Jan 15 2015 issue

Independent News | January 15, 2015 | Volume 16 | Number 3 | inweekly.net | Screen printed works by Richard Humphreys

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The idea of having my own business and approaching it from a more boutique or niche angle has remained very interesting to me.

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January 15, 2015

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winners & losers George Zimmerman

Don Gaetz

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pensacolastate.edu or call 850-484-1000 Pensacola State College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender/sex, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or genetic information in its educational programs, activities or employment. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Associate Vice President of Institutional Diversity at 850-484-1759, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32504.

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winners DON GAETZ The state senator from Niceville introduced with Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) Senate Bill 240 to require government offices to recognize military-issued IDs as valid identification.

The bill would ensure that active or retired military personnel with an identification card issued by the United States government would not have to produce any other form of identification in order to obtain a Florida driver’s license.

CHRISTOPHER ROOT Catholic Charities

of Northwest Florida has hired Root as its new president and CEO. He currently serves as the department head of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lansing, a position he has held for the last 11 years. Root has a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from Michigan State University.

GULF WINDS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

BauerFinancial has awarded the Pensacolabased credit union its 5-Star Superior rating, which is one of the strongest in the nation, excelling in areas of capital, loan quality and profitability. Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union has earned this highest rating for 82 consecutive quarters, which secures it an even more elite status as a “Sustained Superiority Credit Union.” Only nine percent of the nation’s credit unions have earned and maintained Bauer’s top rating for so long and with such consistency.

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losers GEORGE ZIMMERMAN The man who drew national attention for his shooting of Trayvon Martin was arrested again on Jan. 9.

Zimmerman, 31, was arrested in Lake Mary, Florida on a charge of aggravated assault after his girlfriend told law enforcement he threw a wine bottle at her. Zimmerman was released on $5,000 bail the next day. The judge ordered him to stay out of Volusia County.

DONALD SPENCER The time-honored tradition of shotgun weddings in Milton ended when the Santa Rosa Clerk of Courts made the decision to stop performing courthouse weddings in the wake of recent marriage equality decisions. Spencer cited budgetary reasons for the change. Funny, he did not mention the problem before the 2015 fiscal year budget was approved. The clerks in nearby Okaloosa and Walton counties sadly followed Spencer’s lead.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Florida lawmakers made legal last year a medical marijuana extract low in THC, known as Charlotte’s Web, which could possibly help treat patients and children suffering from severe forms of epilepsy. The law said that Charlotte's Web would be available Jan. 1, but the Department of Health is struggling with the rules for its growth and distribution. State Rep. Matt Gaetz, who sponsored the bill, has asked Gov. Rick Scott to intervene. Meanwhile, the sick and dying suffer.

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

STORMWATER, PART II When I attended the Storm Water Advisory Team (SWAT) meeting on January 6, I was reminded of meetings I attended 15 years ago on the stormwater. Back then the issue wasn’t flooding, it was pollution.

In 1999, a state grand jury chastised city and county leaders for not doing more to protect the environment. Unchecked stormwater runoff from roads, yards and parking lots was identified as a major contributor to the area's declining water quality.

The city of Pensacola and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties responded by appointing the four committees to study the problem. The most important was a 16-member task force appointed by the Escambia Board of County Commissioners and chaired by former State Rep. Buzz Ritchie—the Citizens' Task Force on Urban Stormwater Runoff.

The group brought together environmental regulators, government leaders, builders and residents to develop a comprehensive plan for stormwater runoff pollution. Several projects were identified but the task force also concluded that a consistent funding source was critical to managing stormwater runoff.

Escambia County began to incorporate stormwater projects into its annual budgets, using Local Option Sales Tax funds. The Pensacola City Council created a stormwater utility that taxed property owners to fund its projects.

There wasn’t much enthusiasm for stormwater projects or the utility fee, but the local

officials plowed ahead. Unfortunately, such projects don’t have the same political boost as other capital projects, and fee increases are always difficult to pass.

The city and county stormwater projects didn’t keep up with the need. Some of those built, like the award-winning stormwater at Admiral Mason Park, were completely overwhelmed by the April 2014 deluge that dropped nearly two feet of rain in less than 24 hours.

However, some drainage improvements handled the downpour better. The encouraging news from the Jan. 6 meeting from County Administrator Jack Brown was many of the county’s stormwater improvements worked properly, particurlay in Ensley and Ferry Pass.

The stormwater issue this time is how to manage it without leaving our businesses, homes and neighborhoods at risk, while still protecting the water quality of our waterways.

SWAT has its hands full developing a comprehensive solution. Fortunately county and city officials have agreed to work together on the problem. Capital projects will need to be fast-tracked. That will take money, lots of money, more than $200 million. Grants are available, but we have to aggressively pursue them.

The positive is that we know longer have to convince anyone that stormwater is a problem. The support for whatever solutions are recommended will be much stronger than it was in 2000. {in}rick@inweekly.net

The support for whatever solutions are recommended will be much stronger than it was in 2000.

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THE GENTLE GIANT Conversely, they cowered at the thought of being caught in it. It’s the painful dichotomy of loving your freedom and loathing it at the same time. I suspect many inmates would have walked home in the storm if they were let out at that moment.

Two days of torrential rain kept all of the inmates from going outside to exercise in the caged recreation yards. Weinstein complained that the low pressure was hurting his arthritis and causing headaches, so he forfeited a tied game of Scrabble in order to lay down. I knew he was feeling ill and suggested that he talk to the nurse. After that, I went to bed.

That was the last time that I ever spoke to him.

WE COULD BE HEROES

The April 30 CBD explosion / photo special to the Independent News

The Untold Story of Jail Blast

By JD Sjoberg

*Publishers Note: The voices missing from investigation into the April 30 explosion at the Central Booking and Detention Center are those of the prisoners, particularly those who knew the men who died in the blast. Sjoberg was in the CBD for a probation violation. These are his words on what happened the night of the explosion and about his friend, Paul Weinstein.

—Rick Outzen Paul Weinstein hated to lose. Weinstein was the reigning champion of jailhouse Scrabble, where points are awarded for proper nouns and just about anything else. Scrabble was the one medium that he could use to gain equality with the other inmates. He spoke lightly, with a very sharp New England accent, almost as if his tongue couldn’t keep up with a sprinting mental narrative. I would listen intently to his descriptions of Boston cream pie while I poured over his legal work.

Weinstein was learning disabled and bipolar, and he struggled to interpret the state’s case against him. He was taller than me and almost everybody else in the 2 West Unit. Most of the other inmates left him alone because of his size, but any notion of imposing 66

aggression was immediately clipped when he opened his mouth to talk.

He said in a light, hoarse voice, “I still can’t figure out why I’m here.”

Indeed, I learned enough to know that Weinstein wasn’t a criminal, he had just made some poor decisions. A record of petty misdemeanor counts and trespasses reflected the life of a man without a home. He was not a man that lacked a bedrock of morality.

Weinstein had yet to be sentenced. Like many inmates, he was waiting in a gray area of time for the basic parameters of his trial to be set. Unfortunately, he never made it to his July trial because of the events that took place last spring.

The explosion transcended noise altogether. It was a boom that reverberated throughout your entire body. In the 2 West Unit there was no screaming, no panic and no pushing. It was a subconscious urgency that all the inmates shared. Somehow we worked together to escape the building.

The key holder was a much older corrections officer. He had been working at the jail for 20 years and was loved by inmates and staff alike. We looked down and saw him

“A few answers would have been nice as well.

Instead, a grand jury found no department at fault, and parlayed the idea that maintenance workers were flawed on an individual level.” Sjoberg

LIGHTNING BEFORE THE THUNDER

On April 30, 2014, the skies over mid-town were illuminated, and a volatile mix of dirty water, diesel and natural gas swirled in the basement of the Central Booking and Detention (CBD) facility.

How do I describe it? Many had their Bibles turned to the book of Revelations, swearing that this was the start of the apocalypse.

The fervor of jailhouse religion transitioned into a tangible terror amongst many of the inmates. They longed to hear the thunder and to feel the rain.

murmuring into a pen cap, thinking it was his radio. He was shell-shocked.

“Sir! We need you to open the door!” they yelled. “Please open the door!”

In every dorm there are leaders, thugs, introverts and outspoken intellectuals. Right now, everybody had to be a leader. That’s exactly what I saw when four inmates decided to mount the corrections officer on their shoulders and carry him to the door. Rather than taking the keys (which would have been easy), the inmates showed this man the utmost respect and guided him through the dust to the second floor door. We made it outside and the corrections officer was taken to an ambulance. The inmates were grounded in a shoot-to-kill no movement zone.

CASUALTIES AND CANDY

It was at this time that I noticed the absence of my friend Paul Weinstein, and I broke the order of silence to ask where he was.

I began frantically asking the same question to new sets of faces as they exited the building.

Finally my friend Josh said, “You didn’t hear? Weinstein actually got sent to the discipline tank!”

This news surprised me. Weinstein was a model inmate according to the Florida Model Jail standards. I asked Josh what he did.

“Cut in the medical line, said it was an emergency, the officer said he was causing a scene,” he said. I knew Weinstein must have been desperate and suffering a migraine because he usually refused to take medicine or draw any sympathy toward himself.

I let the scene unfold in front of me. A hundred casualties moaning in the parking lot, a thousand hearts were racing from adrenaline. I watched the female inmates hooking up with the males while they had an open window to do so. Many thought about breaking off in a full sprint toward freedom. Others combed the ground for loose cigarette butts.

I shook my head and wondered how the Escambia County Commission was going to justify this.

That’s when I heard it over a guard’s radio—“We have two casualties in the ARC Tank 1, both white males, deceased.”

The tank. The 12x12 cell where Paul took his last breath, still suffering from a migraine and wondering where he was. It completely caved in, crushing him to death.

I was released on May 6, a week after the tragedy. In light of the events, the county offered every inmate $100 in their commissary account. Coffee, candy and pastries courtesy of the county commission and jail administrators. It was a one-time giveaway to refund the total loss of personal property incurred by the inmate population.

I just wanted my friend back. A few answers would have been nice as well. Instead, a grand jury found no department at fault, and parlayed the idea that maintenance workers were flawed on an individual level.

The county and its commission were relieved of any negligent charges. Most inmates took the free commissary credit as adequate reparation. {in} inweekly.net

ESCAMBIA COUNTY MULLS APPOINTED SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

By Duwayne Escobedo Five times in the past half century, Escambia County voters have resisted a nationwide trend. Unlike 99 percent of the more than 14,500 public school districts across the county, local voters went to the polls and unanimously rejected appointing its superintendent.

Now, county voters may get another chance in 2016 to join the appointed superintendent tidal wave that has swept the United States.

Longtime Pensacola businessman Robert de Varona is spearheading the issue. He and other Pensacola area organizations want Escambia County to embrace the future of public education.

Today, only Florida, Alabama and Mississippi elect school system superintendents. Although a 1964 Florida amendment allowed each of its 67 counties to appoint its superintendents, 41 still choose election over appointment by an elected school board. Escambia remains stalwart along

January 15, 2015

with Florida’s five other largest county holdouts—Pasco, Marion, Leon and Clay—to boast elected superintendents.

Of the four referendums on the issue, the first one in 1967 came the closest to passing when it failed by one vote: Yes, 9650 to No, 9651. The margin of defeat steadily increased in 1970, 1976, 1988 and 1994. The last referendum on the issue went before voters in 1994 and failed 64-36 percent. Late Superintendent Bill Maloy failed in 2000 in his attempt to revive the issue when the school board refused to let the referendum on the ballot.

However, with low state test scores and poor graduation rates, how much longer Escambia resists change is up for debate.

“We have to take radical steps and bold action,” de Varona said. “We haven’t made much progress in the past 20 years in education.”

He is researching and supporting the debate along with the Studer Institute, League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area and others. In fact, the League says an appointed superintendent would be a “giant step toward excellence in education.”

The idea is not a new one and neither are “No” votes. Walton County voters rejected the measure 74-26 percent in August, along with a handful of other Florida counties that voted it down. Marion County, which last voted on appointed vs. elected in 2008, plans another referendum in the 2016 general election.

Escambia County School Board Chairwoman Patty Hightower has supported appointing the superintendent to oversee the district’s 5,400 teachers and administrators, 40,000 students and $617 million operational and capital budget.

She’s happy to hear the conversation is being started again after Maloy took up the cause in 1999 and 2000 with little success.

“No one has actually talked to me about it,” Hightower said, who backed the issue since moving to Pensacola in 1976. “We are not the norm. Our education is not where people want it to be.”

From the latest Florida standardized test results, Escambia County had five elementary schools earn an F and another eight elementary schools and one middle school earn a D. Overall, Escambia earned a C for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, although graduation rates increased in the last five years by 10 percent— rising from 56 percent to 66 percent—those rates remain far below Florida’s graduation rate, which hit an 11-year high with 76.1 percent of high school seniors earning a diploma.

School Board member Jeff Bergosh also supports putting the superintendent referendum on the 2016 ballot.

“I don’t want to slap anyone in the face and say, ‘Hey, you’re doing a horrible job,’ but we’re under a throwback format,” Bergosh said. “An appointed superintendent is desperately needed. Our school board is not even on the school bus.”

“We have to take radical steps and bold action.

We haven’t made much progress in the past 20 years in education.” Robert de Varona

De Varona, a mentor and tutor in the school system, has one main argument for choosing an appointed superintendent—economic development. He points out how some European and Asian countries have leapfrogged the United States because long ago they went to an appointed superintendent.

“I love this community,” he said. “Now, my passion is education.”

However, Hightower knows any effort faces an uphill battle. After all, Superintendent Maloy championed the issue, while former district leader Jim Paul staunchly opposed it.

“This is a county that enjoys its votes,” she said. {in}

Escambia County Referendum Votes On Appointed School Superintendent Nov. 7, 1967 Yes 9,650 No 9,651

Nov. 3, 1970 Yes 10,974 No 23,711

July 2, 1976 Yes 8,350 No 9,783

March 8, 1988 Yes 15,850 No 32,859

Oct. 4, 1994 Yes 10,709 No 19,396

7

WATSON LIVES HIS DREAM Gary is no stranger to Pensacola. In 2001, he was awarded $18.28 million against the media giant Gannett Company for the false portrayal of his client, Joe Anderson, in a series of Pensacola News Journal articles, though eventually the judgment was reversed on appeal.

When he was student at Stetson University College of Law, Watson interned in 2008 with The Law Firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti & Watson. Watching Gary in the courtroom helped the intern become more himself as a trial lawyer. The semester prior to working for Gary, he had unsuccessfully tried out for Stetson’s trial team. He admitted that he was trying to fit a mold of what he thought an attorney should be.

Gary showed him something different, more akin to Watson’s upbringing.

“I grew up in a household where my father was a pastor,” he said.

“He would always preach these fiery sermons, and I didn't know at that time that I was being trained to speak with that same righteous indignation.”

Gary mentored the intern, letting him work on multi-billon dollar litigation against Motorola. Watson said, “He pulled me into his office and had me listen to his opening and closing arguments. I saw Willie in court. I saw that he was just being himself.

I said, ‘Is your dad a preacher?’ He was like, ‘No, but my brother is. I just use what I have learned my entire life.’”

Gary had a trait that Watson has since learned that all great trial lawyers possess.

“When they speak people listen,” he said.

“When an opponent got up and spoke, people were, you know, twiddling their thumbs. One guy was asleep. When Willie got up and spoke, he literally preached. One thing about preachers, they have the ability to connect with people.”

Gary helped Watson mold his style.

When he tried out again for the Stetson trial team, he made it in the first round. He was recognized as a regional champion in trial advocacy. Watson was later named as a national champion when he finished first in the nation of 248 teams from 148 law schools in the American Association for Justice trial competition.

“I kept being myself, so when I would go to Harvard and Yale against these kids that are probably 10 times smarter than me,” he said. “I learned that if I am prepared, if I just use that gifts that God has given me, then I can go and I can beat anybody.”

Watson had an opportunity to join Gary’s law firm, but decided to come home and work with the Levin Papantonio law firm. He said that he wanted the opportunity to work with some of the top litigators in the country.

“Some people just have the gift to move people. Fred Levin, Mike Papantonio and Troy Rafferty have that gift,” he said. The firm gave the young attorney the chance to learn from whom he considered legends in his profession.

On his first day of work, he was told that Fred Levin wanted to mentor him.

“It was a dream to work with Fred,” Watson said. “I have had the opportunity to try cases three times with Fred. I see how he thinks. I see how he outthinks the opponent. This is chess to him—it ain't checkers. He is out thinking you. He is not going to fight you on the law, he is going to fight you on the common sense stuff that you never even thought about.”

He worked with Levin on the Yamaha case, which had a $3.4 million verdict. “The whole case was about whether or not their vehicle, it was like a souped up golf cart, was stable or not; whether it tipped too easily,” he said. “They advertised that it went up mountains and up rivers and this or that stuff.”

There was a video of the firm’s team riding on the actual cart and failing to make it tip over. “We were turning the cart this or that way,” he said. “I didn't like the video. I didn't want us to show the video in court.”

Since the case was about stability, Watson knew Yamaha’s attorneys would argue they couldn’t get the vehicle to turnover.

Levin didn’t care. He said, “I don't care about the video. Let them play the video all day. That is not what the case is about. The case is about what they did before they ever put this machine on the market. The emails and all this where they knew that this thing was rolling over and they still put it on the market.”

“I have had the opportunity to work with two legends, Fred Levin and Willie Gary—something I don’t think any other young attorney in this country has done.” Aaron Watson

Aaron Watson / photo by Matthew Coughlin

By Rick Outzen Aaron Watson had a big year in 2014.

The young attorney in Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty and Proctor law firm won a $12.6 million verdict for his client, making it his second million dollar-plus verdict in two years. He was honored by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the top trial lawyers in the nation under 40.

Watson credits his faith and the mentorship of such legal legends as Willie Gary and Fred Levin for his success. On Jan. 16, he will be recognized with other community leaders with the Living The Dream award for his commitment, vision and leadership to keep the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. alive.

“I really do feel like I am living my dream,” Watson told Inweekly. “Coming from 88

Prichard, Alabama which was, as we call it, ‘the hood.’ We had fi ve kids in the house. My parents didn't have a lot of money.”

He is the second person in his family to earn a college degree. “I set my mind to something here in Pensacola. I said I wanted to be a lawyer,” he said. “I have had the opportunity to work with two legends, Fred Levin and Willie Gary—something I don’t think any other young attorney in this country has done.”

LEARNING FROM LEGENDS

Willie Gary, who lives in Stuart, Florida, earned his reputation as “The Giant Killer” by taking down some of America’s most well-known corporate giants on behalf of his clients. He has won some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S. history, including more than 150 cases valued in excess of $1 million each.

inweekly.net

Mamie Hixon

Living The Dream 2015 honorees:

Mamie Hixon, University of West Florida Captain Keith Hoskins, NAS Pensacola

Captain Keith Hoskins

Jessica Lee, Kia Autosport Teri Levin, Levin Rinke Resort Realty Ezra Merritt, DDS John Peacock, Edward Jones Financial

The Levin team focused on the corporate conduct rather than the actual incident, and they won the case.

“To have that type of high level of mentorship from Fred and Willie and for them to take the time to show me the ropes,” Watson said. “It is almost like wanting to be a basketball player and Michael Jordan and Koby Bryant are mentoring you or wanting to be a boxer and Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson are your mentors. You know that your future is going to be bright by having some of the best mentor you.”

STEEN CASE

One of his first high-profile cases with the Levin Papantonio law firm was that of Victor Steen, an African-American teenager killed by a Pensacola policeman.

Steen, age 17, was riding his bike when he was run over by Pensacola Police Officer Jerald Ard. The video taken from inside Ard’s patrol car showed the officer chasing Steen, trying to shoot the black teenager with a Taser and suddenly turning and pinning him under his car. Steen was pronounced dead at the scene.

After a two-day coroner's inquest last February to review the incident, Escambia County Judge John Simon concluded that Steen's death was "an unfortunate accident" and recommended that criminal charges not be filed against Ard. Watson represented the Steen family in a lawsuit against the City of Pensacola. The case impacted the young attorney.

“When I first reviewed the video and I had to look at the autopsy photo, man, it hardened me,” he said. “I came out a bright-eyed lawyer thinking that everything was right with the world. You handle a case January 15, 2015

Jessica Lee

Aaron Watson, Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty & Proctor

Previous years honorees are:

like that and you see that they’re some ugly things that happen in our society.”

He did understand that the police had their side of the story. He said, “One thing it did teach me was that as ugly as society can sometimes be, there is always going to be two sides to the story. As much as I had to console my client and prepare my side of the case, I had to anticipate their side of the case as well.”

The Steen case had two sides. “As much as we had an argument that this officer used excessive force, he was negligent, he fired a Taser from a moving vehicle at a bicycle,” Watson said. “The other argument that the officer had was, ‘Well, the person that I fired at should have stopped.’"

Victor Steen’s death became very personal for him. “I became Victor Steen.

Victor Steen was me,” he said. “Because when I was his age, I was doing the similar stuff, stuff I probably shouldn't have been, stuff at his age that my folks would not have been proud of.”

When he was a student at Pine Forest High School, Watson had earrings and wore necklaces and baggy pants.

“If you look at me when I was in high school and Victor Steen, we were actually the same person,” he said, “Victor and I could have been friends because I’ve got friends that look just like Victor Steen. I had friends that didn't go to church every Sunday, that have gone to jail and we were best buds. I could have easily become that.”

Teri Levin

Ezra Merritt

2014 Honorees

Rick Outzen Sue Straughn

Shirley Cronley Gloria Clay Grover Fields Dr. Tara Gonzales Cecily McLeod

John Peacock

2013 Honorees Robert Hill Bentina Terry

Watson said, “Victor to me was potential. He made a decision that should not have cost him his life, but he could have become me. That is what bothered me so much. That's why we took that case.”

The Steen case received national attention and resulted in one of the largest civil rights settlements to date against the city of Pensacola.

“For me to just to sit in my office, just try cases and not try to reach somebody would be a disservice because I've been given so much.”

Watson GIVING BACK

Roderick Bennett MD, MBA, FACEP Quinton Studer Alexa Canady-Davis, MD Lonnie D. Wesley, III Rana' Martin

just set your mind to it and have good work ethics.”

Watson has seen the power of strong work ethics in his father, Larry Watson, who grew up a sharecropper in Scooba, Mississippi, a town with a church, gas station and graveyard. Today, Rev. Watson is the senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Pensacola.

The young attorney said, “Literally, we went from cotton fields to courtrooms.

When people hear that, a cotton field, they think of oh, two hundred years ago, slavery.

No, my folks, my parents were picking cotton and stuff just a generation back.”

Watson wants to make a difference with the next generation. He said, “Pensacola helped to raise me. Pensacola has been supporting me since I've been here. For me to just to sit in my office, just try cases and not try to reach somebody would be a disservice because I've been given so much.”

He added, “Whatever I can do I try to do it. Just to let people know that you can be somebody. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't be somebody.” {in}

Watson turned 30 last year and understands the lack of hope that permeates the black community. For him, black nihilism is a real problem.

“Black nihilism is where folks think that they can't achieve just because of their circumstance,” he said. “When I speak to the students at Pine Forest, especially the black males, I say, ‘Listen, I know you probably heard somebody tell you can do what you want to do and you can achieve what you want, but I am living proof of that.

You can be me. I am here in your face right now. I am the living proof of that.’”

He talks to the students about WHAT: This event honors individuals who spaceships. “Everybody has a either currently live in Pensacola or who are from Pensacola and are exemplifying Dr. spaceship and you can go where Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream. you want to go,” Watson said. “I WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 want to encourage them. Listen, WHERE: New World Landing, 600 S. Palafox some think because of their circumCOST: $40 per ticket stances or because they messed DETAILS: brownpapertickets.com/ up and have a criminal record, they event/909639 can't do A, B and C. You can. You can do it and you can do it big if you

THIRD ANNUAL LIVING THE DREAM

9

could enforce the stricter operating rules on the current pits and landfills.

It was the grandfathering that bothered the people of Wedgewood. Person after person came up to microphone and said they wanted the Rolling Hills facility closed.

Currently the landfill owners are in court. DEP has revoked its operating permit and the owners have had a hearing to have that decision overturned. Escambia County and DEP have also asked for an injunction

“We have not done a good job of regulating these pits. We didn’t have a good handle on it, but we now feel like we’re headed in the right direction.” Jack Brown

010 1

studies will support the grant applications.

The engineers have estimated that cost to fix and build a better stormwater system could cost over $200 million, which is why grants are critical. Brown pointed out that most of those grants won’t reimburse the city and county for expenditures already made.

So there will be more meetings. The next SWAT meeting is Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the 4th Floor Training Room in county complex on Palafox.

“The citizens have high expectations that something will be done. It has been eight months since the storm and we’re still talking.” Gary Huston

Waste at Rolling Hills C&D Recycling Center

WEDGEWOOD WANTS MORE The residents of Wedgewood weren’t much interested in the stricter ordinances being proposed to regulate borrow pits and construction & debris landfills.

No, they made it clear during the threehour public comment portion of the Jan. 7 meeting at the Marie Young Community Center that they want the Rolling Hills C&D facility closed and removed from their community.

Years of county staff and leadership not listening to their complaints have made the people of Wedgwood distrustful, and County Administrator Jack Brown acknowledged the county had not done a good job of enforcing the current laws concerning the pits and landfills.

“We have not done a good job of regulating these pits,” Brown said, who has been county administrator since June 2014. “We didn’t have a good handle on it, but we now feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”

Brown told the crowd of more than 70 people that the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has hard decisions ahead.

County Attorney Alison Rogers explained what he meant. The new ordinances have added definitions of what is meant by an abandoned or closed facility, established greater setbacks and stricter operating rules. However, she, Brown and the county staff need the BCC to give them direction on how to deal with the existing borrow pits and landfills.

Rogers said, “The most challenging decision is what do we do with existing borrow pits. Some literally have existed six decades. What will be the extent of grandfathering?”

She explained that it would legally difficult to force changes that involve the land itself, such as requiring old facilities to have greater setbacks. However, the county

the April 29 storm that dumped almost two feet of rain and flooded much of the city of Pensacola and Escambia County south of Interstate 10.

They heard about basin studies (we have 40 in Escambia County), Master Stormwater plans (that dated back to early 1990s) and the definitions of the type of rain storms (a 100-year storm is one that has a one-percent chance of happening in any year).

They saw maps that depicted the April event and damage assessment. They were told 2,318 infrastructure damage sites were identified, and 80 percent of them have been repaired.

The citizens sat quietly, straining to see the maps on the screen. They waited their turn to speak. When they did, they asked for the city and county to work together and get something done now. They talked about how flooding is still occurring every time it rains. They were upset that it didn’t appear the current stormwater system was being maintained.

“The citizens have high expectations that something will be done,” said city resident Gary Huston. “It has been eight months since the storm and we’re still talking.”

Huston pointed out that the stormwater drains in Aragon are “chocked full of water and not draining.” He handed the committee a photo that he had taken. “The water never recedes.”

He also talked about the number of empty lots in Pensacola and said that owners are afraid to develop them until the stormwater issue is solved. “This is an economic tragedy,” he said. “These lots lie fallow. This could all pay for itself, if we just do it.”

County Administrator Jack Brown assured the crowd the county and city are working together. The Board of County Commissioners had agreed to pay the city’s portion of a match needed for a recent grant.

“We’ve got to look at doing things differently,” Brown said. “We can’t continue to do the same things and expect different results.”

Mayor Ashton Hayward was represented at the meeting by his assistant city administrator, Eric Olsen. Olsen said, “We feel the frustration. We should work faster.”

He said that the city needs public feedback to set priorities.

However, before any action, engineering reports must be completed. Those

to shutdown Rolling Hills operations—that hearing is set for April.

The words of the families in Wedgewood—many wearing orange t-shirts over their clothes as a sign of solidarity— showed their pain and frustrations: “Our community is dying.”

“You’re killing our people.”

“You still are not giving us what we want. We were here first. They violated us.”

“Give us back our neighborhood.”

Currently the BCC has a moratorium on pit and landfill permits, which is set to expire Feb. 22. The proposed rewrites of the ordinances and land code sections regarding pits and landfills will next be considered by the Planning Board on Jan. 13. The final drafts will have hearings before the county commission on Feb. 5 and Feb. 19.

The commissioners can expect the people of Wedgewood to be in attendance.

SWAT HEARS FRUSTRATIONS Over

60 citizens crammed into a Pensacola Bay Center meeting room to hear from the engineers, city and county staff and the Storm Water Advisory Team (SWAT) on

HELP THOSE WHO HELP US Through-

out the fall, BRACE and the Disaster Recovery Team of the Alabama have coordinated teams of out-of-town volunteers who helped with recovery efforts for families with house damage related to the flood of last April.

This month, the recovery efforts will intensify when groups of out-of-town volunteers from World Renew, the Mennonite Disaster Service and the traveling NOMADS settle in for the spring season in support of the long-term recovery efforts.

BRACE has been tasked with the coordination of the groups. The United Way of Escambia County stepped forward to assist with securing and directing resources, and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity also joined the effort to help coordinate the volunteer construction teams, as well as providing housing for many of the volunteers.

To provide support the out-of-town volunteers, Pensacola Habitat is inviting local businesses and organizations to participate in the Pensacola Hospitality Project.

“The Hospitality Project is a once-aweek dinner to support the 50-plus volunteers in our town, organized and located at Pensacola Habitat’s main facility,” said Tim Evans, executive director at Pensacola Habitat. “We are seeking support from local businesses, churches or other community organizations to feed this fantastic group. It will give local folks a chance to show these dedicated volunteers how much their efforts means to our community.”

The Pensacola Hospitality Project begins Monday, Jan. 27 and continues through March. For more information on the Pensacola Hospitality Project or to sponsor a volunteer dinner, call Nancy Wolfe at 850.434.5456 ext. 102 or email nwolfe@pensacolahabitat.org. {in} inweekly.net

DIFFERENCE MAKERS University of West Florida and Pensacola State College form new partnership On January 7, the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College signed a Memorandum of Agreement entitled “Pre-Admission Cooperation and Special Admissions Process.” This partnership admits select students from PSC’s Bachelor of Applied Science Program who show evidence of high academic ability and seek a challenging and engaging graduate experience into the UWF Master of Business Administration or Master of Science in Administration, Health Care Administration Track.

“We share a common goal in our mission to serve students and advance higher education in Northwest Florida,” said UWF President Judy Bense. “This agreement will be instrumental in allowing us to continue creating a smooth a transition for PSC graduates to UWF programs.”

The partnership will reduce the time to earning a master’s degree by guiding students in appropriate undergraduate course selection and through the master’s degree admissions process while better preparing them for a successful UWF experience.

“Since we entered into the PSC-to-UWF-direct-admit articulation agreement for undergraduate degrees, it is only appropriate that we also ensure a smooth transition for our bachelor degree graduates who seek post-graduate degree programs at UWF,” said PSC President Ed Meadows. “I am sure this will further demonstrate the value of PSC and UWF to our community and region.”

Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer January 15, 2015

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3 RESTAURANTS. 3 MENUS. 3 COURSES. GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS PRESENTS

Winter Restaurant Week, January 20–24 Jackson’s Steakhouse, The Fish House, and Atlas Oyster House present a five-day culinary celebration offering chef-selected three-course dinner menus at $33 per person, per restaurant. Tuesday, January 20, through Saturday, January 24. View menus at greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

·STEAKHOUSE· JACKSON’S: SOUTH 400 PALAFOX ST., (850) 469-9898 · FISH HOUSE: 600 S. BARRACKS ST., (850) 470-0003 · ATLAS: 600 S. BARRACKS ST., (850) 470-0003

IT’S YOUR TIME

Invest In Your Health

Inaugural

Big Hole Golf Tournament Saturday, February 28 Scenic Hills Country Club Big Hole Golf is a new, faster-paced, 9-hole game.

It’s a perfect outdoor activity for families and friends, both seasoned golfers and beginners. Join us for the inaugural tournament—the first in Florida.

All proceeds will benefit WUWF Public Media.

Details and registration information can be found at scenichills.com or wuwf.org.

Where passion for health and wellness is our purpose. Join the Y. SAVE MONEY WITH

PAY THE DAY IN JANUARY

Details at 438-4406 or ymcanwfl.org 212 1

inweekly.net

by Jennifer Leigh January 15, 2015

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photos by Samantha Crooke In a way, Richard Humphreys can thank an injury for his career choice.

“I was in high school art class with a broken arm,” he said. “I couldn’t participate, so I was surfing the web and started looking at gig posters. I became obsessed.”

Eventually that obsession turned to Humphreys making flyers for local bands and printing bulk copies at Kinkos. In college, he learned to screen print his designs. Late last year, he started his own business, The Workweek Design and Print Studio, where he works as a one-man design team, screen printing most of his creations by hand.

Humphreys’ first foray into the screen printing business was with friend Brent Roche, under the name Dog on Fire, which was mostly designing gig posters. The Workweek goes a few steps beyond that.

“When I first discovered the poster scene for myself while in high school, I knew that’s what I wanted to try and do with my life,” Richard said. “Over time

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I learned to love more traditional forms of design like branding and advertising as well, but I the idea of having my own business and approaching it from a more boutique or niche angle has remained very interesting to me.”

This week Humphreys’ designs will be received in a different venue at Mainline Art House, where he’ll have his first solo show, “Kaleidoscopic Inks.”

Designing a business

Of course, most of Humphreys’ favorite projects come from his roots — gig posters.

Designing for acts like Dr. Dog, Of Montreal or Gotye and Givers (the latter is one he recalls as a “really cool” project) he comes up with his creations by listening to lyrics and finding a middle ground between what he hears and what we eventually see.

“I look at them as more of a merchandise item,” he said. “It’s a keepsake of that

"One reason I really love working with musicians is you get to be a little crazy."

Richard Humphreys experience. One reason I really love working with musicians is you get to be a little crazy.

One of the most appealing things about the gig poster is taking the same approach and rules of advertising, but having the freedom to really push things into left field.”

Some of that “left field” work was even featured in the coffee table book, “The Wall: Modern Day Music Posters.”

Humphreys’ self motivated work ethic harkens back to his time in school. While studying at University of West Florida, he took on independent course work in screen printing under the direction of Joseph Herring, who had a background in the process.

“This was a great first glance into the world of self-employment, seeing as I had to be responsible and learn to manage my time in order to complete the amount of work needed

to pass,” he said. “I was responsible for not only learning the method, but also building a press to print on, which I used for many years and lots of gig posters in the future.”

Even after graduation, Humphreys’ continued to learn trying more complicated techniques. Humphreys describes his design approach as “all over the place,” inspired by mid-century modern design and geometric shapes.

Beyond the bands, The Workweek also contributes to projects throughout the entire design spectrum.

Running a business by himself, Humphreys has to use both the left and right side of his brain throughout any given project. Being a one man show can be rewarding and stressful, he said.

“It is nice to know where you stand as a business owner and being able to build an identity and reputation for yourself that you have complete control of,” he said. At the same time, the everyday tasks can easily become overwhelming. Design school doesn't put a lot of focus on things like managing budgets and projecting realistic timelines, so I am constantly learning and evolving as a business owner.”

But that hard work and evolution pays off when a project comes together and the client is happy.

“You know a job is finished when the person who hired you is very excited with the end result and proud to show it as a representation of their brand, business, etc,” said Humphreys. “Sometimes that happens on the very first concept of a design and sometimes it takes 10 drafts and re-edits, but it is always worth it in the end to stick it out.” inweekly.net

Printing the product

GIG POSTERS AND ART PRINTS

By Richard Humphreys

What sets Humphreys apart from other designers is his ability to bring his work to life by screen printing. And what makes his screen printing process different from the mass market shops is his approach. It’s hands on.

“When I sell prints at a show or as a vendor, people get really into it once they understand the process and effort put into creating each poster,” he said.

Inside his small studio, Humphreys is preparing his prints show at Mainline.

He meticulously places the paper—he exclusively uses the American company, French Paper Co.—on the vacuum table and then stirs the hand-mixed ink. That process is often a lengthy “There’s so much room for and tedious one. error. But when things Humphreys admits that he’s not much of a are going perfect it’s the patient person, but screen most enjoyable thing in the printing teaches him to be. world.” Humphreys “There’s so much room for error,” he said. “But than more traditional forms of art,” he said. when things are going perfect it’s the most Last month, Mainline hosted the enjoyable thing in the world.” works of commercial photographer Larry Marchant, who shot images for advertising campaigns such as Coca Cola and editorials for magazines such as Vogue. With In November, Humphreys was surprised “Kaleidoscopic Inks,” the gallery is yet to be awarded Best in Show at Mainline’s again showcasing creative work that may Ghostbusters-themed art exhibit. Like his not be regarded by some as “high brow.” show posters, Humphreys captured the clasAnd Humphreys is ok if screen printing is sic movie without using obvious imagery. never regarded as such.

“There is a huge trend right now where “It’s affordable, it’s approachable,” he galleries in larger cities are hosting pop said. “If someone is into design art they culture themed shows that cater largely can start collecting without breaking the to the graphic designer/screen printer,” bank. I’m curious to see how people will he explained. “I have always wanted to react to it.” {in} participate in one of these and bring my approach largely influenced by the music world to pop culture and film to see if I could find a way to make the two exist in harmony.”

While the project was somewhat of a challenge, it led Humphreys work to the gallery, which is WHAT: Exhibit featuring screen printed works how the solo show came about.

by Richard Humphreys “I never really considered myself WHEN: On display now; the artist will be on a ‘fine artist’ by any means,” he said. hand Friday, Jan. 16 for a Gallery Night opening “Graphic design does exist within reception starting at 5 p.m. the realm of creativity and art, but it WHERE: Mainline Art House, 422 S. Palafox is primarily a commercial field.”

DETAILS: mainlinearthouse.com More than the traditional forms of art, Humphreys said he enjoys design that has a purpose.

WEBSITE: wrkweek.com “Seeing the way a designer FACEBOOK: facebook.com/workweekstudio takes an assignment and finds a TWITTER: twitter.com/workweekstudio way to creatively build something INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/workweekstudio that is aesthetically pleasing, PINTEREST: pinterest.com/workweekstudio delivers a specific message, and in some cases creates an emotional response has always been much more interesting to me personally

Entering the art world

KALEIDOSCOPIC INKS

GET TO KNOW THE WORKWEEK

January 15, 2015

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Let’s Hangout Again 2015 HANGOUT MUSIC FEST LINEUP:

Jenny Lewis / photo by Autumn de Wilde

Beck

photo by Josh Rhinehart Just in case you somehow missed it earlier this week, the team behind Hangout Music Festival has announced their 2015 lineup.

The sixth installment of the beachside festival, which will take place May 15-17 in Gulf Shores, is set to feature an eclectic mix of acts, especially at the top of the bill. Set to headline this year's festival are Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band and Beck. Alt-rock legends, a country superstar and

sale now at hangoutmusicfest.com. an indie icon—see, we told you it If you know anything about Hangwas an eclectic mix. out, you know it will sell out. So you And course there’s lots to look better act fast if you want in on the forward to beyond the headliners year’s biggest beach party. {in} like My Morning Jacket, Spoon, Foster The People, TV On The Radio, Phantogram, Jenny Lewis, Strand of WHEN: Friday, May 15—Sunday, May 17 Oaks, Future WHERE: Gulf Shores, AL Islands, Cold War TICKETS: 3-Day General Admission and VIP Kids and Father Packages are on sale now John Misty.

DETAILS: hangoutmusicfest.com Tickets are on

HANGOUT MUSIC FEST 2015

•Foo Fighters •Zac Brown Band •Beck •Skrillex •My Morning Jacket •Foster The People •Paramore •Spoon •Umphrey's McGee •Major Lazer •TV On The Radio •Phantogram •Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley •Jenny Lewis •Dirty Heads •Krewella •Adventure Club •Lupe Fiasco •Cold War Kids •Future Islands •Vance Joy •Galactic with Macy Gray •ODESZA •Father John Misty •Beats Antique

Saint Pepsi

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•Trampled by Turtles •GRiZ •Drive-By Truckers •St. Lucia •Robert DeLong

Spoon •Toro y Moi •Preservation Hall Jazz Band •Gramatik •The Lone Bellow •Lake Street Dive •Rubblebucket •Iration •Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls •Vintage Trouble •Charles Bradley

& His Extraordinaires •Houndmouth •Xavier Rudd & The United Nations •Mary Lambert •Kopecky •J. Roddy Walston and The Business •Young Fathers •The Mowgli's •Strand of Oaks •Grizfolk •San Fermin •The Districts •Colony House •Joywave •Saint Pepsi •Elle King •MisterWives •Halsey •Knox Hamilton •Zella Day •Goldroom •Five Knives •Steelism •The Suffers

Strand of Oaks /photo

by Dusdin Condren inweekly.net

calendar

Rebirth Brass Band

THURSDAY 1.15

TRAIL WORK ON THE FLORIDA TRAIL 8:30 a.m.-1 pm. The Western Gate Chapter of the Florida Trail Association regularly schedules trail work on the Florida National Scenic Trail and Florida Trail in Escambia and Santa Rosa County, each Thursday.

Meet at The Harold Store, 10535 U.S. Hwy 90, in Harold, 10 miles east of Milton. Call 474-5359 for more information or sign up at meetup.com/ftawesterngate.

WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Try something new every week at Aragon Wine Market’s regular wine tasting, only a few blocks from downtown. 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com REBIRTH BRASS BAND 7 p.m. Rebirth Brass Band with Hotel Oscar. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15. vinylmusichall.com

5-9 p.m. Stroll through downtown Pensacola and experience an eclectic array of music, art and cuisine. Explore galleries and businesses featuring the works of local artists. Gallery Night is a free event and many businesses provide light refreshments. downtownpensacola.com RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS BUILT TO AMAZE!® 7 p.m. Come

see astonishing performers, awe-inspiring athletes and animals from around the globe provide a riveting display of unimaginable proportions. There is also an all access pre-show prior to every performance.

$14-47. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory. pensacolabaycenter. com ORDINARY PEOPLE 7:30 pm. PLT Studio 400 Productions Presents: “Ordinary People.” Conrad Jarrett had an older brother named Buck, and now Buck is gone. What’s left of young Conrad’s family, with his successful, well-intentioned father and his beautiful, organized and remote mother, is in terrible jeopardy, as is Conrad himself.

They are all “ordinary people” and each is fighting a hard battle.

This play goes to the essence of a young man, his friends and family, their relationships and survival. Rated R. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson. $10-17. pensacolalittletheatre.com AFROMAN 8 p.m. Afroman with Cutthroat and Band of Saints.

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $10-15. vinylmusichall.com MISS MASSIVE SNOWFLAKE 9 p.m. Miss Massive Snowflake, Kent Stanton and Broke Yokels. Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. $5. sluggospensacola.com ZULU WAVE 10 p.m. Zulu Wave with Jpegasus and Dinosaur Daze. The Handlebar, 319 Tarragona St. $6. pensacolahandlebar.com

a neighborhood bar & restaurant

facebook.com/themagnoliaeph

SATURDAY 1.17

PALAFOX MARKET 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are just a few of the items offered at the weekly Palafox Market in Downtown

Kevin James / press photo

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS BUILT TO AMAZE!® 7 p.m. Come

see astonishing performers, awe-inspiring athletes and animals from around the globe provide a riveting display of unimaginable proportions. There is also an all access pre-show prior to every performance. $1447. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory. pensacolabaycenter.com HIP HOP BEER BUFFET 9 p.m. The Handlebar, 319 Tarragona St. $5. pensacolahandlebar.com

FRIDAY 1.16

WINE WITH HILARY: “THE REGIONS” 3-4 p.m. “The Regions” is the second class in Hilary’s wine education series. Participants learn how a region’s soil, climate, etc. affect the wine’s characteristics. SoGourmet above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $15. sogourmetpensacola.com WINE TASTING AT CITY GROCERY 5-7 p.m.

Out and about in East Hill on Friday night?

Stop by City Grocery for their free weekly wine tasting before settling in or heading out for the night. 2050 N. 12th Ave. DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA GALLERY NIGHT January 15, 2015

unique & affordable

▲KEVIN JAMES TICKETS ON SALE "The King of Queens" star will be perfroming on Thursday, March 12 at the Saenger Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Saenger Theatre box office. Charge by phone by calling 800-7453000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets start at $39.50-65. pensacolasaenger.com.

Join us for Wine Tastings Thursdays 5-7 p.m.

27 S. 9th Ave.

433-WINE or 433-9463

www.aragonwinemarket.com 17

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Ears & Fingers

by Jason Leger

Belle and Sebastian “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance”

‘Powerful’ is not a word I would often use to express the feelings Belle and Sebastian well up within me. More often than not, the music is wistful, whimsical and honest. However, ‘powerful’ is really the only thing that came to mind as I listened repeatedly to the opening track from the band’s upcoming ninth studio LP, “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance.”

Confusingly, Belle and Sebastian have always been an underdog band. Sure, their

Pensacola. 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 BIRDWALK WITH FRANCIS M. WESTON

name is fairly well known, they are critical darlings, and they have been extremely influential to countless musicians, but they have never known the notoriety of many of their peers, although most who are familiar with their work know how deserving they are. Perhaps it’s press, perhaps effort, maybe they’re just victims of poor timing. Either way, Belle and Sebastian have always existed below where they deserve to be, but it’s my sincere belief that “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance” can elevate them to their rightful place.

That aforementioned opening track is mega jam ‘Nobody’s Empire,’ and the powerful thing about it is the obsessively driving piano riff that leads into Stuart Murdoch’s tempered storytelling. The effervescence at play from the very beginning of the album is due to the carefree attitude that is all over the place. Even down tempo numbers seem to breathe easy with a lackadaisical energy that has never seemed to have been able to take preeminence on Belle and Sebastian albums. The lead single, ‘The Party Line,’ gave a taste of a reborn Belle & Sebastian, but the level of newness couldn’t have been expected. They have completely abandoned the semblance of wallflower that unfairly followed them for

AUDUBON SOCIETY 9-11 a.m. Take a bird walk with the Francis M. Weston Audubon Society along the ECUA Bayou Marcus Wetlands Elevated Boardwalk. Meet at 3050 Fayal Drive, off of Blue Angel Parkway, 1 1/2 miles north of Lillian Highway.

Lotus’ jazz-tinged monolith, 2014 was a pretty ho hum year for hip-hop, all capped off with that dreadful Kanye/McCartney nonsense. We are less than two weeks into 2015, and it already looks much more promising. Action Bronson is set to release his major label debut, “Mr. Wonderful,” and I’m extremely anxious to hear it. The first proper single is ‘Actin’ Crazy,’ which was produced by frequent Drake collaborator Noah “40” Shebib. The track stays on par with Action Bronson’s psychedelic benders filled with references and punchlines and is some of his most accomplished work. The future looks bright, y’all. “Mr. Wonderful” is out March 24 via Vice/Atlantic Records. {in}

much of their career (I mean, they kind of ushered in ‘twee’) in favor of being the new life of the party. There’s funk, dance, new wave, synths and maybe even a little drug use. Who knows? But the harmonies that are signature Belle and Sebastian are still very much on point and sway effortlessly within a new wrapper of experimentation and, at times, silliness (“Sexual tension at the fridge. He makes for the organic figs.”) This is not to say that Belle and Sebastian have made anything but a record they have put serious time and effort into while taking the time to be funny, take chances and enjoy each other. After all, this is what music is all about and why one chooses to play in the first place. It’s refreshing to see a band who have been at it for years stopping to make sure they are still doing what they love because they love it. It’s far too rare, and hopefully will ensure much more to come from Belle and Sebastian. “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance” is out Jan. 20 via Matador Records.

TRACK OF THE WEEK:

Action Bronson ‘Actin’ Crazy’

Action Bronson

Aside from the untouchable “Run the Jewels 2” and Flying

Expect to see raptors, woodland birds, ducks and wading birds. Bring binoculars and warm clothing. For more information contact Brenda Callaway at 968-4516.

UKULELE CLASS 9:30 a.m. The Pensacola Ukulele Players Society (PUPS) meets

every Saturday morning at Blues Angel Music, offering free ukulele lessons for both beginners and seasoned musicians. Loaner ukuleles are available for the sessions, which usually last an hour. Blues Angel Music, 657 N. Pace Blvd. bluesangelmusic.com

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calendar DOG DAY AT RED FISH BLUE FISH 11-4 p.m.

Bring your furry friend or find a new one at this pet agency showcase.

Free event, no reservations required. Red Fish Blue Fish, 5B Via De Luna Drive. For more information, call 677-8899.

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS BUILT TO AMAZE!®

THE WISDOM OF MYTH 10:30 a.m.-Noon.

Lecture: “Odysseus in the Cave of the Cyclops.” Ever wonder what the stories of mythology really mean? Do they contain hidden insights? Come explore how the wisdom of ancient myths can apply to you today. Free lecture and forum open to the public. West Florida Public Library meeting room, 239 N. Spring St., downtown Pensacola. For more information call 436-4792.

PALEO DINNER WITH GUEST CHEF RUSS CRANDALL 6-8 p.m. An informative Paleo

cooking class led by guest Chef Russ Crandall, author of cookbook, “The Ancestral Table: Traditional Recipes for a Paleo

▲GENERATIONALS Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9 p.m. Generationals with Della Memoria.

Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St. Mobile. $10 in advance and $12 at the door. soulkitchenmobile.com, generationals.com.

January 15, 2015

Inweekly is currently hiring

employment oppor tunities

Chef Russ Crandall

2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Come see astonishing performers, awe-inspiring athletes and animals from around the globe provide a riveting display of unimaginable proportions. There is also an all access preshow prior to every performance. $14-47.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory. pensacolabaycenter.com

Sales Executive & Local Freelance Writers a professional

Sales Executive position will be responsible for: •Selling print & web advertising •Making presentations to customers Must be creative, organized and highly self-motivated.

To be considered, please e-mail a résumé to joani@inweekly.net.

Freelance Writers We are looking for new voices to contribute articles spanning a range of topics—including local news and politics, music, arts and food.

To be considered, please e-mail a résumé and two writing samples to joani@inweekly.net.

19

calendar call Peggy at 982-9490. Sign up at meetup. com/ftawesterngate.

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS BUILT TO AMAZE!® 2 p.m. Come

see astonishing performers, awe-inspiring athletes and animals from around the globe provide a riveting display of unimaginable proportions. There is also an all access pre-show prior to every performance. $1447. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory. pensacolabaycenter.com ORDINARY PEOPLE 2:30 pm. PLT Studio 400 Productions Presents: “Ordinary People.” This play goes to the essence of a young man, his friends and family, their relationships and survival. Rated R. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson. $10-17. pensacolalittletheatre.com FOR TODAY 7 p.m. For Today with Phinehas and Silent Planet. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $14-16. vinylmusichall.com

MONDAY 1.19

MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR PARADE 11 a.m. Parade route begins at Spring and Garden Streets; travels east to Palafox; turns north onto Palafox; takes Palafox to Wright Street, and turns left onto Palafox; travels south on Palafox down to Main Street.

LOCAL PRODUCE SHOWCASE 5 COURSE TASTING MENU 6 p.m. Join Type by Chef

Lifestyle.” The menu features recipes from the cookbook including: Callaloo, Sukuma Wiki, Sweet Potato Poi, White Rice and Banana Ice Cream. SoGourmet above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $65. sogourmetpensacola.com ORDINARY PEOPLE 7:30 pm. PLT Studio 400 Productions Presents: “Ordinary People.” This play goes to the essence of a young man, his friends and family, their relationships and survival. Rated R. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson. $10-17. pensacolalittletheatre.com THE RETURN: THE BEST OF THE EARLY BEATLES - LIVE 8 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S.

Palafox. $20. vinylmusichall.com THE GROOVE ORIENT 10 p.m. The Groove Orient and Post Pluto. The Handlebar, 319

Tarragona St. pensacolahandlebar.com IMPROVABLE CAUSE 10:30 pm. Improvable Cause: Pensacola's best (and only) improvisational comedy troupe performs the first Saturday of every month in the M.C. Blanchard Courtroom Theatre at the Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson. $7. pensacolalittletheatre.com

SUNDAY 1.18

SUNDAY WAKE-UP HIKE 7 a.m. Get the

day started with a brisk walk, followed by breakfast. The walk will range from 1 to 3 miles and take place at different locations each Sunday morning. We will walk the nature trail about an hour at UWF and then re-meet for breakfast at the Egg and I. For more details on exact trail meeting location

Blake Rushing for this "Veggie Lovers Delight" 5 course tasting menu with wine or beer pairing. Type, 501 N. 9th Ave., inside Duh! $70. For reservations call 466-5181.

JAZZ OF SOCIETY OF PENSACOLA’S JAZZ GUMBO 6:30 p.m. Presented by the Jazz

Society of Pensacola, Jazz Gumbo (implying a delicious mix of various ingredients giving a wonderful effect) happens every third Monday evening of each month.

Live jazz is featured in a variety of styles with bands chosen from around the area.

Admission: $10 each for JSOP members and guests; $15 for non-members; $5 for students with ID. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government. jazzpensacola.com

TUESDAY 1.20

STRUT YOUR MUTT 6:45 p.m. Join fellow

dog owners for a 45-minute leisurely stroll in East Hill. Dogs must be leashed and well

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TUESDAY NIGHT POETRY NIGHT AT SLUGGO’S 7 p.m. Free open mic poetry

event every Tuesday. Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook. com/TNPNS GAELIC STORM 7 p.m. Gaelic Storm with Drunker Shade of Green. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $20-25. vinylmusichall.com DANCECRAFT SWING CLASS 7:30-9 p.m.

This class teaches the skills necessary to become a practitioner of West Coast Swing, a popular partner dance that can be enjoyed with virtually any kind of music.

Additional classes and a social dance are held each Wednesday for a chance to put your skills to use. Tuesday class fee is $10 per person or free for people 30 years of age and younger. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com CAROUSEL KINGS 8:30 p.m. Carousel Kings with Survay Says, Everybody Runs and Freshman 15. The Handlebar, 319 Tarragona St. $8. pensacolahandlebar.com

WEDNESDAY 1.21

“PASTA LA VISTA BABY!” HANDS-ON LUNCH CLASS 12-1:30 p.m. Learn to make

gnocchi in this hands-on cooking class.

Then, sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a complementary glass of wine.

Menu includes: Spinach Salad with a Warm Balsamic Vinaigrette, Ricotta Gnocchi with Carbonara Sauce and Blood Orange Chocolate Brownie. Registration fee includes a new take home gnocchi board. Registration is limited to 10 participants. SoGourmet above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $45. sogourmetpensacola.com WEST COAST WEDNESDAYS 6:30 p.m. Learn the West Coast Swing at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8:30 p.m. DanceCraft instructors are among the foremost experts in West Coast Swing in the Pensacola area. Wednesday classes are $10 per person and the social dance is $5 per. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com PAPER DIAMOND 8 p.m. Paper Diamond with Nadastrom and Torro Torro. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $20. vinylmusichall.com

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calendar arts & culture

≥exhibits

MAINLINE ART HOUSE PRESENTS: “KALEIDOSCOPIC INKS” A collection

of screen printed gig posters and art prints by Richard Humphreys, recent winner of the Mainline Ghostbusters exhibit. Humphreys is the founder of the Workweek, a small design and print studio in Northwest Florida. The Workweek umbrella includes design work of all shapes and sizes, while keeping poster design an essential piece of the pie. Various Workweek projects have been featured on numerous blogs, as well as in the coffee table book, “The Wall: Modern Day Music Posters” and the cover on Inweekly. Art House hours and location: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mainline Art House, 442 S. Palafox. mainlinearthouse.com

PMA PRESENTS: “THE ALICE IN WONDERLAND SERIES” The Pen-

sacola Museum of Art presents a whimsical journey into Wonderland through the oil on canvas paintings of Stefani Joseph.

Joseph is a British figurative painter and professor at the Savannah College of Art & Design. On display through Jan. 31. Museum hours, admission fees and location: TuesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for members, children 17 and under, seniors and active duty military. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org 222 2

T.T. WENTWORTH PRESENTS: “BEACHES, CREATURES AND COWBOYS: FLORIDA MOVIE POSTERS”

The exhibit explores Florida as the backdrop of major motion pictures. On display through February.

Museum hours and location: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, 330 S. Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY PRESENTS: “NEW Qs ON THE BLOCK” New Qs on

the Block showcases the talents of eight artist spanning the mediums of photography, acrylic, pencil, watercolor, mixed media, stained glass and fiber. Feature Artists: Gail Bachorik, Billie Bailey, Edward Cooper, Paul Crawford, Sandy Ford, Anna Kern, Jane Morton, Nancy Schrock. On display through Feb. 9.

Museum hours and location: MondaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Quayside Art Gallery, 17 E. Zaragoza St. quaysidegallery.com

BLUE MORNING GALLERY PRESENTS: “THE NEW BLUES EXHIBITION” This

spotlight show features the works of the gallery’s newest members. Featured artists include: Suzette Brooks, glass; Tim Brooks, photography; Frank Brueske, photography; Maria Hoch, ceramic; Bernd Owsnicki, photography; Rafi Perez, oil.

On display through Jan. 31. Museum hours and location: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., and Sunday, 12:30-4 p.m. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox.

bluemorninggallery. com ARTEL PRESENTS: “VIEW FROM ABOVE” Your pos-

sessions, ideas and life—how would they appear when looking down? In this juried show “View From Above,” artists use this rarely seen vantage point to showcase intriguing and curious mixed media works.

Museum hours and location: TuesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, Old County Courthouse. artelgallery.org

≥classes & workshops

“COLOR YOUR ART” WITH MELINDA GIRON 5:30-8:30

p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. For those with some painting experience, Melinda Giron facilitates this refresher class to introduce new ideas/ techniques, open to watercolor, oils and acrylics. Students are invited to bring their own clear image for reference or a piece currently in progress. $100 per student for four class sessions. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. For more information call 686-5151. To register for class, visit: bluemorninggallery. com/classes.

“MAKE-YOUR-OWNGLASS” CLASS 10

a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan 17. Held weekly on Friday and Saturdays, First City Art Center offers weekly “Make-Your-OwnGlass” classes, no previous glassblowing skills necessary.

The classes are open to anyone age 8 and older and range in price from $25-$45.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling

429-1222. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL 6-8:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 19.

During this weekly workshop held on Monday evenings at First City Art Center, instructor Pearl VanHoove works individually with students to develop consistency in throwing on the wheel. Participants receive and introduction to materials, equipment and throwing techniques.

Each session begins with a brief demonstrations followed by hands-on time at the wheel. The class is $40 and open to individuals age 14 and up. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling 4291222. Class is limited to two participants.

First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

bars & nightlife

≥bar games Thursdays

POKER 8 p.m. The

Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road, ticketsportsbar.com POOL TOURNAMENT

8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Road, ticketsportsbar.com Fridays

DRAG BINGO 6-8

p.m. Ages 21 and over. Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola. com POOL TOURNAMENT

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road, ticketsportsbar.com Mondays

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM FOR FUN AND TRIVIA 7

p.m. The Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9

p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. wobusa.com/locations/ Palafox BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 9:30-10:30

p.m. Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ MugsJugs Tuesdays

TUESDAY TRIVIA 8

p.m. The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge, 33 Gulf Breeze Parkway. facebook.com/ thebridgebargb TICKET TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Ticket

1, 7250 Plantation Road, ticketsportsbar.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Road, ticketsportsbar.com DRAG BINGO 10 p.m.-Midnight. Ages 18 and over. Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com Wednesdays

PUB TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9:30 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Road. facebook.com/ goatlipsdeli WEDNESDAY QUIZ TRIVIA 8 p.m. The

Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.com TICKET BAR BINGO

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road, ticketsportsbar.com TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m. Hopjacks. 10 S. Palafox. hopjacks. com BAR BINGO 10 p.m.

Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

≥karaoke Thursdays

VFW Post 706, 6 p.m. 5000 Lillian Highway. vfw706. org Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m.

130 E. Government

St. sevillequarter. com The Cabaret, 9 p.m.

101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola. com Hub Stacey’s At the Point, 9 p.m.

5851 Galvez Road. hubstaceys.com Saturdays

Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 9 p.m. 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

House, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhouse. goodgrits.com AL MARTIN 6 p.m.

The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ QualityInnScenicHwy DUELING PIANO SHOW 8 p.m. Rosie

Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m.

130 E. Government St. sevillequarter. com The Sandshaker Lounge, 9 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker. com

O’ Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com THE BLENDERS 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey's Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com REDFIELD 9 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhouse. goodgrits.com

The Cabaret, 9 p.m.

101 S. Jefferson St. 607-2020 or cabaretpensacola.com

City, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com

Sundays

Mondays

Tuesdays

The Sandshaker Lounge, 8 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker. com Play, 9 p.m. 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

≥live music

THURSDAY 1.15

AL MARTIN 6 p.m.

The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ QualityInnScenicHwy

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The

Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhouse. goodgrits.com JOHN HART AND TYLER MACK 7

p.m. Hub Stacey's Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com DJ LAO COLLEGE NIGHT 9 p.m.

Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

FRIDAY 1.16

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 p.m. The

Deck at The Fish

DJ ORLANDO RICARDO 9 p.m. Emerald

SOMETHING HUGE

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

SATURDAY 1.17

AL MARTIN 6 p.m.

The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ QualityInnScenicHwy

DUELING PIANO SHOW 8 p.m. Rosie

O’ Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com REDFIELD 9 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhouse. goodgrits.com DJ JAY-R 9 p.m.

Emerald City, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com SOMETHING HUGE

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

SUNDAY 1.18

LEKTRIC MULLET

4 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pen-

sacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com DJ JAY-R 9 p.m.

Emerald City, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com

MONDAY 1.19

BLUES SOCIETY OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S MONDAY NIGHT BLUES 8 p.m.

Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

PAPER STREET SOAP CO. 8 p.m.

End o’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

OPEN MIC AT BIG EASY TAVERN 9 p.m.

Bands, individual musicians, comedians, poets, and other artists are invited to participate in weekly open mic sessions known as "Monday Night Jams." Admission is free. 710 N. Palafox. bigeasytavern.com

TUESDAY 1.20

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The

Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhouse. goodgrits.com

TUESDAY JAZZ JAM: THE GINO ROSARIA QUARTET 6:30 p.m.

Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

WEDNESDAY 1.21 LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 p.m. The

Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhouse. goodgrits.com JORDAN RICHARDS

6 p.m. Hub Stacey's Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

FOLK MUSIC NIGHT 7

p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. eotlcafe.com DJ JAY-R 9 p.m.

Emerald City, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com

for more listings visit inweekly.net inweekly.net

news of the weird SPIDEY SENSE GETS REAL Among the breakthroughs demonstrated by the computer chip company Intel's RealSense system is a cocktail dress from Dutch designer Anouk Wipprecht that not only senses the wearer's "mood," but also acts to repel (or encourage) strangers who might approach the wearer. Sensors (including small LED monitors) measure respiration and 11 other profiles, and if the wearer is "stressed," artistic spider-leg epaulets extend menacingly from the shoulder to suggest that "intruders" keep their distance (in which case the dress resembles something from the movie "Aliens")—or, if the wearer feels relaxed, the legs wave invitingly. The experimental "spider dress" was showcased at January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION Because Congress and presidents often change their minds, NASA recently continued to build on a $349 million rocket testing tower in Mississippi for a "moon" project that had been canceled back in 2010. The now-idle tower sits down the road from a second rocket testing tower being built for its "replacement" mission—an "asteroid" project. Critics, according to a December Washington Post examination, blame senators who believe it smarter to keep contractors at work (even though useless) because, Congress and the president might change their minds yet again.

Said a high-profile critic, "We have to decide ... whether we want a jobs program or a space program." NASA's inspector general in 2013 identified six similar "mothballed" projects that taxpayers continue to maintain.

• Un-Government: About 240 of the 351 police departments in Massachusetts claim their SWAT and other specialty operations are not "government" services, but rather not-for-profit corporate activities and are thus entitled to avoid certain government obligations. Even though their officers have the power to carry weapons, arrest people and break down doors during raids, these "law enforcement councils" refuse to comply with government open-records laws for civilian monitoring of SWAT activities. The latest refusal, by the 58 police agencies of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, was filed in state Superior Court in December.

• DIY Policing in Seattle: A Seattle Times columnist suffered a "smash-andgrab" break-in of his car in October, but was brushed off by the Seattle Police Department and told simply to go file an insurance claim.

However, he and his energetic 14-year-old daughter located the perpetrators themselves by GPS and called for police help, only to be chastised by the dispatcher, warning that they could get hurt. Only when a local crime-fighting TV show adopted the case, along with the suburban Sammamish, Washington, police department, was the gang of thieves finally pursued and appre-

by Chuck Shepherd

hended (resulting in charges for "hundreds" of smash-and-grab thefts). (Bonus: One alleged perpetrator was quoted as saying the thefts were undertaken "because we knew the police wouldn't do anything.")

WAIT, WHAT? Ms. Connie Lay passed away in Aurora, Indiana, in November, leaving a last will and testament that calls for her German shepherd, Bela, to be promptly buried with her—even though Bela is still alive and peppy. Ms. Lay preferred sending Bela to a certain shelter in Utah, but if that "is not possible" or involves "too much expense" (judgments to be decided by a close friend, not publicly named), Bela is to be euthanized. At press time, the friend still had not decided.

• Mother of All Surgeries: After 15 months of faulty diagnoses, Pam Pope, 65, finally got the (bad) news: a rare, slow-moving cancer of the appendix, "pseudomyxoma peritonei." The malignancy was so advanced that her only hope was the removal of all organs that she could possibly do without. In a six-surgeon, 13-hour operation in May 2014 at Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke, England, Pope parted with her appendix, large bowel, gall bladder, spleen, womb, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and most of her small bowel.

She has endured massive chemotherapy, is on a nightly drip for hydration, and still remains frail, according to a December report in London's Daily Mail.

• When someone swiped the iPhone of Adam Wisneski, 31, on Jan. 2, he rode his bicycle to Chicago's Shakespeare District police station to file a stolen-property report.

He parked the bike inside the door, filled out the form, prepared to leave—and noticed the bike was missing. He told an amused officer he needed another form. (Officers on duty said perhaps a homeless man who was in the station took it and are "making an effort," said Wisneski, to find it.)

WHAT RESEARCHERS DO The natural enemy of the "hawkmoth" (for 65 million years) is the bat, but thanks to a recent study by biologists at Boise State University and the University of Florida, we know the reason why so many hawkmoths are able to avoid their predator: They signal each other by rubbing their genitals on their abdomens, which somehow mimics bats' own high-frequency sounds, thus jamming the bats' aural ability to detect the hawkmoths' locations. Professors Jesse Barber and Akito Kawahara, working in Malaysia, tethered a hawkmoth to a wire and then tracked a bat, using slow-motion cameras and high-definition microphones, painstakingly examining the results for a 2014 journal article. {in} From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2015 Chuck Shepherd

Send your weird news to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to newsoftheweird.com January 15, 2015

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