Inweekly Jan. 20 2022 Issue

STALKING How To Recognize It, Report It and Get Help Locally

Independent News | January 20, 2022 | Volume 23 | Number 3

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winners & losers

outtakes

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publisher Rick Outzen

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contributing writers Gina Castro, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, Sydney Robinson, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

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winners & losers

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winners Pensacola Commercial Banking Team: David Cooper, Matt Davis and Bob Maloy

Welcome, Matt Davis!

Meet the newest member of our Commercial Banking Team. With years of experience helping clients grow through a variety of integrated solutions, Matt understands what a solid financial plan can mean to your future. Contact Matt or a member of our banking team today and let us show you how the strength and stability of Hancock Whitney can help you achieve your financial goals and dreams.

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Hancock Whitney Bank, Member FDIC.

ASCENSION MEDICAL GROUP SACRED HEART Ascension Sacred Heart responded to

the growing demand for testing as COVID-19 spread rapidly after the holidays. They opened a drive-through testing site that set daily records for swabs. With the Florida Department of Health opening its testing site, the hospital has paused its drive-through testing so its staff could handle the increased demand for medical services due to the pandemic surge at its physician offices and urgent care centers. Thank you.

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has approved a $10,000 Challenge America award to support Pensacola Symphony Orchestra's Beethoven & Blue Jeans. The concert and related events are among 168 projects across the NEA selected to receive FY 2022 funding in the Challenge America grant category. Beethoven & Blue Jeans took place this past weekend, featuring soprano Halley Gilbert and poets Jamey Jones and Charles McCaskill Jr. CULTURAL ARTS ALLIANCE The arts group

behind the 30A Songwriters Festival had to battle Congressman Matt Gaetz after the lawmaker accused the Walton County group of requiring "vaccine passports" for those attending the festival.

Gaetz demanded Gov. Ron DeSantis punish them.

Board members responded that their protocols—requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attendance— were legal and met the Governor's Office guidance.

When asked, DeSantis' spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said the Florida DOH, not the Governor's Office, would determine the status of the safety protocols. No one likes tattletales, Matt.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION The

Biden administration isn't playing political games when it comes to COVID-19. The federal government provided a three-month shelf-life extension to the roughly one million unused COVID-19 tests the DeSantis administration let expire in late December. The new expiration date is March 2022.

The Florida Department of Health has begun to distribute the tests to emergency management offices, health departments, public safety agencies, hospitals and long-term care facilities. Did DeSantis send Biden a "thank you" note?

losers ROGER MARSHALL The Republican U.S. Senator from Kansas attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci during a congressional hearing, claiming his staff couldn't find any public financial disclosure from the nation's most famous pandemic official. The Center for Public Integrity's investigative reporter got the records, using a public record request. Senior government officials, like Fauci, must disclose their income, stock holdings, gifts and other items annually under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

The disclosures are not posted online, but they are public records. Anyone can obtain Fauci's documents by requesting them from the National Institutes of Health, which oversees his agency.

CENTURY TOWN COUNCIL The council failed to make quorum on Tuesday, Jan. 11, forcing the city to postpone votes on a $35,000 grant and water well repairs that have been needed for two years and the election of a president and vice president. Council President Luis Gomez Jr. and Dynette Lewis were the only two members to attend in-person.

Sandra McMurray-Jackson attended by Zoom.

James Smith also joined via Zoom during the meeting but advised the town clerk by text that he was unable to speak and texted his limited input. Leonard White was absent due to a conflict with his job.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES SCAM Republicans

in Michigan and Arizona attempted to trick the National Archives into declaring Donald Trump the winner of both states in the 2020 election, according to Politico. The National Archives allegedly received forged certificates of ascertainment from the states in the months after Joe Biden's victory. The Archives informed the Arizona secretary of state of the forgery, and the state has taken legal action against a pro-Trump "sovereign citizen" group allegedly behind the scam. The Arizona letter reportedly featured a state seal in an attempt to appear as if it was an official document. The Michigan letter did not use the state seal, and Politico reports that state officials didn't take any legal action after the Archives flagged the forgery. What qualifies as sedition? inweekly.net

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HONORING H.K. We cannot let MLK Day pass without honoring Pensacola's civil rights icon, Rev. H.K. Matthews. Over the years, we’ve become friends, and I cherish every conversation we’ve had.

Matthews was on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on “Bloody Sunday,” the day in March 1965 when 600 marchers assembled in Selma, Ala., and crossed the bridge en route to Montgomery to protest the denial of Blacks their right to vote.

Television cameras captured state troopers and local police beating the men and women.

“It’s a wonder John Lewis survived the beating he took,” Rev. Matthews told me, but not dwelling on the blows he suffered trying to cross the bridge.

Matthews has also talked about his arrest and conviction. On Feb. 24, 1975, protesters gathered in front of the Escambia County Jail.

They were seeking an investigation into Wendel Blackwell's killing and the termination of the deputy who shot him, Deputy Doug Raines. The crowd chanted, “Two, four, six, eight, who shall we incarcerate? Untreiner, Raines, the whole damn bunch!”

Claiming that the group violated a peaceful assembly law, Sheriff Royal Untreiner ordered approximately 70 deputies armed with clubs to disperse the crowd with force. Protesters were beaten and arrested. The deputies arrested 34 adults and 13 juveniles who were ultimately charged with unlawful assembly and malicious trespass.

Three days later, Rev. Matthews and Rev. B. J. Brooks, another local civil rights leader, were charged with felony extortion. Law enforcement claimed the men had encouraged the use of “assassination” instead of “incarceration” in the chants.

At their trial, another protester, Jimmie Lee Savage, testified that he, not Matthews and Brooks, always led the chants. A tape submitted that allegedly supported that accusation was grossly inaudible and was not from the night of the protest. Using only the testimony of deputies, Matthews and Brooks were convicted of the extortion charges by an all-white jury.

Brooks cut a deal and was sentenced to five

years’ probation. Matthews refused to cooperate and received a sentence of fi ve years hard labor.

At his sentencing, Circuit Judge Kirke Beall read aloud an FBI report on Matthews that went back to September 1956. The report included a drunkenness charge years before he became a minister, a speeding ticket in a school zone and failing to yield the right-of-way and causing a collision. Beall used the report to defend why he gave Matthews such a harsh sentence.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) ousted Matthew as the president and coordinator of its Northwest Florida branch. Many local Black ministers shunned him. The daily newspaper offered him no support.

A few years ago, Rev. Matthews shared how deputies tried to stage an escape attempt in order to shoot him. He was transported from the Escambia County Jail at 2 a.m. by two deputies.

He was handcuffed to a white prisoner. Before arriving at the state penitentiary, the deputies parked at a diner and went inside for breakfast. They left the patrol car’s doors unlocked.

The white prisoner tried to get Matthews to escape with him, but the minister refused. He told the man that he would have to carry him if he was going to make a run for it. Matthews later found out the white prisoner was a plant.

Abandoned by SCLC, with no support from the local media and with the justice system out to crush him, Rev. Matthews fought his sentence. Fred Levin intervened, and his former law partner, Gov. Reubin Askew, granted clemency and later a full pardon.

Out of prison, Matthews couldn’t find work in Pensacola. He told me, “Even Black folk wouldn’t give me a job. I wound up in Evergreen serving three small backwoods churches.”

I asked my friend if these experiences made him bitter. Smiling, he answered, “I ain’t got no room for hate.”

Yes, Rev. H.K. Matthews deserves our respect. He turns 94 next month. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Law enforcement claimed the men had encouraged the use of "assassination" instead of "incarceration" in the chants.

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NEW PLAN FOR UNSOLVED MURDERS Found: June 26, 2004, in a swimming pool at a residence in the 5000 block of North Pipeline Road Details: None provided •JESSICA EVE SCHUCHMAN Description: White female, 22 Found: October 19, 2001, in the water near NAS Pensacola Details: None provided

By Tom St. Myer Retired certified law enforcement detectives will provide the Escambia County Sheriff 's Office with a fresh set of eyes and fresh perspectives in an effort to solve homicide cases that date as far back as the early 1970s.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons established a Cold Case Symposium after retired detectives expressed interest in volunteering their services for the ECSO cold case unit. Currently, ECSO is investigating more than 25 cold cases.

ECSO considers a case to be cold when all available leads have been exhausted without establishing probable cause to make an arrest.

The two-day symposium will begin on yet-to-be-determined dates in February, and ECSO will assign volunteers six cases. Simmons said some of the investigation reports contain up to 500 pages of notes, and each page will be thoroughly reviewed.

"Obviously, what I would like us to have happen is to gather evidence to make an arrest or at least closure for a family who lost a loved one," Simmons said. "I have been in this position for years now to talk to family members of those who have been killed and I hear their stories and they want justice. The primary goal in this is to give them justice."

The symposium comes on the heels of recent breakthroughs on cold case homicides.

Investigators determined the identity of a "John Doe" after a relative searching for a missing uncle reviewed an ECSO cold case file. The relative spotted a hand-carved belt buckle with the initials "W.T." on the victim, whose body was found on Jan. 23, 1985, in an area southwest of Interstate 10 and Pine Forest Road. DNA matched with William Ernest Thompson.

"We've had some cold cases cleared and determined a John Doe in a case," said Col. David Ingram, who is in charge of the ECSO forensic services, intel, missing persons and cold case units. "The biggest thrill in all of it is giving closure for families and getting the victim justice in those situations."

When Thompson was killed and who the perpetrator was remain unsolved. Investigators estimate he was killed at least eight months, and possibly a few years, before his body was found in January of 1985. His cold case is among those the retired detectives will potentially focus on for the symposium.

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The oldest of the cold case homicides involves another John Doe. The body of an adult male was found on June 15, 1970, in the Bronson Field area east of Perdido Bay and south of Lillian Highway. The apparent murder victim is believed to be a white male between the age of about 40 and 50 and about 6 feet tall, weighing between 180 and 200 pounds.

Four other cold case homicides being investigated by the ECSO occurred in the 1970s. Those victims ranged in ages from 22 to 77. On the morning of March 7, 1972, the body of 22-yearold Carolyn Bolling was found at her home in the area of North Palafox Street between Fairfield Drive and Massachusetts Avenue. Bolling was the apparent victim of murder, and the person or persons responsible for her murder is still unknown. In the early morning hours of July 24, 1975, 77-year-old Lillian Powell and her daughter, 55-year-old Louise Marsh, were found dead inside their home in the 7900 block of North Old Palafox Highway after fire officials responded to extinguish a fire. Investigation found they were victims of murder, and that cold case remains unsolved.

"Cold cases are cold for a reason," Ingram said.

"They're very difficult in nature. Witnesses have died. Witnesses have disappeared. There are witnesses who don't want to give you information."

Ingram is optimistic the symposium will result in retired senior-level officers contributing to future breakthroughs on cold cases. Any retired certified law enforcement investigator who served as a former homicide investigator and is interested in joining the two-day symposium should email Ingram at doingram@escambiaso.com. {in}

OTHER ECSO COLD CASES UNDER REVIEW

•TYLER JEFFERSON Description: Black female, 18 Found: Nov. 12, 2009, 501 N. 49th Street Details: Active duty U.S. Navy; shot multiple times •CAROLYN WHITNEY ANTRIM Description: White female, 42 Found: July 27, 2007, wooded area west of the end of Lola Lane Details: Reported missing by her mother, Janet Antrim, on the same day, but she had not seen her daughter since July 20, 2007 •EVE MARIE DOVEY Description: White female, 19

•EVERETT MACK Description: White male, 69 Found: July 5, 1996, in Escambia River near the Highway 90 bridge Details: Reported missing by a family member; last seen at his home, 2000 block of Kelso Road, the afternoon of July 3, 1996

Found: March 5, 1988, at a gas station in the Mobile Highway and Green Street area known as "The Circle" Details: None provided •SLATER HUFF Description: Black male, 34 Found: Oct. 25, 1987, at a residence in 8000 block of Fab Drive Details: None provided •GEORGIA MAE BELL Description: White female, 59 Found: Oct. 5, 1987, in Okaloosa County Details: Reported missing on July 29, 1987. Her vehicle was located on Aug. 3, 1987, parked at a business in Lakeview and North W Street area

•BOBBY JOE STUCKEY Description: White male, 47 Found: July 30, 1993, in a hotel parking lot in the 6000 block of North Pensacola Boulevard Details: None provided

•LEWIS SAMUEL BROWN SR. Description: Black male, 66 Found: June 27, 1986, in the 1300 block of West Lee Street, at or near BJ's Lounge Details: Found shot and killed

•JOANNA KAY OTTO Description: White female, age N/A Last seen: Nov. 21, 1992 Details: Last seen leaving a party on Yacht Harbor Circle. According to a witness who drove her home, he dropped her off at her apartment on Royce Street. Since then, family and friends have not seen or heard from her

•PEARL AND MILLARD WILLIAMSON Description: White female, 56; white male, 73 Found: Jan. 29, 1986, in their home on Marine Drive, north of Barrancas Avenue Details: Murdered during an armed home invasion robbery

•MELISSA "MISSY" LYNN ECK Description: White female, 15 Last seen: June 25, 1992 Details: Last seen walking on Patricia Drive between West Cerny Road and West Fairfield Drive •RUSSELL PINCKARD Description: White male, 32 Found: April 15, 1992, in Ensley near Hinson and Actions streets Details: None provided •TABBETHA KAY WORFORD Description: White female, 19 Last seen: May 5, 1990 Details: Last seen at her residence in the West Jackson Street and North Fairfield Drive area •"JOHN DOE" Description: White male, 30-40, about 5-foot-9, 160 pounds Found: March 8, 1989, behind a bakery in the 5000 block of North Palafox Street Details: Believed to have been dead for at least two months. He had tattoos—a lion above his stomach, a cross symbol leaning inward with three dots above each nipple, "EX-CON" on the inside of the lower left leg •DEBRA DIANNE MCDANIELS Description: White female, 32 Last seen: March 21, 1988 Details: Last seen by family at a Milton area residence. She was reportedly at a Massachusetts Avenue residence the same day •JAMES E. LANGFORD Description: White male, 49

•PATRICIA LYNN STEPHEN Description: White female, brunette, 29 Found: March 1, 1985, wooded area west of the intersection of North Blue Angel Parkway and West Michigan Avenue Details: None provided •CARLA ROBERSON Description: White female, 19 Last seen: May 8, 1984 Details: Her vehicle was observed on Pensacola Beach on the late night of May 8, 1984 •LONNIE LACEY Description: White male, age N/A Found: July 26, 1981, inside a trailer park residence in the West Nine Mile Road and North Pine Forest Road area Details: None provided •DAVID LASALLE MITCHELL Description: Black male, 23 Found: March 8, 1980, Highway 29, in Century area Details: Found in his vehicle •HERBERT DODSON CANN SR. Description: White male, 50 Found: June 5, 1979, in the area of West Scott and North Grandview streets Details: Found injured and in distress; transported to the hospital and later transferred to a New Orleans VA hospital where he died from injuries •ROBERT LEE HORTON Description: White male, 23 Found: April 2, 1978, near Navarre Beach Road on Pensacola Beach Details: Sergeant in the U.S. Marines Source: escambiaso.com/departments/ specialized-units/cold-case inweekly.net

VICTORY IN WAR ON TERRORISM

The remains of Travis Strong's armored vehicle / Photo Courtesy of Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm

By Rick Outzen On Tuesday, Jan. 4, the Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm had a significant victory in its ongoing efforts to seek justice for U.S. service members severely injured in terrorist attacks in Iraq. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned and remanded a lower court's dismissal of its Atchley et al. v. AstraZeneca et al. lawsuit.

In the case, LPR, the plaintiffs—military service members and their families—alleges the defendants—several global manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceuticals—provided money and medical goods to terrorist groups Hezbollah and Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) in violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) as amended by the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) and various state laws.

"They paid those bribes directly to individuals who were also members of JAM, who worked hand in glove with Hezbollah and other Iranian intelligence operatives in Iraq over the course of about a decade to attack and kill American service members systematically," said Chris Paulos, managing partner of LPR's counter-terrorism litigation team.

"The defendants did this knowing the relationship of the Iraqi ministry of health with these terrorist organizations and continued to do business with them, funneling millions and millions of dollars to them in both goods and cash that those groups then turned around and simply paid the terrorists."

January 20, 2022

He continued, "They did this so successfully that the Iraqi people referred to these groups as the 'Pill Army' because they would use the drugs to compensate themselves."

One of Paulos' clients is Travis Strong. In November 2006, Staff Sgt. Strong was nearly killed on patrol with his platoon in the Kadamiyah District of Baghdad, Iraq. An explosively formed penetrator struck his armored vehicle.

Shrapnel completely severed his right leg and significantly damaged his left leg, causing massive blood loss. Shrapnel wounds to his chest collapsed his lung. The vehicle caught fire, leading to smoke inhalation injuries as he struggled to breathe.

Once the scene was secured and Strong was stabilized for transport, medics transported him to the battalion aid station on Forward Operating Base Liberty, where he flat-lined several times. When he was transported to a combat support hospital in Baghdad's Green Zone, Strong underwent surgery to remove what was left of his left leg and insert a tube in his chest to assist with the shrapnel injuries he sustained.

Since then, Strong has endured numerous surgeries and medical procedures over a period of several years to treat his injuries. He had to re-learn to walk with the aid of prosthetics.

According to the amended complaint, Hezbollah trained and coordinated with JAM terrorists responsible for Hezbollahauthorized terrorist attacks throughout Iraq.

Kadamiyah was one of JAM's strongholds in western Baghdad.

According to a U.S. military incident report

published by WikiLeaks, Hezbollah operatives provided targeting support for JAM operations against Coalition forces in Kadamiyah. Hezbollah-backed JAM cells operating in Kadamiyah were responsible for the attack on Strong and other American troops.

The defendants in the Atchley case are a Who's Who of the medical supply and pharmaceutical industries—AstraZeneca UK Limited, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, GE Healthcare USA Holding LLC, GE Medical Systems Information Technologies Inc., GE Medical Systems Information Technologies GmbH, Johnson & Johnson, Cilag GmbH International, Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC, Ethicon Inc., Janssen Ortho LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc., Ortho Biologics LLC, Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Genentech Inc. and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. According to Paulos, the companies knew their kickbacks and bribes would assure them good favor with the folks making the decisions within the Iraqi Ministry of Health, which Hezbollah and JAM controlled.

"We have gathered 12 confidential informants who were in rooms in these buildings, observing transactions, briefcases of cash changing hands," Paulos told Inweekly. "What's even more interesting is that as these representatives from these drug companies and medical device companies were walking into Iraqi hospitals that terrorist organizations were using as torture chambers, to torture Iraqi civilians and imprison their opponents."

"There were posters chanting death to America on the walls and pictures of terror leaders decorating these hospital rooms where these individuals were transacting business." Chris Paulos He added, "There were posters chanting death to America on the walls and pictures of terror leaders decorating these hospital rooms where these individuals were transacting business. The knowledge that these defendants

had is just incredible. The blind eye that they turned to make a profit is just reprehensible."

LPR represents 47 of the nearly 300 plaintiffs in the case. Lead counsel includes Washington D.C.-based attorneys Ryan Sparacino of Sparacino & Andreson PLLC and Joshua Branson and David Frederick of Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick PLLC. Branson handled the appeal.

Three judges comprised the panel hearing the appeal—Hon. Cornelia Thayer Livingston Pillard, Hon. Robert L. Wilkins and Hon. Harry T. Edwards. Judge Pillard wrote the opinion for the court.

"Critically, on the facts plaintiffs allege, defendants undoubtedly had the degree of awareness that our precedent requires regarding the connection between their payments and gifts and the terrorist violence," Pillard opined.

When the defendants finalized medicalsupply contracts at the Iraqi Ministry of Health, numerous clues—such as "weapons, fighters and propaganda"—would have tipped them off as to the JAM's command of the Ministry, Pillard stated in the opinion. Furthermore, he added, "…contemporaneous reports in mainstream media of the terrorists' control of the Ministry provided notice of the stakes of doing business with that entity."

Atchley v. AstraZeneca represents a new crop of terrorism cases stemming from a 2016 amendment to the federal laws that permit victims of terrorism to sue private companies, banks and other actors along the causal chain of injuries from acts of terrorism.

"We can bring claims for aiding and abetting and conspiring with the principal bad actors of the terrorist attacks," said Paulos.

"Any company that provides material support can be held liable for that material support, so long as you can demonstrate that they had sufficient knowledge of the potential for harm from their acts or should have had that knowledge of the potential harm from their acts or engagements with groups or groups involved with the terrorist organizations."

Several defendants are corporations LPR had sued and reached settlements or won cases against. Paulos isn't surprised to see them involved in this case.

"I've been working in this area of law for a long time now, and I wish I could say that corporate America made all the right decisions and for the right reasons," said the attorney.

"And it's certainly, unfortunately, the state of affairs these days, that corporations consider the harm that they cause to people or the damages that may flow from their products that aren't properly tested, that are improperly marketed or from illegal deals, like the one in the actual case, as just a cost of doing business."

Paulos added, "Our hope is that we can hit them where it hurts, which is the pocketbook, and also get redress for our clients whom the defendants' conduct has horribly damaged. They're simply recidivist criminal corporations." {in} 7

Assistant State Attorney Frederick Longmire with his Little / Photo by Rick Outzen

BEYOND SCHOOL WALLS State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida to host Beyond School Walls with Pensacola High School. The PHS students had their first session with the state attorney's staff on Thursday, Jan. 13.

"This is a way for our office to become involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and the community," Madden told Inweekly. "It is a way for my employees to have that sense of giving. It's as rewarding for the mentor as it is for the Littles."

She added, "I've got mentors from various departments within the office. They're not all lawyers. Many of these children won't go to college; they won't go to law school and be lawyers. But there are all sorts of opportunities and positions within our office that would fit their career goals. We've got investigators with law enforcement backgrounds, tech specialists, victim advocates and legal assistants as Bigs."

"Beyond School Walls is a program that is funded through monies our state association receives through the Department of Economic Opportunity," BBBS Executive Director Paula Shell told Inweekly. "They felt that this program truly invested in the future of our children and the future of our communities across the state of Florida."

Navy Federal Credit Union was the first Beyond School Walls mentor workplace. Since then, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Mayor Grover Robinson and city hall have signed up, along with the State Attorney.

Shell said, "They start with the junior class.

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They follow them their junior year, senior year and then through high school graduation.

Some of these Bigs say, 'You know what, I want to stay matched.' That's what we're finding."

She added, "Our ultimate goal is that these kids are out, self-sufficient and having a living wage by the age of 26. We want to help them get there through the agency's help and Big Brothers and Big Sisters."

The Littles will come to the State Attorney's Office once a month for four hours.

Madden explained, "Each month, we'll have a topic focusing on personal development.

We'll bring in a special guest every week to do a presentation on an issue. Then, there'll be a breakout time where the Little and the Big will have one-on-one time together."

She continued, "This has ended up being a very good fit for us. Our office is a good, safe environment for them; it's good for us, and they get to see what we do. That's really exciting."

Madden wants to strengthen the office's ties in the areas she serves.

"These children are a part of our community; they live here," she said. "When they get out of high school, if they don't go to college, we hope that they'll seek some employment in our office, maybe as a legal assistant, maybe working in technology. There are all sorts of career fields available here."

GREER PICKED On Thursday, Jan. 13, In-

weekly publisher Rick Outzen broke the news on his morning show on WCOA 1370 AM/104.9 FM that the Escambia Children's Trust had picked Tammy Greer to be its executive director. Board Chair Stephanie White said, "Last

night, we had a regular board meeting at 5 o'clock. We went around the room and said our top pick, and we are going to offer the job to Tammy Greer. She's originally from Pensacola and went to PJC back in the day, then UWF." Board member David Peaden told Inweekly that Greer stood out during the search process.

"We had Zoom interviews for the first round, and she just popped off the screen— her energy, passion, skillset and the experience she had," Peaden said, "And then when she came to town and went through the live interviews and her presentation, she covered a wide variety of different ideas and a plan of action for the trust, a vision that left no rock unturned. She's spectacular."

He continued, "We started with 67 candidates, and we whittled that down to 10. Then we had Zooms with those 10 people and narrowed it down to five. And I think we covered all the bases to ensure we got it right. Tammy's experience includes grant writing to overseeing 67 different contracts now in her current job that supports seven different programs and oversees 48 employees. And plus, I think in her heart, she really does have a passion for this."

Greer introduced herself to WCOA listeners. "I'm from Pensacola originally and looking forward to being back home. I have spent probably close to the last 30 years, which I hate to admit, in the nonprofit world, working with all sorts of grants and funding. I've done a lot of work in children's services particularly, everything from early childhood education with Head Start programs to working in the K-12 system. I've even worked in the community college system, so I've run the gamut of it."

Why did she want this job? She answered, "I worked for one of the largest children's services councils in Florida, which is in Palm Beach County. I know what kind of change they can make and how much potential there is to do some really good things for the children of the community. And how having been a child in Escambia County, it just seemed to be full circle for me."

"There's so much potential to do so much good, and I think it's a wonderful opportunity. I know it sounds trite, but I really do just want to be of service in my hometown." Tammy Greer Greer added, "There's so much potential to do so much good, and I think it's a wonderful opportunity. I know it sounds trite, but I really do just want to be of service in my hometown."

She is working with ECT on her contract.

Greer has given a 30-day notice to her current employer, Gulfcoast Legal Services in

St. Petersburg, and hopes to be on the job in Pensacola by March.

NO LONGER DAILY The Pensacola News

Journal announced that it would no longer print a Saturday edition, effective March 26.

Instead, the newspaper owned by Gannett, the country's largest newspaper chain, will only offer a digital version to its subscribers.

Executive Editor Lisa Nellessen Savage wrote in the announcement that other newspapers in the Gannett network have also dropped their Saturday print editions. She assured readers that subscribers "will receive a full digital replica of the newspaper that day, filled with the same amount of local, state and national news, advertising and features such as comics and puzzles."

"Our commitment to local news remains our No. 1 priority, and this move allows us to invest more deeply in our content while recognizing that the platforms on which people consume that news continue to evolve," said Savage.

AUDITORS COMING It took over a year,

but the State Auditor General is ready to audit the Tourist Development Tax records of Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers and the county. Former County Administrator Janice Gilley and Childers—quietly called "Laverne & Shirley" by courthouse insiders—fought the independent audit.

Childers even threatened Visit Pensacola officials that the audit would harm their operations, apparently attempting to discourage the Tourist Development Commission from looking at her books.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Childers and Commission Chair Jeff Bergosh received a letter from audit manager Derek Noonan, CPA that outlined the objectives of the audit and the responsibilities of Childers and county officials. A teleconference was held to go over the letter and the auditor's requirements when they arrived on site.

SERVED On Monday, Jan. 10, the city of Pensacola posted notices at the homeless encampment under Interstate 110 notifying individuals of the Monday, Jan. 31, deadline to vacate the encampment. City Code Enforcement officers have walked through the encampment to speak with the campers about the pending evictions.

In its press release, city officials said, "As the I-110 encampment has continued to grow, so have public health and safety concerns in the area, which is located on Florida Department of Transportation property that is leased to the City of Pensacola."

People living in the encampment have until the end of January to collect their personal belongings. Up to the deadline, the city will work with local organizations to connect homeless individuals with shelters and other available options. inweekly.net

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 1, the city will thoroughly clean and sanitize the area and collect any remaining personal items. Any items left behind will be safely stored until Wednesday, March 16. During this period, individuals will have the opportunity to collect their belongings as indicated in the posted notices.

SWORD & SHIELD TACTIC The Escambia County Commission voted 4-0 to accept a settlement agreement with David Bear, who has tried for more than two years to get Commissioner Doug Underhill to release his Facebook posts and comments.

Bear agreed to remove the Board of County Commissioners from any further litigation over the records request and waive the county from paying his legal fees, $190,000, that he has incurred in the lawsuit. However, Underhill hasn't been dropped from the case.

In exchange, the county agreed to the stipulations that Underhill ignored the county's social media and technology policies when he used Facebook to discuss county business.

He failed to produce public records from his Facebook accounts requested by Bear until a court order compelled him to do so.

If the BCC ever reimburses Underhill for his legal expenses associated with the lawsuit, the board will have to pay Bear's, too.

The lawsuit is still active in federal court.

Underhill withheld 24,000 pages of Facebook posts and messages. He argued his social media communication was not a public record because the county did not "specifically authorize Underhill to create the record or speak on its behalf."

Last March, U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon reviewed the pages Underhill withheld and ruled several were public records.

She cited several court cases that shot down the commissioner's interpretation. Cannon wrote, "To conclude otherwise would contravene the very purpose of the Public Records Act by diminishing the transparency expected for those holding public office in carrying out their official duties."

Underhill has continued to dispute the judge's ruling and withheld 129 pages in question. His attorneys have requested a new review of the legal issues surrounding them.

Bear told Inweekly that Underhill is "basically saying emails, interoffice memos, etc. are not public records coming from a county commissioner as long as they're not authorized by the county commission themselves."

However, according to Bear, the commissioner took the opposite position when Scott Miller sued Underhill for defamation.

Bear said, "In his previous lawsuit, (Underhill) utilized this fact that these are public records when he communicates on social media. He's actually sworn through an affidavit that that is him doing his job as a commissioner in order to get the protection from any type of lawsuit like defamation so that he's immune to it."

Bear continued, "And our judge said, essentially, you can't use your position as a sword and a shield, which is what he's trying to do."

Bear didn't want to sue the county, but Underhill created the problem when he refused to hand over the public records.

"I didn't really want to sue the county. I just wanted them to hold him accountable because he was violating my First Amendment rights." David Bear "I didn't really want to sue the county," he told Inweekly. "I just wanted them to hold him accountable because he was violating my First Amendment rights. He was violating the public record laws."

Bear added, "That's why that stipulation of facts is important is because they are saying these were public records, and he refused to turn them over. Had he turned them over originally, we never would've been in this lawsuit."

HIDE & SEEK The News Journal published

its article on Underhill's Facebook woes on the front page of its Sunday, Jan. 9 edition. However, online readers didn't see it until 6 a.m. the following morning.

David Bear asked reporter Jim Little why the delay and was told the daily newspaper's readership is greater online on Mondays. Former sports reporter and mayoral candidate DC Reeves came to his former employer's defense, saying the editors didn't want it to get buried online on Sunday.

The funny thing is that attacks on the other commissioners printed in the Sunday editions often make it online on Friday mornings, not Mondays. Management doesn't seem to be concerned about those articles getting buried.

PENSACOLA PINK PANTHER Sarasota

police claim a Pensacola man, Stephen Diamond, 52, captured in Georgia, is their suspect in a home burglary in their city. On Nov. 23, home surveillance cameras captured the burglar entering the home and leaving with a safe containing $200,000 in jewelry.

The police released a photo taken at a toll booth of the suspect driving a silver BMW X3 with a stolen temporary tag from Georgia. Sarasota authorities say Diamond faces numerous charges in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

PERDIDO WORK DAY The Escambia County Natural Management Resources Department seeks volunteers to prune and remove plants for a future coastal demonstration garden. A volunteer workday is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Perdido Key Community Center, 15500 Perdido Key Drive.

Volunteers must register for the event in advance. If under the age of 18, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the event. Contact Samantha Bolduc at (850) 595-3460 or smbolduc@myescambia.com to register.

The Natural Resources Management

Department received a $10, 450 grant from the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program for the Perdido Key Coastal Demonstration Garden. The garden will showcase native plant species approved for use under the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan and demonstrate various landscaping techniques specific to the coastal environment. Signage will inform visitors about the plants and techniques used for each area. The project includes the development of a landscaping brochure to be distributed to area homeowners and property managers.

HOW-TO SERIES The Spring, a Studer

Community Institute initiative, has launched a workshop series to cover the key topics entrepreneurs face as they start and grow their own businesses. Attendees will hear from local experts on topics like creating a business plan, protecting your business, the key to getting funded, managing finances, marketing your business and optimizing social media.

"One of the most difficult things about opening a small business is making sure you have a working understanding of topics that will affect your success day today," said SCI Chief Entrepreneur Officer DC Reeves, who opened Perfect Plain Brewing Company in Pensacola in 2017. "This series is filled with people who were impactful on many journeys in entrepreneurship—mine included—and will do the same for anyone thinking about opening their own business."

Throughout the series, skilled speakers will provide tips, insight and resources entrepreneurs need to set their business up for success.

Each workshop, taking place in the SCI Building at 220 W. Garden Street, will include networking, presentation, and time for questions and answers. Attendees will also receive a free one-day pass to The Spring Co-Working Space and two hours of conference room access.

Purchase a ticket to one workshop for $20 or purchase a bundle and attend all six for only $100. For more details and tickets, visit thespringpensacola.com/how-to. {in}

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850.435.7000 | LEVINLAW.COM | PENSACOLA, FL January 20, 2022

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STALKING How To Recognize It, Report It and Get Help Locally

By Rick Outzen

In December 2016, Katie and Amanda, Pensacola Catholic High alumnae in their 30s, began receiving harassing text and voice messages on their phones from several outof-state phone numbers. The texts included Facebook photos of the women and their children. The perpetrator claimed he masturbated to the images. He signed the messages "MISTER PERVERT" or "Mr. Pervert."

When Amanda changed her phone number, the perpetrator began sending harassing texts to her husband, mother and mother-inlaw, saying in some of the messages that he wanted to rape her and another former Catholic High classmate in front of their husbands.

The women talked with other female classmates who also graduated from Catholic in or around 2004. They had also received harassing messages. Katie and Amanda went to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and told investigators they believed the perpetrator was Sean Michael Vest, a fellow student who was kicked out of Catholic in 2003. Other victims also stepped forward, offering copies of the messages and phone logs.

Vest was arrested and charged with 18 counts of aggravated stalking by credible threat and eight counts of obscene or harassing phone calls. He pled no contest and was sentenced to 10 years in state prison. When he's released in May 2027, he will serve 10 years of probation.

Investigators found that Vest used the phone app Pinger, which allowed him to send texts from his cell phone using various phone numbers. A subpoena revealed that all the out-of-state phones texting the victims were associated with Vest's cell phone, and he registered with Pinger as "MISTER PERVERT." When Vest was arrested in January 2017, Sheriff David Morgan held a press conference describing the case and asking for other possible victims to come forward. He told Inweekly that his agency had invested in the necessary technology to handle these difficult investigations in which the predators hide behind several layers of anonymity.

Sheriff Morgan said, "These criminals no longer have the capability to operate in darkness."

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STALKING AWARENESS

Unfortunately, stalking crimes still occur in Northwest Florida. January has been designated National Stalking Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity to learn about this serious public health problem that affects millions.

"Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior that's directed to a specific person that would cause that person to experience fear," Shelby Amaral told Inweekly. A licensed clinical social worker, Amaral is the assistant director and clinical supervisor with Lakeview Victim Services.

"We used to think of stalking as someone following you, showing up places where you are, but that's really transformed over the years because we have all this technology," she said. "Essentially, stalkers can stalk you from the comfort of their own home or from their phone, anywhere that they are."

Many times, the stalker is someone the victim knows well. Amaral said, "The number one most likely demographic to be stalked is someone who's being stalked by an intimate partner."

She explained, "When we spend time with someone in a relationship, they get to know things about us. They know our passwords; they know our friends. And so they're able to get on that Facebook even if they're asking, 'Did so and so create a new Facebook?' They can follow us on Instagram."

According to Amaral, Escambia County has a high rate of domestic violence, and often when a victim chooses to leave the relationship, the perpetrator tries to take back their control.

"We're also seeing that stalking happens at a much higher rate with younger individuals, those under the age of 25," she shared. "It doesn't mean it doesn't happen for those that are older, but normally around that college age is where stalking has a great increase."

Amaral added, "As far as knowing your perpetrator, it was shown that two-thirds of victims were stalked by a current or former intimate partner, and for another fourth of the victims, it was an acquaintance that was stalking them.

If you put those two numbers together, there are not many people that are being stalked by someone that they don't know."

Social media has offered stalkers nearly

limitless ways to harass a victim. Amaral said, "I've had someone that I've known who had a restraining order, and then that person that was the perpetrator violated the order by following them on Pinterest."

Dropping out of social media may not end the stalking. Amaral said, "We are starting to see survivors come into our center and say, 'I really feel like I'm being followed. They know things about me, but I have gotten rid of my social media.' Then we start wondering, do they have a tracker on your phone. Do they have a tracker on your car? Those things can be very difficult to find."

Victims often might believe that they did something to provoke someone to stalk them.

Amaral wanted to bust that myth. "Any time that someone is giving you unwanted attention and causing you to feel fear, it is not your fault," she said. "That is one of the reasons why I would definitely encourage someone to make contact with us. You need someone to talk to you that is going to let you know it's not your fault and you are not crazy."

She said some stalkers try to undermine their target's sanity. "One of the things that can happen with stalking is called 'micro tampering,' where perpetrators will mess with your things," said Amaral. "They might change things in your social media. If they can get into your house, the stalker will take things or move things around and cause you to really doubt your sanity. Is this really happening?"

She added, "We have trained professionals that have dealt with cases of stalking that are compassionate, can be there for you and assure you you're not crazy. We can help you with this, and it's not your fault."

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

An estimated 6-7.5 million people are stalked annually in the United States. According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC), one in six women and one in 17 men have experienced stalking victimization in their lifetimes. SPARC is a national project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

About half of all stalking victims have indicated they were stalked before the age of

25. Two-thirds of stalkers pursue their victims at least once per week. Many pursue daily. Over three-quarters of the stalkers use more than one means of approach. Weapons are used to harm or threaten victims in one out of five cases.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 11% of stalking victims have been stalked for five years or more. One in four victims has been stalked through the use of technology, such as email or texting. About 15% of stalking victims move due to their victimization. Less than 40% of the victims report the harassment to law enforcement.

Assistant State Attorney Frederick Longmire prosecutes felonies and also serves as State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden's director of public relations and professional development.

In between trials, he spoke with Inweekly about the prosecution of stalking cases in the First Judicial District.

"Stalking and cyberstalking are misdemeanor offenses that can rise to felonies if they're aggravated stalking," said Longmire. "Stalking is when a defendant willfully, maliciously and repeatedly followed, harassed or cyberstalked another individual. What becomes important is this idea of a course of conduct—a pattern of conduct, which is composed of a series of acts over a period of time.

And it doesn't matter how long that period of time is, but it must evidence a continuity of purpose."

The assistant state attorney said stalking might be challenging to prove. He offered these recommendations if someone believes they are being stalked and harassed.

"One thing I would always tell individuals to do is you should document that communication," said Longmore. "If the person is calling you on the phone, you'd want to take screenshots of those phone calls. If they're texting, you'd want to take screenshots of those. You'd also tell the individual, 'Please stop contacting me.' That way, they know this is not contact that you want or are inviting, and you've asked them to cease that contact."

He continued, "You document it. And then, even if you're not sure if it legally arises to the crime of stalking, you may still want to contact law enforcement. Even if an arrest is not made, they'll document it in an informational report."

Longmire also the victim should block the perpetrator from their social media and inweekly.net

cellphones. "These people are looking at your Facebook and other social media. Well, block them. Block them from your Facebook, your Snapchat, your Twitter, whatever other platform you're utilizing on social media so that they can no longer contact you."

Marsha Travis understands Longmire's point about stalking being difficult to prove. She is the interim executive director of FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, the domestic violence center serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

"Stalking is probably one of the most under-reported crimes when it comes to intimate partner relationships because a lot of times it's looked at as a show of love. This person just loves you so much. He's sending flowers, and I don't want to say just he because it could be a she. Sending flowers, those types of things. We've even received those gifts at our outreach location where the abusive partner's looking for their victim, and they're saying, 'I still love her. I still want to be with her or be with him.' It's a tactic, a power control thing, and that's what's going on."

TRUST INSTINCTS

SPARC tells people to trust their instincts.

Victims of stalking often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker's behavior, but stalking poses a real threat of harm.

Personal safety is paramount. If someone feels they are in any immediate danger, law enforcement should be contacted and told why the stalker's actions are causing fear.

The national project agrees with Longmore about gathering evidence. SPARC recommends victims keep a record or log of each contact with the stalker and save any documents when possible. Both can be used to support any police reports.

Since stalkers often use technology to contact their targets, victims should save all emails, text messages, photos and postings on social networking sites as evidence of the stalking behavior. SPARC recommends visiting the National Network to End Domestic Violence Safety Net Project's Tech Safety Site, techsafetyapp.org.

The site offers a phone app that provides information on harassment, impersonation, cellphone safety, device safety, location safety and online safety. Each category has specific explanations on what someone can do if they are being harassed as well as privacy tips that can be used to increase privacy and security.

The Tech Safety App also includes additional resources on documenting abuse, talking with an advocate, contacting police, getting an attorney and where to call for help.

Understanding perpetrators' controlling natures and spying techniques, Tech Safety has a warning message on its home page—"If the abusive person learns that you are seeking resources and information, it could be possible that they may escalate their abusive behavior. If that person is monitoring your smartphone or tablet and see that you downloaded this app, consider using this app from a device they don't have access to."

SPARC recommends that victims connect with a local victim service provider who can assist in exploring options as well as discussing safety planning.

Lakeview's Victim Services Center and FavorHouse of Northwest Florida work with survivors of stalking and domestic violence.

"We have a 24-hour helpline, (850) 433January 20, 2022

7273," Amaral said. "We have advocates that can help with safety planning, that can also help file for injunctions, also known as restraining orders, if that is something that this person needs. We also provide cost-free counseling to all victims of crime, including survivors of stalking and those actively experiencing it."

FavorHouse also has a crisis line available 24 hours a day. Travis said, "That number is (850) 434-6600, and we have a live person.

That's not a press one, two, nine or anything like that. They're there to really talk with someone. So they can not only just not come in, but they can have a conversation via phone."

She continued, "If they do choose to come in, we do have advocates at no cost to the provider or to the person seeking services to sit down and talk with them. And what they will do, they will show them how to document that behavior so that that repeated pattern can be more viable to law enforcement. They have something a lot solid to really go in and try to prosecute that person. But we also have legal attorneys that can also advocate with them to go to the court system to file for an injunction for protection."

Travis recommended that they call, even if they aren't sure their experiences rise to the level of a crime. She said, "Call us anyway, no matter what the circumstances are. Our team will help you." {in}

STALKING VICTIM SERVICES If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911 for law enforcement help.

If you are safe but think you are being stalked, contact either resource below for help with a safety plan, stalking log, legal information and options for protection.

LAKEVIEW CENTER VICTIM SERVICES (850) 433-7273 Lakeview Center's Victim Services is the certified Sexual Violence program for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Trauma Recovery counselors help victims of crime recover from emotional trauma. Victims and their families receive immediate, supportive, non-judgmental intervention and incident-specific counseling in a caring climate. The services are free and available whether or not the crime has been reported.

FAVORHOUSE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA (850) 434-6600 FavorHouse is the certified domestic violence center for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Its services include a shelter for victims and families, counseling, support groups, court advocacy and other services for victims of domestic violence.

Call if you need safe shelter or want to talk to someone.

ONLINE RESOURCES Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC) stalkingawareness.org National Network to End Domestic Violence Safety Net Project techsafetyapp.org 11

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inweekly.net

WEEK OF JANUARY 20-26

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

"The Magic Flute" Plays Again

By Hunter Morrison

David Blalock / Photo Courtesy of Pensacola Opera

January 20, 2022

The Pensacola Opera will continue its 39th season with a production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute." The production, which hasn't been performed by the opera company since the 2008-09 season, is Mozart's final piece and is one of opera's most popular titles.

"Ever since it was premiered in 1791, it has remained at the top five most-performed operas around the world—and for good reason," said Cody Martin, the director of Education at the Pensacola Opera and conductor of "The Magic Flute."

"It is a very uplifting piece and is entertaining; there's a lot of mystical and magical elements.

It's very family-friendly with lots of recognizable melodies, and it's just going to be a lot of fun to come and see."

"The Magic Flute," which is sung in German with English dialogue and supertitles, follows the journey of a young prince and his quest for truth and enlightenment. The Pensacola Opera's performance will showcase a cast with national and international recognition.

David Blalock, a tenor who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, is one of the cast members in the Pensacola Opera's perfor-

mance of "The Magic Flute." He is joined by soprano Bizhou Chang, soprano Elisa Sunshine, artist in residence Ron Dukes and debut artist Robert Mellon.

Martin says that because of the pandemic, the Pensacola Opera decided to choose a production that was uplifting to the community. He believes that "The Magic Flute" is just that.

"We really chose our entire season to be more uplifting," Martin said. "Because of the past two years that we've all endured, we really thought it was important for us to give our community something that is really positive and makes you feel good and happier when you leave the theater."

"We really chose our entire season to be more uplifting, because of the past two years that we've all endured."

Cody Martin With recent spikes in COVID-19, the Pensacola Opera is taking measures to keep cast members, crew and audience members safe. This includes encouraging the wearing of masks.

"For our audience, we are suggesting and highly recommending that audience members wear a mask for the entire performance," Martin said. "We are not allowing food or drinks to be consumed inside the theater so that people can wear

their masks, and we are also opening the doors a little earlier than we usually do so that people will have plenty of time to get to their seats."

With the struggles that COVID-19 has caused, the cast and crew of "The Magic Flute" have worked tirelessly to rehearse the performance in a safe manner. This includes socially distanced and masked rehearsals.

"We're really looking forward to this production; it's been a really hard two years," Martin said. "We're excited that we are able to continue performing, even in the midst of a pandemic. We had a great season last year of two productions that were highly COVID-altered."

Because of advances in fighting the pandemic over the last two years, Martin says that this season's performance will be a little more of what people are used to.

"It's great to be getting a little closer to normal than last year," he said. "Hopefully, by next season, we'll be back to fully normal." {in}

THE PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS "THE MAGIC FLUTE" WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: Tickets start at $25 DETAILS: pensacolaopera.com

13

a&e happenings year's event will be a free outdoor concert. The popular Matsuriza taiko drummers from Orlando, who regularly entertain at the Japan pavilion in Walt Disney World's Epcot, will perform three sets between noon and 3 p.m. There will also be vendors selling Japanese food and crafts. JapanAmerica Society members will be eligible for prize drawings, including five $40 gift certificates courtesy of Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse.

Limited outdoor seating will be available, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or picnic blanket. For more information or to become a JAS member, visit jasnwfl.org or email info@jasnwfl.org.

BIERGARTEN MOVIE NIGHT Visit Gary's

Brewery & Biergarten, located at 208 Newman Ave., for movie nights Wednesdays in January from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Brewpub menu is open until 9 p.m. "Hook" will be playing Jan. 26. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for more information.

Matsuriza taiko drummers / Courtesy Photo

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ANIMAL ALLIES CAT & KITTEN ADOPTIONS Every Saturday in January from

11 a.m.-3 p.m., meet cats and kittens looking for their forever home at Pet Supermarket, located at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. Visit aaflorida.org for more information.

WUWF HOSTS STORYCORPS FOR LOCAL STORYTELLING OPPORTUNITIES Sto-

ryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, comes to Pensacola Feb. 17-March 11 to record interviews, in-person and virtually, as part of its Mobile Tour.

Participants have the option of recording inperson or via StoryCorps' Virtual Recording Booth, a video-conferencing platform that can be accessed remotely using an internet-connected device. Participants can learn more about safety precautions for in-person recording at storycorps.org.

Reservations to record will be available at 10 a.m. on Feb. 3 and can be made by calling StoryCorps' 24-hour toll-free reservation line at (800) 850-4406 or visiting storycorps. org or wuwf.org/storycorps.

CALL TO ARTISTS

PMA MEMBERS SHOW The Pensacola

Museum of Art invites artists, makers, designers and creative thinkers from its member community to submit artworks for The Members Show.

This annual juried exhibition seeks to generate community dialogue, foster creative expression and recognize the support and talent of our members. Artists can win cash prizes with $150 to first place, $125 to second place, $100 to third place and $75 to people's choice.

The Members Show will be extended through the month of May. The exhibition is open to PMA members working in all media and subject matter. The submission deadline is Sunday, Jan. 30, at 11:59 p.m. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details and submission form.

ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITORS FOR JAZZFEST Jazz Pensacola is calling arts and 414 1

crafts exhibitors to submit applications for the 2022 Pensacola JazzFest, taking place 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, April 3, at Seville Square.

Application form can be found at jazzpensacola.com/pdf/2022-JazzFest-Arts-Crafts-App.pdf.

Only original art and handmade crafts will be accepted. No commercial/mass-produced products will be accepted. Please read the complete contract, particularly concerning refunds.

All entries are $200 for a 10-by-10 canopy or smaller. All fees go to support Pensacola JazzFest, a free event for the community.

REGIONAL WRITING CONTEST SEEKS "IN FOCUS FLASH MEMOIR" ENTRIES

West Florida Literary Federation is sponsoring "In Focus: A Contest for Flash Memoir," a creative nonfiction contest with cash prizes and an opportunity for publication.

Luke Wallin, professor of creative writing, former editor of The Louisville Review and award- winning author of national acclaim who lives in Rhode Island, will serve as a guest judge.

The judging panel will be looking for entries that distill a personal experience and share the heart and essence of it in order to impact readers with a keepsake take-away. Contest entries will be read with the name of the writer concealed.

Contest Facilitator Claire Massey asks writers to "share your moments of truth, the crossroads and rest stops on your journey, the images that define who you were and who you are."

Contest entries will be accepted electronically in January. Any resident of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton or Bay counties in Florida or Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia counties in Alabama, 18-years or older is eligible to participate. Members of West Florida Literary Federation and the Florida Writers' Association are also eligible to enter. Nonmembers pay a $10 submission fee. For more questions email Massey at westfloridaliteraryfederation@gmail.com or visit wflf.org.

ARTS & CULTURE

SAENGER THEATRE VOLUNTEER USHER ORIENTATION Ever wanted to become a

volunteer usher at the Saenger Theatre? Ush-

ers can enjoy live performances of all types and are able to give eight to 12 hours a month to volunteer to help provide a quality experience for the patrons of the theatre. The next orientation is 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, at the theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox. You must RSVP to attend by calling (850) 595-3880.

WHAT'S SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINEMA ART "The King's Daughter" will be show-

ing starting Jan. 21 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Oscar-nominated short films will be showing starting Feb. 25. All showtimes are at 1 p.m. PCA is located at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10 cash only. Now streaming, "Hive," based on the true story of a wife whose husband goes missing during the war in Kosovo. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for more information.

ODD COLONY ART MARKET Extend your Gallery Night experience on Friday, Jan. 21, and walk down to Odd Colony, located at 260 N. Palafox, to enjoy an art market featuring some of Pensacola's most incredible artists. MI SU Street Food will be on site from 5 p.m. until they're sold out, and Faithe will be playing live from 7-9 p.m. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for more information.

ORANGE BEACH LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The Friends of the Orange Beach Library will have its annual Book and Bake Sale on Friday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Orange Beach Community Center, 27235 Canal Road.

A bake sale offers baked goods connoisseur's delight with wonderful goodies donated by the membership. On Thursday, Jan. 20, from 6-8 p.m. a Wine & Snacks Preview night is held for 2022 lifetime and annual members. 2022 memberships will be available at the door.

JAPANESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 2022 The Japan-America Society of North-

west Florida will usher in the "Year of the Tiger" with its 28th annual Japanese New Year Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the SCI Building, located at 220 W. Garden St. Due to the recent spike of COVID cases, this

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Enjoy shop-

ping for a variety of handcrafted wares at Pensacola Arts Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The next date is Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1401 W. Intendencia St. Enjoy art, espresso, vintage goods, baked treats, handcrafted unique gifts and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/pensacolaartsmarket.

PENSACOLA OPERA: GALLERY TALKS

Learn more about Mozart's final operatic masterpiece, "The Magic Flute," followed by performances from the score by our Artists in Residence. Then, a curator from The Pensacola Museum of Art will explore a visual arts related topic correlating with Mozart and this piece in particular. The event is Sunday, Jan. 23, from 2-3 p.m. at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St.

EASY GOING GALLERY ART MARKET

Every Sunday, Easy Going Gallery and Carter J Studios present a weekly art market Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Easy Going Gallery, located at 701 N. V St. Enjoy art, espresso, vintage goods, baked treats, handcrafted unique gifts and more. Vendors can participate for a $20 fee. For more information, contact easygoinggalleryart@gmail.com.

SNOWBIRD BEACH BASH The Pensacola

Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Rosa Island Authority will host the Seventh Annual Snowbird Beach Bash on 9 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 20, at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, located at 920 Via De Luna Drive. Entry is $1 per person, and all proceeds will benefit the Pensacola Beach Jr. Lifeguard Program. For more information, call (850) 9322257, or email aj_powell@sria-fla.com.

MATT & BEN Before "The Office," Mindy Kaling co-wrote the play "Matt & Ben" with Brenda Withers about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck before they were famous. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 21 & 28; 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 22 & 29; 2:30 Sunday, Jan 23; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. inweekly.net

a&e happenings Tickets are $14-$20. For tickets, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

I LOVE THE 90'S THROWBACK COMEDY TOUR Laugh with comedians Micheal Hunter,

Dirty South, Steve Brown, Redbone, Doo Doo Brown and Marvin Dixon on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m. at Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $33-$53. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for more information.

JOAN FULLERTON WORKSHOP Palette Productions Pensacola presents a workshop with artist Joan Fullerton on Jan. 24. You can claim a place in her class with a $100 deposit with the application form found online at paletteproductions.net. For more information, call Diane Goeller at (850) 384-3652 or Pat Page at (850) 293-5414.

BROWN BAG OPERA Enjoy a free mid-day op-

era performance from Pensacola Opera Tuesday, Jan. 25, at noon at the Opera Center, 75 Tarragona St. Visit pensacolaopera.com for more info.

PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS: THE MAGIC FLUTE The Magic Flute transports

audiences on a mystical journey filled with genies, spirits and the hilarious antics of a creature who is half man and half bird. The classic elegance of Mozart's music enthralls us as a young man discovers his humanity during his quest for the truth. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets start at $25. Visit pensacolaopera.com for more information.

TREE HUGGER TRIVIA Join Keep Pensacola Beautiful Youth Advisory Council for Tree Hugger Trivia on Friday, Jan. 29, from 7-9 p.m. at Voices of Pensacola, 117 E. Government St. Tickets are $10-$15. Visit keeppensacolabeautiful.org for more information.

PENSACOLA PSYCHIC, METAPHYSICAL AND HEALING ARTS FAIR This annual

psychic fair brings speakers, tarot readers, mediums, healers, metaphysical gifts and UFO enthusiasts. The event is Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 1-5 p.m. at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Readers and vendors can sign up by calling (850) 941-4321. For more information, visit pensacolapsychicfair.com.

GALLERY NIGHT PENSACOLA 2022 THEMES The Gallery Night Pensacola board

has announced the dates and themes for the 2022 year. The first Gallery Night of the year is Friday, Jan. 21, with streets closed to vehicle traffic from 5-9 p.m. The Gallery Night Pensacola footprint includes Palafox Street (from Garden Street to Main Street), Jefferson Street to Intendencia and connecting blocks inbetween. Artistic mediums include glass, paint, woodworking, jewelry, mixed media and more. In addition to arts, music and activities, downtown restaurants, galleries and shops will be open extended hours, encouraging patrons to come and explore our award-winning downtown.

THE SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS: •Jan. 21 – Lunar New Year January 20, 2022

•Feb. 18 – Pensacon •March 18 – Shake Your Shamrock •April 15 – Earth Day + vintage market •May 20 – Dancing in the Streets •June 17 – Juneteenth Celebration •July 15 – Motorin' Car Show •Aug. 19 – Under the Surface •Sept. 16 – Celebrate Blue Angels •Oct. 21 – Fright Night •Nov. 18 – Throwback/Decades •Dec. 16 – Ugly Sweater Day

VISIONARY APONTE: ART AND BLACK FREEDOM Visionary Aponte: Art and Black

Freedom is from creator José Antonio Aponte, a free black carpenter, artist and former soldier who was also the leader of an ambitious antislavery conspiracy in Cuba in 1812. The exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of Art through March 27. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for more information.

2000 MEN: BLACK POLITICIANS DURING RECONSTRUCTION A new exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of History shares the stories and histories of Black politicians during the Reconstruction period. The Pensacola Museum of History is located at 330 S. Jefferson St. For more information, visit historicpensacola.org.

UWF HISTORIC TRUST 9/11 EXHIBIT An exhibit honoring victims lost and others impacted by the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, is now on display on the second floor of the Pensacola Museum of History. The University of West Florida Historic Trust curated the exhibit, 9/11 Remembered, which runs through January, with items on loan from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York and the History Museum of Mobile. The gallery includes a section of the I-beam from one of the World Trade Center towers and a helmet and other items worn by first responders who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Visitors can also view a video of newsreels from 20 years ago on projectors and a video from NAS Pensacola that features military members who responded to the 9/11 attacks. For more information on UWF's Historic Trust, visit historicpensacola.org.

FINDING 1821 Finding 1821 is part of the

UWF Historic Trust's Suddenly American exhibit. Using historic newspapers, maps and documents, it is possible to locate where businesses stood in the 1820s. From taverns to parasol shops, each site on the Finding 1821 trail reflects a local establishment that was near that location 200 years ago. Outside each business is a QR code that links to a corresponding advert from an early 1820s newspaper. Over a dozen sites have been identified so far. Take a stroll around town, visit local shops and explore the history of Pensacola through today's technology. Visit historicpensacola.org for more information.

OPEN MIC AT THE GORDON Show off

your talents on the second Thursday of every month at The Gordon's Open Mic showcase from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free. The Gordon is located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. Visit thegordon.org for more information.

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a&e happenings SCRIPTEASERS WITH PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE Scripteasers, Studio 400's

and Pensacola Little Theatre's Script Reading Club invites you to monthly script readings at PLT, 400 S. Jefferson St. Want to bring your scripts for the group to read and discuss?

Contact Pensacola Little Theatre to get in queue. The group reads prospective scripts for future seasons as well as new scripts that need a table read before the next edit. Not a playwright but love to read out loud? This is your easy, fun theatre night. Fascinated by the play selection process? Sit in for a listen and usually a lot of laughs. Visit facebook.com/pensacolalittletheatre for more information and the latest dates.

OPEN MIC COMEDY AT BIG TOP BREWERY Try out some new jokes or enjoy some homegrown talent every Monday at 7 p.m. for Open Mic Comedy at Big Top Brewery, located at 21 W. Romano St. Everyone gets five minutes depending on the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

NEW CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Performing

Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio located at 1010 N. 12th Ave., Ste. 238, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers professional dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruction for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstoppers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be

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provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult.

MMPA is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all students and families and has implemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the building and studio. More information about Mixon Magic Performing Arts can be found at mixonmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmagic.com or emily@ mixonmagic.com or by calling (850) 221-7438.

GENDER PORTRAITS Gender Portraits is

other makers at Studio South. Tuesday is Knit Night 4-7 p.m., and Sit & Stitch is Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Both classes are free. For a full calendar of events, visit studiosouthon9mileroad.com.

Studio South is located at 955 E. Nine Mile Road.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS AT FIRST CITY ART First City Art Center offers a wide

range of classes and workshops for artists of all levels. Classes include glass blowing, ceramics, painting and drawing, kiln-forming, stained glass and more. For a complete list of classes and times, visit firstcityart.org.

LIVE MUSIC

a project from artist Drew Riley of the Austin Creative Alliance. The nonprofit organization supports sex and gender minorities using art as a foundation for education, activism and advocacy.

The exhibit is on view at Voices of Pensacola, located at 117 E. Government St., through January.

For more information, visit historicpensacola.org.

Aaron Lewis will be at Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox, 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21.

Tickets are $35-$85. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

BLACK CITIZENSHIP IN THE AGE OF JIM CROW "Black Citizenship in the Age of

JACK ROBERTSON'S ALL COUNTRY BIRTHDAY SHOW Head to the Flora-Bama

AARON LEWIS: FRAYED AT BOTH ENDS ACOUSTIC TOUR Roots-inspired performer

Jim Crow," a traveling exhibition from the New York Historical Society Museum & Library with additions from the African American Heritage Society of Pensacola, is now on view at Artel Gallery. To learn more about it, visit africanamericanheritagesociety.org. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox.

Tent Stage on Saturday, Jan. 22, from 7-10 p.m. for a night packed full of true country music with over 30 artists and to celebrate Jack's Birthday. Located at 17401 Perdido Key Drive.

Cost is free.

CRAFT CLASSES AT STUDIO SOUTH ON NINE MILE Learn a new craft or meet up with

famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is returning to the National Naval Aviation Museum for a

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA AT NATIONAL AVIATION MUSEUM The world-

live, in-person concert on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. Concertgoers must present tickets for entry onto Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.

When arriving at the gates of NAS Pensacola, they must provide a printed e-ticket or have a confirmation email opened and ready for the NAS Pensacola Security Officer, in addition to a valid driver's license or Department of Defense (DoD) ID card. Preferred seating tickets are $55 and general admission tickets are $35 per person. Group rates are also available at $30 per person for 10 people or more. Tickets are available online at navalaviationfoundation.org/glenn-miller.

TODD SNIDER Todd Snider will be playing at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox, with special guest Chicago Farmer Wednesday, Jan 26. Doors at 7 p.m.; show is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$65. To purchase, visit vinylmusichall.com.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER Blues Society of Northwest Florida and Seville Quarter present Monday Night Blues, the longest running weekly Blues Jam in Florida, starting at 7 p.m. with an opening and followed by the Blues Jam at 9 p.m. Seville Quarter is located at 130 E. Government St. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

inweekly.net

a&e

By Jennifer Leigh

Matt & Ben Makes Its Pensacola Debut

Cristina Cusack (left) and Maggie Crain (right) / Photo Courtesy of PLT

Before she was producing binge-worthy shows like "Never Have I Ever" and "The Sex Lives of College Girls" and before she was a writer on "The Office," Mindy Kaling was Ben Affleck in "Matt & Ben," the off-Broadway play she co-wrote with Brenda Withers.

The play, which re-imagines how Matt Damon and Ben Affleck came to write their Oscar-winning screenplay for "Good Will Hunting," was a surprise hit in 2002 and caught a lot of people's attention, including Greg Daniels, who created "The Office." And now, it's made its way to Pensacola Little Theatre.

Director Billy Buff said he discovered the play at the height of the pandemic.

"I was due to direct another show for PLT," Buff explained. "After weeks of trying to keep rehearsals going through Zoom, we all began to realize that COVID was going to be more than a couple of weeks and called off the project."

While helping to source productions with two to three actors, he found "Matt & Ben" and was intrigued.

"PLT has a smaller black box space where we produce more edgier works," said Buff.

"Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers' sense of humor was perfect for that smaller space."

Set in 1995, the play pokes fun at the "90s bro mentality," said Buff. And, let's be honest, while the hairstyles and fashion might have changed (even though some of it has made a comeback) bro culture is still as relevant in 2022 as it was then.

"We have kept a lot of that masculine energy, but we do want the audience to remember that these are two women poking fun at that 90s bro mentality," said Buff. "Therefore, some of the jokes are not as 'cringy,' for lack of a better word, if the audience remembers that these are women performing them, not men."

When it came to finding his Matt and Ben, Buff said it was hard to narrow down the talent.

"All of those who auditioned brought their A game," he said, noting that the talent he saw inspired him to find more female-driven comedies.

"I could have cast this show 10 times over."

But it was Maggie Crain and Christina Cusack (no relation to John or Joan that she knows of) who got the roles of Matt and Ben, respectively.

Playing Ben, the role originated

by Kaling, Cusack said she feels "a little bit of pressure" but ultimately, she says she and Crain have worked to make the roles their own.

Cusack and Crain have an improv background and they are both friends. The latter was not a prerequisite for the parts, but it does help.

"A lot of this show is about friendship," said Cusack, who saw a "fuzzy YouTube recording" of the original play. "It's also about collaboration and about gender power dynamics."

Damon and Affleck are played as caricatures of their public personas with some stereotypes rolled in—Crain said she watched "Good Will Hunting" several times to get the Boston accent right. Matt is smart and dressed like a prep, and Ben is dressed as a jock asking for help spelling words as he types on the computer.

Cusack and Crain relish in the opportunity to get the last laugh.

"I take a lot of delight in playing an uppermiddle-class white guy," she said. "I get to punch up."

Since the play came out 20 years ago, there has been progress for women, as well as women in Hollywood. The #metoo movement has called out abusive and criminal behavior of powerful men, and more women are getting recognized for their contributions in performing arts.

"The 90s were a very different time, and this play pokes fun at that weird cultural movement," said Crain, who admits she was just a "wee baby" when the play takes place. "Billy reminded us that when [Damon and Affleck] won [the Academy Award for Best Original Screen-

play], they thanked Harvey Weinstein … it's such a reminder that things were very complacent."

Despite some of the more serious undertones, the play is, of course, funny. There's also plenty of 90s pop culture nostalgia.

"It's kind of a niche audience … but I am the audience for this show," said Cusack.

And after a few seasons of canceled shows and virtual performances, PLT has been working to safely bring back community theatre.

Patrons are now required to wear masks in the common spaces of the building such as the atrium and restrooms but can remove them at their seats.

"We're all wearing our masks; we're all testing negative and taking as many precautions as possible," she said.

Buff, who is a teacher by day, credits PLT Artistic Director Kathy Holsworth for putting in the work to find ways to produce shows and emphasize on health and safety during the pandemic. It's a lot of extra work, but it's worth it.

"After teaching middle school all day, it has been such a stress reliever to watch these two actresses perform their art," he said, "and, of course, to laugh."

So if you're a fan of Kaling, or a fan of 90s pop culture, or just a fan of seeing two friends play two other friends, "Matt & Ben" might be for you. "'Matt & Ben' is basically about the ups and downs of a true life-long friendship," said Buff.

"And that is what I believe people will respond to the most." {in}

MATT & BEN

WHAT: A PLT Studio 400 Production written by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Jan 21-22 and Jan. 27-29; 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 WHERE: Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. COST: $14-$20 DETAILS: pensacolalittletheatre.com

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free will astrology WEEK OF JANUARY 20 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In October

2021, the Vancouver Canucks hockey team played the Seattle Kraken team in a Seattle arena. A fan named Nadia Popovici noticed that Canucks' equipment manager Brian Hamilton had an irregular mole on the back of his neck—possibly cancerous. She found a way to communicate her observation to him, urging him to see a doctor. In the ensuing days, Hamilton sought medical care and discovered that the mole was indeed in an early stage of melanoma. He had it removed. In the spirit of this inspiring story, Aries, I invite you to tell the people in your life things they should know but don't know yet—not just what might be challenging, but also what's energizing and interesting. Be their compassionate advisor, their agent for divine intervention.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): CanadianJamaican songwriter and recording artist Kreesha Turner isn't a mega-star like Beyoncé or Rihanna, but she has had a successful music career. What's the secret to her constant creative output? Here's what she has said—"I love to surround myself with people who are the best at what they do. My idea is I want to be a sponge and absorb everything they teach, experience their energy, view them in their element, and have the opportunity to ask them questions." The coming year will be one of the best times ever for you to emulate her strategy, Taurus. And now is a perfect moment for formulating plans to make it happen.

Don't repeat yourself. Keep moving right along. Invite novelty.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Gemini

author Lisa Cron says that when we're telling a story, we should give each successive scene "new information, rather than rehashing things we already know. Never tell us the same fact twice. Because it's boring and stops the flow of the story. Never tell us the same fact twice.

Because it's boring and stops the flow of the

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By Rob Brezsny

story." In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I suggest you apply this counsel to everything you say and do in the next three weeks. Don't repeat yourself. Keep moving right along. Invite novelty. Cultivate surprises and unpredictability.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Years ago, I

reluctantly gave up my music career. To do so was sad and hard. But it enabled me to devote far more time and energy to improving my writing skills. I published books and developed a big audience. I'm glad I did it. Here's another redemptive sacrifice I made earlier in my life: I renounced the chaotic pleasure of seeking endless new romantic adventures so I could commit myself to a relationship with one particular woman. In so doing, I learned a lot more about how to be a soulful human. I'm glad I did it. Is there potentially a comparable pivot in your life, my fellow Cancerian? If so, the coming weeks and months will be a favorable time to make a move.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Leo actor Claudia

Christian has appeared in over 50 films, including many in the science fiction genre. She has played a variety of roles in movies with more conventional themes. But as for the sci-fi stuff? She says, "Apparently, I've been typecast—I'm a Russian bisexual telepathic Jew." If Christian came to me for astrological advice right now, I would suggest that the coming months will be an excellent time for her and all of you Leos to slip free of any pigeonholes you've been stuck in. Escape the mold! Create niches for yourself that enable you to express your full repertoire.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): The coming weeks will be a favorable time to meditate on your job and your calling—as well as the differences there may be between your job and your calling. In fact, I regard this as a phase when you can summon transformative epiphanies about the way you earn a living and the useful services you provide to your fellow humans. For inspiration, read this quote from photographer Margaret Bourke-White—"Even while you're in dead earnest about your work, you must approach it with a feeling of freedom and joy; you must be loose-jointed, like a relaxed athlete."

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Author Mar-

guerite Yourcenar wrote, "All happiness is a work of art: The smallest error falsifies it, the slightest hesitation alters it, the least heaviness spoils it, the slightest stupidity brutalizes it." If what she says is true, it's bad news, isn't it? She makes it seem like cultivating joy and well-being is a superhuman skill that few of us can hope to master. Personally, I am not as stringent as Yourcenar in my ideas about what's required to generate happiness. But like her, I believe you have to work at it. It doesn't necessarily come easily and naturally. Most of us have never been taught how to cultivate happiness, so we must train ourselves to do it and practice diligently. The good news, Libra, is that the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to upgrade your happiness skills.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): In 1891, a cultural organization commissioned Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin to create a statue of beloved French author Honoré de Balzac. The piece was supposed to be done in 18 months, but it wasn't.

For seven years, Rodin toiled, producing over 50 studies before finally finishing the piece. We shouldn't be surprised, then, that one of his mottoes was "Patience is also a form of action." I'm recommending Rodin-like patience to you in the coming weeks, Scorpio. Yours will be rewarded long before seven years go by.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): "I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess," wrote author Fanny Burney. Actor Jennifer Lawrence said, "I started to write an apology, but I don't have anything to say I'm sorry for." I nominate these two souls to be your role models for the coming weeks. In my astrological opinion, you are currently as immune to karmic boomerangs as it's possible to be. Your guilt levels are abnormally low. As far as I can determine, you are relatively free from having to answer to the past or defend your actions. How do you plan to make maximum use of this grace period?

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): "New

truths become evident when new tools become available," declared Nobel Prize-winning medical physicist Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (1921–2011). She was referring to developments

in science and technology, but I think her idea applies to our personal lives, too. And it so happens, in my astrological opinion, that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to acquire new tools that will ultimately lead you to discover new truths.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Self-help

teachers and New Age gurus are fond of using metaphors about opening doors. They provide a lot of advice that encourages us to knock on doors, scout around for doors that are open just a crack, find keys to unlock doors, and even kick down doors. I will not be following their lead in this horoscope. In my opinion, the coming days are an excellent time for you to heed the contrary counsel of author Paulo Coelho—"Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity, or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere."

Once you carry out this assignment, Aquarius, I believe you'll start finding interesting new doors to open.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): In 2017,

Piscean film director Jordan Peele released his debut film, "Get Out." It was a success with both critics and audiences. A year later, Peele became the first Black screenwriter to win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

As he accepted the Oscar, he said, "I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible." Personally, I'm glad Peele didn't give up his dream. Here's one reason why—He will serve as an excellent role model for you throughout 2022. As you reinvent yourself, Pisces, don't give up pushing ahead with persistence, courage and a quest for what's most fun.

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What's the best blessing you could bestow on yourself right now? newsletter.freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2022

inweekly.net

news of the weird BOGUS, DUDE! At the Tabor, South Dakota, Senior Center, a regular card game got a little weird on Jan. 4 after players enjoyed some brownies supplied by the mother of 46-yearold Michael Koranda. KTIV-TV reported that Koranda, an elementary schoolteacher, had recently traveled to Colorado and brought back some THC-infused butter, which he used to make a batch of brownies. His mother unknowingly shared half the treats with her fellow card players, which resulted in multiple calls to county officials about a possible poisoning.

Sheriff's deputies spoke to Koranda and took the remaining brownies as evidence, charging him with possession of a controlled substance.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 25.

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT On Jan. 7, the California Court of Appeal ruled that the Los Angeles Police Department was justified in its firing of two officers in 2017 after they ignored a robbery call to play Pokemon Go, the Los Angeles Times reported. On April 15, 2017, Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchell were assigned to patrol the LAPD's southwest division. But when a call for backup came over the radio, Lozano and Mitchell were captured on their in-car video responding, "I don't want to be his help" and "Screw it." Instead, they continued their hunt for a Snorlax and Togetic Pokemon, eventually meeting up with their sergeant at a 7-Eleven. When he questioned them about the robbery call, they said they hadn't heard it because they were responding to another call, leading their supervisor to review the dashcam footage. After the officers were fired, they sued, saying that the video captured their "private communications" and that they were improperly questioned. Five years later, the courts disagreed, and Lozano and Mitchell have plenty of time to hunt for Snorlax and Togetic.

FAMILY VALUES Cypress Falls High School teacher Sarah Beam took her 13-year-old son to a Houston-area COVID-19 drive-thru testing site on Jan. 3, KHOU-TV reported. When a worker there approached her car, Beam told her that the boy was in the trunk because she didn't want to be exposed to the virus. Police were alerted, and Beam was arrested and charged with endangering a child. While he was not hurt, officials said in the event of an accident, he could have been. But the Cypress Falls community has shown support for Beam, posting messages outside her home to say they "have her back." She was released on bond and put on administrative leave, the school district said.

AWKWARD "Ms. Wang," 30, of Zhengzhou, China, agreed to a blind date arranged by her parents ("I'm getting quite old, so my parents arranged more than 10 blind dates for me," she said) and went to the man's home for dinner on Jan. 6. But during the meal, they learned that his community had gone into a rapid lockdown because of COVID-19, and she wouldn't be able to leave for several days, the BBC re-

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

ported. She posted on WeChat that the situation was "not ideal"—while he did cook for her, "he doesn't speak much," she noted. "I feel that apart from him being reticent like a wooden mannequin, everything else about him is pretty good." Wang said she thinks his friends alerted him to the posts, so she removed them. "I think it has affected his life."

BOUNDARIES The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in the United Kingdom on Jan. 10 removed the medical license from Simon Bramhall, a transplant surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, The Washington Post reported. The action stemmed from an incident in 2013 in which, after finishing up a transplant, Dr. Bramhall used an electric beam to burn his initials into the patient's liver before closing her up. The flourish might not have been discovered, but the liver began to fail the following week and another surgeon discovered the signature.

Bramhall said at the time it was something he did to relieve stress during long, difficult operations. In 2017, he was convicted of assault and fined about $13,000. In 2021, he submitted a letter arguing that he was again fit to practice, but the latest ruling has denied him the right to do so, noting that his actions "undermined" people's trust in the medical profession.

KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES In Aksaray, Turkey, one family has been raising cattle for three generations, Oddity Central reported.

Izzet Kocak believes their success is linked to their willingness to keep up with modern technology. To that end, the farmer is testing virtual reality goggles that make his cows think they're standing in a green field of grass in the summer. Kocak says the average yield per day from his cows is 22 liters, but "We had two of our cows wear virtual reality glasses and watch vast green pasture all day, and the daily milk production increased up to 27 liters." He said the quality of the milk also increased. He has ordered 10 more pairs of VR goggles, and if results are similar, he plans to order them for all of his 180 cows.

INEXPLICABLE Need something to do during a snowstorm in Queens, New York? One person had an idea: Around 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 7, someone rode up on an electric bike to a speed camera in Howard Beach. The camera caught the action, Pix11-TV reported, as the person calmly stopped the bike, aimed a handgun and shot multiple rounds at the camera (which did not appear to be damaged), then put the gun away and rode off into the snowy night. Police released the video in hopes someone can identify the shooter. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2022 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com January 20, 2022

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Your Personal Injury Lawyers In Pensacola, Florida Since 1955 850-432-1111 | LevinLaw.com | Google Us Independent News | January 20, 2022 | inweekly.net