Inweekly Nov. 19 2020

FINDING A HOME IN A HOSTILE NATION A DACA RECIPIENT SHARES HIS STORY

Independent News | November 19, 2020 | Volume 21 | Number 47 | Erick Lopez Ortiz / Courtesy photo

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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. © 2018 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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November 19, 2020

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winners & losers

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

winners COAST GUARD CUTTER DECISIVE The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Decisive last week returned to Pensacola after completing a 40-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where the crew interdicted two go-fast vessels and a low-profile vessel, carrying a combined total of approximately 900 pounds of cocaine and 2,735 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $20.3 million of illegal narcotics. Nine suspected smugglers aboard the vessels were detained and transferred to federal partner agencies for prosecution.

DOTTIE DUBUISSON This community

advocate has probably attended more public meetings over the years than any elected official in Escambia County. She has set a remarkable example for how citizens can be engaged in local government and has fought for issues without being hostile or resorting to name-calling. Dubuisson has been a tireless watchdog and spokesperson for her beloved Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood. Our community is better because of her dedication.

MICHELLE LUCKETT As of Thursday, Nov.

9, BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies) has a new CEO. Luckett succeeded Greg Strader, the founding CEO who has provided professional leadership since the founding of BRACE in 2006. She comes to BRACE from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, where she managed the federal, state and nonprofit grant portfolio of $24 million. Prior to that role, Luckett served as the Monroe County Florida Long Term Recovery Group executive director.

WOMEN'S BOARD OF BAPTIST HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION The 44th

Annual Stepping Out in Style Off Runway Fashion Show, presented by the Women's Board of Baptist Health Care Foundation, raised more than $69,000 to benefit the foundation's COVID-19 Response Fund. The funds will help support the safety measures implemented for patients and team members, including expanded isolation areas of Baptist hospitals to create additional negative-pressure rooms as well as provide protective equipment and detection kits.

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Ron DeSantis / YES Market Media / Shutterstock.com

losers RON DESANTIS Late Thursday, Nov.

12, the governor extended his suspension of the toll on the Garcon Point Bridge for another 30 days, until Sunday, Dec. 13. The extension allows the Garcon Point Bridge to continue serving as a temporary detour route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired from damage sustained during Hurricane Sally, saving commuters $5 per crossing. However, DeSantis and his staff drug their feet on making in the announcement. Inweekly repeatedly contacted State Rep. Alex Andrade for updates as the midnight deadline approached last week.

Andrade was equally frustrated with the delay. We know the repairs to the Pensacola Bay Bridge will take six months or longer, so why the 30-day increments? Locals deserve better.

FLORIDA DEMOCRATS Republican

Ileana Garcia officially unseated Democrat State Sen. José Javier Rodriguez after a manual recount gave Garcia a 34-vote margin. The Florida Senate District 37 victory means Republicans will enter the next Legislative Session with a 24-16 majority. Of course, there was a controversy in the race, which Rodriguez is pushing authorities to investigate. The Senate District 37 race had an independent candidate, Alex Rodriguez, which may have confused voters and cost incumbent Rodriguez his seat.

ASHLEY MOODY Florida's attorney

general joined nine other Republican state attorneys general in a "friend-of-the-court" brief that urged the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Trump's attempt to invalidate mail ballots that arrived after Election Day in Pennsylvania. Moody appears to be following the lead of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who floated an idea that GOP-controlled state legislatures could bypass the popular vote in key battleground states, and her predecessor Pam Bondi, who had questioned whether "fake ballots" had been cast in Pennsylvania without providing any proof of her claim. We had higher expectations for the Florida AG and hoped Moody would be less partisan and not get sucked into the Trump "black hole." We were too naïve. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

TELL US WHERE COVID-19 cases are on the rise, almost returning to the summer levels when Escambia County consistently had over 100 new cases reported daily. Then we didn't know why the cases were increasing. Gov. Ron DeSantis blamed the outbreak on young people not following the guidelines.

Bars were shut down, and restaurants were ordered to operate at half capacity. The closures were across the board, with no consideration given to places that strictly followed CDC guidelines.

By September, the new cases dropped to less than 35 per day. DeSantis signed an executive order allowing restaurants and bars to begin operating at full capacity immediately.

Other than the case numbers, the governor provided no specific information that showed the closure of bars and reduced capacity of the restaurants had led to fewer new cases.

Now—nearly two months after the reopenings—cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rising in Escambia County. Bar and restaurant owners worry that they may be blamed for the outbreak and will be forced to close again. Others point to the Trump rally at the Pensacola International Airport, the Pensacola Interstate Fair, Halloween and the Pensacola Seafood Festival as being possible super-spreader events.

Unfortunately, our elected officials don't have the data to make sound, fair decisions on how to curb the spread of the virus. They don't know if any of the large events held in late October led to the current outbreak. They don't know which bars and restaurants have more cases linked to them than others.

The one agency that does know is the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) because they are in charge of the contact tracing of each new COVID-19 case. Contact tracing is a disease control measure. Public health professionals work with patients to develop a list of everyone they have been in close contact with during a specific period. The staff then contacts those people to let them know about their possible exposure so that they can take proper precautions.

The contact tracing can also identify hot spots—businesses, places or events—that have led to several cases. If the right questions are asked, health officials should know how many positive cases, if any, were tied to events like the Trump rally or the fair—both directly and indirectly. The officials should also be able to identify which businesses have the most new infections and notify the proper authorities to visit the location and see if CDC guidelines are being followed.

And all this information, except for the patients' names, should be released to local elected officials and the public. However, that isn't happening.

At the Escambia County Commission's Nov. 5 meeting, Commissioner Lumon May tried to get the FDOH director for Escambia County, Marie Mott, to explain the recent spike in cases. She dodged the question— "That would be speculating for me to try to figure out why."

The only explanation Mott offered was, "There has been a lot more congregating in the community, I would say."

Where were they congregating, Ms. Mott?

Weddings? Funerals? Football games? Happy hours? Any of the events I've listed in this column? What is your contact tracing telling you?

We know the health safety code violations for every restaurant in the state. Daily newspapers publish them. Why isn't our state government doing the same thing for COVID-19?

Some may argue that patients may incorrectly list a business, but business owners can do what restaurants and retail establishments have been doing in other states. The owners can record the names and contact information of customers as they enter the business. If FDOH contacts them about a case possibly tied to their business, the owner can verify the data.

The contact tracing results need to be made public so that businesses and event organizers can be held accountable and officials can make sound COVID-19 decisions for their communities. Otherwise, we are fighting this pandemic in the dark. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Unfortunately, our elected officials don't have the data to make sound, fair decisions on how to curb the spread of the virus.

November 19, 2020

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CARES ACT SAUSAGE

By Rick Outzen The Escambia County Commission met on Thursday, Nov. 12, to approve how to allocate the remaining $31.5 million of its CARES Act funds. The old joke about no one wanting to see how the sausage gets made applies to commission meetings— both processes are messy. This special meeting was no exception.

The most straightforward item was the first one—a request by Chief Budget Officer Amber McClure for the county to purchase OpenGov Software's Budgeting & Planning and Reporting & Transparency platforms for $536,538 over five years, of which $178,110 would be paid using CARES Act funds.

"We, as you may know, have a very manual process to prepare our budget to report out financials on, right now, a quarterly basis," McClure explained. "This software would bring a solution for the budgeting request, review and approval process … This would allow us to work remotely, and that's why it can be (partially) funded by the CARES program."

She said that part of the remaining cost, $358, 428, would be covered by a current budget position that is unfilled and which she did not plan to fill because of the efficiencies gained from this software. The board approved the expenditure.

County Administrator Janice Gilley then walked the board through the adjustments she wanted approved and got interrupted when she came to item C. •Eliminate the FEMA Reimbursement $60,389. Gilley: "The main reason for that is we're reducing the amount that we previously had wanted to put in there because, as we all told you way back in the summer, that if FEMA did not come through with the dollar amounts, with any reimbursement, what we would do is we would move those expenses to CARES." •Increase COVID Ops & Oversight. Gil-

ley: "The reason why we want to increase that to $400,000 is because of the added expense for the temporary employees and the county employees that have continued to go over the family CARES applications and get those into the right posture to get those paid."

•Finalize spending for the remaining $16,370,698.50 in the Public Health and Safety bucket under Fire, Correctional and Detention Officers Payroll.

Chairman Steven Barry stopped Gilley on item C and said he saw the category as a plug figure.

"We have more eligible expenses than we have funds available, even currently, before we pull a little bit out," he said. "That's going to end up being our plug number."

He was concerned that the numbers presented by Gilley for families and business assistance only included checks issued, $3.684 million and $1.131 million respectively, not the applications approved and waiting for payment. Clara Long, the director of Neighborhood & Human Services, said the county had "probably about a little over 1,000 that are down there that the check hasn't been cut for."

Barry asked, "How many more then do we expect that we have in the working pipeline?"

Long said she had about another 1,700 waiting for final review. She added, "We're still probably going to be looking at another less than 600 that we're still pulling from pending that need more information and that will complete."

Doing a quick calculation, Barry estimated $9.9 million was in the pipeline for families—leaving $2.916 million to be spent under Family CARES Assistance.

Commissioner Lumon May expressed his concern that 4,000-5,000 applicants would not receive any funds. The commissioners began to bounce around other figures, none of which were clear and understandable to those following the meeting in chambers or online.

No resolution was offered as to how the county would distribute the remaining $2.916 million for families or $1.131 million for business, or even if the county had time to do so before the Dec. 30 deadline—effectively blocking any additional CARES Act funds being shifted to families or businesses.

Gilley likes to describe the categories as "buckets." She closed out the discussion— "What we will probably need when we're done with this list is if there are residual dollars in those buckets, we will need you to tell us if you want us to put it toward the Public Health and Safety bucket. I know that you want every penny spent in those buckets (Family and Business Assistance), and I understand that, but if there were leftover dollars, I'm also sure that you don't want us to leave dollars on the table."

Then the county administrator brought up the "new asks or continuing asks" for CARES dollars. The published agenda had the medical examiner requesting $158,650.

The ask was apparently amended to $594, 492 before the meeting. Gilley suggested the additional funds come out of Public Health and Safety.

The next ask was from the Clerk of Courts for $134,300 for new human resources software. Gilley explained, "This is a program that everyone has been looking at starting in the spring and into the summer. At the clerk's office, we've been doing it in conjunction with the clerk's office, our IT, our HR and our purchasing department."

The clerk's office wouldn't commit that the new software would lead to a reduction in personnel as McClure had done earlier.

According to the agenda, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson was to ask for $5.425 million, split between Public Facilities ($2.6 million), Employee Health and Safety ($2.1 million) and Public Health and Safety ($725,000). However, the request was reduced by $510,000 that the mayor said he hoped would be allocated for "families and businesses that need help."

Robinson said the $2.6 million for facilities would be used to help sanitize them and provide barriers, hand sanitizers and devices to monitor temperatures.

"Some of these things are looking at— do we deal with circulated airflow—are there ways that we can deal with ultraviolet light to knock (COVID) out," said the mayor. "I think we're all looking at all these things, trying to make sure our buildings are safe, not only for our own employees, but also for anybody who comes and visit."

Chairman Barry felt some of the request was for items the county had already covered, such as food programs. He said, "A very healthy portion of (the county's CARES) resources either have been spent on city residents or have been spent within the city limits or will be spent on city residents."

The commissioners debated whether other expenses on the mayor's list qualified for FEMA reimbursement. City Finance Director Amy Lovoy said she had gotten different instruction for the county administration.

"We were going to FEMA, and then we got direction from the county to not submit to FEMA for August and September, which is fantastic," said Lovoy. "But then that left the question in our mind of, well, what are we supposed to do for March through July?"

Mayor Robinson added, "Some of the other things in here that were not FEMA reimbursable, we would hope today we could work with you all and get that back taken care of."

There was more discussion over the city asking for programs that the county wasn't doing for itself. Gilley argued that items, like mental health, were already in her budget.

In the end, the city's ask was amended to $2.6 million. The board approved the clerk's ask and the amended requests of the medical examiner and city, and the CARES sausage was made. But the process wasn't as simple as the article made it seem. {in}

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November 19, 2020

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SAUNDERS, UWF COPE WITH COVID and has adjusted to the new normal, as has her faculty.

"You have to use a different set of pedagogical muscles to make it work," she shared.

"I'm going more tutorial, the old British model. They can watch the lecture, but then I'm working with them one-onone. I have a small class, and I can do that."

She would like to bring more life to campus and hopes to have more next semester.

"We'll have more, even if it's just informal events," Saunders said. "I think people just miss each other. And it doesn't have to be a class. It can just be other stuff."

When not teaching, the UWF President Dr. Martha Saunders / Photo courtesy of UWF UWF president's day is filled with Zoom meetings.

"I have to clear my head between them, and so I'll just get out, walk around campus and On a recent Thursday morning, the main stop in a building just to see a human," she said campus of the University of West Florida with a smile. "The science labs are pretty active was a ghost town—the parking lots nearly because they have to be. The library's active, empty, less than a handful of students on but you go through communication arts and the sidewalks. Tumbleweeds of moss rolled see nothing." across the asphalt—OK, that's an exaggeration, When asked about the COVID cases on but you get the picture. campus, Saunders knocked on the wooden COVID-19 has changed college life, and table and replied, "We've had a slight uptick, the pandemic is expected to get worse in the but we've been pleasantly surprised. People coming months as temperatures drop. UWF are self-reporting and seem to be doing what President Dr. Martha Saunders quoted Dr. they're supposed to do."

Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for UWF set aside 60 rooms for quarantine Disease Control and Prevention, when she sat and never used double digits on any given day down with Inweekly. until recently. Due to the uptick, the university "He said, ‘Brace yourself because by Januhad 19 students in isolation as of Friday, Nov. 13. ary, February, it's going to grow exponentially,' She explained, "These students have not tested and so we're trying to get our students to get positive but have been in direct contact with tested before they go home and don't give it someone who has so they are quarantined in to grandma and then get tested before they rooms we have set aside." come back," she said. The university will switch Is she concerned that some students and all classes to virtual after Thanksgiving, and the employees may not be reporting their positive winter break has been extended to Jan. 19, 2021. test results?

Saunders is teaching a class this semester

By Rick Outzen

"There's always that concern, but it hasn't happened that we know of," said Saunders. UWF modified the daily self-reporting model used by Baptist Health Care for its employees and students. "Are you going to be on campus today, yes or no? Have you been around anybody? And it's self-reporting, but it's highly effective."

Currently, about 30% of UWF classes are face-to-face, but the university is being "strongly encouraged" by the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body for the State University System, to add more on-campus instruction in the spring. The goal would be to have the same number as UWF had last spring but contingent on what can be done within CDC guidelines. Saunders said, "I'm calling them opportunities—more hybrid courses, like what I'm teaching."

She added, "Our largest classrooms, using CDC guidelines, are in the conference center, and I think we could get 65 people in there, socially distanced. There's a point where you're still trying to teach college, you try and get them through … They've got to get taught, and at the end of the day, they got to learn something. So how do we deliver this curriculum in a way to as many students as we can, and they learn something?"

Fortunately, the pandemic hasn't negatively impacted UWF's enrollment.

"We were up in the summer about 5%," said Saunders. "And we're up right at 4% for the fall.

I look at my dashboard, the things that I pay attention to, and it's surreal. I think, ‘How are we doing so well, with all of this noise around us?'

But we are. Enrollment's up; fundraising is up."

One area that may be negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic is the university's budget. She said, "We are braced for a hit, and I think we've jumped in front of it pretty well.

The state is holding back 6% (of the 2020-21 fiscal year budget) now. They've asked us to do an exercise to make that 8.5%."

She and her administration have met the reduction by "keeping positions open, salary savings when people quit and getting into our

reserves," but next fiscal year, the cuts won't be as easy. UWF is using a model recommended by the National Association of College and University Business Officers that lays out how the ideal university budget should be allocated over several categories. Saunders said, "No one is exactly that way, but using those categories, we're planning to take our reductions. I say all that to say, we're protecting instruction."

She continued, "The instructional support will have the least amount of a reduction.

Others like administrative support, facilities, all the ancillary things, at least for the first round, will take bigger hits. Some of that is public service, which could impact some of the outreach things we do with schools, but we feel like the mission of the institution is to provide high-quality graduate and undergraduate education. And that is what we have to do in a public university to as many people as you can."

Next year's budget for UWF will hinge on Gov. Ron DeSantis' recommendations and how the 2021 Legislative Session plays out.

"A lot depends on what the governor wants, how he wants it done," said Saunders. "The state was hit. When Disney closed down, the state was hit. And those of us who are dependent on the largess of the legislature are going to brace for that."

She added, "All the universities are watching the same thing. We're all getting the same information—all the state agencies are down 6% and will probably go to 8.5%. I believe we were able to do it gracefully and everybody's at the table, but we're going to see a reduction. I don't know how we cannot."

Through it all, Saunders remains optimistic.

"I look at my dashboard," she said, "and I marvel that enrollment's up, people are learning, nothing's on fire and we're coping with COVID as best we can."

Smiling, Saunders added, "It's almost surreal because you think you should be doing awful, but you're not. So we're okay now.

I'll let you know if I need a job." {in}

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Applications Open for FloridaWest EDA Designated Director FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is seeking volunteers for appointment as Designated Director to the FloridaWest EDA Board of Directors.

The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance was created in October 2014 when economic development was separated and moved out from under the presentday Greater Pensacola Chamber. FloridaWest EDA operates as a publicly/privately-funded organization, observing all local, state and federal laws that apply to nonprofit organizations as defined in section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and Florida’s Governmentin-the Sunshine Law and Public Records Act in Chapters 286 and 119 of the Florida Statutes, along with section 288.075 of the Florida Statutes.

The mission of FloridaWest EDA is to promote industry and commerce, enhance the business climate and stimulate economic prosperity, support workforce development, promote community development and encourage political action. FloridaWest EDA strives to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number of people in Pensacola, Escambia County and Northwest Florida.

Diversity and Inclusion: If we want to advance our community, we must ensure that Economic Development has the right people at the helm to provide vision, strategy, oversight, and leadership.

In Accordance with the FloridaWest Bylaws, criteria for consideration for the Designated Director must include the current Directors and how they reflect the sociodemographic composition of Escambia County. Special consideration will be given to those identifying as minorities and women.

For FloridaWest By-laws and Board of Directors information, visit our website at www.floridawesteda.com/floridawest-board-materials.

The deadline for applications is Monday, November 30, 2020. Please respond with a letter of interest to Melissa Stoker: mstoker@floridawesteda.com

FLORIDAWESTEDA.COM November 19, 2020

9

REMOTE FROM HERE With a host of

military, government and private-sector cybersecurity assets in the area, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance recently unveiled a new website, cybercoastflorida.com. The site will serve as the centerpiece of an ongoing "Remote from Here" campaign kicking off in January that aims to encourage qualified cybersecurity workers to work remotely and ultimately move to the Pensacola area.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a remote work trend that will likely be permanent for many in technology and professional services fields. According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, about one in five workers in the US was a full-time remote employee in August. The study found that those with college degrees and children under 13 were even more likely to be working from home.

"Talented cybersecurity employees are rightly considering whether it still makes sense to stay in cities that lured them simply because that's where the jobs are," said FloridaWest CEO Scott Luth. "Now, many of them are looking for just the kind of quality of life that our region provides—the perfect blend of history, natural beauty and a warm climate.

Luth noted that the focus on attracting people who already have jobs may seem at odds with the traditional approach to economic development–attracting companies that bring the jobs. In fact, he said, one complements the other.

"Organizations with high-demand, high-wage specialties like cybersecurity thrive where they can find the best talent 010 1

in the highest numbers," he said. "FloridaWest is leveraging this trend to keep our homegrown cyber talent here and bring in more from around the country. If we have a great quality of life and great people, companies and innovative startups will follow."

The website is built on three pillars— our people, our place, our possibilities—and encourages prospective new residents to "bring your talent, bring your laptop and bring your company." The idea is to reach cyber professionals who may be looking for a new job with one of the area's many cybersecurity companies, ones who have a good job but want a better quality of life and decision-makers considering expanding or relocating their companies to the area.

Other website sections will highlight the educational opportunities offered by the University of West Florida through the Center for Cybersecurity, Pensacola State College with its four-year cybersecurity degree program and the programs offered

by Pensacola Christian College.

Beginning in January, FloridaWest will launch a series of ads aimed at cybersecurity professionals in other cities who are looking for a change. The ads will drive traffic to the site and promote the area's advantages in terms of climate, commute times, cost of living and overall quality of life. FloridaWest is working with local tourism officials, hoteliers and real estate companies to offer incentives to try out a remote-work week in the area.

STATE OF EMERGENCY With cases of

COVID increasing in the local region, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson is hoping

that the city's recently deployed state of emergency declaration inspires vigilance in observing safety measures aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

"This is when we need to double up and make sure our efforts are very focused on wearing masks, washing hands, making sure we're socially distancing, avoiding congested and enclosed places." Grover Robinson "This is when we need to double up and make sure our efforts are very focused on wearing masks, washing hands, making sure we're socially distancing, avoiding congested and enclosed places," the mayor said.

"These are all the things we're asking."

During his weekly press conference Monday, Mayor Robinson explained that the city's state of emergency—declared on Tuesday, Nov. 10—was in response to the rising COVID cases and the increase in local hospitalizations related to the illness.

The declaration was triggered by a jump to 78 hospitalizations, cresting the previously prescribed municipal threshold of 75. That number rose to 89 before decreasing to 86 as of Monday.

"The fact that we've gotten up into the 80s is cause for concern," Robinson said.

He noted that he found some comfort in the hospitalization number having dropped

a bit from its high last week, drawing contrast with the COVID spike in July.

"The good news is, we are seeing some stabilization, as opposed to our last spike where we just continued to keep going for about three or four weeks until we finally reached our peak at 246," Robinson said.

While the city's state of emergency declaration serves to sound the alarm bells, the act appears to have little logistical impact beyond some city operations, such as the mayor's weekly press conference being returned to a virtual realm and city staff being instructed not to attend city council meetings in person.

Mostly, the mayor said, this declaration of a state of emergency is allowing the city to focus its messaging on the issue.

"I think overall, the state of emergency at least allowed us to bring attention, to bring what we have to bear with our social media and all our other media tools to try to get people's attention, that this was the time," Robinson said.

Ideally, Robinson said, he would like to be able to roll out a municipal maskmandate ordinance along with the state of emergency, but the city already has such a mandate in place, as the Pensacola City Council declined to ever rescind the order that was put in place over the summer.

"I would have liked the opportunity to bring the mask mandate back and forth," the mayor said.

Not that the city's mask mandate carries too much weight, as Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order which preempts local attempts to require face coverings. But, as the mayor noted, the city may still require masks inside of businesses.

"Remember, the state is silent when it comes to businesses, so we are still enforcing the mask ordinance related to businesses," Robinson said, adding that the city has responded to a number of complaints about businesses not requiring masks, though it has yet to employ any type of punitive measures for infractions. "You could do fines. Fortunately, we haven't had to."

The mayor said that when local hospitalizations fall below 50, he intends to drop the city's state of emergency and also plans to request that council rescind its mask order so that it can be revived again and used as a management tool when the area experiences another wave of COVID increases.

"This is the third time that this has happened. And it's probably going to happen a fourth time. This is what we are seeing; we're seeing an ebb and flow," Robinson said.

POST-ELECTION GAME PLAN With the 2020 election cycle in the rearview, local environmental advocates conducted a climate roundtable online on Monday, Nov. 9.

The forum served as a space for represeninweekly.net

tatives of various organizations to lay out post-election plans and strategies.

"One of the things about an election, whether you are happy or disappointed, it always creates change, and change creates opportunity," said Christian Wagley, a coastal organizer with Healthy Gulf. "And so there's certainly opportunity now to hopefully do some great things on climate, because it is the most important issue that we're facing, it's certainly the epic challenge of our time and we've got to get it right."

Wagley moderated the roundtable, which also included representatives from 350 Pensacola, Environment Florida, Sunrise Pensacola, Fridays For Future and Florida Conservation Voters.

"What do you think President Biden can get done?" Wagley asked. "Do you think he'll keep some of his promises from his campaign?"

Overall, a Democratic win was encouraging, the panelists agreed, but no one sugarcoated the prospects of environmental gains.

Some things will be quick, like the country's re-entry into the Paris Climate Agreement, but many efforts will take some time.

"It's clear to me that Biden wants to do something," said Sandra Adams, executive director of 350 Pensacola, explaining that she felt the realities of a divided government will make reversing some of the damage caused during the Trump years more difficult, and the president will need to focus on executive actions. "He's going to be really hamstrung with the Senate not being in his corner and probably working against him."

"It's going to take multiple administrations to undo what President Trump has done," agreed Jay McGee, vice president of the Student Environmental Action Society (SEAS) at the University of West Florida.

While some items on the environmental agenda may take a while, McGee said that Biden's win was a step in the right direction, with voters affirming they wanted a leader who opted to "believe in science."

"I really think he has his head in the right spot, and I think his campaign will be the beginning to, I think, a revolution in terms of focusing on the environment," he said.

Lindsey Cross, who serves as government relations director for Florida Conservation Voters and works with legislators in Tallahassee, offered some advice for working with Republicans to pursue environmental goals—tether everything to the economy. It can't just be about less emissions, better water quality and the magic of sunshine; it's also got to be about jobs and incentives and energy independence.

"We need to be showing how shifting to renewable energy in a just and equitable way, how that's good for the bottom line or our government sectors and the private sectors as well." Lindsey Cross "We need to be showing how shifting to renewable energy in a just and equitable way, how that's good for the bottom line or our government sectors and the private sectors as well," Cross said. "If we just focus on the kind of environmental, tree-hugger side of it, we're not going to get the traction that we need."

Adams noted that some Republicans seemed more game for a discussion about the environment than others and that environmentalists should be looking for common ground where it can be found.

"I think that Marco Rubio has shown some signs of being a little bit more open to addressing some of the climate change issues," she said. "And, I think, this is really our opportunity to really press our Republican colleagues and Congresspeople and say, ‘Hey, get on board. If you can't agree with our whole Green New Deal-kind

of the thing, fine. What can you agree to?

Where can we compromise? Where can we work on things?'"

On the state level, Cross painted a bleak picture—"I think it's going to be a difficult couple of years for us at a state level."

She suggested stressing to state lawmakers that environmentalism isn't partisan, but is rather addressing issues, such as climate change, that are "affecting our ability, as humans, to inhabit this planet," and said that advocates would likely find more fertile ground at their local levels.

"There are communities that are really hungry to take action and we've seen things on a local and regional level are progressing much faster than we're moving at a state level," Cross said.

At the local level, Wagley noted that the Pensacola City Council, which is gaining a number of new members following the election, looked favorable on the environmental front—"I don't think we have any climate deniers on the city council."

"I think we generally have a friendly council," Wagley said, advising that activists push city officials to act on existing recommendations contained in a recent municipal climate change report.

McGee is heading up an effort to get UWF to commit to a 100% renewable energy goal by 2050, with 100% of its electricity created via renewable means by 2035. It's an ambitious mission and one that is just beginning.

"The question that I get a lot is, ‘Why universities?'" McGee said, explaining that such environments would provide useful lessons to converting ever-larger landscapes.

"When you look at universities, they're sort of like microcosms of cities. There's centralized residence halls, centralized eating locations, post offices, classrooms, so they're centralized communities."

GULF POWER RATE PROPOSALS The

News Service of Florida reports that Northwest Florida residents may continue in the

coming years to see extra charges tacked onto their electric bills to pay the costs of restoring power after Hurricane Sally thrashed the region.

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Gulf Power filed a proposal at the Florida Public Service Commission that would allow it in March to begin collecting an estimated $206 million from customers because of costs stemming from Hurricane Sally, which caused major damage in mid-September in Pensacola and other western areas of the Panhandle.

"While not originally forecast to hit our area, Hurricane Sally was a slow-moving storm that brought strong winds, storm surge and flooding, causing significant damage to the energy grid and other critical infrastructure throughout Northwest Florida," Gulf Power President Marlene Santos said in a prepared statement. "Gulf Power's team worked around the clock—alongside our Florida Power & Light family and resources from 24 states—to get the lights back on for our customers and our communities back up and running safely and as quickly as possible."

The utility also advised the Public Service Commission that damage from Hurricane Sally would speed up an already-planned move to end the use of coal to generate power at the utility's Plant Crist facility in Escambia County. The move involves shifting to natural gas and, the utility said, would create initial savings that would lead to slight net reductions in electric bills in March, even with the extra charges related to Hurricane Sally.

RISING STARS SOUGHT Inweekly has opened nominations for the 2021 Rising Stars class, which will be published in late January 2021. The qualifications are—1) Must be under the age of 40; 2) Must live, work or go to school in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties; and 3) Must not have been previously selected as an Inweekly Rising Star. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Nov. 25. Nominations can be made online at bit. ly/3lBAeR7. {in}

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EXCELLENCE IN MENTORSHIP AWARD This award recognizes a person who has dedicated themselves to helping others through mentoring. Their level of experience affords them the ability to have a significant impact on the professional development and career advancement of those they mentor.

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With fewer than 10 employees, micro businesses are vitally important contributors to the economy. Micro-business of the year has become distinguished by recognizing a business marked by its ability to flourish regardless of size and possesses a flair for spotting opportunities in its chosen niche market.

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Given to a business with fewer than 50 emplo has shown resilience and fortitude in overcom and difficulties to ensure a secure and growin WINNER: Butler Auto Recycling Runner up: Odd Colony Brewing Company Runner up: The Wine Bar on Palafox

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FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

A family-owned business that now includes, o than one generation, and whose policies and b have had a positive impact on business and th WINNER: The Dog House Runner up: Butler Auto Recycling Runner up: Eastburn Woodworks

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR

Pensacola has many outstanding nonprofits, a will be given to the one that has shown their d to improving the quality of life in our commun WINNER: The HER Foundation, Inc. Runner up: Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWFL Runner up: FoodRaising Friends

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achievements and o honor businesses tiple generations.

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FINDING A HOME IN A HOSTILE NATION A DACA RECIPIENT SHARES HIS STORY

By Sydney Robinson

Erick Lopez Ortiz / Courtesy photo

"I was 7 when I took the trip. I had my little backpack on, my Nintendo Gameboy and my inhaler like, 'What are we doing?' [My mother said,] 'Oh, we are going to see your dad.' And I thought, 'Alright, cool! Grandma, I'll be back in a week or something.'"

When Erick Lopez Ortiz left the only home he had ever known in Mexico to make a new life in the United States with his mother and his older brother, he had no idea how permanent the change would be.

Now 22 years old and a senior at the University of West Florida pursuing a chemistry degree and looking toward grad school, Lopez Ortiz felt it was important for him to step out of the shadows to share his story about coming to America and living as a DACA recipient in 2020.

Lopez Ortiz's story is one of risk, luck and determination, a story that took a great deal of introspection and bravery to share.

CLOSE CALL

"We all arrive at this weird house on the border on the Mexican side, a small metal shed. The shed was wasp-ridden, hot with no AC, just terrible conditions. Me and my brother waited there for a night alone while my mom walked to a different city [to buy] all-black clothes for us. That was probably one of the most traumatizing times, wondering if my mom was just leaving us here forever."

414 1

Lopez Ortiz's brother, who was around the age of 13 at the time, did his best to comfort and entertain his scared little brother. After a night of waiting, it was time to move.

"We had to get into these cars, and we would lay in the back where they had carved out some of the seat while the trucks crossed through the border in the dead of night."

After several years of working on a work visa in the U.S., Lopez Ortiz's father had secured enough money and supplies to pay off the coyotes and cover the cost of their travel from Mexico across the U.S. border to what promised to be a better life.

In the car driven by a stranger, the plan took a turn.

"I had a terrible feeling. Our driver began to speed up and speed up, and all I remember next was multiple sensations I had never felt before. I heard the crinkling of metal, and [I felt] very, very cold and warm at the same time. The next thing I knew, we were sideways on the truck. I could hear sirens behind us getting closer."

Lopez Ortiz says that when he came to, his mother was shielding her sons with her arms, inches away from a huge metal rod where the children had been moments before. The driver of the vehicle had already fled from the scene.

Lopez Ortiz grew emotional remembering that moment and the man who

had abandoned them, a mother and two children, left for dead or deportation alone in the darkness.

"I remember immigration yelling at us to go into a caravan-style van," Lopez Ortiz explained. "They handed us alcohol and had us clean ourselves up as we headed to the detention center. I remember feeling tiny chunks of the glass dropping from my eyes, little fragments that were scraping every time I blinked, my sight immediately [worsening]. I started to feel the bruising, pain. It was a very strong sense of shock immediately."

"I look at the way that kids are conditioned now and see the cages they have now, and I almost feel lucky to have had the type of cage I had." Erick Lopez Ortiz Once at the detention center, Lopez Ortiz says the three were processed. Compared to the way the U.S. handles individuals crossing the border illegally in 2020, Lopez Ortiz says he feels lucky for the treatment he received.

"I look at the way that kids are conditioned now and see the cages they have now, and I almost feel lucky to have had the type of cage I had. I was never in any deathly ill situation, and I was certainly never alone.

Not for a single second did they rip me from my mother, and that made such a difference."

Lopez Ortiz begged the woman patting him down to let him keep his prized possession—his Game Boy, as well as his inhaler. He remembers the woman being shocked to find his pockets full of shattered glass, remnants of their violent capture.

Though he was allowed to stay with his mother, Lopez Ortiz's older brother was kept in a kennel with the other teens next door.

"My brother told me that if I needed to talk to him, to just knock on that wood [that separated our kennels] and he would be on that other side," explained Lopez Ortiz. "I walked up to the plywood in what looked like a warehouse with kennels of people, and I just started knocking, knocking, knocking. Then, I heard his voice from the other side. He started telling me funny stories of other people in his kennel, other teenagers. He was comforting me. He was being a good brother."

Ortiz Lopez, listening to the soothing voice of his brother, looked up.

"One of the patrol agents, I could see her staring at us talking [to each other], and she started turning away, and I think she started crying."

Not long after, Lopez Ortiz says his brother was removed from the cage next door and placed with them, all together locked behind the same door.

"At that moment, I felt like they saw inweekly.net

us as what we were—brothers, not as criminals. I don't think they would put two criminals in the same cell just because we were talking to each other."

After being processed, the family was deported. Before departing, Lopez Ortiz says one of the men working at customs handed him a Customs Immigration water bottle and told him jokingly, "Better luck next time."

NEXT TIME

The family's next attempt was much more successful and involved a long night of walking through the desert, a trip on an everdeflating raft across a river and, mercifully, an open-armed welcome.

"My first view of America [was] iconic. I love to tell this part," Lopez Ortiz chuckled. "[I saw] a big red Hummer drifting into this culde-sac, and [the driver] swings himself around and stops right in front of me. This large man opens a door, hands me McDonald's and a Coke and tells me, 'Welcome to America!'"

"Immediately, I'm getting slapped with commercialism and capitalism."

Lopez Ortiz says that a network of families and individuals coordinated with those providing assistance crossing the border, and each immigrant was assigned to a household to help them learn English, provide resources and assist with the transition from Mexican citizen to undocumented U.S. resident.

"My mom was put with a group of bikers, so I got to watch my mom wear 3-inch heels, tie back her hair and wear nothing but black makeup," Lopez Ortiz explained. "It was wild."

As it turned out, the "biker chick" routine was a clever workaround that enabled his mother to cross the border as needed. "[Border Patrol asks] the first few bikers for ID, but the agent gets tired after like the seventh one and will just wave the rest of them in. Mom just had to hang onto this guy [driving the bike], and the patrol agent would just wave her right in. It's all user error."

Lopez Ortiz was placed with a white family who regularly relied on him, a young child, to lie to Immigration about being a citizen during routine stops near the border.

"We drive up to the border. I'm between two white kids, a white mom is driving. The officer looks directly at me, asks the mom, 'Are you a U.S. citizen?' He asks the kids. They say yes. Then, [he] looks at me, and I'm like, 'Jyes?'

"As a kid, I thought, 'Yeah, I nailed it!'"

Whether through luck, professional acting skills or another moment of compassion, Lopez Ortiz was never outed as undocumented.

Eventually, Lopez Ortiz was reunited with his father, though he didn't know that's who the man was until his older brother ran into his waiting arms. From there, they moved to Florida, and the boys were enrolled in school.

Lopez Ortiz says he assimilated quickly, though American culture brought a wealth of challenges—some seemingly greater than the challenges they faced when crossing the border.

THE IMPOSTER

In elementary school, Lopez Ortiz says, he faced discrimination for the first time.

"I did not know what any of the racial slurs were until the principal had to sit me down and explain why I should be upset."

November 19, 2020

Lopez Ortiz said that racist words hurled in his direction didn't phase him much, but the constant discrimination and a disconnect from his culture led to a decaying sense of self that would haunt him throughout school and into adulthood.

"Something that stuck with me was being told that I didn't belong here," Lopez Ortiz explained. "I think until today, that is something that affects me the most. I go to therapy at UWF, and I've come to the realization that I had really intense imposter syndrome. I saw myself as lesser, a quarter, a third of [my peers]. Inside I was dying."

Lopez Ortiz says his older brother was able to maintain a strong sense of identity with his Mexican language and culture, but coming to America so young, Lopez Ortiz felt he was straddling two worlds.

"I was gaining an American identity and losing my Hispanic one. [My parents were] like, 'Why are you acting like an American? You're not. You don't have the same [things] that they have. You need to work harder, be a lot smarter.' And all I wanted to do was just be normal," said Lopez Ortiz.

"I had already built a concept of 'normal' as being a white American."

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was put into place by President Barack Obama in 2012 by executive order and provided protections for certain undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. before a certain age and, with that age, a presumed innocence. He issued the order after the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act did not pass in Congress several times.

The young people impacted by DACA and the DREAM Act are often referred to as Dreamers.

By agreeing to come out of the shadows, the U.S. government made an agreement with undocumented residents promising them relative safety and hope of a path to citizenship in exchange for their visibility.

Beginning in 2015, Trump's campaign signaled a major threat to those living undocumented in the U.S. For Dreamers like Lopez Ortiz, each success by the Trump campaign was one step closer to detention and deportation.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," goes the nowinfamous quote from President Trump.

"They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs.

They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

Those words, spoken by Trump in 2017, were followed by decisive action, leaving the fate of more than half a million young people hanging in the balance. Lopez Ortiz is one of them.

"With everything politically going on, I was faltering academically. I would lie down and do nothing, wondering if I'll still be legal, if I can still go to school. I would wake up in tears, shear stress and panic."

The Trump Administration took decisive action in 2017 to dismantle the DACA program, stating that no new ap-

plications would be processed and all future renewals would be terminated by March 5, 2020. Through a series of court battles, the program has remained intact—though tattered—and 650,000 residents with DACA status live in fear.

In June of 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump's elimination of the program was unconstitutional. In defiance of that ruling, in July of 2020, Trump's administration halted the DACA process, slowing renewals for current residents and preventing any new applications from being processed. They did this by issuing a memo through the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier this month however, a federal judge ruled that Chad Wolf was not serving lawfully as the acting secretary of Homeland Security at the time, making his department's suspension of the DACA program invalid.

The Trump administration can appeal the ruling, but most immigration rights groups are celebrating it as a victory for DACA recipients.

Despite these court-granted victories, the dismantling of DACA has had real consequences. According to the nonpartisan group Migration Policy Institute, "Roughly 66,000 more [residents] would be eligible if new applications were accepted because they met the age requirement—15—after the Trump administration tried to end the program in 2017."

"I believe the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. I believe I've shown time and time again that I am an American at heart." Lopez Ortiz SEEKING IDENTITY

A sensation of lost identity is common for those living in America under DACA since so many came to the country when they were young children, some infants in their mother's arms.

"A lot of DACA recipients don't grow up with a good sense of identity. You don't feel you should belong anywhere. I crumbled under the sensation of not wanting to be anything," Lopez Ortiz told Inweekly.

Even with that cultural homelessness, Lopez Ortiz says he has found he is able to maintain relationships with friends regardless of political affiliation.

"I've always been able to see people beyond just their political decisions, even if their vote is detrimentally harming me and my family. Their intention is not to have hurt me.

They made the decision, but that was never their intention."

Lopez Ortiz says he knows maintaining relationships with those who want people like him deported is a difficult idea to comprehend.

"I am not just blindly loving these people.

I know what they did, and I know how it has hurt me and how I have suffered because of it. But at the end of the day, I keep going back in my head to that one moment in which someone who is supposed to be my warden in

a jail cell looked at me and saw more than just an immigrant, more than just a felon; they saw a child who just wanted his brother."

HANGING IN THE BALANCE

During what may prove to be the most consequential election in his life, Lopez Ortiz says he felt utterly powerless not being able to vote for his own future. Because he is not a U.S. citizen, Lopez Ortiz and his 650,000 fellow Dreamers can do little else but hope that those who can vote do so with their fate in mind.

"In the end, it is other peoples' choice what happens to my future," said Lopez Ortiz.

"I have no say in voting. I can only sit back and hope they do what is right."

"I don't have a home to go back to; I don't have a formal understanding of Spanish. My life is completely in their hands."

A WAY FORWARD

While many Americans like to think that nothing will change in their lives based off of an election, people like Lopez Ortiz can see the effects of each vote directly—which is why the outcome of the 2020 election came as such a relief to so many.

President-elect Biden has said that reinstating the DACA program is his first goal.

According to his campaign website, Biden will "explore all legal options to protect … families from inhumane separations."

In addition, Biden says he will continue to provide federal funding to Dreamers for their education and is committed to a "roadmap to citizenship through legislative immigration reform."

To Lopez Ortiz, this commitment is a sign of hope.

"I am right now sitting, waiting, hoping with everything within me for that one path [to citizenship] so that I no longer have to fear or feel that shivering sensation when I see a cop car pass by. I know that maybe [that fear] won't really ever go away, but [citizenship] will lessen it. It's just a hope at this point that I won't have to double-take every time someone asks me where I'm from or feel a knot in my throat when I'm going to have to tell someone I'm undocumented."

"The biggest thing I'm waiting for—I don't want to have to fear those little five seconds of absolute silence after [I] tell someone [my] status and then sit there waiting to see how their eyes turn, whether their brow will shift, whether they'll smile or look at you and go, 'OK.' Those five seconds feel like five years, waiting to see how they react to you. It's like fight or flight."

Lopez Ortiz says obtaining citizenship feels more like a formality than anything else, as he believes he already embodies everything that being American is.

"I believe the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what we do with the gift of life that determines who we are. I believe I've shown time and time again that I am an American at heart."

With more pride than many born Americans will ever feel, Lopez Ortiz believes he has earned his place here.

"A path to citizenship feels like the day that I'll be able to say something I've known my entire life—I am an American." {in} 15

This face was once masked by pain.

Now, it’s a face that sees the light.

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WEEK OF NOVEMBER 19-25

Arts & Encouragement An Interview with Poet Charles McCaskill hope, help and other signs of humanity at a time when we really need it...

By C. Scott Satterwhite

To say Charles McCaskill is a local treasure is an understatement. McCaskill is the wellknown and well-loved co-host of Pensacola Poets, the longest-running open mic in the city. Nearly every Tuesday night, one can find McCaskill reading his work at Constant Coffee to a room full of poetry lovers. Recently nominated for the role of Poet Laureate of Northwest Florida, the community has a great reason to celebrate this man who's dedicated his life to the craft—a brand-new book. "On a Random Bookshelf in my Mind" is McCaskill's third book and speaks to topical issues of our moment but also the pains of life and love for his community. His life is poetry, and his latest book is a reflection of that life.

INWEEKLY: First off, congratulations on your new book. Where does the title come from?

MCCASKILL: Thanks a lot. Oddly enough, the title comes from one of my favorite Stephen King books, or adaptations, "Dreamcatcher." There's a concept called "Memory Warehouse," which is a visual representation of memories and knowledge—an actual warehouse that a character can access and sort, peruse or even delete their memories. This is my take on that, what I visualize as a random bookcase's contents in my own warehouse, the random memories I have in my mind and what they would manifest as.

INWEEKLY: One of the biggest themes in this book is the passing of friends and family. How does death play into the inspiration for this book?

MCCASKILL: Losing my grandmother back in 2013 deeply impacted me. She was the heart of a lot of who I am and how I love. Not sharing more of my writing with her is a regret that I still carry to this day. To honor her memory, I have my words. They are my flowers—to eulogize other family members who have died and to honor those cherished connections I still have with me, as she would have done.

INWEEKLY: One of the other themes I saw in "On a Random Bookshelf in my Mind" was relationships, with friends, family and your wife. Would you talk a little about that?

MCCASKILL: My connections are the currency with which I value my life. Capitalism is a thing, so actual currency is necessary, too, but there are people who I love fiercely who feel the same about me. I don't need or want adoration. I don't need or want world renown November 19, 2020

or wealth or shiny things. After the necessities, the only thing I need is for people who think of me to do so fondly. My relationships with my wife, friends and family are evidence of that, and that's enough.

INWEEKLY: What about the role of punk rock in your poetry? I saw this directly and indirectly in several of your poems. Could you expand on this?

MCCASKILL: One of my oldest friends turned me on to punk music primarily through NOFX and Against Me! I mentioned her and the latter band in one of the poems. What I felt then, and what I feel still now, is an acceptance to be exactly who you are. Bravely.

Without apology or ask. In defiance of the status quo, punk defies us to do what is right and true. I'm grateful for that friend and that first Against Me! album for teaching me that lesson that I try to live out every time I write.

INWEEKLY: The murder of George Floyd set off protests throughout the country.

Since your first book, you've brought the protests into your poetry. How have the events of the summer affected your work?

MCCASKILL: It has been a stressful time.

Between pandemic and civil unrest, I thought this book would be primarily a way to write about all of it. I thought that I would be solely writing about burning buildings and justified destruction and all the names we've lost. It's still there, but I don't think I was ready to really dive into everything through my poetry. It's a tremendous amount of pain to take on and into myself. People think that has gone away with the declining of hashtags, but I can assure you, it has not. There's still so much sadness and fear and anger. I want to fully do all of those emotions justice if I can't create it for the Black people who will never get it.

INWEEKLY: You closed your book with a short but powerful poem about Breonna Taylor. In the poem, you wrote about not wanting to do further violence to her by writing about her. What did you mean by this?

MCCASKILL: So much of the discussion about her is around her murder. People justifiably speak out about the horrific crime that [her murder] was. People try to grotesquely justify it. I wanted to be able to know that every time someone ends their reading of my book, they simply think "Breonna Taylor."

Whatever happens to any of us after this life, I hope this gives her peace.

INWEEKLY: Who are some of the poets you're reading now?

MCCASKILL: After the announcement of her Nobel Prize, I've been reading Louise Glück.

She was one of the first poets I randomly stumbled across as a teenager, and I've always loved her imagery. I've also been reading Hanif Abdurraqib, Danez Smith and Neil Hilborn. All three are powerhouses many may know through Button Poetry.

INWEEKLY: As one of the main hosts of Pensacola Poets, you see a lot of people take the mic. Who are some up-and-coming poets here in Pensacola we should be paying attention to now?

MCCASKILL: For the new generation, I would keep my eyes on Mars Madden and Mea Brahier. They are two young poets whose words pack awesome power that stun me regularly.

Vulnerable and impactful, the way both poets artfully tell personal stories, you'd have to be a stone to not be moved.

An honorable mention to my friend Ben Embry. He isn't up-and-coming, as he's put out several books, but I want to shout him out here. I joke with him that he's the kind of writer I wish I could be. His writing is dark and macabre in really beautiful ways. Lovers of horror and darker shades of art, like Ben and I, would be remiss to not read his work.

INWEEKLY: I know you were a contender for Poet Laureate of Northwest Florida. What was that experience like for you?

MCCASKILL: It was amazing. I am 31 years old, Black and a college dropout (twice). I didn't possess the full maturity of my craft at the time when others are planning MFA programs or fellowships to prestigious writing retreats. This isn't me being self-deprecating. It is simply the truth. On paper, I do not look like a Poet Laureate, but someone thought otherwise enough to nominate me.

The process was validating in ways I can't say. And although I only made it to the finalist stage, I'm truly humbled to have been considered among professionals with degrees and years of academic experience and established connections in literary circles.

INWEEKLY: If it's not too much, can you tell me what a Charles McCaskill poet laureateship would've looked like for Pensacola?

MCCASKILL: I believe it will look not to

dissimilar to that of the new Poet Laureate, Katherine Nelson-Born. She has talked to me about creating hope and inclusion in our community. Those are two things I absolutely believe in in my everyday life and in my desire for arts in our community. I look forward to helping her and bringing more growth, unity and diversity to poetry in Northwest Florida— with or without a title.

INWEEKLY: For poets reading this who want to get their work out there, what kind of advice would you give?

MCCASKILL: Do it. New York Times Bestseller List or your local open mic. On a shelf in an international brick-and-mortar chain or inside the indie bookstore. At the Saturday Palafox Market or online in a blog. However you want to get your words out, get them out. Surround yourself with people who love the written word like you do. Be open and be teachable. Be honest and be critical. One day, you'll be nervously performing a poem for a room of strangers. Then, before you know it, you'll be in conversation to be one of the most important poets in your community. Keep writing, keep sharing and I promise this life and your own work will surprise you.

INWEEKLY: In your book, you have an amazing poem about me. Can you settle an argument with me and my wife—I didn't pay you to write that, right?

MCCASKILL: I solemnly swear I accepted no payment for that poem. It's honestly a running joke between my wife and I. She's a Buddhist and says that you're on your last rotation on this planet. I'm in agreement because you have this uncanny ability to be so kind and genuine. Punk and mere mortal as you are, I know you experience anger and jealousy and all the things the rest of us do. But you have this energy around you that feels above the petty trappings many of us fall into. It's easy to gravitate towards that and you. Like I say all the time, you're a local treasure. My poem was my way of saying that. {in}

CHARLES MCCASKILL BOOK RELEASE

WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 WHERE: Open Books, 1040 N. Guillemard St. DETAILS: facebook.com/openbooksbookstore or facebook.com/charleswriteswords 17

a&e happenings Attending "normal" events might not be happening yet—but that doesn't mean local businesses and nonprofits aren't still keeping the community connected in creative ways.

THANKSGIVING CALENDAR

BONSAI THANKSGIVING Pensacola's newest high-end Japanese restaurant is offering a unique take on Thanksgiving this year for guests who are looking for a non-traditional meal. Enjoy dishes such as butternut squash dumplings, orangebrined moulard duck and honey nut squash pumpkin pie. A plated Thanksgiving course will be available noon-7 p.m. Prices are $80-$120 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under with a kid-friendly menu. Kids 5 and under eat for free. Make your reservations at bonsaipensacolabeach.com, on OpenTable or by calling 243-6791.

CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING WITH GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, you can enjoy dinner service at Great Southern Restaurants along with a holiday entrée. Reservations are encouraged. Make reservations at opentable.com or by phone.

The Fish House Open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. with dinner service all day along with a Thanksgiving entrée feature. Located at 600 S. Barracks St. Call 470-0003 to make a reservation.

Jackson's Steakhouse Open from 11a.m.–8 p.m. with dinner service all day along with a Thanksgiving entrée feature.

Located at 400 S. Palafox. Call 469-9898 to make a reservation.

Five Sisters Blues Café Fixed-price, three-course Thanksgiving Dinner; five seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Located at 421 W. Belmont St. Call 912-4856 to make a reservation.

Angelena's Ristorante Italiano Open from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. with full dinner menu available along with a fixed-price Thanksgiving entrée feature. Located at 101 E. Intendencia St. Call 542-8398 to make a reservation.

THANKSGIVING GRAB & GO FROM GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS

Great Southern Restaurants will offer a Thanksgiving Grab-and-Go dinner package featuring Five Sisters Blues Café.

The package is based on six people with additional orders available in increments of six. The Thanksgiving Meal includes a 6-pound split turkey, green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, brown gravy and dinner rolls.

The six-person package is $65 plus tax. Orders are being taken now and can be placed until noon on Monday, Nov. 23.

Pickups will be available on Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The meal will be fully cooked and will include reheating directions. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

THANKSGIVING TAKE AND BAKE FROM UNION PUBLIC HOUSE Let

Union Public House do the cooking for you.

818 1

Make your order between now and Nov. 18 by calling Carey at 607-6320. Pick up will be Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

For a full list of menu items, visit facebook. com/unionpensacola.

PENSACOLA BEACH TURKEY TROT VIRTUAL 5K The annual Pensacola Beach Turkey Trot is now virtual. Get out and hit the pavement anytime between Nov. 19-26 and upload your results once you've completed your run. You can pick up Tshirts noon-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Lucas' Restaurant on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, 400 Quietwater Beach Road, #5A. For more information on the race, visit pensacolabeachturkeytrot.com.

SAVE ME A PLATE FOSTER PROGRAM The Pensacola Humane Society is hosting the Save Me A Plate Foster Program Nov. 25-29 to send every animal home to spend the holiday with a family.

Foster periods like these can be lifesaving to dogs and cats in shelters because it gives them a chance to mentally reset and relax. The adoption center is loud, busy and sometimes stressful on animals. In your home, they get to relax and be themselves.

For more information and to sign up for the program, visit pensacolahumane.org.

THANKSGIVING EVE AT 200 SOUTH

Kick off the holiday with drink specials along with football games and Christmas movies on the big screen all day at 200 South bars and restaurants. For more information, visit facebook.com/200southpcola.

TURKEY DAY EVE The garage doors at

Odd Colony will be up all day with tunes and seasonal ferments abounding for the infamous turkey day eve ritual, located at 260 N. Palafox. For details, visit facebook. com/oddcolony.

PENSACOLA TURKEY TROT Get a

head start on the holiday with a 5K through downtown Pensacola. The race begins 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, and starts and finishes at Seville Square, 399 S. Alcaniz St. Registration is $35 for walkers and runners.

To sign up, visit runsignup.com/race/info/fl/ pensacola/pensacolaturkeytrot5K.

POST-TURKEY DAY DRAG Work off

that Thanksgiving meal with a drag show at Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave. Show is 8-11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. For more information, visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola.

PANZACOLA LIVE: A THANKSGIVING SEND-OFF GATHERING Panzacola

will be performing at Odd Colony, located at 260 N. Palafox, for its annual Thanksgiving send-off. Show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/ oddcolony.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS BLOOD DRIVE AT 200 SOUTH 200

South will be hosting another OneBlood Drive on Thursday, Nov. 19, noon-5 p.m.

Donors will receive a free fleece blanket and gift card from OneBlood and your choice of a BOGO Graffiti Pizza slice card or BOGO Taco Agave taco card.

ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTIONS Visit PetSmart at 6251 N.

Davis Highway on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12, noon-4 p.m., and meet cats and kittens who will be looking for their forever homes.

All cats are up to date on shots and tested negative for leukemia, and the adoption fee includes spay or neuter with microchip and flea pill. Minimum donation fees are $90 for kittens up to 1 year and $55-$75 for adults. Community cat information available; learn to help cats in your neighborhood. Bring hand sanitizer, wear a mask and follow distancing guidelines.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST BENEFITS STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE EARLY LEARNING The

Studer Family of Companies is hosting a Community Gingerbread House Competition & Display with a grand prize of $3,500 cash. To be eligible for the competition, an entry form must be received by Thursday, Dec. 11. A $15 fee will be required to enter. All proceeds go to benefit the Studer Community Institute—Early Learning.

Your entry number will be the same as your ticket number.

The Gingerbread Houses will be on display beginning Dec. 12 at the SCI Building and will continue to be on display for the following week. For gingerbread contest questions and information, contact Charles Houston or Brittani Hunter at charles@studercdg.com or bhunter@ studeri.org. To register, visit eventbrite. com/e/127731846391.

LOCAL RESTAURANTS GO "BEYOND THE MENU" TO SUPPORT WSRE This

year's WSRE Wine & Food Classic fundraiser was cancelled due to the pandemic.

However, a new TV show will offer viewers a similar culinary experience with the opportunity to sample local cuisine while supporting public television. Hosted by Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks, "Beyond the Menu" will premiere on WSRE at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, featuring four of the station's longtime restaurant partners—The District: Seville Steak & Seafood, McGuire's Irish Pub, Pot Roast & Pinot and Scenic 90 Café.

With a $100 donation made to the WSRE-TV Foundation, donors will receive a pack of dining vouchers good for a chef's choice menu item and wine pairing at each restaurant. Dining voucher packs are available to the first 500 donors and will be shipped in time for holiday giving.

Donations are being accepted online at wsre.org/beyondthemenu or by calling 484-1054 for details.

200 SOUTH MANNA FOOD DRIVE

Support Manna Food Pantries by Filling the Mayflower. Businesses at 200 South Palafox will run the food drive through Nov. 23. In addition to all the good feels you'll get, if you bring in six cans and show a bartender, you get a free beer. For more information, visit facebook.com/wobpensacola.

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA IN NEED OF DONATIONS AFTER FIRE Last

month, Animal Allies Florida, a nonprofit animal rescue located in Pensacola, was devastated by a fire at its foster house for cats where they room free until they are adopted. Tragically, 17 cats and kittens died from smoke inhalation. The surviving cats have been moved to other foster homes.

Animal Allies needs the community's support as many supplies were also lost in the fire.

If you would like to donate cash or supplies, please go to aaflorida.org/info/donate.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF PENSACOLA HOSTS VIRTUAL MARKET BASKET

The Junior League of Pensacola invites the community to attend Virtual Market Basket: Enchanted Evergreen. Attendees can shop from the comfort of their home for a full weekend of a guided shopping experience Nov. 19-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Vendors will have items available for virtual preview and purchase as well as a vast silent auction full of local items.

Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Junior League of Pensacola, Inc., which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and making a difference in the lives of others. For vendor information, please visit pensacolamarketbasket.com

ARTS & CULTURE

PENSACOLA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING NIGHT The

Pensacola Young Professionals (PYP) is hosting its first in-person Networking Night since the initial COVID-19 lockdown.

Bring yourself, and bring your mask, to Emerald Republic Brewing Company on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m. This is a free event, but registration is required. To sign up, please visit pensacolayp.com.

OPERA UNIVERSITY: BEVERLY SILLS, AN AMERICAN TREASURE Learn

about the life, career and legacy of one of America's most influential operatic personalities of the 20th century. Beverly Sills (aka "Bubbles") was a world-renowned soprano from Brooklyn who went on to establish a household name for herself well beyond operatic circles and into popular culture.

This Opera University discussion is free to attend and will be held in person at the Opera Center, located at 75 S. Tarragona St. on Monday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. with limited capacity. Attendees will be socially distanced, temperatures will be taken upon arrival and all will be required to wear masks for the duration of the event. inweekly.net

a&e happenings You can also join virtually via Zoom. To RSVP for the in-person or virtual event, call 433-6737.

STAND-UP COMEDY AT THE REX THEATRE Eric Hunter and Paul Jensen will take

the Rex stage for a night of laughs. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. Tickets are $26-$35. Purchase online at rexpensacola.com.

THE BLACK POP UP SHOP Come out

for a fun-filled day to celebrate, network and shop with local Black-owned businesses under one roof. The pop-up shop will be Saturday, Nov. 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at It's Personal Venue, 2608 W. Cervantes St. Businesses range from art, beauty, custom designs, fashion, food, lifestyle, music, wellness and more. This event is presented

by QueenSheeMee Boutique with DJ and host Hale Morrissette. For more information, visit facebook.com/theshopblackpopupshop.

OPERALIVE: THROWBACK THURSDAYS Take a walk down memory lane with

friends of the Pensacola Opera. Learn more about the craft and look back on past productions with live discussions on Facebook Live Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to join in the conversation. Tune in at facebook.com/pensacolaopera.

FALL CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Per-

forming Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio located at 1010 N. 12th Ave., Ste. 328, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers professional dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruction for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstoppers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult.

MMPA is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all students and families and has implemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the building and studio. More information about Mixon Magic Performing Arts can be found at mixonmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmagic.com or emily@mixonmagic.com or by calling 221-7438.

STAY-IN FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Visit the Pensacola Library, 239 N Spring St., on Fridays and Saturdays and check out one of the Family Movie Night Bundles. Bundles include a family-friendly movie, a bag of microwave popcorn and a family-friendly activity. Movies can be checked out for seven days, and the rest is yours to keep.

For more information, visit mywfpl.com.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART REOPENS

Pensacola Cinema Art is open and showing

"Ammonite," starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan and "Dreamland," starring Margot Robbie. Face masks are required, and there will be 50% maximum seating capacity. Tickets can be reserved by calling or texting 863-446-7300 or emailing jpncinema@gmail.com. For more information, visit pensacolacinemaart.com.

33ND CINCO BANDERAS COMPETITION OPEN HOUSE Check out artwork in

Artel Gallery's latest exhibit through Dec. 3.

Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox. For more information, visit artelgallery.org.

CRAFT CLASSES AT STUDIO SOUTH ON NINE MILE Learn a new craft or meet

up with other makers at Studio South. Tuesdays is Knit Night 4-7 p.m., and Sit & Stitch is Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Both classes are free. For a full calendar of events, visit studiosouthon9mileroad.com. Studio South is located at 955 E. Nine Mile Road.

PMA NEW EXHIBIT: "BRING ME THE HEAD OF OSCEOLA // THERE IS MORE TO REMEMBER" Pensacola

Museum of Art's latest exhibit is "Bring Me the Head of Osceola // There is More to Remember" from AnArchivist Sean Linezo.

The exhibit interrogates the historical narratives of Osceola's death and explores representations of the famous Seminole leader in visual and popular culture. The

exhibition is part of a larger initiative by the artist to make space for the representation of Native Americans in Florida history. The exhibition will be on view in the PMA Stairwell Gallery until Dec. 6. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

GALLERY NIGHT PENSACOLA PRESENTS: ARTIST TALKS Join Gallery

Night Director Sydney Robinson as she interviews Pensacola area artists about their creative process. The Artist Talks series is a biweekly virtual event available on Facebook Live. Join in by visiting facebook. com/gallerynightpensacola.

SUNDAYS ON THE MEZZANINE Enjoy a full-length concert series every other Sunday at 3 p.m. on Facebook. Tickets are $9.99 and can be purchased online at facebook.com/pensacolaopera.

SINGERS' CINEMA Every Friday afternoon through August, enjoy a movie pick from the Choral Society of Pensacola. Information on each week's movie and where to find it online will be available on their Facebook page, facebook.com/choralsocietyofpensacola. Some can be viewed free; most are available for rent for under $5. Watch the movie over the weekend, and then join the Choral Society Monday evenings for a Zoom session to share your thoughts.

www. radiofree pensacola .com November 19, 2020

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a&e happenings Phogg's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government, for Jazz Gumbo with Jazz Pensacola musicians 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16. Cost is $10 for members and guests, free to students with ID and military in uniform. Visit jazzpensacola. com for more info.

Sisters Blues Café, located at 421 W. Belmont St., Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and listen to Curt Bol Jazz Quartet. Visit curtbolband.com for more information.

Blackwater River State Forest. Race begins 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Registration is $65. For more information, visit runsignup.com/race/ info/fl/milton/krullakehalfmarathontrailrun.

OPEN JAM AT ARTEL GALLERY Artel Gallery is open from 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays for open jam with Pensacola Folk Music Society. Feel free to visit and listen to music. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox.

LOVE TO RIDE BENEFITS BIKE PENSACOLA Join Bike Pensacola and riders across the

PAT MEUSEL AT DOLCE AND GELATO

KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS Sing your

LIVE MUSIC

JAZZ GUMBO CELEBRATES GUITARIST WES MONTGOMERY Visit Phineas

Enjoy tunes from singer/songwriter Pat Meusel from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/dolcegelatopensacola.

PENSACOLA OPERA AL FRESCO CONCERT SERIES Enjoy fresh air and free

performances from Pensacola Opera artists on Saturdays (weather permitting). All performances begin at 5:30 p.m. at Seville Square.

Visit pensacolaopera.com for more information.

PSO IN THE PARK Grab a lawn chair and blanket and join Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for a series of free outdoor performances on select Sundays at Museum Plaza, located at 120 Church St. Upcoming dates are Nov. 15 and 29. For more information, visit facebook.com/ pensacolasymphony.

CURT BOL JAZZ QUARTET Visit Five

heart out Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, or just enjoy drinks friends with $4 Smirnoff and $6.50 domestic pitcher drink deals from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/mugsjugs.

LIVE MUSIC AT HUB STACEY'S Sit back with good food and live music at Hub Stacey's, located at 312 E. Government St. For a full calendar of bands, check hubstaceys.com.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues Soci-

ety of Northwest Florida bring the "Blues" back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District, located at 130 E. Government St. every Monday night in End O' the Alley starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

FITNESS + RECREATION

KRUL LAKE HALF MARATHON Enjoy a

run through the Krul Lake Recreation area of

state for the Love to Ride Florida challenge.

The free statewide competition for individuals and organizations is to get more people riding bikes. The Love to Ride Florida challenge continues through the end of November.

Individuals, social groups and workplaces can all participate, with a competition for the top spots on statewide leaderboards. When you register, join Bike Pensacola as your group and our organization will receive $1 that Bike Pensacola can put toward future Slow Rides and advocacy work. For more information, visit lovetoride.net/florida.

RELEASE & RENEW AT FITNESS IMPACT TRAINING At 8:15 a.m. on Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays, release into a yin yoga flow centered around low-stress training for high-stress individuals. The focus will be on the basics of breath and openness in the shoulders, hips and spine. For more info, go to mindandmetta.online. Cost is $12 per class, and the location is 375 N. Ninth Ave, Ste. B. Limited space available. Ask about membership pricing.

GULF COAST BREWERY RUN Thursdays at 6 p.m., join Pensacola Runners Association

for a 5K fun run. Enjoy a free beer after the run and complimentary games such as cornhole, ping pong and more. Gulf Coast Brewery is located at 500 E. Heinberg St. For more information, visit facebook.com/gulfcoastbrewery.

MEDITATIONS IN THE LABYRINTH

Join Empathic Practice and Felipe Muñoz for weekly mediations 5:30 p.m. on Fridays. The meditations are held at Long Hollow Park on Guillemard Street and are an opportunity for people to get together and practice guided meditations, singing bowl meditation and labyrinth walk meditation. All classes are free, although donations are accepted. Social distancing will be practiced. Bring your own mat or pillow. For more information, visit facebook. com/empathicpractice.

BEER GARDEN YOGA Join Coastal County Brewing Company Saturdays at 9 a.m. for the new Yoga in the Garden Series. Classes will be led by Tara Taylor, a highly experienced instructor from Breathe Pensacola. All skill levels are welcome. Cost is $10 and includes a pint of beer after the class. Coastal County Brewing Company is located at 3041 E. Olive Road. For more information, visit facebook.com/coastalcounty.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS

THANKSGIVING

GRAB & GO PACKAGE

ORDER NOW THROUGH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 FEATURING FIVE SISTER'S BLUES CAFÉ

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inweekly.net

Fall Favorites Get cooking with these seasonal flavors. Combine our Cinnamon Pear Balsamic with our Mushroom and Sage Olive Oil to glaze chicken on the grill or marinate pork tenderloin.

Delicious tastes to enjoy this fall!

Little things done in a big way.

S H O P IN - S TO R E O R O NL INE | 4 0 7 S O U T H PA L A F OX S T R EE T | B O DACI O US S H O P S .CO M

November 19, 2020

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free will astrology WEEK OF NOVEMBER 19 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Back in 1974, poet Allen Ginsberg and his "spirit wife," Aries poet Anne Waldman, were roommates at the newly established Naropa University in Boulder, Colo. The school's founder asked these two luminaries to create a poetics program, and thus was born the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. Waldman described its ruling principle to be the "outrider" tradition, with a mandate to explore all that was iconoclastic, freethinking and irreverent.

The goal of teachers and students alike was to avoid safe and predictable work so as to commune with wild spiritual powers, "keep the energies dancing," and court eternal surprise. I think that would be a healthy approach for you to flirt with during the next few weeks.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Any legal actions you take are more likely to be successful if you initiate them between now and the solstice than if you'd begin them at other times. The same is true for any contracts you sign or agreements you make: They have a better chance to thrive than they would at other times. Other activities with more kismet than usual during the coming weeks: efforts to cultivate synergy and symbiosis; attempts to turn power struggles into more cooperative ventures; a push to foster greater equality in hierarchal situations; and ethical moves to get access to and benefit from other people's resources.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Never follow an expert off a precipice. Nor a teacher.

Nor an attractive invitation. Nor a symbol of truth nor a vibrant ideal nor a tempting gift. In fact, never follow anything off a precipice, no matter how authoritative or sexy or appealing it might be. On the other hand, if any of those influences are headed in the direction of a beautiful bridge that can enable you to get to the other side of a precipice, you should definitely consider following them. Be on the alert for such lucky opportunities in the coming weeks.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Malidoma Patrice Somé was born into the Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso. After being initiated into the Dagara's spiritual mysteries, he emigrated to America, where he has taught a unique blend of modern and traditional ideas. One of his key themes is the hardship that Westerners' souls endure because of the destructive impact of the machine world upon the spiritual world. He says there is "an indigenous person within each of us" that longs to cultivate the awareness and understanding enjoyed by indigenous people—a reverence for nature, a vital relationship with ancestors, and a receptivity to learn from the intelligence of animals.

How's your inner indigenous person doing?

The coming weeks will be an excellent time to enhance your ability to commune with and nurture that vital source.

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By Rob Brezsny

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Psychologists have identified a quality they call NFD: "need for drama." Those who possess it may be inclined to seek or even instigate turmoil out of a quest for excitement. After all, bringing a dose of chaos into one's life can cure feelings of boredom or powerlessness. "I'm important enough to rouse a Big Mess!" may be the subconscious battle cry.

I'll urge you Leos to studiously and diligently avoid fostering NFD in the coming weeks. In my astrological opinion, you will have a blessed series of interesting experiences if and only if you shed any attraction you might have to histrionic craziness.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): "Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing," wrote philosopher Baruch Spinoza. "Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure." Spinoza's thoughts will be a great meditation for you in the coming weeks. If you go chasing phantom hopes, longing for absolute certainty and iron confidence, you'll waste your energy. But if you identify what is most genuine and true and essential about you, and you rely on it to guide you, you can't possibly fail.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): "A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika," said Libran fashion writer Diana Vreeland. "We all need a splash of bad taste," she continued. "It's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical.

I think we could use more of it. Having no taste is what I'm against." I understand that her perspective might be hard to sell to you refined Librans. But I think it's good advice right now. Whatever's lacking in your world, whatever might be offkilter, can be cured by a dash of good, funky earthiness. Dare to be a bit messy and unruly.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): To convey the spirit of the coming weeks, I'm offering you wisdom from two women who were wise about the art of slow and steady progress. First, here's author Iris Murdoch: "One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats, and if some of these can be inexpensive and quickly procured so much the better." Your second piece of insight about the wonders of prudent, piecemeal triumph comes from activist and author Helen Keller—"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Sagittarian statesman Winston Churchill said that he was always ready to learn—even though there were times when he didn't enjoy being taught. That might be a useful motto for you to adopt in the coming months. By my estimates, 2021 could turn out to bring a rather spectacular learning spurt—and a key boost to your life-long education. If you choose to take advantage of the cosmic potentials, you could make

dramatic enhancements to your knowledge and skill set. As Churchill' s message suggests, not all of your new repertoire will come easily and pleasantly. But I bet that at least 80 percent of it will. Start planning!

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): In accordance with upcoming astrological indicators, I've got some good advice for you courtesy of your fellow Capricorn David Bowie. You'll be well-served to keep it in mind between now and January 1, 2021. "Go a little bit out of your depth," counseled Bowie. "And when you don't feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you're just about in the right place to do something exciting." For extra inspiration, I'll add another prompt from the creator of Ziggy Stardust—"Once you lose that sense of wonder at being alive, you're pretty much on the way out." In that spirit, my dear Capricorn, please take measures to expand your sense of wonder during the next six weeks. Make sure you're on your way in.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Most of us aren't brilliant virtuosos like, say, Leonardo da Vinci or Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Curie. On the other hand, every one of us has a singular amalgam of potentials that is unique in the history of the world— an exceptional flair or an idiosyncratic mastery or a distinctive blend of talents.

In my astrological opinion, you Aquarians will have unprecedented opportunities to develop and ripen this golden and glorious aspect of yourself in 2021. And now is a good time to begin making plans. I encourage you to launch your year-long Festival of Becoming by writing down a description of your special genius.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): In 1969, humans flew a spaceship to the moon and landed on it for the first time. In 1970, the state of Alabama finally made it legal for interracial couples to get married. That's a dramatic example of how we humans may be mature and strong in some ways even as we remain backward and undeveloped in other ways. According to my astrological analysis, the coming months will be a highly favorable time for the immature and unseasoned parts of you to ripen. I encourage you to get started!

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Name something you feel like begging for. Then visualize in great detail that this something is already yours. Report results to freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2020

inweekly.net

news of the weird NEWS YOU CAN USE Engineers at Japan's Gifu University have developed a robotic device that re-creates the experience of holding another person's hand—without the other person. "My Girlfriend in Walk" attaches to the user's forearm, and the metal hand is covered with a soft, gel material that simulates human skin, even allowing custom fragrances to be added to the artificial sweat. A heater provides warmth and a pressure sensor duplicates the strength of the wearer's grip, according to Oddity Central. An accompanying smartphone app can emit sounds including footsteps, breathing and the sound of clothes rubbing against skin.

SCHEMES Kimberly Ragsdale's apparent plan to get free food at a Chick-Fil-A in Rockmart, Georgia, ended in her arrest on charges of impersonating a public officer on Nov. 5.

According to police, Ragsdale, 47, of Dallas, had repeatedly visited the restaurant, telling workers she was an FBI agent and threatening to arrest them if they didn't serve her a complimentary meal. Ragsdale continued her charade, the Associated Press reported, telling arresting officers her credentials were electronic and talking "into her shirt like she was talking into a radio," the arrest report noted. Rockmart Police Chief Randy Turner said in a statement to news outlets, "You will not hear a real officer demand a meal anywhere."

•Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conning an unnamed doctor in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh into paying $41,600 for an "Aladdin's lamp" that the sellers promised would bring him "wealth, health and good fortune." The two con artists even conspired to conjure a genie from the lamp, which turned out to be one of the men, to convince the doctor of its authenticity, the BBC reported.

According to local police, the con men had duped other families in the same way.

AWESOME! Mayor Yutaka Umeda of the Japanese town of Yamato was puzzled when his name started trending on social media after the U.S. presidential election, but he is now hoping his newfound fame will help him "promote the town," United Press International reported. The extra attention online came because the Chinese kanji characters used to spell Umeda's name can also be pronounced "Jo Baiden"—strikingly similar to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. "Although there are differences in the positions of a U.S. presidential candidate and the mayor of Yamato ... our passion is the same," Umeda said.

•A couple hiking in Ingersheim in northeastern France in September came across a tiny aluminum capsule that turned out to contain a message in German dropped by a carrier pigeon 110 years ago, CNN reported.

Curator Dominique Jardy at the nearby Linge Memorial museum, dedicated to a battle

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

between French and German forces in 1915, determined the message was sent from one German officer to another, detailing military exercises taking place in the area. The find, Jardy said, "is really very, very, very rare," and the message will go on display at the museum.

BRIGHT IDEAS In September, police in Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic, where a 9 p.m. curfew has been imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, came upon a man pulling a toy plush dog behind him late at night in the town's center, Idnes. cz reported. "I'm walking a dog here. I'm not doing anything illegal here," the man told officers. Walking a dog is permitted after curfew, but the police gave him a warning and sent him and his "pet" on their way.

PEOPLE WITH ISSUES Police in Fruitland Park, Florida, arrested Ronni Leigh Kimberlin of Leesburg on Oct. 31 on charges of theft and disturbing a grave after she allegedly repeatedly removed items left at her ex-husband's grave by his fiancee. The grieving fiancee first complained to police in late September, records show, saying items missing from the grave included a pair of $250 sunglasses, hanging LED lights, hanging planters, artificial flowers, a ring and assorted other items, all valued at more than $400. Kimberlin denied involvement, WKMG reported, but the arrest affidavit noted an ex-roommate came forward saying she was with Kimberlin when she stole the items, and police found some of the missing planters at Kimberlin's brother's home.

RECENT ALARMING HEADLINES Police in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, continue to investigate two explosive incidents in area port-a-potties, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. No one was injured in either explosion, the first of which occurred Nov. 5 in Lawrenceville and was strong enough to blow apart the toilet and damage a nearby home, police said. The second came on Nov. 10 in East Allegheny. Pittsburgh's Bomb Squad and Crime Unit is working to determine what types of explosives were used and whether the events are related.

WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME Motorists in Woodbury County, Iowa, started alerting State Conservation Officer Steve Griebel on Nov. 9 that hundreds of ducks had been killed after mistaking wet roads for wetlands, KCRG reported. The ducks, including bluebills, mallards, buffleheads and teal, were migrating south and landed on the wet pavement in parking lots and on highways, where the next day Griebel said he counted more than 200 that had been hit by unwitting drivers. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2020 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com November 19, 2020

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