Inweekly sept 14 2017 issue

Independent News | September 14, 2017 | Volume 18 | Number 36 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers

outtakes

4

5

news 6, 8

My mom said there should be a sequel.

a&e

cover story

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13

22

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Michael Daw

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Duwayne Escobedo, Jennifer Leigh, Shelby Nalepa ,Chuck Shepherd, C.S. Satterwhite

contact us info@inweekly.net

music 21

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. Š 2015 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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September 14, 2017

3

winners & losers

Fred Levin

Grady Judd / Courtesy photo

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losers

FRED LEVIN Brigham and Women's Hospital

GRADY JUDD With Hurricane Irma ap-

DELTA DENTAL COMMUNITY CARE FOUNDATION The foundation awarded a

ATU LOCAL 1771 Last week, Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown was sent a letter by the Amalgamated Transit Union headquarters informing him that the union that represents the county's blue collar workers – not the bus drivers – was put in trusteeship by International President Lawrence J. Hanley. All the officers of ATU Local 1771 have been suspended and are no longer agents of the chapter. Hanley appointed Curtis Howard of Silver Springs, Maryland as the trustee. The buzz is Hanley acted because ATU Local 1771 officers were not holding regular meetings.

honored the Pensacola attorney for the establishment of the Fredric G. Levin Distinguished Chair in Thoracic Surgery and Lung Cancer Research, thanks to his gift of $2 million.

Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston is affiliated with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. As part of Levin's gift, the chief of thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women's will come to Pensacola annually to conduct a conference for Pensacola regional physicians and administrators, to encourage an exchange of knowledge and research to benefit the medical community.

$10,000 grant to Escambia Community Clinics Inc. to help improve access to oral health. The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental Insurance Company and its affiliated companies.

The grant will work to offset the cost of direct care for patients. The Escambia Community Clinic is the only community health center that accepts uninsured individuals on a sliding fee scale. The dental program has expanded greatly over the past year to meet the needs of the community.

PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE PSC President Ed Meadows announced that total headcount is up 6.7 percent, and the fall-tofall retention rate is up more than 6 percentage points from last year. A stronger emphasis on student advising, more financial assistance and increased contact with students contributed to the rise in enrollment.

proaching Florida, the Polk County Sheriffs' Office tweeted: "If you go to a shelter for #Irma and you have a warrant, we'll gladly escort you to the safe and secure shelter called the Polk County Jail." If Sheriff Judd wants to arrest people with warrants, he should do it. Stop playing to his fan base. This crap is getting old.

YATES CONSTRUCTION The contractor won its protest concerning the county's new jail, only to see the special master's order unanimously rejected by the Escambia County Commission. Special Master John Trawick determined earlier this month that Yates' protest should be granted because Whitesell-Green/Caddell had material deficiencies regarding the design of a stormwater retention pond that lowered its bid by $3.5 million. The commissioners said that they preferred the overall design of Whitesell-Green/Caddell. Yates Construction has 30 days to appeal in circuit court.

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

PENSACOLA'S REBIRTH Watching the destruction of hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought back memories of Pensacola's recovery from Hurricane Ivan—the weeks without power, the constant whining of chainsaws, and long discussions about how we would rebuild our lives, businesses and community.

What I learned from those days after the storm is that the recovery period can become an opportunity to create an even stronger community. There was a segment of Pensacola that wanted only to rebuild what we already had. They were satisfied with putting new roofs on houses, clearing the streets and repairing the roads and bridges.

The rest of us wanted something better.

We no longer had to accept the status quo. We could look at how other communities handled their challenges and adopt those solutions that worked. The recovery from Hurricane Ivan gave us an opportunity for the rebirth of Pensacola.

Names of those who have contributed to that rebirth would fill this newspaper.

They created this new mosaic of our community that is more diverse and progressive than before the storm. I'm proud that our newspaper played a role.

We welcomed the Community Maritime Park project that took a piece of contaminated, city-owned property on Pensacola Bay across from city hall and developed it into a stadium, festival park and parcels for offices and retail. We fought for the re-

moval of the Main Street Sewage Treatment Plant that made it nearly impossible to sit outside on Palafox Street when the plant's odors drifted to the east.

We sought to upset the pecking order of civic clubs and community boards that mandated younger members had to wait their turn for years before having a voice.

We facilitated the creation of the Pensacola Young Professionals because we realized the first step to keeping young talent in this community was to listen to them and give them a seat at the table.

We helped with the Quality of Life Survey because too many politicians were claiming that they had unique insights into the community that validated their efforts to block progress. The survey gave us an objective view of what people really thought.

We endorsed candidates who embraced innovation. We supported a revision of the Pensacola charter that allowed for a strong mayor to assume the reins of city government and give the city a chance to view its future more progressively.

And Pensacola has changed significantly over the past decade, but the rebirth is far from finished. The heaviest lifts—improving public education and building a stronger, more diverse middle class—are still ahead of us.

However, I'm confident that together we can achieve that, too. {in} rick@inweekly.net

We could look at how other communities handled their challenges and adopt those solutions that worked.

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2017 SNAPSHOT OF PENSACOLA AREA

By Rick Outzen Last week, the Pensacola Young Professionals released their 10th Annual Quality of Life Survey that showed more people believe Escambia County and the City of Pensacola are heading in the right direction than they did a year ago–county up 6.1 percent, the city up 12.4 percent.

City residents had very similar attitudes towards the right directions for the county (63.9 percent) and city (62.8 percent). Those outside the city limits had lower percentages for both, but they were still positive–county 55.2 percent, city 55.7 percent.

As they have done since 2008, MasonDixon Polling & Research conducted the survey in June. Eight hundred registered Escambia County voters were interviewed by telephone. The interviewees were selected randomly from Florida voter registration records. The resulting sample fairly reflected the demographic profile of voters in Escambia County. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.5-percentage points.

In 2008, less than 30 percent believed the city and county were on the right track.

Ten years ago, few voters felt the community had the leadership to improve. Mason-Dixon Pollster Larry Harris said he had never seen lower overall satisfaction scores.

"The survey finds that you have an anxious and dissatisfied community and electorate," said Harris in a 2008 telephone interview. "I do this kind of work all over the country, and you'll get low ratings in areas in the Rust Belt, but they have the leadership to meet the challenges."

SURPRISES

Jonathan Thompson of the Pensacola Young Professionals has worked on the Quality of Life Survey for the past three years. He has seen the percentages change from year to year.

"Last year perception of the City of Pensacola and the ratings for Mayor Hay-

66

ward took a surprisingly sharp dip after doing really well for a while," he told Inweekly.

"This year those numbers have bounced back moderately but not quite to the really high levels they had in 2015."

During his first term (2011-14), an average of 53 percent of the voters believed the Pensacola mayor was doing an excellent or good job. That percentage soared in 2015 to 67 percent but fell in 2016 to only 34 percent. This year, his job performance climbed back to its first-term average with 53 percent giving him positive marks.

The Pensacola City Council this year received the lowest job performance rating, 34 percent positive, followed by the Escambia County Commission and School Board with 39 percent saying they were doing an excellent or good job.

Fewer voters felt good about public education this year, particularly inside the city.

Thompson said, "Both the school board and the superintendent saw their numbers take a little bit of a dip this year. Nothing catastrophic but somewhat of a decline. City voters, more than county voters, seemed to take a more pessimistic view."

Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, who was elected to a third term last year, earned a 51.7-percent positive rating. However, his rating among city voters dropped 32 percentage points, from 76.3 to 44.3. The positive rating for the school board among city voters dropped 33.5 points, from 60.9 to 27.4.

According to the PYP Quality of Life Survey, 72.7 percent of city voters had a negative view of the performance of the Escambia County Public School system in preparing students for careers–18.3 points lower than 2016.

The city voters who believed the schools were improving dropped 28.7 points. Outside city limits the attitudes were the same as last year.

Another unusual trend was that those living outside of the Pensacola city limits had more positive attitudes about the city than city voters.

"For years, the data always showed that the city kind of felt better about itself and about

the county in general than county residents did," said Thompson. "There's a little bit of a flip flop. Now the county numbers are up but also their perception of the city. So that's a really interesting little evolution that's happened in the last few years."

The survey revealed the positive job ratings for Mayor Hayward and Pensacola City Council jumped among county voters 21.2 and 10.5 percentage points respectively. County voters were much more positive about the job growth inside the city than in the county, 31.6 to 17.2 percent.

When it comes to the biggest challenges facing our area, slightly more than a quarter of area voters believed in 2008 that jobs and economy were the biggest issues. The same is true for 2017, but crime, sprawl and traffic have climbed into the top four issues.

"It's getting on people's radar that the increase in traffic has an impact on the capacity of our roads and infrastructure."

Jonathan Thompson "We're not Houston. We're not Atlanta, but we have a certain expectation of what traffic should be like in downtown and near Navy Federal," said Thompson. "It's getting on people's radar that the increase in traffic has an impact on the capacity of our roads and infrastructure."

MEASURING ATTITUDES ANNUALLY Rishy and Quint Studer have funded the Quality of Life Survey since its inception. Originally the Better Pensacola Forum, chaired by Jerry Maygarden, supervised the study. PYP took the reins in 2011. The 2017 survey cost $28,500.

"We plan on continuing to do it every year," Quint Studer told Inweekly. "The Pensacola

Young Professionals have been the perfect organization to give this to because they care deeply, like many people do, about the area."

He started the Quality of Life Survey to more accurately measure how voters felt about the community.

"During the Community Maritime Park debate, it drove me crazy when elected officials would say they were hearing from a lot of their constituency that they didn't want the waterfront developed," said Studer. "When we first did the Mason-Dixon survey, one of the things that came out really clearly is people wanted the downtown waterfront developed. They wanted downtown to be vibrant."

He continued. "So those who said people didn't want it, they were wrong. They did."

Studer said the Pensacola and Escambia County are very different from what they were a decade ago.

"There's a lot of construction projects going on which is always good," he said. "Thanks to Don Gaetz, the new bridge construction is going to have a big impact. Triumph Gulf Coast dollars are coming our way, too."

Studer believes the time is ripe to focus on more complicated issues like public education and the "pockets of generational poverty."

"We just can't keep ignoring our poverty because, first of all, it's just not right," he said.

"We've got people that have been left out, that have lost their hope. We have to focus on developing a stronger, more diverse middle class. Wages have been kept way too low for way too long."

He sees a need to change how public education is run in Escambia County.

Studer said, "We've got to move to a selected superintendent. I think Malcolm Thomas has done as good as he can possibly do. It's not about Malcolm, but, in the future, we should be able to go out and hire the very best superintendent in the world to run our school system."

Maybe that should be a question for the 2018 Quality of Life Survey.

To read the entire 2017 survey, visit pensacolayp.com. {in}

inweekly.net

September 14, 2017

7

THE PELICANS PITCH PART 2

By Duwayne Escobedo On Sept. 7, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward appeared twice before Escambia Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to ask for its support to bring a NBA developmental team owned by the NBA New Orleans Pelicans to Pensacola.

At the morning agenda review, Hayward said he believed the G League team would bring more revenue to the city and county. The New Orleans Pelicans on March 31 sent to six cities a request for proposals to host a new affiliate team. Only two cities made presentations—Pensacola and Shreveport, La. Mayor Hayward, his staff and Pensacola Sports Executive Director Ray Palmer made a presentation to team officials on June 7.

Since then, neither Mayor Hayward or Pelican officials have offered many details about what would be needed to lure the team.

Hayward told the BCC that he thought Pensacola had a better chance than Shreveport of landing the NBA affiliate, even though Shreveport has proposed a new arena as part of a $150-million downtown redevelopment plan.

"I'm a politician so I'm always optimistic about winning, and I don't like to lose," Hayward said. "So I think we got the edge right now.

It's a team effort, all hands are on deck."

He continued. "I think we need to pull up our socks and let's try to make a deal happen, if it's a win for the community. Again, I think we should look at the community—being citizens of Escambia County and Pensacola—to see if we can do something."

Commission Chairman Doug Underhill said he thought bringing the Pelicans' developmental team to the Pensacola Bay Center was possible. However, he wanted to know if both the Pensacola Ice Flyers and the NBA affiliate could both use the facility; what would be the necessary capital investment required; and how much would the operational losses be.

He received those answers at the Agenda Review session. SMG, the company that manages the Bay Center, said the two teams

can both play their games at the Bay Center.

Cyndee Pennington, SMG General Manager, said three other SMG properties host hockey and basketball. Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris had told her he would share the facility.

Pennington said working out schedule conflicts would require negotiations between the Ice Flyers and Pelicans. She had sent the open dates to both teams, and they had asked for the same dates.

Both Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Underhill expressed support for the Ice Flyers continuing to use the Bay Center.

"We're not taking on the new relationship at the expense of the old," Underhill said.

However, the Pelicans could impact more than just the Ice Flyers. Under a schedule that includes both hockey and basketball, figure skating clubs would lose 29 days on the ice, while public ice-skating would lose 11 days.

$5-MILLION PRICE TAG

Pennington did not hesitate when Underhill asked her point blank how much it would cost the county to host basketball and hockey.

It would be $5 million, she said, with basketball costing about $2.5 million.

Pennington and Michael Capps, assistant general manager and director of event services, presented research done by SMG. Its financial analysis found the New Orleans' RFP specifications would require a capital investment of $1.66 million to $2.48 million. The estimated the cost of upgrades for the Ice Flyer so that the Bay Center could host both hockey and basketball would cost $1.91 million, which included $1.5 million for an ice plant replacement.

SMG estimated the G League team would operate at a loss when adding indirect costs, such as added employees, insurance, maintenance and utilities. The projected losses ranged between $225,300, if the basketball games average an attendance of 3,500, to $534,042, if attendance averages 1,000.

Paying for the Pelicans didn't sit well with Commissioner Steven Barry.

"The proposal is going to have to

include how it's going to be paid for," he said. "I'm not going to support reallocating $5 million from somewhere else tonight or next month for this proposal."

Commissioner Grover Robinson also expressed concern about the price tag. A new facility might be the best answer, according to Robinson and Commissioner Lumon May. Developer Jay Patel plans to present to the board his proposal for a new arena on Sept. 14.

"We could have both teams," Robinson said. "We can do it in a much more efficient way. We cannot do it with the Bay Center facility that we currently have. We need a new facility that would be better off dealing with that process."

"We cannot do it with the Bay Center facility that we currently have." Grover Robinson Still, the elephant in the room was how to come up with $5 million for the capital improvements and another half million dollars to subsidize the additional operating losses.

Mayor Hayward offered no funds to help with the requirements. Stephen Pate, the Pelicans' Senior Director of Community and Governmental Affairs, attended the meetings but did not address the board.

The commissioners discussed the feasibility of increasing the bed tax, but the Escambia County Destination Marketing Organization Executive Director Rusty Branch said the hoteliers weren't interested in increasing the bed tax for improvements at the Bay Center.

"We do not support that because we don't think that's the best return for those dollars for the community," Branch said. "The fifth cent could be a part of that discussion if you're getting a new facility."

START NEGOTIATIONS

On Thursday night, the commissioners continued their discussion. In the end, the

board voted for county staff to negotiate more with the Pelicans, Ice Flyers and Mayor Hayward, but the commissioners weren't optimistic a deal could be struck.

"The authorization to go forward and negotiate was very heavily caveated with the bad idea that a large capital investment on the part of Escambia County was not something there was a great appetite for," said Underhill about the motion. "Nor is there a great appetite for Escambia County funding in any way, including the TDT, additional operational losses at the Bay Center."

Commissioner Lumon May pressed Mayor Hayward for what his commitment was on funding the venture.

"I'm not allowed to negotiate or talk about certain things," said the mayor. "I think it's important for staff just to start trying to talk. And some of the things that are important to Mr. Barry and commissioners that will be discussed and probably come to some accommodation."

"The challenge is we identified $5 million to put into an aging facility," said Commissioner Robinson. "I don't know that any of us thought there was a good investment of any of our taxpayer dollars necessarily. And again, unless the Pelicans and Ice Flyers or somebody else’s private money wants to come in and fund it, I think we're going to have challenges."

Mayor Hayward argued that regardless of the challenges. The negotiations need to take place.

"Maybe the number's five (million dollars), maybe it's less than five,” said the mayor. “But I think we owe it to people that want to come and grow in our community to discuss if we can do it or we can't do it. We need to have that conversation with these people."

Barry said. "I think Mr. Mayor can close that gap. He can close the funding."

May agreed, "He's a closer, he can sell it."

"I think it's very important as a city and county to talk with people that are very bullish on all fronts, to see if there's a deal to be had," said Hayward. "If there is, great.

If there's not, there's not. But we want to respect that." {in}

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September 14, 2017

9

IRMA WALLOPS FLORIDA Pensacola escaped any significant impact from Hurricane Irma. However, the Pensacola Bay Center served as a shelter for 275 evacuees from south Florida.

The News Service of Florida reported that more than 6.2 million homes and businesses did not have power on Monday as the storm passed over the state. In requesting federal disaster relief Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott said the state had already spent $75 million on Irma. President Donald Trump later approved the request.

Scott drove from Pensacola to Mobile, Ala., Monday morning to catch a flight aboard a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 for an aerial tour of the Florida Keys and to drop off damage assessment teams.

Irma, after making landfall Sunday in the Florida Keys and Southwest Florida as a major storm, was downgraded to a tropical storm, with 70 mph winds as it went up the Gulf Coast into North Florida. More than 200,000 people were in 587 shelters across the state.

"Hurricane Irma downgraded to tropical storm, continues to weaken as the center moves along the northwestern coast of the Florida peninsula," the state Division of Emergency Management posted on its website early Monday.

A FAMILIAR VOICE FROM HOUSTON

Former Pensacola resident Harriet Riley now lives in Houston. She shared her experiences with Hurricane Harvey with Inweekly publisher Rick Outzen on "Pensacola Speaks."

"I've been through a lot of hurricanes growing up in Mississippi and then living in Pensacola for so long," she said. "Harvey was a different beast. We had just epic amounts of rain."

Because Houston has several bayous, she was worried about flooding when the storm reached her city on Saturday, Aug. 26. The National Weather Service office in Houston

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observed record daily rainfall accumulations on both August 26 and 27, 14.4 inches and 16.08 inches respectively.

"Some neighbors flooded on Saturday night and Sunday," said Riley. "On Monday morning, I saw on Facebook good friends who were stranded in their homes not too far from us, but a lot of the water went away during the day."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began controlled water releases from Addicks and Barker Reservoirs in the Buffalo Bayou watershed to manage flood levels in the immediate area.

"That caused the homes in my area to flood again," said Riley. "They had just dried up on Monday, and then they started to flood again. Wednesday was such a weird day because water just slowly crept up, and up, and up beginning on Tuesday night and then all day Wednesday."

Fortunately, flood waters only went into her garage, but her street was flooded so badly that families 100 yards away from her home had to be rescued by boat.

She said, "We had FEMA boats, we had air boats, we had helicopters, kayaks, canoes, just right behind my house going to rescue people in this area where there's a tributary, a little creek from Buffalo Bayou."

Riley served as the Director of United Ministries of Pensacola from 2000-2007.

She helped victims from hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina.

"It brought back terrible memories of Ivan and the smell. We were lucky because our house is built up about six feet, but we were kind of like the last house standing. Our neighbors across the street, their house totally flooded. Twice in the course of a few days, but totally flooded, and everybody to the west of us. We're directly behind a restaurant, they flooded," she shared.

If locals want to help victims, Riley recommended making donations to Red Cross,

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Houston mayor's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

She said, "The mayor started a fund, which is going to be administered through a really great community foundation that I trust that they will you know use the funds well for people that need them the most."

The link for the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund is ghcf.org/hurricane-relief.

the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department and Keep Pensacola Beautiful.

For more information or to verify that your residence is in the cleanup area, please contact Nick Jordan, Safe Neighborhood Coordinator, Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency, at 595-1829 or safeneighborhoods@ myescambia.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP SCHEDULED Residents in the Myrtle Grove area will

from the deep that just kept coming. You think it's dead, and then it comes back up."—Harriet Riley on Hurricane Harvey.

have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Wednesday, Sept. 20 during the Myrtle Grove Southeast Neighborhood Cleanup.

Only residents in the designated cleanup area can participate. The general cleanup area is south of West Jackson Street, east of South 60th and 61st Avenue and west of North New Warrington Road.

Residents can leave items at the curb to be disposed of by Escambia County and partnering agencies. All debris must be at the curb directly in front of your residence by 7 a.m. on Sept. 20. Please keep tires and paint cans separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.

Items eligible for removal include: household appliances and electronics, yard waste, household junk and debris, bicycles and toys, old furniture and mattresses, grills, household hazardous waste, and up to 20 tires.

In the past two years, more than 1,360 tons of debris has been collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency's Safe Neighborhood Program.

The county's neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency's Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "It was like a monster

PLEASE TAKE THE TEAM Shreveport City Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch is not a fan of Tom Benson and his New Orleans Pelicans.

She told Inweekly that the people of her city don't want to build an arena for a G-League basketball team owned affiliated with the New Orleans Pelicans.

"I hope Pensacola gets the team," she said in a phone interview. "A small group of people who stand to pocket a lot of money for this are pushing the team, but the majority of the city does not want them here."

Lynch is a seasoned politician. Prior to being elected to the Shreveport City Council in 2014, she served on the Caddo Parish Commission. Lynch was elected president of the National Association of Black County Officials.

She said, "I've only received two emails supporting the mayor's plan, and these were from people who will benefit from the deal."

Last month, Shreveport Mayor Ollie Taylor presented to the city council her plan for a $150-million development for her downtown that would include a 3,200 arena that could host the New Orleans Pelicans' G-League basketball team and a training facility of the New Orleans Saints. Inweekly has made several phone calls to Mayor Taylor and left voice messages. She didn't return any of the calls.

Lynch was unimpressed with Taylor's proposal and with presentations made by the Peli-

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cans officials. "I've seen lots of presentations (over the years), and there's nothing there."

Still the councilwoman believes Taylor's plan will get the necessary votes for approval because she believes at least four council members either stand to profit from it when they leave office or they see the vote helping them when they run for mayor. Lynch said the expensive plan is a mistake because the city has struggled to provide basic services since the GM plant closed in 2012.

"We need to fix roads, provide clean water, get our crime down and find raises for employees," she told Inweekly. "My hope and belief is we should take care of what we have."

The councilwoman said that the people of Shreveport aren't big Saints fans. "There are two Louisianas – one below I-10, the other above it. We're more East Texas and Dallas Cowboy fans."

Lynch isn't impressed with Tom Benson, the 90-year-old owner of the Pelicans and Saints. There is still resentment in parts of the state about the "sweetheart deal" Benson got to keep the NFL team in the New Orleans Superdome. She wonders about his commitment to the NBA development team and Shreveport.

She doesn't believe the team will give the city a 25-year commitment for the new arena.

"There's a reason why only two cities are left in the running for the team," she said. "All the others realized it wasn't such a good deal."

Lynch added, "The best thing for Shreveport would be for Pensacola to get the Pelicans."

ESCAMBIA CARES COMMUNITY RESOURCE EXPO The third annual Escambia

Cares Community Resource Expo takes place Saturday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St. The free event provides a one-stop shop for community resources and services.

This year's expo will have a hurricane preparedness theme in partnership with the Escambia County Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, or BRACE, providing attendees with valuable, life-saving information about how to be better equipped for hurricanes and other emergencies.

The Escambia Cares Community Resource Expo will feature free food, music, children's activities and information about a variety of services available throughout the county and community organizations. Featured services include those related to neighborhood safety, housing programs, employment opportunities, healthcare, education and more.

UNION REJECTS OFFER The Santa Rosa County School District teachers rejected the September 14, 2017

proposed contract revisions for the 2016-17 school year. The ratification vote was held Sept. 5-6, and 85 percent voted to not accept the revisions.

"We are pleased with the results of the ratification vote," said Rhonda Chavers, President of Santa Rosa Professional Educators. "The District's employees do not buy the story that the District can't afford the fair and reasonable settlement proposal recommended by the Special Magistrate at impasse. This rejection of the District's proposed contract sends that message to the Superintendent and the School Board loud and clear."

According to Florida law, since the contract was not ratified by all parties, the School Board's contract imposed at their Aug. 10 legislative hearing shall take effect as of that date with respect to the salary revisions only. The language revisions proposed by the District will not take effect due to the failure of ratification.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR On Sept. 14, Pen-

sacola City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St. On Sept. 16, Project Greenshores Cleanup.

Project Greenshores is at the Three Mile Bridge, 745 Bayfront Parkway. Buckets, grabbers, gloves and trash bags will be supplied.

Sign in at 8:45 a.m. and clean up from 9-10 a.m.

Please dress for the weather and bring water, bug spray and sunscreen as needed. For more details, contact oceanhourfl@gmail.com.

On Sept. 16, League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area in Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave. Shannon Nickinson of the Studer Community Institute will speak on "Making Pensacola an Early Learning City."

The meeting is free and open to the public. The coffee starts 10:15 a.m. and the talk at 10:30 a.m.

On Sept. 18, West Florida Regional Planning Council Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. at Okaloosa County Administration Building Training Room, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

For more details, contact Gina Watson, gina. watson@wfrpc.org.

On Sept. 20, Sacred Heart Health System will provide free heart-health screenings for adults on from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Fricker Community Center, 900 North F St. Heart-health screenings will measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol, and can detect anemia. The screenings are helpful in diagnosing conditions that put people at high risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.

On Sept. 20, Special City Council Meeting, Final Public Hearing - FY 2018 Proposed Budget and Millage Rate, 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St. {in} 11

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We might be best known for beachy summer vibes, but Pensacola knows how to throw a good fall festival too. Whether you’re a foodie, a yogi or a film critic, there’s guaranteed to be at least one fest you’ll enjoy this fall.

From Taste of the Beach to Mahabhuta to Foo Foo, here’s a round-up of local festivals. Or you could think of it as your weekend to-do list for the next three months. Totally up to you.

September 14, 2017

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Stamped: Pensacola LGBT Film Festival

Catch a film while supporting the diversity of Pensacola. While prior years had Stamped spread out over several locations around town, this year, Pensacola’s LGBT Film Fest will be hosted over three nights solely at the Pensacola Little Theatre.

The event highlights the artistic contributions both nationally and internationally of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender films and filmmakers.

Sept. 14-16, stampedfilmfest.com *For more on Stamped turn to page 17

Pensacola Beach Songwriter’s Festival

Pensacola Beach Songwriter’s Festival pays tribute to the poet behind the song. The festival spans over the course of five days, with a chance to meet songwriters and discover the stories behind the music. The fest will take place at venues across Pensacola Beach including Bamboo Willies, Hemingway’s, Margaritaville, Holiday Inn Resort, Paradise Bar and Grill and more. Studio Amped at the WSRE Studio at Pensacola State College will also serve as a venue.

Oct. 4-8 pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com

Pensacola Greek Festival

Once again, Pensacola’s own little piece

Want an excuse to take a mini road trip this fall? We’ve got you covered.

These fests aren’t too far from home and will make for the perfect day or weekend getaway if you’re itching to get out of town.

Taste of the Beach

Pensacola Seafood Festival

Sept. 15-16, tasteofpensacolabeach.com

Sept. 29–Oct. 1 pensacolaseafoodfestival.com

Just because summer’s almost over doesn’t mean you can’t experience Pensacola Beach and some of its best cuisine. Celebrity chefs from over 20 area restaurants will be serving up their signature dishes including Apalachicola oysters, fried mullet tacos, grilled Scottish Salmon, Jamaican bread pudding and fresh Gulf Coast shrimp. The best part?

Each dish is only $5. The 10th Annual Taste of the Beach will also feature live music, beer tastings and cooking demonstrations by the celebrity chefs, as well as a competition for bragging rights.

of Greece will take over three days in mid-October at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Experience the culture as you sample some authentic Greek dishes like pastitsio, spanakopita, dolmathes, gyros, and of course baklava, while enjoying live Greek music and some traditional folk dancing. This year, the fest will be accepting donations to Manna Food Pantries.

Oct. 13-15, pensacolagreekfestival.com

WSRE Wine & Food Classic

Join WSRE as they celebrate 50 years of public television with the 29th Annual Wine and Food Classic. Special guest Lidia Bastianich, renowned chef, best-selling author and Emmy-winning host of the PBS cooking show “Lidia's Kitchen,” will be giving a gourmet presentation. Events include

countries, visit some educational exhibits, sample authentic cuisine, watch traditional Japanese Taiko drummers and listen to international storytellers and musicians without ever leaving the Gulf Coast.

Nov. 18, mobileinternationalfestival.org

Ten Sixty Five

The only thing better than a fall festival is a free fall festival and this music-centric one in Mobile is just that. The lineup includes Cage The Elephant and St. Paul & The Broken Bones, plus tons of after parties at various venues around downtown Mobile.

Sept. 29-Oc. 1, tensixtyfive.com

Mobile International Festival

Now in its 34th year, this fest is all about diversity and international culture. Attendees can expect to meet people from over 70

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Fairhope Film Festival

After checking out our very own local LGBT film fest Stamped, visit Fairhope for a four-day event featuring over 70 awardwinning films. The focus is on national and international film festival competition finalists of the past year, including notable foreign and feature films, documentaries and shorts—many that never made it to big box theaters or were only there briefly.

Nov. 9-12, fairhopefilmfestival.org

The 40th annual Pensacola Seafood Festival, hosted by Fiesta of Five Flags, will have exactly what you’ve come to expect: tons of great seafood, art and live music. The fest’s Gulf to Table attraction will offer seafood dishes prepared by Pensacola’s best chefs.

The music lineup includes performers Brooke Eden, Jordan Davis, The London Souls and Leah Seawright. Don’t forget to bring a nonperishable item or monetary donation to the Feeding the Gulf Coast Booth in support of Hunger Action Month.

a walkabout tasting, black tie gala at the Hilton Pensacola Beach and wine tasting at So Gourmet and Kitchenry downtown.

Oct. 20-22, wsre.org/wineandfood

Pensacola Interstate Fair

It’s just not fall in Pensacola without a trip to the fair. This year, fair goers have 11 days to ride rides like The Zipper and Fireball, visit the petting zoo and exhibits, play games and eat funnel cakes and fried Oreos to their hearts’ content. Entertainment this year includes Trace Adkins, Candlebox, Bret Micheals and A Thousand Horses.

Oct. 19-29, pensacolafair.com

Festa Italiana

In the mood for Italian? Check out the twoday event Festa Italiana at St. Joseph Church

downtown for some authentic Italian cuisine, music and Tarantella dancers. Pensacola’s chapter of Sons of Italy, the oldest and largest fraternal order of Italian Americans in North America, puts on the fest.

Oct. 20-21, soibuonafortuna.org

Barktoberfest

This one’s for the dogs, but don’t worry, owners are invited too. Strut your pup around in their best getup while raising funds and awareness for the Pensacola Humane Society. Don’t miss the Most Adorable Pet Contest, agility display, doggie races, vendors and food (for you and your pup.) Still looking for your fur bestie? Local shelters and rescues will have pooches available for adoption on site.

Oct. 28, pensacolahumane.org

when the event is free and family-friendly.

After 6 p.m., it’s strictly 18 and up though, plus a cover charge.

The Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Festival

This event features a dynamic roster of culinary talent from the Gulf Coast and beyond serving up samples of their signature dishes and demonstrating their skills. This year’s guest list includes James Briscione, Brooke Parkhurst and Chef Jim Smith (who fans of Top Chef will probably recognize).

Sept. 14-16, thewharfuncorked.com

Flora-Bama’s Oktoberfest

Brats, sauerkraut and a variety of German beer will flow during this festival. German style musical acts will also be on hand.

Children are welcome during the day,

Oct. 7, florabama.com/events/Oktoberfest

Hangout Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Weekend

Come for the beer on Friday night and stay for the oysters on Saturday—that’s our advice when it comes to this festival.

The Friday craft beer event will feature dozens of beers from breweries such as Oskar Blues, Good People, Abita, Big Beach Brewing, Kona Brewing and Avondale Brewing. Saturday is all about oysters and will include tastings, celebrity cooking demos, live music and beachside football viewing tents.

Nov. 3-4, hangoutcookoff.com

inweekly.net

Foo Foo Festival

Pensacola’s newest and most expansive festival offers 12 days of arts, music, food and more to highlight our cultural arts scene. Dozens of events will happen during that 12-day span, and one we’re most excited about is this year’s live art portion—Cubed—which will be a multiday outdoor mural installation. The Pensacola Umbrella Sky Project and Busker Festival will also be events not to miss, as spectators will be able to walk through the streets of downtown shaded by hundreds of colorful umbrellas suspended in the air. There’s also a planned 24-hour Art-A-Thon at Long Hollow Park in an effort to revitalize the space.

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

Mahabhuta Yoga Festival

One of the most popular and well-regarded arts festivals in the U.S. happens right here in Pensacola every fall. The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival features more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists and craftsmen in Seville Square for a three-day event. Live music will include jazz, classical and bluegrass as craft artists demonstrate traditional trades including blacksmithing, spinning, weaving and engraving in the Heritage Arts Area.

From seasoned yogis to beginners, the Mahabhuta Yoga Fest has something for everyone. This three-day fest offers workshops, meditation, sound healing, all-natural food and group yoga including vinyasa, kundalini, restorative and yin.

Nov. 17-19, mahabhutayogafestival.com

Nov. 3-5, ggaf.org

Nov. 2-13, foofoofest.com

Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival

The 33rd annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival will feature more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters performing along the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast in over two dozen venues from downtown Pensacola, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Bon Secour and Silverhill, Alabama. The 11-day festival is an opportunity for seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world to have their songs heard.

From the Ground Up Community Garden in Pensacola will be an official venue this year, as well as Seville Quarter.

Nov. 9-19, frankbrownsongwriters.com

Destin Seafood Festival

We aren’t the only ones with seafood worth celebrating. Our neighbors in the Emerald Coast highlight their freshcaught local seafood at this event with three days of good food and live music.

Destin Harbor and HarborWalk Village restaurants including AJ’s, Tailfins Alehouse and Oyster Bar, Harry T’s Lighthouse and Brotula’s Seafood House will be serving up their signature dishes at the fest.

Oct. 6-8, destinseafoodfestival.com September 14, 2017

Baytown Wharf Beer Fest

This event is actually two beer fests in one. Friday night is all about locals with the “Beer From Around Here” tasting.

Saturday is the main festival event, which will feature 40 breweries, offering close to 200 domestic and international craft beers for tasting. And because beer tastes better with live music, there will be plenty of that on tap too.

Oct. 13-14, baytownewharfbeerfestival.com

Seeing Red Wine Festival

This four-day Seaside fest includes wine tastings, winemaker dinners and a Sunday brunch. Seaside’s restaurants showcase how their farm-to-fork and gulf-to-table offerings pair beautifully with the featured wines.

Guest Chef Ryan Smith of Atlanta’s Staplehouse Restaurant will join Chef Jim Shirley for a new event called Gulf Coast-to-Table Dinner. A portion of this year's proceeds will benefit the Seaside Neighborhood School and the Seaside Institute.

Nov. 9-12, seeingredwinefestival.com

eating contest and a best fried chicken competition, the latter will be judged by local and national food writers, bloggers and critics.

Sept. 23-24, friedchickenfestival.com

NOLA on Tap Beer Fest

The 8th annual NOLA on Tap will feature over 400 local, national and home-brewed beers. Added bonus: it’s a dog-friendly festival and the largest annual fundraiser for the Louisiana SPCA.

Sept. 23, nolaontap.org

Treme Festival

The Treme Festival was developed by the Historic Faubourg Treme Association to benefit the many cultural destinations found within the historic neighborhood.

This year's proceeds will benefit the St. Augustine Church and the Tomb of the Unknown Slave. Expect art, music and food, including performances by Treme Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, John Boutte and James Andrews.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, tremefest.com

Fried Chicken Festival

This festival is exactly what the name implies: a free outdoor event in NOLA’s Woldenberg Park celebrating fried chicken in all it’s glory. There’s a chicken tender

New Orleans Film Festival

People who know the film industry already know that Louisiana is the third-largest filming destination in America, behind only Los Angeles and New York City. So

it makes sense that the “Hollywood of the South” would play host to a serious film fest. Now in its 28th year, the fest has grown into an internationally-respected annual event that attracts over 20,000 people, 400 filmmakers and shows over 200 films each year.

Oct. 11-19, neworleansfilmsociety.org

Louisiana Seafood Festival

This three-day festival offers tons of Louisiana seafood dishes, live music, celebrity chef demonstrations and an arts village.

The festival is produced by the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and proceeds from the festival benefit the organization.

Oct. 27-29, louisianaseafoodfestival.com

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is returning to City Park this October for three days of music, food and costumes. Headliners for this year’s fest include Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, The Killers and LCD Soundsystem. And it gets even better: Inweekly has partnered with Voodoo to give away a pair of general admission 3-day passes to the festival. You can enter the contest here by searching “Voodoo Music + Arts Experience” on inweekly.net.

Oct. 27-29, voodoofestival.com

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kendrick lamar ‡ foo fighters ‡ the killers lcd soundsystem ‡ dj snake galantis ‡ dillon francis ‡ brand new ‡ the head and the heart kehlani ‡ post malone ‡ miguel ‡ rl grime ‡ prophets of rage ‡ cold war kids yellow claw ‡ crystal castles ‡ superduperkyle ‡ the afghan whigs live ‡ andrew mcmahon in the wilderness ‡ marian hill ‡ k.flay ‡ illenium charles bradley and his extraordinaires ‡ louis the child ‡ nghtmre ‡ whitney the black angels ‡ aminÉ ‡ vintage trouble ‡ gnash ‡ g jones ‡ hayley kiyoko rich chigga ‡ bibi bourelly ‡ the record company ‡ benjamin booker ‡ mija colony house ‡ chicano batman ‡ strand of oaks ‡ autograf ‡ joyryde flow tribe ‡ boombox cartel ‡ mondo cozmo ‡ snbrn ‡ tokimonsta ‡ pell ‡ cid black pistol fire ‡ saint jhn ‡ sam dew ‡ flint eastwood ‡ pham ‡ la femme ‡ ron gallo durand jones & the indications ‡ mannequin pussy ‡ public access t.v. ‡ bleached tim gunter ‡ dj mel ‡ dj gracie ‡ malik ninety five ‡ alfred banks ‡ carmine p. filthy free swim ‡ unicorn fukr ‡ otto ‡ herb christopher ‡ s.k.b. & yrstrly ‡ werd2jah ‡ zander

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WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14-20

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

Six Years of Stamped

By Jennie McKeon

When Isabella "Izzy" Iampieri started thinking about her senior thesis project at Rochester Institute of Technology, she decided to share the experiences of her transgender younger brother, Alan.

"We've been best friends since forever," said the 22-year-old. "He's been going through his transition for a few years now, but he's not where he wants to be... I wanted to give him a chance to see how much he's grown, how much he's accomplished."

Iampieri spent a year working on the short, animated film called "Alan" while earning a degree in 2D animation. It's just one of the many films to be featured at Stamped, the Pensacola LGBT Film Festival.

The first Pensacola LGBT Film Festival was held in 2012, at University of West Florida. The event has since been rebranded and expanded to a three-day festival featuring dozens of films that tell the stories of the LGBT community.

"It all goes back to our mission," said C. David Newton, president of the board. "We want to bridge a gap between all communities. There

September 14, 2017

are real conversations to be having. We want people to feel inspired to make a change."

This year, the film festival received well over 100 film submissions. Some were from established filmmakers and others from up and coming talent such as Iampieri. In fact, Stamped was her first-ever submission.

Newton said the festival aims to reflect stories "from all letters of the (LGBT) alphabet" but has seen an increase in films that share the transgender experience.

While the LGBT community has celebrated victories such as the Supreme Court's historic decision to legalize same-sex marriage, the transgender community has had some fallbacks. In July, President Donald Trump tweeted that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to enlist or serve in the military. Outside of the President's Twitter profile, the trans community faces housing and employment discrimination. About 20 to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as transgender, according to the Center for American Progress.

"We have seen quite a bit more trans films and we anticipate seeing more (next year)," Newton said. "It's important because a gay man's experience is not a trans experience, is not a lesbian experience. We want this to be a vibrant and educating experience."

Choosing the films is never an easy task.

On top of storylines, the film selection committee is also looking for artistic and quality productions, like any other film festival.

Newton said there were two films in particular that resonated with him, including Iampieri's film.

"It's just a beautiful, beautiful little film," he said. "It's just three minutes long, but it brings you to tears in the end. We

made the decision to show it every single night. It's powerful and impactful."

Iampieri said she didn't make "Alan" for anyone else but her brother, but while searching film festivals, she came across Stamped and liked the mission.

"It really resonated with how it was promoting diversity," she said. "That's really important to me."

Iampieri and her brother are not only siblings and best friends, but were college roommates. She said she often double-checked certain aspects of the film with her brother.

In the end, she "wanted to make something special for him."

"I wanted people to like it," she said. "But I made it for Alan. I'm pretty proud of it. My mom said there should be a sequel. She'd love to be able to share her perspective as a parent."

Iampieri said she has been drawing most of her life. Her father and uncle are both artists. Growing up she and her brother would watch short animated films on VHS tapes. Alan is currently studying psychology. He'd like to go into therapy and help others, Iampieri said.

Although Iampieri can't make it to her film festival debut—as with most college grads, money is a little tight, she said—she's excited to share her brother's story.

"This is the first one I got accepted to... it's kind of crazy," she said with a laugh.

The festival lineup has everything from documentaries to narrative films. Another festival selection Newton points out is "The News Today" a film inspired by the shooting inside Pulse nightclub last year during Pride month.

"It highlights the last ordinary moments between two guys in love," he said. "It pays homage to the victims of the Pulse shooting."

There's a been a few changes to Stamped this year. There's a new board, which has brought some new energy and ideas, Newton said. The festival has also been moved up a month from October to September and it is now held at Pensacola Little Theatre all three nights. Newton said keeping the festival in one place is a "tremendous" step forward.

One thing that hasn't changed in six years is the festival's free admission.

As Stamped continues to grow, Newton said he'd like to work on promoting more advocacy and activism within the threeday festival.

"I'd like to share more stories about our history and the early activism of the LGBT community," he said. "Stand firm in our history and show why it's important to be an advocate. There's a real likelihood to our rights being taken away."

"We want to provide a voice for the voiceless, encourage people to be a true emblem of courage," he added. "Anytime any minority groups face hatred, bigotry or racism... so goes the whole society." {in}

STAMPED: PENSACOLA LGBT FILM FESTIVAL

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14-Saturday, Sept. 16 WHERE: Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. COST: Free DETAILS: stampedfilmfest.com

17

2017 STAMPED FILM SELECTIONS *Descriptions courtesy of Stamped

"Afterglow"

A sensorial movie about finding the joy of living again. David discovers that his boyfriend Allen is suffering from depression and over the course of a day makes him see the beauty and pleasure of the most mundane things.

"Alan"

An animated interview between a sister and her brother about his experiences as a trans kid. Completed as a senior thesis project at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

"Aleph Melbourne: Celebrating 20 Years"

The story of Aleph Melbourne, the controversial support group that changed the face of LGBTIQ acceptance in Jewish Australia.

Rich with archival material, take a captivating and nostalgic journey from inception in 1995 through to 2015.

"Assigned Sex"

An intimate documentary chronicling the struggles of five transgender people of color on their journey to discover true self and break away from America's gender roles.

"Bearable"

An animated film that questions what if your tribe within the gay community defined you.

What if you lived with a real bear?

"Because I am"

This film is based on a poem written by a Zimbabwean LGBT in a brave response to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.

COASTAL CUISINE WITH A MEDITERRANEAN FLAIR in the heart of downtown Pensacola

"Counting"

In 1951 Violet and Milly make a love promise over a penny. In 2015, the promise comes due, and Violet must face a heartbreaking reality.

"Dusk"

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What initially was never meant to be more than a sex date will turn into something else, in spite of their different ways of viewing their bisexuality and how they both cope with it in their respective social circles.

"Meat"

Dan is a 20-something-year-old vegan struggling to maintain his relationship with his non-vegetarian boyfriend. The conflict between them quickly escalates when the apocalypse begins, turning Allen, Dan's boyfriend into a zombie. Now, Dan has to find a way to patch a seemingly impossible relationship.

"Morning After"

After a long time abroad, a young man returns home and reunites with friends. A sensual game amongst them forces him to confront deep conflicts within himself that lead to a powerful awakening.

"Mum, I'm Back"

A woman returns, after 40 years, to the village where she was born after her mother dies. She keeps an old photograph in her hands: a mother with her two sons. Arriving at the cemetery, she encounters the faces of all those she left behind.

"Poshida: Hidden LGBT Pakistan"

British-Pakistani filmmaker Faizan Fiaz documents the grim realities of Pakistan's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at a time when LGBT human rights are under fire.

"Tailor"

Tailor is a comic book journalist, activist, trans, lesbian, non-binary genderqueer and devotes his life to give voice to other trans and oppressed people.

"The End of My World"

After a few years of their relationship, Eryk leaves Filip and disappears without a trace.

Filip is unable to handle the new situation and is convincing himself that the end of the relationship is also the end of his world. This is the first Polish gay short drama.

Growing up in 1950s England in an intolerant and uninformed world, young Chris Winters struggles to fit into the gender roles dictated by wider society. After meeting dream woman Julie, life lightens a little, but the growing feeling that theirs is a life half lived haunts Chris.

"The News Today"

"Escaping Agra"

"Threads"

After being held against their will in India when their gender and sexual orientation is discovered, Naveen Bhat battles their parents in court and pieces their life back together.

"Mario, Kike, Y David"

Mario and Kike hook up on a dating app.

Inspired by the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, "The News Today" highlights the last ordinary moments between two guys in love. The familiar and mundane moments between two guys in love become precious in an instant.

Three tales. One thread. Watch it unravel.

"We Did Not Fall From the Sky"

Purushi, Pratiksha and Shalu are three best friends and trans women struggling to find their place in contemporary Indian society, often via the only means of making a living available to them: sex work and begging. inweekly.net

calendar WORK ON FLORIDA TRAIL 8 a.m. Regular

meet up of Western Gate Florida Trail Association to work on National Scenic Trail and side trail. Meet at Blackwater River Forestry Center, 11650 Munson Highway. meetup.com/ftawesterngate NATURE WALK: LIFE IN A MARITIME FOREST

10 a.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center, 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/ index.htm

NATURE WALK: LIFE ON A BARRIER ISLAND

10 a.m. Meet at Fort Pickens Bookstore, Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps. gov/guis/index.htm

ADVANCED REDOUBT: LEGACY IN BRICK & MORTAR 12:30 p.m. Fort Barrancas, 3182

Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

FORT PICKENS: GARRISON FOR FREEDOM

September 14, 2017

2 p.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm LUMPIA MAKING WITH PAT JOHNSON 2-4 p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org THE PINK SLIPPER SOIREE 3-6 p.m. $60.

Fashion show, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Ballet Pensacola fundraiser. Pensacola Country Club, 1500 Bayshore Dr. CREATURE FEATURE 3:30 p.m. Fort Pickens Bookstore, Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/guis/index.htm DUSK ON THE GULF 6:30 p.m. Meet in Battery

Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

FORT BARRANCAS: BASTIONS ON THE BLUFF

2 p.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm MARINA LOMAZOV IN CONCERT 2:30 p.m. $7-$11. Free for PSC students. Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. pensacolastate.edu CREATURE FEATURE 3:30 p.m. Fort Pickens Bookstore, Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/guis/index.htm SOUTHEASTERN TEEN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: SHENANIGANS 4-5 p.m. Free. 1010 N.

Live: 2.062" x 11.31"

PAINTING WITH A TWIST AT SKOPELOS

FORT BARRANCAS: BASTIONS ON THE BLUFF

ADVANCED REDOUBT: LEGACY IN BRICK & MORTAR 12:30 p.m. Fort Barrancas, 3182

Trim: 2.312" x 11.56" Bleed: None

tors Center 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/ index.htm CREATURE FEATURE 3:30 p.m. Fort Pickens Bookstore, Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/guis/index.htm WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Free. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. HAPPY HOUR COOK OUTS 5 p.m. Drink specials, free cookout. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com TASTE OF THE BEACH 6 p.m. $75. VIP Dinner. Hilton Pensacola Beach Hotel, 12 Via De Luna. tasteofpensacolabeach.com

Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm BEATRIZ AT DINNER 1 p.m. $5. Pensacola Cinema Art, J. Earle Bowden Building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com

Center, 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/ index.htm SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER 11 a.m. Meet at entrance of Fort Pickens. Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

Closing Date: 5/19/17

FORT BARRANCAS: BASTIONS ON THE BLUFF 2 p.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visi-

ADVANCED REDOUBT: LEGACY IN BRICK & MORTAR 12:30 p.m. Fort Barrancas, 3182 Taylor

NATURE WALK: LIFE IN A MARITIME FOREST 10 a.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors

Publication: In Weekly

Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm PILATES MAT 1:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

way. pensacolahumane.org

Park, Scenic Highway at Summit Ave., for a brisk one to two-hour walk with brunch to follow at an area restaurant.

GROUP MEDITATION 9-10:30 a.m. Free.

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

QC:

ADVANCED REDOUBT: LEGACY IN BRICK & MORTAR 12:30 p.m. Fort Barrancas, 3182

JUNIOR HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPTION EVENT 12-4 p.m. PetSmart, 6251 N. Davis High-

WAKE UP HIKE 7 a.m. Meet at Bay Bluffs

CW:

NATURE WALK: LIFE IN A MARITIME FOREST 10

a.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center, 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

10 a.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center, 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm TASTE OF THE BEACH 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and up for individual tastings. Casino Beach Boardwalk. tasteofpensacolabeach.com JACKSONIAN GUARD 12 p.m. Colors ceremony. Plaza Ferdinand.

SUNDAY 9.17

CD:

FRIDAY 9.15

NATURE WALK: LIFE IN A MARITIME FOREST

Palafox. vinylmusichall.com DANCE PARTY 8-midnight. Partner dancing on the best wood dance floor in the area. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

AD:

6:30-9 p.m. $10. Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata and more. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com THE MELVINS 7 p.m. $20. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

TESTIFY: TRIBUTE TO RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE 8 p.m. $7-$10. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S.

AE:

SELECT LATIN DANCE LESSONS AND PARTY

Ground Up Community Garden, 501 N. Hayne St. eventbrite.com VAN HALEN TRIBUTE BAND 8 p.m. $10.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

PM:

5-7 p.m. Silent auction for Florida Hurricane Disaster Relief. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com OYSTER SHUCKING 101 5:30 p.m. $45 per person. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. greatsouthernrestaurants.com NATURAL HEALING/CANCER STUDY 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: GRANDPA’S COUGH MEDICINE 7-8:30 p.m. $10. From the

PO:

A SIP FOR SOLUTION: BENEFIT WINE TASTING

Office Depot, 1155 Gulf Breeze Parkway. fmwaudubon.org SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

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 OCEAN HOUR CLEAN-UP 9-10 a.m. month.

Quietwater Boardwalk. Buckets, grabbers, gloves and trash bags are supplied. oceanhourfl.com COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com LEAPS 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

Pensacola Cooks Kitchen, 3670 Barrancas Ave. pensacolacooks.rezclick.com

Job/Order #: 294937 Operator: cs

tors Center 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/ index.htm CREATURE FEATURE 3:30 p.m. Fort Pickens Bookstore, Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

FM WESTON AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD TRIP TO FORT WALTON 7:30 p.m. Free. Meet at

COUPLES COOK: ROMANCING THE FLAVORS OF THAILAND 7-9 p.m. $50 per couple.

Brand: Bud Light Item #: PCA2017010

FORT BARRANCAS: BASTIONS ON THE BLUFF 2 p.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visi-

SATURDAY 9.16

MAKE THE RIGHT CALL. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Worth Amphitheater. Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

MUST INITIAL FOR APPROVAL

2 p.m. Meet at Fort Pickens entrance, Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. nps.gov/ guis/index.htm

6-8 p.m. $45 plus tax. Skopelos Garden Courtyard, 600 S. Palafox. skopelosatnewworld.com DATE NIGHT DANCING 6:30-8 p.m. $15. Learn the basics of several romantic ballroom and country dance styles in group classes that keep partners together. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Single Fin Cafe, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/singlefincafe IRISH EXPERIENCE EXHIBITION 7:30 p.m.

Free. Performances from music and theatre departments. UWF Center for Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. uwf.edu HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND 8 p.m. $10. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

12th Ave. setsco.org/first-city-shakespeare TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE 4-6 p.m. Free.

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

MONDAY 9.18

NATURE WALK: LIFE IN A MARITIME FOREST

10 a.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center, 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/ index.htm

PRINT

THURSDAY 9.14

ADVANCED REDOUBT: LEGACY IN BRICK & MORTAR 12:30 p.m. Fort Barrancas, 3182

Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

PILATES MAT 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Ever’man

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

FORT BARRANCAS: BASTIONS ON THE BLUFF

2 p.m. Meet at Fort Barrancas Visitors Center 3182 Taylor Road. nps.gov/guis/index.htm for more listings visit inweekly.net

© 2017 A-B, Bud Light® Beer, St. Louis, MO

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F I E S T A

O F

F I V E

F L A G S

2 0 1 7

PENSACOLA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL S E P T. 2 9 – O C T. 1 D OW N TOW N P E N SAC O L A F R E E

A D M I S S I O N

HOURS:

Friday, Sept. 29 • 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 30 • 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 1 • 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ENTE

R TA I N M E N T

Brooke Eden • The London Souls Jordan Davis • Trea Landon Troy Cartwright Blues Old Stand • Leah Seawright

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PENSACOLASEAFOODFESTIVAL.COM

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inweekly.net

music

By Shelby Nalepa

Heavy Hitters

Artwork by the Bogan Brothers

Heavy Kid / Photo by Laura Bogan If you've lived in Pensacola for a while, you've probably heard of the band Heavy Kid. Or at least some its members.

The five-piece is made up of local music veterans who've played in their fair share of other bands over the years.

Heavy Kid consists of friends Ben Bogan, drums/backing vocals, Brian Gore, guitar/vocals, Chris Hawkes, guitar, Clinton Horton, bass guitar, and Brian Hual, guitar. The majority of that lineup actually started playing together around 2000 under the name Old Gold Finish and released a self-titled album in 2003.

"We took a little break thereafter and returned with an additional guitar player in Brian Hual and the name Heavy Kid," Bogan said. "We've all known each other for years and have worked on different music projects over time and put this ensemble together from the appreciation of each other's talents."

Bogan himself started playing drums many years ago in the Pensacola scene and has been in a few well-known bands including Woodenhorse, Flatwheelers with David Dondero and 60 Cycles Of Sound.

September 14, 2017

Bogan said that usually someone will come in with an idea or a nearly complete song and then the band will collaborate and come up with other parts and pieces and put a structure to it and then work on the vocal melodies.

"We all have many different appreciations of styles and tastes in music and kind of morph them all together into our own style," he said.

Owner of Ben Bogan Designs, a metalbased custom furniture design company, Bogan balances his professional endeavors with the demands of being a musician.

"My professional work and music are similar in the fact that you want the songs to have a good flow to them as you would an artistically designed three-dimensional piece and you want to place the songs in an order to work in a harmonious direction with its peaks and valleys throughout the album," he said.

Heavy Kid will have an album release show at The Bridge Bar this weekend as well and an opening slot with Everclear at Vinyl Music Hall for their "So Much For The Afterglow" 20th-anniversary tour on Nov. 10.

"It seems our home for shows has been The Bridge Bar in the last several years, but we have played at Vinyl Music Hall with Drivin' N' Cryin' and other bands and have played The Break, The Islander, Paradise and Pensacola Bay Brewery too locally," Bogan said. {in}

"The other guys have been in bands including Love Junk, Holden Caulfield, The Chumps, Pulsador and many others," he said.

Heavy Kid is following up their selftitled debut with "Nandina," a 12-song album that they have been recording independently.

"We have been recording ourselves over the past few years in our current and past band rooms, as well as recently in our guitar player's ‘Hual Manor' with our other trusty guitar player Chris in the pilot seat working the knobs," Bogan said. "It lends to a relaxed atmosphere and gives us time to experiment a bit."

Bogan said that this time around WHAT: Heavy Kid Album Release Party with they had their friend Sean Peterson, Yard Lights and Kent Stanton of Pensacola Audio Documentation, WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 master the songs for the album and are very happy with his handiwork.

WHERE: The Bridge Bar, 33 Gulf Breeze "We worked on the newest batch Parkway of songs for most of this year and had COST: Free a few songs we had recorded in the DETAILS: facebook.com/heavykidband past that made their way onto the new release," he said.

HEAVY KID

EATS, DRINKS & SMILES BIG ASS SMILES @THEMAGNOLIAEPH 21

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE AND CURTAIN CALL PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

presents

Written by:

JESSIE JONES NICHOLAS HOPE JAMIE WOOTEN

RadioLive THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH at the Museum of Commerce in Historic Pensacola

Featuring

CAROLINE AIKEN SALLY BARRIS BUDDY MONDLOCK 10/05/17 KATHY HOLSWORTH

September 22-24 AND 28-Oct. 1, 2017 Showtimes: THURSDAY–SATURDAY 7:30 PM / SUNDAY 3 PM Tickets: $18 FOR GENERAL ADMISSION/$25 FOR CAFÉ SEATING PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, INC.

PENSACOLALITTLETHEATRE.COM BOX OFFICE: 850-432-2042

available at wuwf.org 850.474.2787

Broadcast LIVE on 88.1 FM Buddy Mondlock

Dir ected by:

6:00 p.m.

Doors 5:00 p.m.

Tickets $10

BOTTOMLESS CHAMPAGNE AND MIMOSAS FOR $5 AND BLOODY MARYS FOR $2

SUNDAY BAYSIDE BRUNCH Every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. From eggs Benedict to bottomless champagne, our Bayside Brunch is the perfect Sunday starter! For details, visit fishhousepensacola.com.

OPEN DAILY AT 11 A.M. · (850) 470-0003 · ON THE WATER DOWNTOWN · 600 S. BARRACKS ST. · FISHHOUSEPENSACOLA.COM

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inweekly.net

news of the weird SENIORS GONE WEIRD Guests at Scotland's Macdonald Loch Rannoch hotel were terrorized by Robert Fergus, 72, and his wife, Ruth, 69, in February when the Troon couple rampaged through the lobby with scissors and threatened to shoot other guests. The incident apparently began when Mrs. Fergus pounded on a hotel room door at 1:45 a.m., leading the guest within to call front desk staff, who Mrs. Fergus told her husband treated her "with hostility." That's when Mr. Fergus "reacted disproportionately" by running naked into the lobby with scissors, cutting communications cables and shouting that he would "slit" and "kill" onlookers. Meanwhile, Mrs. Fergus told staff she was going to "get a gun and shoot you," according to prosecutor Michael Sweeney. Staff and guests ran out of the hotel, while Mr. and Mrs. Fergus returned to their room to pack and took off in their BMW. They were apprehended when they flagged down a police car to accuse the hotel staff of abusing them, and Mr. Fergus could not pass a breath test. At their sentencing on Sept. 1, their attorneys blamed overconsumption of alcohol for their behavior, noting that Robert Fergus "had previously been of good character."

Nonetheless, they were fined 4,100 pounds and ordered to pay 800 pounds to cover the cost of damage to the hotel.

CRIMINAL'S REMORSE An anonymous Australian tourist mailed back a small stone he lifted from the Cwmhir Abbey in Wales, a Cistercian monastery founded in 1176, in August. The thief included a note explaining his remorse: "I have been an avid follower of the Welsh kings and their history, and so I took this rock. Ever since, I have had the most awful luck as if Llewellyn (sic) himself was angry with me." Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native prince of Wales, was beheaded and buried at the abbey in 1282, and legend says his ghost haunts the abbey. The trust that manages the abbey put the returned stone and the note on display, presumably to deter future stickyfingered visitors.

A SINGULAR OBSESSION In Wenzhou City, China, an 11-year-old boy underwent surgery in August to remove 26 magnetic Buckyballs from his penis. The balls caused a blockage in the boy's urethra, which caused bleeding and swelling. He told pediatrician Wang Yongbiao that he put the toys in his penis because he was "curious."

(Bonus: The boy was identified in news reports as "Pi Pi.") •An unnamed 35-year-old man in Liaoning Province in China was rushed to the hospital with intense pain and bloody urine in June, after having inserted sewing needles into his penis over the past year.

It took doctors at the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region only an hour

by the Editors at Andrews McMeel

and a half to remove 15 needles, measuring from about 2 to 4 inches long. The urologist, Dr. Cao Zhiqiang, said patients who engage in this type of behavior "are looking for excitement through unusual ways." He suggested caution for those who "fascinate about peculiar sex."

IRONIES A Turkish homeless man who was sentenced to house arrest in June has had his sentence altered to better reflect his circumstances. Baris Alkan, 31, had been confined to a specific area, an empty spot enclosed by metal plates, near a bus station after being detained for using and selling drugs. "I don't have a home address, so I have to stay here," he said. "Even though I don't have a house, I'm under house arrest." The court subsequently lifted the house arrest order and now requires Alkan to sign in at a nearby police station once a month.

PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM US Emily Mueller, 33, of Ohio asked a photographer friend, Kendrah Damis, to take pictures of her pregnant with her fourth child -- and covered in 20,000 bees.

Mueller, who is a beekeeper, checked with her doctor before the photo session and was stung three times during the shoot. She said she associates bees with life and death: "Bees came into my life in a time that we had just suffered a miscarriage," Mueller said. "That's where everything fell into place for me—when honeybees entered my life." She hopes the maternity photos will highlight the importance of bees.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Steven Gomez-Maya, 20, handed tellers at the TD Bank North in Seymour, Connecticut, a note on Aug. 19, demanding money. He apparently failed to notice that his note was written on the back of his girlfriend's pay stub, and when he tried to return to the bank (presumably to retrieve the note), the doors were locked. Seymour police tracked down the owner of the pay stub, and when they arrived at the girlfriend's home, they caught Gomez-Maya as he was driving away.

The hat he wore during the robbery and "a large amount of $10 bills" were found in the car, and he was charged with first-degree robbery.

THE CLASSIC MIDDLE NAME Anthony Wayne Sandusky, 26, of Mascotte, Florida, was welcomed into the home of a Groveland woman on Aug. 22 because he had nowhere else to go. She went to sleep, and when she woke up, her mother said Sandusky had closed all the blinds, locked the doors and was carrying their possessions out the back door. She found two bags of items in a nearby field, including a stamp collection valued at $250,000. When confronted by police, Sandusky said he took the items because the woman was "being mean to him." {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2017 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com September 14, 2017

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Independent News | September 14, 2017 | inweekly.net