Check out page 26 in the PDF version to read

Transcription

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INSIDE
4 Pm
editor’s note > my two cents on the subject
Like most families, mine spends a lot of time looking for exciting
things to do together. We love taking our daughter out for a fun
experience or adventure. But, also like most families these days, we are
on a serious budget. Enter the great outdoors. Have you heard of it?
Apparently it’s this amazing place full of wildlife and plants and
beautiful scenery, and, get this, it’s absolutely free (or at least very,
very inexpensive). Who knew?
Seriously though, in this age of consumerism, I do tend to forget
that there is a whole world out there to explore, and in our neck of the woods it is a
particularly beautiful world at that. Lucky for me, I stumbled upon a website called
outdoorgulfcoast.com. The proprietors of the site, Shawn and Lindy Brown, are serious
outdoor enthusiasts and they want to share their knowledge and experience with others in
the hopes that it will encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors. The site is full of tips
and ideas for outdoor fun complete with photos and directions to many places. I was
familiar with some of the recommended spots, but many were new to me and they looked
gorgeous. So, I did what any enterprising editor would do—I called them up and asked
them to share their knowledge with our readers. And they graciously agreed. So, check out
their article on page 26 for some really unique tips for outdoor fun.
And for anyone who has ever lamented that there is nothing to do in Pensacola, lament
no more. Our little city is quickly becoming a hotbed of cultural and culinary activity. It
seems a new restaurant or nightclub in the downtown area is announced every few days
and those that have recently opened are doing very well. In this issue, we profile the newly
opened Vinyl Music Hall, a live music venue that has upped the ante for Pensacola and
the regional music scene as well (Disclaimer: I am admittedly completely biased as my
brilliant husband designed the stellar sound system and runs the production at Vinyl).
Check out Emily Lullo’s story and some very cool photos by Bethany Lauren Brown on
page 10.
Another exciting addition to the Pensacola scene is the soon to open Pensacola Bay
Brewery. This craft brewery will be serving up small batch brews to local bars and
restaurants as well as offering a tasting room (including root beer and cream soda) on site.
Pensacola now has its own brewery—we can’t wait to try the Little Napoleon. Read all
about it on page 18.
Also, be sure to read the article on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light Up
The Night fundraising event, and be sure to sign up to walk and raise some funds for this
very worthy cause.
As always, I hope this issue inspires you to get out and explore our great city.
Pick up a copy of this
magazine at any one of
these fine locations:
Barnes and Noble
Bookseller
1200 Airport Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-969-9554
Family Christian Stores
1520 Airport Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-474-9324
Ever’man Natural Foods
315 W. Garden St.
Pensacola, FL 32501
850-438-0402
6 Pm
Varona’s Airport Gift Shop
Area Books-A-Million
Area Walmart Stores
Area Bruno’s Stores
Area K-Mart Stores
Pensacola Magazine
Contents
26.
feature
26. Get Out!
22 Hidden Gems & Outdoor Adventures
repeats
By Shawn and Lindy Brown
37. datebook
40. pensacola seen
departments
vanguard .10
18.
Finally Vinyl
nonprofit .15
Light The Night!
brew .18
Pensacola Brews
10.
uwf book club .22
The Wisdom of Whores
profile .24
Elite Services
Cover: Arcadia Mills Photo by Shawn Brown
8 Pm
PUBLISHER MALCOLM BALLINGER
malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com
E D I T O R K E L LY O D E N
kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
A R T D I R E C T O R R I TA L AY M O N
rita@ballingerpublishing.com
GRAPHIC KASSIE MCLEAN
D E S I G N E R & kassie@ballingerpublishing.com
MARKETING
C O O R D I N AT O R
C OPY E DITOR E M I LY L U L L O
emily@ballingerpublishing.com
E D I T O R I A L DRESDEN CRUZ
INTERN
S A L E S & AIMEE JOHNSON, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 31
M A R K E T I N G aimee@ballingerpublishing.com
SHARYON MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 28
sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com
C O N T R I B U T I N G GREGORY TOMSO
WRITERS
SHAWN AND LINDY BROWN
OWNERS MALCOLM & GLENYS BALLINGER
E X E C U T I V E K E L LY O D E N
E D I T O R kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
MARKETING
E DITOR E M I LY L U L L O
SIMONE SANDS, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 21
simone@ballingerpublishing.com
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O F F I C E S PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32502
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Pm 9
vanguard
Finally Vinyl
After months of waiting in eager anticipation,
Pensacola has finally seen the much publicized new venue in downtown Pensacola. Vinyl
Music Hall has officially lived up to the hype. It opened its doors to a crowd almost 5,000strong over the course of its open house on August 28, showing off its swanky historic-meetsmodern aesthetic, a state-of-the-art sound system and its ability to attract people from all age
groups and walks of life, even during a summer deluge that lasted most of the day.
“We knew Pensacola was ready for it, but we didn’t realize how ready they were,” says Joe
Abston. During that open house, Vinyl remained at capacity—about 525 people—for roughly
four and a half hours.
10 Pm
By Emily Lullo
Spearheaded by the owner of Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen
& Taproom Joe Abston, and Harry, Evan and Sherrod
Levin, Vinyl occupies the space in the first level of the
historic building on the very visible corner of Palafox and
Garden streets known as the Masonic. Vinyl’s owners are
pleased with the success of the open house and are
ready to give Pensacola more.
“The overwhelming amount of support from the local
community was proven to all of us that night. Now, I feel
anxious to show Pensacola what Vinyl is all about by
creating an experience that’s unparalleled for the
consumer and the artist,” says Harry Levin of the night,
which featured music from Brookes Hubbert and a
farewell concert from local favorites, The Gills.
The venue’s impressive exterior features windows lined
with poster-sized flyers for upcoming attractions and a
large marquee is lined with acts of all musical
persuasions from classic punk rock to contemporary
country.
Inside, the bar front is lined with an array of antiquelooking sideways doors, with knobs serving as handy
purse hooks. Hanging above the 84-foot bar are sleek,
modern lamps—a juxtaposition of old and new that
Abston says the owners hope to preserve.
The stage and sound are all modern, with two Digico
SD8 soundboards, a D&B Q-series line array and Meyer
powered wedges. The whole system will be run by
Photos by Bethany Lauren Brown
system designer and production manager Brian “Disco”
Oden, who is specifically trained on the console. Oden
says and he and other production team members are
looking to give an excellent experience to performers and
audience members alike.
“Everyone on the production team here treats their
job as a service to the musicians,” he says. “We want
anyone who plays here to be treated like they’re Dr. John
or the Misfits.”
Oden says Lance Brannon, production manager of Ballet
Pensacola, was also the lighting designer for Vinyl’s stage,
and played a major role in designing and programming
the club’s impressive stage lighting.
Music won’t even be the only thing you’ll be able to
see in the spotlight at Vinyl. Comedy acts and
performance art will also have a place on future lineups.
“There will be some nonmusical acts, they’ll be
national and regional touring acts that will encompass
the arts in all its types. Whether it’s comedy or art
performance or something of that nature, they’re going to
be national and regional touring groups,” he says.
Vinyl will also be a hotspot for local talent to
showcase their skills. Abston is eager to offer local
musicians the chance to perform in a larger venue than
some might be used to, as well as the opportunity to
play along with bigger touring acts of all genres.
Top Left: The crowds enjoy a performance by Appetite for Destruction; Center: Brian “Disco” Oden mixes on the SD8 console;
Bottom Right: The renovated façade and marquee of Vinyl Music Hall.
vanguard continued
“I feel the diversity of shows we are bringing to
Vinyl provides a great addition to what the downtown
cultural scene has to offer and is another positive step
forward for the promising downtown economic climate,”
says Evan Levin.
Downtown’s growth has certainly been bolstered by
the addition of a music venue able to accommodate
larger capacities while still maintaining a more
intimate setting than amphitheatre-style venues like
the Civic Center. Its owners are eager to shape the
direction of both the venue and the surrounding
downtown as a whole.
“I envision Vinyl as a first-rate, state of the art live
music venue—one that will hold its own against cuttingedge performance spaces throughout the Southeast
region for many years to come,” says Sherrod Levin. “I’m
excited about Vinyl’s role in the revitalization of the
downtown corridor.”
Vinyl also houses a back room bar called 5 1/2, which
will be utilized in two ways. First, it will act as a VIP
lounge during shows, where VIP guests can lounge while
watching the stage on huge TV screens. Secondly, it
serves as a freestanding high-end wine and cocktail bar
open seven days a week at 3 pm.
Abston says he is also pleased that come October, the
venue plans to be booking four shows a week, adding
about 35-40 jobs to downtown, all while bringing quality
musical acts to downtown Pensacola’s growing nightlife.
“What excites me about it is that we’re able to bring
artists to downtown that haven’t been able to play
here in a very long time,” says Abston. “And the
caliber of artists, like Dr. John in October, we’re
looking at being able to bring in artists that didn’t
have a home here before.”
“It’s one of the best installations for a venue of this
size in the country,” says Oden. “We wanted to make it
so that anybody who was used to world-class could
come in and be impressed.
Upcoming Shows at Vinyl
Friday, September 24: Devon Allman’s Honeytribe with
Imaginary Airshow—Doors at 8 pm, tickets $10, ages 18 and up.
Wednesday, September 29: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus with
The Sleeping and My Farewell—Doors at 7 pm, tickets $13,
all ages (Attendees under 21 are subject to a $2 surcharge
and attendees under 16 must be accompanied by a ticket
holding parent or legal guardian.)
Sunday, October 3: Electric Six with The Constellation and
Cockfight—Doors at 7 pm, tickets $12 advanced; $15 day of
show, ages 18 and up.
Friday, October 8: Battery - Masters of Metallica—Doors at
8 pm, tickets $10, ages 18 and up.
Saturday, October 9: Boombox Live with Nameless—Doors
at 8 pm, tickets $10 advanced; $13 day of show, ages 18
and up.
Wednesday, October 13: LA Guns, with Below the Stitch
and 60 Cycles of Sound—Doors at 7:30 pm, tickets $10
advanced; $12 day of show, ages 18 and up.
Friday, October 15: Dr. John & The Lower 911—Doors at 8
pm, tickets $38, ages 18 and up.
Bottom Left: Vintage doors and modern lighting line the main bar at Vinyl
Bottom Right: Guests enjoy the atmosphere at the 5 1/2 bar at Vinyl’s Open House.
12 Pm
Pm 13
nonprofit
Courtesy of Leukemia & Lymphonic Society
Pensacola Businesses are
Going to
Light The Night!
M
any Pensacola local businesses have formed teams that will participate in this
fall’s Light The Night Walk, raising money to find cures for cancer and provide critical
support to patients and their families.
Light The Night is Leukemia & Lymphonic Society’s (LLS) annual walk held each fall in
communities throughout the United States and Canada to pay tribute to those touched by
cancer and to raise awareness and funds to support research and patient services. Teams
of co-workers, families and friends walk together in twilight holding illuminated balloons –
white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost. The Walk is a
community celebration with music, refreshments and family activities. This year, the
Pensacola Light The Night Walk will be held on Thursday, October 21 at Seville Square.
Pm 15
nonprofit continued
“We are grateful to the
companies and employees who
are lending their support to this
year’s Walk,” said Noralyn
Hamilton, Gulf Coast Chapter
Executive Director. “LLS
participation goes a long way
toward bringing attention to the
critical need to find cures and
gives patients and their families
hope for the future.”
“Light The Night is a great way
to build a spirit of caring and
cooperation among employees as
they help others,” said Ron Fields,
President and CEO of Pen Air
Federal Credit Union. “I am
honored to serve as the chair and
look forward to encouraging
commitment from local businesses
and corporations.”
The funds raised through
corporate and individual
contributions help to find cures
and better therapies for leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and
myeloma, and to provide
information, education and
support for patients and their
families.
“Light The Night Walk gives
hope to patients and their families
and lets them know they are not
alone in their battle against
cancer,” said Hamilton.
Anyone can take part - children,
adults and seniors are all welcome.
This is a casual fundraising walk
with no fitness requirements. There
are many ways you can help. You
can register to walk individually or
as part of a team; just make a
donation online; or become a
volunteer or sponsor/partner.
Last year, nearly $38 million was
raised through Light The Night
Walks in more than 200
communities nationwide. For more
information or to register your
team, please visit
www.lightthenight.org or call
Lindsay Guthrie, Campaign
Coordinator at 251-472-8123.
This year, the following
“
Light
The Night
Walk
gives
hope to
patients
and their
families
and lets
them
know they
are not
alone in
their
battle
against
cancer
16 Pm
”
companies are serving as National
Supporting Sponsors: BristolMyers Squibb, Celgene
Corporation, Cephalon Oncology,
Genentech/Biogen Idec, Michael C.
Fina, Millennium: The Takeda
Oncology Company and Quest
Diagnostics.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society (LLS) is the world’s largest
voluntary health agency dedicated
to blood cancer. The LLS
mission: Cure leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and
myeloma, and improve the quality
of life of patients and their
families. LLS funds lifesaving blood
cancer research around the world
and provides free information and
support services. Founded in 1949 and
headquartered in White Plains, NY,
LLS has chapters throughout the
United States and Canada. To
learn more, visit www.LLS.org or
contact the Information Resource
Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday
through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm ET.
www.lls.org.
Pm 17
brew
By Emily Lullo
Pensacola Brews
Downtown Pensacola keeps getting bigger and better
by adding more restaurants and entertainment venues and giving more options to Pensacolians
and tourists alike who stroll its picturesque brick streets. Now downtown has something new
brewing that will surely be a source of pride for this seaside city: The Pensacola Bay Brewery. The
brewery and taproom plans to open its doors in October, and its locally brewed beers will be
available in restaurants and bars throughout the city.
18 Pm
The venture began last June, but owners Elliott Eckland
and Mark Robertson were homebrewers and a part of the
Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club before deciding to take
their brews to the next level by opening their own
production brewery.
“I’ve been making beer and wine for a while and I
noticed Pensacola had a need for a production brewery,
he says. “I picked Mark as a production partner and we
hit it off. He had the expertise in making beer.”
Robertson will be the head brewer while Eckland will
manage the brewery and sales. Robertson says the skills
necessary for a good brewer are an experienced palate,
attention to detail and a strong attention to cleanliness,
because even tiny amounts of microbes can ruin a batch
of beer. He got into brewing after living in England and
Germany while he was in the military. He says the
flavorful beers from those regions were missing when he
returned to the states in the mid-eighties.
“I went to Milwaukee on a vacation and tasted some
beers up there and realized if I’m going to drink good
beer, I’d have to learn how to make it,” he says. “I found
a homebrew shop up there, got a kit and made it, and
Pm 19
after that, it’s been nonstop brewing
ever since.”
For about 23 years, Robertson has
been brewing beer, developing
recipes and refining his palate, and
now those years of experience will
serve as the springboard for the
brewery.
“Mark has been perfecting some
recipes for years, and once you make
a good recipe, you just keep
perfecting it,” Eckland says. “We’ve
come up with some new ones for the
brewery, some lighter beers, more
pale ales.”
“
We’re
going to have
everything
from hoppy
IPAs to pale
ales to
porters to
whiskey
stouts.
”
Pensacola Bay Brewery sits in the
heart of the historic district at 225 E.
Zaragoza St., adjacent to Seville
Square. It consists of the brewery,
which patrons can tour, and a
taproom. In the nautical-themed
taproom, guests will be able to pick
up a souvenir glass and taste
samples of the various beer styles, or
purchase growlers to go. Florida laws
allow for the brewery to sell
containers of beer that are 32 ounces
or less, or 128 ounces or more, so
several growler sizes will be available
for purchase. For parties, you’ll be
able to pick up two different keg
sizes from the brewery.
The brewery will offer a wide
range of styles to suit the tastes of
Pensacola’s beer connoisseurs and
novices alike.
20 Pm
“We’re going to have everything
from hoppy IPAs to pale ales to
porters to whiskey stouts,” Eckland
says. “We have some whiskey barrels
from Jack Daniels and we’re going to
age some beer in whiskey barrels.”
Right now, the pair have eight
recipes they plan to use, with four
rolling out initially and more to follow
in the coming months. Robertson
says a balanced, hoppy IPA with
sweet and tangy flavors called Li’l
Napoleon will probably be the
brewery’s flagship brew. Other than
that you can expect to see the
caramelly Rip Tide Amber Ale, the
German Kolsch-style DeLuna Extra
Pale Ale and a malty English-style
Lighthouse Porter.
Eckland’s favorite is their ESB the
Pensacola Bay’s Special, an awardwinning recipe that won’t be rolled
out until later. ESB stands for Extra
Special Bitter, but this beer isn’t
bitter at all, he says.
“It is so incredibly flavorful and it
has a very nice nose to it,” Eckland
says. “We do a lot of dry hopped
beers, which means after it ferments
out, you add more hops to it and
that brings out the florals. You don’t
get the bitterness.”
Robertson says he has a plethora
of recipes up his sleeve, so look out
for seasonal flavors coming in and
out of the brewery.
The two hope to attract both
locals, especially during festivals and
other downtown events, as well as
tourists. Many brewing enthusiasts
center vacations around brewery
visits, so the addition could also
boost tourism and make the city
even more of a draw for vacationers.
They also want to decorate the
taproom with art centered on historic
Pensacola, and point visitors toward
the historic district venues that
surround the brewery.
Pensacola Bay Brewery is bringing
handcrafted brew to the area in a big
way. Whether you plan to sip Li’l
Napoleon at your favorite pub or go
straight to the makers to see how it’s
brewed, the refreshing local flavor of
Pensacola is officially on tap.
Pm 21
uwf book club
AbOuT
The
AuThOr
Elizabeth Pisani specializes in HIV surveillance and prevention.
She has provided research, analysis, and policy advice for
UNAIDS, the WHO, the World Bank, and other organizations.
She is based in London.
OvervieW
As an epidemiologist researching AIDS, Elizabeth Pisani has
been involved with international efforts to halt the disease for
fourteen years. With swashbuckling wit, fierce honesty, and more
than a little political incorrectness, she dishes on herself and her
colleagues as they try to prod reluctant governments to fund
HIV prevention for the people who need it most: drug injectors,
gay men, sex workers, and johns. With verve and clarity, Pisani
shows the general reader how her profession really works; how
easy it is to draw wrong conclusions from “objective” data; and,
shockingly, how much money is spent so very badly.
“The thing about faith, about doctrine, about
ideologies of any sort, is that you can’t fight them
with facts . . . . If someone believes that condoms are
inherently evil, there’s not a damned thing I, as a
scientist, can do about it.”
~ Elizabeth Pisani
AntS
in the SUgAr bOWl
(excerpt)
You might think that a bit of good, free-market competition is just what
these bloated NGOs need to shake them up and increase efficiency. And
you’d be right. Except that the AIDS industry isn’t a free market. As we’ve
seen, you rarely have to say what your “bottom line” is — how many
infections you’ll prevent. And you almost never have to show you’ve
prevented any infections. You can be judged a success for just doing what
you said you were going to do, like build a clinic, or train some nurses or
give leaflets to 400 out of the nation’s 160,000 drug injectors. It’s a bit like
declaring that Ford is doing really well in the car market because they’ve
got factories and floor managers and an advertising campaign, instead of
looking at sales figures. Or even checking that they make cars that run.
In the AIDS industry, most people do whatever projects pay them to
do. “In fact, we don’t have time to do any real work,” protested a Chinese
colleague, whom I’ll call Wang. He was from the local health department
in Dali, a Wild West town on the opium-sodden border between Yunnan
and Burma. Huge casinos just inside Burma acted as a magnet for
gamblers from all over China, and gamblers acted as a magnet for
prostitutes. Wang had been pulled out of Dali to be trained in how to
estimate the number of prostitutes locally, and he was quite cross about
it. He’d already counted prostitutes in Dali three times in the previous
year, he said. Once for the China-UK prevention programme, once for a
US-funded programme and once for the Chinese government. Now he was
being asked to do it again with Global Fund money. “Count, count, count.
And no money for prevention.” Wang was getting louder as he got more
worked up. I could see why he was upset. “Why don’t you just give the
donors all the same count and have done with it?” I asked. Wang looked
shocked. “But they’ve all given me money to count!” he bellowed. “If I
didn’t count for each of them, that would be corruption!”
22 Pm
The Wisdom of Whores:
Bureaucrats, Brothels and the
Business of AIDS
By Gregory Tomso, Associate Professor, UWF
Before you turn the page, let me promise that I
won’t quote a single statistic to you about the number
of people in the world who are infected with HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS. Nor will I try to “put a face on
AIDS” by plucking at your heartstrings with a story of
suffering and woe. If you’re like me, your eyes are likely to glaze over
when you come across yet another story about AIDS in
the news—even if you happen to have HIV yourself. Not
that I don’t care, or that I don’t have compassion for
those infected with the virus, but after so many years of
dealing with an incurable epidemic, “HIV fatigue” has
certainly made it hard for me to pay attention to every
new story about the epidemic.
That’s why Elizabeth Pisani’s The Wisdom of Whores is
such a compelling read it’s a book about HIV and AIDS
written by someone who has the worst case of HIV
fatigue of anyone I’ve ever known. Pisani is a gritty, nononsense journalist and epidemiologist whose book
chronicles her career working for UNAIDS, the United
Nations AIDS organization, and her efforts to put
HIV/AIDS prevention programs in place in Indonesia.
While you might expect a UN worker to pen heroic
accounts of battling AIDS across the globe, instead
Pisani offers a pithy, biting account of the colossal
waste and stupidity of the global behemoth she calls
“The AIDS Industry,” a term she uses to describe the
vast network of government and non-profit agencies
that manage prevention programs in nearly every
country in the world.
Whether you are a liberal, conservative, or
libertarian, Pisani tells stories of bureaucratic waste and
outright absurdity that will make your hair stand on
end. Yet this is not your standard tale of corruption,
indifference, and misappropriated taxpayer money.
Rather, Pisani shows how even the best laid plans of
governments, scientists and community activists, even
when well-funded and backed by the latest scientific
data, often do nothing to stop the rising tide of new
HIV infections. The problem, Pisani notes, is not that
the HIV epidemic can’t be stopped, but that we let
moral posturing and politics shape the kinds of
scientific studies and prevention programs that we fund
with government dollars.
The real work of fighting AIDS, Pisani argues, should
begin with understanding how, where, when and why
people have sex and inject drugs, since these are the
major pathways of HIV transmission. Yet many of the
most logical steps we might take to stop HIV are
hampered because of the political sensitivity of these
topics. Her title, “The Wisdom of Whores,” refers to the
fact that the real lessons of HIV prevention can be
learned best from those, like sex workers and drug
users, who are living lives most at risk for HIV infection.
In the most fascinating sections of her book, Pisani
takes readers into these people’s lives, sharing tales
from transsexual Indonesian prostitutes, Thai heroine
junkies, and Chinese men who have sex with other
men.
Pisani’s certainly at her best when she’s poking
around in places where other, more politically correct
researchers fear to tread. During her time in Jakarta,
Indonesia, she discovered that official HIV prevention
efforts were only targeting female prostitutes, when in
fact a large percentage of the city’s new HIV infections
could be linked to heterosexual men who had sex with
cross-dressing male prostitutes knows as “waria.”
Taking on the role of detective, Pisani tracks down a
number of waria and shares with readers the
complexities of their lives, from trafficking in sex to
seeking acceptance in a world that publicly demands
gender conformity but privately eroticizes those who
break the rules.
Even if you’ve never read another book about the
AIDS epidemic, you’ll want to take a closer look at this
readable page-turner by Elizabeth Pisani. There’s
certainly much we can learn from The Wisdom of Whores.
Pm 23
profile
By Dresden Cruz
Elite Services: Quality Clean
The Family that Does their Best for Yours
Carpets and couches go through a
lot in their lifetimes—mud, juice, kids,
wet dogs, shedding cats, the
sand…and let’s face it, vacuuming can
only do so much. Just out of reach
of those bristles lies gunk and little
critters TV commercials like to show
us, not the nicest things to have
around little ones or picky mother-inlaws.
But there is hope out there.
“If you sit on it, walk on it, and take
pride in it, Elite Services can clean
it!”
So says the carpet and textile
deep-clean service based out of
Pensacola, Florida—Elite Services:
Quality Clean. Started in 1985, Elite
is a family-owned and operated
business that offers “the most
outstanding service experience ever.”
Owner, Kansas native David Nixon,
works with his daughter, Elizabeth
Nims in their small but high-quality
business that has expanded from
cleaning just carpets to cleaning
upholstery, leather and even drapes.
Other employees have come and
gone to bigger companies, but with
just the two of them, Nims and
Nixon can hold each other
accountable to doing the best job
they can.
“We want people to have a
blessed experience,” says Nixon.
“Not, Oh, we have to have the carpets
cleaned again.”
That extra care extends to their
website, specially designed to be
clear and easy to navigate for even
the least experienced web-surfer.
Every service, from the basic carpet
cleaning package to the more
advanced leather cleaning package,
is carefully outlined with pre- and
post- cleaning inspections included.
“Women decide who comes into
the house and who doesn’t,” Nixon
says with a grin. “So we had a
female web designer design the
website with females in mind.”
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Many of the pictures on the
website feature mothers and young
children, those to whom a clean
home is especially important to help
prevent illnesses. Families with
young children might not have time
for a complete cleaning, so Nixon
had the web designer add a list of
generic small stain removal tips for
immediate problems.
Customers can also use the
website for scheduling appointments,
to which Nixon or Nims personally
respond in 24 hours.
“The pre-inspection is pretty easy
to work into the schedule,” says
Nims, “but we usually like a twoweek window [for the actual
cleaning].”
Of course, as with any
appointment, the more flexible the
customer, the shorter the wait. Elite
can cater to flexible customers in
four to five days. However, if a
certain time is needed, the wait can
be considerably longer, especially
during the holidays.
But no matter the wait, Elite
promises superior service.
“We do things the other guys
forget,” says Nixon. “One lady called
and said she had a bad experience.
They didn’t put down corner guards
or drop cloths. We did. When we
left, she said it really made a
difference.”
Another little extra included in
Elite’s service is giving the family of
the house slip-on, slip-resistant
footies to use while the carpet is
still damp.
“You might slip a little going from
carpet to floor,” Nims says. “But it’s
still safer.”
Soon, Elite will have a higher
level package that includes drying
the carpet before the post-cleaning
inspection, letting the family get
back to their life even quicker.
Such quality does have a little
higher price tag than some other
cleaning companies but a person
does get what they pay for.
“One guy said, ‘I’m told you’re
not the cheapest, but you’re the
best,’” says Nims.
Once that wonderful word-ofmouth spreads a bit more, they will
know they’ve made it. Until then,
Nims is focusing on her training in
Houston to become the first female
Master Technician in this region.
Three more certifications and Nims
will join her dad as a “Master Tech”
in as little as two and a half years.
“We’re just polishing what we
have,” Nims says.
That polishing of what they
already do best allows Elite to
promise and deliver safe, qualitycontrolled service to their customers
and their families.
Pm 25
Get Out!
22 Hidden Gems
&
Outdoor Adventures
Photographed and written by
Shawn and Lindy Brown
Gibbs Point
Our community on the Gulf Coast i s one of rare beauty.
It is set on the white sandy beaches and blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. And, it is set among several flowing
rivers. We not only get to experience the sandy, salty beach life with condos and palm trees, but we also get to
experience the sandy beaches along gentle flowing, clean, freshwater rivers surrounded by pines, oaks and cypress
trees. Pensacola doesn’t just have the Gulf of Mexico for outdoor fun; it has an abundance of rivers, bays and bayous
for recreation as well.
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UWF Nature Trails and
Kayaking
Big Lagoon Kayak Trail
The Big Lagoon Kayak Trail located in Big Lagoon State Park is a wonderful
way to explore nature. The park has a kayak launch for your own kayak or you
may rent one from the park’s fleet of kayaks. As you weave your way around
the salt marshes you’ll get up close to Blue Herons, Gray Herons, Hawks and
many other beautiful birds. If getting your feet wet isn’t your thing, you’ll enjoy
the boardwalks and observation tower to view the surroundings. For more
information contact (850) 492-1595. The park is located at 12301 Gulf Beach
Highway, Pensacola, Florida 32507.
Perdido Kid’s Park
Take a stroll through a hardwood swamp
at the University of West Florida. The
Edward Ball Wildlife Sancturay has a halfmile boardwalk and is a great destination
to explore nature. On the boardwalk, the
explorer will see a variety of birds playing
in the cypress trees, turtles enjoying
Thompson’s Bayou, various plants, and
you may even get to see an American
alligator. For a brochure about the nature
trails located at UWF visit http://
uwf.edu/envhs/facilitiesmgt/tour.pdf.
Looking for a great park to play at with the kids, try Perdido Kid’s Park. The park is a large wooden fort which includes
a lighthouse, a pirate ship, Blue Angel planes and much more. In addition to the park, we discovered Perdido Kid’s
Park Nature Trail. The trail was created by Eagle Scout Troup 692 and it is 1/5 of a mile long. There is a lot to see and
experience along the way.
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Johnson Beach Discovery Nature Trail
Located in Johnson Beach is a fun, family hiking boardwalk. Johnson Beach Discovery Nature Trail is located in the Gulf Islands
National Seashore on Perdido Key. This is a nice hike for the entire family. The hike takes you on a raised boardwalk through
dunes, pine trees, salt marsh outlooks, and brings you to a beautiful view of Grand Lagoon. The hike is just under 1/2 a mile long—
just long enough for a fun time of exploring with young kids. When we hiked through, we saw a hawk family soaring around its nest
bringing a Sunday fish dinner. We also observed other small birds. Bring a picnic and check out Johnson Beach! For more
information contact (850) 492-1595
Plaza De Luna at Palafox Pier Shoreline Park
Plaza De Luna is a waterfront park of over
2+acres and 1,200 ft for fishing located on
Palafox Pier. The park was named after
Don Tristan de Luna, the Spanish explorer
who established Pensacola in 1559 as the
first European settlement in the United
States. This is a nice place to spend a
warm Pensacola day. You can walk the
pier in the morning and watch the pelicans
and herons catch breakfast alongside the
fisherman or bring the kids in the
afternoon to play in the splash park
fountains. It has the convenience of nice,
large bathroom facilities for changing wet
kids as well as picnic tables and a
concession of food, drinks and ice cream.
One of favorite outdoor places to visit is
Shoreline Park located in Gulf Breeze. The
park offers a lot of activities for those who
enjoy the outdoors. Take a walk along the
pristine Santa Rosa Sound, walk out on
the pier and throw in a line to see if you
can catch a fish. The park also has hiking
trails that wind around pines and beautiful
live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Have
a dog? Then you may enjoy letting him run
in the dog park. We love packing a picnic
and sitting under the covered picnic areas
while we watch the kids and various birds
play in the water. The park is located at
1070 Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze.
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Aviation Discovery Park
Get front row seats as you watch planes
take off from the Pensacola Airport.
Aviation Discovery Park is a small park
located off Jerry Maygarden Road for
viewing the runway at Pensacola Airport.
The park includes an observation tower,
park benches, picnic tables, and a few
airplane toys for the kids to play on. While
watching planes take off, you will also get
to listen to the air traffic controllers speak
from speakers mounted in the observation
tower.
Bayview Park
Maybe not a secret to all, but if you haven’t visited the centrally located Bayview Park, it’s time to pack a picnic lunch. This
beautiful park is located on Bayou Texar and has something for everyone to enjoy. With over 30 acres that make up Bayview Park,
you will find everything: new playground equipment, covered picnic tables, pier, walking paths, tennis courts, senior center, boat
launch, dog park and Pensacola’s only dog beach.
Blackwater River State Park
Who says you have to go to the beach to enjoy white sandy beaches? One of our
favorite cool off destinations is Blackwater River State Park. The cool water and white
sand of the Blackwater River are a perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. This
park is beautifully located along the cool flowing waters of the Blackwater River. This
river is enjoyed by many in tubes, kayaks and canoes. It’s also an enjoyable place for
fishing or sunbathing on one of the sandy beaches. The park has bathroom facilities
and pavilions available for day use. For more information call (850) 983-5363.
Fillingim Landing
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Just north of Pensacola there’s a hidden gem
located on the cool waters of the Perdido
River. Fillingim Landing is a very nice facility
designed for launching kayaks and canoes
into the river. The park includes a launch,
picnic tables, BBQ grills, hiking trails, and
portable bathrooms. The facility is also a
great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
The park is open only during daylight and is
free to the public. For more information
contact Tyler Macmillan, 850-539-5999 or
Tyler.Macmillan@nwfwmd.state.fl.us.
Lighthouse
The Pensacola Lighthouse
is located on Pensacola
Bay near the Naval Aviation
Museum. The lighthouse
was built in 1859 and is
currently maintained by the
Pensacola Lighthouse
Association. The
association offers public
tours of the lighthouse.
Additionally, there is a
museum and gift shop. The
lighthouse is also available
for special events. The
Lighthouse and Museum is
$5 for adults and $3 for
children. Admission
includes Museum exhibits
and Lighthouse tour. For
more information contact
(850) 637-4050.
Fort Barrancas
Fort Barrancas is located near the
Pensacola Lighthouse and Naval Aviation
Museum. The area includes Fort Barrancas,
trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center. Fort
Barrancas overlooks the entrance to
Pensacola Bay. Our kids have enjoyed
exploring the inside and out of this fort.
Bayou Marcus Water Reclamation Facility Boardwalk
Bayou Marcus Water Reclamation Facility Boardwalk is located near Pensacola. This facility discharges reclaimed water into the
Bayou Marcus receiving wetland system. The facility is operated by Escambia County Utilities Authority. The water is discharged
along the bayou boardwalk. Many birds and other wildlife may be seen along the boardwalk. The walk to the end of the boardwalk
and back is approximately 3 miles. For more information visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website. To visit
from Hwy 98 go north on Blue Angel Parkway. Take a left on Fayal Drive. The parking area will be located on the right hand side off
Fayal Drive.
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Milton
Riverwalk
One peaceful place we found for a leisurely walk is on the Milton Riverwalk. It has been a great place to walk and explore the
surroundings with our kids. The kids love to feel the river water and look for fish as well as learn about the war memorial. After
walking, there are several benches and picnic tables facing the river. Who would not be able to rest next to bright flowers in the
shade of trees facing such a view? After the refreshing exercise and a short peaceful rest on Milton’s beautifully maintained
Riverwalk, we have walked a few more blocks away to enjoy a healthy lunch at Liberty Cafe. All that, and we’ve made quality time
with our family. The Riverwalk is located in the historic area of downtown Milton off Hwy 90. There is ample parking in the area.
Fort Pickens Bike Trail
There’s a fun trail for the family to hike or bike the ruins from Fort Pickens and
Battery Worth. The trail is gravel with a few sandy spots. This has been a fun spot to
take our kids for hikes and bike rides. On the trail you’ll see the beauty and wildlife
of Fort Pickens. One stopping point for our family is a bridge that goes over a small
body of water where you are certain to view curious turtles looking for a snack.
Chain of Lakes Nature Trail
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Located in Blackwater River State Park is
the Chain of Lakes Nature Trail. The trail is
a one mile loop. Exploring the trail you will
get views of Blackwater River and weave
around a chain of ox-bow lakes. Hikers will
enjoy magnolias, longleaf pines, and areas
of wildflowers. To access the trail from
Interstate 10 go north on Route 87. From 87
go east on U.S. Highway 90. From 90 go
north on Deaton Bridge Road. The park is
approximately three miles north. Contact
(850) 983-5363 for more information.
Garcon Point Trail
Fall is a perfect time to go
for a hike. A nice place to
hike is the Garcon Point
trail located off Garcon
Point Road. The trail has
two short hikes, one 1.5
mile loop and the other is
a 1.2 mile spur trail. On
the trails visitors will
enjoy orchids, white-top
pitcher plants, and other
wildlife. To access go
south on Avalon Blvd
from I10. Avalon Blvd will
merge onto Garcon Point
Road. There are two trail
heads located on the left
about a 1/2 mile before
the toll booth.
Arcadia Mills
Go back in time as you explore the Arcadia Mill
Archaeological site located in Milton, Florida. The Arcadia
Mill trail is a nice historical hike which takes you on an
elevated boardwalk with a view of the wetland ecosystem
and the remains of the mills. Arcadia Mills is free to the
public. The site has a museum, which is not open on
holidays. There is also a covered area with an old saw mill
and waterwheel which is fun for the kids. The site is located
at 5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton, FL 32571 For more
information, the contact person is Laura Heyse at
850.626.3084.
Becks Fish Camp and Wildlife Refuge
For the fisherman at heart, Becks Fish Camp offers access to some of Florida’s finest fresh water fishing. With over 400 acres of
undeveloped land, this is the perfect hiking, fishing, and kayaking getaway. The property is located on Becks Lake which is actually a
lagoon that joins the Escambia River. This is an ideal location for catching bass, catfish, and other freshwater fish. Beck’s fish camp
offers bank fishing and also has boat ramps to launch your own boat. Becks Fish Camp and Wildlife Refuge is also an ideal place to
kayak- bring your own or rent one from their fleet of kayaks. The bayou looks very inviting to explore. Live Oaks stand laced with
Spanish Moss. Large cypress trees line the banks creating a beautiful southern setting. Kayak from the lagoon to the Escambia River
or simply enjoy exploring the lagoon.
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Tarkiln Bayou
Tarkiln Bayou was an exciting discovery for my family. The trail is handicap accessible with paved sidewalks and a raised
boardwalk. The trail meanders its way down to Tarkiln Bayou. Visitors will enjoy the scenic beauty as they walk through Slash
Pines, Longleaf Pines, Saw Palmettos, and beautiful carnivorous White-Top Pitcher plant. To visit Tarkiln Bayou from Hwy 98 go
south on County Road 293 (Bauer Road). The park will be on the left. For more information call (850) 492-1595.
Gibbs Point
Blackwater River Heritage Trail
Tucked away in an old Pensacola community
is an area known as Gibb’s Point which is
located on the Bayou Grande. The park has
over three miles of walking paths that wind
along the shores of Bayou Grande. It’s a
beautiful setting with a beach, a park with
benches and a few fun climbing trees for the
kids. To visit the park drive south on Navy
Blvd. from the intersection of Gulf Beach
Hwy. Take a right on W. Sunset Avenue. Go
across the bridge then take the first right and
follow the road along the bayou.
The Blackwater Heritage Trail is a 8.5mile trail that goes through the
beautiful Florida countryside. The trail
is used for biking, walking,
rollerblading, and even horsebacking.
The trail is paved and part of
Florida’s Greenways and Trails. The
trail runs from Milton to Whiting Field
Naval Air Station (NAS) in the north.
The trail has a nice country setting.
On the trip you will see small
streams, flowers, farm animals and
wildlife. At the southern end of the
trail my family enjoys seeing the
goats and horses along the way.
About the authors: Shawn and Lindy Brown,
along with their kids, enjoy exploring the outdoors.
They are owners and operators of a local outdoor
recreation website called outdoorgulfcoast.com. For
more information call 850-983-5338.
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Promotional Feature
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problems are associated with excess
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The good news is that many of these
health risks can be lowered by losing as
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reducing your risks is to determine which
risk factors you have. Some of the health
problems listed above can also be
hereditary. Consult with your health care
professional if you have any concerns or
questions about anything mentioned in
this article.
If you are concerned about excess body
fat, here are some ways to start
improving your health right away:
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• learn to read nutritional labels
• watch your portions
• write down what you eat
• get a friend to encourage you
• make a commitment to yourself
For a FREE Body Fat Analysis, contact
Physicians Weight Loss Centers in
Pensacola at 479-7952. We offer a free
body fat analysis as part of our free
consultation.
datebook
Art
SOS
An exhibition of Work by leslie Mutchler at UWF’s tAg
Through October 8
According to artist Leslie Mutchler, “SOS” is both a reference
to “Save Our Souls” and a play on the title of her series of
collaged digital prints, Green Space / Outer Space, in which she
uses images from mass produced furniture catalogs to form
representations of green space, French gardens and space
colonies that comment on our use and misuse of these
spaces. The print series paired with her organic installation
works test the integrity of built environments and our
traditional ideas of what constitutes and defines space. Ms.
Mutchler specifically examines, questions and
recontextualizes the utopian ideals of efficiently built and
controlled environments championed by modernist architects.
All events are FREE and open to the public.
TAG is located on UWF’s campus in The Center for Fine and
Performing Arts, Building 82.
gulf coast connections-the inspiring collection of the
Kiln Walk Society
Anna lamar Switzer center for Visual Arts
Through October 8
A unique and historically important ceramic resource became
a reality in 2001, when The Kiln Walk Society, located in
Navarre, Florida, on the grounds of Holley Hill Pottery, was
formed. Devoted to maintaining the ancient tradition of wood
fired ceramics in historic kilns such as the Anagama and
others, the Kiln Walk Society has become a center for
ceramic artists and the public to see and participate in the
revival of interest in wood firing, ash glaze techniques, and
historic kiln construction. It establishes, in effect, a working
museum.
Jim Sherraden – Monoprints, along with hatch Show
prints - the great American poster Shop
Anna lamar Switzer center for Visual Arts
Through October 8
Jim Sherraden is Manager, Chief Designer and Archivist at
Hatch Show Print, one of America’s oldest surviving show
poster and design shops in Nashville, TN. Since 1984 he has
overseen its transition from a cultural survivor to a widely
recognized graphic design icon and destination for letterpress
enthusiasts. He is the co-writer of Hatch Show Print, The
History of A Great American Poster Shop, published by
Chronicle Books, now in its fifth edition. He is also the
creator of one-of-a-kind pieces of art called monoprints,
based on the shop’s archive, which are collected by
individuals and institutions worldwide. He is a frequent
speaker and conducts letterpress workshops from coast to
coast. On display in the gallery are Jim Sherraden’s one-of-akind monoprints. In addition are Show Prints made in the
Hatch print shop from the original printing blocks.
Artel exhibits “e=mc2”
Through October 16
Non-profit educational gallery, Artel presents “E=mc2,” a
juried exhibit that includes Thom Ulmer’s “Search For the
Center of the Universe,” a University of West Florida BFA Exit
Exhibition. Winners selected by juror Kreg Yingst are: Best of
Show, Cheryl Casey; First Place, Kreg Yingst; Second Place,
Kreg Yingst; Third Place, Bob Goldberg; Edgiest, Cheryl Casey;
Honorable Mentions, Sheila Courtney, Andrea Fry, Bob
Goldberg, and Michael Netherton.
pensacola Museum of Art Opens new exhibits
September 10
Pensacola Museum of Art opens two exhibits, Jayne Holsinger:
Women Drivers (August 27-October24) and Quilt Art: International
Expressions (September 10-November 7). Inspired by her
Midwestern roots, Holsinger explores photorealism in
painting, picturing women in the act of driving, while Quilt Art,
a group of 22 contemporary quilt artists from eight different
countries, presents an international exhibit in hopes of
furthering the quilt as a medium and art form. For more
information, visit www.pensacolamuseumofart.org.
theatre
All Shook Up at plt
September 17-19 & 24-26
This exuberant jukebox musical shoehorns the songs of Elvis
Presley into a narrative that’s part camp, part romantic farce.
The loopy tale of mismatched lovers in a 1955 Midwest burg
incorporates classics that range from sweet romantic ballads
such as “Love Me Tender” to the rollicking “Devil in Disguise”
and the hip-swiveling title song. Starting with a genderbending plot device reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Twelfth
Night, Librettist Joe DiPietro stirred in a dash of Footloose, then
seasoned the brew with humorous flashes from sundry
vintage shows such as The Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie. For
more information, visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com or call
432-2042.
Veronica’s room at plt
September 30-October 2 & October 8-10
This chilling mystery thriller by Ira Levin (Rosemary’s Baby,
Deathtrap) explores the thin line between fantasy and reality,
madness and murder. Veronica’s Room takes place on one
evening in Boston in 1973, when an elderly couple invite a
young couple to the home where they live as caretakers.
They explain that the young woman looks exactly like
Veronica, a girl who grew up in the house but was fatally
stricken with tuberculosis in the 1930s. As one invitation leads
to another, deceit and delusion build toward a horrific
climax. legally blonde: the Musical
September 23
The Saenger Theatre presents Legally Blonde: The Musical. The
hilarious MGM film is Broadway’s new smash hit. Legally
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datebook continued
Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated
blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. When her
boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle hits
the books and goes where no Delta Nu has gone before:
Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to
yourself never goes out of style. It’s “AN ELLE OF A SHOW”
(Time Magazine). For more information, visit
www.pensacolasaenger.com or call 595-3880.
tyler perry’s “Madea’s big happy Family”
September 28
Madea’s Big Happy Family is hitting the road again. The first
leg of the tour was a tremendous success and Madea and
her family are embarking on another leg starting in
September 2010 in cities nationwide. The tour will make a
stop at the Pensacola Civic Center on September 28. The
show co-stars Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, Cheryl “Pepsii” Riley
and Chandra Currelly. Tickets are available at The Pensacola
Civic Center Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, Charge By
Phone (800) 745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com.
Disney live! rockin road Show
October 8
Hit the road with Mickey Mouse and your favorite Disney
friends for a hilarious talent search in the all new Disney Live!
Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show! at the Pensacola Civic Center.
Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy set out on a zany road
trip where audiences join in and help find the coolest acts
around. Along the way, hit a high note with Cinderella; get
your bounce on with Tigger; and shout out your loudest “yeehaw” at a hoedown with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear
from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story! Grab your family for a fun-filled
getaway at this live, show-stopping adventure jam-packed
with unexpected twists, turns and hijinks – right here in
Pensacola! Tickets are available at The Pensacola Civic Center
Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, Charge By Phone (800) 7453000, or www.ticketmaster.com.
Music
rain: A tribute to the beatles
October 5
The Saenger Theatre invites you to experience what
Beatlemania was all about! From Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road!
RAIN covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings
through the psychedelic late 60s and their long-haired hippie,
hard-rocking rooftop days. RAIN is a multi-dimensional
experience with historical footage and hilarious television
commercials from the 1960s. Sing along to such Beatlemania
favorites as “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” “Come Together,” and
“Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Vinyl Music hall presents Dr. JOhn & the lOWer 911
October 15
Dr. John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of
the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. His very
colorful musical career began in the 1950s when he wrote
and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come
out of the Crescent City. A notorious gun incident forced the
artist to give up the guitar and concentrate on organ and
piano. Further trouble at home sent Dr. John west in the
1960s, where he continued to be in demand as a session
musician, playing on records by Sonny and Cher, Van
Morrison and Aretha Franklin. He also launched his solo
career, developing the persona of Dr. John The Night Tripper.
Adorned with voodoo charms and regalia, a legend was born
with his breakthrough 1968 album Gris-gris, which established
his unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues,
psychedelic rock and Creole roots. For tickets and
information, visit www.vinylmusichall.com.
Special events
the 33rd Annual pensacola Seafood Festival
September 24 - 26
The 33rd annual Pensacola Seafood Festival, presented by
the Fiesta of Five Flags, will be held in historic Seville
Square area in downtown Pensacola. Treat your taste
buds to a variety of dishes from 18 carefully selected food
vendors bordering the park. Enjoy favorite foods such as
grilled conch, seafood gumbo, oyster croquettes, soft shell
crab, coconut shrimp, Caribbean crab cakes, bang bang
shrimp and more. With more than 180 arts and crafts
vendors, the Pensacola Seafood Festival is also one of the
largest arts and crafts fairs in Northwest Florida. Live
musical performances by local and regional acts will be
held throughout the festival in Fountain Park adjacent to
Seville Square. The Pensacola Seafood Festival offers
cooking demonstrations, a 5K run/walk, the Splash Dogs
competition, a cost-friendly children’s area, and other
activities. For more information, visit
www.fiestaoffiveflags.org.
brAce presents Youth emergency preparedness expo
September 25
BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies) will
host its first Youth Emergency Preparedness Expo (YEP!) to
teach children and parents of all ages how to prepare for and
handle various situations from water to pet emergencies.
Activities include water rescue exercises by the Coast Guard,
interactive games from Police, Fire, and Hazmat trainers,
water rescue demonstrations, rescue training skills, a student
talent competition, pet activities, and classes for adults
working with infants and young children. An area for
domestic pets will be provided. BRACE will also work with
local schools and teachers through August and September to
help promote YEP! and September as National Preparedness
Month. For more information on the YEP! expo and
opportunities for sponsorship or becoming a vendor, contact
Stephanie Plancich at (850) 444-7038 or email her at
Stephanie@unitedwayescambia.org. To learn more about
BRACE, go to www.bereadyaliance.org.
Jackson’s Steakhouse presents “A taste of the Season”
September 30
Jackson’s Steakhouse and Distinctive Kitchens presents “A
Taste of the Season,” a wine and food event, on September
30 at 5:30 pm at Jackson’s Steakhouse. Chef Irv Miller and
Curtis Flower of Distinctive Kitchens are working together to
present a new fall/winter menu and the best wine to pair with
each course. The event costs $65 per person, plus tax and
gratuity. For reservations and more information, call Jackson’s
Steakhouse at (850) 469-9898.
Art and Wine Weekend
October 2-3
The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce presents its
third annual Art and Wine Weekend at Pensacola Beach,
38 Pm
complete with the Art Express trolley to take guests to the
more than twenty featured artists around the island. New this
year is the Wine and Song Trolley offering select wine and
music from a Pensacola Beach Songwriter’s Festival
tunesmith. Brochures with maps and schedules will be
available at the Pensacola Beach Visitor’s Information Center
and all member businesses. For more information, go to
www.PensacolaBeachChamber.com or call (850) 932-1500.
Oktoberfest!
October 2
The Perdido Key Chamber and Visitor Center is proud to
host the first Annual Oktoberfest, October 2, 2010 from 2-6
pm at The Villagio in Perdido Key. Guests can pay for shirts
and mugs individually or they can pay $30 for an Oktoberfest
shirt, a beer mug, and unlimited sampling of the more than
100 different beers, imported, specialty, and micro-brewed, on
site. There will also be live, German-inspired entertainment,
games, and food, as well as a “Best Dressed” Oktoberfest
costume contest. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the
Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, 15500 Perdido Key Dr.
“thunder on the gulf” powerboat race
October 11-17
The Gulf Coast Powerboat Association is pleased to
announce that the “Thunder on the Gulf” offshore powerboat
racing event will still take place at Orange Beach, despite the
oil spill. The Association hopes the event will be a powerful
economic boost for Alabama and the rest of the Gulf Coast.
Spectators are encouraged to support their community and
enjoy the multiple races, food, and all around good times
surrounding “Thunder.” For more information on sponsoring
or supporting this event, go to www.info@thunderonthegulf.com.
Fundraisers
“breaking the Silence” breakfast
September 21
Gulf Coast Kid’s House will host its annual fundraiser at the
Pensacola Yacht Club at 7:30 am. In reference to their motto,
“Small Voices Heard Here,” GCKH has decided to call this
year’s fundraiser its “Breaking the Silence” Breakfast, because
every child needs to be heard. For more information on
GCKH, go to www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org. For information on
captaining a table or simply attending, call executive director
Vickie Horton at (850) 595-5800.
Friends of the pensacola library Fall book Sale
September 24-26
Friends of the Pensacola Library will host its Fall Book Sale for
donated books, CDs, and DVDs, at The Wright Place, First
United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright St. Also included is a
special silent auction for select items. There is a $5 admission
on Friday night for non-members, though membership is
available at the event, and free admission Saturday and
Sunday. Money raised from admission, “garage-sale” prices,
the auction, and the $5 bag sale on Sunday will benefit both
city and county libraries. For more information or if you would
like to donate, contact Meredith at (850) 341-1434.
WSre presents “corks and Forks”
October 22 and 24
PBS station WSRE presents its 22nd Annual Wine and Food
Classic, now extended to two nights for greater palate
pleasure. Held at the Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, “Corks and
Forks” invites you to taste dishes prepared by the area’s top
chefs and award-winning wines. Jazz artist Al Martin and
friends will be there to entertain you on Friday, during the
walkabout tasting, silent auction, and silver and bronze wines,
and on Sunday, during the five-course dinner, gold wines, and
live auction. For more information, go to
www.wsre.org/WineAndFood or call (850) 484-1261.
Announcements
the Fish house restaurant receives Outstanding
community Service Award
The Fish House Restaurant, located off Main Street in
downtown Pensacola, has received the National Restaurant
Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Award for the state of
Florida. Part of the Great Southern Restaurant Group, the
Fish House Restaurant employees, friends, and family
members have worked over 2,000 volunteer hours for Habitat
for Humanity, building homes for low-income families. The
Fish House Restaurant will compete with other restaurants
for the National Restaurant Neighbor Award and the chance
to be one of four winners who receive $5,000 for the charity
of their choice.
ballet pensacola announces 2010-2011 Season
October 29 through March 19
Artistic Director Richard Steinert announces an upcoming
season “full of family favorites and world premieres,” ranging
in performances from “The Counterpane Fairy,” a story of a
boy named Teddy that travels to magical kingdoms through
his patchwork quilt, to the classic story of Tchaikovsky’s “The
Nutcracker,” to “American Icons,” featuring music from artists
such as Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. For tickets,
locations, and show times, go to www.balletpensacola.com or
call (850) 432-9546.
pensacola State college One of 2011 top Military
Friendly Schools
Pensacola State College, formerly Pensacola Junior College, has
been named a Top 2011 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs
Magazine, placing PSC in the top 15 percent of all colleges,
universities, and trade schools nationwide that does their best to
work with veterans and their families. PSC has welcomed veterans
and their families since 1948, providing scholarships and resident
tuition to those stationed here in Florida. For more information
about PSC’s veteran programs, contact Veteran’s Affairs at (850)
484-1670 or veterans@pensacolastate.edu, Veteran’s Upward
Bound at (850) 484-2068 or vetsupbound@pensacolastate.edu, or
the New Student Information Center at (850) 484-1547 or
AskUs@pensacolastate.edu.
Pm 39
pensacola seen
3
2
At the vinyl
Open house
1
4
6
5
7
At the Chamber
of Commerce
Welcome
reception for
Jim hizer
aboard the
Solaris
8
10
9
11
13
12
1. blake & Laura Jochum; 2. Kathy Meehling, betsy bragg & Lace Cyr; 3. Kurt bol & Charles voltz;
4. blase butts & Sarah Andrasik; 5. Sharyon Miller and Lori Fortner; 6. Devon Dunlap, Curtis Flowers &
Deborah Dunlap; 7. evan Levin, ryan O’keeley & Nathan bess.
8. Jim Matherly, Alison Davenport and Pete King; 9. Dechay Watts, Debbie Williams and Lindsey; 10. The new
President and CeO of the Pensacola bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Jim hizer. 11. Doris Sanchez and bill
Sheffield; 12. brynn Ammon, Aubrey Tinney and becky Camarillo; 13. John Ochs and Alicia Steele.
40 Pm
10
12
11
At September
Culture Club
14
At the Covenant hospice
evening of Comedy
17
13
15
At The Fish
house Southern
Sunday Supper
Media Preview
16
18
At the
Fitness Onboard
Free Demo Day
20
19
10. Lane Poole & April King 11. Dee Johnson & Michelle McGhee; 12. Michael hitchcock & valerie George;
13. Dixie & bill Thompson; 14. Marcy McGahan & Katie huggins.
15. back row: Glenys ballinger, Taris Savell, Collier Merrill, Shelley Yates, becka boles, Joey boles, and Mary Crosby.
Front row: Kevin Doyle, Dee Dee ritchie and Corbett Davis ii.
16. Cindi bonner and Courtney Fell
17. roger Webb and Teri Levin; 18. Lewis and belle bear; 19. Amy Miller, Celeste Southard, Natasha and Art
Parvey; 20. Dale Knee and Comedian vic henley.
Pm 41
The Beaches of
The Emerald Coast
An Annual Update
www.nwflbusinessclimate.com
44 BC
from the
publisher’
s
pen
Malcolm Ballinger
Publisher
The beaches of the Gulf Coast are usually a huge economic
boon to the area throughout our long summer months with
tourism dollars coming in from around the country and
bolstering all types of businesses from lodging to restaurants
and retail. This summer started out positively, but the
catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill has had a vast and
damaging effect throughout the panhandle and in its most
precious resources.
With the spill capped and the days of gushing barrels behind
us, recovery is well underway. Chambers of commerce and city
officials along with other entities are working to move forward.
Creative marketing and other proactive plans are driving these
battered areas out of the red.
In our annual Beaches edition of Business Climate, find out
what these resilient communities are doing to bounce back
after the tough times brought on by this oil spill. The summer
of 2010 will certainly be remembered as a time of hardship for
our beaches, but with programs that look to the days ahead,
they will recover stronger than ever in those to come.
reader’s Services
Subscriptions
If you have questions about your
subscriptions, call Heather Ernst at
(850) 433-1166 ext. 30 or email
info@ballingerpublishing.com.
Gift Certificates
NW FL’s Business Climate Magazine
makes a great gift! Contact Malcolm
Ballinger at (850)433-1166 ext. 27 or
info@ballingerpublishing.com to
arrange a gift certificate for your
friend, business associate or loved one.
Back Issues
Is there an issue of one of our
magazines that you just have to have?
Were you featured in a recent isssue?
Give us a call at 850-433-1166 ext.
30. Back Issues are $5.00/issue.
Letters
We welcome your letters and
comments. Send letters to Ballinger
Publishing P.O. Box 12665 Pensacola,
FL 32591, or contact specific staff
members under the “Contact us: Staff
info” link on
www.ballingerpublishing.com.
Change of Address
When calling or emailing us your
change of address, please provide us
with both the old and new addresses
to expedite the change.
Writing Opportunities
We are always willing to consider
freelance writers and article ideas.
Please send queries and/or suggestions
to Kelly Oden, executive editor, at
kelly@ballingerpublishing.com, or care
of Kelly to the above postal address.
46 BC
in every issue
60. around the region
61. people on the move
61. business scene
Contents
f e a t u re s
52. Pensacola Beach
54. Perdido Key
56. South Walton
58. Fort Walton Beach
48 BC
E D I T O R K E L LY O D E N
kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
MARKETING
C OPY E DITOR E M I LY L U L L O
E D I T O R I A L DRESDEN CRUZ
INTERN
C O N T R I B U T I N G LAURA A. LEE
W R I T E R S FRED GARTH
PIPER GAFFREY ELEY
OWNERS MALCOLM & GLENYS BALLINGER
E X E C U T I V E K E L LY O D E N
E D I T O R kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
MARKETING
E DITOR E M I LY L U L L O
SIMONE SANDS, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE EXT. 21
simone@ballingerpublishing.com
WEBSITE
W W W. B A L L I N G E R P U B L I S H I N G . C O M
E D I T O R I A L 41 NORTH JEFFERSON STREET, SUITE 402
O F F I C E S PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32502
850/433-1166 • FAX 850/435-9174
PUBLISHED BY BALLINGER PUBLISHING:
Member of:
NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine and Pensacola Magazine is
locally owned and operated. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of
the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the
publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent
the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or
the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not
necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility
for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts.
All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser.
Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of
any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2010
Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the
address label. Renew your subscription now
online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One
year $14.95 and two years $22.75.
BC 49
Photo courtesy of Walton County Tourist Development Council
50 BC
The Beaches of the Emerald Coast
it’s been a rough year for area beaches. A tough economy combined
with a devastating oil spill has left us all reeling. here at Northwest Florida’s
Business Climate Magazine, we know that Northwest Florida’s beaches are its
crowning jewel. We’ve all known it for years—the Gulf Coast is the gem of
Florida. From bustling beaches full of nightlife and dining options to small
town coastal communities that offer a relaxing retreat, Northwest Florida’s
beach communities really do have it all. We’ve seen our shores recover from
more than one disaster in the past and we know that they will recover from
this one as well. So, once again, we’ve invited beach communities along the
Panhandle to submit an update on what’s happening in their neck of the
beach.
*A number of coastal communities were asked to participate in this issue but did not respond.
BC 51
Pensacola Beach
A Tale of Two Seasons
By Laura A. Lee, director of communications for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Pensacola.
Photos Courtesy of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
I
It was the best of times. It was the
worst of times. The season that
began as the best on record for
tourism in Escambia County proved
disappointing and disheartening
following the BP Deepwater Horizon
oil spill.
From October 2009 through April
2010, the tourism industry had every
reason to be optimistic. Lodging
revenues were up 3 percent over the
previous year. More visitors were
stopping by the I-10 Welcome Center
and at local attractions. The Grand
Marlin restaurant was opening on
Pensacola Beach. The Hilton Garden
Inn and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Beach Hotel were opening, bringing
the county’s total lodging units above
9,000. The Pensacola Gulf Coast
Regional Airport was wrapping up an
$80 million renovation, and
Pensacola Beach and Hotels
construction was underway at the
$100 million National Flight Academy.
In a sign the economy was beginning
to recover, spring breakers were
replacing their cheaper, quick-stay
getaways of 2009 with longer stays.
The Escambia County tourism
industry was moving full speed ahead
into summer.
But on April 20 when the
Deepwater Horizon erupted, the news
spread quickly across the globe,
reaching tens of thousands of
potential visitors and sucking the
wind out of the industry’s sails. Going
into May, tourism in the region
remained strong, but later that
month, as tarballs washed ashore on
area beaches and an oil sheen was
seen off the Northwest Florida coast,
tourists began staying away.
Following a period in late June when
52 BC
significant oil hit our beaches, the
situation changed. As a massive
response kicked in involving
thousands of cleanup workers,
hundreds of skimmer boats patrolling
the beaches and over flights to spot
oil before it reached the beaches, the
situation began to stabilize and
incidents of oil began to decline. But
with national headlines continuing to
reference Pensacola’s “oiled
beaches,” painting an exaggerated
picture of a ruined coast, visitors
stayed away or cancelled their
summer vacations altogether.
Over the Fourth of July holiday,
traditionally the most lucrative
weekend for the industry, businesses
reported massive losses, some as
high as 80 percent. Clean-up crews,
government officials and members of
the media kept hotel occupancy
The Grand Marlin Restaurant on Pensacola Beach
relatively strong, but businesses that
normally profited from leisure
travelers such as condo owners,
restaurants, retail outlets, charter
fishermen and divers all took a
tremendous hit.
To help combat the continuing
massive and negative media, Visit
Pensacola implemented a number of
initiatives encouraging tourists to visit
the Pensacola Bay Area. Among those
were:
• Creation of a blog using daily
beach updates, photos from
Pensacola Beach and video from
Perdido Key depicting current
conditions in almost real time.
• Television spots with the message
“Our Coast Is Clear” airing early on in
key drive markets throughout the
Southeast, as well as in fly-to markets
of Chicago and Washington, D.C. A
component was also implemented on
Internet sites such as TripAdvisor and
Yahoo.
• Implementation of a national print,
interactive and television advertising
campaign with the “Curious About
Our Coast” theme, encouraging
viewers to visit the Web site to seek
accurate information on daily
conditions.
• Implementation of a national
campaign of print, interactive and
television advertising once oil
impacted the area asking visitors to
“Explore the Many Sides of
Pensacola” and touting the many nonbeach activities the area offers.
• Working with local, national and
international media on a daily basis
to help ensure accurate coverage on
the oil spill and aftermath.
• Establishing the “1Pensacola” social
media campaign uniting businesses
and consumers in Pensacola, Perdido
Key, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola
Beach to help tell the world
the region is open and ready for
business.
• Local promotion of the “Invite a
Friend” program encouraging
residents to bring in their friends and
family to the Pensacola Bay Area by
BC 53
giving away a free trip including
airfare, lodging, meals and attraction
tickets.
• Creation of a voucher program that
provides visitors who book
reservations through Sept. 30 with
American Express gift cards valued at
up to $300.
“We’ve worked diligently with our
tourism partners throughout the
county to tell our visitors that our
beaches are beautiful and open for
business,” said Ed Schroeder, director
for Visit Pensacola. “We’ll continue to
push that message throughout the fall
to boost as much tourism business as
we can.”
The area was fortunately spared
the worst of the oil, but not the
additional damage from the national
media spotlight and public
perception. Though lodging revenues
for the summer are not yet available
from the Escambia County Clerk’s
office, that negative perception surely
caused a decline. Would the summer
of 2010 been the best season ever?
We’ll never know. But the tourism
industry presses on, doing all it can
to bring visitors back.
Perdido Key
Summer
of the Spill
By Fred Garth, chairman of the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce
F
For Perdido Key, the summer of
2010 was a lot like a shooting star. It
began with brilliant glory then quickly
fizzled out over the horizon. Before it
became known as the Summer of the
Spill, our tourism season was growing
like gangbusters. Businesses were
ecstatic during early spring as their
summer bookings grew some 70
percent from the prior year. Real
estate offices expanded their staffs,
new restaurants were planned, folks
walked with a bounce in their step,
and the sky just seemed a little bit
bluer.
Then, as the entire world knows,
the oil spill crushed our tourism
economy like a love bug on a
windshield. Phones stopped ringing
and when they did ring, people were
calling to cancel their vacations. But
Northwest Floridians are a resilient
bunch. We love our coastal
community, despite the annual threat
of uh, you know, that “H” word.
Devastating storms have taught us
to take challenges head on. So the
Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce
didn’t get mad, it got busy. The
chamber posted daily videos of the
unsoiled white beaches on their
website, they linked to Eden
Condominium’s rooftop web cam,
they pursued BP money with a
vengeance, and they sponsored
weekly public forums to keep citizens
in the loop.
All the effort seemed to pay off.
The chamber’s website traffic
rocketed upward to 25,000 unique
visitors in June –triple its normal
numbers. And while vacation
bookings were off some 30 percent
during most of the summer, they
bounced back in late August and
early September. To cap it off (no
54 BC
pun intended), Labor Day weekend
saw most rentals booked between 90
and 100 percent capacity.
This recovery is even more
remarkable when you consider the
constant doomsday predictions of
the national news media or when
Governor Crist appeared on the
cover of hundreds of newspapers
around the country with a giant blob
of black oil in his hand. Despite the
multitude of negative news, the
Perdido Key chamber kept pushing
their message out.
The public forums attracted
tremendous media coverage and
grew into standing room only events
at the local community gymnasium.
Folks from BP, the Coast Guard, the
Department of Environmental
Protection and numerous other
groups reported on the
environmental disaster each week.
Photo by Mary Roth
Then when Perdido Key was
allocated $300,000 from BP, the
chamber used the forums to explain
how the money would be spent to
boost the local economy.
Even though it seemed like BP was
throwing money around like a
drunken sailor, it still took a major
effort to catch some of it. This was
primarily due to the fact that many
groups were competing for a slice of
the pie. Fortunately, Perdido Key
generates about 20 percent of
Escambia County’s bed taxes so the
justification for funding was very clear
cut. Of the $300,000, Perdido Key
used $100,000 to help promote
existing events such as the FloraBama’s famous Frank Brown
Songwriter’s Festival (November 1121), a soccer tournament and
volleyball tournament (September 1819), and the up-and-coming Martini
Festival (November 5-7). The
remaining money was invested in an
American Express voucher program
in which visitors received up to $300
in Am Ex credit cards when they
booked three nights in Perdido Key.
The program was promoted
heavily by Perdido Key’s marketing
agency, Ideaworks, relying mostly on
Internet advertising. Within the first
few days, thousands of people
flocked to the website to register.
That was the good news. The bad
news was that only 1610 cards were
available to Perdido Key visitors.
However, when the downtown
Pensacola chamber recognized
Perdido’s success, they were able to
transfer another 500 Am Ex cards (at
$50,000 value) for the Key to use.
This type of county-wide cooperation
became a positive by-product of a
bad situation.
BC 55
By all counts the Am Ex program
was a screaming success. Labor Day
and the rest of September were given
an added boost and lots of money
was injected into the local economy.
Call it a silver lining around a black
tar ball.
There are numerous lessons
Perdido Key learned from the
challenges of this summer, besides
the fact that Florida’s ban on offshore
drilling is neither recognized by
Mother Nature nor the Gulf Stream.
But that’s another story altogether.
Probably the most important lesson
learned is to use every resource
available to pump out accurate and
constant information to potential
visitors. What could have been a total
washout in business turned into a
moderate downturn that the island
weathered like a minor uh, that “H”
word again.
South Walton
Beaches of
South Walton:
The Beaches and Beyond
T
The primary attraction
Like many communities along
Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, the 26
miles of beaches in South Walton
County are the primary attraction,
welcoming more than 2.2 million
visitors last year. Second to
marketing the beaches, one of the
Walton County Tourist Development
Council’s (TDC) top priorities is beach
maintenance and restoration. TDC
beach staff clean the beach 365 days
a year and maintain nearly 60 public
beach accesses including eight
Seaside Pavillion
regional beach accesses with parking
and restroom facilities. This dedicated
focus on beautification of these
beaches has led to national and
international recognition, including
being named as one of the top 12
travel destinations by Frommer’s Travel
Guide for 2010.
The TDC recently completed the
third year of beach monitoring for the
Western Walton County Beach
Restoration Project. The results reveal
that the movement of sand has been
consistent with the design goals for
56 BC
the project, which continues to
provide important upland storm
protection and added recreational
opportunities over the five miles of
beaches in and around Sandestin.
As the result of this project and
lawsuit by a group of homeowners in
Western Walton County, this summer
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled
unanimously that beach restoration
does not constitute a taking of
private property. The ruling ensures
that future beach nourishment
projects can continue around the
Dealing with the Oil Issue
Summer 2010 was challenging due
to the Deepwater Horizon incident,
but tourism, community and
government leaders were proactive
and prepared. The Walton County
Sherriff’s Office, South Walton Fire
District, TDC and other state and
county agencies worked together
efficiently and effectively to prepare
for impacts. The county employed
preventive tactics such as creating
sand berms at the coastal dune lake
outfalls to prevent oil from entering
these rare lakes and the use of
booms. Although the beaches in
South Walton received isolated minor
to moderate impacts, they were
cleaned quickly by BP crews. The
largest impact was not environmental
but economic. Visitors immediately
began cancelling vacation plans even
though there were no beach closures.
The TDC mounted a full-blown
advertising, marketing and public
relations blitz to show visitors that
the area beaches were open, and to
promote “beyond the beach”
activities to ease visitor concerns and
entice guests to keep their vacation
plans.
Courtesy of Walton County Tourist Development Council
State of Florida. Currently, no
negative changes are expected in the
federal and state permitting process,
which is good news for the
restoration of beaches along Scenic
Highway 30A.
The TDC continues through the
process, which began in 2004 after
the passage of Hurricane Ivan, with
the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection and Corps
of Army Engineers to obtain
permitting to restore the beaches in
Eastern Walton County along the 30A
Corridor. The organization is also
working toward gaining inclusion in
the Water Resources Development
Act, which will allow the project to
move from the “study phase” into the
“permitting and construction” phase.
Most recently, the TDC has been
working to demonstrate that the
restoration of the County’s beaches
is in the national interest and has
been pursuing a federal shore
protection project similar to the one
constructed in Panama City Beach. If
a federal project occurred on Walton
County beaches, the opportunity for
federal and state cost sharing greatly
increases.
BC 57
Promoting Regionalism; Working
Together
Several regional groups have
formed to overcome the impacts to
the region and work as a united
front. Tourism organizations along
the coast joined forces through the
Economic Recovery Coalition to
coordinate response efforts, and
speak with a unified voice to federal
agencies and members of Congress
and ensure adequate support would
be given for recovery. At the state
level, Governor Charlie Crist formed
the Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery
Task Force to continue moving
Florida’s fishing, charter boat and
tourism industries forward in a
positive way.
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach –
Prevailing Despite the Economy
and the Oil Spill
I
In the past year, downtown Fort
Walton Beach has witnessed the
steady expansion of dining, nightlife,
art and entertainment. Regular events
such as the Tuesday Night Run
sponsored by “Run With It,” a store
for runners and walkers, and
Downtown Art Walk held every third
Friday have brought residents and
tourists back to the area. More
people are seen walking, biking,
running or boating about downtown.
Waterfront condominiums have
allowed an influx of residents. This
diverse mix of residents, artists and
business professionals has brought
By Piper Gaffrey Eley
eclectic shops, fine boutiques, jewelry,
galleries, studios, antiques, dining and
nightlife together, creating a real
working neighborhood offering every
convenience. Ninety-five percent of the
businesses downtown are locally
owned and owner operated. The
merchants have worked together over
the past year to create The Arts and
Entertainment District. The arts and
culture have played a prominent role
in Downtown’s appeal, while parks
and museums provide families a
place to explore together.
Restaurants, bars, and night-life have
58 BC
made downtown a vibrant
entertainment venue that
complements our eclectic mix of
merchants and business
professionals. 2010 has proved to be a difficult
year, and business definitely suffered
due to BP’s Deepwater Horizon
Disaster. Prior to the spill, many
merchants’ sales were higher than
years before, and most felt the
economic slump was behind them.
Several newer businesses lacked
documentation for BP claims and
closed their doors. Established
businesses are still trying to navigate
their way through the claims process. Despite
the devastating loss of tourism this year, local
merchants are working together, with the City
of Fort Walton Beach and the Greater Fort
Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce to bring
business back to the area.
Each year the Fort Walton Beach Chamber
works to bring folks downtown by sponsoring
successful events such as Musical Echoes,
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and Dog Daze. In
the wake of the disaster, the Chamber formed
a task force of local leaders to assist with
recovery from the oil spill. They recently
launched a buy local campaign
(www.buylocalfwb.com), linking people to the
Chamber’s membership directory and created
a map of the Downtown Arts & Entertainment
District. This year the city created an Entertainment
District Overlay making it easier for new
businesses to open downtown and completed
a streetscape project. The city recently
approved more additions to downtown such
as bike racks, a waterfront boardwalk and
parking improvements. The city hosts family
fun exhibits, workshops and events at The
Indian Temple Mound and Fort Walton Beach
Heritage Park and Cultural Center, The Fort
Walton Beach Library and Brooks Street
Landing, a public park with a boat ramp, day
docks, amphitheater & playground.
Like most downtown areas, sustainability is
a vital part of success. The uncertainty of the
last six months and lack of tourism affected
most local merchants. The merchants that
remain are working together, promoting one
other’s businesses via social networking,
The Arches
Art Walk
BC 59
blogging www.downtownfwb.blogspot.com and
special events. While the downtown
neighborhood promotes sustainable living by
re-purposing the buildings, providing public
transportation and clustering businesses in a
pedestrian friendly area, the merchants and
residents of downtown are choosing to walk,
bike, recycle and buy local. On October 10,
2010 the community will take a step closer to
local eating and break ground on a
Neighborhood Garden. Local spending is the key to our recovery.
Several studies have shown that when you
buy from an independent, locally owned
business, rather than a nationally owned
businesses, significantly more of your money
is used to make purchases from other local
businesses and service providers, continuing
to strengthen the economic base of the
community. Research shows that in an
increasingly big box world, entrepreneurs and
skilled workers are more likely to invest and
settle in communities that preserve their oneof-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. Today national and local trends of
sustainable, renewable and urban
development will continue to benefit the
downtown area. While other communities are just building
their towns, downtown Fort Walton continues
to evolve, making it a premier destination
for folks from all demographics. Each year
partnerships between the city, local
organizations, cultural centers, merchants and
residents bring an exciting opportunity for
success.
around the region
business news bits you should know
pSc honors local Alumni
Pensacola State College, formerly
Pensacola Junior College, is proud
to present Sandy Sansing, Bill
Peters, and Namrata Advani with
the Pensacola State College
Distinguished Alumni Award.
council on Aging of West Florida
presents 2010-11 Officers and
board of Directors
At its most recent Annual Meeting,
The Council on Aging of Wet Florida
elected new officers and members of
the Board of Directors. Officers for
2010-11 installed were Dona Usry,
chair; DeeDee Ritche, first vice chair;
Meg Eltier, second vice chair;
Councilmember P.C. Wu, secretary,
and Monica Sherman, treasurer.
Directors elected to a two-year term
were Malcom Ballinger, Ann Brown,
Rodger Doyle, Donna J. Jacobi,
Jeffrey Rock, Caron Sjoberg, Sandy
Sims, Reverend Irvin Stallworth, Mary
Taite-Williams, and Denise Windham.
Returning board members are Nora
Bailey, Dr. Bonnie Bedics, Santa
Rosa Commissioner Gordon Goodin,
Father Jack Gray, Janet Holley,
Thomas Lampone, M.D., Mark S.
Harden, Lumon May, Chalain Larry
Mosley, Sue Straughn, Bettye
Swanston, Diane Wilbanks, and
Escambia County Commissioner
Marie K. Young. Congratulations to
all. Congratulations also to
Waterfront Rescue Mission and
Homewood Suites by Hilton and
Mort Eckhouse for winning the Hall
of Fame Award, and to Temple Beth
El for winning the Volunteer Group
of the Year Award.
pensacola Five Flags rotary club
presents 2010-11 Officers and
board of Directors
At its annual Change of Command
Ceremony, Pensacola Five Flags
Rotary Club installed Malcolm
Ballinger, president; Mike Denkler,
president-elect; Kathy Anthony,
secretary/president-elect-elect; Drew
Adams, treasurer; Charles Brewer,
sergeant-at-arms, and John
Hutchinson, immediate pastpresident. New Board members are
Hank Carlstrom, Billy Harrell, Mary
Hoxeng, and Jeff Rogers. Returning
board members are Marina Holley,
Jeff Nall, Alan Nickelsen, and Aden
Sowell. Congratulations, and
congratulations to Drew Adams,
Mike Denkler, and Kathy Anthony,
the new Paul Harris Fellows named
in honor of their commitment and
service to the Club and the
community.
escambia county public Schools
Foundation honors Members
The Escambia County Public Schools
Foundation presented Albert F.
Bender, Toni Kirkpatrick, Denise
Rosenbloum, and C. Edward
Stanford, Sr. with Golden Apples at
their Annual Meeting upon their
retirement from the Board. Bill
Greenhut, President of Greenhut
Construction was award the 2010
Honor Golden Apple for his
leadership of the Take Stock in
Children Advisory Council and for his
assistance to the Foundation over
the years. Directors were also
named: Kathy Breakall, Jill Hubbs,
Gail Husbands, David Lister, Mark
McBride, Vete Senkus, Mary Smith,
Dr. Charles Stamitoles, Jack Brown,
and Carole Hawthorne. Carry-over
Directors are: Laverne Baker, Steven
Barry, Candace Gibson, Kathie Lasky,
Mark McBride, Bob Maloy, Bob
Moulton, Karen T. Pope, John t.
Porter, Mit Roth, Pamela Thompson,
and Robe Weber. Officers elected
were: Laverne Baker, Chair; Mark
McBride, Chair Elect; and Bob
Maloy, Treasurer. Earl V. Lee
continues to serve as President.
gulf coast Office products Wins
contract Award
Florida’s Department of Management
Services (DMS) has awarded locallyowned and operated Gulf Coast
Office Products a third of its $40
million/year office and educational
supplies state contract, along with
Staples and Office Depot. GCOP,
whose award focuses on the region
around Tallahassee, has locations in
Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach,
Panama City, Mobile, Bay Minette,
and Montgomery.
ViSit FlOriDA Awards grant for
African-American heritage
promotion
The Pensacola Bay Area Convention
& Visitors Bureau has received a
$1,250 marketing grant from VISIT
60 BC
FLORIDA to promote Penscola’s
African-American heritage. Visit
Pensacola and the African-American
Heritage Society will produce 10,000
brochures to educate tourists and
residents about significant AfricanAmerican figures and sites in and
around Pensacola.
Florida trend recognizes
2010 legal elite
Nine attorneys from the Northwest
Florida law firm Clark, Partington,
Hart, Larry, Bond & Stackhouse,
were recognized as Florida Trend’s
Legal Elite and Up and Coming
attorneys out of only nineteen
selected from the Northwest Florida
area. Attorneys recognized as Legal
Elite are Kenneth B. Bell (Appellate
Practice, Jeremy C. Branning (Civil
Trial), Dennis K. Larry (Civil Trial),
Bruce D. Partington (Construction),
and Scott A. Remington (Commercial
Litigation). Attorneys recognized as
Up and Coming are Keith L. Bell, Jr.,
Charles F. James, IV, and Lee
Strayhan, III.
iMS expertServices to Make
inc. 5000
For the fourth year in a row, expert
witness provider, IMS ExpertServices
has made Inc. Magazine’s 5,000 Top
Fastest Growing Private Companies
list, placing IMS at 2,046 this year.
“Achieving this position on Inc.
Magazine’s list was only possible
because of our dedicated employees
who focus on exceeding our client’s
expectations,” said Mike Wein, CEO.
“I would like to say thanks to both
our employees and our clients.”
ecUA Adds “green tech” to
Sanitation Fleet
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
(ECUA) will add a new garbage truck,
the new Peterbilt Model 320 HLA
(Hydraulic Launch Assist) Hybrid, to
its sanitation fleet this August. The
Model 320 HLA is quieter in its
route, more efficient, and its new
“green” construction has reduced
fuel emissions by 30 percent. For
now, the ECUA will only add the one
truck and will gather data on its
performance and maintenance
before adding other possible
sanitation vehicles.
continue his service as Head of
the Shuttle Branch of the
Astronaut Office for NASA.
Katie new, graduate
of Parsons School of
Design in New York
and Roebuck
Auctions marketing
veteran, joins the Harbor
Restaurant Group as its new
Director of Online Marketing.
President and Chief Executive
Officer of Ideaworks, caron
Sjoberg, recently became a
Certified Public Relations
Counselor (CPRC), one of 80
in the state of Florida. A
member of the Pensacola
Chapter of the Florida Public
Relations Association (FPRA),
Sjoberg has worked over 29
years in marketing strategy,
public relations, advertising,
and graphic design, and
holds more than 50 industry
awards.
Kathlyn M. White, an
attorney with McDonald,
Fleming, Moorhead,
Ferguson, Green, Smith, de
Kozan, LLP, has been
awarded the William Meador
Award by the Young Lawers
Division of the Escambia
Santa Rosa Bar Association
for her excellence in the
practice of law, her integrity,
and her commitment to her
community.
Colonel george D. Zamka,
United States Marine, naval
Aviator, and NASA Astronaut,
retired at the Naval Aviation
Museum aboard the Naval
Air Station Pensacola on
Friday, August 20th at 1 pm
after 26 years of
distinguished service. After
retiring, Col. Zamka will
BC 61
New has earned numerous
international awards for her
marketing and public relations
work as well as earning
advertisements for Roebuck on
ABC, CBS, and NBC evening
news programs, and $34 million
in one month for a casino
gaming company in Las Vegas.
people on the move
Dr. Jason hurst joins
Pensacola State College,
formerly Pensacola Junior
College, as its new Dean of
Instructional Affairs and Career
Education. Prior to joining PSC,
Hurst acted as the director of
Workforce Development and
the Talladega Center at the
Central Alabama Community
College, Talladega.
62 BC
Your Guide
to
Downtown
Pensacola
BC 63

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