March 8 Isssue

“I love all the characters, they’re very human.”

"I have Al Gore to thank for inventing the internet."

" You’re just walking three miles to drink like some kind of homeless alcoholic."

16

22

24

Navy Federal’s Job Bonanza and the Future of 4-H in Escambia County Independent News | March 8, 2012 | Volume 13 | Number 10 | inweekly.net

FREE ▶

Kishi Bashi publisher & editor Rick Outzen production manager Joani Delezen art director Samantha Crooke administration/ staff writer Jennie McKeon staff writer Jeremy Morrison

Making thepage Violin18 Cool Again

contributing writers Bradley “B.J.” Davis, Jr., Joani Delezen, Hana Frenette, James Hagen, Ashley Hardaway, Rob “Bubbs” Harris, Brett Hutchins, Chelsa Jillard, Sarah McCartan, Kate Peterson, Chuck Shepherd

Ihatejoezarzaur.com .....or so his last trial opponent may think.

11 East Romana St. Pensacola, Florida 32502 22

inweekly.net

winners & losers Rush Limbaugh

ARE YOU LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE? IS SOMETHING HOLDING YOU BACK? NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) and Time Empowerment© can help

Dan Busse

winners ADRIAN STILLS The National Black Golf

Hall of Fame has announced that the director of Golf Operations at the City of Pensacola’s Osceola Golf Course is among its 2012 class of inductees. As a player, Stills was a three-time All American at South Carolina State University, won three Florida PGA section events, 20 mini-tour championships and competed in two U.S. Opens. Under Stills’ supervision, Osceola underwent a complete renovation in 2011, reconfiguring several holes and adding new turf, bunkers and cart paths.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER For the ninth

time in the last 10 years, the company was named the “Most Admired Company in the Forest and Paper Products Industry” by FORTUNE Magazine. To generate the ranking, each company was rated on a scale of 1-10 across different categories. International Paper earned the top score in people management, use of corporate assets, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment and global competitiveness.

DAN BUSSE The principal of George Stone

Technical Center has been named dean of Workforce Education and Vocational Support at Pensacola State College. He is president of Florida Leadership for Career and Technical Education. Honors include 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 Escambia Association for Career and Technical Education Educator of the Year.

March 8, 2012

losers

Contact Trish Taylor for a free consultation

trish@taylorednlp.com | taylorednlp.com | 850-287-3575

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL All five

members of the city council have been charged with “non-criminal violations” of Florida’s Sunshine Law. Council President Charles Baugh and members Phillip Berezo, Benjamin Iannucci, Tim Grandberry and Robyn Helt each face a fine of up to $500 on a single count that states four e-mails they shared were determined to have “constituted a violation of the law,” according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.

RUSH LIMBAUGH The liberal media, women and his advertisers have no sense of humor. Everybody knows the syndicated radio talk show host considers “slut” an affectionate, funny term. Why would a thirdyear law student at Georgetown University testifying before Congress be upset? Oh, maybe it was the part when she was asked, “Did you ever think about maybe backing off the amount of sex you have?” GOP humor is an enigma.

NORM ROSS The deputy superintendent believes the reason the school district and city of Pensacola can’t agree on reuse of the closed school property inside the city limits is because of a “divide between the Mayor's Office and City Council.” Mayor Ashton Hayward said there is no such discord on this issue. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas sent a follow-up email agreeing with Hayward.

Word games are silly.

3

921 N PALAFOX ST N, PENSACOLA, FL

outtakes

by Rick Outzen

STILL A NON-BELIEVER REDUCED

Downtown Pensacola with onsite parking approx 9 spaces -North Hill just North of Cervantes and Palafox - Corner location has approx. 3000 sqft w/7 private offices, kitchen, work area, break room and 3 baths. Full service lease includes water, electric, sewer, gas, janitorial including lawn service.Parking included. Completely renovated in 2008 to include paverstone parking. Beautiful hardwood floors, high ceilings, park view. Nice floor plan with lots of original woodwork and fireplaces.

Historical features have been preserved.

MLS#: 411739 • Rate: $625,000

Cheryl Young Cell (850) 712-4742 www.cherylyoung.com cayoungrealtor@aol.com

Licensed in Florida & Alabama

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

ARRESTED?

BP says that its estimated $7.8 billion settlement over the oil spill disaster completes its commitment to citizens and businesses along the Gulf Coast to “make it right” after its rig exploded on April 20, 2010, killing 11 men and dumping over 200 million gallons into the Gulf of Mexico.

In its press release, the BP Group CEO Bob Dudley declared the proposed settlement represented significant progress toward resolving issues from the spill.

"From the beginning, BP stepped up to meet our obligations to the communities in the Gulf Coast region, and we've worked hard to deliver on that commitment for nearly two years,” said Dudley.

Bullcrap.

It shouldn’t have taken two years to settle with the victims of their disaster. BP established in June 2010 the $20 billion trust after the media began showing our beaches covered with oil. Locals were told that it rescued their businesses However, the claim process was a nightmare. Businesses dependent on the summer season were barely keeping their doors open.

People fell behind on their mortgages. BP hired attorney Ken Feinberg and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) was formed.

Feinberg had handled claims for the 9/11 tragedy, Agent Orange and the Virginia Tech

massacre. In its first three weeks, the GCCF approved 16,000 claims and made payments in excess of $185 million, which was more money than BP distributed in the prior three months.

However, there were still hundreds of thousands of claims mired in red tape and seemingly endless document trails. When I caught up with Feinberg in February 2011, he admitted that he had underestimated the volume of claims.

The GCCF had paid out $3.37 billion, but still had 488,534 unique claimants to process.

The question that Feinberg and BP wouldn’t answer to my satisfaction was why didn’t they devote more resources to processing the claims. After all, the trust fund was $20 billion. Instead, the claims process dragged on. Clearly, the BP strategy was to hold out as long as possible, forcing court dates to be set and delaying a settlement until the eve of the trial.

So, now we have a proposed settlement, which isn’t additional money to help the Gulf Coast. No, the $7.8 billion will be paid from the original $20 billion trust fund, which has only paid out $6.1 billion as of March 2. BP saved itself nearly $6 billion that it can spend on more advertising on how it has made good on its promises.

No, I still refuse to believe BP is our friend. {in} rick@inweekly.net

BP saved itself nearly $6 billion that it can spend on more advertising on how it has made good on its promises.

(ALL FEDERAL & STATE COURTS)

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES (HEALTH-CARE FRAUD • DRUG OFFENSES & D.U.I.s)

FREE CONSULTATION ON INJURY / DEATH CASES & CRIMINAL CASES NO RECOVERY - NO FEE / COST ON PERSONAL INJURY & WRONGFUL DEATH CASES

24 HOUR SERVICE

433-9922

304 E. GOVERNMENT STREET 44

Chicken Fingerz, Wings, Zalads® and more.

K i d s N i g h t Tu e s d a y s a n d T h u r s d a y s Catering Available

1451 Tiger Park Lane • Gulf Breeze 850.932.7289 2640 Creighton Rd. • Pensacola 850.477.0025 © 2008 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Zalads” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. inweekly.net

viewpoint

by Farron Cousins

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, TRY BUMPER STICKERS I remember driving through traffic in December 2008 and finding myself dumbstruck by a bumper sticker that read “2012–The End of an Error.” A full month before President-elect Barack Obama was even sworn into office, bitter Republicans had already begun their attacks.

More bumper stickers followed–“10 out of 10 Terrorists Prefer Democrats” or “How’s That Hope And Change Working For You?” Before he could enact a single policy, Republicans were attacking Obama.

After he was sworn in, some of the most insane attacks began. We heard that Obama was not a naturally born citizen, and therefore his entire presidency was null and void. Or that his healthcare law would establish “death panels” to determine when we should let your grandparents die by denying them care.

And who can forget my all time favorite attack–Obama was using FEMA to set up “re-education camps” for conservatives. Every single one of those attacks was reported

on Fox News and in other conservative media outlets. None of them were even close to being factual.

But the Sore Loser party continued their attacks. And frankly, those attacks still don’t hold any water. Osama bin Laden is dead,

America Back.” Take it back from what, exactly? A man who’s accomplished more in three years than Bush was able to do in eight? Take it back from a man who is trying to help the middle class (which most people who read this belong to)?

Or is it simply that you want to take the presidency back from an opposing party? That’s the simplest explanation, and most likely the correct one.

The new dilemma for the Republicans is the polls consistently show that independent voters trust the Democrats over the GOP on pretty much every issue including handling the economy, terrorism and the environment. The GOP doesn’t have a leg to stand on, and that’s why their candidates are having such trouble crafting a genuine message for American voters.

Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and the others aren’t trusted on any of the typical election-year issues, so now they have to talk about issues like birth control to get any traction with voters.

Fortunately all the hate-filled, racist bumper stickers in the world will not be enough to win the presidential election for them.

Sunday Brunch Every Sunday At 10am

along with more than two-thirds of the world’s top terrorists; we’ve seen almost two consecutive years of private sector job growth; those tax cuts that the Republicans love so much are still in place, helping the wealthy pocket a few extra hundred thousand dollars a year. So, why the attacks from the Right?

Republican candidates (and their followers) tell us that they want to “Take

Not all Democrats are 100-percent happy with Obama and his decisions as president, but progress has been made. The nation and world are much better off than they were four years ago.

But facts don’t play well with Republicans and in November they will likely run the least nutty of their options. Fortunately all the hate-filled, racist bumper stickers in the world will not be enough to win the presidential election for them. {in}

Farron Cousins is the executive editor of The Trial Lawyer magazine, and producer for the Ring of Fire radio program.

Featuring $2 Mimosas & Bloody Marys,

Sunday Brunch • Every Sunday At 10am $4 Featuring ‘Tini-Tuesdays Served Up & Chilled

$2 Mimosas & Bloody Marys

Ultimate Lemon Drop Jaco’s Cosmo

‘Tini-Tuesdays • $4 • Served Up & Chilled Pineapple Martini Ultimate Lemon Orange Crush Drop, Jaco’s Cosmo, Pineapple Martini & Orange Crush ‘Rita-Thursdays $ 4

‘Rita-Thursdays • $4

Margaritas with Tequilas Served On The Rocks, WIth Or Without Salt

Nectar Margarita

Margaritas with Tequilas * Served On The Rocks, WIth Or Without Salt Jaco’s Sunset Margarita Nectar Margarita, Jaco’s Sunset Margarita, Strawberry Margarita Strawberry Margarita Jito-Thursdays $ 4

Jito-Thursdays • $4 • Mojitos Served On The Rocks With Rum Mojitos Served On The Rocks With Rum

Blackberry Mojito Mango Mojito Classic Island Mojito

Blackberry Mojito, Mango Mojito & Classic Island Mojito

Text JACOS to 22828 to sign up for our Newsletter Read me to go directly Read me to go directly to ourFirst website Wednesday to our website of Every Month Find us on J a c o s B a y f r o n t B a r A n d G r5i -l l8ePM .com

Text JACOS to 22828 to sign up for our Newsletter

Portofino Ownership... at Unbelievable Prices!

12 Months • 12 Artists • 12 Spirits

5 - 8 PM

First Wednesday of Every Month

12 Months • 12 Artists • 12 Spirits

JacosBayfrontBarAndGrille.com

Contact the Levin Rinke team for more information on how you can own the Portofino lifestyle at an incredible value.

(850) 916-5050 | info@resortrealtylife.com | www.LevinRinke.com 5 le.com

go directly te

sign up

ith Rum

s $4

a

a

hout Salt

s $4

p

4 $

arys,

am

nch

March 8, 2012

HISTORY AND BURGERS

Robin Reshard

Exploring Belmont-DeVilliers with Documentarian Robin Reshard

By Jeremy Morrison A scattering of old blocks jutting from the ground have excited Robin Reshard. She goes in for a closer inspection.

“Over here,” Reshard said, pointing to the ground. “This is the foundation of the 506 Club. I just love it. This is the coolest thing.”

66

The 506 Club, Reshard had explained, was “the place to come have a party.” Nestled in Pensacola’s BelmontDeVilliers neighborhood, the 506 Club— or, Abe’s 506 Club—was a popular nightclub and played host to black musicians traveling the ‘Chitlin’ Circuit,’ a string of venues

serving the performers and their audiences during the years of segregation.

“If you can imagine, it was huge—huge!”

Reshard said. “You know, it was a party.

They said it was fabulous.”

Reshard is not a historian.

“I’m not,” she said. “But I am becoming fast friends with historians and archivists.”

"It’s a good place, it’s got interesting people and history."

Reshard

inweekly.net

Reshard is a documentary filmmaker.

And she’s currently focusing her attention on the Belmont-DeVillier’s area.

Just blocks from downtown Pensacola, Belmont-DeViller’s is considered a historic, predominately black neighborhood. Beginning in the late 1800s, the area was home to a burgeoning minority business community.

This trend only increased when the South’s Jim Crow laws pushed more African-Americans into the neighborhood.

“White, black, it didn’t matter as long as your money was green.”

Robin Reshard Earlier, before a stroll around the neighborhood, Reshard couldn’t stop talking about Belmont-DeVilliers. She was very excited about its history and all the changes and its current outlook.

“And now Blue Dot is staying open until 4 o’clock!” she buzzes.

Reshard’s office is on the top floor of the old Escambia Furniture Store. It’s an old, cavernously open structure on the corner of Belmont and DeVillier’s streets.

The building used to serve as a furnishings store. The owner, George B. Green, was a big deal in the neighborhood. Booker T. Washington made mention of the businessman in his 1907 book “The Negro in Business.”

“People said this was the place to buy your furniture,” Reshard said, sitting behind her desk. “White, black, it didn’t matter as long as your money was green.”

These days the building is open and empty. A few inhabitants are scattered among pockets of renovations. From high above the bottom floor, a skylight is framed by greenery growing down from the balconies above.

This is a good place for Reshard’s office.

She used to be on the second floor, but has moved to the third. It’d be tough to find a deeper vortex into Belmont-DeVillier’s rich history. Also, she pointed out, it’s right across the street from both Blue Dot and Five Sisters Blues Cafe.

Reshard became interested in producing a documentary about the Belmont-DeVillier’s neighborhood last year. She’ll officially dive into research and production in the spring, with a release date set for the fall of 2012.

The filmmaker believes the area’s story is an important one. She views the neighborhood as representative of the African-American community’s struggles and culture over more than a century in the Pensacola area.

from the blog March 8, 2012

“Not just for African-American people,” Reshard pointed out. “But for people who wanted to build a life for themselves.”

Primarily, though, the neighborhood has served as home to Pensacola’s minority communities. As a result, walking Belmont-DeVilliers with someone as obsessed with its history as Reshard is like taking a field trip back in time.

Walking past Talbot Chapel on North Reus Street, the filmmaker pointed a couple of blocks over through the trees to Mt. Zion Church on West Wright Street.

“Churches are really important in this area,” she said “There are a few.”

Reshard pointed out various landmarks in the area as she walked by. There’s Benboe Funeral Home, the old Monk’s Gas Station and the Sunbeam Bakery.

Though her film will be a historical documentary—“I like Ken Burns,” she said, hinting at the film’s tone—Reshard is not bashful about marketing the BelmontDeViller’s area.

“There is this struggle, everybody is trying to move forward—and who can beat the freakin’ beach?”

Reshard

She’s hoping her work serves to attract residents and businesses to the area. She wants to see it grow.

“You know what? It’s a good place, it’s got interesting people and history,” the filmmaker said, switching into pitch-mode.

“I’m not being shameless about that either.”

The interior of the old Escambia Furniture Store, in the heart of the Belmont-DeVilliers district.

Much of the building is currently for rent. / photo by Jeremy Morrison Landmarks as well as the area’s residents will be explored in Reshard’s film. She’s hoping to convey the area’s historic significance, as well as how it has changed over the years.

The Belmont-DeViller’s area, Reshard said in her office, has always been wrapped in a “collective struggle.” That, along with its “shared vision” and sense of “shared place” are among the qualities she hopes to covey in her film.

These are also the qualities that drew the filmmaker to the area. After falling for its rich history and sense of community, Reshard took the leap and set up shop in the ripe-forrevitalization neighborhood.

“I said, ‘You know what, this is a place I want to hang my shingle, hang my hat,”’ Reshard said. “There is this struggle, everybody is trying to move forward—and who can beat the freakin’ beach?”

“Please start a movement to have educators run our schools, not politicians!”—Escambia School Watcher

In between the historical landmarks and current inhabitants, the BelmontDeVillier’s neighborhood is sprinkled with vacant lots. Reshard sees these as opportunities for growth. She tends to get excited about that—even more so when the empty lots have remnants of old foundations.

“Love it, love it, love it,” Reshard said, showing off the remaining foundation of Dr. Gus Jones’ old pharmacy.

Up the street, there was another sight that pleased the filmmaker. It was almost noon and Reshard had been talking about a burger for hours.

“Look at it,” she said, pointing to a group of people gathering across the street from her of fice. “ That ’s a beautiful sight, lining up to go into Blue Dot.” {in}

“We are passionate about RESTORE and we are passionate about no drilling in the eastern Gulf.”—Commissioner Grover Robinson

“Who better to pay for a bridge than those that use it?”—Judge Maygarden

Rick’s Blog has been quoted in the New York Times, Newsweek and on dozens of websites, including The Daily Beast. Read it to find out the real story behind the news. Visit ricksblog.biz.

buzz

}

}

all the political news and gossip fit to print

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND DISCORD Mayor Ashton Hayward tried

to work with School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas on the closed schools inside the city limits. They met six months ago and nothing has been heard from Thomas on the mayor’s proposals.

Recently, a Pensacola resident tried to get the school district to allow the playground at the closed Allie Yniestra Elementary School to be made available for neighborhood children. According to an e-mail received by the IN, Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross blamed the lack of access on a “divide between the Mayor’s Office and City Council.”

Mayor Hayward disputed Ross’ assessment. His office released the following statement after the e-mail was published on Rick’s Blog: “Mayor Hayward has raised the issue of vacant, taxpayer-owned, School District buildings and property several times, both publicly and privately, with the Superintendent and his administration. We are still awaiting a response to the Mayor’s September 2011 letter asking the District to adopt an acceptable facilities reuse policy. There is no division, real or perceived, between the Mayor and Council on the use of this playground or the reuse of closed school facilities in general, and any suggestion to the contrary is just not accurate.”

Two days after Hayward’s statement was published, Superintendent Thomas sent another e-mail to the Pensacola parent.

“I do not believe there is a ‘divide’ between the government groups in Escambia County or the City of Pensacola,” wrote Thomas. “I actually believe all of the groups are working effectively and cooperatively to improve our community.”

Thomas went on to write the issue may be with the city’s Park and Recreation Department and its standards.

“If the city evaluates the Yniestra site and determines it fits into their plan to meet the community's needs, then I would fully support the request,” wrote the superintendent.

Buzz continued on page 8> 7

buzz

PENSION NIGHTMARE The U.S. Gov-

ernment Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report on the state of municipal and state pensions. The federal agency found that most pension plans face challenges over the long term because of the gap between assets and liabilities.

In the past, some plan sponsors have not made adequate plan contributions or have granted unfunded benefit increases, and many suffered from investment losses during the economic downturn. The resulting gap between asset values and projected liabilities has led to steady increases in the actuarially required contribution levels needed to help sustain pension plans at

all the political news and gossip fit to print

the same time state and local governments face other fiscal pressures.

This is where the City of Pensacola finds itself. Despite warnings from the IN and others, the old city administration and the city council refused to deal with this.

The unfunded portion of the city’s three pension funds was nearly $80 million in 2010 and has been growing. Last spring Mayor Ashton Hayward appointed an advisory group to make recommendations to fix the plans. Its chairman, David Penzone, will present its recommendations to the council on March 8.

The GAO found that since 2008 the combination of fiscal pressures and increasing contribution requirements has spurred many states and localities to take action to strengthen the financial condition of their plans for the long term, often packaging multiple changes together. The changes include reducing benefits, increasing member contributions and switching to hybrid approaches that shift some investment risk to employees.

The GAO believes that growing budget pressures will continue to challenge state and local governments’ abilities to provide adequate contributions to help sustain their pension plans.

FEDS OBJECT TO NEW FLORIDA VOTING LAWS The U.S. Justice Depart-

ment (DOJ) objected March 2 to new provisions of Florida election law which place strict regulations on third-party voter registration groups and cut down on the early voting period.

DOJ alleged in a court filing that Florida was unable to prove the new provisions were not discriminatory under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act: “As to the third-party voter registration and early voting changes enacted … respectively, the United States’ position is that the State has not met its burden, on behalf of its covered counties, that the two sets of proposed voting changes are entitled to preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act,” according to a court filing.

Florida had begun the preclearance process with DOJ, but subsequently sued the government after federal lawyers asked for additional information about how some provisions of the state’s new election law would be enforced.

Non-partisan groups like the League of Women Voters have ended their voter registration efforts in the state because of the law, which forces individuals conducting

voter registration drives to get permission from the state and turn in voter registration cards within 48 hours of a voter filling them out.

ADIOS, PENSACOLA The daily news-

paper’s political reporter, Jamie Page, has posted on his official blog that he has accepted a reporting position at “The Tennessean,” the Gannett’s daily newspaper in Nashville, Tenn. His last day at the “Pensacola News Journal” is March 11.

Page’s departure could be the first of many in the newsroom at the paper. Gannett—the largest newspaper owner in the country as well as the owner of “Bella,” GoPensacola.com and Pensacola’s daily newspaper, is offering to buy-out the contracts of certain veteran employees. Fifteen local employees have received offers—eight of them are in the newsroom. Sources tell the IN that Ginny Graybiel, Carl Wernicke and Gary McCracken are among the eight, but we’ve been told that not all of them will take the offer.

Last year, the daily paper dropped its two veteran columnists, Mark O’Brien and Reggie Dogan. Reporters Kris Wernowsky and Travis Griggs have also left. Deal Chicken has not. {in}

St. Patrick’s Day COLCANNON GROUPER

Grilled grouper with our creamed curly kale and house-made bacon and potato sauce, which is capped with Gulf shrimp in a stout-dosed black pepper Worcestershire BBQ accompanied by potato and cabbage gratin $5 IRISH PUNCH

Served in a souvenir Fish House glass Hip Kitty live on The Deck Friday and Saturday night

www.goodgrits.com FISH HOUSE: (850) 470-0003, O PE N DA ILY AT 11 A.M. · ATLA S OY S TE R H O U S E: (850) 437-1961, O P E N M O N.– S AT. 5 P.M., S U N. 11 A.M. · 600 S. BARRAC K S S T. · C REDIT CARDS OK

88

inweekly.net

An Offer They Can’t Refuse

feature story

“I see myself as saying ‘No,’” Miller said.

“I don’t want to sell.”

Sometime soon, along with the rest of the local youth involved in 4-H, Miller will be making a big decision; probably the biggest decision ever made by the group. But will it even matter?

The 4-H clubs of Escambia County own a sprawling 240-acre swath of rural land.

Their neighbor, Navy Federal Credit Union, is eyeing the land for an expansion. While the move stands to bring a slew of new jobs to the region, it could also alter the future of 4-H in the area.

“They think that we don’t know what we’re doing.”

Patra Miller, 4-H member The decision to sell the land rests with the 4-H Council, which is comprised of the members of the local 4-H clubs. Ranging in age from 8 to 18, these kids—in theory, at least—hold the future in their hands.

If they agree to sell, then Navy Federal will flood the fields with gold coins from heaven. If they decline, then the area’s bleak, jobless future will be placed directly on their young shoulders.

“We know what kind of impact it’s going to have if it does happen,” said Devin Bell, the current teenage president of the 4-H Council, adding that the group is still trying to “get some things finalized, get some things cleared up.”

“We don’t have all the questions answered yet,” Bell said.

But would such a decision really be allowed to fall into the charge of children? Sure, until the grown-ups feel its time for them to step in. While the 4-H Council does vote on the land sale, the Escambia County Commission makes the ultimate decision.

“It would be very difficult for five county commissioners to not look very seriously at 3,000—averaging $40,000-a-year—jobs,” conceded Commission Chairman Wilson Robertson. “Do you know the impact? The economic impact?”

THE DEALERS, THE DEAL AND THE DEALT

Navy Federal’s Job Bonanza and the Future of 4-H in Escambia County

By Jeremy Morrison Kids in the local 4-H program have been hearing a lot about making adult decisions, but they’re old enough to know that, ultimately, it’s the adults who will be making this big decision.

March 8, 2012

“They think that we don’t know what we’re doing,” sighed Patra Miller.

Stepping out of a north county hog pen, the 13-year-old leaned up against a pickup truck and settled into a Sunday afternoon conversation about the future of 4-H in Escambia County.

The Langley Bell 4-H Center was donated to the organization in 1943. Over the years, pieces of the property have been sold off, with 240 acres remaining. Escambia County 4-H clubs own the property.

“These lands are a place to go on adventures,” said Whitney Fike.

Fike grew up in the 4-H organization.

She served on the state executive board for four years and represented Florida at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.

“I would not be the person I am today without 4-H,” she said.

The Langley Bell property has a barn, mess hall, auditorium and cabins. More than 88 acres of the site are wetlands. Over the years, 4-H has raised livestock on the land, though that activity has become limited.

9

Hizer’s a bit nervous sweating out the Langley Bell deal. There’s a lot at stake. Navy Federal has made a public commitment to direct its growth toward Escambia County.

Last year, Navy Federal Credit Union added 470 jobs locally. Debbie Calder, senior vice president of the local operations, expects the company to hire between 500 and 600 more people this year.

“You could look at that as a pretty good benchmark,” she said, predicting continued growth for the foreseeable future.

Those numbers would ring the bells of any chamber of commerce official. They tend to get local politicians salivating as well.

“You’re talking about serious jobs,” said Commissioner Robertson. “When you bring an industry in with 500 or 600 jobs you jump up and down—this is like bringing in several industries.”

“If these kids say ‘Yes’ to the Navy Fed deal, they will never own land again.”

Melissa Helmick

Nine-year-old Eva Miller tends to hogs as part of her 4-H participation. As a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H club, she has the option of raising the animals on private property; keeping livestock on the organization’s Langley Bell property has apparently become difficult. / photo by Jeremy Morrison Fike spent a fair amount of time on the Langley Bell property during her 4-H years.

The prospects of selling it have lit her up. “... our County was always being told that we were so lucky to have a facility like Langley Bell 4-H Center. We were the only one in the state to have such a place - Langley Bell 4-H Center was well known statewide,” she recently blogged.

But Fike is quick to clarify.

“I understand the economic impact that Navy Federal has,” she said. “I’m not saying 4-H should not sell.”

What concerns Fike is the deal currently on the table. Melissa Helmick—an active 4-H volunteer with a daughter in the organization—is hung up on the same thing.

“If these kids say ‘Yes’ to the Navy Fed deal, they will never own land again,” Helmick said.

In exchange for its 240 acres, 4-H is being offered $3.6 million from Navy Federal and a new facility on 23 acres near the county Extension Office. The organization would have to pony up about $400,000 to finish out the

010 1

facility, but 4-H would not own the building or the land. Escambia County would use their funds and retain title to the facility and the right to use it for other, non-4-H purposes.

“I would not be the person I am today without 4-H.” Whitney Fike “Those kids own 240 acres now,” said Phillip Boutwell, who has a daughter in the program. “If the deal goes through as it is now, the kids will own nothing.”

Commission Chairman Robertson likes the deal. He’s guessing 4-H can probably ride off the interest—projected to be around $200,000 a year—and throw the rest in the bank.

“I think it’s a fair swap because they’re going to put $3 million in an endowment,” the chairman said.

Robertson doesn’t like the term ‘endowment.’ He feels it might be confusing the kids. “‘You’ve got a big pot of money now’— that would have been easier to understand than ‘endowment,’” he said.

In addition to chairing the Escambia County Commission, Robertson also sits on the 4-H Foundation, which oversees the organization’s finances. He said the foundation “approved” the Navy Fed deal.

“Which means that they think it’s a good deal, a good price,” Robertson said.

“They put their blessing on it.”

Joe Vidak is vice president of the local 4-H Foundation. He doesn’t see it the same way.

“In the best interest of capitalism and Adam Smith, everybody is pursuing their own best interest,” Vidak said.

Vidak isn’t sure that the process has been kosher. He questions why the foundation, the county and the local Chamber of Commerce are so heavily involved in a land deal with a seemingly unwilling seller.

“It’s not my role to participate in the debate,” Vidak said. “I’m not sure everybody knows what their roles are exactly. We’ve never been here before.”

JOB JUNKIES

When Navy Federal Credit Union came to town more than a decade ago, they were a welcomed addition to the local business landscape. Today, the company is the full-blown “Jobs King,” with posters of itself plastering the walls down at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Thus far, Navy Federal Credit Union is hanging with us,” said chamber CEO Jim Hizer.

Emily Boutwell, 10, tends to her 4-H hog while her parents worry that about the future of the organization. Phillip and Julie Boutwell fell that selling the 240 acre Langley Bell property to Navy Federal Credit Union and opting for a new facility on 23 acres near the Escambia County Extension Office is not in the best interest of 4-H. / photo

by Jeremy Morrison

inweekly.net

With the adults having hammered out the specifics, the deal was brought before the kids—the 4-H Council.

The chamber even paid for an attorney, Margaret Stopp, to provide the kids with “unbiased” legal advice.

“She was retained by Pam Allen and the 4-H Foundation,” Hizer clarified. “I just want to be clear on that.”

Allen explained that the 4-H Foundation didn’t have a “pot of money sitting around” to pay for legal expenses. When she “put that out there,” the chamber was happy to help. If the sale goes through, then the Foundation will use some of that money to repay the chamber for the attorney.

“I don’t see a conflict of interest because I understand the legal system,” Allen said. “She’s not answering to them, she’s answering to us.”

“It not only affects what’s going on right now, it not only affects the jobs, it also affects the future of 4-H.” Julie Boutwell Navy Federal’s current facilities reside on 65 acres neighboring the 4-H property. The company purchased the property from Escambia County. The land was originally part of Langley Bell 4-H property, which the county had purchased for economic development.

“We’re about ready to run out of room,” said Calder, of the company’s current facilities.

On one side of the company’s existing campus is property belonging to the U.S. Navy, and it’s not for sale. On the other side is the remaining 240 acres of the 4-H property.

“That really is our only option to expand this campus,” Calder said.

If the Langley Bell deal doesn’t go through, local officials are concerned that Navy Federal may uproot and take all those sweet jobs to some other lucky destination with more elbow room.

“It’s in the chamber’s best interest and the county’s best interest to find them the room that they need to expand here,” Hizer said.

THE DEAL (IN RETROSPECT)

NOT YOUR GRANPAPPY’S 4-H

If 4-H sells its property to Navy Federal and relocates to the land beside the extension center, the move could have ramifications beyond geography. Along with opening the door for decent paying jobs, the relocation could close the door on a chapter of 4-H’s history is Escambia County.

“It not only affects what’s going on right now, it not only affects the jobs,” said Julie Boutwell. “It also affects the future of 4-H.” Some members of the 4-H community have expressed concern that losing such a girth of land—and downsizing to a much smaller parcel—could alter the character of the organization. They fear kids would not have the same opportunity to raise livestock or participate in other activities, such as practicing shooting, that the property has afforded.

“If we sell, we won’t have as much as we have now,” said Emily Boutwell, Julie and Phillip Boutwell’s 10-year-old daughter.

Emily is currently raising a hog.

She’s just finished sloshing around its pen in a pair of rubber boots.

“I’ve rode one before,” she laughed.

“I sat on one,” adds nineyear-old Eva Miller.

Emily and Eva are in the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. Eva’s sister, Patra, is the club president—the two sisters will be casting their club’s votes when the 4-H Council decides the Langely Bell issue.

The Barrineau Park club is fortunate enough to have a hog pen on private land.

The member’s parents say that restrictions placed on the Langley Bell land in recent years have made raising livestock on the property unworkable.

“I’m not a real fan of the director at the extension office,” said Phillip Boutwell.

“That really is our only option to expand this campus.”

Debbie Calder, Senior Vice President of Local Operations at Navy Federal Credit Union

March 8, 2012

HYPNOSIS. CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR

LIFE. A LUMINOUS LIFE HYPNOTHERAPY

SUSAN DUNLOP, MA, CHT

INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED HYPNOTHERAPIST

850-346-7865 EAST HILL www.luminouslifehypnotherapy.com

Rescued, Recycled, Refinished & Previously Loved Furniture and Goods of All Kinds

Why Buy New? Blue Moon Is The Place To Shop With The Best Prices In Town!

Open Tues-Sat 10-5 | Sun 12-5

3721 W. Navy Blvd.

455-7377

Barrancas Massage and Wellness Center

MM 27852

The Pensacola chamber has been very instrumental in the Langley Bell conversation. The Hogs at the Langley Bell Center in 1991 / photo courtesy of Whitney Fike chamber initiated the process by relaying Navy Federal’s original offer in the spring of 2010. The then-Economic Development vice president for the chamber, Charles Wood, approached Escambia County Extension Services Director Pam Allen to inform her of the company’s interest.

“The first thing I did was to facilitate a meeting with Charles Wood and the Bell family,” Allen recalled. “I wanted them to come in early and hear what Charles was asking.”

Although the Bell family does not have any legal say in the matter, Allen believed With Stopp in attendance, Allen has it proper to contact the land’s original hosted several meetings with the 4-H owner first. In early 2011, she received a Council. Thus far, they have received a chilly letter from Navy Federal expressing its response. To begin with, the 4-H’ers and their desire to purchase the land and “wanting parents have cried foul over the process beto know how that might happen.” At that ing steered by a chamber-supplied attorney. time, Allen brought the matter before the “All of her comments—you can tell she 4-H Foundation. is for the sale, too,” complained Boutwell.

The Foundation determined that the After a recent meeting, the extension original offer of $3.1 million, which is about office announced that the 4-H Council the property’s appraised value, was too would be voting on the Langley Bell issue low. Navy Federal responded with the $3.6 on March 12. Allen now says that date has million offer. been taken off the calendar.

“I think initially the thought was ‘Let’s go ahead and get something settled,’” she explained. “But we’ve kinda pulled back on that a little bit.”

If a deal is not reached soon, it is feared that Navy Federal will get skittish and start looking for greener pastures. Calder would only say that the company would need to “regroup and figure out what Plan B is.”

With a deal promising the mother lode of jobs being stalled by a bunch of 4-H kids, the local business community is pretty close to freaking out. Hizer calls the circumstances “rather unusual.”

“We really need to figure this out,” he said.

Therapeutic Massage: Swedish • Deep Tissue Pre-Natal • Hot Stone Reflexology • Thai Yoga Lymphatic Balancing Medical Massage and much more

Gift Certificates Available 3460 Barrancas Avenue

(850) 912-6665

11

“They’re taught to take a participatory role in their community, in government.”

Joe Vidak, Vice President of the 4-H Foundation

Senior 4-H members teaching Junior 4-H members how to make bird houses during a day camp on the Langley Bell 4-H Property. / photo courtesy of Whitney Fike “And as far as I know, no one else is either.”

Boutwell, and other 4-H parents, contend that Allen has purposefully shifted 4-H’s focus from agriculture to technology. They feel she has made it difficult to raise animals at Langley Bell, and has actively sought to have the group’s stomping grounds relocated to the extension office.

Allen said that the property was not ideal for raising animals. The extension office director contended raising an animal should entail the “full experience,” and she felt the

long-distance nature of tending to animals at Langley Bell did not accomplish that. She also noted that she felt the property had received decreased usage due to staffing issues—cutting the park’s caretaker to part-time—and changing interests among youth.

“It sounds like a good idea,” Allen said.

“But it’s way too intense, and with the price of gas and the other things kids are interested in and, yes, we did change the policies to our livestock program.”

Allen said that only a fraction of 4-H’s

attention was directed towards agricultural or livestock-based programs. Today’s kids, she argued, don’t have the same interests as a bulk of the organization’s membership once did.

“Where you find the interest is pretty much where you go with your resources,” she said.

When the extension offices tout its numbers, they are counting students who are participating in 4-H based programs in schools. The students are learning about nutrition, or sprucing up on their public speaking.

“4-H is so different today than it was 60 years ago,” Commissioner Robertson said, using Allen’s data to back up his argument.

“It was mostly rural. Today, it’s as much urban as it is rural.”

Padra’s father—Brian Miller—is a teacher in Escambia County. He applauds 4-H’s school programs, but questions factoring the participants into the equation when it

comes to determining the organization’s future character.

“Those students have no idea they’re being counted as a 4-H member,” he said.

While Allen maintains that 4-H has evolved, there are those that disagree.

They contend that 4-H is still firmly rooted in agriculture.

“4-H is the same because its principals haven’t changed,” argued Phillip Boutwell.

“Has it evolved with technology? Yes it has, but 4-H still does raise cattle, they still raise hogs, goats, sheep, rabbits, all of that stuff.”

Vidak, the 4-H Foundation vice president, feels that Allen’s shift of focus and the offer of a new facility near the extension office might not be guided with the 4-H core community’s best interest in mind. He wonders if this might be a shortcut to a new extension office.

“Everybody wants another nice place,” Vidak said. “You know, the extension needs better facilities, it’s just not in the budget right now.”

Allen disagrees.

“We house the 4-H program,” she said.

“We are the 4-H program.”

She said the county and the local 4-H program have a “good relationship” and feels relocating the organization’s facility is a natural “continuation of that partnership.”

The extension office director feels people are ignoring the evolving nature of 4-H and missing the point entirely when they focus on the acre-for-acre aspect of the deal being offered.

“I think people are caught up in this

LET US SAVE YOU MONEY ON YOUR HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE Voted Best Insurance Agency

by IN Readers 2 Years In A Row

850.484.7011

375 North 9th Ave. Pensacola, FL 32502 www.quotepensacola.com 212 1

inweekly.net

“Actually, their vote is not binding. It’s an advisory to the commissioners.”

Barnes Insurance and Money Concepts is pleased to announce the addition of Kragh Folland to our firm.

As an independent advisor we answer only to you, the client.

Wilson Robertson, Escambia County Commission Chairman

Wilson Robertson replication,” Allen said. “And if we’re trying to replicate 240 acres for 240 acres—I mean, why would we want to sell?”

THE BENEFACTOR’S BULLIES

In addition to raising hogs and demonstration crops, kids in 4-H are also taught to participate in society. They go on field trips to Tallahassee and visit the legislature and take courses in leadership.

“They’re taught to take a participatory role in their community, in government,” explained Vidak.

In this scenario, the 4-H community— the kids currently enrolled in local clubs—is seemingly being given a great deal of participatory power. And with that power has come a great deal of pressure.

“They’re being pulled seven different ways by a bunch of adults that all want to slant things their way,” Vidak said. “You know, it’s a shame, but it’s a great lesson on how government works.”

But while the 4-H Council is listed as the owners of the Langley Bell property, the Escambia County Commission is listed as the Board of Trustees, which takes up the issue of the Navy Federal sale after the council has weighed in.

“These young people have a say that’s binding,” said Robertson, before reconsidering his words. “Actually, their vote is not binding. It’s an advisory to the commissioners.”

The Commission doesn’t have to stick with the 4-H Council’s decision.

“They do not,” Robertson said. “But it’d be very nice for the board if the county commission and the council agree.”

Though he appears ready to part ways with the kids if they balk at the Navy Federal deal, the Chairman is holding out hope that the 4-H Council will do the mature thing.

“Who knows, kids are smarter than we

think,” he said. “They may sit down and talk it over and realize it’s a benefit to them.”

The kids seem to be smart enough to have caught on to the fact that their role in the process is somewhat ornamental.

“None of us are for it,” said Andrew Waltrap, a 10-year-old 4-H member. “I think they’re gonna try to get us to say ‘Yes’ to it, but our decision doesn’t really matter.”

Over at the chamber, Hizer prefers to view the 4-H’ers as an overall organization.

After all, it’s easy enough not to place much emphasis on the 4-H Council’s role.

“Oh, I think the Foundation is part of the 4-H leadership,” Hizer said, also including the extension office and the county commission in its role as board of trustees. “A majority of the 4-H leadership is comfortable with it—not everybody, but the vast majority of folks in this need to feel comfortable.”

Hizer—along with the county commission and the extension office—will continue to wait it out, as the 4-H Council mulls the decision.

They’re hoping the kids will eventually sign off on the deal, thus avoiding the unseemly appearance an outright override by the county commission would have.

Navy Federal, meanwhile, has decided to sit on the sidelines.

“We’re just waiting to see what happens,” Calder said. “We’re not really in the mix.”

The executive said that the company is hoping for a “win-win-win” outcome that will benefit everyone involved. But Navy Federal will let other players do the heavy lifting toward that goal.

Commission Chairman Robertson sounded pretty confident such an outcome could be reached. With so much at stake, the adults aren’t about to allow Navy Federal to slip away.

“They’re relying on the county commission and the chamber, the local business leaders, to work with 4-H to make it a winwin,” Robertson said. “They don’t want to be the bad guys and take that hit. They can go somewhere else. We’re the ones that need the jobs.”

Dee Dee Waltrip, Andrew’s mom, feels that in their rush for jobs people have lost sight of the benefit that having a place like the Langley Bell property provides.

“It’s not that we don’t want Navy Federal to succeed, if they succeed we all succeed,” said Waltrip. “But if 4-H succeeds we all succeed, too.” {in}

“None of us are for it.”

We have the Resources, the Experience and Knowledge to help you achieve your financial goals.

Money Concepts 1582 Airport Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32501

850-473-1500 kfolland@moneyconcepts.com All securities through Money Concepts Capital Corp. Member FINRA/SIPC

Andrew Waltrap, 4-H member

March 8, 2012

Is your

gut tellIng you somethIng? Working out sucks. But excuses suck more. We’re open 24 hours. And our clubs are just the right size. So you can get in, get out, get on with your life.

anytimefitness.com ©2012 Anytime Fitness, LLC

$0 enrollment for a limited time!

Join now and receive 2 personal training sessions and a Free subscription to Anytime Health!

100 South Alcaniz Street • Pensacola, FL 32502 • (850) 469-1144 13

Veteran NPR science correspondent, Joe Palca delves deep into current, complex, science issues and presents them clearly to the listener, making them easy to understand.

WUWF public radio is my source for discovering the world around me.

414 1

inweekly.net

WEEK OF MARCH 8-15

March 8, 2012

15

Arts & Entertainment a r t , f i l m , m u s i c , s ta g e , b o o k s a n d o t h e r s i g n s o f c i v i l i z a t i o n . . .

18

MARCH 9

Of Montreal Return

Get ready for a rock show—emphasis on the show. Kevin Barnes is bringing his psychedelic indie pop band Of Montreal back to Mobile this week. For a Q&A with opening act and Of Montreal touring member Kishi Bashi—turn to page 18

Of Montreal / photo by Patrick Heagney

MARCH 10 & 11

Art Breeze

Take your artsy side out to Gulf Breeze this weekend and check out the 18th Annual Fine Arts Festival. It features over 140 artists and admission is free. gulfbreezearts.org

MARCH 10

Live From New York, It’s The Shins

DeLuna Fest alumni and Paddy O’Leary’s lovers, The Shins, are going to be the musical guests on Saturday Night Live this week.

Do yourself a favor and tune in and buy “Port of Morrow,” too when it comes out later this month. theshins.com The Shins / courtesy photo

616 1

culture

inweekly.net

by Jennie McKeon

Pensacola Opera Presents “Rigoletto”

photo courtesy of Pensacola Opera

“It’s an opera, somebody has to die.”

Watching the opera is like entering another world. Not just because the entire performance is sung—in another language no less—but because even the most dark moments in life are portrayed in the most beautiful manner.

Just last January, “Madama Butterfly” came to a heartbreaking end and the upcoming “Rigoletto” (spoiler alert) will be no different in terms of heartbreaking endings. It makes you wonder: are there any happy operas?

“It’s an opera, somebody has to die,” said Pensacola Opera’s Artistic Director Kyle Marrero, laughing. “Where do you think soap operas come from?”

While death drives the drama of the play it doesn’t make it any less entertaining to watch and listen to. The famous aria “La Donna E Mobile” may not spark any memories in print, but when the melody strikes, you’ll happily think to yourself “I know this

Kyle Marrero, Artistic Director of the Pensacola Opera song!” which makes “Rigoletto” a great opera for first-timers.

“It’s the most famous tenor aria,” Marrero said. “The composer, Giuseppe Verde, wouldn’t allow his tenor to sing it until the final dress rehearsal. He knew it would be instantly popular.”

Taking place in Mantua, Italy in the 16th century, “Rigoletto” is a complicated story that tangles the title character—a hunchback court jester— with a womanizing Duke and Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda, who has fallen for the Duke.

As the chorus master for this performance, Marrero will be just as happy as the audience to see the entire puzzle put together.

“It’ll be exciting to see,” he said.

Playing the part of Rigoletto is Todd Thomas, from Philadelphia. This is his second time joining the Pensacola Opera and his seventh round of playing the role of Rigoletto—and he’s not bored with the opera yet.

“There are many facets and different layers,” Thomas said.

“It has a great melody, great lines. The storyline resonates very deeply.”

As a father or four, Thomas understands Rigoletto’s protective nature of his daughter even though that possessiveness comes to a tragic end.

“When you put someone on a pedestal, the only way for them to get off is to fall,” he said.

Chad Johnson has come from New York City to sing in the Pensacola Opera for the first time. Playing the role of the Duke is another first for him. While Thomas may be comfortable with his lead role after playing it half a dozen times, Johnson has stepped out of his comfort zone to play the bad guy.

“It ’s great,” he said. “I’m always playing the nice, romantic lead. This time, I get to be the antagonist.”

For Johnson, the play is still very relatable and reflects many modern-day stories even though it was written in the mid-1800s.

There’s break-ups, infidelities and, of course, good music.

“I love all the characters, they’re very human,” he said. “And the music is outrageously good.” {in}

“When you put someone on a pedestal, the only way for them to get off is to fall.”

Todd Thomas, Pensacola Opera's Rigoletto Marrero said Verdi first wrote the play about a king instead of a duke, but revised it to get the opera approved by Italian censors.

The Pensacola Opera has been working on “Rigoletto” since September. However, the actors portraying Rigoletto and the Duke flew in only a week before the play to rehearse with the chorus at the opera house.

It’s only three days before the curtain goes up that all the puzzle pieces can be put together in the Saenger Theatre.

RIGOLETTO

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 9 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11 WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: $25-$100 DETAILS: pensacolaopera.com

17

March 8, 2012

happenings

Mr. Gnome / courtesy photo

THURSDAY 3.8

JAUNE QUICK-TO-SEE SMITH EXHIBITION 8 a.m. through Mar 9. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd, Bldg 15. 484-1851 or pensacolastate.edu.

‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php.

‘PAINTINGS BY HIGHWAYMEN’ 10 a.m. through Mar 17. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

ANNUAL PERMANENT COLLECTION EXHIBITION 10 a.m. through Mar 10. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

‘ALL NATURAL’ 10 a.m. through Mar 15. TAG at

Grand Reserve Cigar & Smoke Shop

unique & affordable

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

Premium Cigars Accessories Largest Humidor Best Selection In Pensacola

27 S. 9th Ave.

210 S. Palafox Place (850) 429-0078

433-WINE or 433-9463

www.aragonwinemarket.com

E r i c D. St e v e n s on Personal Injur y | Criminal Justice 919 N. 12th Avenue Pensacola, Florida 32501

O: (850) 434-3111 F: (850) 434-1188

davidle esellers.com • email: eric@davidle esellers.com

UWF, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 4742696 or tag82uwf.wordpress.com.

‘CHROMATIC ALTERATIONS AND ALTERED BOOKS’ 10 a.m. through Apr 13. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org.

SOUNDS OF SOUL RADIO 11:30 a.m. Ramon Glover interviews poets for national broadcast.

DeViller’s Cultural Museum, 500 W. Belmont.

‘WELCOME TO MARGARITAVILLE’ MARGARITA TASTING 2 p.m. Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Rd., Pensacola Beach. 916-9755 or margaritavillehotel.com.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 or aragonwinemarket.com.

PMA LECTURE SERIES 6 p.m. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

HERB CLASS AT EVER’MAN 6 p.m. $2 for non-members. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org.

VEGAN DINNER AT EOTL 6 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. 429-0336 or eotlcafe.com.

KUNDALI YOGA 7 p.m. $7 Unity Sanctuary, 716 9th Ave. Bring your own mat.

‘MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY AT ACHILL ISLAND, IRELAND’ 7 p.m. J. Earle Bowden Bldg., 120 E. Church St. 595-0050 ext. 103 or flpublicarchaeology.org.

T-SHIRT NIGHT Half-off drinks when you wear your Sandshaker t-shirt. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 9322211 or sandshaker.com ‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

PROBOKNOWS PARTY CLUB 10 p.m. No cover for

women, $3 for men. 400 W. Gregory St. 332-6134.

live music

HOME GROWN NIGHT 5 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com.

SOUND MINDS 5 p.m. Al Martin on piano at 6:30 p.m. Gregory Street Assembly Hall, 501 E. Gregory St. gregorystreet.com, 607-8633.

THE DAVENPORTS 6 p.m. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox. 912-4229 or tlcdowntown.com.

COMMON THREAD 6 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.

677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.

JOSH GARRETT & THE BOTTOMLINE 7 p.m.

Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

CHARLIE ROBERTS 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com.

SALIVA, SIVA ADDICTION, FALLEN WITHIN 7:30 p.m. $15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. 6076758 or vinylmusichall.com.

KARAOKE WITH BECKY 7:30 p.m. Sabine Sandbar, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 934-3141 or dalesbigdeck.com.

TIM SPENCER 8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 9322211 or sandshaker.com.

DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

DJ MR LAO 8 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

818 1

inweekly.net

happenings

Kishi Bashi: Making the Violin Cool Again

By Jennie McKeon

is totally different in texture but very K Ishibashi—or, Kishi Bashi—is a bit similar in sophistication.” of a multi-tasker. Not only is he on As a touring member, Ishibashi is tour with Of Montreal, but he is also required to wear the crazy on-stage the opening act. The singer, violinist costumes. and composer has toured with Regina “It's a big part of the show beyond Spektor and Sondre Lerche and is also the music,” he said. the singer for the New York City-based Ishibashi’s favorite part of toursynth rock band Jupiter One. ing is “performing for lots and lots of One must wonder if he ever gets people.” And it must be pretty cool to tired on his Of Montreal tour. not only open for, but play alongside a “Never!” Ishibashi said in an e-mail musical influence. interview. “The crowd energy keeps me “Touring with Of Montreal is the super-amped and motivated.” most inspiring experience I've ever had,” Ishibashi has been playing the violin he said. “The people are truly unique and since he was seven; the instrument is really down to earth.” the focal point of his music. Kishi Bashi’s Ishibashi hopes to get the crowd Facebook page describes the music as moving at the March 9 show –whether it an “epic orchestral solo project” with be dancing, brawling or crowd surfing. a “dazzling array of looping and vocal/ “I hope to see all of that,” he said, violin gymnastics.” It’s definitely an adding a smiley face. {in} opening act worth getting to the show early for.

“It's really a solo project that began as an exploration of the violin and its possibilities in the studio,” he said. “In my live show, I've purposefully limited myself to the violin and vocals as a way to parallel that idea.”

It’s a good thing he loves traveling, because Kishi Bashi has been touring worldwide for the “past several years.”

One stop on his tour will be Istanbul, perhaps the only city he hasn’t been to yet.

“I’m really excited about that,” he said about the uncharted territory.

Anyone heading to the Of Montreal show at the Alabama Music Box in Mobile will get to hear a broad WHEN: 8 p.m., Friday, March 9 range of music between WHERE: Alabama Music Box, 455 Dauphin Kishi Bashi’s one-man violin St., Mobile set and Of Montreal’s theCOST: $16 atrical performance.

DETAILS: alabamamusicbox.net “I’m influenced tremendously by Of Montreal,” Ishibashi said. “My music

OF MONTREAL, KISHI BASHI, AND ROMAN GIANARTHUR

COLLEGE DANCE NIGHT 9 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

FRIDAY 3.9

JAUNE QUICK-TO-SEE SMITH EXHIBITION 8 a.m. through Mar 9. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd, Bldg 15. 484-1851 or pensacolastate.edu.

‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php.

‘PAINTINGS BY HIGHWAYMEN’ 10 a.m. through Mar 17. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

ANNUAL PERMANENT COLLECTION EXHIBITION 10 a.m. through Mar 10. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

‘CHROMATIC ALTERATIONS AND ALTERED BOOKS’ 10 a.m. through Apr 13. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org.

‘ALL NATURAL’ 12 p.m. through Mar 15. TAG at UWF, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 4742696 or tag82uwf.wordpress.com.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Everyday. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

WINE TASTING AT DK 4:30 p.m. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox. 438-4688 or dk4u.com.

RUMMAGE SALE PREVIEW 5 p.m. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd. 432-3505.

WINE TASTING AT SEVILLE QUARTER 5 p.m.

Palace Café at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

WINE TASTING AT CITY GROCERY 5:15 p.m.

City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. 469-8100.

WINE TASTING AT EAST HILL MARKET 5:30 p.m. 1216 N. Ninth Ave. ‘LIGHT OF THE MOON LIGHTHOUSE TOURS’ 7 p.m. $7-$15. Pensacola Lighthouse, 2081 Radford Blvd. 393-1561 or pensacolalighthouse.org.

PENSACOLA ICEFLYERS VS. FAYETTEVILLE FIREANTZ 7 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaciviccenter.com.

PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS ‘RIGOLETTO’ 7:30 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. 5953880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

SWING DANCING 8:30 p.m. American Legion, 1401 Intendencia St. $5. 437-5465 or pensacolaswing.com.

‘THE CRACKERS OF COMEDY TOUR’ 9:30 p.m. $3. The Big Easy, 710 N. Palafox. 865-226-9113 or crackersofcomedy.com.

live music

KYLE AND KARL BAND 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s at the Point, 5851 Galvez Rd. 497-0071 or hubstaceys.com.

MR. GNOME 7 p.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or handlebarpensacola.com.

30 X 90 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

JOHN CONLEE 7 p.m. Chumuckla’s Farmers’ Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Rd., Pace. 994-9219 or farmersopry.com.

THE FRANKENSTEIN BROTHERS – BUCKETHEAD & THAT ONE GUY, WOLFF AND TUBA 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox.

607-6758 or vinylmusichall.com.

DESTIN ATKINSON 8 p.m. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox. 912-4229 or tlcdowntown.com.

DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

DJ MR LAO 8 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

19

March 8, 2012

happenings KARAOKE WITH MARK ESKEW 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s at the Point, 5851 Galvez Rd. 497-0071 or hubstaceys.com.

LOCKWOOD 8 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

DJ MR LAO 8 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

CLASS X 9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com MO JILES 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

ADAM HOLT 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

BAD HABIT 9 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

REDDOG AND FRIENDS 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox. 4976073 or hopjacks.com.

SUNDAY 3.11

Mayday Parade / photo by Tom Falcone HOLLY SHELTON AND DAVID SHELANDER 8 p.m. Ragtyme Grille, 201 S. Jefferson St. 4299655 or ragtyme.net.

THE BLENDERS 8:30 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com.

CLASS X 9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com

KARAOKE AT GUTTER LOUNGE 9 p.m. 3200 N. Palafox, gutterlounge.com, 434-6441.

BUZZCUTT 9 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 916-9888 or bamboowillies.com.

MO JILES 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

ADAM HOLT 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

FEEL NEVER REAL 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox.

497-6073 or hopjacks.com.

SATURDAY 3.10

RUMMAGE SALE 8 a.m.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd. 432-3505.

PENSACOLA MARITIME & PIRATE FESTIVAL 9 a.m.

Plaza de Luna Park at Palafox Pier, 997 Palafox. 727-3225217.

‘GULF BREEZE CELEBRATES THE ARTS’ 9 a.m.

Gulf Breeze High School, 675 Gulf Breeze Parkway.

444-9620 or gulfbreezearts. org.

‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/ darc.php.

‘CHROMATIC ALTERATIONS AND ALTERED BOOKS’ 10 a.m. through Apr 13. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org.

‘ALL NATURAL’ 12 p.m.

through Mar 15. TAG at UWF, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 474-2696 or tag82uwf. wordpress.com.

‘PAINTINGS BY HIGHWAYMEN’ 12 p.m. through Mar 17. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

ANNUAL PERMANENT COLLECTION EXHIBITION 12 p.m. through Mar 10. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

ROLFS PIANO SERIES PRESENTS TIAN YING 2:30 p.m. $7-$11, tickets required. Ashmore Fine Arts Building, 1000 College Blvd. 484-1847 or pensacolastate.edu/lyceum.

PENSACOLA ICEFLYERS VS. FAYETTEVILLE FIREANTZ 3 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaciviccenter.com.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Everyday. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

‘LIGHT OF THE MOON LIGHTHOUSE TOURS’ 7 p.m. $7-$15. Pensacola Lighthouse, 2081 Radford Blvd. 393-1561 or pensacolalighthouse.org.

INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCING 7 p.m. Dance Unlimited Studio, 211 W. Cervantes St. For more information, contact Georgeanna at 492-3956.

‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

live music

ROOTS OF A REBEL 3 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 9169888 or bamboowillies.com.

MAYDAY PARADE, THE DOWNTOWN FICTION, ANARBOR 5:30 p.m. $18-$20. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. 607-6758 or vinylmusichall.com.

30 X 90 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

JOHN CONLEE 7 p.m. Chumuckla’s Farmers’ Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Rd., Pace. 994-9219 or farmersopry.com.

KRAZY GEORGE KARAOKE 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com.

PENSACOLA MARITIME & PIRATE FESTIVAL 9 a.m. Plaza de Luna Park at Palafox Pier, 997 Palafox. 727-322-5217.

‘GULF BREEZE CELEBRATES THE ARTS’ 9 a.m.

Gulf Breeze High School, 675 Gulf Breeze Parkway. 444-9620 or gulfbreezearts.org. $2.50 BLOODY MARY’S & MIMOSAS 10 a.m.

Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS ‘RIGOLETTO’ 2 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. 595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ 2:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Everyday. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

live music

CLARENCE BELL 11 a.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com.

RONNIE LEVINE 12 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 6779153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

POSI TONES 3 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

THE ROWDIES 3 p.m. Bamboo Willie’s, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 9169888 or bamboowillies.com.

LEKTRIC MULLET 4 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.

932-2211 or sandshaker.com DANNICA 5 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com.

BROOKS HUBBERT III 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 4346211 or sevillequarter.com.

MONDAY 3.12

‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/ darc.php.

B.A.R.E. Half-priced anything for bar and restaurant employees. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 9322211 or sandshaker.com HALF-OFF PIZZA O’Zone Pizza Pub, 1010 12th

020 2

inweekly.net

happenings BURGERS & BEER NIGHT AT SURF BURGER 6 p.m. Surf Burger, 500 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 932-1417 or thesurfburger.com.

WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING CLASSES 6:30 p.m. $5 general admission, $2 for students. Gull Point Community Center, 7000 Spanish Trail.

For more information call 291-2718 or visit hurreyupstageandfilmworks.com.

TEXAS HOLD’EM 4 FUN 7 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com.

INTRO TO BUDDHISM & MEDITATION 7 p.m. $7, $5 for students and seniors. Pensacola State College Student Center Room 507, 1000 College Pkwy., meditationinpensacola.org.

COFFEE PARTY MEETING 7 p.m. Tyron Branch Library, 1200 Langley Rd. Contact Ray Hudkins for more information at rhud66@ gmail.com or 346-5199. sites.google.com/site/ pensacolacoffeeparty MONDAY BLUES JAM 7:30 p.m. Gutter Lounge, 3200 N. Palafox. bluessocietynwfl.com.

SKEE BALL LEAGUE 8 p.m. through Mar 26.

Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

GAMER’S NIGHT 8 p.m. Fast Eddie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

EXTREME TRIVIA 10:30 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

live music

2012 Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts / poster design by Betty Shoopman Ave. ozonepizza.wordpress.com.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Everyday. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

MEDITATION WITH MICHAEL DEMARIA 5:30 p.m. $10 Sanders Beach Community Center, 913 S. I St., ontos.org or 436-5198.

OPEN MIC WITH CATHY PACE 6 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com.

TIM SPENCER 6 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

MUSICIANS ALLIANCE 9 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

LIVIN’ THE DREAM 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

TUESDAY 3.13

‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php.

‘PAINTINGS BY HIGHWAYMEN’ 10 a.m. through Mar 17. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

‘ALL NATURAL’ 10 a.m. through Mar 15. TAG at UWF, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 4742696 or tag82uwf.wordpress.com.

‘CHROMATIC ALTERATIONS AND ALTERED BOOKS’ 10 a.m. through Apr 13. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Everyday. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

YOGA WITH BECKIE SATHRE 6 p.m. $2 for non-members. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org.

OPEN MIC POETRY 6:30 p.m. Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. PENSACOLA ICEFLYERS VS. COLUMBUS COTTONMOUTHS 7 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaciviccenter.com.

CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB 7 p.m. Founaris Bros. Greek Restauarant, 6911 Pensacola Blvd.

478-7825 or clubkayak.com/wfckc.

PENSACOLA CIVIC BAND 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT 7:30 p.m. $10, tickets required.

Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. 595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

21

March 8, 2012

FF

happenings

ch Maur sic M ss In ne Madaradise P

Thursday 3/8 Josh Garrett & The Bottomline Friday 3/9 & Saturday 3/10 30 x 90 Sunday 3/11 Posi Tones March Birthday Bash

1st drink free for all march babies

st Lowatees R the on land Is

Monday 3/12 Tim Spencer visit Tuesday 3/13 www.paradisebar-grill.com for more events Bud Smith Wednesday 3/7 John Hart & Fatty Waters with Tyler Mac

21 Via De Luna | 850-932-2319 | www.paradiseinn-pb.com Are you selling your home and need a place to stay in the interim? Would you like to spend your winter overlooking emerald green waters? Whatever your needs or wants may be, Paradise Beach Homes has the perfect rental for you. We are now offering monthly rentals through the end of March 2012 at attractive winter rates. And don’t leave your pet behind! We offer plenty of pet friendly properties as well.

Paintings by Highwaymen / painting by James Gibson TOSH TUESDAY 8 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

OPEN MIC 8:30 Big Easy Tavern, 710 N. Palafox.

429-0045 or bigeasytavern.com.

live music

LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.

BUD SMITH 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

KARAOKE WITH BECKY 8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com.

TUESDAY JAM NIGHT 8 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

MIKE QUINN 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

KARAOKE WITH GEORGE 9 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 200. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

KARAOKE AT PADDY O’LEARY’S 9 p.m. Paddy O’ Leary’s Irish Pub, 49 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-9808 or paddyolearysirishpub.com.

WEDNESDAY 3.14

‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php.

‘PAINTINGS BY HIGHWAYMEN’ 10 a.m. through Mar 17. Pensacola Museum of Art. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS PERFORM 10 a.m.

Pleitz Chapel, First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox. 432-9743 or pensacolamusic.org.

‘ALL NATURAL’ 10 a.m. through Mar 15. TAG at UWF, Bldg 82, 11000 University Parkway. 4742696 or tag82uwf.wordpress.com.

‘CHROMATIC ALTERATIONS AND ALTERED BOOKS’ 10 a.m. through Apr 13. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org.

SOUNDS OF SOUL RADIO 11:30 a.m. Ramon Glover interviews poets for national broadcast.

DeViller’s Cultural Museum, 500 W. Belmont.

PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Everyday. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.

LADIES NIGHT 5 p.m. $2 drinks. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com MEDITATION & DHARMA TALK 6 p.m. 14 Live Oak St. Ste. B, Gulf Breeze, pcc.florida@mchsi.com.

NWFL WRITER’S GROUP 6:00 Books-A-Million, 6235 N. Davis Hwy. SPIRITUAL LIVING DISCUSSION GROUP 6:30 p.m. 1007 S. Corry Field Rd. R.S.V.P. Jim and Carolyn Vary 937-6730.

SURF MOVIE NIGHT AT SURF BURGER 7 p.m.

Surf Burger, 500 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 932-1417 or thesurfburger.com.

Call one of our reservation specialists today!

(888) 860-0067 | (850) 916-0777 Please visit our website for all available properties www.paradisebeachhomes.com

live music

SOUND MINDS 5 p.m. Al Martin on piano at 6:30 p.m. Gregory Street Assembly Hall, 501 E. Gregory St. gregorystreet.com, 607-8633.

JOHN HART & FATTY WATERS WITH TYLER MAC 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com.

PADDY’S OPEN MIC NIGHT 7 p.m. Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub, 49 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-9808 or paddyolearysirishpub.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 7 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. 429-0336 or eotlcafe.com.

CHARLIE ROBERTS 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com.

ROCK STAR KARAOKE WITH MICHAEL JENCKS 8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com.

DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

I100 WEDNESDAYS 8 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

MIKE QUINN 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

Real Estate Sales and Leasing Exceeding Client’s Expectations In this market, opportunities abound... let one of our experienced sales associates help find YOUR opportunity.

29 Via De Luna | 850-932-0067 www.paradisecoastalrealty.com

222 2

music

inweekly.net

by Bradley “Beej” Davis Jr.

Dupré on Deck out and looked back on it as a negative part of my life. Now I can look back on those years and know that it was an overall very positive experience.

IN: That's got to be pretty cool to be known "worldwide." Your website says you're known from Finland to the Philippines. What do you contribute to your broad popularity?

Dupré: I have Al Gore to thank for inventing the internet. I honestly believe that without my videos on YouTube, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am standing today. The internet knows no boundaries. I record a video of myself in my living room, post it on YouTube, and suddenly it's available worldwide.

James Dupré / courtesy photo If it weren’t for the internet, singer/songwriter James Dupré would probably be a meteorologist. The self-proclaimed “weather nerd” was born in Bayou Chicot, a small community in southern Louisiana. Dupré grew up listening to the music of Randy Travis, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Jr. and Vince Gill, so it’s no surprise his satiny smooth singing voice has a distinct southern twang.

The singer/songwriter will be coming back to Pensacola March 8 and March 10 to perform with local favorite Tanya Gallagher at The Fish House Deck Bar. Dupré was glad to take time from his busy schedule to perform with Gallagher and answer a few questions for the IN. IN: Last time we chatted back in 2008, you were an EMT-paramedic at night. Are you still doing that, or has more of your time been comprised of writing, performing, etc.?

Dupré: I was lucky enough to give that up last Spring, so I could focus all of my time and energy on bettering myself as a performer and as a songwriter. It was a great time to leave that job as well, because I did it for nearly six years, which I think is a perfect amount of time to get the full bucket of life experiences that being a paramedic has to offer. Any longer amount of time, and I'm afraid I'd have gotten burnt

IN: You mentioned in our last interview that you were working on an album with some Nashville producers, but also stated, "We are making sure that we take our time, working one step at a time.

That way, in the end, everyone is happy with the finished product, and I have no doubt that we will be happy." Then in 2010 you released “It's All Happening.” Is that album title a testament to all the hard work you've put into making this album?

Dupré: Absolutely. It was my very first project ever, and I was working with the best of the best in Nashville. Now, two years later, I still sometimes pinch myself when I think about all of the amazing people who collaborated and put in so much time and effort in making it sound as great as it did. At that time, I had no record deal, but it didn't matter. I was so happy with the outcome of that project, that I felt like I was on top of the world. It really was "all happening."

IN: You've said that YouTube has helped with your stardom. Was YouTube what helped you land your performance on Ellen?

Dupré: Yes. Ellen sometimes has musical guests that no one has ever heard of, for the sole purpose of giving them a shot to be heard and seen by millions. Usually she finds these people on YouTube, and I was no exception. There were a lot of my fans that were sending in my videos to her show, until one day in early 2010, I got an e-mail from one of her producers. At first, I thought it was a joke. But it turned out to be the real deal, and a week later, I found myself at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. doing a taping of the Ellen show. Now,

"If you see me on the beach getting excited over different cloud types and changes in wind direction, don't commit me."

James Dupré If you have an internet connection in the middle of the Sahara, you can hear me sing.

It's mind-blowing. And with a little marketing, you reach the right audiences and suddenly, people from all corners of the earth are commenting and messaging you.

that was a whirlwind. It was so much fun, and Ellen was just as pleasant and funny in person as I'd hoped she'd be.

IN: Your performances at Fish House on March 8 and 10 are alongside one of Pensacola's favorite songwriters and performers, Tanya Gallagher, correct?

Can you tell me a little about how you two met and how you decided to form this dynamic duo?

Dupré: That's correct. My manager, David Batten, is a friend of Tanya's father, and David had heard her sing a few times around Pensacola. He e-mailed me some of her material, and I was blown away. She's got one of the most uniquely soulful voices that I've ever heard, and I knew that I had to meet her. So, last month, I went to Pensacola for the Blake Shelton concert and Tanya and I got to jam a bit and just hung out.

We had a great time. She's a pleasure to be around. So we decided to put together this show at the Fish House, and I'm just stoked to be able to share the stage with her. It'll be kind of a laid-back jam session, which is right up my alley.

IN: It's rumored that Pensacola is your most favorite city in the entire universe.

Could you please elaborate?

Dupré: Well, isn't it everybody's favorite place? I absolutely love coming to Pensacola, and I've never had a bad time here. The beach is about as beautiful as it gets, the people are incredible, great bars, restaurants, and that's about all I need to get through life. So, let's just say that you'll eventually get tired of seeing me here.

IN: Anything else you want to get off your chest?

Dupré: I'm a bit of a weather-nerd. I don't think most people know this, but I did two years of meteorology in college before I ever became a paramedic. So, if you see me on the beach getting excited over different cloud types and changes in wind direction, don't commit me. I'm just being me. {in}

JAMES DUPRÉ AND TANYA GALLAGHER

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 8 and 9 p.m. Saturday, March 10 WHERE: The Fish House Deck Bar, 600 S. Barracks St. COST: Free DETAILS: jamesdupre.com Tanya Gallagher / courtesy photo

23

March 8, 2012

A SALUTE TO DIFFERENCE MAKERS Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Announces 52nd Annual PACE Award Recipients Emerging Leader of the Year Award - Jay Bradshaw

Upon moving to Pensacola in 2005, Jay Bradshaw purchased the company he was currently working for.

Since then, he has been a thriving and motivational small business owner. As a catalyst for change, he truly believes in supporting the community, giving to the community, volunteering for the community, all while having his family stand by his side, helping and supporting him in every step he takes. Jay Bradshaw is not only a hard working business man and devoted family man, but he also displays the heart, mind and motivation that it takes to make a single impact on a community - and he has done just that here in Pensacola.

Professional Leader of the Year Award - Larry Strain

A leader is one who not only works with his team to achieve success and goals, to have the mindset of one who is determined among all hurdles, but also one who is able to regain and retain a professional composure and encourage the community in the midst of a crisis. During the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf, Larry Strain resembled that leader. Taking initiative, he helped to retain more than 1700 jobs, traveled more than 10,000 miles to reach out to small businesses and framed Pensacola in an honest and professional spotlight. Larry is not only a devoted and dedicated leader, but he strives to displays those aspects in helping advance the Pensacola area.

Community Leader of the Year Award - Kathy Anthony

It takes more than dedication to be involved in a community, it takes heart - and Kathy Anthony displays just that. As a speaker at numerous seminars, board chair at United Way of Escambia County, member of Leadership Pensacola Alumni Association, IMPACT 100, a mentor for Take Stock in Children, a past board member of ARC Gateway and President-Elect of Five Flags Rotary, Kathy Anthony makes sure to give it her all. Her devotion to the community is displayed in her contagious and enthusiastic personality while she recruits and develops talented people for her firm, grows positive relationships, helps clients, mentors children and works with many non-profit organizations in the Pensacola community.

Business Leader of the Year Award - Julian MacQueen

With cultivating employee relationships, participating in the daily management of his business, operating revenue management, emphasizing efficiency, productivity and excellence with being the largest employer on Pensacola Beach, it is no doubt that Julian MacQueen would serve as Pensacola’s leading business leader. While being a Certified Hotel Administrator, Board Member of Pensacola State College Foundation, Board Member of Sacred Heart Hospital, Board Member & Major Stock holder of Beach Community Bank and First American Bank, member of Florida Western Gate Economic Development Council and Investment Committee Member of Baha’i World Center, Pensacola is proud to be called the home to such an extraordinary professional in the business realm.

2012 Spirit of Pensacola Award - Dr. David Conkle

Pensacola is proud to call Dr. David Conkle this year’s award recipient. Dr. Conkle aspired to spend his years serving others as a Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgeon at the Medical Center Clinic in Pensacola and upon his retirement, his heart longed to continue to serve his city, his community and its people. In 1999, he founded Our Lady of Angels, St. Joseph Medical Clinic.

For more information regarding the PACE Awards or its recipients, please visit pensacolachamber.com/paceawards

424 2

the local

inweekly.net

by James Hagan

McGuire’s Run: A Short Distance to Marathon Drinking forget about is that .1 afterwards. It’s always I have no trouble running 3.1 miles. the distance after the decimal point that Running 3.1 miles and getting drunk afterwill do you in. wards—well, that’s another story. Running, For this reason it may be and then partying afterwards, a good idea to actually spend is what makes the McGuire’s a week or two training for the St. Patrick’s Day Run such a race. The night before the unique experience for running, race I’d suggest laying off the and drinking aficionados. whiskey shots and going home On Saturday, March 10 before last call. When you hit thousands of runners will the 2.5-mile mark and all you gather at McGuire’s Irish Pub smell coming out of your pores to participate in what has beis alcohol you’ll be wishing you come one of the most popular followed my advice. prediction races in the country.

The McGuire’s race is a This will be my second prediction race. What this time participating in the race. means is that to win you don’t My previous experience saw have to finish first or even try me get a little competitive your hardest. You don’t have to be the fastwith the other runners, resulting in me est; rather, all you have to do is guess how going home immediately after the race slow you’ll be to be a winner. If you plan to take a nap. This time, however, I plan on making it an all-day party afterwards, to cap off this short race with a bout of perhaps you don’t want to run as hard as marathon drinking. you can.

For serious runners, the McGuire’s race Technically, you could even walk the is a legitimate competition. However, for race, but that seems a little like cheating. At the vast majority of participants, the race that point, you’re just walking three miles to is a chance to have some fun and have an drink like some kind of homeless alcoholic. excuse to start drinking at 10 a.m.

I’d suggest running at a good speed but not What makes the McGuire’s race so over-exerting yourself. Choose a time that different from many other races is the accurately reflects how fast you can go, not light-hearted nature of the event. You’ll be how fast you used to go before all those running along and be passed by a man in a late nights at the bar. I predicted 24:38. For banana suit. Some people will be wearing the record, that is also roughly the amount kilts (hopefully, with something on unof beers I plan on drinking after the race. derneath), while others will be done up in There is no more beautiful place to run green, prancing like Leprechauns. No outfit in this world than downtown Pensacola, can be too ridiculous. The race is a lot like and there aren’t many better places to Halloween, if Halloween involved running drink than the world-famous McGuire’s. in the heat and drinking beer afterwards.

Get some running shoes, find something Don’t be afraid to look ridiculous and green to wear and make some room in your stand out. If you have a gorilla suit handy, stomach for an Irish Wake or two. Or 10. It’s and I won’t ask why you do, bust it out for the McGuire’s race, no one will judge. I’ll the big race. I mean, you might have a heat see you at the finish line. I’ll be the little guy stroke wearing it but you’ll definitely enterwearing green. {in} tain the crowd while doing so.

While the race is about fun, it is still an athletic competition.

About "The Local": James Hagan likes to run and Many a person has been laid low specializes in writing about getting drun, apparently. by rolling in from an all-night He is getting a graduate degree in English Literature rager thinking they could dash from the University of West Florida for reasons that off the race and keep on imbibescape him. He lives in East Hill with a Beta fish. You ing afterwards. Even the most can follow him on Twitter @jameskhagan, add him in-shape people sometimes on Facebook, or just buy him a drink next time you think that a three-mile run isn’t run into him downtown. worth preparing for. What they

Are you a local with a story to tell? If so, email your story to joani@inweekly.net & she might be in contact (if it's good enough to get her attention).

March 8, 2012

25

626 2

inweekly.net

BP OIL CLAIMS Now that the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee has announced a settlement in principle regarding the BP Oil Spill, please contact our office about your business or rental losses from the spill.

Call: 435-7000 Pensacola, FL

w w w.l evin l aw. c o m

news of the weird THE ROYAL FAMILY OF QATAR, apparently striving for art-world credibility, purchased a Paul Cezanne painting (“The Card Players”) last year for the equivalent of about $250 million, which is twice as much as the previous most-expensive painting sold for. (Qatar is vying with the United Arab Emirates to become the Middle East’s major intellectual hub.) At the same time that Qatar’s purchase was made public in February, artwork of the probable value of about $200 million became news in reports of the imminent Facebook initial public offering. Graffiti artist (“muralist”) David Choe stood to make about that amount because he took stock instead of money to paint the lewd themes on the walls of Facebook’s first offices.

Even though Choe was quoted as saying, originally, that he found the whole idea of Facebook “ridiculous and pointless,” his shares today are reportedly worth up to one quarter of 1 percent of the company.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT Last year, the Cape Town, South Africa, “gentlemen’s club” Mavericks began selling an Alibi line of fragrances designed for men who need excuses for coming home late. For example, as men come through the door, they could splash on “I Was Working Late” (to reek of coffee and cigarettes) or “My Car Broke Down” (evoking fuel, burned rubber and grease).

FINE POINTS OF THE LAW The Houston Funding debt collection company in Houston, Texas, had fired receptionist Donnicia Venters shortly after she returned from maternity leave when she announced that she intended to breastfeed her child and needed space in the office to pump her breast milk. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Houston Funding for illegal discrimination based on “pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions,” but in February, federal judge Lynn Hughes (Mr. Lynn Hughes) rejected the EEOC’s reasoning. The law does not, he wrote, cover “lactation” discrimination.

LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS In an incident reported in February by the IndoAsian News Service, a Pakistan International Airlines captain made a revenue-enhancing decision for his full flight PK 303 from Lahore to Karachi. Two overbooked passengers would not have to make alternative arrangements if they accepted seats for the 640-mile flight in the plane’s restrooms.

• Real estate reassessments hit Pittsburgh like a bombshell in December when county officials announced enhanced estimates of property value in order to raise needed tax revenue. In the first wave of assessments (which engendered criticism countywide, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story), a real estate attorney who lives in the Mount Washington neighborhood was stunned to find his condominium apartment had jumped $55,000 in value, now “worth” $228,700 and, worse, his private parking space on the ground

by Chuck Shepherd

floor of the building, previously valued at $5,000, now “worth” $287,800.

• In December, National Geographic lamented that the number of South Africa’s rhinoceroses killed by poaching increased by a third in 2011, to 443, as a response to the booming street price of rhino horns. MSNBC reported that the horns’ market price “soared to about $65,000 a kilogram, making (them) more expensive than gold, platinum, and in many cases, cocaine.” The reason for the price is an escalating, though science-free, belief in Asia that rhino horn powder can cure cancer.

THE WEIRDO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY In February, a jury in Thousand Oaks, Calif., acquitted Charles Hersel, 41, of molesting children.

Though Hersel admitted through his lawyer that he paid high school students to spit in his face and yell profanities at him, and had offered to pay them money to urinate and defecate on him, jurors found that he must have done those things for reasons other than “sexual gratification” and therefore, technically, did not violate the statute under which he was charged.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS According to prosecutors in Camden, S.C., in November, Christopher Hutto, 30, needed money badly to buy crack cocaine, but the best plan he could devise was getting a friend to telephone Hutto’s mother and demand a ransom.

Though Hutto, according to the phone call, supposedly had been beaten up by kidnappers and dumped in a secret location and was “near death,” the “kidnapper” asked only for $100. The un-eager mother dawdled a bit until she and the caller had negotiated the ransom down to $60. (The money drop was made, and sheriff’s deputies arrested Hutto running from the site with the booty.)

UPDATE Airbags Save Lives: News of the Weird has previously chronicled the breastobsessive Sheyla Hershey, the Guinness Book record-holder for largest artificially enhanced bosom (size 38MMM). (To recap, the Brazil-born, Houston-area woman had her implants removed two years ago for health reasons but then, after depression set in over her “loss,” she wanted them back, but no U.S. surgeon would meet her requirement of 85 fluid ounces of silicone per breast. Finally, she found a surgeon in Cancun, Mexico, and received slightly smaller implants -- 38KKK.) Hershey, 32, was charged with DUI as she drove home after a Super Bowl party in February. Her car spun around and hit a tree, and according to Hershey, who was not wearing a seat belt, it was likely that her breasts saved her from injury by cushioning her as she was thrust against the steering wheel. {in} From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2012 Chuck Shepherd

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

27

March 8, 2012

my pensacola Robbie Marie Lofty

Day Job: Human Resources and Events Coordinator at the Santa Rosa Island Authority Pensacola Resident Since: 2009

Wanee Music Festival / photo by Jason Koerner Photography

Good Eats:

Sidelines’ chicken wings and cheese fries, Grand Marlin and H20 sushi is how I get my grub on.

Retail Therapy:

Skin Beauty Boutique, Gibson Girl and Envie. “Come and join the party … dress to kill.”

Watering Holes:

Real Banana Bushwackers from the Shaker even though my 4 Shore Fit boot camp instructor says it has as many calories as an entire meal. And of course Paradise Bar & Grill is a no-brainer!

Nightlife:

I would never miss a Timberhawk show at the Islander or the Break. If you weren’t sway-

ing with the Astronauts after the Mardi Gras beach parade, then what were you doing?

11 East Romana Street w w w. a t t o r n e y g e n e m i t c h e l l . c o m

Outdoors:

Peace, Love and Pensacola Beach. Go Blue Wahoos!

Arts & Culture:

I never miss Gallery Night and Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Art and Wine Weekend.

Never Miss Events/ Festivals:

Wanee Music Festival, Blue Angels Air Show on Pensacola Beach, Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade, Seafood Festival, Bands on the Beach and any good band that makes you want to “put on your red shoes and dance the blues” at Vinyl Music Hall. {in}

Contact Mike at Bahia Mar Marina 432-9620 or 791-3987

mikeg@bahiamarmarine.com

Portofino Boardwalk / photo courtesy of pensacolabeachboardwalk.com Do you want to tell us how you see our city? Email Joani at joani@inweekly.net for all of the details.

From now through March, when you purchase a four stroke Yamaha engine you receive either $2,000 in credit toward Yamaha goods and service or get a five year Yamaha Warranty Protection FREE! Also for a limited time, with the purchase of a new Blazer Bay Boat, get your choice of a free power pole OR free electronics!

OR

Visit us at bahiamarmarine.com!

Escolar Stack

Fresh Escolar with Spicy Mayonnaise, Avocado and Mango, finished with Caviar and a Blood Orange Vinaigrette.

Served with Sesame Rice Crisps.

Tues - Thurs - 5pm thru 9pm • Fri & Sat - 5pm thru 10pm

27 South Palafox Place • 850.469.9966 Independent News | March 8, 2012 | inweekly.net