Pensacola • Your City • Your Magazine
August 2014
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editor’s note > my two cents on the subject
My job often allows me to meet and interview amazing people, from locals to celebrities, and I learn a lot from the interesting people we profile. On occasion, however, my job affords me the opportunity to interview someone I find truly off the charts inspiring and this month that opportunity came in the form of renowned photographer, Steve McCurry. Like many people, I was familiar with Steve’s famed photo, Afghan Girl, but I knew little of his work beyond that (or at least I didn’t think I did). As I set out to learn more about the photographer who would soon be exhibiting in Pensacola, I realized that I was familiar with more of his images than I had thought. And although I recognized a few of the photos from India, Peru, Sri Lanka and more, I hadn’t previously made the connection to Steve or Afghan Girl. As I researched, I’ll admit I became wholly enamored with his work—lush landscapes juxtaposed with stark realities, vivid colors and the many eyes and faces that tell stories most of us could not survive. Talking with Steve only increased my admiration for him and his work. While he is surely an artist in the deepest sense, his humanitarianism comes through just as strong—speaking as much about the people in his photos and their struggles as he does about technique and composition. Special thanks to Steve for taking the time to speak with me and for allowing us to use his powerful image on our cover. Thanks to his assistant Alisha for helping to facilitate the interview as well. And a big thanks to Vivian Spencer and the folks at Pensacola State College who do a great service to our community by bringing in artists like Steve. As you can tell, I am beyond excited about his upcoming exhibit, which runs August 18 through December 12 at Pensacola State College and his lecture at the Saenger Theatre on August 27. Mark your calendars and be sure to read my interview with Steve on page 38. In addition to our cover story, this issue contains an in depth look at the lionfish crisis and some of the ways locals are combating the problem, including a delicious recipe for the invasive predator! Be sure to read Emily Lullo’s article on page 34. Also this month, Thunder on the Gulf brings some of its powerboat racing events to downtown Pensacola. If you feel the need for speed, head on down to Plaza de Luna a little later this month for some fast fun on the bay. And, if you are a boating enthusiast, read Josh Newby’s article on CAB Yachts, a local boat building company making some of the most beautiful, hand-hewn wooden boats you’ve ever seen. These guys are true, high-quality craftsmen and you’re sure to love their work. I’ve enjoyed putting this month’s issue together and I hope you enjoy the amazing photos, interview and articles as much as I do. Cheers!
Kelly Oden Executive Editor
Pick up any of our magazines at one of these fine locations: Barnes and Noble Ever’man Natural Foods Bookseller 315 W. Garden St. 1200 Airport Blvd. Pensacola, FL 32501 Pensacola, FL 32504 850-438-0402 850-969-9554 Varona’s Airport Gift Shop Family Christian Stores Area Books-A-Million 1520 Airport Blvd. Area Walmart Stores Pensacola, FL 32504 850-474-9324
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CONTENTS FEATURES
30. Fore Charity Golf Tournament 34. Lionfish in the Gulf
Hunting for a Solution
38. Steve McCurry
The Stories Behind the Photographs
38.
DEPARTMENTS 8. The New Classics Small, Unique, Custom Yachts
12. Naval Air Station Pensacola Celebrating 100 Years 14. A Day at the Farm 16. Thunder on the Gulf 18. PLAY 8.
12.
Events & Adventures
22. LIVE Art, Music & Culture
26. GIVE Nonprofit News
28. SHOP Local Style
46. REPEATS 34. 6
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Pensacola Scene On the cover: Rajasthan, India by Steve McCurry
August 2014 PUBLISHER
MALCOLM BALLINGER malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com PM EDITOR
KELLY ODEN kelly@ballingerpublishing.com ART DIRECTOR
RITA LAYMON rita@ballingerpublishing.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
GUY STEVENS, II guy@ballingerpublishing.com EDITOR
EMILY LULLO emily@ballingerpublishing.com BUSINESS EDITOR
JOSH NEWBY josh@ballingerpublishing.com EDITORIAL INTERNS
MADELYN MANCERA KARIANNE PAYTON SALES & MARKETING
SHARYON MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 28 sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com BECKY HILDEBRAND, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 31 becky@ballingerpublishing.com
OWNERS
MALCOLM & GLENYS BALLINGER PUBLISHER
MALCOLM BALLINGER • malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR
KELLY ODEN •kelly@ballingerpublishing.com ART DIRECTOR
RITA LAYMON • rita@ballingerpublishing.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
GUY STEVENS II • guy@ballingerpublishing.com EDITOR
EMILY LULLO •emily@ballingerpublishing.com BUSINESS EDITOR
JOSH NEWBY •josh@ballingerpublishing.com SALES & MARKETING SHARYON MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 28 sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com SIMONE SANDS, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 21 simone@ballingerpublishing.com BECKY HILDEBRAND, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 31 becky@ballingerpublishing.com WEBSITE:
WWW.BALLINGERPUBLISHING.COM
EDITORIAL OFFICES 41 NORTH JEFFERSON STREET, SUITE 402 PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32502 850-433-1166 • FAX 850-435-9174
PUBLISHED BY BALLINGER PUBLISHING:
Member of:
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. © 2014
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The New ClassiCs
Small, Unique, Custom Yachts for Pensacola By Josh Newby
Photo by Ralitsa Mihaylova
A day outside in Florida would not be complete without a day by the water. Some wish to play among the waves while others merely dip their toes in, but for those looking to enjoy or travel the waterways in style and luxury, there is really only one option: the durable, long-lasting and forever stylish wooden yacht. These boats captivate those with an appreciation for the finer things, with exceptional elegance and seaworthy functionality.
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“I wanted to create a new kind of boat company,” said Bodree. “We create the New Classics. About 60 percent of what we do is custom and semi-custom work, 40 percent is restoration and remanufacturing.” But what do two architects know about building these luxury boats? Turns out, a lot. Charles Bodree and Clint Tomasino have been building custom, traditionally-made boats in Pensacola for almost five years now, but their focus on quality and durability, combined with original, mid-century inspired designs, has garnered clients as far away as California and New England. The two produce skiffs and yachts in the Chris-Craft style, a line of high-end, perfectly finished wooden boats known well in the maritime community. These are not boats of mass-production, made of artificial materials and intended for merely staying afloat. These are the style of boats used by presidents and dignitaries, celebrities and icons of American style. And now, they are available to the Pensacola community. Both Bodree and Tomasino grew up around boats and always had a passion for the craftsmanship, dedication and patience required not only of piloting ships but creating them. Bodree has been brainstorming the idea of creating a boat company for almost 10 years and has spent much of that time honing his skills. “I wanted to create a new kind of boat company,” said Bodree. “We create the New Classics. About 60 percent of what we do is custom and semi-custom work, making row skiffs, picnic yachts, fishing boats and so on. The other 40 percent is restoration and remanufacturing.” The company, CAB Yachts, is currently based in Pensacola but uses materials from all over the world. “We actually use mahogany milled out of the Philippines,” said Bodree. “It has a high strength to low weight ratio, which is of course what you want in a boat. That’s part of the aesthetic. Our designs are vintage inspired but built with proven technology when it comes to finishes, functionality and wood treatment. That’s the difference between us and other boat companies.” Bodree and Tomasino work with a variety of sizes and needs, creating boats as small as 12 feet and as large as 41 feet. They are both architects by trade and Bodree says that that experience has actually helped them fine-tune their process to make a superior product. “The designs for these boats begin
with a sketching stage, just like in architecture,” said Bodree. After the design is sketched out, based on the customer’s needs, the two use 3-D imaging technology to further document and develop the design. They then use CNC (computer numerical control) routing technology to route and place all the boat’s primary components. The team uses this computer-controlled
Photos by Stephen Savage August 2014
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“The result is system failure,” said Bodree. Several stages of production require cure times exceeding several days, so Bodree and Tomasino usually allow about six to 10 weeks from conception to finished product.
For those wanting the CAB Yacht touch on a currently owned piece of sea craft, Bodree and Tomasino offer restorations and remanufacturing. “We essentially look at what parts of the boat may be failing or are prone to failure and we’ll replace those elements with components that are up to our standards,” said Bodree. Whatever product or service clients order from CAB Yachts, they can be assured of technologically advanced mahogany hull construction designed and built to perform for generations. So grab your Wayfarer sunglasses, your expertly developed and finished wooden yacht, and pretend not to notice everyone looking your way as you cruise Pensacola’s pristine waterways in the upmost style and opulence.
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✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈ NAVAL AIR STATION
PENSACOLA CELEBRATING
100
Years
By Josh Newby
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Just over 100 years ago, the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, now a $1.4 billion economic engine, was but a dream to its creators and those who saw the potential of a training ground for tomorrow’s aviators. Now, the base churns out 60,000 students a year and is host to 23,000 military personnel and 7,000 civilian personnel.
The base also welcomes about a million visitors each year. The largest economic driver and tourist attraction in the region, NAS Pensacola has become a juggernaut of community development, military training and civilian outreach since first opening in 1914. Now, 2014 is the year that we as Pensacolians express our gratitude for all that the military in this area has done. “NAS Pensacola has really become a launching point for nearly every pilot in the country,” said NAS public information officer Patrick Nichols. “One of the reasons for its success is that the area’s citizenry is so thankful and supportive of all we do.” This year has been full of 100-year celebrations and commemorations. Earlier in 2014, a building on base was dedicated to the very first Navy photographer, Lt. Walter Richardson, who was instrumental in bringing the air station to life way back in the early 20th century. There have also been a bevy of concerts, 10k and 5k runs, and fly-ins. The air station has also facilitated a year-long, 1,914-mile run for those wanting to participate. Participants can run or walk a cumulative 1,914 miles over the course of a year either outside or on a treadmill to recognize the anniversary, and Nichols said that some teams have already surpassed that goal. Recently, a restored F/A-18 fighter jet was unveiled at the air station’s entrance to commemorate not only the base’s 100th anniversary but also the Blue Angels’ 50th anniversary. The 100-year reunion weekend kicks off August 21. On Thursday, Marcus Pointe Golf Club is hosting a golf tournament where active and retired military members will be paired with civilian players for a fun afternoon on the links. Lunch, carts, drawings and cash prizes are included in the $30 ($65 for civilians) entrance fee. On Friday, Aug. 22, Seville Quarter will host a special Naval reunion for those 21 and older. There will be great food, lively music, and lots of memories for those who attend. Each of Seville’s nine rooms will be decked out with a different Naval theme, each representing a different era and featuring artwork, drinks, music, speeches, etc. that encapsulate that particular time. On Saturday, Aug. 23, the reunion will wrap up with an evening of all-American baseball. Meet at Seville Quarter for a pre-game tailgate then trolley over to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for an evening with the Blue Wahoos. The year-long celebration culminates at the Blue Angels air show in November, when a commemorative statue will also be unveiled. “One hundred years ago, the Navy established its first aviation training detachment in Pensacola,” said Capt. Keith Hoskins, commanding officer for NAS Pensacola. “Today, our mission remains the same, teaching aviators to fly, survive, and excel in peacetime and combat operations in both land based and maritime environments.”
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A Day At The Farm By Madelyn Mancera
P
ensacola is home to many wonderful family farms. Visiting a working family farm offers children and adults alike an educational and entertaining opportunity to see sustainable food practices in action, visit with farm animals and learn about farming and growing methods all while enjoying a beautiful day in the country. Here are a few local farms that offer tours. Be sure to call ahead.
Photo courtesy of Coldwater Gardens
Above: Photo of Coldwater Gardens. Above right: Green Cedars Farm. Photo by Michael Newman Right: Cambridge Farms
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Green Cedars Farm 9280 Gibson Road Molino, FL 32577 (850) 698-0107 greencedarsfarm.com The mission at Green Cedars is to provide natural foods that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and to educate people about locally grown nutrition. The farm is located in Molino and contains a one-acre orchard that largely consists of green shell apple trees, but there are also plums, figs, pomegranates, and Japanese persimmons in early stages of growth. They have a year-round garden in which they practice organic and renewable techniques that keep chemical compounds unusually low. Also, they grow lemons that they use to make and sell their original lemon cleaner. Green Cedars Farm has horse trails for horse owners to use. The paths cross over open and wooded trails that contain natural obstacles throughout. Their guided trails are designed to challenge and expand your horse riding abilities. Hatching eggs, chicks and laying hens are for sale from the hormone-free and antibiotic-free, pasture-raised poultry on the farm. The farm tours of Green Cedars offer school trip packages or individual rates, and they have a special tour for feeding-time. On the excursions you will see horses, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, hogs, pigs, peafowl, and an assortment of dogs. Their food serves Pensacola and surrounding areas, and it is always available at the Palafox Market.
Coldwater Gardens 7009 Creek Stone Road Milton, FL 32570 (850) 497-6500 coldwatergardens.com Coldwater Gardens has two massive green houses, three bird houses with quails and chickens, an aquaponics system, shiitake mushroom areas, and an enthralling butterfly garden. They are an organic farm that supplies produce to local restaurants and they work with those restaurants by collecting their biomass. The organic leftovers are then made into thousands of pounds of compost at the farm. The benefits of leftover recycling is that high-quality compost is produced while thousands of pounds of nutrient-rich material is saved from expanding landfills. Coldwater Gardens is currently expanding planting space to meet the increasing demand of their wholesome, organic food. In addition to garden tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they also hold occasional workshops. On the tours, visitors explore the outdoor learning area and they observe the elaborate garden that is comprised of a multitude of surfaces, scents, and beautiful colors. Their sensory garden is growing into a maze of herbs, fruits and flowers. Coldwater has free-range chickens that are only fed the highest quality organic feed. They take special pride in their organic cultivation by openly displaying the modes of sustainable living to visitors. The educational resources on agriculture and the environment are provided for the growth of existing and future generations. If you have a specific area of interest, they are open to arranging private tours. Luxury cabins are also available for rent on the farm for overnight guests.
Cambridge Farms 3230 Deloach Lane Milton, FL 32570 (850) 855-6420 cambridgefarms.webs.com The gardens at Cambridge Farms in Milton were designed with education in mind. They feature raised garden beds and recycled gardens. On the tours of the farm, you can learn how to grow natural produce for little or no cost, and ultimately learn how to become more self-sustaining. They have chickens, turkeys, ducks and goats; most of them may be petted and some are usually for sale. There are trails to hike, early summer blueberries to pick, and fresh produce and eggs for purchase. Guests usually tour the entire farm in a few hours, but some guests simply make visits to sit on the porch and enjoy the farm atmosphere. The farmers encourage everyone to visit, whether they want to learn about sustainable living, exercise, shop, or just relax. They offer dried and fresh herbs and pure essential oils; the dried herbs are for cooking, making teas and incenses. Their vineyard has more than 40 mature grapevines that are available for “u-pick� in the late summer, so plan a visit to Cambridge Farms before September comes around.
Photo courtesy of Cambridge Farms
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Thunder on the Gulf Speeds Into Summer By Josh Newby
O
n Aug. 24, tens of thousands of people and dozens of powerful speedboats will converge on Pensacola as part of the annual Thunder on the Gulf super boat grand prix. Until now the competition has been held only in Orange Beach, but this year extends the fun outdoor event and economic driver to our own shores. Plaza de Luna is the best place to watch the boats race up and down the saltwater raceway, which extends from Maritime Park to the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
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This nail-biting event entertains everyone from adrenaline junkies and sports enthusiasts to outdoor lovers and beach bums. Maybe that’s why the event usually produces about $10 million in economic impact and attracts 85,000 people to the Gulf Coast each year just to take part. Speedboat racing was not always so popular, however. It all started in Miami in the 60s, when powerful wooden boats would race to and from places like West Palm Beach and Nassau. Eventually, the track was altered to run in an oval and allow spectators a better experience. Later on, Super Boat International was formed and officials decided that they wanted to make a series of races much like NASCAR. The Orange Beach Thunder on the Gulf race was added in 2003 and has since enjoyed rampant success. Marty McGreevy, president of the Gulf Coast Powerboat Association (GCPA), was instrumental in bringing the event to the Gulf Coast. He was active in the industry’s infancy. “A friend of mine bought a boat and we began going around the country to the various races,” said McGreevy. “We thought it would be great to have one in Orange Beach, which is among the area’s best kept secrets.” After a couple years of event growth in Orange Beach, McGreevy and Melson thought it would be great to include an additional leg in the local competition so that the racers could complete two races without having to travel very far. Escambia’s County Commission pledged $40,000 in matching grants and, after interest from the City of Pensacola and area residents, the two decided to bring the race to our shores. “We’ve wanted to do this for years,” said Kathy Melson, the event coordinator. “We’ve worked with the county and the city to bring it here to Pensacola. It’s beneficial to the races because they get to participate in two races—Orange Beach and Pensacola —for the price and effort of one transport. The
event coincides with the Naval Air Station’s 100th anniversary, and we are having a street party that weekend with boats along Palafox. It’s going to be a crazy time.” The nationally sanctioned race gets its start at 1 pm the next day, on Aug. 24, followed by a second race at 3 pm and awards ceremony at 6 pm. In addition to the thunderous sound of these world-class machines and all the excitement and adrenaline that accompanies them, there will be a bevy of other activities to complement the fun. On Aug. 23, a bikini contest will be held in Plaza de Luna at 3 pm, followed by a boat parade through Downtown at 6 pm and a street party and fireworks display at 7 pm. While many in Orange Beach have to pay a premium price for good seats, those in Pensacola can experience the action free of charge. The 180 miles-per-hour boats will tear through the water just 200 yards from land, allowing for multiple viewing spots all along Downtown’s shoreline. This year’s Thunder on the Gulf is shaping up to be even more successful than in years past, with 18 boats already signed up, more than last year’s 12. The GCPA (Gulf Coast Powerboat Association), a nonprofit organization, produces the annual event in tandem with the famous Flora-Bama restaurant and bar. While sponsorships fund the production of the race, a portion of merchandise sales goes to charities. Since Thunder on the Gulf’s inception, more than $150,000 has been donated to various charities, such as St. Jude’s this year and last year. Sponsoring businesses are guaranteed to get a big bang for their buck, with marketing, advertising and social media opportunities available. Earlier this year, the Southeast Tourism Society named Thunder on the Gulf a top 20 event, placing it in a distinguished group of events recommended by travel industry experts.
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PLAY EVENTS & ADVENTURES GET OUT AND PLAY
Aug. 1-8 FORT PICKENS SUNSET WALK Enjoy the evening with a loved one walking along the national seashore of Fort Pickens. Meet at the Fort Pickens Museum at 7:30 pm and wear closed toe shoes. The walk lasts one hour but the memories made last a lifetime.
Aug. 4 FORT PICKENS JUNIOR RANGER DAY CAMP Children ages 6-8 can participate in a camp at Fort Pickens from 9-11 am. For more information call 850-934-2631.
Every Tuesday
PENSACOLA PARA-CON AUG. 9 & 10
Make sure to get your fix of fantasy and sci-fi at the Pensacola Para Con, a convention for fans of science fiction, horror, fantasy, gaming, anime, costuming, and more held annually in Pensacola, Florida. The event offers celebrity meet and greets, discussion panels, workshops, film screenings, demonstrations, costume contests and competitions. It will be held at the Pensacola Fair Grounds from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets start at $10 per person. For more information visit pensacolaparacon.com.
HANDS ON HABITAT For a hands-on nature experience with animals and learning about the ecosystem, join Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores. The event is from 11 am to 12 pm and is free, but it is advised to arrive 15 minutes early. For more information visit tackyjacks.com.
Thursday Nights through August OPEN MIC NIGHT Beginning at 6 pm the stage at Flora-Bama is open to performers and songwriters. For more information call 850-492-0611.
Aug. 20 COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS & WINE PAIRINGS WITH CHEF IRV MILLER Enjoy a Cooking Demonstration and Wine Pairing at Jackson’s Steakhouse with Chef Irv Miller. For the Aug. 20 demonstration Chef Irv will present “Seafood: From Fingers to Fathoms.” Tickets are $45 and there will be two seatings at 5 pm - 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm - 9 pm. For reservations call 850-217-2347.
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Aug. 6, 7, 12, 19, 27 BLUE ANGEL PRACTICES The Blue Angels will perform practice air shows over Pensacola Naval Air Station most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings starting in March at 11:30 am, with autograph sessions with the pilots inside the National Naval Aviation Museum on most Wednesdays. Admission to the Blue Angel practices is free and open to the public. The viewing area for the Blue Angels practice is located behind the National Naval Aviation Museum. Bleachers are available for seating about 1,000 people. Viewers can also bring their own lawn chairs, hats, sunscreen and water. For more information, visit blueangels.navy.mil.
Aug. 7 ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASSES AT THE FISH HOUSE DECK Atlas Oyster House presents the next installment of Atlas Beverage Classes (A.B.C.). This semester will feature handcrafted beers, two featured spirit brands, and now cocktails with beverage director
Josh Goldman, each paired with small plates. Classes are held on the Deck Bar the first Thursday of the month and will feature a presenter for four tastings. Classes begin at 6 pm and cost is $20 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The Aug. 7 class will feature “Fruity Brews: Fruit Focused/Infused Beers & Ciders.” Reservations are required. Call 850-5162324 to reserve a seat.
Through Aug. 30 ARTEL CALL TO ARTISTS FOR Retro Retro refers to an imitation of a style, fashion, or design from the recent past. With this in mind take something nostalgic or old fashioned and bring it back in a contemporary style! Focus on the time period of the 1940s to the 1980s, and create that new art piece with the “retro” look using experimental techniques and/or media. Drop off is Aug. 30, 10 am - 4 pm and Aug. 31, 1 pm — 4 pm at Artel Gallery in the Old Escambia County Courthouse. An opening reception will be held Sept. 12, 6 - 8 pm. The show is on exhibit Sept. 2 - Oct. 17.
NEIL ARMSTRONG: A LIFE OF FLIGHT Aug. 16 New York Times best-selling author and former NBC News Space Correspondent Jay Barbree will be at the Naval Aviation Museum presenting and signing his recently published book Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight starting at 10 am. The book will be available for purchase at the Flight Deck store inside the museum. For more information visit navalaviationmuseum.org.
The juror, Nita Jones, is an accomplished artist, conducts studio classes and workshops in drawing, painting, art history and papermaking arts for local and regional art organizations, universities and schools. For more information, a detailed call for entries or check-in forms, call 850-432-3080 or visit artelgallery.org.
be paired with three perfect wines. The event will start at 5:30 pm and will cost $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations call the Fish House events line at 850-433-9450.
Aug. 21-23 NAS PENSACOLA 100-YEAR REUNION
Aug. 22-24 HBA HOME & PRODUCT EXPO AT PENSACOLA BAY CENTER Visit the 2014 Home & Product Expo to make your home a place where you love to live. A much anticipated event for area homeowners and homebuyers, the 2014 Home & Product Expo is set for Aug. 22-24 at the Pensacola Bay Center. With nearly 100 exhibitor spaces and dozens of ways to learn something new, the Home Expo is the place to simplify your home building, remodeling or landscaping plans! Tickets are $5 and entry is free on Sunday from 3 - 5 pm only. For more information visit pensacolabaycenter.com.
The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, the Chamber Foundation and several other regional partners will be hosting the NAS Pensacola 100-Year Reunion Weekend. Aug. 21 at 12:30 pm will start the weekend festivities with a golf tournament at Marcus Pointe Gulf Club. On Aug. 22 a celebration will be hosted at Seville Quarter from 6 - 10 pm. The weekend will conclude on Aug. 23 at the Pensacola Bayfront Stadiumwith the Pensacola Blue Wahoos versus the Montgomery Biscuits baseball game at 6:30 pm. For more information visit NASP100.com.
August 23 GHOST HUNT
Aug. 21 TOAST OF THE COAST The third Annual Toast of the Coast Food and Wine events will be held at the Fish House this year. The four-course meal will
Pensacola has so many historical places, some of which are haunted. Don’t be a chicken. Schedule a ghost tour at the Pensacola Lighthouse. Tours are two hours long and start at 8 pm. The tour is for children 12 and over. Backless/open toed
shoes are not permitted because the tour will lead to the top of the Lighthouse. Feel free to bring your own equipment or share theirs (some items are available for purchase in the Gift Shop before tours commence). For more information call 850-393-1561 or visit pensacolalighthouse.org.
Aug. 19 PENSACOLA CAMELLIA CLUB BEGINS SEASON WITH PICNIC SOCIAL The Pensacola Camellia Club (PCC) will begin its fall season with an evening picnic social meeting on Tuesday Aug. 19 at the home of a member in Star Lake. PCC President Paul Bruno said, “This is the beginning of our fiscal year. Our event is mostly social but members and guests will be informed of the plans for the coming year. Those interested in learning more about camellias and becoming involved in club activities are cordially invited.” The club provides an entrée and guests will bring a side dish. The event is free but reservations must be made by Monday Aug. 11. Call Norman Vickers 850-4849183 or Winkie Rhea 850-438-7270 for reservations, directions and further details. The Pensacola Camellia Club was established in 1937 as the Pensacola Men’s Camellia Club. It antedates the American Camellia Society by eight years. In the 1980s the charter was changed and it was renamed the Pensacola Camellia Club. There are more than 250 current members representing approximately equal numbers of men and women. For further information, see the website: pensacolacamelliaclub.com.
Saturdays through Oct. 25 BAYOU TEXAR TORCHLIGHT TOUR Join Pensacola PaddleSport for an evening of paddling the tranquil waters of Bayou Texar guided by torch, under the light of the stars. The tour leaves at 7:30 pm from the beach next to the fishing pier at Bayview Park.
Saturdays 12TH AVENUE FLEA Original art and crafts, local produce and baked treats, and secondhand items are all part of the eclectic mix of goods offered weekly. The Flea opens every Saturday from noon-5 pm, outside the historic former Sacred Heart Hospital at 1010 N. 12th Avenue. The Flea features Pensacola-based businesses, second-hand sellers, artists, crafters, farmers, foodies, and pickers. August 2014
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Sept.26 & 27 INAUGURAL PENSACOLEBOWSKI FEST EARLYBIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Join fellow fans of The Big Lebowski in for two raucous nights of adventure Sept.26 & 27 for several themed events. Starting with your chance to finally see The Big Lebowski on the big screen, followed by one party after another. You’ll each be privy to all facets of Lebowski fun: bowling, live music from the soundtrack, games, bowling pin art show, trivia, costume contests, guests, merchandise, and more surprises to come! Earlybird tickets are only $25 and are on sale now. For more information visit pensacolebowski.com.
Aug. 10 SOUND OF MUSIC TRIVIA AT THE PLT Join fellow Von Trapp enthusiasts at the Pensacola Little Theatre Court Room Sunday, Aug. 10 at 12:30 pm to compete in a contest of Sound of Music Trivia. There will be snacks and prizes available. Tickets for this special event are $5 each. For tickets visit pensacolalittletheatre.com or Pensacola Little Theatre Box Office at 850432-2042.
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JACKSON’S AND JULIA: A CELEBRATION OF THE 102ND BIRTHDAY OF JULIA CHILD Aug. 15
In celebration of the famed chef’s birthday, Jackson’s Steakhouse will be offering special features for lunch and dinner service in her honor. In addition to their regular lunch menu, Chef Irv has created a Julia Child-inspired featured salad as well as a featured entree. For dinner, Chef Irv will prepare a smaller version of the salad as well as Julia’s timeless Beef Bourguignon. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of Julia’s most-loved recipes. For reservations, call 850-469-9898.
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LIVE ART, MUSIC & CULTURE GET OUT AND LIVE
SAENGER SUMMER CLASSIC MOVIE SERIES Aug. 2 KING KONG
PLT PRESENTS THE SOUND OF MUSIC
No remake will replace the original 1933 King Kong in which a film crew goes to a tropical island and encounters a gigantic gorilla who has become infatuated with the blonde female star. The PG-rated film will show at the Saenger at 7 pm for $5 and will be general admission. For more information visit pensacolasaenger.com
Aug. 9 REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE It’s that classical bad boy gets the girl movie. The 1955, PG-1, movie starring the iconic James Dean is pure adventure and romance. The show will premiere at 7 pm at the Saenger and will cost $5. For more information visit pensacolasaegner.com.
Aug. 1-3; 8-10; 15-17 Pensacola Little Theatre is bringing the classic tale of The Sound of Music to its stage. The show will run Aug. 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17. The show is rated G and will be helmed by director Kathy Holsworth and music director Ginger Caro. This show is a combination production of PLT’s Mainstage and Treehouse Series. Tickets are $14, $20, $24 and $30 and are available at the PLT Box Office. For more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.
Aug. 30
Aug. 15- Nov. 14
Aug. 16
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
AMERICAN GRAFFITI
How the West Was Won premiered in 1962 covering decades of Westward expansion in the 19th century. This rated G film will show at the Saenger at 7 pm for $5. For more information visit pensacolasaenger.com.
GUILD HALL: AN ADVENTURE IN THE ARTS SELECTIONS FROM THE PMA PERMANENT COLLECTION
An incomparable classic, American Graffiti chronicles two boys’ final adventure before they leave for college. The 1973 film will show at the Saenger at 7 pm and will cost $5. For more information visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Aug. 1- Oct. 11 HUNTING FOR SLONEM
Aug. 23 DR. NO Britain’s top agent is back and ready for his mission. He must solve the mysterious murder of a fellow agent, but if anyone can solve it, it is James Bond (007). The 1962 Dr. No was the first in the James Bond series. Make sure not to miss this chance to see the original James Bond for $5 at 7 pm at the Saenger. For more information visit pensacolasaenger.com.
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This exhibition brings selections of Hunt Slonem’s work from the Permanent Collections of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the Pensacola Museum of Art. Slonem’s art is based on the confluence of the past and present, the visible and the invisible, the exotic and the everyday. For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
The Pensacola Museum of Art will show an exhibition featuring paintings, sculptures, drawings, etchings, photography, fine art prints and watercolors by artists such as Chuck Close, April Gornik, Childe Hassam, Lee Krasner, Ibram Lassaw, Roy Lichtenstein, Thomas Moran, Jackson Pollock, Larry Rivers, David Salle, Andy Warhol, and Jane Wilson. The opening reception is Aug. 15 from 5 - 7:30 pm. For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
Aug. 15- Sept. 13 WORKS ON PAPER: SELECTIONS FROM THE PMA PERMANENT COLLECTION The works on paper category includes drawings, etchings, photography, fine art prints, and watercolors by Thomas Hart Benton and Kathe Kollwitz. This exhibition
FCAC PRESENTS THE VICKI BAROCO COLLECTION Aug. 8-Sept. 8
First City Art Center is hosting the Vicki Baroco Collection, an exhibition of local, national and international artists. The art is an eclectic collection of paintings and sculpture collected by Ms. Baroco since age 18. Art in the collection runs the gamut from a Greek Icon to an African mask of beads and cowrie shells from the Kuba tribe of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Vicki Baroco Collection will be on exhibit from Aug. 8 through Sept. 8, with an opening reception set from 6 to 8 pm on Aug. 8. There is no charge for admission to the Gallery at First City Art Center, located at 1060 N. Guillemard St. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. For more information visit firstcityart.org.
will be at the Pensacola Museum of Art and includes over 400 artworks from the 20th and 21st century. For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
Aug. 9 AN EVENING CHANNELL
WITH
CHLOE
An Evening with Chloe Channell is a free concert hosted by WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast. Local singer Chloe Channell was recently on Season 8 of the America’s Got Talent television show and will now show Pensacola her talent. The concert will be hosted at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the Pensacola State College campus. The doors will open at 6 pm and the show will start at 7 pm. For more information visit wsre.org.
Through Aug. 26 PENSACON COMIC BOOK ARTISTS FEATURED AT BLUE MORNING GALLERY Look! In Blue Morning Gallery! It’s a bird…it’s a plane… it’s comic book artists Mitch Byrd, John Dell, Johnny MacPhall, and Ashley Waner. The dynamic foursome will be featured at Blue Morning Gallery July 30 - Aug. 26 with individual works of fantasy and color in a bold comic book style. The show is sponsored by Pensacon,
the Pensacola-based comic book convention. All four artists will be on hand during the Aug. 15 Gallery Night to meet and greet the public and several of Pensacon’s finest, dressed in Superhero garb, will also be a part of the festivities. Gallery Night will also feature extended hours, special gallery festivities, and the lilting sounds of Sweet Prospect. Blue Morning Gallery is located at 21 Palafox Pl. Hours are Monday-Thursday 10 am - 5 pm; Friday and Saturday 10 am - 8:30 pm; and Sunday 12:30 - 4 pm. For information, call 850-429-9100 or visit the website at bluemorninggallery.com.
Through August FPAN EXHIBIT EXPLORE HISTORY OF THE SNAPPER INDUSTRY The Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) has opened a new museum exhibit titled Talking Smack: Northwest Florida’s Historical Red Snapper Industry inside the Destination Archaeology Resource Center. The Destination Archaeology Resource Center is located on the first floor of the Florida Public Archaeology Network headquarters at 207 East Main Street in Downtown Pensacola (next to the Fish House restaurant). Hours of operation are Monday - Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. For more information please contact Mike Thomin, mthomin@uwf.edu or 850-595-0050
Aug. 3, 17, 31 BLUES ANGEL MUSIC BLUES ON THE BAY Cap off the weekend at the Amphitheatre at the Community Maritime Park for an evening of blues every Sunday the Blue Wahoos are away. Live music by local and regional blues groups from 5 to 7 pm, presented by Blues Angel Music. For more information call 850-436.5670.
Aug. 2 IMPROVABLE CAUSE AT PLT Improvable Cause is Pensacola’s best (and only) improvisational comedy troupe performing the first Saturday of every month at 10:30 pm in the M.C. Blanchard Courtroom Theatre at the Pensacola Little Theatre. Improv is unscripted theatre where dialogue is created instantaneously. Tickets are $7 available at the PLT box office prior to shows.
Through Aug. 10 PMA PRESENTS ART OF THE BRICK
Aug. 18 JAZZ GUMBO PHOGG’S
AT
PHINEAS
The Jazz Society of Pensacola presents its monthly edition of Jazz Gumbo held the third Monday of each month at Seville Quarter in Phineas Phogg’s. This month will feature jazz vocalist Kathy Lyon and friends. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the concert begins at 6:30 pm. Admission is $10 for JSOP members, $15 for nonmembers, $5 for students and free for military members in uniform. For more information visit jazzpensacola.com.
Come view amazing creations at the Pensacola Museum of Art for an exhibition featuring large-scale sculptures created out of iconic LEGO bricks by New Yorkbased artist Nathan Sawaya. The Art of the Brick is one of the largest and most popular art exhibits touring the globe. For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
Aug. 23 REGIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE AT SEVILLE QUARTER The Blues Society of Northwest Florida’s Regional Blues Challenge will be held at Seville Quarter on Aug. 23. Nineteen acts or individuals have signed up to compete August 2014
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for an expenses-paid trip to compete at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis. The Blues Society of NW Florida’s Regional Blues Challenge event will bring a full day of great Blues Music to Downtown Pensacola starting at 2 pm in the Phineas Phogg’s room of Seville Quarter. At the conclusion of the competition there will be an informal Blues Jam Section with all of the participants in the Lili Marlene’s Room inside Seville Quarter. For more information visit sevillequarter.com.
Aug. 29 DRIVE-IN SUMMER MOVIE SERIES AT THE MARITIME The Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movies are back at the Maritime Park allowing viewers to drive up and watch a movie from their car. Grass seating is available. Blankets, chairs, and coolers are okay. Please no pets and no glass. There will be concessionaires on site, but no ATM available. Parking begins at 6:30 pm. For more information call 850436-5670.
AT SEVILLE QUARTER THIS MONTH Seville Quarter hosts a variety of entertainment from a wide array of genres. For more information check out SevilleQuarter.com. Mondays: Monday Night Blues Tuesdays: Jazz Jam Wednesdays-Saturdays: D u e l i n g Piano Show Aug. 1: Grand Theft Audio, Strange Roux Aug. 2: Grand Theft Audio, Strange Roux, Rumor Mill, Tips for Lucy Aug. 3: Greg Lyon Aug. 7-10: Hotel Oscar Aug. 8-9: Banana Republic Aug. 9: The Red Field Aug. 15-16: Trunk Monkey, The Modern Eldorados, Big Jim Brown & the Speed Kings Aug. 17: Trunk Monkey Aug. 18: Jazz Gumbo Aug. 22-23: Schofield, Blues Society of NWFL Regional Blues Challenge Aug. 29-30: Lyon’s Limozine
VINYL MUSIC HALL Vinyl Music Hall hosts a huge variety of musical acts featuring many musical styles. For more information check out vinylmusichall.com. Aug. 1: Betsy Badwater, Denton Hatcher & the Soapbox Blues, Izzy Cox Aug. 2: lowelectric, Electroveldt Aug. 8: 7 Seconds, The Copywrights, It Starts Today, Operation Hennessy
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QUAYSIDE GALLERY PRESENTS PENSACOLA: AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE Through August Quayside Art Gallery presents its current Feature Artists Show, Pensacola: An Artist’s Perspective. The exhibition features artists Manuel Rivas, Kate Owens and Daniel Baradon, a painter and two photographers share their representations of the region. Kate Owens paints the Gulf Coast in oil and acrylics with strong, vibrant color. Manuel Rivas’ approach to photography is “images that are an embodiment of right place, right time gift from the universe.” While Daniel Baradon offers a wildlife biology background capturing the beauty of local birds and other genres. For more information visit quaysidegallery.com
Aug. 9: Geek Rock Revolution Feat. KISS Tribute Love Gun & more! Aug. 15: Ballyhoo!, FAYUCA, Bumpin Uglies Aug. 16: Honey Island Swamp Band, Post Pluto Aug. 20: Biz Markie, Big Lo, What We Do Brothers Aug. 22: Grayson Capps, Mama Lucky Band Aug. 23: Big Deal Burlesque Aug. 24: An Acoustic Punk Rock BBQ with The Ataris, It Starts Today, Stijl Calhoun, Earl’s Killer Squirrel, Kent Stanton, Nik Flagstar, Guts For Glory, Operation Hennessey Aug. 30: Live Band Karaoke with Rock Mafia!
Aug. 18-Dec.12 STEVE MCCURRY SOLO EXHIBITION THE IMPORTANCE OF ELSEWHERE Famed photographer Steve McCurry’s solo exhibition, The Importance of Elsewhere, opens on Aug. 18 at the Pensacola State College Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts. This internationally acclaimed photojournalist is best known for his famous Afghan Girl photograph, which became a national icon after appearing on the cover of National Geographic . Steve McCurry is a master of telling stories through captivating photography and his exhibit promises to be the must see art event of the year. See our exclusive interview on page 38. For more information, visit visualarts.pensacolastate.edu.
Aug. 27 AN EVENING MCCURRY
WITH
STEVE
This internationally acclaimed photojournalist is best known for his famous Afghan Girl photograph, which became a national icon after appearing on the cover of National Geographic . Stories have the power to inspire, motivate, transform, and heal, but before a photographer can get to the story he or she must first find a way to connect with total strangers. From his celebrated Afghan Girl photograph to his breath-taking landscapes of Tibet, Steve McCurry is recognized for capturing evocative and moving images that span six continents and numerous countries. Spend an evening hearing the stories behind the photographs at the Saenger Theatre at 6 pm. VIP tickets are available through Pensacola State College. Find more information at visualarts.pensacolastate.edu or pensacolasaenger.com.
Aug. 7 WUWF RADIOLIVE WUWF’s RadioLive is back for the first Thursday of each month at the Museum of Commerce at 201 E. Zaragoza St. Concerts start at 6 pm. This concert will feature Ellis Paul, Buddy Mondlock, and Tom Feldmann. Admission is free, but please bring canned food or money to donate to Manna Food Bank. For more information visit wuwf.org.
Your City, Your Magazine
www.pensacolamagazine.com August 2014
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GIVE NONPROFIT NEWS GET OUT AND GIVE
Aug. 6-7 WE ARE EVENTS
BATMAN
SCREENING
Pensacola Para Con is teaming up with the Special Olympics of Florida and hosting a screening of the documentary Legends of the Knight. The showing on Aug. 6 will be at the Carmike on W Street at 7 pm and the showing on Aug. 7 will be at Movies 4 Gulf 1175 Gulf Breeze Pkwy at 7 pm. The proceeds will go to The Special Olympics of Florida. Legends of the Knight is about stories of individuals who have overcome challenging obstacles and embrace their inner superhero because of their love of Batman. For more information visit pensacolaparacon.com
ACE ANNOUNCES FALL FESTIVAL OF ARTS & CULTURE Arts, Culture and Entertainment, (ACE), Inc. announced the selection of Foo Foo Fest as the name of the upcoming fall festival of arts and culture to be held Nov. 617. Highlights for the 10-day celebration of arts, culture and entertainment include the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, the Blue Angels Air Show, the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, and the Pensacola Marathon. Additionally, 15 area arts and cultural organizations have been awarded grants to enhance, extend or create events during this period. Information on the events to be undertaken and a complete schedule for Foo Foo Fest will be announced in mid-August. For more information, visit acepensacola.org.
14TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP HAT SHOW LUNCHEON Aug. 10 The National Coalition of 100 Black Women presents the 14th annual Scholarship Hat Show Luncheon. There will be prizes in a variety of categories including the biggest hat, fanciest hat, most “hattitude” hat, most unique hat and best male hat. The luncheon takes place at New World Landing at 12:30 pm.
MILITARY “BIG OF THE YEAR” Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida announces Lieutenant Commander Kendra Pennington as 2013 Military Big of the Year. Pennington was presented the Ron Mobayed award in June. The award is in honor of Ronald Jospeh Mobayed who was an outstanding Big Brother and to pay tribute to military volunteers.
Aug. 24 WINE A LOT...DINE A LOT
PENSACOLA HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY Pensacola Historical Preservation Society will host its 19th annual Antique Appraisal Fair on Aug. 30, at Garth’s Auction House, 3930 Navy Blvd. Cost to appraise your treasures is $5 for first appraisal and $3 for each additional. Proceeds will benefit the Quina House Museum in Downtown Pensacola.
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Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida’s (Capstone) annual charity wine tasting dinner, Wine A Little…Dine A Lot, takes place Sunday, Aug. 24 at 5eleven Palafox House Event Hosting. Chef Gus Silivos will provide culinary creations for the five-course meal and wine pairings are provided by Southern Wine and Spirits of North Florida. The evening begins with social (cash bar) and silent auction unveiling at 5:30 pm, dinner follows at 6 pm. Tickets are
$100 per person if purchased by Aug. 15; after that date tickets are $125 each. Seating is limited. Funds raised will be used for programs and services for infants, children, youth and adults with a spectrum of abilities and disabilities at ten program sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. For additional information contact Darina Ivanova at 850-432-1596, divanova@cpnwfl.org.
Aug. 16 PENSACOLA BATHE-INS
HUMANE
SOCIETY
Bathe-Ins at the Pensacola Humane Society offer low-cost dog bathing, grooming, nail clipping and flea dips during the warm weather season. Charges for baths and groomings are based on the dog’s weight. Groomings are done on a firstcome, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. at 5 North Q St. For more information, call 850-432-4250.
Sept. 6 THE SECOND ANNUAL KAYAK, BARBEQUE AND BLUES FESTIVAL The Second Annual Kayak, Barbeque and Blues Festival will feature kayak and stand up paddleboard races, Flyboard demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors, live music, a huge fireworks show and a barbeque cook off competition with cash prizes. Event central is Hub Stacey’s at the Point, just off Galvez Landing. Entry forms and sponsorship information are available online. Fore More information, call 850-4924660.
THE ARC GATEWAY SELECTS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER The Arc Gateway has selected Cathy Lauterbach as Chief Operating Officer for the agency. Upon further review of the managerial structure of the agency, the Board of Directors felt the need for adding the position within the agency to oversee daily operations of adult services. In her role as COO, she will have broad administrative responsibility for adult programs including: Employment Services, Residential Services, Senior Adult Program, Adult Enrichment; as well as Pollak Industries, Secure Document Shredding and Digital Storage, Horticulture and Transportation. “We are excited about the future of The Arc Gateway and we look forward to continuing to work with Cathy as Chief Operating Officer,” said Charles Brewer, The Arc Gateway CEO. “As a proven leader who enthusiastically embraces our mission throughout her career at The Arc Gateway, she has delivered results in operational performance and growth.” Lauterbach began her employment with The Arc Gateway in 1995 as an employment specialist. From that role, she became the program manager at the Pollak Training Center before moving into the position of director of Residential and Community Services. The Arc Gateway provides programs and services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1954. For more information, visit arc-gateway.org.
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GET G E T OUTSIDE OU UTT S SID ID DEE
WATERBOYZ W ATERBOYZ 3 380 80 N N.. 9TH 9TH A AVE., VE., PENSACOLA, P E N S A CO L A , F FL L W WW.WATERBOYZ.COM WWW.WATERBOYZ.COM 1. Capture the action with the HERO3+, the most advanced GoPro yet. 2. Sector 9 longboards are the chill, fast way to get from your origin to destination. Waterboyz aterboyz combines top-notch craftsmanship and ageless style to provide each customer with a quality, quality fun product. 3. Improve your balance and versatility while traversing Pensacola’s beautiful waterways with a durable, sleek paddleboard by KM.
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FORE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
T
he Panhandle Charitable Open, the signature charity golf tournament in Northwest Florida, is back this Sept. 25-27 for its 13th year, and this one promises to be bigger than ever. With an expanded format, a special party and auction format, and a greater level of community participation, PCO chairman John Peacock is ready to do more good for more people. Few events combine fun and competition with the opportunity to directly impact the community quite like the golf tournament. The event also offers the opportunity to play alongside business and government leaders and meet someone new, all while having a great time in beautiful early fall weather. A wide array of men and women always get involved, from community notables to the guy next door, from golf veterans to those new to the game. The event was not always so expansive or successful, and the open actually has its roots in devastating tragedy. Several years ago, Peacock’s son John Ryan lost his life in a car accident at the age of 17. Peacock was understandably demoralized, but vowed to make something good out of something terrible. “When tragedy strikes and you lose a loved one, you have two choices: you can either curl up and emotionally die along with that person, or you can move forward,” said Peacock. “I chose to do the second and help others through the money raised by the open.” Peacock took an existing format, used by the Marcus Pointe men’s group annual charity tournament, and began work on making it something much bigger. Prior to Peacock’s involvement, the men’s group had raised about $700 for charity. Peacock settled on three primary charities that would benefit from his new tournament: Child Guardians, Inc., which helps abused, neglected or abandoned children through direct funding of children’s needs; the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, an agency
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By Josh Newby
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Six questions with John Peacock Who in the community inspires you? I’m really inspired by Quint Studer, Julian MacQueen, and Buzz Ritchie, just to name a few. There are so many people here who give freely of themselves. Sandy Sansing is another. They are always doing all they can for the city and its residents and businesses. What would you do if time and money were of no concern? I think I would become more politically and socially involved. There’s a lot that can be done on both of those fronts. When did you move to Pensacola? I moved here in early 1996 to open an Edward Jones office. My kids were on the free lunch program and I was a single dad. But the people of Pensacola really helped me. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without generous people and helpful government programs. Where in Pensacola do you believe has the most underutilized potential? The waterfront in downtown is a great amenity. It’s beautiful. Other cities would love to have something like that. We need to really realize how great it is that we have a beautiful waterfront and invest in making it even better. Things like a boardwalk and greater accessibility would go a long way. Why do you believe Pensacola is so philanthropic? Well the city has a history of very charitable folks, and that tends to inspire others to also be charitable. Obviously having the military here is integral, too: they tend to be very giving. It’s a nice combination of elements that will hopefully enable Pensacola to further grow. How would you change Pensacola if you could? I would align education with business more and really emphasize workforce development. I also think that the superintendant should be appointed instead of elected. Why limit your pool of candidates on something like education? If someone living somewhere else has some great ideas and can turn things around and get things done, why not hire him or her to do the job? I would better consolidate county and city government, as well.
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dedicated to helping victims of child abuse; and the Council on Aging of West Florida, an advocacy group dedicated to improving the lives of senior citizens. In its first year, the Panhandle Charitable Open raised $20,000 and it has only grown since then. To date, the tournament has helped raise more than $400,000 for charity, including a record-breaking $95,000 in 2013. The money raised also benefits 19 different charities now, including Arc Gateway, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Independence for the Blind, the American Cancer Society and Covenant Hospice, and Peacock is committed to increasing donations to each of those. “We don’t want to necessarily add more charities, but we do want to increase the amount we give to each,” said Peacock. The tournament uses a two-day, two-person Best Ball format, allowing each player to play his or her own ball from tee to green. Traditionally, the most preferred tee times are Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. To accommodate the recent surge in interest, however, and to keep rounds close to four hours, Friday morning and Saturday afternoon times have been added. To play a preferred time, Peacock suggests registering quickly. Last year there were 150 participants, and Peacock expects even more this year. In years past, the open featured a Friday evening party and auction. This year, that is being moved to Thursday evening, Sept. 25, for the inaugural Fore! Charity Tee-Off Par-Tee. “Some folks maybe don’t want to do both the tournament and the party, so we’ve separated them a bit more to allow for greater flexibility,”
said Peacock. “In the past, we’ve raised between $12,000 and $15,000 at the auction. I hope this new format builds on that.” The dinner and auction will be at Sanders Beach Corrine Jones Community Center from 6 to 10 pm as music from local band Mass Kunfuzion drifts through the evening oceanside air. There are a variety of sponsor packages available to meet every possible preference and budget, ranging from $75 for dinner only to $6,000 for extensive access and benefits. The open is a huge event each year, and only growing; so much so that Peacock and his dedicated team of volunteers start coordinating each event as early as January. “Everybody works for free and everyone works so hard,” said Peacock. “It’s great to see it all come together every year.” Peacock has big dreams for the future of the open. He envisions one day adding multiple courses and maybe even a charity run. “We could facilitate a lot of different charity events and activities under the Panhandle Charitable Open umbrella,” said Peacock. “We would of course need a lot more manpower, but I believe Pensacola can make it happen.” The city’s amazing philanthropic spirit is the reason for the event’s success, Peacock believes. From hosting the largest Impact 100 group in the world to having unprecedented cohesion and community among the various non-profits, the citizens of Pensacola seem always ready to help those in need. “I’ve never lived anywhere that is as giving as this,” said Peacock. “Escambia County is one of the poorest counties in the state, but we have dedicated people who really give their resources to help build the city and help others. There are a huge number of people like that and I’m inspired by them.” Peacock was not always the successful philanthropist he is now. Twenty years ago, he was a single father who moved here to start a business and was quickly touched by the community’s professional relationships, dependence on small business, and number of non-profit organizations dedicated to helping people like him. “Small business is the backbone of America, but non-profits are its heart and soul,” said Peacock. “I certainly benefitted from generosity and help when I arrived here. The Panhandle Charitable Open is just my way of giving back.” To register for the event, visit pcogolf.org.
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IONFISH
Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific area but they started showing up in the Gulf Coast regions in larger numbers within the last decade, likely after being released By Emily Lullo from aquariums in South Florida.
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wimming lazily in the turquoise-tinted confines of an aquarium, the lionfish represents a beautiful specimen of aquatic life. With eye-catching white and maroon stripes and a frame of delicate but menacing, venomous spines along its back and fins, the appearance of a lionfish signals a warning to any would-be predators. But the threats posed by this fish, also known by its genus Pterois, reach far beyond those to its individual attackers and deep into the Gulf Coast ecosystems where this non-native species has taken up residence and is wreaking havoc on fish supplies and food chains. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific area but they started showing up in the Gulf Coast regions in larger numbers within the last decade, likely after being released from aquariums in South Florida. The fish lack any natural predators in this area and the almost unfettered growth in populations has caused damage to local fisheries. The invasive species has been known to infest area reefs and reduce average net juvenile fish recruitment by 79 percent. In early July Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent Rick O’Connor started completing weekly surveys of bays and other inshore areas where lionfish are thought to be encroaching. “The problem with lionfish is they are voracious eaters,” says O’Connor. “The offshore problem is that they live on the reef with other reef fish, some of those are commercially valuable, and they compete with them for that food source.” There are several reasons the lionfish have established dangerous populations so quickly in the Gulf. They’re difficult to catch with traditional hook and line, so divers must spear hunt them to decrease their numbers. Even with dive charters and groups going under to chip away at their growing numbers, the fish are capable of releasing 30,000 eggs per week. They prey on smaller fish and crustaceans, and their stomachs can expand more than 30 times its normal volume when eating a large meal. Top those numbers off with the venomous spikes that cover its body, and it’s easy to see why this formidable predator’s numbers have continued to grow in the Gulf. The threat of lionfish in more inland bays and areas poses huge questions, as the fish’s tolerance for lower salinity only recently became the subject of extensive research after Palm Beach student Lauren Arrington, then 12, conducted a science fair project showing that they can survive in much lower salinity than was initially thought. Scientists which built on preliminary research discovered that lionfish can survive in water with a salinity of just 5 parts per 1,000, versus 35 parts per 1,000 levels of ocean water. “A lot of the commercially valuable fish actually spawn and breed inshores, in the seagrasses and the marshes,” O’Connor says. If they reach those areas, now we’re looking at lionfish consuming some of those things like shrimp. There’s a lot of issues there for fisheries.”
IN THE GULF Hunting for a Solution August 2014
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Photo courtesy of the Recreational Underwater Sports Society “We take the filets off and eat them but then we take the remaining portions of the fish and give them to marine biologists and other scientific members of our group that will actually dissect and do studies to track and monitor where they came from, how big they are and what they’ve been eating,” he says. Another organization is the Recreational Underwater Sportsman Society, which was spearheaded by Cheryl Galavitz to engage locals in the plight caused by lionfish and to combat its effects in our specific region. She says that many don’t realize the far-reaching effects that uncontrolled lionfish propagation could cause in the Gulf waters. “Our area is highly dependent upon tourism for fishing and diving. It is also dependent upon the seafood industry in general,” she says. “If our tourism or seafood industry declines, then our community will notice an increase in unemployment.” RUSS has three divisions that address specific aspects of the lionfish problem. Join RUSS is focused on providing education to the public and divers with clinics and presentations; TEAM RUSS – SEKE: (See ‘Em, Kill ‘Em) is focused on the divers wishing to lionfish hunt; and RUSS Rays get youth involved by speaking at schools and encouraging young people to take action. The team at RUSS is working with many other organizations to bring further awareness about lionfish while also offering a good time for participants. The group is also working to expand ecotourism by encouraging visiting divers to hunt lionfish, to organize future awareness events like festivals and races, and to start a Mardi Gras krewe dedicated to the cause. But one of the main
Photo courtesy of the Recreational Underwater Sports Society
As divers and other people with a stake in our local waters began to notice the influx of the invasive fish on area reefs, several came together to form groups that could take action against the influx of lionfish. Andy Ross, Gary Emerson—both divers and charter boat captains—and the Flora-Bama Yacht Club’s executive chef Chris Sherrill joined forces to form one such organization, which started by organizing tournaments that allow divers to compete to spear the most lionfish. “Within the last year we decided we wanted to do something about it so we put together a tournament just to get things going and get some public awareness,” Ross says. “That evolved into us forming an organization called the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition. We do tournaments but we also do educational seminars.” Comprised of concerned citizens, scientists and divers, the organization’s mission is tri-fold: to increase awareness of the threats of invasive nonnative lionfish to Gulf Coast fisheries and marine ecosystems; to promote and facilitate the removal of lionfish by volunteer divers; and to promote and facilitate the consumption of lionfish by the public via restaurants and seafood markets. Ross says he and other divers have seen places in the Gulf with fairly epidemic levels of infestation but the group has been able to help control populations on public reefs. Private areas, however, are a different story. The GCLC has hosted an array of tournaments that pit spear fishing divers against each other and bag hefty numbers of the fish. Once the fish are removed from the waterways, Ross says the crew starts cutting and cooking up the fish right on the boat to describe and display some of the delicious ways to prepare lionfish, but nothing goes to waste.
goals is getting more divers in the water with the training to spear the invasive fish. “All of the divers that have participated in RUSS hunts and were new to lionfish hunting—we have had 11 so far—have thoroughly enjoyed learning how to lionfish hunt. They have all come back to the dock with huge smiles and laughing after enjoying the day out on the water and learning a new skill!” she says. “After the trip, they are also taught how to clean the fish in order to be able to take it home and enjoy it for dinner.” Chef Chris Sherrill is one of the biggest proponents of getting area restaurants to jump onboard the trend of putting lionfish on the specials board. He says he’s always had a penchant for exotic cuisine and lesser-known locally sourced food, so when the Department of Marine Resources contacted him hoping he could come up with tasty serving suggestions for lionfish, he was game. The flavor is something like a cross between freshwater crappie and flounder, he says. It’s light, buttery and flakey, making it a versatile fish for anything from ceviche to fried dishes. “It lends itself well to just about any form of cooking but my favorite is lightly searing it and keeping it very raw almost like sashimi, with wasabi and sriracha mayo, maybe a little bit of seaweed salad,” Sherrill says. “I also like to fry them whole with the spines still on to make a really dramatic presentation.” Chef Sherrill recently conducted demonstrations to food enthusiasts and local chefs at a Slow Foods Gulf Coast event where he served up seared lionfish nachos with a fire-roasted edamame succotash. Some local restaurants like the Flora-
Bama Yacht Club and the Oar House already have the wholesale license that allows them to buy lionfish directly from divers, but there may soon be lionfish dishes at other local restaurants. “It was our real chance to expose people to how good it is,” Sherrill says. “Several chefs jumped at the opportunity to take some free fish back to play around with and now there’s a huge calling for it.” While lionfish in local waters will likely never be fully eradicated, the long term threat can be managed. Groups like GCLC and RUSS are laying the groundwork for an ongoing fight by educating and engaging locals, but the possible ecological problems that lionfish cause will loom over the Gulf for the foreseeable future. This region’s waterways provide massively to the area’s economy and quality of life, and while they have weathered many storms in the past, this new challenge can be surmounted only with the organized efforts of local citizens, dedicated organizations and environmental agencies working together to protect the area’s greatest asset.
LIONFISH CEVICHE serves four Ceviche is a popular method for “cooking” seafood in the coastal regions of Florida, and Central and South America. The acid from one or more types of citrus juices denatures the fish or shellfish, while flavors are added with the inclusion of chilies, herbs, and sometimes sugars. Ceviche should only be made with the freshest of seafood. Ingredients: 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice 1/3 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 3 Tbs. fresh-squeezed lime juice Pinch of sugar to taste Pinch of salt to taste 1/2 lb. lionfish fillets cut into 1/2-inch cubes 12 cherry tomatoes, stems removed and quartered 1 small, ripe avocado, pitted and cubed 1/2 cup cubed English cucumber 2 serrano chilies, minced 2 Tbs. fresh cilantro, chopped 1 Tbs. fresh mint, chopped 2 Tbs. olive oil
Directions: In a nonreactive bowl, stir together lemon, lime, and orange juices. Season with salt and just enough sugar to offset the acid of the citrus juice. Cut lionfish filets into 1/2-inch cubes, and add to the citrus juice. You want to completely cover the fish with the citrus juices. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, chilies, cilantro, and mint and stir to combine. Transfer the fish to a colander and drain for several seconds. Once drained, add the fish to the tomato mixture and mix. Drizzle with the combined ingredients with oil, taste and adjust with salt to taste. Divide the ceviche among four martini glasses or small bowls and serve immediately.
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Steve McCurry The Stories Behind the Photographs
You may not recognize his name, but you likely know his work. Steve McCurry’s soulful portraits of men, women, children and the landscapes in which they live span the globe. From Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and China to Peru, Brazil, Yemen, Pakistan and of course, Afghanistan, the bold photographer has a knack for capturing the human condition. His portraits depict unique people and their cultures, traditions and conflicts, giving his subjects a sense of dignity and grace in even the most turbulent of conditions. McCurry is likely best known for the candid, riveting, and intense portrait of a young Afghan girl taken in 1984 in a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. The iconic image graced the cover of National Geographic and is considered to be the most recognizable photo in the world. McCurry was born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia and he studied film at Pennsylvania State University. After honing his skills at the local newspaper and several years of freelance work, McCurry made his first trip to India. Traveling for months with his camera and a few supplies, McCurry eventually made his way to Pakistan. Just as the Russian invasion was closing the country to all western journalists, a group of Afghan refugees helped smuggle McCurry into Afghanistan. After spending weeks embedded with the Mujahideen, McCurry emerged with the first images of the conflict in Afghanistan. And he hasn’t stopped since. McCurry’s work has covered six continents and countless countries and he has been the recipient of some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal, National Press Photographers Award, and an unprecedented four first-prize awards from the World Press Photo contest. Your opportunity to view and be moved by McCurry’s powerfully emotional images arrives on Aug. 18 when an exhibition of his work, titled The Importance of Elsewhere, opens at Pensacola State College’s Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts. McCurry will also offer Pensacolians a lecture on his work at the Saenger Theatre on Aug. 27. The lecture is titled The Stories Behind The Photographs and you won’t want to miss it. Pensacola Magazine had the great fortune to speak with McCurry in anticipation of his exhibition and lecture.
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Photo by Bruno Barbey
Interview by Kelly Oden
Peshawar, Pakistan by Steve McCurry
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How did your love affair with photography begin? I studied filmmaking at Penn State University. While studying cinematography, I took some photography classes and discovered a love for photography. You rather famously entered Afghanistan at a very tumultuous time in 1978. How nervous were you crossing the border into Afghanistan for the first time? I was very apprehensive. Basically, I was going into a country illegally and I was going into a war zone with people I didn’t really know and people I couldn’t really communicate with. I didn’t speak their language and they didn’t speak English. It was a war zone and I was very apprehensive and reluctant to go in. I just thought it was worth the chance; it seemed like a very risky proposition at the time. I just decided that it was worth taking that risk. Part of me thought, this is going to be an adventure, and part of me thought it was too much of a risk. I decided to go anyway. How many times have you been back to Afghanistan? I’ve been there about 30 times. I haven’t been there for almost three years because I’ve been working on other projects and doing other things. In a way I feel like that was a chapter in my life, which I may go back to again, but I don’t have any plans to in the near future. How do you choose a location and how do you go about hiring guides and interpreters? I do a fair amount of research, but the main point is to try to organize a really good translator and a good driver. I always like to do the research on the ground once I get there. A lot of times you have to be there to really see what the latest situation is. All the research in the world can’t really prepare you. I think you have to do some research, but then you really have to do it once you get there. I am a planner. I spend my time trying to get the right team together, and then I try to figure out where to go and how to go. That’s really the core to the puzzle. You often photograph people in places that are in turmoil or undergoing profound change. What draws you to those themes? I think these are historic times and pivotal times, times that are deciding the future of the people of the region. I want to be part of that conversation. I want to be there to witness and to tell that story of these monumental events and, as I said, pivotal historic situations that determine the state of the region, whether it is Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan. People often talk about your work in terms of the themes of war and turmoil and change. What do you see as the central theme to your work?
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I think it’s about the consequences of war on a civilian population and how two competing factions can accept killing and injuring lots of civilians—men, women and children. I think that’s the main theme. I never really thought of myself as a war photographer. I’m more of somebody who is trying to tell the story of the people who are caught in the middle. I think that makes a more important story because those are the people who don’t really have any say or control over their problems. They end up getting maimed or killed or wounded because of these two forces. That comes across beautifully in your photographs. Do you think that is what draws people to your work? I would say there is a certain humanity that comes through so that people can see these are real people. The human element, the human story—I think that is really what draws people, the humanity. How much interaction do you have with your subjects just before or just after photographing them? Do you ask permission first? It varies on a case-by-case basis. You really have to evaluate it from moment by moment. What’s the right thing to do, the ethical thing? Am I violating this person’s privacy? You can’t really generalize it since what may have worked in one situation, may not work in another. You are best known for your photo Afghan Girl. I know that you met Sharbat Gula many years later. Can you tell me what that experience was like? Well, it was profound, to be able to find her again and to actually do something for her. It took 17 years to finally be able to find out what happened to her. To sit with her and talk to her and help her had an amazing effect. I think it was a great situation for everybody.
I would say there is a certain humanity that comes through so that people can see these are real people. The human element, the human story— I think that is really what draws people.
Top: Rajasthan, India by Steve McCurry Above: Waligama, Sri Lanka by Steve McCurry
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What stuck with you the most about her life from that meeting? She was a very typical Afghan person who, like so many other Afghans, had been caught up in the war. They actually had to beg for their lives, for their families, and they were victims of this political conflict. I was struck by the fact that she is kind of a symbol for Afghan women, Afghan refugees, and Afghans in general. How does she feel now about her picture being taken? I think she’s very grateful for how it turned out and how it helped her family. We compensated her for the picture, which provided her security and a home. I love your quote, “If you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view.” Can you elaborate on that sentiment? What I try to achieve in a portrait is something that reveals the subject’s personality. Is there anywhere on your bucket list that you haven’t been to yet? I want to go to Iran and Madagascar. I’ve always been intrigued by Persian culture. Also, I’ve worked in every country in the region with the exception of Iran. Madagascar has an incredible culture along a rich flora and fauna. In your book, Untold: The Stories Behind the Photographs, you tell never-before-told stories about your travels and images. Do you have a most harrowing or most gratifying story to share with our readers? One of the most frightening experiences I’ve had was crashing into a frigid glacial lake in the former Yugoslavia. I had hired a small, ultra-light, two-seater airplane to do aerials over Bled Lake in Slovenia. The pilot flew down to the surface of the lake, so close that I told him to go up because we were only about five feet from the water. The wheels got caught in the water and we couldn’t pull out. As soon as the fuselage and the propeller hit the water, the propeller blew apart. We flipped upside down in the 40-degree water and immediately began to sink. The seatbelt was a jerry-rigged homemade device and I couldn’t get it off. I realized I was going to die. I guess that part of your brain concerned with self-preservation kicked in, and I finally slid underneath and swam to the surface. My passport and equipment went to the bottom. Fortunately, the pilot and I were picked up by a fisherman within ten minutes. Days later the plane was raised, but all of my equipment was lost and is still 60 feet down. I was surprised to read how much you embraced digital versus film. When did you switch and what do you see as the pros and cons?
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I switched about ten years ago. I don’t feel at all nostalgic about film, I’m a big fan of digital photography. You can shoot in incredibly low light which was never possible with film. You’ve won a number of awards and you are a member of a number of elite photography groups. What award or membership are you most proud of? Probably the Overseas Press Club award—it is awarded for outstanding courage and enterprise. What are your must-have tools of the trade when out photographing? My camera, I guess. I shoot with different cameras for different reasons. Also, I use a tripod when the light gets too low. Are there any trends in contemporary photography that interest you or that you admire? I think it’s great that most cell phones have excellent cameras in them so virtually everybody with a cell phone now can photograph their friends, family and their life in general. If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing? I’d be a filmmaker. What projects are you currently working on? I’m working on a book on Buddhism. It’s a personal project, and I’m about 60-70 percent done. Can you tell me a little about the theme of your Pensacola State College exhibit, The Importance of Elsewhere and your subsequent slide lecture? What can people expect when they come? I thought it would be interesting to tell the stories behind the pictures. So many of my other lectures have been primarily photographs, so I wanted to talk about my process and the back story as to how these pictures came about, such as the circumstances during the monsoon, in Afghanistan when the conflict first began, and 9/11, amongst others. What I want people to take from this exhibition and lecture is compassion for their fellow humans, whether it’s an image of Sri Lankan men fishing alongside one another or an Indian woman holding her child as she presses her hand against a car window. I want the viewer to leave knowing more about the vibrant world that surrounds them.
I was struck by the fact that she is kind of a symbol for Afghan women, Afghan refugees, and Afghans in general.
Top: Brazil by Steve McCurry Above: Zhengzhou,China by Steve McCurry
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Rajasthan, India by Steve McCurry Steve McCurry: The Importance of Elsewhere August 18–December 12 Pensacola State College Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts
An Evening with Steve McCurry August 27 Pensacola Saenger Theatre
Top: Bombay/Mumbai,India by Steve McCurry Above: Yanesha,Peru by Steve McCurry
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Pensacola Scene
...at the Blue Wahoo Reception at the Pensacola Museum of Art
Alicia Cochran, Olivia Confusione and Feye Sumlin
Betty Roberts and Andy Marlette
Madeline Mancera and Kazoo
Haley and Emily Vranich
Tim Adleman and Chris Benson
...at the Escambia County Schools Foundation Annual Meeting
Ed Gray accepting Outstanding Partner Award
Lee Tracy presents a check to the foundation Photos by Mat Pellegrino
Malcolm Ballinger receiving the Gavel from Vete Senkus 46
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