Independent News | January 15, 2026 | Volume 27 | Number 2
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winners & losers
outtakes
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news
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6
I kind of fell into it.
feature
a&e
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happenings
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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
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LOT 5 MARITIME PARK- SUBCONTRACTOR INFORMATIONAL MEETING Corporate Contractors Inc. (CCI) will be holding a Project Information Meeting for interested subcontractors and suppliers for Lot 5-Maritime Park. A 247-unit apartment complex and 146-key hotel including a 325 space parking podium to be constructed at Maritime Park in 2026. The meeting will provide an overview of the project elements including construction trades, scheduling, logistics and highlight participation opportunities. This meeting is intended for interested subcontractors and suppliers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Countycommunities – though interested subs and suppliers throughout the greater Florida and southeastern US are encouraged to attend. CCI anticipates final bidding with plans and specifications to begin in late January. Additional informational meetings will be held on the below dates from 8AM-10AM:
Tuesday January 20 & Monday February 2, 2026 Meetings will be held at: Maritime Place- 350 West Cedar St. (1st FL)
Pensacola, FL 32502
For additional information, please contact CCIPensacola@cciwi.com To learn more about Corporate Contractors, Inc. (CCI), visit cciwi.com
winners & losers
Nick Watley / Photo Courtesy of myescambia.com
winners
losers
NICK WATLEY Escambia County EMS Paramedic Supervisor Nick Watley has been named 2025 Paramedic of the Year by the Florida Department of Health. Selected from paramedics statewide, Watley was honored for exceptional qualities in patient care, quality assurance, medical control, disaster preparedness, public education and training. For 30 years, the Florida Department of Health Excellence in EMS Awards have recognized medical professionals providing lifesaving services in times of crisis. "On behalf of my family and my team at Escambia County EMS, I'm honored and humbled to be recognized as Paramedic of the Year," Watley said. "This award was made possible due to the men and women I have the pleasure of serving with."
INFANT FORMULA State testing found tox-
BRITTANY OEHRLE Naval Air Station Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center Family Advocacy Program Victim Advocate Brittany Oehrle has been selected as NAS Pensacola Fiscal Year 2025 Senior Civilian of the Year. NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra Newman presented Oehrle with the award recognizing her outstanding service. The Fleet and Family Support Center provides essential services to military families stationed at NAS Pensacola, known as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation." The air station supports operational and training missions for tenant commands, including the Naval Air Technical Training Center and Naval Aviation Schools Command. It also serves as headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command. ROMAN JACKSON The University of West Florida has named Roman Jackson as its new chief of police, replacing the retired Marc Cossich. Jackson brings more than 20 years of public safety leadership experience. He previously held leadership roles with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, advancing from patrol operations to Department Major, overseeing operations, investigations, special operations and administration. Jackson is a Purple Heart recipient, FBI National Academy Class #283 graduate and statewide instructor specializing in critical incident management and officer mental health. UWF President-Elect Manny Diaz Jr. said, "Chief Jackson brings a proven record of leadership, integrity and collaboration that aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing a safe, supportive learning and working environment." 44
ins above federal standards in 16 infant formulas currently on the market. Florida's "Make America Healthy Again" Commission had state labs test 24 formula brands for pesticides and four heavy metals: mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead. Florida detected elevated levels of at least one heavy metal or pesticide beyond federal limits in 16 brands. Similac Soy Isomil powder showed the most toxins—arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Enfamil Prosobee and Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use each had three toxins detected.
AHCA & DCF U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard ruled that Florida violated constitutional rights of people dropped from Medicaid by sending notices that "border on the incomprehensible." In a 273-page ruling from a class-action lawsuit against Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Taylor Hatch and Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Shevaun Harris, Howard barred the state from terminating benefits for financial-eligibility reasons without adequate notice. The lawsuit stems from Florida's 2023 post-COVID "redetermination" process reviewing beneficiaries' eligibility. DCF records show 497,918 people were terminated from Medicaid based on income-eligibility between March 2023 and March 2024 and had not been reinstated as of March 2024. Howard wrote that adequate notice must clearly identify the termination decision, who it applies to and detailed reasons allowing recipients to assess accuracy and challenge determinations. TIFFANY CARR The former longtime Flori-
da Coalition Against Domestic Violence President and CEO pleaded no contest to two felony charges stemming from allegations that she bilked the state out of money earmarked for domestic violence shelters. Carr, 57, appeared on Zoom from a hospital bed to enter the plea to charges of organized fraud and official misconduct. As part of the plea, she agreed to testify against a co-defendant, former coalition Chief Financial Officer Patricia Duarte. Carr is expected to be sentenced to 10 years of probation, though sentencing will not occur until after the Duarte case is resolved. She also will pay about $260,000 in costs related to the case. inweekly.net
outtakes
By Rick Outzen
NO DERAILING THE DIAZ TRAIN The days leading up to the coronation of Manny Diaz, Jr. as the University of West Florida's seventh president drew statewide attention as faculty, students, alumni and community members tried to derail the inevitable vote to put the least-educated and highest-paid individual ever in charge of the university. Unfortunately, the Board of Trustees had been completely overhauled to ensure Diaz would get the job. Nothing could stop his big payday.
MOUNTING COMPLAINTS AND ALLEGATIONS Multiple formal complaints chal-
lenged Diaz's qualifications and the search process itself. A letter to the Florida Auditor General, signed by "Many Concerned Argonauts," came months after a state audit uncovered at least $398 million in mismanaged school voucher funds under Diaz's tenure as Florida's Education Commissioner. It raised concerns about his ties to the charter school industry and his formation of a for-profit consulting firm in October 2024. Sources later shared a detailed complaint filed through the UWF Integrity Helpline that should have been reviewed by Compliance Officer Matt Packard, Internal Auditor David Bryant and Interim General Counsel Julie Sheppard. The complaint alleged that Board of Trustees Chair Rebecca Matthews and certain board members engaged in a pattern of Sunshine Law violations and procedural breaches. In July 2025, General Counsel Susan Woolf warned the board that Matthews had sought outside counsel for the presidential search without informing trustees—violating standard practice. Woolf noted Matthews' first choice was "Manny Diaz's personal lawyer, Bill Galvano, who negotiated Diaz's interim contract." Diaz subsequently fired Woolf, even though her actions protected the university. The complaint recommended Matthews' removal from the board, cancellation of the executive search firm contract, and Diaz's disqualification as a candidate. It stated: "Chair Rebecca Matthews has flagrantly violated state and institutional policies. There are clear indications of Sunshine violations among board members. The UWF presidential search is a sham." Following this, the complaint alleged Matthews "forbade anyone else from fulfilling public records requests unless it went through her first"—after a paralegal properly fulfilled a public records request about the presidential search. January 15, 2026
An anonymous letter sent to the Board of Trustees "on behalf of myself and many UWF employees that are too afraid to speak out about this issue for fear of retribution" raised additional concerns. The letter claimed Search Committee Chair Zack Smith violated Board of Governors regulation 1.002 by presenting only one candidate from 84 applicants. The author argued, "If 84 candidates apply for a position and only one is worthy of consideration, that is considered a failed search and needs to be rerun." The letter highlighted Diaz's personal bankruptcy, noting it would disqualify anyone from judicial appointment but wasn't considered when Matthews nominated him as interim president. It also questioned his "deep connections to the Florida charter school industry," adding: "The fact that Diaz's first project was to bring a charter school to UWF is disturbing and should be investigated for conflict of interest, or worse."
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TRUSTEES APPROVE DESPITE OPPOSITION The complaints had no impact. The Board of Trustees gave Diaz a five-year contract with total annual compensation nearing $1 million—more than he ever earned as education commissioner, state lawmaker or Doral College chief operating officer. The approval came despite Diaz having no public university administrative experience and only a master's degree from Nova Southeastern University. Trustee Ed Fleming dismissed concerns about the compensation and qualifications. "His overall salary and compensation are less than dozens and dozens, if not hundreds, of college athletes getting NIL money," Fleming said. "He's an exceptional candidate with exceptional contacts with state and federal government for funding, and he has shown incredible energy." UWF Faculty Vice President Amy Mitchell-Cook challenged the search process. "I have served on and/or chaired several academic searches. If the committee in any of those searches thought only one candidate was qualified, the search would have been reopened and expanded." She added, "If Interim President Diaz was truly the best candidate, he would have naturally risen to the top of the pool. However, the committee denied him that opportunity and denied the community the chance to see how he compared to other candidates." Only Trustee Heather Riddell, the Faculty Senate president, voted against the appointment. {in} rick@inweekly.net
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AMERICAN MAGIC LANDS SAIL GP DEAL the community's hospitality: "I've been fortunate to meet the fantastic people from Pensacola over the last 24 hours or so and heard of the rich and proud maritime history of this city. Thank you all in advance for providing such a warm welcome, as I'm sure you will for all of our international sailing teams that will be rotating into this city."
JOB CREATION
Photo Courtesy of cityofpensacola.com
By Rick Outzen On Jan. 6, the City of Pensacola and American Magic held a grand opening ceremony for the American Magic High Performance Center at the Port of Pensacola, with speeches from several dignitaries, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, American Magic's president of operations, Terry Hutchinson and its co-founder Doug DeVos. The $20 million center serves as the team's operational base and hub for American Magic and combines elite sailing programs with cutting-edge design and precision engineering, positioning Pensacola as a global center for performance sailing and technological innovation. Almost lost in the fanfare was Andy Thompson, who spoke near the end. Thompson, Sail GP's managing director, flew from London to announce the league's first permanent training facility at American Magic's new headquarters. "On behalf of co-founders Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle Corporation, and Sir Russell Coutts, one of the greatest sailors of all time, thank you for welcoming us here today in Pensacola," Thompson said. "We're delighted to announce we've signed with American Magic for the first long-term training base with highperformance foiling F50 catamarans to be permanently based here by the end of 2026." The announcement marks what Mayor Reeves calls a watershed moment for the city. "I couldn't be more excited to, again, as you've 66
heard me say so many times, plant our flag as the sailing destination of the United States," Reeves said on the "(We Don't) Color on the Dog" podcast. "And certainly, I think you can say after yesterday, one of the biggest sailing destinations in the world." Reeves described Sail GP in terms sports fans can understand: "The easiest way to explain it, if you follow any type of sports, is it's the F1 of sailing. It's the NASCAR of sailing. It's the unequivocal most prestigious tour of sailing in the world." The league features 13 teams whose team members are Olympic gold medalists and America's Cup veterans racing in major cities worldwide—from Australia and New York to Dubai and Abu Dhabi—with a combined purse exceeding $12 million. Thompson confirmed that thirteen international teams featuring the world's best athletes will hold training camps throughout the year at the facility. "We'll have the best athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil, France, Denmark, Switzerland and beyond sailing right here on the waters of Pensacola," Thompson said. Billed as "the most exciting racing on water," the Rolex SailGP Championship events have teams competing in identical high-tech, highspeed 50-foot foiling catamarans, racing at speeds in excess of 60 mph. Thompson said, "The races are 12 to 14 minutes, so they're very, very intense. They're short, but they're sharp with the close proximity of how the boats are racing. I mean, it is truly the highest level of the sport."
He continued, "And really, our product is what we call 'stadium racing.' You can sit in your grandstand seat and see the whole race right in front of you."
FINDING HOME IN PENSACOLA
American Magic co-founder Doug DeVos explained how Pensacola emerged as the ideal location for the team's permanent home, thanks to a phone call from Dr. Jim Andrews—an avid sailor and founder of the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze. "It started with Dr. Andrews, for what got us excited about it, and what got me excited about it is that the team was quite excited too," DeVos shared after the ceremony. "And they found a great base, a great natural area. Here's where we can do our training. This is wonderful." But the natural conditions were just the beginning. "And then the reports kept coming in," he said. "Not only that, the city's working with us wonderfully, the port authority. Everyone's just pitching in to help us out and kind of taking us in as their own." DeVos said his first visit to Pensacola confirmed everything his team had reported. "When I came down the first time, it was almost like, is this really true? And as soon as I showed up, I felt welcomed the same way that they felt welcomed." Tyson Lamond, America Magic's chief operating officer, echoed DeVos' sentiment. "Since our first day in Pensacola, the local community has welcomed us with open arms." During his speech, Thompson also praised
The announcement creates significant economic opportunity beyond the sport's prestige. "This means 13 teams and their support systems and their drivers and everything, they will be coming in and out of our airport and in and out of being on our water for three or four months a year," Reeves said. "And so that's people spending money in our city, staying in hotels and certainly gives us a big badge of honor within this industry and within sports as a whole." Thompson emphasized the partnership's community benefits: "We expect significant visitation to the community here from around the world as a result of that. But frankly, we want to put on a great show here on the waterfront for everybody in Pensacola and Florida, and no doubt we just want to drive a sense of excitement and buzz across the whole of the community." For Reeves, job creation remains the fundamental driver. "How did we fund a $20 million building? It's job creation. At the end of the day, obviously the prestige is amazing and is going to do amazing things for our city, our region, our community to have them here. But the bread and butter is going to be creating high-paying jobs."
"We expect significant visitation to the community here from around the world as a result of that." Andy Thompson DeVos stressed that American Magic represents far more than a racing team. "This is much more than sailing. Sailing has a lot of technology for itself, but it's the applications in aerospace and everything … When we're flying these boats around in the water, they're like air going through—just an upside-down wing, you know?" He revealed that demand already exceeds capacity: "I'd say we're at a point where I think we have more work than we can handle. That's why we're so interested in getting this facility online. It expands our capacity." The advanced materials and engineering required for high-performance sailing have broad industrial applications. DeVos added, "A lot of industries want things that are stronger and lighter. That's what we do. And that are unique and innovative. That's what we do. So then you just start to think, 'Hey, let's start talking to these folks and see what we can do.' We're just scratching the surface." {in} inweekly.net
January 15, 2026
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carry of firearms in Florida, Simmons reported no significant issues, saying residents appear to follow common sense about when and where they openly carry firearms. He said, "I would hope that people would certainly exercise their constitutional rights but also have a level of common sense." Looking ahead to 2026, Simmons will continue strengthening partnerships with the Pensacola Police Department as they search for a new chief, and with federal prosecutors targeting gun and drug trafficking. "The bad guys don't care what jurisdiction they're in," Simmons said. "You're not going to see conflict here from the law enforcement agencies and think you're going to sneak by, because that's not going to happen."
MORE JOBS COMING The Escambia Coun-
Photo Courtesy of Gulf Winds Credit Union
NEW HQ Gulf Winds Credit Union celebrated the groundbreaking of its new headquarters on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola last month, marking a significant expansion for the 71-year-old financial institution. The new facility will bring the credit union's administrative teams under one roof for the first time, consolidating operations currently spread across multiple locations. Gulf Winds President and CEO Daniel Souers joined Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry and Pensacola Chamber of Commerce President Todd Thomson at the ceremony. "Breaking ground on our new headquarters is more than a construction milestone—it marks our commitment to serving members and the community," Souers said. The headquarters will feature energy-efficient systems, innovative technology and collaborative workspaces designed to support cross-functional teams. Gulf Winds officials said the unified facility will improve operational efficiency and enhance the credit union's ability to serve its expanding membership base. Founded in 1954, Gulf Winds has grown to operate 12 branch locations across North Florida, Southern Alabama and Southern Georgia, supported by more than 240 employees. The credit union serves members through digital banking platforms and provides access to nationwide surcharge-free ATMs. "Gulf Winds is a leader of growth and innovation in our community," Commissioner Barry said. "They consistently take steps to make a positive, lasting impact on their members and others in need. I'm grateful for Gulf Winds' continued leadership, partnership and service in Escambia County." Membership at Gulf Winds is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in the credit union's three-state service area. For more information, visit gogulfwinds.com. HOMICIDES DROP Escambia County experienced a significant reduction in homicides dur88
ing 2025, with numbers dropping from 32 to 18—a 40% decrease that Sheriff Chip Simmons calls "probably the largest drop in homicide numbers that we've had in recent memory." The reduction is part of a broader decline in violent crime, which fell 13 to 15% countywide, Simmons said during a year-end assessment of his office's performance. While acknowledging that "some of that is luck," Simmons said his command staff is examining multiple factors behind the improvement, including personnel increases, philosophical changes, technology adoption and policy adjustments. He said, "We owe it to ourselves, and I owe it to the voters to do the very best that we possibly can." Meanwhile, the Real-Time Crime Center continues expanding its capabilities, particularly through license plate reader technology that Simmons credits with solving cases that would have been intractable a decade ago. Simmons described a recent homicide where investigators had minimal evidence—just a victim with a gunshot wound. Deputies canvassed the neighborhood for security cameras, identified a white Ford Bronco and used license plate readers to track the vehicle to a liquor store an hour before the murder and then to the crime scene. "We were able to solve a homicide that 10 years ago we would never have been able to solve, certainly not in such a short period of time," Simmons said. Despite opposition from some Florida gubernatorial candidates, Simmons defended his office's drone program, clarifying that drones are used only when establishing perimeters during searches or looking for missing persons—not for routine patrols. "I don't understand ignoring technology," Simmons said, noting that the drones' forward-looking infrared capabilities help locate suspects in wooded areas. "We're not talking about shoplifting. We're talking about robberies. We're talking about felons." Regarding the 2025 ruling that allowed open
ty Commission has approved a tax exemption for Field International Group, a global engineering and manufacturing firm that will establish its United States headquarters in Escambia County. The Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (EDATE), approved for up to 10 years, supports Field International's $8 million capital investment and creation of 50 jobs with an average annual wage of $80,000. A potential second phase could generate an additional $12 million investment and 50 more jobs at similar wage levels. Field International, headquartered in the United Kingdom with operations in India, China and Singapore, provides precision engineering, tooling and ground support equipment for aerospace, transport, energy and medical industries. Founded in 1995, the company serves aerospace manufacturers and maintenance operators worldwide. "Following a competitive evaluation of multiple regions, Field International selected Escambia County for its first U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operation," said Mark Booker, Group CEO. "The county's strategic location, business climate, corporate assets and skilled workforce align well with our growth objectives in the North American market." Florida's Great Northwest initiated the relationship with Field International, originally known as "Project Britain." Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of Florida's Great Northwest, called the investment "a victory for regional collaboration and foreign direct investment" and "the culmination of years of marketing Northwest Florida as a premier business hub worldwide." FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance partnered to advance the project locally, with Escambia County prevailing against competing U.S. locations. Chris Platé, FloridaWest CEO, said the project "reinforces the county's value proposition for global precision manufacturers seeking access to U.S. markets." County Commission Chair Ashlee Hofberger added, "Field International's decision to establish operations in Escambia County reflects our competitiveness in attracting high-wage, advanced manufacturing jobs and strengthening the community's aerospace cluster."
PULSE OF PENSACOLA A recent poll of Pensacola voters reveals a community grappling with national economic frustrations while maintaining optimism about city leadership and downtown development. Several readers contacted Inweekly about being polled, and when we called around, Quint Studer said he paid for political strategist Steve Schale to coordinate a poll on the pulse of the voters inside Pensacola's city limits on several issues. Studer said he had been doing community polls with Schale every few years since 2018. "I learned a lesson during the Community Marine Park referendum to get as much objective feedback as you can," Studer said. "I also like using a very well-respected professional pollster because they make sure they get a representative of the community. During the Maritime Park debate, the polling was so helpful to let us know what the people were thinking." Schale used SEA Polling & Strategic Design to conduct the poll. "I asked people who they really thought was an honest, trustworthy person and not tell you what you wanted to hear," Studer said of Schale. "What amazed me about Steve is when I asked people, heavy Republicans and Democrats, and his name came up most often. He's well respected by both political parties." The survey found that 46% of voters have "mixed" feelings about Pensacola's direction, while 26% say things are headed in the right direction and 24% say wrong direction. This represents a significant shift from 2018, when 60% said the right direction and just 18% said the wrong direction. The 2022 results showed 28% right, 20% wrong and 50% mixed. According to Schale's summary, "Voters in Pensacola are not immune to the general dismal mood of voters all over the country." Despite broader anxieties, Mayor D.C. Reeves earned a 52% favorable rating compared to 34% unfavorable. The political strategist noted that "there are very few public officials right now that wouldn't take D.C.'s numbers right now. He's done a nice job of navigating a challenging national political environment." President Trump's job approval in the city is 36% favorable, 64% unfavorable. He was at 42% favorable, 57% unfavorable when we polled it in September 2018, and 33% favorable, 56% unfavorable in 2022. The availability of good-paying jobs topped the list of voter concerns, with 46% ranking it a 5 on a 1-5 scale. Housing prices came in second at 40%, followed by crime and drugs at 39%. The shift in economic anxiety is striking. In 2022, job availability averaged a 3.4 rating; now it's jumped to 4.16. Most telling was that 53% of residents are concerned "that I might not be able to afford to live in the City of Pensacola in the future." Despite economic worries, 61% of voters believe "a vibrant downtown is good for the entire Escambia County economy," while just 35% think there's "too much focus on downtown Pensacola." Additionally, 60% agree that "the development in downtown Pensacola is improving the quality of life for me and my neighbors." inweekly.net
Schale concluded: "Voters here are wor‑ ried. They are worried about their ability to find good work or afford to live here—they are worried about the kind of growth coming to town … and they are concerned whether Pensacola can be a home for their kids."
BEACH ACCESS The Escambia County Com‑ mission will discuss public beach access on Perdi‑ do Key and Pensacola Beach at its Committee of the Whole in February. For years, county leaders have debated "customary use"—the public's right to use the dry sand area of the beach for recre‑ ation—even where that sand is part of private wa‑ terfront parcels and when that use has been "an‑ cient, reasonable, without interruption and free from dispute." Perdido Key has seen conflicts where condo owners claimed sections of dry‑sand beach as pri‑ vate, while county officials and residents pointed to long‑standing public use and old easement lan‑ guage in deeds. The customary use issue has now popped up on Pensacola Beach. "Customary use on Perdido Key, it's going to have to be dealt with by this board," said Commis‑ sioner Steven Barry. "In my opinion, it's not going to go away. You now have some District 4 advo‑ cates that have taken up the mantra." The commissioners agreed to put it on the agenda for the next Committee of the Whole and to make it a discussion and action item for the next regular meeting, which would be two weeks later. The goal is to give the public substantial time to offer input to the board. AKA INDUCTEES Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror‑ ity, Delta Iota Omega Graduate Chapter and Beta Gamma Undergraduate Chapter, induct‑ ed 18 women into their sisterhood. Founded in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by Afri‑ can American college-educated women. With chapters around the world, the sorority is ded‑ icated to achieving high scholastic and ethi‑ cal standards, promoting unity and friendship among college women and improving the qual‑ ity of life for families and communities. Thirteen women were initiated into the Delta Iota Omega Graduate Chapter: LaChelle McKinley, Evelyn Brown, Katrina Philpot, Tavara Richard, Shalillian Pope, Ramona Wilson, Rena‑ ko Banks, Phyllis Anderson, Tonia Jones, Britany Scarpa, Deidra Thompkins, Keyosha Stallworth and Ariel Jones. Five joined the Beta Gamma Undergraduate Chapter at the University of West Florida: Amaia Jackson, Kori Anthony, Gabriella-Rae Wilson, Constance Lawson and Tiana Mumphery. Initiated during the Sorority's Fall 2025 mem‑ bership intake season, these new members bring talent and passion that will support the sorority's mission of "Service to All Mankind." Their collec‑ tive contributions are expected to further expand Alpha Kappa Alpha's impact throughout the Pen‑ sacola community and beyond through leadership development and meaningful service initiatives. The women made their official debut at the 67th Annual Debutante Ball, themed "Living the January 15, 2026
AKA Debutante Legacy Through Bridgerton Mo‑ ments." This cotillion-style event showcased eight young ladies who were presented to society after successfully completing the Charmette Program. "For 67 years, Pensacola's Alpha Kappa Al‑ pha chapter has upheld the cherished tradition of presenting young ladies to society each year on December 27, honoring the academic achieve‑ ments, character and leadership potential of local high school seniors at the sorority's strictly formal Debutante Ball," said Mamie Webb Hixon, a 59year member of AKA. The gala served as a reminder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's commitment to uplifting women, cultivating leadership and empowering communi‑ ties through service.
GOODBYE TACOS MEXICANOS Gabe Her‑
nandez posted on Facebook that the sale of his beloved food truck, Tacos Mexicanos, fell through, forcing him to permanently close the operation. "The deal [Pablo Hernandez and I] were working on for a January transition into new own‑ ership fell through and I have decided to close," he wrote. "I truly did my best to keep Tacos Mexica‑ nos alive, but at the end of the day, God has plans that none of us can dispute. I will be back in Pen‑ sacola occasionally and look forward to running into y'all at the many other local dining spots we have in this great town. Thank you all for the love! We loved cooking in East Hill." Gabe Hernandez started Tacos Mexica‑ nos in 2016 almost as a joke when he and his wife moved to Pensacola and couldn't find good tacos. Inweekly readers and staff have followed it as it moved to several locations before settling on 12th Avenue. Tacos Mexicanos consistently placed in our annual Best of the Coast readers' survey. In his Facebook post, Hernandez wrote, "Also, huge thanks to my amazing wife Gaby who's been with me throughout everything and helped me build this great little business."
PERKINS NOT RUNNING The Emerald
Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will have an open board seat in 2026 after District 4 Board Member Dale Perkins announced he will not seek re-election. First elected in 1994, Perkins has served on the ECUA Board for 32 years. During his tenure, he helped guide ECUA through hurricane recov‑ ery efforts following Hurricane Ivan in 2004; sup‑ ported the closure of the Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant and the construction of the Cen‑ tral Water Reclamation Facility; and served on the Board that donated the iconic Pensacola Beach Ball water tower to the Santa Rosa Island Author‑ ity in 2008 rather than remove it. Following completion of his current term, the District 4 seat will open, with the new board mem‑ ber's term beginning in November 2026 and run‑ ning through November 2030. Individuals interested in running for the ECUA District 4 Board Member position are en‑ couraged to visit escambiavotes.gov or contact the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office for information on qualifications and fil‑ ing requirements. {in} 9
FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION BILLS TO WATCH The Florida Legislature convened on Jan. 13 for another contentious session that could rival 2025's. Last year, our lawmakers—Sen. Don Gaetz, Rep. Alex Andrade and Rep. Michelle Salzman—played key roles. Inweekly met with each to learn about the bills they have proposed for the 2026 session, which is scheduled to end March 13.
BIG SWINGS
Sen. Gaetz takes big swings, filing ambitious bills that he deems "heavy lifts" each legislative session. Perhaps his heaviest lift for the 2026 session is challenging Florida Power & Light and its army of influential lobbyists. Gaetz (R-Niceville) filed Senate Bill 126, requiring the Florida Public Service Commission to justify rate increases by utility companies. Not coincidentally, Gaetz filed the bill after the commission approved a nearly $7 billion rate increase for 12 million FPL customers. His bill passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee by a unanimous 9-0 vote and advanced to the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government. SB 126 includes expanding Public Service Commission commissioners from five to seven and requires a certified public accountant and a chartered financial analyst to serve as commissioners. The bill further requires the commission to provide support for its conclusions when issuing orders, provide explanations for accepting or rejecting a settlement agreement and submit an annual report on public utility rates. Gaetz filed a similar bill last session that died in the aforementioned Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government. SB 126 already lost some of its wallop. The bill originally included a cap on return on equity for utility companies. Last month, Gaetz introduced a "strike-all" amendment that removed the provision. Rep. Andrade (R-Pensacola) filed a similar bill in the House. HB 187 is in the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee. "They're both in a good posture," Andrade 010 1
said. "I'm still trying to get a hearing in the House. He's got it heard in the Senate, so he's got it officially moving on the Senate side and I have to see if there's an avenue on the House side to get it moving." SB 582 is perhaps just as heavy a lift. Gaetz filed the bill to stop property insurance companies from hiding excessive profits while asking the state to make property owners pay higher premiums. Gaetz emailed a letter to constituents before the session began and minced no words when he wrote that SB 126 and 582 are "two bills that should pass but won't." Gaetz stated, "The Legislature has little appetite to limit the excesses of either industry. But I won't stop fighting for a Florida where property insurance and utility rates are affordable."
SCHOOL CHOICE CHAOS
School choice funding is another big lift that Gaetz is tackling this session. Since 2023 when state lawmakers eliminated income restrictions and opened scholarship programs to virtually every child, the number of school-age children educated in private schools or homeschooled at public expense has skyrocketed to nearly 20%. Gaetz filed SB 318 after a state audit revealed inaccurate tracking of about 30,000 scholarship students who receive taxpayerfunded scholarships. Gaetz said the state further failed to account for $270 million in scholarship funds being at the right school at the right time, including $100 million improperly paid to scholarship funding organizations instead of public school districts. To make matters worse, the Legislature appropriated $12.7 billion in Florida Education Finance Program funds for the 2024-25 school year based on enrollment projections, but scholarship program expenditures exceeded budgeted amounts by nearly $398 million. In part, SB 318 aims to separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding into a distinct
category outside the traditional school funding formula, establishing monthly payments with verification of student eligibility before each payment and requiring student IDs for all scholarship recipients to enable accurate tracking. "This year we can't find 30,000 students on any given day," Gaetz said. "And one of the reasons is we don't have a numbering system. We don't give students student ID numbers when they're in a voucher program." Gaetz said the auditor general told him, "Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong." "If this issue is left to fester, it will imperil school choice in our state," Gaetz said. The Appropriations Committee passed a revised version by a unanimous 16-0 vote and placed SB 318 on the calendar to be debated by the Senate. Another notable bill filed by Gaetz is SB 86. The bill requires law enforcement officers to take "unauthorized aliens" operating commercial motor vehicles into custody and facilitate their transfer to a federal immigration agency. The bill further requires the impoundment of the vehicle, the owner to pay a $50,000 fine and potentially be prohibited from operating in the state. A committee is yet to take up the bill. Gaetz filed the bill after Harjinder Singh allegedly made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, causing a deadly crash that killed three people. Singh, a native of India, obtained his commercial driver's license in California after reportedly crossing the Mexican border illegally. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded by filing a lawsuit against California with the U.S. Supreme Court. His lawsuit attacks the state's sanctuary policies that allowed Singh to obtain a commercial license. This will be an extremely busy session for Gaetz. His committee assignments include Ethics and Elections chair, Finance and Tax vice chair and seven other committees that range from education to health policy. "I don't have a lot of downtime, but that also allows me to represent the interests of Northwest Florida in a variety of venues, with how money is
BY INWEEKLY STAFF appropriated and whether laws are written in a way that they are judicial," he said.
ANDRADE: HEALTH CARE
Andrade is serving on five committees before he terms out at the end of the year. The Pensacola lawmaker chairs the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee. Last session, Andrade investigated First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida Initiative and raised questions about a $10 million settlement redirected to Hope Florida rather than state coffers. Andrade recently upped the estimated amount. He said new evidence confirmed the $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation was Medicaid money and that the scheme cost taxpayers $16 million. In October, Andrade testified for about two hours before a Tallahassee grand jury investigating the alleged money laundering. Andrade alleged that Gov. DeSantis' chief of staff, James Uthmeier, led a money laundering scheme funneling money to his political committee, which opposed a recreational marijuana amendment on the 2024 ballot. Last year, DeSantis appointed Uthmeier as attorney general. Neither DeSantis nor Uthmeier has admitted to any wrongdoing. "The grand jury is still out," Andrade said. "After that, I don't know. The feds, Department of Justice and IRS could all be looking at it right now." Andrade will be busy this session prioritizing the $40 billion healthcare budget that includes Medicaid, mental health services, adoption services, the Baker Act and veterans' resources. Medicaid will be under his microscope. Andrade said that Medicaid covers the majority of births in the state and he is considering tweaks to Medicaid contracts to incentivize better birth outcomes. Florida ranks 44th in the nation in birth outcomes due to high costs, poor healthcare access and high rates of preterm/low birthweight babies. "I'm confident something will get done, whether it's this session or next," Andrade said. "It's a cultural shift more than anything else. inweekly.net
There's a lot of momentum happening right now among legislators who are active in the healthcare space."
SALZMAN: SCHOOL SAFETY
Fellow Rep. Salzman (R-Cantonment) serves on six committees, including as chair of the Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee. Her subcommittee considers topics beyond housing, agriculture and tourism, including economic development, international trade and unemployment compensation. "Over the past year, we worked extensively on condominium reform, particularly in South Florida, where rising costs, aging buildings and new safety requirements have placed significant financial pressure on homeowners," Salzman said. "Those discussions helped inform legislative solutions aimed at balancing safety, affordability and long-term stability for condo residents across the state."
She continued, "This year, our work has expanded to include firsthand engagement with innovative housing solutions. The subcommittee visited dwelling home units in Tallahassee to better understand how alternative housing models can help address workforce and attainable housing shortages in Florida communities." Salzman has filed five bills, including HB 475. The bill focuses on children entering the foster care system who present with increasingly complex medical, developmental and behavioral needs. HB 475 is being heard in the Human Services Subcommittee. "Today, approximately 2.5 percent of the state's 14,500 foster children are considered high-acuity children whose needs exceed what a traditional foster home or case management system can reasonably provide and whose primary need is medical care rather than social services," she said. "My bill prioritizes medical health stabilization by requiring immediate assessments and appropriate medical placements for youth deemed eli-
gible, ensuring these children receive the level of care they truly need while also relieving strain on foster families and caseworkers." Another bill filed by Salzman addresses school safety. HB 757 authorizes postsecondary institutions to allow faculty and staff to participate in the school guardian program, enabling them to carry a firearm on campus. Salzman said the bill strengthens the deterrence of illegal firearm use at schools. The discharge of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school at any level results in a seconddegree felony. HB 757 is being heard in the Judiciary Committee, which Salzman serves on. Gaetz filed a similar bill in SB 896, which has yet to be taken up by a committee. "Following the tragic shooting at Florida State University last year, I began closely examining additional ways we could enhance safety in and around our schools," Salzman said. "This specific felony provision was an idea brought to me by [Escambia County Superintendent Keith Leonard], and I chose to combine these con-
OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST BUMP STOCKS
House Bill 6021 would repeal Florida's ban on bump-fire stocks, including possession and usage of them, which lawmakers passed after the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Bump stocks make semiautomatic guns mimic fully automatic firearms. Repeal proposals in 2022 and 2025 failed to pass.
LOWERING THE AGE TO BUY GUNS
HB 133 would restore the right for individuals ages 18-20 to buy rifles and shotguns. The age limit had been raised to 21 after the Parkland school shooting. The bill has passed two House committees and is ready for the House floor. March for Our Lives, the Florida League of Women Voters and several pro-gun-control groups have urged Senate President Albritton to shut down the bill when it reaches his chamber.
MORE ABORTION ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
HB 663 would allow family members—spouses, parents or siblings—to sue anyone who prescribes, manufactures, ships or aids in obtaining abortion medication. Successful lawsuits could yield $100,000 in damages plus legal fees. The bill targets telehealth abortion services from states where the procedure remains legal. While the bill protects pregnant women from being sued, critics argue it's designed to intimidate providers and further restrict abortion access.
UNBORN CHILD WRONGFUL DEATH
Senate Bill 164 gives parents the ability to sue for damages for the wrongful death of an unborn fetus at any stage of development. The bill would not allow civil suits to be brought against medical personnel providing assistive reproductive technology, or procedures that January 15, 2026
involve the handling of human eggs, sperm and embryos to help achieve pregnancy. SB 164 was narrowly passed by a 5-4 vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee and now faces the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, the former Senate president and chair of the Rules Committee, killed the bill last year. The House version (HB 289) passed through the House Judiciary Committee with a 14-6 vote down party lines. The bill's next stop is the House floor.
PROPERTY TAXES
The House Ways and Means Committee voted 10-5 to advance House Joint Resolution 209, setting it up for consideration by the full House. The measure would exempt $200,000 of a homestead's assessed value from nonschool property taxes if the property is insured. However, the House has other proposals on the table, which include the elimination of all non-school property taxes, elimination only for homesteads for persons 65 and older and modification on limitations on property assessments. All, some or none of them may appear before the voters as constitutional amendments on the November 2026 ballot.
HUMAN REVIEW OF CLAIMS
HB 527 would require humans to make the ultimate decisions about denying insurance claims or reducing claim payments. The bill allows insurers to use artificial intelligence and algorithms to process claims and make recommendations on approvals and denials. However, a "carrier's decision to deny a claim or any portion of a claim or a payment claim reduction must be made by a qualified human professional."
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HB 277 modernizes the state's domestic violence laws. The bill would require mandatory strangulation and domestic violence training for emergency medical technicians and paramedics, modernize the legal definition of do-
mestic violence, expand the courts' authority to order GPS monitoring and strengthen body camera requirements during investigations. HB 277 also creates a treatment-based diversion pathway for first-time offenders who plead guilty and complete a batterer's intervention program, mental health services and weekly court-monitored progress reporting.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
HB 6003 would restore the rights of adults and adult children to recover non-economic damages in wrongful death cases tied to medical negligence. Florida is the only state with such litigation restrictions. Physicians, hospitals and insurers warned the measure would contribute to higher healthcare costs, raise medical malpractice premiums and discourage doctors from coming to Florida. A similar bill cleared the House and Senate last only to be vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May.
DEI ELIMINATION
HB 1001 would prohibit cities and counties from funding or promoting DEI programs, offices, training or preferential treatment based on demographic characteristics. Local officials who violate the ban could face charges of misfeasance or malfeasance, and individuals may sue governments that defy the law. The bills define DEI broadly while preserving equalopportunity standards and commemorations, such as Black History Month.
E-VERIFY EXPANSION
Under current law, all public and private employers with 25 or more workers are required to use E-Verify. HB 197 would expand that to smaller private employers. The bill cleared the House Commerce Committee last month and is ready to go to the full House. The House passed a similar bill during the 2025 session, but the measure did not get Senate approval. For more information on bills for the 2026 session, visit flsenate.gov and flhouse.gov.
cepts into a single bill because they both directly relate to protecting students, educators and school communities." Florida lawmakers will be busy after the 60day regular session ends. Two hot-button topics—redistricting and property taxes—will for sure result in one special session and perhaps another for legislators. Last week, DeSantis said a special session on redistricting would occur in late April. A new map could increase Republican domination in the U.S. House of Representatives. Florida currently has a 20-8 Republican advantage. DeSantis floated the idea of a special session for eliminating homestead property taxes. Legislators would draft language to put an amendment on the ballot for the November general election. Florida requires 60% voter approval for an amendment to become law. "Anybody who claims they know what's going on as far as redistricting and property taxes is lying to you," Andrade said. "There's no smoky back room where everything's been hashed out."
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES We included social media pages for representatives who use them. We also listed their email and phone numbers for their Pensacola and Tallahassee offices if you want to contact them about specific bills and votes during the session. SEN. DON GAETZ gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov Pensacola: (850) 595-1036 Tallahassee: (850) 487-5001 REP. ALEX ANDRADE x.com/ralexandradefl alex.andrade@myfloridahouse.gov Pensacola: (850) 542-1980 Tallahassee: (850) 717-5002 REP. MICHELLE SALZMAN facebook.com/michellesalzmanforcongress michelle.salzman@myfloridahouse.gov Pensacola: (850) 988-1160 Tallahassee: (850) 717-5001
WAYS TO KEEP UP POLITICO'S FLORIDA PLAYBOOK politico.com/newsletters/floridaplaybook Coverage of state politics by Kimberly Leonard. GARY FINEOUT x.com/fineout Politico's reporter covering Florida politics. FLORIDA POLITICS floridapolitics.com A statewide media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy and lobbying. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FLORIDA lwvfl.org A nonpartisan political organization that publishes regular "Capitol Reports." EQUALITY FLORIDA eqfl.org The largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's LGBTQ+ community. {in} 11
WHERE HISTORY AND MODERN COMFORT MEET Welcome to Hotel Tristan, Pensacola’s newest destination in the vibrant East Garden District. With a nod to the city’s rich history and the explorer Tristan de Luna, our hotel blends timeless charm with modern sophistication. Whether you’re visiting for leisure, family fun, or a special event, Hotel Tristan offers an unforgettable stay in the heart of downtown Pensacola.
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WEEK OF JANUARY 15-21
Arts & Entertainment art, film, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...
Not a Phase By Savannah Evanoff
Sincere Engineer / Courtesy Photo
It's safe to say Deanna Belos is never leaving her punk phase. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter behind Chicago-based punk-rock band Sincere Engineer remembers growing up feeling like an outcast and living in a punk and emo bubble, with her mom taking her to shows she had no one else to go with—like Alkaline Trio and The Lawrence Arms. She never dreamed she’d be performing a similar style of music for her career one day. "At the time, it was not even in the realm of possibility; I barely played guitar," Belos said. "I kind of fell into it." Toby Jeg from Red Scare Industries stumbled across a handful of songs on Belos' Instagram
January 15, 2026
while Belos was in college. Jeg saw enough to ask her to open for Brendan Kelly from The Lawrence Arms. How could she say no? "It was a five-band bill acoustic show, and my friend was like, 'You're starting at 6 o'clock, everyone's still gonna be at work. Don't get scared.' That really, really softened it for me," Belos said. "I made it through the set without messing up, and that was a win for me. It was honestly the most fun night I've ever had … It really kind of sparked everything else." "I was like, 'I guess I'm trying this now.' Like, I wanted to be a dentist. I went to school to do that. I majored in biology." As Belos' college classes got harder, though,
the more she played guitar. By the skin of her teeth, she still left the University of Illinois Chicago with a bachelor's in biology and a master's in laboratory animal science (done online during the pandemic). But she eventually traded her university lab job for punk-rock tours. Her band was made in a lab of a different kind. They met in the studio to play the live show for her debut album "Rhombithian," which released in 2017. They've been together ever since. "That's the band now, and they're all very talented, and I'm very lucky to have them," Belos said. Testing songs live was actually how Belos developed her sound and pieced together her albums, she noted. "When I first started, I would write [songs] that week and go do a lot of music guest spots at comedy showcases, strangely, just because I had a lot of comedian friends at the time," Belos said. "So it would be like, 10 comedians do three minutes, and then there's a musical guest at the end. I miss those days. It was a cool way to practice stuff immediately and be like, 'I wrote the song this week. Let's see if people like it or not, or if I like playing it.' Or if I'm messing up too much, maybe that means it's not very good and doesn't feel natural." The band's latest full-length album, "Cheap Grills," was recorded in Boston. The next album, though, is being recorded back home, in Chicago. It's nice to go home and sleep after recording, she added. "Lyrically, it's probably pretty similar to 'Cheap Grills'—there's several songs about how fast time passes—and maybe sonically goes back to the first record, a little bit," Belos said. "We're in day three—it's hard to tell even, but that's just kind of the vibe I'm getting. It's a little more back to roots. My own roots, not the roots of punk. I started writing it almost immediately
after that record, so I feel like it's hopefully gonna be just a quick flow into this one, but coming from a person that's a little bit older." The name Sincere Engineer also goes back to her roots. Like her first performance, it originated with Kelly of The Lawrence Arms, she explained. "He said it in an interview once … he was talking about a friend who was engineering a record, like audio engineering, and he just said it off the cuff," Belos said. "I don't know, he was probably drunk when he said it, but I really liked the rhyme and made it my Instagram name. Then when it was time to put music up, when I first started solo, I was like, 'I guess I'm just using that. That's the username.'" And it's a fitting one. Belos' sincerity is palpable when she talks about how grateful she is for the ability to pursue music. Her goals are to make good records and play as much as she can. "I'd really love to get over to Japan and Australia at some point," Belos said. "In this landscape of the world, my goal is really just to make stuff that I am proud of, or make stuff that we are proud of and have fun with it." Pensacola will mark Sincere Engineer's first headlining show in Florida. Belos is excited to go on tour with Motion City Soundtrack just after that. {in}
SINCERE ENGINEER WITH THE HANDSOME SCOUNDRELS
WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. COST: $22.35 (early bird pricing; includes all fees) DETAILS: sincereengineer.com, thehandlebar850.com
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a&e happenings 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. The speaker will go on at 6 p.m., and a Q&A will follow at 7:30 p.m. Register online at uwf.edu/gulfcoastculture.
CULTURAL ART DISCUSSION WITH COLLECTOR DON PARTINGTON The African American Heritage Society hosts a lecture on cultural art 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at Coulson House, 200 Church St. in Historic Pensacola. Cost is a $25 donation. Details at africanamericanheritagesociety.org.
PLT HOUSE MANAGER AND USHER TRAINING Volunteer training opportunity Sat-
urday, Jan. 24 at 400 S. Jefferson St. Choose from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Details at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
Brown Bag Opera / Photo by Alex Hilkey for Pensacola Opera
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Ani-
mal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Beef 'O' Brady's, 1 New Market St., Cantonment (on Nine Mile Road near Pine Forest Road). The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. 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 Min-
istry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also 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.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
PRESS CONFERENCE ON OFFSHORE DRILLING Local leaders and business own-
ers will host a press conference on opposition to offshore drilling 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Gulfside Pavilion, 20 Casino Beach Blvd. You can submit comments on the proposal to offshore drilling in the Gulf at federalregister.gov. Visit healthygulf.org for more information.
MLK DAY PARADE The Martin Luther King Jr. parade is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and kicks off at Spring and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola. Details at mlkparadepensacola.com.
ARTS & CULTURE
FILM SCREENINGS Pensacola Cinema Art screens multiple films most weekends at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10 cash only. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for their complete schedule. STAND UP COMEDY NIGHT: TRUE DETECTIVE TOUR Ross Richard, Timely Rain, Kill 414 1
Tony, Drew Nickens and Collin Sledge 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at Bagelheads, 916 E. Gregory St. Get tickets at talktothemooncomedy.com.
GALLERY NIGHT: LUNAR NEW YEAR With Palafox Street under construction, Gallery Night will be at Plaza Ferdinand, Government Street, Zaragoza Street and surrounding areas. The next date is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. Details at gallerynightpensacola.org.
WEST GARDEN DISTRICT ARTISAN MARKET Shop 20 local artisans every Satur-
day starting Jan. 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1617 W. Garden St.
RED CARPET HOLLYWOOD MURDER MYSTERY Dinner and show is 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $81.13 and available at eventbrite.com.
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR Mountainfilm
will screen a series of documentary short films 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $25 with proceeds supporting Healthy Gulf and Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program. Tickets at mountainfilm. myeventscenter.com.
COCKTAILS & CONNECTIONS: A BRIDAL EXPO Bridal vendors and faux ceremony 3-7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18 at The Well, 50 E. Garden St. Details and tickets at facebook.com/thewellpenscola.
BROWN BAG OPERA Pensacola Opera per-
formance 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at The Opera Center, 75 S, Tarragona St. Details at facebook.com/pensacolaopera.
PAJAMA PAWTY AT COASTAL CAT CAFÉ
Get comfy and unwind with adoptable cats. For $20 you can enjoy an hour of kitty play time, snack and a hot drink of your choice. Event is 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St.
GULF COAST CULTURE SERIES: SOUTHERN GOTHIC PHOTOGRAPHY Renowned
curator, photographer and writer Richard McCabe will speak at the Pensacola Museum of Art. McCabe, curator of photography at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans since 2010, examines how Southern Gothic traditions of mystery, melancholy and beauty are captured through photography. A reception will begin at
GROWN-UP BOOK FAIR AT ODD COLONY
Shop book local bookstores and authors, '90s yearbook photobooth, "cafeteria" food treats, craft and vintage market and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Details at facebook.com/oddcolony.
VERDI'S LA TRAVIATA Pensacola Opera performance dates are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $31-$126. Purchase online at pensacolaopera.com.
2026 SECOND LINE TUESDAYS Join the Second Line celebrations on Palafox Street during Mardi Gras season. Upcoming dates are 5 p.m. Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 10 starting outside Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, 123 S. Palafox St. Details at pensacolamardigras.com/events. A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY: STORYTELLERS, TRICKSTERS AND FORTUNE TELLERS The Art Gallery at the University of
West Florida presents "A History of Photography: Storytellers, Tricksters and Fortune Tellers" exhibition in the The Art Gallery at UWF's Center for Fine and Performing Arts (Building 82) from Thursday, Jan. 8, through Thursday, Feb. 5, with a closing reception on Feb. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Details at uwf.edu/cfpa.
MICHELLE JONES: SEVEN SISTERS Inspired by Greek mythology and the jungle-like landscape of the Gulf Coast, Michelle Jones presents lush, vividly colored landscapes using mixed media. Exhibit on display through May 1 at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Details at visualarts. pensacolastate.edu. THRIFT STYLE New exhibit at Pensacola
Museum of History explores the reuse of feed sacks to make clothing and other household objects. View the exhibit and explore the museum, located at 330 S. Jefferson St. Details at historicpensacola.org.
FIRST FRIDAY AT BLUE MORNING GALLERY Visit Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox St., 5:30 p.m. every first Friday of the month for a reception with wine, live music and occasional artist demonstrations. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION LECTURES Learn Pensacola/Northwest Flori-
da history through interesting, informal lectures every other Tuesday at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The lecture starts at noon and lasts one hour. Lecture cost is $5 for non-members and is free to members. Lunches are $12. For reservations, call (850) 380-7759.
PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meetings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information. BTB COMEDY Watch live standup comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates. SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details. PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox streets at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/ downtownpensacola. CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Caba-
ret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open 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-
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 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.
AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Para-
normal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with real 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. After 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.
FOOD + DRINKS
MAC & CHEESE FESTIVAL Try mac & cheese from various food trucks, plus Lazy Day Farms petting zoo and more 12-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew. inweekly.net
a&e happenings COCKTAILS & CONNECTIONS: A BRIDAL EXPO Shop wedding vendors and check out ca-
tering menu bites and a custom cocktail booth 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at The Well, 42 E. Garden St. Details at facebook.com/thewellpensacola.
EVERYTHING: PIE CRUSTS Cooking class
is 2-5 p.m. Sunday Jan. 18 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Suite C. Cost: $70 per student (adults only). Sign up at: pensacolacooks.com/cooking-classes.
FUNDAMENTALS: SUSHI Cooking class is
6-8 p.m. Friday Jan. 23 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite C. Cost: $60 per student. Sign up at: pensacolacooks.com/ cooking-classes.
MARDI GRAS COCKTAIL COMPETITION
Event is 6-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANT WEEK Visit Great Southern Restaurants during Winter Restaurant Week Jan. 26-Feb. 1 with threecourse offerings for $33 starting 5 p.m. nightly. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for menus and more.
DOWNTOWN HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Drink specials and laid-back vibes are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every weekday throughout the entire Seville Quarter complex with $2 off all liquor drinks and $1 off all beer and wine. Must be 21 or older. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.
MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to
close Mondays, guys can play free darts and enjoy $6 craft tallboys. There are more than 150 craft beers to choose from at Wisteria, 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
BAR BINGO AT SEVILLE QUARTER Bar Bingo is 8 p.m. Mondays at Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Drink specials include $2.50 Miller Lite bottles and $3.50 Bomb shots. Bingo is free to play with prizes, giveaways and bar tabs up for grabs for winners. Visit sevillequarter.com for details. FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S
Gamers unite 5 p.m.-close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
MONDAY NIGHT SPAGHETTI SESSIONS
Visit V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox St. every Monday from 5–9 p.m. for live music and spaghetti and meatballs from the Monday night menu.
DOUBLE MONDAYS AND SIN NIGHT Enjoy
Double Mondays 8 p.m.-midnight and SIN Night 11 p.m. to close at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com. January 15, 2026
MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every
Tuesday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Night, featuring all martinis from the menu for $10 from open to close (4-11 p.m.).
75-CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75-cent
oysters 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.
MUSIC BINGO Test your music knowledge 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Wisteria, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Take part in half-price bottles of wine and $5 canned cocktails. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details. POKER NIGHT AND BINGO AT O'RILEY'S
Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for poker at 6:30 p.m. and bar bingo 8-10 p.m. Tacos are on special Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LUNCH AT THE DISTRICT The District Steakhouse, 130 E. Government St., is open for special lunch seatings the third Friday of the month. Enjoy a $5 martini or house wine. Seatings are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Details are available at districtsteaks.com. DOLLAR NIGHT Enjoy Dollar Night 8 p.m.-
midnight Tuesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for trivia nights 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 50 E. Garden St. Visit perfectplain.com/upcoming-events for details.
LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Get
on your feet with a social Latin dance—no partner required—and Latin music 7-9 p.m. every Wednesday at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Drink specials and music from DJ DavidC continue after the dancing. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night is 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Food trucks are on site. Details are at orileystavern.com. 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.
TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS
Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
COLLEGE NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER
College night is 8 p.m. Thursdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Ages 18 and older are welcome. Free beer pong tournament begins at 10 p.m. Drink specials include $2 bar drinks, $3.50 Fireball shots for ages 21 and older. Cover is $5 for ages 21 and older and $10 for ages 18-20. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials
and live music are 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive. 15
a&e happenings PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA Get deals on pitchers 8 p.m.-midnight at O'Riley's Tavern. Trivia is 8 p.m.; SIN Night starts 1 a.m. Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
every Friday with cold drinks, hot food and great vibes in the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter. Happy hour begins 11 a.m. Fridays with drink and food specials.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays is 7-9 p.m. at Per-
gin 8 p.m., and Tequila Night is 8 p.m. to midnight Thursdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
Seville Quarter is flipping the script—and a few quarters—with its brand-new happy hour promotion, Flip My Quarter, 6-8 p.m. every Friday throughout the Seville Quarter entertainment complex. When you order a domestic draft beer, well liquor cocktail or house wine, tell the bartender to "flip my quarter." When they flip it, call it in the air. If you call it right, your drink is free.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night
BIG BEER NIGHT Drink specials are 8 p.m.-
fect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
POOL TOURNAMENT Pool tournaments be-
with a DJ starts 8 p.m. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA UNDER THE TREES Trivia is 6 p.m.
Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT
Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at 208 Newman Ave. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
616 1
SEVILLE QUARTER'S FLIP MY QUARTER
midnight, and SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Fridays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
FEISTY FRIDAY NIGHTS Enjoy a DJ 9 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
TGI FIREBALL FRIDAY Drink specials are all day Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. SIN Night starts at 11 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details. FISH FRY FRIDAY Half off fish n' chips is 11 a.m.4 p.m., and live DJ is 9 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
JAMESON SPECIAL Enjoy $5 Jameson Irish
Whiskey all night Saturdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER From 8 p.m.-midnight every Saturday, members enjoy $3.50 Crown & Drown cocktails at Phineas Phogg's inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
WEEKLY SATURDAY BRUNCH Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details. SHAMROCK SATURDAY Shamrock Saturday is 9 p.m., and SIN Night starts 11 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
B.A.R.E. NIGHT (BAR AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE NIGHT) Sunday nights at Seville Quarter belong to hospitality industry. Head to End O' the Alley at Seville Quarter 7 p.m. every Sunday for B.A.R.E. Night. Not a member yet? Stop by and sign up for your B.A.R.E. Card, and start enjoying the benefits immediately.
FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool all day
and play bar bingo 8 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN
Partake in brunch specials, full café menu, espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. Ninth Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin.com for details.
SEVILLE SUNDAY BRUNCH Sunday brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Palace Café and Courtyard inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. with soup and salad bar, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, mimosas and champagne specials. Details are at sevillequarter.com. SUNDAY BILLIARDS Rack 'em up in Fast Eddie's Billiards Room at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with drink specials and a laid-back, air-conditioned atmosphere. SUNDAY BRUNCH AND KARAOKE O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., hosts brunch 10 a.m.2 p.m. Sundays. Karaoke begins at 8 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details. SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE Sunday Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.
SIN NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S SIN Night is midnight to close Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details. KARAOKE AND SIN NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S Karaoke is 9 p.m.-1 a.m., and SIN Night is 1
inweekly.net
a&e happenings a.m. to close Mondays and Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
ON AIR LIVE BAND KARAOKE Live out your rockstar dreams 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., hosted by Craig Stahl. Details are at sevillequarter.com. KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Karaoke is 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details. KARAOKE AT SEVILLE QUARTER Karaoke
is nightly Wednesday-Sunday at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Enjoy drink specials and a no-judgement zone where everyone is welcome to the mic. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
KARAOKE AT THE HANDLEBAR Karaoke
starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.
THE VIRGOS AND FUNERAL DANCER Show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com. FEAR OF LOSS, FERMENT, HEMLOCK AND SPIRAL Show starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
WILTWITHER, GOD GLITCH, WITH FIRE CAME DISPARITY, CAVING IN AND HANGNAIL RIP OFF Show starts at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
SINCERE ENGINEER AND THE HANDSOME SCOUNDRELS Show starts at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 21 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
DELTA HATE, GIMMICK., SERRATED FL, STRIKEFORCE AND COMMAND VOICE
KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Karaoke starts 7
Show starts at 6 P.M. Thursday, Jan. 22 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Kara-
FLOSSTRADAMUS Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.
p.m. Wednesdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.
oke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
SUNDAY KARAOKE WITH KJ NICK Sunday Funday karaoke is 8 p.m. Sundays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S DOWNTOWN Ka-
raoke is 8 p.m.-midnight Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Details are at orileyspub.com.
KARAOKE AT MUGS & JUGS Karaoke is 9
p.m.-1 a.m. Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
LIVE MUSIC
THE BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS PINK FLOYD'S THE WALL Show is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and info available at pensacolasaenger.com.
PENSACOLA SONGWRITER ROUNDS SERIES Show starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at
The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
BROADWAY RAVE: A MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE PARTY Starts at 8 p.m. Friday,
Jan. 16 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Celebrating the best in showtunes and musical theatre. Come sing along to all of your favorite Broadway hits while dressed up as your favorite character. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE Show is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and info available at pensacolasaenger.com. January 15, 2026
MARIGOLD'S APPRENTICE, KATIE DINEEN, LUNAR PARQUE, MOURNING GLORIES AND OTHER Show starts at 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
LOW SEASON, THE GLORIOUS FLAWS AND MARC GANANCIAS Show starts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
BLUE WIDOW, GLSNR AND MORNING TRIPS Show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 at
The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER The Blues Society of Northwest Florida brings blues to Florida 7 p.m. Mondays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Food and drink specials start at 8 p.m. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play
7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.
TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads on Tuesday nights at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information. for more listings visit inweekly.net 17
free will astrology WEEK OF JANUARY 15 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Japanese Zen master Hakuin (1686–1769) painted with astonishing vigor well into his eighties. When asked his secret, he said he treated each brushstroke as if it were his first. He approached the ink and paper with a beginner's inspired innocence. I propose that you adopt a version of Hakuin's practice. Dive into your familiar routines with virgin eyes. Allow your expertise to be influenced by surprise. As for the mastery you have earned, may I suggest you use it as a launching pad for enthusiastic amateurism? Being skilled is wonderful. Being skilled and willing to experiment like a newcomer? That's the high art of perpetual combustion, an Aries specialty. TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In 1971, NA-
SA's Apollo 15 mission delivered a new asset to the moon: the Lunar Roving Vehicle. This battery-powered "moon buggy" enabled astronauts to explore farther from their landing site than ever before. They gathered a record haul of rock and soil samples and a deeper understanding of the lunar surface. I think you Bulls would be wise to get your own equivalent of that moon buggy. The apt metaphor here is enhancing your ability to extend your reach and explore beyond the familiar. In the coming weeks, I hope you will seek access to tools, allies and freedoms that expand your range. Use them to push into new territory and scout around for intriguing valuables.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Are you ready
to unveil the half-hidden, half-beautiful truths you have been keeping tucked away? I think you are. You might shake, sweat and second-guess yourself right up until the moment the pivotal moment arrives. But then, I predict, you will zone in on how best to carry out your sublime assignment. The perilous blessings or radiant burdens you've been hoarding like secret treasures will finally spill out of you in just the right ways.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): A hermit crab
finds a new shell not because the old one was bad, but because the creature grew. A similar urge stirs in you now: an instinct to relocate your sensitivity and tenderness into roomier housing. You don't have to abandon your favorite people or
By Rob Brezsny
situations. Just ripen and update your containers so your emotional intelligence can flourish even more. Maybe revise your work rhythms. Dream up new bedtime stories. Be braver in declaring your needs. Your ongoing transformations could be a bit bumpy, but mostly healing and cherished. Give them the spaciousness they require.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Poet Jack Gilbert wrote, "We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure but not delight." Here's what I think he meant: pleasure is easy to access, available in many transactions. But delight requires courage. We must be undefended enough to be astonished and elated. Here's the potential glitch for you Leos: you sometimes feel inclined to perform your joy; you make your happiness into entertainment for others to be inspired by. But true delight is riskier and more real. It comes when you forget to curate yourself because you're too enchanted to remember you're being watched. Your next assignment: conjure up three moments of private delight that no one but you will see. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Many of you are
renowned for your precision, but that's just half the story. The more complete truth is that when you are most robust, you're a connoisseur of refinement. Your careful edits can transmute muddles into medicines. Your subtle fixes may catalyze major corrections. Here's my bold declaration: you are now at the height of your Virgo powers. I hope you wield them with utter flair and finesse. Make everything you touch better than it was before you touched it.
Make everything you touch better than it was before you touched it. LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Some astrolo-
gers work without ever glancing at the night sky. Their bond with the planets lives mostly through abstract ideas. To balance that approach, Daniel Giamario developed a more hands-on approach to astrology. In his retreats, students trek into wild country, far from city
Stock Market Losses? Hire a lawyer who is a former Merril Lynch stock broker.
lights, and spend the dark hours watching the dance of the heavenly bodies. He teaches that cosmic energies can be sensed through our beautiful bodies as much as they can be understood by our fine minds. In the weeks ahead, I invite you to infuse all your explorations with that spirit. Learn through direct encounters, not just through concepts and recycled reports.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): English is my first language. I love how its wild, hybrid, restless qualities enable me to express myself. I never grow weary of exploring its limits and discovering new ways to use it with flair and care. But I am also very grateful that my horoscopes are translated into Italian, French, Japanese and Spanish. I am supremely blessed to have editors who turn my idiosyncratic prose into language that non-English speakers can enjoy. It's one of the great gifts that life has given me. In the coming months, Scorpio, I will be wishing and expecting a similar bonus for you: help and support in expanding your ability to reach further in your self-expression. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Your intrepid spirit is most likely to find exciting adventures if it's exquisitely prepared. While I love your daring spontaneity and experimental expansiveness, I hope that in the coming weeks, you will work hard to support them with good planning and rigorous foresight. Be imaginative and disciplined, wild and calculating, irrepressible and solidly responsible. If you heed my advice, you could break your previous records for making marvelous discoveries in the frontiers. P.S.: Treat wonder like a muscle. Flex it daily—with gratitude. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Sandcas-
tles are good reminders of how temporary everything is. We build them on the damp edge of the shore after the tide recedes, and then they crumble when the sea rolls back a few hours later. Let's make the sandcastle your power symbol for the months ahead. In doing so, I don't mean to imply that your certainties will be demolished. Rather, it's my way of urging you to enjoy and capitalize on the ever-changing nature of all things. In fact, I believe that knack should be one of your specialties in the coming months. As the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh told us, we should be grateful for impermanence, because it keeps every possibility alive.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): During World War II, the United States faced a natural rubber shortage and funded research into synthetic substitutes. The effort was partly successful, but there were also failed experiments. Among these was a substance that later became a popular toy named Silly Putty. It sold millions of units and made its marketer wealthy. I suspect a metaphorically similar breakthrough is looming for you, Aquarius: an unplanned discovery that holds unforeseen value. You may soon have your own "Silly Putty moment"—an invention, idea, or situation that is technically a detour from your original goal but still delivers a gift. So keep your curiosity loose and your judgment soft. Don't dismiss the byproducts of your efforts. Some diversions may reveal themselves to be the magic you didn't realize you needed.
Some diversions may reveal themselves to be the magic you didn't realize you needed. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I suggest you try an "as-if" exercise, Pisces. Here's what I propose: enjoy a five-day period visualizing what your life would be like if you stopped saving yourself for a mythical future—including both the positive and negative aspects. Instead, envision yourself spending the coming months doing exactly what you yearn to do most, gleefully and intensely pursuing your sweetest dreams and prime mission. During this sabbatical, you will refrain from invoking excuses about why you can't follow your bliss. You will assume that you are attuned with the heart of creation. You will act as if you are a joy specialist who adores your life. HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What's an underdeveloped side of you that would be fun to develop? {in}
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news of the weird COMPELLING EXPLANATION A Marion, Louisiana, resident called police in November to report a trespassing incident on her property, WKRC-TV reported on Jan. 8. When deputies arrived at the home, Elizabeth Sutton, 41, was swimming nude in the resident's pond. At first, Sutton refused to exit the pond, telling officers she was "trying to be a mermaid." When she finally complied, medics evaluated her (because of the cold weather) and tried to lead her indoors. At that point, Sutton charged at a deputy, causing them to use their Taser. She kicked and punched the deputy before being subdued and taken to a hospital. A warrant was issued for her arrest, and on Jan. 6, she surrendered and was charged with several crimes. [WKRC, 1/8/2026] THE TECH REVOLUTION Everything's up to date in Heber City, Utah, where the police department has been trying out an AI program that writes up reports based on body camera footage, Fox13-TV reported on Jan. 4. "I'm saving myself about six to eight hours weekly now," said Sgt. Rick Keel. But one report went a little sideways: The AI said an officer had shape-shifted into a frog. "The body cam software and the AI report writing software picked up on the movie that was playing in the background, which happened to be 'The Princess and the Frog,'" Keel said. "That's when we learned the importance of correcting these AI-generated reports." So much for all that saved time. [Fox13, 1/4/2026] •Many hospitals single out the baby born closest to midnight as the new year turns over, as did Lifebridge Health's Carroll Hospital in Westminster, Maryland. WMAR-TV reported that Hudson Oakley Winkler was the star this year, born just after midnight on Jan. 1. Hudson's parents didn't have any problem agreeing on a name for their new son; "Hudson's name was generated and selected using ChatGPT!" the hospital announced. Hudson's parents work in the county's police department and public school system. [WMAR, 1/4/2026] THE LITIGIOUS SOCIETY In the new year's oddest legal twist, the National Rifle Association is suing the NRA Foundation, its own charitable arm, for trademark infringement and unfair competition. NBC News reported that on Jan. 5, the NRA alleged that the foundation passed "itself off to donors and the public as the NRA or an authorized NRA affiliate" and "misappropriat(ed) the many millions of dollars that NRA supporters contributed." The lawsuit reveals ongoing internal turmoil within the NRA and its foundation. [NBC News, 1/5/2026] BURIED TREASURE About 500 miles north of Perth, Australia, local Quoin Sellenger got a tip last week from a friend who was diving in the crystal-clear Indian Ocean: There was a safe in the seabed. So, ABC News reported, Sellenger and his daughter headed up to the site. They lifted the heavy box onto the back of their Jet Ski and took it back to land, where he posted a photo on Face-
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
book in search of the owner. Sellenger then recruited his friend Brad to help break into the safe, which was emitting a strong smell. "I was hoping there was like a big gold bar in there, I guess," Sellenger said. But alas, the only treasure was an expired and pungent package of beef jerky. "It's a very well-known reef in Shark Bay, and someone has put it there with the intention of it being found, I believe," Sellenger said. He has handed over the safe to the Western Australia police. [ABC News, 1/6/2026] NEED A JOB? Smithsonian magazine reported on Jan. 7 that the British Museum has a job opening: dedicated treasure hunter. In 2023, the museum revealed that 1,500 of its Greek and Roman artifacts had been stolen, were missing or had been damaged. The items include gems, glass and jewelry dating back to between the 15th and 19th centuries B.C. "We want to get as much staffing as we can to try and push ahead," said Thomas Harrison, head of the museum's Greek and Roman collections. About 600 pieces have been recovered already after being listed on eBay or coming up for auction. No information on the qualifications for such a position, although owning a fedora and whip couldn't hurt. [Smithsonian, 1/7/2026] BRIGHT IDEA A Chinese shopping center has solved its problem of people smoking in the restrooms, Oddity Central reported on Dec. 31. The Shuibei International Center posted signs reading, "Smoking makes the glass transparent." And sure enough, when smoke is detected, the special doors become see-through. "Resist the urge to smoke, unless you want to become internet famous!" reads another sign. When the glass clears, a loud announcement rings out: "This is a public place where smoking is prohibited. For your own health and the health of others, please do not smoke here." One social media commenter posted, "Smoking in men's restrooms in China is practically ubiquitous. I think this is a great idea." [Oddity Central, 12/31/2025] WAIT, WHAT? Folks in Camden, New Jersey, head to Donkey's Place for their famous cheesesteaks, but it's another of their icons that has the restaurant in the news. NJ.com reported on Jan. 7 that someone pilfered their walrus baculum—that'd be a penis bone—and owner Rob Lucas Jr. wants it back. Lucas said it's a conversation piece and he often lets people guess what it is. Here's how it went down: "The bartender handed it out for them (customers) to figure out what it was," Lucas said. "She went to the back to do something else and then one dude stole it. We got his picture, but I don't think he's from around town." Lucas said he doesn't want to press charges. "We just want the thing back." [NJ.com, 1/7/2026] {in}
From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2026 Andrews McMeel
••••Dream. Inspire. Remember.••••
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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: • Access to the museum is through the West Gate on Blue Angel Pkwy. • A REAL ID or valid passport is required for base access • A clear bag policy is in effect.
See free Blue Angels practices most Tuesday and Wednesdays. Scan the QR code for all the details and premium seating options.
NavalAviationMuseum.org
FREE ADMISSION
Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com January 15, 2026
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Independent News | January 15, 2026 | inweekly.net