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2020

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winners & losers

outtakes

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It’s important for organizations to think about inclusion.

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

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

PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUM 8pm Thurs & Fri, July 30 & 31 WATCH on WSRE LISTEN on NewsRadio 92.3 FM & 1620 AM Hosts: Mollye Barrows & Sandra Averhart Produced as a public service of WSRE with the Pensacola Bay Area League of Women Voters and Okaloosa & Walton Counties League of Women Voters

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July 30, 2020

winners & losers

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winners COMMUNITY HEALTH NORTHWEST FLORIDA The clinic recently received

$50,000 in emergency grant funding from the medical aid organization Direct Relief in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers. Community Health Northwest Florida will utilize the funds to ensure the continued safety of their health care workers through acquisition of additional personal protective equipment for front line clinical teams, physical building modifications and additional staff training. The funds will also enable the health center to continue to provide walk-up and drivethrough COVID-19 testing in addition to COVID-19 health education and outreach to the communities they serve.

JENN AND LEWIS BEAR III Big Brothers

Big Sisters of Northwest Florida recognized the couple as the 2020 Escambia County Big of the Year. Their match with Sam is what is called a "Big Duo," where two people mentor together and split the responsibility of being matched with a Little. The Bear family has played a tremendous role in building the foundation of the local agency. The Bears were founding members of the local governing board, and now Lewis is finishing up his 11th year serving on the board. Last year, the Bear family made an incredibly generous gift in support of the 30th Anniversary Bold Steps Campaign, and BBBSNWFL named its new Pensacola home the Bear Family Foundation Center for Hope.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM The summer

internship program gave 95 youth the opportunity to get paid work experience in various county departments, including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit and West Florida Public Libraries. Through the program, youth worked up to 30 hours a week at minimum wage, gaining valuable experience all summer while learning workforce etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect. At the closing ceremony, District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, the main proponent for the program, said, "I think the most important investment is an investment in human capital. It's about including the next generation of leaders, and that's what this program is about." 44

losers RON DESANTIS The Florida governor

has no real base. He got elected because of an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Now, with Floridians turning more negative toward the president, DeSantis's ratings have plummeted as the pandemic continues to rage. Last week, a Quinnipiac University Poll found 41% approve and 52% disapprove of his performanceâ€”a net negative of 11 percentage points. During the earlier stages of the COVID crisis, 53% of Florida voters approved of his job performance and 33% disapprovedâ€”a net positive of 20 points. In three months, DeSantis has had a 31-point negative swing in his net approval. Ouch!

TED YOHO The Florida GOP congressman

made headlines when a reporter overhead him using vulgar language against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He later denied his remarks and gave an apology from the House floor that wasn't really an apology and cited his wife and daughters in defense of his "passionate" actions. Ocasio-Cortez said, "Having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man. And when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize." Yoho was completely outmatched.

LENNY CURRY Jacksonville mayor's

dream of hosting the Republican National Convention with its $100 million economic impact went up in flames last week as the number of COVID-19 cases soared in Duval County, where cases have skyrocketed from 7,247 on July 1 to over 20,000. President Trump pulled the plug, explaining that "it's just not the right time" to hold a "big, crowded convention." Insiders say money was another reason for the decision. The party was having trouble raising funds for the convention. Plus, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams expressed concern about a lack of preparedness for the convention. Republican Party of Florida chair Joe Gruters tried to spin the loss and thanked the president for putting "the safety and well-being of Floridians first." inweekly.net

outtakes By Rick Outzen

THOSE WE’VE LOST COVID-19 deaths more than doubled in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this past month. The Florida Department of Health keeps a running total, but few of us ever see their names. Inweekly obtained a list of COVID-19 deaths in the two counties from First Judicial District Medical Examiner. Their ages ranged from 24 to 104. We found a few of their obituaries online. Donald Applegate was a USN dental officer during the Vietnam War in the Pacific and South China Sea both aboard ship and ashore. He delivered Marines to combat duty and received the combat-wounded for treatment. In 1976, he transferred to Naval Air Station Pensacola, where his patients included the Blue Angels. Don resided in Pensacola for the remaining 39 years of his life. Patricia Cawthorn had four children, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. At age 24, Davon Hill was the youngest person to die in Northwest Florida. According to a profile in the News Journal, his "bubbly" personality made him well-known throughout Milton, where he worked at the local Whataburger restaurant. Bernice Kennedy was a longtime Pensacola resident who graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Bernice was always a hard worker throughout her long career, which included working for the Escambia County School Board, Escambia County Transit Authority and JCPenney. William Lott worked at Brookley Air Force Base until moving to Pensacola in 1967. He worked at the NAS Pensacola Public Works Center and later Pen Air Federal Credit Union. He was a long-time member of Little Flower Catholic Church in Myrtle Grove where his children attended school. Barbara Rawls was a member of First Apostolic Church in Milton and a homemaker. She enjoyed shopping, eating sweets, doing puzzles and spending time with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Edward Talbot was a machinist and a veteran of the Korean War. He loved reading and could sit for hours with Reader's Digest and a can of Milwaukee's Best. Brenda Wells was a beautiful, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an executive secretary for over 40 years for a July 30, 2020

distributing company and was an extremely dedicated individual. The people on the list were more than simply death statistics. Here is medical examiner's list for deaths in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through Sunday, July 26. Like so many government reports, we can't vouch for its accuracy or completeness, but it's best one we've seen: Pauline Allison, Catherine Andrews, Donald Applegate, Joseph Austin, Jessie Bannerman, Carol Barrett, Christopher Binkley, Sophronia Blackwell, Jean Bodway, Carolyn Booth, Wiley Bramblett, Edwin Burmeister, Cecil Burton, Jr., Seabron Busbee, Jr., Wayne Cantrell, Patricia Cawthon, Saby Chatterjea, William Clem, Odis Close, Alice Coleman, Lula Coleman, Charles Coon, Merle Cornitius, Willie Crenshaw, Howard Davis, Francis Fletcher, Marshall Fletcher, Dorothy Fox, Barbara Garrett, Randall Gates, Wardell Golay, Gerald Guillen, Tamik Hackworth, Cecil Hardin, Donald Harper, Calvin Harris, Barbara Hays, William Herbert, Lucille Higgins, Davon Hill, Bruce Horton, Rebekah Horton, Robert Hudgins, Blanche Johnson, Inell Johnson, Rosie Johnson, Peggy Jones, James Kelly, Bernice Kennedy, Milton Krause, Jr., Larry Lay, June Lee, Una Lee, Claire Lergenmiller, Alice Lett, Joanne Lewis, John Linton, William Lott, Lee Luckey, Ola Luckey, Francis Ludovina, Constance Lusher, Donald Lynch, Marva Macklin, Joseph Marques III, Ethel Marshall, Dinsey Martin, Patricia Merrifield, Etta Millender, John Mitchell, Gwendolyn Molden, Margit Molnar, Ular Moorer, Doris Neuman, Wilda Novak, Jolaine Noble, Hugh Oden, Edna Osborn, Elizabeth Palensky, Elaine Palmer, Rita Palmer, Sandra Payne, Dana Peterson, William Porterfield, Ethel Radford, Barbara Rawls, Vernon Richards, Anna Riley, Rafael Rosario, Zinda Roy, Louise Rutledge, Elizabeth Sammons, Jeffrey Sands, Barbara Schultz, Margaret Scott, Deborah Sears, Rudolph Sharp, Herndon Smith, Soeur Som, Garlenden Stallworth, Lawyer Stanton, Eufernio Sularez, Edward Talbot, Kimberly Tauer, David Thomas, Cora Tompkins, Barbara Vanwagner, Rosemary Waltzer, Carol Warrick, Brenda Wells, Colby Willett, Robert Williams, Wanda Williams, William Wilson, Terry Wright, Shirley York. {in} rick@inweekly.net

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OFFSHORE DRILLING FIGHT Florida

recently got a couple of steps closer to protecting its shores from the potential environmental and economic risks of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. On July 24, the U.S. Senate approved the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision from Florida Sen. Rick Scott to require the Department of Defense to report on the importance of the Gulf Test and Training Range, a 120,000-squaremile area of the eastern Gulf of Mexico used for testing purposes by the military. Since 2006, that area has been off-limits to oil and gas exploration—with the federal government enacting a moratorium that's set to expire in 2022—due to that military testing area. "The test range is a massive, one-of-akind military national security asset that's utilized by every branch of the military," said Hunter Miller, a campaign organizer in Florida with the environmental organization Oceana. "And those groups are really concerned about this as well because any type of changes, any small changes in the test range could have huge impacts to our national security, military preparedness, weapons testing." Also on July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that, if enacted, would block offshore energy exploration off the coasts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico for the fiscal year of 2021. The bill also blocked funding used by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to conduct or authorize offshore exploration activities. Such developments are good news for environmentalists, who have long stressed the downside of offshore drilling. "I think it's kind of insanity to think of expanding offshore drilling considering the devastation, the continued impacts from Deepwater Horizon. It just seems like insanity," Diane Hoskins, Oceana's campaign director, told Inweekly recently. The legislation is in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump's push for expansions in

offshore drilling. In May, he issued a proclamation for National Oceans Month calling for increased offshore explorations, describing it as an "enormous opportunity" for "this critical and profitable industry." "President Trump had proposed the most offshore drilling ever proposed by any president," Hoskins said. "In reaction to that, there has just been an overwhelming amount of opposition and really united Republican and Democrats all along the coast." That's especially true in Florida, where voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment in 2018 banning offshore drilling in the state. But Florida's constitutional amendment only applies to state waters, which extend three miles off the coast on the Atlantic side and nine miles out into the Gulf. And there are concerns that if Trump wins a second term, he'll open up areas beyond those limits despite in-state bipartisan opposition. "We are concerned that the president is not going to listen, and we have good reason to believe that," Hoskins said. Despite some legislative efforts to extend the moratorium in the eastern Gulf and safeguard the military's testing area, Congress's BOEM funding bill only protects the area for a year. Sen. Scott attempted to extend the moratorium for another 25 years in the NDAA, but that effort fell short. "This fight isn't over, and I will keep working to protect Florida's natural resources for generations to come," Scott said in a statement this month.

CARES IN SANTA ROSA Santa Rosa County has completed its Santa Rosa County CARES Act Funding Framework, and the Board of County Commissioners last week approved its recommendation for rapid testing sites. The county has $8 million on hand to work with and will receive another $24 million. Santa Rosa County has been working on its CARES Act plan for nearly two months and

hired VisionFirst Advisors to help. The county had over 300 individuals participated in an online survey. The framework proposed the following total allocation: •Public Health: $11.2M, 35% •Education: $6.4M, 20% •Human Services: $6.4M, 20% •Economic Recovery: $4.8M, 15% •Reserves: $3.2M, 10% Under Public Health, the framework called for the immediate authorization to enter into an agreement with Sacred Heart Hospital to establish two mobile sites and associated items, which the commissioners approved on Thursday, July 23. Sites will test up to 300 people per day, five days a week. The rest of this category is earmarked to expand and enhance testing, contact tracing, PPE supplies infection mitigation strategies and ensure coordination among partners. And funding will also recover costs incurred directly by local government, law enforcement, County Health Department, County Constitutional Offices and Judicial Offices to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Education allocation would provide students with laptops, expansion of WiFi coverage and buying HEPA air purifiers and nocontact thermometers for schools. Under Human Services, crisis intervention services will provide economic support and relief to those affected residents. The funds would be dispersed through the county's eligible nonprofit organizations. The Economic Recovery allocation is to support the reopening and recovery of local small businesses that experienced closures and impacts from the pandemic. Funding would also be utilized for unemployed citizens to retrain and provide up-skills training for indemand industries and occupations.

gBETA PENSACOLA gBETA Pensacola has hired Jonathan Kretz as its program director and is now accepting applications for local

startups to participate in the inaugural gBETA Pensacola Fall 2020 program. gBETA Pensacola is a free accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. The seven-week program will work with five local startup companies at a time. Participants receive intensive and individualized coaching and access to gener8tor's national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors. "At The Spring Entrepreneur Hub, it is our mission to serve Pensacola area entrepreneurs at any point along their entrepreneurial journey," said D.C. Reeves, Chief Entrepreneur Officer of The Spring. "Through the partnership with gBETA, we are able to bring unprecedented support to local, high-growth potential businesses, and we are excited to see how this program will aid in our efforts of making Pensacola the best place to live and start a business." A transplant from Fort Worth, Texas, Kretz has seven years of experience supporting product development and commercialization efforts for businesses small and large. He also founded an artificial intelligence and machine learning startup. Jonathan will serve as the local conduit between the Pensacola startup ecosystem and the broader gener8tor network. Startups interested in applying should contact at jonathan@gener8tor.com. For more information, visit gbetastartups.com/pensacola. The deadline to apply is Sept. 7.

COVID JAIL Last week, Inweekly received a

letter signed by 53 female inmates in Escambia County's work release building, pleading: "Please help us, we do not have a voice." The women housed in Dorm 2 said that seven of them were exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 virus. However, when the newspaper forwarded the letter to the county, the corrections chief for Escambia County inspected the facility and said he found no COVID issues in the dorm, except for one complaint of sinus congestion.

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In their letter, the women complained that one of the jail's nurses had told them that the facility was "following CDC guidelines and the direction of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia regarding COVID-19 isolation and testing. "But they are still not testing these individuals that are showing key symptoms of COVID-19 and have been for over a week," wrote the prisoners. "They are only treating symptoms, giving ibuprofen and cough drops." They said their bunks were "exactly two feet apart" (not the CDC guideline of six feet). The women feared the virus would spread like "wildfire" if the county continued to sweep it under the rug. In response to the allegations, county spokesperson Laura Coale wrote, "Medical staff have assessed these inmates and determined at this time they do not present COVID-19 symptoms; however, an RN and Nurse Practitioner have been sent again to assess this group." Corrections Chief Rich Powell weighed in. "I have just returned from WR2 dorm," he wrote in an email. "There is no one in that dorm that is febrile (having or showing the symptoms of a fever), and only one currently who complains of sinus congestion." Powell continued, "At this time, there is no clinical indication that COVID is currently in WR2. There is no indication that anyone needs testing at this time." He added, "If a patient does present symptomatic, they will be brought to the INF and the ARNP can determine the plan of care at that time." Meanwhile, Commissioner Lumon May once again pushed for all inmates to be tested for the virus. He told Inweekly, "I have repeatedly asked Ms. Gilley to test everyone in corrections, "and she keeps coming up with excuses, even though the CARES Act will pay for the testing. I will continue to insist on the testing."

JA HALL OF FAME Junior Achievement (JA) of Northwest Florida last week announced its 2020 Hall of Fame Laureatesâ€“Dave and Mary Hoxeng, owners of Cat Country and NewsRadio, and SYSA founder and County Commissioner Lumon May. Jr. Achievement Laureates are selected on criteria including support of Junior Achievement's mission to inspire and prepare young people to be successful in a global economy, assistance with fundraising for and implementation of financial literacy initiatives, dedication to improving the community and distinguished community leadership that directly improves the lives of children. Each year, JA also selects an individual who is a prominent community advocate in a variety of capacities and has a history of supporting financial literacy initiatives. This award is the Marshall Blaise Adams, Sr. Give Back July 30, 2020

Award and is a tribute to the late Blaise Adams, Sr., former Market President of Centennial Bank. The 2020 recipient of this award is Marty Stanovich, executive director of The First Tee of Northwest Florida. Junior Achievement also honors distinguished local businesses for remarkable support to JA's mission. Those honors for 2020 go to the following: Large Business of the Year: Wal-Mart (Navy Boulevard & Hwy 29 Locations); Small Business of the Year: Pensacola News Journal; Community Partner of the Year: UWF Center for Financial Literacy; Professional Services Partner of the Year: Beggs & Lane, RLLP; Entrepreneurial Spirit 2020: Phillip Salzman, Salz Studio; and Volunteers of the Year: Gene and Amanda Hurd, The Hurd Team at Keller Williams Realty Gulf Coast Hall of Fame Laureates and other honorees are chosen each year by a special committee which consists of members from the Junior Achievement Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers.

RALLY 2020 WSRE's "RALLY 2020" candidate forum begins with select primary races in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, airing at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 30â€“31. Both programs will be simulcast on NewsRadio 92.3 FM & 1620 AM. Thursday night's broadcast will cover Escambia County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5; State Representative Districts 1 and 2; and U.S. Congress District 1. Friday night's broadcast will cover Santa Rosa County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5; Santa Rosa County Superintendent of Schools; Santa Rosa County School Board Districts 2 and 4; Okaloosa County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5; Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools; Okaloosa County School Board District 2; and State Representative District 4. "RALLY" is produced as a public service of WSRE in partnership with the Pensacola Bay Area League of Women Voters and the Okaloosa & Walton Counties League of Women Voters. Mollye Barrows is producer and will co-host the programs with WUWF's Sandra Averhart. The programs will also be available for streaming at wsre.org/rally. FREEDMEN'S UNIVERSITY The African American Heritage Society will present this lecture via Zoom, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. The speakers are Daniel and Taheesha Quarrels, founders of the Freedmen's University, an organization focused on making Black History relevant to generations. To participate in this program, register for the program at Africanamericanheritagesociety.org no later than 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Attendees are invited to remain after the program for a Question and Answer period with the Presenters, and an opportunity for comments after the program. {in} 7

RSVP TO DEMOCRACY So you want to be in the room where it happens? If you really want to see how the local government sausage gets made, add county commission and city council meetings to your schedule. Even though COVID-19 has restricted us to "attending" some meetings virtually only, there is still plenty to learn and opportunities to get your voice heard each month. Not only are city and county meetings the place to see decisions being made in realtime, but these are also places to see how a candidate's campaign promises play out.

WHEN ARE THE MEETINGS?

Pensacola City Council has one monthly regular meeting. It is always on a Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, but the week can fluctuate slightly, so always check the calendar. The next City Council regular meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m. Escambia Board of County Commissioners has two monthly regular meetings plus one monthly committee of the whole meeting. One of the regular meetings is held in the morning, usually at 8:30 a.m., on the first Thursday of the month. The second is in the evening, usually at 5:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month. The next Escambia Board of County Commissioners regular meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Those are the big ones, but don't forget about the board or commission meeting related to specific issues you or your community are invested in. Pensacola City Council has 22 boards and commissions; Escambia County Commission has 30. The schedule of these meetings can vary, so be sure to check the respective website or contact your representative for more guidance.

WHERE TO FIND THE SCHEDULES: cityofpensacola.com myescambia.com

WHAT HAPPENS AT A MEETING?

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All city and county regular meetings are run by an agenda. The agenda is developed and voted on prior to the day of the meeting, so it's important to calculate that into your communications plan if you are working on a particular issue. Look on the calendars for meetings where the agenda will be reviewed and work backward from there. Escambia County has an Agenda Review meeting, typically on the first Thursday of the month, and City of Pensacola has an Agenda Conference, typically the Monday before a City Council meeting. Again, it doesn't hurt to ask your council person or commissioner about agenda items and how you can make sure that topics are broached in a timely manner.

HOW CAN I WATCH/ATTEND A MEETING?

Typically, any resident is permitted at commission and council regular meetings, but with the pandemic, those standards have had to shift to accommodate social distancing. Virtual access to regular meetings is available via live stream on county or city websites plus secondary streams on various local government-run Facebook pages. When you view the meeting info online, you'll see information on how to tune in to the meeting live.

HOW CAN I HAVE MY VOICE HEARD AT A MEETING?

Again, this used to be a little easier before COVID-19, and the county response versus city response is not always in lockstep. For city council meetings, residents can submit comments digitally to be read into the record during the meeting. If you are available during the regular meeting, you can sign up to be called and give any comments live during the meeting over the phone. For county meetings, residents are still permitted to attend the public forum hearing that begins one hour prior to the start of the regular commission meeting. There are sign-up sheets at the back of the chamber. If you plan to give a comment, it's important to remember that residents get up to three minutes to speak—this includes written statements that are read into the record. When submitting your comment virtually or preparing to speak in person, it's a good idea to send your comments along to your representatives as well.

WHAT IF I MISS A MEETING?

There are plenty of ways to catch up. Videos are typically made available online, as well as minutes and records of any action taken (such as votes or resolutions). Get familiar with your local government websites, and pair your own personal review of meeting records with reporting from local news sources.

Got questions? Send them to us at pensacolavotes@gmail.com, or send us a direct message on Instagram, @pensacolavotes.

KEY DATES

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 inweekly.net

CivicCon Speaker Series Features Timely Topics August Through October

Moving forward into the 21st Century with Police Reforms and Social Justice Dr. Cedric Alexander will be featured in a CivicCon virtual speaker event that will focus on policing, social justice and helping everyone understand “we are all in this together.” Dr. Alexander has served more than four decades in law enforcement and public service. He is the former Chief of Police in DeKalb County, Ga., former president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and former member of President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

Tuesday, August 4 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Throughout his career, he has been pivotal in reforming troubled police departments and restoring trust between police and their local community. Alexander is the author of “In Defense of Public Service: How 22 Million Government Workers Will Save Our Republic,” and “The New Guardians: Policing in America’s Communities for the 21st Century.” Alexander has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University.

Dr. Cedric Alexander

Registration link for Dr. Alexander eventbrite.com/e/113705773028

All CivicCon Speaker Series events are virtual and free. You can RSVP to attend the next CivicCon events at: eventbrite.com/o/civiccon-17185341160

Lisa Nellessen Savage lnelless@gannett.com

Terry Horne thorne@civicconversations.org

CivicCon is a partnership of the News Journal and the Studer Community Institute to make our community a better place to live, grow, work and invest through smart planning and civic conversations.

G RE AT S OUT H E RN RE STAU RA NT S PRE SE N T S

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THE PET ISSUE

2020

Every summer, the entire Inweekly team looks forward to The Pet Issue. Not only do we get to see dozens of cute pet photos from you, our awesome readers, but we also get to take a break from cashing the "news" and write about totally random, fun stuff for a week. Of course, this July, that wasn't really possible because the "news" isn't slowing down anytime soon. But we decided to keep The Pet Issue tradition alive, and we're glad we did. It's hard to be stressed

July 30, 2020

out when you're looking at smiling dogs and toddlers posing with their pet chickens. It's also impossible to not smile when you see a tiny dog wearing a face mask, isn't it? (Shout to our dreamy cover model Isabel and her owners Tasha Bronson and Nick Fury.) We needed this mental break and this reminder that even in times of uncertainty, we still have things to be grateful for, like our pets. And we bet you to do too. So here it isâ€”our ninth annual Inweekly Pet Issue. Enjoy!

BUDGETING FOR YOUR BUDDY By Stephanie Sharp

Part of responsible pet ownership is making sure that your companion is considered in your budget. While it can be easier to plan for checkups, vaccinations, routine procedures and pet supplies, what is a pet parent to do when faced with the financial burden of a chronic illness or life-saving emergency treatment that blows your established budget out of the water? Luckily, even in these economically uncertain times, there are a variety of options to make sure you can care for your pet and stay financially solvent through their recovery. Knowing your options before an emergency occurs will help you get clarification from your vet on which options are accepted at their office and how you can work out a payment plan that secures care for your pet without undue financial hardship for you. Your best first step is to discuss payment options when establishing care with a vet clinic.

INSTANT LENDING

If you've been shopping online recently—and honestly, who hasn't?—you may have seen the new trend of instant lenders popping up on your favorite retailers' online shops. This type of instant lending service breaks up a bigger purchase into a set number of payments for a predetermined period while you still receive your goods as if you had paid in full that day.

There's a new player in this space specific to the care of your pet. Scratchpay doesn't affect your credit score or judge your creditworthiness with the same scrutiny of a traditional line of credit or credit card. The difference is that you work with a vet who is registered with Scratchpay to cover the cost of a specific vet bill, like a hospital stay. Once you get approved—a quicker and more accessible process than traditional credit options—you'll choose your repayment plan and rest easy because Scratchpay has no hidden fees, repayment penalties or deferred interest. Simply budget for your monthly or biweekly payments and get your buddy the care they need. Learn more at scratchpay.com.

CREDIT CARD

A more traditional credit-based option is a healthcare-specific card, such as CareCredit. These options are designed for both human and animal care costs that most would struggle to cover upfront. As with most credit card options, it's a good option to plan for how you will responsibly cover the payments in the timeframe set by the card company. Luckily, most care-focused credit cards don't charge interest during a set repayment window, making it a smarter financial choice than a traditional credit card when covering vet bills. Be sure your vet accepts whichever credit card you decide to use for your pet's care. Learn more at carecredit.com.

PET INSURANCE

While pet insurance can be pricey, it's a tried and true way to make sure your pet is accounted for financially. As recently as 2019, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) updated their pet insurance statement to explicitly encourage vets to educate and empower pet owners to use pet

insurance so that vets can continue to provide increasing high levels of veterinary care. Here's what the AVMA says to consider when shopping for a pet insurance policy: •Require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. •Allow policyholders to choose their veterinarians, including specialists and emergency and critical care facilities. •Never interfere with the veterinarian's fee structures. •Be approved by the state insurance regulatory agency where the policy is sold. •Be consistent with the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics and the pet health insurance industry ethical standards. If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that you don't always know what's coming. If you find yourself in an emergency financially with your pet and can't handle it on your own, don't forget about the power of fundraising online.

CROWDFUNDING

Crowdfunding allows people to come together to cover needs that often fall in the gap of institutional security through services like insurance or credit and the needs-based services of nonprofits or charitable organizations. Sites like GoFundMe or even just a call for sharing through CashApp or Venmo can help you leverage your larger social network when a catastrophic vet bill befalls your pet. The internet loves pets—that much is evident from the content we all consume on the regular. Using social media as a tool to tell your pet's story and giving others the chance to share their "tail" can make all the difference in raising funds quickly to get your pal the care they need. Call on your friends to help you make engaging content, put together a

•Use licensed veterinarians to assist in claims adjudication. •Be clear about policy limits, pricing structures and optional coverage (e.g., coverage for annual wellness visits) that might be available to policyholders. •Be transparent about how the terms and conditions of plans will impact coverage and costs, including the financial obligations of policyholders such as co-pays, deductibles and exclusions. •Communicate clearly about the fee reimbursement process (i.e., how reimbursements are determined and how quickly reimbursements are provided to policyholders). Learn more at avma.org. social media giveaway or even start an old-fashioned phone tree-style outreach in your circle's DMs. Asking for a small contribution from a lot of people helps spread the burden across many pet lovers with a contribution as easy as buying you a coffee or a drink at the bar. (Back when we used to go to coffee shops and bars, that is.) Learn more at gofundme.com/c/blog/petfundraising-guide.

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

While not ideal for emergencies, if you find out your pet is facing a chronic or even terminal non-urgent medical crisis, there are many pet care charitable organizations, like The Pet Fund, that can help you cover the cost of making sure your buddy lives comfortably with their condition. These organizations often require an application process and have strict guidelines about the type of vet bills they are able to contribute to, so be mindful of requirements if you plan to seek assistance from these types of organizations. Learn more at thepetfund.com.

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READER PET PHOTOS Ask and you shall receive. This old adage might not apply to everything, but it certainly does with The Pet Issue. Every year, we ask you guys to send us photos of your pets, and every year, you deliver. In addition to a slew of pups and

cats, we also got a few lizards and chickens this time around. Of course, we can't print every photo we get—we have limited space and image quality standards. So if you sent in a photo and don't see it, it's probably because something was a little off with the photo (too small,

too dark, too blurry...). If your pet didn't make the cut, please try again next year—with a different photo. Thank you for making The Pet Issue special, year after year. We promise to keep publishing submissions as long as you keep sending them, deal?

Agi Paula & Greg Fabbro

Amo Paula & Greg Fabbro

Aspree Justine Gudmundson-McCain

Avi Jimmy O’Donovan

Bear Hannah & Ben Smith

Bentley Wendy Warren

Big Al Debbie & Jeff King

Bigsby Nathan & Jennifer Dillaha

Bomber Quinton Williams

Bosco Tony Prettyman

Brisket Randy Russell

Bruce Rachel Wilbourn

Charlie Carol & Bryan Rice

Charlie Vito & Melissa Hite

Charlie Susan Ford & Pat Meusel

Chester Michelle & Tom Warren

Clementine Luna Zepp & Evan Butts

Coco Regina Thomas

Comet Margret Hildreth

Cooper & Penny Annie Reilly

Cooper Nicole Sigman

Copper Brandon & Karla Varley

Corn Bread Michelle & Tom Warren

Daisy Stone Hewitt & Emily Mixson

July 30, 2020

Dante Haley von Haven

Ellie Brittany Carroll and Matt Hampton

Ernie Sam & Dan Eckiss

Esmerelda Brandon & Karla Varley

Ethel Bean Chelsey Domschke & Travis Swann

Ferguson Rachel Wilbourn

Finn Kristen & Chad Harrison

Gabrielle Kathleen Jones

Gracie Kathleen Jones

Grey Poupon Daniel Freeman

Gus Missi & Adam Bates

Hank Carl Osley & Kate Peterson

Harper Carl Osley & Kate Peterson

Hasselhoff John Hodgdon

Hugo Darlyne & TJ Zoltak

Indiana Rose The Mixson Family

Isabelle Carol & Bryan Rice

Izzy Bear Samantha Burke

Juno Jenny Diamond

Koda Hale Leal

Lana Jaime Shevat

Landry Charlie G.

Layne Whitney & Adam Fike

Loki Chuck Mathews

Louie Maria & Jon Green

Lucy Jenny Diamond

Lulu & Mitt Emmalee Barr

Macee Karrie Galvano

Mando Thomas Leemon

Marbles Stone Hewitt & Emily Mixson

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Mia Crystal Hyatt

Mr. Lizard Regina Thomas

Murphy Chris Oderfer & Tessa Winfrey

Naiya Ryan & Jen A.

Neely Peyton Banfell

Nola Alden & Hylene Garcia

Oliver Summer Lee & Jeremy "Sunshine" Gilmore

Paco Sydney Robinson & Joshua Broxson

Paisley Midian Cosson

Pink Cassie Kohler

Porter Midian Cosson

Reginald Jenn & Ryan Eaton

Rosie Kaycee Lagarde

Ruger Kyle & Lauren Lay

Saban Debbie & Jeff King

Sassy Ellie Edmonds

Scooby Tori & Jackson Tharpe

Sebastian Katelyn Mann

Skittles Merida Shea

Spyro Students of Gulf Breeze High School ESE Dept. / Mr. Alt & Mrs. Millican

Sullivan Stephanie Sharp

Sunny Tahnee, Alyx, Sophia & Mollee

Tagg & Gemma Ron & Leslie Herrington & Paige Herrington

Theo Carol & Bryan Rice

Tyler Kim Fletcher

Wilco Jason Leger

Willie Ray Tom & Mary Anne Staples

Willow Drew Buchanan

Yogi Savannah & Vanessa Johnson

Zeppelin Skye Chamberlain

July 30, 2020

"PETS ARE FAMILY, TOO" By Jennifer Leigh

Pensacola Humane Society's Executive Director Jennifer Bitner is not just an advocate for local pets but also pets across the state. Bitner is a board member for the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organization (FAAWO) where she serves on the legislative committee to push for bills that support the well-being of animals. Thanks to efforts from FAAWO, the Florida House passed CS/SB 1082, which ensures pets can be included in orders of protection from domestic violence. The bill had bipartisan support from Sen. Ben Albritton (R-Bartow), and Reps. Sam Killebrew (R-Winter Haven) and David Silvers (D-West Palm Beach). It went into effect July 1. It's a "basic" protection that makes a big difference for victims and the pets in their lives, said Bitner.

"Pets are frequently used as leverage," she added. "Victims may stay in that relationship to protect them because pets are family, too. And now, victims don't have to be afraid." According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), research shows that 89% of pet-owning women who enter domestic violence shelters report that their abuser threatened, harmed or killed a family pet. Additionally, 48% of domestic violence survivors with pets delay seeking safety for fear of leaving their pet. During the stay-at-home orders at the beginning of the pandemic, child welfare experts reported a rise in child abuse cases. That same concern extended to those who work in animal welfare, said Bitner. In June, the United Nations reported a 20% increase of domestic violence cases worldwide. Pensacola Humane Society has a specific

foster program for animals who may need temporary housing while victims seek help. The program is specific to the rescue organization. "Information is kept completely safe, and we use separate software to keep identities private," said Bitner. "We have someone on our staff who worked with domestic violence victims, and they act as a conduit to local organizations to connect victims with help." Becoming a foster with Pensacola Humane Society is one way to help support those victims and their families. Anyone interested in fostering can apply on the Pensacola Humane Society website and the foster coordinator will be in contact to schedule an orientation. "We want to work immediately to get pets in a protective home," said Bitner. The law authorizes a court to take actions regarding the "care, possession or control of an animal" in domestic violence

injunctions. This not only helps pets but also gives victims peace of mind when fleeing an abusive situation. Representing FAAWO, Bitner said she made it a point to get the bill in front of as many lawmakers as she could, even if that meant jumping in the car and driving to Tallahassee at a moment's notice. The effort was well worth it. "I love the work we do locally, but I was really proud that we could make that kind of difference for all animals in Florida," she said.

BECOME A FOSTER WITH PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY Visit pensacolahumane.org to fill out an application.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800799-7233 or FavorHouse of Northwest Florida at 434-1177.

GET OUT Shoreline Bark Park

Pensacola Beach Dog Park East

More information: cityofgulfbreeze.us/ parks-and-recreation-department

Pensacola Beach Dog Park West

Shoreline Drive (near Colley Cove Drive)

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

The county maintains the following designated dog parks, open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive

Beulah Regional Park 7820 Mobile Highway

Bill Dickson Park

3151 Fenceline Road

Lexington Terrace Community Center

700 S. Old Corry Field Road

Regency Park

8245 Fathom Road

River Road Park 1 If you're looking to get out while still avoiding crowds and want to bring your pet along for the ride, here's a round-up of area dog parks, beaches and pet-friendly walking trails. Just remember to be smart if you decide to visit any of these spotsâ€”wear your mask around others, and make sure you and your pup don't get overheated. Also, remember that bathrooms are closed and most water fountains have been turned off at public parks, so plan accordingly.

CITY OF PENSACOLA

Within the city of Pensacola, dogs are welcome to explore all city parks while on a leash. Dogs are allowed off-leash within the 616 1

designated dog parks at Bayview Park and Roger Scott Athletic Complex. Both parks are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Bayview Park Dog Park & Dog Beach 2001 E. Lloyd St. (on the south/20th Avenue side of the park)

Roger Scott Athletic Complex

2130 Summit Blvd. (between the pool and the tennis center) More information: playpensacola.com

CITY OF GULF BREEZE

The City of Gulf Breeze also offers and operates a designated dog park for offleash play.

14484 River Road, Perdido Key (dog beach behind Lost Key Golf Club) More information: myescambia.com/ourservices/parks-and-recreation/parks-andcommunity-centers

PENSACOLA BEACH

Pensacola Beach is home to two dog beach areas where owners are invited to enjoy the beach alongside their pup. Though referred to as "dog parks," the one catch is dogs must remain on-leash while at the beach at all times. Signs are posted to clearly designate the boundaries of these dog-friendly areas. Current beach dog park hours are 7 a.m. to sunset through October.

Located at the first parking lot past Portofino, Beach Walkover 28B Located at the first parking lot past the last condos on the Gulf, Beach Walkover 21E More information: visitpensacolabeach. com/things-to-do-dog-beach

HIKING WITH YOUR PUP

If you're feeling up for a nice, long walk with your pup, consider the following local trails.

Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail

1131 or 198 Patton Drive; 700 S. Old Corry Field Road Jones Swamp offers a greenway trail with several trailheads and parking available. The trail culminates on the east at Lexington Terrace Dog Park.

More information: myescambia.com/ourservices/parks-and-recreation/parks-andcommunity-centers

Bay Bluffs Preserve

3400 Scenic Highway This 42-acre nature preserve along Scenic Highway features trees, walking paths, boardwalks and Bay beach access.

Edward Ball Nature Trail

11000 University Parkway, UWF Main Campus, trail access behind Building 10 Explore this leisurely half-mile boardwalk through Thompson's Bayou, hardwood swamp. More information: uwf.edu inweekly.net

ANIMAL PLANET, BY WAY OF TIKTOK By Sydney Robinson

Wow, 2020 just keeps on coming. You wanna go look at some videos of animals instead of doom scrolling? OK, let's go to TikTok and escape for a while. Thanks to the algorithm, the more animal and pet videos you "like," the more you will be shown. With a bit of focus, you can have a feed full of nothing but dogs, kittens, lizards, elephants and bugs in no time. Here are just a few animal-focused accounts to get you started: •Self-described "Gay space cowboy" @MAXJCOOKIE treats his 187.6k followers to videos of his cows enjoying life on the farm. One of his most popular videos showcases the cows nearly trampling him as they frolic through tall grass. Ah, to be a cow in tall grass.

Juniper / Courtesy Photo

•@TINATHECHI is the classic Chihuahua stereotype, but that doesn't make her schtick any less hilarious or

adorable. Join her as she growls and grunts her way through life's little inconveniences. •Ants? Yes, ants. @WRENNX has 1.1 million TikTok followers in part due to her growing ant colony. Check out her 16-video series on her colony. And yes, she has names for all of her insect friends. •Are you fond of foxes? Want to meet up with a marsupial or chill with a chinchilla? Animal rescue account @JUNIPERFOXX can be found on both Instagram and TikTok showcasing wild animals like Juniper the fox and Mushroom the opossum. •Another rescue-based account, @OSTRICHPLUG is located in Austin, Texas, and features a host of rescued farm animals, including pigs, ostriches, chickens and kangaroos. •Feeling down and needing the sage advice of a Shiba Inu? TikTok has got you covered with @ITSTOFUPUPPER . This smiley-

YOU BAKE NOW, RIGHT?

By this point of the pandemic, you've either become a sourdough master or thrown your starter away because the smell got real, real weird. And even if you didn't get in on the bread hype, staying at home has definitely made most of us cook way more than we used to. If panic baking has become your coping mechanism of choice, we've got a treat for you and your pup—Bluejay's Bakery pup cake recipe courtesy of owner, baker extraordinaire and devoted dog mom Justine Gudmundson-McCain.

BLUEJAY'S BAKERY PUP CAKES INGREDIENTS

2 cups almond flour 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave 3 eggs 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1 teaspoon baking soda

PREPARATION

•Preheat oven to 350 degrees. •Mix all ingredients together with paddle attachment on mixer or until well combined with spatula. •Line cupcake pan with paper liners and fill with 1/4 cup of batter. •Bake for 15-20 minutes or until tops are slightly browned. •Top with almond butter or whipped cream (and a doggie treat for decoration). •Enjoy within two days. If baking still isn't your thing, you can always order these pup cakes (plus people cakes and treats) from Bluejay's. Visit bluejaysbakery.com for the menu. July 30, 2020

faced dog sings songs and offers simple advice like, "Treat yourself like a flower and like my garden, you will grow!" •Rescue pup @HI.THIS.IS.TATUM took the TikTok world by storm in pre-COVID 2020. Rescuer Charles Lever voices the innermost thoughts of Tatum, who frequently complains and cajoles his owners into hilarious situations. It's corny—but damn cute. • @TUTIANDYUKI are a cat duo who are sure to get the serotonin flowing. With just under a half-million followers, these fluffy cats chirp softly and offer gentle encouragement. Aw! •A wonderful way to market an animalfocused business, TikTok has attracted many aquariums and zoos. One of these is @AQUARIUMPACIFIC , which posts frequently about all of the exotic animals they house in Long Beach, Calif., from baby sharks to newts to sea lions.

GIMME SHELTER Here at Inweekly we always encourage adopting pets and supporting local shelters any way we can. But it’s especially important this year since the pandemic has forced most groups to hit pause on typical fundraising efforts and public adoption events. So whether you’re in the market for a new pet or just looking to help by donating, here’s a roundup of local and regional shelters, rescue groups and nonprofits worth looking into.

JUNIOR HUMANE SOCIETY juniorhumanesociety.com

A HOPE 5755 Washington St., Milton ahope4src.com

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY 5 N. Q St. pensacolahumane.org

ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, Fla. alaquaanimalrefuge.org

PHOENIX RISING RESCUE 40 W. Nine Mile Road phoenixrisingrescue.com

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA aaflorida.org ESCAMBIA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER 200 W. Fairfield Drive myescambia.com/community/adoptable-animals FELINE FRIENDS OF DESTIN felinefriendsofdestin.org FRIENDS OF THE ESCAMBIA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER ecasfriends.com HOTEL FOR DOGS & CATS 4110 Creighton Road h4dc.org

NORTHWEST FLORIDA GREAT DANE RESCUE nwflgdr.com PAWS (PANHANDLE ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY) 752 Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach paws-shelter.com

REDFOX’S ANIMAL RESCUE redfoxsrescue.rescueme.org SANTA ROSA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER 4451 Pine Forest Road, Milton santarosa.fl.gov/animals SAVE UNDERDOGS RESCUE, PERDIDO KEY saveunderdogs.com SOCKS (SAVE OUR CATS & KITTENS) 498 Carmel Drive, Fort Walton Beach saveourcatsandkittens.com SOUTHBARK southbarkanimalrescue.org 17

This face was once masked by pain. Now, it’s a face that sees the light.

We are a non-proﬁt, faith-centered ministry offering food, addiction recovery services, housing, spiritual guidance and more to Escambia County’s most vulnerable and under-resourced residents.

850.912.8383 • BrightBridgeMinistries.org

THANK YOU INWEEKLY FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS

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WEEK OF JULY 30-AUGUST 5

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

COVID Can't Stop a Good Cause By Jennifer Leigh

counties for new HIV infections a year, said TJ Moore, director of prevention. With the Sunday's Child grant, the nonprofit will cover provider and lab fees of PrEP for one year for 74 patients. PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV, but it is not always accessible to people who may need it. The grant is a "game-changer," said Moore. "Lack of insurance is one of the main things, if not the main thing, we hear about when discussing PrEP as an option to individuals," said Moore. And during the pandemic, when people have been furloughed or lost their jobs altogether, this funding is even more critical. "We can't lose sight of the progress that we have made combatting HIV up to this point," said Moore. "The inability to afford a gamechanging preventive medication like PrEP should not exclude an individual from being able to access it." INERTIA was founded in 2017 with the mission of engaging young students in science with fun hands-on projects. With their $25,000, they will be expanding operations to five additional schools, and they've already developed methods to do it virtually. "Even with the challenges due to COVID-19, we have still been able to impact the lives of the students we serve," said Basil Kuloba, executive director. "This summer, we adapted to the climate and tested having our summer programs virtually at the local community centers and are finding similar ways to do so during the school year." For more than 20 years, the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge has been rehabilitating and releasing injured wildlife throughout Northwest Florida. They get called for jobs both large and small, from stranded whales to baby squirrels. With their grant, the nonprofit will purchase X-ray equipment to better serve their mission. Council on Aging of Northwest Florida will use its grant funding to produce a documentary about the lives of LGBT older adults. Josh Newby, marketing communications director, said there are different challenges for LGBT seniors who may still feel shame about living as their true selves. "These older individuals suffer through their golden years in insolation, with negative

physical and mental health outcomes as a result," he added. "In fact, LGBT older adults live an average of seven years shorter than their straight counterparts for that very reason." Newby said many LGBT seniors also live rich, fulfilling lives, which will also be highlighted in the documentary. He said the doc will have a two-fold effect to raise public awareness and to establish the Council on Aging of Northwest Florida as a "culturally competent organization." "We want to tell all of these stories because we believe this is a largely invisible population with their own triumphs, failures, successes, struggles and challenges," Newby said. The documentary speaks to the mission behind Sunday's Child philanthropy, which is promoting diversity, inclusion and equality. Part of the eligibility for nonprofits seeking grants is to demonstrate inclusion and equality policies and practices, which is something that's not always front of mind for organizations. But that's exactly why it's a requirement, said Rhodes. "It's important for organizations to think about inclusion," he added. "It helps them in the long run to serve the community better." That inclusion extends to Sunday's Child membership, which is made up of individuals, couples or groups. A group of two or three people can split the membership fees (and share one vote) so that cost isn't a barrier to do good. This year, Sunday's Child had 168 members funding grants. "The more people we have behind that mission, the more impactful we can be," said Rhodes. The pandemic has taught a lot of organizations how to be creative, said Rhodes. And looking ahead, he expects there will be more need in 2021. He encourages all nonprofits to see how Sunday's Child can help. "In the past, we've had organizations apply for a grant that didn't even become a finalist but still had their projects funded by the members they met," he said. "We want to do good work and be an example to the community." {in}

"We want to tell all of these stories because we believe this is a largely invisible population with their own triumphs, failures, successes, struggles and challenges." Josh Newby

At a time when nonprofits have had to postpone or cancel fundraising events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Sunday's Child annual awards were very good news to winning organizations. Four nonprofitsâ€”Council on Aging of Northwest Florida, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, INERTIA and OASIS Floridaâ€”all received $25,000. Since 2015, Sunday's Child has awarded more than $436,000 to local nonprofits. It's always a proud moment on award day, said President Gary Rhodes. "There is a sense of accomplishment in that the culmination of all of the year's work has resulted in helping some welldeserving organizations," he said. "At the same time, it pains me that there are organizations that do not receive a grant. There's only so much money to go around. We do have a wish list program that they can be part of." The Sunday's Child grant process is typically in-person site visits and interviews so that members can gain a greater understanding of the nonprofits. And that process was set to begin in late March after the World Health Organization officially an-

nounced the coronavirus pandemic. Rhodes said members had to quickly shift and adapt to serve the mission of Sunday's Child while adhering to CDC guidelines. There had to be some flexibility and lots of Zoom meetings, but it worked out well, said Rhodes. "The Zoom meetings actually allowed more members to participate," he said. "We even did the site visits virtually, and it allowed really robust discussions as people were able to engage from the comfort of their own home." The awards ceremony was also held virtually, with finalists submitting a prerecorded video presentation instead of speaking. Even with some technological challenges, it was largely a success, said Rhodes. From senior citizens to wildlife to education and preventing the spread of HIV, this year's awards were among some of the most diverse in terms of causes. And some speak directly to supporting those who have been affected by the pandemic. For OASIS Florida, funding continues to be an issue despite Escambia County ranking between 13th and 16th out of the state's 67

"There is a sense of accomplishment in that the culmination of all of the year's work has resulted in helping some well-deserving organizations." Gary Rhodes

July 30, 2020

JOIN SUNDAY'S CHILD

Membership for 2021 is now open. To learn more about Sunday's Child and become a member, visit sundayschild.org. 19

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

CAT/KITTEN SUPPLIES FOR PET PANTRY CRITICALLY LOW AT PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY The Pensacola

Humane Society's Pet Pantry is in need of donations, especially for kittens. Kitten season is in full swing, and the pantry is low on essential kitten supplies, such as cat and kitten food, kitten formula, litter, bedding and other items. The Pet Pantry provides dog and cat food, litter and treats at no cost to pet owners who come to the shelter and present an acceptable form of identification, such as a driver's license. The Pet Pantry is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week at 5 Q St. For more information, visit pensacolahumane.org.

DAY OF SHOPPING BENEFITING RALLY FOUNDATION FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH To participate in

Rally Pensacola's Day of Shopping, visit store partners on Aug. 1 and a percentage of your purchase will be donated back to Rally. Participating businesses include Aqua Decor & Design, Artesana, Bella Bridesmaids, Bluetique, Gibson Girl, Gray Boutique, Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique, Innerlight Surf Shop, Jen's Designer Deals, Melobay, Rusted Arrow Mercantile, Stay The Spa, The Blowout Bar of Pensacola and The Market and Mainly Shoes. (Participating locations are subject to change). For more information, contact pensacola@rallyfoundation.org.

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—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.

ARTS + CULTURE

MARGIE SHORTT DANCERS PRESENTS: A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES The

dance recital will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Pensacola Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Ticket prices are $18-$38. Per the City of Pensacola mask ordinance, masks are required for entry to the theatre and while moving around the auditorium and lobbies. You may remove your mask once you are seated. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

MUSEUMS UPDATES+NEW EXHIBITION Starting this week, the T.T. Wentworth and Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) are now 020 2

open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Both museums are operating at limited capacity. 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. You can also still enjoy virtual tours of exhibitions and collection highlights. For more information on both, visit pensacolamuseum.org and historicpensacola.org.

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.

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.

PAINTING AND COMPOSITION WATERMEDIA ENCOUNTER This five-day

"The Good, The Bad & The Ugly." The exhibition is on view July 28 through Sept. 3. For more information, visit artelgallery.org.

art workshop will focus on composition. Some experience with art and painting is recommended. The workshop will combine creative resolved compositions with different painting procedures and explore two themes in order to maximize your understanding. You will need basic art supplies and materials, excluding paint, which will be provided at a nominal fee. The workshop will be July 27-31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Framing By Design, 4718 N. W Street. Cost is $350. For more information, visit paletteproductions.net.

COLLECTION UNCORKED: AT HOME

WORKSHOPS AT STUDIO SOUTH

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

The Pensacola Museum of Art has teamed up with Wine with Hilary Shaffer and Pot Roast & Pinot to bring their popular "Collection Uncorked" wine tasting into your home. Collection Uncorked invites visitors to learn more about our permanent collection through curated wine and art pairings. Chief Curator Anna Wall and Shaffer, a certified specialist of wine, are collaborating to match works of art with wines whose flavor profile or origins complement the art, artist or subject matter. This limitededition curated box of three wines allows you to recreate the experience at home. Inside, you'll find reproductions of the works of art with narratives to guide you on your journey. Each box is $65. Order by noon on Wednesday of each week and pick up at Pot Roast & Pinot the following Saturday. For more information, visit potroastpinot. com/product/collectionuncorked.

BALLET PENSACOLA VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING The Ballet Pensacola Virtual

Programming Series gives ballet fans a look at performances in the comfort of their own homes—or anywhere their devices take them. Utilizing a new soundstage built by the ballet's technicians, the artists will reimagine, repurpose and relaunch two beloved ballets from the Ballet Pensacola repertoire—"Alice in Wonderland" (a 2017 premiere) and "The Matrix " (a 2013 premiere). For more information, visit facebook.com/ balletpensacola.

Face-to-face workshops have resumed at Studio South. Studio South is located at 955 E. Nine Mile Road, Ste. 101. For more information and to see a complete list of July events, visit studiosouthon9mileroad.com.

SINGERS' CINEMA Every Friday after-

noon through August, enjoy a movie pick from the Choral Society of Pensacola. Information on each week's movie and where to find it online will be available on their Facebook page, facebook.com/choralsocietyofpensacola. Some can be viewed free; most are available for rent for under $5. Watch the movie over the weekend, and then join the Choral Society Monday evenings for a Zoom session to share your thoughts.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

FIRST CITY ART CENTER Calling all local

artists to submit their work for Gallery 1060's Third Annual Juried Show at First City Art Center. All media is welcome. Entry Fee is $20 for FCAC members, $25 for non-members. Curbside drop-off dates are Thursday, Aug. 27, 1 to 4 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 28, 1-4 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Full details and requirements can be found on Gallery 1060's website at gallery1060.com/2020-juried-show.

POSTER COMPETITION FOR 2020 GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL

The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is accepting submissions to its 2020 poster design competition through Aug. 7.

The winning artist receives a $1,000 cash award. The winning design will be featured on posters, T-shirts and other GGAF promotional items for the festival. This year's event is Nov. 6, 7 and 8 in Seville Square and Bartram Park in historic downtown Pensacola. Competing artists can find the complete list of rules and requirements at ggaf.org/poster. Entries need to be mailed or delivered to Duncan McCall Advertising, 4400 Bayou Blvd., Ste. 11, Pensacola, FL 32503.

PIECES ADRIFT ART SHOW Keep Pensacola Beautiful is recruiting artists to participate in their Pieces Adrift Art Show and Silent Auction. Pieces Adrift is a Keep Pensacola Beautiful programming fundraiser and pollution awareness event. Artists are welcome to participate with any level of experience, whether hobbyist or professional. Each piece submitted should be comprised of at least 50% litter. Due to COVID-19, KPB recommends using your discretion when picking up litter off the ground. Art pieces may also be created using trash from your home. Artists may also pick through sorted bins of trash at the KPB office left over from last year. "Pieces Adrift is a creative and unique way to unite the community in achieving a common goal—making Pensacola a beautiful place to live, work and play. It brings awareness to the perpetuating issue of litter and ocean pollution on our beaches and roadways. By repurposing trash as art, we hope to inspire our community to be mindful of what and how they throw it away," says Madelyn Newton, Marketing and Development, VISTA. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 1. For more information, please email marketing@keeppensacolabeautiful.org.

LIVE MUSIC

SIPS AND SERENADES Hang out curbside at the Pensacola Little Theatre for live performances from local and national talent and to-go cocktails. Mask wearing is encouraged. Events are 6-9 p.m. on select weekends. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for more information and dates. HORSESHOE KITTY AT CASKS AND FLIGHTS Visit Casks and Flights Wine

Tasting Room, 121 S. Palafox, for live music from Horseshoe Kitty. The concert is at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30. For more information, visit casksandflights.com.

KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS Sing your heart out Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, or just enjoy drinks friends with $4 Smirnoff and $6.50 domestic pitcher drink deals from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/ mugsjugs. LIVE MUSIC AT HUB STACEY'S Sit back with good food and live music at Hub Stacey's. On Friday, July 10, at 8:30 p.m. Crosstown Band takes the stage. Hub Stacey's is inweekly.net

a&e happenings located at 312 E. Government St. For a full calendar of bands, check hubstaceys.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT PARADISE BAR & GRILL Enjoy live music at Paradise, located

at 21 Via De Luna Drive. For more information and a full calendar, visit paradisebar-grill.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT RED FISH BLUE FISH

Live music is back at Red Fish Blue Fish from 6-10 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. For a calendar of bands, visit facebook.com/redfishbluefishpensacolabeach.

LIVE MUSIC AT WATER PIG BBQ Enjoy BBQ with a view and live music 6-10 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays at Water Pig BBQ. For a calendar of bands, visit facebook.com/facebook.com/waterpigbbq.

FITNESS + RECREATION

BLUE WAHOOS STADIUM TO HOST "EAGLES IN THE OUTFIELD" GOLF EXPERIENCE The Blue Wahoos is hosting

new in-stadium golf. From July 30 to Aug. 2, Blue Wahoos Stadium will be transformed into a golf course, and fans will be able to book tee times to compete for the top score in the new Eagles In The Outfield stadium golf experience. The course will feature one dozen targets set up at varying distances across the outfield. Golfers, teeing off from beyond the outfield fence, will compete to earn points by hitting the targets with their tee shots. Each tee time will give golfers an hour of unlimited shots from their tee box. In addition to the on-field golf course, all golfers will also receive a free round of mini golf on a brand-new concourse putt-putt course. Groups of up to six can book a station at the Coors Deck Tee Box, located on the Coors Light Party Deck in right field, for $120 and enjoy shaded seating and direct access to the outfield bar and grill. Groups of four can book spots at the Scoreboard View Tee Box, located beneath the scoreboard at the stadium, for $80. Smaller groups (maximum four) or groups with younger golfers can book the Centerfield Tee Box for $80 for a kid-friendly golfing experience. Both right-handed and left-handed clubs will be available for participants to

use, but golfers may bring their own clubs. Clubs that hit farther than 100 yards are not permitted for safety reasons. $5 from every booking will be donated to the First Tee of Northwest Florida to help youth across the Panhandle learn life lessons and develop their character while gaining access to the game of golf. A full schedule of available tee times can be found at milb.com/pensacola/ events/golf.

30 ON THE 30TH WITH KEEP PENSACOLA BEAUTIFUL On the 30th (or

close to it) of each month, Keep Pensacola Beautiful takes 30 minutes to do some good for the planet by cleaning up litter. On Thursday, July 30, volunteers will be at 3996 N. Palafox at 11:15 a.m. Look for the KPB flag and join the fun. Gloves, bags, grabbers and hand sanitizer will be provided. For more information, visit facebook. com/keeppensacolabeautiful.

2020 NORTHWEST FLORIDA KIDNEY WALK The Northwest Florida Virtual

Kidney Walk will be Saturday, Aug. 1, with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will kick off at 9 a.m. The live event will start at 8:30 a.m. on Zoom and will also be linked on the Facebook page, facebook. com/nationalkidneyfoundationofflorida. For the Zoom meeting code and to register, visit donate.kidney.org.

PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT The Pensacola State Col-

lege Commencement Ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. The event will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend, and social distancing measures will take place inside the Bay Center. For more information on safety precautions, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

THE SOUND: CLEARING THE MIND WITH RIN LEY Join Rin Ley of Mind, Body & Rinergy and her singing bowls for a night of sound to clear the minds under the full moon before first harvest. Class is Monday, Aug. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Asher & Bee Apothecary and Tea House, 3014 N. Ninth Ave.,

Ste. B. Cost is $20. For more information, visit facebook.com/asherandbee.

GULF COAST BREWERY RUN Thurs-

days at 6 p.m., join Pensacola Runners Association for a 5K fun run. Enjoy a free beer after the run and complimentary games such as cornhole, ping pong and more. Gulf Coast Brewery is located at 500 E. Heinberg St. For more information, visit facebook.com/gulfcoastbrewery.

MEDITATIONS IN THE LABYRINTH

Join Empathic Practice and Felipe MuĂąoz for weekly mediations 5:30 p.m. on Fridays. The meditations are held at Long Hollow Park on Guillemard Street and are an opportunity for people to get together and practice guided meditations, singing bowl meditation and labyrinth walk meditation. All classes are free, although donations are accepted. Social distancing will be practiced. Bring your own mat or pillow. For more information, visit facebook.com/ empathicpractice.

BACKYARD YOGA AT ADONNA'S BAKERY Get your yoga practice in the

backyard of Adonna's Bakery. Classes are 9 a.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Class size is limited to 12 to allow for social distancing. Register through the fitDEGREE app. For more information, visit facebook.com/ diskolemonade.

YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Stretch

your muscles with Beginner Yoga at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (at the Nine Mile store) Thursdays; 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays; and 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays. Funky yoga is at 6 p.m. (eight-person limit) on Tuesdays. Vinyasa Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Wednesdays. All classes are at Ever'man, located at 327 W. Garden St. unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit everman.org.

GARDENING ON THE GULF COAST WITH BECCA Class is 11:30 a.m., Thursday, July 30, at Ever'man, located at 327 W. Garden St. For more information, visit everman.org.

FOOD IS MEDICINE Class is 11 a.m. Friday, July 31, at Ever'man, located at 327 W. Garden St. For more information, visit everman.org. SPIRITUAL AWAKENING SERIES

Spiritual Awakening Offering is a threepart series on rising conscious and spiritual awakening with guidance and support from Reiki Master Teachers Tonya Morris and Phoenix Lamour. The next class is Thursday, July 30, from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $17. Class is located at Asher & Bee Apothecary and Tea House at 3014 N. Ninth Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/asherandbee.

TRANSMISSION MEDITATION Need two hours of peace? Join the mediation practice at Ever'man, 327 W. Garden St. Transmission Meditation World Service is 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. For more information, visit everman.org. YOGA WITH ADRON CHAMBERS Yoga

with Adron is back on Thursday and Saturdays with Asher & Bee Apothecary and Tea House. Classes are 6 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. Cost is $11. Classes are open to everyone including beginners, novices and masters. Asher & Bee is located at 3014 N. Ninth Ave. To register for classes, email 11adron56@gmail.com.

BIKE PENSACOLA SHARES SLOW RIDE ROUTES If you're missing the

monthly slow rides, here's a chance to enjoy the routes. Bike Pensacola is sharing slow ride maps from popular events. Find the maps on Facebook at facebook.com/ bikepensacola. You will still need to adhere to safety and social distancing guidelines.

OCEAN HOUR BEACH CLEAN-UPS

Ocean Hour has picked up its weekly beach clean-ups in the Pensacola area Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. Supplies will be provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. For locations, visit oceanhourfl.com.

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free will astrology WEEK OF JULY 30 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Aries

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poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti is renowned for his buoyancy. In one of his famous lines, he wrote, "I am awaiting, perpetually and forever, a renaissance of wonder." Here's what I have to say in response to that thought— Your assignment, as an Aries, is NOT to sit there and wait, perpetually and forever, for a renaissance of wonder. Rather, it's your job to embody and actualize and express, perpetually and forever, a renaissance of wonder. The coming weeks will be an especially favorable time for you to rise to new heights in fulfilling this aspect of your life-long assignment.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): I live in Northern California on land that once belonged to the indigenous Coast Miwok people. They were animists who believed that soul and sentience animate all animals and plants as well as rocks, rivers, mountains—everything, really. Their food came from hunting and gathering, and they lived in small bands without centralized political authority. According to one of their creation stories, Coyote and Silver Fox made the world by singing and dancing it into existence. Now I invite you to do what I just illustrated—Find out about and celebrate the history of the people and the place where you live. From an astrological perspective, it's a favorable time to get in touch with roots and foundations. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): "When I look down, I miss all the good stuff, and when I look up, I just trip over things," says singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco. I wonder if she has tried an alternate approach—looking straight ahead. That's what I advise for you in the coming weeks, Gemini. In other words, adopt a perspective that will enable you to detect regular glimpses of what's above you and what's below you—as well as what's in front of you. In fact, I suggest you avoid all extremes that might distract you from the big picture. The truth will be most available to you if you occupy the middle ground. CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): The Italian word "nottivago" refers to "night roamers": people who wander around after dark. Why do they do it? What do they want to accomplish? Maybe their ramblings have the effect of dissolving stuck thoughts that have been plaguing them. Maybe it's a healing relief to indulge in the luxury of having nowhere in particular to go and nothing in particular to do: to declare their independence from the obsessive drive to get things done. Meandering after sundown may stir up a sense of wild freedom that inspires them to outflank or outgrow their problems. I bring these possibilities to your attention, Cancerian, because the coming days will be an excellent time to try them out. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): "Notice what no one else notices and you'll know what no one else knows," says actor Tim Robbins. That's perfect counsel for you right now,

By Rob Brezsny

Leo. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, your perceptiveness will be at a peak in the coming weeks. You'll have an ability to discern half-hidden truths that are invisible to everyone else. You'll be aggressive in scoping out what most people don't even want to become aware of. Take advantage of your temporary superpower! Use it to get a lucid grasp of the big picture—and cultivate a more intelligent approach than those who are focused on the small picture and the comfortable delusions.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): "Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else," wrote playwright Tom Stoppard. That's ripe advice for you to meditate on during the coming weeks. You're in a phase of your astrological cycle when every exit can indeed be an entrance somewhere else—but only if you believe in that possibility and are alert for it. So please dissolve your current assumptions about the current chapter of your life story so that you can be fully open to new possibilities that could become available. LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): "One

must think with the body and the soul or not think at all," wrote Libran author and historian Hannah Arendt. She implied that thinking only with the head may spawn monsters and demons. Mere conceptualization is arid and sterile if not interwoven with the wisdom of the soul and the body's earthy intuitions. Ideas that are untempered by feelings and physical awareness can produce poor maps of reality. In accordance with astrological omens, I ask you to meditate on these empowering suggestions. Make sure that as you seek to understand what's going on, you draw on all your different kinds of intelligence.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): "I always

wanted to be commander-in-chief of my one-woman army," says singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco. I think that goal is within sight for you, Scorpio. Your power over yourself has been increasing lately. Your ability to manage your own moods and create your own sweet spots and define your own fate is as robust as I have seen it in a while. What do you plan to do with your enhanced dominion? What special feats might you attempt? Are there any previously impossible accomplishments that may now be possible?

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):

Your meditation for the coming weeks comes to you courtesy of author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau. "We can never have enough of nature," he wrote. "We must be refreshed by the sight of inexhaustible vigor, vast and titanic features, the sea-coast with its wrecks, the wilderness with its living and its decaying trees, the thunder cloud, and the rain which lasts three weeks and produces freshets. We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander." Oh, how I hope

you will heed Thoreau's counsel, Sagittarius. You would really benefit from an extended healing session amidst natural wonders. Give yourself the deep pleasure of exploring what wildness means to you.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Author and activist bell hooks (who doesn't capitalize her name) has taught classes at numerous American universities. She sometimes writes about her experiences there, as in the following passage. "My students tell me, 'we don't want to love! We're tired of being loving!' And I say to them, if you're tired of being loving, then you haven't really been loving, because when you are loving you have more strength." I wanted you to know her thoughts, Capricorn, because I think you're in a favorable position to demonstrate how correct she is—to dramatically boost your own strength through the invigorating power of your love. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Aquar-

ian author Langston Hughes (1902–1967) was a pioneering and prolific African American author and activist who wrote in four different genres and was influential in boosting other Black writers. One of his big breaks as a young man came when he was working as a waiter at a banquet featuring the famous poet Vachel Lindsay. Hughes managed to leave three of his poems on Lindsay's table. The great poet loved them and later lent his clout to boosting Hughes' career. I suspect you might have an opening like that sometime soon, Aquarius—even if it won't be quite as literal and hands-on. Be ready to take advantage. Cultivate every connection that may become available.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Author

Faith Baldwin has renounced the "forgive and forget" policy. She writes, "I think one should forgive and remember. If you forgive and forget, you're just driving what you remember into the subconscious; it stays there and festers. But to look upon what you remember and know you've forgiven is achievement." That's the approach I recommend for you right now, Pisces. Get the relief you need, yes—Forgive those who have trespassed against you. But also, hold fast to the lessons you learned through those people so you won't repeat them again later. THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What do you like best about yourself when you're comfortable? What do you like best about yourself when you feel challenged?

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news of the weird BRIGHT IDEAS Commuters in Berlin, Germany, are required to wear masks on public transportation, and are subject to fines if they don't. Despite that, reports Deutsche Welle, so many people wear their masks incorrectly (covering the mouth but not the nose) that Berlin's transport company, BVG, is now suggesting that riders skip deodorant when they're getting ready for the day, in hopes that the body odor on crowded trains will keep those masks in place. "Given that so many people think they can wear their masks under their noses, we're getting tough," read a bright yellow posting from July 1 on Twitter. "The BVG is calling for a general deodorant waiver. So now do you still want to have your nose out?" •Farm families in Botswana living beside the Chobe River have long battled herds of elephants that often pass through their fields at night, trampling crops as they move toward the river. Barking dogs and fences have failed to stop the elephants, the BBC reported on July 7, but farmers are having remarkable success with a new weapon: disco lights. Scientists from Elephants Without Borders placed solar-powered strobe lights that flash color patterns along the sides of fields elephants are known to walk through, frightening the elephants away. One farmer reported that before he had lights, "I had more elephants raid ... but in these two seasons with lights I have harvested successfully." NEWS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JOKE A man attempting to elude police in a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser on July 5 in Newberg, Oregon, crashed into a woman driving a Buick Regal that had been reported stolen three weeks before, giving police a two-fer. Newberg-Dundee police said they arrested the driver of the Toyota, Randy Lee Cooper, 27, and then found the driver of the Buick, Kristin Nicole Begue, 25, to be under the influence of intoxicants and arrested her, too, KOIN reported. Neither driver was injured SUSPICIOUS Liberty County (Georgia) sheriff's officers who found a body lying next to a railroad track in Allenhurst on July 14 followed protocol by covering the body with a sheet and waiting for the coroner. When the coroner arrived, detectives looked for injuries and quickly discovered the body was a female sex doll. WSAV reported that the doll was fully clothed and was anatomically correct. Officials think they may have been victims of a prank. LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL Wendy Wein, 51, of South Rockwood, Michigan, was arrested July 17 after offering an undercover state trooper $5,000 to kill her ex-husband and giving him money for travel expenses, WXYZ reported. Wein met the trooper after allegedly visiting the fake website rentahitman. com, where she completed a form requesting

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

a consultation and named her ex-husband as the target. The owner of the website contacted Michigan State Police, who sent the undercover officer. "I'm very surprised that someone thought this website was a true website," said state police spokesman Lt. Brian Oleksyk. The website owner said over the last 15 years he's been contacted a number of times by people wanting someone killed, and he turns all of those requests over to law enforcement. WAIT, WHAT? Iceland is offering a stressedout world a unique way to blow off some steam, reports Sky News — scream therapy. The country's tourist board is inviting people worldwide to record their screams to be played over loudspeakers in one of seven remote locations. "You've been through a lot this year," says the project website, "and it looks like you need the perfect place to let your frustrations out. Somewhere big, vast and untouched. It looks like you need Iceland." Psychotherapist Zoe Aston approves: "Using a scream as a way to release pent-up emotion allows you to ... reclaim the power that is inside you." Iceland has suffered relatively little during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1,905 cases of the disease and 10 lives lost. THE PASSING PARADE Fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood, 79, dressed in canary yellow, perched on a swing inside a giant metal birdcage outside London's Old Bailey court on July 21 and led a crowd in chanting, "Free Julian Assange!" Fox News reported Westwood said freeing Assange would mean "journalists can continue to tell the truth." The Wikileaks founder is being held in London awaiting an extradition hearing now scheduled for Sept. 7. "INCORRIGIBEL" Robert Berger, 25, of Huntington, New York, was scheduled to be sentenced last October after pleading guilty to possession of a stolen Lexus and attempting to steal a truck, but in an effort to avoid jail, he tried faking his own death, prosecutors charged on July 21. The scheme, they said, unraveled when authorities discovered a spelling error and inconsistencies in the font styles and sizes on the fake death certificate submitted by his lawyer. Further, The Associated Press reports, while Berger was "dead," he was arrested in Philadelphia for providing a false identity to police and stealing from a Catholic college. "It will never cease to amaze me the lengths some people will go to to avoid being held accountable on criminal charges," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. "It's never a good idea to submit phony documents to the district attorney." {in}

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com July 30, 2020

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