“If I give just 1 percent more every day, then I would improve 365 percent every year.”
“With the bay in the background, it's going to be an amazing weekend.”
“The turnout proved what we hoped it would about Pensacola.”
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winners & losers
Erin Kelley Sammis
winners
ERIN KELLEY SAMMIS The executive direc-
tor for Pensacola Opera has been named a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by CFRE International. Sammis, an IN 2010 Rising Star, joined Pensacola Opera six years ago as the Development and Marketing Coordinator, and in August 2011 she was promoted to executive director. Prior to this, she worked at Chicago Opera Theatre in Chicago and Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council in Bloomington, Ind.
JUDY BENSE The University of West
Florida president was evaluated regarding the achievement of institutional goals and priorities established by the Board of Trustees. As a result of the evaluation, Dr. Bense received a base salary increase of $14,750 and a one-time bonus of $39,000.
JOHN PEACOCK The downtown resident and Downtown Improvement Board member persuaded the Escambia County Commission to contribute $50,000 toward bollards for Palafox Street events. The September Gallery night was the first time locals enjoyed open streets because of them. Without Peacock’s efforts, we might still be waiting for them to be installed. SHEDRICK JOHNSON The Escambia
County Sheriff David Morgan awarded Sgt. Shedrick Johnson with the ECSO Purple Heart at that agency’s Quarterly Awards Ceremony. Johnson was shot in the leg last March while pursuing two robbery suspects in Pensacola's Scenic Hills neighborhood.
Mayor Ashton Hayward
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The Pensacola mayor failed to win support from the Pensacola City Council for his recommendation to bring Chick-fil-A to the Pensacola International Airport. How could anyone not push for Grits a Ya Ya, Bagelheads’ bagels and brewskis from Pensacola Bay Brewery? How can Pensacola ever get over its “inferiority complex” if we won’t promote its homegrown foods?
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The lodging industry, Pensacola Sports Association and Perdido Key chamber will have to wait 90 days before they can take control of the $5.5 million in tourist development tax revenue. Their mad dash failed to push the county commission to accept Visit Pensacola with its bylaws that left little room for outside input. The delay will give them time to work out the ethical and leadership issues.
FLORIDA SAT SCORES Just 43 per-
cent of the students who took the SAT nationwide last year scored high enough to be considered ready for college-level work, according to the College Board, the test’s creator. Florida’s SAT scores did not change much from 2012. The average Florida student earned a 488 on the reading test, 486 on the math test and 469 on the writing test. Students who scored a combined 1550 or higher are the most likely to finish their degrees.
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It’s an unpleasant subject. Escambia County has a problem with white crime. From 2008 through 2012, the sheriff’s office reports that of the 41,054 offense reports where the race of both the victim and suspect could be identified, 55 percent of the crimes were committed by white people. Moreover, when the victim was white, the statistics show that the suspect was four and a half times more likely to also be white. The crime numbers are alarming. Of the 21 homicides of white people in Escambia County over the past four years, the suspect was white in 20 of those cases. For aggravated assault in the white community, 78 percent of suspects were also white. If a white person was a victim of sexual battery, 59 percent of the time the suspect was also white. For simple batteries, white suspects were sought in a staggering 83 percent of the cases. And sadly, while white suspects were identified in 21, 422 of the offense reports, the majority of the county jail inmate population is African-American. These white criminals are free to roam our streets, apparently without fear of our criminal justice system. Clearly there is a problem in our white neighborhoods. The white politicians need to come up with answers to deal with their people. Owning more guns than the other
parts of the county isn’t an answer. Town hall meetings and public service announcements are needed to curb this white-onwhite crime epidemic. It’s difficult to determine the impact that celebrities like Miley Cyrus and television shows like “Breaking Bad” have had on crime in our white neighborhoods, but our pop culture isn’t helping us. I suspect the blame should be placed on the disintegration of the family unit and our failing public schools. While the Escambia County School District hasn’t closed a school in a white neighborhood for decades, nearly a third of our white students aren’t graduating from high school. All of these facts are real, and, yes, I’ve sifted through them to make a point. Crime isn’t about race. Because many of our neighborhoods are segregated, the targets that most criminals choose have the same skin color as themselves. That shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s incumbent upon our local elected officials, law enforcement and public schools to protect and serve all of our neighborhoods. Until we offer programs that deal with the roots of crime—poverty, failing education and the lack of job opportunities, crime—white, black and whatever—will continue to plague this county. {in} rick@inweekly.net
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DIFFERENCE MAKER IMPACT 100 Announces 2013 Finalists IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, is pleased to announce the 15 grant finalists selected for 2013. Eight of these 15 finalists will receive a grant of $104,500 at the IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 20, 2013. The 15 finalists selected by IMPACT 100’s Focus Area Committees are:
ARTS & CULTURE • Ballet Pensacola, Inc. Project: A New Nutcracker • The Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe, Inc. Project: Infrastructure Development of Tribal Grounds to Host Tribal Public Functions • Santa Rosa Historical Society, Inc. Project: Light Up The Imogene
EDUCATION • The Arc Santa Rosa, Inc. Project: The Arc Santa Rosa ADT Transportation Proposal-2013
• Humane Society of Pensacola, Inc. Project: Humane Society of Pensacola Spay and Neuter Clinic • Pensacola Museum of Art, Inc. Project: Jail for Art
FAMILY • Community Organizations Active in Disaster, Inc. dba Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (Brace) & Brace, L.L.C. Project: Center of IMPACT • Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc. Project: Moving Safely • Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Project: Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
• Independence for the Blind of West Florida, Inc. Project: IMPACT 100 Windows to the World for the Blind Technology Center
HEALTH & WELLNESS • FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc. Project: Safe haven for People and Paws
• Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Project: Teen Time…a place for you to be you!
• Gulf Coast Kid’s House Project: Expanding the Foundation of Care
ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
• Holley Navarre Seniors Association, Inc. Project 2013 Improvements to HNSA Facilities
• Friends of St. John’s Foundation, Inc. Project: Conservation and Preservation of Historic Grave Sites at St. John’s Cemetery Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, 12 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach. Registration will begin at 12:30 PM and the meeting will begin promptly at 1:30 PM. The three finalists from each Focus Area will make a presentation at the meeting, and IMPACT 100 members will vote on one recipient in each Focus Area. Members will also vote for 3 additional finalists in three different Focus Areas.
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WHEN LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH forcement fight crime in their neighborhoods. May and Jones spoke for the need for programs and jobs to give people hope. The black leaders wanted to see the county be more proactive, instead of reactive, in how it deals with crime.
PLEAS FOR HELP
Sheriff Morgan started strong. He said investigators had hit a wall in finding Anderson’s killer—a wall of silence. “Let me start by saying something to the black community, I love you and care deeply about you,” he said. “My heart is wretched over this last killing. I’ve told people in this community if this crime didn’t wretch your heart, then you have no heart.” Morgan said that he was stepping up the community-oriented policing, was reorganizing his intelligence-based policing that focuses on high-crime areas and would be aggressively promoting the “Take Back Your Streets” campaign. The sheriff said that his investigators and crime scene technicians had spent nearly 400 hours on Anderson’s homicide. They know that the teenager was shot in the back as the result of a neighborhood dispute between two males an estimated 340 feet away. They don’t know who the killer is, even though there are between 15-30 people with direct knowledge about the shooting, according to the sheriff. “We’re hitting a wall of silence,” said Morgan. “It’s incumbent upon us as a community to step forward and say this is unacceptable for Escambia County. That is not who we are.” He told them that he needed them to give him leads. “I need your help. Without your help, we will surely fail. The unsolved homicides in Escambia County are the result of the wall of silence.” Superintendent Thomas, the son of a preacher, opened with a series of rhetorical questions. “What kind of community are we?
When will enough be enough?" asked Thomas, "How many 14-year-olds have to give their lives? When will we be fed up enough to make a call?” He said that he can control young people in his buildings during school hours, but he needs the community to help after school hours. “I agree with the sheriff, our community is better than what we have been seeing,” said Thomas, “and I think we have a right and responsibility to expect more out of our community—that we step up, we stand up and we speak up and let’s put an end to this.” He said, “I think this is a breaking point.”
“If it happens today in my neighborhood it could happen in yours tomorrow.” Lumon May
Rodney Jackson raps for "Take Back Your Streets" spot. / courtesy Escambia County Sheriff 's Office
Wrestling with Crime in Escambia County
by Rick Outzen
Sheriff David Morgan’s press conference began with a heartfelt plea for help and the hope that the recent shooting of a Pensacola High School cheerleader could be a turning point in how the community deals with crime. There was a second message at the press conference, a message the white politicians and law enforcement officials might have missed—crime in Escambia County can’t be fought with a simple 45-minute press conference. Its roots are much deeper. The press announcement had invited the media and “any concerned member of the community” to the Escambia County Sheriff ’s Office for the launch of a series of public service television spots featuring Pastor Rodney Jones. The spots encouraged community
involvement in reporting crimes and combating gun violence. The release had a line that was often quoted by the media in its reports on the meeting: “The greatest weapon we have in fighting crime is a community that will no longer accept it.” The media and the black community did show up, packing the training room at the Escambia County Sheriff ’s Office. AfricanAmerican leaders, ministers and friends and family of Kenteyonna Anderson, the 14-yearold girl who was shot and killed a week earlier on West Maxwell Street, sat with the print, television and radio reporters to hear what the sheriff had to say. The “Take Back Your Streets” spots drew applause but the mix of messages from Morgan, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, Commissioner Lumon May and Pastor Jones gave the meeting a different and, at times, conflicting tone. And it was those speeches—part sermon, part chastisement, part call to action and part campaign rhetoric—that showed the gap in how the white and black communities view crime. Morgan and Thomas talked about the death of Anderson being a call of action for the African-American community to help law en-
NEED FOR HOPE
Commissioner May wanted to take the press conference in a different direction. He spoke on the need for more city and county programs in the African-American neighborhoods. The commissioner challenged his fellow commissioners, the mayor, sheriff and school superintendent for the roles they play. “Law enforcement gets involved after the crime is committed,” said May. “Prevention is the key.” He pointed out that Escambia County spends less on social services than any other county in the state. The commissioner linked the high crime rate to the failing and closed schools in his neighborhoods and the lack of job opportunities for African-Americans. “People have to feel safe in their neighborhoods. Community policing is important because after a crime is committed people have to feel comfortable with the officers, that they know these people,” said May. “In Escambia County and Pensacola, we have been reactionary, instead of proactive. After the fact is too late.” Commissioner May said that while the black community should hold law enforcement accountable, but they also have a responsibility to hold themselves accountable.
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“If I live in a neighborhood, grow up in a neighborhood and I’m afraid to walk in my own neighborhood then that’s a problem,” said the commissioner. “We can’t expect anyone to come into our neighborhood to solve a problem that we know is there.” May ended with a plea that the entire community must agree to work together. “Because if it happens today in my neighborhood it could happen in yours tomorrow. We all need to come together and solve this problem.” Rodney Jones, pastor of New World Believer's Ministries and director of Transitions and Outreach for Pathways for Change, thanked Sheriff Morgan for allowing him to be a part of the public service campaign and echoed the sentiments of the previous speakers, particularly Commissioner May. “We’ve got to do something,” said Jones, “Because if you don’t do it, who’s going to do it?”
buzz WAS THE FIX IN? A report by the city’s airport consultant shows that he had a preference for the national brands a month before the selection committee reviewed the proposals for a 10-year concession contract at the Pensacola International Airport. The Independent News obtained consultant Richard Chinsammy’s early analysis of the proposals the city of Pensacola received for food services at the Pensacola International Airport. The analysis, labeled “Assessment of Response Participation” was sent to the city on June 26. Airport Director Greg Donovan didn’t name his selection committee until July 12. Chinsammy only mentions the OHM Concessions proposal of Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Surf City Squeeze and Corona Beach House and completely ignores a Creative Food Group proposal that included Bagelheads, Varona’s, the Fish House and Pensacola Bay Brewery. “OHM’s proposal presents the PNS passengers [and the City] with a nationally recognized program, which allows us to compete with larger airports such as Atlanta,” wrote Chinsammy. “OHM clearly understood the vision articulated by the RFP and the preproposal conference.” The vision to which Chinsammy referred appears to be in direct conflict with “Concession Program Goals” laid out in the Request for Proposal: “The City encourages all proposers to consider supporting local vendors and businesses. Proposers are urged to incorporate a ‘buy local’ program into their proposal.” The consultant was enthusiastic in his praise of OHM. “OHM presents PNS with a F&B (food and beverage) lineup that far exceeds any program in peer airports…,” he stated. “There is no Chick-fil-A in any airport our size in North America … This is a line-up that will resonate with our passengers.” Chinsammy made it clear that the vision was to get rid of Varona’s, which has held the contract for the past decade, and replace it October 3, 2013
He urged the politicians and the community to encourage young African-Americans. “We need to give our young people hope. That’s what’s wrong with our young people, they seem to have lost hope,” he said. “We've got to give our young people a new way of thinking.” Jones added, “If not, they might kick in your front door. They might wait on you when you get out of your car. They might end up shooting your son. You've got to sleep with them. It’s you that has got to do something.” Sheriff Morgan summarized the meeting with a call to action. He asked the ministers in the audience to raise their hands and told them he planned to lean heavily on them for help. “We’ve got the stats, the figures and the programs to get us out of this problem, but you are the key ingredient,” said Morgan. “And for godsakes, get on the phone and call us.” {in}
all the political news and gossip fit to print
with national brands. That vision was never defined in the RFP. He wrote, “Our vision was always a National Program with an operator who is not too large to lose focus on the service, standards and systems lacking in our programs for the past 10 years. I believe that we will be able to realize this goal.” The selection committee narrowly recommended OHM a month later. However, a Pensacola City Council meeting on Sept. 26 didn’t go as well for Chinsammy, Donovan and Mayor Ashton Hayward. The council chamber was packed that night with Pensacola citizens holding signs reading “Vote Local.” The constant thread weaving all of the speakers together was the concept of local flavor and the way that local businesses will give back to the community on a much greater scale. The chambers erupted in applause several times as the speakers made their pleas to the council. “The RFP clearly states ‘local concepts reflective of the city of Pensacola,’” Rob Mackey, owner of Bagelheads, said. “We took that to mean they actually wanted local companies involved. Apparently, what they really wanted was to be the first small airport with a Chick-fil-A.” “We have the unique opportunity to bring local foods, local concepts and local owners into our airport, welcoming new people to Pensacola with something they cannot get at home,” Mackey said. “We can provide them with hand-crafted beer, brewed right here. Fresh fish caught right here. Artisan coffees roasted here. Fresh bread and bagels made here. If this is the type of experience you want visitors to your airport to have, our team can make that happen. If you want a glorified mall with airplanes, then you should accept the mayor’s proposal.” After hearing arguments supporting the local side for over an hour, the council moved to revisit the issue on Oct. 10. {in} ▶ For the whole story everyday check out ricksblog.biz
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Imagine waiting 40 years to marry the person you love. Like millions of other same-sex couples throughout the U.S., Pensacolians David Richbourg and Norman Ricks don’t have to imagine what it’s like to build a life together yet be unable to legally marry for decades—it is part of their story. In 2010, the couple married in Provincetown, Mass. after almost 40 years together. Their wedding took place the day after Ricks’ 80th birthday. October 3, 2013
“Massachusetts was the first state, so we wanted to go to where it was legal first,” said Richbourg. “At the airport [in Provincetown] there’s a big sign that says, ‘We believe in and practice diversity. If you do not, please leave,’” Ricks remembered. Since 2003, when Massachusetts became the first state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage, 13 other states and the District of Columbia have also made same-sex marriages legal. Until recently, however, those
marriages were not recognized by the federal government, and they currently remain unrecognized in 35 states, including Florida. So, while a same-sex couple could be legally married in one state, they were ineligible to file for federal taxes together, share health insurance and other federal spousal work benefits, or—for military couples— live in base housing together, among other disparities. A significant move toward widespread legal equality occurred in June, when
the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that prohibited recognition of same-sex marriages for all federal purposes. But while federal recognition is currently rolling out, couples who live in states where same-sex marriages are not recognized still face inequalities when it comes to marriage rights—most specifically related to taxes, health insurance and visitation rights in hospitals. 9
THE DOMINO EFFECT
The disjointed system within which married same-sex couples navigate represents the transitional and historic nature of this point in time, over 50 years after the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights movement began. “We appreciate those that went before us,” Ricks stated. “Can you imagine the courage it took for those queens at Stonewall the night they took off their high heels and beat the hell out of those police? That took a lot of guts back then; there was nobody to help them.” The Stonewall Riots of 1969 in New York City’s Greenwich Village, which Ricks referenced, were widely recognized as the beginning of the LGBT Rights Movement. Patrons of a gay bar raided by police resisted arrest and sparked riots that continued for days in protest of institutionalized discrimination against LGBT Americans, which is ongoing—marriage equality being the case in point. Over 50 years after Stonewall, Ricks and Richbourg are now proud to serve as an example of what’s possible for younger LGBT couples. The couple has lived in Pensacola for the entirety of their relationship and Ricks said, to the best of his knowledge, they have never been discriminated against, “but we have friends who have, and it’s for them.” “Think about a generation ago how many people lived their entire lives in the closet.
The essence of a 1997 state law—the Florida Defense of Marriage Act—was reaffirmed by 62 percent of voters in 2008, who voted to pass the “Florida Marriage Protection Amendment” defining marriage as “the legal union of only one man and one woman.” The language of the 2008 Florida constitutional amendment was very similar to that of California’s Proposition 8, also passed in the November 2008 election. Unlike California, however, no suit has been brought to challenge Florida’s constitutional amendment—at least not yet. Two groups within the state are currently approaching the task of achieving marriage equality with different legal approaches, a lawsuit against the state being one of them. Equality Florida is currently organizing a lawsuit to challenge the state’s definition of marriage. A separate, though similarly named group, Equal Marriage Florida (EMF), is working to have a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a legal union between two persons, with no mention of gender, placed on the November 2014 ballot. The proposed amendment also explicitly states that no church will be required to solemnize any marriage that violates its right to free exercise of religion. 010 1
They gave up their entire life of being who they were in order to fit the mold … maybe just to keep their employment,” said Richbourg. “We were lucky enough to own our own businesses, and be secure financially and it didn’t matter—we couldn’t get fired for being gay.”
Richbourg said his fundamental belief and what he has expressed to friends who were unsure they fully supported same-sex marriage is, “I’m not telling you that your church needs to marry us, because this has nothing to do with religion, this has to do with equal rights. Your church can not marry gay people forever if that’s what you want to do in your church, but I don’t think you should tell me that I can’t be married.” Before same-sex marriages or civil unions were legal, Ricks and Richbourg did what they could to get their legal and financial lives as close to a marriage as possible. The couple had a Holy Union ceremony in Key West over 20 years ago and made legal arrangements that provided the same protections heterosexual marriages convey.
The week of July 4 , 2013, shortly after the Supreme Court decisions, EMF began collecting signatures to have the amendment put to Florida voters. The EMF effort will require the most support from the general populace. Over 683,000 signatures are required to have the amendment placed on the ballot. State law then requires 60 percent of the vote to pass a constitutional amendment. As of early September, EMF had collected over 120,000 signatures in two months. EMF has until Feb. 1, 2014 to collect the needed signatures for the ballot initiative. Sara Latshaw, regional director of the ACLU of Florida, expressed a common concern that the ballot initiative might not be successful due to the numbers required and concerns about low voter turnout in a year with no presidential election. “In order to strike down Florida’s discriminatory constitutional ban on fairness in marriage, we’d basically need over 20 percent of the electorate to have switched their vote in less than six years,” said Latshaw. “We’ve come a long way in public opinion in recent years, but none of the data we’ve seen show us anywhere close to that.”
“A lot of the things that we went to the lawyer and did 25 and 30 years ago so that I would be able to go in his hospital room and make the decisions with his doctors and he could do the same things, and inheritance issues … we did all of
that, we tap-danced with the lawyers and the CPAs to try to make the things that would come automatically with marriage happen for us, because we didn’t think we’d ever be married,” Richbourg remembered. “We locked it up really tight,” said Ricks. “We own everything together… there is never, ever, a question of who comes first: Each other.” Love and equality are terms at the heart of the marriage equality debate, and for Ricks framing the movement in any other way is unacceptable and inaccurate. “There is no gay agenda; there is an agenda of equality,” said Ricks. [Possible pull quote?] “We wanted to get married because of our love for each other and wanting to be
Local attorney Joshua Jones is also skeptical about the initiative’s chances at present. “I’m not optimistic for that initiative. Good try, but I just don’t think Florida’s there yet,” said Jones. “That money that donors are giving to that could be better used for litigation.” “Our chances are better in the courts, but Florida has a tough challenge there, too: A federal circuit court that is likely to be less friendly to our arguments than other ones,” said Latshaw. “In fact, it may be a court case that originates in another state that gives all Floridians the right to marry.” The 11th Circuit Court comprises Florida, Georgia, and Alabama and, according to Jones, many are worried that judges are too conservative to rule in favor of marriage equality, “and that then could set the movement back a little bit.” For proponents of same-sex marriage in Florida, a favorable ruling would be the best case, but an unfavorable ruling may ultimately have beneficial results. “If we had a good ruling in the 9th Circuit to say that state constitutions violate equal protection, and then we had the 11th Circuit saying it’s not an issue, that gives the Supreme Court more of a reason to take it up again,” said Jones, “because then we have conflicting circuits.”
public about it,” said Ricks, “but also I have seen through the years, at 84, young gay people put down, discriminated against, and I said, ‘I will be damned if I’m going to be quiet and sit back.’”
AT LAST, INSURED
Since the June SCOTUS rulings, federal agencies including the Department of Defense (DOD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Veteran’s Administration (VA), among others, have extended recognition and benefits to same-sex couples under presidential directive and Department of Justice guidance. “Yes, we too can be subject to the marriage penalty now, yay!” Laura Ericson, 48, joked, adding, “I put an amendment on my form every year since we’ve been married that I would’ve paid more taxes but for the federal government not recognizing our marriage.” Like any married couple, Ericson and her wife Stephanie Karous, 49, have had taxes—and insurance—on their minds. The couple is currently two months into sharing a health insurance plan, a right they first began lobbying for in 2011. Married in Washington, D.C. in July 2011, Ericson applied to add Karous to her plan during the government’s open enrollment period that year. When declined, Ericson enlisted the help of the ACLU to file an administrative challenge to have Karous recognized as her spouse.
Equality Florida is currently seeking couples who would be willing to join the lawsuit for marriage equality. Currently ahead of Florida’s likely case are others now in courts in Arkansas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; cases from Nevada and Hawaii are currently at the 9th Circuit, which may be the next to go before SCOTUS, though it would be June 2015 at the earliest before an opinion. “Meanwhile, optimistically, we can hope that state legislatures continue to do the right thing and start repealing these anti-marriage equality statutes and taking steps to repeal discriminatory constitutional amendments," said Jones. In early September, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie called a special legislative session for Oct. 28 to debate the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013. If passed, the law would moot the case currently in the 9th Circuit, but would be yet another significant step toward broader marriage equality. As for Florida, Latshaw is optimistic, “The deck is stacked against Floridians who want marriage to be fair. But we’re going to win marriage in Florida, and sooner than people expect.” For more information visit equalmarriagefl.com, eqfl.org, and aclufl.org/issues/ lgbt-rights. {in} inweekly.net
Abbott, 48, and Connor, 53, spoke to “When they declined our claim, they cited the IN shortly before traveling to New York the Florida state constitution and DOMA,” to marry in mid-September. said Karous. “I never thought in my lifetime that I After the eight month application and would ever see this,” Abbott said of his and challenge process, the couple was aware that Connor’s ability to legally marry. “It was the Windsor case would go before the Sunever even a thought until the Supreme preme Court and waited for the decision. Two Court ruling and because of his condition.” days after the Supreme Court rulings in June, In March 2012, Connor was diagnosed Ericson’s federal employer circulated a memo with Stage 4 lung cancer, which doctors saying the agency would recognize same-sex recently told the couple is inactive, but not marriages. officially in remission. “He was probably “After the Windsor decision came out within a month of death and they brought it was literally two days and then I had her him back … it was a rough time,” Abbott signed up for health insurance,” said Ericson. remembered. Timing was in the couple’s favor; Karous had just sold her veterinary practice in Atlanta—through which she had obtained health insurance—in order to permanently relocate to Pensacola. “It came in the nick of time,” Karous stated. “Otherwise we would’ve had to pay out of pocket considerably more than what I was paying before.” “In Florida, we’re probably in a lot better shape than most people because I’m a federal employee,” said Ericson. For couples in which neither spouse works for the federal government, however, sharing health care coverage is often not permitted as a result of the patchwork of legal recognition for same-sex marriages. Outside of the workplace, as Floridians, Ericson Vince Abbott and John Connor / photo by Samantha Crooke and Karous still do not receive other benefits—such as marriage discounts on car insurance— that heterosexual couples do in this state. Fortunately, Connor’s then-employer Having thought about marriage for two General Electric provided health insurance, years before they wed Ericson and Karous though he is now considered permanently point out that there are fundamental disabled and will lose coverage this November. inequalities between the basic oppositeLike many same-sex couples, Abbott and same-sex marriage processes as they and Connor have previously faced tough currently stand. decisions regarding insurance. Though “You really have to figure out what you GE provides health benefits to same-sex have to do, you have to plan,” Karous excouples, once Abbott was on Connor’s plained of the marriage process for same-sex plan, it became clear that the benefits couples. “You have to take time off from work, would be too costly. traveling, there are a lot of expenses involved.” “It’s so expensive,” Connor recalled. “It “You can’t just run down to the courttook all of my wages.” house on your lunch hour,” Ericson said. “It was only cheap if you lived in a state where you were married and the state recognized the marriage,” said Abbott who only stayed on the plan for a few months. “It’s Vince Abbott and John Connor have great that they offer it, but it becomes disbeen together for 13 years. Originally from criminatory because of the state differences.” Kentucky, the couple moved to Pensacola The Supreme Court rulings came at 11 years ago. a difficult time for the couple as Connor
GOING THE DISTANCE
October 3, 2013
underwent treatment and they evaluated their options as long-term partners. “We did everything we could legally to leave everything to me up to that point,” said Abbott. “We sat here until the Supreme Court ruling came through on the TV. He lies down with his eyes closed most of the time, but he just raised up and said, ‘I guess you need to start looking at plane tickets,’ and laid back down,” Abbott recalled with a chuckle. “I’m just glad he’s able to go,” said Abbott. “That was scary: The thought that now we can do it, but now can he make it?” The couple chose New York City for a quick and easy trip and, as Connor pointed
out, “No states around here allow it.” Traveling with a group of friends for the ceremony, the couple planned to get their rings at Macy’s and visit a few museums if Connor was feeling up to it. “We were going to go to Washington, D.C., but they have a three day waiting period, whereas New York’s is only 24 hours. But you can get a judge’s injunction in New York where you don’t even have to wait that long; Washington, D.C. doesn’t even offer that,” said Abbott. When asked if they think things will feel different once they are married, Abbott and Connor both laughed. “We’ve been together so long, at this point it’s just a technicality,” Abbott said. “It’s just a relief knowing that we have that protection now.” Connor explained further, “We’re doing it for taxes; federal income taxes will eat you up.”
ANOTHER P-TOWN LOVE STORY
As in D.C., marriages in Massachusetts require a three business day mandatory waiting period after filing intentions to marry; both parties must be present at the time of filing for a marriage license, meaning couples from elsewhere need to plan for at least five days in state or two trips to marry. For younger same-sex couples or those without the means to travel, such financial and time requirements leave marriage out of reach. Robert Bellanova, 58, and his husband Davie Wass, 39, got married in 2010 in Provincetown, Mass. Together for five years at that point and hearing about their friends Richbourg and Ricks’ experience in “P-town,” Bellanova and Wass decided to take the plunge and traveled to Provincetown to legally wed. A popular location for weddings, Provincetown has websites dedicated to wedding planning in their town, catering to both heterosexual and homosexual couples travelling from out-of-state. Likewise, other states that have legalized gay marriage, such as Minnesota, are recognizing the economic boon associated with acceptance. Mayor R.T. Rybak recently kicked off his “I Want to Marry You in Minneapolis” campaign to draw couples from across the Midwest to marry—and relocate—to his city. Joking that they had to elope, as there wouldn’t be a Pensacola venue large enough to hold their families, Bellanova and Wass both acknowledged the complexity of emotions involved with having to marry outside of their home state. “It’s kind of sad that you have to go away. You can’t just go to your local church or to your home and do that in order for it to be legal. It’s an odd situation,” said Bellanova, but added, “To go to the courthouse there in Provincetown was really an experience … the whole process was wonderful.” Previously married to and divorced from a woman, Bellanova didn’t believe he would ever marry again. “I didn’t think that was an option for me,” he recalled of his early years being openly gay. “Then when I met Davie, he had been single and had never been through that process and I didn’t really like that, it really wasn’t fair. Plus, the love was there.” 11
another couple of years to work their way The Supreme Court decisions in June up,” he explained. “That’s just the nature of 2013, while undeniably moving marfederal litigation.” riage equality forward, also left the Also in the mix are civil unions, the legal community and public at large one-time compromise on the road to with questions about what exactly marriage equality. Himself the rulings provide. in a civil union granted "I've had other lawin Vermont, Jones yers ask me questions pointed out that because they don't “Civil unions are understand the not marriage impact of the under the fedrulings,” said eral governlocal attorney ment,” meaning Joshua Aaron couples must Jones. “These travel to the were the kinds state of their of cases that you civil union and had to follow very convert it to a closely and really marriage in order to dig into—headlines be eligible to receive aren't enough. These federal recognition, file aren't cases you can taxes jointly, etc. simply read and put Attorney Joshua Jones and web developer "Most of away. The applicaWes Shoemaker recently celebrated 17 years together and entered into a Vermont civil the civil union tion of the rulings union in 2001. / photo by Casey Campbell states now have is literally evolving added marriage, every day, as federal but civil unions in those states were not agencies hand down guidance. That's automatically converted to marriages," something to take away from the Supreme Jones explained. Most states have adopted Court cases, too: They truly are some of forms that will allow couples to convert the most procedurally and substantively civil unions to marriages relatively easily, complex cases of our lifetime, and of the but couples have to travel to the state of 20th century even." celebration to fill the form out in person. In their ruling for the United States v. Jones led a discussion earlier in 2013 Windsor, the Supreme Court struck down on the impacts of the Supreme Court Section 3 of DOMA, thereby mandatrulings on same-sex marriage and advises ing that the federal government could no clients on these issues regularly. longer deny benefits to same-sex couples, “I think it’s not a bad idea to go get but did not directly address Section 2 of married in another state. Certainly, you DOMA, which relates to the right of states start to get to take advantage of some of to define marriage individually. those federal benefits, like now you can “In the Windsor case, the language file your taxes together. It makes life a lot is pretty strongly in favor of states’ more convenient,” Jones said, adding, rights to define marriage. You get this “But until Florida recognizes same-sex hint from the language that they think marriages, even if you're married in anothit’s wrong for states to deny same-sex er state, it's still very important for each marriage, but ultimately they sort of person to have a will, a living will, durable punt the ball and leave it up to the powers of attorney, health care surrogate states to define,” said Jones. “That’s designation, if they think the family is gowhere the big problem is.” ing to cause problems when it comes time This leaves couples in Florida in a to plan the funeral, we need to talk about strange legal lurch with a marriage unrecpre-funeral planning.” ognized in their home state. Those couples Also a challenge: The subject of along with family attorneys like Jones are same-sex divorces, which are typically waiting to see how challenges to state only granted in the state in which a couple constitutions elsewhere progress. is married and at least one spouse must “What frustrates me is now after the be a resident of that state to be granted Supreme Court rulings, we have this still jurisdiction in a family court. Complicated? evolving interpretation of what the court It most certainly can be. meant and how that’s actually going to “If I were a law school professor, it is have a practical application to our day-tothe perfect law school exam, because it day lives, when the Supreme Court could covers almost every issue in constitutional have just made an all-encompassing ruling law from the First Amendment, freedom of and saved us years of future litigation,” association, familial rights, who has standJones said. ing to bring a case, how does this erode “I think the cases are most certainly into state rights—it’s just packed full of going to go our way to wrap up these everything,” said Jones. {in} confusing issues, but it’s going to take 212 1
Davie Wass and Robert Bellanova getting married in Provincetown, Mass. in 2010 / courtesy photo
Wass never thought marriage would be an option for him, either. “To hear the term ‘husband and husband,’” Wass remembered, “I wanted to say those words—a ‘holy union’ wasn’t enough. I don’t want to offend anybody, but it wasn’t enough for me. It’s so awesome to have a legal wedding license. You can say ‘husband and husband,’ and I wanted to go someplace where that’s stated and you get the document.”
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES
Booth Iburg, 62, is an associate pastor at Holy Cross Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). Ordained in January, Iburg is also the director of physical therapy at Gulf Breeze Hospital, a position she has held for the past 15 years. Her wife Denise Williams, 61, owns a local hair salon. Together since 1989, Iburg and Williams had a Holy Union ceremony locally in 2001 and married in Williams’ native Massachusetts in June 2008. “If we could’ve gotten legally married in ‘89, we would have… a little bit of us wanted to wait until Florida accepted it, but not really,” recalls Iburg. “We couldn’t wait on them.” Both Iburg and Williams were previously married to men and had two children each from those marriages; they raised their children together in Gulf Breeze, where they met in church. “It was a little hard, because we were the gossip for a while. There were some pretty nasty, bad times,” remembers Iburg. “We definitely lost some friends,” Iburg says of the early years of her and Williams’
relationship. “Most of them have come back, but in the beginning the support was just negligible.” Looking for an accepting congregation, the couple joined MCC in September 1995. “I’ll never forget it,” Williams remembered. “I just cried, I wept—happy tears—because we could be there together as a couple.” As a member of MCC Pensacola for 12 years, Iburg began seminary in 2007. The couple married at St. John’s Chapel on the campus of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass. where Iburg was a student taking intensive classes in two week segments while working full time in Gulf Breeze. “As far as we were concerned, we were married,” said Williams of their 24-year relationship. “The state didn’t see it that way and still doesn’t.” The couple said that they still occasionally encounter individuals who believe same-sex couples can’t maintain longterm, monogamous relationships or question “the gay lifestyle.” “I don’t have a lifestyle, I have a life,” Iburg said she has explained to people in the past. “My lifestyle is to work hard, play hard, enjoy life, love my children, love my grandchildren, love our friends. It’s pretty healthy, I think.” The couple faces the same common challenge of not being able to share spousal benefits. Through the hospital, the state of Florida would have to recognize their marriage in order for Williams to join Iburg’s health insurance plan. “Sometimes you just get so fed up,” said Iburg. “It’s just frustrating when my spouse is not as valued as someone else’s spouse. But we’re getting closer.” inweekly.net
Booth Iburg and Denise Williams at their Holy Union ceremony in 2001 / courtesy photo When talking about his 22-year relationship, Reverend Patrick Rogers of United Church of Christ Pensacola notes similar frustrations. “Beyond the multitude of civil and legal rights denied because of discrimination, we experienced the most discrimination from the religious communities in which we had been raised,” Rogers stated. Rogers and his longtime partner separated in 2001, six years before Rogers became an ordained minister. According to Rogers, he and his former partner would have married had it been an option for them, and may have remained together after 22 years had they received greater spiritual support from their religious communities. “The United Church of Christ denomination has been fighting for decades for marriage equality,” said Rogers, who became an ordained minister in UCC in 2012. “I am grateful that in the present day, there are numerous Christian mainstream religious communities such as United Church of Christ who have gained insight into the Word of God and who now endorse, support and celebrate gay marriage.” Of his own past relationship, Rogers remembers, “Our lives were so intertwined, we suffered tremendously from the lack of October 3, 2013
the same legal and civil rights afforded to heterosexual married couples.” Part of he and his partner’s struggle came when his partner was hospitalized. Often, even with paperwork, Rogers said, hospital staff are either unfamiliar with or unaccepting of the documentation and will sometimes deny visitation. “From a clergy perspective, this issue is troubling because many people who are against marriage equality say, ‘We’re going to allow you to have and will recognize holy unions,’” Rogers said of the spiritual service available for same-sex couples in Florida. “What they don’t realize is that even with holy union status and also accompanied by the proper legal documentation, I have personally witnessed refusal of hospital visitation for same sex partners.” Through his personal experience, work in ministry, and as director of HIVevolution, Rogers has learned that much of the stigma often applied to homosexuality and to those living with HIV/AIDS “comes back to being religiously-based, from a fundamentalist perspective. Thankfully, society’s understanding of social justice issues related to race, gender and other forms of discrimination have grown, the next natural step includes marriage equality.”
OPENING
NIGHT! Saturday, October 5 at 8:00 pm Saenger Theatre Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Peter Rubardt, Conductor with Chee-Yun, Violin featuring Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture Lalo Symphonie Espagnole Dvořák Symphony No. 6
CALL NOW 850.435.2533 CALL NOWFOR FORTICKETS! TICKETS! 850.435.2533 www.pensacolasymphony.com www.pensacolasymphony.com
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are no spiritual alternatives when that happens,” Rogers said. “My call to pastoral ministry is to love all people and spread the gospel of Christ. Jesus loved all people and did not discriminate.” As for the focus of clergy and church members throughout the U.S., Rogers believes the focus should be on strengthening failing marriages rather than lobbying against same-sex marriage. “We should question why the focus wouldn’t be the fact that over 50 percent of heterosexual marriages are failing and that’s growing,” said Rogers, Reverend Patrick Rogers / photo by Samantha Crooke “but the focus is against making marriage inclusive, Rogers is currently working with it doesn’t make sense.” HIVevolution to establish the Refuge “Our country was founded on the Project, a network of “open and affirming grounds of religious freedom. Freedom for churches and faith traditions that won’t all people and that does include 10 percent bash or judge if one comes out either as of our population who are gay, lesbian, LGBT or is diagnosed with HIV. Unfortubisexual and transgender,” said Rogers. nately, often times the perception is there
“If you don’t believe in gay marriage, don’t marry a gay person!”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
While acknowledging that many LGBT individuals continue to face discrimination, the local couples who spoke with the IN all shared hope that the current trend of acceptance and recognition will continue for same-sex couples, and that in living openly, they can help younger LGBT individuals and their families see that stable, happy same-sex marriages are possible. “We were lucky because both of our families were very accepting of us,” said Richbourg. “We see some of our young gay friends whose families have absolutely slammed the door … they’re just done with them. It’s for those people, what we do is important to help them.” “Families want their children to be happy,” said Bellanova. “If more and more people realize it is a stable lifestyle, it is a loving lifestyle, it is a family unit that’s possible then a lot of parents would be more accepting for their children, because that’s what they want for their children.” As for the youth, Rogers—who is also an advisor to UWF’s Gay-Straight Alliance—
said, “I have found that the majority of our younger generation [not only the young LGBT people] understand that the issue of marriage equality must be focused on ‘equality’ and not stigma, religious prejudice and judgment, and they will no longer stand for discrimination even if they have varying religious views regarding homosexuality.” In the meantime in the Sunshine State, both a 1996 state Defense of Marriage Act and a 2008 constitutional amendment define marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. “We have a lot of work to do,” Williams said of legalizing same-sex marriage in Florida. “We can’t be afraid to stand up together as a couple right here in Pensacola and not be afraid that we’re going to lose our job or lose clients … it’s a tough one, but I think the more people that get to know us realize, ‘Oh! They’re just like my next door neighbors, or my son or daughter, or mother or my father,’” said Williams. “It’s nice to see the trend reversing. It’s long past due,” Karous said. “I think the faster way that it’s going to change is if someone challenges it in the courts and brings a suit forth and says, ‘Hey, this is how this is hurting our lives and it needs to be overturned.’” {in}
I first heard public radio as a teenager on a trip to the East Coast. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it wasn’t like anything I had heard before, and I liked it. When WUWF went on the air, I liked it, too. Looking for something to ‘like’ in the Facebook era? Try public radio.
WUWF 88.1 is My Public Radio and I Make it Possible.
Carl Wernicke
Listener, Member and Local Commentator 414 1
inweekly.net
WEEK OF OCTOBER 3-10
Arts & Entertainment art , f ilm, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...
Opening Night by Lilia Del Bosque Oakey Whitehouse Chee-Yun started learning violin at the age of six in her native country of Korea, but originally played the piano. “My mother had me stop playing the piano because she thought that the reason my sister needed eyeglasses was because of reading the notes,” said Chee-Yun.
ment that Chee-Yun thinks is unique and suggest that the audience listens to as the orchestra builds, piece by piece. “In the last movement, you hear the heart of the orchestra. It starts very thin, then it gets very thick and then almost disappears,” said Chee-Yun. “It begins with just the woodwind instruments and then the strings join in and then the brass joins in. It’s very fun.” Chee-Yun will be performing with her Francesco Ruggieri violin, which was made in 1669. Early in her career, Chee-Yun purchased the violin on her own. “I was a starving student and starving artist and put every cent I was making into the violin,” said Chee-Yun. “It was worth it.” “It’s got such a unique sound on the lower strings. The fact that it’s almost 350 years old and looks beautiful and sounds wonderful, it’s mind boggling every time I practice on it,” said Chee-Yun. “I’m very flattered by it. It’s a beautiful instrument and I look forward to sharing that with everybody.” But Chee-Yun’s success comes from more than her natural talent and unique instrument—every day she works to be a better musician than the day before. “Every day I want to give more than 100 percent of myself. And I think that if I did that every day, if I give just 1 percent more every day, then I would improve 365 percent every year,” joked Chee-Yun. “I am just grateful that I get to do what I really love and that I dreamed of doing all my little girl life and I didn’t think it was possible. Sure it takes a lot of work but what I get out of it is incredible and I am proud to say that I am a musician. I love being in the music.” {in}
“I was a starving student and starving artist and put every cent I was making into the violin. It was worth it.” Chee-Yun
Chee-Yun / photo by Cheho Lee After months away tuning their instruments and refining their skills, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra is kicking off their new season. Opening Night will feature pieces composed by two French and one Czech composer. The first piece will be Hector Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture.” Originally composed in 1843, it is made up of material and themes from Berlioz’s opera “Benvenuto Cellini.” Next, the orchestra will perform “Symphonie Espagnole,” a Spanish-style piece from October 3, 2013
French composer Édouard Lalo. The night will finish with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6. The piece, composed in 1880, was one of Dvořák’s first to draw international attention and captures the Czech national style within a standard Germanic classical-romantic form. Opening Night will also feature guest violinist Chee-Yun. Currently, the artistin-residence and a professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Chee-Yun will be the featured soloist for Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole.”
It was her instructor who noticed that her talent was something unique. “My mother just thought I was filling time but my teacher, who was just a neighborhood teacher who taught little children, he noticed something in me,” she recalled. Two years later, Chee-Yun competed in her first competition, the Korean Times Competition, which was the most important in Korea for children. “I was competing against kids who had been playing since they were three with professors from the university and I had a neighborhood teacher. And I won the grand prize,” said Chee-Yun. “I was really happy about that. I thought being on stage was the greatest thing and I really enjoyed it.” Since then, Chee-Yun has had many accomplishments as a musician, including studying at Julliard at the age of 13, winning the 1990 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and performing all over the world. Chee-Yun is excited to perform Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole,” a piece she has recorded but hasn’t recently performed. “It’s a very grandiose piece,” said Chee-Yun. “It’s a lot of fireworks, a lot of virtuosity. There are lyrical WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 passages. You can hear the very WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox strong Spanish influence. I think the COST: $22-$84 audience will really enjoy it too.” DETAILS: pensacolasymphony.com Unlike most pieces, “Symphonie
PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OPENING NIGHT
Espagnole” has five movements instead of three. It’s the fifth move-
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happenings
Ears & Fingers by Jason Leger
Dr. Dog – ‘B-ROOM’
“The truth don’t stop, it makes you move…” Here is the unabashed truth: Dr. Dog is one of the best bands around. I have no qualms with saying that and standing behind it wholeheartedly. They are consistent in the material they are churning out and in not taking too much time between records, as this one rolls out a mere 20 months after its predecessor, “Be the Void.” Theirs is a sound which is timeless and harkens back to older days of rock and roll, but never collects a layer of dust and absolutely never goes stale. “B-Room,” Dr. Dog’s eighth studio album, finds the band getting a tad crasser
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than ever before and jangling through 12 breezy songs filled with plenty of upbeat rhythms and McCartney-esque harmonies. The band also doesn’t shy away from plenty of poignancy and sentimentalism throughout the album, not more apparent any place than on absolute stand out track “Too Weak to Ramble.” This particular song is distinctive because of its bare-bones and throwback to vintage blues gently rumbling beneath Tobi Leaman’s gravel-tinged howl. This long player is the first recorded in the band’s new self-built studio, which contains the album’s eponymous room. The construction was cathartic for Dr. Dog, and provided a much needed creative boost, which then bled over onto the content of “B-Room,” as the band fully collaborated on both projects. It becomes obvious from the overtones of songs like “Distant Light” and “Rock & Roll” that the band feels refreshed and reinvigorated creatively and is continuing to have fun doing what they are good at. Let’s remain hopeful that as long as the sun shines and there are roads to travel, Dr. Dog will continue providing us with a spirited soundtrack. “BRoom” is out now via Anti- Records.
retrospect:
Nirvana – ‘IN UTERO’
This month marks the 20 year anniversary of Nirvana’s final album “In Utero.” We also know this anniversary means we are only a few months away from hitting the 20 year mark on the tragedy that ended Nirvana’s all too short career. “In Utero” was the band’s third full length, and the follow up to what was arguably the most important album of the ‘90s, “Nevermind.” I’ve been recently drawn back to “In Utero,” as I was made aware of the impending release of its reissue, with loads of extras to celebrate the 20 years. Now, 20 years ago, I was 10, and was more concerned with Spiderman than Kurt Cobain. I was 14 when I finally first connected with Nirvana, and I fell deeply in love. However, my 14-year-old mind could not process things the same way my 30-yearold mind does, so many of the emotions and ideas Cobain was putting out into the open on “In Utero” were lost on me. Listening again at 30 though, a lot comes to mind. Cobain seems to be warning of the storm which was brewing, that ultimately led to his suicide less than a year after the
release. Even the title, “In Utero” expresses a desire to climb back into the womb to hide from the fame which befell the young songwriter after the success of “Nevermind.” This collection of 12 songs is laden with attempts to return to a sound which the band built its foundation on, but not necessarily one which gained them notoriety. This return to form forced many of the band’s fair weather fans to jump ship when they realized this was not another “Nevermind” and into the arms of more accessible bands like Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam. One would assume this was Cobain’s aim, as it’s very obvious on this album that he hated the celebrity he was expected to be. Whether he would like it or not, he is now a legend, gone but not forgotten. The 20th Anniversary Edition of “In Utero” is out now via Universal Records. {in}
inweekly.net
happenings THURSDAY 10.3
RUNNING: SIX AT SIX 6 a.m. Running Wild, 3012 E Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. FIRST CITY ART CENTER 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Award winning, international photographer, Ross Oscar Knight has his collection of images entitled, “Everyday Life India,” on exhibition at First City Art Center from October 3 – 30. 060 N. Guillemard St. 429-1222 or FirstCityArt.org. ARTEL GALLERY 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. “Experimental Art with a Lens,” “Beyond the Frame” and “Branching Out” on display through Oct. 4. 223 Palafox, Old County Courthouse. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. DRAGONFLY GALLERY 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. “All the Little People” features one of a kind creations by gourd artist, Harvey Davis, including whimsical figures and Native American ceremonial masks made with gourds. Exhibit on display through Oct. 11. 5188 Escambia St., Milton. 981-1100 or thedragonflygallery.org. QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. “Interpretations: Florida's Forgotten Coast” exhibit features artists Connie Boussom, Lynn Parker and Nikki Strahota. Exhibit on display through Oct. 7. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com. BLUE MORNING GALLERY 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3-D show “Grout and Grain” features the art of Mark Schmitt, tile artist, and Ric Koressel and Tom Sny-
FOREVER DIETING? der, wood artists. On display through Oct. 26. 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com. PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For the first time at the PMA, the exhibition “24 Hours in Pensacola” celebrates the diverse places, spaces, and people that make up our community—from the community's perspective. Exhibit on display through Oct. 12. 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.com. MESS HALL 2 – 5 p.m. The Pensacola MESS Hall (Math, Engineering, Science & Stuff) offers weekly themes, special activities and workshops that captivate curious minds of all ages and inspire a lifetime of discovery. 116 N. Tarragona St. 877-937-6377 or PensacolaMESShall.org. WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 or aragonwinemarket.com. WINE & GLIDE SEGWAY TOUR 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This one-hour Segway tour includes a stop at Seville Quarter or Aragon Wine Market for a wine tasting. Emerald Coast Tours, 701 S. Palafox. $45. 417-9292 or emeraldcoasttours.net. EXPLORE PENSACOLA HISTORY 6 p.m. “Unearthing Pensacola” presentation by Dr. Judy Bense. From the earliest colonial expeditions to the early modern age, join the West Florida Public Library in the ongoing adventure of bringing our rich history to light. Main Library Downtown,
229 N. Spring St. 436-5060. TAG PRESENTS: GUIDING PRINCIPLES 7 p.m. Opening reception of "Guiding Principals" Art Faculty Exhibition. On display through Nov. 2. The Art Gallery (TAG) 11000 University Pkwy. Bldg 82, Room 240. 474-2696 or tag82uwf.wordpress.com.
live music
RADIO LIVE 6 p.m. RadioLive with musical artists Pierce Pettis, Bill Wharton the Sauce Boss, and Kate Campbell. Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. 474-2787 or wuwf.org. LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com. THE DAVENPORTS 6 p.m. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox. 912-4229 or tlcdowntown.com. JAMES AND FRIENDS 7 p.m. Hub Stacey's Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com. VINYL MUSIC HALL PRESENTS – GREENSKY BLUEGRASS 7:30 p.m. Greensky Bluegrass with Fruition. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $15. 4359849 or vinylmusichall.com. DUELLING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’ Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. KRAZY GEORGE KARAOKE 8:30 p.m. Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
Not Your Average Pumpkin Party by Sarah McCartan
courtesy photo When it comes to pumpkins, the sad truth is that even the ones you select to adorn your stoop with this fall that you opt not to carve, won’t outlast the season. They eventually must go by the wayside, or get eaten. That is, unless they’re glass pumpkins. That’s a whole different story. Once again Scott Novota of Strong Street Studio is unveiling a spread of his hand-blown glass pumpkins for sale to help you keep the harvest alive long after fall is over—or even year round if you so choose. October 3, 2013
fun, there will be live music by Martha’s For Scott and his wife Molli, there’s no Trouble. Plus, like any good host, Jaco’s better way to share these pumpkins than is offering drink specials. with a signature pumpkin party. Beginning “We like to think of it as a fun and as a backyard bonfire gathering with family, social event, not just a sale,” said Novota. friends and 100 pumpkins, the party has “With the bay in the background, it's since become a tradition that has continued going to be an amazing weekend. Guests to grow—now nearly 1000 pumpkins strong. can pick their pumpkins, grab a cocktail Currently in its seventh year, this year’s and take in some good tunes and sights!” annual Strong Street Studio Pumpkin Party Although the party is a two-day affair, takes place Oct. 5 and 6, in a new location— the pumpkins will surely go fast, and indiunderneath tents at the southern end of viduals have even been known to line up Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill. ahead of time in waiting, so it is advised “With close to a thousand pumpkins to get there early so you can have your displayed on stacked pallets and hay bales, pick. If you are especially eager to call it's quite a sight,” said Molli Novota. “We first dibs on any of the pumpkins, Strong often refer to it as the glass version of the Willy Wonka entirely edible room. The col- Street Studio is hosting a preview sale and dinner by Culinary Productions, Thursday, ors are stunning and mesmerizing.” Oct. 4 at the Museum of Commerce. For These ornate pumpkins, gourds and ticket information, call 469-0445. A seacorns abound in a variety of colors, ranglection of pumpkins will also be available ing from bright electrics to more subtle fall at Susan Campbell Jewelry and McAlpin staples, and even shiny silver and gold. Much Interiors. Pumpkins can also be made to like those of the garden varieties, they range order by request of Scott Novota. {in} in all shapes and sizes—no two are alike. “The sizes range from golf balls to bigger than basketballs,” said Novota. “We typically have around 800 to 1000 plus pieces for sale ranging from $15 to $300. WHEN: 12 – 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5 and Our most popular being in the Sunday, Oct. 6 $45-$65 range.” WHERE: Behind Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and In keeping with tradition, art Grill, 997 S. Palafox St. and metal works by Ben Bogan COST: Free to attend, pumpkins available will accompany the pumpkins. for purchase And since a party wouldn’t truly DETAILS: strongstreetstudio.com be a party without some extra entertainment and fall festive
7TH ANNUAL STRONG STREET STUDIO PUMPKIN PARTY
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happenings
Brunch & Broadway
FRIDAY 10.4
by Jessica Forbes
BRUNCH AND BROADWAY
Seating is limited. Reservations required. $65 per person. Event begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. View the full menu online! (Plus tax and gratuity.)
SECOND ANNUAL
Those who are fans of brunch, Broadway, and charitable giving have an opportunity to bundle all three this Sunday during HIVevolution’s “Brunch and Broadway” fundraiser. “‘Brunch and Broadway’ is the vision of our HIVevolution Director, Patrick Rogers. He introduced the idea to our HIVevolution staff and volunteer team and we began to brainstorm about the possibilities we have available to us within our local professional arts community,” explained Kimberly Brill, outreach coordinator at HIVevolution. The brunch portion of the event will take place at Seville Quarter beginning at 11 a.m. Pensacola Little Theatre will then host a pre-show reception with complimentary
A portion of Seville’s brunch proceeds drinks and desserts that Sunday and all proceeds from the show at 12:30 p.m. and the will benefit HIVevolution, which “works to Broadway-style show, raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through which features artists education, providing resources/linkages and from Ballet Pensacola, free/confidential testing as prevention,” Brill Pensacola Little Thestated. “We seek to end the stigma associatatre, Pensacola Choral ed with HIV/AIDS and to encourage routine Society and Pensacola testing for our community. ‘Brunch and Shakespeare Theatre, Broadway’ will help us provide the financial begins at 1:30 p.m. support to keep moving forward!” {in} “Jerry Ahillen graciously offered his services as the show’s producer with assistance from Richard Steinert of Ballet Pensacola. Their enthusiasm has been WHAT: Fundraiser for HIVevolution (a projkey in this endeavor,” Brill said. The ect of OASIS) show’s theme will be the triumph of WHEN: Brunch 11 a.m., Show 12:30 p.m., love and courage in society. Sunday, Oct. 6 According to Brill, the WHERE: Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government Brunch and Broadway concept St., and Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. of outreach and fundraising has Jefferson St. been in the making for almost COST: Brunch priced individually, Show one year. With all of the partners tickets $20-$60 currently on board, the HIVevoDETAILS: aidsoasis.org/events and penlution team is hoping to develop sacolalittletheatre.com the arts-based fundraiser into an annual event.
FIRST CITY ART CENTER 9 a.m. 1060 N. Guillemard St. 429-1222 or FirstCityArt.org. ARTEL GALLERY 10 a.m. 223 Palafox, Old County Courthouse. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. DRAGONFLY GALLERY 10 a.m. 5188 Escambia St., Milton. 981-1100 or thedragonflygallery.com. QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 10 a.m. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com. BLUE MORNING GALLERY 10 a.m. 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com . PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART 10 a.m. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.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. WINE & GLIDE SEGWAY TOUR 5:30-7:30 p.m. This one-hour Segway tour includes a stop at Seville Quarter or Aragon Wine Market for a wine tasting. Emerald Coast Tours, 701 S. Palafox. $45. 417-9292 or emeraldcoasttours.net. GROUP RUN AT PLAY 5:30 p.m. All abilities welcome. A casual run with fun partner exercises. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.
live music
LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com.
Toasts of the Coasts A Food and Wine Series
Thursday, October 17 3 wines, 4-course dinner with Master Sommelier Trey Christy featuring Arrowood Vineyards Among the many enological accomplishments of Trey Christy is his management of one of the world’s great wine cellars at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, Florida. His passion, his travels, and education distinguish him as one of today’s leading wine experts.
RESERVATIONS: (850) 433-9450 OPEN DAILY AT 11 A.M. · (850) 470-0003 · 600 S. BARRACKS ST. · WWW.GOODGRITS.COM 818 1
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happenings DUELLING 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. VINYL MUSIC HALL PRESENTS – ZOSO 8 p.m. The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $10. 435-9849 or vinylmusichall. THE JASON ABEL PROJECT 8 p.m. Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. GRAND THEFT AUTO 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. JAMES ADKINS 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks, 10 South Palafox. 497-6076 or hopjacks.com.
SATURDAY 10.5
WOMEN’S DAY OUT 8 a .m. – 1 p.m. The Women’s Community and Physician Advisory Board invite you to a special event focused on Women’s Health, featuring Michelle Aguilar from NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Registration is required and space is limited for this free event. Olive Baptist Church, Recreation Outreach Center, 1836 E. Olive Rd. 494-3212. PALAFOX MARKET 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, N. Palafox St. Palafoxmarket.com. ARTEL GALLERY 10 a.m. 223 Palafox, Old County Courthouse. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. DRAGONFLY GALLERY 10 a.m. 5188 Escambia St., Milton. 981-1100 or thedragonflygallery.com. QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 10 a.m. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com. BLUE MORNING GALLERY 10 a.m. 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com SIDEWALK BOOK SALE 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Open Books, 1040 North Guillemard St., 453-6774 or openbookspcola.org. PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART 12 p.m. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.com. PENSACOLA WINE FESTIVAL 3 - 6 p.m. Sample wine from all over the world. The Pensacola Wine Festival is a collaborative event created by the fine dining restaurants and wine merchants of Downtown Pensacola and the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board. Jefferson Street Parking Garage, 53 S. Jefferson St. $35 presale; $40 at door. 256-348-7249 or pensacolawinefestival.com. BAYOU TEXAR TORCHLIGHT TOUR 7 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 26. Pensacola Paddle Sport Rentals offers an evening of exploring the waters of Bayou Texar guided by torch, under the light of the moon. Tour leaves from the beach next to the fishing pier at Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St. $10 for single kayaks; $15 for tandem kayaks. 255-5423 or pensacolapaddlesport.com. PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: OPENING NIGHT 8 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 118 South Palafox. $22 - $84. 595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
live music
JB LAWSON 8 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivessistersbluescafe.com. DJ MR. LAO 8 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. DUELLING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’ Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. VINYL MUSIC HALL PRESENTS – ROGER CREAGER 8 p.m. Roger Creager with Hope Cassity. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. $10. 4359849 or vinylmusichall. October 3, 2013
JAMES ADKINS 8:30 p.m. The Tin Cow, 102 South Palafox, 466-2103 or thetincow.com. KRAZY GEORGE KARAOKE 9 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com. GRAND THEFT AUTO 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. JENSEN HOLT 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks, 10 South Palafox, 497-6076 or hopjacks.com.
SUNDAY 10.6
BUBBLES & BRUNCH 9 a.m. Enjoy Gourmet Brunch Trios for $12. You pick the three delicious items to build your perfect brunch. Bottomless Champagne & Mimosas for $5. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox. 912-4229 or tlcdowntown.com. THE FISH HOUSE BRUNCH 10:30 a.m. Delicious Sunday brunch on the Pensacola Bay. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com. SEVILLE QUARTER SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 a.m. Whether it’s a special occasion, an opportunity for friends to catch up, or a pleasant start to a lazy Sunday, brunch at Seville Quarter’s is a great way to treat your family every Sunday. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. END OF THE LINE BRUNCH 11 a.m. This vegan café offers its unique brunch every Sunday. 610 E. Wright St. $12. 429-0336 or eotlcafe.com. FIVE SISTERS 11 a.m. A southern blend of southern flavors and soulful music featuring Clarence Bell. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivessistersbluescafe.com. BLUE MORNING GALLERY 12 :30 p.m. 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 1 p.m. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com.
WOOF! MEOW! AARF! idgroup congratulates Pensacola Humane Society, Brand On Us 2013 recipient. Join us at Barktoberfest, October 5th, for the unveiling of the new Pensacola Humane Society brand.
live music
KRAZY GEORGE KARAOKE 8:30 p.m. Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. BROOKS HUBBERT 9 p.m. McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St. 433-2849 or mcguiresirishpub.com.
MONDAY 10.7
QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 10 a.m. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com. BLUE MORNING GALLERY 10 a.m. 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com BODACIOUS DEMONSTRATION COOKING CLASS 12 – 1 p.m. Meatless Monday Lunch with Chef/Instructor Lindy Howell. The Bodacious Olive, 407-D.S. Palafox. $20. 433-6505 or bodaciousolive.com. SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS CLUB 5 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. OYSTER NIGHT AT ATLAS 5 p.m. First dozen are 25 cents apiece and $2 Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra drafts until close. Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. atlas.goodgrits.com. BAR BINGO WITH BUCK AND THE SEVILLE GIRLS 8 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
2014 Call for Entries idgroup is accepting applications for Brand On Us 2014. Pensacola area not-for-profit organizations are invited to visit www.idgroupusa.com/brandonus for official rules of entry and a full RFP entry form. Deadline for entries is October 20, 2013.
live music
MONDAY NIGHT BLUES 8 p.m. Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 4346211 or sevillequarter.com.
TUESDAY 10.8
RUNNING: SIX AT SIX 6 a.m. Running Wild, 3012 E Cervantes St. 435-9222 or werunwild.com. 19
CHECK OUT OUR
GHOSTS, MURDERS & MAYHEM SEGWAY TOUR TUESDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS
417-9292 • 5 W. Main St. www.emeraldcoasttours.net
SEGWAYS • BIKES • PUB TOURS
happenings FIRST CITY ART CENTER 9 a.m. 1060 N. Guillemard St. 429-1222 or FirstCityArt.org. MESS HALL 10 a.m. 116 N. Tarragona St. 877937-6377 or PensacolaMESShall.org. ARTEL GALLERY 10 a.m. 223 Palafox, Old County Courthouse. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. DRAGONFLY GALLERY 10 a.m. 5188 Escambia St., Milton. 981-1100 or thedragonflygallery.com. QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 10 a.m. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com. BLUE MORNING GALLERY 10 a.m. 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART 10 a.m. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.com. PENSACOLA OPERA OPEN HOUSE 4 – 6 p.m. Pensacola Opera invites members of the public to attend one of several upcoming Opera Open House Events at the Pensacola Opera Center. Guests will have the opportunity to subscribe for the very best seats available for this season’s productions, at exclusive Open House prices! Guests can also learn more about volunteer and membership opportunities, and as a special feature, opera singers will perform musical highlights from “Carmen.” Pensacola Opera Center, 75 S. Tarragona St. 433-6737 or pensacolaopera.com. HALF-PRICE SUSHI 5 p.m. Atlas, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or atlas.goodgrits.com. TWO FOR ONE 5 p.m. 2 for 1 Tuesday Nights features 2 for 1 house Wines, 2 for 1 Domestic Beers and 2 for 1 Ice cream Scoops All Night. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox. 912-4229 or tlcdowntown.com. PRIME TIME TUESDAYS 5:30 p.m. Jackson’s, 400 S. Palafox. 469-9898 or jacksons.goodgrits.com. YOGA AT EVER’MAN 6 p.m. $2 for non-members. Ever’man Natural Foods, 315 W. Garden St. 438-0402 or everman.org. MCGUIRE'S RUNNING CLUB 6 p.m. McGuire's Irish Pub, 600 E Gregory St. mcguiresrunners.com. LGBT FILM FESTIVAL: OPENING RECEPTION 6:30 p.m. Spotlight on HIV, featuring presentation by HIV Evolution. UWF Music Hall, 11000 University Pkwy. 435-9849 or pcolalgbtfilmfest.com. STRUT YOUR MUTT 6:45 p.m. Join fellow dog owners for a 45-minute leisurely stroll in East Hill. Dogs must be leashed and well-behaved. Owners should be prepared to pick up after the pets. Meet at the entrance of Bayview Park, 20th Ave. and East Mallory St. 291-7658.
live music
LIVE JAZZ: KITT & FRIENDS 5 p.m. opens for drinks and dinner, 6 p.m. show. Lili Marlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 5 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com. BANDS ON THE BEACH 7 – 9 p.m. Westside Players. Free admission. Gulfside Pavilion, 735 Pensacola Beach Blvd. visitpensacolabeach.com.
WEDNESDAY 10.9
MESS HALL 10 a.m. 116 N. Tarragona St. 877937-6377 or PensacolaMESShall.org. ARTEL GALLERY 10 a.m. 223 Palafox, Old County Courthouse. 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. DRAGONFLY GALLERY 10 a.m. 5188 Escambia St., Milton. 981-1100 or thedragonflygallery.com. QUAYSIDE ART GALLERY 10 a.m. 17 E. Zaragoza St, 438-2363 or quaysidegallery.com.
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Barktober Fest is Back by Sarah McCartan
courtesy photo
signature contests, including best costume, best trick, and best kisser. Plus there’s an owner/pet, lookalike showdown. “That’s usually a costume contest as well,” said Humlie. While you are encouraged to keep your pooch dressed up for the entire day, the first set of contests kicks off at 10 a.m., and the next set happens at 2 p.m. There will be plenty of water on hand—in the form or bowls, buckets and pools—to make sure the pups stay cool and hydrated. And ample baggies will be present as well for owners to pick up after their pets to keep the park clean. To keep things safe and friendly, pets must be on leashes, and owners are asked to watch after their pets at all times. Although the event is certainly tailored toward people and their pooches, there will be plenty of animals up for adoption—making this the perfect opportunity to make a forever friend at the park—and take him or her home with you. HSOP will be closed Saturday as all adoptable dogs will be onsite at the park at various points throughout the day. “Of course, the goal is that they will all be adopted,” said Humlie. Other area non-profits and rescue groups, including breed specific groups, will be bringing animals for adoption as well. Expect everything from Dachshunds to Great Danes, poodles, Scottish Terriers and beyond. Amidst all the excitement, HSOP will be signing people up for the county’s free spay and neuter program, and also encouraging individuals to sign up to become members of HSOP for a $25 yearly fee. Along with giveaway items, HSOP will have specialty items available for purchase. You will definitely want to go home with a Barktober Fest T-shirt designed by cartoonist Andy Marlette. And don’t forget the latest HSOP calendar featuring the winners of the recent pet photo contest. {in}
This weekend there is expected to be a takeover involving between 8,000 and 10,000 energized pets and their people in downtown Pensacola, which can only mean one thing—Barktober Fest is back! Yes, you and your four-legged friend—or perhaps multiple friends—are cordially invited to strut your way down to Seville Square Saturday, Oct. 5, to participate in a full day of friendly frolicking and festival fun on behalf of the Humane Society of Pensacola (HSOP). Currently in its 12th year, Barktober Fest serves as HSOP’s largest fundraising event. “The best part is seeing all the people have a fun day with their dog. You don’t get to do that too often at the festivals downtown,” said HSOP Director, Sarah Humlie. Thanks to the support of local vendors, all proceeds from the day go to benefit HSOP, and the animals on-site at the no-kill shelter and adoption center, who have yet to find their forever homes. “There will be animal-focused vendors—such as doggy clothes, accessories and treats. And there will be people-focused vendors as well—including jewelers and other craft vendors that come out,” said Humlie. In addition to festival staples such as food—of the human kind, this year will bring some new additions, including the unveiling of a new look for HSOP as a part of local agency idgroup’s Brand on Us Project. HSOP is the first recipient of $100,000 in idgroup services, plus approximately $75,000 in services from local WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5 business partners. WHERE: Seville Square and Fountain Park Then of course there’s the DETAILS: humanesocietyofpensacola.org return of the eagerly anticipated
BARKTOBERFEST
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film
by Jessica Forbes
Movies That Matter
Four nights, four venues, and 14 films are on the schedule for the second annual Pensacola LGBT Film Festival. Organizers are hoping to expand on the success of the inaugural festival, which debuted in 2012 and quickly became one of Pensacola’s most buzzed about arts events. The festival’s lineup presents contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) films and filmmakers from around the globe. According to Sara Latshaw, regional director of the ACLU of Florida, the crowds at last year’s festival screenings showed Pensacola’s readiness to embrace and support diversity within the local community. “The turnout proved what we hoped it would about Pensacola: That support for the LGBT community and interest in hearing stories from and about LGBT people is shared by people regardless of age, gender, race, socioeconomic background,” Latshaw stated. “This was an event for the entire community.” In 2012, progressively larger crowds over the festival’s four days required organizers to secure larger venues for this year’s events. Together with HIVevolution, Gay Grassroots of NW Florida, and the University of West Florida Gay-Straight Alliance, among others, Latshaw and “a small and dedicated group of volunteers” worked to establish partnerships and put the four-day festival together.
“The festival is each evening from Oct. 8 through Oct. 11, which is National Coming Out Day,” said Latshaw. The focus of this year’s film selections ranges from the everyday lives of gay and lesbian couples to the experiences of transgender females in America and abroad, and a host of topics in between. Filmmakers themselves and community
“On Thursday, the venue is the Bayview Park pier in East Hill, which should be a beautiful outdoor experience,” said Latshaw. Thursday will feature the familyfocused films “Families are Forever,” “Conceiving Family,” and “Foremost in My Mind,” the sixth film made as part of The Devotion Project, self-described as “series of short documentaries celebrating LGBTQ couples and families.” “Foremost in My Mind” tells the story of a lesbian couple in New York who met later in life after successful careers in sports, stock brokerage, and fashion. Thursday’s screening begins at 7 p.m., the only night that deviates from the festival’s standard 6:30 p.m. start time. The final screening of the festival will be held on Friday at Artel Gallery. An as of yet unnamed short film about a local gay couple will open the evening followed by a screening of "What's the T?,” a documentary which captures the experiences of five transgender females, including a nurse, a pre-med student, two entertainers, and a community organizer. Cactus Flower will cater Friday’s event, and a joint after-party will take place a few blocks away at Sluggo's and Cabaret, capping off what promises to be a thoughtprovoking and enlightening series. {in}
four individuals fighting HIV in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The feature length documentary will be followed by “O Pacote (The Package),” a Brazilian short film that depicts the developing relationship between a young couple, one partner of which must WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 to Friday, reveal he is HIV-positive. Oct. 11 (except for Thursday, Oct. 10 screenA discussion is scheduled on ing, which begins at 7 p.m.) Tuesday after the screenWHERE: Location changes nightly ing. “We’ve arranged for COST: Free a few speakers and Q&A DETAILS: facebook.com/pcolaLGBTfilmfest sessions. Tuesday, the films will spotlight HIV—specifiTUESDAY, OCT. 8, 6:30 P.M. cally in the South. The films UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts will be followed by a guest (CFPA) Music Hall, 11000 University Pkwy., speaker from HIVevolution,” Bldg. 82 said Latshaw. Southern Spotlight on HIV, featuring the On Wednesday, the documentary “deepsouth” followed by short festival will move to Vinyl film “O Pacote” (The Package) and a discusMusic Hall, where “The sion from HIVevolution. Painted Girl,” “Luca,” “Model CiTizen,” “(A) WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9, 6:30 P.M. Typical Couple,” “The Buss Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox Pass,” “Always My Son,” A series of short films highlighting various and “Quiet,” are on the bill. LGBT issues. The screening of “Model CiTizen,” a documentary about a THURSDAY, OCT. 10, 7 P.M. Muslim transgender female model, Bayview Park Pier, 2001 E. Lloyd St. will be the film’s North American “Families in the Park” featuring “Families are debut. “It has been shown in Asia Forever,” “Conceiving Family,” and “Foreas part of the Active Vista film most in My Mind.” festival in the fight against transphobia,” said Latshaw. Following FRIDAY, OCT. 11, 6:30 P.M. its showing in Pensacola, the film Artel Gallery, 223 Palafox Pl. will go on to screen at the InterClosing ceremonies with snacks and sangria national Film Festival Manhattan provided by Cactus Flower, featuring “What’s in New York, another up-andthe T?” and a local short subject documentary. coming festival.
PENSACOLA LGBT FILM FEST 2013
“All were donated because the directors strongly believe in our mission of creating a welcoming community in Pensacola regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The films were selected on the basis they help foster that mission.” Sara Latshaw
October 3, 2013
members submitted films for consideration throughout the year. “All were donated because the directors strongly believe in our mission of creating a welcoming community in Pensacola regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” Latsahw explained. “The films were selected on the basis they help foster that mission.” The festival will open at UWF’s Music Hall in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 8 with the documentary “deepsouth,” which follows the lives of
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FINE POINTS OF THE LAW (1) In July, a New York City judge tossed out Joseph Lozito's lawsuit against the police—even though two officers had stood by in February 2011, out of harm's way, while a man attacked Lozito as part of a four-murder crime spree. The judge ruled that it was not clear enough that Lozito was in danger when the officers began to ignore him (while they were inside a subway motorman's booth). (2) In September, a federal jury in New York City upheld an employment agency worker's claim that she (an African-American) was racially harassed by her boss. The supervisor, Rob Carmona, had insisted that he could not be liable for race-based harassment because, he, too, is African-American and thus entitled to use the "n-word." THE CONTINUING CRISIS Busy Being Superheroes: In separate incidents on successive September days, people dressed as Batman and Captain America rescued a cat from a burning house in Milton, W.Va., and Superman came to the aid of Wonder Woman in Hollywood, Calif. (The West Virginia pair were performing at a function when they noticed nearby smoke, and Superman and Wonder Woman were posing for tourists' tips when a passerby got belligerent.) In July, another Superman tackled a shoplifter on the streets of Sheffield, England, where he was appearing at a fundraiser. (However, less elegantly, two Captain Americas and a Spider-Man brawled briefly in May over access to a contested, lucrative Hollywood street corner.) • Our Freedom to Doze Off, Now in Danger: The training technology company Mindflash recently revealed a feature for iPads that prevents student inattentiveness during an online course. Facial recognition software notices a user looking away (or, worse, falling asleep) and thus pauses the course at that point until the eager learner re-engages the screen. (Mindflash assured reporters that the program has more serious uses, such as treatment of autism and Alzheimer's disease.)
• For people who believe that "rave" parties' music is too faint, an August event at England's Liverpool International Music Festival offered a solution: The DaDaFest program featured an ear-crushing sound level especially staged for deaf people's dancing— since they can "hear" only by the vibrations saturating their bodies; the non-deaf should bring earplugs. Among the performers: deaf DJ Troi "Chinaman" Lee, who claims he easily feels distinctions in his mix of hip hop, R&B, reggae, dance and electro swing. • In an epic failure, according to Madrid's El Pais newspaper, a 20-story condominium building ("InTempo," likely the tallest residential edifice in the European Union) in the resort town of Benidorm, Spain, was hastily upsized to a planned 47 stories, but a series of architectural mistakes and developer bankruptcies has left it limping, still 65 percent unsold. Most notably, El Pais discovered in 2012 that the then-current design made it impossible to build an elevator shaft to go past the 23rd floor because of space limitation. (The architects resigned, and unconfident developers were forced to turn to financing from one of the shakier banks in the country's feeble economy.) OH, DEAR! In a YouTube video, reported by the political website RawStory.com in August, well-known tea party activist Jerome Corsi elaborates on the biblical importance of childbearing and implores followers to "(hold) the line" on the principle that "(s)ex is about the procreation of children." "(S)ex is not about fun," he says. "If you want to have fun, read a book, go to a movie." • Evidently, Surgery Is Kinda Boring: A 36-year-old patient is suing California's Torrance Memorial Medical Center, claiming that anesthesiologist Patrick Yang decorated her face with stickers while she was unconscious and that an aide took photos for laughs, later allegedly uploading them to Facebook. Dr. Yang and the aide were later disciplined but remained in good standing. Some hospitals (not Torrance Memorial yet) prohibit cellphones in operating rooms at all times. BRIGHT IDEAS According to his road manager, pioneer 1970s musician Sly Stone (of Sly and the Family Stone) has a lot of "real interesting ideas," including once trying to hire "ninja chicks and clowns" for his security entourage. Stone's latest brainstorm, reported London's The Guardian in August: form a musical group of albinos, which Stone says "could neutralize all the racial problems" that plague society. "To me," he said, "albinos are the most legitimate minority group of all." {in}
From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2013 Chuck Shepherd
©2012 Anytime Fitness, LLC
MORE BANG American Exceptionalism: Which is more characteristically American— that a Texas company could invent an ordinary rifle that mimics a machine gun or that America's incomparable legal minds could find a loophole in existing anti-machine-gun laws to permit it to be manufactured and sold? The Slide Fire company's weapon can spray bullets "like a fire hose" from a legal, semiautomatic gun by simple application of muscle, yet an official opinion of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives acknowledges that the agency is powerless to regulate it because of the wording in 1934 and 1986 legislation that otherwise restricts private ownership of machine guns. One gun shop owner told London's Daily Mail in September that the Slide Fire rifle is "not as easy" to use as a machine gun, but still, "(I)t's fairly idiot-proof."
by Chuck Shepherd
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Independent News | October 3, 2013 | inweekly.net