Inweekly March 21 2024 Issue

Photo by Matthew Coughlin, 850 Magazine

winners & losers winners losers

KARA CARDONA On March 1, Navy Federal Credit Union promoted Kara Cardona to replace Dietrich Kuhlmann as chief operating officer (COO). Kuhlmann recently succeeded Mary McDuffie as Navy Federal's chief executive officer. Cardona has nearly 25 years of experience at Navy Federal, the past three of which she spent as its executive vice president for Contact Center Operations and Greater Pensacola Operations, where she led the credit union's largest business unit and oversaw functions of its three campus locations. The executive vice president position on the Pensacola campus continues to be a path to senior leadership with Navy Federal Credit Union. Keith Hoskins was promoted to executive vice president of Branch Operations in 2021. Three years earlier, Debbie Calder was named COO.

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES PENSACOLA

BEACH NAIOP Northwest Florida named the Innisfree Hotels and Dallas-based RREAF Holdings' project its "Deal of the Year." The award showcases the hotel project's impressive timeline, local partners it brought on board and economic contributions it made to the Pensacola Beach community during Hurricane Sally and COVID. The 209-room, $75-million property opened last summer, just 18 months after breaking ground in fall 2021. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach is on the same site as the previous Best Western Beachside Resort, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Sally in 2020.

MANNA FOOD BANK The 2024 Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl raised nearly $65,000 for Manna Food Bank, the most ever raised in the event's history, thanks to the generosity of several local sponsors, artists, food vendors, donors and event attendees. Money raised from the sold-out event will provide the equivalent of 39,000 healthy meals for hungry neighbors in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker said, "Potters, sponsors, food vendors, volunteers and event guests have raised the bar again, making this year's event an overwhelming success. Their generous support allows Manna to continue providing healthy food to children, senior citizens, veterans, families and individuals in need right here in our community."

KATIE BRITT The U.S. senator from Alabama used a graphic tale of sex trafficking and rape to bash President Joe Biden's immigration policies in the GOP's official response to the State of the Union address. Britt failed to mention the crime took place two decades ago in Mexico City in 2018, during the Bush administration. The victim, Jacinto Romero, told CNN she met Britt at an event at the U.S.-Mexican border between officials and anti-trafficking advocates. Romero was never trafficked in the U.S. She was trafficked by a pimp forcing girls into sex work, not a drug cartel. Don't you hate it when the truth derails a political attack?

FDOE WORKING GROUP The Florida Department of Education has formed a sixperson working group to revise the online training program for school librarians and media specialists. The group that has led the fight to remove books they deem inappropriate, Moms for Liberty, has three members on the group— Priscilla West, chair of the Moms for LibertyLeon County chapter, Jennifer Pippin, chair of the Moms for Liberty-Indian River County chapter, and Jamie Merchant, the group's Florida legislative chair. We expect the working group to add more confusion to the chaos in Florida school districts.

FANI WILLIS Fulton Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled the district attorney can continue to oversee the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and other defendants if her top special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, steps aside. McAfee decided Willis' romantic relationship with Wade created the appearance of a conflict of interest but did not require her disqualification. The judge wrote, "An outsider could reasonably think the district attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist."

On Friday, March 15, Wade submitted a letter of resignation Wills that was effective immediately. He added that he resigned "to move this case forward as quickly as possible." Willis had been accused of enriching herself by taking vacations with Wade.

Katie Britt / Photo Courtesy of U.S. Senate

Kara Cardona / Photo Courtesy of Navy Federal Credit Union

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

STEREOTYPES THREATEN US

Political science professor Tom Schaller and opinion writer Paul Waldman have determined the threat to democracy. It's rural white Americans.

In their new book, "White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy," they lay out how rural white Americans pose a threat to this country because, in Schaller's words, they are "the most anti-gay, xenophobic in the country, QAnon support and subscribers." Publisher Penguin Random House touts the book as "a searing portrait and damning takedown of America's proudest citizens—who are also the least likely to defend its core principles."

Schaller told Salon that rural America needed to stop waiting on Democrats to rescue them and start voting for a better class of Republicans. He added, "Nobody is more insulting to rural voters than the people who are giving them nothing and taking their votes."

$2,800,000

Republicans or independents. Trump appeals to many of them because the GOP has spent more time here than any Democratic national candidate. No Democratic presidential candidate has visited Pensacola in two decades, while George W. Bush, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Donald Trump have held multiple rallies.

During presidential elections, the Democratic Party has abandoned our area because its leaders would rather spend their time and money in heavily populated areas. Little effort has been made to know our part of the country and listen to our concerns.

Little effort has been made to know our part of the country and listen to our concerns.

Big city pundits have gobbled this up because it lets the Democrats off the hook when it comes to reaching out to rural America. It fits their stereotypes of our community.

However, this isn't original thinking. I have heard similar complaints over the past 30 years ago from Republicans who were upset Blacks were such a huge voting block for the Democrats. The GOP stereotyped Black voters as a "captured minority" that wouldn't vote for any Republican, regardless of their race.

I have published an alt-weekly newspaper in the Florida Panhandle for 25 years. My family, friends and readers do not agree with me on all issues, but I never doubt their love for this nation and willingness to defend its core principles. Our pact is that we can agree to disagree on Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and dozens of issues, but I don't attack their intelligence or patriotism.

I may challenge some of their beliefs and positions, and they indeed challenge mine. However, we have a lively discussion that I hope pushes us ahead. It's the dialogue that makes us stronger. The debate motivates me to reflect on my positions and explain my views better.

The majority in the Florida Panhandle are

Their approach is topdown, and rural America is too stupid to see how right they are about everything.

They don't want a dialogue, only steadfast followers who vote as told.

But Democrats aren't only losing white rural support. Others feel overlooked and taken for granted. The party's advantage in the Black, Latino and Asian American communities has dropped to its lowest point since 1960. According to a recent New York Times poll, President Joe Biden only has a 12-point lead among Americans of color. In 2020, Biden's advantage with the same group was 50 points.

Part of the reason is that Democrats have long believed non-white voters are primarily concerned about civil rights. However, that tenet only holds for older voters who remember President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society. As memories fade, civil rights have become less of a voting factor, especially with Latino and Asian American families who have settled in our country since then. They, too, need to be heard.

Beating up white rural voters isn't a formula for Biden's success at the polls, and neither is assuming the Black, Latino and Asian American vote will follow past voting patterns. Democrats must find a common ground with all of them.

Of course, I'm only looking at the Democratic side of the presidential equation. The Republicans have Trump, who has a whole different set of issues that pushes away Reagan Republicans and other moderates.

We have 33 weeks to see who connects with the most voters. {in} rick@inweekly.net

715 S Palafox St.

5,700 SF / $25 PSF (Annual)

Downtown Pensacola Waterfront on Palafox with Parking! 2 story building available. Deck on Palafox Marina (dock not included). Excellent condition. Ready for occupancy.

UWF'S COLLEGE OF BUSINESS HONORS LEWIS BEAR JR.

By Tom St. Myer

One year after his passing, Lewis Bear Jr. is fondly remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to Northwest Florida. In his 82 years, Bear built a legacy that will stand the test of time.

The Bear Family Foundation further cemented his legacy this month by gifting $5 million to name the University of West Florida's College of Business. The college will be named the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, contingent on approval from the UWF Board of Trustees. The trustees will vote on the name at their quarterly meeting in June.

UWF announced the naming in a ceremony on Friday, March 15, at the college. Those in attendance included the Bear family, UWF President Martha D. Saunders, College of Business Dean Richard Fountain, Don Gaetz, Sen. Doug Broxson and Rep. Michelle Salzman.

"What a wonderful day to celebrate Lewis Bear Jr. and the University of West Florida," said his son David Bear, CEO of the Lewis Bear Co. "Investing in education is about building a legacy of prosperity for future generations. There is no better way to honor his love for our community and the impact of his life's work than to make this enduring gift in his memory, ensuring that his contributions will continue to benefit others for

years to come. Our family is sincerely grateful to the university for the opportunity."

A former UWF trustee, UWF Foundation board member and UWF Foundation Fellow, Lewis Bear Jr. avidly supported the university. He served as a trustee for over a decade and played a critical role in the development of the UWF infrastructure, academic programs and processes.

"Lewis' dedication to the University of West Florida was unwavering," said his widowed wife, Belle Bear, who married Lewis in 1966. "As a trustee and chairman, he worked tirelessly to help UWF achieve its goals and fulfill the requirements set forth by the legislature. He knew a successful university made for a more successful community." Belle later incited laughter during her speech at the ceremony when she said, "I can promise you he is looking down on every one of you all to make sure we are doing it right."

Saunders awarded Bear an honorary doctorate for his character, achievements and contributions to the region. The honorary doctorate recognizes distinguished performance and is the highest form of recognition bestowed by a university.

Belle shared that Saunders bestowed the honorary doctorate degree to Bear through a video call that included his close friends Collier Merrill and Mort O'Sullivan. Bear was being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota at the time of the

ous standards. Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide earn the accreditation. The college's accounting program consistently ranks among the best in the nation in first-time CPA pass rate. U.S. News and World Report recently recognized both its MBA and Master of Accountancy online programs in its national rankings.

"We are thankful to the Bear family for such a transformative gift," Fountain said. "This gift will make a tremendous impact on the lives of students, ensuring that we put them on paths to successful careers … All of us in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business pledge to work hard every day to pay tribute to the lasting legacy of Lewis Bear Jr."

The Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business will join the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering and Usha Kundu MD College of Health as named colleges at the university. Each of those namings occurred within the last eight years, and the past two with Saunders as president. UWF requires a gift of $5 million to name a college.

"Naming a college is a big deal," Saunders said. "It raises the bar toward the highest standards of excellence, but naming one for Lewis Bear Jr. raises that bar just a little bit higher."

UWF unveiled the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business logo during the ceremony. David Bear stared admiringly at the logo as he reflected on what it meant to have his father's name associated with the College of Business.

call. He was surrounded by Belle and their three children during the video call.

"Nurses at the Mayo Clinic very quickly added doctor to the name outside of his room, a title he proudly embraced," Belle said.

BEAR'S LEGACY

Saunders touched on what Bear meant to the university when she announced the gift and naming of the college. She described Bear and his family as generous with their time and financial support.

"He was a passionate advocate for UWF," she said. "Many students have benefited from Lewis' generosity and hard work, and many more will through this historic legacy gift."

Established in 1979, the college will use the money for scholarships and operational support to continue delivering a world-class teaching and learning environment to undergraduate and graduate students. The college offers 12 undergraduate and five graduate degree programs and houses five centers open to the community, including the Alystock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz Center for Leadership, Center for Entrepreneurship, Center for Supply Chain Management Excellence, Florida Small Business Development Center and the Louis Maygarden Center for Financial Literacy.

The college is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB-accredited schools pass rigor-

"It gives me the chills," David Bear said. "He loved his family, but he loved his business. Business was his life. He intuitively knew how to run a business successfully …To see his name on the College of Business, it's appropriate. There's no other thing I can think of that would define his legacy more than having a college of business at a major state university named after him."

Bear spent nearly 60 years of his life in the family business and served as the CEO and president from 1985 until his death. Founded in 1876, the Lewis Bear Co. is the oldest, continuously family-owned Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor in the world and the oldest privately held corporation in Florida.

In addition to his business ventures, Bear contributed extraordinary amounts of his time and wealth to the Pensacola area. His reach extended to all corners of the community.

A significant contributor to health care, education and cultural initiatives, Bear and his company founded the Bear Family Foundation. The foundation has awarded millions of dollars in grants to nearly 120 local nonprofit organizations.

Bear served on dozens of community boards, usually as a chairman or trustee. Those boards include the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission, Triumph Gulf Coast, Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Escambia County, Pensacola Museum of Art and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.

"There are still people coming up to us, our family, and telling us things he did to change their lives that he never told us he did," said his son, Lewis Bear III. "He really cared about this community and the people. Not everybody liked him, but everybody respected him." {in}

Photo Courtesy of UWF

Nurturing the world within

We are worldbuilders. We develop great minds and inspired leaders. We help children write their own story. Gulf Coast Freedom Schools nurtures the world within through a free, six-week summer literacy and cultural enrichment program for students K-8th grade who reside in Escambia County.

Apply online by May 31, 2024 at gcfreedomschools.com

Where words change worlds

BAYS DESIGNATED The Senate unanimously passed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act, directing the Environmental Protection Agency to formally enroll the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) into the National Estuary Program (NEP) as an "Estuary of National Significance."

In June 2021, Sen. Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott introduced legislation to federally designate the PPBEP to leverage federal dollars, in coordination with funding by state and local governments, to address water quality and resource challenges in the estuary. Both senators urged their colleagues in the House to pass the bill.

"The EPA's National Estuary Program has a successful track record of cooperative federalism across the nation, including with the four existing programs we have in Florida," Rubio said. "Enrolling the PPBEP in the National Estuary Program will provide critical support for restoration, conservation and monitoring efforts in Pensacola and Perdido Bays and enhance economic activity in the Florida Panhandle."

"This is a monumental step forward for us for our National Estuary Program," said PPBEP executive director Matt Posner. "It's been 30 years since there's been a new National Estuary Program created. Other programs have tried to achieve that designation, but we're the first that's made it through the U.S. Senate."

He continued, "That just wouldn't have been possible without the support of Sen. Rubio and Sen. Scott introducing that legislation. It's been something we've worked towards over the last four or five years since we were first stood up. We're looking forward to it being taken up in the House soon and seeing it get adopted and signed into law."

In other PPBEP news, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group has released its Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Water Quality for public comment through April 8. Six of the 11 projects proposed for funding are in the Pensacola and Perdido watersheds.

Posner said, "That's over half the funds that are committed—$50 million for six projects in our region."

PPBEP is leading the implementation of a $3 million microbial source tracking project and is assisting Santa Rosa County and the City of Gulf Breeze on two septic-to-sewer projects totaling $34 million. Funds won't officially be committed until after the public comment period closes and the Florida Trustee Implementation Group votes on the final plan.

LOCAL DELEGATION GOES 10-24 The

2024 Session wasn't kind to our local delegation regarding the bills they filed. Representatives Michelle Salzman, Alex Andrade and Joel Rudman sponsored 34 bills, and only 10 passed.

Salzman (R-Cantonment) filed 10 bills, and three passed. Two bills concerned compensation for the Dozier School survivors (Inweekly, "Justice for 'The White House Boys,'" 3/14/24).

Another bill allowed motor vehicle registrations to include information about a diagnosis of certain disabilities or disorders of the applicant or a legal guardian's child or ward.

Bills on county commission term limits, gaming control and health care provider accountability died on the second hearing calendar. Other legislation regarding state recognition for the Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee, a Florida Veterans History Program, adding filters on children's tablets and smartphones and compensation for advising or assisting in veteran's benefits died in various committees.

Andrade (R-Pensacola) had five of his bills pass both chambers—three concerned the Midway, Pace and Avalon Beach fire districts, and the other two dealt with towing and storage of vehicles and vessels and providers of cardiovascular services.

His bill, which provided exemptions from public records and met requirements for specified health-related compact commissions and committees, was laid on the table because the House had taken up the Senate version. We consider that a win, too.

He sponsored some of the session's most controversial bills. Five bills died in committee. They covered:

•Allowing municipalities to ask for schools to be converted to charter schools,

•Prohibition of live venues from selling tickets through just one company and arenas and concert halls from selling or transferring passes at prices higher than originally listed,

•Restrictions on panhandlers asking for cash,

•Prohibition of selling, delivering, bartering, furnishing or giving kratom products to individuals younger than 21 and

•Revising the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

His defamation bill and another to compensate Marcus Button for harm and losses due to the negligence of a Pasco County School Board employee died on second reading. A bill prohibiting officials from soliciting or accepting anything of value from foreign countries of concern died on the third reading.

Rudman (R-Navarre) won passage of Cassie Carli Law, "requiring a court to designate authorized locations for child custody exchanges unless otherwise agreed to by both parents in writing." Rudman named the bill after Carli, who was allegedly kidnapped during a custody exchange and later found dead two years ago.

His other nine bills didn't fare as well. Eight bills died in committee. They covered:

•Invalid restrictive covenants with physicians,

•Prohibition of an entertainment venue from canceling a contract because of the performer's use of social media or political affiliation,

•Allowing the mandatory waiting period for gun purchase to expire,

•Mandating businesses accept cash payments,

•Disallowing vaccines to be included as treatment during a public health emergency

•Establishing a Florida State Psychiatric Hospital,

•Requiring research facilities to offer dogs and cats for adoption before euthanizing them and

•The creation of the North Santa Rosa County Utilities Authority.

A bill providing exemptions from public records requirements for identification and location information of certain current and former military personnel, their spouses and dependents was laid on the table.

EARLY VOTING STATS Escambia

County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender reported that 5,875 people took advantage of the Republican presidential primary's early voting, which ended on Saturday, March 16. The primary is Tuesday, March 19.

LIGHT BILLS DROPPING By May,

Florida

Power & Light Company customers could see back-to-back rate decreases, totaling more than $14 for typical 1,000-kWh residential customers. Last week, the company asked the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve a reduction to reflect lower fuel prices in May, which will be in addition to the rate decreases scheduled in April.

Rates are going down in April because a temporary surcharge to recover restoration costs from past hurricanes ends March 31. A typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill will fall nearly $7. If the PSC approves the latest FPL request, the same customer's bill would have an additional $7.70 drop in May.

PRESSER NOTES

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves covered several topics at his weekly press conference last week. He said surveillance cameras are in place at the Blake Doyle Skatepark, and the new hours of operation are 5 a.m. to midnight. He also praised the skaters for policing the park.

"The biggest issue we see is graffiti from time to time, and next thing we know, there's an advocate of the park or someone out there with matching paint and trying to get it figured out before we even know anything about it," Reeves said. "That's a big testament to the skating community here that they cared about this and continue to care about it when it comes to maintenance."

Mayor Reeves said three Portland Loos have arrived, and two more were expected to come later in the week. The first one will be installed at Bruce Beach so Phase 1 of the park can open this spring.

"I hope by next week we'll have a final date, whatever it may be, when we can actually go ahead and kind of soft open Phase 1," he told the media.

The next two will be installed at the skatepark and MLK Plaza on North Palafox Street. If the City gets approval from the University of West Florida Historic Trust, the fourth will be placed in the Museum Plaza. The last one is slated for Veterans Memorial Park.

The mayor said his staff is finalizing processes and procedures for overhauling various licenses and use permits for downtown businesses.

"We'd had a lot of archaic policies and

procedures that have been around for decades," Reeves said. "We're getting closer to the finish line of cleaning that up. We hope we'll be able to send a letter out in April that will outline some of those things."

COVENANT CARE SOLD On March 12, VITAS Healthcare Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chemed Corp, entered into an agreement to acquire all hospice operations and an assisted living facility from Covenant Health and Community Services, Inc. d/b/a/ Covenant Care for an aggregate purchase price of $85 million.

Covenant's hospice operations span the Panhandle of Florida and Alabama, specifically the Tallahassee, Marianna, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Crestview and Pensacola markets in Florida and the Dothan, Mobile and Daphne markets in Alabama.

In 1983, Don Gaetz founded VITAS Healthcare Corp. with a group of investors, which he later sold to Chemed for nearly half a billion dollars in 2004.

MORE INDOOR GYMS

District 2 City Councilman Charles Bare wants to see more indoor gyms in the City's master plan.

"Over the past 10 years, we've given the opportunity for other organizations to use our gyms for athletics, but then we've systematically reduced the amount of gym space they've had to operate with," he said. "We did it with Bayview. Bayview used to have a gym in it, but now it's an event center just like Sanders Beach. These are places that are kind of exclusive. They're expensive to use, and they don't have gym space. So now we're stuck with just Woodland Heights, Cobb, Fricker, Gull Point and Vickery, which is very restricted because the YMCA controls most of that."

Bare has mentioned at council meetings the possibility of making public school gyms available to the public.

"I see some empathy from my fellow council members, but I really think part of our problem is that we have 67 constitutionally created school districts," Bare said. "If the school district wasn't part of the constitution, maybe we'd had more sway over them."

He continued, "In Alabama, the city can take the schools into their district, and they can start managing the schools. I wish we had the opportunity to have more cooperation with them. There is plenty of gym space, but we're not even allowed to go on their fields and use those for soccer and other things. And I just wish that existed because I really think it's a resource, and the taxpayers are already paying for that resource, too. I feel like it's a natural connection."

NEW COUNTY RECORD Escambia County's District 2, from 2018-2022, may go down as the district with the most ethically challenged leadership in the County's history. In Sept 2019, the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable

cause of several ethical violations by then-commissioner Doug Underhill.

One violation involved Underhill leaking confidential transcripts of a closed-door county commission meeting regarding legal strategy for a lawsuit. He violated the law by releasing information only available to him as a public officer. Underhill delayed the administrative hearing several times to "run out the clock" before his term ended. In October 2022, the Ethics Commission fined him $35,000 and asked the governor to remove him from office. Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't remove the commissioner since his term was ending the next month.

Ironically, Underhill's aide, Jonathan Owens, now faces fines for ethical violations regarding leaked documents. On March 8, the State Commission on Ethics unanimously agreed with the probable cause finding that Owens violated ethics laws when he leaked personal information from Commissioner Jeff Bergosh's cell phone. The aide found the information on a thumb drive that mysteriously appeared on his office desk. The data had been stolen from the County's server.

The case has been passed along to an administrative law judge, who will rule on the issues of fact and make a recommended finding the

ethics commission can uphold or modify. Owens could have to pay a civil fine of up to $20,000.

Commissioner Bergosh filed the complaint against Owens. He said, "Really, I take no pleasure in having to do that. Seventeen years in public office, and I've never had an ethics complaint filed against me, and I've never had the compunction to file one, but this was so egregious. (Owens) went online and said, 'I've got it. I've read it. I know it's personal and confidential. I went ahead and sent it out unredacted, and I continued to hold it.'"

He believes the former employee committed a felony because the thumb drive contained information the Ethics Commission's attorney advocate deemed not public records, including "1,600 color pictures of complete passports, photographs of credit cards, photographs of the complete information on a driver's license, social security cards, all these other things."

Bergosh added he thinks Owens should have turned the drive over to the county attorney. "I don't think I'd put some mysterious thumb drive in my computer, but if I did and I saw that it was personal information, I would take it to the attorney. Most normal people would take it to the attorney and say, 'Hey, I don't know what this is, but it turned up.' But he didn't."

CITY SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

The City of Pensacola offers paid internship opportunities for eligible youth ages 16-24 through its Summer Youth Intern Program. Internships are available in various city departments and promote career development while providing paid on-the-job work experience.

The Summer Youth Intern Program will run from Friday, May 31, through Friday, July 26. Interns may work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, April 1. Email applications and supporting documents to kpowell@cityofpensacola.com, or mail or hand-deliver them to the Neighborhood Services Office in Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St. For more information, visit the Summer Youth Intern Section on cityofpensacola.com.

HERRICANE ESCAMBIA Escambia County Emergency Management invites girls entering 7th, 8th and 9th grades to participate in the inaugural HERricane Escambia program, a camp 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 25-28 at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, 6575 N. "W" St. HERricane is a girls' summer camp to help rethink and improve outreach and engagement around emergency preparedness. The HER-

ricane program was launched in Arlington, Va. in 2017 and has expanded throughout the U.S. since then. HERricane empowers women to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management through a weeklong camp, which includes long-term professional development opportunities.

Its mission is to develop and elevate women as leaders in emergency management and related careers while expanding the image of these professions as a positive force for improving public safety and government.

"Last summer, I attended the HERricane camp in Walton County as a mentor and as a speaker," said Scottlin Williams, Escambia County's meteorologist. "This camp empowers young women, helps to rethink and improve outreach and engagement around emergency preparedness and brings greater diversity to the emergency management profession and its allied fields."

This free program is open to young girls living in Escambia County who will enter grades 7-9 for the 2024-2025 school year. Applications can be found at myescambia.com/herricane. The HERricane Escambia Advisory Board will select up to 20 girls to participate. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 29. {in}

BY RICK OUTZEN

"record number of historic wins."

"We have delivered unprecedented victories for the people of Florida," said Gov. Ron DeSantis. "I asked the Legislature to deliver as boldly as they did last session, and they have done so. Florida continues to show the nation how to lead on every issue."

Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson was pleased. He said, "The world continues to watch Florida as it remains the national model for economic growth, quality of life and competitiveness."

However, the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) was not impressed. FDP Chair Nikki Fried said, "In January, we said Republicans would come to Tallahassee to do absolutely nothing for the people of this state. Now that session is over, it's safe to say that we were right."

She continued, "In the face of our worsening affordability crisis, Republicans offered no real solutions to our broken property and auto insurance markets or the skyrocketing costs of rent and utilities across Florida. Instead, Republican leadership consistently put their own political ambitions ahead of the needs of Floridians, posturing

care for Floridians in the immediate future and for years to come."

However, the legislature did not expand Medicaid. In February, Florida Decides Healthcare, a coalition of healthcare advocates, announced a petition campaign to place Medicaid expansion on the 2026 ballot. The constitutional amendment would expand Medicaid access to adults earning at or below 138% of the federal poverty level and allow the state to claim billions in federal incentives. They estimated the expansion would cover 1.4 million more Floridians.

SOCIAL MEDIA

House Speaker Paul Renner set a priority on placing limits on children's access to social media sites, and he won approval for a bill barring younger than 16 from opening accounts on them. Renner argued that "addictive" social media harms children's mental health and can lead to sexual predators communicating with minors.

The tech industry group NetChoice asked Gov. DeSantis to veto the bill, claiming it would violate First Amendment rights. DeSantis vetoed it, not because he agreed with NetChoice but

required to publish such notices in newspapers. Districts may also consider advanced degrees when adjusting educators' salaries. SB 7004 removed the requirement that districts offer an option for virtual instruction.

After their passage, Passidomo said, "My vision for this critical initiative is a multi-year effort. Every year, more and more regulations are put on our school districts, and every year we need to be looking at regulations we can remove.

Chaplains Lawmakers passed HB 931, allowing school districts to let volunteer chaplains provide services to students. Chaplains must undergo background checks, and parents must give written consent for their children to receive services.

Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) said, "I believe that sometimes the issue is with the soul, and not of the mind. And that's why I believe that this is a good option for our students in this day and age."

Citing that copycat bills have been introduced in 14 states, more than 200 individual chaplains, 38 faith groups and 34 civil rights organizations,

chaplains to provide counseling and other support

United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities."

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) argued that teacher preparation programs containing the targeted content are "not teaching empathy, they're teaching blame. And I think that's a big distinction."

ACLU of Florida saw the bill as an expansion of Republicans' Stop Woke agenda, calling it a "government censorship bill prohibiting discussions of institutional racism, oppression and identity politics."

Rep. Patricia Williams (D-Pompano Beach) said, "It ties the hands of our teachers. It does not give them the opportunity to think outside the box. You want our teachers to be robots and teach what you want them to teach. That's what this bill does. Another thing this bill does—it divides us as a people."

Library Books Lawmakers passed a limit for school library book objections from people who don't have children in school. The bill states a "resident of the county who is not the parent or guardian of a student with access to school

district materials may not object to more than one material per month." The House had wanted to add a $100 processing fee for complaints, but the idea failed to win Senate support.

Communism Both chambers passed a bill that mandated the dangers of communism be taught in grade k-12 in public schools. The lessons would be "age appropriate and developmentally appropriate." They must cover the history of communism in the United States and the "increasing threat of communism in the United States and to our allies through the 20th century, including the events of the Cultural Revolution in the People's Republic of China and other mass killings from communist regimes."

House sponsor Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny) denied promoting fearmongering. He defended the bill as "a means of acknowledging communism's role in victimizing, torturing, murdering and displacing millions of people in the past century."

Public students are currently taught about communism in seventh-grade civics and high school social studies courses.

TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

Once again, transgender rights were under attack. Still, Equality Florida and other LBGTQ+ groups won several victories, signaling lawmakers and Floridians may have tired of DeSantis' Stop WOKE agenda, at least during this election year.

"This year, Republicans filed 22 of the most extreme, anti-LGBTQ bills our state's ever seen — including bills attacking the existence of transgender people, expanding Florida's "Don't Say Gay or Trans" policies into the workplace, banning all abortions with no exception for rape

DEAD FOR NOW ISSUES

Jim Saunders of "News Service of Florida" compiled a list of issues that died during the 2024 session ("10 Dead Issues in 2024," 3/11/24). Some we've mentioned in this article. Here are a few more that may be filed again for the 2025 session:

DEFAMATION: Proposals to revamp defamation laws could have exposed media organizations to increased liability. That could have included making it easier for public figures to sue journalists who rely on anonymous sources for information that turns out to be false.

or incest, banning pride flags and symbols, and much more," Equality Florida wrote supporters after the session ended.

"By making our voices heard, we stopped or neutralized 21 of the 22 bills with our intense, collective opposition. And the one bill that did pass, Stop WOKE Teacher Training (HB 1291), is very likely unconstitutional. We even passed the first pro-LGBTQ bill in recent history, PEP Access (HB 159)."

The PEP Access Bill provided greater access to medications critical to preventing HIV transmission by allowing pharmacists to dispense PEP under physician-developed protocols.

Many of the anti-trans bills passed the House but stalled in the Senate. HB 1639 required all health insurance plans in the state to cover "conversion therapy." Government driver's license and ID card applications would have collected information on applicants' sex assigned at birth rather than gender. The House passed the bill, but Senate President Passidomo announced during Equality Florida's Let Us Live March that the Senate would not take up the bill.

HB 599/ SB 1382 prohibited government employees or contractors from being required to respect an individual's preferred pronouns if they did not align with the individual's sex assigned at birth. The bills failed to get committee hearings.

HB 901/SB 1120 banned public buildings from raising or displaying Pride Flags or any flag representing a "political viewpoint." The bill didn't get to the Senate floor.

Many of these issues may come back next year.

HOMELESS

Lawmakers voted to prohibit cities and counties from allowing people to sleep in public buildings

GUN AGE: The House passed a bill that would have lowered the minimum age from 21 to 18 to buy rifles and shotguns in Florida, but the Senate did not consider the proposal.

LAWSUIT LIMITS: House and Senate proposals could have increased limits on the amounts of money that government agencies can be required to pay in lawsuits. The proposals would have revamped sovereign immunity laws, which limit government agencies' liability.

LOCAL TAXES: The House passed a proposal that could have made it harder for cities and counties to raise property taxes, but the issue

and rights of way. The bill allows local governments to designate areas for sleeping or camping if the sites meet standards set by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The sites can only be used for one year and must have access to restrooms and running water, have security, and be deemed alcohol- and drug-free. They cannot harm the value or safety of nearby properties. Exemptions were given to rural counties.

Senate sponsor Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) said, "This bill is a compassionate response to the shortage of shelters and supportive housing by providing an alternative to sleeping in the streets."

Gov. DeSantis supported the bill. He said, "What we don't want to see in the legislation is any incentive to create homeless camps, particularly in areas that would interfere with the public conducting normal business."

Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) criticized it as "literally reshuffling the visibility of unhoused individuals." He added, "I understand that this bill does not make it illegal for people to sleep in public places. But rather, it appears to make it illegal for local governments to ignore people sleeping in public."

LABOR

Following the lead of other states, lawmakers passed HB 49, which loosens work restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill maintains a 30-hour work-per-week limit when school is in session, but parents, guardians or school superintendents may waive the limit. Teens would get a 30-minute break after four hours when they work eight or more hours. They can also work more than eight hours on Sundays and holidays when school is the next day, which had been prohibited under the state's child labor law.

died in the Senate. The proposal would have required two-thirds votes by local governing boards to raise tax-millage rates.

MARIJUANA POTENCY: Lawmakers considered imposing limits on the amounts of euphoriainducing THC in marijuana products. The limits would have taken effect if voters in November passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow recreational marijuana.

MONUMENTS: Amid debates in places such as Jacksonville about removing monuments erected to honor the Confederacy, lawmakers considered proposals to prevent local govern-

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association supported the bill, arguing the bill provided workers and employers more flexibility.

DOZIER SURVIVORS

Thanks to Troy Rafferty and the Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm's support and the leadership of Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Cantonment) and Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), both chambers unanimously passed The Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program.

The program has $20 million to compensate "living persons who were confined" at Dozier or the Okeechobee School, another reform school, between 1940 and 1975 and "who were subjected to mental, physical or sexual abuse perpetrated by school personnel."

The notorious reform school operated for 111 years, from 1900 to 2011. In 2019, University of South Florida forensic anthropologists leading an excavation of Dozier property found human remains in 55 unmarked graves, "some with gunshot wounds or signs of blunt force trauma." Dozens of children sent to school never returned.

INSURANCE

During the past two years, lawmakers have passed major legislation to try to shore up the troubled property insurance industry. Still, homeowners have continued to see large rate increases or can't find coverage. Legislators did little to help this session other than passing a bill that would lead some second homes moving from the state's Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to the private insurance market. The Florida Chamber praised the bill, claiming it will reduce the likelihood of hurricane assessments. {in}

ments from removing or destroying historic monuments from public property.

TERM LIMITS: While some counties already have term limits, House and Senate proposals sought to impose eight- or 12-year term limits on county commissioners throughout the state. The idea drew opposition, in part, from rural counties, and the proposals stalled.

'UNBORN CHILD' BILL: Proposals would have allowed parents to file civil lawsuits seeking damages for the wrongful death of an "unborn child." Abortion rights advocates fought the proposals, though bill sponsors said the issue was not abortion-related.

WEEK OF MARCH 21-27

Arts & Entertainment

art, film, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...

A Delicious Education

augural festival on the hot concrete of First City Art Center's parking lot, the mission was to educate about taste.

Sure, they wanted to spread the word of the ethics of veganism and provide insight on the health benefits many enjoy from a plant-based diet, but, first and foremost, Founder Whitney MacLeod wanted simply to teach Pensacola how delicious vegan food could be.

"Our original goal for the festival was to not only have a vegan food festival, but to bring more vegan options to the area and show people that there are more options than just a salad," MacLeod said.

For a city that currently only has one fully vegan restaurant (hello, End of the Line Cafe), Pensacola could use the education. As the popularity of vegan food has ebbed and flowed in recent years, it's efforts like VegFest we owe for the fact that most folks, we hope, know french fries are actually vegan. And no, most ranch dressing is not.

"I had been to a lot of other areas who

that there was something like that a little closer to home."

As they say, MacLeod decided to be the change she wished to see.

During that first festival, vendor after vendor sold out within hours and it was clear VegFest was something Pensacola could and would show up for. Today, VegFest has blossomed into a full day event complete with food, drinks, artisans, education and entertainment held at Maritime Park.

As a foodie herself, and a vegan since 2017, MacLeod's goal each festival is to bring excellent vegan food to Pensacola by any means necessary.

"I wanted to bring good food to people who thought that a vegan diet was just bland food," MacLeod said.

Meat-eaters need not feel unwelcome, however, as the festival welcomes all.

"When we created the festival, it was specifically geared toward non-vegans," MacLeod said. "You don't have to convince a vegan that there is great vegan food."

50 vendors including hot foods, baked goods, beverages, artisans and more.

From that list of more than 50 vendors, ticketholders will be able to purchase sweet treats from Finally Vegan Macarons and Imo's Bakery, hearty meals from Joe's Caribbean and Oh My Cod, and refreshing beverages from Juice Bar Miami and Bayou Billy Sweet Tea—to name a few.

VegFest 2024 is set to be a multi-cultural delight featuring food from many different countries.

"We have Brazilian food and Ethiopian food," MacLeod said. "We have good Southern food, vegan ice cream and baked goods. We have Caribbean food, Mediterranean food."

The list goes on—and can be viewed in full on the Pensacola VegFest website and social media channels. But everyone knows the star of the show at any food festival is the food, so we included those here too, in a handy alphabetized sidebar.

In addition to the food vendors, VegFest guests can attend free yoga classes hosted by

local studio URU Yoga. To learn more about veganism, guests can listen to speakers like Angela Dickinson who will educate about holistic wellness. They can also watch live cooking demonstrations from local mushroom farmer Mushroom Man Tan, and learn tips on growing your own food from the owners of Earth Farm 9, an off-grid vegan community. {in}

Pensacola VegFest 2024

Food and Beverage Vendors

Bayou Billy Sweet Tea

Brazilian Fun Foods, LLC

From The Crown Catering & Cookies

Jordan Valley Mediterranean

Makuna Acai Bowl

Moody Mocha Bakery

Moo-Moo's Bakery

Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood

Royal Bowls and Smoothies

Southern Fried Vegan

Sweet Rain Vegan Bakeshop

Tally Kombucha

The Rican Vegan

Tony's Tejas Salsa

Top Drawer Sweets

Turtle Roll

Vegan Gator

Vegan Time

Vuture Food

PENSACOLA VEGFEST 2024

WHAT: A vegan food festival that also features live music, free yoga, cooking demos and more

WHEN: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 23

WHERE: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.

COST: $5 admission, free for kids 12 and younger

DETAILS: pensacolavegfest.com, @pensacolavegfest

Photo Courtesy of VegFest / By Haley Miett

a&e happenings

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 at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens at 10 a.m. and has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.

ARTS & CULTURE

13 This Pensacola Little Theatre production has showtimes 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, Friday, March 22, Thursday, March 21 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children and students and $2 discounts for seniors and military. Thursday performances are half off. Performances are at 400 S. Jefferson St. Get your tickets at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

THEATER THURSDAYS AT GULF BREEZE

LIBRARY Stop by the Gulf Breeze Library, 1060 Shoreline Drive, 3-5 p.m. Thursday, March 21 for a family-friendly movie. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library. This month's movie is "The Karate Kid."

reclaim a better future 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 29 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola, 9888 Pensacola Blvd. The event is free and open to the public.

LIBERATION! PRESENTS FAIRYTALE

FANTASY Enjoy live DJs from Gulfport, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans. This event is 18 and older to enter and 21 and older to drink. Event is 8 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at Subculture Art Gallery, 701 N.V St. Tickets are $10 and available at pensacolasubculture.com.

SILENT BOOK CLUB AT BODACIOUS

Sundays are for quietly reading at Bodacious Bookstore & Café, 110 E. Intendencia St. Join the Silent Book Club 10-11 a.m. every Sunday. Details are at facebook.com/bodaciousbookstore.

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. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.

COMEDY

SHOWCASE AT SUBCULTURE

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 actual ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. Following your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small and buy art at Pensacola Arts Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every fourth Saturday of the month at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. Enjoy a local artisan and farmers market with more than 50 vendors, food trucks, plants, vintage clothing and décor, live musical performances, kids' crafts and games. This is a free event. Pensacola Arts Market is set up 4-9 p.m. every first Friday of the month and 2-6 p.m. every third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.

PUNKDEMIC: THE SOUND THAT SAVED

651 W. Cedar St.

WATERBOYZ SKATEBOARD ART SHOW

Waterboyz annual art show is happening this Saturday, March 23 from 6-8 p.m. at their indoor skatepark, 380 N. 9th Ave. Participating artists include Ashton Howard, Dano Dunn, Shauncey Fury, Poppy Garcia and many others. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Waterboyz nonprofit First Ride. For more information and to bid on your favorite pieces, visit waterboyz.com.

BODACIOUS BOOKSTORE FANTASY

BOOK CLUB Discussion of "A Fate Inked in Blood" by Danielle L. Jensen is 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at Bodacious Bookstore, 101 E. Intendencia St. Details are at facebook.com/ bodaciousbookstore.

BOURBON & BROADWAY Indulge in a delicious dinner by Culinary Productions and visit the bar before taking your seats for a full lineup of musical theater favorites performed by the Pensacola Opera Jan Miller Studio Artists as solos, duets and group numbers from your favorite Broadway shows. Event is 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. Tickets are $75 or $50 without the bourbon tasting. Tickets are available at pensacolaopera.com.

LOST KEY LIGHTED NIGHT MARKET

Nighttime market 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at The Villagio Perdido Town Centre, 13700 Perdido Key Drive.

OUR STRUGGLE FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: A PANEL DISCUSSION & SHORT FILM Discussion and short film explores lessons from Pensacola's past and local efforts to

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.

THE MARKET AT GARY'S BREWERY Market

Perdido Key vendors will sell fresh produce, art, baked goods and more noon-5 p.m. the second Sunday of the month through May at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. The next date is Sunday, April 14. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.

PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/ downtownpensacola.

CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside 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 held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.

US A photo show from Andrew Velasco is on view through March at 309 Punk House, 309 N. Sixth Ave. Visit facebook.com/309punkproject for details.

BIRDS AND HABITATS This Quayside Art Gallery all-member exhibit is on view through March 30 at 17 E. Zaragoza St.

UNTETHERED OPENING "Untethered" is a contemporary abstract art exhibition from local artist Lindsay Keeling on view through April 2 at Jaco's Bayfront Bar & Grille, 997 S. Palafox St.

FIESTA PENSACOLA 75TH ANNIVERSARY RETROSPECTIVE A collection of costumes, dresses and ephemera from the Fiesta events dating back to the 1950s is on view through April 7 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

THE FLUIDITY OF PERCEPTION Enjoy an exhibit from Chris Gustin and Nancy Train Smith in collaboration with the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society. The show is on view through May 17 at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd.

LOVE LETTERS TO URSA MAJOR: WORK BY KELLY ANNE MUELLER Solo show from Kelly Anne Mueller, Best in Show from the 2023 PMA Members Show. Exhibit is on view through May 25 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum. org for details.

PMA MEMBERS SHOW The 70th annual Members Show is on view through May 25 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

Waterboyz Skateboard Art Show / Courtesy Photo

a&e happenings

FOOD + DRINKS

SNIFF & SIP Join Wolfgang Events 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. to meet other dogs and dog lovers.

CREATING PYSANKA, UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS Class is noon-3 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $70 for two students ages 13 and older. Register at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

JACKED-UP JAMBALAYA AT LAGUNA'S Stalekracker is heading back to Pensacola Beach 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 23, to bring his jackedup jambalaya to Laguna's Beach Bar + Grill, 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd. Tickets are available now at pimg.fyi/stalekracker-jambalaya-2024.

BUSHWACKERS & BUGS CRAWFISH

PARTY Crawfish party is Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23, beginning at 1 p.m. until sold out. Pre-order one-pound starting at $9.95 at Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road.

ANNUAL CRAWFISH & BLUEGRASS

JAMBOREE Cub's Crawfish is Sunday, March 24 at Odd Colony, 206 N. Palafox, with The String Farm playing noon-4 p.m. Visit facebook.com/ oddcolony for details.

ARTISAN PASTA CRAFTING Cooking class is 6 p.m. Monday, March 25 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are available on

Eventbrite or through the link at facebook.com/ bodaciousshops.

CRAVIN' ASIAN: SUSHI MAKING CLASS

Event is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $60 per student. Register at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

GREEN THUMB WINE TASTINGS Join Green Thumb Wines for a wine tasting 6-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month at 9 E. Gregory St. Cost is $15 which can be applied to a bottle purchase of your choice. For more information and tickets, visit greenthumbwines.com/collections/events.

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.

SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT

AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ATLAS OYSTER

HOUSE Sunday Brunch at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.

GAMER/JACKBOX NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of Bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

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.

BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for Bar Bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

SECOND TUESDAY THEMED TRIVIA Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for themed trivia nights 7-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at 50 E. Garden St. Visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco for details.

TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia 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 Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA O'Riley's Tavern hosts trivia 8 p.m.-midnight Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

TRIVIA AT WISTERIA 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. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

TRIVIA AT SIR RICHARD'S Flex your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool and play bar bingo 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details at orileystavern.com.

LIVE MUSIC

THE TALISMEN, SHROPSHIRE COLLECTIVE, BURNT PEACHES Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

a&e happenings

CASWYN MOON & FAITH KELLY New Yorkbased singers perform 8-11 p.m. Friday, March 22 at The Shack, 2800 W. Nine Mile Road. Visit facebook.com/theshackpensacola for details.

SNOW HALO AND KAIRO, SMELTER, AND GLAZED EYES Show is 7 p.m. Friday, March 22 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $12 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

KARE, GLSNR, EGO DEATH, BOX CUTTER Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

STUDENT JAZZ COMPETITION Jazz Pensacola will host the 2024 Student Jazz Competition Live Finals 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23 in the Ashmore Auditorium on the campus of Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ Show is 7-11 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY: SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR Show is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. It will feature William Hagen on violin. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

TOWN MOUNTAIN Show is 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

TWIN TRIBES, URBAN HEAT, DANCING PLAGUES, COMABEARD Show is 7 p.m. Monday, March 25 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $18 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

DAVE MASON'S TRAFFIC JAM Show is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

JEREMY CAMP WITH SPECIAL GUEST CALEB & JOHN Show is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS, ELIJAH, VERSUS ME Show is 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 29 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $16-$20 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

MOLLY RINGWALDS AT SEVILLE QUARTER Show is 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 29 at Phineas Phogg's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $25-$30 and available at Eventbrite. com or at the door. Event is for ages 21 and older.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ

Visit Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music on select days.

•Tuesdays: Greg Bond 5:30-8:30 p.m.

•Thursdays: John Wheeler 6-8 p.m.

•Saturdays: Glenn Parker Band 6:30-10 p.m.

•Sundays: Curt Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY

Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE

QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida bring the "Blues" back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District 7 p.m. Mondays at 130 E. Government St. in End O' the Alley. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE

QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday night at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Sing your heart out 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia at 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave., hosts karaoke 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.

WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

KARAOKE NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S

Bring your singing talents Monday and Thursday nights at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Festivities are 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

SUNDAY KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS

Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Sunday at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

FITNESS + RECREATION

OCEAN HOUR WEEKLY CLEANUPS Ocean

Hour Pensacola hosts weekly cleanups 7:45-9 a.m. Saturdays. On March 23, the sites are Park West and Quietwater Beach. Follow Ocean Hour at facebook.com/oceanhourfl for more details and locations.

BIRD WALK AT BIG LAGOON Meet leader

Randy Bonjour 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23 in the parking lot by Governor's Pavilion at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway. Plan to walk about two miles on sand trails and boardwalk in search of birds. To register, email your name, contact number and number of people in your party to Marcy at marcymcgahan@gmail.com.

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS The Pensacola Ice Flyers 2023-2024 season home games are held at

a&e happenings

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are available at pensacolabaycenter.com.

Upcoming dates:

•7:05 p.m. Friday, March 29

•7:05 p.m. Saturday, March 30

•4:05 p.m. Sunday, March 31

PUBLIC SKATE Ice skating sessions are available through April at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are $12-$15. Season passes and group rates are available at the box office or by emailing sjette@pensacolabaycenter.com.

Upcoming dates:

•9:30 p.m. Friday, March 29

•9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30

•6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31

MARCH BAG SWAPS WITH KEEP PENSACOLA BEAUTIFUL Bring your single-use plastic grocery bags to swap meets and get a large, reusable grocery bag. The next date is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Grocery Advantage, 736 N. Highway 29.

AMERICA'S FIRST SETTLEMENT TRAIL

URBAN ADVENTURE The America's First Settlement (A1S) Trail Urban Adventure is 9 a.m.1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23.

Registrants and groups will be given a tiered start time and three hours to complete a game that explores the America's First Settlement Trail, solves puzzles and tests knowledge of Pensacola's history. Tickets are $10 for individ -

ual registration or $25 for corporate teams of up to 10 people. Participants will check-in and start the game in front of the Pensacola Museum of History, 330 S. Jefferson St. Registrants will be given tiered start times 9-10 a.m. Awards will be distributed noon-1:30 p.m. at Seville Quarter. The top individual winner will receive a $250 cash prize, and the top team will receive a $500 tab at a bar or restaurant along the trail in downtown Pensacola. More information is available at visitpensacola.com/americas-1stsettlement-trail.

HEALTHY GULF BEACH HIKE Join Healthy Gulf for a beach ecology walk on Pensacola Beach 8:30 a.m. Sunday, March 24. Exact location will be provided upon registration. The walk is free, but registration is required. To reserve a spot, email chirstian@healthygulf.org or call (850) 687-9968.

YOGA WITH MARNI AT HA-YA Visit Ha-Ya Wellness for integrative yoga with Marni 10 a.m. the first and third Saturday of the month at 4301 Spanish Trail Road. Visit facebook.com/asherandbeeapothecary for more information.

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS WITH ESCAMBIA AMATEUR ASTRONOMER ASSOCIATION Gaze into the skies with telescopes and binoculars set up by Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at the performance pavilion at Casino Beach.

HOOK, LINE & SINKER MONTHLY FISHING SEMINAR SERIES Hot Spots Charters hosts a monthly free fishing seminar held at Flounder's Chowder House, 800 Quietwater Beach Road, on Pensacola Beach the first Monday of every month. A free fish dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. with the seminar beginning at 7 p.m. and typically lasting about an hour. Visit facebook.com/hlsseminar for details.

FREE YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Take a free yoga class at Ever'man, 327 W. Garden St. Visit everman.org for full calendar of events.

LIVE JAZZ AND SWING DANCING From 6:30-11 p.m. the first Friday of each month, enjoy a live band for dancing Lindy, Foxtrot, East Coast and West Coast Swing. This is a fun, friendly atmosphere with lessons for all levels, no partner required. Location is at The Way You Move Dance Studio, 918 Winton Ave. The cost is $15. More information at thewayyoumove.us.

WEST COAST SWING DANCE Join the fun

6:30-10 p.m. Wednesdays for $5 and 6:30-11 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month for $10. All levels welcomed; no partner required. The Way You Move dance studio is at 918 Winton Ave. More information is at thewayyoumove.us.

BALLROOM, LATIN, SWING DANCE From

6:30-11 p.m. the second Saturday of each month, enjoy a mix of music for all dancers. All levels welcomed; no partner required. The Way You Move

dance studio is at 918 Winton Ave. The cost is $10. More information is at thewayyoumove.us.

PENSACOLA PARKRUN The Pensacola Rec Plex North Parkrun is 7:30 a.m. Saturdays. The weekly timed 5K run or walk takes place at the University of West Florida and is free and open to everyone, regardless of fitness level. For more information, visit facebook.com/rpnparkrun or email recplexnorth@parkrun.com.

YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Beginner

Yoga with John is 10 a.m. Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Funky Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Tuesdays, and Vinyasa Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Thursdays. All classes are at Ever'man, 327 W. Garden St. For a full calendar of events, visit everman.org.

KID-FRIENDLY

BUILDING BRAINS BALLPARK BASH

Studer Community Institute invites families 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 24 to the Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St., supporting brain development. Nonprofit partners joining the event include Escambia County Healthy Start, Early Learning Coalition and more. Tickets are $5 and get you into attractions and games at the event. Tickets are available at milb.com/pensacola/tickets/specialevents.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

By Sydney Robinson

Bringing DIY Spirit to Cinema

What if a night at the cinema felt more like an open mic? A live show at your favorite dive? A conversation with your neighbor? The second annual DIY Short Film Festival seeks to create that familiar, creative environment.

Event organizer and local creative Ty Cummings created the DIY Short Film Festival as a benefit for the 309 Punk Project in 2023. Now in its second year, the festival seeks to level the playing field for creatives of all types.

"The first year we did it, we received a lot of submissions from all sorts of people, and it kind of included things like people's COVID-era projects, old college films, et cetera. This year, about 90% of what we're showing was made in the past six months," Cummings said.

This year's festival, which will take place at The Handlebar on Sunday, March 24, will feature short films 20 minutes and under spanning many genres, styles and topics.

"There's a documentary about the history of abortion rights in Pensacola by Lauren

Anzaldo. There's a comedy by Matthew Durant that features a lot of local rappers and was shot in a convenience store during business hours," Cummings said. "We helped Ally Ryan and Cintia Nelson from the band Mid Evil Times make this crazy '90s action-style movie about Pensacola getting taken over by punks. Bread Box Theatre and Cookies and Cake made one with puppets about Ron DeSantis being in love with a drag queen."

The DIY Short Film Festival is an attempt to turn what is often an intimidating art form into an accessible one; to turn what is often a one-sided monologue into something more of a conversation.

"I think what makes the Pensacola DIY Short Film Fest unique is that it takes an art form that usually has a lot of money behind it and brings it down to the level of the working poor," Cummings said.

"Artists are invited to create with an understanding that they won't have a budget,

and audiences are given the opportunity to experience what movies can be if we suspend the high-budget standards and encounter film like we do open mic poetry or local music."

Pensacola's DIY music scene is an impressive one—and one that Cumming knows well.

"I've been playing music in Pensacola for 15 years," Cummings said. "The way the DIY music community is organized has always been an inspiration to me and an entry point into exploring how art can be done in a way that accounts for poverty, for poor artists and poor audiences alike."

"If you're going to a lot of local shows, you're experiencing art from everyday people, and if you go to enough of them, you start to see that our music scene is a bunch of bands in dialogue with each other, pushing each other, giving each other ideas, changing each other's tastes."

In this spirit, Cummings has noticed many of the submissions for this year's DIY Film Fest are connected to each other in one way or another in a web of creativity.

"Basically, someone from every short can be linked to someone in another short, either because they work in the industry or they're in a band with this person or that person, or this person held the camera for that movie and played the hero in this other movie," Cummings said.

"When looking at the people who submitted, it's like looking at an extended family."

Access is at the heart of everything the DIY Short Film Fest does, including sharing equipment, resources and ideas with fellow creatives.

"Me and my partner Carrie have kind of made ourselves and what little equipment we have available to help with people's projects and have experienced first-hand the way a DIY film production creates friendships and helps people connect with each other through their eccentricities and greater visions."

The collaboration, Cummings feels, is key to the DIY spirit of it all.

"By authoring something important together, making stuff together and working through limitations together, I don't know, it feels like the type of work humans are made to do," Cummings said. "There's something utopian about it."

While it's too late to submit your own film for this go-round, Cummings hopes to continue hosting the event each year, giving you plenty of time to dream up your own submission for 2025.

"Our unofficial tagline is 'Make movies with your friends.' For the artists, the idea is just that. If you work in the industry, it's an invitation to finally make that personal project you've been dreaming up. For others, it's a call to get with your friends and scheme, figure out how to make something with little to no equipment." {in}

The Shorts

Films that will screen as part of the second annual Pensacola DIY Short Film Fest

"Fragments of Fluidity" by Claudio Yurdadön

"A Journey Toward Heaven" by Andrew Hynes

"Déjeuner du Matin" by Elisabeth

"* LIVE" by The Mitro Brothers and Calliope Films

"A n Apple a Day" by Nickel Niven

"The Head Guys in Charge" by Justin J. Moore

"A Moment of Stillness" by Sean Seid and Avery Nakashima

"Kitty Get A Job Pilot Premiere" by KGAJ

"Sea of Tranquility" by Satchel Sexton

"A nimalia" by Liz Konstanz and Maeve Sims

"Waltz For Tubby" by Owen Bartholomew

"K nuckle Soup" by Thomas Rawley

"Trick" by Charlie Dyell

"Henry The Otter" by Jay Hufford

"Punch and Ronny: A Floridian Tragedy" by Cookies and Cake and Bread Box Theatre

"Hardly Workin'" by Matthew Durant

"Trailer Park Troubadours" by Matthew Durant and Kenneth Ledbetter

"In the Beginning" by Sam Stott

"A xels of Justice" by Ally Ryan and Cintia Nelson

"The Invisible Hand of the Gods" by Carrie Rogers and Ty Cummings

"Pensacola's Struggle for Abortion Rights" by Lauren Anzaldo

"M arry Me Yesterday" by Kalvo Griffin

"Swipe Right" by Karry Johnson

"E xplore the Great Outdoors" by Andrew Hynes and Nel Gatlin

"Spongbog" and "Nardwuar vs. the President of the United States" by Adam Davis

PENSACOLA DIY SHORT FILM FEST

WHAT: 25 short films by regional artists and creatives

WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday March 24

WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St.

COST: $5-$15 suggested donation

DETAILS: @talbur.obj, @309punkproject

Congratulations

Success is not defined by the money that you make. It’s about the smiles when you go home and being happy. If you can find something that you truly love … and do it hard and be great at it, I promise you, you’ll be successful.

Special Olympics Athlete of the Year

of the Year Josh Sitton

Brian Commack Carl Stallworth

Special Achievement Awardees

Trent Jeffcoat

Dalton Neuschwander

Elias Haavisto

Stefanie Markwardt

John McMullen

Olivia Nelson

Adriana Mieses-Sanchez

Daniela Reyes

Tony Capano

Pace Girls Weightlifting Team

Logan Robinson

Ian Malone

Max Little

Coulson Voeltz

Larry Tilly Golden Elite Track & Field Club

Drew Beroset

Ariyanna Williams

Kayden Engel

Therron Percival

Kevin Randal

Paige Pierce

Madison Walker

Connor Laughlin

lzek Keodouangdy

Sophia Nguyen

Kiara Vega

Patricia Gandolfo

Mark Yepishin

Paige Phillips

Brought to you by Quint & Rishy Studer

Pensacola Sports

Since 1955

We are Florida’s first and oldest sports commission. Today, we reach over 25,000 people across a variety of sport events, activities and initiatives, including baseball, basketball, football, running, soccer, tennis and more.

Pensacola Sports is a private 501(c)3 not-for-profit agency primarily funded from revenues generated from partnerships and events. Our focus has and always will be on education, inspiration and participation in various team, individual, amateur and professional sports activities. Pensacola Sports is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, health, wellbeing and economic development of Pensacola and surrounding regions through sports and recreation.

pensacolasports.org

Pensacola Christian Academy Cross Country Gulf Breeze High School Girls Soccer

Sportsman

Georgia Hood

Professional Athlete of the Year Devon Witherspoon

Deric Ladnier

Paul & Matthew Chestnutt

Pensacola Sports Hall of Fame

free will astrology

WEEK OF MARCH 21

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): I suspect you will soon have far more beginners' luck than you ever thought possible. For best results—to generate even more wildly abundant torrents of good luck—you could adopt what Zen Buddhists called "beginner's mind." That means gazing upon everyone and everything as if encountering it for the first time. Here are other qualities I expect to be flowing freely through you in the coming weeks: spontaneity, curiosity, innocence, candor and unpredictability. To the degree that you cultivate these states, you will invite even more beginner's luck into your life.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Taurus artist Salvador Dalí was prone to exaggerate for dramatic effect. We should remember that as we read his quote: "Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: Rationalize them; understand them thoroughly." While that eccentric advice may not always be 100% accurate or useful, I think it will be true and helpful for you in the coming weeks. Have maximum fun making sacred mistakes, Taurus. Learn all you can from them. Use them to improve your life.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): The professional fun advisers here at Free Will Astrology International Headquarters have concluded your Party Hardy Potential Rating for the coming weeks is 9.8 (out of 10). In fact, this may be the Party Hardy Phase of the Year for you. You could gather the benefits of maximum revelry and conviviality with minimal side effects. Here's a meditation to get you in the right mood: Imagine mixing business and pleasure with such panache that they blend into a gleeful, fruitful synergy.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Cancerian author and psychotherapist Virginia Satir (1916–1988) was renowned as the "Mother of Family Therapy." Her research led her to conclude, "We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth." That 12-hug recommendation seems daunting to achieve, but I hope you will strive for it in the coming weeks. You are in a phase when maximum growth is possible—and

By Rob Brezsny

pushing to the frontiers of hugging will help you activate the full potential. P.S. Don't force anyone to hug you. Make sure it's consensual.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Have you been genuinely amazed anytime recently? Have you done something truly amazing? If not, it's time to play catch-up. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you need and deserve exciting adventures that boggle your soul in all the best ways. You should be wandering out on the frontiers and tracking down provocative mysteries. You could grow even smarter than you already are if you expose yourself to challenges that will amaze you and inspire you to be amazing.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): I invite you to perform a magic spell that will help prepare you for the rich, slippery soul work you have ahead of you. I'll offer a suggestion, but feel free to compose your own ritual. First, go outside where it's raining or misting, or find a waterfall. Stand with your legs apart and arms spread out as you turn your face up toward the falling moisture. As you drink it in, tell yourself you will be extra fluid and flowing in the coming weeks. Promise yourself you will stimulate and treasure succulent feelings. You will cultivate the sensation that everything you need is streaming in your direction.

You should be wandering out on the frontiers and tracking down provocative mysteries.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): You are gliding into the climax of your re-education about togetherness, intimacy and collaboration. The lessons you've been learning have deepened your reservoir of wisdom about the nature of love. And in the coming weeks, even further teachings will arrive; even more openings and invitations will be available. You will be offered the chance to earn what could in effect be a master's degree in relationships. It'll be challenging work, but rewarding and interesting. Do as best as you can. Don't demand perfection from yourself or anyone else.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Now is not a favorable phase to gamble on unknown entities. Nor should you allow seemingly well-meaning people to transgress your boundaries. Another big no: Don't heed the advice of fear-mongers or nagging scolds, whether they're inside or outside your head. On the other hand, dear Scorpio, the coming weeks will be an excellent time for the following actions. 1. Phase out attachments to alliances and love interests that have exhausted their possibilities. 2. Seek the necessary resources to transform or outgrow a frustrating fact about your life. 3. Name truths that other people seem intent on ignoring and avoiding. 4. Conjure simple, small, slow, practical magic to make simple, small, slow, practical progress.

What if we enlarged our understanding of what we could fall in love with?

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Falling in love is fun. It's also exciting, enriching, inspiring, transformative, world-shaking and educational. Wouldn't it be fabulous if we could keep falling in love anew three or four times a year for as long as we live? We might always be our best selves, showing our most creative and generous sides, continually expanding our power to express our soulful intelligence. Alas, it's not practical or realistic to always be falling in love with another new person. Here's a possible alternative: What if we enlarged our understanding of what we could fall in love with? Maybe we would become perpetually infatuated with brilliant teachings, magical places, high adventures and great art and music. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to cultivate this skill.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): I'm perplexed by spiritual teachers who fanatically preach the doctrine we should be here now as much as possible. Living with full enjoyment in the present moment is a valuable practice, but dismissing or demeaning the past is shortsighted. Our lives are forged from our histories. We should revere the stories we are made of, visit

them regularly and keep learning from them. Keep this in mind, Capricorn. It's an excellent time to heal your memories and to be healed by them. Cultivate deep gratitude for your past as you give the old days all your love. Enjoy this quote from novelist Gregory Maguire: "Memory is part of the present. It builds us up inside; it knits our bones to our muscles and keeps our heart pumping. It is memory that reminds our bodies to work, and memory that reminds our spirits to work, too: it keeps us who we are."

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Controversial author William S. Burroughs was a rough, tough troublemaker. But he had some wisdom that will soon be extra useful for you. He said that love is the best natural painkiller available. I bring this to your attention not because I believe you will experience more pain than the rest of us in the coming months. Rather, I am predicting you will have extra power to alleviate your pain—especially when you raise your capacity to give and receive love.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): The planet Saturn entered Pisces in March 2023 and won't depart for good until February 2026. Is that a bad thing or good thing for you Pisceans? Some astrologers might say you are in a challenging time when you must make cutbacks and take on increased responsibility. I have a different perspective. I believe this is a phase when you can get closer than ever before to knowing exactly what you want and how to accomplish what you want. In my view, you are being called to shed secondary wishes that distract you from your life's central goals. I see this period as a homecoming—your invitation to glide into robust alignment with your soul's code.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Meditate on "creative destruction." How could you generate benefits by getting rid of burdens? {in}

freewillastrology.com

newsletter.freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

© 2024 Rob Brezsny

news of the weird

CREME DE LA WEIRD Arthur "Jack" Schubarth, 80, of Vaughn, Montana, pleaded guilty on March 12 to two felony wildlife crimes after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks conducted a years-long investigation, Business Insider reported. Schubarth was accused of buying, selling and breeding "alternative" livestock, such as mountain sheep and mountain goats, for captive hunting operations. Between 2013 and 2021, court documents said, he conspired with others to create a large hybrid species of sheep that would garner higher prices from shooting preserves. To do so, he brought parts of Marco Polo argali sheep from Kyrgyzstan to the U.S. without declaring them. His other crimes include forging veterinary documents and shipping hybrid semen to other breeders. He faces jail time, fines and supervised release.

RECURRING THEME It's baaaackkk. In the waning days of 2020, a tall silver monolith popped up in various locations in California, Texas, Romania and elsewhere. Now, Wales Online reports, it's back. The 10-foot-tall tower, which appears to be stainless steel, turned up near Hay-on-Wye in Wales around March 10, when Richard Haynes came across it while he was out for a run. "I thought it ... might be a scientific media research thing collecting rainwater. But then I realized it was way too tall and strange for that. It was hollow and I imagine ... light enough for two people to carry it up and plant it in the ground," Haynes said. Stay tuned.

AWESOME! LAD Bible reported on March 5 about two unacquainted Brits who were headed to a holiday in Bangkok, Thailand. At the airport, Mark Garland, 58, of Wiltshire, tried to check in, but gate staff told him he already had. After some sleuthing, they realized there was another Mark Garland (62, from Bristol) on the flight—and the look-alikes were seated next to each other. As it happens, they live only about 15 miles apart and sometimes ride the same bus. They even have a friend in common. "We were so shocked by how strange it was," said the younger Garland. "It was crazy—I have never known anything like it," said the older. "I've made a friend for life."

QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENT After Jacob Wright, 24, and Cambree Wright, 19, exchanged wedding vows on Feb. 10, it was time for pictures, Fox News reported. So Jacob grabbed his Apple Vision Pro headset and wore it while the photos were snapped. Jacob said he saw an opportunity to have fun and create a viral moment. "I was like, 'Oh, it'd be like such a meme. It'd be so funny if we just took some pictures with it on after the wedding." Sure enough, when they posted the pics, Cambree said she started getting "crazy" messages: "I woke up to 200-plus messages and just random girls telling me to divorce my husband." But the bride said the photos "perfectly encompass Jacob and his personality ... and what our relationship is like."

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

BRIGHT IDEA Amber Denae Wright of Cape Town, South Africa, has shared a marriage tip on TikTok that other wives may want to adopt, People reported on March 9. A video on the social media site shows her husband, Nick, talking when Amber plays orchestra music from her phone. When Nick asks, "What is that? What are you playing?" Amber says, "It's Oscars music. You know, when the speeches are too long ..." Nick's taking it well, though: "She's been doing this the whole week. Every time I tell a story! Is this gonna be the rest of my life?" One TikTok commenter suggested, "I should use this at work when guys mansplain."

FIELD REPORT New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told city council members on March 13 that rats had infested the department's building so thoroughly that they made their way into the evidence room and were eating confiscated marijuana. "They're all high," she said, according to the Associated Press. "The uncleanliness is off the charts." She elaborated, saying the building is full of mold and cockroaches, and staff suffer broken air conditioning and elevators.

THAT'S DISAPPOINTING The Pittsburgh Penguins planned to provide prized playthings to their passionate patrons on the evening of March 14, ESPN reported. (OK, that's enough of that.) NHL legend Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads were promised for the game against the San Jose Sharks—but the cargo was stolen during transit. Penguins president of business operations Kevin Acklin said the team is looking forward to "resolving this theft and delivering the prized Jagr bobbleheads to their rightful homes, with our fans." The hockey great commented, "The legend of Jagr continues."

THE PASSING PARADE On March 5 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a 42-year-old man was charged with battery and disorderly conduct with a weapon after his daughter called 911, saying her dad was naked and had a gun. The Smoking Gun reported the story—and the much more compelling backstory about Deez-Nuts Lee Kroll, the defendant. In 2011, Derrick Lee Kroll, then 29, petitioned the court and paid $164.50 for a name change. On the form, Kroll, who seems to be spelling-challenged, wrote his preferred name: Dez-Nuts Lee Kroll, and said his reason for the change was that "I with out a dout HATE MY NAME." Six years later, it occurred to DezNuts that he had spelled the name wrong, and he went to court to change his name again. At his recent run-in with the law, officers noted that he appeared to be intoxicated but cooperated with them. He was released on $2,000 bond. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird

© 2024 Andrews McMeel