Inweekly Sept 24 2020 Issue

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HURRICANE SALLY RECOVERY RESOURCE GUIDE

Independent News | September 24, 2020 | Volume 21 | Number 39

FREE â–¶

winners & losers

outtakes

4

news

5

7, 11

We answered the call.

buzz 12

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, C.S. Satterwhite

calendar 15

contact us info@inweekly.net

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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Statistical information current as of April 2020.

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Your health and safety remain our TOP priority. At Bodacious, all cooking classes are demonstration style (hands off) at this time. Food and beverage staff are practicing the highest safety standards with daily temperature readings and wearing medical-grade face masks and gloves at all times. Guests will remain at recommended distances while enjoying a gourmet meal, a delicious glass of wine and a fresh Bodacious cooking experience. Due to limited product availability during COVID, our Chef may have to make menu substitutions based on the availability.

Festive Feasts for Fall OCTOBER

Beef Wellington Monday, Oct 5 6 PM $65 Learn how to make this French delicacy and staple!

Oktoberfest – A German Feast

Jean-Francois Christini Wine Social at 5eleven Palafox Thursday, Oct 22 6PM $55 Enjoy multiple courses of delicious hors d’eourves with expertly paired wines from Jean Francois winery!

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Cooking Class Participant Tips & Details: Culinary enthusiasts are encouraged to participate or observe during the class.

• Wine & beer service available.

• Participants receive 10% off shopping at SoGourmet on day of class. Credit and debit card only for purchases.

Cooking Class Cancellation Policy: Classes must meet a minimum of 10 reservations. We reserve the right to cancel and undersold classes will be rescheduled. Reservation fees will be refunded within 24 hours.

Full refund if cancellation is 48 hours before the date of the event. If cancellation is not 48 hours before the event, you can transfer your credit to an upcoming class. You cannot receive a full refund after the 48-hour mark. Thank you for your understanding!

September 24, 2020

3

winners & losers

In the face of disaster, Northwest Florida has always been resilient. Over the past week, we have seen neighbors help neighbors. Our law enforcement and first responders have spent long hours serving the public, and the utilities invested the people and resources in getting our power, water and communication services restored. The list of winners is a long one, and we will surely leave off a few. Any omissions are unintentional.

GULF POWER More than 285,000

lican congressman and Democratic county commissioner from working together to get food, water and ice to some of the neediest residents of Escambia County. Gaetz made phone calls and used his considerable influence to connect Commissioner May with the disaster response officials at both the state and federal levels. May put in long hours making sure the distribution sites at Brownsville and Wedgewood operated smoothly. The unlikely pair delivered in a big way.

EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHORITY ECUA's sampling team

ROBERT BENDER The District 4 county commissioner became the public's unofficial liaison on what was happening with the Bob Sikes Bridge and the Chappie James Bridge—also known as Pensacola Bay or Three-Mile Bridge. Without his regular updates at the press conferences, citizens would have been in the dark about both spans' damage.

customers, or nearly 63% of Gulf Power's customers, experienced outages as Hurricane Sally brought heavy rain and severe flooding, especially in the western Panhandle. Gulf Power assembled a restoration workforce of 7,000 working primarily out of 12 staging sites to restore power for its customers safely and as quickly as possible.

The utility's swift action accomplished power restoration within five days after Sally left its service area.

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undertook an aggressive sampling effort that began on Friday afternoon to clear the system-wide Precautionary Boil Water Notice as quickly as possible. ECUA did a month's worth of sampling in two days. Its teams collected 385 samples at 190 sites in 48 hours—two samples per site. All but two of the samples' results returned as clear.

As such, the Boil Water Notice was lifted on Monday, Sept. 21, except for two areas within its system.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, SHERIFF'S OFFICE & EMS The agencies

worked on water rescues and life saving measures, undergoing swift water and still water response and rescue operations. As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, they had performed 377 water rescue operations.

Emergency services personnel were embedded in emergency vehicles from the Florida National Guard to assist with rescues.

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HANCOCK WHITNEY BANK While the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center struggled to find ice, the bank contacted Mayor Grover Robinson to see how it could help. The mayor didn't hesitate— "We need ice." Hancock Whitney secured ice from Mississippi and had it available the day after the storm hit our area.

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GROVER ROBINSON The media and public were starving for facts at the EOC press conferences. Mayor Robinson provided information on how many trees were down and blocking streets and traffic signals' status throughout the city. He gave estimates on the damage to municipal and private property within city limits. The mayor's release of information pushed Escambia County officials to follow his lead.

HOT MEALS Churches and nonprofits stepped up big. Mercy Chefs provided meals at the Brownsville Community Center. The Salvation Army had eight meal sites, and the Red Cross had two. The Council on Aging of West Florida set up seven feeding sites. In the six days since landfall, Feeding the Gulf Coast has distributed over 355,000 pounds of essential food and water to storm-impacted communities, including Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. Grab-and-go distribution from community centers and churches resumed Thursday, Sept. 24. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

DINOSAUR RICK I realized that I'm a dinosaur in the journalism world, never thinking I would be the old man in the media room at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, grumbling about the spin and hyperbole.

During Hurricane Ivan, I sat in the Santa Rosa County EOC situation room as a councilman for Gulf Breeze, fighting for food, water and ice for my neighbors. I joined my Inweekly team later at Escambia County pressers, watching our editor Duwayne Escobedo and a room filled with journalists push officials for information. The goal was to hold officials accountable and get the most accurate news to the public.

During the BP oil spill and the ice storm, flood and jail explosion of 2014, I took the lead for Inweekly and helped our little newspaper hold its own against all the major news networks and their local affiliates. The journalists played off each other and probed deeper for details. Governors, senators and federal and state officials took turns before the media, and the public benefited greatly from the dialogue.

Things began to shift in 2014. Gov. Rick Scott refused to answer questions at his media events and instead stuck to his prepared responses that covered what he wanted to mention. Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward discontinued pressers, choosing to let his press releases and social media be his means of communication.

Gov. Ron DeSantis staged his COVID press conference at Ascension Sacred Heart in June. He treated reporters to a PowerPoint presentation and a panel of hospital officials that the governor asked questions of. The media was allowed only to ask about half a dozen questions.

Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley fills her press conferences with as many talking heads as possible. The goal is to fill the time and give everyone face time on the live Facebook stream.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her public information

officer, Laura Coale, treated the reporters in attendance as if they were first graders, making them raise their hands and only allowing them to ask questions when called upon. Of course, I rebelled—after all, I got a C in conduct in the first grade at St. Joseph School in Greenville, Miss. The commissioners reigned in Gilley and Coale, who then discontinued pressers until Hurricane Sally.

With the Pensacola Bay Bridge down, I couldn't attend the first two press conferences, so I had to listen to them on WUWF in my car. It was frustrating listening to the speakers and not being able to ask the obvious follow-up questions.

I made the subsequent pressers but was saddened to see how few reporters were in the EOC media room. The radio stations, which had been key to getting out disaster information in the past, had no reporters in attendance. WEAR-TV made about three pressers over five days, but when she came on, Laura Hussey asked probing questions.

Most of the time, it was a PNJ reporter, usually Jim Little, and me waiting 40-50 minutes for the parade of speakers to give their spiels for the Facebook audience before we could ask questions. But our questions, many of which our readers sent us, gave the public a better understanding of what was happening.

We learned that several nursing homes had temperatures above 80 degrees; about the flooding issues at Forest Creek Apartments; about the struggle to get water, food and ice to distribution sites around the county; and how Commissioner Lumon May got two additional locations. We learned the names of the contractors who got the lucrative debris removal contracts and how the work was divided among them.

Staged pressers and fewer reporters asking questions are the new norms. Inweekly will always strive to be one of those in the room, asking for more information. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Of course, I rebelled—after all, I got a C in conduct in the first grade at St. Joseph School in Greenville, Miss.

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HURRICANE SALLY RECOVERY RESOURCE GUIDE

Escambia County has a Citizen Information Line that is available 7 a.m.-7 p.m. for residents to call with questions or concerns at 471-6600.

The county encourages residents to follow the BeReadyEscambia Facebook and Twitter sites for the latest Hurricane Sally information.

If you need assistance with debris cleanup, mucking, tarp installation and mold remediation, please contact Crisis Cleanup at 800-451-1954. Florida Baptist Disaster Relief is also available to assist with debris cleanup, mucking, tarp installation and mold remediation at 904-253-9924.

September 24, 2020

EMERGENCY INFORMATION FROM FLORIDA DISASTER

For comprehensive information on resources and closures, visit floridadisaster.org/info.

FEEDING SITES

Sites are subject to change as demand lessens MERCY CHEFS •Brownsville Community Center, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Confirmed through Wednesday, Sept. 23.

SALVATION ARMY •Century Industrial Parkway, 6801 Industrial Blvd., Century. Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•Point Church, 13801 Innerarity Point Road.

Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•AMC Theaters, 161 E. Nine Mile Road.

Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•Brent Ball Park, corner of Beverly Parkway & W Street. Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway.

Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•Olive Baptist (Warrington), 103 Winthrop Ave. Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•Park near The Salvation Army, Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

•Pensacola Village Apartments, 500 E. Fairfield Drive. Hours: Lunch at noon; Dinner at 4:30 p.m.

RED CROSS •Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Road.

Begin serving noon. Dinner will also be served.

•Bayview Park Senior Center, 2000 E Lloyd St., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

7

FEEDING THE GULF COAST •8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24: Ferry Pass Community Corporation, 8350 Caminitti Lane •8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26: Bethel AME, 511 Woodlands Drive •9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26: Christ Church Parish, 500 N. Guillemard St. •10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28: Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC, 6915 Highway 29 North •10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28: Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC, 5983 Dogwood Drive, Milton •10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1: Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC, 301 E Winthrop Ave.

WASTE SERVICES

As Escambia County continues its recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Sally, county residents who can safely do so are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way.

The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement. Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows: •Vegetative Debris (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material) •Construction and Demolition Debris (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wallboard, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures) •Appliances and White Goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters) •Electronic Waste (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)

•Household Hazardous Waste (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)

Only loose debris will be collected; bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way. Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low-hanging power or utility lines.

Do not place debris within 4 feet of: •Mailboxes •Water meters •Fire hydrants •Any other above-ground utility Only debris placed on the public rightof-way will be eligible for collection until further notice. If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push remaining debris to the right-of-way for collection on subsequent passes.

PRICE GOUGING HOTLINE

In the aftermath of the destruction and flooding left by Hurricane Sally, Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning those in impacted areas to guard against price gouging, contracting scams and fraud. Attorney General Moody's Price Gouging Hotline, 88

1-866-9NO-SCAM, remains open and accessible for consumers to report extreme price increases and storm-related scams.

After a natural disaster, consumers should be wary of tree service scams, building and home repair scams, disaster relief scams and water testing and treatment scams.

Additionally, if you suspect criminal activity such as looting, robbery or any violent crime, call 911 immediately.

Building Repair and Contractors: After a disaster, qualified contractors are in high demand, providing opportunity for scam artists to take advantage of those finding it difficult to find help. If your home is damaged, be sure to follow these tips when hiring a contractor: •Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming they can perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job; •Have your insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under your policy; •Get at least three written, itemized estimates or bids on repairs; •Verify a contractor has a license with local and state licensing boards; •Additionally, ensure the contractor is licensed for the job. Check to see if a company is properly licensed and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at the Department of Professional Business Regulation's website, myfloridalicense.com; •Research the company and its reputation—ask for references; •Contact the Florida Attorney General's Office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM to see if there are complaints against a company or contractor; •Check for proof of insurance and verify with the insurer that their policy is current; •Check to see if the contractor is bonded and verify with the bonding agency; •Never pay the full amount of a repair up front and hesitate before providing large deposits; •Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer's right to cancel language.

Understand cancellation rights and penalties you may experience for canceling; •Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments.

Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who have not been paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay them, the liens will remain on the title; and •Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until you are satisfied with the work performed.

ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS: Many contractors may ask you to complete an Assignment of Benefits, which allows the homeowner who holds the insurance policy to sign over their insurance rights or benefits to the contractor or other third parties. The contractor or third party can then file an insurance claim, make repair decisions and collect on benefits without the homeowner's involvement. While AOBs can offer convenience to policyholders attempting to navigate the insurance

claims process, unscrupulous individuals and companies may seek to take advantage of the power an AOB provides. If your home is damaged, keep the following in mind as you seek to make repairs: •Be wary of any company that pressures you to sign or insists upon the use of an AOB in order to do repairs; •Read the entire contract carefully to ensure you are not signing over your benefits without your full knowledge and consent; •Do not sign an AOB if there are blank spaces in the document; and •New laws effective July 1, 2019, allow AOBs to be rescinded within 14 days of execution of the AOB or within 30 days after the scheduled work start date if the assignee has not begun substantial work.

Or, if no start date is listed, a new AOB can be rescinded at least 30 days following the execution date if the assignee has not begun substantial work.

TREE SERVICE SCAMS: Heavy winds from a hurricane or tropical storm result in littered roads and uprooted trees. If you plan to have nearby trees removed to protect your home from danger or have fallen trees removed after a storm, follow these tips to avoid being scammed: •Watch out for anyone who approaches unsolicited about tree removal; •Get multiple written estimates and ask whether debris removal is included in the estimate; •Research the company and its reputation—ask for references. Contact the Florida Attorney General's Office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM to check if there are complaints against the company; •Check for proof of insurance and verify with the insurer that their policy is current; and •Never pay the full amount up front, and do not make a final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work done.

CHARITY SCAMS: This scam is particularly effective after a disaster, during which numerous disaster-specific charities pop up. If you would like to donate to help with disaster relief, consider these tips: •Avoid solicitors who use high-pressure tactics or are hesitant to provide additional information on the charitable organization; •Be wary of charities with similar-sounding names. Some phony charities may attempt to capitalize on disasters by using names similar to legitimate, well-known charities; •Consider donating to an established disaster-relief charity; and •Contact the Florida Attorney General's Office or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (1-800-HELPFLA), the agency that regulates charities, to determine if the charity you are donating to has any complaints against them.

DISASTER RELIEF SCAMS: The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers disaster relief to eligible victims through various programs. When seeking aid, consider the following: •No state or federal disaster relief agency will call you for your financial information; •State and federal workers carry identification and will not ask for or accept cash;

•Know that applications for federal FEMA relief programs are free and can be accessed at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA; and •Be wary of anyone who offers to fill out, assist with or expedite your application, as they may be seeking access to your personal information.

WATER TESTING AND TREATMENT SCAMS:

Water mains and personal wells can be affected during hurricanes, and dishonest companies and individuals may insist upon pricey tests to determine water safety.

Avoid falling victim by following these tips: •If someone claims to be a representative of your city, county or utility provider needing to inspect your water line or well, ask for and verify proof of identification; •Check for water safety alerts as provided by local media and utility providers; •If you doubt the safety of your water, contact your local health department or utility. Local water utilities are required to test water quality on a regular basis; •If you doubt the safety of your well water, seek advice from your state or local health department to determine what tests should be performed and find certified testers in your area; and •If in doubt, boil water vigorously for one to three minutes or drink bottled water.

The state of emergency declared ahead of Hurricane Sally is still in effect, and that means Florida's price gouging law still applies to anyone who sells essential commodities or provides essential services to our consumers. We anticipate an uptick in price gouging complaints and complaints about unscrupulous contractors and charities post-Sally, especially tree service scams, building and home repair scams, disaster relief scams, water remediation services and water testing and treatment scams.

Please report any scams to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1-866-9NO-SCAM, visiting myfloridalegal. com or downloading the reporting app No Scam on your smartphone.

FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE

On Monday, Sept. 21, the Alabama counties of Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia were designated eligible for FEMA's Individual Assistance program under the Major Disaster Declaration signed by President Trump on Sept. 20 for damage and losses from Hurricane Sally that occurred beginning on Sept. 14.

Escambia County, Fla., is expected to be eligible for FEMA's Individual Assistance program, so residents should review the instructions given to their Alabama neighbors. However, FEMA will not accept applications until President Trump signs the declaration.

If you have a homeowner's insurance policy, file your insurance claim immediately—before applying for federal assistance. The faster you file, the faster your recovery can begin.

You can register for FEMA disaster assistance online by visiting disasterassistance. gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Persons who inweekly.net

are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-4627585. Multi-lingual operators are available.

Lines are open daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

You will need to have the following readily available: •A current phone number where you can be contacted; •Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying; •Your Social Security number, if available; •A general list of damages and losses; and •If insured, the insurance policy number or the agent and company name.

•If you cannot return to your home, or you are unable to live in your home, visit disasterassistance.gov, or call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY) to determine what federal, state, local or voluntary agency assistance may be available to you.

If you can return to your home and it is safe, has working power, water and sewer or septic service, visit disasterassistance. gov to determine if state, voluntary and local organizations in your community can address any unmet needs.

Disaster assistance may provide temporary help and a place to stay while you build your own recovery plan. Although the federal government cannot make you whole, it may help your recovery move forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make your home safe, accessible and secure. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance, or those who may be underinsured, may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and that do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. No applications will be accepted in Escambia County, Fla., until the disaster declaration is signed by the President.

If referred, applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA's secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov or by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-ofhearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

UNITED WAY RELIEF FUND

United Way of West Florida (UWWF) is announcing a number of ways to provide support to those affected.

The most immediate and useful way to support recovery efforts is through financial assistance. This allows relief organizations to purchase and provide the supplies and resources most needed. To donate to UWWF's Hurricane Sally Relief Fund, text 850RELIEF to 41444 or visit uwwf.org/850RELIEF. You can also support recovery efforts through volunteerism. UWWF and Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) have combined their efforts to coordinate volunteers for the impacted areas. If you would like to volunteer to support those affected by Hurricane Sally, please create a profile through UWWF's onSeptember 24, 2020

line volunteer portal GET CONNECTED by visiting uwwf.galaxydigital.com. BRACE will recruit volunteers by using this platform.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, UWWF's 2-1-1 Northwest Florida information and referral services are available 24/7 identifying or accessing any support services needed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. You may also visit 211nwfl.communityos.org/ecambiadisaster or 211nwfl. communityos.org/santarosadisaster for the most up-to-date and verified information on basic services—food, water and shelter.

PERFECT PLAIN RECOVERY IPA SUPPORTS HURRICANE RELIEF

Perfect Plain Brewing Company has brewed Recovery IPA to support the relief and recovery that lies ahead for Pensacola.

One hundred percent of profits on every Recovery IPA 32 oz. crowler will directly aid local Hurricane Sally disaster relief efforts in the Pensacola area. The beer, priced at $15, is expected to be released Sept. 26 and will be available in the Perfect Plain taproom. For more information, visit facebook. com/perfectplainbrewingco.

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BUSINESS DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SALLY

In an effort to expedite the recovery process for businesses damaged by recent severe weather in the Florida Panhandle, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and State Emergency Response Team have activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Sally. The program, managed by the DEO, will gather information through the survey from businesses affected by Hurricane Sally and share the results with various local, state and federal agencies to implement appropriate disaster relief programs.

Completed surveys will be used to determine which emergency support programs might be beneficial to aid recovery efforts in the area. Local, state and federal officials will use this information to provide any needed assistance programs needed for recovery.

Complete the Business Damage Assessment survey at floridadisaster.biz.

EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE REFUGE IN NEED OF SUPPLIES

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge has seen record-setting days of critters coming in their doors after Hurricane Sally.

They used up more formula, food and protective gear on the first day than they usually do in a month.

After the storm, the ECWR discovered multiple water line breaks. They could use some help to cover their additional costs due to the storm and would be grateful for anything you could donate. They looking at bills approaching $15,000 on the low side of estimates, so any help is appreciated.

The Outreach Center at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge is currently closed for cleanup. For more information on the refuge and ways to help, visit emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org. {in} 9

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NEW SUPER EYES THE "NEXT LEVEL" building upon these successes and seeing these great opportunities for increasing proficiency and learning levels for our students and positioning them for future opportunities. All of that really adds to a district that has this strong structural base, this very strong foundation, and it gives the opportunity to all of us in Escambia County to take the district to higher and higher levels.

By Jeremy Morrison In November, Tim Smith will take the helm of the Escambia County School District as its first appointed superintendent of the modern era. The new superintendent is coming from a threedecade stretch with the Orange County public school system, where he most recently oversaw its high schools.

During a recent visit to the area, Smith toured a handful of Escambia's schools and was inspired by what he described as a caring academic community.

"People really care about the school system. The people I've met who work in the district, they care," Smith said. "It was just great to see people are just really, really committed to their work and to all of our kids learning and growing and being successful."

Smith will be Escambia's first superintendent since voters passed a 2018 referendum calling for a switch from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Proponents of the switch contend the appointment process allows the district to conduct a deeper search for someone to lead the school system forward.

As he prepares to step into the superintendent role in Escambia, Smith spent some time with Inweekly recently discussing his thoughts about the local school system, as well as his plans going forward. The new superintendent spoke of a vision built on "unity" and "equity" and said he was excited to build up Escambia's legacy in order to take the district to the "next level."

"Every single child that is in our school September 24, 2020

district is precious, is important, is just vital," Smith said. "And so, we want to do our best for every student, every child to learn, to grow, reach their potential and have great, great choice and opportunity."

The following is an edited excerpt from a wider-ranging interview. For more, see ricksblog.biz.

INWEEKLY: What attracted you to Escambia County?

SMITH: I think one of the things that appealed was the size of the district and the diversity of the district. The leadership that I'm looking to bring and feel called to do is to lead a district just like Escambia County, based on the characteristics and the qualities of the district.

INWEEKLY: What are the qualities of the district you speak of, beyond the size?

SMITH: Well, I think there are many strong points, and what is very important in Escambia, I think, is good leadership. You've had a superintendent in Mr. Thomas who's been absolutely outstanding, was superintendent of the year a couple of years ago, a person who deeply cares about the children of Escambia County. He cares about our children and our community, and that's really important. The board is talented and dedicated and deep-rooted in the community, so I think there's been a lot of good work that's taken place by people who have a great heart for kids. And the district, from its operations side, which is very well managed, there's just a very strong, structural foundation to this district. And where I see the district going is to the next level, is

INWEEKLY: You have some students that have everything and are never going to want, and then you have other students that start off from a disadvantaged point. How do you bring some measure of equalization or equality to that scenario?

SMITH: Well, that's a question of tremendous interest to me. There, in my mind, are two key terms here, and one is the term equality and the other is equity. Equality I see as providing the same opportunities for all children. Equity is more, in my perspective, an end goal of equality, where all of our children have the opportunity to reach the end goal—high school graduation, opportunities, college and career. But how we get there is where equity begs our attention, and I speak to that as we have to do different things for students in different situations.

So, some students—perhaps we have a struggling student—they need more resources; they need more support when compared to a student who maybe is performing at a really high level and they're just moving very fluidly and successfully through courses. So different students need different resources and different supports, and that's where this notion of equity really comes into place.

How are we doing that? That's a good question to constantly ask ourselves.

Are we providing opportunities that are individualized for our students for us to all reach those same goals of graduating and having great opportunities for the future in the college and career sectors? So that then really speaks to, what are we doing to intervene with students who are struggling?

What are we doing to provide resources and support for those students who are struggling, who have great needs?

I'm sure that has been looked at in the past and that there've been many steps.

So, the question is, what steps need to be taken in the future to maximize equity?

INWEEKLY: Right. And what steps do need to be taken in the future?

SMITH: I think one that's really important is early childhood education. When I was in Pensacola a couple of weeks ago, we visited four schools. One of the schools was Weis Elementary School. And I was absolutely thrilled to go into a classroom of 3-yearolds. You don't see that very often. And I was very excited about that because I think that is a key.

What happens very often is in kindergarten, we have gaps already; we have gaps of readiness. And if we can get ahead of that and provide our youngest of students, our youngest children, opportunities where they have enrichment opportunities, where they learn to work with puzzles and crayons and books are read to them and they're able to be exposed to different concepts, different visuals of different places, of mountains and oceans and deserts, just exposure to great, great knowledge, that helps them to not come into kindergarten behind already. So, I believe early childhood is really a critical component to the equation here.

INWEEKLY: And at what age does the district start engaging children?

SMITH: Well, so that's a really important conversation to have. And I think that takes a whole community to look at that, because as soon as we start talking about that, there's an essential question asked—how do we afford that? Right? I mean, where do the dollars come for that? So that's a question that we need to wrestle with.

Quite frankly, we need to wrestle with it on a national level, on a state level, on a local level, because we have achievement gaps in Florida, but we have achievement gaps nationally, too. You know, the research is quite clear that it's very hard to close achievement gaps in our various subgroups when children are in elementary, it's much harder in middle school and it's extremely difficult at the high school level. So, what that then leads us to is we have to address this issue early, and we need to be very aggressive about it.

INWEEKLY: You're entering this job at kind of a strange period with the coronavirus. I just wanted to get your thoughts on the act of educating students in this environment.

SMITH: Well, I can't tell you the degree of relevance of that question. This very day, in fact, that discussion has been had. We are constantly having discussions and thinking about that. It comes down to really, I think, acknowledging to teachers, first of all, this is an extremely challenging assignment, so we just all need to be on the same page there, that we know this is hard.

But I have to hand it to the teachers.

Once again, very inspiring, because they are digging in and they are doing what they can to help their kids the best they can.

You know, it's plugging ahead. Keep sharing those ideas.

And keeping our spirits up too is an important thing. This is out of the box, and it's really hard, so let's be united; let's work together; let's do the very best we can for our students knowing that there are some really unusual circumstances. {in} 11

GETTING ICE On Wednesday, Sept. 16,

Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores, Ala., at 4:45 a.m. as a Category 2 with sustained winds of 105 mph and gusts 120+ mph. Power, water and internet were knocked out for much of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

The Chappie James Bridge was taken out of commission after being hit and damaged by barges of contractor Skanska USA. The bridge may be closed for repairs until 2021, forcing vehicles to use the Garcon Point Bridge to get to and from south Santa Rosa County and Pensacola Beach.

The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) held press conferences twice daily through Saturday with a cavalcade of EOC staff, elected officials, utility leaders, health officials and the chamber. The updates lasted many times over 40 minutes before the handful of reporters were allowed to ask questions.

However, the questions helped pull back the veneer of the EOC. Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore repeatedly reported the county and state would set up eight POD (Point of Distribution) sites for food and water. He said that ice wasn't available.

By Friday, the county only had approval for five PODs—Century, Pensacola Beach, Innerarity Point, Brent Athletic Park and Nine Mile—opening on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The City of Pensacola wasn't going to get a site. None would have been convenient for residents of Pensacola Village, Attucks Court or Morris Court.

Commissioner Lumon May didn't hide his displeasure. At the 10 a.m. presser on Friday, Sept. 18, he said, "Get us the supplies that we need. The citizens deserve it; they've suffered way too long."

"Get us the supplies that we need. The citizens deserve it; they've suffered way too long."

Lumon May May added, "We need food, water and ice yesterday."

Tired of excuses, the commissioner called Congressman Matt Gaetz, who got May in contact with Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz.

Once the commissioner explained his problem, Moskowitz committed to set up PODs at the Brownsville Community Center and the Marie Young Community Center. Commissioner May got not only food and water but also ice.

On Saturday, the POD sites were overwhelmed. Brownsville and Innerarity Point burned through their supplies by noon, and more supplies were delivered to those locations. The exception was Pensacola 212 1

Beach, which had little traffic and was closed on Sunday.

Crowd control became an issue at the Nine Mile Road site at the AMC Theaters.

Escambia Sheriff David Morgan addressed the traffic and crowd issues at the site.

The sheriff said the National Guard wasn't prepared for the high volume of citizens.

After the first 72 hours, he said the public had expected their water and food needs would be met quickly.

"We answered the call," said Sheriff Morgan. "Once we set up cones and established a sense of orderliness, people responded."

Moskowitz toured Escambia County with Congressman Gaetz and FEMA Director Peter Gaynor on Saturday. Moskowitz announced that all POD sites would receive ice for distribution on Sunday and Monday.

Escambia County shut down all the PODS on Monday, Sept. 21. However, Florida Emergency Management wouldn't allow the closure of the Brownsville and Wedgewood sites without Commissioner May's permission. The commissioner was able to continue distributing water after the National Guard left the sites.

GETTING FEMA FUNDS Another issue was getting a major disaster declaration from the White House that would make local governments, residents and businesses eligible for FEMA funds.

On Friday, Sept. 18, County Administrator Janice Gilley told the media that the county was waiting for the federal government to declare Escambia County a major disaster before FEMA could reimburse the county for its recovery expenses.

Commissioner Robert Bender said, "The first thing we asked Sen. Scott, Congressman Gaetz and Gov. DeSantis was for that major declaration."

According to Bender and Gilley, all three said they had been in contact with the White House. They were referring to a closed-door meeting Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Matt Gaetz and Gov. Ron DeSantis had with the city and county officials on Thursday afternoon.

Later, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson shared that the county had yet to submit to the White House the proper paperwork to make the declaration. On Saturday morning, Inweekly caught up with Congressman Gaetz. He was confident that Escambia and Santa Rosa counties would get the necessary FEMA declaration to receive federal reimbursement for recovery expenses.

He wasn't sure if the county had completed the necessary paperwork but added that the county had significant assessment work to do. Gilley told the media that the governor's office had submitted everything that was needed for the declaration to be approved.

On Monday, Sept. 21, FEMA announced

that President Trump had signed the Major Disaster Declaration for the Alabama counties of Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia on Sunday night. When the media asked Gilley how Alabama got the declaration before her county, she said that the 10 FEMA and state teams hadn't completed the preliminary assessments and reported their findings to the White House.

We will let that explanation float in the punch bowl and wait to see how the commissioners deal with it.

HOT HOUSES On Friday, Sept. 18, In-

weekly received reports of problems in local nursing homes. The EOC had given no updates on Escambia County's long-term care facilities' conditions at its daily briefings.

Inweekly asked about the facilities at the Saturday presser. Emergency Director Gilmore said the Agency for Health Care Administration inspected several nursing homes and found elevated room temperatures about 80 degrees. Gulf Power was able to restore power to one, and the county was able to get resources to others to reduce the temps.

"As of this morning, all 21 facilities have been taken care of, and the temperatures are fine," said Gilmore.

DEBRIS CLEAN-UP The plum contracts are the debris removal agreements—estimated to be worth $36-$45 million. Former Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward lobbied behind the scenes for Roads, Inc. The GOP nominee for State House District 1, Michelle Salzman, wanted to see AshBritt get the contract. Realtor Danny Zimmern pushed for Whitesell-Green to be selected as part of the AshBritt contract.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, County Administrator Janice Gilley announced she had hired three contractors to handle debris removal. The county has been divided into three zones—I-10 North to Roads Inc.; 1-10 South to Panhandle Grading; and Westside to AshBritt. She estimated the debris removal contracts were worth about $12.2 million each.

The expectation is all debris will be removed in 90 days. The process began on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

MASK ORDER DROPPED? For weeks

now, Mayor Robinson has eyed the local coronavirus hospitalization data and considered when to rescind the city's mask order. Originally, he pegged the threshold at 75 hospitalizations but noted healthcare officials were pushing for 50.

Although there are still more than 12,000 COVID cases locally, the local hospitalization count has continued to trend downward. That number has now dropped to 50 individuals.

"We haven't been this low since the council passed its mask ordinance," Robinson said, referring to earlier in the summer as the overall numbers began their alarming climb.

At his Monday, Sept. 21, presser, the mayor said he would ask the Pensacola City Council to drop the mask order while maintaining the current state of emergency declaration. He rationed that requiring people to wear masks while in businesses and indoor public spaces as the hospitalization number dropped would conflict with the order's original purpose and potentially erode public confidence in the mandate.

"We feel like at this point telling people to do it is counterproductive," Mayor Robinson said. "Because when we need people to do it, we want to bring that tool back out."

The mayor said city's emergency declaration order would be left in place to allow the city to bring back the mask order if COVID numbers started to rise—"If we see numbers go back up, we'll immediately jump on that."

When the city initially instituted its mask order, Robinson said that business owners and frontline employees, such as grocery store workers, had thanked him for enacting the order, explaining that it made them safer and gave them an authority to point to when customers balked at wearing a mask. On Monday, the mayor said that he didn't think dropping the mask order put businesses in a disadvantaged position on this front, contending that private businesses could still require masks even without the order.

"Private businesses are perfectly able to put in place a mask mandate. City Hall will do that. Any business can do that."

Grover Robinson "They have the ability to do that right now," Robinson said. "Private businesses are perfectly able to put in place a mask mandate. City Hall will do that. Any business can do that."

ESCAMBIA CARES GRANT Due to

Hurricane Sally, Escambia County delayed opening the application window for the Escambia CARES Family Emergency Financial Assistance Grant to 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, through 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The application will be available online at myescambia.com/cares.

The grants are $2,000 per household, and only about 1,790 households will be awarded grants because of the limited funds allotted for the program. As with the inweekly.net

housing grants, the process will be a race against time with grants being dispersed on a first-qualified, first-served basis.

General Eligibility Requirements: •Applicants must be residents of Escambia County •Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident •Applicants must be at least 18 years old •Have a household income of $45,000 or less •Have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 Applicants will need to provide: •Certification of COVID-19 impact •Copy of a valid, state-issued ID •Copy of Social Security card or other proof of a Social Security number •Tax-Filers: Copy of the first page of their 2019 federal tax return (IRS form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) •Non-Tax Filers: Self-Certification letter stating the reason why you did not file a 2019 Federal Income Tax Return and/or the type of income you received—Social Security Benefits (SSA, SSI/SSD), Railroad Retirement, Veterans Affairs Pension, Disability Benefits, etc.

•A completed W-9 form, which can be download at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.

Those needing assistance or who do not have access to the internet and wish to apply with paper forms instead of online can seek help Friday, Sept. 25, through Tuesday, Sept. 29, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and noon-5 p.m. weekends at the following locations: •Beulah Senior Citizens Center, 7425 Woodside Drive •Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St. •Carver Park Resource Center, 208 Webb St. •Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd.

•Dorrie Miller Community Center, 2819 N. Miller St. •Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road

•Gull Point Community Center, 7000 Spanish Trail •Lexington Terrace Community Center, 700 S. Old Corry Field Road •Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road •Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95-A North •Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97 North

plication period begins on Sept. 28 at 8 a.m. and closes on Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. Applications received before or after the application period will not be reviewed.

Funding for the Escambia CARES Business Emergency Financial Assistance Grant will be available in amounts of $7,500 for small businesses with up to 25 employees and $15,000 for small businesses with 2650 employees.

The application process for the Escambia CARES Business Emergency Financial Assistance Grant will open Friday, Oct. 2, and continue through Tuesday, Oct. 6.

To apply, eligible businesses must submit the completed grant application form and all required documents in PDF to santarosacaresgrant@gmail.com with the headline "Small Business Grant." Visit santarosa.fl.gov for eligibility requirements and a list of required documents.

Applicants will receive notice of approval or denial as soon as their applications have been processed. Only eligible and completed applications with required supporting documentations will be accepted. Grant funding will be disbursed from the Santa Rosa County Grants Department by check via mail to the business's listed address. For more information, contact the SBDC at sbdc@uwf.edu or by phone at 474-2528.

MORE CARES Gov. Ron DeSantis an-

nounced the second batch of cash on Friday. Sept. 18, which will send $255 million to 55 of the state's 67 counties. That's on top of $318.8 million sent in June to the selection of counties.

Inweekly doesn't know exactly how much will come to Escambia County, but our rough estimate is about $11 million. County Administrator Janice Gilley agreed with our estimate at the Monday, Sept. 21, presser.

Additional disbursements beyond this second round will be considered on a reimbursement basis, according to the governor's office. That's because the state is responsible for repaying the federal government for ineligible expenditures.

SANTA ROSA CARES Santa Rosa County has allocated $1.9 million of CARES Act funding to provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible small businesses. In partnership with the Florida Small Business Development Center, applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. The ap-

Grant amount tiers: •$5,000 for small businesses with 0-25 employees •$10,000 for small businesses with 26-100 employees

FEEDING THE GULF Nearly a week has

passed since Hurricane Sally devastated parts of south Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida. In the wake of this catastrophic storm, Feeding the Gulf Coast is working around the clock to provide much needed food and water to those struggling in the affected Gulf Coast communities.

In the six days since landfall, Feeding the Gulf Coast has distributed over 355,000 pounds of essential food and water to storm impacted communities, including Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama, and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. As families are already struggling with the economic pressures resulting from COVID-19, Hurricane Sally has added to their burdens with costly home repairs and destroyed food supplies.

"Along the Central Gulf Coast, one in five individuals struggles with food insecurity. That includes one in three children," says Michael Ledger, President and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. "The destruction of Hurricane Sally in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic impact has significantly exacerbated the issue of hunger, specifically in our Gulf Coast region."

He added, "Our hearts are broken for all affected, but we know that our Gulf Coast communities are strong and resilient.

Feeding the Gulf Coast is committed to providing ongoing disaster relief and food assistance to the communities devastated

by Hurricane Sally. We know the need is great and we are here to relieve some of the burdens created by this storm for the long haul."

"We know the need is great and we are here to relieve some of the burdens created by this storm for the long haul." Michael Ledger The food bank will continue to work with our partner agencies in the community, as well as Feeding America and state Food Bank Associations, to best serve those impacted by Sally's destruction. As the food bank assesses the areas of greatest concern, they remain focused on maintaining service throughout all 24 counties as they continue to respond to the ongoing needs resulting from COVID-19.

For individuals and families experiencing hunger, we encourage them to use the "Find Help" feature available at feedingthegulfcoast.org. Individuals can also call our office at (888) 704-FOOD and its staff can help connect those seeking assistance with distribution partners closest to them. For those wishing to become involved with our efforts, donations can be made at feedingthegulfcoast.org. {in}

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PENSACOLA VOTES: WHO'S ON THE BALLOT? Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

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Buckle up, voters. This week, we've got the full list of offices up for election in Escambia County with qualified candidates running for that office. Also included are candidates running unopposed or who were elected during closed primaries.

For any overachievers in our readership, you can use the Candidate Research Checklist from the Sept. 3 Pensacola Votes column to get started on your candidate research spreadsheet. Over the next two issues, we'll compare candidates on key characteristics for those who need an at-a-glance guide to what each candidate brings to the table.

TAX COLLECTOR •Scott Lunsford (REP) •Wendy Rich (NPA)

FEDERAL

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 3 •Jason Laird (WRI) •Lumon May (DEM)

PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT •Joe Biden/Kamala Harris (DEM) •Donald J. Trump/Mike Pence (REP) •Don Blankenship/William Mohr (CPF) •Brian Carroll/Amar Patel (WRI) •Roque De La Fuente/Darcy Richardson (REF) •Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (GRE) •Shawn Howard/Alyssa Howard (WRI) •Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (LPF) •Gloria La Riva/Sunil Freeman (PSL) •Michael Laboch/Raechelle Pope (WRI) •Jade Simmons/None (WRI) •Angela Walls-Windhauser/Charles Frederick (WRI) •Kasey Wells/None (WRI) REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, 1ST DISTRICT •Phil Ehr (DEM) •Matt Gaetz (REP) •Albert Oram (NPA)

STATE

STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 1 •Doug Broxson (REP) •Karen Butler (DEM) STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 1 •Franscine Mathis (DEM) •Michelle Salzman (REP) STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 2 •Alex Andrade (REP) •Dianne Krumel (DEM)

JUDICAL Rub elbows with those who take their leisure time seriously.

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PROPERTY APPRAISER •Chris Jones (DEM) (unopposed) SHERIFF •David Alexander III (DEM) •Chip Simmons (REP) SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS •David Stafford (REP) (unopposed) COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 1 •Jeff Bergosh (REP) (elected through party primary)

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 5 •Steven Barry (REP) (elected through party primary) SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 4 •Patty Hightower (unopposed) SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 5 •Bill Slayton

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

ECUA, DISTRICT 1 •Vicki Campbell (REP) (elected through party primary) ECUA, DISTRICT 3 •Calvin Avant (NPA) •John R. Johnson (NPA) •Pueschel Schneier (REP) •Larry Williams (DEM) ECUA, DISTRICT 5 •Kevin Stephens (REP) (elected through party primary) SANTA ROSA ISLAND AUTHORITY •Thomas A. Campanella ESCAMBIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, GROUP 1 •Matt Sharpsteen •Betty A. Wilson ESCAMBIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, GROUP 3 •Catherine Monroe-Dismukes (unopposed) ESCAMBIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, GROUP 5 •Louis A. Toth (unopposed)

JUDICIAL JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA (RETENTION) •Carlos Muñiz (NOP)

CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1 •Jennifer Brahier •P.C. Wu

JUDGE, 1ST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL (RETENTION) •Tim Osterhaus (NOP) •Clay Roberts (NOP) •Morris Silberman (NOP) •Adam S. Tanenbaum (NOP)

CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 3 •Casey Jones (unopposed)

CIRCUIT JUDGE, GROUP 17 •Dennis Daniel Bailey (NOP) •George Odom Jr. (NOP)

ESCAMBIA COUNTY & SCHOOL BOARD

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COMPTROLLER •Pamela Lynn Childers (REP) •Chase Anderson "Andy" Romagnano(WRI)

CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 5 •Toni "Teniade" Broughton •Ron Helms CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 7 •Delarian Wiggins (elected through party primary)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

FLORIDA DIVISION OF ELECTIONS: dos.myflorida.com/elections/candidatescommittees ESCAMBIA COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS: escambiavotes.gov/ president-year-offices inweekly.net

a&e happenings BALLET PENSACOLA VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING AND NEW SEASON Ballet

Pensacola's 2020-2021 season kicks off in October with the virtual performance of "Unhinge the Wind" premiering Oct. 9. The performance will be live streamed online Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18. For more information, and to see the entire season lineup, visit balletpensacola.org.

LIVE MUSIC

PENSACOLA OPERA SUNDAYS ON THE MEZZANINE Enjoy the opera from the

comfort of your own home with this online concert series. A full-length concert will be available every Sunday through Nov. 15. Tickets are $9.99. For those who purchased a ticket for Sept. 20, you should have received notification via Facebook of the rescheduling and the option to request a refund. For more information, visit facebook.com/pensacolaopera.

SHIP & SHORE AT GARY'S BREWERY & BIERGARTEN Enjoy the re-opening of Gary's

Attending "normal" events might not be happening yet—but that doesn't mean local businesses and nonprofits aren't still keeping the community connected in creative ways.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

PENSACON PARTNERS WITH WEEKEND BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAM

Pensacon is partnering with Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church to help feed children in need who attend O.J. Semmes Elementary School in the new school year.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, Pensacon will be giving away passes to its 2021 event, scheduled for Feb. 26-28, to donors to Saint Christopher's Weekend Backpack Food program. The convention will award a pair of VIP Experience passes to one donor in September and a pair of weekend passes to one donor per month starting in October and running through February.

A donation of just $135 can fill a backpack for one child for nine months, which covers the entire school year. All those who donate any amount of food or money each month will be entered into the monthly drawings. A collection table will be set up at the church, 3200 N. 12th Ave, on the Memorial Garden patio (in the front on the right) during regular business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Additionally, a donation box is set up behind the church seven days a week.

For more information on St. Christopher's Episcopal Church and the Weekend Backpack Food program, visit scpen.org. For more information on Pensacon, visit pensacon.com.

PENSACOLA OSTEOPATHS HOSTS IN-CLINIC FOOD PANTRY Pensacola

Osteopaths' in-clinic food pantry is open and available any time that the clinic is open, which is typically Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.5 p.m., for both patients and members of the community who are concerned about hunger and income during the COVID-19 crisis.

September 24, 2020

Anyone is welcome for as long as there is food available—no questions asked.

"As a doctor, I cannot ensure good health outcomes when my patients are hungry or when they're worried about their kids going hungry," said Dr. Alexys Hillman. "I've never been the type to stand by, see a situation and not take action. If there's something I can do to help, I'm going to do it, and in this case, an in-clinic food pantry helps a lot of people."

Pensacola Osteopaths is located 14 W. Jordan St., Ste. C. Donations to the food pantry are accepted. For more information, call 368-7528.

ARTS + CULTURE

VIRTUAL PUMPKIN PARTY For those

who never miss a Strong Street Studio's glass pumpkin patch, you don't have to miss out during the pandemic. This year, the pumpkin patch will be online. Shipping will be available as well as curbside pickup for locals.

Check out the pumpkin inventory Oct. 3, 17 and 31; and Nov. 14. For more information, visit strongstreetstudioglass.com.

ALYSSA'S ANTIQUE'S PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST Alyssa's An-

tiques Inaugural Pumpkin Decorating contest is now open to anyone. Your $10 registration fee goes to a good cause, with 100% of profits benefiting your selected charities and winners picking their choice of nonprofit organizations. Voting will be $1 for each ballot.

The pumpkins cannot be carved. The decorations will need to be all done on the exterior of the pumpkin. Any theme is open. However, any pumpkin deemed inappropriate will not be accepted. Registration is open until Friday, Sept. 25. The deadline for dropping off completed pumpkins at Alyssa's is Friday, Oct. 9.Public voting both online and in store will be Oct.10-26. The winner will be announced on Oct. 27. For more information, visit shopalyssas.com.

Brewery with live music from Ship & Shore Saturday, Sept. 26, from 6-9 p.m. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

FITNESS + RECREATION

RELEASE & RENEW AT FITNESS IMPACT TRAINING At 8:15 a.m. on Mon-

days, Wednesdays and Fridays, release into a yin yoga flow centered around low-stress training for high-stress individuals. The focus will be on the basics of breath and openness in the shoulders, hips and spine.

For more info, go to mindandmetta.online.

Cost is $12 per class, and the location is 375 N. Ninth Ave, Ste. B. Limited space available. Ask about membership pricing.

GULF COAST BREWERY RUN Thurs-

days at 6 p.m., join Pensacola Runners Association for a 5K fun run. Enjoy a free beer after the run and complimentary games such as cornhole, ping pong and more. Gulf Coast Brewery is located at 500 E. Heinberg St. For more information, visit facebook.com/gulfcoastbrewery.

MEDITATIONS IN THE LABYRINTH

Join Empathic Practice and Felipe Muñoz for weekly mediations 5:30 p.m. on Fridays.

The meditations are held at Long Hollow Park on Guillemard Street and are an opportunity for people to get together and practice guided meditations, singing bowl meditation and labyrinth walk meditation.

All classes are free, although donations are accepted. Social distancing will be practiced. Bring your own mat or pillow.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ empathicpractice.

BEER GARDEN YOGA Join Coastal County Brewing Company Saturdays at 9 a.m. for the new Yoga in the Garden Series.

Classes will be led by Tara Taylor, a highly experienced instructor from Breathe Pensacola. All skill levels are welcome. Cost is $10 and includes a pint of beer after the

class. Coastal County Brewing Company is located at 3041 E. Olive Road. For more information, visit facebook.com/coastalcounty.

YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Beginner Yoga with John is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, and 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept.

30. Funky Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. And Vinyasa Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. All classes at Ever'man, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org.

YOGA WITH ADRON CHAMBERS Yoga

with Adron is back on Thursday and Saturdays with Asher & Bee Apothecary and Tea House. Classes are 6 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. Cost is $11. Classes are open to everyone including beginners, novices and masters. Asher & Bee is located at 3014 N. Ninth Ave. To register for classes, email 11adron56@gmail.com.

BLUE WAHOOS AND BUBBA WATSON OPEN STADIUM DISC GOLF COURSE

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and team co-owner Bubba Watson have partnered to bring disc golf to Blue Wahoos Stadium. The course covers the entirety of the stadium and is open to the public from noon-8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission is $5 per player per round.

Children ages 6-12, seniors, military members and first responders will receive a $1 admission discount. Children 5 and under receive free admission with a paid adult.

To ensure the safety of participants and in adherence with COVID-19 guidelines, new groups will be allowed to begin playing the course every 15 minutes. Players are encouraged to bring their own discs or to purchase a three-disk starter pack from the Blue Wahoos for $25. Disc rental is not available in accordance with safety. Go to Wahoos Stadium and visit the Bait & Tackle Store behind home plate to register. A scorecard and course map will be provided to each player. For more information, visit bluewahoos.com.

BIKE PENSACOLA SHARES SLOW RIDE ROUTES If you're missing the

monthly slow rides, here's a chance to enjoy the routes. Bike Pensacola is sharing slow ride maps from popular events. Find the maps on Facebook at facebook.com/ bikepensacola. You will still need to adhere to safety and social distancing guidelines.

OCEAN HOUR BEACH CLEAN-UPS

Ocean Hour has picked up its weekly beach clean-ups in the Pensacola area Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. Supplies will be provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own.

For locations, visit oceanhourfl.com.

FOOD & WINE

TOSTADAS, TACOS & TAMALES AT ODD COLONY Enjoy tostadas, tacos and tamales

from Two Birds Street Food every Thursday at Odd Colony from 5-9 p.m. Odd Colony is located at 260 N. Palafox. For more information, visit facebook.com/oddcolony.

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a&e happenings will be held in the Garden Room and will be offered at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Price for the wine dinner is $250 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Seating for the Celebration of the Iconic Wines of Antinori is limited; reservations are required and can be made by calling 5428398. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

JAZZ AT JACKSON'S Vocalist Ellen Vin-

son and pianist Bobby van Deusen will present a program of musical favorites at Jackson's Steakhouse, located at 400 S. Palafox, on Thursday, Sept. 24. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE BLEND NIGHT Join Bodacious on Thurs-

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back

by popular demand. Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot.

Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook. com/garysbrew.

THE ICONIC WINES OF ANTINORI

Enjoy a special wine dinner at Angelena's celebrating the iconic wines of Antinori from the Tignanello, Guado al Tasso and Castello Della Sala Estates. The wine dinner

day, Sept. 24, for a special Bodacious Wine Dinner featuring wine blends from around the world with a five-course meal featuring five wines from France, Spain, Argentina and more. Cost is $89 per person.

Wine Dinner attendees will receive a 10% discount on all retail products and future cooking classes on the date of the event.

Bodacious is located at 407-D S. Palafox.

To register, visit bodaciousshops.com.

PASTA FROM SCRATCH Join the chefs

of Bodacious for an educational homemade pasta class 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.

Class is $65 per person. Bodacious Shops

is located at 407-D S. Palafox. For more information, visit bodaciousshops.com.

PERENNIAL POP-UP AT PERFECT PLAIN Join Perfect Plain on Friday, Sept. 25,

from 5-9 p.m. for their third Perennial Pop-Up preview and food pairing with Esaan Thai Street Food. Perfect Plain Brewing Co. is located at 50 E. Garden St. For more information, visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

SATURDAYS AT THE MARKET OUTDOOR VENDOR EVENT Located at 5300

Berryhill Road, the outdoor market features artisans and crafters alike from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Social distancing guidelines will be in effect. For more information, email saturdaysatthemarket@gmail.com.

THE MARKET AT SCI BUILDING Saturdays at Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St., stop by to support local market vendors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/scibuilding PENSACOLA POP-UP FARMERS MARKET Check out fresh and organic

produce, milk, eggs, meat, fresh-baked bread, mushrooms, lumber, grits, cornmeal, pies and plants Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at East Hill Market, located at 1216 N. Ninth Ave. For a list of vendors, visit facebook.com/easthillmarket.

SUNDAY VIBES IN THE GARDEN Sun-

day Funday is back at Garden & Grain with DJ Hdycvt and drink specials. Safety guidelines will be in place. Visit facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco for more information.

Garden and Grain is located behind Perfect Plain Brewing Co. at 50 E. Garden St.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Monday Night Trivia is back

at Perfect Plain Brewing Co. Mondays at 7 p.m., challenge your nerdism with host Jarrell Hendrix of 850 Entertainment. The top three winners will receive Perfect Plain gift cards.

Themed cocktail menu and drink specials will also be available. Trivia is free to play.

For the health and safety of all, PPBC Trivia entry is subject to PPBC capacity guidelines. Per city ordinance, masks will be required for all guests and employees. There will have masks on hand in case you forget yours. There will be one entrance and one exit, through the doors under the awning at Perfect Plain. Hand sanitizer will be available at every bar. For more information, visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

THE TAMALE TRUCK BY NOMADIC EATS Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St., from 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, for tamales from Nomadic Eats. The Tamale Truck will be at Odd Colony Brewing Co., Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m.

This face was once masked by pain.

Now, it’s a face that sees the light.

We are a non-profit, faith-centered ministry offering food, addiction recovery services, housing, spiritual guidance and more to Escambia County’s most vulnerable and under-resourced residents.

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a&e happenings POKE BOWL 101 Visit Bodacious for the Poke Bowl 101 Cooking Class at So Gourmet.

Our chef will guide you through the process of making basic poke bowls in the original Hawaiian style. Class is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. Cost is $65. Bodacious Shops is located at 407-D S. Palafox. For more information, visit bodaciousshops.com.

TWILIGHT THREE-COURSE SPECIAL

The District's Twilight Three-Course special is back Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:30-6 p.m. Guests enjoy three courses for $35 per person. Diners must be seated by 6 p.m. for offer to be vailed. To make a reservation, call 332-5224 or online at districtstreaks.com. The District is located at 123 E. Government St.

VIRTUAL EVENTS

FILMED BY BIKE: PENSACOLA (EXTENDED) Join Bike Pensacola for Filmed

by Bike—Bike Love, a one-hour collection of the best bike movies from all over the world.

Immerse yourself in a thrilling world of cycling as compelling stories dance across the screen. This collection includes an array of fun, lighthearted films as well as pieces that showcase how bikes are changing lives. The films highlight important stories from all over the globe, including Kathmandu, London, Kenya and elsewhere. Register on the Bike Pensacola Facebook page, facebook. com/bikepensacola, and receive a link to the film. Available through the month of September. Tickets are available by donation.

UWF SPECTRUM MEETINGS NOW ONLINE Spectrum, UWF's LGBTQ+ sup-

port organization, will continue its typical schedule of meeting every Friday at 6 p.m.

All Spectrum meetings will be online using Zoom. Every Friday morning/afternoon, an email that includes a description of the planned meeting as well as the invite link or code to join the Zoom meeting will be sent out.

In their Discord, you can meet other members, ask questions about the club or UWF, share your interests and just have a general good time. It is a very casual place for all to have a sense of community, so don't be scared to join and start socializing.

View the invite link to Discord at discord.gg/Qm4hhvE.

TEA THYME WITH DR. TONIE E. ANDERSON-STEELE This weekly broad-

cast on YouTube supports the mission and goals of Change Tomorrow Today 365 by educating the public and providing a forum for meaningful discussions regarding the following areas of restoration—education, healing, awareness, networking, selfsufficiency and leadership. Tune in 11 a.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit facebook.com/changetomorrowtoday365.

SCRIPTEASERS WITH PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE Scripteasers, Studio

400's and Pensacola Little Theatre's Script Reading Club, invites you for monthly Zoom readings.

September 24, 2020

Want to bring your scripts for the group to read and discuss? Contact Pensacola Little Theatre to get in queue. The group reads prospective scripts for future seasons as well as new scripts that need a table read before the next edit.

Not a playwright but love to read out loud? This is your easy, fun theatre night!

Fascinated by the play selection process?

Sit in for a listen and usually a lot of laughs.

Visit facebook.com/pensacolalittletheatre for more information and the latest dates.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART VIRTUAL SHOWINGS The theatre is still closed,

but Pensacola Cinema Art (PCA) is making sure you can stream select independent films and support a local nonprofit from the comfort of your own home. Even as theaters open, PCA's small size does not allow for proper social distancing, so the theatre will continue to be closed. Any fees collected through virtual showings help support Pensacola Cinema Art. New movies include "Jimmy Carter: Rock And Roll President." For more information on movies and links, visit pensacolacinemaart.com.

FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK ZOOM PRESENTATIONS

Florida Public Archaeology Network's "Zoom into Archaeology" series is a great way to learn history from the comfort of your home. "Zoom into Archaeology" is a free online series that features a short presentation by an archaeologist via Zoom and an opportunity for participants to ask questions at the end of the presentation (duration is about one-hour total). For more information, visit flpublicarchaeology.org/nwrc.

The next Zoom event is "Shipwreck Narratives and the Act of Cannibalism" at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24.

KID-FRIENDLY

FPAN READS "LUNA THE CAT" Join

FPAN staff Mike Thomin and Nicole Grinnan as they read their latest children's book, "Luna the Cat!" This story is about an ordinary cat named Luna who lived a quiet life in Mexico in the 1500s. But in the year 1559, Luna found himself on an extraordinary journey across a sea that he never expected to be a part of. "Luna the Cat" is influenced by the real history and archaeology of Spaniard Don Tristán de Luna's 1559 settlement attempt in Pensacola. Following the reading, staff will briefly discuss how ongoing research influenced each chapter and will be on hand to answer any questions!

This presentation is most appropriate for children ages 6-12, but all are welcome.

Readers can follow along at bit.ly/lunathecatbook. RSVP at flpublicarchaeology.org/nwrc.

For a chance to win a signed version of the book, readers can also submit an activity sheet (bit.ly/lunathecatactivity) by Sept.11. Readers do not have to watch the live series to submit an activity sheet. {in}

www.radiofreepensacola.com 17

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free will astrology WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 24 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): "It takes

a lot of courage to be the same person on the outside that you are on the inside."

Author Barbara De Angelis made that observation. I offer it up to you as a fun challenge. During the coming weeks, you may be strongly tempted to be different on the outside than you are on the inside. On the other hand, you'll have the necessary insight and valor to remain unified. In fact, you may ultimately create more congruence between your inside and outside than you have in a long time.

Pensacola

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): "People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons—From within."

Fantasy author Ursula K. Le Guin made that observation, and now I'm conveying it to you just in time for the season when you'll need it most. Please note that I am not predicting you'll be devoured by dragons from within. In offering you this oracle, my hope is that you will—1. acknowledge the existence of metaphorical dragons; 2. locate where they hang out in your inner realms; 3. study them and get to know them better; 4. devise a strategy for dealing with them safely.

(850) 434-2060

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): "Don't

113 Palafox Place (Across from Saenger Theatre)

that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each." The same principle applies to all of us adults who are committed to the goal of life-long learning. And according to my astrological analysis, it will be especially useful for you Leos to keep in mind during the coming weeks. It's time to energize your education! And here's the best way to gather the new teachings that are important for you to know—Follow what amuses your mind.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Christian author Frederick Buechner writes, "We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, and I believe that to love ourselves means to extend to those various selves that we have been along the way the same degree of compassion and concern that we would extend to anyone else." Let's make his thought your keynote for the next two weeks. Now is an excellent time to take a journey through your past to visit all the other people you have been. As you do attend to this poignant work, be generous with each of your old selves. Forgive them for their errors and praise their beauty.

Tell them how much you love them. Thank them for how they have made possible the life you're living now.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Seventy-

let them tame you," advised flamboyant Gemini dancer Isadora Duncan. Who did she mean by "them?" The mainstream critics, who might have wished she cultivated a less maverick style? Her managers and handlers, who may have wanted her to tone herself down so she could earn maximum amounts of money? Her friends, who cringed when she did things like dancing on a table wearing an evening dress at a party?

In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to take a survey of what influences might wish you were more docile, mild, or manageable. And then meditate on how you could consistently express the healthiest kind of wildness.

nine-year-old Libran poet Robert Pinsky has had a triumphant life. He has published 19 books, including his own poems and essays, as well as translations of Italian and Polish poetry. For four years, he served as the United States Poet Laureate. To what factors does he attribute his success?

Here's one—"Whatever makes a child want to glue macaroni on a paper has always been strong in me," he testifies. He's referring to the primitive arts-and-crafts projects he enjoyed while growing up. In accordance with astrological omens, I encourage you, too, to get in touch and commune with the primal roots of the things you love to do. Reconnect with the original expressions of your passion for life.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): In the

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): "A

Yoruba religion of "Ifà," the English word "heart" has two different meanings and words. So says Yoruba priest Awó Falokun Fatunmbi. The first heart is the organ that pumps blood through our bodies. It's called "okàn." Within the "okàn" is the second heart—a power center that regulates the flow of emotions. It's called "ègbè." I believe your "ègbè" will be exceptionally strong and clear and generous in the coming weeks, Cancerian. Your capacity to feel deeply and truly will be a gift to all those with whom you share it. It will also have the potential to enhance your appreciation for your own mysterious life. Wield your "ègbè" with glee and panache!

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Ancient Greek philosopher Plato observed, "Do not train children to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to what amuses their minds, so 818 1

By Rob Brezsny

single ego is an absurdly narrow vantage point from which to view the world," wrote occultist Aleister Crowley. Author Gore Vidal agreed, saying, "Since no one can ever know for certain whether or not his own view of life is the correct one, it is absolutely impossible for him to know if someone else's is the wrong one." All of us can perpetually benefit from this counsel.

And it will be especially healthy for you to heed during the next four weeks. Humility will be a superpower. Blessings will flow your way if you don't need to be right all the time. As you refrain from regarding your own opinions as God's holy decrees, you will generate good fortune for yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): "It's a rare gift, to know where you need to be, before you've been to all the places you don't need to be." Author Ursula K. Le Guin

wrote that. I'm passing it on to you because I suspect you now possess the power to claim this rare gift. In the coming days, you don't have to engage in endless evaluations of the numerous possibilities. You don't have to risk falling victim to overthinking. Your clear, strong gut hunches will tell you exactly where you need to be and how to get there.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Novelist Henry Miller was in many ways a quintessential Capricorn. He described himself as being "in love with love, always in search of the absolute, always seeking the unattainable." Feelings like those are why your astrological symbol is the mountain goat that's always climbing higher, questing toward the next pinnacle. At your best, you're determined to keep striving for the brightest, the strongest, the truest. Sometimes you overdo this admirable imperative, but mostly it's a beautiful quality. You are hereby authorized to express it with maximum wisdom and eagerness in the coming weeks.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "Go

catch a falling star," wrote poet John Donne (1572–1631) in his poem "Song." "Tell me who cleft the Devil's foot," he went on to say. "Teach me to hear the mermaids singing." He wasn't being literal, but rather was indulging in poetic fancy to stretch his readers' imaginations. I'm offering you the spirit of Donne's poem, Aquarius, because you're ripe to transcend your limited notions about what's plausible and implausible. If you allow yourself to get extravagant and unruly in your fantasies, you may crack through shrunken expectations and break into a spacious realm of novel possibilities.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I don't

suggest you indulge daringly in sensual pleasures, cathartic exchanges of energy, and intoxicating pursuits of relief and release.

The pandemic mandates us to be cautious about engaging in unmitigated bliss—even though the astrological omens suggest that if now were a normal time, such activities would be well worth focusing on. How can you resolve this dilemma? Possibilities—1.

Experiment zestfully with your live-in steady or spouse. 2. Get a COVID-19 test with a potential playmate, and if you both test negative, celebrate boisterously. 2. Round up a dazzler with whom you can generate rapture via Zoom. 3. Fantasize about delightfully gracious debauchery. 4. Go solo.

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: In your fantasy, create an alternate version of yourself with a different name and a different life.

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2020

inweekly.net

news of the weird AWESOME! Florida real estate agent Kristen Kearney was inundated with interest in a condo she listed in Lake Worth after photos of the $100,000 property and its Budweiser beer can decor went viral. The former owner, now deceased, made it "his life's mission to wallpaper his home in beer cans, and he did it," Kearney said. "He even created a crown molding look with the cans." United Press International reported every wall and ceiling in the condo is covered with actual beer cans, except the bathroom. Kearney said the property is under contract with a backup offer.

COME AGAIN? A man identifying himself as Jesus Christ appeared before Rickergate court in Carlisle, England, on Sept. 15 after being arrested by British Transport Police on suspicion that he did not buy a ticket to ride a train from Edinburgh to Carlisle. When asked to state a plea, the man replied, "There is a not guilty plea; I don't need to plead," the News & Star reported.

In response to a request for his address, he said: "No fixed abode, or Yellow House, Albion, Mauritius." The bearded defendant wore a hood and a green blindfold throughout his hearing; he was returned to custody as prosecutors considered his case.

THE PASSING PARADE Windermere, Florida, fifth-grader Ian Golba, 11, visited the principal's office on Sept. 15 after his teacher asked him to remove his Hooters face mask. "She said it was not appropriate for school and I asked her why and she said if you really want to know why go ask the principal," Ian told WESH. The principal at Sunset Park Elementary School backed up the teacher, asking Ian three times to remove the mask, which he did. But Greg Golba, Ian's dad, wants to know what the problem was. "I don't think it's offensive at all. It's just a restaurant," Greg said.

COMPELLING EXPLANATION Tarrant County, Texas, Sheriff's Deputy Jay Allen Rotter, 36, called 911 on Aug. 26 to report that his girlfriend, Leslie Lynn Hartman, 46, had shot herself in the head with his duty weapon as they shared a hug in their bedroom, telling the dispatcher "she is done" and he "would have stopped her if he could have," according to Denton police. But as police investigators analyzed physical evidence and Rotter's electronics over the following weeks, they came to identify Rotter as a suspect, leading to his arrest on Sept.

14, reported NBC5. According to the arrest affidavit, the deputy had been active in a chat room called Discord that night, where he posted that he had "just sent a 9 millie in this ... hippie," and phone and computer records showed the two had been arguing about the shooting of a milk carton in the backyard before the alleged murder. Rotter was charged with murder and tampering

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

with evidence and is being held on $1.15 million bond in the Denton City Jail.

INEXPLICABLE Jimmy Senda of Racine, Wisconsin, takes a walk along the beach on Lake Michigan every morning, where he collects "sea glass and random stuff—because I like to do artwork at home with the stuff that I find," he told FOX6. On Sept. 15, he came across a curious package, "wrapped in aluminum foil, and around it, it had a pink rubber band," he said. "Curiosity got to me, so I popped it open and it looked like a chicken breast," but on closer inspection, he determined, "it was a brain." The package also contained flowers and paper with what appear to be Mandarin characters printed on it. Senda called police, who turned the package over to the Racine County Medical Examiner's Office and later announced the brain was "not consistent with a human brain," although they were still trying to determine what kind of animal it came from.

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION Ocean Township, New Jersey, listed the home of 89-year-old Glen Kristi Goldenthal for sale on Sept. 9, foreclosing on the property because Goldenthal owed 6 cents on back taxes from 2019. The tax shortfall had accrued to more than $300, triggering the sale, which alerted Goldenthal's daughter, Lisa Suhay, in Virginia. NBC New York reported the outraged Suhay began calling everyone in the township's office to explain that her mother suffers from Alzheimer's and probably forgot about the bill. Suhay took care of the debt, but for her mother, "(T)his isn't over ... She's called me dozens of times in the last 24 hours," asking about her house and where she's going to live.

Mayor Christopher Siciliano was apologetic, but Suhay remained incensed: "Shame on anybody who can't think far outside the box enough to come up with six cents in an office full of people."

BRIGHT IDEA A commuter boarded a bus between Swinton and Manchester, England, on Sept. 14 sporting what one fellow passenger thought was a "funky mask" until it started to move. The face mask turned out to be a live snake, wrapped around the man's neck and over his nose and mouth, the BBC reported.

Another passenger took photos and posted them on Twitter, commenting "each to their own and all that." "No one batted an eyelid," another rider said. Transport for Greater Manchester, however, said in a statement that "snakeskin—especially when still attached to the snake" is not suitable for masks. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2020 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com September 24, 2020

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