Skip to main content

Inweekly Dec. 20 2018 Issue

Page 1

Independent News | December 20, 2018 | Volume 19 | Number 51 | Cry Baby Model: Poppy Nalepa

FREE â–ś


winners & losers

outtakes

4

news

5

6, 8

This story is different. It focuses on what life is like afterwards.

buzz

cover feature

10

13

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Michael Daw

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, C.S. Satterwhite, Stephanie Sharp

Give the gift of fitness! Get a head start on 2019 and receive 1 month free!

contact us info@inweekly.net

a&e 17

Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2018 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Stock Market Losses? Hire a lawyer who is a former Merril Lynch stock broker.

Gene e. mitchell attorney and counsellor at law

Representing retirees and other investors 100 S Alcaniz St. • 850.469.1144 email Pensacolafl@anytimefitness.com anytimefitness.com 22

850-232-5278 11 east romana street

www.attorneygenemitchell.com inweekly.net


@VOLUMEONESALON December 20, 2018

3


winners & losers

Matt Gaetz / Courtesy Photo

winners

MATT GAETZ Politico has named Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) to its annual Power List, showcasing 19 politicians, activists and behind-the-scenes players whom it believes will "play a critical role in the political landscape leading up to 2020." Gaetz easily won re-election this year. He has President Donald Trump on speed dial. He also was an early supporter of Ron DeSantis for governor and has been a key player in DeSantis' transition team. Gaetz has become the most influential politician in Northwest Florida. RUSSENBERGER FOUNDATION The

University of West Florida has announced a $50,000 gift to the Argo Athletic Band from The Russenberger Foundation. Inspired by a passion for music, this donation will grow and support one of UWF's newest traditions. A check presentation was held at an event in the music parlor of the Russenbergers' home last month, where the band performed and guests were encouraged to make contributions to the program. The Russenbergers' gift will be used to meet a variety of needs for the band including scholarships, instruments, uniforms and potential travel costs.

THE KRICKETS

AVALON MIDDLE SCHOOL National Beta

presents

RadioLive adioLive

recently announced Avalon Middle as a 20182019 National School of Distinction. This award is an honor for Beta Chapters striving towards academic achievement, exemplary character, demonstrated leadership and service to others. With an ongoing quest to instill these qualities in more students, the National Beta School of Distinction Award honors those schools that show an increase in membership for the current school year.

losers

ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES Office

of the Inspector General revealed that the consulting company hired by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to recruit and hire 7,500 applicants, including Customs and Border Protection officers, Border Patrol agents and Air and Marine Interdiction agents, is "nowhere near" completing its hiring goals and "risks wasting millions of taxpayer dollars." The audit found that as of Oct. 1, CBP had paid Accenture Federal Services approximately $13.6 million of a $297 million contract but had processed only "two accepted job offers" after 10 months.

MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS SAFETY COMMISSION The panel released

its school safety recommendations that included calling for the arming of teachers. The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence blasted the recommendation, "We believe that arming teachers is, for many reasons, a bad idea. For example, there are liability issues, increased costs to school districts, workplace shootings and the threat of unintentional gun discharges that school districts must confront if school personnel are armed."

BREVARD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT The Florida Department of Law Enforcement found that district officials manipulated the process for hiring a lobbying firm two years ago, after a 12-month investigation. The FDLE report was critical of certain district officials, including former Superintendent Desmond Blackburn. While the agency found said laws had been broken, the report said the school officials' conduct was "highly improper, highly unethical and very disturbing." This sounds very familiar.

THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH at the Museum of Commerce in Historic Pensacola

Featuring

THE KRICKETS BILL & KATE ISLES THE WINTERLINGS 44

01/03/19

6:00 p.m. Doors 5:00 p.m.

Tickets $10

available at wuwf.org 850.474.2787

Broadcast LIVE on 88.1 FM

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

127 Palafox Place Suite 100 (850)466-3115 autumnbeckblackledge.com inweekly.net


417 E ZARRAGOSSA ST. outtakes

By Rick Outzen

Downtown Charming Historic Seville Cottage with waterview views of Pensacola Bay from rear. Features hardwood floors & windows along the front facade giving lots of light as you enter this well-designed Residence built in 1865 by the Moreno family. • $1,100,000

PATHS CROSSED As the end of 2018 nears, I like to reminisce on the many people who crossed my path throughout the year. These are a few that stood out.

RAYMOND REESE

In January, Nancy Jean Jenkins, 55, was hit by a car while trying to cross West Cervantes Street near Attucks Court. She died the next morning. In March, Faith Shoemore, 39, died after being hit near the H Street intersection. The late Raymond Reese asked for us to point out the deaths were preventable if only Cervantes had better lighting. I did try to expose the hazard, but no one had a sense of urgency. The city had made a request of Triumph Gulf Coast to improve the road though Brownsville and preferred to wait for the funding. On May 28, Raymond passed away. A week later, a 28-year-old woman and a baby were killed when they were struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. This time, city officials listened and promised to add more lighting. Today when I drive on Cervantes, I think of how many lives may have been saved if city hall had listened to Raymond. I regret he didn't live to see the improvements.

the Women Who Will Run the World." I made the trip in part to promote my novel, "City of Grudges," but I also wanted to visit with Jennifer's family and pay tribute to my college classmate Dana Palmieri Drago, Jennifer's oldest sister. Dana and I were shy freshmen who became friends while sitting in the Zoology lab in 1975. After graduation, she had a successful career in banking. Dana passed away last year from early-onset Alzheimer's. In Oxford, I got to spend time with Dana's daughter, Becca, Jennifer and their family and friends. I told them about what Ole Miss was like in the '70s, family, politics and writing over dinner at Central Grocery. It was a wonderful evening.

On camera, I tried to hold my own and represent Pensacola well.

PALMIERI FAMILY

In April, I traveled to Oxford, Miss., for a book event at Square Books. I shared the stage with Jennifer Palmieri, author of "Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to

SEVILLE SQUARE REALTY, LLC Cheryl Young Licensed Real Estate Broker

308 E. Government St. • Pensacola, Florida 32502

(850) 712-4742

www.sevillesquare.net • cheryl@sevillesquare.net

Licensed in Florida & Alabama

MIKE & MIKE & ELISE

"City of Grudges" got me an appearance on "Morning Joe" with Joe and Mika Scarborough. The hosts and MSNBC staff couldn't have been more gracious. My highlight was to be on the same panel with awarding columnists Mike Lupica and Mike Barnicle and Holly Springs, Miss., native Elise Jordan. On camera, I tried to hold my own and represent Pensacola well. Off camera, Lupica wanted to talk Ole Miss football and the Manning family. Barnicle discussed politics and investigative reporting. Jordan asked about my visit to Square Books and Oxford. I was in heaven. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

ARRESTED? (ALL FEDERAL & STATE COURTS)

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES (HEALTH-CARE FRAUD • DRUG OFFENSES & D.U.I.s)

FREE CONSULTATION ON INJURY / DEATH CASES & CRIMINAL CASES NO RECOVERY - NO FEE / COST ON PERSONAL INJURY & WRONGFUL DEATH CASES

24 HOUR SERVICE

433-9922

304 E. GOVERNMENT STREET December 20, 2018

5


CHANGING THE CITY'S CULTURE

Grover Robinson / Courtesy Photo

By Jeremy Morrison The gears within Pensacola City Hall are constantly churning. Sometimes, such as when communication breakdowns between the executive and legislative branches of city government devolve into petty squabbles, kamikaze ego trips or the occasional lawsuit, the gears make a stomach-wrenching, teeth-gnashing sort of sound. Other times, when affairs unfold with a minimum of hiccups, the gears hum along reasonably smoothly. A few weeks into Mayor Grover Robinson's term, the gears at city hall appear to be humming along nicely, even with whispers of alligator wrestling.

"Right now, we've been trying to handle the alligators closest to the boat. If I haven't gotten to you yet, that means you don't have any alligators." Grover Robinson "Right now, we've been trying to handle the alligators closest to the boat," Robinson joked with city staff and city council members during a Dec. 13 meeting. "If I haven't gotten to you yet, that means you don't have any alligators." Heading into what he described as his "biggest week so far," Mayor Robinson had a full calendar that promised to offer citizens a good taste of what they might expect from the new mayor. If the snapshot proves to be any indication of what lies ahead, they can expect efforts at a smooth running apparatus built on collaboration both inside and outside city hall. The mayor's week entailed meeting with his newly elected counterparts in Milton 66

and Gulf Breeze, holding a meeting with Escambia County officials and also sitting down for the first time with the Pensacola City Council.

REACHING OUT

Joint meetings between the city of Pensacola and Escambia County have not been a common occurrence in recent years. Mayor Robinson, who spent 12 years on the board of county commissioners, has said he wants to begin meeting regularly with the county and held his first such meeting Dec. 11 to discuss a handful of issues he considers ripe for city-county collaboration. "It went well, very well," Robinson said after the meeting. Among the topics discussed with county staff and Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May was working together on improvements along Burgess Road, which has portions in both the city and county, and the possibility of accommodating activities of the Gulf Coast Citizens Diplomacy Council at city hall to alleviate a county space crunch. Robinson also dug into a matter that Assistant County Administrator Amy Lovoy had brought to him earlier. County employees and their dependents enjoy county healthcare services, and she suggested the city consider also taking advantage of those services. As the mayor explained during his Dec. 10 press conference, he had always thought the county and its employees fared well under such an arrangement. "What we saw at the county was it helped slow down the acceleration for the cost of health insurance for our employees by us having that opportunity to be able to catch things faster, solve things faster," Robinson said. "Having that amenity there

for the employees, it also really helped us save money." Another discussion the mayor began with Escambia County was the notion that the city and county should attempt to work together toward dealing with the issues of homelessness and panhandling. The city has traditionally leaned toward punitive ordinances on this front, some of which have been critiqued as inhumane, unconstitutional or both and attracted successful lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and others. Robinson painted homelessness and panhandling as separate issues that are sometimes linked. He hinted at a multipronged approach that continued to rely on ordinances to deal with panhandling but also explores potentials for easing the local pains of homelessness, such as the creation of a come-as-you-are shelter that does not have the same prohibitions other area shelters have. "I do believe that it is essential that we work together with the county and create some kind of master plan for how we deal with this that will really tackle not only ordinance issues for us to deal with panhandling," the mayor said, "but to come forward with a plan and probably some funding to tackle homelessness and put some resources towards homelessness." Robinson said he hopes to make the city-county meetings a regular thing, getting together perhaps twice a month.

DANCING IN THE LION'S DEN

Pensacola City Council's first engagements with Mayor Robinson weren't all sunshine and rainbows, but they weren't bad, either. They were about what you would expect from executive and legislative branches.

" I expect them to work with me, and they have my commitment that I'll work with them." Robinson "There was a discussion; there was give and take and the beginning of a relationship," Robinson said, looking back at his first two city council encounters. "We're not always going to agree, and I don't expect them to agree with me always. I expect them to work with me, and they have my commitment that I'll work with them." Pensacola City Council began its week with an agenda review session on Monday and then held its December meeting on Thursday. Robinson attended both, readily striding into the weeds of whatever matter found itself before the council. In addition to more routine items that required council's weigh-in, there were

a few issues on this month's agenda that provided a playing field on which the mayor and council could volley opposing views. While the disagreements were more cordial than dramatic, such discussions gave a glimpse of how the city council and the new mayor might work on matters with inherent divides. The mayor, in fact, dove headfirst into a pool of slight contention when he requested the city council tweak rules governing public input portions of municipal meetings. After some members of the public did not get an opportunity to speak during a Dec. 5 meeting of the city's Architectural Review Board, Robinson asked the council to require a verbal call for public comments during meetings. "I would like us to give every opportunity for individuals who want to speak," he told council members. While city meetings—ranging from advisory boards to the city council—all feature a required public forum, people typically have to fill out a comment form and turn it in for a turn at the lectern. The mayor asked that comments be verbally solicited. "I would rather amend our policy, so we go overboard," Robinson said. Not everyone on the city council seemed thrilled at the request. They pointed to the already-mandated public input forum and began "wondering if there's a lighter touch" than changing policy. In the end, council acquiesced on a 5-2 vote. The mayor found more unanimous success on another ask from the council—the approval of the city's legislative priority list—though he had to field some pushback there, too. Primarily, council members were ticked that the list had been provided to them just days shy of its presentation to the area's legislative delegation and also that some of their preferred projects hadn't made the list. Robinson explained that the list had needed quick attention and that he wished there had been more time to bounce it around with council. The mayor said he understood the frustration and agreed with them. "I don't like this process either," Robinson said. "I can assure you, next year we will be engaging you much earlier in the process, but at this particular time, we don't have a lot of time; we've got to approve something." And while the mayor's first foray into council's chambers had a few moments of backand-forth, council members seemed optimistic and encouraged to have someone in the room and engaged. "It is wonderful to have you with us," Councilman P.C. Wu told Robinson. "There were several cases today of things that came up that probably would have been delayed two months, and you were able to give us an answer. I remember one time, Councilwoman Myers just looked over and said, 'How do you feel about that?' That helps." {in} inweekly.net


Monday, December 31

Kazoo’s ’ Rockin’ Eve 6 - 8 PM at Blue Wahoos Stadium

Free! Open to the public

• • • • •

Pelican Drop at 8 p.m.

Stadium concessions open On-field activities for fans of all ages Live performances by local bands Fireworks The Pelican Drop

Kazoo’s Rockin’ Eve is presented by

Exclusive Event: Exclusive seating • Buffet-style gourmet dinner

New Year’s On The Bay Enjoy New Year’s Eve in style from the Hancock Whitney Club at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Executive Chef Jason Perry will serve a gourmet buffet-style feast while fans enjoy fireworks and the Pelican Drop from the best seats in Pensacola at this exclusive New Year’s Eve party!

December 20, 2018

Adult Tickets: $75 (available online, by phone, or in person) Child Tickets: $20 (12 & under, available in-person at box office)

Monday, December 31 • 6:30 - 8 PM BlueWahoos.com • (850) 934-8444 Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St., Pensacola, Fl 32502

7


A STORY OF LIFE AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT

By Sarah Mc Wilson Throughout 2018, we experienced a hashtag blossom into a bold, beautiful movement of survivors coming forward to tell their stories of sexual harassment and assault. With two simple words making up a powerful declaration, women around the world joined together in strength, in solidarity, in community, to say "me too." Next Thursday evening, Dec. 27, Arrant Knavery, Inc. and Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre are partnering to bring a special event tied to the #MeToo movement to the Pensacola community. These two local theatre companies are presenting a staged

reading of "The Flora and Fauna," a two-woman play that presents what life after sexual assault looks like for survivors. "We are choosing to bring this play into being because we fully support the #MeToo movement," said Madeline Smith, vice president and co-founder of Arrant Knavery. "It is time for survivors to stand up, be heard and be believed, if they are comfortable going public. The more we as a society accept and validate survivors of assault, the more these survivors can heal and the more they [other survivors] will know they can come forward if they choose to." Smith, together with Ashley McGlothren, president and founder of Arrant Knavery, first crossed paths with "The Flora and Fauna" through an intersectional theatre group on Facebook called "Women+ in Theatre" for women, trans women and non-binary folks. "During the height of Brett Kavanaugh's hearings, playwright Alyson Mead decided to offer her play, waived of royalties, to any group members who would stage a reading of the play where 100% of proceeds would benefit the #MeToo movement," explained Smith. According to a note from the playwright herself, "'The Flora and Fauna' was inspired by a single line from the famous letter read in court during the Stanford rape case. During the Kenyon Playwriting Conference, Atlantic Theatre's Abby Katz challenged us to include elements of ritual and community in our work, and the play began to come together very shortly after."

Ultimately, this play is said to be a story of female friendship, vulnerability and intimacy. "A lot of stories about sexual assault and violence focus on the act itself. This story is different," said McGlothren. "It focuses on what life is like afterwards. We see how survivors deal with the day to day, the mundane tasks of life, after they have endured an assault." Â

"A lot of stories about sexual assault and violence focus on the act itself. This story is different." Ashley McGlothren

matters. "Theatre is one of the greatest tools there is to paint a picture for society," said McGlothren. "To show them [society] something that must be given attention or sometimes to hold up a mirror and say 'we must be better'... I think that is exactly the purpose of this show." "I hope the audience not only goes away with an understanding of how one event in a person's life can result in years of repercussions but also how we can and should support these women who have been abused in some way and continue to try and rid our society of the stigma of victim shame," affirmed Dickson. "Yes, this story is about rape, but it's also about a powerful friendship between these women that evolves through this traumatic event. It's about the connection, pain and love that these two women share throughout their lives. Tickets are $10 at the door, and 100% of proceeds will be donated to #MeToo through Girls for Gender Equity, the official fiscal sponsor for the movement. Casks and Flights has donated space to host this event and is additionally donating 5% of drink sales from the evening to the cause. Haley Morrissette from Lakeview Center will be set up with a booth dedicated to victim resources. {in}

For this local production of "The Flora and Fauna," Smith acts as narrator, and the play is otherwise composed of two friends, represented by McGlothren, alongside Nicole Dickson, owner and director of Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre. "It's a powerful play that seamlessly blends humor and pathos and gives you a very real glimpse into the two women's lives. There are several raw moments in the play where the situations the characters are in make them incredibly vulnerable and relatable," said Dickson. For Smith, this play and the #MeToo More information and a donation link for movement are of personal significance. #MeToo can be found at ggenyc.org/donate. "'The Flora and Fauna' examines how a sexual assault survivor may be impacted over the course of their life—not just sexually, but all aspects of their personality and actions," she said. "As a surviWHAT: Arrant Knavery, Inc. and ICMThevor myself, that's very powerful and, in atre present "The Flora and Fauna" a way, oddly comforting. Survivors have WHERE: Casks and Flights Wine Tasting been silent and suffered in private for Room, 121 S. Palafox, Suite B so long. It feels good to know that even WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27 (doors though you can't erase your assault, you at 6 p.m.; readings begin at 6:30 p.m.) are not alone in surviving it." COST: $10 This production and movement DETAILS: facebook.com/arrantknavery align with Arrant Knavery's intention of bringing attention to issues that

THE FLORA AND FAUNA

EATS, DRINKS & SMILES BIG ASS SMILES @THEMAGNOLIAEPH NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS 88

inweekly.net


December 20, 2018

9


up 99-year leases subject to automatic renewal and with low annual fees to attract investment and development to the beach's white sands. District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said the county commission should look at requiring any condominium lease fee renegotiations in the future go through the board first. Barry stated it might take "20 years realistically" to make island residents pay their fair share of revenues to the county just like property owners on the mainland do. He added, "Right now, there is nothing we can do but complain." District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender, whose district includes Pensacola Beach, said he would work to align beach and mainland assessments. He said, "I knew what I signed up for in the campaign, and I'm willing to tackle it." Jeff Bergosh / Courtesy Photo

BEACH LEASE FEES EXAMINED At the Committee of the Whole last week, Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh made a presentation showing the Beach Club Towers and Emerald Isle condominium owners on Pensacola Beach received a sweetheart deal during renegotiations of lease fees in 2016. The 128 units at Beach Club pay the Santa Rosa Island Authority $23,593.78 annually in lease fees, which equals $184.33 per condo, Bergosh reported. Meanwhile, another slide showed the 128-unit Emerald Isle pays $65,610.44 or $512.58 per unit annually. Doing the math, it adds up to $92 million in lost revenue over the term of the condominiums' leases, Bergosh pointed out. "This is borderline scandalous," Bergosh said. "I don't want to be taken to the cleaners." For years, Pensacola Beach residents and Escambia County officials have fought over paying the equivalent of property taxes that landowners on the mainland do. The federal government deeded the property to the county in 1947 and forbid ownership by residents. The county set

TRANSITION TIMELINES SET At its Dec. 13 meeting, Mayor Grover Robinson's transition team staff laid out a detailed timeline counting down to completion in March. Members marked their calendars for these key dates: public meetings have to be wrapped by Jan. 25, with draft reports due Jan. 31 and final reports due by Feb. 21. Chair Quint Studer asked team members to particularly focus in their reports on issues that Robinson could immediately and feasibly address. "We want to find things that we can truly implement effectively," agreed Robinson, "and will make city government better." The mayor's transition team—tasked with assessing various areas of the city government and its relationship to the community—has been at work a few weeks now. And as members began detailing their work in their specific areas of assignment, it became apparent that there were instances of overlap occurring. That must have already been obvious, though, as the topic was on the day's slated agenda. Specifically, the group has found that multiple team members—each assigned areas like governance, environment and

education—will be digging into the same material, such as health-related input or public safety statistics. To address this issue, members decided to schedule topical meetings covering common areas of crossover. Meetings will address issues such as education, health, walkability and public safety. Additionally, the team's staff said it intended to begin building time into the group's regular meetings to address specific topics in order to solicit feedback on that issue specifically. During the meeting, transition team members detailed the work they have conducted thus far in their respective fields of focus, as well as their plans moving forward. The transition team also discussed the two of projects before the Triumph Gulf Coast board. The Triumph board recently issued the city a deadline extension to secure the funding match for a grant that would expand ST Engineering at the airport but was less than enthusiastic about a second project to develop a marine technology research center at the port. Studer requested that team member Julie Sheppard, who works with the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, outline the marine research project that the Triumph board passed on. The project—being put forward by IHMC, the city, Escambia County and the University of West Florida— proposes creating a research center focused on marine innovations. "Our proposal was a way to try to create high wage jobs in an industry that doesn't really exist here," Sheppard said, "to put Pensacola on the map as a place that we do that kind of work." Both Sheppard and Mayor Robinson said that the $50 million project, which is seeking to get $15 million in Triumph funding, needed to be reframed to the Triumph board, stressing that its research-based jobs should be seen as valuable and potentially having ramifications with exponentially bigger payoffs. Sheppard said she thought the project

could potentially make it back before the Triumph board for their consideration on the other side of the New Year. "The proposal is very much alive," Sheppard said. "I think that we're very much on the table."

PEDC REVISIONS At a special meeting

last week, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners approved a series of revisions to how Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) operates. If the Pensacola City Council agrees with the revisions, the changes will be sent to the Florida Legislature to amend the state statute concerning the commission, which is a partnership between county, city and the business community to attract economic development. The current statute was last rewritten in July 1989. The revisions would allow people to serve on its nine-member board if they have major business interests in Escambia County, even if they live outside the county. Another major change concerns who appoints board members. The current statute has the Pensacola Chamber, which no longer manages economic development, and the defunct Committee of 100 appointing members. Under the revisions, FloridaWest, the county's economic development authority, would appoint two private-sector board members, and an elected Town of Century official would be eligible to serve on the PEDC. Other changes simply modernize outdated information and make clarifications. The revisions were approved, 4-1, by the Escambia County Commission with District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill voting against the revisions. Underhill opposed the changes to the state-created PEDC because it had "catastrophic fails," including allowing residents who live outside Escambia County to serve. The PEDC currently receives $550,000 in funding from Escambia County and $300,000 from Pensacola.

MOST INVESTMENT LOSSES ARE FROM PRODUCTS WITH CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS PETER J. MOUGEY

Recovered $250 million on Behalf of over 3,000 Investors

850.435.7000 | LEVINLAW.COM Pensacola, FL 010 1

inweekly.net


MADDOX INDICTED During the governor's race, Republicans attacked the Democratic nominee, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, regarding a federal investigation in the capital city. President Trump even tweeted that Gillum was a "thief." Last week, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida announced two indictments out its investigation of the city of Tallahassee. Gillum, who repeatedly told the media that he wasn't the target of the investigation, was not indicted. Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Maddox and Tallahassee political consultant Janice Paige Carter-Smith were indicted in a 44-count indictment for conspiring to operate a racketeering enterprise that engaged in acts of bank fraud, extortion, honest services fraud and bribery. Maddox and Carter-Smith are also charged with substantive counts of bank fraud, false statements to financial institutions, extortion, honest services fraud, use of interstate facilities in furtherance of bribery, false statements to federal officers, conspiracy to interfere with the lawful function of the IRS and filing false tax returns. Maddox and Carter-Smith allegedly conspired to operate two companies, Governance, Inc. and Governance Services, LLC, as one entity they referred to as "Governance." Per the indictment, Governance was part of a racketeering enterprise that extorted money and accepted bribes from Governance clients under color of Maddox's office and through fear of the economic harm that Maddox could inflict in his position as an influential city commissioner. THE LONG GOODBYE Former Mayor Ashton Hayward had a parting gift for Pensacola residents—high-glossy, trifold mailers listing the highlights of his political career. Homes began receiving the mailer on Friday, Dec. 4—10 days after Mayor Grover Robinson was sworn into office. The flyer focused on economy, taxes & finance, infrastructure, projects and awards. "Before I came into office, we were never focused on growing, and that was why we were getting beat out by other places," wrote Hayward. At his Monday, Dec. 10, press conference, Mayor Robinson said he was surprised when the direct mailer began showing up in residents' mailboxes. "We were totally unaware of it," he told reporters. The mailer was created by Emagination Unlimited, which has handled the airport's marketing during most of Hayward's tenure, at the total cost of $12,595. The ad agency's invoice for 22,700 brochures was dated Sunday, Dec. 2, and will be charged against the budget of the mayor's office. UWF MILESTONE The University of

West Florida last weekend celebrated December 20, 2018

a significant milestone at the Fall 2018 Commencement, awarding the 100,000th degree since the institution opened in 1967. President Martha Saunders conferred 1,777 degrees upon graduates from five academic colleges and the Graduate School, resulting in a total of 100,305 degrees conferred in the institution's history.

MARINE AVIATION MONUMENT

VMAQ Monument Foundation has partnered with the National Naval Aviation Museum to become the future home of its monument to be sculpted by Sandra Van Zandt. The monument will preserve and promote the legacy, history and accomplishments of the Marines who have flown and maintained the EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft for more than 40 years "The National Naval Aviation Museum is excited to host the VMAQ Memorial monument on our campus. We look forward to honoring the great legacy of the USMC EA-6B community with yet another of Sandra Van Zandt's quality sculptures," said Capt. Sterling Gilliam, USN (ret) NNAM director. Van Zandt has ties to the National Naval Aviation Museum, as well. She sculpted The Spirit of Naval Aviation, which has been prominently displayed in the museum's atrium since 1996. For the VMAQ Monument Foundation project, Van Zandt has been commissioned to create three bronze statues representing the Marines who served in the Marine Prowler community—a pilot, an ECMO and an aviation maintenance Marine as they are preparing to launch a flight. "We see our monument as a continuation of the aviation story Sandra began with her sculpture in 1993," said Wayne Qualkinbush, chairman of the foundation board. "None of the stories and sacrifices by the people represented in these sculptures should ever be forgotten."

"None of the stories and sacrifices by the people represented in these sculptures should ever be forgotten." Wayne Qualkinbush Van Zandt was excited to take on this project. She said, "It only takes one generation to forget about history. I think of myself as creating a platform for preserving history and helping people remember. These men and women have done so much for our country, and they should be applauded for it and remembered as heroes."

FILM INDUSTRY REPORT Florida Tax-

Watch's latest research report on Florida's film and television industry recommends that incentives for the industry should be

considered as a part of Florida's overall economic development strategy. "Economic development has been a longtime focus of the Sunshine State," said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. "Florida's businessfriendly tax climate, good weather and beaches have their advantages; however, state policymakers should strongly consider a sound, fiscally-responsible incentive program to help grow targeted industries such as film and television production." Direct film and television industry jobs generated $53 billion in wages nationwide in 2016, with average salaries 42 percent higher than the national average. There were nearly 342,000 jobs in the core business of producing, marketing, manufacturing and distributing motion pictures and television shows. In 2017, there were more than 4, 400 established businesses in Florida's film and entertainment industry, employing more than 26,000 Floridians. With the advent of digital technology and the ability to view content through any number of platforms, job creation and revenue could increase for state and local governments.

ATTENDANCE RECORD Inweekly asked

for the attendance records of the Pensacola City Council from Oct. 1, 2017, through Nov. 8, 2018. Over that period, the council had 56 meetings, which included agenda reviews, CRA, monthly regular meetings, special meetings and workshops. The overall attendance average percentage was 83.9, with regular (96.9 percent) and special meetings (88.1 percent) having the highest attendance percentages. Workshops (54.3 percent) and Community Redevelopment Agency meetings (79.8 percent) had the poorest attendance. Council President Gerald Wingate had the best attendance percentage (94.6 percent), followed by District 7 Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn (91.1 percent). Councilmen Larry Johnson and Andy Terhaar had the most absences, 19 and 12 respectively. Of the 28 agenda reviews and regular council meetings, several council members either arrived late or departed early. Council President Wingate never arrived late or departed early. Council Executive Don Kraher pointed out to Inweekly, "Within the indication of being late or leaving early, this relates to after the meeting was called to order and prior to the meeting being adjourned, regardless of the amount of time elapsing after or prior. For example, if the meeting was called to order at 3:38 p.m. and a member arrived at 3:45 p.m., there would be an indicator of Late. Equally, absences, late arrivals and early departures are noted without regard for the reasons and circumstances surrounding the absence, late arrival or early departure." {in}

For Your Specialty

Eye Care Needs! • Color and Bifocal Contact Lenses • True Tear Dry Eye Treatments & Lipiflow Dry Eye Treatments • Eyelash Lengthening • Luxury & Exclusive Eyeglasses & Sunglasses

113 Palafox Place (Across from Saenger Theatre)

Pensacola

(850) 434-2060

11


212 1

inweekly.net


Cry Baby Model: Poppy Nalepa Photos By: Grant Tyson

Inweekly has picked "Winners" and "Losers" almost from its very beginning. In 2002, we published our first annual edition with a crying baby on the cover. The winners included President George W. Bush, County Commissioner W.D. Childers and newly-elected Congressman Jeff Miller. Among the losers were Osama bin Laden and Enron. Over the years, we focused more on local winners and losers in this special issue, which has made even more popular. We hope you enjoy the 2018 edition.

winners 1955 PENSACOLA JAYCEES BASEBALL TEAM

The community celebrated the historic youth team for their contribution to the civil rights movement. The group of 12-year-old boys and their families risked social, physical and economic repercussions when they played the first game of integrated Little League Baseball in the South against the all-white Orlando Kiwanis team. The all-black team is the subject of a new documentary film, "Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story."

LISA ALVERSON

The Pensacola Police Department detective was named PPD Officer of the Year for 2018. She also was presented a Meritorious Service Award for outstanding achievement in the line of dutyfor finding the person who murdered a woman in her driveway in February 2013.

LAUREN ANZALDO

The National Association of Social

December 20, 2018

Workers named the acting director of the Naval Air Station Whiting Field Fleet and Family Support Center its 2018 Social Worker of the Year for the state of Florida. The criteria for the award requires that the recipient make a demonstrable difference in advocacy for clients, social policy, social work practice, program development, administration and research, and demonstrates outstanding leadership.

JOHN APPLEYARD

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos signed the 95-year-old Appleyard patriarch to a five-year, no-cut contract as a color announcer. Appleyard joined broadcast play-by-play announcer Tommy Thrall in the middle innings of the Blue Wahoos' Sunday home games.

JOHN ARMENTROUT

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida named Big Brother John Armentrout the Agency Big Brother of the Year. John was chosen for his dedication and love for his Little Brother, Joe, with whom he has been paired since November 2010.

CHELSEA BRAMBLETT

The Florida Coalition for Children awarded the child welfare case manager at

FamiliesFirst Network of Lakeview Center its Outstanding Youth Award. The award recognizes those who strive to make life better for foster youth.

CINDI BEAR BONNER

The Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola advisory council member was presented with the Rally for Research Award from the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research in Atlanta. This award recognized Bonner's significant impact while volunteering as director of Rally Pensacola.

VANNEE CAO-NGUYEN

Dr. Cao-Nguyen received the Joe Oldmixon Service Award for Outstanding Service to People with Disabilities at the Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center's Americans with Disabilities Act Awards and Volunteer Recognition Banquet. She serves as the Associate Vice President for Academic Engagement and the University's Student Ombudsperson. Before her role as AVP, she served as Assistant Director and Director of the Student Disability Resource Center for eight years.

CIVICCON

The speaker series hosted by the

Studer Community Institute and News Journal raised the level of public discourse on community issues and encouraged civic conversations on ways to make Pensacola a better place. Hundreds attended the events, and even more people watched the talks online. Speakers have included former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy, retired U.S. Senator Bob Graham and Strong Towns founder Chuck Marohn. Christian Wagley deserves credit for selecting the fantastic list of speakers.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

The shelter's adoption, transfer and foster rates soared this past summer. During June, July and August, the shelter saw 460 adoptions, nearly doubling the 265 adoptions they had during the same period in 2017. The euthanasia rate also decreased significantly.

DON GAETZ

The former Florida Senate president successfully led the fight for Amendment 12 that made sweeping changes to how every local and state elected official and public employee conduct themselves, making them more accountable to the communities they serve. Amendment 12 established a six-year ban preventing 13


winners & Losers legislators and other elected officials from lobbying the legislature or any other part of state government after they leave office. Also, elected officials can't do paid lobbying while serving in office.

HARRY B. HARRIS, JR.

The retired admiral in the United States Navy is the United States Ambassador to South Korea. He was the first Asian American to lead US Pacific Command in the U.S. Navy. Ambassador Harris grew up in the East Hill neighborhood of Pensacola. He went to A.V. Clubbs Middle School and was in the second integrated class at Booker T. Washington High School.

ASHTON HAYWARD III

The former Pensacola mayor will replace Dr. James Andrews as president of the Andrews Institute Research & Education Foundation whose mission is to be an international leader in bringing new and groundbreaking solutions to sports medicine through research and education. The foundation also facilitates the Eagle Fund, a prestigious program providing worldclass care to hundreds of America's special operations warriors who have been injured.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FLORIDA

The League had two significant victories this past election cycle. The organization successfully advocated for early voting on college campuses and for Amendment 4, which restored the voting rights of convicted felons that have served their sentences. Its passage may be the largest enfranchisement of Floridians since the Voting Rights Act was passed in the '60s.

JORDAN LEGGETT

The New York Jets tight end started the Touchdowns for Taylor campaign to raise funds for the Taylor Haugen Foundation. The campaign encourages supporters to pledge a donation to raise awareness of the severity of abdominal injuries and money for state-of-the-art protective gear to ensure safety for all athletes. Taylor Haugen was a 15-yearold Niceville High School student who passed away after a traumatic abdominal injury sustained during a 2008 football game.

SHANNON MASSINGALE

The Florida Coalition for Children recognized the behavioral health coordination manager at Lakeview Center as the Florida Therapist of the Year. Massingale has been at Lakeview Center since 2005, primarily working with children and their caregivers. She created a foster parent assistance program that offers therapy at no cost.

GORDON PAULUS

The senior communications specialist at Gulf Power and member of the Pensacola chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association was sworn in as state president of the association's board of directors.

PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION

In May, the City of Pensacola and the Pensacola Heritage Foundation unveiled a statue of Spanish Gen. Bernardo de Galvez, who defeated the British in the Siege of Pensacola in 1781. Retired Navy Capt Bob Rasmussen and his daughter, Katherine R. Vincze, designed the statue.

TROY RAFFERTY

The International Academy of Trial Law-

losers BAYVIEW CENTER GROUNDBREAKING

On Monday, May 8, the mayor—flanked by Council President Gerald Wingate, chamber officials and others dressed in hard hats and using gold shovels—held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 414 1

Bayview Community Center. Such ceremonies traditionally celebrate the first day of construction for a building. The shovels and hard hats signify the work is about to begin. However, the mayor lost a vote later in the day on the council agenda recommendation to increase the project's budget by more than $1 million and approve the construction. The council didn't approve the contract until months later after the mayor got the cost within budget.

yers inducted the Levin Papantonio shareholder into its fellowship. The Academy limits membership to 500 Fellows from the United States and honors those who have achieved a career of excellence through demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials.

GROVER ROBINSON

The three-term Escambia County commissioner prevailed in the hotly contested election to be the city of Pensacola's next mayor. In his first three weeks, he has advocated for more public input at all city board meetings, held three Monday press conferences, attended the Dec. 13 Pensacola City Council meeting and had his first monthly meeting with Commissioner Chairman Lumon May. Not a bad start.

GARY SANSING

In June, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution naming its public forum as the "Gary Sansing Public Forum" as an enduring tribute to his service to the county and the community. Sansing, who passed away this year, frequently attended BCC meetings and spoke at many public forum sessions giving his opinion on local, state and national issues.

SATOSHI FOREST

The Escambia County Development Review Committee approved the site plan development order for a campground for the homeless at 1999 Massachusetts Avenue. The nine acres have approval for 20 temporary shelters and hygiene equipment, such as portable toilets and a hand washing station. The DRC vote ended a four-year legal battle.

PETE SHINNICK

The University of West Florida head football coach Pete Shinnick was named the 2018 American Football Coaches' Association Coach of the Year Award for NCAA Division II. Shinnick led the Argos to the Division II National Championship game in the program's second-ever season of collegiate football.

exploded. Shults was among the first female fighter pilots for the U.S. Navy.

AUGUSTA M. SIMON

The University of West Florida's first African-American instructor received the UWF Alumni Trailblazer Award at a ceremony hosted by the Office of Equity and Diversity. She co-founded the UWF Black Student Union, now known as the African-American Student Association. Dr. Simon was also the first African-American resident hall advisor.

DAVID STAFFORD

The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections and his staff worked the primaries and general elections nearly flawlessly. Stafford has been an early adopter of new technology and has been on the cutting edge of cybersecurity. Once the courts ruled early voting sites could be on university campuses, he made sure one was located on the University of West Florida campus.

TRIS WEEKS

The 17-year-old singer/songwriter raised nearly $36,000 for Imagine Dragon's pediatric cancer foundation, the Tyler Robinson Foundation. Weeks has spent the entirety of her high school years doing benefit concerts and school and restaurant fundraisers. For her efforts, Weeks was named the 2017 Tyler Robinson Foundation Ambassador and was honored at a star-studded event in Las Vegas.

JACK WILLIAMS

Seville Quarter General Manager Jack Williams received the prestigious Lou Gregory Spirit Award from the Pensacola Runners Association Runners. The Lou Gregory Spirit Award is the highest award in Pensacola's running community.

JOE ZARZAUR

TAMMIE JO SHULTS

The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association honored the Pensacola attorney with the 2018 Michael Doubek Community Service Award for Zarzaur's commitment to the local community. The bar association renamed the award for Michael Doubek for his tireless stewardship of the ESRBA and the high standard he set for its members. Zarzaur's most recognized philanthropic activity has been "Legal Graffiti," an event hosted at Zarzaur Law during each Gallery Night.

TOWN OF CENTURY

the town council president demanded the minutes, Godwin filed a theft report.

The Southwest Airlines pilot, who trained at NAS Pensacola, completed an emergency landing of a Boeing 737 in Philadelphia, saving the lives of 148 people and averting a catastrophe when one of the plane's engines

Town Clerk Kim Godwin filed a report with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office alleging her notes and audio recordings from the September town council meeting had been stolen. On Nov. 20, the Century Council approved minutes from an Aug. 3 budget meeting but had not received the minutes from meetings in September, October or early November. A week after

CITY SIDEWALKS

In the 2017 Pensacola Resident Satisfaction Survey, city sidewalks received the second worst grade, slightly above city stormwater infrastructure. Former City Administrator Eric Olson told the Pensacola City Council that the administration was working on a prioritized list for sidewalks inweekly.net


2018 that would be released in January 2018. The sidewalk report was never shown to the public. Thanks to the Robinson administration, Inweekly has received the 2017 sidewalk ADA assessment report by Hatch Mott, an August 2018 PowerPoint presentation on streets without sidewalks and a survey of city lighting. Stay tuned for more.

SPIRO COLAITIS

The commander of the New York Naval Militia Southern Command and assistant superintendent for district operations for the Malverne, N.Y., school district was charged with voting in the polls in Nassau County, N.Y., and also by mail-in ballot in Escambia County, which is a felony. He was convicted, sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered to pay court costs. Coalitis, a registered Republican, had not lived in Florida since 2005, and he had sold his property here before 2010.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY HEALTH

The 2018 County Health Ranking report, issued by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranked Escambia 53 out of the state's 67 counties. County residents are 136 percent more likely to die prematurely than the state average. Black county residents are nearly twice as likely to die prematurely.

ECSD PURCHASING

The procurement department of the Escambia County School District appears to exact its vengeance on companies that challenge its authority. This time, the health of students was at stake. The district's selection committee once again awarded the $1.8 million healthcare contract to a company that was formed last year and, before being awarded the deal earlier this year, only had two employees, no clients and failed to prove it had the funds in the bank to cover even a month of operations. The earlier contract had been thrown out by a county judge because of the "arbitrary and capricious" methods used to award it. In 2016, a judge threw out the award for the system's custodial contract for similar shenanigans.

CITY OF GULF BREEZE

The legal fight over a small parcel of land at the end of Catawba Street may have finally concluded, and the city will have to pay out $250,000 for the legal fees of the adjacent homeowners who have contested the public's right to use the land since 2013. In November, the Florida Court of Appeals released its decision to uphold the lower court's decision to compel the city to pay the plaintiffs' legal fees. It was the fourth appeal regarding the case that the city of Gulf Breeze had lost. December 20, 2018

MIKE HILL

The new Florida House District 1 representative was criticized for his political tactics during the GOP primary against Rebekah Bydlak. The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida issued a statement that the primary would "go down in history as one of the ugliest." Charles J Gravois, the Panhandle RLC chair, accused Hill of engaging in unwarranted and deceptive attacks against Bydlak and called for Hill to publicly apologize. It didn't happen.

MELISSA HOWARD

The Sarasota Florida House candidate went to great lengths to show she graduated from Miami University in Ohio after a news report that she didn't have the degree that she claimed. Howard flew to Ohio to find her diploma, which she posted online. FLA News retracted the article but later received information from Miami University that the diploma pictured was a fake. The diploma shown had the signature of Dean Robert C. Johnson. However, Johnson was the dean of the graduate school at the time and wouldn't have signed Howard's diploma for a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Also, Miami University doesn't even offer such a degree. Marketing majors receive a Bachelor of Science in Business. College records show Howard attended the university but never graduated. Howard later dropped out the race.

MARY BETH JACKSON

State Attorney Bill Eddins this past summer announced the release of the Okaloosa Grand Jury Report issued on June 13. The report was the result of the Grand Jury's review of operations, policies and procedures of the Okaloosa County School District. The Grand Jury also looked into how Okaloosa Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson handled allegations of possible child abuse by a former school teacher. They found insufficient evidence to indict Jackson on any criminal charges. However, the Grand Jury was concerned about "her behavior, lack of leadership and failure to fulfill her obligations as superintendent." The report stated, "For these reasons, we, the members of this Grand Jury, recommend that the Department of Educa-

tion review this matter and take appropriate action against Ms. Jackson."

JEFF KOTTKAMP

The former Lieutenant Governor of Florida created a furor when he claimed oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster "didn't even reach the shores of Florida." He co-chairs Explore Florida, a national organization which is backed by the oil industry, that advocates for allowing oil companies to investigate new places to drill in federal waters that are now off limits, including the Gulf of Mexico.

STEVEN KUNKEMOELLER

The vendor for Newpoint Education Partners , which ran three defunct charter schools in Escambia County, was sentenced by Judge Thomas Dannheisser to more than 55.5 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of probation. Kunkemoeller was convicted in March of racketeering and organized fraud for using a shell company to order school supplies and tripling the price before reselling them to Newpoint charter schools across the state, splitting the proceeds with alleged Newpoint founder Marcus May.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS G LEAGUE TEAM

In 2017, the NBA sought proposals from cities willing to host its G League team. Mayor Ashton Hayward rushed to make a presentation before team officials. The only problem was the city of Pensacola doesn't own an arena, and the team wasn't interested in holding practices at the Vickery Center. We were told that we were too picky and the details would be worked out. The Pelicans never created the farm team, and no one at city hall mentioned the idea again.

ERIC OLSON

The former city administrator held a job for two and a half years that he didn't have the experience or qualifications to do. He resigned this summer after an independent investigation had found he had mismanaged complaints from employees in the mayor's office. Some of Olson's other miscues include trying to get the president of the North Hill Preservation Association reprimanded by her employer, messing up

an investigation of the city's fire chiefs, hiding the city had stopped recycling, and being investigated for creating a toxic environment in the mayor's office.

PENSACOLA FERRY SERVICE

The long-awaited ferry service funded by the National Park Service lost more than $300,000 during its first summer of operation according to its operator, Gulf Coast Marine Services Inc., which has opted out of running the service any longer. The two 150-passenger ferries cost $2.6 million each. The National Park Service is searching for another operator.

PREMIUM PARKING

The New Orleans-based parking management company lost its contract to handle downtown Pensacola, less than a year after signing the agreement. The Downtown Improvement Board voted 4-0 on Tuesday, Aug. 14, to issue a 30-day notice and assumed control on Sept. 14. According to an analysis done by its staff, the DIB will save $150,000 if it handles parking management.

STATE EMPLOYEES CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill that eliminated a decades-old state employees' charitable campaign. United Way had long managed the payroll deduction program until the state hired a New Jersey firm to be the fiscal agent. The plan was suspended in December 2016 when House staff analysis found 63 percent of every dollar pledged would have gone to fiscal-agent fees instead of charities.

TRANSPARENT PENSACOLA

The web page Mayor Ashton Hayward created to give citizens more access to accurate information and hold his administration more accountable no longer exists. Transparent Pensacola was established in the summer of 2015 and showed promise. Unfortunately, the information was often more reactive than proactive. The page was so infrequently updated that citizens rarely looked to it for information. Few people even noticed when the Hayward administration removed the page.

ROB WILLIAMSON

The Santa Rosa County District 4 Commissioner seemed to be a sure bet for reelection. In June, he was named the second vice president of the Florida Association of Counties, which put him in line to become FAC President. Then he got into a battle with Navarre Press publisher Sandy Kemp and sent out mailers attacking the media and his opponent, David Piech, whom Williamson called "Chicago Dave." Piech upset Williamson in the GOP primary, 20,248-12,052. {in} 15


TICKETS ON SALE NOW

616 1

inweekly.net


WEEK OF DECEMBER 20-26

Arts & Entertainment art, film, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...

Fruitcake is Good, Damnit By Sydney Robison

My own good friend and Pensacola native Derek Cosson said it best (or worst): "I submit—and I'm pretty sure Jesus would agree with me—that fruitcake is trash, an abomination thought up by poor souls in an era before refrigeration that somehow won't escape our collective consciousness to assume its rightful place on the trash-heap of history." I suspect there is a deeper psychosis there, but nevertheless, we trudge on.

FRUITY FACTS

Folks hate fruitcake. From sea to shining sea, north and south, and all the way down home here in Pensacola, it seems to be an agreed-upon universality that fruitcake is bad, bizarre, undesirable and unpalatable. But is that the verified truth, or is the public simply falling for the anti-hype? Back in the 1960s, America's late-night sweetheart Johnny Carson coined a cruel joke about the classic recipe. "The worst gift is fruitcake," Carson joked. "There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other." Har-dee-har, Johnny. That joke is all it took to forever stain the reputation of an innocent dessert. The lie expanded so that folks who had never so much as tried a crumb of fruitcake were bemoaning its mystery contents, swearing that they would never try it; and if they did, they would never actually like it. Meanwhile, people like me—honest, decent people who actually like fruitcake— have had to keep our desire for a fruit-andnut speckled, nutmeg-spiced slice on the down low. December 20, 2018

This is serious business, folks, which is why I went to the source of my own love for fruitcake to see if I could separate fact from unfair fiction. I went to my mother's kitchen in Milton and tracked down her recipe, the one I was sure could convert all naysayers into true believers. The fruitcake I have been eating since infancy was first cooked by my mother, Kathy Robinson, in the Christmas of 1994. Her recipe came from "Southern Sideboards" cookbook 1994 edition, which was published by the Junior League of Mississippi. The particular recipe, White Fruit Cake, was created by Mrs. Luther Flowers and features one-and-a-half pounds of candied cherries and pineapple, a pound of white raisins, a pound of pecans, a dash of love and a whole lot of whiskey. It was actually Joshua Broxson, A Milton native and work-from-homer, who also happens to be my partner, who inspired my fruitcake journey home and my need to pen this entire article. A lover of many desserts, he did not hesitate to shout down the virtues of fruitcake by going on a mad rant about orange peels. I determined to make him eat his words (and some fruitcake), but my mother went one further and enlisted his assistance in making it, too. "Here," she said, pushing the bowl full of candied cherries, raisins, pineapples and pecans covered in a light dusting of flour, "You stir." When the cake had done its baking (three hours) and its cooling (two hours,

including one hour in the crisp December weather to speed up the process), Broxson rendered his verdict: "Good!" But I knew I couldn't stop there. Rome wasn't built in a day, and I knew I wouldn't right the wrongs committed by Mr. Carson all those decades ago with one converted critic. I would need to share my mother's fruitcake with as many reluctant tasters as I could. Over lunch, Levin Papantonio employee Justin Ritchie educated me on the virtues of tres leches cake. But when it came to fruitcake, he said he had never actually tried it, having been frightened away by its image. So what did he think when he tried it? He noted the presence of nutmeg and cinnamon as well as the whiskey liqueur Southern Comfort. "It certainly doesn't deserve the decades-long mockery." Matt Warren, my good friend and food snob of the highest degree, was adamant that while he wanted to try my fruitcake, he didn't want to be quoted. But when he took a bite and said, with a mouthful of candied fruit and pecans, "Why don't people like this!? It's like banana bread with cherries," I knew I would have to quote him anyway (he later relented). Have I converted you? Are you curious to explore the truth behind the myth? You can try and make one yourself using our trusted family recipe. Or if cooking scares you more than fruitcake, local deli and delicatessen Shirley's Cafe & Bakery is ready and willing to churn out fruitcakes for your holiday celebrations. Accepting Christmas orders until Sunday, Dec. 23, you can quickly scoop up a fruit-and-nut bundt for your holiday table or order yours after Christmas for a hearty winter dessert. Shirley's also offers fruitcake cookies if you're still afraid to go all in. Manager Maylin DiRienzo says the cookies have already been selling well. "I can tell you that when we put them out right after Thanksgiving, they sold out almost immediately." It would appear that the new, not totally negative, gospel of the fruitcake is already spreading. {in}

RECIPE FOR THE FRUITCAKE SYDNEY'S MOM MAKES, FROM THE "SOUTHERN SIDEBOARDS" COOKBOOK, 1994 EDITION Serves 20

•1.5 cups butter •2 cups sugar •6 eggs •1/2 cup plus 4 tbsp whiskey, divided •1 teaspoon vanilla •1 teaspoon nutmeg •1 teaspoon cinnamon •2 teaspoons baking powder •4 cups sifted flour, divided •1 pound candied pineapple, diced •1/2 pound candied cherries •1 pound pecans •1 pound white raisins •Cream butter and sugar. •Beat in eggs, one at a time; then add 1/2 cup whiskey and vanilla. •Mix spices and baking powder with three cups flour and add to mixture. •Dredge with remaining flour the pineapple, cherries, pecans and raisins; add to batter. •Bake in 2 (9x5 inch) loaf pans or 1 (10 inch) tube pan which has been lined with heavy paper and greased. (paper bags may also be used.) •Bake 2 hours at 275 degrees. This cake must not be baked dry. While cake is still hot, pour remaining whiskey over each loaf. Cover cakes with dish towel while they cool. Do not remove from pans until cold.

SHIRLEY'S CAFE & BAKERY

1521 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/shirleyscafepensacola 17


calendar UTE 6 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox.

vinylmusichall.com

DATE NIGHT DANCE CLASSES 6:30-8 p.m. $8.

Learn several romantic ballroom dance styles in unique group classes. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com

THE POET'S LOUNGE PRESENTS: THE 3 WISE MEN SERIES 7-10 p.m. Henny Penny's Patis-

serie, 4412 W. Jackson St. facebook.com/ hennypennyspatisserie OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/cafesinglefin

SATURDAY 12.22

PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh

THURSDAY 12.20

YOGA WITHIN REACH 9-10 a.m. Free. Community Health Northwest Florida, 2315 W. Jackson St., Room A. healthcarewithinreach.org ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP 11 a.m. Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A. mywfpl.com PILATES MAT 12:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org VETERANS' MEETING 4 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org LATIN DANCE CLASSES 6:30-9 p.m. $10. Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha and more. Professional dance instruction for all skill levels. No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com AWM WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Free. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. facebook.com/ aragonwine END OF THE LINE THURSDAY DINNER 6-9 p.m.

Arts & Culture

≥Events

PMA GALLERY TOURS 2:30 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. Free with museum admission. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 818 1

S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

≥Current Exhibits STONE'S THROW: ON BORDERS, BOUNDARIES, AND THE BEYOND On

view through Jan. 11. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensaco-

End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. Sign up for the newsletter for menu. eotlcafe.com THIRD THURSDAY INSPIRATIONS 7 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques. Items originate directly from participating vendors, including dozens of local farmers, home gardeners and area artists. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods and live music. Pace Presbyterian Church, Woodbine Road OCEAN HOUR CLEAN-UPS 9-10 a.m. Ft. Pickens at the National Seashore, 1400 Ft. Pickens Road. Meet at the Fishing Pier. oceanhourfl.com COMPUTER BASICS Noon. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com JOYEUX NOEL SCREENING 1 p.m. $5 (cash only). J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com ACE HOOD 7 p.m. $25-$30. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com DANCE PARTY 7 p.m.-midnight. $10 for part, $10 for workshop. One-hour workshop followed by a mix of swing, country and ballroom music. No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com

FRIDAY 12.21

SUNDAY 12.23

ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP 10 a.m. Pensacola

Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com

HAPPY HOUR COOKOUTS 5 p.m. Drink

specials, free cookout. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com EVER'MAN COOKS WITH CHEF CHRIS KIMBERL 6-8- p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational

Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org ISLAND FIGHTS 51 6 p.m. $25 and up. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com

FREE GALLERY NIGHT CONCERT: PANDORA'S BOX, THE ULTIMATE AEROSMITH TRIB-

lamuseum.org GESCHE WÜRFEL: WHAT REMAINS OF THE DAY - MEMORIES OF WORLD WAR II On view

through March 17. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org DOCUFLORIDA II

On view through May 17. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org PUNKSACOLA: REFLECTIONS OF A SUBCULTURE On

view through July 2019. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida

WAKE UP HIKE 7 a.m. Meet at Bay Bluffs Park, Scenic Highway at Summit Ave., for a brisk one to two-hour walk with brunch to follow at an area restaurant. NAMASTE FOR THE BEER 10 a.m. $15. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook. com/perfectplainbrewingco BRUNCH WITH LIVE MUSIC 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook. com/cafesinglefin TRANSMISSION GROUP WORLD SERVICE MEDITATION 10:30 a.m. Free. Ever'man Educational

Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org COTTON FIELDS TO CONGRESS: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF EARL HUTTO

On view at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. his-

toricpensacola.org GALLERY DAYS

Noon-4 p.m. Saturdays. Featuring local artists. To be featured, contact Angel at 941-7354586, or call the restaurant at 4770035. TGI Fridays, 1240 Airport Blvd.

VEGAN BRUNCH 11 a.m.-2 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. Sign up for the newsletter for menu. eotlcafe.com SUNDAY BRUNCH AT H20 11 a.m. $28.95 for adults. Free valet parking and 15 percent off with local ID. H20 Hilton, 12 Via de Luna Drive. facebook.com/hiltonpensacolabeach YAPPY HOUR AT PERFECT PLAIN 2 p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco FAMILY-FRIENDLY IMPROV CLASS 2:30 p.m. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE 4 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SWING DANCE CLASSES 4-7 p.m. $10. Professional West Coast swing instruction for all levels. No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com VEGAN AND VINO SUNDAYS 4-7 p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox

MONDAY 12.24

RESUME HELP 11 a.m. Molino Branch Li-

brary, 6450-A Highway 95A. mywfpl.com

SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS 5:30 p.m. Run-

ners meet in front of Seville Quarter for a run around downtown Pensacola. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com HIP-HOP & CONTEMPORARY DANCE CLASSES 8-9 p.m. $5. Learn amazing moves from

professional instructors. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com

WEDNESDAY 12.26

ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP Noon. Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A. mywfpl.com BLACKkKLANSMAN SCREENING 1 p.m. $5 (cash only). J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP 3 p.m. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com WATERBOYZ SLOW SKATE 6-7 p.m. Every Wednesday. Skate starts and ends at Waterboyz, 380 N. 9th Ave. waterboyz.com YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SWING DANCE CLASSES AND PARTY 6:30-10 p.m. $10 lesson, $5 party. Professional West Coast swing instruction for all levels followed by fun and friendly social dancing on the best wood dance floor in the area. No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com FREE DANCE LESSONS 8-8:30 p.m. Free. Beginner West Coast swing dance lesson. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola S. Blvd. dancecraftfl.com

≥Workshops & Classes

POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon, Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon

at First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for non-members. For more information, visit firstcityart.org. INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Every Mon-

day from 6-8:30

inweekly.net


calendar Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com FEMALE IMPERSONATOR SHOWS 1 a.m.,

2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. Top of the Town, 15 E. Intendencia St. Saturdays

MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT 8

p.m. Seville Quarter Membership Card Holder Appreciation Night at Phineas Phogg's. 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LATIN DANCING

10 p.m. Top of the Town, 15 E. Intendencia St. FEMALE IMPERSONATOR SHOWS 1 a.m.,

2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. Top of the Town, 15 E. Intendencia St. Sundays BAR AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE (B.A.R.E. NIGHT) 7

Photo by Gesche Würfel / On view at PMA p.m. at First City Art Center. Classes are $40. For more information, visit firstcityart.org. CLAY HAND BUILDING Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon at First City Art Center. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for nonmembers. For more information, visit firstcityart.org. CLAY SCULPTURE

Six-week workshops held Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon at First City Art Center. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for non-members. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

≥Call for Art

CALL FOR ARTISTS: JAZZFEST POSTER

Artists/graphic designers of all ages are encouraged to submit designs for the 2019 JazzFest poster. The winning artist receives a $400 cash award. December 20, 2018

Entries should be appropriate for replication for posters, T-shirts and other 2019 Pensacola JazzFest promotional items. The entry deadline is Jan. 7, 2019. The poster design should reflect the deep, rich jazz music heritage of Pensacola and communicate a sense of the area. Entries should conform to a vertical orientation using a ratio that will fit, with margin, on a final poster size of 18 inches wide by 24 inches high. The poster must include the name of the festival—2019 Pensacola JazzFest. Submission entries must be in low-resolution, JPEG format and emailed to info@ jazzpensacola.com. There is no limit to the number of entries by a single artist. Each entry must include the artist's name, address, email and telephone number.

CALL FOR ARTISTS AND VENDORS FOR JAZZFEST Jazz Pen-

sacola is calling arts and crafts vendors to submit applications for the 2019 Pensacola JazzFest taking place April 6 to April 7, 2019, at Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola. Only original art and handmade craft vendors will be accepted. All entries are $200 for a 10-by-10 canopy or smaller. For more information, call Jazz Pensacola Administrator Alice Crann Good at 433-8382, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday or visit jazzpensacola.com.

Bars & Nightlife

≥Bar Games Thursdays

LADIES NIGHT 5

p.m. V. Paul's Italian Ristor Thursdays LADIES NIGHT 5

p.m. V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox. vpauls.com BREW IQ TRIVIA NIGHT WITH JERRELL HENDRIX 7-9

p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The

Ticket 2, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. ticketsportsbar.com COLLEGE NIGHT 10 p.m. Drink specials, beer pong tournament starts at 10 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com. Fridays WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Informative wine tasting in Seville Quarter Wine and Gift Shop. No charge for the tasting. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The

Ticket 1, 7250

p.m. Special prices for B.A.R.E. Card membership holders. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com Mondays BREW IQ TRIVIA NIGHT WITH JERRELL HENDRIX 7-9

p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco TEXAS HOLD 'EM FOR FUN AND TRIVIA

7 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. wobusa.com/locations/palafox BAR BINGO 8 p.m. Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 9:30-10:30

p.m. Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ mugsjugs Tuesdays TUESDAY TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge, 33 Gulf Breeze Parkway. facebook.com/

thebridgebargb

BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

Ticket Sports Bar, 7333 N. Davis Highway. Play to win up to $100 in gift cards. TICKET TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Ticket

1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. ticketsportsbar.com TEAM TRIVIA 9 p.m. Hopjacks. 10 S. Palafox. hopjacks.com Wednesdays WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS 11

a.m. Half-priced bottles of wine every Wednesday. Jackson's Steakhouse, 226 S. Palafox. jacksonsrestaurant.com WAY BACK WEDNESDAYS 4

p.m. Free admission for ladies, $1 beers, $5 pizza. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LADIES NIGHT ON THE DECK 5 p.m. $2

drinks and music. The Deck Bar, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com

PUB TRIVIA NIGHT

7-9:30 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Road. goatlips.com

WEDNESDAY QUIZ TRIVIA 8 p.m. The

Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.com PUB TRIVIA WEDNESDAYS 8-10

p.m. O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox. orileyspub.com TICKET BAR BINGO

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com BAR BINGO 10 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

≥Karaoke

Thursdays Lili Marlene's at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m. 130 E. Govern19


calendar sevillequarter.com

LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m.

The Deck Bar, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com AL MARTIN 6-11 p.m. The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Highway LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com COLM KELLY 6 p.m. McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com DENISE D'ANGELO

ment St. sevillequarter.com Saturdays Hub Stacey's with Krazy George, 9 p.m. 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com Sundays Sandshaker Lounge, 9 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com Mondays The Cabaret, 9 p.m. 101 S. Jefferson St. 607-2020 or cabaretpensacola.com Tuesdays Sandshaker Lounge, 8 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com Goat Lips Deli with Krazy George, 8 p.m.-midnight. 2811 Copter Road. Play, 9 p.m. 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com Wednesdays Ticket Sports Bar with Krazy George, 9 p.m. 7333 N. Davis Highway.

≥Live Music

p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox BEYOND THE BREAK

7 p.m. Hub Stacey's, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

OPEN COLLEGE JAM WITH MIKE BOCCIA

7:30 p.m. Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. DUELING PIANOS

8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's Dueling Piano Show. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

OPEN MIC/JAM

8-11 p.m. Goat Lips Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. Use our instruments or bring your own. SCENIC HEIGHTS

8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com MARIO MENA BAND

9 p.m. End O' the Alley Courtyard, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

THURSDAY 12.20 FRIDAY 12.21 JOHN RIPLEY 6-9 020 2

LIVE JAZZ WITH JOE

OCCHIPINTI Noon.

The Drowsy Poet Coffee Co., 655 Pensacola Beach Blvd. LIVE MUSIC Noon. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com MIKE QUINN 5 p.m. End O' the Alley Courtyard, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m. The Deck Bar, 600 S. Barracks St. ADMIRAL'S CLUB PIANO PLAYER 6

p.m. The District Steakhouse, 123 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m. V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox. vpauls.com JIM ANDREWS 6:30 p.m. The District, 123 E. Government St. districtsteaks.com AL MARTIN 6:30 p.m. Doc's Courtyard and Cafe, 5198 Willing St., Milton.

JOHN RIPLEY 7-10

p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox LIVE MUSIC 7:30 p.m. Swan Neck Meadery, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. swanneckwinery.com MIKE BOCCIA 7:45 p.m. Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. JORDAN RICHARDS

8 p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco DUELING PIANOS

8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's Dueling Piano Show. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MIKE & FRIENDS

8 p.m.-midnight. Goat Lips Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. CRISITI DEES AND BAD JUJU 8 p.m.

Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com JAY WILLIAMS BAND

9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pen-

sacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com THE RED FIELD 9 p.m. Lili Marlene's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MARIO MENA BAND

9 p.m. End O' the Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LIVE DJ: MR. LAO

10 p.m. Phineas Phogg's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com HIGH DEMAND 10 p.m. Apple Annie's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

SATURDAY 12.22 LIVE JAZZ WITH JOE OCCHIPINTI 10 a.m.

The Drowsy Poet Coffee Co., 655 Pensacola Beach Blvd. LIVE MUSIC 12-3 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com ADMIRAL'S CLUB PIANO PLAYER 6

p.m. The District Steakhouse, 123 E. Government St.

6:30 p.m. The District, 123 E. Government St. districtsteaks.com CROSSTOWN 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com LIVE MUSIC 7:30 p.m. Swan Neck Meadery, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. swanneckwinery.com MIKE BOCCIA 7:45 p.m. Goat Lips Chew And Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. JORDAN RICHARDS

8 p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco OPEN MIC/JAM

8 p.m.-midnight. Goat Lips Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. Use our instruments or bring your own.

JAY WILLIAMS BAND

9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com COLM KELLY 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com THE RED FIELD 9 p.m. Lili Marlene's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MARIO MENA BAND

9 p.m. End O' the Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LIVE DJ: MR. LAO

10 p.m. Phineas Phogg's, Seville Quarter, 130 E.

Government St. sevillequarter.com HIGH DEMAND 10 p.m. Apple Annie's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

SUNDAY 12.23 CURT BOL JAZZ QUARTET 11 a.m.

Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. JAZZ BRUNCH WITH AL ALVARADO 11

a.m.-2 p.m. McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. jazzpensacola.com

GOSPEL AT GOAT LIPS WITH HOST CLINT DAVIS 12:45-3:15 p.m.

Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse, 11 Copter Road. CROSSTOWN 5-8:30 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com OPEN MIC/JAM

4-10 p.m. Goat Lips Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. Use our instruments or bring your own. OPEN JAM WITH MIKE BOCCIA 5 p.m.

Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com KARAOKE 8 p.m. Lili Marlene's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m. End O' the Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

MONDAY 12.24

JOE OCCHIPINTI'S JAZZABOUTS 11 a.m.-

1 p.m. The Drowsy Poet Coffee Company, 86 Brent Ln. LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com MONDAY NIGHT BLUES 8 p.m.

Blues Society of Northwest Florida presents an open jam with Cat Daddy at Lili Marlene's. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com JEREMY & BRIAN 9 p.m. End O' the Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

TUESDAY 12.25 LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m.

Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com

AN EVENING OF GREAT JAZZ 7 p.m.

Lili Marlene's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com DJ TONEY 7 p.m. The Deck Bar, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m. End O' the Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com COLM KELLY 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

WEDNESDAY 12.26

LIVE MUSIC 12-4 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com GREG LYON 4-8 p.m. Hemingway's Island Grill, 400 Quietwater Beach Road. MY FAVORITE JAZZ NIGHT 5 p.m. My

Favorite Things, 2813 Cervantes St. jazzpensacola.com LIVE MUSIC 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com JOHN RIPLEY 6-9 p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox BOBBY VAN DEUSEN

6:30 p.m. The District, 123 E. Government St. districtsteaks.com SANDY ROOTS 7 p.m. Portofino Island Resort, 10 Portofino Drive.

for more listings visit inweekly.net inweekly.net


Miracle on Palafox / Courtesy Photo

ONGOING EVENTS

MIRACLE ON PALAFOX Old Hickory Whiskey Bar has been transformed into a boozy winter wonderland for the month of December. Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, 123 S. Palafox. facebook.com/miracleonpalafox HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES By appointment. Rides through downtown during the holiday season. carriagesofpensacola.com CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR WITH GO RETRO 5:30-7:15 p.m. Through Dec. 22. $10-$20. 610 N. Spring St. goretro.us WINTERFEST PERFORMANCE TOURS 5 p.m. Mini tours through Dec. 24. pensacolawinterfest.org HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA Through Dec. 30. Sales and photos with Santa at various booths. T and W Flea Market, 1717 N. T Street. HOLIDAY ICE SKATE Various times. Dec. 19-31. $9-$12. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com HOLIDAY CUBE Through Jan. 2. Visit Pensacola has set up an eight-foot holiday cube which will on display at Plaza de Luna throughout the holidays. visitpensacola.com/holidaycube SEVILLE QUARTER SECRET SANTA Through the month of December. Visit Seville Quarter for lunch Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive a red envelope. Return the envelope unopened in Januaray for a chance to win prizes. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com December 20, 2018

THURSDAY 12.20

KITTY GET A JOB CHRISTMAS PARTY 6:30 p.m. chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. facebook.com/kittygetajob

FRIDAY 12.21

BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER 7 p.m. $27-$39. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com GALLERY NIGHT: CHRISTMAS EDITION 9-11 p.m. Holiday Gingerbread House Contest, photos with Santa, Winterfest tours and more. South Palafox. gallerynightpensacola.org

SATURDAY 12.22

ALYSSA'S MINI GIFT MARKET 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Alyssa's, 4586 Chumuckla Highway, Pace. shopalyssas.com HOLIDAY COOKIE BOOT CAMP 9 a.m. Henny Penny's Patisserie, 4412 West Jackson. facebook.com/hennypennyspatisserie LAST MINUTE MARKET 10-2 p.m. Wild Lemon, 3000 N. 12th Ave. beawildlemon.com BLUE ANCHOR BELLES FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT 11 a.m. National Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 South Blue Angel Pkwy. navalaviationmuseum.org/ DECK THE HALLS: A HOLIDAY BRUNCH EVENT 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Special menu alongside regular lunch menu. Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. greatsouthernrestaurants.com POLAR EXPRESS PAJAMA PARTY 3 p.m. Through Dec. 23. $7 per person.

Infants one and under are free. Children receive free hot chocolate and cookie from refreshment counter. National Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 S. Blue Angel Parkway. navalaviationmuseum.org HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE WILD SIDE 4:30 p.m. Free. Also on Dec. 23 and 29. Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, Inc. 105 N. S St. pensacolawildlife.com BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER 7 p.m. $27-$39. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

Parkway. navalaviationmuseum.org THE POLAR EXPRESS WITH SANTA 6-7:30 p.m. Henny Penny's Patisserie, 4412 West Jackson. facebook.com/hennypennyspatisserie A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US 7 p.m. chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. facebook.com/chizukopensacola HOLIDAY JAM WITH TYLER MAC BAND 9 p.m. End O' The Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

SUNDAY 12.23

MONDAY 12.24

SANTA CLAUS SUNDAY BRUNCH 10:30 a.m. with Joe Occhipinti Jazz Band. Apple Annie's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com NUTCRACKER CHARACTER BRUNCH 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $35. Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox. 850tix.com/events/thenutcracker-character-brunch BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER 1:30 p.m. $27-$39. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY CONCERT 3 p.m. Free. Living Water Gospel Ministry, 1720 W. Fairfield Drive, Ste. F. POLAR EXPRESS PAJAMA PARTY 3 p.m. Through Dec. 23. $7 per person. Infants one and under are free. Children receive free hot chocolate and cookie from refreshment counter. National Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 S. Blue Angel

CHRISTMAS EVE BRUNCH 9 a.m.-3 p.m. South Market, 232 E. Main St. facebook.com/eatsouthmarket COASTLINE CALVARY CHAPEL NONDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTMAS EVES SERVICE 5 p.m. Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox. 850tix.com/events/thenutcracker-character-brunch

TUESDAY 12.25

CHRISTMAS DAY BUFFET 12-9 p.m. H20 Grill, Hilton Pensacola Beach, 12 Via de Luna Drive. facebook.com/hiltonpensacolabeach CHRISTMAS NIGHT AT CHIZUKO 8 p.m. Live music from Elvis Parsley and the Basilantros, Rezolve, Luckily I'm the Hunter, Cookies and Cake, photos with Santa, gift exchange and food drive for homeless. chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. facebook.com/chizukopensacola 21


222 2

inweekly.net


news of the weird GIVING UP THE GHOST In January, Amanda Sparrow Large, 46, of Belfast, Ireland, stretched the May-December union to new lengths when she wed a 300-yearold ghost of a Haitian pirate. "I wanted the big traditional wedding with the white dress. It was very important to me," she told the Irish Mirror. Large said that "Jack," who was executed for thieving on the high seas, became known to her one night in 2014, when she felt the energy of a spirit next to her while lying in bed. Large has worked as a Jack Sparrow (of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies) impersonator, and she believes her job opened the door for her spirit-husband to reach out to her. Alas, the Mirror reported on Dec. 8, things didn't work out for the odd couple: "I will explain all in due course," Large wrote on social media, "but for now all I want to say is be VERY careful when dabbling in spirituality. It's not something to mess with." UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Dominick Breedlove of Spring Hill, Florida, doomed his chances of landing a job at Kohl's on Dec. 5, reported Fox 13 News, by getting arrested for shoplifting after his interview. Breedlove arrived for his appointment with Human Resources around 3:20 that afternoon, Hernando County Sheriff's deputies said, and afterward stopped to browse in the shoe department. A loss prevention officer watching Breedlove told police the suspect went outside to his car, retrieved a Kohl's shopping bag and returned to the store, where he stashed two pairs of Nike athletic shoes worth $150 in the bag. Breedlove was charged with shoplifting, and the sheriff's office confirmed he was not hired. •A Michigan bank robber failed to appear at his sentencing hearing on Dec. 6 in Macomb County Circuit Court because he was cooling his heels in Toledo, Ohio, after being arrested in connection with another bank robbery. Paul Carta, 45, pleaded guilty in October to robbing a bank in May in Utica, Michigan, and was due in court on the 6th, Newsweek reported. But on the 5th, the Toledo Police Department said, Carta entered a Toledo bank and handed a clerk a note demanding money and warning that he was armed. The bank employee gave Carta an undisclosed amount of money, and he fled the bank. Toledo police took him into custody 11 minutes later at a Taco Bell drive-thru nearby. He was held in Toledo on $50,000 bond. WEIRD SCIENCE Scientists are likening the strange occurrence of eels getting stuck in monk seals' nostrils to "one of those teenage trends," according to The Washington Post. Charles Littnan, lead scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, posited, "One juvenile seal did this very stupid thing, and now the others are trying to mimic it," but he and other scientists are stumped about the

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

phenomenon. Hypotheses suggest that the eels jet up the nostrils as seals poke their faces into eels' hiding spots, or seals regurgitate the eels and they exit through the nose. Over the last two years, three or four incidences have been reported, all with good outcomes—for the seals. No eels have survived. SWEET REVENGE Ted Pelkey of Westford, Vermont, has been battling the Westford Development Review Board for months over his proposal to erect a building on his property for his truck repair and monofilament recycling business. But he told WCAX News that the city keeps putting up barriers to the development, so Pelkey has instead installed a message to the board and the people of Westford: a giant sculpture of a fist with the middle finger raised. "It's very big. Everybody got the message," said Fairfax resident Carol Jordan. Pelkey, who spent $4,000 on the public rebuke, said he hopes the citizens of Westford will take a "really long look at the people who are running their town." In the meantime, the select board told WCAX that because the sculpture is considered public art, they can take no action against it. SCROOGE VISITED BY GHOST OF LUNCHES PAST The Cranston (Rhode Island) School District is taking its response to delinquent school lunch accounts up a notch, reported WJAR TV on Dec. 6. District COO Raymond Votto Jr. sent a letter to parents notifying them that a collection agency will be contacting those with lunch overdrafts starting on Jan. 2 and noted that the current deficit is almost $46,000. "The district lunch program cannot continue to lose revenue," Votto wrote. The letter specified that students will continue to receive food regardless of whether their account is in arrears. Families with unpaid charges of more than $20 will be notified by mail, which the district called a softer approach.

www.radio freepensacola .com

EWWWWW! A man identified only as Leo visiting Miami for Art Basel, a contemporary art show, over the weekend of Dec. 8 got an unwelcome extra in his Uber Eats delivery. He had ordered some Japanese food using the app, but when the driver handed Leo his food bag, "she took off running," Leo told WPLG TV, which he thought was odd. Odder was what he found along with the food he had ordered: a pair of thigh-length underwear, stained with what appeared to be human feces. Leo contacted Uber, the restaurant and the police, but all three said they couldn't help him. "Disgusting, unhealthful, it's potentially deadly," Leo told WPLG. Uber later said the driver had been removed from the app pending investigation, and Leo was provided a full refund. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2018 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com December 20, 2018

23


Holiday Magic on Main Street Join us in the heart of Historic Downtown Pensacola to sip, savor and share a bodacious day!

Shop for unique gifts, host the perfect holiday party and celebrate everything the season has to offer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS MON – FRI 9am – 6pm

DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA

SATURDAY 9am – 4pm

PALAFOX & MAIN STREET

SUNDAY 9am – 2pm bodaciousolive.com FOLLOW US & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS

407 S. PALAFOX STREET 850-433-6505

@BodaciousShops

Photo Credit: Blake Howerton • Aislinn Kate Photography • Mallory Kennedy Photography • Barrett McClean Photography BOD0264 Holiday Magic INW.indd 1

Independent News | December 20, 2018 | inweekly.net

11/16/18 11:20 AM


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Inweekly Dec. 20 2018 Issue by Inweekly - Issuu