Inweekly june 2 2016 issue

Independent News | June 2, 2016 | Volume 17 | Number 23 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers

outtakes

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buzz

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He inspired people to showcase their weirdness.

a&e

cover story

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publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

contact us info@inweekly.net

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

calendar 14

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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121 SOUTH PALAFOX PLACE PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32502

850.432.8982 phone INFO@STUDERi.ORG email STUDERi.ORG website

MISSION: To make the Pensacola Metro community the greatest place to live in the world.

VISION: To improve the quality of life for people in the Pensacola Metro community.

In 2008, Quint and Rishy Studer began funding the Mason-Dixon Quality of Life survey to help Escambia County measure what progress it was making as a community, what was staying the same, and what was getting worse. This measurement tool allows Escambia County residents to have a voice and is meant to help local leaders and policymakers use its data to implement changes that benefit the whole community. This survey is done annually and overseen by the Pensacola Young Professionals. The next survey results will be released in September 2016.

In 2013, the Studers wanted to supplement the Quality of Life survey. The Pensacola Metro Dashboard, developed in cooperation with the University of West Florida, is a set of 16 metrics that measures the economic, educational and social well-being of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The Dashboard was the centerpiece of the Pensacola Metro Report, published in August 2014, January 2015, August 2015, and January 2016. It will be updated this summer. The Dashboard is being facilitated by the Studer Community Institute and is available at STUDERi.org.

All of the metrics are important, but as the Institute staff continued its research, the metrics around job growth and education rose to the top in importance. In tailoring its focus on improving the quality of life in Pensacola, the Institute began to focus more resources in these two areas. To strengthen local businesses, the Institute conducts various training sessions, including the annual EntreCon conference held in November.

After in-depth research and visits to other cities, the education metric that we are focused on is kindergarten readiness. Data show that only 66 percent of Escambia County’s 5-year-olds are ready for kindergarten. That means every year, about 1,000 children are behind their peers before the first day of school. Sadly, many will struggle to close that achievement gap their entire lives.

Our work has led us to seek experts in the fields of early learning and brain development. They told us that science shows that 80 percent of the brain is developed by the time a child is 3 years old and the brain is 90 percent developed by the age of 5.

We have spent months talking to local and national experts and found ourselves fascinated by the work of Dr. Dana Suskind at the Thirty Million Words Initiative in Chicago.

We wanted to share what we learned with the community, so we brought Dr. Suskind to Pensacola in March where she spoke to more than 400 people about her research in early brain development.

SCI feels we are fortunate to have a multitude of early education services in the community. The key is to help them get the resources they need to help the children they serve.

The Pensacola News Journal and the Studer Community Institute’s staff have written and will continue to write articles and share information on our websites on how to best help a child learn with an approach that includes play.

We will continue our research, in partnership with many community stakeholders, into a comprehensive approach to early brain development to help increase the number of children who are prepared for kindergarten.

One step in our research was to ask people for their ideas to improve early education in Escambia County, which we called the Be the Bulb challenge. We are thrilled with the number of responses we received. The Institute’s education committee is evaluating the seven finalists. The winners will be announced in late June.

We look forward to working together to making Pensacola the best place to live in the world.

Randy Hammer President and CEO

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winners & losers

Hillary Clinton

winners

losers

ESCAMBIA COUNTY MARINE RESOURCES Anglers caught 14,067 lionfish

HILLARY CLINTON The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the former Secretary of State did not comply with the department’s email policies when she used a private server. Despite assertions that she would cooperate with the investigation, Clinton declined OIG’s request for an interview. OIG sent 26 questionnaires to Secretary Clinton’s staff and received 5 responses. Transparency builds trust; secrecy undermines confidence in her leadership.

CHRIS WHITE Department of Children and Families Circuit One Adult Protective Services awarded the Charles Bates Award of Outstanding Community Partner to Pen Air Federal Credit Union Security/Fraud Officer Chris White. The award recognizes those individuals in the local area who have made significant contributions to Adult Protection Investigations and Adult Protective Services in protecting vulnerable elderly and disabled persons.

White serves as a role model for others in their field for compassion and service toward helping and protecting Florida’s vulnerable citizens.

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON COMPENSATION INSURANCE After a Florida Supreme

Court ruling that struck down a limit on attorney's fees, the National Council on Compensation Insurance submitted rate proposals for workers-compensation insurance rates in Florida to go up 17.1 percent, effective Aug. 1.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will decide whether to approve the proposal.

The public hearing on the rate proposal will be held in July.

JACOB HEBERT The Florida Student Association, a board made up of the 12 Student Body Presidents from Florida’s state universities, recently elected Jacob Hebert, University of West Florida SGA president, as its chair for the 2016-2017 academic year. As FSA chair, Hebert will serve as the student representative and a voting member of Florida State University System’s Board of Governors. Hebert is the first UWF student representative to serve on the Board of Governors.

operated its mosquito control operations out of a facility on Romana Street near downtown Pensacola. Hurricane Ivan destroyed the building, prompting the county to move the facility north of I-10. The county has been remediating the site ever since. Unfortunately, its plume has halted the work on the Government Street stormwater pond. For $200,000, the county can yet again fix the sins of the past. Fortunately, the taxpayers will be reimbursed for most of the cost.

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

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

ASK THE STAFF The City Charter gives the Pensacola City Council little say in how Mayor Ashton Hayward treats city employees. He has the sole power to hire, discipline or fire all employees not protected by collective bargaining agreements.

Mayor Hayward can create positions, set salaries, modify job descriptions and restructure the city’s organization chart without anyone’s permission or approval. He can ignore entire sections of the Human Resource Manual. Pay raises can be doled out however he wishes and to whomever he wants.

Chief Human Resource Officer Ed Sisson was hired as HR administrator without completing a job application or having a resume in a personnel file. Last summer, the media discovered that Tamara Fountain had progressed from Communications Consultant to Chief Operations Officer without such documentation in her file.

Other key members of Hayward’s leadership team were hired without posting the job openings or conducting searches for the positions: City Administrator Eric Olson, Police Chief David Alexander, Port Director Amy Miller, and his nominee for fire chief, David Allen.

If city employees don’t like it, they can find work elsewhere and many have. Mayor Hayward has had three different city administrators and one interim in less than six years. He is on this third airport director, and Dan Flynn is only an interim.

The mayor’s personal office staff is a perpetual revolving door. His new team consists of office manager Judith Colburn and executive aide to the Mayor Ben Ouellette. Gone are Zach Michael, Lauren Williams, Nicole Lowery, Elizabeth Buswell, Rita Lee, Allee Blay and others.

How has the turnover impacted the city operations? What is the morale of the employees?

The only way to find out is to conduct an independent employee survey. The Hayward Administration has conducted two annual surveys of its citizens but has not asked its employees what are their thoughts on city services.

The business leaders that Duwayne Escobedo interviewed for his story, “Top Employers Engage Employees,” talked about the value of conducting annual employee surveys. The surveys led to more productive employees and improved operations.

The City Charter gives the City Council the power “to inquire into the conduct of any municipal office, department, agency or officer and to investigate municipal affairs.” The Council should consider hiring a national firm to survey all the city employees.

Such a survey would give the citizens an objective measurement of the employees' view of city operations and can open a dialogue of how to improve city government. If it works for Navy Federal, Baptist Hospital, AppRiver and others, it should work for City Hall. {in} rick@inweekly.net

If it works for Navy Federal, Baptist Hospital, AppRiver and others, it should work for City Hall.

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Studer Mixed Use Development at Former PNJ Site / Courtesy Rendering

ADDING WORK COMPONENT Quint and Rishy Studer are building another office building in downtown Pensacola.

They have submitted designs to the city’s Architectural Review Board for a $14.3-million office building at the southeast corner of Jefferson and Intendencia streets, near the YMCA that is under construction. They already have a pre-lease agreement with the Clark Partington law firm.

Andrew Rothfeder, president of Studer Properties, said the new building is the last piece of the whole mix-use development of the Pensacola News Journal site that the Studers purchased in late 2013.

“We knew originally when we bought the site we needed residential downtown badly and some density, a true urban neighborhood,” he said. “That project's now under construction.”

Since the Community Maritime Park opened in 2012, the Studers built One Maritime Place at the park, which cost $16.5 million and houses his old company, Studer Group, Emcare and Moore, Hill & Westmoreland law firm. Earlier this month, they have begun site preparation for their $50-million apartment complex on Romana and Jefferson streets.

With the downtown YMCA and the apartment project progressing, Rothfeder said they began looking for other real estate demands in downtown Pensacola.

“We consider ourselves community developers, which means we're responding to what the market tells us it needs to keep growing the community, growing the tax base, creating jobs,” he said.

Rothfeder said, “The market was saying to us, ‘We need more new Class A office 66

space.’ The project we did at the Maritime Park was the first real office building that had been built downtown in probably 30 years. It filled very quickly, and we knew we had pent up demands for more of it.”

He connected the proposed building with Studer Property’s theme of developing projects that tie together the “live, work, and play” aspects of the community.

“You have all the pieces there, you've got the ‘live’ with the apartments, you've got the ‘play’ with all the supporting retail services, the health aspect at the YMCA,” said Rothferder. “All the pieces were there, and the only thing that was missing was the ‘work’ and so that's the last piece.”

When the new office building is completed, the total new downtown construction by the Studers since 2013 will be almost $81 million.

dent Personnel Board. Like the old Civil Service Board, the new board would handle minimum qualification changes and hear disciplinary appeals from city employees not otherwise protected by collective bargaining contracts.

The Independent Personnel Board would be composed of three members: one appointed by Mayor Hayward, one by employees and a third selected by the other two members.

The bill passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott on June 28, 2013. The city employees were notified of the repeal. The Human Resources manual was updated in December to include the Independent Personnel Board, and employees were told the board election would be held has soon as practical.

In January 2014, Sherrer Kuchera retired as the city’s Human Resources Administrator. Ed Sisson was hired one month later to replace her.

For the next 20 months, no elections were held for the Independent Personnel Board. Then an employee asked to appeal a disciplinary action. On Oct. 19, 2015, Sisson emailed employees asking for nominations for the Independent Personnel Board and stating the election would be Dec. 1.

Two nominations were received: former City Councilwoman Maren DeWeese and Kurt Larson.

Despite having two qualified nominations, Sisson told his bosses that there was a lack of overall employee response, according to attorney Russell Van Sickle’s report on the Pensacola fire chiefs.

Former City Council President Maren Deweese reported on her blog that Sisson stated in a senior management meeting that there “was a nominee for the Personnel Board that we all know we can't have that individual be on the board. We can't let that happen.”

In late November, Sisson began to rewrite the HR appeal process, deleting the board and establishing a new three-step appeals process that included the department directors, Sisson and City Administrator Eric Olson. Under the new process, the decision of the City Administrator would be final.

Inweekly asked for emails to confirm who approved Sisson’s changes to the HR manual. There were none. There was no email indicating Mayor Hayward authorized

“All the pieces were there, and the only thing that was missing was the ‘work’ and so that's the last piece.” Andrew Rothfeder

THE DEATH OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW During the 2013 Legislative Session, HB

4053 was introduced to repeal the Civil Service Act. State Rep. Clay Ford sponsored the legislation. The bill’s summary analysis stated the replacement policy for the Civil Service Board gave “broader rights to the employees, including an administrative appeal process for non-disciplinary complaints, mediation before disciplinary appeals, merit-based employment and promotions, the prohibition of nepotism, and an outlined method for lay-offs.”

Furthermore, Mayor Hayward committed to the establishment of an Indepen-

them or the delegation of his disciplinary authority to Sisson and Olson.

City employees weren’t told of the new appeal process. Instead, they were told the disciplinary matter had been resolved, and the election wasn’t necessary. The revised HR manual was never sent to the city employees and was finally uploaded to the city’s website the afternoon of Feb. 2, a few hours after the fire chiefs had been placed on paid administrative leave.

In his report on the fire chiefs, Van Sickle concluded that Mayor Hayward was not bound to create the Independent Personnel Board.

“The intentions conveyed by the City Administration to the local legislative delegation during the process of repealing the Civil Service Special Act were not executed and should not be interpreted to mean the Mayor would appoint an independent board and delegate all of his Charter authority regarding employment to that board,” wrote Van Sickle.

Possibly Van Sickle was unaware that city employees were told four years ago that they would have an independent appeal board so they would not object to the repeal of the Civil Service Act. The attorney did not explain why the Independent Personnel Board was added to the HR manual if the mayor didn’t intend to abide by his commitment.

Van Sickle did not interview Kuchera or former Chief of Staff John Asmar, who worked on the repeal. Mayor Hayward and Sisson declined several interview requests from Inweekly.

LOCAL PROFESSOR ADVISES EARLY STEPS Gov. Rick Scott has appointed UWF

assistant professor Dr. Sara Evans to the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, a statewide agency that assists and advises the Early Steps program.

Early Steps serves families of infants and toddlers who have developmental delays by providing individualized family support plans. Early intervention helps caregivers develop the skills to help their children learn and grow.

Evans, an assistant professor in the UWF Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, has studied childhood behavior since she began graduate school in 2005.

“This knowledge informs my ability to serve on this council,” Evans said.

“I am also the parent of a child with Down syndrome who has been receiving services through the Pensacola Early Steps office for almost three years. I can provide a unique perspective as someone who has very recently worked with a local office in Florida.” {in} inweekly.net

by Rick Outzen

with Duwayne Escobedo

Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward is frustrated by the pushback that he has received for his termination of Fire Chief Matt Schmitt and Deputy Fire Chief Joe Glover. He is perplexed that Council members and citizens have questioned his fairness in his treatment of the city’s over 800 employees.

June 2, 2016

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Former Deputy Fire Chief Joe Glover, Interim Fire Chief David Allen and MayAshton Hayward / Courtesy of City of Pensacola After all, the city charter gives him “the power to appoint, discipline and remove all officers and employees.” The Florida Legislature repealed in 2013 the Civil Service Act that had established a board that reviewed and approved changes to city organization, pay classifications and disciplinary actions. Florida is an employment-at-will state, meaning employers can terminate their employees with or without cause and do not have to provide advance termination notice in most situations.

Mayor Hayward didn’t rush his decision to fire the chiefs. He paid thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of dollars for one of the city’s two labor attorneys, Russell Van Sickle of Beggs & Lane, to investigate allegations made by his Chief Human Resources against the chiefs. He also paid their salaries for over 90 days as Van Sickle expanded the investigation to cover their Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints and other issues that arose.

When Van Sickle delivered his 132-page report, titled “2016 Investigative Report Into the Allegations Relating to the Pensac-

ola Fire Department,” the mayor took two weeks to analyze its findings with the help of City Attorney Lysia Bowling. On May 10, he had Assistant City Administrator Keith Wilkins hand the men their termination notices.

A press announcement notified citizens of the decision. Mayor Hayward had dismissed Schmitt and Glover from their employment with the City due to “a loss of confidence in their ability to lead the Pensacola Fire Department.”

According to the release posted on the city’s website, the mayor determined that the findings were sufficient to warrant the dismissal of both individuals.

Mayor Hayward said, “These are never easy decisions to make, but I have the responsibility to ensure that the men and women of the Fire Department have leaders that can bring out the best in them and in the department. I believe that my decision is a step in that direction.”

The mayor did not meet with Schmitt or Glover to discuss his decision. Wilkins did not hand the men copies of Van Sickle’s report when he gave them their “pink slips.”

“I think after you read the report and the way they managed the office, you just lose confidence.” Mayor Ashton Hayward

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Mayor Hayward did not hold a press conference to discuss the report and answer questions about the investigation and terminations.

Instead, Mayor Hayward did a handful of interviews. He offered few specifics but told the media and public to read the report and the supporting documents uploaded to the city’s website to understand his decision.

He told Will Isern of the News Journal, “Tough choices are bound to bring criticism, but it’s my responsibility to make them.

I think after you read the report and the way they managed the office, you just lose confidence.” (PNJ, “Mayor dismisses fire chiefs,” May 11).

In an interview with Jacqueline Miles, Mayor Hayward said, “I think you’re a smart lady, once you see the report and read the report you’ll understand what’s in the report and you’ll have more questions.”

(Pensacola Voice, “City Mayor Terminates Chief and Deputy Chief of the Fire Department,” May 13) At the regular council meeting on May 10, the public voiced their disapproval of

the mayor’s decision during the Boyd Forum. Mayor Hayward and City Administrator Eric Olson chose not to attend.

“The mayor, Mayor Hayward, is such a hypocrite in his statements, his poor lack of judgment, and his poor leadership,” said Jerry McIntosh. “He used his friend’s law firm to do the investigation. Something is wrong with that. Something is wrong with a leadership that doesn’t respect the rank and file of his people.”

Marilyn Brown addressed the mayor’s empty chair, “You had one goal in mind from the start: to do whatever it took to get something on Chief Glover and Chief Schmitt. This whole conspiracy was a one-sided, partial, subjective and biased process.

But guess what? You still failed to find anything of substance, and everybody sees it.”

The Pensacola City Council approved calling a special meeting to discuss the investigation and termination of the fire chiefs after the council and public had more time to review Van Sickle’s report. Council President Charles Bare later set the meeting for Thursday, May 26.

A week before the special meeting, Mayor Hayward posted a statement on the city’s website, “An Open Letter to the People of Pensacola,” that tried to discourage the council from convening.

Mayor Hayward said that he would not attend the special meeting, because it was not aligned with his efforts to move Pensacola forward in a “constructive fashion.”

He called out unnamed council members whom he believed had “persistently attempted to foster an atmosphere of discord in our City.”

He wrote that his decision to dismiss the Chiefs was “carefully and thoughtfully made.”

“I considered the report as I weighed whether it was in the best interests of the City, Fire Department employees and our citizens to continue with the existing leadership of the Fire Department or to select new leadership,” said Mayor Hayward. “It is an irrevocable decision—one that the Council cannot change, according to our Charter.”

He called the special meeting “ill-advised” and “a staged rally for the terminated employees. Instead, the mayor encouraged individual council members to ask him questions about his decision privately, and “I will answer to the best of my ability.”

He felt that the dispute over the inves-

“This whole conspiracy was a one-sided, partial, subjective and biased process.” Marilyn Brown

inweekly.net

tigation and termination of the fire chiefs was due to some council members balking at the strong-mayor form of government and trying to “second guess” his decision.

“It’s unfortunate that some Council members have attributed to me illicit, unfair or mean-spirited motives that do not exist and never will,” said Mayor Hayward.

The mayor wanted to move past this issue. He closed the letter, “Dissent is good, and vigorous disagreement is healthy to assure that the best decisions are made; created discord and divisiveness, however, are not, and the citizens do not like it and do not want it to continue.”

On Monday, May 23, Chief Financial Officer Dick Barker weighed in on the wisdom of the Council holding a special meeting.

He sent a memo to Olson, who forwarded it on to the council.

Barker warned that should a claim arise from one or both of the fire chiefs, city officials cannot admit liability and must do nothing that may prejudice the insurer’s position. Otherwise, the insurance carrier may not cover the claims.

“In my 35-year career with the City of Pensacola, I do not recall any public meeting held to discuss employees dismissed by a City Manager or Mayor of the City of Pensacola,” wrote Barker. “Certainly, from a risk management perspective, it would be best to maintain the past practice of not publicly discussing employee-related matters. As the Chief Financial Officer of the City of Pensacola, it is important that you, the mayor and the city council be informed of the potential risks associated with this matter.”

Council President Bare was not deterred.

“I’m still planning on having the meeting,” said Bare on May 24. “I just think that the administration doesn’t want to talk about it, and the Council needs to give the public a chance to speak. I think the real risk is the mayor. Actually, I think he’s probably damaging our probability of having risk management insurance in the future more than the Council is at this point.”

He said that the mayor had not reached out to him before or after he published his “open letter.”

“I have had three meetings with the mayor, all three I have asked for. He has never asked for a meeting with me, although he has said before he has an open door, sometimes it takes me a week or so to be able to meet with him,” said the council president. “It was not a surprise to me he wouldn’t attend this meeting because he hardly attends any meetings.”

Bare added, “The News Journal talks about how we need to cooperate, but if the mayor won’t come to our meetings and talk to us ... He told us during a Council meeting he wasn’t going to sit there and debate with us. Well, what do you think we do here?

That’s the point of these meetings is to debate, share ideas and opinions.”

Two councilmen, Larry Johnson and Andy Terhaar, chose not to attend the nearly two-hour special meeting on Thursday, May 26. Only City Attorney Bowling attended for the mayor’s office.

Schmitt addressed the council for the first since he had been placed on paid administrative leave on Feb. 2. He didn’t argue for a reversal of the mayor’s decision. Instead, he beseeched the council to establish safeguards to protect the city employees not covered by the collective bargaining units.

“We have to take the lead to make sure that there is a process for the rest of the city employees,” said former Fire Chief Schmitt. “There has to be a process that they can rebuke or rebut any charges brought against them, and it has to ironclad.”

He added, “There has to be a process for those people (not covered by unions).

Everybody should have their day in court.

As it stands right now, the executive employees do not have that with the City of Pensacola.”

Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn echoed Schmitt’s concerns that few HR processes were in place to ensure city employees were treated equally and fairly.

Through public record requests, Inweekly had discovered that Mayor Hayward had discontinued annual written job performance evaluations of city employees in early 2012. He had never done written evaluations of any of his department heads, including Olson and Bowling, since he took office in January 2011.

“There is no evaluation system in place for all employees,” Cannada-Wynn said.

“Some employees have even been given raises without an official evaluation. Others have not. It has been the source of issues. People whisper, ‘Why did this person get a $15,000 raise and I didn’t?’ Those are the things that have been going on, that have been festering.”

Councilwoman Sherri Myers brought up the abrupt termination of former Council Executive Lila Cox in June 2014. Myers alleged Cox was fired for helping the council work to amend the city charter.

Mayor Hayward fired Cox without any consultation with the council, even though

“I just think that the administration doesn’t want to talk about it, and the council needs to give the public a chance to speak.” Council President Charles Bare

June 2, 2016

he had committed earlier to them that they could choose whomever they wanted for the position. The termination led to citizens passing a charter amendment giving the council the power to hire their staff.

“I have witnessed intimidation and abuse of many employees, if not all employees,” Myers said.

Councilman Gerald Wingate dropped another bombshell. He said to former Deputy Chief Joe Glover as he stood at the dais, “When I first got into the office, I asked the Mayor if he was going to promote you to Chief since you were the bestqualified person, and he wouldn’t give me an answer.”

Wingate continued, “Colleen Castile was the City Administrator at that time, and she said you wouldn’t be able to get the job because you had filed discrimination complaints in the past, which I thought was retaliation at that level.”

Councilmen P.C. Wu and Brian Spencer thanked the chiefs for their service to the city.

Myers, Wingate, Cannada-Wynn and Bare addressed concerns about adding safeguards for city employees in upcoming meetings.

The special council meeting didn’t set well with Mayor Hayward, especially the comments made by Myers and Wingate. On Saturday, May 28, he fired off a memo to the council attacking the veracity of their statements of discrimination and abuse of employees and explaining for the first time his reasons for firing the two fire chiefs.

“While I value your continued service to the citizens of our City and respect your right under the Charter ‘to express your views and to fully and freely discuss any and all matters’ with me, I strongly disagree with comments that some of you made at the meeting and to the media after it was over,” wrote the mayor.

He defended Van Sickle’s investigation.

Mayor Hayward said, “It was a fair investigation conducted independently of City input.

The investigation had no predetermined outcome.”

Mayor Hayward stated that the findings of the report demonstrated that Schmitt and Glover “improperly retaliated against a lower ranking firefighter (Edward Deas) merely for making a complaint about Glover.” The mayor said the chiefs did not provide Deas an investigation into his concerns and demoted him for reasons that Van Sickle stated were “unsupported” and “knowingly false.”

“The former chiefs’ unfair and severe retaliation toward the firefighter is behavior that will not be condoned by our Adminis-

tration,” said Mayor Hayward. “Dismissing someone from their job is never an easy or pleasant task, but when behavior such as that demonstrated by the former chiefs is revealed, action must be taken for the benefit of all the firefighters.”

The mayor challenged the statements made by Myers and Wingate. He said if Myers’ statement that she “witnessed intimidation and abuse of many employees” were true then she needed to come forward, “otherwise her comment is nothing more than an unsubstantiated allegation that breeds cynicism about public officials.”

He was surprised to hear Wingate allege that former City Administrator Colleen Castille had said Glover would never be promoted to Fire Chief because he filed a discrimination complaint.

“If that had really happened, I would have hoped that he would have done something about it at the time,” said Hayward.

The mayor added that annual evaluations would have had no effect on the circumstances that were investigated.

“If the Council was truly concerned about retaliation and the failure to follow policies designed to ensure fairness, the Council would have fully supported the actions taken on May 10 to remove the former Interim and Deputy Fire Chiefs,” said Hayward.

“Our Administration is going to do the right thing for the employees of the City, even when that means discharging management employees.”

Over the past four months, Inweekly has repeatedly tried to interview Mayor Hayward, Olson, Wilkins and Chief Human Resources Ed Sisson. Each request has been declined. However, the newspaper has continued to track the investigation and its aftermath.

The three-month investigation of the fire chiefs is unprecedented, particularly considering both chiefs had active EEOC complaints against the city when they were placed on paid administrative leave.

The unintended consequence of Mayor Hayward’s decisions surrounding the fire chiefs is that they have brought into question his leadership style and the overall work environment at city hall. Few question his power to terminate anyone on his staff, but many wonder why this costly melodrama was ever allowed to dominate city politics for the first half of his year.

In the following articles, Inweekly examines Van Sickle report and looks at the importance of job evaluations in creating a positive work environment. {in}

“Our Administration is going to do the right thing for the employees of the City, even when that means discharging management employees.” Hayward

9

In his report, Beggs & Lane attorney Russell Van Sickle stated how he was hired. He wrote, “On Friday, January 29, 2016, I was asked to perform an investigation into issues involving the management of the Pensacola Fire Department (PFD)

by Interim Fire Chief Matthew Schmitt and Deputy Chief Joseph Glover. It was explained to me that the concerns prompting the need for an investigation were initiated

by City of Pensacola Human Resources Officer Edward Sisson.”

The persons who met with Van Sickle were City Administrator Eric Olson, Chief Human Resources Officer Ed Sisson and the city’s other labor attorney, Rob Larkin of Allen Norton Blue. Schmitt and Glover had filed EEOC complaints against Olson and Sisson. Larkin was hired to handle the EEOC, and Van Sickle would investigate six complaints lodged by Sisson against the fire chiefs.

Van Sickle summarized Sisson’s allegations in his report: •Schmitt and Glover intentionally and deceptively deviated from hiring protocol for the recent firefighter hiring round in late January 2016; •Schmitt and Glover intentionally and deceptively severely retaliated against Edward Deas, an African-American Fire Lieutenant, merely because Deas made a written complaint about Glover; •Glover poorly managed a “Firefighter Apprenticeship Program,” unnecessarily antagonizing Sisson in the process, where one of the issues was Glover’s alleged poor judgment in renting a BMW 5 series for in-state travel for two persons; •Glover and Schmitt handled raise requests for the battalion chiefs poorly, and then improperly tried to place the blame on Sisson; •Glover publicly demeaned Sisson during the Firefighters Annual Awards ceremony; and •Glover improperly tried to obstruct a random drug test.

Mayor Hayward later joined the meeting. In a May interview with WUWF, he said, “They were asking me to do an investigation of the fire department. So I said, ‘If this is what everyone feels [then] let’s do it, let’s have a third party do it. Let’s make

sure we’re covering everything.’ That’s exactly what we did.”

On Feb. 2, Schmitt and Glover went to Pensacola City Hall. Assistant City Administrator Keith Wilkins told them to hand over their keys, cell phones, and laptops.

They were placed on paid administrative leave but not given any explanation for the action.

Van Sickle said HR Chief Sisson told him why he filed his complaints.

“Sisson described that the most recent and precipitating event for his concerns involved allegations that Schmitt and Glover intentionally departed from the customary hiring protocol for a new round of firefighters,” said Van Sickle. “Sisson described these concerns as only the latest in a series of acts attempting to exclude or antagonize the City’s Human Resources department, and as a consequence, he contended that PFD upper management was unnecessarily exposing the City to legal claims.”

According to Van Sickle’s report, three of complaints directed at Deputy Chief Glover warranted no disciplinary action.

However, they did show a dysfunctional relationship between Sisson and Glover that the mayor and Olson did little to repair.

Sisson alleged that Glover’s comments made at an annual dinner had been directed at him. Van Sickle said the remarks were “an example of Glover’s poor judgment and an indication of the level of anger or contempt Glover directed toward Sisson.”

But he had added, “However, Glover did not mention Sisson by name and nothing further came out of those remarks.”

Sisson complained that Glover used “poor judgment in renting a BMW 5 series for in-state travel for two persons.”

Van Sickle described the incident in his report, “On July 22, 2015, Glover arrived to pick up the rental vehicle and was told that there were no SUVs, but that for the same price as an SUV he could rent a BMW 5 Series sedan.”

While he questioned why Glover didn’t use a city vehicle or ask for another vehicle, Van Sickle did not find “any intentional misconduct” or other “ill intent” by the deputy fire chief.

Sisson also alleged “Glover improperly tried to obstruct a random drug test.” The deputy fire chief did contest why he was being tested, but Glover did submit to the drug

“I was asked to perform an investigation into issues involving the management of the Pensacola Fire Department by Interim Fire Chief Matthew Schmitt and Deputy Chief Joseph Glover.” Russell Van Sickle

010 1

testing and passed it. Van Sickle found the deputy fire chief had done nothing improper.

The remaining three complaints involved both men. The attorney’s investigation of Sisson’s complaint that Schmitt and Glover handled raise requests for the battalion chiefs poorly, and then improperly tried to place the blame on him came back with mixed results.

Inweekly discovered that while the Pensacola City Council had approved raises in its budget, the Hayward administration had doled out the pay increases without using an objective system, such as job performance evaluations.

Van Sickle did not mention the lack of annual evaluations but determined that blame for the mishandling of the raises was not solely the fault of Schmitt and Glover.

He concluded, “I find that there is blame to go around to all on this issue.

Glover and Schmitt should have followed the process described by Sisson, as opposed to merely sending signed Personnel Action forms with no meeting request or even a phone call. On seeing these Personnel Action forms, Sisson should have informed Glover and Schmitt that nothing would be done with them if he was going to do nothing with them…I find that Olson should have informed Schmitt of the amount of funds that could be allocated earlier.”

In his May 28 memo to City Council, Mayor Hayward did not refer to these four allegations as reasons for the terminations.

He focused on Sisson’s complaints that they did not follow the hiring protocol in January and that the chiefs retaliated against Lt. Edward Deas for filing a complaint against Glover.

It should be noted that the hiring, assigning and discipline of personnel in the Pensacola Fire Department were solely the responsibility of the fire chief, not his deputy, according to the job descriptions in effect at the time Sisson lodged his complaints against the two men.

In January, the Pensacola Fire Department had eight qualified applicants for six positions. Chief Schmitt made the decision to forgo peer interviews. When he came back from military leave, Deputy Chief Glover was told that he and Schmitt would conduct interviews.

“I knew it was different from how we conducted the process when HR was involved, but it was the chief’s call,” Glover

told Inweekly. “Though we were interviewing for only six spots, there was a strong likelihood that more positions would open up soon, and the other two would be hired later.”

Glover said he passed all eight candidates.

However, Sisson halted the process when he found out a firefighters’ panel hadn’t interviewed, scored and ranked the applicants.

While the firefighters’ panel was not a written rule, Van Sickle concluded the chiefs used “poor judgment” to conduct the hiring process without it. However, he did not find that Schmitt or Glover were attempting to manipulate the hiring process to include or exclude any particular applicant.

Van Sickle concluded that their handling of the hiring process "showed that they were not actually capable of properly handling the process.”

In his May 28 statement, Mayor Hayward agreed with his attorney. He said, “Regardless of whether any Council members agree that proper hiring practices are important, what the former chiefs did was knowingly improper.”

Sisson’s allegation of retaliation against Lt. Deas was the most serious and appears to be the primary basis for Mayor Hayward firing Schmitt and Glover.

On May 28, Mayor Hayward stated that the findings of the report demonstrated that Schmitt and Glover “improperly retaliated against a lower ranking firefighter (Edward Deas) merely for making a complaint about Glover.” The mayor said the chiefs did not provide Deas an investigation into his concerns and demoted him for reasons that Van Sickle stated were “unsupported” and “knowingly false.”

“The former chiefs’ unfair and severe retaliation toward the firefighter is behavior that will not be condoned by our Administration,” said Mayor Hayward.

On Aug. 11, 2015, Fire Lt. Edward Deas sent Chief Schmitt a document labeled, “Timeline PUFFA.” In the document, Deas asked the chief to investigate whether Joe Glover was pressuring Fire Lt. Stefon Andrews, the president of PUFFA. PUFFA is a charitable organization. The African-American members of the Pensacola Fire Department formed the Pensacola United Fire Fighters Association (PUFFA), which incorporated in 2010. In June 2014, the association was granted 501(c)(3) taxexempt status by the IRS.

“The former chiefs’ unfair and severe retaliation toward the firefighter is behavior that will not be condoned by our Administration.” Hayward

inweekly.net

According to IRS regulations, an organization may qualify for exemption from federal income tax if it is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

They are not unions. PUFFA has no more official standing with the City of Pensacola or the Pensacola Fire Department than Five Flags Rotary or Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs.

Deas was president of the organization from 2010 until the second half of 2014 when there was a dispute over PUFFA’s financial records. When PUFFA earned taxexempt status, some members became concerned over Deas and other PUFFA officers not having the proper recordkeeping. Not able to satisfy the membership, Deas ultimately resigned as president and quit paying dues in December 2014.

In his timeline, Deas gave his version of how Deputy Chief Glover, Capt. Derrick Streeter, Capt. Jose Cobbs and Capt. Marquette Oliver mistreated him “so they could control PUFFA and the uses (sic) its name

and authority to go after their own agenda.”

Deas offered no evidence that his PUFFA dispute with Glover, Streeter, Cobbs, and Oliver or his resignation as the group’s president impacted his job at PFD. There were no allegations of harassment or intimidation regarding his job.

He also asserted that Glover tried to intimidate the new PUFFA president Stefon Andrews by writing a letter for Andrews to sign asking for a meeting between PUFFA members and the mayor in July 2015. Deas said that Andrews refused to sign it and did not send the letter.

Then Glover sent out a text to approximately a dozen PUFFA members saying he planned to run for president next year.

Deas said this was proof that Glover and the older members were intimidating Andrews as president of their organization.

Again, he offered no evidence that Andrews’ PFD job had been impacted.

However, he did bring back up his resignation as president of PUFFA. He said the older members had no proof he had mishandled the group’s finances.

“This embarrassment ultimately led to my forced resignation as president,” wrote

“He told me that he wanted me to be the fire chief, but he needed the lawsuit to go away.” Former Deputy Fire Chief Joe Glover

June 2, 2016

Deas. “Now the same scenario is continuing with Stefon Andrews being the target since he is the new president and is not going along with the plan. I would ask you to please investigate this matter.”

Though Deas is not a member of the fire union, the collective bargaining agreement gave him an option to use its grievance procedures. However, a veteran fire union leader told Inweekly that he believed Deas’ complaint would not have been seen as a grievance.

“In my opinion, from my years in the leadership of the union, that complaint did not violate an article in the collectivebargaining agreement,” he wrote Inweekly.

“In order to file a grievance, an article has to have been violated.”

If the decision to forgo the hiring panel and to demote Deas were solely Schmitt’s decisions, why did Sisson include Glover in his complaints?

Glover told Inweekly he believed that it was because the mayor did not want to be in the position of promoting him to Acting Fire Chief if only Chief Schmitt was placed on administrative leave.

On May 26, Councilman Gerald Wingate stated that former City Administrator Colleen Castille told him that Glover would never be fire chief because he had filed discrimination complaints against the City.

Hayward challenged that statement in his May 28 memo.

Glover told Inweekly that the mayor told him on two occasions that he would not make him fire chief unless he dropped his civil rights lawsuit against the city. In 2005, Glover and other African-American firefighters filed a suit claiming racism and discrimination in the fire department over two decades. The suit was dismissed in 2012.

He said that Mayor Hayward invited him to his office right after he became mayor.

“It was kind of an awkward meeting, I must say, because one of the very first things that he said, after he introduced himself, was he thought that I would be the guy that he would want to lead the fire department,” said Glover. “He told me that he wanted me to be the fire chief, but he needed the lawsuit to go away.”

He later was called to a lunch meeting with Mayor Hayward and his Chief of Staff John Asmar at The Happy Pig. Again Glover was told that it wouldn't look right for him to be the fire chief and at the same time have a pending lawsuit against the city.

After that meeting, several people approached Glover and said that the mayor had told them that there was no way he could ever be the fire chief if he didn't drop that lawsuit.

In his memo, Mayor Hayward pointed out that Glover was promoted and given raises after his discrimination complaint.

The deputy chief said the mayor had nothing to do with his promotion.

“That was strictly Chief Schmitt's decision, and the mayor didn't have anything to do with that,” said Glover. “From my understanding, he wasn't even pleased with that. His city attorney, Jim Messer, made a comment in a meeting with Chief Schmitt, the mayor, and all the members of his staff present that I shouldn't have even been the deputy chief.”

For past four months, the media has expected that Mayor Hayward would hold a press conference to discuss the report’s findings and answer questions once the investigation was completed. The News Journal asked for one after the mayor received Van Sickle’s report. (PNJ, “No transparency, no trust,” May 4) “Mayor Hayward should take the initiative to hold a public hearing on the investigation’s findings and a press conference that removes the shroud from the last three months by providing candid and specific answers to questions from the press and citizens,” wrote the PNJ editorial board. “If the city’s actions against the Chiefs were justified and necessary, then so be it. But the mayor is obligated to explain why.”

As May 31, Mayor Hayward had not held a press conference or public hearing on the investigation’s findings. {in} 11

Publishers Note: Through public record requests, Inweekly found that a few city employees received job evaluations during the first year of the Hayward administration, but they abruptly stopped in February 2012. Inweekly asked Duwayne Escobedo to find out how job evaluations are used in the local private sector.

Southern Company did its annual Employee Engagement Survey and learned that its workers recommended providing more time off for new mothers or parents who adopt children.

In January, the utility giant, that includes Gulf Power and its 1,700-plus employees, added an extra 12 weeks of paid leave for them.

“Good bosses ask their employees what they can do to provide a better work environment,” said Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers. “Southern Company and Gulf Power have benefitted greatly over the years from ideas on how we can make our workplace better.”

Whether you have 15 employees like Beck Partners or more than 5,000 like Navy Federal Credit Union and Baptist Health Care regular employee surveys and performance evaluations may be just the tools you need to make your company and your employees even more happy and successful.

The Pensacola employers all insist that job satisfaction and job performance— done right and done regularly—go hand in hand.

The National Business Research Insti-

tute, in fact, reports that engaged employees produce twice and much work product as unengaged employees. NRBI says between 40- to 80-percent of customer satisfaction results from employees’ attitudes.

That’s something Baptist Health Care organizational development manager Tracy Carlton has learned firsthand. She oversees employee surveys at the health care giant that is the top employer in the Pensacola area.

“We’re striving for the highest quality patient care we can achieve,” said Carlton, whose company was recognized with the Baldrige Award a few years ago as outpatients’ satisfaction levels reached the 99th percentile. “The key is keeping our employees engaged and keeping them happy, otherwise, we can’t provide the quality care we’re known for, if we don’t have the high-caliber team we have here at Baptist Health Care.”

Holly Sharrett, the director of employee care and management at fast growing IT company, AppRiver, which now has 250 employees, says the surveys and evaluations aren’t done once a year and forgotten on some shelf in the basement.

“You need to hear from your team and your team needs to hear that you are listening,” Sharrett said. “Our managers and employees maintain frequent communication.

We keep an open dialog. It’s more ongoing.”

Kristine Rushing, Beck Partners chief operating officer, says essentially the same thing. Currently, the newly merged company that’s 15 employees strong, does performance evaluations. It just began working with Studer Group to implement an employee survey, too, Rushing says.

“We provide

“We would have never known if it wasn’t for those meetings,” Rushing said.

Angela Culbertson, the senior vice president of human resources at Navy Federal, said the company works with Price Waterhouse Coopers to do its annual Fall Census.

Each employee can voluntarily answer 57 questions.

Navy Federal averages and 86 percent response rate making it one of the highest responding organizations, according to Price Waterhouse Coopers.

PWC provides Navy Angela Culbertson / Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Navy Federal Federal data on what its employees employees and business practices is the think about the company’s engagement, Studer Group. It employs nearly 300 emempowerment, performance and commuployees and is headquartered in Pensacola. nications.

Studer Group practices what it preachIn tandem, Navy Federal conducts es says president Debbie Ritchie. It uses performance evaluations of everyone in the business tools to categorize its employits company, including the president and ees, as high, middle and low performers.

CEO Cutler Dawson, who’s overseen the Fortune magazine recognized it once as company since December 2004. one of the top 25 places to work.

Culbertson said the survey and evalu“Under our performance management ation combine to make the credit union a system in your formal performance review, company that made Fortune magazine’s we are very intentional in letting you know top places to work. you are a high performer, a solid or middle “We want to do the right thing for our performer or a low performer,” Ritchie said. members and we can do “We thank them for the work they’re doing that by doing the right and are very specific on how their work thing for our employees,” impacts our company. We want to take our she said. “Our engaged solid performers and give them input on employees close more here are the things you need to focus on in mortgage loans.” your performance to get to the next level.”

She said the objective performance Ritchie said those businesses small appraisals can also help the credit union’s to large could benefit from implementing employees achieve their career goals. Each surveys and evaluations. The sooner the job has a set of competencies and employbetter. ees work with their supervisors, who act “If you’re not doing it, you’re missing a like coaches or mentors. wonderful opportunity, not only to improve “It’s a useful developmental tool to the results of your organization, but you’re work with our employees to help them missing the opportunity to really help to master and achieve their goals,” Culbertmove the talent in your organization to son said. “Overall the response has been the next level,” she said. “At the end of the positive.” day, people are the greatest assets of your One of the nation’s leaders when it company. One of the most fulfilling things comes to helping companies—mostly ones you can do as a leader of an organization is in healthcare settings—create successful to optimize your team’s potential.” {in}

“You need to hear from your team, and your team needs to hear that you are listening.” Holly Sharrett

Holly Sharrett / Director of Employee Care and Management at AppRiver 212 1

constant feedback,” she said. “There never should be any surprises.”

Through ongoing talks, Rushing said her company learned one employee wanted more training to become an accountant, while another employee let it be known he wasn’t ready yet for the management track.

inweekly.net

WEEK OF JUNE 2 - 9

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

Paint the Town Purple

by Jennifer Leigh

Prince / Courtesy of Warner Bros Records When local musician, Don Gregory, got the news that Prince had died April 21, he was in the middle of a shift at Best Buy. He thought his friend was playing a cruel joke on him, but then he read the internet headlines.

“It was brutal,” Gregory said.

A self-described “hard rocker,” Gregory was first introduced to Prince by way of a computer game called Prince Interactive in which you watch snippets of music videos while making your way through an elaborate mansion.

“I was a huge fan since I was about 7 years old,” Gregory said. “I remember asking my dad if he could play at my birthday party.”

In high school, he listened to his dad’s Prince records.

For Gregory, the man in purple would always be a part of his life.

“He was a virtuoso … he started playing instruments when he was 12 and taught himself,” Gregory said. “He was better than Hendrix, and he’s one of the only artists who never stayed in one genre.”

As musicians are want to do, Gregory felt the only way to honor Prince’s music and legacy was to perform his music. With the help of a handful of friends, he gathered other local musicians to organize Purple & Paisley: A Prince Tribute 4 Youth Musicology. The show will feature Prince’s greatest hits, including the entire soundtrack to “Purple Rain.”

“That’s how I’ve always dealt with things—I go straight to the music,” he said.

“I’ve never organized something like this before … it’s for the sheer love of the music.”

—Creative Organic Vegan Cuisine, Coffee & Catering—

he hopes that more people are encouraged The show will also benefit one local to be themselves because of Prince. school’s music program. Having a chari“He inspired people to showcase their table aspect to the show was as important weirdness,” he said. to the music, Gregory said. Since his death, multiple reports and stories have been published about Prince’s generosity.

Often his donations were under the guise of a pseudonym.

“It was something I always admired about him,” Gregory said.

Gregory, who some locals may recognize as the bassist of Paracosm, is just one of several musicians who will dedicate their night to raising money for school music programs.

One hundred percent of the proceeds As a fan, Gregory will always regret from the admission and raffle tickets will never making it to a Prince show. In fact, he be going toward one local school. had considered going to Prince’s show in It’s been heartening to have other fans Atlanta during his last tour. Gregory didn’t come together, the response to help with know it would be his last chance. the show from lighting to décor was “overBut he’s grateful for the chance to give whelming,” Gregory said. back in a way that feels meaningful.

“It’s a sense of community,” he said.

“I feel good that this is about the love “No one on the stage or working backstage of the music,” he said. “It’s pure passion. I is getting paid.” hope it’s an experience for everybody.”{in} The audience is welcomed to dress in their best Prince attire, and the bestdressed may receive a prize. However, Gregory says he’ll be sticking to the basics wearing his purple shirt and tie.

“Only Prince could pull some of that stuff off,” he said. “He was WHEN: 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Thursday, June 9 one of the most macho dudes, even WHERE: The Stage, 610 E. Nine Mile Road when he was wearing heels.”

COST: $5 It was Prince’s unique style that DETAILS: Look for the event on Facebook attracted Gregory to the late singer, and for the generations that come,

“He was a virtuoso … he started playing instruments when he was 12 and taught himself.” Don Gregory

PURPLE & PAISLEY: A PRINCE TRIBUTE 4 MUSICOLOGY

Feeling Cheated by Volkswagen Diesel?

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calendar THURSDAY 6.2

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. To sign up: meetup.com/ftawesterngate.

BACH'S LUNCH 12 p.m. Featuring Pensacola State College Jazz Band. Free. Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. pensacolastate.edu WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Try something new every week at Aragon Wine Market’s regular wine tasting, only a few blocks from downtown. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. 9th Ave. aragonwinemarket.com

FRIDAY 6.3

WINE TASTING 5-7 p.m. Out and about in

East Hill on Friday night? Stop by City Grocery for their free weekly wine tasting before settling in or heading out for the night. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave.

SEVILLE QUARTER’S FIESTA PARADE PREPARTY 5 p.m. There will also be a post-parade

party at 8 p.m. in Phineas Phogg’s. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com HAPPY HOUR COOK OUTS 5 p.m. Drink specials, free cookout. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com WESTERN GATE FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT AT PEG LEG PETE’S 5 p.m. Dinner at Peg Leg

Pete’s followed by a walk to Battery Worth and stargazing.

THE WAITING ROOM 6 p.m. $5. Pensacola Little Theatre Teen Academy production.

Donations accepted for Ronald McDonald House. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com FILM SCREENING: ‘WHERE TO INVADE NEXT’

7 p.m. Political filmmaker Michael Moore’s new film. Free. Open Books, 1040 N. Guillemard St.

67TH ANNUAL PEN AIR GRAND FIESTA DAY PARADE 7 p.m. Parade route begins at Gar-

den and Spring Streets and will travel east on Garden turning south on Palafox and ending at Bayfront Parkway. fiestaoffi veflags.org

LIVE, LOVE N’ DANCE PRESENTED BY MARGIE SHORTT DANCERS 7 p.m. $18-$38.

Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com

414 1

DATE NIGHT DANCING 7:15-8:15 p.m. Learn

the basics of several romantic ballroom and country dance styles in a unique group class that keeps partners together. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com EVE 6 8 p.m. $15-$18. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com LUKE VEST, CAROLINE IRICKM CHAINSAW KELLY, TBA 9:30 p.m. Sluggo’s, 101 S.

Jefferson St. facebook.com/sluggospensacola

SATURDAY 6.4

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.

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY 8 a.m. Meet at Blackwater River Forestry Center 11650 Munson Highway, Munson to carpool and drive to four pitcher plant bogs near trails. Bring water, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat and a snack/lunch.

THE WAITING ROOM 2 p.m. $5. Pensacola Little Theatre Teen Academy production.

Donations accepted for Ronald McDonald House. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com THE SOUL REBELS 8 p.m. $15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. vinylmusichall.com

5 & DIME WEEKEND AT ALYSSA’S ANTIQUE DEPOT 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Alyssa’s

Antique Depot, 4586 Chumuckla Hwy. & 4562 Chumuckla Hwy., Pace. shopalyssas.com THE WAITING ROOM 11 a.m. $5. Pensacola Little Theatre Teen Academy production. Donations accepted for Ronald McDonald House. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. pensacolalittletheatre.com

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

TODD LUFFA, PLASTIC APPARATIONS KENT STANTON 9:30 p.m. Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson

SUNDAY 6.5

WAKE UP HIKE GULF BREEZE CITY HALL 7

a.m. Meet at 1070 Shoreline Dr. for a brisk

Tuesday Plans With Bands

NAVAL LIFE OAKS NATIONAL PARK

8:45-10 a.m. All supplies are provided. Highway 98 about two miles east of Gulf Breeze on the right. For more information, contact oceanhourfl@ gmail.com or baybluff scleanup@ 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

St. facebook.com/sluggospensacola

IMPROVABLE CAUSE 10:30 p.m. $10. Pen-

Now that summer is officially here, we know most of you are going to be spending plenty of time off the mainland, taking in everything the beach has to offer.

If free live music is also on your summertime agenda, you can score a two-for-one win if you remember to schedule some of your beach trips around Bands on the Beach.

The annual series features regional artists performing Tuesday evenings through Oct 25. The lineup of performers covers all genres of music from rock to country and even Inweekly favorites Continuum.

Remaining 2016 Bands on the Beach Schedule: June 7 – Buck Nasty & The Cadillac June 14 – Modern Eldorados June 21 – The Astronauts June 28 – The Reunion Band July 5 – Johnny Earthquake and The Moondogs July 12 – The Rowdies July 19 – Swamp Dog Honey July 26 – Kyle Parker Band Aug. 2 – Hot Sauce Band Aug. 9 – Chloe Channell Aug. 16 – CrossTown Aug. 23 – Deception Aug. 30 – The Hushpuppies Sept. 6 – The Blenders Sept. 13 – Mass Kunfuzion Sept. 20 – Category 4 Sept. 27 – Ben Loftin Band Oct. 4 – Dr. Breeze Oct. 11 – Continuum Oct. 18 – Holly Shelton Band Oct. 25 – The Groovinators

BANDS ON THE BEACH

WHEN: 7 p.m. every Tuesday, through Oct. 25 WHERE: Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach COST: Free DETAILS: visitpensacolabeach.com/ events/bands-on-the-beach.php

inweekly.net

calendar one-to-two hour walk with brunch to follow at an area restaurant.

PADDLE ON JUNIPER CREEK 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Shell Station/Subway Shop at 5462 Stewart St., Milton. Florida Trail Association members only. Car caravan to put-in spot on Juniper Creek.

PMA Presents

5 & DIME WEEKEND AT ALYSSA’S ANTIQUE DEPOT 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Alyssa’s Antique

Depot, 4586 Chumuckla Hwy. & 4562 Chumuckla Hwy., Pace. shopalyssas.com FIVE FLAGS DANCE ACADEMY 2 p.m. $13-$15. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. pensacolasaenger.com BLUES ON THE BAY 6 p.m. Still Standing: Elton John Tribute. Free. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.

SUMMER SEAFOOD WITH CHEF ALYN ABRAMS 6:30-8:30 p.m. Learn to create

easy seafood dishes. $60 per person. So Gourmet, 407-D S. Palafox. sogourmetpensacola.com DANCE LESSONS 6:30 p.m. Swing, Country, and Ballroom. Professional partner dance instruction for all skill levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

TUESDAY 6.7

MR. BOB’S MAGIC SHOW 11 a.m. Free.

Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy. STRUT YOUR MUTT 6:45 p.m. Join fellow dog walkers for a 45-minute stroll in East Hill. Dogs must be leashed and wellbehaved. Walkers meet at entrance to Bayview Dog Park at 20th Ave and E. Lloyd St. BANDS ON THE BEACH 7-9 p.m. Buck Nasty and the Cadillac. Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach. visitpensacolabeach.com

WEDNESDAY 6.8

MR. BOB’S MAGIC SHOW 11 a.m. Free. Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd.

MR. BOB’S MAGIC SHOW 4 p.m. Free. Pensacola Branch, 239 Spring St. RECORD NIGHT All evening. Bring a record in to play and receive $1 off your first drink.

Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/ sluggospensacola DANCE LESSONS 6:30 p.m. West Coast Swing. Professional partner dance instruction for all skill levels. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com DANCE PARTY 8-10 p.m. A mix of swing, country, and ballroom music for partner dancing on the best wood dance floor in the area. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

June 2, 2016

12-4 p.m. June 4. $5 for PMA members, $10 for non-members. Learn to take creations from paper to computer.

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

≥Exhibits

MONDAY 6.6

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 YOGA AT PMA 5:30 p.m. Free for PMA members, museum admission for nonmembers. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP

If you’re looking for something fun, yet educational, to kick-off your summer plans, Pensacola Museum of Art has just the thing.

The museum is screening the documentary “The Story of Women and Art” in a three part series. The screenings will be held the first Thursday of each month and are free and open to the public.

The series starts this Thursday, June 2, with Episode 1. Episode 2 will be shown July 7 and the final installment, Episode 3, on Aug. 4. Each episode is one hour long.

The film is presented by Professor Amanda Vickery and highlights her work uncovering the often overlooked world of female artistry. Artists featured include Sofonisba Anguissola, Anne Seymour Damer, Angelica Kauffman, Joanna Koerten and Georgia O'Keefe in Episode 3.

THE STORY OF WOMEN AND ART EPISODE 1 WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 WHAT: The frst part in a three-part documentary series WHERE: Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. COST: Free and open to the public DETAILS: pensacolamuseum.org

arts & culture

≥Events & Receptions

SOME LIKE IT HOT RECEPTION 6-8 p.m.

June 2. Glasswork exhibit from local artists. Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd.

THE STORY OF WOMEN AND ART EPISODE 1 7 p.m.

June 2. First part in a three-part documentary series. Free and open to the public. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org

SOME LIKE IT HOT On view through July 21. Glasswork exhibit from local artists.

Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd.

BEACH LIFE Three local artists share work that portrays their beach life. Includes photography on metal, painting on wood and glass works. On view May 29-June 25. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. bluemorninggallery.com FIRST CITY ART SHOW Juried show of Pensacola-area artists. On view through June 4. Quayside Art Gallery, 15-17 E. Zarragosa. quaysidegallery. com THE ARTIST REVEALED: ARTIST PORTRAITS AND SELF PORTRAITS Various media and artists explore the difference between portraits and self portraits. On view through July 16.

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

STEPHEN KNAPP: LIGHT PAINTINGS

Sculptural works created entirely of light and glass by artist Stephen Knapp. On view through August 27.

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org TSCHACBASOV: INNER VISIONS Se-

lection of etchings from Russian-born Nahum Tschacbaso. On view through June 4. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum. org

≥Call To Artists

THE WIDE ANGLE PHOTO CLUB OF PENSACOLA The Wide Angle Photo Club of Pensacola sponsors the 23rd Annual Power of Photography Show and exhibit, which benefits ARC Gateway in Pensacola.

The POP Show highlights the best in photography for the Panhandle.

We anticipate over 1,000 entries from approximately 100 artists from Florida and other states.

Ribbons, photography gear and money will be given to the best in numerous photo categories.

Artists can begin to submit their work May 2. Details about how to enter photographs into the show can be found on our web site at wideandlephotoclub. org. Award-winning images are available for viewing Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.

If you have any questions about the Power of Photography Show or about the Wide Angle Photography Club email info@wideanglephotoclub.org.

15

calendar

≥Fundraisers

70 FOR $70 AT QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY Quayside Art Gallery's

143-year-old building needs major repairs.

To raise funds to cover this, artists are donating their art for sale with 100 percent of proceeds going to repair the historic building. These will all be new pieces — jewelry, pottery, paintings — ranging from traditional to modern conceptual works, photography and woodwork, all for sale at $70 each.

Don't miss this opportunity to buy valuable original art at an unbelievable low price and, at the same time, help preserve a bit of Pensacola history.

Visit the gallery at 15-17 E. Zarragosa St. quaysidegallery.com

≥Workshops & Classes

POTTERY ON THE WHEEL Six-week

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

For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

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 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.

Marital and Family Law New Location: 127 Palafox Place Suite 100 Pensacola, Florida | 466-3115 I’m taking a stand. For my body, my health, my will. i want peace of mind. No, i want strength of mind. For this, i will strive.

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bars & nightlife

≥bar games

Thursdays POKER 8 p.m.

The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com POOL TOURNAMENT 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Rd., ticketsportsbar.com COLLEGE NIGHT 10 p.m. Drink

employment opportunities

GRANT FOR EMERGING ARTISTS The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, in partnership with Artel Gallery, is offering a new grant for emerging artists. As the inaugural event, this will be available to Escambia/ Santa Rosa County full-time residents.

We are looking for artists that have been practicing their craft for a minimum of two years and a maximum of fi ve.

The grant waives all GGAF entry fees ($40 jurying fee, $300 booth fee). Please contact Suzanne at hatchingartists@gmail.com for more information.

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 Rd., 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

We are currently hiring a professional

Sales Executive, a Freelance Copy Editor & Local Freelance Writers Sales Executive position will be responsible for: •Selling print & web advertising •Making presentations to customers Must be creative, organized and highly self-motivated.

To be considered, please e-mail a résumé to joani@inweekly.net.

Freelance Copy Editor must be able to meet weekly deadlines and find and correct typos and formatting inconsistencies. Prior knowledge of AP Style is preferred.

To be considered, please e-mail a résumé to joani@inweekly.net.

Freelance Writers We are always looking for new voices to contribute articles spanning a range of topics—including local news and politics, music, arts and food.

To be considered, please e-mail a résumé and two writing samples to joani@inweekly.net.

[claim]

inweekly.net

calendar 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 Rd., ticketsportsbar.com POKER 8 p.m. The Ticket 2, 2115 W. 9 Mile Rd., 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 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 RECORD NIGHT 8 p.m. Bring a record in and get $1 your first drink. Sluggo's, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/sluggospensacola WEDNESDAY QUIZ June 2, 2016

TRIVIA 8 p.m. The Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.com TICKET BAR BINGO 8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., 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

≥live music

THURSDAY 6.2

AL MARTIN 6 p.m.

The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Hwy. LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com BILLY IUSO 6 p.m.

Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via De Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach. paradisebar-grill.com MIKE MAGAZINNE 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes.com MICHAEL WHEELER BAND 7 p.m.

Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's

Dueling Piano Show.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., sevillequarter.com LIVE MUSIC 8 p.m.

Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com MOSSY MORAN 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com sandshaker.com

FRIDAY 6.3

KEVIN CARSON 12-4 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD & JOHN HART PROJECT 5 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com AL MARTIN 6-11 p.m. The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Hwy. FREEWAYY 98 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com AMY HART BAND 6 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via De Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach. paradisebar-grill.com DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's Dueling Piano Show.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., sevillequarter.com THE BLENDERS 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m.

Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com HIGH HORSE BAND 9 p.m. End o' The Alley. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com CAT RHODES & THE TRUTH 9 p.m.

Lili Marlene's. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MOSSY MORAN 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mc-

guiresirishpub.com SHENANIGANS 9 p.m. Apple Annie's.

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

SATURDAY 6.4

ADAM HOLT 12-4 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com CURT & FRIENDS 3-7 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com AL MARTIN 6-11 p.m. The Piano Bar, Quality Inn, 7601 Scenic Hwy. RONNIE LEVINE 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes.com JOHN HART PROJECT 6 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com POST PLUTO 6 p.m.

Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via De Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach. paradisebar-grill.com MOSSY MORAN 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com sandshaker.com LIVE MUSIC 9 p.m.

Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com CAT RHODES & THE TRUTH 9 p.m.

Lili Marlene's. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com HIGH HORSE BAND 9 p.m. End o' the Alley. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com SHENANIGANS 9 p.m. Apple Annie's.

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

SUNDAY 6.5

SEVILLE QUARTER JAZZ BRUNCH 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Gov-

ernment St. sevillequarter.com GREG LYON 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Hemingway's Island Grill, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd. LEE MELTON 12-4 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com JOHN NEMETH 3 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via De Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach. paradisebar-grill.com PLATINUM PREMIER 3:30 p.m.

Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com LIVE MUSIC 4-8 p.m.

Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. sandshaker.com CADILLAC ATTACK 6-10 p.m.

Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes.com BROOKS HUBBERT 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

MONDAY 6.6

JAZZ GUMBO 6 p.m. Phineas Phogg's.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MIKE VANN 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com MONDAY NIGHT BLUES 8 p.m. Blues Society of Northwest Florida presents and open jam at Lili Marlene's. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com BROOKS HUBBERT 9 p.m.

McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com SCOOT AND JEREMY 10 p.m.

End O' the Alley.

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

TUESDAY 6.7

DAVID DUNN 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com JOHN NEMETH 6 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via De Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach. paradisebar-grill.com AN EVENING OF GREAT JAZZ 6:30-10 p.m. Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MOSSY MORAN 8 p.m. McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com MIKE QUINN 9 p.m.

End O' The Alley Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com

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

SUSAN DUNLOP, MA, CHT

INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED HYPNOTHERAPIST

850-346-7865 EAST HILL

www.luminouslifehypnotherapy.com

Let’s Wine!

Free Wine Tasting Every Thursday AWM 5pm - 7pm

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

WEDNESDAY 6.8

GREG LYON 4-8 p.m.

Hemingway's Island Grill, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd. CALYPSONUTS 6-10 p.m. Peg Leg Pete's, 1010 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. peglegpetes. com JOHN HART & CO 7:30 p.m. Hub Stacey's 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys. com DUELING PIANO SHOW 8 p.m. Rosie O' Grady's, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MIKE QUINN 8 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com MOSSY MORAN 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Bar Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD & DJ TONEY 9 p.m. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com

www.radiofreepensacola.com 17

DIFFERENCE MAKERS IHMC Designated Bronze-level Bike-Friendly Workplace IHMC is officially a bike-friendly work place.

The League of American Bicyclists recognized IHMC as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFBSM). IHMC joins a cutting-edge group of nearly 1,200 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that have a bike-friendly designation. “The business community’s investment in bicycling is playing a central role in making the country a safer, happier, and more sustainable place to live and work,” said Amelia Neptune, League Bicycle Friendly Business Program Manager. “We applaud this new round of businesses, including IHMC, for leading the charge in creating a bicycle-friendly America for everyone.”

The designation lasts for four years, and is renewable thereafter. Before that, IHMC can reapply for a higher designation. Tim Bustos, Principal at Sustainable Transportation Planning & Design commented, “On behalf of Bike Pensacola, I’d like to congratulate IHMC on being awarded a “Bicycle Friendly Business” award at the “Bronze Level.” The criteria developed

by LAB is challenging at best, so many businesses don’t even get an “honorable mention” the first time they apply. The fact that IHMC came in at the Bronze level the first time around demonstrates their commitment to a more bikeable community, and all area residents benefit from their efforts.”

Several IHMC employees bike to and from the Pensacola location, and the Institute has its own bikes for employees to use. In Ocala, research scientist Kristy Hollingshead frequently bikes to work.

“IHMC is actually one of the best places I’ve worked at in terms of how easy and convenient it is to bike to work. The bike parking is easily accessible, closer even than the parking lot, and we have showers (and even a hair dryer!) for those hot and sticky Florida days,” Hollingshead said. “It’s a great way to start the day, cruising through the local neighborhoods and seeing the morning light on the ponds in Tuscawilla park, and a peaceful way to end the work day. I get in some exercise, save on gas, and keep my car’s mileage down - a winwin-win in my book!”

In Pensacola, research associate Tim Hutcheson rides his bike to work each day, including home for lunch midday. “I’m particularly fortunate that IHMC is only about 4 miles from my house, so I have a quick ride and hardly work up a sweat – but it’s enough to get aerobic four times a day. Using the back streets and sidewalks, I get a chance to think about my job at the institute. Some of my most creative ideas come to me while riding the bike. And I get the fun of dodging the crazy baby squirrels just out of the nest in the spring. Great way to start and finish the day!”

Learn more about the League’s Bicycle Friendly Business program at bikeleague.org/business.

Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer 818 1

inweekly.net

news of the weird CASHING IN By 2009, when Zimbabwe's central bank gave up on controlling inflation, its largest currency was the 100 trillion-dollar bill—barely enough for bus fare in Harare and not even worth the paper needed to print it. However, that 100 trillion-dollar note (that's "1" plus 14 zeros) has turned out to be a great investment for several astute traders in London and New Zealand, who bought thousands of them at pennies on the trillion and now report brisk sales to collectors on eBay at US$30 to $40 a note—a six-year return on investment, according to a May report in London's The Guardian, of nearly 1,500 percent.

CAN'T POSSIBLY BE TRUE Long-divorced Henry Peisch, 56, has seven children, but only one is still living with his ex-wife (who had originally been awarded $581 monthly support for all seven). (Three children are now independent, and three others successfully petitioned courts to live with Henry.) The resultant hardship (the $581 remains in effect) caused Henry to ask the Bergen County, New Jersey, Family Court several times for a "hardship" hearing, which the court denied (thus even defying the New Jersey Supreme Court).

On April 8, Family Court judge Gary Wilcox, noting Peisch's appearance on a related matter, spontaneously "granted" him his "ability to pay" hearing (with thus no opportunity for witnesses or evidence-gathering)—and summarily jailed him for missing some $581 payments (because, the judge concluded, he did not "believe" Peisch's hardship claims).

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, in a May publication deriding the value of certain federally funded research, highlighted several recent National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation projects, such as the $13 million for exploring musical preferences of monkeys and chimpanzees; the $1.1 million judging whether cheerleaders are more attractive seen as a squad than individually; the $390,000 to determine how many shakes a wet dog needs to feel dry; and the $5 million to learn whether drunk birds slur when they sing. (Also strangely included was the actually valuable study by Michael Smith of Cornell University ranking where on the human body a bee sting was most painful. He found, from personal testing, that "on the penis" was only the third worst —research that brought Smith a prestigious Ig Nobel prize last year.)

AUSTRALIA! (1) Yahoo News Australia reported (with photos) a man in Tallebudgera Creek on the country's Gold Coast swimming with his pet snake. The man, standing chest-deep in water, would toss the snake (apparently a carpet python) a few feet and, according to the videos, the snake would swim back to him each time. (In the man's other hand, of course: beer.) (2) In April, police in Broome (in Australia's far northwest) on traf-

by Chuck Shepherd

fic patrol stopped a 27-year-old man whose "several" children, including one infant, were unrestrained in his car while "cartons of beer" were "buckled into car seats," according to an Australian Broadcasting Corp. report. He faces several charges, including driving on a suspended license.

NEW WORLD ORDER Transgender Blues: Ms. Jai Dara Latto, 23, won the title Miss Transgender UK last September in London, but in February organizers stripped her of the title as being insufficiently trans, passing the crown to Ms. Daisy Bell. Officials had spotted Latto (who has worked as a "drag queen") in a BBC documentary wearing boxer shorts, and since switching underwear is usually such a crucial step for transgenders, officials concluded that Latto must not yet have made a sufficient-enough commitment to qualify for the title.

BIRDBRAINS In a recent book, biologist Jennifer Ackerman noted the extraordinary intelligence of birds—attributed to the dense packing of neurons in their equivalent of humans' cerebral cortex (according to an April Wall Street Journal review of Ackerman's "The Genius of Birds"). For example, the New Caledonia crow, among others, knows how to make and use hooked tools to hide food (and retrieve it from tricky-to-reach places), and the blue jay and others, which store many thousands of seeds during autumn, also steal seeds from less-vigilant birds—and they even return to re-hide food if they sense they have been spotted storing it earlier. Additionally, of course, the birds' equivalent of the human larynx is so finely tuned as to be regarded as the most sophisticated sound in all of nature.

PERSPECTIVE The president of the New England Organ Bank told U.S. News & World Report recently that she attributes the enormous upsurge in donations in recent years to the opiod "epidemic" that has produced a similarly enormous upsurge in fatal overdoses. Now, one out of every 11 donated organs comes as a result of the overdosing that in 2014 claimed over 47,000 lives. (An organ-sharing organization's chief medical officer reminds that all organ donations are carefully screened, especially those acquired from overdose deaths.)

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Prolancia Turner, 26, was arrested on May 13 at Vero Beach (Florida) Outlets mall after she allegedly walked out of a Claire's store with unpaid-for earrings tucked into her waistband. Police reported her "crying and angry" and complaining that, "Everyone steals from this store. Why are you picking on me?" {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 June 2, 2016

19

WUWF PUBLIC MEDIA

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

Let us tell you a story

SUNDAYS

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

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

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. 路 (850) 470-0003 路 600 S. BARRACKS ST.

Independent News | June 2, 2016 | inweekly.net