JENNIFER KNISBELL JOINS WSRE PBS AS DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Jennifer Knisbell has joined Pensacola State College as WSRE PBS Development and Community Engagement director.

A native of Pensacola and graduate of University of Central Florida, she has worked in the arts and entertainment industry for 22 years in various management and development positions, most recently as the director of development at Pensacola Opera following six years with talent agency ICM Partners in Las Angeles, Calif.

The WSRE PBS Development Department also announces the promotion of Patience Weaver to donor services manager and the addition of Deanna Smith as database coordinator.

Weaver is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has worked at WSRE since 2020. Smith is a graduate of Pensacola State College and returns to WSRE PBS, having worked at the station for nearly 15 years previously.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority will launch their free, open-air trolley service along Pensacola Beach this Memorial Day weekend, beginning Friday, May 26.

The 2023 Pensacola Beach Island Trolley, operated by Escambia County Area Transit, will run daily from 4 p.m. to midnight through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4.

The trolleys help alleviate traffic congestion by allowing visitors to park anywhere and have a convenient way to tour the whole island.

Three trolleys will operate concurrently, running three routes. The eastern route runs from Casino Beach to Portofino, the western route runs from Casino Beach to Park West near the entrance gate to Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the commercial core route runs from Casino Beach to Grand Marlin with stops

The energy-efficient, open-air trolleys run on clean diesel fuel and are outfitted with a GPS device that electronically tracks its location, updating its position every 30 seconds.

Visitors can access the real-time trolley schedule four ways:

• Visit the “Trolley Tracker” at visitpensacolabeach.com/trolleytracker

• Call 850-602-9384 and enter the trolley stop number

• Text SRIA (space) and the trolley stop number to 41411

• Scan the QR code posted at each trolley stop with a smartphone

The trolley system, funded by the SRIA, is free to all riders. To see a map of all trolley stop locations, or for more information, go to visitpensacolabeach.com/trolley-information/.

Gartman Completes Inaugural Leadership Northwest Florida Class

KC Gartman is a graduate of Leadership Northwest Florida. Gartman, chief development officer, Baptist Health Care Foundation, was selected by Florida’s Great Northwest Foundation to participate in its first-ever class of Leadership Northwest Florida. The program is designed to foster a deeper understanding of the region’s diverse landscape through community, content and connection.

Participants were immersed in the seven-month educational program to gain a holistic view of the conditions, challenges and opportunities shared throughout Northwest Florida. The program focused on the areas of business vitality, entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure, talent and quality of place.

“One of the goals of Leadership Northwest Florida was to create a pipeline of engaged and empowered ambassadors for Northwest Florida who would bring longterm influence for the betterment of not just one county, but for our entire region,” said Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of FGNW and its foundation. “After completion of the program, I’m extremely proud to say that KC is exactly the ideal regional leader who is equipped to use her own platform, skills and abilities to promote positive change across all Northwest Florida.”

“The mission of Leadership Northwest Florida aligns with our commitment to our community and the region,” said Mark Faulkner, president and CEO of Baptist Health Care. “We are delighted to have KC represent Baptist Health Care in this elite group of professionals.”

For more information on the program, visit floridasgreatnorthwest.com/lnwf.

WORLD OCEAN DAY OPEN HOUSE 2023 — JUNE 8

World Ocean Day will be a day of environmentally focused games, activities and art projects at the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center. The Chamber, along with multiple partner agencies, will be presenting information on protecting our beaches and marine habitats in conjunction with World Ocean Day. The open house will feature presentations including a live feeding of the lionfish which are housed in the educational display tank at the Perdido Key Visitor’s Center. The event will run from 10 am to 2 pm and is free to attend. The address of the event is 15500 Perdido Key Drive, Perdido Key Florida. For more information, visit business.perdidochamber.com/events.

ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND AT PENSACOLA SAENGER — JUNE 10

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole as she meets the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, and all the other characters from this classic story. Of course, expect the typical LaBelle twist. Featuring the Pensacola Saenger’s older Elementary, Middle, and

High School students. The show begins at 6 pm and doors open at 5 pm. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.