Inweekly dec 15 2016 issue

Independent News | December 15, 2016 | Volume 17 | Number 50 | inweekly.net | 'Crybaby' model: Merida Shea Bruni

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winners & losers

outtakes

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buzz 8

My position enables me to serve as a treasure hunter of sorts...

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cover story

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publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Duwayne Escobedo, Jennifer Leigh, Chuck Shepherd, Hamishe Randall, Shelby Smithey

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

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The Road to America’s First

Early Learning City The WHY:

Today in Escambia County, every year more than 1,000 children who start kindergarten are already behind. This leads to higher crime, more teenage pregnancies, lower wages and loss of jobs. We must change that and we can. Every child is our child.

Creating America’s First Early Learning City is the largest and most important construction project in the history of Escambia County

The WHAT:

America’s First Early Learning City is one in which all parts of the community work as one to make sure every child is ready for kindergarten.

Nearly 85 percent of the brain is developed in a child’s first 3 years. We are poised to make a difference for our children and other communities will learn from us.

The HOW:

In working with many local and state resources and experts, as well as utilizing resources from the University of Chicago, a leader in early brain development, the steps have been identified that will help every child be ready for kindergarten.

In the coming weeks we will look at these topics in greater detail

Healthcare

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In addition to focusing on the health and wellness of mother and baby, steps are under way to focus on the importance of exposure to language from birth to age 3 — and stressing the power that parents have to impact early brain development.

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Resources are available in the community to help parents become good first teachers for their babies.

Highlighting that work and helping parents access those resources are critical for our children’s success.

Children learn from what they see around them. If that environment is colorful, filled with words and encourages them to explore using all of their senses, their brains will build strong connections and thrive.

Buildings, playgrounds, sidewalks, signs and public spaces can help with early brain development and make every space a learning space. Service clubs, governments, schools and churches all are players in building an Early Learning City.

Education WEEK

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Resources

Architecture WEEK

Business

Most people believe that education begins with kindergarten. But from preschools to the home environment, there is so much that parents and even siblings can do to help young children get a good start before they enter kindergarten.

Businesses have a role to play in early learning. By adding children’s books to their waiting areas and creating early learning-friendly spaces to support employees who are parents, businesses that are not in “education” can become educational.

They also can educate employees on how a baby’s brain develops in the first 3 years.

Community WEEK

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An Early Learning City maximizes all of the resources in the community and points them toward a common purpose: helping all children have the best chance to be ready for school.

Churches, civic groups, PTAs and more can have a role in supporting early learning.

Media

The media — print, TV, radio and online — are important partners in spreading the message of the importance of early brain development, school readiness and in educating parents on the vital role they play.

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winners & losers

Judy Bense

*both come ready to roast with directions

•fresh herb crusted ribeye, truffle beef gravy - $135

The Winners & Losers Department of the Inweekly Media and Entertainment Empire rebelled after having to do its annual issues and refused to pick any losers this week. Here are their winners for the Dec. 15 issue:

*comes tied and ready to roast

•fresh green bean casserole, crispy onions, shitake “cream of mushroom” - $34

JUDY BENSE The University of West

•cranberry, pumpkin, bacon cornbread stuffing - $31 •brussels sprout au gratin - $30 •butternut squash casserole, cinnamon marshmallow, candied pecan - $32 •peppermint bark double chocolate brownies, creme de menthe pouring cream - $21 •cinnamon spice and everything nice cake, sugar plums, white chocolate - $20

Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt a resolution naming Dr. Judith Bense President Emeritus, effective Jan. 1, 2017. President Emeritus is an honorary designation reserved for university presidents who have made exceptional contributions to the institution. Bense will retire as president on Dec. 31, 2016

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C O M I N G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 TH

Troop 425 at St. Paul's Catholic Church. Completed this Eagle Scout project on Pensacola Beach that installed a dozen yellow boxes that were built to be used by the SRIA as trash bag containers. Anyone who sees litter can obtain a recyclable bag from the yellow box, collect the litter and dispose of it properly. The project was a cooperative effort between UF/ IFAS Escambia County Extension Services, Ocean Hour, Pensacola Beach Advocates, the Escambia County Public Works Department and Boy Scout Troop 425.

SHERRY HARNETT Dr. Sherry Hartnett

has been elected president of the Rotary Club of Pensacola in a mid-year change due to former President Brian Baumgardner transferring out of the area. As a senior-level executive for more than 20 years, Hartnett, owner/principal consultant for Hartnett Marketing Solution, has led and coached teams in various not-forprofit and for-profit industries.

PEN AIR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

The credit union announced the gift of $100,000 to the Pensacola State College

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(PSC) Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund. In partnership with Pensacola State College and the PSC Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship initiative, the gift names the Pen Air Federal Credit Union Scholarship Fund, and will be available to area residents who enroll at PSC and meet the qualifications. The gift also names the Pen Air Federal Credit Union Room in the Edward M. Chadbourne Library.

TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM The University of West

Florida recently expanded its Textbook Affordability Program after a successful pilot launch. The program, implemented by the Office of the Provost and the John C. Pace Library, aims to reduce student costs by ensuring access to course-required print textbooks. To date, the University has purchased one copy of every required print textbook for every section of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 level courses and made them available for students to loan.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

County firefighters and volunteers from First Baptist Church of Warrington installed a hundred smoke detectors in 71 homes in the Lakewood area today, the largest number ever installed by county fire crews in one day. The Escambia County Commission has purchased over 1,100 smoke detectors since January in hopes of helping our community reach the goal of every home in the county having a working smoke detector.

Your new knit shop in DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA A fiber oasis for your crochet & knitting pleasure

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

FIGHTING BULLIES We lost another hero when Susan Watson passed away two weeks ago after a brief illness.

In 2000, she founded the volunteerrun Panhandle Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that covered Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. Susan fearlessly and tenaciously fought for justice.

She successfully challenged the Escambia County School Board to release public records, fought the Escambia County Sheriff's Office over its high number of fatal shootings, and became, along with her three children, a plaintiff in the case challenged Florida's school voucher program.

In its first five years, the ACLU Panhandle Chapter grew from 250 to more than 650 members.

The ACLU rewarded Susan by naming her its full-time Northwest Florida director, a paid position. The office became the fifth to open in the state. The others were based in Miami, Tampa, Melbourne, and Tallahassee.

For Inweekly and me, Susan was an invaluable ally. When it seemed that the world was about to crush us, she encouraged us to continue the fight. We both hated bullies.

Susan told me over coffee in her office, "I've fought bullies my whole life, and I plan to continue standing up for the rights of individuals."

As Northwest Florida director, she didn't slow down. She continued to fight the exces-

sive use of force by local law enforcement. She helped Movement for Change file civil rights complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice that eventually lead to a DOJ investigation of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.

She fought for religious freedom and the separation of church and state in Northwest Florida. The Panhandle Chapter filed a lawsuit filed in 2006 on behalf of two Pace High School students who alleged that school officials regularly promoted religion and led prayers at school events.

After months of litigation, the school board, the superintendent and the principal filed an "Admission of Liability" with the court, owning up to the district-wide constitutional violations.

In 2013, Susan left Pensacola to become the executive director of the ACLU of Alabama. When Alabama lawmakers passed a bill requiring abortion doctors to have local hospital admitting privileges, she sued and won a judgment declaring the law unconstitutional.

When the Alabama Supreme Court tried to derail same-sex marriage recognition, Susan joined the fight to obtain a judgment overriding the justices' administrative orders. When Gov. Robert Bentley barred Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds, she sued and obtained a permanent injunction against the governor.

Susan Watson fought bullies her entire life. We pledge to continue her fight. {in}rick@inweekly.net

When it seemed that the world was about to crush us, she encouraged us to continue the fight.

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TANYARD TURMOIL

By Rick Outzen When things go wrong on a City of Pensacola project, they tend to go bad quickly.

The latest example is the Government Street Stormwater Project at Corrine Jones Park. Located two blocks west of City Hall in the Tanyard neighborhood, the $3.3 million project is behind schedule and running over budget. Yet, the city website states the opposite and City Administrator Eric Olson has not given the Pensacola City Council an update since July.

Last week, Dr. Gloria Horning and other residents in the Tanyard neighborhood complained to city and county officials about their concerns regarding fumes, rats, dust, runoff from the site, noise from diesel pumps running 24/7, lack of fencing, and health risks tied to what they believed may be contaminated soil exposed on the site.

"I've only been there a couple of months, and my head is spinning from everything I'm smelling and seeing in that community," Horning told Inweekly.

"There's no fencing around these huge holes, and children are playing in them. If they get stuck, nobody would hear them because there's these two large diesel running pumps pulling the water out."

She added, "I spoke with three residents yesterday, they said, ‘You oughta see all the rats.'"

Emerald Coastkeeper Laurie Murphy toured the site with Pensacola City Councilwoman Sherri Myers. After her inspection, Murphy opened an investigation into possible code violations.

"I don't normally see construction sites this sloppy at the Pensacola Beach area, or in the downtown of Pensacola," said Murphy. "There are a lot of problems there, but my main concern was to look at anything that I could identify that was a code violation."

She said, "And these poor residents.

Spillover water, spillover gravel, heaping mounds of dirt, and trafficking debris and soil in and out of the job site, a pile of axle grease containers that were left open, and oozing out of the containers onto the residential neighborhood."

The original cost of the project was expected to be $2.1 million and funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant that Mayor Hayward announced in November 2013. The city council accepted the grant in the March 2014 and agreed to pay $22,000 towards the project as its match. Then on April 21, 2014, Mayor Ashton Hayward made the decision to increase the size of the pond, according to city documents.

The cost of the project ballooned to over $3 million. The additional expense has been covered by $1.1 million in BP oil spill restoration money and $113,850 from the city's stormwater utility fee revenue.

The larger pond also drew contaminated groundwater from a nearby old mosquito control to the site, which the DEP required be removed.

The work started this summer, but the city has failed to communicate many details to the residents and businesses in the neighborhood.

"I was very concerned about how I felt, and this is purely my opinion, that this neighborhood was not receiving justice, and was not being treated fairly, as other construction sites may be, depending on where they are located," said Murphy.

"I have begun an investigation into this situation to find out what is going on with the different entities involved, from the City Works Department to the Stormwater Department of the City, and I am going to get to the bottom of why this is in the condition that it is in. I wouldn't allow this in my neighborhood."

Horning and others were concerned whether the soil was contaminated. In-

MICHLES

weekly requested the most recent soil tests from the city, which the Sunshine Center released on Thursday, Dec. 8.

The plume from the old Escambia County Mosquito Facility is contaminated with Lindane, which was in the pesticides used at the facility. A test of one sample taken in late September by TestAmerica found the only trace amounts of the Lindane. On Friday, Dec. 9, the city posted the test results on its Transparent Pensacola.

County Commissioner Doug Underhill has questioned whether the testing was adequate in an email to Chips Kirschenfeld, Escambia County Natural Resources Management director.

"I also could not help but notice that the only sample tested is labeled ‘southwest portion of site,'" said Underhill. "As I recall from the Cameron Cole Plume map, the plume never reached the southwest portion of the site, but showed elevated levels at the northwest portion into the center."

"The Corrine Jones Park property used to be residential until the 1980's, and there is no data that I have seen that would lead me to suspect that the soil is contaminated or that it exceeds Florida Soil Cleanup Target Levels," said Kirschenfeld. "In order to independently confirm the contractor's September 27 soil result on this city project, and to test for additional contaminants of concern, we collected soil samples on 12/08/2016 and should have the lab results by next Wednesday the 14th."

For Horning, the Government Street project has more issues than whether the soil is contaminated or note.

"This is a predominantly disenfranchised community," she said. "They had the park taken away from the children, and the city didn't do anything to help. Well, where are the children going to play now?"

Horning and Marilyn Wiggins, the Tanyard Neighborhood Association president, attended a town hall meeting held by Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn at the

Fricker Community Center. Tempers flared when the councilwoman didn't appear she wanted to talk about the Tanyard issue.

Horning refused a command by Cannada-Wynn to sit down. She said Tanyard residents' health is at risk from contaminants from an old Escambia County mosquito control facility and from the large holes dug for stormwater that lack fencing.

"No one asked Tanyard residents when Corrine Jones Park was torn out," Horning said. "Our kids are still there. They're just playing in the street. They're playing in a hazardous situation. But no one is asking them what they want or what they need. I hope all the city council members and all the county commissioners come listen to us."

Horning pointed at Cannada-Wynn and shouted angrily: "Not once have you gone to ask (residents) what they want to see in their neighborhood. You haven't answered one of my emails."

Wiggins, a 40-year resident of the area, said many of her neighbors are angry about how the city is conducting the project.

"Our children are playing in a toxic area," she said. "You don't want to wake up Sunday morning to all those trucks.

The city needs to consider what it's doing because people are living there."

Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May has toured the Tanyard neighborhood, which is in his district.

"Children have played in that park for years, even before I was born," May told Inweekly. "Just because you started a construction project doesn't mean that children were going to stop coming. So we have to make sure that we have their safety as the number one priority."

He added, "Second of all, we have to make sure that we protect their safety by making sure that we have barricades, barriers, and fencing. And I would hope that the architect, the engineers, or the construction managers would have made sure that those protocols were in place." {in}

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HONORING BIG JOHN At its Fall 2016

Commencement, the University of West Florida honored John Appleyard for his significant impact on the University and Northwest Florida. Appleyard, prominent author, historian and founder of the John Appleyard Agency Inc., was named an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in honor of his commitment to preserving the history of Pensacola and Northwest Florida.

"John's career and life's work exemplify his commitment to celebrating the assets of the Pensacola community and the University of West Florida," said Dr. Martha Saunders, executive vice president, and provost. "He epitomizes the type of intellectual curiosity and commitment to community engagement that are hallmarks of the UWF community."

Appleyard and his wife, Eleanor, founded the Appleyard Agency in 1959, where he served as CEO until 1993. He also served as president and CEO of Healthcare Research & Development Institute from 1967-1992.

He has authored histories and produced films for local businesses, including

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Baptist Hospital, Pensacola Junior College, the Lewis Bear Company, the Escambia County Public School System and more. He and his clients were recipients of more than 100 Freedom Foundation medals and awards for patriotic presentations. His latest works include a series of reader-coloring books for 4th-grade public school students.

Appleyard has a longstanding history of community service in Northwest Florida, having served as president of the Downtown Rotary Club, Pensacola Junior College Foundation, and the Pensacola Historical Society, director of the LIONS Club, Junior Achievement Club and the Homebuilders Association of West Florida and more.

EDUCATION OF FRANK WHITE Since winning the Florida House District 2 race, Frank White has been busy learning the ins and outs of his new post. He told Inweekly that the magnitude of it has begun to settle in on him and his fellow freshmen lawmakers.

"The weight of the responsibility of the people's business, it's wholly on our shoul-

ders," he said. "All you got to do is walk in on the House floor and just pinch yourself to make sure that you're in the right place. It is real now; it is absolutely real."

Last week, White completed Florida Legislative University, a two-day training session set up by House Speaker Richard Corcoran. It was the fourth orientation session that he has attended since Nov. 8. He and other new lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, had an introduction to how the state capitol building is setup. The next week, White had more in-depth training in the ethics and government structure. The third week, White attended the House Republican Conference in Orlando.

Frank White / Courtesy Photo

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On Speaker Corcoran's Legislative University, White said, "We're really getting deeper now on policy and on some of the Speaker's new reforms around lobbying rules and appropriations reforms and civility, all A to Z." He is impressed with the new rules Speaker Corcoran has established regarding ethics and lobbyists.

"The Speaker is a deeply principled person, he is somebody whose first step as Speaker has been reforming our own body and forcing us to hold ourselves to a higher standard," said White. "Those are the rules that govern ourselves and the way that we really interact with the special interests.

I love it. It is wonderful. I fully support it, proud to vote for it."

The state representative has been surprised by the power and influence of lobbyists in Tallahassee.

"One of the most surprising things about this process has been seeing the sheer numbers of lobbyists and special interests and the money," he said. "It's eyeopening, and it kind of makes you worry a little bit about democracy."

White supports Corcoran's efforts to hold lawmakers and lobbyists to a higher standard.

He said, "If you're not going to be somebody who is deeply principled and understands boundaries and the ability to keep them when you're doing the people's business, then there are going to be consequences."

COUNTY'S LARGEST PARK Commis-

sioner Doug Underhill last month took over as chair of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners. He is at midpoint of his first term. Inweekly asked him what have been the toughest votes that he faced during that time.

"First and foremost was the flag issue," said Underhill. "I knew exactly where I stood on that one, but we rushed to a decision, and we didn't do it very artfully."

He said he learned that just because you can get to a vote in your favor doesn't mean it's time to take it to a vote.

"At the same time, I was very comfortable that we did land on the right spot," he said.

The second issue that he thought the board could have handled better was the elimination of cash lanes on the Pensacola Bridge tollbooth.

"I'm a little bit ashamed of myself," said Underhill. "From a purely mathematical point of view, going to an all-electronic toll absolutely makes sense. The data supports it. Using technology to do government betDecember 15, 2016

ter and to make government cost less, so that's in keeping with my morals."

No one spoke against the proposal when the board considered it in late October.

"Well, the reason it wasn't in the news was because, quite frankly, we had the Cubs' win in the big game and Donald Trump pretty much was all year on the news."

Underhill added, "Really, I was assuming because I hadn't heard any real dissent that there wasn't dissent out there and that I was hearing all sides of the story. I take that one on the chin pretty solid."

The BCC later voted to rescind the change. County staff is working with citizens on a new solution.

Commissioner Underhill said, "Pensacola Beach is the largest county park. It belongs to all of us. It's not just a tourist destination. How does that fit into our lives as Escambians? I think that's really why people stepped up. " He said, "I think we've still got a lot of work to do to figure that out. That's the bigpicture part of if that we need to figure out moving forward."

JEWEL AND MORRIS COURT Pensacola City Councilwoman Jewel CannadaWynn met with her District 7 constituents on Dec. 7 at Fricker Resource Center to primarily discuss what should be done about the troubled Morris Court playground.

A handful of residents complained about unsupervised youth in the park fighting, shooting guns, using drugs, breaking into nearby homes and businesses and a rash of other bad behavior.

Cannada-Wynn said the park has "outlived its usefulness."

Anita Powell, who lives across from the playground, said she has called police many times.

"It's dangerous," she said. "You never know when gunfire is going to come out. I call the city police office over and over and over again."

One possible solution that citizens focused on was the city allowing the Pensacola Area Housing Commission to build about two dozen one-room, one-floor apartments for seniors and the homeless.

Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May has told Inweekly that he does not support adding more low-income housing in Morris Court. Other communities have done away with large housing projects. He suggested Area Housing invest in better lighting and secure the playground, which is next to Morris Court administrative building, after hours. {in} 9

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'Crybaby' model: Merida Shea Bruni / Photo by Samantha Crooke

By Rick Outzen

WINNERS Blue Wahoos

Baseball America named the Pensacola Blue Wahoos the winner of the 2016 Double-A Bob Freitas Award. Since 1989, Baseball America has recognized excellence in Minor League franchise operations with the Bob Freitas Awards. The awards are designed to recognize the long-term excellence of minor league operations.

Franchises are not eligible for nomination until their fifth season of existence.

Pensacola Area Beaches

Our beaches earned accolades in 2016.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore was voted the "No. 1 Best East Coast Beach", beating out a diverse list of shorelines in South CarDecember 15, 2016

olina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Johnson Beach was voted "No. 2 Best National Park Beach", recognized for its pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters located within U.S. National Park land.

Temple Beth El

The oldest Jewish congregation in Florida completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its synagogue and the 200-seat Max L. Bear social hall. The congregation was founded in 1876. The synagogue on the corner of Palafox and Cervantes streets was destroyed by fire in 1895 and 1929. Temple Beth El was constructed in 1931 by Wessell Construction in an Art Deco style, which was preserved in the renovation.

ECUA and Escambia County

Two years ago, the two local government entities were battling over recyclables. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority

completed a new materials recovery facility on land adjacent to the Escambia County Perdido Landfill. The Escambia County Waste Services Department and the ECUA are working together toward the achievement of Florida's 75 percent recycling initiative and the creation of a long-term recycling solution.

Harold E. ‘Hal' Marcus

The University of West Florida received the largest gift from a living donor in its history. Long-time supporter Hal Marcus allocated $5 million to the College of Science and Engineering. The College was renamed the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering in his honor, marking it the University's first named college.

WCOA

The station celebrates its 90th anniversary this month. WCOA debuted Feb. 3, 1926, at Pensacola City Hall with City Clerk

John E. Frenkel, Sr. as its first host. Its call letters stand for "Wonderful City of Advantages."

Debbie Ritchie

Studer Group promoted Ritchie from chief operating officer to the role of president. A former state representative, Ritchie was the founding president of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area and serves on the boards of Gulf Coast Kid's House and the University of West Florida Foundation. She has been named "Quality Floridian" by the Florida League of Cities, Woman Business Leader of the Year, Community Leader of the Year, and "Civic Leader" by the Kiwanis Club of Pensacola.

Chip Simmons

The Escambia County Assistant Administrator Simmons is the new chief deputy of operations for Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Simmons retired as 11

WINNERS 2016 Pensacola Police Chief in August 2015 after 29 years of service. While with the county, Simmons has supervised the county jail operations after a series of jail deaths led to the firing of Corrections Director Michael Tidwell.

Tom Garner

The local historian found the Luna settlement, the first multi-year European settlement in the United States, in a developed neighborhood in Pensacola. The artifacts discovered are evidence of the Spanish settlement by Tristán de Luna y Arellano from 1559 to 1561, which predates the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine, Florida, by six years, and the English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, by 48 years.

Pensacola Young Professionals

The group this year celebrated its 10th anniversary. It's difficult to imagine where this community would be without PYP banding together for the greater good.

UWF Center for Cybersecurity

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designated the University of West Florida as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education through the academic year 2021-22. The National Centers of Academic Excellence program promotes higher education and research in cyber defense and increasing the number of professionals with cyber defense expertise.

Palafox Market

The farmer's market and bazaar have become a fixture of downtown Pensacola, drawing people to the area every Saturday. A brainchild of former DIB executive director Kim Kimbrough, the farmer's market evolved from a small group of locals to more than 120 weekly vendors selling fresh produce, handmade goods, art, and much more. The DIB celebrated Palafox Market's ninth anniversary on May 6.

Escambia County Marine Resources

Anglers caught 14,067 lionfish in Florida seawaters during the state's second annual Li212 1

onfish Removal and Awareness Day sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last year, the event only netted 2,975 lionfish statewide. The majority (8,089) were caught in Pensacola, where 7,000-plus people attended the two-day tournament and public festival that was held May 14-15.

Jacob Hebert

The Florida Student Association, a board made up of the 12 Student Body Presidents from Florida's state universities, elected Jacob Hebert, University of West Florida SGA president, as its chair for the 20162017 academic year.

Kaitlin Santiago

The Pensacola State College student was elected head of the Florida College System Student Government Association (FCSSGA). Santiago, a sophomore majoring in international business, was recently elected FCSSGA president

City of Orange Beach

Patience paid off for the City of Orange Beach, Ala. On June 24, the city and BP finalized a $15 million settlement over the coastal town's economic loss claim related to the 2010 BP oil spill. The net was about $10 million after deducting the attorney fees and the $3.6 million already paid to the city. Orange Beach's settlement is the largest for any municipality in the area.

The City of Pensacola settled for $4.3 million last summer. In 2012, Gulf Shore settled for $6.5 million and Foley received $875,000.

Diane Lea

To celebrate turning 50 years old, Lea decided to ride her bicycle from San Diego to Pensacola in 50 days while bringing awareness to 50 different causes. On Saturday, Aug. 20, she completed her 2500-mile ride at Plaza Deluna. Two children with Angelman Syndrome, who the cause was for on Day 11, rode the last two blocks with Lea to join in the celebration.

Martin D. Holley

Pope Francis appointed the Auxiliary Bishop of Washington D.C. and an advocate of minority issues the new Bishop of Memphis, Tenn. Holley graduated from Tate High School where he was captain of the basketball team and named to the school's Hall of Fame.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in 1987.

Jesse Earle Bowden

The iconic Pensacola newspaperman was inducted into the Florida Newspaper Hall of Fame. For more than 60 years, Bowden was the cornerstone of journalism in Northwest Florida. He began working at the now-Pensacola News Journal in 1953 and worked until his death on Feb. 15, 2015. He led the fight for the establishment of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and pushed for the creation of the Pensacola Historic District.

Julian MacQueen

The founder and CEO of Innisfree Hotels was named to the Hotelier Hall of Fame by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. The Hall of Fame Award recognizes an industry professional with a personal record of achievement over at least 20 years, attainment of career distinctions and distinguished service to the industry, community, charitable organizations and family.

Jean Wallace

The Florida Scenic Highways Program honored Jean Wallace, Scenic Highway Foundation Vice President, with the Gary Balogh Inspiring Excellence Award. This is the highest honor they can bestow and recognizes the significant and lasting impact Wallace has made on Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway.

During more than 18 years on the Scenic Highway Foundation Board of Directors, Jean Wallace has participated in projects ranging from land purchases to park enhancements in the highway corridor.

Martha Saunders

The state university system's Board of Governors unanimously confirmed Dr. Martha Saunders, Provost of the University of West Florida, as the Pensacola school's president. On Jan. 1, Saunders, who previously served as president of the University of Southern Mississippi, will replace outgoing President Judy Bense.

Matt Gaetz

The Republican state lawmaker easily won the First Congressional District seat, beating Democrat Steven Specht 69%-31%.

Gaetz embraced Donald Trump early and never looked back on his endorsement. In the GOP debates, he said, "My whole bet in this campaign is that you want a conservative champion representing you in Congress.

I'm ready to fight Washington and restore America." Gaetz won that bet big time.

Levin Papantonio

The law firm won the Special Litigation (Environmental) category in the 2016 Elite

Trial Lawyers recognition program and was named to the third annual list of America's Elite Trial Lawyers by the National Law Journal and Law.com. Partner Mike Papantonio has led the trial team to victories in cases against DuPont that dumped the toxic chemical, C8, into the Ohio River from the Washington Works facility in West Virginia. The America's Elite Trial Lawyers list recognizes U.S.-based firms for their exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.

Sherri Hemminghaus-Weeks

The Friends of the Saenger honored Sherri Hemminghaus-Weeks for her 30-plus years of outstanding service to the historic Saenger Theatre. Since 1981, she has been instrumental in every major project to save, restore, and expand the "Grand Dame of Palafox." To commemorate her service, the Friends commissioned a special bronze plaque that will be installed on the "Wall of Fame" in the Palafox entrance to the theatre.

LOSERS Pam Bondi

The Florida Attorney General endorsed GOP front-runner Donald Trump on the eve of the Florida presidential primary. Two years ago, she made the decision not to investigate complaints from Floridians concerning Trump University, which the state of New York recently filed a lawsuit alleging that it had “scammed” people out of millions of dollars.

We now know that Bondi’s political action committee, And Justice for All, received $25,000 from Trump’s foundation.

Enterprise Florida

Less than a month after the Florida Legislature denied his request for a $250-million business incentive fund, Gov. Rick Scott began a shake-up at Enterprise Florida, the state’s principal economic development organization.

The board cut $6 million from its budget and Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson resigned.

Youth Services International After years of controversy, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice ended its relationship with Youth Services International, a for-profit firm with state contracts totaling roughly $90 million to run seven

inweekly.net

LOSERS 2016 juvenile lockups. In 2014, the state agency closed the Santa Rosa Substance Abuse Treatment Center, which YSI operated in Milton, because of concerns over the safety and security of juveniles committed there.

Jeb Bush

Any talk of a Bush family dynasty taking control of the Republican Party died when South Carolina cast its primary votes. Jeb Bush suspended his campaign after garnering less than 8 percent of the vote. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s endorsement and a $100-million campaign war chest failed to persuade Republicans that a third Bush deserved the White House.

The world of politics had changed more than he realized since he was governor of Florida a decade ago.

Santa Rosa County Commission

Milton city leaders want desperately to keep the county courthouse in their downtown. The rest of the county? Not so much.

In a 2014 non-binding referendum vote, 31,743 voters rejected the idea. However, three county commissioners are set on downtown Milton, because it got the fewest negative votes. That’s not a mandate for a project that could cost taxpayers as much as $50 million.

In August, voters rejected a tax for a new courthouse by 819 votes.

Veterans’ Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General finally released its report on the allegations of wait-time manipulation at several VA clinics. The investigators found the manipulation at 40 VA facilities in 19 states.

Congressman Jeff Miller pointed out that almost no one has been seriously held accountable for any of this wrongdoing.

Pensacola’s Health

This 2016 edition of The Commonwealth Fund’s Scorecard on Local Health System Performance ranked our overall state of health care in the bottom quintile, 266 out of 306 systems across the country. Using the most recent data available, the Scorecard ranked 306 regional health care markets on four main dimensions of performance encompassing 36 measures. Our area ranked 248 for Prevention and Treatment and 262 in Avoidable Hospital Use and Cost out of 306 markets.

December 15, 2016

Debbie Wasserman Schultz Patsy D. Blackshear The Florida congresswoman stepped down as Democratic National Party chair.

She got booed in front of her home-state delegation during a breakfast at her party’s national convention and pushed off the convention stage entirely. The spiral began when leaked internal party emails raised questions about her impartiality in the presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. The emails are believed to have been obtained by Russian hackers.

Mike Hill

Political karma is a bitch. Hill won his seat in 2013 by slamming his opponents, Ed Gray and Jack Nobles, with mailers to voters in the district. This time, it was Doug Broxson and his supporters that hit Hill with an onslaught of mailers. Gov. Rick Scott, Florida Chamber, and the NRA came out big for Broxson. Their message was that Broxson could be trusted. Hill? Not so much. Broxson soundly defeated Hill for the State Senate seat.

Corrine Brown

The Congresswoman from Jacksonville was the only incumbent congressional member of either party to lose a primary.

Al Lawson beat Brown by nine percentage points. He represented the Sixth District in the Florida Senate from 2000 through 2010. It didn’t help Brown that she was under federal indictment, and her district boundaries had been redrawn. Instead of stretching through North Florida from Jacksonville to Orlando, her district lines moved west through parts of Leon County.

ITT Technical Institute

The for-profit, post-secondary school has officially shut down amid a federal investigation, leaving 8,000 employees out of work and an estimated 40,000 students without degrees. ITT blamed the closure on the “actions of and sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education have forced us to cease operations.” DOE said ITT’s accreditor, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) determined that ITT “is not in compliance, and is unlikely to become in compliance with (ACICS) Accreditation Criteria.”

The federal government had heightened financial oversight measures over the past two years due to significant concerns about ITT’s administrative capacity, organizational integrity, financial viability, and ability to serve students.

The former Planning Director for the Walton County Planning Department entered a plea as charged to Perjury in an Official Proceeding and Perjury in an Unofficial Proceeding. Circuit Judge Ross Goodman withheld adjudication of guilt and sentenced Blackshear to five years of probation and the ability to terminate her supervision after two and a half years if there are no violations of probation.

City of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Due to massive rainfalls during Hurricane Hermine, St. Petersburg sewage treatment systems began discharging partially treated sewage, commingled with rainwater, into Tampa Bay. Over 111 million gallons of sewage overflowed into the Bay. Unfortunately, residents were not notified of the sewage contamination until Sept. 7, a day after the sewage pumping into the Bay was stopped. City officials have said the water is clean, but environmentalists questioned their facts.

Flomo Klown

Law enforcement agencies in South Alabama and Northwest Florida had to handle complaints of clowns terrorizing their communities. A woman, age 22, and two juveniles were arrested for making a terroristic threat in connection with the “Flomo Klown” incident. Students at Flomaton High School had received threats through a Facebook account. The school was put on lockdown for several hours as 30 law enforcement officials made a sweep of the campus looking for any possible threats.

Florida Electric Utilities

The League of Women Voters of Florida called Amendment 1 a “Trojan Horse” that “Florida utilities have brought into our gates, under the cover of night during the chaos of a major presidential election, a cleverly masqueraded vanguard to upend the Sunshine’s State’s efforts toward clean solar energy.” The group believed the amendment would slow, or perhaps even kill the solar momentum in Florida. It paved the way for barriers and punitive fees to solar and had worked in other states to stop solar in its tracks, such as Arizona and Nevada. Fortunately, the amendment failed to get the necessary 60-percent to win approval.

Navy Federal Credit Union The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action against Navy Federal Credit Union for making false threats about debt collection to its members, which

include active-duty military, retired service members, and their families. The CFPB also found the credit union unfairly restricted account access when members had a delinquent loan. Navy Federal Credit Union is correcting its debt collection practices and will pay roughly $23 million in redress to victims along with a civil money penalty of $5.5 million.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The federal agency had its own problems. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled the structure of the agency is unconstitutional.

In a legal challenge to a $109 million CFPB enforcement action against mortgage lender PHH, the three-judge panel determined the agency’s structure, with a single director accountable to the President and only removable for good cause, violates constitutional and historical precedents applied to federal regulators. They directed the statute that established the agency be amended.

Media and Pollsters

On Monday, Nov. 7, all the news networks had polls showing that Hillary Clinton would win the presidency by margins ranging from four to six percent. As the polls closed that Tuesday, the political pundits began to talk about the “Clinton Big Blue Wall,” a line of states along the eastern coast expected to vote for her. The distrust of the Beltway was greater than they realized. Maybe we will listen more and talk less in the future.

State Budget

The leaders of the Florida Legislature understand that the 2017-18 state budget will be tight, but differ on how it may hamper their legislative agendas. Senate President Joe Negron wants to increase the funding and bolster the quality of Florida’s state university system. He expects lawmakers to reallocate $2.46 billion of the $82 billion state budget to meet that goal.

House Speaker Richard Corcoran believes the financial outlook is dire and projects there could be a budget shortfall of $500 million or greater.

Friend Finder Networks Inc. Login credentials for over 412 million users of adult websites run by Friend Finder Networks Inc. were compromised last month in the largest hack of 2016, according to LeakedSource.com. Some 78,301 of the accounts were registered to .mil email addresses, which are used by the U.S. military, and another 5,650 were .gov addresses used

by U.S. government agencies. {in} 13

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WEEK OF DECEMBER 15-22

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

Pensacola gets a Pop-up

by Shelby Smithey

“Aborealis” by Michael Boles Don't miss your chance to experience an exclusive PopUp Gallery that will be on view for only three days starting on Gallery Night at One51Main.

The PopUp Gallery, "Southern Accent: Contemporary Works by Gulf Coast Artists" is curated by Leader Art Consultants LLC (LAC) and is an opportunity to highlight select members of LAC's network of artists.

Alexis Leader, art consultant, curator, and director of LAC said that she wanted to create a new concept that would enable her firm to connect with the community.

Prior to opening her business in 2016, she was the Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Pensacola Museum of Art. "The mission was to transform a vacant commercial space into a museum experience to showcase Gulf Coast artists," Leader said.

"This level of consideration into lighting, layout, marketing, sponsorship, and planning is rare

in PopUps. It is also uncommon for the PopUp Gallery to encompass the entire location site rather than a small designated section."

Artists include Michael Boles, Karin Gudmundson, Joe Hobbs, David Lumpkin, Pat Regan, Kristen Regan, Steve Wagner, and Kim Howes Zabbia. Their work spans a variety of media including painting, sculpture, glass, photography, and print, ranging in price from $200 to $12,000.

"These are emerging and established artists from across the Gulf Coast," Leader said. "The December PopUp includes artists from Pensacola and Grayton Beach, FL as well as New Orleans and Ponchatoula, LA." Leader said that the temporary nature of this exhibit lends to its energy and appeal.

"Unlike museums and commercial galleries, this selection of works is only visible for three days," she said.

The first step to opening a PopUp is contacting building owners and commercial real estate agents to transform their spaces into temporary PopUp Galleries, which Leader said can be challenging.

"Having the sponsorship of Beck Partners and One51Main has been phenomenal," Leader said. "The retail space we are in is brand new and is a blank canvas that we cannot wait to transform."

continuing to partner with artists, such as Launched in June, Leader's firm provides Miller, as well as area nonprofit arts organifine art services to artists and collectors and zations in the future." serves as an advocate for Gulf Coast artists.

Leader said that she hopes this opens "My position enables me to serve as a up the door for more PopUp Galleries down treasure hunter of sorts for both corpothe road. rate and residential clients," Leader said. "I "The development of downtown Pensource artwork through LAC's own network sacola is inspiring," Leader said. "The increase of regional artists as well as national gallerin public art, the University of West Florida's ies, art fairs, and auction houses to match recent acquisition of the Pensacola Museum of client goals and budget. Be it blue-chip Art, and events such as Foo Foo Fest all signal a artwork or purely decorative, we navigate the art market and handle every aspect from burgeoning arts community. PopUp Galleries, be it through LAC or individual artists, are brokering acquisitions or arranging artist a natural fit into this mix. Downtown Gallery commissions to installing the work within Night also provides PopUps with a guaranteed the client's home or business." audience targeted at supporting the arts."

As an art historian and former museum The gallery will be open to the public Friday curator, Leader said that it's an exciting between 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday between 10 change from traditional gallery spaces. a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday between 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

"My ‘galleries' now range from living A special VIP preview will be held on Friday, rooms, office boardrooms, hotel lobbies, December 16 from 9–10 a.m. for area designers hospital hallways, and more," she said. "The and architects only. This trade professionals firm also provides artist advisory services preview provides a glimpse into LAC as a reto emerging and established artists seeking source for professionals in the industry wanting career guidance." to offer clients unique and original artwork for This December Gallery Night serves as their home or business. {in} an opening reception for the PopUp Gallery and will feature refreshments, an artist meet and greet, and live painting by Loren Miller.

"Loren Miller is an awardwinning artist on a mission to bring back the art of portraiture," Leader WHAT: Southern Accent—Contemporary said. "He is a skilled painter and will Works by Gulf Coast Artists be doing live painting throughout WHEN: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec.16 the opening reception for guests WHERE: One51Main, 151 W. Main St., Suite 104 to watch. As a fine arts advisory COST: Free firm, we support the arts within our DETAILS: leaderfineart.com/exhibitions community. We look forward to

DECEMBER POPUP GALLERY OPENING RECEPTION

Marital and Family Law 127 Palafox Place Suite 100 | Pensacola, Florida | 466-3115

www.autumnobeck.com December 15, 2016

15

calendar THURSDAY 12.15

MORE MERRIMENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

THROUGH DEC. 27

ZOO LIGHTS See the Gulf Breeze Zoo transformed into a magical light display. Zoo Lights are 5 to 9 p.m. nightly at the zoo through Christmas Eve and again on Dec. 26 and 27.

Check out special events such as live ice sculpture demonstrations 5-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 21, acapella performances from All-Night Yahtzee from FSU on Dec. 17 and visit with Santa Dec. 18 from 5-8 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and children. $5 for members.

Gulf Breeze Zoo, 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., gulfbreezezoo.org

12.15

ARC GATEWAY'S TREE OF LIGHTS The Arc Gateway will again raise a "Tree of Lights" to shine throughout the holiday season. For a $10 donation, you help make the tree grow brighter. Proceeds benefit Arc Gateway.

Arc Gateway Pollack Training Center, 1000 E. Fairfield, arc-gateway.org

12.15-18

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS See your favorite gang come to life and share the Christmas spirit with "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18. Tickets are $10-$20.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

12.16-24

WINTERFEST PERFORMANCE TROLLEY TOURS Take a ride around downtown and be entertained on the Winterfest Performance

12.16-12.18

THE NUTCRACKER It's a holiday tradition for all ages. Ballet Pensacola's performance of the timeless Christmas tale will be back on the Saenger stage. Performances are 7 p.m.

Dec. 16 and 17 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Tickets are $25-$37.

Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

12.16

HARRY POTTER YULE BALL Enter into the wizarding world of Harry Potter with drink specials, costume contest and live music from Grand Theft Auto performing as Dumbledore's Army.

Tickets are $15 for both nights 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17. A kid's Yule Ball is from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 17.

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

12.17

MR. ROBBINS NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY BREAKFAST Local sports legend Fred Robbins is visiting his old stomping grounds to give back.

Through his nonprofit organization, Mr. Robbins Neighborhood, he will be hosting a free holiday breakfast with arts and crafts, music and photo-ops. The breakfast begins at 9 a.m. The cost is free, but donations are welcomed.

Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road.

12.18-12.22

HOLIDAY ICE SKATING Pretend you're in your own winter wonderland while skating around Pensacola Bay Center. The ice rink will be open Dec. 18 through Dec. 22 at 2, 3:30, 5 and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $9 for adults and children with their own skates and $12 for adults and children including skate rental.

Watching the skaters is free.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com

12.19

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL Watch the beloved tale of Santa's famous reindeer live on the Saenger stage. The musical begins at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Tickets are $48-68.

Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

12.22

GINGERBREAD HOUSE BAKING AND DECORATING CLASS Learn to create the Gingerbread House of your dreams with Pensacola Cooks. The twopart class will be 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and 3 p.m.

Dec. 23 at Imogene Theater. The class is fun for the entire family. Cost is $50 and covers two family members — one must be an adult.

Imogene Theater, 6866 Caroline St. cookingschoolsofamerica.com/pensacolacooks

1.5-1.7

TWELFTH NIGHT ON TWELFTH NIGHT Celebrate the end of the Christmas season with First City Shakespeare. As a twist to the historic tradition of men playing all of the parts, this production will be an all-female cast. Shows are 8 p.m. Jan. 5, 6, and 7.

Tower East, 1010 N. 12th Ave. Ste. 211 setsco.org

FRIDAY 12.16

PILATES MAT WITH EMILY 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org GALLERY NIGHT 5-9 p.m. Free. Live music and drink specials. Downtown Pensacola. downtownpensacola.com WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Free. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. HAPPY HOUR COOK OUTS 5 p.m. Drink specials, free cookout. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com VINYASA YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org ICE FLYERS VS. HUNTSVILLE HAVO C 7:05 p.m. $15-$29. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com AFTER GAME SKATE 9:30 p.m. $9-$12. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com DATE NIGHT DANCING 6:30-8:30 p.m. Learn the basics of several ballroom and country dance styles. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Single Fin Cafe, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/singlefincafe

SATURDAY 12.17

SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-1

p.m. Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods and live music. Pace Presbyterian Church, Woodbine Road, Pace.

CLEAN UP WITH OCEAN HOUR 8:45 a.m.

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Tours and Reindeer Games running throughout the weekends through Dec. 18 from 5-9 p.m. Starting Dec. 19 take Santa's Holiday Express Tour which runs through Christmas Eve. Tickets start at $7 for kids and $15 for adults.

Old Courthouse, 223 S. Palafox. pensacolawinterfest.org

WORK ON FLORIDA TRAIL 8 a.m. Regular meet up of Western Gate Florida Trail Association to work on National Scenic Trail and side trail. Meet at Blackwater River Forestry Center, 11650 Munson Highway. meetup.com/ftawesterngate WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com.

PRIX FIXE DINNER 6-9 p.m. $17 for a three course meal, plus beer and wine selection with organic and gluten-free options. End of the Line Cafe, 610 E. Wright St. eotlcafe.com SALIVA 7 p.m. $15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

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calendar

An Artist's Journey with a Landmark

At long last, artist and educator Rachael Pongetti is finally releasing her book, "Uncovering The Layers: The Pensacola Graffiti Bridge" this week.

The concept for the Pensacola Graffiti Bridge Project began when—at the suggestion of a friend—Pongetti set her camera in front of the Pensacola landmark and took pictures every day for a year. What she saw was the same as every driver, and panhandler sees as they gaze at the 17th Avenue landmark, change—always daily, often hourly, and sometimes by the minute.

Word spread quickly about Pongetti's project, which ultimately led to a crowdsourced Kickstarter plan to release her photographic collection as a book.

The Kickstarter project allowed Pongetti to begin the funding of the book, but production was much more complicated than she originally thought.

All supplies are provided. Meet at the fishing pier parking lot at the very end of Ft Pickens Road, 7-8 miles from the park entrance. For more information, contact oceanhourfl@gmail.com.

PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are just a few of the items offered at the weekly Palafox Market.

Items originate directly from participating vendors, including dozens of local farmers, home gardeners and area artists. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

"Eat with the Seasons." Palafox Market.

Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com LEAPS 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org December 15, 2016

"Many times I thought I was at the finish line when I had only rounded the corner. I was just very naïve to the process," said Pongetti of the book project. To help fund the book, many of her first sales were pre-paid in the hope that the book would finally be released.

"So many donors have been super supportive and understanding, but a year is a long time to wait for something you've paid for," said Pongetti. "Many times I woke at night in a panic. However, I also wanted to put out the best book I could."

Despite calls, texts, emails, notes, and even visits to her house, Pongetti persisted with the advice given by other artists and close friends. Their advice was simple: "Make sure it's right."

"I can honestly say I've given it my all," said Pongetti.

The Poet Laureate of Northwest Florida, Jamey Jones, was privy to the process and offered his advice toward the latter stage of production.

"There is no other book like it," said Jones.

"It's about a Pensacola landmark… but it's also a book about photography, graffiti, community, expression, collaboration, love, loss, and impermanence." According to Jones, "Uncovering the Layers" is "not just a local book, but a universal one."

"Her words and images never get in the way of what is happening in the

PET ADOPTION: COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Woerner Landscape and Pet Supply, 1332 Creighton Road.

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPTION EVENT AT BOB TYLER TOYOTA 11 a.m.-2

p.m. $20 adoption fees. Bob Tyler Toyota Dealership, 7201 Pensacola Blvd. pensacolahumane.org DEMO DAY AT SO GOURMET 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

So Gourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com PANHANDLE TO PAN BY IRV MILLER BOOK SIGNING 2-4 p.m. So Gourmet, 407-D S.

Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com

ICE FLYERS VS. HUNTSVILLE HAVOC 7:05

p.m. $15-$29. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com AFTER GAME SKATE 9:30 p.m. $9-$12.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com

By C. S. Satterwhite

pages of this book," said Jones.

Though Pongetti is quick to tell people that "Uncovering the Layers" is a collaborative work, Jones brings the book back to her. While the book is a "big collaboration," in Jones' words, "it's also the work of a single artist with a vision, and that is Rachael." {in}

"UNCOVERING THE LAYERS: THE PENSACOLA GRAFFITI BRIDGE PROJECT" BOOK RELEASE EVENTS •Official Book Launch WHAT: Live painting, discussion, and book signing WHEN: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 WHERE: End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. •Open Books Event WHAT: Discussion with the author and book signing WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 WHERE: Open Books Bookstore, 1040 N. Guillemard St. •Marty Campbell Gallery Event WHAT: Artist talk and book signing WHEN: 3 p.m.-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23 (artist talk will be at 6 p.m.)

WHERE: Marty Campbell Gallery, 114 S. Palafox DETAILS: pensacolagraffitibridgeproject.com

DANCE PARTY 8-midnight. Strictly ballroom.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

SUNDAY 12.18

WAKE UP HIKE 7 a.m. Meet at Bay Bluffs Park, Scenic Highway at Summit Ave., for a brisk one to two-hour walk with brunch to follow at an area restaurant.

TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE 4-6 p.m. Free.

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org FULL MOON MEDITATION WORKSHOP

6:15-7:30 p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

MONDAY 12.19

SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS 5:30 p.m. Runners meet in front of Seville Quarter for a run 17

calendar around downtown Pensacola. Free pasta and drink specials after the run at Fast Eddie's. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com RESTORATIVE PILATES 5:30-6:20 p.m. Free.

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

QUICK AND EASY SKILLS: BRULEE AND FLAMBE 6-7 p.m. $21.50. So Gourmet, 407-D

S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com CCFA 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

TUESDAY 12.20

COMPLEMENTARY WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m.

SoGourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com FUNKY YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org WEST FLORIDA LITERACY FEDERATION OPEN MIC 6:30 p.m. Free. Pensacola Cultural Cen-

ter, 400 S. Jefferson St. Room 201. wflf.org DANCE LESSONS 6:30 p.m. Country, Swing, and Ballroom. Professional partner dance instruction for all skill levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com MEDITATION /PRANIC HEALING 7:15-8:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org TUNESDAY SOUND CAFE 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and tunes from the baby grand piano. Pensacola Library lobby, 239 North Spring St.

WEDNESDAY 12.21

VINO MAGNIFICO 5:30 p.m. $10. V. Paul's

Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox.

WATERBOYZ SLOW SKATE 6-7 p.m. Every Wednesday. Skate starts and ends at Waterboyz, 380 N. 9th Ave. waterboyz.com RESTORATIVE YOGA 6-7 p.m. Free.

Ever'man. 327 W. Garden St. everman.org DANCE LESSONS 6:30 p.m. West Coast Swing. Professional partner dance instruction for all skill levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com MEDITATION 7:15-8:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org

arts & culture

≥Events

FILM SERIES: MODERN MASTERS –PICASSO 7 p.m. Dec.

15. Free. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org POP-UP GALLERY 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 17 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 18. 151 W. Main St. Ste. 104. leaderfineart.com

≥Exhibits

2016 MEMBERS’ SHOW On view

through Jan. 6. 113 different exhibiting members.

Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org

WANDA SULLIVAN: SYNTHETIC/ NATURALS On view

through Jan. 6.

Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT SHOW On view

through Dec. 26.

Various artists.

Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery. com THE FESTIVUS SHOW On view

through Jan. 5.

Various artists, The Gallery 1060, First City Art Center, 1060 Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

UNDER CONSTRUCTION Various media

from PSC students.

Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, 1000 College Blvd. pensacolastate.edu OLD SOUTH, NEW SOUTH: A RETROSPECTIVE Paintings

by Svend Damhave.

On view through Dec. 31. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org SYNTHESIS: A GROUP BFA EXIT EXHIBITION RECEPTION Various media

from students Patti Gillespie, Lexie Reames, Emily Teets and Chance Wallis. On view through Dec. 11.

The Art Gallery at UWF, 11000 University Pkwy.

INSPIRED BY: A CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION

Photography by Dottie King. Gallery 88 at WUWF, 11000 University Pkwy. wuwf.org ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

BY JOSEPH CONSTANTINO On view

through Dec. 31.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org 3D BLEND 3D works including pottery, metal and tile work. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery. com CONTROVERSIAL LINES: LATE PRINTS

BY SALVADOR DALI

On view through Jan. 7. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

$157.25 for members and $185 for non-members. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

BELLY DANCING

Classes & Workshops

POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at First City Art Center, 1060 Guillemard St. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for non-members. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Every Mon-

day from 6-8:30 p.m. at First City Art Center. Classes are $40. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

CLAY HAND BUILDING Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at First City Art Center. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for non-members. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

CLAY SCULPTURE

Six-week workshops held Saturdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at First City Art Center. Cost is

Eight-week beginner and advanced classes on Tuesday nights. For beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Classes held at First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St For more information and to sign up for a class visit pensacolabellydance.com LIFE DRAWING Artists of any skill level are welcome to draw life figures. 6-9 p.m.

Monday nights. Cost is $5-$10 a person.

Contact phayes@ ihmc.us if interested.

First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. The group is always looking for new models, contact Pat at the email address above if interested.

bars & nightlife

≥Bar Games Thursdays

LADIES NIGHT 5 p.m.

V. Paul’s Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox. vpauls.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Road.

Did you buy a 2009-2015 VW because you wanted an environmentally friendly car that got great mileage? Recently, VW has admitted they programmed cars to cheat emissions tests so their cars appeared more economical and environmentally friendly. You may have a claim for:

•Diminished value of your car, •Unfair and deceptive advertising and trade practices, •Several other violations and misrepresentations.

We are reviewing these cases now at no cost to you. If you have a 2009-2015 Volkswagen diesel or certain 2014-2015 Porsche or Audi diesels, we would be happy to talk to you about your potential claim. Call us now to discuss how you can seek justice for this misrepresentation to you, the innocent consumer.

818 1

p.m. Drink specials, beer pong tournament starts at 10 p.m.

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

Fridays WINE TASTING

5-7 p.m. Informative wine tasting in Seville Quarter Wine and Gift Shop. No charge for the tasting.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com DRAG BINGO 6-8 p.m. Ages 21 and over.

Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com POOL TOURNAMENT

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com Saturdays MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT 8

p.m. Seville Quarter Membership Card Holder Appreciation Night at Phineas Phogg's. 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com Sundays BAR AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE (B.A.R.E. NIGHT) 7

p.m. Special prices for B.A.R.E. Card membership holders.

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

TEXAS HOLD ‘EM FOR

FUN AND TRIVIA 7

p.m. The Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. wobusa.com/locations/ Palafox BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 9:30-10:30

p.m. Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. facebook.com/ mugsjugs Tuesdays TUESDAY TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge, 33 Gulf Breeze Parkway. facebook.com/ thebridgebargb TICKET TEAM TRIVIA

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Road. ticketsportsbar.com TEAM TRIVIA 9 p.m.

Hopjacks. 10 S. Palafox. hopjacks. com Wednesdays WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS 11

a.m. Half- priced bottles of wine every Wednesday. Jackson's Steakhouse, 226 S. Palafox. jacksonsrestaurant.com

POOL TOURNAMENT

Feeling Cheated by Volkswagen Diesel?

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

ticketsportsbar.com

COLLEGE NIGHT 10

for more listings visit inweekly.net

FOREVER DIETING? TIME TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT FOOD. A LUMINOUS LIFE HYPNOTHERAPY

SUSAN DUNLOP, MA, CHT

INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED HYPNOTHERAPIST

850-346-7865 EAST HILL

www.luminouslifehypnotherapy.com inweekly.net

news of the weird SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED Evolution, according to scientists, likely explains why some "prey" develop defense mechanisms to avoid "predators," i.e., the prey who fail to develop them are unable to procreate (because they're dead), but a team of scientists from Sweden and Australia recently concluded that something similar happens in a species of fish in which males mate basically by huge-appendaged rape. Growing nine generations of the species in the lab, the researchers concluded that the females who can avoid the "rapist" evolve larger brains than those who fall victim. (Researchers, loosely speaking, thus concluded that as males grow bigger penises, females grow bigger brains to outsmart them.)

RECURRING THEMES Whistleblower goes to jail; responsible industry executives make millions. Long-time Mississippi environmental activist Tennie White is 27 months into a 40-month sentence (for "falsifying" three $150 tests in her laboratory), but high-ranking executives at the Kerr-McGee chemical conglomerate made millions on the case White helped expose: leakage of cancer-causing creosote into communities, including White's Columbus, Mississippi, neighborhood. A detailed investigation by TheIntercept.com in November noted the executives' brilliant response to the 25,000 creosote lawsuits nationwide: put all the liability into one outlying company (eventually going bankrupt) but selling off, highly profitably, the rest of the firm.

COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS Texas is among the most enthusiastic states for jailing low-income arrestees who cannot pay a money bail, especially during devastating family hardships, and the four Houston bail magistrates are particularly harsh, according to a recent report of the Texas Organizing Project. After hearing one financially overwhelmed woman beg sarcastically that $1,000 bail is "nothing" next to her other bills, unsympathetic magistrate Joe Licata shrugged, "It's nothing to me, either. It's job security."

PERVERT—OR NOT (1) When police in Port Orange, Florida, arrested Anthony Coiro, 76, in November, he admitted that he had a stash of "crazy" pornography, some featuring children. However, he adamantly insisted, "I'm not a pedophile.

I'm just a pervert," adding, "a law-abiding pervert." He faces 52 counts. (2) In November in Osaka, Japan, an unnamed arrestee apparently had his sexual molestation charge (against a woman on a crowded train) dramatically downgraded. "Actually," the man indignantly told the judge, he is not a pervert—but just a pickpocket (a lesser crime). The victim had testified

by Chuck Shepherd

that the man had brushed against her for "3 seconds" and not the "30" she originally told police.

WEIRD QUANTITIES RECENTLY IN THE NEWS (1) Price tag for one round of a 155mm projectile shot from the Navy's USS Zumwalt: $800,000. (2) Trees killed in California by the now-5-year-old drought: 102,000,000. (3) Recent finding of "water" farthest from the Earth's surface: 621 miles down (one-third of the way to the Earth's "core"). (4) Odds that Statistics Lecturer Nicholas Kapoor (Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut) said he played against in buying a $15 Powerball ticket: 1 in 913,129 (but he won $100,000!). (5) Speed police calculated Hector Faire, 19, reaching in an Oklahoma police chase: 208 mph (but they got him, anyway). (6) Different languages spoken by children in Buffalo, New York, public classrooms: 85.

HARDLY NEED A BREATHALYZER (1) Michelle Keys, 35, among those joyously caught up in Iowa's upset win over highly ranked Michigan in football in November and celebrating that night in Iowa City, was slurring and incoherent and told police she was certain she was standing in Ames, Iowa (120 miles away), and had just watched the "Iowa State - Arizona" game (a matchup not played since 1968). (She registered .225) (2) A 38-year-old woman was arrested in Springwood, Australia, in November when police stopped her car at 3 a.m. at an intersection—with a children's swing set wedged onto the roof of her SUV. (She had shortly before mistakenly driven through someone's back yard and through the swing set.) (.188.)

PERSPECTIVE "Sexually-based offenses," a TV show intones, are "particularly heinous," but to the small Delaware liberal arts Wesley College (according to the U.S. Department of Education) even an accusation of sexual misconduct is so heinous that there was no need even to interview the alleged wrongdoer before expelling him.

(An informal meeting did occur, but only after the investigation was completed.) The expulsion occurred even though the victim herself had not originally accused that particular student. The expelled student's offense was to have helped set up video for a consensual sex encounter that was (without consent) live-streamed. (The Department of Education accepted a settlement in which Wesley agreed to revamp its code of student rights.) {in}

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

Science Friday with host Ira Flatow is the trusted source for news about science, technology and other cool stuff. For more

than 22 years, PRI’s SciFri has brought the top stories in science to radio listeners, allowing them to join in the discussion during each live broadcast.

Stay current

FRIDAYS

1-3 PM

on WUWF 88.1FM or wuwf.org.

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

Send your weird news to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to newsoftheweird.com December 15, 2016

19

great seats still available Tickets start at just $25!

A woman of God struggles to find humanity in a brutal criminal.

A tragic tale of forbidden love, an Ethiopian princess and young Egyptian warrior decide between love or loyalty to their countries.

AÏDA

January 20 & 22

850.433.6737

DEAD MAN WALKING

March 17 & 19

www.pensacolaopera.com P L U S : R I N G I N T H E N E W Y E A R U N D E R T H E H E AT E D D E C K T E N T !

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION! FIVE-COURSE FOOD AND WINE DINNER WITH TWO SEATINGS AT 6 AND 9 P.M. Reserve your table for our New Year’s Eve five-course dinner with paired wines. We’ll be offering two seatings in the main dining room at 6 and 9 p.m. $100 per person with complimentary favors included.

(Excludes tax and gratuity)

Call (850) 433-9450 to reserve your table for the wine dinner—view the complete menu online. We will also offer walk-in service all evening throughout the complex, serving from our dinner menu.

(850) 470-0003 · 600 SOUTH BARRACKS ST. · FISHHOUSEPENSACOLA.COM

Independent News | December 15, 2016 | inweekly.net