Inweekly March 9 2023 Issue

SPRING BREAK OUTS

Things to see, hear and do this season (and into the next)

winners & losers

winners losers

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN The University of West Florida has appointed the retired U.S. Navy captain as its assistant vice president of facilities management. Martin will oversee all aspects of UWF's facilities and grounds operations, including building construction and maintenance, utility services, energy and environmental sustainability, and management of the department's staff. He will also maintain, develop and implement the 2022-2032 Campus Master Plan, including short and longterm planned capital improvement projects. Martin has more than 30 years of operational and personnel leadership experience and served as commanding officer at NAS Pensacola from 2016-2019.

CHARLES CARLAN The past president and founder of Hatch Mott MacDonald of Florida and Alabama passed away last month. Carlan served the community in several roles, including Pensacola Chamber chairman, Pensacola Junior College Foundation president, UWF Foundation treasurer, West Florida Regional Council chairman and First United Methodist Church capital campaign chairman. He was inducted as a fellow into the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Florida Engineering Society and was the first Chairman of the UWF Engineering Advisory Council. He played a significant role in building Northwest Florida.

CENTRAL CHURCH PENSACOLA BEACH

Teens living in two Lakeview Center foster care group homes will soon have new furniture to make their stays more comfortable, thanks to a $15,000 donation from Central Church Pensacola Beach. Lakeview Center's Arcadia Place and Cabot Heights serve teens in the foster care system who have experienced abuse or neglect and are struggling with mental health issues. The Central Church Pensacola Beach community has rallied around the group homes, starting with their "Hope for Kids Christmas Campaign."

PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE Capping off Black History Month, the "100 for 100" campaign celebrated recently over $43,000 raised since 2021. The campaign began as an "out-of-the-box" idea to help fund the African American Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Garrett T. Wiggins "Live Your Dream" Scholarship. The success and growth of this campaign are due to its avid supporters and dedicated volunteers.

MICHELLE SALZMAN The Republican state representative is so upset with Escambia County School Superintendent Tim Smith that she wrote a letter on her official letterhead requesting he should resign, warning, "every day that we prolong this transition to new leadership, there is a child who is bullied, a child who drops out, a child who attempts suicide, a child who loses hope." While we've seen more interference from state lawmakers in public education than ever before, the school board, not Rep. Salzman, was elected to appoint the school superintendent. Using her position in the Florida Legislature to force someone to resign is an abuse of power.

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY The nonprofit paid Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund to review aspects of its finances and tried to pass off the final report as being "fully open and honest with the public about the financial well-being of PHS and reassure the community of PHS's financial position moving forward." However, the report did not include a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and accompanying financial notes. We still don't have a full picture of its operations. The nonprofit doesn't list its board members or post its board minutes on its website. It doesn't appear to have followed the best practices of such groups as the National Council of Nonprofits. To rebuild the public's trust, PHS must quit playing games and be fully transparent.

ANDY OGLES

The freshman Republican congressman stated in his official bio that he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, "where he studied policy and economics." According to his official college transcript, Ogles never took a MTSU economics class and graduated with 2.4 GPA with a degree in international relations and a major in liberal studies. The congressman took 17 years to attain his degree, Nashville's NewsChannel 5 reported. Olges did confess to a local paper—"When I pulled my transcript to verify, I realized I was mistaken." The TV show "Poker Face" could have an entire episode focused on GOP lawmakers.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES Groups wanting space at the Florida Capitol to inform lawmakers on issues must get an official sponsor "to demonstrate"and must align with a state agency's mission, according to a new DMS policy.

Christopher Martin / Photo Courtesy of UWF Michelle Salzman / Photo Courtesy Florida House

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

APPOINTED WORKS FOR ALL

In 2018, Escambia County voters approved empowering the school board to search nationwide for the best educator to run the Escambia County School District. People saw that the elected superintendent system wasn't working.

At the time, the district ranked 53 out of 67 counties and had some of the state's lowest-performing elementary and middle schools. Our newspaper had uncovered the Newpoint Academy racketeering scheme that eventually stretched to five other counties and became the largest charter school scandal in Florida history.

Many leaders believed the struggling public education system was holding Escambia County back, making it difficult to attract new industries and provide qualified workers for local businesses. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, who was serving his third term, was balking on accepting a $3 million workforce development from Triumph Gulf Coast because he didn't like the performance measurements. He eventually refused to sign the contract.

After a year-long search, the school board hired Dr. Tim Smith from Orlando to be the first appointed superintendent, and he took over in November 2020 after Thomas finished his final term. Smith spent the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year working under a budget that Thomas developed and with his predecessor's leadership team. And he had to deal with a pandemic.

Despite the challenges, the school district improved its ranking to 48 last year, Smith's first full school year. The district's grade improved from a C in 2018 to a B, and its number of B schools increased from eight to 14 while keeping the same number of A schools.

Now there is a move to have the voters reconsider the appointed superintendent with another referendum in 2024. School Board Member Kevin Adams has placed the issue on the board's agenda for its March 21 meeting because he says citizens asked him to do it during his 2022 re-election campaign.

School Board Chairman Paul Fetsko has said his constituents aren't happy with some of Smith's decisions, and he doesn't believe it matters whether the superintendent is elected or ap -

pointed. For him, it's the person holding the position that is important.

State Rep. Michelle Salzman still supports appointing the superintendent but wants Smith to resign because he hasn't done what she wants with workforce training, her Mental Health Task Force and the district's magnet schools.

Some people liked having a powerful, elected superintendent even though the district suffered. They liked having someone that doled out favors behind the scenes, found jobs for their family and friends, and cut deals that worked for them. School board members weren't held responsible for the district's performance and could push criticism toward the elected superintendent. If citizens complained, the school board would tell them to take it up with the superintendent at the next election. State lawmakers applied pressure behind closed doors to get their pet projects done.

But those who didn't have the elected superintendent's ear were locked out of the system. Their calls went unanswered, and their kids got no special treatment.

Switching to an appointed superintendent leveled the playing field for all Escambia families. The responsibility and accountability for public education shifted from one supreme leader to five board members. If three board members aren't satisfied with the superintendent's decisions and job performance, they can replace him. They don't have to wait for the next election and hope a better candidate ran for the office.

If Adams and Fetsko believe citizens' complaints are valid, they should put Smith's continued employment on the agenda and hold a public hearing on whether he should be retained. If they get one more school board member to agree with termination, the district will search for a new superintendent.

Rep. Salzman has to do what every other citizen does. She must talk with all five school board members, individually or in a public meeting, and garner their support for her ideas.

The switch to appointed has improved the school district. A return to superintendent elections opens the door to more backroom politics.

{in} rick@inweekly.net

The switch to appointed has improved the school district.

FLORIDA OUTDOOR SHARED SPACES

SMOKEFREE POLICIES CAN HELP OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.

The Florida Clean Air Act was first passed in 1985 and adjusted over time to protect public health.

The recent update to Florida’s seminal Florida Clean Air Act, “The Regulation of Smoking by Counties and Municipalities Act”, allows local governments to enact policies to restrict smoking in outdoor shared spaces they own and operate, such as public beaches and community parks.

This change allows local leaders to set policies tailored to their communities rather than a statewide policy covering both Florida’s smallest towns and biggest cities.

Communities can also set policies regarding the use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products in public places. Only unfiltered cigars are specifically omitted from the new local enforcement.

Since the law took effect July 1, 2022, many cities and counties across Florida have already begun to discuss how smokefree public places could help reduce a major source of toxic litter and how restrictions on tobacco use in places where kids play could keep young people from ever starting to use these products.

QUESTI ON S

Are cigarette butts found on the beach often?

For over 30 years, cigarette butts have been the most commonly found item in Ocean Conservancy’s annual Florida beach cleanup. Florida communities today spend thousands of dollars each week collecting thousands of cigarettes from public places. This toxic waste product was encountered more than all the straws and stirrers, cans, glass bottles and plastic grocery bags combined.

How do cigarette butts impact the environment?

Cigarettes are not biodegradable, and the plastics and toxic chemicals in cigarettes and their filters can be harmful if they enter the water supply. Cigarette butts can also be ingested by curious children, pets, or marine life mistaking the litter for food.

Is e-cigarette waste a problem?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists “nicotine & salts”, the chemicals found in e-cigarette cartridges and disposable devices, as an “acute hazardous waste.” Lithium-ion batteries, which are found in rechargeable e-cigarettes, are not only hazardous waste, but have also been known to explode and catch fire.

Will smokefree shared spaces negatively impact tourism?

Smokefree public policies can help support the economy by increasing tourism due to clean, pristine beaches. Litter free beaches are cited as an important decision-making factor when choosing a vacation destination. With thousands of public parks and hundreds of beaches across the country with smokefree policies, clean and smokefree beaches will become increasingly more important for Florida’s visitors.

What is the local impact of smokefree beaches and parks?

Smokefree shared space policies change the social norms surrounding tobacco and prevent people, including teens, from starting to smoke. When communities introduce smokefree policies, they also reduce the risk of exposure to secondhand smoke, which is associated with thousands of deaths each year. Spaces like beaches and parks are part of promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. Smoking bans in public places have been found to directly and significantly reduce the number of hospital admissions with cardiac events such as heart at tacks.

For more information on how to get involved, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/get-involved.

ST ENGINEERING EXPANDS FOOTPRINT

Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May made the importance of job creation more personal for the audience.

"This is a collaboration as the mayor, city, federal, state, local city, county coming together for the great common good," said May, who chairs the county commission. "But more importantly to me, we are able to provide jobs at $50,000-$60,000 salaries without saying you must have a PhD or master's degree."

Airport on Monday, Feb. 27.

"The opening of this latest hangar for our airframe MRO complex comes at a time when air travel is rapidly recovering to pre-pandemic levels, giving us the necessary capacity to pursue new opportunities in the Americas and support our loyal customers," said Jeffrey Lam, president of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering.

ST Engineering North America President Timothy McBride expressed the company's appreciation to the local, state and federal officials for their continued support for the MRO complex in Florida and reiterated ST Engineering's commitment.

"As the aviation industry continues to recover from the pandemic, the airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul complex will create hundreds of new job opportunities in the region," said McBride. "We are dedicated to working with state and local leaders to maintain Northwest Florida's status as a national hub for the aviation industry and to bring more highquality engineering and aviation maintenance jobs to the community."

AVIATION FOOTPRINT

The initial Memorandum of Understanding between ST Engineering and the city of Pensacola was signed in December 2013 during Mayor Ashton Hayward's first term. The city agreed to build a hangar for $37,344,300, with funding help from the Florida Department of Transportation, the Industry Recruitment, Retention and Expansion Fund, Federal Airport Improvement Program and Escambia County. ST Engineering agreed to create 300 jobs and invest $7.2 million in the facility. The hangar was completed in June 2018.

In October 2018, weeks before leaving office, Hayward announced the $210 million Project Titan that would add three more hangars and increase the jobs to 1,700. Pulling together the same group of partners and Triumph Gulf Coast, he secured commitments for $180 million but left office with his successor needing to find another $30 million.

needed to pledge the balance for the expansion.

At the ceremony, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves acknowledged his predecessors, Hayward and Grover Robinson, and the dozens of others who have worked to make the MRO campus possible.

"What I'm most excited for as we move ahead is we've seen amazing positive change in the city of Pensacola in the last 15 years," said Reeves. "And what I really believe is the 2.0 for Pensacola is opening the funnel of opportunity not only for talented people to move here but also for opportunities for our children and our grandchildren to come home or stay home."

He continued, "That's what makes me so, so excited about this partnership is that 2.0— the ability for us to say, you can live in Pensacola, Florida; you can do to Pensacola, Florida; and have a great life and a great quality of life for yourself and your family."

The new facility is the second of four hangars at an airframe MRO complex developed by ST Engineering. When completed, it will be the country's largest MRO complex, making Pensacola the leader in aviation mechanic training. As part of the ceremony, Lam and Dr. Ed Meadows of Pensacola State College signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an Aviation Training Academy.

Under the MOU, ST Engineering and Pensacola State will collaborate to develop a Federal Aviation Administration Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Technician School at the Pensacola International Airport. ST Engineering will develop an apprenticeship program and provide "direct to industry" job opportunities for the academy's apprentices, while Pensacola State College will seek FAA approval for the certification of the academy partnership and work together with ST Engineering to strengthen public awareness of career opportunities in the aviation sector.

Dr. Meadows explained the academy to Inweekly after the ceremony. "In working with our

tional training academy that will allow us not only

the next phase, an educational facility will be located with hangar three on the west side of the airport, off of Tippin Avenue, right across the street from our campus."

Targeting to roll out training in 2024, the academy will help support the talent needs of ST Engineering's airframe MRO complex in Pensacola, as well as meet the hiring needs of the aviation industry in the region, including Leonardo Helicopters in Santa Rosa County.

"The charter academy is the only way you can get the number of mechanics that both the Leonardo Helicopter and ST Engineering need," said Dr. Meadows

ABOUT FAMILY

State Sen. Doug Broxson mentioned his conversation with Dr. Meadows after the BP oil spill in 2010 about attracting new jobs to the area. "How do we create a world-class place to converge industry and education? How many places in this country have an airport next to a world-class community college and now with world-class business such as ST?"

He announced, "And this coming (legislative) session, we're going to merge those three together, and we're going have a charter vocational school that's going to be embedded here across the street, and it's going to send a clear message to our students in high school. Yes, college is a great thing to do, but does it create a great job? We want to show you a way that you can go directly into the workplace and earn a good living and be close to your family."

The new 177,000-square-foot hangar features two bays capable of accommodating widebody aircraft, effectively doubling ST Engineering's existing capacity in Pensacola and further solidifying its regional presence. The hangar, which currently supports a major customer's Airbus A300 program, started operations in January this year. When fully operational, it is expected to generate over 400 new high-value job opportunities for the local community.

He pointed to the rows of ST workers standing behind the audience. "So what this means to me is when I walked into this building, I was greeted by a guy by the name of Edward Hayes. He grew up in Oakwood Terrace and Truman Arms, went to Woodham High School with me, and now he's employed, making a difference. What this means to me is Savon Mars, who grew up on the Superfund site on Pearl Street, walked up and hugged my neck because he's part of the construction team. And so that's what it means to me is we're making a real difference in the lives of real people."

The next phase includes two more hangars on the west side of the Pensacola International Airport near 12th Avenue. Last May, ST Engineering and United Airlines, Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the MRO Americas 2022 conference in Dallas. Under the MOU, ST Engineering will extend its heavy maintenance support to United by servicing additional narrowbody aircraft at the airframe MRO complex.

State Rep. Alex Andrade tied the MRO complex and economic development to family. "When you talk about economic development, what you're really talking about is family, the concept of people being able to have a job to support their family in an accessible way in the local community."

He added, "We're working to train up the next generation of folks to raise their families and to stay here and support them and seek a better way of it and pursue that American dream, something that's very exciting."

Collier Merrill, vice chairman of Triumph Gulf Coast, built on Andrade's comments, citing the efforts of Don Gaetz, the former Florida Senate president, and Lewis Bear Jr. The pair developed the plan for the state to create Triumph Gulf Coast to use the fines paid by BP for its environmental disaster to rebuild and diversify Northwest Florida's economy.

"David Bear, our chair, is with his father, who's not doing well," said Merrill, holding back tears. "Lewis had done a lot of things that he's not going see complete, but he did this in his 70s. I remember 10 years ago, he was talking to Mayor Hayward in Lewis's role as PEDC chair about getting this thing going. And then he went on to become part of Triumph. And, you know, he's 82 years old. He doesn't need to do this, but he's doing it."

He asked the audience to share a moment of silence in Bear's honor, who passed away later in the week. The special tribute made the significance of the ribbon-cutting ceremony that much more memorable for those in attendance. {in}

ST Engineering Ribbon-cutting / Photo Courtesy of City Pensacola

REVISITING SUPER DECISION

Fetsko feels that who serves as superintendent is more relevant than the selection model. "It doesn't matter how a person gets into the position; it's what they demonstrate when they're in the position."

HOW VS. WHO

Dr. Tim Smith took over the school district near the end of the first semester of the 202021 school year during the thick of the COVID pandemic. Fed up with low-performing schools, voters had voted in 2018 to shift from an elected superintendent to an appointed one in the hope of taking politics out of public education, but Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have refused to let classrooms alone as superintendents have dealt with pandemic logistics and labor shortages.

"I believe that we need to exercise a little bit of understanding here," school board member Patty Hightower told Inweekly. "There was a lot of things going on."

But Fetsko isn't letting Smith off the hook. "Tim Smith did not cause COVID; Tim Smith did not cause stay-home-from school; that's not the issue. I believe it's more the way things were handled by the current superintendent."

By Jeremy Morrison

After two years with an appointed superintendent, the Escambia County School District may be heading for a course reversal, with talk of reverting to an elected-superintendent model. On March 21, the school board will vote on a resolution to have voters decide. If the board approves, then the resolution will go before the county commission, which must sign off on the referendum before the Florida Legislature votes to put the issue on the ballot.

Board Chairman Paul Fetsko shared many constituents want to return to an elected superintendent because they believe the change has not been beneficial. "There are people who believe they were duped into voting for something that didn't come to fruition. They were told that im

mediately you're going to have higher test scores; you're gonna have higher attendance; everything's gonna be better. And that is not the case."

Since Board Member Kevin Adams announced he would introduce a referendum on the matter on the March 2024 presidential preference primary, Superintendent Tim Smith has taken most of the heat, with critics focused on his handling of politically hot issues, such as the removing of books challenged as obscene from school libraries and classrooms.

"I think it has to do with politics," fellow board member Patty Hightower reasoned recently. However, she's unsure why returning to an elected superintendent would be politically beneficial to any particular viewpoint. "But when I think of it that way, how do you ensure that you will elect somebody you agree with? And if you elect 'em, you've got 'em for four years."

According to the chairman, constituents have come to him with their complaints about the superintendent. The complaints tend to lean into politicized issues, such as a staff training video that the chairman described as "very much a CRT promotion" and "a straightforward indoctrination thing."

"It overwhelmed me that people said they wished they had the chance to vote on it again," Fetsko said. "They were not happy with decisions that had been made by the current superintendent."

Based on his constituent's complaints, the board chairman said, "I will most likely vote in favor of putting it up for a referendum, but I will not say that I support it."

SHALLOW THINKING?

State Rep. Michelle Salzman isn't ready to return to an elected superintendent, but she be -

lieves Smith needs to go. Last week, she issued a statement calling for his resignation, adding to her demand, "Every day that we prolong this transition to new leadership there is a child who is bullied, a child who drops out, a child who attempts suicide, a child who loses hope."

Brushing Salzman's hyperbole aside, Superintendent Smith said he has no plans to resign. "No, I am not. That is not the direction that I'm heading. We are moving forward. There's some good work being done, and we have more work to be done as we continue to really look to reach all of our kids."

He feels a whiplash reversal of models would be destabilizing. "We haven't seen challenges like this before, so to say all of this is the superintendent's fault, let's be done with him, that's just shallow thinking, first of all. But the other thing is, it's just not right; you just can't lead a community around like this, saying, 'This year, we want this; this year, we want that.'"

On that second point, Quint Studer, a major proponent of the appointed system, agrees. "They're throwing the baby out with the bathwater here. You've got to give it a chance and let it work."

By Studer's estimation, the school board has the responsibility to appoint an effective superintendent. If Smith's not the guy, try again. "In my mind, if you don't like the job the person's doing, then change the person, but you don't throw out the whole system."

Hightower agrees. "If three of five think it's time for him to go, then three of the five can start negotiations for a severance package."

But she won't be one of the three. "I don't believe we've had enough opportunities to see any results of anything he has put into play."

She's not sure what the real issue even is. "I wish we could separate it from, 'OK, is this a lot of conversation about the books? Is this really about the superintendent's abilities? Is it really about we just don't like the fact that this person is appointed and we want to be in charge of electing somebody? Are they three separate issues or are they all intertwined?"

Hightower added, "I want to have that conversation." {in}

Superintendent Tim Smith / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County Public Schools

LIFEGUARDS BACK Pensacola Beach Lifeguards returned to their towers on Wednesday, March 1, for the 2023 lifeguard season. Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week, shifting from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 12. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which begin staffing Memorial Day weekend.

"Our lifesaving team is prepared to prevent and respond to all unknown events that may occur in this amazing and wonderful part of our world," said Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood.

Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 98 rescues from drowning and 115 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress. They also attended to 54 major medical incidents and assisted 30 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards contacted beachgoers over 150,000 times during the 2022 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips.

In preparation for the 2023 season, Pensacola Beach hired 14 new lifeguards and welcomed 36 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including over 60 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more. On Saturday, March 18, the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will host a tryout in an effort to bring on more qualified lifeguards. For more information, visit bit.ly/3y1TEqj.

STILL NOT TRANSPARENT Last week, the Pensacola Humane Society released a report produced by Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund "to be fully open and honest with the public about the financial well-being of PHS and reassure the community of PHS's financial position moving forward. "

Though PHS referred to the report as "a type of financial audit," the report only focused on ac-

counting areas that PHS wanted Saltmarsh to review. Its title is "Independent Accountant's Report on Applying Agreed Upon Procedures," and it can be found on pensacolahumane.com.

In its cover letter, Saltmarsh wrote the purpose of the report was "to review certain accounting records and transactions and overall financial reporting of the Society for appropriateness." The CPA firm stated the report was intended only for the information of the use of the Board of Directors and management.

In other words, the report may not be the forensic audit that former staff and volunteers had wanted when they resigned and the PHS shelter shut down in December.

Unlike traditional audit reports, the Saltmarsh report didn't include balance sheets or income and loss statements. There were no footnotes to provide more detailed information that would be found in a traditional audit.

An outsider reading this PHS report only gets a vague view of PHS finances and must rely on the CPA firm's judgments without supporting documentation.

What did the report say? Cash: Bank statements were reconciled monthly. The former executive director and/or board treasurer signed all the checks. No overdrafts occurred thanks to two advances from a $100,000 line of credit for $20K and $50K.

The report doesn't say when the advances were made but does state the line of credit was to cover "temporary cash shortfalls." When were those cash shortfalls? There are no footnotes on the specifics about the line of credit, which would have been included in a traditional audit.

Cash Disbursements & Credit Card Testing: Former executive director may have violated board policies by splitting checks to avoid the $5,000 threshold set by the board. However, all disbursements tested were properly supported and represented valid business expenses.

Investments: PHS has $1,098,555 in investments, and only $6,569 is in cash and alternatives.

Payroll: Saltmarsh questioned the bonus payments made to the former development director. However, there are no minutes or documentation showing the board ever approved the incentive plan. PHS doesn't post its board minutes or the name of its board members on its website.

Donations: Saltmarsh found numerous small donations, totaling $49,422, that were not tracked as Net Assets with Donor Restrictions. The total of properly tracked restrictions was $105,718, and the CPA firm said PHS has sufficient assets available to satisfy donor requirements. However, the report doesn't state if the checking account has the cash or if the assets are locked up in the investment accounts.

Financial Reporting: Board treasurer reviewed monthly financial information with the board.

SPECIAL HONORS Last month, the Pensacola Navy League honored two Escambia County Fire Rescue volunteer firefighters at its 2023 Military Recognition Day.

Petty Officer Michael Rosa, USN, received the 2023 Volunteer Service Medal with a certificate of recognition signed by President Joe Biden. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Rosa serves as the project lead for a Combat Support Team, leading 26 sailors covering 10 lines of effort. He also is a Target Analysis Report Subject Matter Expert. Petty Officer Rosa has dedicated over 500 hours of service to Escambia County.

Staff Sergeant Cheyann Smith, USAF, was recognized as the 2023 Margaret Flowers Award recipient. She serves as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Commander's Support Section. A natural fundraiser, she completely overhauled the command booster club to hold 15 separate events, which funded her squadron's holiday party and provided financial support for a squadron mate that lost their spouse. While off-duty, Staff Sergeant Smith has responded to over 80 fire rescue calls for ECFR.

"Taking the time and being willing to go out of your way to help others without being told to in itself is awesome," said Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core. "'Service Beyond Self' is a term heard in the military and in Public Safety. It is a trait of behaviors clearly evident by two of Escambia County's firefighters."

Petty Officer Rosa serves out of ECFR Station 11, and Staff Sergeant Smith out of ECFR Station 2.

FPL DROPPING RATES A day after J.T. Young, vice president and general manager of FPL Northwest Florida Region, announced customers should expect an increase in their electric bills in April, Florida Power & Light reversed course and said it would decrease rates in May. The flip-flop occurred last week at the 2023 FPL Northwest Florida Economic Symposium in Sandestin.

"Earlier this morning, we filed another motion with the (Florida Public Service) Commission to

actually lower bills in May as a result of the lowerthan-expected natural gas prices, so this is a big win," Young said, inciting applause from the audience on Wednesday, March 1.

That marked an about-face from what Young said on Tuesday at the symposium. He said, "We anticipate there may be some bill adjustments in April, mostly due to higher-than-anticipated fuel costs last year along with some storm recovery costs following hurricanes."

In January, FPL announced plans to ask the Florida Public Service Commission to approve collecting $1.3 billion from customers due to costs from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole and another $2.1 million related to higher natural gas prices. FPL expects a ruling from the Public Service Commission by March 7. The collections would be spread out over 21 months.

Increased rates would impact customers who use 1,000-plus kilowatt hours of electricity. The increase would be slightly over $13 a month or 8%. Northwest Florida customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity would pay an average of $173.09 a month.

Gulf Power transitioned to FPL in January 2022. Young described the transition as "bumpy." FPL increased rates significantly last year to the point that Pensacola customers protested at City Hall and sought bill relief from the Florida Legislature.

Earlier this month, the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments from two groups who challenged the Public Service Commission unanimously approving a settlement that allows FPL to raise rates over four years. The Supreme Court is yet to rule on the challenges.

The plan filed with the PSC plan would reduce fuel charges by $4.43 a month. According to FPL staff, in addition to this filing to reduce fuel costs, the PSC staff has recommended spreading the costs of prior Northwest Florida storms—Michael, Sally and Zeta—across all of FPL's customers.

If approved, that would help offset some of the increases, removing about $10 a month from the typical customer bill. The PSC's proposal would provide additional relief for Northwest Florida customers by rolling those charges off the bill much faster–in 12 months rather than 21.

The overall net would be a decrease in monthly electric bills of $1.43 a month. Hooray.

WEAPONIZING RELIGION Last month, Jeremy Morrison reported on the FlashPoint Live event in Brownsville and its connection to Christian nationalism (Inweekly, "Selling Snake Oil in the Promised Land," 2/23/23).

To better understand Christian nationalism, The Lincoln Project's Chief of Staff Ryan Wiggins recommends reading "Jesus and John Wayne" by Kristin Kobes Du Mez.

"It is about how the evangelical movement started and how we ended up with this Christian nationalism mindset," said Wiggins on WCOA. "It goes against what this country was founded on. We were separating from the Church of England, and we wanted to be able to worship how

Photo Courtesy of Pensacola Beach Lifeguards

we wanted it and where we wanted and who we wanted. (Christian nationalism) slides in the face of all of that."

She believes that Christian nationalism is harming the religion and more. "It's running people away from Christianity, and it's poisoning our democracy."

She later added, "What would you do if this was Muslim nationalism? That is what is happening over in the Middle East … The exact same thing these Christian nationalists are trying to do to this country is what the Muslim nationalists are doing to Iran … Either way, it's an affront to human rights. And it is not our place to decide what other people have to believe."

before with another mayor, I didn't find the willingness to get things done."

The councilman continued. "We have an issue up here with the house that has been somewhat abandoned and going through the process of evicting the resident. I've just had great support from law enforcement and sanitation, and I continue to get that. D.C. is very focused on metrics, and I like that."

RUN RON

RUN Gov. Ron DeSantis canceled a scheduled appearance at the Florida Power & Light Northwest Florida Economic Symposium, but lobbyist Darrick McGhee provided the attendees with a Florida legislative update that included what happens if DeSantis runs for the Republican presidential nomination.

Florida law currently says state officeholders must resign if they run for a federal office. McGhee said he expects DeSantis to seek the nomination and for lawmakers to pass a bill that ensures he remains governor unless he is elected president.

"What will end up happening is the governor will not have to resign his seat as sitting governor to run for president," said McGhee, chief operating officer for the lobbying firm Johnson & Blanton LLC. "Nothing really changes other than he'll now be a sitting governor running nationally for president, as well, but nothing will change via law or constitution. You will only see a change if he is successful in November of next year as far as winning the presidency."

On Sunday, Feb. 26, Fox News released a poll that showed Republican primary voters favored former President Donald Trump over DeSantis. Trump received 43% of the vote, followed by DeSantis at 28%. Other polls indicate the opposite, with DeSantis ahead of Trump by double-digit percentage points in some instances.

If DeSantis was elected president in November 2024, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez would be sworn in and act as governor for the remainder of the term. DeSantis' term expires two years after the presidential election. McGhee said Núñez would then have the option to appoint a lieutenant governor or leave that office vacant.

"Albeit a running mate, the authority of the lieutenant governor is given to him or her by the governor," he said.

McGhee said if DeSantis were elected president, there would be no shortage of candidates for governor in 2026. He said he could name six off the top of his head, but he declined to share their names with the audience.

"I can tell you there will be a lot of people considering running because it will be an open ticket," he said.

MORE COOPERATION Charles Bare is serving for the second time on the Pensacola City Council. He held an at-large seat from 20122016 and a charter amendment eliminated the at-large seats. Last year, Bare was elected to serve District 2.

Inweekly asked him about life under Mayor D.C. Reeves.

"I can tell you that the mayor's staff has been incredible to work with," Bare said. "Having served

SUMMER YOUTH JOBS Applications are now open for the Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program through Friday, March 10, at 3 p.m., at myescambia.com/youthemployment. Physical applications will not be available. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

The program is open to Escambia County youth ages 16-24 interested in an opportunity to receive paid work experience this summer. Qualified youth who are accepted into the program will be able to work up to 30 hours a week, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector's Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as postemployment briefings.

Last summer, over 150 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.

Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program can found at myescambia.com. For additional information, please call Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3123 or (850) 595-3130.

STARTING A BUSINESS You have an idea for a business. Develop your business idea with the Florida SBDC's "Starting a Business" workshop from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, March 10. In this workshop, participants will discuss the details of launching a new venture, including how to determine feasibility and legal structures, licensing and permitting, funding options for the business and basic marketing strategies. Location: Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, CO:LAB Building, fourth floor, 418 W. Garden St. Fee is $50. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open "Training & Events." Presented by Christa Wilson, Associate Director, Florida SBDC at UWF. Sponsored by Cadence Bank and Wells Fargo.

VENDOR OPEN HOUSE The Escambia County Office of Purchasing will host a free vendor open house Wednesday, March 22, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The open house will take place in the purchasing office on the second floor of the Matt Langley Bell III Building, 213 Palafox.

During the open house, Escambia County Purchasing representatives will review the procurement process, bid packages, vendor registry, bonds, as well as a new task order program. Staff will be available to answer questions during the event as well. This event is open to current vendors and anyone who is interested in registering as a vendor with Escambia County.

Escambia County encourages local, small, women and minority-owned businesses to register as vendors with the county. Businesses recorded on the vendor registry have an immediate advantage to act on any advertised bid solicitations that fit the description of their business. To register, visit bit.ly/3ZcvWn5. {in}

W E E K L Y S P E C I A L S

M E A T L O A F M O N D A Y S

$ 5 M e a t l o a f S p e c i a l w i t h m a s h e d p o t a t o e s a n d g r e e n b e a n s . D i n e i n O n l y . E v e r y M o n d a y s t a r t i n g a t 4 p . m .

T A C E A U X T U E S D A Y

$ 2 C a j u n s t y l e t a c o s . D i n e i n o n l y . E v e r y T u e s d a y s t a r t i n g a t 4 p . m .

W I N G W E D N E S D A Y

J o i n u s f o r 5 0 c e n t w i n g s D i n e i n o n l y

E v e r y W e d n e s d a y s t a r t i n g a t 4 p m

SPRING BREAK OUTS

Technically, it's not spring until March 20. But just like our regional weather patterns, we're getting ahead a start on the sunny season. To help you do the same, we've put together the ultimate spring to-do list, complete with festivals, markets and outdoor concerts. {in}

Feeling Festive

Upcoming food and music festivals

Pensacola VegFest

March 25

pensacolavegfest.com

Pensacola JazzFest

April 1-2 jazzpensacola.com

Pensacola Beach Crawfish Festival

April 21-23

bamboowillies.com

Earth Day Pensacola

April 22

earthdaypensacola.org

Pensacola Crawfish Festival

April 28-30 fiestapensacola.org

Hangout Music Fest

May 19-21

hangoutmusicfest.com

Get in a Routine

Reoccurring events worth making a regular thing Palafox Market

Every Saturday palafoxmarket.com

Pensacola Arts Market

•First Friday of each month at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten

•Fourth Saturday of each month at Cordova Square, starting March 25

•Third Sunday of each month at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, staring March 19 facebook.com/pensacolaartsmarket

Gallery Night

Third Friday of each month gallerynightpensacola.org

Bands on the Blackwater

Every Friday beginning March 31 and running through June 9 miltonfl.org

Bands on the Beach

Every Tuesday beginning April 4 and running through Oct. 31 visitpensacolabeach.com

It's a Date

Upcoming community and cultural events worth putting on your calendar

McGuire's 5K

March 11 mcguiresirishpub.com

Pensacola Opera presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Carousel"

March 17-19

pensacolaopera.com

Pensacola Little Theatre presents "The Addams Family"

March 17-April 2 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Bike Pensacola's March Slow Ride

March 18

bikepensacola.org

Brown Bag Opera

March 21 pensacolaopera.com

Cupcakke

March 22 vinylmusichall.com

Broadway in Pensacola presents "Jesus Christ Superstar"

April 5-6

p ensacolasaenger.com

Blue Wahoos Home Opener

April 7 bluewahoos.com

Flow Tribe

April 8 vinylmusichall.com

PSO in the Park

April 16 & May 14 pensacolasymphony.com

Ballet Pensacola presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

April 21-23 & 28-30

balletpensacola.org

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Season Finale: "Dvořák Symphony No. 7"

April 22

pensacolasymphony.com

Broadway in Pensacola presents "The Book of Mormon"

April 25-27

pensacolasaenger.com

Pensacola Little Theatre presents "Nebula of Georgia"

May 19-27

pensacolalittletheatre.com

Post Pluto

May 20 vinylmusichall.com

Townie Tours

Perfect places to play tourist for a day

Historic Pensacola (includes multiple museums and living history tours) historicpensacola.org

Pensacola Museum of Art pensacolamuseum.org

Pensacola MESS Hall pensacolamesshall.org

Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum pensacolalighthouse.org

Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier fishpensacolabeachpier.com

Emerald Coast Tours emeraldcoasttours.net

Premier Dolphin Cruise pensacoladolphincruise.com

Pensacola Bay City Ferry pensacolabaycityferry.com

Arts & Entertainment

New Roof, Old Legacy

all the time. That was really awesome because I got to go and see that there were other people my age."

More than just a music scene, the DIY house shows provided a sense of community to young people who may struggle to find it anywhere else.

"I think all ages [shows] are really important because it helps people who may be alternative but don't have the language of like a DIY ethos. So they come and meet people who supply them with that language and vocabulary. Then they say, 'Well, I actually do belong. I have a community.'"

Outside of providing the music scene another space to find community over live music, the Bugghouse provides valuable community services like sponsoring the nearby park's monthly trash cleanups, keeping a nearby food and book pantry well stocked, and frequently volunteering to raise funds for other local organizations and causes.

"We've done Lady Fest in the past," said Ballard. "We've done shows for STRIVE; we've done shows for the Pensacola Abortion Rights Task Force. So we try to pretty much take what we've laid out and what we've been able to do and think about how we can put that to use in other aspects besides just bringing in people for a fun time."

Since launching the re-roofing fundraiser in February on GoFundMe, Ballard says the community has raised almost half of the necessary funds.

"Fundraising is going really well," said Ballard. "We're trying to reach up to $10,000. That's like our max goal. For every quote I've gotten, it's looking like a new roof is gonna be about $13-14 thousand just to get what we need."

Beyond the online fundraiser, Ballard has hosted a yard sale and a live show at The Handlebar. Later this month, supporters and music fans will have another opportunity to support the efforts—at a Monday night Bugghouse show headlined by Virginia band Keep plus locals Box Cutter

"Anything will help. If you give $1 or $5, if you share the post, whatever you do, it'll show that Pensacola DIY is alive and it's a really healthy and supportive community that takes care of its mem-

It's a tradition that began from the start, explained Ballard.

"People were up on the roof the very first time for a show we had here, and it just kind of became a staple. At that time, the house was still kind of under construction and we were getting things fixed. So the contractors left a ladder, and people saw that opportunity and took it and that ladder is still there. The contractors left it, maybe out of an act of faith for us."

Despite its popularity as a prime viewing location for show attendees, Ballard says that's got nothing to do with the dire straits the roof is currently facing.

paying pretty much what it costs to rent in Pensacola now, which is, you know, pretty high."

While popular venues like The Handlebar and Vinyl Music Hall frequently host mid-scale live music and touring bands, the heart of the Pensacola DIY punk scene lives on at house shows like those hosted at the Bugghouse.

"As a kid, I had house shows because that's what most shows in Pensacola were, and you just get a deeper sense of community and belonging whenever you're either in someone's personal space or also just like with a community and you feel like, 'I can exist here and not be persecuted or looked at,'" said Ballard.

a continuation."

Ballard, who began attending shows when he was in his early teens and performing and organizing other house shows not much later, also believes in the value of a DIY scene for those typically too young to attend shows at official venues.

"I got into the punk scene when I was like 13 or 14, and I was amazed at how open things were back then," said Ballard.

Ballard says venues like Sluggo's and The Handlebar were important resources for young punks like him.

"There was no underage drinking allowed at Sluggo's, but they would let underage kids come in

BUGGHOUSE RE-ROOF FUNDRAISER SHOW

WHAT: A Monday night house show featuring Keep, Box Cutter and Wild Charge

WHEN: 7 p.m., Monday, March 13

WHERE: Bugghouse

PRICE: $10-$15 recommended donation

DETAILS: @diypensacola

*You can also donate to the Bugghouse fundraiser online at gofundme.com/f/reroofthe-bugghouse.

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

Bugghouse Roof / Photo by Andrew Velasco (@andrevvve)

By Savannah Evanoff

Unlocking Life Through Rhythm

noticed him spending time with people who were going to college and doing positive things with their futures. Thomas took his first college tour with the Omega Lamplighters in 10th grade.

"He started asking more questions about leadership," Thomas said. "I think it was just us unlocking something that was already in him."

Thomas went to Florida A&M University, joined Omega Psi Phi and became SGA vice president, the second-highest position on campus.

Ladarius Clardy, a former Pine Forest High School star football player and 4.0 student, was one of the brightest Lamplighters, Freeman said.

has that step rhythm flow that's very consistent with what happens with stepping."

The GCODE showcase will feature partner organizations, which are other mentoring organizations and other step teams—local and national.

"We have a team from Atlanta, Dance 4 Your Life!, they're a very popular team," Freeman said. "They've been on television, they do dance tours and their founder is actually from Pensacola, so it's a great story for her to always come and participate in GCODE."

Bryan Freeman calls it a life hack.

The life hack he discovered, though, specifically works for the kindergarten-through-12thgrade boys he mentors as executive director of the Omega Lamplighters.

He stumbled onto how this "hack" unlocked important life principles while attending Florida A&M University as a first-generation college student.

"I realized that even (for) college students, the art of stepping dance is something that not only brings them together—it creates bonds—but preparing for it, executing it and then celebrating your success really does grow your self-efficacy," Freeman said. "It builds confidence. I used to really notice that the step teams, the Greek organizations, they were the most confident people on campus, and they were also the ones who participated in a step show."

Freeman applied this concept to the Omega Lamplighters, not only integrating step dancing into the programming for all boys but also launching a Pensacola Omega Lamplighters step team for the boys who wanted to perform.

This year will mark the Omega Lamplighters' seventh and final Gulf Coast Omega Step/Dance Extravaganza (GCODE) because seven marks the number of completion, he said.

"I have always believed in performing arts, and stepping is something that, especially our young brown and Black boys, tend to really gravitate toward, so it was really something I used as a tool to be able to build up confidence and some self-efficacy in our boys in the community," Freeman said.

STEPPING IN THE SAME SHOES

Freeman has always had a heart for helping boys.

He remembers what it was like to be in their shoes (stepping, too). He grew up in the Montclair neighborhood.

"My mom and my dad really tried to provide us with the resources to have a better life than what they had," Freeman said. "My mom would always tell me to go to school, go to college and to just try to, if I could, leave Pensacola better than how I found it."

And it's been his mission ever since.

He had mentors, too, he said—naming Norm Ross and David Williams, former principals of Pensacola High School. Freeman followed in Ross' footsteps, later joining his former fraternity at Florida A&M University, Omega Psi Phi.

"They really did for me what I now do for the Lamplighters," Freeman said. "They just pulled me out of where I was, as an underserved young boy in Pensacola, and told me about school, college, potentially a career in education."

Freeman graduated and became a teacher in Tallahassee, launching the Omega Lamplighters mentoring organization there in 2008. But after five years, he felt the pull to come home.

Freeman launched the Pensacola chapter in 2015 with 20 high school boys. Today they have 70; the youngest is 7, and the oldest is 18.

"We're one of the biggest mentoring groups of its kind in our community, and we're growing nationally," Freeman said. "We have close to 20 chapters, and we just recently started a chapter in Mobile. We are looking to start some chapters very close to the areas that surround Pensacola."

Omega Lamplighters instills principles of leadership, academics, maturity and perseverance through workshops, trips and other bonding activities, he said.

"Through just spending time together, we really aim to build our boys up," Freeman said. "Many of our boys are from underserved communities. We lean on mentors, coaches, teachers, community leaders, just to be able to pour back into some of our boys who may not always have the resources we provide."

Marcus Thomas is a perfect example of the organization's impact. He was a Booker T. Washington High School football player with little direction on where he wanted to go post-high school, Freeman said.

"He just fell in love with the whole idea of Lamplighters—the brotherhood and the sense of connection, because he didn't have any brothers," Freeman said. "He was always that kid (who was) kind of reserved, shy, didn't really want to come out of his shell. We hear that a lot from parents that, 'Oh, we want to help our kids come out of their shell.'"

As Thomas became more involved, his friend circle changed, Freeman said. Freeman

"He joined our program his ninth-grade year, and he went on to Kennesaw State to play football, which was his lifelong dream," Freeman said. "Unfortunately, his life was taken from him two years ago because of gun violence … He loved this. He loved the program. He loved everything it stood for. And he really was one of our brightest stars."

He was one of the best steppers, too, Freeman said.

"It's funny, because when he first joined our organization, he said, 'Mr. Freeman, I don't think I could do that whole stepping thing. I'm a little too cool for that,'" Freeman said. "Boys, they're boys. He wasn't great at first, but the practice really impacted him and once he got his confidence about it, you could just see his light shine. There's videos of him on social media. Probably one of our biggest videos was where he did a step and the whole crowd just shouted. You would have thought that he was Michael Jackson that night."

'PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT'

While stepping is part of the regularly programmed activity, you'd be surprised how many boys show up with no rhythm, Freeman said.

He was one of them.

"It's like anything else we do with exercise— practice makes permanent," Freeman said.

"But when I tell you, even the ones who have never stepped in their whole entire life, once they get the confidence of knowing what they're doing, and then they get up on that stage, even our littlest one, absolutely loves it," Freeman said. "You can see the confidence, even in a first grader who has just performed, who has just practiced something, just the smiles and the sense of accomplishment when they're done. If you've ever been to a show, you see it and it's just great to see."

Freeman believes the boys are drawn to stepping because of its African roots.

"Stepping is really engrained in the DNA of our Black and brown boys, especially those of African descent; it's the rhythm," Freeman said. "It also speaks to something they're very familiar with at church, the call and response clapping. If you've ever been to a Baptist church, they're calling, there's dancing, there's the clap, the step. It's something that's been connected to our culture. Even music, early music, jazz, hip-hop, all of it

Mobile Kappa League is a mentoring organization sponsored by the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi.

"We've been connected with them since the first performance seven years ago," Freeman said. "They have a very similar audience in Mobile, and they're bringing in their Mobile crowd over to Pensacola. They have about 150 boys in their program."

GCODE is electric, Freeman said.

"We literally turn Pensacola High School into a concert theater," Freeman said. "We have the stage, the big screen, the lights. We really transform. It is a big production. So when you walk into GCODE, you're like, 'This is not the Pensacola High School gym.' We really try to bring that level of excellence to our community."

And it's truly for the whole family. They make sure of it, he said.

"I've seen grandparents, great-grandparents, be there with their kids and with their kids' kids, so it's really a show for all the generations," Freeman said. " We really try to make sure that we are intentional about making the show kidfriendly and family-friendly. We have a really good mix of performers."

While this year will mark the final GCODE, GCODE 7, it certainly won't be the end of stepping hard for the Omega Lamplighters.

"It has been a great show, so if you've never seen it, this is the year to come," Freeman said. "But after that, I really want to challenge my team to try to further our impact, to do something on a bigger platform, maybe even on a bigger stage. We've been able to grow and have a sell-out show each year—and this one, we expect the same." {in}

GCODE 7

WHAT: The Gulf Coast Omega Step/Dance Extravaganza (GCODE) is a showcase of contemporary dancing and stepping, blended with live music and visual artistry

WHEN: 6 p.m., Saturday, March 11

WHERE: Pensacola High School gymnasium, 500 W. Maxwell St.

COST: $30 (tickets are pre-sold only; no door tickets will be sold). To sponsor someone else's ticket, email pensacolalamplighters@gmail.com.

DETAILS: pensacolalamplighters.com

Pensacola Omega Lamplighters / Courtesy Photo

a&e happenings

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

THE ESCAMBIA-SANTA ROSA BAR FOUNDATION ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 The Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association, is currently accepting grant applications for 2023. Grants are awarded to organizations that successfully demonstrate how a proposed program aligns with one or more of the tenets of the mission of the Foundation, which are to foster greater accessibility to the judicial system, improvements to the overall quality of the administration of justice, law-related education and increased public awareness of the judicial system, and improved management and operation of the court system.

Grants awards are typically in the $500$1,500 range. For more information on the Foundation and to download an application form, visit esrba.com/bar-foundation/about-esrbf.

MANNA'S PICK A BOWL FUNDRAISER

Manna Food Bank's annual fundraiser is 6-8 p.m., Friday, March 17, at the Lou Ross Center at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Tickets are $50. Visit mannahelps.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. On Tuesdays, the ministry feeds the homeless at 10:30 a.m. The ministry's food pantry opens at 11:30 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 and sweatshirts and new underwear for men sized small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at 723-3390 for details.

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE VOLUN-

TEER HOUSE Learn how to get involved with Pensacola Little Theatre at this volunteer open house 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, March 11, at 400 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

GRANT PROGRAM

VISIT PENSACOLA EVENT GRANT PRO -

GRAM Visit Pensacola is now accepting grant applications for its event marketing program for events in Escambia County occurring between Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024. Grant submissions

are due by June 6 at noon and must be emailed or timestamped by drop off at the Visitor Information Center at 1401 E. Gregory St.

Grant workshops will be hosted at the dates and times below in the Bowden Building at 120 Church St. to aid the submission process. All grant applicants are required to attend one of the workshops.

Dates:

• April 4: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

• April 14: 8:30-9:30 a.m.

• April 14: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• April 17: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

• April 17: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Visit Pensacola Grant Committee will meet to review and score applications on June 20 at 8:30 a.m. at the UWF Historic Trust Bowden Building, First Floor. Applicants are required to attend to present to the committee. Following, the Visit Pensacola Board of Directors will vote to approve grants on June 28 at the monthly board meeting. For more information on grant guidelines, scoring and the application process, please get in touch with Nicole Stacey at nstacey@visitpensacola.com.

CALL TO ARTISTS

DIY SHORT FILM FEST Filmmakers of any level are invited to submit short films to be screened at 309 Punk House on March 24. Priority will be given to local and regional submissions and those with relationships to the community. Suggested length is 3-10 minutes, but submissions up to 20 minutes will be considered. Submissions are due by March 17. Send your films to diyfilmfestpensacola@gmail.com.

ARTS & CULTURE

INFERNO BURLESQUE Show is 8 p.m., Friday, March 10, at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $25 and up. Visit vinylmusichall.com for details.

PLT VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE Ever wanted to get involved at Pensacola Little Theatre but weren't sure how? Visit PLT, 400 S. Jefferson St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, March 11, for their open house event to learn how to get involved and what areas are available for new volunteers.

WHAT'S SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINEMA ART PCA is located at the Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. The Pensacola Film Festival will be held March 17-19 with screenings

of "All Together Now," Oscar-nominated short films and more. Tickets are $10 cash donation at the door. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for more information and the latest showtimes.

'A STÓR MO CHROÍ, O' LOVE OF MY HEART,' AN EVENING OF IRISH SONG

AND POETRY

An evening of Irish song and poetry with Irish brothers Mícheál & Owen Ó Súilleabháin, 6-7:30 p.m., March 9, at Old Christ Church, 405 S. Adams St. A reception will follow at the Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. Event and reception are free, but tickets are required. Secure your spot on Eventbrite.

ter, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch comes to life on the PLT stage. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Fridays, March 17, 24 & 31; 7:30 p.m., Saturdays, March 18 & 25 and April 1; 2:30 p.m., Sundays, March 19 & 26 and April 2. Two Thursday showtimes are 7:30 p.m., March 23 & 30, at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $9-$33. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

SPECIAL EFFECT MAKE-UP WORKSHOPS

Join the Historic Trust for a monthly lunch and learn series on the third Wednesday of the month at the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, located at 117 E. Government St., from noon-1 p.m. The program is free—just bring your lunch and enjoy a casual opportunity to learn about a variety of topics. For more information, please email hparchives@ uwf.edu or call (850) 595-5985, ext. 125. The next date is March 15 with Lori McDuffie, whose discussion is called Saving Your Keepsakes: Preparing for Hurricane Season.

TABLE TALKS AT THE TRUST

Learn basic stage makeup and special effects techniques with makeup artists Lia Malamo and Dana Bracewell. Workshops are 10 a.m.noon and 1-4 p.m., Saturdays, March 18 and 25, at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $50-$100. Register online at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

TAROT & TEA LEAVES: MAD HATTERS TEA PARTY Come enjoy a cup of tea and desserts with a tarot reading. Costumes encouraged. Learn to read the leaves at bottom of your cup. Bring your own special tea or mismatched crockery. Event is 5:30 p.m., Sunday, March 18, at Ever'man. 315 W. Garden St. Visit empowermentschoolhouse.com for details.

PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS CAROU-

SEL Pensacola Opera closes their 40th Anniversary Season with Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Carousel," 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 17, and 2 p.m., Sunday, March 19, at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $25-$115. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, over the phone at (850) 433-6737, or in person MondayFriday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 75 S. Tarragona St.

GALLERY NIGHT: "CELEBRATES THE WRITTEN WORD" The next Gallery Night is 5-9 p.m., Friday, March 17. The featured artist is writer Jamey Jones. Katie Dineen and Love Brynnevere will perform on the Garden Street Main Stage throughout the evening from 6-8 p.m. For more information and an interactive map, visit gallerynightpensacola.org.

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS:

THE ADDAMS FAMILY From the creators of the "Jersey Boys," Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and Drama Desk Award-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa, the frightfully delightful world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fes -

PENSACOLA OPERA: BROWN BAG OP -

ERA Take a lunch break with the opera. Brown Bag Opera is a free monthly performance featuring the Jan Miller Studio Artists at the Opera Center, 75 S. Tarragona St. Musical performances include a variety of beloved arias, timeless showtunes and stunning duets and trios. The next date is noon on Tuesday, March 21. Seating is first-come, first-served. Visit facebook.com/ pensacolaopera for details.

IHMC'S SCIENCE SATURDAY 2023 SESSIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH PERFORMANCE, SMART CITIES AND ROBOTICS

Science Saturdays is a series of 90-minute educational enrichment sessions geared toward families and children in grades three-six. Topics in 2023 will include robotics, roller coasters, animal adaptations, human performance and more. The sessions are free to the families who attend. For more information, visit ihmc.us/life/ science_saturdays.

• March 25: Dr. Lakshmi Prayaga, University of West Florida, Smart Cities

• April 22: Dr. Gwen Bryan, IHMC, Robot Hands

a&e happenings

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 held weekdays 11 a.m.2 p.m. and Sundays 2-4 p.m. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.

After Dark: Seville Quarter Ghosts, Murder, Mayhem, and Mystery Tour and Dinner

After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with actual ghost-hunting equipment Sundays from 6-8 p.m. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more of Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. Following your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E Government St. Reservations required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets available at pensacolaghostevents.com

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Pensacola

Arts Market is set up at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave., from 4-9 p.m. every first Friday of the month and 2-6 p.m. every third Sunday of the month. The market is located at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. every fourth Saturday of the month. Enjoy a local artisan market, handcrafted brews and ciders, live music, as well as food by the Hip Pocket Deli. Free admission.

BODY, MIND, SPIRIT MARKET AT EVER'MAN Local vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, speakers and more. Held on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This is an inside and outside event for. Door prizes, entertainment and children's activities. Free admission. Ever'man Downtown, 315 W. Garden St. For vendor table, call (850) 941-4321 or go to empowermentschoolhouse.com.

FIGURES OF IMAGINATION AT EASY GOING GALLERY See the artwork of Mitchell Dembowski in the new exhibit "Figures of Imagination," running through the month of March, at Easy Going Gallery, 701 N. V St. "Figures of Imagination" establishes an ongoing dialogue between physical reality and the unconscious. These figures and psychological landscapes not only serve as a window into the unknown but

also allow for the healthy integration of such an inner life. Learn more at facebook.com/easygoinggallery.

A WAY OF SEEING Innisfree Hotels' Luna Fine Art Gallery's new exhibit is specifically designed for blind and visually impaired people, open nowMarch 12 at the gallery, located inside Hilton Pensacola Beach, located at 12 Via De Luna Drive. A fundraiser is scheduled for March 11 to benefit Independence for the Blind. Visit hiltonpensacolabeach.com/art-gallery for more information.

SEEN An online photography exhibit to be displayed on 309punkproject.org juried by Julia Gorton through April 1.

STEAM On view at Pensacola Museum of Art through April 9, the STEAM Exhibition is a community-centered, educational experience engaging contemporary art with science and new technologies. Artwork on display investigates concepts related to the environment, biology, digital interfaces and speculative fictions/imagined futures. Exhibiting artists challenge narratives of human and non-human ecologies, more-than-human relations and entangled response-abilities, as well as offer exciting insights into transdisciplinary processes. The main focus of the exhibition centers around the idea of ecosystems as a metaphor for critical thought. Visit the exhibit at PMA, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

SUDDENLY AMERICAN: A MEETING OF HERITAGE AND COUNTRY This exhibit looks at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territory to an American region, which formally occurred in 1821. Florida's embattled history dates back much farther than 1821. From refusing independence during the American Revolution to wanting their own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The United States eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida. The Adams-Onis Treaty, debated and initially agreed upon in 1819, resulted in Spain ceding control of East Florida to the United States. At the same time, Spain also agreed to give up all claims on West Florida, in essence giving the entire Florida territory over to the United States. Ratified in 1821, the treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as

it officially became part of America. On view at Pensacola Museum of History through Dec. 2023. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

TEXTILES OF THE TIMES: REGENCY ERA DRESS MAKING

The period between 1811-1820 is historically defined as the Regency Period. This exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of History looks at a day in the life of a Regency-era Pensacolian through fashion and garment use. Drawing on historical documentation of stores known to have operated on Palafox, inside this recreation of a seamstress shop visitors will be able to explore the dress of yesteryear. On view at the Pensacola Museum of History through June 2023. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

ST. JOSEPH'S FISH FRY LUNCH Enjoy a fried fish basket with a side and dessert for $10 Fridays through Lent (March 31) at St. Joseph's Parish Hall, 140 W. Government St. Delivery available for orders of five or more. Call to place orders at 4494709, 206-2410 or 450-3257.

SPRING BAKING FUN-DA-MENTALS SERIES Learn the basics of baking in this threeday seies, 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 7-Thursday, March 9, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $185 per student. Visit coastalcountybrewing.com for details.

CCB ST. PATRICK'S PARTY Time to eat, drink and be Irish at Coastal Counting Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road, from noon-10 p.m., Saturday, March 11. Drink specials, live music and kids' activities.

VINO MAGNIFICO The next Vino Magnifico is 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox. Tickets are $15. Reservations required and can be made at vpauls.com.

ST. PATRICK'S: COOKING WITH BEER AND WHISKEY Learn the basics of cooking with beer and whiskey, 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are $81.13. Visit bodaciousshops.com for details.

COOKING WITH CHEF IRV MILLER: FLAVORS FROM AFAR Chef Irv Miller will be hosting two classes at 5 and 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S.

Palafox. Tickets are $55. Make your reservation at (850) 686-3149 or by emailing jessica@ goodgrits.com.

PENSACOLA COOKS: SOUTHERN ITALY

Learn to cook dishes from the region 6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 16, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Tickets are $50 per person. Visit facebook.com/pensacolacooks for details.

TASTE OF THE GULF COAST COOKING DEMONSTRATION Join a Bodacious chef for a cooking demonstration, 6 p.m., Thursday, March 16, at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are $82.28 and available at bodaciousshops.com.

CULTURES COOKS: IRISH Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Irish Cooking, 7-9 p.m., Friday, March 17, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Tickets are $50 per person. Visit facebook. com/pensacolacooks for details.

GO IRISH ON THE ISLAND ST. PADDY'S DAY PUB CRAWL The St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl is Friday, March 17, starting at 9 a.m., at Crabs We Got 'Em, Casino Beach, where there will be a free breakfast from 9-10 a.m. with the purchase of a $10 drink. T-shirts are $18. Each stop is 45 minutes. For a full list of stops, visit pensacolabeachchamber.com

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

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand. Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., 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.

LIVE MUSIC

JAZZ PENSACOLA ANNOUNCES JAZZFEST

HEADLINERS

The 2023 JazzFest is Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, at Seville Square. Jazz Pensacola has recently announced headliners for the festival—4 Korners, ZAZU East, and Pat Casey and the New Sound out of New Orleans

Tired of suffering from droopy eyelids?  Uplift your eyelids with the once daily eye drop, Upneeq. Call now to schedule your appointment with the eye care specialists at Terrezza Optical: 850-434-2060

LOST PENSACOLA

a&e happenings

will finish out the festival on Sunday. Local bands include Cheryl Jones and Co. from Destin, Nobius, AC3, area high school band directors as well as the Downbeat Jazz Orchestra from Fort Walton Beach before the headliners finish the evening. For more JazzFest information, visit pensacolajazzfest.com.

GET THE LED OUT Led Zeppelin tribute band, performing 8 p.m., Friday, March 10, at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $41.75-$46.75. Tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.

FIFTH ANNUAL "I SANG KARAOKE AFTER THE MCGUIRE'S RUN" Head to Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St., after the run on Saturday, March 11, for live music from DJ HDYCVT, karaoke and more. Details at facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco.

NIGHT RANGER Show is 8 p.m., Saturday, March 11, at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $53.75-$83.75. Available at pensacolasaenger.com.

KULTURE AFTERDARK Ariel Acuna, Raikiri, Panda Panax and Hypnoz at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox., 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11. Tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.

MOE. Show is at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 12, at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $35. Visit vinylmusichall.com for details.

MORBID ANGEL Show is 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $30 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

EASY GOING DJ LAB Show is every Saturday, noon-4 p.m., at Easy Going Gallery, 701 N. V St. Visit facebook.com/easygoinggallery for details.

RESPECT THE DECKS Monthly vinyl spinning night at Easy Going Gallery, 701 N. V St., at 8 p.m. $15 cover. The next date is Saturday, March 11. Visit facebook.com/easygoinggallery for details.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

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

GARY-OKE Sing your heart out at Gary's Brewery and Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave., every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. Visit facebook.com/ garysbrew for details.

JAZZ BY THE BOOK Joe Occhipinti performs at West Florida Public Libraries twice a month. The concerts are free. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m., the concert is at Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. Visit mywfpl.com for details.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLO -

NY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox, from 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month. 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, located at 130 E. Government St. every Monday night in End O' the Alley starting at 7 p.m. 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, located at 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

FITNESS + RECREATION

OCEAN HOUR WEEKLY CLEANUPS Ocean Hour Pensacola host weekly cleanups on Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. On Saturday, March 11, the group will be at Bay Bluffs. Meet at 8:45 a.m. Ocean Hour provides bags, gloves, grabbers and bug spray if needed. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Follow Ocean Hour at facebook.com/ oceanhourfl for more details.

MCGUIRE'S PREDICTION 5K RUN The McGuire's St. Patrick's Day Run is the Largest 5K Prediction Run in America. This year's event is 9-10 a.m., Saturday, March 11, at McGuire's, 600 E. Gregory St., rain or shine. Everyone is welcome. Registration fee includes a McGuire's Run shirt and post-race party. Details at runsignup. com/race/fl/pensacola/mcguiresstpatricksdayprediction5krun.

BAYOU HILLS RUN One of Pensacola's oldest running events, the Bayou Hills Run presented by Pensacola Sports takes place Saturday, March 18, at 7 a.m., from Pensacola's Bayview Park. Registration fees are $45 for the 10K, $35 for the 5K and $15 for the Kids Run. Prices increase after March 15. All proceeds from the race benefit Creative Learning Academy and Pensacola Sports. Registration and event information for the Bayou Hills Run can be found at pensacolasports.org/bayouhillsrun.

MARCH SLOW RIDE The next Bike Pensacola Slow Ride is Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m., with a ride through North Hill. The ride will begin at Alabama Square, 401 W. Gonzalez St. More information at facebook.com/bikepensacola.

SPRING INTO WELLNESS Spring Into Wellness will be held 1-5 p.m., Sunday, March 19, at Bayview Park. The event raises awareness of city parks and resources and to provide access to healthy outdoor activities, health and wellness information, healthy food options and free family fun. This year's event features a guided Eco Walk, guided Kayak Eco Tours, health and wellness vendors, free classes, refreshments and more. For more information, visit myeasthill.org.

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

for more listings visit inweekly.net

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

By Savannah Evanoff

Do Touch the Artwork

them go back to work if that's their goal. We help them adapt to maybe a new work. There's adaptive programs that we can get for them that teach them so they can still use their computer without sight."

When Holloway spoke to the artists, she gave them a piece of advice— get your eyes checked.

And the best part, all the labels are in Braille.

"One of the viewers, Nick, who actually works at the hotel, he is 100% blind," Johnson said. "He was just so excited by the way it looked and was laid out that he said he could have navigated that space on his own. It was the first time he was actually able to experience a description of artwork in Braille on the wall with an actual price on it. So it was really tickling to him."

Artist Maria Hoch's "Shape Shifters" will be donated to the Independence for the Blind for a permanent display.

Gallery inside Hilton Pensacola Beach.

In fact, they'd prefer you do touch the artwork; you'll understand it better.

Produced in partnership with Independence for the Blind of West Florida, "A Way of Seeing" is an exhibition that features more than 30 pieces created exclusively by local artists specifically with blind people and people with visual impairments in mind.

Raven Holloway, the executive director for Independence for the Blind, said the concept is two years in the making. All the artists visited the Center on North Davis Highway in Pensacola and tested out goggles to understand the different types of visual impairments.

Holloway loved seeing the teenagers with visual impairments experience the exhibit.

"We only have one that is completely blind, but the ones that were visually impaired were within a couple of inches to look at it really close so they could see it," Holloway said. "It was just really incredible, because you take them to a different museum or gallery, you're not allowed to get that close to the art, much less touch it. They were able to really appreciate it the way it was designed."

The Luna Fine Art Gallery—a permanent fixture inside Hilton Pensacola Beach and Spring Hill Suites Marriott in Amelia Island—was a lifelong dream of Innisfree Hotels' owners Julian and Kim MacQueen, Holloway said. This exhibit was especially pertinent.

"Kim's dad actually lost his vision when he was 34 and ended up still doing incredible things with his life," Holloway said. "Our center is named after him, and they were very big supporters. It made a lot of sense for us to work together."

WHAT GOES UNSEEN

"A Way of Seeing" sure has a way of making people see things they couldn't before.

Innisfree Hotels, has been amazed by the awareness the exhibit has spread.

"The majority of the population is not totally blind, so when you say you're having an exhibition for visually impaired, or you call it the Center for the Blind, they expect that everybody is just totally blind," Johnson said.

Half a million people in the state of Florida are legally blind, with 50,000 of them in the Panhandle service area of Independence for the Blind, Holloway said. And those numbers are expected to double by 2050, she said.

The majority of those declared as legally blind are not completely blind, though. They have visual impairments.

"If you're not visually impaired, it's really hard to imagine what it looks like," Holloway said. "You're like, 'Oh, maybe it's just fuzzy,' or you don't understand that maybe you can only see out the side of your eye, you have no peripheral or you just see black spots everywhere. All of these things are different."

Independence for the Blind serves the first 10 counties of Florida, starting at age 5 and continuing until end of life, Holloway said. Some have been visually impaired their whole life, while some developed impairment later, such as after a stroke.

The nonprofit teaches them how to take care of themselves, Holloway said. It can entail many different things.

"How do you cook and clean and dress yourself, and how do you shave without being able to see?" Holloway said. "Try using a fork with your eyes closed. It's actually a lot harder than you would think. We go through all of these things."

"Say you're 40 and had a head injury and lost your vision, but you have a wife and kids and you're the breadwinner in the family, and you can't not work," Holloway said. "How do you go back to work? So we work with clients and help

"If you notice the slightest change in one of your eyes, check it," Holloway said. "Close one eye. And if you notice anything at all, even if it's minor, go to your eye doctor as soon as possible, because it is the fastest thing in your body to go. There's so many things that cause visual impairment. And if you go see your doctor sooner rather than later, it's more likely that it could be reversed or stopped at that point. If you wait, you may not be able to fix it."

One heeded her advice.

"One of the artists was like, 'I'm going to see my eye doctor, and she called me a week later and was in tears, because they caught something and saved her vision," Holloway said. "And she's an artist. Losing your vision for anyone is very dramatic, but taking vision away from an artist is, it's who they are."

BEYOND WHAT MEETS THE EYE

More than 30 pieces are on display, including sculptures, paintings and collages.

"They all had a favorite piece, and it was all different—which was great because it was like they all picked pieces that fit with their personality," Holloway said. "We had one girl that liked the (piece with) waves. She just loved it because she loves the beach, and she felt like she was there with that piece. And we have this one little boy that loved the hearts, because he's like, 'These are really pretty. I feel like they're romantic. I should get these for my girlfriend.' He has several disabilities and he's older, but it was just the cutest thing."

They curated that show to be able to be enjoyed by those with visual impairments and those without, incorporating color, contrast, texture and subtle movement, Johnson said.

"You might see one thing, but if you close your eyes or you squint real hard, you are experiencing a total different piece," Johnson said. "So with the textured pieces, it might be a nice colorful splash of color or something that maybe looks like a blurred-out fish. But when you touch the piece, you start to experience something totally different from the organic shapes. So it's a way of seeing. I guess that's why we call it the 'Way of Seeing' exhibition."

"The pieces are actually magnetic," Johnson said. "You can pick them up and move them across the canvas to create a new piece."

"I have a friend who has recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration, an age-related eye disease," Hoch said. "Someone who is visually impaired still has a framework to allow an appreciation for art. In 'Shape Shifters,' I utilized the concepts of high contrast, tactile sensory and interactive participation. I wanted to invite the viewer into how art is made."

Johnson believes the exhibit has started a dialogue of things beyond what meets the eye. And it's not a first for the gallery.

"That's the power of this space that we have, that we can actually not only celebrate and promote and encourage local artists to continue to produce and use art as a way to bring awareness, but just the idea of creating that dialogue, having that place where you can start sharing information about any subject," Johnson said. "Outside of the Independence for the Blind, we've done celebration of women; we've done the environment. And it's always been that way, where people take a little bit more out of it than they expected by going to a gallery or looking at a piece of artwork or engaging in conversation about a piece of artwork." {in}

A WAY OF SEEING

WHAT: An art exhibition created specifically for blind people or people with visual impairments

WHEN: The exhibition is on view nowSunday, March 12

WHERE: Hilton Pensacola Beach, 12 Via De Luna Drive

COST: Free admission

DETAILS: lunafineartgallery.com

EYE BALL

WHAT: The annual Eye Ball is a gala supporting Independence for the Blind's mission to empower people who are blind or visually impaired in Northwest Florida

WHEN: 6 p.m., Saturday, March 11

WHERE: The ballroom at the Hilton Pensacola Beach, 12 Via De Luna Drive

DETAILS: ibwest.org/eye-ball

"Las Chicas Reliquary" by Katie Thompson / Photos Courtesy of Innisfree Hotels & Independence for the Blind of West Florida

free will astrology

WEEK OF MARCH 9

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Repressed feelings and dormant passions are rising to the surface. I bet they will soon be rattling your brain and illuminating your heart, unleashing a soothing turbulence of uncanny glee. Will you get crazy and wise enough to coax the Great Mystery into blessing you with an inspirational revelation or two? I believe you will. I hope you will! The more skillful you are at generating rowdy breakthroughs, the less likely you are to experience a breakdown. Be as unruly as you need to be to liberate the very best healings.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): You finally have all you need to finish an incomplete mission or resolve a mess of unsettled karma. The courage and determination you couldn't quite summon before are now fully available as you invoke a climax that will prepare the way for your awe-inspiring rebirth. Gaze into the future, dear Taurus, and scan for radiant beacons that will be your guides in the coming months. You have more help than you know, and now is the time to identify it and move toward it.

By Rob Brezsny

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): The philosophical principle known as Occam's razor asserts that when trying to understand a problem or enigma, we should favor the simplest explanation with the fewest assumptions. While that's often a useful approach, I don't recommend it in the coming weeks. For you, nuances and subtleties will abound in every situation. Mere simplicity is unlikely to lead to a valid understanding. You will be wise to relish the complications and thrive on the paradoxes. Try to see at least three sides of every story. Further tips—1. Mysteries may be truer than mere facts.

2. If you're willing to honor your confusion, the full, rich story will eventually emerge.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): How might your life come into clearer focus when you uncover secrets that inspire your initiative and ingenuity? What happens when resources that had been inaccessible become available for your enjoyment and use? How will you respond if neglected truths spring into view and point the way toward improvements in your job situation? I suspect you will soon be able to tell me stories about all this good stuff. P.S. Don't waste time feeling doubtful about whether the magic is real. Just welcome it and make it work for you!

focus on the difficult tasks that build our skills and clout? Or is it more accurate to say that 90% of success is just showing up: being patient and persistent as we carry out the small day-to-day sacrifices and devotions that incrementally make us indispensable? Mythologist Joseph Campbell described a third variation: to "follow our bliss." We find out what activities give us the greatest joy and install those activities at the center of our lives. As a Capricorn, you are naturally skilled at the first two approaches. In the coming months, I encourage you to increase your proficiency at the third.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Our sun is an average star in a galaxy of 100 billion stars. In comparison to some of its flamboyant compatriots, it's mediocre. Over 860 light years away is a blue-white supergiant star called Rigel, which is twice as hot as our sun and 40,000 times brighter. The red supergiant Antares, over 600 light years away, has 12 times more mass. Yet if those two show-offs had human attitudes, they might be jealous of our star, which is the source of energy for a planet teeming with 8.7 million forms of life. I propose we make the sun your role model for now, Gemini. It's an excellent time to glory in your unique strengths and to exuberantly avoid comparing yourself to anyone else.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): "There are no unsacred places," wrote Leo poet Wendell Berry. "There are only sacred places and desecrated places." Poet Allen Ginsberg agreed. "Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy!" he wrote. "Holy the solitudes of skyscrapers and pavements! Holy the cafeteria! Holy the mysterious rivers of tears under the streets! Holy the sea, holy the desert, holy the railroad." With Berry's and Ginsberg's prompts as your inspiration, and in accordance with current astrological imperatives, I invite you to invigorate your relationship with sacredness. If nothing is sacred for you, do what it takes to find and commune with sacred things, places, animals, humans and phenomena. If you are already a lover of sacred wonders, give them extra love and care. To expand your thinking and tenderize your mood, give your adoration to these related themes: consecration, sublimity, veneration, devotion, reverence, awe and splendor.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): My favorite Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, wrote the following: "In us, there is a river of feelings, in which every drop of water is a different feeling, and each feeling relies on all the others for its existence. To observe it, we just sit on the bank of the river and identify each feeling as it surfaces, flows by, and disappears." I bring this meditation to your attention, Virgo, because I hope you will do it daily during the next two weeks. Now is an excellent time to cultivate an intense awareness of your feelings—to exult in their rich meanings, to value their spiritual power, to feel gratitude for educating and entertaining you.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): It's not the best time to tattoo a lover's likeness on your abdomen. Maybe in May, but not now. On the other hand, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to see if your paramour might be willing to tattoo your name on their thigh. Similarly, this is a favorable period to investigate which of your allies would wake up at 5 a.m. to drive you to the airport, and which of your acquaintances and friends would stop others from spreading malicious gossip about you, and which authorities would reward you if you spoke up with constructive critiques.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. They may grow as high as 350 feet. Their roots are shallow, though, reaching down just six to 12 feet before spreading out 60 to 100 feet horizontally. And yet the trees are sturdy, rarely susceptible to being toppled by high winds and floods. What's their secret? Their root systems are interwoven with those of other nearby redwoods. Together, they form networks of allies, supporting each other and literally sharing nutrients. I endorse this model for you to emulate in your efforts to create additional stability and security in your life, Sagittarius.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): What's the best way to be fulfilled? Hard work and discipline? Are we most likely to flourish if we indulge only moderately in life's sweet pleasures and mostly

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Mackerels are unusual fish in that they must keep swimming nonstop. If they don't, they die. Do they ever sleep? Scientists haven't found any evidence that they do. I bring them up now because many of you Aquarians have resemblances to mackerels— and I think it's especially crucial that you not act like them in the coming weeks. I promise you that nothing bad will happen if you slow way down and indulge in prolonged periods of relaxing stillness. Just the opposite in fact—your mental and physical health will thrive as you give your internal batteries time and space to recharge.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): A financial advisor once told me I could adopt one of three approaches to running my business—1. Ignore change; 2. always struggle with change, half-immobilized by mixed feelings about whether to change or stay pat; 3. learn to love and thrive on change. The advisor said that if I chose either of the first two options, I would always be forced to change by circumstances beyond my control. The third approach is ultimately the only one that works. Now is an excellent time for you Pisceans to commit yourself fully to number three—for both your business and your life.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Who or what do you belong to in ways that keep you free? newsletter. freewillastrology.com {in}

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

Rob Brezsny

© Copyright 2023

Don't waste time feeling doubtful about whether the magic is real.

You will be wise to relish the complications and thrive on the paradoxes.

news of the weird

IRONY Police in Glemgormley, Northern Ireland, pulled over a Mini Cooper on Feb. 27 and asked the driver for proof of insurance, the Irish Mirror reported. After cagily searching around for the document, the driver admitted they didn't have insurance—even though they were sporting a bumper sticker that cheekily asked, "My brakes are good!! Is your insurance?" The car was seized and the driver was issued a penalty for the lack of coverage.

NEW WORLD ORDER Tired of your John Hancock looking like a child's scribble? Priscilla Molina of Los Angeles can help with that. The Associated Press reported that Molina's business, Planet of Names, will make over anyone's signature for between $10 and $55. People seeking her service are "not happy with their signatures. They don't relate to who they are. They don't give the message they want to convey to the world," Molina said. She designs up to 300 custom signatures per month, and offers a range of styles, from elegant and artistic to ... illegible.

THE PASSING PARADE In Tsuruta, Japan, an annual sporting event was shuttered for three years during the COVID pandemic, but now it's back, Reuters reported. The Suction Cup Tugof-War, in which pairs of bald men attach suction cups to their heads and pull in opposite directions, took place on Feb. 22, with the city's Bald Men's Club gamely competing. "My head still hurts," said Toshiyuki Ogasawara, 43. "I think I need to ice it!" The club welcomes people who "view baldness in a positive manner" and want to "brighten the world with our shiny heads," its website reads. This year's champion was Mr. Ota, who has won three consecutive times.

UNCONVENTIONAL WEAPONRY In a puzzling attempt to draw attention to the climate crisis, three people defaced a woolly mammoth at the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria, Canada, on March 1, the Times Colonist reported. A woman allegedly used her hands to paint the mammoth's tusks pink. A group called On2Ottawa has claimed responsibility for the vandalism; the painter, "Laura," says in a video posted online, "If the government does not enact a citizens' assembly to tackle the climate and ecological crisis in the next one to two years, then we will be traveling to Ottawa to demand one." The water-based paint was cleaned off the tusks and three people were arrested.

OOPS More than 40 high school students from the Barr Beacon School in Walsall, England, were stranded in the U.S. for four extra days after a ski trip to New Hampshire, the New York Post reported. It wasn't weather that shut down their travel, but the fact that the Kancamagus Lodge in Lincoln, New Hampshire, "accidentally" shredded 42 of their passports. Fortunately, head teacher Katie Hobbs, who was not on the trip, was on top of the situation and had the group move to New York City, where the British embassy was preparing emergency documents. In the meantime, the

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

kids toured the city and took in the sights. "The silver lining is that they can have an amazing experience," said one parent. The lodge had no explanation for the destruction of the passports other than it happened by mistake.

PERSPECTIVE Hicham Argani, a police officer in Boxtel, Netherlands, was patrolling his neighborhood when he spotted an unidentified object in the sky, the Daily Star reported on March 1. He posted on Instagram about the "suspected 'spy balloon'" hovering over the Selissen district and followed it in his car. Finally, he decided to pull over to get a closer look at it—which was when he realized the UFO was a blob of bird poo stuck to his windshield. Argani updated his post with his findings and an all-clear: "Boxtel is safe!"

COMPELLING EXPLANATION A Peruvian man, 26-year-old Julio Cesar Bermejo, is being detained in Puno after police discovered a mummified human in his possession, People reported. Officers approached three men drinking in a park on Feb. 25 and noticed the remains inside a cooler delivery bag. Bermejo told them that he had brought the mummy to the park to show his friends; it had been in his family for decades. He said he named the remains "Juanita" and it was his "spiritual girlfriend." However, officials say the mummy is actually that of a 45-year-old man, and they've turned it over to Peru's Ministry of Culture.

REPEAT OFFENDER Rodolfo Santillan just can't stop burglarizing cars. On Feb. 21, he broke into a work van in Chicago while wearing an ankle bracelet for two pending car burglary cases, CWB Chicago reported. A passing police officer stopped and charged him with misdemeanor criminal trespass, and he left the police station at about 4:40 p.m. Two hours later, police were called to another van, where workers said they had found Santillan inside. He was also caught on video taking tools from a nearby car. Santillan was held without bail for violating bond in the previous cases.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY According to the India Times, a wedding in Bhavnagar took an odd turn in late February when Hetal, the bride, fainted during the nuptials, then passed away at the hospital. Doctors said she suffered a heart attack. As the wedding festivities went on, the family came up with a novel idea: The bride's younger sister would marry the groom instead. City councilman Laxmanbhai Rathore called the event extremely sad and said the family was trying to set an example by not abandoning the groom and his family without a bride. One woman commented on Twitter: "Families cannot afford to let their wedding investment go in vain. Behind all that love and sanskaar is a very practical and businesslike family model." {in}