"YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ WHATEVER YOU WANT" An Interview with Author GEORGE M. JOHNSON
winners losers
CHANDRA MCKERN The Pensacola Opera's executive director celebrates her 10th anniversary at the helm of Northwest Florida's only professional opera company affiliated with OPERA America. Since joining as managing director in 2015, McKern has transformed the organization through strategic leadership and successful grant acquisition, including two National Endowment for the Arts grants and an IMPACT 100 grant. She brings diverse experience to her role, including corporate finance work at Goldman Sachs, research at Rockefeller University and an extensive opera performance career. Working alongside her husband, Artistic Director Corey McKern, she has expanded community programming, reaching more than 20,000 participants annually while maintaining artistic excellence in productions ranging from classic repertoire to innovative new works.
MIKE KOHLER The Escambia County District 2 Commissioner recently received the Advanced County Commissioner Level II designation from the Institute for County Government (ICG) during the Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference and Educational Exhibition in Orange County. This ACC II designation represents the highest tier of ICG's leadership development program, available only to commissioners who have completed both the Certified County Commissioner and Advanced County Commissioner Level I programs. The curriculum is designed to cultivate versatile leaders equipped with tools to tackle challenges spanning multiple fields and governing bodies. The program's goal is to transform counties and the state of Florida through leadership development.
ROBERT HESS
Mayor D.C. Reeves has appointed Robert Hess as Pensacola's new Emergency Management Coordinator, where he will oversee the City's emergency preparedness and response programs under Fire Chief Ginny Cranor's supervision. Hess brings extensive experience from federal and military roles, most recently serving as Emergency Management Branch Chief for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District, managing emergency operations across 68,000 square miles. He previously worked as deputy chief of emergency management at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile, implementing maritime security measures across five deep-water ports.The Indiana native served 27 years with the Coast Guard, retiring in 2016 after assignments including Deepwater Horizon branch director and Hurricane Katrina Operations section chief.
TRUMP TARIFFS Florida TaxWatch recently released a report showing President Donald Trump's tariffs will significantly burden state consumers through higher costs across multiple sectors. As Florida is the 10th largest importer in the U.S., with $117 billion in total import value in 2024, the state faces substantial exposure to tariff-driven price increases. Housing costs will see dramatic increases, with construction expenses rising enough to add $10,000 to typical home prices. Consumers can expect car prices to increase by $6,000-$7,000 because of higher production costs from tariffed materials and components. Grocery bills face substantial increases. Fresh produce and nuts, among Florida's top import categories, will drive grocery bill increases of 10-15% for average Floridians.
PETTY POLITICS Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $150,000 in funding for Santa Rosa County's Veterans Treatment Court, leaving 25 veterans and their families without critical support services. The program, established in 2024, helps veterans facing criminal charges avoid incarceration through rehabilitation and community service. The veto appears linked to political retaliation against Rep. Alex Andrade, who investigated allegations involving Hope Florida, an agency headed by the governor's wife. Without state funding, veterans must now cover monitoring costs themselves, and those without insurance cannot participate. Community groups are scrambling to raise funds independently.
NO SIGNATURE LAWS
Gov. DeSantis allowed three bills to become law without his signature, essentially ending his part of the 2025 legislative session. Legislators sent 262 bills to the governor from the session, which was scheduled to end May 2 but lasted until June 16. He signed 248 and vetoed 11. Three became law without his signature: HB 677, which involved the state employees' health insurance program and fertility-preservation services; HB 1219, which backed noncompete employment agreements in certain situations; and HB 6503, a bill that directed Sarasota County to compensate a woman injured in a traffic accident with a county truck. DeSantis had not previously allowed bills to become law without his signature. The last time a governor took such an action was in 2012, when now-U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was governor.
Chandra McKern / Photo Courtesy of Pensacola Opera Donald Trump / Photo by Daniel Torok
outtakes
By Rick Outzen
THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE
The recent controversy over the proposed Galvez Landing boat launch expansion serves as a powerful reminder of why meaningful community engagement remains the cornerstone of local government.
What began as a $5 million project championed by Commissioner Steve Stroberger collapsed under the weight of unified community opposition—a testament to democracy in action at its most fundamental level.
The Galvez Landing saga illustrates what happens when local officials make decisions without adequate public input. Stroberger initially defended the project, admitting he was "briefed on it after his election" and thought it "sounded like a good idea." This approach represents a troubling trend among newly elected officials: decision-making outside the public eye. We saw Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger take the same approach with her ill-fated Pensacola Beach Gateway arch in June.
Stroberger's project showed all signs of wellmeaning government overreach. Staff identified the need, secured permits, completed design plans and arranged funding through the RESTORE Act. From a bureaucratic point of view, everything seemed correct. However, this technical compliance concealed a core failure: the community most impacted by the project had been left out of meaningful participation in the decision-making process.
The commissioner missed the deep connections that communities form with shared spaces, connections not captured in staff reports or engineering studies. As one resident said, Galvez Landing represents "one of the most sacred heartbeat places of our community." The issue wasn't merely about opposition to development. Residents wanted to protect a place where "generations have gathered to launch boats, fish, picnic under the oaks and enjoy a small beach that feels like our own."
What began with a few worried residents quickly grew into an organized movement, complete with petitions, Facebook pages and demands for public meetings. The "I Love Innerarity Point" Facebook page became a rallying point, with residents sharing information, coordinating responses and celebrating their eventual victory. This grassroots mobilization combined passion with persistence. Rather than simply complaining, residents engaged with the formal public comment process, submitted detailed responses and demanded face-to-face accountability from
their elected representative. They understood that democracy requires active participation.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is Stroberger's evolution from confident defender to uncertain advocate to responsive public servant. His initial dismissal of community concerns—suggesting residents "might not understand" the project—gave way to genuine listening as the town hall meeting progressed. By the end, he acknowledged the need to "reevaluate" the project and ultimately supported its removal from the RESTORE plan.
His transformation illustrates the power of direct democracy. When elected officials are forced to confront their constituents face to face, when they must look into the eyes of the people they serve and hear their concerns directly, the dynamic of governance changes fundamentally. The abstract becomes personal.
The Galvez Landing victory offers several crucial lessons for effective local governance. First, transparency must be more than a legal requirement—it must be a genuine commitment to keeping communities informed about decisions that affect their daily lives. Second, public input should be sought early and often, not as an afterthought or legal formality. Third, elected officials must be willing to acknowledge when they've made mistakes and have the courage to change course.
Stroberger deserves praise for his decision to hold a town hall, which provided a forum where community voices could be heard. Without this face-to-face interaction, the project might have proceeded despite widespread opposition.
In an era of increasing cynicism about government institutions, the Galvez Landing controversy offers hope. It demonstrates that local democracy still works when citizens engage actively and elected officials listen responsively. The project's cancellation represents more than a single policy victory—it affirms that "we the people" remains more than a constitutional phrase when communities are willing to organize, speak up and hold their representatives accountable.
The power of community engagement lies not merely in stopping unwanted projects, but in creating a culture of participation that makes better governance possible. When citizens know their voices matter, elected officials expect and welcome public input and government operates with genuine transparency, democracy flourishes at the level where it matters most—in the communities where we live, work and raise our families. {in} rick@inweekly.net
By Rick Outzen
ELECTED VS. APPOINTED, PART 2
school level industry certifications earned by middle school students.
"The perception of our middle schools in our community has a positive trajectory," Leonard said. "That's what we need, and we need that to continue. I believe it's the most A's and B's we've ever had at the middle school level."
Smith beat out Leonard for superintendent five years ago. Many believe he would be elected if the 2026 referendum passes.
So, which does Leonard prefer? Election or appointment?
"I believe in God's timing. I believe God marks our steps," he said. "Whether it would have been an election or appointment, I don't think it's appropriate for me, as a sitting appointed superintendent, to say my preference. I work for five school board members."
Asked if he would run for superintendent if the County reverts to an election process, Leonard declined to say yes or no.
"We'll have to wait and see what God's timing is when we get there," he said.
THE 2018 VOTE
Appointing a superintendent gained traction in 2018 when then-superintendent Malcolm Thomas held true to his word and encouraged the school board to let voters decide between the two options.
Rarely do people surrender power willingly, but that is precisely what three Escambia County School Board members opted for when they voted to place a referendum on the 2026 primary election ballot to let voters determine whether to return the superintendent to an elected position.
Board member Tom Harrell motioned for the referendum, and Kevin Adams and Paul Fetsko joined him in voting in favor. Fellow board members Carissa Bergosh and David Williams opposed the measure.
Voters will determine in 2026 if the County reverts to electing the superintendent. The only question is whether voters will make that decision during the primary or general election. The school board is pushing for the Board of County Commissioners to put the ordinance on the primary ballot. Commissioners debated the issue during their July 10 board agenda.
"I would recommend we put it on the general ballot because so many more people turn out for a general election than the primary election," said Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger. "If the goal of the board is really to make sure our communities are heard, I want to make sure everyone has the ability to do that, and it's an election people turn out for."
The commissioners decided to revisit the topic in a month after receiving more public input.
A 2024 CAMPAIGN ISSUE
Elected in August 2024 with 59% of the vote, Harrell serves District 5. He said during his cam paign that constituents voiced their preference for electing the superintendent. The
fewer than three years before the board terminated his contract by a 3-2 vote.
"My feeling is that we should return to elected, and my constituents in district 5 overwhelmingly wanted to return to an elected superintendent," Harrell said. "I believe you should never give up the right to vote for a position that's established. People need to have that choice."
He expressed concern that another appointed superintendent will be unfamiliar with the community and halt the progress made in recent years by the school district.
"The superintendent we have now is doing a fantastic job," Harrell said of Superintendent Keith Leonard. "He is moving the district along. Test scores are improving. He's been here his whole life. He knows the community and has a good feel for the people of Escambia County."
Fetsko, who served as an assistant superintendent in the district for 12 years, sided with Harrell and Adams but with some trepidation.
"I'm as in the middle on this as I can be," Fetsko said. "I said when I made that vote, I promised constituents and family members who live in different districts I would vote for it. I did it because I was asked to do it, and I told people I respect and care about, if it came up, I would."
In 2023, Fetsko took Superintendent Smith to task for poorly communicating with school board members about issues, including a question about the exchange of nude photos in the "Rights and Responsibilities" handbook and books in school libraries that parents said contained inappropriate sexual content.
"The first go-around of the hiring, inter-
quite a lot during that process. I do not think (Smith) was the right person for our district at that time."
Bergosh serves a significant portion of the city population in District 4. Her constituents spoke in favor of maintaining the appointment process. She questioned if voters elected Smith as superintendent. He would have served all four years of his term, and the school board would not have been able to terminate him.
"Appointed superintendent gives the board the authority if there's a concern that they need to address right now or get rid of the person right then," she said.
"He knows the community and has a good feel for the people of Escambia County." Tom Harrell
The school district has flourished under Leonard. Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Education released district and school grades. Overall, 86% of Escambia schools maintained or improved their grades from last year.
Sixteen schools earned an "A," 18 earned a "B," 16 earned a "C" and three earned a "D."
"Thirty-four A's and B's, that's really pretty remarkable," Leonard said. "It's probably the best it's been in at least a decade."
Four middle schools improved their grades as the district topped the state in middle school acceleration rate. The acceleration rate measures proficiency on high school level courses taken by middle school students and high
Pensacola Young Professionals campaigned for an appointed superintendent. Walker Wilson, who served as president at the time, said the organization believed the change would ensure the most qualified person ended up in the position.
Wilson questioned if reverting to the elected process would put doubts in parents' minds about the current state of the school district and increase their interest in private schools. The county's population is growing, yet the enrollment in its school district is heading in the opposite direction.
"We're seeing now public schools are in competition big time with private schools that are taking vouchers and taking the money with the student," Wilson said. "If the parent chooses to put their student in a private school, that money's coming out of the public education system and going over to whatever school the parent would like their child to go to."
Another concern for Wilson is letting politics interfere with education. He considers a moderate to be the best option for superintendent, but in today's political climate, it is nearly impossible for a moderate to secure their party's nomination, let alone win an election.
"You're really leaning on two parties electing their candidate in a primary that's going to typically be your more liberal Democrats and your more conservative Republicans," Wilson said. "So you've got two candidates who are kind of on maybe the opposing end of the spectrum."
He added, "Most people, I think in the community, would rather have somebody more in the middle one way or the other leading our school district and trying to bring folks together." {in}
Tim Smith / Photo Courtesy of ecps.com
SHOUT OUT
THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM OF EXPERIENCED MENTORS
They generously donate their time and expertise on a daily basis:
Bob Anderson
Senior Vice President Truist Financial
Brett Barrow
Marketing President Renasant Bank
Andy Bellina Senior Research Associate IHMC
Holly Benson
CEO
Screen Corp
Former Florida House Rep.
Mike Bodie
Leadership and Sales
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Cover Brooks
Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Mark Canada Vice President Synovus Bank
Shane Cornell President/CEO Extreme Tactical, Inc.
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CEO Beach Bum Outdoors
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CEO Here to Serve
Workforce Solutions
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Architecture
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Founder Castle6 Group
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Capt. Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret.)
Director National Aviation Museum
Doug Gonterman
Chief Creative Officer
Lucid Advertising
Bob Hart Retired Attorney
Clark Partington Attorneys at Law
Capt. Chris Heaney, USN (Ret.)
Director of Building Jobs, SCI
Sean Heuer
CEO Resolve Systems
James Hosman
Vice President Florida First Capital Finance Corp.
Craig Hrabar Business Consultant
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President Neuro Services at Specialty Care
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Gulf Coast Region Warren Averett, LLC
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Bert Thornton Retired COO and Vice Chairman Waffle House
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Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, & Former CTO , Performance
Matters
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Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce
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Founder and
Creative Director
HatchMark Studio
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City of Pensacola has pressed pause on the memorial project honoring trailblazing four-star U.S. Air Force General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr., following the expiration of their original agreement with the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Memorial Foundation on June 30.
At his press conference on July 8, Mayor D.C. Reeves said the expired deadline doesn't signal the end of the memorial project. "Just because that ended and expired doesn't necessarily mean that we aren't ever going to consider it or that it'll never happen."
The primary issue forcing the reset centers on uncertainty surrounding the memorial's funding structure. City Administrator Tim Kinsella noted that while the Foundation has submitted financial documents, "the required funds aren't in there, according to the agreement."
The Foundation has a $1 million commitment from the County, which relies heavily on Tourism Development Revenue—commonly known as "bed taxes"—that comes with significant regulatory constraints. Kinsella explained these funds carry "a lot of red tape" and specific restrictions on usage that complicate the project's implementation.
"If the money was coming out of the County's general fund, we're done. Finished, no problem," Kinsella said. "But it's not; it's coming out of funds that have a lot of red tape associated with it."
Another significant factor involves potential legal challenges. The County's funding requires Pensacola to serve as a co-applicant for funds that may face legal scrutiny if the Florida Department of Revenue determines the project doesn't qualify for bed tax funding.
"We're not going to sign ourselves up to put us into an ethical or moral situation where we're trying to be a co-applicant for monies that we are unsure whether, by state statute, is legal for us to receive," Kinsella explained.
Rather than viewing this as a setback, city officials frame the situation as an opportunity for comprehensive reset discussions. Kinsella described plans to bring all stakeholders, including the County, Foundation and Tourist Development Council, together for fresh negotiations.
The city has outlined clear conditions for
moving forward: transparent funding mechanisms that comply with state law, demonstrated financial capacity to complete the project, a clean ground lease structure and resolution of legal questions surrounding fund sources.
Despite procedural challenges, there appears to be widespread support for honoring General James. Both city officials and county commissioners have expressed desire to see some form of memorial established, with the debate centering on implementation rather than the memorial's merit. The pause represents not abandonment of the project, but rather a commitment to ensuring legal compliance and proper execution from the start.
DISPUTE SETTLED
The Escambia County Commission unanimously approved a contentious tax increment financing (TIF) exemption request and interlocal agreement with the Escambia Children's Trust, resolving a funding dispute that had persisted for more than a year.
The 5-0 vote came after 35 minutes of testimony from program providers, volunteers and parents who detailed the transformative impact of Children's Trust-funded youth programs throughout the community. The agreement redirects TIF funds from traditional infrastructure improvements to county youth services, covering tax years 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.
The conflict centered on how to allocate TIF funds generated within Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) districts that the Children's Trust had received. Traditionally, these funds support infrastructure improvements, but the Trust disputed whether it had a legal obligation to return the money to the County.
To avoid litigation, the Trust board sought an exemption allowing the funds to be redirected toward youth services. Attorney Meredith Bush, representing the Children's Trust, explained that the request would allow TIF funds "to be paid to the County for use for children's services rather than to go to the CRAs or infrastructure."
Multiple speakers highlighted the extensive reach of Trust-funded programs. Lisa Smith Coleman from Children's Home Society reported that the navigator program, active in 24 county schools, responded to more than 32,000 referrals this year alone. The SAIL Academy has doubled its student enrollment thanks to Trust funding.
Parent Lauren Merritt shared a personal story about her adopted children affected by the opioid crisis, describing how the Help Me Grow program provided "an instant family and a support group of professionals who surrounded us with acceptance, information and resources."
MaryAnn Bickerstaff from ARC Gateway emphasized early intervention success, noting that 243 children were screened in the past year, with 86 connected to the state-funded Early Steps program.
Commission Chair Mike Kohler directly confronted false rumors circulating in the community, particularly claims he opposed the Children's Trust or was attempting to eliminate the Navigator Program. "I want to start out with the miscon-
ception that I'm against Children's Trust. I believe in kids," Kohler stated, drawing on his 34 years of nursing experience.
However, Kohler raised concerns about geographic equity in funding distribution. He questioned why the City receives $2.4 million in TIF funds for 55,000 residents while the County receives only $1.1 million for 280,000 residents. "I don't know how that's equitable," he said.
Despite these concerns, Kohler committed to supporting the agreement while reserving the right to advocate for improved services in underserved areas.
Commissioner Lumon May, who serves on both the County Commission and Children's Trust board, emphasized that the tax was passed based on specific promises to underserved communities. He stressed that while services should eventually reach all children, priority should remain with the vulnerable populations featured in the original campaign that secured voter approval.
The interlocal agreement establishes that funds will be used for "county youth programs" at the County's discretion, creating a framework for continued collaboration between the County and Children's Trust to serve Escambia County's youth while resolving all outstanding disputes between the entities.
PARKING DISCOUNTS
Mayor D.C. Reeves delivered a comprehensive update on downtown parking changes during his July 8 press conference, revealing striking data about who uses city parking and announcing new permit programs to benefit residents.
Nearly a year after implementing paid parking changes, the numbers tell a clear story about downtown usage. City residents account for just 14% of all downtown parking users, while non-residents make up 86% of customers. The revenue split is even more dramatic: non-city residents contribute 79% of all parking revenue, with city residents paying only 21%.
"When it's time for that $20 million parking garage or to reimagine Palafox Street, I can put the cost on the 55,000 city residents—or recoup dollars from those who don't pay city taxes but enjoy our downtown," Mayor Reeves explained.
Two new permit programs are expected to launch in August, designed to ease parking costs for residents. The City Resident Permit will offer all verified city residents 50% off hourly parking rates at any location, 24/7, for just 50 cents an hour with no transaction fees.
A Senior Permit for residents ages 65 and older will provide app-free parking at approximately $10 monthly per household, with one car initially eligible.
Despite concerns about enforcement, Mayor Reeves noted parking transactions are up 2030% while citations have actually decreased 6.5% compared to last June. The ParkMobile app now processes more than 90% of transactions, though cash kiosks remain available at every location. With non-residents accounting for the vast majority of usage and revenue, the system ap -
pears to be achieving its intended goals while preparing for future downtown investments.
CURBSIDE RECYCLING RETURNS Pensacola residents can once again participate in curbside recycling, as Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the relaunch of the city's recycling program this month. The program, which had been on hiatus, is now back with additional features and updated collection methods that promise to make waste management more accessible and efficient for local families.
The recycling program has seen steady uptake since its return. "The last update I got, I know we are well over 500 signups and, of course, growing every day," Mayor Reeves reported during his press conference. "Certainly appreciate y'all's ability to get the word out for us."
To make participation easier for residents, the city has streamlined the signup process. "Just to make it memorable and easy to recall, you don't need to find the QR code, use cityofpensacolarecycles.com," Reeves explained. "If you go there, it brings you right to the recycling page where you can sign up with your phone number and all of that."
Along with the recycling program's return, the city has also addressed long-standing issues with additional garbage collection. Previously, residents wanting a second garbage can on the same pickup day had to pay for an entirely separate account, essentially doubling their waste management costs.
"A second garbage can on the same pickup day is also an additional $8," Mayor Reeves clarified. "So now, for just $8, we're already there picking up your can. Certainly, that makes no financial sense that we would be charging a citizen double the price for a second can."
The city is also accommodating larger households with flexible options. "You can also set it up with sanitation to have all three if you want to. Recycling can and two black garbage cans, you've got a family of 10 or whatever you need for all that type of volume. We afford that option to everybody."
Pensacola is implementing artificial intelligence technology to monitor the quality of recycling submissions. The system, funded through grant money, will use cameras and AI analysis on collection trucks to identify contamination issues in real-time. The AI system will focus on education rather than punishment.
"Right now, they would be notified. They'll get something in the mail that says, 'Hey, we noticed this. Here are the four things or five things that we recycle.' Just that it is purely at this point in education, there's no plan at this juncture to fine," Reeves explained.
However, the city will address persistent contamination issues. "Obviously, if somebody's getting a note every single week for four months, then we probably should have a conversation whether that person should even have the option of a recycling can."
The AI technology is currently undergoing beta testing, and the equipment is already installed on collection trucks. Residents interested
Render Courtesy of Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Memorial Foundation
in participating can sign up at cityofpensacolarecycles.com or contact the city's sanitation department directly.
C.A. WEIS SLIDES On July 7, the Escambia County Children's Trust board reviewed academic progress across Escambia County Public School District (ECPS), with data showing improvements in multiple schools through targeted community partnerships and student support programs.
School Superintendent Keith Leonard reported "86% of our 50-plus schools improved" this year, with the district achieving "16 A's, 18 B's and 16 C's." The superintendent acknowledged both gains and challenges, noting that "we ended up with two D's," including Global Learning Academy, which was "one point from maintaining the C."
Leonard emphasized the comprehensive nature of the district's work. "Our county, our citizens and most importantly our teachers and our students should be very proud of the accomplishments that have been made over a significant period of time."
Trust Executive Director Lindsey Cannon reported that students in Trust-funded SAIL programs "would be one point from an A" if their performance were applied school-wide, compared to their schools' overall grades.
Cannon explained the program's selection criteria: "They tend to target the lower quartile kids for that particular program or ones that have challenging needs at home."
The Children's Home Society (CHS) in Escambia County offers several programs, including those under the SAIL (Success After Initial Learning) initiative, which focuses on providing services like tutoring, mentoring and social skills training. Specifically, the SAIL Academy at C.A. Weis Elementary School offers after-school programs for children ages 5-10.
Unfortunately, C.A. Weis Elementary saw a steep drop, going from one point shy of a "B" grade in 2024 to a low C this year. The most significant drops were in Math Learning Gains and gains among the lowest 25% in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
C.A. Weis Elementary has been a Community Partnership School since 2015. Community Partnership School is a public school that operates through a long-term, collaborative partnership among the school district with Community Health Northwest Florida, the Children's Home Society and the University of West Florida. In 2024, C.A. Weis Elementary was named Community Partnership School of the Year for the state.
Escambia County has two other Community Partnership Schools—Bellview Middle (since 2024) and Pine Forest High (since 2023). Bellview Middle saw its grade improve from a "C" to a "B." Pine Forest High's grade remained a "C," but its graduation rate improved 4 points from 81% to 85%.
REIMAGINE UPDATE Mayor D.C. Reeves acknowledged mixed reactions from downtown business owners regarding the ambitious Reimagine Palafox project during his weekly press
conference, following discussions over the Fourth of July weekend about what he calls a "generational change" to South Palafox Street.
"There's going to be an inconvenience. There's going to be construction," Reeves stated candidly, while insisting the City won't take a dismissive approach to the disruption facing local businesses.
Recognizing downtown businesses as "the lifeblood of Palafox," the City has outlined support during construction, including proactive marketing to maintain foot traffic, free parking sections at Jefferson Garage and on-street parking and guaranteed sidewalk access to all business entrances. Construction won't begin until Jan. 2, 2026, avoiding the critical holiday shopping season.
Two approaches are under consideration: a "ripping-off the Band-Aid" method completing all five blocks from Garden to Main Street in one five-month phase, concentrating disruption during the slower January-February period, or blockby-block construction extending over a year with each block requiring approximately 14 weeks.
The project remains in development, pending the request for proposal (RFP) process. Reeves noted that if bids reach $35 million, "We aren't doing it." The RFP will likely include both construction approaches, allowing contractors to provide input on efficiency.
DISTRICT 1 TOWN HALL Mayor D.C. Reeves
and District 1 Councilmember Jennifer Brahier will host a District 1 Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 at the Vickrey Resource Center, 2130 Summit Blvd.
Mayor Reeves and Councilmember Brahier will provide opening remarks and then turn it over to the citizens to ask questions and provide comments regarding the City of Pensacola and District 1. This will be Mayor Reeves' third town hall meeting of 2025, with additional town halls to be announced in all Pensacola City Council districts.
All members of the community are encouraged to attend, provide their input and discuss their priorities and goals for the City of Pensacola. The town hall will be live streamed on Mayor Reeves' Facebook page at facebook.com/ pensacolamayor.
FRICKER CENTER INPUT
The City of Pensacola invites residents to help shape the future of the Fricker Resource Center by participating in two upcoming public engagement meetings on its renovation. The meetings are 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 and Thursday, July 31 at the Fricker Resource Center, 900 N. F St.
Thanks to nearly $10 million in grant funding awarded in 2023, the City is preparing to launch a significant transformation of the Fricker Center into a two-story, multipurpose community facility designed to serve as an inclusive and dynamic neighborhood hub.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share their ideas and provide feedback on the types of programs and services they believe are most important to the community. The meetings will be interactive, family-friendly and open to all. {in}
ning. At that point, CRT [critical race theory] and "The 1619 Project" were the big thing. A couple of other books like "The Hate U Give" [by Angie Thomas] and "Dear Martin" [by Nic Stone] were getting targeted, but this was the first time I saw my book was starting to get targeted.
I went to the Facebook post, and I went above his post so that my followers could see it, just to inform them. "Hey, they're starting to try and ban my book in Kansas City," so a lot of my followers went and had comments for the man. He ended
"YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ WHATEVER YOU WANT"
An Interview with Author GEORGE M. JOHNSON
By C. Scott Satterwhite
The removal of people's access to having the right to read, so there is no real difference. If one student cannot have access to that book, it is now essentially a banned book, in my opinion. That's just where I draw the line. This book should be accessible to [anyone] who needs it. Bottom line. They shouldn't have to always pay for it, because that is why we have a public library system that was created like that. The intended purpose of having a public library system was so that people could have access to materials that
they essentially could not gain elsewhere. So yeah, a ban is a ban. A restriction is a ban, OK?
INWEEKLY: essentially becomes an issue over semantics, while they are also saying that it's OK to re strict people's right to read books.
JOHNSON:
The goal at the end of the day is a nefarious goal to begin with. It has so many different layers to it, right? There's the LGBTQ layer. Whereas, they just don't want LGBTQ texts at all being taught to young adults, or even children because it goes all the way down to "And Tango Makes Three." They don't want anything LGBTQ taught to children, so that's the first issue. It's an attack against LGBTQ people. Second, they try to say it's parental rights, but there are clearly parents on the other side.
INWEEKLY: Like me.
JOHNSON: Who are, like "Well, what about my parental rights?" So, this can't be a parental rights issue because you don't care about another parent's parental rights. The third issue, and you know it's funny we're having this conversation today because the Supreme Court just upheld the Tennessee ruling on banning gender-affirming care for minors, so this all plays into that. If you attack [books] on the arts and culture side, it then becomes an attack on the real life policy side as well. Again, I think the bigger issue at hand is the restriction of something, of information that can be gained through the click of the internet, so what is the actual issue then? A kid [or] a teen can Google. They can't Google my entire book, but they could Google every theme that my book talks about that they're upset about. They can find this information elsewhere, and we already know that just because of the current education crisis in this country, most teenagers are probably not accessing most of their information from books. They're accessing it from the internet, so you have to then really think about what is the actual end goal here. We understand that fascism typically comes for arts and culture first. When it happened during the Holocaust, what did they destroy first? They destroyed books. They started destroying artwork. They started destroying any depictions of
ly talking about banning right now [is] essentially saying the stories of those who have went through trauma, real life stories, should not be read by people who could potentially be going through that very same trauma during those same ages. That's very strange to me.
I think over time, though, what you'll learn is that these people [attacking books] don't read. So it's like, "Well, they never read the book, so they can't be attacking my story because they don't know the story." I think ultimately it then shifted to where I don't feel as personal about it. It now bothers me more on an ideological level that they think that LGBTQ people, Black people and young people just don't deserve to have rights to understanding who we are and having agency to our bodies and agency to do what we want with our bodies and our identities. That's where I'm at with it now. It just makes me feel sad for the fact that we fought so hard to be able to be as diverse as we are in identity to now try to get shrunken back to man and woman, like caveman and cavewoman.
INWEEKLY: I'm curious what you think the endgame is? Currently, the Escambia County School District has spent well over half a million dollars on the legal battle to keep the books that it purchased off the shelves of its libraries. That's a staggering sum for a school district to spend.
JOHNSON: I think the endgame has shifted a lot. I think everything is kind of shifting now in real
C. Scott Satterwhite, George M. Johnson, Desmond Satterwhite Courtesy Photos
George M. Johnson
time. I think the more that everybody has sat still, the more you're starting to see a lot of people regret their choice in votes … I do think the endgame, of course, was trying to dismantle the Department of Education. Trying to shift the way that curriculum gets taught in this country to make it less diverse, to make it more straight-centered, more male-centered, more white, like the books that I had to read growing up which primarily centered white males' journey through this country, with all of us as just side characters that white males needed.
INWEEKLY: Like sidebars in the textbooks?
JOHNSON: Yeah, a sidebar. We were just sidebars. All of us, even white women, they were just accessories in most books. You think of books like "Little Women." This book was technically about these women, but was it really? Did it still lend a lot to a male perspective? I think at this point, the end game is unclear, because I actually don't think they know what the endgame is. I think somewhere in this, they kind of lost the plot, and we are now watching the unraveling of even the attempts to ban books because they actually don't really know where to go from there. They don't. I think we're seeing it more and more. I think about how the Moms for Liberty is not as powerful as they were. To be honest, we don't hear about them anymore. They don't really get press. They don't get as much air time.
INWEEKLY: Especially after the sexual scandal they faced here in Florida. [In 2023, cofounder of Moms for Liberty Bridget Ziegler's husband, GOP co-chair Christian Ziegler, was accused of rape by another woman with whom the couple was in a relationship. He claimed that the relationship was consensual, and the police did not bring charges.]
JOHNSON: Yes. Then we see a lot of people who want to ban these books are also abusers of children, and within their group and within their ranks using it as shield and cover. So I do think, and I've said this publicly before when people were asking, "Do you think it's just going to go away?" I honestly still feel like, at some point, this was one of those issues like Black Lives Matter (BLM), right? Like, everything was BLM's fault and then they just stopped talking about BLM. Then it became Antifa. "Antifa is doing it!" Then they stopped talking about Antifa. And it was "woke." The woke, the woke, the woke. I remember this huge article from the Young Republicans, and they were like "There's nothing wrong with being woke" ["Young Republicans are Begging Party Elders to Stop Saying 'Woke,'" by Kara Voght in "Rolling Stone, March 5, 2023]. [Gov.] Ron DeSantis used to say "woke" every seven words almost, and now he doesn't even use the word anymore because it's like, "Oh, that's not working. OK, we've got to pivot to something else."
I feel like book banning was a thing that they were like, "Yeah, we're going to ride this out." But I think now they're starting to see the country is again waking up and rioting and pushing back and fighting back. I think they're now realizing, "Oh, this is not going the way we thought." My job as a writer is to connect the dots. What is going on with the immigration crisis is still tied to the book bans because books teach about riots. Books teach about the Stonewall Riots. Books teach about slave rebellions. Books teach about these things, and to let you know how culture and things shift. When you think about the current president making a statement saying how we're going
to have to change our immigration policy because it's now hurting three different major business sectors in the country, and then you start to see a lessening happening of the attacks on books. Even when you look at [the book bans] year-to-year, even though "All Boys Aren't Blue" hit no. 1 on the most challenged list—I think I had 39 challenges and the year before I had 82—so we're watching in real time where it's like, "Oh, well. When we do these things it affects other segments that then destroy our 401ks and the economy," because a lot of these people [pushing the bans] are wealthy whites who rile up poorer whites to show up to these school board meetings. Once it starts to hit that bottom line, and the money and the other things, and they're like "Oh, we didn't realize all this was tied together." You start to see that lessening effect happen. Ultimately, I feel like this may be one of those issues where it was like, "book bans, book bans, book bans, book bans." Then it's like, "This isn't working. Let's go to transgender athletes," like you're seeing. "Well, let's attack the LGBTQ in a different way that we know more of the country is in support of because the country was never in support of book bans." I think we're now watching that in real time start to happen.
INWEEKLY: I know about some of the worst reactions to your book, obviously, but I also know that you've had a lot of positive reactions. Can you tell me about one that stands out to you?
JOHNSON: The best response I've gotten is when I had someone come up to me at a book signing, I believe it was in Arlington, Va., last year. He was wearing a mask because he didn't want me to see his face fully. But he walked up to me while I was signing books, and he said "I was going to kill myself, and I read your book. I reached out to you." He was like, "We didn't have a long conversation, but the fact that you responded to me is why I'm still here today." I think for me, it was just a reminder of two things. One is that my words have power, the power to save a life and that's a beautiful thing. The power to change the trajectory of someone's life. That's a beautiful thing. Then the second thing is to make sure that I mirror the empathy that my book has and mirror the healing power that my book has in real life. Because if he had a negative interaction with me, that story could have turned out very different. Tabitha Brown [actress and influencer] says it all the time "Just because you're having a bad day, don't make somebody else's day bad, too." I just try to remember that even on my worst days, if you know when someone reaches out with just a word of encouragement or something kind, to just say "thank you" and "I appreciate the support."
INWEEKLY: That's a beautiful story, and it reminds me of the note you wrote in my son's book. It reads, "Desmond, you deserve to be able to read whatever you desire." To me, that says it all, for all the reasons you specified.
JOHNSON: Absolutely, because you should be able to read whatever you want. {in}
GEORGE M. JOHNSON
iamgmjohnson.com, @iamgmjohnson
To learn more about the PEN America v. Escambia County School District lawsuit, visit pen.org/pen-america-v-escambia-county. You can also follow Pen America for updates at @penamerica.
Changing a life starts with
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Arts & Entertainment
Working with clay is the one thing Erika Young does that allows her to exist in the present moment. When she's in her home studio with her cats Rooney and Otis—one likely lounging in the hammock by the window—and listening to music (she's in a French pop phase), nothing else matters.
"There's so many distractions in life and so many ways to feel like your focus can be on five different things at one time," Young said. "It's amazing when you find that thing that silences everything else and clears your head, and then you're just there."
Young fell in love with ceramics at First City Art Center after she and her husband moved to Pensacola from Sicily in 2020—he was formerly in the U.S. Navy. After initially studying art and transitioning to accounting, Young was dying for a way to revive her artistic side.
"When we moved here and I saw that we had this really cool art center, I was like, 'OK, well, let me check it out,'" Young said. "And honestly, just became completely obsessed … A little over five years later, and it still completely consumes me, but in a great way."
Forever Learning
Young considers herself lucky to do pottery full time. She teaches a class at First City Art Cen ter, sells her ceramics at markets and online and hosts private pop-up workshops.
And even though she admits to wheel throw ing (aka pottery making) virtually "all the time," she prioritizes balance.
"I do check-ins with myself to say like, 'OK, are we still aligned with our goals, and are we still aligned with how we want to proceed in this ceramic field?'" Young said. "But I love it so much, so it feels weird to even call it work. I don't know, it's everything. It's my therapy and my creative outlet."
Like many of her students now, Young started out taking classes at First City Art Center—earning open studio time along the way and then taking full advantage of every opportunity on the wheel. After a year or so, she stumbled upon her own wheel on Facebook Marketplace.
"It's from the 1980s; it's a complete tank, huge, but I love it," Young said.
It took two people to get it in the house and seldom moves more than a few feet from its spot, but Young was ready for the commitment. It's the medium she thinks will stick with her forever.
"I swear it really is a forever learning process,"
er gets boring."
While Young loves decorative sculptures, she's focusing her career on functional pottery right now, she said.
"It's super rewarding to make pieces and then have those pieces become a part of people's everyday lives," Young said. "I want something that when you go to grab it, like say you're making your espresso in the morning, I want you to grab that espresso cup and feel that someone has made this for you. It just adds that extra layer to that moment."
A woman in one of her recent classes gave her the perfect example of a functional piece.
"I literally looked at it, and I was like, 'So what is this?'" Young said. "And then she told me the story about how her mom makes soap, and she has this bar of soap that she keeps on her sink. And one day she set it down on her kid's medicine cup, and it's lived on that medicine cup ever since. But now that she's taking pottery, she's
like, 'I can do something better. I can make this thing that's in my head that's more beautiful.' I just think that's so cool."
Young loves an esthetic moment as much as the next person—she even plates her food with pretty precision before eating it. She takes a similar approach with her pottery.
"I want it to be something that you look at and you're like, 'That's amazing, absolutely gorgeous, and it makes you feel good when you look at it,'" Young said. "But then also you feel double good because it can be used. I don't want people to be afraid to use the pieces."
Young's passion for pottery goes beyond selling her ceramics though.
"That was super rewarding, because then I could see my pieces being appreciated and going off to people's homes and then knowing that they're living their best life in someone's home," Young said. "And then from there, I started teaching the classes, and that was a whole new level of rewarding to share that appreciation for
When it comes to her classes—geared toward beginners—the hardest part is setting the expectation of having no expectations.
"So many people see videos of pottery and people doing huge pieces, and it all feels like it's done in an instant, when in reality that person's probably been doing pottery for a decade," Young said. "So that's one of those things, is just showing up and being OK with being in that moment and accepting the pro -
As adults, we don't learn often, she said.
"We have a choice to put ourselves out there and learn new skills, and it gets scarier as you get older," Young said. "Having the courage to put yourself out there and be like, 'I want to learn this, and I'm going to commit to trying it and being OK with what happens.'"
If someone's interested in pottery, they're lucky to have access to an established ceramics program at First City Art Center, she said.
"The barrier to entry is it's more expensive to get into, because you do need a lot of specialized equipment," Young said. "But the fact that you can sign up for a six-week session and be able to dabble in it before fully committing to all that, or just being a part of that community up there, is just so cool. I feel like pottery is such a small community that everyone is always willing to help out. If you have a problem, someone has had the same problem. We're all just trying to help each other out." {in}
Erika Young / Photos by Sarah Coleman Photography
a&e happenings
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
THE GREATEST SHOWCASE: SASHA FARBER Enjoy this fundraiser for Children's Home Society with Sasha Farber from "Dancing with the Stars," and "So You Think You Can Dance," and performances from local celebrities. Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details are at pensacolasaenger.com.
SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER FOR SAVE
OUR SHELTERS Happy Dog Resort, 1401 W. Cervantes St., will host a silent auction the entire month of July with 100% of proceeds going directly to spaying and neutering animals in Escambia County. There are a variety of baskets available for people and pups available to view 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Save Our Shelters at sossaveourshelters@gmail.com.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR YMCA'S ANNUAL CORPORATE CUP GAMES The YMCA invites companies to enter this year's Corporate Cup Games, to be held Saturday, Oct. 25, at Pensacola State College. Teams must consist of 20-28 members who are at least 18 years old and regular employees of the company. Employee spouses may participate. For a $1,000 entry fee, your team receives event entry, food and drink, a participant gift for each team member and a chance to win awards and bragging rights. Silver Sponsorships are also available. Proceeds benefit YMCA mission programs. Registration deadline is Aug. 15. Learn more and register at ymcanwfl.org.
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal
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 ADOP -
TION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD
DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 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
VERTICAL OYSTER GARDEN BUILDING
VOLUNTEER EVENT Volunteer to help construct vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) out of recycled oyster shell from Pensacola Beach restaurants. Learn more at this volunteer event 9-10:15 a.m. Friday, July 18 at the Pensacola Visitor Cen-
ter, 1401 E. Gregory St. Registration is required. Email info@ppbep.org.
FREE Z TUESDAY SUMMER EVENT SERIES
From 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 5, the public is invited to visit Zarzaur Law's downtown office, 100 S. Palafox St., to cool off with free frozen treats provided by Sneaky Tiki Shave Ice in a custom Free Z Tuesday collector cup and take part in activities and giveaways.
ARTS & CULTURE
GALLERY NIGHT: SWINGING INTO ART
The July Gallery Night is a celebration of 1920s and jazz music. Gallery Night is 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 18 on South Palafox Street. Details are at gallerynightpensacola.org.
ROAST BATTLE Eight comedians will take the stage in a no-holds-barred verbal tournament 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 18 at Bagelheads Downtown, 916 E. Gregory St. Tickets are $15-$20. Show is for ages 18 and older.
KARLOUS MILLER & FRIENDS Show is 8 p.m.
Friday, July 18 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and info are at pensacolasaenger.com.
SUMMERWEEN MEWVIE NIGHT Watch
"Haunted Mansion" (2022) at Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St. Tickets are $32 and include free snacks and drinks. For tickets, visit coastalcatpcola.com.
BRICK PAINTING AT PERFECT DAY BOOKS
Paint garden bricks to look like books noon-2 p.m. Sunday, July 20 at The Loft at the Mercantile, 2 E. Intendencia St. For details, find Perfect Day Books on Facebook.
EP RELEASE FOR TRIS WEEKS AND GOLDMINE BAND Broken Masterpiece EP release is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
THE AMATEUR Pensacola Cinema Art screening is 1 p.m. Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at PCA, 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10, cash only. Details are at pensacolacinemaart.com.
PERFECT DAY BOOKS LAUNCH PARTY
Celebrate the official launch of the book mobile business, Perfect Day Books. Buy a tote bag and fill it with free books 4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Jitterbug, 2050 N. 12th Ave.
MOVIES IN THE PARK Bring your blankets and chairs for a movie at Community Maritime Park, 351 Cedar St. Fun begins 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26, and the movie begins at sunset. Details are at facebook.com/playpcolaparks.
SCIENCE NIGHT LIVE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE In partnership with the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council, Pensacola MESS Hall invites you to learn from AI professionals 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, July 31 at the MESS Hall, 418 E. Wright St. The event will feature AI professionals from Brazil for an evening of global connection and engaging exploration. Adults and teens will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities that demonstrate the science behind AI while also
considering its global and ethical implications. Admission is free, but pre-registration is encouraged at pensacolamesshall.org/adult-programs.
RACHEL PONGETTI: UNEXPECTED ANALOG DREAM Rachel Pongetti, the author of the Pensacola Graffiti Project, will have an exhibit on view through Aug. 31 at Open Books, 1040 N. Guillemard St.
BLUE MORNING GALLERY: BLUE ANGELS THEME SHOW The latest Blue Morning Gallery exhibit celebrates the Blue Angels, with featured artists David Schulz, Allen Jones, A.G. Tapscott, MaryAnne Sweida, Shawn Riley and more. The exhibition is on view through July 26 at Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox St. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
JULIA MORRISROE: ICONS AND MONUMENTS Julia Morrisroe, a professor in painting and drawing at the University of Florida, will exhibit her show "Icons and Monuments" in the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. The exhibit is on view through Aug. 7. For more details, visit visualarts. pensacolastate.edu.
IN YOUR FACE: PORTRAITS BY GILA RAYBERG Mosaic portraiture by Gila Rayberg is on view through Sept. 7 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details are at pensacolamuseum.org.
GESTALT OF THE BERTH The latest exhibit at Pensacola Museum of Art is Gestalt of the Berth, a culmination of the inaugural Artist-in-Residence program at Gulf Islands National Seashore. Selected artist, designer and educator John Dougherty was tasked with forging a stronger connection between the local arts community and the park, and he saw collaboration as the most effective approach. The show features the work of John Dougherty and includes participating artists Nicholas Croghan, Poppy Garcia, Stoycho Hadziev, Joe Hobbs, Richard Humphries, Steve Matechik, Mia McCann, Keeley Morgan, Paul Myers, Nick Phoenix, Richard Rodriguez and Eniko Ujj. More details are at pensacolamuseum.org.
DUALITIES: NATIONAL SCULPTURE EXHIBITION This national exhibition will feature works from various artists at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. The exhibition is on view through Jan. 11. Details are at pensacolamuseum.org.
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.
COMEDY SHOWCASE AT SUBCULTURE
BTB Comedy presents a comedy showcase the first Thursday monthly at Subculture Art Gallery, 701 N. V St. Follow facebook.com/pensacolasubculture for updates.
a&e happenings
SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.
PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox 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 Cabaret 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 Pensacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are 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-
FL
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
O'RILEY'S IRISH PUB BIRTHDAY BASH
O'Riley's will celebrate 12 years in business 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19 with drink promos, prizes and coupons. Event is for ages 21 and older at 321 S. Palafox St. Details are at orileyspub.com.
BREAKDANCING AND BBQ Visit Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave., for a breakdancing performance from Perdido Performing Arts Studio and live music from Nick Lozano starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Details are at facebook.com/garysbrew.
GIRLAN WINE DINNER BY 86 FORKS Enjoy a five-course seafood inspired dinner paired with wine 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 at 86 Forks, 11 S. Palafox St. Ste. B. Details are at 86forks.com/girlandinner.
PAINT AND SIP Learn to create your own masterpiece with The Traveling Painter 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details are at facebook.com/garysbrew.
WINE DINNER WITH CHEF EDWARD
LORDMAN Dinner is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $110.96. Tickets available on Eventbrite.
FOOD FLIGHT Cooking event is 5-7 p.m. or 8-10 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Gather, A Culinary Collective, 41 S. Navy Blvd. Cost is $75 a person. Sign up at pensacolacooks.com.
EVERYTHING: RED WINE Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Unit C. Cost is $60 a student and for adults only. Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/classes-and-events.
BUILD YOUR OWN BARKCUTERIE AND CHARCUTERIE Wolfgang event is noon Sunday, July 27 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Details are at wolfgangparkandbrews.com.
SOUTHERN COMFORT: BISCUIT EDI -
TION Hands-on biscuit making class is 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 28 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $60, and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
LUNCH AND LEARN: MICROGREENS
KIT Learn how to grow your own microgreens with ONO Microgreens—lunch included. Class is 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29 at Bodacious,
407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $48 and available at Eventbrite.
LUNCH SERVICE NOW AT RESTAURANT IRON Restaurant Iron, 22 N. Palafox St., will now offer a refined midday experience starting 11 a.m. Monday-Friday. Dinner service will continue to be available Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (850) 476-7776 or visiting restaurantiron.com/reservations. Walk-ins will also be welcome based on availability.
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.
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 Hwy. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
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free will astrology
WEEK OF JULY 17
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): For the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, the element of fire has profound cultural meanings. It's a symbol of innovation and inspiration. It's a mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds and a conduit for communication with the ancestors. Through rituals, fire is a purifying and renewing force that helps people reconnect with their purpose, heal relationships and catalyze positive change in the community. In the coming weeks, Aries, I hope you will be deeply aligned with all these symbolic meanings. What are you ready to ignite for the sake of nurturing and care? What truths need light and heat? What future visions would benefit from surges of luminosity?
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In the Nahuatl language spoken by indigenous Mexicans, the word nepantla describes an in-between space. It's a liminal threshold where a transition is in process. The old ways have fallen away, but the new ways are not yet fully formed. It's unsettling and perhaps confusing, yet seeded with the potential for creative change. I suspect you are now in a state resembling nepantla, Taurus. Please understand this isn't a crisis. It's a chrysalis. Any discomfort you feel is not a sign of failure, but a harbinger of the wisdom and power that will come by molting the identity you have outgrown. I hope you will honor the rawness and speak tenderly to yourself. You are not lost; you are mid-ritual.
By Rob Brezsny
systems. You're making it your own now. This isn't theft, but creative borrowing. You're not copying; you're synthesizing and synergizing.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Ancient beekeepers in Anatolia carved hives directly into rock faces, coaxing honey from the cliffs. This practice was designed to protect bees from harsh weather and predators while maximizing honey production. The bees adapted well to their unusual homes. I suspect, Cancerian, that in the coming weeks, your sweetness and bounty may also thrive in unlikely structures. It could take a minute or two for you to adjust, but that won't be a problem. Your nectar-making instincts will guide you. So I advise you not to wait for the perfect container before beginning your work. Make honey in the best available setting.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): I laughed until I sobbed as you earnestly played the game of love even after the rules had changed. I sighed till I panted as you dredged up a new problem to avoid fixing an overripe hassle. I rolled my eyes until I got dizzy as you tried to figure out the differences between stifling selfcontrol and emancipating self-control. But all that's in the past, right, Leo? Now I'm preparing to cheer until my voice is raspy as you trade in a dried-up old obsession in favor of a sweet, fresh, productive passion—and outgrow all the fruitless nuisances.
or remained a bit dilettantish beyond the time when you might have progressed to the next highest level? Are you still a casual dabbler in a field where you could ultimately become masterful? If you answered yes to these queries, now is a perfect moment to kick yourself in the butt and leap to the next level. Waiting around for fate to kick your butt would be a mistake.
coming weeks, Capricorn. Your natural inclination is to be practical, take action and get things done. But for now, your main superpower will be listening to everything. So my advice is to listen with your skin. Listen with your breath. Listen with your gut. Let your attention be so complete that the world softens and speaks to you about what you really need to know.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): The sea slug Elysia chlorotica is a small, unassuming creature that performs a remarkable feat: It eats algae and steals its chloroplasts, then incorporates them into its own body. For weeks afterward, the slug photosynthesizes sunlight like a plant. I believe, Gemini, that you are doing a metaphorical version of this biological borrowing. Some useful influence or presence you have absorbed from another is integrating into your deeper
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): The ancient scribes of Mesopotamia etched records onto clay tablets with styluses, pressing wedge-shaped marks into wet earth. Once baked, these tablets endured for thousands of years. Some are still readable today. In my astrological assessment, Virgo, you are undergoing a metaphorically comparable process. Messages and expressions forming within you are meant to last. They may not win you immediate attention and applause. But you already suspect how crucial they will be to both your own future and the destinies of those you care for. Be bold, decisive and precise as you choose your words.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Is there any aspect of your life or character that is still unripe even though it is critical to your lifelong journey? Have you held on to your amateur status
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Many astrologers rightfully say that Virgo is the most detail-oriented, meticulous sign. I think you Scorpios may be the most methodical and thorough of all the signs, which means that you, too, can be meticulous and detail-oriented. A prime example is the Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840–1917). Eventually, his work became worldrenowned, but his career developed gradually because of his painstaking patience and scrupulous devotion to excellence. I propose we make him your role model for now. Inspired by him, resist pressure for immediate results. Trust in the slow, steady refinement process.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Here are half of your words of power for the coming days: windfall, godsend and boon. The other half are potion, remedy and healing agent. If you're lucky, and I think you will be, those terms will blend and overlap. The blessings that come your way will be in the form of cures and fixes. I'm being understated here so as to not sound too wildly excited about your immediate future. But I suspect you will wrangle at least one amazing victory over hardship. Your chances of a semimiraculous visitation by a benevolent intervention are as high as they have ever been.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The ancient Chinese character for "listening" contains symbols for ears, eyes and heart. I interpret this to signify that it's not enough to seek the truth with just one of your faculties. They must all be engaged and working together to get the full story. You are wise to survey the world with your whole being. Keep these meditations in mind during the
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): If you would like to glide into rapt alignment with astrological rhythms, give gifts to your two closest allies. These offerings should inspire their ambitions, not indulge their cravings to be comfortable. They shouldn't be practical necessities or consumer fetishes, but rather provocative tools or adult toys. Ideally, they will be imaginative boons that your beloved companions have been shy about asking for or intriguing prods that will help beautify their self-image. Show them you love both the person they are now and the person they are becoming.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Piscean photographer Ansel Adams is so renowned that he's in the International Photography Hall of Fame. We know the moment that his lifelong passion erupted. At age 14, his family gave him a simple camera and took him to Yosemite National Park in California. "The splendor of Yosemite burst upon us, and it was glorious," he wrote later. "One wonder after another descended upon us. A new era began for me." In the coming months, I foresee you encountering a comparable turning point, Pisces—a magical interlude awakening you to a marvel that will become an enduring presence in your life. Be alert for it. Better yet, declare your intention to shape events to ensure it happens and you're ready for it.
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Make amends to the person you were in the past. They're still alive within you. {in}
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news of the weird
A CAUTIONARY TALE A couple in Thailand went to the hospital three times after the woman swallowed a fish bone while eating fish soup, Oddity Central reported on June 27. She tried various home remedies, but couldn't dislodge it from her throat, and at the hospital, doctors couldn't see anything on an X-ray. The wife, Sang Lan, still felt pain, but assumed the bone had moved on. When her neck became swollen, she returned to the hospital, but again Xrays were negative. At home, the woman was applying a pain relief patch to her neck when she saw a pointy object poking her skin from within. She applied pressure, and the fish bone poked through her skin. Back at the hospital, doctors removed the 2-centimeter bone; they said they had never seen anything like it before.
WELL, THAT'S CURIOUS A 77-year-old woman in Michigan won $4 million in the state's instant lottery recently, the Detroit Free Press reported on July 1. The woman, who is choosing to remain anonymous, said she plays the game "all the time" and was "frozen in her seat" for a while after scratching the winning ticket. Curiously (in light of her age), the winner chose to receive annual payments of about $133,000 for the next 30 years instead of taking the lump sum of about $2.7 million. She's planning to donate some, do home repairs and share the winnings with her family.
THAT RULE DOESN'T APPLY TO ME On July 1, real estate agent Jon Beaulieu of Manayunk, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one year of probation, a $200 fine and reimbursing American Airlines the $59,143 it cost to cancel a flight on June 26, 2024. Philadelphia magazine reported that on that night, Beaulieu went to great lengths to skip the security line at Philadelphia International Airport, trying to enter Terminal C through an exit line. When he was stopped, he threw a $50 bill at the security guard and asked her if that would get him in. Eventually, Beaulieu got away from her and disappeared into the terminal—and onto his flight, which was still at the gate. When officials informed the pilot that a passenger hadn't gone through security, they canceled the flight.
FAIL At Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, riders of the newly opened Siren's Curse roller coaster got a break in their experience when the coaster "experienced a delay," the Akron Beacon Journal reported. The stop, on June 28, left riders suspended in midair for about 10 minutes; park spokesman Tony Clark said the "coaster's safety system performed as designed, the ride was restarted, and guests continued their ride."
EWWWWWWW Rona Davies of Sittingbourne, England, ordered a baby rattle from Shein for her stepdaughter's 5-month-old, Kent Online reported on July 2, but what she saw inside turned her off of online shopping for good. Among the rattling beads inside the toy was a human fingernail. Davies said she was "disgusted" and add-
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
ed, "My concern is, if things like this are getting into a baby's toy, then what are their standards for health and safety?" Oh, Rona. Shein offered her a refund and 100 Shein points, which Davies called "a joke really, because that's not the point of it." Shein had no comment.
THE TECH REVOLUTION We here at Weird World Headquarters are ardent belittlers of AI, so it's with great glee that we bring you this item: MSN reported on July 2 that a Tesla in "self-driving mode" tried to mix it up with a train in midJune in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. Western Berks Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw said the vehicle turned left onto some train tracks; the three people inside the car were able to get out and gather their belongings before a train came along an adjacent track a few minutes later. The Tesla suffered only a damaged mirror, but it had to be lifted with a crane off the tracks so as not to disturb its highly flammable battery. "We've had accidents involving Teslas," Renshaw said, "but nobody has expressed to us that the vehicle was in self-drive mode when it happened."
AWESOME! Jason Singer of Portland, Maine, became a "Jeopardy!" champion on July 1, ABC News reported. Four years earlier, Singer's wife, Susan McMillan, won the title on the show. "Jeopardy!" officials say the brainiacs are believed to be the first already-married couple to both win. McMillan said she coached her husband: "I told him he really needs to be on point with the buzzer timing," she said. "Everyone there knows pretty much all the information."
POLICE REPORT Raleigh, North Carolina, police were called to the scene of a robbery on July 1, WRAL-TV reported. Victims told officers that a naked man with a wooden post approached them and demanded access to their car. The man also assaulted a woman sitting in her car, hitting her on the arm with the post. He then tried to drive away but couldn't shift the car out of park. He fled and hid in a storage room before being captured and taken into custody. Police didn't release the names of the victims or the suspect.
IT'S A MYSTERY In Wirral, England, residents are unsettled by someone in a black cat costume who's been prowling around secluded beach areas, the BBC reported on July 3. One witness wrote on Facebook that she "heard a man making cat noises, shone a torch he was waving his arms at me before crawling up the hill. Never been so scared." A man who was walking his dog along the beach was more amused than frightened: "I don't know his name, I think it's just a windup. He's definitely not out to frighten people, he does it for fun," he said. "He just likes being a giant cat." Well, yeah, who doesn't? {in}
