Angelique Godwin's Journey to Trans Activism FROM DRAG TO THE CAPITOL
winners & losers winners losers
SHENAE DUNN The Escambia County Emergency Communications supervisor was named the 2025 Florida Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Supervisor of the Year. Dunn recently celebrated 20 years with Emergency Communications, continuing a family legacy of public service. Her father served as a local fire chief and her mother as an Emergency Communications supervisor for Escambia County. Her sister Christy, also an Emergency Communications supervisor, recently marked her own 20-year milestone with the department. Escambia County Emergency Communications and the Department of Public Safety congratulate Dunn on this achievement. Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton said, "Shenae comes from a proud family tradition of public safety service and carries that legacy forward with dedication and heart."
GREGORY PRESCOTT The University of West Florida Accounting and Finance Department chair was named the 2025 E.W. Hopkins Faculty Member of the Year. Under Dr. Prescott's leadership, the department boasts award-winning finance students and a nationally ranked graduate program. Accounting graduates consistently pass the CPA exam on their first attempt and secure positions at major firms nationwide. Three additional faculty members received Hopkins Faculty Development Awards: Dr. Ata Atadil, Dr. Patience Constance and Dr. Maggie Davis. These awards, financed by the E.W. Hopkins Foundation Endowment, recognize noteworthy academic career accomplishments and are primarily intended for junior faculty. The recognized faculty have demonstrated excellence in various areas.
BIGGS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
George Bigg's Pensacola company was named one of the 2025 University of Florida's Gator 100, recognizing the company as one of the fastest-growing businesses in the world led by University of Florida alumni. Alumni from UF have established and led some of the fastestgrowing businesses globally, and the UF Alumni Association proudly recognizes these remarkable entrepreneurs through the Gator100 program. This prestigious initiative celebrates their entrepreneurial spirit and achievements by inviting honorees back to campus for an annual two-day unique experience.
DOUG UNDERHILL
The Florida Commission on Ethics accepted a First District Court of Appeals order that the former Escambia County commissioner be publicly censured for violating the state's gift law and fined $5,000 for failing to report free legal services. Administrative Law Judge G. W. Chisenhall ordered the censure and fine in August 2022. The judge ruled that Commissioner Underhill's release of transcripts of a closed-door meeting with legal counsel was reckless and ill-advised but not corrupt under the Florida Statutes. The Ethics Commission later voted to remove Underhill from office and fine him $35,000, but the Appeals Court nixed the stiffer penalties. Any money that Underhill saved may go to David Bear. In January 2024, Judge Casey Rodgers granted Bear's motion for attorney's fees, $130,425.50, from the former commissioner after Bear sued him for failing to respond to a public records request and won.
TINA DESCOVICH
The Florida Senate has opted not to consider the co-founder of the conservative advocacy group Moms for Liberty for confirmation to the state's Commission on Ethics for the second consecutive year, effectively ending her tenure on the commission. Descovich was initially appointed to the Ethics Commission by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. After the Senate did not confirm her that year, she was allowed to remain in her position. Gov. DeSantis reappointed her in February 2025, but the Senate declined to consider her nomination again. Under Florida's appointment rules, this second rejection means Descovich cannot be reappointed and will be required to vacate her position on the Ethics Commission.
PROPERTY TAXES
Local governments may need to determine how to pay for services without property tax revenues. The Florida Republican Party has launched its "Rollback Now" campaign urging county and municipal governments to reduce property tax rates after lawmakers opted not to pursue property tax relief during this session. While Gov. DeSantis has advocated for statewide property tax rebates, legislative leaders preferred placing property tax reduction or elimination on the 2026 ballot as a constitutional amendment. A change is coming.
Shenae Dunn / Photo Courtesy of myescambia.com
Doug Underhill / Photo Courtesy of northescambia.com
outtakes
By Rick Outzen
AN INNOVATIVE COMPROMISE
Escambia County has a rare opportunity to boost a successful program and transform the lives of hundreds more youths by approving a compromise offered by Escambia Children's Trust (ECT). The proposal would redirect nearly half a million dollars of tax increment funds held by ECT to the county's Summer Youth Employment Program.
The numbers tell a compelling story: 1,300 young people in our community applied for the Summer Youth Employment Program, but current funding only allows for approximately 175 positions. That means more than 1,100 motivated youths are being turned away from valuable work experiences that could change their trajectory.
At the May 1 board meeting, Commissioner Lumon May pointed out the program is about more than just summer jobs. "It's about dignity, opportunity and teaching valuable life skills at a formative age."
The debate about the tax increment dollars collected in the city's and county's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) districts started more than six months ago. Mayor D.C. Reeves wants an agreement with ECT that the city's funds be used for childcare, but the details have yet to be worked out.
On March 14, ECT formally requested Escambia County grant an exemption from paying $495,157.18 in tax increment revenues to the county's CRAs for the current fiscal year. While Florida Statute 163.387 typically requires these funds go to CRAs, the law also recognizes that flexibility may sometimes better serve community needs.
The proposed interlocal agreement would ensure these funds directly benefit children through the Summer Youth Employment Program, which perfectly aligns with ECT's core mission of providing dedicated funding for children's services within our county.
The program delivers something rare: direct economic benefit coupled with practical skill development. Participants learn essential workplace skills while earning actual income they can use for necessities like school supplies, clothing or saving for future education.
"This is one of your programs where you're actually putting money in the hands of disadvantaged kids and teaching them real-world job skills," said Commissioner May about the program. Unlike many other initiatives where administrative costs consume significant portions
of funding, this program ensures the majority of dollars go directly to youth wages.
An ECT-Escambia County partnership represents a model for how special districts and county government can maximize tax dollar impact. Rather than filtering these funds through multiple layers of bureaucracy or directing them toward infrastructure projects with indirect benefits to children, this agreement ensures dollars reach our community's youth.
While the Summer Youth Employment Program offers clear benefits, it's important to acknowledge the legitimate concerns raised by Commission Chair Mike Kohler and Commissioner Steve Stroberger during the May 1 public hearing.
Chair Kohler passionately advocated for using the funds for safety infrastructure in underserved communities, arguing: "When you are scared in your community or elderly people or kids don't think they can get there or kids don't even go to school. It doesn't matter how many programs you have." He cited examples where security cameras transformed community spaces like Lexington Terrace, making them safe for children's activities.
Commissioner Stroberger expressed concern about creating temporary programs rather than permanent improvements: "I just want to say it seems like we got away from last year the reasons why you wanted the money ... I'm just wondering, once the money's gone, have we built anything? I want to build something."
These perspectives highlight the fundamental question of whether immediate program funding or long-term infrastructure investments better serve children's needs. Both approaches aim to help youths but differ in methodology and timeframe.
Commissioner May made his position clear. "Certainly, we will be supportive of where the majority of this board wants to go. If I ever err, I'll err on the side of helping children. But I will say, clearly the tax was for children."
Fortunately, all five commissioners appeared willing to listen to each other and ECT leaders. The board voted unanimously to hold a second public hearing May 15.
Inweekly believes that by choosing to enter into the interlocal agreement, the commissioners would demonstrate their commitment to youth development through meaningful action. The decision would establish that Escambia County and ECT agree that summer
is a
{in} rick@inweekly.net
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
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▶rules
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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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Above all, she serves as a sounding board—responding to emails from trans Floridians seeking support for everything from housing and name changes to gender-affirming care.
"Most people are confused or scared, but we can't let fear consume us right now," she said. "The biggest inquiries currently are asking for assistance with name changes, finding shelters that accept trans individuals and asking for help understanding how the executive orders and bills affect us immediately. I like to help people find happy loopholes in the language. Things are getting a little bit tighter now with some things getting hammered down, but there's a lot of good people out there fighting these executive orders and legislation, taking them to court to get them held up or shot down because they're unconstitutional."
Equality Florida's Public Policy team works year-round to stop or neutralize harmful legislation before it gains traction. Their strategy during the 60-day legislative session is to maintain a visible, vocal presence at every single hearing. Staff rotate throughout the session to maintain a constant presence in the Capitol, helping constituents sign up for public comment, coaching them on talking points and filling every room with personal stories backed by hard facts.
"A big part of what we do is show up," Godwin said. "We show up and speak at every single hearing. There's not a time when we're not there. We work to bring people across the state to fill the rooms and sign up for public comment to help run the clock down. We help people share their stories and use our facts to boost them. Then we send out a "Resistance Report" every week to keep everyone filled in."
FIGHTING BACK IN THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Each year, Equality Florida kicks off the legislative session with Pride at the Capitol, bringing together hundreds of LGBTQ+ Floridians and allies to Tallahassee to meet with lawmakers, march in the streets and speak out against harmful legislation.
During that week, Godwin also leads the Let Us Live March, a trans-led rally amplifying the voices of transgender Floridians. Launched in response to Florida's trans youth healthcare ban, the march has quickly become a powerful show of resistance. This year, despite freezing rain and wind battering attendees, nearly 400 people showed up—doubling last year's turnout and proving that not even the harshest conditions can silence a community fighting for its right to exist.
"Protests and marches don't always result in direct change, but they connect and empower the people who attend them," Godwin said. "The community outpour and response has been amazing. While we were on the steps of the Capitol protesting last year, Senator Kathleen Passidomo killed a bill barring trans people from changing their gender markers on their government documents. She stopped it on the floor and wouldn't let it move forward at all. So that was a really huge win for us."
This session, Gov. DeSantis and the GOP supermajority pushed a sweeping agenda aimed at rolling back civil liberties, targeting LGBTQ+ visibility, reproductive rights, academic freedom and even democratic participation in elections.
Lawmakers introduced bills to ban Pride flags on government buildings, dismantle DEI programs
in state agencies and state contractors, allow concealed carry on college campuses, restrict minors' access to birth control and expand book bans and classroom censorship in K-12 schools. They also backed HB 1205/SB 7016, a bill that would make it nearly impossible for citizen-led amendments to reach the ballot—adding extreme new barriers to a process that is already the strictest in the nation.
"While we have been tracking the session with cautious hopefulness, we know that we must stay vigilant in the face of the bills that have passed," Godwin said in an interview right before the end of the session. "At this time, the focus is how to be proactive while we keep the community informed and determine what the best practices are moving forward."
At the close of the 60 day session on May 2, Equality Florida announced that they had managed to successfully stall, neutralize or stop every anti- LGBTQ+ bill that was filed. This includes the "Don't Say Gay or Trans at Work" bill (HB 1495/SB 440), which sought to regulate pronoun use in workplaces and prohibit job applicants from identifying as transgender on non-binary on job applications; the "Pride Flag Ban" (HB 75/SB 100), which would have prohibited government buildings from flying Pride flags; and the "Anti-Diversity in Government Contracting" bill (HB 1185/ SB 1694), which aimed to ban local governments from enacting DEI-related policies, ordinances or resolutions recognizing communities' histories such as Pride Month or Black History Month and even remove local officials from office for supporting inclusive measures.
"For me personally, I have hope that we will survive. As we have done before, especially the past few years, we will take every opportunity to push back," Godwin explained. "I will not give up. I will continue to teach people how to take up space, use their voices and utilize their constitutional rights effectively. I hope that readers who are inspired will also continue to take action, be seen, be heard and make a difference."
While Godwin continues putting down roots in Pensacola, she hopes to connect with more local organizations and activists. When asked what keeps her going—what inspires her to carry on this work—her answer is simple: victory.
"We have killed so many bills and had so many victories already," Godwin said. "Florida has been the pre-game to Project 2025 since 2022, so we've been fighting these direct attacks against the trans community and the entire LGBTQ+ community for years now. As these executive orders keep coming out, we are fully aware it's going to cause an uproar, mass confusion and misinformation. That's the point. But in 2024 alone, we killed 21 out of 22 anti-LGBTQ bills. And when we say, we mean they were completely neutralized to the point where they're not doing that much harm, or they were taken off the books completely. So it's worth the fight. We are never going to stop fighting." {in}
ANGELIQUE GODWIN
@dncndiva
EQUALITY
FLORIDA
eqfl.org, @equalityfl
For a deeper dive into the 2025 legislative session, Joe Saunders, the senior political director for Equality Florida, will join Emerald Coast Equality at Restaurant Nola on Wednesday, May 21, for a session recap. Visit emeraldcoastequality.org for more information.
a&e happenings
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
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.
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.
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
HEALTHY START MOTHER'S DAY EVENT
Healthy Start of Santa Rosa County will host a Mother's Day Afternoon Tea Party at noon Friday, May 9 at Floridatown Park, 3900 Floridatown Road, Pace to honor and celebrate local moms in our community. Moms and their families are encouraged to join for a special afternoon filled with celebration, pampering and relaxation. RSVP by contacting Taylor Smith via email at taylor. smith@chsfl.org.
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT Commencement ceremony is 5 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Details are at pensacolabaycenter.com.
U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTERS TOURS Pub -
lic tours will be available of USCG Cutters Walnut, Willow, Joshua Appleby, Harry Claiborne and Barbara Mabrity at Plaza DeLuna May 9-11. Times vary. Details are at pensacolanavydays.com.
FUN FEST AT PLAZA DELUNA Family fun with a Kids Zone, food trucks, military vehicle displays, ROTC demos, USCG vessel tours and a military/veterans fair. Event starts 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10. Details are at pensacolanavydays.com.
NAVY DAYS PARADE Enjoy a waterfront parade featuring military equipment, marching squadrons, Sailors of the Year, bands, drill teams and support from local Mardi Gras Krewes 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10 along Bayfront Parkway. Details are at pensacolanavydays.com.
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
THE TRAIL TO OREGON! This interactive musical is 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, Saturday, May 10 and Thursday, May 8, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Details and tickets are at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
GULF COAST DIPLOMACY ANNUAL MEET-
ING & PARTY
Gulf Coast Diplomacy will host its Annual Meeting and Party celebrating the organization's significant contributions to international diplomacy in Northwest Florida with live music and hors d'oeuvres 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Tickets are $25 for non-members and free for members. Details are at zeffy.com/en-us/ticketing/gulf-coast-diplomacys-annual-meeting-and-party.
HOT GLASS COLD BREW: SUMMER FEST
Watch glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, kids' activities, gallery exhibit and cold brews 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 9 at First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Enjoy two complimentary craft beers or wine from Pensacola Bay Brewery for adults 21 and older. Details are at firstcityart.org.
GALVEZ CELEBRATION PUBLIC LUNCHEON This luncheon follows the Galvez Battle of Pensacola celebration 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Pensacola Yacht Club, 1897 Cypress St. Tickets are $30 a person. Purchase yours at historicpensacola.org.
PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS: SHOWTIME Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11 at Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets are at pensacolasaenger.com.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM GALA This event is part of Pensacola Navy Days events. Enjoy cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. and dancing 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 9 at the Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. Dress is black tie or service mess dress. Tickets and details are at pensacolanavydays.com/page/gala.
BATTLE OF PENSACOLA COMMEMORATION AND GALVEZ DAY CELEBRATION
A celebration of the Battle of Pensacola is 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 9, starting with the color guard muster and ending with a wreath laying ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Details are available at pensacolasar.org.
MOVIES IN THE SAND: MOANA 2 Movies in the Sand starts at sunset Friday, May 9 featuring "Moana 2." All movies are free to the public on a giant movie screen in front of the Gulfside Pavilion stage, weather permitting. For weather updates, go to facebook.com/visitpensacolabeach.
HISTORIC PENSACOLA OPEN HOUSE
The annual open house of Historic Pensacola museums, including the Pensacola Museum of Art, is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Enjoy tours, history demonstration, hands-on activities and more. For details and a list of events, visit historicpensacola.org.
NIGHT ON THE TRACKS
The latest incarnation of Night on the Tracks is 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, and continues into the night. Local venues invite folks to come out, mingle and move throughout the neighborhood for art, music, a carnival, puppetry and food and drinks. The event kicks off 2 p.m. at Pensacola School of Liberal Arts (SoLA), 501 E. Gadsden St., with an art market and carnival suitable for the whole family that runs until 6 p.m. Details are at 309punkproject.org.
PUPPET SHOW WITH MISS PUSSYCAT
309 May Artist in Residence is Miss Pussycat from New Orleans. She and her collaborator Quintron will present a puppet show called "Party Planning for Animals" at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at 309 N. Sixth St. as a part of the multivenue Night on the Tracks event. Details are at facebook.com/309punkproject.
PENSACOLA BEACH ART & WINE
FESTIVAL
The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce's annual Art & Wine Festival is 11 a.m.4 p.m. Saturday, May 10 on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. Visit pensacolabeachchamber.com/ events/artandwinefestival for details.
SELF-CARE WORKSHOP WITH EPIPHANY
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.
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.
PENSACOLA MESS HALL HOSTS ILLUMINATE: 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 An After School program is also featured. The exhibit will be available through May 17. Pensacola MESS Hall is located at 418 E. Wright St. A special free
viewing will happen as part of Night on the Tracks 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 10. 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 Pensacola Museum of Art exhibit featuring mixed-media 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.
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.
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.
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. Govern -
a&e happenings
ment St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.
FOOD + DRINKS
SAGE IN BLOOM: COOKING WITH THE SEASONS Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Unit C. Cost is $60 a student (adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/ classes-and-events.
FISH TACO TIME The return of Fresh Catch Fish Tacos starts Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11 at Coastal County Brewing Co., 3041 E. Olive Road. Details are at coastalcountybrewing.com.
CRAWFISH COOKOUT AT PERFECT PLAIN
Enjoy first-come-first-served crawfish until it sells out 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Live music is noon4 p.m. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplain.
MOTHER'S DAY TEA PARTY Treat your mom to teacups and sweet treats 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Celestine Bed and Breakfast, 514 N. Baylen St. Details are at celestinebedandbreakfast.com/events.
THE DINNER DETECTIVE COMEDY MYSTERY DINNER SHOW Show is 6-9 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Downtown, 8 S. Ninth Ave. Details and tickets are at thedinnerdetective.com.
MOTHER'S DAY: CAKE DECORATING WORKSHOP Workshop with Emmalee's Eats is 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 11 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $90. Details and tickets are on Eventbrite.
MOTHER'S DAY KIT-TEA PAWTY Enjoy cat cuddles, tea party and cookies for two, and a special bouquet for mom 9:45 a.m. Sunday, May 11 at the Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St. Tickets are $55 for a pair. Details and tickets are available at coastalcatpcola.com.
VINO MAGNIFICO Monthly wine tasting is 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at V. Paul's 29 S. Palafox St. Sample five wines for $20. Details are at vpauls.com.
SIP AND BLOOM Design your own bouquet of flowers with Moon Drop Flower Company 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. Tickets include one free beverage. Event is located at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details are at facebook.com/garysbrew.
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 Northwest Florida is 4-6 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Details are at Eventbrite.
CRAWFISH BOIL AT MUGS & JUGS Crawfish Boil is 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at 12080 Scenic Highway. Attendees can purchase plays of freshly cooked crawfish at the bar along with drink specials. Birthday cake will also be available celebrating the bar's birthday.
CRAWFISH & BLUEGRASS Cub's Crawfish will sell crawfish, corn and potatoes noon-5 p.m. (or until sold out) Sunday, May 18 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Live music from The Panhandle Pickers is 1-4 p.m. Details are at facebook.com/oddcolony.
LUNCH SERVICE NOW AT IRON RESTAURANT Restaurant Iron, 22 N. Palafox, will now offer a refined midday experience Monday through Friday starting at 11 a.m. Dinner service
will continue to be available Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (850) 476-7776 or visiting restaurantiron.com/reservations. Walk-ins will also be welcome based on availability.
MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every Monday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Nights, featuring all martinis from the menu for $10 from open to close (4-11 p.m.).
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. Wisteria is located at 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
FREE POOL Free pool all day at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. SIN Night begins at 1 a.m. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
for more listings visit inweekly.net
Pensacola's Expanding Legal Sector
resents a confluence of shared values and complementary strengths. Stevenson, known locally for his involvement with Inweekly investigations and what he describes as "David-vs.-Goliath causes," brings his established Pensacola practice and strong community ties to the firm.
"I make great connections with the folks on the small cases because people will call me and say, 'Look, somebody turned down my case. A couple of firms in town wouldn't take a look,'" Stevenson explained. "We take a second look at it. Our customer service is so good, even if we don't take the case, they're grateful we gave them some resources. Those individuals give us recommendations that often lead to more significant cases."
Fasig | Brooks
For Brooks, whose parents still live in Milton and who describes herself as "the driving factor.
"Most law practices are getting very specialized, and with specialization also comes specialization with positions," Stevenson explained. This trend, he noted, makes the economy of scale offered by larger firms valuable for managing complex caseloads.
Brooks echoed this perspective, noting how the business of law has changed dramatically, particularly in personal injury practice. "When you've got national firms and lead generators funded by venture capitalists, you see this is a highly lucrative area of law," she observed.
For smaller practitioners, this competitive landscape creates significant challenges. Stevenson described the mathematics of personal injury practice: "We run the numbers, and it's about 80% of your income
an injury can be devastating. "A car being wrecked means they don't have a job anymore because they were cleaning houses or they were using that vehicle as part of their income, or you just can't get to work," Brooks explained. "When you can't get to work, you lose your job. After you lose your job, then you're going to be homeless pretty soon. So a car accident can have a hell of an effect on many people."
Practice Philosophy
The firm's systems and specialization are designed to address these complex needs. Stevenson, who had already implemented advanced processes in his practice, has contributed to Fasig | Brooks' organizational development. Brooks credits him with helping identify what works and what doesn't, enabling smoother transitions.
The firm has moved away from having attorneys handle cases "cradle to grave," instead recognizing the value of specialization within their team. "You need to be a specialist also and put the right people who do that the best where they need to go," Brooks explained. "Plus, lawyers get burned out. A lot of times, somebody may want to do the presuit process for a while and get out of the courtroom, get out of the very antagonistic practice for a while, and then after a while, they're like, 'No, I want to be a lawyer again.'"
This flexible, people-centered approach extends to how they view the Pensacola market. Brooks has been impressed by the work ethic she's observed. "The best thing about Pensacola workers: an incredible sense of work ethic," she said. "I was raised over here, and I was raised with a certain discipline and a certain work ethic and to take pride in your work."
For Stevenson, joining Fasig | Brooks allows him to maintain his commitment to justice—something he jokes has been confirmed by personality tests—while gaining the infrastructure needed to navigate today's complex legal environment.
ries of emails. People will have videos from Jimmy Fasig and me welcoming them, telling them, 'OK, your case is getting ready for demand. That means this is going to happen. This is going to be the next step.'"
This commitment to communication represents more than just good customer service; it reflects an understanding of the profound impact that personal injury cases have on clients' lives.
"A lot of times, it starts from the car," Brooks explained. "We try to help people get their cars repaired because, believe it or not, they can be in traction, in a coma, and they really just care about that car because it's their lifeline. And most of the people who come to a lawyer are the people who can't absorb that loss on their own."
For many clients, the ripple effects of
"When my former partner and I started our previous firm, we took personality tests to determine if we would work well together," he said. "The test showed that justice is extremely important to me. That is probably why I became a trial lawyer."
With courts overworked and judges handling increasingly heavy caseloads, Stevenson noted that new procedural rules designed to move cases through the system faster create additional challenges for attorneys. Being part of a larger firm structure provides the support necessary to meet these demands while maintaining the personal touch that has built his practice.
As Fasig | Brooks establishes its presence in Pensacola, joining its existing offices in Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Destin, the firm aims to combine the advantages of scale with deeply personal service—a balance that both Brooks and Stevenson see as essential to successful practice in today's legal environment.
Eric Stevenson and Dana Brooks / Courtesy Photo
f o r j u s t i c e o n b e h a l f o f o u r c l i e n t s . A C C I D E N T S • W O R K E R S C O M P • L E V I N L
