Inweekly July 15 2021

Independent News | July 15, 2021 | Volume 22 | Number 28

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winners & losers

outtakes

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news

5

6, 7

I love this place.

a&e

feature story

best of the coast ballot

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

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contact us info@inweekly.net

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

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winners & losers

Ray Palmer / Courtesy of Pensacola Sports

winners RAY PALMER Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) announced the president/CEO of Pensacola Sports has been elected board treasurer. Palmer, a certified Sports Tourism Strategist, has led Pensacola Sports for the past 19 years and is a tireless promoter of the Pensacola area. Focusing on sports tourism, event development and management, Palmer has led Pensacola Sports by hosting, supporting, creating and growing local events as well as sports tourism events.

DONUT STRIKE FOR MANNA The annual confectionary campaign to help feed the hungry in Pensacola set a new record with 20,233 pounds of healthy food raised and $21,582 donated. That adds up to a total of 34,074 healthy meals to feed the hungry in our community. The Pensacola Police Department won first place for pounds of food, and Midway Fire District brought in the most amount of cash.

Agencies that participated include Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department.

SALTMARSH FINANCIAL ADVISORS, LLC Accounting Today recognized the affiliate

of Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund as a top firm by total assets under management. Accounting Today's yearly report recognizes the top 150 CPA financial planners by assets under management, which increased by 50% collectively over the past year. As an independent fiduciary, Saltmarsh Financial Advisors works closely with its clients to establish long-term relationships by providing personalized guidance on investing, retirement and estate planning.

PEN AIR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Forbes.com named Pen Air the number one credit union in Florida for the second consecutive year. Forbes enlisted the help of Statista, a marketing research firm, to survey nearly 25,000 customers. Financial institutions were scored on overall recommendations and satisfaction, as well as trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice. Only 3.6% of credit unions nationwide make this prestigious list.

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Jana Still / Courtesy of Escambia County

losers JANA STILL Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno last week fired the county's human resources director. Still was one of former County Administrator Janice Gilley's stranger hires. She had never worked in an HR department, having spent seven years with the Mobile Personnel Board as a personnel classification and assessment specialist. When she came to Escambia County, Still was put in charge of labor negotiations and 1,527 employees. Similar to how City Administrator Eric Olson and COO Tamara Fountain used Edward Sisson, another unqualified HR director, at the City of Pensacola, Still appeared to be Gilley's hatchet person who ran off or fired older, experienced county workers.

CENTURY TOWN COUNCIL The town council on the county's northern border has wrestled since February with the hiring of an entry-level service worker and citizen services clerk office position. NorthEscambia.com reported the problem hasn't been a lack of applications, but a lack of agreement between the mayor and council.

The council has rejected the mayor's selections twice and accused him of violating the town charter. Last week, Century Town Council voted to advertise yet again. The positions will be posted for 30 days.

BRIAN G. KOLFAGE The president of We Build The Wall, Inc. has been indicted by a federal grand jury for an additional crime related to the filing of his 2019 income.

Kolfage, who faces a separate federal indictment out of the Southern District of New York for fraud and money launderingrelated offenses, now faces two distinct counts of filing a false tax return and one count of wire fraud related to the electronic filing of his tax return in Northern Florida. The charges alleged that Kolfage received hundreds of thousands of dollars from multiple organizations during 2019, including We Build the Wall, Inc., which were deposited into his personal bank account. Kolfage is alleged to have failed to report this income to the Internal Revenue Service. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years of imprisonment. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

PLEASE SEARCH NATIONALLY The Escambia Board of County Commissioners needs a county administrator. The Escambia Children's Trust needs an executive director. I hope both will do national searches to find the best people possible to lead their operations. Tapping locals could rob the organizations of having experienced professionals with innovative ideas to improve our area.

The Greater Pensacola area has always feared change. Powerbrokers are comfortable with their friends getting high-paying jobs because it gives them access and some level of control over operations and millions of dollars. Those lobbying behind the scenes may have the community's best interest at heart, but the money always tends to flow in certain directions.

Have you ever noticed how many exelected officials hold paid positions in local nonprofits? They are fine people, but the positions are filled by a small pool of people with connections or the "right" relatives who may be owed favors for things done in the past.

The next executive director of the Escambia Children's Trust will manage a nearly $9.2 million budget, three times the budget of United Way of West Florida. United Way has systems in place, while the trust is starting from scratch. Meanwhile, intense lobbying is being done to put a local in charge. The names whispered have changed over the past few weeks, but the pressure is on the board to pick a pre-ordained choice.

Those being pushed as the executive director are fine people, but any local candidate needs to be measured against a national field of prospects. Too much money is at stake for the trust's board of directors not to reach out beyond Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

We only have to look at the Escambia County Commission to see what happens when commissioners don't do national searches. Last week, I wrote about how Randy Oliver was fired nine years ago (Inweekly, "Tale of Two Administrators," 7/8/21). Commissioners Gene Valentino and Wilson Robertson and several community

leaders wanted George Touart to return as administrator. Commissioners Steven Barry and Lumon May were pressured to accept Touart on an interim basis, but they refused to give him a three-year contract.

The county immediately began fighting with ECUA, Sheriff David Morgan and just about everybody. The county took over the jail, which exploded in April 2014.

Jack Brown was selected through a search process, but Commissioner Grover Robinson lobbied hard for him to replace Touart, who died before the search ended and the jail explosion. Brown was a former county commissioner and administrator for Taylor County. He also was a past president of the Florida Association of County Administrators. Brown retired suddenly in the fall of 2018 when his wife became ill. He left the county facing a lot of issues, mostly in public safety. The county commission had two assistant administrators who helped hold the fort while another search was done.

The search to replace Brown ended with a list of finalists that didn't contain Janice Gilley, the associate vice president of external affairs at the University of West Florida. The Florida Association of Counties was paid to narrow the 120 applications to five finalists. The board voted to add Gilley and two other candidates. Three backed out before the final interviews by the board.

Commissioner Steven Barry was Gilley's biggest advocate, believing that she had the management skills and connections in Tallahassee to get things done. In the end, Barry had to admit he misjudged her capabilities.

The commissioners and the trust board of directors need to establish their criteria and bring in a professional firm to handle the process and narrow down the field based on the requirements. Local candidates shouldn't be eliminated, but they must meet the same criteria as all other prospects.

Trust the process, and the best candidates should come out as the finalists for board consideration. Stepping outside the process hasn't worked well for Escambia County. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Those being pushed as the executive director are fine people, but any local candidate needs to be measured against a national field of prospects.

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WMS RENAISSANCE you think about money and making this and taking from those, we want to maintain community schools. That's our focus."

He explained why LSI believes community schools are vital. Mills said, "I think part of it is pride. Whenever you lose that community school, a community begins to lose its identity. It really does."

The LSI executive director continued, "Now, that's not matching the charter thesis. I'm not saying that's not a good option, but you want to maintain those community connections. You want those families to stay in the community. Community schools are economic drivers within those communities, and we want to make sure that we keep them."

Mill stressed community involvement when he opened the town hall meeting.

"We have to have the voices of our parents, of our grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone who has a role in a child's life who attends Warrington Middle School.

We want them to have that voice," he said.

"Some of the conversations that you may have in the next few months may be difficult conversations, but we want individuals to have a voice."

Photo by Tim Bednarczyk

By Rick Outzen Change is once again coming to Warrington Middle School, and the school's future is in the balance if it can't raise its grade to at least a C at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Because the school has been a D or F school since 2012, Warrington met the definition of "Educational Emergency" as defined in House Bill 7069 and faced the possibility of being closed by the State Board of Education. The school district was offered a oneyear reprieve if it partnered with an experienced school turnaround external operator and changed the school's principal.

In April, the Escambia County School Board unanimously voted to partner with Learning Sciences International (LSI), headquartered in Blairsville, Pa., to manage Warrington Middle. LSI was founded in 2002 by Michael D. Toth to measure the impact of professional development on teacher practice and has a turnaround division that helps school districts around the country improve academic outcomes.

Denny Wilson, who led Oakcrest Elementary from an F school to an A, has been approved by the Bureau of School Improvement to serve as principal of Warrington Middle for the 2021-2022 school year.

Wilson was named the Escambia County School District's Principal of the Year for 2013. He has been the district's director of continuous improvement since July 2014.

This month, Wilson and James Mills, the executive director of LSI's School 66

Turnaround, Applied Research Center, have held town halls asking parents and the community to become a part of the "educational renaissance for the Warrington community." Inweekly caught up with them at the Fricker Community Center on Wednesday, July 7. The last town hall will be 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 19, on the Warrington Middle School campus.

Warrington Middle School serves nearly 800 students. Sixty-four percent of the school's students are Black, 24% receive ESE (Exceptional Student Education) services and 85% are from low-income families. Former School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas tried several strategies to improve academic scores at the school but fell short of meeting state metrics as they became more rigorous.

In 2018, Thomas hired the Rensselaerville Institute to operate Warrington Middle. At the time, the school was one of only five middle schools in the state to make the Florida Department of Education's list of Persistently Low-Performing Schools. The school improved its score by 14 points in 2019 but still received a D grade.

Mills has faith this time will be different. He hardly could contain his excitement about taking on the challenges at Warrington Middle during the Fricker Community Center meeting.

"I am beyond excited; I'm loving it," said Mills. "This is my calling. This is my passion in life, but more than that, the school turnaround division is all about intergenerational poverty. And it's not about, when

"We're on the clock. That sense of urgency is there. But the one thing we've committed to doing is ensuring that pressure is not placed on our students." James Mills Mills didn't shy away from the state's timetable to show improvement at the school. He said, "We're on the clock. That sense of urgency is there. But the one thing we've committed to doing is ensuring that pressure is not placed on our students.

They need to have the ability to learn in an environment, again."

WILSON'S RETURN

Denny Wilson admitted that he missed being a principal. He said that Quint Studer's "Hardwiring Excellence" helped him at Oakcrest Elementary. He believes that his purposeful, worthwhile work is "when you're on the ground, in the mission field, working with teachers."

"When the superintendent (Dr. Tim Smith) called me, I really expected them to come up and find a way not to approve me because I've never been a middle school principal," said Wilson. "So I had kind of prepared myself in my mind that that was going to happen, but I have been so excited ever since I received the news that I had the job."

Wilson admitted middle school students are different from elementary school students—"when they're behind, I think the older they get, the catch up is a little more difficult."

"I think that's going to be the challenge, but it always goes back to the teacher," said the principal. Because of past school grades, the state board of education mandates that Wilson hire English and math teachers with at least three years of experience and be rated either effective or highly effective as per the value-added model rating system.

"They know their craft," he told Inweekly. "We can help them support any behavior issues or just the dealing with the students dealing with trauma, whatever those things are. So I think that's one of the biggest differences for me. I've got a little bit of a learning curve for middle school."

HUB OF WARRINGTON

District 2 School Board Member Paul Fetsko attended the Fricker town hall. Warrington Middle is in his district.

"I think the meeting has been great; it's been very positive," Fetsko told Inweekly after the meeting. "Things are coming together with staffing. The leadership is there. They're anxious for the students to get in there and for the public to see what the changes are at Warrington Middle School for the next school year."

Mills wants the school to be the hub of the Warrington community. He said, "We are a part of One Warrington. We are here to serve. Yes, it may involve some challenges at times. We're here to coach.

We're here to encourage. And more than anything, we're here to succeed, and we're here to be part of the family."

Students will find a different Warrington Middle School when they return to class in August. Mills said, "They will be able to know, 'Hey, I've got every single person in this building cheering for me, advocating for me, rooting for me to succeed.'"

Because of Warrington Middle School's history of low grades, parents have an opportunity to attend other middle schools in the district. Mills and Wilson want them to stay at Warrington.

Mills told parents, "Please, please stay at Warrington Middle School. You don't need to get on a bus. You don't need to get in the car to go somewhere else. Stay home. Come home." {in}

WARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

WHEN: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, July 19 WHERE: Warrington Middle School, 450 S. Old Corry Field Road DETAILS: Unveiling of school turnaround plans for 2021-22 school year.

Open to the public. inweekly.net

NOT AS BAD AS REPORTED

By Rick Outzen On June 15, Escambia County's chief budget officer presented to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners that the county's overall financial condition was inconclusive.

Commission bashers took to social media to blame the commissioners—all but Doug Underhill—for mismanaging the county, ignoring that the county administrator manages county operations and prepares the budget (Inweekly, "Budget Next Up For County," 7/8/21).

The bashers might not have known this because County Administrator Janice Gilley didn't attend the Committee of the Whole and didn't leave the board or the public any recommendations or statements on what she planned to do with McClure's report.

Inweekly sat down with the budget director and the CPA in charge of the audit to discuss the county's financial condition. It isn't as dire as some may want you to believe.

Warren Averett and its Pensacola predecessor O'Sullivan Creel have handled the county's audit well over a decade. Kristen McAllister has been the partner in charge of the audit for the last couple of years.

The accounting firm also handles the audits for Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

McAllister said the firm's client for the Escambia County audit is each constiJuly 15, 2021

tutional officer. She said, "We do have a client relationship with the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), and then we do have a client relationship with each individual elected official, being tax collector, clerk, supervisor of elections. We have individual special-purpose financials that we issue for each of those."

Amber McClure is a certified public accountant who joined the county last summer as the chief budget officer. She had worked seven years as the CFO for Studer Entertainment and Retail and began her career as a senior accountant for the City of Pensacola in 2004.

"The budget is simply a roadmap, just like it is in any organization, of how we plan to spend our dollars. And then the clerk's office tracks how we actually spend those dollars." Amber McClure McClure explained the comptroller's office under Clerk of Courts Pam Childers handles the financial records for the BCC. She said, "What's underneath of me is everything not underneath of the comptroller (Childers), and that's essentially just the budget office and the purchasing staff."

She continued, "The budget is simply a roadmap, just like it is in any organization, of how we plan to spend our dollars.

And then the clerk's office tracks how we actually spend those dollars. Warren Averett tracks the spend, not necessarily the budget."

McClure works with the county administrator to build a proposed budget that the BCC may modify before final approval.

Once it's approved, the county administrator implements and manages county operations.

As part of its audit, the Florida Auditor General required Warren Averett to determine the county's financial condition.

McAllister said, "The auditor general requires us to look at the financial condition to be able to determine if the entity is in a deteriorating financial condition or, further than that, a state of financial emergency."

In its management letter, dated Feb. 12, Warren Averett said the county wasn't in a deteriorating financial condition or a state of financial emergency. The firm applied the financial condition assessment procedures set forth by the Florida Auditor General and made no recommendation to improve financial management.

However, McClure wanted the auditor to back out FEMA, CARES Act and BP Settlement proceeds and the county jail construction from the financial reports and recompute the financial condition indicators. McAllister was not aware whether Santa Rosa or Okaloosa asked her firm to back out CARES Act or any anomalies.

"The city has used this, at least since I was there in the mid-2000s," McClure told Inweekly. "I'm not sure what year exactly we began utilizing this, but the city was able to use this as essentially a report card to tell the budget department and (City CFO) Dick Barker what direction to steer the ship in, which did allow them to convert the financial ratios and the financial position of the city into a favorable position last year. So it works. It just takes a lot of time and strategic planning."

After Warren Averett made the adjustments under the direction of McClure and the clerk's office, the county had four favorable indicators, nine inconclusive and 10 unfavorable. Inweekly entered the unadjusted financial figures and came up with three more favorable indicators, but overall, both methods came up with an inconclusive rating for the county's financial condition.

However, an inconclusive rating is not a bad rating. It means the trends are bouncing around or flat.

"Inconclusive means it doesn't tell a story one way or the other," said McClure.

"If all three trend ranges—Year 1 to Year 5, Year 2 to Year 5 and Year 3 to Year 5—are 10% or less, then the trend is considered to be inconclusive because it's not continuing a consistent pattern. It's up, down, up,

down, or it's barely moving at all. So it's not good. It's not bad."

One measurement that could have made a difference would have been comparing the indicators to benchmarks created by averaging the percentages of similar Florida counties. A favorable benchmark rating can upgrade an inconclusive to favorable and an unfavorable to inconclusive.

However, Warren Averett could not find comparable benchmarks this year.

"We didn't do a benchmark analysis this year because the other counties of like size would have also received CARES money," explained McClure. "Since we reduced our financial numbers by the anomalies of CARES, we didn't know what numbers to reduce those other counties by."

With or without adjustments, the bar set by the Florida Auditor General to receive a favorable rating is high. Escambia County needs 60% or more of its 23 financial indicators (14) to have a favorable rating or more than 50% (12) have a favorable rating and at least three of the critical indicators have a favorable rating. Critical indicators are Unassigned and Assigned Fund Balance + Unrestricted Net Position (Escambia-inconclusive), Current Cash & Investments/Current Liabilities for General Fund (unfavorable), for Governmental Fund (unfavorable) and for Proprietary Fund (inconclusive).

The financial indicators are a management tool. How did the Warren Averett analysis impact how McClure helped County Administrator Gilley construct a budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2021?

"What this did is it validated my gut, if you will, from what I saw in the various silos," she said. "It has allowed me to make some recommendations, which have not made it all the way through the channels yet. But I've made some recommendations to start structuring the budgets so that we can fund our ongoing expenditures with those ongoing revenues. It has certainly helped to solidify what I was seeing and verify that the strategies I wanted to recommend were validated by steering us in the right direction."

McClure wouldn't share what Gilley said when she saw the financial indicators or how the administrator adjusted her budget proposal to improve them, but the budget director felt validated.

"This is information that for this particular analysis is five years deep, but some of the things that we're taking a look at are much more than five years in the making," she said.

"So I cannot make all recommendations in one year just because some of these things have to be strategically implemented."

McClure added, "We can't necessarily implement all of them immediately because we can't simply sustain them, but we're not in a state of emergency. We're not in a deteriorating financial condition." {in} 7

Florida's congressional map, rejecting the Legislature's appeal.

You can count on the 2022 district maps to face legal challenges.

Bet money on it.

NEW LEAP CLASS The Pensacola

Photo courtesy of AMR

TINY HOMES ON HORIZON At its Thursday, July 15, meeting, the Pensacola City Council will consider whether to annex two vacant lots on Pace Boulevard at the western entrance to the Baptist Hospital campus that the hospital sold to AMR At Pensacola, Inc. (AMR) in May. The annexation will make it possible for the nonprofit to build the city's first Tiny Houses community.

Founded by attorney Jim Reeves, AMR wants to launch The Phoenix Project that will develop 14 Tiny House communities that will have approximately 12 homes each (Inweekly, "Local Tiny Homes Regulations Taking Shape," 2/11/21). According to the website, "these new communities are being established to provide sustainable and safe housing solutions for individuals who are financially, socially or institutionally disadvantaged."

AMR is a 501 (c)(3), nonprofit organization and state-certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). As one of Escambia County's largest nonprofit affordable housing organizations, AMR has been involved in the development, preservation and management of affordable housing throughout the county since 1989.

REAPPORTIONMENT Florida Senate Presi-

dent Wilton Simpson has appointed Sen. Ray Rodrigues (R-Estero) to chair the Senate Reapportionment Committee. Simpson expects to make additional appointments to the Senate Reapportionment Committee this summer, as lawmakers need to redraw legislative and congressional districts before the 2022 elections.

"With the census data necessary to begin the map-drawing process expected early this fall, I anticipate the Senate will begin holding committee meetings related to redistricting when interim committee meetings resume in 88

Tallahassee this September," Simpson said in the memo to senators.

In 2011, Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville led the reapportionment committee that developed boundaries for the voting districts for the Florida Senate and U.S. Congress based on bipartisan guidelines agreed to by all 24 Democrats and Republicans on the committee.

The committee reviewed 157 redistricting maps submitted by citizens and listened to testimony by more than 1,600 people across the state.

"Months ahead of past redistricting schedules and after the most open, transparent and interactive process in Florida history, the Senate committee has produced a product which is fair, sensible and faithful to the law," said committee chairman Senator Don Gaetz.

Consistent with state constitution's Fair District amendments, the plans protected minority voters from diminishment in the ability to elect candidates of their choice.

Plans also were not drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor incumbents or political parties. To a far greater extent than ever before, district lines followed city, county and geographic boundaries, according to the Senate press release.

In 2014, voting-rights groups challenged the constitutionality of the congressional map.

The groups' alleged Republican operatives used front men to submit district plans—eventually adopted by the Florida Legislature—intended to favor Republicans, a violation of the Fair Districts constitutional amendments.

Leon County Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis approved a map drawn by a coalition led by the League of Women Voters Common Cause of Florida after the Florida Legislature tried and failed to agree to a map in a special redistricting session. The Florida Supreme Court later gave final approval to

Chamber Foundation announced the Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2022.

Founded in 1982, LeaP is a 10-month-long program designed to identify, foster and inspire current and emerging leaders to gain an understanding of the issues facing the Greater Pensacola area and develop the leadership skills necessary to address them. To date, more than 1,500 individuals have completed the Leadership Pensacola program.

"After having to skip 2020-2021, I'm looking forward to this LeaP class finally getting the opportunity to start their year," stated Greater Pensacola Chamber President & CEO Todd Thomson. "I thank them for their patience and know they'll have a wonderful experience."

Each year, the LeaP Selection Committee seeks a cross-section of the community made up of individuals from different career, educational, political, social and cultural backgrounds. Participants accepted into LeaP are involved in a combination of retreats, day-long seminars, and at least one community project for which the class uses its resources and talents to enhance the Greater Pensacola region.

The LeaP Class of 2022 is Brad Alexander, Davis Allen, Daniel Broxson, Blair Castro, Ruthie Christie, Cecily Chundrlek, BreAnna Clark, Amanda Clayton, Tyson Cobb, Ebony Cornish, Austin Courson, Rhonda Deaton, Chloe DiehlFulton, Katie Doughty, Aimee Dumas, Selena Emerson, Nora Emling, Daniel Ferguson, Tim Fox, Lisa Gardner, Kara Gauntt, Ruth Greene, Brent Hargett, Brad Hinote, David Ingram, Michael Johnston, Cyndi Leonard, Laura Mager, Laura Massimino, Gregory McWherter, Manda Moore, Katherine Murphy, Zach Noel, Michelle Olliff, Lori Rentschler, Wilfredo Saquibal Jr., Darien Schaefer, Randy Sears, Daniel Sleboda, Michelle Stevenson, Kristin Strickland, Laura Tate, Mindy Marie von Ansbach Young, Donna Ward, Kevin Warwick and Christine York.

PSC REGISTRATION BEGINS

The Pensacola State College Student Affairs and Student Services Offices on the Pensacola campus will be open 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday, July 17, to help new, returning and potential students. The Cashiers Office also will be open to process payments or provide payment information. The event will include free giveaways and food.

College staff will be on hand to answer questions, assist with applying for college,

accept necessary paperwork to complete financial aid files, help with the scholarship application, meet with an advisor to register for classes, schedule any testing, and learn more about preparing for the first day of classes.

Students may register at pensacolastate.edu or by visiting any PSC location.

Registration is ongoing for the fall semester. Fall sessions A and B begin Monday, Aug. 16. Fall semester options include Session A, Aug. 16-Dec. 10; Session B, Aug. 16-Oct. 11; Session C, Sept. 7-Dec. 10; and Session D, Oct. 12-Dec. 10.

NOTHING FREE Gulf Power customers will pay for the utility's COVID-19 measures, thanks to the Public Service Commission's approval of a settlement on Thursday, July 8, that allows Gulf Power to recoup up to $13.2 million in costs tied to the coronavirus pandemic. The settlement covers safetyrelated measures undertaken through last month and "bad debt" expenses incurred between March 17, 2020, and mid-November, when the company did not disconnect customers who were unable to pay bills.

"These (safety) actions included monitoring the health and body temperatures of employees and contractors, testing employees for COVID-19 and antibodies, making modifications to company facilities, obtaining personal protective equipment such as masks (and) gloves, placing signage on buildings and trucks to ensure social distancing and other safety-related COVID protocols," Joel Baker, an attorney representing Gulf Power, said.

Among the terms of the settlement, Gulf will be allowed to spread the recovery costs over three years, starting with Jan. 1, 2022, as part of its fuel costs set for the 2022 calendar year. Gulf Power initially sought more than $20 million, but the Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers, protested.

Stephanie Morse, an attorney with the Office of Public Counsel, said terms of the settlement include customers not being responsible for pandemic-related expenses after June 30. Gulf merged on Jan. 1 with Florida Power & Light but has retained its name.

RENTAL HELP ReEntry Alliance Pensacola,

Inc. (REAP) was recently selected as a Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) service provider and awarded over $200,000 from the local Continuum of Care Lead Agency, Opening Doors of Northwest Florida.

Rick Dye will serve as director of the new RRH and Landlord Incentive Program. The program will provide case management, rapid rehousing and temporary financial assistance to 100 clients who have been impacted by COVID-19 and now find themselves homeless or soon-to-be-homeless.

REAP is offering cash bonuses paid to landlords who sign on as Community inweekly.net

Partners equal to one or two months of rent, depending on the number of bedrooms in the rental home, or security deposits up to three times the monthly rent cost. REAP will also provide housing assistance services to eligible individual participants, if needed, to reassure landlords of their rent worthiness, including utility deposits, moving cost and rental application fees.

Landlords and property managers interested in participating in the REAP Rapid Re-Housing Program/Landlord Incentive Program can contact Dye at rickdye73@gmail. com or Juliana Regis, Leasing Agent, at (850) 332-6677 or call the REAP Landlord Incentive Program's hotline at (850) 832-3014.

MAYBE GILLEY'S LEGACY The daily news-

paper last week published an article comparing the job vacancies in Escambia County government to other counties—Escambia 18.5%, Santa Rosa 9%, Okaloosa 14.5% and Bay 7%.

A Facebook post from ATU Local 1395 President Mike Lowery points the finger at the county's administration and HR department for people leaving county jobs.

Lowery wrote that the county hasn't held a labor negotiation session with Escambia County Operational Unit since June 2020 and has yet to respond to the Union wage counter.

He said the county was down 20 to 30 Equipment Operator II positions—"Pay and workers will apply."

Escambia County Area Transit continues to lose bus drivers and maintenance workers.

Lowery wrote, "The system has major shortages of bus operators, about 20 down, and the maintenance department is struggling too. It feels like survival mode."

The union president said the county has only offered a 1% raise after three and half years of bargaining. The union wants a 5% wage increase.

Lowery wrote, "The county administration, HR department and ECAT management need to switch gears and give up on trying to beat down the ATU."

July 15, 2021

NAME CHANGE Every Child A Reader in

Escambia is now ReadyKids! Founded in 2007, its mission is to maximize children's potential through increased school readiness. ReadyKids! focuses on mentoring Pre-K students through the ReadingPals program, engaging families in the education process of their preschool-aged children and supporting Pre-K classroom educators.

"We know that literacy is a key component to school readiness and that learning to read does not happen in a vacuum," said Ruthie Noel, ReadyKids! executive director, in the press release.

"The evolution of Every Child A Reader in Escambia into ReadyKids! reflects the core of our mission—getting kids ready for kindergarten, which is at the heart of everything we do."

Partnering with local branding agency HatchMark Studio, ReadyKids! staff and board of directors spent the past year working on the rebranding. Founding board member and immediate past Chair John Hosman said, "The name ReadyKids! really exemplifies who we are and what we're doing, which is ensuring kids and their families have the tools and support necessary to be prepared for day one of kindergarten and beyond."

For more information, visit readykidsfl.org.

PENSACOLA PLANT SOLD ExxonMobil Chemical Company has signed an agreement with Celanese for the sale of its global Santoprene™ business for $1.15 billion, subject to working capital and other adjustments.

The sale includes its manufacturing sites in Pensacola, on Chemstrand Road, and Newport, Wales, along with associated product, process development and laboratory equipment, operating and administration buildings, control systems and documentation, and intellectual property.

"Reaching this agreement with Celanese is consistent with our strategy and allows us to focus on serving the growing market for primary olefin derivatives, where we can leverage our competitive advantages of industry leading

scale, integration and proprietary technology," said Jack Williams, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

The transaction is projected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory, information and consultation processes, and third-party approvals. The ExxonMobil employees impacted by the sale are expected to transfer to positions at Celanese.

OYSTER HABITATS The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and partners have started construction on the Pensacola East Bay Oyster Habitat Restoration Project to boost oyster populations in East and Blackwater bays.

The project is the largest scale estuarine habitat restoration undertaken by TNC in Florida—33 oyster reefs will be placed along approximately 6.5 miles of Santa Rosa County shoreline—to return oysters to a region where they thrived historically but have since declined.

The restoration project is funded by a $15 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund through funding from the criminal settlement of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The reefs will help to restore oysters to the bays. The project aligns with the new regional oyster fisheries and habitat management plan, which will be led by the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program.

"Reinvigorating and conserving the oyster population in Pensacola Bay helps restore a vital part of the region's rich history and puts to good use funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that impacted the region so profoundly," said Temperince Morgan, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Florida. "We're grateful to NFWF, the State of Florida, Santa Rosa County, the community and the many partners who have worked to make the effort to recover the oyster population here possible."

TNC lends science and conservation management expertise to the project, complemented by the efforts of coastal professionals including coastal engineering firm Jacobs,

managing the design, permitting and construction; coastal construction firm CrowderGulf, installing the reefs; and professional services firm WSP, conducting science-based monitoring for the project.

Once completed, the reefs will offer a place for oysters to settle, grow and contribute to the ecosystem by filtering water and providing an important habitat for commercially and recreationally valuable finfish, crabs, shrimp and birds. These reefs may also serve as a source of oyster larvae for the adjacent harvestable reefs restored by the state. Monitoring will continue for up to five years following the completion of construction.

GRANTS FOR CHARITIES Volunteer

Florida announced the availability of up to $568,000 in grant funding to assist Florida's nonprofit organizations in the recruitment and retention of skills-based volunteers through the national Volunteer Generation Fund. Organizations interested in applying for one of the 27 possible grants should respond to the request for proposals by 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13.

Volunteer Florida CEO Corey Simon said, "With this year's available Volunteer Generation funding for Florida's nonprofits, we are stepping up our game to recruit and retain droves of skilled volunteers to serve in our local areas of need."

Funding for the Volunteer Generation Fund is made available by AmeriCorps, the federal agency responsible for volunteering and national service, and administered for Florida

by Volunteer Florida.

Special consideration for funding will be given to organizations supporting rural communities and/or increasing economic opportunities through workforce development. New and second-year subgrantee organizations will be eligible to receive $20,000 in grant funding, and third-year subgrantees will be eligible to receive $24,000 in grant funding.

To view the request for proposals and application instructions, visit bit.ly/3w2BIZg. {in}

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The Spring Entrepreneur Hub Looking for business assistance?

One-stop shop Contact The Spring Entrepreneur Hub for guidance on all of your business-related needs.

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July 15, 2021

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celebrating national

ICE CREAM DAY

around town (and in your freezer)

THE OFFICIAL SCOOP

ICE CREAM-ISH PICKS

Just in case you're rolling your eyes while reading this and assuming that National Ice Cream Day is just another made-up holiday invented by people who like to post food pics (looking at you, Banana Bread Day), we're here to tell you it isn't. It actually pre-dates social media and has a very official origin story.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July National Ice Cream Month and established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday of that month. Even though the resolution he signed only mentioned a specific month and day that year, it has continued to be celebrated by ice cream makers, sellers and lovers every summer since.

So this Sunday, July 18, while you're enjoying free toppings around town or a cool pint at home, make sure you tip your spoon to good ol' #40.

We know that gelato, frozen yogurt and popsicles aren't ice cream, but they're in the same food family, and we're lucky enough to have some great places for each of those things locally. So we decided to include them—because we can and because we definitely think this a case where the phrase "the more the merrier" applies.

LOCAL PICKS TASTEBUDS: SWEET TREATS AND ICE CREAM 4579 Watkins St., Pace facebook.com/tastebudspace

There are plenty of places to get your ice cream fix around town, and a few are celebrating this Sunday with specials and discounts. Here are some of our favorite local spots for ice cream and milkshakes.

If you find yourself near TASTEbuds this weekend (or anytime really), you have to try their new ice cream nachos. Yeah, that's right—we said ice cream nachos.

They use house-made waffle chips for the base, top it with the scoop flavor of your choice and finish it off with sprinkles.

AJ'S MARKET & ICE CREAM AT SOUTHTOWNE 140 S. Jefferson St. ajsmarketandicecream.com If you're looking for a "giant" scoop downtown, AJ's has you covered. The shop also serves up floats, milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits. This Sunday, they're offering 10% off on all ice cream treats to sweeten the celebration.

MILTON TASTEE FREEZ 6511 Caroline St., Milton tasteefingers.com The only thing better than a dipped cone from Tastee Freez is a dipped cone with a side of fried pickles. Their milkshakes are also top-notch if that's more your style. But take it from us—you really need to order your shake with a side of fried pickles if you want the full Tastee Freez experience.

BUBBA'S SWEET SPOT 412 S. Palafox bubbasweetspot.com In addition to candy, fudge and chocolates, Bubba's has a very solid selection of ice cream, with classics and rotating flavors.

They're celebrating National Ice Cream Day by giving customers up to three free toppings with every ice cream purchase all day Sunday.

THE TIN COW 102 S. Palafox thetincow.com If you're looking for a grown-up way

MISTER SOFTEE NORTHWEST FLORIDA facebook.com/mistersofteenorthwestflorida instagram.com/mrsofteenwfl

to partake in this holiday, The Tin Cow has you covered. Their spiked milkshakes, which are topped with a brandy-infused cherry, are almost as popular as their burgers—almost. They have plenty of non-boozy options, too, and they can make all their shakes vegan/dairy-free for just $1 extra.

Soft serve cones from ice cream trucks like Mister Softee are truly iconic and, of course, fun to eat, too. Make sure you follow the local truck on Facebook and Instagram for updates on where to catch them.

CRAFT GOURMET BAKERY 5555 N. Davis Highway, Ste. H craftgourmetbakery.com Like everything else they make, Craft's gelato is crafted and churned in-house, and they constantly change up the flavors. In addition to scoops, they also serve affogato— which is gelato with a side of espresso.

DOLCE & GELATO 2050 N. 12th Ave. dolcegelatopensacola.com On top of a truly unique selection of gelato flavors, Dolce also shares their space with Revolver Records and hosts tons of cool events like drag shows, stand-up comedy and live music.

KING OF POPS PENSACOLA facebook.com/koppensacola instagram.com/kop_pensacola If you've spent much time in Atlanta, you've probably seen a King of Pops cart.

The company recently started expanding its brand with the help of neighborhood partners, and thanks to a couple of cool local entrepreneurs, you can officially get their popsicles in Pensacola now. It's a mobile cart, so make sure you follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates on where they'll be popping up next (sorry, we couldn't resist).

WILD HONEY FROZEN YOGURT 7175 N. Davis Highway, #6313 facebook.com/wildhoneyfroyo Inweekly readers regularly vote Wild Honey among the best ice cream/frozen yogurt in town in our annual Best of the Coast poll, and we couldn't agree more. They have great flavors (including at least one non-dairy option always) and a truly epic toppings bar.

PINTS PICKS If you decide to celebrate National Ice Cream Day via the freezer section, here are a few of our favorite pint-sized options.

PEEKABOO AT EVER'MAN eatpeekaboo.com,everman.org Typically, "healthy" ice cream tastes like artificial sweetener and disappointment. But not Peekaboo. It's actually really good and, added bonus, has nutritional value thanks to the veggies that are cleverly hidden in each pint. Ever'man has a few of their flavors you can try, including cotton candy with beets.

July 15, 2021

SALT & STRAW saltandstraw.com Ordering ice cream online isn't normally something we'd recommend, especially since, as you can see, we have tons of amazing options right here in town.

But Salt & Straw is so damn good, it's worth the five-pint minimum and shipping fee.

The brand started in Portland and is known for small-batch ice cream in unique flavors made with fresh, regional ingredients. They have classics that are always available, like Chocolate Gooey Brownie, plus a rotating

monthly series that usually has a theme.

July is all about "Berries, Berries, Berries," and it includes two of our all-time favorites—Birthday Cakes and Blackberries and Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero. So if ever you were going to splurge and order multiple pints of fancy ice cream online, we think it should be right now. And make sure you follow them this weekend (instagram. com/saltandstraw, twitter.com/saltandstraw) because they usually do specials and giveaways for National Ice Cream Day.

MILK BAR AT WHOLE FOODS milkbarstore.com, wholefoodsmarket.com We know we don't have a Whole Foods, but if you travel somewhere that does, you really have to try the just-launched ice cream pints from Milk Bar. The flavors include Milk Bar staples like Birthday Cake and Cereal Milk. Here's to hoping they expand production soon and somewhere in town can start stocking them. Until then, Fresh Market and Target both carry Milk Bar cookies and truffles to hold you over.

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WEEK OF JULY 15-21

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

Middle Passage Officially Commemorated in Pensacola

By C. Scott Satterwhite

Photo by Tim Bednarczyk

A ceremony on June 26 in Plaza De Luna commemorated Pensacola's official recognition of the city as a historic destination for slave ships. The event was presented by the groups Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project and a local organizing committee.

With dozens of people in attendance, African drums sounding through the air and African American spirituals sung to a multiracial audience, the city's newest historic marker was unveiled to mark this painful part of Pensacola's past.

For centuries, hundreds of Africans arrived in Pensacola as part of the largest forced migration in human history, known as the Middle Passage.

Middle Passage is the term used to describe the journey that enslaved men and women were forced to take from their homeland in Africa to the Americas. Operated mostly by European companies, slave ships traveled from their home country in Europe, received their human cargo in West Africa and set sail for various ports in the Americas, including Pensacola. After cleaning their ships, the slave ship captains repeated their missions.

As with the African slave trade, Middle Passage was a unique experience in human history.

July 15, 2021

During Middle Passage, the crew of the slave ships chained most enslaved people next to each other for nearly the entire journey. Only inches separated individuals for anywhere from two to three months at a time, and the chained Africans were forced to live in human filth. Crew members often raped women, and both men and women were beaten and brutalized for nearly the entire passage.

"We now have a marker that signifies that we belonged here.

That we were here. That we are part of American history..."

Latricia Brown Slave revolts were common aboard, occurring on roughly 10% of slave ships, though most were unsuccessful. Estimates indicate that two to four million Africans of the roughly 12 million enslaved died during Middle Passage. Many of those deaths were suicides.

"Historians have a hard time capturing what the Middle Passage must have felt like for enslaved men and women,"

said New York University historian Jennifer Morgan. "It's a voyage that is deeply disorienting. It's a voyage to a place you can't anticipate. You don't know what's going to happen to you. I don't think we have adequate words to capture that experience."

The task of putting into words the enormity of this historic event fell to those on Pensacola's Middle Passage Marker Committee.

The marker states that when Don Tristan de Luna landed at the Pensacola Bay, "among his company of 1,550 were Africans, both freed and enslaved … the Africans in the expedition were among the first to have a continuous presence in the United States."

The marker unveiling ceremony opened with Gabriel Brown of St. Joseph's Catholic Church pouring water for those who suffered as a result of this migration. He said, "Libation is a symbol of memory," as he poured the water.

"Libation in memory of them, to remember the gifts of our ancestors … as a blessing and remembrance" to those who did not survive Middle Passage.

The crowd repeated the call and response, "Amen," along with the Yoruba word "Ashe."

Following remarks by Mayor Grover Robinson, Dr. Marion Williams, the chairman of the Middle Passage Marker Committee, spoke to the crowd. Williams spearheaded the project and brought members of the community together to make the event happen.

"I love this place," Williams said of Pensacola.

A lifelong educator, Williams gave a brief history of the Luna expedition, which brought the first Africans to Pensacola.

Williams described Pensacola, currently and historically, as "multiracial and multicultural, and it always has been."

Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton then addressed the audience as she helped dedicate the monument to the first named African woman in Pensacola, an enslaved

woman named Guiomar, who came with the Luna expedition.

Broughton also spoke of "those who chose death over bondage. To those who broke tools, who worked slowly and feigned understanding and energy, resistance in manners active and passive. To the Black hands that built our forts and severed as punishment. To those deemed too 'uppity' for demanding respect, and to those who bowed their heads for survival. To those families who were separated, and those women whose bodies were violated, and their children born and loved anyway. And their children born and sold anyway. To those who spent coded messages of freedom through spirituals and worshiped their native gods in secret and kept their native traditions."

Between 1775 and 1805, at least four documented slave ships came to Pensacola. The names of the ships were the Sucesco, Black Prince, Fly and Beggar's Bennison.

On those ships came an estimated 350 enslaved Africans, who began their lives in North America here in Pensacola. Slavery existed in Pensacola prior to 1775 and continued until chattel slavery ended with the Confederate defeat in the Civil War. Latricia Brown, a historian, was recruited

by Williams to join the project through their connections at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Brown, who described the day as "momentous," said that when she first saw the marker, "I couldn't stop crying. I was very emotional."

"I think about W.E.B. DuBois on this day because I think about the fact that he was the first to do this kind of research, to do this kind of history," said Brown.

"And I think about my ancestors, the ones who didn't make it, who are out there in the Atlantic. So this is a momentous day," she said.

"We now have a marker that signifies that we belonged here. That we were here.

That we are part of American history, especially now that here in the state of Florida, the governor is talking about getting rid of racial consciousness classes," said Brown.

"What a moment to have a marker here that will remain forever. Forever."

With the unveiling of this marker, which stands facing the sea, Pensacola is now the last Florida city to mark officially its role in the Middle Passage. {in} The Middle Passage Marker is located in Plaza De Luna at 900 S. Palafox, near the statue of Don Tristan de Luna.

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a&e happenings Escambia County, WSRE will broadcast an "inStudio" series commemorating this historical event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 15.

Hosted by Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks, the four one-hour episodes will reflect on the region's role in establishing Florida's statehood and provide information about bicentennial celebrations and opportunities for community involvement "1821 Sampler Project Linking Past to Present" airs July 1; "St. Michael's Cemetery: At the Crossroads of Pensacola's Past" airs July 8; and "The Dinner Tables of 1821 and 2021: The Diversity of Our Culinary Heritage" airs July 15.

All four episodes will be available for streaming on their premiere dates at wsre. org/instudio.

WAYS TO GET TO PENSACOLA BEACH

ESCAMBIA COUNTY 200TH ANNIVERSARY

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR THE 1821 SAMPLER The website for the mosaic

is now live at 1821sampler.com. From the sampler homepage, click on a photo to get a quick view and then "Visit Full Entry" to see more information.

There are still plenty of people from 1821 who haven't been represented yet. To participate in the 1821 Sampler, simply fill out the form at 1821: A Pensacola Sampler under "Submit Your Photo" on the website and upload your photo to represent a member of the 1821 Pensacola community (use an uncluttered background, clearly showing face and shoulders. No hats please. Names are optional).

Researchers with the West Florida Genealogical Society have identified more than 2,000 individuals who were here when Florida passed from Spain to the United States. By honoring a member of the 1821 community, you are participating in this celebration of our rich and diverse Florida heritage.

INTERACTIVE TOUR OF ST. MICHAEL'S CEMETERY To commemorate

Florida's Territorial Bicentennial and Escambia County's 200th Anniversary, the UWF Archaeology Institute and St. Michael's Cemetery Foundation have partnered to create an interactive tour of the cemetery.

The project is titled They're Still Here: The People of 1821. The story map includes a "walking tour" that can be taken from the comfort of home or on a mobile device on site at the cemetery. The tour features more than 60 surviving gravesites of the people who were in Pensacola in 1821. The story map can be found at bit.ly/1821TourSMC.

A JACKSONIAN DINNER Celebrate Florida's Territorial Bicentennial with a special five-course meal from Chef Irv 616 1

Miller and a selection of Spanish wines. Dr. Judy Bense and UWF's Margo Stringfield will also have a historic presentation. The dinner will be Thursday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Reservations are limited. Call (850) 469-9898 to reserve your spot. Visit jacksonsrestaurant.com for more information.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY'S BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION At sunrise on July

17, the Santa Rosa Creek Tribe will offer a blessing in Museum Plaza to kick off the day. It is a moment to pay respect for all people and to honor those who came before us. Filming, recording and photography is not allowed. Later that morning, a formal program will take place in Museum Plaza (Historic Pensacola Village), exactly 200 years after the exchange of Spanish and American flags.

The UWF Symphonic Band will play "The Star-Spangled Banner" and provide a medley of Spanish, British, French and American music. For many in Pensacola that day, it was the first hearing of our national anthem. Hispanic musicians will drift through the Village and, just as they did 200 years ago, performers of African descent will dance in the plazas. Spanish and English military reenactors will mingle with the audience, and Historic Pensacola Village will be open to the public at no charge. Additional programs and performances will take place throughout the Village. Programing is structured to reflect the community's rich and diverse heritage and the collective influences that make our community what it is today. For more information, visit visitpensacola.com/200th.

WSRE COMMEMORATES FLORIDA'S TERRITORIAL BICENTENNIAL In part-

nership with the 200th Anniversary Commission Commemorating Florida's Territorial Bicentennial, the City of Pensacola and

The Pensacola Bay Bridge is now open, which is perfect timing for beach season.

Escambia County reminds eager beachgoers of the various ways to get to the beach.

Live Pensacola Beach traffic video and beach conditions are available at myescambia.com.

ECAT BUS Escambia County Area Transit discontinued service for the Route 61 detour across the Garcon Point Bridge with the Pensacola Bay Bridge opening. Normal schedules for Route 61 and Route 64 Beach Jumper will restart.

Note the following schedules: REGULAR SERVICE: •Routes: 1, 2, 32, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59X, 60, 61 and 64 Beach Jumper MODIFIED ROUTES: •Route 31, 43, and 63: Runs Monday-Saturday, every two hours (Saturday Schedule) •Route 45: Runs Monday-Saturday, only every hour, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.

UWF TROLLEY: •(Summer Schedule) UWF Express Service runs Monday–Saturday Schedules are located on goecat.com and the ECAT Ride guide.

FREE TROLLEY SERVICE The Santa Rosa

Island Authority (SRIA) will have free openair trolley service along Pensacola Beach.

The service runs Monday-Sunday, 4 p.m.midnight, through Labor Day weekend.

FERRY Pensacola Bay Cruises Ferry Service offers daily service, seven days a week, between Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. Ferry trips last approximately 50 minutes, and all-day free parking is available at each of the departure sites.

DRIVE, BIKE OR WALK OVER THE BOB SIKES BRIDGE When you drive over the

Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach, there is an electronic toll in place. Cash and coins are no longer collected in person. The county encourages motorists to plan ahead and use electronic toll collection devices (i.e.

SunPass, E-Pass, Annual Pass, NC Quick Pass, Peach Pass, E-ZPass), tolling apps (i.e.

PayTollo) or TOLL-BY-PLATE from SunPass.

PENSACOLA BEACH TRAFFIC HOTLINE Residents and visitors can report beach traffic issues via the Pensacola Beach Traffic Hotline at (850) 595-0862 or by emailing traffic@myescambia.com, offered by the Escambia County Transportation and Traffic Operations Division.

NONPROFITS + FUNDRAISERS

CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTIONS Animal

Allies will be at Pet Supermarket, 6857 N. Ninth Ave., in Pensacola on Saturday, July 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Everett Animal Welfare Group will be at PetSmart, N. Davis Highway, on July 17, 24 and 31 from noon-4 p.m.

Many cats and kittens will be looking for their fur-ever homes. All cats are up to date on shots and tested negative for leukemia, and adoption fee includes spay or neuter with microchip and flea pill. For more information, visit aaflorida.org.

KITTEN BABY SHOWER Animal Allies will host a kitten baby shower on Saturday, July 17, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 3700 Creighton Road, Ste. 10. Meet adoptable kittens and help support Animal Allies by bringing food or toys. Animal Allies needs Purina One Kitten dry food, Friskies wet food and kitten toys. You can also donate online at aaflorida.org/donate.

LITTER-ALLY OBSESSED WITH GELATO! Meet pets available for adoption from Pensacola Humane Society at Dolce and Gelato on Saturday, July 24, from 5-9 p.m.

Dolce and Gelato is located at 2050 N. 12th Ave. For more information, visit facebook. com/dolcegelatopensacola.

"FRIEND OF FOO" APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN The Foo Foo Festival Com-

mittee is now accepting applications from nonprofit and for-profit entities who are interested in playing a part in this year's events as a "Friend of Foo." Nonprofits in the Pensacola area who recently applied and did not receive a grant for this year's festival but would still like to participate, or local for-profit businesses such as hoteliers, restaurants and bars who are interested in participating and benefitting, are encouraged to apply. To review the application process, visit foofoofest.com.

"Friend of Foo'' participants will receive local, regional and national visibility during the 12-day event via the festival's regional marketing campaign. When applying, entrants should be prepared to provide the name and title of their prospective event; the date, time and location for the event; its respective category; and details and imagery to support the concept. The deadline to submit to be a "Friend of Foo" is Friday, Oct. 1, by noon.

The Pensacola Foo Foo Festival will take place Nov. 4-15, 2021.

ARTS & CULTURE

HILL-KELLY MOVIES IN THE PARK The

Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie Series returns to Community Maritime Park Friday, July 23, with Disney's "Wonder Woman 1984."

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a&e happenings Bring your blankets and chairs to watch a family-friendly movie underneath the stars. Movies begin at sunset and free event parking is available at Community Maritime Park and City Hall. Concessions are available from local food trucks.

COMING SOON TO PENSACOLA CINEMA ART "Dream Horse" will be

playing on Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24, at 1 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24, at 1 p.m. is the film "Dream Horse."

More information, including links to virtual screenings, is available at pensacolacinemaart.com. All tickets are $8. Reserve your seats by emailing jpncinema@gmail.com or texting (863) 446-7300. PCA is located at 220 W. Garden St.

NEW HOURS AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART PMA is now open from

10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets and information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

FAFSA NIGHT AT PSC Need help com-

pleting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Contact Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at (850) 4841961, email eoc@pensacolastate.edu or attend a FAFSA Night at PSC held Tuesdays, July, 20 and 27, from 5-7 p.m. at PSC's Pensacola Campus, Bldg. 5, Computer Lab, Room 509. Escambia County high school graduates of the 2020 and 2021 school years will receive a $20 gift card when they complete their FAFSA and those applying to PSC will receive an application fee waiver via the Cash for College initiative. For more information, contact EOC at (850) 484-1961 or email eoc@pensacolastate.edu.

SUMMER EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASE

As the Pensacola Museum of Art moves into the final stages of re-opening to the public, the Summer Exhibitions Showcase welcomes the community back into the galleries from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 15.

Enjoy a toast to curators, artists, collectors and the community, and rub elbows with your fellow art lovers. Memberships and information about upcoming programs and events will be available onsite. This event is free. From 5-6 p.m. is the members-only curatorial tour. For more information, visit facebook.com/pensacolamuseum.

AESOP'S FABLES AT PLT Pensacola Little Theatre presents Aesop's Fables, an Acorn production, directed by Jennifer Bunnell.

Four of Aesop's best loved fables— "The Fox and the Crow," "The Tortoise and the Hare," "The Donkey in the Lion's Skin" and, finally, "The Fox and the Sour Grapes"—are created in this approach to storyteller's theatre.

Show dates are Saturdays, July 17 and 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sundays, July 18 and 25, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $7 for children. For more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

July 15, 2021

WILD LEMON SUMMER NIGHT MARKET

To celebrate its fourth anniversary, Wild Lemon is hosting a nighttime market under twinkly lights with food trucks and a maker's market on Friday, July 16, from 5:30-9 p.m. Wild Lemon is located at 3000 N. 12th Ave. For more information, visit facebook. com/wildlemonfitness.

RETURN OF GALLERY NIGHT The

Gallery Night Pensacola Board of Directors has announced the return of its monthly Gallery Night events in Downtown Pensacola beginning July 16.

The July 16 Gallery Night theme is "Pensacola Heritage," honoring the Bicentennial Celebration. Featured artist is Kristen Regan.

Gallery Night will once again host its monthly art-centric event on the third Friday of the month from 5-10 p.m. The July event will coincide with the city's upcoming bicentennial celebration.

Based on the most recent CDC reports and vaccine numbers, the board has decided that this outdoor event can once again take place at 100% capacity.

While CDC guidelines do not require a mask for any outdoor events for those that are fully vaccinated, the Pensacola Gallery Night Board does encourage mask usage for those who are not vaccinated or are at high health risk.

For more information, visit gallerynightpensacola.org.

A S RE AL A S IT TA S TE S

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ISLAND FIGHTS 68 A night of mixed martial arts fights Saturday, July 17, at Pensacola Bay Center, located at 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are $51-$61.50 or tables for $600-$700. For more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

PENSACOLA OPERA SALON CONCERT WITH BIZHOU CHANG Experi-

ence a special one-night-only Salon Concert featuring Soprano Bizhou Chang in the home of Robert and Clair Montgomery 6 p.m. Saturday, July 24. Seats are $150 and in limited quality. Call the Opera Center at (850) 433-6737 to reserve your spot. Visit pensacolaopera.com for more information.

SUMMER SIZZLER COMEDY JAM Get ready to laugh with a lineup of comedians including Don "DC" Curry, Dexter Tucker and Sherman Golden at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $43-$63. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

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.

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a&e happenings 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.

DRAG SHOWS AT DOLCE AND GELATO Head to Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., for regular drag shows. The next date is Friday, July 23, at 7 p.m. with host Terrah Card. For more information, visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola.

CHORAL SOCIETY OF PENSACOLA AUDITIONS FOR 86TH SEASON All

singers 18 and older are invited to audition for The Choral Society of Pensacola, a community of volunteer singers, as they prepare for their 86th season, their first with Artistic Director Peter Steenblik. Auditions are set for Aug. 2-4 from 5-9 p.m. in the Ashmore Fine Arts Center at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd.

In-person auditions are by appointment only. Singers may also submit recorded auditions. The deadline is Aug. 4, and the instructions for recording and submitting auditions will be posted soon on the Choral Society website. In either case, in-person or recorded, the audition process is brief and informal, and no preparation is necessary.

However, singers must register online at choralsocietyofpensacola.org/auditions.

Dr. Steenblik has planned four major concerts for 2021-2022. The season will open in October with a program of American music performed with chamber orchestra. The major work is "Frostiana," Randall Thompson's classic setting of seven poems by Robert Frost, including "The Road Not Taken" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." In December, the Choral Society will present "Her Christmas," seasonal music by women composers, and in February, "Stage and Screen," songs from musical theatre and film. The season will conclude in May with a concert showcasing "Triptych," a contemporary work by Tarik O'Regan in an arrangement for chorus and eight percussionists.

In addition to the four concerts, the season offers opportunities to participate in a Veterans Day concert with Pensacola Opera Chorus, in a performance of Craig

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Hella Johnson's oratorio "Considering Matthew Shepard" with the University of West Florida Singers and in the Society's annual holiday sing-along. Rehearsals will take place Monday evenings at 7 p.m. on the PSC campus and will begin on Aug. 16 with a season kick-off event.

PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS AUDITIONS Pensacola Children's Chorus

auditions will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, and are open to students entering grades one-12.

PCC's season runs September-May with the aim of producing three fully staged, costumed and choreographed mainstage concerts—"Christmas on the Coast," "One World Many Voices" and "Showtime." However, these larger-than-life performances reinforce more than vocal ability. Throughout the season, students are immersed in personal and social growth designed to equip singers with the tools to succeed beyond the rehearsal hall and stage.

Interested families need to register for an audition time by visiting pensacolasings. org. Middle and high school singers should be prepared to learn a brief choreographed section to assess movement and learning style.

All ability levels welcome. No prior experience or training is required. PCC is located in the Margaret Moore Nickelsen Center, 46 E. Chase St., on the campus of First Presbyterian Church in beautiful downtown Pensacola.

For more information about the Pensacola Children's Chorus, please call (850) 434-7760 or visit pensacolachildrenschorus.com.

"A DEAD RECKONING: NAVIGATING CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS" EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART "A Dead Reckoning: Navigating

Contemporary Ceramics" is now on view at Pensacola Museum of Art, which asks viewers, "Where is the field of American ceramic art going?" For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

"END OF CENTURY" EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART End

of Century, an art exhibit featuring Art Nouveau glassware and works on paper, is a new exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of Art. This special exhibit includes items

from the museum collection as well as the collection of local art supporter and educator Dr. Patrick M. Rowe.

Dr. Rowe received his Ph.D. in Art History at Florida State University in 1989 and taught art history at the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College until his retirement in 2010. He has served on the Pensacola Museum of Art Board and on the PMA Collections Committee and has acted as a dedicated supporter and resource for museum staff throughout the years. In 1988, Rowe began taking an interest in 18th and early 20th century printmaking, which led to his impressive collection of works from the time period, many of which are showcased in End of Century.

End of Century will be on view at the Pensacola Museum of Art until Oct. 10.

Visitors can learn more about the exhibition, sign up for additional programming opportunities and purchase tickets through pensacolamuseum.org.

NEW EXHIBIT AT BLUE MORNING GALLERY The current Spotlight on Art

while gaining advice and personal critiques as they progress through the portrait.

Anatomical structure as well as how to achieve a strong likeness will be discussed.

The course is $375 per student and will take place on July 5, 12, 19 and 26. Visit threefatestattoo.com/register to sign up now.

SEVILLE HAUNTED TOURS Seville

Quarter's haunted tours offer a different look at Pensacola's history as guides weave tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more.

Choose your experience from three ongoing tours—Seville Haunted Luncheon and Ghost Tour, 11 a.m. every third Tuesday of the month; Seville Haunted Gallery Night Tours, 7 p.m. every third Friday of the month; Seville Sunday FunDay Haunted Tours, 4 p.m. last Sunday of each month. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.

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.

is "Serendipity," a collective show featuring potter Tammy Caspersen and photographer Suzanne Tuzzeo. The show promises bold color and unique finds and twists with a fun, carefree feel and is on view starting July 3 at Blue Morning Gallery, located at 21 S. Palafox. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for more information.

Friday at 8 p.m. for national stand-up acts.

Tickets are $26-$35 at the door. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.

THREE FATES TATTOO PORTRAIT SCULPTURE COURSE Over the course

COMEDY MAGIC SHOW AT THE REX THEATRE Comedy magician Tom Coverly,

of four weeks, students will learn to construct a proper armature, model individual facial features, and realistically sculpt a ¾ portrait from life, using a live model. Sessions will include detailed instructions on how to sculpt the portrait from the model, use measurements, use different sculpting tools and sculpt specific features using an observational approach. Each class will take place on Monday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Three Fates Studio, located at 7 E. Gregory St. The instructor will sculpt from the model while describing a step-by-step process, answering questions and pointing out key areas in the sculpt to take note of.

Students will work alongside the instructor

STAND-UP COMEDY AT THE REX THEATRE Visit The REX Theatre every

known as "The Illusionist," performs Saturday nights at The Rex Theatre, located at 18 N. Palafox. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$35. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.

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 the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

NEW CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Per-

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a&e happenings forming 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 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.

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

of 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.

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

up with 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 of-

fers 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.

FITNESS + RECREATION

PENSACOLA BAY PAST AND PRESENT KAYAK TOUR Join FPAN and

Historic Pensacola for a kayak tour on Pensacola Bay from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 15. The tour will last approximately two hours, featuring a 2-mile kayaking route.

The tour is open to the public, but RSVPs are required. Email ngrinnan@uwf.edu to reserve your spot. For more information, visit flpublicarchaeology.org/nwrc.

GOAT OFFSHORE KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT Tournament is 5:30

a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at 8649 Gulf Blvd. GOAT is an international kayak fishing event, showcasing Navarre as the premiere fishing destination of Florida. Watch the fish weigh-in at Windjammers by the Pier, along with live music starting at 3 p.m. For more July 15, 2021

information, visit goatkft.com or email Darrick Benton at derrick@85thday.com.

LITTER RODEO Join Keep Pensacola

Beautiful for the Litter Rodeo, Saturday, July 24, from 9-10 a.m. at Pensacola Beach Park West at 1340 Fort Pickens Road. Prizes will be awarded to the top litter grabber. For more information, visit keeppensacolabeautiful.org.

MONSTER JAM Enjoy a high-octane weekend at Pensacola Bay Center with Monster Jam on Saturday, July 24, from 10:30 a.m.-noon and Sunday, July 25, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Prices start at $23. For more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

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2021 BUD LIGHT FISHING RODEO (RESCHEDULED) The Bud Light Fishing

Rodeo has been rescheduled for July 23-26.

Cash awards and prizes are up for grabs during the Bud Light Fishing Rodeo with weigh-ins at Flounder's from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25. Visit pensacolasports.org/pensacolafishingrodeo for more information.

WEEKLY FRIDAY DANCE Get moving every Friday night with a dance sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Enjoy food from 6-7 p.m. Dancing is from 7-10 p.m.

A variety of bands and music provide the tunes. Cost of admission is $6. Dances are located at 105 Kenmore Ave. in Pensacola.

For more information, call (850) 476-5696.

PENSACOLA FERRY SERVICE RETURNS The Pensacola Bay Cruises Ferry Service is now re-open with daily service, seven days a week, between Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. Ferry trips last approximately 50 minutes, and all-day free parking is available at each of the departure sites.

Tickets are $26 roundtrip for adults; $20 roundtrip for military, disabled persons and students; and $15 roundtrip for children 3-15.

Children 2 and under ride for free. A locals card may be purchased for additional discounts. The ferry service operation schedule is available on pensacolabaycruise.com.

PENSACOLA PARKRUN The Pen-

sacola Rec Plex North parkrun is 7:30 a.m.

Saturdays. The weekly timed 5K run or walk takes place at the University of West Florida and is open to everyone, regardless of fitness level. For more information, visit facebook.com/rpnparkrun or email recplexnorth@parkrun.com.

BREATHE AND READ AT BODACIOUS BOOKSTORE AND CAFÉ Recenter

yourself at this monthly event at Bodacious Bookstore and Café, with an instructor-led beginner yoga class and a group book discussion at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Bodacious Bookstore and Café is located at 110 Intendencia St. For more information, visit bodaciousbookstore.com. for more listings visit inweekly.net

Tired of suffering from droopy eyelids? Uplift your eyelids with the once daily eye drop, Upneeq. Call now to schedule your appointment with the eye care specialists at Terrezza Optical: 850-434-2060 19

▶rules

Just like we have every summer for the last 21 years, we're asking all of you to play favorites and vote in our Best of the Coast poll.

That means all of your most important opinions—like who really makes the best tacos in town—are finally going to be heard.

And don't worry if you can't get through the full ballot in one try.

Voting is open through July 21, so you can take it one section at a time.

You can also vote online if that's more your style—at inweekly.net. {in}

•No photocopies or faxes will be accepted.

•Vote in at least 15 categories. Ballots with fewer than 15 will not be counted.

•Ballots must be postmarked by July 21, 2021.

▶mail your ballot to

Best of the Coast c/o Inweekly, PO Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591

▶required info Name

Or vote online at inweekly.net now-July 21

Email

community, media & culture

services

health & wellness

Best Nonprofit

Best Gym

Best Music Venue Best Band Best Concert/Concert Series Best Theatre Production

Best Hair Salon Best Hair Stylist Best Hair Colorist Best Barber Shop Best Men's Hair Stylist Best Day Spa Best Massage Best Massage Therapist Best Pedicure Best Manicure Best Hair Removal Best Facial Best Esthetician Best Skin Care Overall Best Bank Best Credit Union Best Financial Advisor Best Accounting Firm Best Residential Real Estate Agency Best Commercial Real Estate Agency Best Real Estate Agent Best Boutique Hotel/Inn Best Hotel–Pensacola Beach Best Hotel–Pensacola Best Apartment Complex Best Architecture Firm Best Law Firm Best Attorney Best Insurance Agency Best Vet Best Dog Groomer Best Doggie Day Care/Boarding Best Dog Training Best Construction Company Best Landscaping Best Interior Designer Best Framery Best Tattoo & Piercing Studio Best Tattoo Artist Best Special Event Space Best Caterer Best Florist Best Portrait/Family Photography Best Car Wash/Detailer Best Oil Change Best Auto Service Shop Best Window Tinting Best Green Business

Best Comedian

Best New Business

Best Comic Book Store

Best Charity Event Best Place to Work Best Boss Best Community Leader Best Rising Leader Best Politician Best Advocacy/Activist Group Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests Best Day Trip Best Annual Event Best Food Event Best Parade Best Regular/Reoccurring Event Best Free Thing To Do Best Neighborhood Best Pensacola Landmark Best Public Park Best Pet-Friendly Park Best Playground Best Palafox Market Vendor Best Makers/Craft Market Best Reason to Attend a Blue Wahoos Game Best Reason to Attend an Ice Flyers Game Best Youth Sports/Rec Program Best Dance Studio Best After-School Activity Best Summer Camp Best Place for a Birthday Party Best Local Celebrity Best TV Station Best Radio Station Best Radio Personality Best Morning Radio Show Best Podcast Best Website/Blog Best Scandal Best Person or Business to Follow on Instagram Best Business to "Like" on Facebook Best Way To Get Cultured Best Art Gallery/Museum Best Artist Best Photographer

020 2

Best Personal Trainer Best Boutique Fitness Studio Best Yoga Best Yoga Instructor Best Pilates Best Fitness Classes Best Fitness Instructor Best Bootcamp Best Weight Loss Program Best Running Club Best 5K Best Place to Walk/Run Best Place to Ride Your Bike Best Hospital Best General Care Physician Best Chiropractor Best Dentist Best Orthodontist Best Pediatrician Best Mental Health Professional Best OB/GYN Best Optometrist Best Dermatologist Best Plastic Surgery Best Physical Therapy Best Pharmacy Best Walk-In Clinic

retail Best Car Dealership Best Bicycle Shop Best Boutique Best Men's Apparel Best Women's Apparel Best Children's Apparel & Gifts Best Accessories Best Consignment Store Best Thrift Store Best Athletic/Outdoor Store Best Furniture Store Best Home Décor & Accessories Best Antiques Best Vintage Shop/Seller Best Maker/Artisan Best Gift Shop Best Place to Buy Greeting Cards/Stationery inweekly.net

Best New Store

Best Chinese Cuisine

Best French Fries

Best Jeweler

Best Japanese Cuisine

Best Fried Chicken

Best Surf/Skate Shop

Best Thai Cuisine

Best Wings

Best Nursery/Plants

Best Indian Cuisine

Best Oysters

Best Hardware Store

Best Vietnamese Cuisine

Best Salads

Best Computer/Tech Store

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cuisine

Best Place to Buy Local Produce

Best Music Gear/Instruments

Best Sushi

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Dish

Best Record Store

Best Gluten Free Options

Best Desserts

Best Liquor Store

Best Seafood

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

Best Wine Shop

Best Steakhouse

Best Cakes/Cupcakes

Best Wine Tastings

Best BBQ

Best Cookies

Best Grocery Store

Best Soul Food

Best King Cake

Best International Food Market

Best Wine Menu

Best Original Menu Item

Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Shop

Best Original Menu

Best Lunch Specials

Best Chef

Best Weekly Special

weddings

Best Up-and-Coming Chef

Best Cooking Classes

Best Place to Propose

Best Wait Staff

Best Local Food Manufacturer

Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring

Best Waiter

Best Local Beverage Manufacturer

Best Ceremony Venue

Best Waitress

Best Reception Venue

Best Coffee Shop

bars, drinks & nightlife

Best Officiant

Best Barista

Best Bar Overall

Best Bridal Store

Best Outdoor Dining

Best Night Club

Best Place to Rent a Tux

Best Place to Splurge

Best Bar–Downtown

Best Bridal Make-up Artist

Best Place to Eat Healthy

Best Bar–Cordova Area

Best Wedding Hair Salon

Best Place to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Best Bar–North Pensacola/Nine Mile Road

Best Wedding Hair Stylist

Best Romantic Dining

Best Bar–West Pensacola/Perdido Key

Best Wedding Planner/Coordinator

Best Place for a First Date

Best Bar–Pensacola Beach

Best Wedding Photography

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Best Bar–Milton/Pace

Best Photobooth

Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant

Best New Bar

Best Wedding Videography

Best Salad Bar

Best Happy Hour

Best Wedding Band

Best Take Out/To Go

Best Drink Specials

Best Wedding DJ

Best Food Delivery

Best Cover Charge Worth Paying

Best Wedding Caterer

Best Restaurant for a Birthday Dinner

Best Day Drinking

Best Wedding Cake

Best Restaurant for Sports Fans

Best Drink Menu

Best Wedding Florist

Best Late Night Eats

Best Specialty Cocktails

Best Wedding Rentals

Best Restaurant to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Best Daiquiris/Frozen Drinks

Best Wedding Party Transportation

Best Gone-But-Not-Forgotten Restaurant

Best Bushwacker

Best Place to Buy a Wedding Gift

Best Bloody Mary

Best Place to Buy Bridesmaid Gifts

food

Best Mimosa

Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner

*List the specific menu item if applicable

Best Martini

Best Place for Out-of-Town Guests to Stay

Best Uniquely Pensacola Dish

Best Selection of Wine

Best Cup of Coffee

Best Margarita

restaurants

Best Iced Coffee

Best Signature Drink

Best Restaurant Overall

Best Latte

Best Selection of Beer on Tap

Best Restaurant–Downtown

Best Iced Tea

Best Selection of Bottled/Canned Beer

Best Restaurant–Cordova Area

Best Juices/Smoothies

Best Brewery

Best Restaurant–East Hill

Best Pizza

Best Local Beer

Best Restaurant–North Pensacola/

Best Steak

Best Bartender

Nine Mile Road

Best Burrito

Best DJ

Best Restaurant–West Pensacola/Perdido Key

Best Taco

Best Drag Queen

Best Restaurant–East Pensacola Heights

Best Soup

Best Sports Bar

Best Restaurant–Gulf Breeze

Best Deli

Best Sports Team Club Headquarters

Best Restaurant–Pensacola Beach

Best Bread

Best Neighborhood Bar

Best Restaurant–Milton/Pace

Best Sandwich

Best Pet-Friendly Bar

Best New Restaurant

Best Chicken Salad

Best Hotel Bar

Best Bakery

Best Cheeseburger

Best Bar With a View

Best Breakfast

Best Hot Dog

Best Bar Ambiance

Best Brunch

Best Cheese Plate

Best Bar for Games

Best Lunch

Best Appetizers

Best Trivia Night

Best Food Truck

Best Mac-n-Cheese

Best Karaoke Night

Best Greek Cuisine

Best Pastries

Best Bar for Live Music

Best Mexican Cuisine

Best Breakfast Dish/Menu Item

Best Bar Food

Best Italian Cuisine

Best Grits

Best Cajun Cuisine

Best Donuts

July 15, 2021

Or vote online at inweekly.net {in} 21

free will astrology WEEK OF JULY 15 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In his poem "Litany," Aries poet Billy Collins testifies that he is "the sound of rain on the roof."

He also claims to be "the moon in the trees, the paper blowing down an alley, the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table, and the shooting star." He does make it clear, however, that he is not "the bread and the knife" on the table, nor the "crystal goblet and the wine." What about you, Aries? What are all the earthy and fiery phenomena that you are? Are you, as Billy Collins suggests, "the dew on the morning grass and the burning wheel of the sun and the marsh birds suddenly in flight"? Now would be an excellent time to dream up your own version of such colorful biographical details.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): "Why

else keep a journal, if not to examine your own filth?" wrote poet Anne Sexton. And yes, Sexton did have a lot of filth to explore, including the physical abuse of her daughters. But most of us don't need to focus so obsessively on our unlovely aspects. Keeping a journal can also be about identifying our ripening potentials and unused riches.

This approach would be especially fun and wise for you Tauruses right now. The coming weeks will be an auspicious time for deep introspection that frees capacities and powers you have only partially activated up until now.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Journalist Sam Anderson marvels at his young daughter's project—a small plastic dome-like structure that houses a community of ladybugs. All they need to consume, for weeks at a time, are "two water-soaked raisins." I don't think you'll need to be forever as efficient and hardy as those ladybugs, Gemini, but you may have to be like that temporarily.

My advice? Don't regard it as a hardship.

Instead, see it as an opportunity to find out how exquisitely resourceful and resilient you can be. The skills you learn and refine now will be priceless in the long run.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Cancerian poet Linda Hogan says she doesn't like

By Rob Brezsny

to be parched. She wants to be like "a tree drinking the rain." I think every Cancerian has similar dreams: to be steadily immersed in engrossing feelings, awash with intimate longings, flowing along in rhythm with the soul's songs. The coming weeks will be prime time for you to relish these primal pleasures. It's probably best to avoid an outright flood, but I think it's wise to invite a cascade.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Actor Lupita

Nyong'o had a starring role in Steve McQueen's film "12 Years a Slave." She praised his directorial skills. She loved the fact that he told her, "Fail, and then fail better." Why? "That kind of environment, where failure is an option, is magical," she said. It allowed her to experiment freely, push herself beyond her previous limits, and focus on being true to the character she was playing rather than trying to be a "good actor." I think these are excellent principles for you to keep in mind during the coming weeks.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo-born

Wayne Shorter is a legendary jazz composer and saxophonist. He has been making music for over 60 years, often with other legendary creators like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. The New York Times described Shorter as "jazz's greatest living small-group composer and a contender for greatest living improviser." Bass prodigy Tal Wilkenfeld, who is 53 years younger than Shorter, tells the story of a show she performed with him.

Just before going on stage, Shorter came up to her, sensing she was nervous, and whispered some advice: "Play eternity." Now I'm offering that same counsel to you as you carry out your tasks in the coming days.

Be as timeless as you dare to be. Immerse yourself in the most expansive feelings you can imagine. Authorize your immortal soul to be in charge of everything you do.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Libran author Paula McLain says the word "paradise" is derived from the ancient Persian word "pairidaeza," meaning "walled garden." For her, this association suggests that making promises and being faithful to our intentions are keys to creating happiness with

those we care for. Paradise requires walls!

To scrupulously cultivate freedom, we need discipline. If we hope to thrive in joyous self-expression, we must focus on specific goals. I bring these thoughts to your attention because now is a pivotal time to work on building, refining and bolstering your own personal version of paradise.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Thou-

sands of 28-pound bars of 24-carat gold are stored in the Bank of England's underground vault. To gain entry to the treasure trove, bankers use metal keys that are three feet long. They must also utter a secret password into a microphone. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you Scorpios can now gain access to a more metaphorical but nevertheless substantial source of riches.

How? The key is a particular scene in your imagination that has recently begun to coalesce. It is an emblem of a future triumph or breakthrough that you will accomplish. As for the password, which you will also need, it's vigorous rigor.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):

Somehow, I have lived all these years without ever coming across the rare English word "selcouth." Today, as I meditated on the exotic astrological portents coming up for you, that word appeared—arriving on my phone via text message from my Sagittarius friend Lila. She told me, "I have a feeling that life is about to get intensely SELCOUTH for us Sagittarians." I looked up the unfamiliar word and found these synonyms: unusual, marvelous, strange, magnificent, scarce, wondrous, weird, rare and exotic. Those terms do indeed coincide with my interpretation of your immediate future. So Happy Selcouth to you, dear Centaur! Celebrate with awed appreciation!

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19):

Lexicographer Jonathon Green provides us with the following 19th-century slang words for the sex act: horizontal refreshment, strumming, playing at romps, cully-shangie, taking a turn at Mount Pleasant, dancing the blanket hornpipe, honeyfugle, giving a hot poultice for the Irish toothache and—my favorite—fandango de pokum. In accordance

with astrological potentials, I recommend that you consider trying them all out in the next four weeks. In other words, experiment with shifting your approach to belly-bumping and libido-gratifying. If you don't have a human partner, do it alone or with an angel or in your fantasy life.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): If a lover or spouse is perpetually churning out fantasies of you in their imagination, they may be less than totally tuned in to the real you.

Instead, they may be focused on the images they have of you—maybe so much so that they lose sight of who you genuinely are and what you are actually doing. The same possibility exists for other allies, not only lovers and spouses. They may be so entranced by their stories about you that they are out of touch with the ever-changing marvel you are. That's the bad news, Aquarius. Here's the good news: The coming weeks will be a decisive time to correct such distortions— and revel in the raw truth about you.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Here's how art critic Walter Pater characterized the work of Piscean artist Michelangelo: "sweetness and strength, pleasure with surprise, an energy of conception which seems to break through all the conditions of comely form, recovering, touch by touch, a loveliness found usually only in the simplest natural things."

I've been waiting for the arrival of astrological aspects that would mean you'd be an embodiment of that description. And now they are here. Congrats! For the next 13 days, I will visualize you as a fount of ever-refreshing grace—as a fluid treasure that emanates refined beauty and wild innocence.

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Tell me how you like it the best. Write to newsletter@freewillastrology.com.

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2021

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inweekly.net

news of the weird UNDIGNIFIED DEATH On July 3, Andover Township (New Jersey) police received a call about a dead body found under a deck in the town. "The detective and officers began to check the area under the deck when they did indeed confirm a deceased (human) body was contained within the doghouse," police said, according to Law & Crime. Two days later, Brian Cheda-Hackembruch, 25, and Matthew R. Thomas, 27, were arrested for disturbing or desecrating human remains—but not with murder. It appears the deceased was a resident of Hopatcong, New Jersey, who died from a "medical emergency." ChedaHackembruch and Thomas placed the body in the trunk of a car belonging to the victim, then called a towing company to have the car moved to Andover. Then, the two allegedly moved the body to the doghouse belonging to an unsuspecting family. Police didn't clarify the relationship of the victim to the suspects or any motive for their elaborate plan.

BAD JUJU? Chris Langston, 48, a metal detectorist in Oswestry, England, stumbled upon a creepy find as he was exploring the woods near his home on June 30. Langston first saw a pile of broken dishes, but upon further digging, he unearthed a clear bottle that appeared to contain urine, along with hair and a human tooth.

According to Metro News, archaeologists say such bottles were used to keep spells and curses from entering homes as long ago as the 1600s. "I had my camera in my hand and in the video you can see me shaking as I just wanted to put it down," Langston said. "I did a bit of research online and discovered it was a witch bottle. I went back the following day and placed it in an undisturbed part near the area where I found it and buried it slightly just to avoid any bad juju. I did get a bit creeped out by it all."

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT The Bloomington (Minnesota) Police Department is having the books thrown at it after calling people who take volumes from Little Free Libraries "thieves." In early July, the department posted on Twitter: "After some thefts from little libraries in our city, officers and staff came together to donate a bunch of books to the libraries. Now people can use and enjoy them again." But Fox News reported that people weren't buying it: "How can you steal something free, officers?" one responder wrote. The BPD also tweeted that someone had been taking the books to sell for profit, which also invited scorn. Finally, the department admitted that using the word "theft" was "a human error," and apologized.

•A woman from West Yorkshire, England, called in sick to work so that she could attend the Euro semifinal soccer game in London on July 7, Metro News reported. Nina Farooqi, 37, thought her company would be short-staffed that day, and therefore probably wouldn't let her have the day off. But when her photos popped up on the BBC, her employer called

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

her and said not to bother coming in the next day. "I didn't get any sympathy at all and they said 'That's it.' We're through to the final, I'm still on that high, but I've also lost my job," Farooqi said. "I'd do it all over again. Football is my life."

LATEST RELIGIOUS MESSAGE? In Los Angeles on July 7, an unidentified man climbed atop the St. Mary's Catholic Church bell tower and set fire to a cross, then eluded police as he jumped from roof to roof and rappelled down buildings, Fox News reported. The man, who was shirtless and missing one sock, also used wires above the area to climb up buildings. Finally, police caught up with him and he was transferred to a local hospital.

AWESOME! About 400 couples gathered over the first weekend in July in Lincolnshire, England, for activities and entertainment including an adult bouncy castle, a cigar lounge, clay pigeon shooting and an outdoor theater—oh, and a Mr. and Mrs. Swingathon contest, wet T-shirt competition and fetish demonstrations.

The festival was promoted to swinging couples through FabSwingers, an app that brings together interested parties, Metro News reported.

Guests enjoyed four-person luxury yurts with hot tubs, billed to the local council as a "private camping club." Neighbors were mostly unfazed: "I would be the first to call the police if it was disturbing me, but if it floats their boat, then let them get on with it," one said.

CHUTZPAH During the Scottish Open on July 9, a spectator "entered the 10th tee area" and removed a golf club from Rory McIlroy's bag, then took a few swings with it, the Associated Press reported. McIlroy reportedly watched, bemused, before the man was escorted from the course by security officers. Golfers Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas were also on the tee. One witness told The Scotsman newspaper, "The players laughed it off, saying they knew he wasn't a golfer when they saw his grip."

DRUNK BUFFALO The RTE reported on July 7 that three farmers in the Gujarat state of India were arrested for selling alcohol, and their buffalo gave them away. Police official Dilipsinh Baldev said the animals were acting "strangely and their mouths started frothing," so one of the men called the veterinarian. The vet took a look at the water trough where the buffalo had been drinking and noticed the water was colored and had a "strange smell." Turns out the farmers had hidden their moonshine bottles at the bottom of the trough, but some had broken. The buffalo were drunk. The vet informed police, who raided the farm and confiscated 100 bottles of alcohol. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2021 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com July 15, 2021

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Independent News | July 15, 2021 | inweekly.net