Independent News | June 17, 2021 | Volume 22 | Number 24
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winners & losers
outtakes
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news 6, 8
I’m just wondering, are we starting over?
feature story
viewpoint 9
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publisher Rick Outzen
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contributing writers Gina Castro, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, Sydney Robinson, C.S. Satterwhite
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June 17, 2021
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winners & losers
Susan Woolf / University of West Florida
winners SUSAN WOOLF The University of West
Florida has appointed Woolf as general counsel for the university, effective Aug. 15. She is currently the city attorney for the City of Pensacola, a role she has held since 2019. In her new position, Woolf will provide legal guidance and counsel in executive and policy decision-making and serve as a member of the president's senior leadership group; lead the Office of General Counsel and its team, as well as outside counsel retained to represent the university; oversee and manage the provision of all legal services to the university and Board of Trustees; and provide counsel and guidance on all legal matters relevant to the university.
CECILE M. SCOON The Panama City civil
rights attorney has made history as the first Black woman elected to lead the League of Women Voters of Florida. Scoon, who served as the organization's first vice president since 2018, will now serve as the board president for the statewide operations of the 101-year-old civic organization. Scoon, alongside a slate of officers and directors, was voted in on June 5 during the organization's 38th biennial state convention. The Harvard and University of Virginia Law graduate's 36-year law career began as an assistant staff judge advocate for the U.S. Air Force. She now serves as an owner and managing principal of Peters & Scoon Attorneys at Law in Panama City, Fla.
GULF WINDS CARES FOUNDATION
The Gulf Winds Cares Foundation provided $20,000 in scholarships of $5,000 each to four graduating high school seniors—Winfred Brittain, Noah Calvery, Jacob Greeson and Emma Ostrom. Gulf Winds received 61 applications for the scholarship program, designed to support students who are members of Gulf Winds Credit Union in their first year of higher education. Applications are reviewed by a committee consisting of Credit Union employees who evaluate each applicant's academic achievements, community involvement, personal essay, letters of recommendation and financial need. Since 2007, Gulf Winds has provided $202,500 in scholarships to 57 first-year continuing education students. 44
losers KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE Owner TC Energy, a Canadian energy firm, announced it would no longer move forward with the proposed pipeline after it couldn't get its U.S. permits approved. The 1,200-mile project, designed to transport 35 million gallons of crude oil daily from western Canada to Nebraska, had begun construction when former President Donald Trump approved the permits. However, President Joe Biden later stripped U.S. regulatory approval over climate change concerns. TITAN TECHNOLOGIES The call center based in Okaloosa County has lost its $162 million contract with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). The company, formerly known as TelaForce LLC, helps Floridians with their unemployment claims. Titan Technologies tried to put a positive spin in a statement to the media, "Over the past 15 months, call volumes have continued to drop and the FL DEO developed a plan to shift call center operations from contracted to government staff." DEO said it "was not fully satisfied with the work the company was providing and so, because of performance issues, the department has chosen to end this contract early." NIKKI FRIED Democrat Charlie Crist brought in more than $1.5 million in the first month of his campaign to return to the governor's mansion. Gov. Ron DeSantis's political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, reported Thursday that it raised $7.582 million in May. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried's Florida Consumers First PAC raised only $214,832. Florida Consumers First received 876 contributions during the month. EPA A panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned federal approval of a controversial pesticide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January approved the use of aldicarb in the production of Florida oranges and grapefruit. That drew a court challenge from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Environmental Working Group and the Farmworker Association of Florida, which argued that the pesticide threatens the health of workers and wildlife. The court approved a motion by the environmental and farmworker groups to vacate approval of the pesticide. inweekly.net
outtakes By Rick Outzen
CRUEL AND INHUMANE The image of Gwen McCormick walking up to the podium to beg the county commissioners for health insurance is seared in my mind. The woman had spent over 25 years driving a transit bus for Escambia County. Wearing a mask, she had to roll her oxygen tank with her so that she could breathe well enough to plead for the commissioners to get the county's HR department to reinstate her coverage. Gwen contracted COVID-19 last year and was hospitalized twice. She had used all her sick and personal leave as she tried to get well enough to come back to work. The county terminated her in April with a certified letter. No phone calls, no "thank you" for her service, no mention that the federal government has given the county funds to pay for her health insurance and extend her sick leave. Gwen found out her insurance had been canceled when she went to the pharmacy to refill her prescription. The day she appeared before the commissioners, she had to cancel a doctor's appointment. And the June 3 commission meeting wasn't the first time she appeared before the county commission. She already begged once for coverage before the commissioners. The commissioners had instructed County Administrator Janice Gilley and HR Director Jana Still to take care of Gwen. They didn't. At the June 3 meeting, Still blamed the cancellation on a "system error" at Florida Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She didn't explain why she or her staff hadn't called Gwen the minute they learned of the error. All Gwen got was a half-hearted, flippant apology from Still—"Okay. So I do apologize for that." Though she had every right to be angry, Gwen stayed humble through the embarrassing, humiliating episode. And her pain and fear went unnoticed and unreported by the mainstream media. Not many clicks for articles or segments about mistreating bus drivers, I guess. Gwen isn't a nobody, and her plight shouldn't be ignored. The American Rescue Plan, passed by Congress in March,
allows government workers to receive up to 600 hours of paid leave for various pandemic-related reasons. Escambia County is receiving $62 million from the plan. Why hasn't the county administrator or HR director submitted a recommendation to the commissioners to use some of those dollars to help employees like Gwen? They're federal dollars, not county funds. Because of her appearance before the board on June 3, the federal plan is paying for Gwen's COBRA subsidy through Sept. 30. Why did she have to beg for it? Maybe the problem is Jana Still has never been in charge of an HR department, public or private, and Gilley has never run a county department, much less an entire county. Good county government begins with good employees. You can't have good employees if you don't treat them fairly. Gilley agreed with those thoughts when she interviewed for the job in April 2019. She told the board in a public meeting, "People that are thanked and have gratitude and are appreciated perform much better in their jobs." She later added, "You have to have people that are happy to be where they are, want to be where they are and then want to provide that service." Apparently, the county administrator and her HR director don't include Gwen among the people who deserve appreciation. But that hasn't stopped Gwen from wanting to return to work. She hopes to drive a bus again, despite the cruel, dehumanizing way she has been treated. The irony is the county is having trouble hiring people. On Thursday, June 17, CareerSource EscaRosa is hosting a hiring event for county jobs for nearly every department, including animal services, building services, corrections, development services, engineering, facilities, library services, natural resources, public safety, public works, purchasing, waste services and information technology. It might be worth the commissioners' time to dive deeper into why people don't want to work for their administrator. {in} rick@inweekly.net
Good county government begins with good employees. You can't have good employees if you don't treat them fairly.
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PUNISHING THE SICK
By Rick Outzen and Jeremy Morrison Many people think working for Escambia County is the ideal job. The pay may be low, but you get health care and retirement. Right? Sadly, not anymore, especially if you're an older woman who worked 25 years for the transit system, has been hospitalized twice because of COVID and now needs an oxygen tank to breathe. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have given Escambia County millions of federal dollars to cope with the pandemic and help citizens, businesses and county workers impacted by the deadly virus. Yet, the county's Human Resources Department involuntarily separated Gwen McCormick from the county—known as firing her in less politically correct circles— on April 13 after she had exhausted all her possible sick days. HR didn't offer her the COBRA subsidiary provided by the American Rescue Plan Act that would have allowed her to keep her county's health insurance plan and cover all of her premiums through Sept. 30. During the commission's public forum on June 3, McCormick walked slowly, gingerly, to the podium with her oxygen tank in tow, seeking compassion. Then, out of breath and wearing her mask, she pleaded her case. "I was told that I would have COBRA insurance so I could continue trying to get better so I can get back to work," McCormick said. "I went to the pharmacy yester66
day to get my prescription. They said my insurance was canceled, so I need to know what's going on with that."
"I went to the pharmacy yesterday to get my prescription. They said my insurance was canceled, so I need to know what's going on with that." Gwen McCormick She continued, "I need to find out what you guys can help me with and do something, 'cause I still got a little road to go." McCormick added, reassuring herself as much as the elected officials, "But I'm getting there; I'm getting there." Commissioner Lumon May was furious that HR Director Jana Still let this happen. He asked ECAT Director Tonya Ellis, "Has staff not been meeting with Ms. McCormick? I thought that that was the direction to meet with her, to find some type of resolution." McCormick, a bus driver for ECAT, said, "I haven't heard from her in a while." Assistant Administrator Debbie Bowers, who was filling in for Administrator Janice Gilley, said, "Yes, I think Jana is in the back, and I'd like for her to come forward because she says she knows what happened with the insurance." Still told the commission that she had met with McCormick and ATU Local 1395 President Mike Lowery twice. The HR director said, "We did do an informal settlement. It was a recorded meeting as well, so they have the record of what was discussed in that meeting."
Still blamed a "system error" at Blue Cross Blue Shield for McCormick's insurance being canceled. "As soon as we were made aware of it, the provider was contacted. Ms. McCormick does have full insurance, will remain fully insured," said Still. "And Robert will be following up with you again tomorrow to make sure of that, to check on you and let you know there's no action you need to take at this point." She turned to McCormick, who was struggling to breathe, and flippantly said, "OK. So I do apologize for that." McCormick humbly defended why she came to the meeting, "Because I had to cancel an appointment today, 'cause I didn't have any insurance." After McCormick sat down, her sister, Diane Harrison, addressed the commissioners and disputed Still's claim that a settlement had been reached. "I'm here speaking on behalf of my sister that I'm very concerned about," she said. "Her health, nothing has been done. There hasn't been a settlement regarding her situation."
"It is the process and communication and the treatment of workers. They come at employees like bullies." Mike Lowery Harrison continued, "She was trying to get some medication, which she truly needs for her breathing, and was told that her insurance had been canceled; you just heard that. She had an appointment today. She had to cancel that appointment. I am deeply concerned. What is going on here? Something needs to be done." A week after the board meeting, Inweekly asked Lowery about Still's version of McCormick's grievance. He asserted that Still misrepresented the status to the commissioners. No informal settlement was agreed upon, and a settlement offer wasn't made until Monday, June 7, four days after the meeting. In other words, Still lied to the board. Inweekly has requested all audio of the
informal meetings with McCormick and any transcripts. The newspaper will publish them on ricksblog.biz upon review. Inweekly reporter Jeremy Morrison has tried to talk with Still, but she was out of town and hasn't returned his calls. Lowery also doubts the cancellation of Gwen McCormick's health insurance was due to an error at Blue Cross. He said, "HR didn't do what they should have to keep Gwen's insurance active. The department has very few processes in place." The union president said, "It makes no sense that the county didn't offer Gwen the premium coverage under the American Rescue Plan Act. Those are federal dollars and had no impact on the county's budget." After the June 3 debacle, he shared that Assistant County Administrator Wesley Hall scheduled the first official settlement meeting with an actual written settlement at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 7. "Representing the meeting was me in person for the Union and Gwen McCormick and Maureen Gibson, the two employees being represented," he said. "ATU International VP Curtis Howard joined the meeting by Microsoft Teams. Representing Management in person was Tonya Ellis, Rodriques Kimbrough and Wesley Hall. Jana Still also participated by Microsoft Teams. Gerri Bell and Forest English participated as concerned citizens." The meeting almost "blew up" during the negotiations because "Jana Still would not actually move off the County's first offer settlement." Lowery said, "Ms. Still was nasty and spent most of her time defending herself and Ms. Gilley. Wesley Hall and Tonya Ellis cut Ms. Still off and finally worked with the Union to reach agreements on both situations." The settlement allows McCormick to return to work at her former position and seniority level when she finishes recovering and can pass a Florida Department of Transportation physical. In addition, she now has the COBRA subsidiary, paid by federal dollars, which will cover her health insurance premiums through Sept. 30. Lowery saw the settlement agreement as a victory, but it needn't have been so hard-fought, and the experience points to a more significant problem concerning Escambia's relationship with its employees. "It is the process and communication and the treatment of workers," the union president said. "They come at employees like bullies." "The HR director forced Gwen, who's still suffering the effects of COVID, to come before the commissioners during a televised public meeting and beg for health care that she was entitled to receive and is being paid with federal dollars coming to the county for that purpose," Lowery added, "It's just terrible." {in} inweekly.net
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LOST AND FOUND
Jennifer Brahier, Sherri Myers, Casey Jones, Jared Moore, Teniadé Broughton, Ann Hill, Delarian Wiggins / Photo courtesy of City of Pensacola
By Jeremy Morrison The workshop could well have been a dry, dense-math affair. But, instead, the freewheeling afternoon of discussions about municipal priorities provided a glimpse into the future and at how those priorities might evolve as a Pensacola City Council infused with new energy gets increasingly comfortable. The topic of the June 7 workshop was the city's Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds and how best to spend those funds. First-term Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier described the occasion as "a highly educational process" and an opportunity to establish any redirection of course from the LOST funding focuses mapped out by previous councils or the administration of Mayor Grover Robinson. "I do think it's important that we make determinations," Brahier said, "whether we really still go forward with what they had planned in the past or whether the world has changed and we do need to readjust, in our districts, but also citywide." Reflecting on the workshop afterward, Pensacola City Administrator Keith Wilkins said he could appreciate the workshop's educational aspect for the largely new council, as well as council's approach to LOST funding and its openness to reconsider currently established priorities— "it's fresh; it's very organic"—but he also feels the inexperienced council presents challenges and has yet to grasp the bigger picture fully. "Because they're new," Wilkins said, "they don't understand that this supports things other than the shiny objects in their districts." 88
LAST CALL FOR THOUGHTS
In the LOST workshop's final moments, some formal shape emerged on the city council's prioritization for funding. Until then, it had remained somewhat elusive—evident but embedded in the workshop's sprawling, splintered discussions—and needed to be reassembled into something tangible. "Last call for thoughts," said Council President Jared Moore, preparing to wrap the meeting. "What's next?" interjected Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton. "What's the next step?" Moore replied that hopefully Mayor Robinson's administration had "received some insight" concerning city council's thoughts about the allocation of LOST funds—"So that when they show up with the budget we don't go, 'Oh, this isn't what we want.'" This was indeed the workshop's purpose, to allow the city council the opportunity to review, evaluate and prioritize for the remaining eight years of the city's LOST allocation plan. But, more interestingly, the workshop provided a venue for some self-realization among the council members, allowing members to rethink municipal priorities. Wilkins checked his notes. "I do have a lot of notes here, but most of them are questions to get back and, you know, responses," Wilkins said. "Otherwise, I did hear equity, sidewalks, environment. I did not hear specific projects as a priority, other than the ones that you've already submitted." "Just add this one little note because I know I'm gonna bring it back up—historic preservation," Broughton threw another item onto Wilkin's priority list. "Trees," added Councilwoman Brahier. And so it went for what was in effect a deep dive into the philosophy of municipal
LOST funding, as well as specific allocations tentatively allotted for each district for various projects. As articulated by Councilwoman Brahier, this was an opportunity for a very young council—everyone save Councilwoman Sherri Myers is serving in their first term—to dig into LOST and perhaps reorient the city's current course. "As a newbie, I'm very excited about being able to go through this, find out what the priorities were so that we have a better understanding moving forward," Brahier said. This new energy on the municipal front— one that could potentially shift some focus and funding—was evident from the very onset of the LOST workshop, playing out during an illustrative conversation between President Moore and Councilwoman Myers. "Obviously, it's a big undertaking," Moore said, plowing into the workshop, instructing council members to take a fresh look at the LOST funding. "Kind of go through and identify our priorities, kind of our big picture priorities, you know, districtwide, and then we can kind of look for consistent themes, and that will help guide us as we look at what's been allocated and how it fits into those themes and would help guide us ..." "We have established priorities. Did you not get a copy of those?" Myers asked the president. "I'm just wondering, are we starting over?" Myers was referring to the list of council goals outlined in the workshop packet. Some of the items on the list, like environmental efforts, would align with interests later identified by newer council members, while others, like economic development, were less emphasized. Moore explained that he was "just trying to create some structure" to the workshop and "keeping it fresh."
"If what's been done is done, and we're not going to question anything, then let's adjourn this thing and go home and eat chicken," he said. "But, if we're going to look at it, then I'm just saying, let's consider, what are we trying to achieve? We have these priorities. Are they still our priorities? Would we propose any modifications to the priorities? That's more in line with my question." Council Executive Don Kraher explained it this way, "The council's priorities are the city's priorities." Those priorities, realized in instances such as LOST funding allocations, were largely drawn up by previous council members and might not reflect the direction of current elected officials. "I think the sum of the items are from previous councils and previous council members, and my thought was that this would be a good time to take a look at the LOST as a whole," Kraher said. He shared that historically, the city's LOST expenditures might not have reflected the council's intent. The council executive said, "It seems like we tend to fund things out of LOST that may or may not be a council priority." Kraher suggested formalizing a list of current priorities to inform the administration when drawing up the proposed budget. "If we had those priorities in place, then we send a clear message to the mayor's office and to finance that this is what city council wants to see in the LOST budget," he said. "And if they don't see it when the mayor sends his proposed budget, then they understand that city council is likely going to make changes to that LOST proposed budget."
CHEW ON IT, BLESS IT
Council President Moore knew the LOST workshop would serve as an immersive education on municipal capital improvement project funding. "With the newer council, it became more of an opportunity for council members to ask questions about specific allocations and processes," Moore explained, looking back on the workshop discussions. "I hope that moving forward, we will now have a better understanding of the history of and processes associated with allocations. That's the only way it will make it possible to assess priorities fully and how well we are (or aren't) in alignment with those priorities." While council members did provide a broad overview of various priorities, Wilkins said that he had hoped for something more specific. "I would've loved to have come out with a priority list," he said. "But they didn't get there." So now the city administration will attempt to incorporate the council's general leanings into a proposed LOST budget, which Wilkins said members could expect to "chew on" by mid-July. "We'll present that to them, and they can bless it or not," the city administrator said. {in} inweekly.net
viewpoint
By C. Scott Satterwhite
MY FATHER'S FLAG
William "Bill" Satterwhite and C. Scott Satterwhite / Courtesy Photo
BY C. SCOTT SATTERWHITE Since the pandemic began, I've known a number of people to contract the virus. Four of them joined the 600,000 Americans who died. One of them was William "Bill" Satterwhite, my dad. My dad died in August of complications related to his suffering from COVID-19. As my stepbrother wrote, he contracted and survived COVID but not the pneumonia that took him swiftly a few weeks later. My dad, a Vietnam-era Navy veteran, was only 69 years old. My dad and I were very different people, but we had a lot in common. We both joined the Navy out of high school. We both served during wars and even served in some of the same duty stations. We also did the same job. Like him, I was a Navy corpsman. Unfortunately, the two of us had a June 17, 2021
rocky relationship, to say the least. No need to go into details except to say we never patched up our differences. Honestly, I'm not sure we really could have, which made his passing that much harder. I've had other friends and family hit directly by COVID-19. Most suffered, but almost all of them survived. This made my dad's death that much more a surprise. When I think of all the things he survived, that he died during the pandemic is still hard to grasp. Like the families of the other 600,000 Americans, I'm sure the grief is made more difficult by the lack of funerals and gatherings. For this reason, I've come to appreciate all of the recent national memorials. I've even been surprisingly moved by politicians' sometimes heartfelt and empathetic messages of solidarity, but it still feels raw—especially as we move back to "normal." On another level, the politics around the issue feel otherworldly. After attend-
ing my father's funeral, I made the mistake of going on social media to chime in on a discussion about the city-wide mask mandate. In response to the mayor asking for public input, I posted that I think, to save other families some heartache, the mask mandate is the least we could do. I then posted a picture of my dad's funeral, a military funeral. I'll never forget the immediate response by one Pensacolian—"Bullshit." I realized then that it was time to check out for a few days and just take care of my own head. The entire debate seemed to have had little effect on people's attitudes about the mask anyway. When the mandate was in effect, who hadn't walked into a business only to see people walk by the mask mandate signs as if there was no concern? I used to get bothered by it, but now I just look back and think it seems sad. I kept my distance, literally and figuratively. Hopefully, their families won't suffer a loss like mine did. Hopefully, they won't be the cause of some other family's suffering. Hopefully, it will all end soon, but having said that, I recently learned of my Aunt Beth's passing from COVID-19. While many act like everything's over, only time will tell. As for my father, I was lucky to be able to attend his funeral. The service was touching, and oddly, the military allowed me to reconnect in a way that I didn't expect. There was a lot of distance between us, but I still wished I had the opportunity to say goodbye. This was close. His death was quick. Like a lot of families, goodbyes seemed like a luxury. If I could've spoken to him, I would've told him that I have a lot of fond memories of him trying to be a good father—camping as a Cub Scout, playing football in the backyard and even the two of us skipping Catholic mass on Sundays so he could take me to McDonald's instead of Sunday School. My favorite memory, though, was from when I was in fourth grade. As we were studying health, I asked my teacher if I could invite my dad to the class to speak about the human skeleton. Medicine was a subject I thought he would know well because of his training in the Navy. Dad really connected with the kids in my class, and my classmates thought he was cool. I was really proud of my dad that day. I have lots of odds and ends floating around in my head, too. He liked disco music and he liked Kenny Rogers. We'd watch WKRP together, and he'd humor me by watching the Muppets. He loved watching the NFL, especially Washington. He bored the hell out of me as a kid watching golf on TV and always fancied himself as a great golfer, but I think he really just liked to drink beer in the golf cart. He liked to drink beer anywhere. He had his troubles and never quite readjusted to civilian life after he got out of
the Navy. That's the story of a lot of veterans. He wasn't a big flag-waver, but he was proud of his time in the Navy. His funeral was held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. My sister and I met Dad's wife and her adult children there. Bill Satterwhite, my dad, was buried with full military honors, something I know he would've loved. According to my mom, his Navy stories were mostly exaggerations, like a lot of sea stories, but the military doesn't care. If a service member serves honorably, the final thing they'll do is give an honorable send-off. After everyone arrived, the ceremony began with a bugler playing "Taps," followed by the traditional 21-gun salute. Then, two sailors, an officer and an enlisted man, stood beside my father's urn with the flag in hand. The men, in full dress whites, unfolded the flag over the urn and folded it back. Then, the officer, a captain in the chaplain corps, came to my dad's wife and presented her with the flag— "on behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Navy and a grateful nation." She was crying so hard. The captain stood upright, took a step back and saluted my father's flag. After the ceremony, my sister and I talked with his wife and family for a while, sharing stories and his bad jokes. That was when his wife, Ramona, handed me the flag. "He would want you to have this," she said to me. "I know he would." She said that he wanted to reach out to me, but "he was stubborn." I guess it runs in the family. Her gesture, though, melted any hard feelings. Before the funeral, I was saddened because I actually had nothing from my father except a few pictures. Now, I had the last thing that was his—the flag that was held above his body before he was buried. That flag is now in a shadow box in my living room, and I look at it whenever I think of all we lost throughout the pandemic. Most of all, whenever I look at it, I think of my dad. So when I got my second vaccine dose at the Pensacola VA clinic, I thought of my dad and wrote this article while waiting in the lobby with all the other vets getting their second shot. I wrote this article as I'm still trying to wrap my head around the pandemic, the nightmare we've all gone through and all the people we've lost and will continue to lose until the pandemic is over. But I also thought of Ramona's incredibly sweet gesture to me as the military was laying my father to rest. With that one gesture, I found the connection I needed. While he was one of the many people who suffered and died during the pandemic, he was more than a number to me. I just hope somewhere out there he knows we're cool now, and I love him. Happy Father's Day, Dad. {in} 9
presented no evidence that the union president was insubordinate. The arbitrator stated three elements must be present to constitute insubordination—(1) there must be a direct order to an employee; (2) the employee must be shown to have understood the order; and (3) the employee must be shown to have blatantly refused to follow the order through actions, words or both. Saling concluded that none of those three elements were satisfied in the case.
Lumon May / Photo by Natalie Allgyer
NO BACK PAY Both Steven Barry and Lu-
mon May last week told Inweekly that they wouldn't accept any back pay regarding the 401(a) annuity retirement plan. Still, they want to see if the board can legally offer restitution to the senior management staff not informed about the program (Inweekly, Pension Equity Debate," 6/10/21). At the Thursday, June 3, commission meeting, Commissioner Barry pointed out that the majority of the 401(a) enrollees are senior managers hired in 2019 or later. "Personally, I'm not going to seek any back payments, but I am extremely supportive of continuing to seek a legal opinion about a fair and equitable resolution for our senior management employees, many of whom were never informed of even the existence of the 401(a) plan, much less the details of the plan," Commissioner Barry shared in a written statement sent to Inweekly. He added, "We have a responsibility to advocate for the fair treatment of all our eligible employees, not only a select few." In a face-to-face interview, Commissioner May voiced concern over how the employees have been treated by the county's HR department and wanted the issue investigated. He, too, won't accept any back pay. "Rick, watch the meeting and see what I said," May said. "I repeatedly stated the issue for me was about the senior managers that have worked and sacrificed without being told about the 401(a) program. I seconded Commissioner Barry's motion to discuss the program and later seconded his amended motion to get a legal opinion on the matter." He added, "I never said I would accept 010 1
any back pay. But, as I stated in the meeting, my primary concern is whether our HR department treated all senior managers the same and gave them all the same info." Inweekly has recorded the discussion and will post the transcript on ricksblog.biz. May did not state he would take any back pay settlement. While Commissioner May would not commit to making a motion to investigate how HR handled the 401(a) program, he admitted he has concerns about the HR department, specifically on how the department has treated employees who were infected by the COVID-19 virus. "I believe all county employees should be treated fairly," said May.
HR BULLY In February 2019, Escambia County gave bus driver Michael Lowery, president of Amalgamated Transit Union 1395, a one-day suspension for alleged insubordination when he took a day off to complete annual forms required for the union to remain the bargaining unit for ECAT workers. Lowery later would be suspended an additional three days and subsequently fired when he voiced concerns about the safety of his fellow workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those arbitration rulings are in the pipeline. Arbitrator Daniel Saling ruled on Lowery's behalf and ordered that he be made whole. The county will have to pay the costs associated with the arbitration and Lowery's pay for the day. He concluded that the county's denial of his request for a day to work on union business was improper. The county
STREAMLINE UPDATE As she prepares to leave her post at the port for an office at city hall, Port Director Amy Miller spoke during the mayoral presser on Monday, June 7, about the timeline involved with getting Streamline Boats set up at the port. "I'd like to think, maybe, this time next year we'd see a boat come out with the little silver plate that says, 'Made in Pensacola, Florida,'" said Miller, who has been promoted to assistant city administrator in charge of the city's enterprises. Streamline is working to get their site at the port ready. The company has reached an agreement with the city that calls for repairs to the port facility damaged during Hurricane Sally to be worked into the company's project; the city's insurance will cover the repair portion of the work. "What they're going to do is they're going to take out some damaged portions of the roof, some of the damage that was caused by the hurricane has to be torn out and then they'll go back with their structure that will incorporate repairs from the hurricane and their improvements into one project," Miller explained. "They're ready to get started. They're in engineering right now. They've been onsite, actually beginning demo, starting last week, and they should be moving forward from there, expeditiously—they're very anxious to get up and running," she said, adding that the company currently faced a backlog of about 500 boats. "They can only produce about 125 boats a year in Hialeah. This plant will have basically that same capacity, so they're very, very anxious to get up and running and start building boats." Streamline is expected to employ about 100 people. Initially, 15 of those employees are moving here from Hialeah, and another 30 will be hired locally. The remainder will be brought aboard over three years. Miller said the company technically has 12 months to get down to business as per the lease but that she expects they'll cross the finish line quicker. "They're actually looking to try to advance that timeline," Miller said. "They are very, very anxious to try to get that project and start making boats as fast as they can, simply because of the demand for their product."
COURT APPEARANCE In early April,
Inweekly broke the story that local insurance agent John Michael Thomas had been arrested in Arizona for alleged wire fraud charges related to his business, Thomas Insurance LLC. On Tuesday, June 8, Thomas, 51, made his initial appearance in federal court in Pensacola. DOJ gave more details on the case and asked for the public to come forward if they believed they were swindled. The federal criminal complaint was filed on March 12, charging Thomas with selling fraudulent insurance policies to his clients in exchange for approximately $4 million in insurance premium payments. On April 1, Thomas was arrested on the criminal complaint in Phoenix, Ariz., and was transported to Pensacola. The criminal complaint alleges between September 2013 and December 2020, Thomas operated an insurance business known as Thomas Insurance LLC and defrauded customers through a type of insurance fraud known as premium diversion. Thomas executed this scheme by collecting insurance premiums from customers and keeping the funds for personal use instead of producing insurance policies. Thomas gave the customers fraudulent documents referencing insurance policies that did not exist. If you are a client of Thomas Insurance LLC and wish to speak to an investigating agent regarding your policy, please contact FBI Jacksonville at (904) 248-7000 or email flinsurancefraud@fbi.go and reference "Thomas Insurance." An FBI representative will respond with additional instructions. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation by a sworn affiant that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to due process, to include a fair trial, during which it is the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
DISMAL ECAT CONDITIONS ATU Lo-
cal 1395 President Mike Lowery painted a dismal picture of the work conditions inside Escambia County's transit system and blamed the county administrator and HR for the conditions. During the BCC public forum on Thursday, June 3, Lowery said that lately, he has had very positive meetings with the ECAT management team, but the administrator and HR have "tied" their hands. "Every time they want to do something right and work with the union and work to make morale better on the site and work on some goals, it's always blocked when it's brought downtown through the administration, HR," said the union president. inweekly.net
He said the transit system is down almost 20 operators and had lost three more at the end of May. "You can't find operators to come here because you have Mr. Kimbrough who has a plan to offer a CDL, but he can't implement it," said Lowery. "There is problems at your transit facility. In the driver break room, there's no ceilings; they're damaged. There's water that leaks into the driver break room. The building is bad." Mr. Kimbrough is Rodriques Kimbrough, deputy director of mass transit for Escambia County. Lowery stressed the need for security at the ECAT terminal. He said, "I physically watched on the property individuals that are loitering that shouldn't be there. I watched … drug activity on the facility, happening on a county facility—not county employees, but people coming to that facility." He invited the commissioners to tour the facility. "I can tell you the employees don't like it. They want a better service," Lowery said. "We invite every one of you to come down and walk the facility yourself. Don't get the fluff; get reality."
DEMINGS FOR SENATE With the theme "Never Tire," Orlando Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings last week formally launched her campaign to try to unseat U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in 2022. Her entrance ratchets up the profile of the race, as Demings drew national attention last year when President Joe Biden considered her as a potential running mate and as she served as one of the House impeachment managers in former President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial. In a YouTube video announcing her candidacy, Demings traced her background from growing up as a Black child in Jacksonville to becoming Orlando police chief to getting elected to Congress. "When you grow up in the South, poor,
June 17, 2021
black and female, you have to have faith in progress and opportunity," Demings said in the video, "My father was a janitor, and my mother was a maid. She said, 'Val, never grow tired of doing good. Never tire. Work hard, not just for yourself but for others." In the video, Demings also cited her role in impeaching Trump, saying "we brought law and order to a lawless president," and tried to portray Rubio as a goalong Washington insider. "Unlike some in Washington, I never tire in standing up for what I believe is right because no one is above the law. But it turns out, there are some in Washington who prefer the same old tired ways of doing business," she said as the video flashed pictures of Rubio with Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Demings, 64, served as an Orlando police officer for 27 years, rising to chief, and was first elected to Congress in 2016. She could face a primary campaign next year against former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, also from the Orlando area. Rubio, a former state House speaker, was first elected to the Senate in 2010. After an unsuccessful bid for president in 2016, he was re-elected to a second term in the Senate. He received 52% of the vote in the 2016 race, easily defeating former Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy.
AIRPORT BOOMING On May 31, Pensacola's airport saw 5,000 passengers come through it, compared to 3,838 in 2019, which was the airport's biggest year on record. Then on June 5, it recorded 5,373 passengers, compared to 3,511 in 2019. That means that local airport traffic is up about 22%. Nationally, Robinson said, there's about a 24% decline in airport traffic. Zooming in, nearby Mobile, Ala., is down 10%, Tallahassee is down 28.9%, Jacksonville is down 18.1% and New Orleans is down 23.7%. Interestingly, other Gulf Coast airports
in the Sunshine State are also experiencing an uptick. For example, Fort Walton Beach's airport saw a 46% increase in traffic, while Panama City increased by 82.1%. Mayor Grover Robinson connected the success of local airports to an increased interest in Northwest Florida, saying the trend bodes well for the area's future. "As we move forward, the demand is there. For so long, we kept trying to figure out how to create demand for this place—when you see what's happening in Pensacola, Fort Walton, Panama City, those numbers are all green, way in the green as far as being above where we were. People want to live in places people want to come to," the mayor said.
NEW SHERIFF FOUNDATION A new
501(c)(3) organization has been formed to fund Escambia County Sheriff's Office's community engagement, provide financial aid to deputies and ECSO staff in crisis and emergencies, give appreciation gifts to ECSO employees and host an annual engagement awards ceremony. "I'm fortunate to be in a position to support this effort. The work the Foundation wishes to accomplish is necessary to help our deputies and our community," said Escambia County Sheriff Chip. W. Simmons. "The members of the launch team have been working diligently throughout the community for some time, and I'm very excited about the partnership and opportunities we have together." The board members include Simmons, Cmdr. Andy Hobbs and Chief Deputy Tommi Lyter. Brian Williams is the president; Whitney Lucas, vice president; Hong Potomski, secretary; and Lewis Bear III, treasurer. Other board members include Phillip Salzman, Tara Spencer, Brenton Goodman, Mary Hoxeng, Christopher Roney, Gary Peters, Michael Clark, Adrienne Maygarden, Howard C. Jacques III, Shawn Carpentier, D.C. Reeves, Steven Simpson and Barry Cole. The foundation has already started its
first fundraising campaign for a self-contained mobile video screen system to be used for various events within the community, including movie nights and field days. For more information, or to volunteer or contribute, visit escambiacsf.org.
MADE IN THE SOUTH The official call for entries for Garden & Gun's 12th annual Made in the South Awards is open through July 1. The magazine is seeking Southernmade product entries in six categories— Food, Drink, Home, Style, Outdoors and Crafts. The overall winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and will be prominently featured alongside the other category winners and runners-up in the magazine's December 2021/January 2022 issue. Garden & Gun created the Made in the South Awards in 2010 to celebrate and encourage Southern craftsmanship and to recognize the best available Southernmade products—a spotlight they consider more important than ever. "The Made in the South Awards are always rewarding for the entire team, but this year, with the end of the pandemic in sight, we've never been more excited to celebrate and support small business owners and entrepreneurs across the region," says David DiBenedetto, senior vice president and editor in chief of Garden & Gun. "We can't wait to discover a new crop of talented artisans, craftsmen, chefs, designers and tastemakers." All Southern artisans or businesses with a product in one of the six categories that will be available for sale through January 2022 may apply. For entry forms, category descriptions and rules, visit madeinthesouthawards.com. The entry fee is being offered at a discounted rate of $50 until May 31, but entries will be accepted until midnight EST on July 1, 2021. Winners will be publicly announced in the December 2021/January 2022 issue of Garden & Gun, which will hit newsstands in November 2021. {in}
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Leon Bridges "Gold-Diggers Sound"
THINGS TO DO, WATCH AND LISTEN TO THIS SUMMER For the first time in a long, long time, the future isn't a big black hole. Sure, there are still plenty of uncertainties and things to be concerned about (Delta variant anyone?), but it feels good to look forward to something, even if it's just a new album or TV show to obsess over. To help kick-start your summer plans, we decided to round up a few things worth getting excited about—like outdoor events and must-see movies. We included dates, but, of course, they're subject to change, just like everything else in 2021. So we plan to proceed with caution (like buying refundable tickets whenever possible) and compassion (some people lost a lot during the pandemic, and returning to "normal" might not be an option for them) and we encourage you to do the same. Summer might be in full swing, but we still need to stay safe and take it easy—with ourselves, our calendars and each other, deal?
LOCAL EVENTS
A selection of outdoor events to help you get back out there
PensaPride
June 26 facebook.com/socialisttransinitiative
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra's "Symphony Sparks & Stars"
July 4 pensacolasymphony.com June 17, 2021
Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show July 10 visitpensacolabeach.com
Gallery Night
July 16 gallerynightpensacola.org
Escambia County and Pensacola Bicentennial Celebration
Gossip Girl (Yes, it's a reboot, and yes, we think it's going to be good) Episodes start streaming July 8 on HBO Max
Respect
grown-ish
A few records (with confirmed release dates) to enjoy while you wait for Drake to finally deliver "Certified Lover Boy"
Season 4 returns July 8 on Freeform
Never Have I Ever
Season 2 drops July 15 on Netflix
Schmigadoon!
July 17 visitpensacola.com/200th
Episodes start streaming July 16 on Apple TV+
850 Music Festival
Ted Lasso
July 17 facebook.com/850-MusicFestival-104020331164939
TV GUIDE
Small screen gems worth watching
Blindspotting
Airing now on Starz
Season 2 starts streaming July 23 on Apple TV+
MOVIES
Because nothing says summer like a big screen escape
Zola
In theaters June 30
In theaters Aug. 13
LISTEN UP
Cautious Clay "Deadpan Love" June 25
Modest Mouse "The Golden Casket" June 25
John Mayer "Sob Rock" July 16
Leon Bridges "Gold-Diggers Sound" July 23
Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever"
July 30
We Are Lady Parts
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Physical
Space Jam: A New Legacy
July 30
Kevin Can F**k Himself
The Green Knight
Streaming now on Peacock
Episodes start streaming June 18 on Apple TV+
Episodes start June 20 on AMC
In theaters and on Hulu July 2
In theaters July 16
In theaters July 30
Bleachers "Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night" Prince "Welcome 2 America" July 30
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WEEK OF JUNE 17-23
Arts & Encouragement hope, help and other signs of humanity at a time when we really need it...
Celebrating Juneteenth in Pensacola By C. Scott Satterwhite
Even if you aren't super familiar with Juneteenth, that doesn't mean it's a "new" holiday. In fact, Juneteenth has been celebrated in some communities since 1865. The holiday marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and told the last enslaved people in the country they were free. The troops' arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Though there is some debate about the exact day this happened, the commonly celebrated day is June 19, hence the name Juneteenth. Each former slave state has its own version of this holiday, including Florida, celebrated on different days and with slightly different versions of the story. For a number of reasons, the Texas holiday spread from the Lone Star State and is now recognized as a national day to celebrate freedom for all Americans. For years, various institutions and communities in Pensacola have celebrated Juneteenth, from a host of predominantly African American churches to city and state institutions. This year, there are several ways to mark the holiday, either through a personal exploration of Pensacola's Black history or through a lively celebration with the larger community.
"THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER" For those looking to celebrate Juneteenth in the community with artists June 17, 2021
and community leaders, Pensacola State College (PSC) is offering a broad-ranging daylong celebration of the holiday. Sponsored by the PSC Black History Multicultural Committee, the African American Student Association, the University of West Florida Office of Equity and Diversity John C. Pace Symposium Series, and The African American Heritage Society of Pensacola, this year's Juneteenth celebration brings together a wide array of activities, from yoga to African cuisine to storytelling and the arts. Among the artists performing is Ericka Streeter Hodge. The author of "Soul Fire: Prose of Passion and Peace," Hodge described Juneteenth as a "reason to celebrate and an opportunity to teach and learn of the history of freedom and the illusion of freedom of my people." A popular poet throughout the region, Hodge will read from her book with poetry related to the holiday. "It's another example of the importance of using our voices, much like we're doing in this incredible celebration." Hodge said. Among the artists performing are Angela West-Robinson, Lloyd Reshard, Shakara Hawkins and Delores Gibson. The finale, where Hodge will perform, is directed by Lepoleon Williams—a staple in Pensacola's art community. Hodge hopes the event will bring people together to celebrate the holiday with food, family and friends.
"I wish more people knew the opportunity this celebration offers," said Hodge, "the opportunity to gather in a jubilant way to tell our stories and connect our lineage and grow greater legacies of not only overcoming but thriving."
"HIDDEN STORIES" IN THE NATIONAL PARKS
As Pensacola continues to highlight its long-neglected Black history, the National Park Service recently gave locals and tourists another opportunity to educate themselves by learning the area's connections to the Underground Railroad. Within a six-month period, the National Park Service announced that two historic spots in the Pensacola area joined the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The first announcement came in October 2020 with Fort Pickens' inclusion into the network, followed by Fort Barrancas in April 2021. Currently, there are over 680 listings in the Underground Railroad Network, which is a part of the National Park Service. The majority of sites are in the North, with only 13 in Florida, making two locations somewhat rare for a city in the Deep South. On the occasion of Fort Pickens' inclusion on this list, Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Dan Brown said, "Fort Pickens is a powerful Underground Railroad storytelling destination."
Mostly associated with typical beach activities, the 19th-century military fort is a popular tourist destination. Originally constructed by enslaved Africans, through arrangements with the U.S. Army, Fort Pickens saw little action except when it was attacked by Confederates who temporarily seized Fort Barrancas. Until recently, few outside of academic circles knew of its connection to a southbound Underground Railroad. Once the war started, several enslaved Pensacolians made their way to Fort Pickens, hoping for freedom with the Union Army. In the early days of the war, however, most officers turned away these freedom seekers and ordered them back to their former enslavers. As the war raged through the Southern slave states, this same trend continued nearly everywhere Union troops were stationed, propelling Abraham Lincoln to include the enlistment of African American soldiers with the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Among the first garrison to house African American soldiers of the newly formed U.S. Colored Troops was Fort Pickens. "I am eager for the people in the local communities to learn about the amazing stories of courage, determination and freedom in their own backyard," said Brown. Similarly, after Confederate forces abandoned Fort Barrancas, the fort went back to the U.S. Army. In an ironic twist, among the first post-Confederate troops to be stationed at Fort Barrancas were members of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). "Fort Barrancas Area preserves powerful and emotional stories about the Black freedom struggle," said Gulf Islands National Seashore acting Superintendent Darrell Echols after Fort Barrancas' official inclusion into the Underground Railroad Network. "These hidden stories show how enslaved Black people actively dismantled slavery and challenged systemic racism in our nation." Within walking distance of Fort Barrancas is Barrancas National Cemetery. Among the dead honored in this cemetery are over 200 soldiers of the USCT. {in} For more on the PSC event, visit facebook. com/pensacolastatecollege. To plan a visit to Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas, visit nps.gov/guis. 15
a&e happenings Pride will hold its second-annual virtual music festival through Sunday, June 27. Saturday, June 19, is Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival, with musical performances curated by Brandi Pace of nonprofit Decolonizing the Music Room that will highlight the essential contributions of Black queer, trans and non-binary folks to roots music and the Pride movement. On June 26 & 27, the headline festival returns with more than a dozen musicians. For tickets and a full lineup, visit bluegrasspride.net.
PAINTING WITH PRIDE Show off your artistic talents at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., Thursday, June 17. PRIDE AUTHORS BOOK READING AND SIGNING On Saturday, June 19,
Julie Still-Rolin, author of "Coming out in the South," will be signing books at noon, followed by Drag Queen Storytime from 2-4 p.m. at Bodacious Bookstore and Café, 110 E. Intendencia St.
PRIDE SINGER/SONGWRITERS A cel-
ebration of local LGBT talent at Kingfisher, 1500 Barrancas Ave. Show is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.
SINGING WITH PRIDE Pensacola Opera hosts an evening of songs, arias and show tunes by LGBTQ+ composers with performers Sheila Dunn, Corey McKern and Cody Martin. Show starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at the Pensacola Opera Center, 75 S. Tarragona St. Goodwill offering benefits Stamped Film Festival. PRIDE HOLLYWOOD-STYLE DRAG SHOW Visit Dolce and Gelato, located at
2050 N. 12th Ave., for a family-friendly drag show on Friday, June 25.
PRIDE EVENTS
QUEERING SPACES: CELEBRATING PENSACOLA'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY Queering Spaces is a new exhibit exploring the history of the Pensacola Queer Community, going beyond Memorial Day
Weekend and Pride to uncover the longlasting impacts of Pensacola's vibrant past. The exhibit is on view at T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum, located at 330 S. Jefferson St.
BLUEGRASS PRIDE VIRTUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL San Francisco-based Bluegrass
Tired of suffering from droopy eyelids? Uplift your eyelids with the once daily eye drop, Upneeq. Call now to schedule your appointment with the eye care specialists at Terrezza Optical: 850-434-2060 616 1
PENSAPRIDE This event is being hosted by Strive and Pensacola Arts Market (PAM). On Saturday, June 26, from 10-11 a.m., there will be a car caravan from Open Books to the regular PAM location, 1101 N. 12th Ave. The PensaPride event will feature visual and performing artists from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit facebook. com/socialisttransinitiative.
PRIDE SOCIETY Ride Society is having a big day of Pride rides on June 26. For more information and to book a bike, visit ridesociety.com.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY 200TH ANNIVERSARY
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR THE 1821 SAMPLER The website for the mosaic
is now live at 1821sampler.com. From the sampler homepage, click on a photo to get a quick view and then "Visit Full Entry" to see more information. There are still plenty of people from 1821 who haven't been represented yet. To participate in the 1821 Sampler, simply fill out the form at 1821: A Pensacola Sampler under "Submit Your Photo" on the website and upload your photo to represent a member of the 1821 Pensacola community (use an uncluttered background, clearly showing face and shoulders. No hats please. Names are optional). Researchers with the West Florida Genealogical Society have identified more than 2,000 individuals who were here when Florida passed from Spain to the United States. By honoring a member of the 1821 community, you are participating in this celebration of our rich and diverse Florida heritage.
INTERACTIVE TOUR OF ST. MICHAEL'S CEMETERY To commemorate
Florida's Territorial Bicentennial and Escambia County's 200th Anniversary, the UWF Archaeology Institute and St. Michael's Cemetery Foundation have partnered to create an interactive tour of the cemetery. The project is titled They're Still Here: The People of 1821. The story map includes a "walking tour" that can be taken from the comfort of home or on a mobile device on site at the cemetery. The tour features more than 60 surviving gravesites of the people who were in Pensacola in 1821. The story map can be found at bit. ly/1821TourSMC.
WSRE COMMEMORATES FLORIDA'S TERRITORIAL BICENTENNIAL In part-
nership with the 200th Anniversary Com-
www. radiofree pensacola .com inweekly.net
a&e happenings mission Commemorating Florida's Territorial Bicentennial, the City of Pensacola and Escambia County, WSRE will broadcast an "inStudio" series commemorating this historical event at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, June 24-15. Hosted by Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks, the four one-hour episodes will reflect on the region's role in establishing Florida's statehood and provide information about bicentennial celebrations and opportunities for community involvement. "Florida's Territorial Bicentennial Commemoration and Pensacola's Role in the Making of Our State" airs June 24; "1821 Sampler Project Linking Past to Present" airs July 1; "St. Michael's Cemetery: At the Crossroads of Pensacola's Past" airs July 8; and "The Dinner Tables of 1821 and 2021: The Diversity of Our Culinary Heritage" airs July 15. All four episodes will be available for streaming on their premiere dates at wsre. org/instudio.
BICENTENNIAL COOKING CLASS Join Chef Irv Miller of Jackson's Steakhouse as he leads a Bicentennial Cooking Class 5-9 p.m., Thursday, June 17, located at 400 S. Palafox. Classes cover everything from shopping to preparation to presentation. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for more information.
200TH ANNIVERSARY BEACH CLEANUP On Saturday, June 26, from 9-11
a.m., join Keep Pensacola Beautiful for a beach cleanup at Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore, 1400 Fort Pickens Road.
JOB FAIRS
BACK TO WORK HIRING EVENT Mul-
tiple staffing agencies such as LandrumHR, LaborMax, Manpower and more will be offering information on over 1,000 jobs on Tuesday, June 29, from 9 a.m.-noon at CareerSource Escarosa, 6913 N. Ninth Ave. For more information, visit careersourceescarosa.com.
WAYS TO GET TO PENSACOLA BEACH
The Pensacola Bay Bridge is now open, which is perfect timing for beach season.
Escambia County reminds eager beachgoers of the various ways to get to the beach. Live Pensacola Beach traffic video and beach conditions are available at myescambia.com.
ECAT BUS Escambia County Area Transit discontinued service for the Route 61 detour across the Garcon Point Bridge with the Pensacola Bay Bridge opening. Normal schedules for Route 61 and Route 64 Beach Jumper will restart. Note the following schedules: REGULAR SERVICE: •Routes: 1, 2, 32, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59X, 60, 61 and 64 Beach Jumper MODIFIED ROUTES: •Route 31, 43, and 63: Runs Monday-Saturday, every two hours (Saturday Schedule) •Route 45: Runs Monday-Saturday, only every hour, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. UWF TROLLEY: •(Summer Schedule) UWF Express Service runs Monday–Saturday Schedules are located on goecat.com and the ECAT Ride guide. FREE TROLLEY SERVICE The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) will have free open-air trolley service along Pensacola Beach. The service runs MondaySunday, 4 p.m.-midnight, through Labor Day weekend. FERRY Pensacola Bay Cruises Ferry Service restarted Wednesday, May 19, with daily service, seven days a week, between Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. Ferry trips last approximately 50 minutes, and all-day free parking is available at each of the departure sites. DRIVE, BIKE OR WALK OVER THE BOB SIKES BRIDGE When you drive over
the Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach, there is an electronic toll in place. Cash and coins are no longer collected in person. The county encourages motorists to plan ahead and use electronic toll collection devices (i.e. SunPass, E-Pass, Annual Pass, NC Quick Pass, Peach Pass, E-ZPass), tolling apps (i.e. PayTollo) or TOLL-BY-PLATE from SunPass.
PENSACOLA BEACH TRAFFIC HOTLINE Residents and visitors can report
beach traffic issues via the Pensacola Beach Traffic Hotline at (850) 595-0862 or by emailing traffic@myescambia.com, offered by the Escambia County Transportation and Traffic Operations Division.
NONPROFITS + FUNDRAISERS
DEPARTURE FUNDRAISER FOR PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE DepARTure
is PLT's annual benefit to support arts education. PLT offers the community a chance to win a trip to an exciting destination around the globe (or $4,000 cash) to raise funds for our education programs. Putting a little ART in your depARTure helps facilitate the theatre's affordable tuition prices and traveling education troupe— taking theatre into Title I schools, nursing homes, community centers, libraries, and beyond. This year's benefit will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, with performances, a live auction, wine tastings and Italian delicacies at the Cultural Center. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com/departure for more information.
CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION Animal Allies will be at Pet Supermarket, 6857 N. Ninth Ave., Saturday, June 26, from 11a.m.3 p.m., and Everette Animal Welfare Group will be at PetSmart on North Davis Highway every Saturday in June from noon-4 p.m. All cats are up to date on shots and tested negative for leukemia, and adoption fee includes spay or neuter with microchip and flea pill. "FRIEND OF FOO" APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN The Foo Foo Festival Com-
mittee is now accepting applications from nonprofit and for-profit entities who are interested in playing a part in this year's events as a "Friend of Foo." Nonprofits in the Pensacola area who recently applied and did not receive a grant for this year's festival but would still like to participate, or local for-profit businesses such as hoteliers, restaurants and bars who are interested in participating and benefitting, are encouraged to apply. To review the application process, visit foofoofest.com.
"Friend of Foo'' participants will receive local, regional and national visibility during the 12-day event via the festival's regional marketing campaign. When applying, entrants should be prepared to provide the name and title of their prospective event; the date, time and location for the event; its respective category; and details and imagery to support the concept. The deadline to submit to be a "Friend of Foo" is Friday, Oct. 1, by noon. The Pensacola Foo Foo Festival will take place Nov. 4-15, 2021.
ARTS & CULTURE
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH Pensacola State
College will have two special presentations honoring Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19. At 10 a.m., percussionist and educator Bradley Simmons will host a workshop. At 3 p.m., you can watch the play "Harriet" by Kisha Kenyatta. Both events are free and will be offered on Zoom at pensacolastate. zoom.us/j/98014538052. For more information, call Dr. Tonie Anderson-Steele at (850) 484-4414.
STAFF-LED EXHIBITION TOURS AT PMA On Thursday, June 24, tour the PMA
exhibit "A Dead Reckoning Exhibition Tour" with PMA Director Nick Croghan. The tour is free with museum admission. Tickets should be purchased online prior to the tour at penscolamuseum.org..
NEIL SIMON'S RUMORS Pensacola Little Theatre's latest production is a classic farcical hilarity. Show dates are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, June 18 and 25, and Saturdays, June 19 and 26; 3 p.m. Sundays June 20 and 27; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24. Tickets are $8-$31 and are half-price on Thursday for all seats. For more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com. PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS DVORAK, SYMPHONY NO. 8 Join PSO virtually or in-person
at the Saenger Theatre for a program featuring Dvorak's idyllic Symphony No. 8. Showtimes are 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26. All tickets start at $28. For more
CALLING ALL CREATIVES Inweekly is accepting submissions for our second annual “By You” issue. Short stories, essays, poems, op-eds, interviews with your favorite uncle—whatever you’ve got, we want to read it. (Maximum word count—1,000 words) We are also accepting photography and digital art submissions. For consideration, those images need to be high resolution. (At least 250 dpi) The deadline for submissions is Friday, June 25. All pieces must be in electronic format and emailed to joani@inweekly.net. All submissions will be reviewed by Inweekly staff, and our favorites will make it to print. (Some additional pieces may be published online only depending on length and space.) Chosen submissions will be published in one of our July issues.. June 17, 2021
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a&e happenings information on virtual tickets, visit pensacolasymphony.com.
DRAG SHOWS AT DOLCE AND GELATO Head to Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., for regular drag shows. For more information, visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola
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.
COMING SOON TO PENSACOLA CINEMA ART In-person and virtual showtime information is available at pensacolacinemaart.com. All tickets are $8. Reserve your seats by emailing jpncinema@gmail.com or texting (863) 446-7300. PCA is located at 220 W. Garden St.
GALLERY NIGHT EVENTS TO RETURN IN JULY The Gallery Night Pen-
Night Board does encourage mask usage for those who are not vaccinated or are at high health risk. For more information, visit gallerynightpensacola.org.
PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS AUDITIONS Pensacola Children's Chorus
auditions will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, and are open to students entering grades one-12. PCC's season runs September-May with the aim of producing three fully staged, costumed and choreographed mainstage concerts—"Christmas on the Coast," "One World Many Voices" and "Showtime." However, these larger-thanlife performances reinforce more than vocal ability. Throughout the season, students are immersed in personal and social growth designed to equip singers with the tools to succeed beyond the rehearsal hall and stage. Interested families need to register for an audition time by visiting pensacolasings. org. Middle and high school singers should be prepared to learn a brief choreographed section to assess movement and learning style. All ability levels welcome. No prior experience or training is required. PCC is located in the Margaret Moore Nickelsen Center, 46 E. Chase St., on the campus of First Presbyterian Church in beautiful downtown Pensacola. For more information about the Pensacola Children's Chorus, please call (850) 434-7760 or visit pensacolachildrenschorus.com.
sacola Board of Directors has announced the return of its monthly Gallery Night URBAN REMIX OPENING RECEPTION events in Downtown Pensacola beginning AT FIRST CITY ART CENTER "Urban July 16. Remix" is on view at Gallery 1060 through Gallery Night will once again host its June 26. The exhibit includes street art demonthly art-centric event on the third Frisign with iconic Pensacola points of interday of the month from 5-10 p.m. The July est. Guest artist is Jay Collins. The gallery is event will coincide with the city's upcoming located at 1060 N. Guillemard St. For more bicentennial celebration. information, visit firstcityart.org. Based on the most recent CDC reports and vaccine numbers, the board has "A DEAD RECKONING: NAVIGATdecided that this outdoor event can once ING CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS" again take place at 100% capacity. EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM While CDC guidelines do not require a OF ART "A Dead Reckoning: Navigating mask for any outdoor events for those that Contemporary Ceramics" is now on view LB0245 MchUltraOrgSeltzer INW Final 041521.pdf 2 4/7/21 8:48 AM are fully vaccinated, the Pensacola Gallery at Pensacola Museum of Art, which asks
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viewers, "Where is the field of American ceramic art going?" For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
"END OF CENTURY" EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART End
of Century, an art exhibit featuring Art Nouveau glassware and works on paper, is a new exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of Art. This special exhibit includes items from the museum collection as well as the collection of local art supporter and educator Dr. Patrick M. Rowe. Dr. Rowe received his Ph.D. in Art History at Florida State University in 1989 and taught art history at the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College until his retirement in 2010. He has served on the Pensacola Museum of Art Board and on the PMA Collections Committee and has acted as a dedicated supporter and resource for museum staff throughout the years. In 1988, Rowe began taking an interest in 18th and early 20th century printmaking, which led to his impressive collection of works from the time period, many of which are showcased in End of Century. End of Century will be on view at the Pensacola Museum of Art until Oct. 10. Visitors can learn more about the exhibition, sign up for additional programming opportunities and purchase tickets through pensacolamuseum.org.
CITIZENS SPEAK AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART The "Citizens Speak"
exhibition represents a collection of student work across disciplines based on their engagement with Claudia Rankine's "Citizen." The exhibit is on display through July 3 at Pensacola Museum of Art. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
KEEP IT 100 AT ARTEL GALLERY Artel
Gallery's latest exhibit is "Keep it 100," where all works are priced at $100. Exhibit is on view through July 15. A "new-normal reception" will be Thursday, June 17, from 4-7 p.m. at the Gallery, located at 223 S. Palafox, with wine and refreshments. Other exhibits include Tessa Fremgen's "On Foreign Paths" and works from Christine Rojas. Visit artelgallery.org for more info.
THREE FATES TATTOO PORTRAIT SCULPTURE COURSE Over the course
of four weeks, students will learn to construct a proper armature, model individual facial features, and realistically sculpt a ¾ portrait from life, using a live model. Sessions will include detailed instructions on how to sculpt the portrait from the model, use measurements, use different sculpting tools and sculpt specific features using an observational approach. Each class will take place on Monday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Three Fates Studio, located at 7 E. Gregory St. The instructor will sculpt from the model while describing a step-by-step process, answering questions and pointing out key areas in the sculpt to take note of. Students will work alongside the instructor while gaining advice and personal critiques as they progress through the portrait. Anatomical structure as well as how to achieve a strong likeness will be discussed. The course is $375 per student and will take place on July 5, 12, 19 and 26. Visit threefatestattoo.com/register to sign up now.
STAND-UP COMEDY AT THE REX THEATRE Visit The REX Theatre every
Friday at 8 p.m. for national stand-up acts. Tickets are $26-$35 at the door. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.
COMEDY MAGIC SHOW AT THE REX THEATRE Comedy magician Tom Coverly,
known as "The Illusionist," performs Saturday nights at The Rex Theatre, located at 18 N. Palafox. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$35. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.
OPEN MIC COMEDY AT BIG TOP BREWERY Try out some new jokes or
enjoy some homegrown talent every Monday at 7 p.m. for Open Mic Comedy at Big Top Brewery, located at 21 W. Romano St. Everyone gets five minutes depending the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.
NEW CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Per-
forming Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio located at 1010 N. 12th Ave.,
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a&e happenings Ste. 238, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers professional dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruction for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstoppers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult. MMPA is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all students and families and has implemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the building and studio. More information about Mixon Magic Performing Arts can be found at mixonmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmagic.com or emily@mixonmagic.com or by calling (850) 221-7438.
BLACK CITIZENSHIP IN THE AGE OF JIM CROW On view at Voices of Pensacola
is "Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow," a traveling exhibition from the New York Historical Society Museum & Library with additions from the African American Heritage Society of Pensacola. To learn more about it, visit africanamericanheritagesociety.org. Voices of Pensacola is located at 117 E. Government St. and open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
CRAFT CLASSES AT STUDIO SOUTH ON NINE MILE Learn a new craft or meet
up with other makers at Studio South. Tuesday is Knit Night 4-7 p.m., and Sit & Stitch is Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Both classes are free. For a full calendar of events, visit studiosouthon9mileroad.com. Studio South is located at 955 E. Nine Mile Road.
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS AT FIRST CITY ART First City Art Center of-
fers a wide range of classes and workshops for artists of all levels. Classes include glass blowing, ceramics, painting and drawing, kiln-forming, stained glass and more. For a complete list of classes and times, visit firstcityart.org.
LIVE MUSIC
BANDS ON THE BEACH Bands on the Beach is back. The free concert series features shows each Tuesday night, from 7-9 p.m., from April to October at the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach. UPCOMING DATES: •June 22: Sandy Roots •June 29: Class X BLUES ON THE BAY The Blues on the
Bay free concert series continues at Community Maritime Park, located at 351 W. Cedar St. Concerts are 6 p.m. on select Sunday evenings. Bring your coolers and lawn chairs and take a spot in front of the Hunter Amphitheater. •July 11: Memory Lane
TUNES BY THE DUNES SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Tunes by the Dunes June 17, 2021
is a free summer concert series held every Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. in the summer months on Navarre Beach at 8649 Gulf Blvd. For more information, visit navarrechamber.com/tunes-by-the-dunes. •June 17: Platinum Premier Band •June 24: Jay Williams Band
KATIE DINEEN LIVE Katie Dineen will be playing at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, located at 208 Newman Ave., from 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 18. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew. THE TREES AT DOLCE & GELATO The
Trees will be playing at Dolce & Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 18. Visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola for more information.
JEFF GLICKMAN AT DOLCE & GELATO Jeff Glickman will be playing at Dolce & Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Visit facebook.com/ dolcegelatopensacola for more information.
MONARCH AND THE MILKWEEDS
Musical duo Monarch and the Milkweeds will be playing at Dolce & Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 20. Visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola for more information.
BEGINNING OF SUMMER BEACH BUMMER 4 Kick off the summer with
Faux/Fox, Panzacola, Slugger and Ynicorns at Odd Colony, located at 260 N. Palafox, on Saturday, June 26, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for more information.
KATIE DINEEN AT DOLCE AND GELATO Katie Dineen will be playing at Dolce
& Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Visit facebook.com/ dolcegelatopensacola for more information.
LIVE MUSIC AT RED FISH BLUE FISH PENSACOLA BEACH Head to Red Fish
Blue Fish for live performances from local bands Fridays and Saturdays all day. For musician lineups, visit facebook.com/redfishbluefishpensacolabeach.
CURT BOL JAZZ QUARTET Visit Five Sisters Blues Café, located at 421 W. Belmont St., Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and listen to Curt Bol Jazz Quartet. Visit curtbolband.com for more information.
OPEN JAM AT ARTEL GALLERY Artel
Gallery is open from 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays for open jam with Pensacola Folk Music Society. Feel free to visit and listen to music. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox.
KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS Sing your heart out Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, or just enjoy drinks friends with $4 Smirnoff and $6.50 domestic pitcher drink deals from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/mugsjugs. 19
a&e happenings LIVE MUSIC AT HUB STACEY'S Sit back with good food and live music at Hub Stacey's, located at 312 E. Government St. For a full calendar of bands, check hubstaceys.com. MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues
Society of Northwest Florida bring the "Blues" back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District, located at 130 E. Government St. every Monday night in End O' the Alley starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.
TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Me-
lodious Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday night at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.
FITNESS + RECREATION
COVID SHOTS AT BLUE WAHOOS GAMES The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, in
partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to fans at their games on Saturday, June 19, and Sunday, June 20. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to eligible fans ages 12 and up. Recipients of the Pfizer vaccine will be scheduled to receive their second dose at FDOH-Escambia the week of Monday,
June 28. Single-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines will also be available to eligible participants ages 18 and up. No appointments will be necessary for fans attending the games. Fans interested in attending the Blue Wahoos games during which vaccines will be administered can secure their tickets at bluewahoos.com. For more information about FDOHEscambia and COVID-19, fans may visit escambiahealth.com.
2021 BUD LIGHT FISHING RODEO
Cash awards and prizes are up for grabs during the Bud Light Fishing Rodeo with weigh-ins at Flounders from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, June 19, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, June 20. Visit pensacolasports.org/pensacolafishingrodeo for more information.
JONES CREEK CLEANUP Join the Pen-
sacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program for their first volunteer cleanup event at Lexington Terrace Park, located at 700 S. Old Corry Field Road, on Saturday, June 19, at 9 a.m. Closed-toe shoes are required. Contact Emerson Cheney at edcheney@ myescambia.com.
2021 NATIONALS REVOLUTION TALENT COMPETITION The Revolution Tal-
ent dance competition will be held at Pensacola Bay Center Tuesday, June 22-Sunday,
June 27, with all events culminating with two national championships. For more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.
PENSACOLA BAY PAST AND PRESENT KAYAK TOUR Join the Florida
Public Archaeology Network and Historic Pensacola for a kayak tour on Pensacola Bay Thursday, June 24, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The "Pensacola Bay Past and Present" tour will last approximately two hours and will feature a 2-mile kayaking route that explores the amazing ecology and history of just one small stretch of beautiful Pensacola Bay. RSVPs are required. Reserve your spot by emailing ngrinnan@uwf.edu. For more information, visit flpublicarchaeology.org/nwrc.
TRASH BASH WITH THE NAVARRE BEACH SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTER Help protect sea turtles and other
imperiled species through a citizen science program taking an active role in the war against marine debris on Saturday, June 26, from 8-10 a.m. Volunteers collect trash from different areas along the 4.5 miles of Navarre Beach and record data that is forwarded to state and federal agencies. Meet in the main Navarre Beach Parking Lot near the Sand Crab Pavilion. A limited supply of gloves, buckets and pickers will be available. For more information, visit navarrebeachseaturtles.org or call (850) 684-3347.
PIRATES OF LOST TREASURE CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT On Sunday, June
27, Pirates of Lost Treasure will host a Corn Hole Tournament at the Perdido Key Sports Bar located at 13583 Perdido Key Drive. The tournament starts at noon. Registration is $20 per person and open to individuals 15 years or older. Pre-registration is on the Scoreholio App. In-person registration is on Sunday from 9-11 a.m. at the Sports Bar. There will be a shootout prior to the main tournament at $5 per person. This is singles only with a blind draw for teams. A liquor basket and 50/50 Raffle will be available. For more information call Tim at (360) 710-2727 or Dana at (850) 313-4449.
WFPL MOLINO TRACK CHALLENGE
Put on your walking shoes and join the walking challenge at the Molino library. Just visit Molino's track, turn on your favorite fitness tracker app to log your progress, dial up your tunes or an audiobook and start walking. When you finish, come into the library and log your progress with staff on our track challenge board. The top walker in this program will win The Coldest Water Bottle. The Molino Branch Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A. For more information, visit mywfpl.com.
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It only takes one person to slash the statistics.
Did you know that 1 in 10 children Escambia County are victims of child abuse? It’s time to change that number. Visit KnowChildAbuse.org to learn to recognize, report and reduce child abuse.
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music
By Savannah Evanoff
Finding "Artifacts"
Dalton Wright / Courtesy Photo
Dalton Wright can't help it. The Pensacola musician surmises it's some kind of mental malfunction. Every time he hears a new song, he has to replicate it—with his own twist, of course. And he listens to a lot of different music. "I really try to distill multiple genres and blend them together," Wright said. "That's why a lot of my lead guitar work is jazzy and has an element of that, because that's what I wanted to try to do. I never limit myself. I'd recommend to anybody, 'You want to make lo-fi hip-hop and then be in an indie rock band and just hang out on a few power chords, then by all means. It's really fun." Wright would know. He's contributed to many Florida bands, namely metal ones,
and created lo-fi hip-hop under the moniker Wandering. "I'll listen to like Sleep or Kyuss or Electric Wizard, 'OK, I'm gonna do that,'" Wright said. "Then I'll listen to Jeff Buckley or something like that, 'OK, I need to write songs.' So I'm always kind of bouncing around. But the overall vibe, I really like '90s alternative rock, almost shoegaze kind of stuff." Wright's latest and second solo album, "Artifacts," is an amalgam of things he has heard and tried both pre- and postCOVID—Smashing Pumpkins guitar tones, Dope guitar layers and City and Colour vocals. Buckley is a major influence. "Jeff Buckley is like the king of art rock,
weird indie rock stuff," Wright said. "The songs are really strange, but they sound incredible, and his voice is just insane. I wanted to take the world of weird guitar, '90s feel for some of the instrumentation and apply the vocal file over top of that and blend those two worlds together." While the pandemic gave Wright a rare opportunity to hunker down and write his own material, the album doesn't revolve around the coronavirus. No one needed reminding. "I imagined that the worst-case scenario would be if you're watching the [TV] show that you like, and they were to incorporate that into the show, too," Wright said. "I was like, 'That would be terrible, so musically, let me not do that.' Let me just have it be like, if you're just lonely or you had a bad day at work, that can be applicable as well." The concept instead involved Wright referencing historical places, such as the Catacombs, and finding artifacts, such as old maps. The album art was a play on that concept, featuring random objects stashed in his home. "I wanted the album cover to be like knickknacks or antiquated technology that's considered an artifact, but not on the nose, like Indiana Jones artifacts," Wright said. "So just an inside joke, I suppose. Some of the lyrics deal with the theme of finding old stuff again." "Treasure Chest" was the first song he wrote on the seven-track album. "That one is definitely pretty darn upbeat with some Taking Back Sunday vibes on it, which I really like," Wright said. "Next one, 'Coins Tossed Into Water,' is very jazzy. I described it as country jazz. The vocal style was very laidback, almost like Mark Knopfler, just telling a little bit of a story." "Inside Out" is the most upbeat and heavy song on the album, Wright said. "The Arsonist" was the second released single. The acoustic track features the flute and cello. The production of the flute sound
was inspired by Wright's favorite Black Sabbath song, "Planet Caravan." He asked his producer, Cooper Dalrymple, to mimic the idea. "Now when you listen to it, you can tell it's the flute, but it sounds really trippy," Wright said. "I was very pleased by that. The most laidback song of the album was inspired by Black Sabbath, which is ironic." Wright's wife, Emily, a classically trained vocalist, helped with harmonies and backing vocals on "The Arsonist" and "Towers." "She sings really, really well," Wright said. "I had to tell her, 'We don't need the operatic style; we need to just kind of match what I'm doing.' It was really nice. She knows these songs. She's heard me play these songs a lot. She had ideas of her own with some of the harmonies." The most emotional song lyrically and performance-wise is "Tomb." Wright wanted to emulate the moment of being in a social setting, going to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and questioning your identity. "I feel like it's fleeting, but sometimes you have these moments you're with your pals or with your family and you're like, 'They actually put up with me? Am I going crazy?'" Wright said. "Also from the pandemic, as far as being alone, that fueled the fire of that song. We go in a few different genres here and there, but I think the theme always comes back to melancholy feelings, but not despair." While it doesn't necessarily have a storyline, track order was crucial, he said. "The way I assembled it, when you listen to it, there's peaks and valleys," Wright said. "I didn't want it to be all the really upbeat songs upfront and then the last three just put you to sleep. I like listening to albums in their entirety, so if you listen like that, I want to keep you on your toes." {in} "Artifacts" is out now streaming on all platforms. To keep with Wright, follow him at instagram.com/daltonwrightmusic.
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June 17, 2021
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free will astrology WEEK OF JUNE 17 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Aries playwright Tennessee Williams was honest about the trickery he engaged in as he composed his entertaining masterpieces. "I don't want realism," he exclaimed. "I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people." I fully support you, Aries, if you would like to make that your goal in the next three weeks. In my astrological opinion, you and the people in your life have more than a mild need for magic. Your ability to thrive depends on you all getting big doses of magic. TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): On my
wall is a poster that says, "Avoid the Tragic Magic Triad: taking things too personally, taking things too seriously and taking things too literally." This advice doesn't refer to important matters, like my health or my ongoing fight against our culture's bigotry. I take those issues very personally, seriously and literally. Rather the motto refers to trivial and transitory issues, like the new dent made in my car by a hit-and-run driver in the Whole Foods parking lot, or the bad review of my book on Amazon.com, or the $18 that a certain Etsy seller cheated me out of, or the joke about the size of my nose that some supposed friend made on Twitter. According to my reading of astrological omens, Taurus, you would benefit right now from meditating on things like these that you take too seriously, personally and literally. Here's Don Miguel Ruiz—"There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally."
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): "I remember
wishing I could be boiled like water and made pure again," writes poet Jeffrey McDaniel. Judging from the current astrological omens, Gemini, I think you could be made reasonably pure again without having to endure an ordeal like being boiled like water. Do you have ideas about how to proceed? Here are mine—1. Spend 15 minutes alone. With your eyes closed, sitting in a comfortable chair, forgive everyone who has hurt you. Do the best you can. Perfection isn't necessary. 2. Spend another 15 minutes alone, same deal. Forgive yourself of everything you've done that you
By Rob Brezsny
think of as errors. Perfection isn't required. 3. Spend another 15 minutes alone. Imagine what it would be like to unconditionally love yourself exactly as you are. 4. Spend another 15 minutes alone. Remember ten amazing moments that you enjoyed between ages five and 13.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): On June 23, 1940, Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely to a family that already had 19 other children. During her childhood, she suffered from pneumonia, scarlet fever, polio and infant paralysis. The latter two diseases damaged her left leg, and she wore a brace until she was 12 years old. Nevertheless, by the time she was in high school, she had become a very good athlete. Eventually she competed in the Olympics, where she won four medals and earned the title "the fastest woman in history." I propose that we name her your official role model for the rest of 2021. May she inspire you to overcome and transcend your own personal adversity. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Leo-born P. L. Travers wrote the children's books about Mary Poppins, a nanny with magical powers. She was thoroughly familiar with folklore, ancient myths and the occult. The character of Mary Poppins, Travers said, was a version of the Mother Goddess. But in her writing process, she drew inspiration mainly from what she thought of as the vast dark nothingness. She wrote, "I've become convinced that the great treasure to possess is the unknown." To generate her tales, she listened to silence and emptiness. I recommend you emulate her approach as you create the next chapter of your life story. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo poet Melissa Broder writes, "Romantic obsession is my first language. I live in a world of fantasies, infatuations and love poems." I wouldn't normally authorize you to share her perspective, but I will now. The astrological omens suggest you have something important to learn from being more enamored and adoring than usual. If you say YES to the deluge of yearning, you'll gain access to a type of power that will prove very useful to you in the coming months.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Libran author Oscar Wilde disproved the misconception that Libras are wishy-washy, overly eager to compromise, and inclined to overthink everything. His writing had wit and flair, and his life was vivid and daring. He wrote, "There are moments when one has to choose between living one's own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands." I suspect that one of those pivotal moments will soon be coming up for you. Be Wilde-like! SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Philosopher Simone Weil wrote, "Only the light that falls continually from the sky gives a tree the energy to push powerful roots into the earth. The tree is actually rooted in the sky." As you bolster your foundations in the coming months, as you deepen your roots, I hope you keep Weil's brilliant observation in mind. Like a tree, the nourishment that will help you grow the stamina and strength and structure you need will come as you turn to the brightest, warmest, highest sources of inspiration. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): To
be in groovy alignment with cosmic rhythms, you won't merely walk, and you certainly won't trudge. Rather you will saunter and ramble and promenade. You will strut and rove and prowl. Likewise, you won't just talk, and you certainly won't mutter or grumble. Instead you will banter, rhapsodize, improvise, beguile and lyricize. Catch my drift? You won't simply laugh, but will chortle, cackle and guffaw. In other words, Sagittarius, you are authorized to imbue everything you do with style, panache and imagination.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Congratulations on being such a dutybound, no-nonsense adult. May you continue to ply your dogged persistence and beast-of-burden attitude as long as it gets important tasks done, helps you feel useful, and doesn't make you sick. But if you do get tempted to depart from the sacrificial path anytime soon, please know that you will not offend any gods or demons. Nor will you incur a karmic debt. In fact, I believe
you have cosmic clearance to dabble with lightheartedness for a while. You should feel free to experiment with fun and games that appeal to your sense of wonder.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "I can barely conceive of a type of beauty in which there is no melancholy," wrote poet Charles Baudelaire. What?! That makes no sense. I'm aware of millions of beautiful things that aren't tinctured with melancholy. California's Mount Shasta in the late spring twilight, for example. New York City's Guggenheim Museum, a gorgeous gleaming building designed by genius architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Marmore waterfalls in central Italy. The gardens of painter Claude Monet in Normandy, France. David Byrne's gloriously hopeful website, reasonstobecheerful.world. I mention this, Aquarius, because I expect life to bring you a flood of non-melancholic beauty in the coming days. Take advantage of this grace to replenish your trust in life. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Piscean author César Aira praises the value of escaping one's memories. He writes, "Forgetting is like a great alchemy free of secrets, transforming everything to the present." I'd love to see you enjoy alchemy like that in the coming weeks, dear Pisces. It's a favorable time to lose at least some of the inhibitions and limitations you think you have to accept because of what happened in the past. As Aira says, forgetting "makes our lives into a visible and tangible thing we hold in our hands, with no folds left hidden in the past." THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: My birthday's coming up. I welcome your blessings! newsletter@freewillastrology.com or P.O. Box 4399, San Rafael, CA 94913.
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news of the weird RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE A woman known only as Sajitha from Kerala, India, disappeared in 2010, when she was just 18 years old, reported Newsweek. But about three months ago, the mystery of her disappearance began to come to light. Sajitha had left her home 11 years ago and walked just 1,600 feet to the home of her neighbor, Alinchuvattil Rahman, who at the time was 24 years old. Reportedly, the couple believed their romantic relationship was threatened by their differing religions, so Rahman settled her in a locked spare bedroom in his parents' home, where she spent the next decade watching a small TV using headphones. Rahman's brother, Basheer, said Rahman was intensely secretive about the room and kept it locked at all times; his bad temper discouraged his family from asking about what was going on. "During the day, as everyone was at work, Rahman and Sajitha would have the house to themselves," Basheer said. The room had no bathroom; Sajitha would crawl out a window at night to relieve herself. This spring, Sajitha left the home and Rahman followed shortly after; his family reported him missing, but Basheer soon "spotted Rahman by chance" in another village, where he and his beloved have set up their new home. WEIRD FASHION Crocs went on sale less than 20 years ago, but they're already experiencing a "renaissance," according to The Independent. And for the Spring 2022 season, Crocs are getting a crossover boost from luxury fashion house Balenciaga: New models feature a stiletto heel (which looks more like a Lego piece) under the traditional green or black perforated upper. The new model may cost as much as $1,000, but social media isn't on board. One tweet called them "an actual nightmare," and another commenter said she is "irrationally angry." •If the high-heeled Crocs aren't outre enough for you, look into this accessory: the Mundstuck, made by MYL Berlin. "Mundstuck" means "mouthpiece"; this high-style one fits over the bottom lip and decorates the chin, Oddity Central reported on June 7. MYL Berlin calls it "structured, chic and daring. ... It nestles perfectly on your lip without applying pressure or hindering your mobility." The stainless steel Mundstuck comes in black, gold or silver and in three different designs. Prices range from $75 to $140. WEIRD ANIMALS In Victoria, British Columbia, photographer Tony Austin was out for a nature walk on May 31 when he ran across an inexplicable sight: A murder of crows had landed close by, and one was sort of flopping around in the dirt. "It would sort of ... hop into the air and ... then hop back onto the gravel," Austin said. As Austin grew nearer, he saw that the bird was covered with ants. He was concerned for the bird's welfare, but when he
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
posted a picture on a Facebook page for bird enthusiasts, he was relieved, NPR reported. The crow was "anting"—spreading ants on its feathers and wings. Experts aren't clear about why birds do this; it may be related to cleanliness or to share the ants' defensive secretions of fungicides, miticides and insecticides. •The Independent reported on May 13 that a new BBC documentary has revealed that dolphins chew on and pass around puffer fish in an apparent effort to get "high." Puffer fish release a nerve toxin when provoked; large doses of it can be deadly, but small amounts can produce a narcotic effect. Dolphins, having partaken of just the right amount, appear to enter a trancelike state. Rob Pilley, a zoologist who worked as a producer on the series, said the dolphins "began acting most peculiarly, hanging around with their noses at the surface as if fascinated by their own reflection. It was the most extraordinary thing to see." THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT Small businesses have had to be creative in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as demonstrated by Club Pro Adult Entertainment in Toronto, Ontario. The Toronto Sun reported that shutdowns nearly destroyed the strip club—until owner Teresa Marciano and her staff came up with another idea. "Since we couldn't operate as a restaurant, the only thing we wanted to do was something outdoors," Marciano said. "Most of our staff and managers love golf, so we tried to marry both industries together." The new venture, Stiff Shafts, turns the former club's parking lot into a driving range where golfers can aim their shots at caricatures of prominent politicians. Bartenders and waitstaff will return to provide food and drink to customers, and the dancers will be caddies. The Marcianos hope to open on June 14. PRECOCIOUS Two West Jordan, Utah, sisters, 9 and 4 years old, set out before dawn on June 2 with California beaches in their sights, Fox News reported. Unfortunately, the 9-year-old was driving, and things didn't go as planned. Just several miles away from home, the little driver veered into oncoming traffic, slamming into a semi-truck. Both girls were wearing seatbelts, and no one was hurt. Their parents were unaware of the joyride until police called them after the accident. "I guess they were intending to start their summer vacation a little early," remarked West Valley police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku. Lt. Sean McCarthy added, "I don't know that we'll tell them they were going the wrong way" to reach California. {in} From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2021 Andrews McMeel
Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com June 17, 2021
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