Editor’s Note

EDITOR’S NOTE Editor’s Note

Happy New Year! After the gluttony of the holidays comes the traditional New Year’s purge. For some, it’s committing to dry January or resolving to start or change fitness routines and eating habits. For others, the New Year brings a time of reflection and renewal in more spiritual ways and they resolve to practice more gratitude and to perform more acts of service. And for others, the New Year is time to shed the unwanted or unneeded burdens of the past—belongings, relationships and guilt. Editor’s Note Editor’s Note Kelly Oden Perhaps the best way to ring in the New Year is to pay a little Good morning, Pensacola! What a strange Executive Editor attention to each of these different aspects of our lives. I think place we find ourselves in this spring. The novel the “everything in moderation” motto should apply to New Year’s coronavirus COVID-19 has arrived in our resolutions, too. We should certainly strive for all of the things we’d like to improve community and, although we have so far been upon or leave behind, but we shouldn’t beat ourselves up if we fall back into a few of luckier than many, the fight to keep it from our old habits here and there. Rather, think of these slip-ups as learning experiences spreading continues. We went to print with and reminders of why we wanted to shed that habit, belonging or feeling in the first this issue on March 30. At that time, Escambia place. Above all, we should all resolve to be more kind and patient toward ourselves County had 42 confirmed cases and Santa Rosa had 30. Those numbers rose quickly once throughout the coming year. testing was expanded. Too quickly. The fact is, we don’t know who might have the virus or be carrying the virus without symptoms. That is why it is essential that we, as a community, stay For those interested in self-improvement in the new year, we’ve rounded up four healthy habits that a majority of scientists and doctors agree have the most impact on our overall health and well-being—movement, sleep, nutrition and social connection. We invite home as much as humanly possible--leaving you to learn about the how and why of these healthy habits and we hope we inspire you only for absolute essentials. I like the idea, too, as you begin or continue your journey to living a more healthy and balanced life. of practicing physical distancing rather than social distancing. We can remain social via In this issue, we also spoke with Justin Gatlin, Beth Barr, Adron Chambers and Michelle many avenues in this modern world—phone Snow—four Pensacola native athletes who went to the top of their game. Learn about calls, texts, video calls—and I encourage their career defining moments and what they are up to now. everyone to stay connected to their tribe. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring and All of this, plus information on a not-so-new drug that is becoming a game changer for we all need to feel connected to something those with treatment resistant depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Ketamine or someone in order to get through this. therapy has given thousands of patients hope and, in many cases, a second chance at On the topic of physical distancing, in our life. We spoke to Scott Durrance of Apex Psychiatric Services, the only local practitioner COVID-19 resource guide, you will see that offering the treatment. We also spoke to one of his patients, for whom the treatment has Pensacola neighborhoods and community groups done wonders. have found several clever, unique and safe ways to stay connected and to make a difference We’ve also brought you details on Pensacola Opera’s upcoming performance of while practicing physical distancing. I must La bohème, the scoop on a new proposal for an indoor sports facility in downtown say, I am very impressed with the outpouring Pensacola called Project Pickle and some recipes for healthy elixirs to jump start your of love and support I have seen amongst my year. fellow Pensacolians—yeah, the toilet paper hoarding was weird, but there are more than Happy 2023, everyone! May it be your best year yet. enough people giving of themselves to make up for it. Can I get a big round of applause for our first responders and hospital workers? Thank How is it August already? you for putting yourselves on the front lines These to keep us as safe as possible. Also, a big shout out to all the teachers out there scrambling to contradictory, but I can assure you I am feeling them both equally— and I don’t think I am alone. put together online lessons to keep our kids engaged and learning instead of worrying about things they cannot control. We appreciate you! On that note, I encourage you to read our This year is just too much. All of it—the COVID-19 Resource Guide, which provides politics, the pandemic, the pundits. I’m over resources for food, business, community it. So, this month we chose to focus on a and more. The ever-changing nature of much more relaxing and playful “P” word: this crisis necessitates that I mention that Pets. Who doesn’t go all gooey inside over these resources may or may not be available an adorable kitten or a playful pup? Only to you by the time you read this issue. I the most heartless among us, I suspect. hope it will provide a place to start, some ideas or some inspiration either way. Adoptions are on the rise during the pandemic and it’s easy to see why. Pets alleviate the stress, You may also notice that we have some nonboredom and loneliness of social distancing and uncertain futures. There may be many things out of our control in 2020, but we can provide pandemic related stories in this issue. We made the call to include already planned articles that might still be helpful, relevant or enjoyable for our readers. We hope you find them useful. a loving home to a sweet pet and get more love than we could have imagined in return. As for us, Pensacola Magazine has been While the Pensacola Humane Society has had published under one title or another for great success with adoptions and fostering more than 40 years. We have no plans on this year, those who love animals know that changing that. We will continue to publish the shelters are never empty. There is always a and to bring you all the information we can pet in need, so if snuggling up to a sweet kitty for as long as we can. Please reach out to us or playing fetch with a playful pup sounds like a good way to pass some time, check with story ideas, inspiration or just a quick hello. We are all working from home and we are missing our water cooler conversations. out our adoptable pet profiles on page 34. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay strong, Pensacola! We’ve got some feel-good pet stories for our readers as well. Gina Castro met with some

Congratulations. If you’re reading this first 2021 issue it means you have survived 2020, which is no small feat considering the barrage of pain, anxiety, divisiveness, uncertainty, loss and loneliness that 2020 brought to bear on the entire planet. Many have lost their lives, their loved ones, their jobs—one after another, the hits just kept coming. And here we are—on the other side, at least in terms of the Gregorian calendar. What will change incredible special-needs pets and their owners and she discovered that while these precious in 2021? A lot? A little? We have multiple vaccines babies may take a little more care, the love that we hope will eventually reign in the coronavirus, they give in return is worth every second. put the country back to work and allow for some semblance of social normalcy. When we can freely If exotic animals are more your thing, head visit again, how will our lives be different? What has on over to the brand spanking new and 2020 taught us? How has it changed us? I suspect it will take time to unpack all of the physical, mental significantly enlarged Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. The new location features all the hands-on, up close interaction as the previous location plus and emotional impacts of 2020, but I hope time added attractions, amenities and experiences will heal us and that we are able to grow in positive that will make for a wonderful family day out. ways from our individual and collective experiences. In 2021, I’m foregoing the traditional resolutions If you’re interested in conservation, check out with specific, measurable outcomes. Instead, Dakota Parks story on local Panhandle Rooftop Nesting Biologist, Rebekah Snyder. Through to a few of the themes that 2020 brought to her work with Audubon Florida, Snyder helps to ensure local shorebirds have safe nesting spaces in an increasingly overpopulated region. All of this, plus a few DIY pet treat Losing my mom early in 2020 really brought home recipes and some good news from the the idea that time is a limited resource. We have this moment and the future is always uncertain. Florida legislature regarding protection for pets in abusive situations. In 2021, I hope to give more attention to my So, turn off the news, put down your phone relationships with family, friends and community. and enjoy these heartwarming tales and adorable of photos of local animals and the folks who care for them. When you’re While we have always heard that good health is our done, give your kitty a little catnip and most valuable asset, 2020 made sure we knew it. throw your dog a bone. It’s these simple pleasures that will keep us all sane.

Obesity, diabetes and heart disease became death sentences for too many people battling Covid. While genetics predispose some to these illnesses, many can be managed or eradicated by lifestyle changes. I’d like to focus on making healthy choices while still enjoying the bad-for-you good stuff in moderation.

Passion and Joy

I don’t know about you, but 2020 offered far too little of either of these to me. I was so consumed with my mom’s illness and then with surviving the grief of her loss and the anxiety of the pandemic and the sorrow of so many national news stories that I took little time for myself. This year, I hope to explore creative and personal endeavors that help me rediscover myself and discover new outlets for personal expression.

Procrastination

While many people made glorious headway on home improvement and personal projects in 2020, I did not. I did not organize anything. I did not fix anything. I did not learn a language or a new skill. Nothing. But that’s ok, too. I’m still here. That’s an accomplishment. However, in 2021, I’d like to lighten my load and empty my house of much of the clutter and unnecessary junk that fills it. It’s time to make room for something new. In this issue, we’ve covered all of these topics and more to help readers shift their own focus in 2021. We hope you enjoy. Here’s to your health!

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

/pensacolamagazine @pensacola_magazine

/pensacolamagazine @pensacola_magazine Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.

/pensacolamagazine @pensacola_magazine

Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.Subscription expiration date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription today Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.online at ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 or two years $22.75.

PENSACOLA

CULTURE + LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2023

Owner Malcolm Ballinger Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Garrett Hallbauer advertise@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com Assistant Editor Nicole Willis nicole@ballingerpublishing.com Contributing Writers DeeDee Davis Darien Hardy Alex Hilkey

Sales & Marketing Paula Rode, Account Executive ext. 28 paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange, Account Executive ext. 31 geneva@ballingerpublishing.com

21 E. Garden St., Ste. 205 Pensacola, FL 32502 850.433.1166 | fax: 850.435.9174 ballingerpublishing.com

Published by Ballinger Publishing:

Proud member of the

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. © 2023