WAYEARLYTOO AUGUST
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DR. JAMES ARRUDA A University of West Florida psychology professor has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an electroencephalographic (EEG)-based platform that could detect Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear. Dr. James Arruda's Flash Visual Evoked Potential-P2 technology measures how quickly the brain responds to brief light flashes—a response selectively delayed in patients with mild cognitive impairment linked to Alzheimer's. Unlike current gold-standard diagnostics such as PET imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, the platform uses standard EEG equipment already found in clinics. UWF holds a licensing agreement with Californiabased BIOPAC Systems Inc. Arruda and BIOPAC are now moving into FDA pre-submission. The research spans 29 years.
ANNA PRINDLE Florida State University's Florida Center for Research in STEM has named Anna Prindle, a fifth-grade teacher at Holley-Navarre Intermediate School, the inaugural recipient of its Innovating Teacher of the Year award. Prindle, a 20-year teaching veteran, has secured major grants funding robotics, coding and 3D printing programs for her students. Her STEAM Night initiative draws more than 450 participants annually, and her One School, One Project program engages nearly 700 students across 35 classrooms. Her students consistently outperform district and state math averages. FCR-STEM, established by the Florida Legislature and housed at FSU since 2006, works to improve K-12 STEM education statewide.
ERIN DIXON The Pensacola Children's Chorus has appointed Erin Dixon as its new Assistant Artistic Director following a nationwide search that drew nearly 30 applicants. Dixon will help produce PCC's annual performance series and direct its downtown choral programs. Dixon holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University and a Music Education degree from James Madison University. Her teaching background spans choral music, musical theatre and show choir across all age levels. She succeeds Juliana Child, who originated the position in 2019 and will leave this summer to pursue graduate study at Penn State. A celebration honoring Child is scheduled for June 18 at the Saenger Theatre.
ANASTASIOS KAMOUTSAS Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas was named the sole finalist in Polk State College's presidential search. Kamoutsas, who engineered the ousting of Dr. Martha Saunders by University of West Florida Board of Trustees appointees, will make a Polk State campus visit June 3. The board is expected to make a recommendation that afternoon. College officials praised his vision for Polk State's future and understanding of its regional mission. He is the third Education Commissioner to win college or university presidency, following in the footsteps of Richard Corcoran at New World College of Florida and Manny Diaz Jr. at UWF.
ANTI-DEI CONSERVATIVES Conservative critics are pushing back against Stuart Bell, named as the lone finalist for University of Florida president, citing his handling of diversity programs at the University of Alabama. John Sailer of the Manhattan Institute led the criticism on social media, arguing Bell kept DEI officers and simply renamed the office after Alabama's legislature abolished such programs. Sailer also questioned whether UF's Board of Trustees breached protocol by advancing a single finalist. DEI didn't hurt Alabama's football program under President Bell. During his tenure, the team won six SEC titles (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023) and three national championships (2015, 2017 and 2020). Beyond football, Bell's tenure saw Alabama student-athletes achieve the school's first men's basketball Final Four appearance and record the highest Academic Progress Rate in school history.
BOATING ACCIDENTS Florida's waterways saw 694 reportable boating accidents in 2025, up from 685 in 2024 and 659 in 2023, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's annual Boating Accident Statistical Report. Fifty-one people died in boating-related incidents in 2025, which is down from 81 deaths in 2024. Drowning accounted for more than half of the fatalities. Alcohol or drugs were factors in 14% of fatalities, and personal watercraft were involved in 12 deaths and 161 total accidents. Okaloosa County ranked among the state's top ten counties for boating incidents, recording 42 reportable accidents and 18 injuries.
By Rick Outzen
Escambia County's August primary is not a warm-up act. It is the election where we learn whether we still believe, as Theodore Roosevelt did, that citizenship means "work in the political life of the community," not just commentary from the sidelines.
In August 2024, only 24.4% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the primary. Roughly three out of four Escambia County adults chose silence. In Roosevelt's language, that means a failure of citizenship.
THE FIRST DUTY In 1883, New York State Assemblyman Roosevelt argued that "it ought to be axiomatic in this country that every man must devote a reasonable share of his time to doing his duty in the political life of the community." He was talking about the layers of government that touch daily life: school boards, county commissions, city councils. In Escambia in 2026, that translates directly to 14 local offices on the August ballot and a referendum that will decide whether the Superintendent of Schools returns to being an elected position.
as a steward of the people who is "bound actively and affirmatively to do all he can for the people," rather than just meeting the bare min imum of what is legal. Stewardship is about using authority aggressively on behalf of the public. That standard should guide how Escambia voters evaluate both the candidates and the referendum.
had no patience for people who declared themselves "too busy" for local politics.
Roosevelt also punctured the fantasy that we can outsource the hard parts of democracy to "good people" and then return to our private lives. He said, "No man has a right to shirk his political duties under whatever plea of pleasure or business."
In Escambia County, shirking looks like skipping the August primary because it seems "too confusing," treating down-ballot offices as filler or assuming the "important" decisions only happen in November. It looks like neighbors who can rattle off national talking points but can't name their school board member, county commissioner or city councilperson.
Roosevelt had no patience for people who declared themselves "too busy" for local politics. Voters who insisted they didn't have time, he said, were simply admitting they were unfit to live in a free community. He understood that when most citizens stay home, a narrow slice of organized interests and hyper-motivated factions decide who wins office.
In 2022, Mayor D.C. Reeves was elected with 51.1% of the votes cast—but over 60% of the city's registered voters didn't participate. The same dynamic could play out this August. A low-visibility county race can be decided by a few hundred votes. A school board seat can slip to whoever wins a small, angry base rather than whoever is most prepared to do the work. The school board placed the superintendent question on the August ballot, hoping for a low turnout.
STEWARDSHIP, NOT ENTITLEMENT Roosevelt's view of public office clarifies why turnout matters. He described an elected official
If we're serious about not repeating that 24.4% turnout, "doing our duty in the political life of the community" between now and August has to mean more than posting opinions on social media. It means spending a little time each week learning who is running for which local office and what power those offices actually hold. It means talking with family, coworkers and church or neighborhood circles about the August ballot. It means asking every candidate we meet how they understand public office: as a job, as a stepping stone or as stewardship on behalf of the people who live here. And it ultimately means voting and making sure the people in our orbit know when, where and how to do the same. Roosevelt said the best prize life offers is "the chance to work hard at work worth doing." For Escambia County, there may be no work more worth doing this summer than showing up in August, taking the local ballot seriously and proving that citizenship is something you practice, not just something you claim. {in} rick@inweekly.net
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ic Development Council has earned Florida's top economic development honor, receiving the 2026 "Deal of the Year" award in the Urban category from the Florida Economic Development Council for its work landing Williams International's massive manufacturing expansion in Okaloosa County.
The FEDC presented the award May 14 during its annual conference in Orlando. The council recognizes three Deal of the Year recipients annually in Rural, Urban and Regional categories, evaluating submissions on overall economic impact and the level of expertise required to close the deal.
Williams International is currently constructing the first phase of a one-millionsquare-foot gas turbine engine manufacturing plant at the Shoal River Industrial Park near Crestview. The project carries a total capital investment of over $1 billion, placing it among the largest economic development projects in Florida history. The company has committed to hiring 336 workers at an average annual wage of $69,434.
One Okaloosa EDC Executive Director Nathan Sparks submitted the Williams International project to the FEDC Awards Review Panel earlier this year.
"We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious recognition from the Florida Economic Development Council," Sparks said. "While our organization's name may be on it, this is truly a team award."
Sparks credited a broad coalition of partners for making the project possible, including the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, FloridaCommerce, Triumph Gulf Coast, Space Florida, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, Northwest Florida State College, the University
the Okaloosa County School District.
Founded in 1989 as the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, One Okaloosa EDC is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit public-private partnership serving Okaloosa County and its nine municipalities. The organization serves as the county's lead economic development agency.
The Williams International project represents a significant milestone for Northwest Florida's defense and aerospace manufacturing sector. Gas turbine engines produced by Williams International power a range of military and commercial aircraft, making the Shoal River facility a strategically significant addition to the region's industrial base.
PSC BACKS DOWN Pensacola State College has agreed to fund the printing of a studentproduced magazine after a national free speech organization challenged the college's initial refusal, saying it violated students' rights.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) sent a formal letter to PSC on May 12, raising concerns about the college's decision not to fund printing of Just Opposed, a magazine created collaboratively by Graphic Design and Journalism students during the spring 2026 term.
"PSC student journalists will get to see their work in print." Dominic Coletti
In a May 18 response, PSC President Ed Meadows acknowledged that funding the print run falls within the college's educational mission and does not violate state law. The college
has authorized printing of 100 copies for students' personal portfolio use.
"PSC student journalists will get to see their work in print," said Dominic Coletti, FIRE's Program Officer for Campus Rights Advocacy. "This is a victory not only for PSC's student journalists, but for all students at the college, as PSC is now complying with state law."
FIRE is a Philadelphiabased nonprofit that advocates for free speech and academic freedom at colleges and universities nationwide.
PSC had initially cited Florida Statute 1004.06, which governs prohibited expenditures, as the basis for withholding funds. After a full legal review that included input from General Counsel Braden Ball, the college reversed course.
Meadows' letter drew a distinction between "publishing" the magazine as a public-facing student outlet and "printing" copies for personal portfolio use. PSC currently sponsors three student publications and said it is not considering adding another.
The magazine was produced as a class assignment, with students from both programs working together to create a print-ready publication. The assignment was completed, and all students received grades without administrative involvement, according to the college's letter.
Meadows defended the college's handling of the matter, writing that PSC "takes exception to the allegations that any of its administrators or personnel violated the law." The letter was copied to Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Erin Spicer and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brenda Kelly.
The college said the printing process has already begun and characterized the matter as resolved.
Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler publicly confronted Commission Chair Ashlee Hofberger at the May 21 commission meeting over her aide Melanie Luna's continued service on the county's Contractor Competency Board.
Hofberger defended Luna's board position by telling commissioners she had consulted with County Attorney Alison Rogers and found no legal requirement to remove her. The county's only stated eligibility rule for committee service is Escambia County residency, and Rogers confirmed no written prohibition exists.
But when Rogers addressed the board directly, she added a detail Hofberger had omit-
ted. "It has certainly been my advice for many, many years that our employees should not be on our citizen committees for a number of reasons," Rogers said. "It's legally awkward at best."
Kohler immediately asked Rogers whether she had made that recommendation to Hofberger. Before Rogers could answer, Hofberger interjected: "She did. I haven't [removed Luna]."
Kohler replied, "All right, so you just don't care. That's good to know."
Hofberger pushed back, arguing that because she did not appoint Luna and the full commission has not voted on any matter before the board, there is no conflict requiring action.
Commissioner Steve Barry outlined the practical risk. The Contractor Competency Board handles licensing and disciplinary matters for contractors, and appeals of its decisions come before the full commission. With Hofberger's aide sitting on the body that issues original rulings, any contractor who loses an appeal at the commission level would have standing to challenge the integrity of the entire process.
Barry said the board has seen only three or four appeals in 14 years and none since Hofberger became chair but added the arrangement "would seem like it would be a problem if we did have one."
"There's a moral requirement," Kohler said. "This is not transparent, open government. Everyone knows it. It needs to be addressed."
Kohler stopped short of filing a formal motion, saying he intends to request that the county's HR onboarding process be updated to address board participation by commission aides and staff. Hofberger said she would support bringing a formal policy to a board vote.
Two Pensacola-area law enforcement officers were among 363 names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., during National Police Week ceremonies on May 15.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Alton D. Berrian and Escambia County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jeremy H. Cassady were honored at local memorials alongside the national recognition.
Berrian died May 16, 2025, eight days after collapsing following his midnight shift. On May 8, he had assisted with removing a vehicle from Gulf Breeze Parkway near the Green Briar Parkway before completing his shift. He complained of pain shortly afterward and went to the emergency room, where he lost consciousness. He was life-flighted to HCA West Florida Hospital for emergency surgery but never regained consciousness.
Cassady was critically wounded Oct. 29, 2010, when he and two fellow deputies responded to a home invasion call in a neighborhood off Scenic Highway near Interstate 10. Upon arrival, the deputies encountered Phillip Monier, who opened fire using his ex-girlfriend as a human shield. Cassady suffered gunshot wounds during the close-range exchange and
underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant as a result of his injuries. He took medical retirement from ECSO in October 2012. His family has said the oral throat cancer that claimed his life in 2025 was linked to the anti-rejection medication he required after his transplant.
The Pensacola Police Department and both sheriff's offices held separate remembrance ceremonies as part of National Police Week.
The Pensacola International Airport has been awarded a $9 million federal grant to expand and modernize its terminal. The award comes through the FAA's Airport Terminal Program, funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, as part of the fifth and final round of grants under the program.
The money will fund the expansion of the airport's TSA security checkpoint, adding approximately 8,400 square feet of new space and growing the checkpoint to six screening lanes. The project also includes improved passenger queuing areas, additional public restrooms and modernized baggage handling infrastructure. Construction is planned to begin at the end of 2026.
"This investment is transformational for Pensacola International Airport and for the fu -
ture of air travel in our region," Airport Executive Director Matt Coughlin said. "Our community continues to experience tremendous growth, and this funding allows us to accelerate critical infrastructure improvements that will enhance the passenger experience, improve operational efficiency and position PNS for the next generation of growth. We're incredibly grateful to the FAA and our congressional delegation for their continued support of our region's infrastructure."
Coughlin told reporters at the mayor's press conference on May 19 that the airport has now secured approximately $32 million in total federal and state grants toward the modernization program, with another $38 million in grant funding still being pursued. The airport also carries $110 million in bonds to finance the broader effort.
Mayor D.C. Reeves framed the grant in terms of its direct impact on travelers. Every dollar secured through grants reduces what must be financed through bonds.
"Receiving these grant dollars ultimately helps keep costs low, and that's what's made Pensacola so competitive," Reeves said. "The fact that we are able to get this funding does have a bottomline impact to the users of our airport. We're very grateful to everybody involved."
The broader modernization program is currently at 60% design. Ramp construction is set to begin in July, with the security checkpoint and pedestrian walkway to follow, and the new concourse last. Two new hangars under Project Titan are also advancing in parallel, with Hangar 3 expected to receive a temporary occupancy certificate before the end of May and Hangar 4's foundation work starting in July.
Project Titan is the expansion of ST Engineering's aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul campus. Upon completion, the MRO campus will create more than 1,300 jobs.
For more information, visit flypensacola.com.
PRO-BUSINESS LAWMAKERS Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has released its 2026 Voting Records Report, tracking more than 2,500 votes cast on 47 bills during the legislative session. The nonprofit, which has published the scorecard annually for 52 years, bills the report as the most comprehensive record of the Legislature's collective approach to employer concerns in the state.
Among the Northwest Florida delegation, Rep. Alex Andrade posted the highest score at 92%, seven points above the House chamber average of 85%. Sen. Don Gaetz scored 91%, well above the Senate average of 79%. Rep. Na -
than Boyles came in at 86%, one point above the House average, while Rep. Michelle Salzman scored 81%, four points below it.
AIF President and CEO Brewster Bevis called the scorecard "a meaningful snapshot of a legislator's support for Florida's job creators," noting that Florida employers have relied on the report for more than five decades to evaluate how lawmakers voted on business issues.
AIF Vice President of Governmental Affairs Adam Basford said the 2026 session "produced a number of meaningful outcomes" for employers but cautioned that several failed proposals raised concerns about increased regulatory burdens, litigation exposure and long-term cost impacts.
The AIF report differs from the Florida Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Legislative Report Card, released earlier this month, which drew from more than 4,100 votes compared to AIF's roughly 2,500. Scores shifted under the larger sample. Boyles performed better on the Chamber scorecard at 93%, while Salzman dropped to 79%. Sen. Gaetz improved under the AIF sample, moving from 89% on the Chamber report to 91%. Rep. Andrade held steady at 92% under both organizations.
The full 2026 Voting Records Report is available at aif.com. {in}
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender and his staff are preparing for the August primary, which includes races for U.S. Senate, Congress, Florida governor and cabinet and Florida House of Representatives, plus 14 county and city races and a referendum to change the Superintendent of Schools back to an elected position.
"Because so many local races—such as school board, Pensacola mayor and city council—are nonpartisan, voters, regardless of party affiliation, will have something to vote on," Bender said.
He wants voters to understand that the "primary for a number of races decides who is elected." Bender added, "Look at the school board races. Those are primary races, even if there are only two in the race, which are decided in the primary."
He continued, "We have the mayoral race for the City of Pensacola residents, which has a lot to choose from in that category. So hopefully people come out and support their candidate. In 2022, Mayor Reeves received over 50% of the vote in the primary, so it was not on the general election for the voters in that election to decide. So if you didn't vote in the primary election, you didn't help choose a mayor."
The voter turnout for the past three August primaries has declined steadily—2020: 32.9%; 2022: 29.08%; and 2024: 24.4%. Bender wants to reverse that trend. He said, "I'd love it to be at least half of what we had for the presidential, mid to upper 30s, which would probably be a record for us."
The state has mandated that supervisors of elections remove inactive voters from their rolls. The smaller rolls should have improved the voter turnout percentage, but they didn't.
"We've done the work, and we're coming in … lower," Bender said. "We need to get everyone to realize the impact that their vote can have during a primary election."
He added, "The primary isn't just voting for who's going to represent a certain party in the general. It is electing people to office. It is making decisions that affect the county, and those decisions are made in the primary as well as the general."
The August ballot has not been finalized. We have prequalified candidates, who are allowed to collect petition signatures and contributions and spend money on yard signs and campaign materials. However, the qualifying period doesn't begin until noon on Monday, June 8, and closes noon on Friday, June 12.
The good news is you have time to enter a race, and there are a few that need a challenger (or else the lone qualified candidate will be declared the winner without facing voters). The bad news is you missed the deadline to qualify by petition, so you will have to pay the full filing fee, which differs for each office. The filing fees can been found in the Escambia County Candidate Handbook, which is available online.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office is where you can register to vote, change parties and find your voting precinct. You can request a vote-by-mail ballot in person or online and track it after you return it. The staff can also answer any questions you may have if you are interested in running.
213 S. Palafox St., Second Floor
Phone: (850) 595-3900
TDD: (850) 595-3913
Email: soe@escambiavotes.gov
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday Website: escambiavotes.gov
To keep up with the latest updates, Bender also encourages voters to follow his office on social media:
Facebook: escambiavotes
X: @escambiavotes
Instagram: @escambiavotes
YouTube: escambiavotes
(as of May 22)
We will publish the final list of qualified candidates after the June 12 deadline. We will also outline which candidates will be on the August primary ballot and which will appear in the November general election, who are typically write-in (WRI) and no party affiliation (NPA) candidates.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, DISTRICT 2
Glenn Dorsey (REP)
Mike Kohler (REP)
EErica King Pleas Sims Riley (WRI)
Mathious Robinson (DEM)
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, DISTRICT 4
Ashlee Hofberger (REP)
Joe Vinson (NPA)
EMERALD COAST UTILITIES
AUTHORITY, DISTRICT 2
Lois Benson (REP)
Chase "Andy" Romagnano (DEM)
Voter Registration & Party Change Deadline: July 20
Vote-By-Mail Request Deadline: Aug. 6
Early Voting: Aug. 8-15
Election Day: Aug. 18
EMERALD COAST UTILITIES
AUTHORITY, DISTRICT 4
Greg Litton (REP)
Ralph Schofield, Jr. (NPA)
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 1 (Nonpartisan)
Kevin Adams
Erin Toler
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2 (Nonpartisan)
Paul Fetsko
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 3 (Nonpartisan)
David Williams I
Isaac Williams
SANTA ROSA ISLAND AUTHORITY (Nonpartisan)
Steven Luppert
CITY OF PENSACOLA MAYOR (Nonpartisan)
Jasmine Brown
Ann Hill
Darcy "D.C." Reeves
Eric Shorter
Alicia Trawick
Jermaine J. Williams
PENSACOLA CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 2 (Nonpartisan)
Charles Bare
Sherri Myers
PENSACOLA CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 4 (Nonpartisan)
Brian Cole
Boyce T. White
PENSACOLA CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 6 (Nonpartisan)
Allison Patton
COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 2 (Nonpartisan)
Charles Philip Young
CENTURY TOWN COUNCIL, SEAT 3 (Nonpartisan)
Shelisa Abraham
You can find out who is running and review their campaign finance reports at: dos.fl.gov/elections.
I n 2024, we saw two candidates disqualified— John R. Johnson and Bruce Childers. Johnson failed to pay his filing fee with a check drawn on his campaign account. Childers didn't correctly complete the Form 6.
Johnson wanted to run for County Commission District 3, but he used the wrong state ethics form and paid his qualifying fee with a cashier's check. He told Inweekly that a state employee told him Form 6 was only for incumbents when he tried to fill it out online. Johnson said he had to use a cashier's check because PenAir Credit Union no longer issues counter checks. However, credit union officials told Inweekly that they still offer them.
Childers, the husband of County Clerk of Courts Pam Childers, did not submit a complete Form 6. He blamed a Supervisor of Elections employee who allegedly told him and his wife that the Form 6 he had submitted was sufficient. The employee denied making the statement. Childers took Bender to court to get on the ballot and lost.
Residency is what most often disqualifies city candidates. To qualify for mayor, a candidate must be a resident of the city, qualify as a Florida elector and have been assigned a voter registration number by the Supervisor of Elections to vote in a city precinct not less than one year prior to the end of the qualification period.
City Council candidates must also have been residents of the declared district for at least one year prior to the end of the qualification period.
H ere are the party breakdowns for registered voters as of April 30:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Republican: 98,158 (48.6%)
Democrat: 58,368 (28.9%)
No Party Affiliation: 38,286 (18.9%)
Minor Parties: 7,379 (3.6%)
Total: 202,191
STATE OF FLORIDA
Republican: 5,533,497 (41.4%)
Democrat: 4,028,123 (30.1%)
No Party Affiliation: 3,318,339 (24.8%)
Minor Parties: 481,041 (3.6%)
Total: 13,361,000 {in}
By Savannah Evanoff
The New Cahoots always has a bit of something new.
Frontman Michael Garcia believes the Pensacola "grass rock" band's name perfectly captures how its lineup has changed many times— from being a duet with Garcia's friend Gordon Frank, to a trio, to a full band with drums that's been going strong for more than a year with Garcia (guitar and lead vocals), Owen Finley (bass), Ethan Giles (drums), Jay Stafford (mandolin) and Stuart Harmening (dobro and telecaster). They have a lot of fun with the name; the group chat is currently labeled "The Stu
Cahoots" to recognize Harmening as the newest member.
Despite the member changes, the band lives on for one simple reason: the music. And more specifically, the style of music.
"I feel like I've always had it in me," Garcia said. "As far as I can remember, hearing folk Americana sort of stuff, I have always gravitated that way … the bluegrass thing is part of what has made The New Cahoots a thing, but we have very much leaned in and out of it. We're by no means a traditional-sounding bluegrass [band]. We like to make it different, make it our own, make it loud
with drums and electric guitar and things like that. Playing traditional music in a non-traditional way has been our thing from the get-go."
"Even in a three-hour show, we are playing about 80% original music, which is a huge thing for the band," Garcia said.
As the oldest member and backbone of the now five-piece acoustic and electric band, Garcia is proud to celebrate six years of Cahootin' with the upcoming anniversary show.
Garcia didn't always see himself performing live music; in fact, he didn't experience any live music growing up.
Everything changed, though, after a posthigh-school graduation trip to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
"It just blew my mind—the people and the energy and the fact that there was this whole live media community and industry that I was not aware of that I could very well be a part of," Garcia said. "From that weekend on, I kind of recoursed my life to going to shows, working with shows."
Formerly in the local jam band Post Pluto, Garcia now works as the lead talent buyer at Vinyl Music Hall while moonlighting in The New Cahoots. The bluegrass and rock fusion band has had the opportunity to play many festivals and noteworthy opening slots—such as for Old Crow Medicine Show, Town Mountain, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Dumpstaphunk and Railroad Earth—but one of Garcia's favorite milestones was recording the 2025 "Bungalow" EP. While Garcia was once partial to jam and funk bands, the EP reflects his discovery of folk and Americana.
"I started really getting into [this] non-serious-style folk music—like, John Prine is a famous folk artist that can write very serious, sad stuff, and he can write very non-serious, almost
funny stuff," Garcia said. "'Florida Man,' the first song on [our] EP, is just a poke at the infamous Florida Man."
He's been performing that song since The New Cahoots was a duo. Garcia wrote "Invisible Crowd" after his first time performing live by himself. One of the lyrics references his life-changing experience at Bonnaroo.
Right now the group is working on another single and a music video, and they have plans to record a full album.
As the anniversary show approaches, Garcia said one of his favorite aspects of being in bluegrass is the people he's met. The members of opening bands Black Creek String Band, Goodbye to Sunshine and Arrowgrass are all friends he's gotten to know through the music community and has played with as former members or substitutes in The New Cahoots.
"There's not a whole lot of bluegrass bands in the area, so I wanted to get as many together as possible … in a way to kind of say thanks to them, and also show The Handlebar in Pensacola these bands that don't get a chance to really come out here that often," Garcia said. "I just wanted to get all my friends in the scene under one roof for a night." {in}
WHAT: The New Cahoots with Black Creek String Band, Goodbye to Sunshine and Arrowgrass
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30
WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. COST: $24.45
DETAILS: @thenewcahoots, thehandlebar850.com
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. For more information, visit facebook.com/animalalliesflorida.
ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOP -
TION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD
DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women, as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS Ceremonies are Friday, May 29 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Pace High School is at 11 a.m., Navarre High School at 2:30 p.m. and Gulf Breeze High School at 6 p.m.
SWEET TEA MURDERS LIVE Storytelling event shares stories of Pensacola's criminal past with former homicide detective Michael Earl Simmons. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 and event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30$35. Purchase yours at michaelearlsimmons.com.
GRAND FIESTA PARADE Catch beads and watch floats parade downtown 7 p.m. Friday, May 29. Details available at fiestapensacola.org/ other-events.
GULF COAST CULTURE FEST A celebration of culture with art, music, dance, food and more 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The Films for the Culture Film Festival begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Seville Square. Details are available at gulfcoastculturefest.com.
MAYOKI BALL 2026 Surf-themed evening for ages 21 and up Saturday, May 30 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets start at $81 and are available at pensacolabaycenter.com.
MOVIES IN THE PARK Watch "The Spongebob Movie" 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Hunter Amphitheater, 351 W. Cedar St. Free to attend. Find more details at cityofpensacola.com/1162/movies-inthe-park-series.
SHOW & TELL WITH XAVIER FINE ART
Live art storytelling, poetry and live vocal performances 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Pensacola
Saenger, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and details at pensacolasaenger.com.
MARGIE SHORTT DANCERS: EPIC UNIVERSE Performance is 7:01 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at pensacolasaenger.com.
FIVE FLAGS DANCE ACADEMY PRESENTS: MOVIN' AND GROOVIN' Performances are 1:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.
GEORGE WILSON, 250 YEARS OF FREEDOM: MOMENTS THAT SHAPED AMERICA
A reception of the exhibition will be 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 in the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd.
LA BELLE PERFORMING ARTS: IT ALL STARTED WITH A WISH Performances are 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.
IMPROVABLE CAUSE The next show is 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
LA BELLE PERFORMING ARTS: CARVED BY DREAMS Performance is 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.
ROAD TO REVOLUTION EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF HISTORY
"Road to Revolution: Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the American War for Independence" highlights how Pensacola helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution. Developed in partnership with America250, the exhibit explores how a Gulf Coast port played a pivotal role in a global conflict. The exhibit is on display through May 2027. The museum is located at 330 S. Jefferson Street. For more information about the UWF Historic Trust, visit historicpensacola.org.
THE POETICS OF PAINTING: A CELEBRATION OF THE LINEAGE AND LEGACY OF JOHN MARKOWITZ Pensacola Museum of Art exhibit features more than 50 works of art created by Markowitz's mentors and students on view through Aug. 4. The Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
WEST GARDEN DISTRICT ARTISAN
MARKET Shop local vendors and artisans 1-6 p.m. Fridays starting May 1 at Del Mar Plaza, 1617 W. Garden St. For more information, contact info@ub-pensacola.com.
FIRST FRIDAY AT BLUE MORNING
GALLERY Visit Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox St., 5:30 p.m. every first Friday of the month for a reception with wine, live music and occasional artist demonstrations. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
MOVIE NIGHTS AT MUGS & JUGS Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, hosts monthly movie nights. Watch their website for dates and movie announcements at mugsjugsbar.com. All movies are screened 9 p.m. on select Saturdays.
CLUB 27 COMEDY SHOW Visit Lili Marlene's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. on the first and third Sundays of the month for a night of comedy. Doors open at 6 p.m. show starts at 7 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.
PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION
LECTURES Learn Pensacola and Northwest Florida history through interesting, informal lectures every other Tuesday at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The lecture starts at noon and lasts one hour. Lecture cost is $5 for non-members and is free to members. Lunches are $12. For reservations, call (850) 380-7759.
PENSACOLA CINEMA ART FILM SCREENINGS Pensacola Cinema Art will screen films select weekends during the summer season at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10, and payment is cash only. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for their complete schedule.
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 stand-up comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.
SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.
PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox streets at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/ downtownpensacola.
SUNDAY MARKET ON PALAFOX Rain-orshine market is Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located in downtown Pensacola, between Chase and Gregory Streets in the MLK Plaza. Market features handmade crafts, art, baked goods, international cuisine and fresh produce. Visit smopalafox.com for details.
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.
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.
BANDS ON THE BEACH The weekly concert series takes place 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday through Oct. 27 at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Free to attend. Upcoming dates: Cadillac Willy on June 2 and 12Eleven on June 9. For more information, call the SRIA at (850) 932-2257 or go to visitpensacolabeach.com for the latest updates.
LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ
Enjoy live music Thursdays through Sundays at Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St. Upcoming dates: The Glenn Parker Band 6-10 p.m. Saturdays; Curt
Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays; and John Wheeler 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.
CONCERTS AT ST. CHRISTOPHER'S Weekly concert series is 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave. The last concert is Not Quite Fab on May 28. Details at scpen.org/christophers-concerts.
38 SPECIAL Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at pensacolasaenger.com.
THE NEW CAHOOTS 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW Show is 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Details at thehandlebar850.com.
PENSACOLA BAY CONCERT BAND:
FOURTH MUSICIAN'S CHOICE Performances is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30 in the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Admission is free, but donations to Manna Food Pantries will be accepted.
WASTE, CATSCLAW, SPIRAL, WITH FIRE CAME DISPARITY Show is 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at The Handlebar, 319 S. Tarragona St. Tickets are $15-$20. Details are available at thehandlebar850.com.
COLORBLIND, IF NOT FOR ME, WINDWALKER Show is 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 at
The Handlebar, 319 S. Tarragona St. Tickets are $15-$20. Details are available at thehandlebar850.com.
UPON A BURNING BODY, TRAITORS, CARCOSA, SWOLLEN TEETH Show is 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4 at The Handlebar, 319 S. Tarragona St. Tickets are $15-$20. Details are available at thehandlebar850.com.
MUSHROOM CLOUD Show is 8 p.m. Friday, June 5 at The Handlebar, 319 S. Tarragona St. Tickets are $15-$20. Details are available at thehandlebar850.com.
BODYSNATCHER Show is 6 p.m. Friday, June 5 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.
BUCKETHEAD Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.
OPEN MIC AT ALGA BEER CO. Country Club is hosted by Brett Patterson of Snake and the Rabbit every Monday night. Sign-ups start at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Visit facebook.com/algabeerco for more details.
MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE
QUARTER The Blues Society of Northwest Florida brings blues to Florida 7 p.m. Mondays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government
St. Food and drink specials start at 8 p.m. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.
LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY AT THE DISTRICT
Enjoy music and fine dining at The District: Seville Steak & Seafood, 123 E. Government St., every Tuesday through Thursday starting at 6 p.m. Their regular weekly schedule is Tuesday Night Jazz with Love Brynnevere, Wednesdays with Platinum Bones and Thursdays Dan Lovelock on the piano. They also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays during happy hour starting at 4 p.m. Visit facebook.com/districtsteaks for details and updates.
MUSIC RX: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR
ORDERED Jazz Pensacola and Escambia County Medical Society present free concerts on the first Wednesday of the month in the cafeteria of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, 5151 N. Ninth Ave. from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For more information, visit jazzpensacola.com.
ROSIE O'GRADY'S DUELING PIANO SHOW
Watch the famous dueling piano show 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Rosie O' Grady's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Doors open at 7 p.m.
NOCHE TROPICAL: LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Presented by Latin Flavor Entertainment every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY
Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.
VIBE IRIE REGGAE: LIVE IN THE COURTYARD Enjoy Vibe Irie Reggae band 4-10 p.m. Sundays at the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
LIVE MUSIC AT CALVERT'S Listen to live music 5-8 p.m. Sundays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. Visit facebook.com/calvertsintheheights for details.
COASTAL COUNTY IPA FEST Enjoy exclusive seasonal IPA releases, flights and a limited edition IPA can release Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31 at Coastal County Brewing Co., 3041 E. Olive Road. Details at coastalcountybrewing.com/events.
2026 BLOODY MARY FESTIVAL The Third Annual Bloody Mary Festival is 12-4 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Bamboo Willie's, 400 Quietwater
Road, Ste. 14. Details at thepensacolabloodymaryfestival.com.
THE BUSHWACKER'S BIRTHDAY BASH
Celebrate the world-famous Flora-Bama Bushwacker 12-5 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at FloraBama Lounge, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Details are available at florabama.com/flora-bama-bushwacker-50th-birthday.
DOWNTOWN HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE
QUARTER
Drink specials and laid-back vibes are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every weekday throughout the entire Seville Quarter complex with $2 off all liquor drinks and $1 off all beer and wine. Must be 21 or older. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.
MARTINI MONDAYS AT DOROTHY'S
Martini menu with specialty prices at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.
MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to close Mondays, guys can play free darts and enjoy $6 craft tallboys. There are more than 150 craft beers to choose from at Wisteria, 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
BAR BINGO AT SEVILLE QUARTER Bar
Bingo is 8 p.m. Mondays at Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Bingo is free to play with prizes, giveaways and bar tabs up for grabs for winners. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.
FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
MONDAY NIGHT SPAGHETTI SESSIONS
Visit V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox St., 5–9 p.m. Mondays for live music and spaghetti and meatballs from the Monday night menu.
MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every Tuesday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Night, featuring all martinis from the menu for $10 from open to close (4-11 p.m.).
TRIVIA AT DOROTHY'S Play trivia 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. It's free to play, and prizes are up for grabs. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.
MUSIC BINGO Test your music knowledge 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Wisteria, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Take part in half-price bottles of wine and $5 canned cocktails. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
POKER NIGHT AND BINGO AT O'RILEY'S
Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for poker at 6:30 p.m. and bar bingo 8-10 p.m. Tacos are on special
Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LUNCH AT THE DISTRICT The District Steakhouse, 130 E. Government St., is open for special lunch seatings the third Friday of the month. Enjoy a $5 martini or house wine. Seatings are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Details are available at districtsteaks.com.
TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for trivia nights 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 50 E. Garden St. Visit perfectplain.com/upcoming-events for details.
SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT AT DOROTHY'S Reverse happy hour from 9 p.m.-midnight with other specials Wednesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.
LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Get on your feet with a social Latin dance—no partner required—and Latin music 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Drink specials and music from DJ DavidC continue after the dancing. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
TRIVIA WITH JAY AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
COLLEGE NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Specials with your college ID and music from live DJs. 8 p.m.midnight. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
KARAOKE THURSDAY AT SIR RICHARD'S
Karaoke is 9 p.m. Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details. at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS
Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
KARAOKE AT DOROTHY'S Karaoke begins 8 p.m. Thursdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.
COLLEGE NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER
College night is 8 p.m. Thursdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Ages 18 and older are welcome. Free beer pong tournament begins at 10 p.m. Drink specials include $2 bar drinks, $3.50 Fireball shots for ages 21 and older. Cover is $5 for ages 21 and older and $10 for ages 18-20. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
TAVERN TRIVIA Trivia is 9 p.m. Thursdays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays is 7-9 p.m. at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
TRIVIA UNDER THE TREES Trivia is 6 p.m. Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT
Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at 208 Newman Ave. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.
THEMED DANCE PARTIES Visit Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Fridays for themed dance parties with DJ Brody P 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUAR-
TER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., on Fridays for cold drinks, hot food and great vibes in the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter. Happy hour begins 11 a.m. Fridays with drink and food specials.
SEVILLE QUARTER'S FLIP MY QUARTER
Seville Quarter is flipping the script—and a few quarters—with its brand-new happy hour promotion, Flip My Quarter, 6-8 p.m. Fridays throughout the Seville Quarter entertainment complex. When you order a domestic draft beer, well liquor cocktail or house wine, tell the bartender to "flip my quarter." When they flip it, call it in the air. If you call it right, your drink is free.
FISH FRY FRIDAYS Fish and chips featured 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
JAMESON SPECIAL Enjoy $5 Jameson Irish Whiskey all night Saturdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT
AT SEVILLE QUARTER From 8 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, members enjoy $3.50 Crown & Drown cocktails at Phineas Phogg's inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
WEEKLY SATURDAY BRUNCH Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Enjoy a $10 bottle of champagne with food purchase. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LIVE DJ AT O'RILEY'S Dance to live DJ 10 p.m.2 a.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
B.A.R.E. NIGHT (BAR AND RESTAURANT
EMPLOYEE NIGHT) Sunday nights at Seville Quarter belong to hospitality industry. Head to End O' the Alley at Seville Quarter 7 p.m. Sundays for B.A.R.E. Night. Not a member yet? Stop by and sign up for your B.A.R.E. Card, and start enjoying the benefits immediately.
FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool all day and play bar bingo 8 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN
Partake in brunch specials, full café menu, espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. Ninth Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin.com for details.
SEVILLE SUNDAY BRUNCH Sunday brunch is
11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Palace Café and Courtyard inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with soup and a salad bar, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, mimosas and champagne specials. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
SUNDAY BILLIARDS Rack 'em up in Fast Eddie's Billiards Room at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with drink specials and a laidback, air-conditioned atmosphere.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AND KARAOKE
O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., hosts brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. Karaoke begins at 9 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LADIES NIGHT KARAOKE AT SIR RICH-
ARD'S Ladies Night is 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Mondays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
FREE POOL Free pool all day Mondays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
ON AIR LIVE BAND KARAOKE Live out your rockstar dreams 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Govern -
ment St., hosted by Craig Stahl. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Karaoke is 9 p.m. Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
COLLEGE NIGHT AT MUGS & JUGS Food trucks, specials with college ID 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
KING AND QUEENS TUESDAY KARAOKE
Karaoke is 9 p.m. with drink specials. Tuesdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
KARAOKE AT SEVILLE QUARTER Karaoke is nightly Wednesday-Sunday at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Enjoy drink specials and a no-judgement zone, where everyone is welcome to the mic. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
KARAOKE AT THE HANDLEBAR Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.
KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Karaoke starts 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.
COLLEGE NIGHT Drink specials with college ID, food truck and live DJ 8 p.m.-midnights on
Wednesdays at O'Riley's Uptown Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details at orileystavern.com.
WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Ka -
raoke starts 8 p.m.-midnight. Wednesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
SUNDAY KARAOKE WITH KJ NICK Sunday Funday karaoke is 8 p.m. Sundays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
MUSIC BINGO AT SIR RICHARD'S Music
bingo begins 8 p.m. Sundays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Bar
Bingo begins at 9 p.m. Sundays. Free pool all day. at O'Riley's Uptown Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details at orileystavern.com.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S DOWNTOWN Karaoke is 9 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Details are at orileyspub.com.
KARAOKE AT MUGS & JUGS Karaoke is 9 p.m. Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
FREE TAI CHI CLASSES Take a free Tai Chi class 4:10 p.m. Friday, May 29 at the new Taiji School located at the Old Sacred Heart Build-
ing.1010 N 12th Ave. Suite 211. Details at linktr.ee/ heavenmanearth.
THE $5 DOUBLE-FEATURE: KIDS BIKE RACE & MEET THE DRIVERS NIGHT A night of racing, fan experiences and giveaways starting 5 p.m. Friday, May 29 at 5 Flags Speedway, 7451 Pine Forest Road. Details are available at 5flagsspeedway.com.
OCEAN HOUR CLEANUPS Ocean Hour cleanups are 8:45 a.m. Saturdays. On Saturday, May 30, the sites are Bruce Beach and Carpenter Creek Headwaters Park. For more information and meet-up locations, visit oceanhourfl.com.
PARK CLEAN UP AT ESTRAMADURA SQUARE Bring yard tools and a cold beverage to Estramadura Square, 1500 E. Lakeview Ave. 7:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 30. Details at myeasthill.org.
YOGA DAZE AT ODD COLONY One-hour yoga class 10 a.m. Sunday, May 31 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Cost is $20 a ticket, which comes with a drink ticket. Details at facebook.com/oddcolony.
SEVILLE QUARTER MILERS RUN CLUB
The Seville Quarter Milers Club meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in front of Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Enjoy free post-run pasta and happy hour drink specials. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.
BLUE WAHOOS HOME GAMES Watch home games at the Blue Wahoos stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. Tickets and details at bluewahoos.com. Upcoming games are 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 2; 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 3; 6:05 p.m. Thursday, June 4; 6:05 p.m. Friday, June 5; 6:05 p.m. Saturday, June 6; 4:05 p.m. Sunday, June 7.
ADULT ROLLER HOCKEY GAMES: PENSACOLA BEACH HOCKEY LEAGUE The third season of the adult roller hockey league kicks off in September with games every Sunday through December at Cowley Park, 916 Via de Luna Drive. More information is at app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/pbhl.
YOGA AT GARDEN & GRAIN Join Disko Lemonade Yoga Studio for an all-levels vinyasa flow 10 a.m. Sundays through Dec. 21. Cost is $23 and includes a beverage (non-alcoholic options available) at Garden & Grain, 50 E. Garden St. Bring your own mats and water bottle. Details are at facebook.com/gardengrain.
HOT SPOTS FISHING SEMINARS A monthly free fishing seminar is held at Flounders Chowder House, 800 Quietwater Beach Road. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Seminar begins at 7 p.m. and typically lasts an hour. Visit facebook.com/ hotspotsfishing for details.
for more listings visit inweekly.net
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In the weeks ahead, simply being right won't necessarily lead to success. Having strength, intelligence, wealth, or connections might help, though not as much as usual. But a different approach will work well as you strive to overcome challenges: a blend of cleverness and integrity. I invite you to be cunning while remaining honorable. Practice subtle strategy in service of higher aims. And here's one more secret to ensure victory: let go of any need to receive full recognition for your efforts.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): "Dear Horoscope Guy: Two astrologers have assured me that as a Taurus, I'm a natural-born money magnet. So why am I broke? I keep begging the Divine for cash miracles, and I buy lottery tickets twice a week. Still nothing! Please tell me when I'll finally hit the jackpot. Better yet, give me the winning numbers. –Taurus Desperate for Dollars." Dear Desperate: The "luck" you crave will arrive as you diligently pour yourself into building your sweetest dreams, spurning shortcuts and enjoying yourself as much as possible. The Divine prefers to fund eager co-creators, not wishful thinkers. I predict that a slow-motion jackpot will ultimately arrive through your devoted attention to doing what excites you.
By Rob Brezsny
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): What's the holiest, most healing trouble you could rustle up right now? I mean trouble that freshens what's stale but doesn't scorch the earth. Maybe it's a buoyant disruption, like telling wild truths you usually tend to soften. Or maybe it's asking for what your future self pines for instead of what your past self regards as polite and reasonable. As a Cancerian soul myself, I dare both you and me to give ourselves permission to rumble. Let's be brazen as we instigate creative upheavals in service to our cheerful vigor. Let's instigate at least one concrete action that will rattle the stagnant pattern just enough to make life more interesting.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Sea otters are a keystone species. Their presence is essential to the health of their entire ecosystem. As they eat sea urchins, the kelp forests flourish. Without otters, the urchins overgraze and kelp forests may collapse, which in turn affects hundreds of other species. One creature's appetite helps regulate an entire undersea neighborhood. I suspect you're serving a similar function, Leo. You're having more impact and wielding more influence than you realize. No pressure! But please act accordingly: with maximum integrity and robust responsibility.
reflecting on all that, I invite you to take one concrete action to lower the level of tension you have come to treat as normal. Take another action to weaken the grip of your deepest dread. The current planetary patterns suggest you now have the bold, creative power necessary to shrink your baseline anxiety.
cludes a built-in error-detection notation. If you transpose two numbers when entering an ISBN, the last digit will tell you something's wrong. In this spirit, Capricorn, I heartily recommend that you build more mistake detection into your life. Invest in extra safeguards. Add verification steps. Build in double-checks. The goal is to create systems robust enough to survive oversights and gaffes. I very much want you to give yourself the gift of safety nets that will empower you to take smart risks and intriguing gambles.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Among the Dogon of Mali, Sigui So is a secret language. It's used in a sacred ritual when people gather to retell their beginnings and patch up strains in tribal harmony. I'm borrowing "Sigui So" here as a symbol for a way of talking that I hope you will specialize in during the coming weeks: language that eases tensions, soothes friction and fosters unity. Start like this: unleash your trademark wit but spike it with sly blessings and tactful probes. Wield your fluency to burn away confusion and uncover unspoken feelings. If you're in an extra-bold mood, give everyone tacit permission to be their idiosyncratic selves instead of their polished personas.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): A Dutch woman who died left her grand-nephew an inheritance of 220,000 euros. The only problem is that he's homeless and constantly on the move, so the executors haven't been able to find him. This echoes a recurring pattern in your life. Even now, sources of blessings are searching for ways to reach you, but you are slow to notice their approach or to magnetize yourself to their arrival. My prayer: may you figure out what needs to be done to make yourself fully available for these gifts—and then ingrain that capacity in your habit mind.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Visualize your fears. Consider how few of them rest on a genuine likelihood that the scary events could ever take place. Then ask yourself how much of your uneasiness springs from vivid fantasies or from a practiced tendency to fret. You might also ruminate on how you absorb the background worry that's amplified by mass culture. After
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Even more than usual, you have a sacred duty to celebrate your poignant sweetness and dark intelligence. For the sake of your emotional health, you should pay wild reverence to your deepest, most mysterious yearnings. To be the person we all you need you to be, you must tenderly nurture the parts of your inner world that resemble the aurora borealis. I want to support you in these sublime sacraments, which is why I suggest you memorize the following prayer by Rainer Maria Rilke: "Be attentive to what is arising within you, and place that above everything you perceive around you. What is happening in your innermost self is worthy of your entire love."
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Linguists use the term "false friends." These are words in different languages that seem similar but don't have the same meaning. For example, the Spanish word embarazada resembles "embarrassed" to English speakers but actually means "pregnant." I suspect you're dealing with another type of false friend, Sagittarius: people or situations that turned out to be at variance with what you initially imagined. But rather than feeling unsettled by these revelations, I suggest you treat them as a prod to see with fresh eyes. Your disorientation could be the beginning of more interesting understandings.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a code assigned to a book for commercial and cataloging purposes. It contains key information and in-
(JAN. 20-FEB. 18): You may not yet grasp how richly creative you are right now, nor how much more abundant your generative powers could become. So it's auspicious that you are reading this horoscope now. Consider this your advance notice: your capacity to originate ideas, projects and connections is surging, and it's crucial to choose with care which possibilities you nurture and which you decline. If you are selective and intentional about what you sow, then about six months from now, you will be far more likely to gather lush, beautiful harvests instead of wrestling with overgrown, unruly tangles.
(FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Ethnobotanist Wade Davis documented how different cultures perceive entirely different realities despite inhabiting the same physical world. It means that two people can stand in the same forest and see different forests through their cultural lens and personal mythology. This is simultaneously the problem and the opportunity you face, Pisces. You and others in your orbit are inhabiting divergent realities that superficially seem the same. If you hope to reconcile the differences, you must first acknowledge them as real. You're dealing with fundamentally different ways of constructing meaning, not just small misunderstandings.
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: If you knew you would live to 100, what would you do differently in the next five years? https://tinyurl.com/aaa22aaa {in}
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Visitors at the Fondation Beyeler, an art museum in Switzerland, recently had the option to peruse the art while wearing only bathing suits, Yahoo! News reported on May 1. "It's a rather unusual experience," said one visitor in a colorful sequined bikini, noting that "You're always looking" to see if other visitors are wearing swimwear. Visitors could change into their bathing suits in changing rooms at the museum, or they could show up in their one-piece, bikini or trunks and have the entry fee waived. Some roamed around barefoot, while others donned swimming caps. A few could be found sunbathing in the museum's garden. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, who headed up the project, was inspired by artist Paul Cezanne's paintings of people bathing. "You can feel from Cezanne paintings that he wants to be inspired by nature and expose that organic experience of the nature, of the people," Ana Lopes, a 34-year-old architect, said. "Dressing in swimwear is close to that, because you are almost naked." [Yahoo! News, 5/1/26]
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Antone Gilonna, 25, of New York, was arrested for driving while intoxicated when he drove to a local police station to pick up a friend who had been arrested for ... wait for it ... driving while intoxicated. Fox 8 Cleveland reported on May 20 that when Gilonna arrived at the police station, he drove into a restricted area. An officer came to check on him and quickly issued a field sobriety test before placing him under arrest. Gilonna's license was revoked, and he is expected to appear in court at a later date. [Fox 8 Cleveland, 5/20/26]
Vernus Mayhew, 45, of Dixton, Maine, was arrested after calling 911 four times to request a beer delivery, WGME reported on May 7. "I was drunk, and I was trying to be funny," Mayhew said. The Penobscot County Sheriff's Office was not amused. "This was a serious matter that negatively impacted public safety resources including the regional communications center and deputies," Sheriff Troy Morton said. Mayhew is also charged with assault, but says that part didn't happen. Video recorded by Mayhew's daughter shows a physical altercation with police, but a few seconds are out of frame, with differing accounts of what transpired. Police say Mayhew attempted to put one of them in a headlock; Mayhew denies it. He was released from the Penobscot County Jail after paying a $750 bail. [WGME, 5/7/26]
CLASS OF 2026 Jericho High School in Nassau County, Long Island, will have not one, not two, but 21 valedictorians to represent the 300 seniors graduating in June, UPI reported on May 18. The school determines valedictorians based on unweighted letter grades. "It shows a lot of success," co-principal Brian Cummings said. "Historically, this is the way we've done it with letter grades. The difference between a 99.8 and a 99.83 is insignificant, so letter grades really capture what we represent." With such a large number of valedictorians, not all of them will be able to give a commencement speech, so school offi -
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
cials have had to get creative. "We're going to put them at the front of the procession," Cummings said. "We're [also] creating a video that we're going to share with the community about their accomplishments." [UPI, 5/18/26]
WRONG ORDER A man who purchased a bag of greens from a Woolworths in Western Australia found more green than expected inside, reported 102.5 ABC Perth on May 17. The Australian man, unnamed in the report, opened the lettuce and discovered a small frog among the leaves. "He's the most casual Australian ever, and he's like, 'Bro, I've got a lettuce, like a frog in my lettuce,'" his roommate Laura Jones, a native New Zealander, said. Jones shared a video on TikTok, where millions of viewers caught a glimpse of the amphibious stowaway. "It's quite a decent-sized frog for a big adventure," Billie Le Pine, another roommate, said. "The bag of lettuce does have holes in it to keep the produce fresh, so he had a snack and some air on his way over." The trio named the frog Greg and released him at a nearby dam. Woolworths said the incident is under investigation and called it "an isolated event with no other reported cases." "I'm just glad Greg is back in his natural habitat," Le Pine said. [ABC, 5/17/26]
OWL BE SEEING YOU An owl in Utah is soaring to new heights after undergoing surgery to repair its concrete-damaged feathers, UPI reported on May 19. The owl was found inside a concrete mixer in St. George, Utah, back in November, and taken to a rehabilitation center at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab. Workers gave the owl a series of 20-minute baths to remove the concrete, which covered 25% of its body. Despite the team's care, the owl's feathers were damaged in a way that would have kept it from flying silently, a survival necessity for great horned owls. "That led the Wild Friends team to take a training course about a procedure they had never done before: imping, which requires using donor feathers and adhesive to replace the raptor feathers," the sanctuary said in a news release.
"A wildlife rescue in Northern Utah gave Wild Friends feathers from a great horned owl of similar size who had passed away." Four staff members worked for 90 minutes to reconstruct the feathers, replacing 10 primary feathers and one secondary feather on the bird's right wing. "The first few feathers were extremely nerve-wracking, but as we got into the groove, the imping became more comfortable, and everything went smoothly," supervisor Bart Richwalski said. After the owl came out of anesthesia, Richwalski used a decibel reader to measure the sound of the owl's flight. With all looking good, staff released the owl and it flew away on its own. "I don't know that my heart was beating until I saw him leave. I was beside myself, knowing that after all this time, he was healthy and back in the wild," Richwalski said. "It was such a good feeling." [UPI, 5/19/26] {in}
• More than 150 beautifully resorted aircraft
• Hangar Bay One with an expanded Apollo Space exhibit, Marine One helicopter and F/A-18 Hornet
• Giant 4K Screen Digital Theater, cafe’, simulators, museum store and more!
• Access to the museum is through the West Gate on Blue Angel Pkwy.
• A REAL ID or valid passport is required for base access
• A clear bag policy is in effect.
See free Blue Angels practices most Tuesday and Wednesdays. Scan the QR code for all the details and premium seating options.
