The Summation Weekly - May 8, 2024

By Morgan Cole

The 309 Punk Project has partnered with the Old East Hill Preservation District and neighborhood businesses to host another installment of the popular Night on the Tracks (NOTT) event series.

Set for May 11 at 5 pm, individuals from throughout the community are invited to come out and walk, bike, skate or roll along the Wright Street rail line in Old East Hill. This art-and-entertainmentcentered event allows members of the community a chance to visit the local businesses located near and along the Wright Street rail line, while enjoying activities hosted at each of participating venues along the way.

“Night on the Tracks (NOTT) is all about celebrating the eclectic and vibrant arts and music scene that we are so lucky to have here in Pensacola, and especially along the Wright Street corridor right beside the railroad tracks,” NOTT Organizer Lauren Anzaldo explained.

“This event allows us to support the local organizations and small businesses that make our community what it is. The event is collaborative with the participating venues each bringing something to the table by putting on an arts or music offering at their space.”

From art exhibits, happy hours and live music to an immersive glo art experience at Pensacola MESS Hall, each venue stop will offer something unique for attendees to enjoy.

“The event in May will be our fifth installment of Night on the Tracks. We held the first in December 2022, not long after The Handlebar reopened, and we held three more events in 2023, including our Night on the Tracks Block Party for the 10th Anniversary of Foo Foo Fest. This is the first Night on the Tracks event in 2024. We are hoping to hold the event now about twice a year,” Anzaldo said. “We have more venues involved in Night on the Tracks this time around than we’ve ever had before. It is encouraging to see our community and local organizations and businesses support this event with such enthusiasm.”

Moving from west to east along the Wright Street corridor in Old East Hill, venues participating in the May 11 installment of NOTT include 309 Punk Project, End of the Line Cafe, Pensacola MESS Hall, Doc’s Hop Shop, Bear Walker Skateshop, the curb, From the Ground Up and The Handlebar.

On the day of the event, each of the venues will also have small punch cards on-hand with each venue’s logo, with a QR code on the back, to help attendees easily link up with the Google Map that was created for the event. NOTT attendees can pick up a card and can go around to the venues and have their card stamped/punched to recieve special discounts.

NIGHT ON THE TRACKS

“We want people to come out and enjoy this event, the focus has always been on building community, getting out and about in the neighborhood, immersing yourself in the culture and appreciating the diversity of talent we have here.” There is truly something for everyone, for families with kids, singles, younger or older folks,” Anzaldo said.

The May 11 installment of NOTT kicks off at 5 pm at 309 North 6th Avenue, with staggered events taking place at each venue throughout the evening. Individuals of all ages are welcome to attend this free community event, and no tickets are required.

For complete event details, visit 309punkproject.org or bit.ly/ NOTT511. Check out the full list of participating venues and activities planned for the May 11 installment of NOTT at bit.ly/NOTT511map.

Live Skateboard Painting

Where: Bear Walker Skateshop

410 E. Wright St. | 5 to 8 pm

The new Bear Walker Skateshop will host a live skateboard painting session and offer exclusive deals on select merchandise and apparel all day, including BOGO on stock skateboards and 25 percent off apparel and hats. The shop will also host a raffle for a chance to win a $500 in-store gift card. Raffle tickets are $5 for 5 entries. Visit bearwalker.com for details.

Where: 309 Punk Project

309 N. 6th Ave. | 5 to 8 pm

309 Punk Project will showcase its May Artist in Residence, Yusuke Okada. Okada is a self-taught artist who was born in Tokyo and currently lives and works in NYC. Utilizing a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink and clay, Okada relays his own unique perspective of the American experience through his darkly comedic canvas paintings and illustrations. His vibrant pieces reflect various social, cultural or political themes such as addiction, boredom, expectations, jealousy, marriage, vacations, tears, negativity, revenge, violence, youth and more. The event is free and open to the public. Visit 309punkproject.org, or yusukehorsejeanokada.com for complete exhibit details.

Live Music + Happy Hour Specials

Where: End of the Line Cafe

610 E. Wright St. | 5 to 8 pm

End of the Line Cafe will host NOTT Happy Hour from 5 to 8 pm featuring food and drink specials and live entertainment. Other discounts will be offered to attendees with valid NOTT event cards. Check out the menu and more at eotlcafe.com.

SoLa Art Market

Where: School of Liberal Arts

301 E. Gadsden St. | 5 to 9 pm

The School of Liberal Arts (SoLA) will host the SoLA Art Market featuring various pieces of jewelry, paintings and photography. Attendees can also participate in a ceramics workshop, where they can help create tiles that will be used for an upcoming remodel project at the school. There will also be local food vendors on site. For more details on the SoLA Art Market, visit facebook.com/pensacolasola.

Immersive Glo Art Experience

Where: Pensacola MESS Hall

418 E. Wright St. | 5:30 to 7:30 pm

The Pensacola MESS Hall will debut an immersive Glo Art expe -

rience themed around the nature within our Bay Area and the surrounding wetlands. Visitors will walk through a completely self-contained maze-like structure and view immersive glo art created by students from St. Paul Catholic School and other local schools, while also learning fun facts about our local ecology. The rest of the museum will not be open to the public during the special debut of this exhibition. This even is free, but donations are always welcome. Learn more about the exhibit and the Pensacola MESS Hall at pensacolamesshall.org.

Live Music by Grayson Capps

Where: From the Ground Up

501 N. Hayne St. | 6:30 to 9 pm

The garden will host music under the stars featuring acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Grayson Capps. There is no cost to attend. For details, visit fromthegroundup gardenpensacola.com.

Magic Show with Milan The Magician

Where: Doc’s Hop Shop

500 E. Heinberg St. | 6 to 7 pm

Doc’s Hop Shop will host a special magic performance by Milan the Magician. The brewery will also have its new bounce house set up for the kiddos to join in the fun. Check out Doc’s Hop Shop online at docshopshop.com or @docshopshop on Instagram.

Live Art Demo by Etep

Where: the curb

620 E. Wright St. | 6 to 7 pm

One of Pensacola’s newest shops, the curb, will be joining NOTT for the first time in May. The shop will offer in-store specials all day from 2 to 8 pm, with free stickers included with every purchase. From 6 to 7 pm, local painter Etep will host a live art demo and Q&A. The shop will also hold a skateboard deck giveaway throughout the day. Follow @thecurbstore on Instagram for instructions and giveaway entry details.

Metal Show

Where: The Handlebar

319 N. Tarragona St. | 7 pm

End your night listening to some loud fast-paced metal music at The Handlebar. The Handlebar is hosting a live metal show featuring Gatecreeper and Creeping Death. The cover is $20, with half off for attendees with NOTT cards. Visit the handlebar850.com, or check out @thehandlebar850 on Facebook for complete show details. ■

Art Exhibition by Yusuke Okada

PLEASE CHOOSE THE SUMMATION WEEKLY FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NOTICES

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CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION ONLINE LIBRARY: CLE.ESRBA.COM

ESRBA’s CLE Library is now digital! Go to cle.esrba.com to get your credits. Each download comes with the audio from the seminar, the PowerPoint/handouts, and the CLE Certificate of Accreditation from The Florida Bar. The audio can be downloaded in any file type that you would like including MP3, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, and AIFF formats. For your convenience and ease of listening, the seminars can also be streamed directly from the library.

If you are interested in presenting a CLE seminar or being recorded for a CLE accredited podcast, please email esrba@esrba.com.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Audio Library

Cost: $15 per credit – ESRBA members, $25 per credit –nonmembers

Top Ten Probate Pitfalls

CLE Credits: 1 Elder Law and 1 Wills Trusts Estates

Launching your Law Firm

CLE Credits: 1 General

Class Action:

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CLE Credits: 1 General

Launching your Law Firm

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Cannabis Legislation in Florida

CLE Credits: 1 General

Landlord Tenant 101 CLE Credits: 1 General

Representing Immigrants in Criminal Court

CLE Credits: 1 General

Eminent Domain Law in Florida

CLE Credits: 1 General

Construction Law Update

CLE Credits: 1.5 General

Secure or Insecure

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PENSACOLA STARTS

THE STRATEGIC PLANNING

PROCESS: “STRIVE TO THRIVE: PENSACOLA 2035”

The City of Pensacola and Mayor D.C. Reeves have partnered with Gehl, a renowned urban design and strategy firm, to help craft Pensacola’s Strategic Plan process, “Strive to Thrive: 2035.” The process includes robust citywide engagement, focus groups, and research into the city’s strengths, opportunities, and how Pensacola can anticipate and take advantage of global trends. Once finished, the plan will cast a vision for the next decade of investments and set key goals and priorities.

Following a policy analysis phase exploring topics like attainable housing, active mobility and economic development, Gehl is now asking Pensacola residents to make their voices heard to help shape this vision.

Mayor Reeves is excited to extend this opportunity to the city’s residents saying, “Before taking office, I promised we would align and collaborate behind a plan. That process starts now. The process Gehl Studio has laid out for us includes significant engagement with people and groups from across our city. This additional input will ensure we hear from every part of our city to create Pensacola’s vision.”

The City has just launched the Strive to Thrive Pensacola 2035 Visioning Survey, an online public survey to provide input that will shape the comprehensive vision for Pensacola. Anyone who lives, works, or visits Pensacola is invited to participate. The survey builds on Pensacola’s Resident Satisfaction Survey and invites the public to share their perception of Pensacola today and ideas about what the future of Pensacola should be. The survey will help the project team identify priority goals and initiatives that will help make Pensacola a more equitable, livable and resilient city.

The Visioning Survey will be live for the next 3 months through July 31. The survey complements other engagement efforts, including a public open house this summer to share ideas in-person with City staff and the Gehl team. Be on the lookout for pop-up surveys at events in your neighborhood throughout the summer.

Gehl is an urban design and research consultancy offering expertise in the fields of urban design, master planning, strategy and city planning. Gehl addresses global trends with a people- focused approach, utilizing empirical analysis to understand how the built environment can promote well-being. They apply this analysis to strategic planning and human-centered design to empower citizens, decision-makers, company leaders, and organizations. Gehl’s work is based on the human dimension – the effect of the built environment on social interaction between people. Gehl considers lively and widely used public spaces to be vital keys to quality of life in cities and to overall well-being. Gehl has led city vision plans and strategies in hundreds of cities around the globe, from Buenos Aires to Charlotte to West Palm Beach.

Anna Muessig, team leader from Gehl adds, “Pensacola is growing and has numerous plans from the tapestry of public and private stakeholders that shape this city, Yet, from our research, we haven’t found a unifying vision of what Pensacola aspires to. We feel privileged to support a process to understand the common threads that tie this city together, and together with private and public stakeholders, develop a vision to unite the city around the priority goals and aspirations for the next 10 years. We hope to see you at an open house or pop-up in your community this spring and summer to help craft this vision together.”

AMERICAN MAGIC’S AC75 RACE BOAT UNCLOAKED IN BARCELONA

New York Yacht Club American Magic, Challenger for the 37th America’s Cup, uncloaked its AC75 race boat, “B3,” as commissioning continues in Barcelona.

On Thursday, April 25th, B3 made its debut as it emerged from the NYYC American Magic base. Previously hidden, it had traveled 3,500 miles from its construction at the build facility in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, to its current home in Barcelona.

B3 made its public debut for structural and load testing at the American Magic base in Barcelona. This marked the first unveiling of the race boat after a meticulous two-anda-half-year development and build process, totaling over 108,000 design hours and 65,000 construction hours.

A further phase of commissioning and testing completes the path for B3 before an official naming ceremony and inaugural sail,

ushering in a new era in American Magic’s campaign for the 37th America’s Cup.

American Magic Skipper and President of Sailing Operations, Terry Hutchinson, said: “Today is an important step in the commissioning process for American Magic and B3. Our shore crew and engineers have been working methodically over the last 30 days to get us to this moment. We look forward to sea trialing and further development in the coming months.”

With the boat reveals in full swing, anticipation builds for the upcoming Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona on August 22-25, where all six AC75s will compete for the first time. Following this, the focus shifts to The Louis Vuitton Cup (29 Aug – 7 Oct), where American Magic aims to secure their place in the America’s Cup match (12-27 Oct) against defenders New Zealand.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY EMS OFFERING $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS TO NEW PARAMEDICS

Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for new full-time paramedics, with a goal of attracting qualified individuals with a passion for public safety to join the EMS team. Several full-time paramedic positions are currently open, offering numerous benefits including competitive wages, shift differentials, deferred compensation, state retirement, and more. In addition to brand-new ambulances soon to be in use, Escambia County EMS uses state-of-the-art equipment including LifePak 15s, stretchers, Lucas devices and Stryker Power-Load systems.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply at MyEscambia.com/careers.

The $5,000 sign-on bonus is available for newly hired full-time paramedics, to be paid out over 3 years in accordance with the terms of their contract. A contract is required in order to receive the bonus, which will be paid in three installments.

“We are excited to offer this bonus to recruit high-quality individuals to increase our staffing levels, which will help ensure we are continuing to provide the highest level of service to Escambia County residents,” EMS Chief David Torsell said. “Recruitment and retention are challenges faced by EMS agencies throughout the nation, with many looking at innovative ways to enhance

SANTA ROSA RESTARTS SUCCESSFUL STRIVE PROGRAM

Santa Rosa County today announced the re-launch of the StRIVE (Santa Rosa Improvement Vitalization Enterprise) Grant Program, an innovative initiative designed to support the enhancement and economic growth of local commercial properties by helping businesses and property owners improve their overall curb appeal.

Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Sam Parker expressed enthusiasm about the program’s return, stating, “The StRIVE Grant Program has already made significant impacts in our community by enhancing our local businesses’ curb appeal, which in turn, stimulates economic growth. We are excited to bring this opportunity back and I encourage all eligible business and property owners to apply. Together, we can make Santa Rosa County an even more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.”

Bridgette Price, project manager for the Santa Rosa EDO said that the StRIVE Grant Program will offer matching grants of up to $10,000 to eligible commercial property and business owners within Santa Rosa County who are looking to upgrade the outside of their businesses. Eligible improvements include (but aren’t limited to): exterior painting, exterior lighting, new windows and doors, facade improvements, updating signage, new or replacement awnings,

restoration of architectural features, and parking improvements.

“This program also sends a strong message to companies that are considering opening, expanding, or relocating to the county,” Chairman Parker added. “Highvalue prospects look carefully at how you treat the people who are already here. This shows that Santa Rosa goes the extra mile for our local business community.”

Parker stressed that those who are interested get started immediately. “We strongly encourage business and property owners to go out and get quotes now so that you can be ready to submit as soon as possible,” he said. “The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so you shouldn’t wait for the application period to begin getting your information together.”

The application period will begin on May 1 and continue through July 31 or until the funds are exhausted. The grants are expected to be awarded in the summer of 2024, with a total of $50,000 allocated for the year. The program will continue to award grants until the allocated funding is exhausted.

For more information about the StRIVE Grant Program, including application guidelines and eligibility criteria, interested parties are encouraged to visit the program’s website: https://santarosaedo.com/strive-grant.

PENSACOLA ENERGY RECEIVES $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING

Pensacola Energy was awarded $10 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace unprotected bare steel mains with polyethylene pipe throughout the City of Pensacola and Escambia County.

The substantial sum, presented at a special April 25 press conference, was funded by DoT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrations’ Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program in the form of two projects: Greenhut Court and Peachtree Park.

“How can we help communities do the work they need to get done, beyond regulations,” said Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). “Pensacola’s request was part of $1.8 billion requested during this phase of the grant.”

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves commended Pensacola Energy Director Darryl Singleton. “Darryl and his team consistently drive home safety for our customers, community, and our employees. This grant is a testament to that commitment.”

Stuart Saulters, the Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Public Gas Association said, “This grant money is extra help to do what you already do well.”

15 miles of outdated pipe will be replaced in the Greenhut Court and Peachtree Park project areas. In addition, DoT has defined the two project areas as

historically disadvantaged communities. The awarded grant dollars will improve these underserved neighborhoods by reducing safety incidents and fatalities while also attracting new development and employment opportunities.

Project 1: Greenhut Court

($6,000,743 requested)

The Greenhut Court project will replace 9.7 miles of unprotected bare steel mains and services from the 1950s with polyethylene pipe and eliminate methane emissions from leaks, removing infrastructure-related disparities by providing equitable access to modern infrastructure.

Project 2: Peachtree Park

($4,076,114 requested)

The Peachtree Park project will replace 5 miles of unprotected bare steel mains and services from the 1950s with polyethylene pipe, directly impacting the area’s environmental burden by reducing methane leaks.

The NGDISM grant program is available to municipalities and community-owned utilities for the repair, rehabilitation or replacement of natural gas distribution pipeline systems. The grant dollars may also be used to acquire equipment to reduce incidents and fatalities, and avoid economic losses. For more information about these projects, please contact Pensacola Energy at 850-474-5300.

UWF STUDENT TEAM PLACES SECOND AT NATIONAL ROBOTICS CHALLENGE

recruitment. Our hope is that this bonus, combined with our competitive pay and benefits, will encourage qualified applicants to seek a rewarding career in public service with the Escambia County EMS team.”

Escambia County EMS, a division of the Escambia County Department of Public Safety, is dedicated to protecting and serving the community through the performance of emergency medical services, providing basic and advanced life support to patients at the scene of emergencies and while transporting sick and injured patients to medical care facilities.

Minimum qualifications for Escambia County paramedics include, but are not limited to:

• High school diploma or the successful completion of the GED test

• Completion of emergency medical coursework at the paramedic level, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements

• Licenses and certifications including: Valid Florida Paramedic Certification, AHA CPR Certification, AHA ACLS Certification, valid driver’s license from state of residence

• Additional qualifications are available in the job description.

For more information about Escambia County EMS, visit the MyEscambia website.

A University of West Florida Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering student team recently placed second in the Sumo Robot category of the National Robotics Challenge. The competition was held in Marion, Ohio, on April 18-20.

Mechanical engineering majors Kobi Menser, Trey Owens, Emmalee McClain, Vero Vargas Salinas, Luke Bryant, Pedro de Oliveira Camargo and Rafael Machado Esteves worked together to design and develop a Sumo robot. The team was charged with building a self-propelled, autonomous, sensing robot, designed to force another Sumo robot outside a ring. Dr. Hakki Erhan Sevil, assistant professor in the Department of Intelligent Systems and Robotics, was the team’s adviser.

“This was the first time that UWF participated in the NRC, so there were many unknowns,” Sevil said. “The team did an outstanding job with the learning curve about the competition, and their hard work and dedication brought the success.”

The team started working on this project at the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester. They started by researching and planning an original design and algorithm. The students worked on initial prototypes and revised their design and algorithm according to their observations from prototypes. Following the

final component selection, they assembled the final version of their design and started the testing until the competition.

“Overall, they experienced all major steps of developing a new robot from scratch, which involves a multidisciplinary approach that combines aspects of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and more,” Sevil said. “This process typically requires creativity, problem-solving skills and collaboration among all team members.”

The competition was knock-out style, and the team won all contests but one, earning the Silver award.

“Our team is very appreciative to have been able to travel to the National Robotics Challenge in Marion, Ohio, made possible through OUR funding, the funding of the mechanical engineering department, and the guidance of our faculty advisor Dr. Sevil,” McClain said. “It was a great experience to see other universities’ projects and designs for their own robots to inspire us in the future. We were excited to bring home the second-place title in our first competition and look forward to competing again in the future!”

For more information on the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, visit uwf.edu/hmcse.

VOLUNTEER SOUGHT FOR THE DISABILITY AWARENESS COMMITTEE

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering for an appointment to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, established by the board during its regular meeting on Oct. 17, 2013.

Escambia County residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business Monday, May 13. Letters and resumes should be emailed to boardapply@myescambia.com or mailed to:

Jose Gochez, Program Manager Escambia County Board of County Commissioners 221 Palafox Place Pensacola, FL 32502

Please note that resumes submitted for consideration are subject to public records requests and are included in Escambia County

Commission meeting information, including the agenda and official meeting minutes.

The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding issues relating to the disabled community and any other issues requested by the board. The committee is composed of seven voting members, and all members of the committee must be electors of Escambia County. Each commissioner on the Board of County Commissioners appoints one member to the committee, and each member serves concurrently with his or her appointing commissioner’s term. The board collectively appoints two at-large members, who each serve a four-year term.

There are four meetings scheduled each year on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and typically last until 5 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled if needed. There is no travel required.

JOIN THE CITY OF PENSACOLA IN THE ANNUAL GÁLVEZ CELEBRATIONS

The City of Pensacola is celebrating the legacy of General Bernardo de Gálvez in a series of events.

Friday, May 10, 2024

• 9:00 a.m. The Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution will march from Fort George down Palafox Street to the Gálvez statue at Palafox and Wright Streets. A brief ceremony will be held with remarks from Mayor Antonio Campos of Macharaviaya, Spain (Gálvez’s hometown), Mayor D.C. Reeves, and a special song and dance from the students at Episcopal Day School.

• 10:00 a.m. Following that ceremony, the group will walk to St. Michael’s Basilica for a service.

• 11:00 a.m. Public luncheon at the Pensacola Yacht Club, 1897 Cypress St. Reservations and pre-payment are required. That

can be accessed at: bit.ly/galvez2024.

• 3:00 p.m. Wreath laying ceremony at the Minuteman statue at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 200 S. 10th Ave.

Saturday, May 11, 2024

• 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The UWF Historic Trust is hosting a public day to celebrate Gálvez with activities in the Historic Village, which is found around 205 E. Zaragoza St. This includes Spanish soldiers, colonial cooking, games and candle dipping. The Museum of History and Historic Pensacola Village will be free to the public.

If you have any additional questions, contact Adrianne Walker, Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Pensacola at awalker@cityofpensacola.com or 850-435-1671.

TICKETS AVAILABLE

FOR “ONE WORLD, MANY VOICES”

Tickets are now available for Showtime, a musical revue of stage and screen presented by the Pensacola Children’s Chorus (PCC). Reserve your tickets for PCC’s final performance of the season at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on May 10–12.

What: Showtime

When: May 10–12, 2024

Where: Pensacola Saenger Theatre

Times: Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15–64

During Showtime, audience members can expect a performance unlike any other. Witness ancient legends come to life as our singers transport you to the age of Hercules, Zeus and other mythical figures. The magic continues with a heartwarming tribute to beloved Disney songs that have charmed generations. From classics to modern favorites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Prepare to be amazed as we dive into the whimsical world of wacky tongue twisters and zany nursery rhymes. Let your imagination run wild as our talented performers bring these playful tunes to life in a truly entertaining spectacle. Our youngest singers will steal your heart with touching songs about the power of friendship, celebrating the bonds that unite us all. Grab your golden ticket and satisfy your sweet tooth as our singers deliver the sugar

rush you’ve been craving. Set your sights on the high seas as we set sail with a mischievous band of seafaring buccaneers. The adventure continues into the cosmos with catchy tunes about the moon and stars.

Who could forget the excitement of prom night? Satisfy your nostalgia as we transform the stage into a high school gym. Feel the rhythm of our selection of high-energy hits as we give you the royal treatment with the kings and queens of pop.

Celebrate America and pay tribute to members of our armed forces. To conclude the evening, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating our graduating seniors as we send them off to forge their own paths in life. It’s a bittersweet moment filled with pride and the promise of new beginnings.

Showtime will also feature members who have joined the Pensacola Children’s Chorus through a program funded by the Escambia Children’s Trust. A taxpayer-funded children’s services agency, the Trust focuses on providing impactful services to Escambia County’s most vulnerable youth.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Saenger Theatre box office or online at PensacolaSaenger. com. Pricing starts at $15.00, and streaming options are also available. For additional information, visit PensacolaSings.org.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY PARTICIPATING IN BISSELL PET FOUNDATION “EMPTY THE SHELTERS”

The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is excited to partner with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for the “Empty the Shelters” adoption event, starting Saturday, April 27 until Wednesday, May 15. During this time, adoptions for all cats and dogs 1 year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.

“We are so excited to participate in the Bissell adoption event again,” said Escambia County Director for the Department of Animal Welfare John Robinson. “These events provide us with an opportunity to allow our community to see all of the wonderful dogs and cats that we currently have available at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center. We encourage you to come visit us over these next two weeks and meet our amazing animals who are ready to be part of a family.”

Robinson emphasized that while Bissell’s event makes adoptions even more affordable for families, it also raises awareness for pets that are sometimes overlooked in the shelter.

“We have over 200 pets available for adoption, and our team understands it can be overwhelming to walk through the kennels if you don’t know what you’re looking for,” said Robinson. “We’re here to help with the entire process. Let us make it easy for you to complete your family by helping you find the perfect pet.”

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event is the largest funded adoption event in the country. This lifesaving event began in 2016 with a goal of encouraging more families to choose adoption. More than 204,000 pets have found loving homes since its inception. “Empty the Shelters” is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest program, partnering with 730 animal welfare organizations in 49 states and Canada to reduce adoption fees. The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are MondayFriday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit MyEscambia. com/animal-welfare. Follow the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare on Facebook for animal welfare news, adoption events and more.

About BISSELL Pet Foundation: BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501©(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 5,800 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Homecare, Inc., where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit bissellpetfoundation.org.

SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON KICKS OFF MAY 1

Escambia County Sea Turtle Conservation Program volunteers greeted the sun in the early morning on May 1, as they officially welcomed the start of sea turtle nesting season. This marked their first daily morning patrol on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, looking for nesting and other turtle activity occurring overnight.

Volunteers start their patrols at first light to have the best chance of spotting tracks, nests, and other turtle activity before footprints, wind, and waves obscure the tracks. Volunteers and staff will continue to check on nests during the incubation period, ensuring they remain undisturbed and remain on stand-by to assist with strandings and other turtle-related incidents. The nesting season will run through September, although late season nests can hatch as late as October.

Four species of sea turtle nest in Escambia County. The loggerhead and green sea turtles are the most common nesters, followed by the less common Kemp’s ridley and leatherback. Female turtles will make their way onto the beaches through early summer and may nest several times in a single season.

After 60 days of incubation, the tiny hatchling turtles will emerge all at once under cover of darkness and race to the Gulf of Mexico. The hatchlings will make their way to open water with fewer predators. After a few years of growing and feeding, they will return to the area as juveniles and sub-adults. Here, they will continue to grow and feed until they are mature enough to mate and lay their nests. Juvenile and adult sea turtles can often be seen foraging in the bays and sounds, including near local fishing piers and artificial reefs.

However, sea turtles aren’t the only summertime visitors. Several species of shorebirds nest on local beaches in the summer months, including the least tern, snowy plover and black skimmer. Shorebird nests are shallow scrapes in the sand with tiny, well-camouflaged eggs. Eggs will incubate up to 30 days before the small, cotton ball-like chicks hatch. Parents often sit on the eggs with newly hatched chicks to protect them from predators and the

hot Florida sun. Keep in mind that people and pets approaching too close disturb birds. In addition, summer is a busy tourist season, and big crowds can have significant impacts on sea turtles, shorebirds, and other coastal wildlife.

Help Protect Our Coastal Wildlife by Remembering:

• Lights Out: Bright lights can disturb nesting sea turtles and disorient adults and hatchlings on the beach. When visiting the beach after dark, keep cell phones and flashlights off. Instead, use a red flashlight or no light at all. For beachfront homes, turn off exterior lights when not in use and keep blinds and curtains shut after sunset.

• Leave Only Footprints: Help keep the beaches obstacle-free for nesting and hatchling turtles. All personal items, including chairs, tents, umbrellas, toys, and water equipment, must be removed from the beach by sunset each day. Make sure to fill in holes and flatten any sandcastles.

• Share the Beach: Stay out of posted nesting areas and avoid setting up belongings on the edges of marked areas. Avoid disturbing birds resting on the beach; if you see a nesting sea turtle, give it space. Do not handle sea turtle or shorebird eggs and hatchlings. Dogs are only allowed in designated beach dog parks and must always be kept on a leash.

For more information about sea turtles and other coastal wildlife in Escambia County, check out MyEscambia.com/seaturtles and follow the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department on Facebook and Instagram.

Dead or injured sea turtles and marine life should be reported to Escambia County Marine Resources at (850) 426-1257 or the FWC Wildlife Alert line at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). All sea turtle work is performed under Marine Turtle Permits #032 and #202.

The April Mayor’s Neighborhood Cleanup collected nearly 48 tons (95,880 pounds) of bulk waste, 105 tires and 1,445 gallons of paint. The cleanup took place Saturday, April 27 with 28 loads picked up from the North Hill area, including portions of surrounding neighborhoods. The Mayor’s Neighborhood Cleanup allows residents in the cleanup areas to leave eligible items at the curb on cleanup day to be picked up by City of Pensacola Sanitation Services. The cleanup includes bulk items such as household

FLORIDA CHALLENGES GUN SELLER RULE

JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Biden administration rule that will require more gun sellers to be licensed and run background checks on buyers.

Moody’s office filed the lawsuit in Tampa, alleging that the Biden administration overstepped its legal authority. Moody said in a prepared statement that the rule would “force thousands of law-abiding gun owners to register as federal firearms dealers and navigate a federal bureaucracy.”

The Biden administration announced last month that it had finalized the rule, which it said is designed to close “loopholes” in a system that requires licensed gun dealers to run background checks. An April 11 overview posted on the White House website said “a growing number of unlicensed sellers continue to sell firearms for profit to complete strangers they meet at gun shows and online marketplaces, which has been a critical gap in the background check laws.”

The rule stems from a 2022 law that made changes in the background-check system. Moody’s lawsuit contends that the rule goes “far beyond” the law and violates what is known as the federal Administrative Procedure Act.

In part, the lawsuit focuses on part of the rule about people who resell guns, making them more likely to be considered dealers who need licenses. As an example, it partially quoted federal law and said the rule “obliterates the exception to the definition of ‘dealer’ for ‘a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal collection of firearms.’”

“Many gun owners buy and then resell firearms,” the lawsuit said. “Sometimes they do so only to add to their personal collection. … (However), sometimes increasing the value of that collection is one of their motives — just as collectors of other items hope their collec-

tions will gain value and potentially be resold for a profit.”

The lawsuit also contended that an increase in background checks because of the rule would have a “significant impact” on Florida, which performs checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

“Unlike in many states, Florida conducts background checks at the state level rather than relying on the federal government,” the lawsuit said. “Florida does so even though state law does not mandate background checks for firearms sales beyond what federal law requires.”

But in the April 11 overview, the White House said the rule will “save lives by reducing the number of firearms sold without background checks” and that it “explicitly states that making occasional sales of a firearm from a personal collection or liquidating collection does not require a federal firearms license or background checks.”

The overview said the rule lists activities indicating that sellers must be licensed as dealers and run background checks.

“For example, if a person is repetitively selling guns of the same or similar make and model within one year of their purchase, they are supposed to become a licensed dealer,” the overview said. “If a person repetitively sells firearms within 30 days of purchasing those firearms, or selling firearms and tells potential buyers that they can acquire additional firearms for that buyer to purchase, the seller is supposed to become a licensed dealer.”

Moody has filed — or signed onto — a series of lawsuits in recent years challenging Biden administration decisions.

As an example, she joined Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia in filing a lawsuit Monday about a new rule carrying out Title IX, a landmark 1972 law that bars discrimination in education programs based on sex. That lawsuit alleges, in part, that the Biden administration overstepped its legal authority in extending the regulations to apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

DESANTIS OK’S CHAPLAINS IN SCHOOLS

RYAN DAILEY NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a measure that will authorize school districts to allow volunteer school chaplains to provide services to students, amid opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Speaking at a high school in Osceola County alongside Republican allies and a local pastor, the governor touted the measure (HB 931) as bolstering existing resources that could help students with their mental health.

“It used to be, I mean, when education in the United States first started, every school was a religious school. That was just part of it. Public schools were religious schools. There’s been things that have been done over the years that veered away from that original intent,” DeSantis said.

“But the reality is, I think what we’re doing is really restoring the sense of purpose that our founding fathers wanted to see in education,” the governor added.

Under the measure, school districts and charter schools could choose to craft policies allowing chaplains to provide “support, services, and programs” as long as certain requirements are met.

For example, written parental consent would be required for students to participate and the policies would have to describe the services that would be provided. School districts that participate would have to publish on their web sites lists of the volunteer chaplains and their religious affiliations.

“Parents must be permitted to select a volunteer school chaplain from the list provided by the school district, which must include the chaplain’s religious affiliation, if any,” the bill says.

The ACLU last month posted a statement on its website saying the organization has “vigorously opposed” efforts to bring chaplains into schools. The group maintains that such efforts are an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state.

“Allowing chaplains in public schools violates students’ and families’ right to religious freedom. And, because chaplains are typically not trained or certified to provide educational or counseling services to youth, students are likely to receive inadequate

CAMPUS TENSIONS INCREASE AMID PROTESTS

RYAN DAILEY NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Arrests of protesters on Florida university campuses increased this week, after tensions ratcheted up at the University of Florida and the University of South Florida during demonstrations about the war between Israel and Hamas.

The arrests Monday of a dozen people at the two Florida universities came as pro-Palestinian campus protests draw attention across the country, with clashes between demonstrators and university administrations — and law enforcement — intensifying.

The University of Florida confirmed that nine protesters were arrested Monday, though a department spokesman as of Tuesday morning did not know how many of the arrested people were students. The school Monday night issued a strongly worded statement following the arrests.

“This is not complicated: The University of Florida is not a daycare, and we do not treat protesters like children — they knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they’ll face the consequences,” university spokesman Steve Orlando said in the statement.

The statement said “many” protesters on the campus were “outside agitators” and that university police had reiterated rules to demonstrators.

The university said protesters who engage in “clearly prohibited activities” would receive trespassing orders from police that would bar them from university property for three years and “interim” suspensions from UF.

A memo distributed last week and widely shared on social media listed activities allowed during protests and actions that are prohibited. “Speech,” “expressing viewpoints” and “holding signs in hands” were listed as allowable activities.

Prohibited actions included using amplified sound, demonstrating inside buildings, camping, building structures, creating disruptions, making threats and committing violence.

During a press event Tuesday morning in Naples, Gov. Ron DeSantis touted Florida universities’ responses to the protests.

or this country for exercising their rights,” Howard Simon, the ACLU of Florida’s executive director, said.

Meanwhile, the University of South Florida reported three arrests after a protest Monday held by an organization that the school said had previously been suspended. One student, one USF employee and one person not affiliated with the university were arrested.

USF officials said in a statement that the arrests came after tents were set up on campus without university approval. The group Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society held a protest starting at noon Monday outside of the library on USF’s main Tampa campus, though the group had been placed on “interim suspension last week after causing a disruption on campus.”

“Suspended student organizations are not permitted to host events and activities, which the group was made aware of several times prior to today’s protest, including another reminder this (Monday) morning,” the USF statement said.

The school said that protesters “resisted” actions by university staff to take down tents.

“Before removing tents, university staff again tried to advise protestors that they could not use tents. Participants refused to comply with directions from staff members,” the USF statement said.

The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement Tuesday criticizing the campus arrests.

“Arresting a particular group of students for their stance in a peaceful protest is blatant authoritarian censorship and targeting. USF officials have failed in their duty to protect our children and uphold freedom of expression and the First Amendment,” Imam Abdullah Jaber, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said.

Both schools have regulations about rules that demonstrators must follow.

mental health support that, in some cases, may be harmful,” the ACLU said, echoing other critics of the measure who spoke out against it during the legislative session.

The ACLU also urged school boards to reject school chaplain proposals.

But Rep. Stan McClain, an Ocala Republican who sponsored the House bill, said during Thursday’s press event with DeSantis that the measure would be another tool to help students.

“We would sell our kids short if we don’t find a way to help make provision for their spiritual and emotional needs,” McClain said.

DeSantis on Thursday said he expects the measure to be challenged in court. The governor, who said the ACLU “is basically saying it’s okay to discriminate against religious organizations,” pointed to parts of the bill that make chaplain services optional.

“The question isn’t whether we’re going to go to court. I think they are going to go to court,” DeSantis said. “But just think about what the ACLU is saying. This bill, when the chaplains come to campus, the parents have to consent for the student to receive services from there. So, this is purely voluntary. It’s not imposing anything that anyone doesn’t want.”

The new law is set to go into effect in July.

The governor on Thursday also signed a measure (HB 1317) that will allow certain “patriotic organizations” to visit schools.

The groups permitted to visit campuses are the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America; Boy Scouts of America; Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Civil Air Patrol; Future Farmers of America; Girl Scouts of the United States of America; Little League Baseball, Inc.; the Marine Corps League; and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Representatives of the groups will be permitted to speak with students and distribute information “during school hours and instructional time” to encourage students’ participation.

The representatives would be allowed to “inform students of how the patriotic organization may further the students’ educational interests and civic involvement and better the students’ school and community and themselves.”

The bill also requires that parents be notified of any presentations by organizations and that parents have the option to withhold their student from participation.

“The University of Florida, Florida State, our universities have been very strong in saying, ‘You can say what you want, but you don’t have the right to commandeer territory, you don’t have the right to harass students or faculty or any of that. And if you do violate (the) code of conduct, we’re going to show you the door. You will be expelled,’” DeSantis said.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida in a statement last week about pro-Palestinian protests on campuses condemned a DeSantis call for expulsions of student protesters.

“Gov. DeSantis’ response – that students should be expelled for peacefully protesting –is contrary to our First Amendment principles of free speech and expression. There is nothing more American than protest. No student should face expulsion from their university

“Demonstrations may be held anywhere on the campus, so long as they do not disrupt the normal operation of the university or infringe on the rights of other members of the university community, except that no demonstrations are permitted inside university buildings,” a UF regulation said.

Also, demonstrations are not allowed to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic, block entrances or exits to buildings, interfere with “educational activities inside or outside any building,” damage property or “harass passersby or otherwise disrupt” normal activities.

A page on the USF website said the school can manage the “time, place and manner” of demonstrations on campus.

“As a limited public forum, the university can manage time, place, and manner, which most often occurs when there is a significant disruption including, but not limited to, disrupting classes, operations, and/or scheduled events,” the website said.

SNAKE RELEASE LOOKS TO RESTORE ECOSYSTEM

SERVICE OF FLORIDA

JIM TURNER NEWS

In a quiet preserve along the eastern bank of the Apalachicola River, 41 eastern indigo snakes were released Tuesday into gopher tortoise burrows.

The release, a longtime goal of federal and state officials, is part of an effort to restore some balance to Florida’s ecosystem lost in the 1980s as development limited eastern indigo snakes’ range and people hunted for other prey, primarily rattlesnakes but also gopher tortoises. Eastern indigo snakes are a federally designated threatened species.

“We’re just providing assurance that the population will continue to grow,” said Brad O’Hanlon, coordinator of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s reptile and amphibian conservation efforts.

“And hopefully, we’ll be at a point where we don’t have to do this anymore,” O’Hanlon continued before the release at The Nature Conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve. The preserve is the only place in Florida where eastern indigo snakes are being reintroduced.

Non-venomous, the bluish-black snakes can reach lengths of eight feet. Those released Tuesday were mostly about 3 feet long and 2 years old, after being raised at the Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation.

“They’ll hopefully thrive out here and get to be closer to that full size,” Catherine Rick-

etts, manager of The Nature Conservancy’s preserve, said.

The snakes are considered indiscriminate eaters, with an ability to overpower other snakes.

“Their favorite flavor of snake is venomous snakes,” James Bogan, director of the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, said. “That’s their jam. They just want to eat venomous snakes.”

Along with efforts at the Northwest Florida preserve, restoration under the guidance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also ongoing in Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest, just north of the Florida state line.

The Nature Conservancy, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Central Florida Zoo and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been coordinating releases at the Florida preserve for eight years.

Tuesday’s was the largest and helped exceed the halfway mark of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s goal of 300 snakes being released in the region.

O’Hanlon said a positive sign that the snakes are taking hold is that two hatchling indigo snakes were found at the preserve last fall.

“Having them on the landscape just shows that you have a complete ecosystem. … all the functional parts are there,” O’Hanlon said. “And that’s the landscape that we want in North Florida. That’s our historic landscape. And that’s what we’re trying to maintain.”

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