April 30 2015 issue

Independent News | April 30, 2015 | Volume 16 | Number 18 | inweekly.net | Cha Wa photo by Kim Welch

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winners & losers 4

outtakes 5

news

buzz 11

6, 10

Being the luckiest person alive is what it's like. Weezer is the best band on the planet.

a&e

music

12

15

publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

Shelby Smithey, T.S. Strickland

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Jason Leger, Jennifer Leigh, Ben Sheffler, Chuck Shepherd,

contact us info@inweekly.net

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Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. Š 2015 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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winners & losers

Marco Rubio

winners MARCO RUBIO The freshman senator

from Florida has caught fire with Republican voters since he announced his candidacy for president. Rubio is suddenly leading the field in a Fox News poll with a 13 percent, ahead of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (12), Sen. Rand Paul (10), former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (9) and Sen. Ted Cruz (8). If he can raise the millions, possibly billions, needed to finance his campaign, Rubio could upset the field and win his party’s nomination.

PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL April is

National Child Abuse Awareness month. The daily newspaper’s four-part series focusing on child abuse in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is first-class journalism. We hope it achieves the paper’s goal to increase awareness of the need to report suspected abuse, in the hopes of saving children and families in this community. It’s a worthy cause on which we can all agree.

MARTHA SAUNDERS The provost and

executive vice president at the University of West Florida has been selected for The Fulbright International Education Administrators Program in France, a bilateral program of educational exchange between the United States and France, which will take place in October. The program’s overarching objective is to increase mutual understanding through the cooperation and collaboration among students, teachers and research scholars of both countries.

44

losers BILL, HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON FOUNDATION Battling

charges of conflicts of interest, the Clinton Foundation admitted that it made "mistakes" as the philanthropy grew but maintained that it did not intentionally do anything wrong. In a blog post published over the weekend, Foundation acting CEO Maura Pally reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, but said some errors had occurred.

PAMELA LONG-WIGGINS The Florida Commission on Offender Review denied a request from Pamela Long-Wiggins for a conditional medical release, which was based upon the determination that she is now terminally ill with a prognosis of six to 12 months to live. She is serving a 28-year sentence for accessory after the fact for her involvement in the robbery and murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings in 2009.

RICK SCOTT The governor of Florida said that he sue the federal government to stop the expiration of the Low Income Pool program that provides $2 billion annually for the health care coverage for low income families in the state. The lawsuit is good theater, but will not help balance the state balance its budget. Sen. Don Gaetz said it best: “The governor has filed a lawsuit, and that will go through the courts and go to the Supreme Court and go on for months and years, but back here on earth, we still have to have a balanced budget.”

inweekly.net

outtakes

by Rick Outzen

PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS Press conferences are invaluable to democracy. They allow the media to dig deeper into issues and force newsmakers to answer questions that they may not want to handle.

Press conferences are the most effective means to cut through scripted responses, spin and bull crap and get down to the facts.

The public wins when press conferences occur.

During the BP oil spill crisis in 2010, Escambia County held two press conferences at day at the Emergency Operations Center.

State and county officials gave updates and the media freely asked questions. The public got the best data available on the pending environmental disaster almost instantly.

After a few conferences, I noticed one important player missing was BP, who was responsible for the disaster. The British oil giant chose to communicate through press releases and allow the local yokels to take the hits.

I began asking at each conference where were the BP officials and why weren’t they available to field questions. The other media picked up, and finally BP came out of hiding to deal with the issues. Our reporting went to another level and the public won.

Gov. Rick Scott is no fan of the press.

At the AP Legislative Planning Session in January, Gov. Scott tried to avoid questions about Medicaid expansion and the pending

expiration of the federal Low Income Pool program that provides annually $2 billion for health care coverage for low-income families. The media wouldn’t drop the issue.

Each time he gave a non-answer, the media fired back with another question. Finally, he stormed out of the room.

His behavior was a harbinger of the current deadlock in the Florida Legislature as the House and Senate try to balance the budget and cover the $2 billion shortfall.

The public got a glance of the dysfunction building in state government.

In Pensacola, Mayor Ashton Hayward has not held an open press conference with the media since January 2014. Instead, he communicates with the media behind a wall of staff and press releases. He is the only public official in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties that will not take a phone call from a reporter.

Hayward is an attractive, charming politician. His financial supporters tout him for future higher office—state lawmaker, Congress or governor. However, he won’t be able to campaign for their offices through press releases. His staff is doing him a great disservice hiding him from the media. The press here is much less hard-hitting than what he will face should he seek another office.

Moreover, the public will be better served. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Mayor Ashton Hayward has not held an open press conference with the media since January 2014.

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A LEGACY OF TRAUMA

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

One year after Escambia County jail explosion

By T.S. Strickland April 30 marks one year since a natural gas explosion tore through Escambia County’s Central Booking and Detention Facility, killing two, injuring more than 180 and leaving even more with lasting psychological trauma.

In one week, county officials will honor jail employee Kelley Bradford and her colleagues for their heroism that night.

Bradford was working in the first-floor property room with Officer Chris Hankinson when the blast tore through their floor and hurled them, together, into the flooded basement. The impact paralyzed Hankinson from the waist down. He would have drowned if Bradford hadn’t been there to hold his head above water for the 45 minutes it took rescuers to find them.

66

In the year since, the slight 56-year-old, a nine-year veteran of the jail, has been showered with recognition. Sheriff David Morgan awarded her the Civilian Medal of Honor. Corrections USA named her civilian employee of the year. Sen. Bill Nelson invited her to be his guest of honor at a luncheon. Gov. Rick Scott wrote to her, and Pres. Barack Obama sent her an autographed, 8-by-11 photo of himself.

Bradford did not hear from Escambia County, her employer.

No one—other than Commissioner Wilson Robertson—called to check on her or ask how she was doing—not until midApril, when she was called into the office of Director of Corrections Michael Tidwell.

He told her about the May 6 ceremony.

He told her she was a hero, and then he handed her a sealed envelope. In it was a letter relaying, in dead-pan, bureaucratic prose, that if she did not return to work by May 15, she would be terminated effective May 31.

“In light of the fact the explosion occurred eleven months ago and multiple pressing issues remain before us, there is no choice but to move forward,” Tidwell wrote.

That ultimatum presented a problem for Bradford, who is still under a doctor’s orders not to return to work. Most days, she doesn’t even leave her driveway.

Bradford is one of many employees and former inmates still struggling with the psy-

“In light of the fact the explosion occurred eleven months ago and multiple pressing issues remain before us, there is no choice but to move forward.” Michael Tidwell chological aftershocks of the explosion— and with a system they feel hasn’t done enough to help them cope with the trauma.

BLOWN UP ALL OVER AGAIN

On a recent evening, Bradford sat in the small dining room of the house she built with her husband—a lieutenant and 30-year veteran of the jail—surrounded by antiques and family photos. Their home

sits on a winding country road in Milton, surrounded on three sides by woods.

It’s a tranquil place, with a pool in the back and a front porch that looks out on an empty field. Tranquility is what Bradford craves most these days.

Family members describe Bradford as being “even-keeled” and “happy-go-lucky” before the blast. She loved listening to oldies, with the volume turned to loud, and traveling with her husband. The couple took snorkeling trips to locales as far flung as Key West, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands. They don’t do that anymore.

“I won’t even get in the water now,” Bradford said. “I’m just terrified.”

She rested her elbows on the table and clenched her arms as she talked, restless fingers betraying frayed nerves. “I don’t listen to loud music anymore,” she said. “I just don’t. I can’t think of anything anymore that I really want to do.”

Bradford is currently under the care of both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. The doctors have not yet given her a diagnosis.

However, her symptoms are familiar.

She struggles to sleep most nights—haunted by horrible dreams—and her days are filled with anxiety, severe mood swings and fits of sudden tears. She no longer has patience for her two grandchildren, ages 7 and 10.

“My hair’s even falling out,” she said.

Bradford is not the type of person to seek acclaim. In the months following the explosion, she repeatedly denied requests for interviews. When people praise her for saving Hankinson’s life, she tells them he also saved hers, just by being there.

“I’m not so much on the hero thing,” she said. “The man needed me. That’s it.”

But Tidwell’s letter hurt her. She looked at it as it sat there on the table, touching it with hesitation, like one would a very sharp knife, before sliding it across the table.

“Kick me when I’m down,” she said, striking her palm against it and exhaling sharply.

“I just feel like, with everything I went through, they’re blowing me up again, you know, and I’m gonna end up with a lot less than what I had before that explosion—and it wasn’t my fault.”

Bradford isn’t alone. She is one of 13 county employees injured in the blast who have not yet returned to work. All received the same letter from Tidwell. It’s impossible to say how many others are still suffering from psychological injuries. Federal inweekly.net

law precludes county staff from discussing employees’ medical conditions. However, based on conversations with jail employees and counselors, it is clear many were traumatized.

County staff have declined to address Tidwell's letter publicly. However, in interviews with Inweekly, Commissioners Douglas Underhill and Lumon May suggested it could have been worded more gracefully. They said they intended to meet with each employee individually to discuss their futures.

"There’s not been enough discussion publicly about where do we go from here with our employees from the jail," May said. "We do have a moral and ethical responsibility, if people cannot be gainfully employed or returned to duty, to find them a remedy or other employment."

Underhill, who was elected last November, agreed the issue demanded further discussion, but also suggested it was time for the county to begin moving forward.

"I know from my own personal experience in the Middle East that those (psychological) injuries are just as real and just as debilitating as the physical injuries that everyone can see,” he said. "(But) it's important that we get these folks reengaged in the profession or trained in a new profession as quickly as possible. The longer you give that event control over your life, the longer it takes to get back on your feet."

“It’s time for us to act and move forward from this event," he continued.

"I believe that each one of these remaining employees probably needs to be dealt with on an individual basis ... in terms of re-employability and re-trainability. It’s not going to be a one size fits all for every employee."

JAILHOUSE SLIPPERS AND A TRUCKLOAD OF HURT

One day after Bradford sat staring down that letter in her dining room, Anthony Hull sat in a Westside Whataburger, off Pensacola Boulevard, staring at a binder full of medical bills, doctor’s notes and court papers.The 29-year-old, who grew up in Cantonment, wasn’t even supposed to be in the jail that night. His charges had been dismissed the prior day, but a clerical error caused him to be held one night too long–a tragic coincidence that has haunted him ever since.

He was lying awake, nauseated by the gas fumes that wafted up from the flooded basement, when the explosion happened.

“It lifted us up out of our beds and threw us on the floor,” he said. “We didn’t know what was going on. Everything went pitch black.”

Some speculated a bomb had gone off.

Others thought it was a terrorist attack.

Still others thought it was the work of aliens.

April 30, 2015

Hull didn’t know what had happened, but he knew he had to get out. As the floor began to collapse, he and his bunkmates raced outside. Once there, they were herded onto a city bus and taken to the Santa Rosa County Jail, but the caravan was turned away at the gates.

Hull said the jail guards refused to accept the inmates until they had been cleared by a doctor. He was examined at the Santa Rosa Medical Center before being taken back to the Escambia County jail’s main facility, a short distance from the scene of the blast.

He spent three days there, in a bare metal bunk, before being released. In the meantime, he missed his brother’s wedding, where he was supposed to be a groomsman, and started experiencing neck and back pain.

“They let me walk out … with some jail house slippers, a white T-shirt and some blue gym shorts,” he said.

“I feel like anything that’s touching me, anything that’s around me, I don’t want it around me, because I feel in danger of my life.” Anthony Hull Hull moved back with his girlfriend of 3.5 years, Alisha McCants. That night, she woke him from his sleep. He had been shaking, rocked by nightmares of the explosion. Things only got worse.

Hull, with whom McCants had fallen in love because of his “good heart,” became moody and withdrawn. He took to unplugging the electric stove—paranoid about leaking gas—and shutting doors at all hours. Often, he would wake up in the night, screaming, “no, no, no” and scaring McCants two young girls.

“He got mean,” McCants said in April, when she was 6.5 months pregnant with Hull’s son. “Half of the time, he don’t want to be bothered. I try to be around him and comfort him and stuff, but I can’t deal with it, especially when I’m pregnant.”

The screaming, the sleepless nights, the mood swings all proved too much for her. A few months after the blast, McCants asked Hull to move out. She was scared and worried for her kids.

Hull understood, but it still hurt.

“I would get to the point where she would try to touch me, and I’d push her back,” he said. “Because I be in a state of shock, and it’s the only thing I could see. I feel like anything that’s touching me, anything that’s around me, I don’t want it around me, because I feel in danger of my life.”

McCants still calls Hull every day. She

wants to get married, but for now, she is just trying to stay afloat. She said her doctors are worried the stress might make the baby come prematurely. They’ve prescribed pills to help her cope.

“They trying to keep him in as long as they can,” she said.

THE BMW 320i Pills can’t change everything, though.

The baby will have to come eventually, 2015 BMW 320i and McCants worries what sort of life will greet him. “I’m supposed to be getting my own apartment soon,” she said, “but I don’t know. I’m kinda nervous about it. He (Hull) needs some help—bad. I don’t think I could deal with it by myself.”

Hull has tried to get help. After that first night, he checked in to Lakeview, where he was diagnosed with chronic PTSD. The doctors prescribed him medication to cope with the symptoms. He was also prescribed pain killers, by a different doctor, for his back and neck, but the combined expense soon become too much to bear.

Hull, who already had a felony on his record, had struggled to find full-time employment before his last arrest, making ends meet by cobbling together odd jobs.

Now, between the pain and the sleepless nights, he hasn’t felt he can return to work.

He doesn’t qualify for Medicaid because he owes child support, and without insurance or income, can’t afford medication or counseling. He stopped going last year.

He said someone at the jail had given him a number to call at the county, where he thought he would be able to get assistance to compensate him for his lost possessions and his medical costs.

“Every time I called, they gave me a number that was a busy number or a nonworking number,” he said. Hull signed up with a Tallahassee attorney, Henry Hunter, who came to a community meeting shortly after the blast, but he hasn't spoken with him since. Now, he says he's thinking of firing him, because he's done nothing for him.

For the time being, Hull is living with his diabetic mother, a pastor who recently had her leg amputated. Hull said he feels bad he can’t do more to help her. Most days, he just wants to stay at home.

The thing that seems to bother him most, though, is the damage his injuries have done to his relationships, especially with his 10-year-old son and seven-yearold daughter, who live with their mother.

Hull used to keep them every weekend. He still sees them daily, but it’s not the same.

“I used to go throw the football with them,” he said. “I used to take them to Chuck E. Cheese’s. I used to take them and have fun with them, but now I can’t deal with it.”

Hull said, "It hurts me real bad to know that I can’t do anything for them that I used to do or that I want to do … If they make any type of noise, I spaz out, because any little bump or any little thing I hear drives me crazy. I can’t stand it."

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THE BIGGER QUESTION

Hull isn’t alone in his condition, and county officials are aware of the problem. Within weeks of the explosion, staff recognized existing resources would be insufficient to address all the mental health issues stemming from the blast. The county contracted with Cordova Counseling Center and Lakeview Center to provide additional services inside the jail.

Counselors and psychologists met with hundreds of inmates in the ensuing weeks.

The need was overwhelming. Psychologists who worked in the jail said a majority of those they came into contact with—up to 70 percent—exhibited symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder, which if untreated, could develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

our counselors saw them for two or three sessions. That was basically just to stabilize their symptoms … The goal was never to try to develop some kind of long-term treatment plan. It was just to get in there and try to put some fires out and help these people cope a little.”

Turner and his colleague John Bingham, a licensed mental health counselor, said such early intervention had been shown to reduce the likelihood of patients’ conditions worsening. Even without intervention, some would stabilize on their own, they said. However, the odds were stacked against them.

“You really couldn’t guess if they were going to develop PTSD or not,” Bingham said. “… Whether or not they did is really circumstantial (and dependent) on the

Rear view of Central Booking and Detention Center / photo special to the Independent News

Inmates complained of anxiety, nightmares, trouble sleeping and difficulty being around crowds or loud noises.

“A lot of people … were afraid they were going to die,” said Brett Turner, a psychologist at Cordova Counseling Center who was among the first to enter the jail after the disaster. For many, smells of gas, smoke or dust and loud noises were their strongest triggers.

The overwhelming need forced Turner and his colleagues to take a triage approach, assessing inmates for their level of trauma and referring those requiring immediate attention for further counseling.

“We basically were just trying to screen people to figure out what their level of need was,” he said. “If we decided they could benefit from a little bit of shortterm counseling right there, on the spot, we went back after screening them, and 88

support systems that they had and whether there were any pre-existing (mental) conditions.”

Turner said many in the jail—who would have struggled to find stable employment and housing even without the added burden of physical or mental trauma—were probably at “higher risk” of developing PTSD than others.

“A lot of folks who are in the jail have rather severe mental disorders (to begin with),” Bingham added. “… The weaker their emotional system, the more likely that something is going to develop. (That) is the bottom line.”

Despite all this, David Josephs, a psychologist and clinical director at Lakeview, said mental health professionals were limited in what they could do to help.

“You usually like for people who are affected by a traumatic event to remove

themselves from ongoing potential traumatization from things that seem similar,” Josephs said. (For instance, you wouldn’t have a veteran recover at a shooting range.)

“You take them to a quiet place. That’s not what happened at the jail. There was some prolonged traumatization.”

Another obstacle was political.

“I really felt terrible for some of the people that we tried to screen that wouldn’t talk to us because their attorneys had already gotten to them and said don’t talk to anyone,” Turner said. “That was one of the most frustrating things to me, because I had, on several occasions, an inmate sitting with me with tears in their eyes. You could tell they wanted to talk, but they wouldn’t do it ... They could’ve gotten mental health services, but they were not given access to it for fear of legal problems.”

Jails are dynamic places.

One year after the blast, a few victims are still housed in the main jail, where group counseling continues to this day. Others have matriculated out to prison. However, the majority, like Hull, have been released back into the community.

Bingham said the county had paid for limited additional counseling for a handful of inmates after their release, but no comprehensive program was put in place to make sure those who needed help found their way into treatment.

Once they walked out the door, most were on their own.

It’s impossible to say how many might have fallen through the cracks. However, all the mental health professionals with whom Inweekly spoke said they had been surprised by the small number of people who sought treatment after their release.

Lakeview, where most would have been likely to seek care, has seen only 50 to 60 blast victims in the last year, Josephs said. The majority of these, about three-quarters, he estimated, required psychiatric treatment.

“We didn’t see the kind of aftermath that I think some people expected,” he said. “… I have a suspicion that there is (another) group out there, but they didn’t show up. They didn’t ask for services from Lakeview Center, and I don’t know if they asked for services anywhere else.”

The critical question, he said, is 'Why?" Josephs and Turner suggested several possible answers. It could be that the early intervention worked for some. Others were certain to have sought care from their primary provider or religious leaders. For others, treatment just might not have been their first priority.

Still, the nagging question remains: Are

there others who, like Hull, need treatment, but aren’t receiving it?

“I do think it’s surprising that more didn’t show up after,” Turner said, “but did all those who didn’t show up not get anything? That’s the bigger question that’s hard to answer.”

MORAL OBLIGATION

Commissioner May advocated in the weeks following the explosion for a system that would ensure inmates received ongoing care after their release. That system was never implemented. Speaking last week, he said he didn’t know why.

“I really thought we were headed in that direction,” he said. “It should have happened. That’s the bottom line.”

Kathleen Dough-Castro, the county’s public information manager, said last week that such a system would have been difficult to maintain. In the end, she suggested, the issue boiled down to “free will.”

“Unfortunately, once they leave our custody, they’re individual people who go off and do whatever it was they were doing before or after in their life,” she said. “If they’ve matriculated into a prison system, then maybe there’s some way we can track them, but you do your time, you pay your bail, whatever, you’re exonerated, you walk out, and we don’t have any way to track you at that point in time. It’s free will.”

She said the county’s resources were finite. “(Tidwell) has people today that come in every single day that are dealing with issues just as complex as the issues that these people (who are no longer in his care) are dealing with.”

Tidwell, who replaced retiring director Gordon Pike in January, said the question of whether the county had an obligation to provide ongoing mental healthcare to former inmates was one best left to the courts.

“That’s part of the situation that flips over into the legal side so very quickly,” he said. “… It’s such a gray area, and every case would be different. The only people that can make those determinations are the legal folks. The legal system will have to take a look, and once those decisions are made, whatever those decisions are, certainly the county will abide by them.”

That answer is of little comfort to people like Hull, who have immediate needs and limited resources.

May said commissioners needed to discuss the issue further.

“At the end of the day, there is liability, and there is responsibility for our citizens,” he said. “… I have a moral and ethical responsibility to advocate for those who don’t have an advocate, and many of these people don’t have an advocate … It’s one thing for it to be addressed in the courts. There is a court of law … but there is also the court of moral and ethical responsibility.” {in} inweekly.net

DIFFERENCE MAKERS Rotary Centennial Playground Dedicated The Rotary Centennial Playground at the Community Maritime Park was recently dedicated.

The world-class, inclusive playground is being built to mark 100 years of Rotary Club in Pensacola and is a project of the Downtown Rotary Club. The playground was designed by and will be built by local firms who have donated many hours to the project’s development.

Phase one of the playground includes a play area for children ages 5 to 12 and a shaded picnic area surrounded by shade trees. Benches, night lighting, donor recognition and Rotary messages are integrated throughout the park. The park also features a clock centerpiece. The safe and durable rubber play area will incorporate a Rotary logo and is funded through an Impact 100 grant of $102,500.

A special area for children ages 2 to 5 is planned as fundraising allows.

Local architect John Tice has led the design committee and has enlisted the help of Larry Adams with his firm, Bullock Tice Associates, Steve Dana with Jerry Pate Design, David Delgallo with Morette Company, Joe DeReuil with Joe DeReuil Associates, and Keith Jacobs with Larry Jacobs & Associates. The committee has gathered input from many of the community’s stakeholders, the Community Maritime Park board, and several key city employees, including Ed Spears, the Executive Director of the Community Maritime Park.

The current playground plan is budgeted at just over $600,000. The club has so far raised over $450,000.

Donations and sponsorships from individuals, companies and organizations are being accepted through the club’s website: www.pensacolarotaryclub.org. Named sponsorships are also available.

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CREATING A PENSACOLA-CUBA CONNECTION

Photos special to Inweekly

By Rick Outzen If the U.S. lifts its trade embargo with Cuba, what could be the economic impact on Northwest Florida?

That’s the question Ron Jackson, president of the Pensacola-based CPA firm Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, wanted to explore when he recently took a group of 31 business leaders to Cuba. One of his partners, Stephen Reyes, had made connections with a group from Pinellas County that had made several trips to the Communist country and saw value in the firm organizing a trip.

“We came to the realization that there are several places in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi that have been making connections with Cuba,” Jackson told Inweekly a few days after returning. “We wanted to help our business community get connected as much as possible. In the event there were opportunities, we didn't want this region to miss out.”

Reyes’ father is from Cuba. The CPA understood the controversy, even within his own family, of the U.S. opening trade with Cuba and his visiting the country.

“There are various opinions within my family about me being there,” Reyes said. “Among Cuban-Americans, the older generations are definitely more hardline.

010 1

My grandfather would have never set foot until Castro was gone. My father is on the other side, believing that the embargo isn't helping the Cuban people, and we need to try something different. He is not fan of Castro, but he's not against traveling to the country.”

The Cuba that the Northwest Florida delegation found was very welcoming and opening. Jackson described the country as “frozen in 1959, absolutely beautiful architecture that is melting away.” He said that he saw lots of poverty, but also opportunity.

“They very much want us there,” Jackson said. “They are proud of what they can do with very little.

They very much want to make the U.S. connection and want to learn more about life outside of Cuba.”

Since most of the Cuban industries are owned and operated by the government, the delegation met primarily with government officials. They met with officials in the hospitality, cultural, manufacturing, construction, export and import industries.

“We wanted to help people from here

munity Economic Development Association of Pensacola & Escambia County, was part of the delegation and saw opportunities, but also the need to monitor future developments.

“Cuba is a marketplace that is beginning to grow and has the need for commerce,” he said. “As trade opportunities begin to unfold with Cuba, we need to monitor and figure how to plug into them.

The need is there and the opportunity is definitely going to be there whenever something changes.”

Luth said the trip was eye-opening, but it was only the beginning of the discussions that need to be had before trade begins.

He said, “It's somewhat premature to discuss the economic impact. A lot of this trip was finding out who were the appropriate people within the government system to begin the dialogue. It was a good faith opportunity to show that we in the Pensacola region are interested, we're committed, and we like to begin the dialogue.”

Reyes was impressed with how seriously Cuba officials took the group’s visit. “The level of staff that we met with was impressive,” he said. “We

be offloaded at the port and loaded to smaller vessels.

“Where those smaller vessels will go is the question,” Luth said. “There are going to be those opportunities along the Gulf Coast as well as the East Coast.”

Since the delegation's return, the leaders have being considering what should be the next step. Luth plans to continue monitoring Cuba.

“If things begin to move and the government lifts [the] embargo, between now and then I want to learn if they are going to spend resources fixing infrastructure and how is that going to happen,” he said.

“Right now, they don't have the companies to do that level of work. How is the work going to be bid out? How do we tap our local and regional companies into those export opportunities? How do we get our companies represented in that process?”

From Jackson’s firm’s perspective, it accomplished its goal of helping business leaders make connections.

“There are a couple that are pursuing

“As trade opportunities begin to unfold with Cuba, we need to monitor and figure how to plug into them.” Scott Luth

“We came to the realization that there are several places in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi that have been making connections with Cuba.” Ron Jackson make connections and see if there was business that could be done back and forth,” Jackson said.

Scott Luth, president and CEO of Com-

got to see facilities that I wasn't sure we were going to get to see.”

The facility that most impressed Jackson, Reyes and Luth was the newly constructed port in Mariel and the possibilities it could have for the Port of Pensacola.

“They are building a very large post-Panama Canal logistics center to potentially be the distribution point for the Americas,” Luth said. “They are way down the road on this port. They are already taking vessels. They are continuing to dredge to make sure they have the water depth to take these vessels.”

He said the large vessels from China and other countries along the Pacific Ocean would

business based on those connections,” Jackson said. “The next step for us is to consider whether we want to do another trip, and we probably will.”

He added, “We want our folks to be a player if they see an opportunity to do so. {in} inweekly.net

COVERING THE VT-MAE GAP The

public has been reassured repeatedly by city of Pensacola that VT-MAE and its promised 300 jobs are not in jeopardy and the project is on schedule. However, we don’t know yet how the project will be funded. What is unknown is how the city of Pensacola will cover $3.5 million deficit for a runaway extension and apron for the proposed hangar for VT-MAE. At the end of March, Ricksblog.biz reported that the FAA had turned down a request for $3.5 million grant and that the city had known the grant was not likely as early as a week after the contract celebration, according to emails received via a public record request.

In March, Interim Airport Director Dan Flynn told Inweekly that FDOT had indicated a multi-year approach to providing the funding–a portion of it this year through a State Joint Participation Agreement (grant), and the remainder over the next one to two years with supplemental Joint Participation Agreements.

Three weeks later, the daily newsletter also reported the FAA had rejected the grant application. Mayor Ashton Hayward chose to use his “Upwards” newsletter to respond.

The mayor wrote, “The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been a partner on the VT MAE project from the beginning, and over the last few months, we’ve worked with FDOT to reprioritize projects in our five-year work program in order to fill the gap in funding.”

He added, “These issues haven’t jeop-

ardized the project; in fact, work has continued uninterrupted. Selection processes are underway for both a construction manager at risk and architectural/engineering services, and construction is expected to begin on the facility later this year.”

Great, the funding issue is settled, not quite as Flynn reported in March, but, at least, the $3.5 million shortfall is covered… or is it?

According to FDOT officials, the agency hasn’t finalized a plan for any funding adjustments. When FDOT does come up with a plan, it’s likely the local Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) will have to approve the shifting of transportation priorities and funds.

Mary Robinson of the West Florida Regional Planning Council explained that FDOT develops its five-year work plan based on input from the TPO and its Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The two plans must be consistent, according to Robinson.

“The department has told us as soon as they work it out we will be notified,” said Robinson. “We will most likely ask the TPO to amend the TIP.” The next TPO meeting is in June. Maybe we will get another “Upwords” before then that will fully explain the funding plan.

"Selection processes are underway for both a construction manager at risk and architectural/engineering services, and construction is expected to begin on the facility later this year.” Ashton Hayward

April 30, 2015

FAC VS. DJJ Both the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and 27 counties, including Escambia County, challenging the agency are claiming victory over a judge’s ruling in a long-running dispute about the costs of detaining juvenile offenders.

Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins found that some parts of a rule proposed by the department last year “constitute an invalid exercise of legislatively delegated authority.” The proposed rule deals with how costs should be split between the state and counties.

“It (Watkins’ ruling) emphasizes the need for legislative action,” said Cragin Mosteller, a spokeswoman for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). “Once again a judge has ruled that DJJ has not done rulemaking right. In a decade, they have not been able to correctly interpret the statute.”

However, department officials said Watkins’ most important finding was in their favor. That issue involves situations in which juvenile offenders commit probation violations.

“This is because the statute simply does not address the situation where a youth commits multiple substantive law violations over time and thus has the status of both post-disposition (commitment or probation) and predisposition (detained and awaiting final court disposition on a new charge),” Judge Watkins wrote. “The department’s interpretation that detention arising from a new law violation by a youth on probation is the responsibility of the counties is certainly one reasonable interpretation … is not clearly erroneous, and is entitled to deference.”

Inweekly has been following this battle closely. Escambia County Commissioner

Grover Robinson, who is also FAC president, has been working for resolution with the Florida Legislature. At stake is $140 million for past overpayments made by Florida counties.

Watkins in 2012 ruled against the state in a rule fight, and the 1st District Court of Appeal upheld his decision. Last year, lawmakes considered a bill that would have created a 50-50 split, but that bill died when counties insisted on the past overpayments.

FAC believes the latest ruling by Judge Watkins strengthens the counties’ case for “a fair 50-50 split with a repayment.”

“I hope this ruling will make it apparent to the Legislature that DJJ cannot interpret the statute correctly, and that we need new legislation, that DJJ has consistently through the years been haphazard in their rulemaking,” Mosteller said. “We need to move forward with a new law that gets us out of this bureaucratic mess and puts us in a position that we can better take care of the taxpayer dollars as well as the youths that need our help.”

The News Service of Florida reports that the fate of this year’s legislation to resolve the dispute remains unclear. The House bill was approved by the Appropriations Committee in late March but has not been heard by the full House. A Senate bill (SB 1414) was approved by a subcommittee this month but has not moved further. Senate sponsor Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, has said the counties’ requests for repayments were “likely a bridge too far.” {in}

“We need to move forward with a new law that gets us out of this bureaucratic mess and puts us in a position that we can better take care of the taxpayer dollars as well as the youths that need our help.” Cragin Mosteller

11

FUNK AND FEATHERS @ PENSACOLA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL

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Photo by Kim Welch inweekly.net

WEEK OF APRIL 30-MAY 7

Arts & Entertainment Mudbugs and Music art, film, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...

by Jennifer Leigh

’n’ roll—and the occasional cover in French.

“We’re from a traditional Cajun background in Lafayette,” Louis said. “After 15 years we’ve experimented and added a lot more sound.”

The band has crossed over into other realms of the music world by contributing to the “Beasts of the Southern Wild” soundtrack and touring with Arcade Fire in 2014.

“Starting the band wasn’t a big decision, someone just asked us to play a club and we were embraced,” Louis said. “You never know where it’s gonna go—I guess it was meant to be.”

The Ramblers are regulars in the festival circuit and are in the midst of a very

people’s lives every night, but that’s what we try to do,” he added.

Louis said he’s excited to be making a stop in Pensacola “where the Cajuns go to the beach.” And as Louisiana natives, they’re no strangers to crawfish.

“Our bass player is a crawfish farmer,” he said with a laugh.

FUNK AND FEATHERS

Closing the weekend festival is the sensory overload that is Cha Wa. The Mardi Gras Indian funk band will be making it to Pensacola just a day after their set at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Photo Courtesy of Visit Pensacola It’s the time of the year to sit outside with a plate of crawfish while the sounds of the bayou play at the Pensacola Crawfish Festival. After three decades, most locals don’t have to be reminded.

Since 1993, the Fiesta of Five Flags has been hosting the event in downtown Pensacola to bring the community together and celebrate its history.

“The ultimate goal of the festival goes back to Fiesta’s mission to celebrate our heritage, promote tourism and build pride in Pensacola,” said Hillary Turner, artistic design and public relations director at Fiesta of Five Flags.

The weekend festivities include live entertainment, a kid’s area, eating contests and a 5K race.

“We simply want to offer a great event for our community and attract visitors to our area in hopes that their experience results in them wanting to visit year after year,” Turner said.

One of the main events of the Crawfish Festival is in the title. And straight from Duson, Louisiana, the crawfish are brought to Pensacola in great quantity—16,000 pounds to be exact. And don’t forget the April 30, 2015

other Cajun dishes such as jambalaya, seafood gumbo and étouffée.

If you’re a newbie to crawfish consumption, don’t fret.

“Although small in size, we realize that the idea of conquering your first mudbug can be overwhelming,” Turner said. “At each family-style table we provide handouts on how to eat crawfish.

However, if you still find yourself having trouble, don’t worry. There should be plenty of crawfish veterans just a few seats away who can give you some pointers.”

BAYOU SOUNDS

“We try to bring Mardi Gras wherever we go all year long.” Joe Gelini

Not only is the cuisine authentic, but the entertainment schedule for Pensacola Crawfish Festival features plenty of Louisiana-grown acts as well.

Grammy-nominated Lost Bayou Ramblers is the headliner Friday night. The band, which was founded by two brothers Andre and Louis Michot, plays a mix of traditional Cajun music and psychedelic rock

busy festival season. While the schedule may be hectic, they never miss the opportunity to play.

“Can’t beat a live show,” Louis said.

“That’s where we really get a lot of inspiration. People encourage you and we feed off of that. That’s where it all happens.

“It’s hard to be the best night of

Courtesy Photo Drummer and singer Joe Gelini founded Cha Wa in 2010 after learning Indian chants and drum styles from longtime street percussionist Norwood “Geechie” Johnson of Wild Magnolia. Vocalists in Cha Wa are Mardi Gras Indians.

“I went back to Wild Magnolia’s original recordings and really fell in love with it,” Gelini said. “I love sharing that history with people.”

13

Photo Courtesy of Visit Pensacola

the Mardi Gras Indians,” Gelini said. “We just played a show in Memphis where people weren’t necessarily aware of who we were, so it’s nice to have someone that can articulate the culture.”

Just in case you aren’t familiar either, Mardi Gras Indians are known as much for their elaborate suits as their chants. They design and sew a new suit and headdress—or crowns— every year.

“We tour all across the county throughout the year, so some of the singers will be back in the green rooms sewing their suits and beading their mosaic crowns,” Gelini said.

As for the stage show, you can bet there will be plenty of chanting and dancing.

“We try to bring Mardi Gras wherever we go all year long,” Gelini said. “There’s an energy on stage that’s so infectious you can’t help by start dancing and singing.

“We bring the street party to the stage.” {in}

“It’s hard to be the best night of people’s lives every night, but that’s what we try to do.” Louis Michot

Friday, May 1 4:00-5:30 p.m.

6:00-8:00 p.m.

8:30-10:30 p.m.

Lee Yankie Naughty Professor Lost Bayou Ramblers

Saturday, May 2

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

1:00-3:30 p.m.

4:00-6:00 p.m.

6:30-8:30 p.m.

9:00-10:30 p.m.

The Ryan Balthrop Band Blues Old Stand Peek Voodoo Gumbo The Daisy Dukes Band

Sunday, May 3

11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cha Wa 12:30-2:00 p.m.

Hotel Oscar 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Wayne Toups

PENSACOLA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL

WHEN: Noon-11 p.m. Friday, May 1; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, May 2 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, May 3 WHERE: William Bartram Park, 211 Bayfront Pkwy.

COST: $5 daily or $10 for a weekend pass DETAILS: fiestaoffiveflags.org

Photo: Greg Riegler.

Mardi Gras Indians are a generational tradition and cornerstone of pride in New Orleans African American communities. The Indian was chosen as a way to pay homage to the Native Americans that assisted escaped slaves.

“The singers are some of the most knowledgeable on

2015 Entertainment Schedule:

Let’s see how many lionfish we can remove from Florida waters in one weekend Don’t miss the first annual

May 16–17 10am–5pm Plaza de Luna, Pensacola

FREE!

www.ReefRangers.com 414 1

• • • • • •

Lionfish Tastings Fillet Demonstrations Family Activities Celebrity Chefs Raffles & Prizes Over 40 Vendors inweekly.net

music

by Shelby Smithey

Rock and Roll Relationships Records.

What was the reasoning behind releasing it with them?

BELL: Nate grew up in the Orange County DIY music scene and Burger hails from O.C. and is the epitome of that, so it was a natural fit.

“Oh Allen” is a buddy song about two longtime friends who were once inseparable. Allen follows his dreams of being an artist while the friend conforms to societies demands but cheers him on as “one of the faces in the crowd.”

The song resonated with Nate and myself because we were actually the character of Allen, or what Allen represented to us, while friends and family, as supportive as they must be, are the ones speaking of us in an “Oh that Nate and Brian…” sort of way.

“It's more of a creative outlet than digging ditches that's for sure.

We like the idea of preserving an American art form.” Brian Bell

The Relationship / courtesy photo Brian Bell, guitarist from Weezer, and Nate Shaw, known for playing with punk band U.S. Bombs, will be playing with their band, The Relationship, at Vinyl Music Hall on May 5.

Originally formed in 2006, The Relationship released their self-titled debut album in 2010. Nearly five years later, The Relationship has brought on bassist Jon LaRue, Stroke’s co-founder Albert Hammond Jr.’s songwriting partner and Anthony Burulcich, drummer for The Bravery. The band just released a 7” on Burger Records and are on a one-month tour with Gringo Star before finalizing their new album.

BELL: The Relationship was formed out of a mutual musical respect between Nate and myself. Nate and I met at music school.

He was wearing a Chameleons UK shirt and I was wearing a Butthole Surfers shirt in the heyday of hair metal bands, so we bonded on our eclectic tastes. We later brought in Jon LaRue on bass and Anthony Burulcich on drums. I was friends with Jon for a few years and I decided that it's much more important to play with players that you get along with socially before you embark on a musical journey. The same is true with Anthony, although I didn't know him as long. I just knew that he was a great drummer.

INWEEKLY: How was The Relationship originally formed? How did you meet Nate Shaw?

INWEEKLY: The tour coincides with the release of the single “Oh Allen” and B-side “Young Temptations” on Burger

INWEEKLY: Do you get more of a creative outlet when writing songs for the band? What inspired the classic American rock ’n’ roll feel of the new songs?

BELL: It's more of a creative outlet than digging ditches that's for sure.

We like the idea of preserving an American art form. How many rock bands can you name from Korea for instance?

INWEEKLY: You are about a week into the tour. How has it been so far and when will the new album be out?

BELL: We just keep getting better with each performance and playing these songs live is a rush for me. I don't have a hard set date for release, but it'll be finished as soon as we return in May. We only have one last song to record (but it's an epic one), "The Garden Song.”

INWEEKLY: Weezer will be playing a few shows this summer right after tour with The Relationship. What is balancing the two like? After playing new material with your band, do you still enjoy playing Weezer classics?

BELL: Being the luckiest person alive is what it's like. Weezer is the best band on the planet. I could never grow tired of playing those classics or any of the songs we have released. {in}

THE RELATIONSHIP

WHAT: The Relationship with Gringo Star, Dinosaur Daze and Noiseheads WHEN: 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 5 WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox COST: $13-$15 DETAILS: vinylmusichall.com

Personal Injury • Criminal Justice

127 Palafox Place, Suite 100 Pensacola, FL 32502 | 850-444-0000 www.stevensonklotz.com April 30, 2015

15

calendar THURSDAY 4.30

WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m.

Try something new every week at Aragon Wine Market’s regular wine tasting, only a few blocks from downtown. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket. com BALL ROOM DANCING 6 :30 p.m.

Learn the Waltz, Hustle, and Tango at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8:45 p.m.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC 7 p.m. With Post

Pluto. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $40. vinylmusichall.com MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 7:30 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 116 S. Palafox. $33-53. pensacolasaenger. com TELEKINETIC WALRUS AND THE PRIDE OF IONS 9 p.m. With Joint

Custody, Band of Saints, Nebular Theory and Dee Villain. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $8. pensacolahandlebar.com

FRIDAY 5.1 George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic / Courtesy Photo

SEVILLE QUARTER CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL 11 a.m. Seville Quarter is

hosting Pensacola’s Largest Cinco

de Mayo Festival May 1-5. The weekend will feature great Mexican food, beer, tequila and The Great Chihuahuas Races on Sunday May at 1 p.m. The festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. on Friday with a Mexican inspired lunch.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.

31ST ANNUAL PENSACOLA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL Noon-11 p.m. Along with some amazing

cajun food, this year’s festival will incorporate a great line-up of musicians, including Wayne Toups, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Voodoo Gumbo. Bartram Park, 211 Bayfront Pkwy. $5 per day, or $10 for weekend pass. fiestaoffiveflags.org WINES WITH HILARY: THE GRAPE 4-5 p.m.

Wine education and tasting gathering.

SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $25. sogourmetpensacola.com WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Out and about in East Hill on Friday night? Stop by City Grocery for their free weekly wine tasting before settling in or heading out for the night. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. HOT GLASS COLD BREW 5-9 p.m. Enjoy live glassblowing, pottery on wheel, and glass bead making demos, raffle prizes and aerial silk performances. The event will kick off the two day Spring Art Sale featuring pieces from FCAC and local artists. First City Art, 1060 N. Guillemard St. $25 for non-members, $20 for members. firstcityart.org LATIN DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn the basics of salsa dancing. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

FRAMING HANLEY-THE FHAREWELL TOUR 7

p.m. With Heartist, McClinton, and Noiseheads. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $12-$15. vinylmusichall.com MOMOLOUGES 2: OFF TO SCHOOL 7:30 p.m.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $10-$17. pensacolalittletheatre.com IMPROVABLE CAUSE 10:30 p.m. Pensacola’s improvisational comedy troupe performs the first of every month. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $7. pensacolalittletheatre. com HOLY SHEBOYGAN! with Annie Reilly and Christina Cusack. Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. $5. sluggospensacola.com

SATURDAY 5.2

FIESTA 5K AND 10K 7:30 a.m. The Fiesta 5k and

10k is one of the Gulf Coast’s premier road races. It is a scenic point-to-point course, featuring Palafox. Post-race party includes live entertainment, food, drinks and kid’s play area. Participants will also receive free entrance to the Crawfish festival afterwards.

Seville Square, $30-$40. werunwild.com PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are just a few of the items offered at the weekly Palafox Market. Items originate directly from participating vendors, including dozens of local farmers, home gardeners and area artists. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com

FIORE

flowers sucre

local art balloons

pressed & dried floral art

gardens

jewelry wine champagne candles unique gifts

events parties

holiday decor

—Creative Organic Vegan Cuisine, Coffee & Catering—

616 1

cake stands weddings classes & demonstrations Deliveries Daily

Free Parking

Now Featuring: Cooking Classes Once A Month Sunday Brunch with champagne specials —Thursday ­­ 3 Course Gourmet Dinner Menu changes weekly — Plus Daily Specials

15 W Main Street Pensacola, Florida 32502

610 E. Wright St. | 429-0336 | eotlcafe.com

www.fioreofpensacola.com

850.469.1930

inweekly.net

calendar PANHANDLE BUTTERFLY HOUSE GRAND OPENING 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The award-winning

Panhandle Butterfly House will celebrate its season opening with music, refreshments, a monarch market, butterfly plant sale, as well as a ribbon cutting in the butterfly gardens.

The gardens are home to a variety of native Florida butterflies. Navarre Park, 8581 Hwy 98. panhandlebutterflyhouse.org 31ST ANNUAL PENSACOLA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Along with some amazing

cajun food, this year’s festival will incorporate a great line-up of musicians, including Wayne Toups, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Voodoo Gumbo. Bartram Park, 211 Bayfront Pkwy. $5 per day, or $10 for weekend pass. fiestaoffiveflags.org KENTUCKY DERBY WATCH PARTY 4 p.m.

Often called the "most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby is run the first Saturday in May. It's all about the Mint Juleps, the big hats and the excitement of Churchill Down. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com “TEENS ONLY” COOKING CLASS PARTY 6-8:30 p.m. Teens only. Know a teen who wants to learn how to cook? This is a cooking class is a fun safe place to hang with friends and enjoy learning and practicing cooking skills.

Pensacola Cooks, 3670 Barrancas Ave, $30. pensacolacooks.com MOMOLOUGES 2: OFF TO SCHOOL 7:30 p.m.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $10-$17. pensacolalittletheatre.com

April 30, 2015

BIG DEAL BURLESQUE 8 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall,

2 S. Palafox. $10-$45. vinylmusichall.com MAYWEATHER VS. PACQUIAO 2015 8 p.m.

Watch as Floyd Mayweather as he defends his World Boxing Council Welterweight Title.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MINDSCAR 9 p.m. With Ulcer, Koffity, Gnorcah and Rainey’s Revenge. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $8. pensacolahandlebar.com

SUNDAY 5.3

31ST ANNUAL PENSACOLA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL 1 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Along with some amazing

cajun food, this year’s festival will incorporate a great line-up of musicians, including Wayne Toups, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Voodoo Gumbo. Bartram Park, 211 Bayfront Pkwy. $5 per day, or $10 for weekend pass. fiestaoffiveflags.org BLUES ON THE BAY 6 p.m. The Modern Eldorados will kick off this years “Blues On the Bay” summer concert series. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. pensacolacommunitymaritimepark.com O-TOWN 7 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $20-$25. vinylmusichall.com THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAIN 9:30 p.m.

With Chain Smoking Hags, Main Stream Filth and the Someone Else. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $6. pensacolahandlebar.com IMPROVABLE CAUSE 10:30 p.m. Pensacola’s

improvisational comedy troupe performs the first of every month. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $7. pensacolalittletheatre.com

MONDAY 5.4

COUNTRY & WESTERN DANCING 6:30 p.m.

Learn the Country two-step at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8:45 p.m. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com TEACH ME EQUALS with Spirits and the Melchizedek Children andTransmute.

Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. $5. sluggospensacola.com

TUESDAY 5.5

CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION 5 p.m. Enjoy a Mexican themed lunch in Sogo. SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $35. sogourmetpensacola.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:30 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com TUESDAY NIGHT POETRY NIGHT 7 p.m. Free open mic poetry event every Tuesday. Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/TNPNS BANDS ON THE BEACH 7 p.m. The Hushpuppies will perform at this week’s Bands on the Beach, which is a free outdoor concert series featuring regional artists held every Tuesday night through Oct. 27. Gulfside Pavilion at

Casino Beach, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. visitpensacolabeach.com THE RELATIONSHIP 7 p.m. Featuring Brian Bell from Weezer with Gringo Star, Precubed and Dinosaur Daze. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $13-$15. vinylmusichall.com

DANCECRAFT BALL ROOM DANCING & SWING CLASS 6:30 p.m. This class teaches the skills

necessary to become a practitioner of Ball Room and West Coast Swing, a popular partner dance that can be enjoyed with virtually any kind of music. Tuesday class fee is $10 per person or free for people 30 years of age and younger. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com MONTÉ with jarrodreiss and Dwight Smith.

Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. $5. sluggospensacola.com

WEDNESDAY 5.6

LUNCH CLASS: ITALY 12 p.m. Learn to cook

classes from the Basilicata region of Italy.

SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $35. sogourmetpensacola.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:30 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com WEST COAST SWING DANCING & PARTY

8-10 p.m. Learn the West Coast Swing at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday classes are $10 per person and the social dance is $5. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com

17

Ears & Fingers

by Jason Leger

Raekwon “Fly International Luxurious Art”

“Mafioso Rap”—a hip hop sub-genre that flourished in the mid-1990s. It is the pseudo-Mafia extension of East Coast hardcore rap. Artists who have been under this heading include Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nas and of course, Wu-Tang’s The Chef, or as you may know him, Raekwon. Within

their lyrics, Mafioso rappers will namedrop famous crime lords from the past and talk about high class living and material things. Actually, Raekwon arguably invented the subgenre with 1995’s “Only Built for Cuban Linx…,” and continues to redefine it with the release of his newest solo album, “Fly International Luxurious Art.” There are lots of references to sex, machine guns, drugs, snitches and a seemingly infinite amount of money. This particular style of rap isn’t necessarily supposed to make its audience believe the artists live this way, but instead allows the characters in the songs to take on a life of their own, much the same way we can separate Tony Montana from Al Pacino.

Helping to hone hip-hop and developing a subgenre, however, does not mean that Raekwon will allow himself the breathing room to relax. He constantly has to improve, which is obvious by how long it took for him to perfect “F.I.L.A.” and get it out to the masses. The news of a

new album broke in 2013. That’s right, two years ago. But in that time span, The Chef helped bring a new Wu-Tang album to life and brought a very impressive group of collaborators into the studio, including the poster child for falling off the face of the planet, Busta Rhymes and fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah. Ultimately, the wait has delivered a solid product, complete with urgent verses, tight beats and catchy hooks. The most noticeable thing about the album is Raekwon’s sense of confidence, which sneaks out of every track. Generally, I would be turned off by an LP with such little introspection, but this archetypal Mafioso revival is expected from Raekwon and is the reason he will remain relevant. As long as there is a fascination with criminality, Raekwon will be one of the most magnetic hip-hop storytellers.

“Fly International Luxurious Art” is out now via Ice H20/EMI Records.

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Dinosaur

Daze 'Riddles in the Dark'

Local boys, Dinosaur Daze, have become one of the area’s hardest working bands.

Last week, they self-released their debut

EP and it’s pretty dang magical. ‘Riddles in the Dark’ is the EP’s starting point and it immediately caught my attention with its driving basslines, grungy riffs, and catchy, soaring melody. Check out the track at the band’s Bandcamp page (dinosaurdaze. bandcamp.com), where you can also buy the entire EP. Also, Dinosaur Daze will be playing with The Relationship and Gringo Starr on May 5 at Vinyl Music Hall, so go check them out.

ON THE HORIZON: Grizzly Bear

One of indie rocks most sought out acts, Grizzly Bear, are officially in the studio working on their fifth album, according to front man Ed Droste. Droste claims the group is feeling much more adventurous this time around, but don’t expect to hear a DJ set or anything too crazy. This album follows three years on the heels of previous release “Shields,” and much akin to every other Grizzly Bear album, will be highly anticipated. Unfortunately, no semblance of a time frame has been revealed yet, but Droste has confirmed that the wheels are in motion, so there is quite a bit to look forward to, and I’m crossing my fingers that it will be this year. {in}

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calendar

Photo courtesy of Rachael Pongetti

arts & culture

≥exhibits

BETWEEN THE LAYERS The Pensacola Museum of Art, in partnership with First City Arts Center, presents a dual exhibition that explores the imagery of artist Rachael

Pongetti and her creation of the “Pensacola Graffiti Bridge Project.” On display through June 13. Museum hours and location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for members, children 17

t

in

and under, seniors and active duty military. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org “MODERN RETRO” Includes the work of Valerie Aune, Tammy Casperson and Suzanne Tuzzeo,

and incorporates the old and the new with a twist.

On display through May 30. Gallery hours and locations: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sunday 12:304:00 p.m. Blue

Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery. com “ARTFUL SISTERS’ SHOW” AT QUAYSIDE Mary Lou Nicolai, Joy Sims and Dixie Ferrer are three very different sisters but they have very strong bonds. Their art will be on display through May 2.

Gallery hours and location: Monday– Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5p.m. Quayside Gallery, 17 E. Zarragossa St. quaysidegallery.com

≥call for art

GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FEST Artist applications are now open for the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, to be held Nov. 6 - 8 in Seville Square.

The three-day,

juried art show draws thousands of visitors and more than 200 of the nation's best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists.

Cash prizes totaling $25,000 will be awarded. Jury fee is $40; deadline for entry is May 31.

Artists can apply at ggaf.org/apply.

61ST ANNUAL MEMBERS’ JURIED EXHIBITION Pensacola Museum of Art is accepting submissions for their annual Member’s Juried Exhibition now until June 1. In order to participate in this exhibition you must be a member of the PMA at the time of submission.

Artists can apply at pensacolamuseum. org/2015-membersjuried-exhibition-

rules--application. html.

≥ classes & workshops

“MAKE-YOUROWN-GLASS” CLASS 10a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2. Held weekly on Friday and Saturdays, First City Art Center offers weekly “MakeYour-Own-Glass” classes, no previous glassblowing skills necessary. The classes are open to anyone age 8 and older and range in price from $25-$45.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling 429-1222. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL 6-8:30

p.m. Monday, May 4. During this weekly workshop held on Monday evenings at First City Art Center, instructor Pearl VanHoove works individually with students to develop consistency in throwing on the wheel.

Participants receive and introduction to materials, equipment and throwing techniques. Each session begins with a brief demonstrations followed by hands-on time at the wheel. The class is $40 and open to individuals age 14 and up.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling 429-1222. Class is limited to two participants. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

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April 30, 2015

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th ANNIVERSARY

bars & nightlife

≥bar games

Friday

MAY

8

Saturday Sunday

MAY

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9

7:30 PM

10

7:30 PM

Susan and Allen Pote

Founding Artistic Directors

2:30 PM Saenger Theatre

$

42 • $36 • $26

Saenger Theatre Box Office ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000 Special Thanks to First Presbyterian Church BRILLIANT STAR

BRIGHT STAR

RISING STAR

Appleyard Agency

BB&T

Pen Air Federal Credit Union

Bear Family Foundation

Michles & Booth, P.A.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Little Caesars Pizza

IN Weekly

Samuel Bearman, P.A.

WEAR ABC 3/WFGX My 35

Northwestern Mutual, The Vaughn Financial Group

Dan Spata, CPA Dr. Scott Morrison

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Dermatology Associates of Northwest Florida, P.A.

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Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon

Gulf Coast Physician Partners, P.A. Karin A. Garvin, P.L. ®

T. J. Henriques, CFP , Bluewater Wealth Strategies

Gulf Coast Community Bank

Hernandez-Calhoun Design International Aqua Decor and Design

Papa John’s Pizza

Bisayan Connection, Inc., Pensacola Chapter

Cat Country 98.7/NewsRadio 1620

WUWF 88.1 FM Home 4 Rent, LLC

Bloomer, Geri & Company

Litvak Beasley & Wilson, LLP

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The Vein Center of Florida

pensacolachildrenschorus.com Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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Thursdays POKER 8 p.m.

The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Rd., ticketsportsbar.com Fridays DRAG BINGO 6-8 p.m. Ages 21 and over. Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola. com POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com Mondays TEXAS HOLD ‘EM FOR FUN AND TRIVIA 7 p.m. The Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker. com TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. wobusa.com/locations/ Palafox BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 9:30-10:30 p.m. Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ MugsJugs Tuesdays TUESDAY TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge, 33 Gulf Breeze Parkway. facebook.com/ thebridgebargb TICKET TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m.

The Ticket 1, 7250

Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Rd., ticketsportsbar.com DRAG BINGO 10 p.m.-Midnight. Ages 18 and over. Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com Wednesdays PUB TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9:30 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Road. facebook.com/ goatlipsdeli WEDNESDAY QUIZ TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.com TICKET BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

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

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

≥karaoke

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

130 E. Government St. sevillequarter. com The Cabaret, 9 p.m.

101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola. com Hub Stacey’s At the Point, 9 p.m. 5851 Galvez Road. hubstaceys.com Saturdays Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 9 p.m. 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

Sundays Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m. 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com The Sandshaker Lounge, 9 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com Mondays The Cabaret, 9 p.m. 101 S. Jefferson St. 607-2020 or cabaretpensacola. com Tuesdays The Sandshaker Lounge, 8 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker. com Play, 9 p.m. 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

≥live music

THURSDAY 4.30

MIKE VANN 6 p.m.

Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com JELLY BREAD 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com JORDAN RICHARDS 6:00 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 P.M. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola. com TYLER MAC BAND 8 p.m. The Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker. com.

COVER THE EARTH 9 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

FRIDAY 5.1

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 P.M. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola. com MICHAEL WHEELER 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr.

paradise-bar.com PLATNUM SOUL 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com THE BLENDERS 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

SATURDAY 5.2

MICHAEL WHEELER 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradise-bar.com DAMIEN 12 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com

SUNDAY 5.3

3 BEAN SOUP 12-4 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com RAY COLEY 4:30 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

MONDAY 5.4

3 AMIGOS DUO 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes. com MONDAY NIGHT BLUES 8 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

TUESDAY 5.5

ADAM KARCH 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com BLACK BROCK 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com

WEDNESDAY 4.6

THE MUMBLES 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com RICHARD MADDEN 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes. com JORDAN RICHARDS 6 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com inweekly.net

culture

by Steven Poulin

Comics All Around draw like Jack Kirby.

30 years. He Nowadays nobody remembers draws Batman the when comics same.” used to be “Comics have available also become a lot to pick up more inclusive in everywhere, recent years—both including with more diverse grocery characters and crestores and ative voices,” Orr said. “There's something gas stations. for everyone.”

“Now you can pretty much only get Especially helpful to comics in recent them in comic book stores. It's a doubleyears have been the growing recognition of edged sword in that there's less competition, but there's also less exposure to getting comics as literature. “In the last decade or so, more comics have been taught in colleges, readers hooked.” which I think opened up some eyes and led Orr runs a specialty shop that allows him to focus entirely on comics, unlike many to more availability in libraries and schools.

Recently comics have been shortlisted for other comic stores that have also turned to major literary awards and even won a few.” selling toys and games. “I've got a nice little However, there has been one downside niche where I'm able to stock a wider variety to the increased attention toward comics and of comics than most of the others.” their wider availability in school and public Sure, most comics can be bought on libraries: “Unfortunately, comics are also ofthe Internet these days, “But what’s the fun ten in the crosshairs of censors,” Orr said. He in that?” asked Edward Nehringer, owner noted how the award-winning graphic novel of TBS Comics. Nehringer first opened up “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi was the sechis store in Niceville in 1985 selling comics ond most frequently challenged book in U.S. and baseball cards and now runs a store in libraries in 2014, according to the American Pensacola selling comics along with collectLibrary Association. Pensacola Pop Comics ible cards, toys and board games. TBS will is “a staunch supporter of the Comic Book be celebrating its 30th anniversary along Legal Defense Fund,” Orr said. The CBLD is a with Free Comic Book Day. Nehringer said nonprofit organization that defends the First there is a certain sense of community to Amendment rights of comic book artists, visiting local comic shops. He compares the publishers and retailers. {in} atmosphere at his comic store to the popular television series “The Big Bang Theory,” in which you can overhear conversations whether Superman would beat The Incredible Hulk in a fight.

WHEN: Saturday May 2 Nehringer also feels that the WHERE: Pensacola Pop Comics, 909 N. 12th combination of great art and writing Ave., pensacolapopcomics.com; is what gives comics their continued TBS Comics, 6895 N. 9th Ave., tbscomics.com appeal. He also said comic books COST: Free today “are much more stylized DETAILS: freecomicbookday.com than they were back in the ’60s and ’70s when everyone was trying to

“Comic books have been a part of popular culture for nearly 100 years—longer than television, the Internet, video games." Harley Orr

FCBD 2015 artwork by Amanda Connor Since 2002, independent comic book stores have been celebrating Free Comic Book Day on the first Saturday in May. It’s proven to be a great way to attract new customers and thank regulars for their continued support.

Free Comic Book Day first started because indie comic book retailers were looking for a way to recover from an industry-wide sales slump. However in the past decade, the industry has shown signs of a comeback. The popularity of movies and television shows based off comics and large-scale comic conventions like Pensacon are all signs of that comeback.

“Comic books have been a part of popular culture for nearly 100 years—longer than television, the Internet, video games—and I think comics continue to survive be-

cause they offer such a unique story telling experience,” said Harley Orr, the owner of Pensacola Pop Comics.

“The use of sequential art to tell a story goes back to ancient civilizations. Comics often appeal to people who like to read, like art, or both, and with modern comics, many people become emotionally invested in a character who is able to live on the page forever.”

Pensacola Pop Comics had their grand opening last year on Free Comic Book Day and will be participating again this Saturday.

“Free Comic Book Day is a good way to get people in who don’t come in regularly.

Since it's also the shop's anniversary, there'll be some good sales and some more fun in store,” Orr said.

Orr himself has read comics for over

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

Marital and Family Law New Location: 127 Palafox Place Suite 100 Pensacola, Florida | 466-3115 April 30, 2015

21

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news of the weird MARITAL ENHANCEMENT Saudi Arabia's very first sex accessory shop (in the holy city of Mecca) should be opening soon, according to news reports—operated by a Moroccan Muslim, backed by the German adult mega-retailer Beate Uhse, and supposedly fully compliant with Islamic law.

Owner Abdelaziz Aouragh told Agence France-Presse he would stock 18 different Islam-appropriate toys for married couples, along with oils and fragrances that he said would enhance the marital experience. (He did not actually describe the toys, but ruled out U.S. mainstays such as inflatable dolls and vibrators.) One such "halal" sex shop opened in Turkey in 2013, and Aouragh's financial partner runs a similar enterprise online.

QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENTS Pioneering British facial surgeon Ninian Peckitt, 63, facing a Medical Practitioners Tribunal in Manchester in April, was accused by a witness of "repeatedly" having punched one patient in the face during a procedure in order to straighten a fracture. Dr. Peckitt acknowledged having used his hands to "manipulate" bones in the patient's face, calling it a routine surgery-avoiding procedure sometimes required for extensive injuries.

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED Two airport screeners at Denver International collaborated in an ongoing ploy in which one, a male, signaled to a female colleague that he had spotted an attractive male passenger in line that he might like to grope.

The female would then suddenly notice an "anomaly" in the screening and ask that passenger to stand aside so the male agent could "inspect" him further -- by genital and posterior fondling (over his clothing).

The two agents were fired in February after a Transportation Security Administration investigator, having been alerted to the scheme, observed it in action.

WAIT, WHAT? In April, a court in Munich, Germany, ordered a dentist (identified only as "K") to pay the equivalent of about $21,000 to patient "Alex S" for pulling all of his teeth (19) over four weeks of treatments -as the remedy for his schizophrenia and erectile dysfunction. The dentist had testified that Alex had too much bone inflammation for ordinary fillings. K made his own claim for the equivalent of about $54,000 for the damage to his professional reputation that the trial had caused, but the court rejected it.

INEXPLICABLE From Recent Florida Crime Reports: (1) Mohammed Almarri, 21, was arrested on multiple charges in Tampa on April 12 after illegally entering a neighbor's apartment in a high-rise and forcing the owner onto the balcony. For reasons un-

by Chuck Shepherd

disclosed in the police report, Almarri then allegedly microwaved the man's wallet in his oven. (2) Joseph Williams, 35 (and with several pending warrants), was arrested on April 5 in Fort Pierce, Florida, after entering the emergency room at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute, demanding an enema and refusing to leave until he got one.

THE REDNECK CHRONICLES Austin Hatfield, 18, reported to an emergency room in April after being bitten on the lip by a venomous cottonmouth viper in Wimauma, Florida. According to a fish and wildlife commission spokesman, Hatfield had been keeping the recently caught snake in an ordinary pillowcase on his bed, and when it got out, Hatfield (ungracefully) recaptured it. (The bite was not fatal.) (2) According to witnesses questioned by the Jacksonville, Florida, Sheriff's Office (on the scene after shots had been reported at Murphy's Express Gas station in March), one customer had fired at another, hitting him in the foot, because he felt that the customer was staring at him while he pumped gas.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Nikko Jenkins, convicted of murder in a 2013 spree and trying to avoid a scheduled sentencing hearing, recently self-mutilated (for the second time), which he told a judge in Omaha, Nebraska, was evidence of his mental disorder that should render him ineligible for death row. Jenkins told the judge that a "serpent god" had ordered him to carve the "number of the beast" into his forehead, but apparently because Jenkins was looking into a mirror as he carved, his forehead display more resembled an upside-down 999 (or a lowercase ddd) than it did 666.

ANIMALS IN THE NEWS Tidiest Animal: In a February science journal report, a University of Regensburg (Germany) professor noted that ants seem particularly orderly -with "toilet" facilities arranged in far corners of the nests. The researcher speculated that ants keep feces on hand in order to mine nutrients. (2) Least Competent Beaver: A local logger telephoned the Agder Natural History museum in Kristiansand, Norway, in April to report that he had encountered a beaver crushed to death because it was unable to judge which way the tree it was gnawing would fall. (Usually, beavers have an uncanny ability to avoid the tree, but some stragglers still populate their gene pool.) {in}

From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2015 Chuck Shepherd

Send your weird news to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to newsoftheweird.com April 30, 2015

23

Independent News | April 30, 2015 | inweekly.net