Inweekly feb 9 2017 issue

Independent News | February 9, 2017 | Volume 18 | Number 6 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers

outtakes

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5

news 6, 8

Yes, it's real cats and they do cool stuff.

cover story

buzz

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10

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publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

contact us info@inweekly.net

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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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VALENTINE’S DINNER • FEBRUARY 14TH

winners & losers

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winners

PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE The Com-

munity College Futures Assembly awarded Pensacola State College the prestigious, national 2017 Bellwether Award in the Instructional Programs and Services category for its virtual tutoring program. The award focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs that other colleges might find worthy of replicating. The last time a Florida college won this award was in 2006.

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The University of West Florida announced a gift in excess of $5 million from Dr. Usha and Mahadeb Kundu to rename the UWF College of Health the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. The gift will support academic excellence for students, including opportunities for active, engaged and experiential learning.

Dr. Kundu grew up in rural Bihar, India, and immigrated to the United States to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology.

She opened her current private practice in Pensacola in 1983.

JENNIFER MACK Pensacola native and alumna of Booker T. Washington High School (1992) has been awarded the 2017 Society for Historical Archaeology James Deetz Book Award, along with her co-author Robin Lillie, for their book "Dubuque's Forgotten Cemetery: Excavating a Nineteenth-century Burial Ground in a Twenty-first-century City."

The Deetz Award recognizes new books in historical archaeology that make a significant contribution and can be read and enjoyed by anyone interested in historical archaeology.

Mack is the daughter of former Pensacola Councilwoman Diane Mack.

Matt Gaetz

losers

MATT GAETZ The Congressman has in-

troduced a bill in the U.S. House that would terminate the EPA by the end of 2018. The EPA forced the cleanup of several toxic Superfund sites in Escambia County. The worst was Mount Dioxin, the former sites of Agrico Chemical and Escambia Treating Company, which was the third largest relocation/remediation project undertaken by the EPA after Love Canal and Times Beach. Without the EPA, Escambia County taxpayers would have been stuck with the bill.

DAVID ALEXANDER The Pensacola Police Chief has made it clear he wanted to keep his job after his DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) date as CFO Dick Barker and others in City Hall had done. Mayor Ashton Hayward isn't interested. He told the local television station he would not detour from his original succession plan that has Assistant Police Chief Tommi Lyter becoming the new chief this May. The pension plans for the police and general employees are different, and Hayward has no desire to amend the police DROP rules.

STATE EDUCATION BUDGET Gov. Rick Scott announced his budget would boost per-student funding for public education, to $7, 420.99, an increase of 3 percent.

However, he plans to rely on an infusion of $557.9 million in additional local property taxes resulting from an increase in property values. Typically conservative lawmakers fight to rollback taxes to offset such increases.

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

CHANGE IS POSSIBLE At last week's Rising Stars celebration, I told the "stars" that change is possible, even when the odds are stacked against us. I've seen it happen in my lifetime.

In 1962 James Meredith enrolled as the first African-American student at the segregated University of Mississippi. The Air Force veteran chose Ole Miss because it was the "holiest temple of white supremacy in America."

Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett vowed to stop him. White students and racists rioted on the Oxford campus, forcing President John Kennedy to deploy more than 3,000 soldiers. Bricks were thrown. Shots were fired. Two men were killed. More than 200 people were injured, including 160 U.S. marshals.

Thirteen years later, I enrolled at Ole Miss. The student body president was Jamie Barnett, Gov. Barnett's grandson. Bullet holes were still visible in the columns of the Lyceum, where I registered for my classes. Many of my classmates graduated from segregated private schools that sprung up overnight when federal judges ordered desegregation of public schools.

In my freshman honors class, a tall, skinny black girl walked in the room looking for a seat. I waved for her to sit next to me.

We were both out of place. I was the oldest of six kids who had graduated from a small Catholic school in Greenville. She was the

only African-American in the class. We quickly became friends.

In 2008, I returned to Ole Miss for the McCain-Obama presidential debate. Rose Jackson Flenorl met me outside the Alumni House. An executive with FedEx, Rose was to be inducted as the first AfricanAmerican president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. We opened the yearbook and saw all the black faces, including her daughter who had been named to the school's Hall of Fame like her mother.

We marveled how the "holiest temple of white supremacy" had changed in our lifetimes. Rose shared she might not have been a part of the change had I not invited her to sit by me 33 years earlier. Her first day of class had been a nightmare.

She almost called her grandmother to take her back to Clarksdale. My gesture encouraged her to stay.

I had no knowledge of any of this.

I simply looked for a friend in a daunting environment. In my junior year, I was elected student body president. Rose held several leadership positions and became an ambassador for the university. We built bridges between the races--bridges that had an impact years after our graduation.

Yes, change can happen in our lifetimes, and often it starts with a simple act of kindness. {in} rick@inweekly.net

We built bridges between the races--bridges that had an impact years after our graduation.

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SCUBA DIVE AT YOUR OWN RISK

By Duwayne Escobedo Tourism officials encourage visitors to explore the world's largest artificial reef—the USS Oriskany.

But tourism officials fail to warn scuba divers that in the worst-case scenario, no hyperbaric facility exists from Pensacola to Jacksonville to treat decompression sickness or the bends, which can be life-threatening.

Local diver, Steve Wells, died Nov. 25 because he allegedly failed to receive treatment in time for the bends, sparking renewed interest in diver safety along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. An autopsy is still being conducted to determine the cause of death.

It's why the Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss diving safety in front of a packed meeting room filled with divers, diving shop and boat charter owners, and medical experts in diving accidents. The committee plans to meet again Monday, Feb. 13 to approve steps that would improve the safety of divers who visit Pensacola from all over the world.

"The lack of a chamber is certainly an issue," said Kerry Freeland, who owns Dive Pros and is a Marine Advisory Committee member. "If we had one here it would be advantageous."

Today, divers must go to Springhill Medical Center in Mobile, Ala., or the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta,

Ga., to be treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a recompression chamber.

Baptist Hospital used to treat divers, but after two years it stopped using its hyperbaric chamber for diving emergencies and only uses it for wound care, such as gas gangrene, necrotizing infections, diabetic ulcers, carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic wounds and a variety of other conditions. In fact, the only hospitals left in Florida that provide service to divers are all located in South Florida—Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Miami and Key Largo.

Divers in local waters must make it to Springhill Medical Center's Wound Care and Hyperbaric Treatment Program that Julio Garcia oversees.

Garcia said he treats about 12 to 15 divers from Northwest Florida yearly.

"No one gives a rat's butt about recruiting tourist dollars and then not having the equipment to treat them," Garcia said strongly. "This really infuriates me. It takes a fatality. It shouldn't take this."

A stand-alone hyperbaric chamber also exists at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. It only serves the military and their dependents. However, Dr. Anne Roberts said at the Diving Safety special meeting that the Department of Defense does allow the Navy hyperbaric chamber to be used to stabilize civilian divers who present life-threatening symptoms from the bends before transferring them to a non-military hospital to receive the remainder of their treatment.

“This really infuriates me. It takes a fatality. It shouldn't take this.” Julio Garcia

66

"If it is a significant enough life threatening illness from a diving injury, I will treat them," Roberts said.

The number one thing that should be done for any diver in distress is to call the Divers Alert Network hotline at Duke University at 919-684-9111. The hotline is manned 24/7 365. DAN is the diving industry's largest association dedicated to scuba diving safety.

Beyond that diving experts suggested a number of solutions to improve treatment of the bends, including convincing hospital executives, who have active hyperbaric chambers, to create a schedule that rotates the responsibility of handling emergencies.

More unlikely recommendations included having lawmakers mandate hospitals treat divers if they have that ability.

Others said the diving community should raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish an independent hyperbaric chamber and train a pool of physicians and medical personnel needed to staff it.

"Hopefully, one day we'll get an epiphany and know how to handle it all," Freeland said.

One thing that did seem certain was the updating of a protocol written by Merrick VanLandingham in 2005 on how to handle life threatening diving conditions.

It would be circulated with all the parties typically involved in treatment, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, EMS, Search and Rescue, law enforcement, 9-1-1 operators, Florida Fish and Wildlife, hospitals across the region, and the Northwest diving community among other groups and agencies.

VanLandingham, who has taught diving for more than two decades and sits on the Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee, said the protocol must be widely and constantly distributed because of turnover in key positions.

"Things have changed since then," VanLandingham said. "We've got new doctors, new people answering 9-1-1. You need to be able to call them and get treatment as quickly as possible."

No matter what, the Divers Safety meeting did spur a consensus on holding regular diving safety lessons for both novice and professional divers.

DAN Medical Director Jim Chimiak, who listened to the Escambia County Divers Safety meeting over the phone, also weighed in. Chimiak said the key to safety is speed.

"They need to get to a chamber quickly," he said. "They must move along through an ER evaluation. They cannot sit around for two to three hours. The whole idea is to facilitate it and move it along."

Brian Clark, who does a lot of deep diving off Pensacola, just went through decompression treatment in June, get-

ting an airlift to a hyperbaric chamber. He emphasized that divers must assume the worst before each dive and have a detailed safety plan in case an emergency pops up.

"We need to take responsibility for our own actions," he said at the Diver Safety meeting. "What other sport puts you hours from medical care? This is an extreme sport, and you're taking your life into your own hands. You're on the moon. So you better have a plan, and you better review what you will do in an emergency."

Springhill's Garcia said he hopes Pensacola and the rest of the Northwest Florida will one day have its own hyperbaric chamber again to treat divers. The emerald green Gulf waters have become a hotspot for diving since the 911-foot "Mighty O" was sunk 24 miles southeast of the Pensacola Pass. Plus, there are more than 100 other sunken vessels, military tanks, planes and even demolished bridges.

"It is complete BS that hospitals will treat wounds but not diving injuries," Garcia said. "Is it possible? Damn straight it is, but no one cares." {in} In case of a diving emergency, call: The 24-hour Divers Alert Network (DAN) Emergency Hotline at 919-684-9111.

Scuba Diving Fast Facts •Recreational scuba diving and snorkeling contribute about $11 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and generates about $904.4 million to the Florida economy each year.

•More than 4,200 chartered dive trips are taken annually to the artificial reef/ aircraft carrier USS Oriskany that rests south of Pensacola, carrying divers from all over the world.

•Annual revenue generated from visitors traveling to Escambia and Baldwin counties to dive to the Oriskany alone is estimated at $2.2 million with an economic impact of $3.6 million.

•Oriskany dive activities led to the creation of 67 jobs, and the generation of $1.4 million in total income in Escambia and Baldwin counties.

Source: The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) and University of West Florida Haas Center for Business Research (2007) inweekly.net

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SCOTT AND CORCORAN SQUARE OFF

Gov. Rick Scott / Photo by Rick Outzen

By Rick Outzen At the annual Associated Press Legislative Review on Jan. 31 on the top floor of the Florida Capitol, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his proposed $83.5 million budget for the 2018 fiscal year.

"I'm proud to announce my 'Fighting For Florida's Future Budget' that includes priorities to ensure our future generations have the opportunity to succeed in Florida," he told the reporters from the state's newspapers.

"Who would've thought in 2010 that the private sector would add over 1.26 million jobs in just six years?" said Scott. "We can't stop. We have to fight for Florida's future and ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to succeed in our great state."

The budget plan has $618 million in tax cuts, calls for a $85 million investment in economic incentives and provides $21 billion in state and local funding to improve Florida's K-12 education system.

"When jobs are created, it helps the poorest, most disadvantaged families who need a job the most," said the governor. "We're also proposing four sales tax holidays to help families, students, and veterans. These holidays combined will save families almost $100 million."

Last year, Scott failed to convince state lawmakers to fund $250 million for economic incentives, a failure that cost the executive director of Enterprise Florida his job. While this year's request is substantially less, the governor still believes that economic incentives are necessary to create more jobs in the state.

"I believe that those who oppose investing in growing businesses simply don't understand how business works," said Scott. "We need to compete for jobs here in Florida so we can diversify our economy for generations to come."

He insisted that companies currently receive economic incentives only after meeting "stringent" requirements, including proven job growth and wage requirements, that ensure a return on investment for Florida's families.

"Basically, the way it works is we're going to get that money back in both sales tax and property taxes for the individuals they give jobs," he said. "This means no funds are given out as welfare."

Standing in the governor's path is Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran who believes that economic incentives are a form of corporate welfare that picks winners and losers in the state's economy.

At the legislative review, Corcoran said that he considers both Gov. Scott and Senate President Joe Negron friends, but the relationships would not derail any fight over principle.

"I know them both very well," said Corcoran. "It doesn't mean that we're not gonna stand for those things that we believe are right. It doesn't mean that we're not gonna fight to the umpteenth level for those things that we believe are right."

After exposing a controversial $1 million contract between Visit Florida and the rapper Pitbull, the Speaker has questioned the need for a state agency to market tourism.

However, Gov. Scott's budget proposal doesn't back away from Visit Florida.

"Just last year visitors spent more than $100 billion and generated more than $11 billion in state and local tax revenue," he said. "Our tourism industry is responsible for nearly 1.4 million jobs. They yielded more than $50 billion in income for the Floridians employed in this industry."

Gov. Scott added, "Tourism represents over 16-percent of our state's workforce.

Not only does every 85 tourists support one

Florida job, but tourism helps thousands of small businesses that rely on visitors."

During his time at the podium, Corcoran pointed out that his leadership team has exposed waste at Visit Florida and other agencies.

"We kind of went downstairs in the kitchen at about 3 in the morning and we turned on the lights," he said. "And I don't mean this in a disparaging way to anybody, but there's cockroaches everywhere, and I think you're seeing that."

Corcoran continued, "We looked at Visit Florida, just turned on the lights and articles are still being written by you guys, very good articles, that continue to expose what looks to be another example of a government agency taking public taxpayer money that is engaged in questionable behavior and contracts and secrecy that's unacceptable for us."

He said, "And we'll continue down that path to force transparency and force accountability to the extent that they even exist in the utilization of taxpayer money."

Gov. Scott insisted that his economic policies have worked.

"Since 2011, our state's economy has grown by 24 percent," he said. "During the same time, we have cut taxes for Florida families by more than $6.5 billion. We paid down over $7.6 billion in debt."

He continued, "We have a historic level of revenues in this state, even while we've cut taxes 55 times and made record investments all across the state in the last six years. We have all fought very hard to turn this economy around, and we have."

The governor said that he was fighting for future generations.

"I've got daughters, and I've got grandkids. That's what I'm fighting for and every family in the state has a family that they're fighting for. I'm going to fight for every one of those families," he said.

"I have exactly 706 days left in this job," said Scott. "I'm going to fight until my last day in office to make this the number one place for somebody to raise a family." {in}

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February 9, 2017

9

CORCORAN TALKS TRIUMPH Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran outlined the path for funding projects with the $300 million settlement from BP oil spill earmarked for Northwest Florida.

“I think we figured that part out,” said Corcoran at the AP Legislative Review.

“The question is doing it in a manner that comports with the (Florida) Constitution and protecting the rights and the interests of the people in the Panhandle.”

He said that House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast has an upcoming workshop on the Proposed Committee Bill (PCB). Rep. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) chairs the committee, and Rep. Clay Ingram (R-Pensacola) is the vice chair.

“I think that the PCB, and talking with the committee, will make sure that the money goes to the Panhandle, first and foremost, permanently and indefinitely,” said Corcoran.

“Secondly, it will make sure that those folks spend money on things that are proper expenditures to the benefit of the entire region,” he said. “The third one is to have oversight to make sure that those things are taking place.”

He added that he wanted to make sure that all the counties impacted by the 2010 spill have as much input as possible.

“I think those things are going to take place,” said Corcoran. “I would imagine that the PCB would be workshopped and easily passed, during the legislative session.”

FINDING MEDICAL POT CONSENSUS At the AP Legislative Review, Florida

Senate President Joe Negron answered a question regarding the implementation of Amendment 2, which legalized medical marijuana in Florida.

“You have a constitutional amendment that was passed by over 70 percent of the voters, which if you're keeping score at home is higher than the percentage I was re-elected by,” said Negron. “And it's our job to implement it fairly, fully, to follow the letter and the spirit of the amendment.”

Both Sen. Rob Bradley (R- Fleming Island) and Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) have filed bills in the Senate regarding implementation.

“My intention is that those bills will move forward in the Senate,” he told the reporters. “I would expect that consensus would emerge on the Senate side on how we want to move forward, and that's what we'll do.”

The Senate president was reluctant to say how many licenses for medical cannabis he wanted to have issued.

010 1

“It’s appropriate to have reasonable measures that are related to public safety and related to making sure that it's handled in appropriate ways,” said Negron. “This is a medical treatment; this isn't simply another product that's in the grocery store.”

OPEN GAETZ DAY On Feb. 23, Con-

gressman Matt Gaetz will hold his first neighborhood day, dubbed “Open Gaetz Day,” in the Milton and Pace communities.

His schedule provides several opportunities for constituents to ask questions, voice opinions and share concerns directly with the Congressman and his support staff.

He will also be accessible to assist with any problems constituents may be having with a federal government agency at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex, 6495 Caroline Street,Milton, starting at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 23.

The itinerary for Open Gaetz Day is as follows: •7 a.m. Coffee with your Congressman, Kiwanis Clubs of Milton and Pace (members only) •8 a.m. Radio Town Hall, 1330AM WEBY Radio, Call in with questions •9 a.m. Santa Rosa County Commissioners Meeting •10 a.m. Congressman Gaetz: “Civics Teacher for a day,” Avalon Middle School, 5445 King Arthurs Way (closed event per school security) •12 p.m. Legislative Update, Grover T’s BBQ Restaurant, 5887 U.S. 90, Milton •2 p.m. Health Care Facility Visit, Milton •3 p.m. Small Business Roundtable, Law office of Gibson & Jarvis, 5412 Hwy. 90, Pace. Call Gaetz’s local office to participate, 479-1183 •4:30 p.m. Neighborhood Office Hours Constituent Services, Santa Rosa County Admin Complex, 6495 Caroline Street •7 p.m. Town Hall Community Gathering, Oops Alley Bowling & Restaurant, 3721 U.S. 90, Pace (pizza and refreshments provided) For more information, please contact Communications Director Kavontae Smalls at Kavontae.Smalls@mail.house.gov.

MORE CYBERSTALKING VICTIMS

More victims have come forward in the Mister Pervert cyberstalking investigation, according to the Escambia County Sheriff ’s office.

“Right now we have gotten up to 32 victims, all ranging in different ages,” Investigator Amber Bernard told Inweekly on Feb.

Brett De Jong, IP mill manager / Photo by Rick Outzen 2. “The day after the press conference, it was overwhelming the response that we got.”

At a press conference on Jan. 24, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan announced the arrest of Sean Michael Vest, age 31, on 15 counts of aggravated stalking and cyberstalking.

According to law enforcement, Vest focused on women in the Pensacola Catholic High Class of 2004 and their friends and family. Using the name “Mister Pervert,” he allegedly sent threatening, sexually explicit text messages and posted their Facebook photos on sex dating sites. He not only threatened the women but allegedly expanded his attacks to friends and family members that he found on their Facebook accounts.

The use of cell phones and text messages added a more threatening aspect to the harassment. Bernard said, “Just hearing some of the people's stories and how it made them feel and the measures that they went to just out of their fear. It's pretty sad.”

The investigator said the information gained from the additional victims indicated the harassment had been occurring over a longer period that initially thought.

The arrest announcement motivated others to contact law enforcement.

“It seems as though this guy has been doing it for years and been getting away with it and then some people came forward with it, so that was great,” said Bernard.

“We’ve had girls who have known him as childhood friends. He did these things to them starting 2013, from when they were younger,” she said. “He finally met his match when it came to investigating him.”

IP TOWN HALL The power went out at International Paper the day before the digester exploded sending pulp contents and a piece of equipment off the paper mill site, said Brett De Jong, IP paper mill manager.

De Jong reported at the Cantonment Digester Incident Community Town Hall Meeting that a faulty large feeder cable that helps power the mill’s machinery went down causing a blackout. IP generates much of its own power.

On Feb. 2, more than 150 neighbors of the mill attended the town hall in the Tate High School cafeteria.

Both De Jong and Howard Partrick, who retired from the paper mill in 2015 after working there for nearly 50 years, said power outages occur from time to time.

Partrick said it sometimes caused sparking and usually happened during bad weather.

“One of our large feeder cables faltered,” De Jong said. “It took the plant down. We were working to safely restore it.”

De Jong said a team of International Paper, pulp mill, and vendor experts are now doing an assessment to determine what led to the explosion that blanketed about 135 properties with the black liquor in the plant’s digester.

IP plans to repair the damaged digester.

That cost won’t be cheap said De Jong who added that a schedule hadn't been determined for making the repairs or getting the pulp mill fully operational again.

“We’re leaving it to the experts,” De Jong said. “We don’t want to rush it. We want to give them adequate time to assess it. IP is a big company with world-renowned inweekly.net

experts. We’ll work that until we have an understanding of what happened.”

Partrick said two big turbines on-site generate power to IP. He wondered whether it was gas, steam, an electrical spark or something else that blew the top off the digester.

“Everytime we had a failure at the mill, we found out what caused it and who caused it,” Partrick said. “They (IP) haven’t talked about it. I imagine it’s top secret.”

He added: “We just thank God no lives were lost in the accident.”

POWERFUL LEADER MOVES Bentina Terry, Gulf Power’s Customer Service and Sales vice president, has been selected as senior vice president of the Metro Atlanta Region for Georgia Power.

In this role, she will be responsible for the company’s operations, sales, customer service, economic and community development, and external affairs activities across metro Atlanta, which includes 1.2 million customers.

“My time in Pensacola has been an incredible part of my life. I’ve met and become close with so many special people who will continue to have a big impact on who I am,” said Terry.

Terry came to Gulf Power in 2007 as the External Affairs and Corporate Services vice president. In 2014, she was promoted to Customer Service & Sales vice president.

In this role, she has been responsible for the company’s marketing, customer service, community and economic development, and community relations organizations.

“Since coming here in 2007, Bentina’s vision has helped our team position Gulf Power as more than your local energy provider,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power’s chairman, president, and CEO. “Over the last nine years, her dedication and passion for our customers and our community has made us better.”

In 2013 Terry received the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leader of the Year Award. And, in 2016 she was named No. 1 on the Inweekly Power List of the top 100 most powerful and influential people in greater Pensacola. She also served our region and our state as chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation from 2012-14 and as chair of Leadership Florida from 2014-15.

“These accomplishments and many others will have a lasting and positive impact on our customers, our community, and our company,” added Connally. "She will be missed.”

February 9, 2017

Bentina Terry / Courtesy Photo BRIDGE TOLL MEETING SOON The Escambia County Public Works Department will host a town hall meeting to discuss Bob Sikes Bridge operations and Pensacola Beach traffic Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the commission meeting room located in the Ernie Lee Magaha Building, 221 Palafox Place.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and seek input from the public regarding the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza, the newly instituted SunPass System and Pensacola Beach Annual Pass System, toll budget, future demands for the Bob Sikes Bridge, and the Pensacola Beach Congestion Management Plan. Two or more commissioner may attend.

The meeting can be viewed live on MyEscambia.com/ectv, channel 98 for Bright House, Cox Cable and Mediacom (Pensacola Beach) subscribers and channel 99 for AT&T U-verse subscribers.

MCFAUL MOVES ON The Florida-based

lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, have opened an office in Washington, D.C. Dan McFaul, who most recently served as Congressman Matt Gaetz’s chief of staff to help with the freshman representative’s transition, has joined the firm. McFaul was the chief of staff and communications director for former Rep. Jeff Miller. He also served as former Rep. Joe Scarborough’s legislative director and deputy press secretary. {in} 11

Special Valentines Day Purrformances!

Jean and Paul Amos Theatre | 1000 College Blvd.

212 1

re sa t e k Tic 4-34 ine! $2 onl m e th Get

inweekly.net

February 9, 2017

13

by Jennifer Leigh

O

nly after you've seen the Amazing Acro Cats can you really claim to have seen it all.

This week, those daredevil domestics, as well as Tuna and the Rock Cats, will be performing for two nights in Pensacola.

And since they'll be here for Valentine's Day, it's the ‘purrfect' date night.

"Yes, it's real cats and they do cool stuff," said Polly Smith, tour manager for the Acro Cats.

The show is the brainchild of animal trainer Samantha Martin, also known as the "chief human."

Using clicker training to teach stray cats and animals to perform tricks, she decided to take the show on the road in 2009 to promote animal training. Over the years the Chicago-based show has become well traveled. In 2015, the Acro Cats were on the road for 256 days.

Last year, they raised money to purchase a new (or at least new to them) tour bus where the cats take up most of the room, Smith said.

Traveling with more than a dozen cats, not to mention rats, a groundhog named Garfield and Cluck Norris, the chicken, isn't the easiest gig, but it has been the most rewarding.

"I booked music in Austin… very strange avant-garde kind of stuff when a mutual

friend hooked me (and Martin) up," she added. "It was a good fit, I feel like I landed on my home planet."

After nearly seven years with the Acro Cats, Smith said it's always a new experience.

"It's never going to get old," she said. "I love seeing the audience's eyes lit up, especially if they've never seen the show. I'm so grateful for that."

It will come as a shock to no one that Smith is a cat lover, but it wasn't until her involvement with the show that she had such adoration for felines.

"I started out liking cats, I volunteered with a TNR (Trap Neuter Release) program," she said. "But I ended up loving cats. And today, I have a deeper understanding for them."

While many people laugh at the thought of training a cat to do anything, let alone literally jump through hoops, Smith said it's more achievable than you think. Even older cats can be whistle trained. And if you're feeling inspired you can pick up a training kit, which are sold at each show.

Circuses may get a bad rap, but the Acro Cats is not an average animal show.

It's a laid-back performance where the animals are not forced to do tricks, but may tap out some music on a cowbell or do a high jump in exchange for a treat.

In fact Smith recalls one show when the

original Tuna (who sadly passed away in January) decided to ditch the script and climbed to the top of a ladder refusing to come down.

"Samantha just rolled with it," Smith said with a laugh.

What's extra special about the Acro Cats is that most of them have gone from being strays to stars.

Martin looks for her performers by going to rescues; the human crew also fosters cats while on the road.

Smith said cats with rambunctious personalities are likely to make the cut, but the decision is left to the cat. One of the stars, Jax, joined the group after Martin noticed how much she picked on her brothers and sisters, even though she was the smallest of the group.

"Cats with a border collie personality," she explained. "Those with high energy levels, always inquisitive about what you're doing…it's a win-win for them to be in the

show because they can exercise their desire."

Some of the cats who do not get into the show still find forever homes. The crew has a three-tiered system for vetting adoptive families. Smith said they've had about 192 adoptions since they've been on the road. It's bittersweet to say goodbye after spending time on the road, but also heart warming to see them move on to loving families—a "double-edged joy," Smith said.

"It's amazing, some cat we pick up in California may get adopted in Michigan," said. "(Martin's) work with rescues is what got me hooked."

It's always entertaining to watch a cat strum a purple guitar or ride a skateboard, but the best part of the Amazing Acro Cats and the Rock Cats is showcasing how special a stray animal can be.

"That's what this show is all about— awesome animals that deserve a chance," Smith said. {in}

THE AMAZING ACRO CATS

WHAT: The Amazing Acro Cats featuring Tuna and the Rock Cats WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15 WHERE: Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd.

COST: $21 and up (couples rates and meet and greets available) DETAILS: circuscats. com

“I love seeing the audience's eyes lit up, especially if they've never seen the show.

I'm so grateful for that.”

Polly Smith

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by Shelby Smithey

A

re you lonely? Fleeing a bad relationship? Never had a good Valentine's Day in your life? First City Shakespeare (FCS) has the remedy—"Fork Cupid: The Anti-Valentine Show."

While other theater companies persist in celebrating love, FCS takes a look at how miserable, how murderous and how laughable "perfect" relationships often turn out.

"Fork Cupid," presented in the historic Sacred Heart Hospital building, is a collection of scenes, songs, and speeches examining how love can go wrong, crash and burn, or never show up in the first place. It's peopled by disgruntled housewives, demanding lovers, desperate lonely hearts and bitter exes.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company (SETSCO) and its upcoming production in

April of "Mucho Ado About Nothing." SETSCO is a non-profit that offers education and performance opportunities to local teens, ages 13 to 19, in all aspects of theatre performance with a focus on Shakespeare.

First City Shakespeare, SETSCO's adult support arm, encourages the work of the teen company through fundraisers like "Fork Cupid."

"It will be a fun evening for people who don't find Valentine's Day to be the joyously romantic roses-and-chocolate fest it's cracked up to be," SETSCO Executive Artistic Director Michelle Hancock said.

Hancock said that the teens will perform most of the Shakespeare in the show and that they chose scenes and characters they wanted to perform.

"Since it's a variety/cabaret show, we asked players what pieces they'd like to perform," Hancock said.

"Characters, songs, monologues and scenes were chosen that way.

People are doing material they like and relate to within the theme of how much love can suck or relationships can tank."

Longtime member Daisy Brustad has been acting with SETSCO since she was six

“It will be a fun evening for people who don't find Valentine's Day to be the joyously romantic rosesand-chocolate fest it's cracked up to be.” Michelle Hancock

years old. In "Fork Cupid," she will play Helena from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and have a role in three of the musical numbers. Grace Trombly, company member since 2014, will perform as Ophelia in a parody of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance."

"The show begins with a series of quotes from Shakespeare's plays about love troubles," Hancock said. "We hear from such characters as Othello and King Lear.

There are musical numbers from ‘Blazing Saddles,' ‘Chicago,' ‘Reefer Madness,' ‘The Wedding Singer,' and ‘Blue Velvet,' plus a parody of Lady Gaga's ‘Bad Romance' sung by Ophelia and her entourage of ladies. We end with an audience encouraged sing-a-long to Gloria Gaynor's ‘I Will Survive.' From the movies, we have material from ‘When Harry Met Sally,' ‘Misery,' and ‘Vertigo."

SETSCO also offers classes that cover voice and speech, movement, Shakespeare's language, beginning and advanced acting technique, improvisation and stage combat. Students may begin taking classes at age 9 in order to prepare for company membership when they turn 13. Hancock said that FCS offers a way for company members to continue to perform after they become too old to remain in SETSCO as well as offers adults in the community opportunities to play.

"All FCS productions are fundraisers for the teen company, and a percentage of ticket sales go directly to funding teen theatre projects," she said. "Generally, FCS and SETSCO produce separate projects, but we combine the two groups for nonShakespeare, holiday offerings like this production."

SETSCO was founded in 2006 by a former education director of the Pensacola Little Theatre. Serving as director since 2009, Hancock has expanded the company through several avenues in the community.

Under Hancock's tenure, SETSCO has incorporated as a 501c3, opened the acting conservatory, formed First City Shake-

speare (and its cousin, First City Improv), and become regular players at Halloween, Winterfest, Pensacon and Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts.

"Organizations like SETSCO are especially important for kids who have a career interest in acting because conservatory and BFA acting programs all require an audition and have hundreds of applicants competing for a handful of slots," Hancock said. "A Shakespearean monologue is usually a requirement for these auditions. The best schools expect students who have been studying not only within a high school program but also with a professional-level teacher or coach."

Hancock said that the training they offer prepares students not only for auditions but also for the type of training that they will continue to receive in college or conservatory.

"There is a deficit of theatre arts in middle school in our area," Hancock said.

"There are many acting classes around, but, to my knowledge, we are the only organization in our area that offers comprehensive training in all aspects of classical and modern performance technique.". {in}

FORK CUPID

WHAT: An “Anti-Valentine Show” presented by First City Shakespeare and the Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 and 12; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 WHERE: Tower East, 1010 N. 12th Ave., Suite 211 (inside the Old Sacred Heart building) COST: $20-$25 DETAILS: setsco.org

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Looking for something beyond cards and candy? Here's a few ways to celebrate V-Day.

CUPID IN THE KITCHEN

Learn and love with your partner at Pensacola Cooks' Cupid in the Kitchen class.

Couples will learn to make a risotto dinner with a fried oyster salad and chocolate brigadeiros in this interactive class with Chef Scott Smith. Cost is $50 per couple. Class is from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Pensacola Cooks Kitchen, located at 3670 Barrancas Ave. pensacolacooks.rezclick.com

BUBBLES, BOURBON AND BRUNCH

Eat, drink and shop for your Valentine and have a treat for yourself at Fiore. Head over to Fiore, located at 15 W. Main St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 and pick out something special. fioreofpensacola.com

FIND TRUE LOVE

Love is a four-legged word according to volunteers with local animal rescues CARE of Santa Rosa County and Phoenix Rising. If you don't have a date for Valentine's Day, adopt one on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Pet Supermarket, located at 6307 N. 9th Ave. The two rescue groups will be there from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. caretomakeadifference.com or phoenixrisingrescue.com

FEMFEST 2017

FemFest 2017 includes a few date night worthy options, including a performance of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" Saturday, Feb. 11. The $10 admission goes toward a local rape crisis and trauma recovery program. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at Artel Gallery, located at 223 S. Palafox. You can also check out the FemFest Film Festival on Thursday, Feb. 9 and the Womanhood in Lavender event Friday, Feb. 10. facebook.com/femfestpcola

L

ast minute shopping for your Valentine can be a chore of fighting over leftover cards and candy at the 24-hour pharmacy.

But this year, thanks to a new event hosted by local artisans and makers, shopping can be fun, and the gift selection is better than ever.

"This ‘Love Local' event is geared towards gift shopping and will feature a shopper's happy hour with beverages and hors d'ouevers," said Justine Gudmundson-McCain, chef and owner of Bluejays Bakery. "We are hoping to provide our guests with all the gifts they may want or

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BOURBON AND BUBBLES

Head to Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox, for a five-course dinner tasting experience. The evening starts at 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 12 with champagne and hors d'oeuvres before moving into dinner prepared

by Executive Chef Gus Silivos. Cost is $85 per person. Reservations are required skopelosatnewworld.com

V-DAY BINGO

Join Michael Perkinson and the Seville Girls for Stop Light Valentine's Bar Bingo at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 at Apple Annie's in Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St. Players will be

need to make their Valentine's Day special. Featuring products for both guys and gals, we are hoping to up the quality level typically found at makers markets."

Bluejays Bakery is just one of several local businesses featured at ‘Love Local' including letterpress cards from Charlotte Mason Printing Company, ceramics from Jonathan Kusnerek Ceramics, clothing and accessories from Pink Pony Vintage, band and art prints from Workweek Studio, candles from Sea Turtle Wax and vintage finds and handmade goods from YesterNow. Products from coloradobased Lacuna Botanicals will also be available at the market.

"We have chosen a select group of artisans who really showcase the level of talent our area has to offer while providing an eclectic display of options," Gudmundson-McCain said.

The market will be set up over the course of two days, Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, and shoppers can pre-order special packages or pick up items in-person. Be sure to stop by during shopper's happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m.

Monday where customers can enjoy hors d'oeuvres as well as 10 percent off.

"This is our first market of this kind, but we definitely hope to host more events in the future," GudmundsonMcCain said. "Whether they will be focused on a specific holiday event or just showing off local talent and bringing the community together has yet to be determined, but as we grow we plan on making use of some of our favorite neighborhoods such as downtown and Belmont-Devilliers." {in}

LOVE LOCAL

WHAT: A pop-up market hosted by local artisans and makers WHEN: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 14 WHERE: The Stables, 700 N. Guillemard St.

inweekly.net

wearing traffic signal tags to indicate their relationship status. For singles out there, look for fellow players wearing green tags and meet someone new. sevillequarter.com

MAKE AN IMPACT

Show how much you love the Pensacola community by stopping by Pensacola Bay's IMPACT 100 Valentine's event at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. The event is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13. Learn more about the philanthropic organization and how you can be a part of it. impact100pensacola.org

VALENTINE'S AT JACKSONS

Celebrate the special day at Jackson's Steakhouse, located at 400 S. Palafox, on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The restaurant will be open for lunch service from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner service beginning at 5:30 p.m. In addition to the original menu, Chef Irv Miller will offer a special Valentine's Day feature. The feature will be available Feb. 10-13 as well. jacksonsrestaurant.com

DINNER AT POLONZA BISTRO

Polonza Bistro, located at 286 N. Palafox, is pulling out all the stops Tuesday, Feb. 14. In addition to their regular menu, they'll also have a special Valentine's Day menu and live music by Jim Armstrong from 5-8 p.m. polonza.com

UPH V-DAY SPECIAL

In addition to their regular menu, Union Public House will have a very special five course V-Day dinner Tuesday, Feb. 14. The cost per person is $85 and reservations are required. The restaurant, located at 309 S. Reus St., will also be offering cocktail tastings ($24) and wine pairing ($35) to accompany the meal. unionfl.com

Naydja CoJoe

VALENTINE'S DAY JAZZ JAM

Take your special someone over to Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St., and enjoy some jazz with New Orleans' Naydja CoJoe. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14. sevillequarter.com

PRETTY THINGS PEEPSHOW

Kick up your heels and enjoy a sexy Valentine's Day at the Pretty Things Peepshow. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at Vinyl Music Hall, located at 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $15-$60.

Enjoy music, dancing, and pretty things. vinylmusichall.com

FEELING FISHY

Taking your sweetheart to The Fish House is always a good idea. The restaurant, located at 600 Barracks St., will be open for lunch service from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner service beginning at 3 p.m. In addition to their current lunch and dinner menus, Chef Billy Ballou will offer a special Valentine's Day feature. The menu is also available Feb. 10-13. fishhousepensacola.com

February 9, 2017

TASTING MENU AT RESTAURANT IRON

Restaurant IRON, located at 22 N. Palafox, will have two seatings (5:30 and 8 p.m.) on Tuesday, Feb. 14 for their Valentine’s Day special. It’s a fixed price, six course tasting menu and the cost per person is $95. They will also have optional wine and cocktail pairings for $30 each. restaurantiron.com

VALENTINE'S DAY AT SOGOURMET

Don't want to cook? Take your significant other to SoGourmet, located at 407-D S. Palafox, for their special Valentine's Day service featuring three delicious courses with complimentary champagne. Service times are 6, 6:30 or 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. As you enjoy dinner, listen to international performing artist Della Grigsby. Cost is $175 per couple. sogourmetpensacola.com

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calendar THURSDAY 2.9

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 CANCER STUDY GROUP 6-8:30 p.m. Free.

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org LATIN DANCE LESSONS AND PARTY 6:30-9 p.m. $10. Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata and more.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. 503-1123. $10. dancecraftfl.com DARREN KNIGHT...SOUTHERN MOMMA COMEDY TOUR 7 p.m. $20-$28. Saenger Theatre,

118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com RUNGE STRINGS ORCHESTRA 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. University of West Florida, Bldg. 82 11000 University Pkwy. uwf.edu

FRIDAY 2.10

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

Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org 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 MARDI GRAS BOWL 5 and 8 p.m. $20, proceeds go to Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida. Cordova Lanes, 5100 N. 9th Ave. GAY GRASSROOTS 6-8p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org DATE NIGHT DANCING 6:30-8 p.m. $15.

Learn the basics of several romantic ballroom and country dance styles in unique group classes that keeps partners together.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. 503-1123. dancecraftfl.com OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Single Fin Cafe, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/singlefincafe ICE FLYERS VS. PEORIA RIVERMEN 7:05 p.m. $15-$29. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: ROMEO AND JULIET 7:30 p.m. $25-$37. Pensacola

Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. balletpensacola.com SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE 7:30 p.m. $10-$17. Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com COMMON KINGS 8 p.m. $15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com AFTER GAME SKATE 9:30 p.m. $9-$12.

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

SATURDAY 2.11

BIRDING FIELD TRIP 7 a.m. Blakely State Park, Alabama, with FM Weston Audubon Society. Meet in Publix parking lot at Nine Mile and Pine Forest Road. Small entrance fees to both parks.

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.

GRITS GAYFERS AND GOD 8:30 a.m. $15.

Newspaper columnist Leslie Anne Tarabella.

The Wright Place, First United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright St. fumcpensacola.com CLEAN UP WITH OCEAN HOUR 8:45 a.m.

All supplies are provided. Location one is Bay Bluffs Park at Scenic Highway and Summit Blvd. Second location is 2 miles north at Chimney Park at Scenic Highway and Langley Ave. Buckets, grabbers, gloves and trash bags supplied. Buckets, grabbers, gloves and trash bags will be supplied. 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 THE WISDOM OF MYTH 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Presented by Scott Davis, M.A. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. MARDI GRAS BOWL 12, 3 and 6 p.m. $20, proceeds go to Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida. Cordova Lanes, 5100 N. 9th Ave. SOUTHWEST BRANCH BOOK CLUB 2 p.m.

12248 Gulf Beach Hwy. mywfpl.com CARIBBEAN CUISINE GLUTEN FREE DINNER CLASS 5-7 p.m. $45. SoGourment, 407-D S.

Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com

JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE 6-9 p.m. $10 sug-

gested donation. UUCP Coffeehouse, 9888 Pensacola Blvd.

ICE FLYERS VS. PEORIA RIVERMEN 7:05 p.m. $15-$29. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: ROMEO AND JULIET 7:30 p.m. $25-$37. Pensacola

Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. balletpensacola.com SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE 7:30 p.m. $10-$17. Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: MOVIE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS

7:30 p.m. $22 and up. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com AFTER GAME SKATE 9:30 p.m. $9-$12.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com February 9, 2017

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calendar SUNDAY 2.12

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.

FRIENDS OF THE SAENGER PRESENTS: DISNEY’S FROZEN 3 p.m. $7. Saenger Theatre,

118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE 3 p.m.

$10-$17. Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com ICE FLYERS VS. PEORIA RIVERMEN 4:05 p.m. $15-$29. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabaycenter.com OPERA ON TAP 7-9 p.m. A Night of Drafts, Divas, and Drinking Songs with Pensacola Opera. Rosie O’Grady’s, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. pensacolaopera.com

MONDAY 2.13

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

p.m. Free. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS 5:30 p.m. Runners meet in front of Seville Quarter for a run around downtown Pensacola. Free pasta and drink specials after the run at Fast Eddie's. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS 6:30-8 p.m. $10. Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and more.

Professional dance instruction for all skill levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd.

503-1123. dancecraftfl.com JAZZ COMBO 7:30 p.m. UWF Jazz Combo and Pace High School Jazz Combo. University of West Florida, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Pkwy. uwf.edu HIP-HOP DANCE LESSONS 8-9 p.m. $10.

Learn hip-hop moves from a professional instructor. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. 503-1123. dancecraftfl.com

TUESDAY 2.14

COMPLEMENTARY WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m.

SoGourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com CULTURES COOK: TAMALES 6 p.m. $35.

Pensacola Cooks Kitchen, 3670 Barrancas Ave. pensacolacooks.rezclick.com FUNKY YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Free. Three courses for $33. Ever'man Educational

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

SUSAN DUNLOP,

Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org TOBYMAC 6:30 p.m. $15.50-$72.75.

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. pensacolabay center.com COUNTRY DANCE LESSONS 6:30 p.m. $10.

Country Two Step, East Coast Swing, Competition Choreography and more.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. 503-1123 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 2.15

LUNCH AND LEARN: CHICKEN ADOBO 12-1

p.m. $25. SoGourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com

COOKING WITH CHEF IRV MILLER: SOUTHERN COMFORT FOODS 5 and 7:30 p.m. $45

per person. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox. jacksonsrestaurant.com VINO MAGNIFICO 5:30 p.m. $10. V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox. impact100pensacola.org RESTORATIVE YOGA 6-7 p.m. Free.

Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org WATERBOYZ SLOW SKATE 6-7 p.m. Every Wednesday. Skate starts and ends at Waterboyz, 380 N. 9th Ave. waterboyz.com SWING DANCE LESSONS AND PARTY 6:3010 p.m. $5-$10. Professional west coast swing instruction for all levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. 503-1123. dancecraftfl.com THE AFRICAN QUEEN SCREENING 7 p.m. $5, cash only. The Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox. pensacolacinemaart.com G LOVE AND THE SPECIAL SAUCE 7 p.m. $22.50-$25. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com MEDITATION 7:15-8:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org FREE DANCE LESSONS 8-8:30 p.m. Free beginner west coast swing dance lesson.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. 503-1123. dancecraftfl.com

Let’s Wine!

Free Wine Tasting Every Thursday AWM 5pm - 7pm

MA, CHT

www.luminouslifehypnotherapy.com 020 2

≥Events

VISIONARY CONTINUATION RECEPTION 5:30-9 p.m.

Feb. 10. Free. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org HOT GLASS COLD BREW 5:30 p.m.

$20-$25. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

PMA LECTURE SERIES 6-7 p.m. Feb. 9.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

≥Current Exhibits VISIONARY CONTINUATION

On view through March 11. Work from First City Art Center artists and guest artist Patricia O’Neal. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard. firstcityart.org ADORN On view through Feb. 25.

Jewelry from local artists. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery. com POLAR OPPOSITES

On view through Feb. 17. Mixed Media. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org LUMINOUS LANGUAGE On view

through Feb. 17. A collaboration of poetry and digital art from Karen and Randy Morris.

Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org

THE ARTIST’S COOKBOOK On

view through Feb. 17. Exhibit of oil paintings by Suzanne Robbert.

Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org

ANNUAL YOUTH ART FOCUS On view

through Feb. 18.

Works from 500 art students in Escambia County schools.

Pensacola Museum

of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

WARREN THOMPSON: MOONPIES On

view through March 18. Black and white photographs by Florida-native artist Warren Thompson.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

≥Call to Artists WATER WATER EVERYWHERE AT ARTEL

for this show. Artists may submit up to three works of all media. Works must have been made within the last two years. Entry fee is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. Drop off work March 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and March 5 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, artelgallery.org JAZZFEST LOOKING FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS VENDORS

The latest exhibit at Artel Gallery will be about water. Water is the essences of life. When exploring planetary life we look for water. The human body is more than 60 percent water. Blood is 92 percent water, the brain and muscles are 75 percent water, and bones are about 22 percent water. So, have a drink of water and liquefy your visions

Jazz Pensacola is calling arts and crafts vendors to submit applications for the 2017 JazzFest taking place April 1 through April 2 at Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola. Only arts and crafts vendors will be accepted. All entries are $150, for a 10'-by-10' canopy or smaller.

Deadline for entries is March 15. For more information

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calendar and to download application forms, call 433-8382, or visit jazzpensacola.com.

≥Workshops & Classes

DRAWING 101This

class is an introductory course to drawing from observation.

Students will learn to accurately and realistically draw objects and people from life. Over the course of the sixweek class students will learn vocabulary, techniques, and skills based on the academic art tradition. Ages 16plus. Tuition is $175 for members and $200 for non-members. Class dates are February 20-27, Mondays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

OIL PAINTING 101 Oil Painting 101 is a great course for beginners as well as intermediate students. Students will learn to use oil paints to accurately and realistically portray objects and people from life.

Over the course of the six-week class students will learn vocabulary, techniques, and skills based on the academic art tradition. Ages 16-plus.

Tuition is $175 for members and $200 for non-members.

Class dates are February 23 through March 30, Thursdays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

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 February 9, 2017

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

BELLY DANCING

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 POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The

Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Road. ticketsportsbar.com COLLEGE NIGHT 10 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 WAY BACK WEDNESDAYS 4

p.m. Free admission for ladies, $1 beers, $5 pizza.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com LADIES NIGHT ON THE DECK 5 p.m. $2

drinks and music.

The Deck Bar, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola. com

PUB TRIVIA NIGHT

7-9:30 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Road. facebook.com/ goatlipsdeli

WEDNESDAY QUIZ

TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.com TICKET BAR BINGO

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Road. ticketsportsbar.com BAR BINGO 10 p.m.

Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

≥Karaoke

Thursdays Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m.

130 E. Government St. sevillequarter. com Saturdays Krazy George 9 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com Sundays The Sandshaker Lounge, 9 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker. com Mondays The Cabaret, 9 p.m.

101 S. Jefferson St. 607-2020 or cabaretpensacola.com Tuesdays Sandshaker Lounge, 8 p.m. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com Play, 9 p.m. 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com

for more listings visit inweekly.net 21

Since 2003, the members of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area have awarded 77 grants of $100,000 or more to 60 nonprofit organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, resulting in an investment of $8,318,000 in our area communities.

All women are invited to join!

What has the money from the 2016 grants accomplished?

• provided transportation for at-risk girls to receive free counseling and support to ensure a better future

• built a hydroponic greenhouse, providing training and employment for persons with developmental disabilities

• provided an inventory and management system to help fight hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

• constructed a safe haven for girls in Attucks Court to learn and prepare for careers in STEM

• constructed a permanent Native American Cultural Center, geneology resource and artifact museum

• funded a premier mobile outreach unit to promote conservation of the marine ecosystem of coastal Florida • provided for faster and safer searches, rescues and recoveries of missing persons

Deadline to join is March 1st!

• developed public awareness, access and enjoyment of a cherished, historical cemetery • restored a historic recreation site, teaching core values to young people through the game of golf • creation of items and resources to be given to every parent of a newborn in Escambia County to nurture children’s early learning and language development

100% of the $1,000 membership donation is distributed in grants to the nonprofit recipients in our community

Join by March 1st

Volunteer

Donate

Submit a Grant

Learn about the many ways you can volunteer with IMPACT 100

Learn about membership for 2016: find forms for joining/renewing on our website

$

Support us by making a donation or providing services

IMPACT100pensacola.org

a.

Nonprofit organizations: learn about our grant process and how to apply for an IMPACT 100 grant

888-992-5646

AD SPONSORED BY THE STUDER FAMILY 222 2

inweekly.net

news of the weird

by Chuck Shepherd

EWWWW! On Jan. 31, doctors at Stanley Medical College and Hospital in Chennai, India, removed a live, full-grown cockroach from the nasal cavity of a 42-year-old woman whose nose had been "itchy" earlier in the day. Two hospitals were unable to help her, but at Stanley, Dr. M N Shankar, chief of ear-nose-throat, used an endoscope, forceps, and, for 45 minutes, a suction device—because, he said, the roach "didn't seem to want to come out." Another doctor on the team noted that they've removed beads and similar items from the nasal cavity (demonstrating the splayedout trespasser in full wingspan), "but not a cockroach, especially not one this large."

"LESS COWBELL!" Applicants for passports in Switzerland are evaluated in part by neighbors of the applicant, and animal-rights campaigner Nancy Holten, 42, was rejected in January because townspeople view her as obnoxious, with, said a Swiss People's Party spokesperson, a "big mouth." Among Holten's "sins" was her constant criticism of the country's hallowed fascination with cowbells—that make, according to Holten, "hundred decibel," "pneumatic drill"-type sounds (though a hit song, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," by the group Blue Oyster Cult, skillfully employed the cowbell—before it was satirized in an epic "Saturday Night Live" sketch starring Christopher Walken).

CAN'T POSSIBLY BE TRUE Zachary Bennett and Karen Nourse have found Manhattan quite affordable, reported the New York Post in January—by simply not paying, for six years now, the $4,750 monthly rent on their loft-style apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood, citing New York state's "loft law," which they say technically forbids the landlord from collecting. Since the other eight units of their building are "commercial," the landlord believes it doesn't need a "residential certificate of occupancy," but Bennett and Nourse believe the law only exempts buildings with at least two residences, and for some reason, the landlord has obstinately declined to initiate eviction or, until recently, to sue (for back rent, fees, and electricity).

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Not Ready for Prime Time: A suspect pointing a gun attempted a robbery at a laundromat in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, in February was not immediately identified. (The official reason for not initially identifying him was that, though detained, he had not yet been booked; less likely, perhaps, police might have been trying to spare him embarrassment in that the laundromat's overnight clerk, a woman named Naou Mor Khantha, had simply taken his gun away from him and shot him three times. He was hospitalized in serious condition.)

UPDATE FROM "BIG PORN" The colossus PornHub dot com, in its annual January rundown, reported its several sites had 23 billion "visits" in 2016 (about one-fourth from females), during which time its videos were viewed 91 billion times. In all, earthlings spent 4.6 billion hours watching PornHub's inventory (that is 5.2 centuries' time doing whatever people do when viewing porn). USA took home the gold for the most "page views" per capita, just nipping Iceland. Online visitors from the Philippines, for the third straight year, remained (per capita) on the sites the longest per visit. The top search term on PornHub from U.S. computers was "step mom."

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Late last year, Oxford University professor Joshua Silver accused Britain's Home Secretary of a "hate" crime merely because the Secretary had made a speech urging that unemployed Britons be given preference for jobs over people recruited from overseas. Silver denounced this "discrimination" against "foreigners" and made a formal complaint to West Midlands police, which, after evaluation, absolved Secretary Amber Rudd but acknowledged that, under the law, the police were required to record the Secretary's unemployment speech as a "non-crime hate incident."

THE PASSING PARADE (1) Thomas Pinson, 21, was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, in January and charged with domestic battery for roughing up his mother (even though, presumably lovingly, he had her full name tattooed on his chest). (2) Police arrested a 22-year-old knife-wielding man in a restroom on a train in Dusseldorf, Germany, in January. The man, naked, appeared "quite annoyed" at being hassled, did not have a ticket to ride, and said he was using the knife to shave his genital area because he was not welcome at home.

UNDIGNIFIED DEATHS What Goes Around, Comes Around: (1) In January, Jesse Denton, 24, driving a stolen truck, tried to flee police on Interstate 95 near Brunswick, Georgia, but accidentally crashed head-on into another vehicle. Seconds later, Denton was then fatally hit by another motorist as he ran across the highway to escape the crash scene. (2) A 37-year-old Saanich, British Columbia, man did not die but nearly bled out before being heroically rescued following his parking-rage blunder. Angered that another driver had parked too close to his own car, he grabbed a knife and stabbed a tire on the other vehicle with such force that he wound up slashing the main artery in his leg. {in}

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 February 9, 2017

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