Inweekly jan 4 2018 issue

WHEN, WHAT, WHO

A LOOK AT THE 2018 ELECTIONS—WHEN TO VOTE, WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS AND WHO’S IN THE RUNNING Independent News | January 4, 2018 | Volume 18 | Number 52 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers

outtakes

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news

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6, 8, 10

It was intended to be an ironic expression of our generation's obsession with nostalgia culture.

buzz 12

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Michael Daw

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Duwayne Escobedo, Jennie McKeon, Jeremy Morrison, Shelby Nalepa, C.S. Satterwhite, Stephanie Sharp

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calendar

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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. © 2015 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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January 4, 2018

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winners & losers

Martha A. "Marny" Gilluly / Courtesy Photo

winners

MARTHA A. "MARNY" GILLULY The University of West Florida bestowed on her the UWF Founder's Medallion. This award symbolizes excellent character that represents the UWF values, extraordinary achievement or distinction in one of several fields and a history of support for the University. From 1998 to 2011, Gilluly served on the UWF Foundation Board of Directors. In 2011, the UWF Foundation Board elected her to be a lifetime Foundation Fellow.

FRED LEVIN At its fall commencement, UWF recognized the Pensacola attorney for his personal and professional achievements, as well as his service to UWF, Pensacola and Florida. Levin was named an Honorary Doctor of Laws. The honorary doctorate recognizes distinguished performance and is regarded as the highest recognition a university can bestow.

NAS WHITING Commander Naval Instal-

lations Command named Naval Air Station Whiting Field as the recipient of the Installation Excellence Award. The award recognizes top Navy commands at shore for their excellence across several categories, including installation management, program excellence, environmental stewardship, mission successes and community outreach.

PETER PIROLLI The National Academy of Inventors named the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition scientist to its class of 2017 NAI Fellows. With the election of the 2017 class, there are now 912 NAI Fellows worldwide who collectively hold more than 32,000 patents.

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Jack Latvala / Courtesy Photo

losers

JACK LATVALA "King Jack" saw his legisla-

tive career end when a special master, retired Judge Ron Swanson, recommended a criminal probe into allegations that the longtime lawmaker had promised legislative favors for sex. Swanson also found probable cause to support allegations that the senator had repeatedly groped Senate aide Rachel Perrin Rogers and engaged in a pattern of making unwelcome remarks about women's bodies.

Latvala quit the day after the report was released after Gov. Rick Scott and others asked him to step down.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY Federal Judge

Roger Vinson denied the county's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the family of Rodney Berry. In May 2015, Berry died in the jail infirmary after having vomited and defecated on himself repeatedly for nearly seven hours. His death was one of five deaths in the county jail in 2015. Corrections Director Michael Tidwell was let go after Inweekly reported on the details of Berry's and other jail deaths under his command.

GERALD CHAMPAGNE The general counsel for the Escambia County Sheriff's Office filed a complaint against the Escambia Board of County Commissioners for violating the Sunshine Law by holding a "shade meeting" and not releasing the minutes of the meeting to ECSO. The State Attorney's Office ruled no violations were committed. The BCC was allowed to hold a private attorney-client session as long as it was properly noticed and a court reporter recorded the discussion. The transcript is confidential until the litigation is concluded.

inweekly.net

SEVILLE SQUARE REALTY WELCOMES AMBER GREEN! Amber grew up as a military child but has called Pensacola home since her adolescent years. Her background is in Finance and she graduated from Stetson University in 2001. She has worked as a budget analyst for the Marine Corps and has been involved with photography and graphic design for the last 12 years.

Contact Amber: 850-572-0597 or amber@sevillesquare.net

outtakes

by Rick Outzen

CITY DÉJÀ VU The recent debate over the validity of the city's online maps and whether developers and the public can rely on them remind us of a similar debate nearly three years ago.

In October 2014, Manna Food Bank, Inc. purchased four acres from the Escambia County School District that once was the site of J. Lee Pickens School that had been closed for decades. The school district earlier in the year had demolished the building, which was built in 1938 and named for a prominent African-American physician.

Mayor Ashton Hayward and his staff told Manna that the non-profit could construct its new headquarters on the site. Manna proposed building an approximately 17,000 sq. ft. warehouse to receive food donations and another 3,000 sq. ft. for offices with a meeting room to accommodate 50-60 people.

The city planning department said there would be no problem because the land was zoned commercial. Manna would only need an exception from the city on the size of the warehouse.

Residents protested, claiming the land was zoned residential and the warehouse and offices weren't permitted. City staff and the planning board said they were wrong. In fact, the board treated the residents rather rudely. The city maps showed the land was zoned R-NC. The residents were told they could do nothing to stop it.

The exception was granted.

Greater Little Rock Baptist Church

pastor Lonnie Wesley called and asked if I would look into it. I listened to Veronica Fountain, and we together began to research the issue. The city threw as many roadblocks in our way as possible.

City Administrator Eric Olson told Inweekly, "The Manna's request falls within a provision specifically built into the land development code for the R-NC zoning district."

After much digging, we found that Olson and the planning department were wrong. In 2011, the Pensacola City Council adopted its Future Land Use Map that showed the former Pickens School had been changed from Residential/Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential. Sherry Morris, head of the planning department, had failed to update the Future Land Use Map. In April 2015, I received a phone call from a Manna board member who said the city staff had admitted to him privately that the land was zoned residential, and the board had decided to sell the site. The Future Land Use Map was later corrected.

In December 2015, former city planner Elizabeth Schrey told Inweekly that she lost her job after she refused to lie to the Pensacola City Council about whether the Manna warehouse was under the city's Comprehensive Plan. Olson denied Schrey's allegation.

Both these incidents beg the question: what's the use of city maps if they aren't accurate? {in} rick@inweekly.net

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5

WHEN, WHAT, WHO

A LOOK AT THE 2018 ELECTIONS—WHEN TO VOTE, WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS AND WHO’S IN THE RUNNING Inweekly expects 2018 to an active election year, both locally and statewide. One reason is that all the Florida Cabinet seats are up this year and none of the incumbents can run for another term, except for Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis who was appointed to post when Jeff Atwater resigned this past summer.

Governor Rick Scott is expected to set his sights on Washington and run against incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who has served in the Senate since 2001. In his three elections, Nelson has beaten his Republican opponents handily—Bill McCollum in 2000 (52%-47%); Katherine Harris in 2006 (60%-38%); and Connie Mack IV in 2012 (55%-42%). However, Scott can raise millions and has the support of President Donald Trump. With the balance in the Senate so tight, no matter who runs the nation will be watching this race.

Scott’s rumored bid for the Senate means the Governor’s race is wide open on both sides. So far twelve Republicans have filed to

run for the office. The frontrunner is Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, a moderate in the vein of former Gov. Jeb Bush. However, there are two names being mentioned as contenders who have yet to announce—Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Congressman Ron DeSantis.

Word is Corcoran will wait until the end of the 2018 legislative session to announce. DeSantis got a nice plug from President Trump the week before Christmas. The president hailed DeSantis on social media as a “brilliant young leader” who would make a “GREAT governor” for the Sunshine State.

On the Democratic side, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham is the candidate the Republicans fear the most. Two mayors are challenging her—Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. However, the only candidate that could stop her juggernaut is Orlando attorney John Morgan, and he said over Thanksgiving that he had left the Democratic Party. That leaves us

SAVE THE DATES

Everyone knows 2018 is an election year, but they probably don’t know actual voting dates yet. These are the main dates and deadlines to make note of.

Important Dates for Voters:

PRIMARY ELECTION: TUESDAY, AUG. 28 Voter Registration Deadline: July 30 Vote-By-Mail Request Deadline: Aug. 22 Vote-By-Mail Return Deadline: 7 p.m., Aug. 28 GENERAL ELECTION: TUESDAY, NOV. 6 Voter Registration Deadline: Oct. 9 Vote-By-Mail Request Deadline: Oct. 31 Vote-By-Mail Return Deadline: 7 p.m., Nov. 6

Important Dates for Candidates:

Federal and Judicial Offices Qualifying Window: Noon, April 30–Noon, May 4 State, Multi-County, Escambia County and City Offices Qualifying Window: Noon, June 18– Noon, June 22

OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION AND RETENTION

Here’s a breakdown on what will actually be on your ballots this year—locally and statewide.

Federal Offices

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Representative in Congress (All Districts)

Statewide Offices

Governor and Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Chief Financial Officer Commissioner of Agriculture

Florida House All Districts

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wondering if Morgan will run as an Independent and be a spoiler?

Florida Attorney General is the one cabinet race that will attract local attention because State Rep. Frank White (R-Pensacola) has jumped in the race. Former Federal Judge Ashley Moody has the endorsement of Attorney General Pam Bondi and several Florida sheriffs, but she may not be conservative enough for some Republican, or, at least, that’s what White and State Rep. Jay Fant (R-Jacksonville) hope.

Looking at the local scene, two Escambia County Commission seats are up. With Commissioner Grover Robinson running for mayor, the District 4 race will be hotly contested with five Republicans contending. How they separate themselves from each other will be exciting to watch. City Councilman P.C. Wu has been mentioned as a possible late entry, but few consider him a serious contender. District 2 has Commissioner Doug Underhill seeking reelection to a second term against newcomer

Alan McMillan. Everyone who Underhill upset last year have lined up with McMillan. Will the hospitality industry come through for Underhill in 2018 as it did in 2014?

The District 3 School Board race will be one to watch too. Linda Moultrie resigned without lining up a successor because she wanted to return to the post this year. Gov. Scott appointed Lee Hansen, and she has yet to prefile for the seat. Moultrie has.

In the city of Pensacola, everyone is waiting for Mayor Ashton Hayward to announce whether he will run for a third term. His social media and press releases seem to indicate that he will. We’ve been told some of his former supporters who have written checks for Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson—the only currently declared candidate for mayor—have received phone calls from the mayor. However Hayward has such strong name recognition and fundraising prowess that he could wait until June to make his decision and still give Robinson a strong race. {in}

Local Offices

County Commissioner, District 2

County Commission – Partisan

County Commissioner, District 4

Judicial – Nonpartisan County Court Judge: Groups 2, 4 and 5

Districts 2 and 4

School Board – Nonpartisan Districts 1, 2 and 3

Special Districts – Nonpartisan

Alan McMillan (REP) Douglas Underhill (REP)

Robert Bender (REP) Kendrick Doidge (REP) William Fetke (REP) Christopher Phillips (REP) Boyce White (REP)

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority: Districts 2 and 4 Santa Rosa Island Authority Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District: Groups 1, 2 and 4

School Board, District 1

City of Pensacola – Nonpartisan

Laura Edler Linda Moultrie Larry Williams Sr. J. Walker Wilson

Mayor City Council: Districts 2, 4 and 6

Town of Century – Nonpartisan

Kevin Adams

School Board, District 3

Town Council: Seats 3, 4 and 5

City of Pensacola, Mayor

PREFILED CANDIDATES

PARTY LINES

With so many rumors and announcements, keeping up with who’s actually running for what can seem like a full-time job. We promise to do our best at that job and keep you in the know from now until November. For starters, here’s a list of candidates that have prefiled as of Jan. 2.

Florida House, District 1 Rebekah Bydlak (REP) Vikki Garrett (DEM) Mike Hill (REP)

Florida House, District 2

Robert Alexander Andrade (REP) William Daniel Bussing (REP) Raymond Clayton Guillory (DEM)

Florida House, District 3 Jayer Williamson (REP)

Grover Robinson IV

Just in case you’re curious, here’s what the partisan breakdown of registered voters currently looks like.

Voter Registration in Escambia County as of 12/29/17

Republican 92,395 (45.0%) Democrat 70,082 (34.2%) No Party Affiliation 41,438 (20.2%) Minor Parties 1,207 ( 0.6%) Total 205,122

Voter Registration in Florida as of 11/30/17

Republican 4,550,146 (35.3%) Democrat 4,815,749 (37.4%) No Party Affiliation 3,447,811 (26.8%) Minor Parties 62,675 ( 0.5%) Total 12,876,381 *All dates and voting numbers were found on escambiavotes.com inweekly.net

Thank you

Studer Community Institute’s early learning projects are made possible by the support of our community partners, sponsors and donors.

Their generosity is improving the quality of life by building a vibrant community. $100,000 or more:

• Brain Bags launched at local hospitals; • Baptist Healthcare • Sacred Heart Healthcare System/ Ascension • West Florida Hospital • Lessons on early brain development for new mothers

$25,000 or more

• Baby Steps book helps parents track milestones

$10,000 or more

• Local moms part of University of Chicago research

Chris Janes

• First in Florida LENA Start parent groups launched • Parent Outreach partnership with Area Housing Commission

Fredric G. Levin of Levin, Papantonio

Marcus & Cindy Michles

Bobby Switzer One Palafox Place

Kim & Julian MacQueen

Brooke and Chad Henderson

$5,000 or more Bear Family Foundation

Chris Pate

Dawson Family Foundation Trust Escambia County Sheriff’s Office

• Make Play Smart bringing learning to play spaces

$1,000 or more Apple Corps Foundation Dick and Carolyn Appleyard Lavern and Dick Baker Bear General Contractors BBVA Compass Burns Family in honor of Ronald McDonald House

$500 or more Connie Bookman Karen Burke Scott Burton Elisabeth Buswell Mark and Madrina Ciano Jason Crawford

$100 or more

Robert Brown Jennifer Buckley Judy Burns Michael Burroughs

Combined Insurance Services COX Miller Caldwell CPC Office Technologies Escambia County Commissioners Shirley Cronley Downtown Pensacola Rotary Highpointe Hotel Corporation Patrick Elebash FSA Investment Group

Ryan Greenhut IHMC International Paper Foundation Stephanie Jaubert Allen Kress Levin and Rinke Realty Lincoln Property Company McGuire’s Irish Pub Mickelson Construction Services Jodi Mickelson

Morette Construction Autumn Morris Myslak Family Peggy Nickelsen Mort O’Sullivan - Warren Averett Philip Partington Pensacola Beach RV Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras, Inc. SMP Architects Tia and Fred Robbins

Andrew Rothdefer Sandy Sansing Foundation SmartBank Jon Shell Todd Torgersen Fred Vidgosky Cynthia Warren Melvin Warren Vince Whibbs

Angela D’alessandro David Deliman Randy Hammer Huron Consulting Group Kazoo Kares Foundation Shannon Libbert Dan Lindemann

McKenzie Lohbeck Kevin Mair Scott Malone Jan and Ron Miller Stephen Moorhead Curt Morse Jean Pierre N’Dione

Outerspaces Landscapes Parker Payne Beverly Pica Janet Pilcher Megan Pratt Dr. Ed Ranelli Andrew Rothfeder

Lisa Nellessen Savage Josh and Kristen Sitton Christopher Tonn Charlie Ward Kyle Watson Cody and Hannah Whitehair Brian and Cristina Williams

Karla Eddins Kim Franklin Clint Hill Andrew Hobbs Chris Horak

Amanda Hurd Landry Leidner Deborah Mclemore Ricki McWilliams Cherie Meguess

John Miller Salon San Carlos Sharon Morette Michelle Salzman Aldria Walker

LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP Nicole Webb Bodie (850) 748-2027 nwebb@studeri.org studeri.org

Donations received as of 12.5.17. In-kind donations are not included.

The Studer Community Institute is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 47-5657008) and is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to solicit contributions (Registration #CH48388.) Donors can deduct contributions under Internal Revenue Code section 170.

January 4, 2018

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply, endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

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INGRAM'S LAST SESSION 2018 WISH LIST

Courtesy Photo

By Rick Outzen When the 2018 Florida Legislature convenes on Jan. 9, it will be Clay Ingram's last session. The Pensacola Republican terms out of the Florida House this year.

The newspaper caught up with him before the Christmas holidays and asked him to look back on the 2017 session and talk about the upcoming one.

Rep. Ingram told Inweekly. "I was talking to some folks at lunch, and an elderly couple from church mentioned, 'You remember knocking on our door in 2010 asking for a vote?' I said, 'It seems like just yesterday, but it was darn near eight years ago.' It really has flown by."

Ingram chairs the House Transportation and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee and serves on the Appropriations Committee and Joint Legislative Budget Commission. At the end of the session, he has a seat at the table when the House and Senate work out the state budget. His final budget may be the tightest in years due.

"I think we thought this might be one of the last years of budget surplus and then heading into a little bit of a recession with regard to tax revenues," he said. "Revenues to the state are still up compared to years previous, but federally-required healthcare and education spending, the growth of 88

those two requirements outpace the growth at which we brought tax revenue in."

Lawmakers anticipate a budget deficit next year. They will have to beef up the catastrophe fund after Hurricane Irma and the other storms that came through the state wiped it out in 2017. The fund helped the state handle the onslaught of expenditures that rippled throughout state government.

"Every single state agency was impacted," said Ingram. "The DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice) and the Department of Corrections, you could imagine, had to move inmates, and they had to shuffle kids that are in those programs from all those parts of the state to somewhere safer. Stuff like that happens to every agency that the state has, having to move people, move technology and resources; it really did a number on the budget. That's kind of the overarching theme for the upcoming session."

The sex scandals have also impacted the legislature.

"They have made it a weird feeling at the capitol, just what's going to be able to get done with so many scandals hanging over so many people, with regard to the overarching but inappropriate touching and comments and that kind of stuff that's been going on," he said.

Ingram added, "Those two things seem to be the underlying vibe that will affect everything else."

For the 2018 session, Ingram hopes to get funding to replace the 61-year-old Mary Ellison Baars Building at Pensacola State College. The new 101,000-square-foot facility will house the college's technical programs in cybersecurity, math, science and applied technology. It will be a significant player in providing mechanics for the VT MAE at the nearby Pensacola International Airport.

"The Baars Building may be the oldest functioning building in the state college system that hasn't had a significant upgrade concerning not just the facing and that kind of thing, but the gut job," said Ingram. "Dr. Meadows (PSC president) has advocated strongly and ardently for it, and we've at least gotten some money put toward it."

He added, "Another thing, it's very high on the State Board of State College's list of asks. It's not something we're pushing as a pet project; it's ranked high by the state college system."

In the 2017 session, the $19 million needed to replace the building became a casualty of the fight between Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran over economic development. Ingram is optimistic that the 2018 session will be smoother for the project.

"We need the building to do a lot of the training for the VT MAE-type jobs and the cyber jobs," he said. "Politics got in the way of it last year, and a lot of the money was taken to do some things in South Florida to smooth things over between the legislature and the governor. We would love to keep politics out of that and actually have it funded because it's vital for us."

Ingram believes that our area has done an excellent job preparing for the opening of VT MAE later this year.

"I think a lot of times around this region we're accused of being behind the curve, but we have done a good job of gearing up for that particular round of hiring, which is very positive." Clay Ingram "George Stone Technical Center has graduated their first class of graduates for VT MAE," he said. "I think a lot of times around this region we're accused of being behind the curve, but we have done a good job of gearing up for that particular round of hiring, which is very positive."

While his chairmanship takes up much of his time as he oversees the budgets for transportation, tourism and economic development, which totals $12-$13 billion, he wants to focus his last session on how to make Florida "very military friendly, very veteran friendly."

He said, "I have a bill, there's not a lot of revolutionary things, but it's things that build upon things we've done in the past with regard to making it easier for the military to be here, making it easier on the enlisted folks who are stationed here, not just here in the Panhandle but in the state of Florida."

DEFINED BY TRIUMPH

Besides the battle between the governor and speaker, the other issue that took up much of the Northwest Florida delegation's energy last year was ensuring the $300 million from the BP oil spill settlement was given to Triumph Gulf Coast to help our region diversify its economy. Ingram described the 2017 fight as a "monumental lift."

"Whenever people from other parts of the state knew that we had a billion and a half dollars that we had coming here, there were definitely forces that wanted to take that money and move it other places and siphon it off," he said. "That was a huge lift; it affected everything we were doing.

We looked at every vote through the lens of, 'will this harm the Triumph Gulf Coast money coming to the Panhandle?' That's the absolute truth. At the end of the day, it got done, and it was a huge relief."

He added, "Looking back on my almost eight years now, a lot of things that I've done I felt were important and put a lot of effort and focus into, but I think we'll be defined by Triumph looking back 20-30 years from now. That will be the generational change, we hope, for our economy that we were all a part of making happen."

How Triumph Gulf Coast spends the funds will impact how state lawmakers look at future installments of the BP funds, which is a big concern for Ingram. He also serves as the president and CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber.

"When we at the chamber were looking at projects we wanted to endorse or get behind and things we really wanted to push, the perspective we took was 30 years from now, 40 years from now, when we're looking back on the economy and how it evolved, did putting resources behind this particular project, project X, Y, or Z, change the course of the economy. Did it add a leg to the stool of our economy?" he said. "We endorsed those projects that actually were transformative."

Ingram added, "It's hard to go wrong when you're looking at things that way." {in} inweekly.net

January 4, 2018

9

FLORIDA CAPITAL: 'OFF THE RAILS'

State of the State Address / Courtesy Photo

By Rick Outzen "Everything fell off the rails this year," said Ryan Wiggins, owner of Full Contact Strategies. "I think 2017 is the year of politics falling off the rails—statewide, federally, locally, everywhere."

Wiggins is a student of Florida politics.

She has over a decade of experience in communications and public relations in government, including key positions with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of the Attorney General of Florida, Florida Department of Transportation, Executive Office of the Governor of Florida and Congressman Jeff Miller's Office in Washington, D.C.

010 1

As chief spokesperson for Attorney General Bill McCollum, she managed state, national and international media and messaging for both the legal challenge to Affordable Care Act Obamacare and the legal implications of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill for Florida.

Her political media consulting firm, Full Contact Strategies, specializes in political messaging, crisis communications and media relations. Wiggins spearheaded the media and strategic political efforts behind The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act (SB 1030). The legislation, which is commonly referred to as "Charlotte's Web," legalized non-euphoric strains of cannabis for medical use.

The 2017 legislative session pitted Governor Rick Scott versus Florida House

Speaker Richard Corcoran and other key lawmakers seeking higher office in 2018.

"You started to see the plays being made for looking into this election cycle, and the governor and the speaker not getting along, and some of the governor's priorities getting stomped out in the House, and so the governor retaliated in stomping out some of the House priorities when he had veto power," said Wiggins, "so it was an interesting year, last year, for sure."

Wiggins and other political analysts believe that Corcoran used the 2017 session as a way for the Land O' Lakes Republican to test the waters to run for governor using economic development as his catalyst—or rather the elimination of business incentives to attract corporations to Florida.

"Speaker Corcoran was trying to establish some leadership and power and flex his muscle to maybe make himself look like more of a contender for that seat." Ryan Wiggins "Speaker Corcoran was trying to establish some leadership and power and flex

his muscle to maybe make himself look like more of a contender for that seat," she said.

The battle between the speaker and governor pointed yet again to the problems Scott has had with the Florida Legislature getting his priorities passed. In 2016, the state legislature rejected the governor's call for $250 million for a new job-creating incentive fund. Enterprise Florida, principal economic development organization for the state, has been on life support ever since.

"I think that problems during the last session had more to do with relationships and Corcoran jockeying for the governor's job." Wiggins "I think that Corcoran has never really gotten along with the governor," said Wiggins. "I think that problems during the last session had more to do with relationships and Corcoran jockeying for the governor's job."

EATING UP BANDWIDTH

The Senate and House committees have been meeting over the past three months in preparation for the 2018 session that opens on Jan. 9. Wiggins hasn't seen much happening during the meetings.

"All of the sexual harassment stuff is really eating up all the bandwidth over in Tallahassee right now," she told Inweekly. "The Senate president said this is causing a distraction and I think the governor also had said that all this sexual harassment stuff over there is causing a huge distraction in them getting the day-today work done."

The focus on sexual misconduct began in late October with the resignation of State Sen. Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth), who left the Legislature after admitting he

inweekly.net

had an extramarital affair with a lobbyist reported by Politico Florida. Clemens was slated to take over as leader of the Senate Democrats following the 2018 elections.

Ritch Workman, a former state representative picked by Scott for a spot on the Public Service Commission, withdrew from the job after Senate Rules Chairwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Fort Myers) said he manhandled her at a charity event last year.

Workman's appointment to the Public Service Commission was slated to take effect in January and would have been subject to later Senate confirmation. Benacquisto said she wouldn't put his appointment on her committee's agenda because of his "abhorrent" behavior more than a year ago.

Benacquisto said in a statement that Workman had "approached me from behind, pushed his body up against me and made vulgar and inappropriate gestures."

Benacquisto said in a statement, describing the incident.

Benacquisto, who has said publicly that she was raped as a teenager, said she immediately asked Workman to stop, but he continued to make the comments and gestures until others intervened.

An emotional Workman told The News Service of Florida he did not recall the incident, but that "the right thing to do is to get out of the way."

By far the most powerful lawmaker forced out of the state legislature was Sen. Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and candidate of governor in 2018.

Latvala announced his resignation Dec. 20, less than a day after Special Master Ronald Swanson, a former judge, recommended a criminal probe into allegations that the lawmaker had promised legislative favors for sex. Swanson also found probable cause to support allegations that the senator had repeatedly groped Senate aide Rachel Perrin Rogers and engaged in a pattern of making unwelcome remarks about women's bodies.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling a preliminary inquiry into allegations of possible public corruption. In his resignation letter to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala condemned the process that resulted in Swanson's damning report. The resignation is effective Jan. 5.

"There are legislators who understandably are covering their backs and are refusing to meet with female lobbyists and refusing to meet with women in general." Wiggins FALLOUT FOR 2018

Wiggins is concerned the incidents may make it harder for women to participate in state government.

January 4, 2018

"It's actually hurting women more than it's helping them over there," she said.

"Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald did a great article talking about how this is impacting the ability for lobbyists to do their jobs, for anyone to do their jobs. There are legislators who understandably are covering their backs and are refusing to meet with female lobbyists and refusing to meet with women in general."

She added, "A lot of work in Tallahassee gets done after hours, and that's not happening either, so really everything's just kind of run amok for right now."

"A lot of work in Tallahassee gets done after hours, and that's not happening either, so really everything's just kind of run amok for right now." Wiggins The news stories have put lawmakers on edge, according to Wiggins. The routine business that usually happens during the committee weeks didn't get done this fall.

She said, "No one wanted to be in Tallahassee. It was just a really nasty feel over there. I've been over there since I was 18 years old, and this was the first time that I've really been icked out by what's been going on over there, and the way people are acting toward each other.

I mean, there's just a lot of suspicion in a town where there's a lot of suspicion anyway."

Latvala was considered to be one of the most influential lawmakers. The News Service of Florida pointed out that he often flexed his muscle as a power broker, often putting the brakes on right-wing priorities of his fellow Republicans and championing legislation that benefited teachers, firefighters, cops and prison guards.

Wiggins believes the Florida Senate may operate smoother without Latvala blocking legislation. Some lawmakers might even breathe a sigh of relief for not having to deal with some of the threats that would come out of him in the Senate.

"Jack Latvala was known for being a bully," she said. "He was notorious for the last week of session stopping lots of moving trains and killing lots of important legislation, and he was not well liked by his colleagues for that."

Latvala has several political action committees. Wiggins and others are wondering how he will use them in 2018.

"The political action committees do not go away just because he's no longer a senator," she said. "What is scaring everyone over in Tallahassee is what is Jack going to do. Like I said, he has a reputation of being pretty tough, and he was pretty tough in the sexual harassment case.

He was tough against the victim, the person who came out and spoke out against him."

Wiggins continued, "The question is will he use that PAC money as retaliation?

That is what a lot of people over there think, and if that is the case, then this is going to be a very interesting session indeed.

That's the problem with having someone who's been over there since the '70s, is that they know where all of the bodies are buried." {in} 11

Rendering Courtesy of Sacred Heart Foundation

NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ON TRACK Construction of the new Studer

Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart is on schedule, with the new four-story facility expected to open in the spring of 2019 on Sacred Heart's Pensacola campus.

More than $20.7 million has been awarded to Escambia County sub-contractors. Currently, 100 construction workers are onsite, and this will peak between 250 and 275 as the project progresses.

Upon opening, the new children's hospital is expected to add 100 Sacred Heart jobs for the local community. This growth of healthcare services will also enable recruitment of new pediatric specialists.

"We are tremendously pleased with the progress being made on our new children's hospital," said Henry Stovall, president of Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola and The Studer Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart. "While we did experience several brief pauses in construction to prepare for incoming hurricanes, our overall beautiful weather this past fall has enabled our crews to keep to the project timeline. We look forward to sharing this work with patients and community members in 2019."

The Children's Hospital's basement walls and slab are complete, and the east side of the basement wall is being backfilled with dirt. Structural steel has been installed on the first floor, and parts of the first- and second-floor slabs have been poured. Work has also begun on elevators and stairwells.

Construction of the new four-story children's hospital began on Sacred Heart's Pensacola campus in March. The new children's hospital will increase access to specialized pediatric and maternity care and consolidate inpatient pediatric services in one convenient location.

212 1

The new children's hospital will include a pediatric emergency department and trauma center, pediatric procedure rooms, 72-bed neonatal intensive care unit, medical/surgical beds, pediatric imaging department, pediatric satellite pharmacy, pediatric inpatient rehabilitation gym, child life playrooms, outdoor gardens and a new family-friendly dining venue.

In addition to the Ronald McDonald House adjacent to Sacred Heart's Pensacola campus, the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside the new children's hospital will offer a playroom specifically for patients' siblings, as well as space for families to cook, do laundry and relax.

"This new children's hospital will be a game-changer for the Gulf Coast's sick and injured children," said Stovall.

Sacred Heart Health System and Ascension have committed $55 million towards the construction of the new children's hospital, and Sacred Heart has raised $21 million of the $30 million needed from community supporters to complete all phases of the expansion. To donate the new Studer Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart, visit sacred-heart.org/foundation.

The Studer Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart is a 117-bed facility that serves as the only children's hospital in Northwest Florida. The Children's Hospital provides quality, compassionate care to children, regardless of their parents' ability to pay. For more information about the services available at The Studer Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart, visit sacred-heart.org/childrenshospital.

WELCOMING TONE Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward outlined his goals for the last year of his second term in a message posted on the city's website.

"We are fortunate to live in a city where so many people are engaged in improving the quality of life for everyone in our community," he wrote. "Our goal in 2018 is to make sure we send that message to the businesses and individuals who are interested in coming here."

He challenged the city's residents to set a welcoming tone for everyone who is interested in investing in Pensacola.

Hayward said he would continue to focus on the city's infrastructure and to go after state and federal funds to make more improvements without raising taxes or fees.

The mayor did comment on the delays of some of his stormwater projects without naming them specifically. The Corinne Jones-Government Stormwater Pond project is three years behind schedule.

"Sure, some of the projects ran into difficulties, but anytime you start a complex project you know there will be unanticipated problems," said Hayward. "If you can't accept some risk, if you don't have a vision for what could be, you'll never get anything done."

He also touted the city's overall financial status.

"We are living within our means, we've consolidated our gains from pension reform, and we rapidly negotiated new agreements with our employee unions," wrote Hayward.

"For over 35 years our Finance Department has been recognized for excellence in budgeting and financial reporting. Where would you rather pay your taxes?"

There was no mention of his plans for the Port of Pensacola.

AIRBNB GROWS IN FLORIDA Airbnb Florida announced last week that its Florida vacation rental hosts earned a combined $450 million in supplemental income while welcoming approximately 2.7 million guests to the state in 2017—a 75-percent growth over 2016.

According to its press release, nearly 40,000 Floridians shared their homes or vacation rentals through Airbnb, with each host typically earning about $6,700 annually. In Escambia County, Airbnb booked 31,700 guest arrivals in 2017, at an average earning of $145 each.

Miami-Dade County had the most guest arrivals in Florida, 667,200, and the most host income, $134.6 million.

"Vacation rentals provide a tremendous impact for the local tourism industry and Florida's overall economy," said Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota) in the press release.

"We must protect private property rights so that Florida homeowners can continue to participate in the sharing economy and

provide additional options for travelers to our state."

Airbnb said that Florida hotels also experienced strong growth in occupancy rates, prices and revenue during 2017, which it argued suggested "vacation rentals on Airbnb and other platforms are opening up the state to a new demographic of tourists by catering to travelers who are less able to afford hotels, those who desire to stay in neighborhoods or cities that lack hotels, and families who prefer to vacation together under one roof."

"We are proud to contribute to Florida's record-setting tourism by opening up the state to new segments of visitors," said Jennifer Frankenstein-Harris, president of the Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FVRMA). "We are committed to partnering with the Governor and lawmakers to further infuse Florida's economy with additional revenue and elevate Florida's status as a global hub for family-friendly tourism."

Airbnb is currently authorized to collect and pay the state sales tax on all bookings in Florida, in addition to collecting and paying local bed taxes in 39 counties. In 2017 alone, Airbnb secured new tax agreements with six counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, Polk, Hillsborough and Leon. The company will release a 2017 county-by-county tax report once the December taxes are remitted.

FIGHT FOR HIGHER WAGE Miami

Beach Mayor Phillip Levine, a Democratic candidate for governor, and his city have asked the Florida Supreme Court to take up the issue whether the city can move forward with a local minimum wage. The city last week filed a notice that it is appealing a Dec. 13 decision by the 3rd District Court of Appeal that rejected the local minimum wage.

In 2016, the Miami Beach City Commission approved an ordinance that set a minimum wage of $10.31 an hour to take effect in 2018, with the wage going up $1 a year to $13.31 on Jan. 1, 2021.

Opponents, including the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, filed a lawsuit against the city, contending that local governments do not have the legal authority to set their own minimum wages. The case, in part, focused on a 2004 constitutional amendment that created a higher minimum wage in Florida than the federal minimum wage.

Miami Beach argued that the constitutional amendment also allowed it to set a different minimum wage. But the Third inweekly.net

District Court of Appeal said an earlier state law prevented local governments from setting minimum wages and that the constitutional amendment did not change that "preemption" law.

The notice filed this week in the Supreme Court does not detail the city's legal positions. The statewide minimum wage went up to $8.25 on Jan. 1.

LEGISLATIVE DAY The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce held its Legislative Luncheon before the Christmas holidays.

Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Niceville) provided keynote remarks, updating the 250 attendees on the latest developments from our nation's capital.

"Today's legislative luncheon provided the opportunity for the business community to learn what impact tax reform will have on their businesses and families," said Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Steve Moorhead. "We appreciate Congressman Gaetz for giving us his perspective."

Moorhead provided an overview of the Chamber's advocacy efforts highlighting the Chamber's vetting and support of Triumph Gulf Coast projects for potential funding.

Congressman Gaetz' keynote remarks ranged from the ongoing tax reform negotiations to the need to renew the Gulf oil drilling moratorium set to expire in 2022. Gaetz also lamented the lack of camaraderie between the political parties in Washington compared to the more collegial Florida Legislature.

Gulf Power President, and Triumph Gulf Coast board member, Stan Connally offered an update on Triumph Gulf Coast's progress and their outlook heading into 2018. Connally stated that he wants to see projects that will benefit the public at large and supplement, not supplant other projects in the region.

The luncheon also featured a question and answer session with Congressman Gaetz and the Northwest Florida legislative delegation, State Senator Doug Broxson and State Representatives Mel Ponder, Jayer Williamson and Clay Ingram.

TWO TIGER BAY SPEAKERS The Pan-

handle Tiger Bay Club will have two speakers in January—Dr. Sue Mi Terry and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

Dr. Sue Mi Terry will speak on Friday, Jan. 12. She joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies in 2017 as a senior fellow from Korea after a long and distinguished career in intelligence, policymaking, and academia following Korean January 4, 2018

issues. Terry was the director for Korea, Japan, and Oceanic affairs at the National Security Council under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 20082008. She also served as a senior analyst on Korean issues at the CIA from 20012008, where she produced hundreds of intelligence assessments, including a record number of contributions to the President's Daily Brief.

Adam Putnam is a fifth-generation Floridian, the son of a citrus and cattle farmer, and a Republican running for Governor of Florida. For the past seven years, Putnam has served as Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. As Commissioner, Putnam fought for the betterment of all Floridians's while staying grounded in his conservative principles, Florida values and vision to make Florida's reality live up to Florida's promise.

He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2011. He will speak on Friday, Jan. 31.

The Panhandle Tiger Bay Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at Skopelos at New World Landing, 600 S. Palafox St. The program starts at noon. The charge for guests is $35, while military and students are $25. To RSVP, go to panhandletigerbay.com.

REFERENDUMS GATHER SIGNATURES The News Service of Florida

reports that backers of proposed constitutional amendments that would make it harder to expand gambling in Florida and restore felons' rights have topped 600,000 valid petition signatures, according to numbers posted on the state Division of Elections website.

The political committee Voters In Charge, which is spearheading the gambling measure, had submitted 621,763 valid signatures as of Dec. 28, according to the state Division of Elections website. The group needs to present 766,200 to get the measure on the November 2018 ballot. The proposal would change the state Constitution and give voters the "exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling" in the state. It would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future.

Meanwhile, the political committee Floridians for a Fair Democracy had submitted 600,083 valid signatures, according to the Division of Elections. The committee's proposed constitutional amendment, if approved next year, would automatically restore voting rights for all nonviolent felons who have served their sentences, completed parole or probation and paid restitution.

Felons convicted of violent crimes, such as murder, would not be eligible. {in} 13

The Capitol Steps in Concert Friday, January 19, 2018, 7:30 p.m.

Pensacola Saenger Theatre Tickets available beginning December 1 through Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.

wuwf.org | 850.474.2787

ON THE WATER AND

OFF THE CHARTS! Fresh off the dock seafood. Spectacular waterfront view. Live entertainment and our legendary Southern hospitality. Year after year, the Fish House is rated one of the top restaurants in Pensacola.

Chart a course to our house and see why.

FISHHOUSEPENSACOLA.COM

OPEN DAILY AT 11 A.M. · (850) 470-0003 · 600 S. BARRACKS ST.

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inweekly.net

WEEK OF JANUARY 4-10

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

New Year, New Noise

By Shelby Nalepa

Noiseheads / Photo by Elizabeth Gray Local trio Noiseheads are playing a show at chizuko Friday, and it's their first one in Pensacola since 2015.

Guitarist Nick Gray's intense, grinding voice fits faultlessly within their '90s-embodying sound, while still finding a modern edge. The local, but not-so-local, band also has a bit of an online following, with accolades including "Bands to Listen to in 2016" from Alternative Nation.

"We've been fortunate enough during our time as a group to play in several cities across the U.S. and enjoy success internationally because of the internet, but there's nothing like playing in your own town," Gray said. "It feels good to be back for our debut at the year-old chizuko."

Gray was briefly signed to an indie label as a solo artist in 2009 before starting Noiseheads with his brother, bassist Joe Gray, and drummer Greg Nicholas in 2010.

"It didn't last long because the producer I was working with, who also co-owned the January 4, 2018

label, ultimately had a very different idea than how I believed the music should sound," Gray said. "After experiencing the opposite of what I wanted in a music career, I left the label and started Noiseheads."

Gray and his brother come from a musical family and started playing instruments at a young age.

"I never took lessons, but I was a band geek all throughout middle and high school while playing in local bands here and there," he said. "In college, I wrote and taught for percussion ensembles while singing and playing guitar in cover bands and drumming in groups around town."

Although he and his bandmates are all products of the '90s, Gray said that they're more influenced by bands including The Beatles, Black Sabbath and The Who. "I studied jazz in college, Greg's a fan of underground hip hop, and Elton John, Cat Stevens and James Taylor were all on constant rotation in my and Joe's childhood, so everyone

in the group is just about a fan of everything," Gray said.

Noiseheads' debut album, "1994" was meant to play with the idea of nostalgia and people's obsession with the past.

"It was intended to be an ironic expression of our generation's obsession with nostalgia culture," he said. "We seem to be stuck in a nostalgic bubble with entertainment being mostly reboots, remakes or rehashes of what we've already consumed. Because no one seems to care about anything remotely unfamiliar, our first album was titled as such to get attention among the muck."

Gray said that looking back five years later, he would have chosen a different title but still thinks the album did what they wanted it to do.

"Our debut was intentionally crafted in soundscape and visual presentation to easily find those looking for that kind of music," he said. "However, as we've grown as a group, we've throttled back on the throwbacks and looked for ways to produce music that's more modern while embodying the same spirit that the '90s seem to represent."

Noiseheads is about to release their second full-length "Sitcoms for Aliens," which will drop the same day as their show at chizuko.

Local musician Michael Daw of Chainsaw Kelly and Colonel Gentleman and the Intangible Fancies will be filling in on bass for Gray's brother, who currently lives in North Carolina. "'Sitcoms for Aliens' was the easiest and most difficult album to make," Gray said. "In the beginning of 2016, the band was in the middle of transitioning to North Carolina, where we thought we'd all relocate. Long story short, Greg didn't make the move, my wife and I moved there and then back to Pensacola within six months, and my brother

moved there with his family and has been there ever since."

Despite the difficulty, Gray said, there was one week that they were all together in North Carolina and that's when majority of the album was recorded.

"I think the album was reflective of the events of that year, the effects of which we still feel today," Gray said. "There's a wide range of emotions on this record."

In between "1994" and "Sitcoms for Aliens," Noiseheads also released an EP in 2015 which was a departure from their usual sound.

"It sounded quite different compared to our debut, which I think alienated some of our core fanbase," Gray said. "It was more polished and 'produced' sounding. The goal with the new record was to create something a little rougher around the edges but a definitive progression from '1994,' something that sounded retro and modern at the same time."

Gray said that the band also didn't limit themselves to being a trio on this album.

"We don't have a second guitarist but there are harmonizing guitar parts," he said. "We have no keyboardist but there are keyboard parts sprinkled throughout, and we don't tour with a string quartet but there are many orchestral elements present."

Noiseheads' last shows in Pensacola were at Sluggo's and Vinyl Music Hall opening for The Psychedelic Furs.

"We have a love-hate relationship with Pensacola," Gray said. "We've never quite felt at home here but, alas, it is our home. I've grown to love it for what it is and try not to hate it for what it's not, accepting the fact that it is and likely always will be a tourist town.

Cover bands are the name of the game here so, if anything, Pensacola has inspired us to do our own thing and carve our own path outside of the city." {in}

NOISEHEADS

WHAT: Noiseheads with Surrounder and Ynicorns WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5 WHERE: chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. COST: $5-$8 DETAILS: noiseheads.com "Sitcoms for Aliens" will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Bandcamp and locally at Revolver Records on vinyl, CD and cassette Jan. 5.

15

calendar 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. 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. dancecraftfl.com SONGWRITERS AND POETS OPEN MIC 7-9 p.m.

Goat Lips, 2811 Copter Road. goatlips.com HIP-HOP DANCE LESSONS 8-9 p.m. $10.

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

TUESDAY 1.9

COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m.

SoGourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com CULTURES COOK: FLAVORS OF JAPAN WITH PENSACOLA OPERA 5:30 p.m. $40. Pensac-

Improvable Cause / Photo by Freddie-Haydn Slater

THURSDAY 1.4

LA LECHE LEAGUE 10 a.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org PILATES MAT 12:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org AWM WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS 5 and 7 p.m. $20 per person. Fairhope Brewing. Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. greatsouthernrestaurants.com RADIOLIVE 6 p.m. $10. Laura Herscovitch, Wild Ponies, Scott Cossu and Mark Russell.

Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. wuwf.org/radiolive SELECT LATIN DANCE LESSONS AND PARTY

6:30-9 p.m. $10. Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata and more. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

FRIDAY 1.5

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR YOUR GARDEN 10

a.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org PILATES MAT 1:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org 'LADY BIRD' FILM SCREENING 1 p.m. $5. The film will also be shown again at the same location 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Tuesday and 1 p.m. Thursday; plus 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bowden building (10 Church St.). The Voices building, 120 Church St. pensacolacinemaart.com PENSACOLA MARDI GRAS KICK-OFF CELEBRATION 5 p.m.-midnight. Free. 223 S.

Palafox. pensacolamardigras.com 616 1

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 DATE NIGHT DANCING 6:30-8 p.m. $15.

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

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com OPEN MIC 7-11 p.m. Single Fin Cafe, 380 N. 9th Ave. facebook.com/singlefincafe BIG DEAL BURLESQUE 8 p.m. $12-$45. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com NOISEHEADS, SURROUNDER, YNICORNS 9 p.m. chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St. facebook. com/chizuko

SATURDAY 1.6

SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1

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

PALAFOX MARKET 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques. 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.

Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox. palafoxmarket.com JUNIOR HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPTION 12-4 p.m. PetSmart, 6251 N. Davis Highway. pensacolahumane.org WESTON A. PRESTON FOUNDATION MEETING 3-5 p.m. Ever'man Educational Center,

327 W. Garden St. everman.org $5 SHOWCASE: PARACOSM, SERENA'S FIRE, STORM WITHIN, EXFORMATION 7 p.m. Vinyl

Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

CULTURES COOK: PUERTO RICAN FEAST FOR THREE KINGS DAY 7 p.m. $39. Pensac-

ola Cooks, 3670 Barrancas Ave. pensacolacooks.rezclick.com

BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS: TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS' DAMN THE TORPEDOS 8 p.m. $25-$35. Saenger Theatre,

118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

DANCE PARTY 8-midnight. Partner dancing

on the best wood dance floor in the area.

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com IMPROVABLE CAUSE 10:30 p.m. $10. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

SUNDAY 1.7

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.

GROUP MEDITATION 9-10:30 a.m. Free.

Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SOUTHEASTERN TEEN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: SHENANIGANS 4-5 p.m. Free. 1010 N.

12th Ave. setsco.org/first-city-shakespeare

BACK PORCH COMEDY 8 p.m. chizuko, 506

W. Belmont St. facebook.com/chizuko SEVILLE QUARTER B.A.R.E. BALL 8 p.m. $50 per person. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

MONDAY 1.8

PILATES MAT 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man

ola Cooks, 3670 Barrancas Ave. pensacolacooks.rezclick.com VINO MAGNIFICO 5:30 p.m. $12. V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox. vpauls.com O'RILEY'S PINT RUNNERS 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Jan. 30. O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox. orileyspub.com POETRY OPEN MIC 6-8 p.m. Constant Coffee & Tea, 615 Scenic Highway. facebook. com/pensacolapoetry COUNTRY DANCE LESSONS 6:30 p.m. $10.

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

DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com UWF LAMBDA COALITION MEETING 7 p.m.

Building 36, room 191. University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway.

COMEDY NIGHT 7 p.m. Swan Neck Meadery, 2115 W. Nine Mile Road. swanneckwinery.com HEALING CLINIC AND MEDITATION 7:158:30 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org AFTER GAME SKATE 10 p.m. $9-$12.

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

WEDNESDAY 1.10

WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Free. Margaritaville

Beach Hotel, 16 Fort Pickens Road.

PILATES & PINOT 6-7 p.m. $12. Pure Pilates

Downtown, 426 S. Palafox. purepilatespensacola.com WATERBOYZ SLOW SKATE 6-7 p.m. Every Wednesday. Skate starts and ends at Waterboyz, 380 N. 9th Ave. waterboyz.com YOGA FLOW 6-7 p.m. Free. Ever'man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden St. everman.org SWING DANCE LESSONS AND PARTY 6:3010 p.m. $5-$10. Professional west coast swing instruction for all levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.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. dancecraftfl.com inweekly.net

calendar 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 N. Guillemard St. Cost is $157.25 for members and $185 for nonmembers. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Every

Monday 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

Painting by Vivian Spencer / On view at Pensacola State College

Arts & Culture

≥Events

PMA GALLERY TOURS

2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Free with museum admission. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

≥Current Exhibits

FINE LINES OF

FASHION On view

through Jan. 6.

Fashion illustrations

by Julie McGrath.

Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. artelgallery.org EYE CANDY On view through Jan. 5. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org PSC ART FACULTY AND STAFF EXHIBIT

On view through Jan. 12. Pensacola

State College, 1000 College Blvd. pensacolastate.edu CROSSING BOUNDARIES: ART AND THE FUTURE OF ENERGY On view

through Jan. 14.

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

On view through Feb. Artists from the University of West

Florida Advanced Sculpture: Public Art course—Katie Carff, John Davis and Michael Stewart—created this accumulation of orbs and light as part of their coursework. Main Street Façade Sculpture Garden at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org DOCUFLORIDA On

view through Feb. 4.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org PHILATELY & FRIENDSHIP: THE ART OF ACE On

view through Feb. 27. Exhibition of 50 illustrated envelopes created by members of Art Cover Exchange.

T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum, 330 S.

Jefferson St. historicpensacola.org PENSACOLA CULTURAL CENTER ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: NINA FRITZ

Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St.

≥Workshops & Classes

POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Six-week

workshops are held Tuesdays from 6-9

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.

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 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

TALCUM POWDER ALERT Did you or a loved one regularly use talcum powder and later develop ovarian cancer?

www. radiofree pensacola .com January 4, 2018

OVARIAN CANCER FROM TALC Medical studies show that women who use talcum powder in the genital area face an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Talcum powder lawsuits allege manufacturers knew of the risk and chose not to warn women about the danger. We are reviewing these cases now at no cost to you. Call us today to find out if you have a claim.

212 W. Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 | 850-444-0000 www.stevensonklotz.com 17

calendar 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

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 BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

Ticket Sports Bar, 7333 N. Davis Highway. Play to win up to $100 in gift cards.

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

TICKET TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Ticket

WINE DOWNWEDNESDAYS 11

1, 7250 Plantation

a.m. Half- priced

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 PUB TRIVIA WEDNESDAYS 8-10

p.m. O'Riley's Irish

Pub, 321 S. Palafox. orileyspub.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 Hub Stacey's with Krazy George, 9 p.m. 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 Goat Lips Deli with Krazy George, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. 2811 Copter Road.

Play, 9 p.m. 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. iplaypensacola.com Wednesdays Ticket Sports Bar with Krazy George, 9 p.m. 7333 N. Davis Highway.

≥Live Music

THURSDAY 1.4

JOHN RIPLEY 6-9 p.m. Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox AL MARTIN 6:30 p.m. Doc's Courtyard and Cafe, 5198 Willing St., Milton.

OPEN COLLEGE JAM WITH MIKE BOCCIA

7:30 p.m. Goat Lips Chew And Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road.

DUELING PIANOS

8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's Dueling Piano Show. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

OPEN MIC/JAM

8-11 p.m. Goat Lips Brewhouse, 2811 Copter Road. Use our instruments or bring your own.

LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m.

Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com GREG LYON 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com COLM KELLY 9 p.m.

McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

for more listings visit inweekly.net

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

127 Palafox Place Suite 100 (850)466-3115 autumnbeckblackledge.com Katrina Andry: Depose and Dispose (of): Bull, color reduction woodcut, 2017 (detail)

407 S. Jefferson St. Pensacola, FL 32502 850.432.6247 pensacolamuseum.org Museum Winter Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sun. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Mon. Closed

Your Local Meal Prep Company

KATRINA ANDRY: DEPOSE AND DISPOSE (OF) Jan. 12 – March 18, 2018 Lewis Bear Family and Greenhut galleries

Sponsored by

Free Wine Tasting Every Thursday AWM 5pm - 7pm

Serving Pensacola and surrounding areas. www.PrimalPremadeNutrition.com

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Let’s Wine!

27 S. 9th Ave. | 850•433•9463 AragonWineMarket.com inweekly.net

news of the weird AWWWWWWWW When 5-year-old TyLon Pittman of Byram, Mississippi, saw the Grinch stealing Christmas on Dec. 16 on TV, he did what any civic-minded citizen would do. He called 911. TyLon told Byram police officer Lauren Develle, who answered the call, that he did not want the Grinch to come steal his Christmas, reported the Clarion Ledger. Develle made TyLon an honorary junior officer and had him come down to the station on Dec. 18 to help her lock away the Grinch, who hung his head as TyLon asked him, "Why are you stealing Christmas?" Although the green fiend apologized, TyLon wouldn't release him from the holding cell. Police chief Luke Thompson told TyLon to come back when he's 21, "and I'm going to give you a job application, OK?" WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME In Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia, on Nov. 29, sheep shearer Casey Barnes was tramping down wool, and her father and boyfriend were working nearby, when her long, curly hair became caught in a beltdriven motor. Horrifically, the motor ripped her scalp off from the back of her head to above her eyes and ears. Barnes was flown to Sydney, where doctors performed an emergency 20-hour surgery to save her scalp, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Barnes will have artificial skin attached to her head instead, reports The Sun. A GoFundMe page has been established to help with her medical bills.

SELF-ABSORBENT The Tea Terrace in London is offering a new way for customers to enjoy themselves—literally. On Dec. 16, the shop began selling the "Selfieccino," an image of the customer's face in the frothy topping of either a cappuccino or a hot chocolate. Patrons send an photo to the shop via an online messaging app, and the "Cino" machine takes it from there, reproducing the picture with flavorless food coloring in about four minutes. "Due to social media," shop owner Ehab Salem Shouly told Reuters, "the dining experience has completely shifted. It's not enough anymore to just deliver great food and great service — it's got to be Instagram-worthy."

AN ENGAGED CITIZENRY Pam Bisanti, a 31-year resident of Mount Dora, Florida, has approached the city council more than once about the speeding traffic along Clayton Street, where she lives. On Nov. 27, Bisanti made good on her threat to take matters into her own hands if the council didn't by wielding a handmade sign reading "SLOW DOWN" as she stood next to the roadway during rush hour wearing her pajamas and robe. "The mothers up the street who send their kids down to the bus stop should have every expectation that those kids will be able to cross Clayton

by the Editors at Andrews McMeel

without being killed," Bisanti told the Daily Commercial, saying she plans to continue her protest until the city takes action. "I am frustrated, angry and fed up. There needs to be a solution sooner than later. Remember that vision of me in my pajamas," she added.

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Melissa Allen, 32, was arrested on Dec. 19 after attempting to shoplift more than $1,000 in merchandise from a Framingham, Massachusetts, Target store, reported the Boston Globe. On hand to help in the arrest were more than 50 police officers who were at the store to participate in the annual "Shop With a Cop" holiday charity event.

EATS, DRINKS & SMILES BIG ASS SMILES @THEMAGNOLIAEPH

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES Stephen Allen of Tukwila, Washington, moved in with his grandmother years ago to help care for her. When she died last year, he invited his brother, a convicted drug dealer, to move in, but along with him came drug activity, squatters, stolen property and debris. Allen eventually asked police to raid the home, but when they did on Dec. 15, they evicted Allen as well, leaving him homeless. "It's all legal, but it's wrong," Allen told KIRO-7 News. "I can't do anything about it."

THE CALL OF NATURE Tracy Hollingsworth Stephens, 50, of Alachua, Florida, answered nature's call on Nov. 25 by stopping her car in the middle of County Road 232 and stepping outside. An officer of the Florida Highway Patrol soon took notice as he had been searching for Stephens following her involvement in a two-car collision in the parking lot of a nearby T.J. Maxx store earlier that day. Stephens subsequently underperformed on a field sobriety test, according to The Independent Florida Alligator, and was arrested for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.

ALARMING ANIMAL North Fort Myers, Florida, homeowner Joanie Mathews was terrorized for hours on Nov. 14 by a large pig that wandered into her yard overnight and spent the day destroying the lawn and biting Mathews three times before trapping her in the cab of her truck. "She would circle the truck ... and I would jump in the back seat and I was like 'Go away, pig!"

Mathews told NBC-2 TV. Mathews finally called law enforcement, and it took three Lee County sheriff's officers to wrangle the testy porker. "It was just hilarious because the pig fought them every which way," Mathews said. No one, at press time, had stepped forward to claim the pig. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2018 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com January 4, 2018

19

Independent News | January 4, 2018 | inweekly.net