Feb17,2011Issue

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | VOLUME 12 | NUMBER 07 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

exclusive | IN INTERVIEW: KENNETH FEINBERG

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Contents COLUMNS

3 WINNERS & LOSERS 4 OUTTAKES

24 NEWS OF THE WEIRD 27LAST WORD

NEWS/FEATURES/ARTS

6 NEWS: IN INTERVIEW: KENNETH FEINBERG 9 COVER STORY: IN’S ANNUAL LUSH GUIDE 21 MUSIC: (UN)NATURAL SELECTION 22 CULTURE: THE MYSTERY CONTINUES 23 THE PUBLIC RECORD

2 | INDEPENDENT NEWS |

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bradley “B.J.” Davis, Jr., Joani Delezen, Hana Frenette, Ashley Hardaway, Rob “Bubbs” Harris, Erica House, Brett Hutchins, Chelsa Jillard, Jennie McKeon, Kate Peterson, Chuck Shepard, Will Strickland, Trevor Webb PRODUCTION MANAGER Joani Delezen ART DIRECTOR Samantha Crooke SALES DIRECTOR Jennifer Passeretti

P.O. Box 12082 • Pensacola, Fla. 32591 850-438-8115 • 1-866-724-9396 Fax: 850-438-0228 • info@inweekly.net

Standard postage paid at Pensacola, Fla. All stories are compiled from press releases, submissions, news wires or assignments. Comments and opinions expressed in this newspaper represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and are not necessarily those of INDEPENDENT NEWS or the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., contained in INDEPENDENT NEWS. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

Analytical Research Chemist Pensacola, FL – Separation Systems, Inc: Study chemical composition and physical principles of liquids and gases. Conduct research on complex chemical combinations and determine effects of temperature, pressure, flow, order of elution, polarity of molecules, and other parameters vital to the processes of gas chromatography.

Requirements: MS in Chemistry or equivalent experience; trustworthiness; ability to travel extensively; Email resume to afernandez@separationsystems.com.

winners & losers

winners

Lewis Bear, Jr.

LEWIS BEAR, JR. The cornerstones of

influence in Pensacola are business success, commitment to improving the area and stubbornness to persevere regardless of how monumental the task may seem. Those cornerstones put Bear at the top of the 2009 IN Power List. The president of The Lewis Bear Company, the region’s Budweiser distributor, recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Cheers, Lewis.

GREATER ESCAMBIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The foundation opened the Environmental Relief Fund in 2010 to support local nonprofit organizations engaged in providing assistance to individuals and families who demonstrate financial need as a result of this disaster.

Through the generous support of the Wells Fargo Foundation and other donors, the GECF raised sufficient funds to award five grants totaling $25,000 to Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, Waterfront Rescue Mission, Families Count, American Red Cross of Northwest Florida and United Ministries.

SAMI THABET ALSHEIKH The Pensacola High

School International Baccalaureate student has been named as a Sunshine State Scholar and will represent the School District of Escambia County, Florida at the 2011 Sunshine State Scholars Program in Orlando.

DEMOCRACY In January, Tunisian ruler Zine el-

Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in a protest movement that lasted only 29 days. A few days later, massive protests rocked Cairo, resulting in the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who had been in power for more than 30 years. People are demanding democracy, and against huge odds have forced massive changes in their governments to get it.

losers CLAY INGRAM Our freshman lawmaker is

under fire for leading the charge for the fertilizer industry for a bill that doesn’t even involve his district. His bill aims to overturn a Pinellas County ordinance passed in January 2010 that banned the use of lawn fertilizer from June to September and limited fertilizermanagement rules to a single statewide model enforced by the Department of Agriculture.

So much for letting local governments run their own counties.

RON PAUL The National Board of Young

Americans for Freedom (YAF), America’s oldest conservative-libertarian activist group, voted to boot Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) from its National Advisory Board. They didn’t like Paul’s talk of defunding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and what YAF called “his delusional and disturbing alliance with the fringe Anti-War movement.”

OSAMA BIN LADEN The terrorist leader of

al-Qaeda has long argued that Arab people can only assume power through bloody attacks. However, peaceful protests, not mad bombers, toppled a regime that seemed entrenched.

GLENN BECK The Fox News host amazingly

sided with the dictator over the people in Egypt. When American troops invaded Iraq, conservatives lauded the war as a fight for democracy. Beck had a completely different take for the peaceful protests in Cairo. He believed the protests marked the beginning of an alliance between Communists and Islamic fundamentalists and will lead to a new caliphate across the Middle East and into Europe. The people were the enemy, not the dictator. Unbelievable!

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pelquist passed away on Valentine’s Day at Covenant Hospice. Quint Studer said it best about the woman who served as the Director of Charitable Giving of the Studer Foundation, “As always, Gwen and God chose the perfect day for a perfect lady, Valentine’s Day. Gwen role modeled kindness and giving.”

When Gwen Appelquist was five years old, her father took her and her older brother and sister out of class to see their mother one last time. Gwen’s mother was dying. She had been suffering from an illness that left her paralyzed on her left side and bedridden for six months.

“She told me that the Lord was taking her home,” Gwen told me with a slight tremble in her voice and tears in her eyes when I interviewed her in 2008. “She wanted me to always do the right thing, even when it was difficult. She told me to live a good life and be a good girl.”

Those words have stayed with Gwen Appelquist and have guided her to be an inspiration to generations in this community. When the Independent News in 2008 asked its readers to submit names of people who inspire them, Gwen’s name was submitted more than any other.

As a realtor, Gwen was a superstar for nearly 40 years. She was president of the Pensacola Board of Realtors, president of the Florida Association of Realtors’ Women’s Council and a governor of the National Association of Realtors’ Women’s Council.

In 2008, I asked Gwen what was her secret to success. “When I first became a realtor in 1966, I saw a need for someone to take newcomers by the hand,” she said.

“I helped my clients get acquainted with Pensacola. I would take them to the schools that their kids would be attending. I paid their utility deposits and brought them lunch on moving day. I made sure that they invested in a good home in a good location.”

In a community so dominated by male leaders, Gwen was selected to be the first female board chairman of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in 1993.

“It was a real challenge,” she told me.

“People asked, ‘How do you get along with all those men?’ I told them, ‘I treat them with respect and expect to be treated with respect in return.’ I never had a problem.”

Gwen loved the Pensacola Pelicans.

You could find her at every home game sitting behind home plate cheering on her “boys.” The last time I spoke with her was last December at the Pensacola Children’s Chorus’ “Christmas on the Coast.”

Gwen was sitting on the third row.

She was so excited about the news that the Studers may be bringing a Double A, Major League Baseball-affiliated team to Pensacola. She couldn’t wait to see the opening game at the Community Maritime Park, a project that she had supported vigorously in 2005 and 2006 when the park was challenged by Councilman Marty Donovan, Charlie Fairchild and C.C. Elebash.

I hate that she won’t be there to throw out the first pitch in 2012, but I know Gwen will be watching. We all now have a special angel cheering us on.

Gwen Appelquist set a standard for all of us to follow. She will be missed.

­G WEN APPELQUIST SET A STANDARD FOR ALL OF US TO FOLLOW. SHE WILL BE MISSED.

rick@inweekly.net

rant & rave COMMENDABLE FEATURE Both for myself and on behalf of those Pensacola citizens who care deeply and wish to be informed of the workings of their city government, I thank you—immensely!—for the informative and revealing feature article in this week’s issue (Independent News, “What Will Our Strong Mayor Do Next,” Feb. 10, 2011.) I have a pretty good idea of how much time that must have taken. You have done us all a great community service.

It begs the questions, “Why was this not provided by the mayor’s office? Where is the much-promised transparency?”

What we are getting instead are weekly puffs of exhaust from the Travis Peterson spin machine.

While I have your ears (eyes?), you should know that there is a large measure of disappointment in the composition of the Westside committee. Dr. Morris neither lives nor pastors in the Westside (he’s in Woodland Heights); why is he on that committee? Oh, wait—he helped the mayor get elected. The criticisms that have been made to me by AfricanAmerican friends who live in the Westside are that there are no business people and no women. As a further public service, perhaps you could address this representational imbalance.

And, by the way, I was more of a f ly in the ointment than the other two, actually.

You just didn’t care for some of the ointments that I chose to attack!

–Diane Mack, Pensacola

DRINKING WATER ISSUE The infamous Environmental Working Group study published in 2009 has resurfaced. You may recall that EWG analyzed nearly 20 million water quality records obtained from 45 states and the District of Columbia over a three-year period. The data were not created by EWG, yet were submitted to states by the water providers themselves. EWG

found 316 pollutants in tap water throughout the United States, with over half of these pollutants not regulated by the EPA. EWG then ranked the 100 largest providers, ranking ECUA water 100th: the worst. EWG found 45 compounds in ECUA-provided drinking water (the national average was eight); only 13 of those 45 pollutants are naturally occurring; the others are from industry, agriculture, urbanism, etc.

There were several town hall meetings after this study was published and even a report published by CEDB at UWF legitimately debunking the methodology of the EWG ranking system. Due to the unfortunate method EWG used to rank the water systems, the actual point of EWG’s study was lost to our community.

The purpose of EWG’s study was not to panic communities into thinking their drinking water was poisoned. The point was to shed light on the following facts: 1. there are hundreds of chemicals being discharged into the environment which did not exist when the EPA created drinking water standards; 2. there are dozens of chemicals in our drinking water which we have no idea what the safe limits are; 3. these chemicals are in our water legally and utilities are under no obligation to report them to us; and, most importantly, 4. the EPA must do a better job at protecting and regulating our drinking water— period.

ECUA successfully brushed EWG’s study under the rug due to faulty ranking methodology and claiming EWG motives were to sell water filters. And, the truth is, ECUA did not have one Safe Drinking Water Act violation during the entire study period. However, the fact remains that ECUA water has nearly six times more compounds than the average amount found in drinking water throughout the U.S., along with an undetermined amount

of other unregulated potential pollutants—a fact ECUA has not denied.

In March 2010, Lisa Jackson, EPA administrator, admitted the lag in use of chemicals and regulating those chemicals in our drinking water. Recently, the EPA announced that 16 cancer-causing Volatile Organic Compounds (eight currently regulated and eight not) will be addressed in the first round of updating drinking water standards. Of those 16, seven regulated and one unregulated were found in ECUA water during the three-year study

by EWG. The process of adding or editing regulations is a tedious one. It will be at least four years before any changes to the Safe Drinking Water Act standards are in place. That, of course, is only if there are no challenges to the changes and if the next administration does not quit the process.

As a proponent for strict regulations of the only resources which are essential to life—our water, air and food—I often hear opponents scream that regulations put undue stress on industry which costs jobs. I am confident that we will hear from very well-paid attorneys for industry who will claim that industry can regulate itself and save the taxpayers money and jobs. If only that were true!

Of course, if ECUA were to decide to remove all 45 compounds found in our drinking water, I am confident folks would come out in droves to complain about the cost. The responsibility does not lie solely with ECUA; it lies with all of us.

What will it take for us to redefine costs? When will long-term health implications become part of the cost equation?

When will we determine our success based on the health of our people and our communities?

Don’t get lost in the absurd debate of

who has the worst water. Rather, educate yourself as to what is in your water, what that means, what should or can be done about it, and then help to make that happen.

Oh, and I recommend a good water filter, even though I do not have any for sale. Of course, I tend to error on the side of safety than “cheap.”

–Chasidy Fisher Hobbs, Coastkeeper & Executive Director, Emerald Coastkeeper, Inc., Pensacola

CLIP OF THE WEEK Feb. 22 is Spay Day, when many veterinarians offer reduced-cost spaying and neutering. If you haven’t yet had your animals sterilized, here are some great reasons to “spay the day!”

–Animal shelters across the country are overf lowing with homeless cats and dogs. Up to 4 million animals must be euthanized for lack of homes every year.

–Spaying and neutering prevent thousands upon thousands of animals from being born only to struggle to survive on the streets, suffer at the hands of cruel or neglectful people, or be euthanized in shelters.

–Spaying and neutering eliminate animals’ chances of contracting several cancers that are expensive to treat and often fatal, including uterine, ovarian, and testicular cancer.

–Sterilization reduces or eliminates mating urges, aggression, and excessive territoriality, making sterilized dogs three times less likely to bite.

–Sterilized animals are much less likely to “mark their territory” on your favorite armchair or embarrass you by mounting objects—or your guests’ legs.

For the nearest low-cost spay/neuter clinics, call 1-800-248-SPAY. To learn more, visit PETA.org.

–Lindsay Pollard-Post, The PETA Foundation, Norfolk, Va.

WE WELCOME YOUR RANTS AND RAVES to the Independent News. All letters should be 200 words or less and should include your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if you have one).

All viewpoints should be no more than 700 words. The Independent News reserves the right to edit letters and opinions.Send letters and opinions to P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, Fla. 32591 • FAX 850-438-0228 • E-mail opinions@inweekly.net

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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news

IN INTERVIEW: KENNETH FEINBERG CLAIMS CZAR SURPRISED BY VOLUME

BY RICK OUTZEN

K

enneth Feinberg, administrator of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, admitted in a telephone interview with IN that the volume of claims–nearly 500,000 to date–caught him off guard.

“I never anticipated, in all my experience, 500,000 claims,” said Feinberg. “BP had to process 80,000 claims. I figured, let’s add 20 percent and there will be a 100,000, but 500,000 claims? Unprecedented!”

The volume of claims has caused problems in terms of transparency and consistency. Feinberg has caught f lak from the Department of Justice, Federal Judge Carl Barbier and the citizens along

6 | INDEPENDENT NEWS |

the Gulf Coast that are still dealing with the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon explosion that dumped millions of gallons of BP crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico and on coastal shorelines and waterways from Texas to Florida.

Feinberg visited Pensacola on Monday, Feb. 7 at the request of Mayor Ashton Hayward for a private meeting with local elected officials and business owners about the claims process. The IN caught up with him a few days later after he had returned to Washington, D.C. He was just as frank and direct over the phone as he has been at the town hall meetings the IN has attended. Feinberg

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

willingly takes on personally the complaints fired at his Gulf Coast Claims Facility, which has paid out $3.4 billion in claims to businesses and people impacted by the oil disaster. He is the face of the claims process. Feinberg is purposely the focal point for praise or criticism. It’s a strategy he employed successfully when he administered the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

“It’s not just me obviously,” said Feinberg. “The Gulf Coast Claims Facility is made up of thousands of people working to process claims. On the other hand, I am the administrator. I am the live body that everybody points to for the facility’s

success or its failures. And I think it’s important when you attend local meetings and engage local businesses and citizens.

It’s important that they understand you’re a live body, you’re a human being, that they are not talking to just some entity with mystery and uncertainty behind it.”

On Feb. 2, Feinberg released a draft Eligibility and Substantiation Criteria and Final Payment Methodology proposal.

He has been traveling the region getting input from elected officials, business owners and citizens. Last week, the Justice Department sent Feinberg a letter urging him to speed up the payment process.

Feinberg took the criticism from Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli in stride. “From the very beginning of the administration of this fund, I have welcomed the constructive suggestions of the Department of Justice, and we try to implement those suggestions,” said Feinberg. “We are completing the public comment period, which ends Feb. 16. Shortly after public comment period ends, we will implement the new payment program.”

On the same day the new methodology was rolled out, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans issued a court order that Feinberg can’t identify himself as an independent administrator. He must fully disclose his ties to BP when communicating with potential claimants. When asked about his independence, for what was probably the hundredth time he had been asked the question by someone in the media, Feinberg sounded almost bored. He said that he already made the required changes to the GCCF documentation and in his communications to claimants.

“We have, and will, follow that order of that judge to the letter,” said Feinberg.

“We will comply with the judge’s order in all respects.”

The volume of claimants has caused problems with consistency for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, which Feinberg freely admitted. “It’s an absolute valid criticism.”

Locals have complained that similar businesses are being treated dissimilarly by the GCCF. For example, a golf course miles away from the Gulf of Mexico got paid 100 percent of its claim. Another course actually on the water had its claim denied.

“When you have 500,000 claims, there will be some inconsistency inevitably,” said Feinberg.

buzz Tuesday, Feb 15 passed without any press conference by Five Flags Tourism Group. Rumor has it that concert organizers may move the festival away from Casino Beach to another spot on Santa Rosa Island. Stay tuned.

GULF COAST CLAIMS FACILITY OVERALL PROGRAM STATISTICS

BEYOND RECOVERY Speaking at the Center

TOTAL UNIQUE CLAIMANTS: 488,354 INDIVIDUAL: 401,057 BUSINESS: 87,297 TOTAL PAID CLAIMANTS: 168,632 TOTAL AMOUNT PAID CLAIMANTS: $ 3,370,307,581.06 SEPARATE FUND FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND AGENTS: $ 60,000,000.00 TOTAL AMOUNT PAID: $ 3,430,307,581.06 PAID TO CLAIMANTS BY STATE: Louisiana: $1,098,283,936.67 Florida: $1,203,942,976.00 Alabama: $557,543,338.94 Mississippi: $281,168,129.45 Texas: $95,996,300.00 Others: $133,372,900.00 Total: $3,370,307,581.06 Source: Gulf Coast Claims Facility, gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com

To remedy the problem, Feinberg intends to beef up the staffs of the nearly three dozen claims offices on the Gulf Coast. “With the rollout of the final payment program, we will supplement our people on the ground with people who claimants can meet, discuss their claims and get some hands-on, live treatment,” said Feinberg. “That I think is important.”

The oil giant established a $20 billion fund to deal with the largest manmade environmental disaster in U.S. history, but does Feinberg believe it’s enough money?

“I hope so,” he said, not too convincingly. “Remember now, the $20 billion isn’t just for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. The $20 billion is also being used to pay clean-up costs, pay government claims. So there are others drawing on the $20 billion.

“Based on what I’ve seen so far, I certainly hope so. We will know more in the next few weeks and months.”

The Gulf Coast hopes so, too. rick@inweekly.net

REWARDING TEACHERS State Sen. Don

Scott Wheatley / photo by Samantha Crooke

SRIA MELODRAMA It was a full house on

Feb. 9 for the Santa Rosa Island Authority board meeting. Many came to see the showdown between Five Flags Tourism Group and the board over the group’s request to move their DeLuna Fest concert to the first weekend of October 2011.

There were no fireworks. Whatever conf licts that existed two weeks ago between the SRIA and the concert organizers had apparently healed.

When it came time to discuss DeLuna Fest, Chairman Ed Guernsey let Five Flags Tourism Group co-founder Scott Wheatley address the board: “While you are coming up, I want to say thank you very much for the nice card that you sent to me last week; I really appreciate your comments—sincerely, thank you.”

This is the same Ed Guernsey who had strongly suggested that the organizers pay off the Santa Rosa Triathlon and other groups that also wanted to host events on the first weekend of October, if DeLuna Fest had any chance of moving their event to the same weekend.

Wheatley apologized, “I would just like to say that our intentions for changing the date were pure of heart. We did not want to push anybody around, we did not want to squash anybody, and we felt there were economic advantages for everybody to do so. That being said, it did cause quite a bit of problems. And, we do apologize for that.”

Then cryptically, Wheatley said, “We have decided that, after looking at all of our options, we found a new way to improve DeLuna Fest and we are looking for the same weekend that we had last year, last October.”

He said they had a new plan that needed a couple days to review with SRIA and that they would announce it on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

“Thank you very much, Scott,” said Guernsey. “We are thrilled you are going to be keeping it on Pensacola Beach.”

“Thrilled to be here, we love it,” replied Wheatley, who then left the meeting without answering any questions from the media.

for American Progress in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, talked about moving the Gulf Coast beyond recovery: “The task at hand in the Gulf is about recovery—recovery of the environment, recovery of the economy, recovery of equity and recovery of the vibrant spirit of the citizens of the Gulf.”

Lubchenco is one of the trustees who oversees the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process that guides the restoration of natural resources along the Gulf Coast. NOAA already has one NRDA project underway at Bayou La Batre. It’s to install submerged breakwater reef along two stretches of shoreline, protect more than 18 acres of habitat for submerged aquatic vegetation, and create almost two acres of oyster reef.

Escambia County has put together its wish list that totals $72 million. The biggest ticket items are $28 million for beach nourishment on Pensacola Beach and

Dr. Jane Lubchenco / NOAA Administrator Perdido Key, $10 million to purchase additional public access areas and enhance public access to the beach, $10 million for stormwater upgrades and $10 million for the design and construction of 20 miles of stream and shoreline restoration projects in the Pensacola and Perdido Key watersheds.

Other items include $4 million for wetland restoration, $2 million for artificial reefs, $2 million for wildlife monitoring and $1 million for human health studies.

Gaetz (R-Niceville) was the superintendent of schools in Okaloosa County before he was elected to the Florida Senate. The IN asked him about the latest proposal to link teachers’ salaries to their students’ scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

“I believe teachers should be rewarded for doing an excellent job,” said Gaetz.

“An excellent job isn’t just being fortunate to have the smartest students who score well on a test. An excellent job is taking on a tough challenge with disabled kids or kids that are behind the curve academically and helping them progress as much as they can progress.”

Gaetz believes any bill that ties compensation to test a student’s progress must take into account the student’s capabilities.

“Progress for a student with an 80 I.Q. is different than progress for a student in the International Baccalaureate program.”

However, Gaetz does believe in rewarding teachers who make a discernable difference. “I don’t think test scores are the only way to evaluate that,” said Gaetz.

He has backed legislation in the past that establishes that half of any performancebased pay plan be based on objective indices that are standardized and statewide.

“But there is much more involved here,” said Gaetz. “We need a system that helps a child who grew up in a house without a bookshelf and (for that child to) be able to get into an AP class and do well.

“We need to reward school districts that open doors to more students taking more rigorous academic courses.”

MORE FEINBERG Kenneth Feinberg, administrator of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, told the IN that there is an appeal process for claims under the Oil Pollution Control Act, but rarely has a claim decision been overturned.

“If there is anybody over the past five months who feels that they have been denied eligibility or have been granted eligibility but have not been paid what they think is fair, they always have the right to appeal immediately, or 90 days from the filing of their claim, to the Coast Guard,” said Feinberg. “The Coast Guard has received 507 appeals from Pensacola and elsewhere. In every single appeal so far, everyone so far, the Coast Guard has agreed with GCCF.” The IN also asked Feinberg about community banks along the Gulf Coast that have been hit hard by bank regulators because the value of the properties that they have as collateral have declined sharply.

“As I’ve said before—no business, no profession, no occupation is automatically disqualified because of status,” said Feinberg. “Whether a claimant is going to provide enough documentation to justify a claim is another question. If the banks have claims, I will look at it.”

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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| INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

ake a toast Pensacola. You

finally have yourself a decent nightlife. It’s been two years since we introduced our first Lush Bar Guide, and all we can say is, “Wow, what a progression.” With this year’s additions of The Leisure Club, Play, Wine World Wine Bar and 5 1/2 Bar, the Palafox grid has become the centerpiece of downtown bar entertainment. In addition, Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille and Elise Coastal Dining—both also located on Palafox—offer Pensacolians upscale but low-key alternatives for wining and dining. Add new downtown music venues Vinyl Music Hall and Sluggo’s (new location) for both the music lover and the lush, and you end up with a heck of a lot of choices, whatever your type, taste or fancy.

For this year’s guide, we’re giving you a taste of what Pensacola’s bar scene has to offer—the best signature cocktails, words of wisdom straight from the mouths of your favorite local bartenders, where to lush it up during your lunch break without being judged, and more. Just remember—if you're going to be drinking (and we know you are) do it at local establishments, ok? Cheers!

In A Pickle 10-11 Liquid Lunch 12

TOC

THE GUIDE TO THE GUIDE

Hang In There 13 Bartender Wisdom 14 Happier Hour 15 LUSHworthy Events 16 LUSH Directory 17

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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IN A PICKLE Intrepid IN Writer Samples Pensacola’s Most Unique Drinks

By Kate Peterson

I

f you look around the Pensacola area, you can find some truly tasty signature libations. These are just a few of the creative, unique drinks available at various establishments.

The Dillinger, 5 1/2 Bar At the 5 1/2 Bar, they have a drink called The Dillinger, which is similar to a Pickle Back shot, says bartender Patrick Bolster. It consists of a locally-made custom pickle juice with cider vinegar, Hendricks gin, mashed cucumber, and a squeeze of lemon-lime, shaken and strained over fresh ice. Also, it has a slice of cucumber and fresh cracked black pepper. The Dillinger has a cucumber green color and tastes light and savory.

5 1/2 Bar 5 E. Garden St. vinylmusichall.com

The Boomer, Surf Burger

comes in a dirty old mason jar from the cemetery, which ye can keep. Because of the deadly potency of the drink we have a limit of three per person.”

An Irish Wake contains the following: 151 rum, dark rum, blue curacao liquor, freshly squeezed orange juice, and red and green cherries. The bartender squeezes the oranges in front of you on a stand-up juicer. All the ingredients are mixed together and served up in a mason jar that you get to take home.

McGuire’s Irish Pub 600 E. Gregory St. 433-6789 mcguiresirishpub.com

Shipwreck, Peg Leg Pete’s It was a dark and stormy night—literally—when I visited Peg Leg Pete’s on Pensacola Beach, which made the experience of drinking something called a Shipwreck even more realistic. When you drive into the parking lot you see the pirate flags flying, and once inside, the nautical theme explodes. The Shipwreck is served in a black, 20th anniversary cup that you get to take home. It’s loaded with spiced rum, coconut rum, 151 rum, pineapple, orange juice, Sprite and grenadine—refreshing no matter what kind of day or night.

Surf Burger, on Pensacola Beach, features their signature take on a traditional Bloody Mary. Their version is hand mixed and poured into a battery-operated, flashing, Surf Burger cup. It’s hard to look into the cup when you’re consuming the beverage. Like it hot? They’ll make it as spicy as you want it.

Surf Burger 500 Quietwater Beach Road 932-1417 thesurfburger.com

Bushwacker can add 151 rum, regular rum, banana, chocolate flavoring, cherry liquor, strawberry flavoring or coconut rum to make your own customized version. It can be served to you in a souvenir cup—the sealed bottom of the cup is filled with sand and other beach trinkets, which makes an excellent keepsake of your Bushwacker experience.

Sandshaker Lounge 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd.

932-2211 sandshakerlounge.com

Irish Wake, McGuire’s Irish Pub When you walk into McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola, the first thing you notice is that you are surrounded by green– money that is. Naturally, they would feature a green drink called an Irish Wake.

Clearly stated on McGuire’s menu it says, “This will knock you dead, but everyone enjoys an old fashioned Irish Wake. It

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You know you’re on the beach when the bar and restaurant employees greet you wearing a uniform of Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts. Eat, drink and flounder, it says on the sign at Flounders on Pensacola Beach. There you can do all of the above. The signature drink is a Diesel Fuel, and you can get many different varieties of these high-octane beverages. A unique choice is called a Grateful Dead. To make that one special, they take the original mix and add pineapple and black raspberry syrup. The original Diesel Fuel has vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, sweet and sour, Coke.

Flounders Chowder House 800 Quietwater Beach Rd. 932-2003 flounderschowderhouse.com

Peg Leg Pete’s 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd. 932-4139 peglegpetes.com

The Dillinger

Diesel Fuel, Flounders Chowder House

Bushwacker, Sandshaker Lounge

The Striped Marlin, The Grand Marlin

Everyone knows that when you want a Bushwacker, you go to the Sandshaker Lounge on Pensacola Beach. The Shaker began selling Bushwackers in 1975, and it continues to be their top selling drink to this day. The main ingredients are Kahlua, cream of coconut, crème de cocoa, milk, some secret ingredients and ice. Those main ingredients are mixed by hand and placed in a machine to keep that part of the secret recipe frozen. You

The Striped Marlin is just one of the many marlin species you can try, in drink form, at The Grand Marlin on Pensacola Beach. They also offer Blue, Black and White Marlin on the drink menu.

The one pictured is a cool, creamy and chocolaty mixture of vodka, dark and milk chocolate liqueur over ice, served in a martini glass. You can use this drink as an accompaniment to dessert. It is very refreshing.

| INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

The Boomer

Spocktail and Vampagne, Elbow Room

The Striped Marlin The Grand Marlin 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd.

677-9153 thegrandmarlin.com

In 1963, the Flynns turned Maggie’s Café into the Elbow Room. Since then, the establishment has been taken over, in part, by a very nice couple that felt the Elbow Room needed to keep going. The previous owner is still fully involved. There are a number of rules printed on their menu such as “respect the establishment”, “contrary to popular belief the yard dog does indeed bite” and “live long and prosper”. The menu is loaded with scrumptious offerings as well. They have signature champagne and juice drinks.

Here are two of the varieties: the Spocktail– pomegranate, blueberry and champagne; and Vampagne–blood orange with Brut champagne. Both are delicious.

Elbow Room 2213 W. Cervantes St. 434-0300

The Blitz, Sidelines Sports Bar What better name for a sports bar drink than a Blitz? Sidelines Sports Bar serves this rum-laden drink in a footballshaped glass. It contains liquor 43, coconut rum, passion fruit puree, pineapple juice and cranberry juice over ice. It has a very tropical flavor. Be sure to collect a set of football glasses for your next football party.

Coffee Bar — Wine — Craf t Beer Gourmet Menu —Live Music

Sidelines Sports Bar 2 Via De Luna Dr. 934-3660 sidelinessportsbarandrestaurant.com

The Cherry Popper, The Break Beach Bar The Break Beach Bar on Pensacola Beach is the home of the Cherry Popper.

According to long-time bartender Randy, the Popper replaced another orangeflavored vodka slushie they used to serve. The Popper is another tasty frozen concoction consisting of vodka, Gatorade and various flavors of Kool-aid. For some added punch, it can also be served with cherries soaked in Everclear.

The Break Beach Bar 65 Via De Luna Dr. 932-0864 breakbeachbar.com

Blues Devil Blues Devil, Five Sisters Blues Cafe In the heart of downtown Pensacola you can find a Blues Devil, the very cool and tasty signature drink prepared by Five Sisters Blues Café. In 2010, Five Sisters restaurant opened in a reconstructed building that used to house Gussie’s Record Shop. They call this drink their take on a classic Red Devil, but as they say, they put their foot in this one.

Vodka and Southern Comfort are the main perps.

Five Sisters Blues Cafe 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 fivesistersbluescafe.com

Week ly Drink Specials & Live Music Mon PM Classic Grilled Cheese w/ Tomato Basil Soup & a PBR for $5 Tues PM 2 for 1 House Wines & 2 for 1 Domestics All Night + Live Music

By Bluesman Jeff Glickman

Wed PM Wine Down w/50% off Bottles of Wine All Night + Live Music by Guitarist Rick Heddendorf

Fri & Sat Craft Beer, Wine Specials & Live Music Throughout the Weekend ~ Come chill out at TLC!

Thur PM Burgers & Brews!

Hand-Crafted Burgers, Kettle Chips & Sesson Lager for $12

Sundays Brunch Trios for $12

by Chef Josh House & Bottomless Mimosas & Champagne

Open 7 days a week Early to late

proudly brewing

126 Palafox Place 912.4229 www.tlcdowntown.com INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

11

Liquid Lunch Cool lunchtime spots to curb your appetite and wet your whistle

By Rob “Bubbs” Harris ere at the IN, we’re all about having a good time, and we encourage our readers to do the same. Let me start by saying that we don’t, in any way, condone drinking on the job. However, if you aren’t bound by the restraints of the daily grind, or a lawyer, you may be interested in knowing about some of the places here in town that not only have fantastic grub, but also serve up some frosty, cool adult beverages.

For those of you who slave away at those nine-to-fives each day, stay with us. You’re still going to want to know about these great lunchtime destinations to grab a quick and tasty, um, bite—you know, to take the edge off.

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O’ZONE PIZZA PUB 1010 N. 12th Ave., Suite #111 433-7336 ozonepensacola.com O’Zone Pizza Pub is a neat little joint located in historic East Hill in the old Sacred Heart Hospital building. For years, O’Zone has been serving up some of the best pizza pie in town, along with a wide selection of frothy brews and stiff mixed drinks.

This place is a hot nighttime spot, especially on Mondays when the large pies are half off, and Ladies Night on Thursdays, but the real deals are found during lunch hours. After wondering why lunches were so hit-or-miss, lead pizza chef Ryan Brock had an epiphany.

“Pizza isn’t exactly something that you can make really fast,” says Brock. “During the day, people want fast meals so they can eat and get back to work. The owners and I got to talking about pizza by the slice, and it seemed like the perfect plan, and so far, it has been doing really well.”

You just read that right: the mighty O’Zone is selling their famous pizza by the slice—and for dirt cheap. You can order up a slice of delectable cheese pizza for just a buck, or customize your order with all the toppings you want for just a quarter a piece. “You really can’t beat

12 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011

that price, and our customers are very happy with how fast they can get in and get out at lunchtime now,” Brock states.

“The full menu is still available for those with plenty of time.”

If the pie wasn’t enough to get your mouth watering, you can wash down those delicious slices of perfectly crafted pizza with an equally magnificent crafted brew from a wide selection of top notch taps and bottles. Or, you can ask daytime bar wizard Caleb Carter to whip you up a stiff cocktail from the full bar to put you where you want to be.

O’Zone also offers $5 Miller Lite pitchers all day, every day. If you dig a hip atmosphere, good music, great people and quality New York-style pizza—not to mention a nice spot to post up and tie one on, no matter what time of day—head over to the foot of East Hill and stop in to the groovy little pub with a big personality.

DOG HOUSE DELI 30 Palafox Place (Downtown) 432-3104 35 Via De Luna Drive (Pensacola Beach) 916-4993 doghousedeli.com There are some of you who might be thinking, “I’m stuck downtown,” or “I’m all the way out here on the beach.” Well, don’t worry, we have you covered too.

There’s nothing quite like a good hotdog. Nothing beats a quality wiener, except maybe washing it down with an ice cold beer. Luckily for us, we can find both of those things at two convenient locations.

Dog House Deli is an old fashioned hotdog parlor that boasts a wide array of tasty concoctions that will not only fill your stomach, but won’t empty your wallet.

And nothing says “Ohhhh yeahhhh” like a fully-loaded chili-cheese dog with slaw and onions, washed down clean with an ice cold Red Stripe. This place does it all, and the recent addition of cold beer has folks craving a Dog House special even more.

“Here at the downtown location, we open for breakfast at 7 a.m. and offer a

| WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

variety of all the breakfast staples. We also have daily lunch specials ranging from pork loin with all the trimmings, to hamburgers and Philly steaks. Of course, there are always our terrific dogs and outstanding red beans and rice, which is a good seller.

We also offer some hotdog specials that come with a beer; a lot of folks like that we started serving beer, but most of the downtown crowd are taking a break from work, so they don’t do too much drinking. That’s what the (Pensacola) beach location is better suited for,” owner Jim Holler explains.

The Dog House 2 is located right on the strip on Via De Luna Drive, and is the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the “salad days,” as they say. Jim’s son Nate will fix you up one of his legendary dogs and keep the cold bottled domestics—or Red Stripe and Corona—coming so you can wear sandals all day long and get as Buffett as you want to be.

The beach location has limited hours during the winter (11 a.m.-3 p.m. MondayThursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday), but that makes it a perfect place for a liquid lunch expedition. Check out the Dog House locations and see for yourself how a good hotdog, a frosty beverage and damn friendly service can make any day a little bit brighter.

THE CRAB TRAP 455 W. Main St. 912 -8775 crabtrapdestin.com The Crab Trap has been doing business in Pensacola for well over a year now, and it’s hard to imagine it ever not being there. This quaint seafood restaurant on the bay is one of the busiest lunch spots in the city, due mostly in part to its friendly staff, breathtaking view and succulent seafood creations.

It isn’t just the daily food specials and smiley servers that keep ‘em coming back again and again; there’s also a full bar surrounded by HDTVs with nonstop sports on all day, every day, which makes it a popular happy hour destination from 4-6 p.m.— but we’re talking about lunch here.

“We have a pretty good lunch crowd at The Crab Trap,” says bartender and server Olivia Wiscombe. “We’re very popular among the downtown business folks, but we also have a lot of regulars, too. People love our daily food specials that start as low as $6.49, but we’ve also added some great daytime drink specials, including two-for-one Smirnoff mixed drinks and $2.50 Bay Breezes from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every day. This is a first for us and we expect it to be a big hit with people who like to have a drink with lunch. We’re very excited about it.”

If you love seafood, you already have a solid reason to visit The Crab Trap. If you like to tack a cool buzz onto an already splendid dining venture, then you have no excuse not to stop in and make yourself at home.

CACTUS FLOWER CAFÉ 3425 N. 12th Ave. 432-8100 cactusflowercafe.net With all the mention of pizza, hotdogs and seafood, along with the beer and liquor, we have yet to mention how a nice wine buzz can keep anyone in good spirits. If the nectar of the gods is what you like to sip while enjoying some extremely tasty food, look no further than the Cactus Flower Café.

This unique restaurant that puts a hip and healthy California spin on classic Mexican fare is one place that you must try—especially for lunch. One bite of anything on the menu will send you into a tailspin of sheer ecstasy, and the fact that you can get the same portions as the dinner menu for almost half the price makes Cactus Flower an absolute lunchtime must. You can’t go wrong with a Mexican chicken salad or the monstrous burrito—we promise.

Put a cap on the experience with a perfectly made margarita, or a carafe of sweet wine from a lovely selection.

This place is just too good not to make mention of.

Hang In There Local Bartenders, Servers and Bar Regulars Share Their Best Hangover Remedies

By Kiley A. Bolster servers and bar goers (and a few people who fit into all three categories) who have become most familiar with the unfortunate side effects of too much drinking, a list of tried-and-true hangover remedies has been developed to ease the collective suffering of those who dare to be productive the day after.

KEEP DRINKING By far, the most popular hangover remedy is to keep drinking. For some, the effect of excessive alcohol consumption can only be cured by continued alcohol consumption. A stiff Bloody Mary or easy-on-the-OJ Mimosa first thing in A stiff Bloody Mary can cure what ails you the morning will cure what ails you by tricknybody who dares to ing your mind and imbibe has woken up the body into believing that the brief interval morning after an evening of sleep experienced was only a break in of good times punctuated the drinking Olympics that is more comby cocktails, beer and shots monly referred to as “the weekend.” with the dreaded hangover. The usual symptoms present during diagnosis are HYDRATE & TAKE YOUR VITAMINS one or more of the following: a splitting Hydration and vitamin intake are headache, nausea, exhaustion, general integral to assuaging the negative effects self-loathing derived from analyzing of a night of hard drinking. The most comevery single beverage—and the accommon hangover cures feature hydration and panying calories—that was consumed, vitamins in conjunction. Especially in cases and a half-hearted swearing off of the of additional fluid loss from a night spent offensive alcohol for the rest of one’s life, hugging a toilet bowl, the body needs or at least for the rest of the week. to replenish more than just water. Barri According to a panel of seasoned Horan, bartender at the Wisteria, suggests drinkers and survivors of some of the worst “tomato juice or orange juice and water.” imaginable hangovers ever, it is unrealistic The science behind the secret is that the to swear off alcohol for the rest of one’s life. body needs electrolytes and vitamins, So, from the lips of those lively bartenders, specifically potassium, to cure the dehydra-

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tion that occurs from too much drinking.

The earlier water and nutrients enter the equation the better, so try to remember to “chug a Pedialyte before you pass out” as recommended by Fish House server Jennifer Medina. Don’t have a Gatorade in the house? Pickle juice and beef broth are both vitamin rich and will work in a pinch.

EAT GREASY FOOD There is some truth to the notion that greasy foods will stall the effects of alcohol.

Wine aficionado and Aragon Wine Market employee Karamy Ford accurately suggests that the combination of “champagne and French fries” works wonders on a hangover.

Though likely shunned by any health food nut, these foods do help slow the rate your body absorbs alcohol by greasing the lining of your intestines. Clearly, the 2 a.m. craving for Waffle House hash browns or Whataburger taquitos is rational.

REST & TIME Recommendations from the panel for “sleeping it off” are just as prevalent as they are for “drinking it off.” Fish House bartender Sonya Gray recommends “sleeping it away” while Rachel Helms, cocktail waitress at the Deck Bar, states that time is the only cure to a hangover.

Though local artist Ashton Howard wholly recommends continuing to drink is a good cure, he also contends that “two movies, shut blinds and couch” works just fine. The body needs time to heal before it can function properly and if you do not have anything important to attend to, simply rest until the nausea, headache and self-loathing subside. After all, next weekend is just around the corner, and you need to feel better enough to forget how bad the hangover was. Otherwise, you simply will not fully enjoy the frontend perks of drinking.

Whether you try one or a combination of all of these methods to cure your hangover, remember that the best cure for a hangover is prevention. By pacing yourself, guzzling water between cocktails, and not over-doing the drinking, you should be just fine.

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The Rabourn Collection through January From Russia with 23rd Love: Selections from Art Collection Focus TheYouth Rabourn Enjoy the artwork of over 500 K-12 through January 23rd Escambia County School students as well as their teachers showcased in Youth Art Focus thisthe annual exhibit beginning Enjoy artwork of over 500 K-12 January 7th.

Escambia County School students as Paul as Strand: Mexican Portfolio well their The teachers showcased Coming January 28th Strand’sin Jointhis us for this exhibit highlighting annual exhibit beginning Paul Strand: The Mexico Portfolio historic workJanuary from his second 7th. journey to Mexico in 1936 when he deepened his Coming January 28th involvement with The Mexico’s revolutionary art Paul Strand: Mexico Portfolio and politics through his photographic studies and work in film.

Opens January 28th Youth Art Focus In partnership with The Escambia County School District, PMA Presents the 56th Annual Youth Art Focus. Enjoy the artwork of over 500 K-12 Escambia County pensacola museum art students as well as their of teachers.

407 s. jefferson street . pensacola, fl 32502 On display through February 27th 850.432.6247 www.pensacolamuseumofart.org pensacola museum of art 407 s. jefferson street . pensacola, fl 32502 850.432.6247 www.pensacolamuseumofart.org

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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Bartender Wisdom Local Barkeeps Spill the Beans

By Kate Peterson artenders, barkeeps or mixologists—whatever you call them, they can be your best friends. Whether you’re looking for a night on the town with friends or a nightcap, they are there for you. We spoke to a few bartenders and asked them to share a little bit of their bartender knowledge.

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Stephanie MikesellHankins, 27 Jackalope’s Saloon Bartending 4 months

Patrick Bolster, 31 51/2 Bartending for 5 years "Try something new."

“People skills are number one–not the mixing or pouring of the drinks.”

Terry Kranefuss, 40 Peg Leg Pete’s Bartending for 8 years

Pam Randall, 50 The Grand Marlin Bartending over 30 years

“Hear no, speak no, and see no evil; that is the key to my success over the past eight years. Discretion is key.”

“If you know the bartender, you are never alone.”

Randy Blackwell, 36 The Break Beach Bar, Bartending for 9 years and bass player with the band It Starts Today

Dedrick Harmon, 32 Flounders Chowder House, Bartending 4 years

Rachel Bryan, 21 Surf Burger Bartending off and on for about a year

“You get what you ask for with bartending. When someone asks how much should I tip you? I always say, I take $100s.

You never know what will happen."

“We keep all our TV’s tuned to sports to keep the topic off politics. Political discussions are taboo for bars.”

Nate Wheeler, 30 The Dock Bartending 9 years “My words of wisdom are; keep your tip jar cleaned out. Be fast and smile.”

Shana Lycus, 32 McGuire’s Irish Pub, Bartending for 1 year

Ashley Foreman, 43 Sandshaker Lounge Bartending for 14 years “No politics or religion at the bar—that is a key to keeping the peace.”

Mia Bolden, 30 Five Sisters Blues Café Bartending for 15 years “My best advice–drink responsibly.”

“Treat your bartenders right, they are looking out for you. They can serve you, or they can cut you off, either way it is in your best interest.”

Sean Deaton, 26 Peg Leg Pete’s, Bartending for 5 years “No politics at the bar. A reporter from NPR came in here and wanted to get a quote from me about a recent visit by Michelle Obama, and I would not do it. Political discussions are not allowed at this bar.”

14 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011

| WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

Lesa Touchette, 36 Elbow Room, Pensacola Bartending for 2 1/2 years “If you appear to be intoxicated, you are.”

“The bartender is your friend. Even if you don’t know what you want, your bartender can help you make a choice. We know our products, what is popular and how to mix it up right.”

Happier Hour A Guide to Pensacola’s Best Happy Hours

By Kiley A. Bolster here is something about a happy hour that makes everyone, well, happier. Cheap drinks and good company before it gets too late are necessary factors for a great happy hour.

Whether you want an inexpensive drink with dinner or have a hankering for a cocktail and don’t want to wait for the weekend, consider these locations for daily drink specials Monday-Friday that will put a smile on your face.

T

Upgrade your wine glass to a quartino without an additional charge or receive two-for-one draft beer and mixed drinks from 4-7 p.m.

Carrabba’s Italian Grille 311 N. Ninth Ave. 438-0073 carrabbas.com Stop in the bar “where everybody knows your name” for $1 off drinks from 4-8 p.m.

Coyotes Sports Bar 5030 Bayou Blvd.

857-1500 Flash your local I.D. and receive a Yuengling or Miller Lite draft for $1.50 from 4-11 p.m.

Crown Plaza-Cavu Club 200 E. Gregory St. 433-3336 pensacolagrandhotel.com

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Mix it up with the who’s who of Pensacola with buy one get one free drinks during The Fish House’s Big Mix from 4-6 p.m. every day.

The Fish House 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 goodgrits.com Splurge on the Belgian fries because the martinis are half priced from 5-7 p.m. Try one of the house-made vodkas in your martini, and you won’t regret it.

Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom 10 S. Palafox 497-6073 hopjacks.com Enjoy two-for-one house wines and well drinks while satisfying your craving for barbeque from 4-7 p.m.

The Happy Pig Cafe 200 S. Alcaniz St. 912-8480 Bring a friend and try a different beer or cocktail every day of the week from 4-7 p.m., when the drinks are buy one get one free. Ladies also drink half off all day, every day.

Hub Stacey’s Downtown 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 hubstaceys.com

Staple a dollar to the wall or kiss the moose as you enjoy two-for-one drinks from 4-6 p.m.

McGuire’s Irish Pub 600 E. Gregory St. 433-6789 mcguiresirishpub.com Watch a game or share some nachos from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., when well drinks are only $3 and house wines are $4.

Miller’s Ale House 5906 N. Davis Highway 505-2670 millersalehouse.com Appreciate a beautiful view of the sunset on the bayou while enjoying domestic drafts for $1.50, and house wines and well drinks for $2.25 from 4-6 p.m.

The Oar House 1000 S. Pace Blvd.

549-4444 oarhouserestaurant.com Compete with your friends at foosball, skee ball or Pac Man while fueling up with two-for-one beer and cocktails from 4-7 p.m.

Play 16 S. Palafox iplaypensacola.com If you prefer sampling wine to guzzling a beer or cocktail, check out these locations

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Aragon Wine Market 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 aragonwinemarket.com Every Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

Artesana Fine Wines 240 W. Garden St. 433-VINO artesanawines.com One Wednesday per month from 5-7 p.m.

Distinctive Kitchens 29 Palafox 438-4688 dk4u.com Every Friday from 4:30-7 p.m.

The Wine and Gift Shoppe at Seville Quarter 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 sevillequarter.com Every Friday from 5-7 p.m.

Wine World Outlet of Pensacola 5010 Bayou Blvd., Suite 103 476-3890 chanswineworld.com Every Friday from 5-7 p.m. $10, which includes a $5 rebate toward purchase

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2011 LUSHworthy Events Here are a few of the events we’re looking forward to in 2011 FEBRUARY 2.18 ‘LYRIC LIBATIONS’ PRESENTED BY THE CHORAL SOCIETY OF PENSACOLA 5:30-8:30 p.m. A gala evening of food, wine and entertainment. In addition to a variety of heavy hors d’ oeuvres and fine wines, you’ll also enjoy live entertainment by talented singers from the Choral Society of Pensacola Chorus, and also by Choral Society Artistic Director Xiaolun Chen. $25 per person. Dollarhide Music Center, 41 S. Palafox. 484-1806 or choralsocietyofpensacola.com.

MARCH 3.4 KREWE OF LAFITTE MARDI GRAS PARADE Begins at Spring and Garden streets. The only illuminated nighttime parade in Pensacola. Expect to be entertained with marching bands, lighted floats, great throws and fantastic people watching.

436-7638 or pensacolamardigras.com.

3.5 PENSACOLA GRAND MARDI GRAS PARADE 2 p.m. Begins at Spring and Garden streets. 436-7638 or pensacolamardigras. com.

3.6 PENSACOLA BEACH MARDI GRAS PARADE 2 p.m. Keep the party going at the Pensacola Beach parade. 436-7638 or pensacolamardigras.com.

3.8 MARDI GRAS PRISCUS PROCESSION & PRISCUS BALL Check out the annual Fat Tuesday procession in the streets of Downtown Pensacola where participants party in the streets.

The festivities begin at Seville Quarter. Then board buses and trolleys and proceed to various downtown Pensacola bars and night spots. Anyone 21 and over can celebrate Fat Tuesday at the annual Mardi Gras Priscus Procession and Priscus Ball. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

3.12 34TH ANNUAL MCGUIRE’S 5K PREDICTION RUN Forget the pre-race breakfast. The best part of the McGuire’s Run is the post-party shenanigans featuring Rich McDuffs Irish Sing Along, Irish fare, Irish Wakes, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra. Believe us, you’ll want to finish the 3.1 miles in a hurry.

Register at mcguiresirishpub.com or active.com.

3.16 COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND COCKTAILS: COOKING WITH ARTISANAL CHEESES 5-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Join Chef Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse as he leads another series of cooking classes. The cost is $40 per person, which covers the cooking demonstration, tastings of the recipes, wine pairings, and a take-home recipe booklet so you can try your hand at Miller’s recipes in the comfort of your own home.

Reservations required. Call 217-2347 or 469-9898 to reserve your space. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. jacksons. goodgrits.com.

3.16-3.20 GO IRISH ON THE ISLAND Almost a week filled with live entertainment, drink specials, food, music and special events that culminates in the Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl. 932-1500 or pensacolabeachchamber.com.

3.17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION AT SEVILLE QUARTER 11 a.m. The fun starts with an Irish-themed lunch with Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, followed by nickel green beer from 4-5 p.m. in Lili Marlene’s. Throughout the day there will be specials on Irish beers and ales and plenty of Irish whiskey to go around. The fun will continue with an Irish jig contest in

the End O’Alley Bar and “Sexiest Redhead” contest. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

3.18-3.19 BEULAH FEST Enjoy some of Nashville’s hottest country music stars, up-and-coming acts, arts and crafts, carnivalstyle rides and of course, beer and sausage. $12 general admission, $20 weekend passes and $50 family fun packs. Escambia County Equestrian Center. 944-3167 or beulahfest.com.

3.26 ELBERTA GERMAN SAUSAGE FESTIVAL 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy famous German sausage and sauerkraut, plus entertainment for adults and children, along with 250 arts and crafts booths.

Other foods will include German-style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans and rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn and peanuts. Live entertainment includes The Bellview Stumpfiddle Band, North End Stompers, cloggers, carnival rides, and polka, country and German music.

Elberta City Park, Highway 98, Elberta, Ala. sausagefest.elbertafire.com.

APRIL 4.02-4.03 PENSACOLA JAZZ FEST The two-day festival celebrates America’s unique musical art form.

Jazz Society of Pensacola works all year to present this festival, which includes local, regional and national performers. Seville Square Park at the corner of Alcaniz and Government streets. 433-8382 or jazzpensacola.com.

4.02-4.03 REGGAE FESTIVAL AT SEVILLE QUARTER Enjoy a weekend of live reggae music. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

4.13 COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND COCKTAILS: SPANISHINFLUENCED CUISINE 5-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Join Chef Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse as he leads another series of cooking classes. The cost is $40 per person, which covers the cooking demonstration, tastings of the recipes, wine pairings, and a take-home recipe booklet so you can try your hand at Miller’s recipes in the comfort of your own home. Reservations required. Call 217-2347 or 469-9898 to reserve your space.

Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. jacksons.goodgrits.com.

4.14-4.16 PENSACOLA WINE FESTIVAL Sample wines from around the world while Pensacola’s top restaurants lead cooking demonstrations. Additional details to be announced.

434-5371 or pensacolawinefestival.com.

4.28-5.1 25TH ANNUAL SANDESTIN WINE FESTIVAL Four days of unique events include private dinners, auctions of rare and distinctive wines, seminars and wine tastings of over 800 wines from around the world. Visit sandestinwinefestival.com for detailed ticket information for various events. The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin. (850) 267-8110 or sandestinwinefestival.com.

16 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

4.29-5.1 NINTH ANNUAL CRAWFISH FESTIVAL Visit Bamboo Willies on Portofino Boardwalk for the Ninth Annual Crawfish Festival, with three stages of live music, Kids Zone and Merchants Sidewalk Sale. Over three tons of crawfish will be sold. 400 Quietwater Beach Road, Pensacola Beach. 932-1185 or bamboowillies.com.

4.29-5.1 27TH ANNUAL INTERSTATE MULLET TOSS Perdido Key’s Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line hosts this wacky annual mullet-tossing tournament. Enjoy live music, food and drinks throughout the weekend. 492-0611 or florabama.com.

4.29-5.1 27TH ANNUAL PENSACOLA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL The annual festival celebrates the Cajun influence in the community with one of the largest crawfish boils in Florida and brings a little of the Louisiana bayou to Pensacola.

Patrons enjoy great music straight from the bayous of Louisiana.

Bartram Park. 433-6512 or fiestaoffiveflags.org.

MAY

SEPTEMBER 9.2-9.4 JAMAICAN FEST The annual festival will feature live music, The Kids Zone, sidewalk sale and the “Anything that Floats” race in Santa Rosa Sound. Portofino Boardwalk. 9321500 or visitpensacolabeach.com.

9.9 EMERALD COAST BEER FESTIVAL 6 p.m. Distributors and brewers will be pouring samples of beers inside and outside Seville Quarter. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about home brewing, micro breweries and the art of craft-brewed beers and ales. Advance tickets are $20, $30 at the door. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or emeraldcoastbeerfest.com.

9.23-9.25 34TH ANNUAL SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Sample a variety of seafood dishes and beverages, enjoy live entertainment, and shop at the many arts and crafts vendors. Free. Seville Square.

433-6512 or fiestaoffiveflags.org.

OCTOBER 10.1-10.2 4TH ANNUAL ART AND WINE WEEKEND Enjoy wine tastings and local art. Trolley service available. 932-1500 or pensacolabeachchamber.com.

5.18 COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND COCKTAILS: BOLD SOUTHWEST FLAVORS 5-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Join Chef Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse as he leads another series of cooking classes. The cost is $40 per person, which covers the cooking demonstration, tastings of the recipes, wine pairings, and a take-home recipe booklet so you can try your hand at Miller’s recipes in the comfort of your own home. Reservations required. Call 217-2347 or 469-9898 to reserve your space. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. jacksons.goodgrits.com.

10.21-10.23 BAYTOWNE WHARF BEER FEST AT SANDESTIN The 4th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest will feature a craft beer tent, live entertainment and a retail tent. The main event on Saturday will feature more than 100 domestic and international craft beers available for sampling. Brewery representatives will be available to teach you about the different types of lagers and ales. Tickets are $20, $25 after Oct. 16. (850) 267-8117 or baytownewharfbeerfestival.com.

5.21 PERDIDO KEY WINE AND ARTS FESTIVAL Enjoy samplings of wine paired with cheeses and fruits while perusing local artsand-craft vendors. 492-4660 or visitperdido.com.

(DATE TBA) INDEPENDENT NEWS 12TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY. Help us celebrate another year of keeping Pensacola on its toes.

Additional details to be announced. 438-8115 or inweekly.net.

10.30 ELBERTA GERMAN SAUSAGE FESTIVAL 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy famous German sausage and sauerkraut, plus entertainment for adults and children, along with 250 arts and crafts booths. Other foods will include German-style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans and rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn and peanuts. Live entertainment includes The Bellview Stumpfiddle Band, North End Stompers, cloggers, carnival rides, and polka, country and German music. Elberta City Park, Highway 98, Elberta, Ala. sausagefest.elbertafire.com.

JUNE 6.15 COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND COCKTAILS: THE FARMER’S MARKET 5-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Join Chef Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse as he leads another series of cooking classes. The cost is $40 per person, which covers the cooking demonstration, tastings of the recipes, wine pairings, and a take-home recipe booklet so you can try your hand at Miller’s recipes in the comfort of your own home. Reservations required. Call 217-2347 or 469-9898 to reserve your space.

Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. jacksons.goodgrits.com.

AUGUST 8.5-8.7 BUSHWACKER FESTIVAL AND 5K The festival is centered around Pensacola Beach’s favorite adult beverage—the milkchocolatey bushwacker. Quietwater Boardwalk. 932-1500 or visitpensacolabeach.com.

10.23 WSRE WINE & FOOD CLASSIC 7 p.m. Local chefs and their signature dishes are showcased, along with auction items. Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, 2 Via Deluna Pensacola Beach.

484-1054 or wsre.org.

NOVEMBER (DATE TBA) PERDIDO KEY MARTINI FESTIVAL Enjoy live music, local artists, food and liquors available from the largest names like Grey Goose, Three Olives, Stoli, 42 Below and Bacardi while raising money for local charities. Additional details to be announced. Jellyfish Bar, 13700 Perdido Key Drive. 332-6532 or perdidokeymartinifestival.com.

11.14-11.16 52ND ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL Enjoy traditional Greek dances, gifts, entertainment and traditional dishes like baklava, gyros and spanakopeta. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1720 W. Garden St. 433-2662 or annunciationgoc.org.

LUSH Directory Special Advertising Section SOUTH PENSACOLA/DOWNTOWN

The Fish House Deck/Atlas Oyster House 600 S. Barracks St., 470-0003, goodgrits.com

5 1/2 Bar 5 E. Garden St., vinylmusichall.com

The Fish House is actually three dining and entertainment experiences. The Fish House and Atlas offer some of the area’s best waterfront wining and dining. The Deck is 3,500 square feet of sun and breeze with cocktail tables, flat-screen TVs, bandstand and dance floor.

Open seven days a week from 4 p.m.-until, 5 1/2 Bar is located in the back part of Vinyl Music Hall. Stop by after work for a cocktail or hang out in the lounge all night. It’s got a cool, laidback vibe and awesome drinks.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday: 5 1/2 ($5.50) martinis 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Monday-Sunday: 5 1/2 ($5.50) glasses of wine and call drinks.

Blazzues 200 S. Palafox, 696-2290 Blazzues has made a name for itself as a popular music venue with its live jazz music on the weekends. However, also be sure to check them out during the week for some great drink specials.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday-Friday: Happy Hour 3-7 p.m. 25 percent off drink tab; Monday: $4 martinis; Tuesday: $1 drafts, $3 mixed drinks with mug; Wednesday: $3 well drinks; Thursday: $2 drafts; Friday and Saturday: Shot specials called by the band.

Elise Coastal Dining 22 N. Palafox, 332-7227, elisecoastaldining.com Elise offers a truly unique culinary experience with its openkitchen architecture allowing diners to see each dish being created. In addition to an extensive and unique wine list, Elise also has a variety of imported and domestic beers, including a few from Pensacola Bay Brewery.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday and Tuesday: Free glass of house wine with your dinner.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday-Sunday: The Big Mix 4-6 p.m. Buy one get one free; Wednesday: Ladies Night. All drinks $2.

The Global Grill 25 S. Palafox St., 469-9966, dineglobalgrill.com With an intimate bar and the most distinctive menu in town, Global Grill is the drinks, tapas, dinner or dessert destination for anyone wanting an upscale yet relaxed dining experience. Global is also home to the IN Martini Night every Wednesday 5-8 p.m.

Hopjack’s Pizza Kitchen & Taproom 10 S. Palafox, 497-6073, hopjacks.com In addition to appetizers, salads and killer pizza, Hopjacks offers one of the area’s most extensive beer selections, with over 150 beers and a full bar.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday: $2 wells, $3 infusions, $6 bottomless mimosas 5 p.m.close; Tuesday: $3 Holla! 7 p.m.-close; Wednesday: Rotating drink specials every 30 minutes 9 p.m.-close; Thursday: Pint Night. 7 p.m., Half off all martinis and $3 Sweetwater drafts 7 p.m.-close; Friday: $2 Sweetwater drafts 5-7 p.m.; Sunday: Half off all 63 taps 11 a.m.-close.

Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St., 4699898, jacksons.goodgrits.com For decadent dining, fabulous martinis and an extensive wine list in a cosmopolitan atmosphere, Jackson’s is your spot. The eclectic menu offers innovative dishes with southern charm, as well as some of the best steaks in the region.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday-Friday: First martini during lunch on the house; Monday-Saturday: Two glasses of wine and appetizer for $20 after 5 p.m.; Wednesday: Half off all bottles of wine 5:30 p.m.-close.

Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille 997 S. Palafox, 432-5226, jacosbayfrontbarandgrille.com One of downtown’s newest dining additions, Jaco’s is a superb lunch, dinner and happy hour destination (the restaurant includes a full bar), with a diverse assortment of salads, small plates, flatbreads and pastas. The sunset alone is reason enough to check it out for both wining and dining.

Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom

Daily Drink Specials: Tuesday: $4 martinis; Thursday: $4 margaritas and mojitos; Sunday (beginning March 13) $2 mimosas and Bloody Marys beginning at 10 a.m.

The Leisure Club 126 S. Palafox, 912-4229, tlcdowntown.com The Leisure Club is a one-stop shop—the bar and restaurant features: wine; craft brews; breakfast, lunch and dinner; coffee and teas; and live entertainment.

Come early for your morning java, or stop by for a glass of wine after work. Check out their Facebook page for updated food and drink specials.

Daily Drink Specials: Tuesday: Two-for-one house wines all night; Wednesday: Half off all bottles of wine; Sundays: Bottomless mimosas and champagne with brunch.

New York Nick’s

New York Nick’s 9-11 Palafox Place, 469-1984, newyorknicks.net New York Nick’s is known as the place on Palafox for “every sports fan.” The bar has every sports package, 40 HD televisions and a great selection of made-from-scratch food. Nick’s is open daily at 11 a.m. with a full bar and full menu.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday-Sunday: Happy Hour 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday and Monday: $6 pitchers 7 p.m.-close; Tuesday: Two-for-one shooters 7 p.m.-close; Wednesday: $2.50 drinks 7 p.m.-close; Thursday: $2 longnecks 7 p.m.-close; Friday and Saturday: $2 Labatts bottle and draft 7 p.m.-close.

Play 16 S. Palafox, iplaypensacola.com With over 20 rotating microbrews, a combination of vintage and state-of-the art arcade games, pool tables, skee-ball machines and more, Play is Pensacola’s favorite neighborhood bar with a side of fun.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday-Sunday: Happy Hour 4-7 p.m.; Monday: $2 Sailor Smoothies; Tuesday: $2.50 wells 9 p.m.-close; Wednesday: BARE Night 7 p.m.-close. $3 all drinks; Thursday: $3 shot specials 7 p.m.-close; Friday: Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. Two for one; Saturday: $1 drafts 12-7 p.m.; Sunday: $2 mimosas and Kamikazes.

Seville Quarter 130 E. Government St., 434-6211, sevillequarter.com Recently named to the 2011 Nightclub & Bar Top 100, Seville Quarter has been entertaining Pensacola for the last 43 years.

Whether you’re looking for a low-key happy hour, wine tasting, dance party or karaoke, there’s something for everyone.

Daily Drink Specials: Monday-Friday: Happy Hour 11 a.m.-8 p.m. throughout Seville Quarter; Wednesday: i100 Wednesdays 8 p.m.-close. $2 drinks, nickel beer after midnight; Saturday: Membership Night 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $3 Crown and Down, $2 beer.

GULF BREEZE/PENSACOLA BEACH Sandshaker Lounge 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 932-2211, sandshakerlounge.com The Sandshaker is a Pensacola Beach icon. There you’ll rub elbows with millionaires, surfers, rednecks and politicians and be BFFs after a few bushwackers.

Daily Specials: Monday: BARE Night 10 a.m.-close. Half off all drinks, $2 longnecks 7:30 p.m.-close; Wednesday: Ladies Night 7 p.m.close. $2 drinks; Thursday: T-Shirt Night 7 p.m.-close. Half off all drinks when wearing Shaker t-shirt; Sunday: $2.50 mimosas and Bloody Marys 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

FEATURED WINE SHOP LISTINGS Aragon Wine Market 27 S. Ninth Ave., 433-WINE aragonwinemarket.com Aragon Wine Market features fabulous wines from all over the world, specializing in small, exclusive boutique wineries for every budget. AWM has weekly wine tastings with world class winemakers and distributors every Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

The Wine and Gift Shoppe at Seville Quarter 130 E. Government St., 434-6211, sevillequarter.com/shop The Wine and Gift Shoppe at Seville Quarter offers a handpicked selection of wines from all over the world and specializes in hard-to-find, artisanal wineries. The Gift Shoppe hosts weekly wine tastings every Friday from 5-7 p.m. All wines are available to purchase at special pricing.

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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hot times THURSDAY 2.17 ‘TAGGED 2011 STUDENT ART’ RECEPTION 6-8 p.m. The University of West Florida Art Department invites the public to the Student Art Expo Reception hosted by Lewis Bear Company to view the art and be present for the presentation of the awards.

Free. University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway.

474-2696 or tag82uwf.wordpress.com.

HANDS ON THAI-ADVANCED 6 p.m. Join DK and guest Chef Panita as she teaches the fine art of Thai cooking and cuisine. $59.95. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox. 4384688 or dk4u.com.

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6-9 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Tiffany’s. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

THEATRE PRODUCTION ‘SUMMER & SMOKE’ 8 p.m. Also Friday-Sunday. A play by Tennessee Williams. UWF, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82.

For more information contact CFPA at 474-2146 or jbrisky@ uwf.edu.

MUSIC: HOLLY SHELTON 7 p.m. No cover. Five Sister’s Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fiversistersbluescafe.com.

MUSIC: AFROMAN, UNNATURAL SOUNDZ, PIMPY K 7 p.m. $12-$15. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or handlebarpensacola.com.

MUSIC: SISTER HAZEL, JUNIOR DOCTOR, JERAD FINCK 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox. vinylmusichall.com.

FRIDAY 2.18 PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS V. AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS 7 p.m. The Hanger, Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaiceflyers.com.

AFTER GAME SKATE 10 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 pensacolafigureskating.com.

TENOR LEO DAY IN OPERA SALON SERIES CONCERT 6:30 p.m.

Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served before the concert. $125 and reservations required. Max Lee Bear House, 1022 Spring St. 433-6737 or pensacolaopera.com.

THEATRE PRODUCTION ‘SUMMER & SMOKE’ 8 p.m. Also Saturday and Sunday. A play by Tennessee Williams. UWF, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82. For more information contact CFPA at 474-2146 or jbrisky@uwf.edu.

STUDIOAMPED: MORRIS MINOR 6 p.m. Doors open. 7 p.m.

Concert. Fridays through March 4. StudioAmped is an eightweek concert series featuring bands performing original material at the WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the campus of Pensacola State College. Upcoming bands: Feb. 25: The Internationals; March 4: Rumor Mill. Free. 1000 College Blvd. 484-1211.

‘LYRIC LIBATIONS’ 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Choral Society of Pensacola presents a gala evening of food, wine and entertainment. Patrons will also be treated to musical entertainment by talented singers from the Choral Society of Pensacola Chorus. $25. Dollarhide Music Center, 41 S. Palafox. 484-1806 or choralsocietyorpensacola.com.

LIGHT OF THE MOON TOURS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE 7 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Hear true stories of the blood-stained rooms and ghostly encounters. Climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of Pensacola Bay. Reservations required. $7-$15. Pensacola Lighthouse, 2081 Radford Blvd.

393-1561.

▶STAFF PICK

PAINTING WITH A PURPOSE

PAINTING WITH A TWIST RAISES MONEY FOR LOCAL ANIMALS

BY KILEY A. BOLSTER

G

rab a friend and a bottle of wine, and leave reservations about your artistic ability at the door for a good cause. On Sunday, Feb. 20, Painting With A Twist will host a fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Pensacola. Animal lovers will have the opportunity to become artists during the event, which will consist of painting your choice of a cat or dog on canvas. Guests are encouraged to bring their own adult beverages and snacks to loosen up and let the creative juices flow.

Elizabeth Ohlhorst, Managing Director of the Humane Society of Pensacola, is thrilled about the event, which is the brainchild of Painting With A Twist co-owners and self described “avid animal people” Jenny Muller and Heidi McDonald.

The price to paint during the event is $45, which includes the paint, brushes and canvas necessary to create your masterpiece. Have qualms about your artist talents? According to Muller, “anybody can do it.”

Whether you have never dared to pick up a paintbrush before, have tried with lackluster results, or already consider yourself the next Picasso, you will find joy and accomplishment in this class. The attentive teaching style makes it very unlikely that your painting will end up looking more like a Pollock when you were trying for a Monet. If for some reason the painting ends up less than perfect, you can still take pride in the fact that you participated for a good cause.

“Myself, my business partner and all of the artists are such animal people,” says Muller, who, along with McDonald, chose to raise funds for the Humane Society of Pensacola because the health and happiness of animals is very near and dear to their hearts.

Sixty seats are available for the class, and the Humane Society will receive 50 percent of the proceeds. Because seating is limited, please make your reservation as soon as possible either online or by calling Painting With A Twist.

According to Ohlhorst, all donations received will be used for “operating costs, especially veterinarian costs for spaying and neutering.”

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 7-9 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Pensacola Sunset. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $35. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

‘SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE’ 7:30 p.m. Love, hate, friendship and comedy. $10-$17. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

MUSIC: BEACH MICE 7-11 p.m. The North Drop Bar at The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

MUSIC: CHUCK WAGON GANG 7 p.m. Farmer’s Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Road. 994-6000 or farmersopry.com.

MUSIC: MARC KAUL 8 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

MUSIC: MR. FAHRENHEIT, THE SPANX, COSMONAUT PLOY 7 p.m. $5-$7. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or handlebarpensacola.com.

MUSIC: ROAD APPLES 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com.

MUSIC: MOST WANTED 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s At The Point, 5851 Galvez Road. 497-0071 or hubstaceys.com.

MUSIC: ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, HOLLOWMAN BADWATER 8 p.m. $20-$25. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox. vinylmusichall.com.

MUSIC: TIM SPENCER 7 p.m. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd.

549-4444 or the-oar-house.com.

18 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

The Humane Society of Pensacola has a 100 percent adoption rate for all kittens and cats, and works hard to place neglected and abused animals in safe homes. All puppies and dogs are neutered or provided with paid vouchers for neutering in an attempt to diminish the ever growing population of abandoned animals. Aside from the monetary benefits of the fundraiser, Ohlhorst is excited about the opportunity to test her artistic skills.

“I can’t even draw a stick figure, but Jenny guarantees me that I will come out with a very good painting,” she said.

One of the primary interests of the Painting With A Twist franchise is community involvement. Aside from hiring all local artists to teach the painting classes, they also host a variety of fundraisers to give back to the community.

Keep your eyes open for future benefits on the monthly calendar featured on their website and their Facebook page.

PAINTING WITH A PURPOSE WHEN: 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 WHERE: Painting With A Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd.

COST: $45 per person DETAILS: 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola and facebook. com/PWATpensacola More information about the Humane Society of Pensacola can be found at humanesocietyofpensacola.org.

MUSIC: TRUCK MONKEY 9 p.m. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.

SATURDAY 2.19 ‘AN INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEALOGY’ 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The West Florida Genealogy Library in cooperation with the West Florida Genealogy Society is sponsoring “An Introduction to African-American Genealogy” workshop during Black History Month in February. West Florida Genealogy Library, 5740 N. Ninth Ave. 494-7373.

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS V. LOUISIANA ICEGATORS 7 p.m. The Hanger, Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaiceflyers.com.

AFTER GAME SKATE 10 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 pensacolafigureskating.com.

SAMPLING SATURDAY AT EVER’MAN 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Ever’man team will have food demonstrations set up in the produce department, the deli area and around the store.

Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org.

THEATRE PRODUCTION ‘SUMMER & SMOKE’ 8 p.m. Also Sunday. A play by Tennessee Williams. UWF, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82. For more information contact CFPA at 474-2146 or jbrisky@uwf.edu.

‘DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS: BLACK PIRATES’ 7 p.m. Presented by the African American Heritage Society. Dr. Marvin Dunn, Professor of History, Florida International University, will present a lecture and discussion. J. Earle Bowden Building, 200 E. Church St. 469-1299 or africanamericanheritagesociety.org.

‘DOLLS OF OUR LIVES’ SHOW AND SALE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. An exhibit of dolls throughout the decades of the past 100 years.

The Wright Place, 80 Wright St. 292-6074.

‘SIMPLY SINATRA’ 8 p.m. A romantic evening is in store at “Simply Sinatra” with Steve Lippia and the Pensacola Symphony. Saenger Threatre, 118 S. Palafox. 595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE NATIONAL SEASHORE 2 p.m. Superintendent Brown encourages everyone to visit the Seashore to join him for the free program to commemorate U. S. Presidents’ Day. Live Naval Oaks Visitor Center, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway. 934-2600 or nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/ naval-live-oaks.htm.

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6-9 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Saenger Theatre. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

‘SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE’ 7:30 p.m. Love, hate, friendship and comedy. $10-$17. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

8TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY ARTS FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The festival features performances by area musicians and dancers as well as art and food vendors. Children’s activities include face painting, a magician, costume characters and art activities. Belmont DeVilliers District downtown. 554-8541.

MUSIC: BEACH MICE 7-11 p.m. The North Drop Bar at The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

hot times MUSIC: BLUNDERBUSS 8 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

MUSIC: PAT PRICHARD GROUP 9:30 p.m. No cover. Five Sister’s Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fiversistersbluescafe.com.

MUSIC: EERIE ROCKWELL, THE HELVITICA EFFECT, DAWN WILL BREAK, KILLED OFF SCREEN 7 p.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or handlebarpensacola.com.

MUSIC: CHARLIE STOUGH & THE FIRST CITY BLUES BAND 8 p.m. $15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox. vinylmusichall.com.

MUSIC: SAWMILL & GUEST 7 p.m. Farmer’s Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Road. 994-6000 or farmersopry.com.

MUSIC: JAY WILLIAMS BAND 7 p.m. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd. 549-4444 or the-oar-house.com.

MUSIC: 100 PERCENT PURE 90’S CLUB ONE 9 p.m. Wear your favorite 90s outfit and dance while DJ Dewight Barkley spins. $5-$8. Emerald City, 406 E. Wright St. 433-9491 or emeraldcitypensacola.com.

MUSIC: TRUCK MONKEY 9 p.m. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.

SUNDAY 2.20 ‘THE ANGELS SING’ 2:30 p.m. All seven choirs of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus will be heard in this program of traditional and contemporary choral music which will also feature the original compositions of Caldwell and Ivory.

Audiences will experience the voices of 300 singers, ages 9-18. $10. Olive Baptist Church, 1836 Olive Road. 434-7760 or pensacolachildrenschorus.com.

PUBLIC SKATING 1:30-2:30 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 pensacolafigureskating.com.

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE NATIONAL SEASHORE 2 p.m. Superintendent Brown encourages everyone to visit the Seashore to join him for the free program to commemorate U. S. Presidents’ Day. Live Naval Oaks Visitor Center, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway. 934-2600 or nps.gov/ guis/planyourvisit/naval-live-oaks.htm.

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 3-6 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older.

Theme: Humane Society of Pensacola Fundraiser “Fun Oscar” or “Fun Cat”. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist. com/pensacola.

THEATRE PRODUCTION ‘SUMMER & SMOKE’ 2:30 p.m. A play by Tennessee Williams. UWF, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82. For more information contact CFPA at 474-2146 or jbrisky@uwf.edu.

‘SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE’ 2:30 p.m. Love, hate, friendship and comedy. $10-$17. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

MUSIC: RONNIE LEVINE 12-3 p.m. The North Drop Bar at The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

MUSIC: KASSIE MILLER 4-8 p.m. The North Drop Bar at The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

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A SALUTE TO DIFFERENCE MAKERS Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick, Santa Rosa School Board Members, members of the Santa Rosa Education Foundation Board of Directors, and local media surprised Annette Smith in her fifth grade classroom at S.S. Dixon Intermediate this morning to announce her selection as Santa Rosa’s Teacher of the Year.

20 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

music

(UN)NATURAL SELECTION

THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN, AND THEY LOVE UNNATURAL SOUNDZ

BY ROB “BUBBS” HARRIS

T

his little Gulf Coast town of ours has a big, big music culture. There is no denying that. On any given night, you can catch almost any kind of act performing on various stages around the city. There’s country, blues, reggae, punk, rock, pop, heavy metal, hip-hop and everything in between, right there at our disposal.

It’s amazing to live in a town where music is such an integral part of its community structure. And let’s not forget about some of the fantastic bands that we have the pleasure of claiming as our own.

There is definitely something for everybody, as far as music goes, and no matter how many different types of shows you’ve gone to in Pensacola, especially over the past few years, there’s a pretty good chance that you have had a proverbial wrench thrown into the gears of your concept of what type of bands should play with who and where. Yes, whether you were out trying to mellow out with some reggae, or charging the pit at the heavy metal show, you have probably had your night turned upside down by the music of Unnatural Soundz.

UNS, as their fans affectionately dub them, are very hard to categorize, if you happen to be one of those who need a label to better understand what you’re getting into. Are they a band? Are they comedians? Are they serious? The answer to these questions are Yes, sort of and most of the time. You see, Unnatural Soundz are just as their moniker suggests—unique and outside the box. Part

hip-hop, part heavy rock, all business, UNS have quickly earned themselves a large local following through a barrage of late-night shows with any and every act that will let them play.

“We’re not picky at all about who we play with,” says DJ BodySlanga (Weston Wilkerson, if you’re nasty), as I sat down with the group after a photo shoot at Revolver Records. “We’ve played with punk bands, rappers, hardcore and country acts, you name it. When you start trying to reach one specific audience, you can only get so far. The way we look at it, we’re going to see how far we can push the envelope and break people out of their shells a little bit. We don’t just play one style of music, so it wouldn’t make sense to play with any certain type of artist, or at any certain venue. At first, people are wondering what the hell is going on, but it doesn’t take long before the ladies are dancing and the guys are rocking out. We’re very easy to get along with.” (laughs) BodySlanga, along with his two partners in rhyme, Chucky T. (a.k.a. Black Jack), the father of the f low, and Nathan Barry (a.k.a. Nasty Nate), the voice of glory, have been leaving music fans around the area suspended in shock and awe with their uncanny sense of humor and ability to command a crowd for the past few years, since Barry’s transplantation from Pittsburgh. “I am the metal guy in the group,” Barry explains. “I moved to Pensacola from Pittsburgh and was sort of feeling out the local music scene. I was

used to being in metal or punk bands, so I went out looking to find that crowd. A friend of mine from Pittsburgh and I had a few funny little novelty raps that we messed around with, and when he came to visit, we got talked into doing a show for fun. I had been introduced to Chuck, and asked him if he wanted to join in. What was supposed to be anything but serious went over quite well. My friend went back up north and Chuck and I decided to keep it going. We met BodySlanga through mutual friends and everything was set.”

Since making the decision to pursue the project further, performing their quirky brand of what-have-you has paid off. Not many who witness UNS are ever the same afterwards. They have legions of dedicated fans who will shirk off sleep to dance and sing along all night long, be it on a weekend or a work night. Crowd participation is always welcome, and these dudes’ fans love them for loving them back. The guys’ style, which is chock full of fat beats, sing-a-long hooks and sharp satire, usually sits well with people of all sorts. Of course, the subject matter in your typical Unnatural Soundz tune isn’t always meant to please. There have been those who have gone out of their way to show how much they don’t appreciate UNS exercising their right to free speech.

Chucky T. explains, “When you’re in this business, you have to understand that you can’t please everyone. You also have to take into consideration, as a fan, that you may not always like what the

bands are playing or talking about, but it is meant to be fun. We have a song called ‘Love Tap’ that usually stirs up a little controversy when we play it, and we’ve had a few run-ins over it. We have had people try to cut our sound, take our mics, or even come close to fighting us over our music, but it’s not supposed to be too serious. It’s just having fun. Now, we usually let the crowd know right off the bat that we aren’t pulling punches, and anybody with a weak constitution should exit if they can’t take a joke.”

However, UNS haven’t had too much of a problem turning new listeners over to their side. Unless you’ve seen them live, you just have no idea. The venues love them because they bring in massive crowds. The fans love them because they are just so awesome, and the other bands love them because they are out there waving the f lag for our local scene on every front.

Although the three-piece outfit has been working out splendidly, UNS has recently undergone some changes. With help from some friends from local acts and good UNS friends The Spanx and Mad Love, long-time fans and those discovering UNS for the first time will be in for a treat, as they have upgraded to a full band, minus guitars.

“It’s nice to have that bass and drum element to make our music sound fuller and more aggressive,” Barry adds. “We are a heavy act, no doubt about it, and now we can really show that. We’re still going to be the same old sarcastic and disturbing UNS we’ve always been, just on a more serious note musically. We’re excited to see how far we can push the boundaries, you know?”

The local favorites have earned themselves a spot opening for another envelope pusher in the form of Grammy-nominated hip-hop/folk sensation Afroman on Feb. 17 at The Handlebar. Expect the unexpected, and prepare to bask in the organic feeling of a truly unnatural experience. info@inweekly.net

AFROMAN, UNNATURAL SOUNDZ, OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS

WHEN: 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. COST: $12 in advance, $15 at the door (18 and over) DETAILS: handlebarpensacola.com, myspace. com/unnaturalsoundz, facebook.com/pages/ unnatural-soundz

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

21

culture

THE MYSTERY CONTINUES

“LILY’S LOUNGE” COMES TO LOBLOLLY THEATRE

BY JENNIE MCKEON

A

t the Loblolly Theatre, it’s not just the plays that are suspenseful, but the writing process as well.

Instead of the traditional script-cast-rehearse routine, Loblolly Theatre actually casts the play before it is even written.

“We’re writing for the actors,” explained Yolanda Reed, artistic director and resident playwright at Loblolly Theatre.

“The process commands a lot of trust, but it can open a door to an unknown place. It

encourages a real ensemble cast. The actors work with each other and grow up with the play.”

As intimidating as it must be for the actors, those who are Loblolly-loyal have become accustomed to the process.

“I can’t imagine it another way,” said Lisa Goodness, who has been with Loblolly Theatre for the past nine years. “I love the way we uncover the play together.”

Even with the script under construction, those who have seen “Big Juice” or “Baby Jackal” will be familiar with some of the characters (at least the ones who survived) and scenery of “Lily’s Lounge.”

The play is set in the 1930s. There’s a war, the end of Prohibition and murder to say the least. Like the film noir genre, the play has a dark tone.

“We don’t censor anything,” Reed said. “‘Lily’s Lounge’ is rough, sensuous and mysterious. It involves all the senses.”

Part of the fun in a production like “Lily’s Lounge” is playing the villain.

Goodness not only has the best last name for the stage, but she also portrays the

brutal Lily so well that she’s played the part in all three productions.

“She’s not a nice person,” Goodness said of Lily. “It’s fun to play the bad guy.

When Lily wants something, she gets it using any means possible.”

The rehearsals can be just as riveting as opening night, since the elusive script is never on stage.

“The actors explore each scene and each other,” Reed said. “It’s frustrating and dangerous…it’s kind of awesome.”

“The way we work really makes the characters live more,” Goodness said.

“Yolanda has this knack for knowing us and bringing things out in us we didn’t know existed.”

One thing that sets the theatre apart at first glance is its size. Sitting above O’Zone Pizza Pub, Loblolly Theatre only holds 3550 people.

“The intimate atmosphere makes the audience feel like they’re a part of the play,” Goodness said.

With a smaller theatre, everything else is downscaled. There are only eight lights for

the stage, which leaves even less room for props. Since the theatre is in a historic building, nothing can be nailed into the wall. This, of course, is only looked at as an advantage.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of time on scenery,” Reed said. “Part of our philosophy is that small theatre is important, too. The additional things are wonderful and enriching, but our main thing is acting and writing.”

No script, no scenery, no problem. The Loblolly Theatre has big stage presence, even if it doesn’t all fit on stage.

“I go to everything,” Reed said. “I love big theatres and the opera, but I believe in this theatre.” info@inweekly.net

“LILY’S LOUNGE” WHEN: Friday, Feb. 18 through Saturday, April 2 WHERE: Loblolly Theatre, 1010 N. 12th Ave., Suite 211 COST: $9 DETAILS: 439-3010, or loblollytheatre.com

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850.934.3436 832 Gulf Breeze Parkway

the public record

Dear Maxwell, I’d like to know the history of the Pensacola Lighthouse. Could you help me out?

--Laura O.

........................

Every good port needs a good lighthouse, and Pensacola’s no exception. The Pensacola Lighthouse, also called the Pensacola Light, was built in 1858 and still stands overlooking Pensacola Bay. But it wasn’t the first in town.

Oddly enough, the first lighthouse in Pensacola wasn’t a house at all—it was a ship. In 1823, the Florida legislature petitioned the federal government to build a much-needed lighthouse in Pensacola. The government responded by stationing a lightship called Aurora Borealis at the mouth of the bay. The boat featured a 55foot mast from which lanterns were hung to light the way.

Although the lightship was welcomed, it was understood that it was only a temporary fix. Congress had already appropriated $6,000 for construction of a permanent lighthouse.

In April 1824, a New England lighthouse builder named Winslow Lewis won the contract with the low bid of $4,927. A site was chosen just west of Fort Barrancas, and construction began six months later. The work progressed rapidly, and on Dec. 20, 1824, the new lighthouse lit the horizon for the first time.

The light fixture in the new tower consisted of 10 individual whale oil lamps with reflectors. With five lamps on one side, and five on the other, they created two beams of light. The lamps sat on a platform that rotated using a

BY MAXWELL CHASE

clockwork system powered by weights. The rotation of the two beams created the illusion of a flashing light that was visible from 15-20 miles from shore.

But the new lighthouse didn’t last long. From the beginning, it was plagued by design flaws and mechanical failures. In 1851, Congress finally addressed the growing list of criticisms. They launched an investigation and found that Lewis’ lighthouse was inadequate. In 1854, Congress appropriated $25,000 for building a bigger, better lighthouse at a new location.

Two years later they kicked in another $30,000 to ensure that the project was first class.

The task of building the new lighthouse fell on the shoulders of Capt.

John Newton of the Army Corps of Engineers.

Newton’s lighthouse was built a halfmile west of the original lighthouse on a higher bluff. The light beams were at a height of 191 feet above sea level—over double the visibility of the previous lighthouse. In addition to added height, the tower was outfitted with the Fresnel system. Instead of using multiple lamps, the Fresnel system used one oil lamp that sat inside a beehive-shaped lens composed of prisms that diffused the light many times.

The Pensacola Lighthouse went on to survive Civil War artillery fire, hurricanes and even an earthquake. For over 150 years it has stood as a monument to Pensacola’s place as a port city. Today, the facilities are maintained by the Pensacola Lighthouse Association through a lease with the U.S. Coast Guard.

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EVERY GOOD PORT NEEDS A GOOD LIGHTHOUSE, AND PENSACOLA’S NO EXCEPTION. THE PENSACOLA LIGHTHOUSE, ALSO CALLED THE PENSACOLA LIGHT, WAS BUILT IN 1858 AND STILL STANDS OVERLOOKING PENSACOLA BAY.

Do you have a local histor y question for The Public Record?

Email it to thepublicrecord@inweekly.net & we’ll see what we can dig up.

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

23

news of the weird THE EAR HAS A “G-SPOT,” explained the Santa Clara, Calif., ear-nose-and-throat surgeon, and thus the moans of ecstasy that Vietnamese “ear pickers” reportedly elicit from their clients might well be justified. A San Jose Mercury News reporter, dispatched to Ho Chi Minh City in January to check it out, learned that barber shop technicians could sometimes coax “eargasms” (as they removed wax) by tickling a certain spot next to the ear drum served by multiple nerve endings and paper-thin skin. Said one female client, “Everybody is afraid the first time, but after, it’s, ‘Oh my God!’” Said one Vietnamese man, returning home after a trip abroad, and who went immediately from the airport to a “hot toc” parlor for a picking, “(This) brings a lot of happiness.”

THE CONTINUING CRISIS Two San Francisco-area counselors recently formed Men of Tears — a male support group to encourage crying, according to a January San Francisco Chronicle reporter, who observed as nine men recounted touching events in their lives, accompanied by tears that, according to the counselors, make them emotionally stronger and less hostile. One of the counselors praised the recent public cries by Speaker of the House John Boehner and hoped that President Obama (who stopped just short of tears at the memorial service for victims of the recent Tucson, Ariz., shootings) would someday step over that line.

• Disabled wheelchair user Jim Starr, 36, of Dorchester, England, was recently ordered off of public roads because his “chair” is too big. Authorities told him that his custom-made, motorized chair with caterpillar treads instead of wheels, which moves like a tank, would have to be licensed like one (“Category H” vehicle, one category higher than a “road roller”).

Starr said his chair was the only way he could play at the beach with his kids.

BELOVED BANKER: In December, J.P. Morgan Chase abruptly ended a program that had allowed military personnel to defer paying on Chase-owned student loans while on active duty. (2) Three weeks later, NBC News reported that Chase’s mortgage division had long been ignoring a federal military protection law by charging 4,000 active-duty personnel higher mortgage-interest rates than permitted (and improperly foreclosing on 14 of them). (3) That same week, Chase was found to be advertising (through an agent) a foreclosed-on, 5-year-old house in Rexburg, Idaho, without adequate notice that it was infested with “thousands” of garter snakes. (In February, Chase reinstated the student-loan deferments and apologized for ignoring the federal law.)

OOPS! Three men visiting Philadelphia in

24 | INDEPENDENT NEWS |

December were charged with a severalstore robbery spree, and perhaps luckily for them, they were quickly arrested.

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

BY CHUCK SHEPPARD The police report noted that one of the victims (who had a gun waved in her face) was Terri Staino, 38, the owner of John Anthony Hair Styling for Men, who is also the husband of Anthony Staino — reputed to be the No. 2 man in the South Philadelphia mob, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

• Alex Good, 15, practicing tee shots with his high school golf team on a rainy day underneath a golf course awning, had one of his drives hit the metal pole holding the awning up, causing the ball to ricochet into his eye, resulting in likely permanent damage. Despite the fact that the pole was directly in front of the tee, inches away, Good nonetheless charged the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (Hillsboro, Ore.) with negligence and filed a $3 million lawsuit in January.

• How Not to Do a Laser Bronchoscopy: First, according to a case written up in December in the Massachusetts Medical Law Report, do not let the laser set fire to the patient’s throat. More importantly, if a spark does ignite, do not use the everyday home remedy for a small f lame, i.e., try to blow it out — because blowing down the “trach” tube might actually extend the fire, as it did here. (The surgeon and hospital were not named; the lawsuit resulting from the patient’s death was settled out of court.)

BRIGHT IDEAS Edward Hall III, 24, a Columbia University researcher, was arrested in January for trespassing at JFK airport in New York City after he disobeyed United Airlines personnel and tried an alternative method to board a plane. He told ticket agents he badly needed to be on the f light to San Francisco even though he had forgotten to bring a photo ID. Frustrated, Hall stepped behind the counter and crawled onto the luggage conveyor, where his next stop, minutes later, was the tarmac where bags were being loaded and where he was arrested.

• A suburban Chicago high school health-class instructor’s technique for teaching the names of female reproductive parts caught the ire of the Illinois Family Institute religious organization in January. To some of the kids, teacher Jacqulyn Levin’s “game” was nothing more than a mnemonic to facilitate memorizing the anatomy, but others told the institute that Levin’s play on words was chantable, could be set to the tune of the “Hokey Pokey,” and was referred to by several students as “the vagina dance.”

Said a complaining parent, “It is disrespectful to women and removes modesty about the reproductive parts.”

Send your Weird News to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to www.NewsoftheWeird.com.

FROM UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE CHUCK SHEPHERD’S NEWS OF THE WEIRD

by Chuck Shepherd COPYRIGHT 2010 CHUCK SHEPHERD

Leadership Pensacola: Producing Commit ted Leaders

LEADERSHIP PENSACOLA DELVES INTO LOCAL ECONOMY

BY JENNIFER ALLEN

The Leadership Pensacola class of 2011 has a passion for this community and the many opportunities that await. For the February LeaP day program, the class had the opportunity to engage with leaders who are focused on the economic development of our region. Our area is on the brink of economic growth, and some of the major projects – from the Community Maritime Park to Vision 2015 - were on the agenda.

The program was scheduled by LeaP alumni Cheryl Kirby, Patrick Rooney, Paula Roe Turner and David Sansing.

Bentina Terry, vice president of external affairs and corporate services at Gulf Power, engaged the class in a presentation on Project 30, an initiative of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Project 30 encompasses six pillars of Florida’s future economy. Of those include not only the obvious job creation but aspects of our economy that are often overlooked such as permitting, political term limits, researchoriented jobs and the quality of life. Bentina painted the big picture of where our state needs to be within the next 20 years and the plan to get there.

LeaP class members had a chance to experience tangible economic development by touring the Community Maritime Park. Donning their hardhats, class members engaged with city employees and construction executives to discuss the future impact the site would have on our community.

On the forefront of economic development for our community is the impact of the recent Gulf oil spill. Both Rick Harper, interim director of the UWF Office of Economic Development and Engagement and Buck Lee, executive director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, had a great deal of insight on the past, present and future of the oil spill and its effects. As the saga of the oil spill and BP funding remain in the spotlight, both officials remain optimistic that our local tourism numbers are on the rise.

The bulk of the afternoon was used for a hightech panel discussion with local companies such as Avalex, KAMedata, ActiGraph, H2 Performance Consulting and IMS Expert Services. LeaP members were highly impressed with the entrepreneurial

spirit and innovative thinking of the executives.

At many points in the panel discussion, the topic of retaining local talent and growing the current companies in our area came up.

Following the discussion was Jim Hizer, president and CEO of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about the progress of Vision 2015, the chamber’s five-year plan to grow 3,000 jobs in the region.

By the end of the day, LeaP class members left with a strong understanding of where our local economy stands and the future plans for growth.

LEAP CLASS 2011 Liz Adams, David Allen, Lauren Anzaldo, Ross Atherton, Buffi Barrineau Bailey, Ryan Barnett, Carissa Bergosh, Ellis W. Bullock IV, Michael Capps, Ashley Coggin, Sonya Davis, Stefanie Emery Hoffman, Daniel Ewert, Charmere N. Gatson, Andre C. Hall, Brooke Hicks, Matthew C. Hoffman, Shawn B. Hutcherson, Jennifer Knisbell, Rebekah Ann Lee, Russell F. Lentz, Sonia L. Lott, Susan Lovelady, John Lund, Doug Lurton, Melissa Martin, Trip Maygarden, Leah McCreary, Ruth McKinon, Nasya McSwain, Kara R. Melendez, Scott Moore, Kevin D. Nelson, Todd O’Brien, Karen T. Pope, Amie Remington, Kismet J. Rideau, Ryan Ross, Sandy Sims, Mark Taylor, Kris Thoma, Greg Thomas, Scot Thomas, Hong Tran, Beth Varhalla, Frank White and Audrey S. Young

UPCOMING EVENTS March 10, 2011 Quality of Life The class will examine and explore the positive and negative aspects of our community’s quality of life. They will discuss the meaning of quality of life for the various socio-economic groups in Northwest Florida while exploring the importance of cultural organizations and activities in the life of the community. Chairs: Leslie Keck, Jackie Barclay, Angela Neumann, Jerold Hall

March 30-31, 2011 Tallahassee Trip The Tallahassee trip will focus on how the legislative process impacts how we live, work and play in Northwest Florida and how the lobbying process differs in session and out of session. The class will have the opportunity to speak with their legislators and staffs regarding the issues that are important to them.

April 14, 2011 Leadership & Ethics During Leadership and Ethics day, the class will discuss the interrelationships among leaders in the community. They will identify the risks, rewards and challenges of leadership and the bond between leadership and ethics. Chairs: Marina Holley, Ted Gorder, Jeff Nall

May 13, 2011 Closing Retreat The class will reflect on the LeaP curriculum and explore lessons learned during the past nine months. They will explore new individual and team challenges at the high ropes course at Adventures Unlimited and are encouraged to apply the LeaP experience to a future course of action. Chairs: Melissa Chapman, Sparkie Folkers, Brett Berg

The History of Leadership Pensacola A task force was established by the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 18, 1981, to establish Leadership Escambia and Pensacola.

The original members of the steering committee were Dick Appleyard, Earle Bowden, Rick Dye, Isabella Grimes, Ed Hartsell, Donald Jones and Ginger Bass. The Junior League of Pensacola was an original source of funding for the program. The program began in the fall of 1982 and graduated its first class in 1983.

For more information on Leadership Pensacola or to inquire about applying for the class of 2012, call Jennifer Allen at (850) 438-4081 or visit www.pensacolachamber.com/LeaP

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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26 | INDEPENDENT NEWS |

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

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THE UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD EDITED BY TIMOTHY E. PARKER ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS by Sheila Dunkirk

ACROSS 1 Jane Austen novel ACROSS 1 Legislators pass them 5 Letter-toSanta word 9 Side post of a door 13 Oil cartel letters 14 Intestinal obstruction 16 Slender instrument 17 1980 Winter Olympics host 18 Part of Long Island 20 Despised 22 Bookworm 23 Sleeveless garments 24 Some kitchen or workshop utensils 25 Gen Xer’s dad 27 Start an Internet session 28 ___ Khan 29 Voice an objection 31 Instruments like 16-Across 35 More, proverbially 37 “Is it too risky for me?”

39 Jib or spinnaker 40 “Same here” 42 Snooty denial 4 4 ___ Paulo, Brazil 45 Wooden container 47 Delicately suggestive 49 What you might knot 52 Hamelin’s flutist 53 Prepare to remove a sneaker 54 The killing of a king 57 Stylish Miami area 59 Shaped like an egg or a face 60 Fortuneteller’s lead-in 61 Middle of three black keys

JUSTIN PIERCE

RECREATION SUPERVISOR, CITY OF PENSACOLA What is your chief characteristic?

Integrity What do you appreciate most about your friends?

Loyalty Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Wolverine What is the best thing you have ever won?

An electronic rocking horse worth $1,000 at an FRPA conference in Orlando What did your mother always tell you?

“Life isn’t fair.”

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

62 Cry weakly, as a kitten 63 Pool opening?

64 Yellow Monopoly bills 65 Directional suffixes DOWN 1 Like ­obnoxiously colored clothes 2 Choir recess 3 California’s locale 4 Horror-movie sound 5 Spent the cold months (in) 6 Athol Fugard play: “A ­Lesson from ___” 7 Stereotypical pocket-protector wearer 8 Palindromic boy king 9 Classical Brahms 10 Place to live 11 Certain mushroom 12 They’re drawn in bars 15 Indication of indifference 19 Cancun mister 21 Went like a leadfoot

24 25 26 27

Golfers’ shouts Lip soother S-shaped molding “Foreign Affairs” ­Pulitzer ­winner Alison 30 Nonglossy 32 New York strait 33 Old telephone feature 34 ___ gin fizz 36 Teacher of Plato 38 Thoughtful views 41 Spinachy plant 43 Language spoken

by Amazonian natives 46 One-celled organism (Var.) 48 Turn into 49 Orchestra output 50 Win by ___ (barely beat) 51 This puzzle has many 52 Pie flavor 54 Respiratory sound 55 When the rooster crows 56 Some building extensions 58 Semiaquatic salamander

What is the worst idea you’ve ever had?

As a camp counselor, kids dared me to jump over a ball field fence. My feet got caught up and I went down head first.

What is your favorite food?

Chinese Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be able to play the guitar. “Guitar Hero” sold me fake dreams. I bought an acoustic guitar and have never been so frustrated in my life.

What movie do you love to watch repeatedly?

“Life” featuring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence What was your most embarrassing moment?

While demonstrating my jump shot to my favorite teacher, my pants fell down. I balled up in a corner, and my mother (the Principal) had to come get me out. I was 11.

What TV show is your guilty pleasure?

Currently “Detroit 1-8-7” What is the last book you read?

“Death by Meeting” What is your theme song?

“Everything’s Not Lost” by Coldplay

INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

27

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INDEPENDENT NEWS | FEBRUARY 17, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |