Inweekly Dec 1 2022 Issue

HOLIDAYS ON STAGE

winners & losers

winners losers

DR. AMIT AND SHRUTI GUPTA Amit Gup ta, M.D., his wife, Shruti, and their family have made a major gift to support the new Baptist Hospital campus, scheduled to open in the fall of 2023. The foundation will name the diagnostic imaging cen ter in honor of Dr. Gupta's parents, Girish S. and Vimu G. Gupta. The Guptas' compassion and desire to help others stem from their Indian culture and strong family values. Growing up, they learned that giving back is essential and said they are grateful to their parents for teaching them the value of self lessness. They hope their gift inspires others to give.

LAVON BROWN Nine years ago, Inweekly fea tured the Pensacola mother, who lost her son Labar Brown to gun violence, when she helped create the group Parents Against Injustice & Neg ligence (PAIN) (Inweekly, "A Mother's Pain," 1/3/13). With the help of Mayor Grover Robinson and other community leaders, Brown has created The Garden of Peace and Hope at Corinne Jones Park. The garden is a place where families can re flect on the lives of lost loved ones.

DR. MONICA FORD-HARRIS The Navy Point Elementary principal has been selected as the 2022-2023 Escambia County School District's Outstanding Principal of the Year. The Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership was established in 1988 to recognize exemplary principals for their contributions to their schools and communities. The program honors principals who have spearheaded initiatives to increase stu dent performance and promote safe learning en vironments, often through establishing partner ships with parents and community members.

2022 HOLLINGER AWARD Baptist Health Care Foundation announces the 2022 Hollinger Award recipients for outstanding service contri butions to Baptist Health Care. The awards are presented to individuals, families or organizations that have exhibited exceptional generosity and community leadership through gifts of their time or financial support. The recipients are Volunteer of the Year, Wendy Brandon; Women's Board Vol unteer of the Year, Anna Kisor, Pharm.D.; Health Care Professional of the Year, Jerri Mobley; Phy sician of the Year, Dr. Ray Aycock; and Lifetime Achievement, Marcus Paul, D.M.D.

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA found enough workplace safe ty violations at Dollar General stores in Florida, Georgia and Alabama over the last five years to propose $2.77 million in fines, asserting the chain puts "profits over their employees." Dollar Gen eral now qualifies for the Severe Violator En forcement Program. The Miami Herald report ed the latest round of inspections, from April 28-June 3, involved stores in Panama City Beach; Darien and West Point, Ga; and Alabama stores in Clay, Dothan, Odenville and Town Creek. Of the citations OSHA felt were worth $2,777,640, 11 were willful violations, 16 were repeat viola tions and four were serious violations.

DOLLAR GENERAL

COUNTY OPIOID OVERDOSES Escambia

County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore last week announced during Commissioner Jeff Ber gosh's "Coffee with the Commissioner" that Es cambia County EMS had responded to 1,860 overdoses this year, with 23 occurring during the week of Nov. 14. The nearly two dozen overdos es happened the same week that the Levin Pa pantonio Rafferty law firm announced that it had helped secure a $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart in its opioid lawsuit, bringing the total settlement from national retail pharmacy com panies, including CVS and Walgreens, to $13.8 billion. Northwest Florida is receiving over $15 million from the settlements to help deal with opioid abuse.

AILEEN CANNON

A three-member panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals appears likely to side with the Justice Department's appeal that U.S. District Judge Cannon, a Trump appoin tee in 2020, erred in appointing a special master to review the documents seized from the pres ident's Mar-a-Lago residence. Senate Repub licans pushed through the 40-year-old's nomi nation after Trump lost the 2020 election. Legal experts have repeatedly questioned Cannon's in tervention in the case, especially after she over ruled the special master she selected on key is sues as he pressed Trump's attorneys to provide evidence backing their arguments. And for those wanting to protest the appellate panel's treat ment of the former president, two of the judges are also Trump appointees.

Dr. Amit and Shruti Gupta / Courtesy of Baptist Hospital

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

A sense of optimism prevailed at the Escam bia County Commission Chambers and Pen sacola City Hall when the new mayor, coun ty commissioners and city council were installed. The transfer of the chairman's gavel from Commissioner Jeff Bergosh to Lumon May went smoothly, without riots or attacks on the media. The city council elected its president and vice president unanimously.

Escambia County has gone through a tu multuous four years—the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Sally, the shutdown of the Pensaco la Bay Bridge, an inexperienced county admin istrator who seemed determined to blowout government operations, a commissioner found guilty of numerous state ethical violations, a once-daily newspaper that attacked four com missioners and their attorney, and those out of power in city hall who loved the chaos because they thought it could get them a county mayor.

The newly elected Dis trict 2 county commis sioner, Mike Kohler, is a welcomed change on the county commission. He campaigned hard, knocked on doors and listened to the voters of his district. Kohler understands his constitu ents' wants and expectations. He will focus on process and deliverables, not theatrics.

District 4's Robert Bender faced challengers from the right and left, easily winning the Re publican primary and general election. The vot ers appreciated his quiet, focused leadership. The anti-county government crowd needed his opponent to win to gain a foothold in the coun ty and get their agenda passed. Their message was rejected.

Commissioner Lumon May taking over the commission was also encouraging. By far the most popular board member, May has been a transformative leader that has brought togeth er all sectors of the city and county. He works toward "yes" with his fellow commissioners and puts people before politics.

At city hall, D.C. Reeves gave a nearly per fect inauguration speech. He thanked his family, friends and supporters and talked about serving the entire community. Reeves understands that Pensacola can't be a great community unless all

segments prosper. His job is not to build a bright future just for his daughter, Caroline, but for all our children and grandchildren.

His experiences as a journalist, small business owner and chief of staff for Quint Studer have equipped him to be Pensacola's strong mayor. Reeves has learned to listen and has traveled the country interviewing and talking with great lead ers and thought-leaders, ranging from Alabama's Coach Nick Saban to Chuck Maron, the founder of Strong Towns. And while he's a little of a "data wonk," Reeves's campaign, like Kohler's, has con nected him with the people he will serve as mayor.

The good news for Reeves is that it looks like he will be working with a city council that is unit ed. Charles Bare comes with experience and an understanding of how city operations work. He also realizes it takes four votes to get items passed, and he needs to garner at least three votes on any issue. Attorney Al lison Patton beat an incum bent, which is never easy. She met the District 6 vot ers on the campaign trail and knows what they want to see happen over the next four years. Her professional, analytic leadership style should fit well with Mayor Reeves' approach.

The unanimous election of Delarian Wig gins as the council president was a welcomed surprise. In the past, the elections have gone several rounds before settling on the president. Wiggins has been a strong, innovative lead er since winning the District 7 seat in 2020. He worked with Mayor Grover Robinson to hold a gun buyback event to draw attention to gun vio lence in the city.

Wiggins called for a moratorium on any more city funding for Re-Entry Alliance of Pen sacola (REAP) until the city can review REAP's expenditures for its homeless camp on West Moreno Street behind Baptist Hospital after he visited the camp before Labor Day and was ap palled at what he saw.

The election of Wiggins made history be cause it's the first time the Black community has had leaders lead both the Pensacola City Coun cil and Escambia Board of County Commissioners at the same time—just another reason to be opti mistic about our future. {in} rick@inweekly.net

The good news for Reeves is that it looks like he will be working with a city council that is united.

The high heels were indeed a revolutionary act for the councilwoman. But her pants—sleek, black and shiny—were simply spectacular.

"They're not real leather," Myers clarified later in the afternoon. "So, I can stay true to my vegetarianism."

Classic Sherri. Painfully principled, but with a sense of humor. During her tenure, Councilwom an Myers has practiced her particular style of

"I was met with a lot of hostility," she said. "Back then was very difficult for me. And I found it very difficult to get anything done for District 2."

Before getting on the city council, Myers, an attorney by profession, had a collection of issues on which she focused her energies. She was a champion for people with disabilities, was con cerned about protecting trees and was pushing

for the restoration of Carpenter Creek. Once on the council, she tried to get the rest of council on board with these causes.

"The first issue I brought up the first month I was on city council was Carpenter Creek, and the city council was not interested," Myers recalled.

Over the years, the councilwoman had varying successes in pushing efforts that she considered important. In the micro, she experi enced countless defeats, but in the macro, the bigger picture, the councilwoman saw some meaningful movement on a number of fronts.

Improving the city's landscape when it came to complying with the Americans with Disabili ties Act became a regular part of the conversa tion. Protections for heritage trees were beefed up. The restoration of Carpenter Creek is now a community cause celebre with federal funding.

"Tremendous amount of movement," Myers said, considering this progress. "And that's be yond my wildest imagination."

Over the years, there have certainly been challenges. Some brawls have spilled from the walls of city hall and into the public's view. Myers famously filed lawsuits against Mayor Hayward when she felt he'd overstepped his authority, and the councilwoman has shown no shyness about slugging it out with Mayor Grover Robinson over various issues.

But in the end, Myers has a number of vic tories. Her long-sought safety improvements for Burgess Road are now a reality. Efforts she pushed to diversify activity at the Port of Pen sacola have taken flight.

And, of course, the city now has a plan to deal with climate change following Myers' efforts to establish a task force to focus on the issue. The councilwoman actually had to get creative

"The city of Pensacola is so much further ahead than many cities around us in that we actually have a plan. The city is actually imple menting a lot of it. And I am really proud of that. We accomplished that at a time when we had a governor that would not let state employees use the word climate change," Myers said. "The big gest thing I had to struggle with is, 'How do we not use the word climate change?' So, I called it

'climate adaptation and mitigation.' That didn't sound like it would hurt anybody."

PART OF THE CONVERSATION

Sherri Myers was never going to be Pensac ola's mayor. That was never the plan when she decided to run for the position. She said, "My goal was to be part of the conversation, to have a seat at the table, to raise the issue of equity, and not leave anyone behind."

This issue of equity, of leveling the playing field for all of Pensacola's citizens, is something Myers feels could benefit the city. She'd like to see this theme enshrined within the city's char ter. She shared, "That is something that we lack in this city. The city of Pensacola does not have a plan to make equity a core value."

Throwing an issue as broad as equity on the table opens doors to discussions that Myers hopes the city has the courage to dive into. Issues like gentrification. "I don't know why people are afraid to take that issue up and to openly discuss it."

"People are finally talking about gentrifi cation, but what that has meant for the Black community, if you look at the Census, is that the African American community is shrinking, which means they're losing political power," My ers pointed out. "The African American com munity is being displaced and very rapidly."

Myers said that she's glad these issues were given oxygen during the mayoral campaign, and she's hopeful that D.C. Reeves, Pensacola's new mayor, will show interest in pursuing them. As for herself, now that she's free of the shackles of city government, the former councilwoman plans to return her attention to things that mat ter to her most—tree protections, ADA compli ance and continuing to push restoration efforts in the Carpenter Creek watershed.

So, Myers is leaving. But, as she noted in her closing public remarks, she's not really go ing anywhere.

"When I leave here, nothing is going to change other than I won't be up here," Myers said, promising to continue pushing for things she believes in. "I've been fighting for the same things all my life." {in}

THE REEVES ERA BEGINS

sacola's future. The word 'potential' is being replaced with 'progress.'"

But he doesn't want to rest on the city's re cent accomplishments. "We have come a long way due to the efforts of so many. Still, it is not the time to rest. Business remains unfinished. Yes, we have issues to address in safety and in housing, but we also have too much poverty. We still experience a racial divide. Rest can come when Pensacola is a great place—not just for a few, not for most, but for all people."

Reeves said the future is about making Pen sacola better for all our children. "I love Caroline with all my heart. It's a love that's transcendent just as you feel about your child, but this future of ours and Pensacola isn't about one child. It's about treating every child like they're ours. They all deserve a safe space to sleep, a good place to learn and opportunities to get a good job when you grow up."

He closed, "I look forward to working togeth er to make Pensacola a great place for everyone. Much has been given to me. I am committed with your help to give you everything I have to meet the expectations that come with being the mayor of Pensacola. Thank you for this opportu nity, and God bless this place."

THE NEW COUNCIL

By Jeremy Morrison

The public face of Pensacola looks a little different, with several elected officials exit ing office and others being installed during a series of ceremonies on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Pensacola City Hall. Notably, Pensacola's new mayor, D.C. Reeves, began his political career, while former mayor Grover Robinson wrapped his time at the helm.

Robinson thanked Pensacola's residents for electing him, adding, "Serving as mayor in your hometown is a special feeling."

He briefly ticked off the highlights of his time in public office, which included 12 years as an Escambia County commissioner. He also al luded to the numerous challenges that plagued his mayoral years, such as the coronavirus pan demic and Hurricane Sally or social justice pro tests. "As St. Paul says in his epistle, 'I have run the race, and I've fought the good fight.'"

Mayor Reeves nodded toward the city's revitalization in recent years but stressed that more work should be done.

"Today's the greatest honor of my life. I'm humbled by the love I've felt from the people of my hometown," Mayor Reeves told a packed gallery of spectators after being sworn into of fice by his brother, James Reeves II. "And it's a dream to have this chance to serve."

MUCH EXPECTED

The mayor also expressed his appreciation to his predecessor and the "city administration and our staff, all 800-plus, for investing their time and energy and making sure I'm as prepared as I could possibly be to serve you starting today."

While thanking his parents, family and friends, he said, "That Bible I just had in my hand seconds ago tells us that when much is given, much is expected. I'm grateful for every thing I've been given."

He continued, "I was given the opportunity to attend schools in Escambia County, to attend the state university and to be given so many great friends and mentors along the way, many of whom are in the audience today. I've been given the opportunity to work and build rela tionships across Pensacola.

"As a journalist, I've been given the opportu nity to work in other cities to learn and to realize how much I miss my hometown. I've been given the opportunity to come back here and work for a nonprofit focused on quality of life to be able to start civic and get to know the best of the best in making cities great and to focus on helping small businesses start and grow to work for people as dedicated to our city as Quint and Rishy Studer."

The mayor mentioned the trials and tribula tions of being a small business owner. "I learned what it means to risk it all for something you

believe in and maybe a few life lessons about managing that through a pesky hurricane in a global pandemic."

He tied it to his theme—"If you can say that they've been given so much and this path has led me here in front of you today, and I'm grate ful for so much, including this opportunity to be your mayor. Yes, much has been given, and much is expected."

And Reeves began to set the tone for his administration. "So what do the citizens of Pen sacola expect? I believe they expect to feel safe no matter who you are or where you are. That is job one. They expect to have the opportunity for a job at a wage that doesn't have Pensacola families living paycheck to paycheck. They ex pect to have the opportunity to live in the city and do so within their means. That this is my focus moving forward."

He noted how much Pensacola has pro gressed over the past two decades. "When I left Catholic High school 20 years ago, me and most of my classmates had the notion that you would leave and you would never come back. Today, we are considered by many to be one of the South's emerging communities. We are a city in demand," the mayor said.

"We are a city in demand. Our popula tion is increasing, something we haven't been able to say in a long time. When surveyed, our citizens are feeling more positive about Pen

In addition to installing a new mayor, Pensac ola also had a change on the dais of the Pensacola City Council. Outgoing council President Ann Hill was replaced by newcomer Allison Patton, who will be representing District 6. In District 2, Sherri Myers walked away from her 12 years of service, as Charles Bare returned to the council, where he previously served as an at-large member until a charter referendum eliminated the at-large seats. And Councilman Jared Moore was reinstalled for another term representing District 4.

The city council unanimously selected De larian Wiggins and Casey Jones to serve as its new president and vice president, respectively.

Council President Wiggins thanked Robin son, as well as his peers, who were saying good bye, and also welcomed Mayor Reeves and said he was looking forward to moving into a new era of municipal government in Pensacola.

After the meeting, Wiggins told Inweekly that he thought the unanimous votes were a "sign of unity and a vote of confidence."

"I like I've said before, we have a great coun cil," he said, pointing to the previous experience of Charles Bare and the legal and leadership background of Allison Patton, the new two newcomers to the council.

"I think overall, just to get a unanimous vote for both myself and Casey Jones shows that the council is ready to move forward with a lot of great projects," Wiggins shared. And I truly ap preciate my colleagues for their vote."

Of Mayor Reeves, Wiggins said, "He wants to be the people's mayor. He wants to bring new, fresh ideas and to really look at how this city has worked in the past and to bring a new dynamic. I think that he's great. I think he's go ing to do a fantastic job." {in}

D.C. Reeves Swearing In Ceremony / Photo Courtesy of City of Pensacola

FIGHTING ABLEISM, FIGHTING FOR A COMMUNITY

companies, churches and other organizations in the area that "need education on the reasons and actual needs of the disabled community, and help with meeting ADA requirements," said Phillips. The focus is "on the spirit of the law, not just the letter of the law."

Trident's Director of Disability Research, Katy Brennan, said, "I'd love to see [Trident] as a place where professors can go to learn about how to make their classrooms accessible." Bren nan sees Trident playing a critical role in higher education, from textbook recommendations to making classes more accessible, including an audio archive for visually impaired students.

Brennan described her role in Trident as "identifying gaps" between need and develop ing "plans to fill them effectively." According to Arnold, however, there are many issues that are difficult to quantify.

By C. Scott Satterwhite

For those living with disabilities, life can be a struggle. In both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, census data report that roughly 14% of the population in each county has a disability. While there are some governmental agencies at the local and state level to assist people with disabilities, the need of a nonprofit organization run by those who know what it's like to be dis abled is apparent.

Enter a new nonprofit—Trident Disabilities. Trident Disabilities is the brainchild of Mat thew Arnold. According to Arnold, the idea came to him while he was in high school. "I faced a lot of bullying, and I noticed that many of my peers with disabilities had similar experi ences," said Arnold. In response, Arnold and a few of his friends started Trident Club to begin organizing around disability issues.

When Arnold went to college, he took the idea further and started the nonprofit Trident Disabilities. "I realized through my advocacy and interactions with other people who had disabilities that if we were going to get the ac cessibility and open environment we wanted, it would need to start with us," said Arnold. "Only we could understand our pain and experiences to the full extent that provoked change."

THE MAKING OF A MOVEMENT

The Disability Rights Movement has a long and storied history going back to the 1800s, at least. However, the difficult years of the Great Depression brought about some of the nation's first organizations looking to bring equity for citi zens with disabilities, both physical and mental. The movement continued to press the government to do more for those with dis abilities but often met resistance from various sectors. As the modern Civil Rights Movement inspired countless people across the globe to fight for equality, the growing Disability Rights

and sit-ins in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the most famous actions was in 1977 at the Federal Building in San Francisco, where organizers and activists waged a prolonged sit-in that forced President Jimmy Carter to sign federal regula tions that prohibited discrimination against those with disabilities. According to organizer Kitty Cone, for the first time in history, disability rights were "looked at as an issue of civil rights rather than an issue of charity and rehabilitation at best, pity at worst."

After the San Francisco sit-in, the move ment grew, as did the militancy. In 1990, as the protesters gathered at the steps of the U.S. Capitol waiting to hear news of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), word circulated that there was a delay. Lobby ists for various sectors of the transportation industry held up passage over regulations to make mass transit more accessible. In response, activists left their wheelchairs, crutches and walkers and crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol. This dramatic display proved the de termination of the movement to force passage of the ADA, which cleared congress shortly after. Weeks later, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, ushering in many new rights to help protect people with disabilities.

The government, however, can only go so far. This is where organizations like Trident Dis abilities step into the picture.

BUILDING AN ORGANIZATION

Lori Phillips was one of Arnold's high school teachers. "I was impressed with his work ethic and determination to help people with dis abilities," said Phillips. Arnold sought allies in the Disability Movement and reached out to his former teacher for help. "When he invited me [to join Trident], I jumped at the chance."

As the Director of Corporate Affairs, Phil lips is tasked with doing outreach to small

"I think some of the biggest issues stem from the cultural understanding of disability and how often we are seen as liabilities," said Arnold. Discussing the difficulties students with disabilities face, Arnold described a world filled with obstacles that include everything from taking care of service animals to the tre mendous difficulties with transportation, even with ADA compliance.

"It is hard to explain all of the things people without disabilities don't see or experience be cause each person and disability is so unique," said Arnold. "Things like if your motorized wheelchair [breaks] down or loses battery [charge] after your late-night class, leaving you stranded until you are found," he said. Arnold described other situations, such as the acces sibility of emergency exits to constant medical appointments that affect attendance.

Outside of school, work life for those with disabilities holds similar obstacles with less legal recourse in many instances. Despite protec tions of the ADA, discrimination against those with disabilities is very common.

THE LEGACY OF ARIANNA MOORE

One initiative Trident is working on is the Arianna Moore Legacy Project. Arianna Moore was a student at UWF who studied law. A bright student, she was often seen at UWF "laughing as she passed everyone in her fast hot pink mo torized wheelchair," said Arnold. A co-founder of Trident Disabilities, Moore was an active member of the student body.

Described by Arnold as a fierce fighter and close friend, he had a number of stories about Moore.

One was when Moore was helping with a fundraiser selling Braille chocolate bars.

"Her mom told me a story once where Arianna asked a guy to buy one and he said he didn't have five dollars. Arianna said, 'You don't have $5 to help people with disabilities?'"

"Her mom had to tell her to leave him alone, but you can bet if her mom wasn't there, she would have [left] with $5."

"Arianna was proud to be a woman, and she was even more proud to be a Black woman,"

said Arnold. But "nothing gave her more pride" than being in the disabled community.

A gifted student, Moore planned to pursue a law degree but died from complications after a failed surgery to regain the ability to walk.

"She was a person that everyone who knew her loved her," said Arnold. "Her loss was felt by many." Wanting to memorialize his friend, Ar nold said, "If I had the opportunity to share her story with the world, I would do so."

The Arianna Moore Legacy Project will give two awards each year—one to a student with disabilities and another to a professor who's assisted students with disabilities.

"This will help to combat the culture of academic ableism by showcasing students with disabilities and encouraging other university of ficials to look further into disability as a whole," said Arnold.

"It will also keep Arianna's story alive and promote future disability leaders."

CHALLENGING ABLEISM AND CHANGING MINDS

Since the inception of Trident Disabilities, the organization has focused on "creating im pacts within communities across the country to provide a more inclusive and welcoming environ ment for people with disabilities," said Arnold.

"I know it sounds like a lofty goal," Arnold said. "But I hope Trident can make impacts in every aspect of the disability experience. I want us to be the reason those without disabilities change their perspectives and habits towards people with disabilities." Arnold is not alone.

Reflecting on the future, Phillips described her hopes for Trident Disabilities.

"I dream of a day when people with dis abilities are considered part of the mainstream world," said Phillips. "Where organizations, sys tems and people lose their ablest mindsets and the disabled are seen as individuals who just need some accommodations to be full-fledged contributing members of society."

"Through education," said Phillips, "Trident can move us in that direction."

Understanding the challenges, Brennan hopes Trident will make an immediate impact. Describing Trident as a "small organization filled with real people that are invested in change" many of the staff members are them selves people with disabilities. "The vested interest is there," said Brennan. "That's why Trident is so important." {in}

TRIDENT DISABILITIES

tridentdisabilities.org

TRIDENT DISABILITIES' ARIANNA MOORE LEGACY PROJECT

You can donate to the Arianna Moore Legacy Project on Trident Disabilities' website at tridentdisabilities.org/donate. You can also learn about other volunteer opportunities on their website.

cesses things to try to make the right decision."

Commissioner Bender also thanked his family and supporters. "This really is an hon or. I'm excited for what we have accomplished these last four years but also what we're going to accomplish."

He gave a nod to the bipartisan politics that helped the past board get things done. Bender added, "Potholes don't know if you're a Repub lican or a Democrat when you drive over them. We want to put the best foot forward. We want to have jobs available for the people that live here, and we want to improve public safety."

Commissioner Lumon May took over as chairman, and Commissioner Steven Barry as sumed the vice chairmanship.

After the passing of the gavel, Commis sioner May said, "My commitment to this county is to represent this county in the best way that I can—to not always agree but to agree to disagree and to do what's in the com mon and the best interest of our community. Red, yellow, black and white. We're all great in God's sight."

He added, "We can't allow partisan poli tics to separate us based on red or blue, based on your social-economic position. It should be based on what's best for Escambia County."

BERGOSH RECAPS On WCOA, Escambia County Commission Chairman Jeff Bergosh talked with Inweekly publisher Rick Outzen on WCOA about his year chairing the board.

and see how that traffic flows."

In his District 1, Bergosh touted the open ing of the Beulah Library, the construction of the new Beulah fire stations and several stormwa ter projects. Bragging on County Administrator Wes Moreno and county staff, he added, "Noth ing happens quickly in government. It takes a lot of work behind the scenes with no fanfare, with no adulation."

EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS On Thanksgiving Eve, the city of Pensacola an nounced that all of the Emergency Housing Vouchers the city received from the U.S. De partment of Housing and Urban Development targeted for homeless households had been al located to eligible families, providing an op portunity for these families to find housing and other much-needed housing assistance.

Last year, the City of Pensacola Housing Department received an allocation of 35 Emer gency Housing Vouchers from the U.S. Depart ment of HUD targeted for homeless house holds. These tenant-based vouchers were designed to assist households who are home less or at risk of homelessness or fleeing do mestic or other kinds of violence.

The City of Pensacola Housing Department partnered with Opening Doors Northwest Flor ida Inc. to accept eligible clients' referrals and provide services for program implementation. As part of this program, additional funding was provided to help remove barriers to finding and

leasing a rental unit, such as security and util ity deposits, application fees, set up of basic household items and transportation. Through the case management received under this pro gram, an additional five households were able to secure housing through other means.

BAPTIST REDEVELOPMENT PLANS At his last press conference on Monday, Nov. 21, thenMayor Grover Robinson hinted about the po tential for affordable housing developments on the old Baptist Hospital campus on Moreno Street. He announced that the time had come for the city to put some "skin in the game," with potential development deals being courted by Baptist requiring $460,000 from the city.

"This is probably the best way—this is the shortest way for us to get affordable, attainable housing built tomorrow," Robinson said.

The day after the presser, Jennifer Grove of Baptist announced, "Baptist has selected The Paces Foundation/Soho Housing Partners to transform a portion of this campus for the fu ture of our community. We are excited about this affordable housing opportunity that can positively impact both individual prosperity and community and economic development."

For the first phase of the E Street and More no Street campus redevelopment, Baptist re ceived three offers—each for a limited portion of the campus to develop multi-family afford able rental housing. The hospital selected Pac es Foundation/Soho Housing, a not-for-prof it affordable housing development partnership, because its plan "offered elements of the cam pus redevelopment vision that Baptist has been working with the community to create since the new campus announcement was made in June 2019," according to Grove.

In addition to offering the maximum num ber of units, the Paces/Soho proposal includes a 112-unit multifamily rental with a combination of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units, a 102-unit senior affordable multifamily rent al project, ground floor space for services and amenities and playground, and recreational and communal areas.

Paces/Soho, which has developed local ly Fairfield Manor, Century Park and Browns ville Manor, would purchase about 10 acres of the 51-acre campus to build these multi-fam ily projects. Its projects are contingent on re ceiving Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) 4% and/or 9% competitive tax cred it financing.

Paces/Soho will ask the Pensacola City Council at its Thursday, Dec. 15, meeting to provide the Local Government Area of Oppor tunity (LGAO) and the required $460,000 fi nancial support for a 9% application for the senior affordable rental development that the developers will submit to FHFC. The sup port tells the state that the city is invested in the project, which gives this project additional scoring points.

The developer applications are due at the

end of December to FHFC for both projects. Initial scoring by FHFC will be public in early 2023. Final awards will be granted to the select ed developers and projects in Spring 2023.

ECONOMICS OF WORDPLAY If these two projects at Baptist go through, the financing will require that the housing units be afford able or held to a certain price point. In this in stance, it's likely 60% of the Average Median In come (AMI). But as for the city's overall efforts to increase the area's affordable housing stock, gears may be shifting—linguistically, as well as in practice.

"Attainable housing, at this point, will be our number one focus," Mayor Reeves said during the Nov. 21 presser. He prefers the term "attainable" over "affordable." This represents a philosophical shift from a focus on creating housing for people who cannot afford the cur rent available market rate and creating hous ing for people who may not be held to a lower price point.

"We aren't building enough, period," Reeves said. "So it's a two-pronged process. One is, how do we build supply period, market-rate, any kind of supply—like, how do we get more doors here, first—and then second is, those tactical approaches on workforce housing, on attainable housing at a certain AMI, that kind of stuff."

The new mayor went on to say that the term "affordable" was subjective—that what might be affordable to a doctor, "if somebody makes a million dollars a year," might not be to some one else—and that he intended to focus on the more "holistic" approach of increasing the city's "attainable" housing. Reeves based this approach on the concept of "migration," which posits that an uptick in any housing will lead to a loosening of the housing market overall and opening up of recently vacated units on the lower end of the spectrum.

OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS COMING

The Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm recently announced that Walmart has agreed to pay $3.1 billion to settle national opioid law suits, bringing the total settlement from nation al retail pharmacy companies, including CVS and Walgreens, to $13.8 billion. The agreements mark a major victory in LPR's ongoing fight to hold corporations accountable for their roles in the national opioid crisis.

LPR Attorney Peter Mougey, who served as a member of the court-appointed leadership and negotiating team in the National Prescrip tion Opiate Litigation multidistrict litigation (MDL), explained the significance of the phar macies' agreements.

"Three of the largest pharmacies in the country chose profits rather than fulfilling their responsibilities under both state and federal law to heed red flag warnings," Mougey said in a written statement. "As a result of the efforts of the Plaintiffs Executive Committee, including LPR attorneys, substantial dollars will soon flow

Robert Bender / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County

back into our communities to address the opi oid epidemic at the local level."

In early November, Walgreens and CVS each announced an agreement to pay over $5 billion, respectively. LPR attorneys Jeff Gad dy, Page Poerschke and Laura Dunning worked with Mougey in the years-long effort against Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and the other mem bers of the opioid distribution chain.

Gaddy told Inweekly that over $15 million would flow into the Northwest Florida area over the next several years because of the settle ments. He said, "Obviously, that will go a long way toward funding treatment programs. Es cambia County ranks top in the state for opioid overdose and Narcan use on a per capita basis. These dollars will go a long way toward hopeful ly stemming the tide."

He continued, "The other thing that that's really important—and we're really proud of as it relates to these settlements—is the settlement aren't just dollars, but there's also some injunc tive relief that's going to force these companies to change their behavior."

Drug manufacturers and distributors will no longer be permitted to incentivize pharmacists to fill opioid prescriptions. They must create and operate systems that look for red flags as sociated with opioid prescriptions.

Gaddy said, "While the dollars are going be fantastic and really go a long way to helping communities all across the country, including here locally, the true goal is that some of these programs that these companies will be required to put in place as a result of these settlements will change the behavior."

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS To celebrate the creation of the University of West Florida's School of Education, the College of Education and Professional Studies has created a schol arship opportunity for educator alumni. The School of Education Alumni Scholarship will provide graduates from a variety of UWF edu cation programs the funds to enroll in educa tion graduate programs at the masters and doc toral levels in 2023.

"In July, we launched the School of Educa tion, which allows us to leverage partnerships and realize synergies with education commu nities in the region," said Dr. William Crawley, dean of the College of Education and Profes sional Studies. "This scholarship is an exten sion of that. We want to both celebrate and support our educators and administrators while also ensuring that our classrooms are in fused with the most up-to-date, evidencebased pedagogical approaches."

Mercedes Musto is currently in the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program. After teaching and developing students for some time, she said it was time to develop herself further.

"At the heart of every educator is a love for learning; that's why we teach. We want to inspire our wonder for wisdom in others," said Musto. "While the advanced degree launches our ca

reer and strengthens our professional practice, participation in higher education reminds us that to teach well, we must remain teachable, and to learn much, we must learn often."

Scholarship recipients will receive a $2,000 scholarship to be applied toward graduate tu ition in two increments. After the recipient is enrolled in one of the specified programs, $1,000 will be made available. After completing 15 semester hours in the selected program suc cessfully, another $1,000 will be made available. Scholarship eligibility infor and an application are available at bit.ly/3VlEC8p. For more infor mation, visit uwf.edu/soe.

GLOBAL MONTH OF GIVING As part of ASM Global Acts, the "Global Month of Giving" initiative, the Pensacola Bay Center is partner ing with Ronald McDonald House and Manna Food Bank to collect donations at Bay Center events until Dec. 17.

Donation opportunities will be avail able at the Ice Flyers home games on Dec. 2, 3 and 16 and the White Tie Rock Ensemble show on Dec. 17.

Guests can donate $1 to Ronald McDonald House at all concession locations throughout the venue. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida serves the area to love and support families of children with medical needs by giving them a place to call home.

The venue will accept healthy, nonperishable food donations at the entry gates before entering the venue. All food donations will go to Manna Food Bank, and guests who make food donations will receive one concessions voucher per party, good for one food or drink item on the day of the event. Manna Food Bank offers emergency food assistance, serves vulnerable populations' foodrelated needs and engages the entire community in the fight against hunger.

The most-needed food items include canned fruit in 100% juice (20 oz. or less), canned vege tables (16 oz. or less), canned chicken and tuna (12 oz. or less, cans and pouches), oatmeal (box es of individual packets), peanut butter (16 oz. or fewer jars and individual cups) and microwave able meals (e.g., Hormel Compleats).

ECUA BOARD The ECUA held its Organiza tional Board Meeting for 2022-2023 on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Lois Benson and Dale Perkins, re-elect ed to their district seats, were sworn in as repre sentatives to Districts 2 and 4, respectively.

The board unanimously re-elected Benson to serve as board chairman and Kevin Stephens as vice-chairmanship.  Also, by unanimous vote, Vicki Campbell was re-elected to the chair manship of the Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC), and Larry Williams Sr. was re-elected to serve as the CAC vice-chairman.

The board then re-appointed the follow ing citizens to serve on the CAC—Carl Punyko, Dean Kirschner, Louis Brown III, Larry Walk er, Ph.D., David Gaines, Imelda Cromartie and Louise Ritz. {in}

HOLIDAYS ON STAGE

By Savannah Evanoff

Whether it's children singing as reindeer, college students acting out the meaning of Christmas or a professional dancer twirling to an iconic song as a Sugar Plum Fairy, one thing is for sure—the Pensacola arts scene isn't short on holiday spirit.

This December in particular is filled with a slew of Christmas performances that sound, for lack of a better word, Christmas-ier than ever.

'LIKE COMING HOME'

For example, Ballet Pensacola's 2022 pro duction of "The Nutcracker" will be grander than ever—largely due to the size of its cast.

Artistic Director Darren McIntyre said the company has expanded to 20 profession al dancers and the academy has doubled in the past year, reaching 100 students.

And while the performance will follow the traditional storyline audiences know and love, McIntyre said the high-caliber dancers inspired the choreography.

"These are the kinds of dancers you would experience all across the country and around the world at bigger companies," McIntyre said. "Since we're such a small city and a small com munity company, it's nice to have that level. And our academy students are really blossoming, re ally growing and working hard. I generally try to choreograph movements throughout all my pro ductions that show the strengths of the dancers. The company raised the level several notches this year, so it's made the choreography more intricate and more exciting to put together."

McIntyre has no official explanation regard

ing Ballet Pensacola's rapid growth. He began as artistic director only a year ago, describing it as a "test-the-waters season."

"I think the word just spread of what we were doing here," McIntyre said. "My vision for the company was always to expand and de velop it to be nationally known eventually. My three-year plan turned into a nine-month plan … I'm overwhelmed with excitement at how the community and the Board of Directors of Ballet Pensacola has welcomed me here. Everybody's just been so wonderful, and things are going re ally well."

So far, McIntyre (who came from New York City) loves the restaurants, downtown area and, of course, the people of Pensacola. One thing he's taken special note of is how Ballet Pensac ola collaborates with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Chil dren's Chorus and Pensacola Little Theatre.

"Most of the time, arts organizations are on their own—like, you're the ballet," McIntyre said. "But here, I feel like everyone collaborates, and we've really enjoyed doing all those collaborations."

McIntyre has performed "The Nutcracker" for many years, and he describes it "like com ing home."

"Most people, when they think of ballet, they think of 'The Nutcracker,'" McIntyre said. "It's just tradition. There's something special about it. You do those first several weeks of re hearsals and think, 'This is going to be tedious.' But once I get started, it's kind of nice. It's fa miliar, and I think it also brings a lot of people together. All the kids love it; their families love it. Everyone participates in some way, shape or

form that's part of the organization and part of the community, and I think that's really special."

'JOY AND HOPE'

Like Ballet Pensacola, Pensacola Children's Chorus' holiday production is going to be "really epic" this year, said Juliana Child, the assistant artistic director.

This year's "Christmas on the Coast"—a holiday music performance composed of first through 12th-grade students—features tap dancers, a bigger orchestra than ever and tim pani. The latter is especially pertinent to the nativity sequence, which Child said is always a crowd favorite.

"It's going to be a really special show this year," Child said. "The show is going to open with a medieval holiday feast, complete with a king on a throne and a big feast being brought down the aisle and presented to the king."

Other new additions are songs sung in Spanish as part of a tribute to the Mexican holi day tradition of Las Posadas.

"We're going to give people a taste of how the winter season is celebrated in a different part of the world," Child said. "People will hear a good mix of songs they have never heard before and classics that they'll go hoping to hear. We're doing one medley that'll be set at a drive-in the ater, and the theme is Christmas on the silver screen, so people will hear songs from movies like 'White Christmas,' 'Home Alone,' 'Polar Ex press' and 'National Lampoon' and all that good stuff. So that's a fun one."

What Child hopes people will see, though, is

the hard work the children put into the perfor mance. The kids, especially first-timers, learn a lot through the rehearsal process.

"Not only do we spend the time mak ing sure that the music is really polished and that the choreography is really clean as well, but the kids have to learn about responsibility and accountability and what it means to work as a team and be a part of something that's larger than yourself," Child said. "Ultimately, we're the most successful when every single kid in each of the nine choirs understands that by the time we get to the production, that it's not about them as individuals, but that it's about the whole group putting this huge spectacular thing together."

The Spanish language songs were broken down into parts for rehearsals, so many chil dren won't know what to expect—until tech week together.

"When we start to add the set pieces, props, lights, costumes and the orchestra, that's the moment when you see those light bulbs go off," Child said. "And it's like, 'Oh, this is what we've all been working toward.' It's hugely exciting."

Children will wear everything from medi eval hoop skirts to cowboy hats and jeans to shepherd and angel costumes to reindeer and elf garb—really any image associated with the Christmas season, Child said.

"The music itself is bound to put you in the holiday spirit," Child said. "But beyond just the music, it's also just seeing 200 kids come to gether and all unite toward a common goal. I think that's really inspirational, and it can bring a lot of joy and a lot of hope to people."

THE CHORAL SOCIETY OF PENSACOLA'S "MESSIAH"

WHAT: Celebrate the holidays with a beloved masterpiece, as The Choral Society of Pensaco la presents excerpts from Handel's "Messiah."

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2; Noon, Satur day, Dec. 3

WHERE: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St.

COST: $5-$20

DETAILS: choralsocietyofpensacola.org

THE HEARTHSTONE THEATRE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL NIGHT"

WHAT: Set to familiar holiday classics and contemporary pop hits, the Hearthstone The atre's original holiday musical tells the story of a homey town square and a special ground skeeper who takes care of the residents of his community. Produced in association with Emerald Coast Dance Conservatory, the show features all local singers, dancers and actors.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3

WHERE: Pensacola State College Ashmore Fine Arts Center, 1000 College Blvd., Bldg. 8 COST: $17 (including fees)

DETAILS: facebook.com/thehearthstonetheatre

UWF DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE'S "THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL"

WHAT: This musical takes the audience to Ar madillo Acres (North Florida's premier mobileliving community), where everyone is filled with Christmas spirit and beer.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Fridays, Dec. 2 and 9, and Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10; 2:30 p.m., Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11

WHERE: UWF's Mainstage Theatre, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Bldg. 82, 11000 University Parkway COST: $20

DETAILS: uwf.edu/tickets

PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS' "CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST"

WHAT: More than 200 children will sing, dance and play instruments to various styles of holiday music.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10; 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: $15-$62

DETAILS: pensacolasings.org

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE'S "RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER JR."

WHAT: The holiday classic comes to life off the screen in this Broadway Junior, 60-minute musical adaptation.

WHEN: Various times, Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 18

WHERE: 400 S. Jefferson St. COST: $9-$33

DETAILS: pensacolalittletheatre.com

BALLET PENSACOLA'S " THE NUTCRACKER"

WHAT: Ballet Pensacola will perform the holi day classic "The Nutcracker."

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: $40-$50

DETAILS: balletpensacola.org

ANNA LEPELEY'S COMEDIANS IN DRAG DOING COMEDY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

WHAT: Attendees can give glory to the newborn queens at Anna Lepeley's Comedians in Drag Doing Comedy Christmas Pageant. Local performers will compete for the crown with their best drag lip sync and stand-up comedy, along with a Q&A bikini contest.

WHEN: 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17

WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox COST: $20-$30

DETAILS: vinylmusichall.com

TIDINGS OF COMFORT & JOY

WHAT: The beautiful venue sets the mood for a concert of seasonal music both religious and secular, traditional and contemporary, expertly mixed and chosen by WUWF's Dale Riegle.

WHEN: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23

WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 6 E. Wright St. COST: $15

DETAILS: wuwf.org

HOLIDAY DREAMS–A SPECTACULAR HOLIDAY CIRQUE!

WHAT: This show is a modern, exciting and original and features holograms, projection mapping, interactive lasers and BMX daredev ils. Holiday Dreams is worlds apart from the traditional cirque-style show, incorporating a talented cast of cirque performers, comedic ac tors, singers and specialty acts from all corners of the world.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 26

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: $40-$95

DETAILS: pensacolasaenger.com

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S "CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR!"

WHAT: Ring in the new year with unforget table music from Broadway's biggest hits, including "Wicked," "West Side Story," "Les Misérables" and more. Broadway vocal stars Mamie Parris, Madison Claire Parks and Bron son Norris Murphy join Maestro Peter Rubardt and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for this upbeat and lively tradition.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: $23-$86

DETAILS: pensacolasymphony.com {in}

PIZZA PUB

Do the Holidays DOWNTOWN!

It’s

Bodacious is your one-stop shop for the Holidays! From handy kitchen tools to our signature olive oils, there’s something for every name on your list!

Arts & Entertainment

A Wonderful, Musical Night

By Joshua Encinias

day, the country entered COVID lockdowns.

Kristen laughed while telling us the story, "Awe some timing, right? The pandemic pushed the cab aret to October, and then it moved to never." It's still something Hearthstone wants to do, but a seasonal opportunity presented it self over the summer, and the sisters couldn't resist.

Christmas "feels more true to me as a person" be cause she loves the holiday, as opposed to mak ing a show just for the sake of putting on a show. It's why Kristen chose the name Hearthstone for the theatre—it's the place in a home where people gather for warmth and create meaning together.

If you saw "Evil Dead: The Musical" at Vinyl Music Hall in January 2020, you were also see ing the birth of Pensacola's newest theatre troop—The Hearthstone Theatre. Pensacola natives and sisters Kristen and Kathleen Carter led five raucous performances of the horror musical. The cast's experience was so good that a cabaret was planned to raise money to purchase the rights for another show. Everyone wanted to work together again, and the best way to do that was to form a nonprofit theatre. Kristen navigat ed the legalese to create Hearthstone, and on March 16, 2020, the theatre was born. The next

"It's A Wonder ful Night" is being per formed on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Pensacola State Col lege's Ashmore Auditori um. The Christmas musi cal was born when Ursula Pegg of the Emerald Coast Dance Conservatory men tioned to Kathleen, her coworker at the conservatory, she wanted their students to do a Christmas recital. She decided to partner with the Carter sisters and include students in the show. Hearthstone would then be allowed to use Emerald Coast's new ly renovated sprung marley dance floor (donated by the Saenger Theatre), floor-length mirrors and premium sound systems for rehearsals.

Kristen, who works at the Saenger, wrote the script and pulled together songs for a jukebox mu sical that's similar to the "Mamma Mia" movie, ex cept her musical is about a magical Christmas based in a small town.

She told us that making the show about

Kristen and Kathleen saw a gap in local the atergoing that The Hearthstone Theatre aims to fill. Hearthstone aims to produce musical theater and shows that people in Pensacola haven't seen. That includes comedies and dramas that don't come through Pensacola on tour. "We want to produce shows that other companies or organiza tions aren't doing," said Kristen.

Ultimately, Hearthstone's 10-year goal is to join the League of Resident Theatres (also known as LORT Theatres). LORT Theatres can provide actors points toward joining the Actors' Equity Association, the union that all Broadway actors belong to. "Other community organizations in this area can't really provide that kind of credit," said Kathleen. But with time and community support, The Hearthstone Theatre hopes to be able to of fer it to local actors.

Before that can happen, Kristen and Kathleen are putting on "It's A Wonderful Night" thanks to a cast of over 20 local performers, the Emerald Coast Dance Conservatory, a sponsorship from Marine Mechanix and "a very generous donation from an anonymous donor," said Kristen.

"It's A Wonderful Night" was created around songs that Kristen chose, and it's structured with a prologue, seven different vignettes, an interlude and an epilogue. The vignettes connect in that they all happen in a town square in and around a gazebo (said gazebo cost $2,000 to create for easy in stallation and tear down).

Actor Clayton Habecker plays a grounds keeper, who is the only character that appears throughout the show. The groundskeeper is working on Christmas Eve when characters who need a little nudge and guidance encounter him. Habecker's character is reminiscent of the great Christmas ghost story characters (ala "A Christ mas Carol), who motivate change in those who need it most. "The show is a little fantastical," said Kristen.

The Carter sisters believe "It's A Wonder ful Night" gives Hearthstone Theatre the op portunity to show Pensacola what their troop can do. "We hope people will want to be part of what we're doing and join our mission," said Kristen. She said as the theatre grows, they can create shows on a regular basis and plan a sea son of performances.

The Hearthstone Theatre hopes to catch the attention of the area's talented performers. Kath leen said many leave and come back with incred ible experiences in the theatre, but they don't al ways have a place to show what they can do.

"How things work in Pensacola is changing," said Kathleen. "I think the younger generations are saying, 'It's always been a certain way, but it doesn't have to be.' We can bring new things to the Pensacola theatre community." {in}

a&e happenings

HOLIDAY EVENTS

WINTERFEST TOURS Downtown Pensacola is again transforming into a winter wonderland. Reserve seats on special themed tours includ ing the Scrooge Tour, Polar Express Tour, Grin ch Tour as well as Santa and Grinch photo ops and pre-shows for the public to enjoy. For tour information and reservations, visit pensaco lawinterfest.org.

SANTA AT THE LIBRARY Stop by your local li brary for Santa pictures and fun activities this hol iday season.

•Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Century Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd.

•Tuesday, Dec. 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway

•Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Westside Library, 1301 W. Gregory St.

•Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.

•Thursday, Dec. 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Ave.

•Thursday, Dec. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Molino Library, 6450-A Highway 95A

•Saturday, Dec. 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway

•Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway

•Tuesday, Dec. 13, 3-4 p.m.

Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Ave.

•Thursday, Dec. 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway

•Saturday, Dec. 17, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.

•Wednesday, Dec. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Molino Library, 6450-A Highway 95A

PALAFOX MARKET WEDNESDAY NIGHT

at 511 S. Palafox. Class is $85. For tickets, visit bodaciousshops.com.

WREATHS OF JOY Enjoy a sweet soiree with fine foods, seasonal spirts and an auction of wreaths for every season. Performances from Ballet Pensacola, Pensacola Symphony Orches tra and Pensacola Children's Chorus complete the evening. Event is at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tick ets are $250-$350. Visit wreathsofjoy.org for tick ets and details.

KITCHEN

WORKSHOP: GINGERBREAD

HOUSE BAKING, BUILDING & DECORAT ING This adults-only class offers an advanced gingerbread making class. The two-part class is $60 per adult. Part one is Friday, Dec. 2, from 6-8 p.m., and part two is Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m.-noon at 4051 Barrancas Ave. Visit facebook. com/pensacolacooks for details.

HOT GLASS COLD BREW WINTER WONDERLAND EDITION The December Hot Glass Cold Brew will be Friday, Dec. 2, starting at 5 p.m., at First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. This month's theme is Winter Wonderland, with limited handcrafted cups, craft beer, food trucks and glass blowing and ceramic demonstrations. Tickets are $25-$35. Visit firstcityart.org for details.

THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL The UWF Department of Theatre presents "The Great American Trailer Park Christ mas Musical" with music and lyrics by David Ne hls and book by Betsy Kelso. Performances will be held Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sun day. Performances will take place in the Mainstage Theatre of the CFPA, Bldg. 82, at 11000 Universi ty Parkway. Tickets can be purchased at the CFPA Box Office, Bldg. 82, by calling (850) 857-6285 or online at uwf.edu/tickets.

S'MORES WITH SANTA American Legion Post 78, located at 6025 Spikes Way in Milton, will host its first-ever S'mores with Santa event Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30-8 p.m., and will feature hayrides and s'mores by the campfire. Warm beverages such as hot chocolate and apple cider will also be available.

CHRISTMAS MESSIAH The Choral Society of Pensacola presents "Christmas Messiah" on Fri day, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 3, at noon, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St. Tickets are $5-$20. Visit choralsoci etyofpensacola.org for more information.

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN

ARTS & CRAFTS

SHOW Find unique gifts among 45-plus unique vendors. Crafts show is 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, at 3200 N. 12th Ave. Visit scpen.org/cara van2022.html for details.

WINTER ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR The an nual Winter Arts and Crafts Fair at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, located at 6842 Oak St., is Fri day, Dec. 2-Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Browse one-of-a-kind art, custom jewelry, wood crafts, candles and other creative handiwork. Homemade turkey gumbo, as well as baked and canned goods, will be available for purchase from the Episcopal Church Women.

HOLIDAY MARKET AT SEVILLE SQUARE

Get your holiday shopping done at the Holiday Market in Seville Square, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. There will be bounce houses, kids orna ment station, live entertainment and food trucks.

BEACHMAS: LUNCH &

STORYTIME WITH

SANTA Hang with Santa and enjoy holiday fes tivities 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Laguna's Beach Bar and Grill, 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd. Storytime begins at 12:30 p.m. Dinner and story time with Santa is Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11, from 4-6 p.m.

HOLIDAY EDITIONS

Palafox Market will host four new Wednesday night market dates to cele brate the holiday season. Dates are Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Palafox Market will host 50-plus ven dors from 4-8 p.m. Bars/breweries interested in setting up as a vendor can email emilyk@down townpensacola.com.

ASCENSION SACRED HEART CHRISTMAS

TREE LIGHTING Ascension Sacred Heart Pen sacola will host its annual Christmas tree-light ing ceremony at the front of the hospital's cam pus on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5-7 p.m. Parking for the event is available in the Ninth Avenue Parking Garage. Guests are invited to gather in the court yard next to the hospital's conference center, 5151 N. Ninth Ave.

The tree-lighting is an event going back de cades and will feature a young patient from the Studer Family Children's Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart setting the 50-foot tree aglow for the holidays. Activities include photos with Santa Claus, arts and crafts, cookies, hot chocolate and a choir providing sounds of the season.

The event is free to the public.

WREATH

WORKSHOP AT 5ELEVEN

PALAFOX Spruce up your door this season with a fresh holiday wreath decorated and de signed by you. Class is 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1,

FAMILY FUN CLASS—14TH ANNUAL GIN GERBREAD DECORATING & BAKING CLASS This two-day class is for one adult and one child. Times are 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4051 Barrancas Ave. Visit face book.com/pensacolacooks to sign up.

MAKE A GIFT DAY AT PENSACOLA LI

BRARY Make someone special in your life an extra special present or three at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. Be sure to visit the card-making station and giftwrapping station to wrap up your special home made gifts before you leave. Available while sup plies last.

ST. MARY'S WINTER ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR

The St. Mary's Episcopal Church Winter Arts and Crafts Fair is Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6849 Oak Street, Milton. Hours are Fri day, noon-6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Vendors will be selling handmade crafts, cus tom jewelry, artwork, woodcrafts, candles and other creative handiwork. Visit the event to shop local for one-of-a-kind treasures and for homemade turkey gumbo, baked goods and grilled hamburgers.

Contact the church at (850) 623-2905 or email stmarysmiltonflorida@gmail.com for more information.

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE The annual holiday lighted boat parade is 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. The parade will set sail from Sabine Marina on Pensacola Beach and do a loop around Santa Rosa Sound. Spectators can watch from Little Sabine or Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.

JINGLE BELLS ON THE BAY

The Jingle Bells on the Bay Holiday Indoor Market will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Sanders BeachCorinne Jones Resource Center, located at 913 S. I St. Event entrance and parking are free. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, contact hhellrich@cityofpensacola.com.

MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS DRIVE-IN MOV

IE & TOY DRIVE The Magic of Christmas DriveIn Movie and Toy Drive will begin at 3 p.m., Sat urday, Dec. 3, at Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St. Watch the holiday film "Elf" (Rat ed PG). The movie will be broadcasted on FM ra dio at dusk.

Admission to the event is free, but guests are encouraged to bring a new packaged toy to do nate. All toy proceeds will be donated to a service organization of the event sponsors choice. For more information about The Magic of Christmas Drive-In Movie and Toy Drive visit playpensaco

a&e happenings

la.com or contact the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department at (850) 436-5670.

NAVARRE CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK Satur day, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Navarre's Annual Christmas in the Park includes the Merry Market featuring local and specialty retailers. Starting at 11 a.m. is the annual Navarre Community Christ mas Parade. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be featured in the parade atop a fire truck and will be avail able for photos after the parade is finished. The Christmas in the Park event will also include free baked goods and beverages at Mrs. Claus' Bakery, as well as live entertainment from local schools and choirs.

10TH ANNUAL SANTA PUB CRAWL O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox, will host its annual San ta Pub Crawl Saturday, Dec. 3, to benefit sever al charities. Event registration is from 4-10 p.m. at O'Riley's. General admission will require only the toy donation. The T-shirt Tier will require the toy donation and a $10 cash donation. The VIP Tier will require the toy donation and a $35 cash do nation. More information can be found at ori leyspub.com.

SLEIGH THE LITTER:

best dressed. For details, visit facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco.

PENSACOLA EARLY MUSIC CONSORT

EVENT The Pensacola Early Music Consort, un der the direction of Charles Tucker, is celebrating the Christmas season with a selection of holiday songs from the early music, traditional and Celtic Christmas genres. The event, happening Wednes day, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4600 N. Ninth Ave., will also include a number of traditional Christmas hymns for the audience to join in on.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTIONS Ani mal Allies will be at Pet Supermarket, 6857 N. Ninth Ave., Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 17. Over 35 cats and kittens will be looking for homes. All cats are up to date on shots, and adoption fee includes spay or neuter with microchip. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY ANIMAL WELFARE TO OFFER "HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS"

A HOLIDAY CLEAN

UP Our Corner will be hosting a beach cleanup Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Park West on Pensacola Beach. The exact meeting place will be the parking lot right before the entrance to Fort Pickens at 1334 Fort Pickens Road. Anyone inter ested in participating can sign up at ourcorneres cambia.org/volunteer.

CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH Celebrate the most beautiful time of the year at the Christmas in the South Festival, located at 3360 Joppa Road in Pace, Saturday, Dec. 3, from noon-7 p.m. Enjoy activities for the whole family as well as food and plenty of Christmas shopping.

DECK THE HALLS Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox, will host three special seatings with cos tumed carolers from Pensacola Opera, Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, with seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will be a special menu. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (850) 469-9898 or visiting jacksonsrestaurant.com.

THE PROPHECY: A TRIBUTE TO TRANSSIBERIAN ORCHESTRA A tribute to the ex travagant Christmas musical production. Show is 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $59 and up. Visit pensacolas aenger.com for details.

CRAFT & VINTAGE HOLIDAY MARKET Vis it Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox, Sunday, Dec. 4, for a special holiday market from noon-5 p.m. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

FIFTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HARRY POTTER TRIVIA NIGHT Join Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St., Tuesday, Dec. 6, for their Fifth Annual Holiday Harry Potter Trivia Night. Go dressed as your favorite wizard, warlock or fantastic beast and receive Happy Hour Beers all night long and all the Butterbeer you could ever want. First round of trivia begins at 6 p.m. Priz es are $100 gift cards to winning trivia team and

ADOPTION SPECIAL The Escambia Coun ty Department of Animal Welfare is offering a "Home for the Holidays" adoption special nowDec. 31. Anyone looking to adopt will be able to take home a cat or kitten for $10, or a dog or puppy for $25. Escambia County residents are required to pay a separate $11 licensing fee at the time of adoption. Adoption fees include spay or neutering services, microchips, heart worm tests and the initial vaccinations including rabies vaccinations.

The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. To learn more about becoming a foster or volunteer, visit myescambia.com/animalwelfare.

ANIMAL ALLIES BINGO Animal Allies Florida is hosting Bingo at two locations. Dates are 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 20, at Scenic Hills Country Club, lo cated at 8891 Burning Tree Road. $10 for 30 cards. At The 5 Barrel Brewery, 121 S. Palafox, dates are 6 p.m. Oct. 11 and 25, Nov. 15 and 29, and Dec. 13 and 27. $10 for 10 rounds. Proceeds go to help lo cal animals. You must be 18 years old to play. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

ARTS & CULTURE

NIGHT ON THE TRACKS Old East Hill sta ples including 309 Punk House, Waterboyz, End of the Line Café, The Handlebar and From the Ground Up are inviting folks to come out, mingle and move throughout the neighborhood for art, music, food and drinks, and skating, Saturday, Dec 3. Waterboyz, 380 E. Ninth Ave., will be offering free skating, $2 beers and vegan baked goods from 5:30-8 p.m.; End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St., will have "Love our Locals" specials from 5-10 p.m.; 309 Punk Project, 309 N. Sixth Ave., will have Artist in Residence Anastasia Leech exhibi tion from 5-9 p.m.; From the Ground Up, 501 N. Hayne St., will have live music from Pat Meusel from 5:30-8:30 p.m.; and The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona, will have live music from The Noiseh eads starting at 8 p.m.

a&e happenings

INFERNO BURLESQUE Inferno Burlesque show is 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $25 and up. Visit vinylmusichall.com.

309 NOVEMBER ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

ANASTASIA LEECH Anastasia Moray Leech is an artist born and bred in Pensacola. Her moth er is from Hong Kong, and her father is from Tex as. Her work probes ideas of hyperstimulation and hyper-reality while navigating the evolu tion of popular culture. She enjoys playing with the themes of camp, hedonism, and sensuality. Working in video, sculpture, and multimedia in stallation, Anastasia aims to create an ethereal relationship between physical and digital modes of connection.

During the month of November, Anasta sia will create an installation inside her studio room at 309, exploring how media and technol ogy evolve natural experiences and augment per sonal desires. Closing her stay on Dec. 3, Anasta sia will hold a community meal open to the public for her closing reception, where the complet ed installation will be on display. Visit facebook. com/309punkproject.

WHAT'S SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINE

MA ART PCA is located at the Studer Commu nity Institute, 220 W. Garden St. "Glass Onion" starts Friday, Dec. 23. Classic films are available for free through the PCA website. Visit pensacola cinemaart.com for more information and the lat est showtimes.

AUTHOR VISIT: ED HUDSON "AS THE CROW FLIES: THE REDEMPTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLER" The Molino Library welcomes retired Florida Depart ment of Law Enforcement Special Agent Ed Hud son as he discusses his book "As the Crow Flies: The Redemption of an International Smuggler," Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m., at Molino Li brary, 6450-A Highway 95A.

TABLE TALKS AT THE TRUST Join the His toric 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. For more information, please email hparchives@uwf. edu or call (850) 595-5985, ext. 125. The next date is Jan. 18, 2023, with Jess Cragg and Mike Thomin about the archaeology of piracy.

MOVIE NIGHT AT ALGA BEER CO. Visit Alga Beer Co., 2435 N. 12th Ave., every Monday at 7 p.m. for movie night. Follow @movie_night_at_ alga_ on Instagram to find out which movies will be featured each week.

LIFE DRAWING GROUP AT ARTEL Artel's life drawing group meets every Monday, except holi days, from 6-9 p.m. in Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox. For more information, contact Melvin at (850) 549-8783 or visit artelgallery.org.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Enjoy shop ping for a variety of handcrafted wares at Pensac ola Arts Market First Friday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave., on Friday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. Enjoy art, espresso, vintage goods, baked treats, handcrafted unique gifts and more. Admis sion is free. For more information, visit facebook. com/pensacolaartsmarket.

EASY GOING GALLERY ART MARKET Ev ery Sunday, Easy Going Gallery and Carter J Stu dios present a weekly art market Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Easy Going Gallery, located at 701 N. V St. Enjoy art, espresso, vintage goods, baked treats, handcrafted unique gifts and more. Ven dors can participate for a $20 fee. For more infor mation, contact easygoinggalleryart@gmail.com.

VANDALS TO VANGUARDS On view at the Pensacola Museum of Art, located at 407 S. Jefferson St., the Vandals to Vanguards exhibi tion explores the evolution of pop art and street art through works from the museum's collec tion and loans from local collectors. Exhibit on view through Jan. 28. Visit pensacolamuseum. org for details.

LOST PENSACOLA EXHIBIT "Lost Pensacola" is a poster exhibit that examines lost icons from Pensacola's past by Joe Vinson. Voices of Pensac ola, 117 E. Government St.

SÉANCE: PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHANNON TAGGART A collection of photographs that ex

plore the communities and phenomena associat ed with spiritualism, séance circles, mediumship and the devices used for communication with the spirits. On view at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson, on view through Dec. 4. Visit pen sacolamuseum.org for details.

SUDDENLY AMERICAN: A MEETING OF HERITAGE AND COUNTRY This exhibit looks at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territo ry 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 ear ly on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida. The Adams-Onis Treaty, de bated 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 celebra tion in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America. On view at Pensacola Museum of History through Dec. 23. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

CELEBRATE! 50 YEARS OF THE GREAT GULF COAST ARTS FESTIVAL This exhibit ex plores the incredible story of the volunteers who keep the festival alive. Through the past five de

a&e happenings

cades, little has made a larger impact on the city than the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival and those who dedicate their time to ensuring it remains a vibrant affair in the heart of Pensacola. On view at the Pensacola Museum of History through Febru ary 2023.

TEXTILES OF THE TIMES: REGENCY ERA

DRESS MAKING The period between 1811-1820 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 his torical 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 his toricpensacola.org for details.

SIT AND SPIN Meet other knitters and spin your yarn on the first Saturday of the month at Studio South Yarn Co., 955 E. Nine Mile Road, Unit 101. Visit studiosouthyarnco.com for details.

SCRIPTEASERS WITH PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE

Scripteasers, Studio 400's and Pensac ola Little Theatre's Script Reading Club invites you to monthly script readings at PLT, 400 S. Jefferson St. Want to bring your scripts for the group to read and discuss? Contact Pensacola Little Theatre to get in queue. The group reads prospective scripts for future seasons as well as new scripts that need a table read before the next edit. Not a playwright but love to read out loud? This is your easy, fun theatre night. Fascinated by the play selection pro cess? Sit in for a listen and usually a lot of laughs. Visit facebook.com/pensacolalittletheatre for more information and the latest dates.

OPEN MIC AT THE GORDON Show off your talents on the second Thursday of every month at The Gordon's Open Mic showcase from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free. The Gordon is located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. Visit thegordon.org for more information.

OPEN MIC COMEDY AT BIG TOP BREWERY

Try out some new jokes or enjoy some home grown talent every Monday at 7 p.m. for Open Mic Comedy at Big Top Brewery, located at 21 W. Romano St. Everyone gets five minutes depend ing on the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING

ARTS Mixon Magic Performing Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio located at 1010 N. 12th Ave., Ste. 238, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers profession al dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruc tion for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstop pers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult.

MMPA is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of all students and families and has im plemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the

building and studio. More information about Mix on Magic Performing Arts can be found at mix onmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmag ic.com or emily@mixonmagic.com or by calling (850) 221-7438.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS AT

FIRST CITY ART First City Art Center offers a wide range of classes and workshops for artists of all levels. Classes include glass blowing, ceramics, painting and drawing, kiln-forming, stained glass and more. For a complete list of classes and times, visit firstcityart.org.

FOOD + DRINKS

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASSES The next A.B.C. is Thursday, Dec. 1, with classes at 5 and 7 p.m., at 600 S. Barracks St., with Funky Buddha of Oakland Park, Fla. Enjoy Chant Repeatable IPA, Floridian Hefeweizen, Hop Gun IPA and Maple Bacon Cof fee Porter paired with special tapas. Cost is $25 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are re quired; be sure to make yours by emailing taylor@ goodgrits.com or calling (850) 287-0200.

POPPIN' SINGLES WITH BIG JERK SODA CO. On Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1-3 p.m., Coast al County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road, will be teaming up with Big Jerk Soda Co. to present four new creations inspired by and brewed with a few of their most popular gourmet soda recipes. Try these Limited-Edition CCB Flights featuring:

Big Jerk Grapefruit IPA

Big Jerk Lavender Lemonade Seltzer

Big Jerk Cherry Limeade Sour

Big Jerk Pineapple Upside Down Cider

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAYS Sup port your favorite college football teams at Per fect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Wear your game day gear and get 15% off your beer tab. Visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

SAINTS SUNDAYS Deck out in your game day gear and watch your team on the big screen at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Get 15% off your tab when dressed in Saint's game day gear. Sundays Aug. 13-Jan. 8. Visit facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco for details.

FINE WINE FRIDAY Visit The Nest General Store at 11 S. Palafox, Ste. C, on the first Friday of every month for a wine tasting from 6-8 p.m. It's $35 a person and includes charcuterie and the op portunity to try their monthly wine club offerings in house. Visit thenestgeneralstore.com/events for more information.

MONTHLY

WINE TASTING IN AGAPI GAR-

DEN Visit Agapi Garden, at 555 Scenic Highway, from 5-7 p.m., to sample five wines for $10. For more information, call (850) 813-5683.

SUNDAY FUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE WELL

The Well, located at 42 E. Garden St., has ex panded its offerings with a Sunday Funday Brunch cocktail menu including items such as Spicy Palo ma made with Mezcal, a cold brew cocktail with Irish whiskey, a cucumber-infused spritz and a Bloody Mary spiced with house-made hot sauce and garnished with fresh pickled vegetables. Price range is $9-$12. Brunch hours are Sundays from

noon-4 p.m. Other small plate offerings are avail able Thursday-Saturday from 4 p.m.-one hour be fore closing. For more information, visit facebook. com/thewellpensacola.

BAYOU BUZZ COFFEE TASTING TOUR Se ville Savories Food Tour will host a coffee tour of downtown Pensacola Tuesdays-Fridays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tickets are available online at se villesavoriesfoodtour.com.

WINE WEDNESDAY Visit The Nest Gener al Store at 11 S. Palafox, Ste. C, every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. for a wine happy hour. Deals include $1 off listed by-the-glass wines, a waived corking fee, charcuterie plates and a $15 'wine flight' op tion. Visit thenestgeneralstore.com/events for more information.

WEEKNIGHT HAPPY HOUR Every weeknight before 6 p.m. at The 5 Barrel, get $1 off all The 5 Barrel pints, $2 wine by the glass and half off hum mus plates when you buy a pint of beer. Visit the 5barrel.com for more information.

TABLETOP TUESDAYS AT THE 5 BARREL

Join The 5 Barrel for a special Tabletop Tuesday event at 6 p.m. every Tuesday in March. A wide variety of games ranging from the classic chess to the crowd favorite Catan will be available. Players are welcome to bring their own games.

ARAGON WINE TASTINGS Wine tastings at Aragon Wine Market are back every Thursday

from 5-7 p.m. in store at 27 S. Ninth Ave. For more information, visit aragonwinemarket.com.

THURSDAY

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE 5

BARREL Gather a group for a weekly Thursday

Trivia Night Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at The 5 Barrel. There will be prizes for every round and select drafts for $3. Find out more at facebook. com/the5barrel.

THURSDAY

BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular de mand. Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., test your triv ia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 New man Ave. For more information, visit facebook. com/garysbrew.

PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market is host to local vendors and crafters at MLK Jr. Plaza. For more information, visit facebook.com/down townpensacola.

EVER'MARKET AT NINE MILE ROAD

Visit Ever'Man at 1000 E. Nine Mile Road on the fourth Saturday of each month for the Ever'Market with food, music, giveaways, activities and more. Visit everman.org for more information.

200 SOUTH SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Every first Saturday of the month, the businesses at 200 South will host Small Business Saturday to show support for local businesses. Bring a receipt from a purchase from any other downtown busi

ness and receive 10% off your bill at Graffiti Pizza, World of Beer, Taco Agave and Blend Lounge.

PENSACOLA POSITIVITY'S SUNDAY MAR KETS Sunday Markets on Palafox Street happen each Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in MLK Plaza on Palafox. Local makers, growers and creators gath er each under the oak trees to sell their goods to the community. Interested vendors can request an application by emailing requeaskmikellah@ gmail.com. For more information, visit facebook. com/palafoxmarkets.

SATURDAYS

AT THE MARKET OUTDOOR

VENDOR EVENT Located at 5300 Berryhi ll Road, the outdoor market features artisans and crafters alike from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Social distancing guidelines will be in effect. For more information, email saturdaysatthemarket@ gmail.com.

PENSACOLA POP-UP FARMERS MARKET

Check out fresh and organic produce, milk, eggs, meat, fresh-baked bread, mushrooms, lumber, grits, cornmeal, pies and plants Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at East Hill Market, located at 1216 N. Ninth Ave. For a list of vendors, visit facebook. com/easthillmarket.

UPTOWN PENSACOLA MARKET Check out local vendors of art, produce and other local trea sures every Saturday at 7201 N. Ninth Ave. from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit facebook. com/uptownmarketpensacola.

TWILIGHT THREE-COURSE SPECIAL The District's Twilight Three-Course special is back Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:306 p.m. Guests enjoy three courses for $35 per per son. Diners must be seated by 6 p.m. for offer to be valid. To make a reservation, call (850) 3325224, or go to districtstreaks.com. The District is located at 123 E. Government St.

LIVE MUSIC

WUWF'S RADIOLIVE The December Ra dioLive is 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, with Rupert Wates, Lara Herscovitch and Martha's Trou ble at the Museum of Commerce, 201 Zarago za St. Tickets are $10 and available at wuwf.org/ radiolive.

THREE DOG NIGHT Show is 7:30 p.m., Thurs day, Dec. 1, at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $39 and up. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

THE WOOD BROTHERS Show is 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $31. Visit vinylmusichall.com for details.

THE GLORIOUS FLAWS Show is 7 p.m., Fri day, Dec. 2, at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarrago na St. $10. Tickets available at thehandlebar850. com for details.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

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 this is our corner of the world, and our responsibility to help it thrive.

Where dreaming meets doing.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 1

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Journalist Had ley Freeman interviewed Aries actor William Shat ner when he was 90. She was surprised to find that the man who played Star Trek's Captain Kirk looked 30 years younger than his actual age. "How do you account for your robustness?" she asked him. "I ride a lot of horses, and I'm into the bewilderment of the world," said Shatner. "I open my heart and head into the curiosity of how things work." I sug gest you adopt Shatner's approach in the com ing weeks, Aries. Be intoxicated with the emotional richness of mysteries and perplexities. Feel the joy of how unknowable and unpredictable everything is. Bask in the blessings of the beautiful and bounti ful questions that life sends your way.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Of all the ob jects on earth, which is most likely to be care lessly cast away and turned into litter? Cigarette butts, of course. That's why an Indian entrepre neur named Naman Guota is such a revolutionary. Thus far, he has recycled and transformed over 300 million butts into mosquito repellant, toys, keyrings and compost, which he and his company have sold for over a million dollars. I predict that in the coming weeks, you will have a comparable genius for converting debris and scraps into use ful, valuable stuff. You will be skilled at recycling dross. Meditate on how you might accomplish this metaphorically and psychologically.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Tips on how to be the best Gemini you can be in the coming weeks—1. Think laterally or in spirals rather than straight lines. 2. Gleefully solve problems in your daydreams. 3. Try not to hurt anyone accidentally. Maybe go overboard in being sensitive and kind. 4. Cultivate even more variety than usual in the influ ences you surround yourself with. 5. Speak the dip lomatic truth to people who truly need to hear it. 6. Make creative use of your mostly hidden side. 7. Never let people figure you out completely.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): In my dream, I gathered with my five favorite astrologers to ru minate on your immediate future. After much dis cussion, we decided the following advice would be helpful for you in December. 1. Make the most use ful and inspirational errors you've dared in a long time. 2. Try experiments that teach you interesting

By Rob Brezsny

lessons even if they aren't completely successful. 3. Identify and honor the blessings in every mess.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): "All possible feelings do not yet exist," writes Leo novelist Nicole Krauss in her book *The History of Love*. "There are still those that lie beyond our capacity and our imagi nation. From time to time, when a piece of music no one has ever written, or something else impossi ble to predict, fathom, or yet describe takes place, a new feeling enters the world. And then, for the mil lionth time in the history of feeling, the heart surg es and absorbs the impact." I suspect that some of these novel moods will soon be welling up in you, Leo. I'm confident your heart will absorb the influx with intelligence and fascination.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo author Jeanette Winterson writes, "I have always tried to make a home for myself, but I have not felt at home in myself. I have worked hard at being the hero of my own life, but every time I checked the register of displaced persons, I was still on it. I didn't know how to belong. Longing? Yes. Belong ing? No." Let's unpack Winterson's complex testi mony as it relates to you right now. I think you are closer than ever before to feeling at home in your self—maybe not perfectly so, but more than in the past. I also suspect you have a greater-thanusual capacity for belonging. That's why I invite you to be clear about what or whom you want to belong to and what your belonging will feel like. One more thing—you now have extraordinary power to learn more about what it means to be the hero of your own life.

ry. I'm not here to scold you about this predilection. As a person with three Libran planets in my chart, I understand the appeal of considering all options. But I will advise you to take a brief break from this tendency. If you avoid making decisions in the coming weeks, they will be made for you by others. I don't recommend that. Be proactive.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Scorpio poet David Whyte makes the surprising statement that "anger is the deepest form of compassion." What does he mean? As long as it doesn't result in violence, he says, "anger is the purest form of care. The internal living flame of anger always il luminates what we belong to, what we wish to protect, and what we are willing to hazard our selves for." Invoking Whyte's definition, I will urge you to savor your anger in the coming days. I will invite you to honor and celebrate your anger and use it to guide your constructive efforts to fix some problem or ease some hurt. (Read more at tinyurl.com/angercompassion)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Sagit tarian comedian Margaret Cho dealt with floods of ignorant criticism while growing up. She testi fies, "Being called ugly and fat and disgusting from the time I could barely understand what the words meant has scarred me so deep inside that I have learned to hunt, stalk, claim, own, and defend my own loveliness." You may not have ever experi enced such extreme forms of disapproval, Sagit tarius, but—like all of us—you have on some oc casions been berated or undervalued simply for being who you are. The good news is that the com ing months will be a favorable time to do what Cho has done—hunt, stalk, claim, own and defend your own loveliness. It's time to intensify your efforts in this noble project.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "I stopped going to therapy because I knew my therapist was right, and I wanted to keep being wrong," writes poet Clementine von Radics. "I wanted to keep my bad habits like charms on a brace let. I did not want to be brave." Dear Aquari us, I hope you will do the opposite of her in the coming weeks. You are, I suspect, very near to a major healing. You're on the verge of at least partially fixing a problem that has plagued you for a while. So please keep calling on whatev er help you've been receiving. Maybe ask for even more support and inspiration from the in fluences that have been contributing to your slow, steady progress.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): It's tempting for you to entertain balanced views about every sub ject. You might prefer to never come to definitive conclusions about anything, because it's so much fun basking in the pretty glow of prismatic ambigu ity. You LOVE there being five sides to every sto

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The bad news—in 1998, Shon Hopwood was sentenced to 12 years in prison for committing bank robber ies. The good news—while incarcerated, he stud ied law and helped a number of his fellow prisoners win their legal cases—including one heard by the US Supreme Court. After his release, he became a full-fledged lawyer, and is now a professor of law at Georgetown University. Your current trouble isn't anywhere as severe as Hopwood's was, Capricorn, but I expect your current kerfuffle could motivate you to accomplish a very fine redemption.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): As you have roused your personal power to defeat your fears in the past, what methods and approaches have worked best for you? Are there brave people who have inspired you? Are there stories and symbols that have taught you useful tricks? I urge you to survey all you have learned about the art of sum moning extra courage. In the coming weeks, you will be glad you have this information to draw on. I don't mean to imply that your challenges will be scarier or more daunting than usual. My point is that you will have unprecedented opportunities to create vigorous new trends in your life if you are as bold and audacious as you can be. HERE'S THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What do you like a little that

news of the weird

'TIS THE SEASON Archaeologists in Turkey be lieve they have found the tomb of the real St. Nich olas, People reported on Oct. 19. The grave was discovered beneath the floor of a 7th- or 8th-cen tury church in the country's Antalya province. St. Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for our modernday Santa Claus, allegedly served as bishop there. Scientists say the site will be protected and pre pared for display.

IT'S A MYSTERY On a sheep farm in the Inner Mongolia region of China, a strange phenome non has been caught on surveillance video, Odd ity Central reported. Starting on Nov. 4 and last ing more than two weeks, dozens of sheep were seen walking clockwise in a large circle. Other ani mals could be seen staring at the circle from out side it, or standing motionless in the middle of it. Only sheep from one pen (out of 34) were acting strangely, according to Ms. Miao, the owner. Some viewers of the video theorized that the sheep are suffering from listeriosis, or "circles disease," but that condition usually causes a rapid death.

FISH STORY Bluewater Lakes in Champagne, France, is the home of the Carrot, a hybrid leather carp and koi fish that was released into the fishing lake 20 years ago and has been eluding fishers ever since, the Daily Mail reported. That is, until Nov. 3, when Andy Hackett, from Worcestershire, Eng land, landed the 67-pound beauty. Hackett spent about 25 minutes hauling in the Carrot. "I always knew the Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it," Hackett said. He released the fa mous fish back into the lake and celebrated with a cup of tea.

THE RULES In Tennessee, it is legal to collect roadkill for consumption, WJHL-TV reported on Nov. 20. In fact, the Tennessee Wildlife Resourc es Agency encourages people to take home ani mals found on the road, with some strict rules in place. For example, deer and turkey must be re ported to TWRA or local police within 48 hours of collection. But "bears, on the other hand, require that a TWRA agent come out and issue you a re ceipt for a black bear," said spokesperson Mat thew Cameron. That's because the bear population is monitored, and the TWRA takes a tooth from the animal for the purpose of dating it. In addition, tracking bear kills helps the agency prevent the sale of bear parts on the black market. "It's highly ille gal to sell any kind of bear parts in the state of Ten nessee," Cameron said, "but it does happen." Small animals such as rabbits, raccoons, squirrels and skunks can be collected without notifying anyone.

WIENER WAR A turf war of sorts broke out late on Nov. 19 in downtown San Diego, CBS8-TV report ed: Interloper hot dog vendors from Los Angeles had set up outside Petco Park stadium, where Duke Dumont was playing, and the San Diego vendors weren't having it. A brawl involving 10 to 15 people ensued, with one 35-year-old man being stabbed in the back during the fray. Police arrested Yoni Yates, 21, in the assault, which resulted in non-life-threat ening injuries. No buns were injured in the incident.

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

STOWAWAY TSA agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport saved the day on Nov. 16 when they spotted an unusual item in a passen ger's checked baggage: a live cat. NBC2 News re ported that the feline could be seen in an X-ray of the bag and was rescued before the suitcase went into the cargo hold. "The cat did not belong to the individual with the suitcase," TSA spokes person Lisa Farbstein said. "It belonged to some one else in the household."

THE DEMANDS OF THE JOB In Paris, a court has ruled in favor of "Mr. T," a former employee of Cu bik Partners who was fired in 2015 for being "insuf ficient professionally" because he wouldn't take part in "team-building" activities, i.e., going to the pub after work hours and on weekends. In his suit, Mr. T said the company encouraged a culture "in volving promiscuity, bullying and incitement to var ious excesses." The Court of Cessation declared that Mr. T "could not be blamed for his lack of inte gration in the fun environment," The U.S. Sun re ported. Cubik was forced to pay him about $3,100 in compensation.

EXTREME MEASURES Jermaine Bell, 38, spent more than three years in jail fighting charg es against him for an armed robbery in 2018, Lo cal10-TV reported. When he heard the guilty ver dict in a Miami-Dade County, Florida, courtroom on Nov. 21, Bell guzzled a cup of bleach, becoming so sick that he had to be removed from the court room on a stretcher. He survived the self-imposed attack, but officials are unclear where he obtained the bleach. Rev. Jerome Starling, a distant cous in of Bell's, saw him "drinking something that's not right, and that his attorneys are letting him drink it, the corrections are letting him drink it. And all of a sudden, I see him collapse. And I'm like, 'What just happened?'" Starling recounted. Bell's family mem bers are pursuing the matter.

OOPS Japanese food shops rely on remarkably realistic plastic samples to showcase their offer ings, but one Osaka shop mistakenly sold five plas tic pastries to customers on Oct. 22, Gulf News re ported. At Andrew's Egg Tart, a worker immediately noticed the mistake, and the plastic treats were ex changed for the real thing. From now on, the shop will use stickers to distinguish real egg tarts from their doppelgangers.

LIKELY STORY Police in Mathura, India, reported to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substanc es Act court that more than 500kg of marijuana, confiscated and stored in two police stations, had been "eaten" by rats, Gulf News reported. Officers told the judge that mice and rats, although small, do not fear police. A district judge ordered po lice to eradicate the "mice menace" and provide proof that the critters actually consumed the weed by Nov. 26. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2022 Andrews McMeel