Inweekly March 28 2019 Issue

2019

inweekly

POWER LIST

#1 Lumon May Independent News | March 28, 2019 | Volume 20 | Number 13 | Photo by Natalie Allgyer

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winners & losers 4

outtakes 5

buzz 7

Who's going to be there when you need help? Your mama.

power list 13

a&e

calendar

43 , 48

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Michael Daw

contact us info@inweekly.net

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Sarah Mc Wilson, Jeremy Morrison, C.S. Satterwhite, Stephanie Sharp, Sydney Robinson

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

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winners & losers

Keith Hoskins / Courtesy Photo

winners

KEITH HOSKINS Navy Federal Credit

Union announced last Friday that Keith Hoskins has been hired to serve as senior vice president of the credit union's Greater Pensacola Operations. USN Ret. Captain Hoskins served as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola and was a Blue Angels pilot. Most recently, Hoskins served as the general manager of Gulf Power's western district. Hoskins replaces Debbie Calder, who was promoted to chief operating officer and relocated to Navy Federal's headquarters in Northern Virginia in January.

MCGUIRE MARTIN More than $20,000

was raised from the annual McGuire's 5K to support Pensacola Police Department Officer Stephen Grogan, who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. McGuire's Irish Pub owner McGuire Martin contributed $10,000 of the run's sign-up fees to help the Grogan family and personally donated an additional $5,000 to the PPD, which gave it to Grogan as well.

DENNIS YOUNGREN The Gulf Breeze

police officer was recognized as Law Officer of the Year by the Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze.

A native of Chicago, Youngren is a veteran of the US Air Force and joined the department in 2015. He is very well respected in the department for his optimistic attitude, strong work ethic and constant willingness to support the other officers, according to Chief Rick Hawthorne. The Law Officer of the Year is selected annually by fellow officers and presented a plaque by the Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze.

losers CAREERSOURCE ESCAROSA Last week,

Governor Ron DeSantis announced $1.75 million for CareerSource Florida's Apprenticeship Expansion Grants that will be used to develop or expand apprenticeship programs and cover costs such as on-the-job-training, related instruction, curriculum development and outreach to underrepresented populations. Fourteen offices will receive the grants.

CareerSource Escarosa was notably absent from the list.

KYLE HUDSON Gov. Ron DeSantis last week

suspended the clerk of court for Holmes County after Hudson was arrested for an organized scheme to defraud, official misconduct and money laundering. According to a press release from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Hudson submitted travel vouchers for meetings that he either did not attend or that never happened. Hudson allegedly created fake hotel receipts and meeting agendas and submitted them for reimbursement.

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE In a strict party-line vote, the

subcommittee approved a measure that would require felons to clear up any financial obligations, including court costs, fees and fines, before having their voting rights reinstated.

Critics have labeled the bill a modern take on Jim Crow-era poll taxes designed to keep black voters from participating in elections. Florida voters passed Amendment 4, which granted "automatic" restoration of voting rights to felons "who have completed all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation."

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outtakes

By Rick Outzen

ANOTHER PORT STUDY The word "urgency" isn't part of the vocabulary used at Pensacola City Hall. The latest example of the city government's failure to drive an initiative to completion on a timely basis is the port study that the city council received on Monday.

Thirty months ago, the Pensacola City Council budgeted $100,000 to commission a Port Economic Feasibility Study. The administration ignored the appropriation and did nothing. A year later, the council scheduled a workshop to establish guidelines for the creation of a Port Economic Feasibility Study Committee. Three months later, the council directed its executive to set an initial meeting date for the Port Economic Feasibility Study Committee. The mayor protested, and in June 2017, the council abandoned establishment of a port study committee and returned control of the study process to the mayor's office.

Still, nothing happened until the spring of 2018, when Hayward hired Moffatt & Nichol for $100,000, not to do an economic feasibility study but to conduct a strategic planning process. Meanwhile, the port lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In June 2018, Moffatt & Nichol began holding public meetings and did online surveys. The consultants found what most of us already knew. Pensacola residents do not want the port closed. Most believe that the city needs to maintain a functioning port but

should also diversify into other marine-related industries. These have been the findings of every port study since 2004. Hayward could have read those volumes and saved a hundred grand, but maybe I'm too fiscally conservative.

The Moffatt & Nichol report was not posted on the city's website before the special workshop on Monday. The public had no opportunity to review it and come to the meeting with informed comments and ideas. The lack of transparency is on Mayor Grover Robinson, even though the media had asked about the study during the weekly press conferences in December.

What did Pensacola taxpayers get for their money—a nice set of drawings that have a new street connecting Commendencia Slip with Bartram Park that will allow for the development of condominiums, restaurants, museums and parks on port property. The irony is the public viewed adding parks and open spaces, commercial, civic and residential uses, in that order, as the least desirable uses for the port. So much for public input.

The consultants also liked IHMC and UWF having a marine research facility at the port—an apparent move to pander to an influential base. And Moffatt & Nichol also wanted to change the name of Commendencia Slip to "Luna's Basin." Wonderful.

Damn, I should have been a consultant. {in} rick@inweekly.net

The consultants found what most of us already knew. Pensacola residents do not want the port closed.

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Grover Robinson / Courtesy Photo

FINING GIVERS Pensacola Mayor Grover

Robinson last week floated a new approach to this issue. Instead of aiming ordinances at panhandlers, how about pivoting toward the person giving the panhandler money?

"The challenge is, fining the panhandler doesn't really change anything," Robinson said. "But, I mean, do we look at fining the giver? I mean, those are all potentials; those are things we would look at."

The mayor said it was already illegal to give money from the roadway and that the move would only take enforcing that law. He suggested traffic cameras could be employed for the purpose.

"The challenge is, fining the panhandler doesn't really change anything. But, I mean, do we look at fining the giver?" Grover Robinson "We haven't talked about how we would do it, one way or the other, but it could be done. You could move in that direction," he

said. "The rule's already there. Let's obey the rules. That's all we're asking."

After the mayor made his comments, Inweekly had Political Matrix conduct a telephone poll of 462 likely voters in the city of Pensacola. Over two-thirds (68.2 percent) were opposed to the city fining or prosecuting those providing money to the panhandlers from their car.

However, 48.9 percent of those polled felt panhandling should be banned and illegal in all parts of the city, while 39.6 percent thought panhandling should be allowed in designated areas.

The persons sampled were registered voters of the city of Pensacola with a voting score of 100 percent for the general election cycles.

The voters were called using an Interactive Voice Response system during the hours of 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21. The margin of error for the study was +/- 4.5 percent with a confidence level of 95 percent.

PENSACOLA'S GENDER GAP In honor of Women's History Month, the University of West Florida's Haas Center last week

presented its report on the current life of women in the Pensacola area based on key demographic indicators, occupation and earnings profiles and educational attainment levels.

The median age of women in the area is about 41, which is the seventh-youngest area for women in the state. Women in the Pensacola area have a somewhat higher chance of being married than their male counterparts. While 28 percent of women have never been married, 38 percent of men remain single.

The poverty level among women in the area is about the same as men. However, in the 18 to 34 age group, that statistic jumps considerably, seeing the percentage of women in poverty double that of men, possibly because that range overlaps childbearing years.

About 94 percent of white women are registered to vote compared to 87 percent of white men. For black women, that spread is a bit more, with 91 percent registered compared to 73 percent of black men.

Across the United States, women are on average more highly educated than males. That's a new development. However, that isn't the case in Pensacola or Florida. Nationally, 31.2 percent of women have a bachelor's degree or higher compared to 30.6 percent of men. In Florida, it's 28.1 percent for women and 28.8 percent for men, while Pensacola is 26.1 percent for women and 27.5 percent for men.

Women in the Pensacola area participate in the labor force at a rate of 70.6 percent. That's a bit lower than males, at 77.3 percent. But for women with children under the age of 6, participation in the employment pool drops to 66 percent. And for women with older children, it drops further to 59 percent.

"That's perhaps discouraging but very indicative of the decisions females have to make," Amy Newburn of the Haas Center noted, explaining that women with children typically have to weigh the benefits of employment with the cost of childcare.

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The top industries for women in the area include the healthcare industry, retail, food services and educational services.

The four sectors account for more than 60 percent of working women locally.

In the Pensacola area, a woman earns about 69.5 cents on every dollar a man makes.

The pay gap is wider in the segment of the population with bachelor's degrees. For those with a bachelor's, the spread is more than 35 percent, with women earning an average $36,767 compared to $58,181 for men.

NRDA FUNDS The Florida Trustee Implementation Group approved its Final Restoration Plan 1, which selects 23 projects at a total estimated cost of $61 million. The final plan is consistent with the Trustees' Programmatic Restoration Plan and selects projects for restoring natural resources and services injured or lost in Florida as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. With the approval of this plan, 10 projects totaling more than $16 million will benefit water quality and recreation in Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay. The projects include expansion of Pensacola Beach reclaimed wastewater system, nutrient reduction in Pensacola and Perdido bays, Gulf Islands National Seashore beach and dune habitat protection and invasive plant removal and new camping sites along the Perdido River and Bay Paddle Trail.

Among the projects is $2.1 million to improve Carpenter's Creek. The three-year project will pay for land acquisition, planning, design, construction of the stormwater improvements and wetland/floodplain restoration, post-construction storm event monitoring, wetlands/floodplain aquatic vegetation monitoring and recreational improvements.

"Improving water quality to Carpenter Creek protects habitats and opens up the possibility for more recreational use," Mayor Grover Robinson said. "This project was important to me as a commissioner, and it's important to me now as mayor. I know this is something Councilwoman Myers has waited and passionately advocated for, and I'm excited to see it come to fruition."

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Carpenter Creek runs through District 2 of the City, which is represented by Councilwoman Sherri Myers. Councilwoman Myers routinely hosts cleanup efforts at Carpenter Creek.

"This is a great day for Carpenter Creek and the many people who have worked so hard to save the creek," Councilwoman Myers said. "I think the work of Mayor Grover Robinson when he was a county commissioner has played a huge role in making these funds available for the restoration of Carpenter Creek. I am excited about all of the projects that will be funded thanks to the hard work and dedication of county staff and Escambia Board of County Commissioners."

Visit gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov to view the Final Restoration Plan 1 along with additional details of the proposed restoration projects.

LEAP PROJECTS Leadership Pen-

sacola (LeaP), a program of the Pensacola Chamber Foundation, has selected Manna Food Pantries, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and Gulf Coast Kid's House to benefit through this year's class service project.

Manna recently relocated into a new building and needed assistance with the exterior property, including a storage shed, garden and fence. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida aims to create a college prep "keys to success" program and establish a scholarship fund. Gulf Coast Kid's House is revamping their child abuse prevention education program and creating web-based training for adults.

Each of these projects would otherwise be funded and executed by these organizations but, in partnership with the LeaP class, will now be done more efficiently, saving funds that will be used to support each organization's mission.

"By partnering with the LeaP Class on our child abuse training, we can gain useful knowledge from these leaders and rely on their additional resources to better our community," shares Megan Chapman,

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Outreach & Development director for Gulf Coast Kid's House and LeaP class member.

Each year, the LeaP class is challenged to participate in a community project that will help give back to the area. For the first time, the Chamber approached over 40 nonprofit members and asked for requests for proposal of projects to be completed by the class within the allotted parameters. Twelve projects were submitted, vetted and voted on by the class after careful consideration.

STREET IMPROVEMENTS Potential

improvement plans for a trio of streets in the heart of Pensacola were unveiled to the public during a March 19 presentation by project architects. The streetscape project aims for improvements along DeVilliers, A and Reus streets.

"I'm quite certain that at one time, these were great streets. They just haven't been maintained." David Haight "I'm quite certain that at one time, these were great streets. They just haven't been maintained," said David Haight, a project manager with Atkins.

Located in the city's Urban Core Community Redevelopment Area, all three streets represent untended arteries flowing north out of an increasingly revitalized downtown core. The project area on each street runs from Main Street to Cervantes.

The presentation from Atkins represented the beginning of a 30-day comment period.

Atkins' current plans represent a starting point and await public input from people who use DeVilliers, A and Reus every day.

Potential improvements along streets include sidewalk repairs and widening, the addition of bike lanes along stretches where width allows, the addition of street lamps and blending of sidewalks and driveway intersections so that the grade is ADA compliant.

Parking was also an issue of prime

concerns addressed in the presented plans.

Noting that drivers frequently parked on the grass, even when street parking existed, planners suggested clarifying street parking with paint in some areas and building in so-called bump-outs in other areas, which denote parking lanes by regular juts of the curb.

Creating more four-way stops along the routes was also suggested. More four-ways would act to calm the flow of traffic and allow pedestrians safer street crossings.

"It gives us an opportunity to put crosswalks in," explained Haight. "I think paint is pretty cheap, but it also saves lives."

Varying options were presented for how best to incorporate bike lanes into the streets.

In areas without room for lanes, the planners suggested painting "sharrows," or arrows indicating the lane is shared. Along more accommodating stretches, a designated bike lane could be painted with or without a parallel line of parked cars acting as a buffer.

Planners also presented various sidewalk options, such as more ornate scoring patterns.

Decorative tree grates were also offered as a possibility, as was the option of installing commemorative plaques or bricks.

The city is funding this streetscape project with an $8 million bond issue from 2017, and the funds must be used by 2020.

Public input will be used to help prioritize aspects of the project.

Haight said, "It's work of a lifetime here.

Because you folks get it, you're progressive about what you want to do."

To view Atkins' assessments and potential plans for DeVilliers, A and Reus streets, visit cityofpensacola.com. Comments and input should be sent to hgibson@cityofpensacola.com.

CENTURY GETS HELP The Century

Town Council has voted to accept free help from the Florida League of Cities as it analyzes grand jury recommendations regarding its finances and utility operations.

(Inweekly, "A Town on the Edge," March 14) Bob Inzer, FLC's financial advisor, agreed to spend several days in Century

to assess Century's needs. He will make recommendations and develop an implementation plan, according to Council President Ann Brooks. The review should be completed by mid-April.

CITY STAFF PROCESS Mayor Grover

Robinson has a number of positions to fill.

Some currently sit empty, some are new, and others will open up as current employees retire out. The mayor detailed the progress being made on the staffing front at his March 18 weekly press conference.

"We've got a lot of decisions we have to start making, and we'll be making them over the next couple of weeks," Robinson said.

The city has already collected pools of applicants for both its assistant city administrator position as well as a public information officer. An executive committee consisting of administration officials, including City Administrator Chris Holley, will assess the applicants and present the mayor with a slimmed down list.

"We'll propose a half dozen, let the mayor look at them and go from there," Holley said.

"We'll propose a half dozen, let the mayor look at them and go from there." Chris Holley The city is also seeking someone to oversee its Complete Streets efforts, someone who can help the city become more pedestrian-friendly, more walkable. Robinson said that there is some debate about whether to go after someone with a planning background or an engineering background.

"The challenge of those people who have been advocates of biking and cycling indicate that usually they have not had as much success from engineers as they have from the planning side. Engineers, again, the general design is, 'How can I move this thing as fast as possible,'" the mayor said.

"Sometimes multimodal has not been as much of a priority for them as cars."

Robinson hasn't yet determined the

inweekly.net

Thank you citizens for your input MAYOR ROBINSON’S MESSAGE Dear Citizens of Pensacola, We are going to make progress in each and every neighborhood.

In order to start that, 90 days ago we set into motion a transition team to take on 11 different areas to provide suggestions for both immediate and long-term goals we could accomplish for the betterment of our community. I would like to thank all the members of this team who put a tremendous amount of time and effort into learning what the city does and taking input from citizens.

I would like to especially thank the Chairman of this committee, Quint Studer, who has given considerable time, guidance, and leadership in this report.

With this report, I believe the city has a true strategic plan that will allow my administration to make each and every part of our community better.

Sincerely, Grover C. Robinson IV, Mayor

To read the report online, visit:

TransitionPensacola.com Transition Team Leaders These dedicated leaders made a positive impact in our community by volunteering their time and expertise to review existing city operations with a fresh set of eyes.

Their recommendations reflect the seriousness with which they took the task.

Since team members were neither employed by the city or otherwise compensated by the city, their recommendations are independent and unfiltered. Having the transition team and this report will be a great benefit to the new Mayor and the city.

David Peaden Government Efficiency

Michelle Salzman Education

Julie Sheppard Legal

Kristie Tobias Governance

Bruce Vredenburg Finance & Budget

Connie Bookman Crime & Safety

Christian Wagley Environment

Drew Buchanan Traffic & Walkability

Sena Maddison Transparency

Rev. Dr. Isaac Williams Brian Wyer Economic Development Neighborhoods & Entrepreneurship

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9

exact process of selecting the Complete Streets candidate. The position might not go through the same executive-committee process as other city hires.

"We haven't discussed how that one would go," Robinson said. "I think Chris and the executive team are a little bit more comfortable with the positions they understand, like the PIO or assistant city administrator. A position that's a little bit newer to us, we may need to reach out and have something else."

The mayor also spoke a bit about his predecessor's practice of hiring contract employees. With the exception of the positions of city administrator and city attorney, the mayor plans to wind down the practice of hiring contract employees.

Robinson said, "It was sort of a culture that we inherited, and we are moving to really change that culture."

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida is seeking volunteers for the spring semester of the 2018-2019 school year.

Volunteers from the business community are needed to serve in K-12 classrooms of their choice in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County school districts mentoring young people regarding jobs, money and business.

JA programs are typically one hour per week for five weeks. Junior Achievement volunteers are trained before entering the classroom and are provided with a "briefcase" that includes all of the materials needed for the entire five-week course to be delivered. Volunteers choose the grade level they prefer, and lessons are fully packaged and outlined in a turn-key fashion.

"Junior Achievement provides a mechanism to fill that gap with the help of community leaders and business professionals in the area." Ashlee Simpson "The business community is telling us that soft skills are critical to the entry-level jobs they are hiring for, yet the candidates they are interviewing are severely lacking these competencies. Junior Achievement provides a mechanism to fill that gap with the help of community leaders and business professionals in the area," said Ashlee Simpson, education manager for Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida.

Those interested in volunteering are asked

to contact the Junior Achievement office at 477-1420 or email Ashlee.Simpson@ja.org.

ROTARY GRANTS Rotary Club of Pensacola is now taking grant applications for community projects by charitable 501(c)(3) organizations. The Club supports targeted projects that address areas such as peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, or economic and community development.

Grant applications must be received by April 15. Recipients will be notified in May. Download an application form by visiting pensacolarotaryclub.org/grants.

CITY SUMMER CAMP Registration

for Summer Day Camp is now open for city residents. Non-residents can begin registering on Monday, April 1. Summer Day Camps are at the following Resource Centers: Cobb, Fricker, Gull Point, Vickrey and Woodland Heights.

Parents can register online and receive 10 percent off per week with a $10 nonrefundable deposit through April 30. For more details, visit playpensacola.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Women for Responsible Legislation will hold its monthly meeting 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Pensacola City Hall. Escambia County Chief Deputy Chip Simmons will be the speaker. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served at 11:15 a.m.

Askew Lecture Series: "The Politics of Policy Change in Congress," 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 28, at Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. The UWF Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government will host Professor Bryan Jones and J. J. "Jake" Pickle for a discussion of policy change in Congress. This event is open to the public.

The University of West Florida Honors Convocation is an annual celebration recognizing outstanding faculty and students for their distinguished academic achievements and will take place 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, at UWF Pensacola Campus, University Commons, Bldg. 22.

The Florida SBDC at UWF is presenting "Starting a Business," noon-4 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the Pensacola Chamber, 890 S. Palafox, Ste. 202. Attendees will learn the essentials of getting started in business. Attendance fee is $50 (required, non-refundable online payment). To register, visit sbdc.uwf. edu and click on "Training & Events." {in}

2019

Inweekly

Power List

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

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Congratulations TO THE 2019

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Congratulations to our 2019 Power List Recipients!

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It all began in 2007 on an Oyster House napkin.

Twelve years later, here are the sketches of our 2019 Power List recipients!

inweekly.net

2019

inweekly

POWER LIST

by Rick Outzen

Who Can Make It Happen

P

ensacola loves lists. Since we created the inaugural Inweekly Power List on an Atlas Oyster House cocktail napkin in June 2007, readers have looked forward to seeing who are the most influential people in the greater Pensacola area.

We admit it takes more than a little hubris to actually rank business owners, developers, corporate heads, attorneys, doctors, educators and community leaders, but that's the fun part of this endeavor. Until the Inweekly Power List, no one had ever dared to sort people based on their ability to get things done.

When we published the 2007 Power List under the title, "Who's the Man?," Fred Levin, of course,

March 28, 2019

topped the list, followed by Judge Lacey Collier, Ted Ciano, Jim Reeves, Lewis Bear Jr. and 45 other men and women. Published without fanfare, we had no idea how the issue would be received.

Within hours of the paper hitting the newsstands, our phones began ringing. Some appreciated being on the list; others were upset they had been omitted. From the reactions, we knew that we had a hit and had created a new Inweekly tradition.

Over the past 12 years, the list has grown to 100 people. We seek input from the community and bounce around various names for consid-

eration. The screening process takes weeks as people are moved up and down the list as we get closer to the publication date.

This year, we had several openings as many major businesses were sold and several companies changed their leadership teams. The 2019 Power List has 16 new names, including a few in the top 25.

Needless to say, the Power List has grown beyond the cocktail napkin and has become much harder to rank. The degrees of separation are slight, which makes the issue fun to write and debate.

We hope you enjoy reading the 2019 Inweekly Power List.

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

Photos by Natalie Allgyer

Lumon May Gives Back

By Duwayne Escobedo Rev. Theophalis and Mary May taught their son Lumon how to become a leader.

They showed him by working hard, acting unselfishly, getting involved in the Morris Court neighborhood, treating all people equally and always standing up for what is right.

Escambia County Commission Chairman Lumon May explained his philosophy 414 1

in one sentence. He told Inweekly, "I want to be remembered as someone who tried to give back.".

He recalls how a group known for dealing drugs stopped selling whenever his dad came around because of their respect for him. He remembers his mom overseeing the youth choir and young ushers and always volunteering as team mom.

"My parents had a good name and good reputation," May said. "I'm a recipient of the good deeds of my parents."

Theophalis and Mary May, who grew up during segregation in the Deep South, wanted their children to have opportunities never offered to them. Lumon absorbed his parents' lessons and used them to become a popular and powerful force in Pensacola.

He ranks No. 1 on the Inweekly Power List this year for all of his actions and deeds in the community, many of which happen without any fanfare.

"I've never considered myself to be someone on the Power List," May said. "I've just wanted to be in a position of service my entire life." inweekly.net

Family Freedom Foundation

Supporting Local Arts

Back To School

Annual Christmas Caroling for Charity

Congratulations, Marcus, on being selected as one of Pensacola’s most influential people. From your family, friends, partners, staff, clients, and countless others you have helped along the wa way...

Thank You.

Eleanor Johnson Youth Center

Demolition Derby Don’t Text & Drive Campaign

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Purple Heart Memorial

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Christmas Parade

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST A SERVANT LEADER That's why when the teenage Lumon could not be found working for his father at May Construction Company building brick homes for the oldest black construction company in Pensacola, you could find him at the Salvation Army mentoring and coaching other children and doing odd jobs there.

His community service sparked his interest in politics. He admired Pensacola councilmen Hollice T. Williams and Cecil Hunter and Commissioner Willie Junior.

At the University of West Florida, he served as the Black Student Union president and Student Government Association student advocate. He served former U.S. Senator Connie Mack III, a Florida Republican, while attending college, too.

May's mission all along has been to improve the lives of the poor across Escambia County and to pull together Pensacola's diverse communities. In his Escambia County Commission office, May keeps a poster that highlights "pockets of poverty" that he wants to change to "pockets of prosperity."

It was his parents who taught him to overlook color by sending him to Pensacola Christian Academy. They encouraged him to play sports growing up at Salvation Army and also play baseball in the Bill Bond League of Pensacola. It gave

Congratulations Johnnie Wright

the young Lumon the chance to grow up with a diverse group of friends—black and white, rich and poor.

GIVE THEM HOPE In his family, May's parents placed a high value on education. They viewed it as an equalizer when it came to opportunities for their children.

May went on to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of West Florida. Today, education remains vital to May. In 2017, Levin Papantonio partner Troy Rafferty and his wife Ashley were shocked to learn that black students graduated at a rate of 63.6 percent, while white students had an 81.5 percent graduation rate. Rafferty approached his long-time friend May about the disparity.

Rafferty recalled over lunch he asked May, "What do we need to do to make a difference?"

May answered, "They need hope." He explained that black students felt even if they graduated high school, they lacked the money to attend college.

That's when the two created the Rafferty Hope Scholarship. The $50,000 award split each year between two underprivileged children helps to pay for their college education.

Recipients must meet certain criteria, such as maintaining good grades, staying out of trouble and doing community service.

"No one in this community has made such a powerful and lasting impact on children's

Johnnie Wright Senior Vice President Market Executive, Pensacola NMLS #1080961

FOR BEING NAMED A 2019

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST lives than Lumon," Rafferty said. "He makes such a difference in their lives that it's unbelievable."

"No one in this community has made such a powerful and lasting impact on children's lives than Lumon."

Troy Rafferty ADOPTING LINCOLN PARK ELEMENTARY May supports education in his own way.

For example, he "adopted" Lincoln Park Elementary, which teaches some of the most impoverished children in Escambia County.

That means passing out beads, toys, candy and Moon Pies at a recent Mardi Gras parade at Lincoln Park. The entire student body from Pre-K to 5th grade lined up by class under an awning where buses pick up the children.

During the parade, May created a traffic jam. He knelt to get face-to-face with the littlest students. He made sure to fill the bags of every student. At the Title I school, the parade included bikers, the Escambia County Sheriff 's Office Mounted Posse Unit and the thumping Warrington Middle School band. May outfitted

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every member of the band with colorful beads before the parade.

"It's really about service," May said.

"How do you help some child realize their potential and reach their dream?"

Leroy Williams, founder and director of the Pensacola Community Arts & Entertainment, shook his head as he watched his friend's dedication and passion.

"I've seen his actions, and I'm grateful to know him," Williams said.

WORKING WITH INNER-CITY YOUTH Serving as a commissioner isn't his only job. Today, May continues to run May's Construction Company as its co-owner. His dad started the construction firm in 1950 and built the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as its pastor.

May recalls staying out of trouble because his parents made sure he attended church practically every day of the week. Similarly, the Southern Youth Sports Association (SYSA) co-founder keeps underprivileged, inner-city youth off the streets, too.

He makes sure they stay involved with the nonprofit's sports, tutoring, mentoring, social development, after-school and GED programs at Legion Field and the adjacent community center named after his father.

May and his coaches often become father

figures to the more than 1,000 youth who participate in SYSA's programs. "Unfortunately, I'm one of the few male voices in their lives," he said of the young men and women who come from single-parent households overwhelmingly headed by mothers.

The commissioner is particularly proud that many of his current coaches played for him and his lifelong friend Ray Palmer, who is the athletic director of SYSA. The organization has produced several college and professional athletes, including Doug Baldwin, Jr. of the Seattle Seahawks, Alfred Morris of San Francisco 49ers and Lady Comfort of the Los Angeles Sparks.

However, it's the young men and women who volunteer their time to SYSA that have become special assets to the program.

"Palmer and I have tried to create a culture

"Palmer and I have tried to create a culture of giving back to the community."

Lumon May of giving back to the community," said May. "It's very gratifying to see the kids come back and be role models for the next generation."

Inweekly recently visited one of his basketball practices. Coach May pulled aside one of the high-school-aged players to speak to him

privately. His mom complained to May that he would ignore and disrespect her.

"Life is tough, but you can't be disrespectful to your mama," May said. "Who's going to be there when you need help? Your mama."

Later on, May then gathered five SYSA basketball coaches to draft their teams from about 40 athletic high-school-aged boys. He lectured the group, "This isn't just about basketball. This is about character building."

May has always looked for ways to expand SYSA and for diverse experiences for its children.

For nearly 30 years, the premier youth football event has been the Soul Bowl, a daylong series of football games involving more than 400 youth from tikes to teens from the SYSA Tigers and the East Pensacola Rattlers.

The teams play for the bragging rights of which youth program is the best.

When the Community Maritime Park opened in 2012, May and team co-owner Quint Studer discussed how to move the event to Blue Wahoos Stadium and transform the Soul Bowl into more than a rivalry football game.

Their goal was to make it a celebration of community for all of Pensacola.

Over the past seven years, the Soul Bowl has become the inclusive community event they imagined. It draws more than 4,000 spectators from across the area for home-cooked soul food, public safety displays and other family-friendly festivities.

inweekly.net

The Leadership of FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and The Pensacola – Escambia Promotion & Development Commission are proud to be included on the 2019 Power List.

Congratulations

David Deliman

Top 10 on the InWeekly Power List Cox works hard every day to keep you connected to what matters most, whether online, your favorite shows or in our community.

Congratulations to everyone on this year's list and thank you for your positive leadership and support of a prosperous economic future for Greater Pensacola and Escambia County.

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST "A segment of our population would never play in Blue Wahoos Stadium without the Soul Bowl," May told Inweekly. "The kids can play and watch themselves on the big screen, and even though they may never play high school or Division II football, 20 years from now, they can come down to this park and say they played in the stadium on Pensacola Bay. It has been fulfilling for me."

SENSE OF COMMUNITY A year after he was elected District 3 County Commissioner, May saw another opportunity to build a strong sense of community.

He sought help from Studer and one of his former players, Dr. Karl Lewis, a successful Bradenton dentist, to create the Living the Dream celebration in 2013. The trio shared the vision of making Pensacola a better place by bringing people from all circles of life together to celebrate King's legacy during the weekend before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since the inception of the event, a panel has selected community leaders for Living the Dream awards to recognize their work that exemplifies the ideals of Dr. King's "Living the Dream" speech. This year's honorees included Dr. Marcus Paul, Shirley Henderson, Bryan Freeman, Jennifer Grove, Harold Griffin Jr., Dr. Martha Saunders, Scott Remington and Michelle Snow.

Studer credits May and Lewis for taking the idea and organizing the annual event that

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brings together all shapes, sizes and colors of people to honor King's vision.

"This is just one more great thing that Lumon has done," Studer said. "The whole idea is to create something a little more inclusive.

We wanted diverse people being honored and diverse people being there. The whole philosophy is when we come together, we see more of our similarities than our differences."

May resides in Belmont-DeVilliers, not far from Morris Court where he grew up. He seemingly lives on his cell phone, receiving and sending texts and calls. He helps his District 3 neighbors who seek help to repair roofs, pay bills or feed their families by connecting them with the right people.

"Monica" calls him from Shanty Town, where even county staff refuse to go, May said.

May listens and then gives her a name and number to call to get the help she needs. During the conversation, he recalls her two sons' names and her daughter's name.

After the call ends, May said about 30 years ago, he practically raised her boys, who both now have moved away and enjoy successful employment. Her daughter remains in Shanty Town.

Monica has remained grateful all these years to May, telling him before she hangs up, "You always helped me out with these kids. Your mama and daddy worked hard to put a good young man like you out here in our community." {in}

inweekly.net

Congratulations, John, on being named to the 2019 Inweekly Power List From your biggest fans: Jerre Peacock Matt Peacock Jake Peacock Jessica McCoy DJ Beane Mya Beane John Matthew Peacock

John Peacock

Congratulations to everyone on the 2019 Power List

Keep "Building" a Better Community 4400 Bayou Blvd., Suite 45 Pensacola, Florida 32503 850-476-0318 • www.westfloridabuilders.com March 28, 2019

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

2. Martha Saunders President, University of West Florida

With Saunders at the helm, the University of West Florida maintained bragging rights as one of the top three universities in the Florida Board of Governors performance-based funding metrics. The University's Center for Cybersecurity emerged as an education and training powerhouse through groundbreaking partnerships with state of Florida agencies. For the third year, UWF received the Higher

Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine and launched a new open online cross-cultural competency course. UWF benefited from an abundance of philanthropic gifts, including a major gift from alumnus Darrell Gooden to name University Park Center. The Argo Athletic Band won the hearts of fans in its inaugural year, and the university awarded its 100,000th degree. Saunders is moving UWF forward with undeniable grit.

3. Troy Rafferty Shareholder, Levin Papantonio

Rafferty is a recipient of the Perry Nichols Award from the Florida Justice Association, the highest award given by the organization. He has been honored with the Living the Dream Award and the HK Matthews Legacy Award for exemplifying the ideals of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He is also a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which limits membership to 500 fellows from the

United States. Rafferty also funds The Rafferty Scholarship/Award, which is awarded annually to two area high school prep athletes. Area high schools compete to be awarded the Rafferty Cup for excellence in athletic achievement. Rafferty and his wife also have established a scholarship fund supervised by the Southern Youth Sports Association to provide college educations for inner-city youth. The Raffertys pledged $50,000 annually to the program.

THE POWER TO

build relationships.

Howard J. Reddy Vice President, University Advancement

March 28, 2019

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CONGRATULATIONS

DeeDee Davis and Logan DeVries for being named to the 2019 Power List

Congratulations to Mark Proctor, Troy Rafferty and Peter Mougey on their inclusion in this years Power List, and to Fred Levin and Mike Papantonio for previously topping the list.

Mark Proctor

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Troy Rafferty

Peter Mougey

Fred Levin

Mike Papantonio

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

4. C. Edward Meadows President, Pensacola State College

Since 2008, Dr. Meadows has served as PSC president and has been a champion for workforce development. Under his leadership, the College has expanded locations in south Santa Rosa and Century and recently was approved to open a site for truck driver training in Santa Rosa County. Associate degree programs in veterinary technology and heath care management have been added as well as workforce bachelor degree programs

in nursing, cyber security, and business with concentrations in graphic design, law enforcement, heath care and human resources management. Recently PSC was awarded the National Bellwether Award for its virtual tutoring program which has been adopted by universities and community colleges across the nation and was a top 10 finalist for the National Bellwether Award for the workforce impact in Century with its mobile welding training program.

5. Robert Rinke

Co-Owner/Broker of Levin Rinke Realty; Managing Partner of Levin Rinke Development Rinke moved to Pensacola Beach from California in 1991. He started Levin Rinke Realty with the late Allen Levin, selling over $2 billion in real estate over the last 25 years. He has made selling the Pensacola lifestyle his passion. Seeing a need for quality inventory inspired Rinke and his partners to develop over 1,000 resort condominiums. Focusing on quality, all-con-

crete construction with a heavy emphasis on lifestyle amenities helped to set a new standard for development along the Gulf Coast.

For over two decades, Rinke has worked with local leaders and the county to improve the quality of life for locals and tourists, advocating for change that will enrich lives, enhance the economy and make the area a vibrant destination to live, work and play.

THE POWER TO

engage in new ways of thinking.

Dr. Kim LeDuff Vice President, Academic Engagement

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BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE INWEEKLY 2019 POWER LIST MEMBERS

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

6. Henry Stovall President/CEO, Sacred Heart Health System Stovall leads a healthcare system comprised of Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf, Bay Medical Sacred Heart, the Sacred Heart Cancer Center and Haven of Our Lady of Peace. He has held many leadership positions in health care for more than 35 years.

Before becoming system CEO, Stovall served as

president of Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola.

He previously served as senior vice president of special projects for Sacred Heart Health System. Stovall also served as a division president and corporate vice president for Presbyterian Healthcare System in Dallas, Texas, a partner in the national healthcare practice of the Hay Group in Dallas. He also served in senior leadership roles at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.

7. Grover Robinson Mayor, City of Pensacola

The seventh-generation Pensacolian won the election in November with 56 percent of the vote. Since taking office, he has fulfilled his campaign promise of holding weekly press conferences and monthly town halls. His transition team met in the Sunshine, which added another level of transparency. Before taking office, Robinson served as Escambia County Commissioner for 12 years and was elected president of the Florida Association of Counties.

After the BP oil spill, he served as chairman of the Florida Gulf Consortium for the RESTORE Act. He has won several awards for his service, including the Joe Oldmixon Service Award, God in Government Award, Veterans Homeless Stand Down Award, Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate and Grover Robinson III Pensacola Rotary Service Award. Also, he has Special Congressional Recognition Certificates from the Florida Senate and House.

THE POWER TO

discover new frontiers.

Dr. Pamela Northrup Vice President, Research and Strategic Innovation

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

8. David Deliman

Market Vice President, Gulf Coast, Cox Communications David Deliman is responsible for Cox's operations in Northwest Florida, from Pensacola and Perdido Key to Sandestin. He oversees the company's local employee base and is an advocate for customers, employees and Cox in the community. David is actively involved in

several nonprofit boards and is the current chair of Achieve Escambia, a collective impact organization that brings together leaders from education, business, health care, government and the faith communities to address issues in education and career readiness. He serves on the

boards of the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and Ronald McDonald House. Deliman is in his 15th year at Cox, where he has held a variety of roles at both the field and corporate offices. Before that, he worked in broadcast journalism as a reporter and managing editor at WEAR-TV.

9. Belle Bear

Co-founder, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area If Belle Bear is behind a cause, then that cause will be successful. She was a founding board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay. She was a board member for Catholic Social Ser-

vices and remains an honorary member of their board. She has served as president of the Arc Foundation Board and as a board member for FavorHouse, Girl Scouts, the YMCA of Northwest Florida and the Women's Board of Sacred

Heart Hospital. She is a Sustainer with the Junior League of Pensacola and has been awarded the Joan Gonzalez Award for her outstanding contributions. She is a fierce advocate for several local charities, notably Arc Gateway.

10. Sunil Gupta, MD Founder RSI, IRIS and USR

RSI has gained national prominence by participating as a development partner in surgical devices and next-generation pharmaceuticals for retinal disorders, including stem cell and gene therapies. IRIS has grown to serve 300,000 patients

and save over 50,000 undiagnosed patients with sight-threatening retinal disorders, primarily diabetic retinopathy. USR has become the largest commercial retinal organization, representing over 3 percent of the retina community in distribu-

tion, data aggregation and clinical trial networks. Together, these three organizations will serve to help pave the way to achieve access and quality outcomes while optimizing value-based pathways for the future of retinal care in the United States.

THE POWER TO

inspire a new generation of leaders.

Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D. President, University of West Florida

March 28, 2019

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SERVANT LEADERS ON A MISSION Anchored in Baptist’s Mission to help people throughout life’s journey, these individuals lead by example. Our organization celebrates these leaders and others who partner to improve the quality of life in this community and beyond.

Mark Faulkner

President/CEO Baptist Health Care

Allison Hill

President/CEO, Lakeview Center, Inc. Senior Vice President Baptist Health Care

eB A PT I ST H E A LT H C A R E . O R G 030 3

inweekly.net

2019 inweekly POWER LIST 11. Mark Faulkner

President/CEO, Baptist Health Care

Faulkner leads Baptist's diverse services for health, children and families, and employment for people with disabilities. Under his leadership, Baptist provides over 1.1 million patient/client encounters annually and is one of the area's largest employers. He serves on Achieve Escambia Leadership Council and First Place Partners Board of Directors.

Florida Trend recognized Faulkner as one of the top 500 most influential Floridians.

12. David Bear

Vice President, The Lewis Bear Company

Bear founded both the Foo Foo Festival and Vacation Artfully campaigns to diversify and draw "shoulder season" tourists to the county. According to a study by the Americans for the Arts, local arts and cultural organization spending have created $89 million in new economic activity and supported 2,900 jobs in Escambia County. He also serves as vice-chair of the Escambia County Tourist Development Council.

POWERED UP

13. Stephen R. Moorhead

Managing Partner, McDonald Fleming Moorhead

Moorhead is a board-certified real estate lawyer. Active in the Pensacola community, he is the current board chairman of the board of directors for the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and serves as general counsel for the Home Builders Association of West Florida. He is rated AV Preeminent

by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to Super Lawyers for nine years.

14. Justin Beck CEO, Beck Partners

A part of the first Inweekly Rising Star class and the Leadership Pensacola class of 2009, Beck has had an impact. His company has been named to Inc. Magazine's list of fastest growing companies. He is the vice-chair of the Pensacola Chamber, treasurer of the Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scout and serves on the boards of the Sacred Heart Foundation and the Episcopal Day School.

Congratulations, Dave Wagner, president and CEO of Zix, now the parent company of AppRiver!

Welcome to the CyberCoast.

15. Cyndi Warren, CPA Office Managing Member, Warren Averett

Driven by a passion for serving her clients and community, Warren is an influencer at Warren Averett and throughout Pensacola. She actively serves on the board of directors for Impact 100 Global Council and PACE Center for Girls Escambia-Santa Rosa.

She is also the director of Guest Services for Momentum Church and a mentor for the Escambia County School District.

March 28, 2019

appriver.com – 850-932-5338 31

2019 inweekly POWER LIST 16. Bill Wein

CEO/Co-Founder, IMS ExpertServices

Servant leadership and continuous learning are at the core of Wein's philosophy and have driven IMS ExpertServices' industryleading success and unparalleled company culture. Passionate about economic development and entrepreneurship in Northwest Florida, he serves on several boards, including Innovation Coast, Pensacola State Board of Governors, PYP Advisory Board and Summit Bank. He also is a mentor through the UWF Mentor Program.

17. DeeDee Davis

Owner/CEO, NAI Pensacola Commercial Real Estate

Davis recently became owner of NAI Pensacola Commercial Real Estate after a career in teaching. The former state representative has been heavily involved in our community for many years and has chaired and created successful fundraisers for local nonprofits, most notably the Rat Pack event for the Council on Aging. She currently serves on the UWF Board of Directors and chairs the Downtown Improvement Board.

18. Mona Amodeo, Ph.D. Founder/CEO, idgroup

Dr. Amodeo is an author, speaker and creator of Branding from the Core®, which is the subject of her latest book, Beyond Sizzle: The Next Evolution of Branding.

This innovative approach builds brands people love and reputations people trust.

She embraces the principles of conscious capitalism and the power of business to be a positive force in the world.

Congratulations to President Ed Meadows and the 2019 InWeekly Power List Honorees!

19. Teri Levin

Co-owner, Levin Rinke Realty

Pensacola State College is proud of our seven decades of producing some of our area’s most powerful leaders.

Associate Degrees | Bachelor’s Degrees Career and Technical Programs Adult Education and GED prep Continuing Education

"Deeds of Giving are the foundations of the world"—Jewish saying derived from the Mishna Pirkei Avot 1.2. Levin has made significant contributions to the University of Florida, Gulf Coast Kid's House, PACE Center for Girls, Covenant Hospice, Pensacola Symphony, YMCA and Larry Butler Memorial Music Award. She serves on the Downtown Improvement Board and many other boards.

20. Bruce Vredenburg

Regional President, Pensacola & Emerald Coast markets, Hancock Whitney Bank

Go here. Get there.

PensacolaState.edu | 850.484.1000 Pensacola State College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender/sex, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its educational programs, activities, or employment. For inquiries regarding Title IX and the College’s nondiscrimination policies, contact the Executive Director of Institutional Diversity and Student Conduct at 850-484-1759, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32504.

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Vredenburg is a third-generation native who returned home to continue his banking career and be a part of his hometown's growth. He recently completed work on the mayor's Transition Team. He also serves on the UWF Foundation and is in a two-year stint as board chairman for Florida's Great Northwest.

The Greater Pensacola Chamber named him Business Leader of the Year in 2017. inweekly.net

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Congratulations to

Debbie Ritchie and Carey King

and all the difference makers who made the Inweekly Power List.

Thank you for your passion, dedication and commitment to our community.

"Always be true to yourself for there is greatness in you." –Dr. Mehdi "Mike" Fooladi (1937-2006)

CONGRATULATIONS

Amir M. Fooladi A 2019 Power List Honoree

700 N. DEVILLIERS, PENSACOLA, FL 32501 (850) 696-7656 | PARSCOCONSTRUCTION.COM 434 3

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST 21. Marcus Michles

Founder/Managing Partner, Michles and Booth, P.A

Michles is a leader in the Florida Justice Association and former chair of the Medical Malpractice Committee. As the son of a disabled Vietnam Veteran and as a veteran himself, he is committed to military issues, including the creation of the Michles Family Freedom Foundation, a charitable foundation supporting military and first responders and their families.

22. John Peacock

Financial Advisor, CFP®, Edward Jones

His efforts with the Downtown Improvement Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Panhandle Charitable Open earned Peacock recognition as the 2014 Community Leader of the Year from the Greater Pensacola Chamber. Most recently, the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge awarded him its George Washington Honor Award for the Panhandle Charitable Open that has distributed over a million dollars to local charities.

23. Dave Cleveland

Co-founder, Highpointe Hotel Corporation

Highpointe operates 17 hotels, including six in Pensacola. Cleveland is vice chairman of the UWF Board of Trustees, chairs the UWF Business Enterprises, Inc. board and is a current board member and past chairman of the UWF Foundation. He is also a member of the board of directors of Baptist Health Care Corporation and the Gulf Breeze Hospital Advisory Board.

24. Dave Wagner President/CEO, Zix

Zix, a publicly-traded company, recently bought AppRiver, LLC, one of the crown jewels of the Cyber Coast. The purchase makes Gulf Breeze home to Zix's largest office and means we'll likely be seeing a lot of Wagner in the local area. Wagner has served as Zix CEO since January 2016.

Congratulations to one of our own, Bruce Vredenburg Hancock Whitney is honored that Market President Bruce Vredenburg is in the top 25 of the Inweekly Power List, a select list of the most influential people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. We congratulate you on this huge achievement, and we’re delighted that you’ve been recognized for your commitment to the Pensacola community. hancockwhitney.com

25. Aaron Watson Attorney, The Watson Firm, PLLC

Recently named Entrepreneur of The Year by The Studer Business Institute and Trailblazer of The Year by The University of West Florida, Watson has built a highpowered personal injury law firm with locations in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. His brand is recognized on television, billboards, social media and other outlets throughout Northwest Florida. Since its inception in June 2016, Watson has recovered millions on behalf of injured Pensacola residents.

March 28, 2019

Hancock Whitney, Member FDIC.

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

THE LIST 1. Lumon May, Chairman, Escambia County Commission 2. Martha Saunders, President, University of West Florida 3. Troy Rafferty, Shareholder, Levin Papantonio 4. C. Edward Meadows, President, Pensacola State College 5. Robert Rinke, Developer, Levin Rinke Realty 6. Henry Stovall, President/CEO, Sacred Heart Health System 7. Grover Robinson, Mayor, City of Pensacola 8. David Deliman, Market VP Gulf Coast, Cox Communications 9. Belle Bear, Co-founder, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area 10. Sunil Gupta, MD, Founder, RSI, IRIS and USR 11. Mark Faulkner, President/ CEO, Baptist Health Care 12. David Bear, VP, The Lewis Bear Company 13. Stephen R. Moorhead, Managing Partner, McDonald Fleming Moorhead 14. Justin Beck, CEO, Beck Partners 15. Cyndi Warren, Office Managing Member, Warren Averett 16. Bill Wein, CEO/Co-founder, IMS ExpertServices, Inc. 17. DeeDee Davis, Owner/CEO, NAI Pensacola 18. Mona Amodeo, Founder/ President, idgroup 19. Teri Levin, Co-owner, Levin Rinke Realty 20. Bruce Vredenburg, Regional President, Hancock Whitney Bank 21. Marcus Michles, Founder/ Managing Partner, Michles & Booth 22. John Peacock, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones 23. Dave Cleveland, Co-founder, Highpointe Hotel Corporation 24. Dave Wagner, President/CEO, Zix 25. Aaron Watson, Attorney, Watson Law Firm

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26. Lisa Nellessen-Savage, Executive Editor, Pensacola News Journal 27. Donnie McMahon, President, McMahon & Hadder Insurance 28. Sandy Sansing, President, Sandy Sansing Automotive 29. Ted Ent, President/CEO, Innisfree Hotels 30. Scott Remington, Managing Shareholder, Clark Partington 31. Andrew Rothfeder, President, Studer Properties 32. Ken Ford, CEO/Founder, IHMC 33. Debbie Ritchie, President, Studer Group 34. Bobby Switzer, VP Operations, Lamar Advertising 35. Bill Hafner, President, VT MAE 36. Carol Carlan, President, Sacred Heart Foundation 37. Robert Emmanuel, Attorney, Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon 38. David Peaden, Executive Director, Home Builders of West Florida 39. Michael Carro, Senior Advisor/ Principal, SVN Southland 40. Scott Luth, President/CEO, FloridaWest 41. Andy Marlette, Editorial Cartoonist, Pensacola News Journal 42. Chad Henderson, CEO/ Founder, Catalyst CRE 43. Carroll Scarborough, Executive VP/CFO, Pen Air Federal Credit Union 44. Mark Proctor, President, Levin Papantonio 45. Sue Straughan, Anchor, WEAR TV 46. Ed Fleming, Founding Partner, McDonald Fleming Moorhead 47. Scott Barrow, Market President, Regions Bank 48. Carlton Ulmer, CEO, West Florida Healthcare 49. Keith Hoskins, Senior VP, Navy Federal Credit Union 50. Margaret Stopp, Shareholder, Moore, Hill & Westmoreland

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2019 inweekly POWER LIST

THE LIST 51. J.C. Lowe, General Manager, WEAR TV 52. Kristine Rushing, COO, Beck Partners 53. David Sansing, VP, Sandy Sansing Automotive Group 54. Charles Liberis, Attorney/ Developer 55. Miller Caldwell Jr., Principal Architect, Caldwell Associates 56. Tom Owens, Market President, Branch Banking and Trust Co. 57. Pamela Northrup, VP, UWF Strategic Innovation.

58. Lee Bell, President, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund 59. J. Nixon Daniel, Managing Partner, Beggs & Lane 60. Johnnie Wright, Senior VP/ Market Leader, SmartBank 61. Miller Caldwell III, Partner, Caldwell Associates 62. Justin Witkin, Attorney, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz 63. Howard Reddy, VP, UWF Division of University Advancement 64. Reid Rushing, PresidentInsurance, Beck Partners 65. Amir Fooladi, Owner, ParsCo, LLC 66. Harold Griffin, Jr., Owner, ITL Solutions 67. Will Dunaway, Shareholder, Clark Partington 68. Fred & Tia Robbins, Founders, Mr. Robbins Neighborhood 69. Caron Sjoberg, President/CEO, Ideaworks 70. Ron Jackson, Shareholder, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund 71. Kim LeDuff, UWF Chief Diversity Officer 72. Cindi Bonner, Pensacola Director, Rally! Foundation 73. Corbett Davis, Jr., Owner, Jewelers Trade Shop 74. Will Hart, Market President, Trustmark Bank 75. Mark Lee, Broker, Levin Rinke Realty March 28, 2019

76. Allison Hill, President/CEO, Lakeview Center 77. Maria Goldberg, Great Southern Restaurant Group, 78. Gary Michaels, Operations Manager, Levin Rinke Realty 79. Peter Mougey, Shareholder, Levin Papantonio 80. Bob Montgomery, President, Montgomery Realty 81. Mary Hoxeng, Co-owner, ADX Communications 82. Linda "Sonshine" Moorer, Program Director, Magic 106 83. Connie Bookman, Executive Director/Founder, Pathways for Change 84. DC Reeves, Founder, Perfect Plain Brewing Co. 85. David Hawkins, Jr., Owner, Joe Morris & Son Funeral Home 86. Carey King, Senior Director Leadership Operations, Studer Group 87. Julie Sheppard, Executive VP/ Chief Legal Counsel, IHMC 88. Danny Zimmern, President, Pensacola Mardi Gras 89. Robin Reshard, Co-founder, Pensacola Network 90. William Reynolds, Creator, NorthEscambia.com 91. Lonnie Wesley, Pastor, Greater Little Rock Baptist Church 92. Jonathan Griffith, President, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 93. Brian Wyer, President/CEO, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber 94. Steve Shell, Partner, Shell Fleming Davis & Menge 95. Lauren Moore Cutter, President, Pete Moore Chevrolet 96. Michelle Salzman, Community volunteer 97. Dave Hoxeng, Co-owner, ADX Communications 98. Logan Devries, President/Broker, NAI Pensacola 99. Lissa Dees, Executive Director, Downtown Improvement Board 100. Walker Wilson, Softwood Lumber Buyer, Bay Wood Products

BE THE POWER. BE THE CHANGE. Congratulations to 2019 Power List leaders who are transforming our community into a better place to live, play and work.

We also celebrate our leader, Mona Amodeo, Ph.D., founder and CEO of idgroup, for being recognized among this group of powerful changemakers.

IDGROUPBRANDING.COM

37

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN:

DANNY A. ZIMMERN

    

Commercial Realtor Scoggins III, Inc. President Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc. Trustee & Past President Pensacola Little Theatre Committee Member DIB Parking & Traffic Director Temple Beth El

    

Director & Past President NW Florida Gator Club Irish Politician Club Member (IPC) Multi-time Past Champion Team Superstars Y Power - Captain & Shooting Guard City-Wide Championship Basketball Team Father to Hannah Zimmern

Selected to IN Weekly’s Power List over 10 years

838 3

inweekly.net

2019 inweekly POWER LIST

Power List Hall of Fame

Once you're named the most influential, you deserve a special place. Lumon May will join this group of movers and shakers who have each earned the number one spot on the Inweekly Power List over the past dozen years.

tural Alliance, Community Leader of the Year by the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the National Society of Fund Raising Volunteers, Fiesta of Five Flag's DeLuna LXV and UWF Distinguished Fellow.

Fred Levin (2007)

Quote: "We've got to continue with the growth that we're having downtown, but we've got to do it in a way that 100 years from now people will be talking about how great it is."

The flamboyant Pensacola trial attorney helped rewrite legislation in 1993 that led to a $13.2 billion settlement by the tobacco industry with the state of Florida. Levin received the Perry Nichols Award in 1994, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. In 2009, Levin was inducted into the National Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. In 2017, he gave $100,000 to support UWF football as well as $550,000 to establish the Reubin O'D. Askew Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies.

Quote: "Everything I've gotten in life, I've had an awful lot of luck. Roy Jones fell in my lap. The tobacco legislation fell in my lap.

Politics fell in my lap and everything else. I think I'm lucky."

J. Collier Merrill (2008)

Merrill runs Great Southern Restaurant Group that also owns the Atlas Oyster House, Jackson's Steakhouse, Five Sisters Blues Café and the soon-to-open Angelena's. He is also the president of Merrill Land Company. Merrill has been named an Art Education Hero by the Florida Cul-

March 28, 2019

Lewis Bear, Jr. (2009)

The president and CEO of the Lewis Bear Company, a wholesale beer distributorship that his great-grandfather founded in 1876, Bear has devoted countless hours to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, which he has chaired, and UWF Foundation Board of Directors. This month, the Bear Family Foundation announced a $1.75 million donation to The Studer Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart's oncology unit at the new hospital will be named the Bear Family Foundation Pediatric Oncology Center for Hope.

Quote: "Whether they have been here all their lives or moved here, we have people who are committed to making this a better place to live. When I get committed to something, I can be pretty stubborn."

Quint Studer (2010)

The founder of Studer Group championed the Maritime Park. Southtowne, his $50

million apartment project, has been transformative and is across the street from the new $16 million Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA and his mixed-use office building that houses the Clark Partington law firm.

With the help of the News Journal, Studer has launched CivicCon and the Center of Civic Engagement, which will be housed in the Studer Community Institute on Garden Street.

Quote: "You have a minority of people in the community, about 25 percent, that would be against anything. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable."

Ashton Hayward (2011)

In 2010, the Pensacola native was elected mayor of Pensacola. Hayward oversaw the completion of the Community Maritime Park and Admiral Mason Park. He built the Theophalis May Resource Center and Woodland Heights Resource Center.

In 2014, the mayor signed an agreement with VT MAE to establish a facility at the airport that opened last year. Since leaving office, he has been named the president of the Andrews Institute Research & Education Foundation.

Quote: "My power is to be able to reach out to the citizens of Pensacola and see how I can make their quality of life better, build our infrastructure better, to make sure we're looking at every detail of our city—whether it's our enterprises, downtown or neighborhoods."

Dr. Judy Bense (2012)

The founder of the UWF program of Anthropology/Archaeology became the fifth president of the University of West Florida in July 2008, after serving the university for 28 years. In December 2017, she stepped down as president but has stayed connected to the institution. The University of West Florida board of trustees cemented her legacy by naming her president emeritus. In 2017, the Greater Pensacola Chamber awarded Bense its Pioneer award for her contributions to the community.

Quote: "I'd always had the 'Lucille Ball' approach to life—don't mess with success; stick with what you're good at."

David Morgan (2013)

His defeat of a well-financed, two-term incumbent in 2008 is considered one of the biggest upsets in Escambia County politics. And many of the good old boys have never forgiven him but failed to defeat him during the re-election campaigns of 2012 and 2016. His decisive leadership, especially with 2009 Billings murders and the 2010 BP Oil Spill, has earned Morgan the reputation for being one of the top sheriffs in Florida.

Quote: "It's important you stay grounded and never forget what got you where you are."

39

2019 inweekly POWER LIST documentary "The Devil We Know," highlighting the dangers of DuPont's man-made chemical C8. His third legal thriller, "Law & Addiction," debuts in April.

Quote: "When I think about everything that I have spent my time doing and drill right down to why—it's out of conviction."

Stan Connally (2015)

Mike Papantonio (2014)

Considered the nation's top trial attorney, Pensacola's Renaissance man is a regular commentator on the news networks and an author and musician. He has been awarded the Perry Nichols Award, Defender of Justice Award by the American Association for Justice, Temple University Beasley School of Law's Award for Social Justice and the Compassionate Gladiator Award from the Florida Justice Association. He also was featured in the award-winning

040 4

The President and CEO of Gulf Power Company worked up the ladder of Southern Company with steps at all its subsidiaries. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and on the boards of Achieve Escambia, Capital City Bank Group, Florida Council of 100 and Enterprise Florida. Before Gulf Power's sale to NextEra Energy, he was named the executive vice president of operations for Southern Company.

Quote: "I've been on the record and very public talking about an outcome from good economic development must be diversifying our economy. By that, I mean increasing the impact of the innovation space."

Bentina Terry (2016)

In 2017, we lost Terry when she was promoted to be the senior vice president of the Metro Atlanta Region for Georgia Power. However, her decade of living in Pensacola had a profound impact on this community. She was the highest-ranking black woman at Gulf Power and served on the boards of the Community Maritime Park Associates and the University of West Florida boards. She also worked to make the multicultural Voices of Pensacola a reality.

Quote: "We need to start a whole effort from cradle to career. We'll never grow as a community unless we improve the quality of our education."

Rishy Studer (2017)

She has created and runs five businesses as part of the Bodacious Shops that sparked vibrancy in Pensacola's downtown.

Studer leases space to nearly a dozen companies at the corner of Palafox and Main Streets. She revived a historic corner in the heart of the Belmont-DeVilliers community with Five Sisters Blues CafĂŠ.

She's the one who drives the decisions and writes the checks for numerous nonprof-

its she and her husband support in her adopted hometown.

Quote: "Will this work in our town? Can we do it? Can we try?"

James J. Reeves (2018)

The veteran politician, banker, attorney, developer and entrepreneur has left a considerable mark on his hometown. He was elected to the Florida House and Pensacola City Council. He sponsored the bill that created the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board, which has evolved into the UWF Historic Trust. Reeves chartered two federal savings and loans, three banks and one bank that he took over, Liberty Bank, which became Hancock-Whitney Bank. On Pensacola Beach, the Reeves built the Tiki Motel, Howard Johnson Inn and the Mai Kai Motel, home to the Sandshaker Lounge. In the late 1990s, he partnered with his daughter, architect Michelle MacNeil, to create well-built, low-income housing in Pensacola.

Quote: "Nobody admits this, but the reason to charter a bank is like somebody said, 'Why do you rob banks?' And I said, "Well, that's where the money is.'"

inweekly.net

PENSACOLA

We come together

for reaching goals.

Pensacola is where you invest in the future, and it’s where we love to watch you grow. You inspire us to make banking easier, so we all have more time to enjoy life as we take our next step together.

Congratulations to Scott Barrow, Private Wealth Management and Pensacola Market Executive, for being named to the 2019 inweekly Power List.

1.800.regions | regions.com Š 2019 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademark of Regions Bank.

The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

@VOLUMEONESALON March 28, 2019

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BOD0340 Class Highlights IN.indd 1

inweekly.net

3/21/19 3:40 PM

WEEK OF MARCH 28-APRIL 3

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

SWAN Songs

By Sarah Mc Wilson

Standing for "Support Women Artists Now," SWAN Day is an international celebration of women artists. Now, in its 12th year, this international holiday is being recognized in Pensacola for the first time by local nonprofit PenArts, Inc. Timed with Women's History Month, SWAN Day is designed to showcase the diversity and power in women's creativity. It's about women supporting women, artists supporting artists and ultimately, members of the community supporting one another.

In the last 11 years, there have been over 1,700 SWAN Day events held in 36 countries. When PenArts artistic director, Christine Kellogg, and fellow members learned of SWAN Day via StateraArts, a nonprofit dedicated to positive action and full equality for women in the arts, they knew they wanted to bring it to Pensacola.

"We researched the previous 11 annual SWAN Day celebrations around the world.

Excitedly, we planned to bring the first SWAN Day to Pensacola with the hope of continuing to do this annually. We feel honored to bring local artists to the attention of the Pensacola community as we join the international celebration of women artists," said Kellogg.

The mission of PenArts is to bring theatrical arts to underserved members of the Pensacola community as well as to present professional, powerful and new-toPensacola theatre.

Ultimately, SWAN Day aligns with their intention of using art to impact community.

"We want to acknowledge, publicize and celebrate local female artists. There is so

March 28, 2019

much talent in Pensacola. We're very excited by the response that we've received from artists wanting to participate," said Kellogg.

Live theatre is a big part of SWAN Day's performance lineup, with four productions taking place throughout the event.

"I'm inspired by live theatre because it gives you the chance to experience humanity in ways you may not have before." Kayla May "I'm inspired by live theatre because it gives you the chance to experience humanity in ways you may not have before," said participating local actor Kayla May. "Every time I see or perform in a show, I learn something about the human experience, and I am more empathetic because of that."

Together, May and Kerry Sandell are independently acting in and directing "Collected Stories," a play by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies. Beginning at 7:45 p.m., this two-hour production and final performance of the day is part of SWAN Day's after-dark lineup, geared toward slightly more mature audiences.

"What makes this show so special and compelling is its beautiful portrait of the complicated relationship between a mentor and her protege," explained Sandell.

"I think this show is a perfect selection for SWAN Day. It is clever, witty and very real. The women are relatable, likable, flawed and very human. SWAN Day celebrates women artists, so of course, I am

thrilled to present relatable women with dignity and respect."

"Theatre is a powerful art form. It provides the opportunity to safely and dynamically share the human condition in an interactive experience. By encouraging reflection and dialogue, theatre can also be a profound communication tool. I am delighted to share this beautiful play with Pensacola," she added.

SWAN Day's display of performing arts doesn't stop with live theatre.

"We have musicians who are playing an instrument and singing; singers ranging from musical theatre to jazz; a salsa/ bachata demo and dance class open to all attendees; an improv company; four theatrical performances; and poets reading their work," said Kellogg, "Not to mention our wonderful visual artists."

Throughout the day, a visual art exhibit will be on display, with a time of Q&A offering a chance for the artists to speak about their work and engage with the community. {in}

SWAN DAY

WHAT: An international celebration of women artists, presented locally by PenArts, Inc. WHEN: 1-11 p.m. Saturday, March 30 WHERE: Live! Juice Bar & More, 532 W. Garden St. COST: $10 DETAILS: facebook.com/swandaypensacola

SWAN DAY 2019 LINEUP

1:15 p.m. Morokeen Local Pensacola singer and musician 1:45 p.m. Dominique & Maria Baroco Piano and poetry from mother-daughter duo 2 p.m. PenArts, Inc. Women of PenArts perform songs from three shows 2:30 p.m. IMPROVable Cause Women of Pensacola's top improv troupe 3:15 p.m. Shelby Tudor UWF student singer/songwriter 3:45 p.m. Arrant Knavery Inc. Scenes from Lysistrata (Full play will part of at FemFest in April) 4:20 p.m. Dani Barrie Poetry readings 4:45 p.m. Visual artists Q&A Learn more about the art exhibit

SWAN DAY AFTER DARK

5:20 p.m. Emily Bishop Salsa/Bachata demo and class 6 p.m. Victoria Grace Scenes from Antigone (Full play will be performed at UWF in April) 6:30 p.m. Lena Sakalla & Gracie Wallace Scene from Emotional Creature by Eve Ensler 7 p.m. Tris Weeks Touring local Pensacola singer & songwriter 7:45 p.m. Kayla May & Kerry Sandell Collected Stories by Donald Margulies 9:45 p.m. Mixer with the artists

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calendar THURSDAY 3.28

TRAIL WORK ON THE FLORIDA TRAIL 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Every Thursday. Three miles north of Deaton Bridge Road. meetup.com/ftawesterngate YOGA WITHIN REACH 9-10 a.m. Free. Community Health Northwest Florida, 2315 W. Jackson St., Room A. healthcarewithinreach.org PILATES MAT 12:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org AWM WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Free. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. facebook.com/ aragonwine TOAST OF THE COAST: CELEBRATING THE ARRIVAL OF THE ELCANO 5:30 p.m. $45 per

person. Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. greatsouthernrestaurants.com

ASKEW LECTURE SERIES: THE POLITICS OF POLICY CHANGE IN CONGRESS 6 p.m. Free

and open to the public. Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. For more info, contact govt@uwf.edu LATIN DANCE CLASSES 6:30-9 p.m. $10.

Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha and more. Professional dance instruction for all skill levels.

No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com MEDITATION AND ENERGY HEALING 6 p.m.

Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org END OF THE LINE THURSDAY DINNER 6-9 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. Sign up for the newsletter for menu. eotlcafe.com CASTING CROWNS 7 p.m. $38.50-$90.50.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com RABBIT HOLE 7:30 p.m. $15. Panhandle Community Theatre, 4646 Woodbine Road. panhandlecommunitytheatre.com PERDIDO BRASS CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Free, tickets required. Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82. uwf.edu/cfpa PLEASURES, DEADBUGGS 9 p.m. $5. chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. facebook. com/chizukopensacola

FRIDAY 3.29

PANHANDLE TRACE HIKE EVENT 9:30 a.m.-

2:30 p.m. Three-day event through March

31. Free, donations accepted. Meet at Harold Store, 10535 US Highway 90. meetup. com/ftawesterngate ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP 10 a.m. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com COOKING FOR ONE OR TWO WITH FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ESCAMBIA COUNTY 11 a.m. Ever'man Educational Cen-

ter, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org GARDEN AND GRAIN CRAFT CLUB 5 p.m.

Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco HAPPY HOUR COOKOUTS 5 p.m. Drink specials, free cookout. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com EVER'MAN COOKS WITH CHEF CHRIS KIMBER 6 p.m. Ever'man Educational Center,

327 W. Garden St. everman.org DATE NIGHT DANCE CLASSES 6:30-8 p.m. $8.

Learn several romantic ballroom dance styles in unique group classes. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/cafesinglefin SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT 7:30 p.m.

Free, tickets required. Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82. uwf.edu/cfpa RABBIT HOLE 7:30 p.m. $15. Panhandle Community Theatre, 4646 Woodbine Road. panhandlecommunitytheatre.com

SATURDAY 3.30

PARKRUN/WALK MEETUP 7:30 a.m. University

of West Florida, Rec Plex North Field, 11000 University Parkway. parkrun.us/recplexnorth BAYOU HILLS RUN 7:30 a.m. $35 registration. Kids fun run begins at 8:45 a.m. $15 registration. Pensacola Sports, 101 W. Main St. bayouhillsrun.org PANHANDLE TRACE HIKE EVENT 8:30 a.m.3 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Meet at East Bay River Bridge, SR 87. meetup.com/ ftawesterngate PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques.

Items originate directly from participating vendors, including dozens of local farmers, home gardeners and area artists. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com YOU SELL IT HERE FARMER'S MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission. Every Saturday. 8600 Pensacola Blvd., facebook.com/yousellithere

Dinner With A Mission

By Sydney Robinson

It has been six months since Hurricane Michael ravaged Florida just to the east of our beloved Pensacola Beach, killing 43 people and causing an excess of $6 billion in damage.

Now, Pensacola residents can support their coastal neighbors in a big way by enjoying oysters and craft beer while also celebrating the success of Dothan-based "Top Chef" Kelsey Barnard Clark.

As part of Barleybrine Oyster & Craft Beer Weekend, Barnard Clark will be hosting a five-course meal being dubbed the "Bluegrass and Sunshine" Beer Dinner.

Barnard Clark will be joined by local chefs Josh Warner of The District and David Penniman of Classic City Catering. The limited-seating event will be held at Seville Quarter's Heritage Hall and will also feature beer pairings from Apalachicola's Oyster City Brewing Company.

Barnard Clark, currently the owner and executive chef of KBC, a sandwich shop in Dothan, was announced as the winner of the latest season of "Top Chef" earlier this month. She is just one of four women to have won the competition in the show's 16 seasons.

"I wanted a woman to win this year, and especially being a woman who's also a mother, it's a double whammy if you ask me," said Barnard Clark. "It was important to show [that] women can do it all. I think now is a time that people need to hear and see that."

Barnard Clark is no stranger to the mission of the Barleybrine event, having grown up catching and eating seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

"My family is from Mobile, and we grew up going to the beach. Fishing is a huge part of my family," Barnard Clark told Inweekly.

"I've said this pretty often—there's two types of Southerners, Gulf Southern and farmer Southerner," mused Barnard-Clark.

"It's totally different. Some people's stories are of eating fried chicken and biscuits. My

story is eating fresh seafood and vegetables all the time."

Whether you're a biscuit Southerner, a seafood Southerner, or a bit of both, attendees to the Barleybrine event will surely find lots to enjoy.

Proceeds from the dinner and from the rest of the event will go toward the Gulf Seafood Foundation, a nonprofit which focuses on safety and the economic value of the Gulf of Mexico's seafood supply.

Currently, their focus is on assisting fishermen affected by Hurricane Michael to get back to their industries and stimulating the Panhandle economy.

Barnard Clark met Panama Citybased TAB Oyster Co. last year during another event hosted by the team behind Barleybrine—Blue Collards Events, a culinary events incubator—last fall. Days later, the oyster company was hit hard by Hurricane Michael.

Now, TAB will return with a guided oyster tasting on the same evening as Barnard Clark's dinner, giving attendees a direct taste of the fantastic industry their attendance is helping to restore.

Event organizer T.S. Strickland says that the event's mission goes far beyond a tasty dinner. "'The Forgotten Coast' has been in the news a lot since the storm, but to most, it's still just a headline," said Strickland. "We want our guests to leave understanding why this place and its people are so special and why they shouldn't be forgotten—especially right now."

BLUEGRASS & SUNSHINE DINNER WHAT: A five-course beer dinner with Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 5 WHERE: Heritage Hall, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. COST: $125 DETAILS: bluecollards.com/barleybrine

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March 28, 2019

45

calendar SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1

p.m. Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods and live music. Pace Presbyterian Church, Woodbine Road.

OCEAN HOUR CLEAN-UPS 9-10 a.m. Two sites. Bruce Beach at 601 W. Main St. Second is Philip A. Payne Bridge on Cervantes over Bayou Texar. Meet at boat ramp parking lot at Stanley and East Strong St. oceanhourfl.com ALYSSA'S ADOPT A PET DAY 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Multi-rescue adoption event. Alyssa's Antiques, 4586 Chumuckla Highway.

GULF COAST SCIENCE FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Seville Square, 301 S. Alcaniz St. gulfcoastsciencefestival.org BLESS THE EARTH PLANETARY PEACE MEDITATION 11 a.m. Community Maritime Park Amphi-

theater, 301 W. Main St. planetarypeace.com PENSACOLA VEGFEST 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free admission. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. pensacolavegfest.com SWAN DAY 1 p.m. Female artists. Live Juice Bar, 532 W. Garden St. facebook.com/swandaypensacola STAN AND OLLIE 1 p.m. $7. Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. pensacolacinemaart.com MONSTER JAM 1 and 7 p.m. $18 and up.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com BE YOUR OWN HEALER: REIKI LEVEL ONE WITH PAIGE WARD 3-7 p.m. $111. Asher

& Bee Apothecary and Tea House, 7 E. Gregory St. facebook.com/asherandbee

646 4

WALKING CEMETERY TOURS 5:30 p.m. $12

plus tax. St. John's Historic Cemetery, 301 N. G St. goretro.us IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK 7 p.m. $7.

Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. pensacolacinemaart.com CABARET: PHANTOM OF THE MASQUERADE

7-11 p.m. $100-$150. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com CULTURES COOK: FLAVORS OF PUERTO RICO 7 p.m. $39 per person. Pensacola

Cooks Kitchen, 3670 Barrancas Ave. pensacolacooks.rezclick.com PENSACOLA GUITAR FESTIVAL 7:30 p.m. Free.

Ashmore Auditorium, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. pensacolastate.edu RABBIT HOLE 7:30 p.m. $15. Panhandle Community Theatre, 4646 Woodbine Rd. panhandlecommunitytheatre.com LOCK IN: ESCAPE ROOM EDITION WITH EXITHIS 11:30 p.m.-6 a.m. $39.99-$49.99.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, 5007 N. Davis Highway. Unit 8a. skyzone.com/pensacola/programs/overnight-lock-in

SUNDAY 3.31

WAKE UP HIKE 7 a.m. Meet at Bay Bluffs Park, Scenic Highway at Summit Ave., for a brisk one to two-hour walk with brunch to follow at an area restaurant.

PANHANDLE TRACE HIKE EVENT 8:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Meet at Guest Lake Park Boat Ramp, 3850 Yellow River Log Road. meetup.com/ftawesterngate

BRUNCH WITH LIVE MUSIC 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook. com/cafesinglefin

TRANSMISSION GROUP WORLD SERVICE MEDITATION 10:30 a.m. Free. Ever'man

Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org VEGAN BRUNCH 11 a.m.-2 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. Sign up for the newsletter for menu. eotlcafe.com SUNDAY BRUNCH AT H20 11 a.m. $28.95 for adults. Free valet parking and 15 percent off with local ID. H20 Hilton, 12 Via de Luna Drive. facebook.com/hiltonpensacolabeach MONSTER JAM 1 p.m. $18 and up. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com RABBIT HOLE 2:30 p.m. $15. Panhandle Community Theatre, 4646 Woodbine Rd. panhandlecommunitytheatre.com SWING DANCE CLASSES 4-7 p.m. $10. Professional West Coast swing instruction for all levels. No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com AS I LAY DYING 6 p.m. $25-$30. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

MONDAY 4.1

RESUME HELP 11 a.m. Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A. mywfpl.com PILATES MAT 1:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS 6 p.m. Runners meet in front of Seville Quarter for a run around

downtown Pensacola. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com GAME OF THRONES TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m.

Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco HIP-HOP & CONTEMPORARY DANCE CLASSES

8-9 p.m. $5. Learn amazing moves from professional instructors. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com

TUESDAY 4.2

YOGA WITHIN REACH 9-10 a.m. Free. Community Health Northwest Florida, 2315 W. Jackson St., Room A. healthcarewithinreach.org BLUE ANGELS PRACTICE 11:30 a.m. Free.

National Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 S. Blue Angel Parkway. navalaviationmuseum.org STAN AND OLLIE 1 p.m. $5. Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. pensacolacinemaart.com TRYON FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 4 p.m. Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave. mywfpl.com IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK 4 p.m. $5.

Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. pensacolacinemaart.com COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTING 4-6 p.m.

So Gourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com WALKING CEMETERY TOURS 5:30 p.m. $12 plus tax. St. John's Historic Cemetery, 301 N. G St. goretro.us THE BASICS OF BIRDING CLASS 6-7:30 p.m. $25.

Class with experienced birders from Audubon Society. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.

inweekly.net

calendar HANDS ON COOKING: 101 SUSHI 6 p.m. $64.50. So Gourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com FUNKY YOGA 6 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org COUNTRY DANCE CLASSES 6:30 p.m. $10.

Country two-step, East Coast swing, competition choreography and more. No partner required. World championship dance instruction for all skill levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com BANDS ON THE BEACH 7-9 p.m. Free. Not Quite Fab. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach.

Visitpensacolabeach.com THE SANDLOT 7 p.m. $5 (cash only). The Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox. pensacolacinemaart.com COMEDY NIGHT 7 p.m. Swan Neck Meadery, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. swanneckwinery.com

WEDNESDAY 4.3

tional Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 S. Blue Angel Parkway. navalaviationmuseum.org UWF CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL Noon. Free.

Old Christ Church, 405 S. Adams St. ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP 3 p.m. Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com VEGAN AND VINO SUNDAYS 4-7 p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SWING DANCE CLASSES AND PARTY 6:30-10 p.m. $10 lesson, $5 party. Professional West Coast swing instruction for all levels followed by fun and friendly social dancing on the best wood dance floor in the area. No partner required. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com FREE DANCE LESSONS 8-8:30 p.m. Free. Beginner West Coast swing dance lesson. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola S. Blvd. dancecraftfl.com

BLUE ANGELS PRACTICE 11:30 a.m. Free. Na-

Arts & Culture

≥Events

PMA GALLERY TOURS

2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Free with museum admission. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

TAGGED STUDENT ART & DESIGN EXHIBITION RECEPTION

5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 28. The Art Gallery at UWF, 11000 University Parkway. Bldg. 82. uwf.edu/cfpa

YOGA WITH NANCY LANASA AT PMA 5:30

p.m. Monday, April 1.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

≥Current Exhibits INSIDE OUT: THE PEOPLE'S ART PROJECT At Jefferson St.

and Main St. pensacolamuseum.org

ARCHITECTURE FOR TRAVELERS On view

through March. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org CASITA On view through March. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org March 28, 2019

PENSACOLA ART STUDY CLUB 2019 MEMBERS SPRING SHOW On view

through April 7. Free.

First United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright St. TAGGED STUDENT ART & DESIGN EXHIBITION On view

through April 13. The Art Gallery at UWF, 11000 University Parkway. Bldg. 82. uwf.edu/cfpa

ABOUT FACE RECEPTION On view

through April 14. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.com CYBERPUNK On view through April 25. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org SPOTLIGHT ON ART: UWF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT JOSE MOLINA On view

through April 27.

Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery. com

AUBREY BEARDSLEY

On view through May 5. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

ART BY DIANE BRIM AND KATHY BREAZEALE On view

through May 12. Luna Fine Art Gallery, Hilton Pensacola

Beach, 12 Via de Luna Drive. lunafineartgallery.com DOCUFLORIDA II On view through May 17. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org BEAUTY IN USE: CELEBRATING JAPANESE CULTURAL TRADITIONS On

view through June 27. Lamar Studio Switzer Center, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. pensacolastate.edu

PUNKSACOLA: REFLECTIONS OF A SUBCULTURE On

view through July 2019. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org

COTTON FIELDS TO CONGRESS: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF EARL HUTTO On view at

the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org GALLERY DAYS

Noon-4 p.m. Saturdays. Featuring local artists. To be featured, contact Angel at 941-735-

4586 or call the restaurant at 4770035. TGI Fridays, 1240 Airport Blvd.

≥Workshops & Classes

POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon, Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon at First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for non-members. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Every Mon-

day from 6-8:30 p.m. at First City Art Center. Classes are $40. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

CLAY HAND BUILDING Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon at First City Art Center.

Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for non-members.

For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

for more listings visit inweekly.net 47

a&e

By Sarah Mc Wilson

Here in 2019, the word vegan is becoming increasingly less taboo. Walk into just about any eatery, and you're much more likely to find a plethora of plant-based options than you were, say, a decade ago. Tell someone you only eat plants, and there isn't as much of a wide-eyed stare of disbelief.

Still, there can be a misnomer that being vegan is this complex ideology, when really, it's simplifying one's existence by excluding the consumption of animal products.

In addition to restaurant menu options, plant-based festivals by the name of VegFest have become increasingly popular around the globe as more cities catch onto this growing vegan trend. These festivals introduce more communities of people to all things plant-based and help normalize veganism while supporting participating businesses in the process.

This Saturday, Pensacola's very own VegFest returns.

Now in its second year, this day-long event has expanded and will be held alongside the water at Community Maritime Park. While there are a growing number of VegFests across Florida, this is currently the only event of its kind here on the Gulf Coast.

For one of VegFest's founders and event president, Whitney Hancock, the inspiration behind bringing VegFest to Pensacola is all about spreading compassion and increasing awareness.

"What we consume directly affects our environment, health and the beings that we share this planet with." Whitney Hancock "Hosting a vegan festival seemed like the best way to spread positive awareness for living a more compassionate lifestyle," she said. "Veganism, to me, is about overall compassionate living. What we consume

Veg Out directly affects our environment, health and the beings that we share this planet with. Veganism is greater than what is on our plates—it is a lifestyle. This event was created to educate and to celebrate real food and fun."

You don't have to be vegan or even vegetarian to enjoy VegFest. Though it is a celebration of all things veg, Hancock explains, it's actually an event geared toward non-vegans.

"VegFest was created to educate people in eating plant-based, to show that it is more than just lettuce in a bowl," she said. "I was not raised on a plant-based diet. I was fed meat, cheese, milk, etc. just like everyone else. Switching to a lifestyle completely different than everything that I knew was challenging. I enjoy a good challenge, so I liked learning new things and making my own mistakes with it. But for most, the question is always, 'Where do I even start?' This event was created to help answer that and grow a community that can support each other in that change as well."

TREATS AND EATS

This year's sponsors include Pensacola vegan hubs End of the Line Cafe and chizuko, alongside Cafe Single Fin, an eatery with a focus on plant-based options located inside Waterboyz Surf & Skate Shop.

"We have over 50 vendors this year with many different food options such as Brazilian, Indian, Hispanic, vegan seafood, kombucha on tap and vegan ice cream," said Hancock.

In addition to those local sponsors, there will also be traveling vendors participating, like Crazy Jack Vegan from Tarpon Springs. They will be bringing along their fried favorites, including corn dogs and yucca fries. Florida's first all-vegan seafood shack, Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood, from Palm Coast, will be on hand cooking up vegan crab cakes, fish and chips and lobster

mac and cheese. For sweet treats, Atlantabased Revolution Gelato will be serving up gelato with all the toppings.

To wash things down, local beveragemakers Jennifer and Ryan Eaton of Big Jerk Soda Co. return this year, offering their craft sodas on tap and introducing their new cocktail syrups.

"VegFest is an incredible opportunity for so many small businesses, and it's a really fun way to give a vegan or plant-based lifestyle an approachable platform in the community," they encouraged.

Vegan doesn't have to stop with what you put in your body, and there will be vendors showcasing that side of things too.

Pensacola's The Mighty Herb Company uses high-quality ingredients with the lowest carbon footprint and will be showcasing their locally-made soaps and soy wax candles. According to the company, "All of our skincare products contain therapeutic grade essential oils and our own herb-infused oils so that it's always fresh with no chemicals and no artificial preservatives."

All vendors are certified to be totally vegan and cruelty-free.

sharing how to formulate a high protein vegan diet for strength; Joshua Entis, animal rights activist, sharing how we can help create a different world through veganism; Tracey Glover, author and activist, speaking on the connectivity between animals, earth and you; and Dr. MyHoung Nguyen, local plant-based emergency room physician, speaking on how plants can be the best medicine.

And they haven't forgotten the next generation of vegans—in addition to direct access to the playground, there will be face painting, henna and other activities throughout the day for kids. {in}

MEDITATION AND MORE

Throughout the day, fest-goers can participate in free yoga, led by URU Yoga. And new to this year's event is an intentional time of community meditation happening at 11 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. at the Amphitheater. Led by the Institute for Pranic Healing, the hope is to get 1,000 participants each time to partake in this 45-minute special Bless the Earth Meditation.

VegFest will also host several speakers, each sharing their own expertise and personal experiences.

This year's lineup includes The Vegan Meathead (Daniel Austin)

VEGFEST

WHAT: 2nd Annual Pensacola VegFest WHEN: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 30 WHERE: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main Street COST: Free DETAILS: pensacolavegfest.com or facebook.com/pensacolavegfest

Bold.

Original.

Passionate.

Creative.

Brilliant.

Committed.

Inspired.

Content Creation. Podcast. www.wearestrictlysocial.com 848 4

EATS, DRINKS & SMILES BIG ASS SMILES @THEMAGNOLIAEPH NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS inweekly.net

March 28, 2019

49

free will astrology Week of March 28 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Kermit the Frog from "Sesame Street" is the world's most famous puppet. He has recorded songs, starred in films and TV shows and written an autobiography. His image has appeared on postage stamps, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Kermit's beginnings were humble, however. When his creator, Jim Henson, first assembled him, he consisted of Henson's mom's green coat and two halves of a white ping pong ball. I mention this, Aries, because the current astrological omens suggest that you, too, could make a puppet that will one day have great influence. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. Here's the whole truth—now isn't a favorable time to start work on a magnificent puppet. But it is a perfect moment to launch the rough beginnings of a project that's well-suited for your unique talents.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Taurus businessman Chuck Feeney made a huge fortune as the entrepreneur who co-developed dutyfree shopping. But at age 87, he lives frugally, having given away $8 billion to philanthropic causes. He doesn't even own a house or car.

In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to follow his lead in the coming weeks. Be unreasonably generous and exorbitantly helpful. APRIL FOOL! I exaggerated a bit. While it's true that now is an extra favorable time to bestow blessings on everyone, you shouldn't go overboard. Make sure your giving is artful, not careless or compulsive.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Now is a

Pensacola's finest for…

Vacations & Staycations Weddings & Receptions Corporate Travel, Meetings & Retreats Private Parties & Culinary Events 400 Bayfront Parkway leehousepensacola.com 850.912.8770 050 5

perfect time to start learning the Inuktitut language spoken by the indigenous people of Eastern Canada. Here are some key phrases to get you underway. 1. UllusiuKattagit inosek—Celebrate your life! 2.

Pitsialagigavit, piggogutivagit!—Because you're doing amazing things, I'm proud of you! 3. Nalligijauvutit—You are loved! 4.

Kajusitsiatuinnagit—Keep it up! APRIL FOOL! I lied. Now isn't really a better time than any other to learn the Inuktitut language. But it is an important time to talk to yourself using phrases like those I mentioned. You need to be extra kind and super positive toward yourself.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): When he was 20 years old, Greek military leader Alexander the Great began to conquer the world. By age 30, he ruled the vast territory between Greece and northwest India.

Never shy about extolling his own glory, he named 70 cities after himself. I offer his example as a model for you. Now is a favorable time to name clouds after yourself, as well as groves of trees, stretches of highway, buses, fire hydrants, parking spaces and rocks. APRIL FOOL. I got a bit carried away. It's true that now is a good time to assert your authority, extend your clout and put your unique stamp on every situation. But I don't recommend that you name entire cities after yourself.

By Rob Brezsny

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Now is an excellent time to join an exotic religion. How about the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which believes that true spiritual devotion requires an appreciation of satire?

Or how about Discordianism, which worships the goddess of chaos and disorder?

Then there's the United Church of Bacon, whose members exult in the flavor of their favorite food. (Here's a list of more—tinyurl. com/weirdreligions.) APRIL FOOL! I wasn't entirely truthful. It's accurate to say that now is a great time to reinvigorate and transform your spiritual practice. But it's better if you figure that out by yourself. There's no need to get your ideas from a bizarre cult.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Studies

show that people who love grilled cheese sandwiches engage in more sexual escapades than those who don't gorge on grilled cheese sandwiches. So I advise you to eat a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches because then you will have more sex than usual.

And that's important because you are now in a phase when you will reap huge healing benefits from having as much sex as possible. APRIL FOOL! I lied when I implied that eating more grilled cheese sandwiches would motivate you to have more sex. But I wasn't lying when I said that you should have more sex than usual. And I wasn't lying when I said you will reap huge benefits from having as much sex as possible. (P.S. If you don't have a partner, have sex with your fantasies or yourself.)

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): If you ever spend time at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, you'll get a chance to become a member of the 300 Club. To be eligible, you wait till the temperature outside drops to minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When it does, you spend 20 minutes in a sauna heated to 200 degrees. Then you exit into the snow and ice wearing nothing but white rubber boots and run a few hundred feet to a ceremonial pole and back. In so doing, you expose your naked body to a swing of 300 degrees. According to my astrological analysis, now is an ideal time to pull off this feat. APRIL FOOL! I lied. I'm not really urging you to join the 300 Club. On the other hand, I do think it's a favorable phase to go to extremes for an authentically good cause.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Scientific

research shows that if you arrange to get bitten by thousands of mosquitoes in a relatively short time, you make yourself immune. Forever after, mosquito bites won't itch you. Now would be an excellent time for you to launch such a project. APRIL FOOL! I lied. I don't really think you should do that. On the contrary. You should scrupulously avoid irritations and aggravations, especially little ones. Instead, immerse yourself in comfort and ease. Be as free from vexation as you have ever been!

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):

two rabbits and their immediate descendants will produce 1,300 new rabbits in 12 months' time. In five years, their offspring would amount to 94 million. I suspect that you will approach this level of fertility in the next four weeks, at least in a metaphorical sense. APRIL FOOL! I stretched the truth a bit. There's no way you will produce more than a hundred good new ideas and productions and gifts. At the most, you'll generate a mere 50.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The

weather is warm year-round, and the crime rate is low on Pitcairn, a remote South Pacific island that is a 30-hour boat ride away from the nearest airport. The population has been dwindling in recent years, however, which is why the government offers foreigners free land if they choose to relocate. You might want to consider taking advantage of this opportunity. APRIL FOOL! I was exaggerating. It's true that you could get major health benefits by taking a sabbatical from civilization. But there's no need to be so drastic about it.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): You don't have to run faster than the bear that's chasing you. You just have to run faster than the slowest person the bear is chasing.

OK? So don't worry! APRIL FOOL! What I just said wasn't your real horoscope. I hope you know me well enough to understand that I would NEVER advise you to save your own ass by betraying or sacrificing someone else. It's also important to note that the bear I mentioned is entirely metaphorical in nature. So please ignore what I said earlier. However, I do want you to know that there are effective ways to elude the symbolic bear that are also honorable. To discover them, meditate on calming down the beastly bear-like qualities in yourself.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Now is a favorable time to disguise yourself as a bland nerd with no vivid qualities, or a shy wallflower with no strong opinions, or a polite wimp who prefers to avoid adventure.

Please don't even consider doing anything that's too interesting or controversial.

APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, I hope you'll do the opposite of what I suggested. I think it's time to express your deep authentic self with aggressive clarity. Be brave and candid and enterprising.

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What's the best joke or prank you could play on yourself?

freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2019

If allowed to do what comes naturally,

inweekly.net

news of the weird PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM US Researchers at St. Mary's Hospital in London had been stumped how 10 British men had contracted a rare virus called human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. The men weren't intravenous drug users and hadn't had transfusions; none of them displayed any symptoms, but doctors had identified the virus through bloodwork. Dr. Divya Dhasmana, co-author of a study published March 13 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was eventually tipped off to the source of the infections when she saw scars on one of the men's back: The men participate in blood-shedding religious rituals, such as cutting or whipping themselves.

The rituals the men reported include striking the forehead with a knife, then passing the knife to other men; or striking the back with a chain of blades. Dr. Dhasmana told the Associated Press that one infected man told her the blades were soaked in a bucket of antiseptic solution between uses, but that didn't prevent the virus' spread. "Our message is not 'Don't do it,'" said Dr. Dhasmana. "Our message is, 'If you do it, don't share equipment.'"

INSULT TO INJURY The last thing Ohio defense attorney Aaron Brockler remembers after hearing the judge pronounce a 47-year sentence for his client, David Chislton, 42, was a "swoosh" sound. That was the sound of Chislton's fist speeding through the air toward Brockler's face.

On Feb. 19, Chislton had pleaded guilty in Cuyahoga County to domestic abuse, aggravated arson, felonious assault and cruelty to a companion animal, and Common Pleas Court Judge Nancy Margaret Russo handed down his sentence as he stood handcuffed next to his lawyer. But before Brockler could tell him that he would try to get the sentence reduced, Chislton had knocked him to the floor. "All I remember is waking up on the floor underneath the table," Brockler told WKYC TV. Brockler suffered a concussion and a broken nose.

Chislton faces additional charges.

THE LITIGIOUS SOCIETY Joanne Cullen, 64, of North Bellmore, Long Island, wants to make administrators of St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery in Farmingdale pay for the horror she experienced in December 2016 as she visited her parents' graves. On that day, Cullen was reaching down to straighten a bow on a wreath when the ground opened up beneath her and a sinkhole "caused her to fall forward and smash her head on the tombstone," cracking a tooth, her attorney, Joseph Perrini, told the New York Post. As Cullen sank, she grabbed the sides of the tombstone and yelled for help, but no one heard her. Cullen filed suit in March in Queens Supreme Court, asking for $5 million to overcome the nightmares and headaches

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

she experiences, along with the fear of walking in open fields. "I will never go back there again," Cullen said. "Getting sucked into your parents' grave ... it's terrifying and traumatizing," Perrini added.

CRIMINAL INGENUITY Outside the North Fork Correctional Unit in Sayre, Oklahoma, Kerri Jo Hickman was arrested on March 10 for delivering contraband to prison inmates, reported the Associated Press. Hickman's clever delivery method was a T-shirt gun, used by sports team mascots to shoot promotional shirts at fans. Hickman, however, launched methamphetamines, cellphones, ear buds, phone chargers, digital scales, marijuana and tobacco to some lucky con on the other side, but police discovered the gun and another package in her car, and she was booked on charges of introducing contraband into a penal institution, conspiracy and drug trafficking in Beckham County.

OH, THE DRAMA Dog walker Michele Bilsland has become accustomed to strangers' alarm when her charge, Begbie, throws himself to the ground as they start out on their constitutional. Begbie, who lives with Roz Niblock and Matt Kennedy in Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland, stages his protest when Bilsland leads him on what he knows is the shorter route around the block, rather than his usual hour-long jaunt through fields. On March 15, two workmen stopped to see if Bilsland needed help: "I told them he was fine and just having a tantrum and sulking," she told Metro News.

Begbie, a 4-year-old Old English bulldog, continued his charade for at least a minute before getting up and getting on with his walk. "Begbie just has a very strong personality," Bilsland noted.

BRIGHT IDEA Topeka, Kansas, police took the joy out of "joyride" on March 16 for Nicholas Hodgden, 40, who climbed into a forklift outside a Dillons grocery store that evening and set off down the road.

The forklift, valued at $1,500, had been left outside the store with the keys in the ignition, The Topeka Capitol-Journal reported.

A spokesperson for the police department said bystanders saw what happened and called police, who apprehended Hodgden as he drove along, holding an open can of beer. He also had a six-pack in the back.

Hodgden was booked into the Shawnee County Jail on one count of felony theft and misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and transporting an open alcoholic beverage container. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird Š 2019 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com March 28, 2019

51

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