DECEMBER 09, 2010 | VOLUME 11 | NUMBER 47 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. PUBLISHER & EDITOR Rick Outzen
Contents COLUMNS
3 WINNERS & LOSERS 4 OUTTAKES
26 NEWS OF THE WEIRD 27LAST WORD
NEWS/FEATURES/ARTS
6 NEWS: MAKE IT RIGHT RESTORES LOWER NINTH WARD 9 COVER STORY: HOODWINKED 13 STAY LOCAL 17 A&E: THE ART OF THE DINNER PARTY 23 MUSIC: DRAYTON SAWYER AND THE OFFER 24 THE PUBLIC RECORD
2 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bradley “B.J.” Davis, Jr., Joani Delezen, Hana Frenette, Ashley Hardaway, Scott Huhn, Rob “Bubbs” Harris, Erica House, Brett Hutchins, Jennie McKeon, Kate Peterson, Chuck Shepard, Will Strickland, Trevor Webb PRODUCTION MANAGER Joani Delezen ART DIRECTOR Samantha Crooke SALES DIRECTOR Jennifer Passeretti
Excerpts of StoryCorps stories are broadcast every Friday on NPR’s Morning Edition. Or, you can listen online at www.storycorps.org/listen.
P.O. Box 12082 • Pensacola, Fla. 32591 850-438-8115 • 1-866-724-9396 Fax: 850-438-0228 • info@inweekly.net
Standard postage paid at Pensacola, Fla. All stories are compiled from press releases, submissions, news wires or assignments. Comments and opinions expressed in this newspaper represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and are not necessarily those of INDEPENDENT NEWS or the publisher. Neither the advertiser nor the publisher is responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., contained in INDEPENDENT NEWS. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.
winners & losers
Business Law Real Estate Law Litigation
winners
losers
EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHORITY The util-
NORTHWEST FLORIDA Our region may have
ity held on Dec. 2 its community celebration to mark the completion of the new, $316-million Central Water Reclamation Facility, the largest public works project in the history of Escambia County. The new plant sits on 2,000 acres on land adjacent to Ascend Performance Materials (formerly Solutia) on Old Chemstrand Road.
elected Governor-elect Rick Scott, but we have little presence on his transition teams. Sheriff David Morgan and Gulf Power CEO Susan Story have been named to teams, but someone forgot to tell Scott that Story has been promoted to lead the Southern Company in Atlanta. At least McGuire’s Irish Politician Club should have the pull to get somebody else appointed.
MIKE GREEN The developer was the champion for relocating the Main Street sewage plant long before the staff and board of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority was willing to even look at the possibility. Green understood how much “Old Stinky” was hindering the growth of west Pensacola and downtown. No one wanted to relocate the corporation to an area that smelled like an outhouse most of the year. Unfortunately, Green passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer before his dream was realized.
BP Remember how the BP Barbies promised
NAVARRE BEACH MARINE SANCTUARY The
MIKE HARIDOPOLOS The Florida Senate Presi-
non-profit had its project chosen as a finalist for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant. The project includes installing three near-shore snorkeling reefs off Navarre Beach, one in the Gulf of Mexico and two in Santa Rosa Sound. The Pepsi Refresh Grant will fund the gulf-side snorkeling reef. Grants are awarded to the 10 projects with the most votes in their categories. An individual can vote for the cause every day. Vote online at refresheverything.com/beachreefs or text 104451 to PEPSI (73774).
dent pleaded guilty last week to leaving out details about his consulting company on his financial filings. Haridopolos failed to disclose income to his consulting business, MJH Consulting. His lawyer Pete Dunbar entered the plea in front of the Florida Ethics Commission. Don’t worry about Haridopolos. The commission isn’t allowed to penalize legislators, so the matter has been turned over to the Senate Rules Committee. The head of that committee, John Thrasher, was appointed by Haridopolos.
their company would make it right? Now the oil giant wants to decrease the size of “it.” BP has claimed that the oil spill data from the federal government might be incorrect, but the company has not yet confirmed what the real numbers are. According to the Clean Water Act, BP faces fines of up to $21 billion. There are scientists who are now suggesting the federal numbers are too low.
Contracts Business Purchases Corporations, LLC’s & LLP’s Asset Protection Collections Chapter 11 Real Estate Development Planning & Zoning Issues Condominium & HOA Law Contracts & Documentation Closings & Title Work 1031 Exchanges Construction Litigation Real Estate Litigation Securities Litigation Business Disputes Breach of Contract Association Issues Hurricane Claims Insurance Disputes Stockbroker Misconduct Trials in Florida, Alabama & Federal Courts
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the Bay Area Food Bank has created the Backpack Club to meet the needs of chronically hungry children by providing them with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to take home on weekends. There are waiting lists at Oakcrest, Weis and Spencer Bibbs schools to be added to the program. The Backpack Club provides children with backpacks full of food for them and their siblings. Each bag contains enough food for the weekend, including two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, like macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, tuna and ravioli. All food is non-perishable and can be prepared by a kindergartner, such as cans with “pop tops” instead of cans requiring a can opener, foods that do not need to be cooked on a stove top or in an oven, and foods that do not require a knife or other sharp object for food preparation. The cost for each bag? Only $3.50 per child, per weekend. The food that goes into each bag costs $2.50, and the food bank adds an additional dollar to each bag of food to account for gas, labor and storage. It only takes $110 to sponsor one child for an entire 32-week school period. For $11,000, we can take care of the children on the waiting list. Will your donation truly make a difference? Last year, the Bay Area Food Bank surveyed teachers, parents and students who participated in the Backpack Club. Teachers surveyed saw positive changes in the behavior of their students who participated in the program. Their students had increased focus on Mondays and no longer hoarded food throughout the week. Students loved being a part of the program and said they were proud to bring food home for themselves and their families. So become a difference maker. Make an online donation through the food bank’s website at bayareafoodbank.org. Please be sure to specify the Florida Backpacks for Kids Program on your donation. Let’s end childhood hunger in our elementary schools now.
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Cheryl Young www.cherylyoung.com cayoungrealtor@aol.com
Studer Group has been running ads in the Independent News and Gulf Breeze News honoring individuals and groups that are making this community a better place for all of us to live. Complaining and bickering comes easy, but reaching out and trying to have a meaningful impact is a much bigger challenge. Even with over 150 difference makers having been honored, we have only scratched the surface in recognizing the many difference makers in our area. There are hundreds more who work under the radar, without fanfare. Their acts of kindness create tremendous ripples throughout the Pensacola Bay area. I want to ask for your help in causing a ripple that could have a profound impact on our school system. I’m asking you to help stamp out childhood hunger in our elementary schools. Four years ago, we reported on how teachers in our schools that serve the poor neighborhoods have learned that before they can begin teaching their students the three R’s, they must first attend to the basic food needs of their pupils (Independent News, “Left Behind Part 3: Education,” Aug. 17, 2006). Readers learned that childhood hunger existed a few blocks from downtown Pensacola. It still does. We still have children in the Escambia County school system who depend on the schools to eat. When school ends on Friday, they will not have another meal until the next Monday morning in the school cafeteria. And while some will rail at the parents, the fact remains that children are going hungry through no fault of their own. Elementary teachers and school staff have come to recognize the signs of childhood hunger–hoarding or stealing food, asking for multiple helpings of meals but never seeming to be satisfied, inability to focus or pay attention, bloating of the face and/or belly and chronic fatigue. In 2006, Hallmark Elementary had volunteers put together care packages for the kids to take home for the weekend. Today
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5
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MAKE IT RIGHT RESTORES LOWER NINTH WARD
BRAD PITT AND OTHERS REBUILD NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOOD
BY DUSTIN TONEY
Make It Right homes
M
elba Leggett, 54, was just one of the many displaced from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The home she grew up in was among 5,300 houses destroyed in the Lower Ninth Ward, the mostly residential neighborhood that took the greatest amount of damage following the disaster. Her family had been living in the area for decades. The property was purchased generation from generation. “We left town for Baker, La., for higher ground more or less. So many people did the same thing; it became overcrowded with relatives. I had my daughter come pick us up from North Carolina,” said Leggett. “That’s where we stayed for the next three years.” The progress to rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward has been slow. Five years after Katrina, approximately 4,000 homes remain unlivable. “We have to figure out a way to get more resources and help residents that are interested in coming back and rebuilding,” said Jon D. Johnson, city councilman for the Lower Ninth Ward. “The community consisted primarily of working class and
elderly people who are on fixed income. They simply could not afford to come back and rebuild even though they would like to do so.” Even though the local government has taken measures to restore Lower Ninth Ward, many efforts have not been effective. The infrastructure is still heavily damaged, businesses are small in number, and services are still low. Only one elementary school operates in the area at this point in time, and while Johnson insists a high school is in the works, many children are still being bussed miles from home to attend school. In response, a hand full of non-profits have sprung up in the last few years to help the neighborhood regain its original status, including the Common Ground Collective, a group of volunteers who were the first to begin gutting houses. However, the most notable program is the Make It Right Foundation. Make It Right started in late 2007 after actor Brad Pitt toured the Lower Ninth Ward’s extensive damage and saw how little progress had been made in rebuilding the area. The foundation was established to build 150 affordable, green and sustainable homes. To date, 21 architectural firms have donated designs and Make It Right has raised millions to get the building process started. While Make It Right may have an advantage in bypassing the normal routes of governmental bureaucracy, they find themselves facing the same problems. While they originally intended to have the 150 homes built by this month, they only plan to have 80 finished by next spring.
“We only build homes for people who lived in the neighborhood prior to the storm,” said Taylor Royle, communications director at Make It Right. “We wanted to build these homes as fast as possible and that was our goal, but one thing we found was that families displaced had gone all over the country from as close as Baton Rouge and Houston to as far as Alaska and Toronto. Finding all of these people and asking them if they wanted to come back to the neighborhood took more time than we expected. “Secondly, people who were living check to check before the storm who lost their jobs and livelihoods were pushed into debt. We have a whole staff of social workers on hand who help people get their credit in order, help them get more hours at work, and recover titles to assist them in getting qualified for a loan to buy the house. It’s not as easy as just putting up a house and expecting people to come home. It actually takes a long time. Getting people qualified for loans can take up to a year and a half.” To help get the economically-devastated residents back into their homes, Make It Right finds non-predatory loans that are no more than one-third of monthly income. Royle stated that the average returning family can only afford $75,000 while their average house built costs $150,000. To fill in the gap, as long as the families continue to make payments toward their loans, the foundation will use their donations to pay off the rest of the building money. These make incredibly nice homes with hurricane-strength features and stilts to prevent f looding much more affordable for returning families. While the Lower Ninth Ward still remains largely destroyed, it is Royle’s and Johnson’s hope that these small initiatives
will add up to where there is enough incentive for families to return on their own and for other groups to continue rebuilding the area. “Part of our mission is to be a catalyst for rebuilding in the neighborhood,” Royle said. “One hundred and fifty homes is really just a drop in a bucket. What we wanted to do is to start rebuilding and have other groups come in the area to contribute. We are seeing more and more non-profits coming to rebuild each year.” Johnson says that he is glad foundations like Make It Right exist. “They definitely have to be commended for stepping up to the plate and making a very strong and obvious commitment to the community by bringing very unique houses to the neighborhood that I think have really served as an incentive for other people to come back and start building.” Along with the steps for a new high school, other programs are being implemented to help bring businesses that provide basic services back into the community, as well as the construction of a new $15-$20 million community center. It’s Johnson’s thoughts that these efforts will leave a positive impression on families in the Lower Ninth Ward and the ones who are wishing to return. Leggett is glad that her neighbors informed her of Make It Right. “We got in touch and got our stuff together in order to get the house. I love my new home. I have the best house. It is inviting, homely and very family-oriented.” While progress has been slow in restoring the Lower Ninth Ward by any one group, it is the accumulation of multiple efforts which are gaining speed in rebuilding the catastrophically f looded region. info@inweekly.net
N EWS STOR I E S YOU M AY H AV E M IS SE D NO ONE GETS TO WORK FOR SCOTT
The Buzz, St. Petersburg Times: Florida’s new governor has yet to name a single person to his administrative team, four weeks after the election. Ohio’s newly-elected Republican governor, John Kasich, has named five people to his new administration. By this time 12 years ago, newly-elected Gov. Jeb Bush had selected secretaries of labor, health and children and families, named a chief of staff, a legislative affairs director, and a communications
secretary. Read “So far, no one gets to work in new Scott administration” – tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-floridapolitics/content/so-far-no-one-getswork-new-scott-administration
MOSCOW WON’T PLAY WITH WIKILEAKS
The Daily Beast: As U.S. officials struggle to control damage from the secret cables published online by WikiLeaks, Russia is planning to block a similar dump about the Kremlin— and they will be ruthless, according to investigative reporter Philip Shenon. Experts believe Russians would
6 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
be ready to consider aggressive cyberwarfare techniques to shut down WikiLeaks and its website, as well as violence and other threats against Russians who were believed to be informants. Read “Moscow’s Bid to Blow Up WikiLeaks” – thedailybeast. com/blogs-and-stories/2010-11-30/ moscows-bid-to-blow-up-wikileaksrussians-play-by-different-rules/
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DEATHS RISE
Miami Herald: Florida continues to see a rapid rise in fatal overdoses caused by prescription-drug
abuse—a trend fueled by a cottage industry of cash-only pain clinics—while deaths from illegal drugs wane, according to a report from the state’s medical examiners. Nearly 1,000 deaths were caused in 2008 by the potent painkiller oxycodone—a 33 percent increase from 2007, the report says. Four years ago, only 340 deaths statewide were attributed to the drug. Read “Prescription drug overdose deaths soar” – miamiherald.com/2009/07/27/1573283/ prescription-drug-overdose-deaths. html#ixzz17Fxumwpc
STATES LOVE FEDERAL PORK
Slate.com: Republicans have a near monopoly on complaints about government spending. Dozens of new Tea Party candidates were elected to Congress on a promise to clean house. But data going back two decades shows the money is mostly coming from Democratic states, and being handed out to Republican states. Read “Smart Republicans, Stupid Democrats” – slate.com/id/2276583/
buzz MORPHINE: 4 deaths PROPOXYPHENE: 1 death This synthetic narcotic analgesic, brand names Darvon and Darvocet, is used for mild to moderate pain.
GRITS A YA YA IN DC
Prescription drugs can kill, too.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSES The IN reported last year on the rise of prescription drug abuse and how, because these drugs are prescribed by doctors, the danger involved is often dismissed (Independent News, “America’s White-Collar Junkies,” Aug. 13, 2009). The problem hasn’t gone away. Prescription drug overdoses killed nearly 1,270 people statewide during the first half of this, according to the 2010 Medical Examiners Commission Interim Drug Report which was released last week. Of those deaths, 69 were handled by the Pensacola Medical Examiner’s Office. METHADONE: 15 deaths Methadone is a pain killer commonly associated with heroin detoxification and maintenance programs, but it is also prescribed to treat severe pain. It has been increasingly prescribed in place of oxycodone for pain management. Dolophine is one form of methadone. ALPRAZOLAM: 15 deaths Alprazolam, brand name Xanax, is a drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. HYDROCODONE: 13 deaths Vicodin and Lortab are two common drugs containing hydrocodone. OXYCODONE: 7 deaths The pain killer OxyContin is one form of this drug and goes by the street name “OC”. Percocet, Percodan, Roxicet, Tylox, and Roxicodone also contain oxycodone. COCAINE: 8 deaths DIAZEPAM: 6 deaths Diazepam, brand name Valium, is used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.
Chef Jim Shirley of The Fish House joined two other of Florida’s finest seafood chefs to show off their talents to Capitol Hill and promote to Congress and the nation that Florida seafood is safe to eat. The three chefs prepared their best dishes for the Florida Seafood Celebration at Florida House in Washington, D.C. Shirley prepared “Grits a Ya Ya”. Chef Josh Butler, executive chef for Florida’s Governor’s Mansion, made “Dog Island Grouper Sliders”. Chef Dean James Max of 3030 Ocean and winner of the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, prepared “Sebastian Inlet Clams BBLT”. The dinner, which was sponsored in part by Visit Florida, is one of many to show Florida’s commitment to recovery after the oil spill.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO CHECK Although the EBO (Equal Business Opportunity) Committee didn’t pursue the issue at its Dec. 2 committee meeting, Community Maritime Park Associates needs to look into the agreement between Heaton Brothers and Williams Brothers, its new minority subcontractor, for site work at the maritime park. Heaton Brothers representatives said at the meeting that Williams never had a
contract more than $7,000-$10,000, but that they now have a $1.1-$1.3 million contract. When Greg Green, who was the original subcontractor for Heaton, and others questioned how Williams could be paid about $1.1 million for hauling dirt, it was pointed out in the course of the discussion that Congress tastes a Best of the Coast favorite. the dirt was being bought from Heaton Brothers and being the Committee of the Whole and the CRA. included in the Williams’ contract. Heck, they may need to hold only one reguGeorge Hawthorne, who drafted the lar meeting a month, like the School Board. Equal Business Opportunity agreement This pay increase issue may be what used by Maritime Park Development decides who will be the first council presiPartners, claimed in his statements to the dent. That election appears to be shaping up EBO Committee on the behalf of Green that between Sam Hall and Maren DeWeese. DeHeaton Brothers’ trucks were hauling the Weese made it clear at yesterday’s workshop dirt for Williams. that she will not support a pay increase for If all these statements are true and council members. It may cost her the spot. Williams has a $1.1 million contract with Heaton Brothers but has to buy the dirt BODIES FOUND On Nov. 29, the Escambia from Heaton and use Heaton’s trucks and County Sheriff’s Office found the bodies of employees to haul it, how can MPDP and two women in a wooded area just south of the EBO program director, Tony McCray Nine Mile Road, off Jernigan Road. and the Escambia-Pensacola Human RelaThe bodies of Jamie Broxson and Debra tions Commission, call the contract valid Ann Jones had been dumped in the lot minority participation? within the last week to 10 days. Based upon the condition of the bodies, it is believed that COUNCIL POWER MOVES The debate among one has been in the lot for 72 hours or less, the Pensacola City Council members over and the other from seven to 10 days. The creating a new council staff isn’t just about ECSO isn’t revealing many details since it’s certain members wanting to build a power an active investigation. However, investigabase. It’s about coming up with a way for tors suspect foul play. Details concerning the certain council members to justify increasspecific causes of death will not be released ing their salaries. until determined by the medical examiner. The reality is that the council has fewer There were fears the deaths may signal a responsibilities under the new charter. They serial killer on the loose, but ECSO investimay not even need all of their current comgators and dog teams didn’t find any other mittees. They can debate most issues under bodies on the site which has a Gulf Power substation. They also haven’t found any connections between the two victims.
COUNTY SHAKEUP The hottest buzz item on
Commissioner Marie Young / photo by Samantha Crooke
Rick’s Blog last week concerned rumors that one of the commissioners is considering resignation. Escambia County Complex insiders were tight-lipped, but confirmed that it is more than a water cooler rumor. However, as the week progressed, Commissioners Grover Robinson, Kevin White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino contacted the IN to make it clear that they had no plans to resign, leaving Marie Young with the one holdout. Don’t worry; Commissioner Young will complete her term, just to spite the IN. INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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A SALUTE TO DIFFERENCE MAKERS When Pensacola Police Sgt. Robert Bell retired this month, the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge lost its longest serving president. Bell, 54, retired after 25 years with the Pensacola Police Department. Among his assignments have been Uniform Patrol, Investigations, and Personnel/Training. He also was the department’s dive team coordinator and supervised School Resource Officers while in Crime Intervention. He has been president of the Fraternal Order of Police Jim “Billy” Barnes Memorial Lodge #71 for 12 years, and has been its longest serving president.
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The misrep resentations, br oken p r omises and puffery of the maritime par k devel oper
T
he man in charge of developing the most important public-private project in the history of the City of Pensacola has issues—and that’s putting it mildly. Scott Davison, founder and CEO of the now-defunct Land Capital Group and currently VP of Development for Maritime Park Development Partners (MPDP), has been hit with judgments totaling over $10 million for projects in Escambia County, Florida, Texas and across the country. His integrity, honesty and ability to actually meet the many commitments he made to the community in order to win the master developer contract for the Community Maritime Park are being questioned in a report by Community Maritime Park Associates attorney Ed Fleming to be released Friday, Dec. 10 to the CMPA Board of Trustees. After a month-long investigation and a review of hundreds of pages of documents, the IN has discovered that Davison misrepresented his development team and his financial capabilities in his original proposal in order to qualify to be the master developer. He actively lobbied for the support of the African-American commu-
nity with promises of creating a Contractor’s Academy to increase the number of minority-owned contractors and skilled workers—promises that some black leaders believe Davison has failed to fulfill. The triggers for the IN investigation were a complaint to the CMPA by George Hawthorne against MPDP for noncompliance and bad faith dealings in regard to the Contractor’s Academy/ EBO Agreement, the findings of Fleming when he reviewed that complaint and two default judgments, totaling $7.76 million, recorded in Escambia County against Davison and Land Capital Group. One, Case no. 2010-CA1657, was a default judgment for $374,860.71 against MPDP for failing to reply to a writ of garnishment against Davison.
in that case, but the call went unreturned prior to press time. The two Wells Fargo judgments aren’t the only judgments and lawsuits against Davison and Land Capital. He had three developments in Escambia County that he listed in his 2007 RFQ submittal. All three
| by Rick Outzen
Last spring, Davison and MPDP held up the construction of the maritime park when they refused to provide a performance bond as required. Davison tried to convince the CMPA board that a general letter from NorthMarq that stated MPDP partner Rick Rodriguez wasn’t in default on any loans with GMAC Commercial Mortgage and Capmark Finance was sufficient to prove MPDP could get the bond.
SCOTT DAVISON’S WAGES FROM MPDP ARE BEING GARNISHED. TOTAL DUE WELLS FARGO: $374,860.71
DEFAULT JUDGMENTS
According to Escambia County Clerk of Court records, that default has been set aside and the final judgment on continuing writ of garnishment was entered Nov. 15. The IN contacted the attorneys for Wells Fargo, the plaintiff in the $7.76 million judgment, to see if the status had changed
have either been foreclosed upon or are in litigation, totaling over $5 million. In Okaloosa County, Davison has a foreclosure judgment for $899,789 for note with Wells Fargo. In St. Lucie County, he had in 2009 a foreclosure judgment for $1.57 million for a Wachovia loan. INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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After weeks of wrangling, MPDP had to partner with Hoar Construction to form Magi Construction to build the public section of the park. MPDP couldn’t get the performance bond on its own. With Hoar’s financial strength, Magi got a commitment letter from Chubb Group of Insurance Companies for a $50 million performance bond.
DID LAND CAPITAL REALLY QUALIFY?
Sadly, the performance bond battle wasn’t the first time Davison tried to get by with less than the full truth. In fact, a review of his 2007 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) submittal has revealed several discrepancies. According to the RFQ issued by the CMPA, developers interested in the maritime park would have their proposals evaluated on 1) Composition and Qualifications of staff; 2) Experience with respect to various aspects of the development, including architecture, engineering, construction, financing, leasing and ongoing management; 3) Experience with public/private partnerships; 4) Ability to meet time and budget requirements; and 5) Small and minority business participation. The RFQ attracted the attention of such heavy-hitters as Hammes Company from Madison, Wis., whose projects included the $295 million renovation of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., Carter Real Estate of Atlanta, which handled the $66 million expansion of Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Football Stadium and rebuild of Russ Chandler Baseball Stadium, and Performa Entertainment Real Estate, which was founded to manage and develop the Beale Street Historic District for the city of Memphis. Davison boasted in the cover letter for his RFQ proposal, “we have been fortunate enough to include three strategic visionaries excited to participate in the Gulf Coast’s revival: Michael Buckley, Halycon LTD, Henry Beer of Communications Arts Design, and Karin Bacon of Karin Bacon Events.” He claimed that Land Capital Group had “assembled a peerless group of profession-
“THE QUESTION IS DID THE MISSTATEMENTS INDUCE ONE PARTY TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT. IF SO, THEN YOU COULD HAVE FRAUD IN THE INDUCEMENT, WHICH WOULD VOID THE CONTRACT.” —CITY ATTORNEY RUSTY WELLS City Attorney Rusty Wells als” which also included HKS Architects and JP Morgan Asset Management. Though Davison and Land Capital had little experience outside of developing shopping centers, they had clearly put together on paper a team that could compete with Hammes, Carter and Performa Entertainment. Michael Buckley and Halcyon LTD had an international reputation for mixed-used development and had been involved with the Southeast Federal Credit Union in Washington, D.C. and the revitalization of Coney Island. HKS Architects
MICHAEL BUCKLEY, HALCYON LTD, SAID DAVISON DID NOT HAVE HIS PERMISSION TO BE USED IN THE RFQ PROPOSAL. designed the ballpark of the Richmond Braves. According to the proposal, JP Morgan Asset Management had a joint venture relationship with Land Capital Group and had a combined net worth exceeding $2 billion to contribute to that joint venture. The only problem is Halcyon, HKS Architects and JP Morgan Asset Management have not been involved in the maritime park or with MPDP. Populous, not HKS Architects, is designing the multi-use stadium. JP Morgan has no joint venture with Land Capital or MPDP, and Halcyon didn’t even know it was on any development team for the park. The IN contacted Michael Buckley of Halcyon LTD, whose role according to the Land Capital proposal was to be the “Sr. Development Strategist.” Buckley said he
had never agreed to be part of a development team for the project and hadn’t authorized Davison to use his or his company’s name as part of the RFQ. Buckley came down to Pensacola in early 2007 to view with others the property and meet with city officials. “We were excited about the project for Pensacola, a city that has such ‘good bones,’ but being a development partner was never discussed,” Buckley told the IN. “We discussed a scope of work, but I never heard from (Davison) again.” Buckley is upset that his name and “hard-earned” reputation were misused by Land Capital, who never reimbursed him for his travel expenses. “It’s unfortunate someone would take advantage of such a situation to win a contract,” Buckley added. To qualify, each prospective developer had to have one or more projects that totaled at least $50 million and have at least one major mixed-use project similar to the Community Maritime Park. It was the projects of Halcyon, Silver Cloud Partners and Cline Design Associates that met those qualifications. Based on the RFQ submittal, Land Capital Group alone had no such projects to meet both of those critical requirements.
FRAUD OR PUFFERY?
The IN asked City Attorney Rusty Wells about any legal issues that a vendor might have if they misstate their qualifications in a RFQ proposal. “If a party deliberately defrauded the City, any agreement would be null and void from the beginning,” Wells said. “However,
www.GeneMitchellAttor ney.com 10 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
it would have to be a strong level of fraud to do that.” Some level of exaggeration and overstatement is permissible under the law, according to Wells. “The law allows what is called ‘puffery’,” said Wells. Puffery is a legal term that refers to promotional statements and claims that express subjective rather than objective views. “The question is did the misstatements induce one party to enter into the contract,” said Wells. “If so, then you could have fraud in the inducement, which would void the contract.” Did the misstatement by Land Capital about development partners and its financial resources help them get past the initial review by the CMPA board? Wells said that only the board members themselves can answer that question. In May 2007, when they voted on which developers would be allowed to compete for the work, the CMPA board members scored Land Capital two points higher than Hammes, 52-50. Carter Real Estate and Trinity Capital Advisors, led by locals Joe Endry and Emmitt Smith, placed third and fourth, respectively. Board members John Merting, Juanita Scott, Eddie Todd, Katie White and Mayor John Fogg had placed Land Capital at the top of their lists.
WHO REALLY IS THE DEVELOPER?
The actual Request for Proposal (RFP) didn’t happen until a year later. Only Trinity Capital Advisors and Land Capital responded to the RFP that was released Feb. 1, 2008. Land Capital had made considerable changes in its development team since the RFQ proposal. Gone were Halcyon LTD, Communications Arts Design, HKS Architects, JP Morgan Asset Management, Economic Research Associates, AC Advertising Agency, Cline Design Associates, Gulf Coast African-American Chamber, Caldwell Associates Architects, Darden & Associates and Harold DeBlanc of Silver Cloud Partners. Of the 20 development team members listed in the RFQ, 10 had changed over the seven months since the last presentation.
The biggest additions were Brass Real Estate Fund and Magi Real Estate, based in San Antonio, Tex. and owned by Rick Rodriguez; Bruce Cutright as the project manager; The Target Group, a Chicago economic development consulting firm, to handle the minority inclusion; and CapMark Financial Services to handle debt financing. Rodriguez and his companies were to be full partners with Land Capital, forming a new entity, Maritime Park Partners, LLC, according to a letter Davison sent with his RFP proposal. While Land Capital was still the lead proposer, Brass Real Estate Fund and Magi Real Estate would act as “our co-developer and will have an entity interest in the project.” CapMark Financial Services would also have an equity interest, if it deemed the project “economically viable.” However, there is no Maritime Park Partners, LLC, licensed in the state of Florida. There never has been. According to the RFP, the general manager of the project would be MP-LC Development Partner, LLC, which would be controlled by Land Capital Group. According to filings with the Florida Secretary of State, Mark White, then-VP of Land Capital, is the manager of that limited liability corporation. Here is where it gets tricky. There is a Maritime Park Development Partners, LLC that is licensed in Florida, and that is the company that has the development agreement with CMPA. Land Capital Group, Brass Real Estate Fund, Magi Real Estate and CapMark Financial Services aren’t partners in MPDP. CapMark isn’t involved with the project at all. A Texas limited liability corporation, also named Maritime Park Development Partners, owns 50.1 percent of the Floridalicensed MPDP and Mark White’s MP-LC Development Partner owns the remaining 49.9 percent. MP-LC Development Partner was dropped as a manager from the Floridalicensed MPDP on Nov. 16, 2009. Rick Rodriguez of Brass/Magi replaced him. Mark White now works for Magi Construction and is paid $275,000 under the Design-Build contract by
CMPA, according to Fleming’s report to the EBO Committee. The Texas-licensed MPDP had Davison and Rodriguez as partners, but that company became inactive on Oct. 15, 2010, which appears to leave Rodriguez as the sole owner of Floridalicensed MPDP, which is developing the maritime park. There may be no partners in MPDP, just Rick Rodriguez.
WHEN THE CMPA BOARD VOTED 8-4 IN AUGUST 2008 TO START NEGOTIATING LAND CAPITAL, THE COMPANY’S COMMITMENT TO THE MINORITY COMMUNITY WAS CITED AS A PRIMARY FACTOR. WHO IS THE PROJECT MANAGER?
Bruce Cutright
In the RFP submittal, Land Capital described its developer experience as “over the past 10 years developing a variety of retail shopping centers.” Magi Real Estate/Brass Real Estate Fund had experience in single family, apartment and office development. The experience of those companies wasn’t sufficient to meet the requirements to be the developer of the maritime park. The team member who knew how to develop the mix of public and private was Bruce Cutright. Cutright had managed over the past 30 years projects across the country. In the Land Capital/MPDP proposal, he was touted for his experience in management, development, construction and environmental areas. The MPDP proposal listed 17 of his projects to support Cutright’s experience to be the project manager for the maritime park, and most importantly, Cutright had a Florida general contractor’s license. In June 2008, when Davison made his presentation to the CMPA as part of the RFP process, he introduced Cutright as the project manager, who would be the CMPA’s primary point of contact for the park project. The development agreement between MPDP and the CMPA that was executed by all parties on Aug. 14, 2009 lists Cutright as the “key man” who would devote a minimum of one day per week to the project and visit the site twice per month. He could not be replaced without written approval of the CMPA. Bruce Cutright has never visited the construction site. He never assumed the role of project manager and hasn’t been paid to do so by MPDP. The CMPA never authorized any change. The IN found Bruce Cutright at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is a research associate for the Bureau of Economic Geology. “I told Scott that I couldn’t wait any more,” Cutright said in a phone interview. “I have a position at the University of Texas doing research and teaching classes. Realistically, I couldn’t sit and wait around and do nothing.” Cutright realized that Davison had him listed in the development agreement and said that he has intended to write him about it. “I told Scott I might be able to serve as an advisor, but nothing came of that,” Cutright said.
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project, Davison added to the MPDP development team The Target Group, whose president Joe Williams was a part of the June 2008 presentation. Williams told the CMPA board that the Contractor’s Academy was a “legacy piece”. “Our goal is to put together a framework on how we’re going to get this thing done,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, this community is entitled to know, and your Covenant mandates, that you really do have a plan that you can all be proud of as this maritime park comes into play, that you really do have something that you can point to and say this helped our community.” To date, The Target Group has been paid $30,000 with CMPA funds, over a third of the amount paid to minority consulting firms. The company is not part of the EBO program and has no one on site. Williams did not return a phone call from the IN. The CMPA board hired Owen Beitsch to review the RFP proposals of Land Capital and Trinity Capital Advisors. Davison submitted a memo, dated July 23, 2008, to Beitsch to further explain the Contractor’s Academy. He outlined a strategy to launch and sustain the Contractor’s Academy, which included an advisory council, an instruction academy, a recruitment campaign and Land Capital and Magi investing $250,000 to make it happen. When the CMPA board voted 8-4 in August 2008 to start negotiating with Land Capital, the company’s commitment to the minority community was cited as a primary factor. The board didn’t accept Beitsch’s recommendation to award the work to Trinity Capital Advisors. All five minority board members, Eddie Todd, Juanita Scott, Bentina Terry, Grace Resendez McCaffery, and Rodney Jackson, voted for Land Capital.
JOE WILLIAMS, THE TARGET GROUP, TOLD THE CMPA BOARD THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S ACADEMY WAS A “LEGACY PIECE” MISSING LEGACY PIECE
A key part of the MPDP proposal was its commitment to the Covenant with the Community and the Contractor’s Academy. The developer proposed to donate 25 percent of the profits above a 12 percent investment rate of return from the private development portion of the park, up to $500,000 per year, for the on-going operations of the Contractor’s Academy. “The Contractor’s Academy is a huge piece,” Davison told the CMPA board when he made his presentation in June 2008. Davison made firm commitments on minority inclusion, commitments beyond those in the Covenant with the Community. “If there are 30 percent African-Americans, for example, then they should be getting 30 percent of the work, both on the construction side and on the operations and management side,” Davison said. “If there is eight percent Hispanic in Pensacola then they should be getting that same percentage of work.” In the latest report to the EBO Committee of the CMPA, Davison reported that, as of Nov. 30, 18.37 percent of the construction contracts were with minority-owned firms, 1.47 percent of the design contracts and 20.34 percent of the consulting contracts. He did not break down the minority contracts by race or national origin. To handle the minority inclusion for the
BAIT & SWITCH?
Today, there is no Contractor’s Academy, which is one of the reasons Hawthorne filed his EBO complaint. Fleming found in his investigation of the complaint that there was no evidence that a single class or seminar for minority contractors or workers had been conducted by MPDP. In a letter to the EBO Committee, Jeff Galt, MPDP president, stated that no separate Contractor’s Academy had been envisioned by MPDP or the CMPA when it finalized the EBO agreement. Ed Spears, executive director for CMPA, told the IN that the CMPA board never voted to not have the Contractor’s Academy. Oliver Darden, who was active in the Gulf Coast African-American Chamber of Commerce when Land Capital made its commitments to the CMPA board, said in a telephone interview, “At all times, there was to be a Contractor’s Academy. Scott is being
“AT ALL TIMES, THERE WAS TO BE A CONTRACTOR’S ACADEMY. SCOTT IS BEING LESS THAN TRUTHFUL IF HE SAYS OTHERWISE.” —OLIVER DARDEN less than truthful if he says otherwise.” Darden said that Davison actively courted his chamber for its support. “He told us that he was willing to work with the Gulf Coast African-American Chamber, but he has been unresponsive to us in any shape or form since he received the bid,” Darden said. “I have had no substantive conversations with Land Capital or MPDP.” In 2007, the Gulf Coast African-American Chamber entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the CMPA to assist with the implementation of the Covenant. It was a party to the initial draft of the EBO agreement but was deleted from the final agreement. “Scott has flat out disassociated himself from our chamber,” said Darden, “and has gone his way.”
WHAT’S NEXT
At 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, the CMPA board will meet. Ed Fleming will deliver his report on his investigations of Davison, Land Capital and Maritime Park Development Partners, both the Florida and Texas versions. The CMPA board will have to decide if it wishes to keep MPDP as the master developer. Their decision will be based on if Davison misrepresenting Michael Buckley of Halcyon LTD as a member of his development team influenced their vote to name Land Capital as a finalist in the RFQ process. Were they impressed that Davison claimed to have a joint venture relationship with JP Morgan Assets Management? Would Land Capital have even qualified if he didn’t have the ten people and their companies he listed in the RFQ but later deleted? When it came to deciding whether to pick Land Capital or Trinity Capital Advisors, did having the experienced Bruce Cutright as project manager, The Target Group as minority inclusion consultant and establishing the Contractor’s Academy influence their decision to award the contract to Land Capital? Would the board have overruled the recommendation of its consultant to take the other developer candidate without those components in the proposal? The answers to those questions will determine if Scott Davison and MPDP should remain the master developers and whether Davison lied to the CMPA board or if his statements and proposals were mere puffery. rick@inweekly.net
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF COMMUNITY MARITIME PARK ASSOCIATES, INC.
WHEN: 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 WHERE: City f Pensacola City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room 222 West Main St. VIEW LIVE: ci.pensacola.fl.us/live/ MORE INFO: All the CMPA documents, agreements, minutes and the presentations by Land Capital and MPDP are online: ci.pensacola.fl.us/live/pages. asp?pageID=6112
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| INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
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PENSACOLA IS OUR BUSINESS STAY LOCAL SHOP LOCAL
DEC 2010 ISSUE 18
‘TIS THE SEASON TO HAVE SOME FUN HOL I DAY EV E N TS TO C H E C K OU T I N PE NSACOL A
By Jennie McKeon
▶Chili Cook-Off
ust because it’s getting colder outside doesn’t mean you need to stay inside. The holidays are right around the corner and there’s no better way to get in the spirit than getting out and enjoying what Pensacola has to offer. Whether you’re on the beach or downtown, there’s an event for you.
J
▶Christmas in Seville Magical Winter Wonderland Seville Quarter will already be showing its spirit at the “Blue Christmas” stop on the Winterfest trolley tour, but you can also take in their version of a winter wonderland. “When we were breaking down the haunted house, we thought of turning the props into a fun, family winter wonderland,” said owner Buck Mitchell. “It’s really going to be neat.” This interactive experience includes a visit to the toy shop, an island Christmas and a candy cane maze. The upcoming dates are Friday, Dec. 10, Saturday, Dec. 11, Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With tickets priced at $5, you can take the whole family. Purchase tickets at Seville Quarter; for party reservations, call 723-5760.
▶“Christmas on the Coast”
The Pensacola Children’s Chorus will perform a Broadway-style holiday event featuring the best seasonal music, stunning costumes and staging and choreographed numbers at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. “Christmas on the Coast” will be held Friday, Dec. 10 to Sunday, Dec. 12. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance begins at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $18 to $30. You can purchase tickets through ticketmaster.com or pensacolasaenger.com
Beat the chilly weather with spicy chili at Bamboo Willie’s Annual Chili Cook-Off. Proceeds benefit Deputy Jeremy Cassady who was shot in a hostage situation in late October. The event is Saturday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. To sign up your teams, e-mail robert@ bamboowillies.com, or call 916-9888. “This is the first year for the event,” said Maureen LaMar, executive director of the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. “We hope it’s a big turnout.”
▶Pensacola Christmas Parade
For its third year, the Cox Communications-sponsored parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 11 at 5:15 p.m., starting at the corner of Palafox and Wright streets. More than 50 floats with various themes will march through downtown Pensacola. The parade will feature marching bands from all Escambia County high schools, along with the Blue Angels flight team. U.S. Postal Service mail carriers will be walking alongside Santa’s sleigh to collect letters written to Santa. No postage is necessary.
▶Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 11 starting at 7 p.m., the Lighted Boat Parade will travel from the Pensacola Beach Marina to Flounder’s Chowder House. Children will be given lights to illuminate Santa’s arrival at the Flounder’s landing site. “The Lighted Boat Parade and the Surfing Santa Beach Parade are the most popular events we have on Pensacola Beach,” said Maureen LaMar, executive director of the Pensacola Beach Chamber.
▶Surfing Santa Beach Parade
On Monday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m., floats will make their way down the island’s main street spreading holiday cheer, candy and trinkets for children of all ages. The parade begins at Via DeLuna and delivers Santa to the Gulfside Pavilion where children can talk to Mr. Claus himself.
▶Gingerbread Make and Take
Monday, Dec. 13 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
at the Tiki Island Golf and Games you are invited to create your most magical and delicious gingerbread beach house. The event is free, but you need to bring your own bag of hard candies. For more information, call Tiki Island Golf and Games at 932-1550.
▶Ice Skating at the Pensacola Civic Center You don’t have to be an Olympic figure skater to enjoy the ice; in fact, falling down is half the fun. On Sunday, Dec. 12 the rink is open for public ice skating from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 17, Monday, Dec. 27 and Thursday, Dec. 30 you can skate after the Ice Flyers hockey game from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. From Saturday, Dec. 18 to Thursday, Dec. 23 the rink is open to the public from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8, including skate rental. If you already have your own blades, tickets are $5, and if you’re in a group of 15 people or more the rate is $6 including skate rental. Tickets are available at the box office, 432-0800, Charge by Phone, 800-745-3000, or ticketmaster.com
▶“The Nutcracker”
Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre presents the ultimate holiday story. Performed by Pensacola Ballet, this annual event features the classic music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which accompanies the story of Clara and her dream Nutcracker Prince. The performances will run Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., while the Sunday, Dec. 19 performance will begin at 1:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary from $17 to $30. You can purchase tickets through ticketmaster.com or pensacolasaenger.com
▶Sip and Sing Caroling Tour
Get to the Sandshaker early to pick up your boarding pass for the open air bus which will stop at each island bar to entertain patrons. The tour begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. You must be 21 or older to ride. For more details, call 932-2211.
▶Santa Claus Look-Alike and Sexy Elf Contest You finally have a reason to wear that red velvet suit in the back of your closet. The contest is Monday, Dec. 20 starting at 3:30 p.m. at Bamboo Willie’s. Sign-up is free— may the best Santa win. “We just wanted to create an event that adults can enjoy during the holidays,” said
general manager Robert Gleim in an e-mail interview. “Grand prize is bragging rights for a year and a few door prizes from beach businesses. It’s a great reason to come out to the beach. There’s no stress at this party.” You can sign up the day of the contest or call ahead at 916-9888.
▶Santa and His Paparazzi Photo Session From 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, you can get your picture taken with Santa in the Christmas Room at Island Style for a nominal charge. For more information, call 934-3100.
▶Pensacola Little Theatre Cabaret Singers Present “Holiday Revue” Directed by Andy W. Davis, the “Holiday Revue” will include classic Christmas songs and modern holiday tunes. Almost two dozen local talents will sing and dance right into your heart. Those talented locals are: Jerry Ahillen, Allison Bailey, Jessica Bare, Roy Bracken, Andy W. Davis, Scott W. Haring, Kathy Holsworth, Sam Holsworth, Jennifer Knisbell, Musetta Jensen, Emily Mixon, Sherron Moore, Caroline Gibson, A. Mark Palmer, Gavin Parmley, Joanna Robbins Hayes, Wes Shoemaker, Sheryl VandenBerg and Patrick Winkles. Tickets are $17 for café seating and $10 for general admission. Performances are Monday, Dec. 20 to Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets at the Pensacola Little Theatre box office or by phone at 432-2042. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▶Candlelight and Carols
You’re invited to join the choir of the Pensacola Community Church in their annual caroling tradition. The event is free and starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24. No matter where you decide to enjoy the holidays, remember that there is a plethora of fun and free activities right where you are. “We embrace the holidays,” said LaMar. “Santa is a magical spirit; he can be anywhere in the world. We encourage locals to embrace our community. We want to bring the community together to celebrate the holidays.” info@inweekly.net
INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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You're Invited to a Tea Party Literally, not Politically by Trevor Webb
Germany, and armed with the American dream, Bia opened her downtown tea and craft shop last week. The new business offers loose teas from around the world, organic coffee and local baked goods. In addition, a variety of arts and crafts classes are available in which students can learn skills while using Bia’s shop as a production studio. The store will also house locally-made artwork sold on consignment. If that isn’t enough, they also advertise quality gifts and shiny things. IN sat down with the globetrotting entrepreneur for a little Q&A. With big business on the decline, there’s been a recent resurgence of the local little guy. One of several new businesses popping up is Bia’s Sublime Tea & Artisan Workshop. Doljai Thomas, nicknamed Bia since childhood, is a Pensacola transplant who is bringing a new brand of business to the Panhandle emphasizing community just as much as sales. Born in Thailand, raised in
IN: What are the basics of your business? Bia: This business is about tea and educating people about tea. People can come here to join together and have this great beverage. It’s also about people getting together for arts and crafts and socializing. Strangers can meet and become friends, and of course, a cup of tea helps that. It’s sort of a creative hangout.
14 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
IN: Why are you passionate about tea and art? Bia: My mother has always drank tea—her favorite is jasmine. I grew up listening to adults socialize over tea, and that’s what I want to bring here. We’ve always
STRANGERS CAN MEET AND BECOME FRIENDS, AND OF COURSE, A CUP OF TEA HELPS THAT. IT’S SORT OF A CREATIVE HANGOUT. been taught to have a tea if you’re sick, but actually tea is a beverage that can be enjoyed all the time and any time of the day. With the crafts, people can explore what other artists are doing. They can share ideas communally. Tea and art just go together. IN: How do you think this business will serve the community? Bia: I don’t know. I haven’t heard of anything else like this here. I know in Britain it’s really popular. I think it’s a good thing for a community—we have to stick together somehow. IN: Who do you think your clients will be? Bia: I hope that my clients will be anyone— just like you and me. Everyone is welcome to come and explore. We’ll see what happens. I’m always excited to see who will come in. I think it will be kind of urban, funky, hip, and retro, but for all ages.
IN: What kind of arts and crafts programs do you offer? Bia: We have all different types of classes: sewing, knitting, drawing, jewelry making, kids’ craft making. If you don’t know what to get for your spouse, or whomever, it’s always a great gift for someone to get creative. And education is an important thing—you can always pass along what you’ve learned. IN: How do you feel about your location? Bia: I like the location. I have this feeling that this is a good location for me. I think it has kind of an urban/cozy thing to it. It’s in the historic village, and I think people here really love that and are familiar with it. Also, there’s always parking. IN: Will you be doing anything special for the holidays? Bia: I think we’ll have some seasonal teas. But for me, every day is Christmas. info@inweekly.net
Bia’s Sublime Tea & Artisan Workshop 208 S. Alcaniz St. 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday biasublimetea.com
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Shop Talk
unique & affordable
Check out who’s moving, opening, adding new product lines or expanding services at your favorite locally-owned businesses. ▼news Lee Tracy Shoes and Apparel Relocating to Downtown Pensacola Lee Tracy, in business since 1978 and on the Pensacola Beach boardwalk since 2006, is moving to downtown Pensacola. Mike and Lee McLaughlin, owner-operators, have developed a tremendous local following since relocating their business here after Hurricane Katrina. “It’s one thing we’ve heard from our locals time and time again over the years that they love shopping with us, but it’s not convenient to have to go out to the beach. They wish we were closer,” says Lee McLaughlin. “Believe me, we have very loyal repeat tourist customers and Pensacola Beach residents who come in all the time. But the lifeblood of Lee Tracy is our Gulf Breeze and Pensacola residents.” As of Dec. 24, Lee Tracy will no longer operate on the boardwalk and will open this spring at 701 E. Gregory St., across from McGuire’s. Mike and Lee’s son-in-law has operated Intracoastal Outfitters at that address since 2008, and given the ample size of the building, the family is making the move to operate both of their concepts under one roof. Expect to see a facelift on the Gregory Street location soon. Check out Lee Tracy’s huge moving sale through Dec. 24. Enjoy 25-75 percent off select merchandise. (Brighton, Vera Bradley, and Hobo excluded). Lee Tracy Shoes and Apparel, 400 Quietwater Beach Road, 932-4003
▼save the date 12.31 The Fish House Celebrates New Year’s Eve With Four-Course Wine Dinner and Dance Party The Fish House will offer a special menu created by Chef Billy Ballou that will feature four courses paired with wines. Cost is $100 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, and includes four courses with nine menu options to choose from, with wine pairings that accompany each option. Some highlights of the menu include sweet and spicy-glazed grilled shrimp over a fresh thyme and fried green tomato stack finished with crawfish butter sauce, paired with Alexander Valley Vineyards New Gewürz, North Coast Gewürztraminer 2008; blackberry and apple cake with fresh blackberries and Granny Smith apples baked into a moist golden cake topped with vanilla crème fraîche and served with spiced
syrup, paired with Martini and Rossi Sparkling Rosé, Italy NV. Seatings are at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. For reservations, call Melissa Martin at 4 33-9450. After the dinner, guests are encouraged to dance the night away at The Fish House Deck Bar. For more information, contact Shelley Yates at 748-9001. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St., 470-0003, goodgrits.com Jackson's Steakhouse Celebrates New Year's Eve Jackson's, which is adjacent to the Downtown Countdown drop site will be offering two special seatings in the President's Room at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and will feature a fixedprice, three-course menu, bottomless champagne, and a performance by pianist Al Martin. The cost per person is $125 with complimentary favors and valet services included. Jackson’s will also be offering general dinner reservations in the Governor's Room with service from the fall/winter dinner menu all night. Jackson's will open at 5 p.m. and will feature service from the fall/winter dinner menu. Call 469-9898 today to reserve your table. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox, 469-9898, jacksonssteakhouse.com January 2011 Culinary Productions To Host Gourmet Dinner Night Culinary Productions’ next Gourmet Dinner Night will be held in January and will include food, cocktails, music, art and more. Additional details to be announced. Call Raela Villanueva at 469-04 45 or visit culinary-productions. net for more information. Culinary Productions, 469-0445 or culinary-productions.net
▼now open
Bay Front Café Bay Front Cafe, formerly Norma's, has recently reopened with new owners, Ken and Melissa Jernigan, who also operate Southern Panhandle Café in Century. The café seats approximately 177 and features a buffet with po' boys, sandwiches, salads and soups, plus daily specials and a variety of other items on the menu. Bay Front Cafe, One Energy Place (First Floor), 432-8811 Cupcake Emporium Cupcake Emporium, owned by Pam Holt and her daugh-
ter, Cheri Castillow, offers a variety of cupcakes baked daily. Flavors include nontraditional choices such as cookie dough. The owners focus on day-to-day business as well as on special-occasion events like weddings and private gatherings. The 1,200 square-foot store seats about 16 people, so stop by to satisfy your sweet tooth. Cupcake Emporium, 4350 Bayou Blvd., Suite 3, 332-6371
Join us for Wine Tastings Every Thursday 5-7 p.m.
27 S. 9th Ave.
433-WINE or 433-9463
www.aragonwinemarket.com
Indigeaux Denim Bar and Boutique Indigueax is now open in downtown Pensacola. The boutique offers denim from Miss Me Jeans and Paige Denim, Trinity quality organic silk and cotton clothing, including Judith March for game day wear, and others. Indigeaux Denim Bar and Boutique, 122 S. Palafox, 607-2255, indigeaux.com Pensacola Bay Brewery Pensacola Bay Brewery is now open in Seville Square. Though the brewery is not a bar, customers can sample the beer and take some home in a growler (a halfgallon glass jug used to transport draft beer). The brewery wills soon have its products in some 20 local retail establishments with a portfolio that includes an India pale ale, dopplebock, amber ale, extra special bitter, extra pale ale, pilsner, port and a wheat beer. Pensacola Bay Brewery, 225 E. Zarragossa St. Play Pensacola’s first and only “barcade” is now open in downtown Pensacola above Wine World Wine Bar. The bar is scattered with vintage arcade games, including different variations of pinball, Skee-Ball and a plethora of other games such as “Centipede Millipede” and “Call of the Wild”. They've started a Skee-Ball league, and foosball and pool leagues are also in the works. Play, 16 Palafox Place (upstairs), 466-3080, iplaypensacola.com Wine World Wine Bar Wine World Wine Bar is now open in the former ESP Gas building on Palafox Place. In addition to more than 350 different wines available by the bottle, Wine Bar offers 40 wines by the glass and eight beers on tap. The bar also includes a cheese shop with 50 gourmet cheeses, as well as a menu of sandwiches and small plates. Wine World Wine Bar, 16 Palafox Place, 607-2089
Beach Sign Charm Now Available exclusively at Pizzaz
850.934.3436 832 Gulf Breeze Parkway INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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special advertising section
Featured business directory 497-6073 hopjacks.com Sandshaker Lounge 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 932-2211 sandshaker.com Seville Quarter 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 sevillequarter. com Vinyl Music Hall 2 S. Palafox vinylmusichall. com
7280 Plantation Road 476-7469 silverscreentheatre.com
9276 N. Davis Highway 477-2365
HOME FURNISHINGS & DESIGN Urban Objects 500 N. Ninth Ave. 912-8683 urbanobjects.net
Christopher Kelly Salon 120 S. Palafox Place 444-4940 christopherkellysalon.com
The Global Grill
ADVERTISING Cox Media 3405 McLemore Drive 432-1403 or (866) ADS-SELL coxmedia.com
Still Waters Day & Medical Spa 20 N. Tarragona St. 432-6772 stillwatersmedspa.com
LANDSCAPING Jim Holley, Legionnaire 492-5893 or 501-9597
Highpointe Hotel Corp. 311 Gulf Breeze Parkway 932-9314 highpointe.com
New York Nick’s 11 Palafox Place 469-1984 newyorknicks.net
Success in Heels 637-8644 successinheels.com
RESTAURANTS 600 South/New World Landing 600 S. Palafox 432-5254 600southpalafox.com
BARS/NIGHT CLUBS Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom 10 Palafox Place
ENTERTAINMENT Silver Screen Theatre
Geno’s Italian Restaurant
The Global Grill 27 Palafox Place 469-9966 dineglobalgrill.com
RETAIL/GIFTS Pizzaz 3055 Gulf Breeze Parkway 934-3436
SEWING
Jackson’s Steakhouse 400 South Palafox St. 469-9898 jacksons.goodgrits.com
LODGING
The Fish House 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 goodgrits.com
Running Wild 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222
Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom 10 Palafox Place 497-6073 hopjacks.com
NETWORKING BEAUTY
RETAIL/APPAREL
Portabello Market 400 S. Jefferson St. 439-6545 agourmetoccasion.com Savanna Blue 4238 W. Fairfield Drive 453-2980 savannablue.net Will Call Sports Grille 22 Palafox Place 912-8644 willcallsports.com
Derrel’s of Pensacola 5559 N. Davis Highway 438-5444 sewinginpensacola.com
TELECOMMUNICATIONS Cox 2205 La Vista Ave. Business (866) 792-8470 Residential (866) 961-1102 cox.com
WINE & SPIRITS Aragon Wine Market 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 aragonwinemarket.com
Advertise in IN’s monthly Stay Local section and be included in our Featured Business Directory. Contact Jennifer Passeretti at 2664808 or Jennifer@inweekly. net for details.
Geno’s Italian Restaurant Locally Owned & Operated by Linda & Jaxon Schumacher for 38 Years Enjoy The Family Experience Monday - Thursday 11a.m.-9 p.m. Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday 5-10 p.m. * Closed Sundays Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials ~Beer & Wine Available~
9276 N. Davis Hwy. • 850-477-2365 1 MILE NORTH OF WEST FLORIDA HOSPITAL
16 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
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THE ART OF THE DINNER PARTY
CAST ASIDE YOUR PRECONCE IVED NOTIONS: DINNER PARTIE S ARE MAKING A COMEBACK BY ASHLEY HARDAWAY
(Best when made in advance) Serves 8
½ tsp. pepper 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. ground ginger, ½ tsp. ground clove) 2 cups sour cream
Ingredients 2 medium onions, chopped 4 tbsp. butter or margarine 4 (14.5 ounces) cans chicken broth 4 cups sliced peeled potatoes 4 cups canned cooked pumpkin 4 cups milk 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 tsp. salt
Preparation In a large saucepan, sauté the onion in butter until tender and translucent. Add chicken broth, potatoes and pumpkin; cook until the potatoes are tender—about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Puree half of the mixture at a time in a blender or food processor until smooth and then return to the pan. Add the milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper and heat through.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup
ike snow-covered kittens, meringue and full-sequined dresses, dinner parties often sound better than they actually are. When planned well, they can go off flawlessly, allowing a host infinite time with his or her guests. When planned poorly, the results can be grim at best, as seen in countless films. Perhaps that’s why people seem so keen to avoid hosting them: years of exposure to films that end with the cook crying over an undercooked turkey. For this holiday season, let your optimism shine and actually use those eight place settings you have. Far more inexpensive than buying individual gifts, and much more memorable, dinner parties are a great way to say “thank you” to your
L
Beer Brownies
(Chocolate and beer: it’s sure to be a hit) Serves 10 Ingredients 3 ½ ounces, 1 bar, dark chocolate (at least 70 percent cocoa) 8 tbsp. butter 4 eggs, room temperature ¾ cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar, loose, not packed 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup flour 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup malty beer (stout or porter works well) 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup walnuts, chopped and slightly toasted ¼ cup almonds
friends and reconnect during the craziness of the holiday season. They shouldn’t be relegated to our nostalgic memories of the 1950s: dinner parties are hip, modern, and terribly enviable when done right. Now, with all of Pensacola’s great gourmet stores offering everything you could possibly need, there’s no reason to think you can’t do it. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a first-timer, we’ve got you covered.
For Those Who Like to Take All the Credit: Two Weeks Out: Create invitations using Facebook or Evite and ask for RSVPs a week before the event. It’s probably best to keep the number hovering around 12. Any more folks and you may run into
For Serving: Ice cream, any flavor Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Add the beer and stir to combine, then let cool. Beat together the eggs and sugar until thick and shiny (I finally succumbed and busted out my Kitchenaid). Continue beating on low. Add 1/3 of dry flour mixture and mix until combined. Add half of the chocolate/butter mixture. Continue this rotation until dry and wet ingredients are fully mixed. Add vanilla. Stop mixer and fold in the chips and walnuts. Pour into a buttered and floured 9x13-inch pan and sprinkle the almonds on top. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Practice your self-control.
Roasted Pork Loin with Apples and Vegetables (So hearty you don’t even have to make a side) Serves 8
what could quickly become house party territory, which has it moments—but sadly, none in dinner party land. One Week Out: After getting a final head count, make sure you have enough dishes to cover everyone attending (water glasses, wine and/or beer glasses, plates, bowls, spoons, forks, knives). If you don’t have enough, Waterfront Rescue Mission makes a great, inexpensive place to gather the necessary objects. Mix and match to make a funky, eclectic table setting. Recycle old wine bottles to use as candlestick holders and find wicker baskets that you can line with a cloth napkin to hold bread and extra silverware. If you don’t have enough seating, consider borrowing a wooden pew or two from a church (I’ve seen it done), or cover sturdy metal trashcans that you place upside down with colorful cloth and hope for the best. Oftentimes the most memorable of dinner party settings are simply a mélange of whatever could be thrown together. Three Days Before: Head to Richey’s East or The Wine Bar to purchase some wine or beer for your party. Even if what you’re cooking will primarily go well with one type of wine, it’s best to go ahead and buy both red and white. While at The Wine Bar, buy an assortment of cheeses to spruce up your cheese plate or head over to Four Winds International Food Market to peruse their selection. Any small assortment of soft and hard cheeses will do well. Also, make a point to visit the Port City Farmer’s Market to pick up fresh and local produce on Saturday morning, or East Hill Produce Market any day of the week. ▶cont’ d on page 18
Ingredients 4 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 (4 lb.) boneless center cut pork loin, trimmed and tied Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 medium onions, thickly sliced 6 carrots, thickly sliced 5 stalks celery, thickly sliced 6 cloves garlic, smashed 6 sprigs fresh thyme 6 sprigs fresh rosemary 8 tbsp. cold unsalted butter 5 apples, such as Cortland or Rome, peeled, cored and cut into 8 slices 4 tbsp. apple cider vinegar 2 cups apple cider 4 tbsp. whole grain mustard Preparation In a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over high heat. Season the pork loin generously with salt and pepper and then sear until golden brown on all sides—about two to three minutes per side. When finished searing, transfer the minute to a place. In the same skillet, add the onions, carrots, celery, herb sprigs, garlic, and 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook until vegetables are brown, about eight minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the apples, stir and then push mixture to the side to make room for the pork loin. Set pork loin in the center of the skillet. Place in the pre-heated, 400-degree Fahrenheit oven and roast until the internal temperature has reached 140-150 degrees, which will take about 25-30 minutes. When the dish is finished, transfer the pork to a cutting board and cover it loosely with foil (don’t cut into it just yet). Arrange the vegetables on your serving platter and discard the herb sprigs. Return skillet to high heat and add the vinegar, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to remove the flavored bits. Allow to reduce until thickened by more than half. Remove from heat and stir in mustard, and then stir in butter. Remove strings from pork loin and slice into ½-inch thick pieces. Place atop the vegetables. Drizzle sauce on top.
INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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THE ART OF THE DINNER PARTY The Day Before: Make the Creamy Pumpkin Soup and place in the refrigerator. Bake Chocolate Stout Beer Brownies, allow them to cool, and then cut into squares. Buy bread from the grocery store and set the table. The Day Of: Two hours before the party, start the Roasted Apples and Pork Loin. While the dish is in the oven, make the cheese tray and pop open some wine. When the dish is ready, take it out of the oven and allow it to rest, lightly covered with foil. Light some candles and dim the lights. Come back to the kitchen, make the sauce and place it on the serving platter. Keep it in low-oven at 150 degrees Fahrenheit until guests arrive. When guests begin to arrive, put the soup on medium-high to heat. Allow guests to help out by pouring wine or cutting bread. When the soup is heated through, transfer to a big bowl and bring to the table. Allow guests to serve themselves. When the soup course is finished, clear the table of bowls and bring out the platter of Roasted Pork and Apples. When that course is done, allow guests to help clear plates while you heat up the brownie squares in the microwave. Top with ice cream and serve. Finally, bask in the fact that you have happy, full guests that had a host who was able to enjoy the party with them.
cont’ d from page 17 here an hour before your party and re-plate everything and voila: best host ever.
For Those Who Don’t Mind Sharing the Glory: Nancy’s Haute Affairs 555 Scenic Highway 434-0112 nancyshauteaffairs.com Offering full-service catering as well as GourmetToGo, Nancy’s is already the go-to place for the holiday season. This place is an amazing year-round help for all things involving event planning. Pop in to pick up some of their delicious sides and be sure to tour the store to browse through their delicious bottles of sauces, imported oils, fresh churned butters, and fabulous cheeses. Cajun Specialty Meats 690 E. Heinberg St. 469-9400 cajunspecialtymeats.com Break away from the traditional repetitive holiday fare and inject a bit of pizzazz into your gathering. Cajun Specialty Meats takes care of the hard work for you—all you have to do is cook, or reheat, their products and dinner is done. From Stuffed Chicken with Crawfish Etouffee to sausages and Turduckens, it’s hard to go wrong at this place. Peruse their freezer section for a fabulous array of sides like jambalaya and gumbo, or pick up something hot and fresh from their deli case. Hell, just come
Portabello Market 400 S. Jefferson St. 439-6564 portabellomarket.com Offering their classic Holiday Dinner Menu for $15 per guest (minimum 20 orders) with favorites like Honey Glazed Ham, Cranberry Chutney and Sweet Potato Pie, Portabello Market has practically taken care of everything for you. You can pick and choose from their amazing assortment of side dishes, like Parmesan Crab Dip and Corn Pudding, and make your own main. Also available for non-holiday catering, you can work with them to create a menu to your liking for any function—so a Mexican-themed dinner in December is possible. Go crazy. Soiree Catering and Events 196 N. Palafox St. 438-2003 soireecateringandevents.com Soiree can take care of everything for you, from f latware and glasses, to beverages and food. Offering a holiday menu that starts at $15 per person, patrons can choose from three entree options, from Rotisserie-Style Prime Rib, to an array of sides like Sage Gratin Potatoes. Their
Rules for Hosting a Dinner Party: 1) Keep the number to a minimum. Don’t overburden yourself with cooking for 40. 2) Keep the menu simple. If you’re going to be in the kitchen all night, what’s the point? 3) If you’re using caterers, book your menu in advance. Holiday season is a busy time and many times they are fully booked the week before. 4) Don’t be afraid to let guests help. By giving them things to do, such as cut bread or pour water, the guests will be moving around, and you can avoid having them sit for 45 minutes while waiting on you. 5) Introduce your friends to each other if they have never met.
pumpkin brownies are so good that you’ll find yourself claiming they’re your own recipe. Call early to book your holiday feast as their calendar is filling up quickly. Bust out those “Mad Men” DVDs and start getting inspired: dinner parties are back. info@inweekly.net
VOTED PENSACOLA’S FAVORITE RESTAURANT 5 YEARS IN A ROW!
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!
NEW YEAR’S EVE 4-COURSE PAIRED WINE DINNER Chef-selected 4-course menu with wine pairings. Two seatings: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. $100 per person. Free parking. 850.433.9450 for reservations. (Price does not include tax or gratuity.)
FISH HOUSE: (850) 470-0003, OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. · ATLAS: (850) 437-1961, OPEN MON.–SAT. 5 P.M., SUN. 11 A.M.
THE FISH HOUSE, ATLAS, AND THE DECK BAR ARE LOCATED DOWNTOWN AT 600 S. BARRACKS ST. · CREDIT CARDS OK · WWW.GOODGRITS.COM
18 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
hot times THURSDAY 12.09 A HOLIDAY EVENING IN OLDE SEVILLE SQUARE 6:30-9 p.m. Food and refreshments are available as well as a special appearance by Santa Claus. Seville Square at the corner of Alcaniz and Zarragossa streets. 438-6505 or pensacolaheritage.org. PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE CONCERT CHORALE AND ENTERTAINERS 7:30 p.m. Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, Pensacola Campus. Free admission. No tickets required. 484-1847 or pjc.edu/lyceum. TREE OF LIGHTS 11 a.m. Tree of Lights is a celebration of life, symbolized by a holiday tree illuminated by hundreds of
lights. Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Inpatient Residence, 10075 Hillview Road. 208-7122 or covenanthospice.org. ‘RELEASE THE SOUND’ TALENT SHOW 6 p.m. Proceeds from the talent show will feed 100 families for Christmas. Pensacola High School, 500 W. Maxwell St. 525-7733. ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. Through Sunday, Dec. 12. $16 adults, $12 senior citizens and active military, $10 per person for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff and $5 for high school students. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Parkway. 857-6057 or uwf.edu.
ZOO LIGHTS 5-9 p.m. Through Sunday, Dec. 12. Also Dec. 16-23 and 26-31. Enjoy the beauty of the zoo at night and thousands of sparkling holiday lights. General admission $7. Members $5. Train rides $2.50. Gulf Breeze Zoo, 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway. 932-2229 or gulfbreezezoo.org.
by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Sweet Dreams. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.
HERB CLASS AT EVER’MAN 5:30 p.m. weekly. Come study different herbs. Enjoy different guest lectures every Thursday night, and learn techniques recommended by the Cambridge Institute. Free for members, $2 for non-members. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org.
‘MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS’ AT PLT 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Also Dec. 17-19. A musical adaptation of Ludwig Bemelman’s beloved tale set in a Parisian girls school. Tickets $14-$20. Children 12 and under admitted at half price. Donate a toy to Communities Caring at Christmas for a ticket discount. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.
ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6-9 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step
FRIDAY 12.10
Featured Holiday Adver tisers THE GLOBAL GRILL
27 Palafox Place, 469-9966, dineglobalgrill.com
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN! {1 5 DAYS } The countdown’s on. Be sure to check out these local businesses for holiday dining and gifts for those on your holiday checklist!
▼RESTAURANTS
20 N. Tarragona St., 432-6772, stillwatersmedspa.com
600 S. Palafox, 432-5254
600 SOUTH
Offering a variety of traditional spa treatments, massage, skin peels, medical spa treatments, and more, Still Waters is one-stop shop for relaxation. Still Waters also offers a variety of medical-grade skin care products such as Obagi and CosMedix and upscale mineral cosmetics line La Bella Donna. Gift Cards are available for the holidays and are available online or at the spa.
Enjoy Christmas in the Courtyard. Visit the courtyard and enjoy the holiday décor with drink and food specials designed around the holidays. Enjoy Sunday Brunch by new chef Nick Farkas for $19.99, or enjoy cocktails and tapas with friends. Check out their happy hour from 5-10 p.m. on Fridays, with $4 drinks, $4 featured martinis, $2.50 domestic beer and $3.50 premium beer.
▼BOOKS
THE FISH HOUSE/ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE
Fiesta Seafood Cookbook espnaturalgas.com
600 S. Barracks St., 470-0003, goodgrits.com
ESP NATURAL GAS
Re-create the true taste of Pensacola in your own kitchen with the best recipes from Pensacola’s top chefs. Collected from the past 14 years of cooking demonstrations at the Pensacola Seafood Festival, the Fiesta Seafood Cookbook offers the best of the Fiesta Seafood Grille—great ingredients, great chefs, the great taste of Pensacola.
▼FRAMING
FRAMING BY DESIGN
4718 North “W” St., 432-5519 Framing by Design has offered custom framing services to the greater Pensacola area for more than a decade. With a certified picture framer on staff, Framing by Design can expertly take care of your conservation framing, shadowboxes, specialty mats, needlework, watercolors, photos, prints and more.
HOPJACKS PIZZA KITCHEN & TAPROOM
10 Palafox Place, 497-6073, hopjacks.com With more than 150 beers and killer pizza, Hopjacks is a go-to spot for both Happy Hour and meal time. Hopjacks’ motto pretty much sums it up: “Hot pizza. Cold beer. Cool music.” Gift cards are available for both wining and dining. JACKSON’S STEAKHOUSE
▼BEAUTY
STILL WATERS DAY & MEDICAL SPA
Want to impress this holiday season? With an excellent bar and what is perhaps the most distinctive menu in town, Global Grill is the drinks, tapas, dinner or dessert destination for anyone who enjoys an upscale but low-key dining experience. Global also offers one of the most extensive wine lists in the area.
The Fish House offers fine waterfront dining with daily features ranging from off-the-boat seafood to pasta to veal. About 30 selections from the 300-bottle wine list are available by the glass. The Fish House offers a dining and entertainment experience that’s perfect for just about anyone but the Scrooge on your list. GENO’S PIZZA & ITALIAN RESTAURANT
9276 N. Davis Highway, 477-2365 Geno’s is proof that nice surprises come in little packages. This family restaurant opened in 1973 as a pizza parlor serving UWF students and the military personnel stationed at Ellyson Field. With its momand-pop atmosphere, friendly service and all your homey Italian favorites, this hidden gem near the UWF campus is well worth the trip for those of us in the South end of the county.
accessories such as hats, sunglasses, leather wallets, casual bags and day packs, stainless steel water bottles, jewelry, and body care products. Whether you’re gearing up for hiking, kayaking, or just being outdoors, Intracoastal Outfitters has what you need. Go on—Get outside. RUNNING WILD
3012 E. Cervantes St., 435-9222, werunwild.com Running Wild offers the latest in athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. Whether you, a friend or family member are an occasional jogger, competitive runner, fitness walker or just want a comfortable pair of shoes, Running Wild’s expert staff is trained to help meet the specific needs of its customers. Holiday gift cards are available, and the store is also offering some beginning running programs starting in January 2010 that also make great gifts.
400 S. Palafox St., 469-9898, jacksons.goodgrits.com
▼RETAIL/JEWELRY
For decadent dining, fabulous martinis and an extensive wine list, all in a pristine, cosmopolitan atmosphere, Jackson’s is the place to dine for lunch and dinner. The eclectic menu offers innovative dishes with southern charm, as well as some of the best steaks in the region.
124 S. Palafox, 602-7052, artpraha.com
PORTABELLO MARKET
400 S. Jefferson St., 439-6545, agourmetoccasion.com Portobello is tucked away inside the Pensacola Cultural Center and caters to the downtown lunch crowd with an array of exceptional entrees. Catering is also available for your holiday parties. SEVILLE QUARTER
130 E. Government St., 434-6211, sevillequarter.com Seville Quarter isn’t just a place to shake your stuff. It also offers dining in a New Orleans-style atmosphere with historic features and decor. Seville also offers membership with perks. Choose from a regular Membership Card ($25), Bar & Restaurant Employees Membership Card ($25) or a VIP Membership ($100).
▼RETAIL/APPAREL
INTRACOASTAL OUTFITTERS
701 E. Gregory St., 432-8638, intracoastaloutfitters.com Intracoastal Outfitters provides men’s and women’s footwear and apparel for comfort, travel and outdoor adventure, with brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Keen, Merrell, Birkenstock, Vibram Five Fingers and many others. The store also offers
ART PRAHA
Art Praha Galerie is Pensacola’s exclusive European gallery and the only international art gallery in northwest Florida. Art Praha specializes in several internationally renowned artists as well as emerging artists of fine art, glass sculptures, photography and artisan jewelry. Art Praha is the perfect holiday shopping destination if you’re trying to find a unique gift with international flair. ELEBASH’S
36 Palafox Place, 478-4250, elebashs.com Elebash’s is one of the first firms in the Southeast to gain membership in the American Gem Society, with a membership that dates back over 60 years. Whether you are a long-term customer or a first-time visitor, you’ll notice the experience, service, selection and value that make Elebash’s one of Pensacola’s most trusted sources for jewelry and fine gifts. SUSAN CAMPBELL JEWELRY
208 S. Alcaniz St., 434-8948, susancampbelljewelry.com Susan Campbell Jewelry offers some of the best handmade, quality, designer jewelry on the Gulf Coast. The store carries both popular designers and gallery favorites like Me&Ro, Saundra Messinger, Heather Moore, Catherine Weitzman, Melissa Joy Manning, Tiffany Peay, Nancy Norton, Magally, Sarah Graham, Priya Himatsingka and Studio Waterfall. Gift certificates and online ordering are available.
INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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hot times FIRST ANNUAL PALAFOX CHRISTMAS MARKET 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy roasted chestnuts, holiday shopping, special appearances by St. Nicholas in his traditional dress, as well as carolers in costume, dancers, and other family entertainment. South Palafox Street, below Garden Street. downtownpensacola.com. SUBWAY BONFIRE JAM 2010 Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town perform in conjunction with the Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade & Festival, a free regional event celebrating southern heritage. SUBWAY BonfireJam is a ticketed event following the parade. Proceeds benefit the Chumuckla Athletic Association’s “Fill the Float” for needy children, Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Safe House and big-dreams.org scholarship foundation for Milton High School seniors. $20$35. Children under 10 free. 2413 Highway 182, Jay. (888) 512-7469 or bonfirejam.com. ◀‘CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST’ 7:30 p.m. The Pensacola Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote, will present its annual production. Tickets are now on sale at the Saenger Theatre Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox. 595-3882 or pensacolasaenger.com.
EVER’MAN BOOK SALE 12-4 p.m. Find a treasure to add to your book collection, or give the gift of a gently used book for the holiday season. All of the proceeds will be donated to Pensacola’s volunteer-run, non-profit book store, Open Books, which uses proceeds from its book sales to send free books to inmates in Florida prisons. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org. WINTERFEST: RUDOLPH’S HOLIDAY STROLL Also Dec. 17-19. Enjoy a one-hour tour through Seville Square with Performance Tour stops, songs and stories. Adults $9, children 10 and under $5. pensacolawinterfest.org. WINTERFEST: CARRIAGE RIDES Also Dec. 17-19. Twentyminute ride through holiday Seville. Adults $15, children 10 and under $10. pensacolawinterfest.org. WINTERFEST: PERFORMANCE TOURS Also Dec. 17-19 Sixteen performances along a 50-minute trip through downtown Pensacola. Adults $18, children 10 and under $12. pensacolawinterfest.org. WINTERFEST: TROLLEY TOURS 6-9 p.m. Trolleys and doubledecker buses act as theaters taking passengers to a series of interactive performances at 22 locations along a two-mile route in historic Downtown Pensacola. Adults $18, children 10 and under $14. pensacolawinterfest.org. LIGHTED BOAT PARADE 6 p.m. Watch from the shore or from a local waterfront business. Dozens of captains compete for prizes as the nautical parade delivers Santa Claus officially to the island. Free. Pensacola Beach Marina to the Boardwalk. 932-1500 or pensacolabeachchamber.com. ‘CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST’ 7:30 p.m. The Pensacola Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote, will present its annual production. Tickets are now on sale at the Saenger Theatre Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox. 595-3882 or pensacolasaenger.com. ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. Through Sunday, Dec. 12. $16 adults, $12 senior citizens and active military, $10 per person for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff and $5 for high school students. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Parkway. 857-6057 or uwf.edu. ‘IT TAKES TWO’ POTTERY CLASS AT THE BELMONT 5-8 p.m. The Belmont supplies the clay for you to try your hand at wheel throwing. Each person will get to make at least one piece of pottery. Bring a friend, family member or date. Minimum age 14. $25. Belmont Arts & Cultural Center, 401 N. Reus St. 429-1222 or belmontartscenter.com.
ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6:30-9:30 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: The Red Door. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola. GRAND CHAMPAGNE TASTING AT DISTINCTIVE KITCHENS 4:30-7 p.m. Free. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Place. 438-4688 or dk4u.com. PENSACOLA SWING 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m. weekly. Lessons from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Open dancing until midnight. American Legion Post 33, 1401 W. Intendencia St. $5. 437-5465 or pensacolaswing.com. RHYTHM & JAZZ 6:30 p.m. Dinner served at 7 p.m. Showtime at 7:30 p.m. Vocalist Erma Granat of the band Shades welcomes a group of emerging vocalists and instrumentalists to the stage. Presented by Musicians Along the Coast. $15 in advance. Cocktail attire. Call Erma at 346-9078 or email erma_granat@yahoo.com for tickets. Gregory Street Assembly Hall, 501 E. Gregory St. musicians alongthecoast.com. MUSIC: GRADY CHAMPION 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com. MUSIC: 80’S RETRO NIGHT 8 p.m. No cover. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com. MUSIC: THE CONSTELLATIONS, DEADLY FISTS OF KUNG FU 7:30 p.m. $5. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com. MUSIC: TRUCK MONKEY 9 p.m. The Fish House Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or goodgrits.com.
SATURDAY 12.11 BELMONT’S BIZZARE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Belmont’s Bizzare, an arts and crafts show out of the ordinary, encourages “out of the box” thinking and serves as a forum for the display of various types of mediums and techniques. Belmont Arts Center, 401 N. Reus St. 429-1222 or belmontartscenter.com.
COX PENSACOLA CHRISTMAS PARADE 5:15 p.m. Includes local bands from every high school in Escambia County, the nationally renowned Blue Angels flight team, and groups from around the region and as far away as Houston. 1 W. Garden St. 429-1222 or coxpensacolachristmasparade.org. | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS V. COLUMBUS COTTONMOUTHS 7 p.m. The Hanger, Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaiceflyers.com.
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ANNUAL UWF ART FACULTY EXHIBITION 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Dec. 14. The Art Gallery (TAG) at UWF presents the annual UWF Art Faculty exhibition featuring the work of nationally recognized UWF Department of Art faculty members Thomas Asmuth, Gary Batzloff, Valerie George, Joseph Herring, Jim Jipson, Dan Kelleher, John Markowitz, Amy Ruddick, Greg Saunders, Adam Shiverdecker, Lyda Toy and professor emeritus Duncan Stewart. Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 857-6057 or uwf.edu.
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. Through Sunday, Dec. 12. $16 adults, $12 senior citizens and active military, $10 per person for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff and $5 for high school students. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Parkway. 857-6057 or uwf.edu.
SUNDAY 12.12 SURFING SANTA BEACH PARADE 2 p.m. Free. Via De Luna, Pensacola Beach. pensacolabeachchamber.com. ‘CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST’ 2:30 p.m. The Pensacola Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote, will present its annual production. Tickets are now on sale at the Saenger Theatre Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox. 595-3882 or pensacolasaenger. com. ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 2:30 p.m. $16 adults, $12 senior citizens and active military, $10 for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff and $5 for high school students. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Parkway. 857-6057 or uwf.edu. GINGERBREAD HOUSE MAKE AND TAKE 12-2 p.m. The public is invited to bring a bag of hard candies to decorate a beach version of the traditional sweet house. Free. Tiki Island Golf and Games, 2 Via De Luna Drive. 932-1550.
SAME TIME, SAME PLACE
72ND ANNUAL CAMELLIA SHOW AND PLANT SALE 9 a.m.-6 p.m. This free show will have approximately 1,500 blooms entered by camellia enthusiasts from several surrounding states as well as locally. First United Methodist Church, Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. 434-0326 or pensacolacamelliaclub.com. BOOK SALE AT EVER’MAN 12-4 p.m. Also Sunday. All proceeds will be donated to Pensacola’s volunteer-run, non-profit bookstore Open Books. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org. BOOK SIGNING AT EVER’MAN 11 a.m. Doreen Ingram, local author of the children’s book “My Sanctuary, A Place I Call Home” will read portions from her book and tell stories of her experiences with chimps in Africa. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org. PORT CITY MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through April 16, 2011. Enjoy local produce and crafts. Southeast corner of Palafox and Main streets. Port City Market, 500 S. Palafox. 380-4237 or portcitymarket.com. SPICY CHILI COOK-OFF 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit Escambia County Sheriff Deputy Jeremy Cassady’s long-term care. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com. PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS VS. COLUMBUS COTTONMOUTHS 7 p.m. The Hanger, Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaiceflyers.com. ANNUAL UWF ART FACULTY EXHIBITION 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Dec. 14. The Art Gallery (TAG) at the University of West Florida (UWF) presents the annual UWF Art Faculty exhibition featuring the work of nationally recognized UWF Department of Art faculty members Thomas Asmuth, Gary Batzloff, Valerie George, Joseph Herring, Jim Jipson, Dan Kelleher, John Markowitz, Amy Ruddick, Greg Saunders, Adam Shiverdecker, Lyda Toy and professor emeritus Duncan Stewart. Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 857-6057 or uwf.edu. BAYVIEW PARK SPRING FLEA MARKET 9-12 p.m. Bayview Park, corner of East Blount Street and 20th Avenue. 436-5190 or aquina@ci.pensacola.fl.us. ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6:30-9:30 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Poinsettia. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola. MUSIC: KRADDY, EDDIE GOLD, THE DILLS 9 p.m. $12-$15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox. vinylmusichall.com.
▼RUNNING CLUBS MONDAY: Seville Quarter Milers 5:30 p.m.130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. TUESDAY: McGuire’s Runners 6 p.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresrunners.com. Running Wild 6 a.m. Women-Only Morning Runs. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. Running Wild 6 a.m. Six at Six. Six mile-route for various abilities from a 10 minute per mile pace and faster. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. WEDNESDAY: Capt’N Fun Runners 6 p.m. Distance from 3 to 10 miles. Pace varies. Quietwater Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach. captnfun.net. THURSDAY: Running Wild 6 a.m. Women-Only Morning Runs. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. Running Wild 5:30 p.m. Steady-pace run for all levels of runners. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. FRIDAY: Running Wild 9:30 a.m. Phat Girlz. Women only, all abilities running group. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. SATURDAY: Running Wild 6 a.m. Long run. 8-20 miles, supported hydration stops, marked courses, and pace leaders. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com.
S P O N S O R E D B Y
incable
HUNDREDS OF NEW & CLASSIC MOVIES PAUSE, REWIND & FAST FORWARD SAME DAY AS DVD
DECEMBER >> ON DEMAND MOVIE PICKS In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, Dom Cobb is the absolute best at it. But his skills are tested when it comes time to execute his toughest job ever—Inception.
PREMIERES DEC. 4
▼HEMINGWAY’S GARDEN OF EDEN
▲THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE Available On Demand December 4 STARRING: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner DIRECTOR: David Slade GENRE: Adventure/Romance/Horror MPAA RATING: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some sensuality.
Available On Demand December 10 STARRING: Jack Huston, Mena Suvari DIRECTOR: John Irvin GENRE: Drama MPAA RATING: Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity
PREMIERES DEC. 7
and some language. A young American writer completes his service in WWI and travels across Europe with his wife and her attractive Italian girlfriend. Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway.
▲NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS
In this installment of the blockbuster film franchise, Bella is forced to choose between her love for vampire Edward and her friendship with werewolf Jacob.
INCEPTION Available On Demand December 7 STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan GENRE: SciFi/Suspense MPAA RATING: Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout.
Available On Demand December 14 STARRING: Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal DIRECTOR: Susanna White GENRE: Family/Kids MPAA RATING: Rated PG for rude humor, some language and mild thematic elements.
PREMIERES DEC. 14
Nanny McPhee returns just in time to help a young mother who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. She uses her magic to teach new lessons.
GREAT IN THEATERS. EVEN BETTER ON DEMAND. two On DEMAND movies, fill in the Buy 1, Get 1 FREE! Order coupon and mail with your Cox bill.
TUNE TO CHANNEL1
Name: _______________________________ Cox Account #: ___________________________ Movie Title: ___________________________ Date Viewed: ____________________________ Movie Title: ___________________________ Date Viewed: ____________________________ Promo Code 282IN12
Order using your Digital remote! Go to Channel 1
www.cox.com
Expires 1/31/11
Pick a category
Pick a movie
Enjoy!
Mail completed coupon to Cox/On DEMAND, 2205 La Vista Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504. Coupon good for one On DEMAND movie priced at $4.99 or less; not valid for adult programming or special events; cannot be used with other offers. Limit one coupon per household per month. Void if altered or transferred; no photocopies or reproductions accepted. Account holder is responsible for all charges on his/her account. Available to residential customers in Cox service areas. Cox Advanced TV, remote, receiver rental required. Digital cable ready TV’s and other devices equipped with a CableCard require a Cox digital set top receiver to receive On DEMAND programming. Some On DEMAND programming costs extra. On DEMAND cannot be recorded. All programming and rates are subject to change and may not be available in all areas. Names of programming services, features and/or programmers are the property of their respective owners. Other restrictions may apply. ©2010 Cox Florida/Georgia. All rights reserved.
CX2627 OD L-shape IN 120910.indd 1
INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET 21 12/2/10 1:11 |PM
hot times Campus. 484-1847 or pjc.edu/lyceum. MONDAY POKER LEAGUE 5:30 p.m. Weekly through Dec. 20. Players and spectators will win bar tabs, t-shirts, gift cards and more. The overall champion will be awarded a spot at the World Poker Tour Amateur Championship at the Tropicana Las Vegas, with a chance to compete for over $160,000 in cash and prizes. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd. 549-4444 or the-oar-house.com. MUSIC: ‘BLUE MONDAY’ WITH JAZZ PENSACOLA 6-9 p.m. The program will feature the Edmo Lanier Quartet, focusing on the “blue” side of the style. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or jazzpensacola.com.
TUESDAY 12.14 ▲PUBLIC ICE SKATING 1:30-2:30 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 4:30-5 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolafigureskating.com. MUSIC: IAN TAYLOR 9 p.m. End ‘O The Alley in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
MONDAY 12.13 GIRLS NIGHT OUT AT DISTINCTIVE KITCHENS: SUSHI 6 p.m. Chef Dot Champ will prepare some of his favorite sushi recipes that he prepares at H2O at the Hilton on Pensacola Beach. $44.95. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Place. 438-4688 or dk4u.com. PENSACOLA CIVIC BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Also Tuesday, Dec. 14. $5 general admission. Reservations recommended. Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, Pensacola
‘SWEET TEA, SOUTHERN COOKING’ SERIES 6 p.m. Fish House chefs will demonstrate traditional Southern cooking methods and suggest ways to modernize each recipe without losing its Southern roots. Classes are limited to first come, first served. Enjoy a happy hour on the Deck Bar before and during the class. The Fish House Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. 748-9001 or goodgrits.com. TUESDAY POKER LEAGUE 6 p.m. Weekly through January 18. Players and spectators will win bar tabs, t-shirts, gift cards and more. The overall Champion will be awarded a spot at the World Poker Tour Amateur Championship at the Tropicana Las Vegas, with a chance to compete for over $160,000 in cash and prizes. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd. 549-4444 or the-oar-house.com. HAUNTED TOURS 10:30 a.m. weekly. Take a break from the sun at Haunted Seville Quarter. After your tour enjoy a buffet
22 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
lunch in Apple Annie’s Courtyard. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 221-1977 or pensacolahistoryandhauntings@ cox.net.
SAME TIME, SAME PLACE
POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD NIGHT 7 p.m. weekly. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. 429-0336 or eotlcafe.com. MUSIC: MOTOR CITY JOSH & THE BIG 3 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.
WEDNESDAY 12.15 IN MARTINI NIGHT 5-8 p.m. Every Wednesday, join IN Publisher Rick Outzen and get a sneak peak at tomorrow’s issue of the IN. You can pass on any news tips to the publisher himself. Live music. Drink and food specials. The Global Grill, 27 S. Palafox Place. 469-9966. LUNCH AND LEARN AT DISTINCTIVE KITCHENS 12 p.m. weekly. Join DK for a cooking class during your lunch hour. Each class is finished within one hour. Enjoy unique menus while learning cooking tips from their guest chef. For those not on a tight lunch schedule, enjoy a bottle of wine of choice from their wine shop with no upcharge. $15. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Place. 438-4688 or dk4u.com. BUSINESS ON THE BALCONY 5:30-7:30 p.m. weekly. Enjoy $1 Miller Lite and PBR drafts, $4 Grey Goose drinks, free appetizers and dinner specials while you network. Will Call Sports Grille, 22 S. Palafox Place. 912-8644 or willcallsports.com. ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6-9 p.m. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint a picture step by step that you will take home. 16 years and older. Theme: Light Post. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola. MUSIC: MIKE QUINN 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
▼WINE TASTINGS THURSDAY: Aragon Wine Market 5-7 p.m. 27 S. Ninth Ave., aragonwinemarket.com FRIDAY: City Grocery 5:15-7:30 p.m. weekly. 2050 N. 12th Ave. 469-8100. Distinctive Kitchens 4:30-7 p.m. Includes beer tastings. 29 S. Palafox Place. 438-4688 or dk4u.com. Seville Quarter 5-7 p.m. Gift Shoppe at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
music DRAYTON SAWYER AND THE OFFER: SHARING MORE THAN JUST A BORDER
ALABAMA AND FLORIDA BANDS TEAM UP AND HELP EACH OTHER OUT
BY ROB “BUBBS” HARRIS
T
here is no denying the “FloraBama” connection around these parts. There seems to especially be a strange, yet very cool, connection between Pensacola and Dothan, Ala. For example, I grew up in Dothan, yet here I am, living in Pensacola. Not convinced? Several of the friends I grew up with in the Circle City also ended up here. I have also noticed that there is a strong support system built between musicians from both cities. I remember seeing bands like The Metros, which contained a few members of local ska/punk favorites Diversity is an Old Wooden Ship, back when I was a wee lad. TwoThirteen, originally from Dothan, who just opened up for The Misfits last week at Vinyl Music Hall, built a following in Pensacola by playing shows here and setting up our locals with shows over there before relocating to Georgia. I’m not sure why, but there has always been this sort of “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” type of mentality between the Dothan and Pensacola scenes. With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you all to another pair of bands who are known for supporting the scenes and helping out however they can, and who also happen to have a show together this weekend.
DRAYTON SAWYER
Deep in the woods of east Milton, a beast of unfathomable power lies in wait. A group of good ol’ Florida boys, simply known as Drayton Sawyer, is meticulously preparing to unleash this monster and prove to music fans locally and beyond that there is a reason why they have been a fixture in the local rock scene for over two years. The monster of which I speak is the new and more-focused-than-ever Drayton Sawyer. This past year was a wild one for Drayton Sawyer. They played some big shows and made a lot of new fans and even more friends.
But almost as suddenly as they got rolling pretty well, the cosmos threw a couple of wrenches in their spokes. Cancelled tours, crowd-less shows and broken-down vans left the band stuck within the confines of the local scene for a little longer than expected (not that that’s necessarily a bad thing). On top of it all, with mutual respect for each other’s differences, the band parted ways with long-time vocalist John Schreiber. Having regrouped, refocused and rededicated themselves to their craft, Drayton Sawyer has returned with a new singer/screamer, and a whole new outlook on what this band is all about. “We really want to show people that Drayton Sawyer is a serious band,” says drummer Nick Cote. “Don’t get me wrong, music is all about having fun, and we like to have a good time when we play, but we want to be looked at as professional musicians rather than just a bunch of dudes playing metal. “That’s why the title of our upcoming EP is called ‘5,000 lbs. of Respect,’ because we have been playing around the scene and perfecting our craft. You might not like us, but after you see us live, you will respect us.” The upcoming EP that Cote mentioned is due out soon and was produced by the band themselves and Joseph McQueen (As I Lay Dying, This Day Will Tell). The addition of new vocalist Shane Mapoles has brought a whole new dynamic to Drayton Sawyer’s sound. “We were going in a different direction from what John was into, so we asked Shane to join. He is a good friend of ours and he knew the music and the band, so it was a pretty smooth transition. He’s got a unique voice and it complements our music perfectly,” Cote says. It has also made them more driven and open-minded about how they would approach getting back out and doing shows. “We’re so ready to get out there and play shows. We don’t really care who we play
with,” adds Mapoles. “We’ve been going out and supporting the local bands, making friends and setting up shows with all kinds of different acts.” Cote backs that up. “We’ve got the show with Charred Melon Cherries coming up, then we get to play with our good friends Scream Out Loud, Forevers Calling and The Offer on Dec. 10. We’re really glad to be playing with The Offer. They have always showed us a lot of love when we went up to play in Dothan, so we’re glad to have them down to play in our town, at our bar.” Between the EP, new shows, new merchandise and a whole new meaning of the words “Live Show,” things are looking good for Drayton Sawyer.
THE OFFER
Dothan’s The Offer isn’t your typical band. Most groups are composed of musicians with similar tastes and styles who have a pretty general idea as to what direction they want their music to take. The Offer, however, is composed of five completely different guys, but with one united mindset: to make music that they want to play without compromise. “The Offer got started about two and a half years ago,” says guitarist Michael Jordan (yep, that’s his name). “Our other guitarist Thomas and I started writing some stuff together on guitar and recording it after our old band, Blackhawk Alliance, broke up. “We were writing some more melodic stuff and wanted to find a singer with their own style and voice. Luckily, we found Chris Eubanks, who is from right here in Dothan. He can scream and sing, which is cool because we don’t always have to write super heavy songs. The rest of the pieces fell into place and The Offer came to be. We didn’t really want to fit into any certain boxes, so we just started playing whatever felt right.” The Offer has been kicking around the burgeoning Dothan scene for a while,
and has made numerous appearances at Hot Topic stores around the north Florida region and Alabama. Having played numerous shows in Pensacola in other bands, Jordan is excited to bring The Offer down to Pensacola and meet back up with their old friends in Drayton Sawyer. “We’ve known those guys for a while,” explains Jordan. “Thomas and I have played shows with them before in other bands, and we’ve even traveled down to Pensacola to see them play a couple of times. We also made sure to check them out and help spread the word when they came to Dothan. We’re excited to be able to play with them again, and make some new fans in Pensacola.” The Offer, who’s self-funded, recorded, produced and distributed EP “The Science of Attraction” is enticing new listeners with every spin, is definitely a band to watch out for in the coming months, as they are sure to make it to the next level with the type of hard work and dedication that they put into their music. The connection between the Alabama and Florida music scenes is an amazing and organic institution. Bands from both states, especially these two cities of Pensacola and Dothan, will continue to support each other and help one another better themselves. They share stages. They share fans. They share a border. Most of all, they share a love of music, and that is something that I think we can all come together on. info@inweekly.net
DRAYTON SAWYER, THE OFFER, FOREVERS CALLING, AND SCREAM OUT LOUD
WHERE: The Big Easy Tavern, 710 N. Palafox St. WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 COST: Free for 21 and up, $5 for under 21 DETAILS: myspace.com/draytonsawyermusic, and myspace.com/theofferband
ACHIEVE YOUR BEST WITH THE BEST IN 2011
B O O T CAM P CAMP BEGINS 1.3.11 MORNING AND EVENING TIME SLOTS AVAILABLE WWW.FIXEDONFITNESS.COM info@fixedonfitness.com 850.554.1648 INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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the public record
Dear Maxwell, The other day I heard someone talking about a plane that crashed in Pensacola back in the 1970s. What’s the story with that? Jim O.
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From Russia with Love: Selections from the Rabourn Collection October 29th, 2010 January 23rd, 2011
Multiple Sins: An Exhibition of Indulgences December 2nd December 31st, 2010 Join us for the Opening Reception December 2nd 5:00pm - 7:30pm 407 s. jefferson st. 850.432.6247 www.pensacolamuseumofart.org
24 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
On May 8, 1978, National Airlines Flight 193 crashed into Escambia Bay while attempting to land at the Pensacola Municipal Airport. It was three miles short of its destination. The Boeing 727, nicknamed “Donna,” originated in Miami. After stops in Melbourne, Tampa, New Orleans and Mobile it was headed for the final destination of the day: Pensacola. The plane began its approach shortly after a thick fog had settled over the bay. Despite low visibility, Captain George Kunz decided to attempt the scheduled landing at 9:22 p.m. Just minutes before, an Eastern Airlines jet was rerouted to Mobile on account of the weather. The 58 passengers aboard Flight 193 assumed they were coming in for a routine landing when there was a sudden crash and water began rushing into the cabin. The bay was shallow at the impact point, and the plane came to rest half-submerged in 12 feet of water. In a fortunate turn of events, Flight 193 wasn’t the only one who was lost in the fog that night. Tugboat Captain Glenn McDonald and deckhand Bill Kenney were off course on their way to repair a railroad trestle north of the I-10 bridge. The two men sprang into action when they saw the wayward jet land just 300 yards away from them. As passengers escaping the airliner jumped into the water, McDonald piloted his tugboat over to them. The tugboat was pushing an empty barge that Kenney used for a life raft as he began plucking survivors out of the bay.
BY MAXWELL CHASE
Kenney, a former Marine who served in Vietnam, hung from the barge by his feet while pulling the panicked passengers to safety. He also dove into the jet fuel-filled water to swim after others who had drifted away. After all the survivors were taken from the water, Kenney laid a plank from the barge to the plane in order to rescue others who were marooned on the plane’s fuselage. When some of the passengers were too frightened to navigate the plank, Kenney crossed over, put the victims on his shoulders and carried them back to the barge. All throughout Kenney’s heroics, McDonald was piloting the tugboat and maintaining a spotlight on the water. In the end, the duo was able to rescue 55 passengers that night. Three people tragically drowned in the accident and several others were seriously injured. Sadly, one of the deceased was the mother of a two-year-old boy who was the first to be rescued from the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board ruled that the crash was most likely the result of an unprofessional landing approach by the flight crew. The board said the three-man crew failed to properly monitor the rate of descent and altitude. It was also found that they disengaged a warning device that sounded when the plane approached ground level. The three men were subsequently fired as the airline went to the task of settling lawsuits.
photo c/o Pensacola Historical Society Collection, West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. Do you have a local histor y question for The Public Record? Email it to thepublicrecord@inweekly.net & we’ll see what we can dig up.
news of the weird BRITAIN’S NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
acknowledged in November that, because of a shortage of healthy lungs and other organs available for transplant, it was offering those on waiting lists the option of receiving them from former smokers, drug addicts, cancer patients and the elderly. “You have to say,” said an official with the NHS’s Blood and Transplant unit, “do you get a lung with more risk, or do you get no lung (at all)?”
COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS French farmer Michele Rouyer, who was discovered by police with about 11 pounds of packaged marijuana and a dozen plants, said the weed was not for himself but for the 150 ducks he raises—in that a specialist had suggested that marijuana is an effective dewormer and fever-preventer. (Rouyer did acknowledge that, well, yes, maybe he smoked a little of it himself.) In November, a court in Rochefort fined him the equivalent of about $700—even though he insisted, proudly, that his ducks are, indeed, worm-free. LAME: (1) Former Groveland, Mass., police officer Aaron Yeo, who was fired in 2009 for sleeping on the job and lying to dispatchers about his locations, challenged the termination in October 2010, claiming through his lawyer that he had declined to reveal his locations only because he was “watching for terrorists.” (2) Body armor company CEO David H. Brooks, charged with tax fraud and insider trading, argued at his trial in August in New York City that his company’s hiring of prostitutes for staff and board members was a legitimate corporate expense because it could “make (employees) more productive.” HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH In recent years frisky Britons have popularized “dogging”—strangers meeting for outdoor sex in remote public parks—and U.K. government agencies appear to be of two minds about it. Local councils want to see it stopped, but the police chiefs’ association in Scotland recognizes that doggers have rights. (The Surrey County Council, for example, recently considered bringing wild bulls into one park to discourage doggers, although one critic said romping bulls “will probably make (doggers) even more excited.” The chiefs’ association issued a 60-page “hate crimes” manual in October that urged officers to be sensitive to “outdoor sex” practitioners, in that they are vulnerable to hate crimes just as are other disadvantaged minorities.) REDNECK CHRONICLES (1) Joe Druce, serving life in prison in Massachusetts for one murder (and who subsequently murdered fellow inmate and former pedophile priest John Geoghan), popped the question recently to Christian minister Shirl Borden, who agreed to marry him in October after five years of being pen pals. Borden said the pair’s rela-
BY CHUCK SHEPPARD tionship turned romantic over their mutual love of NASCAR. (2) Harvey Westmoreland of Lawrenceburg, Ky., maintains that the $250 price he was asking for his tractor was reasonable, but the potential buyer felt cheated and, with a friend, attacked Westmoreland. Said Westmoreland, “(T)hey cut my beard and forced me to eat it.” In November, the two men pleaded guilty to assault.
THE PERVO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY A Website for Everything: When a female New York City subway rider recorded video (on her cell phone) of a male exhibitionist flaunting himself at her recently, and posted it to the Internet, the regulars at one specialized website largely defended the man. Some visitors at DickFlash.com (evidently a favorite hangout for flashers) tore into the woman for being too sensitive. (Wrote one, “If she doesn’t want to see it, she can just look away.” And another: “She should be thankful he flashed his dick at her.”) Others merely offered advice for the flasher on technique. (Wrote another, “OK, lets (sic) point out his mistakes: Subways or local buses must be done with sweats or some form of elastic band so that when u did (sic) get busted it’s easy to slip back up.”) LEAST COMPETENT PEOPLE (1) Police in Gumperda, Germany, arrested a 64-yearold retired do-it-yourselfer in November after he drilled through a neighbor’s wall in their duplex home. The man had spent two days trapped in his own basement, where he had laid bricks and mortar for a room but apparently forgot to leave himself an exit. (2) Sheryl Urzedowski, 38, was cited in September for DUI in Orland Park, Ill., after failing a field sobriety test to walk a straight line. According to the officer’s report, Urzedowski put her hands on her hips and strutted to and fro “as if she were a (runway) model,” after which, apprehensive about being arrested, she asked the officer to read her “the Amanda rights.”
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RECURRING THEME People Who Have Run
Over Themselves Recently: (1) A 20-yearold man trying to push his car up a steep hill on Levering Street in Philadelphia lost control and was crushed and hospitalized (September). (2) Jackie Long, 52, crashed her car into a tree in Chipping Campden, England. Her door burst open just as the car went airborne, and she fell to the ground and was run over by the rear driver’s-side wheel, requiring hospital treatment (September). (3) A 51-year-old woman was killed in Francis, Okla., by her riding lawnmower. She hit a pothole, was thrown about 14 feet ahead of the still-advancing machine, and could not move out of the way fast enough (September). Send your Weird News to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to www.NewsoftheWeird.com. FROM UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE CHUCK SHEPHERD’S NEWS OF THE WEIRD by Chuck Shepherd COPYRIGHT 2010 CHUCK SHEPHERD
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INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |
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community outreach PEN WOMEN HOST EXHIBITION/ARTEL FUNDRAISER The Pensacola Branch of the National League of American Pen Women will host the “Children’s Creative Art Clothesline” exhibition, Saturday, December 11, 2010, 10am 4pm. An awards ceremony will take place at 2pm. During the exhibition, a silent art auction to benefit Artel Gallery and holiday art show & sale by the Pen Women artists will also be part of the day’s events. This event is free and open to the public. CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN PENSACOLA BENEFITS HIV CARE CENTER The HIV Care Center has been given an extraordinary holiday gift! Sanctuary in the Groves Theatre West has generously donated the Sunday, December 12 evening performance of their holiday production “Greetings!” to benefit the HIV Care Center’s Needy Meds program. Tickets to this special performance are $30. Each ticket purchased will allow the HIV Care Center to add one uninsured HIV patient into the Needy Meds program for a full year. The Needy Meds program allows healthcare providers to track, monitor and obtain much needed medications for patients, keeping them consistently on their medications and leading to an improved quality of life. The Christmas season is here and the special performance of Greetings! will add to your holiday spirit! The award-winning show written by Tom Dudzick has been described as a comic jewel, stunning and touching. New York Newsday said, “It brings a joyful holiday lift to those who like to believe in miracles.” The average adult in the U.S. spends nearly $2,000 on gifts, wrapping and shipping each Christmas. The Board of Directors for the HIV Care Center asks community members to share $30 of their Christmas shopping budget
to attend the special performance of Greetings! and at the same time help the HIV Care Center continue its mission to provide quality care for HIV patients in our community. The special performance benefitting the HIV Care Center will be presented on Sunday, December 12, 2010. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at McAlpin Interiors, 900 East Moreno Street, Pensacola, FL 32503. Call (850) 438-8345 to order tickets with a credit card. Tickets can also be purchased by check only at the Center for Prevention and Treatment of Infections (Office of Barbara H. Wade, MD.), 5153 N. Ninth Ave. Suite 305, Pensacola, FL 32504. (850)-476-3131 x205 (Jennifer) For more information contact HIV Care Center board member, Gina Maddox, Event Chair at (850) 450-9773 or gina@ginamaddox.com. For more information about Sanctuary in the Groves Theatre West call 850-912-4087 orsanctuarytheatrewest.com STORYCORPS MOBILEBOOTH RETURNING TO COLLECT OIL SPILL STORIES The national oral history project, StoryCorps, is returning to Pensacola to collect oil spill stories for preservation at the Library of Congress. From December 15 – 22, the StoryCorps MobileBooth will be collecting oil spill stories in Pensacola. For reservations call 1.800.850.4406 or link to the StoryCorps reservation system from wuwf.org (under Speical Events drop menu). SENIOR GIFT REQUESTS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS HOLIDAY AS ECONOMIC SLUMP CONTINUES Be a Santa to a Senior®, the popular campaign that has delivered 1.2 million gifts to needy seniors throughout North America in the past six years, is gearing up again this holiday season during a time when seniors may need more of the bare
necessities to survive. The Home Instead Senior Care® office serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties has joined local health care partners and area Walmart stores to provide presents to seniors who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season. Program sponsors expect gift requests to be up this year as the economic downturn continues and Social Security benefits fail to keep pace with daily living expenses. “Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of seniors in every community who have no family and are alone,” said Carlette Howell, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving the Pensacola area. “What’s more, this holiday season finds many older adults struggling to make ends meet.” Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations will identify needy and isolated seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care. Christmas trees, which will go upon Nov. 1 at the Walmart stores below, feature ornaments with the first names only of the seniors and their respective gift requests. Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached. Volunteers will then collect, wrap and deliver the gifts to area seniors. “Be a Santa to a Senior is a way to show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community,” Howell said. “We hope to reach out to many with this gesture of holiday cheer and goodwill.” For more information about the program, call 850477-1947 or log on to beasantatoasenior.com. 2010 - GIVE THE COAT OFF YOUR BACK DRIVE” The “Give
the Coat off Your Back Drive” is officially kicked off for the 2010 annual drive. The Farrar Law Firm and Farrar Family and all of our sponsors and friends encourage those that can, give, please give. This is the Farrar’s eighteenth (18th) year of conducting the coat and blanket drive. The demand for cold weather items has increased as we all go through this recession together. Distributions will be made directly to homeless individuals as in the years past, and we once again ask you to join the efforts of the Farrar’s this year to help those less fortunate be warm and safe this winter. Give the gift of hope and warmth! Donate any slightly used or new coats and blankets and love the joy of giving. The Farrar Law Firm is partnering this year with Fast Signs, Southern Style Carpet, Uncle Bob’s Self Storage, Emerald Coast Hospice and Bay Breeze Nursing Home as drop off locations. Anyone who wishes to donate a coat, blanket, gloves or hats may drop off those items at any of their locations listed below: • Farrar Law Firm: 109 N Palafox Street • Fast Signs: 6060 Tippin Avenue • Southern Style Carpet: 901 North Navy Blvd. • Uncle Bob’s Self Storage: #356 - 9113 W. Highway 98 #353 - 1600 9 Mile Road #53 – 195 E. Fairfield Dr. #58 – 980 N. Navy Blvd. #68 – 2807 W. Michigan Ave. #69 – 801 E. 9 Mile Road #70 – 2295 W. Michigan Ave. • Emerald Coast Hospice: 5401 Corporate Woods Dr, Ste 800 • Bay Breeze Nursing Home: 3375 Gulf Breeze Pkwy For further information, please contact the Gregory P. Farrar at the Farrar Law Firm at 434-8904.
Join the Financial Fitness Volunteer Team Help lift families out of poverty
Learn more December 14th at our volunteer open house, 5:30-7:30 pm RSVP for details Contact: For information call (850) 444-7042 or email Brittney@unitedwayescambia.org
www.escambiafinancialstability.com 26 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET
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THE UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD EDITED BY TIMOTHY E. PARKER MELANCHOLY SHADE by George Darby
ACROSS 1 Cause wrinkles 7 “Como ___ usted?” 11 Black-eyed edible 14 Alternative to digital 15 Designating K-12 16 Befitting 17 Attire for manual workers? 19 What Eve was created from 20 “The Hobbit” character 21 Dot on an ocean map 22 Turn toward 23 Barely manage (with “out”) 24 ___ Diego, Calif. 26 King of classical tragedy 28 Academic period 30 500 sheets of paper 32 Unable to react, as helium 33 Acquire, as expenses 35 Shooting marble 36 Editing implements 38 Scottish property owner 39 Rich pastry 40 Karate acquisitions 41 Surrender formally 42 Trader’s word 46 Type of sculpture (Var.) 48 Banned insecticide (Abbr.) 50 “Blame It on ___” (Caine film) 51 “I ___ debt of gratitude to ...” 52 Semicircular part of a church 54 Buenos ___, Argentina 56 Blob of used gum
What do you appreciate most about your friends? Their honesty and genuine concern for my well-being and vice versa Who is your favorite hero in fiction? All of the Super Friends Who is your favorite heroine in fiction? The heroine roles played by actress Pam Grier What is the best thing you have ever won? 2008 Community Leader of the Year What did your mother always tell you? Ds and Fs were completely unacceptable What is the worst idea you’ve ever had? To ride my push scooter down a playground slide
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
57 Some county fair awards 59 Big Apple inst. 60 Get one’s dander up 61 An evening party 62 Clairvoyance initials 63 Jewish month before Nisan 64 Tree-trunk growths DOWN 1 Carpentry groove 2 Different from 3 Jack Dempsey, aka the Manassa ___ 4 Common person 5 Madmen, in Mexico 6 Swellhead’s problem 7 Electrified swimmers 8 Downhill ski race 9 “... and baby makes ___” 10 “___ for apple” 11 Low walls 12 Food connoisseur 13 If all goes right 18 Batting order at
Fenway Park, e.g. 22 Closing scenes 25 Traveled like a tennis lob 27 Finger or toe 29 Citizen’s army 31 Ragged mountain ridge 34 Nightingale or Barton 35 Having lots of land 36 Shaped into orbs 37 One placing auction bids 38 Tolerances 40 “Doctor, My Eyes” singer Jackson 41 Linking verb 43 Fielding boo-boos 44 One whose property is claimed, legally 45 Team stat 47 Well-founded 49 Off-limits 53 Crystal-ball consulter 55 Sacred wading bird of the pharaohs 57 Lingerie purchase 58 “Skeptic” or “cynic” follower
What is your favorite food? Red velvet cake Which talent would you most like to have? The ability to sing well What movie do you love to watch repeatedly? Anything that I find funny What was your most embarrassing moment? I mistakenly used the ladies’ bathroom in a Burger King and three ladies walked in. What historical figure do you despise the most? All those who participated in the horrendous acts associated with slavery, segregation, and discrimination What TV show is your guilty pleasure? Any of the HBO Original Series shows—they are worth premium cable What is the last book you read? “Visions for Black Men” by Na’im Akbar What is your theme song? “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
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INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 09, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |