Inweekly Nov 6 2025 Issue

JAPANESE BREAKFAST

winners losers

DOUG BROXSON Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed former state Senator Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, to the Board of Governors of the State University System. Broxson served as Senate Appropriations Committee chair before leaving the Legislature in 2024 due to term limits. The Board of Governors oversees Florida's 12 public universities, including the University of West Florida. Broxson previously served in the Florida House (2010-2016) and Senate (2016-2024). His appointment requires Florida Senate confirmation. DeSantis stated in a written statement, "As a leader in education reform, Senator Doug Broxson has stood by my side as we acted to support parental rights, eliminate DEI, reform tenure and invest in teacher salaries. I know he will continue his great work to ensure Florida remains the No. 1 state in the country for higher education."

NATASHA SLUDER LifeView Group appointed Sluder as director of development, where she will lead philanthropic initiatives for the nonprofit family of companies including Lakeview Center, FamiliesFirst Network and Global Connections to Employment. Sluder brings nearly 20 years of experience in communications, marketing and community engagement across finance, healthcare, telecommunications and nonprofit sectors. In her new role, she will expand donor engagement and community partnerships to support Lakeview Center's behavioral health services for 27,000+ clients annually, FamiliesFirst Network's child welfare case management for 1,500+ children and Global Connections to Employment's career opportunities for 1,700+ people with disabilities. Sluder was a member of the inaugural Inweekly Rising Stars class.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY HEALTHY START

With community leaders and our lawmakers now focusing on improving maternal health and reducing preventable infant deaths, this coalition will be the go-to source for understanding the factors impacting the health of pregnant mothers and babies. This nonprofit is funded through the Florida Department of Health, local and national grants and donations. While still higher than the state rate, Escambia saw its infant mortality rate drop significantly in 2024 to 7.3 per 1,000 births. That rate is the lowest it has been since 2005, a tremendous win for Escambia County Healthy Start and our community.

PENSACOLA CITY HALL We don't care how non-adversarial Mayor D.C. Reeves' administration may strive to be. Suing the city's most popular seafood market, Joe Patti's Seafood, can't look good in any light. The mayor says the city needs access to Pensacola Bay to complete a $7.8 million stormwater project that affects thousands of residents. No solution has been reached after three years, leaving the court system as the only remedy to force a resolution. Joe Patti's Seafood issued a statement, stating: "We believe there are constructive and lawful ways to achieve the City's infrastructure goals while also recognizing private property rights and supporting local businesses that have helped make Pensacola what it is today." Maybe City Hall needs better negotiators.

FLORIDA

DOGE In February, Gov. Ron DeSantis formed the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to audit government spending—in cities and counties, not his own agencies—to identify wasteful spending and support his effort to eliminate property taxes. To date, DeSantis has not delivered a plan for how cities and counties would fund essential services without their primary revenue source. Meanwhile, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has conducted superficial audits and reported millions of dollars in alleged overspending. However, many cities and counties, including the City of Pensacola, have debunked his claims. CFO Ingoglia has yet to issue any official audit report. At some point, the governor and his sidekick will have to produce something in writing, right?

ANASTASIOS KAMOUTSAS

The Florida Commissioner of Education so badly wants to be like DeSantis and Ingoglia. Rather than focusing on the hundreds of millions not properly accounted for in the state's school voucher program, Kamoutsas attended a Leon County School Board meeting where he blasted the school district for continuing to "demonstrate a need for improvement in leadership." He also condemned School Board member Darryl Jones for his comments on Facebook criticizing the late Charlie Kirk. School Superintendent Rocky Hanna called Kamoutsas "immature" and a "bully." We know where Kamoutsas learned his leadership style.

Doug Broxson / Photo Courtesy of myescambia.com

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

GOVERNING IS HARDER

In the musical "Hamilton," Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton becomes frustrated that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are blocking his plan to establish a national bank. President George Washington advises him, "Winning was easy, young man. Governing's harder."

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves and his team have spent over two years working on their Reimagine Palafox plan, turning what was a relatively simple $3 million repaving of downtown streets by Florida Power & Light into a $10.7 million project that improves stormwater drainage and walkability.

The construction is set to begin in January, and not everyone is thrilled—though building owners along South Palafox do anticipate their property values might rise once the project is finished.

When Mayor Reeves explained the details to downtown retailers last week, Patrick Elebash of Elebash Jewelers said, "It's hard not to support this when someone's spending $10 million on your front door."

However, he added, "I'm very sympathetic to the little guy in this room and when you hear a restaurant owner talk about laying off their staff, I'm extremely sympathetic to that. I think we all should be, because everybody in this room is important to the mix [of] downtown success."

Attorney Autumn Beck Blackledge expressed support. "I think that after this is done, we will have more traffic on Palafox," she said. "At the end of the day, you have this product that I think we can really, really be proud of as an owner. We're behind it."

The project's timeline worried some retailers. South Palafox Street would be closed starting Jan. 5, and the soonest it would reopen fully would be May 24.

Play co-owner Ed Banacia said, "The bar and restaurant business is a war of attrition, and so at some point, you get to a point where you start losing that battle and you start losing that war of attrition. That's our biggest concern."

Carmen's Lunch Bar owner MariCarmen Josephs said, "Small businesses, especially restaurants, have very small margins, and now our margins just don't even make sense … we're grappling

to find ways to bring more people into our businesses. My business is used to having a line out the door. That's what it needs to survive. This project is looking at taking away 50% of my dining, and I just don't know that we're going to make it."

Joseph asked, "Is the New Palafox [project] going to be … all kinds of new businesses that are chains that are just not the old ones, and are we just going to see a new Palafox that isn't the Palafox we want?"

Mayor Reeves sympathized with the retailers. "I can tell you this is an unprecedented level at the City of Pensacola for us trying to mitigate and trying to support the businesses through a road project that's ever happened in the city."

He talked about the contractor, Site Utility, and its track record of meeting deadlines on other city projects. The Palafox contract includes a $768,000 incentive to meet the May 24 deadline. If Site Utility misses the deadline, the incentive will be disbursed to businesses affected by the street closure.

Mayor Reeves worked with Site Utility to adopt an "accordion approach," meaning the contractor will start construction simultaneously from Garden Street to Romana Street and from Main Street to Zaragoza Street. Businesses on these two blocks might see their portions of Palafox open by April.

Strategic Initiatives Project Officer Adrianne Walker added, "There will be 414 free parking spaces on Jefferson, Spring, Garden and North Palafox throughout construction."

She noted that construction fencing would be placed at the drip line of awnings, keeping at least a six-foot pedestrian path. "All of your storefronts are still open, they're accessible; they'll never be closed, they will never be inaccessible."

As construction nears, Mayor Reeves must balance what "Hamilton" warned about—turning vision into reality while managing the concerns of those most directly impacted.

The public will judge the success of Reimagine Palafox not just by better drainage and walkability, but by the city's ability to support the small businesses that make downtown Pensacola special. Governing this project will prove harder than

for it. {in} rick@inweekly.net

VISIT PENSACOLA CELEBRATES

The region's tourism industry generated $1.3 billion in direct economic impact during fiscal year 2025, according to figures released last week at Visit Pensacola's annual meeting.

The tourism marketing organization welcomed 2.5 million visitors to the Pensacola Bay Area, who booked 2.5 million room nights, supporting thousands of hospitality jobs throughout the region.

"Tourism remains one of Escambia County's most impactful industries," said Darien Schaefer, President and CEO of Visit Pensacola. "Through marketing, teamwork, innovation and strategic partnerships, we're elevating Pensacola's visibility, growing our economy and creating opportunities that extend well beyond the visitor experience."

The organization generated $22 million in Tourism Development Tax collections. Its "The Way to Beach" message was shared more than 1.4 billion times across paid, earned, owned and social media channels.

Digital engagement remained strong, with visitpensacola.com attracting 3.3 million users who generated over 9.2 million page views. The site contributed $1.08 million in flight bookings through partner links.

Visit Pensacola saw its followers grow to 505,000 across nine social media channels. These platforms achieved 82 million impressions and drove more than 4 million engagements throughout the year.

Accompanying public relations efforts generated substantial visibility, earning $15.2 million in media value through 725 placements across national and international outlets. The organization hosted 13 press trips and 11 creator collaborations.

Visit Pensacola strengthened its partnerships within the travel industry by producing 255 appointments and training 668 travel agents, expanding their global network of meeting planners and travel professionals. Local visitor information centers welcomed 57,000 guests.

Looking ahead, incoming Board Chair Capt. Sterling Gilliam, USM (ret) said, "Pensacola's story is one of service, heritage and hospitality—and tourism allows us to share that story with the world. I look forward to working alongside our

in rent relief that would be available if the contractor failed to meet the May 24, 2026 target date. Additionally, $100,000 has been allocated for marketing and promotional strategy, and the city is proposing to waive outdoor seating fees.

Walker added: "There will be 414 free parking spaces on Jefferson, Spring, Garden and North Palafox throughout construction," with the community invited to help determine whether they should be two-hour or all-day parking.

If approved by the Pensacola City Council in mid-November, construction would commence January 5, 2026, with an incentivized completion date of May 24, 2026. The contractor, Site Utility—a local company—would receive a 10% bonus for meeting that deadline.

been spent on this Cadillac plan. We're being told there's three options here to choose from, but the truth is we only really know a whole lot about two of them. I don't think the city has done a good job on that aspect of telling us what we could do or what that possibility would look like."

Not all reactions were negative. Attorney Autumn Beck Blackledge expressed overall support and said, "I think that after this is done, we will have more traffic on Palafox. It is all about our perception and how we are going to sell this to the public."

board, community partners and dedicated team to strengthen our impact, support local businesses and ensure Pensacola remains a destination we're all proud to call home."

Serving with Gilliam on the Visit Pensacola Board of Directors are Maria Goldberg, Gabe DiCianni, Yash Patel, Dianna Graff, Christina Sasser, Greg Harris, Bridget Middleton, Robin Reshard, Brent Lane and Jonathan Griffith.

LATEST PALAFOX PLAN Mayor D.C. Reeves and Strategic Initiatives Project Officer Adrianne Walker unveiled the latest details about the New Palafox Street project to downtown business owners on Oct. 30, sharing information they had received just days earlier from the selected contractor, Site Utility.

Mayor Reeves made clear that despite ongoing discussions, nothing has been finalized. "The city has to go to the council to get funding approval. That has not happened yet," he told attendees. "This project can go really three different directions as it sits in the city right now."

The three options include: doing nothing and leaving utility cuts in the road; proceeding with Florida Power & Light's basic mill-andoverlay obligation; or moving forward with the comprehensive New Palafox project currently under consideration.

The FPL-only option would provide minimal improvements. That approach would require an estimated 60 days of work but would need a new bidding process with an uncertain start date.

Walker outlined the scope of the full project, calling it "a legacy investment" that would transform downtown. The improvements include 46 ADA-compliant ramps, eight handicapped parking spaces, 52 new trees, 114 modular planters and 44 new drainage structures capable of processing 93,000 gallons of stormwater. The project would also add four elevated mid-block crossings with rumble strips, reduce crosswalk distances by up to 16 feet and create over 12,000 square feet of new pervious surface.

Mayor Reeves also stressed the city's "unprecedented" financial commitment to supporting businesses during construction.

The support package includes up to $768,000

A key revelation from the contractor meeting was the "accordion" construction approach. Walker explained: "We will be working north and south concurrently moving inward. And that sequencing does allow some opportunity to potentially reopen certain areas sooner."

Crucially, storefronts will remain accessible. Construction fencing would be positioned at the drip line of awnings, maintaining a minimum six-foot pedestrian path, with strategic east-west crosswalk access.

Walker committed to ongoing communication, proposing a communications committee for regular updates. "My full attention right now is [on] this project, so I'll be in constant communication with you."

The project now awaits CRA board and city council approval before any contracts can be signed.

MIXED REACTION Following Mayor Reeves' presentation, downtown business owners and retailers expressed a range of reactions from cautious support to serious concerns about economic survival during the five-month construction timeline.

Dog House owner Nathan Holler led the questioning, emphasizing the importance of Pensacola's historic character. "History is a huge thing for Pensacola and I think when we progress, we need to look at preserving our history," he said. "When we go to place, we go there for the history and the small business and the charm. I think when we look at this plan, it turns Pensacola into something that doesn't really preserve our history."

Play co-owner Ed Banacia complained about the cumulative impact on businesses still recovering from recent challenges. "We're barely five years away from the Covid shutdown … At the same time, we endured Hurricane Sally and we endured a terrorist attack. It feels like a big economic impact for a vanity project, aside from the stormwater."

Carmen's Lunch Bar owner MariCarmen Josephs echoed this sentiment, noting that restaurants especially run on "very small margins."

Jeweler Patrick Elebash praised the city's recent communication efforts but criticized the lack of detail on middle-ground options. "The problem I have is that there is a lot of effort that's

Mayor Reeves acknowledged the challenges while defending the comprehensive approach, and continued to highlight the city's commitment to supporting businesses throughout construction.

The mayor also stated that project timing was designed to minimize business impact: "The only reason we're pushing right now is so we can start on Jan. 5 when we feel like it's the least exposure to you guys."

DROPPING AMERICA'S CUP American Magic, the New York Yacht Club's and Pensacola's representative in America's Cup, announced last week it would not compete in the 38th edition of sailing's most prestigious competition.

Team Principal Doug DeVos said the decision followed extensive discussions with Emirates Team New Zealand (the current defender), Athena Racing (the challenger of record) and competing teams, which revealed a misalignment between the event's protocol and American Magic's operational requirements.

"The present structure does not provide the framework for American Magic to operate a highly competitive and financially sustainable campaign," DeVos explained in a statement released from the team's Pensacola headquarters.

The announcement builds on tensions that surfaced in May, when American Magic and other challengers raised concerns about the defender's unwillingness to commit to necessary transparency and cooperation. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves had hoped a settlement could be reached.

The withdrawal marks a significant pivot for the organization, which has competed in the last two America's Cup cycles since its 2017 founding. However, team leadership emphasized this doesn't signal retreat from competitive sailing or its commitment to the Port of Pensacola.

CEO Mike Cazer outlined an alternative path focused on athlete development, technological innovation and international racing programs. The team will maintain its Pensacola high-performance center while expanding support for U.S. Olympic sailors.

"Our focus now shifts to the future," Cazer said. "That means athlete and technology development, international competition and continuing to drive advanced manufacturing and design innovation."

MEASURING OUTCOMES State Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) is spearheading a legislative effort to address Florida's infant mortality

Photo Courtesy of Visit Pensacola

crisis, which disproportionately affects Black families, through a fundamental restructuring of the state's Medicaid program.

Speaking on the "Don't Color on the Dog" podcast, Andrade revealed alarming statistics that prompted his action: In Escambia County, the infant mortality rate for Black babies exceeds 13 per thousand births—three times higher than the rate for white babies.

"The racial disparity alone is jarring," Andrade said. "When I realized just how significant the racial disparity on this alone was, my jaw dropped."

As chair of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, Andrade conducted extensive research revealing that approximately 70% of infant deaths are potentially preventable. According to his findings, 25% of infant mortality deaths result from unsafe sleeping conditions, while 45% stem from first-trimester issues including preterm births, hypertension, inadequate prenatal care and lack of prenatal vitamins.

"You can't look at that and not try to do something," Andrade stated.

The issue takes on added urgency given Medicaid's role in maternal health. Statewide, Medicaid covers more than 40% of expectant mothers. In Escambia County, that figure jumps to 68% for Black mothers (and 30% for white mothers).

Andrade's proposed solution represents a paradigm shift in how Florida manages Medicaid contracts with major insurance companies like Aetna and CVS. Rather than focusing on activitybased metrics and financial reporting, he advocates for outcome-based goals.

"We have to start looking at our approach as the state and figure out how we can do less micromanaging, and instead really internalize the fact that all we care about are the healthcare outcomes," Andrade explained.

His plan would establish clear targets for insurance companies: "We want you to reduce these rates of infant mortality by X in a given year and in your region, in your population, in the counties you cover."

The lawmaker is consulting with healthcare experts, including Charlie Lockwood, dean of the USF College of Public Health, to develop evidence-based strategies. With committee hearings scheduled next week, Florida may soon move toward meaningful reform on an issue that has plagued the state's most vulnerable families for decades.

ANOTHER TASK FORCE State Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Cantonment) also wants to help reduce infant mortality rates. She has formed a 16-member Maternal Health Task Force, which includes bi3 Fund President and CEO Jill Miller, Quint Studer and representatives from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Children and Families, Northwest Florida Health Network, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Hospital, HCA West Florida, Santa Rosa Medical Center, Community Health Northwest Florida, Healthy Start and Florida Blue. They met on Friday, Oct. 24

think, 'You know what? This might not be the place,'" Simmons said.

While deputies did respond to minor incidents—de-escalating arguments and ejecting a few individuals—no situations escalated to the level requiring arrests.

Simmons credited the success to collaborative effort and community cooperation. "It was probably because of the teamwork, probably because of the fact that the people decided that this is a place for family fun and not for foolishness."

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

The Pensacola Bay Center will host its first Pensacola Invitational basketball tournament on Nov. 22-23, with teams from the Sun Belt, Ohio Valley, Atlantic Sun and Southwestern Athletic conferences.

The tournament bracket pits University of Tennessee at Martin against Prairie View A&M University on one side, while University of Southern Mississippi faces University of North Florida on the other.

"We are excited to be participating in the Pensacola Invitational. It gives us an opportunity to once again play inside the Pensacola Bay Center ahead of the Sun Belt Tournament in March," said Southern Mississippi Head Coach Jay Ladner. "On top of that, it's a short trip for our fans to come support the Golden Eagles."

Pensacola Bay Center General Manager Michael Capps said, "As we collaborate with local and national partners, our goal is to develop this tournament into an annual event that brings toptier institutions to our community to compete on the court and create a lasting cultural and economic impact right here at home in Pensacola."

For more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com/events. {in}

November in Pensacola means art — over 200 juried artists, live music, delicious food, and kids’ activities. And it’s all free.

Nov. 7, 8 & 9

Details at ggaf.org

From 'Jubilee' to 'Melancholy' and Writing What's Next with Night Moves Fest Headliner JAPANESE BREAKFAST

By Savannah Evanoff

If you were to go to a big party every day for a week, the following week might look a bit more introverted and contemplative.

This is how Michelle Zauner, the frontwoman and songwriter of Japanese Breakfast, likens her 2021 critically acclaimed album "Jubilee" to 2025's "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)."

The "big party" of the metaphor is a Grammy-nominated, joyful indie-pop dream featuring "Be Sweet"—a hit song that landed on several TV soundtracks, including Jenny Han's "The Summer I Turned Pretty."

"Jubilee's" introspective counterpart started out as Zauner's attempt at a "creepy album." And

one of the first tracks born from that pursuit was fan favorite "Honey Water."

"I was using all these sort of dissonant chords, and I really liked how gnarled and ugly it sounded," Zauner said. "When I brought it to [producer] Blake Mills, we were just layering guitars on guitars, and it became this very like, tough, nasty song. It just felt like a very different thing for me. It reminded me a little bit of returning to the sludgier parts of my first band, Little Big League. That song was really fun. I really wanted to have more of those songs in the set where I got to just play guitar and be nasty."

"After writing an album like 'Jubilee,' which felt so bombastic and so extroverted, I found

myself really wanting to return to the guitar, so that was a big focus for this record. The things that I was thinking about were just much more ethereal and sort of about mortality, and had a darker feeling to it, and that's what I wanted to explore for my follow-up."

Writing it was Zauner's way of reconciling her life as an artist with the process of growing older, she said. The on-the-nose album title was a beacon signaling to those who want to "indulge in that type of thing."

Fans certainly want to indulge in seconds from Zauner—not just in the form of Japanese Breakfast's music, but also her literature. Many are eagerly awaiting the follow-up to her 2021

debut memoir, "Crying in H Mart," which spent weeks in double digits on the New York Times' hardcover nonfiction best-seller list. The book expanded on a 2018 essay of the same name published in The New Yorker; it's a poignant coming-of-age about growing up Asian-American, experiencing the loss of her mother and finding herself—all told using Korean food as a story vehicle.

ON WRITING

During her interview with Inweekly, Zauner was driving back to New York City after being upstate to work on the second book.

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast / Photo by Pak Bae

"I think it's coming along well," she said. "I was just talking about how much fun it is to write a book after having written a book before, and to see what I learned from that experience and use it in real time—and also a book that's still emotional, but it's not quite as raw and intense as the first one. It's about my year that I spent living abroad in Korea last year and going to language schools and studying Korean language."

Zauner enjoyed learning about her culture so much, she plans on returning to Korea for three months after the tour—which ends in Pensacola with Night Moves Fest.

"It's really just so much fun to learn something new and to spend an entire year just focusing on the academic challenge of one thing," Zauner said. "I just ate some really great food and met some really wonderful people, and I had the time of my life."

Because much of her writing in "Crying in H Mart" is intertwined with food, Zauner has earned a reputation as a foodie. But as a singer on tour, she's limited in what she can eat. Spicy, dairy or fried foods are off limits, she explained.

"I'm a little bit more buttoned up on tour than I would be if I was just traveling," Zauner said. "But there are definitely places, like certain restaurants that I'm excited to go to. We're about to travel to Mexico City next week, and I remember going to Contramar and having a really great time … I have certain spots in certain cities, for sure."

O N TOURING

Zauner has spent much of her time as a musician on tour; she went on a two-year run for "Jubilee" before her exploration of Korea. But being on tour for "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)" has been as different an experience as the two albums are in tone.

After a decade of recording in warehouses, trailers and lofts, the fourth album not only marks the band's first proper studio release but also their first time incorporating production into the show before they went on tour.

"When we did 'Jubilee,' I had never thought about that stuff; I never thought we would be a big enough band to even have any kind of stage production," Zauner said. "It was just so beyond the realm of what I could imagine … There was so much growth in real time happening while we were doing 'Jubilee;' we were growing our crew and incorporating pieces of production while we were on tour."

"So it was kind of nice for 'Melancholy Brunettes,' to know from the beginning what the show was going to be. I feel like, in terms of professionalism, we really raised the bar for ourselves, and that was so fun with having almost little skits happen in between songs and it being like, a real collaboration between me and all of the band and crew members. I mean, it really takes all of us to put the show together."

"Men in Bars," for instance, centers on a couple in a bar location, so it features "a bar moment," Zauner said.

Because of her inclination toward "nasty" guitar work this time around, the songs are more challenging to play, too.

"They're so delicate that if you make any small mistakes, they're very obvious," Zauner said. "It's like a very, very careful balance. So it was fun to just challenge myself on the guitar.

I think we all really love playing the song 'Here is Someone,' which is the opening track on the record and how we start the show. And my personal favorite is a song called 'Magic Mountain,' which also took a while to figure out how to really get it right. But when that song sounds really right, it feels really special."

As for any pressure that comes with her success, Zauner tries to forget it.

O N EXPECTATIONS

"It's definitely something I've reckoned [with] a lot, because I'm in a really privileged place; I have built people who enjoy what I've made before, and it comes with a certain expectation for my next work," Zauner said. "But I do think that my job as an artist is to not let myself be impacted by that and to just pursue the course and do my best and pursue what's interesting and new for me. Sometimes I think that will be challenging for an audience, and they won't like it. And sometimes, it's something that they'll get later. Or sometimes, you'll hit it again, but I don't really have any control over it."

"I try to not think about it, so of course I think about it all the time."

It comes with the territory and will continue to. Zauner foresees potentially a decade more of Japanese Breakfast and hopes to explore fiction writing.

"I like the idea of someday writing a novel or writing a screenplay that's not so rooted in my personal life," she added.

Japanese Breakfast's latest release is a single called "My Baby (Got Nothing At All)." Written for director Celine Song's latest film "Materialists," the song's lyrics still dipped into familiar territory for Zauner.

"My writing joke is that it was on a theme that I know a lot about, which is always falling in love with people who have no money," Zauner said jokingly.

In the movie, a New York City matchmaker finds herself in a love triangle with two potential partners—a wealthier, more societally ideal match and her financially struggling ex.

"So it felt like material that I knew quite well. I was thinking about this recently, and I actually feel like, in some ways, a lot of my music is about some really specific part of my life and just hoping for the best that there's a universality to it and people can relate to it. With writing for a movie or for someone else's project, you're starting with a really universal idea and finding a specific part of yourself inside of it. So it's almost like coming to the project in a totally opposite sort of way. It's a new thing for me, and it was really a fun experience." {in}

JAPANESE BREAKFAST AT NIGHT MOVES FEST*

WHEN: 9:45-11:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8

WHERE: Hunter Amphitheater at Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.

COST: GA $99.21, VIP $198.96

DETAILS: japanesebreakfast.rocks, nightmovesfest.com

*For more on Night Moves Fest and Foo Foo Fest Week 2 turn to page 14.

Arts & Entertainment

After more than 50 years running, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival (GGAF) still packs a punch. With over 200 artists, per formance stages, live music, demonstrations, food trucks and children's activities, it's almost sensory overload.

"I always tell people that our festival is really like five festivals in one," said GGAF cochair Cynthia Campfield. "There are artists that are regional, national, local—that's all juried. So, it has to meet a certain level of quality to be a part of the festival. In addition to the fine arts, we have the heritage arts area, and that is more of demonstrative-type art, like quilting or woodworking."

Spilling out of Seville Square, there's something new around every corner. It's a fine arts event as much as a community event—and it's kid-friendly. Campfield said the kids' area is its own festival with 2,000 pieces of artwork from children in the community.

"On Friday, since it's a school day, we have what we call 'Very Special Arts Day,' which is where we bring in children with special needs so they can have a festival experience on a more intimate level," she added. "It's just a wonderful time for them to be able to have exposure to the arts."

And it's all free; no entry fee or attendee registration required.

"There is so much that our community has to offer when it comes to being able to appreciate art—there's something for everyone," said Campfield. "Our festival, generally, really focuses on

Much of the community is on display with the performance stages that highlight local dance companies including Ballet Pensacola and Saraab Belly Dance, to name a few. On the music stage, you'll see local and regional acts including Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and The New 76ers.

Committee members like Campfield work year-round to plan the festival and create a positive experience for attendees and artists. Some members have been with the festival for more than 30 years. Campfield has been involved for more than a decade.

The proof of their success is the thousands of attendees, both local and visitors, and the hundreds of artists who apply to get into the festival.

"There's so many moving parts," she said. "It really is amazing that we have these dedicated people that have been involved for decades who still find it in their heart to give so much of their time to create this wonderful festival for our community."

Campfield said the committee would love have to have more members join and be a part of "our festival family."

ART FROM THE SISTER STATE

For more than 25 years, GGAF has invited an international artist to the festival. This year's artist is Shinya Ishida, who comes from Wakayama, Japan. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Wakayama becoming sister states with Florida.

of bringing his artwork to Pensacola, he came ready to create fresh new pieces.

"We put out the call for people to collect items that he could possibly utilize in his artwork," Campfield said. "And, because he did not bring anything with him, he is actually creating everything here."

In a 2021 video interview with chiruda.com, Ishida said he's always had a habit of picking up items discarded by others.

"Since I had no money, the material I used happened to be garbage, just things that were close at hand," he said. "And when the pieces fit together, I got a very pleasant feeling."

It's not so much an environmental statement he's trying to make, he said, but about giving garbage an extended life and purpose.

"There is a cycle of waste, from birth to death, until it disappears. I intervene in that cycle," he said in the interview. "Extending the life, just a little, of things which would normally be discarded and lost. Eventually, that too will become garbage, but its life will have been prolonged."

The pieces Ishida creates will be for sale at the festival. In fact, a lot of art will be available for purchase.

SUPPORT THE ARTS

GGAF has consistently ranked high among other arts festivals nationwide, said Campfield.

"That shows that the artists really appreci -

ate our festival, and they do well at our festival because we have people that really enjoy their artwork," she said. "I mean, if you go to most homes, they'll [say], 'Oh, yeah, I got that at the arts festival.'"

The festival wants to see artists do well. It also wants to encourage future artists. Each year the festival awards six University of West Florida and Pensacola State College students $1,000 scholarships. The money can be used for things like materials, classes, equipment—whatever will further their interest in the arts.

"We're always so fortunate to have wonderful, talented people that we can try to support in this way through our scholarships," Campfield said. Those students give back by volunteering at the festival. They may be showcasing their work on the festival grounds one day.

When it comes to festival weekend, Campfield advises people to get to the festival early, and mind the time change. Don't sleep in too long.

"Get there early, plan to stay a while, enjoy the food and the music and the art and, you know, the friendships that you'll make and the people that you'll see," she said. "It's a good time to have a hometown reunion." {in}

GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 WHERE: Seville Square, 311 E. Government St. COST: Free

DETAILS: ggaf.org

THE SOUNDS OF GGAF

There's more than just visual arts at GGAF. Here's a rundown of what's happening on the music stage. You can also find schedules for the performance stages at ggaf.org/page/ performance-stages.

FRIDAY, NOV. 7

•11 a.m-1 p.m. Nu-Blu

•2-4 p.m. The Wavy Winstons

SATURDAY, NOV. 8

•10 a.m. The New 76ers

•11 a.m. Palafox Jazz Orchestra

•12:30 p.m. Nu-Blu

•2 p.m. Bogue Chitto

•3:30 p.m. Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band

SUNDAY, NOV. 9

•12 p.m. The New 76ers

•1:30 p.m. Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

•3 p.m. Wayward Jones

Photo Courtesy of Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

FOO FOO FEST

FEATURED EVENTS AFTERBURN

Visit the aerial art installation "Afterburn" from Berlin-based artist Tomislav Topic on Intendencia Street. The installation is on view through Nov. 10.

WANDERING WITHOUT PURPOSE

Exhibit featuring paintings from artist Relja Penezic and an exhibit by sound installation performing artist Victoria Jordanova. On view Oct. 30-Nov. 10 at Pensacola State College in the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, 1000 College Blvd.

THE LUCK

Watch the world premiere of "The Luck," a gold rush era musical about adventure and risk written and soundtracked by The Lubben Brothers. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6-Saturday, Nov. 8 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at The Gordon Community Art Center, 306 N. DeVilliers St. Tickets are $20 and available at penarts.org.

NIGHT MOVES FEST

Begins 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Hunter Amphitheater in Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. Featuring live music from Japanese Breakfast, Dashboard Confessional, Joyce Manor and many more. More info available at nightmovesfest.com.

FRIENDS OF FOO EVENTS

PRESENT SPACES WITH ARTIST LINDSAY KEELING

Enjoy abstract landscape paintings of artist Lindsay Keeling. Artwork will be on display in the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College through Dec. 12 from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., MondayFriday. Open to the public.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: HISTORIC PENSACOLA ADVENTURE TOUR

Travel through the historic streets of downtown as history collides with pop culture in this immersive journey. Tours are daily on the hour through Nov. 10. Purchase tickets and find details at pensacolaghostevents.com.

DOWNTOWN DASH: PENSACOLA AMAZING SCAVENGER HUNT

Explore downtown Pensacola as you unlock puzzles, tackle creative challenges and uncover hidden gems tucked within Pensacola's art, culture and history. Tours are daily on the hour through Nov. 10. Purchase tickets at pensacolaghostevents.com.

PENSACOLA HAUNTED GLO WALKING TOUR

Hunt for ghosts in downtown Pensacola with a nighttime tour 8 p.m. daily through Nov. 10 at

S. Barracks St. Class cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing taylor@goodgrits.com or calling (850) 287-0200.

A GREAT SOUTHERN DINNER

Five-course food and wine event 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 will be held at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St. The cost is $150 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (850) 469-9898 or online at jacksonsrestaurant.com.

FRANK BROWN SONGWRITERS' FESTIVAL

The 41st annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival features acclaimed songwriters at venues across the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast from Nov. 6-16. For more details, visit frankbrownsongwriters.com.

THE GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL

Enjoy the three-day juried arts festival Nov. 7-9 at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola with more than 200 artists, live performances and heritage arts. Details at ggaf.org.

PENSACOLA GREEK FESTIVAL

The 65th Annual Greek Festival is 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1720 W. Garden St. Details at pensacolagreekfestival.com.

CHALICE PAINTING PRESENTED BY O'RILEY'S IRISH PUB

Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 to decorate your own complimentary Stella chalice. Event is free.

221 E. Government St. Purchase tickets at pensacolaghostevents.com.

SPIRITS OF SEVILLE: HAUNTED GHOST TOUR & MEAL

See Pensacola in a whole new way with ghost hunting equipment followed by a chef-crafted local meal. Tours are 2 and 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. Purchase tickets at pensacolaghostevents.com.

DUALITIES: NATIONAL SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

This national exhibition will feature works from various artists at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. The exhibition is on view through Jan. 11. A free public tour of the exhibit will be 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. A panel discussion with the artists will be 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at Voices of Pensacola, 117 E. Government St. Details are at pensacolamuseum.org.

SEC SOCCER TOURNAMENT

The 2025 SEC Soccer Tournament will be played in Pensacola through Nov. 9 at Ashton Brosnaham Sports Complex, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Dr.

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS: GRAYTON BEER CO.

The next Atlas Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at Atlas Oyster House, 600

WINTER BREWFEST PRESENTED BY O'RILEY'S

IRISH PUB

Stop by O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 for their Winter Brewfest and try ten seasonal craft beers from several different local brewers. Purchase tickets at orileyspub.com/products/winter-brewfest.

CUSTOM TRUCKER HAT DECORATING PRESENTED BY SIR RICHARD'S PUBLIC HOUSE

Get crafty at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 and create your own trucker hats with On the Go Hats.

COASTAL CAT CAFÉ OUTDOOR MARKET

Shop local vendors featuring coffee, treats, catrelated items and vintage finds 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1508 W. Garden St. Visit every booth to enter the raffle and take advantage of $5 15-minute cat lounge visits.

GARDEN, ART & MUSIC

Live songwriter round with Katie Dineen, Hane McLeaish, Love Brynnevere and John Hart at From the Ground Up Community Garden, 300 block of East La Rua Street, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Gates open at 2:30 to explore the garden and free market. Donations encouraged.

Afterburn

CURATING THE MOMENT

By Elizabeth Royappa

NIGHT MOVES FEST

"That time period intersected with our band in a really interesting way where that's kind of where we started to get most of our notoriety: online during Covid after we dropped our first record," Heagy continued. "So many people were connecting with our music, but we weren't able to really play shows, and it was so hard for me to internalize."

"I think, like, we're [evolutionarily] not really supposed to be able to perceive more than 50 individuals at a time," he half-joked, remembering how disconcerting it was to emerge from the pandemic and meet an entire brand-new fanbase.

MORE THAN MUSIC

In addition to curating a killer music lineup, the team behind Night Moves Fest also books lots of local food, beverage and shopping vendors to round out the festival experience. One that we're really excited about this year is the new mobile coffee bar TAME. Their Night Moves Fest menu will include cold brew lattes, housemade syrups in flavors like cherry, vanilla bean, salted maple and mocha, and a special called the "Indie Sleaze" which is a 12 ounce nitro cold brew with a candy cigarette on the side. Here's a roundup of the vendors that will be satisfying your snacking and shopping needs at Night Moves Fest 2025:

FOOD/BEVERAGE VENDORS

THE HANDLEBAR @thehandlebar850

ITSA COOKIE @itsacookiebakery

actually. There's a person that you know what the read is literally 99.99 out of 100 times."

"Feeling Not Found," the band's most recent album, does cover themes like directionlessness and stagnation. But at the end of the day, when creating a setlist and performance energy, the band's main priority is fun—intentionally and carefully curated. "Especially with a festival setlist like Night Moves, I'm going to be like, 'Okay, this is the moment, this is the moment.'

But I go over like, eight thousand different times, because … I think having moments that you're

P'COLA ROLLA @pcolarolla

BIRRIERIA SPOT @birrieriaspot

PRETTY BAKED @pretty_baked_in_pensacola

JEREMIAH'S ITALIAN ICE @jeremiahsice

SAUCE BOSS BURGER CO. @saucebossburger

TAME ESPRESSO BAR @tame.espresso

GREEK'S CATERING AND EVENTS @greekscateringevents

PARLOR DONUTS @pensacolaparlor

LITTLE SQUEEZERS LEMONADE @littlesqueezerslemonade

RETAIL/ART VENDORS

PERFECT DAY BOOKSTORE @perfectdaybookstore

ing to DJ Ninajirachi's debut album, "I Love My Computer." Heagy says it might be his album of the year. He has one more recommendation: if Night Moves attendees want to scream the lyrics to one song in Origami Angel's set, "666 Flags" would be a great pick.

"The beginning of that song is so goofy and like, it was back when I didn't really ever revise songs," he said. "I always have this moment on stage where we did the first half and I'm like, this is so kiddish and you can tell I was 19 years old when I wrote the lyrics. But we get to the back

OBSOLETE HEAT @obsoleteheat

FABLED FATES CO. @fabledfatesco

LUCY'S RETRO BOUTIQUE @lucys_retro_boutique

GRATEFUL GLASS @gratefulglassngoods

A CAMPAGNA @acampagna.art

CRYPT SMYTH @cryptsmyth

FUNKI BOHEMIAN @funkiboho_

SIREN SANCTUM SOCIETY @siren.sanctum

DR. CASSANDRA @dr.cassandra

UWF CERAMICS CLUB @uwfceramicsclub

AUTHOR SAGE RELLEANNE @sagerelleanne

THE MOTHER TRUCKIN' HAT BAR @themothertruckinhatbar {in}

ORIGAMI ANGEL AT

NIGHT MOVES FEST

WHEN: 5:35-6:20 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8* DETAILS: nightmovesfest.com, origamiangel.com

*To see the full schedule, follow Night Moves Fest (@nightmovespensacola) on Instagram or find them on Facebook.

Origami Angel / Courtesy Photo

Pensacola, FL

a&e happenings

and support access to mental healthcare in the community. Register at runsignup.com/race/fl/ pensacola/weareactsmilesformentalhealth.

LUCKY GOAT THANKSGIVING FOOD

DRIVE Visit Lucky Goat, 7175 N. Davis Highway, Ste. B, to drop off food donations for Manna Food Pantry. The drive is Nov. 10-16.

NEIGHBORS' NIGHT OUT FUNDRAISER

Fundraiser for ROOTS, a local nonprofit within Overflow Health Alliance. Support families losing SNAP benefits and facing food insecurity 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St.

EYE BALL Independence for the Blind annual gala is 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 at Culinary Productions, 201 Wright St. The evening incudes dancing, dining and education. Individual tickets are $150 with group and sponsorship options available. More details at ibwest.org.

available for purchase. 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 under-

wear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

ALL I WANT HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY The "All I Want" Holiday Giveaway launches Nov. 5 and runs through Dec. 17, presented by the Downtown Improvement Board and local merchants. Shoppers can earn entries for every $10 spent at participating downtown businesses, with daily prizes, weekly $100 gift cards, and a $1,000 grand prize in downtown gift cards. Spend local and you could win anything from dinners and spa treatments to original art, clothing and more. On Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 29), shoppers will earn double entries for every $10 spent. For complete rules and details, visit downtownpensacola.com/alliwant.

STAR SPANGLED SAIL The Perdido Veterans Day Boat Parade is 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Register your boat at perdidochamber.com.

2025 VETERANS DAY CEREMONY Capt. Lee

Hansen will be the keynote speaker at the 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 200 S. 10th Ave. Details available at veteransmemorialparkpensacola.org/veterans-day-2025.

ENTRECON The next EntreCon is 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 and Thursday, Nov. 13 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Details and tickets available at entreconpensacola.com.

ARTS & CULTURE

ARTIST TALK WITH DAWN HOLDER

Exhibiting artist Dawn Holder will have an artist talk 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 206. Details at pensacolamuseum.org.

MEWVIE NIGHT AT COASTAL CAT CAFÉ

Watch "Twilight" 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St. The series continues with more movie nights through Dec. 6. Purchase all five movie tickets for $125 (a $35 discount). Details at coastalcatpcola.com.

MOVIE NIGHTS AT LAGUNA'S Watch "The Bad Guys 2" at 5:30 p.m. and "Black Phone 2" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at Laguna's Beach Bar and Grill, 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd. Admission is free with concessions available to purchase.

CHRISTMAS CREATIONS HOLIDAY MAR -

KET Shop local crafts 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola, 6 E. Wright St. Details at fumcpensacolauwfaith.com/christmas-creations.

NIGHT ON THE TRACKS Multivenue community arts event on Sunday, Nov. 9. Starting at From the Ground Up at 3-4 p.m. with activities and live music from 4:30-6:30 p.m.; 3-6 p.m. paint your own skateboard at Bear Walker Skateshop; build your own bling from 5-7 p.m. at Pensacola Mess Hall; Zines through the Years Exhibit 6-8 p.m. at 309 Punk House; and metal show at The Handlebar, with 50% off for Night on the Tracks participants. Details at facebook.com/30punkproject.

GULF COAST CULTURE SERIES: MURDER SHE INVESTIGATES WITH ALLYSHA WINBURN & CATE BIRD Dr. Allysha Winburn, a biological anthropologist specializing in forensic and bioarchaeological research, and Dr. Cate Bird, missing persons & forensic manager for the International Committee of the Red Cross (United States & Canada), will examine the lasting cultural impact of the television series "Murder, She Wrote." A reception will be 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Lecture begins at 6 p.m. Event is free and open to the public. Details at uwf.edu/gulfcoastculture.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART SCREENING Watch "A Big, Bold Beautiful Journey" 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at Pensacola Cinema Art, 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10 (cash only). Details at pensacolacinemaart.com.

PALAFOX MARKET HOLIDAY EDITION

Palafox Market Holiday Edition is 5 p.m. every Wednesday through Dec. 17 in MLK Jr. Plaza, under thousands of twinkling lights.

THE ART GALLERY AT UWF PRESENTS THIS MOMENT TOGETHER: A FACULTY SHOW FOR JOHN MARKOWITZ Honoring the legacy of the late UWF art and design lecturer John Markowitz, the show features faculty works that speak to his influence on their artistic journeys. The exhibit is on view through Nov. 20. TAG is located at 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82. For more information visit uwf.edu/tag.

Night on the Tracks / Photo Courtesy of 309 Punk Project

a&e happenings

THRIFT STYLE New exhibit at Pensacola Museum of History explores the reuse of feed sacks to make clothing and other household objects. View the exhibit and explore the museum, located at 330 S. Jefferson St. Details at historicpensacola.org.

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.

PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION

LECTURES Learn Pensacola/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 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.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market 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.

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.

AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with real ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. After your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850)

941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.

FOOD + DRINKS

HARRY POTTER TRIVIA Test your Harry Potter Trivia at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.

BOURBON TASTING WITH MAVERICK BEVERAGE Head to End O' the Alley at Seville Square, 130 E. Government St., 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 for a complimentary Bourbon Tasting with Darian Banfell of Maverick Beverage and Chef Jason Duckworth's smoked BBQ shotgun shells—stuffed with in-house spice rub smoked pork and cheese, all wrapped in bacon. Details at sevillequarter.com.

SAUSAGE FEST 2025 Enjoy specialty brews, food specials and the annual "running of the wieners" dog race 12-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road.

AGAPI CHAMPAGNE DINNER Agapi and Champagne Taittinger will have a special fivecourse dinner 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, located at 555 Scenic Highway. Cost is $225 per person. Reservations are required. Make yours by calling (850) 813-5683.

VINO MAGNIFICO The next Vino Magnifico is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20 for five wine samples. Details and reservations at vpauls.com.

SIP AND SCRIPT AT GARY'S BREWERY

Learn calligraphy and sip brews 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details and tickets at sipandscript.com.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE

Murder Myster show at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Tickets are $65 and available at Eventbrite.com.

O'RILEY'S IRISH PUB EXOTIC CAR SHOW

O'Riley's Irish Pub, located at 321 S. Palafox St., will host an exotic car show 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16. Brunch will be available to purchase throughout the event, and bottomless mimosas available. For more details, visit orileyspub.com.

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.

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. Drink specials

a&e happenings

include $2.50 Miller Lite bottles and $3.50 Bomb shots. 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.-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.

MONDAY NIGHT SPAGHETTI SESSIONS Visit V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox St. every Monday from 5–9 p.m. for live music and spaghetti and meatballs from the Monday night menu.

DOUBLE MONDAYS AND SIN NIGHT Enjoy Double Mondays 8 p.m.-midnight and SIN Night 11 p.m. to close at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.

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.).

75-CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75-cent oysters 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

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.

DOLLAR NIGHT Enjoy Dollar Night 8 p.m.midnight Tuesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.

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.

LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER

Get on your feet with a social Latin dance—no partner required—and Latin music 7-9 p.m. every Wednesday 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.

DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night is 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Food trucks are on site. Details are at orileystavern.com.

TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS

Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

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.

SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT

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

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA Get deals on pitchers 8 p.m.-midnight at O'Riley's Tavern. Trivia is 8 p.m.; SIN Night starts 1 a.m. Thursdays at 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.

POOL TOURNAMENT Pool tournaments begin 8 p.m., and Tequila Night is 8 p.m. to midnight Thursdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.

DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night with a DJ starts 8 p.m. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

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.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. every Friday with 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. every Friday 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.

BIG BEER NIGHT Drink specials are 8 p.m.midnight, and SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Fridays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.

FEISTY FRIDAY NIGHTS Enjoy a DJ 9 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

TGI FIREBALL FRIDAY Drink specials are all day Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. SIN Night starts at 11 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

FISH FRY FRIDAY Half off fish n' chips is 11 a.m.4 p.m., and live DJ is 9 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 every Saturday, 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. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

SHAMROCK SATURDAY Shamrock Saturday is 9 p.m., and SIN Night starts 11 p.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. every Sunday 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 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 laid-back, 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 8 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE Sunday Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.

SIN NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S SIN Night is midnight to close Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

KARAOKE AND SIN NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S Karaoke is 9 p.m.-1 a.m., and SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Mondays and Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.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. Government St., hosted by Craig Stahl. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Karaoke is 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.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.

WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts 9 p.m. 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.

KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S DOWNTOWN

Karaoke is 8 p.m.-midnight Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Details are at orileyspub.com.

free will astrology

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In 1995, wolves were reintroduced to the American wildlife area known as Yellowstone Park after a 70-year absence. They hunted elk, which changed elk behavior, which changed vegetation patterns, which stabilized riverbanks, which altered the course of the Lamar River and its tributaries. The wolves changed the rivers! This phenomenon is called a trophic cascade: one species reorganizing an entire ecosystem through a web of indirect effects. For the foreseeable future, Aries, you will be a trophic cascade, too. Your choices will create many ripples beyond your personal sphere. I hope you wield your influence with maximum integrity.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): I authorize you to explore the mysteries of sacred laziness. It's your right and duty to engage in intense relaxing, unwinding and detoxifying. Proceed on the theory that rest is not the absence of productivity but a different kind of production—the cultivation of dreams, the composting of experience and the slow fermentation of insight. What if your worth isn't always measured by your output? What if being less active for a while is essential to your beautiful success in the future?

By Rob Brezsny

a painter, primarily applying paint to canvases. Then, at age 72, he made a radical departure, generating artworks using iPhones and iPads. He loved how these digital media allowed him to instantly capture fleeting moments of beauty. His success with this alternate form of expression has been as great as his previous work. I encourage you to be as daring and innovative as Hockney. Your imaginative energy and creative powers are peaking. Take full advantage!

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Black activist Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." He was proclaiming a universal truth: real courage is never just about personal glory. It's about using your fire to help and illuminate others. You Leos are made to do this: to be bold not just for your own sake, but as a source of strength for your community. Your charisma and creativity can be precious resources for all those whose lives you touch. In the coming weeks, how will you wield them for mutual uplift?

boost the flow of gratitude-worthy experiences in your direction.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Martin Luther King Jr. said that harnessing our pain and transforming it into wise love can change the world for the better. More than any other sign, Scorpio, you understand this mystery: how descent can lead to renewal, how darkness can awaken brilliance. It's one of your birthrights to embody King's militant tenderness: to take what has wounded you, alchemize it and make it into a force that heals others as well as yourself. You have the natural power to demonstrate that vulnerability and ferocity can coexist, that forgiveness can live alongside uncompromising truth. When you transmute your shadows into offerings of power, you confirm King's conviction that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

idea of love is not love. Your theory about who you are is not who you are. It's true that many maps are useful fictions. But when you forget they're fiction, you're lost even when you think you know where you are. Here's the good news, Capricorn: In the weeks ahead, you are poised to see and understand the world exactly as it is—maybe more than ever before. Lean into this awesome opportunity.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Babies are born with about 300 bones, but adults have 206. Many of our first bones fuse with others. From one perspective, then, we begin our lives abundant with possibility and rich with redundancy. Then we solidify, becoming structurally sound but less flexible. Aging is a process of strategic sacrifice, necessary but not without loss. Please meditate on these facts as a metaphor for the decisions you face. The question isn't whether to ripen and mature—that's a given—but which growth will serve you and which will diminish you.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): You are not yet who you will become. Your current struggle has not yet generated its full wisdom. Your confusion hasn't fully clarified into purpose. The mess hasn't composted into soil. The ending that looms hasn't revealed the beginning it portends. In sum, Gemini, you are far from done. The story isn't over. The verdict isn't in. You haven't met everyone who will love you and help you. You haven't become delightfully impossible in all the ways you will eventually become delightfully impossible.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): By the time he became an elder, Cancerian artist David Hockney had enjoyed a long and brilliant career as

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Who would have predicted that the first woman to climb Mount Everest would have three planets in Virgo? Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei did it in 1975. To what did she attribute her success? She described herself not as fearless, but as "a person who never gives up." I will note another key character trait: rebellious willfulness. In her time, women were discouraged from the sport. They were regarded as too fragile and impractical for rugged ascents. She defied all that. Let's make her your inspirational role model, Virgo. Be persistent, resolute, indefatigable, and, if necessary, renegade.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Among the Mbuti people of the Congo, there's no word for "thank you." Gratitude is so foundational to their culture that it requires no special acknowledgment. It's not singled out in moments of politeness; it's a sweet ambient presence in the daily flux. I invite you to live like that for now, Libra. Practice feeling reverence and respect for every little thing that makes your life such an amazing gift. Feel your appreciation humming through ordinary moments like background music. I guarantee you that this experiment will

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Apophenia is the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns in seemingly random data. On the downside, it may cause a belief in delusional conspiracy theories. But it can also be a generator of life's poetry, leading us to see faces in clouds, hear fateful messages in static and find key revelations in a horoscope. Psychologist C.G. Jung articulated another positive variation of the phenomenon. His concept of synchronicity refers to the occurrence of meaningful coincidences between internal psychological states and external events that feel deeply significant and even astounding to the person experiencing them. Synchronicities suggest there's a mysterious underlying order in the universe, linking mind and matter in nonrational ways. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, I suspect you will experience a slew of synchronicities and the good kind of apophenia.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Philosopher Alfred Korzybski coined the phrase "the map is not the territory." In other words, your concepts about reality are not reality itself. Your

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Beneath every thriving forest lies a lacework of mycelium. Through it, tree roots trade nourishment, warn each other of drought or illness and make sure that young shoots benefit from elders' reserves. Scientists call it the "wood-wide web." Indigenous traditions have long understood the principle: life flourishes when a vast communication network operates below the surface to foster care and collaboration. Take your cues from these themes, Pisces. Tend creatively to the web of connections that joins you to friends, collaborators and kindred spirits. Proceed with the faith that generosity multiplies pathways and invites good fortune to circulate freely. Offer what you can, knowing that the cycle of giving will find its way back to you.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What attachment would be healthy to relinquish? {in}

freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com BrezsnyAstrology@gmail.com © 2025 Rob Brezsny

news of the weird

PRANK GONE WRONG On Oct. 14, three masked individuals approached the front door of a home in Alexandria, Virginia, rang the video doorbell and began threatening the woman who answered, WJLA 7 News reported. The terrified resident called her brother, who arrived with a handgun less than two minutes after the trio left, and then the police, who began an investigation. News of the unsettling incident had the community on edge until Oct. 27, when Alexandria Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire announced during a press conference that the culprits had been found and that the whole thing was a prank—the masked would-be intruders were actually the teenage sons and nephew of an adult related to the victim. "For me, my team and this community, it represents a moral failure," McGuire told a gathering of the press. "A moral failure where consequences could result in deadly consequences." After consulting with attorneys and the victim, the decision was made not to press charges.

STANDING ROOM ONLY Spanish police announced on Oct. 22 that they had arrested a group of criminals for stealing chairs—more than 1,100 chairs, to be more precise. The New York Post reported that the thieves, six men and a woman who did the pilfering under cover of darkness, had stolen the chairs from the outdoor seating areas of 18 different restaurants and bars throughout Madrid and a nearby municipality during August and September. Police said the chairs were resold in Spain, Morocco and Romania, and estimated the impact at about 60,000 euros ($69,000). The gang will face charges of theft and belonging to a criminal organization.

BRIEF THIEF Tempted to return to the scene of the crime once too often, a suspect has been identified in a rash of women's underwear heists, The Pattaya News reported on Oct. 31. The crimes have all taken place in the same apartment complex in the district of Phan Thong (no pun intended), Chonburi, Thailand. The most recent victim, also the owner of the complex, installed cameras after complaints about the perp's previous capers, and sure enough, in the wee hours of Oct. 29 after she had hung her unmentionables out to dry, a man casually walked up and claimed another trophy. Police say they have collected additional evidence in the cases and expect to apprehend the thief in short order.

UNNATURAL Researchers in Germany have, for the first time ever, captured video of brown rats (also known as Norway rats) actively hunting bats, Popular Science reported on Oct. 30. The freaky footage, made available to the public concurrently with a study recently published in the scientific journal Global Ecology and Conservation, shows the rats stationing themselves at the openings of hibernation sites in the towns of Segeburg and Luneberg-Kalkberg, where the researchers had set up thermal and infrared cameras to monitor the bats' activities. The rats, which are effectively blind when hunting at night, pounced on bats climbing to the sanctuaries, and were even able to nab their prey in midair. The authors of the study

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

issued a call for action: "Management of invasive rodents at important bat hibernation sites supports biodiversity conservation and reduces potential public health impacts."

JUST HAD TO KNOW Friends, acquaintances and other mourners at a funeral in Konchi, a village in Bihar, India, were stunned when Mohan Lal, the man whose funeral they were attending, rose and began taking part in the rituals of the Hindu service. Metro UK reported that the 74-year-old Lal, a retired Air Force veteran, is well-respected in Konchi for his work within the community—which, oddly enough, includes helping to fund and build a crematorium for the rainy seasons—but all of that goodwill didn't stop Lal from carrying through his plan. "I wanted to witness it myself and see how much respect and affection people give me," Lal said. Reactions varied from shock to confusion to relief, but Lal was able to calm things down by throwing a feast for the attendees.

JUST DROPPING BY As staff at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California, performed inspections in the early morning of Oct. 17, they were surprised by the presence of an unexpected visitor— a wild American black bear, leaning on the gate to the park's bear habitat. In a Facebook post from the zoo, the wild bear was described as "a very polite visitor" that was observed interacting nonaggressively with resident bears Tule, Ishung and Kunabulilh. The zoo called in the Eureka Police Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the bear was escorted out of the park and back into the nearby woods. " We respond to bear calls within the city of Eureka quite often," state department spokesperson Peter Tira told the LA Times, "but having a wild bear get into the zoo is a first."

I HOPE THAT SOMEONE GETS MY ... After more than a century, letters from two World War I soldiers will soon be in the hands of their families, ABC Australia reported Oct. 27. Debra Brown and her family were cleaning up a beach near their hometown in Western Australia when they found an old bottle, which turned out to contain letters— dated 1916—from Private Malcolm Alexander Neville and Private William Kirk Harley. The two were shipping out to serve their country, and jettisoned the bottle "somewhere in the (Great Australian) Bight," per one of the letters. Social media did its thing, and Brown was soon connected to relatives of both soldiers. Private Neville's records show that even though he was initially discharged due to his poor eyesight, he reenlisted in the service corps a week later. "I think that just shows you his character, how determined he was," said the private's great-nephew, Herbie Neville. Sadly, Private Neville was killed in action in France at the age of 28. His compatriot, Private Harley, did make it home; his granddaughter Ann Turner said finding the letters "feels like a miracle" for her family: "We are all absolutely stunned." {in}