Inweekly Feb. 29, 2024

SPRING FORWARD

THINGS TO SEE, HEAR & DO THIS SEASON

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MELISSA CARAWAY Lakeview Center has named Melissa Caraway, a component director for its Special Populations Network, its Team Member of the Year for 2023. Caraway has worked at Lakeview Center for 30 years, focusing on serving intellectually disabled individuals in her community. She often encounters people who have no one to turn to for help. Her official role as a supervisor could easily be a handsoff position. However, Caraway likes being in touch with the clients. She loves watching them achieve something they've never done before.

STÉPHANO CANDREVA Ballet Pensacola recently announced Candreva has joined the organization as the new artistic director. Born and raised in Brazil, he received his foundational training at the esteemed Studio de Dança Com-Passos. He later graduated from the Escola de Dança Alice Arja in Rio de Janeiro. His artistry has consistently enthralled audiences from his tenure with Smuin Contemporary Ballet to his roles with Atlanta Ballet and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Candreva represented Brazil at the Seminario Internacional de Danca de Brasilia, where he earned a silver medal. He was also a semifinalist at the 2006 Prix de Lausanne Argentinian.

RING OF FIRE

The Ring of Fire (ROF), originally established as a weekly syndicated radio show in 2004 with a mission to shed light on Wall Street misconduct, environmental abuses, media shortcomings, and lesser-known political narratives, has reached a significant milestone—more than 1 billion views. Led by hosts Levin Papantonio Rafferty attorney Mike Papantonio and Farron Cousins, ROF consistently delivers a diverse range of content, including broadcasts, news segments and video features.

PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS

The American Choral Directors Association invited the Pensacola Children's Chorus (PCC) to present a solo concert at its conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Few choirs are honored with this distinction, and the invitation is the result of a rigorous and blind selection process that reviews multiple years of concert recordings.

JOSEPH LADAPO Florida's surgeon general again has put politics above medical science. Manatee Bay Elementary School outside of Fort Lauderdale has had an outbreak of measles. The school has a low vaccination rate, and local media reported more than 200 students had missed school. Because measles is highly contagious, most doctors recommend unvaccinated children stay home until the end of the infectious period, which is estimated to be March 7. However, Dr. Ladapo wrote the parents that the health department was "deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance." He cited the community's high immunity rate, the burden of staying home on the family, and the educational costs of healthy students missing school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 20 infected children develop pneumonia, and up to three in 1,000 children die of the infection.

MIKE LINDELL In 2021, the My Pillow CEO issued the "Prove Mike Wrong" challenge, promising to pay $5 million to anyone who debunked his claims that foreign actors interfered in the 2020 election. Lindell released data he said proved the results were illegitimate. A Nevada forensics expert, Robert Zeidman, proved the data did not mention the election. When Lindell refused to pay up, Ziedman won a private arbitration in 2023. The My Pillow CEO appealed and lost that hearing, too. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, a federal judge in Minnesota upheld the $5 million arbitration award.

PRIMARY RUNOFFS Florida voters last saw election primary runoffs in 2002. Since then, over a dozen Escambia County races would've had primary runoffs under the old law. The closest one was the District 4 county commission race in 2018, when Robert Bender won a six-person Republican primary with 27% of the votes. Last week, House Speaker Paul Renner declared a bill that would have resurrected the runoffs dead for the session after strong opposition from Republicans, including our Congressman Matt Gaetz, who argued it would hurt more conservative candidates.

Melissa Caraway / Photo Courtesy of Lakeview Center Joseph Ladapo / Photo Courtesy of FDOH

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

CORRIDORS & POCKETS

On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Florida Department of Education released the Kindergarten Readiness scores for this past fall. Escambia County's readiness increased by 4.5%, with 49.5% of the incoming kindergarten students ready for school, up from 45.1% in the fall of 2022. Escambia is only 1.7 percentage points below the statewide average of 51.2%.

A key to Escambia County's success appears to be having more students in the Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) program.

The VPK students outperformed other kindergarteners – 60.2% to 35.5%. Escambia County had 97 more VPK students score well on the screening than in 2022.

Those goals were unachievable, and Achieve Escambia and the Pensacola Chamber have yet to do much to make them happen other than announce them and hold meetings. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't set goals.

Kindergarten readiness helps with academic success. According to the U.S. Department of Education, children who are prepared to start school are 17% more likely to graduate high school, four times more likely to graduate college and 19% less likely to be arrested.

A key to Escambia County's success appears to be having more students in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program.

In an email to Early Learning Coalition executive directors, Cari Miller, the chancellor of Early Learning for Florida, wrote, "The results prove that students who participate in Florida's VPK program are more likely to enter kindergarten prepared for school."

Escambia County had five elementary schools that had less than a third of the kindergarteners ready for school—Oakcrest (14% ready), Ensley (23%), Lincoln Park (23%), O.J. Semmes (26%) and Warrington (28%). Warrington and Lincoln Park were F schools last year, Ensley and O.J. Semmes were D schools, and Oakcrest earned a C. For them to have reached the 50% mark for readiness, the schools needed 75 more children to pass the screening.

The state didn't provide VPK statistics for individual schools, but maybe School Superintendent Keith Leonard's "corridors of concern" will tell how many benefited from enrollment in VPK. According to the superintendent's announcement at the last Escambia Children's Trust meeting, the "corridors" will provide academic data for each school's attendance zone.

The improvement in kindergarten readiness should be celebrated, and I'm sure several entities will take credit for the success because no one nonprofit or agency did it alone. However, we are far below the 75% mark that Achieve Escambia said it wanted to achieve by 2025 and Pensacola Chamber 2030 Blueprint's "bold, audacious" goal of having all kindergartens ready to start goal before the end of this decade.

What is a reasonable goal for kindergarten readiness? Florida has only three counties with more than 60% of their kindergarteners prepared to start school on their first day—St. Johns (69%), Seminole (64%) and Brevard (61%). Nearly three-fourths of St. Johns County's children participated in VPK programs, while the other had more than 65% in VPK. Escambia County only had 43% enrolled in VPK.

A reasonable goal for Escambia County's kindergarten readiness is 60% by 2030. For Achieve Escambia to reach its 75% milestone, we needed to have an additional 900 children ready for kin dergarten. However, we only need 185 more kids enrolled to reach the 60% goal, putting us among the top 10 Florida counties.

To hit 60% kindergarten readiness, that would take us getting at least 290 more children in VPK programs. Our community would need to add 27 more VPK classrooms to stay within the class re quirement of 11 students per lead instructor.

To increase our chances of improving, we should strive to raise the percentage of children attending VPK programs from 43% to 65% or higher, like St. Johns, Seminole and Brevard. That jump would require us to have 607 more kids in VPK and add 55 classrooms.

I know that's a lot of math, and I may have lost you with my calculations. Let me restate my goal.

By 2030, Escambia County will increase the annual enrollment in VPK programs by 290 children. We can do it by adding six to seven additional VPK classrooms over the next five years and recruiting children for them. If we do, our readiness rate will be above 60% by the end of this decade. {in} rick@inweekly.net

SUN BELT TRANSFORMS PENSACOLA

By Tom St. Myer

Basketball falls relatively low on the sports pecking order in Pensacola except for one week each March when the Sun Belt Conference turns the city into a basketball mecca.

"It's Pensacola's Super Bowl," said Ray Palmer, the Pensacola Sports Association president, of the Sun Belt Conference basketball championships. "You walk into the parking lot of the Bay Center and there are bands performing, cheerleaders are performing. You can't help but be jacked up and excited knowing I'm really at something big."

The 2024 men's and women's tournaments tip off Tuesday, March 5, and last through the championship games Monday, March 11. A total of 26 games will be played in the Bay Center as men's and women's teams vie for their respective conference championships and the accompanying automatic NCAA Tournament berths. The University of Louisiana men and James Madison University women will take the court as defending champions.

Pensacola will be showcased nationally with games broadcast on the ESPN family of networks and covered by various media outlets. The Bay Center is antiquated, but Sun Belt officials rave about Pensacola as a host city. Its location is ideal for a conference with 14 schools spread across 10 states ranging from West Virginia to Texas. The lodging and food options only strengthen its appeal.

"Because Pensacola is such a great town with the beaches, the weather, so much to do, you

don't have to be in close proximity," said Keith Gill, the Sun Belt commissioner. "It's a draw for schools and all the parts of our footprint, no matter how far from Pensacola."

HEADS IN BEDS

The Pensacola hospitality and tourism industry benefits tremendously from the city hosting the tournaments. According to Visit Pensacola, the 2023 Sun Belt tournaments attracted 10,000 unique attendees, with 6,100 locals and 3,900 out-of-county attendees. Out-of-county visitors generated 6,930 nights in paid accommodations, spent $2.8 million and generated $4.34 million in economic impact in the Pensacola area.

"You can't help but be jacked up and excited knowing I'm really at something big." Ray Palmer

"It's during a time we could use the increased number of visitors," said Darien Schaefer, the Visit Pensacola President/CEO. "There are opportunities September through March that we're putting our focus on. We certainly don't need to pile on in the middle of the summer."

Schaefer noted fan support and participation have grown each year. The economic impact of the 2023 Sun Belt tournaments increased by about $1.5 million from the 2022 tournaments. What caused the increase? The Sun Belt expanded from 12 to 14 schools. That meant

two additional men's teams and two additional women's teams, along with their pep bands, cheerleaders and dozens of others associated with the programs.

Expansion for the Sun Belt has extended beyond the number of schools. The conference is venturing into new sports, including swimming and diving, men's soccer and beach volleyball.

"This really is about just trying to provide opportunities for young people, right?" Gill said. "There are opportunities to play a sport they love and opportunities to get a world-class education at a Sun Belt school."

Educational opportunities at Sun Belt schools will be included during the weeklong festivities. Education Day is 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 6 at the Bay Center. Sun Belt invites 350-450 high school students to attend Education Day and will cover the cost of admission to the game and lunch for each student and teacher. Stations will be set up that include information on college admissions, athletics, health and wellness.

Other activities the conference planned include a busy Saturday, March 9, that features Fan Fest, a Dribble Drive for children ages 3-12 and discounted tickets for active military and veterans.

"One of our big things is obviously we're trying to bring people to Pensacola, so obviously they can see it and experience it, but we're trying to engage the community," Gill said. "This is a community event, and we want to make sure that we create opportunities for all aspects of the community to get involved in the Sun Belt basketball tournament."

SUN BELT COMPETITION

The Sun Belt competes at the highest level in 20 sports. Its football programs compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and 12 of its teams qualified for bowl games this past season. Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, South Alabama and Texas State each claimed bowl victories. James Madison generated national notoriety for winning its first 10 games of the season, including a victory over a Power 5 Program in Virginia.

Gill attributed the banner football season to a sky-is-the-limit mindset that permeates throughout the conference.

"It's one of those 'shoot for the stars,' but if you miss, you'll be at the moon, or you'll be halfway there," he said.

Sun Belt teams experienced similar success in other fall team sports. Multiple teams in volleyball and men's and women's soccer earned NCAA Tournament bids.

The conference has yet to reach that level of success on the hardwood. Only the tournament champion in men's and women's basketball traditionally plays in the NCAA Tournament.

The last conference champion to win an NCAA Tournament game on the men's side occurred in 2016 when Little Rock upset No. 12 Purdue. Last year's champion Louisiana nearly upset No. 20 Tennessee, losing 58-55. On the women's side, the last Sun Belt champion to win an NCAA Tournament game occurred in 2015. Little Rock upset sixth-seeded Texas A&M.

No one is mistaking the Sun Belt teams for the blue bloods of college basketball, but Palmer said he walked away impressed by the talent level at each of the three previous Sun Belt Conference tournaments played at the Bay Center.

"We don't have Division I sports here on a day-to-day basis, and it's a different level of student-athlete that plays Division I," Palmer said. "It's an opportunity for our community to see Division I basketball, which they can't see otherwise without driving an absolute minimum of an hour."

The Bay Center is where childhood dreams came true in the previous three seasons. The same will unfold March 11 when the champions punch their tickets to the Big Dance.

"March Madness comes to Pensacola, and if you think about all the times you've either been in the driveway or the gym and you're counting down in your head 3, 2, 1, and you fire up the shot, and if you miss it, then you redo it, but you don't really get to redo it in the real games," Gill said.

He continued, "And so, getting to watch that drama and to see that all unfold is really something to behold. We invite everybody to come out and certainly bring their children, because it is really good basketball by folks that at one point were the little child or the young person dreaming about hitting the winning basket."

Ticket booklets to all sessions and singlegame tickets are available through the Bay Center box office or Ticketmaster. Single-game tickets start at $5 for children and $15 for adults. Additional fees may apply. {in}

Photo Courtesy of Visit Pensacola

Nurturing the world within

We are worldbuilders. We develop great minds and inspired leaders. We help children write their own story. Gulf Coast Freedom Schools nurtures the world within through a free, six-week summer literacy and cultural enrichment program for students K-8th grade who reside in Escambia County.

Apply online by May 31, 2024 at gcfreedomschools.com

Where words change worlds

FLORIDA'S BAD DENTAL HEALTH

42 ranking to the few dental providers in Florida accepting Medicaid. Only 22% of dentists in the state are enrolled as Medicaid providers, according to a survey conducted by the Florida Department of Health.

THE MEDICAID PROBLEM

The Community Health dental care team is one of the few in Northwest Florida that accepts Medicaid for both children and adults. That means few dental care provider options for low-income families, which there is no short-

said Chandra Smiley, the Community Health CEO and executive director. "We're pretty much capped out by our facilities. We would need to open up many more dental clinics to meet the need."

Florida ranks 42nd in the percentage of adults who visited a dentist in the past year and 49th in the percentage of adults with poor or fair oral condition, according to the WalletHub report. Results are similar for children. Florida ranks 44th in percentage of children who visited a dentist in the past year.

The percentage of children visiting a dentist is particularly low among those growing up in

low-income families. Keenly aware that exorbitant costs and transportation issues deter low-income parents from taking their children to the dentist, Community Health brings dental care to the

increase dental access and improve the overall dental health of Floridians. Dental therapists offer a more comprehensive range of care than hygienists, including checkups and fillings.

The Community Health dental staff travels to Escambia County Public Schools and Head Start locations four times a week to examine children, clean their teeth and, in some cases, apply sealants. The staff mixes in education by sharing tips

"Parents don't bring them into dental appointments until it's too late," Hernandez said. "We're catching them earlier at schools. We're proactive vs. reactive. If they're already in pain, it's too late."

In January alone, the staff examined 238 children and completed 223 cleanings with the mobile units. C.A. Weis Elementary and Global Learning Academy top the schools in students receiving dental care. Its dental care extends beyond preschool and elementary school students. The staff uses the mobile units to examine and treat middle and high school students throughout the county.

Operating two mobile units costs a pretty penny. Costs include purchasing vans, maintenance, equipment, insurance and staffing. A grant awarded to Community Health from Escambia Children's Trust eased some of the financial burden. Awarded in October 2022, the grant covered

Smiley said budget constraints prevent the dental care team from expanding its mobile unit services outside Escambia. Community Health envisions someday operating a third mobile unit for children in Santa Rosa County if the funding materializes.

Smiley is closely monitoring House Bill 1173 and Senate Bill 1254. HB 1173 has already passed two of three Florida House committees and is awaiting the first Senate committee.

Brought forth by Floridians for Dental Access, American Children's Campaign and Florida Dental Hygienists' Association, the bill authorizes Medicaid to reimburse for dental services provided by certain mobile units. The bill further authorizes the licensing of dental therapists to

Smiley said this is the fifth year the bill came before the State Legislature, but this marks the first time the bill passed two committees. She is unsure the bill will pass this legislative session, but she is optimistic the bill is gaining momentum and will be signed into law by next year.

Florida leads the nation with nearly 6 million individuals in dental health professional shortage areas. Escambia County qualifies as a dental desert. The county scores 23 out of a worst-case 25 in dental health professional shortage areas. So, in other words, Escambia ranks as one of the worst counties for finding dental care in one of the worst states for dental health.

Dental health issues cause individuals to live in pain, miss work or school, or visit the emergency room for preventable dental conditions. Florida hospitals billed more than $550 million in 2021 for emergency room and hospital admissions related to non-traumatic dental conditions, according to America's Children Campaign.

"Florida spends more on treating the consequences of poor oral health than any other state in the nation and has the least to show for it," said Dr. Frank Catalanotto, president of Floridians for Dental Access. "Hospitals are the most expensive and least equipped place to treat preventable dental conditions. All they can do is provide temporary pain relief. The pain returns when the antibiotics wear off. And Florida taxpayers are largely picking up the tab."

So why is there a shortage of dentists in Florida? Hernandez said stringent licensure requirements stop dentists and hygienists with licenses in other states from moving to Florida. Each state determines its dental licensing requirements, and Florida puts strict measures in place to prevent seasonal dentists.

"A Florida license is highly coveted and very hard to get," Hernandez said. "The state of Florida doesn't make it easy for dentists coming out of state."

Nothing about Florida is seemingly easy when it comes to dental care. {in}

Dr. Gabriel Hernandez with Ronnie Gonzales / Photo Courtesy of Community Health Northwest Florida

HELPING THE WHITE HOUSE BOYS

20, House and Senate committees approved bills that would create a compensation program for victims of abuse at the state's now-closed Dozier School for Boys in Marianna and another reform school in Okeechobee County.

For more than a decade, victims have told their stories to lawmakers about the abuse and beatings they suffered. The difference this time was that Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm got involved.

In May 2022, Inweekly traveled with Troy Rafferty, Mike Papantonio and their legal team to Marianna and toured the abandoned buildings with survivors of the "reform" school. The men—most are older than 60—were part of a group called "The White House Boys." The term referred to a small white building next to the school's cafeteria, where boys were beaten, tortured and abused.

One survivor said, "I worked in the kitchen, and what they would do is they'd come over to the kitchen, tell Mr. Edinfield to get three of us to go over and hold the child down. So, we'd hold 5 and 6- and 7-year-old children down … And when the beating was over, we went back to the kitchen and went back to work."

Another victim shared as he stood in front of the white house, "I was brought to this building behind us three times. Beaten with a leather strap, about 8 inches long, 4 inches wide with a wooden handle on it, with metal at the tip end of it. Not only that, I was raped and sexually assaulted in this building. And I was told if I ever mentioned it to anyone, that I would never see my family again."

The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee approved the measures (HB 21 and SB 24), sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, RPensacola, Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, and Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.

The bills would create a compensation program the Attorney General's Office would administer. It would apply to living people who were

tion" from the Legislature.

LPR attorney Rafferty attended the hearings with 25 Dozier School survivors. He said, "We've got a lot of really great legislators behind us doing something for these folks, and I'm very happy for these men. Michelle Salzman has just poured her heart into this with me."

He added, "This has been one of the causes that has touched me very personally, having sat and listened to all of these stories. It wasn't a school; it was a forced labor camp."

In 2016, University of South Florida forensic anthropologists leading an excavation of Dozier property found human remains in 55 unmarked graves, "some with gunshot wounds or signs of blunt force trauma." Lawmakers in 2017 formally apologized to victims of the abuse. A memorial to the victims was dedicated at Marianna in January 2023.

The House bill now goes before the full House for a vote. The Senate bill has one more committee hearing before reaching the Senate floor.

DEBUNKING THE DEBUNKING On Feb. 15,

Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to debunk what he called the "false narrative that the state of Florida bans books," but he also asked state lawmakers to help curb the number of books being removed from school libraries and classrooms.

"Over the past year, parents have used their rights to object to pornographic and sexually explicit material they found in school libraries," he told the media. "We also know that some people have abused this process in an effort to score cheap political points. Today, I am calling on the Legislature to make necessary adjustments so that we can prevent abuses in the objection process and ensure that districts aren't overwhelmed by frivolous challenges."

The governor directed Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., whom he appointed, to

"prohibit bad actors in school leadership positions from intentionally depriving students of an education by politicizing the book review process." He also asked the legislature to pass legislation to limit "bad-faith objections made by those who don't have children learning in Florida."

PEN America is part of the lawsuit against the Escambia County School Board over the removal of books from schools. In a phone interview, its Florida director, Katie Blankenship, debunked DeSantis' debunking.

"I think this press conference was an interesting tactic by the governor, but I think the real motivation is pretty clear," Blankenship said. "They know that this book banning has gone too far."

She wasn't surprised the governor and his education commissioner didn't take responsibility for the chaos they created. "The real message that's coming from Governor DeSantis and Manny Diaz, no matter all the gaslighting and smoke and mirrors, is they see that these policies of censorship that they've started aren't working, and Floridians don't like them."

While the governor doesn't want to call the removal of books from schools a ban, Blankenship called him out for creating havoc with vaguely worded bills that easily remove books from schools without a timetable for reviewing and reinstating them.

"When we survived a motion to dismiss, the judge said from the bench to Escambia County School Board about the lack of a timeframe of any promise to get these books reviewed, 'How is that not a ban? If you're pulling things off and there's no idea of when they're coming back, it could be weeks, months, it could be the entire school year or more; how is that not a ban?'" she recalled.

The PEN America director saw the governor's press conference as a victory because state officials were reacting to Floridians standing against censorship and the degradation of public education.

"Why did you see Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. up on that platform, blaming and gaslighting with the end of the day, acknowledging there's a problem?" Blankenship asked. "Because Floridians are demanding something different, and they understand that."

AMERICAN MAGIC LEASE On Monday, Feb. 26, Mayor D.C. Reeves and Skipper Terry Hutchinson signed a lease agreement for the American Magic to relocate its headquarters to the Port of Pensacola.

"We're very, very excited, and I really truly believe that this project can be transformational for the city," Mayor Reeves said at his weekly presser the previous week. "I think these opportunities don't come along often that you can now call yourselves at the forefront of the United States in something."

He continued, "We are going to be able to say we're the leading sailing community of the United States when they arrive here."

The contract is for 10 years, with a 10-year option, for an annual lease of $291,200. If American Magic wins an America's Cup, it will host one pre-

liminary regatta within three years of the win "so long as the City of Pensacola is prepared to host a preliminary regatta and commits to covering costs normally provided by host cities, including, for example, providing space at the Port required by competitors, security (both on land and in the water), required on-water infrastructure, and required people management."

Each year of the lease, American Magic will hold a "Pensacola/American Magic Open House" free to the public. The tenant also will "use its best efforts to host at least two international sailing events or regattas each lease year in Pensacola Bay and/or the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola." American Magic also must create 120 new jobs for at least four years or pay a $3 million penalty.

READY FOR SCHOOL On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Florida Department of Education released the Kindergarten Readiness scores for this past fall. Escambia County's readiness increased by 4.5%, with 49.5% of the incoming kindergarten students ready for school, up from 45.1% in the fall of 2022. Escambia is only 1.7% below the statewide average of 51.2%. Santa Rosa County dropped two points, but it was well above the state average, with 59.2% ready for kindergarten.

A key to Escambia County's success appears to be having more students in the Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) program. The VPK students outperformed other kindergarteners 60.2% to 35.5%. Escambia County had 97 more VPK students score well on the screening than in 2022.

IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING On "Real News with Rick Outzen," Mayor Reeves didn't want to argue the merits of the effort to force a referendum on whether the Malcolm Yonge Gym should be demolished. However, he did call spending money on the aging building not a responsible use of tax dollars.

"I'm not a legal professional, so I'm not going to speak to the pluses and minuses, pros and cons of all of that," he said. "Obviously, they're keeping us briefed, but I can speak philosophically that we continue to proceed as the council has voted."

He said previous councils had avoided doing the maintenance the aging facility needed and chose to lease it instead. "As a matter of fact, almost to the day, I think it was Feb. 22, maybe three years ago, when some of the current members and former members of the council were having this conversation about leasing to Lighthouse (Private Christian Academy), and that $15,000 a year in maintenance in their contract was never going to be enough to fix it."

The mayor continued, "Everyone was fully aware of that, and so the definition of kicking the can down the road is what happened. That's what took place, and here we are. That isn't a mayor's decision. We've kicked the can off the cliff to a $3 million bill. It was a day that was going to come at some point."

He didn't name former council members Ann Hill and Sherri Myers, who signed the affidavit calling for a referendum when he added, "And

Dozier Memorial / Photo Courtesy of Florida Digital Service

while there're former council members that want this day to continue, the reality is I cannot irresponsibly use the taxpayer dollar in the way that's being suggested here."

In 2020 and 2021, when the Pensacola City Council discussed then-Mayor Grover Robinson's request to declare the gym surplus, then-Councilwoman Hill supported keeping the building and leasing it to Lighthouse Private Christian Academy because it helps at-risk children.

"The group of 10 (who signed the affidavit), those are not people who live anywhere close to this building," Reeves said. "And so, we are not hearing some outcry from the neighborhood about using this building because, frankly, they weren't using the building. One private organization was using the building. So, you're not going to hear that, because that's not what was happening."

The mayor wasn't moved by the quote from FRP Construction that developer Fred Gunther had. The Arizona-based company quoted James B. Washington Education & Sports, Inc. $239,500 to reinforce the arches that support the gym's roof. A limited inspection by a structural engineer determined the arches were near failure, which led to the city canceling its lease with Lighthouse and signing the demolition contract.

However, Reeves questioned the developer's

motives. "Fred Gunther knocked down the YMCA to put up eight $900,000 houses downtown, and it was a more historic structure. I think it was built in 1951. He also acquired property from the YMCA out in Myrtle Grove that was intended to be affordable housing. That's still empty today."

In September 2019, former Mayor Robinson had Charles Sherrill, Jr. appraise the gym site. Sherrill estimated the total value to be $870,000, with $780,000 for the land and $90,000 for the building and other improvements. Mayor Reeves said if a referendum passes and the CRA deems it surplus property, he will make it available to the highest bidder.

"I'm saying let's use this $800,000$900,000 of property as a subsidy to create affordable housing. That's my intent, not just a surplus to the highest bidder," the mayor said. "But if there's a discussion to be made about preserving a building or putting money into it on the private side, we will then let the CRA board decide that that's what they want to do. And then we'll surplus it, and we'll make sure that the taxpayer is treated responsibly."

SHIFTING GYM FUNDS In 2020, the Pensacola City Council voted 7-0 not to repair the Malcolm Yonge Gym and reallocate $715,000 to refurbish

Magee Field. Councilwoman Ann Hill made the initial motion to shift the funds.

Soon after she took office, Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier faced a vote concerning whether Malcolm Yonge Gym should be declared surplus property and sold.

"When I look back at my first vote on this exact building, I think I was swayed by that kind of emotion that I just didn't want to see this building go," Brahier said on WCOA this morning. "And so, I have my own guilt in passing the vote in getting us to where we are in helping kick that can down the road."

She reviewed past agenda packets and viewed videos of meetings held before she took office in November 2020 to "get a better picture of what has landed us right where we are now."

She found the Pensacola City Council once had $715,000 in the 2020-2021 budget to repair the gym. Brahier said, "On Sept. 9, 2020, Councilwoman Hill had made a motion to move the $715,000 to Magee Field instead of being at Malcolm Yonge."

The minutes show the council voted 3-3 and didn't pass the motion. Jewel Cannada-Wynn, Jared Moore and Hill voted "yes," and John Jerralds, Sherri Myers and P.C. Wu voted "no." Myers wanted the money allocated to Tippin Park, and Mayor Robinson asked for more time to review the proposal.

Hill and Myers recently signed the affidavit for a petition drive that would require a citywide referendum on the council's vote to demolish the gym.

Brahier said, "Then it came back a couple weeks later as a change in the actual budget. So, the $715,000 was moved fully to Magee Field, and that passed with a 7-0 on Sept. 23, 2020."

She added, "At the time, the conversation was about where city programs existed, and in those discussions, Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn had pointed out that the exodus from Malcolm Young had been a long time before, and the parks director at the time stated that I believe it was less than 10% of the usage was by the general public."

Inweekly reviewed the same council meetings and found that while she voted to fund repairs of the aging gym, Councilwoman Hill did not want the city to get rid of the building. She argued to keep the gym for Lighthouse Private Christian Academy's use because they helped at-risk youth.

The city's historic preservation planner, Gregg Harding, found the gym had no historical significance, and Councilwoman Myers believed no one would pay the appraised value for the property, $870,000, but if someone did, she wanted the proceeds spent on Tippin Park, where committed city staff to build a community center and athletic field for special needs individuals. {in}

SPRING FORWARD

THINGS TO SEE, HEAR & DO THIS SEASON

Technically, it's not spring until March 19. But the sun setting after 5 p.m. has us feeling good lately, so we decided to get a head start on the upcoming season switch-up. To help you do the same, we've put together the ultimate local spring to-do list, complete with festivals, markets and outdoor concerts. {in}

FEELING FESTIVE

Upcoming music and food festivals

Laguna's Music Festival

March 1-2 lagunaspensacolabeach.com

Kites on the Coast

March 15-17 coawfla.org/kites-on-the-coast-event

Pensacola VegFest March 23 pensacolavegfest.com

Books by the Bay March 23 facebook.com/booksbythebayfestival

Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts March 23-24 gulfbreezearts.com/festival

Pensacola Bloody Mary Festival March 30 pensacolabloodymaryfestival.com

Pensacola JazzFest

April 6-7 jazzpensacola.com

Pensacola Beach Crawfish Festival April 19-21 bamboowillies.com

Earth Day Pensacola

April 21 earthdaypensacola.com

Pensacola Crawfish Festival April 26-28 fiestapensacola.org

Gulf Coast Culture Fest May 11 facebook.com/gulfcoastculturefest

Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Fest May 11 visitpensacolabeach.com

Hangout Music Fest

May 17-19 hangoutmusicfest.com

GET IN A ROUTINE

Reoccurring events worth making a regular thing

Palafox Market

Every Saturday palafoxmarket.com

Pensacola Arts Market

Every first Friday and third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten

Every second and fourth Saturday at Cordova Square facebook.com/pensacolaartsmarket

Gallery Night

Every third Friday gallerynightpensacola.org

Bands on the Beach

Every Tuesday beginning April 2 and running through Oct. 29 visitpensacolabeach.com

Bands on the Blackwater

Every Friday beginning April 5 and running through June 14 facebook.com/miltonflorida

IT'S A DATE

A few more standout spring events to mark on your calendar

Small Dog Race Night at the Ice Flyers game March 1 iceflyers.com

CUBED 2024 Live Painting Event March 2 pensacolamuseum.org

Sun Belt Basketball Championship Tournament March 5-11 visitpensacola.com/sunbelt

Living Colour at Vinyl Music Hall March 7 vinylmusichall.com

PMA Members Show Opening Reception and Awards March 8 pensacolamuseum.org

McGuire's 5K Prediction Run March 9 mcguiresirishpub.com

Pensacola Opera presents "Die Fledermaus" March 15 and 17 pensacolaopera.com

Cinemas in the Sand

Select Friday Nights March 15–Oct. 25 visitpensacolabeach.com

Go Irish on the Island—Pensacola Beach St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl March 17 pensacolabeachchamber.com/go-irish-on-the-island

Jim Gaffigan Barely Alive Tour March 17 pensacolabaycenter.com

Waterboyz Skateboard Art Show March 23 waterboyz.com

Broadway in Pensacola presents "Annie" April 1-2 pensacolasaenger.com

Blue Wahoos Home Opener April 5 bluewahoos.com

Pensacola Little Theatre's "Cabaret: Express Yourself" April 6 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Season Finale April 20 pensacolasymphony.com

Ballet Pensacola presents "The Sleeping Beauty" May 3-5 balletpensacola.org

Broadway in Pensacola presents "Pretty Woman" May 13-14 pensacolasaenger.com

Arts & Entertainment

From the Stage to the Page with LaChelle McCormick Johns

By Dakota Parks

to feel what I'm feeling, educate them or call them to action, then I'm doing just as much as when I'm marching in the streets. To be an artist is a revolutionary act."

In one of her poems, "The Evolution of Get Down," a crowd favorite at open mics, McCormick Johns traces a single phrase through hip-hop history, intertwining a shared culture of dance and music with the history of slavery.

"I was listening to XM radio, hearing this James Brown 'Get Down' sample all over the place—from the old-school hip-hop station to indie rock to a new-school rap station, and all of these songs were from different eras and different genres," she said. "I started to think about how music connects millions of people together and how these words were used throughout time, as words of celebration and dehumanization."

In another piece, "My People," her words are imbued with resilience and power: "We don't drop to our knees in silence / Poised / We place one knee on fields/ And the earth shakes / It trembles." This power and unconditional, revolutionary love is at the heart of her writing.

during a specific time and then move out of your life. A lot of people have moved in and out of my life, and I've given them love, and they've gone, and that refreshes me, recycles my energy."

McCormick Johns' writing serves both as a didactic tool and a source of catharsis. Through her words, she implores community members to engage actively, to embrace love as a driving force and to stand up against injustice with fists raised high in solidarity. Her poetry acts as a rallying cry, urging readers to find their voice, to challenge the status quo and to empower others in the process.

If you've ever attended Pensacola Poetry on a Tuesday night, you've probably heard LaChelle McCormick Johns getting down behind the mic. A revered figure within the local writing community, McCormick Johns wears many titles—poet, mother, community builder, activist, business leader and now, author.

Her new book, "Black Beer Whiskey Wisdom," has garnered recognition as a Pushcart Prize Nominee and soared to No. 3 on Amazon's bestseller list in two categories—Black and African American Poetry and Parent and Adult Child Relationships—mere hours after its release. Within its pages, McCormick Johns delves into themes of love, loss, motherhood, family, community and the enduring struggle against injustice.

"I started writing in high school, but I never really had a community of artists until I discovered Pensacola Poetry," McCormick Johns explained. "I was out of the habit of writing. But I went out to Sluggo's and read a piece about (John) Carlos and (Tommie) Smith raising their fists on the podium in the (1968) Olympics as a sign of Black power and protest. Quincy 'Q' Hull stopped me to tell me, 'People need to hear more of you. Keep writing and keep coming back.' So, I

went every single Tuesday for years, never missing a night, even when I had surgery. Pensacola Poetry is like church; it's family to me. I wouldn't be the person I am today without that community of people in my life."

McCormick Johns drew upon the support of this community to bring her book to fruition, spending countless hours refining her work on stage, transcribing poetry from journals in bars and local businesses and, ultimately, completing the manuscript during a stay at the 309 Punk Projects' Artist in Residence space. She uses her writing and her voice to tap into her local community, inspiring others to activism and political action. Many of her poems are tender and raw, grappling with heavy-hitting topics like the legacies of slavery, racism, fascism, police brutality and the prison industrial complex.

"When I hear news stories or I think about things that my parents and family have gone through or that others are going through in the world, I tend to really sit in those emotions. It's like I can't get that feeling out of me until I write it out," she said. "Because I feel like when something's impacting me that heavily, it's impacting a lot of people. And, if I can put something out there that can allow somebody

"Love was so tough for Black people in America, and those themes occur throughout my writing, because it weighs heavy on me," McCormick Johns explained. "People say labor of love, but love really was a fight, a struggle, a secret. That line out my Robert Motherwell poem, 'My baby's nappy edges won't lay even in the name of safety,' really resonates with me, because Black people had to hide who they loved to protect them. It's a revolutionary act to love someone so much you'll go underground, organize and shelter each other just a get to a point where you can be together."

Love serves as a recurring motif throughout "Black Beer Whiskey Wisdom," intricately weaving together poems steeped in historical contexts with those celebrating the nuances of motherhood, community bonds, familial connections, friendships and romantic affections.

As McCormick Johns began assembling this book, she became motivated to craft a literary legacy to pass on to her children and future generations to come, including a section dedicated to poems written for her children.

"My kids are 21, 16 and 5, and it's been on my mind how different of a person I have to be for each child. Each one of them needs a different version of me," she said. "I think to give love is my only way to keep myself going. I'm here to influence the happiness and success of as many people as possible—to love people that need it

"If you have a platform where people are going to hear you or read something that you've put out there, I think you have a responsibility to be the voice for people who don't have those platforms," she said. "I have been highly influenced by my entire family—my husband, my kids, my dad and my mom. My mom grew up Black in West Virginia in the '70s. She raised her six brothers and sisters. She was the first one to graduate from college, become successful and showed us hard work. She showed us that you have the power to change the world—the world being one person's world. We have a responsibility to help people move forward, to help people heal, to help people succeed and to empower others." {in}

"Black Beer Whiskey Wisdom" is available to purchase online and locally at Open Books, 1040 N. Guillemard St. If you're interested in attending Pensacola Poetry, this open mic is 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Subculture Art Gallery & Event Space, 701 N. V St. Follow facebook.com/ pensacolapoetry for more.

LaChelle McCormick Johns / Courtesy Photo

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO

Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Scenic Hills Country Club, 8891 Burning Tree Road. The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. The full bar and restaurant offer special adult beverages just for bingo nights. You must be 18 to play. For more information, visit facebook. com/animalalliesflorida.

ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN

ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD

DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens at 10 a.m. and has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include

ARTS & CULTURE

PENSACOLA FILM FESTIVAL Pensacola

Cinema Art presents the 2024 Pensacola Film Festival with movies showing all weekend long March 1-3. Showtimes are 1 p.m. Friday, March 1, 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2, and 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at 220 W. Garden St. For a list of movie screenings, visit pensacolacinemaart.com. Tickets are $10 cash donation and includes free snacks and wine.

CUBED 2024 Watch artists transform the cube canvases at the Museum Plaza, 300 S. Tarragona St., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March

2. Featured artists include Lilly Stark, Dylan Nadsady, Sasha Suey-Stoler, Hannah Leggs, Katie Romano, Jaime Diffee, Lindsey Hampton, Sean Bush and Aidan Garcia. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

PENSACOLA OPERA GALLERY TALK: DIE

FLEDERMAUS Watch a short performance from Pensacola Opera and hear a discussion of the

piece 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Event is free and open to the public. Visit pensacolamuseum. org for details.

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC Show is 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

UNTETHERED OPENING RECEPTION

"Untethered" is a contemporary abstract art exhibition from local artist Lindsay Keeling on view at Jaco's Bayfront Bar & Grille, 997 S. Palafox St., March 6-April 2. An opening reception is 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, which includes a wine tasting and meet and greet with the artist.

13 This Pensacola Little Theatre production has showtimes 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 9, 16, 23, Fridays, March 8,15, 22, Thursdays, March 14, 21 and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, March 10, 17 and 24. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children and students and $2 discounts for seniors and military. Thursday performances are half off. Performances are at 400 S. Jefferson St. Get your tickets at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

DECISION HEIGHT Enjoy a PenArts performance about Women Air Force Service Pilots from PenArts, 306 N. DeVilliers St. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, Friday, March 8, Saturday, March 9 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. Tickets are $5-$19. More information is at penarts.org.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN Pensacola State College Performing Arts production is 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 7, Friday, March 8, Saturday, March 9 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Ashmore Auditorium, 1000 College Blvd. Tickets are $7-$11 and free to PSC students.

PMA MEMBERS SHOW RECEPTION The 70th Annual Members Show is on view March 8-May 25 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. A reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 8. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

CHORAL SOCIETY OF PENSACOLA PRESENTS: CARMINA BURANA Choral Society of Pensacola will present Carl Orff's

masterpiece with a chorus of 160 voices including the University of West Florida Singers. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8 and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Pkwy. Bldg. 82. Tickets starts at $10. Admission for children is $5. Get tickets at choralsocietyofpensacola.org.

HOT GLASS COLD BREW: ART IN BLOOM

First City Art Center monthly event is 5-9 p.m. Friday, March 8 at 1040 N. Guillemard St. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members and includes a hand-made ceramic glass to fill with two complimentary beers. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meetings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information.

BTB COMEDY Watch live standup comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.

COMEDY SHOWCASE AT SUBCULTURE

BTB Comedy presents a comedy showcase the first Thursday monthly at Subculture Art Gallery, 701 N. V St. Follow facebook.com/pensacolasubculture for updates.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

THE MARKET AT GARY'S BREWERY Market Perdido Key vendors will sell fresh produce, art, baked goods and more noon-5 p.m. the second Sunday of the month February-May at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Next date is Sunday, March 10. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.

PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook. com/downtownpensacola.

Palafox Market / Photo by Tim Bednarczyk

CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside Pensacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.

AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with actual ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. Following your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolag hostevents.com.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small and buy art at Pensacola Arts Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every fourth Saturday of the month at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. Enjoy a local artisan and farmers market with more than 50 vendors, food trucks, plants, vintage clothing and décor, live musical performances, kids' crafts and games. This is a free event. Pensacola Arts Market is set up 4-9 p.m. every first Friday of the month and 2-6 p.m. every third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.

BODY, MIND, SPIRIT MARKET AT EVER'MAN Local vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, speakers and more come together 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the first Saturday of the month at Ever'man Downtown, 315 W. Garden St. This is a free indoor and outdoor event with door prizes, entertainment and children's activities. For a vendor table, call (850) 941-4321 or go to empowermentschoolhouse.com.

BIRDS AND HABITATS RECEPTION Quayside Art Gallery reception of the all-member exhibit on view through March 30. The gallery is located at 17 E. Zaragoza St.

FIESTA PENSACOLA 75TH ANNIVERSARY RETROSPECTIVE A collection of costumes, dresses and ephemera from the Fiesta events dating back to the 1950s is on view at Pensacola

FIRE IN THE EVENING Enjoy a debut show from Louisiana-based painter Dan Charbonnet. Exhibition is on view at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., through March 8.

THE FLUIDITY OF PERCEPTION Enjoy an exhibit from Chris Gustin and Nancy Train Smith in collaboration with the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society. The show is on view at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., through May 17.

FOOD + DRINKS

FORK CANCER Enjoy dinner for a good cause benefitting American Cancer Society. Event is 6-10 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Sanders Beach, 913 S. I Street. Visit forkcancerpensacola.com for details.

CRAWFISH BOIL AT EMERALD REPUBLIC

The fifth annual Crawfish Bowl is noon-7 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at 1414 W. Government St. Admission is free and includes new beer releases, games for the family, and more. Visit facebook. com/emeraldrepublicbrewing for details.

GROG MARCH Pub crawl starting at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., is 4-11 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Bring two food donations for Manna Food Pantries for entry plus $15 registration fee. Participants receive 22-ounce pub crawl mug for refill specials, a themed lanyard and a Grog March T-shirt (while supplies last).

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AT ODD

COLONY FemFest event featuring DJ Hale, IWD beer and can release, craft and vintage market and live art installation is noon-4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

HANDS ON PASTA NIGHT Cooking class with Chef Edward Lordman is 6 p.m. Monday, March 4 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

ETERNAL BOUQUETS AT GARY'S BREWERY Learn to make faux flower bouquets. First drink is included with event cost. Event is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 408 Newman Ave. Cost is $25. Register at maynagerie.com.

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS: BEACH DRINKS CANNED COCKTAILS The next Atlas Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. Cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required and can be made at (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com.

JACKSON'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrate 25 years at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox, with a special five-course food and wine event 5 p.m. Thursday, March 7. Cost is $125. For reservations, call (850) 469-9898 or visit jacksonsrestaurant.com.

a&e happenings

GREEN THUMB WINE TASTINGS Join Green Thumb Wines for a wine tasting 6-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month at 9 E. Gregory St. Cost is $15 which can be applied to a bottle purchase of your choice. For more information and tickets, visit greenthumbwines. com/collections/events.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN

Partake in brunch specials, full café menu, espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. Ninth Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin. com for details.

SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.

GAMER/JACKBOX NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of Bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

75 CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75-cent oysters 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for Bar Bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

SECOND TUESDAY THEMED TRIVIA Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for themed trivia nights 7-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at 50 E. Garden St. Visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco for details.

TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS

Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA O'Riley's Tavern hosts trivia 8 p.m.-midnight Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

TRIVIA AT WISTERIA Trivia is 6 p.m. Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

TRIVIA AT SIR RICHARD'S Flex your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool and play bar bingo 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details at orileystavern.com.

LIVE MUSIC

GRAVE CHORUS, DMPSY, BLSSR, ASTRACT MODULE Show is 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

DIRTWIRE Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

LAGUNA'S MUSIC FESTIVAL Two-day festival at Laguna's, 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd., is March 1-2. Tickets and information are available at lagunaspensacolabeach.com.

GLORY DAYS PRESENTS: GIMME GIMME DISCO Show is 8 p.m. Friday, March 1 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets start at $15, and they're available at thehandlebar850.com.

RUFUS MCBLACK, MORNING TRIPS, YNICORNS, ENDANGERED ANIMALS Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

MOZART, MAHLER & MENDELSSOHN

Enjoy this Pensacola Symphony Orchestra show. Dress rehearsal is 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Main performance is 7:30 p.m. at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at pensacolasymphony.com.

THE PURPLE MADNESS: PRINCE TRIBUTE Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

PENTAGRAM STRING BAND, THE TAINTS, BALLASTELLA, INSERT BNH Show is 6 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

TRASH PANDA, FROG MULLET, INFERNEM, CROW ROAD Show is 7 p.m.

Monday, March 4 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

JAZZ JAM The next Jazz Jam is 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, March 4 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Information is at jazzpensacola.com.

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

Listen to Jazz Pensacola musicians play 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Ascension Hospital, 5151 N. Ninth Ave.

JOE BONAMASSA Show is 8 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

a&e happenings

LIVING COLOUR Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $28 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

BIKINI TRILL, JARV, NERVOUS PULP, MOMMA BEAR Show is 7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

LITTLE RIVER BAND Show is 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ

Visit Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music on select days.

•Tuesdays: Greg Bond 5:30-8:30 p.m.

•Thursdays: John Wheeler 6-8 p.m.

•Saturdays: Glenn Parker Band 6:30-10 p.m.

•Sundays: Curt Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD

COLONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Visit facebook. com/oddcolony for details.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE

QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida bring the "Blues" back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District 7 p.m. every Monday at 130 E. Government St. in End O' the Alley. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE

QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday night at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Sing your heart out 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern. com for details.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia at 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave., hosts karaoke 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.

WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE

oke starts at 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

KARAOKE NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S

Bring your singing talents Monday and Thurs day nights at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Festivities are 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

SUNDAY KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS

Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Sunday at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

FITNESS + RECREATION

OCEAN HOUR WEEKLY CLEANUPS Ocean

Hour Pensacola hosts weekly cleanups 7:45-9 a.m. Saturdays. Follow Ocean Hour at facebook. com/oceanhourfl for more details and locations.

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS The Pensacola Ice Flyers 2023-2024 season home games are held at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are available at pensacolabaycenter.com.

Upcoming dates:

•7:05 p.m. Friday, March 1

•7:05 p.m. Saturday, March 2

PUBLIC SKATE Ice skating sessions are available through April at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are $12-$15. Season passes

SUNBELT MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Watch Division 1 Basketball at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Games are 11:30 a.m.7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5-Sunday, March 10 and 1-6 p.m. Monday, March 11. More information is at pensacolabaycenter.com.

MARCH BAG SWAPS WITH KEEP PENSACOLA BEAUTIFUL Bring your single-use plastic grocery bags to swap meets and get a large, reusable grocery bag. Dates include: 3-6 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Everman, 1000 E. Nine Mile Road, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Palafox Market, N. Palafox St., 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 15 at Gallery Night on South Palafox, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Grocery Advantage, 736 N. Highway 29.

OUR CHANGING CLIMATE: WHAT'S AHEAD FOR PENSACOLA Join local scientists and climate advocates for a "teach-in" on the recently-released National Climate Assessment

free will astrology

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 29

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In my astrological estimation, the coming weeks will be an ideal time for you to declare amnesty, negotiate truces and shed long-simmering resentments. Other recommended activities: Find ways to joke about embarrassing memories, break a bad habit just because it's fun to do so and throw away outdated stuff you no longer need. Just do the best you can as you carry out these challenging assignments; you don't have to be perfect. For inspiration, read these wise words from poet David Whyte: "When you forgive others, they may not notice, but you will heal. Forgiveness is not something we do for others; it is a gift to ourselves."

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Many of you Tauruses have a robust capacity for doing diligent, effective work. Many of you also have a robust capacity for pursuing sensual delights and cultivating healing beauty. When your mental health is functioning at peak levels, these two drives to enjoy life are complementary; they don't get in each other's way. If you ever fall out of your healthy rhythm, these two drives may conflict. My wish for you in the coming months is they will be in synergistic harmony, humming along with grace. That's also my prediction: I foresee you will do just that.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Many people choose wealthy entertainers and celebrity athletes for their heroes. It doesn't bother me if they do. Why should it? But the superstars who provoke my adoration are more likely to be artists and activists. Author Rebecca Solnit is one. Potawatomi biologist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer. The four musicians in the Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha. Poet Rita Dove and novelist Haruki Murakami. My capacity to be inspired by these maestros seems inexhaustible. What about you, Gemini? Who are the heroes who move you and shake you in all the best ways? Now is a time to be extra proactive in learning from your heroes—and rounding up new heroes to be influenced by.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Your homework assignment is to work on coordinating two issues key to your life's purpose. The first

By Rob Brezsny

of these issues is your fervent longing to make your distinctive mark on this crazy, chaotic world. The second issue is your need to cultivate sweet privacy and protective self-care. These themes may sometimes seem to be opposed. But with even just a little ingenious effort, you can get them to weave together beautifully. Now is a good time to cultivate this healing magic.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): If you don't recognize the face in the mirror right now, that's a good thing. If you feel unfamiliar feelings rising up in you or find yourself entertaining unusual longings, those are also good things. The voice of reason may say you should be worried about such phenomena. But as the voice of mischievous sagacity, I urge you to be curious and receptive. You are being invited to explore fertile possibilities that have previously been unavailable or off-limits. Fate is offering you the chance to discover more about your future potentials. At least for now, power can come from being unpredictable and investigating taboos.

Who are the heroes who move you and shake you in all the best ways?

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): I invite you to study the fine art of sacred intimacy in the coming weeks. Life's rhythms will redound in your favor as you enjoy playing tenderly and freely with the special people you care for. To aid you in your efforts, here are three questions to ponder. 1. What aspects of togetherness might flourish if you approach them with less solemnity and more fun? 2. Could you give more of yourself to your relationships in ways that are purely enjoyable, not done mostly out of duty?

3. Would you be willing to explore the possibility that the two of you could educate and ripen each other's dark sides?

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Creativity teacher Roger von Oech tells how bandleader Count Basie asked a club owner to fix his piano.

It was always out of tune. A few weeks later, the owner called Basie to say everything was good. But when Basie arrived to play, the piano still had sour notes. "I thought you said you fixed it!" Basie complained. The owner said, "I did. I painted it." The moral of the story for the rest of us, concludes von Oech, is that we've got to solve the right problems. I want you Libras to do that in the coming weeks. Make sure you identify what really needs changing, not some distracting minor glitch.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Most of us have received an inadequate or downright poor education about love and intimate togetherness. Given how much misinformation and trivializing propaganda we have absorbed, it's amazing any of us have figured out how to create healthy, vigorous relationships. That's the bad news, Scorpio. The good news is that you are cruising through a sustained phase of your astrological cycle when you're far more likely than usual to acquire vibrant teachings about this essential part of your life. I urge you to draw up a plan for how to take maximum advantage of the cosmic opportunity. For inspiration, here's poet Rainer Maria Rilke: "For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation."

(Translation by Stephen Mitchell.)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): The myths and legends of many cultures postulate the existence of spirits who are mischievous but not malevolent. They play harmless pranks. Their main purpose may be to remind us that another world, a less material realm, overlaps with ours. And sometimes, the intention of these ethereal tricksters seems to be downright benevolent. They nudge us out of our staid rhythms, mystifying us with freaky phenomena that suggest reality is not as solid and predictable as we might imagine. I suspect you may soon have encounters with some of these characters: friendly poltergeists, fairies, ghosts, sprites, or elves. My sense is they will bring you odd but genuine blessings.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Some studies suggest less than half of us have best

friends. Men are even less likely to have beloved buddies than the other genders do. If you are one of these people, the coming weeks and months will be an excellent time to remedy the deficiency. Your ability to attract and bond with interesting allies will be higher than usual. If you do have best friends, I suggest you intensify your appreciation for and devotion to them. You need and deserve companions who respect you deeply, know you intimately and listen well. But you've got to remember that relationships like these require deep thought, hard work and honest expressions of feelings.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Among all the zodiac signs, you Aquarians are among the best at enjoying a bird's-eye perspective on the world. Soaring high above the mad chatter and clatter is your birthright and specialty. I love that about you, which is why I hardly ever shout up in your direction, "Get your ass back down to earth!" However, I now suspect you are overdue to spend some quality time here on the ground level. At least temporarily, I advise you to trade the bird's-eye view for a worm's-eye view. Don't fret. It's only for a short time. You'll be aloft again soon.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): In old Hawaii, the people loved their deities but also demanded productive results. If a god stopped providing worshipers with what they wanted, they might dismiss him and adopt a replacement. I love that. And I invite you to experiment with a similar approach in the coming weeks. Are your divine helpers doing a good job? Are they supplying you with steady streams of inspiration, love and fulfillment? If not, fire them and scout around for substitutes. If they are performing well, pour out your soul in gratitude.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What do you want to do but have not been doing it—for no good reason? {in}

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© 2024 Rob Brezsny

news of the weird

WAIT, HOW MANY? And you thought your glovebox full of unpaid parking tickets was impressive. Police detectives and patrol officers arrested Ahyoka Keith, aka Carol Ann Sumner, on Feb. 16, two weeks after she was charged with an astonishing 322 felonies and 327 misdemeanors by the Spring Township police department in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Keith is an over-the-road trucker, and her 649 warrants were related to the theft of thousands of dollars from a relative.

NOT GETTING IT A 42-year-old resident of Ajax, Ontario, was arrested and charged with impaired driving on Feb. 20 at the Durham Regional police station, where he had driven to complain ... about his arrest for public intoxication from earlier that morning. The man asked to speak with a supervisor when he arrived at the station, but officers noticed he seemed to be intoxicated, and, after confirming he had driven himself, issued a breathalyzer test, which the man failed. His license was suspended and his vehicle was impounded.

NEED FOR SPEED The Hockenheimring racetrack in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, was the setting for a Guinness World Record-setting run recently. The speed reached—92.24 mph— might not sound so impressive, but Fulda University engineering student Marcel Paul attained that velocity in a toy car. Paul spent 10 months modifying the miniature Porsche with the goal of beating the 88 mph made famous by the timetraveling DeLorean DMC-12 in the "Back to the Future" movies, and in the process created the world's fasted ride-on toy car. Said one user in the comments on Paul's Instagram video of the milestone event: "Hell no that looks dangerous."

VERY SENIOR YEAR It's never too late to graduate, and Fred Allen Smalls of Georgetown, South Carolina, is proof. Smalls took the stage at Georgetown High School on Feb. 4, the day before his 106th birthday, to receive an honorary diploma at a ceremony that came to fruition largely due to the efforts of his granddaughter. Smalls completed eighth grade in the 1930s and moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a janitor and held several other jobs before beginning a career with the District of Columbia, eventually retiring during the John F. Kennedy administration. WPDE ABC 15 reported that the diploma was "something he's wished for most of his life." And the diploma wasn't the first time Smalls made recent news: In 2023, ABC News recognized him as the oldest Philadelphia Eagles fan. ABC 15

STICKY SITUATION A coyote that found itself in an ironic predicament in mid-January has the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) and the Wildlife in Need Center (WINC) of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, to thank for its rescue— maybe with a little help from above? WDJT in Milwaukee reported that the coyote had gotten its head stuck inside a hollow statue of St. Francis

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, while chasing a rabbit. The coyote was spotted dragging the statue and working to free itself, but by the next day, the animal was exhausted and still trapped. HAWS located the coyote and transported it to WINC, where it was freed, treated for minor injuries and given the nickname "Frannie."

LONG-TERM LENDING More and more libraries across the country have converted to finefree lending, and that's a very good thing for one patron of the Licking County Library in Ohio. WPDE ABC 15 in Columbus reported that an Instagram post shared by the library included video of a poetry book that recently had been returned—about 93 years late. The patron had found the "Heart Throbs" poetry collection at a relative's house and discovered the due date card inside the front cover, last stamped "Nov 9 '31." WPDE estimated the total fine would have been approximately $5,770.

CEMETERY SHORTCUT In the immortal words of Shaggy, "It wasn't me." The Lavonia (Georgia) Police Department wants residents to know that a chaotic scene in a local graveyard Feb. 20 had nothing to do with them. "In case you saw or heard the law enforcement commotion," reads a post on the department's Facebook page, "well, it wasn't us." The commotion in question? Deputies from the Oconee County Sheriff's Office in neighboring South Carolina had chased a reckless driver across state lines and into the Lavonia City Burgess Cemetery, reports FOX 5 Atlanta. The driver—who was apparently "late for an appointment"—damaged several graves before attempting to flee on foot. Unsuccessfully.

THONG AND PONY SHOW Australian equestrian Shane Rose, a three-time Olympic medalist, decided to push the sartorial envelope on Feb. 11, competing in a skimpy mankini—the kind popularized by the 2006 movie "Borat." In fairness, the annual Wallaby Hill Extravaganza in New South Wales is a costumed competition, where equestrians put horses through their paces in all kinds of wacky get-ups. Some even go through multiple costume changes, which was the case with Rose. As the Wallaby Hill Equestrian Centre put it on Facebook, Rose "truly showed us 'all he's got' as he wore less and less with each horse he entered the arena with." But someone complained about the mankini, USA Today reported, leading governing body Equestrian Australia to bar Rose from competing while it investigated. (Even rowdy Aussies must follow codes of conduct, after all.) For a few days, Rose's 2024 Paris Olympics plans hung in the balance, but he was soon cleared of any wrongdoing. Let's hope he changes clothes before heaving a big sigh of relief. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird

© 2024 Andrews McMeel