Inweekly Sept. 7 2023 Issue

Photo Courtesy of Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

/ By Meg Burke Photography

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winners &

winners losers

GROVER ROBINSON IV The former Pensacola mayor and Escambia County District 4 commissioner has joined Pensacola State College as the associate vice president of government and community relations. Robinson replaces Sandy Cesaretti Ray, who retired in 2022. In the position, Robinson will serve as the College's governmental affairs lobbyist and liaison to the Florida Legislature. For 20 years, he served on the PSC Foundation Board of Governors, including two years as president. Robinson was the organization's leader when PSC President Ed Meadows was hired in 2008 and Pensacola Junior College became a state college in 2010. In announcing the hire, Dr. Meadows praised the Robinson family's legacy of support for the college and expressed his confidence that PSC will thrive through Robinson's advocacy efforts.

DE LUNA COFFEE INTERNATIONAL Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody recently gave her Back the Blue Award to Pensacola-based De Luna Coffee International for "showing extraordinary support of law enforcement." In August, De Luna announced its High Noon: Lawman's Blend. For each bag sold, the coffee company donates a dollar to the Escambia County Sheriff's Foundation. Moody created the award in 2019 to recognize law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations going above and beyond to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and Florida communities.

EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHOR -

ITY On Tuesday, Aug. 29, Macro Companies of Broussard, La., contacted ECUA, looking for a water supplier willing to provide thousands of gallons of potable water destined for the Big Bend area in advance of Hurricane Idalia. Drought conditions in Louisiana made it difficult for Macro to source the water locally. Within a few hours, Macro Companies Vice President Bill McElligott and ECUA Water & SCADA Operations Manager Robert Rogers had a plan in place. By late afternoon, 15 tanker trucks rolled into ECUA's Ellyson Industrial Park campus.  ECUA set up two locations to expedite the process that supplied the tankers with an estimated 90,000 gallons of potable water.

DONALD TRUMP The former President suffered another legal loss, this time in Pensacola federal court. Judge M. Casey Rodgers ruled Trump's $50 million copyright lawsuit against famed journalist Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster Inc. and Paramount Global must be transferred to a New York court. Judge Rodgers sent the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York because she concluded, "that district is the most appropriate and convenient forum for the parties and witnesses and the one with the strongest connection to the dispute." Woodward conducted interviews with Trump for his book "Rage." He later released his audio interviews as a separate audiobook. Trump claims the audiobook violated his copyright.

3M The manufacturer of the Combat Arms Earplug version 2 (CAEv2) agreed to a $6.01 billion settlement with military service members, veterans and civilians who suffered hearing damage while using the earplug and other dual-ended non-linear earplugs. This settlement comes after more than four years of litigation against 3M, including 16 bellwether trials that resulted in many of the plaintiffs being awarded millions in damages.

NEVER BACK DOWN PAC

The super political action committee promoting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential bid has backed down—out—of Nevada, California, North Carolina and Texas. Never Back Down has stopped its door-to-door canvassing operations in those states and redirected its resources to early-voting states, such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

JOE BIGGS

The Proud Boys leader will serve 17 years behind bars after being sentenced for seditious conspiracy for his leadership role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to prosecutors. When he stormed the Capitol with his fellow Proud Boys on Jan. 6, Biggs was a "vocal leader and influential proponent of the group's shift toward political violence," prosecutors argued. Biggs pleaded with the judge for a lighter sentence, saying he wanted to be around for his daughter and ailing mother.

Grover Robinson

Photo Courtesy of Pensacola State College

Photo by Frederic Legrand-COMEO / shutterstock.com

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

OPEN THE DOORS

Last week's article on a struggling young couple, "Pregnant, Homeless, Living in Pickup," hit home with several readers and those working with the unhoused in our community.

Tom St. Myer told the story of a pregnant teen, 19, and her boyfriend, 23, who gave up their trailer when the landlord raised the rent. Although both worked—one more steady than the other— they couldn't afford any available housing. The shelters had no room for them, forcing the couple to live in a broken-down truck.

We learned of the couple's plight from Community Health Northwest Florida, whose Homeless Health Navigator program was helping them. Nurses from Ascension Sacred Heart brought them food and other necessities. Tom's wife Kelly teamed with Madrina Ciano to secure a mechanic, Jerald Henson, to get the truck operational. Catholic Charities secured the couple a weeklong stay at the Regency Inn. Later, the MaxWell Respite Center called to say beds would be available soon for them.

Once we published the article, readers inquired how they could help the couple. Community Health is setting up a webpage to receive donations.

While this article had a happy ending, it makes you wonder how many others are falling through the cracks in our community—people who don't know how to navigate the system or can't get anyone to pick up the phone when they call for help.

This spring, United Way of West Florida released its ALICE report. "ALICE" stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

"The key point is the employee," United Way president and CEO Laura Gilliam told me. "These are people who are going paycheck to paycheck. What we know is that about 42% of households in the two counties (Escambia and Santa Rosa) are ALICE households or below, and that represents about 82,000 people."

She added, "These are people who don't necessarily qualify for benefits and often fall through the cracks because they just don't make enough money to pay for things. They're really kind of stuck there in the middle."

The Continuum of Care (CoC) is the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program responsible for developing and implementing the strategy to ensure no one falls through the cracks. The federal government provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to individuals, families and communities by homelessness.

The local nonprofit running the CoC for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for more than a decade is Opening Doors of Northwest Florida. It handles all the HUD CoC grants and creates a strategic plan for eliminating homelessness in our community.

Opening Doors has operated under the radar until recently when Mayor D.C. Reeves and Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno expressed an interest in getting more involved in the governance of CoC. They submitted a list of names for Opening Doors CEO John Johnson to consider for the CoC board.

We don't know who is currently serving on the CoC board. Opening Doors has a webpage devoted to CoC but doesn't list the board members or provide minutes of its meetings. Its financials and audit reports also aren't posted on the website.

What we do know is our homeless problem is growing. More individuals and families are struggling to make ends meet. In 2022, Manna helped 69,095 people, serving 594,015 healthy meals to residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida provided more than $2.4 million in critical assistance to those in need. Community Health saw more than 53,000 patients.

Opening Doors must open its doors to the community by holding open board meetings and publishing its minutes and financial reports. It needs to adopt a measurement system that holds its grant recipients accountable for the funds they receive and the success of its programs.

HUD may not require these things, but the homeless problem is too acute in our community for our CoC not to be transparent.

{in} rick@inweekly.net

HUD may not require these things, but the homeless problem is too acute in our community for our CoC not to be transparent.

EAST GARDEN'S TRANSFORMATION

The hotel's design includes an "urban chic" first-floor lobby, lobby bar, full-service restaurant, second-floor ballrooms, meeting rooms and fitness facility. Guestrooms and suites will occupy floors three through eight. The ninth floor will feature an indoor/outdoor rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Bay.

"When completed, our hotel will anchor our placemaking vision for the East Garden District and will be the hotel that Pensacola has been waiting for," Henderson said.

The hotel is the future centerpiece of a renovation that includes 20,000 square feet of repurposed properties along Garden Street and 30,000 square feet of new mixed-use developments.

WHAT'S NEXT

Union Public House is perhaps the crown jewel of the new mixed-used developments, but there is no shortage of places to eat or drink in the East Garden District. Vinyl Music Hall added a B Side outdoor venue featuring the Proper Burger food truck. Proper Burger is independent of Catalyst HRE.

By Tom St. Myer

Grandiose visions and exceptional execution over the past 20 years have transformed Palafox Street from an eyesore into the city's lifeblood . Vibrant restaurants, breweries, boutiques, restored historic properties and other attractions align with the beautifully landscaped street.

Now, East Garden Street is following a similar trajectory.

Two years ago, Chad Henderson shared a vision for the East Garden District (EGD) that included restaurants, retail, residences, breweries, a hotel, tree-lined sidewalks and an urban plaza. Stroll down Garden Street today, and the sight of restaurants, breweries and improved landscaping indicate his vision is still in the formative stages but transforming into reality.

"From the inception of the East Garden District, we have been committed to curating the EGD so that it will become an inspired collection of new businesses and existing businesses woven together into a district that will be a must-come for Pensacola locals and visitors," said Henderson, CEO of Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate.

A collaboration between Catalyst HRE and the Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funded the early stages of the transformation. The city committed $1.3 million, and Catalyst HRE chipped in $750,000 toward streetscaping, mixed-use developments and tax revenue.

"The East Garden District's partnership with the CRA and city has been a great success that we are all very proud of," Henderson said. "When the East Garden District is fully built out, the city

and CRA will see significant returns on their investment in new tax revenues, which we hope can be reinvested in new downtown Pensacola growth and infrastructure projects."

The first step in the transformation involved reworking North Jefferson Street between Chase and Garden streets and renovating space for The Well Floridian Lounge, located next to Perfect Plain Brewing Co.

"Jefferson Street between Garden Street and Chase Street is now one of the most beautiful streets in Pensacola and has set the stage for over $75 million of new private development," Henderson said.

UPH 2.0

One of those developments includes a new home for Union Public House. The popular dining destination opened in late August after previously operating out of a renovated 1934 cinder-block building once occupied by the Salvation Army.

"The East Garden District is founded in placemaking and authenticity, and we believe that Union Public House, Chef Blake Rushing and team, and the crafty UPH menu are boldly authentic, making it the perfect gateway restaurant to the EGD," Henderson said.

The new glamorous location features leather chairs, elongated windows and a private event spot with a 14-foot table. The spacious kitchen space for the new site is an open concept and four times the size of the old venue on Reus Street.

"To be in a kitchen that size and that type of equipment is really cool," Rushing said. "The staff had input on the kitchen, and we were able to build a kitchen around a menu we already had. The kitchen was 105 degrees in the

old place, so it's nice to be air-conditioned. The energy in there is awesome. No matter 10 people or 100 people, the movement from the kitchen makes it hard to beat."

Rushing spent countless hours of blood, sweat and tears renovating the Reus Street location. The spot holds such a special place in his heart that he plans to open a new concept there sometime next year.

"It's something down the road. We're really focused on Garden Street right now," Rushing said. "We haven't nailed it down. It'll be a bar/restaurant kind of thing but very low-key."

There is no buyer's remorse for Rushing. He describes the new venue as "awesome" and said customers tell him they "don't feel like they're in Pensacola; they feel like they're in a big city" while dining in the Garden Street location.

Henderson sold Rushing on the new location with relative ease. Rushing shares his vision of a bustling East Garden District that attracts the same type of foot traffic as Palafox Street.

"I think that area is going to be the new busy, busy area off Palafox with Hilton going in," Rushing said. "It'll be a destination spot. It's Friday night. We're going to the EGD."

Plans for a Hilton hotel remain in the planning phase. Henderson described challenges in the construction and capital markets as "significant." He is optimistic they will break ground by the end of the calendar year and that a hotel name and logo will be unveiled soon.

Henderson said the plan is for a 175,000-square-foot, nine-story boutique hotel at the intersection of Jefferson and Chase streets. The hotel will include 144 rooms and suites and luxurious amenities that will attract both guests and visitors.

"The entire site is called B Side, and Proper is basically a joint venture between us and the Levins—Terry, Evan, and Harry—to make it a really exciting outside activation right here in the heart of downtown," said Raf Simpson, cofounder of the Artisan Restaurant Group.

So, what commercial property is next for the East Garden District? The vision includes retail, residences, breweries and the hotel, but the emphasis will remain on restaurants for the foreseeable future.

"Next up for the EGD are likely a ramen noodle bar concept and a Cajun restaurant, which we think will be fantastic additions to the block," Henderson said.

The Cajun restaurant will be located at the corner of East Garden and North Palafox in a space previously occupied by the Pensacola News Journal. The plan is to ground floor activate the entire space with new restaurant and retail uses. Catalyst Vice President of Development Tosh Belsinger said the goal remains to curate the right blend of uses for the East Garden District.

"We have already demolished the interior walls and ceilings from the old PNJ space, and we are currently in planning to build out three tenant spaces with new storefronts utilizing Dalrymple Sallis Architecture and WilliamsBrown general contractors," Belsinger said. "We are talking with an exciting new Cajun restaurant for one of the spaces, and we are looking at multiple retail, lifestyle and restaurant concepts for the other two spaces."

The three future tenants will join an impressive group of neighbors that includes Union Public House, Perfect Plain, The Well, Papa's Pizza, Restaurant Iron, Vinyl and Generation Church at The Rex Theatre.

His grandiose vision is far from complete, but Henderson considers East Garden District to already be a "truly unique Pensacola place." {in}

CO1 / Rendering Courtesy of Catalyst HRE

By Rick Outzen

Crowded Florida circuit court dockets may get even more packed. And though judges, state attorneys, public defenders and attorneys oppose it, Republican lawmakers may ram it down our throats.

In June, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner wrote Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, asking him to form a committee to assess the consolidation of the state's 20 circuit courts. His logic was the Florida Legislature realigned the state's appellate districts, but the boundaries for the judicial circuits have remained the same since 1969.

"The size of our judicial circuits varies widely, ranging from approximately 2.7 million people (in the 11th Cir.) to less than 100,000 people (in the 16th Cir.)," Renner wrote. "I believe that the consolidation of circuits might lead to greater efficiencies and uniformity in the judicial process, thereby increasing public trust and confidence."

Muñiz agreed to appoint a judicial circuit assessment committee to make recommen dations to him by Dec. 1. He stated in his order

that the committee "must limit its findings and recommendations to whether there is a need to consolidate (i.e., reduce the number of) Florida's judicial circuits."

"Without expressing any view on the merits at this time, the Court agrees that the question of whether there is a need to consolidate Florida's judicial circuits deserves thoughtful consideration and careful study," Chief Justice Muñiz wrote. "To that end, and to aid the Court in making its ultimate determination, the Court believes it would be beneficial to appoint an assessment committee as contemplated by rule 2.241."

JET FUELED REVIEW

Miami attorney Steve Cain found irony in Renner's request for consolidation.

"You've got to be skeptical of the word 'consolidation' in a state that's grown exponentially since 1969," Cain told Inweekly. "The letter by Speaker Renner said to only look at consolidation. It did not ask the Supreme Court to look at the need for expansion, which with the growth of our population, is exactly what you would expect the court to be looking at."

He added that state lawmakers created a 6th District Court of Appeal last year and revised the jurisdictions of the 1st District Court of Appeal, the 2nd District Court of Appeal and the 5th District Court of Appeal. The changes went into effect at the first of this year.

"Why is consolidation the only thing on the agenda? The reality is, we've had a huge population growth in the state, and we should be looking at adding in circuits, not reducing them," Cain said.

Cain chairs the Florida Justice Association (FJA), an association of Florida trial lawyers dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida's civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida's citizens and consumers. He pointed out the review process of the appellate court system took two years, but Renner and Muñiz want the circuit court assessment done in less than six months.

Cain said, "This is on a very, very truncated timeline. This letter didn't come out until the end of June, and they're expecting recommendations back before the legislature convenes in January. Why are we on jet fuel with regard to this topic when it took us nearly two years to do the same process when we were looking at an expansion of the appellate court jurisdictions?"

Renner's letter referred to the 11th Cir., which covers Miami-Dade County, and the 16th Cir., which encompasses Monroe County. Three other circuits cover one county each—Broward, Hillsborough and Palm Beach—another red flag of the FJA chair, especially in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis removing from office two Democrat state attorneys in the past year.

"If you look at what's really happened, you've seen two state attorneys removed from office, not because of something they can pinpoint that they actually did wrong," Cain said. "They didn't commit a crime. There's this general excuse that they somehow were not enforcing the laws properly, but that's really borne no fruit. I really think it's a bigger play on getting some of these elected Democratic state attorneys out of the state."

Chief Justice Muñiz appointed 4th District Court of Appeal Judge Jonathan Gerber

to chair the assessment committee, which includes Judge Linda Nobles from our 1st Cir., seven other circuit judges, a county judge, a public defender, a county clerk of court and two attorneys.

ANY HOPE TO STOP IT?

With two decades of Republican governors having appointed the Florida Supreme Court and the state's circuit court judges and GOP majorities in the state House and Senate, does FJA have any hope of stopping the consolidation?

If the public hearing held Friday, Aug. 25, is an indication, there is vocal opposition to reducing the circuit courts from inside and outside the judicial system.

State Attorney Larry Basford, who covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties, shared with the committee that Florida has the nation's lowest ratio of circuits per resident.

"We're not talking just about numbers," Basford said. "Taking away citizens' ability to elect their local judicial officials in these rural areas—and that's the way this (effort) has been perceived—will erode the public trust and confidence in our judicial system. Bigger does not mean better."

State Attorney Brian Haas serves Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. He said consolidation doesn't make sense "with the incredible increase in our state's population, the increasing complexity of our cases and the expanding functions of our trial courts."

Key Largo lawyer David Hutchison opposed any form of consolidation. He told the committee, "If it's not broke, don't fix it. We're happy with what we've got. Public trust and confidence is everything. No matter what efficiency or economy you're looking for, none of it matters without the trust of the public."

Cain attended the public hearing. He said, "We saw 50 people get up and speak. Every single person—Republican, Democrat, it did not matter—spoke out against this because of their concern that politics is invading our judicial system, and that's not good for anybody." {in}

House Speaker Paul Renner / Photo Courtesy of myfloridahouse.gov

Senator Broxson Secures Millions for Florida Panhandle

A special thanks to Florida Senator Doug Broxson (R) of Gulf Breeze who played a pivotal role during the 2023 legislative session as Chairman of the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee. His efforts resulted in a record-breaking $117 billion state budget and historic wins for local project funding.

Broxson focused on making Florida affordable for growing families through the Live Local Act, offering historic tax relief opportunities and supporting numerous local initiates for higher education, child development, mental health and environmental protection with millions in state funding.

He championed other policies that will have a significant positive impact, such as increasing per student funding by nearly 5% and allocating an additional $252 million to boost teacher salaries, reaching a total annual investment of $1 billion per year. Moreover,

he secured $4 billion for the Governor’s Moving Florida Forward Initiative, fostering essential improvements to infrastructure statewide.

Senator Broxson took decisive action to address recruitment and retention challenges in law enforcement and corrections, introducing additional recruitment bonuses and salary increases. $200 million was also allocated to support Florida’s Wildlife Corridor and Everglades Restoration, demonstrating his dedication to preserving the state’s natural heritage. While numerous individuals played a part in making this accomplishment possible, it was Senator Doug Broxson’s name that repeatedly emerged as the driving force behind it all. His dedication and commitment to our community have had a consistently positive impact, and we are truly grateful for his contributions!

As his Senate career comes to a close, we want to express our gratitude for his exceptional service to the people of Northwest Florida.

THE TRIAL OF JAMES MEREDITH University of West Florida Department of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies and UWF Department of Theatre will present the James Meredith Trial Reenactment at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, in the Mainstage Theatre at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the Pensacola campus. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required for this event.

"Jen Brinkley from the UWF Legal Studies Department reached out to me," said Marci Duncan, who directs the reenactment. "I work in the theater department, and she asked, 'Hey, what do you think about actors being involved in this reading and reenactment of this monumental trial?'"

Duncan shared that she replied, "Absolutely. It's a wonderful collaboration across the campus. It's a beautiful, important story that we would love to be involved in."

In 1961, James Meredith applied for admission to the University of Mississippi. He was well qualified, had served honorably in the U.S. Air Force and taken courses at several colleges. Yet, he was rejected. Meredith was Black, and the university had never admitted a Black student.

Represented by Constance Baker Motley and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Meredith sued in the United States District Court for Southern Mississippi, alleging the university had denied him admission because of his race.

The litigation was difficult and hard-fought. Although seven years had passed since the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, many in the South still resisted the notion that segregation in public education was unconstitutional. Meredith would later describe the case as "the last battle of the Civil War."

"One of the things that I love about this story is that you see the incredible courage it takes to do what you believe is right," Duncan said. "No

matter if everybody else is saying, 'We're not going to stand beside you,' he went and did what he believed was right. He joined arms with Motley, and they were able to argue this case in court."

The performance will include theater students, legal studies students and local attorneys.

The trial reenactment is 4 -5 p.m. A short Q&A and refreshments will follow.

Criminology, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies collaborated with the Department of Theatre to put on the trial reenactment. The event is generously co-sponsored by the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Foundation. Justice for All: Courts and the Community provided the script. Scripts for reenactments of several historic cases can be found at justiceforall.ca2.uscourts.gov.

represents approximately onehalf of 3M's actual net worth. The fact that we're able to extract that much out of them on behalf of our veterans makes me very proud."

Aylstock tried the first case in Pensacola with Levin Papantonio Rafferty shareholder Brian Barr, who serves as liaison counsel for the plaintiffs.

"Our first trial, now it's more than two and a half years ago, I tried it with Brian Barr, and we were able to hit the beachhead and get a great victory on behalf of three plaintiffs right off the bat," Alystock said. "And from there, out of the 19 plaintiffs that we tried, we won 13 of the 19 jury verdicts. That helped us get to where we are today."

The attorney also praised Judge Rodgers, who presided over the cases. He said, "Judge Rodgers has also been working very hard to produce this settlement. She is an unbelievable jurist who treats everybody under the law fairly and, more importantly, just works hard to keep the cases moving toward a resolution."

Aylstock added, "This number of cases is actually one-third of the entire civil docket for the federal courts in the United States of America. Her management of this was instrumental in getting us to this point."

The settlement comes after more than four years of litigation against 3M. The master settlement agreement covers the claims of all plaintiffs in MDL No. 2885 and Minnesota state court. Upon registration, each claimant will be given the option to enroll in a payment program based on their specific needs and proof of hearing damage.

identified some commonalities in these fires, and in a few of them, there has been a lack of working smoke alarms."

She continued, "And what you need to know about smoke alarms is smoke alarms give time to recognize there's a problem and to escape."

This smoke alarm initiative is part of the Sound the Alarm fire safety campaign in partnership with the American Red Cross, with the Red Cross providing the smoke alarms for distribution to residents free of charge. Since the American Red Cross launched the campaign in 2014, more than 1,910 lives across the country have been saved as a direct result of these installation events.

The first two Smoke Alarm Saturdays are scheduled in the Creighton Heights area Oct. 7 and the Westside Garden District neighborhood Oct. 21, with additional events to be scheduled throughout the city.

Firefighters will go door to door from 9 a.m. to noon, walking the neighborhood and offering to install a smoke alarm free of charge. Mayor D.C. Reeves, American Red Cross volunteers and one or more City Council representatives will help them as they canvass the neighborhoods.

"I've actually asked all the seven city council members for their participation in any way, whether that is anything from buying breakfast or coming out there and walking with us," Reeves said.

As part of Smoke Alarm Saturdays, the Pensacola Fire Department encourages all residents to take a moment to test their smoke alarms and ensure they are working properly. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a working smoke alarm cuts in half the chances of dying in a reported fire.

3M EARPLUG SETTLEMENT

The 3M board of directors approved a $6.01 billion settlement for the tens of thousands of U.S. military and veterans who suffered hearing loss while using 3M's Combat Arms Earplug version 2 (CAEv2) and other dual-ended non-linear earplugs.

Pensacola law firms Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz and Levin Papantonio Rafferty tried several of the cases in federal court in Pensacola. Attorney Bryan Aylstock, the plaintiffs' lead counsel, announced the settlement on WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

"It's a historic settlement," Aylstock said. "It represents one of the largest mass tort settlements in American history, and I'm proud to do what we did on behalf of the thousands of service men and women who returned home with these life-altering hearing injuries, hearing loss and tinnitus because of these defective earplugs manufactured by 3M. We were able to hold them accountable and hold them responsible."

He continued, "Over 240,000 individual cases have been transferred here to the Federal District Court in Pensacola; they're being overseen by Judge Casey Rodgers right here. This settlement

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed no veteran will lose health or disability benefits or have their disability rating adversely adjusted directly as a result of participating in the settlement, and no VA facility will be able to recover or subrogate any portion of a plaintiff's award. It is anticipated that Judge Rodgers will hold a hearing on the settlement, which will have an independent administrator and be overseen by a special master appointed by the court.

More information about the settlement can be found at 3mearplugmdl.com.

SMOKE ALARM SATURDAYS The Pensacola Fire Department kicks off Smoke Alarm Saturdays in October with the goal of providing free smoke alarms to every household in the City of Pensacola without a working smoke alarm. The City has experienced five fatalities in house fires, including two children, this year.

At the mayor's weekly presser Aug. 29, Fire Chief Ginny Cranor said, "It has been very difficult for the city and these communities that have been impacted by these fires and certainly for our firefighters that deal with that. And we've

At the presser, Chief Cranor praised her firefighters, "They absolutely will risk their lives and have made decisions this year to do exactly that with just the chance to save someone. If they can find a window of opportunity with the entire home burning, they will be inside. But with working smoke alarms, you give our firefighters a chance to save someone."

The fire chief doesn't want people to wait until October to receive a smoke alarm if their resident needs one.

"If they need a smoke alarm in their home now, they can call the Pensacola Fire Department now at 850-436-5200 or 3-1-1," Cranor said. "And if you don't live in the city limits, we are going to connect you to the agency that can help you."

For more information on Smoke Alarm Saturdays, visit cityofpensacola.com.

BAKER ACT UPDATE When the Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida met in May, the most significant announcement made was that Sen. Doug Broxson and State Rep. Alex Andrade had secured funding for centralized receiving facilities at Baptist and Lakeview to handle Baker Act patients.

Efforts to establish separate central receiving facilities are in the execution phase. Baptist

James Meredith Statue / Photo by James Kirkikis / shutterstock.com

will remain in its role as the hub for adolescents. Baptist is the only facility with adolescent inpa tient beds from here to Panama City.

Lakeview for assessment. The adult patients will remain at Lakeview or be transported to HCA Florida West Hospital.

families and loved ones to provide emergen cy mental health services and temporary de tention for people impaired due to mental ill ness and unable to determine their treatment needs. The act allows the court, doctors or law enforcement officials to involuntarily commit the patient for at least 72 hours for a mental health evaluation.

Lakeview is renovating existing space to serve as the adult central receiving facility and plans to fill about 50 full-time positions to provide patients with the best possible care. Funding will come from $4.7 million received in recurring state appropriations July 1 and a local match in volving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

erational is uncertain. Hill described the renova tions and hiring process as "quite time intensive." The process of writing operating policies and pro

threatened large mammals in the wild, so every yet, romaine cups to feed the other giraffes are

The Gulf Breeze Zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and

FALL GUIDE PART 1 ARTS

Pensacola has grown so much in the past several years. The same is true for its arts community. Each year, nonprofit arts organizations are working to build on the success and talent of the year before. And the city is better for it.

"We are building upon our momentum from last year with an exciting season coming up," said Chandra McKern, Executive Director of Pensacola Opera—now in its 41st season. "There are as many similarities as there are differences between the Pensacola Opera today and the opera company in 1983. We have risen to a level of production and artistry that I don't think our original founders could have fathomed. We are able to bring international artists to sing in our community, create a level of production value that is comparable to bigger cities, and we have raised our operating budget substantially."

As fall rolls in, these organizations are gearing up for their seasons to kick off. They're just as excited as you are.

"After the long summer, I really start to anticipate the first notes of the season back in the Saenger Theatre," said Bret Barrow, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Executive Director. "This year, Opening Night features one of my favorite big pieces, Respighi's 'Pines of Rome.' There are also some of my favorite symphonies on the season with Tchaikovsky's Fourth and Prokofiev's Fifth."

Embracing the Charm

This season, the opera will feature two classic operas—one tragic, one dramatic—among a handful of other musical events. The productions may be bigger, but the charm of a local opera house isn't lost.

"The friendly community that our original founders created and cultivated still embraces our opera company today," McKern said. "Patrons of the opera are like friends and family."

Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) may seem like an ironic name for a nonprofit working on a $4-million renovation. The Top of the Center—which will feature a stage, public lounge, bar and catering kitchen—brings a new era for PLT. And while some theaters across the country don't like to be called "community theater," Sid Williams-Heath, the Executive Director, said he embraces the moniker.

"We are a community of people making theater for the community, by the community. The bar continues to rise on the artistic quality of a PLT performance, and it's all due to the talent in this community. Talent on the stage, of course, but the talent of the production team really shines in producing such high-caliber work, too. The sets are bigger. The vocal ranges are broader. The stories are bolder. And the secret is having a good community to support and celebrate a great community of talent."

Embracing the local arts means embracing local talents of all ages. Organizations such as Pensacola Children's Chorus and Ballet Pensacola help foster young talent, giving them a stage to perform with their peers and develop a lifelong love for performing arts.

"By introducing ballet to audiences of all ages, our programs and performances bring the power of movement and dance to life and inspire everyone they reach," said Darren McIntyre, the Ballet Pensacola Artistic Director. "Regardless of one's background, age or physical capacity, ballet can stimulate and empower you."

These arts organizations give a space for seasoned talents to shine. This year, The Choral Society of Pensacola added another dozen singers to the chorus. Artistic Director Peter Steenblik said he loves the "everybody-ness" of the group.

"Pensacola, this is your choir," he added. "The Choral Society of Pensacola is made up of your neighbors, church group, teachers, students, representatives of the PTA, members of the armed forces, nurses, insurance agents, clerks, clergy, contractors, community activists and social workers. A few have been members of this group since the early '70s, and there are others who are experiencing choir for the very first time, or have returned after not singing for many years."

Accessible Arts

Pensacola's art community is not only robust, but it's accessible. Some shows have ticket prices of just $20—less than the cost of going to a movie.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra (PSO) offers tickets to dress rehearsals of select performances for only $10. Beyond price, PSO can also bring

shows to you, through livestreaming. Like many performing arts groups, PSO started livestreaming at the height of COVID. Now, they've found that it can increase their audience.

"Friends of the orchestra across the country and around the world have been able to join us online to share in the performances," Barrow said. "Some of these are patrons who travel or have relocated to other areas. We've also been able to share performances with retirement communities and others who have limited access to attend in person. We believe that music has intrinsic value that provides a number of benefits, and we hope to make it available and accessible to as many people as possible."

Education also plays a big role. From school visits to scholarships, these organizations invest back into the community. For more than three decades, PSO has welcomed students from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for orchestra concerts, and Pensacola Opera has free performances for schools in Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama. This year, PLT has awarded more scholarships for arts education than it has in the past five years.

But the arts depend on support. So, embrace something new or return to an old favorite this season and help the community continue to grow.

"Ask yourself what's important to you," Williams-Heath said. "What are the things you love most about your community? If the vibrancy of your town, the quality of life, the diversity and inclusion, the economic drive, the sense of self-confidence and public speaking in your children—if any of those answers come to mind, then I don't need to remind you why supporting the arts is crucial for the community. Live performance is 10% entertainment. The engagement, education and enrichment the arts bring to a community is 90% of what we do. Our goal is to use your support to support you."

As McKern puts it, the arts are integral to a community's success.

"It is proven that the stronger the arts in a community are, the stronger the economy," she said. "We want you to support the arts to help keep Pensacola a well-rounded and thriving city."

Ballet Pensacola

balletpensacola.org

Dracula

Oct. 6-8 and 13-15

Ballet Pensacola kicks off the 2023-2024 season with "Dracula," inspired by Bram Stoker's original fable.

The Nutcracker

Dec. 15-17

A ballet staple and holiday tradition returns to the Saenger stage.

The Sleeping Beauty

May 3-5

Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" ballet tells the fairytale through classic choreography.

The Choral Society of Pensacola

choralsocietyofpensacola.org

Words

Oct. 5

The Choral Society of Pensacola presents an evening of eclectic choral pieces celebrating the power of language.

Christmas Messiah

Dec. 1-2

Listen to selections from Handel's masterwork plus other seasonal choral favorites with soloists from Pensacola Opera.

Carmina Burana

March 8-9

"Carmina Burana" is a 20th-century musical written by Carl Orff, based on 24 medieval poems.

Lift Every Voice

May 18

Enjoy a celebration of Black composers and their contributions to choral music over the past five centuries.

Pensacola Children's Chorus

pensacolasings.org

Hauntcert 2023

Oct. 28

This family-friendly concert is more sing-along than spooky.

Christmas on the Coast

Dec. 8-10

Pensacola Children's Chorus brings holiday tunes to life in a high-energy production.

One World, Many Voices

March 3

This performance of choral music features composers from all over the world.

Showtime

May 10-12

Enjoy a showcase of familiar tunes from Broadway, movies and pop hits.

Pensacola Little Theatre

pensacolalittletheatre.com

Always a Bridesmaid

Sept. 15-24

Some of Pensacola's favorite local actors share the stage in this comedy about old friends.

Alabama Story

Oct. 20-29

Inspired by true events, the story takes place during the Civil Rights movement when a librarian was persecuted by politicians for protecting a children's book that depicts a black rabbit marrying a white rabbit.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Feb. 2-11

Winner of the 2015 Tony for Best Play, this show is a mystery around the death of a neighbor's dog, who was found by a mathematical genius with an unspecified autism spectrum disorder.

13 March 15-24

In this musical, a group of 13-year-olds navigate adolescence with rock music and contemporary Broadway tunes.

Season Picks

Are you a performing arts newbie? Try these shows out.

Ballet Pensacola: Sleeping Beauty

"This full-length ballet, known to those in the industry as a 'beast to undertake' due to the size of the production, was a challenge that we welcomed with open arms," McIntyre said. "We are excited to grace the Saenger Theatre stage with this lavish production full of regal majestic magic as we tell the Princess Aurora's story."

Choral Society of Pensacola: Lift Every Voice

This new choral production highlights Black composers. "The one I'm perhaps most looking forward to, however, is 'Lift Every Voice,'" Steenblik said.

5 Lesbians Eating Quiche

May 3-11

A comedy full of innuendo and audience participation takes place at the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein's annual quiche breakfast.

Rent!

June 7-23

Broadway fans can rejoice when the awardwinning pop culture phenomenon comes to the PLT stage.

Pensacola Opera

pensacolaopera.com

Brown Bag Opera

Sept. 19, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, Jan. 30, Feb. 20 and March 19

Bring your lunch to the Opera Center for a free, laidback performance of arias and musical theater.

Opera Al Fresco

Sept. 22, Oct. 14 and Feb. 10

Join Pensacola Opera for an evening of arias under the stars. Admission is free.

Jukebox Gala

Sept. 30

Pensacola Opera's signature fundraiser features soloists performing selections from opera and musical theater while you dine on a four-course gourmet meal.

Così Fan Tutte

Nov. 3 and 5

Mozart's classic gets a modern remake with a Pensacola twist featuring 2023-2024 Jan Miller Studio Artists alongside Studio Artist alumni Bizhou Chang and Jack Chandler.

Songs

Nov. 9

Rock the Runway

Feb. 22

Pensacola Opera and members of Rock Me Amadeus Live put on a show featuring rock and pop hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s with a fashion show.

Die Fledermaus

March 15 and 17

Sometimes referred to as "The Revenge of the Bat," this light-hearted opera is about a hilarious revenge plot two years in the making.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

pensacolasymphony.com

PSO in the Park

Sept. 17

Enjoy symphony music outside at Museum Plaza.

Opening Night!

PSO's 98th season officially kicks off featuring Paul Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from "Fantasia." Guest Pianist Sara Davis Buechner returns for Richard Strauss' "Burleske." Dress rehearsal tickets are also available.

Tchaikovsky Symphony Nov. 4

Nov. 4

Guest conductor Brett Mitchell joins PSO for Tchaikovsky's "No. 4" alongside Mason Bates' "Garages of the Valley" and Camille SaintSaëns' "Cello Concerto No. 1."

PSO at Artel Gallery

Nov. 9

Catch PSO performers for a special and free 45-minute performance inside Artel Gallery.

Classical Sounds at Bayview

Down South

As part of Foo Foo Festival, "Songs Down South" features a selection of musical theater, country, bluegrass, gospel, spiritual and the blues.

Lucia Di Lammermoor

Jan. 26 and 28

This dramma tragico (tragic opera) told in three acts is a story of rival families and thwarted love with a central character, Lucia, constantly manipulated by the men in her life.

Pensacola Children's Chorus:

Showtime

"Showtime" features all the songs you love performed by homegrown talent. Music selected reflects the influence of PCC singers and never ceases to amaze.

Pensacola Little Theatre: Alabama Story

"Rent!" would be an easy choice. But for anyone following the local news, "Alabama Story," a play about censorship and book bans, showcases how art can teach all of us. "For 'Alabama Story,' we are able to bring in both the playwright Kenneth Jones and a well-recognized author currently on the banned-book list, Nic Stone," Williams-Heath said. "The speakers bring "Alabama Story" to life with real human interaction and professional speakers, while also offering scene study workshops."

Celebrate the New Year!

Dec. 31

A PSO tradition continues with a special New Year's Eve concert with guest artist, Tony DeSare on piano and vocals.

Beethoven & Blue Jeans

Jan. 13

Enjoy the annual celebration of Beethoven— and other composers—featuring guest artists soprano Danielle Talamantes and Julien Labro playing the bandoneon.

Mozart Madness

Feb. 3

PSO performs three pieces from Mozart with guest artist Jacquelyn Adams as a soloist on the "Fourth Horn Concerto."

Queens of Soul

Feb. 17

PSO honors iconic soul music from Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Adele with guest vocalists Tamika Lawrence, Kelly Levesque and Shayna Steele.

Mozart, Mahler & Mendelssohn

March 2

This performance features Felix Mendelssohn's "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage," Gustav Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder," and Mozart's "Symphony No. 40" in G minor. Soprano Susan Platts is the guest artist.

Symphonic Spectacular

March 23

This evening will feature composers Modest Mussorgsky, Max Bruch and Sergei Prokofiev with guest artist William Hagen on violin.

PSO Season Finale

April 20

Nov. 10

Join PSO at the Bayview Senior Resource Center for a free performance by Concertmaster Leonid Yanovskiy and Pianist Tina Buran.

The symphony's 98th season ends with Ralph Vaughan Williams' "A London Symphony," Wang Lu's "Surge," and George Gershwin's "Concerto in F." Composer Wang Lu joins the PSO on stage. Dress rehearsal tickets are also available.

Homecoming:

A Musical Celebration of History and Tradition

Nov. 11

PSO presents a free Veteran's Day concert in the Blue Angel atrium of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven & Blue Jeans

You can't go wrong with PSO's annual tribute to Beethoven. A close second is "Mozart Madness" where tickets are just $20. "This year, the 'Blue Jeans' concert will feature a lovely soprano soloist and also a bandoneon soloist," Barrow said. "It's a quirky instrument, similar to an accordion, but is quite dynamic and expressive in the right hands."

Pensacola Opera: Die Fledermaus

Not only will the German operetta be performed In English—more ac cessible for first-timers—but it's a show McKern calls "effervescent and always entertaining." {in}

Mozart's Magnificent Voyage

April 27

This family-friendly event is a theatrical concert featuring two dozen excerpts from Mozart's most famous pieces.

Photo Courtesy of Saenger Theatre / By Michael Duncan

Arts & Entertainment

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

'A Little Awkward'

"So that kind of cracks me up. It's not like everybody thinks that, but I'm surprised how much I've gotten that comment over the years."

Her voice has been compared Robert Plant—she loves Led Zeppelin—to Grace Slick, Patti Smith and (unexpectedly) Gwen Stefani.

"I think as long as people are comparing me to something they don't necessarily mean in a negative way, I'm just, 'Hey, that's

While she has outgrown much of her shyness, Wennerstrom still gets a tad nervous before shows. It's taken her years to go beyond "Thank you for coming tonight,"

"People are there to hear me play music, not necessarily talk a whole bunch on stage," Wennerstrom said. "I still have a hard time, like even if I'm in a room of people or something aside from being on stage. I don't know. There's just something about speaking when everybody is looking at you that is

As if she could be more relatable, Wennerstrom said she takes a bit longer than others to process information—and she's hard on herself about it.

erything in her nature goes against it.

As a young girl, Wennerstrom didn't exactly run around the house singing. She was introverted, awkward and shy—just about nothing you'd expect from the leader singer of Heartless Bastards, a band who's shared the stage with The Flaming Lips, Lucinda Williams and The Avett Brothers.

While her musical journey started modestly with a piano in the second grade and participation in choir, Wennerstrom always had an inner knowing she would be a singer, she said.

"I think my mom was pretty shocked I actually did this for a living when it came down to it," Wennerstrom said. "But I think when I was around 18 years old, I kind of decided that if this is indeed what I wanted to do, that I had to sort of try to work through my awkwardness."

Immersion therapy seems to be her method. She started playing open mic nights until she joined her first band, an all-girl group called Shesus, at 20.

"My friend asked me if I was interested, and I said, 'I don't know how to play bass,'" Wenne -

for a little bit. I think being a support role in another band helped me ease into courage to do my own thing after that."

While Wennerstrom has the solo album "Sweet Unknown," she has several albums with her rock band Heartless Bastards.

"Some people didn't know what to think of the band name initially—like am I directing it toward men or other people in an angry kind of way?" Wennerstrom said. "But the name is from a multiple-choice trivia game that asked what Tom Petty's backing band was, and Tom Petty and the Heartless Bastards was the wrong answer. And I thought it was hilarious."

The name also reminded her of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; she's a fan.

"I just thought it sounded really tough and rock and roll," Wennerstrom said.

And while Wennerstrom might consider herself shy, her vocals are anything but. She has a deep powerhouse voice.

"I've had people say they've listened to the band for years and then they see us live, and they had no idea I was a woman," Wennerstrom said.

"If I'm listening to an interview with somebody, if they're slowly forming their words to say what they're going to say, I think it's fine," Wennerstrom said. "I don't know why I would put myself under any different expectation."

She has even more relatable perspectives on the world.

In "How Low," the first single from her latest album "A Beautiful Life," she scolds capitalism— she's not suggesting tearing down the system or anything of the sort, she said.

"Honestly, I think the whole purpose to living our lives is really, when it comes down to it, about giving and receiving love," Wennerstrom said. "I think we are on this planet for that purpose."

And Wennerstrom makes a strong case, referencing a lyric in "The Thinker" about how pharaohs were buried with treasures—as if they're gonna need a bunch of gold in the afterlife, she said.

"I think we are all as a society sold on this idea of material wealth and gain creating happiness," Wennerstrom said. "And obviously, it

makes things easier. But that song and really, the whole album, is kind of putting more into perspective, like searching for that joy more from within than from external objects and wealth accumulation. It's a reminder for people with less, to not feel like they lack."

Deep down, everybody knows it, she said.

A trip to the Amazon jungle in 2016 and an experience with ayahuasca gave her clarity.

"There are people that can live very content lives with very little," Wennerstrom said. "And there are people that oppositely can never feel satiated, can never feel like they have enough. I am sure there's somebody that is a billionaire in this world that feels like they lack or maybe they're unhappy. I guess this whole album is this reminder to people of kind of the point."

Wennerstrom feels like the 2021 album is her strongest work.

"I have such a great band and team of humans performing it live," Wennerstrom said. "I think some of the parts are pretty intricate, so I think it takes some real strong musicianship to play it live, and they do it so well. If I think about my first album, I played just bar chords through the whole thing—and I'm still proud of that too, but it's just a lot more simplistic. I have the most fun playing the newest work."

She still enjoys playing some of her older songs, specifically "Sway" from "The Mountain" album.

"It's just grown so much as a song from when I recorded it to now live," Wennerstrom said. "I get joy in playing that old song for people to hear what it's become. People are always dancing and feeling it, just everybody in the audience looks really happy when we play it. And that just brings me joy."

This will mark Heartless Bastards' first time to perform in Pensacola as a band. Wennerstrom performed here solo once—she loved driving past the undeveloped areas of the beach.

"I want to play music for everybody everywhere, and I'm really happy to be able to finally come play Pensacola," Wennerstrom said. "I think we put on a great show. We look forward to it. I hope people dig it." {in}

HEARTLESS BASTARDS AT VINYL MUSIC HALL

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15

WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. COST: $25

DETAILS: theheartlessbastards.com, vinylmusichall.com

Photo by Aaron Conway

By Savannah Evanoff

a&e happenings

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal

Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Scenic Hills Country Club, 8891 Burning Tree Road. The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. A full bar and restaurant offer special adult beverages just for bingo nights. You must be 18 to play. 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. 9th Ave. to meet your furever friend. The next date is Saturday, Sept. 16. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

DEPARTURE: PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE'S ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR ARTS EDUCATION DepARTure supports Pensacola Little Theatre's scholarship program, sponsors the traveling theatre outreach troupe. Purchase tickets to be eligible to win a three-day venture to New York City to experience the 2024 US Open or $4,000 cash. The event is 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 at PLT, 400 S. Jefferson. Attendance is not necessary to win. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details and tickets.

PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY DOG -

Pensacola Drum Circle for Escambia County Sea Turtle Conservation Program 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 at Parking Lot East Pensacola Beach.

THE HIDING PLACE MUSICAL The Pensacola production of the musical "The Hiding Place" is 7 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 7 and Sept. 17 at The Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox St. Tickets are $17-$25. For more information, visit hidingplacemusical.com.

CONCEPT CARNIVAL FEATURING PE -

CULIAR POP-UP PERFORMANCES The pop-up performances are 6-7 p.m. Thursdays through Sept.14 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. All events are free and open to the public. Performances include: The Roller-Coaster-Box-Truck-Drag-RaceTournament-of-Champions; the Hair-CityFair-Queen-Beauty-Pageant; the Push-Button-Performance; the Electric-Light-Parade of Box-Truck-Dekotora; the Box-Truck-Roller-Skate-Demolition-Derby; the Battle of the Cardboard Bands; the Surprise Corner; and the New-Fall-Lines-of-Froze-Toes Fashion Parade. Visit pensacolamusuem.org for details.

CINEMAS IN THE SAND The next Cinemas in the Sand will feature "The Greatest Showman" on Friday, Sept. 15, starting at sunset at the Gulfside Pavilion on Casino Beach. Admission is free. Follow facebook.com/visitpensacolabeach for updates.

STEVE-O THE BUCKET LIST TOUR From the show "Jackass," Steve-O performs at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Tickets are $35-$125 and available at pensacolasaenger.com.

PAINT & PLANT WORKSHOP WITH JADE TREE SUCCULENTS AND RACHEL EIDSON

Jade Tree Succulents & Rachel Eidson will host their first ever Paint & Plant Workshop 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept 17 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox. Tickets are $40 and include one pot to paint and one plant to pot, as well as an Odd Colony beverage of your choice. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

TAG GALLERY: 'TABLE 7: IN THE HOUSE OF PARTNERSHIP' The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida presents "Table 7: in the House of Partnership" featuring alumni from the UWF Department of Art and Design: Kenneth Jordan, Christian Dinh, Josh Green and Selina McKane through Sept. 29. Artwork will be on display at TAG, located in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the Pensacola campus. "Table 7: in the House of Partnership" is a part of the Art Gallery Summer Artist Residence Series. It showcases artwork by UWF Alumni Kenneth Jordan '15, Christian Dinh '16, Josh Green '14 and Selina McKane '18. TAG is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. All events are free and open to the public.

GIE BATHE-IN

The next doggie bathe-in is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at 5 N. Q St. Bring your own towels. Cost is $10. Visit pensacolahumane.org for details.

BE A VENDOR AT BARKTOBER FEST 2023

The Pensacola Humane Society will celebrate 80 years at Barktober Fest on Sunday, Oct. 29 in Seville Square. The event is expected to bring more than 4,000 attendees. If you would like to be a sponsor or vendor, call or text Deborah Dunlap at (850) 232-9063.

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 at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens at 10 a.m. and has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women and sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.

COMMUNITY NOTES

SEPT. 11TH MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB The Navarre Beach Fire Department will host a Memorial stair climb 7 a.m.-noon Monday, Sept. 11 at 8573 Gulf Boulevard for first responders of 9/11 raising money for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation benefitting the families of First Responders. For more info, visit facebook.com/navarrebeachfiredepartment.

ARTS & CULTURE

SOUND VIBRATION & DRUM CIRCLE FOR SEA TURTLES Join Swan Michelle for a beach meditative Sound healing experience, followed by

GALLERY NIGHT: ART OF FASHION The next Gallery Night is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 in downtown Pensacola. This month's theme is "The Art of Fashion: and will feature a "Pensacola Project Runway" design contest themed "From Sand To Sassy." Visit gallerynightpensacola.org for details.

UWF HISTORIC TRUST OPEN HOUSE Join the UWF Historic Trust for a special Open House event 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. All museums on site will be open with free admission. The open house will feature unique local vendors, food trucks, children's activities, living history groups, presentations and much, much more. Tours will be offered at the Lavalle House, Old Christ Church and the Lear House every 30 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. Visit facebook.com/historicpcola for a schedule of events.

ALI'S MARKET This vendor market is 11 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox.

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN SAIPAN

WITH ARCHAEOLOGY The Pensacola Archaeological Society Lecture Series will feature Mike Thomin from Florida Public Archaeology Network talking about roles that the FPAN team played in terrestrial and maritime archaeology. Lecture is 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 34 Bayou Boulevard. Visit pasfl.org for details.

FLAWLESS FRIDAY'S CABARET Enjoy a drag show and special showcase with show director Taize' Sinclair-Santi at Just One More Saloon, 3810 W. Navy Boulevard. Doors open at 8 p.m. and showtime is 10 p.m. Dates include Fridays Sept. 15, Oct. 13 and Dec. 15.

BEYOND VAN GOGH "Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" is an interactive experience where guests witness more than 300 iconic masterpieces, including such instantly recognizable classics as "The Starry Night," "Sunflowers" and "Café Terrace at Night," as well as many revealing self-portraits. "Beyond Van Gogh" is now through Sept. 9 at Pensacola Interstate Fair, Building. 6, 6655 Mobile Highway. Prices start at $39.99 for adults and $23.99 for children (ages 5-15), plus ticketing fees. Tickets are on sale at vangoghpensacola.com.

PALAFOX MARKET SOUTH AT PLAZA FERDINAND Palafox Market South will include a blend of familiar Palafox Market vendors, along with a new mix of local farmers, artists and craftsmen and women, who will fill up Plaza Ferdinand on the corner of Palafox and Government streets. Shoppers can navigate between the new market and the always-humming original located on north Palafox at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday. For more information about Palafox Market, visit palafoxmarket.com. For information concerning other downtown events, please visit downtownpensacola.com

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

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small and buy art at Pensacola Arts Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every fourth Saturday of the month at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. Enjoy a local artisan and farmers market with more than 50 vendors, food trucks, plants, vintage clothing and décor, live musical performances, kids crafts and games. This is a free event. Pensacola Arts Market is set up 4-9 p.m. every first Friday of the month and 2-6 p.m. every third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.

BODY, MIND, SPIRIT MARKET AT EVER'MAN Local vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, speakers and more join 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the first Saturday of the month at Ever'man Downtown, 315 W. Garden St. This is a free indoor and outdoor event with door prizes, entertainment and children's activities. For a vendor table, call (850) 941-4321 or go to empowermentschoolhouse.com.

PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT PRESENTS 2023 ANNUAL FACULTY EXHIBITION The exhibit, also known as Show and Tell, showcases artwork from PSC faculty of the Visual Arts Department. Artwork will be on display in the Switzer Gallery, 1000 College Boulevard, through Oct. 6. All events are free to the public. More information at visualarts.pensacolastate.edu.

HOTSY-TOTSY-VROOOM-O-RAMA House

Pencil Green is the interdisciplinary studio of Joseph Herring and Amy Ruddick. Their exhibition at Pensacola Museum of Art, "Hotsy-Totsy-Vrooom-O-Rama," is part of a body of work in which the pair explore connections between the "art of the carny" and the "carnivalesque tendencies of the artist." The exhibit is on view through Sept. 17 at PMA, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

DEPTH OF FIELD

Depth of Field showcases photography from the Pensacola Museum of Art's permanent collection, alongside objects from the UWF Historic Trust Archives. Artworks on display explore the history, science and alchemical nature of the medium. On view are works by pioneers in the field such as Alfred Stieglitz, Elliott Erwitt, Edward J. Steichen, Walker Evans and Vivian Maier, as well as notable contemporary artists including Valerie George, Richard McCabe, Sheila Pinkel and Ge -

September 7, 2023

SUDDENLY AMERICAN: A MEETING OF HERITAGE AND COUNTRY This exhibit looks at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territory to an American region, which formally occurred in 1821. Florida's embattled history dates back much farther than 1821. From refusing independence during the American Revolution to wanting their own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The U.S. eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida. The AdamsOnis Treaty, debated and initially agreed upon in 1819, resulted in Spain ceding control of East

Florida to the United States. At the same time, Spain also agreed to give up all claims on West Florida, in essence giving the entire Florida territory over to the United States. Ratified in 1821, the treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America. This exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of History through December. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS The next Atlas Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 at Atlas, 600 S. Barracks St. Cost is $30 per person. Enjoy a beverage tasting with Fords Gin & Gin Mare paired with appetizers. The event has limited seating. Call (850) 287-0200 to make your reservation.

27TH ANNUAL EMERALD COAST BEER FESTIVAL Escambia Bay Homebrewers presents the annual beer festival beginning 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. More information at emeraldcoastbeerfest.com.

COASTAL COUNTY OKTOBERFEST Coastal County celebrates Oktoberfest with festive attire, competitions, food and brews 1-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 at 3041 E. Olive Road.

NAVARRE BEACH ART, BEER & WINE FESTIVAL View and shop from unique artisans and small local businesses 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at 8649 Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach. Discover one-of-a-kind items, listen to live music and taste some of the best beers,

sche Würfel. Exhibit is located at 407 S. Jefferson St., and on view through Oct. 22. Visit pensacolamusuem.org for details.

a&e happenings

wines, coffees and ice creams the Gulf Coast. Admission is free with a suggested donation to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. For more info, visit bit.ly/3Dc2ODl

VINO MAGNIFICO Monthly wine tasting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox. Tickets are $15. Spots must be reserved, visit vpauls.com for reservations.

GULF COAST SEAFOOD DEMONSTRATION

Dinner is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are $79 and available at bodaciousshops.com.

ALL ABOUT THAT BACON WITH CHEF

BILL E. STITT Wine pairing dinner is 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are $99 and available at bodaciousshops.com.

200 SOUTH TAP HOUSE OKTOBERFEST

SUPPORTING ROCK4VETS Raise your steins for the official Oktoberfest kickoff 2 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Sept. 16 at 200 South Tap House. Enjoy German inspired beer, games, live music and exclusive Oktoberfest swag. For more information, visit 200southpalafox.com.

BIERGARTEN LUAU Visit Gary's Brewery & Biergarten 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at 208 Newman Ave. for a luau, My Ohana food truck and a tiki carver. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for more information.

SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.

JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE FRIDAY

LUNCH SERVICE Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St., is now open for lunch service 11 a.m.2 p.m. Fridays. Chef Irv Miller has created a new lunch menu, which includes selections of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, featured plates and hand-selected steaks. Visit jacksonssteakhouse. com to see a full menu.

GAMER/JACKBOX NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of Bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for Bar Bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

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

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.

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA O'Riley's Tavern hosts trivia 8 p.m.-midnight Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern. com for details.

TRIVIA AT WISTERIA 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. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

TRIVIA AT SIR RICHARD'S Flex your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool and play bar bingo 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details at orileystavern.com.

LIVE MUSIC

BANDS ON THE BEACH Concerts are 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Rust & Gold perform. For details, visit visitpensacolabeach.com/ whats-happening-bands-on-beach.

BANDS ON THE BLACKWATER Bands on the Blackwater is a free outdoor concert series held 7-9 p.m. Friday nights at 5158 Willing St. Pull up your boat or bring a lawn chair and relax while listening to great live music. For more info, visit facebook.com/bandsontheblackwater. Casey Kearney performs Friday, Sept. 8.

HAUNT, HELL FIRE Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $12-$15 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

BLUES ON THE BAY The Astronauts play Blues on the Bay 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 at 351 W. Cedar St. Pack your coolers and bring your lawn chair and enjoy music at the Hunter Amphitheatre.

I SET MY FRIENDS ON FIRE, SINK IN, NVSN, BRAINBURN Show is 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10-$15 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

CANE HILL, BRAVE NEW WORLD, AFTERDUSK Show is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $20$25 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

RED BEARD WALL, STONED MOROSE, SLUGGER & GNARLED Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

SOUJA BOY Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets start at $30. Visit vinylmusichall.com for tickets.

HEARTLESS BASTARDS Show is 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $25 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

BANDS ON THE BAYOU Ben Loftin & the Family plays Bands on the Bayou located at Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St. Show is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. Visit myeasthill.org for details.

GIRL NAMED TOM Enjoy this concert with special guest Brandon Ratcliff. Show is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $29.50-$49.50 and available at pensacolasaenger.com.

JAZZ PENSACOLA: JAZZ GUMBO The next Jazz Gumbo is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at Phineas Phoggs in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Admission is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Visit jazzpensacola. com for details.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ

Visit Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music on select days.

•Tuesdays: Greg Bond from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

•Thursdays: John Wheeler from 6-8 p.m.

•Saturdays: Glenn Parker Band from 6:30-10 p.m.

•Sundays: Curt Bol Quintet from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COL-

ONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook. com/oddcolony for details.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE

QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida bring the "Blues" back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District at 7 p.m. every Monday at 130 E. Government St. in End O' the Alley. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday night at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Sing your heart out 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

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

KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave., hosts karaoke 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.

WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

KARAOKE NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S

Bring your singing talents Monday and Thursday nights at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Festivities are 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

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

SOULFUL SUNDAYS Listen to lo-fi hip hop, downtempo and acoustic open mic noon-4 p.m. Sundays at Easy Going Gallery, 701 N. V St. There is no cover charge. Visit facebook.com/easygoinggallery for details.

SUNDAY KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS

Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Sunday at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

FITNESS + RECREATION

OCEAN HOUR WEEKLY CLEANUPS

Ocean Hour Pensacola hosts weekly cleanups 7:45-9 a.m. Saturdays. Follow Ocean Hour at facebook.com/oceanhourfl for more details and locations.

33RD ANNUAL JUANA GOOD TIME REGATTA The Juana Good Time Regatta is open to all sizes of multihull sailboats, from beach cats and trimarans to cruisers. The Regatta will be held over three days, Sept. 8, 9 and 10, and includes parties, food and live music. The event starts with The Wish for Wind Party (packet pick up) 6-8 p.m. Sept. 9. The sailboat races are 11 a.m.-3 or 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more info, visit juanaspagodas.com/regattanew or call (850) 939-1092.

PENSACOLA SENIOR GAMES The Pensacola Senior Games are Friday, Sept. 8-Friday, Sept. 22. Citizens ages 50 and older may compete in 22 recreation and sporting events over the course of a two-week period. Registration fees are $10 for the first event and $1 for each additional event. Athletes of all levels of experience are encouraged to participate. Game events will include bocce, horseshoes, bowling, darts, track and field, tennis and more. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to each age group in each game event. Fill out the registration form online at cityofpensacola.com.

YOGA WITH MARNI AT HA-YAVisit Ha-Ya Wellness for integrative yoga with Marni 10 a.m. the first and third Saturday of the month at 4301 Spanish Trail Road. Visit facebook.com/asherandbeeapothecary for more information.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

Holding Space with 'Feminist Spaces'

on topics including abortion, rape, women in war, pornography, drag, gender and sexuality as well as feminist perspectives of film, art and literature.

"I don't want women to be complacent," said Sydney Mosley, the co-editor-in-chief. "I want us to have a voice and a place where we can learn about ourselves and fight against injustice. 'Feminist Spaces' is an opportunity for us to give women the tools to better understand themselves and how to help each other in this world. The journal allows all of these voices to come together and not just teach American feminism, or white feminism, which is important because many of our problems in America are still very privileged in comparison to other places."

Amid a political landscape marked by persistent threats to women's and LGBTQ+ rights and the suppression of different narratives through book censorship, platforms that amplify and center diverse voices are more important than ever. Enter, "Feminist Spaces"— an international journal of women's, gender and sexuality studies published by the Department of English at the University of West Florida (UWF).

Rooted in a mission to cultivate and uphold spaces for feminists and womanists across the globe, this publication is a megaphone for the marginalized, and a space where research, theory, activism, writing and art intertwine.

"I have been a fan of 'Feminist Spaces' since 2014, when members of the UWF Women's Studies Collective took on the formidable project of launching the journal," Dr. Robin Blyn, a UWF English professor explained. "My former colleague, Kathy Romack, and UWF alumni Taylor Willbanks and Becca Namniek conceived of a journal that would be a forum for deeply informed provocations about the issues facing women around the world."

Originally established in 2014 by the Women's Studies Collective, "Feminist Spaces" was once the beating heart to a sprawling curriculum and discourse of feminist theory, philosophy, sociology, history and study at UWF. The collective published six issues of the journal and hosted 17 an-

nual Women's Studies Conferences with notable keynote speakers such as Angela Davis, Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling and Andrea Gibson. Although the conference has now gone dormant and the once bustling women's, gender & sexuality studies program has been downgraded to a minor degree offering, the journal lives on.

"The need for the journal was more urgent than ever," Blyn explained. "Undisguised misogyny had become part of public discourse, our country had elected a president who boasted about assaulting women and the 'Me, Too' movement had led to the highly publicized trials of Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein. In spite of Christine Blasey Ford's heartbreaking testimony, Congress confirmed Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. So many of us were appalled and frustrated. We marched, we protested, we organized. But we also wanted to create spaces for difficult conversations, rigorous investigations and creative, generative projects."

After a four-year publishing hiatus, and with Dr. Blyn's guidance, a group of graduate students in the English department worked to relaunch the journal in 2021—partnering with Department of Art and Design's student TAG Team to design the journal. Issue 9, released this summer, marks their latest publication.

Contributors from across the globe use the journal as a platform to engage in critical discourse

While the journal welcomes submissions from UWF students, faculty, activists and artists within the local community, it maintains a discerning selection process that ensures global viewpoints and prioritizes a mix of national and international contributors. As Mosley explained, this selection process helps the journal serve as an entry point for readers into the myriad issues facing not only women, but also LGBTQ+, gender nonconforming individuals and feminists globally.

The latest issue of "Feminist Spaces" is centered on the theme of the feminine body, delving into topics such as bodily autonomy, motherhood and sexuality.

"We wanted a theme that people could apply to their lives," said Natalie Duphiney, the co-editor-in-chief. "The feminine body is constantly on view—critiqued and policed. Politically, it's very important, because we're seeing bans placed on women's bodies, attacks against trans healthcare and women facing prison sentences for having an abortion. It's a terrifying time to be a woman. We embraced this ambiguity and bodily autonomy on our cover which features a naked woman with a hand between her legs—either covering and hiding her body or masturbating depending on how you view it."

As Duphiney explained, the provocative and ambiguous cover image received some criticism and pushback, reiterating the importance of the theme of women having control of their bodies and narratives.

"What I love about this image is that it begs the viewer to ask themselves why they assume that a woman just existing in the world with her legs open is automatically doing something sexual," Duphiney said. "Meanwhile, we never interrogate a completely nude male statue; we just call that art."

Conversations like these are at the heart of "Feminist Spaces," which invites readers to question preconceived notions and actively works to destigmatize topics such as masturbation, menstruation and abortion. One such art piece, "Save for Later" by Kristin O'Connor in the issue illustrates an egg cracked open inside a Ziploc bag, evoking themes like fertility, diet culture and even women's healthcare.

"Like many of the pieces in the issue, it has so many interpretations, implying that you don't have to eat your eggs now or that you can save your eggs to have children later," Mosley said. "It could even be the rejection of motherhood or coping with infertility. But it also has healthcare implications, like the way women's bodies are treated in American society— as flippant as a disposable Ziploc bag, put on the backburner in healthcare."

Other works within Issue 9 explore topics such as challenges faced by intersex individuals navigating the confines of the gender binary, unraveling the myths encircling menstrual blood and childbirth in Chinese culture and exploring the relationship between the Catholic church and gender norms.

"The conversation about women and women's place in the world is never ending," Mosley said. "The journal is intentionally intersectional, actively publishing pieces about trans and gay rights, not just women's rights. I just hope that 'Feminist Spaces' continues to help people find and share their voice, and maybe inspire others to do something about it." {in}

"Feminist Spaces" publishes an annual issue every summer and actively accepts work throughout the year. To read the latest issue of the journal or submit work, visit feministspacesjournal.org. To learn more, follow the journal on Instagram @feminist.spaces.

Ashley Byrd, Natalie Duphiney, Jurnee French and Sydney Mosley / Photo Courtesy of Feminist Spaces

free will astrology

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Aries chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov says war is "more like a game of poker than chess. On a chess board, the pieces are face up, but poker is essentially a game of incomplete information, a game where you have to guess and act on those guesses." I suspect that's helpful information for you these days, Aries. You may not be ensconced in an out-and-out conflict, but the complex situation you're managing has resemblances to a game of poker. For best results, practice maintaining a poker face. Try to reduce your tells to near zero. Here's the definition of "tell" as I am using the term: Reflexive or unconscious behavior that reveals information you would rather withhold.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Raised in poverty, Taurus-born Eva Peron became a charismatic politician and actor who served as First Lady of Argentina for six years. The Argentine Congress ultimately gave her the title of "Spiritual Leader of the Nation." How did she accomplish such a meteoric ascent? "Without fanaticism," she testified, "one cannot accomplish anything." But I don't think her strategy has to be yours in the coming months, Taurus. It will make sense for you to be highly devoted, intensely focused and strongly motivated—even a bit obsessed in a healthy way. But you won't need to be fanatical.

By Rob Brezsny

structive results. So are you ready to have fun being firm and determined, Gemini? The cosmic rhythms will be on your side if you do.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Journalist Alexandra Robbins was addressing young people when she gave the following advice, but you will benefit from it regardless of your age: "There is nothing wrong with you just because you haven't yet met people who share your interests or outlook on life. Know that you will eventually meet people who will appreciate you for being you." I offer this to you now, Cancerian, because the coming months will bring you into connection with an abundance of like-minded people who are working to create the same kind of world you are. Are you ready to enjoy the richest social life ever?

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Author Kevin Kelly is a maverick visionary who has thought a lot about how to create the best possible future. He advocates we give up hoping for the unrealistic concept of utopia. Instead, he suggests we empower our practical efforts with the term "protopia." In this model, we "crawl toward betterment," trying to improve the world by 1% each year. You would be wise to apply a variation on this approach to your personal life in the coming months, Leo. A mere 1% enhancement is too modest a goal, though. By your birthday in 2024, a 6% upgrade is realistic, and you could reach as high as 10%.

of us indulge in these fruitless energy drains. One of the chief causes of unhappiness is the fantasy we are not who we are supposed to be. In accordance with cosmic rhythms, I authorize you to be totally free of these feelings for the next four weeks. As an experiment, I invite you to treasure yourself exactly as you are right now. Congratulate yourself for all the heroic work you have done to be pretty damn good. Use your ingenuity to figure out how to give yourself big doses of sweet and festive love.

horts by saying, "Hello, repulsive." After he read the refined novelist Marcel Proust, he described the experience as "like lying in someone else's dirty bath water." But according to Woollcott's many close and enduring friends, he was often warm, generous and humble. I bring this to your attention in the hope that you will address any discrepancies between your public persona and your authentic soul. Now is a good time to get your outer and inner selves into greater harmony.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Gemini author Ben H. Winters has useful counsel. "Every choice forecloses on other choices," he says. "Each step forward leaves a thousand dead possible universes behind you." I don't think there are a thousand dead universes after each choice; the number's more like two or three. But the point is, you must be fully committed to leaving the past behind. Making decisions requires resolve. Secondguessing your brave actions rarely yields con-

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): In honor of the Virgo birthday season, I invite you to be exceptionally distinctive and singular in the coming weeks, even idiosyncratic and downright incomparable. That's not always a comfortable state for you Virgos to inhabit, but right now it's healthy to experiment with. Here's counsel from writer Christopher Morley: "Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity." Here's a bonus quote from Virgo poet Edith Sitwell: "I am not eccentric! It's just that I am more alive than most people."

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Do you sometimes wish your life was different from what it actually is? Do you criticize yourself for not being a perfect manifestation of your ideal self? Most

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Scorpio novelist Kurt Vonnegut testified, "I want to stay as close on the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge, you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center. Big, undreamed-ofthings—the people on the edge see them first." I'm not definitively telling you that you should live like Vonnegut, dear Scorpio. To do so, you would have to summon extra courage and alertness. But if you are inclined to explore such a state, the coming weeks will offer you a chance to live on the edge with as much safety, reward and enjoyment as possible.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): "Where there is great love, there are always miracles," wrote Sagittarian novelist Willa Cather (1873–1947). In accordance with upcoming astrological aspects, I encourage you to prepare the way for such miracles. If you don't have as much love as you would like, be imaginative as you offer more of the best love you have to give. If there is good but not great love in your life, figure out how you can make it even better. If you are blessed with great love, see if you can transform it into being even more extraordinary. For you Sagittarians, it is the season of generating miracles through the intimate power of marvelous love.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Capricorn author Alexander Woollcott (1887–1943) could be rude and vulgar. He sometimes greeted co -

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): In 1963, Aquarian author Betty Friedan published "The Feminine Mystique," a groundbreaking book that became a bestseller crucial in launching the feminist movement. She brought to wide cultural awareness "the problem that has no name": millions of women's sense of invisibility, powerlessness and depression. In a later book, Friedan reported on those early days of the awakening: "We couldn't possibly know where it would lead, but we knew it had to be done." I encourage you to identify an equivalent quest in your personal life, Aquarius: a project that feels necessary to your future, even if you don't yet know what that future will turn out to be.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): "Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: All of them make me laugh." Piscean poet W. H. Auden said that. After analyzing the astrological omens, I conclude that laughing with those you love is an experience you should especially seek right now. It will be the medicine for anything that's bothering you. It will loosen obstructions that might be interfering with the arrival of your next valuable teachings. Use your imagination to dream up ways you can place yourself in situations where this magic will unfold.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What message has life been trying to send you but you have been ignoring? {in}

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© 2023 Rob

Brezsny

Use your ingenuity to figure out how to give yourself big doses of sweet and festive love.

Making decisions requires resolve. Second-guessing your brave actions rarely yields constructive results.

BRIGHT IDEA Officials in New Delhi, India, are preparing for the G20 summit next week, and no detail has been left unaddressed, Reuters reported. For example: Rhesus monkeys are a menace on many of the city's streets, often attacking pedestrians. The monkeys cannot be harmed or removed by law, so the government has installed life-size cutouts of langurs—bigger primates with black faces— around the city to scare the monkeys away. The New Delhi Municipal Council has also employed "30 to 40" people who mock the langurs' sounds so that the monkeys will believe they are real. "We ... are already seeing a positive impact," said Satish Upadhyay, the vicechairman of the NDMC.

IT'S COME TO THIS New Yorkers have become accustomed (some grudgingly) to the ubiquitous odor of cannabis on city streets and in parks, the Associated Press reported. In fact, as spectator Diane Patrizio of Southampton, New York, stood in line at Court 17 at the U.S. Open, she remarked, "It's everywhere. But what are you going to do?" Court 17, which is situated on the periphery of the Flushing Meadows complex, lies right next to Corona Park, and on Aug. 29, the court "definitely (smelled) like Snoop Dogg's living room," said player Alexander Zverev. "The whole court smells like weed."

In fact, eighth-seeded Maria Sakkari complained to the chair umpire. However, the USTA found no evidence that anyone inside the facility was smoking, and Sakkari said the odor didn't affect her loss to Rebeka Masarova. "I mean, it's something we cannot control because we're in an open space," Sakkari said.

NEWS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JOKE Barbara Haverly, 62, of Mount Dora, Florida, was running a routine errand this summer when things suddenly got out of hand, The Washington Post reported on Aug. 23. Haverly had stopped at the city library to return a book, but the line was rather long, so she dropped it into a drop box as she'd done many times before. But as she pulled out her hand, she felt a sharp pain in her left middle finger. The top of the finger, starting just below her fingernail, had been torn off. "I was in shock," she said. Library staff called 911, and one employee got into the book box to retrieve the top of her finger. Doctors performed surgery but were unable to reattach the fingertip. Haverly is still dealing with the aftermath of the incident; she said she is depressed and can no longer do yoga or play the ukulele. Meanwhile, the library has placed a sign over the box that reads, "Please do not place your hand inside this book drop."

THE PASSING PARADE Lee Meyer of Neligh, Nebraska, altered his Ford sedan a few years back, cutting out half the roof and the passenger-side door and adding a farm gate, so that he could drive his Watusi bull in the Kolach Days Parade in Verdigre. (A Watusi bull, for you non-Nebraskans, has large, long horns, similar to a Texas Longhorn.) The bull, Howdy Doo -

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

dy, hitched another ride with Meyer on Aug. 30 on U.S. 275, but the Norfolk police weren't having it, People reported: "The officer performed a traffic stop and addressed some traffic violations that were occurring with that particular situation," Capt. Chad Reiman said. "I don't know why he was doing it that day. I can honestly say that I haven't seen anything like that before." Meyer was asked to leave the city and return home with Howdy Doody.

IRONY Two employees of television outlet Univision Chicago who were filming a piece about armed robberies in the Windy City were robbed at gunpoint around 5 a.m. on Aug. 28, The Washington Post reported. The reporter and photographer were in the Wicker Park neighborhood when an SUV and a sedan pulled up and three suspects "wearing ski masks and displaying firearms" jumped out. They took the photography equipment and personal items, returned to their cars and fled. The suspects are still at large; no injuries were reported.

BUILD THE WALL! No, not that wall. In Norway's Arctic region, workers are rebuilding a reindeer fence along the country's border with Russia because the animals keep wandering over the line to find better pastures for grazing. The barrier is 93 miles long; only about 4 miles require repair, the Associated Press reported. But the work is challenging because workers cannot step into Russian territory lest they be charged with illegal entry. Russia has charged Norway huge fines for the days the reindeer grazed in a natural reserve. The work is expected to be completed by Oct. 1.

NEWS YOU CAN USE Back off that accelerator if you're driving through Coffee City, Texas, about three hours north of Houston. Why? The town, with about 250 residents, has 50 full- and part-time police officers, KHOU-TV reported on Aug. 30. The town's budget reveals that it collected more than $1 million in court fines in 2022, which were the result of more than 5,100 citations the officers wrote. And there's a tantalizing twist: Most of Coffee City's officers had been suspended, demoted, terminated or discharged from previous law enforcement jobs, for reasons including excessive force, public drunkenness and association with known criminals. "I've never seen anything like that in my professional career, and I've seen a lot," said Greg Fremin, a retired Houston Police Department captain. But Coffee City's police chief, JohnJay Portillo, disagrees: "There's more to just what's on paper," he said. "I try to look at the good in everybody and I believe everybody deserves an opportunity." Even so, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has an open investigation into the tiny community's big law presence. {in}

PC: Big Daddy Tuck