Inweekly June 16 2022 Issue

THE JOURNEY TO

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH Independent News | June 16, 2022 | Volume 23 | Number 24 | "After Kendrick Lamar-The Heart Part 5" / By Leo Green, “Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey”/ Courtesy Photo

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winners & losers 4

outtakes 5

news 6

Know your value, but then also add tax.

buzz 9

publisher Rick Outzen editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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feature story 12

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

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winners & losers

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Summer has arrived, and the Winners & Losers gaggle of the Inweekly media empire has disappeared again, leaving us a list of difference-makers scribbled on a pizza delivery box.

Fortunately, we have a lot of winners this week to complete the column.

THE KUGELMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

DR. SYLVIA HARRIS

The Kugelman family has committed a $250,000 gift to Baptist Health Care Foundation, which will honor the family by carrying forward the Kugelman Cancer Center name to the new Baptist Hospital campus at I-110 and Brent Lane. The late Jack and Jane Kugelman’s four daughters and eight grandchildren were all born at Baptist Hospital. Jane Kugelman was a member of the original Baptist Health Care Foundation board of directors, and the Kugelman Family Foundation made its first major gift to support Baptist in the early 1980s.

PETER & KATRINA MOUGEY The Levin Papantonio Rafferty attorney and his wife sponsored the Heart of Pensacola "Dinner on the Grounds" fundraiser event held on April 14. Based on a Southern farm-to-table gathering that started in the 1930s by people who really knew about hard times, this event generated more than $530,000 to help those in need and to combat nutritional inequality in Escambia County.

STAMP OUT HUNGER Residents in our com-

munity stepped up to help feed their hungry neighbors during the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers collected more than 188,800 pounds of food during the drive on May 14, the most successful Stamp Out Hunger food drive in more than a decade. The donated food will benefit individuals and families struggling with food insecurity served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.

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SUPER TROUPERS Clark Partington attorneys, led by Troup Brewer, took home the trophy at United Way of West Florida’s Battle of the Barristers. The event tested the knowledge of members of the firm during a trivia contest at Odd Colony. Clark Partington's "Super Troupers" beat out teams from Beggs & Lane, Autumn Beck Blackledge PLLC, Carver Darden and Moorhead Law Group. Gulf Coast Trophies created a traveling trophy for the Battle of the Barristers. Clark Partington

keeps the trophy for the next year and can defend its title at the next event. Battle of the Barristers raised $3,000 for United Way of West Florida.

MELANIE HARRELL Escambia County named

the library clerk its June Employee of the Month.

Harrell began her career with Escambia County last year. She works at the customer service desk of the Westside Library and also maintains the library’s children's section of the library, including managing both book displays and seasonal decorations. Furthermore, she consistently interacts well with members of other departments to ensure the success of special system-wide library events. In the press release, Library Services Director Todd Humble said, "Melanie provides superb service most people only dream of. If she doesn't know the answer herself, then she knows who does."

NAS WHITING FIELD MWR The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, announced Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Morale Welfare and Recreation department as a finalist for the 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Founded in 1965, the National Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. NAS Whiting Field MWR is one of the finalists in the Armed Forces Parks and Recreation category. MWR serves military members and their families at Whiting Field with recreational, physical fitness and family activities geared toward enhancing a family community and morale among sailors.

LE DOUGH The Pensacola bakery held a fund-

raiser on Sunday, May 29, donating all its profits and tips to verified fundraisers supporting families affected by the mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas. Le Dough and its customers raised $800. inweekly.net

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outtakes

By Rick Outzen

THE OTHER COVID REPORT This month, Floridians have received two reports that offer two different impressions of how well Gov. Ron DeSantis handled the COVID-19 pandemic.

DeSantis and his supporters gloated when the Florida Department of Health Inspector General's investigative report found two allegations made by Rebekah Jones, creator of the state's COVID-19 dashboard, that FDOH officials directed her to falsify positivity rates were unsubstantiated. Her allegation that the calculation of new case positivity was determined to be unfounded by FDOH investigators, and Jones' complaint that she was told to restrict access to the underlying data that supported what was on the dashboard did occur by her bosses were exonerated because it didn't violate any FDOH directive.

When the media reported on the findings, Jones pointed out how that "unsubstantiated" didn't mean the alleged directive to falsify positivity rates didn't happen; it only meant nothing was uncovered that proved or disproved the claim. And while some in the media seized on the word "exonerated," asserting that it cleared DeSantis of playing games with the COVID data, Jones argued the data should never have been restricted, especially as numbers were increasing around the state.

Unfortunately, few listened to Jones. The impression left with the public was that DeSantis did a fine job keeping the public informed on COVID cases and deaths. But then another report came to light.

The State Auditor General spent a year examining the state's pandemic response from MarchOctober 2020. While the FDOH Office of Inspector General might have a vested interest in protecting the reputations of its leaders, the Auditor General is a constitutional officer appointed by the Legislative Auditing Committee, not the governor. Sherrill Norman has held the job since July 2015. Her job is to provide unbiased information that promotes government accountability and improves government operations.

After reviewing a sample of 2,600 tests conducted at three state-run testing facilities, state auditors found that state-contracted laboratories

failed to return results for nearly three out of five COVID tests. The report did not specify where the sample included the state-run testing site at the University of West Florida.

FDOH was to contact all COVID-positive individuals within 48 hours of being diagnosed, according to its guidelines. At Inweekly, we repeatedly heard from locals that they waited more than five days for their results.

The report confirmed those experiences weren't unique. Auditors discovered that the state never spoke with 23% of infected individuals.

Those contacted were often reached more than a week after testing positive, meaning those infected could unknowingly spread the virus. The muchtouted contact tracing was a myth during the early months of the pandemic.

We had friends whose parents died of COVID-19 that either appeared weeks later or never on any dashboard. Auditors found more than 3,000 cases of COVID-19 deaths reported by physicians that didn't appear on the state's list.

I spoke with Tampa Bay Times reporter Ian Hodgson, who broke the news about the report. He said, "Total number of deaths that we saw in those first months didn't totally reflect the actual number of people who were probably dying of COVID." FDOH did have a chance to respond to the Audit General report. Like Jones, the agency claimed the investigators didn't understand the different datasets, but FDOH admitted, two years after the start of the pandemic, that it couldn't hire enough people quickly enough to meet the demand.

The Tampa Bay Times found that the state eliminated about a quarter of the Department of Health's staff this past decade. Hodgson shared, "When this pandemic hit, we had the fewest epidemiologists per resident than most of the country."

So while FDOH may have cleared itself of Jones' allegations, Gov. DeSantis reopened our state in 2020 without accurate data about how the virus was spreading through our communities. The agency leaders charged with protecting our lives let us down. {in} rick@inweekly.net

The report confirmed those experiences weren't unique.

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LOCALS JOIN THE MARCH

Photo by Grayson Keglovic

By Elizabeth Royappa Last Saturday morning, residents of more than 400 cities nationwide poured into their hometown streets, holding signs and calling for commonsense gun reform. Thanks to local activists, Pensacola was no exception.

Plaza Ferdinand was filled with dozens of protesters participating in a rally that was organized as part of the March for Our Lives (MFOL) movement.

MFOL is a Florida-grown movement started by survivors of the 2018 Parkland shooting. Two days before the event, march co-organizer Alby Clendennin spoke with Inweekly and described how he felt after hearing of the recent tragedies in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y. "The news just completely destroyed me. I absolutely broke down into tears thinking about it all. It's too much, and it's a failure of our society," Clendennin said.

Clendennin is a UWF senior and the son of an elementary school teacher. He and his co-organizer, local mental health professional Taran Black, are heavily involved with local activism, and both of them wanted onlookers to know that the goal of MFOL was generating dialogue, not taking away citizens' guns.

"Today's event was about fostering further conversation—a conversation that does not dismiss one party or a particular set of people," Black told Inweekly after the march. "It's not about taking away Second Amendment rights. In fact, I am licensed to concealed carry, so I don't want anybody taking away my guns. However, I would like to see commonsense gun reform."

Clendennin echoed this sentiment during his interview with Inweekly, saying, "I think that 66

what's so incredibly important is having the conversation in the first place, and that's what the march is trying to do—just start the conversation and talk about how we can do better for ourselves and our community."

On Saturday, June 11, in Plaza Ferdinand, local parents, grandparents, educators and students came together and did just that. The event opened with an organizer reading the names of all 19 children and teachers killed in the Uvalde, Texas, shooting, as a group of local teenagers stood in a line at the front of the crowd and held up pictures of each victim, one by one.

A series of community members then took the stage, including veteran teachers, longtime gun reform activists, a local high school student and a survivor of gun violence. Every speaker urged attendees to do one thing, and their call to action turned into a mantra the crowd would chant all morning—"vote them out."

"Today, we marched to send a message," said community activist Samantha Hope Herring in her speech. "But on election day, you march to the ballot box to get a resolution."

In particular, the activists onstage called for voting out any state official who opposes universal background checks, red flag laws and restrictions on owning assault rifles.

"The power is not in a weapon; the power is in your vote," Herring told Inweekly after the event.

"You can be sure people like myself will be organizing, working hard to see that we get people registered to vote, so that people have a voice that represents them and not the NRA." Gun-owning attendees were also encouraged to practice gun safety at home by storing their ammunition and firearms in secure, locked locations inaccessible to kids.

In addition to these calls for action, speakers told the crowd poignant stories about the tangible effects of gun violence on schoolchildren.

"In Florida, after Parkland, especially, things changed for us," said Escambia Education Association Vice President Carol Cleaver, reflecting on her nearly 20 years of teaching experience.

"The worst part was, we began having mandatory monthly lockdown drills. This is where we must turn off all the lights, cover the windows, hide under desks and be totally silent, because we are literally telling our children how to avoid being killed in case a madman with a gun comes into my classroom. We have to train them on that now.

When the lockdown drill is over, I am to pick up my schoolbooks and continue teaching, like this is just normal or acceptable," Cleaver said.

"The drills scared my students at first," she added. "In many cases, their daily lives are threatened by gun violence in their own neighborhoods.

They take it seriously."

Cleaver was not the only organizer concerned about local gun violence.

Event co-organizer Black was a student of Pensacola State College Professor Carla Williams and a friend of activist Durrell Palmer, and after the march, he shared with Inweekly how their lives and recent deaths affected him.

"Dr. Carla Williams would oftentimes encourage me to stay focused and humble," he said. "She knew where I came from and just the challenges that I faced to even get to her college classroom. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Williams for her teaching, from an academic standpoint and a personal standpoint."

"And just as I had, Mr. Durrell Palmer wanted to grow up to make a positive impact," Black added. "To change the trajectory of individuals who

grow up in impoverished backgrounds by educating them, by supporting them, by affording them opportunities to see a different light. Not only did he stand for Black Lives Matter; he stood for gun reform. He stood for better employment opportunities for individuals in the community. For him to lose his life surrounding a gun, gun violence, it definitely hurts my heart. To lose your life in that manner is just baffling."

Once the speeches were finished, organizers led the still-chanting crowd in a march down Main Street and through the heart of downtown, ending where they began at Plaza Ferdinand. Afterward, many participants stayed behind and talked to the people they'd just marched with, discussing the cause that brought them together.

Jeff Nall, executive director of the EscambiaSanta Rosa Bar Association, was in attendance with his husband. Nall's sign read, "Remember Pulse: 49 Angels Lost."

He spoke to Inweekly after the march, saying, "I feel like it's important as a member of the LGBTQ community to be out here, because tomorrow [Sunday, June 12] is the sixth anniversary of the Pulse massacre. And as we know, this type of gun violence does affect everyone in the population, but there's a large amount of marginalized populations that are overly affected, whether that's race, sexual orientation or gender identity."

"Regardless of how people feel about the second amendment, I think we should all agree that things are completely out of hand right now," he added. "We do need commonsense gun laws. We do need background checks. It's not fair for our kids to be going to school and having to skip recess because they're learning how to hide under the table."

During Clendennin's pre-march interview with Inweekly, he said he felt "incredibly optimistic" about the movement's chances of success this time around, especially considering the organization's record of effectiveness.

"Back in 2018, March for Our Lives was able to pressure former Republican Governor Rick Scott to sign a bill that mandated you had to be over the age of 21 to buy a firearm in the state of Florida, and that's a big deal, because honestly, our state legislature hadn't done much for them in the past," Clendennin said.

Neither he nor any of the speakers and community members we spoke to on Saturday knew it at the time, but the nationwide march they participated in inspired what could be historic progress. On Sunday, June 12, just one day after the march, a bipartisan group of 20 senators, half Republicans and half Democrats, announced their intention to push a commonsense gun reform bill through the Senate.

"If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired about what is happening throughout our country when it comes to gun violence, then come have the conversation with us about how we can do better for Pensacola," Clendennin told Inweekly.

"It shouldn't be easier to get a gun than it is to get quality housing or health care," he added. {in} inweekly.net

Scott A. Remington

A. Alan Manning

Former Firm President & Shareholder

President & Managing Shareholder

Photos by Phil Salzman, Salz Studio

Presidential Perspectives

On The Transition of Firm Leadership

In 1976, Clark Partington was established by four bright, young, ambitious attorneys: Bill Clark, Don Partington, Bob Hart and Chris Hart. For the first decade of their leadership, the firm’s founders made all of their decisions as a team, but this form of leadership evolved in the second decade. In the words of the late John Appleyard [Official Firm Historian], “It was during the years of the late 1980’s that the firm’s management evolved from a mutual decision method, usually by the four founders, to a more central management in one partner who would guide major actions.” At this important juncture, two of the firm’s founders, Bill Clark, and then Bob Hart, served separately in this new leadership capacity. Succeeding them was Jesse Rigby, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran, who took the leadership helm in 2002 as president, and served until the presidency transitioned to Gary Huston from 2009-2012. From 2012-2013, Jesse Rigby served as president for one additional one-year term, and then Scott Remington became president in 2013, and just completed his nine years of service, or three consecutive 3-year terms, in January of this year. Scott is succeeded by Alan Manning, who is currently serving a three-year term as Clark Partington’s new firm president.

Recently, we sat down with both Manning and Remington to ask them what inspires their leadership decisions, and to find out how their unique perspectives and experiences align with those of their predecessors, ensuring that their vision and legacy of success is carried forward into the future.

We are Clark Partington – a preeminent Gulf Coast regional law firm serving the comprehensive legal needs of individuals and businesses as lifelong trusted advisors and counsel, with offices in Pensacola, Destin, Grayton Beach & Tallahassee. We stand on the shoulders of the pioneers who forged the success of our firm, we are shaped by our respect for their legacy, and propelled forward by a quiet confidence born of 46 years of excellence.

(850) 434-9200 | clarkpartington.com Ad Junepresented 16, 2022 by Clark Partington

Pensacola | Destin | Tallahassee | Santa Rosa Beach

7

A. Alan Manning, Firm President

February 1, 2022 – 2025 (3-Year Term) Hometown: Los Angeles, California Practice Areas: Commercial real estate and business transactions Alan Manning began his legal career at a large law firm in Los Angeles in 1986, and joined Clark Partington in 1998 after he and his wife moved to Pensacola. In 2012, he took what turned out to be a 5-year sabbatical and taught American History and Government at Pensacola Catholic High.

In his spare time, Alan is a presidential historian, and he had already been teaching as an adjunct in the Department of History at UWF when the Catholic High opportunity arose. During his sabbatical, he wrote and published his first book, Father Lincoln: The Untold Story of Abraham Lincoln and His Boys.

In 2017, Alan rejoined the firm.

change. We live out these values by building relationships with our clients, cultivating a culture of collaboration within the firm, attracting and retaining top talent at both the attorney and staff level, and practicing with integrity and professionalism.

Changes in the law business and in the practice of law are inevitable, and we must always be ready to embrace and even be on the leading edge of those changes, but we must also do so in a way that continues to foster those core values.

Is there any presidential wisdom that guides your leadership decisions?

Two things come to mind: Abraham Lincoln once said “Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” In other words, as a leader, offer a good strategy and then execute it with full effort. Theodore Roosevelt said this: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Nobody gets every decision right, and so the real failure is when we do not even try.

Are you working on another book?

Alan, what is your vision for your presidential term?

We are committed to providing excellent service and doing the right thing, at the right time, the right way, for every client that we serve. That is a core value for us, and while many things can change over time, such as the use of technology in the workplace, our fundamental core values do not

Yes, I am writing one on Theodore Roosevelt. It centers around some important virtues that were passed down through the generations in the Roosevelt family. I’ve done virtually all of the research and have written about a third of the manuscript, but it is very much a part-time project so it will be a couple of years at least before it is in print.

Blue Wahoos, and Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. Personally, I am proud to have been a part of Leadership Florida and served the Episcopal Church, both as a Diocesan Chancellor and a three-time deputy to General Convention.

What are your proudest accomplishments and achievements from your presidential term?

Leading the transition from the first generation of leaders to the current firm while maintaining our culture and values.

If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently as a leader?

Worry less.

Scott A. Remington, Fmr. Firm President February 1, 2013 – 2022 (9-Year Term)

Practice Areas: Real Estate & Corporate Litigation and Governmental Affairs

The last ten years have flown by. When I started as president, our oldest child, Virginia, was 12 and now she has graduated from college and moved to Texas.

Scott Remington began his legal career at Clark Partington Hart Larry Bond & Stackhouse in 1997.

Over the last decade, I have received a great deal of professional satisfaction from my work with local businesses, the

Hometown: Pensacola, FL

(850) 434-9200 | clarkpartington.com 88

Scott, how would you describe the last ten years of your life and legal practice?

Are there any mentors that helped to guide your leadership decisions?

Quint Studer has been an inspiration and valued mentor. His challenge to me early on was to make the firm a great place to work and not just a great law firm. I believe we were able to accomplish this, and look forward to sharing more about that in the near future. I was also blessed to learn from the example of prior leaders like Bob Hart and Jesse Rigby—two men who exemplify servant leadership.

What are your plans, dreams and goals for the next ten years?

I am excited to have more time to spend with my wife Amie and our boys—Tom & Harry— during their high school years.

I also look forward to growing more and better tomatoes! Our daughter Virginia has moved to Texas to start her career and we are excited about traveling to visit her as well.

What are your hopes for the future of the firm?

As Bob Hart often said—“the history of our firm is in the future.” I still believe this to be true and look forward to seeing the firm continue to grow and evolve under Alan Manning’s leadership. Alan’s experience with the firm and commitment to its values and culture make him an excellent successor. I am proud to have him as our new leader.

Committed.

Collaborative.

Responsive.

Proven.

Pensacola | Destin | Tallahassee | Santa Rosa Beach Ad presented by Clark Partington inweekly.net

Blazer Academy / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County Sheriff's Office

BLAZER ACADEMY The Escambia County Sheriff's Office held graduation ceremonies for its second Blazer Academy last week during which boys received blazers and pocket watches marking their achievement. The Sheriff's Blazer Academy immerses young men ages 13-15 in an environment that provides mentoring and instruction on many topics such as courtesy, responsibility, empowerment and respect over a six-week period.

"We're unapologetic with what we teach them," Sheriff Chip Simmons told Inweekly.

"We teach them how to be a man. We teach them how to be respectful. We tell them about where their place is in society. All of us men grew up, and we were teenagers or early teens and not sure about ourselves, not sure about what are our responsibilities."

He continued, "I'll ask them the questions about, who are your role models because it matters—who do you aspire to be or who do you think has the attributes and qualities that you want to emulate. We talked about who counts on them, who is dependent upon you to be a good student, to be a good brother, to be a good role model for them, your little brothers, and who's going to count on you later on in life."

Last fall, the Florida Crime Prevention Association named the innovative program its "Outstanding Program of the Year" for crime prevention. Sheriff Simmons told Inweekly he plans to recruit his first all-female Blazer Academy later this summer.

"It's a pretty big endeavor. It seems so simple, but we don't want to do anything halfway," said the sheriff. "We want to make sure that we do right by these children, and we want to do right by the people that are giving us money and supporting us. We've got young ladies that could use the same type of mentorship."

He added, "Our hope is that the female Blazer Academy has the exact same impact as our first two classes, and we will continue to get better."

To learn more about the Sheriff's Blazer Academy, visit escambiaso.com.

June 16, 2022

DISTRICT 7 HOT TOPICS The top concerns among residents of Pensacola's western flank— roadway safety, a wild housing boom and flooding—were discussed during a city town hall event last week. The public forum, held at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, allowed the city's District 7 residents to speak with Pensacola City Councilman Delarian Wiggins and Mayor Grover Robinson.

"It appears that we don't have a long-term plan to fix Main Street flooding," resident Michael Rafferty addressed the event's marquee topics head-on. The west side of downtown Pensacola struggles with recognized flooding issues. The city has worked to address some areas, but stretches of Main Street heading out of downtown remain problematic.

Mayor Robinson said that a larger stormwater outflow pipe, a 60-inch pipe, is needed to accommodate water flowing in from Barrancas Avenue, so it is more right-of-way.

"We really need to get rid of the railroad tracks. That's been one of the main things I've been trying to focus on, is to push out the railroad and then us have that," Robinson explained, adding that funding has been secured to conduct some design work on this project.

Chris Curb, a flooding and drainage advisor for the nonprofit organization Flood Defenders, addressed the issue of flooding. He said, "Your stormwater model does not take into consideration sea level rise; it also does not take into consideration climate change."

He specifically discussed South Devilliers Street, just west of Pensacola City Hall, where local environmental advocate Dr. Gloria Horning's residence floods regularly and deals sewage overflowing onto the roadway, not only during storm surges but also during high tide and "a pretty good rain."

Curb added, "I mean, you've got crap bubbling out on your street. That is not ECUA's responsibility; that's y'all's responsibility because it is your road."

The mayor pointed out the city and the

Emerald Coast Utility Authority are trying to locate and remedy trouble spots downtown where sewage is infiltrating the stormwater system, but he added the city was also actively addressing "a number of challenges with flooding" citywide.

"We know that Gloria Horning has been going through some issues," added Councilman Wiggins, "so we've been working very hard and diligently trying to help mitigate some of those concerns she's having with flooding."

A Sanders Beach neighborhood resident expressed concerns over new development changing the fabric of his area.

"You drive down the street and one day there's a third-acre lot with a house and four trees, and the next day you drive by and that house is gone, and there's four houses and no trees, and it's impacting a lot of things," the man said. "There's no wind, there's no shade, there's no trees, there's no grass and very quickly the entire neighborhood is becoming overwhelmed with these houses that look exactly the same. So the neighborhood has no culture, no heritage, none of that stuff."

Asked if the city had a plan in place to manage such cookie-cutter development and associated issues such as increased traffic, the mayor acknowledged the concerns but said that developers are held to existing code and zoning regulations. He added that such development may be appropriate if done well to address the issue of an affordable housing shortage.

"Those things, a little of the yin and yang, kind of going together is what we work with," Robinson said. "We're trying to look at doing the same kind of thing that begins to create some variation in what's out there, so hopefully the product is not everything's the same, because then it loses that character."

Gloria Lemming asked Robinson and Wiggins about the possibility of placing a crosswalk at the six-way stop at Government Street and Barrancas Avenue to make it a safer crossing for pedestrians. She said, "That intersection there, it's pretty brutal."

"I think we can look at that with public works," Mayor Robinson said.

Roadway safety had also been brought up

by Rafferty, who cited speeding traffic along Government Street and suggested a stop sign at Government and E streets, as well as making the road a no-passing zone, might help. He said, "Somebody's going to get hurt, I guarantee it."

Robinson agreed that the suggestions were "something that we can totally look at here."

Deputy City Administrator David Forte said a study on the issue could be conducted once funding is secured.

"That's great, but just remember, it costs very little to put in two stop signs," Rafferty noted.

PHASE II BEGINS The ground was broken Wednesday, June 8, on Phase II of Pensacola

State College's Bear, Jones, Moore and Reeves Center for Math and Advanced Technology. The building is estimated to cost between $22-$25 million and is tentatively set to be completed by December 2023.

"The long-awaited groundbreaking for Phase II has finally arrived,'' said PSC President Ed Meadows. "This facility will not only provide instructional space for our math department but will also allow us to expand our facilities for cybersecurity."

The building's name pays tribute to four Pensacola families—the Bear Family Foundation, Jo and Bill Jones, the late Pete Moore Family and Jim Reeves—who have collectively given $1 million to fund STEM-related scholarships. The center will house cybersecurity, math, advanced technology and other high-tech programs. A third-floor connector will link it with Phase I— the Baars Technology Building—that officially opened in April 2021.

Along with state funding, a $12 million grant will help pay for the Phase II construction. The $11,998,919 grant comes from Triumph Gulf Coast, the organization the state charged with distributing the $1.5 billion settlement from BP stemming from the 2010 oil spill.

The state has given PSC $15.4 million for the construction project and is expected to commit another $3.5 million later this year. Triumph Gulf Coast contributed $12 million.

Meadows praised the state and local legislative delegation and Triumph Gulf Coast for appropriating funds for the facility. He said, "We've been attempting for nearly 10 years to fully replace an antiquated building that served us well in the past. We now have the funds to not only complete construction but to grow, accelerate and expand our existing IT and cybersecurity programs, as well as support our mathematics program."

AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS Mayor

Grover Robinson continues to search for more affordable housing options within city limits. At his Monday, June 6, presser, he shared his disappointment that Habitat for Humanity chose to sell lots near the intersection of Jackson and D streets rather than making them available for affordable housing.

Habitat sold the property, stating that the proceeds from the sale would allow for the creation of additional affordable housing—outside of the city, where the money would go further.

The sale happened before city officials could have made an offer.

"We were like, "Who owns that?'" recounted Mayor Robinson. "By the time we figured it out, the sale had already gone from Habitat to Merrill Land Company."

Chalking the item up to a misalignment of interest between the city and Habitat, the mayor said, "I would have rather had the opportunity for us to have built affordable housing there. By the time we got together, it was already too late; it had already sold."

He admitted that one reason Habitat unloaded its Jackson Street property was the devel9

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opment constraints imposed by the CRA overlay district, in which the property falls.

"We've tried to work with Habitat," Mayor Robinson said, explaining that the city attempted to address some concerns the organization had regarding the overlay district, which requires developers to adhere to certain aesthetic specifics in designs.

The main tweak that city officials made to its CRA overlay was adding an amendment process that developers could request to deviate from the requirements.

"That was the biggest problem that we had," Robinson said. "Used to be that there was no recourse for you if you did not fit the overly, and we saw a number of things, both residential and commercial development, that was stopped by that."

He added, "It's a very noble purpose to preserve our history, but in doing so, there's nothing necessarily affordable in that area."

With this in mind, Mayor Robinson suggested the city should consider its options when it comes to the CRA overly, which the council had instituted to address large-scale housing developments that it believed were inconsistent with the surrounding area.

"The council can decide whether they want to get rid of the overlay or what they want to do," the mayor said. He suggested the council could suspend the restrictions for time and allow more affordable options to be built in the CRA. Another option is to make some city park property available for housing. Mayor Robinson said, "At this point, we have been asked to look at the possibility of utilizing some land for affordable housing."

He shared some council members have brought up the concept of developing public parks as "non-traditional." However, he clarified that no specific parks were currently being considered. The mayor stressed that the city would be exploring other options for affordable housing—such as the potential offered via the soonto-be-available property being vacated by Baptist Hospital in the West Moreno District—before keying in on any parks.

"If it came to the point where we weren't successful in other places, we would look at all opportunities," he said, describing the potential of developing parks as another tool in the toolbox.

"You've got to be willing to look at everything."

The mayor stressed that the city needs to be flexible regarding affordable housing. He said, "Government is dynamic; you can't look at government as static. And a lot of times, people want to view government rules as static, like, 'I know what the rules are, and I've built my whole life around these rules, and I don't want to change the rules.'"

He continued, "Well, life changes, and you've got to be willing to change your rules as life changes around you. I think dynamic cities can move much better to incorporate and deal with what the future hands them."

PORT MAGIC Mayor Grover Robinson is excited that American Magic is returning to the Port of Pensacola to train for America's Cup because

"it brings a lot of significance to our community by having them train here."

He told Inweekly, "The longer-range goal is how can we do some things that would create more of a long-term impact both the preparation for America's Cup—where you've got a lot of jobs in designing, outfitting and training—and building a high-tech sailing center here."

He added that the port has looked at maritime research, and the sailing center fits well with that possibility. The mayor said, "I think that could be incredibly far-reaching, and certainly already we're seeing the benefits of it with U.S. sailing, just in the sense of wanting to do more regattas and more things here."

Robinson said having American Magic at the port puts the city at the forefront of American sailing.

"We've tried to be in the forefront of niche industries that we feel like we have a competitive advantage—whether it's cyber, MRO facility at the airport or things we've done in our port," Mayor Robinson told Inweekly. "We're constantly looking for the niches where we could be successful, and it certainly has paid off for us. We don't want to be everybody else. We want to be us, and we want to be successful when we have a competitive advantage. And if we can create that, we want to seize on it."

A BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE A documentary produced locally has been selected for two international film festivals. "A Beautiful Struggle: The Man & The Madness" details the life of Jonathan Green, a 2018 Pensacola mayoral candidate and social justice advocate.

In the documentary produced by JusB Solutions LLC and J. Garrett Green & Associates LLC of Pensacola, Green's life is described by including his original #trauma, through his various encounters with law enforcement to his diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder. He has overcome many obstacles and has displayed tremendous resilience to continue achieving success.

On July 16, "A Beautiful Struggle: The Man & The Madness" will be screened at the International Black & Diversity Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. From Sept. 18-25, the documentary will be screened at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival.

In his press release, Green wrote that through this film, he hopes to encourage dialogue on mental health and the traumas suffered through escalated police encounters.

NO MORE VOUCHERS In accordance with HUD guidelines, the city of Pensacola Housing Department will stop accepting applications to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waitlist effective July 11 until further notice. However, the closure does not affect those who have applied before July 11. Those applications will be processed in the order they have been received.

Applicants on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist should maintain valid contact information with the department. {in} inweekly.net

Symphony Sparks & Stars Presented by

July 4th 6-9pm Community Maritime Park Join Levin Papantonio Rafferty this Independence Day! Enjoy Music, Fireworks & Free Family Fun on the Fourth of July!

Proudly Celebrating our Armed Forces with a Concert by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra!

Fantastic Military Jet Flyover and a Patriotic Performance on Pensacola Bay!

June 16, 2022

11

THE JOURNEY TO

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH

By C. Scott Satterwhite

Ashanti Floyd "The Mad Violinist" / Photo by Bubba Carr Though far from the first Juneteenth celebration in our nation, and definitely not the first in Pensacola, this year is only the second Juneteenth celebrated as a federally recognized holiday. Pensacola is marking this holiday with a long roster of events, most falling under the "Journey to Juneteenth" banner.

Pensacola's journey to this holiday began with none other than Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton. After attending the Florida History Conference last year, attendees discussed ways to promote May 20, Florida's Emancipation Day. "I decided to connect Emancipation Day to the federally recognized Juneteenth," said Broughton.

"The conference guided us on how to achieve this goal and offered different names," she said. "I believe this name connects Florida's history and African American history as much as it shows the Black freedom struggle is a journey."

That is the origin of Pensacola's "Journey to Juneteenth," and because of it, we now have numerous ways to celebrate this holiday.

Broughton's ultimate goal is simple—"I particularly want people to learn about our region's history." Besides being an elected city official, Broughton is a regional historian who is widely recognized as a wealth of information on Pensacola's African American history.

Broughton credits Mayor Grover Robinson and the City of Pensacola for their help making possible many of the Juneteenth events, including hiring people to assure these traditions continue 212 1

through national and state grants. For Broughton, a descendant of enslaved people, people of color and Civil War soldiers "both Black and white," the holiday is very personal.

"My ancestors gained their freedom in Pensacola. It's my responsibility to tell their story and the story of those who fought—and continue to fight—for freedom," Broughton said. "Their contributions made the Constitution a true, living document instead of a concept or idea."

EVENTS To help you march on and celebrate this holiday, we put together a list of some of the events going on this weekend around town.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

Gallery Night's "Juneteenth Kickoff"

5-9 p.m., Downtown, gallerynightpensacola.org Gallery Night is always fun, but this month will be extra special because the June event theme is "Juneteenth Kickoff." As part of the "Journey to Juneteenth" celebration statewide, Gallery Night's June event will highlight the holiday with special performances, art and food.

Six-time Grammy nominee Ashanti Floyd, aka "The Mad Violinist," will perform. Other performances include a fashion show showcasing local fashion designers and artisans and cultural performances from Ayoka African Drum and Dance.

Gallery Night's June featured visual artist is Leo Green, a New Orleans-born artist who currently lives in Biloxi, where he works as a high school art teacher and coach.

A lot of Green's pieces pay tribute to hip-hop artists, like the one we featured on our cover titled "After Kendrick Lamar-The Heart Part 5." Green has a YouTube channel where he shows his pieces, process and how-to's for aspiring creatives. You can subscribe here: youtube.com/channel/UCnvRvG_BcL6nwZ4cs2YRVNw. Another visual artist making their first appearance at Gallery Night this month is The Rug Dispensary from Lillian, Ala. We spoke with owner and artist Devin Blount in advance of the event.

Turn to page 15 to read the interview.

Featured food trucks will include M&J's Grubbery, Jumping Lomo Peruvian truck and What the Cluck Chicken Truck. Taste of Pensacola will also be in attendance and will be selling a special Juneteenth box. Arcadia Mills and Gulf Island National Seashore will have educational booths showcasing their historic ties to Black culture.

"Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey"

6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd., henryboxbrownthemusical.com Henry "Box" Brown was a 19th-century en-

slaved African whose remarkable story is one worth exploring. Aided by abolitionists in the South, Brown escaped slavery by having himself mailed in a large crate and shipped from Virginia to Pennsylvania. Yes, you read that right. He literally mailed himself to freedom. Brown's story was originally collected in a 19th-century slave narrative but was resurrected by Mehr Mansuri when she turned the interracial adventure into a musical that is now optioned and bound for Broadway.

The event is happening locally thanks to a grant awarded to Equity Project Alliance through The Hive, which is a social responsibility program of Innisfree Hotels. The Equity Alliance Project is a local initiative that challenges systemic racism and initiates conversations on equity and justice in the community.

Tickets are $40 (plus fees) and can be purchased at henryboxbrownthemusical.com. As of press time (Monday, June 13) tickets were still available for both 6 p.m. shows.

Five Sisters Blues Café

Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 421 W. Belmont St., fivesistersbluescafe.com Five Sisters is doing their special awardnominated Juneteenth menu feature again this weekend, and it's worth a visit. The Juneteenth menu is a collaboration between lifestyle blogger Michiel Perry of Black Southern Belle Magazine and Chef Billy Ballou and features dishes like hoecakes, BBQ ribs and red velvet cake. The special inweekly.net

Juneteenth menu will be offered at both the lunch and dinner services on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

Emancipation Day R&B and Blues Lawn Party

10 a.m.-3 p.m., behind the Tivoli House, 205 E. Zaragoza St., facebook.com/gregorythe.southerngent.3 A tribute to the life of community activist Durrell Palmer, this free event features live music, arts and crafts, food vendors and more. The party is presented and hosted by Gregory the Southern Gent "Pookie" and will feature sounds from DJ Shannon and a performance by Keyla Richardson, who was a finalist on BET's "Sunday Best" singing competition.

AAHS and PSC Juneteenth Celebration

10 a.m.-7 p.m., PSC Pensacola campus, 1000 College Blvd., aahspensacola.org Once again, the African American Heritage Society of Pensacola (AAHS) and Pensacola State College (PSC) are presenting a number of educational and cultural events to celebrate Juneteenth. Authors of books about the Civil Rights Movement will give talks and legendary local African drummer Poleon will perform. According to the AAHS, a goal of this community celebration is to "engender a collective greater understanding of history and culture so that we narrow, if not eradicate the division among people, often the result of inadequate knowledge and understanding of one another's history." Along with the educational opportunities, PSC's Juneteenth celebration promises music, dance, poetry, storytelling and more. Events are indoors, outdoors and even some on Zoom, including author Lynda Blackmon Lowery, who will tell her story about the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march in Selma, Ala.

The Watson Family Foundation Presents: Juneteenth A Family Reunion

Noon-6 p.m., Museum Plaza, 120 Church St., watsonfamilyfoundation.com The Watson Family Foundation is hosting a huge festival that will include live performances, speakers, DJs, kids' activities and food trucks.

There's even a spades and dominoes tournament.

If you're good with the cards or the bones, this could be your day, but you have to pre-register.

Billed as a "family reunion," this event is highlighting one special aspect of the holiday for many.

The "Journey to Juneteenth" committee described the role of the family reunion in African American culture as one with deep roots going back to the days after Emancipation. "Freed people prioritized locating their families immediately after Emancipation and would place ads in newspapers searching for relatives sold away and separated from them under slavery." The tradition of reuniting families continued through the Great Migration as families who escaped legal discrimination and racial terrorism risked their lives to reconnect with families that remained in the Jim Crow South throughout much of the 20th century.

Though Juneteenth is rooted in historic opJune 16, 2022

pression, this Saturday's events will be a celebration of freedom. To help with that celebratory vibe, the Watson Family Foundation event will feature performing artists such as Keyla Richardson, Ashanti Floyd ("The Mad Violinist") and New Orleans DJ Ike T, as well as The Omega Lamplighters and The Pensacola Red Diamondz.

The Watson Family Foundation made this event about celebrating Black culture but also about giving back to the community with a scholarship of $1500 to be awarded to a UWF minority student.

2nd Annual Juneteenth Gala— A Celebration of Black Success

8 p.m., Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. The Juneteenth Gala will be a night that "shines light on Black entrepreneurs and hardworking Black men and women" of the community. The event will feature a mix of live music from Melodious Allen and the Funk Heads, along with five-time Apollo-winning saxophonist Austin Paul Jr., as well as what promises to be an incredible mix by DJ Hale.

This event is for ages 21 and up, and tickets can be purchased individually ($35 plus fees) or tables of eight ($400 plus fees) on Eventbrite.

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

#BLKFLA Juneteenth Block Party

2-5 p.m., Truth for Youth, 401 N. Reus St., truthforyouth.org The "Journey to Juneteenth" official celebrations conclude with a block party at the Truth for Youth Center hosted by Black Voters Matter, Dream Defenders, Real Women Radio, Movement for Change and Life is Hale. The event is part of #BLKFLA tour, a series of events hosted by the Black Voters Matter Fund, so encouraging active political engagement will definitely be on the agenda, in addition to celebrating the holiday. Free food will be provided by East King's Café, and free Snow Cones by Bam! Snoballs (while supplies last). And you know it's going to be hot, so make sure you get a snow cone before they're gone.

EXTRAS After the parties and celebrations, a day could be well spent at at either Fort Pickens or Fort Barrancas—two of Florida's recognized stops on the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Learn about these freedom fighters and the struggles they went through in our city, as well as the history of those who emancipated themselves.

Another way you could observe Juneteenth is by dropping by St. Michael's Cemetery and leaving an offering at John Sunday's grave. He's one of the few Pensacolians born into slavery who grew up to fight the Confederates—helping to end slavery and bring about the holiday we're celebrating.

Lastly, nearly every event we included will have food, but if you're a vegan or vegetarian, there might not be much on those menus for you.

As an alternative, we can't recommend The Busy Bee, Mercantile & General Store enough—for vegans, vegetarians and just lovers of really good food in general. It's Black-owned and super affordable. Their menu is always fresh and changing and features daily lunch specials, plus housemade soups, frescas, lemonades, teas, smoothies and desserts. {in} 13

Find your stage.

The Center serves as downtown Pensacola’s cultural and artistic hub.

It is home to local theatre, ballet, education, events, community organizations and more. As we look to the future, we plan to reimagine our space, and we invite you to join us on the journey. learn more at findyour center pensacola.com

AD DESIGN COURTESY OF BRAND ON US ™, AN IDGROUP INITIATIVE.

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inweekly.net

WEEK OF JUNE 16-22

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

The Rug Dispensary Makes Gallery Night Debut

By Savannah Evanoff

Devin Blount of The Rug Dispensary / Courtesy Photo

Devin Blount remembers the first rug he made.

How could he forget—it looked something like a "crappy smiley face," he said with a laugh.

"Looking back, I was like, 'Wow, that was a crappy rug,' but that was one of the proudest moments of my life," Blount said. "I made something myself. I was just so proud of it."

The creator of The Rug Dispensary has gotten a tad better since then, now shipping rugs to cus-

tomers as far as Germany, Italy, Canada and the U.K. He recently visited his parents in Hawaii and brought back all of his original rugs— including that "crappy smiley face."

"I'm definitely bringing them to Gallery Night to show people where I started," Blount said.

This Friday, Blount will bring an assortment of rugs, plus LGBTQIA-friendly prints and stickers for his first time at the monthly event.

Blount stumbled into rug-making while he was living with his parents in Hawaii. He had just completed his bachelor's in communications at the University of South Alabama at the brink of the pandemic, making the workforce less promising.

"I was just chilling," Blount said. "Everybody was at home at this point, so there was nothing much else to do, so I got onto TikTok and I follow this page called EuphoricSupply, and that's where it all started. I said, 'You know what? This would be something kinda cool.' I've never really put my creative efforts into anything outside of video games really, so for me,

this was something different and unique I'd never done before."

His plan was to make rugs for himself and his friends.

"Then somebody mentioned they would purchase one of these from me, and I was like, 'Maybe that could be something I could look into,'" Blount said. "That's where it's gone—from just starting in my parents' garage to now I have a whole website; my Instagram's nearly at 7,000 followers, so I've just grown a lot in the last year."

Learning to make rugs was more difficult than Blount expected. He is mostly self-taught, he said, because there are only so many YouTube videos you can watch without just trying it yourself.

"It utilizes a gun called a tufting gun, and it's a pneumatic machine that basically punches yarn into a fabric called tufting cloth or monks cloth," Blount said. "It's essentially a pair of scissors and it cuts the yarn to a specific length you have to set in the gun, and that's how it creates a tile and that's how you make the rugs."

The Rug Dispensary—an original name that came to Blount after being denied his first Instagram handle because it was already taken—features rugs from sizes 1-and-a-half-feet-by-1-anda-half-feet to 5-by-7 feet that take anywhere from five to 32 hours to make. He started crafting rugs in his parents' garage and has since upgraded to his own—sharing the space, of course, with his car.

His most popular designs are an assortment of characters and set pieces from the cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants."

"I loved that show growing up, and I said, 'No one's really making rugs out of SpongeBob, so I'm just gonna go ahead and do that,'" Blount said. "That's been exciting because it's something

where I can mix in my childhood, a lot of nostalgia, so it gives me a lot of fire to wanna do it."

And his followers love it.

"I've gotten so many messages about it, 'Keep making these. We love to see those,'" Blount said.

"I even posted I didn't want people to get tired of me making them and someone said, 'No, please keep making these. I'll never get tired of them.'"

Blount plans to drop another SpongeBob release at the end of June and then spice up his designs with food and animal themes in July. One of his favorite creations was a "Dragon Ball Z" rug he made for a family member in Italy.

Blount said his friends and family have been inspired by his pursuit of rug-making and selling.

"I'd never sold something I myself have made, so this year has been a big dream to me, getting more comfortable with that and knowing my own value," Blount said. "My old boss used to tell me, 'Know your value, but then also add tax.'"

Blount hopes to eventually host tufting classes in the area.

"Anybody that is trying to get into art or who has ever thought about it, just do it," Blount said.

"I think it's been the best decision for me to ever do this, and I think if anybody loves something or has a passion for it, they should just go for it." {in}

THE RUG DISPENSARY AT GALLERY NIGHT

WHEN: 5-9 p.m. Friday, June 17 WHERE: Downtown DETAILS: therugdispensary.com, gallerynightpensacola.org

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

127 Palafox Place Suite 100 (850)466-3115 autumnbeckblackledge.com June 16, 2022

15

AYCE: FAT

GIVEAWAY

Tuesday

JUNE 14-19

June 14 • 6:35 pm AYCE Buffet (90-min.) + Game Ticket & Hat for ONLY $26!

ONE PRICE

Wednesday

Tennessee Smokies

June 15 • 6:35 pm All tickets include a hot dog, chips, & soda FOR JUST $17!

Friday

June 17 • 6:35 pm Downtown Dave Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans

FIREWORKS

Saturday

June 18 • 6:05 pm Pensacola’s BEST Fireworks after the game!

Wednesday Night Fireworks!

MULLET

Thursday

June 16 • 6:35 pm Enjoy Drink Specials Including $2 drafts & BOGO domestic cans!

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BW0655_Homestand6_vs_TNSmokies_IN-Half-Page.indd 1

DOUBLE-A AFFILIATES

NEXT HOMESTAND: JUNE 28-JULY 3 VS. MONTGOMERY BISCUITS TUNE IN TO CATCH THE GAMES ON

GAME TIMES

|

|

Mon.-Fri. 6:35 pm Sat. 6:05 pm Sun. 4:05 pm All pre-game activities start 45 minutes prior to game time.

MILITARY FAMILY

Sunday

June 19 • 4:05 pm Juneteenth Celebration!

Chappie James “Four-Star General” jersey auction after game

inweekly.net

6/9/22 11:11 AM

a&e happenings BEACH SEASON UPDATES

FREE TROLLEY RIDES TO PENSACOLA BEACH The 2022 Pensacola Beach Island Trol-

ley, operated by Escambia County Area Transit, will run daily from 4 p.m.-midnight through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5.

Three trolleys will operate concurrently, running three routes. The eastern route runs from Casino Beach to Portofino, the western route runs from Casino Beach to Park West near the entrance gate to Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the commercial core route runs from Casino Beach to Grand Marlin with stops occurring along the new access road and at Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.

Visitors can access the real-time trolley schedule four ways: •Visit the "Trolley Tracker" at visitpensacolabeach.com/trolleytracker •Call (850) 602-9384 and enter the trolley stop number •Text SRIA (space) and the trolley stop number to 41411 •Scan the QR code posted at each trolley stop with a smartphone

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ANIMAL ALLIES BINGO Animal Allies Florida is hosting Bingo at Scenic Hills Country Club, located at 8891 Burning Tree Road, twice a month.

Dates are June 28, July 12 & 26, Aug. 9 & 23, Sept.

6 & 20, Oct. 4 & 18, Nov. 8 & 22 and Dec. 6 & 20.

Proceeds go to help local animals. The fun starts at 7 p.m. $10 gets you 30 cards. Winners share the pot. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

You must be 18 years old to play.

KPB FUN-RAISER AT ALGA BEER CO.

Support Keep Pensacola Beautiful Thursday, June 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Alga Beer Co., 2435 N. 12th Ave., where $1 of every beer sold goes to Keep Pensacola Beautiful. Visit keeppensacolabeautiful.org for more information.

CALL TO ARTISTS

PIECES ADRIFT ART SHOW Keep Pensacola Beautiful (KPB) is calling on artists who want to showcase their art while raising awareness about litter in waterways. The art show will be held Saturday, Sept. 24. Art pieces must be at least 50% trash or litter. By the art show due date, KPB will need a written Artist's Statement, photo and brief description of your work. A registration fee will be collected from each artist this year when the artwork is submitted. The fee will be $15 or $10 for students. For more information, visit keeppensacolabeautiful.org.

ARTS & CULTURE

WHAT'S SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINEMA ART PCA is located at the Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" will be showing at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25. Classic films are available for free through the PCA website. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for more information and the latest showtimes.

309 NEW ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 309 Punk

Project's new Artist in Residence is Skott Cowgill. Cowgill is a musician, zine author and visual June 16, 2022

artist. He began oil painting in Pensacola at the 309 Punk House. He relocated to San Francisco, where he has shown extensively and has collaborated with Andrew Schoultz, Tommy Guerrero and Mark Gonzalez, to name a few. His oil painting style is primarily wet on wet, and subjects range from images of human isolation to desolate landscapes where one might clear their head.

Cowgill is a graffiti artist and has covered San Francisco in stencils of sunken boats. An exhibit of work is on view through July 2 with a closing reception on Saturday, July 2, from 7-11 p.m. Visit 309punkproject.org for events and information.

NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM AT YOUR LIBRARY Join representa-

tives from the National Naval Aviation Museum to learn about the intersection of military operations, flight and oceanography, the science of the sea. All ages are welcome. The presentation at the Genealogy Library will focus on family history research and is suggested for an adult audience.

Dates are: •10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, June 17, at Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. •10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at Molino Library, 6450-A Highway 95A •3-4 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at the Genealogy Library, 5749 N. Ninth Ave.

FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK AT YOUR LIBRARY Join repre-

sentatives from the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) to learn about underwater archaeology in your community and participate in an interactive activity. The mission of FPAN is to promote public appreciation of Florida's archaeological heritage through partnerships and community engagement. All ages are welcome.

Dates are: •10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway •3-4 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, at Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Ave. •10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at Molino Library, 6450-A Highway 95A

A CHORUS LINE The classic concept musical about a Broadway chorus audition comes to the PLT stage. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, June 17 and 24; 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 18 and 25; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 16 and 23; and 2:30 p.m.

Sundays, June 19 and 26. Tickets are $9-$33. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for more information.

OPERA AL FRESCO Enjoy an evening of beautiful music—al fresco. This special pop-up concert series brings live music to parks and green spaces around town via Pensacola Opera's StageMobile. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and listen to popular tunes featuring Sheila Dunn, Allanda Small Campbell and Corey McKern, accompanied by Cody Martin, Saturday, June 18, at 6 p.m. at H.K. Matthews Park. Cost is free. Visit pensacolaopera.com.

SOUND OF MY VOICE SCREENING The

2011 film "Sound of My Voice" will have a screening at KWM Studios on Saturday, June 18, starting at 6 p.m. BYOB. Visit facebook.com/diypensacola for details.

ANJELAH JOHNSON-REYES Comedian

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes will be at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox, 8 p.m., Friday, June 24, for her Who Do I Think I Am Tour. Tickets are $39.75-$59.75. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for more information.

SUNKEN GROTTO BY GOD'S WAITING ROOM On Friday, June 24, experience "Sunken

Grotto" by God's Waiting Room—an art exhibition and live presentation bringing together dance music and fantasized, Floridian-inspired immersive installations at Easy Going Gallery, 701 N. V. St. Art reception is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 24.

Visit facebook.com/easygoinggallery for details.

LIFE DRAWING GROUP AT ARTEL Artel's life drawing group meets every Monday, except holidays, from 6-9 p.m. in Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. For more information, contact Melvin at (850) 549-8783 or visit artelgallery.org.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Enjoy shop-

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

EASY GOING GALLERY ART MARKET

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

For more information, contact easygoinggalleryart@gmail.com.

THE MAROON MARINES: ARCHAEOLOGY AT PROSPECT BLUFF A new temporary

exhibit at The Destination Archaeology Resource Center, located at 207 E. Main St., features the story of the largest free black settlement in what is now the United States. This exhibit is sponsored by City of Pensacola Councilmember Teniadé Broughton.

During the War of 1812, a fort was built by Black British Colonial Marines and Indigenous people along the Apalachicola River. Called "Negro Fort" by American officials, it eventually became the center of the largest free Black settlement in what is now the United States. When the war ended, the U.S. believed the fort threatened the institution of slavery and must be destroyed.

To the Maroon people who lived there, however, the fort at Prospect Bluff was a beacon of freedom worth fighting for.

For more information, visit fpan.us.

HARMONY DISCORD Harmony Discord is the latest art exhibit at First City Art Center's Gallery 1060, located at 1060 N. Guillemard St. The exhibit is on view through July 30. An opening reception will be Thursday, June 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Visit firstcityartcenter.org for more information.

MAN OF MANY FACES A new exhibit from

artist Wes Hinds is on view at Easy Going Gallery, 701 N. V St. Exhibit on view through June

16. Visit facebook.com/easygoinggallery for more information.

"KEEP IT 100" AT ARTEL GALLERY Back

by popular demand for the third year is the "Keep it 100," where all pieces are for sale and priced at $100. The exhibit is a juried show with Jimmy Rhea, professor at Pensacola State College, as juror. The exhibit will be on view through June 24. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox. Visit artelgallery.org for more information.

ART OF THE POSTER One of the latest Artel exhibits will be posters from Rick Otoupalik, the artist behind all of Artel's promotional posters for the past 20 years. The exhibit will be on view through June 24. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox. Visit artelgallery.org for more information.

DON MANDERSON AT ARTEL GALLERY

Graphic artist Don Manderson will have an exhibit on view at Artel Gallery through June 24. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox. Visit artelgallery.org for more information.

GOODS OF DESIRES PMA's exhibition Goods of Desires from artist Cindy Leung is on view through Sept. 4. The exhibit uses Chinese exports to address the complex relationship between consumerism, colonization and cultural hybridity, as they originated in the East and were popularized in the West through trading and British colonization. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

TAKING A LINE FOR A WALK This new

exhibition at Pensacola Museum of Art highlights the diverse materials, techniques and subject matter artists have explored through drawing and printmaking over the last century. Artworks include selections from the PMA's permanent collection, works on loan from The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida and works borrowed from contemporary American artists. Featured in the show are pieces by Pablo Picasso, Käthe Kollwitz, Salvador Dali, Alexander Calder, Alex Katz, Sage Lewis and Richard Lindner. The exhibit is on view through Sept. 4 at PMA, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for more information.

AMERICA'S EVERGLADES: THROUGH THE LENS OF CLYDE BUTCHER With his

century-old camera, Clyde Butcher has been exploring and documenting the Everglades for more than three decades. The result is a collection of large-format black-and-white photographs that capture untouched parts of the nation's largest subtropical wilderness. The exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St., through Sept. 18. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for more information.

MAPPING NORTHWEST FLORIDA EXHIBIT AT THE PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF HISTORY Visualized Landscapes: A Selection

of Northwest Florida Maps is now on view at Pensacola Museum of History.

The exhibit explores the shifting topography of Northwest Florida through a series of maps selected from the Trust Archive. Visualized Landscapes: A Selection of Northwest Florida Maps is on view on the second floor of the Pensacola Museum of History until August.

17

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a&e happenings For more information about the UWF Historic Trust or to purchase tickets, visit historicpensacola.org.

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

FINDING 1821 Finding 1821 is part of the UWF

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

SCRIPTEASERS WITH PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE Scripteasers, Studio 400's and

Pensacola Little Theatre's Script Reading Club invites you to monthly script readings at PLT, 400 S. Jefferson St. Want to bring your scripts for the group to read and discuss? Contact Pensacola Little Theatre to get in queue. The group reads prospective scripts for future seasons as well as new scripts that need a table read before the next edit. Not a playwright but love to read out loud?

This is your easy, fun theatre night. Fascinated by the play selection process? Sit in for a listen and usually a lot of laughs. Visit facebook.com/pensacolalittletheatre for more information and the latest dates.

OPEN MIC AT THE GORDON Show off your

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

OPEN MIC COMEDY AT BIG TOP BREWERY Try out some new jokes or enjoy some

homegrown talent every Monday at 7 p.m. for Open Mic Comedy at Big Top Brewery, located at 21 W. Romano St. Everyone gets five minutes depending on the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

NEW SUMMER CLASSES AT STUDIO SOUTH Studio South Yarn Co. has new summer

offerings—crochet and knitting classes for all skill levels as well as openings for the exclusive membership to "Unwind" on Thursdays and Saturdays, and finally, free "Knit in Public" pop ups at various Pensacola locations. Visit studiosouthyarnco.com and follow SSYC @studiosouthpensacola on Instagram to find out the next sit and knit spot around town.

CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Performing Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio

located at 1010 N. 12th Ave., Ste. 238, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers professional dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruction for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstoppers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult.

MMPA is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all students and families and has implemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the building and studio.

More information about Mixon Magic Performing Arts can be found at mixonmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmagic.com or emily@mixonmagic. com or by calling (850) 221-7438.

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

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

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

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

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

FOOD + DRINKS

Garden St. The next date is Tuesday, June 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All alumni and friends are welcome.

Visit facebook.com/gpauburnclub.

DINNER WITH STRINGS ATTACHED Jack-

son's Steakhouse and Pensacola Symphony Orchestra are partnering again for a dinner experience with classical music from PSO on Thursday, June 23, with two seatings available at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Chef Miller has prepared a special menu for the night. For reservations, call (850) 469-9898.

OYSTER BASH + PILS PARTY Oysters from Grayson Bay Oyster Co. (raw oysters), Emerald Coast Oyster Co. (grilled oysters) and Rusty Rooster & The Sealey Sauce Company paired with pilsners will be available Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for more information.

FINE WINE FRIDAY Visit The Nest General

Store at 11 S. Palafox, Ste. C, on the first Friday of every month for a wine tasting from 6-8 p.m.

It's $35 a person and includes charcuterie and the opportunity to try their monthly wine club offerings in house. The June tasting theme is "Pride." Visit thenestgeneralstore.com/events for more information.

MONTHLY WINE TASTING IN AGAPI GARDEN Visit Agapi Garden, at 555 Scenic

Highway, from 5-7 p.m., to sample five wines for $10. For more information, call (850) 813-5683.

SUNDAY FUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE WELL The Well, located at 42 E. Garden St., has

AN EVENING WITH TUSCANY WINES: A FOOD AND WINE EVENT Angelena's is of-

ferings a special food and wine event celebrating wines of Tuscany Thursday, June 16, at 6 p.m. Cost is $150 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (850) 542-8398.

Wine Director Brooke Parkhurst and Certified Italian Wine Professional Michael Fix, from Winebow Fine Wine & Spirits, will lead guests through each course as presented by Chef James Briscione. For a full menu, visit angelenaspensacola.com.

expanded its offerings with a Sunday Funday Brunch cocktail menu including items such as Spicy Paloma made with Mezcal, a cold brew cocktail with Irish whiskey, a cucumber-infused spritz and a Bloody Mary spiced with housemade hot sauce and garnished with fresh pickled vegetables. Price range is $9-$12. Brunch hours are Sundays from noon-4 p.m. Other small plate offerings are available ThursdaySaturday from 4 p.m.-one hour before closing.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ thewellpensacola.

FISH HOUSE CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL The

BAYOU BUZZ COFFEE TASTING TOUR

FATHER'S DAY AT GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS Treat your dad to a great

BURGERS AND BORDEAUX AT UNION PUBLIC HOUSE Every Tuesday night, enjoy a

annual Fish House Craft Beer Festival will be Saturday, June 18, from 3-6 p.m. at 600 S. Barracks St. Tickets are $25-$35. Get yours at fishhousepensacola.com or by calling 470-0003.

meal with any of the Great Southern Restaurants on Sunday, June 19. There will be special menus available. The Fish House, 600 Barracks St., will be open from 11 a.m.-until (walk-in service only); Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox, brunch service from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner service starting at 5 p.m.; Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (walk-in service only); Angelena's, 101 E. Intendencia St., open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for menus and to make reservations.

GP AUBURN CLUB HAPPY HOUR The Greater Pensacola Auburn Club is bringing back its Happy Hour at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E.

Seville Savories Food Tour will host a coffee tour of downtown Pensacola Tuesdays-Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tickets are available online at sevillesavoriesfoodtour.com.

specialty burger and a glass of Bordeaux at Union Public House, located at 309 S. Reus St. For more information, visit facebook.com/unionpensacola.

WINE WEDNESDAY Visit The Nest General

Store at 11 S. Palafox, Ste. C, every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. for a wine happy hour. Deals include $1 off listed by-the-glass wines, a waived corking fee, charcuterie plates and a $15 'wine flight' option. Visit thenestgeneralstore.com/events for more information.

for more listings visit inweekly.net inweekly.net

June 16, 2022

19

music

By Savannah Evanoff

5 Years of Bummers

Faux/Fox / Photo by Andrew Velasco

Faux/Fox isn't trying to bum anyone out—exactly the opposite, actually.

The Pensacola band wants to hype people up with "Beginning of Summer Beach Bummer," a music event it has hosted annually around the summer equinox since 2018.

Nicholas Giberson (bass/vocals of Faux/Fox) explained that the concept originated with fun in mind.

"Our whole gag back in the day was we used to dress up everything up as a beach scene," Giberson said. "(Bands) always played cover shows out at the beach, so we wanted to bring the beach to them so they felt more comfortable playing at chizuko. We called it the 'Beachpocalypse.'"

It had such a good turnout, they capitalized on the "downer" idea again in 2018.

"At Faux/Fox practices, we generally just rip with one another for a while," Giberson said. "I think we were just messing around and we said, 'It would be a bummer for sure.' And we were like, 'Yeah, summer bummer, let's start an event like that.'''

They've been hosting it ever since—minus 2020, which was a "legit bummer," Giberson said.

The event returned in full effect in 2021 at a new venue—Odd Colony Brewing Co. It will be hosted there again this Saturday, June 18.

"They've been very gracious allowing us to have the event at their spot," Giberson said. "This is another year (where) we try to bring a fun event for everybody and a variety of genres of bands, so it's not just a metal show; it's not just a hardcore 020 2

punk show. It's a little bit of everything and everybody, so everybody can have music they might like … We're all super excited to play, especially now that everything seems to be in full swing."

New to the lineup this year is Burning Strong.

"I come from a background of playing punk and hardcore music, and I really love their melodic fast-paced hardcore styling, so when we were coming up with bands we wanted, I immediately was like, 'We gotta throw Burning Strong in there,'" Giberson said. "We wanted to keep it diverse."

The band was born between musician friends that played in a multitude of local bands in 2019, said Robert Godspeed (guitar).

"We played in a bunch of hardcore bands, and we're like, 'Let's try out a sound we all kinda grew up with, that really fast and also memorable, catchy, stuff you can sing along with, too," Godspeed said.

Burning Strong wrote a demo in 2019 and then the LP, "The Fire Rages On," in 2020—which they've barely gotten to perform because of the thing that shall not be named. They have another in the works, Godspeed said.

"Consequence," a song on their split release with the band Qualifier from Birmingham, Ala., truly encapsulates the band's vibe.

"It's basically about our lifer attitude toward the hardcore punk scene," Godspeed said. "It's just engraved in our bones, and even as we get older and get into our thirties and tweak our backs every now and then, we still love going to shows.

We still love seeing the energy of the crowd. We're

"We have a Faux/Fox photo booth, which we just excited to play. It's a really good representado every year," Giberson said. "But what we've tion of some of the best bands in the area." done this year is we actually commissioned an artOther bands on the lineup include the alist to draw out a beach scene, so you can do one ternative rock group Dalton Wright Trio and of those old-school cutouts where you can pop recent Pensacola arrivals Forrest, an alt-counyour head into it and you can get your picture taktry group. en at the Faux/Fox show."

Giberson is excited to bring back Surrounder, Giberson and Godspeed both think Beginning who performed at the first Beginning of Summer of Summer Beach Bummer illustrates the camaraBeach Bummer. derie among the Pensacola music scene.

"They're like the local sweethearts of Pensac"It's supportive," Godspeed said. "Everyone ola," Giberson said. "They're like post-punky. They knows you can't make it to everything, but when really keep the scene going as far as punk-rock you're back together, it's like you never missed a music goes in Pensacola."

And, of course, Giberson is excited to perform beat. Everyone treats music like it's their release from normal life, the normal every day. It's neat with Faux/Fox, which he self-described as "basfor all of us to play, and it's important for all of tard noise from the Panhandle of Florida." us to stay together. That's another reason you "Which really is just all-encompassing of see the connection between everybody." {in} multiple metal genres—a lot of post-rock, a little bit of metal, some new metal," Giberson said. "We're kind of a genre soup, if you will."

Lately, Faux/Fox has been creeping into heavier musical territory, he said.

They are currently working on a new reWHAT: Faux/Fox with Burning Strong, Surrounder, cord, hoping to be released sometime Forrest and Dalton Wright Trio this year, which he thinks is the best WHEN: Doors at 6 p.m., music at 6:30 p.m. Saturthey've written. day, June 18 "I know everybody says that," GibCOST: $15 at the door erson said with a laugh.

WHERE: Odd Colony Brewing Co., 260 N. Palafox Giberson also looks forward to havDETAILS: facebook.com/fauxfoxmusic ing MI SU Street Food set up outside at the event, as well as a limited number of hand-tie-dyed Toiv-shirts.

BEGINNING OF SUMMER BEACH BUMMER V

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June 16, 2022

21

free will astrology WEEK OF JUNE 16 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): "The whole

point for me is to change as much as possible," says Aries actor Keira Knightley. What?! Is she serious? Her number one aspiration is to keep transforming and transforming and transforming?

I guess I believe her. It's not an entirely unexpected manifesto coming from an Aries person. But I must say, her extra bold approach to life requires maximum resilience and resourcefulness. If you think that such an attitude might be fun to try, the coming weeks will be one of the best times ever to experiment.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Taurus poet May Sarton relished "the sacramentalization of the ordinary." What a wonderfully Taurean attitude! There is no sign of the zodiac better able than you Bulls to find holiness in mundane events and to evoke divine joy from simple pleasures. I predict this specialty of yours will bloom in its full magnificence during the coming weeks. You will be even more skillful than usual in expressing it, and the people you encounter will derive exceptional benefits from your superpower.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Here's a mes-

sage I hope you will deliver to the Universe sometime soon: "Dear Life: I declare myself open and ready to receive miracles, uplifting news, fun breakthroughs, smart love and unexpected blessings. I hope to be able to give my special gifts in new and imaginative ways. I am also eager for useful tips on how to express my dark side with beauty and grace. One more perk I hope you will provide, dear Life: Teach me how to be buoyantly creative and sensitively aggressive in asking for exactly what I need."

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): In August

2021, a Canadian man named Jerry Knott bought a ticket for a lottery. He stuffed it in his wallet and lost track of it. Two months later, he found it again and checked to see its status. Surprise! It was a winner. His prize was $20 million. I propose we make him your role model for now, my fellow Crabs. Let's all be alert for assets we may have forgotten and neglected. Let's be on the lookout for potentially valuable resources that are ripe for our attention. More info on Knott at tinyurl.com/ remembertocheck.

By Rob Brezsny

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Hundreds of years

ago, people in parts of Old Europe felt anxiety about the Summer Solstice. The sun reached its highest point in the sky at that time, and from then on would descend, bringing shorter and shorter days with less and less light. Apprehensive souls staged an antidote: the festival of Midsummer. They burned great bonfires all through the night. They stayed awake till morning, partying and dancing and having sex. Author Jeanette Winterson expresses appreciation for this holiday. "Call it a wild perversity or a wild optimism," she writes, "but our ancestors were right to celebrate what they feared." Winterson fantasizes about creating a comparable ceremony for her fears—"a ritual burning of what is coward in me, what is lost in me. Let the light in before it is too late." I invite you to do something like this yourself, Leo.

You will be even more skillful than usual in expressing it, and the people you encounter will derive exceptional benefits from your superpower.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo author Elizabeth McCracken says, "I don't dream of someone who understands me immediately, who seems to have known me my entire life." What's more meaningful to her is an ally who is curious, who has "a willingness for research." She continues, "I want someone keen to learn my own strange organization, amazed at what's revealed; someone who asks, 'and then what, and then what?'" I hope you will enjoy at least one connection like that in the coming months, Virgo. I expect and predict it. Make it your specialty!

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Libran author Stig Dagerman said that when he was sad as a child, his mother kissed him until his mood lightened.

When he was older and sad, his mama said, "Sit down at your desk and write a letter to yourself. A long and beautiful letter." This would be a good task for you right now, Libra. Whatev-

er mood you are in, I invite you to write a long and beautiful letter to yourself. I further recommend that you carry out the same ritual once every six weeks for the next nine months. This will be a phase of your life when it's extra crucial that you express soulful tenderness toward your deep self on a regular basis. You may be amazed at how inspirational and transformative these communications will be.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Sometimes, the arrival of a peculiar event in your life is a good sign. It may mean that Fate has sent an intervention to disrupt a boring phase of inertia or a habit-bound grind. An unexpected twist in the plot may signal a divine refreshment. It could be a favorable omen announcing a helpful prod that's different from what you imagined you needed. I suspect that an experience or two fitting this description will soon materialize in your life story.

Be alert for them. Promise yourself you'll be receptive to their unexpected directives.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Sagittarius author Edna O'Brien long ago shed the strict Catholic faith in which she was raised.

But she still harbors spiritual feelings colored by her tradition. She says, "Ideally, I'd like to spend two evenings a week talking to [novelist] Marcel Proust and another conversing with the Holy Ghost." I suspect a similar balance of influences will be healthy for you in the days ahead, Sagittarius. My advice is to connect with an inspiration you drew sustenance from while growing up. Spend time equal time consorting with deep-feeling smart people who will stimulate you to rearrange the contents of your rational mind.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): I've com-

posed a message for you to deliver to your best allies. It will help you be clear about the nature of your energy exchanges. Say something like this— "I promise to act primarily out of love in my dealings with you, and I ask you to do the same with me. Please don't help me or give me things unless they are offered with deep affection.

Let's phase out favors that are bestowed out of obligation or with the expectation of a favor in return. Let's purge manipulativeness from our dynamic. Let's agree to provide each other with unconditional support."

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Author Lauren Collins tells us, "Bilinguals overwhelmingly report that they feel like different people in different languages. It is often assumed that the mother tongue is the language of the true self. But if first languages are reservoirs of emotion, second languages can be rivers undammed, freeing their speakers to ride different currents." I bring these thoughts to your attention, Aquarius, because the next 12 months will be an excellent time for you to begin becoming bilingual or else to deepen your fluency in a second language. And if you're not ready to do that, I encourage you to enhance your language skills in other ways. Build your vocabulary, for instance. Practice speaking more precisely. Say what you mean and mean what you say 95% of the time. Life will bring you good fortune if you boost your respect for the way you use language.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Piscean-born Robert Evans has been an amateur astronomer since he was 18. Though he has never been paid for his work and has mostly used modest telescopes, he holds the world record for discovering supernovas—42. These days, at age 85, he's still scanning the skies with a 12-inch telescope on his back porch. Let's make him your role model for the coming months. I have faith you can achieve meaningful success even if you are a layperson without massive funding.

P.S. Keep in mind that "amateur" comes from the Latin word for "lover." Here's the dictionary's main definition—"a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons."

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What is still worth waiting for? What is no longer worth waiting for? newsletter.freewillastrology.com {in}

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news of the weird INEXPLICABLE Down at the Amarillo (Texas) Zoo, it isn't the animal exhibits inside that are sparking excitement among the city's residents. "In the dark and early morning hours" of May 21, the city reported in a June 8 news release, security cameras captured a mysterious creature outside the fence—part "person with a strange hat," part "large coyote on its hind legs," part "Chupacabra," the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. "We just want to let the Amarillo community have some fun with this," director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba said, asking locals to weigh in with their ideas about what the Unidentified Amarillo Object— UAO— might be. "It is important to note that this entity was outside the Amarillo Zoo," he added. "There were no signs of criminal activity or vandalism."

SPECIAL DELIVERY When Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to a crash on June 2, they found an SUV that had slammed into a FedEx truck, and it was quickly apparent what had caused the collision, WPLG-TV reported. Inside the SUV were a man and woman, both naked, and at the time of the crash, the woman was performing a sex act on the male driver, first responders reported. Two people in the FedEx truck sustained minor injuries; the male SUV driver had injuries to his "private area."

DON'T BUG ME! During court proceedings on June 7 at the Albany City Court in New York, a defendant who started filming an arraignment was asked to stop, NBC New York reported. During the altercation that followed, a 34-year-old woman in the audience allegedly released hundreds of cockroaches from plastic containers into the courtroom, resulting in the courthouse being closed for the rest of the day for fumigation.

"What transpired is not advocacy or activism, it is criminal behavior with the intent to disrupt a proceeding and cause damage," noted a statement from the Office of Court Administration.

GASSED Reynold Gladu took over his gas station in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1973. But at least for now, he no longer sells fuel, the Daily Hampshire Gazette reported on June 7. When his pumps ran dry this month, he didn't refill them because he can't abide the prices. "I don't want to be a part of it anymore," he said. "This is the biggest rip-off that ever has happened to people in my lifetime." His station will continue to do oil changes and other service, but, he said, "Enough is enough." A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said prices are out of her company's control, being "influenced by the price of crude and wholesale price of products which fluctuate according to demand and supply factors." But Gladu isn't buying it—"It seems like the oil industry is in this together"—or selling it.

THE LITIGIOUS SOCIETY GEICO General Insurance Co. must pay a woman identified only as M.O. a $5.2 million settlement, the Missouri Court of Appeals ruled on June 7, after she con-

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

tracted the sexually transmitted disease HPV from an insured member during intimate relations in his automobile. The Kansas City Star reported that the Jackson County woman contacted GEICO in February 2021, and the company sent the case to arbitration. Four months later, the arbitrator found that the man was liable for not disclosing his infection status, and M.O. was awarded the large sum, to be paid by GEICO. The company appealed, but the three-judge panel upheld the decision.

ADVENTURES IN REAL ESTATE Danielle Cruz and her husband purchased and renovated a home in Chicago, but after listing it for sale, they found out someone was already living there.

ABC7-TV reported that a contractor showed up to make a repair to the presumably vacant house and reported to Cruz that someone was inside the home. He also told her all the locks had been changed. "We honestly thought he was joking because we knew the house was vacant," Cruz said. "So we show up with the cops, and there's a young woman in there with all of her belongings." The woman said she had signed a monthto-month lease with a "landlord," and because she produced a lease, the police couldn't ask her to vacate. Real estate attorney Mo Dadkhah said the case would probably be referred to the Cook County eviction courts—but they're very backed up. "The process could take six, 12, 18 months," he said. Cruz's other option is "cash for key"—offering the renter money to leave. But so far, Cruz can't get her to respond.

OUT OF COMMISSION A taxi in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, is out of service for the time being, NL Times reported on June 8, but not because it's in need of repairs. In the Netherlands, seagulls are a protected species, and a pair of gulls has built a nest and laid an egg on the windshield of a parked taxi, right between the wipers. Before the egg was laid, employees tried to move the nest multiple times, but the pair kept returning and rebuilding it. Now, the taxi must stay put until the baby gull hatches and fledges. Hope that meter's not running.

NEWS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JOKE In what seems like an extraordinarily bad idea in the age of COVID-19, a restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, encourages patrons to enhance their food or drink by licking a dining room wall made of Himalayan rock salt, WLBT-TV reported on June 3. The head chef at The Mission restaurant brought in the rocks to improve the overall ambience and add a unique touch for customers enjoying tequila shots. For those who are squeamish about the germs, the rock salt reportedly has natural sanitary properties, but the restaurant staff also regularly wipe down the walls. I'll have a beer, thanks. {in}

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

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com June 16, 2022

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