Pensacola Magazine May 2021 by Ballinger Publishing

MAGAZINE Fresh Science, Served Daily with Pensacola MESS Hall

The Besst camp on the t! coas

a positive approach to dog training

pensacon is a go for 2021! Get your geek on in downtown pensacola

Also in this issue:

Business Climate On the Market A Real Estate Section

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Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note School’s out for summer! I think I’m nearly as excited as my child about this. It’s been a stressful school year, and I am ready for Congratulations. If you’re reading her to have some free time to this just first be a2021 kid. issue I ofknow Pensacola Magazine, it means you have survived she’s ready, too. The one tough thing 2020, which is no for small feat considering thethe barrage about summer working parents is of pain, anxiety, divisiveness, uncertainty, loss and question of what to do with them all day. loneliness that 2020 brought to bear on the entire Fortunately, camps are coming back this planet. Many have lost their lives, their loved ones, summer—with specific precautions for social their jobs—one after another, the hits just kept Goodsafety, morning, What a strange distancing ofPensacola! course. Summer coming. And and here we are—on the other side, at least placeisweitfind ourselves already? in this spring. The novel How August camps are more important than ever thischange in terms of thecoronavirus Gregorian calendar. What will COVID-19 hasThese arrived in our How is the it still 2020? need timehave to play, time inyear—kids 2021? A lot? A little? We multiple community and, although we the havevaccines so far been two questions may seem that we hope will eventually in the coronavirus, luckier thanopportunity many,reign the fight to keep it from to socialize and the to build contradictory, but I can assure you spreading continues. We allow went to print with put the and country back to work and for some skills learn new things outside of an I am feeling them both equally— this issue on MarchWhen 30. At that time,freely Escambia semblance of social normalcy. we can I don’t think I amcases alone. academicand setting. We’ve compiled a and list Santa of County had 42 confirmed visit again, how will our lives be different? What has local summer camps—surfing, acting, dance Rosa had 30. Those numbers rose quickly once This year is just too much. Allus? of it—the 2020 taught us? How has it changed I suspect testing was expanded. Too quickly. The factitis, art, science andthe more. We suggest youI’m sign-up politics, pandemic, the pundits. over will take time to don’t unpack of the physical, we knowallwho might have the mental virus or be it. So, this monthtowebechose focus on a early as there is likely hightodemand. carrying the virus without symptoms. That is

to share and connect with other kids who are also trying to process the loss of a loved one.

Editor’s Editor’s Note Note and emotional impacts of 2020, but I hope time much more relaxing that and we, playful “P” word: stay whythat it iswe essential as a community, will heal usPets. and are go able to grow in positive Whoasdoesn’t all gooey inside over home much asknow humanly possible--leaving Speaking of school. We a lot of parents ways from an ouradorable individual and collective experiences. kitten oressentials. a playfulI pup? Only only for absolute like the idea, too, concerned for their kids’distancing academic Inare 2021, I’m the traditional theforegoing most heartless among us, I resolutions suspect. of practicing physical rather than progress this year and outcomes. what thatremain might mean with specific, measurable Instead, social distancing. We can social via are rise during the pandemic many inthe this modern I am to turnavenues myon energy and focus for hoping theirAdoptions future. We spoke with theworld—phone recently andcalls, it’s easy see why. Pets alleviate the stress, texts,tothat video calls—and I encourage toappointed a few of theSuperintendent themes 2020 tofor ofofbrought Schools boredom andtoloneliness social distancing everyone stay connected to their tribe. Weand forefront. No expectations. No stress. the Escambia County School District, Dr. uncertain futures. may be don’t know whatThere tomorrow willmany bring things and

ofSmith, ourneed control in connected 2020, buttoweto can provide all to feel something Timothyout A.we about his plans help Relationships or someone in order to pet getdeveloped through a loving home a sweet and get this. more bridge the gaps that to may have Losing mylove mom early in 2020 brought home than we could havereally imagined in return. during thetime pandemic asphysical well asdistancing, his We plansin our On the topic of the idea that is Pensacola a limited resource. While the Humane Societyhave has had COVID-19 resourceHis guide, you willfor see that formoment the district as afuture whole. passion great success with adoptions and fostering this and the is always Pensacola neighborhoods anduncertain. community groups and education is evident. year, those who love animals thatways Inkids, 2021,families I this hope to give more attention toknow my safe have found several clever, unique and thewith shelters are never empty. There is always a to stayfamily, connected and toand make a difference relationships friends community.

pet while in need, so if snuggling up to a sweet kitty physical I must In this issue, youpracticing will also finddistancing. info on Valerie’s or playing fetch with a playful pup sounds say, I am very impressed with the outpouring Health House, alike new to the area nonprofit designed waysupport to pass time, check my ofa good love and I some have seen amongst While we kids have always heard that goodon health is via our to help through thepet grieving process Pensacolians—yeah, toilet out fellow our adoptable profilesthe pagepaper 34. most valuable asset, 2020 made sure we knew it. was groups weird, butthat thereallow are more than peer-to-peerhoarding support kids

We’ve got some stories for our up enough peoplefeel-good giving of pet themselves to make readers well.I get Gina Castro with some for it.asCan a big roundmet of applause for our

Obesity, diabetes and heartadisease became death If like me, you adopted pandemic sentences for too many people battling Covid. While puppy, you might want to read my story genetics predispose some to these illnesses, about positive reinforcement training many can be managed or eradicated by lifestyle changes. I’d and the board and train I used to help like to focus on making healthy choices while still calm the insanity that our sweet, but enjoying the bad-for-you good stuff in moderation.

mischievous, pup brought with him. first responders and hospital workers? Thank

Passion and Joy you for putting yourselves onand the front incredible special-needs pets their owners might notice that events arelines beginning IYou don’t know about you, but 2020 to keep us as safe asthat possible. bigoffered shout far too and she discovered whileAlso, thesea precious their return in Pensacola. The month little of these to me. I the waslove so toconsumed out toof alleither the teachers out there scrambling babies may take a little more care, with myinbrings mom’s illness and then with surviving together online to keep our kids ofputMay the long-awaited return they give return islessons worth every second. learning worrying the grief and of her loss instead and theof anxiety the ofengaged Pensacon—Pensacola’s belovedofabout sci-fi

things cannot We you! Ifpandemic exoticthey animals arecontrol. more your thing, head and the sorrow ofappreciate so many national and pop culture convention. The event on overstories to the that brandI spanking new andfor myself. news took little time On thatin note, I encourageand you artists to read our brings celebrities fromZoo. many significantly enlarged Alabama Gulf Coast COVID-19 provides This year, I Resource hope to Guide, explorewhich creative and personal different genres for talks, opsup and The new location features allcommunity thephoto hands-on, resources for food, business, endeavors that help me rediscover myself and close astothekeep previous location more. Be The sureever-changing annature eye out plus for the and interaction more. of discover new outlets for personal expression. added attractions, amenities and experiences this crisis necessitates that I mention many Pensacon themed eventsthathappening that willresources make for a wonderful day out. these or may not family be available around townmay at bars and restaurants. Procrastination to you by the time you read this issue. I IfWhile you’reitmany interested ina conservation, check out people made headway on hope will provide place to glorious start, some Dakota Parks story on local Panhandle Rooftop ideasinor some inspiration either way. Art Bloom also and returns this year. Fiore home improvement personal projects in 2020, Nesting Biologist, Rebekah Snyder. Through IofYou did not.also I didisnot organize I did not Pensacola hosting theanything. event, which may that we have some nonher work with notice Audubon Florida, Snyder helps fix anything. I did not learn a language a new pandemic related stories in this issue. We made showcases art and flowers in a variety to ensure local shorebirds have safe nesting orof the call to include already planned articles that skill. Nothing. But that’s ok, too. I’m still here. spaces in anways increasingly overpopulated region. creative and offers flowers and plants for might an stillaccomplishment. be helpful, relevant or enjoyable in for2021, I’d That’s However,

purchase, as well. It’s a lovely spring event that

our readers. Weahope you find useful. All ofto this, plus fewload DIY pet them treat like lighten my and empty my house of also supports local artists who have been hard recipes and some good news from the much clutter and unnecessary junk that fills As for of us,the Pensacola Magazine has been Florida legislature regarding protection hitIt’s bytime both theone pandemic andforHurricane Sally. under title or another it.published to make room for something new. formore petsthan in abusive situations. 40 years. We have no plans on

Allthis this, a fewcovered fun science projects In issue, allyour of these topics So, turn offplus thewe’ve news, put down phone and to bring you all the information we can from our friends at the Pensacola and enjoy these heartwarming talestheir and own focus in and more to help readers shift for as long as we can. Please reach out to us adorable of photos of local animals and 2021. We hope you enjoy. to your health! MESS Hall toinspiration help keep your kiddos with story ideas, orHere’s just a quick the folksWe who care for them. When you’re hello. are all working from home and we engaged with learning this summer. done, give your little catnip and are missing our kitty wateracooler conversations. throw your dog a bone. It’s these simple Stay safe,that staywe healthy stay strong, the Pensacola! As always, hope enjoy issue! pleasures will keepand usyou all sane. changing that. We will continue to publish

Kelly Oden Kelly Oden Kelly Oden Kelly Oden Executive Editor Executive Editor

Executive Editor

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Contents

A POSITIVE APPROACH TO DOG TRAINING 15 Local dog trainer, Tiffany Jourdain, uses positive reinforce in a board and train setting. FRESH SCIENCE, SERVED DAILY Try your hand at some fun summer science projects from the Pensacola MESS Hall.

A LEMON DELIGHT Lemon doughnuts offer a delicious sweet treat.

‘NO CHILD WILL GRIEVE ALONE’ AT VALERIE’S HOUSE PENSACOLA 25 A Fort Myers based grief support group expands operation to Pensacola to serve children and families.

15 31

ART IN BLOOM 28 The popular floral festival is back in 2021. PENSACON IS A GO FOR 2021 31 Celebrity guests and special events take over downtown Pensacola for the annual celebration of sci-fi and pop culture. PROFICIENCY • EQUITY • UNITY 35 Dr. Timothy Smith’s plan for student success.

SUMMER CAMP IN THE FIRST CITY 41 Art, Science and the great outdoors top our list of 2021 summer camps. IN EVERY ISSUE Editor’s Letter

Page 10 with DeeDee Davis

Community Events

SPECIAL SECTIONS Business Climate

On the Market

8 Pensacola Magazine

MAGAZINE

MAY 2021 Owner Malcolm Ballinger Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Guy Stevens guy@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Garrett Hallbauer garrett@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com Assistant Editor Dakota Parks dakota@ballingerpublishing.com Contributing Writers DeeDee Davis Editorial Interns Jesse Gann Fiama Mastrangelo Sky Rivera Sales & Marketing Paula Rode, Account Executive ext. 28 paula@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand, Account Executive ext. 31 becky@ballingerpublishing.com

314 N. Spring St. | Pensacola, FL 32501 850.433.1166 | fax: 850.435.9174 ballingerpublishing.com

Published by Ballinger Publishing:

magazine

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NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine and Pensacola Magazine is locally owned and operated. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2021

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OPINION

PAGE 10 with DeeDee Davis

At what age does a parent finally get some relief and get to stop worrying about their children? The answer is “Never.” The reasons for concern vary at every stage of development, but regardless, the intensity is always there. When my two kids were young my concerns were, understandably, the same as those of any other working mom. By pursuing my career, was I doing them an irreparable injustice by not staying home with them? Was I doing everything I could to keep them healthy and safe from deadly diseases? Exactly how much was too much television? As they grew, I acquired a whole new guilt set. Would divorce cause them to become serial murderers or result in them having multiple personalities? Would being a single mom drive them into the arms of a gang? Would dating and ultimately remarrying cause them to spiral into drug abuse? Mercifully, none of these things happened, and, if they did, I do not want to know about it now. I have made it this far without knowledge of any major crimes and would prefer to keep it that way. All of the sharing and confessing that kids do in later life is, in my opinion, overrated and they need to be more grateful that they were nurtured into adulthood. On more than one occasion, I had second thoughts about my decision to give birth. It is, of course, the unconditional power of love that drives us to “nut land” over our children. Haven’t you had those nights when you wake at 2 am in a cold sweat with remorse and frustration over not being able to do more to help your child? As adults, they need us every bit as much as they did as infants, just in a different way. They may be all grown up with cars and houses and husbands and wives, but the need for parenting never goes 10 Pensacola Magazine

the Alexa speaker best of all, especially when he hears Bob Marley play. So much for Disney classics and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Give me “No Woman No Cry!” At least he has good taste. Most children begin their vocabulary with “mama” or “dada,” but this child uttered his first clearly distinguishable word with “Bob.” away. Their struggles are our struggles. Their disappointments, their successes, their fears, their conquests – all ours. We are a part of each other and though we can be friends as adults, we are parent and child first, foremost and forever. I love my kids more than I love air and sun, and yes, even more than red wine. And the older I get, the more I realize I need more wine and that the old cliché about teaching our little birds to fly and then watching sadly as they leave the nest is true. I have more respect now for my own mother and what she has been through raising five of us. Both of my kids now have a child of their own. My son has a 2-year-old and my daughter has a 7-year-old stepdaughter. Listening to my son talk about his son gives me great joy. He has so much love and pride for this child. But, I bite my tongue a lot when he says things that do imply he and his wife certainly know more about child raising than any of us outdated grandparents could ever understand. Maybe so. When I look at the toys (all educational, of course) this child has, I wonder how my own kids turned out as smart as they did. Every type of brain stimulus on the market is in his collection. Bells, whistles, books, videos, talking-everythings, you name it. Despite the massive inventory, it is interesting that the chosen child likes

And then, there is a whole different level of parenting—a stepchild. I sympathize with a child having so many adults to consider, especially when styles can be so varied. For my daughter, it’s love with no stretch marks left behind. The early days were like having a little doll to dress and play with. Then reality set in. Overseeing school work during Covid, canceling a dinner party because it is the week of parenting on an “every other” kind of schedule, a completely different list of concerns. Where do the years go? And so the cycle continues. I have become my mother, and that requires special talent. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 12 Winnie Bazemore 18 Julia Ussery

Pensacola Scene 2021 OPERAZZI BALL: OPERA ON THE HIGH SEAS

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LONGHOLLOW CREATIVES RIBBON CUTTING + OPEN HOUSE

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MAY '21

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A Positive Approach to Dog Training by Kelly Oden Google “COVID Puppy” and you’ll get a slew of results with titles like “Our Pandemic Puppy was a terrible idea” and “When Your Pandemic Puppy Doesn’t Work Out.” The idea that a puppy would help to alleviate the loneness and boredom of the pandemic, particularly during lockdown, was a popular one. Record numbers of puppies and dogs were rescued from shelters with some areas even seeing a rise in dognapping due to the lower availability of canine companions. For many new adopters, however, the reality of bringing a new pet into the home was a bit different than the fantasy. Admittedly, I am one of those pandemic adopters. In the fall of 2020, my daughter and I were on the brink of insanity. We had lost my mother earlier in the year and we were still reeling from the grief. My daughter was struggling with remote learning while I did my best to work from home in between the calls for “Mooooom” from the other room. We were sad and lonely and frustrated, like so many others around the world. So, when my daughter sent me a link for a cute little puppy up for adoption at a nearby shelter, I caved. I knew it was bad timing and a bad idea in the grand scheme of things, but I also knew it would make her happy. Plus, we already had a dog, two cats, two chickens, a bearded dragon and three goldfish. How hard could one more pet

Tiffany Jourdain of Positive Splash Dog Training works with one of her furry students.

be? A lot harder, it turns out. I’ve always had well-behaved girl dogs that believed they were people rather than dogs. This little cutie was all boy and all dog. Potty training was difficult, he chewed and got into everything, he didn’t listen, he was nippy, he chased our cats and our chickens, he was playfully over aggressive with our other dog and he ate absolutely anything he could get his mouth on—anything. His only saving graces were that he was pretty dang cute and really sweet at heart. He was just a puppy—a boy puppy. After about six months of constant puppy chaos, my ever-resourceful daughter sent me a link to a dog trainer with the message, “We need to do this.” She was right. We

needed to take control of the situation. We are the type of family that believes when you adopt an animal, it’s forever. So, rehoming wasn’t an option—yet. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it. The link my daughter sent me was for Positive Splash Dog Training. In particular, she wanted us to do their board and train program. This program has you drop off your dog for a few days, or a few weeks, while the trainers work with them. The dogs live with the trainer and receive multiple training sessions a day. Owner and certified trainer, Tiffany Jourdain, explained their positive reinforcement training method to me over the phone.

MAY '21

“We believe training is about communication. It is scientifically proven that reinforcement drives behavior. Animals learn faster and retain more when behavior is reinforced,” Jourdain said. “We use reinforcers to encourage correct behaviors to continue. Reinforcement comes in many forms—food, toys, treats, love, play, exercise and access to exciting things. When you are using a dog’s senses to train them, dogs respond best to scent, then to sights and then to sounds. Food is often our first primary reinforcer when teaching new behaviors. The smell of the food keeps the dog’s attention, and it is easy to quickly reward good behavior.” Jourdain also notes that they work on a wide variety of behaviors including polite manners with other dogs, boundaries with dogs and people, how to handle overexcitement and basic obedience commands like stay, down, leave it, place, come, nose touch and leash walking. “We incorporate distractions like walking past dogs, kids playing and coming when called from far away,” Jourdain explained. “While they are with me we also continuously work on polite house skills like appropriate chewing, puppy mouthing, settling in the home and general good behavior.” Jourdain also makes a point to say that positive reinforcement training isn’t just for puppies. “Any dog of any age can learn,” she said. “We often have older dogs or ‘last chance’ dogs come in and they do really well. Getting to see a dog like that transform is so fun. That’s really where my passion is.” We were planning on going out of town to see family, so I figured, ‘Why not give it a try?’ We packed up both pups and headed out to Milton. Jourdain did a thorough intake for both dogs—asking about behaviors, habits and the details of our home and everyday life. About 30 minutes later, we gave the dogs a hug and went on our merry way. Cut to two weeks later and we were excited to see what our rambunctious puppy had 16 Pensacola Magazine

learned. The first thing Jourdain did was show us videos of both dogs’ training and showing off what they learned. We weren’t too surprised by the progress of our collie, Scout—she’s a good listener, she’s smart and she generally wants to please. Our little pandemic puppy, however, was another story entirely. In Jourdain’s training videos, Kona was a completely different dog. He listened. He didn’t devour the purposefully dropped food, although you could tell he really wanted to. He didn’t chase the nearby chickens, which had been a big problem at our house. He sat calmly in the living room, with Scout, while Jourdain quietly read a book on the couch. At our house, he would have been eating something inappropriate or aggressively pulling Scout around by her long collie hair. We were speechless. Jourdain gave us a folder with specific, detailed instructions and training words for each dog. These instructions were loaded with personal observations about each dog’s personality and motivation needs. She also included the schedule they used during training and encouraged us to keep to it as much as possible. So, what happened when we got Kona home? Did he magically transform into the world’s best-behaved dog? No, he didn’t, but he was markedly improved, and with further training using Jourdain’s notes, he is becoming the dog we always knew he could be. Before training, he could not roam the house freely—something would get destroyed if he did. Now, he can

Kona meets a goat at the board and train farm. roam about on his own as long as we keep temptations out of reach and supply plenty of appropriate puppy toys. Before training, if he managed to escape the yard, we would have to chase him down, sometimes for many blocks, and essentially trap him. He wouldn’t come to us. If we didn’t bring a leash, I would have to carry the 65-pound beast home. Now, if he escapes, we run outside frantically calling his name, and he is usually hanging out right in the front yard. He comes right in when we open the door. If he does manage to get a block or two away, he comes running towards us as soon as he sees us. Progress. Kona really likes learning, which is neat to see. We’ve always known he was a smart boy, but having a direction to focus that energy has been great for both people and pup. We still have some work to do. In all fairness, our schedule (okay, and our laziness) hasn’t allowed us to do the followup training at home as thoroughly as we should, but we are moving forward one small puppy step at a time. The board and train program gave us a solid foundation to work from, and for that, we are grateful. For more information on Positive Splash Dog Training’s services, visit positivesplashdogtraining.com.

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FRESH SCIENCE, SERVED DAILY AT HOME ACTIVITIES Follow Your Shadow The importance of science literacy and public engagement has rarely felt so relevant to all of us as it has in the past year and a half. Fortunately, the Pensacola MESS Hall has made it their mission to inspire curiosity and creative problem solving through the exploration of math, engineering, science, and stuff. After closures due to COVID-19 and seeking a new building, they have announced the official location of their new venue located at 418 E. Wright St., opening June 1, 2021. Just in time for summer, families will once again be able to explore exhibits including the marble run, wind tubes, harmonograph and the ever-popular mess kit counter, with individual activities designed to encourage understanding of scientific topics through “messing around.” Visitors will also enjoy special demonstrations by teen volunteer program participants and special guests. Summer camps will also be underway, with learners diving into deeper discovery. “The Pensacola MESS Hall is excited to welcome the Pensacola community back to explore with us,” said Cece Garripolli, Pensacola MESS Hall visitor services manager. “Watching faces light up and families interact over shared experiences is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work. We hope that when they leave, they are inspired to continue making discoveries in the world around them.” Can’t wait to do science together? Get involved by participating in the MESS Hall’s online citizen science project called Weathering the Storm at scistarter. org/NOAA-messhall, or try some of these engaging earth science activities at home over the summer. To find out more about “What’s going on” and the optional templates visit: pensacolamesshall.org/science-at-home.

For this activity, you’ll need a piece of chalk and a driveway or patio in a sunny location. Have the child stand so that their shadow falls upon the surface. Use the chalk to trace their feet. You’ll need this for later! Now trace the child’s shadow. Write the time inside the shadow outline. Sometime later, return to the same spot and trace the shadow again. What changed? Would this work on a cloudy day? TIP: If you can’t find chalk, anchor a piece of paper in a sunny place (tape or rocks will work). No partner? Choose a small toy to set at the edge of the paper so the shadow falls upon it. Mark the location of the toy and leave it in place. Trace the shadow. Repeat this a little later. How to use your sundial:

Materials • Sundial template

(pensacolamesshall.org/science-at-home)

• Scissors • Pencil, sharpened is better • Magnetic compass • Sunny Day

What To Do: Determine the line of latitude for your location using a map. Pensacola is located at 30 degrees north latitude. Circle that number on the template. Cut along the dotted lines labeled 1. Fold along the solid line labeled 2 and at the line of latitude for your location. Poke a hole using a sharpened pencil for the gnomon. Use a compass to determine due North (or use a map), set the dial in the sun with the gnomon pointing north. Does your sundial match the time on your clock?

Mess Around Try using something besides the pencil as the gnomon, like a stick or blade of grass. Which material works better? If your sundial doesn’t match the time on a clock, why would that be so? Do people use different ways to determine the time? How could you tell the time at night if you didn’t have modern time tellers like clocks and computers? MAY '21

FRESH SCIENCE, SERVED DAILY

What’s Going On? A sundial is an instrument with a pole, or gnomon, in its center and markings that tell the time like a clock. When the sun shines on the gnomon, the gnomon blocks the light and casts a shadow. As the Earth revolves through a day, the sun appears to change its position in the sky. In reality, the Earth is moving, not the sun. As the relative position of the sun changes, the shadow cast by the gnomon moves. The angle of the shadow can be used to determine the apparent movement of the sun in the sky and therefore the time.

Investigate Colors of the Sky!

Learn about the science of sky colors using water, milk, paper, and a flashlight.

Materials • Glass of water • Milk or creamer • Flashlight

What’s Going On?

• White sheet of paper

What To Do: Set a glass of water in front of a white sheet of paper. The paper will act as a screen. Place a flashlight on the other side of the glass of water. Your setup should look like this: Flashlight > Glass of water > Paper. Shine the light through the water. What color light appears on the paper? Dim the lights in the room for the best effect. Add a few drops of milk or creamer to the water. The water should look cloudy, but not too cloudy. Shine the light through the cloudy water. What color light appears on the paper?

Mess Around:

The sun produces white light, which is made up of light of all colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. When the white light from the sun shines through the earth’s atmosphere, it collides with gas molecules. These molecules scatter the light. Blue light wavelength is shorter and is scattered approximately ten times more than red light. When you look up in the sky, the scattered blue light is the light that you see. Why does the setting sun look reddish orange? When the sun is on the horizon, its light takes a longer path through the atmosphere to your eyes than when the sun is directly overhead. The milky water simulates this. By the time the light of the setting sun reaches your eyes, most of the colors of light have been scattered out. The light you finally see is reddish orange.

Experiment with how much milk or creamer to add to the glass of water to get a sunset color on the white paper. What happens if you add too much milk? What happens if there isn’t enough milk? What other substance could you use to cloudy the water? What colors do you see if you look at the flashlight through the water and cloudy water?

For more information about visits to the Pensacola MESS Hall, special programs and membership, visit PensacolaMESSHall.org or call 877-937-6377. 20 Pensacola Magazine

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Baked Lemon Donuts Serves: 12 2 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon zest

A Lemon Delight for Any Occasion Sweets with enhanced fruit flavors are often among the best of the best when it comes to family treats. Fruit can add levels of sweet, tart or even citrus flavor to all kinds of recipes. From grapefruit to berries and lemons, there are a variety of fruits that can take your delightful desserts to the next level of flavor. For example, these Baked Lemon Donuts are a unique dessert that can double as a sweet, fruity breakfast. Delicious and packed with lemon zest, they are coated in a lemon-sugar topping for a burst of lemon in every bite.

22 Pensacola Magazine

To make this recipe, start with 2 cups of flour in a mixing bowl. Add sugar, baking powder and salt then whisk everything together. Next add buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, vanilla extract and lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are combined to form dough. Use a piping bag or cut a corner off a re-sealable storage bag then pipe the dough into a donut pan and bake at 350º F for 9 minutes.

Lemon Sugar Topping: 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup butter, melted • Heat oven to 350º F. • In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. • Add buttermilk, eggs, butter, lemon juice, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Stir until combined. • Pipe batter into donut pan.

While the donuts are in the oven, add some lemon zest to a half cup of sugar and mix.

• Bake 9 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

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The end result is fluffy little donuts that are filled with light and scrumptious lemon flavor and covered with lemon sugar for a hard-to-resist lemony treat. Late night or early morning, these donuts can leave you – as well as anyone you choose to share them with – craving “just one more.” Find more unique recipes at culinary.net.

• Place donut face down in melted butter then face down in lemon sugar topping. Repeat with all donuts.

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‘No Child Will Grieve Alone’ at Valerie’s House Pensacola by Dakota Parks

n the State of Florida, 1 in 8 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 25. For a grief-stricken family, learning to process, cope and live with loss is no easy feat. When a death in the family occurs, parents and caregivers must often navigate their own personal mourning, while providing emotional support to their children as well. In Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, grief will impact more than 8,000 children before the age of 25, according to the 2020 JAG Institute of Childhood Bereavement index. Bereavement resources for grieving children and families often fall between the cracks, as there are no regular grief support groups currently operating in the Northwest Florida region. Valerie’s House Pensacola is looking to change that, as the nonprofit opens its first chapter in the Panhandle.

Established in 2016 in Fort Myers, Valerie’s House operates as a family-focused hub that offers peer-to-peer support groups for children to connect with others who are also grieving. Children participate in a variety of art, journaling and music activities during weekly support groups, while parents and caregivers meet separately to learn about supporting both their children’s grief and their own. Since its inception in 2016, Valerie’s House has expanded to include chapters in Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte and Pensacola. For Pensacola Advisory Chair, Crista Brandt, who spearheaded the Pensacola chapter, the topic hits close to home. Both the founder of Valerie’s House, Angela Melvin, and Brandt lost their mothers when they were young girls. Brandt lost her mother to cancer when she was 11 years old, and as an adult, she

found herself drawn to helping support grieving children. Brandt explained that she didn’t have access to a grief support group when she was young, and she quickly became passionate about making grief resources more accessible. “When I was in high school, I didn’t know anyone that had lost a loved one or that was going through what I was going through. That alienation makes it really difficult to process grief in a way that is healthy,” Brandt explained. “Peer-to-peer support groups help children share and connect with other kids their age that are dealing with some of the same emotions and confusion. Grief is individual and it’s a lifelong journey. Everyone grieves differently and there isn’t a timeframe to getting over it. Grief ebbs and flows and arises at different points in our lives like graduation or marriage, when we’re missing that person on our special days.” The Pensacola-based support group meets biweekly on Tuesday nights at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida center located at 1320 Creighton Road, which has opened its doors to Valerie’s House. On group nights, the group is led by a volunteer facilitator and a “group MAY '21

(ACE) Study shows that children who experience trauma and loss are at an increased risk for developing addiction and psychological disorders as adults. We want to stop that from happening.”

▲ Teens ‘spill the tea’ during group night at Valerie’s House in Fort Myers.

⊳ Children doing art projects and journaling activities during the biweekly grief support group.

buddy” who oversee the discussion topics and various activities. While the support group does not function as formal therapy, there is always a licensed clinician or therapist present to monitor and provide one-on-one help if needed. Children are split up by age groups: 5 and under, elementary, middle school and high school, while adults meet separately. At the end of the group breakout sessions, each group comes back together in a ‘closing circle’ to share and recap. 26 Pensacola Magazine

“When given the right tools, children are willing to talk and share about their feelings and grief,” Brandt explained. “It’s the not-talking about it that labels children as behavior problems or bad students, when that isn’t really the case. Those are the outputs of grief that haven’t been expressed in a healthy way. If we can work with these grieving children now, we can prevent depression, anxiety and addiction disorders from happening later in life. The Adverse Childhood Experiences

The Pensacola chapter officially opened on April 20 and is currently enrolling children and families. In the future, the Pensacola chapter plans to expand the group offerings to include a designated night specifically for children that have lost a sibling and for parents that have lost a child. While philanthropic support from organizations including Big Brothers Big Sister NWFL, Bear Family Foundation, Gulf Power and Sandy Sansing have made opening the group possible, Brandt explained that her biggest goal moving forward is finding a permanent home for Valerie’s House. A location for the Pensacola chapter will allow the group offerings to grow and expand, eventually filling even more resource gaps across the Panhandle. Valerie’s House relies on donations, volunteers and financial partnerships to help reach more families. “There are around 300 grief centers in the country, and these centers are predominantly found in larger urban areas. Grief resources are often lacking in the inbetween cities, like Fort Myers, Pensacola or Gainesville,” Brandt said. “We want to expand Valerie’s House and bring the organization to other cities and counties. Eventually, my dream is to stretch across the Panhandle and ensure that we’re helping as many families as possible and fulfilling the vision that no child will grieve alone.” Valerie’s House Pensacola is currently enrolling grieving children and families. To enroll or refer a child, contact Valerie’s House Program & Outreach Coordinator, Miranda Campbell, at 850-582-8255, or email her at miranda@valerieshouse. org. For financial donations and all other inquiries, please contact Crista Brandt at 850-266-0795 or at crista@valerieshouse. org. To find out more or get involved, visit valerieshouse.org/pensacola.

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Art in Bloom by Sky Rivera

e all know that April showers bring May flowers, but lucky for us here in Pensacola, our May flowers will also come with a beautiful art and floral exhibit that features floral themed art, stunning floral arrangements, a flower market and more. Fiore of Pensacola will be hosting Art in Bloom on May 14 and 15. Held in cities across the country, the event offers attendees the opportunity to view stunning floral arrangements and unique art pieces inspired by flowers. “Art in Bloom displays the unique creativity and craft of local floral designers who interpret works of art from our gallery collection,” said Shannon Pallin, owner Fiore. This year will kick off with a preview party on May 14 from 8 pm to 10 pm. Aptly titled, “Flowers After Hours,” offers attendees a chance to meet and mingle with the participating designers and artists over complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The Art in Bloom exhibit will be held on Saturday, May 15 from 10 am to 4 pm at Fiore of Pensacola, located at 405 South K Street. In addition to the exhibit, Art in Bloom will also feature a flower market with fresh flowers, arrangements and plants available for purchase. Pallin said keeping costs low for the patrons and making sure the profits go back to local florists are equally important. Like many industries, the pandemic has taken a toll on the local floral market. Pallin looks to alleviate some of that burden from local artists and designers. “We commit to investing in local artists and to sharing their talent with the community for many years to come,” she said.

(From top left, clockwise) PUAs by Paige. Art by Lisa Bosarge. Floral arrangement by Fleur Zoe.

Another goal of Art in Bloom is to give back to the community. In addition to donating a portion of the proceeds back to the participating designers, the event will also support the Emerald Republic Brewing Company, a local brewery that sustained significant damage in recent storms. Tickets for Flowers after Hours are $20, and tickets for Art in Bloom are $15. Those who plan to attend both events may purchase tickets together for a discounted price of $30. To purchase tickets, call 850- 469-1930. Shannon Pallin, Pensacola has no shortage of owner of Fiore creative talent and Art in Bloom aims to highlight just a few of those local gems. Five local artists will be on display with floral inspired art pieces: Lisa Bosarge, Casey Engel, Lindsey Gray, Cindy Mathis, and Josie Walker. Five local floral designers will share their interpretation of the art through floral arrangements: Chrissy Florals, Fiore of Pensacola, Fleur Zoe Wedding Florals, Pua’s by Paige, and Supposey. For more information, visit fioreofpensacola.com.

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PENSACON IS A GO FOR 2021

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Pensacon: Pensacola Comic Con was founded in 2013 and unites self-proclaimed comic book nerds, film buffs and TV connoisseurs all under one roof at the Pensacola Bay Center for three full days. From capes, costumes and furries to autographs and fan memorabilia, the convention offers a little of something for everyone. Although the comic con is usually held in February, it was rescheduled due to COVID-19 and will now be held Friday, May 21, through Sunday, May 23. With a variety of guest celebrities and city-wide events scheduled to take place at seven different locations across downtown Pensacola, Pensacon will be taking over the streets.

“I always like to tell people, if there is anything you like in pop culture—if you like movies, TV, games, animation, reading, art—we have something that you are going to like,” Pensacon Marketing and Media Director, Julio Diaz said. “People normally think it’s science fiction, but it’s not just science fiction.” There will be a guest for every genre at this year’s convention. One of Pensacon’s most anticipated guests this year is Kaylee Hottle, known for her role as Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong, the latest movie in the franchise. Her character is known for her relationship with Kong in the movie, and Pensacon will be her first comic con appearance. Hottle, who is a deaf actress, has gained a massive following for her role teaching Kong sign language in the movie. Other featured guests will include Michael Cudlitz, who plays Abraham in The Walking Dead, George Wendt, who plays

Norm from Cheers, and Emily Swallow, who played The Armorer in Disney’s The Mandalorian. There will be guests from classic films and new releases, including the last two living stars from the original Planet of the Apes, Lou Wagner and Linda Harrison. Harry Waters Jr. and Jeffrey Weissman from Back to the Future will also be featured guests. Pensacon has a guest for everyone to enjoy no matter, the age demographic or genre. “Of course in addition to our celebrities, we also have upwards of 25 artists and authors that will be here as guests encompassing everything from comic book and fantasy artists, to New York Times bestselling authors,” Diaz said. Some of this year’s featured visual artists will include Guy Gilchrist, who is known for his illustrations of the Muppets comic strip; Michael Golden, the co-creator of the X-men’s Rogue character, Spartan X and Bucky O’Hare; and Matt Frank, MAY '21

FOR 2021 PENSACON IS A GO

“It’s a very full weekend, and there is a lot for families to do. We’re here for the families, kids and for everyone to have a great time.” an illustrator for the Godzilla comic book series. In the world of professional wrestling, Dr. Britt Baker, who recently competed in the All Elite Wrestling Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament in February, will be making her debut appearance at Pensacon. Alongside this year’s guest appearances, a series of discussion panels will be held. Here, fans will have the opportunity to participate in live Q & A sessions with their favorite celebrity-guests in a more relaxed and moderated setting. The infamous Poseidon’s Bay, set up in the back parking lot outside of the Pensacola Bay Center, will make a comeback this year and host numerous outdoor vendors, activities and a stage for live performances. Poseidon’s Bay will open one hour prior to Pensacon to provide attendees with socially distanced activities as they wait in line to enter the Bay Center. Some of the activities scheduled to take place include carnival games, lightsaber demonstrations and dance groups. 32 Pensacola Magazine

place in February. On the last day of the convention, Pensacon will be announcing a few of the guests to expect next year. If guests are not comfortable with attending the convention in May, tickets will be available to roll-over to Pensacon 2022.

Another big attraction this year is going to be the Court of De Luna event space. It is Pensacola’s newest 25,000 square foot event space and winery. The Court of De Luna will host Pensacon’s costume contest and 80s-themed party on Saturday night. Pensacon is also working with numerous downtown bars and restaurants to host annual themed parties. The massive vendor hall at the Bay Center will be available as a space to purchase memorabilia such as comics, collectibles and original art that can’t be found anywhere else. It will also be the main hub where you’ll be able to meet celebrity guests, grab a picture or get an autograph. Other event spaces this year include the Pensacola Little Theatre, the Rex Theatre, the Voices of Pensacola, the University of West Florida Historic Trust Bowden Building and the Museum Plaza Stage, which will each be hosting events throughout the weekend. The Pensacon team is already planning for Pensacon 2022, which will be taking

“Safety of our guests is always important to us and has never been more important than it is this year. We wouldn’t be moving forward with the event if we didn’t believe we could do it safely,” Diaz said. “It’s a very full weekend, and there is a lot for families to do. We’re here for the families, kids and for everyone to have a great time.” Masks will be required throughout the convention grounds, hand sanitizer will be available at all venues and social distancing measures will be put in place. There will also be designated eating and drinking areas. Tickets are still available for those wanting to attend Pensacon this year. A threeday pass is $80, while single day passes are $35 for Friday, $45 for Saturday and $40 for Sunday. VIP passes are $155 and include early admission to the Pensacola Bay Center, preferred seating at panel venues, front-of-line privileges for celebrity autographs and photoops, an exclusive 2021 event T-shirt, space available parking and other perks. Change last sentence to read: For more information about tickets, special guests and vendors, visit pensacon.com.

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PROFICIENCY EQUITY • UNITY Dr. Timothy Smith’s Three Pillar Plan for Student Success by Kelly Oden

In 2018, Escambia County voters supported a referendum that switched the job of school superintendent position from an elected position to an appointed one. In the fall of 2020, the Escambia County School Board chose Dr. Timothy A. Smith as the first appointed superintendent of schools for the district. Dr. Smith brings with him a passion for education and equity as well as more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, administrator and director in the Orange and Lake County Public School systems. Dr. Smith holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida. Pensacola Magazine talked with Dr. Smith about his vision for the Escambia County School District, his commitment to educational equity and how the pandemic is altering the education landscape.

Photo by Guy Stevens

What attracted you to this position and this district? I liked the diversity and the size of the district. I liked the location near the water. It’s a very scenic place. It just has so much to offer. It felt like a good match. My brother-in-law was in the Navy, and he and his family were stationed in the area. We’d come up and visit, so we knew a little bit about the community. Before you were appointed, what were your observations of the Escambia County School District? That’s a really interesting question. In 2018-19, the district had made a strong step forward. I believe 15 schools went up a letter grade on the

state grading system. That’s a very strong accomplishment. So we saw some good forward movement academically. The one thing I noticed was the poverty level in Escambia County is higher than a lot of other districts, and with that comes some challenges. If you look at the research, there’s a lot of correlation between poverty and academic performance. Unfortunately, that’s a difficult correlation that exists throughout our country. Do you have specific goals for the district in place? We’re actually in that process now. I came up with a 90-day plan that had some pointed, short-term goals and desired

accomplishments. A lot of that was getting to know leaders in the district—principals, directors, department heads, our executive team and school board members. That was a number one priority. I also met with many community members. I’ve spoken with different groups and tried to get my vision out to the community. We’ve now gone through that 90-day plan and we are looking at strategic planning. We’ve gone through the process of gathering input and insight from within the district and the community. So, the first step is listening and hearing—what are your hopes and dreams? What do you need your school district to do? My vision that I come in with has three core pillars.

But what we want to happen is to use the input we’ve gathered along with these three pillars and fine-tune them and make it our shared vision. I want it to be our vision. I think that’s important. What are the three pillars of your vision? So the mission statement or framework for the vision is that it’s important that our kids go to a school where they are in a culture that’s encouraging, nurturing and caring. One that is supportive and safe for the students. Within that culture, they learn at higher levels than they’ve ever learned before. They take that learning and when they finish their high school experience, they go out and MAY '21

PROFICIENCY • EQUITY • UNITY

they make a difference in the community in which they live. The vision focuses on three pillars and the first one is that we must increase proficiency levels of learning. The big measure we have is the percentage of kids who are on grade level or above. What we will accomplish is driving those proficiency levels up. For that to happen, we must have strong leadership, we must have highly effective teaching and we must have those tenants of nurturing, caring and support. We need those so that our kids can learn, think, focus and thrive. The second pillar can be very difficult to talk about. But here’s the reality—we have an achievement gap between white students and black students in our school district. In English language arts in grades three through 10, the state data from the last accountability cycle (2018-19) shows a 34 percent gap between white and black students. Our black students also lag in math in comparison to white students by 35 percent. Let’s zoom out a little bit from 36 Pensacola Magazine

our geography of Escambia County and go to the whole state. There’s an achievement gap in the whole state district average, too. In English, it’s 29 percent. In math, it’s 29 percent. So, we have a problem in our community, we have a problem in our state and the unscientific sampling I’ve done nationally says we have a problem in our nation. What has evolved and emerged—is a school system that is very good for a lot of students, but it also happens to be not so good for a lot of students, too. That’s a problem. We are in 2021 in the United States of America—the most modernized, powerful country in the world—and we just messed that up badly. To have a gap like that, based on race, it’s appalling. I mean, how have we gotten here? And how have we not dug in as a united community and said, “Enough, this is not okay and we’re going to do something about it.” Now, is it easy? No. Is it complicated? Yes. Have people tried? Absolutely. I asked a national research-based

consultant to tell me a district in the United States of America that has closed the achievement gap—that had an achievement gap between black and white students and closed it. What did they say? “I can’t tell you that.” I didn’t think they could. But they did say there are districts that are improving and that have made significant improvement. So, that’s hopeful. My point with all that is that our system doesn’t work for all of our kids and that’s not okay. So, we are going to eliminate the achievement gap in Escambia County. To do that, we need the third pillar—we have to be united. Solving the achievement gap is like lifting a really big boulder. Figuratively, right? It’s huge. For any single person, it’s physically impossible, but put a lot of people around that boulder and we can lift it. We’ve got to be united within our district and within our county—our government, our agencies, our businesses and our families. What is so amazingly exciting about that is what we already have in place to support that.

photo by Guy Stevens

The half-cent sales tax to support schools has been in place for years and has been re-upped many times. The Children’s Trust Fund just got voted in by 61 percent of the voters. So right there, just in the ballot box, we have two statements made by our community. Number one—we care about schools and kids. Number two—we’re willing to pay for it. That’s huge. Plus, we’ve got groups like Achieve Escambia, the Studer Community Institute and many other businesses who want to be a part of it, too. That’s where the vision is. When you boil it down, it’s all about the fact that every kid who comes into our school is precious, important and vital. Our job is to educate and provide great opportunities for our kids to go do great things. It’s our job to reach every child and have our children thriving and growing and learning. That’s our charge, and we have to do that. We have to think outside of the box sometimes and we have to be creative, but we also have to pull our resources together.

What have you seen in terms of the primary impacts of COVID on the district? COVID-19 has resulted in us having different platforms of education for kids, and that has impacted our entire system. The primary one that most people are familiar with is the remote platform. That’s the one where students are logging in and receiving their lessons remotely from a live teacher. We are fortunate in that all of our students have laptops. This is the first time we’ve ever done something like this. We have teachers at school teaching a class that might be all remote students. That’s the less common format. The more common format is to have a blended remote approach. That’s where you have a teacher with 10 kids in the classroom and 10 kids learning remotely. They are doing two formats simultaneously. The remote can look one of two ways. It can be where a teacher has a full class of remote students or they’re doing a blended approach. That’s one of three

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We’ve seen the true grit and determination of teachers. I think that’s a takeaway.”

choices that a student has. A student can do face-to-face (or traditional learning), they can do remote learning or they can go to our virtual school. How are you seeing these changes impacting learning gains? We have measures that we’ve looked at and we’ve been able to measure grades after each report card. The pattern we’ve seen is that kids who are on the remote platform are not performing as well as students who are at school. That’s been a clear pattern. Now, you might have some kids on remote who are doing fine, but for the collective group of students, that’s not the case. What plans does the district have to help mitigate that lower performance and bring those kids back up to where they need to be? We are going to try to get as many of our struggling students into summer programs as possible. We can’t require that, but we can certainly push and encourage that to happen. That will be a key intervention—to get as many kids as we can in the summer program. That will start in June. We’ve also been using some of the federal dollars that we received to have tutoring. Schools have been given the opportunity and the funds to craft interventions. Some of our schools are doing after-school tutoring and some are doing Saturday sessions. We’ve got a lot of programs that the schools are crafting. We will also be looking at next year and how we can address some of the needs of struggling students. The state testing will tell us in more detail who is falling behind, and we will be able to use federal dollars

to put some more resources towards those students. One question that a lot of parents have is: are their kids going to be held back if they don’t do well this year? Do the same standards apply as non-pandemic years? There was an executive order that just came up from the Commissioner of Education. There’s been some good news in that a lot of flexibility has been put into that type of situation. So, that’s going to help us a lot. For example, we’ve got a lot of flexibility with the third-grade mandatory retention based on the state grading system. Typically if a student doesn’t pass that, then they have to be retained. The executive order gave a lot of compassion in terms of that and gave us flexibility. We’re going to be able to keep those retentions to a much lower number. We were very concerned about that. We’re going to be able to keep them

at a low level, but the reality is that we have more students who haven’t learned as much as they’ve needed to learn for the past year. When you think about it, we’re going to have a whole year and a quarter where kids have been in this mode. One of the reasons we were advocates for having the kids go through state testing is because it’s going to be a measure to show us what standards the kids did learn and which they did not. We’re going to have to blend that next year and coach up struggling kids to try to help them catch up as much as possible. How do you feel this last year and a half—COVID and the changes in the education system—will affect the future of education in general? I think we’ve learned a lot from COVID. Our teachers have been inspirational. They have just worked hard, dug in and made it happen. They’re continuing to provide MAY '21

PROFICIENCY • EQUITY • UNITY instruction, support and encouragement for kids. Our teachers, our support employees and our school administrators just work tirelessly. They’re relentless at doing what needs to be done for kids. We’ve seen the true grit and determination of teachers. I think that’s a takeaway. I think we see technology used in new creative ways where the teachers were forced to figure this out. If I walk into a classroom now, I might see a teacher with four monitors around them. They’re projecting on one, they’re using another teaching resource on another and they are interfacing with remote kids on the other. They’ve learned new technological strategies and they’ve learned incredible multitasking skills.

We also see clear avenues for parent communication. You might have a parent who has difficulty getting to school for a parent meeting. Now, with technology, that might be a little bit more feasible. It’s going to change some of the business practices we have and it’s going to change some of the learning experiences as well. What else is happening in the district that we haven’t discussed that you’re excited about? For me, the first thing is a thank you to the community for the continued support of our school system through a very difficult time. I appreciate the businesses and the governmental agencies and all of the organizations

and individuals who are championing our school system and supporting and encouraging the work that’s being done. I know it’s been tough for volunteers and mentors because we’ve been closed down. We are very much looking forward to the day that we’re able to have them back. They’re a huge part of what happens. When we talk about students who are struggling, well, they’ve lost all of that, too. They’ve lost all of that mentoring and volunteering. That community teamwork is an absolute difference-maker. So we are very much looking forward to the day that we can resume those really important activities. I’m excited about our community and our district being united in working to

reach all of our kids. We have some pretty neat opportunities with the federal dollars that are coming in to run some pilot programs that could perhaps be game-changers in the future to help our kids catch up by providing more resources. I’m excited about the future and having kids getting back to normal. I’m looking forward to having the traditions and the culture and all the great pieces of school resume and then just really boldly going after higher levels of proficiency and elite educational opportunities for kids.

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Summer camps are back—much to the joy of parents and kids everywhere. The Centers for Disease Control recently released their guidelines for summer camps, which essentially says that camps can open, but should incorporate specific steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The report also noted the important role of summer camp experiences in a child’s social, emotional and physical development. After the isolation of the last year and a half, kids need social interaction and physical activity more than ever. Here in Pensacola, most of the area’s popular camps are returning, with social distancing and sanitation policies firmly in place. We’ve compiled a list of camps with availability as of April 25. Parents should consider signing their kids up soon as we expect they will fill up fast!

MAY '21

PMA Summer Art Camps 2021 Dates: July 10-14; June 17-21; July 8-12; July 15-19 Times: 9 am - 3 pm (Aftercare option available) Ages: 5-11 and 13-17 Where: 407 S. Jefferson St. Cost: $165 for members / $195 non-members for ages 5-11; $220 for members / $250 for nonmembers for ages 12-17 Safety Precautions: Masks mandatory, temperatures taken before class, extra sanitation, handwashing and sanitizing stations and personal tools/supplies Info: pensacolamuseum.org

PMA Summer Art Camps include a variety of genres for every age. This year’s camp themes include printmaking, drawing and painting, photography and sculpture. Artists can attend one week of camp or all four weeks of camp. Artists will need to bring clothes to get messy in, lunch, water and a light jacket.

Pensacola Little Theatre Ballet Pensacola

Dates: Weekly sessions from June 14 - June 28 Times: 9 am – 12 pm for 3-5-year olds; 1 pm - 4 pm for 5-10-year olds Ages: 3-5, 5-7, and 7-10 Where: Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Cost: 3-7-year olds: $150/one-week, $400/three-week (nonrefundable deposit of $25/session due by May 10) 7-10-year olds: $175/one-week, $500/three-week ($50 non-refundable deposit due by May 10). Info: balletpensacola.com Safety Precautions: Masks mandatory Ballet Pensacola is offering summer programs for children with three sessions per day with students grouped together according to age. Young performers will learn individual and group dances, engage in storytelling, play games and experience a variety of other fun activities. This year, students in the Creative Dance Camp and Ballerina Camp will focus on one of the following productions based on their week of enrollment: Snow White, Cinderella, and Swan Lake. The Ballet Boot Camp, for ages 7–10, provides valuable training for both experienced dancers and beginners alike. Ballet Boot Camp’s comprehensive curriculum includes ballet, dance history, acting, jazz and other dance disciplines. Dancer’s uniforms vary according to their age groups.

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Dates: Weekly camp sessions start June 7 and run until August 6 Times: Broadway Babies: 9 am – 12 pm; Footlights: 9 am- 12 pm; Summer Stars: 1 pm – 4 pm Ages: Broadway Babies, ages 4-7; Footlights, ages 7-11; Summer Stars, ages 12-15 Where: Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Cost: $250 per 1-week camp Safety Precautions: Masks mandatory, extra sanitation, temperatures taken, and class sizes limited to 10 students. Info: pensacolalittletheatre.com/summer-camps Pensacola Little Theatre’s Education Department has a selection of week-long summer camps lined up this year including Broadway Babies, Footlights and Summer Stars that cater to a variety of age groups. Students in Footlights and Summer Stars will focus on the process of devised theatre to put together an entire original production from start to finish. Students learn through hands-on experiences in a non-competitive atmosphere – the primary purpose of which is to help our local youth by providing the opportunity to develop, practice and hone the skills needed in all aspects of the theatre arts and theatrical production.

Pensacola Opera: Overture

Dates: July 19-23 Times: 9 am - 2 pm Ages: 6-12 Where: Pensacola Opera, 75 S. Tarragona St. Cost: $100 with scholarships available Info: cody@pensacolaopera.com Safety Precautions: Precautions will be updated according to CDC guidelines with at least 10 days of prior notice given to parents before the start of camp. Each year, Pensacola Opera holds a summer opera camp in which sessions focus on vocal and dramatic coaching, audition techniques, as well as set and costume design. At the end of the week, campers will star in a final performance for parents and friends. The students will be performing a fully staged and rehearsed 40-minute adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Pensacola Children’s Chorus Sing in the Summer Dates: June 7 – August 1 Times: Varies by session Ages: Grades 1-12 Where: Pensacola Children’s Chorus, 46 E. Chase St. Cost: $75-$250 with scholarships available Info: pensacolachildrenschorus.com Safety Precautions: Masks mandated indoors, temperature checks every morning, handwashing/sanitizing stations, social distancing

The Pensacola Children’s Chorus is offering 8 summer camps this year with unique programs that range from music composition to audition preparation. The Summer Festival camp is an all-inclusive choral experience with movement, music education, and performance that is best for students that are new to PCC. Time to Shine features inclusive classes for exceptional learners that cater to each student’s unique abilities, one of the few local programs to offer specialized education in the performing arts. With such a wide variety of camps, there’s something for everyone with an interest in performing arts. Scholarships and multi-week discounts are available to students as well.

First City Arts Center “Creatisphere” and Ceramics for Teens

Dates: June 7 – August 6 for Creatisphere; June 8 – November 18 for Ceramics for Teens sessions Times: 9 am - 4 pm, with extended care options available for extra cost for Creatisphere; 1 pm – 4:30 pm for Ceramics for Teens Ages: 6-11 for Creatisphere; Grades 6 – 10 for Ceramics for Teens Where: First City Arts Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. Cost: $265/non-member session; $235/member session Info: firstcityart.org Safety precautions: Masks mandatory, extra sanitation, social distancing of workspaces, and personal tools/supplies Creatisphere Summer Art Camp is the ultimate art experience. This dynamic program includes hands-on classes in pottery, drawing, sculpture, photography, glass blowing, 3-D design, mixed media, painting, printmaking, kiln forming, drawing, textiles and more. Creatisphere takes art “out of the box,” allowing participants to explore and experiment with unique art forms that encourage creative development, critical thinking skills and innovation. Each week, campers work in the Ceramics and Glass Studios creating a truly unique art experience. In addition to using a variety of studios on the FCAC campus, campers will visit the 1060 Art Gallery where they can see artists working in their studios. Each day there is a light session of movement, such as yoga or outdoor games to balance instructional time with play. First City Arts also has a 4-week intensive for teens as well in which they are able to learn wheel and hand-building techniques, and is appropriate for beginners and intermediate sculptors alike. Campers should bring two snacks, lunch, and a reusable water bottle with them to class every day.

Neighborhood Children’s Theatre: Jungle Jam Dates: June 14 - 18 Times: 9 am - noon Ages: grades K -5 Where: The Gordon Community Art Center, 306 N. DeVilliers St. Cost: $175 Info: myneighborhoodtheatre.com

Jungle Jam is a movement-oriented performing arts camp for elementary school students. Each day begins with a jungle-themed yoga warm-up, and campers will learn choreography and songs from The Lion King, The Jungle Book and more! There will be a final performance for family and friends at the end of the week. Tuition assistance is available through myneighborhoodtheatre.com and sibling discount codes can be applied at registration.

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Montessori School of Pensacola

Dates: June 1 – August 6 Times: 8 – 11:30 with before and after care options available Ages: Pre-K – 1st grade Where: MSP Campus, 1010 N. 12th Ave. Cost: Prices vary from $175 - $1,400 according to times and weeks Info: www.montessoripensacola.com/learning-at-msp/summer-camp/ Montessori School of Pensacola has several summer camp sessions lined up this year for preschoolers to rising 1st grade students between the ages of 4 to 6. In addition to recreational summer fun outdoors, students will learn about different world cultures, dinosaurs, physics and engineering, science experiments, music styles and instruments, as well as different artistic styles and mediums. Drop off is as early as 7 am and pick up is as late as 5:30 pm. Times and costs vary.

Episcopal Day School

Dates: June 1 – July 23 Times: Full and half day options available Ages: PreK-2 - 8th grade Where: The Hilton-Green Campus, 601 N. Palafox St. (rising 1st grade and under); South Campus, 223 N. Palafox St. (rising 2nd through 8th) Cost: $225/one-week session; $145/half-day one-week session Info: edssc.org Episcopal Day School is planning for eight weeks of summer fun with its annual summer camp sessions, stretching Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. For rising PreK-2 through Kindergarten students, campers will work their way through oceans, over mountains, up into space and back to a time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Rising 1 through 8th grade students will have the opportunity to pick a morning and afternoon session to complete their schedule. Options will vary each week, and many camps will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) emphasis. Classes will include painting and sculpture, improvisation, piano and volleyball, cooking, and Pokémon Go. Full and half day options are available for both sections of camps. Extended care will be provided from 4 pm to 5:30 pm for an additional charge. Students must bring their own lunches, snacks, and beverages each day.

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Pensacola MESS Hall Summer Camps

Dates: June 7 – July 30 Times: Half-days 9 am-noon; Full-days 1 pm-4 pm Ages: Grades 1-6 Where: Pensacola MESS Hall, 116 N. Tarragona St. Cost: Prices vary from $22 - $280 according to times and weeks Info: pensacolamesshall.org Safety Precautions: Masks mandatory, personal kits, extra handwashing/ sanitation This summer, the camps offered at Pensacola MESS Hall focus on building math, engineering and science skills. Themes at MESS Hall include Science Sampler, Inventor’s Workshop, Land of LEGOs, Messlandia, Water Works, Girl’s Garage, and Mix It Up. Camp days are either half-days from 9 am to noon, or full days from 9 pm to 4 pm. Students should bring snacks for all classes.

Navarre Beach Marine Science Station

Dates: June 21 - 25; June 28 - July 2 Times: 8 am – 12 pm for Fins and Flippers; 9 am – 3 pm for Fishing Camp Ages: Grades 3 - 9 Where: 8638 Blue Heron Ct., Navarre Cost: $175-$375 Info: Navarre Beach Marine Science Station on Facebook Navarre Beach Marine Science Station will be offering an array of summer camps this summer for students to engage with sea life and learn about conservation. Younger students can learn about marine animals and go on a private dolphin cruise in Fins and Flippers. Campers ages 9 to 13 will get their own fishing pole at the Guy Harvey Fishing Camp, where they’ll go on a deep-sea expedition and learn about fish conservation and biology. Your child will need to bring sunscreen, a snack/lunch (depending on camp time), water bottle/drink, shoes that can be worn in the water, beach towel and a change of clothes.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Dates: June 2 – July 30 for single day camps; May 30 – July 6 for overnight camps; June 20 – July 16 for residential camp Times: Vary depending on camps Ages: 5 – 13 for day camps; grades 5th – 12th for overnight camps; high schoolers for the residential camp Where: 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island Cost: $35 – 75 for day camps; $360 - $920 for overnight camps; $2,250 for residential camp Info: disl.edu The Discovery Hall Programs offer a variety of marine science programs for children during the summer. In addition to the popular day camps, Dauphin Island Sea lab also offers overnight camps for grades 5 through 12 and a 4 weeklong summer intensive for high school students.

UWF Explore Summer Camps

Dates: June 7-August 6, weekly Times: Varies by session Ages: Grades K - 12 Where: UWF Main campus (11000 University Pkwy.) and the Pensacola Museum of Art Cost: Varies by session from $140 to $350 Info: uwf.edu/explorecamps UWF Explore Summer Camps will be offering STEM, language and writing, art and social studies camps for campers in incoming kindergarten to 12th grade. Camps are one week in length and encourage students to discover the world through hands-on activities. UWF Explore Camp’s many programs include LEGO Robotics, Explore Hogwarts, Science Olympics, Broadway Bound and Mad Scientist. MAY '21

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Waterboyz Surf, Skate and Skim Camps Play Pensacola Summer Day Camp

Dates: Weekly, June 7 - August 10 Times: 7 am - 6 pm Ages: 5-12 Where: Cobb Resource Center (601 East Mallory St.), Fricker Resource Center (900 North F St.), Gull Point Resource Center (7000 Spanish Trail), Woodland Heights Resource Center (111 Berkley Dr.) Cost: Varies by session, $10 non-refundable deposit per week, per child Info: playpensacola.com/940/Summer-Camps PlayPensacola will host eleven weeks of summer camps at each of these four resource center locations: E.S. Cobb, Fricker, Gull Point and Woodland Heights. Field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, plus games and sports are just a few of the activities students can enjoy this summer with PlayPensacola summer camps. PlayPensacola is also offering additional specialty camps this year, which will include beginning and advanced ﬁshing camps, as well as SUP, adventure, performing arts and dance camps, British soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis and junior tennis camps. Outdoor specialty camps are located at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, Roger Scott Athletic Complex and Tennis Center, Malcolm Yonge Gym and Gull Point Resource Center. Day Camps run Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm, lunch and snack provided.

West Florida Baptist Academy Conqueror Day Camp Dates: June 3 – July 30, weekly Times: 7 am – 3 pm (extended care available) Ages: 3 –12 Where: 5621 Highway 90, Milton Cost: $100 per week / $120 per week for extended care Info: www.wfbacademy.org/daycamp

West Florida Baptist Academy offers week-long camps throughout the summer. Activities include Bible stories, swimming, movies, reading club, playground time, ﬁeld trips, ice cream and more.

Dates: June 7-10; June 14-17; June 21-24; June 28-July 1; July 5-8; July 12-15; July 19-22; July 26-30 Times: 9 am - noon Ages: Ages 7 and up (must be a good swimmer) Where: Pensacola Beach and Waterboyz Cost: $175 per session for surf/skim camp; $125 per session for skate camp Info: waterboyz.com Waterboyz is offering surf, skate and skim camps this summer. All camps offer lessons for beginners to advanced students. The students attending the surf camp are asked to bring sandals, sunscreen, rash guard, lunch and a towel. The students in surf camp will learn surﬁng, paddle boarding, ocean awareness and safety and wave knowledge and etiquette. In the skate camp, the students will set their own goals each week and work to achieve each trick. The students attending the skate camp are asked to bring a skateboard, and sack lunch. Camps run from 9 am to noon, and will provide a snack and water.

Innerlight Surf Camp

Dates: June 7, 9, 11; July 5, 6, 7; July 12, 14, 16; July 19, 21, 23; July 26, 28, 30; Aug 2, 3, 4 Times: 9 am-1 pm Ages: 7 and older Where: Behind Crabs Restaurant on Pensacola Beach Cost: $170 per session Info: innerlightsurf.com Innerlight Surf Shop’s Summer Surf Camp takes place all summer long. Students will learn to surf, surﬁng etiquette, culture, techniques, wave knowledge, and tides and marine biology. No worries if the surf is ﬂat, the students will still have fun games and activities. Each student will receive a Surf Camp T-shirt, stickers, coupons, and other goodies. The students are asked to bring board shorts or a swimsuit, a towel, a lot of sunscreen, a rash guard, a snack/lunch and something to drink. If you are unable to attend a whole week of camp, they also offer a 1-day camp.

Cordova Lanes Pins and Pals Summer Camp

Dates: June 7–August 6, Monday-Friday (no camp week of July 4) Times: 10 am–1 pm Ages: 6–18 Where: 2111 Airport Blvd. Cost: $130 weekly – includes child’s bowling ball and lunch; $90 weekly – without bowling ball Info: cordovalanes.com 50 Pensacola Magazine

Students will begin with bowling basics and end with a greater appreciation for bowling and a comfort level that will let them enjoy bowling more – all with your very own bowling ball. Coaches are available to help you develop a killer shot, or to just show you enough to allow you to enjoy the sport. Lunch is provided each day.

Sam’s Summer Fun and Enrichment Camp

Dates: Weekly all summer, June 7 - August 6 Times: 8:30 am- 5 pm, extended hours 7:30 am-6 pm Ages: 6-11 Where: Sam’s Fun & Surf City Fun Park, 6709 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL Cost: Part time: $105 per week / Full time: $150 per week. Includes lunch, and snacks Info: Samsfuncity.com/summer camp Sam’s Summer Fun and Enrichment Camp will be hosting young campers for an exciting day-time adventure. Campers will be treated to endless fun at Sam’s many on site amusement facilities, including, water park, mini golf, laser tag, and amusement rides. Each week campers will learn something new related to science, nature, ﬁrst-responders and space. Campers receive bonus arcade rewards for their efforts and get to win prizes weekly. The weekly event schedule also includes a full slate of traditional camp outdoor ﬁeld activities as well as educational programs from Sam’s awardwinning Science of Fun Program. Kid-friendly lunches will be provided, and campers will even learn how to make pizza.

Pensacola Yacht Club Summer Camp & Youth/Adult Sailing

Dates: May 31-June 4; June 7-11; June 14-18; June 21-25; July 5-9; July 12-16; July 19-23; July 26-30 Times: 9 am – 3 pm (Aftercare available 3-5 pm), 4-8 pm Ages: 6-13, 14+ Where: 1897 Cypress St. Cost: $375/week for non-members; $325/week for members; Aftercare $110/week or $25/day, Youth & Adult $260/week non-members; $220/ week members Info: pensacolayachtclub.org Pensacola Yacht Club is having its annual summer sailing program starting in May. Students will learn to sail with conﬁdence. All sessions offer lessons for beginner to advanced students. Students will learn boat rigging, boat handling, basic knots, sailing fundamentals, sportsmanship and boat responsibility. Students are asked to bring a personal flotation device, safety whistle, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, dry change of clothes, clothes to get wet in, closed toed shoes, water bottle, sack lunch and snack.

Kidz Pointe Summer Camp

Dates: May 24-July 30 Times: 8 am - 3 pm (extended hours available 3 - 6pm) Ages: 5 - 12 Where: Marcus Pointe Christian School, 6205 North “W” St. Cost: $150/week; $100 registration fee; $50/week for extended hours Info: kidzpointe.com Elementary school-aged children will have a blast at Kidz Pointe. This camp features ﬁeld trips to the Gulf Coast Exploreum, Oops Alley, Sam’s Fun City, Sam’s Surf City, and the Alabama Zoo as well as activities and games. Weekly camp themes the past have included Water Water Everywhere, Aargh Matey, The Final Frontier, Nerd Explosion, Superheroes, Happy Birthday America, Under the Big Top, Animal Antics and Vacation Bible School. A snack and lunch are provided.

First City No Bummer Summer Gymnastics Dates: June 7 – August 6 (Closed July 5-9) Times: 7 am - 6 pm Ages: 5 + Where: 65 E. Olive Rd. Cost: $155/ week Info: ﬁrstcitygymnastics.com

First City’s No Bummer Summer Gymnastics Camp will have a ninja obstacle course, gymnastics, arts and crafts, trampolines, games and contests, and ﬁeld trips. Camp runs weekly, but will be closed the week of July 5. Campers will get a free t-shirt upon registration, and can bring their own lunch, snack and drink or will have the option to buy these at the gym’s snack bar. They’re asked to wear comfortable clothes, without any zippers, buttons or snaps. Register before May 28 to get a 20% discount and free ﬁeld trips.

Aubrey Hill Summer Riding Camp Dates: June 10-14; June 17-21; June 24-28; June 25-29 Times: 9 am – 2 pm Ages: 6-13 Where: 2729 Ten Mile Rd., Pace Cost: $300/week Info: aubreyhill.com/summer-riding-camp-summer-camp

Aubrey Hill Summer Riding Camp is for beginner and intermediate riders, still learning how to hold their own on a horse. There will be arts and crafts in between learning to ride and instruction on horse care. Campers must wear jeans or riding pants and a t-shirt (no tank tops) for horse riding, and have their hair pulled back. Tennis shoes or paddock boots are required at all times, no sandals allowed. Campers must bring their own lunch and drink.

MAY '21

Riverview Camp for Girls

Dates: June 6- August 1. One week, two week and custom sessions available Ages: 6-16 Where: 757 County Rd. 614, Mentone, AL Cost: $2,175 (1 week), $3,990 (2 weeks) Info: riverviewcamp.net Riverview is considered one of the South’s favorite summer camps for girls, and is located 45 minutes south of Chattanooga on top of Lookout Mountain. Girls ages 6 to 16 will have the opportunity for horseback riding, swimming, archery, gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, tennis, canoeing, arts and crafts, drama and chorus and more. This camp is a great place to build lifelong friendships and chase adventure at the same time.

U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge Dates: Varies based on age Ages: 9-18 Where: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL Cost: Varies (based on age/session) Info: spacecamp.com

Come experience space and the sky like never before at U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge. Camp sessions are year-round,

for age groups 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18. Each camp lasts for 6 days and 5 nights, and may include simulators, wilderness training, teambuilding and leadership exercises, ﬂight combat training, rocket building and robotics. The experience and knowledge gained at Space Camp is invaluable to any future astronauts and aviators.

Summer Horse Camp at Iron Stables

Dates: June 7-11, June 14-18, June 28-July 2, July 5-9 Times: 8am-2pm Ages: 6 + Where: 11 Eden Lane, Cantonment, FL 32533 Cost: $300/session Info: iron-horse-stables.com/camps Horse Camp involves the daily routine of taking care of your own horse. Campers learn safety around the horses, how they are fed, the importance of water, their breeds and colors, learning or improving their grooming and saddling skills and will even clean a stall! The best part of the day, of course, is RIDING their new equine friend! Each day at camp gives the camper a new adventure by learning respect for the horses and each other and responsibilities that will carry on into their everyday lives and for their futures! Specialty camps are also available, but permission is required. Riders should bring lunch and drinks as camp runs from 8-2.

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Community Events Constant Coffee Poetry Night May 4, 11, 18, 25 Join Pensacola poetry at the longest running open mic in Pensacola at Constant Coffee and Tea. Every Tuesday of the week, poets and creatives come to flex their voices through poetry, rap and spoken word. Come out and support the local arts community and hear a beautiful bricolage of words. Doors open at 6:00pm and mic starts at 6:30 pm. Follow Pensacola Poetry on Facebook for updates and information.

Queering Spaces Exhibit May 1-June 2022 Just in time for pride month, the University of West Florida Historic Trust is opening a history exhibit called “Queering Spaces: Celebrating Pensacola’s LGBTQ+ Community.” The exhibit opens May 1 at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum and will remain on display through June 2022. Here guests can learn about the history of the queer community in Northwest Florida, including the Emma Jones Society and the story behind Pensacola Beach Pride Weekend. The exhibit will also link to other virtual exhibits and provide resources to learn more about local organizations in Pensacola.

Pensacola Opera presents Heartbreak High May 1-2 Featuring the Pensacola Opera 2021 Artists in Residence—alongside guest artist Dennis Jesse—Heartbreak High is a brand-new concept for a classic Donizetti opera. Since its debut in 1832, The Elixir of Love has been one of the most beloved comic bel canto masterpieces. This new take on the piece, led by stage director Corey McKern, transports the characters and story into a 1950s-era high school—poodle skirts, leather jackets, and all.

1920s Murder Prohibited Dinner Show May 8 Seville Quarter and Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre are bringing back the 1920s themed murder mystery dinner show set in an early 1920s speakeasy on Saturday, May 8th in Heritage Hall (Seville Quarter). Doors open at 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $59 and include a salad, choice of two entrees and dessert. Roaring 20s and Great Gatsby-inspired attire is encouraged!

54 Pensacola Magazine

Boat Up-Float Up Concert May 8 Get ready to jam with “Coastal Distancing” and Live Music at the Sneaky Tiki Bar on Pensacola Beach this summer. This first Boat Up Float Up concert is presented by Jack Daniels and features the Ben Loftin Band. Sit, swim, boat, float, dance—you pick! This event is 21+ with valid ID, no charge for admission and BYOF—bring your own floaties.

“Mother’s Day for Mother Earth” Recycling Drive

Blue Wahoos vs Birmingham May 12-16 Join Pensacola’s best Blue Wahoos vs Birmingham on weekdays at 6:35 pm, Saturday at 5:05 pm and Sunday at 4:05 pm. Box seats are open behind home plate, on top of the dugouts or down by the baseline with tickets $13-15 per game. Reserved seats and standing seats are also available. To purchase tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola/tickets.

PenArts presents “I And You”

May 8 Join in on this countywide recycling drive presented by Sustainable Pensacola and ECUA on Saturday, May 8 from 8 am to 4 pm at the John R. Jones Athletic Complex located at 551 E. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. Recycling groups to separate include: glass, newspaper, cardboard, plastic milk jugs, aluminum cans/ lids, cereal boxes, tin/steel cans/lids, metal pots/pans and plastic bottles. Discounts for recycling participants will be provided at the following local businesses: East Hill Pizza, Bailey’s Produce and Nursery, Dolce and Gelato, Bluejay’s Bakery, The Nest General Store, The Farm Produce Market, Bonfire Pizza, The Black Garlic market and more.

May 12-16 Join PenArts at the Gordon Community Art Center for a small but powerful two-person play by Lauren Gunderson. “I And You” is part of the PenArts outreach program aimred at reaching middle school, high school and college students. In this play a young man unexpectedly visits an ill homebound fellow student to work on an English project about Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. This simple project soon evolves to reveal a much deeper message about life and our need for each other. It is a story about the mystery and glory of human connectedness. Showing is at 4:00 pm on May 12- 14, 7:30 pm on May 15 and 2:30 pm on May 16. Tickets are $2 for 21 and under and $5 for over 21.

Pensacola Archaeology Society Lecture Series

Gordon Open Mic

May 11 Held virtually on Zoom from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, this lecture series celebrates the bicentennial commemoration of Florida becoming a US territory in 1821. On the May 11 lecture, Jennifer Melcher, Research Associate, Archaeology Institute at UWF will discuss St. Michael’s Cemetery Story Map of graves of the Second Spanish period residents.

Saenger Theatre presents Rain May 11 In celebration of the anniversary of Abbey Road, Rain will bring the greatest hits of this epic recording to life, in addition to all your early Beatles favorites. Experience one of the worlds’ most iconic band and come celebrate the best of Abbey Road with Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles. Show starts at 7:00 pm.

May 13 Join the Gordon Community Art Center at its monthly open mic night where musicians, comedians, poets and performers celebrate their artistic talents. This open mic is hosted on the second Thursday of every month from 7:00 pm to 10:00pm. If you would like to perform, time slots are available to sign up when you arrive.

Flicks on the Field May 14 Join the Pensacola Greyhound Track at 951 Dog Track Road for a free family-friendly drive-in move, showing the movie Max about a military service dog adopted by a fallen soldier’s family. The movie starts at 8:00 pm and guests can enjoy the movie from the comfort of their vehicles or bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch on the grass while safely social distancing. Concessions will be available.

Run Pensacola hosts Leftover 4 Miler

Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 3, “Scottish”

May 15 Hosted on Pensacola Beach at 8:00 am, this race is a Run Pensacola special of odd and ends and leftover memorabilia from past races—including T-shirts, medals and awards. There is no rhyme or reason to what you receive as it’s a mystery. The post-race party will be at Crabs on the beach. Tickets to Run Pensacola’s event can be purchased online.

May 15 The moldering ruins of the chapel at Holyrood Palace, where Mary, Queen of Scots lived and loved, were the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony. Join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra as it explores this dynamic work along with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, a timeless Baroque concerto with colorful instrumentation and glowing melodies. In-person and virtual tickets are available. For additional information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

37th Annual Pensacola JazzFest May 15-16 Jazz Pensacola’s Pensacola JazzFest, now in its 37th year, will be May 15-16 at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. This free festival celebrates America’s unique musical art form with a stunning lineup of top talent, from local jazz standouts to world-renowned acts. Admission is free in addition to the music lineup, there will be food by local vendors, wine/beer, arts and crafts and plenty of jazz merchandise available.

Pensacon 2021

Blue Wahoos vs Rocket City May 19-23 Join Pensacola’s best Blue Wahoos vs Rocket City on weekdays at 6:35 pm, Saturday at 5:05 pm and Sunday at 4:05 pm. Box seats are open behind home plate, on top of the dugouts or down by the baseline with tickets $13-15 per game. Reserved seats and standing seats are also available. To purchase tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola/tickets.

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May 21-23 Pensacon has rescheduled the date for its 2021 pop culture convention, originally scheduled for February. From vendors to guest stars and Q&A panels, Pensacon has a little something to offer every comic book nerd, movie buff and TV connoisseur. Most events and activities will take place on Friday from 1 to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets are still available at pensacon.com and range from three-day passes for $80 and single-day tickets available for $35 on Friday, $45 for Saturday and $40 for Sunday. VIP passes are $155 and include early admission to the Pensacola Bay Center, preferred seating at panel venues, front-of-line privileges for celebrity autographs and photo ops, an exclusive T-shirt, space-available parking and other perks.

Gulf Coast Culture Fest May 22 Gulf Coast Culture Fest brings together Gulf Coast artists, businesses, vendors and citizens for a rejuvenating and unifying day of music, dance, poetry, theater and visual art! It will be held on May 22 at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Admission is free to the public. There will also be a community

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Community Events dance, poetry, theater and visual art! It will be held on May 22 at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Admission is free to the public. There will also be a community wide film festival that will take place the night of the festival in Bartram Park.

Pensacola Beach Pride Weekend May 27-31 Hailed as the largest LGBTQ+ event in North America, Pensacola Beach Pride is a weekend where the queer community can rally together in celebrtion on Pensacola Beach. Look for the rainbow flags and sea of pop-up tents just passed the Portofino Island Resort to join in on the fun. To avoid getting your vehicle stuck in the sand or risking the road closing to vehicle capacity, you can purchase parking tickets on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/memorial-weekendpensacola-beach-2021-tickets-62543368900.

P3 Comedy Fest May 28-30 Come out and share some laughs at the Pensacola Pre-Pride Comedy Fest (P3 Comedy Fest on Facebook) on May 28-30, where 25 of the country’s best LGBTQ+ comedians will be traveling to Pensacola to perform in this charity stand up comedy event. The event will be raising money for TAPS- The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. TAPS provides mental health and financial services to grieving military families. Nikki Carr, from NBC’s Last Comic Standing & BET’s ComicView, will be performing as one of the weekend’s headliners as well as Hilliary Begley from Netflix’s Hit Film “Dumplin” with Jennifer Anniston. Venues include: The Cabaret, Odd Colony Brewing Company, O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown, Dolce & Gelato, and Perfect Plain. Weekend Passes and Day Passes are currently available on eventbrite.

Pensacola Grand Carnivale Parade May 29 The Pensacola Grand Carnivale Parade is annually the largest and most extravagant parade in Pensacola. This parade itself, brings

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the most attention from the public and the highest traffic with attendees and participants numbering in the hundreds of thousands, is the largest gathering of people in downtown Pensacola during the entire year. The Grand Mardi Gras Parade features most of the Krewes from the area, local organizations and companies and everything from marching bands to Scout groups. The parade takes place on Palafox and Garden Streets in historic downtown Pensacola. The Parade starts at 2:00 pm and continues until around 6:00 pm.

Graffiti Bridge 5K May 29 Join Run Pensacola at this unique 5K run/ walk with a start and finish at the iconic local landmark, Graffiti Bridge. For guests that want to take the opportunity to paint the bridge, Run Pensacola will be closing down the street two hours prior to the race for guests to have safe access to the bridge. Bring your own paint! For more information and registration, visit runpensacola.com/event/graffiti-bridge-5k.

GULF COAST CULTURE FEST

THERAPEUTIC • UPLIFTING • FUN • UNITY FORC3 Studios, LLC proudly announces its first Gulf Coast Culture Fest on May 22, 2021 at Seville Square and Bartram Park in Downtown Pensacola. Come be empowered and enriched by the many different cultures along the Gulf Coast. There’s something for the entire family! Artists from all across the Gulf Coast are encouraged to showcase their talents in the visual, cultural and performance arts to uplift and unify the community. A community wide film festival will take place the night of the festival.

8 AM–10 PM FREE Admission

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SPECIAL SECTION

Magazine

May 2021

Powering The Future of Renewable Energy in Northwest Florida Local students at the University of West Florida and Escambia County residents take action against climate change mitigation in Northwest Florida.

p.44

President and CEO Norman Around the Region Find out what is happening in business, Wright Retiring After 32-Year government and cultural news in the Career with the Better Business greater Pensacola area and Northwest Florida. Bureau of Northwest Florida p.62

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MAY '21

President and CEO Norman Wright Retiring After 32-Year Career with the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida After serving as President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida for the past 23 years, Norman Wright officially retired on April 30, 2021. Norman spent 32 years with the organization. Since 1998 he led the BBB where the mission was always the center of his leadership, creating an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other. During his first year, BBB recorded over 85,000 requests for information on businesses. Throughout his tenure, Norman has led the organization to become more visible and recognized in the 14 counties served. Every year the numbers of consumers that have utilized our services has grown and in 2020, there were over 993,000 requests via phone and Internet. In 2003, Norman was instrumental in setting up the BBB Foundation. Today, your BBB provides presentations to businesses and consumers in the service area on identity theft, predatory lending, scams, and other subjects to keep the public informed. Scam alerts are issued frequently and communicated through our social networks and the media. Now in it’s 16th year, the annual Torch Award for Ethics program recognizes businesses and charities for the ethical way they conduct their business and the Student Ethics 62 NWFL’s Business Climate

Scholarship recognizes high school juniors and seniors with $1,000 scholarships to the college, trade, vocational, or university of their choice. All of these programs are sponsored by the Foundation and free to businesses and consumers. Your BBB has also been recognized nationally by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. for outstanding outreach, outstanding public awareness and recognized for Secure Your ID day for the shred events held along with community and media partners. Norman and his wife, Barbara, will be staying in the area. When asked what he plans on doing next he said, “Travel some and play more golf.” We wish you well and thank you for your dedication to upholding honesty and integrity in the workplace. BBB’s new President and CEO, Christine Jones, worked with Norman throughout the month of April in order to provide a smooth transition.

Barbara and Norman Wright at Norman’s retirement party at McGuire’s.

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resolution passed a unanimous vote from the Student Government Association and calls for the university to generate 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2050, with all electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030.

by Dakota Parks

2020 was a year marked by extreme weather events from a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season with over 30 named storms by the end of November to wildfires ravaging Australia, Brazil and California and worldwide droughts and superstorms that severely impacted agricultural output and food scarcity. Extreme weather events and rising global temperatures are direct byproducts of rising greenhouse gas emissions and the widespread impacts of climate change. Current levels of greenhouse gas emissions are projected to increase global temperatures by 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels by 2050, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Both national and local governments are gearing up to create legislative policies committed to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and pledging renewable energy goals. At President Biden’s Earth Day Climate Summit on April 22, Biden pledged that the United States would cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 from its 2005 levels, as well as increase funds to vulnerable countries to fight climate change. Locally, students at the University of West Florida (UWF) are leading a push for 100 percent renewable energy on campus, while local organizers and community members of Northwest Florida have rallied for the City of Pensacola to commit to a renewable energy goal. Jaylen McGee, the 100 Percent Renewable Coordinator at UWF, first became interested in environmental conservation and advocacy work when he completed an internship with Environment Florida and worked on a project called Student Voices to gauge the community perception of a renewable energy campaign. McGee is a senior marine biology major at UWF, and he is spearheading the renewable energy resolution. The

“If the resolution passes with a final vote from the President’s Office and Board of Trustees, UWF would be the first school in the State of Florida to officially pass a 100 percent renewable goal, which would set an example for both the state and the entire country” McGee explained. “Our campus is situated right in the middle of pristine wildlife and the Edward Ball Nature Preserve with the Thompson Bayou running through it and Longleaf Pines surrounding all of the buildings. This resolution would create a big change in the overall hwealth of the campus. Beyond human health, it would positively impact the health of the environment and biodiversity by eliminating carbon pollution in the air.” As McGee explained, the resolution created a domino effect in the Florida University system with both the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida passing similar resolutions through their Student Government Associations. The transition to use of renewable energy sources would include reducing energy consumption in campus buildings, the installation of solar panels and transitioning campus shuttles and vans to electric vehicles. “From research I’ve done, the return on investment can occur between 5 and 10 years, but it always depends on the scope of the final project. We’ve seen this with the University of California that installed a solar farm and several battery storage units to reach carbon neutrality by 2025,” McGee said. “I think this resolution is crucial to the fight for a better, cleaner, greener world. The next step after this resolution is focusing our actions on the City of Pensacola and advocating for cleaner energy beyond the university campus.” Christian Wagley, coastal organizer for Healthy Gulf, has been working on water quality, energy, coastal resilience and environmental MAY '21

POWERING THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA

advocacy for the last 20 years. He has worked in local government, in the private sector and now within the non-profit Healthy Gulf, which was initially established in 1995 as the Gulf Restoration Network. Wagley also served as a community advocate for the formation of the Pensacola Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Task Force, which issued a report to the City Council in November 2018 with a series of recommendations for the City to mitigate the impacts of climate change and better protect the community.

help create local jobs in solar installation, dramatically reduce air and water pollution and help mitigate the shockwaves of climate change felt by Northwest Florida residents including flooding from sea level rise, stronger hurricanes, increased rainfall and hotter temperatures.

“

Christian Wagley

The biggest challenge, however, is who controls the energy. There “Climate change is absolutely the biggest are independent challenge of our time, and Pensacola is very companies all over much at risk due to our coastal location. There Pensacola that can is a study that came out recently from Harvard install solar panels University which found that air pollution for you; however, from fossil fuels alone prematurely kills one creative financing in five people worldwide, including 300,000 Americans,” Wagley said. “The burning of coal, models that are oil and natural gas has tremendous impacts available in other on our communities, and polling data shows states are basically that Americans desperately want clean energy. forbidden in Local governments have a clear need to respond Florida to protect to citizens and provide this clean energy.” local utilities from Eleven cities in the State of Florida have competition.” On April 22, 2021, Pensacola City Council passed a unanimous vote to approve transitioning to 30 percent renewable energy for city operations by the year 2030.

established renewable energy commitments for 100 percent renewable energy sources with targets of net zero emissions by 2040. Pensacola’s 30 percent renewable energy commitment was initially recommended by the Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Task Force and called for 30 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040. As Wagley explained, this initial commitment will

66 NWFL’s Business Climate

“The best way to mitigate climate change is to use less energy and transition to renewable energy, but there are a few challenges for that transition. First, is the upfront funding to transition and install new infrastructure, which takes some time to draw a return. Another one is that the City owns a natural gas utility, which is a polluting fossil fuel that has to be phased out. The biggest challenge, however, is who controls the energy. There are independent companies all over Pensacola that can install solar panels for you; however, creative financing models that are available in other states are basically forbidden in Florida to protect local utilities from competition,” Wagley said.

Currently, the State of Florida prevents thirdparty solar power purchase agreements, which allow independent solar companies to install solar on a home with little or no upfront cost to the homeowner, who can then buy electricity from the developer, usually at lower rates than utility rates, over a fixed time from 10 to 30 years. At the end of the time period, homeowners have the option to sign another agreement, end the agreement and remove the solar panels or purchase the solar system from the developer. This third-party ban prevents homeowners from investing in clean energy and holds the state behind in the rapidly growing solar market. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Sunshine State ranks fifth in the nation’s solar industry.

Florida Senate Bill 198, filed in December community. From energy conservation and 2020 was attempting to challenge this thirdmore walkable/bikeable communities, to party ban by seeking to authorize schools and solar panels on buildings and electric cars— public educational customers to enter into a there’s a better and cleaner future ahead.” Jaylen McGee contract for the installation, maintenance or These greenhouse gas reductions and clean energy operation of a renewable energy source device commitments could not occur at a more pressing time. on any property owned or controlled by the public January 2021 marked the seventh highest global land and educational customer. Unfortunately, this bill was quickly ocean surface temperature in the 142-year record at 1.44° F withdrawn from all referred committees in January 2021. (0.80° C) above the 20th-century average of 53.6° F (12.0° C), While renewable energy commitments help bring universities, according to National Centers for Environmental Information. local governments and cities up to speed with climate As Northwest Florida prepares to transition to clean energy, mitigation occurring worldwide, legislative restrictions against it will propel the region ahead in the fight against climate third-party solar power purchase agreements greatly impact the change. To get involved with local environmental advocacy speed at which transitioning to renewable energy can occur. work, or find out more, check out healthygulf.org. For “I’m so excited to see action on climate change at all any UWF alumni or current students interested in getting levels, from the Pensacola City Council and UWF all involved in the renewable energy resolution on campus, the way to the President of the United States,” Wagley please contact Jaylen McGee at jdm133@students.uwf.edu. said. “Moving to renewable energy will bring us cleaner air and water, better public health and a more resilient

Around the Region Gulf Power Partnered with City of Pensacola to Welcome Northwest Florida’s First Solar Trees For Earth Day In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Pensacola and Gulf Power officially welcomed Pensacola’s first-ever solar trees to downtown Pensacola during a ceremonial untying of a green ribbon on Thursday, April 22. The trees represent an extension of the City of Pensacola’s clean energy partnership with Gulf Power. City and Gulf Power officials gathered at the corner of Main and Rues streets in downtown Pensacola where the two solar trees have been installed on opposite corners of the intersection. Ambassadors from the Greater Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and Kazoo, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball team mascot, also helped welcome the solar trees. Together, these trees are capable of generating 3.7 kilowatts of clean, renewable energy for the City of Pensacola. That’s enough energy to power three school classrooms on a daily basis. “Any opportunity to bring renewable energy to the City of Pensacola is a positive thing, benefitting both the city and our citizens,” said Mayor Grover Robinson.

Gulf Power Vice President Mike Spoor thanked Mayor Robinson for partnering with Gulf Power on this innovative project. “As part of the FPL family, Gulf Power is working hard to build an even brighter energy future for Northwest Florida – delivering electricity that is cleaner, more reliable and more affordable over time,” Spoor said. “We are committed to increasing ways to harness zero-emissions energy from the sun that keeps costs down for our customers and keeps the region beautiful for all of us. It is because of our shared clean energy vision and partnership with the City of Pensacola, that we are able to welcome the city’s first solar trees, and we thank Mayor Robinson and his team.” The trees also represent Gulf Power’s commitment to the revitalization of the downtown area by providing fun, eye-catching and interactive learning attractions to the landscape. They provide an opportunity for the public to see working solar energy technology and to use each tree’s QR code to access information about the benefits of solar, Gulf Power’s solar trees and canopy projects, and the company’s other large-scale solar energy centers. For more information, visit gulfpower.com/solar.

SBA Administrator Guzman Announces Application Opening for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30 at 9 am EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. “Restaurants are the core of our neighborhoods and propel economic activity on main streets across the nation. They are among the businesses that have been hardest hit and need support to survive this pandemic. We want restaurants to know that help is here,” said Administrator Guzman. Established under the American Rescue Plan, and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced significant economic distress and operational losses due to COVID-19. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to pandemicrelated revenue loss for up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants.

68 NWFL’s Business Climate

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70 NWFL’s Business Climate

Pensacola Magazine May 2021

Articles inside

SUMMER CAMP IN THE FIRST CITY

NO CHILD WILL GRIEVE ALONE’ AT VALERIE’S HOUSE PENSACOLA

PENSACON IS A GO FOR 2021

Community Events

ART IN BLOOM

A POSITIVE APPROACH TO DOG TRAINING Local dog trainer, Tiffany Jourdain, uses positive reinforce in a board and train setting