Inweekly April 20 2023 Issue

UNLEASHING YOUR INNER ENTREPRENEUR & AUTHOR WITH JAMARI AND JAMAL SHARP OF BAM! SNOBALLS

(left) and Jamal (right) Sharp / Photo by By All Means Creations

winners & losers

winners losers

GULF WINDS CREDIT UNION Gulf Winds and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) presented the Studer Family Children's Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart with a donation of $10,752 earlier this month. This gift was made possible by the culmination of weekly donations from Gulf Winds staff that participated in the casual day jeans program Denim with a Purpose. Since 2013, Gulf Winds staff have raised almost $100,000 as a part of the jeans day program. These donations are initially provided to NAFCU, which matches the gift.

PACE HIGH NJROTC For the third consecutive year, Pace High School's Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps team claimed the national title at the annual Navy JROTC academic, athletic and drill championship. NJROTC teams from across the nation competed in a series of events that included a written academic exam, a physical fitness challenge and drill competitions, which required the cadets to perform precision military drills in front of a panel of judges.

RICHARD "STEVE" BODE Escambia County Fire Rescue (ECFR) announced the retirement of Lt. Richard "Steve" Bode after 32 years of service to the citizens of Escambia County. He began his career with Escambia County in November 1989 as a part-time paramedic with Emergency Medical Services and became a full-time paramedic in March 1990. Lt. Bode transitioned to Escambia County Fire Rescue in 2000 as a fire lieutenant, where he served most of his tenure. During his time with ECFR, he remained a part-time paramedic for EMS for an additional 15 years.

ARGO BOND FUND The University of West Florida's student-managed Argo Bond Fund won first place among the nation's student-managed bond funds at the Quinnipiac University Global Asset Management Education's (Q.G.A.M.E.) annual conference global portfolio competition in New York City. The winning Argo Bond Fund portfolio was managed by the Argo Investments Program Class of 2022 and led by students Tuynh Minh Trung, Sam Vaughn, Fernando Gomez and Nick Osting. UWF's Argo Bond Fund outperformed submitted portfolios from different student-managed fund programs across the nation.

JOSEPH LADAPO Florida's surgeon general got caught letting his politics and Gov. Ron DeSantis' agenda interfere with his medical guidance. Against the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ladapo announced in October that males ages 18-39 should not get the COVID-19 vaccine, based on a state analysis that he said showed the risk of cardiac-related deaths after receiving the shot increased significantly. The Tampa Bay Times reviewed early drafts of the state report and found the state also had data indicating that catching COVID-19 raised the risk of cardiac-related deaths for 18-24 more than 10 times from the virus than from the vaccine and by at least five times higher for ages 25-39. Ladapo never mentioned that. Will someone please stop this clown car before it crashes into another dumpster fire?

RON DESANTIS Florida's governor called the state's biggest tourist attraction and largest single-site employer a "joke" during a speech at his favorite institution of higher learning, Hillsdale College in Michigan. Furious that Disney outmaneuvered him before he took over the Reedy Creek board, DeSantis said he would have the state legislature void the development agreement, start taxing the hotels and place tolls on the roads. Democrats have pointed out that such charges would be passed on to the consumers, but there's nothing like a governor scorned. He doesn't seem to care who gets hurt by his policies as long as he can declare victory. It's all about winning; ask Donald Trump.

NAVY POINT OYSTER REEF

The living shoreline oyster reef along Navy Point Park was installed in 2017 to prevent beach erosion and improve water quality and marine habitat. Unfortunately, the wrong material was used, and the oyster bags didn't withstand the wave action, impacting the reef's structural integrity as the bags filled with oyster shells deteriorated. The bags burst open and scattered razorsharp shells along the shoreline. The county is paying Contractor Perdido Services $113,000 to remove the more than 35,000 bags and 87 reef structures.

Joseph Ladapo / Photo Courtesy of FDOH

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

A TUMULTUOUS TIME

With the discovery of original deeds showing a 75-foot public beach easement on 64 lots on Perdido Key, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and others have questioned how the county could have let the condos declare their beaches were private after decades of public access. The political turmoil of the 2000s may bear some responsibility.

Escambia County government was turned upside down during the first part of the 21st century. Forced out of the Florida Senate by term limits in 2000, W.D. Childers returned home and filed to run for the District 1 seat of the county commission, nudging two-term incumbent Mike Whitehead to seek to unseat long-time Clerk of Court Ernie Lee Magaha.

Whitehead lost his race, but Childers easily won his. By June 2001, Childers was the board chairman. The News Journal praised Childers' leadership, but we heard stories of backroom deals and vendors' arms being twisted.

On Aug. 31, 2001, we published "Crazy Like a Fox, Or Just Crazy" to pull back the curtain on what was happening at the Escambia County Courthouse. While he insisted that he autographed hundreds of issues, Childers wasn't happy. He told Escobedo, "That paper is crap. Maybe I'd read it if it had more stories about Elvis."

My partner Joe Scarborough didn't help the relationship when he wrote a satirical column comparing the handwriting of the 5-foot 6-inch Childers to Napoleon's signature. Childers told PNJ opinion editor Carl Wernicke, "Well, the only thing that stopped Napoleon was Russia and the snow. This ain't Russia, and it ain't snowing."

In the following months, this newspaper was slammed by all sides. Threats, both to the business and us personally, came our way daily. Advertisers were warned of dire consequences if they did business with our newspaper.

Officials began to leave county government in droves. From October 2001—February 2002, County Administrator Tom Forrest, Assistant Administrator Bill Neron, Acting Administrator Gregg Welstead, County Engineer Cindy Anderson, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Thornton and County Attorney David Tucker resigned, leaving county operations in complete disarray.

In January, Inweekly and the News Journal questioned a series of land deals. The commissioners had voted 3-2 to use $3.9 million in local option sales tax funds to buy the 48-acre former Pensacola Soccer Complex near the corner of W Street and U.S. Highway 29. Then Commissioner Willie Junior made another addon motion to purchase the former Stalnaker Mazda site on U.S. 29 for $2.3 million, which was approved 3-2.

Childers and Commissioner Mike Bass affirmed Junior's motion in both votes, while Commissioners Tom Banjanin and Terry Smith opposed it. After the votes, Banjanin emailed his constituents, "I smell a rat. I've been fighting buying these lands. There's absolutely no need for them."

On Feb. 7, State Attorney Curtis Golden announced an investigation into the commission over possible corruption related to the purchases. Meanwhile, the county commission continued its search for a new county administrator. Among the 90 applicants was Pensacola native George Touart, the former administrator of Jackson County, Miss., and who had recently accepted a job as the county administrator in Madison County, Miss. The board voted to hire Touart in April, negotiating his salary over a speakerphone during the meeting.

On April 30, Childers, Junior, Smith and Bass were booked into Escambia County Jail on 27 charges, which included bribery, racketeering and violating the state's Sunshine Law. Gov. Jeb Bush suspended them and appointed four replacements—retired PNJ publisher Cliff Barnhart, Florida House staff director Janice Gilley, retired Vice Adm. Tim Wright and Pensacola City Councilwoman Marie Young.

Touart took over a decimated county staff with a lame-duck board. Hurricane Ivan struck Northwest Florida two years later. Many have praised Touart for his leadership in rebuilding the county. However, in September 2007, he would resign under questions about his business dealings with county vendors.

While many of us focused on political intrigue and hurricane recovery, the "private beach" signs began to pop up on Perdido Key. {in} rick@inweekly.net

PENSACOLA ACTIVISTS GRAPPLE WITH ABORTION BAN

coming out to vote in a statewide referendum to secure those rights.

The third focus is political activism to change or prevent the law from becoming even more prohibitive."

As PART grapples with current abortion legislation and accessibility, the group must also reckon with the past.

By Dakota Parks

In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last summer, Pensacola abortion rights activists began to mobilize. With trigger bans outlawing abortion in the surrounding Southern states and the permanent closing of American Family Planning, the only regional access point for abortion care along the Gulf Coast, a group of activists recognized a need for a centralized organization advocating for abortion rights. Here, the Pensacola Abortion Rights Taskforce (PART) was created.

"When Roe was overturned, I felt that I owed something to the next generation," Robin Blyn said. "I've been a feminist and abortion rights activist since I was in college in Philadelphia, where abortion clinics were bombed, and I volunteered to escort women into clinics. I wasn't surprised by the Dobbs decision, because we knew from the beginning that Roe was legally weak, but I felt remiss—like I had to do something."

After failing to find a local organization to join that was dedicated solely to advancing abortion rights, Blyn and her co-organizer, Jasmine Brown, decided to start PART. As a grassroots organization, PART is a nonpartisan group dedicated to supporting safe and secure abortion access in Northwest Florida. The group's mission was founded on three strategic pillars—local access, cultural change and political action.

"First, we needed to focus on the re-establishment of local abortion access by advocating for a new clinic and supporting those who need resources or transportation to Tallahassee, the closest city that provides abortion care," Blyn explained. "Next, we need to change the culture so that people in Pensacola are comfortable discussing abortion, sharing their stories and

Pensacola is marked by a violent history surrounding abortion with multiple clinic bombings throughout the 1980s and the assassination of abortion providers Dr. David Gunn in 1993 and Dr. John Britton and his volunteer escort James Barrett in 1994. This violence put Pensacola in the national spotlight and continues to influence the cultural attitude and ongoing fight over abortion.

In their effort to promote cultural change and destigmatize the discussion of abortion and reproductive health, PART has organized several protests and events, including a film screening and roundtable discussion on abortion and an art installation of interactive poster boards at rallies that read, "I love somebody who had an abortion."

"Abortion shouldn't be a taboo topic," Brown said. "In order to get more people to advocate for safe abortion access, we have to change the culture. We want to create a safe space for people to share their stories with abortion and normalize it in our conversations. Abortion is a medical procedure that many people receive of all ages, religions, races, classes and political affiliations, and it should be respected just like any other medical procedure."

Alongside their mission for cultural change, PART has also fundraised to assemble and distribute "repro kits" in Pensacola, which consist of condoms, pregnancy tests, Plan B, political action information and resources on where to get abortion pills or assistance to travel for abortion care.

"We want people to feel empowered by having community support and a tangible thing to show them that we care about their reproductive health and to remind them that sex is not something to be ashamed about. The repro kits are assembled in opaque bags that ensure they're private and safe," Brown explained.

THE FIGHT AGAINST FLORIDA'S ABORTION BAN

As PART works to support local access and connect those who need help with resources across the state, SB 300, a near-total abortion

ban, just passed the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis late in the evening on April 13.

Under the current law, abortion is legal until the 15th week with an exception for the life of the pregnant person but not for rape or incest. The law also includes a waiting-period restriction under which a pregnant person must visit their abortion provider for in-person counseling and wait 24 hours before returning to get an abortion.

The new abortion law will ban abortion after six weeks with an exception if the procedure would save the pregnant person's life and in cases where pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, but only until 15 weeks. Additionally, the abortion ban will prevent doctors from dispensing medication abortion pills through telehealth, requiring in-person appointments. This stipulation for in-person care will restrict access even further as abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol are used in more than half of U.S. abortions, according to Guttmacher Institute.

"This six-week abortion ban will make abortion illegal before most people even know they're pregnant," Blyn explained. "Even if your period comes regularly every 28 days and you know immediately after four weeks that you are pregnant, this means you must make a decision almost immediately, book an appointment, find childcare, since most people who get abortions already have children, take time off work to travel to the nearest abortion provider—which is in Tallahassee—and have the funds to stay overnight to satisfy the requirement for two appointments with a 24-hour period between them. It makes it next to impossible to get a safe and legal abortion."

Although SB 300 was fast tracked through the House and Senate by the Republican supermajority, the overwhelming majority of Florida residents, however, disagree with restricting abortion further. According to a poll from the Florida Atlantic University, 67% of Floridians want abortion legal in most or all cases—including more than half of Republicans— and just 12% want a complete ban on abortion.

"Abortion bans do not save lives," Brown said. "It is historically proven that abortion bans create more subsidiary health problems, including domestic violence against those who become pregnant, increased suicide rates and the death of those from unsafe abortion methods. These abortion bans also disproportionately affect Black women and low-income people."

PART has protested SB 300 by calling on members and citizens to reach out to legislators directly to share their opinion on the bill, as well as co-organizing the Occupy Tally protest. During the first two weeks of April, protestors from across the state convened outside the Florida State Capitol to protest the abortion ban, where several protestors were arrested, including Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried and Senate minority leader Lauren Book.

"People deserve enough time to make the right decision for themselves and their families, and six weeks simply is not enough time," Blyn said. "It's not right for Governor DeSantis or Senator Doug Broxson or anyone else to make that decision for them."

Last year when DeSantis signed the 15-week abortion ban into law, Planned Parenthood, the ACLU of Florida, the Center for Reproductive Rights and other abortion rights groups sued to overturn the law. The case is currently before the Florida Supreme Court, and the six-week abortion ban will not go into effect until the case is decided.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Despite the six-week abortion ban being signed into law, abortion rights activists are not giving up the fight. A coalition of activists across the state plan to seek a referendum to place the issue on the next ballot for voters to decide whether to uphold or repeal the law.

"The next logical step would be a statewide referendum," Blyn said. "However, on the 2023 legislative agenda, there is also an attempt to raise the bar for referenda even higher than it already is. You currently need 60% of the electorate to pass a referendum in Florida. Now, Republicans want to raise it to around 67% of voters. Abortion rights are caught up in this attempt for the minority to rule over the majority."

Locally, PART plans to continue helping connect people with resources for abortion medication and transport to clinics that provide abortion care. The group works closely with Florida Access Network, an organization that supports travel and abortion funds statewide as well as support for judicial bypass that gives young people under 18 permission to get an abortion without a parent's involvement.

In their effort to secure local abortion access and respond to legislative action, PART has also joined forces with Floridians for Reproductive Freedom, a statewide coalition of abortion rights groups. Through this coalition, PART discovered that an abortion provider who operates clinics in the state of Florida is planning to open a new clinic in Northwest Florida. Although details on the potential clinic are still limited, the group emphasized that the clinic would have higher standards of care than the now-defunct American Family Planning clinic. Additionally, the ramifications from the six-week abortion ban may impact the decision to open the clinic.

"Pensacola is surrounded by a sea of states that have criminalized abortion, and the situation is dire," Brown said. "Abortion is a procedure that has happened for centuries and will continue to happen under this abortion ban with deadly consequences. We will not stop fighting for affordable and legal healthcare and reproductive justice for all." {in}

To keep in touch with PART, join their mailing list by emailing part32503@gmail.com, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @PART850.

PYP RENAISSANCE

that is new or new to their positions. Transformative Church Executive Pastor Justin Oswald is establishing his PYP presidency by setting ambitious short-term and long-term goals for the organization.

His long-term goals include increasing membership to 1,000, generating $1 million in revenue to devote to professional development and serving as the premier incubator for young talent within 10 years. Oswald said the leadership team set the 10-year goals based on the model author Gino Wickman refers to in his bestselling book, "Traction."

Oswald is just as ambitious with his short-term goals. Those objectives include continuing to increase membership among the under-30 population, increasing overall membership by 50%, creating a community dashboard with historical data gathered from its annual Quality of Life survey, evaluating membership structure and sponsorship packages, and scheduling quarterly events such as Blue Wahoos and Ice Flyers games. The organization holds a happy hour on the second Thursday of each month at rotating locations.

By Tom St. Myer

Born and raised in Mississippi, Kyle Schoolar recalls only knowing two people in Pensacola when he left his home state to accept a position with Feeding the Gulf Coast in 2015. The two fellow Mississippi State University alums moved six months later, leaving him to fend for himself. A man in his mid-20s no longer surrounded by people his age at school, Schoolar sought connections by joining Pensacola Young Professionals.

"Whenever you're growing up and in school with these people every day, it's so much easier to have that interaction and that sense of community because you're all doing the same thing," Schoolar said. "As an adult, it's a completely different world. That's why I think Pensacola Young Professionals plays such a crucial role in helping young professionals make lasting connections."

Founded in 2006, the nonprofit organization's mission is to develop and retain young talent in the Greater Pensacola area and be a catalyst for positive change in the community. Members primarily range between the ages of 18-40, but membership is open to young-at-heart professionals.

Pensacola Young Professionals once rose to over 300 members before a steep drop to 75 members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Membership

has bounced back to over 150, and new leadership is in place to lead PYP through a renaissance.

"About 18 months ago, we did a big strategic plan process and brought everything back to our roots of what brings people through the door," said Executive Director Meg Burke, who served as president in 2018-19. "If we do these areas consistently well, people will come. Consistency has contributed a lot to our growth."

Schoolar's appreciation for PYP grew exponentially during the pandemic. He felt disconnected from his friends and itched to be back in familiar surroundings, networking with his peers at events and contributing to the professional development of young professionals.

"Isolation during COVID-19 gave you time to pause and rethink priorities," Schoolar said. "Going into the pandemic, I felt a little overwhelmed with life in general. Being in quarantine for a bit and realizing things I missed, I reset, and Pensacola Young Professionals was definitely one of those organizations I was so excited to come back to. The upswing in membership is just people realizing it was something they were missing in their lives."

AMBITIOUS GOALS

PYP is balancing a return to its roots while ushering in a new president and a leadership team

"Where most of the growth is under 30," Oswald said, "most of the new people we meet that want to learn about events are in that mid-20s range. A lot of them are new to the area, looking to get connected to the world of Pensacola and what's going on."

Young professionals positively impacting the community is the thread that binds every initiative. Burke said PYP perhaps lost that community focus for a brief stretch, but the organization is back to its formative-years mindset.

PYP officially filed articles of incorporation in 2006, but its origin began in 2005 after Inweekly published a series of stories on the struggles young professionals encountered in establishing career and leadership roles in the area. Discussions at a roundtable hosted by Inweekly publisher Rick Outzen and Chamber CEO Evon Emerson motivated a small band of young professionals to create an organization to have their voices heard. The group then researched other young professional organizations, approved an initial leadership team and launched PYP.

The organization made its presence felt immediately. After meeting with proponents and opponents for a proposed Community Maritime Park, the founding class voted to support the park that promised to revitalize downtown Pensacola. PYP members volun -

teered countless hours supporting the pro-park campaign organization, and their efforts paid off as the public voted in favor of the project in September 2006.

The Community Maritime Park triggered the revitalization of downtown that we enjoy today. Since the park referendum, PYP has supported the city's strong-mayor charter, an appointed school superintendent and the Escambia Children's Trust. And PYP members stand ready to support any cause that strengthens the community.

"What's helped rally our team a little bit is refocusing on serving the community," Burke said. "Anything we decide we're going to do is in the name of service to our community and not our own benefit. We may not get to change it, but we do serve it, and through service, change comes."

QUALITY OF LIFE

PYP is perhaps best known for its annual Quality of Life survey, which is funded by Rishy and Quint Studer but run by PYP. Developed by Mason-Dixon to study communities around the country and evaluate categories and characteristics that residents perceive as impacting their quality of life, the survey sheds light on the popularity of elected officials. For example, departed Mayor Grover Robinson IV received a positive review from 55% of respondents to the 2022 survey.

The survey further revealed that residents cared first and foremost about the economy and then crime. Escambia County rated highly in quality of life, with 63% of residents responding positively, but 55% rated the county negatively as a place to live for young single people. The county rated particularly negatively in the following categories—availability of affordable housing, a place to live for racial and ethnic minorities, public safety and low crime, quality of the public schools, and economic conditions.

Oswald said elected officials tend to boast about the survey when their approval rating is high but then dismiss the results if on the opposite end of the spectrum. Regardless of the results, the data is vital for PYP to evaluate its efforts to attract and develop young talent.

Survey results shine a spotlight on PYP, but the professional development aspect is what its members tout. Schoolar credits PYP for teaching him valuable lessons that he applies daily as director of advocacy and strategic initiatives at Feeding the Gulf Coast.

"You're not given a handbook on how to develop yourself professionally," Schoolar said. "You have to learn real-life scenarios. How do I handle negotiations at work? How do I handle conflict at work? I've learned valuable life lessons and met some of my best friends in Pensacola through Pensacola Young Professionals. I've also learned more about the community and figured out ways to make it feel like home." {in}

Interested in joining PYP? Contact the organization at (850) 366-2001 or info@pensacolayp.com.

Past Presidents Ebony Cornish and Kristine Rushing with Current President Justin Oswald / Photo by Milestones Studio

Our Corner, formerly known as Keep Pensacola Beautiful, is an Escambia County-based nonprofit that works strategically with community partners to implement programs that advance the environmental quality and beauty of our community, today and for future generations.

Because small actions today make a big impact tomorrow.

Where fun meets responsibility.

PERDIDO: PRIVATE OR PUBLIC?

Mike McCormick told Inweekly that he is a firm believer in customary use, a concept that allows the public to use privately owned parts of beaches, which is generally viewed as being below the mean high-water line or wet sand. He began to scour surveys done on the Perdido for any

"I pulled up this survey that was done in 2021, and it showed on the diagram a 75-foot easement on the Gulf side," McCormack shared. "That piqued my curiosity because it not only showed it on the diagram but also in some of the texts con-

He continued, "I started looking for that, and I dug for a while, any place and every place I could to try and find it in the county records and

Krupnick said one possible option is for the public to be granted access up to 75 feet from the mean high-water line. That will upset some property owners who already deal with overflow traffic on their property.

Perdido Key offers only four public access locations, and each is only a lot wide. The locations usually fill up quickly, and the shortage of parking spots causes people to flow into private property.

"Spillover from public access to private property is something private property owners have been concerned about for years," Krupnick said.

Inweekly spoke with Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones about the 75-foot public easement. Jones had instructed his staff to research the deeds. He will make a decision once the research is completed on whether the easement exists and should be shown on the county maps.

For nearly two decades, locals and visitors wanting to enjoy the surf and sand on Perdido Key have been confronted with signs declaring the beaches behind the condos as private, limiting their beach access to the state and federal parks and about 50 feet of countyowned beachfront.

That may change, according to County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. The commissioner has located the original deeds when the federal government sold the surplus property with easements for public access to the beach.

County Property Attorney Steve West confirmed the language in an email to Bergosh. He wrote, "Attached is the first of several emails transmitting the original 1957 deeds to the properties along the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Beach Subdivision. The deeds are in order (Lots 1 through 64), and each has the same language that the southerly 75 feet is subject to a perpetual easement for beach and public use generally."

The commissioner talked about the discovery at his Coffee with the Commissioner on Wednesday, April 12.

"When I grew up in this town in the mid-80s, my dad and I would go out to Perdido Key, and we parked at the Junior Food store," Bergosh said. "We would walk up and down this beach and fish. We'd grab our folding chairs and fishing poles and fish up and down this beach. There were no trespassing signs, and no one ever kicked us off."

He continued, "I talked to people who grew up here in the '60s and '70s, same thing. So this latest phenomenon of these no trespassing signs and kicking people off the beach, I don't know where that came from; it's very unfortunate."

The commissioner credited Michael McCormick for the discovery. McCormick's public record request triggered the deed research. Bergosh had been working on how to get more lifeguards on the Perdido Key beaches in light of the recent drownings.

was working with county staff on how to provide lifeguards on Perdido Key after two drownings over Easter weekend. The sticking point was the beaches were thought to be privately owned.

"We're going to talk about some initiatives I'm going to bring forward such as additional flags and signage and potentially a way to add lifeguards in exchange for maybe public access," Bergosh shared. "Perdido Key is an unusual anomaly. They have private beaches; they have the signs—'Don't come on our private beach,' but then they have people from out of town who are drowning. So perhaps there's a way to fund lifeguards in exchange for public access."

He continued, "The number one thing we do is safety, right? I don't want people visiting Perdido Key, going in the water that looks calm and dying. If we can find a way to put a silver lining on this and put some lifeguards out there in exchange for about the first 20 feet, we should try to do it."

Mike McCormick's request changed those potential negotiations significantly. Bergosh believes the request was divine intervention.

"The very next day (after the radio interview), Michael McCormick makes that request, and we find out what we don't need to ask them for 20 feet. We got 75 feet," Bergosh shared with Inweekly. "To me, that was a God thing. So far as I'm concerned, he works in mysterious ways."

At the Coffee with the Commissioner, Tim Day, the deputy director for natural resources, said, "We received a public records request from Michael McCormick. He had seen a survey that listed a 75-foot easement. And with a relatively short period of time, a little research finally took us all the way back to the original deeds for sales within the Gulf Beach subdivision. It's the only one we've verified so far. Generally, that area is from the Perdido Sky (condominium) back to Perdido Key State Park."

McCormack emailed his commissioner, Jeff Bergosh, for help. "I explained to him what I found, my logic at that particular moment and that the 75-foot easement had me totally intrigued. And next thing I know, Jeff is reaching out to me to let me know that they've pulled up the deeds on 64 lots. Every last one of them has the stipulation that the southerly 75 feet being dedicated for a public beach in perpetuity."

Not everyone is pleased with the discovery, and they advise caution before pitching tents on the beaches behind the Perdido condos.

Tony Hobbs and his wife own four condominiums at Indigo and have owned properties on Perdido Key since 1987. Hobbs said the possibility exists that the deeds discovered by McCormick hold weight, but he advised that proper research be conducted before jumping to conclusions.

Hobbs questioned how Theo Baars Sr. partially constructed the Gulf Beach Hotel in the early 1920s in an area the deed indicates to be public beach. Beach Colony Resort is now located on the property. Hobbs said Baars privately held the property long before the surplus federal land sale in 1957. Baars claimed the property by buying warrants the government issued to individuals or the families of individuals who fought in the SpanishAmerican War.

"Of course, none of this necessarily means that previous deeds did not contain easements for the public, but I do know that the Gulf Beach subdivision ended at Perdido Skye," Hobbs said.

Hobbs criticized Bergosh for being overly aggressive in disseminating information on his blog and in comments to the media about the deeds for the 64 properties.

"My wife and I paid $32,000 in property taxes last year for our four condos, so we don't appreciate having Jeff Bergosh throw sand in our face," he said.

Perdido Key Association President Charles Krupnick said property owners are in wait-andsee mode. The 64 lots are a relatively small portion of the beach, but if other deeds surface, the number of property owners potentially impacted will increase dramatically.

"It's quite possible all of them are affected," Krupnick said. "We're waiting for that shoe to drop, I suppose."

BOMBSHELL?

For Commissioner Bergosh, this may be the biggest political bombshell since he helped Inweekly expose the Newpoint Charter school scandal in 2015, which stretched to several Florida school districts and led to the conviction of the Newpoint founder and his key supplier.

Bergosh believes the move to declare the Perdido Key beaches private began in 1999 as more condo complexes sprung up on Perdido Key, and the effort gained momentum after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

"Then the 'keep out' signs started going up, and this phenomenon gained steam after 2010 such that by 2015, nearly every condo complex out in Perdido had multiple signs up and down the beach, some down to the water," Bergosh wrote on his blog. "Ropes and chains even connected some. These condos even hired off-duty law enforcement to protect what they thought was their private property."

The commissioner has tried to pin down when the county appeared to forget about the 75-foot easement. He knows that county staff was aware of it in 2001 after a two-year dispute over the construction of the Windemere Condominium.

The developer wanted to transfer the dwelling unit capacity from several adjacent parcels to build a 19-story Gulf-front condo. The settlement agreement referred to the 75-foot public easement. The Perdido Key Association and others challenged the development, arguing the property footprint that was "too big" because it included the "southerly 75foot easement on the parcel that was for perpetual public beach access by the public." The protestors lost their case on appeal, but neither the developer nor the county challenged the easement.

Bergosh told Inweekly, "The interesting thing about that settlement agreement is it specifies, as part of the development order of settlement order, that they're to establish a plan indicating the 75-foot (public easement), but where was the follow-up?"

The commissioner will continue to press to find out how the withholding of public beach access started. "How was it perpetrated on the people and the citizens and visitors, and how was it perpetuated for all these years?" {in}

as a place of hope and healing to honor the lives of those taken through an act of violence, providing a place of solitude and reflection for their loved ones.

The memorial was created through the collaborative efforts of the City of Pensacola and former Mayor Grover C. Robinson IV, Lavon Brown and members of Parents Against Injustice and Negligence (P.A.I.N.), Joe DeReuil Associates, David Del Gallo Construction Group and Christina Talbert of Graceful Ground and Garden.

Inweekly covered Brown's loss of her son Labar to gun violence and P.A.I.N. a decade ago (Inweekly, "A Mother's Pain," 1/3/13).

D.R. HORTON WINS OLF 8 On Thursday, April 6, the Escambia County Commission voted unanimously for staff to negotiate with homebuilder D.R. Horton to purchase the OLF 8 property on Nine Mile Road for $42 million.

"They agreed to abide by the master plan substantially, which is important to us because that was a hard-fought compromise that we all made," District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told Inweekly. "They're willing to work with us on the economic development component, including selling back to us, subject to negotiation, 100-150 acres, maybe even 200 acres, so we could still get a Triumph Grant and do job creation. It gets us closer to a win-win where everyone gets something."

Last December, Triumph Gulf Coast approved funding up to $14.2 million to build a road and other infrastructure at OLF 8. The county agreed to create 338 high-paying jobs on the site. To receive the grant, the county must own the land serviced by the infrastructure.

"If we can close the sale, it could be a $27 million profit over and above what we still have into that property, which we could put to work throughout the county addressing some of these

on that search committee, and we'll be having a meeting in the middle of this month. It was great working with Scott, and I wish him nothing but success in the future. I just look forward to keeping the momentum going in the right direction."

MORE FOOD TRUCKS Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves wants the city to allow food truck courts in zoned commercial areas. "As a business owner that partnered with a food truck in my previous life, I haven't found one resident who doesn't want to have a good culinary scene here," the mayor told Inweekly. "It doesn't matter what your price point is; everybody wants a good experience. And in entrepreneurship, food trucks are a way to help cultivate that."

Reeves pointed out that neighboring municipalities have ordinances on the books that allow food truck courts. "This would allow us to have three or four food trucks at one place and make sure that the checks and controls are in place— that it's quality; it's got a permanent restroom, not a portlet. If someone is going do it, it's there to stay, not just on a vacant piece of property somewhere with no investment at all."

THANKS, MANNY Once again, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. has tried to correct a misfire of the state's no-hurt-feelings policy with his book-of-the-month selections.

Each month, Commissioner Diaz highlights five recommended books—one per selected grade range. In his April press release, the education commissioner said, "This month, we're highlighting Civil Rights icons Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges while also emphasizing the importance of perseverance and resiliency."

Last month, a parent whose child attends North Shore Elementary in St. Petersburg, Fla. ob -

jected to the Disney movie "Ruby Bridges" being shown to second graders at the school. The 1998 film tells the tale of a 6-year-old who integrated New Orleans schools in the 1960s and has been a staple of Pinellas County Black History Month

In a formal challenge, the mother wrote that the use of racial slurs and scenes of white people threatening Ruby as she entered a school might result in students learning that white people hate Black people. The Pinellas County School District removed the movie until a review committee could assess it. It was reinstated in early April, days before Diaz announced his book selections.

The commissioner's choices for April include "Ten Red Apples" by Pat Hutchins, "I Am Ruby Bridges" by Ruby Bridges, "The Life of Rosa Parks" by Kathleen Connors, "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and "Soul Surfer" by Bethany Hamilton. The selections and guiding questions for educators and parents can be found each month on the Commissioner's Book of the Month page of the FDOE website.

None of the trustees attended the meeting. Ultimately, the full Senate would need to confirm them.

BANKS INDICTED Matthew Banks, 40, of Pensacola, was indicted by an Escambia County grand jury charging him with Racketeering (Count 1), Aggravated White Collar Crime (Count 2), Organized Fraud (Count 3) and Tampering with Evidence (Count 4).

Counts one-three, if convicted, are punishable as a felony in the first degree and punishable with imprisonment for up to 30 years. Count four is a third-degree felony and, upon conviction, is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years. The indictment was announced today by Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.

The indictment alleges that between May 15, 2019, and Dec. 1, 2022, Matthew Banks personally and through his business, Banks Construction, LLC, engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity and stole over $5,000,000 in funds, materials and services from more than 150 victims.

GUNS DEATHS

A recent analysis of the latest annual mortality statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by the Pew Research Center found the number of children and teens killed by gunfire in the United States increased 50% between 2019 and 2021.

In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, there were 1,732 gun deaths among U.S. children and teens under 18. By 2021, that figure had increased to 2,590. The gun death rate among children and teens—a measure that adjusts for changes in the nation's population—rose from 2.4 fatalities per 100,000 minor residents in 2019 to 3.5 per 100,000 two years later, a 46% increase.

Both the number and rate of children and teens killed by gunfire in 2021 were higher than at any point since at least 1999, the earliest year for which information about those younger than 18 is available in the CDC's mortality database.

Homicide was the largest single category of gun deaths among children and teens in 2021, accounting for 60% of that year. It was followed by suicide at 32% and accidents at 5%. Black children and teens were roughly five times as likely as their White counterparts to die from gunfire in 2021.

NEW COLLEGE APPOINTEES SKIP OUT

The Senate Education Postsecondary Committee on Wednesday, April 5, confirmed the seven new members to the New College Board of Trustees. In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis made six appointments to align the school with his political agenda, including Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, and Matthew Spalding, a professor at Hillsdale College.

Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, DPlantation, told The News Service of Florida that she had numerous questions that she would have wanted to ask the trustees, particularly related to Rufo. She said, "He certainly has very, very concerning views on the LGBT community, critical race theory, all of the things that we've talked a lot about."

"Today, the Defendant, in this case, has been charged and will be brought to justice for exploiting innocent victims who were trying to improve their lives for his personal gain," said Madden. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold him accountable for taking advantage of people by stealing their money and robbing them of trust in businesses. This arrest proves he is not representative of our many reputable contractors."

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has violated Florida criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Bank's brother-in-law Jesse LaCoste was arrested on larceny, his fifth arrest this year. The contractor was charged with first-degree grand larceny and larceny for failure to provide a refund. LaCoste has made the trifecta for arrests with two in Escambia County, one in Santa Rosa and two in Okaloosa.

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE

The Escambia Children's Trust published its first Family Resource Guide. The guide is a 68-page directory that includes hundreds of resource listings organized alphabetically in English and Spanish by topic areas, such as abuse, family support and youth development.

"This is a first-of-its-kind resource directory explicitly targeting children and families residing in Escambia County," said Trust Executive Director Tammy Greer. "The guide will help parents, families, counselors, child-serving organizations and so many others identify important benefits and services available to children and their loved ones in our community. I hope you'll find this guide useful when making decisions for your children and planning for the future."

The guide is available to view on the Escambia Children's Trust website. It will be distributed

The Garden of Peace and Hope / Photo Courtesy of City of Pensacola

through a wide variety of channels. If your organization would like printed copies of the guide, please email info@escambiachildrenstrust.org. Up to 200 physical copies can be picked up, via prior arrangement, at the Escambia Children's Trust offices.

borough says he is leaving Pensacola, where he owns an $8 million home, and moving his family to New York. The alt-weekly asked Fred Levin about Scarborough's work at the firm. Levin said, "He never really practiced law. He was supposed to be a rainmaker, but it never rained."

ON THE AIR

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have announced their broadcast schedule for the 2023 season, including new opportunities for fans to follow the team all season long.

In a multi-year partnership between Minor League Baseball and Bally's Corporation, Bally's has become the first-ever National Media Rightsholder and Exclusive Fantasy & Gaming Partner of MiLB. This wide-ranging multimedia partnership provides Bally's Corporation with live broadcast and exclusive free-to-play gaming content rights across its digital platforms and strategic partner channels, which, when coupled with Bally's innovative social and interactive features, will provide MiLB fans with a unique in-stadium and at-home experience.

Bally Live™, Bally's new, over-the-top, proprietary platform, will allow fans to watch Blue Wahoos video broadcasts for free. With the Bally Live™ app, MiLB fans attending games in person and those choosing to join from outside simultaneously can watch the game and use the app's chat and watch party features. These unique and immersive tools are geared to drive greater interest in the game, both in and out of the ballpark.

Under the terms of the agreement, WFGX MyTV 35 will air 25 home games in local markets this season, providing fans an opportunity to watch the Blue Wahoos through their existing television package.

For the first time in 2023, existing MLB.tv subscribers can also watch the Blue Wahoos on any device. Fans who select the Miami Marlins as their favorite team will receive access to live Blue Wahoos broadcasts, as well as broadcasts from the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, High-A Beloit Sky Carp and Class-A Jupiter Hammerheads.

Fans also can tune in to the Blue Wahoos Baseball Network audio broadcast, available for free on bluewahoos.com and the MiLB First Pitch app. Broadcaster Erik Bremer will cover all 138 home and road games in his second season as the "Voice of the Blue Wahoos," bringing fans every moment of exciting baseball action.

BUZZ HISTORY •20 Years, April 2003: The public corruption trial of ex-Escambia County Commission Chairman W.D. Childers provides some comedic moments. The first time state prosecutor John Simon asked a witness to identify the defendant, Childers jumped up and waved his arms in the air like he was attending a Brownsville revival. When Willie Junior was testifying against Childers, he was asked if he laid awake at night worrying about his safety. Junior replied, "No, sometimes I would think about it standing up."

•15 Years, April 2008: The Village Voice questions MSNBC political commentator Joe Scarborough's hate of the Clintons, deep ties to the Republican party and anti-abortion groups, and his media ethics for its story "Bruise Brother." Scar-

•10 Years, April 2013: The Escambia County Commission decides to extend the search for a county administrator and create a five-person search committee to review applications to replace Interim Administrator George Touart. Commissioners briefly discussed dropping "interim" from Touart's title, but Commissioners Steven Barry, Lumon May and Grover Robinson all spoke against suspending the administrator search and keeping Touart permanently. Besides extending the search for 90 days, the commission voted to increase the salary ceiling from $150,000 to $165,000. Touart declined any notion of a raise for the remainder of his time with the county.

•Five Years, April 2018: Escambia Board of County Commissioners wants to once again sit down with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and work out a budget deal to fund a pay plan for deputies. The groups have been at loggerheads for nearly a year. A mediation agreement reached last month fell apart when the two parties could not agree on the language of the interlocal agreement to implement it. Last Thursday, the commission came out of its closed-door executive session and announced it would like to reopen the mediation.

•Meeting Schedule

Monday, April 24:

• 9:30 a.m. Santa Rosa County Commission Committee Meeting, Santa Rosa County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton

• 3:30 p.m. Pensacola City Council Agenda Review, Urban Core Redevelopment Board, Council Chambers, Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St.

4 p.m. West Florida Public Library Board of Governance Meeting, Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century.

Tuesday, April 25:

• 1:30 p.m. Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 W. Park Place.

• 5:30 p.m. Gulf Breeze Board of Adjustments, Gulf Breeze City Hall, 1070 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze. 5:30 p.m. Community Improvement Board, Milton City Hall, 6738 Dixon St., Milton

Wednesday, April 26:

• 9 a.m. Gulf Breeze Police Pension Board, Gulf Breeze City Hall, 1070 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze.

• 1 p.m. Development Review Committee, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 W. Park Place.

1 p.m. Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting, Santa Rosa Island Authority Office, 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach.

Thursday, April 27:

• 9:30 a.m. Santa Rosa County Commission Meeting, Santa Rosa County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton

• 5:30 p.m. Pensacola City Council Meeting, Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St. {in}

Arts & Entertainment

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

Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur & Author

By Savannah Evanoff

But when the pandemic stalled his business, he fatefully landed a job at a snoball shop with a young business owner.

"I didn't know anybody that had a business, and he was very cool and upfront, and I told him I wanted my own snoball business, that's kind of why I'm working there,'" Jamal said. "He was very upfront, hands-on and helped me out with all things snoball related."

When Jamal was ready to go off on his own, he asked his brother, a U.S. Air Force member, to help him jumpstart the business.

"To be honest, if he wasn't in the military and had more money than me, he probably wouldn't be a part of this thing," Jamal said. "That was a joke by the way."

"It's not really that good of a joke if you have to tell people it's a joke," Jamari said teasingly.

"He was like, 'Let's do it,'" Jamal said. "And we both just believed in each other."

And they couldn't do it without their mom, Sonda Sharp, too.

"I remember, I was graduating from school and I told her, 'I'm not getting a job. I'm going to full entrepreneurship,'" Jamal said. " I told her, 'I'm gonna start a snoball shop.' She said, 'Come on, let's do it.' She was with us every step of the way."

Their small business opened March of 2021, but they have big goals for it, namely more locations.

The brothers behind BAM! Snoballs are something of a dynamic superhero duo, though you'll likely never get the same answer if you ask them who's the sidekick.

From which one of them favorited their Captain America snoball flavor first to who's better looking (they're twins) to who came up with the idea for their children's book "Unleash Your Inner Hero" published December of 2022—Jamal and Jamari Sharp are jokingly at odds.

Their mission, though, is something they can always agree on.

"One of the main reasons for opening BAM! in the first place was something for the youth," Jamari said. "We pour into the youth. We know the youth is the future, so why not invest in them? I would say that's something we wish we had more (of) when we were younger—not even just for us, but for our peers we've seen."

The concept is summed up in the motto and book title, "Unleash Your Inner Hero."

"That has more meaning than just saying it; it is to let every kid know when they walk in the shop, they see us on the wall, they see everything

and that this is a locally owned business, they can do it, too; just unleash your inner hero," Jamari said. "Everybody has a hero within; they just gotta bring it out."

The book is available on Amazon, and the brothers have since done book readings and signings at schools, along with other community events.

"You can reach way more people with a book," Jamal said. "The message in it is really just self-help, self-worth and self-identity. A little boy knows who he is, and he unleashes his inner hero. Nothing can stop you. Nothing holds you down. Why not?"

The book aligns perfectly with the superhero slash comic book theme of the snoball shop. Another inspirational motto of theirs is threaded into the name of their shop and printed in small letters on the cup that often go unnoticed—"By all means." (aka BAM!)

"It's basically just, you can achieve anything by all means," Jamal said. "You can do anything. Everybody can just relate to that one statement, three words, 'By all means;' you just want

to get it done by that … Another meaning for BAM! is also like the onomatopoeia comic version, so that's how the comic book superhero theme came to be."

The book and shop have garnered attention from a young audience. Jamal remembers once grabbing a burger when a child recognized him from BAM! and treated him like he was famous.

"A lot of kids where we're from can get wrapped into the wrong things," Jamari said. "You're always gonna be influencing, so you might as well turn yourself into a positive influence. We both don't have any kids, but I've always wanted kids—and I'm the younger sibling, so I've always wanted a little brother. I've always been into mentorship. I like to just mentor kids and coach or referee. You can mold them and teach them the right things. I remember when I was younger, I used to always look up to the older guys and people doing stuff I wanted to do."

Jamal's idea snowballed from growing up eating snoballs in New Orleans. He postponed it to start his own production company, By All Means Creations, while in college at Florida A&M University.

"We like to think we're a McDonald's or something," Jamari said. "We want to be everywhere eventually and looking at people franchising and putting us in different places. So whatever we're doing in Pensacola, we can do other places as well—more trucks or mobile units and more actual storefronts. We want everybody to know about By All Means."

They've got big things in store for Pensacola, too. In addition to their favorite flavor—a combination of Bahama Mama, pina colada and Blue Hawaiian stuffed with ice cream—they will soon add more exotic flavors, Jamari said.

"I don't think they have snoballs like this in the entire world," Jamari said. "We're talking about an entire cheesecake shoved on top of a snoball. I don't want to give you too much but just know we're coming with some heat." {in}

BAM! SNOBALLS

WHERE: 840 W. Michigan Ave.

DETAILS: bamsnoballs.com

@bamsnoballs

Jamari (left) and Jamal (right) Sharp / Photo by By All Means Creations

a&e happenings

Thursday, April 20, at WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd. Tickets are $25 and available on Eventbrite.

UWF DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE PRESENTS "EMMA" The University of West Florida Department of Theatre presents Jane Austen's "Emma." Performances will be held April 21-23 with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. All performances will take place in the Mainstage Theatre of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, on the Pensacola campus. General admission ticket prices are $20 per person for adults, $16 per person for senior citizens and active military, $14 per person for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff, and $7 for high school students. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Tickets can be purchased at the CFPA Box Office, Bldg. 82, by calling (850) 857-6285 or online at uwf.edu/tickets.

GALLERY NIGHT: DANCIN' IN THE STREET

The next Gallery Night is Friday, April 21, from 5-9 p.m. This month's theme is "Dancin' in the Street!" Watch the Second Annual Dance Off Competition and with downtown Palafox Street lined with Dance Zone performances from local dance groups. Gallery Night's Featured Artist for April is The Hip Hop Society of Northwest Florida. For more information, visit gallerynightpensacola.org.

SURVIVORS "Survivors" is a moving presentation that juxtaposes the stories of actual Holocaust survivors with high school students today. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 21, at The Gordon, 306 N. DeVilliers St.; 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at Ever'man Educational Center, 350 W. Garden St.; and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 23, at B'nai Israel, 1829 N. Ninth Ave. A Pensacola Children's Chorus performance will precede the Friday show starting at 7 p.m. Free admission. For more information, visit penarts.org.

BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Shakespeare's play comes come to Ballet Pensacola. Showtimes are 7 p.m., Fridays, April 21 and 28; 7 p.m., Saturdays, April 22 and 29; and 2:30 p.m., Sundays, April 23 and 30, at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $35-$40. Visit balletpensacola.com for details.

PLANT-A-POLOOZA WITH PENSACOLA

HOYA LOVERS Grab a glass of beer, seltzer, wine or cider from the brewpub at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave., and then take a stroll through the beautiful garden filled with vendors, noon-5 p.m., Saturday, April 22. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.

SHREK FEST Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St., will be celebrating all day long Saturday, April 22, with Shrek-themed decor, cocktails, decor, Swamp Animal shows, vendors, face painting, a Shrek Rave featuring DJ HDYCVT and more. Fun starts at 2 p.m. Visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco for details.

EARTH DAY PENSACOLA Pensacola's 33rd annual Earth Day festival showcases sustainable living through a fun day of environmental education, art, live music, local food, green products and hands-on activities. Event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St. Visit the event website at earthdaypensacola.org, check them out on Facebook and email earthdaypcola@gmail.com with any questions.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART: 'EMILY' The film "Emma," based on the life story of Emily Bronte, will have showings at 1 p.m., Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, at Pensacola Cinema Art, 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10 cash donation. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for details.

PMA WORKSHOP: "SPARKS" UNLEASHING CREATIVITY WITH MARCIA WAGNER

Participate in this "electric" workshop to spark the artist within by investigating the creative process with curiosity, exploring ways of igniting and unleashing creativity through various activities and imaginative exercises with instructor Marcia Wagner. Workshop is Saturday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m., at PMA, 407 S. Jefferson St. Cost is $20. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

Learn to more fully manifest your unique and creative spirit by optimizing the settings for personal artistic success. You will receive numerous ideas, and handouts will be provided to help anyone overcome creative blocks that can be applied to various creative disciplines.

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 at 10 p.m. For more information, contact Taize Sinclair-Santi, show director, 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 held weekdays 11 a.m.2 p.m. and Sundays 2-4 p.m. 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 Sundays from 6-8 p.m. 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 available at pensacolaghostevents.com

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small and buy art at Pensacola Arts Market every fourth Saturday of the month at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave., from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a local artisan and farmers market with over 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 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave., from 4-9 p.m. every first Friday of the month and 2-6 p.m. every third Sunday of the month.

BODY, MIND, SPIRIT MARKET AT EVER'

MAN Local vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, speakers and more. Held on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This is an inside and outside event for. Door prizes, entertainment and children's activities. Free admission. Ever'man Downtown, 315 W. Garden St. For vendor table, call (850) 941-4321 or go to empowermentschoolhouse.com.

SYNTHESIS: OPENING RECEPTION Celebrate the opening of SynThesis, a group BFA Exit Exhibition, 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 21, at Pensaco -

la Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. This exhibition features work by graduating Bachelor of Fine Art students from the University of West Florida Department of Art and Design. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

AVIAN NOBLE SOLO SHOW Photographer

Avian Noble's work will be on view at Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, through April 21. Visit artelgallery.org for details.

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS Artwork in all mediums that represent at least one of the seven deadly sins. On view through April 21 at Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. Visit artelgallery.org for details.

FIRST CITY ART CENTER MEMBERS SHOW

The third annual members show at First City Art Center's Gallery 1060 will be on display April 1228. The show features works from members of FCAC. An opening reception will be Friday, April 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

IHMC'S SCIENCE SATURDAY 2023 SESSIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH PERFORMANCE, SMART CITIES AND ROBOTICS

Science Saturdays is a series of 90-minute educational enrichment sessions geared toward families and children in grades three-six. Topics in 2023 will include robotics, roller coasters, animal adaptations, human performance and more. The sessions are free to the families who attend. For more information, visit ihmc.us/life/science_saturdays.

• April 22: Dr. Gwen Bryan, IHMC, Robot Hands

TABLE TALKS AT THE TRUST Join the Historic Trust for a monthly lunch and learn series on the third Wednesday of the month at the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, located at 117 E. Government St., from noon-1 p.m. The program is free—just bring your lunch and enjoy a casual opportunity to learn about a variety of topics. The next date is May 17—Cart Blackwell of Carnival Museum in Mobile. For more information, please email hparchives@uwf. edu or call (850) 595-5985, ext. 125.

THE ART OF JADIA DANK AND KYLE FORD AT EASY GOING GALLERY See the artwork of Julia Dank and Kyle Ford in a new exhibit, "The Elementals," running through the month of April at Easy Going Galler y, 701 N. V St. "The Elementals" focuses on the four elements—water,

a&e happenings

earth, fire and air. Most pieces consist of recycled materials, paying homage to the muchneeded sustainability they promote. Learn more at facebook.com/easygoinggallery.

NONNEY ODDLOKKEN: TINY, LITTLE FABLES Nonney Oddlokken is a contemporary artist who utilizes fiber and collage techniques to create a Louisiana narrative and exhibition entitled "Tiny, Little Fables." The references in this body of work mix elements from her own childhood "fables," Catholic references, Cajun folklore, New Orleans Voodoo, and the indigenous flora and fauna of Louisiana swamps and bayous. Her work employs a unique process that consists of handmade paper substrates and collage elements that are finished with hundreds of yards of hand-stitched gold thread embellishments. This exhibit is on view through May 28 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

THE MEMBERS SHOW The Pensacola Museum of Art Members Show is on view through May 28, showcasing over 50 artists in a diverse range of media at 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

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 indepen-

dence during the American Revolution to wanting their own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The United States eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida. The Adams-Onis 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. On view at Pensacola Museum of History through Dec. 2023. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

TEXTILES OF THE TIMES: REGENCY ERA

April 20. Tickets are $50 per student. Visit facebook.com/pensacolacooks for details.

SNAP HAPPY HOUR SNAP is an AmSpirit area wide event, and everyone is invited to network with each other through speed networking at Seville Quarter's Rosie O'Grady's, 130 E. Government St. Open networking from 4:30-5 p.m., Wednesday, April 19, and then SNAP begins at 5 p.m.

CULTURES COOK: CARIBBEAN FLAVORS Class is 7-9 p.m., Friday, April 21, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $50 per student. For details, visit facebook. com/pensacolacooks.

CHARCUTERIE NIGHT AT BODACIOUS

Learn to put together the perfect charcuterie board. Class is 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are $65 and available at bodaciousshops.com.

HOW TO HOST A TEA PARTY Learn to put together the perfect tea party from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $50. Visit facebook.com/ pensacolacooks for details.

CRAWFISH SUNDAY FUNDAY Every Sunday in April through April 30, you can enjoy $12 per pound boiled crawfish with corn, potatoes, and sausage at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., starting at 2 p.m.

DRESS MAKING

The period between 18111820 is historically defined as the Regency Period. This exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of History looks at a day in the life of a Regency-era Pensacolian through fashion and garment use. Drawing on historical documentation of stores known to have operated on Palafox, inside this recreation of a seamstress shop visitors will be able to explore the dress of yesteryear. On view at the Pensacola Museum of History through June 2023. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

ITALIAN: REGIONAL FAVORITES Italian food cooking class with Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Class is 6-8 p.m., Thursday,

21ST ANNUAL CRAWFISH FESTIVAL Head to Bamboo Willie's, 400 Quietwater Beach Road, from April 21-23, for the 21st Annual Crawfish Festival with live bands all weekend. Visit bamboowillies.com for details.

COUPLES COOK: GLOBAL STREET FOOD

Class is 7-9 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at Penascola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $85 per couple. Visit facebook.com/pensacolacooks for details.

SECOND ANNUAL PENSACOLA BEACH

BEER FEST 13 different local craft breweries will be serving up their creations. Event is 4-7 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at Hampton Inn, 2 Via da Luna Drive. Tickets are $40 and available at Eventbrite.

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.

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

a&e happenings

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand. Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., 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.

KID-FRIENDLY

PCKIDS JR. CHEFS EARTH DAY EATS

Class is 1-3 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. For ages 6-12. Tickets are $40 per students. Visit facebook.com/ pensacolacooks to sign up.

UWF EXPLORE SUMMER CAMPS University of West Florida Continuing Education is offering more than 50 UWF Explore Summer Camps this year.

The STEAM camp experiences offer handson learning opportunities from university faculty and local educators for incoming first-12th graders. Camps are located on the Pensacola campus and in downtown Pensacola at the Pensacola Museum of Art. The academic enrichment summer camps are theme based, but there are also musical theater and art camps. Some of the camps include:

• Bugs Don't Bug Me (incoming first-second graders): Learn about the importance of bees and the teamwork of ants and find out what is the most dangerous creature in the world. Build insect habitat models, mixing up honey Play-Doh and going on an outdoor buggy scavenger hunt.

• Extraterrestrial Expedition (incoming thirdfourth graders): Explore what evidence is out there supporting the existence of aliens including local stories. Design an alien spacecraft, make moon rocks, create an alien abduction lamp and have a glow day.

• National Parks Road Trip (incoming fifthsixth graders): Explore the natural wonders of some of America's favorite National Parks. Learn about Yellowstone, Mammoth Cave, The Grand Canyon and the Everglades. Make your own stalactites, create art inspired by unique landscapes and answer the question—who would win, an alligator or a crocodile? At the end of the week, campers will plan and create their own trip to a National Park.

• Mock Trial (incoming seventh-ninth graders): Learn the skills of trial advocacy including rules of evidence, how to examine witnesses, opening statements and closing arguments. Mock Trial camp gives campers who are interested in law, public policy and leadership an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in legal analysis.

All camps are weeklong except for Broadway Bound, which is the only program that is two weeks in length. Incoming third-eighth-grade campers will sing, dance, act and participate in set and costume design. At the end of the two weeks, the campers will put on a musical for their families.

For more information or to register, visit uwf.edu/explorecamps.

STEM with topics ranging from flying drones to navigating through hurricanes. The program is offered daily, Monday-Friday,9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for availability.

• "Cruises" is designed for students ages fifth12th grades as an introduction to the National Flight Academy's flagship Deployment program. For three days, students stay overnight and learn a variety of topics including meteorology, aerodynamics, mathematics, bathymetry, physics and more. Tuition for the three-day overnight cruise is $475 per student. A minimum enrollment requirement of 36 is needed in order for each session to run. 2023 Cruise dates are March 24-26, March 31-April 2 and April 14-16.

• "Deployment," the NFA's flagship program, is a six-day, five-night deployment for seventh-12th grade students. Attendees live aboard the virtual aircraft carrier Ambition, a 102,000-square-foot, four-story structure. The Deployment program envelops them into life as a Naval Aviator aboard a modern aircraft carrier. Missions progressively become more challenging throughout the week as the AXPs advance their aviation science skills as well as their communication skills. Christmas Break Deployment dates are Dec. 11-16 and Dec. 1822. Deployments begin at noon on Sunday and end on Friday at noon with a graduation ceremony in the National Naval Aviation Museum's Blue Angels Atrium.

To learn more about the NFA's program opportunities, or to register online, go to nationalflightacademy.com. For more information, please contact Stephanie Pugh, Client Relations Director at National Flight Academy, by email at spugh@nationalflightacademy.com or by calling (850) 458-7836.

PMA SUMMER CAMP PMA's Summer Camp Registration is open. Sign up at pensacolamuseum.org/learn-engage/summer-camps.

Choose from one of five summer camp weeks based on your campers age and interest:

• June 5-9: Explorations in Art / 1st-2nd grades

• June 12-16: Art Adventures / 3rd-4th grades

• June 19-23: Art Investigations / 5th-6th grades

• June 26-30: Visual Experimentation & Expression / 7th-8th grades

• July 24-28: Summer Art Intensive / 8th-12th grades

LUTHERAN SERVICES OF FLORIDA'S SNAP PROGRAM

Stock Market Losses?

STEM PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL FLIGHT

ACADEMY

The National Flight Academy is offering a lineup full of fun STEM-based programs for kids this fall, which is now open for registration.

• "Adventures" is a one-day program that introduces fourth- and fifth-grade students to

The SNAP program is a free and fun community program to help parents and children deal with issues like emotional regulation and problem solving. The program is proven to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system and give them skills for successful communication and actions. The program teaches parenting skills for adults and teaches children ages 6-11 important issues such as emotional regulation, problem-solving skills and self-control. Meetings are once per week for 13 weeks. There is no cost, and dinner is served at each meeting. Sibling care and transportation is available if needed at no cost. Call or text 3753646 to get started.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

11 East Romana Street | Pensacola, Fl 32502 genemitchell.org

Hire a lawyer who is a former Merril Lynch stock broker.

free will astrology

WEEK OF APRIL 20

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In English, the phrase "growing pains" refers to stresses that emerge during times of rapid ripening or vigorous development. Although they might feel uncomfortable, they are often signs that the ongoing transformations are invigorating. Any project that doesn't have at least some growing pains may lack ambition. If we hope to transcend our previous limits and become a more complete expression of our destiny, we must stretch ourselves in ways that inconvenience our old selves. I'm expecting growing pains to be one of your key motifs in the coming weeks, dear Aries. It's important that you don't try to repress the discomfort. On the other hand, it's also crucial not to obsess over them. Keep a clear vision of what these sacrifices will make possible for you.

By Rob Brezsny

when you can accomplish far more curative and restorative transformations than usual.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): After careful analysis of the astrological omens and a deep-diving meditation, I have concluded that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to indulge in an unprecedented binge of convivial revelry and pleasure. My advice is to engage in as much feasting and carousing as you can without completely ignoring your responsibilities. I know this may sound extreme, but I am inviting you to have more fun than you have ever had—even more fun than you imagine you deserve. (You do deserve it, though.) I hope you will break all your previous records for frequency and intensity of laughter.

pect you may soon be in the grip of your personal 'Sehnsucht.' But I also believe you are close to identifying an experience that will quench the seemingly impossible longing. You will either discover a novel source of deep gratification, or you will be able to transform an existing gratification to accommodate your 'Sehnsucht.' Sounds like spectacular fun to me. Clear some space in your schedule to welcome it.

of nourishment, both the literal and metaphorical varieties. You will also be wise to draw influences from a wide variety of humans and experiences. I further suggest that you expand your financial life so you have multiple sources of income and diversified investments.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Satirical Taurus author Karl Kraus defined "sentimental irony" as "a dog that bays at the moon while pissing on graves." Please avoid that decadent emotion in the coming weeks, Taurus. You will also be wise to reject any other useless or counterproductive feelings that rise up within you or hurtle toward you from other people, like "clever cruelty" or "noble self-pity" or "sweet revenge." In fact, I hope you will be rigorous about what moods you feed and what influences you allow into your sphere. You have a right and a duty to be highly discerning about shaping both your inner and outer environments. Renewal time is imminent.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): In his poem "October Fullness," Pablo Neruda says, "Our own wounds heal with weeping, / Our own wounds heal with singing." I agree. I believe that weeping and singing are two effective ways to recover from emotional pain and distress. The more weeping and singing we do, the better. I especially recommend these therapeutic actions to you now, Gemini. You are in a phase

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): In 1886, Vincent van Gogh bought a pair of worn-out shoes at a Paris flea market. When he got home, he realized they didn't fit. Rather than discard them, he made them the centerpiece of one of his paintings. Eventually, they became famous. In 2009, a renowned gallery in Cologne, Germany, built an entire exhibit around the scruffy brown leather shoes. In the course of their celebrated career, six major philosophers and art historians have written about them as if they were potent symbols worthy of profound consideration. I propose that we regard their history as an inspirational metaphor for you in the coming weeks. What humble influence might be ready for evocative consideration and inspirational use?

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Gliding away from the routine for rendezvous with fun riddles? I approve! Delivering your gorgeous self into the vicinity of a possibly righteous temptation? OK. But go slowly, please. Size up the situation with your gut intuition and long-range vision as well as your itchy fervor. In general, I am pleased with your willingness to slip outside your comfortable enclaves and play freely in the frontier zones. It makes me happy to see you experimenting with AHA and WHAT-IF and MAYBE BABY. I hope you summon the chutzpah to find and reveal veiled parts of your authentic self.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): The German word 'Sehnsucht' refers to when we have a profound, poignant yearning for something, but we quite don't know what that something is. I sus-

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) : Most of us have at some time in the past been mean and cruel to people we loved. We acted unconsciously or unintentionally, perhaps, but the bottom line is that we caused pain. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to atone for any such hurts you have dispensed. I encourage you to be creative as you offer healing and correction for any mistakes you've made with important allies. I'm not necessarily suggesting you try to resume your bond with ex-lovers and former friends. The goal is to purge your iffy karma and graduate from the past. Perform whatever magic you have at your disposal to transform suffering with love.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): It's challenging to track down the sources of quotes on the Internet. Today, for instance, I found these words attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato—"I enjoy the simple things in life, like recklessly spending my cash and being a disappointment to my family." That can't be right. I'm sure Plato didn't actually say such things. Elsewhere, I came upon a review of George Orwell's book "Animal Farm" that was supposedly penned by pop star Taylor Swift—"Not a very good instructional guide on farming. Would NOT recommend to first-time farmers." Again, I'm sure that wasn't written by Swift. I bring this up, Aquarius, because one of your crucial tasks these days is to be dogged and discerning as you track down the true origins of things. Not just Internet quotes, but everything else, as well—including rumors, theories and evidence. Go to the source, the roots, the foundations.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): The blues singer-songwriter B. B. King wasn't always known by that name. He was born Riley B. King. In his 20s, when he began working at a Memphis radio station, he acquired the nickname "Beales Street Blues Boy." Later, that was shortened to "Blues Boy," and eventually to "B. B." In the spirit of B. B. King's evolution and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to identify areas of your life with cumbersome or unnecessary complexities that might benefit from simplification.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Proboscis monkeys live in Borneo and nowhere else on earth. Their diet consists largely of fruits and leaves from trees that grow only on Borneo and nowhere else. I propose we make them your antirole model in the coming months. In my astrological opinion, you need to diversify your sources

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): In accordance with astrological omens, I'm turning over this horoscope to Piscean teacher Esther Hicks. Here are affirmations she advises you to embody—"I'm going to be happy. I'm going to skip and dance. I will be glad. I will smile a lot. I will be easy. I will count my blessings. I will look for reasons to feel good. I will dig up positive things from the past. I will look for positive things where I am right now. I will look for positive things in the future. It is my natural state to be a happy person. It's natural for me to love and laugh. I am a happy person!"

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Make a guess about when you will fulfill your number one goal. {in}

freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2023 Rob Brezsny

It's important that you don't try to repress the discomfort.

What humble influence might be ready for evocative consideration and inspirational use?

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

IT'S COME TO THIS

New York City Mayor Eric Adams named former schoolteacher Kathleen Corradi to a new position on April 12, United Press International reported. Corradi is the rat czar (officially, director of rodent mitigation) of the Big Apple. Adams said it was "clear we needed someone solely focused on leading our rat reduction efforts across all five boroughs." In 2022, rat sightings in the city increased by 74% over the previous year. Requirements for the job included being "highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty" with a "swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor and general aura of badassery." "I look forward to sending the rats packing," Corradi said.

EYEWITNESS NEWS Although he is no longer governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger still performs his civic duty—in this case, filling a huge pothole in his Brentwood neighborhood with concrete. The Associated Press reported that on April 11, the Terminator himself, along with a helper, used a shovel and packaged concrete to fill a hole in the street. "Today, after the whole neighborhood has been upset about this giant pothole that's been screwing up cars and bicycles for weeks, I went out with my team and fixed it," he tweeted. "This is crazy. For three weeks I've been waiting for this hole to be closed." Arnold's heroics may have been misguided, however; according to a statement from SoCalGas, the "pothole" actually was an active work trench for a project to be completed in May.

CLEANING UP Police in Boardman, Ohio, are still on the lookout for a robber who broke into a Bed Bath & Beyond store early on April 8, WFMJ-TV reported. Surveillance cameras captured a "stocky male" throwing a rock through a window at the store, then heading to a stockroom in the back, where he filled four shopping carts with 33 Dyson vacuum cleaners. The vacuums were valued at between $500 and $750 each, for a total loss of $17,000. Because there are no surveillance cameras outside the store, authorities didn't get a picture of the getaway vehicle. That sucks.

RECENT ALARMING HEADLINE In 2008, an enormous sinkhole appeared in Daisetta, Texas, NPR reported. At that time, it grew to a cavity about 900 feet across and 260 feet deep, then stabilized. Over the years, it became a sort of recreational area, where people fished and alligators lazed. But on April 2, the hole began expanding. "My neighbor came over and said he kept hearing popping sounds like a gunshot," said Tim Priessler. "We went to the backyard, and there were buildings falling in. It was like a movie. You can see cracks forming in the ground." Since then, a vacant building and several storage tanks have sunk. The EPA and city officials are working to find out what has caused the sinkhole to shift, but as of April 10, no evacuation orders had been issued.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL Seems like it would go without saying, but you might want to assemble an item you just stole away from the store's parking lot. On April 3 in Flagler Coun-

ty, Florida, Patrick Vandermeyden-Miller allegedly walked out of a Target store with an electric scooter he had not paid for, WESH-TV reported. Deputies were called to the scene, where they found Vandermeyden-Miller near a cart rack, putting together the scooter. He also had drug paraphernalia in his pockets. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and petit theft.

THE NEIGHBORS A feud among neighbors in China's Hunan Province that had been brewing since April 2022 recently came to a deadly head, Fox News reported on April 10. The original feud started when Mr. Gu cut down Mr. Zhong's trees without his permission. Mr. Gu was further inflamed when Mr. Zhong's wife towed away the cut trees, so he sneaked onto Mr. Zhong's property during the night and shone a flashlight at Mr. Zhong's chickens, causing 500 birds to rush into a corner and trample one another to death. To add insult to injury, Mr. Gu returned on a different night and employed the same tactic, causing another 640 chickens to die. A court ruled on April 4 that Mr. Gu had intentionally caused Mr. Zhong to suffer property loss to the tune of about $2,000. He was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of probation.

IS THAT A KNIFE IN YOUR HEAD ... Donald the Duck, a mallard who lives in Saint-Nolff, France, is infamous among residents because he seems to live a perfectly normal life with the blade of a knife stuck in his head, Oddity Central reported. While Donald could swim and eat without trouble, members of the Pinocchio et Sauvageons society decided it should be removed. On March 31, rescuers managed to catch him, and the surgery was a success, with Donald flying the coop as soon as the door was open. Authorities are now trying to discover who stabbed Donald.

BUT WHY? Late on April 7, Boris Richard, 21, made an "unauthorized entry" into the embalming room at the Smith Funeral Home in Monroe, Alabama, The Smoking Gun reported. Richard, who is an "unofficial" worker at the home, used his phone to FaceTime with a friend as he looked over several "post-autopsy" corpses resting there, police said. Richard declined to answer any of the officers' questions and was released on a $1,500 bond.

GOOD GRIEF! Bayley, a mini "sheepadoodle" dog with her own Instagram account, is famous because she looks remarkably like Snoopy, the cheeky beagle in the comic strip "Peanuts." Bayley has more than 240,000 followers on social media, People reported. Bayley's black eyes, nose and big, floppy ears make her a dead ringer for the beloved comic character, even though they are not the same breed. Now Bayley's owner just needs to get a small, yellow bird to round out the cast. {in}

We serve the local community by offering gently used merchandise at bargain center prices while generating financial support for the programs of the Ministry Village.

Looking for a great way to support The Ministry Village Bargain Center?

Bring us your donations!

We are open Monday–Saturday 9-5 92 E. Nine Mile Road * 850.912.8222

Mention this ad for a 10% discount

Tired of suffering from droopy eyelids?  Uplift your eyelids with the once daily eye drop, Upneeq. Call now to schedule your appointment with the eye care specialists at Terrezza Optical: 850-434-2060