outtakes
By Rick Outzen
THE HERITAGE INQUISITION
The recent University of West Florida (UWF) Board of Trustees meeting revealed a troubling new dynamic in higher education governance. Two Heritage Foundation fellows, Adam Kissel and Zach Smith, transformed what should have been a productive discussion about the university's strategic plan into a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) inquisition of UWF President Dr. Martha Saunders.
This coordinated ambush raises serious concerns about Gov. Ron DeSantis' weaponization of university governance and represents a dangerous precedent for Florida's higher education system.
The timing alone raises eyebrows. Smith was appointed a trustee one day before the meeting, yet he arrived armed with specific questions about events dating back to 2019, suggesting a premeditated ambush intended to create grounds for Saunders' termination later this year.
Rather than focusing on the university's strategic direction or student success metrics, both Heritage Foundation fellows dedicated their time to grilling President Saunders about past diversity initiatives and student events. Smith even admitted his confrontational approach, stating bluntly, "I'll be frank with you, some of the things I've seen are very concerning to me," before launching into questions about a student drag show from six years ago.
This approach was so obviously antagonistic that fellow Trustee Alonzie Scott felt compelled to call it out directly: "I see one trustee ambush our president. I'm not very happy about that Trustee Zach Smith at all."
Both Kissel and Smith demonstrated a deliberate misrepresentation of academic freedom and the true purpose of higher education.
Kissel's interrogation of the Social Work department's curriculum revealed a troubling desire to dictate classroom content. By suggesting that discussing concepts like "social justice" might violate state law, he signals an intent to impose ideological restrictions on academic inquiry that would prevent the exploration of challenging ideas across the political spectrum that develop critical thinking.
Similarly, Smith's objections to the library promoting diverse books like Ibram X. Kendi's work reveal a desire to restrict rather than expand intellectual exploration. Universities should be places where students encounter varied perspectives, including controversial ones, not environments where trustees dictate acceptable reading material.
Most troubling is how these Heritage Foundation acolytes prioritized culture war grievances over substantive educational concerns. The UWF meeting was intended to discuss the uni-
versity's strategic plan and other pressing matters affecting students' education.
Instead, Smith spent his time fixating on a sixyear-old Halloween drag show and social media posts from 2019. Kissel similarly focused on perceived ideological infractions rather than academic quality or student outcomes.
The trustees were more focused on scoring political points rather than supporting educational excellence. While Florida's universities face real challenges around affordability, student retention and workforce development, these trustees chose to rehash old events through an ideological lens.
University boards of trustees are meant to provide oversight and strategic guidance, not to serve as ideological enforcers. Governor DeSantis' appointment of these Heritage Foundation fellows—with Kissel even remaining on the board despite rejection by the Florida Senate—represents a concerning trend of treating educational institutions as political battlegrounds.
When trustees arrive with predetermined political agendas rather than open minds, the educational mission suffers. President Saunders, an experienced higher education leader, was subjected to questioning that seemed designed to create soundbites rather than improve the university.
This dynamic undermines the collaborative governance model that has served American higher education well. When trustees see their role as prosecutorial rather than advisory, they create an atmosphere of defensiveness that stifles innovation and risk-taking, qualities essential to educational advancement.
For Florida's universities to thrive, board governance must return to focusing on educational excellence rather than ideological conformity. Trustees should prioritize student success metrics over political grievances and respect the expertise of university leadership and faculty. They must focus on forward-looking strategies rather than relitigating past events, while maintaining a collaborative rather than adversarial approach
The UWF spectacle should concern anyone who values higher education's role in developing critical thinkers and engaged citizens. When trustees like Kissel and Smith use their positions to advance partisan agendas rather than educational excellence, they undermine the very institutions they're entrusted to strengthen.
Florida's students deserve better than political theater masquerading as university governance. They deserve trustees focused on building world-class educational institutions, not dismantling them to satisfy ideological whims. {in} rick@inweekly.net
SESSION RECAP: LOCALS LED THE CHARGE
By Rick Outzen
All three Northwest Florida delegates played significant roles in a combative 2025 session that pitted the Florida Legislature against Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration like never before.
Health Care Budget Subcommittee chair is a position few state representatives covet. The role is usually thankless and about as far away from the spotlight as possible.
That changed this session with Alex Andrade as chair. The Pensacola Republican and his colleagues uncovered $160 million in unspent Medicaid funds and the transfer of millions of dollars into political committee coffers.
Andrade infuriated DeSantis when he and his fellow subcommittee members aggressively questioned Hope Florida leaders about financial records and text messages that revealed the Hope Florida Foundation had no articles of incorporation or minutes and failed to file required tax forms. Hope Florida is the brainchild of First Lady Casey DeSantis. The subcommittee discovered what Andrade described as "money laundering" that funneled $10 million from a Medicaid settlement through Hope Florida to two nonprofits and finally landed in the bank accounts of political committees tied to the governor's staff.
Andrade further alienated the governor when his subcommittee discovered the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) spent the $160 million earmarked for paying Medicaid fines in other ways.
"Right now, in the Senate proposed budget, they have $183 million set aside to help AHCA
pay federal fines," Andrade said. "That's general revenue from Florida taxpayers. I don't know the precise amount we will end up agreeing on, but right now, I don't feel overly compelled to help AHCA fix this mistake without AHCA figuring its own books out."
Andrade and his subcommittee's strict oversight of the DeSantis administration marked a drastic change from previous years, when the administration acted with authoritarian power.
"The executive office, starting from the top, from Gov. DeSantis' office on down, they treat legislators like part-time hobbyists," Andrade said. "They're not treating them like partners in public service or a coequal branch of government. And so there had to be this reset, and you're seeing that reset now."
Oversight of the DeSantis administration marked the high point for Andrade. The low? He sponsored 10 bills, with five dying in committee and another five being laid on the table.
"Well, you see a lot of 'laid on the table' because as we progressed through the session, I realized anything with my name on it would probably be getting killed by the governor," Andrade said. "So I substituted as many Senate bills as I possibly could to avoid that circumstance."
PRODUCTIVE SESSION FOR SALZMAN
Fellow state Rep. Michelle Salzman failed in her efforts to lower the age for buying a firearm from 21 to 18. The bill breezed through the House but died in the Senate. Still, Salzman notched a couple of impressive victories in what proved to be a productive session.
Her bill overhauled driver's license requirements. The bill requires an applicant for a driver's
absence. The former Senate president felt like a new kid on the block.
"I walked into a Senate where I knew almost nobody, and I had to start from scratch as an incoming senator, building relationships and developing alliances," he said.
Gaetz swung for the fences on a few bills that he referred to at the beginning of the session as heavy lifts. He struck out on bills to rein in public utilities companies and property insurers.
"We got one committee hearing because the committee chairman became a co-sponsor of my (public utilities) bill," Gaetz said. "She gave me a hearing. But beyond that, the utilities moved very quickly and very quietly and very effectively behind the scenes to kill the bill."
Gaetz continued, "And then my bill having to do with property insurance did not even get a committee hearing. I basically was taken into a back room and told, 'Your bill's not going anywhere, so don't be disappointed.'"
His bills died unceremoniously, but Gaetz made his presence felt as chair of the Ethics and Elections Commission. His committee turned away several of DeSantis' nominees, including two heads of agencies tied to the Hope Florida scandal and one controversial University of West Florida (UWF) trustee nominee. Two other UWF trustees and one Pensacola State College trustee resigned to avoid a committee hearing.
license to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course and to complete a driver education course approved by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
"This wasn't something pushed by lobbyists or party leadership, it was a locally driven, common-sense solution that came directly from conversations with constituents, parents and law enforcement in my district," Salzman said. "Florida has seen far too many preventable crashes involving young drivers, and I knew we had to do better."
Salzman sponsored a bill for disability awareness in schools that passed the House and Senate without a single nay. The bill requires that disability history and awareness instruction include specified materials.
The Cantonment Republican sponsored a bill to enact term limits on county commissioners. The bill passed through every committee in the House with relative ease, but similar to her firearm bill, it died in the Senate.
"Unfortunately, it didn't receive the same momentum in the Senate's committee process," Salzman said. "This bill wasn't about politics; it was about accountability. Term limits help ensure fresh perspectives, prevent entrenchment and build public trust."
Salzman chaired the Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee and served on six committees overall. She cited her role in the veto overrides select workgroup as her proudest committee accomplishment.
OLD, NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
On the Senate side, Don Gaetz returned to his old stomping grounds after an eight-year
Acts by his committee slowed DeSantis in transforming UWF into the panhandle version of New College of Florida, but Gaetz cautioned that the university remains in his crosshairs.
"If he appointed three new trustees today, no matter who they were, they would be able to serve a full year," Gaetz said. "I believe the University of West Florida story is far from over."
The Florida Legislature is responsible for the budget and policy. Gaetz only handed out a B-minus for policy. His grade for the budget will depend on what DeSantis vetoes. Nonetheless, Gaetz left his first session after eight years away feeling more optimistic about the Senate.
"Generally, the Senate is being operated better now," he said. "It's more professionally operated. The wheels that turn the gears click, I think, better than they did in the past. I give the credit to Senate presidents who followed me, who I believe modernized a good bit of the Senate processes."
Salzman graded the session as a solid B, stating that the friction between the legislature and the executive branch will ultimately benefit Floridians.
"That tension sparked important dialogue, forced us to think critically, and ultimately led to some strong, well-vetted policy," she said.
Andrade took a similarly positive view of the session. He credited Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez for its success. He said their leadership spurred the legislators to cut down on frivolous spending.
"We'll be reducing our budget and living even further within our means," Andrade said. "We will stop this reckless spending that we've seen over the past few years." {in}
Photo by Feng Cheng / shutterstock.com
to UWF's strategic plan to comply with Florida's Senate Bill 266, passed in 2023. However, the atmosphere quickly grew contentious when the conversation shifted to canceled grants and past university programming.
President Saunders reported that two grants had been canceled: an NIH RISE grant for financially disadvantaged students and an NSF Noyce grant for educating science and math majors using social justice models in high-needs schools. This prompted intense questioning from trustees Chris Young and Adam Kissel.
"Do we have more to be concerned about?" Trustee Young asked, expressing his "heartburn" over the situation. "It seems like we're revising our mission after we receive the grants to fit a narrative that I guess doesn't comply with those grants, causing them to be canceled."
The most heated exchange came when Trustee Smith, appointed just one day prior, on May 7, directly confronted President Saunders about past university programming.
"I'll be frank with you, some of the things I've seen are very concerning to me," Smith stated before questioning Saunders about university-sponsored events, including a drag show called "Drag Me to Hell" and programming related to certain authors and speakers.
When President Saunders indicated she was unfamiliar with some of the events in question, Smith pressed further: "What are the safeguards, Dr. Saunders?" Later adding, "I appreciate that answer Dr. Saunders, but again, I'll be frank, that doesn't give me much comfort."
The confrontational approach prompted
strong reactions from other board members. Trustee Alonzie Scott sharply rebuked Smith.
"I see one trustee ambush our president. I'm not very happy about that, Trustee Zach Smith, at all," Scott continued, referencing Smith's book about "radical" lawyers, stating, "You're about as radical as I've seen in any place I've
Trustee Susan James also intervened, expressing concern about the meeting's direction: "Chair Matthews, I'm sorry that we've gotten so far off your planned agenda. I would hope that we are all working together to solve the problems that are really important. I'm pretty unsettled by the way this direction is going."
The meeting also featured pointed questioning from Trustee Kissel about President Saunders' stance on diversity, equity and inclusion priorities. "I'm just having a hard time understanding where you really stand," Kissel said.
President Saunders responded firmly: "Well, I can assure you I'm going to stand in compliance and support with the state university system. My personal feelings are one thing, but we are a state university, and we rely heavily on the support from the state and I will say as embodied by the governor. And as these priorities change, we change with them."
Despite the heated exchanges, Trustee Rachel Moya highlighted positive trends at the university, including enrollment growth of 3% in fall, 6% in spring and preliminary reports of 5% for summer. She added, "I want us to continue as trustees to operate in the facts and bring light to the true information."
As the meeting concluded, Student Government Association President Trista Bennett urged the board to focus on students. "I would just encourage everyone to act or speak in the best interest of what our students want here at the university."
GOLF COURSE DREAMS NIXED
In a stunning display of political whiplash, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed last week that he would sign legislation prohibiting exactly what his administration spent months secretly pushing for: commercializing Florida's state parks.
The governor, who apparently thought Floridians wouldn't notice bulldozers in their beloved nature preserves, will now put his signature on the State Park Preservation Act—legislation specifically designed to prevent the addition of golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts in state parks.
According to Sen. Don Gaetz, DeSantis' office actively fought this protection bill "all the way through the whole legislative process," with commercialization "poking its head as amendments in every committee and on the floor."
When the Tampa Bay Times first exposed the "Great Outdoors Initiative" last August, DeSantis threw his own Department of Environmental Protection under the bus, calling their carefully crafted plans "half-baked" and "not ready for prime time." Never mind that whistleblower James Gaddis—who was fired after leaking the plans—
claimed the directive came "straight from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' office."
Perhaps most telling is DeSantis' curt, oneword answer—"Yes"—when asked if he'd sign the bill. No passionate defense of conservation values. No elaborate explanation. Just a grudging acceptance that his administration's attempt to swap wetlands for wedge shots had failed.
The legislation, championed by Senators Gaetz and Gayle Harrell, passed unanimously by the Florida Senate and House—proving that while Florida politicians might disagree on many things, they can join forces to protect our state parks.
PARK IRONY The same week Gov. Ron DeSantis reluctantly admits he will sign the State Park Preservation Act, Florida State Parks announced it had been selected as a finalist for the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This recognition, administered by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, celebrates outstanding park systems across the U.S.
Florida is competing in the State Park System category and holds the distinction of being the only state to have received the Gold Medal four times, more than any other state. The Florida Park Service manages one of the nation's largest systems, encompassing 175 state parks across 815,000 acres, including 101 miles of beaches, 3,024 miles of trails and 18 springs parks.
During the past fiscal year, Florida State Parks attracted over 30 million visitors, generating more than $82 million in revenue and contributing an estimated $3.7 billion to the state's economy.
"We are honored to be named a finalist for the Gold Medal Award," said Alexis A. Lambert, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection secretary. "Florida's state parks are more than destinations. They reflect our commitment to protecting natural resources and ensuring all Floridians and visitors can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity of this great state."
The Gold Medal Award, established in 1965, recognizes excellence in planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, programming, professional development and community engagement. The State Park category award is presented biennially.
Other finalists include Ohio State Parks & Watercraft and Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. The winner will be announced at the National Recreation and Park Association's Annual Conference from Sept. 16-18 in Orlando.
OVERCROWDED VA CLINIC Mental health
clinicians at Pensacola's Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Health Care Clinic are struggling with severe overcrowding and patient privacy issues following the recent federal mandate ending remote work for VA employees.
When clinicians reported to the facility April 14, they discovered insufficient office space to accommodate staff who had previously worked remotely. Many now find themselves conducting sensitive mental health sessions in makeshift
workspaces, sitting at crowded tables with five other clinicians while serving veterans through the VA Telehealth system.
"The building is not equipped for all of us to be there," revealed one clinician who spoke on condition of anonymity. A common sentiment within the VA acknowledges that "by the time a VA clinic is built, it's already 50% smaller than it needs to be."
Despite being one of the busiest VA clinics in the country according to internal metrics, the Pensacola facility reportedly never had adequate office space for its mental health staff. Many clinicians had worked remotely for years, with some never having physically worked at the clinic prior to the mandate.
While VA supervisors maintain that the shared rooms are "HIPAA compliant" because all staff fall under health privacy regulations, clinicians describe a "very distracting environment" that compromises effective care. Patients connecting via telehealth reportedly can hear background noise similar to "what one hears when receiving a call from a call center."
The situation in Pensacola mirrors national concerns highlighted in a recent New York Times report, where VA mental health professionals across the country are treating veterans with serious conditions in public spaces, including areas near bathrooms and in cafeterias.
The National Association of Social Workers raised alarm in an April 11 letter to VA Secretary Douglas A. Collins, noting that the abrupt return-to-office mandate has forced social workers into shared spaces lacking privacy for therapeutic sessions—potentially violating HIPAA regulations as providers risk overhearing confidential conversations.
The Pensacola clinic, located next to the Navy Hospital on Highway 98, offers comprehensive outpatient mental health services for conditions including depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. The ongoing space constraints come at a particularly challenging time as the VA has already reduced its workforce by thousands of positions nationwide.
Clinicians continue to improvise with headphones and privacy screens, but sources describe these as inadequate solutions to a systemic problem affecting veteran care quality.
CHILDCARE SUMMIT Pensacola
Mayor D.C. Reeves has unveiled the "Mayor's Childcare Access Program," a new initiative to expand childcare options throughout the city. The program will utilize city resources and leverage funding from the Escambia Children's Trust to support working families.
"Access to affordable, quality childcare is not just a family issue; it's an economic issue," said Mayor Reeves, who chairs the Jobs, Education, and Workforce Committee with the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
To lead this initiative, the city has hired Theresa Cserep as its first Education and Youth Programs Officer. Cserep brings extensive experience in educational policy and youth engagement to the role.
Dr. Martha Saunders / Photo Courtesy of uwf.edu
The program will focus on supporting existing childcare centers in underserved areas, providing grants and technical assistance to providers, partnering with employers to develop childcare solutions, and connecting families with resources and subsidies.
According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, approximately 15% of Florida parents with young children have left their jobs in the past six months because of childcare issues. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates show childcare-related absences and employee turnover cost employers between $375 and $500 per working-aged adult.
"How many architects, engineers, construction workers do we have at home right now because they can't get childcare?" Reeves noted at a recent press conference.
As part of the initiative's launch, the City of Pensacola will host a Childcare Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pensacola City Hall. The summit will bring together 51 representatives, including childcare providers, business leaders and community advocates, to develop actionable solutions.
Resources to support childcare access may include the renovated Alice Williams building on E Street, CDBG commercial revitalization grants in Brownsville and around Baptist Hospital, and collaboration with the Children's Trust.
"It's so important we have quality childcare facilities set up, not just children housed—safe and stimulated childcare facilities so our kids are set up for success," Cserep said.
NURSING
SCHOOL CRISIS
The Florida Legislature has passed a bill aimed at addressing the state's poor performance on nursing licensure exams by implementing stricter penalties for underperforming nursing schools. The measure, added to House Bill 1427 just before the May 2 legislative session deadline, would place nursing programs on probation if their passage rates fall 10 percentage points below the national average.
Under the new legislation, schools placed on probation would have two years to improve their scores before facing potential closure. The bill is currently awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature.
The legislation comes as Florida ranked last nationally for nursing exam pass rates in 2024, according to a report from the Florida Center for Nursing. First-time pass rates for registered nurses in Florida stood at 84.9% in 2024, significantly below the national average of 91.16%. Similarly, the state's practical nursing exam pass rate of 80.78% fell well short of the 88.38% national average.
While many nursing programs struggle, the University of West Florida (UWF) School of Nursing has distinguished itself with exceptional results. UWF topped both state and national averages in 2024, with 97.67% of its graduates passing the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt—an improvement of nearly two percentage points since 2020.
The school achieved a perfect 100% pass rate during the first two quarters of 2024, with 129 UWF nursing graduates earning their licenses last year.
The Florida Board of Nursing has already placed 16 nursing programs on probation in 2024, with nine being for-profit private institutions. Four
programs were terminated last year because of poor performance.
The bill also introduces new accountability measures for nursing program directors, who could face disciplinary actions including license revocation and fines up to $10,000 for failing to submit required annual reports by Nov. 1. These reports must include information on applicant numbers, retention rates, accreditation status and scores on a newly required exit exam.
BEACH ACCESS
Escambia County Commissioner Steve Stroberger faced concerned residents at a recent town hall meeting over the ongoing dispute regarding public beach access easements behind Perdido Key condominiums.
The conflict stems from April 2023, when county officials discovered that original deeds from the 1950s federal land sale included a provision granting perpetual public easements for the southernmost 75 feet of each Gulf Beach Subdivision lot. Several condominium associations subsequently sued the county, though courts have dismissed most of these lawsuits.
At the Liberty Church gathering, Stroberger acknowledged the frustrations of condominium owners who reported unauthorized visitors using their facilities.
"I know how I would feel about that myself. I'd feel exactly the way you do," he told property owners concerned about trespassers using pools, bathrooms and allegedly vandalizing properties.
The commissioner attempted to balance property rights with public beach access, suggesting a potential compromise: "Maybe instead of 75 feet, make it 50 feet or something like that, people could still walk along the water line back and forth."
Beachgoers also voiced concerns. The commissioner called the situation "unsatisfactory," referencing past issues where chains installed by property owners had "clobbered the beach."
Condominium representatives raised questions about maintenance responsibilities, liability concerns and environmental obligations, particularly regarding sea turtle protection. One owner expressed frustration over purchasing property 12 years ago with private beach access, only to see policies change while still being taxed at premium rates.
Stroberger outlined potential solutions, including increased sheriff patrols, utilizing the Real-Time Crime Center to monitor beach access points, and using appropriate signage rather than physical barriers to mark boundaries.
The commissioner repeatedly expressed hope that pending state legislation might resolve the issue, stating, "I hope this issue would be overtaken by events. We won't have to even talk about this again after the legislature gets out of session." However, he admitted not knowing the bill's details.
Though he did not identify the bill, Stroberger may have been referring to Sen. Jay Trumbull's SB 1622, which focused primarily on Walton County beach access. While that legislation passed both the House and Senate, it appears unlikely to apply to Escambia County due to population and municipality requirements specified in the bill. No final decisions were reached at the town hall meeting. {in}
Just like we have every year for the last 25 years, we’re asking all of you to play favorites and vote in our Best of the Coast poll.
That means all of your most important opinions—like who really makes the best fries in town—are finally going to be heard.
And don’t worry if you can’t get through the full ballot in one try. Voting is open through May 21, so you can take it one section at a time. You can also vote online if that’s more your style—at inweekly.net. {in}
Or vote online at inweekly.net • Now-May
21
community, media & culture
Best Nonprofit
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Best Advocacy/Activist Group
Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests
Best Annual Event
Best Food Event
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Best Sports Event
Best Parade
Best Regular/Reoccurring Event
Best Free Thing To Do
Best Neighborhood
Best Public Park
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Best Playground
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Best Dance Studio
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Best TV Station
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services
B est Hair S alon-Pensacola
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Best Hair Salon–Milton/Pace
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▶mail your ballot to Best of the Coast c/o Inweekly, PO Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591
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B est Gym
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weddings
B est Place to Propose
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restaurants
B est Restaurant Overall
Best Restaurant–Downtown
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Best Restaurant–North Pensacola/ Nine Mile Road
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food
*List the specific menu item if applicable
Best Uniquely Pensacola Dish
Best Cup of Coffee
Best Cold Brew
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Best Juices/Smoothies
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Best Weekly Special
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Best Food Manufacturer
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bars, drinks & nightlife
B est Bar Overall
Best Night Club
Best Bar–Downtown
Best Bar–Cordova Area
Best Bar–North Pensacola/Nine Mile Road
Best Bar–West Pensacola/Perdido Key
Best Bar–Pensacola Beach
Best Bar–Milton/Pace
Best New Bar
Best Drink Specials
Best Day Drinking
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Best Bloody Mary
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Best Selection of Wine
Best Margarita
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Best Bar Staff
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Best Neighborhood Bar
Best Pet-Friendly Bar
Best Bar With a View
Best Bar Ambiance
Best Bar for Games
Best Trivia Night
Best Karaoke Night
Best Pub Crawl/Bar Event
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Dance and Learn with "Debí Tirar Más Fotos"
"Debí Tirar Más Fotos," the sixth solo studio album by Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny has made a generation-spanning impact and received widespread acclaim.
On Sunday, May 18, guests at Betty's on Belmont will have a chance to celebrate the styles and themes of the album with a "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" appreciation and dance party event.
By Sydney Robinson
"It's a gorgeous ode to Puerto Rican culture and musical tradition," said Dr. Cassandra Cusack Curbelo, an event co-host.
The album masterfully weaves both old and new music styles, paying homage to Bad Bunny's homeland while exploring themes of colonization and cultural preservation.
"He's been to Hollywood, and he just wants to sit in a plastic chair on the beach with his friends and tell stories like they used to and play dominoes with his grandfather, and it's really so tender and so essential in that way," Cusack Curbelo said. "I just think it's so important to share that, especially at a time like this."
First-time listeners and fans wanting to learn more are invited to attend the free listening party and lecture hosted by Cusack Curbelo and Grace Resendez McCaffery of La Costa Latina.
"I would love for everyone in our community who is enjoying the music, but doesn't understand the deeper meanings to really have a handle on that, because it's a really important work of art," Cusack Curbelo said.
Attendees will listen, learn and, of course, dance to Bad Bunny's love letter to Puerto Rico at Betty's on Belmont with DJ Twist.
"We'll introduce a couple of songs, we'll listen, we'll dance, then we'll stop, catch our breath and I'll talk about the next couple of songs," Cusack Curbelo said.
Attendees will watch Bad Bunny's visual album, hear a brief lecture from Cusack Curbelo, and receive salsa lessons and demonstrations from local dancers.
"We're gonna teach them the basics, because this album has also kind of reignited salsa dancing—not just here with people learning it for the first time, but in the countries of origin, where the old folks were complaining that kids don't know the steps anymore," Cusack Curbelo said.
Cusack Curbelo was inspired to host the event after hearing the album for the first time and connecting to its themes of revolution, anticolonialism and cultural diversity.
"Just musically speaking, it's a masterpiece. But then lyrically, it's so important. It's a really great work of poetry," Cusack Curbelo said.
Cusack Curbelo plans to explore the idea that despite America and immigration being positioned as the way out for so many in Central and South America, lessons from Puerto Rico show that it's an empty promise for many.
"The one country in Latin America who has [citizenship] is actually like 'We want our country back,'" Cusack Curbelo said. "'We want to be able to live in our home. We don't want it being sold off and privatized. We don't want the beaches that we've been taking our kids to, the places we've been fishing since the beginning of time, to be privatized and taken away from us.'"
Cusack Curbelo aims to keep the event accessible so that all who wish to attend can do so, but she hopes to raise funds for the work Resend-
ez McCaffery is doing for the immigrant community in Pensacola and along the Gulf Coast.
"Betty's on Belmont has been awesome to donate their space and keep everything for the community, our DJ as well," Cusack Curbelo said. "Everybody's doing this pro bono, everybody's doing it from the heart. All the proceeds are going to Grace helping the community, as she has for 30 years."
A longtime fan of the space from back when it was chizuko, Cusack Curbelo says she couldn't imagine a better venue to host the inclusive event.
"The reason I gravitated toward Betty's is because they are so proactive about being welcoming and accepting. Those are the people who are going to get out and do something about things, or extend compassion to people that they don't know, or want to have a better understanding of a community that they're not a part of," Cusack Curbelo said.
"I also want the young Latina people who might be newer to town to know that there's a cool spot where they can go," Cusack Curbelo said. "You're welcome [at Betty's]." {in}
"DEBI TIRAR MAS FOTOS" APPRECIATION & DANCE PARTY
WHAT: A Bad Bunny album listening party and lecture with Dr. Cassandra Cusack Curbelo and Grace Resendes McCaffery
WHEN: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, May 18
WHERE: Betty's on Belmont, 506 W. Belmont St.
COST: Free, donations will be accepted to aid community efforts by La Costa Latina DETAILS: @dr.cassandra, @bettys_on_belmont
a&e happenings
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
GREER'S/GOODWILL GULF COAST GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 36th annual Greer's/ Goodwill Gulf Coast Golf Tournament is 8 a.m.
Thursday, May 15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, 7100 Magnolia Grove Pkwy. For additional information, contact Claudia Brant at (251) 3807784, and Tony Zodrow at (251) 656-2998.
RUBBER DUCK RACE
The second annual Rubber Duck Race is 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at Splash City Adventures, 6709 Pensacola Blvd., during the park's Water Park Opening Day celebration, which begins at 10 a.m. Proceeds from the Rubber Duck Race will go to building food pantries in Escambia County Public Schools. Purchase your ducks for $5.
SUNDAY'S CHILD OPENS 2025 GRANT CYCLE TO LOCAL NONPROFITS
Sunday's Child, a Pensacola-based nonprofit organization that promotes equality and inspires inclusion by awarding grants for significant charitable and economic initiatives, announces the opening of its 2025 grant cycle. Nonprofits serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are invited to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) until June 2 through Community Force, found at sundayschild.org.
Key Dates for the 2025 Grant Cycle:
•Grant Application Opens: June 9
•Application Deadline: Aug. 2
•Membership Deadline: May 31
•Annual Kickoff Party (Members Only): June 22 (announcement of total grant amount)
•Annual Meeting (Members Only): Oct. 12 (finalist presentations and voting)
•In-Person Grant Workshop: May 21, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, 300 W Leonard St. Lunch is provided.
•Additional virtual and in-person workshops will be held in June and July, with dates to be announced in advance.
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal
Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Beef 'O' Brady's, 1 New Market St., Cantonment (on Nine Mile Road near Pine Forest Road). The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. For more information, visit facebook. com/animalalliesflorida.
ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN
ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD
DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women, as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY ACADEMY RESOURCE
FAIR Presented by Real Women Radio Foundation, the resource fair will offer opportunities for residents to connect with organizations and information 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at Black Café & Bookstore, 3498 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
ARTS & CULTURE
SELF-CARE WORKSHOP WITH EPIPH -
ANY Indulge in an evening of self-care with Epiphany 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $40. Discover the benefits of facial oils and learn expert techniques for the perfect facial massage. Unwind with a glass of wine and a delicious charcuterie spread. Treat yourself to a night of relaxation and rejuvenation.
BALLET, BOURBON & BALLOT Watch dancers from the Ballet Pensacola professional company perform their own choreography while sampling bourbon from local and regional distilleries. Event is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at The Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are available at balletpensacola.org.
GALLERY NIGHT: ART IN BLOOM Head downtown to enjoy art vendors, live music and performances on South Palafox street 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 16. Details are at gallerynightpensacola.com.
ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN FESTIVAL
The Asian/Pacific American Festival is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 17 and Sunaday, May 18 at 324 Oakfiled Rd. Enjoy food, vendors, and more.Details at filampcola.org.
BROADWAY LIGHTS DANCE CENTER:
THE LITTLE MERMAID Event is 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details are at pensacolasaenger.com.
DRAW TOGETHER DRAWING CLUB This free event starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. It is open to all ages and skill levels, and supplies are provided.
IHMC EVENING LECTURE: JOHNATHAN
EDWARDS Visit IHMC, 40 S. Alcaniz, will host an evening lecture 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, featuring practicing anesthesiologist Dr. Johnathan Edwards. Register for free on Eventbrite.
THE GRAND DAME OF PALAFOX'S 100TH
BIRTHDAY Celebration of Saenger Theatre rescheduled events. Take part in the street party noon Saturday, May 24 with food trucks, vendors, live music and more. Screenings of 1925 silent film "The Phantom of the Opera" are at 4 and 7 p.m. Details are at pensacaolsaenger.com.
CTRL ALT DRAG HOSTED BY TERRAH
CARD Show starts 8 p.m. Sunday, May 25 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com
PENSACOLA MESS HALL HOSTS ILLU -
MINATE: SPACE EXHIBIT MESS Hall's latest exhibit, "Illuminate: Space" was created in partnership with art teachers at St. Paul Catholic
School, Global Learning Academy and Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy, and showcases student art focused on the solar system and beyond. Additional art from students participating in the MESS Hall's Science Explorers After School program is also featured. The exhibit will be available through May 17. Pensacola MESS Hall is located at 418 E. Wright St. Details are available at pensacolamesshall.org.
THE BIG, TINY ART SHOW Blue Morning Gallery Artists will join forces to showcase tiny art just in time for Mother's Day. Individual artists from the gallery will create tiny art, no larger than 4x4, in all mediums. Exhibition is open through May 31. Visit Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox St. For details, visit bluemorningallery.com.
BLUE MORNING GALLERY: SPRING
FLING The latest Blue Morning Gallery exhibit is Spring Fling with featured artists Jan Hoffman, Mark Schmitt and Kathy Stewart. The gallery is located at 21 S. Palafox St. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
JIMMY RHEA: TO BE DEFINED This Pensacola Museum of Art exhibit featuring mixedmedia work by Jimmy Rhea that juxtaposes historical icons with contemporary culture is on view through June 1 at PMA, 407 S. Jefferson St. For museum hours and details, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
THE MEMBERS SHOW PMA Members show is on view through June 1 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details are at pensacolamuseum.org.
JULIA MORRISROE: ICONS AND MONUMENTS Julia Morrisroe, a professor in painting and drawing at the University of Florida, will exhibit her show "Icons and Monuments" in the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. The exhibit is on view May 19-Aug. 7. Morrisroe will present an artist lecture in the Switzer Lecture Hall (Room 1590) 5:30 p.m. June 3. A reception will follow, and the event is free and open to the public. For more details, visit visualarts.pensacolastate.edu.
IN YOUR FACE: PORTRAITS BY GILA RAYBERG Mosaic portraiture by Gila Rayberg is on view through Sept. 7 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details are at pensacolamuseum.org.
SILENT BOOK CLUB AT BODACIOUS Sundays are for quietly reading at Bodacious Bookstore & Café, 110 E. Intendencia St. Join the Silent Book Club 10-11 a.m. Sundays. Details are at facebook.com/bodaciousbookstore.
PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meetings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information.
BTB COMEDY Watch live standup comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.
COMEDY SHOWCASE AT SUBCULTURE
BTB Comedy presents a comedy showcase the first Thursday monthly at Subculture Art Gallery, 701 N. V St. Follow facebook.com/pensacolasubculture for updates.
SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.
PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/downtownpensacola.
CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.
SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside Pensacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.
AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with real ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. After your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.
FOOD + DRINKS
COME ROLL WITH US Sushi rolling class is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. Cost is $55 a person. For reservations, call (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@ goodgrits.com.
STREET FOODS: HAWAIIAN Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Friday May 16 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite C. Cost is $50 a student (adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/classes-and-events.
FAMILIES COOK: SUSHI SKILLS Cooking class is 5-7 p.m. Sunday May 18 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite C. Cost is $60 a student. (Ages 16 and older are welcome). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/ classes-and-events.
GUMBO YA YA COOK OFF Gumbo cook off benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of North -
free will astrology
WEEK OF MAY 15
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): What may appear to be slow or static is actually moving. The developing changes are imperceptible from day to day, but incrementally substantial. So please maintain your faith in the diligent, determined approach. Give yourself pep talks that renew your deeply felt motivation. Ignore the judgments and criticism of people who have no inkling of how hard you have been working. In the long run, you will prove that gradual progress can be the most enduring.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): The most successful people aren't those who merely follow their passion, but those who follow their curiosity. Honoring the guidance of our passions motivates us, but it can also narrow our focus. Heeding the call of our curiosity emboldens our adaptability, exploration and maximum openness to new possibilities. In that spirit, Taurus, I invite you to celebrate your yearning to know and discover. Instead of aching for total clarity about your life's mission, investigate the subtle threads of what piques your curiosity. Experiment with being an intrigued adventurer.
By Rob Brezsny
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): More than 2,000 years ago, people living in what's now the Peruvian desert began etching huge designs of animals and plants in the earth. The makers moved a lot of dirt! Here's the mystery: Some of the gigantic images of birds, spiders and other creatures are still visible today, but can only be deciphered from high above. And there were, of course, no airplanes in ancient times to aid in depicting the figures. Let's use this as a metaphor for one of your upcoming tasks, Cancerian. I invite you to initiate or intensify work on a labor of love that will motivate you to survey your life from the vantage point of a bird or plane or mountaintop.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): You now have extra power to detect previously veiled patterns and hidden agendas. That's why I urge you to be alert for zesty revelations that may seem to arrive out of nowhere. They could even arise from situations you have assumed were thoroughly explored and understood. These are blessings, in my opinion. You should expect and welcome the full emergence of truths that have been ripening below the surface of your awareness. Even if they are initially surprising or daunting, you will ultimately be glad they have finally appeared.
quite ingenious. A possibility that initially seems improbable may become feasible when you reconfigure its elements. P.S. Your natural curiosity will serve you best when directed toward making connections between seemingly unrelated people and fields.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Gemini author Huston Smith was a religious scholar who wrote 13 books. But he was dedicated to experiencing religions from the inside rather than simply studying them academically. Smith danced with Whirling Dervishes, practiced Zen meditation with a master and ingested peyote with Native Americans, embodying his view that real understanding requires participation, not just observation. In the spirit of his disciplined devotion, I invite you to seek out opportunities to learn through experience as much as theory. Leave your safety zone, if necessary, to engage with unfamiliar experiences that expand your soul. Be inspired by how Smith immersed himself in wisdom that couldn't come from books alone.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Renowned Virgo author Nassim Nicholas Taleb has called for the discontinuation of the Nobel Prize in Economics. He says it rewards economists who express bad ideas that cause great damage. He also delivers ringing critiques of other economists widely regarded as top luminaries. Taleb has a lot of credibility. His book "The Black Swan" was named one of the most influential books since World War II. I propose we make him your inspirational role model for now, Virgo. May he incite you to question authority to the max. May he rouse you to bypass so-called experts, alleged mavens and supposed wizards. Be your own masterful authority.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): I predict that your usual mental agility will be even more robust than usual in the coming weeks. Although this could possibly lead you to overthink everything, I don't believe that's what will happen. Instead, I suspect your extra cognitive flexibility will be highly practical and useful. It will enable you to approach problems from multiple angles simultaneously—and come up with hybrid solutions that are
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): You're ready to go to the next evolutionary stage of a close alliance. Although you may not feel entirely prepared for the challenge, I believe you will be guided by your deeper wisdom to do what's necessary. One way I can help is to provide exhilarating words that boost your daring spirit. With that in mind, I offer you a passage from poet William Blake. Say them to your special friend if that feels right, or find other words appropriate to your style. Blake wrote, "You are the fierce angel that carves my soul into brightness, the eternal fire that burns away my dross. You are the golden thread spun by the hand of heaven, weaving me into the fabric of infinite delight. Your love is a furnace of stars, a vision that consumes my mortal sight, leaving me radiant and undone. In your embrace, I find the gates of paradise thrown wide."
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): In ancient Egypt, mirrors were composed of polished copper. To remain properly reflective, they required continual maintenance. Let's take that as a metaphor for one of your key tasks in the coming weeks. It's high time to do creative upkeep on your relationships with influences that provide you with feedback on how you're doing. Are your intended effects pretty close to your actual effects? Does your self-image match the way you are perceived by others? Are you getting the right kind of input to help you stay on course?
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Chances to initiate creative transformations will come from unexpected sources in the coming days. I guarantee it. But will you be sufficiently receptive
to take maximum advantage? The purpose of this horoscope is to nudge you to shed your expectations so you will be tenderly, curiously open to surprising help and inspiration. What sweet interruptions and graceful detours will flow your way if you are willing to depart from your usual script? I predict that your leadership qualities will generate the greatest good for all concerned if you are willing to relinquish full control and be flexibly eager to entertain intuitive breakthroughs.
AQUARIUS
(JAN. 20-FEB. 18): For many Indigenous people of California, acorns were part of every meal. Nuts from oak trees were used to create bread, soups, dumplings, pancakes, gravy and porridge. But making them edible required strenuous work. In their natural state, they taste bitter and require multiple soakings to leach out the astringent ingredient. Is there a metaphorical equivalent for you, Aquarius? An element that can be important, but needs a lot of work, refinement and preparation? If so, now is a good time to develop new approaches to making it fully available.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): When Piscesborn Jane Hirshfield was a young poet, she mostly stopped writing poetry for eight years. During that time, she was a full-time student of Zen Buddhism and lived for three years at a monastery. When she resumed her craft, it was infused with what she had learned. Her meditative practice had honed her observational skills, her appreciation of the rich details of daily life, and her understanding that silence could be a form of communication. In the spirit of the wealth she gathered from stillness, calm and discipline, I invite you to enjoy your own spiritual sabbatical, dear Pisces. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to relax into the most intriguing mysteries.
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What do you want more than anything else but fear you're not worthy of? {in}
freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com BrezsnyAstrology@gmail.com © 2025 Rob Brezsny
news of the weird
SEEN IT ALL Police in Akron, Ohio, caught bodycam video of a bandit behind the wheel with a meth pipe in his mouth during a traffic stop on May 5. But Chewy, the bandit in question, did not face arrest, because Chewy is a pet raccoon.
WLWT 5 reported that as the driver of the vehicle, Victoria Vidal, 55, was detained for having an active warrant and driving with a suspended license, officers returned to Vidal's vehicle to find Chewy in the driver's seat with the drug paraphernalia. "While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!" the Springfield Township Police Department said in a Facebook post, adding, "No raccoons were hurt or injured in this incident."
SWEET TOOTH Holly LaFavers of Lexington, Kentucky, tried to cancel an Amazon order placed by her second grader son, Liam, over the weekend, but it was too late; when the pair arrived home on May 5, WKYT reported, Liam yelled, "My suckers are here!" and LaFavers was greeted by 22 large cases of Dum-Dums lollipops lining her front porch. Liam, who placed the order while entertaining himself with his mother's phone, actually had ordered 30 cases— each containing 2,340 lollipops, for a total cost of more than $4,000—but eight of the cases wouldn't scan and were returned to sender. "He told me that he wanted to have a carnival," LaFavers said, "and he was ordering the Dum-Dums as prizes for his carnival." Amazon fully refunded the order, and LaFavers vowed to change the access settings on her phone.
JOYRIDE A stray bull in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India, became an internet sensation when CCTV caught the bold bovine taking a spontaneous ride on a motorized scooter. In the video, which was posted on X and reported on by NDTV, the bull casually strolled down a street before taking an interest in a parked scooter. As a prescient mother scooped up her child and ducked out of harm's way, the bull hopped onto the scooter with its front legs, somehow perfectly balancing the scooter and setting it in motion. The ride covered about 50 feet before the scooter fell over and the bull nonchalantly walked away. One user on X summed it up: "No one would believe if it wasn't captured by CCTV."
YOU AGAIN? Rescues are not uncommon on Mount Fuji, but one climber may have used up all the good will of the Shizouka prefectural police, who were called to save the man near the mountain's peak twice in a span of four days. The imprudent adventurer, a 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan, began suffering from altitude sickness and was airlifted to safety after calling authorities on April 22; the Associated Press reported that he returned to the mountain on April 26 "to look for his cellphone and other belongings left behind," according to police. When another climber found him suffering altitude sickness and unable to move, authorities were called in to rescue him once again. There is no penalty for climbing Mount Fuji during the offseason, and no charge associated with being rescued—even twice in the same week.
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LAY OFF ME, I'M STARVING
Anyone familiar with A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories knows bears love honey and will go to great lengths for the sweet stuff. So it's not exactly surprising that Jeff Bonner of Bazetta, Ohio, recently caught a bear on the motion-activated cameras he had set up to protect his apiary. What was surprising, Bonner told WFMJ-TV, was what little remained in the aftermath of the bear's late-night snack attack. "He ate the frame, the wax that was there, and the bees," Bonner said. "He literally ate a whole hive of bees." Bonner estimated the hive had held some 10,000-50,000 bees. He expects the bear to return to the newly found food source, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recommended that he increase the apiary's security with more cameras and an electric fence.
THAT'S A FIRST
Team members at New Zealand's department of conservation recently bore witness for the first time ever to the egg-laying process of Powelliphanta augusta, a large, carnivorous, hermaphrodite snail that mates and lays eggs through a hole in its neck. Ingrid Gruner, the department's regional biodiversity liaison, told the Guardian that the team had "struck lucky" when video taken during a routine weight check of one of the snails captured the moment the small white egg emerged. "In all the years we've been doing that
SHE HAS THE HIGH GROUND A judge in London, England, recently awarded Lorna Rooke, former training and practice supervisor for the National Health Service's Blood and Transplant division, a whopping $38,729 for being compared to Darth Vader, the Guardian reported on May 7. In 2021, Rooke and her co-workers were asked to participate in a team-building exercise featuring a "Star Wars"-themed questionnaire that would reveal which character from the sci-fi fantasy franchise their personality most resembled. Rooke didn't participate but found out later that co-workers had filled it out for her, and the result came up Sith lord. Though the quiz described Vader as a "very focused individual," Rooke called the comparison "highly unflattering" and said it made her "super unpopular" around the office, leading her to resign a month later.
TAKING IT FOR THE TEAM In an effort to build up an immunity to the venom of lethal snakes, herpetologist Tim Friede, 57, of Wisconsin, allowed himself to be bitten over 200 times and self-administered more than 650 venom injections over 18 years while steadfastly documenting the effects, The New York Times reported on May 2. Now, as described in a study published in the journal Cell last week, scientists have used the unique antibodies in Friede's blood to create a drug that fully protected mice from the venom of 13 deadly snake species. Researchers hope Friede's work (and blood) will lead to the creation of a universal antivenom. "I'm really proud that I can do something in life for humanity," Friede told the Times. {in}
Pensacola, FL