Inweekly Dec. 14 2023 Issue

RICHARD MCCABE'S 'PERDIDO' Journey Through a Dystopian Paradise

Independent News | December 14, 2023 | Volume 24 | Number 49 | Photos by Richard Rodriguez, Exhibition Designer at UWF Historic Trust

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winners & losers

outtakes

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5

news 6, 8

The city is not just Blue Angels and fun in the sun.

buzz

feature

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Joshua Encinias, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Dakota Parks, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

contact us info@inweekly.net

happenings 14

Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2023 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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December 14, 2023

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winners & losers

Nicholas Lamberti / Photo Courtesy of ECSO

winners

losers

NICHOLAS LAMBERTI Last week, Sheriff Chip Simmons presented the Sheriff's Medal Award to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector. Since 2019, Inspector Lamberti has been an integral part of the team of law enforcement professionals serving Northwest Florida. He has not only helped the Escambia County Sheriff's Office but also many other local and federal agencies with a multitude of investigations concerning narcotics, fraud and crimes of violence.

MOMS FOR LIBERTY The ultra-conservative

INTERNATIONAL PAPER Its Pensacola Mill

awarded $66,450 in International Paper Foundation grants to 30 local organizations, demonstrating the company's commitment to education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief and initiatives that improve our planet. Grants were determined after careful committee review with local team members. Recommendations are subsequently reviewed by the International Paper Foundation's grants committee, which then must be confirmed and ratified by the foundation's board of trustees.

Pensacola Mill Manager Hunter Morris said, "These funds will play a crucial role in supporting community-driven projects aimed at addressing hunger, promoting health and wellness, enriching children's education and providing disaster relief assistance."

BENJAMIN FINDLEY Last month, the retired Air Force colonel was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame with nearly two dozen former service members. The class was 11th to enter the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. The Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those military veterans who, through their works and lives during or after military service, have made a significant contribution to the State of Florida through civic, business, public service or other pursuits. It is not a traditional military hall of fame, as it focuses on post-military contributions to the state of Florida.

MASON SHIUEH The fifth-grade student at Kingsfield Elementary School emerged as the champion of the 48th Annual Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee. In addition to Shieuh's triumph, Escambia County Public Schools proudly recognized Ty Hagan, a fifth-grade student from Byrneville Elementary, as the second-place finalist and Aria Hungerford, a fifth-grade student from Sherwood Elementary, as the third-place finalist.

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group has advocated against curriculum and books in schools that mention LGBTQ+ rights, race, ethnicity and discrimination. Moms for Liberty has been DeSantis' darlings. The governor named co-founders Tina Descovich and Bridget Ziegler to state boards. He spoke at their national convention. However, a rape investigation of Ziegler's husband, who chairs the Florida Republican Party, has begun to unravel the Moms after Bridget told police they had a consensual threeway sexual encounter with the alleged victim last year. Mom chapters nationwide are considering breaking away from the group. We are waiting to see if the Zieglers will use the "I read about it in a library" defense.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY (ALA.) SCHOOL BOARD Two of its members have been ar-

rested for revealing grand jury secrets. A week after being elected board vice president, Cynthia A. Jackson, 72, who was elected board vice president was arrested on Monday, Dec. 4. Last month, Board member and Atmore News Publisher Sherry Digmon, 72, was indicted, along with reporter Don Fletcher, on charges of "revealing evidence of the grand jury." The charges came after the Atmore News reported the local district attorney was investigating COVID funds paid to school system employees. Both Jackson and Digmon had recently voted against renewing an employment contract with Superintendent of Education Michele McClung, according to northescambia.com.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT The former deputy chief

of staff claims she was fired after she sought whistleblower protection and complained about alleged retaliation against an attorney who tangled with Gov. Ron DeSantis' aides over releasing public records. The dismissal of Patricia Carpenter, who served as deputy chief of staff at the agency for six months, came amid a shakeup of high-level staff following a contentious November meeting over the governor's travel records. DeSantis' spokesperson Jeremy Redfern disputed Carpenter's account, telling The News Service of Florida, "The governor's office has received multiple complaints of this employee creating a hostile work environment." inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

A DAMNING REPORT When Gov. Ron DeSantis released his proposed education budget, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Díaz, Jr. quickly praised his boss, declaring the governor had cemented Florida as the "Education State."

In a written statement, Díaz stated, "Florida is ranked as the No. 1 state in the nation for education because we invest in our future.

By continuing to prioritize workforce education, ensuring we have high-quality teachers, providing choice for all students and making record investments in our students, Florida will no doubt remain No. 1 in education for years to come."

U.S. News did rank Florida as No. 1 for higher education, but the ranking was based on statistics before DeSantis began to purge our universities and colleges of programs and classes that clash with his anti-woke agenda.

Last week, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released its assessment of higher education in Florida.

The report wasn't glowing. The Association launched its investigation in January into what it described as an "apparent pattern of politically, racially and ideologically motivated attacks on public higher education."

In May, the committee issued a preliminary report concluding that "academic freedom, tenure and shared governance in Florida's public colleges and universities currently face a politically and ideologically driven assault unparalleled in US history," which, "if sustained, threatens the very survival of meaningful higher education in the state, with the direct implications for the entire country."

The committee saw the hostile takeover of New College as a "blueprint for future encroachments on public colleges and universities across the country." It chastised administrators for not contesting the attacks. The report described the legislation enacted by DeSantis and the Florida Legislature as "a systematic effort to dictate and enforce conformity with a narrow and reactionary political and ideological agenda" and represents "a uniquely bold and dangerous program designed to reshape public higher education according to ideological and partisan political standards."

From mid-February through late September 2023, the committee interviewed more than December 14, 2023

65 faculty members, students, alumni, trustees and retired university leaders—including former presidents. They also conducted follow-up interviews, conversations and email exchanges with some individuals over several months.

The committee tried to talk with Florida's higher education administrators. Predictably, only Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System, and Kathy Hebda, chancellor of the Florida College System, responded and declined the invitations. Cutting off any dialogue or participation let the pair and Gov. DeSantis paint the final report as being one-sided.

In a Feb. 9 email message, Rodrigues and Hebda stated, "Since the president of AAUP has consistently concluded political interference exists in Florida's higher education system, it is difficult to accept that the AAUP's special committee will fairly and fully consider any testimony to the contrary."

The final report reaffirmed the preliminary findings and expanded upon them, determining that Florida's higher education system was under assault from DeSantis, Diaz and other Republican leaders determined to limit academic freedom and impose their worldview on the state's public campuses.

The report opened with a quote from Florida A&M law professor LeRoy Pernell: "What we are witnessing in Florida is an intellectual reign of terror. There is a tremendous sense of dread right now, not just among faculty; it's tangible among students and staff as well. People are intellectually and physically scared. We are being named an enemy of the State."

The committee cited the 300 of the 642 Florida professors who participated in a survey planned to seek employment elsewhere.

Andrew Gothard, the United Faculty of Florida president, predicted some universities would lose 20%-30% of faculty in the next year.

Dawn Rothe, Florida Atlantic University professor of criminology, told the committee, "No job is worth selling out everyone below you."

The committee did hold out hope for change.

"What is unfolding in Florida is horrifying. It should serve as a cautionary tale to all in higher education, but we are mindful that this tale has yet to reach its conclusion. The time for intervention has not passed—yet." {in} rick@inweekly.net

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PAYING A FAIR WAGE some of the concern and some of the multi-year opportunity for improvement of how we make this a better place to work. And at the end of the day, if you look at our region, Pensacola as a community is lower than it needs to be. How can I ask private people in the private market to reassess their wage index if we don't set an example for that?"

THE PAY PLAN

Photo by Tim Bednarczyk

By Rick Outzen On Thursday, Dec. 14, the Pensacola City Council will vote on higher pay ranges for city employees. The new ranges are the first step in Mayor D.C. Reeves' "comprehensive pay reform" to increase wages to be more comparable with other municipalities.

When Inweekly interviewed him before his State of the City address (Inweekly, "The State of D.C., 11/16/23), Reeves talked about his goals for his term's second year.

"This year, for me personally, has been certainly one of assessment of city operation, its 800 employees and $300-plus million budget," Reeves said. "How do we put ourselves in the best position to be successful? Year two, for me, is really focused on the people and execution."

At his weekly press conference last week, the mayor said the new pay plan would cost $5.4 million, which would be spent over three years to reach his goal. The implementation would begin in January. The first phase would not require a tax increase and would be funded by eliminating 30 positions and other savings.

He stressed the need to compensate the City's frontline employees fairly.

"Every organization I've ever worked for or that I've owned myself, we understand that the most valuable asset we can have isn't anything we own; it's the people that we have working here," Reeves said. "And if our expectation is to maintain this beautiful city that we have and to keep you safe, then if that is the case, then the priority has to be the people who work here."

Reeves said the latest employment satisfaction survey prompted him to examine wages throughout the organization. The survey found the most significant opportunity for improvement outlined by every department's employees was pay. Many CEOs might ignore such a suggestion.

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"In any organization generally, you're going to see that maybe in the top three," Mayor Reeves said. "Of course, people want to be paid competitively in their position, but we didn't want to dismiss it, thinking, 'That's what everybody says.' I said, 'Let's dig deeper and find out.'"

Last February, the City hired Tallahasseebased Evergreen Consulting to conduct a salary study to determine the appropriate pay scales for every personnel position employed by the City, as well as the appropriate placement for every individual on this pay scale. The firm has done similar studies for other municipalities, including Clemson, S.C., Minneapolis, Minn., Albuquerque, N.M., and Manchester, N.H. "Our finance and HR departments spent countless hours working with Evergreen getting feedback job title by job title and comparing that to several different communities around the Southeast," Reeves said.

The pay scales were analyzed by surveying similar types of municipalities and counties and comparing their pay ranges for similar jobs.

These comparable cities and counties included Bay County, Bradenton, Clearwater, Escambia County, Galveston, Gulf Shores, Key West, Lake City, Okaloosa County, Ormond Beach, Panama City, Santa Rosa County, Sarasota, St. Lucie County, St. Petersburg, Sunrise and Tallahassee.

The results of the salary study suggested overall that the City's salary compensation for employees fell in the 21st percentile amongst these comparable entities. The study found 242 employees earn less than 80% of the Average Median Income (AMI), a key metric in affordable housing that HUD considers the low-income level to be eligible for its Section 8 program.

"If you were to compare under that logic of a hundred municipalities, 79 pay better than we do," Reeves said. "That certainly merited

Mayor Reeves wants to increase overall pay scales and individual pay to move the City of Pensacola closer to the 50th percentile.

The cost for implementation is estimated to be $5,417,703—Year 1: $2,037,600, Year 2: $2,044,091 and Year 3: $1,336,011. Over the course of three years, all employees will be brought to the minimum of the new pay scale.

However, there will be a maximum of a 20% pay increase in one year, and employees making more than $70,000 will be capped with a 30% salary increase in total.

"This will be the largest single pay reform in the history of the City," Reeves said. "There'll be no changes to the budget for this year. The money that we had already set aside for the implementation of this study is sufficient."

He continued, "There are other ways that we had to entertain to help pay for this. And we are very much focused on quality. It's not the number of people who work here. It's how do we attract the best talented workforce? How do we keep the talented people that work here and how do we respect the people? Especially when you look at some of the jobs that we have and what those starting phases are, how do we expect them to be able to live in our city or live even near our city and be able to support their family?"

The mayor said three-fourths of the pay increases will go to employees making less than $60,000 annually, accounting for about 242 of the City's 800 employees. The specific raises are still being worked on.

"So much time has been invested by our department directors, our HR department, our finance department to make this happen; this is not easy," he said. "We've got to figure out a way to pay for a significant financial lift. We want to make adjustments, respecting the employees that have worked at the City for a long time and worked at their positions for a long time. These are not subjective line-by-line decisions of this person, and this means that it is formulaic."

The mayor added, "We took that expert advice from Evergreen and tweaked a few parts of the formula just to be able to get this thing across the finish line. We also eliminated 30 vacant decisions to help cover about a million and a half dollars of the cost. I would rather focus on retaining quality talent than having a higher number of jobs."

The agenda item didn't list the cuts by department. Still, it did break down the estimated budgetary savings of eliminating 30 positions across various funds: General Fund $650,313, Port $91,324, Sanitation $51,335, Garage $45,839 and Pensacola Energy $681,361.

The current pay scales for the City's 10 lowest pay grades for non-union employees have starting pay ranging from $22,734 to $32,136 and maximum salaries from $41,340 to $54,308. The proposed pay scales for the same pay grades will increase the range to $31,200 to $48,401, and the maximum salaries for those grades will jump to $51,480 to $79,862. Starting pay for firefighters will increase from $18,054 to $28,800, and police officers' starting salaries will jump from $26,436 to $42,350. The fire and police pay scales will be subject to union negotiations.

The agenda shows that the cost for the plan's implementation will be covered primarily by three funds: General Fund 45%, Airport 17% and Pensacola Energy 13%. General Fund revenue consists of property taxes, public service taxes, communication service taxes, local business taxes and other fees collected.

SETTING A STANDARD

District 1 Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier is impressed with the mayor's proposal.

"I've spoken to him about it, and it's very well thought out in that it brings the lower tier up quickly, and then people toward the higher end of it have slow, continued raises," she said.

"The mayor was just seriously put out that people had worked there for so long and were not making $50,000."

Brahier, a tenured mathematics professor at Pensacola State College, hopes other employers will follow the City's example and understand the importance of paying employees livable wages. She said, "In my other hat, I wish the school districts and those with teachers paid more attention to this as well because there are quite a few that have worked for 15 years plus and don't make $50,000. It is difficult within the city and in Florida to maintain households at these lower levels for people who are really giving their entire life's career to our area."

The councilwoman lamented that the focus has been on raising starting salaries without looking at the current employees' pay. She said, "Oftentimes, years of service mean nothing.

If you quit and come back in with zero-year service, you actually start ahead of where you would've been with eight or seven years of service. And that's really unacceptable."

If the City Council approves the new pay ranges, the next step is to place each existing employee at the appropriate pay grade on the new pay scales based on years of experience in their job and with credit for years of experience with the City.

"We'll be using these last couple of weeks in December to get every single, line-by-line employee knocked out," Mayor Reeves said.

"We have that, and of course, we've got all that information. We just are going to put our final stamp of approval on it."

He added, "I am certainly excited for that, excited for our employees, eager to go to 2024 with a more engaged workforce and ability to attract more talent here in the city. I'm excited to get that rolling." {in} inweekly.net

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AN ANSWER TO THE CHILDCARE CRISIS? CHILDCARE MENTORSHIP

By Tom St. Myer Classroom space with the finest of toys and technology is readily available for children through the Early Learning Coalition. Yet, the waitlist for the agency is about 700 children.

So, what is the issue? A critical shortage of early childhood educators.

"I may have a building that can do two 2-year-old classrooms, two 3-year-old classrooms, two 4-year-old classrooms, but I've only got, at best on a given day, one person for each one, so the capacity gets cut in half," said Bruce Watson, executive director of Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County. "That is universal across our industry, and it is universal particularly here in Escambia County."

Early Learning Coalition is flush with grant money, but the restrictions on that funding prevent the agency from spending freely on employee salaries. Watson bumped salaries into the $15-20 an hour pay range last year, but that only prevented a mass exodus—the vacancies remain.

Watson is searching for remedies to the educator shortage and potentially found one through a partnership with the Business and Leadership Institute for Early Learning, Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of West Florida (UWF) and Wells Fargo. The agencies will launch a series in February to mentor early childhood providers on how to operate a business.

The first cohort will consist of 20 Early Learning Coalition school readiness providers. Anyone who completes the free class will receive a $2,500 achievement bonus stipend and three continuing education units. The class will include four Saturday sessions. The first session will be on business development, followed by marketing, then accounting and finance, and finally, human resources and real estate.

Watson said the sessions will teach participants how to be better business owners so the dollars they earn in the early childhood education profession stretch farther. He said the profession loses a significant percentage of educators who choose money over their passion.

"We've got to stop the bleeding in the childcare industry of people wanting to go to greener pastures to go do something else," Watson said. "They leave this noble profession to go do something that puts more money in their pocket and isn't nearly as hard to do."

Business and Leadership Institute will provide childcare mentoring through its V'Locity Master Class Series and Florida SBDC at UWF will lend its business expertise. Early Learning Coalition and Wells Fargo will fund the cohort.

"These are trainings by professionals in the field," said Arleen Lambert, a Business and Leadership Institute mentor. "You are getting a real-world experience, an opportunity for peer mentorship … Peer mentorship is paramount. It's very, very powerful. Not only are you getting opportunities to gain this information, but you're building a network, a community that we can support."

Each childcare provider will be assigned to an SBDC consultant. SBDC Regional Director Kelly Massey said the consultants will examine every aspect of their business plan to improve how they operate from both business and childcare perspectives.

"We'll help them look at their financials," Massey said. "Do they have good financials? Do

they have the data to tell them what they need to know? Are they paying competitively? What can they do to deal with that? What is the pricing strategy? How are they marketing the business? Every facet you can think of in a business plan, we will look at."

Business and Leadership Institute, SBDC and Wells Fargo already partnered for a successful cohort with military families in Fort Walton Beach.

Massey said they will follow that blueprint with the second cohort in Escambia County. A third cohort is scheduled to begin in May in Santa Rosa County.

The Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County and Wells Fargo will fund the third cohort.

One of the participants in the first cohort raved about her experience to the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County staff. Watson said her endorsement convinced him to partner with the three agencies.

VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN (VPK)

Early Learning Coalition serves children from birth to 5 through its school readiness and VPK programs. Watson said the VPK program in Escambia County is fully funded and fully staffed.

The school readiness program is where the Coalition only serves about 70% of the number of children pre-COVID. Watson described school readiness as a works program for parents. The program offers financial assistance to eligible low-income families for early education and care. The goal is for families to become financially self-sufficient and for their young children to succeed in school.

"We are paying for childcare so parents can go to work," he said. "I look at that as the potatoes, and the early learning that we give to their child from birth to 5 is the gravy. You don't have the gravy if you don't have the potatoes, and more importantly, our community doesn't have childcare unless it is achieving its purpose, and that is an opportunity in a safe and secure environment for their children to be taken care of so they can go to work every day. That is a huge driver in every economy in our country, and it's just as much so here in Escambia County."

Watson estimated 150-160 entities provide childcare in some form in the county, and only about half contract with the state. He said a significant percentage of the children come from affluent families, but some come from families whose incomes teeter on the cutoff mark. Stringent eligibility requirements are where some children fall through the cracks.

"There are cases of families who aren't affluent and can't, for whatever reason, get in the door to get subsidized," Watson said. "They're really close to the margins. The margins are only 200% of federal poverty. That's only $68,000 or less for somebody who's got a family of four.

Those are very big hurdles to get over."

Hurdles by the dozens stand in the way of the county solving its early learning crisis. Inadequate early childhood education is a decadesold black eye on the county.

The county consistently ranks near the bottom of the state in kindergarten readiness rates.

In fall 2022, the county tied for 46th out of 67 with a 45% kindergarten readiness rate based on Florida Assessment of Student Thinking scores.

The county fell four percentage points shy of the state average of 49%.

The link between low kindergarten readiness scores and Escambia County Public Schools consistently ranking in the bottom third of the state among school districts is undeniable. Start behind, stay behind.

There is no easy solution to the crisis. But filling the empty classrooms with qualified childcare providers would clear at least one significant hurdle.

"We have pumped through this coalition alone almost $30 million in the past two years, all of that has gone out to our childcare facilities," Watson said. "They have lots of toys, and the people they do have on staff are very good at what they do now because we've given them lots of hands-on training to be better early educators."

He added, "But I now need to make the next step, which is giving them training to be better businesspeople so they can go find that other person around the corner who could be working for them." {in}

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for Telamon Corporation's Georgia Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program.

A special board meeting has been called for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. The two candidates will have 15 minutes each to present how they would operate the Trust, followed by 45 minutes of questioning from the board.

COC CANCELLATION The advisory com-

Photo Courtesy of ECSO

FIRST GRADUATION The Escambia County Sheriff's Office marked a historic first Monday, Dec. 4, when the agency held its first graduation ceremony for the Escambia County Sheriff's Office Training Academy.

Nineteen Sheriff's Office recruits took the oath of office and became Sheriff's deputies.

"It was just a wonderful experience, certainly for me and for the 19 deputies who select a badge a spouse, friend or mentor for the badge pending ceremony," said Sheriff Chip Simmons on WCOA. "Last night, we had two deputies—their fathers work at the sheriff's office and pinned the badge on their sons. That was pretty cool to watch."

Escambia County Sheriff's Office Training Academy sprung from Sheriff Simmons' need to have 15 deputies in the training pipeline every year to fill openings. In February 2023, the ECSO became one of only six law enforcement agencies in the state to gain commission approval to operate their own law enforcement academy.

This graduating class started this past June.

The 19 deputies engaged in state-of-the-art coursework, physical training, firearms training and other aspects of professional law enforcement. From day one, the academy immerses recruits in our culture, standards and policies.

Sheriff Simmons explained the new deputies take state exams. Once those results are received, they will each be assigned a field training officer to guide them through three phases.

"In the first phase, they observe the training officer; in the second phase, they start doing reports; and in the third phase, they do everything with the supervision," the sheriff said. "In the fourth training phase, they're actually on their own, but they get followed by an experienced deputy."

He added, "Then they have one year of probation. So, it's not over yet. It's a difficult journey, but it's certainly well worth it."

The next academy class is set to begin in January 2024.

ANDRADE TELLS WHY On Monday, Nov. 27,

State Rep. Alex Andrade announced he would not file a local bill to place the question of Perdido's incorporation on the 2024 ballot, citing that significant changes must be made to the proposal before he can bring it to the Florida Legislature.

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Last week, he shared his concerns with Inweekly publisher Rick Outzen.

"Last time we talked, I was very much in support of just letting voters in that community aside," the lawmaker said. "Unfortunately, there are some elements of this that were incumbent upon the advocates for incorporation to really get right. One of those was you need to put this feasibility study and plan together to submit to legislative staff to outline exactly what this local government could look like."

Andrade continued, "Unfortunately, what the feasibility study did not take into account is that ECUA (Emerald Coast Utilities Authority) is a separate independent political body. The money they generate picking up people's trash in unincorporated areas of Escambia County is not a franchise fee or a tax like the county would collect if a private company picked up trash."

Because of the error, the feasibility study overestimated revenues by about $327 per household.

Rep. Andrade said, "I either needed to add a tax, increase the millage—the proposed millage for this new city by $327 per household—or I needed to add language in there explicitly providing for a waiver saying even if they don't hit a certain revenue threshold, they could still collect the $3 to $6 million they'd get in sales tax revenue from the state."

He added, "Those were two things that I didn't feel comfortable with. I didn't think it was right for me on my own to put into this bill. These are something that the advocates really needed to wrap their hands around and do publicly before the delegation meeting."

Andrade recommended We Are Perdido, the group behind the incorporation effort, revise its study and plan and come back next year.

TRUST DIRECTOR FINALISTS The Escambia Children's Trust review committee for the next executive director met last week. The committee passed on the following names for consideration to the entire board in January: Lindsey Cannon, the regional executive director for the Children's Home Society, and Walker Wilson, the executive director of the Downtown Improvement Board.

The committee had two no-shows for the Zoom session: Anthony Houston, project coordinator for Cleveland, Ohio's Community Relations Department, and Nikkia Mosley, director

mittee established to revamp the Continuum of Care (CoC) had its Monday meeting canceled by Florida Housing's Amanda Rosado, who sent out an email to committee members stating, "Good morning, everyone, I'm out sick today and need to cancel. I'll catch up when I'm back in the office.

Stay well!"

Per its agenda, the group was set to discuss topics regarding CoC Leadership Council Language, including defining "What is a Leadership Council?" It also included reviewing the current structure and forming breakout groups to discuss new language. The next meeting is 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18.

BANNING PANHANDLING On Wednes-

day, Dec.6, State Rep. Alex Andrade filed a bill (HB 759) forbidding panhandling under certain circumstances, specifically banning individuals from approaching motor vehicles.

The Solicitation of Contributions Act defines several terms, including panhandling—described as a means of requesting of another person that he or she give money or anything of value for the private use of the person making the request.

A person also may not engage in panhandling within 50 feet, in any direction, of an entrance to or exit from commercially zoned property, a bus stop, an automatic teller machine or an entrance to a bank, public restroom or a parking lot, parking garage, parking meter or parking pay station.

They cannot panhandle within 100 feet, in any direction, of a childcare facility or school attended by any students in prekindergarten through grade 12.

The bill can be found on myfloridahouse.gov.

HURRICANE SEASON ENDS The 2024 hurricane season ended Nov. 30. Although our area didn't get hit, Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore pointed out the season did have seven storms in the Gulf of Mexico. There were three major hurricanes, which included Idalia that hit Florida's Big Bend area.

"As we were talking about at the beginning of the season, it was anticipated to be an average to below-average season due to El Niño," Gilmore said. "Well, El Niño did us no favors. The waters were still warm, and because they were so warm, that's why we had the spinoff of storms off the coast of Africa and rapid intensification."

After the first of the year, Gilmore will prepare for the 2024 hurricane season. He said, "Starting February, March and April, we'll begin meeting with our key partners again, because I don't want to do the planning, and I don't want to scramble when a storm appears. We want to have our ducks

in a row and have the best foot forward if we ever have a hurricane impact or storm."

FINAL MOMENTS On Sunday, Dec. 3, Oxy-

gen True Crime debuted a segment on the 2009 murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings as part of its "Final Moments" series. The program is also on the Peacock streaming service.

Patrick Gonzalez was convicted of the murder and sits on Death Row. His father, Patrick Gonzalez, Sr. and Pam Wiggins, two of his accomplices, died while serving their sentences. The other men involved—Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, Gary Sumner, Rakeem Florence, and Frederick Thornton—sit in prison. The segment includes former state assistant attorney John Molchan, who prosecuted the case.

100,000 ALUMNI The University of West Florida reached a significant milestone, officially surpassing 100,000 graduates during the University's fall 2023 commencement on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Since its first commencement ceremony in 1968, the University has conferred more than 121,000 bachelor's, master'sand doctoral degrees.

"Our 100,000 alumni have boldly entered the world and dynamically impacted their professions and communities," said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. "Today, you'll find our graduates filling roles as accountants and educators, nurses and military leaders, entrepreneurs and engineers. We are proud of their many accomplishments, and their support of the University as alumni tells us they are proud of their alma mater."

UWF alumni have made their mark in all 50 U.S. states and in 70 countries around the world.

The University has nine regional alumni chapters throughout the country that foster local connections to the UWF community. The UWF Alumni Association supports graduates through ongoing career resources, networking opportunities, special events, webinars, exclusive discounts and travel opportunities. Membership is free and open to all graduates of the University.

UWF Alumni Association president Whitney Fike said the 100,000 milestone represents much more than an impressive number.

"The achievement of 100,000 alumni symbolizes a vast network of success stories, shared experiences and continuing connections," Fike said.

"Each graduate contributes to the university's legacy, and together, we celebrate the collective impact of knowledge, achievement and lifelong connections forged within the UWF community."

Fike, the regional communications director for International Paper's Pensacola mill, shared why she attended UWF. "I am a true Pensacola native, born and raised here; I love Pensacola. It had exactly what I was looking for. I have a degree in communications, and I think the university's communications department is wonderful. UWF really carved my way to know exactly what I wanted to do whenever I got there."

For more information about UWF's 100K Alumni, One Argo Nation, visit uwf.edu/ go/100k-alumni. inweekly.net

MINI GRANTS United Way of West Florida an-

nounced the approval of Mini Grant awards for 12 local nonprofits, each receiving up to $5,000, for a total amount of $49,172.00. The United Way of West Florida's Board of Directors approved the grants through the community investment process, demonstrating a commitment to fortifying the regional nonprofit landscape.

The grants serve as a vehicle for these agencies to build capacity, offering a streamlined approach that bypasses the traditional community investment process. By providing this financial boost, United Way of West Florida aims to foster growth and innovation among nonprofits, ultimately leading to enhanced support for those in need.

The Mini Grants are a result of the organization's newly adopted strategic plan, specifically related to highlighting United Way of West Florida's commitment to nurturing and strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem, all the while ensuring these organizations have the resources needed to flourish and continue making a profound difference in the community.

The recipients are Set Free Refuge, Sisters of Hope, Equity Project Alliance, Northwest Florida Community Outreach, Sisters Anointed to Lead Together, Junior League of Pensacola, The Global Corner, Sportsmen Givin' Back, GFWC Santa Rosa Woman's Club, Family Promise of Escambia County and Therapeutic Riding Unlimited.

For more information visit uwwf.org/community-investment-process.

TOP FIVE TEACHERS Escambia County Public

Schools announced the top five Teachers of the Year. The finalists will compete for selection as the school district's overall Teacher of the Year, which will be named in February.

The finalists are Candice Blackburn (Molino Park Elementary), Priteyja Olige Brannon (C. A. Weis Elementary), Tammy Jo Dublin (Hope Horizon), Cassi McGee (Pine Meadow Elementary) and Rionna Wages (Lipscomb Elementary).

"We are proud to honor these outstanding educators," Superintendent Keith Leonard said in a written statement. "They are a great representation of all of our employees, and we would like to take time to thank them, as well as all of our employees, for all of the hard work and dedication they contribute to our students each and every day."

GULF COAST KID'S HOUSE Gulf Coast Kid's House announced a free 12-week therapy group for adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse. This is the third group hosted by Gulf Coast Kid's House, and past attendees state it was life changing. The recovery group led by Nancy Hagman, M.Ed., LMHC, and Margot Dutel, LCSW, is 5:30-7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 9-March 26.

Childcare and refreshments will be provided.

All attendees must commit to attending all 12 weeks. Gulf Coast Kid's House is accepting donations to help underwrite the cost of this service.

If you are interested in donating, please call (850) 595-5800 or go to gulfcoastkidshouse.org.

Please contact Dutel for more information or to register for the group by emailing counselor@ gulfcoastkidshouse.org or calling (850) 713-5710.

SURVEY REMINDER Escambia County's Opi-

oid Abatement Funding Advisory Board has put out an Opioid Abatement Funding Survey, seeking public input on how to spend the funds from the National Opioid Settlement. The board asks you to complete a survey by the end of Wednesday, Dec. 20.

December 14, 2023

Complete the survey online at rb.gy/h8539o or print it and email your answers to homelessness@myescambia.com. Surveys can also be completed and dropped off at the Escambia County libraries and community centers.

Funding is intended to be used for programs that will benefit the community. The four main categories identified to help address the opioid epidemic are criminal justice, harm reduction, prevention and treatment and recovery.

BUZZ HISTORY Four years ago: South Palafox

Properties, LLC, owner of the Rolling Hills landfill the Florida Department of Environmental Protection permanently closed, was ruled in contempt of court and adjudicated guilty of Civil Contempt of Court by Circuit Judge John Miller. The lawsuit was filed by FDEP and Escambia County against South

Palafox Properties to get the company to remediate and clean up the site.

Eight years ago: The Seminole Tribe of Florida agreed to pay $3.1 billion to the state over seven years in exchange for adding craps and roulette to its current casino operations, under an agreement announced by Gov. Rick Scott.

Twelve years ago: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395 and Veolia, a Paris-based company hired by Escambia County to manage the local transit system, were locked in a stand-off over contract disputes. Transit workers made a trip to the Escambia County Commission chambers to request the county send Veolia Transportation packing and take over management of the local transit system.

Sixteen years ago: After a short public records battle with Inweekly, Escambia County released

the names of the 38 people applying for the county administrator job. The county's top post came open when former County Administrator George Touart resigned under fire from commissioners for his failure to disclose business and investment relationships with individuals and companies doing business with the county. The applications include 13 people currently working in the state of Florida, four women, an applicant from Malawi, Africa, and two current Escambia County executives, Bob McLaughlin, interim county administrator and Willie Taylor, assistant county administrator.

Twenty years ago: The Escambia County Charter Committee Commission released its proposed Home Rule Charter and plans to present it to the Board of County Commissioners by the end of January. The vote on the charter is scheduled for the March 9 presidential primary. {in} 11

Photos by Richard Rodriguez, Exhibition Designer at UWF Historic Trust

By Dakota Parks Richard McCabe doesn't just photograph places. He tries to transport you to them, capturing memories, documenting decaying architecture and preserving the gritty reality and juxtaposed beauty of the South.

For the better part of a decade, McCabe has traveled the backroads of America photographing roadside ruins and documenting vanishing vernacular signage and Southern architecture in his ongoing project "Roadside Ruins" and his 2018 book "Land Star." Building off these collections, his latest work "Peridido," now on display at Pensacola Museum of Art until early next year, pays homage to the Gulf Coast.

McCabe, a New Orleans based curator and photographer, began capturing images for the project in fall 2019, as his familial ties and connection to the region began to slip away. The title of the exhibition, "Perdido," is taken from the Spanish and Portuguese word for "lost."

Amid a sense of loss, grief and life transition, McCabe began documenting the forgotten and missing parts of the Gulf Coast alongside emblems of the modern tourist economy.

"My mom was in her 90s, and she was dying after fighting cancer for 15 years," McCabe said.

"I was really thinking about how my life was go212 1

ing to change when my mom was gone, because she was my connection to Pensacola. I haven't lived in Pensacola since 1996, but I visited her once a month. I took one of the first images of the project on Pensacola Beach on Christmas morning in 2019. It was the last Christmas with my mom, before the world really changed with her passing away in January 2020 and the pandemic shortly after."

McCabe initially set out to photograph memories from his childhood, such as the site of the Five Flags Inn on Pensacola Beach— where his family spent time. It was destroyed

by Hurricane Ivan, leaving only palm trees in its wake. As he photographed more of the region, the project morphed into a mediation of time— watching the Gulf Coast change as the years passed and using architecture as a signifier of the economic conditions of the city.

"I love the idea of 'Perdido' meaning lost, because that's how I feel about my relationship to the region," McCabe said. "I go back there now, and I don't recognize Pensacola or Perdido. There is a sharp dichotomy between the East side of town—Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach growing and developing so fast and becoming super wealthy—whereas the West

side of Pensacola is stuck in time, deteriorating, even becoming poorer if you ask people that live there."

The exhibition captures this stark wealth divide, highlighting gentrification and contrasting the old and lost Florida with the new through film photographs, lo-fi projections, found objects and paintings. McCabe juxtaposes architecture of beach condominiums and iconic Pensacola landmarks like the UFO house and the Pensacola Beach sign with defunct businesses, abandoned buildings, strip clubs, the now torn-down Confederate monument and other forgotten places to create the feeling of what McCabe calls a dystopian paradise.

"I was very conscious to balance the old and new while trying to make the current interesting, because a lot of contemporary architecture is brutalist and sterile," McCabe said. "For example, the projections in the light boxes in the exhibit combine multiple images of condos to kind of form one collage image. It creates this literal sprawl on the wall, and I think it deconstructs the photographic process and makes this otherwise boring architecture visually interesting."

Throughout "Perdido," McCabe deconstructs the process of photography down to

shapes, grids, repetition and scale by displaying abstract paintings next to collage projections, light boxes showing repetitive film shots, color studies captured using a television and Fuji Instax prints and a wall of Polaroid photographs still in their film cases, focused on architecture and snapshots of so-called paradise.

"The work all builds on itself," McCabe explained. "It starts with documentary style photography using antiquated AV equipment to project the images overhead, and as you walk through the exhibit it deconstructs through the Polaroids and color series grids. The color series to me is kind of anti-photography in a way; it's using photography to play against the whole aesthetic of reproducing reality. But there is still a warmth and beauty to them like you're looking across the water on a beach."

Similarly, McCabe's images of abandoned and forgotten places balance a stark reality with a touch of warmth and beauty. Toward the end of photographing "Perdido," McCabe found inspiration in the images captured by Walker Evans for Karl Bickel's book "The Mangrove Coast." Tasked with photographing the natural beauty of the Sunshine State, Evans instead found inspiration in the lesser known gritty, yet inweekly.net

"I love the idea of 'Perdido' meaning lost, because that's how I feel about my relationship to the region."

Richard McCabe

beautiful parts—trailer parks, circus animals, crowded streets and employees working.

"I hadn't read the book until after I photographed the series, but I wanted my photographs to also reflect that," McCabe said. "I wanted to capture what people might not think about when they first think of Pensacola. The city is not just Blue Angels and fun in the sun.

In a way, my images are also a form of historical preservation, documenting the past, because often the buildings are bulldozed or destroyed by a storm the next time I see them."

Ultimately, "Perdido" goes beyond a visual testament to the shifting landscape of the Gulf Coast. Through McCabe's lens, viewers witness a profound beauty in the often-overlooked corners of the city, where the images intertwine bittersweet feelings of sentimentality for the past with a longing for stability in the present.

"I hope viewers really get to experience December 14, 2023

the atmosphere of place, feeling transported somewhere else, maybe in the familiar and the unfamiliar," McCabe said. "Capturing these photos was a healing process for me, and I hope that comes through—the loneliness and emotions of place and my emotions come through in the art." {in}

PERDIDO: WORK BY RICHARD MCCABE WHAT: An exhibition featuring film photographs, projections, found objects and paintings WHEN: On display now through Friday, Jan. 20 WHERE: Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. DETAILS: pensacolamuseum.org

A CRAFTY SOUTHERN PUB WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

MON-THUR 2-10 | FRI-SAT 11-11 HAPPY HOUR MON-THUR 2-4 UNIONPENSACOLA.COM

36 E. GARDEN ST. | 850.607.6320 13

a&e happenings

Holidays Take the Stage

HOLIDAY EVENTS

PENSACOLA WINTERFEST Enjoy free, live

performances and schedule holiday trolley tours in downtown Pensacola now through Christmas. Take part in holiday fun at Winterfest Plaza, 223 S. Palafox. To schedule a trolley tour, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.

BLUE MORNING GALLERY MEMBERS HOLIDAY SHOW Visit Blue Morning Gallery

through Dec. 24 and check out unique art, including holiday ornaments and art, priced right for giving. The gallery is located at 21 S. Palafox St. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.

CHRISTMAS DINNER FROM FIVE SISTERS Let Five Sisters Blues Café do your holiday cooking by ordering Christmas dinner. Order now through Dec. 18. The four-person meal includes a 3-pound ham, roasted potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted carrots, chess pie and dinner rolls. To place an order, call (850) 4339450 or email events@goodgrits.com.

Ballet Pensacola's 'The Nutcracker ' / Photo by Edward A. McGrath Photography

Need to entertain your holiday guests?

Leave it to the professionals.

If you need to get out of the house or just want an excuse to go out and wear your holiday best, there are plenty of great shows coming up featuring both local talent and nationwide performers.

You can start with the local traditions.

Ballet Pensacola's "The Nutcracker" is a timeless classic that stays true to the story, but also takes a new shape each year as the dance academy adds new faces. As Ballet Pensacola's Artistic Director Darren McIntyre told Inweekly in 2021, the traditional ballets are some of his favorites.

"I really enjoy restaging my own original adaptations of the traditional classic repertory," he said.

If you're looking for something a little less traditional—maybe even with some twang— The New Cahoots, Royal Horses, and Swamp Water Symphony will join for a concert and toy drive called "Pickin for Presents" on Thursday, Dec. 16. Bring a toy and save $5 on your ticket.

That same night, the White Tie Rock Ensemble will play its version of holiday tunes from TransSiberian Orchestra as well as other familiar holiday songs at Pensacola Bay Center.

For a special one-night-only event, Grammy-nominated pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman, alongside Emmy-nominated actor Chrissy Metz of the show "This is Us," will make a Pensacola stop during their tour called "A Joyful Christmas."

The show will feature hits from Brickman, as well as traditional songs and even a Christmas tune written by Brickman and Metz.

While she is known for her role on the NBC family drama, Metz said she's excited to perform around the country as a singer. The duo will even take live requests from the audience.

"Music is my first love," she said to Indiana news station WTHR last month while doing press for the tour. "So, I feel like I'm finally

414 1

getting to scratch that itch that I wanted to for so long."

And if you need more Christmas music, visit Seville Quarter on Mondays to see the Blues Society of Northwest Florida turn their weekly show into a "Blues Christmas." {in}

BALLET PENSACOLA'S 'THE NUTCRACKER'

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16 and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17 WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. COST: $45 and up DETAILS: pensacolasaenger.com

PICKIN' FOR PRESENTS

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. COST: $15 with $5 off by bringing an unwrapped toy to donate DETAILS: thehandlebar850.com

WHITE TIE ROCK ENSEMBLE HOLIDAY CLASSICS

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. COST: $20 and up DETAILS: pensacolabaycenter.com

JIM BRICKMAN'S 'A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS'

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. COST: $40 and up DETAILS: pensacolasaenger.com

BLUES CHRISTMAS

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Mondays in December WHERE: Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. DETAILS: sevillequarter.com

TREE OF LIGHTS Arc Gateway hosts the Tree of Lights, where you can honor someone, or the memory of someone, by adding their name to the tree for a suggested $25 donation. A tree lighting ceremony is 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at Cordova Mall (by Dillard's), 5100 N. Ninth Ave. Find more information at arc-gateway.org.

CHEF ED CHRISTMAS POP-UP Award-winning Chef Edward Lordman will host a pop-up event 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at The Sauce Boss Burger Co., 319 N. Tarragona St., with traditional holiday food—but elevated. Visit saucebossburger.com for details.

GALLERY NIGHT PENSACOLA: MIRACLE ON PALAFOX December's Gallery Night is

holiday themed celebrating "The Miracle on Palafox." Gallery Night is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 along South Palafox Street. Visit gallerynightpensacola.org for details.

SEVENTH ANNUAL WINTER WONDER RIDE Join onbikes Pensacola for a wintery slow

ride through Pensacola, complete with an afterparty at Museum Plaza. The ride begins 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16. Registration is $35 and funds raised are used to purchase bikes for children in Northwest Florida. Ticketholders receive a commemorative t-shirt, two drink tickets and other swag, as well as admission to the afterparty with a live performance from Ben Loftin & Family. Learn more at onbikespensacola.org.

STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE'S GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION

Free and open to the public, the Studer Community Institute's Gingerbread House Competition invites you to vote on your favorite creations made by local artisans and bakers. Voting is made by donation with all proceeds supporting SCI's early development programs. The competition is 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at SCI, 220 W. Garden St. Visit studeri.org for details.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Support Gulf

Coast Kid's House with a holiday breakfast and photos with Santa 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16

at Casino Beach Bar and Grille, 41 Fort Pickens Road. Tickets are $15 and include a breakfast buffet and goodie bag. Bring a toy donation for a free printed copy of your photo with Santa.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTING PAINT AND SIP PARTY Craft some holiday ornaments 2-4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16 at Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road. Tickets are $25.

Visit coastalcountybrewing.com for to register.

CHRISTMAS VOLKSWAGEN LIGHT PARADE See the Pensacola VW Happen-

ings Club in its decked-out wheels 4:30-7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16 at Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road. Live music begins at 6 p.m. with Nathan Mulkey Group.

GERMAN WINTER MARKET Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave., pairs up with Pensacola Arts Market for a special artisan market with bratwursts, pretzels with beer cheese, lots of beer and lots of Glühwein. Market is 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 17. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.

HOLIDAY MOVIE WEEKENDS AT NAVAL MUSEUM Watch holiday movies on the big

screen at the National Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. Ste. B. "Polar Express" will be shown at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and "Home Alone" will be shown 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Tickets are $10.

Cookies and cocoa will be provided.

DECK THE HALLS WITH JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE Dine at Jackson's Steakhouse,

400 S. Palafox, on select days and enjoy a holiday performance from Pensacola Opera. Events are 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Call (850) 469-9898 to make your reservation or visit jacksonsrestaurant.com.

HOLIDAY MARKET AT COMMUNITY MARITIME PARK Numerous tent/craft ven-

dors, food trucks, bounce house, kids ornament table, raffle table and photo opportunities with Santa and The Grinch is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St. Entry is $5, and admission for kids 12 and younger is free.

SANTA PAWS WITH WOLFGANG PENSACOLA Wolfgang Pensacola will host

two Santa Paws dates for you to get professional holiday photos. First date is 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 17 at Wistera Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Both events will feature holiday markets.

Photos are $15 and will be provided by Hoff House Pet Photography. Visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com for details.

HO HO HOMICIDE MURDER MYSTERY SHOW Help solve a thrilling murder case while

sipping on delicious drinks and enjoying the cozy atmosphere. The interactive show is 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Tickets are $30 and available at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER BAR BINGO

Seville Quarter will transform Apple Annie's regular bingo night into a Christmas spectacular inweekly.net

a&e happenings Monday, Dec. 18. Join the fun starting at 8 p.m. at 130 E. Government St. Bingo is free to play and lots of prizes are at stake. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

BEACHMAS: CHRISTMAS MOVIES ON THE TIKI DECK Laguna's Beach Bar and Grill,

460 Pensacola Beach Blvd. will show Christmas movies on the tiki deck starting 4:30 p.m. the weekend before Christmas Watch "A Christmas Carol" on Thursday, Dec. 21, "The Polar Express" on Friday, Dec. 22, and "The Grinch" on Saturday, Dec. 23. Visit early and join in "Adventures with Santa" from noon-2 p.m. before movies.

GLOWTOWN CHRISTMAS CONCERT This holiday concert with free admission and refreshments is 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at Apostolic Global Church, 4317 N. Palafox St. SANTA'S LITTLE CHEFS CULINARY CAMP

Bodacious hosts this three-day camp 9 a.m.noon Wednesday, Dec. 20 through Friday, Dec. 22 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $165 plus fees. Visit bodaciousshops.com for details.

HOLIDAY RAMBLE AT ODD COLONY Enjoy a dessert and beer pairing, a special collection of holiday tunes selected by Revolver Records, MI SU Street Food Truck, and dance party 4-11 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 23 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

PCKIDS/TEENS JR. CHEFS: COOKIES FOR SANTA Pensacola Cooks Class for ages 6-17 is

1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Class is $45 per student.

Register through the link at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal

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 tennis shoes for men and women as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.

CALL TO ARTISTS

JAZZ PENSACOLA'S JAZZFEST POSTER

Jazz Pensacola invites fine artists and graphic designers to submit renderings for the official 2024 Pensacola JazzFest poster.

The commission is $500. The Jazz Pensacola Board of Directors will consider all renderings and make a selection. Initial drafts are due by Jan. 31, 2024. If selected, the completed submission deadline is Feb. 28, 2024.

The poster design should reflect the deep, rich and diverse jazz music heritage of Pensacola and communicate a sense of place. Submissions should conform to a vertical orientation using a ratio that will fit with margin on a final poster size of 18 inches wide by 24 inches high.

All content must be the submitter's original creation and must be unpublished. The submitter must have all rights to images and graphics used in the final artwork and during the design process. The poster must include the name of the festival: 2024 Pensacola JazzFest.

Rough drafts or sketches can be submitted, but, if selected, the final art must conform to the submitted draft or sketch. Substantial deviation from the submitted sketch or draft will result in forfeiture by the artist of the cash prize and the selection of a new winner by Jazz Pensacola.

Submissions must be in low-res (72 ppi) JPEG format and emailed to info@jazzpensacola.com. There is no limit to the number of entries by a single artist. Each entry must include the artist's name, address, email and phone number.

The selected artist is responsible for the preparation of the art for high-resolution reproduction. The artist will be contacted following the selection process and receive technical specifications for the production file.

ARTS & CULTURE

OPEN MIC AT THE GORDON The next open mic night at The Gordon is 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at 306 N. DeVilliers. Visit thegordon.org for details.

INFERNO BURLESQUE Show is 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $25-$500 for a private balcony for six.

Get tickets at vinylmusichall.com.

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS Clear

skies permitting, telescopes and binoculars will be set up to capture views of the moon, planets and other celestial objects at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, 3:45-10 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16. All participants must enter the park prior to sunset. The front gates will be locked at that time.

The next date is 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com 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. They are also hosting additional holiday markets this month 4-8 p.m. Wednesday evenings through Dec. 20 at Plaza Ferdinand for more chances to shop local. For updates, visit facebook.com/downtownpensacola.

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 Pensac-

KEVIN MCDONALD "Kids in the Hall" actor

ola'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.

SWEET MOON LODGE Set intentions for 2024

AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investiga-

and comedian Kevin McDonald will perform 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.

and celebrate triumphs of this year with Asher + Bee and host Marni. Dress comfortably. Crystals are welcome; journal and pen are encouraged.

Event is 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at URU Yoga and Beyond, 2400 Executive Plaza Road. Tickets are $22 and available at asherandbee.com.

Dec. 17 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Visit pensacolabaycenter.com for details.

tion 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 pensacolaghostevents.com.

BTB COMEDY OPEN MIC Take the stage and

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small

PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT Ceremony is 3 p.m. Sunday,

share standup comedy 7-9 p.m. every Monday at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox. Visit facebook. com/oddcolony for details.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers the second Saturday of every month.

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

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a&e happenings 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.

INSPIRED BY PLACE EXHIBIT RECEPTION Inspired by Place brings together the work of four photographers (Todd Bertolaet, Don Clark, Mark Alan Francis and Roland Miller) who have collaborated in their academic and artistic endeavors for more than 30 years. The exhibit is on view through Dec. 15 at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, 1000 College Blvd.

SUDDENLY AMERICAN: A MEETING OF HERITAGE AND COUNTRY This exhibit

looks at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territory to an American region, which formally occurred in 1821. Florida's embattled history dates back much farther than 1821. From refusing independence during the American Revolution to wanting its own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The U.S. eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic

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means to acquire Florida. The Adams-Onis Treaty, debated and initially agreed upon in 1819, resulted in Spain ceding control of East Florida to the U.S. At the same time, Spain also agreed to give up all claims on West Florida, in essence giving the entire Florida territory over to the U.S. Ratified in 1821, the treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America. This exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of History through December. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

MESSAGE FROM OUR PLANET Message

From Our Planet brings together 19 software, video and light-technology artworks from 18 international artists working at the forefront of digital and electronic art. The exhibition proposes media technologies, from vintage devices to cuttingedge digital algorithms, and offer distinct ways for artists to communicate with future generations.

Themed like a global time capsule, the group of artworks reflect the artifacts and ambitions of contemporary life. Exhibit on view through Jan. 7 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

PERDIDO Through photographs, lo-fi projec-

tions, found-objects and paintings, Perdido explores the artist's changing relationship with Florida's Gulf Coast. Artist is Richard McCabe.

Exhibit is on view through Jan. 20 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

BURGERS 101 WITH CHEF EDWARD LORDMAN Class is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 189 at

Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $69 plus fees. Register at bodaciousshops.com.

GREEN THUMB WINE TASTINGS Join

Green Thumb Wines for a free wine tasting 6-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month at 9 E. Gregory St. For more information, visit greenthumbwines.com.

a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. Chef Irv Miller has created a new lunch menu, which includes selections of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, featured plates and hand-selected steaks. Visit jacksonssteakhouse.com to see a full menu.

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

SATURDAY SIPS ON THE SIDEWALK Stop

by Green Thumb Wines, 9 E. Gregory St., every Saturday for wine selections. Visit greenthumbwines.com for details.

p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN

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.

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.

JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE FRIDAY LUNCH SERVICE Jackson's Steakhouse, 400

S. Palafox St., is now open for lunch service 11

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 knowl-

edge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details. for more listings visit inweekly.net

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December 14, 2023

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free will astrology WEEK OF DECEMBER 14 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped from enslavement on a plantation in Maryland. She could have enjoyed her new freedom in peace, but instead resolved to liberate others. During 13 bold forays into enemy territory, she rescued 70 enslaved people and ushered them to safety. She testified that she relied on her dreams and visions to help her carry out her heroic acts. They revealed to her the best escape routes to take, best times to proceed and information about how to avoid the fiendish "slave catchers." In alignment with astrological omens, I invite you to be like Tubman and seek practical guidance from your dreams in the coming weeks—to solve problems or seek bliss.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Jack Nich-

olson has often played mavericks and antiheroes in his movies. His life away from the silver screen has also been less than steady and predictable. For example, he has fathered six children with five different women. His fellow actor, Carrie Fisher, said Jack was "fun because he doesn't make sense." A person with casual knowledge of astrology might be surprised that Nicholson is a Taurus. Your tribe isn't typically renowned for high eccentricity. But in his natal chart, Nicholson has the brash planet Uranus near his sun in Taurus, indicating he's quirky.

Aside from that, I have known plenty of Tauruses whose commitment to being uniquely themselves makes them idiosyncratic. These themes will be at play for you during the coming weeks.

P.S. Taurus musician David Byrne starred in the concert film "Stop Making Sense."

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): The platitude says if life gives us lemons, we should make lemonade. I've got a variation on this theme. Consider the Neva River in northwestern Russia. It freezes every winter. During the frigid months of 1739-1740, Empress Anna Ioannovna ordered her workers to cut huge blocks of ice and use them to construct a magnificent palace on the riverbank. She filled the place with furniture and art, making it a hub of festivities celebrating Russia's triumph over the Ottoman Empire.

I bring these themes to your attention, Gemini, because I suspect in the coming weeks, you will

By Rob Brezsny

have substantial redemptive power. Whether you make lemonade from lemons or a palace from a frozen river is up to you.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): "If the world

were merely seductive, that would be easy," wrote Cancerian author E. B. White. "If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem.

But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." According to my astrological analysis, your fate in recent weeks has been more challenging than seductive. You've been pressed to work on dilemmas and make adjustments more than you might like. But this rhythm is about to change.

Up ahead, life is seductive, welcoming and appealing. Are you prepared to drop any unconscious attachment you have to your interesting discomfort so you can smoothly make the transition to more ease?

You've been pressed to work on dilemmas and make adjustments more than you might like.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): I want to prepare you for the delights of the coming days. I want to make sure you are fully alert and primed to appreciate them. So I give you the thoughts of Leo psychologist Carl Jung. "It is important to have a secret, a premonition of things unknown," he said. "We must sense that we live in a mysterious world—that things happen and can be experienced that remain inexplicable; that not everything can be anticipated; that the unexpected and incredible belong in this world.

Only then is life whole."

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Have you taken

a refreshing break lately? Maybe even a soothing sabbatical? Have you treated yourself to a respite from the gritty grind? If not, please do so soon.

And while you are recharging your psychic batteries, I ask you to give your fantasy life ample room to wander wildly and freely. In my astrological opinion, your imagination needs to be fed and fed with gourmet food for thought. For the

sake of your soul's health, I hope you dream up fantastic, unruly, even outrageous possibilities.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): My Uncle Ned advised me, "The best gift you can compel your ego to accept is to make it your servant instead of your master." An early Buddhist teacher sounded a related theme when she told me, "The best things in life are most likely to come your way if you periodically shed all hope and practice being completely empty." The girlfriend I had when I was 23 confided, "You may get more enjoyment from the witty ways I confound you if you don't try to understand them." I offer these three ideas to you, Libra, because you're in a phase when the moral of your story is that there is no apparent moral to your story—at least until you surrender your notions of what the moral of your story is.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): I believe you Scorpios are the zodiac sign most likely to benefit from being empathetic. By that I mean you have substantial power to thrive by reading other people's moods and feelings. You are often able to figure out angles that enable you to gather what you want while helping others to gather what they want. You are potentially a genius at doing what's best for everyone and getting paid and rewarded for it. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, this knack of yours will soon be operating at peak levels.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun died more than 3,300 years ago. When his mournful entourage placed him in his tomb, the treasures they left included a pot of honey, which was meant to sweeten his travels in the afterlife. In the early 20th century, archaeologists excavated the ancient site. They dared to sample the honey, finding it as tasty and fresh as if it had just been made. Amazingly, this same longevity is a characteristic of most honey. I propose we use this as a metaphor for your life. What old resources or experiences from your past might be as pure and nurturing as they were originally? And now could they be of value now?

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Screenwriter John Patrick Shanley writes, "Life holds its miracles, good erupting from darkness chief among them." I predict a comparable miracle

for you, Capricorn, though I suspect it will arise out of confusion or inertia rather than darkness. My advice: Don't be so bogged down in the muddle that you miss the signs that a great awakening is nigh. Start rehearsing how you will feel when deliverance arrives.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Before he

reached the height of fame as a novelist, Aquarian Charles Dickens experienced financial instability. When he was 31, the situation got desperate, and he resolved to take extreme measures.

For six weeks, beginning in October 1843, he obsessively worked on writing the story "A Christmas Carol." It was published on Dec. 19 and sold out in a few days. Within a year, 13 editions were released. Dicken's economic worries were over.

Dear Aquarius, I think the near future will be a favorable time for you, too, to take dramatic, focused action to fix a problem you're having.

Be receptive to all potential helpers, even unlikely ones.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Many religious people believe God can hear their prayers and intervene in worldly affairs. Other religious folks think God can hear their prayers but may not intervene. Then there are the non-religious folks who don't believe in God and think praying is useless. Wherever you might be on the spectrum, Pisces, I'm pleased to reveal that you will have extra access to support and benefaction in the coming weeks—whether that's from God, fate, nature or other humans. So seek out blessings and assistance with alacrity. Be receptive to all potential helpers, even unlikely ones.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: My new book has inspirations and prompts akin to what you read in my horoscopes: bit.ly/AstrologyReal. {in}

freewillastrology.com

newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2023 Rob Brezsny

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

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news of the weird AWKWARD Arnaldo Chamorro, chief of staff for Paraguay's Agriculture Ministry, lost his position on Nov. 29 after an embarrassing episode in which he signed a "proclamation" in October with the United States of Kailasa, Fox News reported. Trouble is, the USK doesn't exist; the fictional country is the brainchild of a fugitive guru, Nithyananda, who is wanted in India on several charges including sexual assault. Chamorro admitted during a radio interview that he was not familiar with Kailasa but said he signed the agreement because the country offered to help Paraguay with a variety of issues, including irrigation. News of the Weird has reported before (March 2023) about the posers, who have also fooled the United Nations and Newark City Hall in New Jersey, which signed a sister city agreement with the country.

THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS Can't a grandma send her grandson home with an early Christmas gift without raising suspicions among the TSA? No, she can't. Actor Brett Gaffney headed back to Los Angeles on Nov. 25 after spending Thanksgiving in his native Kansas, People reported. At Kansas City International Airport, he said, "I got stopped at the airport security, and ... it was because of this briefcase my grandma gave me as an early Christmas gift, and she said don't open it until you get to California." Gaffney followed her directions, but TSA wasn't having it. "They asked me what was inside, and I said, 'I don't know, I don't know.' They said, 'What do you mean? You're bringing a briefcase and you don't know what's inside?'" Turns out, Gaffney's nana had gifted him a vintage Smith-Corona typewriter. "Who am I, Tom Hanks?" Gaffney joked. He continued his story on TikTok: "I didn't think I'd use this, but here we are. It's so calming. All I want to do is stay home and type on my typewriter." Thanks, Grandma.

CRIME REPORT After getting a Waffle House logo tattooed on his calf on Dec. 2 in St. Petersburg, Florida, 33-year-old Max Alexander Krejckant of Clearwater "refused all options to satisfy his debts," police said—which amounted to $250.

As a result, The Smoking Gun reported, he was arrested at the Ink Godz shop; police found only $6 and a driver's license on his person when he was frisked (although they noted he was under the influence of something). Krejckant bonded out and pleaded not guilty (huge Waffle House tattoo evidence notwithstanding). Wonder what the charge is for bad inking decisions?

ANIMAL ANTICS The mystery of who has been slashing tires in the southern Italian city of Vastogirardi has been solved, The Guardian reported. The wave of damaged tires began in July and ramped up again in October in the town of about 600 residents, forcing police to place undercover cops on patrol. Finally, they mounted surveillance cameras, and in late November, they collared their suspect: a dog named Billy, who was suffering from a painful case of gingivitis. "It is a peaceful village—we

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

knew it couldn't be anyone from outside as we are always aware of any suspicious movements," said deputy mayor Remo Scocchera. "It's a positive thing that the perpetrator wasn't a person in the village." Still, Billy's owner will probably have to pony up for the damaged tires—not to mention dental work.

THE PASSING PARADE Rosemary Hayne, 39, lost her temper (and rice, and sauce, and everything else) when she berated a Chipotle manager in Parma, Ohio, and then threw a bowl of food at her in September, Food & Wine reported. Hayne tried to run out of the restaurant, but other diners captured her license plate number and contacted police, who arrested her on Sept. 5. On Nov. 28, Judge Timothy Gilligan offered Hayne one of two sentences for her "not acceptable" behavior: the standard sentence of a fine and 180 days in jail, or 60 days in jail and working 20 hours a week at a fast-food restaurant for two months.

Hayne apologized to the court and the victim and accepted the custom sentence. "She could have punched me in my face or pulled a gun out," said the victim. "I'm lucky that I only got a bowl thrown in my face." She has found a job at another restaurant.

NAH, I'M DONE Joshua James Pinquet, 21, of Orlando, Florida, made an apparent sudden decision on Nov. 28 to quit his job, Iredell Free News reported. As he was driving a van with four prison inmates locked in the cargo area, Pinquet contacted his boss at the inmate transport company and said he was done. He was supposed to deliver the inmates to Hickory, North Carolina, but instead he kept going; when Iredell County sheriff's officers caught up with him, he was arrested and charged with seconddegree kidnapping and larceny.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF AIR TRAVEL Yeah, yeah, another flight diverted because of unruly passengers. This story gets bonus points: On Dec. 5, just before a Breeze Airways flight took off from Orlando, headed to Providence, Rhode Island, a couple on board got into a heated argument, News4Jax-TV reported. It seems the man was unhappy because he wanted to get off the plane—which wouldn't have been such a big deal, but during the discussion, the word "bomb" came up. Passenger Rachael Corrigan said, "The people were talking about or claiming the other person had a bomb ...

The people around them ... reported it to the airline, and they're obligated to land the plane."

The pilot diverted to Jacksonville, Florida, where the man and woman were met by FBI agents and arrested. Breeze Airways canceled the flight. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2023 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com December 14, 2023

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Independent News | December 14, 2023 | inweekly.net