“June 25, 2009 was actually the day the music died.”
“I’m just trying to take pictures and make my phone ring.”
“It was like the Wild West. Tombstone.”
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ILLEGAL GUN CAPITAL USA
Independent News | November 10, 2011 | Volume 12 | Number 43 | inweekly.net
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publisher & editor Rick Outzen production manager Joani Delezen art director Samantha Crooke contributing writers Bradley “B.J.” Davis, Jr., Joani Delezen, Hana Frenette, Ashley Hardaway, Rob “Bubbs” Harris, Brett Hutchins, Chelsa Jillard, Sarah McCartan, Jennie McKeon, Jeremy Morrison, Kate Peterson, Scott Satterwhite, Chuck Shepherd
Who’s Bad? PAGE 20
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winners & losers Bob Tyler
Sheriff David Morgan
winners SHERIFF DAVID MORGAN Operation Anything for a Buck netted 75 indictments and over 270 illegal firearms. It was a joint effort with several law enforcement agencies, but all were quick to give the Escambia County sheriff credit for devoting the manpower and other resources necessary to make the eight-month operation a success. Couple this with his office’s other initiatives, such as Operation Clean Sweep and Desks to Roads, Morgan is having a very successful year in combating crime.
losers TONY HENDERSON The chief assistant
public defender for the First Judicial Circuit may have found a new way to pick up women if allegations that he requested sexual favors in exchange for effective legal services for a former client are true. Henderson ran in 2008 against his boss, James Owens, for the public defender job and landed the number two spot in that office. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation of him has bumped Commissioner Wilson Robertson from the front pages of the daily newspaper.
ARIELLE LANGHORNE The local photographer has been awarded in the 2011 International Image Competition of The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP). Langhorne competed against thousands of image entries, which were judged based on impact, technical merit, composition and creativity. Her image “En Couronne” received 3rd Place in the Seniors category, and she also received 2nd Place in the Maternity category for “Expecting.”
LINCOLN PARK ELEMENTARY Another public school located in a black neighborhood is on the chopping block. The handwriting is on the wall, folks. Despite what the Superintendent of Schools is telling you, he intends to shut it down. The Thomas legacy appears to be mega-size schools and classroom trailers in the white neighborhood schools, as the historic black neighborhood facilities are boarded up.
RAY RAPPA The West Florida High School Health Science Academy instructor was honored recently as the first Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Medal of Honor Winner, which will now bear his name. Each year a health science teacher will be selected from the region as The Ray Rappa HOSA Medal of Honor Award winner.
BOB TYLER Last week, his Toyota dealership and sales manager lost an expensive lawsuit for unsavory business practices aimed at hurting his competitor, Eastern Shore Toyota owner Shawn Esfahani. A federal grand jury awarded $7.5 million ($2.5 million-compensatory damages, $5 millionpunitive) to Esfahani for Tyler’s staff referring to the dealership as “Taliban Toyota.”
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The Escambia County Commission has been trying to figure out how to rid the area’s roadways of beggars since March 2007. Pensacola City Councilman John Jerralds wants to institute a county-wide teen curfew because he believes that it will curb juvenile crime. Both efforts are misguided. Escambia County has bigger problems. Illegal guns trump panhandlers and teenagers walking home after high school football or basketball games. Operation Anything for a Buck seized over 270 illegal firearms off our streets in just an eight-month period. According to law enforcement officials, the average undercover operation that uses storefronts to capture criminals wanting to unload stolen goods takes in about two firearms a week. The Escambia County operation averaged eight illegal guns per week, making it the largest haul per capita in the nation. “We found that we have more of a gun culture than we thought,” Sheriff David Morgan shared with me the day after the indictments were made public. “It’s a status symbol on the streets to have a gun.” At the beginning of the year, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office implemented a strategic plan that was developed by Chief Deputy Larry Aiken to combat violent crime and gun violence. The goal was to reduce the number of gun-related crimes
within Escambia County, including drive-by shootings, carrying concealed firearms and homicides. Operation Anything for a Buck was part of the strategic plan. Nowhere in that plan was shifting the ECSO’s manpower and resources to enforce a panhandling ordinance or a teen curfew. And while Councilman Jerralds wants children off the streets after 11 p.m., it’s more important to get illegal guns off the streets. Jerralds may not realize that juvenile arrests take hours to process and the county has no room to jail curfew violators. The same is true for the misguided efforts to deal with panhandlers. Yes, they are nuisances, but when they are arrested, the deputy or policeman performing the arrest is taken off the streets while the detainee is processed. Besides, the county’s ordinances have been challenged as being either unconstitutional or unenforceable. The county commission and the Pensacola City Council need to move beyond “Ponies & Balloons” ordinances that look good around election time, but only tie up our law enforcement officers while bigger criminals run free. In an era of limited financial resources, the ECSO and Pensacola Police Department should focus on the real crime. To paraphrase a political slogan from 1992, “It’s the guns, stupid.” {in} rick@inweekly.net
To paraphrase a political slogan from 1992, “It’s the guns, stupid.”
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SHE’S NOT A STRIPPER, PILL-HEAD OR DEADBEAT
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Victim in Henderson Scandal Speaks Out By Rick Outzen The blockbuster story in the Sunday, Nov. 6 edition of the daily newspaper concerned allegations of misconduct by Tony Henderson, the chief assistant public defender and long-time friend of Public Defender James Owens. The impetus for the article was a complaint supposedly filed by Billy Clark about Henderson making harassing telephone calls and lewd comments to his girlfriend, whom the attorney was representing in court system. The victim, Heather Tramuta, and Clark called the IN because they were upset at how the article portrayed Tramuta. “I never made any formal complaint or statement against Tony Henderson,” said Tramuta in a phone interview. “I do not work at Sammy’s. I was not fired by Dave Miller. I didn’t feel Tony Henderson could handle my case. I didn’t feel he was handling it appropriately so I sought other legal advice. That’s it. Don’t go after the victim for chrissakes.” She began to dissect the News Journal’s article, “No. 2 public defender faces possible misconduct probe.”
“The first thing that’s not true is that I worked as a waitress at Sammy’s,” said Tramuta. “Completely false. I was a waitress maybe ten years ago and quit when my son was born.” In its Nov. 8 issued, the News Journal did correct the error, blaming it on incorrect information in a Pensacola Police arrest report The unemployed medical assistant said that she never made a formal complaint against Henderson. Her boyfriend, Billy Clark, said that he shared, in confidence, with a deputy friend his concern over Henderson making a phone call to Tramuta. “He assured me that he wouldn’t say anything,” said Clark. “Apparently it got right into a reporter’s hand because it wasn’t another week before Heather was contacted.” He asked his friend what would happen if a public defender started calling his girlfriend after hours, asking her out even though he was her client. The deputy later returned to Clark’s office and asked for more information from him and Tramuta. “I talked over the phone to the deputy because he was a friend of Billy’s,” said
Tramuta, “But never was it said that this was a formal statement or part of an investigation.” She also challenged the statement that Dave Miller, a former co-worker, and Henderson invited her on a boat “so they could sexually assault her.” “That’s absolutely insane. Who goes up to somebody and says, ‘Let’s go on boat. I’m going to sexually assault you?’” Sarcastically, Tramuta asked, “Do I pack a swimsuit for that?” She said that she told the deputy that Miller and Henderson are friends and that Miller did get her a job at a Destin weight-loss clinic where he worked. “We rode together…. He’s a jerk. Period. ” The News Journal article stated that Tramuta had been fired by Miller for not showing up for work. “How could she miss work when Miller was giving her ride every day?” asked Clark. “My thing (about the boat invitation) was that you have two guys (Miller and Henderson) that are not credible people,” said Tramuta. “Who knows what they could have planned for me? However, I never said they did anything or tried to.”
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Tramuta said that she sought another attorney because she didn’t think her case was being handled as professionally as she wanted it to be done. “I sought other representation.” While she didn’t make any formal complaint against Henderson, Tramuta said, “I do believe it was inappropriate for him to call me at 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday night. I didn’t like that at all, but I also didn’t feel he was the right person for my case.” Tramuta was very upset about Sunday’s article and how it may impact her future. “For an unemployed woman, the article hurt my chances of ever finding a job in this town,” she said. “I don’t know how I’m to find a job with the reputation this has given me. Instead of making me out to be the victim, I am made to look like a piece of trash.” Tramuta was arrested May 23 and charged with fraud and forgery in an effort to obtain a controlled substance after being accused of taking a forged Adderall prescription from her former employer, Dr. Zoltan Erdos, to a Pensacola pharmacy. Her trial is scheduled for Nov. 22. She told the IN about her case because she believed the article made her appear to be a drug addict. “The prescription that was written was not even for me,” she said. “They were written out by Dr. Erdos, signed by Dr. Erdos, and his wife is accusing of signing a prescription. One-hundred percent, he signed the prescription. It is his signature.” The prescription wasn’t for Tramuta and she never tried to fill it. “The medications were for a former boyfriend of mine, which Dr. Erdos had agreed to fill upon a visit. His wife found out about it, flipped out, called the pharmacies and accused me of forging a prescription.” She believed that publishing her case has also hurt her reputation and any chances of getting a job in the Pensacola area. “I’m single mother,” said Tramuta. “I didn’t want my name drug through this.”
from the blog
Clark said, “The article made her look like a stripper, pill-head and unaccountable for work.” Tramuta was also upset how Miller characterized her employment. She said that Miller and Henderson are friends and that Miller had asked him to handle her case. “When this went down, I called Dave and told him what happened,” she said. “He said, ‘You’re going to need a good attorney. I have a friend.’” She said that at the time Miller was a friend, but she now considers him a “sleaze bag.” He did help her get a job in Destin after the arrest. “The job only paid $10 an hour so she couldn’t afford to drive to work,” said Clark about the Destin job and Miller. “He offered her a ride so he could get close to her. I think he’s upset because he couldn’t have her as a girlfriend.” Tramuta said that she worked at the Destin office to learn the business and so she could work here when a Pensacola branch was opened. She said that she visited a local clinic and texted its prices to Miller. When she did, the office manager called her and said that she was being laid off because there wasn’t enough work. Miller did not fire her. “She told me that they would rehire me when they opened the Pensacola office,” she said. When asked about the claim that she had sent Miller flirtatious and threatening e-mails and text messages, Tramuta laughed. “The only text message I sent after Christine said ‘I’m going to have let you go’ was ‘I’m really sorry this happened. You know I was a good employee and I think this whole thing is ridiculous.” Billy Clark was asked who was behind this story going public. He said, “Whoever is wanting to run against Owens is pushing this very hard.” {in}
“If being productive is an issue, then maybe we should slap a curfew on the City Council”—Henry
buzz UNION OCCUPIES COUNTY CHAMBERS It’s an interesting mix: the union
and Occupiers. While their messages may dovetail, the group’s styles vary wildly. “Let’s hope it doesn’t rain,” said Mike Lowery, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395. “I need a shower!” called out a member of the Occupy contingen. On Nov.3, the two groups converged to march down Palafox Street and into the Escambia County Commission chambers. The union welcomed the Occupy Pensacola contribution in its struggle toward a better deal for area transit employees. “We’re hoping they’ll pay attention,” said Lowery. Escambia County Area Transit is managed by Veolia. Over the past couple of months, the French company and union employees have been hitting a brick wall at the negotiating table. As they prepared to march, people took turns at a microphone rallying the crowd. County commission candidate Lumon May said, if elected, he would fight to keep money in the community, as opposed to sending it overseas with a multi-national management company. Gary Rauen, international ATU vice president, told the crowd that the commission would probably not allow them to applaud during the meeting. Then he told them to do it anyway. Rauen said, “You do what’s from the heart.”
“Just disagreeing with the liberals’ philosophy shouldn’t qualify one as hateful and disgusting”—Steve
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Once inside the chambers, the group found the Commission was indeed opposed to applause. “We just don’t do that,” Commissioner Wilson Robertson scolded them. “If you continue to do that we’ll have you removed. We do not allow applause.” One after another, union supporters took to the public forum podium to voice their concerns. Employees weren’t happy with the work environment. Riders weren’t satisfied with the service. “I’m asking where’s the justice,” Rauen wrapped up the group’s argument. Prohibited from applauding, members of the gallery took to wiggling their fingers in the air as a show of support. It’s an Occupy thing. It looks strange, but the commissioners seemed to enjoy it. Commissioners said that the county was financially strapped and not in a position to bolster bus ser vice, and was currently evaluating its contract with Veolia. Commissioner Gene Valentino also said that a regional mass transit system—one incorporating nearby counties—should be considered. “Let’s talk about a mass transit system,” Valentino said. “It’s what the rest of the world is doing.” The commissioner added that such an operation would require a gas tax. “Mr. Valentino,” Rauen replied. “We will absolutely support a gas tax.” {in}
“My Daddy, a true man of the Old West, told me, ‘Never follow a man in a mask…or a woman.’” —Mariah
“These people should be part of a new movement, Occupy Jail Cell.” —Jim
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.
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ILLEGAL GUN CAPITAL USA
Escambia County Sheriff Scores Record Gun Bust By Rick Outzen It was a rundown store in a rundown neighborhood on the edge of Brownsville. The secondhand retail shop near the corner of Pace Boulevard and Godfrey Street had little signage, no website, no radio or television ads and no social media strategy. The store only put out a crappy little flyer to announce its “grand” opening in February. Still, the word-of-mouth was fantastic. Customers were steady, thanks to a catchy slogan–“We buy anything. No questions asked.” November 10, 2011
The clientele provided a brisk business for the fledgling operation and brought in a steady stream of merchandise. The shop might have qualified for Best of the Bay or Best of the Coast for the most successful new retail shop, except for one problem. The shop, Anything for a Dollar, was an undercover sting operation run by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) with the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Florida Department of
feature story
Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Pensacola Police Department. The top commodities were illegal firearms that customers sold to store employees at rates higher than similar undercover storefront operations around the country. There were no special prices. Market price, which was computed by the ATF experts, was paid for all firearms, with prices ranging from $3 to $3000 each. All types of guns were brought in, including sawed-off shotguns and assault rifles.
“We know from experience that gun violence goes hand-in-hand with gangs and drugs.” Pamela Marsh, U.S. Attorney
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By the time the operation was shutdown in early October, over 270 guns had been taken off the streets, a phenomenal number according to Lt. Ray Briggs, who headed the operation for the ECSO. “The average storefront operation nets about two guns per week,” Briggs told the IN. “Operation Anything for a Buck averaged eight illegal guns a week, making the operation’s haul one of the largest per capita when the county’s population is taken into account.” ATF Special Agent Randy Beach worked with Briggs on running the operation. He talked about other similar undercover operations in Phoenix, Ariz., Atlanta and Augusta, Ga. that seized a lot of guns and generated several arrests, but the Pace Boulevard storefront did more arms dealing than those operations in much larger metropolitan areas. Both Briggs and Beach admitted that they were stunned by the number of guns taken off the streets by Operation Anything for a Buck.
STOREFRONT STINGS
The Escambia County storefront was run similarly to other such undercover operations that ATF and local law enforcement agencies have conducted all over the country. This past summer, a seven-month undercover operation, Operation ATL Blaze, that was run out of a smoke shop in southwest Atlanta, led to the indictments of 49 suspects involved in trading 373 illegal firearms. Undercover agents posed as employees of ATL Blaze and, like the Brownsville fauxsecondhand shop, the store spread the word they were interested in purchasing firearms and narcotics. Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, has a population of 920,581, according to the 2010 Census. That’s three times more people than Escambia County, Florida. Operation ATL Blaze seized less than one gun for every 500 residents. Operation Anything for a Buck seized nearly two guns for every 500 residents. In March 2011, Operation 602 Exchange led to 49 indictments on federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses, and another 54 on state charges, as part of a nine–month undercover operation at a Phoenix, Ariz. secondhand shop. Over its duration, the operation resulted in the seizure of 223 weapons, including handguns, assault rifles, rifles and sawed–off shotguns.
Operation 602 Exchange run a month longer than the Escambia County operation and seized fewer guns. Phoenix has a population of 1,445,632. Special Agent Beach participated in a storefront undercover operation four years ago in Richmond County, Ga. Operation Augusta Ink, in which the undercover officers posed as employees of the Colur Tyme Tattoo Parlor in Augusta, made illegal gun and drug purchases. When the parlor’s doors were closed after operating for 16 months, 71 arrests were made and more than 400 firearms were recovered. Firearms and narcotics seized from Anything for a Buck / photo by Operation AuJeremy Morrison gusta Ink averaged 25 firearms per month. Office, ATF, ECSO, Pensacola Police DepartOperation Anything for Buck averaged nearly ment, Florida Department of Law Enforce35 guns taken off the streets every month. ment, U.S. Marshalls, NCIS and the Santa No matter how you look at it, Escambia Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. County can lay rightful claim to the title “Gun Capital USA.”
TAKING GUNS OFF THE STREET
On the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 2, reporters, photographers and cameramen huddled in the lobby of the ECSO Administrative Building waiting for a press conference that had been announced less than two hours before. No one knew for sure what the announcement would be, but the media had been told it would involve a major operation involving the several agencies, including the U.S. Attorney. The WEAR TV cameraman said that he heard that it involved guns, and he was right. When the media was escorted into the training room, there were tables covered with guns–pistols, rifles, sawed-off shotguns and semi-automatic weapons. A sign identified the weapons as having been seized as part of Operation Anything for a Buck and credited the U.S. Attorney’s Office, State Attorney’s
an eight-month undercover investigation referred to as Operation Anything for a Buck. During the operation, undercover agents and investigators purchased 270 firearms, including handguns, rifles, assault rifles and sawed-off shotguns, and more than 2,600 rounds of ammunition. In over 100 individual drug deals, they also obtained illegal drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, hydrocodone, Xanax, and oxycodone. “The residents of Escambia County and communities across the state can feel a little safer today thanks to the tireless efforts of the brave law enforcement officers and agents who took part in this effort,” said Marsh. “We know from experience that gun violence goes hand-in-hand with gangs and drugs. Our law enforcement officers worked incredibly hard, in the heat of a Florida summer, to take these guns and drugs out of our community. They deserve all the credit for this successful joint effort. I assure you we will not stop here and together we will continue to do what it takes to rid our streets of criminal activity.” State Attorney Bill Eddins said the operation was very successful in both the arrests made and the amount of guns, drugs and stolen property recovered. He expected the number of arrests to grow as the guns were processed by the ATF lab and tied to other crimes. He credited the leadership and support of Sheriff Morgan for that success. “He committed an unbelievable allocation of manpower and resources to this operation,” said Eddins. “It was his leadership and that of Lt. Ray Briggs from his office, and AFT Special Agent Randy Beach, that made this possible, along with the unselfish cooperation of all the agencies involved.” Eddins said that he had assigned special prosecutors, who had been involved in the undercover operation and knew the issues and the defendants, to these cases. U.S. Attorney Marsh emphasized that an indictment was merely an allegation by a grand jury and not evidence of guilt. All defendants were entitled to a fair trial, during which it would be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Assistant U.S. attorneys J. Ryan Love and David Goldberg are prosecuting the federal cases.
“This was in response to the gun violence that we were seeing.” Chief Deputy Larry Aiken The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Pamela Marsh, stood at the podium, flanked by Sheriff Morgan, State Attorney Bill Eddins, Santa Rosa Sheriff Wendell Hall, ATF Special Agent from the Tampa office, Virginia O’Brien, and Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons. Marsh announced 22 federal indictments that charged 22 separate defendants with federal firearm violations. An additional 53 defendants were charged by state authorities on violations related to illegal firearm possession, drug distribution, and dealing in stolen property. She said the federal and state charges followed
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RESPONDING TO GUN VIOLENCE
The IN met with Sheriff Morgan, Chief Deputy Larry Aiken and Lt. Briggs the next afternoon to gain a better understanding why Operation Anything for a Buck was initiated and what did it say for Escambia County that so many weapons were seized over eight months. “Last year we had spikes in some crime areas and the chief was tracking it very closely,” said Morgan to explain why he initiated the undercover operation. “In August of 2010, Chief Aiken began to develop a strategic plan in response to violence and gun-related crimes that we were seeing in the stats.” Morgan said the strategy was to be based on what he called the “modern practice of intelligence-led policing.” “It’s where we are proactive, not reactive, and allocate resources where they best can protect the public,” he said. “In this day of shrinking budgets, you have to take what you’ve been given and use it to the best of your ability.” In 2010, Escambia County saw a decrease in violent crimes overall about 14 percent, according to Aiken. “But we were seeing a trend of more guns and weapons in the neighborhoods,” said the chief deputy. “The strategic plan included Operation Clean Sweep, reorganizing the community policing, creating the TAC unit and putting them in the neighborhoods where the crime was occurring,” said Aiken. “This was in response to the gun violence that we were seeing.” The Sheriff’s Office originally focused on the gang violence, but then they expanded their approach because the crimes being committed weren’t just gang-related. “We needed a plan to go after the guns and the gun violence,” said Aiken, “it was clear that the most serious of issues was gun violence.” “Our initial approach was to start in August 2010 a six-man TAC unit, which has grown to 14 officers,” he said. “We started in December our Desk to Roads, in which officers here went out on the streets, and we started to see some dramatic decreases in our violent crime. But those things were only a piece of the overall plan. They were the easiest to start and reaped some benefit. Sheriff Morgan added, “We also worked on improving our neighborhood watch programs. We reached out to community outreach groups and local churches to have them go out with us into the neighborhoods, like Montclair and Diego Circle.” They looked at operations and programs that had worked in the past, but hadn’t been used in a long time. Capt. Bruce Wood and Lt. Briggs suggested the Sheriff’s Office do an undercover storefront operation because they had been hugely successful in the past. “We were seeking ways to partner with our court system and other law enforcement agencies in various undercover operations,” said Aiken. “You saw with Operation Anything for a Buck that when all the agencies banded together our resources become ten-fold.”
Morgan didn’t want to duplicate the mistakes of his predecessor in the fanfare around Operation Brownsville that focused on crime and code enforcement for 30 days in 2007. “The worst thing we could do is fall in the trap of Operation Brownsville, which was 30 days of hoopla and then they went off and worried about something else,” said the sheriff. “We know the key to successful crime suppression is consistency.” “The lesson from Brownsville,” said Aiken, “was that if you concentrate your resources in one area, you may suppress certain elements in that area but the crime moves elsewhere, like Montclair, Diego Circle or Mayfair.” Aiken pointed to how the community policing has been modified to provide a more consistent approach. In the past, patrol deputies had districts and they didn’t leave them during their shifts. The sheriff ’s office identified common patrol areas, neighborhoods where crimes are occurring currently. The patrol shifts are encouraged to put some of their officers during their downtime in those common areas where trends show burglaries and other crimes are happening.
“I was literally getting phone calls during the press conference.” Lt. Ray Briggs
November 10, 2011
SETTING UP SHOP
To open the storefront, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office looked for help from ATF Special Agent Beach, who had been involved in these types of operations before. “He was the one who basically told us how to do it and everything,” said Briggs. “Once the decision was made to do the operation, it took us about two months to find the location in an area that needed assistance, identify the undercovers that we were going to use and get organized.” “We had legal guidance from our own attorney, Col. Darlene Dickey, the U.S. Attorney and State Attorney, to make sure we ran it properly,” said Morgan. “Because the danger in this type of operation is you can be accused of assisting or aiding a criminal enterprise. We had several safeguards in place. One was as simple as the price that we paid for the weapons. We had officers from ATF involved because they’re gun experts and knew what the market values were for the guns being brought in the store.” Why open up shop in the Brownsville area? Chief Aiken said the location was chosen because it was easy access to several areas that had problems with gun violence. The store was stocked with items the agency had seized in arrests over the years and which would have normally been auctioned off. “The cost to Escambia County taxpayers was the salaries of the two officers involved in the investigations,” said Aiken. “Everything else used funds confiscated from drug deals and from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.” Once opened, the store had a steady stream of customers. “It was literally like Cheers,” said Morgan. “They had a regular clientele.”
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“What’s important to point out is that 21 of the people announced as arrested at the press conference we already had in jail,” said Briggs. “The reason they were in jail is because we knew they were going to hurt the community and we used other methods to arrest them and get them off the street.” For example, they passed on information to Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on people that they believed were committing burglaries in its county and unloading stolen goods at the Brownsville store. “We’re very cognizant of how serious an offender they may be,” said Aiken. “And we made every effort to make sure they didn’t stay on the street.” Business stayed steady, and the undercover officers continued to get phone calls from suspects wanting to unload goods even after the store closed in early October. “I was literally getting phone calls during the press conference,” said Briggs.
MORE GUNS SEIZED THAN OTHER STINGS “Percentage-wise, this is the largest number of guns taken off the street in the United States, according to ATF, for the time and effort committed,” said Morgan. “They compared us to Houston, Shreveport and Atlanta.” Where did the guns from? “It would appear from this that a lot of guns float around this community,” said Briggs. “We recovered several guns that were literally stolen decades ago. One was stolen from Los Angeles back in, like, 1984.”
Morgan added, “There was a 1911 Colt and some antique Smith & Wessons that you might say was from someone’s gun collection. I think it will be all over the map, but the nice thing about today’s technology, we can track the history of nearly every gun. The ATF has it down to a science.” Once Briggs and his team began tracing the guns, they found some gun owners didn’t know their firearm had been stolen. “We’d call and the owner would say, ‘Let me go see where my gun is,’” said Briggs. “They didn’t even know their gun was stolen.” He explained that some owners throw their pistols under the seat of the truck or car and forget about it. They may not see it for weeks or months and never think to report it as stolen. “I was surprised at how much stolen property we were able to identify and when we went to the owner, they didn’t even know it was missing,” said Briggs. “We would have GPSs that had the owner’s address programed in it. The owner didn’t realize it had been stolen out of the car. Same thing with laptops that owner’s never reported stolen or didn’t have the serial number on file.”
WHY SO MANY?
When asked what the large number of guns seized by his undercover operation says about Escambia County, Sheriff Morgan hesitated a second or two before he responded. “I guess we’re more of a gun culture than we thought, especially on the thug side,” he said. “I think it also has to do with us being on the I-10 corridor, the most dangerous corridor in the United States. There are more rapes, murders, drugs committed along Interstate 10 than anywhere else and that drops right into the center of our community.” The sheriff also pointed to the mix of cultures that has an odd blend of metropolitan, urban and rural. “We have ignored our problems for years,” he said. “We have the third highest incarceration rate in the state, out of 67 counties. Escambia County has a lot of crime activity.” In his conversations with youth across the county, Morgan believes that there has been a shift in attitudes, especially among teens. “There is more acceptance of the thug culture,” said Morgan. “Some are almost embracing it. Guns have become a status symbol.”
“We are no longer tethered to those principles-faith, family, community and nation–that make us a decent society.” Sheriff Morgan
He echoed a familiar theme that has become part of talks around the community. “We are no longer tethered to those principles-faith, family, community and nation–that make us a decent society. It’s no longer being taught in the homes, schools and churches,” said Morgan. “We in law enforcement unfortunately deal with the repercussions of this.” Aiken chimed in. “With our neighborhood watch program, we’re trying to make people aware of the problem and then get them involved in the solution. In these tight-budgetary times, the temptation is to become reactive and just answer calls as they come in. We don’t want to do that.” Both Sheriff Morgan and Chief Deputy Aiken are proud of the success of Operation Anything for a Buck and have faith in their strategic plan to combat gun violence. “If an agency chooses to be proactive and does it in the appropriate manner, it will measure almost immeasurable benefits,” said Aiken. “This is resounding throughout the community and it will have a long-term effect. It’s incumbent upon us to remain consistent and make sure that we don’t ever take a step back. We have to continue to move forward.” He added that the Brownsville storefront was just one of several undercover operations that are part of the strategic plan and he had a warning for other criminals. “There are others going on right now and they will come later as part of this plan. We’re not stopping with just one storefront operation.” {in}
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ATTORNEY MIKE PAPANTONIO NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 PERRY NICHOLS AWARD
The Board of Directors of the Florida Justice Association (FJA) has named attor ney Mike Papantonio as the recipient of the 2011 Perry Nic hols Award. Established in 1977, the Perry Nichols Award has been the highest award given to a trial lawyer in the state of Florida. As summarized by the FJA, the Perry Nichols Award is given to “the attor ney whose perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system is at the forefront of their lives. The award is bestowed upon the attor ney who sets the standard for the rest to aspire to achieve.”
Mike Papantonio is a senior partner of Pensacola-based Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty & Proctor, P.A., the only law fir m to have four of its attor neys honored with the Perry Nichols Award. Past recipients from the law fir m include attor neys Fredric G. Levin, Lefferts Mabie, Jr. and Gov. Reubin Askew. The fir m has held leadership roles in many of the high-profile cases that have sur faced in the last two decades, including the ongoing BP Gulf Oil Spill litigation, the groundbreaking Hurricane Katrina litigation (in which the U.S. Gover nment was found liable for the stor m’s flooding), Vioxx, DuPont, asbestos, and tobacco, among many others. Mike Papantonio has received numerous multi-million dollar verdicts on behalf of victims of corporate fraud and malfeasance. He is also the co-host, along with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Sam Seder, of Ring of Fire, a nationally syndicated radio show heard in more than 50 markets nationwide, including the ten largest markets in America. Papantonio is also a frequent guest on MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News Channel and Fox Business.
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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 . . .
November It’s Never Too Early…
To start getting into the holiday spirit. HGTV star Emily Henderson has created one of the most fun and inspiring holiday gift guides we’ve ever seen. And the entire thing is available online for FREE! stylebyemilyhenderson.com
Last Call…
For Gallery Nights in ‘11, that is. Don’t miss your final chance this year to check out art and drink in the street—Nov. 18, 5 p.m. to midnight.
Must Read Alert
The majority of the IN staff (or at least the female majority of the IN staff—which is a pretty overwhelming majority, in general) is currently reading and loving the newest celebrity/comedy writer memoir: “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” by Mindy Kaling. Kaling is a writer, producer and actress on “The Office,” so that should give a pretty good idea what kind of jokes you’ll be getting in the book. theconcernsofmindykaling.com
27th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival
This 11-day festival takes place Nov. 10 through Nov. 20, and will feature singers and songwriters from around the world in over 20 locations in Alabama and Florida. fbisf.com
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music
by Hana Frenette
A Sugarless Toothache Stakes its Claim at Sluggo’s When Alexandria Hall, aka Toothache, and I were able to catch up on the phone, she was taking a hike somewhere in Delaware. Hall is currently on a tour of the U.S. with friend and musician Michael Collins. “The whole thing spans over a month and three weeks, and we have a show every night.” Hall said. “It’s kind of a figure-eight.” After skirting along the East Coast and making her way across the vast middle of America, Hall plans to meet up with the L.A.-based band Sissy Spacek and continue the last half of the tour loop until they make it back to her hometown of Burlington, Vermont. “We got to hang out in Boston for a bit with some friends, and in New York,” Hall said, speaking of the first few nights of the tour. “Once we get away from the Northeast though, there will be less hanging out with lots of friends and more trying of new things.” The music that Hall is making has been described quite a few different ways. Some people say “sweet dance pop,” but it might just be the name seeping into their brain, making them think sweet things. “Downer pop” has been referenced a few times online, and as much as an oxymoron as that is, it seems to fit at times. Toothache lends itself more to synthesized sounds and beats, with less techno than one might think when imagining pop. “You can dance to it, but it’s like a slow dance,” Hall said.
“I just always really liked playing the synthesizer ." Alexandria Hall
This might be the time to bring back the middle school handon-hip/ shoulder slow dance. Although making music is nothing new for Hall, the dance factor is. “When I was younger I did singer/songwriter type stuff,” Hall said. “I had a punk band and a jazz band, too.” Hall also grew up playing the piano. Pret-
“Flash and Yearn” was released in late October of this year, and will be available at the show for purchase, as well as online via Bandcamp or iTunes. Singles and an accompanying video are also available. For now, Hall is just enjoying the ride and the chance to do things in each town visited along the way. “Like right now, we’re actually able to go on a hike and relax,” Hall said. “But once we get to Texas, we’ll have too far to drive each day to really do anything during the day.” Hall and Collins will be joined at Sluggo’s by Pensacola bands Youth and Horse Hair Belt. Youth will provide dark-dance pop, and Horse Hair Belt will bring psychedelic duo noise. A buffet of sound will most certainly be offered up. As we end our call, I can hear the tell-tale signs of a walk in the woods. Bird calls, crunching leaves, and occasional chit-chat back and forth between friends, which is quite a contrast to what we’ll be hearing from Hall next: a synthesizer accompanied by beats and the occasional dark, echoing lyric. {in}
ty much every area of the music realm was covered at a fairly young age. Until the electronic slow jams started happening. “I just always really liked playing the synthesizer,” Hall said. WHAT: Toothache with Michael Collins, One thing led to another, and Youth, Horse Hair Belt next thing you know, she’s tourWHEN: 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12 ing the country with no band, no COST $5 songwriter stigma. Just a good oldWHERE: Sluggo’s, 101 S. Jefferson St. fashioned synthesizer and some DETAILS: sadacid.com friends who are along for the ride. Toothache’s full-length album
TOOTHACHE
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happenings THURSDAY 11.10
‘IT’S 5 O’ CLOCK SOMEWHERE’ MARGARITA TASTING 2 p.m. Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Rd., Pensacola Beach, 916-9755 or margaritavillehotel.com. ‘VIVA ITALIA!’ FOOD AND WINE EVENT 5:30 p.m. Reservations requested. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox Pl., 469-9898 or jacksons.goodgrits. com. WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. Ninth Ave., 433-9463 or aragonwinemarket.com. ‘JOAN MIRO: ORDER AND CHAOS’ CLOSING RECEPTION 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 nonmembers. 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. JESSY J, JONATHAN FRITZEN, NATE NAJAR 7:30 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Pl., 5953880 or pensacolasaenger.com. EMANUEL BOROK, VIOLIN 7:30 p.m. UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Pkwy., $10-$16, 857-6285. PHINEAS PHOGGETTES 10 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
live music
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. KENNY NEAL 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, , 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com. HOLLY SHELTON 7 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com. KARAOKE WITH BECKY 7:30 p.m. Sabine Sandbar, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 934-3141 or dalesbigdeck.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. COLLEGE DANCE NIGHT 9 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
FRIDAY 11.11
BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW 8 a.m. National Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. 4523604 or naspairshow.com. ‘KID’S HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING PARTY’ 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. $20, Reservations
HYPNOSIS.
Cash in on Geocaching By Jennie McKeon
about the art of the hunt and inspire people in Pensacola to inspect their surroundings. “Since we love archaeology so much and think it is important for people to visit archaeological and heritage sites open to the public, this was a great activity to accomplish this with,” Thomin said. “Every cache we have hidden as part of the DARC Geo-Trail and are located at a site of historic and or archaeological significance in Northwest Florida. This trail promotes these sites by bringing people to them and providing educational content.” To begin your geocache journey, create an account at geocaching.com where you can get coordinates to geocaches. Then locate them with your GPS device or smartphone. To find the “geotrails,” a series of related geocaches, hidden by DARC, you can download the passport at flpublicarchaeology.org or pick it up at the resource center. The first 300 people to find 12 of the 14 caches will receive a special “geocoin,” which is a metal coin designed by an individual or group of geocachers. “People geocache for all different types of reasons, including the thrill of finding the hidden container and what prize might be inside, but more often than not the best part is the journey it takes you on,” Thomin said. “It's a great way to experience new, fun, and interesting places.” {in}
For you muggles out there, it’s not completely hopeless. You too can join the fun. Destination Archaeology Resource Center (DARC) will host the lecture “Mosquitoes, Muggles and Museums: Exploring Florida’s Archaeology with Geocaching” on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. The lecture will be given by Michael Thomin, manager of DARC. Geocaching involves searching for hidden items via the Global Positioning System. A “muggle” is what geocachers call someone who didn’t know that until just now. “We have hidden 14 caches and plan to hide more at other sites,” Thomin said. “To date, we received almost 500 comments from people who have found our caches and all the feedback was positive. Many of them stated they did not know these places existed before our caches brought them there.” Geocaching is a world-wide scavenger hunt in which you use your GPS device to locate hidden containers (the geocache). Inside the container is usually a logbook to be signed. Some even leave their geocaches behind with a prize inside. If you take it, be sure to replace it with something of equal or WHEN: 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 greater value. Many people are WHERE: 207 E. Main St. still unfamiliar with geocachCOST: Free ing, even though five million DETAILS: flpublicarchaeology.org geocaches are hidden around the world. That’s why Thomin hopes to enlighten people
MOSQUITOES, MUGGLES AND MUSEUMS
required. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Pl., 4384688 or dk4u.com. VETERAN’S DAY PARADE 9 a.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Main and Spring Streets. Downtown Pensacola. WINE TASTING AT DK 4:30 p.m. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Pl., 438-4688 or dk4u.com. 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. ‘PICK A BOWL FOR MANA’ 6 p.m. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Bldg 15. 484-2550 or pensacolastate.edu. ‘13 THE MUSICAL’ 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com.
‘CHICAGO’ THE MUSICAL 7:30 p.m. Ashmore Fine Arts Building, 1000 College Blvd. 484-1847 or pensacolastate.edu/lyceum. GULF COAST VETERANS DAY FALL FESTIVAL 8 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St., 4320800 or pensacolaciviccenter.com. JIM BRICKMAN 8 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Pl., 595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com. ‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’ 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 20. UWF Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Pkwy., $10-$16, 857-6285. PHINEAS PHOGGETTES 10 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
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live music
SAWMILL & GUESTS 7 p.m. Chumuckla’s Farmers’ Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Rd., Pace, 9949219 or farmersopry.com. TRIBUTE TO EDDIE KIRKLAND 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach, 916-
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happenings 5087 or paradisebar-grill.com. KARAOKE WITH BECKY 7:30 p.m. Sabine Sandbar, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 934-3141 or dalesbigdeck.com. JEREMY GIBSON 7:30 p.m. 600 South Atrium, 600 S. Palafox Pl., 432-5254 or 600southpalafox.com. FORREST WILLIAMS BAND 8 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com. DESTIN ATKINSON 8 p.m. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox Pl., 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. HOLLY SHELTON AND DAVID SHELANDER 8 p.m. Ragtyme Grille, 201 S. Jefferson St., 429-9655 or ragtyme.net. DOG SPANKING MONKEY 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. KATAGORY 5 9 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
BLUNDERBUSS 9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 932-2211 or sandshaker.com. THE BAD HABITS 9 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St., 470-0003 or fishhouse. goodgrits.com. STEREO REFORM 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox Pl., 497-6073 or hopjacks.com.
SATURDAY 11.12
BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW 8 a.m. National Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. 452-3604 or naspairshow.com. PALAFOX MARKET 8 a.m. through Dec. 17. Martin Luther King Plaza on North Palafox Street between Chase and Garden streets. palafoxmarket.com. GULF COAST VETERANS DAY FALL FESTIVAL 1 p.m. Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway. 393-3028. WINE TASTING AT WINE BAR 2 p.m. $5 goes toward rebate on featured wines. Wine Bar, 16 S. Palafox Pl., Suite 100, 476-3830 or chanswineworld.com. ‘13 THE MUSICAL’ 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com. ‘CHICAGO’ THE MUSICAL 7:30 p.m. Ashmore
Fine Arts Building, 1000 College Blvd. 484-1847 or pensacolastate.edu/lyceum. PHINEAS PHOGGETTES 10 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
live music
SAWMILL & GUESTS 7 p.m. Chumuckla’s Farmers’ Opry, 8897 Byrom Campbell Rd., 994-9219 or farmersopry.com. KRAZY GEORGE KARAOKE 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St., 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com. KARAOKE WITH MARK ESKEW 7 p.m. Hub Stacey’s at the Point, 5851 Galvez Rd., 497-0071 or hubstaceys.com. TRIBUTE TO EDDIE KIRKLAND 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach, 9165087 or paradisebar-grill.com. WHO’S BAD? – THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE BAND 7:30 p.m. Doors open. $15-$20. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox Pl., 607-6758 or vinylmusichall.com. JOE OCCHIPINTI’S BIG BAND 7p.m. 600 South Atrium, 600 S. Palafox Pl., 432-5254 or 600southpalafox.com. FISH OUT OF WATER 8 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 6779153 or thegrandmarlin.com.
DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. LIMOZINE 8 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com. 0DJ MR LAO 8 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. BLUNDERBUSS 9 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 932-2211 or sandshaker.com. DOG SPANKING MONKEY 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. KATAGORY 5 9 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. REDDOG AND FRIENDS 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox Pl., 4976073 or hopjacks.com.
SUNDAY 11.13
WINE FESTIVAL 2 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. ‘13 THE MUSICAL’ 2:30 p.m. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., 432-2042 or pensacolalittletheatre.com. ‘CHICAGO’ THE MUSICAL 2:30 p.m. Ashmore Fine Arts Building, 1000 College Blvd. 484-1847 or pensacolastate.edu/lyceum.
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S P O N S O R E D B Y
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NOVEMBER >> ON DEMAND MOVIE PICKS ▶HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2
▲ THE CHANGE-UP
Available On Demand November 8, Same Day as DVD STARRING: Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Wilde DIRECTOR: David Dobkin GENRE: Comedy MPAA RATING: Rated R for pervasive strong crude sexual content and language, some graphic nudity and drug use.
Available On Demand November 11, Same Day as DVD STARRING: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint DIRECTOR: David Yates GENRE: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery MPAA RATING: Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
HUNDREDS OF NEW & CLASSIC MOVIES PAUSE, REWIND & FAST FORWARD ORDER ONE TODAY PREMIERES NOV. 1
Harry, Ron and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord.
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A comedy in which a married father accidentally switches bodies with his best friend, leading to a series of wildly complex difficulties.
▶PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
SAME DAY AS DVD
Available On Demand November 15 STARRING: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz and Ian McShane DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall GENRE: Action, Adventure, Fantasy MPAA RATING: Rated PG-13 for sexual content/ nudity, language and some violence.
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Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.
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Some receivers may require a PIN. The default PIN is 0000. Mail completed coupon to Cox/On DEMAND, 2205 La Vista Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504. Coupon good for one On DEMAND movie priced at $4.99 or less; not valid for adult programming or special events; cannot be used with other offers. Limit one coupon per household per month. Void if altered or transferred; no photocopies or reproductions accepted. Account holder is responsible for all charges on his/her account. Available to residential customers in Cox areas. Cox Advanced TV, remote, receiver required. Digital cable ready TV’s and other devices equipped with a CableCard require a Cox Advanced TV receiver to receive On DEMAND programming. On DEMAND cannot be recorded and some programming is extra. Rates, programming subject to change, may not be available in all areas. Movie titles, artwork are the property of their respective owners. Other restrictions apply. ©2011 CoxCom, Inc. All rights reserved. CX3212 OD L-shape IN 111011.indd 1
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happenings 6.
Michael was so talented that he actually has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One star is for the Jackson 5 and one is for his solo work.
Ten Things You Don’t 7. Know About 9.8. Michael Jackson 10.
MC Hammer challenged Michael to a dance off in the 1990s.
It was Elizabeth Taylor who popularized Michael’s King of Pop title.
In 1999, Michael bought the 1939 Oscar for “Gone with the Wind” for $1.5 million.
R&R Fine Catering Blake & Amber Rushing
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June 25, 2009 was actually the day the music died.
By Jennie McKeon
In honor of the upcoming Who's Bad?—The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band—show at Vinyl Music Hall, we asked our resident MJ expert Jennie McKeon to give us her best random facts about the King of Pop.
1. 2.
Sheryl Crow used to be his back-up singer in the 1980s.
Ever wonder what happened to Michael’s chimp, Bubbles? He’s alive and well, living at the Center for Great Apes, a primate sanctuary in Wauchula, Fla.
3.
Michael gave away his long-time friend, Liza Minnelli, at her wedding to concert promoter David Gest.
4.
Michael loved all animals and even had a boa constrictor named Muscles, a python named Crusher, a ram named Mr. Tibbs and two llamas, Louis and Lola. WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. He is Nicole Richie’s WHEN: 8:30 p.m., Nov. 12 godfather. COST: $15 in advance, $20 day of show (all ages event) DETAILS: vinylmusichall.com
WHO’S BAD - THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE BAND
5.
live music
AUSTIN CONNOR JR. 11 a.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com.
Please join us around the Murray Table at Lee House. Pensacola's newest and best table for fine cuisine presented by Chef Blake and Amber Rushing.
RONNIE LEVINE 12 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com. THE SHIZ 4-8 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, 932-2211 or sandshaker.com. TRIBUTE TO EDDIE KIRKLAND 4 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach, 9165087 or paradisebar-grill.com. WAYNE HALL 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., 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
MONDAY 11.14
2011 CELEBRITY SONGWRITERS GOLF TOURNAMENT 10:30 a.m. Lost Key Golf Club, 625 Lost Key Dr., 492-4660. ‘EVERYTHING OYSTERS’ 6 p.m. $45, Reservations required. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox Pl., 438-4688 or dk4u.com.
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21
November 10, 2011
music
by Jennie McKeon
Get a Sugar Rush with Hank and Cupcakes Hank and Cupcakes is Ariel Scherbacovsky and Sagit Shir, a husband-and-wife team from Israel. Scherbacovsky, or “Hank,” is on bass and Shir, “Cupcakes,” plays the drums while dancing. For just two people they create a lot of sound. “We pay attention to how we arrange the sound,” Shir said. “Hank has a lot of pedals. He’s always tap dancing on them during shows. We really try to make the music sound full and make sure nothing is missing.” The name Hank and Cupcakes was inspired by Charles Bukowski. Hank was the late author’s nickname and Cupcakes was the name of one of his lovers. Bukowski—along with Larry Flynt, Howard Stern and other outspoken celebrities—are muses for the band. “We are inspired by people who are real and go all the way with who they are,” Shir said. Cupcakes met Hank when she was 19-years-old. Romance blossomed and they formed a cover band playing hits by Tori Amos, Suzanne Vega and The Beatles. They
were making a living as musicians in Tel Aviv when they decided to move. There were three choices: London, New York City or Los Angeles. They chose Brooklyn—Williamsburg to be exact—and have been living there for the past three years. The cultural overload the pair has experienced assures them they made the right choice. photo by Tom Sands “It was the best choice,” Shir said. “We couldn’t be happier. There is crazy electricity here that we’ve never seen anywhere else. It pushes you to push yourself.” While they have found a home, they aren’t there very much. This is the band’s fifth tour this year, but they’re used to constant scenery
painted on their birthday suits. Shir laughed change. Before moving when asked if she’ll don the body paint at Vinyl. to New York, they spent “We did bring body paint on the tour,” Shir six months in Havana, said. “But it took seven hours for them to paint Cuba studying music. our bodies for the “Hit” video. We didn’t know “We’re never in one it would take that long.” place,” Shir said. “We’re Clothes or no clothes, Hank and Cupcakes in constant movement.” will offer a delectable show full of energy and As for their live dancing. show, Hank and Cup“It’ll be something else, something intercakes brings as much esting,” Shir said. “We can’t wait.” {in} energy as sound. Kind of like Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Shir wears the bold lipstick and has the WHAT: Hank and Cupcakes with Mad Happy attitude to get the crowd moving and Boom Chick whether they want to or not. WHEN: 9 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15 And sometimes her outfits, or WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. lack thereof, are worth showing up COST: $8 to $10 for. In the video for “Hit,” Hank and DETAILS: vinylmusichall.com Cupcakes sport elaborate designs
HANK AND CUPCAKES
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by Hana Frenette
Shooting from the Hip Portrait photographer Matthew Coughlin creates amazingly original images full of detail and dimension, especially for someone who just picked up a camera a year ago. “Ten years ago, I took one photography course as a prerequisite for my film and graphic design degree,” Coughlin said. “I really didn’t take an interest in it at the time.” Coughlin bought a Canon 7D last year, strictly for video, and ended up snapping some pictures of his kids. “I was very intrigued by the images I was taking,” Coughlin said. Coughlin got online and started researching how to shoot with external flashes and off-camera lighting, with the help of YouTube videos and blogs. “Fast forward one year later, and here I am today,” Coughlin said. Coughlin is technically moonlighting as a photographer and currently has a full-time day job as a graphic designer at a law firm in Pensacola. photo by Matthew Coughlin “I feel more original now than I ever did when I was only doing graphic Coughlin has shot a wedding and the design work,” Coughlin explained. “With occasional family greeting card, but the photography you get that instant gratificadirection he’s headed in is editorial. tion, and with graphic design you have to “There’s a lot of talent in Pensacola start out with a blank canvas, and you’re doing weddings and baby portraits, but it’s not really sure where it’s going.” not for me,” Coughlin said. Coughlin has received quite a bit One of the main things Coughlin would of attention in the past year and has like to check off his list is a cover of ESPN recently been picked up by an agency in The Magazine. Coughlin was an athlete as Philadelphia. Although it was quick, it a child and all through high school, but dedidn’t happen from shooting weddings cided to pursue a job and further schooling and hoping the right person would see after graduating. the link on Facebook. One of the main reasons Coughlin is “You’ve got to sell yourself,” Coughlin pursuing the photography path so feversaid. “I’ve been busting my ass to get my ishly now has something to do with that name out there.” age-old story you’re told as a kid.
“You can be anything you want to be, everybody hears that,” Coughlin said. “But how many people actually do it? How true is that statement?” If Coughlin is able to pursue his new interest in creating original images and portraits, and loving what he does every day, he will serve as a walking role model for his kids and prove that the often heard cliché your parents spout off can Creative Portrait Photographer become real. 850-450-5950 “Photography is new to me, matt@matthewcoughlin.com and if I can go out with my camera matthewcoughlin.com and pay the bills I’ll be doing exmatthewcoughlin.com/blog actly what I want,” Coughlin said.
Ihatejoezarzaur.com .....or so his last trial opponent may think.
Another thing about Coughlin that’s innovative, other than his images, is the fact that he’s not shy in telling people exactly how he arrived at the end result of a photograph. Many photographers are very guarded about how they edit, light, or shoot their work, but Matthew has a blog he updates regularly with videos and tutorials detailing all aspects of his photo shoots. “I’m self-taught,” Coughlin said. “I want people to learn how I do it, if they want to know.” Most of the originality is in the lighting, but Coughlin does discuss some of his editing techniques as well, though they are fairly minimal. “Sometimes I do some dodging and burning, to add contrast, but I try to keep my work as environmental as possible, no fake backgrounds added in or anything,” Coughlin said. If you haven’t taken a look at his work, check out Coughlin’s website, or Flickr stream. The images are exciting, well executed and addicting to look at. “I’m just trying to take pictures and make my phone ring,” Coughlin said. He seems to be doing a pretty good job so far. {in}
MATTHEW COUGHLIN
23
November 10, 2011
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by Edwin Banacia
Suds & Stories second nature by this time. Larry prepares to Every day, I hear all kinds of stories. enter the house when an old man just opens But, on occasion, when you’re really lucky, the door, probably to check out the nearby you hear one that you’ll never forget. It’s a explosion. Larry is a little shocked. “Sarge, weekday and late afternoon. This guy I know, can you come up here? There’s this old guy in Larry, walks up to the bar and sits down the doorway.” The old man gets cleared from beside me in his usual chair. After a few Buds the entryway and Larry waits for the signal and some light-hearted conversation, I ask to go. He’s tapped in the back, and the stack the guy, “So, what’s your story man?” He tells enters the room. There was an explosion me that a while ago he came back from Iraq. outside moments before and this house was He was with an Infantry National Guard Unit suspected of harboring illegal weapons. Larry from right here in Pensacola. Larry reenlisted had just seen his friend take a .38 caliber post-9/11. In other words, he’s a 9/11 recruit. projectile to the face so everyone’s extra His unit was called up early on into the war. cautious and on edge. As Larry enters the “It was like the Wild West. Tombstone,” room, there’s a young man standing there. as he puts it. The days were long and he Without hesitation, he subdues the guy on couldn’t quite describe the heat. We talked the floor. And, as the team works on clearing about the boredom in-between patrols. We the rest of the room, Larry sets his sights talked about a fire fight that his unit mistakdown the long hallway. enly thought were fireworks since it was the At this point in the story, Larry’s facial Fourth of July (forgetting the fact that it’s a expression has changed. He’s smiling and uniquely American holiday). And, after andare I say, almost giddy. He can barely utter other Bud, he mentioned his buddy who took the words. “Keep in mind, we almost bought a bullet to the face at point blank range. the farm with that explosion outside, and we They were on a patrol, somewhere near almost lost our friend so we’re in no mood Sadr City, when a guy walks up with a .38 to play around. Everyone is focused and all caliber pistol and blasts his pal in the face. locked and loaded,” he explains. He’s in the After the unit returned from patrol, everyone zone. In fact, everything around him has takwondered about their friend. Did he make en on film quality slow motion. He’s peering it? Everyone elects Larry to be the guy to go down the sight of his weapon hoping for the check on him at the hospital. By nature, Larbest but expecting the worst when he sees ry’s a guy who lights up a room. At the time, this woman walk out in her nightgown from it just seemed like the right person to send an adjacent room. Larry hadn’t seen women out there. Larry stuck by his buddy’s hospital wearing anything other than their traditional bed for days. He didn’t want him to wake dressing covering everything but the eyes up in an empty room. Amazingly, the guy’s and hands. And, in that instant, for what was injury amounted to a chipped tooth, probably probably quite literally an instant, he forgets some emotional trauma and a load of pain. I he’s in Iraq. He forgets he’s at war. He forgets know what you’re thinking. It sounded quite that his friend had just been shot. He forgets incredible to me as well. I can speculate that about the explosion outside that nearly killed we don’t know how old the weapon was or its him. He forgets he’s holding a man down condition. But, I’ve learned to never question on the ground. As he tells me holding back a miracle. Nonetheless, when Larry returned laughter, for that instant, all he can think to to base, his unit was already preparing for himself is, “Wow. She has amazing boobies.” another mission. He hadn’t slept in days, but You see, in the midst of hell, humanity rehe’d just seen his friend get shot in the face mains. We’re all just human. In the existence and there was no army powerful enough to of humanity, perfection isn’t present. Larry’s stop him from going back out. He asked if he momentary interruption is just a reflection of could be on point for this mission. that humanity in the face of chaos. I’m glad They were clearing some houses and he’s home now. I love Larry’s stories. {in} confiscating illegal weapons when a nearby IED explosion blasts so close to Larry, had he been a few feet up the road, he’d be dead. His commander barks an order: “We’re About "The Local": Ed is a local bar owner, local clearing this house to the left.” bar patron and former music industry executive. Larry and his unit stack up in their usual formation that had become
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).
25
November 10, 2011
news of the weird
Eat Healthy & Fresh! by Chuck Shepherd
“YOU EAT MEAT, SO WHY NOT BLOOD?” asked The Globe and Mail, which sampled several Toronto restaurants’ sanguinary haute cuisines, including the Italian eatery Buca’s spaghetti with blood-blackened noodles and torta di sanguinaccio (figs, almonds, buffalo-milk creme, on a base custard of dark chocolate and slow-cooked pig’s blood). Patrons “thought we were crazy,” said chef Rob Gentile, but now “can’t seem to get enough.” The Black Hoof restaurant uses 10 liters of fresh blood a week for dishes like its own blood custard, seasoned with rosemary and pickled pears. Montreal’s DNA kitchen sometimes highlights blood soup and blood pasta. (The Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark—which some believe to be the best restaurant in the world—marinates cauliflower in pig’s blood.)
file a lawsuit to evict him. (A news update has not been found, perhaps indicating that the son moved out.)
THE CONTINUING CRISIS “I don’t get it. I just don’t get it. And you’re not going to get me to get it,” warned Marine squadron commander Lt. Col. Jerry Turner (to a Wall Street Journal Afghanistan reporter writing in October), when learning that a few of his troops were sporting artistically shaped eyebrows sculpted by a barber in the town of Shinwar. “Stylist” Gulam Farooq can’t practice on Muslims (forbidden) but said “one or two” Marines come by every day (in between calling in artillery barrages) for tapering.
PARENTING Freemon Seay, 38, was arrested in Thurston County, Wash., in October on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after disciplining his 16-year-old daughter for leaving home without his approval. Seay allegedly forced the girl to suit up in armor and helmet, with a wooden sword, and to fight him (also in armor, with a wooden sword) for over two hours until she could no longer stand up. Seay’s wife (the girl’s stepmother) was booked as an accessory and was said by deputies to have been supportive of her husband’s “Renaissance fair” enthusiasm (which Freemon Seay called a “lifestyle”).
RECURRING THEME Italian men are notorious “bamboccionis” (“big babies”) who exploit doting mothers by remaining in their family homes well into adulthood, sometimes into their 30s or later, expecting meals and laundry service. Many mothers are tolerant, but in September an elderly couple in the town of Mestre announced (through a consumer association) that if their 41-yearold, gainfully employed son did not meet a deadline for leaving, the association would
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CRIME-FIGHTING (1) In October, about 120 professional mimes began voluntarily patrolling the traffic-congested Sucre district of Caracas, Venezuela, at the request of Mayor Carlos Ocariz. The white-gloved mimes’ specialty was wagging their fingers at scofflaw motorists and pedestrians, and mimes interviewed by the Associated Press reported improvements. (2) At least 300 professional clowns from Mexico and Central America, in Mexico City in October for a convention, demonstrated against the country’s drug-cartel violence by laughing, in unison, nonstop, for 15 minutes. (They were likely less successful than the mimes.)
PEOPLE WHO SHOT THEMSELVES RECENTLY Two men—a 23-year-old in Fayetteville, N.C. (June), and a 22-year-old in Seminole, Fla. (October), accidentally shot themselves in the head while trying to assure friends that their guns posed no danger. A firearms instructor shot himself in the thigh during his recertification class at the Smith & Wesson facility in Springfield, Mass. (September). A man on a first date at Ruth’s Chris Steak house in Charlotte, N.C., accidentally shot himself in the leg as he was escorting his date to their car (September). And as usual, at least one man (a 27-yearold in Chandler, Ariz.) paid the price for inartfully using his waistband as a holster, causing a “groin” injury (August). And Milwaukee police secured a search warrant to photograph Otis Lockett’s penis (July), as evidence that he was illegally in possession of a gun (as a felon) by showing that he had accidentally shot off nearly all of his organ.
From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2011 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.
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FAMILY VALUES Too Soon? An 11-year-old California boy and a 7-year-old Georgia girl have recently decided—with parental support—to come out as the other gender. The boy, Tommy, wants more time to think about it, said his lesbian parents, and has begun taking hormone blockers to make his transition easier should he follow through with plans (first disclosed at age 3) to become “Tammy.” The McIntosh County, Ga., girl has been living as a boy for a year, said father Tommy Theollyn, a transgendered man who is actually the one who gave birth. Theollyn petitioned the school board in September (unsuccessfully) to allow the child to use the boys’ bathroom. Theollyn said the girl first noticed she was a boy at age 18 months.
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27
November 10, 2011
my pensacola Kiley and Bill
Day Job: owners, The Magnolia Pensacola Residents Since: 1997 and 2000, respectively
The Law Office of
JOHN F.
ASMAR,
Good Eats:
When we get a night off at The Magnolia, a stop at The Elbow Room is absolutely essential. Lesa, Will and Melanie throw down with that Enterprise sandwich! Otherwise, we frequent Jerry’s Drive In for the fried grouper sandwich, Tu-Do for yummy Vietnamese food and Global Grill for lamb lollipops and brussels sprouts. We also love the vibe (and lovely owners) at The Leisure Club, so when we need a jolt we head there and ask Phillip what the daily brew is. We’re hungry just thinking about these places!
P.A.
The Next Generation of Legal Representation
www.AsmarLawFirm.com 1306 E. Cervantes St. 850.432.3864
Retail Therapy:
Aside from grocery shopping, the only shopping we do is for cars at Sandy Sansing Nissan. Ask for Ryan.
Watering Holes:
The Wisteria is one of our faves. We love playing trivia at Mellow Mushroom, The Leisure Club / photo by Samantha Crooke drinking Blonde Bombshells at The Bridge Bar and visiting our favorite bartender, Patfor a nap. Otherwise, we set up the projecrick, at 5 ½ Bar for his Dillinger or Take a KAB tor at our house and have everybody dress drinks (ask him for one!). The views at The up for a movie-themed party. We lay out a Fish House and Grand Marlin for mimosas Rug that Pulls the Room Together and pass and Bloody Marys at brunch are the best. Caucasians all around when we watch The Hopjacks is perfect on Sunday afternoons for Big Lebowski. cheap pints.
Nightlife:
We generally lay low on our nights off, typically drinking a few beers and Chamwows at The Elbow Room, or getting the entire Bolster Clan together for food and beers at Casa de Bruni. Antonio makes the most incredible coconut milk soup you’ve ever tasted, and he could put your shoe on his smoker and make it taste so good that you will ask for seconds. Finish your meal with Bree’s Tres Leches and you’ll be ready
Outdoors:
This time of year, nothing beats sipping beer and nibbling on s’mores while sitting around a roaring fire, typically at Ry & Val’s bonfire spot on the bank of Coldwater Creek. You gotta know the password (and BYOB) to be invited to those.
Arts & Culture:
Live music. Anywhere we can get it, but usually at Vinyl Music Hall and Paddy O’Leary’s Pub. If we can make it out to New Orleans, Fritzell’s European Jazz Club on Bourbon is a must. Pursuing local artist Ashton Howard’s art collection is always awe inspiring.
Never Miss Events/Festivals:
artwork by Ashton Howard
We love going to Gallery Night to see what new businesses are open and run into friends and family. Hot Glass/Cold Brew is always a good time at the Belmont Arts Center. Beer, wine and martini festivals top our list, too.
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Independent News | November 10, 2011 | inweekly.net