Inweekly june 4 2015 issue

THE

FACES

OF

CANNABIS Independent News | June 4, 2015 | Volume 16 | Number 23 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers 4

outtakes 5

news

buzz 8

6, 7

I like the ritualistic aspect of dance and this is like worshipping to me…

a&e

cover story

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publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

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

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DIFFERENCE MAKERS Pensacola Chamber Foundation Announces LeaP Class of 2016 The Pensacola Chamber Foundation announced today the names of the Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2016 participants. LeaP is a program that aims to develop and produce some of the finest community-minded leaders in Northwest Florida.

Founded in the fall of 1982, LeaP is a 10-month-long program designed to help participants acquire an understanding of the issues facing the Greater Pensacola Region and the leadership skills necessary to resolve them.

To date, more than 1,500 individuals have completed the Leadership Pensacola program and have acquired the skills, passion and connections to work effectively as community trustees.

“Leadership Pensacola gives participants the opportunity to educate themselves on regional issues, as well as enhance their leadership skills through learning from various area professionals,” said KC Etheredge, Chief Operating Officer for the Pensacola Chamber Foundation. “This program is crucial to the development of our area’s future leaders and serves to enhance our community for generations to come.”

Each year the LeaP Selection Committee seeks a cross-section of the community, made up of men and women from different career, educational, political, social and cultural backgrounds. Participants accepted into the LeaP program are involved in a balanced combination of retreats, day-long seminars and at least one community project for which the class uses its resources and talents to enhance the Greater Pensacola Region.

“Through Leadership Pensacola, participants acquire skills and connections that will help them grow and generate positive change in our community,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber President & CEO Clay Ingram. “This program has a successful track record of building community leaders for over 30 years, and we are proud to continue the tradition with the Class of 2016.”

The LeaP Class of 2016 is: Daniel Akerman Brett Aldridge Danita Andrews Kirk Bradley Richard Chism Michael Clarke Adrianne Collins Will Condon Michael Crawford Matthew Cushing Matt Deavenport Mary Ann Ford Scott Fraser

Jean Gillson James Green Alicia Hall Drew Hardgrave Amanda Hindsman Maryette Huntinghouse Melanie Jacobi Scott Jernigan Cam Johnson Maegan Leonard Tommi Lyter Laura McCullers

Dave McDuff Andrew McKay Joseph McNair Steve McNally Grayson Miller William Moore Sunshine Nall Jean Pierre N’Dione Brock Neighbors Josh Newby Mark Nisbett Mark Olvera Chuntell Patterson

Stacey Ramos Josh Schutts Patty Spradling Ben Stubbs Michael Thibodeaux Alyssa Tucker Ray Walker Lyndi Warner Steve Williams Harriett Wyer Jordan Yee Elizabeth Zupkow

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winners & losers

winners NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION The

Center for Generational Kinetic recognized the credit union as a “Best Place to Work for Millennials.” The list identifies companies that excel at recruiting, developing and retaining top performers. Millennials comprise 44 percent of Navy Federal’s workforce.

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VINCE WHIBBS, SR. The mayor emeritus of Pensacola will be honored with a statute at the waterfront park that bears his name.

For over two decades, Whibbs embodied the spirit of Pensacola, leading many philanthropic efforts. His last crusade was the Community Maritime Park, which opened six years have his death. The CMPA board of trustees approved a memorial to Whibbs, which will be paid for by his family.

FLORIDA’S CITRUS Florida's signature crop continues to be threatened by citrus greening and citrus canker. The state is the nation's largest supplier of citrus, producing 59 percent of the total U.S. citrus production. Citrus greening has been responsible for $3.63 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs in the orange juice production industry since 2006. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has requested additional state and federal funds to combat the citrus diseases.

WILLIAM STAFFORD The Senior U.S.

District Judge for the Northern District of Florida celebrated his 40th anniversary on the bench Saturday, May 30. Stafford, the father of Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, was appointed to the bench by President Gerald Ford in 1975.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY JAIL On May 27, county officials reported an inmate was found dead in the Escambia County Jail.

The 53-year old black male was found unresponsive about 6:30 a.m. and was pronounced deceased a short time later.

This is the third jail death over the past six months. On Jan. 21, Chad Robert Day hung himself in a jail holding cell using his shoelaces. On Nov. 1, 2014, James Brumley hung himself in a shower. This reminds us when Sheriff Ron McNesby was running the jail in 2005-06.

WILL LANGHORNE The Pensacola High

PARKS ON BAYOUS On the last day

School junior won fourth place in the world in the category of Robotics and Intelligent Machines at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The Intel ISEF is the premier science competition in the world and provides a forum for approximately 1,700 high school students from more than 75 countries, regions and territories to showcase their independent research annually.

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of school, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is issued a health alert for Bayou Texar at Bayview Park, Bayou Chico at Lakewood Park, and Bayou Grande, Navy Point, north of Sunset Avenue Bridge. The agency advised against any water-related activities at the above locations due to the potential for high bacteria levels.

inweekly.net

outtakes

by Rick Outzen

TWO SMALL STEPS We have talked and talked about Escambia County’s poverty and how it ripples through the community impacting public education, health, crime and economic development. Pensacola and Escambia County have conducted numerous studies and hired dozens of consultants. The News Journal, Studer Community Institute, and Inweekly have written volumes on the problem.

The time has come for action.

The problem developed over decades and generations. There are no quick-fix solutions or no magic silver bullets but we need to take steps towards solutions.

The problem is more that churches and nonprofits can shoulder on their own. City and county governments need to get involved and provide structure, accountability and transparency in each step to improving the quality of life of all our citizens, not just a few.

The first step is for both the city of Pensacola and Escambia County to include more human services in their 2015-16 budgets.

The city of Pensacola needs to fund a shelter for its homeless population. Loaves & Fishes and Waterfront Mission cannot handle the issue alone. The city also needs to develop a case management system to help get people, who are willing to work, off the streets.

Two years ago, the city’s solution was to outlaw homelessness and drive them out of the city. City staff promised the public

they would develop more humane alternatives, but that never happened. Last year, the city hired a consultant, who developed a nice report. In May, the city council held a workshop and listened to ideas for dealing with panhandlers.

For city officials, it has become more important to look like government is doing something than accomplishing anything.

Escambia County has a Community Services Department. Its budget has been relatively the same for the past five years.

Community Services is charged with public assistance, veterans’ affairs and workforce development. Public assistance is paying for cremations and doling out about $90,000 to area charities. There are no programs for veterans or workforce development.

This depart. ment must be totally revamped. The county needs to take the leadership role in all three of these areas, not merely be a passthrough to other agencies. Innovative programs are needed with performance measurements in place to gauge their success. These programs will need creative leaders and a bigger share of the county budget.

The city’s homeless shelter and the county’s expanded community services initiative will be small steps toward reducing poverty, but every solution starts with a step. {in} rick@inweekly.net

For city officials, it has become more important to look like government is doing something than accomplishing anything

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ALACHUA COUNTY BANS TOGETHER

Photo Courtesy of Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce

By Duwayne Escobedo When a normally “A” or “B” public school system receives a “C” two years in a row, what should business, education and government leaders do?

In Alachua County, community leaders didn’t mess around. They sounded the alarm.

Now, more than two dozen Alachua leaders have recently signed the Alachua County Education Compact to ensure every student has the opportunity to make something of themselves.

In education speak, the purpose is to mobilize the entire community around education and better prepare students for higher education and sustainable careers.

The six outcomes they want include: improving school readiness rates, increasing high school graduation rates, creating an aligned productive workforce, implementing healthy lifestyle habits, introducing an appreciation for the arts and developing a sense of social responsibility.

Through a stewardship board, all of this will get underway no later than October and will be monitored over the next five years.

Ian Fletcher, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Workforce Development, got a head start on the education problem.

It’s a problem that allows one elite high school to continuously win national math competitions, while high-poverty areas in Gainesville cost $23,000 per student to educate. Normally the state allocates $7,000 per student, but those students don’t contend with domestic violence, free lunch and failure to attend school issues.

Alachua County has education assets— a preeminent state university, the most educated workforce in Florida, the nation’s 66

No. 1 community college, a K-12 system on the cusp of transformational change and high schools that rank in the top two percent of high schools nationwide.

“There are pockets of success but not overall success,” Fletcher said. “We needed to change our focus to get overall success.”

Three years ago, Fletcher embarked on a mission to pull together the entire community and focus on education. The business community kept telling Fletcher, “Our students aren’t good enough.”

“What our businesses were telling us was we don’t have the skilled workforce we need for tomorrow,” Fletcher said.

So, he traveled across the country looking at national education models to copy thanks to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Cincinnati began the “Strive Partnership,” while Louisville aimed to have 55,000-degree holders by 2020.

Then, Fletcher came across the Los Angeles Compact put together by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. It was a spin-off of the Boston Compact, which brought together public, private and Catholic schools to change the plight of Hispanic and African-American students, mostly males, by improving their rate of graduation.

“We looked at the LA Compact and I spent the week out in LA,” Fletcher said. “We decided that the LA Compact was the one we wanted to replicate. Our community last October had an education forum put on by Plum Creek here and we had people come out. We had speakers. We started to take a focus, and we came to realize education was such a far scope that we had to include everything.”

Meanwhile, two critical developments propelled the Alachua Compact forward.

The chamber got the Alachua public school system and its new Superintendent Owen Roberts to sign on. Then the University of

Florida and Santa Fe Community College— the No. 1 community college in the nation according to Aspen Institute—committed to the new compact.

“Once we got the three education institutions on board, that was the driving engine to get the businesses and philanthropy and our community government and parents and family behind this engine,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher said Alachua’s new superintendent was the key for galvanizing community support. Roberts said during the recent compact announcement, “A community cannot rise above the ability of its people.”

“The best thing that happened was the new superintendent,” Fletcher said. “One of the things our new superintendent, Dr. Owen Roberts, did was he came in and said, ‘I’m not going to come in and be critical of the school system. I’m going to wait 100 days and I’m going to pull the data and let the data tell the story.’ That’s how he was able to move

his board in support of this, as well because he didn’t just come in and gave an opinion.

He actually had the data and he pulled the data and on his 100 day report, he kind of introduced this for the first time.”

Now the Alachua community is committed to work together to improve educational outcomes for every student in their public school system. Each will play a role in developing strategies that attain the desired outcomes.

This will ultimately benefit local businesses by creating a skilled workforce pipeline.

“Schools are the lifeblood in the community, and until all Alachua County students and school children have access to school readiness and career opportunities, we all have work to do,” said Florida President W. Kent Fuchs during the compact signing ceremony.

Alachua County has figured it out. Good public education is good business. {in}

Moving Alachua to Reach the Stars Plan Alachua County business, education and government leaders are embarking on a five-year plan to improve public education. The move resulted from the typical A and B school system earning two C’s in a row. Here are some measures being taken to ensure a quality education for all students in the system: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INITIATIVE: Aimed at children from birth

to grade three, the initiative will focus on ensuring that children in Alachua County experience high-quality early childhood care and education. This will begin with the establishment of the Duval Early Learning Center in east Gainesville in the 2015-16 school year.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT: A renewed district focus will include specialized training for teachers and principals on the neuroscience of language. It will expand opportunities for students to learn different languages and use them in both oral and written forms.

The first step has already been taken with the implementation of the Fast ForWord program in 10 high-needs schools, which will be expanded in the future.

STEAM INITIATIVE (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, MATHEMATICS):

Beginning with the highest-needs schools and ultimately expanding to all schools, this initiative will focus on expanding students’ interest in both STEM and the arts. The initiative will begin with a robotics program.

Math competition teams have been established in all elementary and middle schools

to foster student interest. Arts education will also receive renewed emphasis in all schools. Choral groups will be established in all schools, and an enhanced fine arts magnet will be established at Rawlings Elementary School in the 2015-16 school year.

PARENT ACADEMY: A Parent Academy will be established to provide parents with teaching skills, with its hub at the Family Services Center in east Gainesville. This initiative will also include mobile units to deliver parent training and other services on-site within neighborhoods with a high percentage of struggling students. Community partners will be critical to the success of this academy.

GLOBAL EDUCATION MAGNET: K-12 students will have the opportunity to learn three foreign languages, expand their knowledge of other cultures and develop a strong sense of social responsibility.

Metcalfe Elementary School will be the site of the elementary Global Education Magnet, which is set to begin in the fall of 2016. The program will be expanded to a middle and high school.

ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES:

• Improved instructional quality in every classroom • More student mentoring programs • Incentives to encourage teachers to work with high-needs students • An initiative to ensure all families have access to computers/Internet • Improved facilities, particularly in highneeds schools inweekly.net

SACRED HEART CEO DISCUSSES LIP

Susan Davis

By Rick Outzen Florida Legislature convened on Monday for a special session to approve the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Providing health care coverage for 800,000 uninsured Floridians was the stumbling block that created a rift between the Senate and House during the regular session. The issue still looms.

As Inweekly reported in last week’s cover story, “No More Kicking the Can,” Gov. Rick Scott has known for year that the federal Low Income Pool (LIP) was set to expire on June 30. The state received $2.16 billion in LIP funding this past year.

The governor chose not to develop a plan to replace the funds, which went to safety net hospitals that cared for the poor and uninsured. The Florida House followed his lead and dared the federal government to pull the funding. The Florida Senate refused to follow suit and proposed an expansion of Medicaid to help fund the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange (FHIX).

The Florida House and Scott dismissed the plan, labeling it “Obamacare.”

The House adjourned the regular session early without an approved budget, which led to the special session. The governor aggressively targeted hospitals, suggesting that the facilities come up with a model by which they share profits to help those health care systems struggling to provide care to the uninsured.

Inweekly interviewed Sacred Heart Health System president and CEO Susan Davis for her take on the issue. Davis, a register nurse with a Masters in nursing administration and doctorate in education, serves as Ascension Health’s Ministry Market Leader for Florida, Alabama, New York and Connecticut where she promotes strategic alignment among Health Ministries on issues related to mission and vision.

“There are federal dollars available (through the Affordable Care Act) that I think Florida should be taking advantage of to help offset the costs because Florida's Medicaid rate is so low.” Susan Davis

June 4, 2015

Davis said the LIP funds were intended to provide funding to those hospitals that have a significant portion of uninsured patients in Florida.

“The Low Income Pool funds are to leverage federal dollars that are available to states throughout the country and to bring those dollars into the state of Florida to

help offset the costs,” she told Inweekly.

For the current fiscal year, three area hospitals received LIP funding. Sacred Heart received $4, 405,782, Baptist Health Care $546,886 and Santa Rosa Medical Center $132,894.

The LIP funding began in 2005 as way to help hospitals that cared for disproportionate numbers of uninsured people as the state shifted Medicaid beneficiaries into private insurance plans. When the Affordable Care Act passed, Scott elected to not enroll the state and instead asked for waivers in 2011 and 2014. However, the LIP fund was always intended to be only temporary.

Davis said, “There are many waivers that the federal government has given various states. The Low Income Pool is the waiver for Florida. It actually expired last June 30. Florida was given a one-year extension with the idea that, during the course of that year, an alternative to the Low Income Pool would be developed.”

She said she believes the state should expand Medicaid to help fund coverage for the uninsured.

“There are federal dollars available (through the Affordable Care Act) that I think Florida should be taking advantage of to help offset the costs because Florida's Medicaid rate is so low,” Davis said.

In February, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) released a Navigant Consulting study of Medicaid funding and payments in the state. The study showed that Escambia County hospitals provide $41.8 million of uncompensated care annually—Sacred Heart $22.1 million, Baptist $14.8 million and West Florida $4.9 million.

Davis believes the intent of ending the LIP funding was not to force profit sharing among Florida hospitals.

“The intention of providing care and services to these uninsured, under-insured, was never that hospitals any place in the country should exchange profits,” she said.

In May, Scott announced the formation of his Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding. He shifted the discussion to lowering health care costs and hospital finances.

“The commission will examine how taxpayer money supports hospitals, healthcare and insurance plans in Florida and what healthcare outcomes those entities provide for Floridians in return,” said the governor.

He asked the Florida Hospital Associa-

tion submit plans by which hospitals share profits, similar to the model used by Major League Baseball. He asked the hospitals to complete a survey on their finances and submit it to ACHA before the first commission meeting.

“We did provide the information to AHCA,” said Davis. “You know, the reality is that information was already public and available through AHCA. With the exception of a couple of sections in the document, we report it anyway. The questions that were in the document that we did not report had to do with rates that we get paid because that's not something we are allowed by law to share.”

On May 27, Scott announced the kick off of the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding’s Spotlight Transparency Tour.

Following the Commission’s meeting on June 4 in Tallahassee, the tour will start in Tampa, followed by stops in Jacksonville and Miami to compare the hospitals in those regions He said the goal would be to compare the hospitals in those regions and how to make them more transparent and efficient for the taxpayers that support them.

During each stop on the tour, the Commission will invite the lowest and highest performing hospitals to present detailed information on their costs, profits and patient outcomes that all affect the level of taxpayer support to each institution.

While the commission tours the state, lawmakers will be working on how to fund health care for the uninsured.

What are Davis’ hopes of the special session?

“My hope's that the state of Florida and the federal government can find a compromise that enables federal funds to be leveraged to help us care for the uninsured,” said the Sacred Heart CEO. “It's clear that LIP is going to expire June 30th. It's $2.2 billion. My hope is that the feds and the state will find a way to keep that $2.2 billion to spend in the state of Florida.”

She pointed out that the Florida Senate has put forward a plan, which she hoped would be at least a starting point for the negotiations between the state and the federal government. If not, the issue is not going away.

“What is just so surprising to me is that this is money that Florida taxpayers are giving to the federal government, and if we're not able to figure out a way to resolve this issue, those dollars will get spent in other states, and it's our taxpayers' money.” {in}

“The intention of providing care and services to these uninsured, underinsured, was never that hospitals, any place in the country, should exchange profits.” Davis

7

MIAMI DEVELOPER’S PARTNER BAILS

Rolling Hills Fire / Photo by Rick Outzen ROLLING HILLS CLOSED Friday, May 29

wasn’t a good day for the owners of Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Recycling Center, the dump that has plagued the residents of the Wedgewood neighborhood for years (Inweekly, “A Shame Before God,” June 26, 2014).

The day opened with a fire at the facility, which brought out Escambia County Code Enforcement and Solid Waste Divisions to the site to monitor the efforts to extinguish the fire and any potential health exposure to nearby residents.

In the afternoon, Jonathan Steverson, Interim Secretary of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, signed the Final Order upholding the revocation of the permit for the operations of the Rolling Hills landfill.

In March, Administrative Law Judge D.R. Alexander issued a recommended order that upheld the DEP’s request to revoke the permit.

South Palafox Properties, Inc., the owner of Rolling Hills, asked for exceptions to the judge’s order. DEP reviewed and denied them. South Palafox did not file a response.

Shawn Hamilton, the director for the DEP’s Northwest District office, said in statement, “The department always focuses on compliance as the most effective and quickest route to environmental protection. As such, the department attempted to work with South Palafox Properties, LLC since 2011 to bring the Rolling Hills facility into compliance and correct the ongoing compliance issues at the property.”

Hamilton said that Rolling Hills failed to comply, which made the revocation of the permit necessary to “prevent additional violations and environmental harm from occurring.”

South Palafox has 30 days to submit a permit application for closure and long-term care 88

for the landfill. Once that permit is received, the company must complete closure within 180 days of obtaining the closure permit.

PENSACOLA DOMINOS What does State Rep. Matt Gaetz think about his father, State Sen. Don Gaetz, running for U.S. Senate or Congress?

“Here's what I know about my dad, Sen. Gaetz.” Rep. Gaetz said. “He's still got a lot more to give.”

He said his father has seen how frustrating it is when Florida tries to innovate and Washington stops us.

“There are a lot of things we could do with healthcare, with economic development, with transportation, that would be so much easier if states weren't constantly wrapped up in the red tape from Washington, D.C.,” the young lawmaker said. “I think (Sen. Gaetz) is motivated in some way to go and make that better for innovative states like Florida.”

Rep. Gaetz said the key to what offices people may seek in 2016 is whether Congressman Jeff Miller decides to run for U.S. Senate—something Inweekly predicts will happen.

“If your prediction comes true, there'll be a lot of dominoes that will fall in politics in Northwest Florida,” Gaetz said. “It'll be an exciting time for people who have a vision for the state and for the country to step up and fill new roles.”

Another city deal has fallen apart, and once again the mayor’s office has hidden the news from the public.

At the end of May, Pensacola Today’s Shannon Nickinson uncovered that Mayor Ashton Hayward’s Chief Operations Officer, Tamara Fountain, was notified on May 1 by CBRE, the city’s real estate broker, that MCM of the Miami development team MCM-BAP, LLC was no longer interested in the Community Maritime Park.

The May 1 memo was not shared with the Pensacola City Council or the CMPA Board of Trustees at their May public meetings.

Mayor Ashton Hayward had supported CBRE and the MCM-BAP LLC development that was to be a $65-million investment for a hotel and luxury apartments/condos at the Maritime Park. The CMPA board had given the project conceptual approval and had sent it on to the Pensacola City Council for final approval.

The council had been waiting over four months for a Memorandum of Understanding from CBRE and MCM-BAP on the project.

Michael McShea and Lee Ann Korst of CBRE sent Fountain a memo on May 1, titled “Update to Development Strategies for Community Maritime Park.” In it, CBRE gave several reasons for why BAP’s partners in the joint venture decided to pass on the project.

“The negative press coverage, staff changes and transferring development responsibility from CMPA to Council over the last six weeks has somewhat slowed efforts and caused some concern on the part of the developer,” CBRE wrote. “That has manifested itself in potentially different development strategies and financial outcomes for both the city and CBRE.” Since the project was approved in January, CMPA executive director Ed Spears resigned under pressure from Fountain.

CBRE’s contract expired, and the Pensacola City Council held a workshop to decide if it wanted to replace all the board members of the CMPA. The “negative press coverage” was self-inflicted by the mayor’s office.

In its memo, CBRE said BAP was still interested in the development, but with new joint venture partners. The developer is also seeking substantial decreases in the proposed minimum rents they will pay on the parcels.

With the deal substantially changed, it appears CBRE will need to return to the CMPA Board of Trustees for approval before the Pen-

"There are a lot of things we could do with healthcare, with economic development, with transportation, that would be so much easier if states weren't constantly wrapped up in the red tape from Washington, D.C.” State Rep. Matt Gaetz

sacola City Council can consider any development at the waterfront park.

HURTING SAFETY NET HOSPITALS

According to the plan on new LIP funding and Medicaid rates developed by Gov. Rick Scott’s administration, his former for-profit health care company, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), will make $71.8 million.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) released a chart that outlines a breakdown of hospital profits and potential changes in revenue under AHCA’s proposed changes submitted to CMS on new LIP funding and Medicaid rates.

HCA runs 46 hospitals in the state. Only one faces a funding reduction: Gulf Coast Medical Center of Panama City, which will lose $1,166,982. The 31 hospitals that would receive funds under the proposed Agency for Health Care Administration plan have combined profits of $480.8 million.

Under the current LIP funding plan, only nine of HCA’s hospitals received LIP funding— a total of $14.7 million for FY 201415. The majority of which went to Citrus Memorial of Inverness ($7.8 million) and Orange Park Medical ($4.7 million).

Under the AHCA proposed plan, Sacred Heart would lose $1,329,435, Baptist $600,547 and Santa Rosa Medical Center $531,077. The winner is West Florida Hospital, which will receive $3,628,818. West Florida Hospital did not receive any LIP funds under the current program.

ACHA released this past February a Navigant Consulting study of Medicaid funding and payments in the state. The study showed that Escambia County hospitals provide $41.8 million of uncompensated care annually—Sacred Heart $22.1 million, Baptist $14.8 million and West Florida $4.9 million.

The federal government has yet to sign off on the ACHA plan, because it does not cover the funding for future years.

"We have not heard from the state on their proposal for 2016-17 when the LIP is reduced further to $600 million in spending authority (roughly $360 million federal funds, $240 million state funds)," a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official, communicating on background, wrote in an email to The News Service of Florida.

"Knowing that the state has a viable plan for 2016-17 is critical for CMS before signing off on transitional funding for 2015-16."

Meanwhile, Gov. Scott’s political action committee received a $100,000 contribution from HCA the same day he appointed his commission on hospital funding. {in} inweekly.net

Pensacola High School IB Class of 2015 has a Bright Future Congratulations to the class of 2015!

•The IB Seniors have earned a total of $14,334,381 in scholarships for 96 seniors •93% of the IB Senior Class is receiving Bright Future Scholarships •90% acceptance rate to University of Florida •National Merit recognition: 8 Semifinalists – moved on to all becoming Finalists • 6 commended students •98% of the class is attending college and university •83% of the IB senior class received AP recognition •Several other students have received full tuition scholarships to attend their University of choice

Distinguished admissions include:

•Harvard •Columbia •Johns Hopkins University •University of Pennsylvania •Georgia Tech •UNC Chapel Hill (5) •Duke (4) •UCLA •Carnegie Mellon •University of Miami •Rice (3) •Vanderbilt •Boston University •Washington University in St. Louis •Brown – 1 student earned a full scholarship •Emory – 1 student earned a full scholarship

For more information about PHS International Baccalaureate visit phsibsupport.org

June 4, 2015

9

CALLING ALL

MEN

For as little as a few hours a month, you could be the best and brightest part of a little boy’s day. There are hundreds of boys with similar interests as you just waiting for a big brother. And for many, just being there matters.

Become a Big, and do a lot for a Little. Learn more about volunteering at DoALotForALittle.org.

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THE

FACES

OF

CANNABIS

The Fight For Charlotte’s Web

By Rick Outzen While being interviewed by Inweekly, Bridget Bateman sits in a Jacksonville hospital watching her son Preston, age 8, battle another seizure.

June 4, 2015

“He’s having a seizure right now,” she says, stopping mid-sentence. “Hold on.”

She asks her husband, “Kevin, can you make sure he's all right? He isn't holding his breath or anything?”

Silence.

The mother comforts her son, “All right, buddy.”

11

Gov Rick Scott with RayAnn Moseley Preston started having seizures at 6 months old. Doctors originally thought they were infantile spasms, but later they diagnosed him with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a difficult-to-treat form of childhood-onset epilepsy. The boy had been in the hospital for four days when Inweekly reached his mother.

“The only thing they've found in any of the testing is that he has a common virus,” she said.

“Little tiny things like that can make life way more different for us than somebody who just gets a cold.”

Three hundred and sixty-six miles away in Pensacola, Dondie Roper was helping her daughter Tiffany, 21, recover from a bad fall that had landed her in the emergency room.

“Yesterday was kind of one of those eye-opener days where you have a few good days, and she's walking around the Pensacola State College campus, happygo-lucky, and then she had a seizure walking on the sidewalk going to the Student Center,” Roper said. “I can show you a picture. Her face is all skinned up. She's got a huge knot on her forehead. The scary thing with seizures is, wherever you're at, you're just going down.”

The Ropers and Batemans, like over 125,000 other families in Florida, deal with these scary days all too often. A year ago, they thought some relief was near. Charlotte’s Web, a special strain of marijuana that is non-euphoric and has helped children with severe forms of epilepsy, was becoming legal in Florida.

On June 16, 2014, Gov. Rick Scott signed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, which made Charlotte’s Web and other lowTHC cannabis available for children with refractory epilepsy and patients with advanced cancer.

“As a father and grandfather, you never want to see kids suffer,” Scott said when he signed the legislation. “The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life. I am proud to stand today with families who deserve the ability to provide their children with the best treatment available.”

By Jan. 1, the Florida Department of Health was to have in place rules for the cultivation and dispensing of the product.

Unfortunately those rules have been mired in legal challenges, the last of which was kicked out of court on May 27. FDOH is proceeding with the licensing process, but those five licenses could also be challenged once the nurseries are announced.

The delays have been maddening for the mothers of Preston and Tiffany.

“Oh my goodness! It's been extremely frustrating because they got the framework in place, and you think you're moving forward,” Roper said. “The delays are so frustrating to see when you're sitting in the ER because your child had another seizure and

“The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life.” Gov. Rick Scott

her whole face is bright red and skinned.

You think, ‘Wow. It's ridiculous.’"

Bateman was almost fatalistic about the past year. “So close but there's nothing you can do about it,” she said. “I mean and I feel like I've done everything as a parent that I can do."

However, she was still hopeful that Charlotte’s Web would be available before the end of the year. “I feel like you know, there's not a whole lot that I can do other than get the word out and hope that people who are putting holds on everything and challenging rules would eventually hear it and maybe have a heart to say, ‘You know what?

These families need it more than whatever we're fighting.’"

severe form of epilepsy, when she was 2 years old.

According to her parents, Charlotte was having 300 grand mal seizures a week, seizures so violent that her parents put a ‘do not resuscitate’ order in her medical records. Once she was prescribed the low-THC marijuana, Charlotte showed an immediate improvement, going from hundreds of seizures a week to approximately three a month.

While low in THC, Charlotte’s Web is high in Cannabidiol, or CBD, a compound that has been found to have a range of medicinal effects, but not the psychoactive effects that purely recreational marijuana users enjoy. At the beginning of 2014, Colorado and California were the only states where Charlotte’s Web was available for legal purchase.

The Moseleys had an uphill fight. Many thought it would take a minimum of two years for any bill to get passed. After all, Republicans controlled both the governorship and the state legislature. A constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana was set to go on the November 2014 ballot. Political insiders thought the

“It's been extremely frustrating because they got the framework in place, and you think you're moving forward.” Dondie Roper

The Hippie’s Disappointment

Gulf Breeze residents Holley and Peyton Moseley launched their campaign to legalize Charlotte’s Web in January 2014. It was a long shot, but the couple had an incentive. Their 10-year-old daughter RayAnn suffered from epilepsy, typically experiencing hundreds of seizures a week.

Some were so severe the Moseleys had to take her to the hospital.

Once jokingly referred to as “The Hippie’s Disappointment” for its failure to produce a high, the strain of marijuana proved to be highly effective in reducing seizures. Developed by the Stanley brothers in Colorado Springs, Colo., the plant was named for Charlotte Figi, a young girl who was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a

Preston Bateman 212 1

inweekly.net

amendment was merely a ploy to generate voter turnout for Democrat gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. Most Republicans didn’t want to have any bill that made it appear they were pro-marijuana.

However, the couple gained an unlikely ally, State Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar).

As chairman of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Gaetz held a hearing on Charlotte’s Web and listened to Holley Moseley and other parents of children with frequent and severe seizures.

Rep. Gaetz agreed to sponsor a bill to decriminalize low-THC cannabis for the purpose of helping these children with medical conditions that cause seizures.

State Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) filed a companion bill in the Senate.

Matt’s father, State Sen. Don Gaetz, voiced his support for the legislation. “As a father myself, I am unwilling to require these parents to be criminals in order to get treatment for their children,” Sen. Gaetz said. “As the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz, I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children's lives.”

the Moseleys in 2014, Wiggins, the mother of two healthy boys, was committed to helping them.

“Holley and Peyton Moseley are unbelievably special people who began the fight for their daughter RayAnn’s life and 125,000 other Floridians when they began the battle to bring Charlotte’s Web to Florida,” she said. “I could not be more proud of them or feel more blessed to be a part of this absolutely incredible and historic journey in Florida.”

Wiggins' strategy was simple: make this legislation about the children, not medical marijuana.

Two days before the 2014 Legislative Session ended, the Florida Senate passed, by a 36-3 vote, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. RayAnn and Holley watched from the balcony.

Sponsors had to overcome objections that voters might see the bill as legalizing State Rep. Matt Gaetz debating Charlotte’s Web bill last year marijuana, which could hurt lawmakers Wiggins’ strategy of getting the Mosethe component that gets users high, and at seeking re-election in leys before the lawmakers had worked. least 10 percent of cannabidiol. Physicians the fall. Bill sponWhen he argued for the bill. Sen. Aaron would be required to undergo at least eight sor Sen. Rob Bradley Bean (R- Fernandina Beach) admitted he hours of training to be allowed to order introduced RayAnn, was “scared to death of marijuana” prior the marijuana for patients, who would be who was sitting in the to meeting RayAnn’s parents, Holley and added to a statewide “compassionate use” gallery.

Peyton Moseley. registry maintained by the Department of “Let me be clear “I thought we were just going to politely Health. about something,” he said from the floor. disagree with them and then send them on After a conference with the House, the “I oppose the legalization of marijuana. their way,” Bean said, but he changed his final bill that was signed by Gov. Scott also My wife Jennifer and I have spoken to our mind after listening to them. established the Office of Compassionate three teenagers about the dangers of drug “If it were your kid, what would you Use that would “enhance access to invesuse. My kids undo?” he said. tigational new drugs for Florida patients derstand the dif"You’d go to the through approved clinical treatment plans ference between ends of the world or studies.” Cancer patients were made the abuse of an to make sure eligible for the product. Five distribution illegal substance your kid could center—one in each part of the state— and the legitimate get a fighting were to be established and operated by the use of this plant chance.” same entities that grow the marijuana and to help suffering The bill manufacture the product. children. I’m condecriminalAfter the Senate vote, RayAnn presentfident that Floridized marijuana ed Sen. Bradley and the bill’s co-sponsors ians understand comprised of no with hand-drawn pictures of a bright yellow this difference as more than 0.8 sun against a blue background overarched well.” percent THC, by the words “Ray of Hope.”

“As the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz, I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children’s’ lives.” Sen. Don Gaetz

Ray of Hope

Ryan Wiggins also signed on to help the Moseleys navigate the media and the halls of the state capitol. The Pensacola native is the owner and chief strategist at Full Contact Strategies. Leveraging her experience working Congressman Jeff Miller, two governors and former Attorney General Bill McCollum, Wiggins is sought for her targeted messaging and political strategy.

When Inweekly talked with her about

June 4, 2015

"You’d go to the ends of the world to make sure your kid could get a fighting chance.”

Sen. Aaron Bean

13

strain of plant is better than this strain of plant,” Tschetter said. "That’s the litigation we’re trying to avoid because no one is ever going to agree on that.”

Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins disagreed.

He ruled in November 2014 the arbitrary selection of dispensing organizations (by lottery) "is not supported by logic, reason or facts, the proposed rule itself State Rep. Matt Gaetz with RayAnn Moseley is arbitrary, and invalid.” He invalidated 13 provisions of the DOH plan.

Judge Watkins wrote in this DOH and its newly formed Office opinion, “The of Compassionate Use were tasked with statute’s manifest developing the rules and regulations by Sept. intent requires 30, 2014, and the program was to start by Jan. the Department 1, 2015. Unfortunately, the first draft of rules to qualitatively and regulations was not received well.Costa evaluate appliFarms, Plants of Ruskin and other nurseries cants for each of objected to the proposed use of a lottery to the five dispenspick five licensees to grow, manufacture, and ing organizadistribute the low-THC cannabis. tions. There is no DOH’s general counsel, Jennifer Tschetdiscernible reason ter argued the agency wanted to avoid long why the exercise court battles. In the October 2014 adminisof the Departtrative hearing, she defended the lottery. ment’s reasonable discretion in applying “We’re not going to have experts fightthe criteria should not determine which ing with each other whether hydroponic or applicants are approved.” dirt is better and whether one extraction DOH decided not to appeal Watkins’ method or another is better and whether this ruling and was forced to rethink its regula-

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tory framework. Fearing more litigation over any criteria used to select licensees, the agency formed an advisory panel to develop the criteria.

Clearly, it would not meet the Jan. 1 start date, but Rep. Gaetz was optimistic.

“We have to create a uniquely Floridian solution. And we’ll get there,” Gaetz said.

“I put a Jan. 1 deadline into the bill because I’m sensitive to the desperation of vulnerable people who need access to cannabis.

But these are complex issues and at times it’s better to get it right then to just get it done for the sake of getting it done. I don’t think anyone’s stonewalling. I don’t think anyone’s intentionally delaying. It’s just not something that’s really comparable to the normal administrative rigmarole.”

DOH created a 12-member rule-making panel comprised of growers, patient advocates and out-of-state cannabis experts to develop a set of regulations for awarding licenses. By having stakeholders involved, the agency hoped to avoid any more challenges. Holley Moseley was named to panel.

After a two-day, 25-hour session in early February, the panel proposed a scorecard to award the five licenses lawmakers authorized, set application fees, and established a timeline requirement to get the produce to market.

“This rule brings us much closer to providing this product safely and efficiently to children and families dealing with intractable epilepsy and patients dealing with advanced cancer,” Patricia Nelson, director of the Office of Compassionate Use, said after the session.

During meetings, her daughter’s

“This rule brings us much closer to providing this product safely and efficiently to children and families dealing with intractable epilepsy and patients dealing with advanced cancer.” Patricia Nelson

teacher called Moseley to tell her that RayAnn was "seizing and throwing up all over the place.”

"It's just hard being here and worrying about her back home. And when we started talking timeline it just all set in. I had honestly thought Jan. 1 she would have started this oil. And here we are talking about we may not even make it before legislative session's over. I'm just feeling nervous," Moseley told The News Service of Florida.

A Death and An Exodus

Three challenges were filed against the new rules.

Jacksonville attorney Ian Christensen filed a challenge on behalf of 4-year-old Dahlia Barnhart, who has an inoperable brain tumor. The lawsuit alleged DOH did not follow the law in drawing up the proposed rule.

“Overall, the proposed rule fails to provide any objective methods to determine whether an eligible (dispensing organization) applicant is superior at growing lowTHC cannabis or filling out a lengthy application,” wrote the attorney in the documents filed. “This ‘red-tape’ ensures only the most politically connected, not the best qualified applicant, are approved.”

Baywood Nurseries of Apopka, Fla. challenged the rules claiming the scoring system was “a subjective and unfair process.”

The challenge alleged that scorecard would “lead to only the wealthiest, most politicallyconnected applicants becoming dispensing organizations, rather than those entities that are most informed, capable and qualified.”

Medical Cannabis Trade Association of Florida, LLC, also challenged the rules on similar grounds.

On March 4, the delays had their first casualty. Isaac Crews of Brevard County passed away. The 10-year-old suffered from Alpers’ disease, a rare neurodegenerative disease.

Isaac had gone through several surgical procedures in late 2014 to correct intractable epilepsy. His parents, Ben and Emily Carew, had hoped Charlotte’s Web would help him.

When news of the boy’s death hit the

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Chaylynn Rose VanOrsdale media, Ryan Wiggins issued a statement on behalf of the Moseleys: “The Moseleys are heartsick to learn of the challenge to the Charlotte’s Web rule. Following the last hearing, they felt confident that all of the stakeholders in the rule-making process were happy and ready to move forward.

“It is disappointing that a mother who is using cannabis illegally and has not been involved in the rule-making process would block the access to Charlotte’s Web for thousands of families who are trying to go about getting the life-saving product for their children the right way.

“How many other children will lose their lives because of this challenge? Florida families cannot wait any longer for access to Charlotte’s Web and we implore the legislature to intervene at this point.

“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the Carews.

Their son’s death will not be in vain. We will not stop fighting for these families until Charlotte’s Web is readily available.”

One mother could no longer wait for DOH to get its act together. Cymri VanOrsdale moved with her daughter Chaylynn Rose, 9, to Colorado, leaving part of her family in south Florida.

“I have five biological kids, and then my mom passed away and left my brother so I've raised him as well,” she said. “I actually own a home in south Florida and I had to relocate half of my children out of the home to Colorado just to be able to have my daughter safely and legally use Charlotte's Web.” VanOrsdale left her four-bedroom, two-bath home in Broward County taking only a backpack for three kids and herself. She drove a one-way rental car and moved in with an aunt in Colorado.

“We've tried 15 different medications. Two have put her in the hospital and nearly killed her.

Three she's been very allergic to. Nothing worked for her for the seizures,” said the mother.

Chaylynn Rose has improved since taking Charlotte’s Web. Her seizures had decreased by 90 percent, according to her mother. She is doing things her doctors never believed she would be able to do.

“Within the first month she gained two years' cognitive ability,” VanOrsdale said. “A two-year solid gain of being able to retain words to a song where she couldn't sing a nursery rhyme prior. She couldn't color. She couldn't really write or read. She couldn't ride a bike. She couldn't stand on one foot for longer than five seconds just trying to balance.

Now she looks and appears to be a normal child.”

The separation from the rest of her family has been hard.

“Half of my kids are still living in south Florida without me, which is horrible because I've never been away for my kids for longer than a week," she said. “It's very hard. Then to uproot half your family, tearing families apart because you can't afford two mortgages or two houses or ... It's extremely hard.”

“We've tried 15 different medications. Two have put her in the hospital and nearly killed her." Cymri VanOrsdale

June 4, 2015

Finally Some Progress On April 1, Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth McArthur threw out the chal-

lenge on the behalf of Dahlia Barnhart, the 4-year-old with an inoperable brain tumor.

The judge ruled the child didn’t have legal standing to challenge the proposed rule.

Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins on April 15 formally dismissed the challenge filed by the Medical Cannabis Trade Association of Florida (MCTAF).

The association had given notice that it was dropping the case because of a ruling that it would have to provide information about the identities of its members.

“Rather than comply with this order that MCTAF asserts violates its constitutional rights of privacy and association, MCTAF voluntarily dismisses its rule challenge,” the group said in its notice.

The last challenge was dismissed on May 27, clearing the way for DOH to begin processing license applications within 41 days.

Judge Watkins rejected all of the objections in the challenge filed by Baywood Nurseries, which asserted primarily that the rule was tilted in favor of large nurseries.

"While the department's first attempt to do so was unsuccessful, the fruit of its second effort, which was well-reasoned, deliberative and thorough, represents a rational and coherent regulatory framework," the judge wrote.

State Rep. Matt Gaetz was thrilled with the announcement.

On WCOA’s “Pensacola Speaks, he said, “This day has been a long time coming to have the special interests finally kicked out of court so that we can proceed with getting medical-grade cannabis to a lot of very vulnerable Floridians to whom each day matters."

The lawmaker admitted that he underestimated the legal battles his legislation sparked.

“When you are at the forefront of a new industry, particularly an industry that is evolving like the marijuana business, it just creates an orgy of special interests,” Gaetz said. “Everybody is seeing the dollar signs.

They are not necessarily motivated by the things that motivate you and me to make sure that there is safe, reasonable and reliable access for the people whose lives will depend on getting this product into the market.”

He sees that the regulatory framework created for Charlotte’s Web could lead to a boarder cannabis policy for Florida.

“I think it's good to celebrate the fact that the journey we're on to modernize our

cannabis laws is continuing,” said the lawmaker. “Once we get our regulatory structure in place and we're able to tailor it and see what's working and what's not working, I think that we are poised to further modernize our cannabis policy because I think cannabis can help a lot of people in Florida, particularly those who are dying very painful deaths.”

Gaetz wasn’t the only one happy once the last challenge had been dismissed.

“I was so excited to be able to call the other moms throughout the state and just be able to share that news with them,” Holley Moseley told Inweekly the day after Watkins’ ruling. “Because we all are just super excited and looking forward to the day that our children get the opportunity to try something that children in other states get to try.”

She added, “If you need something done, get a bunch of mommas and they're going to make sure it happens. And so it's been an unbelievable journey and I've made some amazing friendships through it. And we're not going to give up. We're going to see it through to the end.”

What does she see in the future for RayAnn? “Oh goodness, RayAnn is going to go back to Tallahassee, and she is going to show everyone how amazing Charlotte's Web is, and how amazing she's doing,” Moseley said. “I hate to even put a cap on what she's capable of because I really, really believe that this is going to change her life.”{in}

“I think it's good to celebrate the fact that the journey we're on to modernize our cannabis laws is continuing.” State Rep. Matt Gaetz

For more info please visit: facebook.com/caring4florida

15

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WEEK OF JUNE 4-11

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

Emerald Coast Transmissions

by Dylan Carroll

asked about his role as a programmer at RFP, McMillan said, "I never thought about it as programming. I enjoy the idea that someone is sitting in their room listening to a song they know followed by one

the scheduling and getting the DJs up to speed.”

Anyone can look into being a DJ on RFP. “You go through a few trial runs and then you go live,” Judd said. They are also looking for more than just programmers.

“We would love to have people that would contribute written content to the web site.

We could use someone to add upcoming shows to the concert calendar, as well as album and concert reviews.”

Listening to RFP is like looking at a hidden force behind the Pensacola scene, one that is rarely mentioned when talking about the community.

For Storm, live performance is still a part of her work, but defining what exactly we have in Pensacola is a little tricky.

“The scene here I think is a congregation of people that have aspirations of a better life,” Storm said. “It is easy to lose yourself in the every day. If each person was a participant in their own way and could agree to disagree or step in and discuss, it would be more of a community." {in}

“It’s been my childhood dream to be a DJ. I get to expose people to all kinds of different music by women.” Melody Davis

Steven McMillan of “Sides” and Sara Storm of “Hero Worship” / by Corey Jess Radio Free Pensacola (RFP) is a streaming radio station comprised of independent Pensacola DJs, who broadcast live shows that are compiled into a syndicated on-demand service. RFP was started by Nick Zangari in 2013, a Pensacola resident since 1981 and owner of New York Nick’s.

Zangari spent almost ten years working as a DJ for stations like TK 101, but became disenchanted with the cycle of commercials, pre-set playlists and forced linear notes. “(After I left FM), people kept saying, ‘you should have your own station,’” Zangari said. “The rest is history. RFP is totally off the cuff. You say what you want, and you play what you want.”

The station shines brightest when you experience the shows at their peak intention—whether listening to them as live

broadcasts or making your way down to New York Nick’s for a live recording of the show “Nick’s Picks.” RFP offers spontaneity and relevance, and a wider insight into some of the working musicians in town.

Sara Storm, of the solo act Nail Club, hosts the weekly show “Hero Worship” and has performed with multiple projects in Pensacola. She has new releases available on Bandcamp and cassette. “To me, it is like driving in your car after work. If not in a vehicle, then in your room. You'll either lie down and cry or dream or think or organize,” Storm said.

Recently Storm has partnered again with a long-time collaborator Steven McMillan, host of the show “Sides.” Over the past few months, a series of dance parties have been hosted by the two. When

"RFP is totally off the cuff, you say what you want, and you play what you want.”

Nick Zangari

June 4, 2015

they haven’t heard before.” Concerning the dance parties, “I like the ritualistic aspect of dance and this is like worshipping to me.

We want to have fun, but there is something very serious about hearing your favorite song blasting out of a sound system.”

Another RFP show highlight is “Smoking in the Grrl’s Room,” hosted by Melody Davis and Ashley Faulkner. Both are involved in setting up the annual multi-day event Lady Fest, which is taking place at Sluggo’s in September. Davis explained how she got involved. “Clifford Judd contacted me about the first Lady Fest and had mentioned they were looking for women to DJ at the station. I figured I would give it a shot. It’s been my childhood dream to be a DJ. I get a lot of things out of it. I get to expose people to all kinds of different music by women,” Davis said.

Judd hosts “The Lost Sandal,” one of the older shows on RFP. “It is the only local station that focuses on alternative music or local music of any kind. I also enjoy the other DJs, they are some great people.

DETAILS: radiofreepensacola.com Phread Touchette is truly amazing in his patience and dedication to

RADIO FREE PENSACOLA 17

calendar

Ears & Fingers

by Jason Leger

art), and has a strong retro feel, bringing the album to an impressive downturn.

In the midst of all the blurred emotion, tripped-out psychedelia, drug references and sexuality, “A.L.L.A” has an awful lot of heart blazing through its core, and it shows quite a bit of growth from an artist who may not really be known for being forthcoming with what he feels. I’m interested to see where the future will take Rocky, as this LP expands his horizons limitlessly. “At.Long.Last.A$AP” is out now via RCA records.

TRACK OF THE WEEK:

A$AP Rocky “At.Long.Last.A$AP”

“I got my own relationship with God.” A$AP Rocky’s new album, “A.L.L.A,” starts out on a somber, introspective note with a song called ‘Holy Ghost’ that is all about his relationship with and interpretation of God. In fact, a good portion of this album is pretty reserved, ominous and quite ambitious for the young rapper.

The mood is understandable, considering the recent death of Rocky’s longtime collaborator and friend A$AP Yams, who passed earlier this year from mixing drugs.

“A.L.L.A.” is at least partly a homage.

However, to say the album lacks moxie and exuberance would be flat criminal. ‘Electric Body’ is a dark, trippy banger that’s energized by an appearance from Schoolboy Q. ‘L$D’ hits from left field with drawled verses and a falsetto chorus, while describing lovemaking on acid. Kanye pops up to enliven ‘Jukebox Joints.’ The high point of the album, however, comes late in the LP from the song ‘Everyday.’ The track features guest appearances from Mark Ronson, Miguel and Rod Stewart (yeah, THE Rod Stew-

live drums playing a far lesser role. With the growing success of ‘Teen Dream and Bloom,’ the larger stages and bigger rooms naturally drove us toward a louder, more aggressive place; a place further from our natural tendencies. Here, we continue to let ourselves evolve while fully ignoring the commercial context in which we exist.” A world tour for the album was also announced, which will roll through New Orleans, Birmingham, Nashville and Atlanta in October. Keep your eyes open for “Depression Cherry,” which will be out Aug. 28 via Sub Pop.

Neon Indian 'Annie'

ON THE HORIZON: Beach House

“Depression Cherry”

Last week, dream pop goliath Beach House announced the imminent arrival of their fifth full-length, “Depression Cherry.” The album has been completely recorded and produced by the Baltimore duo themselves, with a little help from Chris Coady (Blonde Redhead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). The band released the word via a press release, and stated that this LP will be a bit of a return to form for them.

“In general, this record shows a return to simplicity, with songs structured around a melody and a few instruments, with

Chillwave pioneer Neon Indian returned last week with the first track from his as-of-yet untitled third LP, and it’s absolute summertime bliss. Neon Indian mastermind Alan Palomo sounds more confident and aggressive than ever, with a relentless mix and a voice that paves its own path, rather than hiding, wrapped up in the music. No release date or any real details have been released yet for album number three, but I will certainly keep you updated as more light is shed. For now, check out ‘Annie’ on Youtube.

MISSED CONNECTIONS:

Ceremony “The L-Shaped Man”

Recovering hardcore band Ceremony released their fifth album a couple of weeks ago, and I missed it. Regardless of what Pitchfork says, I really dig it, and think it’s worth your time, especially if you’re into post-punk. They’re finally at least trying to sound like the band whose song they are named after. “The L-Shaped Man” is out now via Matador Records. {in}

THURSDAY 6.4

Dumpstaphunk / Courtesy Photo 818 1

ROBOTICS UNPLUGGED 2 p.m. Learn computer programming basics without a computer by programming a “robot” human.

This family workshop is recommended for ages 6 and up. Pensacola MESS Hall, 116 Tarragona St. pensacolamesshall.org 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 BALL ROOM DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn how to waltz, hustle, and tango at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8:45 p.m. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com

EVENINGS IN OLDE SEVILLE SQUARE 7 p.m.

Sasser Band performs this week at Evenings in Old Seville Square, the free summer concert series held each Thursday through the end of July. Seville Square, 311 E. Government St. eveningsinoldesevillesquare.com FRANK FOSTER 7 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15. vinylmusichall.com

FRIDAY 6.5

WINES WITH HILARY 4 p.m. SoGourmet,

above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $15. sogourmetpensacola.com 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. FARM TO TABLE DINNER FEAT. SLOW FOOD GULF COAST 6-8 p.m. Farm fresh and local!

SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $82.88. sogourmetpensacola.com LATIN DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn the basics of salsa dancing. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com THE RAT PACK IS BACK! 7:30 p.m. Experience the ritz and allure of classic Vegas with this swinging party of a show. Pensacola Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. $43-$53. pensacolasaenger.com COASTAL CABARET PRESENTS: EVERYTHING’S COMING UP SONDHEIM! 7:30 p.m.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $10-$17. pensacolalittletheatre.com DUMPSTAPHUNK 8 p.m. With Nick & The Ovorols and New Earth Army. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $10-$15. vinylmusichall.com GOATBUSTER 9:30 p.m. With Flossie + The Fox. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $5. pensacolahandlebar.com

SATURDAY 6.6

SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods, and live music. PARA FootBall Complex, 54005551 Limbaugh Lane, Pace.

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 MINDSTORMS WORKSHOP 2 p.m. Learn how to program a Lego Mindstorms robot. This workshop is recommended for ages 10 and up. Pensacola MESS Hall, 116 Tarragona St. pensacolamesshall.org TEENS ONLY COOKING CLASS 6-8:30 p.m.

Pensacola Cooks Kitchen, 3670 Barrancas Ave. $30. pensacolacooks.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com

COASTAL CABARET PRESENTS: EVERYTHING’S COMING UP SONDHEIM! 7:30 p.m. Pensacola

Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $10-$17. pensacolalittletheatre.com BUSTOUT BURLESQUE 8 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15-$50. vinylmusichall.com inweekly.net

calendar

FIORE

flowers sucre

local art balloons

pressed & dried floral art

gardens

jewelry wine champagne candles unique gifts

events parties

holiday decor

cake stands weddings classes & demonstrations Deliveries Daily

Free Parking

15 W Main Street Pensacola, Florida 32502

850.469.1930

www.fioreofpensacola.com The Delta Saints / Courtesy Photo

SUNDAY 6.7

FIVE FLAGS DANCE ACADEMY: THE TRIBUTE

2 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. $13-$15. pensacolasaenger.com

COASTAL CABARET PRESENTS: EVERYTHING’S COMING UP SONDHEIM! 2:30 p.m.

Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. $10-$17. pensacolalittletheatre.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 4:05 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com

MONDAY 6.8

UNDER THE SEA DINNER CLASS 6-8 p.m.

SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $65. sogourmetpensacola.com COUNTRY & WESTERN DANCING 6:30 p.m.

Learn the Country Two-step at this weekly class, which is followed by a social dance at 8 p.m. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com BURNING FAIR VERONA 9:30 p.m. With Blight and Forever War. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $7. pensacolahandlebar.com

TUESDAY 6.9

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

the skills necessary to become a practitioner of Ball Room and West Coast Swing, a popJune 4, 2015

ular partner dance that can be enjoyed with virtually any kind of music. Tuesday class fee is $10 per person or free for people 30 years of age and younger. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. dancecraftfl.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com TUESDAY NIGHT POETRY NIGHT 7 p.m.

Free open mic poetry event every Tuesday.

Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. facebook.com/TNPNS BANDS ON THE BEACH 7 p.m. The Rowdies will perform at this week’s Bands on the Beach—which is a free outdoor concert series featuring regional artists held every Tuesday night through Oct. 27. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. visitpensacolabeach.com

WEDNESDAY 6.10

COLDWATER GARDENS LUNCH CLASS 12-1

p.m. During the month of Juse SoGourmet will be featuring local producers in their lunch classes. SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $35. sogourmetpensacola.com BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Ticket prices vary. bluewahoos.com THE DELTA SAINTS 7 p.m. With Hotel Oscar and Chainsaw Kelly. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $10. vinylmusichall.com

arts & culture

≥exhibits

“ NATURAL ATTRACTION “Natural Attraction” features Florida Panhandle artists Cody Copeland and Cody Painter. Partners as well as fellow artists, their mutual influence is apparent in the quiet works that they produce. The exhibition opens Friday, May 22, and will runt through June.

Hours and location: Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mainline Art House, 422 S. Palafox St. mainlinearthouse.com THE LURE OF THE OCEAN: ORIGINAL WORKS BY GUY HARVEY In this exhibition

Harvey combines his artistic gifts with his background as a marine biologist, diver, photographer, and angler to create his unique and colorful pieces. On display through August 9th. Museum hours and location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for members, children 17 and under, seniors and active duty military. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. pensacolamuseum.org BETWEEN THE LAYERS The Pensacola Museum of Art, in partnership with First City Arts Center, presents a dual exhibition that explores the imagery of artist, Rachael Pongetti, and her creation of the “Pensacola Graffiti Bridge Project.” On display through June 13. Museum hours 19

calendar Classes & Workshops

“MAKE-YOUROWN-GLASS” CLASS 10a.m.-3 p.m.

“Aubrey” on display now at Mainline Art House and location: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for members, children 17 and under, seniors and active duty

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

Call For Art

22ND POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOW & PRODUCT EXPO The annual

Power of Photography Show, at the Pensacola Cultural Center, is accepting submissions from July 1 until

July 25th. Enter to compete for 85 ribbons and over $4,000 in cash and prizes. The event is coordinated by the Wide Angle Photo Club and benefits

ARC gateway. Photo entries and fess will be accepted duing business hours at Calagaz Photo (6895 N. 9th Avenue) or CCP Gallery (126

Palafox) in Pensacola, or Calagaz Photo in Mobile (90 Springdale Blvd.)

You may also mail to one of these by July 25th.

Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th. Held weekly on Friday and Saturdays, First City Art Center offers weekly “MakeYour-Own-Glass” classes, no previous glassblowing skills necessary. The classes are open to anyone age 8 and older and range in price from $25-$45.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling 429-1222. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY ON THE WHEEL 6-8:30 p.m.

Monday, June 8st.

During this weekly

workshop held on Monday evenings at First City Art Center, instructor Pearl VanHoove works individually with students to develop consistency in throwing on the wheel.

Participants receive and introduction to materials, equipment and throwing techniques. Each session begins with a brief demonstrations followed by hands-on time at the wheel. The class is $40 and open to individuals age 14 and up.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required and can be made by calling 429-1222. Class is limited to two participants. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. firstcityart.org

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Antiques and On-site Furniture Restoration and Repair

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a neighborhood bar & restaurant

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calendar a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

SUNDAY 6.7

OTRA 3 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradise-bar.com RAY COLEY 4:30 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com BROOKS HUBBARD 10 p.m.-2 a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

MONDAY 6.8

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 Fridays 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 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 June 4, 2015

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 DRAG BINGO 10 p.m.-Midnight.

Ages 18 and over.

Emerald City’s The Other Side, 406 E. Wright St. emeraldcitypensacola.com Wednesdays PUB TRIVIA NIGHT

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

WEDNESDAY QUIZ TRIVIA 8 p.m. The

Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola.com TICKET BAR BINGO

8 p.m. The Ticket 1, 7250 Plantation Rd., ticketsportsbar.com TEAM TRIVIA 8 p.m. Hopjacks. 10 S. Palafox. hopjacks. com BAR BINGO 10 p.m.

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

≥karaoke

Thursdays VFW Post 706, 6 p.m. 5000 Lillian Highway. vfw706.org Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 8 p.m.

130 E. Government St. sevillequarter. com The Cabaret, 9 p.m.

101 S. Jefferson St. cabaretpensacola. com Hub Stacey’s At the Point, 9 p.m. 5851 Galvez Road. hubstaceys.com Saturdays Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 9 p.m. 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com

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

130 E. Government St. sevillequarter. com 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 The 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 6.4

GREG LYON 6 p.m.

Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys. com LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 P.M. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com J.J. SMITH 9 p.m.-1 a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub. com

FRIDAY 6.5

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 P.M. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola.com BRYAN LEE 6 p.m.

Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradise-bar.com THE BLENDERS 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com BAD HABITS 9 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com J.J. SMITH 9 p.m.-1 a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub. com

SATURDAY 6.6

JOHN HART BAND 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com BAD HABITS 9 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com J.J. SMITH 9 p.m.-1

PAPER STREET SOAP CO. 8 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com BROOKS HUBBARD 10 p.m.-2 a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

TUESDAY 6.9

MIKE QUINN 8 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter. com J.J. SMITH 8 p.m.12 a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

WEDNESDAY 6.10

KELLY RICHEY 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com JORDAN RICHARDS 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com MIKE QUINN 8 p.m.

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. sevillequarter.com J.J. SMITH 8 p.m.-12 a.m. McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. mcguiresirishpub.com

for more listings visit inweekly.net 21

W U W F P U B L I C M E D I A P R E S E N TS

RadioLive FEATURING

ALAN RHODY AMY SPEACE THE SARAH MAC BAND

6/4

BOB PATTERSON FLAGSHIP ROMANCE LON & LIS WILLIAMSON

7/2

DANA COOPER BOB LIVINGSTON MARTHA'S TROUBLE

8/6

Museum of Commerce in Historic Downtown Pensacola

ADMISSION:

Suggested donation of non-perishables for Manna Food Pantries.

Visit wuwf.org or call 850.474.2787 for more information.

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news of the weird "MEALS" 2.0 Silicon Valley code-writers and engineers work long hours—with apparently little time for "food" as we know it. Eating is "time wasted," in the words of celebrity inventor Elon Musk, and normal meals a "marketing facade," said another valley bigwig. The New York Times reported in May that techies are eagerly scarfing down generic (but nutrient-laden) liquids like Schmilk and People Chow, largely for ease of preparation, to speed their return to work. The Times food editor described one product as "oat flour" washed down with "the worst glass of milk ever." "Pancake batter," according to a Times reporter. (That supermarket staple Ensure? According to the food editor, it's "fine wine" compared to Schmilk.)

DISTRACTED AMERICANS Air travelers last year left $675,000 in (obviously) spare change in airport screening bins, reported the Transportation Security Administration in April. Of the cars reported stolen in 2014, 44,828 were with keys left inside them, according to an April National Insurance Crime Bureau release. American credit card holders fail to claim "about $4 billion" in earned "rewards" each year, according to CardHub.com's 2015 Credit Card Rewards Report.

BRIGHT IDEAS Among recent inventions not expected to draw venture capital interest (reported by Popular Science in June): (1) A Canadian software engineer's machine that unspools toilet paper exactly three squares at a time (but please keep fingers away from the cleaver!). (2) A Japanese shoulder-mounted tomato-feeder that provides nourishment to marathoners without their needing to catch tomatoes provided by supporters. (3) Google software engineer Maurice Bos' whiteboard-mounted clock that writes down the exact time, with a marker, at five-minute intervals (after erasing the previous time).

FINE POINTS OF THE LAW Britain's Home Office, judging requests for asylum by immigrants threatened with deportation but who fear oppressive treatment if returned to their home countries, recently turned down asylum for Nigerian lesbian activist Aderonke Apata, 47, apparently because the office doubted her orientation. Though Apata had submitted testimonials (and even photographs) "proving" her homosexuality, the Home Office was skeptical because she had children from a previous heterosexual relationship. On the other hand, an immigration court in England ruled in April that a Libyan man, identified only as "HU," could not be deported since he is a career criminal and a chronic drunk who would be so unlikely to reform his drinking that he would surely face a lifetime of prison in Libya.

by Chuck Shepherd

THE CONTINUING CRISIS If Only There Was Somewhere He Could Have Turned for Moral Guidance: Suspended Catholic Monsignor Kevin Wallin, 63, was sentenced in May to more than five years in prison for running a meth distribution ring from Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he also operated a sex shop to launder the drug profits. (Though he faced a 10-year sentence, he had a history of charity work and submitted more than 80 letters of support from high-ranking clergy.)

PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM US Walter Merrick, 66, was charged with aggravated assault in the New Orleans suburb of Harvey, Louisiana, in March after an altercation with neighbor Clarence Sturdivant, 64, over the comparative merits of Busch and Budweiser beers. Bud-man Sturdivant fired the only shot, but a sheriff's deputy said Merrick was the aggressor—since he had offered Sturdivant only a Busch. (In Tulsa, Oklahoma, in April, police found two blood-splattered men in an apartment parking lot at 1 a.m., the result of a dual stabbing spree with broken beer bottles— over whether Android phones are superior to iPhones.)

POINTLESS Holly Solomon, 31, pleaded guilty in April to aggravated assault with her Jeep — against her then-husband — and has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison. The crime occurred in a suburb of Phoenix in November 2012, days after President Obama's re-election, as Solomon ran down her spouse because she was angry that he had neglected to vote for Mitt Romney as expected. However, his no-show did not affect the outcome, as Romney easily won the state's 11 electoral votes without him.

THE PERVO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY Footnotes: (1) Rusty Sills, 56, previously an "underwear bandit" in West Des Moines, Iowa, was arrested in Pinellas Park, Florida, in March and charged with stealing women's shoes—sometimes "replacing" them with shoes he no longer fancied. (Police found about 100 pairs in his van.) (2) James Dowdy, 43, on parole for an earlier sock theft, was arrested once again in Belleville, Illinois, after police received reports of socks missing in burglaries. Authorities said Dowdy had been involved in "other types of sock-related incidents (and) using socks in an inappropriate and obscene manner," but details were not reported. (Found in a search of Dowdy's home were notebooks of children's names, ages and types of socks worn.) {in} From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2015 Chuck Shepherd

—Creative Organic Vegan Cuisine, Coffee & Catering—

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

On Sale Now @ Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.com iBooks

Send your weird news to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to newsoftheweird.com June 4, 2015

23

BOTTOMLESS CHAMPAGNE AND MIMOSAS FOR $5 AND BLOODY MARYS FOR $2

Father’s Day Brunch SUNDAY, JUNE 21, FROM 11 A.M. UNTIL 2 P.M. Chef Matthew Brown’s brunch and dinner feature will be 16 ounces of herb-roasted prime rib, scalloped potatoes, bacon-wrapped asparagus and braised baby portobellos, topped with a classic béarnaise and buttered demi-glace. Additionally, we’ll be serving from our new summer menus—brunch from 11 till 2, dinner from 2 till—with all your Fish House favorites. For details, visit fishhousepensacola.com.

DOWNTOWN ON THE WATER · 600 SOUTH BARRACKS STREET · FISHHOUSEPENSACOLA.COM · (850) 470-0003 · OPEN DAILY AT 11 A.M. Independent News | June 4, 2015 | inweekly.net