Inweekly may 28, 2015 issue

NO MOR E K ICK ING THE CA N

HOW WILL FLORIDA FUND HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNINSURED?

Independent News | May 28, 2015 | Volume 16 | Number 22 | inweekly.net

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winners & losers 4

outtakes 5

news

buzz 9

6, 8

I don’t even know how some people figure out that we’re here.

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cover story

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22

publisher Rick Outzen

art director Richard Humphreys

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

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

Shelby Smithey, T.S. Strickland contact us info@inweekly.net

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

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winners & losers

winners LEADERSHIP PENSACOLA The Pen-

sacola Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2015 recently unveiled its class project, LeaP This Way. The project enhanced downtown Pensacola’s wayfinding system. LeaP This Way consisted of re-facing 57 major directional signs and four new downtown parking signs, along with a parking lot beautification day that was held earlier this month.

The total cost for this year’s project was $90,000, with a portion of funds to remain for upkeep and maintenance.

PENSACOLA BAYFRONT STADIUM

The Blue Wahoos’ stadium, with its panoramic view of Pensacola Bay, won MiLB. com's first-ever "Best Seat in the House" contest after fans across the nation voted the view from the Double-A club's field the best in the Minors. The ballpark edged Quad Cities and Fort Wayne in fan voting.

Two Triple-A ballparks, Nashville and Indianapolis, rounded out the top five.

SAENGER THEATRE TripAdvisor gave

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the theater its Certificate of Excellence award. Now in its fifth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. The honor is based on quality, quantity and recency of reviews and opinions submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period, as well as business’s tenure and ranking on the Popularity Index on the site.

losers ROLLING HILLS CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS LANDFILL The

troubled landfill was temporary shut down on May 15 by Escambia County for violating the Final Order issued by a Special Magistrate with the Office of Environmental Enforcement. The height of the debris mound exceeded the permitted height of 130 feet and was visible from beyond the property line.

Nuisance odors above acceptable levels were detected with the use Jerome 631X hydrogen sulfide meter.

NEWPOINT EDUCATION PARTNERS

By a vote of 4-1, the Escambia County School Board voted on May 19 to terminate the contracts for two charter schools run by the management company, Newpoint Pensacola High and Newpoint Academy. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and his staff documented 14 violations of the contracts. Newpoint notified the board that it will appeal the decision.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS The ABC News pundit, host to “Good Morning America” and “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” failed to disclose a series of donations totaling $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation. Stephanopoulos served in the Clinton administration as White House Communications Director and Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. He has apologized on-air for his lack of disclosure and has recused himself from moderating presidential debates for the 2016 Republican primary. ABC News has said Stephanopoulos will be part of the network’s campaign coverage in 2016.

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outtakes

by Rick Outzen

SIX SIMPLE QUESTIONS The local political scene tends to be quiet during June and July. However, we head into this summer with several questions. The answers will give us plenty of headlines for the rest of the year.

1. Will Congressman Jeff Miller decide to run for the U.S. Senate? The chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs earned praise and a national attention for his bipartisan efforts during VA clinic scandal. In a race where no Republican candidate has much statewide name recognition, Miller can present that he is the best Conservative to take the post. His decision to run could trigger a series of political maneuvers that could impact state, county and city races.

2. Where will the Board of County Commissioners build the new county jail? Four sites are under consideration. Each has its flaws and opposition.

The McDonald shopping center on the corner of Pace Boulevard and Fairfield Drive makes sense, but the owners want over three times the appraised value. The EPA Superfund is, well, a Superfund site. The site on Airport Boulevard has Car City and Pensacola Christian College upset. The fourth option is to rebuild on the floodprone current site and switch to all-electric appliances.

3. What is happening at the Pensacola International Airport? The area’s key economic driver appears to be flounder-

ing. The city has been without an airport director for nearly a year. The commerce park has only one tenant. The Florida Department of Transportation has not given its plan for funding the $3 million the city needs to construct the hangar and apron for VT-MAE. 4. Will anyone be charged in regards to the Newpoint allegations? The Escambia County School Board has voted to terminate the charters for the high and middle schools run by Newpoint Education Partners. The State Attorney’s Office is investigating whether any criminal charges will be filed against NEP staff for tampering with grades and test scores.

5. Will is the future for Santa Rosa Island?

Untangling the leases, subleases and sub-subleases to grant simple fee titles is a legal nightmare. The fate of Santa Rosa Island Authority also hangs in the balance, if the county commission does away with lease fees.

6. The city of Pensacola will eventually have to make a decision on how it deals with its homeless population. The May workshop was a start, but when will the Pensacola City Council take action?

The Studer Community Institute wants to discourage the public from giving money to panhandlers and contributing to a trust fund, but that deals with only a symptom, not the issue. {in} rick@inweekly.net

The city of Pensacola will eventually have to make a decision on how it deals with its homeless population.

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AX FALLS ON NEWPOINT He placed much of the blame for the afternoon right before Spring friction between Newpoint and the district Break? And why the notice of on the former school director, John Graintent to terminate the conham, who resigned on April 17. Garthwaite tract and a copy of the binder has been the acting principal since April 22. was only delivered to the Garthwaite said the allegations that Newpoint board chair on a Frithree seniors were allowed to graduate last day afternoon a week before year without meeting graduation requirethe board workshop?” ments were untrue.

Byrd said that the super“The allegation intendent and that some students district staff had last year were given quit communihigh school diplocating with the mas that they did school, which not earn is false,” made it difficult he said. “One of the to rectify any first things that I did problems. was to go through She said, the channels that I “Nothing in the had available to me list of 14 items to find out exactly in question is what is the problem. different from Through the district’s data system, it apanything that occurs at any peared to me and [was] shown to me that the district school at any given requirements necessary were, in fact, met.” day. Nothing on that list can’t He said part of the problem maybe the be corrected under the right different software systems. leadership with a strong plan “The lack of understanding of different and collaboration with the instructional software programs has led to district staff.” confusing perceptions as to the validity in Byrd added, “Or is the grades,” he said. “The FOCUS system was motivation political? Doesn’t it problematic for everyone. Data often simmake you wonder as well? ply disappeared, causing district data clerks Jeff Garthwaite, a retired Escambia County principal, said he was contacted by Newpoint to help the school come in compliance and mentor the school director, John Graham. On March 6, he met with the Alternative Education Department and was told the three priorities were the sign in and out procedures, cumulative folders and graduation requirements. On March 20, he scheduled an appointment with the teacher on a special assignment for charter schools to report the status, thus far, of the identifying and the implementing corrective actions.

“However, the progress seemed to be met with disdain and disappointment that real improvement had actually begun,” Grathwite said. “Questions and actions were raised as to my efforts, my credentials, which slowed that progress.

Reasonable doubt began to rise as to authentic desire by the district to be of assistance.”

Malcolm Thomas

“Nothing in the list of fourteen items in question is different from anything that occurs at any district school at any given day. ” Paula Byrd

Photo by Rick Outzen

By Rick Outzen The Escambia County School Board voted on May 19 to terminate the charter contracts of Newpoint Pensacola High and Newpoint Academy, each by a 4-1 vote. The board unanimously agreed to postpone its vote on Five Flags Academy at Newpoint pending discussions between Newpoint Education Partners and the school district concerning the viability of the school operating on its own.

School Board member Jeff Bergosh was the lone vote against the terminations, saying that he wanted to wait for the outcome of the State Attorney’s investigation into the schools.

Over the course of three hours, Newpoint school board members, NEP executives, their attorney, parents, teachers and students fought the terminations.

Linda Brown, chair of the Newpoint board, said the termination notices were a surprise.

“Yes, on occasion, concerns have been expressed but action was taken to address those concerns,” she told the school board.

“No indication was ever given that termination of our contract was being considered.”

She said the school had made “significant improvements” from January to March, and the contract monitoring document showed that.

Brown said, “Newpoint Education Partners has a plan to assist and address any remaining issues. Please give us the opportunity to complete our five-year charter agreement and see the improvements we can make.”

She asked the board to give the school another year.

Brown said, “Please do not throw the lives of our students into any more chaos and uncertainty about the upcoming school year.”

The Newpoint Board vice chair, Paula Byrd, took a more aggressive posture with the school board, accusing the district staff’s presentation at the May 15 workshop of being “carefully orchestrated” and its documentation “filmsy.”

She wondered aloud if the terminations were politically motivated.

“I wonder why, if the situation at Newpoint Schools appeared to be so dire, not one member of distract staff contacted any member of the Newpoint board of directors so that we could collaborate toward improvement,” Byrd said.

“And why we would learn of the issues at hand through the media, late on a Friday

“Please do not throw the lives of our students into any more chaos and uncertainty about the upcoming school year.”

Linda Brown

66

inweekly.net

Photo by Rick Outzen to print screen in an effort to change, or to reserve and maintain the changes that they had just made.”

He said there are not problems with this year’s graduating class. “I directed that this year’s seniors have had a thorough examination of records and requirements for this year’s graduation,” he said. “It has been a double check and a triple check of records, and transcripts, and grades.”

Superintendent Malcolm Thomas rebutted many of the claims, especially the ones that the Newpoint board and NEP didn’t know of the issues.

“They keep saying, ‘I didn’t know, I didn’t know, I didn’t know.’ Well, they did,” Thomas said.

He said the school had not been cooperative. The school staff had been told not to talk with investigators or give them what they need, according to Thomas. He said, “The internal auditor waited a day and a half to get information to try to bring answers to questions that, quite frankly, some of those questions remain unresolved because of the lack of cooperation that occurred with Newpoint.”

The Alternative Education staff said the three students from last year did not meet the graduation requirements because they never took Geometry, which is a state requirement to receive a diploma from the State of Florida.

“These students were never enrolled in the course, never received credit for that course,” said staff, “So that is why they never met the graduation requirements.”

Steve Marcanio, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said he had reviewed the help desk logs for the FOCUS system from Oct. 19, 2012 to April 8, 2015.

He said Newpoint staff had made a total of only 52 calls, and over 42 percent of those calls the issue were simply requests to reset passwords.

Vickie Mathis, the head of Alternative Education, said she printed out information on every senior in the Newpoint FOCUS system in an attempt to verify any supplemental material that would indicate something other than the 20 percent of pre-calculus had been completed in the Apex system.

“There were only grades for multimedia design, executive internship and fitness,” Mathis said. “There were no grades in the Newpoint FOCUS system for any academic courses.”

She added, “When I look in our FOCUS system, which is where all the grades are housed, there are no grades for (pre-) calculus, chemistry or English honors. I am unable to assist in seeing if they going to graduate.”

The alleged contract violations didn’t deter the Newpoint supporters in the audience. Newpoint students and parents asked for the school board to give the schools another chance. Several pointed out the issues and problems at the school are also happening daily in public schools. They talked about how they enrolled in Newpoint to escape the bullying in the public school system. Students with learning disabilities were given special attention that their parents said was missing in other public schools.

Fighting back tears, one parent said, “There’s nowhere else for them to go.”

In the end, the majority of school board found the evidence too compelling and had lost any confidence in Newpoint Education Partners being able to fix the contract violations. Since few of the violations involved Five Flags Academy, the board agreed to withhold its final decision on the elementary charter school for another 30 days.

Newpoint notified the school board at the end of the meeting that it would appeal the terminations. {in}

“The internal auditor waited a day and a half to get information to try to bring answers to qzuestions that, quite frankly, some of those questions remain unresolved because of the lack of cooperation that occurred with Newpoint.” Malcolm Thomas

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AMERICAN DREAM OUT OF REACH FOR OUR POOR in Escambia would make $3,870 less per year than if they were to have grown up in an average American neighborhood, Chetty and Hendren concluded.

For Andrea Krieger, executive director of the United Way of Escambia County, these figures are startling, if not surprising.

Krieger said it was difficult for many local families, caught in the web of “generational poverty,” to even imagine the other side of the fence, let alone sink their toes into it. “They don’t strive … because they can’t see a different future,” she said.

If moved to a different environment though, these same families would have dramatically different prospects. By analyzing earning records from millions of families who moved, Harvard researchers were able to estimate how the place itself might be affecting children’s outcomes—independent of individual characteristics.

That is to say — The study’s findings cannot be explained away because of character flaws, cultural differences or variation in family structure. Rather, something about Escambia County, itself seems to be influencing children’s likelihood of success.

But what is it about a given place that makes it more or less likely to move kids ahead? The researchers couldn’t say. However, they did find five common factors among areas with higher rates of mobility. These places tended to have less racial and economic segregation, lower rates of income inequality, better schools, less violent crime and more two-parent households.

“The broader lesson of our analysis,” the researchers wrote, “is that social mobility should be tackled at a local level by improving childhood environments.”

For Steven Barry, Escambia County Commission chairman, that charge is somewhat problematic.

“I think we all bear culpability,” he said of the study’s findings. As for solutions though, Barry was at a loss. He suggested commissioners could look at how to better leverage federal and state entitlement funds to improve conditions for disadvan-

taged families, or perhaps increase funding to the county’s community redevelopment districts, special taxing districts established to fund infrastructure improvements in blighted communities.

Commissioners voted to do just that last year, and Barry said he would support doing so again this year.

Commissioner Lumon May, who represents some of the county's most disadvantaged neighborhoods, called the study "disheartening."

"It really illustrates how important it is for us to come together to make sure all our children can achieve the American dream," he said, adding that it was ironic the study should be released during a year of record breaking tourism. That success, he said, did not often trickle down to the county's poorest residents.

"It's easy to take I-10 to the bridge and the beach and never see that this exists," May said. "We've invested in consultants. We've invested in studies, in land, in development, but we've forgotten to invest in people."

Chetty and Hendren, in their analysis, stopped short of identifying what type of investments might help local governments close the mobility gap.

However, they did suggest policies that discouraged segregation—like affordable housing subsidies or zoning regulations that encourage mixed-income housing— might have an impact.

Still, Barry and May said the county could not tackle the problem “in a silo,” and that progress would arrive only by all parties—the county, the city, law enforcement and the school district—working together.

Krieger agreed that collaboration, among nonprofit as well as government stakeholders, would be key to progress.

“Our community has to get better at doing more than service counts,” she said.

“We can hand out a million bags of food, but if we’re not moving people toward a better future, we’ll still be doing the same thing 100 years from now.”

Barry said he was open to fresh ideas for how to move the county forward and hoped the study’s grim conclusions might inspire action.

“I want (the results of) this study and other studies that are gauging the same type of data to be bettered,” Barry said, “and I’m going to do everything I know to do to make that happen … but we need some visionary folks who have ideas that can transform things.” {in}

“It really illustrates how important it is for us to come together to make sure all our children can achieve the American dream. ” Lumon May

By T.S. Strickland It’s a truism that the grass is always greener on the other side. But for kids growing up poor in Escambia County, the future really does look brighter just about anywhere else other than right here at home.

At least that’s the conclusion two Harvard economists reached recently—after they crunched the data from millions of anonymized tax records in order to map rates of income mobility across the country.

The researchers, Raj Chetty and Nathan Hendren, determined mobility—or the likelihood that a child will earn more later in life—varies wildly depending on where one is raised. For local kids, the picture is particularly grim.

Of all 2, 478 counties in the United States, Escambia ranked 47th—from the 88

bottom—in terms of income mobility for children in the lowest 25 percent of the income distribution. That is better than only about 2 percent of counties, nationwide. In Florida, only one county—Gadsden—did worse, and then only barely.

For poor children, it is better to live in Okaloosa or Walton counties than in Escambia. What’s more, the younger a child is when they move, the better they will do later in life, according to the study.

Researchers found those who moved young were less likely to become single parents, more likely to enroll in college and more likely to earn a higher wage.

By age 20, the average poor child living

“They don’t strive … because they can’t see a different future.”

Andrea Krieger

inweekly.net

Clay Ingram VOICE FOR BUSINESS Clay Ingram, president and CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber, said on “Pensacola Speaks” that the chamber will become an advocate for local businesses.

“The advocacy role is something that's brand new to the chamber,” Ingram said, who also serves in the Florida House.

“That's something in Tallahassee I saw the Florida Chamber work and we're structured now almost exactly the same.”

He explained the Florida Chamber is structured as the business advocate.

Enterprise Florida, like the newly formed Florida West, is the economic development component to handle tourism.

“It's kind of neat to have a model that I've seen play out at the statewide level that's been very effective,” he said. “There's three entities that have been very effective in working in concert with one another.

We're able to replicate that here and it's been exciting.”

Ingram has hired Todd Thomson as his executive director of public affairs to oversee governmental relations.

“He's hit the ground running, reporting back to our members on issues that happened at county commission, ECUA, city council, school board meetings, and any kind of public meeting,” Ingram said. “Not just the typical thing that would be reported

on by the media, but things that specifically would relate to their business or would affect local business.”

The chamber board voted to form a committee to begin to form policy decisions that the chamber can support. Ingram said he was pleased the advocacy component was developing ahead of his timeline.

He said, “That's something I wanted to do and I'm thrilled that it's happened as quickly as it has. The committee voted to meet and talk about the formation of that committee. I’m thrilled.”

Ingram said he wants the chamber to express to the city, county and other entities the concerns of the business community.

“It's not something where we would always stand up and say we don't like this ordinance or we think you should do this or that,” he explained. “At least the business community will be in the room wherever the decision is made. The business community will have a voice and that hasn't been the case really here.”

Ingram was happy to have his board’s support. He said, “I'm more than excited to get started with that because it's something I knew we were going to do and wanted to do, but just the fact that the board feels comfortable enough already to move that direction is a great thing.”

“The advocacy role is something that's brand new to the chamber."

Clay Ingram

May 28, 2015

CRIME DROPPED IN 2014 Florida De-

partment of Law Enforcement has released its 2014 Annual Crime in Florida report. The report shows Florida’s crime rate dropped 4.9 percent compared to 2013.

The total number of crimes fell 3.6 percent from last year, which translates into 25,476 fewer crimes than in 2013. Overall the number of violent crimes dropped 0.7 percent while nonviolent crime fell 4.1 percent. Murder and sex offenses were up slightly while robbery and burglary fell.

The number of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty increased in 2014 to six deaths. Four officers died after being shot and two were killed by vehicles.

Overall, domestic violence offenses

were down 1 percent from 2013. Domestic violence murders were up 24 deaths last year, while domestic violence manslaughter was down five deaths.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office saw its total number of crimes drop 9.6 percent, which was slightly better than the Pensacola Police Department, at 8 percent.

Overall in Escambia County, all criminal offenses were down, except for forcible rape that jumped from 164 in 2013 to 181 last year.

PATS CENTER UPDATE Wendy Underhill appeared on “Pensacola Speaks” to give an update on the Program for Academically Talented Students, which the Escambia School District was looking to close earlier in the year. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has failed to follow through with his commitments, according to Underhill.

“Sadly, it seems like a lot of the old stuff is still going on,” she said. “We've heard continued stories about negative things being said, the PATS Center being tainted in a negative light. Two students and their parents talk of there being no transportation available for students who wish to attend the PATS Center next year.”

Underhill said the morale among the teachers at the PATS Center was low.

“In fact, the administration is not giving the PATS Center teachers a whole lot of information about what they're going to be doing next year, and two of the very well-loved teachers the PATS Center have decided to go ahead and retire this summer,” she said. “With the uncertainty of what next year holds for them, they've decided it's just time for them to go ahead and do it.”

She said the superintendent is still trying to keep the PATS Center off the school board’s agenda by calling it a delivery system, not a school program—even though “program” is part of its title. In her opinion the superintendent’s working group in the issue is not producing any worthwhile recommendations.

Underhill said she had faith in the current administration has. “What I'm hoping at this point is that we can ride it out and that it doesn't get too far gone to revive,” she said. “I'm positive that we're going to bring it back better than it ever was at some point.”

PROPERTY VALUES UP Escambia

County Property Appraiser Chris Jones told Inweekly his projections on the property assessments will be sent to the city of Pensacola and Escambia County before the

end of the month. The final numbers won’t be ready until later, but the projections help local governments with their budget planning.

Jones said he expects a 3-to 4-percent increase inside the Downtown Improvement Board District. The city of Pensacola is up around 1.5 percent and the Escambia County is about 2 percent.

“We are coming back,” Jones said. “After seven years of flat growth or decreases, our economy is seeing development that is adding to the tax rolls.”

Stan Connally CONNALLY NAMED Stan Connally, president and CEO of Gulf Power Co., is the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s new Central Panhandle Regional Chairman. He was appointed by Chamber Chairman Steve Knopik, president and CEO of Bealls Inc. His role will be to work directly with Central Panhandle-area business and legislative leaders to promote a competitive business environment.

Connally, who topped the 2015 Inweekly Power List, said, “Gulf Power Co. is dedicated to investing the resources and time necessary to support the Florida Chamber’s pro-business initiatives that create jobs in our state.”

He said, adding that the regional chairmanship is “an exciting opportunity to help shape Florida’s future.” {in} 9

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Leadership Pensacola Unveils Class Project for 2015 Last week, after more than eight months of planning, fundraising and construction, the Pensacola Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2015 unveiled its class project, LeaP This Way. The ceremony took place in front of the Artel Gallery, located at 223 Palafox Pl., followed by an invitation-only donor reception at the Fish House.

Each year, members from the LeaP class select a project that will generate a positive change in the Greater Pensacola Region. In an effort to create an attractive, inviting and energetic environment for both tourists and local residents, this year’s LeaP class chose to enhance and renovate Downtown Pensacola’s wayfinding system. LeaP This Way consisted of re-facing 57 major directional signs (93 sign faces) and four new downtown parking signs – along with a parking lot beautification day that was held earlier this month. The total cost for this year’s project was $90,000, with a portion of funds to remain for upkeep and maintenance.

“Over the years, Leadership Pensacola has made incredible contributions to our community through their class projects,” said Mayor Ashton Hayward. “This year’s class has worked for months to update and improve our downtown wayfinding signage, building consensus and incorporating feedback from a wide variety of stakeholder groups. Their efforts will benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike, and I want to thank the 2015 LEAP class for their leadership, hard work, and passion for our city.”

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.

“Our region is filled with dedicated, passionate and talented leaders who help make our local communities a better place to do business and call home,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber President & CEO Clay Ingram. “Leadership Pensacola has remained one of the premier leadership programs in Northwest Florida, and we applaud the LeaP Class of 2015, as well as the countless volunteers for continuing the tradition of excellence.”

The LeaP Class of 2015: Nick Angelo, Vic Bindi, Travis “Tab” Bright, Angelika Cope, Rachael Cox, Mark Curley, Dean Dalrymple, Tonya Ellis, Michael Gartman, Justin Goss, Scott Grantland, Steve Griffin, Daniel E. Harrell, Evan Hipsley, Jr., Matt Holloway, Andrew Kent, Jr., Javon Anthony Lloyd, Frederick Longmire, Hailey Braden Lynch, Andrea Lyons, Adrienne Maygarden, Meghan Blueberry McCarthy, Brandon McFarren, Janet Nestlerode, Mike Nixon, Stephanie Oram, Chris Pelt, Leslie N. Powell, Erin Ramos-Luttrell, Melanie Rhodes, Kyle Ross, Katie Rozier, Brad Schild, Leah M. Seacrest, Natalie Shearlock, Lauren Smith, Amber Solnick, Donna Gail Spencer, Nicole Stacey, Darlene Stone, Tim Stronko, Michelle Tait, James Theisen, Dr. Kimberly Thomas, Tyler Tiwari, Brian Walker and Robin Zimmern.

Project sponsors are listed below: Palafox Level: $10,000+ Downtown Improvement Board

Garden Level: $5,000+ Ballinger Publishing Cat Country 98.7 NewsRadio 1620 Hall Prangle and Schoonveld LLC Sacred Heart Health Systems The Fish House Visit Pensacola, Inc.

Main: $1,000+ American Fidelity Life Insurance

Company Kerrigan Estess Rankin McLeod & Thompson LLC Ascend Performance Materials Landrum Companies, Inc. Baptist Health Care Leadership Pensacola Class of 2014 Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. Navy Federal Credit Union Beggs & Lane Pen Air Federal Credit Union Brian Spencer Robin & Ben Zimmern Clark, Partington, Hart, Larry, Bond & Stackhouse Teri Levin Cox Communications Salinas Technologies

Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon Pensacola Suburban West Rotary Club Eric Nickelsen Vinyl Music Hall First United Methodist Church of Pensacola Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC FSi Group West Florida Hospital Gulf Power Company Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique LLC Innisfree Hotels Jewelers Trade Shop Jim Cronley

Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer 010 1

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NO MOR E K ICK ING THE CAN HOW WILL FLORIDA FUND HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNINSURED?

May 28, 2015

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Escambia County Played The Game

House cheers adjournment / Photo by Mark Foley lorida does not have a budget for next year. Despite the Republican Party controlling both chambers, the governorship and all Florida Cabinet posts, the leaders can’t agree on how to provide health care for the state’s 800,000 uninsured, low-income citizens.

The Florida Senate came up with a plan to replace the federal government’s Low Income Pool (LIP) program that is set to expire on June 30 and to expand Medicaid coverage. Governor Rick Scott and the Florida House adamantly opposed it. Their budget proposals assumed the federal government would blink, extend LIP for another year, and send, as it did last year, $2.16 billion to help Florida hospitals care for the poor.

The two chambers became gridlocked.

The House abruptly adjourned, leaving the budget and hundreds of bill in limbo. Gov.

Scott filed a lawsuit against the federal government and formed a commission to force hospitals to share their profits to cover care for the uninsured, if the federal government did not change its mind about ending LIP. The implosion in the state capital over health care came as no surprise to those in the media who have covered the 2015 session. It was clear the governor had no plan. When he announced his 2016 budget in January, reporters asked Scott what his plans were for replacing the LIP program.

His reply was simply, “We're hopeful that we'll be able to continue to work with them.”

Scott had kicked this can several times since he was first sworn into office in 2011. He had gotten waivers in 2011 and last year and believed the White House wouldn’t let 800,000 Floridian suffer. However, the expiration of LIP was forcing him to finally deal with health care for the poor. He thought he had a chance to kick it forward once more, but

“I don't think we ought to write checks that make promises that can't be kept, and the checks can't be cashed.” Senator Don Gaetz

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the Florida Senate refused to play.

“I don't think we ought to write checks that make promises that can't be kept, and the checks can't be cashed,” said State Senator Don Gaetz of the governor’s budget that included LIP funds. “Don't act like we're going to get money we're not going to get. Instead live within our means; make the hard decisions.”

Gaetz explained the Senate plan. “It gives people who are uninsured some assistance in paying premiums for health insurance that meets their needs, in return for them putting some of their own skin in the game. If they can work, work. If they need more training, take the training so they can work.”

He said the costs of taking care of those who have no way to pay for their health care has been shifted for years onto those who have health insurance through higher premiums.

“To close your eyes to the needs of the uninsured is kind of a dumb thing to do, because it's a cost shift onto those of us who are working stiffs,” Gaetz said. “If we don't do anything, they're not going to wander off into the woods. They're going to show up at the hospital and create expenses that we have to pay.”

Escambia County has kicked the health care can for decades. From 1948 to 1992, the Escambia County provided health care for its uninsured through University Hospital. When the county shut down the hospital, Baptist Health Care and Sacred Heart Health System were forced to assume care for the poor. They formed the Escambia Community Clinics to provide outpatient care.

Since then, the two hospitals have struggled to care for the growing number of uninsured patients. Two referendums were proposed to help fund health care for the poor in Escambia County. The voters overwhelmingly voted down both.

In the 2004 general election, Escambia County voters rejected a half-cent sales tax to fund basic health care for uninsured residents, 52 percent to 48 percent. Three years later, a similar referendum was defeated by an even wider margin, 65 percent to 35 percent.

Voters didn’t care that health problems in Escambia County had deteriorated since 1992, according to the Comprehensive Assessment for Tracking Health 2005. Emergency rooms at hospitals in the county consistently operated above capacity and experienced more than 170,000 visits annually. The Escambia Community Clinics treated over 34,000 patients each year.

The assessment showed that 1 in every 5 residents in Escambia County was uninsured. Nearly 4 out of 5 residents with no health insurance were employed. The ER visits by the uninsured drove up the health care costs up, passing on about $31.6 billion in expenses to those with health insurance.

The primary argument against the referendums was that sales tax increases were regressive and burdened the poor.

The opposition also raised concerns about the administration of the plan, what medical procedures would be covered, the lack of access for those living in rural areas, and whether doctors would profit from the reimbursements. They argued that the health care for the uninsured was better handled with a state or federal program.

No such state or federal program was developed until 2014, and even then, the state of Florida refused to fully participate.

Meanwhile, health conditions in Escambia County continued to worsen. In 2012, another health needs assessment was conducted. Escambia County ranked unfavorable in comparison with the state and peer counties in 61 percent of the health status indicators. Emergency rooms, the expensive component for the health care system, were still being over-utilized.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration released this past February

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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.

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, became law. ACA increased health care coverage by expanding Medicaid eligibility and creating statebased insurance exchanges where individuals and small business could buy health insurance plans.

On Jan.1, 2014, the state-based insurance exchanges became available. However, Governor Scott had made the decision to not implement one. The federal government assumed full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Florida.

Despite the lack of help from state government, Florida had 983,775 people sign up for coverage last year, the highest 2014 enrollment among states using HealthCare. gov and the fourth highest percentage of eligible individuals using the marketplace to purchase affordable health insurance.

The percentage of uninsured Escambia County residents dropped from 21 percent in 2013 and to 15 percent in 2014.

Still, Florida ranked as the fifth-highest uninsured rate in the country in 2014.

Sacred Heart received $4, 405,782 in LIP funding, Baptist $546,886.

Though he knew the LIP program was set to expire June 30, 2015, Scott did little to develop any alternatives. The Florida House followed his lead and hoped the federal government would be pressured to grant another waiver. The Florida Senate refused to ignore the issue.

On “Pensacola Speaks,” Gaetz expressed his frustrations with the governor.

“A lot of hospitals provide un-reimbursed care and get very little help, but we knew a year ago that the state had to propose a plan for LIP funding,” he said. “For a whole year, no plan was proposed, nothing. Crickets from the Governor's house, crickets from the House of Representatives. Thank goodness the Senate came up with a plan. I wouldn't say it's a perfect plan, but it's a plan.”

Because he had no alternative, Governor Scott presented in late March the Senate’s plan, but without the Medicaid expansion, to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and asked for another waiver for LIP. The federal government said it would take months to review the application.

Scott was forced to come up with a Plan B. He asked lawmakers to work on allocations that set aside adequate reserves to wait for the federal government’s decision on the LIP amendment. If they could not agree on the allocations, he would call for a special session that would continue current year funding levels for critical services.

He said, “The continuation budget should be silent on any LIP funds as we wait on the federal government’s answer to our request that they continue assisting low income Floridians.”

He would also convene a panel to “examine the revenues of Florida hospitals, insurance and healthcare providers and how any taxpayer money contributes to the profits or losses of these institutions in Florida.”

The Florida Senate refused to budge.

On April 28, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli adjourned the House for the session,

“A lot of hospitals provide un-reimbursed care and get very little help, but we knew a year ago that the state had to propose a plan for LIP funding.” Senator Don Gaetz

The Can Stops The expiration of the Low Income Pool program has forced Scott and the Florida Legislature to examine how the state provides health care for its uninsured. The can could no longer be kicked.

The LIP program was designed by the Bush administration to help states with Medicaid reform and transition from traditional Medicaid fee-for-service payments to a managed care program. It was initially approved in 2005, as a part of Florida's Medicaid Reform 1115 Research and Demonstration Waiver for a five-year demonstration period. The LIP program was renewed twice since; once in 2011 and recently awarded a one-year extension in 2014.

The LIP program has been a significant funding source for Medicaid participating hospitals and several non-hospital safety net health care providers. It provides government support for safety net hospitals that furnish health care to the Medicaid, underinsured and uninsured populations.

For FY 2014-15, the LIP program distributed just under $2.16 billion in Florida.

May 28, 2015

Scott addresses Florida Legislature / Courtesy myflorida.com declaring the two chambers were at an impasse over the LIP program and Medicaid expansion.

“Never before has the budget come to a total standstill over a policy difference between the two chambers,” the Speaker said from the House floor. “…the House made genuine and legitimate offers, which demonstrate a willingness to address some of the Senate’s stated positions. However, the Senate continues to assert their demand that we agree to expand Medicaid before we can start budget negotiations.”

Crisafulli said the Senate plan could not

“The continuation budget should be silent on any LIP funds as we wait on the federal government’s answer to our request that they continue assisting low income Floridians.” Governor Rick Scott

be implemented as written.

“Members, I made a promise when you elected me as your Speaker that I would never ask you to vote for something that I would not vote for myself,” he said. “Accordingly, I will not force anyone to expand Medicaid.”

After outlining what he considered the House’s accomplishments, Crisafulli said, “I do not see a need to keep all of you here waiting around—away from your families and your businesses—until the Senate decides they are ready to negotiate. And so, having accomplished all we can do, it’s time to go home.”

That same day, Scott filed a lawsuit against HHS for ending the LIP program, claiming it was an attempt to force the state to expand Medicaid.

Scott said, “President Obama’s sudden end to the Low Income Pool healthcare program to leverage us for Obamacare is illegal and a blatant overreach of executive power. His administration is effectively at-

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tempting to coerce Florida into Obamacare by ending an existing federal healthcare program and telling us to expand Medicaid instead.”

He reasserted his claim that Medicaid would cost Florida taxpayers $5 billion bill over 10 years.

“How we provide access to healthcare and insurance is a matter for intense deliberation and careful action,” he said. “It is not a bargaining chip to be used by the Obama administration to force Florida into taking on Obamacare.”

After the Florida Senate adjourned two days later, Scott announced the formation of his Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding. He tried to shift the discussion from replacing the LIP funding to lowering health care costs.

“The bottom line is that any discussion about how to increase healthcare access cannot and must not be separate from a discussion about how to lower healthcare costs,” said the governor. “Cost limits access, no matter who is paying.”

He said that the commission would delve into the finances of Florida hospitals.

“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,” Scott said.

The following week, Gov. Scott traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell to discuss his application for an extension of the LIP funding. He also met with members of the Florida Congressional Delegation to ask for their help.

Scott positioned his administration as a victim. “Let there be no doubt, the Obama Administration’s end to the LIP program in states is the new battlefront in states’ fight against federal overreach. They want us to take on more of Obamacare.”

He added, “They want us to adopt their policy the way they want us to—or else.

This is the Sopranos.”

Radical Shift To The Left Scott came back to Tallahassee and began doing his own strong-arming. His targets were the hospitals.

On May 8, Scott sent at letter to the Florida Hospital Association that proposed hospitals agree to share profits if the HHS rejected the state's application to extend the LIP program.

Claiming the hospitals had “$3.7 billion in record profits," the governor suggested they adopt a profit sharing model similar to one used by Major League Baseball.

"Your assistance in suggesting fair profit sharing to replace federal LIP funds at those institutions that rely on them most, like Shands Jacksonville, will be criti-

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Senator Don Gaetz's visit to Pensacola after April 2014 floods / Photo by Rick Outzen cal to keeping them up and running," he wrote. "This would be similar to how large market baseball teams share revenues with small market baseball teams."

He asked hospitals to complete a survey on their finances. The FHA was asked to submit three funding models by May 22, so that his commission could consider them on May 26.

On Fox News' “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren,” Scott again brought up the idea of a continuation budget. "We'll just have a continuation budget, which will mean we'll have about an $1.8 billion surplus … We'll just do what we've done this last year. We won't put more money into schools, which I wanted to do. We won't cut taxes, which I wanted to do. We'll just leave the money there, and deal with it in our next session, which starts in January."

The governor asked government agencies to come up with lists of "critical" services they provide, aiming to devise what he termed a continuation budget that would fund state operations through the end of the year.

State Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) mocked Scott’s strategy on the radio show “Pensacola Speaks.”

He said, “When Gov. Scott, who as you know made probably hundreds of millions of dollars buying and selling hospitals, said this, my first thought was, ‘What an extraordinary and generous impulse. Clearly, he’s going to make this retroactive’…but apparently not.”

Gaetz chastised the governor for trying to inject socialism into the Florida health care system.

“If you forcibly extract one businesses revenues to give to another business that’s not doing very well, that’s government price controls,” he said. “It’s the kind of stuff—to have that kind of government control over what people can earn and how they dispose of their income—that really brought the Soviet Union into a ‘Going Out of Business’ sale.”

The senator also didn’t agree with

the governor telling his departments to expect a continuation budget until the next session. “We don’t have that in Florida.

In Florida, we have a balanced budget provision in our constitution. Continuation budgets; that’s Washington talk,” said Gaetz.

“Our constitution is clear and the people of Florida have spoken. The legislature has to pass a balanced budget; the governor has the opportunity to sign it or veto it; but we don’t kick the can down the road with a continuing resolution or a continuing budget like they do in Washington.”

The Florida Hospital Association pointed out in a letter to Scott that its members already contribute more than a billion dollars to Medicaid. Baptist Health Care president Mark Faulkner, FHA vice chair, and Susan Davis, Sacred Heart Health Systems

“We don’t have that in Florida.

In Florida, we have a balanced budget provision in our constitution. Continuation budgets; that’s Washington talk.” Senator Don Gaetz

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Hospital Funding held its first meeting on May 20. Most observers doubt it will produce anything significant before the special session ends in June.

The Special Session will convene on June 1 and will meet through June 20.

Feds Blink On Thursday, May 21, the federal government blinked. Well, it was more like a wink.

Vikki Wachino, director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sent a letter to the state indicating Florida could expect to receive about $1 billion during the upcoming fiscal year for the LIP program. She wrote the LIP funding would then likely drop to $600 million in later years.

Wachino suggested several options to offset the cuts in LIP, including increasing the rates the state pays hospitals for treating Medicaid patients.

"We note that this ($1 billion) level of funding for the LIP, coupled with the options the state may elect at its discretion described in this letter, would enable Florida to retain Medicaid investment in the state at or above the current $2.16 billion level of LIP funding," she wrote.

Senator Don Gaetz was in Pensacola when word of Wachino’s letter hit the media. He told Inweekly that the federal government’s offer still provided challenges in covering the poor and uninsured.

“The funds do come with conditions,” Gaetz said. “One of which will be the dollars will follow the patient.”

The senator said lawmakers would still have to come up with $1.2 billion to “fill the hole” left by the federal government not completely funding the $2.16 billion program. He said, “We will have to backfill the budget, which could mean less for tax cuts, education, court system and other programs.”

Gaetz said that the shift in having the LIP funds follow the patient through the health care system should be beneficial to Northwest Florida, since a disproportionate share of the LIP funding has been allocated to the south Florida in the past.

Leaders of Florida Senate and House have welcomed the news from the federal government. Each chamber found political leverage in the announcement.

“While we are still evaluating the effect of the new LIP funding level, this progress will greatly help the House and Senate

finalize allocations and pass a balanced budget that meets the needs of Floridians during the upcoming special session in June," House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said in a prepared statement.

The Speaker claimed the House budget took into account a cut in LIP funding.

"From the beginning, the House has maintained the Legislature could craft a responsible budget while Gov. Scott's administration negotiated with CMS over the future of LIP, and that LIP should not be tied to the Medicaid expansion debate,'' he said in the statement. "During this year's regular legislative session, the House made earnest efforts to negotiate a balanced budget by May 1 that set aside state funds as a contingency for LIP, anticipating CMS' decision would not fund LIP at current levels."

Senate President Andy Gardiner argued that the size of the cut in LIP supported the Senate’s plan to expand health-care coverage.

"While the letter from CMS outlines a number of policy alternatives, none of these options will allow Florida to maximize both state and federal taxpayer dollars in a more effective manner than by reducing the number of uninsured Floridians seeking basic health care in hospital emergency rooms," Gardiner wrote in a memo to senators. "Clearly, a conservative free-market expansion of health care coverage is the most fiscally responsible approach."

Gardiner laid out his timetable for his chamber’s discussion of health care coverage for the uninsured. The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up the coverage-expansion plan Monday, June 1, the first day of the special session. On Tuesday, the plan will go the Appropriations Committee, and the full Senate will vote on it on June 3.

The Florida House will hold a workshop during the opening day of the special session on the Senate plan. The formal budget negotiations with the House are expected to start toward the end of the first week of the special session and will continue into the middle of the second week.

What is decided in Tallahassee could have a huge impact on health care in Escambia County. The uninsured could receive coverage. Health care costs and insurance premiums could decrease, and hospitals could have the funds to improve services.

But only if Gov. Scott and Florida Legislature stop playing “Kick the Can.” {in}

“Clearly, a conservative freemarket expansion of health care coverage is the most fiscally responsible approach.”

Andy Gardiner

Steve Crisafulli and Andy Gardiner / Photo By Meredith Geddings president/CEO, signed the letter along with six other FHA board members.

“As determined in the State’s own Navigant Consulting Report, Florida’s hospitals contribute nearly 80 percent of the state’s share of Medicaid funding for hospital services through a provider tax, intergovernmental transfers and certified public expenditures,” wrote the FHA board.

“As a result of these mechanisms, Florida hospitals contribute approximate $1.3 billion to the Medicaid program annually.”

The FHA balked at the state adding a new tax on hospital surpluses to sustain the LIP program. The

organization endorsed the Senate plan. “It fully funds a modified LIP program in the first year of a transition towards increased coverage. As more Floridians are covered, this approach allows our state to reduce its dependence over time, on a supplemental funding pool.”

Many of the dozens of surveys returned by hospitals to Scott’s commission had five or fewer of the roughly 100 lines filled out with new information. As many hospitals did, Baptist and Sacred Heart merely referenced information filed with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversees much of the state's spending on health care.

The Commission on Healthcare and

“The House has maintained the Legislature could craft a responsible budget while Gov. Scott's administration negotiated with CMS over the future of LIP, and that LIP should not be tied to the Medicaid expansion debate.” Steve Crisafulli

May 28, 2015

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WEEK OF MAY 28-JUNE 4

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

School Night Sessions

by Dylan Carroll

from downtown and the party scene—creates a whole different kind of environment.

NOONAN: I think with this kind of set up, it doesn’t exclude young people.

PHAM: Yeah, the focus is way more on the music since there is no alcohol around. Parents feel comfortable dropping their teenagers off here.

ROGERS: We specifically talked about how this scene likes an inter-generational unity.

When we were growing up, we had older artists that were fostering those interests in us. Now that we’re at this point, we wanted to be a part of that too. There aren’t a mass of high school kids at shows downtown—they’re off doing other things.

NOONAN: When I was younger, I know I wouldn’t have shown up and done anything if all the older kids were jerks.

PHAM: They’re showing up to Vinyl in droves for certain shows, but not to the smaller venues on a regular basis. We want to find the kids that are going to help cultivate this scene and bring some strength to it.

starts. There is a two to three song limit, we usually end up having a lot of people show up, so that’s for the time restriction.

“Being here at Constant—away from downtown and the party scene—creates a whole different kind of environment. ” Matt Pham

Photo by Corey Jess How does a scene avoid monotony? As a performer or an organizer, how do you stay relevant in the whirlwind of shows?

If you want to see live music on any given night in Pensacola, it’s not difficult to track down where it’s happening.

For those who make attending shows part of their weekly routine, it’s easy to get burned out on the late nights, the formula and the bar scene. But in the past few months, there has been a noticeable change of pace with the appearance of School Night Open Mic. The show is hosted inside of Constant Coffee and Tea, where the tables are pushed to the walls and the space opens up for a few hours to accommodate a series of energetic and diverse performances.

School Night sets their own aesthetic that has valuable differences from many of the other open mics that have come in and out of town—all original acts, limited set lengths and a focus on new and young performers. Attending one of these, you’ll regularly see a few of the staples in the May 28, 2015

Pensacola scene—Flossie and the Fox, Al Mirabella and Dalton Wright. However, the bulk of the night is taken up by young musicians who aren’t performing on the local circuit. School Night is run by Carrie Rogers, Matt Pham and Travis Noonan, who joined forces to bring these ideas into focus.

INWEEKLY: How did School Night Open Mic get started?

ROGERS: The three of us were talking about doing community projects this year, pulling together all the experiences we’ve had separately, and it turned into this.

NOONAN: I helped run an open mic at End of the Line when I was a teenager. I feel like sometimes the scene gets stagnant here, and these community building events encourage people to create, make new art and get better at what they do.

INWEEKLY: What’s the tone you’re trying to set?

PHAM: Being here at Constant—away

INWEEKLY: What’s it like to perform at School Night?

What’s the logistical side of it?

ROGERS: All the artists play original sets. We wanted to do no covers because, I’ve been to open mics all over here, and it can quickly turn into a cover club.

That’s totally cool, but we wanted to encourage original music. Anyone can come sign up, and that starts 30 minutes before the show

We have a house guitar, P.A. setup, inputs for synths and laptops. You can bring your own instruments, of course.

NOONAN: I think having those kind of limits puts everyone on an equal page. At open mics, the extraverted, enthusiastic act might go up there and play 10 songs, and that makes the quiet artist in the corner hesitate about going up on stage.

INWEEKLY: What’s the most successful aspect of this to you?

ROGERS: There’s a diverse group of people coming to these. Getting people together in one space, removing those boundaries created by genre—we’ll move through rap, to folk, to ethereal artists.

NOONAN: We just had a freestyle rap artist from Alaska… I don’t even know how some people figure out that we’re here.

PHAM: To see people meeting each other for the first time—artists that they may have never had a chance to really talk to before. I really like seeing people from completely different musical backgrounds talking about collaborating.

NOONAN: For me, seeing new musicians coming out every week and continuing to push themselves. {in}

SCHOOL NIGHT OPEN MIC

WHEN: Sign-up at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., every other Thursday (next event is Thursday, May 28) WHERE: Constant Coffee and Tea, 615 Scenic Highway COST: Free DETAILS: facebook.com/schoolnightopenmic

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calendar

Ears & Fingers

by Jason Leger

Brandon Flowers “The Desired Effect”

Brandon Flowers made some waves recently by saying that his band, The Killers, are the greatest act to come along in the past fifteen years. I’ve seen The Killers live before, and I was actually pretty impressed.

The band are active and energetic and Flowers has an undeniably amazing voice. There’s no arguing over the fact that they are great.

However, considering all the bands who have also emerged in the past fifteen years, ‘greatest’ is a bit of a stretch.

Flowers made considerably fewer waves with the release of his solo album, “The Desired Effect.” There aren’t necessarily a lot of good or bad things to say about the LP. It’s actually one of the most middle of the road pieces of work I’ve ever heard. Flowers

THURSDAY 5.28

CHEESE MAKING DEMOSTRATION 2-3 p.m.

Learn how to make authentic mozzarella and ricotta at home! SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $35. sogourmetpensacola. com WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Try something

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does take some mild chances with his use of disco and Pet Shop Boys-ish electro-pop, but it’s simply underwhelming in the most ‘who cares?’ way possible. The man and his mouth were also guilty of saying that every song on “The Desired Effect” is worthy of being a single. If by single, he means ‘worthy of background music at JC Penney’s,’ he wins.

But otherwise, he’s once again being a tad generous to himself. If you are a fan of Flowers’ enigmatic voice, that is one spot where this album will not disappoint you, as his range soars and bounces in the same bright fashion it always has. Otherwise, I would say that this album could be overlooked and you could continue to hold your breath for another record from The Killers. If you’re still interested, “The Desired Effect” is out now via Island Records.

IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD:

SUMMER CAMP

With a band that calls themselves ‘Summer Camp,’ you practically know what to expect before you ever listen to the music.

Sunshine. Gloss. Nostalgia. Pop. There is definitely plenty of all that in the recordings of the British husband and wife who make up Summer Camp. However, with the release of their latest full length, “Bad Love,” the duo are also doing a bit of musical roaming.

Elements of grunge, shoegaze, and EDM have crept their way in along the way, and the advances do much to accentuate the pop

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.

stances the band have made sound easy over the course of their career. If you can’t appreciate the smoothness of the compositions, you almost have to fawn over the cuteness of yet another married couple pursuing their musical ventures together. “Everything you do thrills me. I could watch you everyday.”

Sweet. Check out Summer Camp online and snag a copy of “Bad Love,” which is out now via Moshi Moshi Records.

TRACK OF THE WEEK:

DESTROYER 'Dream Lover'

When lining up the primary songwriters in The New Pornographers, it can be difficult to decide on a favorite. The differences between Carl Newman, Neko Case, and Dan Bejar (Destroyer) is actually what helps to make The New Pornographers so great. However, Destroyer often stands alone as the eccentric in the group. Last week, Bejar announced his impending eleventh release under his Destroyer stage name, “Poison Season.” He also unveiled the lead single, ‘Dream Lover.’

The track is bursting with exuberance, which offers an enigmatic side of Bejar. It’s quite refreshing and offers hope of another great Destroyer album, following 2011’s “Kaputt” and 2013’s Spanish covers EP, “Five Spanish Songs.” Stream ‘Dream Lover’ online and keep an eye out for “Poison Season,” which is out Aug. 28 via Merge Records/Dead Oceans. {in}

dancecraftfl.com

EVENINGS IN OLDE SEVILLE SQUARE 7 p.m.

Megan McMillan 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

FRIDAY 5.29

TOUR THE JUAN SEBASTIAN DE ELCANO 11

a.m. – 1 p.m., 3 p.m.-6 p.m. The Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the third largest “Tall Ship” in the world and the official training ship of the Royal Spanish Navy, is sailing into Pensacola to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez. Galvez was a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May. The ship is open to the public for free tours. Port of Pensacola, 700 S. Barracks St. fiestaoffiveflags.org WINES WITH HILARY 4 p.m. This week’s class is all about Marsala wines. 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. PASTA LA VISTA, BABY 6-8 p.m. Learn how to make your own pasta at this hands-on dinner.

SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $65. sogourmetpensacola.com LATIN DANCING 6:30 p.m. Learn the basics of salsa dancing. DanceCraft, 8618 Pensacola Blvd. $10. dancecraftfl.com FOOD CHAINS 7 p.m. From Eva Longoria and Eric Schlosser, producer of Food Inc. and Fast Food Nation, comes a powerful and shocking expose about what feeds our country. Open Books, 1040 N. Guillemard St. panhandlefairfoodalliance@gmail.com ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD 8 p.m. With Cyril Neville and Tyrone Vaughan. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15. vinylmusichall.com HILL-KELLY DRIVE IN MOVIE 8:15 p.m. The Hill-Kelly Drive-In movie series, presented by Cox, is back this week with the first movie of the summer, Big Hero 6. Bring your blankets, chairs, and picnic baskets to spread out on the lawn or tailgate in your car, pickup, or SUV to watch the movie underneath the stars. Community Maritime Park, 300 W. Main St. Free. pensacolacommunitymaritimepark.com RAMBLING ROSE 8 p.m. Sponsored by the “Friends of Loblolly,” a special revival of this favorite, first presented at the Loblolly in 2001, will be presented once again. The Opera Center, 75 S. Tarragona St. $15-$20. loblollytheatre.com MR. GNOME 9:30 p.m. With Glass Mattress and

inweekly.net

calendar Dinosaur Daze. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $10. pensacolahandlebar.com

SATURDAY 5.30

SLIDE THE CITY All Day. Slide down Palafox

on a 1000 foot waterslide. Slide The City, N. Palafox S.t & W Jackson St. $25-$70. slidethecity.com SANTA ROSA FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fresh local produce, honey, baked goods, and live music. PARA FootBall Complex, 5400-5551 Limbaugh Lane, Pace.

BUBBLE BUMBER SOCCER 9-5 p.m. Never tried playing soccer inside a giant plastic bubble?

You have to try it! Downtown YMCA, 410 N. Palafox. $10-$20. bubblebumpersports.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 FOAM FRENZY 5K PENSACOLA! 10 a.m. Foam Frenzy is a fun run for all ages through rainbowcolored foam. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.

First wave at 10 a.m. then every 10 minutes.

Foam will be turned off on the course at 11:30 a.m. Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Hwy. $35-$50. zombierun.webconnex. com TOUR THE JUAN SEBASTIAN DE ELCANO 11 a.m.

– 1 p.m., 3 p.m.-6 p.m. The Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the third largest “Tall Ship” in the world and the official training ship of the Royal Spanish Navy, is sailing into Pensacola to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez. Galvez was a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May. The ship is open to the public for free tours. Port of Pensacola, 700 S. Barracks St. fiestaoffiveflags.org ITALIAN BAKING CLASS 1-3 p.m. Learn how to bake a plethora of Italian desserts. SoGourmet, above Bodacious Olive, 407 S. Palafox. $35. sogourmetpensacola.com CENTENNIAL IMPORTS FIESTA BOAT PARADE 1 p.m. The community if encouraged to join the procession of boats escorting Don Tristan DeLuna’s yacht to the shores of Pensacola Beach where he will be welcomed by Chief Mayoki, his Queen, White Dove, and tribe at the DeLuna Landing Ceremony. Pensacola Yacht Club, 1897 Cypress St. fiestaofflveflags.org DELUNA LANDING CEREMONY 3 p.m. A lighthearted reenactment of what might have happened when Don Tristan DeLuna landed in Pensacola. Quietwater Beach Amphitheater, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd. fiestaoffiveflags. org MARGIE SHORTT DANCERS: BROADWAY. 7 p.m.

Pensacola Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. $18-38. pensacolasaenger.com RAMBLING ROSE 8 p.m. Sponsored by the “Friends of Loblolly,” a special revival of this favorite, first presented at the Loblolly in

2001, will be presented once again. The Opera Center, 75 S. Tarragona St. $15-$20. loblollytheatre.com NITE BRIGHT 8 p.m. With Tommie Sunshine.

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15. vinylmusichall.com

SUNDAY 5.31

RAMBLING ROSE 3 p.m. Sponsored by the

“Friends of Loblolly,” a special revival of this favorite, first presented at the Loblolly in 2001, will be presented once again. The Opera Center, 75 S. Tarragona St. $15-$20. loblollytheatre. com TOUR THE JUAN SEBASTIAN DE ELCANO 3 p.m.-6 p.m. The Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the third largest “Tall Ship” in the world and the official training ship of the Royal Spanish Navy, is sailing into Pensacola to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez.

Galvez was a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May. The ship is open to the public for free tours.

Port of Pensacola, 700 S. Barracks St. fiestaoffiveflags.org DANKA 9 p.m. With Sway Jah Vu, Chain Smoking Hags, and Aric Wilde. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. $10. pensacolahandlebar.com

MONDAY 6.1

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

TUESDAY 6.2

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 popular 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 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. Modern Eldorados 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 6.3

UDDERLY HEN PECKED FARMS 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 SHELBY LYNNE 7 p.m. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $22-$70. vinylmusichall.com

Celebrating 51 years!

BEST BAR WEST P’COLA 2213 W. Cervantes Street (850) 434-0300 MON-FRI 4 pm-2 am Saturday 6 pm-2 am

Voted “Best Lunch” 2 years running!

Lunch Bar 11-4 * Tapas & Wine Bar 4-8 * Open Monday-Saturday 407-B S. Palafox St. | 850-542-4334 | facebook.com/carmenslunchbar May 28, 2015

19

calendar 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

Photo courtesy of Rachael Pongetti

arts & culture

≥exhibits

NATURAL ATTRACTION “Natu-

ral 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: MondayFriday, 10:30 a.m. –

FIORE

flowers sucre

local art balloons

pressed & dried floral art

gardens

jewelry wine champagne candles unique gifts

events parties

holiday decor

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.

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 and location: TuesdaySaturday, 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

61ST ANNUAL MEMBERS’ JURIED EXHIBITION

Pensacola Museum of Art is accepting submissions for their annual Member’s Juried Exhibition now until June 1. In order to participate in this exhibition you must be a member of the PMA at the time of submission.

Artists can apply at pensacolamuseum. org/2015-membersjuried-exhibitionrules--application. html.

Classes & Workshops

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

Friday, May 29nd

and Saturday, May 16th. 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 1st.

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

bars & nightlife

≥bar games

Thursdays POKER 8 p.m. The

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

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unique & affordable

Join us for Wine Tastings Thursdays 5-7 p.m.

27 S. 9th Ave.

433-WINE or 433-9463

www.aragonwinemarket.com

cake stands weddings classes & demonstrations Deliveries Daily

Free Parking

15 W Main Street Pensacola, Florida 32502

850.469.1930

www.fioreofpensacola.com 020 2

Vintage Clothing & Home Décor 4006 N 9th Ave 748-5400 Located inside of Time and Time Again Antiques & Restoration inweekly.net

City of Pensacola

Cool It Now

Accepting Applications for City Council Executive

By Jennifer Leigh

a neighborhood bar & restaurant

facebook.com/themagnoliaeph

BMW 2015

sandysansingbmw.com 1-866-864-4847

If you can’t stand the heat, look for something cool to do.

This Saturday there are two opportunities to embrace your inner child and enjoy the outdoors with Slide the City and open play with Bubble Bumper Sports.

During Slide the City, much of downtown Pensacola will be transformed into a water park when a 1,000-foot slide takes up residence at North Palafox and West Jackson Street.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got it padded.

This slide’s got more cushion than your grandpa’s orthopedic sneakers,” it says on the website.

Anyone wishing to slide will need to purchase a wristband — you can choose from single, triple or unlimited number of turns.

SLIDE THE CITY

WHEN: Saturday, May 30 WHERE: N. Palafox and W. Jackson St. COST: $30-$70 (depending on how many times you want to slide) DETAILS: slidethecity.com

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 May 28, 2015

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 BAR BINGO 8 p.m.

Apple Annie’s at

All sliders must use an inner tube and bring a signed waiver.

Slide the City is making stops all BMW around the country thisTHE summer.

Along 320i with the slippery course, there will be live music, food and drinks. And 2015 the BMW best320i part is that proceeds benefit the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, which is a children’s advocacy center is serving Escambia County.

Not too far from the sliding action, Bubble Bumper Sports is hosting an open play day at the YMCA gym. Much like the name suggests, Bubble Bumper Sports allows you to become a human wrecking ball by getting inside a bubble suit and letting your pent-up energy loose.

Our suggestion? Work up a sweat while running around in the bubble suits and then head for the water slide.

The Ultimate Driving Machine®

The BMW 320i. With available features like BMW ConnectedDrive, SiriusXM™ Radio, and no-cost maintenance, you’ll get everything you want. Not to mention the thrill you can only experience in the 3 Series.

Requires Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Municipal Administration or Urban Planning and 7 years of diversified management experience with a minimum of 3 years in local government

THE BMW 320i

Lease and finance offers available by Sandy Sansing BMW through BMW Financial Services. 2015 BMW 320i, 36 mos. lease, $2,750 due at signing, 10K miles/yr., residual .65 plus tax, tag, lic., first month payment and security deposit. Available to order.

The BMW 320i. With available features like BMW ConnectedDrive, SiriusXM™ Radio, and no-cost maintenance, you’ll get everything you want. Not to mention the thrill you can only experience in the 3 Series.

269

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2015 BMW 320i Lease and finance offers available by Sandy Sansing BMW through BMW Financial Services. 2015 BMW 320i, 36 mos. lease, $4,064 due at signing, 10K miles/yr., residual .65 plus tax, tag, lic., first month payment and security deposit. Available to order.

Sandy Sansing BMW

sandysansingbmw.com

Apply at: cityofpensacola.com

186 W Airport Blvd. 850-477-1855 or 1-866-864-4847

BUBBLE BUMPER SPORTS

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 30 WHERE: Downtown YMCA, 410 N. Palafox COST: $10-$20 DETAILS: bubblebumpersports.com

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 TRIV-

IA 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

21

calendar

THE SAUCE BOSS / Photo by Eric Ilasenko Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Road. facebook.com/ goatlipsdeli WEDNESDAY QUIZ TRIVIA 8 p.m. The

Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St. cabaret-

pensacola.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.

t

in

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 5.28 ROBBY WALTON 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com EDDIE SMITH 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com LEKTRIC MULLET UNPLUGGED 6 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 P.M. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fish-

housepensacola. com

FRIDAY 5.29

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 P.M. The Deck, 600 S. Barracks St. fishhousepensacola. com DAVE AND JOE SHOW 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com THE SAUCE BOSS 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com THE BLENDERS 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. hubstaceys.com GRAND THEFT AUDIO 9 p.m.

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

SATURDAY 5.30

p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com JOHN HART BAND 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com GRAND THEFT AUDIO 9 p.m.

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

MONDAY 6.1

SUNDAY 5.31

WEDNESDAY 6.3

BRYAN LEE 3 p.m.

Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradisebar.com CALYPSONUTS 6 p.m. Peg Leg Pete’s, 1010 Ft. Pickens Rd, peglegpetes.com GRAND THEFT AUDIO 9 p.m.

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

PAPER STREET SOAP CO. 8 p.m.

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

TUESDAY 6.2

MIKE QUINN 8 p.m.

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

GEORGE WORTHMORE 6 p.m. Paradise Bar and Grille, 21 Via De Luna Dr. paradise-bar.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

for more listings visit inweekly.net

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news of the weird RECURRING THEMES Drivers Hit With Their Own Cars Recently: (1) A 64-year-old woman was knocked down by her in-gear minivan in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, as she got out to retrieve something from her house (March). (2) A man in South Centre Township, Pennsylvania, was hospitalized after leaving his idling car to adjust something under the hood and apparently adjusted the wrong thing, sending the car thrusting forward (February). (3) Jamie Vandegraaf, 23, was slammed by his own car as he leaped from the driver's side (not far enough to clear the door, apparently) to avoid South Portland, Maine, police and U.S. Marshals pursuing him concerning the robbery of a Shaw's supermarket (April).

CAN'T POSSIBLY BE TRUE One might believe that a 6th-grader, suspended for a whole year after school officials found a "marijuana" leaf in his backpack, might be immediately un-suspended if authorities (after three field tests) found the leaf was neither marijuana nor anything else illegal. Not, however, at Bedford Middle School in Roanoke, Virginia, whose officials said they had acted on gossip that students called the leaf "marijuana," and therefore under the state schools' "lookalike-drug" policy, the 6th-grader was just as guilty as if the leaf were real. Formerly a high-achiever student, he has, since last September, suffered panic attacks and is under the care of a pediatric psychiatrist, and his parents filed a federal lawsuit in February.

THE JOB OF RESEARCHER Biologist Regine Gries of Canada's Simon Fraser University devotes every Saturday to letting about 5,000 bedbugs suck blood from her arm —part of research by Gries and her biologist-husband Gerhard to develop a pheromone-based "trap" that can lure the bugs from infested habitats like bedding. (She estimates having been bitten 200,000 times since the research began, according to a May Wired magazine report.) Regine holds each mesh-topped jar of bugs against her arm for about 10 minutes each (which Gerhard cannot do because he

by Chuck Shepherd

is allergic) —leading, of course, to hours of itchiness and swelling in the name of progress.

THE CONTINUING CRISIS The three gentle grammar pedants (one an environmental lawyer calling himself "Agente Punto Final," i.e., "Agent Period") devoted to ridding Quito, Ecuador, of poorly written street graffiti, have been patrolling the capital since November 2014, identifying misplaced commas and other atrocities and making sneaky corrective raids with spray paint. Punto Final told The Washington Post in March that he acts out of "moral obligation" —that "punctuation matters, commas matter, accents matter." As police take vandalism seriously in Quito, the three must act stealthily, in hoodies and ski masks, with one always standing lookout.

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My positive attitude…

LATEST RELIGIOUS MESSAGES "I'm doing what God wants," Mike Holpin, 56, told British TV's Channel 5 in April. "In the Bible, God says go forth and multiply," said the unemployed former carny who claims to have fathered at least 40 children (now aged from 3 to 37) by 20 different women. Holpin has been married three times, and lives with his fiancee Diane and two kids in the Welsh town of Cwm. "I (will) never stop," Holpin said. "I'm as fertile as sin..."

FIRST THINGS FIRST (1) A 21-year-old man in Hefei, China, collapsed in May after 14 straight days of Internet gaming, yet when paramedics revived him, the man begged them to leave and put him back in front of the screen. (2) Then, two weeks later in Nanchang, China, a 24-yearold female gamer took only a minutes-long break at an Internet cafe, at 4 a.m., to head to a rest room and give birth — returning with her blood-covered baby in her arms to resume her place at the mouse pad. (London's Daily Telegraph, reporting from Beijing in May, estimated that China has 24 million Internet "addicts.")

Join Rick Outzen guest host of Pensacola Speaks weekdays at 5pm

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

Antiques and On-site Furniture Restoration and Repair

4006 N. 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32503 (near Fairfield and 9th) (850) 208-5599

www.timeandtimeagainllc.com May 28, 2015

Marital and Family Law www.radiofreepensacola.com

New Location: 127 Palafox Place Suite 100 Pensacola, Florida | 466-3115 23

Fast Track Your Appointment When and Where You Need It Pace Milestone Urgent Care Center Foley Mobile Highway Gulf Shores

Airport Medical Park Sacred Heart Hospital Spanish Trail

Davis Highway

Perdido

Tiger Point

Connect to Over 60 Primary Care Physicians along the Gulf Coast Need an appointment? Take the Fast Track to Sacred Heart Medical Group.

We now offer two convenient ways to connect to a primary care physician for your next appointment.

Call (850) 416-2337 or go online to find a physician and set up an appointment. Fast Track will connect you to a doctor, whether you are a new patient scheduling a first appointment, or a current patient returning to see your primary care physician. As the region’s largest group of primary care providers, Sacred Heart Medical Group makes it easy to find a physician available when it fits into your busy schedule.

Stay on track with your health care check-ups with Fast Track.

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Independent News | May 28, 2015 | inweekly.net

4/13/15 2:15 PM