Gulf Winds is committed to fostering opportunity through education. Each year, we award five scholarships of $5,000 to students in our region, investing in the growth of emerging leaders and strengthening our community.
SHUSEN PU The Council on Undergraduate Research awarded University of West Florida (UWF) mathematics professor Dr. Pu the 2025 Mathematical and Computing Sciences Early Career Faculty Mentor Award, marking the first time a UWF faculty member has received this national distinction. The award recognizes excellence in undergraduate student mentoring based on professional development impact and research success. Since joining UWF in 2022, Pu has mentored more than 40 undergraduate students, who have delivered more than 30 presentations at national conferences and co-authored peer-reviewed publications. His research focuses on mathematical statistics, neural network modeling and computational neuroscience. Pu earned his doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 2020 and previously taught at Vanderbilt University before joining UWF's Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
ST ENGINEERING ST Engineering hosted the Pensacola Mayor's Scholarship Luncheon earlier this month to honor seven outstanding Escambia County seniors named 2025 scholarship recipients. First established by ST Engineering in 2019 and recently expanded, the scholarship program was created to support local students pursuing aviation careers enrolled in post-secondary aviation education programs. The seven scholarship recipients are Jayden Holt, Booker T. Washington High School; Kyle Hange, West Florida High School of Advanced Technology; Jonathan Amentler, Booker T. Washington High School; Kevin Jones, Booker T. Washington High School; Jaden Powell, Booker T. Washington High School; Audrey Service, Booker T. Washington High School; and Rebekah Simon, Booker T. Washington. Each student was awarded a $2,500 scholarship, fully funded by ST Engineering, to apply toward their education at an accredited aviation college or technical school.
GULF BREEZE HOSPITAL Baptist Health Care opened the facility on June 24, 1985, changing the quality of life throughout south Santa Rosa County. Gulf Breeze will be forever grateful to Dick Fulford, Gulf Breeze Hospital's first president, who set a high standard for health care and patient satisfaction immediately. Today, the location has more than 565 team members and annually sees approximately 3,100 hospital admissions, more than 112,000 outpatient appointments and over 17,000 emergency department visits.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY COMMISSION The board's rejection of the Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) proposal represents another catastrophic failure of leadership that will haunt the county for years. With $475 million in desperately needed road improvements already designed and ready to go, Commissioners Rhett Rowell, Ray Eddington and Bobby Burkett chose political cowardice over fiscal responsibility. Their decision essentially killed projects like the $130 million Berryhill Road widening and the $155 million Navarre Beach Bridge replacement. County Administrator Brad Baker's warning was stark: these critical infrastructure projects are dead in the water without funding mechanisms.Most damaging is the message this sends to military partners who have already flagged the county's infrastructure as a national security concern. Commissioner Colten Wright noted that businesses are already looking elsewhere, and the county has effectively closed itself for business. When leaders prioritize appeasing a vocal minority over long-term economic viability, everyone loses.
The state university system's Board of Governors approved three university presidents no one would have chosen before Gov. Ron DeSantis became governor. The board cemented the decisions by the university boards of trustees to hire three Gov. DeSantis allies: former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as president of Florida International University, Charter Communications executive Marva Johnson as president of Florida A&M University and Education Commissioner Manny Díaz Jr. as interim president of the University of West Florida.
JAMES UTHMEIER U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams found the Florida Attorney General in civil contempt for violating a court order regarding the state's controversial immigration law. After Williams issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the new immigration law, she directed Uthmeier to notify law enforcement that they could not enforce the statute. While Uthmeier complied with an April 18 notification letter, he sent a follow-up letter that undermined the court's directive, stating he could not prevent police from enforcing the law "where there remains no judicial order that properly restrains you from doing so." Williams has ordered Uthmeier to file biweekly reports on any enforcement actions under the blocked law.
By Rick Outzen
Most elected officials struggle with keeping their finger on the pulse of their constituents. Campaign supporters and donors might have access, but the general public might rarely be heard—a disconnect that undermines the very foundation of representative democracy.
During my 14 years on the Gulf Breeze City Council (1992-2006), I interacted with voters everywhere: at church, school, the grocery store and even in my front yard—where neighbors would stop to share their views. Gulf Breeze's small-town atmosphere created an almost continuous dialogue between council members and residents. With annual pay of just one dollar, people recognized the position as genuine public service.
I've observed that Escambia County commissioners and Pensacola mayors often struggle to gauge voter concerns, particularly during their first terms. The most effective leaders host frequent town halls—both for general feedback and specific issues—recognizing that good governance requires ongoing conversation, not just campaign promises.
This contrast became stark recently with Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger's handling of the Pensacola Beach Gateway project. A successful business owner with a reported net worth of $16 million, Hofberger won her District 4 seat decisively and immediately launched this major initiative: removing existing toll gates and adding an architectural arch to the entrance of Pensacola Beach.
The commissioner fast-tracked the project that ballooned from $625,000 to $1.4 million, presenting three design options in April and another three in June solely through her Facebook page. Predictably, residents panned all options as "terrible" and "tacky." The local arts community protested their exclusion from the design process, while others questioned the decorative arch's necessity entirely.
Most troubling was Hofberger's response to criticism. Despite the original design contract calling for two public engagement meetings, she told the media these sessions were deleted to save time and money. Instead, she invited residents to comment on her Facebook or email their thoughts to her office—a passive approach demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of meaningful public engagement.
This dismissive attitude contrasts sharply with Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves' commitment to resident input. Reeves has made public engagement the cornerstone of his administration, marking a clear shift toward inclusive, transparent governance.
Upon taking office, Reeves promised decision-making built with residents, not just for them. This materialized in the City's first comprehensive strategic plan, "Strive to Thrive: Pensacola 2035," developed through unprecedented public outreach across all demographics.
In the plan's cover letter, Reeves wrote: "Over the past year, we've come together to say exactly what we see for our great city's future. You've shared what you love about this wonderful place. You've shared your concerns. Your hopes. Your ideas to make this city better."
He took the same approach updating the East Side Community Redevelopment Area plan, holding 23 separate meetings at various times and locations to accommodate different schedules and comfort levels. On my podcast, he explained his goal was rebuilding trust through consistency and follow-through.
"We never want to leave anybody's opinion behind," Reeves said. "We can't make people come to these meetings, and we'll catch flack about 'Why didn't you tell us?' But we can say, 'We held 23 meetings.'"
Unfortunately, Commissioner Hofberger cannot make the same claim. Successful business owners can make unilateral decisions and execute plans without outside input—profitability measures success. But representative democracy operates differently. Commissioners spend taxpayer money, and citizens deserve to understand how their funds are used and have meaningful opportunities to voice opinions.
Public input sessions inevitably change original plans, but that's not a weakness—it's democracy working as intended. Through genuine engagement, projects become better, more responsive to community needs, and ultimately more successful.
Commissioner Hofberger has had eight months to explain why she canceled the Casino Beach Changing Rooms project and to ask whether residents actually want an architectural arch. She could have solicited design ideas from local artists, creating both better outcomes and community ownership. She didn't— but it's not too late.
The lesson extends beyond one project or one commissioner. Elected officials who view public input as an inconvenience rather than an essential responsibility fundamentally misunderstand their role. Democracy isn't about imposing solutions from above; it's about working together to address shared challenges.
Listening is indeed hard—but it's the job. {in} rick@inweekly.net
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By Rick Outzen
Broughton has focused on how to tell similar stories about the forgotten who once called Escambia County home. She said everyone has a story that deserves to be told.
"There are poor people, criminals, different folk. This is talking about people who were cast aside in their lives," Broughton said. "I want to see us marking those burials, pushing more of a people story, a people story talking about people from the bottom up."
She continued, "There are lynching victims, hobos, even people who are outside the more respectable churches, women who died in childbirth and some women who were prostitutes that have stories."
One location Broughton cited as a treasure trove of untold stories is Potters Field Cemetery, otherwise known as Escambia County Cemetery or Poor Farm Cemetery.
The cemetery is unmarked today but is located where Cross Street dead-ends near the Escambia County Jail, said Jennifer Melcher, a faculty research associate with the UWF Archaeology Institute, whose expertise includes Potters Field.
A discovery by a local Boy Scout troop four years ago sent shockwaves through the Pensacola community. The Boy Scouts discovered the remains of two humans in the crawl space underneath the Boy Scout Building at Miraflores Park.
On June 17, the City of Pensacola held a marker ceremony to honor the previously unmarked burial ground at the park. The two individuals recovered from the crawl space have been reinterred inside the marker.
"I did not expect six or seven weeks into my job to have someone walk into my office and say, 'We think we might have human remains or a burial run inside one of our city parks,'" said Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, who established a 10-member Miraflores Community Advisory Group.
At the marker ceremony, the mayor stressed the city's commitment to respecting all its citizens. "This is really a city for all of us, and when we have families and parents and grandparents whose remains were here and tears shed here and that were for 130 years, in essence, forgotten, that we do try to remember and lift up all of those people."
He added that the ceremony served as "a good reminder for us to encourage residents to explore untold corners of local history, volunteer with heritage groups and to share a family story."
Biological anthropologists from the University of West Florida (UWF) conducted a skeletal analysis that indicated the remains of one female and one likely male. UWF bio-archeologist Katie
Miller Wolf said the likely male remains lacked some diagnostic features, but the rectangular pelvic shape indicated that of a man somewhere in the 40-47 age range. The female remains included key diagnostic features, and Miller Wolf concluded her age range was 35-44.
Miller Wolf said analyzing the remains of the two humans is a highlight of her career. She has since analyzed another and expects future opportunities in the historic goldmine that is Pensacola.
"There's been one other case here in Pensacola that I've worked on that was an analogous scenario," said Miller Wolf, who served as a subject matter expert for the advisory group.
"It was a routine excavation related to roadwork, and some bones were come across." Miller Wolf continued, "This is a longstanding community. There have been indigenous people here for millennia. We know from some of these historic sites that there are certainly some people buried here, from the Luna settlement to English, Spanish and French settlers. It's not a surprise to me or unusual that we come across things in a city with the time depth we have here."
The field investigation conducted shortly after the discovery at Miraflores Park indicated the remains originated from a historic, disturbed grave context. Investigators determined the disturbance probably occurred during the construction of the Boy Scout building in 1934.
The two individuals are in good company. A ground-penetrating radar survey used during a Miraflores Burial Ground Study identified possibly 80 unmarked graves at the park. Historic research, including newspaper articles, meeting minutes and legal records, indicates the burial ground was established in 1884 and used primarily by Black and/or Creole individuals. The features of the
female body suggest her traits align with various populations in Pensacola, such as Black, Creole, and European.
Miraflores Park generated publicity due to the discovery by the Boy Scouts. Still, according to Margo Stringfield, a research archaeologist and historic cemeteries specialist for the UWF Archaeology Institute, unmarked cemeteries are prevalent in our area.
"There are obscured cemeteries in every community and city in the country," said Stringfield, who served on the Miraflores Community Advisory Group.
She said remote sensing detected 4,000 unmarked burials at historic St. Michael's Cemetery in downtown Pensacola, and that number is undoubtedly higher when factoring in undetected stillbirths and young children.
Remote sensing is an invaluable tool in detecting unmarked burials, but historic documents indicate when and where cemeteries used to exist. Stringfield said online access to Pensacola newspapers dates back to 1821.
"There's a lot of information there that leads you to suspect something might have been going on here and there," she said.
Pensacola City Council member Teniadé Broughton served with Stringfield on the advisory group and commended the City for its efforts in honoring the two humans at Miraflores Park. She enjoyed collaborating with fellow advisory group members on how to best tell the story, such as determining the term Creole.
"The Miraflores project sets an example to show others how they can start telling people's stories," Broughton said.
Melcher said local genealogist Erin Renfroe transcribed death certificates and discovered at least 1,200 burials at Potters Field. Records indicate burials in the cemetery occurred over nearly a century, from 1891-1984. Melcher said her research indicates about 70% of the people buried at Potters Field were Black, but the cemetery represented all walks of life.
"If you were working at the county farm or died at the county hospital, which was across the street before the county jail, this is where you are buried. If you didn't have a lot of money, this is where you are buried," Melcher said.
"It is a segment of everyone. There are a lot of fishermen from Norway and other Scandinavian countries who came to Pensacola and may not have had any family here to pay for a funeral."
Melcher agrees with Broughton that Potters Field is an excellent location to pay tribute to and share stories about those buried in the forgotten grounds.
"Go to any city in the Southeast, and somewhere there's going to be a burial ground that unfortunately is lost to time," Melcher said. "It would be great to tell these stories and get something there to memorialize these people."
The City provided an excellent blueprint on how to memorialize the forgotten. Those associated with Miraflores Park felt a deep sense of pride in how they honored the two humans. Advisory group members commended Adrianne Walker for her leadership. Walker serves as the historic preservation planner for the City.
"Adrianne and the City have done a superior job. Pensacola is the model," Stringfield said. "Everything we've been doing here is something other cities and municipalities can look to follow. It makes me very proud as a citizen of Escambia County that we have this level of respect for our historic resources and those who created them." {in}
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ONE BLOCK AT A TIME On June 10, Escambia County's Block-by-Block Workforce Development Program graduated its inaugural HVAC cohort at the Brownsville Community Center. The ceremony celebrated participants who completed an intensive eight-week training program designed to launch careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.
The Block-by-Block Program embodies Escambia County's strategic approach to strengthening underserved communities through targeted workforce development. District 3 Commissioner Lumon May emphasized the program's grassroots philosophy during the ceremony: "I believe in order to save a community, you go house-by-house, block-by-block, community-by-community."
Commissioner May's vision for the program stems from addressing critical workforce shortages head-on. He explained, "Across the country, there is a shortage of skilled labor. The goal is, we can't wait on the school system. We can't wait on anyone else to teach skills to our children. So we're just going to try to do it right here in Brownsville."
Delivered through Pensacola State College, the program combines rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on experience across multiple construction trades, including carpentry, electrical work, HVAC-R, masonry, plumbing and welding. The curriculum follows National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) standards, ensuring graduates receive industry-recognized certifications that employers actively seek in today's competitive job market.
The program extends beyond technical skills development. Participants complete Florida Ready to Work Soft Skills training through CareerSource Escarosa, building essential workplace competencies in communication, teamwork and professional development. Many graduates also earned OSHA 10 certification, demonstrating their commitment to industry safety standards.
Program Coordinator Joe Glover highlighted the community impact: "Strong communities hinge upon youth having the skills they need to secure meaningful, well-paid employment."
The 10 HVAC cohort graduates—Xavier Brooks, Darius Brown, Cameron Chisholm, Michael Crosby, Quentin Gholston, Kanye Jones, Brian Lisonbee, DeAndre Mason, Daniel Ramey and Austin Swails—now possess both the technical credentials and professional confidence necessary to pursue careers in a field experiencing significant labor demand across Northwest Florida and beyond.
KUDOS FOR UWF The University of West Florida (UFW) scored 91 out of 100 points in the 2025 Performance-Based Funding metrics, tying for third place statewide with Florida State University, Provost Dr. Jaromy Kuhl reported to the UWF Board of Trustees on June 12.
"This puts us in the top three for the system," Kuhl announced, highlighting that UWF joins Florida International Univesity (96), University of Florida (94) and Florida State University (91) as the state's highest performers. "We're tied with Florida State University, and the University
of Florida and Florida International University are the ones ahead of us."
The university demonstrated exceptional improvement, jumping seven points from last year's score of 84. Kuhl said, "This is very good news for the university. We performed well, and we still have a lot of work to do."
UWF earned perfect scores on seven metrics, including graduate employment rates, in which 80.1% of bachelor's graduates are employed earning $40,000-plus or continuing education. "We are ranked number two in the system for percentage of graduates that are employed or continuing their education."
The university showed remarkable progress in four-year graduation rates, improving from 48.1% to 53.7%. "A lot of work went into this particular metric," Kuhl explained, noting the 5.6 percentage point increase earned maximum improvement points.
Other standout performances included median graduate wages of $54,000 and cost efficiency with net tuition of just $2,810 per 120 credit hours. "We always do well on this," Kuhl said of the university's strategic program emphasis, in which 60.8% of bachelor's degrees are awarded in state priority areas.
As a top-three performer, UWF is eligible for additional state investment funding. Kuhl concluded, "We are still looking at one, the graduation metrics and continuing to increase those. But two, we're looking toward metrics changing and how we can continue to score well when those changes occur."
County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger defended a controversial $7.5 million gateway project for the Pensacola Beach entrance during a heated June 17 Tourist Development Council meeting, as community criticism intensified over spiraling costs and design issues.
The next day, the commissioner withdrew her request for financing the project's architectural arch from the agenda of the Board of County Commissioners' June 20 special meeting. Hofberger wanted the board to approve spending $1.1 million from her discretionary fund for Jacobs Engineering to design the arch.
What started as a simple request to replace an aging toll plaza with a decorative arch has transformed into what Hofberger called "a drawnout process that has now ballooned into a $7.5 million project." The commissioner outlined how the project evolved without her knowledge, with the original scope significantly reduced during contract negotiations.
"The first time I was made aware of these changes was the kickoff meeting on April 1," Hofberger told the council. A subsequent change order attempt to restore the original scope was blocked by legal concerns, leading to a second solicitation that resulted in a $1.1 million contract just for what Hofberger characterized as "the pretty part."
The project faced additional embarrassment when it was revealed that the selected contrac-
tor copied their design from a private website logo belonging to Innisfree Hotels' pensacolabeach.com. The design controversy sparked thousands of critical social media posts, with community members frustrated that more iconic local symbols weren't incorporated into the proposed options.
Local residents Kevin Wade and Melissa Pino delivered sharp criticism during the meeting, with Pino arguing that a simple gantry system could be installed for $75,000-$300,000 instead of the proposed millions. She advocated addressing beach parking issues and restoring previously canceled changing rooms.
Even excluding decorative elements, Hofberger's functional-component breakdown revealed substantial costs: $70,000 for toll plaza demolition, $600,000 for gantry design, $2 million for gantry construction, $1.2 million for tolling equipment and $1.5 million for roadway fiber installation, totaling $5.37 million.
TDC Chair David Bear emphasized the need to separate two distinct issues: removing existing toll structures and building an architectural arch. He said, "I don't want to conflate the two different issues. One of those things needs to go, and I know there's certainly a cost, and I think everybody agrees to that. The other is what we're going to put up there and at what cost."
Facing mounting pressure, Hofberger acknowledged the need for reassessment, stating firmly, "I cannot move forward with it at this price. We do need to do something. So the question is, what do we need to do?"
She indicated plans to meet with County Administrator Wes Moreno to explore scaling back the scope or implementing a phased approach. However, even a scaled-back functional-only version would exceed $5 million. Apparently, the meeting with Moreno led to the project's removal from the June 20 agenda.
The City of Pensacola sent shockwaves through local government June 13 by formally demanding $2,448,905 from the Escambia Children's Trust, claiming tax increment financing (TIF) revenues from Community Redevelopment Areas belong to the city rather than the Trust.
Mayor D.C. Reeves clarified at his weekly press conference that the demand represents legal positioning, not an attack on the Children's Trust. "We are just taking the logistical step to say, 'Hey, from a legal standpoint, we do believe that this is where we stand legally.'"
The mayor emphasized flexibility on the $2.4 million figure, which includes fines and interest, viewing it as groundwork for a memorandum of understanding. He connected the maneuver to the city's childcare initiative, arguing that returning funds to the CRA would restrict them to areaspecific projects, while Trust dollars could support citywide childcare programs.
Children's Trust Executive Director Lindsey Cannon framed the demand as part of an expected collaborative process. Based on earlier TIF discussions, the Trust had earmarked ap -
proximately $560,000, significantly less than the actual demand.
Cannon explained the legal pathway forward: "If you're going to request TIF funds, you've got to send a formal letter, and then we have the ability just to pay it, or we have the ability per law to ask for an exemption and a waiver and an interlocal agreement."
The Trust will address the demand at its next board meeting, likely requesting an exemption and pursuing an interlocal agreement similar to its approach with Escambia County. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to addressing childcare needs, particularly for children ages zero to 5.
As chair of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, State Rep. Alex Andrade oversaw the largest portion of Florida's state budget. The Pensacola Republican characterized the final days of negotiations as particularly draining, with legislators eager to conclude their work and send the budget to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
"The experience I had last week during our last couple days of budget negotiations was this kind of war of attrition," Andrade explained. "It just felt like a lot of people were just ready to get out of here." He noted that fatigue influenced negotiations between the House and Senate, with chambers sometimes compromising or yielding based on which side was more desperate to adjourn.
Andrade chaired the House Infrastructure and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee in the two previous sessions. He shared that the health care budget presented unique challenges compared to his previous transportation portfolio.
"A big difference between the budget I ran the past two years and the budget I ran this year is the amount of language implementing a bill that healthcare requires," Andrade said. He emphasized that health care budgeting involves "dealing more with words than with numbers," requiring detailed written direction for social programs, Medicaid provider codes, nursing home performance standards, and federal CMS compliance measures.
The complexity of health care appropriations forced Andrade into a steep learning curve. "I can tell you for a fact, before this year, I didn't know what I didn't know."
The process involved mastering intricate federal regulations, understanding provider reimbursement mechanisms, and ensuring compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services standards.
Despite the challenges, Andrade praised his Senate counterpart, Jay Trumbull, calling him "brilliant" and expressing admiration for their collaborative approach to crafting the health care budget. Their partnership proved crucial in navigating the technical complexities that distinguish health care appropriations from other budget categories.
The budget negotiations occurred amid broader scrutiny of health care agency financial
management, with AHCA facing questions about cash flow issues and federal disallowances.
For Andrade, the experience represented both a professional challenge and an opportunity to influence policy affecting millions of Floridians dependent on state health services.
TAKEAWAYS Mayor D.C. Reeves outlined several key city initiatives during his press conference June 17, focusing on infrastructure challenges and future development planning.
The mayor defended his decision to commission an engineering study for the South Devilliers stormwater project, emphasizing data-driven solutions over quick fixes. The study revealed significant geographical challenges in the area, where the sea level sits just six inches below the asphalt.
"What happens many times in local government is hyperbole and anecdotes take over real data," Reeves said. The comprehensive analysis identified a $2.4 million solution, though the mayor noted it "still isn't a major solution, really."
Reeves clarified that the stormwater analysis operates independently from any development projects on the former ECUA site, stressing that future developments must handle their stormwater management.
The B Street closure has been pushed to July 7 after the mayor secured additional planning time. "We are not doing that," Reeves said of the rushed timeline, working to minimize disruption to residents and businesses through the July 4 weekend. The project will take 10 weeks to complete.
The Bay Center Neighborhood Master Plan will gain momentum with a scheduled July 10 meeting with Escambia County commissioners. Nashville-based Smith Gee Studio, which previously worked on the city's 2010 CRA plan, is being considered to lead the approximately $150,000 project.
"The whole goal of this is for them to come in and say, here's what we do, help us understand what you want," Reeves said, emphasizing community collaboration over top-down planning.
The mayor stressed that no contracts have been signed and committed to full transparency throughout the process, calling it "a community project period."
BUDGET TURKEYS Florida TaxWatch released its 2025 Budget Turkey Watch Report, identifying questionable spending practices in the state's $115.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Three Escambia County projects totaling over $2.4 million were flagged among 242 items worth $416.1 million statewide that the independent watchdog considers problematic appropriations.
The Escambia County projects designated as "Budget Turkeys" include $1.67 million for a Health Translational Research Institute Facility, $646,000 for Family Arts Education Expansion at Pensacola Little Theatre and $125,000 for Historic Pensacola initiatives.
Budget Turkeys represent spending that circumvents established budget procedures and lacks proper legislative oversight. Florida TaxWatch defines these appropriations as items that
sidestep normal processes or avoid the legislative and public scrutiny taxpayers deserve.
The report revealed concerning trends in state spending. Beyond the $416.1 million in Budget Turkeys, an additional $799.5 million in projects warrant close gubernatorial review. The current budget includes approximately 1,600 local member projects exceeding $2 billion, continuing a pattern of at least $2.8 billion in member projects over recent years.
Florida TaxWatch stated that when appropriations bypass normal procedures, multiple problems emerge, including reduced competition, limited oversight, transparency gaps, and potential waste. These projects may avoid competitive bidding requirements and lack performance metrics, ensuring taxpayers receive optimal value for their investment.
The organization's annual review promotes oversight, integrity, and transparency in tax dollar allocation. The report provides Gov. DeSantis a roadmap for potential line-item vetoes as he reviews the budget.
The YMCA of Northwest Florida has announced registration is now open for its annual Corporate Cup Games, scheduled Saturday, Oct. 25 at Pensacola State College. This marks the 29th year of the popular corporate wellness event that combines team building with community support.
Local companies of all sizes are invited to participate in this daylong celebration of fitness and fellowship. The event features a mix of traditional competitions like the One-mile Run, Egg Toss and Obstacle Course, alongside unique challenges including Sink It, Frisbee Chaos and Sod Surfing. This year's "Galactic Games" theme encourages teams to embrace creative costumes while competing.
The competition begins with the March of the Athletes at 8 a.m., followed by four rounds of individual events throughout the day, concluding with the traditional Tug of War at 1 p.m. Teams must consist of 20-28 members who are at least 18 years old and regular company employees, with employee spouses also eligible to participate.
The $1,000 entry fee includes event participation, food and beverages, participant gifts for each team member and opportunities to win awards and bragging rights. Silver sponsorships are also available for companies seeking additional recognition. All proceeds benefit YMCA mission programs, supporting the organization's extensive community outreach efforts.
Florida Power & Light returns as the event's Gold Sponsor, helping make the games possible. The YMCA's Northwest Florida branches serve approximately 20,000 children and adults annually through wellness, childcare, sports, camp, aquatics and community programs. Last year alone, the organization's mission impact totaled $928,089 across the two-county region.
Companies interested in participating must register by the Aug. 15 deadline. Complete details and registration information are available at ymcanwfl.org. {in}
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As we approach the end of Pride month, it seems only fitting to cap it off locally with Pensacola's one and only Pride festival: PensaPride.
Stepping into its fifth year, PensaPride once again promises to be a day full of fun for all ages, featuring LGBTQ+ and allied vendors, performers, live music and community bonding—all hosted indoors at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds Expo Hall.
While similar Pride events in bigger cities are large-scale productions with massive teams, PensaPride is created each year with a small group of volunteers, like entertainment coordinator Brody Parker, who organized the Main Stage lineup of performers for multiple years.
"We are a grassroots, community-based initiative that was created to uplift the local LGBTQIA+ community," Parker said. "Thanks to the love and support of Pensacola, we have been going strong for five years, and we are looking forward to many more."
While there's a nearly limitless amount of things to see and do during PensaPride, we created this must-do list to help you have the best day possible.
An all-ages drag show, happening during the day? We love to see it, and we love that PensaPride has two separate shows scheduled during the day (at 12:30 and 3 p.m.), making it super easy to see talented drag queens, kings and things.
The vendor market at PensaPride is as unique and diverse as the festival itself. So make sure you plan
plenty of time to shop, making sure to check out vendors like Never Loved (@shopneverloved), whose funky work includes teeth, bones, and stainless steel accessories, and Possum and Palmetto (@possum_and_palmetto) who creates nature-themed art prints with natural inks.
In addition to art and accessories, there will also be multiple vendors selling reworked and sustainable fashion like LemonBright (@lemonbright) and Cosmic Gazer Art (@cosmicgazerart).
Don't miss the return of The Official Bard of Baldwin County (@officialbardofbaldwincounty) at the 309 Acoustic and Poetry Stage at 3:40 p.m.
Visit any of these local vendors and ask about the "Art Rally"—Bughead Prints (@bugheadprints), TropiCowCreations (@tropicow_creations), The Grove (@thegrove.pcola) Comics INK! (@comics. ink) and Hucklebeary Art (@hucklebearyart).
PensaPride has a great lineup of local food vendors, so you can and should plan to eat while at the fest. Our favorites include The Rican Vegan (@the_ricanvegan) and Pretty Baked (@pretty_ baked_in_pensacola).
And Save Room for Dessert
Obviously, you'll need a sweet treat too. You can't go wrong with The Pretty Bear's Bakery
(@prettybearsbakery) or Kneady's Bakery (@kneadysbakery).
With RockStar Girlfriend (@rockstargfmusic), who will be performing at the Main Stage at 11:30 a.m.
If you're looking to volunteer or ways to stay informed, you're in luck. Multiple activism and advocacy groups will be set up throughout the vendor floor like Equality Florida (@equalityfl) and Pensacola Abortion Rights Taskforce (@part.850).
After you've dropped off your market finds and recharged a bit, head to Betty's on Belmont (@bettys_on_belmont) for the official afterparty hosted by Just.Dance. (@just.dance.850).
WHAT: Pensacola's annual family-friendly Pride festival featuring a vendor market, live music, performances and more WHEN: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, June 28
WHERE: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds Expo Hall, 6655 Mobile Hwy.
COST: $3
DETAILS: pensapride.org, @pensapride
PENSAPRIDE MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE
•10 a.m. Welcome, introductions and announcements
•10:10 a.m. Love Brynnevere
•11 a.m. Sideswept Bangs
•11:30 a.m. RockStar Girlfriend
•12 p.m. The Pride is Right Game Show with Jackson
•12:30 p.m. Drag Show #1
•1:30 p.m. DJ Brody featuring Entertainment Ignited
•2:45 p.m. Saraab Belly Dance
•3 p.m. Drag Show #2
•4 p.m. Fusion Wing Belly Dance
•4:05 p.m. Shore Enough Band
•4:50 p.m. DJ BT Wubz featuring Entertainment Ignited
•6 p.m. Closing remarks
309 ACOUSTIC AND POETRY STAGE SCHEDULE
•11 a.m. Hane McLeaish
•11:35 a.m. Poets Arlo Angeles, Lachlan Woodson and Quinn Killjoy
•12:10 p.m. Kyler
•12:45 p.m.Tori Lucia
•1:20 p.m. TIrra Lirra
•1:55 p.m. Poets Lena Holtzen and Dakota Parks
•2:30 p.m. Katie Dineen
•3:05 p.m. Sunflower Cigarettes
•3:40 p.m. The Official Bard of Baldwin County
•4:15 p.m. Greg Bond
The concept of "rainbow capitalism" is an interesting one. On one hand, the LGBTQ+ community has learned to be suspicious and critical of corporations that use the community as a trend piece, dipping into the disposable income of a minority group through paltry parade floats and freebies.
On the other hand, in 2025, when so many of these once reliable businesses have pulled back or eliminated entirely their formerly respectable Pride collections and erased DEI from their employee handbooks, "rainbow capitalism" reveals itself as a litmus for the dominant culture.
Enter PensaPride.
PensaPride is a scrappy, DIY-style festival operating on a shoestring budget and relying on the generosity of the community to sustain it. They don't benefit from corporate sponsors, host an explicitly sober and all-ages event, reject police and permitting, go toe to toe with protesters, and do whatever it takes to make this special event happen year after year since 2021.
And all of that has been accomplished, in part, through the financial support of local individual and business sponsors. Two of those supporters this year are Jitterbug Coffee Co. (@drink.jitterbug) and Empathic Practice (@empathicpractice).
"I think PensaPride is one of the most important events in our city," said Felipe Muñoz, a co-founder of Empathic Practice, an alternative and holistic health service that has sponsored PensaPride since its inception.
"My goal was always to sponsor events that need representation, that need to be highlighted. So I select things that make sense to our values, to our perspective and to the communities that we want to serve, because either they are underserved or they are left aside from the mainstream conversations."
Jitterbug Beverage Co. has also sponsored PensaPride for multiple years now and doesn't plan on stopping.
"I think it's more important now than ever," said Barrett Colhoun, a co-owner of Jitterbug Beverage Co. "This is another way that we can give back to a community that's important to us and is also very vulnerable and depends on us as a
By Sydney Robinson
safe space, and we want to ensure that events like this continue to exist."
Colhoun recognizes that supporting local isn't just a thing for customers, but also for ethically minded businesses.
"We want to use our resources to support things that align with our values," Colhoun said.
Muñoz is not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but he is committed to doing what he can to be supportive.
"To know that there's little things that are within my reach that can help and provide a safe space, a shoulder, comfort in any way—to me, that is truly what I value," Muñoz said. "I want my children to know that they can be whoever they want to be and be proud of that, regardless of who they choose to love, how they choose to present themselves, and I want them to respect that and every human being that they meet as well."
Ari Booth, the other co-owner of Jitterbug, shared her perspective as a member of the queer community.
"There's a lot of that mentality going on right now, like, 'Is it safe for me to go outside wearing a Pride shirt?' [or] 'Is it safe for me to go to this protest, or is someone going to drive a truck into me while I'm out there?'" Booth said. "It's really scary right now, but I think at least what we've experienced living here going through all of this is that it's a lot scarier in our minds, until we get out there and then you see this overwhelming amount of support and hundreds of people that turn up who share the same values as you and are taking the same risk as you too to go out there and be amongst their community, and it really is really impactful."
"I think that everyone who chooses to go out and participate is being really brave."
Like so many Pride months in the past, this year's celebration of LGBTQ+ culture is so much more than just a party.
"It's really important for the queer community to be visible right now and for allies to be visible," Colhoun said. "We're not going away, even though it might feel like we're disappearing in a lot of ways. I think it's just changing, growing in some respects." {in}
also used to symbolize a moment of clarity and beauty, tying back into book. With hints of Harry Crews and Colson Whitehead, Schuck evokes Florida in a way few other modern writers have. With an interesting mix of characters who experience hard lives in the Sunshine State, Schuck wrote his novel to be a page-turner.
"I respect the reader's time," Schuck said. "I truly appreciate when someone not only buys the book, but more importantly, reads it. I know what a commitment that is and how much it asks of someone."
While traveling with his family, Schuck was kind enough to take time away to answer a few questions about the book.
Inweekly: One of the things that roped me into your book was the characters. In your own words, can you give me an overview of this interesting cast you've assembled, and how they tell the story of "Green Flash at Sunset"? Schuck: [It's] four characters and how their stories come together in Key West. Janet is trying to escape a troubled marriage. Randall is a charter boat captain struggling to survive financially, but also trying to keep his ghosts of the past from
By C. Scott Satterwhite
resurfacing. Eli is a street magician whose career
singer-songwriter looking for her big break, while staying true to herself instead of conforming to
Inweekly: Were the characters inventions of
answer this question, and I think it was about as good of an answer as I heard. I'll paraphrase what he said because I don't recall it verbatim—he said, it's people I know, people I invent, and people I've heard about. It's a combination of all that. I don't sketch out my characters beforehand. I don't outline my novels either. So I'm just as surprised by what they do, too, and who they become. I try to handle each character with empathy and authenticity. Even when my characters do despicable things, I'm more interested in why someone would do that. I'm interested in how humans navigate a world of such extremes of beauty and violence.
Inweekly: There were a few striking parallels between real-life events and circumstances, specifically with the infamous Dozier School for Boys and the murder of Matthew Shepard. What inspired you to bring these subjects you're your story?
Schuck: Growing up in the Panhandle, it felt like there was always the threat that if we got in trouble we would be sent to the "boys camp." I had a friend that went to one, and then got into trouble there and ended up at Dozier. When he
got out, I only hung out with him one time after that because he seemed to be a bit more wildeyed than when he left. I've kept up with his life through JAIL view [inmate look-up]. I truly think that place institutionalized him. I remember asking him some off-the-wall questions, I was young and dumb, and he gave me a look like I had just asked a soldier if he killed anyone at war. I realized he had experienced some things that no kid should ever have to experience especially at the hands of authority. This was the late 1990s. It wasn't until the news broke about Dozier around 2010 that the moment with my friend really made sense. I felt horrible for making light of his time there. I didn't know it really was as bad as we all thought. So when I was writing the Bobby Drexler story, I empathized with him. Even though he is a horrible person, it was kind of my way to explore how society might be at fault in creating these types of people.
As for the Matthew Shepard inspiration, I think people should be reminded of those stories. It was such a horrendous event and the first time I think I became aware of the struggles of gay kids. I was just out of high school, and I remember thinking back on the kids that were bullied in my schools, in elementary, middle, and high school—whether they were gay or not—that was what they were bullied for. If you were a gay football player, forget about it. There was no way you would've been able to let that be known.
Inweekly: If someone were to ask you what the story is about, without giving away too much, how would you wrap up the meaning of the book in a few sentences?
Schuck: It's a story about resilience and hope, about chasing dreams that seem unattainable but trying anyway. I think the green flash phenomenon is like that. People stare into the sun, risking eye damage, just for the chance to see this rare, fleeting moment. I've done it. I've stood at Mallory Square [in Key West] with hundreds of others, all of us staring at the horizon, knowing we might not see anything at all. I've done it more times than I should admit, and I've yet to see it. But that's the point—we do it anyway, because I'd rather try and fail than never try at all.
Inweekly: As a Florida writer, what do you find so appealing about this state?
Schuck: I like the contradictions of our state. For instance, the poverty and crime of the Panhandle juxtaposed with the tourism on our white sand beaches and historic downtowns. The beautiful landscapes of the Everglades being destroyed by Disney World and progress. The deep South in one part of the state, and the capital of the Caribbean in another part.
Inweekly: Besides being a novelist, a high school teacher and an adjunct professor, you own Emerald Coast Tours, and you're a husband and father. Where do you find the time to write?
Schuck: It's difficult. That's why it has been seven years since my last book. I'd like to write more. I don't have a strict writing schedule, though. I should. I tend to write in bursts. Because I don't outline, I get stuck sometimes in what comes next, so I won't write for a while. I start playing around with different scenes in my head and how it would affect the rest of the story, and how it would change the character, and when it feels right, I'll get back to it.
Inweekly: I like to ask writers about their process. How did this book come about, not only in concept but how did you literally write the book—especially considering your busy life?
Schuck: I had the idea for this book in my head for nearly 15 years. When I finished the first draft of my first book in 2007, I immediately started writing a Key West story. I only had about five pages written when I stopped. Then, when I finished my second book, "Panhandlers," in 2018, I started writing another novel. I got about a hundred pages into that one when I stopped and remembered I had the idea for this Key West story. So I decided to write this one first, and now I'll go back to the half-finished one. As for literally writing the book, I just do it when I can. Sometimes I'll add only a couple of sentences. Sometimes I'll spend an hour editing what I've already written. I have no organization or schedule, or consistent process for how I write. It's a wonder I ever finish anything. All I have is a desire to keep writing, and if I haven't written for a while, I tell myself to get my act together and finish the damn thing. It must be some weird selfflagellation, but when the work is finished, it's like the [Charles] Bukowski poem ["Roll the Dice"], "There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is." {in}
WHAT: Reading from "Green Flash at Sunset," with music by Pat Meusel and art by Dan Dunn
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Brewery, 225 E. Zaragoza St.
COST: Free to attend, books will be for sale
DETAILS: nicschuck.com
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.
LGBTQ+ & ALLIES SPEED FRIENDING Craft Bakery will host an LGBTQ+ friendly speed date event to make friends 6 p.m. Friday, June 27 at 5555 N. Davis Hwy., Ste. H, with limited seating. Details are at facebook.com/craftbakerypensacola.
PENSAPRIDE PensaPride is excited to announce the fifth annual PensaPride Festival, a vibrant and inclusive celebration of LGBTQIA2S+ culture, art and community. The festival is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Hwy., utilizing the Expo Hall, Building 7, and the outdoor food court. This all-ages, sober event is open to the public and will showcase more than 100 vendors, live bands and performances, artists, makers, food trucks and community organizations. General admission is $3 with free entry for children 10 and younger. For more information, please visit pensapride.org or email contact@pensapride.org.
PENSACOLA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
TAKEOVER NIGHT AT BLUE WAHOOS STADIUM Pensacola Habitat for Humanity will take over the Blue Wahoos Stadium for their home game Thursday, July 3, with staff and volunteers working the concession stand, selling 50/50 tickets, participating in on-field activities, and more. Purchase your $15 tickets from Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. The stadium is located at 351 W. Cedar St. For more information, visit pensacolahabitat.org/tickets.
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 ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The
EMERALD COAST REVIEW CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS The Emerald Coast Writers is looking for writers to submit their work and be a part of the annual Emerald Coast Review publication. Whether you're an established writer or artist or just starting, all backgrounds and experiences. To learn more about how to submit your work, visit emeraldcoastwritersinc.org. Submissions close July 15. All accepted submissions will be announced in August, with the final publication set for release in October.
FOURTH OF JULY SUMMER CELEBRATION AT BLUE WAHOOS STADIUM Gates open at Blue Wahoos, 651 W. Cedar St., where the field will be open for wiffle ball, lawn games and more, as well as a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Admission is $7. Details are at milb.com/pensacola.
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS ON PENSACOLA BEACH Fireworks will begin 9 p.m. Friday, July 4 over the Santa Rosa Sound. Details are at pensacolabeachchamber.com/ events/july4thfireworks.
SYMPHONY SPARKS & STARS Levin Papantonio will host the ninth annual Symphony Sparks & Stars event. The free celebration is 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4 at the Hunter Amphitheater behind Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. This family-friendly event will begin with a presentation of colors by the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by the national anthem and a fly-over by U.S. Navy jets across Pensacola Bay. The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will then perform a concert featuring battle hymns from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, honoring all who have served.
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.
HEROES AMONG US Join the Marine Corps League for a night honoring military leadership and bravery with special guest Maj. Gen. Richard Simcock, USMC (Ret.) 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at Apple Annie's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome to support the Heroes Among Us fund.
PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS: CAMELOT Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27; Saturday, June 28; and 2:30
p.m. Sunday, June 29. Tickets are $15-$40. On Thursday, all dates are half price. Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 S. Jefferson St. Details are at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
CTRL ALT DRAG MAYHEM MONSTER PARTY Show starts 7 p.m. Friday, June 27 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info is available at thehandlebar850.com.
JUNE MEWVIE NIGHT: JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION Visit Coastal Cat Café at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27 for a screening of "Jurassic World: Dominion" at 1508 W. Garden St. Cost is $32 a person and includes popcorn and a few beverages. Bring your own blankets and pillows. Sign up at coastalcatpcola.com.
GAGA NIGHTS: A GAGA DANCE PARTY Party starts 9 p.m. Friday, June 27 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info is available at thehandlebar850.com.
FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIOS PENSACOLA SHOWCASE Fred Astaire Pensacola dance studio will perform Elevate: Ballroom in Motion at the Jean & Paul Amos performance Center, 1000 College Blvd., on Saturday, June 28. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35-$125. Proceeds benefit United Ministries Charity. More information is at facebook.com/fadspensacola.
BLUE MORNING GALLERY: SPRING FLING
The latest Blue Morning Gallery exhibit is Spring Fling, with featured artists Jan Hoffman, Mark Schmitt and Kathy Stewart, at 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 Artistin-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.
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 Paranormal 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.
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HIGH ON THE HOG Fish House and Angelena's collaboration event with family-style Italian pig roast to honor Sagra del Maiale is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St.
Cost is $55 a person. For reservations, call (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com.
DINNER WITH STRINGS ATTACHED Jackson's and Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will partner for a night of dinner and music with seatings at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at Jackson's, 400 S. Palafox St. This event has limited seating. For reservations, please call Jackson's Steakhouse, (850) 469-9898 or visit jacksonsrestaurant.com.
SUMMER BLIND WINE TASTING Event is 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 27 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $61.53. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
COUPLES COOK: COOL FOODS FOR HOT SUMMER NIGHTS Cooking class is 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Unit C. Cost is $100 a couple (adults only). Sign up at: pensacolacooks.com/ cooking-classes.
LUNCH AND LEARN: AT HOME GARDEN WITH WENDY FROM ALIFF ACRES Lunch and learn session on home gardening is 11 a.m. Monday, June 30 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $42.13. Sign up on eventbrite.com.
FAMILY COOKING CAMP: TEST KITCHEN
Cooking classes are 5-8 p.m. Monday, June 30-Thursday, July 3 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Ste. C. Cost is $350
per two attendees (Ages 6 and older are welcome). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/cooking-classes.
FLORA-BAMA ALL AMERICAN FOURTH OF JULY PARTY Live music and fireworks are 9 p.m. at Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. Details are at florabama.com.
SIP AND BLOOM: FOURTH OF JULY SPECIAL EDITION Visit Gary's Biergarten 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 and design your own Fourth of July glass jar bouquet with Moon Drop Flower Company's Sweet Little Flower Truck. Tickets are $48 and available at moondropflowercompany.com.
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.
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.
MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every Tuesday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Nights, 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 Hwy. 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.
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 knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS
Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Hwy. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.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.
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.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays is 7-9 p.m. at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
POOL TOURNAMENT Pool tournaments begin 8 p.m., and Tequila Night is 8 p.m. to midnight Thursdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Hwy. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night 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.
BIG BEER NIGHT Drink specials are 8 p.m.-midnight, and SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Fridays at
Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Hwy. 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.
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.
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.
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. SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Mondays and Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
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 THE HANDLEBAR Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.
KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Karaoke starts 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.
WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Hwy. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S DOWNTOWN Karaoke 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 Hwy. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFE Visit Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music:
•Forrest Higgins 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 26
•Rocky Denney Brotherhood 6-10 p.m. Friday, June 27
•Glen Parker 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 28
•Curt Bol 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, June 29
BANDS ON THE BEACH Weekly concert series is 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Johnny Earthquake is July 1 and Vinyl Revival is July 8. Details are at visitpensacolabeach.com.
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ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): The Hawaiian word "pō" refers to a primal darkness from which all life flows. It's not a fearsome void, but a fertile mystery, rich with future possibilities and the ancestors' hopes. In the coming weeks, I invite you to treat your inner life as pō. Be as calm and patient and watchful as an Aries can be as you monitor the inklings that rise up out of the deep shadows. Have faith that the cloudy uncertainty will ultimately evolve into clarity, revealing the precise directions you need.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In the 17th century, the Taurus polymath Athanasius Kircher constructed a fantastical machine called the Aeolian harp. It wasn't designed to be played by human fingers, but by the wind. It conjured music with currents invisible to the eye. I nominate this sublime contraption as your power object for the coming weeks, Taurus. The most beautiful and healing melodies may come from positioning yourself so that inspiration can blow through. How might you attune yourself to the arrival of unexpected help and gifts? Set aside any tendency you might have to try too hard. Instead, allow life to sing through you.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): The painter Vincent van Gogh wrote, "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." That's good advice for you right now. Your ambitions may feel daunting if you imagine them as monumental and monolithic. But if you simply focus on what needs to be done next—the daily efforts, the incremental improvements—you will be as relaxed as you need to be to accomplish wonders. Remember that masterpieces are rarely completed in a jiffy. The cumulative power of steady work is potentially your superpower. Here's another crucial tip: Use your imagination to have fun as you attend to the details.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Welcome to a special edition of "What's My Strongest Yearning?" I'm your host, Rob Brezsny, and I'm delighted you have decided to identify the single desire that motivates you more than any other. Yes, you have many wishes and hopes and dreams, but one is more crucial than all the rest! Right? To begin the exercise, take three deep breaths and allow every
By Rob Brezsny
knot of tension to dissolve and exit your beautiful body. Then drop down into the primal depths of your miraculous soul and wander around until you detect the shimmering presence of the beloved reason you came here to this planet. Immerse yourself in this glory for as long as you need to. Exult in its mysterious power to give meaning to everything you do. Ask it to nurture you, console you and inspire you.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): In certain medieval maps, unexplored territories were marked with the Latin phrase "hic sunt dracones," which means "here be dragons." It was a warning and a dare, a declaration that no one knew what lay beyond. In the coming weeks, Leo, you may find yourself traveling into one of those unlabeled regions. Rather than flinching or dodging, I invite you to press forward with respectful curiosity. Some of the so-called dragons will be figments. Others are protectors of treasure and might be receptive to sharing with a bright light like you. Either way, productive adventures are awaiting you in that unmapped territory. Go carefully—but go.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): In traditional Japanese carpentry, joints are made so skillfully that they need no nails, screws or adhesives. Carpenters use intricate joinery techniques to connect pieces of wood so tightly that the structures are strong and durable. They often require a mallet for assembly and disassembly. In metaphorical terms, you are capable of that kind of craftsmanship these days, Virgo. I hope you will take advantage of this by building lasting beauty and truth that will serve you well into the future. Don't rush the joinery. If it's not working, don't force it. Re-cut, re-measure, breathe deeply and try again.
psychics to teachers, about 15% of all the practitioners are downright mediocre, even deficient. And 75% are at least satisfactory and sometimes good. And 10% of the total are surpassingly excellent, providing an extraordinary service. With this in mind, I'm happy to say that you now have a knack for gravitating toward that exceptional 10% in every domain you are drawn to. I predict your intuition will consistently guide you toward premium sources.
the restroom at work. Some store windows may reflect an elegant, attractive version of you, while others distort your image. A similar principle is at work in the people with whom you associate. Some seem to accentuate your finest attributes, while others bring out less flattering aspects. I bring this to your attention, dear Capricorn, because I believe it will be extra important in the coming weeks for you to surround yourself with your favorite mirrors.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Here's one of my unruly rules about human competence: In every professional field, from physicians to lawyers to
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): The Japanese concept of "shinrin-yoku" means "forest bathing." It invites people to immerse themselves in the natural world, drawing on its restorative power. In accordance with astrological portents, I urge you Scorpios to maximize your forest bathing. To amplify the enrichment further, gravitate toward other environments that nourish your soul's need for solace and uplift. The naked fact is that you need places and influences that offer you comfort, safety and tender inspiration. Don't apologize for making your life a bit less heroic as you tend to your inner world with gentle reverence.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): The camera obscura was a precursor to modern cameras. It projected the outside world upside down onto interior walls. Artists loved it because it helped them see reality from new angles. I hereby proclaim that you, Sagittarius, will be like both the artist and the camera obscura lens in the coming weeks. Your perceptions may feel inverted, strange, even disorienting, but that's a gift! So let unfamiliarity be your muse. Flip your assumptions. Sketch from shadow instead of light. Have faith that the truth isn't vanishing or hiding; it's simply appearing in unfamiliar guises. Don't rush to turn right-side-up things. Relish and learn from the tilt.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): I'm sure you enjoy gazing into some mirrors more than others. It's amazing how different you might look in your bathroom mirror and the mirror in
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Leonardo da Vinci filled thousands of pages with sketches, notes and experiments. He never finished many of them. He called this compilation his "codex of wonder." It wasn't a record of failures. It was an appreciation of his complex process and a way to honor his creative wellspring. Taking a cue from da Vinci's love of marvelous enigmas, I invite you to be in love with the unfinished in the coming weeks. Make inquisitiveness your default position. Reconsider abandoned ideas. Be a steward of fertile fragments. Some of your best work may arise from revisiting composted dreams or incomplete sketches. Here's your motto: Magic brews in the margins.
(FEB. 19-MARCH 20): In the remote Atacama Desert of Chile, certain flowers lie dormant for years, awaiting just the right conditions to burst into blossom in a sudden, riotous explosion of color and vitality. Scientists call it a superbloom. Metaphorically speaking, Pisces, you are on the verge of such a threshold. I'm sure you can already feel the inner ripening as it gathers momentum. Any day now, your full flowering will erupt—softly but dramatically. You won't need to push. You will simply open. To prepare yourself emotionally, start rehearsing lively shouts of "HALLELUJAH! HOORAY! WHOOPEE!"
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What action or project could you undertake that would provide you with a rich new sense of meaning? {in}
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WAIT, WHAT? A 42-year-old man contacted Beverly Hills, Texas, Police Chief Kory Martin on June 13 about a package he had received from his ex-girlfriend, KWKT-TV reported. Inside was a copy of a marriage certificate, indicating that the man was married. But he told Martin that while he had been in a relationship with the woman, Kristin Marie Spearman, 36, of Waco, and even obtained a marriage license, they broke up before the wedding. After investigating, Martin determined that Spearman had convinced a pastor to certify the marriage without the groom present, and then filed the certificate at the county clerk's office. Martin said he researched the law and found only one scenario that allows for an absentee spouse-tobe: "active military overseas, unable to make it." And even then, "You still had to have a proxy to stand in ... so (in this case) the groom should have been there." Spearman was arrested for third-degree felony stalking and taken to jail.
SAW THAT COMING The Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Department responded to a boozy blaze on June 15, WMTV reported. Someone reported an oven fire around 6 p.m.; the caller told firefighters they had been cooking a turkey for about eight minutes when the oven door blew open. First responders removed the oven from the apartment, and the fire went out. They later learned the turkey had been marinated in tequila, and they believe the accumulated vapors from the alcohol were not properly vented from the oven, which caused the fire. No one was hurt (except the turkey).
NEWS YOU CAN USE The Blue Ash (Ohio) Police Department is recommending that drivers in the area "keep the windows up for the next several weeks" after a cicada caused a crash on June 12. KKTV reported that no one was hurt when a driver veered into a pole after a cicada flew into their car; the car ended up on its side, and the cicada made a clean getaway. "These pesky cicadas don't respect personal space," police said. "A cicada attack can be dangerous."
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A HOBBY Samuel Lee Thomas, 72, of St. Petersburg, Florida, is a prolific 911 caller, The Smoking Gun reported on June 16. Just in the first five months of 2025, Thomas has called emergency services 3,400 times, bringing his five-year total to 16,000 calls. His latest call involved what he said was someone "shooting an AR-15 rifle in the roadway," but when police arrived, they found a family having a barbecue and kids at play. Anqunette Peterson, 34, who lives in the targeted home, has been the victim of his calls 647 times and said Thomas "frequently stops in front of their residence to yell obscenities at her and her family," police said. Thomas was arrested for stalking and false report of a crime. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $1,500 bond.
COMPELLING EXPLANATION Jose Manuel Perez, 24, was charged with aggravated battery
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on June 14 in Salt Lake City after he attacked the person he was having lunch with, Fox13-TV reported. As the assault played out, the victim tried to escape numerous times, but Perez put them in a chokehold and produced a "wooden stake with a nail in it," telling them that they were a werewolf and "he was going to pierce their heart." Eventually, Perez ran off with the victim's backpack, which was recovered when cops caught up with him. Police said Perez also had rocks in his pockets, which he carried out of fear the victim would attack him. He was held without bail.
AWESOME! When Gwyneth Griffiths of Swansea, Wales, turned 102 years old recently, she had just one wish for her birthday party: a stripper. Wales Online reported on June 16 that the Hawthorn Court Care Home where Griffiths lives was happy to oblige with a "butler in the buff." Griffiths, who has dementia, has become feisty and fun in her advanced years, spewing swear words when, her son Peter said, "She wouldn't say boo to a goose" as he was growing up. About the stripper, Griffiths told her son, "I hope I get a cheeky pinch of his bum!" The centenarian also has a weekly wedding to her imaginary friend "Dr. John," for which she gets her hair done and dons a tiara. When Peter told her she'd be turning 102 soon, she argued: "No I am not. Look at my t—s, not a wrinkle!" Party on, Gwyneth!
WEIRD IN THE WILD Say you're trekking through the Namib Desert in Namibia and you get a little thirsty. No problem! According to Oddity Central, about a 20-minute drive from the main road crossing the desert is an unexpected oasis: a pink solar-powered refrigerator full of cold drinks and a little table with two chairs. Drinks are provided free of charge, and the fridge is restocked several times a day. The government's tourist board installed the fridge in the spirit of hospitality, the website reported on June 16. So friendly.
JUDGMENT The York Catholic District School Board in Vaughan, Ontario, has relieved a bus driver of their duties after inappropriate behavior, CP24-TV reported on June 17. It all started with a video posted to social media of a parent confronting the driver, who had placed a sign in the bus's front window that said "Lolita's Line." "Why do you call your bus 'The Lolita Line'?" the parent asked the driver, who was dressed in a schoolgirl's uniform. ("Lolita" is a 1955 novel about a professor who kidnaps a 12-year-old girl.) The bus driver responds that they "do this every week. And I don't think there's any problem." The school board, however, did perceive a problem and brought the incident to the bus company's attention, assuring parents that "the driver will no longer provide busing to and from the school." {in}
