Inweekly july 2, 2015 issue

Independent News | July 2, 2015 | Volume 16 | Number 26 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers

outtakes

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5

news

buzz 8

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If there’s something other than slavery then I want to know what that something is..

a&e

cover story

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publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Jason Leger, Jennifer Leigh, Ben Sheffler, Chuck Shepherd,

BOC ballot 20

Shelby Smithey, T.S. Strickland 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. © 2015 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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winners & losers

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ASHTON HAYWARD Pensacola’s strong mayor joined the wave of conservative Republican leaders calling for the removal of Confederate flags from public property on June 25 when he ordered the replacement of the Confederate flag with the state of Florida flag in the city’s five-flag displays. Escambia County quickly followed his lead. The reaction from those who see the flag as part of their heritage has been loud and angry. We hope the mayor, Pensacola City Council and Escambia County Commission will hold firm.

U.S. SUPREME COURT The highest court in the land made two landmark decisions in June. The court upheld the insurance subsidies offered by Federal exchanges established under Obamacare. The Supreme Court also ruled that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry, forcing 14 states to join dozens of others—including Florida—where the unions have already been declared legal. In the 5-4 majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that marriage is "essential to our most profound hopes and aspirations," "sacred to those who live by their religions" and offers "unique fulfillment to those who find meaning in the secular realm."

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losers

RICK SCOTT Florida taxpayers are on the

hook for more than $1.5 million in legal fees because of the governor’s unsuccessful effort to force welfare applicants and tens of thousands of state workers to submit to random drug tests. A federal appeals court ruled in December that the state's mandatory, suspicionless drug testing of applicants in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program was an unconstitutional. The state last week paid $600,000 to the Florida Justice Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which represented a single father who sued the Department of Children and Families over the welfare drug-testing law.

RICK SCARBOROUGH Early last week,

the Texas pastor said he would “Burn, if necessary” to stop the Supreme Court from legalizing gay marriage. Twenty-four hours after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage, Scarborough explained that he wasn’t really going to set himself on fire. He was just using the words of a Christian spiritual to rally the troops. Yeah, right.

FLORIDA CABINET With no acknowledgment of guilt and little discussion, the Florida Cabinet has agreed to settle an open meetings lawsuit that will cost taxpayers more than $225,000 in legal fees. By accepting the deal, the Cabinet agreed to pay $55,000 in attorney's fees to those who brought the lawsuit and institute reforms to the Cabinet meeting procedures. Three members of the Cabinet paid at least $173,098 to defend against the open records lawsuit.

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE The Pensacola has a rich, patriotic heritage, one the runs much deeper than the “Stars and Bars” of a Confederate flag.

We are an American city that has played a major role in nearly every conflict with foreign enemies.

The Battle of Pensacola in 1781 had a huge impact on the American Revolutionary War. Spanish General Don Bernardo de Galvez led a massive Spanish land and sea force west along the Gulf of Mexico to seize Mobile and then Pensacola from the Great Britain.

Pensacola was critical because the British were establishing supply lines to their troops planning to attack George Washington’s army from the rear as he approached Yorktown.

Seizing Pensacola from a well-fortified enemy wasn't easy for Galvez. When his troops disobeyed his commands to enter Pensacola Bay after coming under fire from British cannons, the Spanish general steered his own vessel, amidst cannon fire, into the bay. He secured land south of Pensacola and ordered his fleet to follow his leadership.

His conquest of Pensacola destroyed Great Britain’s stronghold in the West Florida Province and made Washington’s decisive victory at Yorktown possible. Without Galvez’s victory, there might not be a United States.

During the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson led his troops against British and

Spanish forces controlling the city of Pensacola in Spanish Florida. The British abandoned the city, and the Spanish Governor, Mateo Gonzáles Manrique, surrendered Pensacola to Jackson.

Pensacola played a major role in both World Wars. Nearly a hundred years later when the U.S. Navy began to explore possibilities of naval aviation, it established its first aviation training station in Pensacola. During World War I, over a thousand naval aviators were trained here. When the U.S. entered World War II, NAS Pensacola began training 1,100 cadets a month.

Pensacola-trained pilots saw action in the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars. Marines have also trained at NAS Pensacola, several of which have been shipped directly from Pensacola to Iran and Afghanistan.

Patriotism runs deep here. When Commissioner Doug Underhill declared last year, his belief in only one flag flying over county buildings, I understood what he meant.

Pointing to the U.S. flag behind his seat in the commission chambers at the December meeting, Underhill said, “This is the flag that I wore on my uniform when I went into harm’s way. This is the flag that is draped over the coffins of our soldiers when they are returned home. This is flag that we all swear our oaths under. This is the flag of Escambia County.”

Yes, patriotism runs deep in Pensacola. {in}rick@inweekly.net

We are an American city that has played a major role in nearly every conflict with foreign enemies.

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CONFEDERATE CULTURAL CLASH

Confederate flags being painted on Graffiti Bridge / Photo by Jeremy Morrison

By Jeremy Morrison The Confederate flag has seen a lot of action as of late.

It’s an old debate. One with roots stretching deep into America’s painful past. And one being taken up with a renewed interest following the recent massacre of nine people at a historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina by a 21-year-old who draped himself in the Confederate flag and preached the gospel of American hate.

The conversation is nationwide. Even in the South, in places like South Carolina Mississippi and Alabama, places of legend and lore along America’s darkened back roads, places where the rebel flag is emblazoned on bumper stickers and belt buckles and boogie boards, the debate has reached a tipping point.

Seemingly swept up in a wave of selfreflection, multiple corporations are discontinuing the sale of merchandise adorned with the Confederate flag and public officials across the South are rethinking the Confederate flag’s placement in their official displays. Locally, officials in both the city of Pensacola and Escambia County have made moves to scrub the flag in the face of such national debate.

And the debate continues. Among public officials, in the halls of government, and on the street, among the people, at work or church, in restaurants and bars, by morning DJs on the radio—and at places like Pensacola’s graffiti bridge, where the debate plays out in spray paint.

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“It’s not for racism,” John Colvill said, as his compatriots busily painted a Confederate flag on the side of the bridge as passerby honked their horns, leaned out car windows and whooped in support, or conversely, shot middle fingers into the air in a show of disgust.

It was the group’s second session at the bridge. Their Confederate paintings of the previous evening had been quickly covered up by rainbow flags and messages espousing “unconditional love for all.”

A man sporting a rebel flag on his T-shirt arrived to help. Having just come from Cordova Mall, flying the flag in the parking lot, he reported many thumbs-ups.

“The Confederate flag is not just for whites being racist against blacks,” Colvill said. “It’s for any color and race.”

“We tried to explain,” Hunter Bardisa said, recalling the previous night when people had showed up to protest their bridge painting.

“Your forefathers came out here and fought for this. You live in Florida; they fought for you.”

A few nights prior, as Escambia County commissioners debated the flag, a young black woman had raised a question touching on this point: “I always hear people say history and heritage. My question is whatt history? What heritage? Because if there’s something other than slavery then I want to know what that something is, we need to talk about that.”

THE CITY OF ONE LESS FLAG

A week after the Charleston killings, Pensacola City Councilwoman Sherri Myers sent a letter to Mayor Ashton Hayward informing him

that she intended to propose an ordinance limiting flags flown by the city to the U.S. flag and the state of Florida flag.

“I don’t understand why the Confederate flag is acceptable,” Myers said later that day. “The Confederacy existed to preserve the institution of slavery.”

This is not a newfound, flavor-of-the-month passion for the councilwoman. She grew up in Montgomery, witnessed firsthand the uncivil Civil Rights Era, and has long railed against the flag.

“This isn’t a new idea for me,” Myers said. “I’ve been opposed to flying the Confederate flag since—well, I’ve never understood the reason for flying it.”

The city of Pensacola has not flown the Confederate battle flag in years, instead opting for the First National Flag of the Confederacy.

“The one that we’re using does not seem to inflame the same passion,” Councilman P.C. Wu said.

Myers finds that version of the flag, albeit less culturally popular, no more appetizing.

“It’s still a Confederate flag,” the councilwoman said. “I don’t know why we should fly the flag of the Confederacy or any other country.”

In addition to the Confederate flag, Myers’ sights were set on removing the Spanish, British and French flags that fly on city property as well. The city of Pensacola— known as the City of Five Flags—traditionally raises public displays of all five flags that have flown over the city at various times in its history.

“I don’t understand the use of flying other countries’ flags,” Myers explained. “Most countries do not fly the flags of their colonializer, yet we fly the British flag.”

Wu questioned the need for Pensacola to address any flag issue, Confederate or otherwise.

“Sherri may be solving a problem that isn’t there,” Wu said.

Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn questioned if tinkering with the city’s flag displays was the right path.

“I think we begin a process of censoring and saying ‘this is inappropriate,’” she said, also arguing that focusing on a flag should not be substituted for educating people about the

deeper issues bubbling beneath the surface of such iconography.

“If we don’t have a general education and understanding about the hate in America and how you can address these things, we are not dealing with the issue and simply taking away symbolism.”

Cannada-Wynn, an African-American, suggested the presence of the Confederate flag could help remind people of America’s struggles, both past and future.

“What it reminds me each and every day is that we should work toward the equality of all people,” she said.

Other city council members seemed more attuned to Myers’ thinking.

Council Vice President Larry B. Johnson said addressing the city’s use of the Confederate flag was “an uncomfortable conversation that needs to happen,” especially following the recent tragedy in Charleston.

“I think it’s timely to do it now, and I support Councilwoman Myers’ move,” Johnson said. “I’m sure that some people are going to be upset about them coming down, I just think it’s time and we should move on this.”

Council President Andy Terhaar was also supportive of the planned proposal— “obviously, the Confederate flag has a bad connotation with it”—and said he appreciated that it was not limited to just the Confederate flag.

“Let’s just go ahead and take’em all down,” Terhaar said, explaining that people have asked him about the city’s multiple flags before and suggesting that the U.S. and Florida flags would suffice. “I tell’em, ‘listen, we just need to say Pensacola is American, we’re an American city.”

As it turned out, the council didn’t have to wait to debate city’s flag displays.

On June 25, Hayward addressed the issue himself.

“Today, I directed City staff to remove the Confederate Flag from display at all City of Pensacola facilities and to fly in its place the flag of the State of Florida,” the mayor said in a prepared statement issued to the press. “While the Confederate Flag undeniably represents a part of Pensacola’s history, to many it is a painful symbol of racial hatred and intolerance. I proudly celebrate our great city’s rich history, but I do not believe that we are defined by our history alone. We will always be the City of Five Flags—but now is the time for us to turn our focus to our city’s bright future.”

Hayward did not address the city’s remaining extracurricular flags. City Public Information Officer Vernon Stewart said there had been a discussion at city hall about only flying the U.S. and state flags, but the mayor’s “main objective was for the Confederate flag to come down.”

Myers applauded the mayor but said she still planned to propose her ordinance in July.

“I don’t understand why the Confederate flag is acceptable. The Confederacy existed to preserve the institution of slavery.” Sherri Myers

inweekly.net

“I still think there needs to be an ordinance, so this flag is not placed up there again after Ashton,” she said, adding that she would change her proposal to mirror the mayor’s move and deal only with the Confederate flag.

DEJA VU REDO

Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May was discussing the flag issue with Hayward in the days leading up to the mayor’s decision. The commissioner—representing a largely African-American district—is a vocal critic of the Confederate flag and said Hayward was game for the conversation.

“I talked to the mayor about the importance of taking the flag down,” May recalled.

“He knew he would take some heat and he said, ‘I’m willing to take the heat and do the right thing.’”

Within hours of Mayor Hayward pulling down the Confederate flags on city property, Escambia County followed suit.

There was only one, at the Pensacola Bay Center. That flag was prefaced on the city’s historical five flags display, and thus so was its removal.

According to a resolution Escambia commissioners passed in March, historical flag displays in the county are based on such displays in Pensacola. The removal of the city’s Confederate flags triggered the removal of their county counterpart.

It was a win, but it didn’t taste quite right.

“We could have put this to rest in December,” said May. In December, county commissioners voted to remove the Confederate flag at the Bay Center. A couple months later they voted to hoist it back up. Spirited back-and-forth throughout.

And now, in the sorrowful shadow of Charleston and amid the sweep of other Southern jurisdictions making the call to ditch the flag, Escambia finds itself again delving back into the flag debate.

It’s not the way May would have liked to see it go down. It would have been nice to see such epiphanies locked down decades ago, or at least by last December.

“We certainly could have been ahead of this,” May said. “Instead, we’re reactionary.”

Following the city’s move, members of the public showed up at that night’s county commissioners’ meeting and requested the county stop piggybacking onto the city and that commissioners formalize the removal of the Confederate flag on county property with a resolution.

And they almost did, too. But Commissioner Wilson Robertson, who pushed for the display of the Confederate battle flag on county property in 2000, protested that the discussion should be tabled due to the absence of Commissioner Grover Robinson.

He also said the commissioners should consider more than the opinions presented to

“We certainly could have been ahead of this. Instead, we’re reactionary.” Lumon May

them by members of the public—overwhelmingly critical—present for the evening’s meeting.

“We have a group of citizens come out and we’re gonna bow down to their request and we’re not even thinking about the Sons of the Confederacy and the others and I could go on,” Robertson said.

Ultimately the commissioners agreed to hold off on formalizing the county’s removal of the Confederate flag until July when the full board will be present, but not before Commissioner Doug Underhill and Chairman Steven Barry unofficially pledged their support for May’s eventual resolution, seemingly sealing the three needed votes.

“If you want to call the question tonight, I’ll tell you I’ll support you,” Barry told May. “Tonight, tomorrow night, a thousand nights,” Underhill assured.

REBEL GRAFFITI

The second round of Confederate flag paintings on graffiti bridge attracted a curious crowd. Both in support and opposition.

Becki Bryce was there with her children, blowing Yemenite shofar horns, which she described as a Jewish practice meant to dispel evil. She said she came to blow the Yemenite horns in an attempt to “create unity in the city.”

“Basically, what we’ve come here to do is trying to scatter the spirit of the enemy,” Bryce said, looking over at the group painting on the bridge.

As the woman’s “beautiful multi-brown children” played on the slope of grass beneath the railroad tracks beside the bay, she

explained that she grew up in the South, but couldn’t grasp the attachment people had to the Confederate flag. She wasn’t sure her kids understood either, though she hoped they had at least an academic grasp of what was going down.

“I gave ’em a brief history lesson,” Bryce said.

A few minutes later one of the men painting on the bridge walked past the mother and her children. He noted her son’s sounding of the Yemenite shofar horn.

“Good job blowing that horn, boy,” he said.

“He’s not a boy,” Bryce said. “He’s a man of God.” Across the parking lot, some Pensacola police officers had gathered at graffiti bridge.

They asked if everything was all right.

“Last night there was a little problem,” Bardisa said, standing on the embankment beside the in-progress Confederate painting.

“I was here,” responded an officer.

The painters said they had expected their first Confederate flag graffiti to disappear quickly. They weren't deterred that the new renderings might be covered up in a matter of hours as well.

“And we’ll come back out here,” Bryan Ware said.

The Confederate flag camp at the bridge cited the recent removals of the flags on city and county property as their inspiration. They described the moves as misguided and the debate as off track.

“We want them to know it’s not about hate, it’s not about race,” Bardisa said. “It’s about pride. It’s about history.” {in}

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7

TALKING RACE RELATIONS With the

painful memory of the recent mass murder at a church in Charleston, South Carolina fresh in everyone's mind, Pensacola’s new police chief, David Alexander, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and Rev. LuTimothy May spoke about the relationship between law enforcement and the African-American community at the Panhandle TigerBay Club’s June meeting.

"I would say it's a strained and fatigued relationship," Alexander said. "When people become strained they become desperate, and when you become desperate you're going to have people overreact."

May said he can't assume that the relationship is better off now than ever before.

"I want to believe that. I want to hope for that, but I just believe it's been disguised for so long," he said.

While Morgan said there isn't a current or specific issue between law enforcement and the African-American community in Escambia County, the dialog and outreach should never stop.

"It will take, unfortunately, many, many years to correct it," he said.

Breaking down barriers, increasing accountability and responsibility, seeking the truth, and stopping the blame game were among the topics discussed as answers to questions submitted by attendees.

Alexander said the strained relationship is consistent across the country, but that Pensacola has been blessed it hasn’t experienced some of the situations other areas have.

"That doesn’t mean we should remain complacent, it means we should be proactive," he said.

For Alexander, action comes in the form of accountability and community policing. He said accountability should be 360 degrees, where there is personal, public and systemic accountability.

"One of the things about law enforcement is you have to deal with a lot of the failures in

other systems, and when those systems fail, relationships become strained and there's always a blame game," he said. "It doesn't become the cause of the crime, but it becomes a mitigating factor."

Alexander pointed to the BelmontDeVilliers neighborhood, which he said was once labeled a high-crime spot, as an example of what a police and community partnership can accomplish. In 2001, he was assigned to implement community policing strategies in the neighborhood. What started out negative ended up being a relationship-building process because the residents got some things off their chest, the Pensacola Police Department addressed the problems and the community was very supportive of them.

"When we got through building that relationship with the community and enforcing those quality of life issues that were in the neighborhood, Belmont-DeVilliers regained its value as a thriving African-American area of town," he said. "Every time I pass by BelmontDeVilliers, no matter what time of night it is or what time of day, I see sustained accomplishment that came from a policecommunity partnership."

Simply put, "You need to understand what the problem is in your neighborhood and get actively involved in solving that problem," Alexander said.

Similarly, Morgan pointed out that there are more than 130 neighborhood watches now, but there were only 13 when he took office.

When asked what law enforcement needs to do to improve the relationship, Morgan said, "Continue to find the right dialog, the right people to carry the message and also continue to invest in those programs that are going to pay dividends (such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and PACE Center for Girls)."

A barrier that Morgan said must be overcome is with young people, due to their everchanging dialog. He said that ensuring barriers

never get constructed in the first place is one of his prime jobs.

"Immediately, if you're over a certain age you have no connection with them," he said.

"Our techniques and programs...are ever changing and responsive to the needs."

May said it's easy to play the blame game, but it's time for everyone to take responsibility.

"We've got to stop pointing fingers at everyone else and start saying, ‘What is my role, how am I a part of the problem and how can I change that so that I can be a part of the solution?’”

The pastor cautioned against making assumptions about people. He even shared a story of when cops pulled guns on him while he was looking at property in a low-income neighborhood so that his father could purchase and rebuild it.

"The assumption that every young male in a particular area is there to do something wrong, that's an assumption and a bias that needs to be eradicated," he said. "Everyone is biased in some type of way, but when you allow your bias to bleed over into injustice, that's when we get into trouble."

All three leaders emphasized that individuals need to look in the mirror and make commitments to action.

Alexander said. "Hopefully, in our dialog with others, we can convince them that this is a time when we have to make personal commitments to making this community the type of place that's good for us who live here and that's good for people who will move here and that will visit here."

COUNTY REORGANIZES At the end of

June, Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown unveiled his reorganization plan for county staff.

Retiring Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons will be Brown’s assistant county administrator and will assume the job on August 1. Simmons will oversee community public

safety relations and coordination, firefighters both paid and volunteers, jail construction and public safety coordination and employee relations. Corrections Director Michael Tidwell, Public Safety Director Mike Weaver, Facilities Management Director David Wheeler and Building Services Director Don Mayo and their departments will report to Simmons.

Assistant County Administrator Amy Lovoy, whom Brown appointed earlier this year, oversees the Pensacola Bay Center, the county budget, contract management, property sales, purchasing and risk management. Her direct reports are Library Services Director Todd Humble, Information and Technology Director Shawn Fletcher, Waste Services Director Pat Johnson and Natural Resources Management Director Keith Wilkins.

Marilyn Wesley, director of Community Affairs, and David Musselwhite, information and technology director, will no longer work for the county.

The Public Information office will be reorganized due to the recent departures of Kathleen Dough-Castro, the county’s Public Information Manager, and Public Information Officer Bill Pearson. Both left the county for other jobs in the area, not as a result of the reorganization.

SCOTT CUTS LOCAL PROJECTS FROM BUDGET Governor Rick Scott released on

June 23 hisz line-item vetoes, totaling over $461 million.

He axed several earmarks for Northwest Florida, including $688,713 for City of Milton’s Riverwalk $688,713, $1 million for the National Flight Academy, $3 million for Pensacola International Airport, $50,000 for Re-Entry Alliance of Pensacola, $1.5 million for Whiting Aviation Industrial Park, $1 million for Muskogee Road freight corridor in Escambia County and $1 million for Project FOIL, an economic development project of the Pensacola-Escambia Economic Development Commission. {in}

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DIFFERENCE MAKERS UWF College of Education and Professional Studies honors second class of Emerge Scholars The University of West Florida College of Education and Professional Studies recently recognized seven students who graduated as Emerge Scholars this past spring.

“The CEPS Emerge Program affords opportunities for students to bridge theory to practice through hands-on experiences,” said Dr. William Crawley, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies. “Students apply their knowledge and develop their skills as they participate in high-impact experiences designed to prepare them for careers or advanced educational pursuits.”

Developed to assist CEPS faculty in designing and implementing quality high-impact practices for their students, the program aims to deepen student learning and engagement through collaborative assignments and projects, followed by structured critical reflection and presentation activities. By using a combination of techniques, these practices raise levels of performance, retention and success for all students who participate.

The Emerge Program is open to all UWF undergraduate and graduate students in the College, regardless of their major. Students who earned the distinction of Emerge Scholar in the 2014-2015 academic year include:

•Jacob Adams, Bachelor of Science, Hospitality •Nicole Beck, Bachelor of Science, Hospitality •Yolonda DuBose, Master of Social Work •Chad Eckert, Bachelor of Science, Physical Education •Paul Glass, Bachelor of Arts, History •Erin Haslag, Master of Social Work •Kayla Williams, Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education As part of the Emerge Program, the students were required to participate in at least two high-impact educational practices and complete reflection pieces, which they presented at events such as regional and national conferences. These conferences included the UWF Student Scholar Symposium and Emerge Faculty Fora held throughout the academic year. Students also gain exposure through study abroad programs, internships and student-faculty research projects.

To earn her designation as an Emerge Scholar, graduate student Yolonda DuBose completed an internship where she implemented a counseling program at a local private school for at-risk children. “This activity provided the chance to apply theoretical concepts that I learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. I proved that I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful in my career,” DuBose said. “I am proud to say that I am a UWF Emerge Scholar!”

Emerge Scholar Nicole Beck says she gained a real advantage by participating in the program. “I now have a better understanding of how much work and involvement is required in order to be successful,” said Beck.

During her time in the Emerge Program, Beck created job descriptions for Innisfree Hotels, designed a marketing plan for Wingate by Wyndham in Destin, and served in the Emerald Coast Campus Hospitality Club as the public relations chairperson.

“I was very privileged being apart of the Emerge Program, because it has taught me how to better manage my time while undertaking multiple projects,” Beck said. “The program has created numerous opportunities for me. I now can go out and apply for multiple jobs, knowing that I can show them all that I have to offer to help better their company.”

For additional information about the Emerge Program, visit uwf.edu/emerge.

Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer July 2, 2015

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inweekly.net

By Rick Outzen In the pre-Kickstarter era, starting something from nothing was a long shot. Most new ventures lasted no more than a few years. Few can say they survived hurricanes, an oil spill, a recession and attacks from the rich and powerful.

This newspaper published its first issue on July 1, 1999. Little did we know what the future held for us or that we would still be publishing 16 years later.

Over those years, Inweekly has celebrated, cried and fought side-by-side with its readers as we’ve all had to deal with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and tragedies. We’ve highlighted this community’s triumphs without shying away for its challenges.

Most of all, we are proud of the role we’ve played in this area’s progress and how we’ve added to the community’s rich heritage.

•Search For Identity: 1999-2003

During our first four years, we had four name changes—Pensacola Independent, Florida Sun, Independent Florida Sun and Independent Sun. We had five editors—Jody Isert, Cilia Brierley, Christine Born, Alice Crann Good and Duwayne Escobedo—and four art directors—Cecilia Newman, Amy Gavin, Cart Wedge and Tony Baker.

We had a steady stream of writers, columnists and interns. Our columnists included John Appleyard, Mike Wiggins, Liz Greenhut and Pam Huggins—not exactly a list that would attract younger readers.

Most of my time was spent fighting former Congressman Joe Scarborough over editorial control of the paper. However, we did produce several cover stories that gave a hint of what the newspaper would later become.

The day of the 9/11 tragedy we were set July 2, 2015

to go press. The entire staff watched on television as the second jet hit one of the Twin Towers and prayed for those trapped in their offices. We literally stopped the presses and completely reworked the entire paper, filling it with stories of how our community was responding to the terrorist attacks.

We were the first media to question how Commissioner W.D. Childers was running county government. In a fivemonth period, six county leaders resigned: County Administrator Tom Forrest, assistant administrator Bill Neron, acting administrator Gregg Welstead, county engineer Cindy Anderson, parks and recreation director Mark Thornton and county attorney David Tucker.

Childers was one of the most powerful leaders in the Florida Senate. Term limits had forced him out of the state legislature.

Few dared to question his strong-armed leadership tactics, but we didn’t hold back, earning a reputation for “no sacred cows.”

Late night votes at county commission meetings eventually led to Childers’ demise

and three other commissioners being indicted and removed from office. The county commission had voted to purchase the defunct Pensacola Soccer Complex for $3.9 million. According to the state's allegations, Childers was paid a bribe of $200,000 and, in turn, paid around $100,000 to fellow Commissioner Willie Junior.

Junior testified that Childers had given him a stainless steel "collard green pot" full of cash a few days after the county closed on the property.

In April 2003, Childers was found guilty of two charges of bribery and unlawful compensation. A year and half later, Junior went missing the day he was to be sentenced. He was found a month later dead under a house in Pensacola. His death was ruled a suicide.

After four years, Scarborough was ready for bigger stages. He brought imagination and political insights, and when I set aside my ego, I can appreciate his contributions. However, our battles were hurting the paper. Scarborough had tired of practicing law in Pensacola and fighting me. He left for MSNBC to host “Scarborough Country.”

I remained to figure out how to make the alt-weekly successful.

•The Angry Years: 2004-2007

On the morning of Sept. 16, 2004, I woke to find Hurricane Ivan had rocked most of south Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

The category 3 storm caused an estimated $13 billion in damage in the United States and killing 25, including 14 in Florida.

In five hours, seventy-five percent of our advertisers were put out of business, some never returned. The Independent News had to lay off most of its staff. We could have easily folded. Instead, we came back with new determination.

We became a leaner publication, dropping the hodgepodge of columns and regular features. We set up in a leaky, old yoga shop next to Psychedelic Shack in Warrington and hammered out issues on the failures of ECUA’s Main Street Sewage Plant, Taser abuse by local law enforcement and the death of Willie Junior.

Our reporting took on an edge. Tired of the “Good Old Boy” politics that held back Northwest Florida for too long, we fought for a better future for our community. We ruffled more than a few feathers.

In “SWF” (Independent News, Apr. 4, 2005), we challenged the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber to be more inclusive and more relevant to recent college graduations wanting to live in the area. The issue became the springboard for the Pensacola Young Professionals.

In “Death of Robert Boggon” (Independent News, Oct. 11, 2005), we told the story of an African-American truck driver who was found dead, naked and strapped to an emergency restraint chair in the Escambia Jail infirmary. Over the next 10 months, 11

Created initially on a cocktail napkin at the Atlas Oyster House, the "Power List” has become on the paper’s most anticipated, only topped by our “Best of the Coast” editions. It was preposterous that someone would ever dare to rank local leaders based solely on their influence and ability to get things done, but we dared to attempt it.

•National Attention: 2009-2012

two more prisoners would die. Sheriff Ron McNesby would later demand the termination of our editor Duwayne Escobedo for his “biased” reporting.

My response was “When (McNesby) stops killing people in his jail, we’ll stop writing about it.”

The paper was an early supporter of the Community Maritime Park, a publicprivate project proposed by Quint Studer, who owned the Pensacola Pelicans baseball team, University of West Florida President John Cavanaugh and Admiral Jack Fetterman. The park would have a multi-use stadium, conference center with classrooms and a maritime museum.

We had studied how similar projects had been catalysts for other downtowns, like Montgomery, Alabama and Charleston, South Carolina.

We were not going to let the naysayers kill this initiative. With the help of the newly-formed Pensacola Young Professionals and the African-American community, the park referendum passed in September 2006, 9,6847,701.

During this decade, we created two of our most successful annual issues, “Rising Stars” and “Power List.”

“Rising Stars” honors leaders under the age of 35 who are seen as rising stars in their professions and the community. To date, over 300 young leaders have been recognized.

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The Independent News covered the two biggest stories of this period: the murders of Bud and Melanie Billings and the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.

On the evening of July 9, 2009, a beat-up red van drove onto the front yard of the large two-story, ranchstyle house owned by Byrd “Bud” and Melanie Billings on a secluded tract of land in Beulah. When the van pulled away ten minutes later, the couple was dead and nine special needs children, ages 4-11, were left orphans.

Under the spotlight of the national media, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested all the suspects. The leader of the gang was Patrick Gonzalez, who grew up in Gulf Breeze. The morning after his arrest I was inundated with phone calls and emails.

The news tips gave us an edge in reporting and let us break several news stories. Gonzalez was convicted of the murders and is currently on Death Row.

Nine months later, an oil rig 50 miles off the shores of Louisiana exploded, killing 11 men and spewing millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The Independent News was the first media kicked out of the BP meeting when I tried to cover the oil company officials briefing Gov. Charlie Crist and local officials at the Chappie James Building on a Saturday. BP was foiled when Crist let me walk back in the room when he arrived.

From that moment, we battled the British oil giant and its million-dollar spin machine, tracking down the facts and refusing to take any of its advertising dollars.

One of our most poignant articles was “Fighting for Papa Bear” (Independent News, May 19, 2010). As the oil and tar balls crept toward our beaches, we visited Eunice, Louisiana, a small town set in the heart of the Cajun plains between Lafayette and Lake Charles where everyone has some link to the offshore rigs.

We met with the family of Blair “Papa Bear” Manuel, one of the workers killed in the explosion. We gave a firsthand account of what offshore drilling meant to that community and how they dealt with the death of one of their own.

In June 2012, The Independent News coverage of the botched turnaround of Warrington Middle School (Independent News, “Tarnished Turnaround,” Apr. 7, 2011) was named a finalist for the 2012 Sunshine State Awards in Non-Deadline News Reporting (Small).”

During this period, the paper also fought for the new Pensacola city charter, which passed 16,204-10,214.

•Thought Leader: 2013-2015

In the first decade of the newspaper, we published our wish lists for Pensacola in our annual “Ballsy Plan” issues. By 2013, many of our proposals, such as a downtown ballpark, removal of the Main Street Sewage Plant and creation of a downtown entertainment district, had become realities.

It was time to take on the some of the more difficult issues facing our community.

We published our “Shame Issue” (Independent News, Jan. 31, 2013) that followed up on the Prosperity Pensacola’s Escambia County Indicator Report that had been released seven years earlier. A precursor to the Studer Community Institute’s Metro Re-

port, the issue used metrics from a variety of sources to show the strengths and weaknesses of our community.

We tackled environmental injustice in the Wedgewood community, a small, mostly African-American neighborhood off Highway 29 and just below Interstate 10 (Independent News, “A Shame Before God,” June 26, 2014).

Surrounded by borrow pits and landfills, residents battled a variety of health issues. For years, they had fought for the Escambia Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to enforce their laws and regulations.

Thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Lumon May and State Rep. Mike Hill, county and state officials began to pay attention to the plights of Wedgewood. Air and water quality were measured. More regular site inspections were conducted, and the county commission placed a moratorium on landfills and pits as it reworked its ordinances. This spring, DEP revoked the permit for Rolling Hills landfill.

In July 2014, the newspaper completed its latest redesign. We replaced the “IN” button on our masthead with the more elegant “Inweekly” that matched our website address, inweekly.net.

Most recently we’ve tackled how to provide health care coverage for lowincome families in Florida (Inweekly, “No More Kicking The Can,” May 28), the issue had created a rift between the two chambers of the Florida Legislature and nearly shut down our state government.

State leaders couldn’t agree on how to provide health care for the state’s 800,000 uninsured, low-income citizens. The Florida Senate came up with a plan to replace the federal government’s Low Income Pool (LIP) program that was set to expire on June 30 and to expand Medicaid coverage.

Governor Rick Scott and the Florida House adamantly opposed it.

In the end, all sides, including the federal government, gave in a little, and the State budget was approved during a special session in June. However, the compromises were only temporary fixes. The issue will come back up again in next year’s session.

We have no idea what the coming years hold for Inweekly. The past 16 years have been a wild ride, one that is far from over.

We thank you for your support and promise to keep up the fight. {in}

Brunch: 10-2 Saturday & Sunday • Sushi, Apps & Cocktails: 4-5 Daily Dinner: 5-10 Sunday-Thursday • Dinner: 5-11 Friday & Saturday Indoor and Outdoor Dining

300 S. Alcaniz • 850.433.1275

www.dharmablue.com • Or Find Us On Facebook

www.radiofreepensacola.com inweekly.net

Exciting Plans for Downtown Pensacola PARCEL 6 Entrepreneurship Center A new center dedicated to seeding economic growth and the start of new businesses and jobs for our area

PARCEL 9 Conference Center Event Space Expanded Athletic Facilities

We’re excited to introduce new additions for the Community Maritime Park.

Quint and Rishy Studer and the Studer Community Institute have one mission: to improve the lives of the people who live and work in the Pensacola area. We are excited about this plan because it will foster real

PARCEL 3 Childcare Center Offices Retail Spaces

economic growth, provide educational opportunities, and encourage entrepreneurs to open new businesses and create quality jobs.

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inweekly.net

WEEK OF JULY 2-9

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

Balancing Variety

by Ali Rae Hunt

Svend Damhave's " Mom’s Clothes Line" The first Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) Members’ Juried Exhibition took place 61 years ago, and this summer an entirely new group of artists are getting the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Donan Klooz, the curator of exhibitions at the Mobile Museum of Art, is this year’s juror.

Over 60 artists digitally submitted photographs of their artwork, with 3-D pieces being photographed from various angles. Each artist was allowed to submit three pieces under their anonymous identification number and forty-two pieces were chosen overall. Digital submissions—new to the museum—not only streamlined the process for both the artists and the curators, they also allow artists from a wider geographic area to submit their work.

Kelsey Irvin lives in California, but with her

parents and godparents living in Pensacola she has strong ties to the area, which is why she submitted her artwork this year. “I think the Members’ Exhibition is a great way to celebrate the community and art and the synergy between the two. All art museums need support from their surrounding community.”

The exhibition’s 42 pieces consists of mixed media and 3D pieces, ceramics, wood and glass sculptures, digital and traditional photography, as well as traditional acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings and graphite drawings. “There’s a variety of mediums, styles, techniques—and variety is the key to a successful show” said the Guest Curator of this year’s show, Nicole Hatfield. ces.

“Mom’s Clothing Line” (2013) by Svend Damhave, an acrylic piece, was awarded the

A Contemporary View, and will run through exhibition’s coveted Best in Show honor. Other September 20. standout pieces include “Interruption” (2014) The Members’ Exhibition has grown

by Thomas Groth—which is an oil on canvas incredibly since its conception 61 years ago, but piece of a perfectly-askew woman caught off guard while mending and a soulful mixed media the many of the artists still feel there is an opportunity for fresh, young perspectives to make mosaic by Gila Rayberg. Entitled “Got Your an impact on Pensacola’s art scene. Empire Back” (2014), the piece is quirky and refreshartist Miller has entered the PMA’s Members’ ing amongst more subdued photographs and Juried Exhibition for two years now and would sketches. Leland Leonard’s “Zebrawood Ballove to see more young artists like himself take listic Cube’s” sheer intricacy is astounding, esadvantage of the exhibition and the connecpecially considering that it is the largest wood tions it provides. “Being apart of this exhibition piece by far at the exhibition. Loren Miller’s oil has been huge for me because it allows my painting on canvas, entitled “Empire” (2015) is work to get exposure to a somewhat select beautifully dark and realistic, and is the show’s group of people that are potential clients here second place winner. Dominating over its in Pensacola.” surrounding pieces in both size and impresPMA offers affordable memberships to sion, “Empire” is a contemplative portrait of a seated young woman in a Star Wars tank-top, anyone interested in supporting the museum.

An individual yearly membership, which costs with a plastic toy light-saber hanging on the $50, gives you the opportunity to submit one wall behind her. entry for the Members’ Exhibition. The family Every piece in the show exemplifies the membership, which includes two adults and talent held by those close to Pensacola, eichildren under 17 for $75, also offers the opporther in residency or sentiment, and because tunity to bring one free guest to a membersthe nature of the Members’ Exhibition is only event as well as discounted art classes at community-based, visitors are given the the museum. {in} opportunity to vote for a “People’s Choice” award recipient. The winner will be announced at the end of the exhibition in late August.

Damhave, this year’s Best in WHEN: Now-Aug. 22 Show winner, will also by honored WHERE: Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. with a solo show in the Museum’s Jefferson St. Gallery 5 during the 2016 calendar COST: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and military; year. Dottie King, who won Best members and children 11 and under are free for in Show last year for her photothe rest of summer graph “Moonlight,” is presenting DETAILS: pensacolamuseum.org her solo show on August 15. Her

ANNUAL MEMBERS’ JURIED EXHIBITION

show will be entitled Out of Light:

Calling All Pets!

Our 4th Annual Pet Issue is next month. We know you all have super photogenic pets & we want to see them.

Please send pictures of your furry, scaly &/or feathered friends to Joani@inweekly.net by Friday, July 17 for a chance to be featured in the issue.

July 2, 2015

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Ears & Fingers

by Jason Leger

Neil Young + Promise of the Real “The Monsanto Years”

Neil Young has always wanted what’s best for you. He sees America being raped by corporations and politicians, and he can’t just sit idly by and let it happen. Over the years since “Harvest Moon,” Young has grown increasingly pissed off, and that’s who we get with his newest LP, “The Monsanto Years.”

If the title isn’t indication enough, several large businesses are attacked including Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Safeway and of course, the polarizing Monsanto. “Too big to fail. Too rich for jail.” Young’s thoughts have never been more critical and his urgency has never been more prominent. He has a message for America and change is the only answer he wants.

Musically, Young is joined by Promise of the Real, which includes Willie Nelson’s sons, Lukas and Micah, a band who have

THURSDAY 7.2

MARKET ON THE BEACH 4 p.m. Check out Pensacola Beach's new farmers market, held every Thursday from 4 p.m. until sunset. Casino Beach parking lot, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. facebook.com/MarketontheBeach/info WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Try something new every week at Aragon Wine Market’s regular wine tasting, only a few blocks from downtown. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com RADIOLIFE 6 p.m. WUWF’s longest running live music progam will feature Bob Patterson, Flagship Romance, and Lon and Lis Williamson this week. Museum of Commerce, 205 E. Zarragossa St. wuwf.org/programs/radiolive BALL ROOM DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn how to waltz, hustle, and tango at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8:45 p.m. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com EVENINGS IN OLDE SEVILLE SQUARE 7 p.m.

Sugarcane Jane performs this week at Evenings in Old Seville Square, the free summer concert series held each Thursday through the 616 1

taken much of their stride from Young’s former band, Crazy Horse. The compositions are raw, riffy, and fairly often, mindful of the lyrics. While Young’s lyrics and ideas may not change a culture who he deems as “sleeping,” he remains a giant in songwriting and simple phrases for massive ideas, which has helped make him the living legend he is. The overarching story through the album is that of a farmer who decides to grow Monsanto crops, but finds himself torn between these technological advances and the ways he was taught to do things. While the words may be critical, the point is one of protection and perseverance. It may be one that we need to hear. “The Monsanto Years” is out now via Reprise Records.

IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD:

Leon Bridges

His name seems to have been everywhere the past few weeks. Leon Bridges recently released his debut full length, “Coming Home” to glowing reviews from listeners and critics alike. The 25 year old is proving himself in the world of soul/gospel by following in the footsteps of those who came before him, like Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding, but much more succinctly, Sam Cooke. The correlation to Cooke’s voice and writing style is almost eerie, but no one is questioning or complaining. Pitchfork gave the album a 7.0, which is solid for a debut, and commented, “fans of classic R&B will dig this album as it wholly echoes the tropes we associate with the genre: Tons of reverb, backing female

end of July. Seville Square, 311 E. Government St. eveningsinoldesevillesquare.com FLOW TRIBE 9 p.m. With S.A.T.S, Moderate Chop, and Yante Beliveau. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $10. pensacolahandlebar.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com

FRIDAY 7.3

WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Out and about in East Hill on Friday night? Stop by City Grocery for their free weekly wine tasting before settling in or heading out for the night. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. LATIN DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn the basics of salsa dancing. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com 90’s NIGHT 7 p.m. Includes a “Mallrats” screening and a 90’s dance party. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com MOLLY RINGWALDS 9:30 p.m. The ultimate

singers, organ, complementary horn arrangements, doo-wops, ballads, songs of love, loss and pretty girls who can shake that thing across several municipalities.” All too often, imitation can be seen as passé, though all the music we love today borrows from the past in some form or another. Bridges particular brand of homage is direct and feeds off of the style, image and sound of artists gone by. While the gimmick may be there, his songwriting ability and magical voice back up all of artistic styles. If you haven’t heard Leon Bridges yet, odds are you will soon. “Coming Home” is out now via Columbia Records.

TRACK OF THE WEEK:

Lower Dens 'Maneater ' (Hall & Oates cover)

I generally reserve this space and the title of TOTW for original songs, but when I heard Lower Dens’ haunting cover of the Hall & Oates classic ‘Maneater,’ I knew that it deserved some prominence. A couple of weeks ago, Lower Dens recorded a live session for SiriusXMU in promotion of their recent release, “Escape from Evil” and brought this brilliant reimagining. XMU Sessions are usually a good place to hear great covers, as earlier this year Father John Misty’s session provided an amazing cover of ‘Heart Shaped Box,’ and Death Cab for Cutie breathed new life into Guided by Voices’ ‘Tractor Rape Chain.’ You can hear ‘Maneater’ on YouTube and, if you haven’t already, snag “Escape from Evil,” which is out now via Ribbon Music. {in}

80's band is back and this time their mission is to “Celebrate Freedom.” Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. sevillequarter.com

SATURDAY 7.4

2015 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FIRECRACKER 5K 7:30 a.m. Wear your most patriotic

attire and run or walk the 5k. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. werunwild.com SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods, and live music. PARA FootBall Complex, 54005551 Limbaugh Lane, Pace.

PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are just a few of the items offered at the weekly Palafox Market. Items originate directly from participating vendors, including dozens of local farmers, home gardeners and area artists. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com

SUNDAY 7.5

ELVIS: A CONCERT EXPERIENCE 2:30 p.m. This production will turn back the clock and you

will witness the aura of “The King” come alive.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $14-$30. pensacolalittletheatre.com

MONDAY 7.6

COUNTRY & WESTERN DANCING 6:30 p.m.

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

4 Things To Do on the 4th If you’re looking to brave the heat on Saturday, July 4 and do your civic duty by celebrating Independence Day, here some local options for fireworks displays and even few a dinner parties.

1. SERTOMA’S 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION IN OLDE SEVILLE Sertoma’s 26th annual celebration ends with the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast.

Pre-fireworks events at Seville Square will run from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Regional bands, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and a free children’s area are all on the schedule. Live entertainment at the gazebo begins at 11 a.m., followed by a hot dog eating contest at noon. Live music on the Bayfront Stage begins at 4 p.m. The fireworks over Pensacola Bay will begin at 9 p.m., with a simultaneous music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7.

For more information visit pensacolafireworks.com.

2. INDEPENDENCE DAY FIRWORKS ON PENSACOLA BEACH On Pensacola Beach, fireworks over the Santa Rosa Sound begin at 8:30 p.m. Quietwater Beach and Portofino Boardwalk are usually the best locations to view the show.

3. 4th OF JULY WINE DINNER AT THE FISH HOUSE The Fish House will be open for walk-in dining all evening (as will Atlas Oyster House and the Deck Bar). As a special Fourth of July event, they will also be offering a special fivecourse food and wine dinner with seating on the balcony above the Fish House for $100 per person. There will also be live music before the fireworks and The Whiskey Kiss Band afterwards.

For more details visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

4. BEER, BARBECUE AND BOOM The Lee House’s “Beer, Barbecue and Boom!” starts at 6 p.m. and features a barbecue buffet, unlimited draft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, full cash bar, and a front row seat on the Lee House front lawn for the Pensacola Sertoma fireworks. Event tickets are $55 per person and reservations required. For more information, call the Lee House at 912-8770. {in}

inweekly.net

July 2, 2015

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Week of July 5: Upsizing Life By Downsizing Stuff

6 p.m. Wednesday

Grace Lutheran Church 6601 N. 9th Ave. 476-5667

6 p.m. Thursday

WEDNESDAY 7.8

APPLE ANNIES BUSINESS HAPPY HOUR 4:30

-7 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com YAPPY HOUR 5-10 p.m. Tijuana Flats is hosting a Yappy Hour for Dogs on Deployment to help raise funds and awareness for the organization. You can dine with your pooch on the patio or even take your food to go. Either way, 10% of the restaurants sales will be donated to the organization. Dogs on Deployment is a nonprofit organization that helps Military members, families, and veterans find volunteer homes to care for their pets while they are away on deployment,recovering at the hospital, and various other hardships until they can be reunited. Tijuana Flats, 4970 Bayou Blvd. #300.

ARS PHEONIX 9:30 p.m With Mad Happy, Nail Club, and Nebular Theory. Sluggo’s, 101 Jefferson St. sluggospensacola.squarespace. com

Waterboyz Single Fin 380 N. 9th Ave. 476-5667

arts & culture

Free to the public

The PMA takes this opportunity each year to highlight their talented members.. This year’s juror Donan Klooz, Curator of Exhibitions at the Mobile Museum of Art, will be on hand to distribute awards for Best of Show, first place, second place and third place.

The top honor will have a solo show in Gallery 5 of the Museum during the 2016 calendar year.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors to the Museum will be able to cast their vote for People’s Choice and this

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the skills necessary to become a practitioner of Ball Room and West Coast Swing, a popular partner dance that can be enjoyed with virtually any kind of music. Tuesday class fee is $10 per person or free for people 30 years of age and younger. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com TUESDAY NIGHT POETRY NIGHT 7 p.m.

Free open mic poetry event every Tuesday.

Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/TNPNS

≥Exhibits

ANNUAL MEMBERS’ JURIED EXHIBITION

award will be determined upon closing of the exhibition (Aug. 22). Museum hours and location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and military; members and children 11 and under are free for the rest of summer.

A WORD Works in this exhibition were selected by juror Jamey Jones. The placement winners are: Best of Show, Michael Fagan; First Place, Kathy Breazeale; Second Place, Michael Fagan; Third Place, Sandy Ford; Most Experimental, Kathy Breazeale; Honorable Mentions, Kathy Breazeale,

Take Your Best Shots

By Jennifer Leigh In the age of the iPhone nearly everyone has the ability to snap a beautiful photo.

And Wide Angle Photo Club wants to see your best shots—digital, film, even Instagrams— for the 22nd Annual Power of Photography (POP) exhibit.

"We firmly believe that it is the person behind the lens who makes a photograph, no matter what kind of camera he or she has," said Suzanne Borges, committee member of the Wide Angle Photo Club "Many winning photos have been taken with basic pointand-shoot cameras. For a couple of years we had a category called iPhontography in which a photo had to be taken and edited within a smart phone. We dropped that designation this year."

The annual show has seen a lot of transitions in its 22 years, from its early beginnings at the Santa Rosa County Fair to an art event that showcases local talent and pays it forward.

In 2004, the event became a benefit show for ARC Gateway. Proceeds raised from entry fees fund and support the local non-profit, said Borges. No through July 25, you can submit your own work to be showcased downtown. Entry fees are $15 each for one to four photos, $12 each for five or more and $5 for youth 16-years-old and younger.

The only regulations are that the art should be appropriate for public places and has not been displayed at a previous POP show.

Sandy Ford, Dottie King and Joan Overton. Exhibition opens June 12 and is on display until July 10. Hours and Location: TuesdaySaturday, 10-4 p.m.

Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery. org LOOKING FOR GOLD

by Svend Damhave.

A fun collection of 50 paintings inspired by the Golden Ratio.

Exhibition opens June 12 and is on display until July 10.

Hours and Location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10-4 p.m. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org ANIMALIA by Joseph Smith. Smith’s inspiring collection of watercolors, maquettes and sculptures demon-

strate his mastery of the media while capturing the beauty of his animal friends.

Exhibition opens June 12 and is on display until July 10.

Hours and Location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10-4 p.m. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org

THE LURE OF THE OCEAN: ORIGINAL WORKS BY GUY HARVEY In this

exhibition Harvey combines his artistic gifts with his background as a marine biologist, diver, photographer and angler to create his unique and colorful pieces. On display through Aug. 9.

Museum hours and location: TuesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $10 for adults; $8 for

The show, which is scheduled for August 21-23 usually opens on a Gallery Night and draws in a crowd of more than 1,000 throughout the weekend, said Borges.

"We want to share our art with as many people as possible," she added.

"Even better, we want families to attend and guests to return. Although we do accept donations to ARC Gateway, we do not charge admission which might discourage someone who wants to see the displays."

With each show, the club aims to open the eyes of art lovers and as well as artists in the making.

"Our images can inspire, amuse, remind, provoke, record, please and encourage," said Borges. "As an activity it can be taken up by anyone with an eye for seeing what casual viewers miss, but never assume that the camera does all the work.

Cameras are tools which photographers use to create."

POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY

WHEN: Accepting submissions now-July 25; show will be Aug. 21-23 WHERE: Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. COST: Photo entry fees vary.

DETAILS: Download entry forms online at wideanglephotoclub.org

seniors and military; members and children 11 and under are free for the rest of summer.

≥Call For Art

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON Explore

the mysteries in life, past and present.

Don’t be afraid to delve in and explore with your medium of choice! Keep in mind Artel’s mission of exhibiting personal contemporary art when creating your mystifying works. Entries may be dropped off Saturday, July 11, from 10-4 p.m., and Sunday, July 12, from 1-4 p.m. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org

≥Classes & Workshops

“MAKE-YOUROWN-GLASS” CLASS

10a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th. Held weekly on Friday and Saturdays, First City Art Center offers weekly “Make-YourOwn-Glass” classes, no previous glassblowing skills necessary. The classes are open to anyone age 8 and older and range in price from $25$45. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling 429-1222. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

for more listings visit inweekly.net inweekly.net

FABULOUS 5-COURSE DINNER AND THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE WITH A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE FIREWORKS!

4th of July wine dinner!

(Tax and gratuity not included.)

SATURDAY, JULY 4 · RESERVED BALCONY TABLE (WITH OUR 5-COURSE WINE DINNER), $100 PER PERSON

Celebrate at our house! The Atlas, Fish House and Deck Bar will be open for walk-in dining, serving from our spring/summer menu with live music before and after the fireworks. Or call 433-9450 to reserve early for our 5-course wine dinner. For details, visit fishhousepensacola.com.

FISH HOUSE: OPEN DAILY AT 11 A.M. · ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE: OPEN MON.–SAT. 5 P.M., SUN. 11 A.M. · (850) 470-0003 · 600 S. BARRACKS STREET

July 2, 2015

19

▶rules

It’s election time again... time for you intelligent, discerning and beautiful people to vote for all of your favorite things. Forget cheap imitations.

There’s only one BEST OF list you need to know: This one.

So, find a pen that actually works and fill this baby out.

‘15

▶mail your ballot to:

Vote online starting July 1 *inweekly.net*

Voting ends July 31 community Best Non-Profit Best Charity Event Best Volunteer Best Place to Work Best Boss Best Artist Best Community Leader Best Rising Leader Best Politician Best Person to Have on Your Side Best Community Disappointment/Letdown Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests Best Day Trip Best Annual Event Best Way To Get Cultured Best Pub Crawl Best Food Event Best Parade Best Neighborhood Best Up-and-Coming Neighborhood Best Pensacola Landmark Best Public Park Best Pet-Friendly Park Best Playground Best Outdoor Market/Farmer's Market Best Free Thing to Do Best Running Club Best 5K Best Place to Walk/Run Best Place to Ride Your Bike Best Golf Course Best Reason to Attend a Blue Wahoos Game Best Reason to Attend an Ice Flyers Game Best Mascot Best Local Athlete Who’s Gone Pro Best Youth Sports/Rec Program Best After-School Activity Best Summer Camp Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party Best Place for an Adult's Birthday Party

media/music Best TV Station Best TV News Anchor Best Radio Station Best Radio Personality 020 2

•Vote only once. Please include your name and address (for verification only) or your ballot will not be counted.

•Only one ballot per envelope.

•No photocopies or faxes will be accepted.

•Vote in at least 25 categories. Ballots with fewer than 25 entries will not be counted.

•Ballot stuffing will be disqualified.

•Voting ends July 31, 2015; Ballots must be postmarked

by July 31 to be counted.

Hurry up and vote!

Best Morning Radio Show Best Reason to Pick up an IN Best News Story of 2014 Best Website Best Person or Business to Follow on Twitter Best Person to “Friend” on Facebook Best Business to “Like” on Facebook Best Person or Business to Follow on Instagram Best Music Venue Best Band Best Concert of 2014 Best Place to Hear Free Music

services Best Hair Salon Best Hair Stylist Best Hair Colorist Best Men’s Hair Stylist Best Massage Best Massage Therapist Best Pedicure Best Manicure Best Waxing Best Facial Best Skin Care Overall Best Day Spa Best Tanning Salon Best Gym Best Personal Trainer Best Yoga Best Yoga Instructor Best Pilates Best Fitness Classes Best Non-Gym Workout Best Outdoor Bootcamp Best Weight Loss Program Best Hospital Best Bank Best Credit Union Best Financial Advisor Best Residential Real Estate Agency Best Commercial Real Estate Agency Best Real Estate Agent Best Boutique or Independent Hotel/Inn Best Hotel–Pensacola Beach Best Hotel–Pensacola Best Pool & Spa Company Best Architecture Firm

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

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retail Best New Car Dealership Best Used Car Dealership Best Motorcycle Shop Best Bicycle Shop Best Boutique Best Men's Apparel Best Women’s Apparel Best Accessories inweekly.net

Best Shopping Area/District Best Consignment Store Best Thrift Store Best Athletic/Outdoor Store Best Furniture Store Best Home Décor and Accessories Best Antiques Best Flea Market Best Gift Shop Best Place to Buy Greeting Cards/Stationery Best Comic Book Store Best New Retail Shop Best Jeweler Best Unique Jewelry Best Surf/Skate Shop Best Nursery/Plants Best Green Business Best Pet Store Best Hardware Store Best Music Gear Best Record Store Best Cigar Shop Best Liquor Store Best Wine Shop Best Wine Tastings Best Grocery Store Best Asian Food Market Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Best Gone-But-Not-Forgotten Store

weddings Best Place to Meet Your Future Mr./Mrs. 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 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 Bridesmaid Gifts Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner Best Place for Out-of-Town Guests to Stay Best Place to Buy a Wedding Gift Best Honeymoon Destination

restaurants Best Restaurant Overall Best Restaurant–Downtown Pensacola Best Restaurant–Cordova Area Best Restaurant–North Pensacola/Nine Mile/UWF Best Restaurant–West Pensacola/Perdido Key Best Restaurant–East Pensacola Heights Best Restaurant–Gulf Breeze Best Restaurant–Pensacola Beach Best Restaurant–Pace/Milton July 2, 2015

Best New Restaurant Best Greek Cuisine Best Mexican Cuisine Best Italian Cuisine Best Chinese Cuisine Best Japanese Cuisine Best Thai Cuisine Best Indian Cuisine Best Cajun Cuisine Best Vietnamese Cuisine Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cuisine Best Hibachi Best Seafood Market Best Steakhouse Best Original Menu Best Chef Best Up-and-Coming Chef Best Wait Staff Best Waiter Best Waitress Best Coffee Shop Best Outdoor Dining Best View Best Place to Splurge Best Place to Blow Your Diet Best Place to Count Calories Best Place to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Best Romantic Dining Best Place for a First Date Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant Best Breakfast Best Brunch Best Lunch Best Take Out/To Go Best Fast Bite Best Place for a Birthday Dinner Best Restaurant for Sports Fans Best Late Night Eats Best Restaurant to Take Out-of-Town Guests Best Gone-But-Not-Forgotten Restaurant

food (List the specific menu item if applicable. Example: Best Sandwich - Reuben from New Yorker Deli) Best Uniquely Pensacola Dish Best Cup of Coffee Best Specialty Coffee Drink Best Iced Coffee Best Iced Tea Best Pizza Best Steak Best Burrito Best Taco Best Gumbo Best Soup Best Deli Best Bread Best Po-Boy Best Sandwich Best Chicken Salad Best Cheeseburger Best Cheese Plate Best Appetizers Best Pastries Best Bagels Best Omelette Best Grits Best Pancakes/Waffles Best Sides

Best French Fries Best Soul Food Best Fried Chicken Best Wings Best BBQ Best Sushi Best Salads Best Place to Buy Local Produce Best Vegetarian/Vegan Dish Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Best Desserts Best Original Menu Item Best Lunch Special Best Weekly Special Best Cooking Classes

bars, drinks & nightlife Best Bar Overall Best Night Club Best Bar–Downtown Pensacola Best Bar–Cordova Area Best Bar–North Pensacola/Nine Mile Road/UWF 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 Bar to People Watch Best Bar to Drink Alone Best Day Drinking Best Drink Menu Best Daiquiri Best Bushwacker Best Martini Best Margarita Best Shot Best Signature Drink Best Selection of Beer on Tap Best Selection of Bottled Beer Best Selection of Canned Beer Best Bartender Best Dance Floor Best Bar to Meet New People Best Selection of Wine by the Glass Best Selection of Wine by the Bottle Best Sports Bar Best Sports Team Club Headquarters Best Neighborhood Bar Best Pet-Friendly Bar Best Hotel Bar Best Bar With a View Best Bar Ambiance Best Sports Bar Best Bar for Games Best Bar for Poker Best Bar for Bingo Best Bar Trivia Night Best Pet-Friendly Bar Best Karaoke Night Best Bar for Live Music Best Jukebox Best Bar Food We try out new Best of the Coast categories every year to keep our ballot fresh and relevant. With that comes getting rid of a few based on voting results (i.e. lack of votes) from the year prior. If you see a category missing that you think we should add next year, feel free to send your suggestions to joani@inweekly.net.

21

Rotary Centennial Playground at Community Maritime Park

GRAND OPENING July 2015

In keeping with its long history of giving back to the community, the Rotary Club of Pensacola is celebrating its 100th Anniversary with a world-class, inclusive playground located along the waterfront at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

“It’s truly designed to be a family place that people can gather, and not just a playground.”

—John Shaffer, President, Rotary Club of Pensacola

“It will hopefully bring children to play that might have never come together otherwise.”

—John Tice, Rotary Member and

Design Committee Chair

The $600,000 Rotary Centennial Playground was designed for children ages 5 to 12 and accessible to those with special needs. Designed and built by local firms who donated their services, the playground encourages interaction and imaginative play and features a state-ofthe-art rubber play surface made possible by a $102,000 IMPACT 100 grant.

Rotary International is a global philanthropic organization of business and professional leaders.

The playground project was led by the Rotary Club of Pensacola, and all 11 Pensacola area Rotary Clubs donated funds.

PLAYGROUND FEATURES • Sculptural and artistic play systems

• Clock tower

• Shaded picnic area

• Rubberized fall-friendly surface

• Benches

• Night lighting

• Rust-resistant materials

Many thanks to Pensacola Rotary Club for your leadership!

PensacolaRotaryClub.org ad presented by 222 2 QS0425 Rotary Playground IN ad.indd 1

Quint and Rishy Studer inweekly.net

6/29/15 9:41 AM

news of the weird NEWS YOU CAN USE A brief Washington Post review in June heralded the new edition of the Routledge International Handbook of Ignorance Studies, covering "different types of ignorance" in a range of subjects by authors from various countries.

Among the valuable conclusions in the book is that while "individual ignorance" may be rational in some cases, it is unlikely that "collective ignorance" advances the society.

In any event, the author concluded, "The realm of ignorance is so vast that no one volume can fully cover it all."

FLORIDA! Because the walkway in front of a Publix supermarket in Fort Lauderdale had seen its share of Girl Scout cookie sellers, Patrick Lanier apparently thought the venue a natural for his product. On June 4, he plopped down a live, 5-foot-long shark he had just captured, and which he hectored shoppers to buy, asking $100 (and occasionally tossing buckets of water on it to keep it shimmering). He had less success than the cookie-peddlers, and in short order loaded it back into his truck, took it to an inlet and released it. However, he did avoid the police; it is illegal to sell fish without a commercial license.

OH, DEAR! The New York Court of Appeals ruled in June that, when a body is taken for official autopsy and organs are removed (including the brain), the deceased's family does not necessarily have a right to receive the body with organs re-inserted. "(N)othing in our common law jurisprudence," the judges wrote, mandates "that the medical examiner do anything more than produce the ... body." The family had demanded the entire body back for a "proper" Catholic burial.

SOUNDS LIKE A JOKE In May, police in Anglesey, North Wales, called for a hostage negotiator to help with two suspects (aged 21 and 27) wanted for a series of relatively minor crimes and who were holed up on the roof of a building. However, the building was

by Chuck Shepherd

a one-story community center, and the men (whose feet were dangling over a gutter about 8 feet off the ground) had refused to come down. Even as a crowd gathered to watch, the men managed to hold out for 90 minutes before being talked down.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Marijuana is purported to make some heavy users paranoid, and the January arrest of alleged Bozeman, Montana, dealers Leland Ayala-Doliente, 21, and Craig Holland, 22, may have been a case in point. Passersby had reported the two men pacing along the side of Golden Beauty Drive in Rexburg, Idaho, and, when approached by a car, would throw their hands up until the vehicle passed. When police finally arrived, one suspect shouted: "We give up. We know we're surrounded. The drugs (20 pounds of marijuana) are (over there)." According to the Idaho Falls Post Register, they were not surrounded, nor had they been followed by undercover officers—as the men claimed.

UPDATE The South Pacific island of Pitcairn (pop. 48, all descendants of the crew of the legendary "Mutiny on the Bounty" ship and their Tahitian companions) made News of the Weird in 2002 when British judges were brought in (and jails built) to conduct trials on the island's rampant sex abuse of children—said to involve most men and girls on the island. (Nine men were convicted, but none served a lengthy sentence.) Pitcairn has resumed being an island paradise, and in May its laconic governing council voted on a sex issue: It legalized gay marriage, even though, according to a June Associated Press report, no one had asked, and only one person had ever identified as gay. One resident told the AP that, well, gay marriage "is happening everywhere else, so why not?" {in}

FIORE

flowers sucre

local art balloons

pressed & dried floral art

gardens

jewelry wine champagne candles unique gifts

events parties

holiday decor

cake stands weddings classes & demonstrations Deliveries Daily

Free Parking

15 W Main Street Pensacola, Florida 32502

850.469.1930

www.fioreofpensacola.com

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

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

—Creative Organic Vegan Cuisine, Coffee & Catering—

Now Featuring: Cooking Classes Once A Month Sunday Brunch with champagne specials ­­—Thursday 3 Course Gourmet Dinner Menu changes weekly — Plus Daily Specials

610 E. Wright St. | 429-0336 | eotlcafe.com July 2, 2015

23

CALLING ALL

MEN

For as little as a few hours a month, you could be the best and brightest part of a little boy’s day. There are hundreds of boys with similar interests as you just waiting for a big brother. And for many, just being there matters.

Become a Big, and do a lot for a Little. Learn more about volunteering at DoALotForALittle.org.

Independent News | July 2, 2015 | inweekly.net