Inweekly jan 14 2015 issue

Independent News | January 14, 2016 | Volume 17 | Number 3 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers

outtakes

4

5

news

buzz 8

6, 7

We’re not seeing a lot of pills anymore.

a&e

cover story

13, 18

9

22

publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Jason Leger, Jennifer Leigh, Emily Richey, Chuck Shepherd, Shelby Smithey

contact us info@inweekly.net

calendar 14

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. Š 2015 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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DIFFERENCE MAKERS Creativity and Innovation Accelerated at Episcopal Day School, Thanks to $25,000 Kugelman Foundation Grant Episcopal Day School of Christ Church Parish (EDS) in Pensacola, FL is grateful to be the recipient of a $25,000 Kugelman Foundation grant for the creation of an innovation lab. The Kugelman Innovation Lab will be a dedicated space optimized for 21st Century teaching and learning, as well as fostering student success through project-based learning with integrated technology in the classroom. The school will later host a grand opening ceremony and formally name the Kugelman Innovation Lab in appreciation for the generous gift from the foundation. The Kugelman Foundation is committed to continuing its support for the growth and development of the lab for years to come.

Foundation President Jane Kugelman spoke about the need for the Kugelman Innovation Lab and its value to the community. She stated, “Jack and I always believed in education and technology is the new tool for the next generation. I think it’s something important and the children will not be prepared without having a place to learn and utilize innovative technology to advance their skills.”

The Kugelman Foundation was established by philanthropists Edgar and Sylvia Kugelman, and continued by their only son Jack and his wife Jane. The daughters and grandchildren of Jack and Jane Kugelman have continued their legacy of giving to the local causes about which their family is most passionate and today the foundation is led by David and Tara Foster, Pete and Jane Lauter, and Sean and Sarah Ryan. The Kugelman Foundation, who has been a longtime supporter of education in our area, strives to better our Pensacola community and give back.

The addition of the Kugelman Innovation Lab is a critical step in the ongoing transformation of EDS classrooms and outdoor learning spaces so students may most effectively collaborate, think critically, be creative and communicate their ideas. These 21st Century skills will be essential in the job market of tomorrow as success is often determined not just by what you know, but what you can do with what you know. Educators must prepare children for jobs that are yet unknown in a rapidly changing world.

The Kugelman Innovation Lab will be a dedicated space where students believe they can be dreamers, inventors, and designers.

Students will be urged to take risks and to make, invent, program and design. These skills will be reinforced with the study of science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEaM). The intent is that exposure to these subjects will lead students to become inventors, entrepreneurs, collaborators, and problem solvers. Sample themes for instruction include: robotics, 3D printing, design and fabrication, coding, computer programming, wearable tech – sewing with electronics, molecular gastronomy, and stop-motion animation.

With financial gifts dedicated to this purpose, other supporters have also made their commitment to making the dream of an innovation lab a reality for EDS students, and the $25,000 gift from the Kugelman Foundation will be the impetus which allows the school to prepare this dedicated space in the summer. The plan is for the Kugelman Innovation Lab to be ready for the start of the 2016 – 2017 school year and it will have a direct and positive impact upon the quality of the education EDS students receive every day. As part of our middle school expansion plan, a classroom is available for this purpose with Kindergarten moving to the Hilton-Green Campus for early childhood classes next school year.

On behalf of EDS, Judy Shelton, Head of School, expressed her appreciation and stated, “Our vision is being realized due to the contributions of families and friends of EDS. This generous grant from the Kugelman Foundation makes it possible for us to dream even bigger, and we are excited to name the lab in honor of Jane Kugelman. “ The Kugelman Innovation Lab will not only be a resource for EDS students, but for the entire community as well. The school often invites the public to attend community events for children and their parents. Once completed, these will be hosted in the Kugelman Innovation Lab and attendees will enjoy the fun and benefits of STEaM based pursuits. The Kugelman Innovation Lab will enhance the vitality of our downtown area with free educational activities for families.

In January, the school will host a “Lunch with Nonie” to have students demonstrate the technology to be utilized in the Kugelman Innovation Lab, and detail the school’s exciting plans for the future. “Nonie” is the name which Jane Kugelman’s grandchildren affectionately call their grandmother, and many of her great-grandchildren are current EDS students.

Episcopal Day School serves students, regardless of faith or background, from six weeks through the 8th Grade. EDS is committed to advancing the school’s mission of preparing students for a life of learning and meaningful service in a diverse and global world by providing academic excellence and character formation inclusive of all of God’s children and grounded in the Episcopal tradition.

Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer January 14, 2016

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winners & losers

Malcolm Thomas

winners

losers

MALCOLM THOMAS The school super-

intendent got a re-election boost when the Florida Department of Education released the 2015 high school graduation rates. His district’s results improved to 72.7 percent, a 6.6-point jump over the previous year and a 15-point increase since 2011. The graduation rate for the African-American students went from 49.8 to 61.8 percent, the largest increase of any Florida school district for this demographic group.

FLORIDA CARRY INC. The 1st District Court of Appeal state appeals court turned down a request for a rehearing in a lawsuit that sought to overturn a University of Florida ban on guns in residence halls and other university housing. Florida Carry had challenged an earlier decision by the threejudge panel of the court that had upheld an Alachua County circuit judge’s ruling that backed the university’s position.

FIRE STATION #3 Pensacola Mayor Ashton

PAM BONDI In March 2014, the Florida

KUGELMAN FOUNDATION The foundation donated $25,000 for the creation of an innovation lab at Episcopal Day School of Christ Church Parish. The Kugelman Innovation Lab will be a dedicated space optimized for state-of-the art teaching and learning, as well as fostering student success through projectbased learning with integrated technology in the classroom. The Kugelman Foundation is committed to continuing its support for the growth and development of the lab for years to come.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently sent a letter to the owner of the Rolling Hills C&D Recycling Center complaining it had blocked the department’s efforts to deliver cover materials to the landfill site. Residents in the area have complained about odors coming from the landfill. Recent soil tests revealed high levels of arsenic at a nearby ballpark.

Hayward will ask the City Council in February to approve spending around $3 million in Local Option Sales Tax money to replace the station by 2017. The station has had mold and structural issues for over 11 years. Councilman Andy Terhaar and his predecessor, Maren Deweese, fought unsuccessfully for years to get a new fire house in the budget. Hayward’s change of heart is good news for the firefighters working out of that station.

Attorney General wrote a letter to Medicare to pay for expensive drug screenings for the street drug Angel Dust. The letter directly benefited Millennium, a drug company that agreed last year to pay the federal government $256 million to resolve kickback and civil fraud charges. According to The Palm Beach Post, Millennium had championed Bondi’s anti-drug initiative and had close ties to her and the governor’s legal teams, through its lobbying firm.

Bondi blamed her staff for the mistake.

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

MISSED CHANCE The Florida Senate isn’t interested in fighting public corruption. Bribery and bid-tampering aren’t as big a problem for the members of the Senate Ethics and Governmental Oversight Committee as cutting off the flow of campaign contributions from builders and road contractors.

And even worse, the media called attention to the corruption and dared to push for a bill that would have addressed many of the ills revealed in a 2010 state grand jury report. How dare newspapers tell elected officials how to govern.

The USA TODAY Network news sites, which include the Pensacola News Journal, advocated strengthening laws on public corruption by eliminating the “corrupt intent” standard and subjecting the vendors who commit the bribery to prosecution.

Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, sponsored the Senate bill. Every state attorney in Florida endorsed it. Assistant state attorneys have told me how difficult it is to convince a jury whether a defendant had “criminal” intent when they rigged a bid.

On “Pensacola Speaks,” Sen. Gaetz said, “I’m a Lutheran, and we Lutherans tend to look at the real consequences of actions. Intent’s important, but if you’ve committed fraud, if you’ve committed bribery, if you’ve illegally favored some pal or crony of yours in the writing of a government contract, the illegality, the immoral-

ity, the unethical nature of that behavior is shown by its fruits.”

He wasn’t concerned about road contractors and others being subject to prosecution if they were found guilty of bid-rigging or bribery.

“It doesn’t really matter. You bribed him, and so both of you ought to go down,” he said. “That’s why the state attorneys across the state have unanimously endorsed this legislation, because they believe that the corrupt act itself ought to be enough to take action against both of the parties who were engaged in it.”

Sen. Gaetz said the “corruption tax” is costing the taxpayers hundreds of millions in more expensive buildings, bridges and roads.

“The statewide grand jury found what is really a corruption tax when you have favoritism, and cronyism, and back-room deals, with City Hall pals, for contracts and bids,” he said.

Unfortunately, the Senate Ethics and Governmental Oversight Committee didn’t agree and voted 4-1 against advancing the bill.

We still have a faint hope that the Florida House will vote for the companion bill, and something might happen in the conferences between the two chambers. Until then, media will continue to be the watchdog and investigate the shady backrooms.

It will be up to the voters to decide if they want to keep the crooks in office. {in} rick@inweekly.net

It will be up to the voters to decide if they want to keep the crooks in office.

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THE BLUES PHOTOGRAPH BLUES

Photograph in Question / Courtesy of Don Roark

By Rick Outzen Blues scholars have come forward to challenge a reported photo of Mississippi Blues legend Robert Johnson (Inweekly, “Finding Pensacola’s Blues Past,” Jan. 2).

“Your report on the "new" Robert Johnson photo is wrong, and you are the victims of a hoax,” wrote Bruce Conforth in an email to the newspaper.

Local attorney Don Roark found the photo in a “Gov. Winthrop” slant top desk that he purchased at Garth’s Antiques. The previous owner had worked at the San Carlos Hotel and lived on Wright Street a block away from the Belmont-Devilliers intersection.

Roark had noted police forensic artist Lois Gibson examine the photo. She confirmed Roark’s belief that it was of Johnson, sitting with his wife Calletta Craft, another blues legend Robert Lockwood, Jr. and Lockwood’s mother, Estella Coleman.

“She's wrong. Factually, she's wrong,” said Bruce Conforth in a phone interview last week.

“There's no question about it. You can take any opinion that you want, but we're talking about facts here.”

He said that Callie Craft died before Johnson met Estelle Coleman and Robert Lockwood.

“Besides that, I knew Robert Lockwood, and everybody I know who knew Robert Lockwood said that that's not him, “ he told Inweekly.

Why is Robert Johnson important?

“Robert was probably the very first modern blues guitarist,” said Conforth. “He changed the way we think about the blues guitar. He really brought into the idea, the whole notion of using rifts to identify songs with.”

He said, “ He completely altered the whole idea of what it was to sing a blues lyric. His lyrics took on a whole different characteristic than anybody else. Everything 66

that comes after him can, in some way or another, be traced back to him; Muddy Waters, straight out of Robert Johnson; Elmore James, straight out of Robert Johnson. All the post-war blues musicians started out doing Robert Johnson.”

Conforth has solid credentials as a blues scholar. He is a professor of American Culture at the University of Michigan, founding curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a member of the executive board of the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation.

“I'm about to publish the definitive biography of Robert Johnson with my co-author, Gayle Dean Wardlow, who has been a blues scholar for over 50 years, and in fact, is the gentleman who discovered Robert Johnson's death certificate in 1968,” Conforth told Inweekly.

He was also married to Robert Lockwood's goddaughter.

“I knew Robert, and Robert, in many interviews, said that he did not meet Robert Johnson until 1934 or 1935,” he said, “ by which time, Callie was dead a couple of years, so there is no conceivable way that those two women could be sitting at the same table.”

Professor Mark Nixon of the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, a world-famous expert in computer face recognition and medical image analysis, analyzed the photo, according to Conforth.

“There was ‘no match’ between Gibson’s “Lockwood” and photos of the real Lockwood,” said Conforth.

He also questioned Gibson’s assertion that the photo of a black man whose face was partially covered by a glass he was holding was Johnson. The forensic artist had compared Roark’s photo with an authenticated one. She said the facial features and the slight deformity in his left eye were identical.

Conforth scoffed at the analysis. “We could probably sit down with a couple of thousand photographs of African-Amer-

ican men of the age of about anywhere from 21 to 26, and we could probably find a couple of them that resembled Robert Johnson. That doesn't make them Robert Johnson.”

Conforth said that historians must look at the provenance of the photograph. Without provenance, the most one could ever possibly claim is it could be someone famous, according to the Blues scholar.

“If there is absolutely nothing to link a photograph with Johnson, his family or someone who knew him, if you just say, well, we found this photograph in a desk a couple thousand miles from where Johnson lived, what is there to link it?” he said. “There's absolutely nothing to actually link it.”

He said several aspects of the photo put into question whether it was taken before World War II. “There's so much contextually wrong with the photograph,” said Conforth. “The wrong hairstyles, the wrong glasses, the wrong fashions, the wrong furniture, the wrong Coke bottle for 1931.”

He challenged Gibson’s story that Johnson recorded his songs at the Menter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

“She said that Johnson recorded at the Menter Hotel when it was the Gunter Hotel and that they ran wires from their room to his room when he wasn't even allowed to stay at the Gunter Hotel,” said Conforth. “How do I know that? Because I have the papers from Don Law, the man who recorded Johnson.”

Don Roark isn’t backing away from his belief that his photograph is of Robert Johnson, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Calletta Craft, and Estella Coleman. In an interview with Inweekly about Conforth’s assertions, the attorney characterized his critic as a “disturbed and angry man.”

“We, at first, wanted to just ignore it,” said Roark. “I've dealt with it for two and a half years. There is a group out there who think they own the Blues, who think they own Robert Johnson.”

Last week, he wrote a rebuttal piece to Conforth’s statements and posted it on blues-related websites that have debunked the authenticity of the photograph. Roark titled his rebuttal, “Why the hate, Bruce?”

The rebuttal is pointed and, at times, pernicious. Roark answers the questions that Conforth raised about the photograph’s provenance, its quality, the date of items in the photograph, Calletta Craft and his motives.

His strongest words are in defense of forensic artist Lois Gibson.

“It is interesting that a man who has not had so much as a 20-minute class in forensic art, and who couldn’t draw a portrait if his life depended on it, calls perhaps the premier

Bruce Conforth / Courtesy Photo forensic artist of our time a fraud and a fake,” wrote Roark. “And a general meanie.”

He added, “None of these deniers have challenged her work in any meaningful way. Nor has anyone from the forensic art community come out to prove her wrong.

The reason is they can’t. If they could, they would. She is, however, ready. And loaded for bear, quite frankly.”

Conforth is convinced the photograph isn’t authentic. He walked back through his reasons before he hung up the phone.

“There is a computer-generated facial recognition overlay; the faces do not match up,” he said. “One of the world's foremost forensic scientists said there's no way that that's Robert Lockwood. Callie Craft was dead before Robert met Coleman and Lockwood, and the photograph doesn't look anything like Robert, and all the furniture and everything else is wrong.”

He said, “It's simply not him. Factually, it's not him, and factually, she got everything wrong about the recording.”

For the Blues scholar, the misidentification of the photograph is the equivalent of identity theft and stealing part of the Johnson family’s identity. He believes the Gibson’s claims about the photo have damaged “legitimate historical scholarship.”

“She's playing games,” said Conforth.

“Every couple of months, you just can't come up with a new photograph of Robert Johnson.”

“Your report on the "new" Robert Johnson photo is wrong, and you are the victims of a hoax.” Bruce Conforth

WEB EXTRAS:

On our website, you will find attached to this article links to articles challenging the authenticity of the photograph and Don Roark’s rebuttal. {in} inweekly.net

ESCAMBIA COUNTY DRUG OVERDOSES ON THE RISE

By Duwayne Escobedo Prescription drug abuse is on the rise again in Escambia County despite efforts by Attorney General Pam Bondi and law enforcement, according to a report by the Florida Medical Examiners.

In 2010, state and federal drug task forces targeted some pain management physicians and clinics considered to be dispensing too many pain medications, socalled “pill mills.” The effort initially led to a decline in prescription drug overdoses.

However, the 2014 Medical Examiners Commission Drug Report released last fall shows a 107 percent increase in accidental deaths caused by prescription drugs in Escambia County, rising to 62 deaths from 30 in 2013. Statewide, that number increased 8.9 percent to 1,752 accidental deaths.

Escambia’s prescription deaths outnumber local traffic fatalities — 38 — according to the latest Florida Highway Patrol safety facts. Across the nation, drug overdoses have surpassed traffic deaths as the leading cause of accidental deaths, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta report.

The statistic alarms local officials who deal with substance abuse. Lakeview Center psychologist and clinical director Dr. David Josephs said Escambia residents should consider the increase a “call to arms” to deal with drug abuse in their community.

“Drug addiction with treatment, you don’t die,” Josephs said. “The potential of recovery is so much greater than other illnesses. These are clearly preventable deaths.”

One reason for the uptick is that the crackdown on prescription painkillers led people to doctor-shop for other potentially dangerous prescription drugs, if used wrong.

Baptist Health Care Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Oleksyk explained that

January 14, 2016

because pain pills are much harder to get today, patients will get 60 pills from one doctor, 30 pills from another doctor and then end up overdosing when they selfmedicate as their pain becomes intolerable to them. He pointed out if alcohol is taken with the pill, the risk for an accidental overdose increases.

“The goal is not to cure pain, it is to take the edge off, make your pain tolerable,” he said. “There’s a big difference between curing it and making it tolerable.”

Despite that information, 16 million Americans age 12 and older have taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to a 2009 survey, said the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Plus, District 1 Medical Examiner Director Jeff Martin and other experts who deal with drug problems say the crackdown on prescription drugs also led to the skyrocketing use of heroin.

“It is the most easily-attainable drug at the moment,” said Martin, who recently compiled numbers for 2015 for next year’s drug death report.

Heroin overdoses increased in Florida from 199 to 447 in 2014, the Medical Examiners Commission says. Heroin-related deaths in our area mirrored the statewide statistic, going from three to 12, or a 300 percent increase. Eight times since 2000 the area experienced zero heroin overdoses and just six total from 2000-2012, the medical examiners report.

Meanwhile, cocaine overdoses rose in Escambia by 81 percent, increasing from 31 to 56 in 2014.

Ever since the state’s coordinated drive to stop doctors who freely, sometimes criminally, prescribed potent pain medicines, heroin has become a drug of choice.

It’s cheap, available and has similar effects to prescription painkillers in relieving pain.

Lt. Robert Quinta, who heads the

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit, said the spread of heroin in Escambia County was to be expected.

“We’re not seeing a lot of pills anymore,” Quinta said. “Mainly what we’re seeing is heroin. Heroin is big.”

An investigative report by Treasure Coast Newspapers reported that the CDC found the amount of prescription painkillers increased fourfold since 1999, even though the amount of pain Americans experienced remained nearly the same.

The newspaper also found that the United States and Canada have the highest per capita use of opioid-based drugs, such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, methadone, fentanyl and tramadol, leading to the highest overdose rates in the world.

It’s unknown whether accidental prescription drug deaths will continue to rise.

Many doctors have stopped prescribing powerful painkillers because it has become like “additional licensure,” Baptist’s Dr. Oleksyk said. The enactment of stricter state laws now requires physicians to take courses before being allowed to prescribe painkillers.

“It’s a real hardship, so a lot of physicians have gotten out of doing that,” Dr. Oleksyk said. “That being said, there are still a lot of patients out there who are getting controlled substances. If they can’t, they are turning to heroin. We’ve seen a huge, huge jump in the number of people using heroin. You see a lot of police now are carrying the antidote (the Naloxone injection), if they suspect a heroin overdose.”

Sacred Heart Chief Medical Officer Stephanie Duggan advocates doctors and patients try a simple solution — give patients Motrin or Tylenol first to manage their pain before stepping it up to more powerful narcotic pain medications.

Duggan said: “We have to be willing to give those a try before we step it up to Percocet or morphine.” {in}

DRUG REPORT DEATHS: PERCENTAGE INCREASE 2013-2014 Prescription Drugs Escambia

106.7%

Florida

8.9%

Cocaine Escambia

80.6%

Florida

12.8%

Heroin Escambia

300%

Florida

124.6%

Source: 2014 Medical Examiners Drug Report

SELECTED 2014 ESCAMBIA COUNTY DEATHS Heart Disease

723

Cancer

654

Stroke

166

Prescription Drugs

62

Suicide

58

Cocaine

56

Traffic Fatalities

38*

Influenza/Pneumonia

33

Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis

26

Homicide

19

Heroin

12

Sources: 2014 Medical Examiners Commission Drug Report; and Florida Vital Statistics Annual Report 2014; and *2010 Florida Traffic Safety Facts

7

GRADUATION RATES SOAR On Jan. 12, the Florida Department of Education released the graduation statistics for the 2014-15 school year. Escambia County’s graduate percentage jumped from 66.1 percent in 2014 to 72.7 in 2015.

Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told the daily newspaper that the district’s focus on its at-risk students was one of the factors that contributed to the phenomenal jump.

The Escambia County School District has always lagged behind the state graduation rates for its at-risk and economicallydisadvantaged students. However, since the 2010-11 school year, the graduation rates for at-risk student have improved by 15 percentage points and for economicallydisadvantaged students by 11 points.

Almost all of the improvement happened in the 2014-15 school year with at-risk improving 9.4 points in one year and economically-disadvantaged 7.8 points.

“I'm just ecstatic,” School Board member Jeff Bersgosh told Inweekly. “I think a lot of credit goes to the teachers, a lot of credit to the students who stuck it out.; frankly, a lot of credit to the whole team.

Definitely, truly a team effort.”

He gave School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas credit for making graduation within four years a priority and the staff buying into the goal.

“When you see the wheels turn like that and everything's moving smoothly, you'll come out with tremendous results like this,” he said.

Bergosh said the switch in mentality began about seven or eight years ago when the district began adding career academies.

“The mentality was it was a cookiecutter thing—you’ve got to go tocollege, and one-size-fits-all approach,” he said.

“That's been transformed. Now we have 63 career academies.”

88

He explained, “Students that may dislike school, but they like engineering, or they like gaming, or they like the trades, they've got a place where they can go. They can get their diploma, and then they're career-ready when they're done. “ Bergosh also credited changes in the district’s discipline policies.

“I will say that we tolerated some students that perhaps at other districts would have been kicked out,” he said. “We've tried to really not give up on kids. We don't give up on kids. I've been vocal when these kids get 50 or 60 referrals that, you know, what are they still doing hanging around. If they're able to finish, I guess it was worth it.”

MOLDY FIRE STATION BECOMES PRIORITY Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hay-

ward announced that replacing the moldly fire station on Summit Boulevard will be a priority. Next month, he plans to ask the Pensacola City Council to allow him to use $3 million of 2017 Local Option Sales Tax funds to do it.

One person pleased with the mayor’s decision is City Councilman Andy Terhaar, in whose district Fire Station #3 is located.

“Ever since I ran for council, that was my number one issue in my district,” said Tehaar, who was elected in 2012. “That's an issue that I've been really pressing the last four years for, and I'm glad to finally see that it's going to happen.”

He said the station had been damaged during Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.

“Well it took some damage during Ivan and had some water intrusion,” he said.

“That water intrusion caused some mold issues that have not really been addressed.

It's really been escalating over the last couple of years, and it's time to get a new one.”

The councilman added, “With this new LOST money that's coming in, I knew that

was going to be the catalyst to get it done, because we just didn't have the funding to do it (before).”

Terhaar said, “I was hoping to get it done sooner than this, but I'm glad it's going to be getting done eventually.”

THE EVERS DOMINO The big domino

that could set off a series of political maneuvers in this election is State Sen. Greg Evers.

His district boundaries have been redrawn, and he will have to move to Santa Rosa County to run for election to his District 1 seat.

On “Pensacola Speaks” last week, Evers said he already has a house on Garcon Point that would make the move an easy one. He said he had opened a Senate campaign account but didn’t rule out pursuing other offices.

“A lot of things can happen between now and (time to) qualify, but at this point I’m opening a campaign account for the Senate, and I’m actively raising money for the Senate,” said Evers. “Now, that money can be transferred to another account if I decide that the folks in my district would like for me to run for another office.”

Evers mentioned he might run for Santa Rosa County Sheriff or, should he decide to stay in Baker, Florida, for Okaloosa County Property Appraiser.

Stay tuned.

DEP NOT IN THE DUMP On Jan. 8,

the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter to Scott Miller of South Palafox Properties, LLC, owner of the Rolling Hills C&D Recycling Center that lost its operating permit last year.

Apparently earlier in the week, Miller sent a letter to FDEP rescinding the Amended Site Access Agreement between South Palafox and the department, which

led to FDEP being unable to deliver cover material to the landfill site.

“In said correspondence, you set forth wild mischaracterizations, wholly irrelevant assertions, and completely unfounded, false allegations as to why the Agreement should be rescinded,” wrote the district director, Emile Hamilton. “Additionally, while much of said correspondence is virtually incomprehensible, it appears you further allege that the department is responsible for the lack of final closure of the Rolling Hills Facility to date.”

Hamilton said that FDEP has worked “diligently to perform the activities necessary to achieve final closure of the Facility as expeditiously as possible, despite noncooperation and road blocks by South Palafox at nearly every juncture.”

He cited a recent example: “The most recent example of South Palafox Properties’ noncooperation and continued roadblocks occurred on Monday, January 4 when South Palafox Properties went so far as to bypass the department’s gate lock in order to prevent access to the property. By denying the department access, you have knowingly delayed the delivery of 4, 400 cubic yards of cover material that was scheduled for delivery this week. This material and site access were key components in the effort to accomplish final closure, which would also serve to immediately abate the H2S odors coming from the site that are impacting the surrounding community.”

Hamilton ended the letter with: “In short, the department disagrees with all assertions set forth in your correspondence and will proceed accordingly toward trial holding South Palafox fully responsible for its actions.” {in}

inweekly.net

In his local history pamphlet “Pensacola: How its Streets Got Their Names,” John Appleyard answered many questions of local Pensacolians about whom certain streets were named after. Outside of our historical curiosities, few pay much attention. We walk and ride on these streets daily, but pay little notice to the names except whose house or what business happens to be at a particular address. While every street name has a history—even the lettered and numbered streets—it’s fair to say few street’s naming was as controversial as the, now, fairly non-descript, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (MLK Drive for short).

Of course, we know for whom this street is named. The history of the Rev. Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. is taught from elementary school to college. However, there is still plenty of room to study King’s legacy, but surely even the slain civil rights leader would agree the January 14, 2016

foot soldiers in the ongoing movement for social justice deserve acknowledgement, as well.

Leroy Boyd is one of those foot soldiers.

Riding up and down MLK, one sees the post office, a few corner taverns, a florist, houses of worship, clothing boutiques and McGhee Field. However, at its core, MLK Drive is a residential street. Within the past century, at least, the majority of the residents are, and have been, African American.

“ALCANIZ IS WHERE WE GREW UP”

Before its renaming in 1999, MLK Drive was Alcaniz Street, from the downtown area where it is now until far past Cervantes Street to Fairfield Drive. Alcaniz was named after a Spanish city of some prominence during Pensacola’s later Spanish period in the 18th century. Notwithstanding its Spanish history, the majority

of this street’s residents since the Jim Crow years were largely of African ancestry.

One of Alcaniz’s most famous residents was Chappie James, the Air Force’s first black four-star general. Before General James became well known throughout the world for his accomplishments, his mother’s small school on Alcaniz Street was a hallmark within Pensacola’s black community, educating countless future leaders.

Miss Lillie’s School for Colored Children, as it was called, taught hundreds of African American children during the Jim Crow years.

A private school originally started to homeschool her own 17 children, James’ reputation as an educator attracted parents from throughout Pensacola’s black community.

Mamie Hixon, a professor of literature and writing at the University of West Florida, was one of her pupils. Describing her time at Miss Lillie’s School, Hixon said, “It was the founda-

tion of who I am...Miss Lillie ignited my spirit, my soul and my mind.”

Hixon remembered “Miss Lillie” as a strong disciplinarian who “demanded and deserved respect.” By the age of four, children were not only reading and spelling, but also reciting multiplication tables.

“She’d send us out for recess,” said Hixon, “and Chappie would let her know when he was flying over the school from the NAS. We’d all go outside and wave.”

The Chappie James House is now a registered historic landmark, but there are other historic spots along Alcaniz and throughout East Pensacola showing the connections to local black history. Today, Alcaniz seems very appropriate. History clearly resides on this street. But when a group of civil rights activists organized to find an appropriate street to rename after the martyred civil rights leader, Alcaniz was far from the first choice.

9

As the Main Street option dropped, City Council appointed a committee to find another alternative.

The PNJ went along with the committee process to come with a new suggestion.

ed the white community while ignoring the black community.

John Jerralds, who later was elected to the City Council, was active in this fight.

He felt having a street named after King was important.

“Cities across the nation were naming streets after Martin Luther King, and it appeared to us that Pensacola was lagging behind,” said Jerralds.

“Dr. King’s efforts were not just for black people. The city of Pensacola took its time to twist it and make it sound, back then, that [King’s] efforts did not address the needs of all people,” he said. “It’s not just about black people.”

As 1997 ended and the 1998 MLK Holiday approached, the energy for the renaming of Alcaniz Street remained strong with Boyd’s organization. The City Council refused to budge. Vote after vote failed with no end in sight. Again, the votes were mostly along racial lines with Young and Jones voting “Yes” and the majority white males voting “No.” Boyd’s response to the votes was swift.

He said, “This [vote] clearly shows the black community that the white, male City Council members are not willing to support renaming any street after King.”

Public support throughout the area for renaming any street after King was somewhat mixed. Letters to the Editor continued to show many people in favor of a name change, with numerous suggestions. Others remained strongly opposed.

Despite opposition from the white councilmen and some citizens, Boyd and Movement for Change had a plan to increase pressure on the city.

"We have a beautiful plaza and bust of Dr. King in Pensacola, and we have a national holiday for him. Really, I think that’s enough.” Doug Halford

Leroy Boyd and Scott Satterwhite / Photo Courtesy of StoryCorps

“REALLY, I THINK THAT’S ENOUGH”

Close to the holiday marking Martin Luther King’s birthday in 1997, a community organization named Progressive Alliance for Community Equity, Development, Resources, and Strategies (PACERS, later to become Movement for Change) brought a proposal to Pensacola City Council to rename Palafox Street after the slain civil rights leader.

Only a few years before, the three-block median on Palafox was dedicated as Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, with a large bust of King in the center. This memorial met surprisingly little resistance.

Despite recent connections to Palafox, opposition to the street renaming from white members of the city council was swift.

Then-Councilman Mike Wiggins told the Pensacola News Journal that he received more than two dozen calls over the issue: “It was unanimous. Don’t rename Palafox.”

Palafox was named after a Spanish general who fought Napoleon in Spain. Leroy Boyd, the organization’s president, asked the council, “Why won’t the city rename the street to be reflective of the entire community? Why is it we only utilize whites to name streets after?”

Some argued against changing Palafox’s name because of the cost to change signs and stationery, others argued from the historical angle to keep the Spanish name.

The council debate was largely drawn along

racial lines with the two black councilwomen, Marie Young and Rita Jones, voting for the change and the remaining whites councilmen voting to keep the name Palafox.

As the debate grew, residents chimed in with suggestions for other streets ranging from Main Street to Belmont-DeVilliers.

Escambia County Commissioner Willie Junior argued for the new Bayou Chico Bridge, once completed, as it reminded him of Selma’s Edmund Pettis Bridge.

Predictably, some residents thought the whole debate was nonsense and wanted absolutely no name changes at all.

Letters to the Editor in the daily newspaper showed a variety of opinions. One irate resident wrote, “And this business about changing the name of Palafox Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Well, why not change it to John F. Kennedy Boulevard? I demand as an Irish American to have a street named after an Irishman!”

Another wrote: “What next? Rename the city of Pensacola?”

The PNJ editorial board, led by the late Jesse Earle Bowden, originally opposed any street renaming but, as pressure grew, suggested Main Street. Some favored this compromise.

Nonetheless, the leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Southern Christian Leadership Council, and Boyd’s coalition remained steadfast in opposition.

At the time, Main Street was the home of Pensacola’s sewage plant.

“Why won’t the city rename the street to be reflective of the entire community? Why is it we only utilize whites to name streets after?” Leroy Boyd

010 1

“Now it’s time to be realistic,” closed the editorial. “Select a street.”

The coalition of civil rights activists, mostly led by Boyd, disregarded the PNJ’s advice to “be realistic,” as they had their own plan. Boyd hand delivered to the city council a petition with nearly 1,000 signatures backing a new suggestion: Alcaniz Street.

Like Palafox, Alcaniz was also historic, but named after a city in Spain, but its connections were closer to Pensacola’s African American community.

“We wanted [MLK Drive] to be in an African American neighborhood,” said Rita Milton, a longtime friend of Boyd. “The members of the organization voted on [Alcaniz].”

Around this time, PACERS changed its name to Movement for Change, and the organization’s goal became clear: Alcaniz Street would become Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

“A lot of blacks lived on Alcaniz,” said Jeanne Boyd. “This was where we had our parades. We had to have our parades there [during segregation]. That’s why the streets became one way streets, so we could have our parades.”

She said. “Alcaniz is where we grew up.”

Jeanne Boyd is the wife of the late Leroy Boyd. She was a founding member of Movement for Change and active in the fight to rename the street.

The decision to focus on historic Alcaniz erupted in its own controversies from the onset.

Councilman Doug Halford, who represented the district with Alcaniz Street, strongly rejected the idea of renaming the street after King.

“We have a beautiful plaza and bust of Dr. King in Pensacola, and we have a national holiday for him,” the News Journal reported Halford said. “Really, I think that’s enough.”

In response to Halford’s comments, Boyd called the city council an “arrogant bunch of people” whose actions represent-

“WE DECIDED WE WERE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY”

In the second week of February 1998, Boyd announced a boycott of 250 Pensacola businesses.

Boycotts began with businesses ranging from seafood restaurants to fast food, from cleaners to auto dealers. Movement for Change chose the large list of businesses either for their opposition to the name change or the perception of antipathy to minority interests, including the name change.

Boyd claimed the City Council was more responsive to white citizens than minorities, comparing its racial politics to that of the Civil War era, and hoped the boycott would pressure the city to act.

“No longer can we continue with the Confederate regime we have in place now,” he said at a press conference in February of 1998.

Several of the white councilmen had business interests in the city, all of which landed on the boycott list. Following Boyd’s announcement, the city council cancelled its scheduled meeting for the first time in over two decades. The city said that the meeting’s cancellation was unrelated to the boycott, but inweekly.net

blamed schedule conflicts. Councilman Jack Nobles’ bank, Horizon Bank, was on the boycott list and was picketed earlier in the week.

The boycott was not universally popular, as is the case with most boycotts. The News Journal opposed the action. The EscambiaPensacola Human Relations Commission opposed the action.

Several letters to the editor also spoke in opposition to the boycott. One letter read: “Mr. Boyd should get off his soap box, quit playing the race card and find another agenda…Nobody likes a bully!”

In the face of opposition, the boycott and subsequent picketing of Horizon Bank and Cordova Mall apparently prompted the council to approve Marie Young’s resolution to commit to rename a street in honor of Dr. King. The specific street was yet to be decided, but Movement for Change kept its focus on Alcaniz—even with opposition from various segments of Pensacola’s black and white communities.

The council’s advisory committee originally recommended Main Street. This selection was not unanimously popular.

The daily newspaper argued numerous times for both Main and A streets, both with some support, but not from Movement for Change.

Movement for Change would only accept Alcaniz Street. Eventually, even the PNJ softened its tone and appeared to ac-

quiesce to the renaming of Alcaniz, at least the section north of Cervantes Street.

“We met so much resistance,” said Boyd in a 2010 StoryCorps interview conducted months before his untimely death.

“Some of those resisting were so rigid. We thought that we’d never [be able] to rename a street after Martin Luther King in this city. But we were persistent. We decided we were not going to go away,” Boyd said.

“They said we were like bull dogs, just coming back and coming back,” said Jeanne Boyd.

The story soon gained national coverage, garnering a mention in Leonard Pitts’ nationally- syndicated column and an article in Jet Magazine.

Describing to Jet Magazine why Movement for Change was so driven to name a street for King, Boyd said, “We should spread his name around as much as possible. Maybe if we did, there wouldn’t be so much violence in the world.”

Support for Movement for Change and Boyd’s actions grew, even from then-Congressman Joe Scarborough, who weighed in during a rally to mark the 30th anniversary of King’s assassination.

“It makes a lot of sense,” said Scarborough. “Just about every major city has done it…and Alcaniz is a good compromise.”

The conservative Republican’s endorsement was a major victory for Boyd and Move-

ment for Change, but other respected voices spoke in favor of the issue.

Madison Currin, then-rector of Christ Episcopal Church, wrote an opinion piece claiming the city council missed a great opportunity to “exercise vision and leadership when they decided not to name any street after [King].”

Recognizing the historic significance of the Alcaniz Street name, the Currin wrote, “Alcaniz was not a person but a community in Spain. And we have many streets to remind us of our Spanish heritage. Now we need a major street to remind us of our black heritage.”

Continuing to demonstrate community support for the name change, Movement for Change presented a new petition with 5,000 signatures supporting the renaming of Alcaniz. The City Council did nothing.

As 1998 dragged on, so did the controversy. New proposals came forth as compromises. Older ideas were recycled. Boycotts continued, marchers marched, picketers picketed, and the majority white of the council voted down each proposal to rename Alcaniz.

The new Bayou Chico Bridge was nearing completion at that time. Commissioner Junior brought up naming the bridge for Dr.

King. Junior owned a funeral home, which made national news for having a drive-thru viewing window, on Alcaniz Street. He said his own business interests did not play a role in his request.

Speaking in the first person, Junior said, “Willie Junior as a citizen had a right to express his opinion, and he did that.”

Junior’s suggestion fell on deaf ears, though the city council felt it necessary to see the suggestion through before it refocused on Alcaniz. In the meantime, tensions continued to rise as the issue remained unresolved.

Bob Hayes—a local businessperson, member of Movement for Change and Alcaniz resident—placed signs in his yard in support of the name change. His sign closely resembled a street sign. City workers came by the next day and removed his signs. After a heated exchange between a city worker and his supervisor, the signs were determined to be legal and returned.

Once news of the controversy reached the public, Hayes’s signage became a slight-roadside attraction, but more importantly sparked a new determination from his fellow neighbors. Other signs appeared in Alcaniz yards supporting the name change and Movement for Change.

"Just about every major city has done it…and Alcaniz is a good compromise.”

Joe Scarborough

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A gradual shift in public opinion took place. News articles continued to show Pensacola City Council opposition, reflecting an unacknowledged inevitability over the issue that the city council could not see. The headlines of the PNJ’s opinion section read: “Settle King street issue, and move on” “Council too stubborn to move on King” “Council not responding to wishes” As the issue continued to generate opinion pieces, letters, and even threats to the Boyd family, little seemed to change the council majority’s resolute opposition to renaming Alcaniz.

In his 2010 StoryCorps interview, Boyd expressed his frustrations over the process from a decade earlier: “We met so much rigidity. The city council had gotten so bad that when we’d want to talk about the street, they’d shut us down. It became so political at that point, but we got smarter.”

name of Alcaniz Street—north of Cervantes Street and to Texar Drive—officially to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

After the vote, the room erupted in cheers, prayers, and applause. Milton said, “It was so noisy in there that we couldn’t hear anyone speak.”

Although the goal was to rename all of Alcaniz after King, the compromise was what won the vote. After the vote, Leroy Boyd left quietly, went home and didn’t answer his phone for reporters’ comments.

On Aug. 28, 1999, Martin Luther King III joined Congressman Scarborough, numerous elected officials, ministers, activists, and Boyd to rename the northern part of Alcaniz Street to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

After King’s son left, Boyd and Movement for Change went back to work for the community, Their focus soon shifted from the street name to broader issues, such as police misconduct, income inequality, educational issues, political accountability, and parity for all.

"I feel [King’s] energy, his spirit, and I’m thankful to those who fought to make this powerful legacy a reality.”

Quincy Hull

“WE GOT SMARTER”

For Movement for Change, if they were to be successful, the tactics needed to shift.

First the original proposal for Palafox was dismissed. Organizations, committees and politicians suggested Main Street, A Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge—all to no avail. Boycotts hit hundreds of businesses. Marches and rallies built community and political support, but the City Council would not budge.

Boyd and Movement for Change realized if the street’s name was going to change, City Council would need to change.

He said, “Election time was coming up, and we made history.”

Movement for Change went door-todoor registering voters and brought out the highest turnout of registered voters in the May 1999 election. Mary Stanton, Movement for Change’s vice-president, was instrumental in getting voters to show up for the off-season election.

When a young couple walked by a GetOut-the-Vote rally, people in the crowd asked if they were going to vote. They said they might.

Stanton yelled in disbelief: “You might?

You say you might?”

Whether it was Stanton’s vociferous call to the community or the overall efforts of Movement for Change’s numerous volunteers, the effort was successful. As Boyd said later, “we made history.”

Pensacola elected two more African American representatives to the council–Hugh King and Debra Thompson—and reelected Marie Young to her post, bringing the total number of black officials to four. Rita Jones was not running for office that year. Momentum was on their side, and victory was in sight.

On June 24, 1999, the Pensacola City Council voted 6-3 in favor of changing the

THE LEGACY OF LEROY BOYD

Movement for Change opened the Center for Social Justice in 2003 as a permanent home for the organization. The Center for Social Justice, which sits on the corner of Davis Highway and Moreno Street, a block from the street he fought so hard to rename, became his second home.

Following Boyd’s 2010 death from a massive stroke, Movement for Change renamed the Center for Social Justice after its longtime president.

While many focus on King’s legacy as the force pushing the renaming of Alcaniz, few who knew Boyd would argue that his impact on Pensacola was insignificant.

Talking about her friend and colleague, Milton said, “People felt more empowered [around Boyd and at the Center for Social Justice]. They felt like they had someone or some place to come to get some type of justice. They never felt like that before.

Leroy brought these people out.”

She continued, “That’s why we bought this building. We needed a place to meet.

What we did was larger than Martin Luther King, even at that time. Leroy let people here in Pensacola know that they had a voice…and they could make a difference.”

Milton said, “That’s what he did when he fought for that street. And he fought hard. A lot of people dropped off. It was a large group, and they got tired. They couldn’t hang in all those years to get that street, but he hung in there.”

One resident who benefited from Boyd’s work is Quincy Hull. The wellknown local poet described living on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive as being on his “bucket list.” Hull, who moved to Pensacola from Memphis several years ago, said that both of his parents shared stories about King with him, “as well as the impact of his assassination.” King was murdered in 1968 supporting a sanitation workers strike in Memphis.

“I feel [King’s] energy, his spirit, and I’m thankful to those who fought to make this powerful legacy a reality,” said Hull. “Not just for me, but for my child and her children.”

Hixon, a longtime friend of Boyd, drew connections between King and Boyd.

“He was our Martin Luther King,” said Hixon. “Leroy Boyd was an advocate for change in a non-violent way. Change and transformation. [His legacy is] changing the energy of Pensacola” said Hixon about her friend. “He was quite the visionary.”

Like King, Boyd stressed the importance of equality for all people, no matter race.

“I live here. You live here,” Boyd said in 2010. “We want Pensacola to grow, but how can we grow? Just ask. Schools are important. Diversity is important…We have to have a heart-to-heart talk. Otherwise, we’re going to find ourselves on the same course of action 20 years from now.”

Jerralds, who sits at Boyd’s old helm as president of Movement for Change, makes clear the organization’s mission of equality for the entire community: “Like it or not, we’re in this thing together.”

Boyd reflected these sentiments in many ways. “My passion is loving this community, if I can,” he said. “That’s important to me. To make my city a better place for all.”

Much of this work, from the perspective of Movement for Change’s activists, centers on the Center for Social Justice.

Jeanne Boyd went as far as to describe her late husband’s legacy as tied, not solely with MLK Drive, but together with Movement for Change and the Center for Social Justice. “I think his legacy will live on simply by having this building, and that we continue to do his work.

Year after year after year.”

Although Leroy Boyd had a reputation among his detractors for being a troublemaker, for those who knew Boyd, most agree that he was simply very passionate about injustice. Often described as a long speaker, he was simultaneously very unpretentious, generous and kind.

His tombstone, which sits on a small hill at Barrancas National Cemetery, describes him as a “Best Friend,” which he was to many.

When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Leroy Boyd’s answer was humble: “I tried to make a difference. I cared.”

A simple ride down Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive shows just how much he cared, not only for King’s dream, but also for his community and his city. {in}

"It was a large group, and they got tired. They couldn’t hang in all those years to get that street, but he hung in there.”

Rita Milton

inweekly.net

WEEK OF JANUARY 14-21

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

Opera Season Opens

by Shelby Smithey

Traviata”,” Shannon said. “Our Director of suggested that I direct a show and Education, Amanda Cook, will provide init changed my life. I’ve been doing it teresting information relative to the original nonstop ever since.” novel and play on which “La Traviata” is Anthony said that this is his third based, and a local art historian will provide season with Pensacola Opera. Last information relative to the visual art of the season, Anthony directed “Carmen” period during which the opera takes place.” and “La Bohème.” This season he will direct both “La Traviata” and “The Merry Widow” for Pensacola Opera.

“In Pensacola, we do the entire production in six days,” Anthony said. “The singers come prepared musically, and the Pensacola Opera chorus has rehearsals prior. We dive in and work fast. We have about four days of technical rehearsals in the theater.”

Anthony said it’s not totally The Artists in Residence who will be performing are Allison Nicholas, Soprano; standard to have such a short reAmanda Fink, Mezzo Soprano; Nicholas hearsal time, but that it’s becoming DeMeo, Tenor; Thaddeus Ennen, Baritone and the norm.

Xavier Suarez, Pianist.

“There are lots of different chal“They arrived on January 3 and will be lenges with directing,” Anthony said. “You’re residents in Pensacola for 19 weeks, performresponsible for what happens on stage. ing in schools, libraries, community centers, This is my first time directing this particular assisted living centers, museums, etc. as well opera, so doing a brand new opera in a short as supporting roles in our productions of “La amount of time will be a challenge.”

Anthony said that a plus working in Pen- Traviata” and “The Merry Widow,”” Shannon said. During the end of March they will pressacola is that he is familiar with the chorus, ent their own showcase production of Jake and they know his style and intensity. He Heggie's Out of Darkness at the Pensacola has also worked with all three of the main Opera Center.” {in} cast members.

“I have directed all three of them, and have a longstanding working relationship with Todd as well,” he said.

Anthony said that producing WHAT: Pensacola Opera presents “La Traviata” an opera is a pretty huge underWHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday Jan. 22 and 2 p.m. taking and that many elements go Sunday Jan. 24 on behind the scenes.

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox “There’s just a massive amount COST: $25 - $115 of people that are involved in DETAILS: pensacolaopera.com putting on a show,” he said. “From stage management, costumes, seamstresses, props, chorus, WHAT: A lecture program that highlights the orchestra, production to lighting; relationship between visual art, history and everyone must work together for it music during the period of the upcoming opera to be a well-oiled machine.”

WHEN: 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 If you can’t make it to “La WHERE: Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. JefTraviata”, Pensacola Opera will ferson St. hosting a free Gallery Talk lecture COST: Free this Sunday, Jan. 17, at Pensacola DETAILS: pensacolamuseum.org Museum of Art.

“I do find that every time I sing Violetta in “La Traviata” I learn something new about myself and how to sing her easier. ” Elizabeth Caballero

Elizabeth Caballero as Violetta / Photo by Kathy Whitman Pensacola Opera will be putting on a production of “La Traviata” at the Saenger Theatre next week.

“La Traviata”, which translated to “The Fallen Woman,” was written by Giuseppe Verdi and first performed in 1853. The opera will be performed in Italian with English supertitles.

Stage Director Dean Anthony said that “La Traviata” is one of the top ten mostperformed operas in the world.

“It’s a strong story about relationships,” Anthony said. “La Traviata” is Violetta, played by soprano lead Elizabeth Caballero.

“Of great pride to us is that our three principal artists all have performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, in addition to their national and international credits,” Pensacola Opera Executive Director Jerry Shannon said. “We’re also very pleased to feature two dancers from Ballet Pensacola, choreographed by RichardSteinart. As always, we are thrilled to have the Pensacola Symphony in the pit.”

This is Caballero’s debut with Pensacola Opera. She’s been working professionally in opera for 15 years.

“I was very lucky that as soon as I finished my undergrad degree, I started working as a young artist right away,” Caballero said. “This will be my first time singing in Pensacola, so I'm looking forward to it.”

Caballero said that she has performed “La Traviata” several times throughout her career.

January 14, 2016

“I try to sing every role that I sing with my voice,” Caballero said. “I never change my instrument. I change the style depending on the piece or period. For example, the style you sing Puccini in is different from Verdi or Mozart even. The voice is the same but the style is different. I do find that every time I sing Violetta in “La Traviata”, I learn something new about myself and how to sing her easier. That fact that it gets easier every time I sing her makes me believe I'm doing something right.”

In the opera, Violetta is a Parisian courtesan with a fast-paced lifestyle who falls in love with Alfredo, a simple nobleman played by tenor lead Chad Shelton. She lives a normal life with Alfredo for a while, but her life choices complicate the relationship.

She is forced to sacrifice the relationship by Alfredo’s father Giorgio, played by baritone lead Todd Thomas.

“I’ve worked with Todd and Dean before,” Caballero said. “I've never worked with Chad, but I know many wonderful things about him, and I'm looking forward to working with him. I first worked with Dean when he was still singing and then later on as a director.”

Anthony said that he started out in the business as a performer, and about nine years ago tried his hand at directing.

“I had a pretty lengthy career as a character singer,” Anthony said. “Someone

LA TRAVIATA

LA TRAVIATA GALLERY TALK

“Our Artists in Residence will perform excerpts from “La

13

calendar

Ears & Fingers

by Jason Leger

James Murphy

ON THE HORIZON:

LCD Soundsystem

I’ve had a bit of a tumultuous relationship with James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem. The songs that I love (‘Someone Great,’ ‘All My Friends’), I really love and could listen to repeatedly. The songs that I hate (‘Dance Yrself Clean’), I want to take the master tapes to and burn them and hunt down every single person who ever bought the songs and erase them off the face of the planet.

I could continue, but I’ll digress. The week prior to Christmas, LCD Soundsystem joined Radiohead in dropping surprise singles on the world. James Murphy described the song in a note posted on his Twitter account.

“So, there’s been this depressing Christmas song I’d been singing to myself for

THURSDAY 1.14

WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Try some-

thing new every week at Aragon Wine Market’s regular wine tasting, only a few blocks from downtown. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com ART AND THE FEMINIST REVOLUTION 5:30 p.m. This lecture compliments “Collection in Context: Women Creating.” Dr. Barbara Larson will speak about the history of women in the arts. Dr. Larson is a professor in the art department of the University of West Florida where she teaches a course on Women and Art, among others. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE 7 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $30. vinylmusichall.com

FRIDAY 1.15

WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Out and about

in East Hill on Friday night? Stop by City Grocery for their free weekly wine tasting before settling in or heading out for the night. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. GALLERY NIGHT 5-9 p.m. Stroll through the charming brick walkway of Downtown Pensacola to experience an eclectic array 414 1

the past 8 years, and every year I wouldn’t remember that I wanted to make it until December, which is just too late to actually record and release a Christmas song... but this year, Al Doyle had a short break between hot chip tours where he could be in NYC, and Pat and Nancy were home, and Tyler agreed to fly out from Berlin for a few days, so we all recorded this together, reserved a pressing plant slot, and our friend Bob Weston was available to master it quickly—so that means, less than two weeks after we recorded it, there is actually a Christmas 7", which feels like something that could only have happened a very, very long time ago.

Anyway, for the holidays we give you the previous, very long run-on sentence, and this song: ‘Christmas will break your heart’, which is another one of those songs which had about 75 lines of lyrics, though we’ve knocked down to eight to keep the suicide rate in check.”

The song is eloquent, poignant, and pretty sobering. It’s also under five minutes, which is, more often than not, a victory for Murphy. Little did we all know, this was just the beginning of news from the LCD Soundsystem camp.

After five years of squashing reunion rumors (even as recently as last October), dabbling in film scores, and helping Arcade Fire reflekt, LCD Soundsystem was an-

of music, art and cuisine. Explore galleries and businesses featuring works of dozens of local artists. Soak up the sounds of local musicians and the aromas of local cuisine as the energy of the evening carries you from venue to venue. Palafox St. downtownpensacola.com LATIN DANCING 6:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of salsa dancing. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com KOTTONMOUTH KINGS 7 p.m.

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $20. vinylmusichall.com THE CAPITOL STEPS 7:30 p.m.

The Capitol Steps have been a Washington, D.C. institution for over 30 years, providing a unique blend of music and political comedy to our Nation’s Capitol, and more. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Pl. $40. pensacolasaenger.com

nounced as a Coachella headliner along with the also-reunited Guns n’ Roses. Even a middle-of-the- road Soundsystem fan like myself found excitement at the announcement. It was also revealed that the band would tour extensively, so as not to make this a one-off festival reunion. If they want to do it, they should do it right.

Still, this wasn’t all. This year will also see a new album from the freshly-reformed band, which is promised to be “as f*cking good” as they can possibly make it, Kudos for a reasonable goal. While Murphy may be reserved in his expectation of their new LP, I have to admit that I’m pretty excited for this one and will keep you updated as it approaches.

2016 is shaping up to be a massive year for James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem.

Their tour is nearly certain to sell out and if their album has one single-worthy jam, it will open them up to new fans and new opportunities. Check out ‘Christmas will Break Your Heart’ on YouTube, and keep your ear to the ground for approaching tour dates and release information. To keep you tided over or to offer you an intro to LCD Soundsystem, if you aren’t already on board, check out their classic 2007 release, “Sound of Silver,” which is inching its way toward being out for a decade via DFA/ Capitol Records. {in}

Love, Loss and What I Wore tells its tales using clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny, yet often poignant, stories that all women can re-

late to, creating an enduring theater-going experiences. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

SATURDAY 1.16

SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-1

p.m. Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods, and live music., Pace Presbyterian Church, Woodbine Rod, Pace.

WESTON AUDUBON SOCIETY’S BIRDWALK

9-11 a.m. Participants will look for wintering ducks, grebes, gulls and terns. They will also walk the short boardwalk looking and listening for wintering and resident songbirds, vireos and sparrows. Weston Audubon Society, 1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. fmwaudubon.org PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are just a few of the items offered at the weekly Palafox Market.

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 THE WISDOM OF MYTH 10:30 a.m.-Noon.

This month’s Wisdom of Myth focuses on the myths and legends of China. Scott Davis, folklore researcher, presents selected themes from ancient China. How was the world created? Who was Lao Tzu? What is the Tao Te Ching? Free lecture and forum open to the public. West Florida Public Library meeting room C, 239 N. Spring St., Contact: mythos.sd@gmail.com JAPANESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Noon4 p.m. The Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida will usher in the "Year of the Monkey” with its 22nd Japanese New Year Celebration on at the Rex Theatre.

Festivities will include performances by the popular Matsuriza taiko drummers, shakuhachi player Marco Lienhard, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Japanese

LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE: STUDIO 400 SERIES

7:30 p.m. Many have loved and many have lost; what they wore can recall such stories.

The Capitol Steps / Photo by Mike Reyna inweekly.net

calendar dancing, music, food vendors, and other cultural displays. A silent auction will also be held, and ticket holders are automatically eligible for door prize drawings. Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox. 8 for adults, $6 for students and active-duty military, $4 for Japan-America Society members, free for children 12 and under. jasnwfl.org LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE: STUDIO 400 SERIES 7:30 p.m. Many have loved and

many have lost; what they wore can recall such stories. Love, Loss and What I Wore tells its tales using clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny, yet often poignant, stories that all women can relate to, creating an enduring theater-going experiences. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

PENSACOLA BEACH RUN HALF MARATHON

7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. One of the premier destination road races in the Southeast and the perfect way to kick off your New Year Resolution. Casino Beach, 6 Casino Beach Blvd. visitpensacola.com

SUNDAY 1.17

PENSACOLA BRIDAL TOUR 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Pensacola Bridal Tour is a creative way to showcase the many Pensacola wedding venues. A chauffeured trolley excursion will give brides, grooms and their special guests an opportunity to learn about and experience

the plethora of gorgeous venues the Pensacola area offers. Various venues throughout downtown Pensacola. $20-$30. pensacolabridaltour.com LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE: STUDIO 400 SERIES 2:30 p.m. Many have loved and many

have lost; what they wore can recall such stories. Love, Loss and What I Wore tells its tales using clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny, yet often poignant, stories that all women can relate to, creating an enduring theater-going experiences. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

MONDAY 1.18

COUNTRY & WESTERN DANCING 6:30 p.m.

Learn the country two-step at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8 p.m. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

TUESDAY 1.19

TUESDAY NIGHT POETRY NIGHT 7 p.m. Free open-mic poetry event every Tuesday. Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/TNPN GALACTIC 7:30 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $25. vinylmusichall.com

Sundays 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Quayside Gallery, 17 E. Zarragossa St. quaysidegallery.com

arts & culture

≥exhibits

NEW IN THE Q

Quayside Art Gallery welcomes Deb Chilote, watercolor & acrylics, Amber Dawn, portraits in acrylic on plexiglass, Irmi Presutto, seascapes in acrylics, Ginger Osborne, water colors, Kat Bush, seascapes, pet portraits in oil, Cathy Painter, stained glass and kaleidoscopes, Joyces Williams, glass engraving,Karin Gundmundson, acrylics, and JC Findley, photography. On display through February 16. Museum hours and location: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,

ANNUAL ART FOCUS The PMA

presents the 62nd annual Youth Art Focus exhibition, in partnership with the Escambia County School District and in recognition of National Youth Art Month. The exhibit highlights the best works from over 500 art students and educators within Escambia County Schools. On display through February 6.

Museum hours and location: TuesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

COLLECTION IN CONTEXT: WOMEN CREATING This

exhibition presents

the diversity and growing strength of the PMA’s Permanent Collection, highlighting female modern and postmodern artists through a variety of media. On display until February 27.

Museum hours and location: TuesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

≥call for art

THE PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART

invites its members to participate in the Annual Member’s Juried Exhibition.

Deadline for submission is Friday, February 12th. Entry rules, regulations and online submission forms are available on the museum website.

The exhibition will

be on display from March 4 through April 15. Museum hours and location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

classes & workshops

“MAKE-YOUROWN-GLASS” CLASS 10a.m.-3 p.m.

Friday, January 15 and Saturday January 16. Held weekly on Friday and Saturday, First City Art Center offers weekly “MakeYour-Own-Glass” classes, no previous glassblowing skills necessary. The classes are open to anyone age 8 and older and range in price from $25-$45.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are

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calendar bars & nightlife

≥bar games

Thursdays POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com POOL TOURNAMENT 8 P.M. THE TICKET 2,

required and can be made by calling 429-1222. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL 6-8:30 p.m.

Monday, January 18.

During this weekly workshop held on Monday evenings at First City Art Center, instructor

Pearl VanHoove works individually with students to develop consistency in throwing on the wheel.

Participants receive an introduction to materials, equipment and throwing techniques. Each session begins with a brief demonstration followed by hands-on time at

the wheel. The class is $40 and open to individuals age 14 and up.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required and can be made by calling 429-1222. Class is limited to two participants. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

2115 W. 9 Mile Rd., ticketsportsbar.com Fridays DRAG BINGO 6-8 p.m. Ages 21 and over.

Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com POOL TOURNAMENT

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com Mondays

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM FOR FUN AND TRIVIA 7

p.m. The 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

PUB TRIVIA NIGHT

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

WEDNESDAY QUIZ TRIVIA 8 p.m. The

Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.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

TICKET BAR BINGO

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com BAR BINGO 10 p.m.

Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

TICKET TEAM TRIVIA

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Rd., ticketsportsbar.com TEAM TRIVIA 9 p.m. Hopjacks. 10 S. Palafox. hopjacks. com Wednesdays

≥karaoke

Thursdays Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m.

130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com The Sandshaker Lounge, 9 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com Mondays The Cabaret, 9 p.m.

101 S. Jefferson St. 607-2020 or cabaret-

pensacola.com Tuesdays The Sandshaker Lounge, 8 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com Play, 9 p.m. 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

≥live music

THURSDAY 1.14

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD

6 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola. com GREG LYON 7 p.m.

Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys. com

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD

6 p.m.. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com

SATURDAY 1.16

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD

6 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com

TUESDAY 1.19

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD

6 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com MIKE QUINN 8 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

FRIDAY 1.15

WEDNESDAY 1.20

p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

7:30 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

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17

a&e

by Shelby Smithey

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

Can a pair of jeans, a sweater or a hat, invoke feeling? Do they bring us back to special times we spent wearing them?

They might make us remember where we were, what we were doing or who we were with.

Gingy, the main character in the play “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”, seems to think

they can. The production will be at the Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) beginning Friday, directed by Billy Buff.

The play was written by Nora and Delia Ephron based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. It is organized as a series of monologues and uses a rotating cast of just a few principal women.

The monologues in the play are all based on true stories from women, and Gingy’s life story acts as a narration as it weaves all of the 28 stories together.

Actress Millie Fisher plays Gingy in the production.

This is Fisher’s third PLT play.

“Gingy’s decided to draw these dresses to tell her stories,” Fisher said. “It's a very simple production but there's a charm to it. It’s a sweet way of thinking of how we grow up.”

As Gingy shows these sketches, starting with her Brownies uniform, to her wedding dress, maternity dress, she talks about poignant moments in her life. In between

“Although she donates all her miniskirts Gingy telling her story, other women tell snipto Goodwill, she won’t get rid of her boots,” pets of theirs, as well, in shorter monologues.

Quinn said. “She loves her boots.”

There are seven women total in the Other monologues in which all of the play. Actress Donna Quinn has a few monoactresses spit off quick lines include scenes logues in which she plays different characters. about trying on bras, wearing black and not “Gingy is the catalyst to the show,” having anything to wear.

Quinn said. “It’s all presentational, more “There are a lot of humorous moments, monologue based.” but I think of the play as nostalgic and reflecQuinn said that each of them play a tive,” Quinn said. “It's a little more edgy.” rotation of characters.

Quinn was first cast in a PLT show “The lines come very quickly in the in 1984, and perplay,” Quinn formed on the said. “In the bath Saenger stage. robe scene, I “As men play a woman generally tend who explains to remember the how there’s car they drove or only one item the music they of clothing were listenthat she really ing to, I think remembers. She women someblames her times remember mother dying the clothes they when she was wore,” Quinn 39 on why she is said. “Women will love the play.” overweight and addicted to television. She Director Billy Buff first began workthinks that if her mother was alive, she’d ing with Pensacola Little Theatre when it live a different life.”

A good portion of the monologues have was located in the old Florida Theatre on Palafox in the ‘80s. to deal with mother-daughter relation“The clothing is really secondary,” Buff ships and the struggles that exist besaid. “It is really about the different roles tween them. In one scene with actresses women are expected to play throughout April Sargent and Loreli Anzaldua, two their lifetimes. The best part of directing anxiously-awaiting brides-to-be deal with this show has been working with seven having mothers with very different views on amazing actresses.” {in} their daughters’ marriage. One is honored and excited that she found her daughter’s wedding dress, the other doesn’t understand why her daughter is marrying a woman in WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 and 2:30 the first place. p.m. Jan. 17 Quinn also plays a woman WHERE: M.C. Blanchard Courtroom Theatre at who loves wearing her thigh-high Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. boots with short miniskirts. It COST: $10-$17 makes her feel powerful and sexy DETAILS: pensacolalittletheatre.com until someone breaks into her

“There are a lot of humorous moments, but I think of the play as nostalgic and reflective. It's a little more edgy.” Donna Quinn

LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE

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news of the weird THE NEW GRADE INFLATION They are simply "'spas' designed to attract teenagers," according to one university official—plush, state-of-the-art "training" complexes built by universities in the richest athletic conferences to entice elite 17-year-old athletes to come play for (and, perhaps, study at?) their schools.

The athletes-only mini-campuses include private housing and entertainment (theaters, laser tag, miniature golf)—but, actually, the schools are in a $772-million-plus "arms' race" (according to a December Washington Post investigation) because soon after one school's sumptuous, groundbreaking facility opens, some other school's more-innovative facility renders it basically second-rate. And of course, as one university official put it, the "shiny objects" have "nothing whatsoever to do with the mission of a university." (Donors and alumni provide much of the funding, but most schools by now also tap students' "athletic fees.")

REDNECK CHRONICLES Police in Monticello, Kentucky, charged Rodney Brown, 25, with stealing farm animals and equipment from a home in December—but offering to return everything if the victim (a man) had sex with him. Brown allegedly took 25 roosters, a goat and some rooster pens and other rooster-care equipment. (Because Brown also supposedly said he'd beat the man up if he called police, a "terroristic threatening" count was added to "promoting prostitution.")

LATEST RELIGIOUS MESSAGES Islam Rising: (1) A geography class at Riverheads High School in Augusta County, Virginia, alarmed some parents in December when students were assigned to copy an Arabic script to experience its "artistic complexity." However, the phrase the teacher presented for copying was the "shahada" ("There is no god but Allah"). District officials called that just a coincidence —that the phrase was presented only for calligraphy and never translated. (2) A Washington state uncle complained in December that a WolVol toy airplane he bought for his nephew on Amazon.com, instead of making engine noises, recited spoken words—which a Whatcom County Islamic Society spokesman said was actually a prayer that hajj pilgrims speak when they journey to Mecca. (Wolvol said it would investigate.)

WEIRD SCIENCE The most promising current concussion-prevention research comes from a study of ... woodpeckers (according to a December Business Week report). Scientists hypothesize that the birds' apparent immunity from the dangers of constant head-slamming is because their neck veins naturally compress, forcing more blood into their craniums, thus limiting the dangerous "jiggle room" in which brains bang against the skull. A team led by a real-life doctor portrayed in the movie "Concussion" is working on a neck collar to slightly pinch the human jugular vein to create a similar effect.

by Chuck Shepherd

THE CONTINUING CRISIS National Pride: (1) Factory worker Thanakorn Siripaiboon was arrested in December in a Bangkok suburb after he wrote a "sarcastic" comment on social media about the dog that belongs to Thailand's king. For the crime of "insulting the monarch," Thanakorn faces 37 years in prison. (2) Michael McFeat, a Scottish man working on contract for a mining company in Kyrgyzstan, was arrested in January after he (on Facebook) jokingly called the country's national dish "horse penis." ("Chuchuk" is indeed a sausage made from horsemeat.) The crime he was charged with carries a five-year prison term.

LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS The government of the Netherlands, seeking to boost the economy while simultaneously improving highway skills, enacted legislation in December to allow driving instructors to be paid in sexual services provided the student is at least 18 years old. Though prostitution is legal, the transport minister cautioned that the "initiative" for the new arrangement must be with the instructor so that the country gains better-trained drivers as a result.

GREAT MOMENTS IN LEADERSHIP (1) In November, the president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, in the stands but "bored" with his country's "Super Cup" soccer final that had been tied, 1-1, for a long stretch, ordered officials on the field to stop play abruptly and proceed to a game-ending 10-kick "shootout." (The Tevragh-Zeina team won.) (2) Jorge Servin, Paraguay's head of indigenous affairs, was fired in November after he apparently kneed an indigenous woman in the stomach as she protested her people's treatment by the government. (3) The head of Croatia's human rights committee, Ivan Zvonimir Cica, posing alongside President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic to commemorate International Human Rights Day in December, had his pants inexplicably come loose and fall to his ankles.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Most Recent Net-Cash-Loss Theft: The manager of the Nandos Riccarton restaurant in Christchurch, New Zealand, is pretty sure that he knows who swiped the contents of the store's tip jar that December evening (based on surveillance video), but the man denied the theft and walked out. The manager told police there was less than $10 in the jar at the time—but also that the man had paid his $14.90 tab for food, yet hurried off without eating it. {in}

From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2015 Chuck Shepherd

Send your weird news to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to newsoftheweird.com January 14, 2016

19

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