Dec. 2, 2010 Issue

DECEMBER 02, 2010 | VOLUME 11 | NUMBER 46 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

FREE

Have you been affected by the BP Oil Spill?

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred on April 20 has caused unprecedented effects on the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. We are here to represent individuals and businesses that have experienced losses because of the oil spill disaster. These losses may include:

• Coastal Property Value • Profits and Earnings • • Revenue • Access to Natural Resources • Rental Income • We may be able to help you recover your losses.

Contact David Lee Sellers or Eric D. Stevenson of Sellers, Skievaski and Stevenson, LLP at gulfcoastrecovery@davidleesellers.com.

850.434.3111 | davidleesellers.com | 919 N. 12th Avenue Pensacola, Florida

Beautiful Portraits! Beautiful Gifts!

PLUS 9 Free

Holiday Greeting Cards (Vertical or Horizontal)

Choose From 50 Card Designs. Single, Dual or NEW Triple Image.

Large 4 x 8 Cards with Envelopes

All New Holiday Set and Props

Only

9

$

95

Bring a change of clothes for you and your family.

Holiday Special–Over 40 Portraits Package Includes: Four – 3 x 5s

One – 10 x 13 Four – 5 x 7s

Two – 8 x 10s 32 Wallets

No Sitting Fees or Charges • Gift Certificates Available Sessions Book Quickly. Hurry, Call for an Appointment Today!

Cordova Crossroads

5090 North 9th Avenue, Suite B Pensacola, FL 32504 • 850.479.4184 Studio Hours: Open Everyday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

PortraitInnovations.com Appointments Highly Recommended. Walk-ins are welcome but may be limited based on availability. No subject fees or additional charges. Only one $9.95 Holiday Portrait Special of your favorite pose per family or group from October 26, 2010 - January 2, 2011. Offer not valid for business purposes, individual adult subjects or unaccompanied minors. Offer subject to change at any time. Promotional and seasonal backgrounds may vary by studio location. Some studios closed on Mondays.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Rick Outzen

Contents COLUMNS

3 WINNERS & LOSERS 4 OUTTAKES

24 NEWS OF THE WEIRD 27LAST WORD

NEWS/FEATURES/ARTS

6 NEWS: CONGRESS BLAMED FOR POOR RESPONSE TO BP OIL DISASTER 9 COVER STORY: ASHTON WANTS YOU 17 A&E: SARMENTELLES BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU WINE DINNER 22 CULTURE: COME OUT AND PLAY 23 MUSIC: REBECCA LOEBE

2 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 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

PI-1796-CRD-QP1-V2-F.indd 1

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.

10/24/10 2:06 PM

winners & losers

On Thanksgiving Day, the Winners & Losers staff sat around on their couches with bloated bellies and texted in their suggestions for the 2010 IN Turkey Awards—those decisions and acts that were the stupidest of the year.

GREG BROWN SIGN-GATE The son of Santa Rosa County property appraiser Greg Brown was in a tight race for the Florida House. He and his wife became YouTube sensations when they were caught on video allegedly stealing his opponent’s campaign signs. Brown lost the race and now faces misdemeanor charges for petty theft.

PEEPING MARK George Touart supporter and prolific blogger Mark Clabaugh was caught peeping into the windows of the Star Lake home of Karen Sindel, who was running for county commissioner against Touart. Clabaugh pleaded no contest to trespassing and was given six months probation. Touart placed a distant fourth in the Republican primary.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE When City Attorney Rusty Wells was caught sending emails during a city council meeting blasting his employers and joking that he wished he could surf porn instead, members of the Pensacola City Council felt compelled to give Wells a vote of confidence for his long service to the city. What you permit, you promote.

TO REBID OR TO NOT REBID The Escambia County Commission got caught in nearly destroying the sealed bid process when it first voted to rebid a drainage project when Roads, Inc. claimed that it had made

Weather forecasters say this year will be an extremely active hurricane season!

The possibility of toxic oil coming ashore increases the danger and risk of damages.

We hope you don’t have damages, but if you do, we are ready to work for you.

a clerical error in its bid. Fortunately, the commissioners reconsidered and awarded the contract to the low bidder. The state attorney did investigate this, but no charges were filed over the bid process.

Liberis Law Firm handles hurricane claims and other insurance losses.

Pensacola 438-9647

TICK TOCK GANG Former council members Marty Donovan and Jack Nobles tried one last ditch effort to derail the maritime park with a petition drive on the construction contract. They found themselves struggling to get signatures and failed to deliver the petition to City Hall before the deadline.

Donovan and Nobles spent that Friday night driving around Pensacola begging someone, anyone, to take their box of signatures.

Perdido Key 492-2109 Ft. Walton Beach 226-6375 liberislaw.com

THOMAS’ ALBATROSS The Escambia County Superintendent of Schools taught he had a sucker for the ancient Brownsville Middle School that has been closed for over three years. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is interested, but Thomas refuses to put its offer on the School Board agenda.

His Krispy Kreme diplomacy has left him looking like a petty dictator. We anxiously await the revelation of his mystery buyers who have been in the wings for 18 months.

212 West Intendencia St. Pensacola, FL 32502 13700 Perdido Key Dr., Suite 223 Pensacola, FL 32507 • 24 Laguna St., Suite 201, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548

SRIA HONEY POT In 1997, the Santa Rosa Island Authority reached an agreement with Portofino Resort for $6 million of its lease fees to be paid into a beach improvement fund to be used for infrastructure and landscaping. The $6 million won’t be collected for eight years. The SRIA board has let the Portofino developer dictate how the money is used. The fact that they don’t have the money has stopped them from spending it—sort of sounds like the Obama Administration.

Pay Nothing Until 2011!

Deferred payment program Call or email today and get started for nothing ahead of the New Year!

GIFT WITH PURCHASE NOV. 26 TH –DEC. 31 ST RECEIVE A PANDORA SLEIGH ORNAMENT WITH YOUR PANDORA PURCHASE OF $100.*

Gift Certificates Available 100 S Alcaniz St. • Pensacola, FL 32561 • 850.469.1144 bill@anytimepensacola.com • Offer expires 12/15/2010

*GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER.

DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA MONDAY - SATURDAY 9:30-5:30 850.432.5136 WWW.ELEBASHS.COM U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507 • © • All rights reserved • PANDORA-JEWELRY.COM • PANDORA.NET

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

3

outtakes PULL THE PLUG It may be time

D

SE 7171 N 9TH AVE, #E7, PENSACOLA, • L E A FL

Sunrunner Condo/Northeast near UWF/Hospitals SED A E L • high ceilings, community pool, new a/c, walk-in closet, all D SE LEA appliances remain. Reduced To Sell—$79,000. MLS#: 369810

2007 E GADSDEN ST E, #101, PENSACOLA, FL SOLD

D •bath, hardwood floors, Mirador Condo on Bayou Texar, L3/2.5 O S • corner unit, approx. 1675. community pool, L D dock, O S New Price! $210,000. MLS#: 370873 6 SAN CARLOS AVE, GULF BREEZE, FL

Charming cottage-style home in Gulf Breeze proper has beautiful hardwood floors with a great floor plan. Mature landscaping provides additional charm. New central heat and air and roof. $136,000.

Bring All Offers. MLS#: 395770

Cheryl Young Cell (850) 712-4742 www.cherylyoung.com cayoungrealtor@aol.com

Licensed in Florida & Alabama

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

ARRESTED?

month MPDP gets a check for to pull the plug on Maritime $60,389.35 from the CMPA Park Development Partners for its developer fee. The and switch the Community performance bond debate Maritime Park to a public lasted three months. MPDP works project. The financial collected another $181,168 woes of Land Capital Group before the developer had to founder Scott Davison, who bring in a more creditworwon the bid for the waterfront thy partner. project and later formed MPDP The problem of the $7-milto sign the agreement and actually lion-plus default judgment may not do the development so easily be solved as work, have caught the bonding issue.

THE NEXT CMPA BOARD OF up with him.

The large judgment TRUSTEES MEETING IS SET FOR Wells Fargo was entered in the DECEMBER 10. LET’S SEE HOW MANY Maricopa County Bank has a default judgment against MORE $60,389 CHECKS IT WANTS TO court on August 18.

Davison and Land Six weeks later it was WRITE TO MPDP. Capital Group for filed in the Escamover $7 million that bia County Circuit was filed Superior Court in Maricopa Court. No notification was given to the city, County, Arizona and a second default CMPA or the public by Davison or MPDP. judgment filed in Escambia County Circuit Meanwhile, MPDP got another $181,168.

Court against MPDP for failure to garnish Can Wells Fargo get that judgment the wages of Scott Davison for $374,860 against Davison and Land Capital Group owed Wells Fargo by Davison and another applied to the MPDP? If so, then those limited partnership, LCG Mesa, LLC. $60,389.35 checks will start going to Wells At the first of this year, the contract Fargo, and MPDP will have no incentive with MPDP was delayed because the to complete the project. Those apartments master developer couldn’t get the required and hotels that MPDP showed the Penperformance bonds for the maritime park. sacola City Council last month will remain During the March 30, 2010 meeting of the just another set of pretty drawings.

CMPA board, Davison of MPDP bristled at While it may be a difficult decision comments by CMPA attorney Ed Fleming for the CMPA board, now may be the that a letter from a bonding company probest time to terminate its agreement with vided by Davison didn’t expressly commit MPDP. Hoar Construction has a separate it to providing MPDP a performance bond. contract under Magi Construction to do And though Davison insisted the bonding the construction of the public sector so letter had the language embedded in it met that schedule can still be met. The board or exceeded the requirements of the master will need to step in and make sure the developer agreement, MPDP eventually Covenant with the Community is met. But had to bring in Hoar Construction from the CMPA could save over $700,000.

Birmingham to get the bonding. The Wells The next CMPA Board of Trustees Fargo lawsuits in Arizona may have been meeting is set for December 10. Let’s see why MPDP wasn’t able to get the bonding. how many more $60,389 checks it wants to Why did Davison fight the perforwrite to MPDP. mance bond or try a “bait & switch” with a clearly deficient letter? Because each rick@inweekly.net

(ALL FEDERAL & STATE COURTS)

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES (HEALTH-CARE FRAUD • DRUG OFFENSES & D.U.I.s)

FREE CONSULTATION ON INJURY / DEATH CASES & CRIMINAL CASES NO RECOVERY - NO FEE / COST ON PERSONAL INJURY & WRONGFUL DEATH CASES

24 HOUR SERVICE

433-9922

304 E. GOVERNMENT STREET 4

| INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

unique & affordable Join us for Wine Tastings Every Thursday 5-7 p.m.

27 S. 9th Ave.

433-WINE or 433-9463

www.aragonwinemarket.com

rant & rave A&E PRAISE What an entertaining and

bloated systems rampant with abuse.

• According to the Chicago Tribune, “In Glencoe [Illinois], a free Jeep, bonuses and other perks to an outgoing parks director cost local taxpayers an extra $350,000. Joliet [IL] officials literally wrote pension spiking into the employee handbook, costing taxpayers there nearly $500,000 extra on the outgoing city manager alone.”

• A former city manager in California receives an annual $500,000 retirement check.

Many state employees have figured out how to game the system.

• After earning less than $10,000 a year for 24 years, a New Jersey public employee spent one year as a prosecutor with a salary of $141,000, raising his yearly pension from $3,600 to $70,000.

• An employee of the Department of Corrections in Massachusetts spent almost 30 years as an administrative assistant before becoming a prison guard. After FULL-BODY SCAN With budget shortfalls working only one year as a corrections ofat an estimated $140 billion collectively, ficer, her retirement will be that of a career many U.S. states prison guard. are facing GreeceOthers have PLEASE KEEP IT COMING WITH EVENTS figured like crises. While out that AND STORIES ABOUT VINYL MUSIC HALL. they can retire many states are considering cuts, BUBBS HARRIS ALWAYS DOES AN EXCEL- early, collect tax increases or generous LENT JOB DESCRIBING WHAT NOT TO MISS. their both, a detailed pat pensions and —PETRIE WYLDNOLINSKI, NAVARRE then simply be down of state and local employee pay rehired by the and benefits should be their top priority. state, collecting both a pension and a pay• Half of all state and local government check, which is legal in several states. money was spent on wages and benefits in • Judicial Watch uncovered a Phoenix 2008 to the tune of $1.1 trillion, according Police Chief who was collecting a pension to Sunshine Review. after he retired, while receiving a full salary • States have fallen $1 trillion short on for the identical job under a different title. what they are required to pay retired work• According to Ohio News Organizaers, according to the Pew Center on the tion, 27 percent of Ohio’s school superinStates. Some estimates are even higher. tendents are rehired retirees, who began American taxpayers who are struggling collecting their pensions in their early 50s to make ends meet are being forced to fund while still receiving regular paychecks. informative article that I found in my latest issue of the IN on Christmas plays written by Barry Shuck (Independent News, “Christmas Plays Offer Holiday GetTogethers,” Nov. 25). My family loves plays.

We always have company at Christmas, and as the article states they are here for the beautiful weather/beaches of Northwest Florida as their annual vacation (and yes, more laundry!). We usually get tired of always going to movies for things to do.

This article is amazing and timely to us!

Now, not only do we have lots of options but the options outlined are Christmas-season related. How cool is that? And please keep it coming with events and stories about Vinyl Music Hall. Bubbs Harris always does an excellent job describing what not to miss. Thank you for your time and keep up the great work.

—Petrie Wyldnolinski, Navarre

While many states are attempting to address pension abuse, American taxpayers are still on the hook funding pensions of which they could only dream. It is no wonder two-thirds of the respondents of a recent Pew Center for the States poll said they “either never trust the state government to do what is right or trust it only some of the time.”

During the initial inspection, it was discovered the rubber gasket needed replacement. It was decided to contact my insurance company, which the staff did.

I left my RV in good hands to repair the windshield. Later I received a call that after finishing the replacement, an accident had occurred. I went over to see the damage and discuss what remedies could be taken.

In moving the RV out of the shop, it struck a service truck and bent ONE OF MY HIGHLIGHTS EACH WEEK IS TO the ladder and broke the safety READ THE IN TO SEE WHAT EVIL YOU ARE IN. latch on the mounted tow bar. It was evident that an accident had —W.E. GRIMSLEY, LOUISVILLE, KY occurred and the management was apologetic and stated a fix When the year of austerity hits the was planned. states, elected officials may find their conThe end result, Lloyd’s Glass managestituents marching on their state capitol ment went above and beyond to repair the steps rather than in Washington D.C. damage. The broken safety latch on the —Brent Regan, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho tow bar required replacement of a major part of tow bar and the ladder needed to KUDOS Thank you so much for the lovely be replaced. Lloyd’s did not hesitate, they “Baby Steps” article (Independent News, contacted a locate company supplying “Outtakes,” Nov. 25). For once, a nice tow bars and ordered the new parts and word about Ray and all he has done to repaired the tow bar to new condition. The support Pensacola’s progress in a forward- ladder required a larger amount of time moving direction. and effort, but, a new ladder was procured —Toshia Hasse, Pensacola and installed. The entire replacements took several weeks because, of the age of the RV, EVIL OUTTAKES One of my highlights each replacement parts are difficult to obtain. week is to read the IN to see what evil you The bottom line; Lloyd’s Glass emare in. Your article on Bill Davis, a dead ployees went above and beyond to keep me man who can not defend, is even low for a informed, purchase the replacement parts person as you (Independent News, “Outand install them to my satisfaction. They takes,” Nov. 18). Would it be possible to put went beyond good customer service, it was you in your Losers column? doing the right thing for customer satisfac—W.E. Grimsley, Louisville, Ky tion. A very rare aspect of today’s business.

I highly recommend Lloyd’s Glass for GOOD JOB I wish to commend the work of any auto glass repairs for the “Can Do” atemployees of Lloyd’s Glass in Pensacola. titude to do the right thing for customers.

I recently needed a glass replacement on These guys are truly helpful and the qualmy motor home. For no particular reason ity of their work is second to none. The I chose Lloyd’s Glass to fix the many pits service is fast and the work is excellent. caused by road debris.

—Leslie Bradford, Gulf Breeze

WE WELCOME YOUR RANTS AND RAVES to the Independent News. All letters should be 200 words or less and should include your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if you have one).

All viewpoints should be no more than 700 words. The Independent News reserves the right to edit letters and opinions.Send letters and opinions to P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, Fla. 32591 • FAX 850-438-0228 • E-mail opinions@inweekly.net

• Very high quality Swiss-made Sewing Machines by Bernina • Professional Service on most all brands of home and commercial sewing machines • We also sharpen scissors

Lofts for Rent In the heart of

DOWNTOWN 850-438-5444 5559 N Davis Highway

Furnished lofts in the heart of Pensacola’s historic business district; walk to restaurants, entertainment, grocery store & shopping. Private off-street parking. VRBO.com #295501

www.GeneMitchellAttor ney.com

starting at $150 per night 3 night minimum

850-232-9063

deborahdunlap@cox.net

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

5

news

CONGRESS BLAMED FOR POOR RESPONSE TO BP OIL DISASTER

FUNDS AUTHORIZED FOR OIL SPILL R&D NEVER APPROPRIATED

BY RICK OUTZEN

“We constantly get small inside looks at how dysfunctional the Beltway has become,” says Mike Papantonio, environmental attorney and co-host of the syndicated Ring of Fire Radio.

“This document is just another indicator that the clown car simply unloads a new bunch of congressional clowns in D.C. every election cycle. The prospects for real leadership are dismal.”

Officials in Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindel’s administration agree that oil spill cleanup response technology has advanced little in the past 20 years but also believe that the magnitude of the Deepwater Horizon disaster may have overwhelmed any technology.

Garret Graves, Jindel’s chair of the

Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which was passed two months after OPA and applied budget caps to all agencies and all agency funding. According to the report, “oil spill research was then forced to compete with other priorities within each agency for budget dollars, even “THIS DOCUMENT IS JUST ANOTHER INDICATOR THAT though the reTHE CLOWN CAR SIMPLY UNLOADS A NEW BUNCH OF search funds were CONGRESSIONAL CLOWNS IN D.C. EVERY ELECTION CYCLE.” from the Oil Spill Liability Trust —MIKE PAPANTONIO Fund, and not the general treasury.” photo c/o The Beast Corps up to $28 million in annual funding from While the MMS budget for oil spill rethe trust fund for oil pollution research. search has held steady at $6.3 million for the report issued days before ThanksThe staff report for the National Commis- last four years, other agencies have seen their giving without much fanfare sion on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill oil spill R&D budgets cut. The Coast Guard, points a damning finger at Confound “not even half of the authorized $28 which chairs the Interagency Committee, has gress for not learning from the million has been appropriated in any single seen its annual budget for oil spill research Exxon Valdez disaster and failing year since passage of the Oil Pollution Act.” plummet from a high of $5.6 million in 1993 to appropriate necessary funds for research The total oil spill research appropria- to $500,000 annually since 2007. NOAA, and development to deal with tions is received primarily by four agenwhich played a major role in the Deepwater possible catastrophes as the oil “THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD cies—the Coast Guard, Minerals ManHorizon response, has no funding for oil industry “pushed the frontier of agement Services (MMS), the National spill R&D, and the EPA oil spill response INTENTIONS, AND YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!” deepwater drilling.” The lack of Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministraR&D budget has dropped from $2.5 million R&D funds left the Coast Guard, —CHASIDY HOBBS tion (NOAA) and the Environmental in 1992 and 1993 to an average of less than $1 NOAA and others fighting the Protection Agency (EPA)—and, accordmillion annually for the last decade.

Deepwater Horizon disaster with Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoraing to the report, “averaged only roughly The staff report suggests that the technology that hadn’t been updated much tion Authority, says, “Since Exxon Valdez, $10 million per year since 1992, and have Commission might recommend the Oil in nearly two decades. we’ve replaced brick-sized cell phones with never exceeded $14 million per year.”

Pollution Act be amended to ensure that The Response/Clean-Up TechnoliPhones. Yet little has changed in oil spill Chasidy Hobbs, head of Emerald federal agency oil spill R&D efforts are ogy Research & Development and the BP technology.”

Coastkeeper, an affiliate of Bobby Kenfully funded to levels authorized by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill report for the Graves adds, “However, no matter what nedy Jr.’s Riverkeepers, says, “The U.S. has Act. However, any mandatory appropriaNational Commission on the BP Deepwathe technology we would have had, we some of the best environmental laws on the tion of $28 million for oil spill research ter Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling still would have had a problem properly books, because over the years citizens have would have to be subtracted somewhere examined the R&D efforts of both the deploying it. The best solutions would have demanded protection of our food, water else. Not an easy sell when you’re battling a private sector and federal government and been challenged by the logistical and orgaand air. However, those laws are useless if $1.3 trillion federal deficit. found no “dedicated appropriate resources nizational challenges of this disaster.” they are not enforced, and they are imposStaffers write, “Nevertheless, the Comto clean-up technology since the Exxon In the wake of the Exxon Valdez disassible to enforce without proper funding. mission may determine that a mandatory Valdez spill, and that the Deepwater Horiter, which spilled 750,000 barrels of crude The road to hell is paved with good intenappropriation is worth these additional zon spill response suffered as a result.” oil into Prince William Sound, Alaska, tions and you get what you pay for!” complications.”

While the oil industry is an easy target, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act The commission staff blames the the allegations against Congress are dis(OPA) of 1990. That law created the Oil shortfall in appropriations on the Omnibus rick@inweekly.net turbing for some, but not everyone.

A

7

DAYS

Get your daily news first at INweekly.net. Find out before anyone else what’s happening in news, arts and entertainment, film, television and music at INDaily on our website. Here's the week in review, in case you missed it.

6 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

Spill Liability Trust Fund to be funded by a 5-cent-per-barrel tax collected from the oil industry on petroleum produced in or imported to the United States. It also created the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research and authorized

M O N DAY N OV 2 2

T U E S DAY N OV 2 3

WEDNESDAY NOV 24

Lawmakers in Iran’s parliament openly call for the impeachment of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for violating the law and exceeding his constitutional authority.

Anthony Michael Smith, age 22, walks out of his room at Baptist Hospital before being discharged into police custody.

Smith was shot Nov. 16 by an officer after pointing a gun at the police.

In an interview on Glenn Beck’s radio show, Sarah Palin confuses North and South Korea, saying, “Obviously we gotta stand with our North Korean allies. We are bound by treaties.”

buzz by allowing the video to be posted, and subsequently took the children from her and allowed only supervised visitation, leaving the children with her ex-husband and Winfield.

OFFSHORE DRILLING COMEBACK While

Fighting Fathers take on family law judges

FIGHTING FATHERS Something may be amiss in the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Center. The website of Fighting Fathers of District 1, fightingfathersofdistrict1.com, has begun posting complaints about rulings by local judges in family law cases. The website is reminiscent of the old anti-Ron McNesby website, ronniemacabusespower.com, that bedeviled the former sheriff ’s administration for years.

On its home page, Fighting Fathers points the finger at Circuit Judge Tom Santurri, who reportedly while ruling upon an Emergency Motion in her case, chastised mother Denise Lepinay for allowing a video posted on the website in which her 4-year-old son identifies Santa Rosa County Deputy Denae Winfield as the person who struck him with a belt leaving a vicious bruise on his upper thigh.

According to the website, Judge Santurri “noted that he did not like the posting of the video as the child appeared in pull-ups, and that such videos attracted perverts.”

He allegedly admonished Lepinay, telling her that she had exercised poor judgment

Escambia County is still digging up oil patties on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, the Florida lawmakers are quietly plotting a new bill on offshore drilling. The oil industry spin machine, led by such groups as Consumer Energy Alliance, is already working the conservative blogosphere hard.

You will hear over the next few months: 1) Offshore drilling wasn’t the problem. It was the poor government response– in other words, don’t blame BP, Transocean and Haliburton. If we had more skimmers then there wouldn’t have been a problem.

2) The Deepwater Horizon disaster was neither catastrophic or irreparable.

3) Our response to the disaster was purely emotional and unfounded. Offshore drilling is safe. The spill’s effects are largely behind us.

4) Obama is the problem–his drilling moratorium was ill-advised and made things worse.

5) About 85 percent of our territorial waters are off-limits to oil exploration and production. Untold billions of barrels could be extracted off our coastline if we were willing to go after it.

6) We need the oil for national security because fossil fuels are still needed.

7) We survived the largest man-made environmental disaster, and it was only a temporary inconvenience.

The oil industry lobby almost pushed through an offshore drilling bill in the spring, but the Deepwater Horizon explosion happened days before the vote. Expect the lobbyists to be back with even more cash and more propaganda next session.

GANG WAR BREWING? The number of drive-by shootings and home invasions continue to rise in Escambia County. Are the local gangs caught up in a deadly game of revenge?

The shooting at the Moorings Apartments on Old Spanish Trail Friday, Nov. 19 that killed Prentiss Mitchell may be tied to the November 6 drive-by shooting on Texar Drive of Joel Harris.

The buzz among family and friends is Mitchell was killed in the parking lot of the Moorings because the shooters believed that he was connected to Harris’ death.

The week before Thanksgiving, the Escambia County Sheriff ’s Office said that they were looking for three men for questioning in regards to Harris’ murder. One, Darius Devon Williams, 19, was arrested on charges of two counts of failure to appear, contempt of court and aggravated assault without intent to kill. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. All of the charges are unrelated to the murder. The two others were Kendell Jamal Cushon, 20; and Anthony Martiz Whitehurst, 20.

On Nov. 24, Aaron Cornelius Mitchell turned himself in. Mitchell has been accused of murdering Prentiss Mitchell (no relation) at the Moorings.

HAYWARD LISTENS TO BAKER Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has been

advising Pensacola Mayor-elect Ashton Hayward. In a telephone interview, Hayward said that he has had several conversations with Baker, who was elected St. Petersburg mayor in 2001 and re-elected four years later with more than 70 percent of the votes cast.

Baker focused on five areas: education, economic development, public safety, neighborhoods and improving city services. Hayward plans to do the same. He plans to spend the next few weeks meeting with council members, city staff and community groups—spending more time listening than talking. He aims to focus on one or two big projects immediately upon taking office, projects that fit into the context of his 20/20 plan. Hayward has been pleased with the reception he has gotten from the community since the election.

“People want to be part of the solution,” Hayward said. “We have so many untapped resources in this city.”

LAND CRASH The Maritime Park Development Partners, the master developer for the Community Maritime Park, was hit in August with a default judgment for “failure to answer the Writ of Garnishment,” in the amount issued of $374,860.71 plus interest, by the Clerk on July 16, 2010.

This default judgment for the garnishment has been apparently set aside, according to sources, but there is an even bigger default judgment in Arizona against Scott Davison and Land Capital Group for $7.38 million. Wells Fargo is the plaintiff.

Remember it was Land Capital Group that won the master developer competition and was approved by the Community Maritime Park Associates board of trustees in 2008. The contract, however, is with Maritime Park Development Partners.

Hoar Construction was brought into the deal last spring when MPDP had trouble meeting the bond requirements.

N E WS OF T H E W E E K

T H U R S DAY N OV 2 5

F R I DAY N OV 2 6

S AT U R DAY N OV 2 7

S U N DAY N OV 2 8

It’s a Thanksgiving miracle.

After 50 days of being lost in the South Pacific, three missing teens are found near Fiji.

President Obama gets 12 stitches in his lip after getting a blow from an opponent’s elbow during a basketball game Friday morning. The elbow was thrown

by Rey Decerega, the director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

A Somali-born teenager, Mohamed Osman Mohamud, is arrested on Friday night while attempting to detonate what he believed was a car bomb at a packed Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in downtown Portland, Ore.

Despite threats from North Korea, the U.S. and South Korea begin military naval drills on the Yellow Sea.

Ending a week of speculation, the royal family announces on Tuesday that Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

7

What began as a local commitment took a worldclass team to deliver.

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) set out to design and construct a state-of-the-art Central Water Reclamation Facility to treat up to 22.5 million gallons of wastewater daily. The facility, the largest civil engineering project in the history of Escambia County, will meet residents’ needs for decades to come. To complete this historic project, ECUA turned to design engineers BaskervilleDonovan, Inc., Hatch Mott McDonald, and general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie. Together, they helped complete the technologically advanced and longawaited facility that will protect the public’s health,

preserve the environment and promote economic development in the region.

And that’s not all. Gulf Power Company partnered with ECUA to develop a plan to reuse treated effluent, yielding another positive benefit from the new, stormprotected facility – and a Sustainable Florida award as well.

With this new facility ECUA is improving services, increasing efficiencies and protecting the environment.

Equally important is the promise we made to the people of Escambia County to deliver a state-of-theart facility, on time and under budget. It was a promise kept by the ECUA and the team it assembled. We call that win for Escambia County’s citizens and its future.

Congratulations to the team that made the Central Water Reclamation Facility project a success

Customer Service: (850) 476-0480 • www.ecua.org 8 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

OK,

so Pensacola has finally elected our first strong mayor, Ashton Hayward III. Although we’ve given Ashton our two cents, we also wanted to remind him that there’s still a lot on the minds of our fearless IN readers.

So we asked you to tell Pensacola’s first ever strong mayor exactly what you think he needs to do. Or not do. Or both. And boy—did you guys deliver! Mr. Mayor, here are more than enough ideas to keep you busy your entire first year in office. Maybe even your first term.

ENJOY!

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

9

BEWARE OF THE GOOD OL' BOY SYSTEM! AND DON'T BECOME ONE! TO TH E DOWNT O W N R O TA R Y SO THEY WILL STOP WHINING.

▶Figure out functional consolidation.

Take interest in all the public schools inside the city limits. The stronger they are the more likely people will move inside the city limits.

Ashton needs to get the "Money Pit" Port closed and sell the land to any hotel and cruise ship lines that want it.

I'll gladly take a cruise.

Learn all you can about the military mission in Pensacola.

All services. How many and what they do.

{No more secrets.}

Don't turn a blind eye to poverty and racial inequality— we've still got both, and they are actually getting worse.

Expand recycling. S P E A K

Bring in some jobs & affordable housing PLEASE ~ so we can help the homeless population get out of parks and get on with their lives.

Be willing to say "NO" when necessary.

ADOPT “CONFLICT OF INTEREST” POLICY FOR ALL C ITY E M PLOYE E S.

Creating a sales tax-free district on art goods, created and sold at the same location, would spur destination shopping (see Tiverton Four Corners).

Get a Starbucks downtown ASAP!

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

10

| INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

FROM THE KIDS

We asked the Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Hahn’s fourth grade social studies class at A.K. Suter Elementary for suggestions for Mayor-Elect Ashton Hayward.

*On North 65th Avenue, I want you to give free Icees to the whole neighborhood every Saturday and Friday. *Get rid of bugs.

*Let kids open one present on Christmas Eve.

*Send recycling trucks to businesses and apartment complexes so we can recycle everywhere.

*Can you please make more sports for more schools and more equipment? *I want someone to build a public playhouse and donate to poor children.

*I would like if people could stop littering and stop putting bad chemicals in the air.

*More books in schools, better lunch dishes.

*I would like you to take homework away, please.

*I would like the mayor to make parks with no playgrounds, just trees. *Make the Manna Food Bank give more manna.

*I would like a skateboard park and have more skateboard contests. *To have a water park near the maritime park.

*Make jobs for teens and more jobs for adults if they need it. *A fun, new Sea World on Pensacola Beach.

* Better school supplies and an amusement park.

*Can you take away liquor and guns? Please and thank you. *Have our own computers instead of textbooks. *I want my street to be paved. *Lower taxes by a lot.

*Make a new U.S. Marine memorial.

*To stop pollution, plant more plants and recycling.

*I think we should send out groups of people to pick up trash and try to stop throwing trash on the road.

*More teachers and more tutors right after school to tutor kids. *Donate money so we can have more books. *To stop drugs and smoking.

DISCOUNT FIRST RUN

MOVIES • CINETAINMENT FOOD & SPIRITS CINETAINMENT

DINNER & A MOVIE ONLY $11

NOW SHOWING

Regular Admission Prices: $4.50 matinees $6.50 after 6pm

$4.50 for seniors, military & students all the time

476-4545

•

TANGLED (PG) (12:45) (2:45) 4:40, 6:45, 8:45 THE NEXT THREE DAYS (PG-13) (1:15) 4:50, 7:10, 9:30 HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (PART 1) (PG-13) (1:30) 4:30, 7:15, 9:50 FASTER (R) 5:00, 7:05, 9:00 MEGAMIND (PG) (1:00) (3:00) ROCKY HORROR 11:30 pm Saturday * $3 COMEDY IMPROV 10:45 pm Sturday * $6

SILVERSCREENTHEATRE.COM

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

11

t ion

.

hts

nig

er y

gall

for

rma

dep artm

ees

nfo

en t.

ve f

lic i

Ashton should spear-head moving the Port of Pensacola, westerly over to the end of "C" Street, creating the most efficient port in the world for moving containerized shipments. It can be done in seven years, creating 70,000+ jobs and bringing in $7 billion per year in revenues. All of this with no congestion downtown!

A review

of the Architectural Review Board process is needed to make it more streamlined and open minded.

Hold weekly press conferences and televise them online.

{Don’t be afraid to shine a light in all corners of City Hall. The cockroaches Can you please will run.} call

T H E N I N T H AV E N U E WHITE BAG LADY INTO YOUR O F F I C E A N D F I N D O U T W H AT HER DEAL IS AND THEN HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO REVEAL YOUR FINDINGS. INQUIRING PENSACOLA MINDS WANT TO K NOW!

★Don’t play poker with PNJ editorial board, but drinks are fine.★

12 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

I hope to continue to see support of diversity of downtown development and entertainment—including ethnic, socio-economic and gender.

YOU ARE COOL AND DON’T LET THE SYSTE M FORCE YOU TO STOP BEING COOL .

Roll back the property tax rate, even if it is only a fraction.

DON ’ T READ TH E BLOG S OR PNJ COM M E NTS.

pub

▼Change the format of the meetings and throw away the time clock for public comment.

This is the taxpayers’ money and within reason, without repeating, I hope that Mr. Hayward wants to hear from the public.

Have auditors review and report on what really happened with sales tax exemptions at ESP.

Wa i

sh a

I think Ashton should find a way to make it possible for people to support downtown businesses without getting a parking ticket. It just should not cost $15 to go to the post office. I feel like it's a "hurt downtown conspiracy", and it makes you want to go to the mall.

Implement Wiggins’ summer job corps idea.

abli

O P E N O N E - WAY S T R E E T S A N D O P E N G O V E R N M E N T S T R E E T AT N I N T H AV E N U E .

Est

Form Mayor’s Council that includes the former mayors and seek their counsel.

StoryCorps is coming to Pensacola to record, share, and preserve the stories of those affected by the Gulf Oil Spill...

December 15 to 22, 2010

The Law Office of

JOHN F.

ASMAR,

P.A.

The Next Generation of Legal Representation

www.AsmarLawFirm.com 1306 E. Cervantes St. 850.432.3864

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.

WUWF is hosting StoryCorps to document the experiences and diverse voices of the Gulf Coast. We hope that you will make a reservation—for more information visit wuwf.org or contact Lynne Marshall at 473-7428 or lynne@wuwf.org.

Excerpts of StoryCorps stories are broadcast every Friday on NPR’s Morning Edition. Or, you can listen online at www.storycorps.org/listen.

family sports complex

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

13

INCREASE CITY LIMITS. Have you seen a map of the "City of Pensacola”? It's a jagged mess. Annexation would better represent the Pensacola metropolitan area. Pensacola is not just Downtown, East Hill and Cordova Park. It would also increase our population numbers, boosting our city size and possibly attracting more businesses to our area. Market Pensacola as the last frontier for Florida, not a forgotten city next to Mobile.

TA L K TO T H E A F R IC A NA MERICAN COMMU NITY &

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. THAT COMMU NITY IS ACCUSTOM ED TO BEING FORGOTTEN ONCE THE E L E C T I O N I S OV E R . IT CAN’T HAPPEN THIS TIME .

Find two

Establish a Presidents Council of presidents of all City neighborhood associations to meet once a month with the mayor.

Dust off the 2007 annexation plan and get moving on the easy parcels, including Mike Wiggins’ business.

▲Wrestle TDC (tourist convention group) for funds to promote downtown as a destination, not just the beach. We need to diversify our natural assets and the historic nature of our downtown.

If properly marketed, it could bring major, affluent visitors that are not the same visitors we get for the beach–older couples, who like architecture and history who have disposable income versus younger beach-going families.

Check out the Philadelphia Eagles' Go Green stadium project - which includes wind and solar energy - and encourage something similar for our Maritime Park.

Add signage to capitalize on historic district.

Work with Historic Pensacola Village and St. Michael’s Cemetery to create a historic tourist destination.

Have a task force review all the studies done over the past 10 years and see if they are still valid and can be implemented, such as West Side Development Plan, Port of Pensacola Plan and Annexation Plan.

Look at each pension plan on its own merit, because all three are different, and some groups have more than one pension plan.

CALL TO ORDER ALL THE SIDE BACKSTABBING THAT GOES ON DURING A MEETING BY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE MEETINGS ARE NOT HELD TO SEE HOW MANY "POLITICALLY CORRECT" UGLY COMMENTS CAN BE MADE BY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

people that you can REALLY trust and keep them close by.

A SALUTE TO DIFFERENCE MAKERS Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, recently interviewed Perdido Bay Tribe Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart for Native American Heritage Month.

The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps delivers news for kids, by kids and features a group of student reporters, age 10-14, who cover current events, breaking news, entertainment stories, and sports events from their hometowns and on the national stage. The interview with Chief Bearheart will be viewed by hundreds of thousands of children around the world.

See the entire interview now at www.scholastic.com/kidspress

14 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

15

Lou Dobbs 2-5pm

Laura Ingraham 8-11am

Mark Levin 5-8pm

850-433-1141 John Teelin Papa Don Schroeder

Michael Schroeder

16 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

arts + entertainment ART, FILM, MUSIC, STAGE, BOOKS AND OTHER SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION...

INSIDE FRANCE’S BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU FESTIVAL AND HOW IT ’S COMING TO PE NSACOLA

BY ASHLEY HARDAWAY

he Brazilian group in their massive carnival outfits was exiting the stage, and the band began playing again.

Two servers walked by, each carrying the end of a pole upon which a massive wooden barrel hung; it was filled with wine.

The tent we were under, if the word “tent” does it justice, was a maze of tables and chairs, covered with wine glasses, full bottles and the remnants of the five-course dinner that just concluded. One thousand people milled beneath it, dancing, singing and resembling glowing creatures as they hovered in and out of the neon lights that illuminated the place.

Suddenly, the group began moving toward the door and we were picked up with them, the cold, French air popping us in the face with gusto. Lit torches were handed to us, along with everyone else, and suddenly a whole town full of slightly inebriated people were marching through its center, headed to

T

God knows where. All were wielding 2-foot flames, all very tipsy, and all quite certain that nothing bad could ever come of this moment—ever. This is the Sarmentelles Festival in Beaujeu, France, an hour north of Lyon—an event held yearly on the third Thursday in November that celebrates that year’s release of their beloved Beaujolais Nouveau wine.

Rob Theriot, the executive chef at Portofino Island Resort, was there with me that night. I was there because I’m a writer who appreciates wine. Rob was there for actual work.

On Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., Portofino Island Resort will be hosting a six-course wine dinner to celebrate the release of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau. Chef Theriot gladly spent a portion of his vacation attending the festival and gathering “research”—this type of research being every chef ’s dream: talking with artisans about their crafts.

In the Alsace Wine Region, he conversed with winemakers such as Marcel

Deiss, who is on the cutting edge of combining old world and new world techniques to create fabulous wines that are complex and balanced.

In Beaujeu, he toured Jean Marc’s Huilerie, which is responsible for making some of the best oils and vinegars in the world, with their most popular being their Mango Vinegar and Pistachio Oil. All of their products are made in-house, in small batches by one of two men using only the best local nuts and fruits France has to offer. Chef Theriot uses their Citron Vinegar for finishing anything from a salad to a sauce at Terracotta Restaurant.

There may only be one main Beaujolais Nouveau Festival, but every vineyard and every farm hosts their own smaller version of the main affair. While in Poule-lesÉcharmeaux, we were invited to attend one such event, held in a cave: the building where that year’s harvest of grapes are pressed and fermented. Martin Trichard, one of the few female vignerons in the area, was the host of this small, familystyle event for the local winemakers.

Tables were propped up wherever they could stand in this building that was previously used as a farmhouse, and on the second floor rafters a band had set up—she paid them in wine—strumming on banjos, and at one time ingeniously implementing

a kazoo. Martin gave us a quick tour of the place, handed us a glass and left us to spend the evening talking with the craftsmen who made the very wine we were drinking.

The dinners held throughout the villages of the Beaujeu Region are a superb mix of rustic charm and opulence. The food is rich and the wine is fantastic, but it’s all served with a laissez-faire attitude and a shrug of the shoulder as if to say: “This is grand and all, but let’s not take ourselves too seriously and mess it up with all that formality.”

It’s this mélange that Chef Theriot is hoping to capture during his twelfth wine dinner. The six-course dinner will be served around the candlelit indoor pool at Portofino while silent French films play in the background on a 160-inch projector screen. Each of the six courses will be paired with wines researched during Chef Theriot’s travels from the regions of Alsace, Burgundy and Beaujolais.

Chef Theriot can promise amazing food and abundant wine, but alas—no parading around Pensacola Beach with torches at the end of the meal—as much as he may want to. You’ll just have to go to Beaujeu, France for that. info@inweekly.net

SARMENTELLES BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU WINE DINNER

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 WHERE: Portofino Island Resort, 10 Portofino Drive, Pensacola Beach COST: $120 DETAILS: RSVP by Dec. 3 by calling 916-5355

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

17

Holiday Season

GIFT GIVING MADE EASY FROM THE BEST DAY SPA ON THE COAST This

Give A Gift To The Best Day Spa on the Coast

Buy, Print & Email Gift Certificates Online

Call 850-432-6772 20 N. Tarragona St. • Pensacola, FL 32502 www.stillwatersmedspa.com

• A Full Mediterranean Salad Bar • A Seafood Bar • A Carving Station • A Made-to-Order Omelet Station • Five Ala Carte Specials • A Dessert Bar Try them all and pay one price at our Fall Special Price of $19.99

Enjoy Beignets and coffee for two $8.

18 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

For brunch reservations call: 850-434-6320 600 south palafox, downtown pensacola

hot times THURSDAY 12.02 ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. Through Dec. 5. $16 adults, $12 per person for 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.

OPENING RECEPTION AT PMA 5-7:30 p.m. The museum opens “Multiple Sins: An Exhibition of Indulgences,” a multi-media exhibition including original French lithographs of the tempting, the tantalizing and the delicious, those sinful things we love most in life, including chocolate, liquor and cigars. The exhibit will run through Dec. 31. Pensacola Museum of Art, 400 S. Jefferson St.

ZOO LIGHTS 5-9 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 5. Enjoy the beauty of the zoo at night along with thousands of sparkling holiday lights. Also Dec. 9-12, 16-31, 26-31 and Jan. 1-2. $7 general admission, $5 members, $2.50 train rides. 932-2229 or gulfbreezezoo.org.

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 7-9 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: A Little Dirty. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $35. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

WOMEN-ONLY MORNING RUNS AT RUNNING WILD 6 a.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, weekly. Meet at Running Wild for a steady-pace run for all levels of runners. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com.

RUSSIAN EXHIBITION: ‘FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE’ 5-9 p.m.

Through Jan.23. View Jim Rabourn’s extensive collection of silverwork, decorative furnishes and religious icons over thirty years while working and traveling throughout Europe and Russia. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 4326247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

COLLEGE NIGHT AT SAVANNA BLUE 6 p.m.-2 a.m. weekly. All you can drink domestic draft and well drinks for $10. Enjoy the sounds of ‘40s music as you drink and drown. Savanna Blue Neighborhood Grille, 4238 W. Fairfield Drive. 453-2980 or savannablue.net.

COLLEGE NIGHT WITH D-MIXX 11 p.m. weekly. Dance the night away with the sound mixes of DvDJ D-Mixx. $5 for 21 and up. $10 for 18-20. Phineas Phogg’s inside of Seville Quar-

ter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

EVENING RUNS AT RUNNING WILD 5:30 p.m. weekly. Meet at Running Wild for a steady-pace run for all levels of runners.

3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com.

WINE TASTING AT ARAGON WINE MARKET 5-7 p.m. Sample a variety of fine wines. 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 or aragonwinemarket.com.

HERB CLASS AT EVER’MAN 5:30 p.m. weekly. Come study different herbs. Enjoy different guest lecturers 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.

Featured Holiday Adver tisers UWF campus is well worth the trip for those of us in the South end of the county.

THE GLOBAL GRILL

CHRISTMAS

COUNTDOWN! {2 2 DAYS } The countdown’s on. Be sure to check out these local businesses for holiday dining and gifts for those on your holiday checklist!

▼BEAUT Y

STILL WATERS DAY & MEDICAL SPA

20 N. Tarragona St., 432-6772, stillwatersmedspa.com 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.

▼BOOKS

ESP NATURAL GAS

Fiesta Seafood Cookbook espnaturalgas.com 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,

27 Palafox Place, 469-9966, dineglobalgrill.com 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.

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

Framing by Design can expertly take care of your conservation framing, shadowboxes, specialty mats, needlework, watercolors, photos, prints and more.

▼RESTAURANTS 600 SOUTH

600 S. Palafox, 432-5254 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.

THE FISH HOUSE/ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE

600 S. Barracks St., 470-0003, goodgrits.com 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

outdoor adventure, with brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Keen, Merrell, Birkenstock, Vibram Five Fingers and many others. The store also offers 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.

▼RETAIL/JEWELRY

400 S. Palafox St., 469-9898, jacksons.goodgrits.com

ART PRAHA

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.

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

124 S. Palafox, 602-7052, artpraha.com 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 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

19

hot times THIRSTY THURSDAY AT THE OAR HOUSE 11 a.m. weekly. Enjoy entrée and drink specials. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd.

549-4444 or the-oar-house.com.

CARIBBEAN NIGHT AT WILL CALL 10 p.m.-close weekly. $5 entrance fee includes one free drink and all the dancing you can stand. 22 S. Palafox St. 912-8644 or willcallsports.com.

COLLEGE NIGHT COOK-OUT 7-10 p.m. weekly. No cover with college ID. Cookout, drink specials and live music. End O’ the Alley Bar inside Seville Quarter.130 E. Government St. 4346211 or sevillequarter.com.

MUSIC: HOLLY SHELTON 7 p.m. No cover. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com.

MUSIC: SOL DRIVEN TRAIN 8 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

MUSIC: LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6-10 p.m. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.

FRIDAY 12.03 PENSACOLA STATE WIND AND JAZZ ENSEMBLES 7:30 p.m.

Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium, Building 8, Pensacola Campus.

Free admission but tickets are required. Call 484-1847 or pjc. edu/lyceum.

‘THAT PURPLE HAIRED CHICK’ AT ARTEL 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Final day. Artel presents in loving memory, “That Purple-Haired Chick,” a retrospective collection by McKenzie Oerting, a former Artel board member. A portion of all sales from this exhibit will be donated to The McKenzie Oerting Fund designated for Special Projects. Artel Gallery, 223 Palafox.

432-3080 or artelgallery.org.

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.

Flyers play. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolafigureskating.com.

MUSIC: LIVE MUSIC AT THE DECK 6 p.m. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.

SONG SWAP 7:30-9 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. 429-0336 or eotlcafe.com.

MUSIC: LIVE MUSIC AT INTERMISSION 9:30 p.m. Intermission, 214 S. Palafox. No cover. 433-6208.

SEASON LIGHTS UP–ISLANDWIDE 6 p.m. Be on Pensacola Beach as the island comes to life with holiday lights, caroling and refreshments. Pensacola Beach Visitors Center, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 932-1500 or visitpensacolabeach.com.

BEER AND WINE TASTING AT DISTINCTIVE KITCHENS 4:30-7 p.m. weekly. Free. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Place.

438-4688 or dk4u.com.

SATURDAY 12.04

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. Through Dec. 4. $16 adults, $12 per person for 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’ FUN MUD ACTIVITIES 5-8 p.m. Clay supplied to try your hand at wheel throwing with friends or family.

Minimum age 14. $25. Belmont Arts & Cultural Center, 401 N. Reus St. 429-1222 or belmontartscenter.com.

ART CLASS AT PAINTING WITH A TWIST 6-9 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: Shiny Christmas Ornaments. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

WINE TASTING AT CITY GROCERY 5:15-7:30 p.m. weekly. Sample wines and enjoy live entertainment. Free. 2050 N. 12th Ave. WINE TASTING AT SEVILLE QUARTER 5-7 p.m. weekly. All wines available at special pricing. Free. Gift Shoppe at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS HOCKEY GAME 7:05 p.m. Ice Flyers vs. Columbus Cottonmouths. The Hangar, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolaiceflyers.com.

AFTER GAME SKATING 10-11 p.m. Take to the ice after the Ice

LADIES NIGHT AND LIVE BANDS AT SAVANNA BLUE 9 p.m. weekly. Enjoy drink specials and live music. Savanna Blue Neighborhood Grille, 4238 W. Fairfield Drive. 453-2980 or savannablue.net.

PHAT GIRLZ 9:30 a.m. Meet at Running Wild. This is a women’s only, all abilities running group. All abilities 3 to 6 miles through East Pensacola Heights. 3012 E. Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.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.

FINALLY FRIDAY AT THE OAR HOUSE 11 a.m. weekly. Enjoy entrée and drink specials. The Oar House, 1000 S. Pace Blvd.

549-4444 or the-oar-house.com.

MUSIC: 80’S RETRO NIGHT 8 p.m. No cover. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Road. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

MUSIC: FIRST CITY BLUES BAND 9:30 p.m. No cover. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com.

MUSIC: HOLLY SHELTON AND DAVID SHELANDER 8 p.m. weekly. Ragtyme Grille, 201 S. Jefferson St. 429-9655 or ragtyme.net.

MUSIC: GRADY CHAMPION 6 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 8 p.m. $16 adults, $12 per person for 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.

EMERALD COAST BEAD SOCIETY HOLIDAY SHOW 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

View exciting new works from new members. Designer-quality finished and fine jewelry, handmade lamp work, polymer, diachronic and fused glass beads; batik and macramé items; soft sculpture creations and more. Enjoy live entertainment featuring Holly Shelton. First United Methodist Church, The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. 455-6109.

PORT CITY MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekly through April 16, 2011. Enjoy local produce and crafts. Southeast corner of Palafox and Main streets. 380-4237 or portcitymarket.com.

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.

BOW WOW WINTER FISH FRY 3 p.m. This fish fry is to benefit the Junior Humane Society. The public is asked to attend and bring a donation. Bamboo Willies, 400 Quietwater Beach Road.

916-9888 or bamboowillies.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: Two Turtle Doves. Painting with a Twist, 4771 Bayou Blvd., Suite C-11. $45. 471-1450 or paintingwithatwist.com/pensacola.

VOTED PENSACOLA’S FAVORITE RESTAURANT 5 YEARS IN A ROW!

EAT. DRINK. SHOP. Take care of everyone on your holiday shopping list with a little something from our house. We have gift certificates.

Cookbooks. And house-made hot sauce. Mmmmmmm.

In downtown Pensacola, or order online.

FISH HOUSE: (850) 470-0003, OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. · ATLAS: (850) 437-1961, 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

20 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

With age comes wisdom.

Unless of course, you’re talking about health insurance. And then, with age comes questions.

About coverage, Medicare, prescriptions and more.

Which is why it’s wise to talk with an expert.

• Plans to fit every budget and need.

Barnes Insurance & Financial Services

1582 Airport Blvd

850-473-1500

Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare program. The amount of benefits provided depends on the plan selected and the premium will vary with the amount of benefits selected.

These policies have limitations and exclusions. While factors such as medical cost increases and inflation will increasethe premium, you will always pay the premium for your age at enrollment.

H5434_MX 62860 0906 S: 09/2006 H1026_MX 62860 0906 S: 09/2006 S5904_MX 62860 0906 S: 09/2006 64860 1006 A Contracted General Agency for

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

21

culture

COME OUT AND PLAY NEW BAR LETS YOU BE A KID AGAIN

BY HANA FRENETTE

Photo by Mickey C. Photography

W

alk up the stairs to the second-story-bar Play, located directly between Hopjacks and Will Call on Palafox, and you will undoubtedly notice the bright yellow walls paying homage to old-school video games with depictions of Pac-Man and Tetris.

Inside, the bar is scattered with vintage arcade games, including different variations of pinball, Skee-Ball and a plethora of oddly named machines like “Centipede Millipede” and “Call of the Wild.” Several pool tables, a long wooden bar and an Internet jukebox add to the coziness of the space.

In short, Play is a “barcade,” offering the fun of childhood games with the bar aspect of adulthood, minus the smoking.

“We always wanted to own a cool neighborhood bar with a Cheers kind of

feel,” co- owner Edwin Banacia said. Banacia owns Play along with Albert Lao. “We’re both kind of nerds, and we thought it’d be really cool to just put a bunch of games in the bar,” Banacia said.

Although the smoke-free bar already has a collection of games, as well as a popcorn machine, Banacia is on the lookout for more.

“We have a couple Skee-Ball games, but I want to get in some more and just have a whole Skee-Ball alley,” Banacia said. “We also want to get some more interactive sports games.”

Having a Skee-Ball alley seems fitting, since Play is planning to start its own Skee-Ball league. The first meeting will be

SPRING INTO FALL

LEANER. FASTER. STRONGER.

WITH 6 WEEKS OF BOOTCAMP! MORNING AND EVENING SESSIONS

WWW.FIXEDONFITNESS.COM FOR INFO CALL : 850.554.1648 OR EMAIL INFO@FIXEDONFITNESS.COM

22 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

next Monday at 8 p.m. A foosball league and a pool league are also in the works.

“For the Skee-Ball, we’ll have teams of four, and you can sign up on our Facebook page, our website, or at Play on the night that the league meets,” Banacia said.

“And we’re going to have lots of prizes.”

The prizes will range from bar tabs to iPads, the iPad being the ultimate prize for the overall winner throughout the course of the league.

“We just want it to be fun, so we’ve got quirky stuff,” Banacia said. “We even got some of Ludacris’ signature alcohol autographed by him that we’re giving away as a prize.”

Play is all about fun, and they’ve tried to keep that in mind when considering their specials and their prices, because things are always more fun when they’re affordable.

Every day from 4-7 p.m. is happy hour, which means 2-for-1 mixed drinks or 2-for-1 beer. Anytime there is a football game playing on Saturday or Sunday, whether it’s college or professional, Play has $1 draft beer. Twenty-five Skee-Ball tickets will get you a free drink.

Pretty much any time or day or the week, Play is offering some kind of deal.

“We think the pricing is really important, especially since we are going for the community feel,” Banacia said. “We have to try and make it affordable for everyone.”

Drop in to Play and reminisce about the good ol’ days when you were the king of Pac-Man or when a mixed drink didn’t

cost as much as your dinner. Play has only been open a week, and will no doubt win over those in need of new place to go, or a new league to join. info@inweekly.net

“WE’RE BOTH KIND OF NERDS, AND WE THOUGHT IT’D BE REALLY COOL TO JUST PUT A BUNCH OF GAMES IN THE BAR” —EDWIN BANACIA

Photo by Mickey C. Photography

PLAY

16 Palafox Place (Upstairs) 466-3080 iplaypensacola.com or facebook.com/playpensacola HOURS: 4 p.m.-until, Monday through Friday; 11 a.m.-until, Saturday and Sunday

music REBECCA LOEBE, INDIE FOLK SINGER, PERFORMS ON PENSACOLA BEACH

BY KATE PETERSON

Photo by Kate Culver

S

inger, songwriter, guitar player and recording studio engineer— she does it all. Rebecca Loebe is performing at Paradise Bar & Grill on Pensacola Beach, and we are in for a real treat.

Loebe started out on a path to music production and engineering, but then her teacher convinced her she should be on the other side—the performing side. Since then, Loebe has released three albums that are taking off in the indie folk music scene.

Her music has been featured on “Folk Alley’s Best New Folk Mix” on npr.com/ music, and last year she won the Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Songwriting Competition. The IN chatted with Loebe about her musical career and its humble beginnings.

IN: During your college years, you went from music production and engineering to singing and songwriting. Tell us about that transition.

LOEBE: When I was finishing school, my recording teacher encouraged me not to give up on music. He was steering me away from my chosen path; I was not sure if it was because I was a good musician or a really bad engineer. At the time, he was having me perform in his classes so that the new engineering students could learn their craft.

Working with a musician and moving to Los Angeles was the plan. He said I should do something more creative. It stopped me; it shook me up. I took a job as a small studio engineer to gain experience on the other side of the microphone. It is important to learn both sides of the recording world.

IN: How has your music progressed from your first album to your third?

LOEBE: It has taken a different avenue.

When I was younger, I was just trying to finish—not recording songs that necessarily represented me. Traveling and playing music was the goal after that, then that became a lesson in how to tour wisely. I took a break in New York. I rented a room and made my second album, “The Brooklyn Series,” which was my “dark chocolate and red wine album.” It was an all-acoustic EP. I then began working on my third album after that, polishing songs—wrote without the pressure to finish. “Mystery Prize” came out in January, and it still applies to what is happening now.

It takes a look at love through my glasses. I produced myself on my first album; it made

it hard to observe my performance with objectivity. I found it was good to have someone else to collaborate with and give opinions.

IN: On your website, you list your music style as “post-brontosaurus indie folk crunk.” Where did that come from?

LOEBE: Everyone wants to know what kind of music I play, and it was my way of sort of skirting the question. It came from different places, and the funny thing is, it really represents a part of me. The “postbrontosaurus” part came from when I found out on the news that the brontosaurus never existed—very disappointing.

IN: In May of this year you traveled to SXSW (South by Southwest) Music and Film Interactive in Austin, Texas. Tell us about that experience.

LOEBE: It was my second SXSW; I was touring when I first went in 2006. It is a great experience. As a matter of fact, I am in Austin now. SXSW is really about the business side of the music world. Although at night, when all the shows are over, it is a sweet party.

You get to hang out with friends, play songs, make plans and spend time.

IN: It seems that all the undiscovered musicians and filmmakers can have a showcase there?

LOEBE: That is not really how it works. It takes a while to be known, and then you are given a showcase. Some advice given to me long ago: give your music 10 years; if nothing happens, then you can say you have given it your all. No regrets. So far, I am on my fourth year.

IN: You have a subscription website?

How does that work, and what kind of response have you had?

Jim Sanborn

LOEBE: It is a new venture, one that came out of me trying to use my time wisely. For your subscription (ranges from $5 and up), you get a one-hour live show recording, edited by myself. It helps me stay on the road.

The response has been great. It really helps me stay connected to those who support my music but cannot get to shows all over the country. There are often new songs not available on an album yet, so there is an element of exclusivity. It really keeps the shows fresh.

IN: You held a song remix contest?

LOEBE: As my friends and I were talking, some of them came up with different versions of my songs, just being silly. Well, it occurred to me to have a remix contest.

So, the song “Land & Sea” was chosen.

There were entries from all over the world.

Turns out, the remixing of songs has a huge following. It was really hard to pick a winner, so I picked two: one was fast, the other slower. They are going on my “Bs and Zombies” album, coming out next year. It is a mix of live recordings, covering other people’s songs, like a song by Kanye West.

It will be a fun record.

IN: What can our readers look forward to during one of your shows?

LOEBE: Acoustic guitar, a long list of songs, storytelling and humor. I will invite people into my world for a while. info@inweekly.net

REBECCA LOEBE

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 WHERE: Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via DeLuna Drive COST: Free DETAILS: paradisebar-grill.com, or rebeccaloebe.com

Don Parker

“Good Morning Pensacola!”

6am-9am

More News

Monday-Friday

More Weather

More FUN!

Listen Live at wcoapensacola.com INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

23

news of the weird THE COLLAPSE OF THE ECONOMY in 2008 might have reached the far corners of Earth, but evidently not to Planet Calypso, the make-believe asteroid containing makebelieve real estate in the multiplayer online game Entropia Universe, where resort entrepreneur Jon Jacobs recently cashed out his properties for $635,000—in real (not make-believe) U.S. dollars. Since Jacobs’ original 2005 investment was $100,000 (a record at that time), he thus has earned an average 35 percent annual return. As players landed on Jacobs’ properties, to hunt or to mine precious substances, they paid fees, and Jacobs’ buyers are obviously optimistic they can maintain that income stream. A recent study by the marketing firm In-Stat estimated that online players will spend $7 billion in 2010 on make-believe property and goods.

SALE Frames

From Russia with Love: Selections from the Rabourn Collection October 29th, 2010 January 23rd, 2011

20-75% off New Value Lens Package Pricing See store for details and certain restrictions do apply.

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

113 Palafox Place, Pensacola 434-2060 800 N Fairfield Dr, Pensacola 456-5059 5593 Stewart St, Milton 623-0319

www.Terrezzaoptical.com

24 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION In September, the U.K.’s coalition government announced the imminent consolidation of anti-discrimination laws known as the Equality Act -- despite critics’ warnings that it could stunt economic growth by tying up the workplace in a morass of lawsuits in which workers could sue for almost any perceived offense. Under the new concept of “third-party harassment,” for example, an employee who merely overhears another person—even a customer of his employer—say something he finds offensive could sue the employer.

Critics also complained that the law adds to the traditional group of specially protected, oppressed people the minorities vegans, teetotalers, Gypsies and “travelers” (grifters).

• In October, Freddie Mac (the government-sponsored but privately owned home mortgage financier—whose massive debts have been assumed in a federal “bailout” administered by the Treasury Department) filed a claim in Tax Court against the Internal Revenue Service, denying IRS’s claim that it owes $3 billion in back taxes from 1998-2005. Should taxpayers care? If Freddie Mac wins, IRS (which is also housed in the Treasury Department) loses out on the $3 billion in alleged back taxes. If IRS wins, it gets its $3 billion, which will undoubtedly be paid with taxpayer bailout money.

Lawyers for both sides seem to think that pursuing the lawsuit is important.

• In November, patrons using rest rooms at City Hall in Chandler, Ariz., were stunned to see wall signs warning users not to drink out of the urinals and toilets. (Actually, as officials explained, the environmentally friendly facilities f lush with “reused” water—from the building’s cooling system—which must normally be colorized to discourage inadvertent drinking, and if it is not so harshly colored, must, by regulation, be accompanied by warning signs.)

• After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, Congress underwrote $7.9 billion in taxfree bonds that Louisiana could sell in

BY CHUCK SHEPPARD order to rehabilitate the area. According to an August status report in Newsweek, $5.9 billion in bonds have been sold by the state, but only $55 million of that (1 percent) is for projects inside New Orleans (and none in the devastated Lower Ninth Ward). By contrast, $1.7 billion (about 29 percent) is going to projects that benefit the state’s oil industry.

GREAT ART! One of New York City’s (midtown Manhattan’s) favorite meet-up spots, according to an October report in The New York Times, is Colombian artist Fernando Botero’s 12-foot-tall “Adam” statue at Time Warner Center. However, since Adam is nude and the statue is so pedestrian-friendly, maintaining it has become a problem, according to the center’s general manager.

As the Times described it, “Most of Adam is deep dark brown,” but the easily-accessible penis “is worn golden from extensive handling.” (The Times also noted that “(a) t the Botero” is a less-popular meet-up suggestion than “(u)nderneath the penis.”)

• Artist Noam Braslavsky’s life-size sculpture honoring the great Israeli army general and prime minister Ariel Sharon went on display in Tel Aviv in October.

However, Braslavsky chose to depict Sharon (who he said is “kind of an open nerve in Israeli society”) not in battle nor as a international statesman -- but in his hospital bed, where he has been confined, in a medically induced coma, since suffering a massive stroke in January 2006.

POLICE REPORT Sheriff ’s deputies in Manatee County, Fla., arrested two men in October after a traffic stop when, following a thorough search of the car’s trunk, they found marijuana. In fact, the search of the messy trunk was so thorough that they also turned up a bong, which driver Mark Fiasco said he had lost and been looking for for seven years.

RECURRING THEMES (1) “Service” Animals: In July, Wayne Short’s iguana was certified by the National Service Animal Registry and thus allowed to attend to him on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Md., where she had previously been barred. Mayor Rick Meehan, eyeing the NSAR card, asked Short what sort of “service” Hillary provided, but Short declined to answer.

(2) Wandering Kids: In October, firefighters were once again called to a claw-toy vending machine to extract a boy who had crawled up the toy-release chute—this time at a Walmart in Sun Prairie, Wis. As is often the case, the boy appeared to be joyously in his element among the toys and not immediately receptive to coaxing from firefighters or his parents.

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

Quality of Life in Pensacola & the PYP Wikipedia.com says the expression “quality of life” is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. Standard indicators of the quality of life include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging.

During the holiday season, PYP would like to share with Independent News readers the ways that we are partnering with other organizations to gain insights into our community, to build bridges and learn about others and to help to improve the Quality of Life for the residents of Pensacola.

Bridges to Circles is a new community initiative from Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida in coordination with Unite Escambia’s Poverty Solution Team. Bridges to Circles will match people living in poverty who have a strong desire to improve their lives with allies who provide emotional support and assist with complex issues. Bridges to Circles is a safe, structured way for people to build friendships across class and race lines.

Bridges to Circles: • Engages the community in solving poverty • Develops leadership within the community • Increases the capacity of helping organizations • Addresses systems’ barriers that people experience

PYP is participating in a Bridges to Circles Community Meeting. The Weekly Community Meeting is a social gathering of our under privileged community members in which we PYP members will serve as cooks for the evening. It will be an opportunity our members to learn about people who live in poverty by thoughtfully considering their financial, mental, emotional and/or physical limitations and the barriers that prevent them from getting ahead in the absence of healthy relationships and adequate resources. For more information on Bridges to Circles visit www.catholiccharitiesnwfl.org.

“Hello World!”

Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council and Pensacola Young Professionals partner to say “Hello World!”. Three international young professionals visited with PYP member Rob Brooks and his family on a recent Friday night. Samuel from Nigeria, Rania from Lebanon, & Rumbidzai from Zimbabwe were part of a group that came to Pensacola with the assistance of Jena Melancon, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council. Rob noted, “We shared our version of American culture with them and they shared their cultures with us, resulting in a unique blend of diversity.” Friday night is “Family Game Night” at the Brooks house, so the visitors were introduced to Monopoly after eating home made pizza.

Lively discussions ranged from careers and family to religion and included plenty of laughter. Samuel showed a video of himself directing a nationally publicized

concert in Nigeria. A lady got up to sing during the video, whom Samuel said was a Chilean married to the German Ambassador to Nigeria. Samuel had taught her to sing a tribal Nigerian song which she was performing. While singing onstage, she naturally did a Latino dance to an African beat. “Watching the video in America with my new international friends was over the edge.” Rob said. “It was unreal to have that many cultures intersect in one moment.”

Meet and Greet The PYP Government Affairs Team and Economic Development Team have invited local officials to a Meet and Greet at the Margaritaville Hotel on Pensacola Beach, Thursday December 2nd from 5:30 – 7:00. Officials such as State Representative Clay Ford, Representative Clay Ingram, and our new strong mayor Ashton Hayward will be present. This event is open to the public, as well as PYP members. RSVP’s are required. RSVP online at www.Pensacolayp.com, on the events page. There will be a cash bar and appetizers. The hotel also has a restaurant if you decide to stay for dinner.

Pensacola Young Professionals are dedicated to our community and our mission to making Pensacola a better place to live, work and play. Our leaders and members have spent approximately 2400 hours in service to the community over the last year. Be it raising money for a cure in the Strides against Breast Cancer Walk, mentoring children in Junior Achievement, cleaning up Pensacola Beach after

the oil spill, holding a Mayoral Forum, or organizing one of the many events that our members can attend and educate themselves about important issues. The fact is Pensacola is important to us and we care about the “Quality of Life”.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 2nd Meet and Greet of newly elected politicians and current political figures Margaritaville Hotel on Pensacola Beach 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

December 12th QOL Pensacola Clean Up Wright St. & 9th Ave. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

December 13th PYP Board of Directors Meeting Clark Partington Hart, 125 W Romana St. 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

For more information visit:

www.pensacolayp.com

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

25

community outreach 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREES AT LEE HOUSE EVENT WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR UNITED WAY Dr. Patrick Murray and Norma Fleming Murray, owners of Lee House Bed and Breakfast, invite the community to view Downtown Pensacola’s Lee House Bed & Breakfast decorated for the holidays during the second annual Holiday Trees at Lee House on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Holiday Trees at Lee House is sponsored by Pain Consultants of West Florida and Margie Moore/Merrill Lynch with additional support from Woodlands Medical Specialists and Norma’s On the Run. At the event, local businesses will present one-ofa-kind holiday trees for auction. Refreshments will be provided by Norma’s On the Run and local caterers. Onehundred percent proceeds will be donated to United Way of Escambia County.

“United Way touches the lives of a broad spectrum of people in our community who need a helping hand,” Norma Murray said. “The Pensacola area has faced severe economic challenges this past year.

The generosity and goodness of those who can help is greatly appreciated by those who receive help. I hope that the annual Holiday Trees at Lee House will raise awareness of the true meaning of this season – sharing and giving with a heart filled with love.”

For information call 912-8770 or email info@ leehousepensacola.com.

LOCAL CYCLISTS GO THE DISTANCE FOR TOYS FOR TOTS PORC (Pensacola Off-Road Cyclists) invites you to spend 50 miles in the saddle on December 4th to help support Toys for Tots. If that is too many miles, there are 3 flights: a 50 mile Epic Ride which begins at 8, a 25 mile Half-Epic Ride beginning at 11, and a 10 mile Family Ride starting at 1

p.m. Check in starts at 7. The entry fee for this event is a minimum of 1 unopened, unwrapped toy donation to Toys for Tots. The Pate Trail Head of the UWF mountain bike trails is the meeting place for off-road cyclists who want to pedal for philanthropy.

This is a full supported ride with feeding stations, a bike mechanic station, a post-ride meal of either chicken sausage gumbo or vegetarian red beans & rice, a pre-ride swag bag with limited edition EPIC mug, post-ride awards, and lots of (out)door prizes and giveaways. Last year’s prizes include a 29er frame, Oakley sunglasses, wheel sets, gift cards, and lots more. This year’s prizes are just as exciting and twice as secret.

“Last year we had over 115 Riders and raised close to 300 toys, all of which went to local counties. Toys 4 Tots is a Fantastic Charity, and this is a great opportunity to come out and have a great time with fellow cyclists and give something back to our community,” said Eric Gordon, president of PORC. “Even if you aren’t a cyclist, the US Marines will be there to collect toys that day, so it’s a good place for people to drop off toys all day, and make the holidays memorable for a needy child.”

For more information on the ride or to learn more about PORC, visit PORC.org.

RELEASE THE SOUND’ TALENT SHOW Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the talent show will feed 100 families for Christmas. Pensacola High School, 500 W. Maxwell St. 525-7733.

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

Christmas HILLCREST

RSHIP IGHT OF WO

N

with the

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.

Fitness Fashionistas Studio ZUMBA FITNESS,

Cardio Tease, Boxing & More Women Only!

No Contracts, Memberships or Reg. Fees!

State of the art private studio!

All shapes, sizes & fitness levels

www.fitnessfashionistas.com 850-637-8643

SUNDAY | DECEMBER 12 Admission is free with a ticket. Seating is limited.

4:30p or 7:00p

26 | INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET

TIME TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT FOOD. A LUMINOUS LIFE HYPNOTHERAPY MA, CHT

~Media Boutiqe for Women Entrepreneurs~ Public Relations, Social Media, Branding, Business Coaching & More

www.successinheels.com

Beach Sign Charm Now Available exclusively at Pizzaz

Ticket info at the Church Office or online at www.hillcrestchurch.com

800 East Nine Mile Road | Pensacola FL 32514 | 850.476.2233 | hillcrestchurch.com

FOREVER DIETING?

SUSAN DUNLOP,

850-637-8644

ANNIE MOSES BAND

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.

850.934.3436 832 Gulf Breeze Parkway

INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED HYPNOTHERAPIST

850-346-7865 EAST HILL www.luminouslifehypnotherapy.com

to advertise call 438-8115

classifieds

last word

Do you know arts & entertainment?

We’re looking for freelance writers for our expanded A&E section. Music, dance, theater, visual arts and literature are areas we want to cover with more depth and insight than any publication in the region. If you have style and pizzaz, the IN wants you. Please, e-mail a cover letter, résumé and recent clips to:

joani@inweekly.net

ELLIS W. BULLOCK IV

PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF OUTERSPACES, LLC What is your chief characteristic?

Leadership

THE UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD EDITED BY TIMOTHY E. PARKER LO AND BEHOLD! by Adam Crosse

ACROSS 1 Like some turkey meat 5 It may be shaken in anger 9 Brief guest appearance 14 Bridle attachment 15 Banned apple spray 16 “Better get ___ on” 17 Burrowing bony-plated animal 19 “Table for one” type 20 Sacred music genre 21 Brook catch 23 “On top of that ...”

26 Writer Hemingway 29 Layered pastry 33 Nutlike ­Chinese fruit 34 They may be gray or restricted 35 Visit for a second time 37 Magazine department 38 Ax 39 ___ four (small teacake) 4 0 Bittersweet coating 41 Jackson 5 hit of 1970 42 Colorful Indian attire 43 Ball-gown fabric 4 4 Argentine grasslands 4 6 By leaps and bounds 4 8 Play the temptress 49 Twelfth ­J ewish month 50 Dummkopf 52 Church VIP 57 Ship’s seepage 59 Sport with a goalkeeper 62 Shoelace part

What do you appreciate most about your friends?

Everything Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Cap’n Crunch—I was never into the whole superhero junk, but the cereal is good.

Who is your favorite heroine in fiction?

The Joker What is the best thing you have ever won?

I thought I won a cruise one time, but found out it was a hoax. It was great for a day or two.

What did your mother always tell you?

When I would use the word “at” at the end of a sentence, she would respond “between the ‘A’ and the ‘T.’” PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

63 Engagement enders?

64 Box-spring support 65 ___ two-shoes 66 Cause for a lawsuit 67 Hangover at home?

DOWN 1 Wet blanket 2 “Nautical” prefix 3 What swish shots miss 4 “Sack” lead-in 5 Ribbed silk fabric 6 ___ at ease 7 Erie Canal mule of song 8 Carriage horse’s pace 9 Item counted by a dieter 10 Check information 11 Monaco resort town 12 The apple of Adam’s eye 13 “Love, Reign ___ Me” (hit by The Who) 18 Negotiating goals 2 2 Lease anew 24 Achier

2 5 Erstwhile 27 Piercing in tone 28 Like m ­ embers of the nobility 29 Consonants like M and N 30 Fit for farming 31 Small transgression 32 Acorn’s destiny 36 Fiber used to make rugs 39 Toyota model 4 0 Strauss’ “Ariadne ___ Naxos” 42 Part of SPCA 43 President before Polk 45 Prodded gently 47 Least covered 51 Lamebrain 53 Section under a concha 5 4 7UP alternative 55 Scandinavian king 56 Thank-you item 57 Lawn mower attachment 58 “Need ___ on?”

6 0 “And now, without further ___ ...”

61 Craggy prominence

What is the worst idea you’ve ever had?

Trying to Slip ‘n Slide standing up What is your favorite food?

Anything I can cook on my Green Egg Which talent would you most like to have?

Magician What movie do you love to watch repeatedly?

“Rudy” What was your most embarrassing moment?

Falling asleep in Lamaze class What historical figure do you despise the most?

George Washington—people give him too much credit for chopping down a cherry tree.

What TV show is your guilty pleasure?

“Pawn Stars” What is the last book you read?

“On Becoming Babywise” by Gary Ezzo and Dr. Robert Bucknam—my wife made me before we had our little girl.

What is your theme song?

“One In Every Crowd” by Montgomery Gentry

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |

27

$

30 $28 $18

INDEPENDENT NEWS | DECEMBER 02, 2010 | WWW.INWEEKLY.NET |