Inweekly May 9 2019 Issue

Independent News | May 9, 2019 | Volume 20 | Number 19

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winners & losers

outtakes

4

5

news 6, 8 & 10

There's literally no one else in the world I would tolerate.

cover feature

the buzz

15

12

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Michael Daw

contact us info@inweekly.net

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

a&e 17

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

Jeff Weeks / Courtesy Photo

winners

JEFF WEEKS The University of West Florida

received a $50,000 gift from UWF alumnus Jeff Weeks to establish the William J. "Bill" Weeks Endowment Scholarship in honor of his father. The scholarship is reserved for first-generation college students majoring in fine arts, performing arts or communications within the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

GORHAM PARTINGTON & JORDAN STEIN The International Baccalaureate

students at Pensacola High School partnered to raise $20,000 to support efforts to improve early education outcomes in Escambia County as part of their Community, Activity and Service (CAS) project.

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION

Its sixth annual Casino Royale gala raised nearly $250,000. Proceeds from the annual event will be used to purchase a large bore 16-slice CT scanner for Baptist Hospital, which will allow for a more detailed diagnostic image to aid in cancer diagnosis.

GULF BREEZE ROTARY As a result of

the record number of funds raised with the Gumbo Cook-Off event, the club awarded nine scholarships to Gulf Breeze students for their academic performance, financial need, leadership and community involvement. Scholarship recipients included Sarah Davis, Mathaya Hill, Liam Knight, Aundrea Lancaster, Kade Nelson, Brendon Perez, Cali Wilson, Spencer Wirth and Noah Zalar. The Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze has awarded 195 student scholarships totaling $805,000 since 1986.

Mike Hill / Courtesy Photo

losers

MIKE HILL The District 1 Florida House

representative is the biggest loser of the 2019 session, going 0-9. He proposed nine bills on such topics as abortion restrictions, a reversal of the gun reform passed after the Parkland shooting, preservation of Civil War monuments and restrictions on sex education materials in public schools. Seven of his bills were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration, including an appropriation request for parking and roadwork at Pensacola State College. The gun bill was withdrawn without ever being introduced. His tobacco products bill was reported unfavorable by Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. And he still hasn't delivered President Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star to Pensacola.

SCOTT ISRAEL The Florida Supreme Court

last week unanimously rejected an appeal by the ousted Broward County sheriff, ruling Gov. Ron DeSantis acted within his authority when he suspended the law enforcement official. The governor issued the suspension shortly after taking office in January, accusing the sheriff of "neglect of duty" and "incompetence" related to two mass shootings in Broward County, including the February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Israel has also appealed his suspension to the Florida Senate, which has the authority to reinstate or remove elected officials, but that appeal was put on hold while the court system was deliberating the issue. The 2019 Legislative session concluded without a decision on Israel's appeal.

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outtakes

By Rick Outzen

CYA MANAGEMENT The Emergency Medical Services problems may have provided us with an unintended view behind the curtain into how Escambia County government functions. Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy told the commissioners last week that she wanted in January to expedite the certification training of five EMS employees. She said, "They should get three quotes for abbreviated ones to take care of the five people in question, which would have been way less than $50,000." Tamika Williams, the Public Safety business operations manager, said the emergency PO was brought to her attention on Jan. 30. After meeting with Lovoy and Senior Purchasing Coordinator Paul Nobles, the decision was made for Fire Chief Rusty Nail to seek additional quotes from nonprofit organizations. On Feb. 15, Chief Nail said he would get additional quotes, but Williams never heard back from him. Lovoy, Nobles and Williams could all check boxes that they did their part. Their butts were covered. However, three months later, no one has been hired to do the training. None of them followed up with the medical director, Dr. Rayme Edler, or Chief Nail on what was happening with the additional quotes. According to Williams' statements to the commissioners, she didn't get back involved until April 10, after Public Safety Director Mike Weaver resigned and when Lovoy and Assistant County Administrator Matt Coughlin asked her to complete the bidding process.

The procurement appears to have been dumped on Dr. Edler, who told the board that she had been in discussions with Baptist Hospital and Pensacola State College on developing an EMS training program. It also appears no one helped her. Commissioner Robert Bender pointed out this problem last week. He said, "We are not providing our directors and highlevel employees the proper training and going through a procurement process." Edler wanted to revamp the entire EMS training program and add more hands-on education opportunities. Based on the stories we've heard from families who have lost loved ones while in the care of EMS, we agree with the medical director. What's unclear is whether Edler was given the guidance and support to accomplish her goal. Lovoy went for the quick fix in January—do "triage" on the five employees who immediately needed certifications. The quick fix was anything but quick, and it appears the only thing achieved was kicking the issue down the chain-of-command. And the lesson learned is—don't worry about solving a problem; just make sure you have an email trail to cover your ass. Repeatedly at last week's commission meeting, we were told that the public shouldn't worry about the quality of care they receive from EMS. However, we have no proof, only their word—which worries me. {in} rick@inweekly.net

What's unclear is whether Edler was given the guidance and support to accomplish her goal.

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EMS: 'A FOUNDATIONAL BREAKDOWN'

Dr. Rayme Edler / Courtesy Photo

By Rick Outzen For 90 minutes on Thursday, May 2, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners discussed Emergency Medical Services with Dr. Rayme Edler, the county's medical director, at its agenda review. The topic was whether the county should hire a vendor to retrain its EMS staff, but the discussion provided the public a view into the communications and training issues in the department. Dr. Edler was somewhat hampered in her responses because of the state's investigation of EMS that was disclosed last month by county officials. Inweekly has interviewed the family members of patients who have died while being transported by EMS or shortly after reaching the hospital. When questioned by the commissioners, the medical director assured the board that the state had been given "substantial evidence" of problems in the department.

"What you have is a foundational breakdown in EMS. So, we need to redo the entire structure." Dr. Rayme Edler "What you have is a foundational breakdown in EMS," said Dr. Edler. "So, we need to redo the entire structure. Chief Nail (the recently resigned fire chief) and myself have 66

been trying for months and months—and I can show you the emails—to try to do a reorganization with the management." She continued, "Because what you have is very poor management with your emergency medical services. With that being said, your leaders are poor leaders, and that is trickling downhill." Edler said the training shouldn't be seen as a punishment but an opportunity to get more hands-on education. She said, "These EMTs and medics, we've got a great team—I'm not saying that they're poor by any means. But they've been craving that attention to even have in-services and help. When Steve White was brought in as a (EMS) chief, he eliminated all that, and everything went to modular training, meaning you had to look at a computer." The medical director stated that she had discovered "some unethical behavior with those certifications." She told the commissioners, "The way the training center was being run by one of these individuals was not being followed by the AHA guidelines." According to Edler, EMS medics have come to her with concerns about the validity of their certifications. "Now, do I think these people are competent enough to do what they're doing? Absolutely. But are we following what needs to be done by the guidelines and their operation procedure manual?" said Edler. "Not necessarily, and that had to be fixed because the AHA (American Hospital Association) can come in and say, 'You guys haven't been following this step by step, so we're going

to take it away.' But again, do I feel like the majority of these medics could run a code and take care of me? Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind, but we do have to follow those guidelines to keep those credentials." Dr. Edler, who was hired as medical director in May 2018, said she has been working for months on "trying to redesign and revamp all the entire protocols." "We haven't had policy updates since 2011, 2013," she said. "I'm sitting across from a supervisor and having to explain to him that he shouldn't be asking me to pronounce somebody dead after he watched him bleed to death. We've got issues." Edler confirmed that the certifications of five employees were the ones in question. Commissioner Lumon May questioned whether it was wise to recertify all 260 employees if only five are the issue. Dr. Edler asked the board to support a full training program because the proposed plan would get "certifications on track because our training center for the AHA has been completely disorganized." "If the AHA comes in, and they decide that they're going to shut us down—because the word that I have is that they have very low tolerance right now for dealing with anything that could be potentially a mess up—then you're looking at spending over a $100,000 every two years just to get everybody certified, to keep their certifications in place," she told the board. Commissioner Steven Barry asked Edler about the delays in updating the protocols. Dr. Edler said it took three months for IT to install the necessary software (Vizio) so that she could adopt similar protocols used by the Cleveland Clinic and other agencies. She said the jail policies have been in place and updated regularly, but that hasn't been the case at EMS. "EMS has been behind," said Edler, but she also wanted to reassure the board and public that things have improved. "We haven't had as many issues over the last year. We have a very strong team. We're still trying to pull a team together over at EMS that can function as well as we do at the correctional center." Commissioner Doug Underhill supported the move to more hands-on training. "The military led the way on computerbased training for decades. We drove it home, and we started pushing computer-based training on everything," said Underhill. "What we found was that our ability to perform in a crucible dropped considerably."

BID ISSUES

While the commissioners agreed that EMS training needs to improve, there were concerns over the procurement process. Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy said the certification issue was brought to her attention in January when Edler and Fire Chief Nail brought forth a proposal to hire Rescue Company 1, an Orlando-based company.

"I talked to the purchasing manager who agreed and even suggested the firms to get the quotes from," said Lovoy. "When it became clear that they wanted training no more than $50,000, I suggested to expedite this. They should get three quotes for abbreviated ones to take care of the five people in question, which would have been way less than $50,000." Tamika Williams, the Public Safety business operations manager, gave the commissioners a timeline of the solicitation process. The emergency PO was brought to her attention on Jan. 30. After meeting with Lovoy and Senior Purchasing Coordinator Paul Nobles, the decision was made for Nail to seek additional quotes from nonprofit organizations since the quote was $125,000. On Feb. 15, Chief Nail said he would get additional quotes, but Williams never heard back from him. Dr. Edler explained that during that timeframe, she was working with Baptist Hospital and Pensacola State College to get quotes. On April 10, after Public Safety Director Mike Weaver resigned, Lovoy and Coughlin asked Williams to get the bidding process complete. Rescue Company 1 was the only submittal. "On April 22, I received a revised quote for Rescue Company 1 in the amount of $51,300, and that was at the reduced training just to get it done," she said. "At that time, I closed it on vendor registry and made a statement that due to the fact that it was over $50,000, it will require a full solicitation." Williams advised Edler, Nail, Coughlin and other county officials that she would not personally be contacting the vendor asking them "to circumvent the process to get it under 50 because I said it was illegal to do so." She said, "However, later on that day, I received a revised quote of $49,550." The commissioners felt the modification of the quote after the bid had closed eroded the public's trust in the process. They directed staff to rebid it but didn't blame Edler for the breakdown. "I think this also plays into an overall concern saying that we are not providing our directors and high-level employees the proper training and going through a procurement process," said Commissioner Robert Bender. "Dr. Edler has been here almost a year and doesn't know the process. In procurement, we need to make sure we are training them on our expectations, and this even has to go with HR and employee performance." Commissioner Jeff Bergosh wanted to re-enforce Dr. Edler's comments about the competence of the current EMS staff. "To the public, I just wanted them to know one thing when they watch this meeting," said Bergosh. "The people that come to your emergency are qualified; the people that work for Escambia county are committed; people that work here are highly skilled. Any organization, a large organization, you're going to have a percentage at the bottom, where there's gonna be challenges."{in} inweekly.net

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MORE WHAT-IFS WITH ESCAMBIA EMS Inside the house, the grieving mother points out a collection of photographs. Roosevelt at graduation. Roosevelt in the U.S. Air Force. Roosevelt fishing. "That fish, right there," Mosley pointed to the photo, "he caught that a couple of days before he died." Mosley's son, who lived in Virginia with his family—in addition to his mother and daughter, Stevenson left behind a wife and two children, as well as one grandchild— died while visiting in Pensacola. He had just enjoyed a bite to eat at his mother's house and then told her he wasn't feeling too good. "He said, 'Would you check me out?' Cause I worked in nursing for 35 years," Mosley recalled. Stevenson was complaining of difficulty breathing, and Mosley called 911. According to Mosley, it took a while for the ambulance to arrive—"I said, 'You didn't come to take my son to the beach; you came to take him somewhere to get help.'"—and when EMS did arrive, she didn't feel the medics took her son's condition seriously.

By Jeremy Morrison When Annie Mosley heard about the Florida Department of Health's investigation into Escambia County's Emergency Medical Services, she thought back to her son's death last year and realized perhaps the experience wasn't an isolated incident. "It had to be more than my son for them to investigate," Mosley said recently, sitting inside her Pensacola home on West Intendencia Street. In March, the state opened an investigation into Escambia's EMS following an internal county assessment in which newly-hired Medical Director Rayme Edler pointed out several areas of concern within the department. Though county officials have declined to discuss the issue pending the conclusion of the state investigation, a former director of Escambia's Public Safety Department has been brought in to conduct an internal review of the department and will be issuing an initial report May 9. Thus far, and with the exception of some cryptic, around-the-edges conversations amongst county commissioners and staff during public meetings, vague resignation letters from departing county officials or Edler's recent request to retrain all EMTs, Escambia's citizens are left to wonder what exactly is going on with EMS as they await the wrap of the state investigation. Some people are left contemplating their own experiences with the county's EMS and wondering whether things might have gone 88

differently. Mosley, at least, is sure she knows the answer to this question. She already believed the service her son received after calling emergency services due to shortness of breath attributed to his death, and the recent revelations about the state investigation have only reaffirmed those feelings. "Yes, yes I do," Mosley said. "I just believe myself that they are responsible for my son's death. I'll never know, but I believe, and they can't tell me nothing different."

THAT LAST WALK

The memory of that terrible afternoon last September seems seared into Annie Mosley's mind. She said on the phone, as she thought of reliving that day with the media, she would always remember. "I won't never forget," she said, "not 'til my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth." Standing on her front porch, Mosley points out particulars of the scene as if it's recurring in perpetuity where her son stumbled down the front steps, where the ambulance was parked. "See where that dead grass is right there?" Mosley asked, motioning to a dead patch. "That's where the stretcher was. And it never grew back." Around the yard are small palms, a flock of ceramic geese and thoughtfully arranged flowerbeds. Roosevelt Stevenson, Jr., made sure his mom's property looked nice. "We had a lovely time," Mosley said, looking into the distant sky of a Pensacola afternoon. "He was 58-years-old, but he still said 'yes, ma'am' and 'no, ma'am' to me."

"They didn't give him oxygen; they didn't give him nothing." Annie Mosley "They didn't give him oxygen; they didn't give him nothing," Mosley said. Dianne Mosley, Stevenson's sister, was also present. She said that the paramedics didn't appear prepared to offer much in the way of aid. "They didn't have the little toolbox you normally carry. They didn't have on gloves. They weren't prepared to do anything," his sister concluded. According to Stevenson's family, the paramedics declined to bring a stretcher inside the house and instead asked the patient to walk out into the yard. "The guy outside asked the other guy in the house, 'Can he walk?'" Dianne Mosley said. Stevenson's mother points to a recliner sitting near a television. "He walked from right here. This is where he was sitting," she said. Stevenson made it out the front door, but he had some trouble on the steps leading from the porch to the yard. And then things got bad pretty quick. "He tumbled; he didn't actually hit the ground 'cause there's a rail he grabbed," recalled his sister, explaining how her brother almost fell on the stairs. Stevenson's mother remembers running out to the front yard after her son had been put into the ambulance. She remembers flinging open the ambulance and seeing the medics working over her son. "They were doing chest compressions when I pulled that door open," Mosley said.

"I hollered and told my daughter, "Your brother's dead!" Mosley said they requested an autopsy following Stevenson's death but none was performed. She said her son's death was officially listed as a PE, or pulmonary embolism, but that she considers that "speculation." Mosley said that no one from the state health department has contacted her in regards to the current investigation concerning Escambia's EMS. "There ain't no one contact us," she said, "except for that Edler lady. She came out here." Following Stevenson's death, Mosley contacted Escambia County with her concerns about the service received from EMS. She said that Dr. Edler, the medical examiner, visited her house after hearing about the issue and told the family that the EMS staff was in the process of getting more training. Dianna Mosley recalled that former Public Safety Director Mike Weaver also heard the family's concerns but told them that the call had been conducted appropriately. "Mike Weaver said, 'I'm sorry we can't make you understand my men did everything they could.' I said, 'Why are you lying?'" she recalled. Both Stevenson's mother and sister appear convinced that this death could have been prevented if first responders had taken different actions. They are second-guessing the decision not to provide oxygen, second-guessing the decision not to bring a stretcher inside the house. Second-guessing, even, the specifics of Stevenson's death. "My son died because of their lack of interest," Mosley said, before suggesting that Stevenson died while in the care of EMS. "They pronounced him dead at Baptist Hospital, but that's a lie. He was already dead."

THE LAWSUIT FACTOR

Mosley recently spent her first Easter since her son's death. It was his birthday. She spent most of it at the cemetery. "He turned 59 Easter Sunday," Mosley said, then considered the approaching Mother's Day. "I know that's gonna be tough." Regardless of the findings of the state investigation into Escambia's EMS, or any resulting changes or improvements that are made within the department, Mosley's son isn't coming back. He died last fall, and nothing can change that. But Mosley is clear on how she would like to see her son's circumstances addressed. Because she feels the county's EMS did not provide adequate care to her son, she would like to realize some monetary restitution for his surviving family. "I want financial; that's what I want," Mosley said. {in} inweekly.net

Only 45% of children in Escambia County are ready for kindergarten MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE SCI’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

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Children that are not ready for kindergarten start behind and many stay behind, even dropping out of school. It’s difficult for the children and their families; and puts more pressure on public school teachers to bring children up to grade level. This can lead to long-term generational poverty in our community. We are changing that. However, there is a long way to go. Working in partnership with the University of Chicago, Escambia County became the first county to pilot early learning intervention with every new mother at three area hospitals: Baptist Healthcare, Sacred Heart Hospital and West Florida Hospital.

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studeri.org The Brain Bag helped me understand the importance of talking to my baby, reading to him, singing and making eye contact. ­— Domonique Murry and baby Caiden Cleveland

What’s the Impact? To date, more than 10,200 mothers have benefited from this initiative and received a tutorial and Brain Bag filled with helpful resources stressing the importance of building a baby’s brain. Knowing that 85% of the human brain is developed by age 3, every minute is precious. Early indicators from the study by the University of Chicago shows positive change that the Brain Bags are making a difference. Mothers receiving the tutorial and Brain Bag are asked to rate their knowledge of how parent talk influences early brain development, before and after receiving the Brain Bag. Results show a notable increase.

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FIVE QUESTIONS FOR JANICE GILLEY Days after the commission vote, Inweekly spoke with Gilley about her experiences in politics and her views on county government.

Janice Gilley / Courtesy Photo

By Rick Outzen At a special meeting on Monday, April 29, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners voted to hire Janice Gilley as the first female county administrator for the county. Gilley, an Escambia County resident, currently serves as the associate vice president of external affairs for the president at the University of West Florida, where she oversees the management of special projects and governmental relations and serves as the liaison to the university's board of trustees. In May 2002, Gilley was appointed to complete the term of County Commissioner Mike Bass after he was indicted by a grand jury, along with three other commissioners. Prior to the appointment, she had served as staff director for the Florida House Majority Office and assistant to State Rep. Jerry Maygarden. Since then, she has served in the governor's office and is currently a member of the Santa Rosa Island Authority.

INWEEKLY: You served on the county commission from 2002 to 2004. What were some of the lessons you learned serving on the county commission? GILLEY: It is a serious responsibility of the commission to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money. And if you remember, I came in at a time when money had maybe not necessarily been spent as wisely as it should. And as soon as it was disclosed to the public, it did create a type of a crisis regarding misusing money on land. You have to always be very careful with taxpayers' dollars. They have to make sure that they're getting the value that they expect from their government. And it's your job also, as being a member of the commission, to make sure that you are articulating how you're spending that money and making sure that it still meets the priorities and the expectations of the community. INWEEKLY: You've had a lot of experiences over 15 years since you served on the county commission. Of those experiences, what do you think is going to help you be a good county administrator? GILLEY: Well, one of the main things that I have had experience doing is looking at policy, making sure that policy is developed in such a way that it meets the needs of the elected officials and those in the citizenry. Policy is what should drive your budget, and then it also should drive your implementation. So you have to get the policy right from the beginning, which means everybody has to be at the table to make sure that you are getting everyone's input to develop the policy. Then when you pass the policy, that's also another chance for everyone to take a bite at the apple and say this is exactly how we want the policy to look. And

then you have to follow through on implementation after it's been funded. Implementation without a doubt is the hardest part of policy, but you have to be tenacious, and, if you've developed the right policy, then it's very easy to see it through to implementation. But part of that is making sure that the people that are part of the implementation are also part of the conversation on the front end. You know, we sometimes have some really great ideas, but it's extremely difficult to implement. And so we also need to make sure that we take feedback in such a way that actually makes sense because the last thing you want to do is pass a policy that is impossible to implement. INWEEKLY: What are some of the changes you've seen in Escambia County government over this past 15 years? GILLEY: I think one of the things that is very different is the amount of transparency. I think that this commission has a commitment to trying to find ways to make sure that citizens are very aware of how every penny is spent, so what I call their "check register" is basically available so that people can see any money that has been spent, any check that has been written. Contracts, conversations about anything that is being done in government, I do not believe this board is afraid of that. I would say 15 years ago, having conversations about the inner workings of county government or contracts or things like that were definitely taboo. That is not the case today. What I would like to see is us take it to the next level and just make sure that there is such transparency that citizens absolutely have trust and confidence in everything that this commission does. INWEEKLY: You've met with all five commissioners. What do you see as the "what" for each one of those commissioners? GILLEY: Without naming specific commissioners, I would say it's making sure that our

county is safe and that our community centers and our neighborhood recreation areas provide all that we can to give every person an opportunity for a place to not live in isolation but to live in community and to also grow. Another area is related to what I call capital renewal. Others call it deferred maintenance. This is an epidemic nationally where we have allowed some of our infrastructures to decay, and it's extremely expensive to improve those infrastructures, but we have. So I think making that a priority for some of the commissioners is going to be important. I also think that making sure that everything that the commission does, like I mentioned earlier, is transparent and accountable to the citizenry is also very important to several of the commissioners. INWEEKLY: All right, last question, how do you plan to go about building a team once you've come on board? GILLEY: One of the things that's important is making sure that people are the right fit for the work that you want to accomplish, making sure that they know their why—why they want to do these jobs—and making sure that we have a very clear job description or actually the purpose for what we want each person to accomplish. A key for me personally will be making sure that I get the job descriptions right. I've been studying the org chart as it currently stands. I've also been looking at org charts all around the country. I must make sure that we have that right size government for what our community can afford. But also making sure that we have the right purposes and the right "why" is going to be very important for me. That's going to be the first thing I'm going to do. And then from there, I'm going to start looking for people to fulfill those roles. And I'm going to be looking everywhere. I'm putting in calls to friends that I have in various networks, and I'm hoping I'll get some responses from that. {in}

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Hot Chocolate French Toast stuffed with chocolate ganache, dipped in a chocolate custard and finished with marshmallow fluff Lobster Benedict featuring English muffins topped with avocado, lobster cakes, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce

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May 9, 2019

11

those enrolled in a high school or postsecondary certification program who attempt a certification exam actually obtain a certificate; Option 3: For the same period as Option 2, at least one-half of the students shall have wages equal to or higher than the average entry-level wage for that occupation in this geographic area. It's a shame that students had to wait a year for the launch of this nearly $5 million job-training program.

Malcolm Thomas / Courtesy Photo

TRIUMPH DEAL STRUCK For a year,

Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has delayed the start of a training program that would prepare students in IT, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and aviation/aerospace for jobs related to the significant expansions at the Pensacola airport because he wouldn't accept the accountable clauses of an agreement with Triumph Gulf Coast. Triumph Gulf Coast wanted to give the school district $2.3 million for the program. Pensacola State College would contribute not less than $2,697,840 in cash or in-kind toward the project, and a DEO Job Growth Grant would give $1,860,510 in cash. On Monday, April 28, the Triumph Board agreed to modify the metrics, giving Superintendent Thomas three options to satisfy the performance requirements: Option 1: For the 2022-23 school year (three years after Thomas has left office), the program must issue 280 elementary and secondary certificates and 73 postsecondary certificates in the target fields; Option 2: Between the beginning of the 2020-21 school year and the end of the 2022-23 school year, at least 70 percent of

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TRANSIT UNION VOTES The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 139 met Sunday, May 5, and overwhelmingly approved the labor agreement with Escambia County Area Transit. The union also expressed its displeasure with Tonya Ellis, the proposed interim ECAT transit director. According to ATU Local 319 president, Mike Lowery, the final agreement was reached on April 25 between him and former Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy, Transit Director Mike Crittenden, Assistant Transit Director Ellis and BOCC Human Resource Director Eric Kleinert. At the Sunday union meeting, the members in attendance voted with a 98 percent approval of the presented agreement. The members also voted by a margin of 97 percent for a "vote of no confidence" for Ellis, assistant transit manager, becoming the interim transit director to replace current and retiring Transit Director Crittenden. Lowery reported to the membership that Ms. Ellis during a meeting between ATU Local 1395 and the county's negotiating teams on Friday, May 3, chose not to stand by the agreed upon tentative labor agreement reached on April 25 between the parties. "Instead, Ms. Ellis left her integrity in question, and the union membership feels she will not stand up for the workers as she is scheduled to become the interim transit director in June," Lowery wrote the commissioners. "Ms. Ellis showed the lack of will to stand up and honor the agreed upon union contract during this meeting."

SATISFIED WITH GROVER The latest Inweekly/Political Matrix poll of 538 likely City of Pensacola voters found that 73 percent of those polled were satisfied with the performance of Mayor Grover Robinson thus far in his administration. More than a third were either extremely (17.7 percent) or very satisfied (20.3 percent) with his performance. Only 17 percent were unsatisfied. On the question of whether the hours of bottle clubs should be changed to end at 3 a.m. instead 5 a.m., 40.1 percent of city voters favored the reduction, 27.5 percent didn't support it, and 32.3 percent were undecided. The persons sampled were likely city voters with a voting score of 100% for the general election cycles. The voters were called using an Interactive Voice Response system during the hours of 1-7 p.m. between May 2-4. The margin of error for this study is +/- 4.5 percent with a confidence level of 95 percent. STATE SYSTEMS UNAVAILABLE The

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is performing a statewide database update beginning Friday, May 10. All driver license, vehicle and vessel titling and registration systems both in the office and online will be impacted and unavailable until Monday, May 13. "We anticipate the impact to our systems could begin in the early afternoon on Friday, May 10," Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said. "The DHSMV hopes to have the systems restored by the time we open our offices on Monday, May 13." Driving test appointments will continue throughout the outage. However, a license cannot be issued if the system is offline. This will impact all DHSMV and tax collector offices and online transactions for driver's licenses, identification cards and title and registration services. All other tax collector services, such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapon intake, Florida birth certificate and hunting and fishing licensing, will not be impacted. Customers needing to renew registrations

are encouraged to use our Express Lane sameday pick-up service at escambiataxcollector. com for faster service once the system returns to normal. The DHSMV anticipates restoring all services by 7 a.m. CDT on Monday, May 13.

KIDS ON CLIMATE CHANGE Last Friday,

local youth gathered in downtown Pensacola's Plaza Ferdinand to raise awareness about the issue of climate change. The gathering mirrored similar such events—international student strikes—in communities across the country and world on May 3. Pensacola High School juniors Jett Zhang and Jane Chakraborty organized the rally. Zhang explained his reasoning in an interview before the event, "We're a coastal community, so we're particularly at risk." Zhang hoped the rally would not only highlight the issue of climate change but also energize students to be more involved in pushing for local and state governments to place environmental concerns at the forefront of policy decisions.

"The main purpose of this is to raise awareness." Jett Zhang "The main purpose of this is to raise awareness," Zhang said, "raising awareness for this issue and in general protesting against government inaction on climate change." Students have been staging events related to climate change around the world in recent years, with the movement gaining considerable steam in August 2018 when Swedish ninth grader Greta Thunberg began protesting the issue by not attending school until the September general election and demanding a reduction in carbon emissions. Climate change-related student strikes have continued and grown since that time, with some students deciding to ditch school on Fridays—the so-called Fridays for Future movement—in protest. On March 15, students internationally staged the Global Climate Strike for Future, with an estimated 1.6 million participants.

inweekly.net

The Pensacola event was moved to 4 p.m. so students wouldn't have to skip school. Zhang, an International Baccalaureate student at PHS, was dissuaded from a 'strike'-oriented event upon being told he'd face consequences at school. "I was told I would get a referral; that would mean detention," Zhang said, adding that he hopes future events would garner enough community support to make a consequencefree protest possible. "I'm hoping eventually, if I get enough involved, to get support for something like that."

NOAA MARINE FISHERIES ADVISORY Secretary of Commerce Wilbur

Ross has appointed Don McMahon, the owner of Pensacola Bay Oyster Company, to NOAA's Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), bringing the group's membership to the full complement of 21. MAFAC advises the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. McMahon was chosen from a pool of highly qualified applicants who submitted nomination packages during an open, publiclyannounced process. MAFAC members draw on their expertise to evaluate and make recommendations on national living marine resources policies. The members represent a wide spectrum of fishing, aquaculture, protected resources, environmental, academic, tribal, state, consumer and other related national interests from across the U.S. and ensure the nation's living marine resource policies and programs meet the needs of these stakeholders.

PENSACOLA STATE KIDS COLLEGE Pen-

sacola State Kids College is a unique summer opportunity for high school students to stay busy, make an impact on the community and develop soft skills and leadership skills. Teens can spend the week working with children, serving as teachers' assistants and mentors. Teens also participate in Chain Reaction curriculum and build professional and leadership skills while earning service hours. Teens can volunteer at Kids College Monday through Friday from May 28 to August 2. Full- and half-day options are available. If your teen is interested in volunteering at Kids College, please email info@mychainreaction.org.

STAMP OUT HUNGER On Saturday, May 11, the letter carriers of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community. In its 27th year, the National Association of Letter Carriers' (NALC) annual food drive has grown to be the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table. Locally, organizations received nearly 125,000 pounds of food from the drive last year. "Stamp Out Hunger is the most important May 9, 2019

food drive for many food pantries in the area," said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna Food Pantries executive director. "The food collected by the letter carriers is critical to our ability to feed our neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Every donation helps ensure the immediate needs of the hungry can be met in the coming months." A donation of just one dozen cans provides three days' worth of food, or nine meals, for neighbors in need. Residents are encouraged to leave a bag of non-perishable food items, such as canned chicken, canned tuna, canned fruit in 100 percent juice, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, grits, whole grain cereal), canned vegetables, peanut butter, rice and/or dry beans next to their mailbox prior to regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 11. Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks including Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast in Pace and Milton, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God in Gulf Breeze, We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.

BRUNCH & BUBBLES Gulf Coast Kid's

House returns with its signature fundraiser Brunch and Bubbles 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Portofino Island Resort. This year's honorary chair is Jim Reeves. Brunch & Bubbles will feature a champagne brunch served by Skopelos, The Grand Marlin, Union Public House, Portofino and more. Guests will be treated to live music, provided by John Ripley while enjoying bottomless brunch cocktails and Bloody Marys from Ruby Slipper Cafe. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and seating will be limited at this exclusive event. Individual tickets are available for purchase at gulfcoastkidshouse.org or by calling 595-5800.

STEM SATURDAY The National Flight Academy will host a STEM Saturday program from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, for third-eighth grade students. May's STEM Saturday topic is "The Science of Diving." Students will play the role of a Navy diver to understand the importance of gas laws as they conduct lab activities that illustrate the physics of gases and the impact on a diver's body. Additionally, these students will fly the T-6 Texan II in the National Flight Academy's simulators. Like the National Flight Academy's other programs, STEM Saturdays are designed to address the serious concerns of declining science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in our country. The Academy's mission is to inspire students to pursue STEM academic and professional paths. Through the STEM Saturday program, the National Flight Academy appeals to younger elementary-aged children. Visit bit.ly/2Rc96bw to register, as space is limited for each session. Registration closes

May 13 at 5 p.m. Registration is $30 per child and lunch is provided.

HEALTHY MINDS Robinson Harris Acad-

emy of Music, Inc. is producing and publishing original music as part of its fundraising efforts. To that end, RHAM is honored to present its first musical artist, AceYezzy, who is debuting his first musical piece, "Ocean." For only $0.99, "Ocean" is available for download in iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music. With your support, RHAM can continue to provide its innovation in social science to disadvantaged children as well as ensure that our nation moves forward with "Healthy Minds." For more information about RHAM, please visit healthyminds.us.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS The Escam-

bia County Waste Services Department will host the next Regional Roundup 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 11, across from the Naval Hospital, 6000 W. Highway 98. Residents can dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste and up to four tires per vehicle, free of charge. Proof of Escambia County residency is required to participate, such as a driver's license, power bill or voter registration card. This is a residential drop-off program only; no commercial waste accepted. Book signing for Mary Kay Andrews, "Cocktails at Sunset Beach," 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, Page & Palette, 32 S. Section St., Fairhope, Ala. The Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee is hosting a special Scuba Diving Safety Symposium 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in conjunction with the Marine Advisory Committee's regular meeting. The meeting and symposium will take place in room 104 of the Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 W. Park Place. Feline Frenzy will provide free spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, microchipping, and ear tipping Monday, May 12-Thursday, May 16 at the Pensacola Humane Society Barbara Grice Memorial Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic, 5 N. Q St. Appointments are required and are available by calling 898-3380 or visiting alleycat.org/felinefrenzyFLPensacola. All cats are welcome, including community cats. City of Pensacola Gateway Review Board will meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, in the Mason Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall. City of Pensacola Planning Board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the Mason Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at the City of Pensacola Housing Division, 420 W. Chase St. District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at the Langley Bell 4-H Center, 3730 Stefani Road. Zoning Board of Adjustment will meet at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, in the Whibbs Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall. {in} 13

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According to the good ol’ Farmer's Almanac, summer doesn't technically start until June 21 this year. But we all know that's way too late around here. Not only will school be out for almost a month by then, but lots of cool "summer" events—like Fiesta and the Waterboyz Annual Art Show—will already have come and gone. So we decided to go ahead, push things up and let summer officially commence next weekend with the biggest beach party of the year—Hangout Fest. And because nothing says "fresh season" like a calendar of fresh events, here's a round-up of this summer's best local happenings.

FESTIVALS & ANNUAL EVENTS May 17-19 hangoutmusicfest.com

Pensacola Red Dress Run May 17-19 survivorh3.com

Let's Chalk About It

May 25 letschalkaboutitpensacola.com Photo Courtesy of Hangout Fest

Bands on the Beach

Every Tuesday through Oct. 29 visitpensacolabeach.com

Blues on the Bay

May 26, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 18 facebook.com/ bluesonthebaypensacola

PSO's Music For Families May 18 pensacolasymphony.com

The Drums

May 20 vinylmusichall.com

Art Garfunkel

May 28 pensacolasaenger.com

Built To Spill

July 16 vinylmusichall.com

May 29-June 7 fiestaoffiveflags.org

6th Annual Fish House Craft Beer Fest

Hangout Fest

LIVE MUSIC

70th Annual Fiesta Celebration

June 15 fishhousepensacola.com

Pensacola Beach Air Show July 13 newsairshow.com

Seville Quarter's Running of the Bulls 2019 July 20 pensabulls.com

Zach Deputy

July 25 vinylmusichall.com

Widespread Panic

Aug. 31 pensacolabaycenter.com

Flow Tribe

June 7 vinylmusichall.com

Live on Mars: A Tribute to David Bowie June 16 pensacolasaenger.com

Citizen Cope

June 20 vinylmusichall.com

The Molly Ringwalds July 3 sevillequarter.com

Thomas Rhett May 25 and 26 alwharf.com

Flow Tribe / Courtesy Photo

ARTS & CULTURE 39 Steps

Shows: Now-May 12; Murder Mystery Dinner event: May 10 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Mirror Mirror Exhibition Now-June 6 artelgallery.org

Broadway In Pensacola: Cruel Intentions May 14 pensacolasaenger.com

May 9, 2019

Worn In / Worn Out Exhibition May 17-Aug. 16 pensacolamuseum.org

Venus In Fur

May 17-25 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Gallery Night

May 17, June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16 gallerynightpensacola.org

Improvable Cause Happy Hour

May 22 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Hill-Kelly Movies in the Park Series

May 24, June 7, June 21, July 19 and Aug. 9 facebook.com/playpcolaparks

Waterboyz Annual Art Show May 25 waterboyz.com

Improvable Cause June Show

June 1 pensacolalittletheatre.com

The Giver

June 7-9 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Happiness is... Exhibition June 11-July 25 artelgallery.org

Sister Act

June 14-30 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Once Upon A Shoe

July 20-28 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Mamma Mia!

Aug 2-18 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Keep it Movin' Exhibition July 30-Sept. 5 artelgallery.org

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@VOLUMEONESALON 616 1

inweekly.net

WEEK OF MAY 9-15

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

When Everything Just Matches By Savannah Evanoff chorus. I've thrown it around for 10 years. I never had any place to put this, and it works perfectly right here.'" "We'll bring back the lyrics or a progression he had written years ago, and it fits with what I just wrote or vice versa," Annalise said. The Georgia-based pair had to cut back a few weeds for the music to grow. They wrote the five-track EP "Weeds" after cutting out toxic people from their lives. Being in the music industry made them realize they had fake friends. "We were surrounded by tons of people that were users and just bad people," Neal said. "Our lives got stifled. One day, we just dropped the act and cut a bunch of people from our lives. The whole album's about letting go of things and redemption." Being there to support each other made cutting the dead weight easy.

"We had each other, music and the highway—which is all we need." Neal

The Waymores / Photo by Lindsay Garrett

Willie Heath Neal thought his songwriting days were behind him. He hadn't written anything he would call decent in more than 10 years and counting—until he met Kira Annalise. They joined forces after participating in an Opry-style ensemble with friends at a few bar gigs in Georgia. Writing music together happened organically. "I thought a part of me had died musically," Neal said. "I thought, 'This part of my life is done. I guess I've written all the good stuff I'm going to write.' Her and I would just be sitting around, and she'd go, 'I got this line,' or, 'I have this hook,' and we would write together."

"I feel like I've been reborn artistically working with her, and I love it." Willie Heath Neal "I feel like I've been reborn artistically working with her, and I love it," he told Inweekly. The two have been touring as country May 9, 2019

duo The Waymores for more than five years, and they recently celebrated their 11-year anniversary as a couple with a performance in Pittsburgh, Pa. Their name is based on Waylon Jennings' nickname, and they're huge Waylon fans, Annalise said. While the two had separate musical ventures, they decided to make a dime performing together around town while they were home. After they released their own version of John Prine and Iris DeMent's "In Spite of Ourselves," they started getting performance requests from all over the country. The two might not call it this, but it was something like fate. "Turns out this is all I ever wanted musically—someone to love and sing with," Neal said. "It got better and better— next thing we know we're touring. We toured five years before we ever made a record." Neal compares writing their debut EP to piecing together a puzzle. He brings a piece. She has its match. "The first song on the EP, 'Matches,' she goes, 'I wrote these verses,'" Neal said. "And I was like, 'Oh, my God. I've had this

Neal's passion for music, but he was the one who first sparked hers. She never wrote songs or played an instrument before they met.

"I saw him one night in a dive bar on stage playing old country tunes, and I was just blown away. I changed my entire life to write and play and be with him." Kira Annalise "I saw him one night in a dive bar on stage playing old country tunes, and I was just blown away," Annalise said. "I changed my entire life to write and play and be with him. I was instantly in love with him and music and all of it. He is the entire reason I'm doing what I'm doing and why I'm here." Neal lived in Pensacola for more than 10 years. He looks forward to returning with Annalise and performing at chizuko for the first time. "After I got a record deal and moved to Nashville, whenever I would come back to Pensacola, it was all out support," Neal said. "I mean, it would just be crowded always. I'm hoping that there's still a lot of those fans there I used to see. I don't think they'll be disappointed. It's very fun. It's not a boring acoustic show at all. It has serious moments but a lot of humorous moments, too." "It's usually us just making fun of each other on stage between songs," Annalise said. {in}

"We had each other, music and the highway—which is all we need," Neal said. Their newly-found freedom inspired the title track. "We were riding in the car at our farm in South Georgia, and [Neal] said, 'Look how our flowers have bloomed since we picked those weeds,'" Annalise said. "I was like 'Oh, my God.' I remember writing that down and I was like, 'I'll come back to it later.' I did. The song 'Weeds' came out of it, and it's really just about our lives on the road together and how it's so much better just the two of us without the negativity from those people." People often ask The WayWHAT: The Waymores with Ed Adams and City mores what it's like being in a Squirrel Country Nuts (Earl's Killer Squirrel relationship while making music together. The question isn't origiacoustic) nal, but the answer is simple. WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 "Everyone is always expecting WHERE: chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. us to be like, 'Oh, my God, it's so COST: $5 hard,'" Annalise said. "For me, it's DETAILS: facebook.com/chizukopensacola a really beautiful thing. I'm really thankful that we get the chance to If you miss the Saturday night show, you can also do it. There's literally no one else see The Waymores at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at in the world I would tolerate." Pensacola Bay Brewery (225 Zaragoza St.). Annalise once reawakened

THE WAYMORES

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calendar THURSDAY 5.9

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 KYLE PETTY CHARITY RIDE 5:45 p.m. (estimated time of arrival). Holiday Inn Resort, 14 Via De Luna Drive. Ride will depart for Tampa at 7 a.m. on May 10. kylepettycharityride.com CHRISTOPHER'S CONCERTS 6-8 p.m. Free. Cross Town Band. St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave. scpen.org MEDITATION AND ENERGY HEALING 6 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org HANDS-ON COOKING: FILET MIGNON & BLACKENED SHRIMP 6 p.m. $64.50. So

Gourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com CLEAN WATER PADDLE SERIES 6 p.m. Aloha Wine and Liquor, 649 Pensacola Beach Blvd. Paddle around Sabine Bay, with environmental education to follow. healthygulf.org ZUMBA WITH SHANNON AND FRIENDS 6-7 p.m. $4. Homestead Community Center, 7830 Pine Forest Road. 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 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 GULF BREEZE HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS: MATILDA THE MUSICAL 7 p.m. $14-$34. Saenger

Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

THE 39 STEPS 7:30 p.m. $16. Pensacola Little

Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

LITTLE WINGS/AUSTIN LEONARD JONES/KENT STANTON/STIJL 8 p.m. chizuko, 506 W. Bel-

mont St. facebook.com/chizukopensacola

RUSS LIQUID, BELLS & ROBES 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

$10-$15. Strikerz Entertainment Center, 3200 N. Palafox St.

FRIDAY 5.10

ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP 10 a.m. Pensacola

Library, 239 N. Spring St. mywfpl.com

EVERMAN COOKS: 30-MINUTE MEALS WITH BACKYARD THE BOHEMIAN 11 a.m.

www.radio freepensacola .com

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Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org BLUE ANCHOR BELLES 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W De Soto St. GARDEN AND GRAIN CRAFT COCKTAIL 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 39 STEPS MURDER MYSTERY DINNER 5:30 p.m. $75. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

EVER'MAN COOKS: COMPASSIONATE CUISINE

6-7:30 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

GULF BREEZE HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS: MATILDA THE MUSICAL 7 p.m. $14-$34. Saenger

Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th

Ave. facebook.com/cafesinglefin

TYLER CHILDERS 7 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S.

Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: NIKKI TALLEY 7-9 p.m. $10-$12. From the Ground

Up Community Garden, 501 N. Hayne St. fromthegroundupgardenpensacola.com THE 39 STEPS 7:30 p.m. $31. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS PRESENTS: SHOWTIME 7:30 p.m. $25-$41. Saenger Theatre,

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY KITTEN SHOWER Noon-4 p.m. 5 N. Q St. Visit pensaco-

lahumane.org for donation wish list.

COASTAL SUNRISE ANIMAL HOSPITAL GRAND OPENING AND PET ADOPTION 1-3 p.m. Coastal

Sunrise Animal Hospital, 6209 N. 9th Ave.

NATURAL HEALING/CANCER STUDY 2-4 p.m.

Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org MAY SLOW RIDE 5:30 p.m. Dalyrymple Sallis Architecture, 503 E. Government St. facebook. com/bikepensacola WALKING CEMETERY TOURS 5:30 p.m. $12 plus tax. St. John's Historic Cemetery, 301 N. G St. goretro.us 3RD ANNUAL HOMEBREWING CRAFT BEER TASTING 6 p.m. $30-$35. St. Paul's Catholic

Church, 3131 Hyde Park Road. pensacolaknightsbeerfest.com

SUNSET WAVES: A LOWER CHAKRAS MEDITATION 6:30-7:30 p.m. Asher & Bee Apothecary

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

118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com RODNEY ATKINS 8 p.m. $25-$75. Flounder's Chowder House, 800 Quietwater Beach Road. flounderschowderhouse.com AUTO RACING 8 p.m. Five Flags Speedway 7451 Pine Forest Road. 5flagsspeedway.com

7-9 p.m. $125. Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. bluewahoos.com DANCE PARTY 7 p.m.-midnight. $10 workshop, $10 party. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftstudios.com

MIKE DILLON AND THE MALLETMEN WITH BROOKS HUBBERT 9 p.m. chizuko, 506 W. Bel-

PENSACOLA CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: MOTHER'S DAY BOUQUET 7:30 p.m. Free. First

mont St. facebook.com/chizukopensacola

UNDER THE LIGHTS: A FARM TO TABLE EVENT

United Methodist Church, 6 E. Wright St.

THE 39 STEPS 7:30 p.m. $31. Pensacola Little

SATURDAY 5.11

Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

of West Florida, Rec Plex North Field, 11000 University Parkway. parkrun.us/recplexnorth SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods and live music. Pace Presbyterian Church, Woodbine Road. 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 OCEAN HOUR CLEAN-UPS 9-10 a.m. Two locations: Wayside Park/Graffiti Bridge at the Pensacola Visitor Center, 1401 E. Gregory St. and Bartram Park on 211 Bayfront Parkway. oceanhourfl.com BROGA 9 a.m. Asher & Bee Apothecary and Tea House, 7 E. Gregory St. facebook.com/ asherandbee CHARITY KICKBALL TOURNAMENT 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $200 for kickball team registration. Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Highway. REIMAGINE SPRING 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free activities for kids, food and clothing giveaway, HIV and hepatitis C testing. Ascend Play Park, 3000 Old Chemstrand Road.

PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS PRESENTS: SHOWTIME 7:30 p.m. $25-$41. Saenger Theatre,

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

FLORIDA'S FLORA: NATURE TOUR OF ARCADIA MILL 10:30 a.m. $2-$4 admission for kids. Ar-

cadia Mill Archaeological Site, 5709 Mill Pond Lane. historicpensacola.org FIESTA CHILDREN'S TREASURE HUNT 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St. fiestapensacola.org

118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

WHITE TIE ROCK ENSEMBLE: THE LEGACY OF BRITISH ROCK 8 p.m. $28-$38. Saenger The-

atre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

BIG DEAL BURLESQUE 8 p.m. $12-$45. Vinyl

Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

THE WAYMORES/ED ADAMS/CITY SQUIRREL COUNTRY NUTS 9 p.m. chizuko, 506 W. Bel-

mont St. facebook.com/chizukopensacola

SUNDAY 5.12

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 MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Hilton Pensacola Beach, 12 Via de Luna Drive. facebook.com/hiltonpensacolabeach MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH BUFFET 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $18.95. V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox. vpauls.com THEMED BRUNCH AT PERFECT PLAIN 10 a.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco BRUNCH WITH LIVE MUSIC 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook. com/cafesinglefin MOTHER'S DAY AT POT ROAST AND PINOT 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (brunch) and 3-10 p.m. (dinner). Pot Roast and Pinot, 11-B S. Palafox. potroastpinot.com MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH AT SEVILLE QUARTER

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $12.95-$28.95. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MOTHER'S DAY AT FISH HOUSE 11 a.m.-3 inweekly.net

calendar p.m. (brunch) 3-until (dinner). Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. Walk-ins only. fishhousepensacola.com

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL MISSION IN MOTION 9-11:30 a.m. Heart-health screenings will

Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol and can detect anemia for people ages 50 and up. Gull Point Community Center, 7000 Spanish Trail. SAIL WITH THE BLUE ANGELS 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $400 for two people, plus $25 per additional person. Five-hour private charter. Gulf Breeze Sailing, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd. gulfbreezesailing.com/blue-angels-cruise BLUE ANGELS PRACTICE 11:30 a.m. Free. National Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 S Blue Angel Parkway. navalaviationmuseum.org GARDENING ON THE GULF COAST 1-2 p.m. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org TRYON FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 4 p.m. Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave. mywfpl.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 HANDS-ON COOKING: SUSHI 101 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 ZUMBA WITH SHANNON AND FRIENDS 6-7 p.m. $4. Homestead Community Center, 7830 Pine Forest Road. 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. Deception. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach. visitpensacolabeach.com COMEDY NIGHT 7 p.m. Swan Neck Meadery, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. swanneckwinery.com CRUEL INTENTIONS THE MUSICAL 7:30 p.m. $58 and up. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

THE SLEEPING SERPENT: MEDITATION AND TOUCH 6-7 p.m. $15. Asher & Bee Apothecary

WEDNESDAY 5.15

MOTHER'S DAY AT JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE

11 a.m.-2 p.m. (brunch) 5:30-10 p.m. (dinner). Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S, Palafox. jacksonssteakhouse.com MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 621

W. Belmont St. fivesistersbluescafe.com

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH AT UNION PUBLIC HOUSE 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Union Public House, 309

S. Reus St. facebook.com/unionpensacola

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 THE WAYMORES 2 p.m. $5. Pensacola Bay Brewery, 225 Zaragoza St. pbbrew.com PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS PRESENTS: SHOWTIME 2:30 p.m. $25-$41. Saenger Theatre,

118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

THE 39 STEPS 3 p.m. $31. Pensacola Little

Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE 4 p.m. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org 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

MONDAY 5.13

RESUME HELP 11 a.m. Molino Branch Library,

6450-A Highway 95A. mywfpl.com

PILATES MAT 1:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educa-

tional Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

EARTH ETHICS 6 p.m. Ever'man Educational

and Tea House, 7 E. Gregory St. facebook. com/asherandbee 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 VEGAN COOKING CLASS 6 p.m. $25 Tempeh tacos and frozen key lime cheesecake. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. eotlcafe.com THEME TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m. Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco THE MAINE 7 p.m. $25. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com HIP-HOP & CONTEMPORARY DANCE CLASSES

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

TUESDAY 5.14

YOGA WITHIN REACH 9-10 a.m. Free. Community Health Northwest Florida, 2315 W. Jackson St., Room A. healthcarewithinreach.org May 9, 2019

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

National Naval Aviation Museum, 1878 S Blue Angel Parkway. navalaviationmuseum.org 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 COOKING WITH CHEF IRV MILLER: SIMPLY SPRING 5 and 7:30 p.m. $45 per person.

Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. jacksonssteakhouse.com YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SWING DANCE CLASSES AND PARTY 6:3010 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 FIELD OF DREAMS SCREENING 7 p.m. $5 (cash only). The Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox. pensacolacinemaart.com 19

calendar 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 OPEN STUDIO: PAINTED ROCK PHOTO HOLDERS

11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11. $6, free for PMA members. 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

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 FLORA: PAINTINGS BY HANNAH AVIEL FLYNN RECEPTION On

view through June 30. Open Books, 1040 N. Guillemard St. facebook.com/ openbooksbookstore

PUNKSACOLA: REFLECTIONS OF A

SUBCULTURE On

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

VALERIE GEORGE: WELCOME TO MY PARTY On view

through Aug. 2. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.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 941-7354586 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 nonmembers. For more information, visit firstcityart.org. CLAY SCULPTURE

Six-week workshops held Saturdays 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.

≥Call for Artists

GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL LOOKING FOR EMERGING ARTISTS Applica-

tions are open for the GGAF Emerging Artists program. This program, developed in partnership with Artel Gallery, gives new artists a chance to be a part of the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival and offers

them guidance in what is involved in being in an arts festival. Applications are open to artists who have limited experience participating in arts festivals and are residents of Escambia or Santa Rosa Counties. Two artists will be chosen to participate in this year's festival. GGAF will waive fees for the two artists and will provide a booth and mentor to help guide them through the process. For more information and an application, visit ggaf. org. The GGAF is Nov. 1, 2 and 3, 2019, in Seville Square.

Bars & Nightlife

≥Live Music

Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com JOHN RIPLEY 6-9 p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox. BILLY HOWELL 6:30 p.m. The District Steakhouse, 123 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com SKYLINE KINGS 7 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com OPEN COLLEGE JAM WITH MIKE BOCCIA

7:30 p.m. Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's Dueling Piano Show. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com OPEN MIC/JAM

8-11 p.m. Goat Lips Brewhouse, 2811

Copter Road. Use our instruments or bring your own. SOUTHERN BREEZE

8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com

THE GOOD LOOKINGS 9 p.m. End O'

the Alley Courtyard, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

FRIDAY 5.10

LIVE JAZZ WITH JOE OCCHIPINTI Noon.

The Drowsy Poet Coffee Co., 655 Pensacola Beach Blvd.

BOREALIS REX AND DASH RIP ROCK 6

p.m. Paradise Bar and Grill, 21 Via de Luna Drive. paradisebargrill.com CODY COLLINS 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road. peglegpetes.com

THURSDAY 5.9 TALLAHASSEE SMITH 6 p.m. Peg

for more listings visit inweekly.net

EATS, DRINKS & SMILES BIG ASS SMILES @THEMAGNOLIAEPH NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS 020 2

inweekly.net

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

UNITED WAY OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY CELEBRATES COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS Nearly 150 guests joined United Way of Escambia County (UWEC) at the Hilton Garden Inn last month to celebrate the amazing contributions of their volunteers. At the Third Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, UWEC recognized the commitment and service of countless community members, businesses, and organizations. "Volunteerism is at the heart of what it means to live United," stated UWEC Education Outreach and Volunteer Manager, Kristy Craig, to open the program. "The impact every one of our volunteers makes in the community is outstanding. It is an honor to be able to celebrate all of our volunteers and to recognize those who really stood out over this past year." In 2018, United Way of Escambia County coordinated over 45,000 volunteer hours valued at $1.1 million dollars through programs such as ReadingPals, Day of Caring, VITA, RSVP, Workplace Campaigns, and Community Investment. The following awardees were recognized at United Way of Escambia County's Third Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast: ReadingPals Volunteer of the Year – Carolyn Schuster RSVP Volunteer of the Year – Barbara Sawyer VITA Volunteer of the Year – Jeff Abram Community Investment Volunteer of the Year – Lauren "Sunshine" Anderson Campaign Coordinator of the Year (small organization) – Leslie Saam, McMahon & Hadder Insurance Campaign Team of the Year (mid-size organization) – Clark Partington Attorneys at Law Campaign Team of the Year (large organization) – Gulf Power Company Ambassador of the Year – Tony Kisner, Florida Blue Women United Member of the Year – Doris Mink Emerging Leader of the Year – Rob Thead, Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe Cabinet Advisory Cabinet Volunteer of the Year – Briana Wigley, West Florida Healthcare Elementary School Spirit of Giving Award - Larry Knight & Sheila Hall, N.B. Cook Elementary Middle School Spirit of Giving Award - Regina Lipnick & Natalie Lackey, Ransom Middle School High School Spirit of Giving Award - Davis Williams & Tracey Gully, Pensacola High Department Spirit of Giving Award – Continuous Improvement: Denny Wilson & Chris McFarland If you'd like to learn more about volunteerism opportunities available through United Way of Escambia County, please email volunteer@unitedwayescambia.org or call 850-434-3157.

Sponsored by The Studer Family May 9, 2019

21

free will astrology WEEK OF MAY 9 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Time to shake things up! In the next three weeks, I invite you to try at least three of the following experiments. 1. See unusual sights in familiar situations. 2. Seek out new music that both calms you and excites you. 3. Get an inspiring statue or image of a favorite deity or hero. 4. Ask for a message from the person you will be three years from now. 5. Use your hands and tongue in ways you don't usually use them. 6. Go in quest of a cathartic release that purges frustration and rouses holy passion. 7. Locate the sweet spot where deep feeling and deep thinking overlap. TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): According to science writer Sarah Zielinski in Smithsonian magazine, fireflies produce the most efficient light on planet Earth. Nearly 100 percent of the energy produced by the chemical reaction inside the insect's body is emitted as a brilliant glow. With that in mind, I propose that you regard the firefly as your spirit creature in the coming weeks. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you, too, will be a dynamic and proficient generator of luminosity. For best results, don't tone down your brilliance, even if it illuminates shadows people are trying to hide.

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GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Here's a message from author Susan J. Elliott— "This is not your week to run the Universe. Next week is not looking so good either." Now here's a message from me—Elliott's revelation is very good news! Since you won't have to worry about trying to manage and fine-tune the universe, you can focus all your efforts on your own self-care. And the coming weeks will be a favorable time to do just that. You're due to dramatically upgrade your understanding of what you need to feel healthy and happy, and then take the appropriate measures to put your new insights into action. CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): The next three weeks will be an excellent time to serve as your own visionary prophet and dynamic fortune-teller. The predictions and conjectures you make about your future destiny will have an 85-percent likelihood of being accurate. They will also be relatively free of fear and worries. So I urge you to give your imagination permission to engage in fun fantasies about what's ahead for you. Be daringly optimistic and exuberantly hopeful and brazenly self-celebratory. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Leo poet Stanley Kunitz told his students, "You must be very careful not to deprive the poem of its wild origin." That's useful advice for anyone who spawns anything, not just poets. There's something unruly and unpredictable about every creative idea or fresh perspective that rises up in us. Do you remember when you first felt the urge

By Rob Brezsny

to look for a new job or move to a new city or search for a new kind of relationship? Wildness was there at the inception. And you needed to stay in touch with the wildness so as to follow through with practical action. That's what I encourage you to do now. Reconnect with the wild origins of the important changes you're nurturing.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): I have no

complaints about the measures you've taken recently to push past unnecessary limits and to break outworn taboos. In fact, I celebrate them. Keep going! You'll be better off without those decaying constraints. Soon you'll begin using all the energy you have liberated and the spaciousness you have made available. But I do have one concern—I wonder if part of you is worried that you have been too bold and have gone too far. To that part of you, I say, No! You haven't been too bold. You haven't gone too far.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): "Dreamt of a past that frees its prisoners." So wrote Meena Alexander in her poem "Question Time." I'd love for you to have that experience in the coming weeks. I'd love for you be released from the karma of your history so that you no longer have to repeat old patterns or feel weighed down by what happened to you once upon a time. I'd love for you to no longer have to answer to decayed traditions and outmoded commitments and lost causes. I'd love for you to escape the pull of memories that tend to drag you back toward things that can't be changed and don't matter anymore. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): "Desire is

a profoundly upsetting force," writes author Elspeth Probyn. "It may totally rearrange what we think we want. Desire skews plans and sets forth unthought-of possibilities." In my opinion, Probyn's statements are half-true. The other half of the truth is that desire can also be a profoundly healing and rejuvenating force and for the same reasons—it rearranges what we think we want, alters plans, and unleashes unthought-of possibilities. How does all this relate to you? From what I can tell, you are now on the cusp of desire's two overlapping powers. What happens next could be upsetting or healing, disorienting or rejuvenating. If you'd like to emphasize the healing and rejuvenating, I suggest you treat desire as a sacred gift and a blessing.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): "So

much of what we learn about love is taught by people who never really loved us." My Sagittarian friend Ellen made that sad observation. Is it true for you? Ellen added the following thoughts—so much of what we learn about love is taught by people who were too narcissistic or wounded to be able to love very well; and by people who didn't have many listening skills and therefore didn't know enough about us to love us for who we really are; and by people who love themselves poorly and so of course find it hard to love anyone else. Is any of this

applicable to what you have experienced, Sagittarius? If so, here's an antidote that I think you'll find effective during the next seven weeks: identify the people who have loved you well and the people who might love you well in the future—and then vow to learn all you can from them.

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

ricorn fantasy novelist Laini Taylor creates imaginary worlds where heroines use magic and wiles to follow their bliss while wrangling with gods and rascals. In describing her writing process, she says, "Like a magpie, I am a scavenger of shiny things: fairy tales, dead languages, weird folk beliefs, and fascinating religions." She adds, "I have plundered tidbits of history and lore to build something new, using only the parts that light my mind on fire." I encourage you to adopt her strategies for your own use in the coming weeks. Be alert for gleaming goodies and tricky delicacies and alluring treats. Use them to create new experiences that thrill your imagination. I believe the coming weeks will be an excellent time to use your magic and wiles to follow your bliss while wrangling with gods and rascals.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "I was always asking for the specific thing that wasn't mine," wrote poet Joanne Kyger. "I wanted a haven that wasn't my own." If there is any part of you that resonates with that defeatist perspective, Aquarius, now is an excellent time to begin outgrowing or transforming it. I guarantee you that you'll have the potency you need to retrain yourself: so that you will more and more ask for specific things that can potentially be yours; so that you will more and more want a haven that can be your own. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I'm not a fan of nagging. I don't like to be nagged and I scrupulously avoid nagging others. And yet now I will break my own rules so as to provide you with your most accurate and helpful horoscope. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you aren't likely to get what you truly need and deserve in the coming days unless you engage in some polite, diplomatic nagging. So see what you can do to employ nagging as a graceful, even charming art. For best results, infuse it with humor and playfulness. THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Nietzsche said, "One must have chaos within oneself if one is to be a dancing star." Are you a dancing star?

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2019

inweekly.net

news of the weird FLORIDA! Police officers in Indialantic, Florida, responded to at least seven calls about a man disturbing the peace on April 7. Patrons of Starbucks and Sassy Granny's Smoothies, among others, were startled when 61-year-old Thomas Devaney Lane started yelling, calling himself "the saint" and threatening to unleash his army of turtles on the community. According to WKMG, Lane went along with an officer to the police station, where he screamed at the dispatcher and pounded on the walls, but then left the building. He was located later at a 7-Eleven, verbally assaulting customers. As officers stood by, Lane called 911 and told the dispatcher, "I need to leave now or you will all be sorry you (expletive) with the saint." Lane was charged with disturbing the peace, resisting arrest without violence and misusing 911. THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS In Nashville, Tennessee, as the NFL Draft was taking over the town, brides and bridesmaids celebrating bachelorette parties were confounded by the crowds. WZTV reported on April 25 that the influx of crazed football fans was cramping the style of several groups: "We come here to listen to country music, not hang out with football boys," pouted a bride named Cara. "I'll tell you who's going to pay for this. My husband. No football next season," threatened a bridesmaid named Cyndi. But a bride named Savannah was more Zen about the situation: "We're gonna make the best of it. It is what it is." RUNNING OUT OF TIME Lukas Bates, 30, of southeastern England, dreamed big while running the London Marathon on April 28, according to Fox News. In addition to finishing, Bates hoped to secure a Guinness world record as the fastest runner dressed as an iconic building. His costume, the tower known as Big Ben in London, rose several feet above his head—and that, it turns out, is what tripped him up. As Bates approached the finish line, his costume got caught on the scoreboard structure overhead. Finally a sympathetic race steward helped Bates free himself and make it over the finish line in three hours, 54 minutes and 21 seconds—missing by only 20 seconds the record held by Richard Mietz, who ran last year's Berlin Marathon dressed as Germany's Holstentor gate. LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL One way to assure a negative response to a job application is to lift a few items from your prospective employer on the way out. So it went for an unnamed 36-year-old man in Gillette, Wyoming, who visited a Sportsman's Warehouse on April 24, where he paid for some items with a rewards card but also left the store with some bullets and a pair of sunglasses. Two days later, the Gillette News Record reported, the man returned and asked to fill out a job application, then walked out with two more pairs of sunglasses worth $85. This time, workers called police, who arrested the man and recovered all the stolen items.

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

INEXPLICABLE The Lankenau Medical Center in suburban Philadelphia was the site of a break-in on the morning of April 20, but it was the stolen loot that leaves us scratching our heads. Two men and a woman stuffed several colonoscopes worth $450,000 into three backpacks. The scopes are used to examine colons during colonoscopies. "This is not something that a typical pawn shop might accept," said Lower Merion Police Det. Sgt. Michael Vice. "My feeling would be that it was some type of black market sales." He also told WCAU that it's not yet clear whether it was an inside job. YOU KNOW YOU'VE THOUGHT OF IT United Press International reported on April 25 that the Arizona Department of Public Safety arrested yet another driver using a dummy in the passenger seat to cruise in the HOV lane along State Route 202. "Don't let this be you," the department's Twitter feed warned. The mannequin in this case was dressed as a woman. AWESOME! Idahoans embraced the Big Idaho Potato, a 28-foot-long steel-and-plaster potato constructed in 2012 to mark the Idaho Potato Commission's 75th anniversary. It's been traveling the country ever since, promoting Idaho's biggest crop, and the plan was for it to be retired this year, when Big Idaho Potato 2.0 arrives. But Kristie Wolfe had better idea. The tiny house builder has converted the sculpture into a single-room hotel (aptly called the Big Idaho Potato Hotel), reported USA Today. It features a queen bed, two chairs and a bathroom with a whirlpool and skylight for stargazing; Wolfe lists it on Airbnb for $200 per night. "It's a way of inviting people to experience Idaho in a unique way," remarked Frank Muir, CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission.

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THE HIGH PRICE OF VANITY A "vampire facial" is a procedure during which blood is drawn with a needle and then "spun" to separate the plasma, which is then injected into the face. For customers of a spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, though, the most lasting effects may come after a blood test. The state's Department of Health is urging customers of VIP Spa, which closed in September 2018, to undergo HIV testing after two people were infected following treatment there. Dr. Dean Bair of the Bair Medical Spa said people should always make sure they're going to a licensed facility for such procedures. "This is just the worst example of what can go wrong," he told KOAT. The spa closed after inspectors found the spa's practices could potentially spread blood-borne infections, including hepatitis B and C as well as HIV. {in}

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

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com May 9, 2019

23

Independent News | May 9, 2019 | inweekly.net