “It’s very user-friendly,” said Hollifer. “You can just jump in with both feet and try it. We’ve had first-time shooters go out and shoot an entire match. One thing you have to understand is it is extremely addictive.”

To learn more about cowboy action shooting and the Single Action Shooting Society, visit sassnet.com. For more information on PCC, and to view their match location and schedule, visit panhandlecattleco.com or like Panhandle Cattle Company on Facebook. Happy trails!

From hats to spurs, the posse always shoots in style.

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