May 26 Issue

MAY 26, 2011 | Volume 12 | Number 20 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

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Contents

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Rick Outzen

COLUMNS

3 WINNERS & LOSERS 4 OUTTAKES

25 NEWS OF THE WEIRD 26 LAST WORD

NEWS/FEATURES/ARTS

6 NEWS: BEHIND THE COLLAR 9 COVER STORY: PERDIDO KEY REVIVAL 15 HEALTH & WELLNESS 20 A&E: BRING YOUR OWN VINYL 22 MUSIC: HANGOUT FESTIVALA WEEKEND RETROSPECTIVE 24 FOOD: VEGAN 101

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bradley “B.J.” Davis, Jr., Joani Delezen, Hana Frenette, Ashley Hardaway, Rob “Bubbs” Harris, Catrina, Hebert, Erica House, Brett Hutchins, Chelsa Jillard, Jennie McKeon, Kate Peterson, Scott, Satterwhite, Chuck Shepard, Will Strickland, Trevor Webb

P.O. Box 12082 • Pensacola, Fla. 32591 or Seville Tower • 226 S. Palafox Place, Suite 105 Pensacola, FL 32502 850-438-8115 • 1-866-724-9396 Fax: 850-438-0228 • info@inweekly.net

PRODUCTION MANAGER Joani Delezen ART DIRECTOR Samantha Crooke SALES DIRECTOR Jennifer Passeretti

Standard postage paid at Pensacola, Fla. All stories are compiled from press releases, submissions, news wires or assignments. Comments and opinions expressed in this newspaper represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and are not necessarily those of INDEPENDENT NEWS or the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., contained in INDEPENDENT NEWS. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

winners & losers Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day

winners

Dr. Kim Landry

DR. KIM LANDRY The medical director for

Santa Rosa County Emergency Medical Services is the 2011 Raymond H. Alexander Medical Director of the Year recipient. The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services presents the annual award to honor a physician who assumes a leadership role in EMS with the community and demonstrates excellence in the areas of quality assurance/improvement and medical control, as well as the promotion and use of new medical trends and technologies. Dr. Landry has served as Santa Rosa County’s medical director for emergency response care since 2008.

RAY SYKES Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program announced him as Northwest Council’s “Ombudsman of the Year,” serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. This award is designated to ombudsmen volunteers who demonstrate exceptional efforts, going above and beyond the call of duty, in advocating for long-term care facility residents. Sykes has served four years on the Northwest Florida Ombudsman Council. This past year, he has volunteered over 500 hours working on behalf of longterm care facility residents.

WINSTON ARNOW The newly-renovated federal building on North Palafox Street bears the name of the late federal judge who ordered the desegregation of the Escambia County School District. Arnow issued the 1973 injunction against Escambia High School’s use of the nickname “Rebels.” He also ruled in favor of African-American leaders seeking to establish single-member districts for Escambia County.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

losers

SENIOR CITY STAFF It has taken four months, but Mayor Ashton Hayward has begun shaking up the deep-rooted senior staff in City Hall. In April, City Attorney Rusty Wells resigned. Community Development Director Thaddeus Cohen was recently given his pink slip, and former City Manager Al Coby is expected to leave before the end of summer. We hear more shake-ups are coming.

GENE VALENTINO The news is slow as we head into Memorial Day weekend.

Thank goodness for the Escambia County Commissioner for District 2. Two weeks ago, he tried to oust rival Karen Sindel from the county planning board.

Valentino followed that maneuver with an attempt to get his aide a raise, using an odd averaging of all the aides’ pay over their lifetimes with the county.

Thank you, Gene.

1 to 2 p.m.

Open House celebration for the new Baptist Medical Group Oncology office and the Baptist Cancer Institute Infusion Center, showcasing the original art from the 2010 Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey art competition and exhibition.

Meet at the main entrance of the Baptist Medical Towers

2 to 4 p.m.

Cancer Survivors Day celebration Baptist Medical Towers Medical Meeting Rooms Special guest, Donna Freckmann, a local artist and cancer survivor, will speak and conduct an art workshop for the Survivors Day participants to create a piece of art to remember the day.

Participants also will enjoy refreshments and door prizes.

For more information, call 850.469.2224.

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and state governments are cutting their spending, which should make every taxpayer happy. Congress and our state legislature can boast about how they have fought their bureaucracies and reduced the size of government.

What isn’t mentioned in the press releases and their speeches is that many of the cuts are merely shift ing the burdens to local governments. The tax burden is trickling down, too.

Gov. Rick Scott and our lawmakers brag about how they reduced the cost of the Florida Retirement System by having state, school and municipal workers pay an additional three percent towards their pension costs. Did the county and city benefit from its workers paying more?

No—the savings was absorbed by the state to balance its budget. Our workers are paying to help the state, not our local governments. We will see no reduction in our ad valorem taxes.

The needs and problems aren’t going away simply because state and federal programs are being cut. They still exist, and the burden for dealing with them is being shifted to the local level. More state roads are being turned over to counties and cities for them to maintain. No additional dollars are being shifted to help local governments take care of those roads.

Environmental regulation is being shifted more to the local level—that is, unless it’s fertilizer. Developers are giddy about having county commissioners deal with environmental and planning issues. After all, developers are the biggest contributors to their campaigns. However, there still will be costs associated with managing growth. The taxpayers will have to shoulder some of that burden.

While the state and federal governments battle over health care, Escambia County sees its uninsured numbers increase.

Sacred Heart, the safety net for the poor, had during the 2011 legislative session its Medicaid funding cut $9 million. When this county debated four years ago adding a half-cent sales tax to pay for health care for the uninsured, the voters overwhelmingly defeated the measure.

The prevailing thought at the time was the uninsured were a state or federal problem. Well, the state is making it our problem.

We have become a community with excellent health care facilities but limited access. Our health outcomes are similar to those of Third World countries, with high rates of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

Our public education system also lags behind the rest of the state. We haven’t made a dent in the illiteracy issues. The private sector–ECARE (Every Child A Reader Escambia)–had to retool its goals after showing little measurable progress after five years.

Our public schools will find it even more difficult to improve with their budgets being cut over $500 per student.

Our largest employers are state and local governments. Government workers will have their take-home pay cut by 3 percent for their contribution to their retirements. This means less money for locals to spend with local businesses. For a poor community like ours, the impact of those dollars lost ripple through the economy.

So while the state and federal politicians brag about their budget cuts, remember we are still stuck with the problems and the bills.

WHILE THE STATE AND FEDERAL POLITICIANS BRAG ABOUT THEIR BUDGET CUTS, REMEMBER WE ARE STILL STUCK WITH THE PROBLEMS AND THE BILLS.

rick@inweekly.net

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news

BEHIND THE COLLAR A HISTORY OF CHARITY AND CONTROVERSY IN ONE MAN’S QUEST TO FEED THE POOR

BY GRANT HUTCHINSON

H

e stands on the street corner dressed in a black suit with a clerical collar. In his hands is a handwritten cardboard sign reading “Help Me Feed Starving Families.”

Creative panhandler? Another Pensacola nut job? Or priestly Good Samaritan?

Depending on your perspective, he may well be any or all of those things, but don’t judge him too quickly. His name is Nathan Monk. And he feeds the poor.

A SIGN OF SOLIDARITY

Father Monk was inspired to start holding cardboard signs on street corners about three years ago after he encountered a homeless man and his family on the corner of Brent and Palafox.

“He was holding a sign that said, ‘Hungry, Please Help,’” recalled Monk.

Monk offered to buy his family some food at a nearby Burger King. The man accepted and sent his wife and daughters to retrieve the food. Monk then asked why the man did not go with them.

“He said ‘I can’t do that,’” said Monk. “The man said, ‘We’re living in a hotel right now, and it costs $50 a day. If I don’t come up with

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$50…we’re going to be sleeping on the streets.’”

Monk then offered to hold the man’s sign for him so he could enjoy a meal with his family.

“He kind of looked at me like I was an idiot, but he gave me his sign,” said Monk.

He found the experience transformative.

“I’d been doing work with the poor, but I’d not really stood in their place. It really opened my eyes to what those guys

go through.”

Monk resolved to continue holding signs on street corners as a demonstration of solidarity. “I’ve seen so much positive out of it.

We’ve had lots of people bring us food…and I’ve had so many (members of the homeless community) tell me that it’s an encouragement to them to see me stand out there.”

FEEDING THE MASSES

On a warm Thursday afternoon, Father Monk stood behind a white plastic table under an I-110 overpass on Lee Street, as he does every Thursday at 5 p.m. About 80 men and women stood in line on his left, some smoking cigarettes, some corralling children, others waiting in silence. All are welcome, no questions asked.

One by one, they approached the table.

Father Monk handed each a plate with a piece of Popeye’s chicken. They then proceeded down the line, receiving steamed vegetables, cake and a can of soda.

“God bless this meal,” one of them said.

As the last person was served, Monk removed his latex gloves and fi xed himself a plate. Many of the diners approached him, offering gratitude in the form of handshakes,

hugs and kind words.

Judged by his actions alone, Monk appears selfless and genuine. But there’s another side to the man—one that’s as mysterious as the other is charitable.

WHOSE COLLAR?

There has been some confusion over Monk’s priesthood and to which denomination he belongs. He wears the Roman collar and black suits that many in this area associate with the Roman Catholic Church, but he is not a Roman Catholic priest.

Monk was ordained in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 14, 2006 by Archbishop Wayne Booshada as a priest of the Old Catholic Church.

“The Old Catholic Church was originally a part of the Roman Catholic Church,” Archbishop Booshada told the IN in a telephone interview. “They were out of Utrecht, the Archdiocese of Utrecht in Holland. When the Vatican I Council was held, it officially affirmed that the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, had universal authority over the church and spoke infallibly on matters of faith and morals. The Archdiocese of Utrecht did not agree because they did not see that in the ancient church fathers and teachings.”

According to Booshada, the Archdiocese of Utrecht withdrew from the Roman Catholic Church but remained intact with their historic apostolic succession. He said that Roman Catholic communion recognizes all of their ordinations and sacraments as valid. That’s in many of the Roman Catholic documents.

“There are many branches of Catholic Christianity, and that’s one that withdrew from the Roman Communion but remained connected to the historic succession, sacraments and so forth,” said Booshada.

Monk admits there has been some confusion and that he kept in regular contact with recently retired Roman Catholic Bishop John Ricard. However, because of the confusion, Monk has applied to switch his church and

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Though his affi liations have been questioned, his commitment to his cause cannot.

Monk has provided food for the less fortunate week in and week out for several years, despite facing numerous political obstacles.

Monk never intended to make feeding the homeless his cause. His involvement began by happenstance.

“I was sitting in (Ferdinand Plaza) one day…in my clericals…chatting with a couple of homeless guys,” recalled Monk. “This Arab guy, Abraham…gave me $20 and said ‘Go buy these guys some food.’ I got 20 hamburgers (from McDonald’s) and came back to the park, and I guess the guys had rallied up a bunch of their friends…there were exactly 20 guys waiting for me.”

“They asked me if I’d come back next week. I promised I would.”

The event became a weekly practice.

“Within a month and a half, we had about 200 people in the park.”

Not everyone was happy about the mass meals in Ferdinand Plaza “I sat down with (Assistant City Administrator Al Coby), and they told us they didn’t want us in the park anymore,” said Monk. “I asked him why, and we really got into it.”

Father Monk hadn’t anticipated such resistance.

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his priesthood over to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church.

St. Benedict Mission has become a provisional mission of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.

“They are not yet accepted,” said Bishop Antoun Khouri, who is in charge of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian church in the Southeast. “They are in the process, but how long will it take? Who knows?”

Monk told the IN that he and the mission have completed all the necessary paperwork and are awaiting the final decision.

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buzz “It didn’t even occur to me that I would ever have to engage in anything political, but I guess I was really just stupid and naïve,” he said.

Monk relocated to under the Lee Street overpass, where they’ve been held ever since.

According to Monk, Coby told him that, “(The Lee Street location) would be a less offensive place, where people are more accustomed to people of this kind.”

Coby did not respond to the IN’s request for comment.

HUDDLED FOR WARMTH

In January 2010, Monk again made local headlines regarding his effort to provide cold shelters for the homeless.

“We had a 12-day period where it was below freezing every single night,” he said.

“I started talking to different people around town about a plan so that those without homes or heat would have somewhere safe to go.”

There weren’t many who were willing to take in the city’s less fortunate, according to Monk. The Waterfront Mission and Salvation Army combined can only hold about 200 people. The Homeless Coalition’s low-end homeless population number for that year in Pensacola was around 1,200.

He took matters into his own hands.

He and about 15 volunteers spent a night in tents and sleeping bags in front of the MLK Memorial on Palafox Street in protest.

“A lot of people stopped by to donate supplies, which we distributed to the poor throughout the week. Overall, we collected over 400 pounds of clothing, jackets and blankets.”

Unlike the fights over Ferdinand Plaza and the Palafox property, this was a battle that Monk won. “The next day, Brent Baptist, with the help of the American Red Cross, opened an emergency cold night shelter.”

THE VERDICT

Whether he is affiliated with the Old Catholic Church or the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Father Nathan Monk feeds the poor by any means necessary, no matter how many political hurdles he has to overcome.

Escambia County has a homeless problem. A 2006 report estimates that there are 9,100 homeless people in Escambia County, including 3,185 homeless children. Monk has fed, clothed and helped provide shelter and comfort to many of them.

“A lot of the homeless problem comes down to the fact that people don’t feel loved,” said Monk. “If they genuinely felt loved, they wouldn’t do a lot of the things that they do.”

As for the criticisms he faces, Father Monk tries to ignore them.

“Christ really did not give a damn about what anybody thought. He both was found teaching in the synagogue…and eating with those people who society found to be the dredges.” info@inweekly.net

BEST SCHOOL DISTRICT The best school district in the Florida panhandle is not Santa Rosa or Okaloosa. It’s Walton County. The State Board of Education approved the designation of 13 Florida school districts as 2011-12 Academically High Performing School Districts. These districts have met the rigorous eligibility criteria as outlined in The Florida Statutes that includes compliance with class size, earning high school and district grades, and receiving sound financial audits.

The school districts are Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Gulf, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Nassau, Seminole, Sumter, Wakulla and Walton.

The Florida Statutes requires that “each school district that satisfies the eligibility criteria in the subsection shall be designated by the State Board of Education as an academically high-performing school district.” Following 2010 class size compliance, school grade appeals and 2010 financial audit reviews, 13 school districts meet the eligibility criteria for designation as 2010-2011 Academically High-Performing School Districts.

Of the 13 school districts meeting the eligibility criteria for 2010-11, 12 are maintaining their designation as academically high performing from 2009-10. Of these 12 school districts, five are in their fi ft h year of consecutive designation as academically high performing, two are in their fourth year, and two are in their third year of designation.

Will Escambia County catch up with its peers? The State Board of Education made it a little harder when it recently approved a plan to slowly bump up A-to-F grading standards, so schools will need to do better to earn top marks. Currently schools earn A’s for getting 66 percent on the grade calculation. The plan is to match the scale used to grade students: 90 percent or more for an A grade, at least 80 percent for a B and so on.

The change will be very gradual with the first increase bumping up the required score needed for an A by four points, to 70 percent.

SAVING UWF’S BACON Dr. Judy Bense has had her contract to serve as the president of the University of West Florida extended to 2015.

She dropped by the IN offices to talk about what we can expect for the next five years.

“Since 2007, we’ve seen our budget cut 30 percent,” Bense said. “I don’t expect that money to come back. What has saved our bacon has been the marketing to attract students.”

She explained that when she took office, Troy University was spending $1.8 million on marketing and the University of South Alabama $1 million. UWF was only spending $100,000, which she promptly bumped up to $500,000.

“We began paying attention to enrollment,” she said. “We realized that we couldn’t be all things to all people. We started to look at return on investment for our various programs. We began to let our plans drive our budgeting.”

Bense believes UWF can be an economic driver. “We want to provide the work force that employers want and need.”

The university opened last year its new state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Building that features cutting-edge teaching and research spaces, including a virtual classroom, robot guides and solar windows that generate electricity. The program has more than 950 students and 53 faculty in the areas of electrical, computer and soft ware engineering, math and statistics, physics, computer science and computer information science.

Bense touted the coalition that UWF has formed with the state colleges from Pensacola to Tallahassee, the President’s Higher Education Coalition of Northwest Florida.

Starting in the fall, students at Pensacola State College, Chipola College, Northwest Florida State College, Gulf Coast Community College and Tallahassee Community College will be admitted simultaneously to UWF when they enter a college, which will enhance their ability to more quickly enter UWF and receive their bachelor’s degrees.

The process, Direct Admit, is modeled after a similar program that helped the University of Central Florida attract the second largest enrollment in the country.

FIRE ASSESSMENT The Midway Fire District is faced with another year of declining revenue as property values in south Santa Rosa County continue to decline. The fire department’s revenue has dropped over $900,000 since 2007, forcing the department to lay off nine firefighters, a 30 percent cut in staffi ng.

Midway Fire has frozen all capital expenditures, eliminated its Haz Mat team and quit paying for annual physicals and cell phones for employees. Fire hydrant inspections are conducted only once a year.

Contractual agreements for the two stations, such as coffee, bottled water and newspapers, have been suspended.

Fire Chief Jonathan Kanzigg told the IN that he has run out of places to cut without impacting the quality of service in his district, which stretches from outside the City of Gulf Breeze to Holley-by-the-Sea. “The Midway Board of Fire Commissioners has directed me to draft a referendum to increase our millage rate,” said Kanzigg.

“We haven’t decided how much we should increase it.” The current rate is 1.4 mils, and it would need to be increased to 1.7 mils to cover the projected loss in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.

In 2008, a referendum to increase the fire assessment failed, and several board members lost re-election. “The former chief was really trying to expand the fire department and the services offered,” said Kanzigg. “We are trying to maintain and be sure that we can provide the service the public expects.”

Kanzigg plans to meet with homeowner associations over the next few months and get input on the referendum. “So far, the discussions have been very positive,” he told the IN.

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TOURISM IS BACK ON THE K EY

The Rapture didn’t hit on May 21,

and thankfully the predictions of the 2010 BP oil disaster destroying tourism along the Gulf Coast for the next three years appear to be way off, too. Thanks to the efforts of Visit Florida, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, tourism has bounced back and business owners are cautiously optimistic about this summer.

For Perdido Key, this year began well with a strong snowbird season. For the first four months of 2011, the rentals at The Purple Parrot, Perdido Sun and Beach Colony Condominiums are ahead of last

Eden Condominium

year, according to John Hallam, Perdido Key Resort Management manager, setting the stage for what he hopes will be a much busier year than 2010.

“When the North experiences a heavy winter followed by an early spring, people are itching to get down here,” Hallam explained.

Eden Condominiums’ three-bedroom condos are booked for the month of July.

It is a good indication of how well business will be during the summer season when the one- and three-bedrooms are booking up in January through March, Eden Condominiums’ Rental Services Director Melanie Tremaine said.

“Our goal is and shaping up to look like 2009,” Tremaine told IN. Eden’s business began picking up in February. There were a third more reservations made in the beginning of the year than there were last year during the same time period before the BP oil spill disaster.

Pensacola Beach, according to Schroeder.

“For the next several months, beach destinations from Gulf Shores to Panama City were devastated, some losing over half the revenues they would normally,” writes Schroeder.

To survive, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key had to overcome coverage of oil spill On April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horibroadcasts zon drilling rig by cable and exploded in the "With nearly 20 percent of our network meGulf of Mexico local economy dependent on a dia and more and leaked apthan 28,000 proximately 205 robust tourism industry, everynegative million gallons one was watching to see how bad it stories pubin the Gulf at would get—especially the media” lished about the peak of —Ed Schroeder, the vice presithe spill. BP tourist season dent of tourism for the Pensacola provided the in Northwest Bay Area Chamber of Commerce county with Florida. It was over $2 milthe largest manmade environmental disaster in the history lion to support marketing to counter those stories and bring back visitors to the area. of the United States.

“A novel promotion that basically paid In a white paper for the Pensacola Young vacationers to come was the American ExProfessionals that was published recently, Ed press gift card promo,” Schroeder wrote in Schroeder, the vice president of tourism for his white paper. “Visitors from 45 states and the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Comthree countries took advantage of the $100 merce and the director of Visit Pensacola, cards to come back to the beach. One result described the impact of the disaster on local of the promotion was the virtual sell-out of tourism. He wrote that the phones at hotel the beaches on Labor Day weekend.” reservations stopped ringing when NOOA The American Express gift card proincluded Pensacola in forecasting where the motion launched Aug. 24, 2010 brought oil slick could possibly reach. When the oil many vacationers to Perdido Key. The reached Escambia County’s shores on June 2, promotion, called “Keys to the Keys,” trip cancellations began. offered a $100 gift card for each night “With nearly 20 percent of our local booked at a condo, resort or RV park in economy dependent on a robust tourthe Perdido Key area up to $300, which ism industry, everyone was watching to could be spent anywhere. Visitors picked see how bad it would get—especially the up their gift cards at Perdido Key Visitor media,” said Schroeder. Even though the Center when they presented their paid worst damage was in Louisiana, viewers believed Pensacola was covered with oil be- booking, a copy of the program registration and their identification. cause so many of the broadcasts were from

“I predict business will be 30 percent more than last year,” Tremaine said. During the Spring Break week of April 2-9, Eden was almost fully booked with Spring Break families.

FIGHTING NEGATIVE NEWS

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Commissioner Grover Robinson told IN that the TDC met for six hours and listened to all the presentations prior to making its decision on how to distribute the BP grant.

“We could not have had a more open or fair process,” said Robinson. “We are the only county that does it this way. Others simply turned their entire grants to tourism authorities who spent them as they saw fit.”

Unfortunately, the Board of County Commissioners didn’t agree with the TDC recommendation, or at least one commissioner didn’t. Commissioner Marie Young objected that no funds were allocated to African-American groups. The commission voted to delay the vote on how to spend the BP grant until its next meeting in June.

Davenport Properties Many vacationers took advantage of this opportunity, and over 3,900 rooms were booked, according to Alison Davenport, broker of Davenport Properties.

“Perdido Key did exceptionally well with the gift-card promotion,” she told IN. “It was fabulous,” Tremaine said. “Eden Condominiums filled up in two days f lat.”

MORE BP HELP

In April, Gov. Rick Scott announced that Florida was getting a $30 million grant from BP for tourism. The grant is spread over three years and must be used for the purposes of tourism promotion and awareness building. During the three-year period, BP will evaluate expenditures, and tourism council partners will provide quarterly updates on tourism program activities and other information. Seven counties–Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin–will benefit from the grant.

Escambia County was allocated $4.38 million. However, the county has yet to approve how the funds will be used. The Escambia Tourist Development Council reviewed 35 applications and made a recommendation to the county commission to fund 11 of the proposals.

The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber is slated to receive $2,463,694 for broad national and regional advertising and

gift-card campaign similar to “Keys to the Keys” to attract tourists to the area. The Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce will get $940,084 to promote the island.

Other recipients include: •Deluna Fest $546,342 •Pensacola Sports Association $180,703 •Pensacola Mardi Gras Inc. $120,000 •MWP Pensacola Events $36,000 •Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce $26,000 •Community Redevelopment Agency's Pelican Drop $25,000 •Pensacola Songwriters Festival $25,000 •Pensacola Seafood Festival $16,000 •Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club $6,000

Pointe South Realty

444-4444 PENSACOLA

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INJURY ATTORNEYS

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Pointe South Realty manages a hundred vacation rentals, including condominiums and beach houses, and 165 long-term rentals. Because of the uncertainty of how the BP disaster might impact the beach on any given week, Carleton saw more last-minute reservations last summer than normal. People watched the news reports and The Weather Channel before they decided to vacation on Perdido Key. The fear of the oil spill kept people away from planning ahead.

A year later, Pointe South is excitedly booking vacationers early, and many people who were unable to come last year are returning this year. Pointe South has booked many repeat guests, and their reservations have been made as early as December 2010 for their summer vacations.

Pointe South is 25 to 30 percent ahead of their reservations While the Perfrom 2009 and 40 dido Key Chamber "BUSINESS IS GREAT AND waits for the county PEOPLE ARE ENERGIZED. PEOPLE percent ahead in reservations from commission to LOVE PERDIDO KEY BECAUSE IT February 2010. make up its mind, “Business is great business on the Key IS SO LAID BACK" and people are encontinues to boom.

— SUSAN CARLETON, OWNER ergized. People love Property managers OF POINTE SOUTH REALTY Perdido Key because have had to make it is so laid back,” some adjustments Carleton said. due to the perception issues caused by the BP oil disaster and the tighter economy.

Condominiums have changed their reservation policies and retooled how they market There was some concern that media themselves to vacationers. coverage of the anniversary of the DeepEden Condominiums water Horizon rig explosion might hurt changed their reservation the momentum of the tourism recovery. policies. Vacationers at one Business owners feared the coverage would time were required to stay at once again cast our beaches in an unfavorEden for a minimum of seven able light. days, but now they will fi nd the For tourism directors like Schroeder, all requirement has been reduced they could do is hold their breath and hope to three days. The majority of the impact was minimal. “Pleasantly, their Eden’s visitors now stay beinterest seems to be a celebration of recovery, tween three and five days. not a focus on reliving it,” said Schroeder.

Like Eden Condominiums On April 20, 2011, Gov. Rick Scott staff, Susan Carleton, owner of walked the beaches on Santa Rosa Island Pointe South Realty, is encourwith Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward aged by the start of 2011. “The and area business leaders. He wanted to snowbird roost turned out make it clear that Florida’s beaches were great,” she said. open for business.

POST BP DISASTER ADJUSTMENTS

BP ANNIVERSARY WORRIES

The Market on Perdido Key Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam appeared on “Morning Joe” from the deck of The Fish House and touted the area’s seafood.

The message was loud and clear that Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key have recovered and are ready for a big summer season. Vacationers got it and have continued to book rooms and plan to visit our area.

RETAIL & RESTAURANTS UP, TOO

Condos aren’t the only businesses that thrive with an increase in beach visitors.

The Crab Trap on Perdido Key saw their business begin picking up after the first of the year. Spring Break was a good time for the restaurant on the beach, but Memorial Day through Labor Day is when they see a real kick off.

“Business is improving,” said The Crab Trap manager Matt Carstens.

The Crab Trap Restaurant has locations in Destin, Fort Walton, Pensacola and Perdido Key. The Perdido Key restaurant has been open for 10 years and is the only Perdido Key restaurant that sits on the beach with views of the Gulf of Mexico. Last year The Crab Trap was expecting their best year since they opened, and then the BP oil spill disaster happened, Carstens explains.

Last summer the parking lot was filled with busloads of BP oil spill cleanup crews.

“People do not want to see cleanup crews and equipment on the beaches while they are enjoying their vacation,” said Carstens.

This year, there are no cleanup crews on the beach and the talk of oil on the beach has subsided. “No one got to go to the beach last year, so we are hoping everyone has the summer itch,” said Carstens.

If business continues as it has, the manager predicts it will have a great summer busier than any years before. “Busy busy busy, is our hope,” Carstens told IN. On the retail side, the impact of the BP disaster was just as devastating. The Perdido Key business community experienced a rough summer, but new busi-

nesses have begun to spring up along the Key. The Sports Bar of Perdido Key, Bella Luna Pizza, Mr. Hollywood Arcade and The Market on Perdido Key are a few of the dozen new businesses that have opened in the last year.

“The opportunity is here,” said Anne Frechette, owner of The Market on Perdido Key, which offers women’s designer apparel, jewelry, shoes and accessories, art, antiques and unique decorative curios. Much of the store’s business comes from locals, but it thrives on the business brought in by non-residents and the tourist industry just as much as most beachfront businesses do.

Considered a new business—opening its doors in January 2010 at The Villagio— The Market on Perdido Key is a sister store with The Market and Mainly Shoes, which has been part of Pensacola’s business community for 27 years.

“The Market on Perdido Key was on track and ahead as of April 20, 2010,” said Frechette. The business plan was to be within 12 months at the break-even point.

Once the BP oil spill disaster occurred on April 20, the new store on Perdido Key found its numbers fall to zero within three days.

By September the numbers had begun to turn around. “Since March, it has been a healthy climb,” said Frechette.

SEAFOOD IS SAFE

Tourists enjoy our area’s fresh seafood, which is why Commissioner Putnam made the appearance on “Morning Joe.” The Florida Department of Agriculture has successfully negotiated a $20 million settlement from BP—$10 million for testing and $10 million for advertising and marketing Florida seafood.

Over 200 seafood samples have been tested. Only 11 percent had any traces of oil and that was one one-thousandth of the level at which FDA has concerns. The $10-million grant will allow the testing to be expanded to 80 samples each month for the next three years.

“The science tells us that we have absolutely no reason for any concerns about our seafood,” said Putnam when he met with area business leaders in April. “We have the most tested seafood in the world.”

In April, the Department of Agriculture ran a full-page ad in USA Today to promote our seafood. It has created an online tutorial for restaurant workers to help them deal with questions from customers about seafood. They are developing a website on which the public can enter the tag number of the snapper that they bought and find out who caught it and where.

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“The oil spill is our most recent body blow, but it’s not really the only blow our seafood industry has taken over the past few years,” said Putnam. “We’ve dealt with rising fuel prices, recession and the BP spill. It’s important we save this industry for this state.”

At the first of the year, Perdido Bay Seafood started to see a turnaround in business as well. A family owned and operated business that has been opened for 23 years, Perdido Bay Seafood owns two commercial fishing boats along with six privately-owned fishing boats. Most of the seafood sold is locally caught.

All its fish is inspected regularly by the state. “Everything comes back clean,” Teresa Fagan, co-owner, told IN. Perdido Bay Seafood has been reassuring people that everything has been tested and is safe to enjoy. Fagan says their seafood has never been contaminated with oil. She states during the months following the BP oil spill disaster their store was filled with seafood—just no customers.

“We catch our own fish, we fi let the fish, and we eat the fish. It is sitting right there and it is beautiful,” Fagan says.

When the BP oil spill disaster occurred, Perdido Bay Seafood saw its summer business dry up. During the months of May through August, Perdido Bay Seafood normally has between 100-200 customers a day in their store, according to Fagan. After the oil spill, the store had no more than 23 customers a day.

12 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011

“It was hard,” Fagan said. The first of the year brought in good business with the snow-

“WE’VE DEALT WITH RISING FUEL PRICES, RECESSION AND THE BP SPILL. IT’S IMPORTANT WE SAVE THIS INDUSTRY FOR THIS STATE.” —COMMISSIONER PUTNAM bird season helping out. Spring Break began and Perdido Bay Seafood has had between 80 and 90 customers through their doors a day, and the numbers are steadily increasing each day.

“We are excited,” Fagan tells IN. “At the end of the day, if my feet hurt then we had a good day.”

The Original Point Restaurant opened its doors in 1985, and they have been serving the community with good food and live entertainment ever since. Its business also slowed down following the BP oil spill disaster. The number of people dining with them was down 50 percent, leaving many empty tables. Normally the month of July is booming for the restaurant.

Last year, July resembled December, sitting only one or two tables during the lunch and dinner hours, the whole day.

The months after the BP oil spill disaster were horrible, owner David Lively explained.

The business struggled to make ends meet.

Lively cut hours for his staff as it become

| WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

more and more difficult to make the next payroll. Many left because the hours cut and reduction in take-home pay made it hard for them to pay their bills.

“The BP checks helped through the winter months—it got us through it,” said Lively.

The snowbird season also helped. Lively feels they are well on their way back to normal numbers. “We are just now starting to see people,” he said.

With people returning to Perdido Key, Lively is rebuilding his staff. He has added people to the kitchen staff and to the wait staff. The objective is to staff up for a normal summer.

“We have been getting shorthanded lately, which is a good sign that we are getting busy,” Lively says. “The Spring Breakers were encouraging.”

TRIUMPHANT VICTORY

Schroeder is proud of how well tourism has bounced back. In his paper for PYP, he said, “Our success in this mission can be judged by the comparatively shallow drop in tourism revenues suffered and speed at which we recovered.”

The area saw tourism revenue losses of about 12 percent in June 2010, 24 percent in July 2010 and 15 percent in August 2010.

“We recovered in September, are currently 15 percent over year-to-date revenues earned last year, and the forecast for this summer is for this trend to continue,” said Schroeder.

“We have overcome the perception of oil, our image has been restored, and the story to tell is of triumphant victory over the worst man-made environmental disaster that our nation will hopefully ever see.” info@inweekly.net To find out more about our tourism:

▶PERDIDO KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 15500 Perdido Key Drive 492-4660 Toll free: (800) 328-0107 perdidochamber.com

▶PENSACOLA BAY AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 1401 E. Gregory St. 434-1234 Toll free: (800) 874-1234 visitpensacola.com

▶PENSACOLA BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITOR CENTER 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd.

932-1500 pensacolabeachchamber.com

▶PYP WHITE PAPER

“BP Oil Spill: The Effect on Tourism and Creative Solutions to” pensacolayp.com

family sports complex

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14 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011

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health & wellness h&w

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N M A Y 2 0 11

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY AREA HOSPITALS CELEBRATE LOCAL CANCER SURVIVORS

BY KRIST Y MCDANIEL

When Lynn Tucker, a high school English teacher, was told that she must have chemo after discovering that she had breast cancer, one of the first things she thought of was her neutral-colored carpet.

“It’s kind of funny. I had a preconceived idea that I would spend three months throwing up, so I said to my husband, ‘We just need to rip up this carpet and get some hardwood in this bedroom.'”

Tucker’s sense of humor has certainly helped her to battle her disease. However, humor alone cannot beat cancer. Sunday, June 5, is National Cancer Survivors Day, a day dedicated to focusing on the issues of cancer survivorship in order to better the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Pensacola’s three hospitals have cancer centers that of fer many varieties of activities and services to enable cancer survivors to live long, productive lives, from advanced medical technologies to educational seminars and philanthropic initiatives.

The West Florida Cancer Center, which is part of West Florida Healthcare, offers some of the most cutting-edge technologies on the Gulf Coast, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic

system that enables surgeons to have increased precision when operating on gynecological/urological cancer patients and enables patients to have shorter recovery times.

According to Kendrick Doidge, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at West Florida Healthcare, “We really hang our hat on our specially-trained oncology nurses.”

The West Florida Cancer Center specializes in blood transfusions, which are essential to cancer/leukemia patients with abnormal blood cell counts.

On National Cancer Survivors Day, West Florida Healthcare will give tours of its cancer center from 2-4 p.m. The tours will be open to the public and aim to help raise awareness of cancer treatments that WFH has to offer.

Sacred Heart Hospital’s Cancer Center is affiliated with M. D. Anderson Physicians Network, part of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, a research-driven institute that is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the nation's top cancer treatment center.

Sacred Heart is home to the PET CT imaging system, which allows physi-

cians to simultaneously examine physical anatomy and metabolic activity, enabling precise tumor detection. Patients also have access to the Trilogy Stereotactic System, which is one of the most advanced image-guided radiotherapy systems in the world.

To better meet their needs, survivors at Sacred Heart are given both traditional and nontraditional treatment options via nationwide clinical trials. To stay abreast in their patients’ progression, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists meet together three times a week to discuss the best treatment options.

Support services can play a vital role in recovery for survivors. While scared and confused, survivors find comfort knowing that they are not alone in their battle. No one knows better than a survivor how tumultuous life can be after a diagnosis.

Locally, West Florida, Baptist and Sacred Heart hospitals offer support services to cancer survivors.

“I felt like my body had betrayed me,” says Maria Tremble, a member of Baptist Hospital’s support group. She found comfort in her support group after discovering that she was not alone in her fears and disappointments.

“It’s a tremendous help...It gives you more peace of mind—it tells you that other people have been where you are at the moment and they made it; there’s hope.”

While all three local hospitals offer support services for cancer survivors and their families, Sacred Heart offers unique couples’ retreats, which are typically in the fall, for survivors of cancer and their spouses.

While at the retreat, a social worker works with the couples to help educate them about their situation and to help them work through it as a couple. Baptist Hospital offers a unique man-to-man support group for survivors of prostate cancer.

Baptist Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital both participate in Lilly Oncology

on Canvas, which according to Terri Smith, V.P. of cancer services, is where, “Cancer patients can express their creativity on campus. They are given a canvas, paints and other media to create their work.

Some of the pieces are really, really beautiful, while others are really meaningful.”

Sacred Heart typically hosts its exhibition in the fall. Baptist Hospital, however, will have its exhibition on June 5 at the open house for its new oncology offices and new infusion center. The theme of the exhibition is, “The Art of Surviving.” In addition to the art exhibition, Baptist will have local artist and cancer survivor Donna Franklin teach art classes to survivors to help them capture their experiences.

Marcia DeSonier, coordinator of cancer support service at Baptist Hospital, says, “We’re building our celebration around art…It’s a celebration of our survivors.”

Baptist Hospital offers digital mammography, which has the capability of 3D image viewing and MRI breast imaging.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which is offered by Baptist Hospital’s oncology team, uses 3D technologies to deliver radiation in more precise doses than previously allowed.

They also offer Stereotactic Radiation Therapy, which uses narrow beams to treat brain tumors without surgery.

While hospitals in Pensacola may have various technologies to attract cancer patients, they all have one goal: to create as many survivors as possible. However, many survivors are fearful of whether or not they will be able to remain survivors.

“Once you’ve had cancer, it’s never really far from your mind. You don’t want to focus on it, because if you do, you’ll be unable to live your life normally. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t anticipate it cropping up somewhere else.”

Eventually Lynn Tucker got her hardwood flooring, but it was post-cancer, when she finally had the strength and time to oversee her project implemented. info@inweekly.net

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health & wellness h&w

| SPECIA L ADV ERTISING SEC TION | M AY 2011

featured health & wellness services Day Spas STILL WATERS DAY & MEDICAL SPA 20 N. Tarragona St., 432-6772, stillwatersmedspa.com Still Waters Day & Medical Spa offers world class spa treatments and medical aesthetic treatments to enhance the appearance of your skin and body. The spa menu includes a blend of medical aesthetic and laser, skin and body services designed to help you escape from a busy world or greet it with fresh confidence. Still Waters also offers hard-to-find spa gifts and home spa accessories.

Eye Specialists DR. GENE TERREZZA  TERREZZA OPTICAL 113 Palafox Place, 434-2060, terrezzaoptical.com The practice, which includes Dr. Gene Terrezza and Dr. Ruben E. Carlson, offers services in complete family eye care, including routine vision exams, glasses and contact lenses, therapeutic interventions, dry eyes and pre-operative and post-operative management of cataract and refractive surgery patients. Dr. Terrezza also specializes in primary eye care, contact lenses, and specialty fits for keratoconus and bifocals.

ANYTIME FITNESS

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE 434-4071, ebaptisthealthcare.org Baptist Health Care is a community-owned, notfor-profit health care organization serving Northwest Florida and South Alabama and is nationally recognized for performance excellence and quality achievement.

Baptist Health Care includes four hospitals, two medical parks, Baptist Manor, Baptist Home Health Care and Durable Medical Equipment, Baptist Leadership Institute, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine and Lakeview Center.

SACRED HEART HEALTH SYSTEM

WEST FLORIDA HEALTHCARe 494-3212, westfloridahospital.com West Florida Healthcare is proud to offer the only local hospital featuring all private rooms. The West Florida campus also offers the area’s only comprehensive rehabilitation hospital and a mental health facility.

Affiliated with HCA, the nation’s leading healthcare provider, West Florida provides services in cardiovascular surgery, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, emergency care, behavioral health, obstetrics and many other medical specialties.

Health Clubs And Weight Management

Health Care Organizations

416-7000, sacred-heart.org

Sacred Heart is a regional leader for high-quality, compassionate health care to children and adults in Northwest Florida. More than 600 primary and specialty physicians practice at Sacred Heart, a not-forprofit healthcare organization. Its main services include Sacred Heart Medical Group, a network of primary care physicians, a 24-hour Emergency Trauma Center, a Pediatric Trauma Referral Center and centers of excellence specializing in women’s health, cardiac care, orthopedics, cancer care and the care of children.

100 S. Alcaniz St., 469-1144, anytimepensacola.com Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour fitness facility. Cardio equipment includes Life Fitness treadmills, elliptical trainers, stair steppers and Expresso Bikes. Strength training equipment includes Life Fitness machine weights, Hammer Strength plate loaded machines, dumbbells, free weights and benches. A Functional Fitness Area has mats, workout balls, jump ropes and resistance bands. Personal trainers are available, and new members receive two free sessions. Call to schedule a tour or start a seven-day pass.

THE CLUB FAMILY SPORTS COMPLEX 1230 Crane Cove Blvd., Gulf Breeze, 916-7946, theclubfamilysports.com The Club offers something for everyone, including an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool, a 25 yard in-

door pool, beautiful rubico tennis courts, a 10,000 sq. ft. fitness center, and much more. Club staff and members develop life-long relationships that support your progress toward health, wellness and a balanced lifestyle.

FIXED ON FITNESS, INC. 554-1648, fixedonfitness.com Fixed on Fitness boot camp provides an ideal combination of personal training, accountability, camaraderie and hard work, which results in a dynamic approach to total fitness. Throughout the six weeks of boot camp, you are introduced to a variety of workout techniques, exercises and challenges. Each workout is different, so campers experience 24 new workouts. In addition, Fixed on Fitness prides itself on the personal touch that each client receives during boot camp.

Hypnotherapy LUMINOUS LIFE HYPNOTHERAPY 346-7865, luminouslifehypnotherapy.com Susan Dunlop, M.A., C.H.T., offers hypnosis as therapy for a variety of issues such as bereavement, relationship problems, divorce recovery, stress management, depression, phobias, negative habits, motivation, sleep problems, trauma, sports excellence, pain management and more. Dunlop is an internationally certified hypnotherapist trained in the United States by the American Academy of Hypnotherapy, the nation’s foremost hypnotherapy institute.

Women’s Health Services THE WOMEN’S GROUP 4900 Grand Drive, 476-3696, thewomensgroup.org The Women’s Group physicians and nurse midwife have a combined over 130 years of experience in gynecology and obstetrics. The Women’s Group offers adolescent gynecology, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, menopausal medicine, urinary incontinence, minimally invasive surgery, hormone replacement therapy and basic infertility. On-site ultrasounds, urodynamics and bone density studies are also available.

Skin Care DR. SCOTT MCMARTIN Medical Center Clinic, Dermatology and Laser Center, 8333 N. Davis Highway, 474-8386 Dr. Scott McMartin is a board certified dermatologist who practices general, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Areas of practice include skin cancer evaluation and treatment, light therapy for psoriasis and eczema, psoriasis laser therapy, laser tattoo removal, Botox therapy, and pulsed dye laser treatment for facial redness, blood vessels and inherited birthmarks. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McMartin, please call 474-8386.

SIMMI TAYLOR, LICENSED SKIN THERAPIST 10th Avenue Hair Design, 1000 E. Cervantes St., 433-5207 Simmi Taylor offers a variety of pampering treatments, including facials, body treatments and body waxing. Taylor uses the Pevonia product line, which is a member of the organic trade association, as well as honey with vitamin E and organic soy wax. Gift certificates are available.

DR. KEVIN WELCH Pensacola Office: Medical Center Clinic, Dermatology and Laser Center 8333 N. Davis Highway, 474-8386 Gulf Breeze Office: 2874 Gulf Breeze Parkway, 916-9969 kevinwelchmd.com Dr. Kevin Welch offers everything from skin creams to advanced laser and rejuvenation procedures. Popular treatments and services at the Dermatology and Laser Center include Thermage, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Photofacials, laser hair removal, Microdermabrasion and Silk Peels. The Skin Care Center offers high-end dermatology products, including Obagi products, Kinerase, Jane Iredale cosmetics, Tilley Hats and more.

Services are also available at the Skin Care Center in Gulf Breeze.

Geno’s Italian Restaurant Locally Owned & Operated by Linda & Jaxon Schumacher for 38 Years Enjoy The Family Experience Monday - Thursday 11a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Saturday 5-10 p.m. * Closed Sundays Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials ~Beer & Wine Available~

9276 N. Davis Hwy. • 850-477-2365 1 MILE NORTH OF WEST FLORIDA HOSPITAL

16 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

Jim Sanborn

Don Parker

“Good Morning Pensacola!”

6am-9am

More News

Monday-Friday

More Weather

More FUN!

Listen Live at wcoapensacola.com

health & wellness h&w TALK: PATRICK DIAL, M.D. profile HEALTH GENERAL/ONCOLOGICAL SURGEON, WEST FLORIDA MEDICAL GROUP | SPECIA L ADV ERTISING SEC TION | M AAY RCH 2011 2010

Patrick Dial, M.D.

Patrick Dial, M.D., earned his medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans and completed his surgical residency at Charity Hospital, Louisiana State University, and his General Surgery Fellowship and Clinical Fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Boston.

He later served as Chief Resident, General Surgery, at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Southeastern Surgical Society, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

For this month’s Health Talk, the Baton Rouge, La. native and father of five discusses his practice, the most challenging part of his job, and what he loves to do when he’s not helping his patients.

IN: What’s the most challenging part of your job?

DR. DIAL: The unfortunate position of telling patients and family members about a terminal prognosis.

IN: What led you into surgery, and specifically, oncological surgery?

DR. DIAL: There were many fields that I considered going into, but I chose oncological surgery because of the instant gratification of helping others.

IN: When you’re not in the office, what do you enjoy doing?

DR. DIAL : Playing tennis and going fishing.

IN: What does your typical workday involve?

DR. DIAL: A typical day for me usually involves patient consults, performing surgeries and seeing patients in my outpatient clinic.

IN: What’s the best part of your job?

DR. DIAL: There is no doubt that the best part of my job is the satisfaction I receive by helping others.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dial, contact:

WEST FLORIDA MEDICAL GROUP 2130 E. Johnson Ave., Suite 140 494-6080

In Pensacola, we love our military.

We are proud to have the military as part of our heritage. And we show our pride by wearing clothing from the Flight Deck Store that tells the world “I’m Proud of Our Military!”

CORDOVA MALL NavalAviation.com 850.497.6528 Proceeds from every sale help support the National Naval Aviation Museum and our educational programs.

INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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HIP KITTY

PENSACOLA’S LARGEST OUTDOOR WATERFRONT DINING DECK

rday, Friday, Satu nights! and Sunday

FICIAL BEE OF

R K

FI

SH

H OUSE DE

C

Photo courtesy of Katie King

THE

BAR

OF

THE

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

HOUSE PARTY!

Hip Kitty plays on The Deck May 27, 28, and 29, plus thirst-quenching drink specials, and the best menu in town! When it’s time to get your weekend on, get on to our house.

Home of the world-famous Grits à Ya Ya!

FISH HOUSE: (850) 470-0003, OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. · ATLAS: (850) 437-1961, MON.–SAT. 5 P.M., SUN. 11 A.M. THE FISH HOUSE, ATLAS, AND THE DECK BAR ARE LOCATED DOWNTOWN AT 600 S. BARRACKS ST. · CREDIT CARDS OK · WWW.GOODGRITS.COM

18 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

Experience Our Difference.

The Area’s Only Accredited

Chest Pain Center West Florida Hospital is the only hospital in the region to earn Chest Pain Center accreditation by the prestigious Society of Chest Pain Centers, an international professional organization focused on improving care for patients with acute coronary symptoms and other related conditions. The accreditation followed a stringent and comprehensive review of the expertise of our operating systems and the compassionate care we provide our chest pain patients.

As an Accredited Chest Pain Center, West Florida Hospital ensures that patients who come to our Emergency Room complaining of chest pain or discomfort are given the immediate treatment necessary to avoid as much heart damage as possible.

Protocol-based procedures developed by leading experts in cardiac care to reduce time to treatment in the critical early stages of a heart attack are part of our overall cardiac care service.

And, should you need to be admitted, West Florida Hospital is the only hospital in the area that can guarantee your own private room during your stay.

As the area’s only Accredited Chest Pain Center, the ER at West Florida can provide: • Reduced time to treatment during the critical stages of a heart attack • A systematic approach to cardiac care that improves outcomes • Timely accurate diagnoses of all patients presenting with signs and symptoms of heart disease that help reduce unnecessary admissions • Recognizable symbol of trust that helps patients and EMS make decisions at highly stressful times

Quality Care for All Major & Minor Emergencies Accredited Chest Pain Center • Certified Stroke Center

A free informational service of West Florida Hospital:

Our ER Wait Time at Your Fingertips... n Text ER to 23000 on your mobile phone to

|

8383 North Davis Highway 850-494-3212 www.WestFloridaHospital.com

receive a message displaying the average wait time to see a medical provider. n Go to www.WestFloridaHospital.com to find our average wait time, updated every thirty minutes.

INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

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ART, FILM, MUSIC, STAGE, BOOKS AND OTHER SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION...

BRING YOUR OWN VINYL

BAR ENCOURAGE S PATRONS TO ROCK TO THEIR OWN BEATS

BY GRANT HUTCHINSON ow patrons at Play can choose more than the game they want to play or the beer they want to drink. They can choose their own music.

On Sunday nights from 9 p.m. until close, Play invites customers to bring in their own vinyl records and play them over the bar’s sound system.

Anyone with at least one record in his or her collection is welcome—no spinning or scratching experience required.

“We’re not asking you to be a DJ,” says co-owner Edwin Banacia.

“If you know how to put the needle on the record, it’s all yours.”

In many ways, the arcade/bar hybrid that opened in Pensacola late last year is a monument to the past. Mainstays from the 70s and 80s like Pinball and Pac-Man line the walls, recalling a simpler time before smartphones and PCs. Now Play is applying the resurrection technique to another piece of nostalgic technology—and this one is over 100 years old.

So why vinyl? Numerous bars in San Francisco, New York and elsewhere have instituted popular “Bring Your Own iPod” nights. Why embrace limited tech-

N

nology when an easier, more versatile alternative is available?

“If you still have vinyl records, it’s probably not crap,” says Banacia. “No one keeps a Ke$ha record on vinyl.”

For those without a vinyl collection, Play stocks a number of classic records in-house that patrons can peruse and spin. And a DJ is normally present to fill in the gaps. “(Co-owner Albert Lao) DJ’ed here last week,” says Banacia. “He…spun some

old funk records and…disco records and old-school hip hop.”

Sunday nights are notoriously slow for the bar and club industry. Banacia hopes that the interactive nature of “Bring Your Own Vinyl” nights can at least bring some fun to an otherwise docile evening.

“This is something fun for us…it’s not really promotional. We haven’t done any marketing behind it, and I don’t think we ever will.”

“We want to be a corner neighborhood place where people who grew up in Pensacola enjoy being,” adds Banacia. “(We want) to be as interactive as possible, and… we already accomplish that with all the games, but (this takes) it to the next level.”

Banacia says that so far the crowd has been a mixed bag.

“It changes every Sunday. I see some guys come up here with the old ZZ Top beards, and at the same time I’ll see some kids in tight jeans.”

The musical selections have also ref lected the crowd’s eclectic nature. “(I’ve) heard everything from Simon & Garfunkel, Miles Davis, Neil Young, The Clash, and Sex Pistols to Dr. Dre and Black Sheep,” says Banacia.

And for Banacia, a former executive at Sony Music and Columbia Records, music is what “Bring Your Own Vinyl” night is all about.

“If the lyrics touch a piece of my soul or talk to an experience that I’ve had in the past, then it’s great music to me.” info@inweekly.net

BRING YOUR OWN VINYL

WHEN: 9 p.m.-close, Sundays WHERE: Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200 COST: Free DETAILS: iplaypensacola.com

Chicken Fingerz, Wings, Zalads® and more.

Kids Night Tuesdays and Thursdays

Gulf Breeze Publix Shopping Center 20

| INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

www.GeneMitchellAttor ney.com

1451 Tiger Park Lane • Gulf Breeze 850.932.7289 2640 Creighton Rd. • Pensacola 850.477.0025 © 2008 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Zalads” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.

hot times ▼LIVE MUSIC

▶staff pick CONCERT AFTER PARTY

▼ART

PERMANENT COLLECTION EXHIBIT RECEPTION AT PSC 6-8 p.m. The PSC permanent art collection contains about 500 pieces of artwork, including contemporary American art, photography, ceramics, drawings, prints, glass, sculpture, graphic design, jewelry and textiles. The Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 484-2550 or pensacolastate.edu.

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Monet’s Lillies 2. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $35.

471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

▼LECTURES & CLASSES

‘FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY: MEN WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE’ LECTURE 12 p.m. The final installment of the Pensacola Heritage Foundation’s Rediscovery Lecture Series hosted

by John Appleyard. Lunch will be provided by New Yorker Deli. $15 for lecture. The Bowden Building, 120 E. Church St. 438-6505 or pensacolaheritage.org.

HERB CLASS AT EVER’MAN 5:30 p.m. Study different herbs sold at Ever’man. This group will study a video series compiled

by Dr. John R. Christopher and Richard Schulze. Free for members, $2 for non-members. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org.

▼LIVE MUSIC

JEFF IVANOFF 4-7 p.m. Tiki Stage at the Pool, Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road. 916-9755 or margaritavillehotel.com.

JACOB MOHR 6-10 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

GO RADIO, SPARKS THE RESCUE, THIS CENTURY, SELECT START, TBA 6 p.m. Doors open. 6:30 p.m. Show starts. $12-$14.

Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

VIBE IRIE 7-11 p.m. LandShark Landing, Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road. 916-9755 or margaritavillehotel.com.

TIM SPENCER 7 p.m. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd. 5494444 or the-oar-house.com.

Facials—Body Treatments—Waxing

with

Local downtown businesses will provide clues to participants (teams of up to five) that will lead them to the grand revealing of the DeLuna Fest lineup. The starting point will be The Fish House—which means you can enjoy their Big Mix happy hour and live music by Lucas Crutchfield while getting ready for the game. The ending point will be at Seville Quarter’s Phineas Phogg’s.

Each team will race around Downtown Pensacola, visiting ten local businesses to gain “clues” to the next clue location. Along the trip, teams will participate in “fun obstacles” to gain the next clue—each with the names of five bands in the DeLuna Fest lineup.

At the end of the dash, participants will have ten cards and will know the names of 50 bands in the 2011 DeLuna Fest lineup. The first team to finish with all ten clues gets two tickets to the festival per person.

To gain entry into the after party, participants must have all ten cards. (Without them, you’ll have to wait until 9:30 p.m. to party.)

Two local bands, Eerie Rockwell and Mr. Fahrenheit, will play original songs as well as covers of songs by artists on the DeLuna Fest lineup.

RONNIE LEVINE 7 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Fort Pickens Road.

932-4139 or peglegpetes.com.

ARIC WILDE 7 p.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 4349060 or handlebarpensacola.com.

HOLLY SHELTON 7 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com.

BRIAN OLIVE 8 p.m. $7-$10. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox.

607-6758 or vinylmusichall.com.

MO JILES 8 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road.

916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

▼OTHER EVENTS

SUNSETS AT PLAZA DE LUNA 5:30 p.m.-sunset. EHS Jazz Band will perform, and Clifford the Big Red Dog will entertain the kids. De Luna’s full service concession will serve up refreshments and the interactive fountain will be a refreshing splash for the kids. Plaza de Luna, at the end of Palafox.

435-1695 or cityofpensacola.com/cra.

EVENINGS IN OLDE SEVILLE SQUARE 7-9 p.m. Jazz Lab. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating and enjoy top talent each week. Seville Square Park, between Alcaniz and Adams streets. 438-6505 or pensacolaheritage.org.

FRIDAY 5.27 ▼ART

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: FB Photo Winner Princess Palm. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

▼FOOD & DRINK

ALOHA GOURMET DINNER NIGHT 6 p.m. Enjoy a luauthemed gourmet dinner with cocktails, surfer music by DJ Ramsey Coates of Any Day DJ, photo booth by Jef Bond of Bond Photographics, live painting by Ashton Howard, silent art auction, door prizes, hula dance with the Ocean Pixies, limbo contest and more. $20-$30. 5Eleven Palafox, 511 S. Palafox. 469-0445 or culinaryproductions.net.

Simmi Taylor

1000 East Cervantes 850-433-5207

30 X 90 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna Drive. 9165087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

FLYING ‘75’ 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 497-0071 or hubstaceys.com.

MOST WANTED 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s at the Point, 5851 Galvez Road. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com.

THE ANGEL SLUTS, GUNS TO FIRE, PINE BOX DERBY 7 p.m. $5-$7. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or handlebarpensacola.com.

SAWMILL & GUEST 7 p.m. Chumuckla’s Farmers’ Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Road. 994-9219 or farmersopry.com.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC 8 p.m.-12 a.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

YO MAMA’S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND, THE DIRTY GUV’NAHS, MR. FAHRENHEIT 8 p.m. $10. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. 6076758 or vinylmusichall.com.

ERNEST STANDBERRY 8 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com.

LIVE DJ 9 p.m.-12 a.m. LandShark Landing, Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road. 916-9755 or margaritavillehotel.com.

SCHOFIELD 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

BUZZ CUTT 9 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

MO JILES 9 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road.

916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

HIP KITTY 9 p.m. The Deck at the Fishhouse, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or goodgrits.com.

HIPHOP MONTHLY, BOG LO, INFERNO, UNNATURAL SOUNDZ, DJ BODY SLANGA, DJ 3D, SAGA THE EMCEE 9:30 p.m. Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. 791-6501.

THE BIG PICTURE 9:30 p.m. Free. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox. 497-6073 or hopjacks.com.

▼THEATRE & PERFORMANCE

‘INVASION FROM PLANET X’ ON THE RED TROLLEY TOUR 7:30-9 p.m. Red Trolley Repertory Theater is Pensacola’s most original theater company, producing mixed-media comedy, drama and history in their fully restored trolleys.

Pensacola Visitor Information Center, 1401 E. Gregory St. 417-7343 or ufotrolley.com.

‘PRESENT LAUGHTER’ AT PENSACOLA STATE 7:30 p.m. A comedy

by Noel Coward. Free-$10. Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, 1000 College Blvd., Bldg. 8. 484-1847 or pensacolastate.edu.

‘THE MEASURE’ AT LOBLOLLY THEATRE 8 p.m. $9. Reservations available. Loblolly Theatre, 1010 N. 12th Ave., # 231. 4393010 or loblollytheatre.com.

▼OTHER EVENTS

AUTO RACING 8 a.m. Five Flags Speedway, 7451 Pine Forest Road. 944-8400 or 5flagsspeedway.com.

BANDS ON THE BAYOU 6-7 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come enjoy the sounds of local middle school and high school bands at Bayview Park Pier. Bayview Park, 20th Avenue and Lloyd Street. 436-5670 or playpensacola.com.

PENSACOLA LIGHTHOUSE GHOST HUNT 6:45 p.m., 8 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Join Rocky and the Ghost Seekers of Texas for a ghost hunt at the Pensacola Lighthouse.

Pensacola Lighthouse, 2081 Radford Blvd. 393-1561 or lighthousereservations.org.

H C A E B Y READ

GET

THURSDAY 5.26

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC 6-10 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

CAROL PLUNK 7 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Fort Pickens Road.

932-4139 or peglegpetes.com.

BY IN STAFF

T

at 10th Avenue Hair Design

TIM SPENCER 4-7 p.m. Tiki Stage at the Pool, Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road. 916-9755 or margaritavillehotel.com.

“MISSION FOR THE MUSICIANS” DELUNA FEST LINEUP TO BE RELEASED THROUGH A SCAVENGER HUNT AND

he wait for the DeLuna Fest lineup is almost over, and trust us, you aren’t going to want to miss the big reveal.

Instead of just a Facebook update or web broadcast, the DeLuna Fest team is stepping up their game this year and announcing the lineup via “Mission for the Musicians,” a scavenger hunt that will take place in downtown Pensacola on Tuesday, May 31.

Registration for teams will be from 5-6 p.m., and the hunt will kick off directly after at 6 p.m. Participants must have team names and I.D.’s ready at registration.

Sea Glass, Day Spa

PS TCAM O O B th NEW ng April 4 Starti rd 23 & May

.com INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

21

music

Hangout Festival

A Weekend Retrospective

By Hana Frenette

photos by Hana Frenette

H

ula hoopers, college kids, parents, grandparents. People walking around in Jesus and devil costumes. Hangout Fest drew a large cast of characters and exceeded expectations across the board.

This was only the second year for Hangout Fest, and it managed to sell out at 35,000 people a day. That’s a lot of people when you’re waiting in line for a hot dog.

Despite the size of the crowds and the initial first day slowdowns, I rarely waited more than five or ten minutes in any kind of line, whether it was for the ATM, bathrooms or food.

As far as festival food goes, Hangout’s wasn’t bad. Most festivals seem like they require some serious withdrawal from your life savings in order to eat all weekend, but Hangout seemed pretty reasonable. A hot

dog and fries was about $6, while other things like teriyaki chicken, shrimp po’ boys and gyros ranged from $8-$12. And for the festival princess, iced coffee, frozen mochas and caramel lattes were available for $5.

The food and the people watching added a nice bonus to the weekend, but when it comes down to it, the actual performances needed no compensation.

Despite the heat, the crowds were excited for every performance I caught, and the bands followed suit.

I’ll probably never see as many excited, sweaty, dancing people under one tent as I saw for Girl Talk—which may or may not be a good thing. Even the security guards were bustin’ a move and singing along to the mixes, especially a Jay-Z/Pixies mash up.

22 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

The Flaming Lips put on an amazing show, as they have many times in the past, including confetti-filled balloons, smoke machines and two crews of dancing girls dressed like they were straight out of “Alice in Wonderland.” Toward the end of the set, The Flaming Lips had a giant lit-up screen that was playing video, and the band was appearing through a door in the center of the screen and walking out toward the crowd.

The same day as their performance was apparently rumored to be the day of the rapture, and I must have heard at least 15 mesmerized people say, “Dude, what if Jesus walks out of that screen next?” With the quality of the show, he just might have.

Dead Confederate, Minus the Bear, Bassnectar, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Old Crow Medicine Show all put on great shows, as well as every other band

I saw or heard from a distance. I heard not one complaint, and I have none to give— except maybe Cee-Lo Green, who showed up late and might as well not have come at all based on the short set time and the bad vocals. But even that negative got turned into a positive by the Foo Fighters, who played a bonus cover set to fill the gap and won everybody over with their energy and humble attitude.

At the end of the festival on Sunday night, I asked about 100 people at random to describe Hangout in one or two words, and the most popular answer by far was “awesome.” It was definitely worth every penny of the $179 ticket price. If you didn’t get the chance to go, start saving now. I’m pretty sure next year will be even better. info@inweekly.net

incable HUNDREDS OF NEW & CLASSIC MOVIES PAUSE, REWIND & FAST FORWARD SAME DAY AS DVD

MAY » ON DEMAND MOVIE PICKS

PREMIERES MAY 17

▲THE MECHANIC

Available On Demand May 17, Same Day As DVD Release STARRING: Jason Statham, Ben Foster and Donald Sutherland DIRECTOR: Simon West GENRE: Action, Crime, Thriller MPAA RATING: Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity.

brutal violence throughout, grisly images, some graphic sexual content, nudity and pervasive language.

A vengeful father escapes from hell and chases after the men who killed his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter.

▲BIUTIFUL

PREMIERES MAY 24

Available On Demand May 31, Same Day As DVD Release STARRING: Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez and Hanaa Bouchaib DIRECTOR: Alejandro González Iñárritu GENRE: Drama MPAA RATING: Rated R for disturbing images, language, some sexual content, nudity and drug use.

Follows an elite hit man as he teaches his trade to an apprentice who has a connection to one of his previous victims.

“Biutiful” is the story of a man in free fall. On the road to redemption, darkness lights his way. Connected with the afterlife, Uxbal is a tragic hero and father of two who’s sensing the danger of death. He struggles with a tainted reality and a fate that works against him in order to forgive, for love, and forever.

▶DRIVE ANGRY

Available On Demand May 31, Same Day As DVD Release STARRING: Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard and William Fichtner DIRECTOR: Patrick Lussier GENRE: Action, Fantasy, Thriller MPAA RATING: Rated R for strong

PREMIERES MAY 24

GREAT IN THEATERS. EVEN BETTER ON DEMAND. two On DEMAND movies, fill in the Buy 1, Get 1 FREE! Order coupon and mail with your Cox bill.

TUNE TO CHANNEL1

Name: _______________________________ Cox Account #: ___________________________ Movie Title: ___________________________ Date Viewed: ____________________________ Movie Title: ___________________________ Date Viewed: ____________________________ Promo Code 282IN05

Order using your Digital remote! Go to Channel 1

www.cox.com

Expires 6/30/11

Pick a category

Pick a movie

Enjoy!

Mail completed coupon to Cox/On DEMAND, 2205 La Vista Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504. Coupon good for one On DEMAND movie priced at $4.99 or less; not valid for adult programming or special events; cannot be used with other offers. Limit one coupon per household per month. Void if altered or transferred; no photocopies or reproductions accepted. Account holder is responsible for all charges on his/ her account. Available to residential customers in Cox service areas. Cox Advanced TV, remote, receiver required. Digital cable ready TV’s and other devices equipped with a CableCard require a Cox digital receiver to receive On DEMAND programming. Some On DEMAND programming costs extra. On DEMAND cannot be recorded. All programming and rates are subject to change and may not be available in all areas. Names of programming services, features and/or programmers are the property of their respective owners. Other restrictions may apply. ©2011 Cox Florida/Georgia. All rights reserved.

CX2908 OD L-shape IN 052611.indd 1

INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

23

5/18/11 11:12 AM

food

VEGAN 101

LEARNING VEGAN CUISINE AT END OF THE LINE CAFÉ

BY JESSICA FORBES

L

ocals interested in learning more about vegan cuisine will soon have a regular, hands-on opportunity to do so. Starting in June, End of the Line Café will begin holding cooking classes on the first and third Monday of each month. Jen Knight, the vegan café’s owner and head chef, will lead the classes, which will focus on teach-

ing people how to cook at home, while introducing them to new vegan products that they may not be familiar with.

In the classes, Knight hopes to show people that they are not limited to a small number of ingredients in vegan cuisine, and will give them the basic skills and knowledge to cook food they like to eat and can get excited about. Knight views the classes as a way for people to take “…baby steps into a healthier lifestyle and change their diets a little bit at a time.” Students will receive a tapas plate that demonstrates how the alternative ingredients can be used and will learn how to create different dishes with those products. Attendees will also leave with select vegan products and printed information so they can experiment with different dishes at home.

This August will mark the ninth year that Knight has owned End of the Line.

Having considered teaching cooking classes for years, Knight was prompted to

24 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

do so as increasing numbers of customers have come to the café looking for guidance on how to change their diet, many on doctors’ orders. Customers at End of the Line Café include cancer survivors, and children and adults with food allergies whose doctors have instructed them to quit eating dairy, gluten or other food allergens.

Recognizing that people can face financial and technical challenges when they first venture into vegan cuisine, Knight hopes the classes will educate customers in how to move away from pre-packaged vegan and gluten-free food products toward less expensive alternatives. Particularly in the current economy, people can become frustrated trying to cook for themselves, and they tend to turn to cheap food that may fill them up but lacks nutrients and vitamins to keep them healthy. “Diet shouldn’t infringe on your mortgage payment,” Knight states, and by expanding the number of dishes people know how to prepare with the same ingredient(s), she hopes to help people alleviate strains on their health and wallets.

In addition to the bi-monthly Monday classes, End of the Line will also offer more specialized cooking classes on Sundays as customers request additional help with aspects of vegan cooking that are of interest to them. Possible topics include vegan baking, raw cuisine, food for those with food allergies or sensitivities, and a kids cooking class. Sunday classes will be held once a month and will need 10 or more people to sign up in order to take place.

Adding cooking classes is one step in Knight’s efforts to expand the café’s offerings. Over the last few years, the res-

taurant has expanded beyond soups and salads by adding Sunday Brunch, Thursday night dinners, and by changing its menu up a little each year. Additionally, the staff offers full catering, having prepared meals, baked goods and party trays for weddings, birthday parties and baby showers, among other events. The café, which serves customers ranging from 8 months to 80 years old, also sells ingredients, including its cashew-based vegan cheese, by the pound and half pound.

Children are welcome to attend the bi-monthly cooking classes, which will be limited to 25 to 30 people. Those interested in the Monday classes will need to call by the Friday preceding the class to sign up.

The cost for each class will be $20 to $25, and customers will go home with ingredients, and information and instructions on how to use the ingredients beyond what they prepare that night. For environmental reasons, Knight asks that, if possible, customers bring containers to carry their excess ingredients home to embark on their adventures in vegan cuisine. info@inweekly.net

VEGAN COOKING CLASSES AT END OF THE LINE CAFÉ

WHEN: First and third Mondays of each month WHERE: End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. COST: $20-$25 DETAILS: 429-0336

the public record

Dear Maxwell, I’ve heard about Pensacola’s old red-light district, but I’ve never heard specifics. Can you shed some light on it?

-Gina R. In the early part of the 20th century, the nation was undergoing an age of moral reform. Pensacola did not fully participate.

During this time, the port city experienced a wide range of transient visitors. Fishermen and servicemen from all over the world passed through the streets of downtown Pensacola. The influx of a male majority called for an interesting mix of supply and demand.

The demand was for alcohol and prostitutes, and city officials allowed the supply of it.

Rather than allowing lawlessness and moral corruption to spread throughout the community, the city established a five-block area off Palafox Street for somewhat legalized prostitution. Thus, Pensacola’s red-light district was born.

Although the activities within this district clearly violated the law, neither local authorities nor citizen groups made sustained efforts to eliminate the practices. The community found itself in the ironic position of condoning organized vice for its own benefit.

The area of lower Palafox Street had long been abandoned by respected society. Because of the proximity to the wharf and subsequent customers, houses in the area were converted into bordellos. The prostitution district came to be confined to Zaragoza Street from Palafox to Baylen, and on Baylen Street from Main

BY MAXWELL CHASE

to Government. With a citywide population of only 20,000 people, the district was easily regulated and policed.

The area was soon nicknamed “the line” because of the row of bordellos that lined the streets. Several of the houses along the line gained notoriety, but none more than the one at 15 W. Zaragoza St. belonging to Mollie McCoy. She dedicated herself to providing a firstclass house of refined debauchery. McCoy ran a sophisticated operation while recruiting exotic women from all over the South. It was said that her bordello rivaled any one of New Orleans’ popular pleasure spots.

Inside the 20-room brick house were walls papered in gold, gilt chairs and marble fireplaces. At its height, the McCoy house employed as many as fifteen girls.

Each lady charged $3 to $5 for time spent.

Despite turning a blind eye to the lawlessness of the line, the city garnered substantial revenues by occasional crackdowns on the brothels. One raid resulted in fines totaling nearly $2,000. Police action in July 1917 led to the arrest of 150 women. Though Pensacola never officially licensed its brothels, the occasional fining of proprietors and residents placated the powers that be.

At the start of World War I, Florida governor Sidney J. Catts prompted city officials to close down the red light district for the duration of the war. The government was concerned for the health of its military personnel. Fearing that the military might discontinue some of its operations in Pensacola, the city complied.

The brothels reopened following the war but were closed again at the start of World War II. In March 1941, at the request of the military during national emergency, the 15 houses of ill repute that remained on the line were closed for good.

Do you have a local histor y question for The Public Record?

Email it to thepublicrecord@inweekly.net & we’ll see what we can dig up.

Pensacola First Upscale Chinese Fusion Restaurant

Where you can have a great meal and a great time Featuring a Full Bar & a New Martini Menu

Specials:

Tuesday Lady’s Night: after 8 pm $4 cocktail and $4 wine 4-5-6 Menu: From 4 pm til 6 pm Choice of wine, cocktail, appetizer for $5 $6.99 Lunch Special: comes with an egg roll, a krab rangoon, and soup or rice choice Mon thru Wed: 2 for $20 Meal * Comes with an appetizer, a choice of soup or rice for the entree and a dessert Ste C, 5912 North Davis Highway (behind Rooms to Go) * (850) 912-8669 Monday-Thursday: 11am - 10pm | Friday-Saturday: 11am - 11pm | Sunday: 11am - 9pm INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

25

news of the weird Rights of women are severely restricted in Pakistan’s tribal areas and among Muslim fundamentalists, but the rights of the country’s estimated 50,000 “transgenders” blossomed in April when the country’s Supreme Court ordered the government to accept a “third sex” designation on official documents (instead of forcing a choice of “male” or “female”). The court further recommended that transgenders be awarded government job quotas and suggested “tax collector” as one task for which they are particularly suited, since their presence at homes and businesses still tends to embarrass debtors into paying up quickly (especially since many transgenders outfit themselves, and behave, flamboyantly).

Government in Action! Imprisoned rapist Troy Fears, 55, had another four years tacked onto his sentence in April by a federal judge in Phoenix after he was convicted of swindling the IRS out of $119,000 by filing 117 fake tax returns from 2005 to 2009. According to prosecutors, IRS routinely dispatched direct-deposit refunds while indifferent to matching the payment recipient with the person whose Social Security number was on the return. (In fact, Fears was caught not by the IRS but by a prison guard who happened upon his paperwork.)

Apparently, the federal government failed to foresee that fighting two wars simultaneously, with historically high wound-survival rates, might produce surges of disability claims. Just in the last year, according to an April USA Today report, claims are up over 50 percent, and those taking longer than two months to resolve have more than doubled. (Tragically, Marine Clay Hunt, who was a national spokesman for disability rights and who suffered from post-traumatic stress, killed himself on March 31, ultimately frustrated that the Department of Veterans Affairs had lost his paperwork. “I can track my pizza from Pizza Hut on my BlackBerry,” he once said, “but the VA can’t find my claim for four months.”)

Great Art! Occasionally (as News of the Weird has reported), patrons of art galleries mistake ordinary objects as the actual art (for example, solemnly “contemplating” a broom inadvertently left behind by a janitor), and sometimes the opposite mistake occurs. At the Boijmans van Beuningen museum in Rotterdam in May, a wandering patron absent-mindedly traipsed through a re-creation of Wim T. Schippers’ floor-level Peanut Butter Platform (a 40-square-foot installation of creamy spread). (The museum manager had declined to fence in the exhibit, which he said would spoil its beauty.)

Police Report (1) Homeless Charles Mader, a convicted sex offender in Albuquerque, was arrested in May for failure to report his change of address, as required by law. Mader had moved out of his registered address, which was a Dumpster, into a community shelter. (2) Robert Norton Kennedy, 51, was

26 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

By Chuck Sheppard arrested in Horry County, S.C., in May and charged with assault and battery, despite the humble tattoo on his forehead referencing a Bible verse and reading, “Please forgive me if I say or do anything stupid.”

Cavalcade of Rednecks (1) Sharon Newling, 58, was arrested in Salisbury, N.C., in April and charged with shooting at her stepson with a .22-caliber rifle. She denied shooting “at” him, but said she was just shooting toward him “to make him stop working on his truck.” (2) In April in Greensboro, N.C., Stephanie Preston and Bobby Duncan were married in front of family and friends at the local Jiffy Lube. (3) A 25-year-old man in Okaloosa County, Fla., was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing after he entered the Club 51 Gentlemen’s Club, from which he had been banned after a February incident. The man told police that he knew he had been banned from a strip club but couldn’t remember which one.

Least Competent Criminals Perps Making It Easy on the Cops in Joliet, Ill.: (1) Domonique Loggins, 21, was running from two Joliet officers in April (suspected of assaulting his girlfriend) when his escape took him through Bicentennial Park downtown. Obviously unknown to him, dozens of police officers from surrounding jurisdictions were in the park that day on a training session (with 60 squad cars in a parking lot). Loggins was arrested. (2) Police imposters usually drive cars outfitted to resemble cruisers (flashing lights, scanners) and carry impressive, if fake, ID. However, Hector Garcia-Martinez, 35, fooled no one in April as the two Joliet women whose car he stopped immediately called 911. “Officer” Garcia-Martinez had none of the trappings -- except, as he lamely pointed out, a sticker on his front license plate reading “Woodridge Police Junior Officer” (typically given to children at police events).

People With Issues Anorexia nervosa is widely recognized as a debilitating eating disorder that can be fatal in as many as 10 percent of cases. However, men with masturbation fantasies about super-skinny women have fueled an almost-five-fold increase in “ana-porn” websites, to more than 1,500 since 2006, according to an April report by London’s The Guardian. One site’s recruiting page limited models to those with a body-mass index of 15 or under, and warned that “(b)ones and ribs must be very visible.” However, these recruiters are sometimes anorexics’ only flatterers, terming them “superstar(s) of starvation,” “much prettier than all those meat mountains.”

(Unlike child or animal pornography, anaporn is not illegal.)

Send your Weird News to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to www.NewsoftheWeird.com.

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ACROSS 1 Tedious way to learn: by ___ 5 Place for cons 9 “Sir” to Gunga Din 14 Rock’s Clapton or Carmen 15 Walk in a garden 16 Sparkling topper 17 Monetary unit of Ethiopia 18 “Do as I say” 19 Certain Greek vowels 20 Fashionable English dandy 23 “Howards ___” (1992 Oscar winner) 24 Adult elver 25 Give the right (to) 29 Beef 31 Opera set in the time of the Pharaohs 33 Proposition response, perhaps 34 Accords 36 Young child, affectionately 39 Their closets are full 42 Pregnancy symptom 43 Acquires through work 44 American _ _ _ (North Dakota’s state tree) 45 Ball game delayer 47 “_ _ _ Shrugged” 51 Ming the Merciless, e.g.

54 “Out, dagnabbit!”

56 Kind of trip taken by one person 57 Fashion plate 60 Mickey Mouse chum 63 Tissue addition 64 Winning-everything connector 65 Broadcast’s sound portion

RODNEY CANADY

OWNER, BLOOMS A MILLION FLORIST AND MASTER FLORIST SINCE 1992 What is your chief characteristic?

Hard working, creative and crazy What do you appreciate most about your friends?

Loyalty, companionship and acceptance Who is your favorite fiction character?

Dr. Frank-N-Furter from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Who is your favorite non-fiction character?

My mother PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

66 Anchor’s field 67 Anatomical bump 68 Light you may go on 69 Country cousin of ain’t 70 Diploma holder, informally DOWN 1 Yeshiva teachers 2 Get your bearings 3 Podium-pounding speech 4 Color of unbleached wool 5 Fern germ 6 Form columns 7 Celebrity couple, in the tabloids 8 Paired “sweet” and “meat,” e.g.

9 Wooden leg?

10 Garlic, egg and oil sauce 11 “Monopoly” token choice 12 Traditional or Roth 13 _ _ _-relief (sculpture style) 21 Scold harshly 22 Inspire love in 26 A, B or O, to the Red Cross

27 Cask dregs 28 Winter hrs. in Florida 30 Poetry on an epic theme 32 Japanese immigrant 35 Styx ferryman 37 Showily adorned 38 Subtler alternative to “Yo!” 39 Zero on the Beaufort scale 40 “One _ _ _ or two?”

41 Sag 42 Alumna identifier 46 Mysterious knowledge 48 Landlord 49 Chairperson’s plan 50 Alphabetized, e.g.

52 Jennifer in “Dreamgirls” 53 Synthetic fabric 55 “_ _ _ my case” (courtroom phrase) 58 Primordial matter 59 Birds do it 60 Comic bit 61 “Give them _ _ _ best” 62 “_ _ _ to Joy” (Schiller poem)

What is the best thing you have ever won?

A tool box at Florida State Florists’ Association Convention What does your mother always tell you?

“Get a job with benefits.”

What is the worst idea you’ve ever had?

Buying an old house What is your favorite food?

Free Which talent would you most like to have?

A singing voice What movie do you love to watch repeatedly?

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” What was your most embarrassing moment?

Ripping my pants on the dance floor What TV show is your guilty pleasure?

“Nova,” because through science and technology I see hope for the future.

What is the last book you read?

“The Fractal Geometry of Nature” What is your theme song?

“Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley INDEPENDENT NEWS | MAY 26, 2011 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

27

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