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Rick's Blog Live: Full Show 9/2/26 · Rick Outzen: (we don’t) color on the dog

• Hi, I'm Rick Alsen and this is Rick's Blog Live. Thank you for joining us. This is a regular thing, ⁓ I've enjoy for ⁓ and appreciate you watching show. This week's issue, it's it on the fall arts. It's part one of a two-part series. You got a of all the different things that we have going on in the community this fall. We also have a story about how the Scamby County School District got its A. You know, we had Superintendent Keith Leonard on a couple weeks ago. This goes a little bit deeper. Tom St. Meyer did a fantastic job with it. This show, we go all over the place, like I like to try to do. Ballet Pensacola, the Teachers Union, County Commission, Law School, all of it's there. I tell you what, let's just go ahead and get with it. And this is Rick's Blog Live. You can follow me just about anywhere. YouTube, we don't color on the dog. Like and subscribe. Yeah, the blog, ricksblog.biz, nweekly.net, and of course, here, this is newest part of the inweekly media empire. ⁓ you for watching. ⁓ airport, Pensacola International Airport, is probably one of the hottest between New Orleans in Jacksonville, we've got the airport director, Matt Coughlin, with us. Matt, thank you for joining me. Thanks for having me, Rick. Yeah, you've you've been with the airport as director since twenty twenty. How and this don't ⁓ we can't you an hour, but how much has it changed and where does stand today from where it was, you know, six years ago? It's changed a lot and and it's really had to change just due to the numbers to the growth ⁓ and ⁓ But where it hasn't changed is really in the large infrastructure and that's what we're attacking now. know, we we went through a pandemic which was a a of dynamics played out there obviously. ⁓ But what found was we recovered from that really quick and it's just it's challenging, but we have a of infrastructure to build and we are we're already building it. Well what a ⁓ a hundred and sixty five million dollar project or is it is the numbers keeps growing a little ⁓ Yeah, in in the hundred and sixty five to clarify, you know, just to break that up, that's for the entire modernization program of our terminal area and the concourse. and other parts of that too that you don't necessarily think about, like the ramp, the aircraft ramp. Very expensive and ⁓ plays into it too. Well kind of are we right now in the process? I know money's been coming in, there's been some design work done. Where is where does it stand? So we're at a milestone right now on on design. So we're at a hundred percent. we have what we call the delivery model is the construction manager at risk program. And ⁓ on eleventh ⁓ this ⁓ we get what we call the guaranteed maximum price. And that's that's gonna start the ball rolling. we're already moving forward with the ramp construction wise. We just received a lot of grants. You'll see it on the city council next week the tune of thirty-seven million dollars. but ramp's gonna be the first part and that's gonna start here in the next few weeks. Completion is twenty twenty-eight? I expect two years. And and that could change a little bit. part of this hundred percent design is we're gonna have a very refined schedule at that point. And so that guaranteed price a very important milestone ⁓ and we'll go from there. What will people coming and going from the airport, what they going to experience during the construction? How how will it impact them? It's a question. so our goal is that won't impact them at all. Right. But it is. We we know it will, just practically speaking. So where it might impact a little bit is parking. Because believe it or not, we're going to be constrained a little bit more with parking because currently we have to move all our employees to different lots, which is gonna shrink the parking population down for our users. So might be a little bit of a issue. and then on top of that, the other one the first parts of the project is the baggage handling system. We don't expect to see any issues as long as those bags are flowing and we'll do everything in our power to make that happen. You're gonna see a lot of partition walls, a lot of signs, maybe a little bit of noise, but other than that, it we're gonna try to keep it as seamless as possible. So w will it be l ⁓ you know, will the TSA area become larger and then go both ways off of that? Is that how Exactly. So what'll happen today you come into the checkpoint ⁓ you're basically facing center airfield when you come through the checkpoint. That's gonna turn ninety degrees and double in footprint size wise. Once you come out of security checkpoint, a lot of glass, overlooking airfield, very beautiful, then you're going to be faced with a choice. I'm either going to the current concourse, concourse A, ⁓ what we call the future concourse B, the new concourse. Yeah, terminal work there is critical because we know ⁓ anyone who's in and out of there have seen just the massive growth ⁓ in people through there. But the other part that's happening at the airport that comes under you too. ⁓ is ST aerospace. And we are taking part of the airport that was sort of dead space and buying of the residential lots that around it. ⁓ And we've been these hangars ⁓ for ST. It like that one looks pretty close to being ready. It is. It's the building's actually complete. We're now building the infrastructure, the ramp area up to it. They expect to be occupying and going full production in January. So the building's ready. next to it we've already started construction on hangar number four, which will be a a little smaller version, but that has already started. And if you drive up there today, you'll see some of that groundwork being being worked Have they moved their leadership team over here yet? Or is that no, they were taken from mobile, they were going to move some of their leadership over here. I ⁓ yes, I believe Matter of fact, I think they're curtailing their operation over mobile. ⁓ okay. ⁓ Well sad for But I th ⁓ it's so I mean it's such a different dynamic this has been a long range project. It began, ⁓ you gosh, ⁓ under Mayor Ashton Hayward in the early part of his first term, the conversation started having ⁓ having then, and then just grown each time. Pennsylvan State College has got their educ training facility coming in, they'll be a part of it. yeah, it it really is It it's become the even it i being an airport is an economic impact, but what ST does mult is a huge multiplier. The thing that's happening, Matt, I've noticed is is that Breeze Airways ⁓ adding more flights. You keep you know, the airport itself does. what routes are you working on now? We'll bring up Vegas in a minute, ⁓ but the ⁓ be the signal that we're getting close to the end of the interview. But it ⁓ what else are going now? Sure. So we're actually going after other airlines too. there's a couple out there that we'd like to partner with. and really it does at the end of the day, it gives our traveler just more choice in our travel require ⁓ needs. Breeze has been great partner. I like to say we love all our children when it comes to airlines equally. we have seven partners and today we're doing twenty-eight nonstop destinations, which is great. when it comes to Breeze in particular. They started here not even two years ago with had two nonstops to Tampa a week. That's right, right. And they're up over thirty now, destinations. And they've added to their portfolio. ⁓ We to partner with them in the future. currently if look at our route map where there's a void is out west. So we have underserved markets that we're really trying to exploit. I will tell that fuel has kind of us a little bit. The price of fuel has really changed some of the decision calculus on behalf of the airlines. But conversations pick back up. I'm sure we we gotta wrap up. Tell me where we are with Vegas. That's one route I know ⁓ there's a demand. we're gonna we're gonna pursue that. That's our number one underserved market for Penskola, believe it or not. And so There's a couple different airlines looking at that. We just gotta be able to pull the trigger on. Okay, well, Matt, thank you for coming on. It's been a great hat. Thank you. I appreciate it. I I found this in the back of my car. right, we're we're gonna go ahead and take a break. ⁓ Rick Outson. We're Rick's blog live. Please stay with me. Hi, I'm Kathy Holdsworth, Artistic Director at Pensacola Little Theater in the Clark Family Cultural Center. Join me the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. for the center stage where I get to talk to my friends and your neighbors about all things on PLT stages. learned during my military service to train every day to fight ⁓ fight to win. If been injured in an accident, you already know one thing for sure. The insurance are going to fight you for every dollar you deserve. At Michelson Booth, we settle most of the cases we handle. if the insurance companies choose to fight, well, we're with that too. 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My name is Bill Sadler and I am Blab TV. Marine, your one-stop shop for all your boating needs. We offer a vast selection of parts, accessories, and electronics. Discover our range of used boats in every size, shape, and brand, all ready to get you on the water today. And we provide expert advice and top-notch customer service to ensure you have the best boating experience. We service all outboard, inboards, stern drives, jet drives, and personal watercraft. Our certified staff will get you back on the water. Visit Gilmarine at 3541 West Fairfield Drive, Pensacola. Rick Altson, this is Rick's Vlog Live. Thank you for watching. Thank you for making us a part of your day. This is a show that we try to bring the newsmakers to you. know, you read about them, you may get clips from him ⁓ and there, ⁓ I want you to listen to a full conversation. ⁓ me right now is Scamie County Commissioner for District 2, Mike Mike, thank you for joining me. Good afternoon, everybody. It's good. You know, ⁓ you've the budget hearing coming up on September 8th on Tuesday night. what can we expect to happen? What what are you what are you gonna focus on? That's great question. I'll tell you why. With ballot three on the ballot, you yeah, amendment three, everyone's kinda gun shy. Cause no, you if we were to do anything really robust in that pass, we're gonna lose forty three million dollars the following year. ⁓ Right. ⁓ So I we'll a minor rollback and I think it's important. For your viewers to know the county has not raised the millage since 2006. It was at eight point three. year had a minor rollback at six point six six one. And went been going down for twenty years. So the county not raised the millage. I think I believe we'll have minor rollback. Hopefully we'll look at some of constitutionals a little bit closer with what's going on with ballot three. I know I will at least. And hopefully we'll you know, we'll see what the public input is as well. But think it'll be a little of rollback and wait see what happens in November is what I think is more likely gonna happen. ⁓ Where do know, I've you've looked at the budget sum, is any particular area that you're gonna look at as a possibility of cutting besides looking at the constitutionals is is well y okay. when you look the budget as a whole, we're we don't have a lot fat in the county. People say we do. But there really isn't a whole lot. Ki if you were to say, I always tell people this when I talk to neighborhood groups about ballot three, they say, Well, I think we should roll that back. And I said, Okay, I'll do what the voters want. you need to tell me what you want to cut. Do you want your park cut or your library cut? Or you like, you know, less animal services or no more officers? ⁓ Or how much do you want not to service in the county? That's a it's a challenging question because everyone wants cuts you cut in their backyard. Right, right. And then like, ⁓ can't believe you're doing this to me. And when you say what we're gonna cut, that's a collective decision across the board. I know for right now, to maintain the basic that we have in the county at the level that we're with what the legislature's done to us, I'm willing to do a minor rollback. you know, to meet with the trim line then wait and see what's happening ⁓ with the ballot three. And I think that's the most strategic approach what we have ⁓ what we'll dealing with in the next few weeks. ⁓ You know, you what I tell when they go into office and I've held, you know, city council and Gulf Breeze, but you have to go through an entire budget cycle to understand because you know the numbers are just numbers until you've Gone through one budget and then you see how the budget that you've given staff to run, how that implemented. ⁓ gone through that several times now. You've done it as chair. what's lessons have you learned going through the process? Well before you know, just before I got here I had to do budgets in the Navy and healthcare and director, it's always it's the same thing in the county budget. Every Every director's lobbying for them, just like the constitutionals are lobbying. The sheriff wants his people to get raises, the clerk does, you know, everyone it's it's just that push and pull to protect your people. But the commission has the responsibility to be fair for everybody. Right. and you know, and we have to push back sometimes. And you know, that's complicated. It's hard to do that. And so it it just takes being fair and having the will to do the right thing. But ⁓ the answer is sit down with Stefan. And I go through I've gone through all the budget. I kind of know where I think we can, you know, ⁓ and where we need some help. Public for example, we're desperate for more people. You know, officers, we d we're we're desperate for people. We actually have enough firefighters. People like to be firefighters. We need firefighters, that's a good thing. But we don't have a shortage of firefighters right now. You know, the sheriff's good with his staff. We've ⁓ well I when I was chair we would did a three year budget. He's added eight more deputies each year, and I'm gonna honor that. I think the board will do. you know, when look at the FTs per directorate, the county as a whole doesn't have a lot of fluff. It just doesn't. I mean, ⁓ yes, will say any organization can't lose something. They can, and we can still function. But when you're at a $900 million budget and what we're tethered to with the state, we really only manage $340 million. And that that's what people don't understand when you take the grants into it. So we have all the state legislature requirements that we have to do, ⁓ the that come in, we really only manage about a little $340 million. Yeah, you've got you're bringing to the board a unique background. Over three in the Navy as a you know, three year you th over three decades as as a nurse. when you look at emergency services, EMS, ⁓ public safety, How do you think th your background gives you unique perspective maybe your other commissioners don't have? You know, was one of the things that I think the board deserves ⁓ quite a of credit. You know, I know Commissioner ran on that before. I you know, I was that was always part of my life, honestly, healthcare and emergency medicine. ⁓ But think the made a couple tough decisions and I think it'll benefit county down the road. You look at the MSBU that we're behind on fire. know, that we're gonna get four new fire stations. It's help us for another six to eight years, depending on the growth in the county. That that's that's a change that's gonna help the whole county for years to come. On the ambulance we brought in 26 new, 26 or 27 new ambulances. we're increasing the training out there. ⁓ That increases survivability if you may be on the road someday with someone and we're trying to help with that and some of the bonuses. ⁓ you can't underestimate that. The one of the most important things that you can do time to treat. Time treat's what saves lives. Right, right. No matter how much you talk about it, if you treat people an amount of time to save their lives, they die. And that's it. so my whole goal is have people trained to get ⁓ in a timely manner so that we can save lives and I think we're moving in direction. and the board as a whole deserves a lot of credit for that. Yeah, what's the issue that District 2 residents bring to you the most? gosh. So i ⁓ I when when I ran that homelessness and blight and feral cats gonna be the biggest, it would have been I would say blight was that I ran on and it it's an issue for a lot of people. Protecting the bases are important. obviously always wants lower taxes. I that's just that's common anywhere. Roads When I explain to people what we've done on roads, you know, everyone says, Hey, we what the roads and I explained to them well we have surface we have a program that looks at all the roads. We do about five to eight million dollars in road resurfacing. I give them a list of all the roads, it's like, ⁓ I didn't realize that. So a lot of times it's just an education. but homelessness has been a big issue in the county for a while. I'm sure we've handled it the best we could. ⁓ It's bigger problem than I think just the county can take on. It it requires a lot of different resources and I'm not sure we're doing the best we can with that. Yeah, district two is is is ⁓ swings gambit because you've got ⁓ some well off people and then got people that are living paycheck or paycheck or l or even in poverty. Rick, I got the most diverse district I think so too. I think I know I do. You can look at surprise elections when you had the MPA and Democrats get me on negative 2800. So you're absolutely right. You look at Aragon or some of the places on South Francas, and then you at Mayfair or parts of Brownsville or Beach Haven. Right. And then you got the Gulf Beach was more of the middle class. It's a very diverse got a lot of that live in there, some Vietnamese. People don't realize I go to all these different events. The Hispanic community's not as organized, but we have quite a bit of that in there as well, as well as Warrington has a very historic black ⁓ history. So then the veterans. I mean you look at the veteran presence over there, I think that's a b ⁓ probably the biggest presence that people would recognize just the bases and the history there. But yeah, it's very diverse, I say. ⁓ Yeah, ahead, what's big project you'd one thing you'd like to fix or one big project you'd like to take on? Well, I definitely am looking forward to the two new firehouses because those were that we've already voted on in there in design. South Navy Boulevard is moving along. I've dealt with F DOT three. That is that's gonna be a legacy project. one of the ⁓ of the ⁓ things I'm super proud of, which ballot three could affect across the state, is the CRAs. See we talk about affordability. One of the affordable things that we can do is having CRAs where have Houses that are below level you revitalize those areas where people that can buy into them. And hardly ever talk about that. We talk other things, but CRAs are a wonderful opportunity for affordability for first-time home builders. And so I'm huge proponent of that. Lumen and I I think have the CRAs across the county. And we share a couple, those two big projects, and I'd love to see the library. that w we would like to build over on fifty seventh and lily and we're doing YMC is. But on what happens with ballot three. I we have the money now, but if we were to lose that forty three seventy and potentially ⁓ hundred forty if we don't get the penny for progress, that will I just gotta be honest, that won't be able to happen. Yeah, that'll be definitely be a challenge. Yeah we got got minute left, but what like Is there and I always like to ask, is there a vote you took that you did that you wish you hadn't have made? Is there a vote you would have done different? tell you the vote I'm glad I did was library vote. Let's start there. I'm glad too. is there a vote I t actually I voted a few times no and I've always been very happy after research went done. ⁓ I don't think a vote yet, but I've been on the on the other side as a lone soldier and it's worked out pretty good of the time. You know, and so I feel I've had a vote yet that I really regret, but it been some a after I'm glad I I made that decision. we're good. Well Mike, thank you so much for coming on. Yeah, it is you the goal is get the newsmakers in front of you. Mike is definitely one of them. I do my best to try to r you know develop relationships with as many as possible. ⁓ and Mike is definitely one to have a relationship with. We're gonna go ahead and take a break. We'll be right back. I'm Rick Alton. This is Rick's Vlog Live. Well I think it's all about local and I'm a big believer in local. So I think any time you can carry a message out locally it's important. And I think it's any time the person that delivers the service can also deliver the message, which is unusual. Do you have the people that actually deliver the project doing the talking and I think that's a huge difference and a lot Really makes a huge value difference for the consumer. So I'm really just so grateful that we have this local opportunity with Blab TV. name is Quint Steuter and I am Blab TV. Take breath and step something green. At Pensacola Seed Garden, both of our locations open seven days a week, ready when you are. We don't just sell plants, grow many of them right here, with care you can see. And once you take one home, You'll find everything you need to help it thrive. from out of town? ⁓ unique exotic plants you can bring home, often less than ordering online. Pensacola Seed and Garden. something beautiful. Many consider facial plastic surgery are concerned their results will look unnatural. But with 20 years of serving the Pensacola community, ⁓ his thousands satisfied patients have made Dr. Derek Jones a trusted reconstructive and facial plastic surgeon ⁓ known for results that look natural. Call 850-484-FACE to a consultation at one of our locations in Pensacola and Golf Brays. I'm Dr. Derek Jones. Trust your face to a facial plastic surgeon. in the heart of Pensacola, ⁓ is a one-of-a-kind community-driven cocktail bar by Oasis Florida, created sustain vital HIV and STI care across the Florida panhandle. Inspired by Wizard of Oz, ⁓ rooted in and dripping with character, ⁓ Dorothy's is welcoming space ⁓ with award-winning cocktails, food by Steel Diner, and an unmatched atmosphere. Join us seven days a week in downtown Pensacola, located directly across from Maritime Park and the Blue Wahoo Stadium. This is Rick's Blog Live. Thank you for watching. always, we try to bring a lot of newsmakers to you from a lot of different directions. This guest is one I've been trying to have on for a couple of weeks now, but she's been involved in negotiations with the school district and the school board. Carol Cleaver, thank you for joining me. You're welcome. Good to see you. Good to see you. You know, it is the school district got an A this year. You as the voice of the teachers union. ⁓ do you feel like are enough credit for what they did to get that A, or are they just being sort of ignored and the and others are taking credit for it? Well, you know, we we've been in the news a lot for for getting the A and district leadership, you know, has said thank you. I know a lot of principals have been excited to share the news that our grades have improved. But I would be lying it if I said that it doesn't feel a little bit like we're being ignored at the bargaining table. ⁓ we've been asking same things for a couple months now and we just get keep told that the school board members don't have enough time to meet with ⁓ leadership or us. So I am kind concerned about that, why we're being ignored in the face of these really great results that we've gotten. ⁓ Right. You know, mean it's it's we historic. We've never been in a school district to And it is are a lot of different pieces of why it happens, but it I always know and I know because my daughter's a teacher, is that it begins in the classroom. ⁓ everything begins in the classroom. One hundred percent with the people on the ground that are the students every day. Right. Now ⁓ we've fewer, we've learned that fewer than nine hundred teachers are gonna be getting a raise, this raise that the governor of the legislature passed with this new state pay raise. What are the stipulations that make it so that so few people are able to get raises of this this deal? Well, you for asking about that. And I'm happy to report we've been examining the rosters and it it looks like maybe we're around nine hundred thirty, nine hundred forty teachers might get might get the raise. But the stipulations seem be completely arbitrary. They seem to be completely just being enforced upon us by the legislators that wrote this bill. And decided that you know what, we're only going to give it to teachers that have been in a Florida public school classroom for 10 years or more, but they are they to have a classroom roster attached to them. So unfortunately that out a lot of other people that also work with students day, all day long. It leaves out our guidance counselors. ⁓ It's leaving out a lot of our media specialists, leaving out our behavior deans ⁓ our instructional coaches, ⁓ that see students all day long every day are being left out. That even account for the fact that they've also allocated zero dollars for our bus drivers and our cafeteria workers and our custodians, our school secretaries, everybody that the school running. So it's a narrow ⁓ pocket of people that are being recognized by our state government. would be the of raise that would actually work for your membership? How would you how would like to see it? ⁓ What we've asking for from our state government for many years is go ahead and the the TSIA money, the teacher salary increase allocation, and let each county, each decide what is the best way to it in their county. We would like to not have all the strings attached. The Florida Constitution guarantees us the right to collectively bargain, we deserve to have the freedom to with the taxpayer dollars that are given back to our counties from the state legislature. ⁓ The it is now, they've just got a lot of strings attached to ⁓ to money that does but divide our workforce and ⁓ Pit us against district leadership and it just really serves no purpose. I've also noticed over the years it can put, you know, frontline versus ⁓ admin like you said, ⁓ the duties, the guidance counselors, the librarians, the others, ⁓ it it kind of pits everybody against each other. what are some of the you know, you and I have talked before and we actually did a story in weekly, but the the the issues I know one of them is bereavement leave, the other one is duty-free lunch. Yes, sir. w so explain to our viewers what those ask are and why they're important. Well, we that this year, because of the massive loss of funds due to payments that actually come out of our public school funds, we knew that there wouldn't be a lot of money available for a significant raise. So we came up with the idea of let's do some different things in the contract that can still signal to our employees that they are valued. we are the only county in the state of Florida that does not guarantee teachers a duty-free lunch. So when we have lunch, we have still supervise students at many of our schools while we're trying to eat our own lunch and maybe go to the bathroom or make a phone call. And every other Has figured out a way to schedule their day to where teachers can get a 25 to 30 minute break. I thought that would be a zero-cost way to recognize employees. Unfortunately, we're still being told no to that. Bereavement was another one. We're one of the very few counties in the state of Florida where employees have to expend all their sick leave before they are able to use any bereavement leave. And so I know, we went to the table and said, Hey, how about some sincere bereavement leave for people that ⁓ a family member and they don't have to worry about going through all their sick leave? Unfortunately, still being told no there as well. Or we're being told at the very least that they don't have time to meet with our Is there a clock on this agreement? Yes. we we had a deadline of August thirty first for the T SIA. Blew through that one. ⁓ we did sign a memo of understanding with the district, but it still hasn't been ratified. There's not a clock for the other things that we're for in our full book negotiations, but it would be nice the employees of an A rated district could know what type of contract they're working with when they start school in the beginning of August. Without a doubt. And we had really hope to be finished ⁓ by the end of July, but we are not. All right, we're coming we're coming up on the break. ⁓ ⁓ if ⁓ had you have an opportunity to talk to parents and grandparents, what's the message you would like them to know about the the teachers that are their kids and grandkids? Yeah, thanks for asking. I would love them to know, because I I taught in Escambia County Schools for thirteen years. are great ⁓ and great families. And I really have loved working for this district. And I know that a lot of my coworkers feel that same way too. I love for parents and grandparents to contact their school board members and ask. you know, w what the holdup is in recognizing these teachers that do so much for their children and grandchildren every day. I ask for them to look for ways to get involved in their schools, maybe join the PTA, chaperone a field trip, because we're really great things in these schools. I used to invite parents to come in and Help me with frog dissection or help me with different science experiments I was doing in my classroom and and teachers love it when parents get involved because we're doing great things with your kids. That's what I want them to know. All right. Carols, thank you so much for coming. We'll do this again. Hopefully we'll we'll have a celebration when a a union contract's worked out. I would love that. We'll do it. this is Rick's Vlog Live. This public are vital to us, it's vital part of the community, it's vital to the quality of life that have ⁓ and are not ⁓ an they're a critical part of it. ⁓ Well ahead and take a break. We'll be right back. I'm Rick Alson. This is Rick's Vlog Live. At A1 Automotive, we do it all. kinds of repairs for all kinds of vehicles. We AC repairs, ⁓ we suspensions, we do inspections. We'll diagnose your and get it fixed. Free brake inspection. We provide financing for work we do. Veteran-owned, ⁓ military, and first responders A1 403 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola. I'm Emily Echeveria. I'm the Marketing Communications Director for Council on Aging of West Florida and the host of Coming of Age. the past, Council and Aging has relied heavily on print and radio, but in the age of social media algorithms and smart devices, we know how highly prioritized and sought-after video content has become. 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Pensacola seed and garden. something beautiful. is Rick's Blog Live. Thank you for watching. You can follow us on YouTube. ⁓ don't color on the dog. The blog is ricksblog.bizinweekly.net. This is all part of my empire. ⁓ I think this is one of the funnest things I do every day. ⁓ is this is what I'm excited about. We have a rich cultural history ⁓ and vibe Pensacola. Part of that Ballet Pensacola, and they've got a new executive director, ⁓ Bianca V. Bianco. name. Viegas. Viegas. And I've been practicing it, y'all. I really have been practicing. But I just ⁓ mind went blank right away. I apologize, Bianca. You you have been a volunteer, you have been a d on the board. Why step and be executive director? You know, Rick, we're entering into fiftieth anniversary in twenty twenty eight, ⁓ it ⁓ it behooves right, ⁓ think bigger picture, think of what ⁓ should come next for the ballet after being around for generations. ⁓ having some of that institutional knowledge helps us see things in a way that's realistic and respectful of what came before us, but then can the groundwork for something really meaningful moving forward. and so at this time I felt that Would give me an opportunity to help get us across that bridge and to create a space where we can continue to do things not just for the community in the region, ⁓ growth within the organization ourselves. How you How would you like to celebrate that milestone? you know, we actually have decided that instead of celebrating it as a season, we will celebrate it for the calendar year of 2028. we have a lot of plans in the works, some of which is working with other arts organizations like a Pensacola Museum of Art will have a a four-month stay a residency there that speaks to our history and what's to come. And The programming that we have is special and it will just be a celebratory year that speaks to kaleidoscope that so many remember fondly and the trajectory of Ballet Pensacola over the last five decades. Yeah, we all could talk a little bit about that because it really it's very different than the kaleidoscope, which all the little girls, ⁓ you g getting up and and taking their dance lessons from Dorothy and and that has changed. But but what are those changes? ⁓ some of our viewers may not realize. Yeah, so in actually in 2022 is when Kaleidoscope changed over to Ballet Pensacola. And we had been already invited in 1992 to join PLT at the Cultural Center, and so that's our home for many, many years. And since then, in next year 2027 is 20 years that we've had a professional company that started in 2007. And then we have professional company that's nineteen plus in and counting professional members, and then we have an academy and a pre-professional program that's attached to that, which is not but it is certainly something that the rest of our area ⁓ within a minimum of three hour radius does have the opportunity to experience. Where our students are growing up in a space where they get to work with the professionals on mainstage productions they audition regularly throughout the season ⁓ are able to grow. and other programming that's arised from that with Regional Dance America. And then with our professional company, we have an amazing artistic team that has vision for the future and in many ways Not unlike a larger company where we are offering opportunities to our professionals and to our students, where they get to work with nationally internationally acclaimed guest choreographers and work under you know, the artistic of ⁓ of many instead of or two. And that is unique to larger companies. It it is and and it's it's part of the fabric of the community so much. you have an advantage because you've been a part of Ballet Pensacola in a lot of different roles. We talked about it earlier. as settle in, what's what do you see as your first priority? I think it's always important to make sure that that the well-oiled machine to be well oiled and it is functioning and that the ⁓ the community partnerships that we've over time continue strong and that there's new ways to collaborate within the community. so for me it's about getting out there and making more people aware of what we have going on, inspiring sponsors that have been, you know, the length with us and show them how we actually very much in the twenty first century that we are very much providing programming and opportunities that are typically ⁓ For large companies, you know, when you understand that to keep dancer dancing for season, the costs that that entails, that larger companies, the that they spend, when you show those comparisons of what it takes to be something great, ⁓ I think that offers people a better perspective ⁓ of not just art and the rigor that it takes to show up every day for our professionals, but the vision it takes to really continue to grow. And evolve in a way that's meaningful and beneficial not just to the community but region at large, you know. We up our time. We did went right through. Yeah, we did ⁓ we we do we would. We're both talkers. So we're well but thank you. You're in the cultural center, downtown Ballet Pensacola, to Google and find all the information about it. beyond Bianca, thank you so much for coming on. I really appreciate it. Thank you. And I will c I can't wait to see the performances under your leadership. So it'll be great. All right, we're gonna go take a break. We'll pay a few bills. thank you for watching us. We'll be right back. It's baseball season. heart-stopping plays to legendary victories, this is baseball at its finest. Grab seat, bring your energy, and witness greatness Don't watch it, feel it. The Pensacola Wahoos are back, and you can watch Pensacola Blue Wahoos home games live ⁓ on Fridays Saturdays only on Blab TV. Love the Blue but can't watch? Get your tickets now. learned during my military to train every day to fight ⁓ and fight to win. If been injured in an you already know one thing for sure. The insurance companies are gonna fight you for every dollar you deserve. Michaelson Booth, we settle most of the cases we handle. But the insurance companies choose to fight, well, ⁓ okay that too. If you've been in an accident, choose a law firm that's got the resources, training, and stomach for the fight. Michaelson Booth, ⁓ don't a victim ⁓ I'm Andrea Housen, practice for Derek Jones Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Derek Jones is amazing. He's double board certified, he's skilled, and he's been doing this show with Blab TV for almost two decades. If you're looking to grow your business, Blab TV has an amazing reach in this local viewing area. We always hear saw you on Blab Television. I'm Housen with Derek Jones Facial Plastic Surgery, and I am Blab TV. Gil Marine, your one-stop shop for all your boating needs. We offer a vast selection of parts, accessories, and electronics. Discover our range of used boats in every size, shape, and brand, all ready to get you on the water today. And we provide expert advice and top notch customer service to ensure you have the best boating experience. We service all outboard, inboards, stern drives, jet drives, and personal watercraft. Our certified staff will get you back on the water. Visit Gil Marine at 3541 West Fairfield Drive, Pensacola. Hi, I'm Kathy Hallsworth, Artistic Director at Pensacola Little Theater in the Clark Family Cultural Center. Join me the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. for the center stage where I get to talk to my friends and your neighbors about all things on PLT stages. This is Rick's Vlog Live. Thank you for watching it. Yeah, we're coming up to September. September is when the Levin Papentonio Law Firm puts on its People's Law School. It's been going on for 16 years now. Brenton Goodman is one of the speakers this year and he joins me now. Brenton, thank you for coming. Rick, thank you for having me. It's good to do it. You know, th y'all have been doing this for sixteen years. Why has this been so important to the firm? ⁓ you know, it started with Mike Papentonio, and the importance really came from ⁓ Our jobs as lawyers and seeing people every day coming to us at their worst possible moment and realizing that if they had had knowledge about the law or about what was going on before they came into our office, their situation could be made much better, right? Or we could be able to help them even more so than we are when they're at that ⁓ worst moment. And so Mike had this idea: let's put on a free event where we teach people in the community not only about Issues that we see that are present in the community itself and the nation at large, but also to advise them on different areas of law and bring in different experts and different lawyers from this area that they can then connect with and be able to speak to and talk to. Corrine Jones community It's free. right. Right. You need to register and we'll have all that information up there for you to do it. you're You're gonna be doing the class on or the session on name image and likeness in IL. do you think why should that be added to this? Yeah, again, our focus is trying to make sure that the community has all the information they need. ⁓ And name likeness is really something that's kind of brand new. And it's the idea that players, especially student athletes in high school and college, can make money off of their own personal brand, right? ⁓ And so because it's so brand new, and because this affects both high school and college students, I mean, anyone that plays sports or even has an idea to be a social media influencer or anything like that, there's information out there that they should know. Because the thing is, when you have something that's brand new like this, you have a lot of predatory entities and people that want to take advantage of people that don't know what's going on. And so the idea behind us doing this NIL talk is to let people know. What to look out for and also what the opportunities are for local kids here as they grow up. you know, you and I were talking before we came on in the break was that, you know, your grandfather, Fred Levin, ⁓ heavily involved with athletes here in the community, nationally for boxing with Roy Jones, of course, he's involved with Emmett Smith and and several others over the years. you were telling me a story about how you sold the firm on You taking up in NIL. Yeah, you know, so I the the firm has been wonderful and they agreed to to back my venture and my thoughts that this is something that we as a firm need to get into and I'm proud to say that we are gonna be the first firm that's directly involved in name image likeness space ⁓ that's local. And I told them, I said, look, when you think about it and when people talk about Fred Levin in the community, they associate him with these athletes, right? And did wonderful things in the law, ⁓ but a of people Their attention was grabbed because they saw Fred Levin in the camera, right beside you know the Roy Jones Juniors of the world and and that nature. And I said, this is a way that we can be able to get this information out to people, is really utilize space and our connections ⁓ help those, and normally it's just those who've been hurt in motor vehicle accidents, ⁓ deaths and things of that nature, big trucking incidents. Now we can do it to help prevent people from taken advantage of on the front end. And really help high school students and college students and pros, you know, make sure that they get as much value as they can out of their own name, image, and likeness. Well, Brent, I mean, for this community, the type of athletes that we're producing kids every year, we've got you know dozens of kids that are going off to college on scholarships. We now have some high school kids that have been picked up some of these highly academy high schools. There's a need for someone to step in and take care of them. or at least advise them in these kind of situations. going back to the l to the people's law though, you grew up here, you came back to practice law here. Why you think this education, this type of education y'all are offering, stills a value? Yeah, you I think it's wonderful value, one, because it's free. ⁓ Right, right. But but mainly because again, if you know out there and what to avoid and what to do, then you have no idea of how to protect what this does is this gives the information to the people, that's why we call it the People's Law School. This gives information to the people in our community to make the best decisions for themselves. Because it's not only NIL that we're talking about, we're talking about trusts, estates, wills, probates, motor vehicle crashes, workmen's comp. These are all issues that if find yourself in, you'll have Man, I wish I would have done something. Right? We hear all the time from friends and family members who they have. ⁓ matriarch or patriarchal family pass away but there's no will and now the whole family's fighting, right? avoid that, but how do I avoid that? Well you can do certain things. You can do use trusts or wills and create your estate in different ways. And so what we do is we really create ⁓ a avenue for to come, enjoy themselves, get free food, get free drinks, and find local attorneys and experts that can do it. Well and that's the other thing that that doesn't need to lost in this for for the viewers is is Your firm's there. So there's a lot of one on one time with attorneys if you've got questions. that that so it's not just what's presented in the session, ⁓ there's also the opportunity to to meet some of the top attorneys, you in this area, some of them top attorneys in the country. it is all right, you've g I'm gonna give you thirty seconds. You there are three nights. ⁓ All right. How you ⁓ give your best pitch for people to come the night that you're doing in IL? well I mean not only only am I charismatic, but it is it is the it is one of the first pitches that we give and conversations that we have with all types of high school students, which is how can I make myself better and prepare for college? And you have a child that plays ⁓ in sport in high or college, ⁓ or if know a child that plays in high school or college, you need to to this lecture. Because it will tell you what they can do not only to maximize the money that they can get, but help save themselves for the future. And the way I I ⁓ envision it is because it's not only about money. If you want an internship somewhere, you can utilize your name image likeness to get your foot in the door into that business or that company. You don't necessarily have to be trying to hawk a product or trying to make money, but if you want an internship, maybe saying, hey, let me do some social media for you, let me do some advertising. Heck, can I come in once a week look at what your individuals are doing? Right? So if care about a high school student or a college student or a professional, you're gonna to be be there. ⁓ Great. Brenton, you so much for coming. Thank you, Rick. ⁓ It's been watching you grow up. It's a pleasure. ⁓ Well go and take a break. I'm Rick Alson. We'll be right back. It's baseball season. heart-stopping plays to legendary victories, this is baseball at its finest. Grab seat, bring your energy, and witness greatness live. just watch feel it. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos back, and you can watch Pensacola Blue Wahoos home games live, ⁓ on Fridays and Saturdays, on Blab TV. Love the Blue Wahoos but watch? Get your tickets now. Hi, I'm Kathy Holzworth, Artistic Director at Pensacola Little Theater in the Clark Family Cultural Center. Join me the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. for the Center Stage, where I get to talk to my friends and your neighbors about all things on PLT stages. Dr. Derek Jones, a double board certified ENT and facial plastic surgeon. And I'm Andrea Halsen, practice coordinator for Dr. Jones. ⁓ us every third Tuesday. At 8 p.m. as we explore today's most popular facial rejuvenation and cosmetic procedures. We'll discuss both surgical and non-surgical options, answer common questions, and help you understand what treatments may be right for you. You'll see real results from patients. Plus, we'll keep you updated on our offices and where you can meet us in the community. in the heart of Pensacola, ⁓ is a one-of-a-kind community-driven cocktail bar by Oasis, Florida. Created to sustain vital HIV and STI care across the Florida panhandle. by the Wizard of Oz, ⁓ in inclusion and dripping with character, ⁓ is a welcoming space ⁓ award-winning Oz-inspired cocktails, food Steel Pony Diner, and an unmatched atmosphere. Join us days a week in downtown Pensacola, located directly across from Maritime Park and the Blue Wahoo Stadium. Make some notes about some of the things that we've covered. from NIL to the county budget to Ballet, Pensacola, where they're gonna go ⁓ this with this new director, to how the teachers are trying to get bereavement leave to the airport. How close are we getting ⁓ direct flight to Vegas? Not very right now. ⁓ But all things are things that that hopefully are talking points, conversation points ⁓ for you. ⁓ after you watch this episode. We also put all of these segments on YouTube. We don't color on the dog. Like and subscribe. That helps us get more information out more often. Rick's blog, a lot of the stories we covered today are things I'm writing about every day on blog. Please check it out. And then course within weekly that's the ⁓ that's the mother of it all. it is the one that where we bring all of the stuff together. So ⁓ this has been fun. I'm enjoying what we're doing. I I really appreciate the feedback that you've been giving us. You can email me, you can make a comment on any of my social media. and if you've got an idea for the show, let me know about it. Rick at nweekly.net, I'd love to hear it. That doesn't I'm gonna do it, but at least I'll look at it and see what we can do. ⁓ This has ⁓ a great trip for to take on this show. It gives you another piece ⁓ of everything that doing. So ⁓ as we pull together and and try to keep getting the newsmakers in front of you. I think you'll be able to make better better decisions about what's happening in the community and help our leaders make better decisions by you contacting them and telling them what you think. go ahead and break and be this actually it's not the break, it's the show. I've been breaking too much. We'll be back next week.