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Independent News | July 16, 2020 | Volume 21 | Number 29

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winners & losers

outtakes

news 6

I need 100 masks.

a&e

buzz

10 publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

calendar 14

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

Itâ€™s Pet Pic Time! Inweekly is working on our 9th annual Pet Issue and we want to include your pets. Please send pictures of your furry, scaly &/or feathered friends to joani@inweekly.net by Wednesday, July 22 for a chance to be featured in the issue. Make sure you include the pet and owner(s) names.

Isabel / Owners Tasha Bronson & Nick Fury inweekly.net

Thank you for voting! Blue Wahoos Stadium Named America’s Best Double-A Ballpark for 2020 Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos Stadium was named the 2020 Ballpark Digest “Best of the Ballparks” champion at the Double-A level, earning the title through a national fan vote that attracted over 80,000 votes.

Our mission as an organization is to improve the quality of life in our community, so it’s an honor for us to bring this recognition to our city. While we’re proud to have a great ballpark, we’re even more proud to have such incredible fans who voted us to the title. — Team President, Jonathan Griffith

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Blue Wahoos Stadium • 351 W Cedar St • Pensacola, FL 32502 • bluewahoos.com • (850) 934-8444 Brought to you by the Studers July 16, 2020

winners & losers

Lumon May / myescambia.com

winners LUMON MAY Florida Association of Counties (FAC) President Melissa McKinlay has selected District 3 Commissioner May to serve on the FAC COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee. May has worked closely with local hospitals and community clinics to make COVID testing available to all residents. He was the first commissioner to hold press conferences on the virus and sent out a mailer to his constituents explaining how they can help not spread COVID. May is the only Panhandle commissioner chosen for the committee. KYLE COZAD The Naval Aviation Museum

Foundation announced the retirement of Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, USMC (Ret.) and named Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, USN (Ret.) as his successor. Cozad becomes president and CEO of the Foundation after serving as the commander of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) at NAS Pensacola. Before taking command at NETC, Cozad commanded a squadron, wing and reconnaissance group. He also served as senior director of the White House Situation Room and led Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Thiessen has served as the president and CEO for the past seven years supporting the National Naval Aviation Museum and the National Flight Academy after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps. Thiessen will continue his role as CEO until later this fall when Cozad will take over.

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Take Stock in Children and the Santa Rosa Education Foundation awarded $330,000 in scholarships to 22 graduating seniors, who received four-year college tuition scholarships and were recognized during their first-ever senior parade. Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a nonprofit organization in Florida that provides an opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Scholarships are funded through a public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when the scholarships are purchased. Santa Rosa County has 113 students between sixth and 12th grade in the program and over 100 students currently in college.

T. T. Wentworth, Jr. / State Archives of Florida / Florida Memory

losers T.T. WENTWORTH, JR. The former Escambia County elected official, historian and namesake of the UWF Historic Trust's T.T. Wentworth Museum in downtown Pensacola was also the Exalted Cyclops of the local Ku Klux Klan. Historian Tom Garner has reviewed documents that record the founding of Escambia's Klan in 1920, with Wentworth as its first Kligrapp, or secretary. In 1925, Wentworth was elected Exalted Cyclops, or president. The documents, held in the museum archives, are from Wentworth's personal files and included Wentworth's Klan membership cards, correspondence between Wentworth and the Grand Dragon, Realm of Florida, and an invoice for Wentworth's specially ordered satin Exalted Cyclops robe. In 1920, Wentworth was elected to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. From 1928 to 1940, he served as Escambia County's tax collector. EVAN POWER A circuit judge Friday rejected a challenge by the chairman of the Leon County Republican Executive Committee to the constitutionality of a Leon County ordinance that requires people to wear face masks in businesses to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Judge John Cooper, who announced his ruling after hearing arguments, cited evidence that face masks can help prevent the spread of the virus and said the ordinance has a "valid basis" to protect public health. The Leon County Commission passed the ordinance June 23 amid a surge of coronavirus cases. The judge said, "I find that this ordinance does not violate any constitutional rights." MICHAEL PACK Trump's appointee to

head the United States Agency for Global Media didn't waste any time cleaning house by firing the heads of Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Middle East Broadcasting Network. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined three other Republicans and Democrats asking Pack to explain his decision. Pack responded in a letter that he is committed to fixing management issues in the agency after being tasked with making "bold and meaningful changes." He pledged to "respect and protect the independence of the USAGM journalists." inweekly.net

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THE GUARD-LESS GUARDIAN In April, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson mandated that city employees wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On Friday, June 26, he extended the order to include the public inside local businesses. "Wearing a mask is a simple step we can all take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately help our community and economy recover more quickly," he said. "Wearing a mask is not a sign of fear or selfishness, but rather a sign of kindness and selflessness since your mask could protect others from getting sick." Two blocks away from Pensacola City Hall, County Administrator Janice Gilley has stubbornly refused to protect her nearly 2,000 employees. At a rare virtual press conference on Friday, July 10, she said, "What we've done is we've asked county employees when they can't physically distance from others to make sure that they protect themselves." Repeatedly, the county commissioners and the media have asked Gilley about mask requirements for her employees. In early April, during a "Coffee with the Commissioner" broadcast, Gilley said, "I would also mention that our ECAT drivers, the staff at ECAT and then also our maintenance employees are wearing masks as well." She said masks were optional for county employees. "What we've said is that employees that are comfortable or want to wear a mask, it's voluntary for them," said Gilley. "We're not mandating it, but it is a voluntary option." At the time, Escambia County had 180 COVID cases. After Gilley made her statement, Michael Lowery, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395, asked Escambia County Commission Chairman Steve Barry for an investigation of COVID-19 employee safety and health concerns. Lowery represents employees with Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT), road department and landfill. "There are bus operators who drove ECAT bus routes yesterday who refused to wear a mask and even gloves," Lowery told

Barry. "This is unacceptable and threatens others from potential exposure." On April 17, Lowery was fired by ECAT. Escambia had 290 COVID cases. In April and May, Commissioner Doug Underhill sent out emails county-wide to voters downplaying the pandemic, and he even tried to argue the crisis peaked in March for Escambia County. The county administrator never corrected his misleading statements. By the end of May, the county had 815 cases. In mid-June, the Florida Department of Health had to set up testing for ECAT employees after an ECAT driver tested positive for COVID-19. Escambia had 1,089 cases at the time. Then, cases began to surge. Debbie Stilphen, PIO for Department of Health in Santa Rosa, on Tuesday, June 23, sent out an email encouraging everyone to wear masks. Escambia County didn't mention anything until two days later in a press release sent after 5 p.m. Escambia had 1,559 cases. By the end of June, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority had joined the city in requiring face masks for its employees. Inweekly had The Political Matrix poll 865 Escambia County residents—72.4% supported the county mandating the wearing of face masks. Escambia had 2,046 cases. As of Monday, July 13, Escambia County had 4, 483 cases. Gilley had 50 confirmed cases among her employees, including at least three department heads, and another 102 awaiting test results. We have no idea how many county employees are in quarantine or working from home. The county jail has 119 inmates infected with the virus, jumping from only three reported on Thursday, July 2. We've heard that local hospitals have become concerned again about being overrun and have cut back elected surgeries. Still, Gilley, the head of county operations, hasn't budged. The guardian has refused to guard and protect her employees. Time will tell if she has made the correct decision. {in} rick@inweekly.net

We've heard that local hospitals have become concerned again about being overrun and have cut back elected surgeries.

July 16, 2020

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COVID-19 BALLSY PLAN By Rick Outzen Escambia County is sitting on $14.32 million and trying to figure out to spend it. The funds represent a quarter of the approximately $57 million the county will receive under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. On June 10, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state would begin distributing $1.275 billion to counties with a population below 500,000. The United States Treasury had already disbursed over $2.472 billion in funding to all Florida counties whose populations exceed 500,000. "I'm proud that today, we are able to provide funding back to these counties so that they can really begin their recovery from this virus," said DeSantis when he made the announcement. The funds may only be used to cover costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 1 through Dec. 31. The expenses cannot be for items already budgeted for the fiscal year. The eligible expenses include medical care and testing costs, acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies, public safety measures undertaken in response to COVID-19 and quarantining individuals. CARES Act dollars can also be used for grants to small businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures. A month has passed since the governor's announcement, and the Board of Escambia County Commissioners has not approved a plan on how to use the millions of dollars available to help this community recover from the pandemic. County staff has yet to submit any recommendations for the commissioners' approval. Inweekly has decided to fill in the gap with its COVID-19 Ballsy Plan. Our plan is presented to the commissioners at no cost. However, the officials should be warned, the past Ballsy Plans have been quite successful.

Our first Ballsy Plan, published in May 2004, included a downtown baseball park, De Luna Park on the site of the old Bayfront Auditorium at the end of Palafox Street, an amphitheater and corporate center on Trillium property (now Community Maritime Park), a new downtown library and a downtown entertainment district. We were so proud of our plan that we even faxed an invoice to the Pensacola City Hall for our services, which has yet to be paid, by the way. Hint, hint, Grover.

RESEARCH

To develop our COVID-19 Ballsy Plan, we first checked on what other counties are doing. Former State Rep. Dave Murzin is the coordinator for First Place Partners, a group of local business leaders that assists the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office with economic development. He has watched how Santa Rosa County has begun to develop its CARES Act plan. "Santa Rosa has received about $8 million, the first installment of the CARES Act monies," Murzin told Inweekly. "They have hired a consultant to help guide them through their process." He added, "If a county made a decision without asking for input from people, I don't think that's necessarily a good thing." On Friday, July 10, Santa Rosa County held its first virtual stakeholder meeting to develop "a framework to administer the available funding in a manner that is effective, efficient and compliant with all state and federal requirements." The county is also conducting an online survey. A draft plan is scheduled to be presented to the county commission on July 23. The board is expected to finalize the plan and begin accepting applications for assistance in August. Cities and counties with more than 500,000 people received their CARES Act funds directly from the federal government. Orange County has 1.4 million people

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and includes the city of Orlando, Disney World, Universal Studios and the University of Central Florida. Under the CARES Act, Orange County government received $243 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and his staff, with the help of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, developed a plan that was approved by his county commission in May. The CARES Act plan created four funding categories and one replenishment category to ensure that the funds meet the immediate and personal needs of residents, business owners, nonprofits, and municipal and community partners. ALLOCATION •Small Business Financial Assistance: $72.9 million—30% •Social Services and Resident Needs: $72.9 million—30% •Orange County Public Safety and Health Expenditures: $48.6 million—20% •Municipality and Constitutional Officer Expenditures: $24.3 million—10% •Replenishment Account: $24.5 Million—10% Total: $243.2 million The Small Business Grant Program allows approximately 6,500 qualifying small businesses access to $10,000 in grant money to cover normal business expenses, including employee wages, vendor bills and rent to help offset the temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. Social Services and Resident Needs funds were divided equally between direct payments to residents and social service agencies. Approximately $36.5 million has been allocated for the Individual and Family Assistance Program that will provide a one-time payment of $1,000 per household for residents affected by COVID-19. Funds for this program will assist residents to bridge financial gaps for rent, mortgage, medical or an eligible utility expense. Another $36.5 million has been allocat-

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ed for Direct Assistance to Social-Service Agencies to expand funding for Orange County partner nonprofits. These organizations will work directly with the county to provide continuity of service for residents seeking assistance with homelessness, mental health and substance abuse, food pantries, job retention and childcare. On Florida's east coast, St. Lucie County has announced its plans to spend its first share of CARES Act funds, $13.8 million. The county has about the same population and number of positive COVID cases as Escambia and is eligible to receive about $55.5 million. Of the $13.8 million St. Lucie has already received, half will be spent on economic recovery and social services, $4.2 million each. Public health and constitutional officers will receive $2.8 million, and the remainder will be divided between municipalities and future expenses, $1.4 million each. According to St. Lucie's communications director, Erick Gill, the county looked at the formulas that the state recommended and what other counties had done to develop its allocations, but the formula can be modified. "Even at our board meeting Tuesday night when the board approved the plan, they made it clear that this is flexible," said Gill. "Three weeks down the road, if we see maybe the business community doesn't need it as much, or maybe the municipalities don't need that 10%, maybe we knock that down to 8%, and we put two more percent into residential assistance." Last week, the county announced a Phase 1 plan, under which residents could receive up to $4,000 to pay for bills but would have to show proof of past-due bills. Any St. Lucie County resident who has suffered a reduction or loss of wages caused directly by COVID-19 and who earns less than 120% of the area median income for the size of their household is eligible to apply. Gill said there had been considerable debate over setting the maximum at $4,000

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per household. He said, "But we went with the $4,000 because-especially in our area based off of rent and mortgages, we wanted to try and have it be impactful." The next phase will focus on the business community. "We're working with our partners—the Economic Development Council, CareerSource and the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce—to help us with that end," he said. "We're hoping they'll take the lead on setting up the application process, although we may need to get involved because they just don't have the infrastructure in place like we have."

LOCAL INPUT

Murzin would like to see Escambia County invest in the long-term, thinking of ways to better prepare the county for future disasters and maybe another pandemic. "Doing things like temperature-checking equipment for government facilities, so people feel comfortable when they're going to meetings again," he said, "rapid testing in homes and hospitals so when I get tested, I'll know my results within a day or so, rather than it's going to take me a week to get." With more students doing their classwork over the internet and adults working virtually, he believes the WiFi capability needs to be expanded throughout the county. "Take our community centers, fire stations, police stations, the sheriff's office, wherever we have public facilities; let's wire the WiFi, so it works in the parking lot," Murzin said. "So if there's another problem, when Johnny has to take a Chromebook home, he can do some work. It's not the prettiest situation. You're sitting in a car. But you're somewhere, and you're able to work on your laptop computer for a little while." He would like to see PPE made readily available for businesses. Let the Emergency Operations Center purchase the supplies and set up the chambers of commerce as distribution points for small businesses. "I need 100 masks. I need gowns or face shields, whatever they are," said Murzin. "The distribution needs to be a little wider because right now, you got to fight it out over the internet to find that stuff." Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May would like to see funds to enhance the virtual opportunities at community centers. He told Inweekly, "We need to offer various virtual classes for our after-school programs, like art, music and dance. We should also do virtual job training sessions." FloridaWest CEO Scott Luth would like to see grants given to those businesses that have closed or been forced to operate at reduced capacity because of the pandemics, such as bars, music venues and restaurants.

"We can't pay the profit they would've made, but damn well should be able to cover their mortgage, utilities and other fixed operational costs." Scott Luth "We can't pay the profit they would've made," said Luth, "but damn well should be July 16, 2020

able to cover their mortgage, utilities and other fixed operational costs." Nick Zangari, owner of the popular downtown Pensacola bar New York Nick's Badlands, agrees. He told Inweekly, "What I'm trying to say is that if they're going to shut us down and keep us closed without any certainty of when we can reopen, then we should be at the top of the list (for grants)." He added, "They've got to help the bars, breweries, music venues and restaurants because they have zero recourse besides getting a loan—and most have burned through their savings and lines of credit." Luth also suggested establishing a fund for workers quarantined or laid off because of COVID-19. He said, "I would use the nonprofits that are in place and have programs to pay for rent, mortgages, utilities and other basic necessities, like United Way. Give them the funds and the criteria and let them handle the grants."

"People are struggling to pay their basic bills. We need to help them make ends meet." Lumon May Commissioner May agreed with Luth, "People are struggling to pay their basic bills. We need to help them make ends meet." With the CARES Act helping businesses and residents pay their utility bills, Luth would then go to the utilities and ask them to discount their outstanding bills. He explained, "If the government is providing the money, we should ask utilities to help." Luth's other suggestions included having the county set up more testing sites that contract with labs for a quick turnaround on results, installing infrared temperature scanners at government buildings and making face coverings mandatory for all businesses seeking grants.

COVID BALLSY PLAN

Escambia County has $57 million to provide relief from the COVID pandemic. Our approach in spending the federal dollars is to focus on what will help our economy recover the fastest and not leaving behind the neighborhoods and small businesses that have too often been left behind in a crisis. •ALLOCATION We like how Orange and St. Lucie counties have allocated their CARES Act funds with about two-thirds going to help households and small businesses recover. For the first distribution of funds, we recommend the following allocation: •Household Assistance: $4.77 million •Small Business Financial Assistance: $4.77 million •Public Safety and Health Expenditures: $4.76 million Total: $14.3 million We need the majority of the funds to get into the hands of residents and business owners as soon as possible. Any distributions to the city of Pensacola and replenishment accounts can be done when the state sends Escambia the remaining $42.96 million. The budget needs to be flexible so that

these allocations can be adjusted as people and businesses submit their applications. •HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANCE FUND We like the St. Lucie assistance plan but set the grants at a maximum of $3,400 per household. The households must show that they've lost income because of the pandemic and business shutdowns and provide copies of their past due bills. Any unemployment checks will be counted as income. Households that earn less than 120% of the area median income for the size of their household are eligible to apply. If every grant was the maximum, the Household Assistance Funds would help about 1,400 households. We ask the county to use a nonprofit, like United Way of Escambia, to administer the fund, handle the application processing and make the distributions. Give United Way the $4.77 million and get out of their way. •SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUND The priority should be placed on local small businesses that been shut down, like bars, breweries and music venues, and those with less than 10 employees that have not received any federal or state funds or grants from Gulf Power or other entities. The funds can only be used for rent, mortgages, utilities and other operational expenses. The business will have to present their invoices. If they are partially open, they must agree to adhere to the CDC guidelines and state orders, especially face masks. The grants will be up to $10,000 each. The University of West Florida Small Business Development Center can administer the program, but the panel shouldn't be the usual group of bankers they have review applications for SBDC. We would prefer a more diverse and community-minded selection committee similar to the one used by the Studer Community Institute. •PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH EXPENDITURES The primary concern we hear from Inweekly readers is the need for more testing, especially testing sites that can provide rapid turnaround on the results. Business owners need a place they can send their employees. First responders also need a location where they are given a priority. Orange County hands out face masks and sanitizers to the public at its testing sites. Escambia County should do the same. County Administrator Janice Gilley has pushed back Commission Chair Steven Barry's request to make COVID testing more readily available at the county's clinic. It appears only a fraction of the county staff have been tested. The commissioners should overrule the administrator and make it happen. We would like Escambia County to create packets of free Personal Protective Equipment, like Orange County. Each PPE kit includes 200 disposable facemasks, 15 cloth masks and 20 bottles of hand sanitizer. The aim would be to serve 5,000 small businesses with one million masks and 250,000 bottles of hand sanitizer. As Dave Murzin said, small businesses shouldn't have to "fight it out over the internet to find that stuff." The county should have code enforcement officers certify local businesses that follow the CDC guidelines and state directives,

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including face coverings for all employees and capacity requirements. Mask exceptions can be made for special needs, health conditions and young children like they have within the city limits. Businesses that follow the guidelines will be given decals for their locations. On July 2, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) launched its FRLA Seal of Commitment to show establishments have invested resources to ensure the establishment, staff and guests remain safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The county should follow the FRLA model. We also would like the county and city to install infrared temperature scanners in their buildings. Scott Luth told Inweekly, "In Asia, they've had this capability for months. Every building has infrared scanners similar to metal detectors with staff making sure

everyone who entered the building was below the temperature threshold." •FACE MASKS Our last recommendation is for the Escambia County Commission to mandate face masks inside county buildings, government vehicles carrying more than one person and private businesses. The evidence clearly shows that masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19—the more people wearing masks, the better. During the first eight days of July, Escambia County has had more new COVID cases than it did during the entire month of June. Hospitalizations have increased tenfold since mid-June. It's ridiculous and hypocritical for the county to spend $250,000 on a marketing campaign to "encourage" people to wear masks while the county administration and its employees thumb their noses at the CDC guideline. {in} BALLSY PLAN III (2006) 1. Reorganize the Pensacola City Council to Four Single-Member Districts and Mayor 2. Pensacola Annexation 3. Incorporate Perdido Key 4. Create Regional Port Authority 5. Free Wifi in Downtown Pensacola 6. Gulf Coast Internship Institute 7. Mid-Size Music Venue 8. Monorail Systems 9. Greater Pensacola Area Minimum Wage

PAST BALLSY PLANS BALLSY PLAN I (2004) 1. Downtown Pelicans Baseball Park 2. Hotel/Retail Complex on South Ninth Avenue 3. Exhibit Hall/Convention Center 4. Convert Port of Pensacola to Mixed-Use 5. Maritime Museum on Trillium Property 6. De Luna Park on Old Bayfront Auditorium Site 7. Amphitheatre on Trillium Property 8. Corporate Center on Trillium Property 9. Replace Main Street Plant With Water Park And Botanical Garden 10. Seville Entertainment District 11. New Downtown Public Library BALLSY PLAN II (2005) 1. More Downtown Parking Garages 2. Affordable Downtown Housing 3. Relocate Pensacola City Hall 4. New Public Library/Auditorium in Belmont-Devilliers 5. Open Palafox Place, Baylen and Spring Streets to Two-Way Traffic 6. Deed Pensacola Beach Property to Leaseholders 7. Four-Lane Express Overpass Over Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach 8. Eliminate Santa Rosa Island Authority and ECUA 9. Give Bed Tax Collections to the Arts and Festivals 88

BALLSY PLAN IV (2007) 1. Privatize Government Functions 2. Sell Sanitation Operations to ECUA 2. Let Each Fire District Vote on its Funding Source 3. Spend More on Libraries and Public Health 4. Measure Local Governments’ Performance 5. Re-Examine Density Requirements within City Limits 6. Consolidate Escambia County and Pensacola BALLSY PLAN V (2008) 1. Lobby for Strong Mayor 2. Build the Community Maritime Park 3. Reduce the Size of City Government 4. Appoint Task Force to Study City Pensions 5. Improve Public Education in Downtown And West Pensacola 6. Mandatory Curbside Recycling Provided for All Residences BALLSY PLAN VI (2009) Created a Community Scorecard BALLSY PLAN VII (2010) Rest of the Best recapped earlier ideas BALLSY PLAN VIII (2012) 1. Move Visitor Center and Chamber to Maritime Park 2. Convene Special Grand Jury on School Safety 3. Build Less Generic Habitat Houses 4. Revitalize Neighborhoods From Within 5. Bring Back Primary Runoffs 6. Create Pensacola Promise Scholarship Program 7. Resurrect Consolidation Commission 8. Design Your Own City Park Competition 9. Drop Pensacola Beach Bridge Toll inweekly.net

July 16, 2020

front of Mr. Matuse followed that direction. And for whatever reason, Mr. Mathias decided that he was going to make a run at the crowd."

"The car in front of Mr. Matuse followed that direction. And for whatever reason, Mr. Mathias decided that he was going to make a run at the crowd." Chris Klotz

Matt Gaetz / Courtesy Photo (gaetz.house.gov)

GAETZ AND CONFEDERACY Last week, Congressman Matt Gaetz took a slap at Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson and his staff for recommending the removal of the Confederate monument in downtown Pensacola. Gaetz tweeted, "Pensacola has been long known as the City of Five Flags. How many of them will survive this time of mob cancel culture & political weakness?" Mayor Robinson wasn't bothered by the congressman's rare foray into city politics. The mayor told Inweekly, "Last time I checked, there's still five of them flying. I don't know, maybe I'll have to go down there. Maybe Matt's right; maybe we took a couple of them down, but I thought there were five still flying." STAND YOUR GROUND The attorneys

for Jason Uphaus, the man arrested for falling on the hood of an SUV which tried to drive through a crowd of protesters at the base of the Chappie James Bridge, have filed a motion to dismiss all charges against him based on Florida's Stand Your Ground law. The motion filed by attorney Chris Klotz states that the driver of the car, Nathan Matusz, was using the SUV in a way that physically threatened the life and safety of the protesters. The threat, along with case law that gives citizens the right to protect themselves while standing in the street, triggered Florida's Stand Your Ground law and gave Uphaus the right to defend himself and his fellow protesters, 010 1

by laying on the hood of the car instead of being run over. In the motion, Klotz also asserts that the driver of the car, Matusz, has a history of ignoring police instructions and careless driving. Given recent news reports of protesters being intentionally targeted and run over by automobile drivers, the importance of protecting citizens from aggressive drivers is even more urgent. Uphaus told Inweekly that he went to the protest concerning the death of George Floyd to "support the protest, support my neighbors and try to fight injustice." He added, "And if anything happened, to try to be there to basically use my body as a shield." He shared that he was aware of vehicles being driven into crowds at other protests around the country. "In all honesty, it kind of was in the back of my mind at this point," said Uphaus. "I saw a report the other day that said 66 incidents of cars running into protesters…Luckily, my son wasn't with me—the first day he wasn't. I just had a bad feeling about that day." When Matusz drove into the protestors, the group had moved to the base of the bridge to block traffic for the exact time a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on the neck of Floyd. A Pensacola police officer directed traffic away from the protestors. "Mr. Matuse decided to disobey the police officer that very clearly was giving directions to people to make a U-turn away from the crowd," said Klotz. "The car in

Uphaus is disabled and walks with a cane at times said his military kicked in he when he saw Matuse's SUV. "A soldier's job is to stop any vehicles from hurting the group," he said. "But of course in the military, the solution would be if they don't stop, you shoot them. But in the civilian world, I was hoping that just standing there would be enough." Klotz added, "You can see in the video that Jason was standing absolutely still when Matuse came up to him and ran into him with the car—literally physically pushed him backwards." "When he started accelerating, I didn't have a choice," said Uphaus. "It was either over or under, and there's only one good option there." He insisted that he didn't jump on the vehicle. He climbed on the tall vehicle as it pushed him backward. "I've had to get surgery and I have osteoporosis," said Uphaus. "There's no way I would do that intentionally because, more so than normal, that was an extremely dangerous situation."

MASK-LESS COUNTY Escambia County

is one of only five counties with over 3,500 COVID-19 cases that doesn't require its employees to wear face masks. County Administrator Janice Gilley has no intention of joining the 10 counties that do. At her first press conference since April 1, Gilley refused to change her policy, despite an uptick in cases in public safety, corrections and human resources. "What we've done is we've asked county employees when they can't physically distance from others to make sure that they protect themselves," she said during the Friday, July 10, virtual presser. "No, we've not mandated it, but most of our employees do have offices in which they can work, which means they are segregated from the other employees. And then those that do ride in vehicles together, we are making sure that they wear a face mask if they are in a closed confined space." Gilley said some of her employees have complained about difficulties in wearing face coverings. She said, "We are doing our

best to make sure that we are being very respectful of each other's distance and space. And so that's why it hasn't been mandated." Even though county corrections had 119 inmates and nearly three dozen staff infected with the virus, as of Monday, July 13, Corrections Chief Rich Powell said at the presser that he hasn't mandated masks for his jail staff. He said, "It's highly encouraging our staff—the majority, if not all—are participating, and the same thing with the inmate population. The expectation is if they're transported out of their housing unit, that they'll put a mask on." On Thursday, July 9, Powell had to suspend his prisoner road crews because someone hadn't followed his "expectation," leading to an infection in the county's road camp. When asked how effective her $250,000 marketing campaign to encourage residents to "mask up" would be if they see her employees not wearing masks in county buildings, Gilley said, "I'm not completely convinced that they're going to go in there and not see employees wearing masks. But I also know that we have put where we have the citizens coming in to meet with our employees … we've put up these, what I would say, Plexiglass barriers." She added, "We've encouraged masks, and we've encouraged folks to do what we said and avoid those three C's. And I think the education piece of this is one of our main issues that we're trying to get across. And if you're not comfortable, we would definitely make sure that we provide other ways for the citizens to be able to work with our employees." One director has required his staff to wear face masks when in public—Gilley's new public safety director, Jason Peters, whose favorite phrase when he discusses COVID precautions is "leaning forward." Inweekly asked him if he believed wearing face masks was considered "leaning forward." "I'll speak to the public safety crews," Peters replied. "I would consider that to be yes because we're worried about their health, safety and welfare."

JAIL COVID HYGIENE During the Friday, July 10 presser, Corrections Chief Powell explained the virus infections will reduce the inmate workforce used in roads, grounds maintenance, community landfill, the services "for a period of at least 14 days." He praised his jail protocols for discovering the infections among inmates. Powell said, "The biggest thing is that we continue to elevate our cleanliness. Now we're in our observation stage of just officers observing the inmates looking for additional medical concerns that may present." Inmates have told Inweekly a different story. Infirmary personnel don't wear masks or gloves with they check inmates' inweekly.net

blood pressure. Prisoners aren't given supplies necessary to keep their cells and common areas clean. We will have more on this in our next issue.

SUPERINTENDENT FINALISTS On Thursday, July 9, the Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee chose its top 10 favorites to be the next Escambia County School superintendent. The only local making the cut is the current Escambia County School District director of Human Resource Services, Keith Leonard. The top three candidates chosen were Dr. Earl Johnson, executive director of Leadership and Operations for Flagler County School District; Dr. Brian Binggeli, superintendent of the Plano, Texas, Independent School District; and Dr. Vincent Cotter, cofounder of the Exemplary Schools Organization based in Bradenton, Fla. At its next meeting, the advisory committee will further explore the work history, accomplishments and references for each of the 10 finalists. RETURN TO PHASE 1 In a letter to John

L. Miller, chief judge for First Judicial Circuit, the Society of the Criminal Defense Bar has asked that the court system return to Phase 1, which would restrict most proceedings to virtual meetings. The society pointed out that at least two assistant state attorneys are currently self-isolating due to direct exposure to the coronavirus. At least one of the group's members tested positive for coronavirus this week and is currently hospitalized— "Over the past few weeks, several of our members have had to self-isolate due to exposure to positive clients or family members or because they developed COVIDrelated symptoms." The society argued that the court system and Escambia County don't meet the guidelines for reopening the courtrooms. "Overall, it is our impression that Es-

cambia and Santa Rosa no longer meet the benchmarks for Phase 2 operation," wrote the group. "We respectfully request that the Court provide the public with an analysis of where Escambia and Santa Rosa counties currently stand regarding the five benchmarks, similar to the break down contained in the June 4, 2020, administrative order."

"Overall, it is our impression that Escambia and Santa Rosa no longer meet the benchmarks for Phase 2 operation." Anonymous The attorneys said that they requested the court two weeks ago that out-of-custody non-adversarial hearings, such as docket days and plea days, be held remotely in order to limit appearances in court. They received no response. "There are now outbreaks of COVID-19 cases in the Escambia County Jail, the Santa Rosa County Jail and the Walton County Jail," wrote the society. "Without defendants appearing in courts, the majority, if not all, adversarial or evidentiary hearings cannot be held. Bench trials cannot be held. There are currently no jury trials. Short of a plea, little is being done on a case at docket days and plea days." They added, "Based upon the current surge of COVID-19 cases in our community and in our jails, we respectfully recommend a return to Phase 1 operations until this surge subsides. We would not be the first county in the state of Florida to make such a decision."

PARK SELECTION PANEL Studer

Properties has a contract with the city of Pensacola to make recommendations on how to develop the remaining parcels at the Community Maritime Park. Last week, the company announced to the panel that

it would evaluate requests for proposals to implement the community-based master plan that was developed for the area by Studer Properties. Over the next few weeks, this selection panel will review the proposals as well as interview the competing firms. The committee will then make its final recommendations, with the goal of presenting the recommended development team(s) to the city council in August. Andrew Rothfeder, who is leading the Studer Properties effort and is part of the selection panel, noted the importance of this next step in the development process. "Our selection committee members represent a wide variety of experience and expertise," said Rothfeder. "They all share a commitment to making the Pensacola area a great place to live, work, play and learn. The remaining panel members are Tia Robbins, Mort O'Sullivan, Marina Khoury, Pastor Lonnie Wesley, Jeff Carrico, Michelle Snow and Ashton Hayward. Tia Robbins is the co-founder and development director of Mr. Robbins Neighborhood, an organization that creates opportunities for underserved studentathletes in the greater Pensacola area. In 2017, Mort O'Sullivan retired as the managing member of the Gulf Coast Region of Warren Averett, LLC CPAs & Advisors. A longtime resident of Pensacola, he has served on various boards including the University of West Florida Board of Trustees and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. Marina Khoury returns to the project as a panelist after being one of the lead members of the West Main Master Plan project through the DPZ CoDesign. In April of last year, Khoury and her colleagues conducted a week-long public input session where the public came to give their thoughts on what the site should be. Pastor Lonnie Wesley, of the Greater Little Rock Baptist Church, has served in

various community organizations including Baptist Health Care, Achieve Escambia, First Tee of Escambia County and United Ministries. Wesley is a long-time Pensacola resident who grew up in the Brownsville community. Jeff Carrico is the chief operations operator of White-Spunner Construction, Inc, based in Mobile, Ala. He has been with the company since 1993 and led the historic renovation of the Battle House Hotel and the Van Antwerp Building, both in Mobile. Michelle Snow is a former WNBA star and Pensacola native. She also holds a psychology degree and uses her voice to help businesses unlock their full potential. Former Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward now serves as the president of the Andrews Research & Education Foundation. Before serving as mayor, Hayward spent several years in the real estate development business.

ALL LIVES SPLATTER On Monday, July

6, in Bloomington, Ind., a driver of a red Toyota accelerated into a crowd of dispersing Black Lives Matter demonstrators, injuring two of them. According to the New York Times, the demonstration involved several hundred people marching through the town that's home to Indiana University. The marchers demanded the arrest of a small group of men who had threatened a Black civil rights activist. Video of the attack showed a woman clinging to the car's hood and a man clutching the driver's door handle as the vehicle zoomed forward. In early June, a driver hit one demonstrator's bicycle with a truck in Richmond, Va., prosecutors said. The driver, who was charged with assault, told the police he was a high-ranking Ku Klux Klan official, court documents said. In Seattle, a deputy has been placed on administrative leave after posting a picture of a vehicle hitting someone under the phrase "All Lives Splatter." {in}

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July 16, 2020

PENSACOLA VOTES:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Yep, another primary. This time, voters will head to the polls (or vote by mail) to pick candidates running for contested seats in local elections. We'll cover the offices up for election in local primaries and give a survey of candidates soon, but our main focus this week is the upcoming July 20 deadline for registering to vote or changing your party affiliation ahead of the August primary. According to Florida Statute 101.021, Florida is a closed primary state. Here's the full statute—“Elector to vote the primary ballot of the political party in which he or she is registered. In a primary election a qualified elector is entitled to vote the official primary election ballot of the political party designated in the elector's registration, and no other. It is unlawful for any elector to vote in a primary for any candidate running for nomination from a party other than that in which such elector is registered." What that means is only voters who are registered members of a certain political party may vote for respective party candidates or nominees for an office during a primary election, including a presidential preference primary like we had earlier this year. So in addition to making sure you're registered on time, some people might be interested in changing their party affiliation in order to vote for a particular candidate or in a particular race. Voters in Escambia County, District 3, for example, should note that the races for ECUA District 3 and Escambia County Commission District 3 will only be open to registered Democrats.

KNOW YOUR BALLOT

How do you know if you want to change your party affiliation based on what you'll get to vote on next month? For starters, find out what will be on (and not on) your ballot. The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office offers local voters a wealth of resources on their website, escambiavotes.com. We'll be relying on tools and data from Supervisor David Stafford's office throughout this project. One of those resources is the chance for registered voters to see their sample ballot for any upcoming election, usually about 30 days prior to the election. Once you're registered or have updated your information, reference this tool to see exactly what will be on your ballot come Aug. 18. You can find this resource at escambiavotes.com/sample-ballots.

CURRENT VOTER STATS

Talking about party affiliation also got us curious about the demographic breakdown of current registered voters. There tends to be an unspoken mentality that Republicans make the majority by a landslide, but that's not entirely true. As of June 30, 2020, Escambia County Supervisor of Election reports 223,357 total registered voters. That's a cumulative increase of 10,370 voters since the 2018 general election. Here's how those numbers currently breakdown by political parties. •Republican: 99,187—44.41% •Democrat: 75,515—33.81% •NPA: 45,568—20.40% •Minor Parties: 3,087—1.38% In addition to that breakdown, we also looked into voter turnout—because that's what really matters. Based on voter data from the 2018 general election in Escambia County, the 66 and up age group had the most registered voters, almost 50,000 or nearly twice as many as the next group. Voters aged 18 to 25 come in second, with nearly 25,000 voters. No other voting age group between ages 26 to 65 broke the 20,000 registered voter mark. Here's the thing though—just because people register doesn't mean they actually turn out to vote. Voters between the ages of 18 to 35 had less than a 50% turnout in the 2018 general election. Turnout didn't breach 50% until the 36 to 40 age group, with voters over the age of 56 having 70% to nearly 80% turnout in the 2018 general election in Escambia County. It's important to remember that registering to vote is just the first step in this process. We encourage everyone who is eligible to vote to register and then follow through to get their ballots in for the Tuesday, Aug. 18, primary. And as these numbers show, it really is anyone's ballgame if turnout increases. Pensacola Votes is a nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement guide developed by the team at Inweekly to empower local voters to show up and stay focused. In a period where many of us are looking for ways to get involved and make a positive impact, Pensacola Votes will bring you educational resources to help you help your community. Got questions? Send them to us at pensacolavotes@gmail.com, or send us a direct message on Instagram—@pensacolavotes.

KEY DATES JULY 20—Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline AUG. 10—Primary Election Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Deadline AUG. 18—Local Primary Elections OCT. 5—General Election Voter Registration Deadline OCT. 24—General Election Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Deadline NOV. 3—General Election 212 1

inweekly.net

WEEK OF JULY 16-22

Arts & Encouragement hope, help and other signs of humanity at a time when we really need it...

So You Think You Need a Budget? By Stephanie Sharp

Between standard bills and unplanned living expenses, anyone's budget can get a little unwieldy from time to time, especially right now. The additional stressors of economic uncertainty from the pandemic have reminded us all that being "bad with money" is not always a direct reflection on someone's personal efforts regarding finances. You might also be looking at budgeting in a brand new way this summer—accounting for lost or decreased income or trying to follow through on your commitment to support Black-owned businesses or avoiding common "budget-friendly" brands that exploit prison labor. Taking these facts into account, while still staying in the lane of this article, it's important to remember that people's "money mindsets" are not the root cause of most of their money issues. The stability and security you need to save an emergency fund, stop living paycheck to paycheck, pay off debt and invest in your vision of financial freedom and/ or success were already more accessible to certain demographics in this country than others before 2020 came barreling through our collective reality. Keeping all of those things in mind, we decided now is as good as time as any to talk about personal budgeting. Let's face it—just as there are different diet and exercise choices, there needs to be more space in the financial world for people who are figuring out what is healthiest for their financial lifestyle. It's also important to remember that a healthy relationship to money and spending is similar to a healthy relationship to food and exercise. There's plenty of

advice out there, but there really is no magic bullet because financial situations vary from person to person throughout different phases of our lives. Going all-in with this health and wellness analogy, we broke down all of the suggestions and plans to explore by intensity level. It's also important to remember that while someone might have a life experience you can relate to (living on a low income, paying off hefty loans, etc.) it's rare—but not impossible—that you come across a blogger or influencer who's truly an experienced financial expert. Approach all experiments with caution and be sure to seek out professional advice when appropriate.

BAD WITH BUDGETING?

Yeah, me too. Personally, I've tried a lot of stuff, from cash envelopes to moneymanifesting meditation, with varying degrees of success. Luckily, there are plenty of resources out there, and most budgeting programs nowadays will do the important calculations for you. You just have to decide what your goals are before getting started. The key with a good budget is to set specific goals and get as honest as possible about where your money is going. INTENSITY LEVEL: HIGH The name of this app says it all—YNAB, You Need A Budget. Don't be fooled though, this powerful platform is not a set-it-and-forget-it sort of system. You'll learn concepts that are somewhat unique to the YNAB approach, but the fresh perspective on common budgeting pitfalls

makes it a great option if you need a budget. It's the behavior modification that really brings the success with this system. For more on YNAB, visit youneedabudget.com. INTENSITY LEVEL: MEDIUM Maybe you're not even really sure where to start with your budget. Kristin Wong's book, "Get Money," is an approachable and accessible survey of key personal finance concepts with lots of quick exercises throughout to help you get a handle on what your fixed versus variable expenses break down to and how to determine what's actually a true emergency you can use an emergency fund to cover. For more with Wong, visit kristinwong.com.

"The key with a good budget is to set specific goals and get as honest as possible about where your money is going." INTENSITY LEVEL: LOW If you're like me and can't be trusted for long-term followthrough, you should check out The Budgetnista's "One Week Budget." Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche has an approach that will get you through the major phases of building a budget quickly and give you a way to easily maintain it in the long term. There are a few free chapters available on her website if you want to try out her approach before investing in the book. For more with Aliche, visit thebudgetnista.com.

STRUGGLE WITH OVERSPENDING?

Depending on your personal relationship to spending, you can go as big as a yearlong shopping ban to a few weeks of a "spending diet." It's a question of moderation and priorities. Going back to the health and fitness analogy—do just want to train to jog the McGuire's 5K and earn a beer? Or do you want to train for a triathlon? There really is no wrong answer, but what you decide should inform your choices going forward. INTENSITY LEVEL: HIGH In her book, "A Year of Less," Cait Flanders completed a yearlong shopping ban—that eventually extended to two years—to curb her shopping habits and get control of her spending. Her memoir is a great example of how your spending habits can become an extension of a holistic approach to a more mindful life. For more with Flanders, visit caitflanders.com. INTENSITY LEVEL: MEDIUM If a shopping ban seems overwhelming, you can try a spending habit course like Sarah Von Bargen's "Bank Boost" or Clever Girl Finance's "Savings Challenges Bundle" (which is free). Working through an eCourse is a great way to structure your habit change, plus it's easier to find a buddy to join you for an eCourse than just promise to hold each other accountable. For more on both of these plans, visit yesandyes.org and clevergirlfinance.com. INTENSITY LEVEL: LOW Track your spending on paper or in a spreadsheet. Commit to a week, or a month even, but keep it simple. {in}

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July 16, 2020

a&e happenings Attending "normal" events might not be happening yet—but that doesn't mean local businesses and nonprofits aren't still keeping the community connected in creative ways.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

DOGGIE BATHE-INS RESUME The Pen-

sacola Humane Society 2020 Doggie BatheIn season has begun, with proceeds going to fund its foster program and kitten supplies. Bathe-ins offer low-cost dog bathing and flea dips during the warm weather season. Events are held the third Saturday of the month, April through October, and continue as follows—July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19 and Oct. 17 Charges are based on the dog's weight and range from $8-$11. Please bring your own towels, or you may rent a towel for a $1 donation. Pensacola Humane Society is located at 5 N. Q St. For more information, visit pensacolahumane.org.

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE AT HARLEYDAVIDSON OF PENSACOLA Harley-

Davidson of Pensacola is partnering with ABATE of Florida, Inc. Gulf Coast Chapter for its Annual Backpack event to collect school supplies for students in Escambia County and Santa Rosa County. You can bring your Donations to HarleyDavidson of Pensacola, located at 6385 Pensacola Blvd., and enjoy the music, food and games on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3D Eats & Tea will be serving lunch,

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and Harley's Angels will be serving free beer and water. If you can't make it that day and want to donate, there will be a donation box at Harley-Davidson for your convenience. If you have questions or need more information, contact Danny "Roadrash" White at 418-3321.

ARTS + CULTURE

THE CANDLEMAKER AT ASHER AND BEE Learn to make your own candles and

infuse them with intention at this hands-on workshop. Learn to make your own all-natural candles at home using soy and beeswax and take your own candle home with you. Class is at noon on Saturday, July 18, at Asher and Bee Apothecary & Tea Room, located at 3014 N. Ninth Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/asherandbee.

MOVIE & FIREWORKS: MOANA

Community Movie Nights at Blue Wahoos Stadium return Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and include a special showing of Moana and a fireworks show. Children 12 and under, military members and seniors 65+ receive a ticket discount. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to sit on the field at Blue Wahoos Stadium to watch the movie on the stadium's videoboard. No group larger than 10 people will be permitted to sit together, and all separate groups will be required to sit a minimum of six feet apart in

accordance with local and state physical distancing guidelines. Masks are required in the ballpark but can be removed when eating or drinking and when sitting to enjoy the movie with proper social distancing maintained. For more information, visit bluewahoos.com.

You can also still enjoy virtual tours of exhibitions and collection highlights. For more information on both, visit pensacolamuseum.org and historicpensacola.org.

MUSEUMS UPDATES + NEW EXHIBITION Starting this week, the T.T. Wen-

"Keep it 100." In the award alcove are works from artists Randy New, and in the vault is pottery from Larry Manning. Dates of the show are now through July 23. For more information, visit artelgallery.org.

tworth and Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) are now open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Both museums are operating at limited capacity. In order to ensure social distancing guidelines are kept, visitors must reserve a $5 timed ticket online. The tickets are good for both museums for one day only. PMA also just opened a new exhibition— "A Question of When." It responds to the changing world during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Throughout history, art has played a unique and crucial role in times of change. Featuring works by Marc Chagall, Walker Evans, Joan Miró and other artists from the museum's permanent collection, "A Question of When" is a visual representation of the collective grief and ongoing sense of hope felt by many as this situation unfolds. The show represents over 100 years of art making across a variety of media. Other exhibitions on display at PMA include Poppy Garcia's "Bless Your Heart," the annual Members Show, and "DocuFlorida 3" and "Lessons in Ink" at T.T. Wentworth.

ARTEL GALLERY'S EXHIBITIONS ON DISPLAY Artel's latest exhibition is titled

OPERALIVE Pensacola Opera is keep-

ing patrons connected through their new online series OperaLIVE. Episodes typically include things like interviews and performances with artists, plus appearances by Pensacola Opera staff. For updates on new episodes or to watch past ones, visit facebook.com/ pensacolaopera. You can also subscribe to their channel on YouTube. Collection

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA "VIRTUALLY TOGETHER" Be sure

to follow Pensacola Symphony Orchestra on Facebook to see videos of orchestra musicians performing special works from their homes. To watch, visit facebook.com/ pensacolasymphony. for more listings visit inweekly.net

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July 16, 2020

▶rules Like we have every summer for the last 20 years, we’re asking you all to play favorites and vote in our annual Best of the Coast poll. Even though this July looks a little different, we aren’t going to let the pandemic cancel that tradition.

Just remember that each Best of the Coast cycle reflects the entire year, not just the voting period. So if one of your favorite places is closed right now, you can (and should) still vote for them. {in}

•No photocopies or faxes will be accepted. •Vote in at least 25 categories. Ballots with fewer than 25 will not be counted. •Ballots must be postmarked by July 31, 2020.

▶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 31 community, media & culture Best Nonprofit Best Charity Event Best Nonprofit Grant/Funding Program 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 Event 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 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 Reason to Pick up Inweekly 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 Best Music Venue Best Band Best Concert Best Place to Hear Free Music 616 1

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retail Best Car Dealership Best Motorcycle Shop 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 inweekly.net

Best Gift Shop Best Place to Buy Greeting Cards/Stationery Best Comic Book Store Best New Store Best Jeweler Best Surf/Skate Shop Best Nursery/Plants Best Hardware Store Best Computer/Tech Store Best Music Gear/Instruments Best Record Store Best Cigar Shop Best Liquor Store Best Wine Shop Best Wine Tastings Best Cooking Classes Best Grocery Store Best International Food Market Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Shop

weddings Best Place to Propose Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring Best Ceremony Venue Best Reception Venue Best Officiant Best Bridal Store Best Place to Rent a Tux Best Bridal Make-up Artist Best Wedding Hair Salon Best Wedding Hair Stylist Best Wedding Planner/Coordinator Best Wedding Photography Best Photobooth Best Wedding Videography Best Wedding Band Best Wedding DJ Best Wedding Caterer Best Wedding Cake Best Wedding Florist Best Wedding Rentals Best Wedding Party Transportation Best Place to Buy a Wedding Gift Best Place to Buy Bridesmaid Gifts Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner Best Place for Out-of-Town Guests to Stay

restaurants Best Restaurant Overall Best Restaurant–Downtown Best Restaurant–Cordova Area Best Restaurant–East Hill Best Restaurant–North Pensacola/Nine Mile Best Restaurant–West Pensacola/Perdido Key Best Restaurant–East Pensacola Heights Best Restaurant–Gulf Breeze Best Restaurant–Pensacola Beach Best Restaurant–Pace/Milton Best New Restaurant Best Bakery Best Breakfast Best Brunch Best Lunch Best Food Truck Best Greek Cuisine Best Mexican Cuisine Best Italian Cuisine July 16, 2020

Best Chinese Cuisine Best Japanese Cuisine Best Thai Cuisine Best Indian Cuisine Best Vietnamese Cuisine Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cuisine Best Sushi Best Gluten Free Options Best Seafood Best Steakhouse Best BBQ Best Soul Food Best Wine Menu Best Original Menu Best Chef Best Up-and-Coming Chef Best Wait Staff Best Waiter Best Waitress Best Coffee Shop Best Barista Best Outdoor Dining Best Place to Splurge Best Place to Eat Healthy Best Place to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Best Romantic Dining Best Place for a First Date Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant Best Salad Bar Best Take Out/To Go Best Food Delivery Best Restaurant for a Birthday Dinner Best Restaurant for Sports Fans Best Late Night Eats Best Restaurant to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Best French Fries Best Fried Chicken Best Wings Best Oysters Best Seafood Dish Best International Dish Best Salads Best Bowls Best Place to Buy Local Produce Best Vegetarian/Vegan Dish Best Desserts Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Best Cakes/Cupcakes Best King Cake Best Milkshakes Best Original Menu Item Best Lunch Specials Best Weekly Special Best Local Food Manufacturer Best Local Beverage Manufacturer

bars, drinks & nightlife Best Bar Overall Best Night Club Best Bar–Downtown Best Bar–Cordova Area Best Bar–North Pensacola/Nine Mile Road Best Bar–West Pensacola/Perdido Key Best Bar–Pensacola Beach Best Bar–Milton/Pace Best New Bar Best Happy Hour Best Drink Specials Best Ladies' Night Best Cover Charge Worth Paying

Best Gone-But-Not-Forgotten Restaurant

Best Day Drinking

food

Best Specialty Cocktails

*List the specific menu item if applicable

Best Daiquiris/Frozen Drinks

Best Uniquely Pensacola Dish

Best Bushwacker

Best Bagels

Best Bloody Mary

Best Cup of Coffee

Best Mimosa

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Best Martini

Best Latte

Best Selection of Wine

Best Iced Tea

Best Margarita

Best Juices/Smoothies

Best Signature Drink

Best Pizza

Best Selection of Beer on Tap

Best Steak

Best Selection of Bottled/Canned Beer

Best Burrito

Best Brewery

Best Taco

Best Local Beer

Best Soup

Best Bartender

Best Deli

Best DJ

Best Bread

Best Drag Queen

Best Sandwich

Best Sports Bar

Best Chicken Salad

Best Sports Team Club Headquarters

Best Cheeseburger

Best Neighborhood Bar

Best Hot Dog

Best Pet-Friendly Bar

Best Cheese Plate

Best Hotel Bar

Best Appetizers

Best Bar With a View

Best Mac-n-Cheese

Best Bar Ambiance

Best Pastries

Best Bar for Games

Best Omelette

Best Trivia Night

Best Grits

Best Karaoke Night

Best Donuts

Best Bar for Live Music

Best Specialty Toasts

Best Bar Food

Best Drink Menu

free will astrology WEEK OF JULY 16 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): "If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time," wrote Aries educator and activist Dorothy Height. This approach worked well during her 98 years on the planet. Her pioneering advocacy for African American women generated a number of practical improvements in their employment opportunities and civil rights. In accordance with the current astrological omens, Aries, I highly recommend her guiding principle for your use. You now have the power to ripen the time, even if no one else believes the time is ripe.

By Rob Brezsny

versatile, exploratory, and committed to expressing yourself purely in whatever ways make you comfortably excited.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): As a

Cancerian, you have a natural propensity to study and understand what author Margaret Atwood describes as "echoes and emptiness and shadow." I believe this aspect of your repertoire will be especially active and available to you in the coming weeks. For best results, regard your attunement to these echoes and emptiness and shadow as an asset, even a precious talent. Use it to discern what's missing or lost but could be recovered. Invoke it to help you navigate your way through murky or confusing situations. Call on it to help you see important things that are invisible to others.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): "Whatever inspiration is, it's born from a continuous 'I don't know.'" A wise and talented woman said that—Nobel Prize-winning poet Wisława Szymborska. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, it's excellent advice for you to embrace during the coming weeks. You're close to finding and accessing a mother lode of inspiration, and one of the best ways to ensure that happens in an optimal way is to make "I don't know" your mantra. In other words, be cheerfully devoted to shedding your certainties. Lose your attachment to the beliefs and theories you tend to overly rely on. Make yourself as empty and clear and spacious as you possibly can.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): "Time can turn a scab into a beauty mark," said actor and screenwriter Nia Vardalos. That's a rousingly poetic speculation—and more metaphorically true than literally. But I suspect that if it ever might have a useful and meaningful application to an actual human struggle, it will be yours in the coming months. In my view, you are in fact capable of harnessing the magic necessary to transform a wound into a lovely asset. Be bold and imaginative as you carry out this seemingly improbable feat—which is actually not improbable.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Gemini-

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Would you

born author Djuna Barnes (1892–1982) was a world traveler who wrote in several different genres, ranging from lesbian fiction to essays on boxing to plays that used poetic language. She was experimental and empirical and experiential. On one occasion, she voluntarily submitted to the force-feeding endured by hunger-striking suffragists so she could write about what it was like to be tortured. Another fun fact about Djuna—Every morning, she did up her hair and put her make-up on, then climbed into bed and wrote for many hours. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I recommend you draw inspiration from every aspect of her life—except the torture part, of course. The coming weeks will be a fine time to be

like to boost your mental and physical health in the coming weeks? Try this—Immerse yourself in the understanding that you're interconnected with everything in the world. Tell yourself stories about how the atoms that compose your body have previously been part of many other things. This isn't just a poetic metaphor; it's scientific fact. Now study this passage by science writer Ella Frances Sanders—"The carbon inside you could have existed in any number of creatures or natural disasters before finding you. That particular atom residing somewhere above your left eyebrow? It could well have been a smooth riverbed pebble before deciding to call you home. You are rock and wave and the peeling bark of trees; you are ladybirds and the smell of a garden after the rain."

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): It's a

favorable time to celebrate the fantastic privilege of being alive. Are you willing to believe that? Will you cooperate with my intention to nudge you in the direction of elation and exaltation? Are you open to the possibility that miracles and epiphanies may be at hand for you personally? To help get yourself in the proper mood, read this passage by Libran author Diane Ackerman—"The great affair, the love affair with life, is to live as variously as possible, to groom one's curiosity like a high-spirited thoroughbred, climb aboard and gallop over the thick, sunstruck hills every day."

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): '"Deciding to remember, and what to remember, is how we decide who we are," writes poet Robert Pinsky. That's useful counsel for you right now, Scorpio. You're entering a phase when you can substantially reframe your life story so that it serves you better. And one of the smartest ways to do that is to take an inventory of the memories you want to emphasize versus the memories you'd like to minimize. Another good trick is to reinterpret challenging past events so that you can focus on how they strengthened you and mobilized your determination to be true to yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): "A person must dream a long time in order to act with grandeur," wrote Sagittarian author and activist Jean Genet. "And dreaming is nursed in darkness." According to my analysis of your astrological omens, this is an apt description of what has been unfolding for you, Sagittarius—and will continue to play out for you in the next two weeks. If you're aligned with cosmic rhythms, you have been nursing your dreams in darkness—exploring and cultivating and learning from the raw creative energy that is simmering and ripening in your inner depths. Keep doing this important work, even if there are not yet any productive results. Eventually, it will enable you to "act with grandeur," as Genet said. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau said, "There are truths that one can only say after hav-

ing won the right to say them." In my estimation, you have recently earned the right to express a fresh batch of scintillating and useful truths. Please do us all a favor and unveil them—preferably with both candor and tact. In behalf of everyone who will benefit from your insights, I'm sending you congratulations for the work you've had to do on yourself so as to win them.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "After

you make a fool of yourself a few hundred times, you learn what works," testifies musician and singer Gwen Stefani. In my own life, I've had to make a fool of myself more than a few hundred times to learn what works. My number is closer to a thousand—and I'm still adding new examples on a regular basis. In the coming weeks, Aquarius, I highly recommend that you try what has served me and Gwen Stefani so well. You're entering a phase when your foolishness will generate especially useful lessons. Being innocent and wildly openminded will also be very useful.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): "It is

better to err on the side of daring than the side of caution," wrote author and futurist Alvin Toffler. While I hesitate to declare that idea to be absolutely and always true, I do recommend it to you in the coming weeks. Given the fact that you have recently been expanding possibilities and cultivating breakthroughs, I'd love to see you keep on pushing forward until you climax your momentum. To boost your courage, try to think of a crazy cry of exhilaration you might exclaim as you make your leaps, like "YAHOO!" or 'HELL YES!" or HERE I COME!" THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What's the best change you've experienced since the beginning of the pandemic?

freewillastrology.com

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

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news of the weird THE CONTINUING CRISIS The Cheyenne (Nebraska) County Commissioners vented their frustration on July 6 over an alarming threat posed by a native species in the state's panhandle. The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reported that commissioner Philip Sanders told the gathering that prairie dogs had caused almost $3 million in damage to 2,600 acres in the county, and pleaded with representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture: "We have a group here from Lodgepole. Their whole town is being surrounded by prairie dogs, and we heed your help." The county has contracted with the USDA to handle its animal control problems, but Sanders said the lone wildlife specialist charged with the task has been overwhelmed. "I feel like we've let Lodgepole down," Sanders said. "I don't want to eradicate (prairie dogs). ... I get it, but they're out of control." SIGN OF THE TIMES A statue of Christopher Columbus stands in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood, but if signers of a petition get their way, it will soon be replaced by a statue of Chef Boyardee. The petition, signed by hundreds, suggests Ettore (Hector) Boiardi, known for his "food and iconic mustache," would be a much better recipient of Cleveland's love, Cleveland.com reported. "Boiardi and his brothers built a canned food empire from the ground up," the petition argues, and "during World War II, this company produced canned food for American soldiers 24/7," earning Chef Boyardee a Gold Star in 1946. SURPRISE! Wynn Hall of Exeter, Nebraska, might have expected to find a few beer cans or old tires at the bottom of his farm pond when he drained it for maintenance on July 3, but he discovered something entirely different: an empty, broken ATM. "I thought, who would throw a refrigerator or a stove and put it in the pond?" Hall told KOLN. "I took a picture and zoomed in on it and thought, that looks like an ATM." When authorities arrived, they had a good idea of the source of the machine, since one had been stolen recently, but the numbers didn't match up. Hall said he didn't drain the pond last year, but didn't think the ATM had been there too long. "This is by far the strangest and I was really shocked to see it," Hall said. AWESOME! Paragliding instructor Hasan Kaval, 29, in Izmir, Turkey, took couchsurfing to a whole new level when he rigged a red leather couch, lamp and TV to a parachute harness and launched himself from a cliff at Babadag Air Sports and Recreation Center. United Press International reported Kaval videoed himself July 2 as he sailed over Oludeniz Beach on the couch, pulling out snacks and drinks, and kicking off his shoes to put on slippers as he settled in to watch cartoons. Kaval's rig landed safely, and he didn't miss any of his shows.

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

â€˘While Americans celebrated the Fourth of July by blowing stuff up, people in Seoul, South Korea, were surprised by an unannounced high-tech aerial display of encouragement and gratitude for medical personnel treating victims of COVID-19. AFP reported that 300 unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, lit up the sky for 10 minutes over the Han River on July 4 with messages about wearing masks, washing hands and socially distancing, then shifted focus to thank frontline health care workers. It ended with a silhouette of the Korean peninsula and the message, "Cheer up, Republic of Korea." The event was not advertised in advance in accordance with social distancing rules. DO IT YOURSELF Don Peters, 44, was arrested without incident on July 4, according to Akron, Ohio, police, after forcing his way around the counter at a Subway sandwich shop and making his own sandwich. According to police, Peters was intoxicated when he entered the store demanding a meal and became belligerent, damaging some plexiglass before charging behind the counter. Cleveland.com reported officers said they found a bottle of vodka and a block of Subway cheese in Peters' pockets; he was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal damaging and open container. LUCKY Nathalia Bruno, 24, of Newark, New Jersey, survived a harrowing mile-long ride through the storm sewer system under Passaic on July 6 after she drove into high water during a flash flood, NorthJersey.com reported. Bruno, a driver for DoorDash, escaped her car as it filled with water, but the current pulled both her and her car into the waterway that runs under the city, Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said. Bruno rode the wave until it reached its outlet above the Passaic River, where she was "shot out" and swam to a backyard on the other side. A homeowner called 911, and Bruno was taken to a hospital where she appeared not to be seriously injured. Her Toyota Prius was later found under a street the next day. THE PASSING PARADE Pennsylvania State Police received multiple calls on June 21 about a Mercedes-Benz driving in reverse on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during rush hour. Troopers arriving on the scene said they found Symara Cole, 27, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed out in the car with all the doors locked, WTAJ reported. A semi driver had stopped his rig behind her to prevent others from being harmed. First responders found that Cole was under the influence of drugs; pending charges include DUI and drug possession. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird ÂŠ 2020 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com July 16, 2020

Independent News | July 16, 2020 | inweekly.net