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Independent News | December 27, 2018 | Volume 19 | Number 52

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winners & losers

outtakes

news 6, 8

Itâ€™s hard picking just one headline to define 2018.

buzz

cover feature

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

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. ÂŠ 2018 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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winners & losers

UWF Peer Educators Program / Courtesy photo

winners

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT The University of West Florida Peer Educators program was recently honored at the Outstanding Peer Education Program for its annual Take Back the Night event during the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators General Assembly Conference. Held at UWF since 2000, Take Back the Night is an international event intended to educate, protest and bring awareness to violence, inspiring young adults to confront issues including rape, stalking and dating violence.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA In a December

GULF POWER TRANSFORMERS Stan

ACA A federal judge in Texas declared the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor made his decision after 18 Republican state attorneys general and two GOP governors brought their case. When the Supreme Court upheld ACA as constitutional in 2012, it was because Congress could legally impose a tax penalty on people who do not have health insurance. In the Texas case, the states successfully argued that since the individual mandate was removed, the rest of the law was now unconstitutional.

Connally, chairman, president and CEO of Gulf Power, along with members of the energy company’s service organization presented checks totaling $90,000 to representatives from Pensacola’s Waterfront Rescue Mission, Mary Esther-based Air Commando Association and the Bay Education Foundation in Panama City.

VETCV & EBI MANAGEMENT GROUP

The Pensacola companies were recognized by the Department of Labor (DoL) as HIRE VETS medallion award winners. VetCV received a Platinum Medallion, and EBI received a Gold Medallion. The awards recognize job creators for their leadership in recruiting, employing and retaining America's veterans. EBI Management Group specializes in providing financial, business, project management and technology services to the Department of Defense and federal agencies. VetCV has built a free highly secure online “personal data-vault” software platform to support our active military, veterans and their families.

losers

letter to employees, Mike Surbaugh, its chief scout executive, said the nonprofit is working with experts to explore all options available to keep the organization's programs running in the face of lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse by Boy Scout workers and volunteers. One option under consideration is filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which would allow Boy Scouts of America to keep control of its business operations but would be subject to the oversight and jurisdiction of the court.

WORKMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Accord-

ing to Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Workman Middle had more on-campus arrests, 25, than any other middle school in Escambia County and the second most of any middle school in Florida during the 2017-18 school year. Only Bay County's Jinks Middle School had more, with 27 arrests. Workman Middle had more arrests than the county's high schools, except for nearby Washington High (40).

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outtakes

By Rick Outzen

LOOKING AHEAD The elections of 2018 have changed the face of our federal, state, county and municipal governments. How those governments evolve next year will have significant impacts on the 2020 election cycle. The Democrats have resumed control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first session since the Tea Party rebellion that gave the GOP control in 2011. The House Republicans fought most of President Barack Obama’s agenda but failed to unseat him in 2012. Will Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats be more successful against President Donald Trump? While this will be the first time in his political career that he hasn’t been in the majority, I’m not worried about our congressman, Matt Gaetz. I suspect he will relish being part of the vocal minority. In Ron DeSantis, we have a new governor with no experience in state government. Though he has help from several former lawmakers and experienced bureaucrats that worked for his predecessors, Rick Scott, Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush, he will be learning on the fly, and Trump won’t be able to rescue him. Gov. Scott slashed taxes and fees during his two terms, which worked in a growing economy. If Florida experiences a recession and state revenues drop, DeSantis and Republican lawmakers won’t be able to impose new fees or increase taxes without a supermajority vote in the Florida

Legislature, which could be a recipe for a financial meltdown in Tallahassee. Escambia County’s District 4, which includes Pensacola Beach and the east side of the city of Pensacola, has had only two commissioners for the past 24 years, Tom Banjanin (1994-2006) and Grover Robinson (20062018). Their successor, Robert Bender, sits on a county commission that has had several controversial moments over the past two years and must hire a new county administrator in 2019, which may lead to some heated debates. I suspect Bender will have a calming impact on the board, but time will tell. The city of Pensacola has new leadership, and Mayor Grover Robinson has already changed the tone of how city officials interact with journalists. He has broken his predecessor’s record for press conferences in his first month. He has fought for public input in city meetings, and he will start monthly town hall meetings in January. Pensacola City Hall has been returned to its citizens. Mayor Robinson has brought in an experienced manager, Chris Holley, to assess the current state of city operations and to make the process improvements necessary to right the ship. His transition team, chaired by Quint Studer, will offer its recommendations and provide a template for the next four years. The good news is Inweekly will be on the scene to cover what happens and keep you informed. It should be fun. {in} rick@inweekly.net

The good news is Inweekly will be on the scene to cover what happens and keep you informed.

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CIVICCON, AN EDUCATION By Jeremy Morrison Throughout 2018, Pensacola has been given an education of sorts, an education on planning and culture, an education, really, on how to think about things. Christian Wagley, who cultivated this education, remembers its inception. It was the summer of 2017, during a time when businessman-philanthropist Quint Studer was hosting a run of regular dinners where community leaders tossed about concepts, notions and ideas. During one such occasion, Wagley, of Sustainable Town Concepts, laid out his thoughts about urban planning and the need to create a connected, walkable environment. He pointed out that the area had some big questions to answer ahead and also opportunities with the funds it stood to receive in environmental penalties stemming from the 2010 oil spill. Wagley recalls Studer pulling him aside later. “He said, ‘Let’s do an educational series; let’s help inform the community so we can make better decisions on these issues we’re facing,’” Wagley said. “He said, ‘Let’s call it CivicCon. Go get whomever you want, and we’ll bring ’em in.’” CivicCon unfolded as a year-long series—sponsored by Studer as well as the Pensacola News Journal—featuring premier thinkers on matters like walkability, parking, infrastructure and community character. Looking back on what amounted to a tutorial on urban thought, Wagley said he hopes the series will be helpful as the area progresses. “I’m pleased how the community embraced so many of the things they heard and learned,” he said.

CITIES FOR PEOPLE

CivicCon featured speakers almost every month that addressed topics such as

urban waterfronts and coastal resilience, civic engagements and creating optimal neighborhoods. The overall mission was pretty simple. “First and foremost,” Wagley said, “it was really to educate the community so we could make better decisions in the face of a lot of important decisions that were coming our way.”

" It was really to educate the community so we could make better decisions in the face of a lot of important decisions that were coming our way." Christian Wagley It’s a unique confluence. At the same time the area is seeing some significant funding opportunities related to the oil spill penalties, it’s also experiencing an era of growth that is forcing conversations about developments, urban planning and community character. Wagley saw CivicCon as an opportunity to provide the area with a foundation of knowledge that could be helpful when navigating the years to come. “I didn’t think about it until later, but I guess the theme that I chose without thinking about it at the beginning was 'Cities for People,'” he said. Taken as a whole, CivicCon serves as a pretty good primer on this particular philosophy. “I brought in speakers that spoke to that issue of creating communities for people from a variety of different angles, whether it was economic or social equity or environmental or whatever,” Wagley said. The series presented concepts that are already in play around the country in larger urban areas, aspects of a community you might notice while traveling. “A lot of people travel, and they may see

neat things happening in other communities," said Wagley on the value of CivicCon. "Then they hear a speaker come to town and maybe talk about how that was done and know that we can absolutely do those same, wonderful things here if we set ourselves to it.” Studer is quick to point to CivicCon as a portal to possibilities, too. “If you’re in New York, Manhattan, today you’ll see ’em take two parallel parking spots and make them into tables for the restaurants to use. Some unique things are happening around the county," Studer said. "But if you don’t see it, how do you know it exists? Or you think it can only exist there.” He added, “I think CivicCon was an opportunity to bring in the best of the best to help our community recognize and see what’s happening around the United States.” Conversations about issues like walkability and urban planning were already occurring in Pensacola before CivicCon, but Wagley thinks those conversations have become more informed. “I hear more and more people talk about how they want to see Pensacola be more walkable and more bikeable, and I think that was already there,” he said. “But I think CivicCon raised our awareness and education levels and helped us understand more what it takes to be that kind of community.”

RAISING THE CIVIC I.Q.

The 2018 CivicCon series was successful by the numbers. “The reception from the community was just beyond my wildest dreams,” said Wagley. “We’re even stunned,” Studer said. “I was hoping we’d get a hundred people. To get 275 people to come and another 5,000 to watch it streaming?” But the series’ creators also feel that CivicCon was successful in a deeper way than attendance counts or stream views. “When you look at CiviCon, it’s raising the community’s civic I.Q.,” Studer said. “I have described CivicCon as a gift to

the community,” Wagley said. “I mean, we were able to experience something that I’m not sure any other community’s really has done in this way. It's something that’s citizens and elected officials would have to pay thousands of dollars and probably travel to some other place to hear this quality of information and talent and great ideas.” And to be sure, the education imparted during the series is already entering into municipal conversations. Both officials and the public reference CivicCon presentations during city meetings. “I think right now, we’re certainly seeing people utilize it in their conversations,” Studer said. “And I think this next year, we’ll continue to take some of the awareness now and continue to put it into action.” Studer calls back CivicCon events often as head of Mayor Grover Robinson’s mayoral transition team. He is also bringing in a series speaker—Jeff Speck, an urban design expert— to assist with creating a master plan for the Maritime Park and a nearby 19-acre parcel he owns next to Pensacola City Hall. Wagley, who also sits on Robinson’s transition team, hopes that CivicCon lessons and information sources will continue to inspire municipal planning decisions. He cites the city’s new mayor as a reason for such hope. "Mayor Robinson was probably the star pupil at CiviCon. He seemed to have been there most every time,” he said. “I’m very hopeful that he will apply some of the lessons learned to his new position as mayor of Pensacola.” But, at the same time, Wagley understands that the real thrust of energy concerning such things has to come from the community, one that he now hopes is girded with the appropriate knowledge. “It takes the community pushing on our elected officials and letting them know what changes we want,” he said. “And I know that we have a much better-informed citizenry now because of CivicCon, so it’s my sincere hope that people will continue to push forward these ideas to our elected officials.” {in}

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December 27, 2018

SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS

James and J.W. / Photo by Jeremy Morrison

By Jeremy Morrison James and J.W. sit on the sidewalk at the corner of Cervantes and Ninth Avenue, their bags and bikes leaned against a signpost. Both find themselves currently homeless and are requesting money from drivers stopped at the intersection traffic light. "We stand on the corner because this is our position right now," James said. When asked about the available services, or lack thereof, to assist the area's homeless population, both men pointed to insufficient shelter space, especially a shelter without prerequisites or sobriety requirements. "I don't mean this in a bad way, without having to go to chapel three times a day," James said. Besides, that shelter—they motion towards the other side of town—isn't in a good area. "That's a nasty area, Fairfield and Pace," J.W. said. "I mean, you can get shot, shanked." In addition to housing needs, the men also said healthcare services were in dire need among the homeless. "You know, health, dental, all of that," James said. These types of issues, healthcare and housing, and in particular a come-as-you-are shelter are among the issues to be explored jointly by the city of Pensacola and Escambia County as they attempt to address both homelessness and panhandling. Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson recently announced the initiative with the county, saying he'd met county staff and discussed the issue. "We haven't figured out how it's going to happen yet," the mayor said, "but we've 88

promised each other we're going to work on it." Robinson is working on this issue with Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, who said efforts need to be holistic— "you've got to address it from all angles"— and stressed that the goal shouldn't be viewed as eliminating homelessness. "I don't think that's a reasonable expectation, that you're going to eliminate homelessness," May said. "A reasonable goal is how do you begin to reduce it. I think you do that by lifting a man up or a woman up or a child up, one person at a time."

ONE PROBLEM, MANY SOLUTIONS

Some panhandlers are homeless. Some homeless people panhandle. "The mayor and I both agree, panhandling and homelessness are two different things," May said.

"The mayor and I both agree, panhandling and homelessness are two different things." Lumon May The leaders have agreed to find ways to address the issues in tandem. They will look to pull in public, private and nonprofit entities for ways to assist in areas ranging from housing to health to job training. Robinson said he'd like to create solutions that offer the homeless assistance beyond that of a handout, which he argued was not helpful. "They need housing and services because many of them deal with either some kind of an addiction, health or mental

health problem, and just giving them money is not solving any of those things," the mayor said. Robinson sees the need for a come-asyou-are shelter that would admit individuals without the requirement of sobriety. Such a shelter is critical, he said, when assisting a population where addiction issues are common. "If you want to go to Waterfront, you have to be sober, and so many of these people deal with addiction issues, and it's addiction issues that wind up making them homeless," Robinson said. "A lot of these people don't have the ability on their own to first get sober and then go in. They need to get shelter first, then figure out how to put the rest of their life together." Several organizations already assist the homeless community, but their capacities and offerings are limited. Michael Kimbrel, co-founder of Sean's Outpost and director of the Alfred Washburn Center, both of which serve the homeless, pointed to a University of West Florida Haas Center study that contrasted a 3,000-person homeless population with 300 existing shelter beds. "We're not even addressing 10 percent of the homeless population in Escambia County," Kimbrel said. "So, we have a lot of work to do."

"We're not even addressing 10 percent of the homeless population in Escambia County. So, we have a lot of work to do." Michael Kimbrel Kimbrel said it'd take a collective of remedies to address the issue of homelessness fully. "I'm a proponent for everything," he said. "We need it all for it to be successful. We need emergency, come-as-you-are shelters. I think we also need campgrounds, parking lots and good case management. We need good alcohol and drug rehabilitation that is affordable. Same with mental health, we need affordable mental health." And this gets expensive quickly. "I think we do have the money," Kimbrel said, "I don't think we have the political will to spend the funds necessary to do what needs to be done." May disagrees. "Honestly, it will be a heavy lift, but we have an opportunity to make our community better by investing in it," the commission chairman said. "We invest millions and millions in economic development and tourism. I think it's fair and reasonable to invest in our community, in the quality of life of our citizens, to make it better."

He added, "I don't think the amount of money should be a deterrent from doing what is right and what is good for our community."

TREPIDATIOUSLY HOPEFUL

The city of Pensacola and Escambia County have each tried to deal with homelessness and panhandling before. Their "fixes" tended to lean on punitive ordinances targeting panhandlers, especially in the downtown area. When Kimbrel heard the city and county were teaming up together to tackle these issues, he's wasn't immediately thrilled. "Extreme trepidation," Kimbrel laughed. "I hope this time around it's the real deal and we're going to address some real solutions." Kimbrel has been involved in lawsuits against both the city and county over their respective approaches to these issues. He was among the plaintiffs suing the city the last time it attempted to pass an ordinance banning panhandling. Benjamin Stevenson, attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, found it curious the city even passed that ordinance in the first place. "We kept on saying, 'Hey, don't pass it, it's unconstitutional. We'll likely sue you,'" he sighed. The ACLU challenged the city's most recent panhandling ordinance on First Amendments ground, with the solicitation of money being the speech in question. "Listen, everyone has a right to free speech in this country," Stevenson said. Robinson isn't interested in discussing the city's multiple flubs on these issues. "We are not concerned about what has happened in the past," he said. "We want to focus on something that we are going to do in the future." The mayor said he would invite the ACLU to collaborate in the conversation, one that still includes ordinances targeting panhandling as unlicensed commerce—"I welcome the ACLU to work with us." ACLU North Florida Director Sarah Latshaw said she'd be happy to discuss the issue, "But we're not going to help them write a panhandling ordinance." Commissioner May, meanwhile, said he wasn't too interested in discussing the punitive side of the equation but instead wanted to focus on helping people improve their lives. "This is not about arresting somebody because they're hanging out in the park," May said, "but it's about providing opportunities so people won't have to loiter in a park and won't have to utilize a park bench as their bed. May said, "We should be able to provide an opportunity for a man to earn a decent wage where he can purchase a bed and where he didn't have to use public facilities as his resting place." {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 27, 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

'AN INCREDIBLE HONOR' After more than four decades of public service, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) delivered his farewell remarks on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Dec. 12. "Grace and I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support," Nelson said. "I stand before you today, and I don't think anyone could have been more blessed." "It's not easy when you take your leave from the people that you love and the work that you love," Nelson told his colleagues who had assembled in the chamber to hear his final speech, "and it causes a time of intense reflection." Nelson took a moment to reflect on the weeks leading up to his eventual launch onboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986. He and his crew were scrubbed four times before they successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 12, 1986. As Nelson explained, when NASA engineers examined the shuttle after each of those four unsuccessful attempts, they determined that all of them would have likely ended in a catastrophic loss for the shuttle and its crew had the flights not been aborted. "Why was I spared?" Nelson asked. "Now, upon intense reflection, I think I'm beginning to see. Because it has been the great honor of my life to serve our country and the people of Florida." "We still have much work to do," Nelson told his colleagues. "We need now, more than ever, to focus on building the kind of relationships here in Washington that can solve the great problems that our nation faces. And I caution our colleagues, and I caution those who will join this body, to resist the pulls of partisan acrimony and the forces that seek to divide us." "So, my parting words are that there's no greater challenge for this Senate than to have the moral courage to choose country over party or power," Nelson said. "There are a great many challenges that our country faces, and I call upon all of those of you who serve in this Senate to act with moral courage when these obligations come calling in the future. As I depart, I'm putting my trust in you."

Nelson then concluded his final speech on the floor of the Senate by saying, "I leave this Senate today filled with hope for the future and the fondest memories of my fellowship with great friends here. But I admit, it is hard to leave the friends and the work that I love. "I intend to keep fighting for all that I've talked about in this short final speech, and I intend to keep fighting for Florida. When it comes down to it, I'm just a country boy who loved serving my state and our country for all of my life. "It's been an incredible honor."

DON'T FEED THE BEARS Grant funds are available to businesses that generate organic waste, including restaurants, camping/RV sites, daycares, assisted living facilities and apartment buildings, in the Bear Wise ordinance area, which includes all of Santa Rosa County south of the Yellow River, including Holley, Navarre and the unincorporated area of Gulf Breeze. Customers must have a front-load dumpster; side-loading or individual cans are not eligible. To apply, complete the online form at santarosa.fl.gov or call 850-981-7143. The funding, provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to qualified applicants, is available on a first-come, first-served basis until April 2019 or until funds are depleted. A bear-resistant dumpster looks and operates very similarly to a standard dumpster, with the exception the bins have a security bar and reinforced plastic lids. County staff will make the necessary arrangements for the modifications. Waste Pro, Republic and Waste Management will modify existing dumpsters to be bear resistant. There is no additional charge for servicing them, and the customer unlocks the dumpster for it to be serviced. The security bars are gravity locks that open automatically. Because the companies, not the restaurants own the dumpsters, the only request to the business is for them to agree to use them properly.

Bears are attracted to garbage in commercial dumpsters, specifically those associated with restaurants. Modifying these dumpsters in the county's bear ordinance zone will help reduce drawing bears in to feed where people frequent. For more information, contact the county's environmental department, environmental-dept@ santarosa.fl.gov or 850-981-7143.

PORT MAGIC The Port of Pensacola will

serve as the winter training base for the New York Yacht Club American Magic, U.S. Challenger for the 36th America's Cup. The team was formed in 2017 to win the America's Cup, the highest prize in sailing and the oldest trophy in international sports. Until warmer weather returns to the team's primary training location in Newport, R.I., over a hundred American Magic personnel will sail and support the Mule, the team's advanced 38-foot test boat, on the sunny waters of Pensacola Bay. American Magic's presence represents the first time an America's Cup syndicate has trained on the Gulf Coast of Florida since 1970.

"The Port of Pensacola has been very accommodating as we set up our base and stepped up to create an ideal facility for an America's Cup team." Terry Hutchinson "Pensacola brings a lot to the table for our team," said Terry Hutchinson, skipper and executive director of American Magic. "Pensacola will give us consistently good sailing weather, a large and protected flat water training venue, efficient logistics and a welcoming community. The Port of Pensacola has been very accommodating as we set up our base and stepped up to create an ideal facility for an America's Cup team." American Magic's first exposure to Pensacola came during July 2018, when

Team Principal and CEO Hap Fauth and team sailors Bora Gulari and Caleb Paine gave an America's Cup presentation to over 500 junior sailors, coaches and families at the Optimist U.S. National Championship hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club. "We're excited and grateful that Pensacola Yacht Club and the local sailing community have embraced American Magic and extended their hospitality since our first visit," said Hutchinson, a 16-time sailing world champion. "Pensacola Bay is a world-class sailing venue, and hopefully our time here will help raise awareness of just how great it is to race and train in this region of the U.S.

SMALL BUSINESS HELP The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the University of West Florida Small Business Development Center and Santa Rosa County to assist more small businesses in Santa Rosa County. "I think we have a common mission with the economic development agencies, and I like to consider us as the business retention and expansion arm of economic development agencies," said Kelly Massey, Regional Director of the Florida SBDC at UWF. Through this one-of-a-kind partnership, the UWF SBDC and Santa Rosa County will collectively champion entrepreneurial progress in Santa Rosa County. "It's a good fit with the economic development organization. We frequently talk about what we can do to better promote small businesses and give them better opportunities," said District 3 Commissioner Don Salter. Christa Wilson will act as ombudsman by assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs located in Santa Rosa County with navigating through city and county regulations and will also help those businesses outside the county who wish to do business in or with Santa Rosa County. She will be located at the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office, 6491 Caroline St. in Milton. Her email address is ctiff any@uwf.edu.

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WETHERELL PASSES Florida State University President Emeritus Thomas Kent Wetherell, who passed away Dec. 16 at the age of 72, left a legacy as one of higher education's most dynamic and lifelong champions. At the helm of his alma mater from 2003-2010, Wetherell was the first alumnus of Florida State to become its president. After retiring from the presidency, Wetherell continued working to improve higher education as a professor in the College of Education and director of the Center for Higher Education Research, Teaching & Innovation. "As a veteran lawmaker, a tireless supporter of higher education and then as president, T.K. used his energy and intellect to not only lead FSU through a severe budget crisis but to make sure it flourished in so many ways," said President John Thrasher. "He was a remarkable person and a great friend." Under Wetherell's leadership, Florida State increased the academic quality of its students, the number of doctoral degrees awarded and the number of research dollars it received while experiencing a boom in campus building. Soon after assuming office, Wetherell launched the ambitious Pathways of Excellence initiative that included hiring additional faculty members in interdisciplinary clusters built around academic themes, significant investments in graduate-level programs and $800 million worth of new construction and renovations, including state-of-the-art chemistry, biological science, psychology and medicine buildings that transformed the northwest corner of campus into a research quadrangle. Wetherell achieved a major coup in 2005 when Florida State lured the Applied Superconductivity Center from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where it had been housed for two decades. The center became the materials research division of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. A new Alumni Center, new general classroom building, parking garages, residence halls, dining halls and other projects followed. Wetherell took a particular interest in the $33 million repurposing and renovation of Ruby Diamond Auditorium into one of the finest concert halls in the country. Under Wetherell, the university saw its students reach unprecedented national academic recognition. He established the Office of National Fellowships in 2005, which guided students to win three Rhodes scholarships and dozens of other competitive national awards. He established the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, now called the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, which allowed undergraduate students to work directly with professors beyond the classroom, and innovative programs dramatically increased retention and graduation rates. Under Wetherell, the College of Medicine graduated its first class, in 2005, December 27, 2018

opened six regional campuses and established research collaborations with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. And it was Wetherell who pushed successfully for Florida's public universities to assess a tuition differential to make up for budget shortfalls and continue to offer highquality education to students. This laid the groundwork for preeminence funding later. A career educator who served in the Florida House of Representatives 19801992, including two years as House Speaker, Wetherell earned his bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as a doctorate in education administration, from Florida State. He served as president of Tallahassee Community College 1995-2001. Previously, he was president of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida and was responsible for coordinating and promoting postsecondary higher educational opportunities and programs in the state's private colleges. Wetherell had served in several positions at Daytona State College, including provost and dean of instruction. Before that, he was associate professor of education at BethuneCookman College. A native of Daytona Beach, Wetherell attended Florida State on a football scholarship and played on the 1963-1967 football teams. Decades later, as president, he advocated a closer relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The university created a Seminole history course, began a new tradition of tribe members participating in every commencement ceremony and unveiled a bronze statue at the University Center depicting a Seminole family during the wars of the 1830s. In 2005, the Seminole Tribe of Florida approved a historic resolution supporting the university's use of the Seminole name and honored Wetherell with an invitation to the Big Cypress Reservation. Wetherell also devoted significant attention to a matter close to his heartâ€”preserving and honoring the history of his alma mater through the Heritage Protocol Committee, construction of a Legacy Walk, restoring campus traditions such as Convocation and campus beautification. He and his wife, Virginia, left a permanent legacy with the creation of the stately President's House on West Tennessee Street. The house includes large areas for public events and was built and furnished completely with donated funds and materials. Ginger Wetherell served as Pensacola's Florida House representative from 1982-1988 and as secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 1991-1998.

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From "Black Panther" to Beto-mania, 2018 was a headline machine. Seriously, it never slowed down. Not even on holidays. Here's a recap of the year in news, pop culture and local stories.

December 27, 2018

Year In Review many Americans ask "why?" Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced it would ease security requirements for sponsors of migrant children, allowing for them to be released and reunited with families in a shorter timeframe.

6. CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

California has had the most destructive wildfire season on record this year. Wildfires started erupting across the state in mid-July. In November, strong winds caused a new batch of wildfires, including the Camp Fire in Northern California, which has claimed 86 lives and at least 19,000 buildings. It is said to be one of the deadliest wildfires in the U.S.

7. BRETT KAVANAUGH

President Trump's first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, came and went without much fanfare. But the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh was different. When Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University, claimed Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her when she was 15 and he was 17, his nomination process was halted. Both Ford and Kavanaugh provided testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the entire country watched. In the end, Kavanaugh had the Senate votes and was sworn in Oct. 6.

8. HURRICANE MICHAEL

Photo by Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

NATIONAL HEADLINES 1. THE WHITE HOUSE

The President's tweets, the cabinet turnover, the Mueller investigation…it's never a dull moment on Capitol Hill. It's hard picking just one headline to define 2018.

2. #NEVERAGAIN

On Feb. 14, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and opened fire, killing 17 students and staff members. It wasn't the first or last shooting of 2018, but it did spark a national conversation when school survivors began advocating for gun control and organized the March for Our Lives event in Washington. Similar marches were held all over the country.

3. MIDTERM ELECTIONS

The Nov. 6 midterm elections had the highest voter turnout of any midterm in the past century. It was a big night for Democrats, but perhaps not as big as they hoped. Dems took back the House, while the 414 1

GOP retained the Senate. There were slim margins in some races, such as the Texas Senate race between incumbent Ted Cruz and Rep. Beto O'Rourke. In Florida, the gubernatorial and Senate races were razor thin—the Senate race was even recounted. Former Gov. Rick Scott defeated threeterm Senator Bill Nelson, and Ron DeSantis won the governor's race over former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

4. NET NEUTRALITY

The Obama-era regulations known as net neutrality were repealed in June. The regulations were to ensure that internet providers couldn't block or slow down websites or prioritize their content over others'. The repeal narrows what the federal government would consider a net neutrality violation and leaves the responsibility in the hands of the Federal Trade Commission.

5. U.S. BORDER

In June, multiple news agencies were reporting about the child separation policies at the U.S. and Mexico border. Photos of kids sleeping in caged facilities started to circulate around social media and made

This year's hurricane season had a slow start but was intense. In September, Hurricane Florence caused damage in the Carolinas, with many places receiving record-breaking rainfall. In October, Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Panama City. Michael was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the contiguous United States. It destroyed most of the city, killed nearly 60 people and has left about 20,000 homeless. Local, state and federal agencies are working to help residents rebuild, but it will take a long time.

9. CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA

Earlier this year, it was reported that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm hired by President Trump's 2016 election campaign, accessed data from 50 million Facebook users without their permission. The news put the social media platform and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, in the hot seat. And a solution to prevent further incidents has yet to be implemented.

10. GEORGE H.W. BUSH

At the end of November, George H.W. Bush passed away at the age of 94. He was the 41st president and, before that, vice

president. He enlisted in the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After his service, he entered the oil business before he started his political career. He was known for his pragmatic approach to politics. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara.

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES 1. ICELAND SIGNS EQUAL PAY INTO LAW

Starting at the beginning of 2018, companies in Iceland are required to prove that they pay male and female employees fairly or face daily fines. While equal pay has been a mandate in the country for some time, this is the first time the burden has been placed on companies. United States: take note.

2. VLADIMIR PUTIN RE-ELECTED

The Russian president secured his fourth term in office in March with 76 percent of the vote. Despite growing evidence of his interference with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, President Trump has been a strong supporter of Putin.

3. PRINCE HARRY MARRIES MEGHAN MARKLE

The world's most eligible bachelor wed American actress Meghan Markle in royal fashion on May 19 at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom. In October, Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting a royal baby.

4. BREXIT STILL A THING

It's the headline that won't go away. Fifty-one percent of voters chose to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum vote in 2016. Since then, politicians have been figuring out the logistics before the split becomes official on March 29, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May has faced most of the backlash and narrowly escaped a "no confidence" vote in Parliament earlier this month. The U.K. is very divided, which should feel familiar for Americans.

5. KIM JONG-UN

In April, the North Korean leader became the first of his nation to cross the Korean Demilitarized Zone since 1953 and shook hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He also made headlines in June when he met with President Donald Trump. The two signed a document promising peaceful relations and denuclearizainweekly.net

For Your Specialty

Year In Review tion of the Korean peninsula, although the details of the agreement were not released.

Engineering, FloridaWest and the city already are working on adding four more hangars.

6. SAUDI WOMEN GET BEHIND THE WHEEL

2. APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT

June 24, 2018, marks the day when the Saudi government gave women the right to drive—a first for Saudi Arabia. It's a small step forward in a country where women's rights are limited.

7. THAI SOCCER TEAM RESCUE MISSION

The world watched as 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach were trapped in a cave in northern Thailand this past summer. The team had been missing for almost a month when monsoon rains flooded the cave and trapped them two and a half miles from the cave's mouth. Rescue teams from all over the world helped bring the boys to safety. It was a happy ending we all needed.

8. WATER ON MARS

In July, MARSIS, a radar instrument on the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express orbiter, was able to confirm the possibility of liquid water on Mars. This could mean that there's a possibility of life on Mars besides Matt Damon.

9. LOVE IS LOVE

Human rights activists celebrated in September when the Supreme Court of India decriminalized homosexual sex, which was banned by a 160-year-old law that claimed the act was "against the order of nature."

10. CANNABIS IN CANADA

In October, Canada became one of two countries to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the move will allow the government to regulate the drug and keep it out of the hands of criminals. Now, the country just has a problem meeting the supply demands.

LOCAL HEADLINES 1. ST ENGINEERING

After years of combined community effort, ST Engineering (formerly known as VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering, Inc.) opened its $46 million maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Pensacola International Airport in June. The MRO facility is capable of serving a number of aircraft, such as Airbus A320 planes and Boeing 757s and 777s, and will employ over 400 people. ST December 27, 2018

Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and his administrators were utterly shocked that the voters approved a referendum that did away with elections for the superintendent of schools and will have the school board appoint the position beginning in late 2020. The Pensacola Young Professionals championed the cause with the help of community leader Quint Studer and manned the polls, winning votes on election day.

3. RECYCLING DEBACLE

In May, former City Administrator Eric Olson was forced to admit to the Pensacola City Council that the city had stopped recycling its trash in September 2017, when Tarpon Paper, the city's recycling vendor based in Loxley, Ala., had stopped taking recyclables. Residents, who had been faithfully sorting their trash and putting the recyclables on the curb every week, were enraged. ECUA began accepting the city's recyclables in July. Olson resigned on Aug. 3.

4. NEWPOINT CONVICTION

Marcus May, the founder of Newpoint Education Partners, which ran charter schools throughout Florida, was convicted of robbing the school districts of Escambia, Bay, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties for more than $5.2 million. He was found guilty of two counts of racketeering and one count of organized fraud and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Inweekly first broke the story of grade tampering and financial irregularities in March 2015.

5. BRUCE BEACH VICTORY

Dan Lindemann and Jerry Holzworth challenged former Mayor Ashton Hayward's plan to have DEP build a fish hatchery at Bruce Beach. Hayward blasted them on the radio, fought them in court and refused to look at other locations, even though Gov. Rick Scott said he was open to another site. In June, DEP pulled out of the deal. This fall, Bruce Beach was cleaned up and made into a nature park.

6. ESCAMBIA FIREFIGHTER HARASSED

In late January, Inweekly broke the story that a female professional firefighter had filed a harassment complaint against Escambia County. Her journal reflected incidents of workplace harassment, sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and miscellaneous policy violations. After

the news report, Escambia Rescue Chief Pat Grace was relieved of duty. The Escambia County Commission approved a $175,000 settlement with the firefighter and made policy changes recommended by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

7. EXPENSIVE LOCAL ELECTIONS

Escambia County had 51 candidates running for local offices. The candidates raised over $1.41 million for their campaigns, plus an estimated additional $300,000$500,000 was spent by political action committees on local races. By far, the most expensive race was the Pensacola mayoral contest, which had six candidates that raised $580,570. Councilman and mayoral candidate Brian Spencer was the top fundraiser, $312,880, despite not filing until minutes before the qualification deadline.

8. DOWNTOWN PARKING

The Downtown Improvement Board went digital with its parking management earlier this year, only to cancel its contract with its vendor six months later after the downtown business owners complained the new system was too confusing and had driven away customers. The DIB currently has assumed control of the parking management, but Mayor Grover Robinson has talked about having the city taking it over. Could free two-hour parking on South Palafox Street end in 2019? Stay tuned.

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9. WORKFORCE TRAINING

Local workforce training received considerable attention. In February, Gov. Rick Scott announced a $1.86 million Florida Job Growth grant for the Greater Pensacola Career Pathways initiative, a partnership with Pensacola State College, Escambia County School District, CareerSource Escarosa and FloridaWest. The grant will increase the number of students earning industry-recognized credentials and degrees for advanced manufacturing, aviation maintenance, cybersecurity, construction trades and other targeted industries.

10. BUDGET IMPASSE ENDS

In March, a mediation agreement between the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the Escambia County Sheriff 's Office fell apart after the board approved the deal that would have budgeted $9.1 million over four years for pay raises for deputies. The ECSO had appealed its budget to the governor in October 2017, but Gov. Scott showed little interest in getting involved. Finally, all parties agreed to a new four-year deal, which should keep the peace through 2021. Maybe. 15

REST IN PEACE

Year In Review POP CULTURE HEADLINES

decade, you can bet they won't make that mistake again. In fact, a sequel is already in the works based on another book by Kevin Kwan called "Rich People Problems."

slavery being a choice. Despite those lows, he also had some highs—in the form of records (his own and ones he produced) and a new baby with wife Kim Kardashian.

4."EVERYTHING IS LOVE"

8. ROSEANNE

It had been rumored for years, but this June, we finally got a collaborative album from Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Of course, fans went totally "Apeshit" (pun intended), especially when the couple shut down the Louvre for a music video and launched their second co-headlining world tour.

Photo by Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

1. WAKANDA FOREVER

2018 pretty much belonged to "Blank Panther." Not only did it shatter box office records and make T'Challa a household name but it also sparked important and long overdue conversations about representation. And who can forget "The Black Panther Challenge"—where GoFundMe campaigns helped kids see the movie who couldn't otherwise afford it.

2. "THANK U, NEXT"

For about five minutes, Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson were the hottest celebrity couple of 2018. Then they weren't a couple at all. Ariana won the break-up though, turning her pain into one of the biggest songs (and videos and catchphrases) of the year.

5. BILL COSBY

The 81-year-old actor finally faced justice for his crimes this April and was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for sexual assault. He's currently appealing the charges though, so this story will likely carry over into the new year.

6. FORTNITE

Technically, it came out in 2017, but it wasn't until this year that the third-person shooter game really took off and took over. For starters, Drake played it, plus there were Fortnite dances at the World Cup, and streamers like Tyler "Ninja” Blevins became famous enough to get interviewed by Jimmy Fallon.

Remember when Roseanne Barr got fired from her own show for tweeting racist insults and she blamed Ambien? Yeah, that really happened.

9. KEVIN HART

Or how about when Kevin Hart had to step down from hosting the Oscars after homophobic tweets from his past came back to haunt him? Maybe in 2019 celebrities will learn to think more and post less.

10. "QUEER EYE" COMEBACK Not all reboots are a good idea, especially in the hands of Netflix (yeah, we're talking about you "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life") but thankfully they got it right with "Queer Eye." The first two seasons were fun and uplifting and exactly what we all needed.

7. KANYE WEST 3. CRAZY POPULAR ASIANS

Hollywood hasn't made a mainstream movie with an all-Asian cast since the "The Joy Luck Club." But after "Crazy Rich Asians" became the highest-grossing rom-com of the

We don't have room here to fully recap the year in Kanye, but we don't really need to, do we? We all remember when he rocked a MAGA hat and what he said about

Aretha Franklin A truly American "Queen." A POTUS. Plus his First Lady. And don't even get us started on Anthony Bourdain. We still aren't over that one. Here's a look back at the influential and inspiring souls we lost in 2018. Penny Marshall Actress George Bush 41st POTUS Stephen Hillenburg Creator of “SpongeBob SquarePants” Stan Lee Superhero of Marvel Comics Mac Miller Rapper Burt Reynolds Actor Neil Simon Playwright Robin Leach “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” host Richard Swift Singer, songwriter, producer Aretha Franklin The “Queen of Soul” Jonathan Gold L.A. food critic XXXTentacion Rapper Anthony Bourdain Author, host, culinary globe-trotter Kate Spade Fashion designer Scott Hutchison Frontman of Frightened Rabbit Philip Roth Novelist Robert Indiana Artist Tom Wolfe Author Verne Troyer Actor, best known for playing Mini-Me Avicii DJ, producer Barbara Bush First Lady Tom Benson New Orleans Saints owner Hubert de Givenchy Fashion designer Russ SolomonTower Records founder Billy Graham Evangelist Ingvar Kamprad Ikea Founder Dolores O’Riordan Singer of The Cranberries

The Carters' "Everything is Love"

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

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 27-JANUARY 2

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

Look Who's Evil Now By Savannah Evanoff

Photo by John Lee / Digitalman's Domain Chris Wilkes likes a good scare. His first AOL Instant Messenger screen name is a dead giveaway … literally. Wilkes chatted under the moniker EvilAsh43—based on the lead character Ash Williams in the 1981 horror film "The Evil Dead”—for the entirety of the online chat room fad, he said. "'Evil Dead' is something that is very ingrained in my life and has been since I was young,” Wilkes said. Wilkes saw Sam Raimi's' "The Evil Dead” (the first one) for the first time when he was 12 in his older sister's trailer. He was equal measure horrified and fascinated, he said. His first time seeing the sequel, "Evil Dead II,” and the second sequel, "Army of Darkness,” had the same effect. "I was at a slumber party, a boys' slumber party,” Wilkes said, "which, being who I am in middle school, basically amounted to a lot of 'Dungeons & Dragons' and Doritos … I started noticing camera angles and started figuring out in the back of my head how they were pulling off certain special effects. It was fascinating to me. It was so gory and so funny.” The plot of the first movie follows five December 27, 2018

college students who vacation in an abandoned cabin, where they find a recording that unleashes demons. What Wilkes loves is that the protagonist is the hero rather than the villain like in other horror films. "It was different than everything else; It wasn't Freddy or Jason or Michael Myers or Pinhead or whatever,” Wilkes said. "The star was the hero, Ash. It all revolves around him.” Since that fateful first viewing, Wilkes has watched the movies like it's his job—he low-balls at least 100 times each. "I was Ash for three years in a row for Halloween,” Wilkes said. "This was before cosplay was really a thing, people with their elaborate costumes. This was like 1999 (or) 2000, and I'm making my chainsaw out of a shoebox.” Flash forward to an adult Wilkes who has followed "The Evil Dead” series and "Evil Dead: The Musical” (based on the series) for more than a decade. In appropriate fashion, Wilkes presented an idea to his close friend, Nicole Dickson, via online chat (screenname unknown). He asked her if she would help create his longtime dream project, "Evil Dead: The Musical.”

People won't want to miss it, Dickson said. "A good part of the reason we became "On one of the (online) threads of friends is our mutual love of things like 'Evil people talking about the show, somebody Dead,'” Dickson said. "When he said that, I was said they wouldn't be able to make the like, 'I will definitely do this show with you.'” show because they couldn't afford tickets,” Co-directors Wilkes and Dickson Dickson said. started assembling a team in June. "And another person said, 'Dude, if you Wilkes is well connected in the music can't afford this show, you're going to be and production scene, bringing in Fort upset. People are going to be talking about Walton Beach band Nik Flagstar and his this like they talked about Woodstock.' I Dirty Mangy Dogs and the venue, Vinyl cracked up,” she said. Music Hall. More proof that the fans are excited Dickson has a theater network, bringing in is that they raised more than $10,000 on cast and crewmembers from Pensacola Little Kickstarter—more than any other producTheatre and the University of West Florida. tion of the musical on Kickstarter, she said. "The reason 'Evil Dead' is going to be as "We're just tickled pink,” Dickson said. successful as it is, is because we've assembled "We're so excited to do this for Pensacola.” the best people in Pensacola across the board After the show runs its course, it's not to do their jobs,” Dickson said. "There's a lot of going anywhere. They will store the set for talent onstage, not to mention backstage and future shows. in the production aspect.” "This isn't the end; it's the beginning,” The event will also feature guest apDickson said. pearances from the Ladies of the "Evil Wilkes looks forward to his first time Dead”—Theresa Tilly, Betsy Baker and seeing their creation—hoping to be horriEllen Sandweiss—three women who apfied and fascinated at equal measures, just peared in the original movie, and perforlike his first experience seeing the film. mances by illusionist Dan Sperry. "Once we get to opening night and Before and after the show, the event I can see the whole thing with an audiwill feature a photo booth, demon face ence that's never seen it before—where painting, music and merchandise booths. everything's a surprise to them, where I can "We're just trying to take this over the see the whole thing fully formed and not top and make it more of an event and not just pieces of it—I'm not exaggerating, I'm just a play itself,” Wilkes said. "It's almost probably going to be in tears.” {in} like a little 'Evil Dead' convention that just happens to based around performances of the play.” Wilkes thinks Vinyl Music Hall is the ideal venue. "I don't know of any other producWHAT: A preview party with the cast and crew tion that's been in a full-blown rock WHEN: 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Dec. 29 club before,” Wilkes said. "Really, what WHERE: chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. better place? It's a rock opera, so why COST: Free (18 and older only) not do it in a rock club?” DETAILS: facebook.com/evildeadpensacola Dickson's favorite aspect of the musical is the way the characters react to their friends being possessed by WHAT: A local production of the cult Offdemons. Throughout preparations, the Broadway hit two have tried to walk the line between WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, Friday, Jan. 4, horror and camp, she said. and Sunday, Jan. 6; 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 "We don't want the show to be WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox too campy, but there are definitely COST: $20 for standing room floor and mezzacomic elements in the show,” Dickson nine; $30 for general admission seating; $50 for said. "We feel we're bringing some true "Splatter Zone” seating in the first floor rows. horror elements to the piece as well. It Additional fees may apply. will feel like watching 'Evil Dead,' just DETAILS: vinylmusichall.com the musical version of it.”

NEW YEAR'S EVIL DEAD

EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL

film

By Daniel Barnes

Top To Bottom: A Year In Movies the year as a tormented priest confronting oblivion in Paul Schrader's story of environmental and existential anguish. "First Reformed” feels like the culmination of Schrader's entire life and career, blending the raw intimacy of Bresson, the scathing despair of Bergman and all his own sensual and spiritual obsessions.

MANDY

In a far superior alternate universe, Panos Cosmatos' psychedelic revenge fantasy plays on the most gigantic IMAX screens imaginable, while the latest Marvel releases debut in 75 theaters before getting dumped to VOD. The prog-metal outrageousness of "Mandy” is established when King Crimson's "Starless” both plays over and gets listed in the opening credits, while Nicolas Cage offers his once-a-decade reminder of why we ever cared.

THE FAVOURITE Any year a new Orson Welles movie debuts is a good year for cinema, so no matter the ups and downs of the release schedule, at least the existence of the master director's unfinished final film "The Other Side of the Wind” provides 2018 with an undeniable saving grace. Welles is still showing up the Hollywood hacks over 30 after his death, and while his restless genius and maverick spirit may feel like a thing of the past, film critic Daniel Barnes found 10 reasons to feel good about the state of cinema in 2018 as well as five reasons to push the panic button.

DANIEL'S TOP 10 FIRST REFORMED

Ethan Hawke gives the performance of

Director Yorgos Lanthimos takes a lean, witty script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara about conniving women and weak men and imbues it with a pitiless absurdism that is peculiarly Lanthimos-ian. The result feels like a ridiculously opulent and darkly Kubrick-ian cross between "Dangerous Liaisons” and "All About Eve.”

YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE

We have become so spoiled by the greatness of Joaquin Phoenix that barely anyone batted an eye when he gave three excellent lead performances in 2018. The best of the bunch came in Lynne Ramsey's scarred and fractured story of a violent, demon-plagued veteran who rescues stolen girls for a living.

ISLE OF DOGS

If Wes Anderson's blend of clinical skill and warming sadness has always hit you in that

Nick Drake sweet spot, his stop-motion animated "Isle of Dogs” is an elaborately embossed tchotchke made for your cinematic shelf. It's another Anderson masterwork of careful world building, impeccable craftsmanship and messy emotional payoffs.

MADELINE'S MADELINE

Led by a ferocious performance from Helena Howard, Josephine Decker's film crackles with an unpredictable energy from the first moments and rarely lets up, forcing us to determine from scene to scene and shot to shot whether we're watching a fantasy or a documentary, an acting exercise or an exhibition of mental illness.

COLD WAR

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT

Human special effect Tom Cruise plays superspy Ethan Hunt for the sixth time. And while nothing in Christopher McQuarrie's "Fallout” should feel unfamiliar to anyone remotely aware of the "Mission: Impossible” bag of tropes, it's still the freshest and most fun action movie of 2018.

DANIEL'S BOTTOM 5 GOTTI

Klutzy filmmaking usually provides some level of schadenfreude fun, but never has ineptitude been less entertaining than in Kevin Connolly's hopelessly muddled biopic.

A quietly devastating romance shot in gorgeous black-and-white, Pawel Pawlikowski's film follows mismatched lovers torn apart first by Communism and later by capitalism. Much like the Polish folk songs heard throughout, "Cold War” takes a tragic story of heartbreak and horror and transforms it into something beautiful and timeless.

FIFTY SHADES FREED

THE DEATH OF STALIN

Publicist turned director Ava DuVernay had the entire universe rooting for her big-budget adaptation of the Madeleine L'Engle novel, but the result was garish and empty.

Already the premiere political satirist of his era, "In the Loop” director and "Veep” creator Armando Iannucci pulls off his most impressive feat yet, turning the real-life corpse-strewn power struggle that followed Josef Stalin's sudden death into a lacerating and disturbingly relevant farce.

BURNING

An oblong mystery about a South Korean slacker (Yoo Ah-in) who becomes obsessed with a beautiful but flighty ex-classmate (Jun Jong-seo) and her wealthy boyfriend (Steven Yuen), Lee Chang-dong's strangely chilly film is powerfully enigmatic and immaculately constructed.

Putrid even by the subterranean standard set by the first two entries in the "Fifty Shades” franchise, this trilogy-ender had the temerity to end with a "heartwarming” montage of its abusive protagonists.

A WRINKLE IN TIME

GREEN BOOK

The most malodorous awards bait of 2018, Peter Farrelly's rancid road movie is MAGA for white liberals. Mahershala Ali survives with a shred of dignity intact, but Viggo Mortensen may never recover.

DEADPOOL 2

More snot-nosed nihilism and fangless meta-commentary from Marvel's "merc with a mouth," once again played by Ryan Reynolds as a homicidal rape-joke comedian. {in}

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䄀挀挀椀搀攀渀琀 ☀ 䤀渀樀甀爀礀䰀愀眀礀攀爀猀

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inweekly.net

calendar THURSDAY 12.27

YOGA WITHIN REACH 9-10 a.m. Free. Commu-

nity Health Northwest Florida, 2315 W. Jackson St., Room A. healthcarewithinreach.org A QUIET PLACE' SCREENING 10 a.m. $5. J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com TOM DORSEY WINTER CLASSIC 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Junior golf tournament for ages 6-18. The First Tee Northwest Florida 3924 W. Navy Blvd. thefirstteenwflorida.org/ tom-dorsey-winter-classic 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 BLACKKKLANSMAN SCREENING 1 p.m. $5. J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com 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. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. Sign up for the newsletter for menu. eotlcafe.com BAY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY BENEFIT SHOW 6:30 p.m. Free. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S.

Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

ICE FLYERS VS. HUNTSVILLE HAVOC 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com

FRIDAY 12.28

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

Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com

A QUIET PLACE SCREENING 10 a.m. $5. J.

Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com

Arts & Culture

≥Events

PMA GALLERY TOURS 2:30 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. Free with museum admission. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 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. pensacolamuseum.org

GESCHE WÜRFEL: December 27, 2018

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 REDIRECTED On view through Jan. 15. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org NEW BLUES On view through Feb. 2. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery.com DOCUFLORIDA II On view through May 17. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. his-

BLACKKKLANSMAN SCREENING 1 p.m. $5. J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com HAPPY HOUR COOKOUTS 5 p.m. Drink specials, free cookout. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.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 OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/cafesinglefin BIG DEAL BURLESQUE 8 p.m. $12-$45/ Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

SATURDAY 12.29

PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh 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. Dr. Philip A. Payne Bridge, located on Cervantes St. crossing Bayou Texar. Meet at the Bayou boat ramp on Stanley and East Strong St. oceanhourfl.com A QUIET PLACE SCREENING 10 a.m. $5. J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com COMPUTER BASICS Noon. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com BLACKKKLANSMAN SCREENING 1 p.m. $5. J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com VISION BOARD COCKTAIL PARTY 3-5 p.m.

toricpensacola.org PUNKSACOLA: REFLECTIONS OF A SUBCULTURE On

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

≥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 nonmembers. For more information, visit firstcityart.org. INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Every

Free. Snacks and cocktails provided. Wild Lemon, 3000 N. 12th Ave. beawildlemon.com NUTHIN' FANCY: THE ULTIMATE LYNYRD SKYNYRD TRIBUTE BAND 7 p.m. $12-$15. Vinyl

Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com ICE FLYERS VS. HUNTSVILLE HAVOC 7:05 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com GATSBY GIRLS 5TH ANNUAL SPEAKEASY BALL 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $107.72-$197.90. De

Luna Winery, 116 E. Gonzalez St. facebook. com/thekreweofgatsbygirls PUBLIC ICE SKATE 9:30 p.m. $9-$12. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com

SUNDAY 12.30

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. 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 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 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

Monday from 6-8:30 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. Entries should be appropriate for replication for posters, Tshirts 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

VEGAN AND VINO SUNDAYS 4-7 p.m. Skopelos

at New World, 600 S. Palafox

MONDAY 12.31

RESUME HELP 11 a.m. Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A. mywfpl.com PILATES MAT 1:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS 5:30 p.m. Runners 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

TUESDAY 1.1

OVER-50 BALLROOM DANCE CLUB 7-9:30 p.m. $5-$10. Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Center, 913 S. I St. Dressy attire (no jeans).

WEDNESDAY 1.2

PUBLIC ICE SKATE 2-6:30 p.m. $9-$12. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.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

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 Pensacola 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 4338382, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or visit jazzpensacola.com. 19

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HERE'S TO THE NEW YEAR A roundup of celebratory events and festive dinners

SUNDAY 12.30

NEW YEAR'S EVE BRUNCH 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. A la carte brunch menu, fullystocked Bloody Mary bar, champagne, mimosas and screwdrivers. Apple Annie's Courtyard, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

MONDAY 12.31

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFE 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (lunch service) 4-10 p.m. (dinner service). Five Sisters Blues Cafe, 421 W. Belmont. greatsouthernrestaurants.com

Bars & Nightlife

POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com

â‰¥Bar Games

POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The

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 December 27, 2018

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

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT POT ROAST & PINOT 4-5:15 p.m. ($30) and 7-9:30 p.m. ($75 plus $40 for optional wine pairing). Three- and four-course menus. Pot Roast & Pinot, 11B S. Palafox. potroastpinot.com NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER 5:30 p.m. $45. 8 p.m. $55. Four-course meal. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com KAZOO'S ROCKIN' EVE AND PELICAN DROP 6-8 p.m. Free. Children's activities, fireworks. Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. bluewahoos.com NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER AT UNION PUBLIC HOUSE 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $95 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 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.

plus $35 wine pairing. Union Public House, 309 S. Reus St. unionpensacola.com NEW YEAR'S EVE AT FISH HOUSE 6 and 9 p.m. $100 per person. Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. greatsouthernrestaurants.com NEW YEAR'S EVE AT JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE 7 and 9 p.m. $125 per person. Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. greatsouthernrestaurants.com 5TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE BLACK AND WHITE BASH 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Half-off beer and select liquor specials. Casino Beach Bar and Grille, 41 Fort Pickens Road. NEW YEAR'S ON THE BAY 6:30 p.m. $20-$95. Buffet-style dinner, champagne toast, VIP parking. Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. bluewahoos.com NEW YEAR'S EVE AT SEVILLE QUARTER 7 p.m. $20-$60. Live music, drink specials, party favors and Cristalino Cava Brut toast at midnight. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR 7 p.m. $23 and up. Guest Tony DeSare, piano and vocals. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com PARADISE ALL-STARS 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Live music. Paradise Inn Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna Drive. paradisebar-grill.com NYE BOOTY DROP 8 p.m. $5. DEAdBUGGS, Paul the P-Funk Fresh, DJ Slim and DJ FR3. chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. facebook.com/chizukopensacola NEW YEAR'S EVE AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Live music, beer releases. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY AT SKOPELOS 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $95-$125. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox. skopelosatnewworld.com 1987 NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $25-$40. Two free drinks with each ticket. '80s attire encouraged. Top of the Town, 15 E. Intendencia St. Sundays

Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco

BAR AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE (B.A.R.E. NIGHT) 7

TEXAS HOLD 'EM FOR FUN AND TRIVIA

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.

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.

Proceeds benefit Covenant Care. De Luna Winery, 116 E. Gonzalez St. NEW YEAR'S EYE AT SANDSHAKER 10 p.m. Live music with Buzzcutt, complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com PENSACOLA BEACH FIREWORKS Midnight. Santa Rosa Island Authority, 1 Via de Luna Drive.

TUESDAY 1.1

POLAR BEAR DIP Noon-3 p.m. Completely submerge and get a free draft beer along with greens and black-eyed peas. Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. PENSACOLA BEACH POLAR BEAR PLUNGE 2 p.m. $5-$15 to register. pensacolabeachchamber.com PARADISE ALL-STARS 3-7 p.m. Live music. Paradise Inn Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna Drive. paradisebar-grill.com

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 HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA Through Dec. 30. Sales and photos with Santa at various booths. T&W Flea Market, 1717 N. T Street. HOLIDAY ICE SKATE Various times. Through Dec. 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 be on display at Plaza de Luna throughout the holidays. visitpensacola.com/ holidaycube sevillequarter.com

to $100 in gift cards.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 9:30-10:30

TICKET TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Ticket

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

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 21

calendar 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. Government 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, 8 222 2

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

THURSDAY 12.27 JOHN RIPLEY 6-9

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. THE FLAVORS 8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com TEXAR 8 p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco JOEY COLLINS 9 p.m. End O' the Alley Courtyard, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

FRIDAY 12.28

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. PLATINUM PREMIER

8 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com BUZZCUTT 9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com JOHN HART PROJECT

9 p.m. Lili Marlene's, Seville Quarter, 130

E. Government St. sevillequarter.com ADAM HOLT 9 p.m. End O' the Alley, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com HORSESHOE KITTY

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

SATURDAY 12.29

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. 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

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. HORSESHOW KITTY

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

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news of the weird SPECIAL DELIVERY Staff at the Martin County (Florida) Correctional Institute spied some suspicious activity on the morning of Dec. 16. Around 1:30 a.m., a drone was spotted hovering over an inmate housing center, while at the same time, a black pickup truck rolled slowly in front of the center. The Tampa Bay Times reported officers stopped the truck and questioned Concetta Didiano, 22, and her mother, Cassanra Kerr, 40, who said they had driven the 200 miles from their home in Tampa so Didiano could learn how to drive the truck. But Kerr's husband is an inmate at the facility, and after a drone and a package of contraband—tobacco and mobile phones— turned up near the front gate of the prison, Kerr came clean: "I did it. The remote and iPad are in the backseat." Both Didiano and Kerr have been charged with introducing contraband into a correctional center. ANGER MISMANAGEMENT H.W. Taylor III, 51, of Chatfield, Texas, was charged Dec. 12 with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a parking dispute escalated outside a Domino's pizza shop in Jerrell. Determined to park his tractor-trailer in a restricted area, reported the Austin American-Statesman, Taylor removed a chain blocking the area and parked his truck there, even as store employees told him not to. Williamson County sheriff's deputies were called after Taylor pointed a gun at the chest of one the employees and then shot a 9mm round into the ground nearby, causing a small piece of the bullet to strike the employee in the ear. Having lost his appetite for pizza, Taylor returned to his truck and drove away, but officers soon caught up to him in another county. The Domino's worker had a small cut to his ear and is expected to survive. •In Mesa, Arizona, diverging tastes in music led to a fatality on Dec. 14, reported the Arizona Republic. Officers responded to a call of shots fired at an apartment complex, where Sheldon Sturgill, 41, told them he shot his roommate after an argument and fistfight over the type of music they were listening to. Sturgill and his roommate had been drinking shots and beer before the altercation. He was held on suspicion of second-degree murder. It is unclear what the offensive music choice was. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Havana, Cuba, resident Pepe Casanas, 78, has discovered a tried-and-true way to treat his rheumatism pain: Once a month for the last 10 years, Casanas seeks out a blue scorpion, which is endemic to Cuba, and lets it sting him. "I put the scorpion where I feel pain," Casanas told Reuters. After the sting, "It hurts for a while, but then it calms and goes and I don't have anymore pain." In fact, researchers have confirmed that the

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

scorpion's venom has anti-inflammatory and pain relief effects. It may even delay cancer growth in some patients. A Cuban pharmaceutical company has been selling a homeopathic pain remedy called Vidatox, made from the scorpion venom, but Casanas, a former tobacco farmer, takes the simpler route. He sometimes keeps a scorpion under his straw hat for luck, where he says it likes the shade and humidity. FOUL FETISH The Daily Mail reported on Dec. 14 that a Chinese man identified only as Peng, 37, was hospitalized in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, after he complained of a cough and chest pains. As doctors examined him, Peng admitted that he is "addicted to smelling his socks that he had been wearing." The pain in his chest, it turns out, was a fungal infection he had inhaled from his socks. While Peng is expected to make a full recovery, other people 'fessed up on Chinese social media that they have the same habit: "The reason I smell my socks is to know if I can continue wearing them the next day!" one commenter said. Another pledged to "wash my socks every day now." CREATIVE CURRENCY Maybe it was the Triple Breakfast Stacks McGriddles that lured Anthony Andrew Gallagher, 23, to the drive-thru lane at a Port St. Lucie, Florida, McDonald's to satisfy his hungries on the morning of Dec. 16. But when it came time to pay, the Associated Press reported, Gallagher offered the dude in the window a bag of weed instead of cold, hard cash. The worker declined the payment, and Gallagher drove away, returning a while later. McDonald's staff called police after the first attempt, and Gallagher was apprehended for marijuana possession and driving under the influence. REDNECK CHRONICLES Call it a dangerous case of mistaken identity: The Helena (Montana) Independent Record reported that a 27-year-old man was shot at multiple times on Dec. 16 after being mistaken for Big Foot. The unidentified man told police he was setting up targets for shooting on federal land when bullets struck the ground nearby. He ran for cover, then confronted the shooter, who said the first man "was not wearing orange and thought he was Big Foot," said Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton. The cryptid impersonator described the shooter's vehicle to police but didn't want to press charges, asking only that the shooter be lectured about safe shooting. {in}

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com December 27, 2018

Independent News | December 27, 2018 | inweekly.net