Inweekly April 8 2021 Issue

Take Your Shot

9 1 D I V A CO

E D I U G E C R U O S RE Independent News | April 8, 2021 | Volume 22 | Number 14

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winners & losers

outtakes

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April 8, 2021

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winners & losers

Jaylen McGee / Courtesy of UWF

winners

UWF SGA By a unanimous vote, the University of West Florida Student Government Association passed a resolution calling for their school to generate all its energy from renewable sources. The resolution comes after the Environment Florida Research and Policy Center launched the 100% Renewable Campus campaign at UWF last spring, with Jaylen McGee as the campaign coordinator. The UWF resolution calls for the transition to be made no later than 2050, with all electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030. A similar resolution has also recently been passed by students at the University of Central Florida and University of South Florida, with a more ambitious timeline of transitioning to 100% renewable energy community-wide by 2040.

AUDY ROPER The first-year bilingual teacher assistant at Ensley Elementary School was named Stellar Employee for March by the Escambia County School District. Roper plays an essential role in supporting English language learners so that they receive the maximum benefit from day-to-day activities.

She has quickly established a good rapport with students and their parents. Because of her positive interactions with parents, faculty and staff, good relationships and unified partnerships are formed at Ensley Elementary.

NAS PENSACOLA & NAS WHITING FIELD The home to these two bases is one

of only five communities across the country named to the 2021 Class of Great American Defense Communities by the Association of Defense Communities. The chosen communities demonstrate exemplary work in improving the quality of life of military personnel and their families through programs, initiatives and partnerships in their regions. The 2021 class also includes Altus, Okla.; Coastal Georgia; Everett, Wash.; and Great Falls, Mont.

PEN AIR CREDIT UNION Its employees

presented a total of $10,000 to two local nonprofits during the first quarter of 2021. The Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center and the Children's Home Society of Florida each received a gift of $5,000. The funds were raised through Pen Air's Jeans for Communerosity program, an employee-driven fundraising effort to give back to those in need in the community. Pen Air employees have given more than $340,000 since the program began in 2013.

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losers

DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA BUSINESSES

The City of Pensacola announced that Silver Hills let its option for Community Maritime Park parcels 4 and 5 expire at the end of March after its negotiations on a lease agreement stalled. The project would have created an apartment complex similar to Southtowne that would have brought about 500 more residents—and potential retail customers—to downtown Pensacola. The city will publicly advertise the opportunity to develop parcels 4 and 5 for 30 days before moving forward.

LAWTON CHILES ENDOWMENT FUND

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to scrap a fund named after former Gov. Lawton Chiles, the last Democrat elected as governor, that former GOP Gov. Jeb Bush intended to provide perpetual support for health care programs and biomedical research. If the measure becomes law, nearly $1 billion from the endowment would be transferred to the state budget stabilization fund no later than June 30, 2022. Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled legislature has repeatedly raided the fund to balance the state budget. The funds came from a settlement made possible because the Chiles administration, during the waning hours of the 1994 legislative session, successfully passed a bill that altered Medicaid law to allow the state to sue tobacco manufacturers on behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries who smoked.

APALACHICOLA BAY The U.S. Supreme

Court rejected a lawsuit in which Florida argued Georgia had used too much water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system shared by the states. Florida contended that Georgia farmers had used too much water to irrigate crops, causing downstream damage to the Apalachicola Bay and its oyster industry. The Supreme Court ruling pointed to overharvesting of oysters as a critical factor undercutting Florida's arguments. Part of the reason for the overharvesting was the fear Deepwater Horizon oil spill would contaminate the bay's oyster fisheries. The court also said the state was harvesting at a record pace while reshelling its oyster bars at historically low rates.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in December suspended wild oyster harvesting in the bay as part of a $20 million restoration effort. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

THE GREENBERG WARNING Pensacola will elect a new strong mayor next year—third under the 2010 charter that made the mayor the city's chief executive officer. The race will most likely have a list longer than Krispy Kreme in the morning, and I have a warning.

Please fully check into each of the candidates. In this age of social media and the search for the latest fad, people can pop out of nowhere, put their names on the ballot and win close races. Look at how Joel Greenberg, Congressman Matt Gaetz's "Night at Roxbury" party bro, got elected Seminole County's tax collector.

The millionaire son, whose father owns 90 dental practices across the state, put nearly $200,000 of his own funds to defeat a four-term incumbent, Ray Valdes, in the 2016 GOP primary— what the Orlando Sentinel called "one of the most contentious election battles in the county's history."

Greenberg, then 31, attacked Valdez, 78, for successfully bidding for years on numerous delinquent properties put up for public auction after owners failed to pay taxes on them. Greenberg pledged to implement a strong code of ethics for his administration.

The problem is Greenberg's code is different than yours or mine. The state nixed his plan to sell branch offices and invest in shopping centers. An audit revealed him handing out lucrative contracts to three of his groomsmen and a political advisor and wasting about $1 million on body armor, weapons, ammunition and a drone. In 2019, his travel expenditures were nearly four times more than Orange County's tax collector and 11 times more than Lake County's.

Greenberg's political career began to fall apart last June when federal agents raided his home after his indictment for stalking a political opponent and running a smear campaign that falsely accused the teacher of sexual misconduct with a student. Greenberg resigned from office after his arrest, and then his troubles got worse when the raid uncovered a pile of fake IDs.

In August, Greenberg's charges were amended to include trafficking a minor female aged between 14 and 18 and using state databases to obtain information about her and others illegally. Today, he faces 33 federal charges, including stalking, identity theft, wire fraud, bribery, theft of government property, conspiracy to bribe a public official, creating fake IDs and sex trafficking of a minor. Greenberg has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

I would imagine Ray Valdes' legally bidding on delinquent properties no longer seems so bad to voters. The Orlando Sentinel's editorial board described his successor as "Central Florida's worst politician," and that was before the sex trafficking charge.

We may laugh at Seminole County voters for being hoodwinked, but we've had our share of regrettable election victories.

Former NYC cop Jim Kerrigan (R-Gulf Breeze) won one term to Florida House in 1992. He fought to bring back public hangings and lost his waterfront home for failing to pay for the carpet installed in it.

The Escambia County School Board had Vanette Webb and Hal Mason. Webb, who home-schooled her daughter, also served one term, 1996-2000. She was removed briefly after her conviction for withholding public records. The conviction was overturned and later reinstated upon appeal.

Mason won a run-off in 1998, promising better board oversight. The problem is no one knew much about him. He claimed to have an extensive educational background, but very little could be found out about it.

He, too, got in trouble withholding emails.

Mason died from complications from surgery after only serving two years. Few people remember his time in office.

The mayor's race will require scrutiny.

Those without political histories need to be reviewed as thoroughly as those who have held office. The job is too important. Knowing how hard it is to unseat an incumbent, the next mayor may set the city's course for the next 12 years. {in} rick@inweekly.net

We may laugh at Seminole County voters for being hoodwinked, but we've had our share of regrettable election victories.

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GAETZ-GATE The June raid uncovered several fake IDs. In August, Greenberg was charged in federal court not only for producing fake driver's licenses and identity theft but also trafficking a minor female aged between 14 and 18 and using state databases to obtain information about her and others illegally.

Today, he faces 33 federal charges, including stalking, identity theft, wire fraud, bribery, theft of government property, conspiracy to bribe a public official, creating fake IDs and sex trafficking of a minor. Greenberg has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

GAETZ'S SEX LIFE

Matt Gaetz / Photo Courtesy of gaetz.house.gov

By Rick Outzen The biggest Pensacola story last week wasn't Mayor Grover Robinson not seeking a second term. It wasn't Silver Hills walking away from negotiations to build a 450-unit apartment complex at the Community Maritime Park. No, Matt Gaetz beat out both of them, and not in a good way.

On Tuesday, March 30, The New York Times broke the news that three sources had shared the Florida panhandle congressman, age 38, was under investigation by the Department of Justice over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him, violating federal sex trafficking laws in doing so.

Several news outlets reported the alleged teen victim was the same 17-year-old female that accused former GOP Seminole tax collector Joel Greenberg of sex trafficking. According to the New York Times' sources, investigators believe Greenberg initially met women through websites that connect people who go on dates in exchange for gifts, fine dining, travel and allowances. Greenberg then allegedly introduced the women to Gaetz, who also supposedly had sex with them.

WHO IS JOEL GREENBERG?

Greenberg is the millionaire son of Andrew Greenberg, who built a dental 66

empire with 90 practices across the state.

Using his fortune, the younger Greenberg, then 31, defeated a four-term incumbent to win the GOP primary to become Seminole County's tax collector in 2016—the same year Gaetz was elected to Congress.

His tenure as tax collector was filled with controversies—anti-Muslim social media posts, allowing his employees to openly carry guns, using his tax collector badge to pull over a speeder, giving lucrative contracts to three of his groomsmen and embezzling office funds to purchase sports memorabilia and cryptocurrency.

In 2018, Gaetz predicted the young tax collector, calling him a "disruptor," would one day join him in Congress. In a radio interview, Gaetz said, "Joel Greenberg has gone into the Seminole County Tax Collector's Office. He's taken it by storm."

The Tampa Bay Times reported that Greenberg and Gaetz were seen having dinner and drinks together at Seminole restaurants and bars. The tax collector bragged to his staff about Gaetz visiting his home. Gaetz donated $1,000 to Greenberg's 2020 re-election campaign.

Greenberg's star began to plummet last June when federal agents raided his home after he was indicted for stalking a political opponent and running a smear campaign that falsely accused the teacher of sexual misconduct with a student. Greenberg resigned from office the day after his arrest, and then his troubles got worse.

Sources have shared with Inweekly that Congressman Gaetz liked to brag about his sexual conquests, both while in the Florida House and in Congress.

CNN reported that multiple sources have said Gaetz touted his sexual escapades to his Congressional colleagues.

Allegedly, he showed fellow lawmakers photos and videos of nude women—one wearing nothing but a hula hoop—with whom Gaetz said he had sex.

Last year, State Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater, accused Gaetz of having founded a sex game played among state lawmakers in the Florida House when Gaetz served in the chamber. Gaetz served in the Florida House for six years, 2010-2016.

"And you created a game where members of the FL House got 'points' for sleeping with aides, interns, lobbyists, and married legislators." Chris Latvala In reply to a Gaetz tweet criticizing Al Sharpton, Latvala wrote, "And you created a game where members of the FL House got 'points' for sleeping with aides, interns, lobbyists, and married legislators. Hope DC is treating you well, Congressman."

Both Latvala and Gaetz have fathers who served in the Florida Senate, and the two families have feuded for years.

Gaetz's reply to Latvala—"Just because I own you on Twitter, don't confuse me for your daddy when it comes to abusing power for sex."

Sen. Jack Latvala resigned in December 2017 after an independent investiga-

tion had concluded that he likely violated state corruption laws by trading legislative favors for physical contact and for sexually harassing and groping multiple women.

According to reporters, the alleged sex game was a point-system contest for having sex—1=lobbyist, 2=staff, 3=other legislator and 6=married legislator, according to reporters who covered the state legislature.

The first public mention of the game was in 2013. Gaetz has denied any knowledge of such competition.

On Friday, April 2, the Business Insider reported an anonymous female GOP insider shared the sex game had a "Harry Potter" component—a "snitch." In the book's Quidditch matches, the Golden Snitch is the most crucial ball for the seekers to catch. The young wizard who catches it wins the game.

According to the Business Insider's source, anyone who slept with a notable conservative female politician won the game regardless of points.

Gaetz's personal life drew attention last summer when he told People magazine about his adopted teenage son, Nestor Galban. He said, "My work with Nestor, our family, no element of my public service could compare to the joy that our family has brought me."

The interview was published after a House debate on police reform when Gaetz said he had raised a non-white son. He later posted a photo of him with 19-year-old Galban and tweeted, "For all those wondering, this is my son Nestor. We share no blood, but he is my life. He came from Cuba (legally, of course) six years ago and lives with me in Florida. I am so proud of him and raising him has been the best, most rewarding thing I've done in my life."

Inweekly met Galban and his sister, a bartender in Okaloosa County, around 2014 when the sister was introduced as Gaetz's fiancee. Then the newspaper heard nothing more of the engagement or the boy until last June.

On Dec. 30, Gaetz proposed to an analyst named Ginger Luckey, 26, at the Mara-Lago resort. Her Twitter account has photos of her, Galban and Gaetz deep-sea fishing. She tweeted, "Thrilled for the New Year and great times ahead with family @mattgaetz & Nestor!"

EXTORTION ATTEMPT?

The New York Times' revelations were sensational and weird, even by Pensacola standards, but it got even weirder when Congressman Gaetz appeared on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Tuesday, March 30. Gaetz called the allegation "horrible" and "a lie."

"The New York Times is running a story that I have traveled with a 17-yearold woman, and that is verifiably false," he inweekly.net

told Carlson. "People can look at my travel records and see that that is not the case."

Then he stunned the host, "On March 16th, my father got a text message demanding a meeting, wherein a person demanded $25 million in exchange for making horrible sex trafficking allegations against me go away."

He said his father, former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, had worn a wire at the DOJ and FBI's request to meet with a former DOJ official. Don Gaetz allegedly was to contact the official on March 31 "so that specific instructions could be given regarding the wiring of $4.5 million as a down payment on this bribe." When questioned further by Carlson, the congressman identified the former DOJ official as David McGee of the Beggs & Lane law firm in Pensacola.

McGee did not respond to Inweekly's request for comment, but his firm denied Gaetz's claim, calling it "both false and defamatory" in a written statement.

Don Gaetz gave the Washington Examiner emails, text messages and screenshots of other documents that appeared to support an extortion attempt by Stephen Alford, a Niceville developer and convicted felon, and Robert Kent, a former military intelligence officer.

The emails showed that Gaetz was working in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney's office to determine if a crime had been committed regarding Alford and Kent's request for a $25 million loan to pay ransom to free former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who has been missing in Iran since 2007 and was declared dead last spring.

Don Gaetz made his fortune in hospice care. He and his partners sold Vitas, the largest hospice care provider, in 2004 for $400 million.

According to a document that Gaetz said Kent had given him on March 19 in Destin, the Levinson family would push President Biden to grant Matt Gaetz a pardon once Levinson was freed and returned to the family. The $25 million would be repaid with the reward the U.S. government had offered for his return. The money was to be deposited in a trust fund at Beggs & Lane, controlled by McGee. On "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Congressman Gaetz said the New York Times had blown the chance to catch the alleged extort attempt because his father was to make a down payment the next day.

Kent denied the extortion allegation in a New York Times interview. He said he had heard rumors that Matt Gaetz might be under investigation and mentioned them only to sweeten his proposal.

ANOTHER WEIRD ELEMENT

In his interview with Carlson, Gaetz appeared to try to pull the host into his legal dilemma. He said, "I'm not the only person on screen right now who has been falsely accused of a terrible sex act. You were accused of something that you did not do."

In his book, "Politicians, Partisans and Parasites," Carlson wrote how a false accusation of rape might have ended his career shortly after it began. The woman later admitted she suffered from schizoaffective April 8, 2021

disorder and blamed her lawyer for making the claim in a letter to Carlson.

Carlson corrected Gaetz and tried to keep him on topic, "You just referred to a mentally ill viewer who accused me of a sex crime 20 years ago. And, of course, it was not true; I'd never met the person. But I do agree with you that being accused falsely is one of the worst things that can happen."

Gaetz persisted, "I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there, and I brought a friend of mine. You'll remember her. And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn't cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay-forplay scheme, that she could face trouble."

"I don't remember the woman you're speaking of or the context at all, honestly," said a stunned Carlson, "but I would like to know who … So, they're saying there is a 17-year-old girl who you had a relationship with. Is that true? And who is this girl?"

"The person doesn't exist," replied the congressman. "I have not had a relationship with a 17-year-old. That is totally false."

When the interview ended, Carlson told viewers it was "one of the weirdest interviews I've ever conducted and later added, "Don't quite understand it, but we'll bring you more when we find out."

WHAT'S NEXT?

On Friday, April 2, NBC News broke the news that Gaetz's communications director, Luke Ball, had resigned. Ball had previously worked as deputy campaign director for Ron DeSantis' gubernatorial campaign in 2018. The Pensacola Christian College grad had gotten his first job in politics as an intern for Gaetz's Pensacola district office as a college junior.

Inweekly has heard the possible sex ring is confined to Florida, and politicians and lobbyists in Tallahassee wonder if anyone else will be indicted.

Meanwhile, what happens to Gaetz if he's arrested? If he doesn't resign, he may stay in office, even run for another term.

No rights or privileges are automatically forfeited under the Constitution, statutory law or House rules upon an indictment.

Under House rules, an indicted member can participate in congressional proceedings and considerations.

However, the House Committee on Ethics is required to either initiate an inquiry within 30 days of the time any member has been indicted or report to the House its reasons for not moving forward.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has taken a wait-and-see attitude, as have most GOP representatives.

He did say he would remove Gaetz from committees if the allegations are proven true.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said removing Gaetz from the House Judiciary Committee would be the "least that could be done." Based on the allegations, she believed the matter should be brought before the Ethics Committee.

The Ethics Committee can recommend reprimand, censure or expulsion. A twothirds vote of the full House is necessary to approve any recommendation. {in} 7

CPAC'S LAST GASP?

By Jeremy Morrison What's up with the Pensacola Citizen Police Advisory Committee (CPAC)?

Hale Morrissette, who sits—or maybe sat— on the committee isn't sure.

"Yeah, CPAC is in purgatory right now," Morrissette said a couple of days after the committee turned in its final report.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, who convened CPAC, seems pretty sure of the committee's status—the experiment is over.

"I think they've served their purpose," Robinson said recently. "They were asked to get a report together. They got a report."

CPAC was assembled in the summer of 2020 in an effort to address concerns about the city's police-citizen dynamic and foster a better relationship between law enforcement and the community it serves. The committee was triggered by a July 2019 incident during which former PPD Detective Daniel Siemen fatally shot Tymar Crawford, an unarmed Black man, during a traffic stop. Advocates pushed for the committee for a year, and a grand jury report prescribed the same.

From the beginning, some CPAC members pushed for more authority than Mayor Robinson was prepared to offer the committee. In the end, CPAC's work may only amount to a report of recommendations. One of the more heralded fruits of the committee's labor has been a get-toknow-the-cops photo-op arrangement that connects the PPD with the Pensacola Rattlers' youth football organization.

However, some members of CPAC are hoping the committee will live on—perhaps in an evolved form—under the authority of the Pensacola City Council. Morrissette points to the recent turnover on the council following the November election and says she likes the odds.

"I actually feel really confident that our city council is going to pick it up," Morrissette said. "I think that the members of the

city council are going to understand the need for us having a police advisory or review board or anything of that sort and, you know, being really progressive, especially at a time like this."

THE MORE-TIME FINISH LINE

CPAC was born during a moment of cultural and societal explosion, during which people rose up across the country in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis.

As the nation as a whole grappled with the issue of systemic racism and law enforcement accountability, Pensacola served as a microcosmic specimen, with the city convening CPAC and bringing aboard noted cop guru Dr. Cedric Alexander to help guide the committee and also work internally with the PPD. Alexander is a retired law enforcement officer who, among other things, helped author former President Barack Obama's task force on 21st-century policing.

Though the committee pushed for things like investigatory authority—which it was never going to get—CPAC has ultimately resulted in a report focused on training, recruitment and efforts to engage the community. The report contains some slick imagery and pull quotes from Frederick Douglass, Indira Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but some members expressed frustrations with the lack of impact it was likely to have.

"There's got to be something that allows us to say, 'Oh, we did something.'" Kyle Cole "There's got to be something that allows us to say, 'Oh, we did something,'" said committee member Kyle Cole, questioning whether CPAC had effective accountability measures built into its recommendations.

Other members, however, felt that CPAC was a flop.

"I believe it could have been instrumental in forming a real partnership between the community and the police as Pensacola continues to grow and improve in the best interests of all citizens," committee member Autumn Beck Blackledge wrote in an email to the mayor. "Unfortunately, I believe the committee became ineffective and frankly obsessed with the desire to have more power than originally intended and to be an oversight board with power over the Pensacola Police Department."

CPAC's final report contained several recommendations, some related to training, attempting to ensure officers were properly versed in crisis intervention, trauma-informed policing and mental health issues. Other recommendations pertained specifically to the city's current search for a new chief of police, such as recommending that the search incorporate "inclusivity" and "transparency."

Still others addressed racial issues specifically, such as the hiring of a race and equity coordinator and the scrubbing of Confederate flag imagery from PPD uniforms and badges. And then you had the dead-on-arrival recommendation—the "deprioritization" of low-level marijuana possession.

Morrissette said she was happy enough with the group's recommendations but also said more time was needed. During the committee's final meeting, she made the plea to her fellow members, "We've only been in formation for eight months. You need more time than that to make a baby."

She hopes that if the city council decides to relaunch CPAC, the committee will be given a better-defined, deeper and broader scope so that it can better serve its purpose in perpetuity.

"I'm happy with the report, but it's never gonna be enough," Morrissette told Inweekly. 'There's so much more that we could be doing, and we need more time for that."

It's unclear if there will be an appetite on the city council to take on CPAC. While

Councilwoman Ann Hill told Inweekly she would "support an ongoing dialogue between our citizens and the Pensacola Police Department" and was "open to the format that can take," Councilman Casey Jones said he thought "the idea of a Community Police Advisory Council is good and we should keep it going in some form."

Others like Councilwoman Sherri Myers are less sold on the concept, saying, "It just seemed to be unfocused. I never really understood what it was about."

"It would have to be done carefully, very focused," Meyers said. "It would have to be a different board composition."

DIVINE TIMING

Considering CPAC's impact and place in Pensacola, Morrissette nodded to the still-ongoing national conversation about racial injustice and law enforcement.

She's been looking beyond Pensacola, to happenings around the state, to Derek Chauvin's trial for George Floyd's death that is currently happening in Minneapolis.

"I really do believe the divine timing," Morrissette said, placing CPAC in a larger context. "This is happening right at a point where there can be an amazing turning point, especially with us looking for a new chief of police right now, too."

"I think that there's a huge changing of the guard right now— nationwide, statewide and locally— with those that want equality and justice." Hale Morrissette She continued, "I think that there's a huge changing of the guard right now—nationwide, statewide and locally—with those that want equality and justice. I think that we're just at a time period right now. Whether I'm on CPAC a long time or not, I do believe that CPAC plays a part in that." {in}

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to get things back to civil here in the Capitol."

ANOTHER GILLEY GOOF In August 2018, the

Michelle Salzman / michellesalzmanforhouse.com

SALZMAN'S UPS & DOWNS Florida House Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola) got the Early Learning & Elementary Education Subcommittee to hear her Hazardous Walking Conditions for K-12 Students bill (HB 229).

"For the past 10 years, this bill has been presented in different forms and never made it on committee agenda—never even got all parties in a meeting to discuss it," Salzman told Inweekly. "Through a partnership with both DOT & DOE, we have come to an agreement. We will do a bill that requires a one-year study on what is a safe walkway."

She said then she and Senator Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) would sponsor another bill to implement the recommendations from the study.

The down for Salzman was being called out by the Tampa Bay Times for alleging being overhead for calling Webster Barnaby (R-Deltona) the chamber's "token Black Republican" during the floor debate over the anti-riot bill (HB 1). Salzman told the newspaper the allegation was "an absolute lie."

Inweekly reached out to Salzman.

"The allegations that Rep. Hardy made were false—witnesses, along with myself, denied that happening," she said. "Rep. Barnaby is getting hit extremely hard for his passionate stance on HB 1. He was literally in tears from it. They 'boo'd' and heckled during the debate, and he has been hazed pretty hard ever since."

Salzman added, "He's become a dear friend to me this past year, and it breaks my heart to see this happening. Leadership is working hard April 8, 2021

Escambia Board of County Commissioners passed the Covenant for the Community, which requires all county construction projects—funded solely funded from the county's budget—to have 70% of the workers on that project live in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.

The policy isn't a minority set-aside policy—it's a community inclusion policy that lets county dollars help local working families.

The commissioners were pioneers, passing the resolution two years ahead of the city of Pensacola. Well, they would have been pioneers if County Administrator Janice Gilley and her predecessors made sure the county's purchasing department implemented the covenant.

A month after the commissioners' vote, County Administrator Jack Brown went on medical leave. Amy Lovoy and Matt Coughlin served as interim administrators until Gilley took over on July 1, 2019.

As Gilley approaches her two-year anniversary, the county has yet to implement the covenant. She told the News Journal, "I cannot speak to the past, specifically, but I think for the future, we have a plan on how to make sure that we monitor this and more closely implement it."

When pressed, Gilley blamed high turnover and department changes. Maybe so, but she's the CEO. All county operations are under her. The implementation of board policies is her responsibility.

ONE YEAR LATER This time last year, Manna's administrative team packed up work from home, leaving two warehouse staff members and fewer than a dozen volunteers onsite to ensure Manna's food distributions continued.

In the past 12 months, Manna's food distribution model has shifted to incorporate more community partners, focusing on agencies and organizations that case-manage the individuals and families who utilize their services. Through it all, the nonprofit never wavered on its commitment to provide food assistance free of charge, reduce duplication of services, reach those in the community who need help the most and always provide the healthiest food possible.

Manna provided food to 76 community agencies and organizations to ensure neighbors in need affected by the COVID-19 crisis were fed. Manna's resources were distributed at more than 130 distribution points across the two-county area through its partners.

Due to many circumstances associated with COVID-19, Manna's operational volunteer workforce was suddenly reduced by 87% in March 2020. However, its mighty team of volunteers kept going and, somehow, made it possible for Manna to distribute 32% more pounds of food and serve 61% more individuals than the previous year. Kudos go out to its essential crew— Gene, Kitty, Becky, Hilda, Shruti, Michelle, Loren, Merida, Evan, Liana, Gretchen, Katia, Gunnar and Bill.

Volunteers at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Frank Giammaria of Gulf Winds Credit Union, Ed Carson of Carson Construction, Susan Clark of Emerald Coast Hospice, and Rachel Smith of Brunch League ensured seniors in the Monthly Seniors Food Program, as well as clients of Center for Independent Living, received healthy food boxes. Cokesbury UMC is still doing home delivery of Manna food boxes.

"None of Manna's work from March 2020-March 2021 would've been possible without our supporters, our Hunger Heroes," wrote Manna in its newsletter.

"The Northwest Florida community and beyond has shown Manna and those we serve overwhelming kindness, compassion and generosity. We are filled with gratitude for your generous support of families facing hunger and uncertainty. Your contributions of time, talent and treasure have made it possible for them to begin rebuilding."

For more information, please visit mannahelps.org.

WRONG HASSAN A case of mistaken

identity led to deputies shooting up—14 bullet holes, according to WEAR—Blue Angel Groceries, 1550 E. Olive Road, in a SWAT call-out early Saturday, March 27.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The comedy of errors (or terrors) began at 3:50 a.m. Saturday when deputies found a suspicious vehicle behind the convenience store. The suspect fought with deputies, a deputy fired a shot and the suspect escaped on foot. Witnesses were questioned, including store owner Hassan Alissa and one Hassan Moorer.

Moorer had active warrants. Deputies returned to the store Saturday afternoon to find him. The clerk told them Moorer was in the backroom, but it was the owner, Alissa, not Moorer. Hearing his name, Alissa thinks the store is being robbed and picks up a gun that he has a license to carry. Then all hell breaks loose.

Deputies later located and arrested Moorer, who was wanted for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, larceny, robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with bodily harm and robbery with a firearm.

MORE RUNNING IN 2022 With the Pensacola mayor's seat open, and possibly the congressional job, the 2022 election cycle was already going to be busy with two county judges, two county commissioners and ECUA board members, three school board members and three city council seats on the ballot, plus two Florida House seats.

If House Bill 7041 passes, Commissioners Steven Barry, Jeff Bergosh and Lumon May also would have to run next year if their district boundaries are moved. The bill provides that in the next election following each constitutionally required, decennial redistricting, a commissioner for each district must be elected again, and terms will be staggered as provided in s.

100.041.

We're going to need a scorecard to keep up with the candidates. Raising money will be a challenge.

ETHICS AWARD The University of West

Florida College of Business, in partnership with the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola, is accepting nominations for the 2021 Combined Rotary of Pensacola Ethics in Business Award.

"For almost 20 years, the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola and the UWF College of Business have recognized distinguished Pensacola business leaders whose business practices and relationships with customers, employees and the community exemplify the highest standards of business ethics and conform to the Rotary principle of 'service above self' and meet the Rotary four-way test," said Dr. Richard Fountain, dean of the College of Business.

The primary criterion for award nominees is adherence to the high ethical standards of honesty, integrity and consistency in dealing with employees, contractors and customers, while positively enhancing the economic well-being of the organization's stakeholders and providing jobs, opportunities and profits. Additional criteria are based on participation in activities that benefit the community beyond the provision of economic benefits and service as a leader or innovator in the firm's business sector.

This award is given annually to one individual from the small business sector of 50 or fewer employees, along with one individual from the large business sector of 50 or more employees. The award recognizes those who exemplify the concept of "service above self" and work to build a positive sense of worth within both the business community and the broader community as a whole.

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The deadline for nominations is April 30.

Nominations should include a description of the nominee's ethical activities and address the criteria outlined on the nomination form.

For more information, visit uwf.edu/cob/ ethics-in-business-award.

DOWNTOWN HASHTAG CONNECTOR

The City of Pensacola invites the public to provide input on Phase I of the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project, a catalytic project supporting the city's goal to create a more connected public waterfront. The public can participate virtually or in-person.

Virtual Presentation and Discussion—Tuesday, April 13, from 5:30-7 p.m.

Free online registration is available at bit. ly/3cD8Wbk. Registration is not required but is encouraged.

In-Person Open House—Wednesday, April 14, from 5:30-7 p.m., at the Community Maritime Park Amphitheater. Free online registration is available at bit.ly/2PCl9Ut. Registration is not required but is encouraged. In-person attendees are asked to wear face coverings and continue to follow CDC guidelines.

All residents, business owners and stakeholders are encouraged to learn about project updates and share feedback that will inform the further development of the project. Public input is a critical part of the design and engineering process for this project.

"Pensacola's waterfront is one of our most important assets in the City of Pensacola, and I'm excited to see projects like this move forward so we can continue to enhance connectivity and improve public access to our beautiful waterfront areas," Mayor Grover Robinson said. "I encourage everyone to provide their input on this important project that will benefit the entire Pensacola community for years to come."

At the meetings, the engineering and design team will provide an update on how the project planning has evolved since the last public meeting held in February 2020

010 1

and share additional research and lessons learned from similar projects in other cities and towns.

NEW JAIL Elected officials and dignitaries

showed up for the ribbon-cutting for Escambia County's $142 million correctional facility on Monday, March 29.

The 840-bed capacity Escambia County Correctional Facility replaces the Central Booking and Detention facility that was destroyed in a natural gas explosion after the April 2014 flooding. The new facility is 304,067 square feet and connected to the old jail by a corridor.

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May pointed out the site development has opened the area to other future development. He said, "We want to be very grateful that we have a project that hopefully transforms the west side and transforms the lives of children with a new anticipated community center and the new anticipated business community."

Chairman and District 4 County Commissioner Robert Bender noted the project is as much a drainage project as it is a corrections project. He said, "Trying to help the drainage in this area, containing flooding so that we don't have to deal with the same issues that we saw in 2014. We are very excited that we are able to address all these with just one project."

According to Corrections Chief Rich Powell, the new facility provides a more secure and safer environment for staff and inmates.

"In the last two and half years in preparation for this building, we have been rewriting policies looking at old policies, restructuring how we conduct business and bringing policies into a modern era. Every area has a medical unit and educational area," said Powell. "Inmates have the essential needs to not come back. We try to introduce skill sets so they make better choices."

Each housing unit has a day area, recreational yard, triage room and multi-purpose

room. The multi-purpose room can be utilized for classes and religious services.

Inmates can receive medical treatment at housing units. The facility is designed with separate wings to house and provide services for juveniles, keeping juveniles out of normal sight and sound of adult inmates.

HABITAT MILESTONE Pensacola Habi-

tat for Humanity celebrated its 40th anniversary by hosting its 1,400th Home Dedication on Monday, March 29, on N. J Street.

Since 1981, Pensacola Habitat has received help from thousands of volunteers from churches, civic groups, construction companies, banks, landowners, student groups, local businesses and beyond who have built or renovated 1, 400 homes in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Among more than 1,000 U.S. affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Pensacola Habitat was ranked 25th in the number of homes built in 2020. The local nonprofit consistently ranks in the top 40 affiliates for the number of homes built and does not plan to slow down any time soon.

Pensacola Habitat will be hosting its 40th Anniversary Gala on June 10 at Court of De Luna to celebrate all that the affiliate has accomplished in 40 years. All community members and Pensacola Habitat supporters are invited. For more information, visit pensacolahabitat.org/40years.

JOB FAIRS Job loss or significant business impacts are devastating under any circumstance. CareerSource Escarosa, the nonprofit organization that supports Escambia and Santa Rosa counties' workforce needs, is committed to employment, recruiting, hiring and training services.

The virtual job fair on March 31 had 77 employers and 126 job seekers—plus 382 resume submissions and 1,905 chats. TEL Staffing alone had 228 chats, 76 visitors, 45 resumes submitted and 54 jobs posted.

More job fairs are scheduled through June.

SAVE THE DATES: •April 14—Escambia County Board Scheduled Interviews •April 21—Virtual Spring into a New Job •May 19—Virtual Hiring our Heroes Job Fair •June 16—Industry Specific Onsite Job Fair (TBD for industry and if onsite) For more information, visit careersourceescarosa.com.

BREAD & TABLE CLUB The Blue Wahoos and Bread & Table Club will host a Return To Baseball Dinner at the Blue Wahoos Stadium 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, featuring a traveling food tour, great drinks and on-field batting practice for guests. A portion of every ticket sale from the event will be donated to Feeding The Gulf Coast's Backpack Program, which provides nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for local children.

Throughout the event, guests will have access to multiple food stations serving gourmet baseball-themed foods with accompanying paired beverages, including craft beers, wines and spirits. Guests will also have the opportunity to take batting practice on the field at Blue Wahoos Stadium and participate in other baseballthemed on-field activities.

Food offerings at the event will include: •Trio of Croquettes: Buffalo Chicken, Smoked Mullet Dip and Garlic Roasted Cauliflower •Three Dog's Night Specialty Hot Dogs: Tropical "Lil Kahuna" Dog, Fan Favorite "Heater Dog," and "Poutine Dog" •Philly Cheesesteak Croustades •Chef's Bacon-Crusted Shrimp over Grit Cake •Bananas Foster Cannoli Tickets to the event are $99 (plus taxes and fees) and include food, paired drinks and on-field activities. For the safety of guests and staff, masks are required at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Masks may be removed when guests are eating or drinking. {in}

inweekly.net

Take Your Shot A COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Guide

Starting Monday, April 5, all Florida residents 18 and older became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. That means the race officially is on to secure an appointment so you can start feeling safer and proudly post about it on social media. (Just remember that by doing that, you're also opening yourself up to invitations. So share with caution if you aren't ready for brunch al fresco or socially distanced baby showers just yet.)

Here's what you need to know to get your shot in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

WHERE TO GET IT FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-ESCAMBIA COUNTY

FDOH-Escambia is scheduling vaccination appointments based on supply availability.

Residents are encouraged to pre-register through the statewide registration portal at myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-1025.

You can also sign up for text updates by texting FLCOVID19 to 888777. And just an FYI, two members of team Inweekly went this route and heard back from the state pretty quickly to set up their appointments.

COMMUNITY HEALTH NORTHWEST FLORIDA

CHNWFL will host their first vaccination events open to the newly eligible 18 and older age group starting this Saturday, April 10. Appointments are required for all four events and can be made by calling 439-3358.

•Saturday, April 10 Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St. The vaccine available will be the Johnson & Johnson one, which only requires one shot.

•Monday, April 12 8 a.m.-3 p.m, Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St. The vaccine available will be the Moderna one, which only requires two shots.

•Wednesday, April 14 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Santa Rosa County's vaccination station, 6209 Highway 90 (formerly Beall’s), Milton The vaccine available will be the Johnson & Johnson one, which only requires one shot.

April 8, 2021

•Friday, April 16 8 a.m.-3 p.m, Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St. The vaccine available will be the Johnson & Johnson one, which only requires one shot.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-SANTA ROSA COUNTY

The Santa Rosa County Department of Health will be administering Moderna COVID vaccinations at the county's vaccination station, 6209 Highway 90 in Milton, on the following dates: •Wednesday-Friday, April 7-9 Walk-ins from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Appointments from 5-6:30 p.m.

•Saturday, April 10 Walk-ins from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Residents may make an appointment online or by calling ShareCare toll-free at 866201-7110. The TTY number for the deaf and hard of hearing is 833-476-1035. For more information, visit santarosa.fl.gov/covid19.

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE

Baptist is offering appointments this week at three different locations—Baptist Medical Park at 9400 University Parkway, Baptist Medical Park-Navarre at 8888 Navarre Parkway and Andrews Institute at 1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway. No walk-ins are allowed. You can make an appointment online by visiting easyschedule.com. You can also email your name and contact information to bhcvaccine@bhcpns.org or call 908-7468 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., to set up an appointment.

ASCENSION SACRED HEART

Sacred Heart will hold vaccination clinics at Olive Baptist Church, located at 1836 E. Olive Road, on the following dates: •April 8—8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

•April 10, 16, 17—8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

•April 19—8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Online appointments can be made at getsacredheartcare.com. Vaccines available are Pfizer and Moderna, and each require two shots three-four weeks apart.

PHARMACIES

Retail pharmacies are also administering the COVID vaccine through a Federal Retail

Pharmacy Program. For more information, and to schedule online, visit these sites: •CVS cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine •Publix publix.com/covid-vaccine •Walmart and Sam's Club walmart.com/ covidvaccine and samsclub.com/covid •Winn-Dixie winndixie.com/pharmacy/ covid-vaccine

THINGS TO REMEMBER BE CAREFUL WITH INFORMATION WHEN MAKING YOUR APPOINTMENT If you've pre-registered for the COVID vaccine using the statewide portal, remember that when Sharecare calls or texts you to schedule an appointment, you will not be asked for financial information or social security information.

YOU'RE NOT IMMUNE RIGHT AWAY

The COVID vaccine is a huge step to returning to some normalcy, but it doesn't work like a magical wand. According to the CDC, it takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. You can still be infected just before or just after vaccination, so keep wearing your mask and minding your distance.

YOU MAY FEEL SIDE EFFECTS

The COVID vaccine is your best defense against contracting the virus. But you may still have some side effects from the shot.

According to the CDC, common side effects include pain and redness and/or swelling at injection site. Throughout the rest of your body, you may feel tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever or nausea. If side effects don't go away in a few days, you may want to call the doctor.

DON'T TAKE A SELFIE WITH YOUR VACCINATION CARD

Feel free to take a vaccine selfie, but don't share your vaccination card. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody reminds residents to be cautious of sharing personal information online—like the information you wrote on your vaccine card. "Scammers can use information from a vaccination card to hack financial accounts, commit identity theft or even create fake vaccination cards and sell them on the black market," warns Moody.

FULLY VACCINATED? HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO

(According to the CDC) You're considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you've had both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna shot or the one shot from Johnson & Johnson. And once you're fully vaccinated, you can lift some pandemic restrictions.

•You can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart.

•You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people of any age from another household—like relatives—without masks or distancing unless anyone has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

•You can travel in the United States without having to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.

•You don't have to stay away from others after making contact with someone who has COVID-19. One caveat is, however, if you live in a group setting, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested even if you don't have symptoms.

AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KEEP DOING

Even after your vaccine fully kicks in, you should still take steps to protect yourself by wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

The CDC recommends you take these precautions whenever you are: •In public •Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household •Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk They also recommend that everyone still avoid medium- or large-sized gatherings. It's also important for everyone to remember that the vaccine doesn't guarantee total immunity, so even fully vaccinated people still need to watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you've been around someone who's sick. If you have symptoms, you should get tested and quarantine until you have results. {in} 11

LEADERCERTIFICATION Studer Community Institute’s Leader Certification program is designed for both individuals wanting to advance their careers and organizations looking to provide skill development and growth opportunities for employees.

Comparable programs through universities and other leading organizations average around $3,500 per certification course. Earn your SCI Leadership Certificate for just $750!

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The Studer Community Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Contact Rachael Gillette at rgillette@studeri.org or 850.748.5656 inweekly.net

WEEK OF JANUARY 14-20

Arts & Encouragement hope, help and other signs of humanity at a time when we really need it...

Can You Smell What Henny Penny is Cooking?

By Gina Castro

Longtime-running beach restaurants Dog House Deli and Hemingway's were forced to close as a result.

Amidst all this hardship, Caress Hudson, owner of Henny Penny's Patisserie, cooked up an idea—Henny Penny Soul.

"I noticed that all of these great restaurants were closing, and I wanted to find a way to introduce some of the amazing chefs that are here in Pensacola to my Henny Penny fan base," Hudson said.

Named after Hudson's nickname for her grandmother, Henny Penny has been in Pensacola for almost three years. Her patisserie quickly became a local favorite, especially in Myrtle Grove, where Hudson resides.

"The Henny Penny fan base is a wide variety of people," she continued.

"We get people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds that follow my page. I thought this is a wonderful opportunity Caress Hudson, owner of Henny Penny's Patisserie / Courtesy Photo to use my platform to introduce chefs Pensacola's food industry has suffered to the community." since the onset of the pandemic. The When Hudson heard about Alcaniz mandatory shutdowns and fears of the virus Kitchen & Tap closing, she wondered how she created unprecedented challenges for business could help talented chefs like Amber Halverowners. After 53 years of surviving hurricanes son, Alcaniz Kitchen & Tap head chef, while and tropical storms, the Marina Oyster Barn also encouraging the Pensacola community to couldn't weather the pandemic and shut its invest in local businesses. So Hudson launched doors in March. Local downtown favorite AlcaHenny Penny Soul, a Food Network-esque niz Kitchen & Tap closed indefinitely in FebruFacebook series, at the beginning of March. ary since sales were down 54%. The closure of For the series, every Friday, schedule the Bay Bridge has made it challenging to draw permitting, Hudson interviews a local chef as customers to restaurants on the beach, too. they cook a delicious, unique meal live on her

patisserie's Facebook page. Viewers are able to ask the guest chefs and Hudson, a pastry chef, culinary questions in real time.

The show's first guest was Chef M Arnette Dillard, owner of From the Crown Catering, a food delivery service and food truck. Chef M prepared red snapper with oven-grilled asparagus and Forbidden Black Rice. One of the best parts about Henny Penny Soul is how informative the chefs are. Chef M shared tips for preparing red snapper and asparagus and also shared the history behind Forbidden Black Rice's name.

Henny Penny Soul's second guest was Chef Kimathi Robinson, a personal chef based in Pensacola. Chef Kimathi prepared mahi-mahi with a fresh garden salad. All of the vegetables featured in his salad, including kale, arugula, radishes, broccolini and other vegetables, were grown in his garden right here in Pensacola— showing viewers that they, too, can grow these vegetables at home.

Henny Penny Soul also encourages its viewers to shop locally by mentioning where the recipe's ingredients can be purchased.

The fish featured in the Facebook series were purchased from Maria's Fresh Seafood Market, located on Cervantes Street, and some seasonings came from Costello's Butcher and Deli, on Fairfield Drive.

"We really want to encourage community and self-sustainability. We want to promote local businesses and encourage people to try these places if they haven't already," Hudson said.

Although this series has featured only two chefs so far, Hudson explained that she

intends to spotlight chefs who have expertise in foods from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds. Hudson explained what characteristics she looks for when selecting her show's guest chef.

"We try to look for chefs who are able to give you something outside of the norm so that you can spice up your own repertoire," Hudson said.

Henny Penny Soul featured Brian Wyer, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, and his wife Harriet on Good Friday (April 2). Although the Wyers aren't professional chefs like Hudson's past two guests have been, Hudson said she chose this couple because they can throw down in the kitchen. The couple cooked a savory New Orleans inspired brunch. Another guest Hudson plans to feature is J. Garrett Green of J. Garrett Green & Associates, LLC. Although Hudson intends to use the show to support local businesses, she said Henny Penny Soul's guests won't be limited to only business owners. She hopes to have Mayor Grover Robinson on the show. She's open to suggestions, too. If there is a phenomenal cook you'd love for Henny Penny Soul to feature next, Hudson said you can leave a comment or direct message Henny Penny's. {in}

HENNY PENNY'S PATISSERIE

WHERE: 4412 W. Jackson St. DETAILS: facebook.com/hennypennyspatisserie

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

127 Palafox Place Suite 100 (850)466-3115 autumnbeckblackledge.com April 8, 2021

13

a&e happenings wflf.org/ecr. Submissions close April 30. Accepted submissions will be announced and writers will be notified that their piece(s) will be published in the ECR in Fall 2021.

VENDORS AND CRAFT EXHIBITORS FOR JAZZ PENSACOLA 2021 Jazz Pensac-

ola is calling arts and crafts exhibitors to submit applications for the 2021 Pensacola JazzFest planned for May 15-16 at Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola.

Application forms can be downloaded at jazzpensacola.com. Only original art and handmade crafts will be accepted. No commercial/ mass-produced products will be accepted.

All entries are $200 for a 10-by-10-foot canopy or smaller. All fees go to support Pensacola JazzFest, a free event for the community. For more information, call Jazz Pensacola administrator Alice Crann Good at (850) 433-8382, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., or visit jazzpensacola.com.

FOO FOO FEST GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Pensacola's Foo Foo Festival

Rob Stern / Photo Courtesy of First City Art Center

Attending "normal" events might not be happening yet—but that doesn't mean local businesses and nonprofits aren't still keeping the community connected in creative ways.

NONPROFITS + FUNDRAISERS

CAT ADOPTIONS IN APRIL Animal Al-

lies will be at Pet Supermarket on N. Ninth Avenue. Saturday, April 10 & 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and Everette Animal Welfare Group will be at PetSmart, on N. Davis Highway Saturday, April 10 & 24, noon-4 p.m. If you can't adopt, you can talk about opportunities to donate, foster or volunteer. All cats are up to date on shots and tested negative for leukemia, and adoption fee includes spay or neuter with microchip and flea pill. For more information, visit aaflorida.com.

STATEWIDE DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH TRANS YOUTH Strive, Workers World Party-

Central Gulf Coast and Pensacola Community Action Committee will be hosting a rally to show opposition against anti-transgender bills in the Florida House. The rally begins at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at Plaza Ferdinand VII. For more information, visit the Facebook event at facebook.com/socialisttransinitiative.

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY BATHE-INS The PHS bathe-ins are back with

the first date Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices are $8-$11 depending on size of dog.

Bring your own towels. For more information, visit pensacolahumane.org.

PAINT YOUR HEART OUT WITH KEEP PENSACOLA BEAUTIFUL Paint Your Heart

Out (PYHO) is a community beautification program from Keep Pensacola Beautiful (KPB) that aims to assist our elderly, disabled, veteran and/or single-parent community members through a massive service project once a year.

PYHO is open to all Escambia County resi414 1

dents and nominated by the public. During the month of May, a team of volunteers will go to the selected property and perform beautification projects such as pressure washing, exterior home painting, light landscaping and outdoor light bulb replacing. KPB needs a community of partners, sponsors and volunteers for this annual project. Email Lauren Doubek, Education & Outreach coordinator, at lauren@keeppensacolabeautiful.org for groups of five or more volunteers. For group sizes of four or less, visit volunteermatch.org to register individually.

CALL TO ARTISTS

KEEP PENSACOLA BEAUTIFUL PIECES ADRIFT ART SHOW Pieces Adrift is a

community art exhibition and auction that educates viewers about the harmful effects marine litter has on our coastal ecosystem. All pieces submitted to this show are made of at least 50% reclaimed waste material to inspire onlookers to rethink their trash in a creative way. Art that is donated will be open for public auction, and proceeds will benefit Keep Pensacola Beautiful's programming initiatives in 2022.

To participate in Keep Pensacola Beautiful's upcoming Pieces Adrift Art Show & Auction as an artist, visit facebook.com/keeppensacolabeautiful for a link to the signup form.

Artists of any level are welcome to join.

EMERALD COAST REVIEW SEEKS REGIONAL WRITER, ARTIST SUBMISSIONS The Emerald Coast Review is collecting quality fiction, nonfiction, poetry, contemporary, emerging and experimental works along with the best of art, graphic design and photography. Residents from the following counties are encouraged to submit—Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa and Bay (Florida); Mobile, Escambia and Baldwin (Alabama).

To view guidelines and submit work, visit

officially announced its plans for its seventh annual events, taking place Nov. 4-15, 2021.

In 2021, the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival will once again fund top-scoring grant applicants, with the number of grants to be awarded contingent upon the number of submissions. This year, the Foo Foo Festival will provide up to $315,000 in grant funding, and grant applicants can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding. All organizations, businesses and community partners are encouraged to participate as "Friends of Foo," receiving visibility at the 12-day event. To apply for this year's Foo Foo Festival, visit foofoofest.com.

The Foo Foo Fest team will continue to monitor developments surrounding COVID-19 leading up to November's events and will fully cooperate with any instructions heeded for Escambia County by local and state officials and the CDC. The Foo Foo Fest grant application is Friday, April 30, 2021. On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, there will be an announcement of the public grant scoring.

For more information, visit foofoofest.com.

ARTS & CULTURE

GALLERY 1060 MEMBERS' SHOW First City Art's annual Members Show will be on display through May 1 featuring works of art from past, present and future FCAC members and staff. A virtual reception will take place in April.

For more information, visit gallery1060.com.

OPERA AFTER DARK Opera After Dark is a

unique, free outdoor concert like no other, featuring professional singers in an exciting performance under the stars. All guests will receive free glow sticks. Refreshments from local food trucks will be available to purchase. Located at the UWF Historic Trust Museum Plaza. Next date is 8 p.m. Friday, April 9. For more information, visit facebook.com/pensacolaopera.

BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: SNOW WHITE Ballet Pensacola will conclude its

2020-2021 season with "Snow White." Show-

times are 7 p.m. Friday, April 9 and 16, and Saturday, April 10 and 17, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 11 and 18, at the Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $28-$40.

For more information, visit balletpensacola.org.

2021 PENSACOLA FILM FESTIVAL Pensacola Cinema Art presents the 2021 Pensacola Film Festival Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11, at Studer Community Institute, located at 220 W. Garden St. The film festival will showcase the Oscar-nominated short films. Showtimes are Animated Short Films at 1 p.m., live action short films at 4 p.m. and documentary short films at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for each showtime or $30 for all three programs. Masks are required and seating is at 50% capacity. For more information, visit pensacolacinemaart. com.

YIKES! COMEDY SHOW Enjoy at night of

laughs with YIKES! Comedy Night. Just $5 a ticket. For more information, visit facebook. com/oddcolony or facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola.

UPCOMING DATES: •9 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox •7 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Dolce and Gelato, 2050 N. 12th Ave.

GULF BREEZE HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS: CINDERELLA The Gulf Breeze High

School Drama Department presents "Cinderella" Wednesday, April 14, and Thursday, April 15, at the Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at pensacolasaenger.com.

2021 OPERAZZI BALL: OPERA ON THE HIGH SEAS Pensacola Opera's annual fund-

raising event is themed after their most recent production of H.M.S. Pinafore. The black-tie affair will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, at Sanders Beach Community Center, 913 S. I Street.

Tickets are $150. Visit pensacolaopera.com for more information.

MOVIE AND FIREWORKS: THE CROODS: A NEW AGE The Pensacola Blue

Wahoos will be showing "Croods: A New Age" at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Friday, April 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and include both the film and a post-movie fireworks show. The gates at Blue Wahoos Stadium will open at 6 p.m. Limited tickets will be sold at bluewahoos. com.

THE MAGIC OF BILL BLAGGS LIVE Illusionist Bill Blagg will perform at the Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox, Friday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28-$45. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

VIRTUAL HOT GLASS COLD BREW The

First City Art Center's virtual event Hot Glass Cold Brew, featuring visiting glass artist Rob Stern, will take place virtually on Facebook on Friday, April 30, at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy a front-row seat to watch Rob Stern's demo from home with their new HGCB cup. The "Virtual Cup Tent" will open on April 16 featuring oneinweekly.net

a&e happenings of-a-kind glass and ceramic cups made by local artists. The cups will be available for purchase from the online store on FCAC's website, firstcityart.org. Each cup purchase will include a raffle ticket and a BOGO pint voucher to Pensacola Bay Brewery.

SERENADES BY THE SEA Enjoy the sunset

at Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola and music from Pensacola Opera 2021 Artists in Residence 7 p.m. Sunday, April 18. Visit facebook. com/pensacolaopera for more information.

PENSACON RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 21-23 After extensive consultation with

partner venues, Pensacon organizers have announced the convention will now take place May 21-23.

To ensure safety, attendees will be required to wear face coverings while on all Pensacon grounds and within all Pensacon venues, outside of designated, distanced eating spaces. Among other precautions, handsanitizing stations will be set up throughout the convention, and social distancing policies, including seating/capacity limitations at some venues, will be employed.

For those who have already purchased tickets for the original February dates, your tickets are already rolled over to the new dates.

For those who are unable to attend in May, your unused tickets will be rolled over to Pensacon 2022, which is expected to return to the convention's usual February timeframe.

April 8, 2021

Those who still need tickets can get them at pensacon.com. Weekend passes, which include admission for all three days of the convention, are $80. Single-day tickets are available at a cost of $35 for Friday, May 21; $45 for Saturday, May 22; and $40 for Sunday, May 23. VIP Experience weekend passes are $155 and include early admission to the Pensacola Bay Center, preferred seating at panel venues, front-of-line privileges for celebrity autographs and photo ops, and exclusive Tshirt, space-available parking and other perks.

Additional taxes and fees apply to all tickets.

For a complete list of guests scheduled to appear, visit pensacon.com.

STAND-UP COMEDY AT THE REX THEATRE Visit The REX Theatre every Friday at 8 p.m. for national stand up acts. Tickets are $26-$35 at the door. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.

COMEDY MAGIC SHOW AT THE REX THEATRE Comedy magician Tom Coverly,

known as "The Illusionist," performs Saturday nights at The Rex Theatre, located at 18 N. Palafox. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$35. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.

OPEN MIC COMEDY AT BIG TOP BREWERY Try out some new jokes or enjoy

some homegrown talent every Monday at 7 p.m. for Open Mic Comedy at Big Top Brewery,

located at 21 W. Romano St. Everyone gets five minutes depending the number of sign-ups.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

MONTHLY ARTIST MINGLE AND ARTIST Q&A Safely mingle with friends

and neighbors and meet new artists with the monthly event at Gordon Community Art Center, located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. Next event will be Saturday, April 10, from 5-7 p.m. with Gloria Barousse. For more information, visit thegordon.org.

NEW EXHIBITS AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART The Members Show is

now on view through April 25. This annual celebration of the talent and creativity of our museum member community features the work of more than 50 artists working across a range of media and techniques. "Hot Mess" is also on view through April 25. This exhibition of recent paintings, prints and animations by 2020 Members Show winner Laura Hydle is about self-reflection and coping with life, happily and, at times, reluctantly. Other exhibits on view include "Antarctica" through April 4 at the downstairs gallery. For more information and hours of operation, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL 2020 LIMITED-EDITION POSTER AVAILABLE ONLINE With the cancel-

lation of this year's Great Gulfcoast Arts

Festival due to COVID-19, the festival committee invited local artist Kreg Yingst to create a poster for 2020 in his original woodcut print design.

The 250 limited-edition posters are each signed and numbered by the artist. Festival posters have become a local collector's item and are available online this year only.

The posters are available at ggaf.org for $27, including shipping and sales tax.

Yingst, a long-time GGAF artist, received his B.A. from Trinity University in San Antonio after attending the University of Texas and his M.A. in painting from Eastern Illinois University. After graduation, he taught art for 13 years and has been a full-time artist since 2003.

The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival returns Nov. 5, 6 and 7, 2021, at Seville Square, Fountain Park, Bartram Park and Museum Plaza in Downtown Pensacola.

DRAG SHOWS AT DOLCE AND GELATO Head to Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., for regular drag shows. Drag and Gelato will be Friday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ dolcegelatopensacola

PENSACOLA OPERA AL FRESCO

Pensacola Opera's outdoor live concerts are Saturdays at 2 p.m. in the UWF Historic Trust Museum Plaza. For more information, visit pensacolaopera.com.

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a&e happenings OPERALIVE: THROWBACK THURSDAYS Take a walk down memory lane with friends of the Pensacola Opera. Learn more about the craft and look back on past productions with live discussions on Facebook Live Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to join in the conversation. Tune in at facebook.com/pensacolaopera.

NEW CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Per-

forming Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio located at 1010 N. 12th Ave., Ste. 238, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers professional dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruction for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstoppers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult.

MMPA is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all students and families and has implemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the building and studio. More information about Mixon Magic Performing Arts can be found at mixonmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmagic.com or emily@mixonmagic.com or by calling 221-7438.

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BLACK CITIZENSHIP IN THE AGE OF JIM CROW On view at Voices of Pen-

sacola is "Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow," a traveling exhibition from the New York Historical Society Museum & Library with additions from the African American Heritage Society of Pensacola. To learn more about it, visit africanamericanheritagesociety.org. Voices of Pensacola is located at 117 E. Government St. and open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

CRAFT CLASSES AT STUDIO SOUTH ON NINE MILE Learn a new craft or meet up

with other makers at Studio South. Tuesday is Knit Night 4-7 p.m., and Sit & Stitch is Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Both classes are free.

For a full calendar of events, visit studiosouthon9mileroad.com. Studio South is located at 955 E. Nine Mile Road.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS AT FIRST CITY ART First City Art Center offers a wide

LIVE MUSIC

PSO IN THE PARK Pack a lawn chair or blanket and join Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for a free performance at the Museum Plaza, located at 120 Church St. All shows are Sundays at 3 p.m.

UPCOMING DATES: •April 18 •May 9 BANDS ON THE BLACKWATER Following the cancellation of the complete 2020 schedule due to COVID-19, the City of Milton is bringing back the popular concert series starting Friday, April 2. All concerts will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Jernigan's Landing, 5158 S. Willing St. UPCOMING DATES: •April 9: 12Eleven •April 16: Bay Bridge Band JAY MOODY LIVE AT GARY'S BREWERY

range of classes and workshops for artists of all levels. Classes include glass blowing, ceramics, painting and drawing, kiln-forming, stained glass and more. For a complete list of classes and times, visit firstcityart.org.

Listen to musician Jay Moody at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, located at 208 Newman Ave., Friday, April 9, starting at 6 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

SUNDAYS ON THE MEZZANINE Enjoy a full-length concert series on select Sundays at 3 p.m. on Facebook. Tickets are $9.99 and can be purchased online at facebook.com/ pensacolaopera.

Visit Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave. at 5 p.m. Friday, April 9, for live music from Riley Taylor. For more information, visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola.

RILEY TAYLOR AT DOLCE AND GELATO

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT WITH REUNION BAND Bring a lawn chair and enjoy

a free, outdoor concert with Reunion Band at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd., on Sunday, April 11. Show starts at 4 p.m.

PAT MEUSEL AT DOLCE AND GELATO

Head to Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., for live music from Pat Meusel at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. For more information, visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola.

JAZZ JAMS AT THE 5 BARREL Enjoy

great jazz music from Jazz Pensacola musicians Wednesday, May 5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The 5 Barrel Brewery & Taproom, 121 S. Palafox. Admission is donation based.

JEFF GLICKMAN AT DOLCE AND GELATO Musician Jeff Glickman will be

performing at Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., from 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 16. For more information, visit facebook.com/ dolcegelatopensacola.

LYNN DRURY AT GARY'S BREWERT

Lynn Drury will perform at Gary's Brewery and Biergarten, located at 208 Newman Ave., Friday, April 23, starting at 6 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

inweekly.net

a&e

By Jeremy Morrison

Florida Talks Celebrates Diversity difficult to accept. By doing this, we operate from the position of knowledge, rather than ignorance, as the former yields greater understanding and a resulting lack of tolerance for injustice."

THE ART OF THE INTERVIEW

Basma Alawee, Dr. Cheryl Howard and Art Levy / Photos Courtesy of WUWF

Basma Alawee loves telling her story. It's a tough story. But she relishes the opportunity anyway.

"I'm all about sharing my story and building a connection through storytelling," Alawee told Inweekly recently.

The Iraq refugee's story begins in her war-torn homeland and ends up in Florida, where the Refugee Congress delegate enjoys living near the beach.

"I fell in love with Jacksonville," Alawee laughed.

Alawee will be sharing her story in the Florida Talks speaker series this month. The series, virtual this year due to the pandemic, is produced through a partnership between WUWF and Florida Humanities and will also feature Dr. Cheryl Howard, president of the local African American Heritage Society, and journalist Art Levy, who pens the Icon interviews in Florida Trend.

The theme for this upcoming speaker series is diversity. The series begins April 8 with Alawee, with Howard following on April 15, and finally Levy on April 22. Attendees must pre-register for the virtual engagements.

SHAPED BY CONFLICT

Alawee grew up in Iraq. Both her parents, retired teachers, still live in Baghdad.

She was born in the midst of the Iraq-Iran war and later experienced the ramifications of the United States' varied forays into her country before moving to Florida in 2010.

"As refugees, we don't choose the place or the state or the city that we will go to," Alawee said, explaining that she and her April 8, 2021

husband were first sent to Orlando before finding work in Jacksonville.

A central theme in Alawee's story is war. Conflict has shaped her path.

"American foreign policy has changed my life, my whole life story," she said, alluding to U.S.-led military excursions into Iraq.

Alawee, whose husband assisted U.S. troops and secured them tickets stateside, said that the wars within her country took their toll on its people.

"War brings death. War brings more refugees and displacement," she said, outlining one of the points she plans to make in her presentation, "We should advocate to stop any war before it is happening."

Since moving in the U.S., Alawee has worked to unite refugee and immigrant communities in this country. She is a refugee organizer for the Florida Immigrant Coalition and has been a member of the Refugee Congress since 2013.

Alawee said that she understands that differences between groups of people can encourage a sense of the other—"They speak different. They act different. The eat different food."

But she also hopes that through telling her story she can create connections with people—"I hope I will be able to bring people down to the humanitarian level"—and in the process dissolve the walls between groups of people.

"It's worldwide. It exists everywhere.

Islamophobia, xenophobia, it's everywhere," Alawee said.

While the refugee's efforts are aimed at the larger society in general, she is also working

for something very personal. Her own children are now growing up in the U.S., and she's hoping to improve their horizons in their home.

"I want Florida to be ready for them.

To welcome them. For them to belong," Alawee said.

A DEEPER PERSPECTIVE

As president of the African American Heritage Society in Pensacola, Dr. Cheryl Howard believes that "in order to achieve social justice, we must begin with an informed and educated citizenry." With that in mind, her presentation for the Florida Talks series will center on "a more complete (non-revisionist or sugar-coated) American history."

Dr. Howard's presentation will be tethered to an African American Heritage Society exhibit at Voices of Pensacola and will concern including historical perspectives from people of African descent.

Earlier this year, Dr. Howard commented on the need for a fuller telling of history as it relates to the nation's current moment of social justice.

"We know that American History as taught in the U.S. school system is incomplete. It often leaves out important people, facts and details, which, if included, could improve our collective understanding of how we as a nation have arrived at this particular moment in time, yet again," Howard wrote. "We sincerely believe that the best way to effect change is not to ignore historical facts and wish them away, but to face those historical facts soberly, and intentionally, no matter how dark and

Art Levy has been talking to folks a long time. He began his career as a journalist in 1984 and has been interviewing people for the Florida Trend publication for the past dozen years.

"I talk to people of all sorts around the state," Levy said, revealing one of his favorite interviews—author Patrick Smith, who wrote the Florida history account "A Land Remembered."

While the first portion of Levy's career focused on traditional journalism, he said he enjoys now being able to fully immerse himself into his interviews. Without needing to focus on other elements of writing—narrative, tone, scene, pace—he felt freer, lighter, more tuned into the moment with his subject.

"I was just sort of unburdened of all that other stuff, and it kind of gave me the opportunity to sit down and really listen," Levy said.

During his Florida Talks presentation, Levy will be relaying stories from some of his interviews from the Icon series. Two of the selections will be local—former University of West Florida President Judy Bense and Pensacola entrepreneur Quint Studer.

Levy points out that both Bense and Studer can be viewed through the lens of diversity. Bense, who rose to prominence in the field of archeology, was UWF's first female president, and Studer overcame a stutter and hearing difficulties to be one of the most successful businessmen in Northwest Florida. Other interview selections the writer will present will also fall under this theme.

"They have endured so many challenges, sometimes because of their race, sometimes because of their disability," Levy said.

The writer said that with his work, he hopes to share stories from Florida that illuminate the people shaping the state. That mission, he said, is all the more important these days, as the Sunshine State has garnered a somewhat unsavory cultural reputation.

"It seems like right now, Florida is sorta pigeonholed, you know, the 'Florida-man state,'" Levy noted. {in}

FLORIDA TALKS VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8, 15 and 22 DETAILS: Visit wuwf.org to register for the virtual events.

17

GRAPHIC NOVELS

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free will astrology WEEK OF APRIL 8 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Author

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Susan Sontag defined "mad people" as those who "stand alone and burn." She said she was drawn to them because they inspired her to do the same. What do you think she meant by the descriptor "stand alone and burn"? I suspect she was referring to strong-willed people devoted to cultivating the most passionate version of themselves, always in alignment with their deepest longings. She meant those who are willing to accept the consequences of such devotion, even if it means being misunderstood or alone. The coming weeks will be an interesting and educational time for you to experiment with being such a person.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In the 1930s, Taurus-born Rita Levi-Montalcini was a promising researcher in neurobiology at the University of Turin in Italy. But when fascist dictator Benito Mussolini imposed new laws that forbade Jews from holding university jobs, she was fired. Undaunted, she created a laboratory in her bedroom and continued her work. There she laid the foundations for discoveries that ultimately led to her winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. I foresee you summoning comparable determination and resilience in the coming weeks, Taurus.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Religious

scholar Karl Barth (1886–1968) wrote, "There will be no song on our lips if there be no anguish in our hearts." To that perverse oversimplification, I reply, "Rubbish.

Twaddle. Bunk. Hooey." I'm appalled by his insinuation that pain is the driving force for all of our lyrical self-revelations. Case in point—you in the coming weeks. I trust there will be a steady flow of songs in your heart and on your lips because you will be in such intimate alignment with your life's master plan.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): "It is not

easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time, and few accomplish it after the age of six," wrote Cancerian author John W. Gardner. But I would add that more adult Crabs accomplish this feat than any other sign of the zodiac. I'll furthermore suggest that during the next six weeks, many of you will do it quite well. My prediction—You will blend lovability and strategic shrewdness to generate unprecedented effectiveness.

(How could anyone resist you?)

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Staring at

flames had benefits for our primitive ancestors. As they sat around campfires and focused on the steady burn, they were essentially practicing a kind of meditation.

Doing so enhanced their ability to regulate their attention, thereby strengthening their working memory and developing a greater capacity to make long-range plans. What does this have to do with you? As a fire sign, you have a special talent for harness-

818 1

By Rob Brezsny

ing the power of fire to serve you. In the coming weeks, that will be even more profoundly true than usual. If you can do so safely, I encourage you to spend quality time gazing into flames. I also hope you will supernurture the radiant fire that glows within you.

(More info at tinyurl.com/goodflames)

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Physicist Victor Weisskopf told us, "What's beautiful in science is the same thing that's beautiful in Beethoven. There's a fog of events and suddenly you see a connection. It connects things that were always in you that were never put together before." I'm expecting there to be a wealth of these aha! moments for you in the coming weeks, Virgo. Hidden patterns will become visible. Missing links will appear. Secret agendas will emerge. The real stories beneath the superficial stories will materialize. Be receptive and alert!

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Jungian

psychoanalyst and folklore expert Clarissa Pinkola Estés celebrates the power of inquiry. She says that "asking the proper question is the central action of transformation," both in fairy tales and in psychotherapy. To identify what changes will heal you, you must be curious to uncover truths that you don't know yet. "Questions are the keys that cause the secret doors of the psyche to swing open," says Estes. I bring this to your attention, Libra, because now is prime time for you to formulate the Fantastically Magically Catalytic Questions.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): In April

1933, Scorpio-born African American singer Ethel Waters was in a "private hell."

Her career was at an impasse and her marriage was falling apart. In the depths of despondency, she was invited to sing a new song, "Stormy Weather," at New York City's famous Cotton Club. It was a turning point. She later wrote, "I was singing the story of my misery and confusion, of the misunderstandings in my life I couldn't straighten out, the story of the wrongs and outrages done to me by people I had loved and trusted." The audience was thrilled by her performance and called her back for 12 encores. Soon thereafter, musical opportunities poured in and her career blossomed.

I foresee a parallel event in your life, Scorpio. Maybe not quite so dramatic, but still, quite redemptive.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): I

love to see you enjoy yourself. I get a vicarious thrill as I observe you pursuing pleasures that other people are too inhibited or timid to dare. It's healing for me to witness you unleash your unapologetic enthusiasm for being alive in an amazing body that's blessed with the miracle of consciousness.

And now I'm going to be a cheerleader for your efforts to wander even further into the frontiers of bliss and joy and gratification. I will urge you to embark on a quest of novel forms of rapture and exultation. I'll prod you to at least temporarily set aside

habitual sources of excitement so you'll have room to welcome as-yet unfamiliar sources.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19):

Capricorn poet John O'Donahue suggested that a river's behavior is worthy of our emulation. He said the river's life is "surrendered to the pilgrimage." It's "seldom pushing or straining, keeping itself to itself everywhere all along its flow." Can you imagine yourself doing that, Capricorn? Now is an excellent time to do so.

O'Donahue rhapsodized that the river is "at one with its sinuous mind, an utter rhythm, never awkward," and that "it continues to swirl through all unlikeness with elegance: a ceaseless traverse of presence soothing on each side, sounding out its journey, raising up a buried music." Be like that river, dear Capricorn!

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "Is

life not a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?" wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. In response to that sentiment, I say, "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!"

Even if you will live till age 99, that's still too brief a time to indulge in an excess of dull activities that activate just a small part of your intelligence. To be clear, I don't think it's possible to be perfect in avoiding boredom. But for most of us, there's a lot we can do to minimize numbing tedium and energy-draining apathy. I mention this, Aquarius, because the coming weeks will be a time when you will have extra power to make your life as interesting as possible for the long run.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I know

of four different governmental organizations that have estimated the dollar value of a single human life. The average of their figures is $7.75 million. So let's say, for argument's sake, that you are personally worth that much. Does it change the way you think about your destiny? Are you inspired to upgrade your sense of yourself as a precious treasure? Or is the idea of putting a price on your merit uninteresting, even unappealing? Whatever your reaction is, I hope it prods you to take a revised inventory of your worth, however you measure it. It's a good time to get a clear and precise evaluation of the gift that is your life. (Quote from Julia Cameron—"Treating yourself like a precious object makes you strong.")

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Send brief descriptions of your top three vices and top three virtues.

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2021

inweekly.net

news of the weird APRIL FOOLS An April Fools' Day prank went wrong in Wichita, Kansas, on ... April 1, KWCH-TV reported, when Arnthia Willis, 58, called her daughter that morning and said she'd been shot. The Wichita Police and Fire departments and Sedgwick County EMS responded to the address given, but discovered no one was there. They later found Arnthia in suburban Derby and arrested her for an unlawful request for emergency service assistance.

•Michael Boatman, 41, discovered by two sheriff's deputies wandering down the street at 1 a.m. in Spartanburg, South Carolina, wearing only a "clear bag over his genitals" on April 1, told the officers he was doing a "walk of shame" in penance for cheating on his wife, according to an incident report. The Smoking Gun reported Boatman, who was smoking marijuana, according to the report, also allegedly told officers he had taken methamphetamine earlier. Boatman briefly tried to run away from officers, police said, but was captured and arrested for indecent exposure, among other offenses.

YIKES! An unnamed man emerged with his groceries from an Albertson's supermarket in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on March 28, to find that his car had been overtaken by a swarm of an estimated 15,000 honeybees, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department. The man, who had borrowed the car, had left the back window down during his 10-minute trip inside the store, and the bees took up residence in the back seat.

The New York Times reported he called 911, and responding firefighters turned to Jesse Johnson, 37, an off-duty firefighter who keeps bees as a hobby. Johnson brought an empty hive box treated with lemongrass oil ("It really mimics the scent of the queen," he said) and lured the swarm out of the car. "I'll do anything to keep people from killing bees," Johnson said.

CLICHE COME TO LIFE Around 4:15 a.m. on March 24, an unidentified resident of Laurium, Michigan, woke to find a gun pointed at his head, WLUC-TV reported.

Laurium Police said Warren Meyers, 52, of Calumet, Michigan, allegedly demanded the homeowner give him his two cats. The "cat burglar" left with one cat and was later apprehended, along with the gun he used, said authorities. He was arraigned on March 29 in Houghton County Court; the fate of the stolen cat is unknown.

EVERYONE'S A CRITIC Jason Harvey, 50, of Romford, England, has been fined about $3,800 after his east London town council received 150 complaints from neighbors about his Saturday-night karaoke parties.

"It has been a nightmare," said one neigh-

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

bor. "It was so loud, and his singing was terrible." Noise officers told the Evening Standard they received specific complaints about Harvey's covers of Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream." Harvey, who said he would appeal the fine, defended his voice: "I admit I'm no singer, but I have a go. I would have a couple of people over and they loved all that."

DON'T EAT THAT! Among the treasures discovered at Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk, England, is a 121-year-old chocolate bar, still in its tin, commissioned by Queen Victoria for troops fighting in the Second Boer War in South Africa, Reuters reported on March 31. Oxburgh was the ancestral home of the Bedingfeld family for 500 years, and one of them, Sir Henry Edward PastonBedingfeld, fought in that war; the chocolate bar was discovered in his helmet case.

"Although you wouldn't want it as your Easter treat," mused Anna Forrest, cultural heritage curator at Britain's National Trust, "it is still complete and a remarkable find."

On the lid, a message is inscribed in Queen Victoria's handwriting: "I wish you a happy new year."

UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS Kent Ryan Tomao, 25, of Kidapawan City, Philippines, has experienced pain in his chest during cold weather ever since he was stabbed by some teenagers on his way home from work in January 2020. Inquirer.net reported on March 24 that a recent X-ray taken as part of Tomao's application for a mining job revealed the source: a 4-inch knife blade buried in his chest, just inches from his lungs. Tomao told local media he had "no idea there is a knife in my chest" and now "I am just seeking help so it can be removed."

OVERREACTION Thomas McCann, 49, of Stockport, England, was sentenced to prison for life on March 30 for the brutal murder of his wife, Yvonne, 46, in May 2020, following an argument over a bag of french fries left out of the freezer, according to court documents. The Guardian reported McCann strangled his wife in the bathroom, then dismembered her body and disposed of some of the parts in Reddish Vale Country Park, where dog walkers discovered her remains; other parts were taken to a recycling center. During this time, McCann texted their children, saying Yvonne had walked out on him. He was later spotted on video footage carrying trash bags to his car and while walking toward the park, and confessed the killing to police. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2021 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com April 8, 2021

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Independent News | April 8, 2021 | inweekly.net