Inweekly aug 6 issue

THE PET ISSUE

Independent News | August 6, 2015 | Volume 16 | Number 32 | inweekly.net | Cover Dog: Woodford (Owners—Justin Lusko & Shannon Reynolds)

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winners & losers 4

outtakes 5

news

buzz 8

6, 7

Don't leave your dog in the car. Duh.

calendar

cover story

20

9

22

publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

Shelby Smithey, T.S. Strickland contact us info@inweekly.net

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

inweekly.net

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winners & losers

Shawn Salamida

winners SHAWN SALAMIDA The Florida Coalition for Children Foundation presented Salamida, president of FamiliesFirst Network of Lakeview Center, with the Champion for Children award.

He was honored for his tireless work to protect children and better the child welfare system.

He has served on the Florida Coalition for Children Board of Directors for four years. Since February 2014, Salamida has been in his role as the leader of FamiliesFirst Network. He was previously the CEO of Partnership for Families in Gainesville.

PSC PHILOSOPHY STUDENTS Pen-

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sacola State College Philosophy Professor John Holder and his ethics class volunteered at Manna Food Pantries. They had an opportunity to put moral principles into practice. Students participating in the service project were Crickett Cartwright, Brooklyn Caulder, Nathan Cooper, Kendra Davis, Caitlin Hattaway, Ayanna Jenkins, Jakeisha McCreary, Aaron Penegar, Alexander Robb, Ashton Sanderson, Courtney Somerset, and Victoria Underwood.

4-H CENTER The new Escambia County 4-H facility has received a Three Green Globes certificate. Green Globes is an online green building rating and certification tool that can be used for a wide range of commercial, institutional and multi-residential building types. The building accomplished an overall rating of 70 percent demonstrating leadership in applying best practices regarding energy, water and environmental efficiency. Escambia County has one other Three-Globes Certified building, Marie K. Young Wedgwood Community Center.

losers PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE Northwest Florida State College and Pensacola State College are among five state colleges to lose part of their FY2015-16 budget under a newly adopted performance-based funding formula. The primary issues are student retention and graduation rates.

The State Board of Education is holding back $613,000 of PSC's $34 million in state funding. PSC has begun implementing changes to improve its rating.

CITY OF GULF BREEZE Buying the Tiger Point Country Club made sense from an utility point-of-view. The courses made good spray fields for treated effluent. However, city leaders underestimated the costs of running two 18-hole golf courses and the capital investment to resurrect the west course. Commitments were made based on those estimates. What once appeared to be a no-brainer has become a political mess that has forced the county to get involved.

Maybe soccer fields would work.

VETERANS HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION A recent investiga-

tion by USA TODAY found the VHA has 41,500 job openings for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, preventing the health care system responsible for the medical care of our veterans from fully staffing its hospitals. The Department of Veterans has had to pay doctors outside the agency to treat 1.5 million veterans, costing U.S. taxpayers $7.7 billion. No wonder the VA has a $2.6 billion budget shortfall.

Join Rick Outzen guest host of Pensacola Speaks weekdays at 5pm

44

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Practicing Since 1974 INJURED?

outtakes

by Rick Outzen

PLANNING MISCUES Something is amiss with the planning department at the City of Pensacola. Since the first of the year, our newspaper has received complaints about how the department and its advisory committee, the planning board, have handled issues.

Manna Food Pantries had bought the old Pickens school property. The school had been closed for decades. The non-profits proposed 20,000 sq. ft. building, the majority of which would be warehouse space.

Residents in neighborhood protested and were told by the planning department and board that the land was zoned for commercial use.

The neighbors could do nothing to stop the project. The board unanimously voted to grant Manna an exception to build its warehouse.

However, the residents, led by Veronica Fountain, didn’t quit. They appealed to State Rep. Mike Hill for help. The planning department eventually had to admit that the land was not zoned commercial and that the land use plan had it as residential.

Manna withdrew its proposal and put the land up for sale.

Fountain and her neighbors received no apologies from the city. She saw their treatment by the city and the planning board as disrespectful.

She told Inweekly, “They honestly felt like this is a group of people that don't function. So we can just do what we want,

(ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

ARRESTED?

we can do it any way we want, we'll tear that building down and they just going to think it's a nice building. They truly, truly thought that. That's why they were so ugly and nasty to me this whole way.”

On July 14, residents of East Pensacola Heights attended a planning board meeting. They asked why a board member was allowed to discuss and vote on an item that his architectural firm was representing. The board chairman told them that the architect was given special status by the city to do so.

When our reporter Jeremy Morrison asked the chairmen and the board member about the vote, they told him that city staff had cleared the vote. The city attorney and planning director refused interview requests, and the public information officer said no one at the city would talk about the possible ethical violation.

We’ve since heard that city staff is telling council members that the board member misunderstood. He only was told he could serve on the board, not vote for his client's projects. If that’s the case, then why did the chairman also believe the member could vote? Why didn’t the staff in attendance correct them and stop the vote?

Maybe Mayor Hayward will add another page to his “Transparency” section to explain these miscues. {in} rick@inweekly.net

They honestly felt like this is a group of people that don't function.

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LAST STAND IN NO MAN’S LAND

By Jeremy Morrison It’s a small slice of land. Big enough to throw a football or a Frisbee across, but just barely.

Located in the East Pensacola Heights, the small plot of land is the last publicly accessible strip of land along the stretch of the bay bluffs in the neighborhood behind Jerry’s Drive In. Owners of the property abutting this land are requesting that the city of Pensacola vacate the land, allowing them to absorb it into their respective backyards and restricting public access to the area. Some neighborhood residents hate to lose the view.

Tim Jackson moved into the neighborhood 25 years ago. He owns a few properties near the land in question, which he views as a neighborhood amenity. Over the years, he’s watched as waterfront property owners have absorbed public land—technically requesting that the city vacate the right of way of the ghost of Bay Boulevard.

“Seems like there’s a disconnect between the people that already have waterfront property and the people that are trying to maintain what little access we have,” Jackson said.

But other neighbors see it differently.

They point to concerns about safety and contend that the land’s proximity to people’s backyards make it awkward and uncomfortable for public access.

“If somebody does want to walk back there, they’re going to be in their backyard,” Pat Selkirk said. “I know because I got mine vacated because people were in my backyard hanging out and smoking and whatever.

The East Pensacola Heights neighborhood is one of Pensacola’s sweet spots. It’s full of Southern charm and know-your-neighbor familiarity. Houses in the neighborhood range from historical to newly built, from small to compound-esque. Scott Evans found his home in the neighborhood four years ago. It sits on the bluffs over looking the bay.

“It just looked like this cool little hippie cottage,” Evans said. “We just loved it.”

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Evans and his wife bought the house and for the next few years split their time between it and their home in North Carolina with plans to relocate permanently. In front of the house sits the park bench and a portion of the publicly accessible land.

“The little park bench was installed after the 1997 city council decision,” Evans said, referring to a previous failed attempt by property owners to have the piece of land vacated.

Evans could easily stand on his steps and hit the park bench with a gentle, underhanded toss of a pebble. At first, it seemed a bit close.

But then he grew to appreciate the area’s use by the public.

“They take in the solitude, they take in the peace, they walk away,” Evans said.

Recently, Evans decided to have some work done on his kitchen. The architect he hired noticed the property next door was for sale and called his parents.

“It’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous property,” Beverly Pica said. “We love, love, love it.”

Pica and her husband, Michael, purchased the property—a large lot fronting the rest of the publicly accessible property—and then subdivided it with Paul and Laura Austin. It was exactly what the couples were looking for and the sale went quick.

“This happened so fast. You know, waterfront property, how fast it can go,” Pica said.

“We didn’t even bicker about the price.”

The buyers were unaware that the property did not run to the bluffs and was separated by the public access area.

“We did not realize at the time that the bluff area was not ours. We were crazy, we didn’t even stop to think,” Pica said. “So, no, we didn’t know about it. But we know about it now, though, and we said, ‘oh, people can be right there?’ And so we requested to vacate.”

Evans’ new neighbors—who he repeatedly stresses are “very lovely people”—asked him to join them as they prepared to approach the city about vacating the property. He declined.

“I told them I really didn’t want to be ‘that’ guy,” Evans said, who has since taken a lead role in the effort opposing his neighbors’ request.

It’s not terribly difficult to understand why waterfront property owners would want the city to vacate the right of way of a long gone road that sits between their property and the bluffs. For starters, it increases their parcel size, but it also prevents the public from entering an area that is in close proximity to their house.

“Honestly, we were just kind of nervous about people coming out in front of our house, sitting themselves down and doing whatever they wanted to do,” Beverly Pica said, explaining the rationale behind the request to vacate.

“Just kind of awkward to know they’re going to be right in our backyard.”

The publicly accessible area is indeed close. With no visible boundary between it and the private parcels, the two easily blur together; Evans has a fence separating his yard.

“Put yourself in our position,” Pica said.

“We’re out on our deck, I don’t know, enjoying the night air, and there’s people 10 feet away.

It’s awkward.”

“It’s going to be feet away from my bedroom and my home,” Laura Austin said.

Besides, the rest of the right of way has already been relinquished. Vacating this property would simply bring it in line with the norm.

“It’s not like we’re land grabbers and we’re selfish and we’re mean-spirited,” Pica said.

“It’s just that it kind of makes sense that sense everything was vacated we should be too.”

And some of Pica’s new neighbors understand and agree with this notion. But others do not.

“The majority of the neighborhood shares her perspective,” Selkirk said, who owns property nearby. “There’s a group of people that any kind of progress we try to make in the neighborhood, they just don’t like it.”

Pica has been warned of such people, of the “people in the community who are raising a ruckus.”

“They said that there was a small core group of neighbors who oppose every single change that was brought before the planning board for that neighborhood,” Pica said.

Among that group is Jackson. When he first moved into the neighborhood there were

more public access areas, more areas to enjoy to bluffs or access the water.

“There’s the last little bit down there,” Jackson said, pointing towards the strip of property near Evan’s house. “These amenities are part of our neighborhood and they’re in use.”

Evans relayed a story about a man who worked up the street and had recently gone through a divorce. He would regularly spend time sitting on the bench in front of Evan’s house, looking out over the bluffs and the bay.

“He told my wife, ‘this bench is so cool, it’s been a really big place of healing for me,’” Evans said.

Both sides of this debate were voiced when the Picas and Austins brought their request to vacate before the Pensacola Planning Board, where it was rejected on a 3-2 vote (see “The Buzz”). In August, the couples will make their case to the Pensacola City Council. The debate has all sides uncomfortable.

Beverly Pica didn’t move into the neighborhood to cause trouble. She doesn’t relish fighting with neighbors or inspiring opposition Facebook pages like Friends of Bay Blvd. Park.

“I’m upset that they’re upset,” Pica said.

“We want to be part of the neighborhood.”

Uncomfortable, too, is Evans. These are his future next door neighbors.

“They’re really lovely people,” Evans said.

“I don’t want to vilify these people, I just want them to understand that this is the last section. This is the last stand.”

To that end, Evans plans to make his case to the city council. And so are the Picas and the Austins. And so are neighbors on either side of the debate.

Petitions are being circulated. Elected officials are being contacted.

Pica said she was optimistic about both the Aug. 20 city council meeting, as well as eventually moving into the neighborhood.

“I think they’re just going to welcome us with open arms,” she said. “All of this is going to be put aside and we’re all going to be good neighbors.”{in}

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LAND OF THE FREE, HOMELESSNESS OF THE BRAVE

Courtesy Photo

By Shelby Smithey What does homelessness look like? To 35-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Timothy Jones, it was a decade of couch surfing after some traumatic events that occurred after he joined the military in 1998.

“I was sexually assaulted while I was stationed in Japan,” he said. “It placed me on a very different path.”

Jones said that in addition to the sexual assault, his shipmate committed suicide, which led to post-traumatic stress disorder when he returned home after serving two years in the military.

“It took me 10 years to process what happened after being honorably discharged,” he said. “I struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and multiple suicide attempts. I felt discarded and had major trust issues with the system.”

Jones said his family told him to get help from Veteran Affairs but because of his experience, he was very disenchanted with the process. He said that on a verge of a suicide attempt, he had a moment of clarity and committed to transforming his life for the better.

“My first step was going to jail,” he said. “I had to be accountable for my actions.”

During his five-month stint in jail, Jones said he had support from a VA representative named Kathy Monson with whom he finally shared his experience from Japan.

“She was the catalyst that spring boarded me into action,” Jones said.

After serving his sentence and spending several months searching for a job and a place to live in Pensacola with no luck, Jones entered into a transitional housing program offered by the VA and Volunteers of America in February 2012.

He was one of the first 30 participants in the program.

Jones said he was the first official graduate of the program, completing two full years and enrolling at Pensacola State College from there.

“I knew that education was the first step in reclaiming my life,” Jones said. “I found a new purpose.”

Now, Jones is a University of West Florida student working toward a bachelor’s degree in communication arts. He isn’t homeless anymore, and his newfound purpose is helping those who are where he once was. He is sharing his story with others to help end veteran homelessness in Pensacola and even other cities in Florida.

In January, Jones met Vice President Joe Biden and learned about the Mayor’s Challenge, a federal government initiative to encourage cities to spread awareness and work together to end veteran homelessness. The

city of Pensacola has about 884 total homeless individuals according to EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless statistics. Jones wanted to bring the Mayor’s Challenge to Pensacola.

“I loved the approach of creating one system of resources that the city could get involved with,” Jones said. “And that’s what the Mayor’s Challenge is about. It’s about creating a new paradigm shift where we move from enablement to empowerment. My hope and goal are that city officials gather the resources and join the conversation. I would love to have city representation.”

The Mayor’s Challenge promotes Housing First, an approach to ending homelessness that centers on providing people experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible—and then providing services as needed. This approach has the benefit of being consistent with what most people experiencing homelessness want and seek help to achieve.

City Administrator Eric Olson, who once worked on a pilot program that focused on veteran homelessness at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, told Inweekly that the city has already been working to eliminate veteran homelessness with its housing voucher program for homeless veterans.

“We don’t necessarily toot our horn in the city about a lot of these things,” Olson said. “You’re dealing with individuals and their private lives. With a lot of these individuals, it’s a human dignity thing.”

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) initiative combines with the city's current Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program. The voucher assistance is done in partnership with Gulf Coast Health Care System Medical Center, which refers eligible HUD-VASH families to the Housing Office and provides them with case management and clinical services. Jones, who is familiar with the program, said the city had 157 such vouchers, of which 16 were going unused.

“It took me 10 years to process what happened after being honorably discharged.” Timothy Jones

Stock Market Losses?

Cities that have accepted the Mayor’s Challenge have seen major dips in veteran homelessness. In Phoenix, Mayor Greg Stanton accepted the challenge and the city’s homeless population dwindled from 220 to virtually none. Olson was skeptical.

“You’ll hear cities talk about eliminating veteran homelessness,” Olson said. “But you have to ask, what does that mean?”

Olson questioned the effectiveness of a Mayor’s Challenge in Pensacola and thinks it would create cynicism in the public.

“Let’s focus our resources on the street where they are really needed and support the professionals in our community who do this every day,” he said. “Anything more would add another layer of bureaucracy.”

Olson said the city would not be joining the Mayor’s Challenge because it’s not the best use for the time and resources for a very limited staff at City Hall.

On Aug. 7, the Rex Theatre will be showing the film “Among the Discarded” to spread awareness in Pensacola about homelessness.

In the film, director Trent Dion Soto spends 30 days homeless on the streets of Los Angeles’ skid row.

The following week, he and Soto have planned a 203-mile walk to Tallahassee to further show their support of ending homelessness. Jones said that he hopes the 66-hourlong trek will inspire others to show their support.

“Our hope is that not only Pensacola accepts the challenge, but other cities in the state accept the challenge as well,” Jones said.

“We are walking from Pensacola to Tallahassee to say thank you to those cities that have accepted the challenge, for the vets still on the street and for those cities that may be on the fence, for them to accept the challenge.”

Jones said the work he is dedicated to now is owed to the community and to every person that has donated to the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless.

“I felt discarded for a while,” he said. “I still felt invisible. Knowing then what I know now, I would have worked even harder.” {in}

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A QUESTION OF ETHICS When the

Pensacola Planning Board considered a request to vacate the right of way along a section of the bygone Bay Boulevard in the East Pensacola Heights neighborhood, questions were raised about the appropriateness of a board member, architect Scott Sallis, participating in the discussion and voting on the issue.

Sallis’ clients, Paul and Laura Austin, were the ones requesting the vacation. Dean Dalrymaple, Sallis’ partner at Dalrymple Sallis Architecture, made the presentation on July 14 to the board.

Without hesitation, Chairman Paul Ritz replied to a question about Sallis’s status on the issue. Ritz said, “Point of order, he is the architect on the board whose position allows him to vote on items that his own office brings. He's the one board member who can, in fact, vote on items that his office has before this board.”

Florida law prohibits public officials, including city board members, from participating in discussions and voting on matters that benefit themselves, family members, business associates or clients.

In this case, Sallis’ clients saw their request rejected on a 3-2 vote by the planning board. Still, his participation in the discussion and vote raised some eyebrows and some questions.

“I’ve asked the city staff to look into that,” Ritz said in late July, explaining that he was relying on information from city staff when he cleared Sallis for participation.

The chairman also said he could not remember a similar scenario presenting itself: “In my recollection,” he said, “I don’t believe it’s come before the board.”

Sallis said he was told by staff in the city planning department that he was allowed to discuss and vote on issues his firm was involved in. And while he said he thinks this month was the first time he actually did so, the opportunity for such isn’t rare.

“This comes up regularly,” Sallis said, adding that he typically chooses to recuse himself “just to keep the drama down and the reporters from asking.”

In this vote, the architect said he ultimately decided to weigh in because he felt strongly about the issue—“because of the awkwardness of the public coming into private property just

to enjoy the view”—and, without a full board present, felt his voice was valuable.

“Because I saw there was really not a good, clean representation on the board there and I wanted the applicant to have a fair vote,” Sallis said.

Those in opposition to the vacancy request weren’t the only ones surprised that Sallis was participating. Beverly Pica, who was joining the Austin’s in the request to vacate, was also caught off guard.

“I was surprised he was allowed to do that,” Pica said. “In fact, I mentioned to my husband, ‘I’m surprised that he would be allowed to vote, because it’d be an appearance of conflict of interest.’”

Request for interviews with the city attorney and the planning administrator were denied. Hayward’s Public Information Officer Vernon Stewart told the Inweekly reporter. “No one will be speaking with you.”

Attorney Jim Messer, who served as city attorney from 2011 until March 2015, said he was unfamiliar with any exemption from Florida ethics laws for the planning board. The attorney noted that ethics issues were usually fairly easy.

“Ethics is your gut reaction,” Messer said. “We really shouldn’t have to struggle with these issues.”

While the State of Florida Commission on Ethics cannot offer an official opinion, it’s communications office did point to a 2004 opinion the commission issued. The opinion pertained to Pensacola specifically, and essentially said the city’s Architectural Review Board could have designated architects on it whose firms or clients brought matters before the board without violating the conflicting employment portion of the Code of Ethics.

“That’s the upshot of the opinion,” said Kerrie Stillman, the commission’s spokesperson.

The opinion pertained specifically to the Architectural Review Board, not the planning board. However, Stillman also pointed out that the opinion only pertained to the conflicting employment portion of the code and did not cover that the voting conflict portion.

She said, “The voting conflict statute is always in play with officials who have issues that come before the board.” {in}

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inweekly.net

THE PET ISSUE

Woodford (Owners—Justin Lusko & Shannon Reynolds) August 6, 2015

9

Dog nose prints are as unique as human finger prints and can be used to identify them.

SUPPORT A MILITARY PET Dogs have been bravely serving in the military since the early 1940s.

They're trained to be guards, attackers, messengers, give silent warnings, finding wounded soldiers and drowned soldiers and transport loads of up to 40 pounds.

You can support those four-legged soldiers

DOGS ON DEPLOYMENT

By Jennifer Leigh

The United States War Dog Association, Inc.

Care packages are sent year-round from The United States War Dog Association, Inc. to dogs and their handlers. You can support the organization by donating items needed or making a monetary donation.

DETAILS: uswardogs.org

Operation K-9 Care Package

Since 2010, Operation K-9 Care Package supports the dogs serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world. Look for a list of items needed on their Facebook page.

Support Military Working Dogs

Another organization working to support military dogs aims to outfit each canine with a cooling vest. The organization's founder, Lt. Colonel Parker Frawley, said the military provides for the soldiers well, but the dogs have different needs.

DETAILS: supportmilitaryworkingdogs.org And to support the dogs at home...

Barkbox

Order a Barkbox for your dog and use the code DODBBX1 at check out and receive 20 percent off. Not only that, but Barkbox will donate $15 to Dogs on Deployment.

DETAILS: barkbox.com

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DOGS ON DEPLOYMENT DETAILS: dogsondeployment.org

UPCOMING EVENTS: DOGS ON DEPLOYMENT POKER RUN

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Oct. 3 WHERE: Start at Harley Davidson of Pensacola, 6385 Pensacola Blvd.

COST: $10 DETAILS: Contact Jacqui Mikolaczyk at fl-pensacola@dogsondeployment.org

BEER, DOGS AND VETS

WHEN: 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 7 WHERE: Casino Beach Bar & Grille, 41 Fort Pickens Rd., Pensacola Beach DETAILS: Contact Jacqui Mikolaczyk at fl-pensacola@dogsondeployment.org

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The technical term for a cat’s hairball is a “bezoar.”

EM-BARK Tips for Traveling with Your Pet

By Emily Richey

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORRY One thing nobody tells you about becoming a dog owner is how much you’re going to worry about your furry friend.

August 6, 2015

Are they eating enough? Exercising enough? Sleeping too much?

Thankfully, there are tons of devices and apps out that can help you ease those worries. One company that we’re fans of is called Whistle. They have an activity tracker, which allows you to track your dog’s daily activity and long-term health trends through a lightweight device and app. You can also set

daily goals based on your dog’s age, breed and weight.

And if your pup is the roaming type, they also offering a device called Tagg GPS Pet Tracker—which is just what sounds like—a GPS tracker for your pup.

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Eighteen muscles or more can move a dog’s ear.

TAKE A WALK

By Jennifer Leigh

PAWS ON PALAFOX 3K

“Two things we know about Pensacola—we love our dogs and we love our downtown.”

Sarah Humlie

MORE PET-CENTRIC EVENTS

Whether you’re looking to find your future best friend or hang out with your current one, here are some more pet friendly events worth checking out.

IN-STORE ADOPTION EVENTS

Both the Pensacola Humane Society and Junior Humane Society regularly host community adoption events at area pet stores.

Pensacola Humane Society

The next Pensacola Humane Society adoption event will be Sunday, Aug. 9 at Petco on Airport Boulevard from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. In addition to adoptable cats and dogs, they’ll also have giveaways, goodies and information on volunteering. For future adoption event details, visit pensacolahumane.org.

Junior Humane Society

The Junior Humane Society hosts adoption events every Saturday at Petsmart on Davis Highway. These adoption events are held from 12-4 p.m. For more information, visit juniorhumanesociety.com.

212 1

YAPPY HOUR

Tijuana Flats hosts regular “Yappy Hour” events benefiting different pet nonprofits and organizations.

Yappy Hour Benefiting Amazing Grace Bully Rescue

5-10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 Tacos, dogs and doing some good—it doesn’t get better than that. Enjoy “Yappy Hour” at Tijuana Flats (4970 Bayou Blvd.) and feel good knowing the restaurant will donate 10 percent of sales during the specified time to the Amazing Grace Bully Rescue group.

GROUP DOG WALKS

Enjoy active, social time alongside your own pup, and maybe make some new friends while you’re at it.

Strutt Your Mutt

6:45 p.m. Tuesdays Every Tuesday night join fellow dog owners for a 45-minute leisurely stroll in East Hill.

Dogs in attendance must be leashed and well-behaved. Owners should come prepared to pick up after their pets. Meet at the

entrance of Bayview Dog Park (20th Ave. and E. Lloyd St.).

Gulf Breeze Dog Association Group Walk 6 p.m. Mondays Join the Gulf Breeze Dog Association every Monday for a group dog walk. The group meets at Shoreline Bark Park, which is across from the Gulf Breeze Community Center on Shoreline Drive. Visit facebook.com/GBDogLovers for more information.

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY FUNDRAISING EVENTS

The Pensacola Humane Society is a local nokill shelter that works relentlessly to provide new homes for homeless pets and to improve the quality of life for animals in our community in general. They host tons of events, so getting involved and helping with their mission is super easy.

Bathe-Ins

9 a.m.–2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, Sept. 19 and Oct. 17 All you need to bring is a towel—and your pet

WHEN: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 WHERE: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. COST:$20 per person, $10 children 6-12, free for children under 5; add $6 for a Bark in the Park ticket DETAILS: blabtv.com/paws-on-palafox

BARK IN THE PARK

WHEN: Gates open at 4 p.m., dog parade around the field at 4:30, first pitch at 5 p.m., Sunday Aug. 9 WHERE: Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. COST:$4.65 plus fees (for the standing room only/Hill-Kelly Hill section) DETAILS: bluewahoos.com

of course—and the Pensacola Humane Society staff and volunteers will do the rest. Bath and dip prices range from $7-$10 depending on the size of your pet. Nail trims are also available for $5. All bathe-ins are held at the Pensacola Humane Society (5 N. Q St.).

Artel Keeps Going to the Dogs

5:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2 Artel Gallery is once again teaming up with the Pensacola Humane Society for a night of “fur-raising” and fun. There will be food, drinks, entertainment and a live art auction.

To buy tickets, call 791-8070 or email info@ artelgallery.org.

Barktoberfest

9 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 Planning for Barktoberfest 2015 is already under way, which means you better start planning too. Those dog costumes don’t make themselves after all. This signature fundraiser includes contests, demonstrations, vendors, games and of course, dogs, dogs and more dogs.

For more details on any of the events, visit pensacolahumane.org. inweekly.net

Cats have around 473 taste buds, while dogs have about 1,700.

READER PET PICS

Alabama “Bama” Tiffany Bates

Andre Hurst Butts

Anna Jamie Johnson

Aubrey Grace Donna Gail Spencer

Audrey Caroline & Marc Huff

Axle Kim Rainer

Barratt & Tucker Brittany Sherwood

Bella Bryan, Kyna & Kaelyn Nobles

Ben Chuck Irwin

Biko Michael & Jennifer Paquette

Blackbearry Cynthia Hall

Bruiser Becky Harger

Buddy Boy Mark Turner

Buddy Rumbley LB Zayszly

Butters Angela Nguyen

Caersares Bob & Gretta Wise)

Chloe Carolyn & Gideon Fussner

Clouseau Charlotte Gordon

Clover Ashley Holladay

Cookie Caroline Mugarian

Cookie Shay Rosecrans, Allee McDonald & Jerry Enad

Cooper Carolyn & Alton Roberts

Curtis Jon Marek & Erika Smith-Marek

Daisy Ashley Holladay

Doctor Sweets Cynthia Hall

Doozer Jon Pytynia

Edlebrock Sam & Dan Eckiss

Ellie Don & Wendy Manderson

Finny Bear Lezli Hammon

Fletcher Dawn Johnson

August 6, 2015

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Dogs have lived with humans for over 14,000 years, cats only 7,000.

They say the third time is a charm. But in the case of our annual Pet Issue, it’s actually the fourth time around that’s taking that honor.

You guys out did yourselves—in terms of quantity and cuteness—with pet photo submissions for this year’s issue. From dogs taking baths to cats with killer smiles, this year’s batch of photos

has it all. We try and not play favorites, but it’s hard when you see a puppy as perfectly photogenic as Woodford (a.k.a. this year’s cover dog—picked directly from an email submission).

As a result of your submissions, we are publishing more photos this year than ever before. Of course, some didn’t make the cut. So if you sent a photo and don't see it, it's because something

was a little off with the quality (too small, too dark, too blurry).

Please try again next year—with a better photo, of course. Thank you to everyone who cared enough to take time out of your day to email a photo (or photos in most cases) of your pet to us. Your enthusiasm is why we love making this issue every year.

Frida Kahlico Amanda Clonts & Sarah Everhart

Gary Aaron Orbik

Genevieve Alisha Wilson

Gizmo Jonathan Hoffmann

Gus & Daphne Amanda Davis

Huck (as in Huckleberry) Jason & Mikel Traffanstead

Hunter Summer & Andrew Rasnick

Izzie Jay Eberhardt

Jackson Dinah Wells

Jake Chuck Irwin

Kitty Jennifer & Joe Passeretti

Lacey Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West Florida, Inc.

Lady Luck Clay & April

Lola & Linus Jamie Bradley

Lola & Ursa Bridget, Dale, Allie & Seth Norse

Lucy Jenny Diamond

Luna Mollie Taylor & Alex Johnson

Maggie, Jackson & Tucker Karen & Tod Sindel

Maizey Riannon & Justin Boven

Marla Wes Hammons

Max Tammy Dover

Meatball Marjorie, Seth & Roman

Moose Chuck & Kathleen Brown

Mossi Amanda Nowlin & Desiree Bowker

Murphy Joshua Jones & Wes Shoemaker

Oliver Ricky Robbins

Oscar Kiley & Bill Manning

Parker Lois Johnson

Pickleilly Sue Asa Lyvers

Pluto Alex O'Neill & Ashley Fontannaz

414 1

inweekly.net

Those born under the sign of the dog in Chinese astrology are considered to be loyal and slightly temperamental.

Ranger April Cullen

Reef Chris, Trish, Saige & Piper Pharr

Ritzy Jim, Jeanne & Reilly Turner

Rocco Eliza Opena & Ryan White

RZA Lacey Berry & Jarrod Burris

Saban Boo Sena Maddison

Sammy Sanderson Family

Samson The Watt Family

Samson & Bones Michael Jones

Sasha Adam & Christy Franklin

Scout Vikki Garrett

Sebastian Chalupa Batman Genevieve Harper

Shabu Meg & Alex Lewis

Sophie Kim Rainer

Sophie Zachery & Pamela Michael

Stella Jamie Johnson

Tanya & Anouk Steve & Gina Pearce

Ted Joe & Allison Mercer

Teddy Debbie Hulbert

Teemu Lois Johnson

ThunderCat Kristin Ruleau

Tucker & Baker Casandra Waller

Vegas Darrin Land

Walter & LeacyAnn Missy &Charlie Hoffman

Winston Michael & Stacy Fenimore

Wizard aka "Wizzy" Laura & David Levitan

Woodford Justin Lusko & Shannon Reynolds

XiaoHei Gabby Song

Zen Michael & Jennifer Paquette

Zoe Lisette French & George Ramos

August 6, 2015

15

On average, cats spend 2/3 of every day sleeping.

TEAM UNDERDOGS

By Hope Corrigan

ADOPTION OPTIONS Local Shelter & Rescue Group Directory Pensacola Humane Society 5 N. Q St. pensacolahumane.org Hotel For Dogs & Cats 4110 Creighton Road h4dc.org Emerald Coast Animal Allies PMB 112, 40 W. Nine Mile Road. #2 ecaafl.org

Ziggy—A current Save Underdogs foster who needs a forever home

Escambia County Animal Shelter 200 W. Fairfield Dr. myescambia.com/community/adoptableanimals Junior Humane Society juniorhumanesociety.com SouthBARK southbarkanimalrescue.org

INWEEKLY PETS

616 1

Argyle Hope

Charlie Ed

Flynn Emily

JAWS Jason

Lobby (not pictured Felisha & Tasha) Scott

Penny Shelby

Ramona Hope

Smudge Jennifer

Tucker Joani

Ziggy Ali Rae inweekly.net

Petting dogs is proven to lower blood pressure of dog owners.

VET TALK WITH DR. TRACY MILLHOUSE

By Hope Corrigan

Dr. Tracy Millhouse / Courtesy Photo

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A group of cats is called a “clowder.”

PET-FLIX

By Joani Delezen & Ed Banacia

Half the fun of getting a new pet is picking out a name. But sometimes even the most clever pet owners can’t come up anything worth sticking with. Here are some suggestions on how to name your next pet.

•What’s your favorite food? And don’t try to be healthy here—junk food and sweets tend to work better. “Nacho” is a much better name than “Salad” and you know it.

•Take your middle name, plus the name of the street you grew up on…. Wait. That’s not right. That’s for something else. Our bad.

•Beyonce. Bey Bey. Queen B. Sasha Fierce. Proof that superstars typically have super names and nicknames.

Just make sure you pick someone who has staying power if you go this route.

•Check out some baby name books. They don’t call them “fur babies” for nothing.

•Are you a sports fanatic? Then you might have something to work with there. Favorite players, mascots and even some stadiums have good names (Fenway anybody?). This is not a smart suggestion for bandwagon fans though.

•Take a page from the Taylor Swift playbook and name your pet after a beloved fictional character.

Swift has two—Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey— named after TV characters, but if we were going to copy this strategy, we might take a literary angle, just to prove we’re smart and stuff.

PARK IT

By Ali Rae Hunt

When you want to treat your pup to a mini adventure without the risk of getting in trouble, look to the local dog parks—and even beaches—for some fun, games and even socializing.

Bayview Park

2000 E. Lloyd St. (on the south/20th Avenue side of the park by the Bayview Recreation Center) More information: playpensacola.com

CITY OF GULF BREEZE

More information: gulfbreezerecreationcenter.com/5.html

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

The county also maintains several dog parks. All are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

PENSACOLA BEACH

Some people don’t know that Pensacola Beach has not one, but two, dog parks.

Beach dog park hours are 7 a.m.-sunset during turtle nesting season, which ends Oct. 31. Beginning Nov. 1, dogs can play from sunup to sunset. Dogs must remain on a leash and under your supervision at all times.

Beulah Regional Park

In the city, dogs are welcome to explore all city parks when on a leash. Dogs are allowed off leash at the dog parks within Bayview Park and Roger Scott Athletic Complex.

The only sanctioned dog park in Gulf Breeze is located close to the convergence of Pensacola Beach Parkway and Gulf Breeze Parkway. While dogs do not need to be on a leash to enjoy this park, there are some rules to keep in mind when visiting with your pup.

Make sure to read the general park rules and signs before you enter with your pet.

900 S. Old Corry Field Road

Located at the first parking lot past the last condos on the Gulf

Roger Scott Athletic Complex

Shoreline Bark Park

More information: myescambia.com/community/parks-and-centers

More information: visitpensacolabeach. com/things-to-do/dog-beach.php

CITY OF PENSACOLA

2130 Summit Blvd. (between the pool and the tennis center) 818 1

800 Shoreline Dr. (across from Gulf Breeze Community Center)

7820 Mobile Hwy.

Bill Dickson Park 3151 Fenceline Road

Lexington Terrace Dog Park

Pensacola Beach Dog Park East

Located at the first parking lot past Portofino

Pensacola Beach Dog Park West

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calendar SHUGGIE OTIS 7 p.m.

With Brooks. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $25. vinylmusichall.com

THE COMEDY GET DOWN

8 p.m. This is a once in a lifetime chance to see comedy royalty come together for the comedy event of the year. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. $52.25$250.0. pensacolabaycenter.com ROBOT HILARIOUS 9 p.m. With Unnatural Soundz, Big Lo, Cyborganics, Johnny Panic, and Elevated. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $8. pensacolahandlebar.com

FRIDAY 8.7

WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m.

Out and about in East Hill on Friday night? Stop

by City Grocery for their free weekly wine tasting before settling in or heading out for the night.

City Grocery, 2050 N. LAST CHANCE TO SEE "THE LURE OF THE OCEAN: ORIGINAL 12th Ave. WORKS BY GUY HARVEY HARVEY" On display through Aug. 9.

LATIN DANCING 6:30 Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org p.m. Learn the basics of salsa dancing. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com MARKET ON THE BEACH 4 p.m. Check out BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Pensacola Beach's new farmers market, held Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket every Thursday from 4 p.m. until sunset. prices vary. bluewahoos.com Casino Beach parking lot, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. facebook.com/MarketontheBeach/info WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Try something SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-1 p.m. new every week at Aragon Wine Market’s Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods, and regular wine tasting, only a few blocks from live music.

PARA FootBall Complex, 5400-5551 downtown. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. Limbaugh Lane, Pace. aragonwinemarket.com PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, BALL ROOM DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn how to live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques waltz, hustle, and tango at this weekly class, are just a few of the items offered at the weekly which is followed by a social dance at 8:45 p.m.

Palafox Market. Items originate directly from DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. danceparticipating vendors, including dozens of craftfl.com local farmers, home gardeners and area art-

THURSDAY 8.6

SATURDAY 8.8

ists. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com PENSACOLA COMIC CONVENTION 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Gaming, Anime, Costuming, Artist, Celebrities, Comics, Cosplay, Paranormal, and more. There will be celebrity meet and greets, discussion panels, workshops, screenings, demonstrations, events, gaming, costume contests, tournaments, and competitions. Pensacola Fair Grounds, 6655 Mobile Hwy. $10. Pensacolaparacon.com PENSACOLA CHORAL SOCIETY AUDITIONS 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Officially formed in 1935, Choral Society of Pensacola is the Gulf Coast’s oldest chorus. They perform classic choral works as well as exciting contemporary compositions.

Singers range in age and background, but are bound together by a shared passion for the music they sing. Pensacola State College, Ashmore Building room 108, 418 W. Garden St. Email with any questions: csop1@juno.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 7 p.m. Finished the long-awaited sequel? Come watch the original film version of Harper Lee’s classic.

The Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. $5. pensacolasaenger.com PENSACOLA COMIC CONVENTION GENERATION X DANCE & COSTUME PARTY 8:30

p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15. vinylmusichall.com

SUNDAY 8.9

PENSACOLA COMIC CONVENTION 10

a.m.-6 p.m. Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Gaming, Anime, Costuming, Artist, Celebrities, Comics, Cosplay, Paranormal, and more. There will be celebrity meet and greets, discussion panels, workshops, screenings, demonstrations, events, gaming, costume contests, tournaments, and competitions. Pensacola Fair Grounds, 6655 Mobile Hwy. $10. Pensacolaparacon. com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 5:05 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com JAYFEST 2K15 6:30 p.m. With King Conquer, Here Comes The Krakem, The Lst Ten Seconds of Life, Adaliah , and more. The

Personal Injury • Criminal Justice

27 S. 9th Ave.

433-WINE or 433-9463

www.aragonwinemarket.com 020 2

MONDAY 8.10

COUNTRY & WESTERN DANCING 6:30 p.m.

Learn the Country Two-step at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8 p.m. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com

TUESDAY 8.11

DANCECRAFT BALL ROOM DANCING & SWING CLASS 6:30-9 p.m. This class

teaches the skills necessary to become a practitioner of Ball Room and West Coast Swing, a popular partner dance that can be enjoyed with virtually any kind of music.

Tuesday class fee is $10 per person or free for people 30 years of age and younger.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com BANDS ON THE BEACH 7 p.m. The Groovinators will perform at this week’s Bands on the Beach—which is a free outdoor concert series featuring regional artists held every Tuesday night through Oct. 27. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. visitpensacolabeach.com TUESDAY NIGHT POETRY NIGHT 7 p.m.

Free open mic poetry event every Tuesday. Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/TNPNS BAD HABITS 9:30 p.m. With Malice at the Palace, Sons, Mind Melt, Hour of Power, The Hammer, and Cig & The Butts. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $8. pensacolahandlebar.com

WEDNESDAY 8.12

POST SEASON 8:00 p.m. With Such a Mess, All Over The Place, Dicks From Mars, Squirrel Fight, Loose Bolts, 10th Inning.

The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $8. pensacolahandlebar.com

PENSACOLA

COMIC CONVENTION

2015

unique & affordable

Join us for Wine Tastings Thursdays 5-7 p.m.

Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $12-$14. pensacolahandlebar.com

Sci Fi, Horror, Fantasy, Gaming, Anime, Costuming, Artist, Celebrities, Comics, Cosplay, Paranormal & more!

Aug. 8th & 9th

Pensacola Fair Grounds Expo Hall

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

6655 Mobile Hwy • (850) 941-4321

Tickets: $10, Kids 7 & under are free

pensacolacomiccon.com inweekly.net

New Member

Saturday, August 15 WUWF PUBLIC MEDIA

BOYS AND GIRLS GRADES

4-8

9 am - 12 pm BOYS AND GIRLS GRADES

9-12

12 pm - 2 pm Selected Shorts presents some of the best-loved selections of classic and contemporary short fiction, read by acclaimed screen and theater actors and recorded live at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City.

Let us tell you a story

SUNDAYS

5-6 PM on WUWF 88.1FM or wuwf.org.

Learn more and find the full list of WUWF programs at wuwf.org/ programs.

Pensacola Children’s Chorus (Margaret Moore Nickelsen Center) Located on the First Presbyterian Church Campus 46 E. Chase Street Need based financial aid available.

See our website for Fees, Tuition and Financial Aid application.

pensacolachildrenschorus.com For More Information: 434-7760 operations@pensacolachildrenschorus.com

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY August 6, 2015

CH0469 2015 Audition IN ad.indd 1

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7/27/15 12:35 PM

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inweekly.net

news of the weird "DOC, IT HURTS WHEN I DO THAT" ("THEN DON'T DO THAT") Ran'dell Busch, 27, was in serious condition after being shot on July 26 near the corner of 18th Street and Emmet Street in Omaha, Nebraska. He was also shot in 2014 around the intersection of 18th and Emmet, and in 2012 was shot in a scuffle after running from the corner of 18th and Emmet.

THE CONTINUING CRISIS Texas' highest criminal appeals court agreed on July 17, hours before Clifton Williams was to be executed, to a postponement until they could consider the significance of perhaps-faulty higher math presented to his jury in 2006. Prosecutors had claimed at his trial that the likelihood of another black man having Williams' DNA profile was 1 in 43 sextillion (43 followed by 21 zeros, or 43 billion trillion). Texas officials have recently recalculated the FBI-developed database and concluded that it was somewhat more likely that a second black man had Williams' profile—1 in only 40 billion trillion.

CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE Some owners may be petting their cats all wrong, cautioned recent research in issues of the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science by scientists from University of Lincoln in England and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For example, felines seem to prefer face-caressing, especially between the eyes and ears, and are especially aroused, negatively, by tail-petting, especially at the base. Cats appear to be pickier about how their owners pet them than strangers, according to a Washington Post review of one article. The Wisconsin research revealed that cats better appreciate (or are annoyed less by) music written especially for their pitch (an octave higher) and tempo (mimicking purring) than traditional classical music.

THE ARISTOCRATS! Michael Crawford, 68, was arrested when he arrived in Phoenix in July expecting, according to the sheriff's office, to have sex with a horse. Crawford had allegedly posted an online ad seeking

by Chuck Shepherd

horse owners who would allow him access for brief flings. In arranging the meeting with the undercover deputy, Crawford had volunteered that he would be bringing five shirts with him for the horse to urinate on, as memories of the trip.

OOPS! Careless Governing: (1) Maine enacted legislation in July to make immigrant asylumseekers eligible for the state's General Assistance fund—contrary to Gov. Paul LePage's aggressive promise to veto the bill. The governor had misunderstood state law and believed legislation would be regarded as vetoed if he merely failed to sign it for 10 days. LePage appeared stunned on the 11th day, according to press reports, that he had had the veto law backward and that asylum-seekers are now eligible for benefits. (2) News reports from Georgetown, Texas, politely did not identify the councilman by name, but Mayor Pro Tem Rachael Jonrow confirmed that the man neglected to turn off his mobile microphone during a May meeting as he excused himself for a restroom break. Jonrow said she stoically ignored the men's room sounds on the PA system—until the noise from a toilet's flushing seemed to release the councilmembers' pentup laughter.

EPIC CLUMSINESS: (1) A guest at the upscale W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had to be rescued by firefighters in July when he fell off of one machine in the hotel's exercise room and got his head caught in the one next to it. Rescuers arrived with torches and saws, but managed to pull and push and manipulate the man's head free (though he had "significant" injuries). (2) A 27-year-old man, entertaining friends at his home in Colmar, France, on the country's National Day on July 14, suffered serious injuries when he fell from his third-floor balcony—while, said his friends, leaning over to spit on police officers below.

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

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

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A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jackie Wilson notched more than 20 Top 40 Pop-chart hits in America between 1958 and 1968. According to Rolling Stone magazine, Wilson suffered a heart attack in 1975 while performing at a New Jersey Casino. The singer dies in 1984 at the age of 48. Rolling Stone ranked Wilson No. 69 on its list of rock ‘n’ roll all-time greatest artists.

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Chester Gregory is a Broadway veteran who brings Jackie Wilson to life. Gregory is the star and producer of “The Eve of Jackie,” a musical look at the rhythm and blues legend. “This show is a look at Jackie Wilson the evening before he collapsed on stage,” said Gregory. “This is one evening of him in trance of his life - his last complete performance.” Gregory is well-suited to play the Iconic Wilson; he was seen on Broadway as Eddie Souther (a lead role) in Sister Act, as Seaweed in Hairspray, as Terk in Tarzan, as Dupree in Cry-Baby, and as Jimmy Early in national tour of Dreamgirls.

www.radiofreepensacola.com 23

Independent News | August 6, 2015 | inweekly.net