Inweekly Dec. 21 2023 Issue

Independent News | December 21, 2023 | Volume 24 | Number 50

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winners & losers

outtakes

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We want it to be a Christmas gathering of sorts.

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publisher Rick Outzen

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contributing writers Joshua Encinias, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Dakota Parks, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

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Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2023 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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winners & losers

Photo Courtesy of Lakeview Center

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winners

losers

LANDRUMHR In a check presentation at Lakeview Center's December board meeting, LandrumHR presented a donation of $15,000 from the proceeds of their inaugural 5K Run/ Walk event held in October. The event promoted awareness of the link between physical and mental health. The money will support services and programs offered by Lakeview Center, a nonprofit that has served the community for almost 70 years. From Escambia to Walton County, Lakeview Center serves more than 24,000 adults and children with mental illnesses, drug and alcohol dependencies and intellectual disabilities.

AIR DESANTIS With the GOP presidential pri-

DAT NGUYEN & SKYLAR NOËL The Pensac-

ola High International Baccalaureate students have been awarded full, four-year QuestBridge National College Match Scholarships. Nguyen received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Chicago, and Noël received one to Duke University. Out of more than 20,800 applicants, QuestBridge selected 6,683 finalists to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. This year, QuestBridge's 50 college partners matched with 2,242 Finalists, who are recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients. This is the highest number of Match Scholarship recipients to date for QuestBridge.

OPEN BOOKS BOOKSTORE The Long Hollow neighborhood bookstore hosted the Banned Book Tour, which was created by Ben & Jerry's, Know Your Rights Camp and Kaepernick Publishing to raise awareness about the severity of book bans. Pensacola was only one of six Florida stops for the tour. Patrons received banned books, scoops of Change the Whirled ice cream and free downloads of Colin Kaepernick's new book "Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies."

SEA TURTLE PROTECTION Escambia County staff and volunteers contributed more than 1,600 hours this year to monitoring and protecting sea turtles and their nests on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key beaches during the 2023 sea turtle nesting season. County staff and volunteers patrolled area beaches May 1 -Aug. 31 in search of any sign of sea turtle nests, hatchlings or turtles in distress.

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maries and caucuses starting next year, Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to add more flights for migrants from Texas to Massachusetts and California in the first half of 2024. The governor has only spent $2 million since July 1 and has $10 million remaining in the 2023-24 state budget for his charter airline. His budget for next year includes an additional $5 million. No word on the snacks and in-flight movies offered to the passengers.

FLORIDA TEENS Florida lawmakers are asking high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to work longer and later hours to fill the growing number of job vacancies. The House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee voted 10-5 to back the bill (HB 49), filed by Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach. The bill exempts teens, ages 16 and 17, from the state's child labor law. If passed, the high school students could work before 6:30 a.m. and after 11 a.m.

They can also work more than eight hours even if they have school the next day and can work more than 30 hours a week during the school year.

Chaney's logic: "These are youth workers that are driving automobiles. They are not children." The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association loves the bill, but the Florida PTA not so much.

QUIT RATE While the rest of the country has

seen an 11.5% drop in workers quitting their jobs in the past year, Florida has seen a 7.4% jump, according to ResumeBlaze. The resume specialists analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and found Florida had 281,000 workers quit their jobs statewide compared to last year, which was only 261,000 employees.

The results were gathered by ResumeBlaze comparing the quit rates from September 2022 and September 2023 and seeing which had risen and which had fallen. Louisiana and Texas are the only two other states.

COVID DEATHS A reported 92,553 Florida

resident deaths have been linked to COVID-19 since the pandemic started in 2020, including 8,070 this year, according to data posted last Friday on the Florida Department of Health website. Escambia County had 231 last year, totaling 1,683 since 2020. inweekly.net

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outtakes

By Rick Outzen

LET'S ACHIEVE THIS TIME In this issue, Tom St. Myer reports that Achieve Healthy EscaRosa wants to improve health outcomes in Escambia County. I hope they have better luck than past initiatives.

Escambia ranks in the bottom third of the state in health, checking in at No. 51 out of 67 counties. That's worse than a dozen years ago. The University of Wisconsin's 2011 Health Rankings had Escambia 47th. We were supposed to improve from there. We didn't.

The University of Wisconsin rankings were based on 2010 data. Dr. John Lanza, who headed the Health Department in Escambia County at the time, expressed concern over the rate of premature death. Measured in the potential years of life lost before age 75, Escambia's 2010 rate was about 9,000 per 100,000 people. The rate is 10,000 today, while the state average has dropped from 7,896 to 7,200.

Obesity was a problem in 2010 and still is a major factor in premature death.

In 2010, 29% of the adult population was considered obese. It's the same percentage today. Sexually transmitted diseases have risen from 610 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 673.7 in 2022. Diabetes prevalence has edged up from 11% to 13% There are some positives. Adult smoking, which Dr. Lanza considered a top cause of premature deaths, has dropped from 29% to 20%.

The number of uninsured adults has gone from 22% to 12%.

Another positive is the drop in teen births.

In 2010, 52 births per 1,000 females between ages 15 and 19. The latest health assessment shows the rate has declined to 29 births per 1,000 females. However, the low birth weight rate hasn't changed, remaining at 10%. The percentage of children living in poverty is also about the same, 23% to 24%.

Baptist Health Care Vice President David Sjoberg chaired the Partnership for a Healthy Community. He felt there was a correlation between poverty and poor health outcomes.

Dr. Lanza cited the high unemployment rate of 10.5% in February 2011. He said the stress of being unemployed exacerbated high blood

pressure, excessive alcohol drinking and other chronic afflictions.

Poverty is still an issue in Escambia County, but we have seen some progress. The percentage of individuals living in poverty has fallen from 19% to 16%. The county's unemployment rate is less than 3%. Yet, our health outcomes have worsened. Why? We may be seeing the impact of Superintendent Malcolm Thomas dropping the school district's nursing program that put at least two nurses in every Escambia County public school. To cover a $3.18 million deficit, Thomas got the school board to approve reducing health staff to 1996 levels. The district switched to only 15 school nurses, of which seven handled clusters of schools. Later, the school board approved hiring a vendor to provide those nurses. No analysis was done by the Partnership for a Healthy Community or its successor, Live Well Partnership for a Healthy Community.

Another factor might be Baptist Hospital's decision to tamp down on its charitable care costs.

As I reported last month (Inweekly, "Who Cares?"11/16/23), the hospital near many of the county's poorest neighborhoods kept its charitable costs between $11.5 million and $13.1 million for the past six years, while the county's overall charitable care costs have skyrocketed from $29 million to $72 million, according to state reports.

What could make Achieve Healthy EscaRosa different from prior efforts? Dr. David Bellar, the dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health at UWF, and a broader base of key stakeholders.

Dr. Bellar came to the University of West Florida from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he was a professor and chair in the Department of Applied Physiology, Health and Clinical Sciences. He brings a fresh set of eyes to our health issues.

And we need more stakeholders involved because leaving this solely in the hands of the health department and hospitals hasn't worked.

We can't use the same processes and expect better results. {in} rick@inweekly.net

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The county's unemployment rate is less than 3%. Yet, our health outcomes have worsened. Why?

December 21, 2023

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MAKING ESCAMBIA HEALTHIER

By Tom St. Myer Health care concerns run rampant in Escambia County. Escambia ranks in the bottom third of the state in health, checking in at No. 51 out of 67 counties. Neighboring Santa Rosa fairs far better, with a ranking of 19.

Achieve Healthy EscaRosa is in the business of improving health in both counties. The broadbased collaborative includes hundreds of key stakeholders throughout the two-county area.

The stakeholders represent multiple sectors, including health care, business, military, education, faith, nonprofit, government and civic partners.

Using the collective impact theory, Achieve Healthy EscaRosa is working to develop a common agenda, establish shared measurements, foster mutually reinforcing activities, encourage continued communication and build strong community support. Its mission is to align resources to improve the health and well-being of the two counties, so everyone lives well and thrives.

Our community has had health collaboratives in the past. The Partnership for a Healthy Community, which consisted of the area's three hospitals, conducted health assessments in 1995, 2000 and 2006. The studies found health assessment worsened over time.

In 2006, the partnership created UniteEscambia, a new collaboration with the Health Department and United Way of Escambia County to conduct more comprehensive assessments to help define the vision for a strong, healthy Escambia County. Its biggest accomplishment was placing nurses in every public school, making the district the first in Florida with comprehensive in-school nurse programs.

Superintendent Malcolm Thomas dropped the program and eliminated more than five dozen nurse and health support technicians in 2013.

UniteEscambia was replaced with the Live Well Partnership for a Healthy Community, which promised to create a "Roadmap to Wellness 2014," a guide to area health improvement activities. The partners committed to providing leadership and resources to meet health goals and report results.

RESPONSE TO THE 2022 ASSESSMENT

The stakeholders convened shortly before Thanksgiving and showcased their accomplishments in response to the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment Report. Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care, Community Health Northwest Florida, Florida Health Escambia County, Florida Health Santa Rosa County, University of West Florida, EscaRosa Suicide Prevention Coalition, Escambia County Healthy Start and Simply Healthcare each contributed to the report.

The report identified overweight and obesity, mental health and substance abuse as the most important health issues.

Overweight and obesity are linked to the leading causes of death in the county. Cancer is first, followed with heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke and diabetes as the top five causes of death by rate per 100,000 residents in Escambia, according to the Florida Department of Health. Two-thirds of people in the Pensacola metropolitan area qualify as either overweight or obese, meaning their body mass index is 25 or higher.

Achieve Healthy EscaRosa cited poor eating habits, drug abuse and child abuse as the top three most concerning unhealthy behaviors in its report. In response, the organization formed a community health improvement plan and identified five priority areas in health care access: mental health, substance use, food insecurity, healthy community and child well-being.

"We need to look at health care access broadly across the area and make sure that everyone has the ability to have their needs met." Dr. David Bellar Achieve Healthy EscaRosa set a goal to improve health care access to high quality health care services in both counties. This comes at a time when the population is steadily rising. Still, the number of physicians per 100,000 residents in Escambia County is decreasing, accord-

ing to the Achieve Dashboard, a collaborative effort of Achieve Escambia, Achieve Healthy EscaRosa, and the Haas Center at UWF. The dashboard shows the number of physicians per 100,000 residents declined to an average of 267.1 in 2022. The average exceeded 335 in 2015.

"We need to look at health care access broadly across the area and make sure that everyone has the ability to have their needs met," said Dr. David Bellar, chairman of Achieve Healthy EscaRosa and dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health at UWF.

PROBLEM AREAS

Mental health follows health care access on the priority list. The goal is to Improve collaboration and coordination of community efforts addressing mental health access, treatment and prevention. Baptist, Lakeview and HCA Florida West Hospital collaborating to ensure Baker Act and Marchman Act patients receive proper care is a prime example.

The Baker Act is a Florida law that enables families and loved ones to provide emergency mental health services and temporary detention for people impaired due to mental illness and unable to determine their treatment needs.

The Marchman Act deals with substance abuse and allows a person to be involuntarily committed for up to five days.

Last year, HCA Florida West announced intentions to stop being a receiving center. The announcement prompted an influx of youth Baker Act and Marchman Act patients being transported to its facility. None of the HCA Florida West staff is licensed to treat children and adolescents for behavioral health. Baptist and Lakeview intervened with plans to form two central receiving facilities and convinced HCA Florida West to remain an adult receiving center. Baptist sees an average of about 120 Baker Act patients a week, and HCA Florida West sees about 70.

Achieve Healthy EscaRosa cited decreasing opioid overdose deaths as a goal for substance use. It plans to increase awareness around substance use and prevention resources and efforts. Opioid overdose deaths peaked in Escambia in the second quarter of 2021, according

to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

More than 60 fatal overdoses occurred during that three-month span.

Food insecurity is a prevalent problem in Escambia, where the homeless population outnumbers shelter beds by about a 6:1 ratio, said Walter Arrington, who oversees the Homeless Health Navigator for Community Health Northwest Florida. Achieve Healthy EscaRosa is addressing food insecurity by improving collaboration and coordination of food programs and organizations.

Santa Rosa ranked No. 5 in the 2022 Child Well-Being Index, but Escambia ranked in the bottom third of the state at No. 49. The lengthy list of factors to determine the ranking included births with no prenatal care, births to mothers 19 and older without high school education, births to single mothers, children removed from home due to abuse, fetal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. To address child well-being, Achieve Healthy EscaRosa set a goal to increase participation in child abuse prevention programs.

According to the FLHealth Charts County Health Dashboard, the number of Escambia residents in all three age groups (18-44, 45-64, 65-older) described their health as good or excellent at a lesser rate than the state averages.

Escambia ranks significantly higher than the state average in age-adjusted hospitalization rate for mental orders. The rate in Escambia is about 1,400 per 100,000 residents. On a positive note, that average is down from 2016, when the rate peaked at about 1,700 per.

The healthy community effort includes collaboration with the Department of Health concerning the implementation of a healthy lifestyle messaging campaign with the goal of reducing the impact of chronic disease in the community. One step to improved health is to increase the number of steps taken each day.

The simple act of walking is a deterrent to type 2 diabetes and other health-related diseases.

"We need to get our population out and moving," Bellar said. "So, one of the messages that I like to personally share with people is just to make sure they take a walk. Even a walk after dinner can help control people's blood sugar and help manage conditions." {in}

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

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CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS EQUITY AWARD

Sunday’s Child Jacey Cosentino

BEST NEW ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA AWARD

The Ella Jordan Home Janet Pilcher & Walter Gulley, Jr.

The Handlebar Robert Goodspeed, Chris McKean, Kathy Sandstrom

STRONG TOWNS AWARD

Amir Michael Fooladi

Lily Hall Kari Randle

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Kelly Hagen

Citizens Tree Canopy Restoration Project Chelsea Mahan, Kelly Hagan, Tom Patton, Bethany Edwards

PLACEMAKING AWARD

United Way of West Florida Laura Gilliam and Staff

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Upward Intuition Jon Shell

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We would like to thank everyone who attended the 2023 CivicCon Awards.

CivicCon is all about bringing people together to better our community.

SAFE STREETS AND PEOPLE-CENTERED TRANSPORTATION AWARD

GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS AWARD

East Pensacola Heights Neighborhood Association Noah Jones

North Hill Preservation Association John Jones

Street Chefs Unite Chris Graye & Ty Jones

The Last Mile 5k Frankie & Kristen Pesce FOUNDING MEMBER AWARD

LEARN ABOUT 2023 CIVICCON WINNERS AND THE LOCAL WORK THEY DO Visit pnj.com with this QR code Carolyn Grawi

CIVICCON AWARD

Jarah Jacquay

Leslie & Gerry Yandle

CIVICCON VOLUNTEER AWARD

Delores Shreeves

Young Citizens Development Dylan Patterson & Audrey Foss

José León

Jack Stevenson

Photos by Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

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Sign-up for CivicCon Newsletter: Find out how you can join the civic conversation.

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CivicCon is a partnership of the Center for Civic Engagement and the Pensacola News Journal to make our community a better place to live, grow, work and invest through smart planning and civic conversations.

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Will Dunaway ....................Shareholder, Clark Partington Attorneys at Law ............... Wdunaway@clarkpartington.com Kevin Robinson ................Content Coach, Pensacola News Journal ..................... Krobinson4@pensacol.gannett.com Lisa Nellessen Savage ......Executive Editor, Pensacola News Journal and Panhandle Region .....Lnelless@gannett.com Quint Studer ....................Founder, Studer Community Institute..............................................Quint@quintstuder.com The Center for Civic Engagement is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

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ANOTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Bellview Middle School will become the third school in Escambia County to adopt the Community Partnership Schools™ (CPS) model this year with the help of the Children's Home Society of Florida, Community Health Northwest Florida, Escambia County School District and the University of West Florida.

The model requires all partners to agree to a 25-year commitment. C.A. Weis Elementary has been in the program for eight years. Pine Forest High started last year and has seen its school grade jump from D to C. The addition of the middle school will allow partners to track students from kindergarten to graduation.

"Through collaborative efforts with our core and community partners, we've established a vital support network for students and families as they embark on their educational path at C.A. Weis Elementary, a Community Partnership School, progress to Bellview Middle and culminate their journey at Pine Forest High, also a Community Partnership School," said Lindsey Cannon, Executive Director of Children's Home Society of Florida. "This continuum guarantees consistent support throughout their educational pursuits, and we are thrilled to contribute to the collaborative efforts aimed at enriching our local community."

Children's Home Society of Florida received $80,000 in state grant funds after being selected by University of Central Florida's Center for Community Schools to launch a community partnership school at Bellview Middle, in addition to local financial contributions to support this initiative.

"We are excited about our partnership with the Children's Home Society of Florida," remarked Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard. "The addition of Bellview Middle School to our Community Partnership schools will provide our students, families and the entire community surrounding Bellview Middle with wrap-around services second to none."

The first step toward implementation is the planning phase, which includes a community needs assessment. Students, teachers, parents and community members identify their primary needs and challenges; the results of which will determine the services and solutions brought into the school.

Other critical components of this model include a focus on parental and family engagement and comprehensive health and wellness efforts.

"As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we 010 1

are driven not only to make healthcare accessible to all but to truly impact the heart of our community on multiple levels, "said Chandra Simmons, CEO of Community Health Northwest Florida. "This grant will support the planning and implementation of an all-important middle school component, which will link to our existing community schools at Weis and Pine Forest."

This collaborative approach leverages schools as central hubs toward improving child well-being by addressing key barriers to learning through counseling, medical and dental services, afterschool enrichment and mentoring programs.

DEC. 12 PRESSER NOTES Downtown Parking: Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the city would move to the ParkMobile App for its parking spaces Jan. 1. The app is available for Apple and Android phones.

"The app is one of the largest in the country," he said. "It's used by more than 600 cities and has 8 million users in Florida, far and away exponentially the largest, most often used parking app in Florida—Jacksonville, Orlando, Boca, Tampa, Miami Beach and Tallahassee use it. So, the outcome here is a much easier user experience in terms of finding where you're parking to do the transaction itself."

The ParkPensacola app will still be available for drivers during the transition, and city parking staff will get track of both.

Malcolm Yonge Gym: The 60-year-old gym that was closed last spring due to public safety concerns has gotten a brief reprieve. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which consists of the seven city council members, voted to put off a demolition contract recommended by the mayor. The CRA asked the mayor's office to seek more expert analysis of what it would cost to repair the structure.

Mayor Reeves told the media he thinks bids for structural engineers for a more in-depth analysis would cost more than the demolition, at a price tag of about $49,000. His team will first get the price for the assessment to ensure the CRA wants to spend the money.

"We're going to get a price tag on that, and it's going to be significantly more expensive than the demolition itself," Reeves said. "And we'll take a look at it from there. Personally, I think it's going to be quite a heavy lift."

He later added, CRA needs to "make a decision as a 62-year-old basketball gym or a minimum of 14 affordable homes, maybe up to 30, which one of those is more valuable?"

Co-Responder Model Active: This past summer, Mayor Reeves announced the Pensacola Police Department would adopt the co-responder policing model by hiring two social workers to accompany police officers when they deal with homeless individuals who appear to have mental health issues and other similar calls.

The mayor announced the second social worker began work Monday. He estimated the initial social worker has been on 30-35 calls as of the end of November.

"The vast, vast majority of comments have been very positive about his contribution," Reeves said. "And I'm glad that the city's taken an active role in trying to be helpful in this and not just hoping other people do it, but we continue to be as collaborative as we can."

ESCAMBIA CHILDREN'S TRUST On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Escambia Children's Trust (ECT) board approved unanimously the second year of 16 Out-of-School Time (OST) grants, totaling $4,664,964.

Board member Lumon May asked staff for documentation of any outcomes to back up the recommendation.

Kim Krupam, ECT's director of programs and performance, said, "We have all the information that we could get up through this time knowing that the contracts are due to end on Feb. 29, 2024, and the programs have to provide full end-of-year reports."

She explained each provider set their metrics in their proposals, and those outcomes will be given in the final report. However, they will change next year.

"In Year One, the provider submitted their metrics, but what we want to move to in Year Two is more of a standard instrument that's more quality-based," Krupa explained. "And so, for consistency and accountability, all providers would be assessed and evaluated using the same tool.

They can still want to improve certain things like behavior, social and emotional development, but we need a quality instrument to evaluate them consistently so that that's not just all."

Interim ECT executive director Tammy Abrams added, "We're recommending that we can begin contract negotiations. We will be doing amendments; we're going to be changing and updating our contracts."

Abrams said she would bring the revised contracts to the board in January, and new contracts will be signed in February.

Commissioner May pointed out that several schools in the 32503 and 32505 zip codes earned D's and F's last school year. He expects more attention to be paid to those children.

"We can't solve all of Escambia County's problems in one dosage. We must have a laser focus on some specific areas that are at the bottom and improve those areas. We've got to hold people accountable."

In other business, the board voted down a recommendation to reimburse The Children's Theater for overspending its budget. It denied the Urban Development Center's request to lower its YouthFirst Century program to include kindergarteners. They accepted the staff recommendations not to renew grants for those two providers.

TWO AIDES ATTACK At the Dec. 7 com-

mission meeting, District Commissioner Mike Kohler announced he had sent a letter to State Attorney Ginger Madden requesting she investigate a possible Sunshine Law violation in text messages reported by the PNJ. The message was from District 1 Com-

missioner Jeff Bergosh to Lewis Bear Company CEO David Bear, asking Bear to send his proposal to redraw the boundaries of Districts 1 and 2, moving Perdido Key into Bergosh's district, according to PNJ. Bear did not text a reply.

The text was from the massive group of personal text messages stolen from the county's server and leaked to the once-daily newspaper and Bergosh's political enemies. The messages were not given to Inweekly, and the FBI is investigating how the documents ended up in the hands of former District Commissioner Doug Underhill's aide.

Bergosh defeated Underhill's aide, Jonathan Owens, in the 2020 GOP primary. Owens placed third in the four-person race with 22.5% of the votes cast.

In 2022, Steve Stroberger filed to run for the District 2 seat when Underhill chose not to run for term while under an ethics investigation. Stroberger had to drop out because of the boundary change. He campaigned for Kohler, who won the GOP primary with 47% of the vote against Kevin Brown and Chance Walsh. Kohler hired him as the District 2 aide, the job Owens held for eight years.

Not satisfied with his boss' letter calling for a state attorney investigation, Stroberger wanted more from Bergosh. At the public forum Dec. 7, Stroberger said, "If you have any honor, Jeff, you'll resign."

On Monday, Dec. 11, the state attorney's office announced it would review the text messages after receiving "several inquiries, concerns and allegations."

"My office will be reviewing the allegations we have received, including all available government communications, to determine if further investigation is warranted," State Attorney Ginger Madden said in a written statement. "Our office will not be issuing any further statements on this matter at this time."

Commissioner Jeff Bergosh has denied violating the Sunshine Law. He told Kohler, "To call for a public investigation based on an article based on text messages that have been stolen and manipulated is incredibly unprofessional, but send your letter and let the chips fall."

PANHANDLING BILL State Rep. Alex An-

drade filed HB 759, which proposes prohibitions on panhandling in municipalities statewide.

The lawmaker said he got the idea listening to a news report on how law enforcement has struggled with the growing panhandling problem in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

"We got 67 counties and 400-plus municipalities, and it's difficult sometimes for law enforcement agencies to identify the legal reason to address something that's obviously an issue in some communities," Andrade said. "We have a statute regulating charities that's been around forever.

It's obviously constitutional, and panhandling is the same type of activity. I believe it's an activity within commerce that can be regulated."

He doesn't expect a "mass wave of enforcement" if the bill is enacted, but "it'll be just an inweekly.net

easier way for especially sheriff's departments around the state to be on good footing if they need to address something like that in the future."

The bill restricts panhandling 4 p.m.-9 a.m.

The individual must be registered if someone is collecting funds for a charitable purpose. Panhandling is banned within 50 feet of commercial buildings, bus stops, ATMs, parking lots, parking garages and public restrooms. Individuals cannot solicit funds in the public right of way.

Andrade understands that some might misconstrue his bill. He said, "There's a massive distinction between homelessness and panhandling. This is not a bill that's designed to try and criminalize homelessness, but at the same time, panhandling has become a bigger and bigger issue in Florida."

BOUNCE CLINICS UWF Women's Basketball Coach Stephanie Yelton has launched a program to help local youth and high school coaches and players take their games to a higher level.

When she watched her sons, ages 11 and 14, play basketball in local leagues, Yelton recognized the need for more development programs.

"I created Bounce Basketball, LLC, a company that can enhance basketball in our community," the coach said. "On Friday, Dec. 9, we

did a middle school girls' clinic that was amazing. We had third- through eighth-grade girls only in our gym really working on fundamental skills and development. And then on Saturday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., we had a finishing and scoring clinic for both boys and girls where we talked about scoring the basketball at different places on the court by using the same moves."

Yelton continued, "We're trying to enhance the game and teach things that maybe aren't being taught at the recreation level, but it's things that we can really focus on and teach at our university and with our coaching staff that really will improve their game."

The coach plans to hold more clinics throughout the year, and she offers custom clinics. "If you are a parent who's coaching a team or you're a coach who's new to coaching and have a team, you can hire us as Bounce Basketball to come in and run a custom clinic for you and your team."

To learn more, visit bouncebasketball.org.

NAVY FED PARK OPEN Navy Federal Credit Union announced the public can now reserve areas of the Recreation Center. The reservable spaces include the pavilion, multi-purpose field (7v7 soccer, flag football, softball), basketball

court, sand volleyball court, pickleball courts and informal lawn.

For now, the community can reserve those select areas 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. These select spaces can be reserved up to one month in advance. QR codes are also located on signage in front of each space, taking users to the reservation link, availability calendar and feedback form.

The community is encouraged to check the reservation calendar for availability to ensure any reservations held are honored. Starting in early 2024, the public will be able to reserve those spaces 6 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

REMEMBERING GIBSON SCHOOL The historic John A. Gibson School building has been sold and will no longer serve the Communication Action Program Committee's Head Start program.

Gibson was an educator and community leader in his native Bahamas before moving to Pensacola in 1872. With decades of teaching and administrative experience, he became a leader in Pensacola's new post-war education system. He taught and served as a principal at many Pensacola schools and led efforts to recruit and train Black teachers in Escambia County. He co-founded the Institute of Colored

Teachers of Escambia County, which campaigned for national policies that strengthened education for Black students.

Before being renamed to honor Gibson, the elementary school on North C Street was Public School No. 103 because Escambia County's segregated Black schools were originally given only numbers.

For over 50 years, the John A. Gibson School served as a monument to Mr. Gibson's tremendous impact on Black education in Pensacola. When it closed in 1974, the school became the headquarters of Escambia's County Head Start Program.

The property's sale has forced Head Start to transfer its dozens of children and families to two other locations, but transportation is a problem.

The Community Action Program Committee will host a commencement ceremony and celebration of the decades of support the Gibson School Head Start program has offered families in downtown Pensacola 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 30 at 710 North C Street. They ask any current or former student, family member, staff or community member who has memorabilia from the Gibson School Head Start to please bring it to the farewell event. Please call (850) 857-8652 ext. 202 to attend the event. {in}

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BOD0714_Cooking Class Jan 2024 IN.pdf

1

12/11/23

2:33 PM

— COOKING CLASSES — Hands-on Pasta with Chef Edward Lordman

Shrimp & Grits Demo. with Chef Chad Gorey

Tuesday, Jan. 8 • 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 9 • 6 p.m.

Join us for a fun-filled evening of getting messy and learning the art of pasta making!

Discover the joy of Southern cooking with Chef Chad's take on Shrimp and Grits!

Starts at $75 per person

Starts at $65 per person

Pinot & Pilates with Pure Pilates

Hands-On Pasta with Chef Edward Lordman

Thursday, Jan. 18 • 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 22 • 6 p.m.

Sip, Stretch & Savor with Pure Pilates for an evening of wellness and wine.

What more could you knead?

Come and explore the art of pasta making with Chef Edward!

Starts at $35 per person

Starts at $75 per person

Incorporating Cruciferous Vegetables with Melanya Kushla

Hands-on Sushi with Chef Summer

Wednesday, Jan. 24 • 6 p.m

Tuesday, Jan. 30 • 6 p.m.

Crunch, munch and learn how to prepare wholesome culinary delights.

Roll with Chef Summer as she as gives hands-on lessons for crafting authentic and delectable sushi.

Starts at $45 per person

Starts at $75 per person

Sign Up and Let’s Get Cooking!

Scan to Register Now on EventBrite!

407 S. Palafox St. • (850) 433-6505 • bodaciousshops.com Hours: Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m • Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Follow us on Social Media @bodaciousshops Reservations requested 24 hours in advance. All reservations include a complimentary glass of wine or beer. Refunds available only with 48-hour notice. Classes that do not meet a minimum of 10 will be rescheduled and registration fees refunded immediately.

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inweekly.net

Whether you're a master planner or a seasonal procrastinator, we can all agree December is a great month to totally and completely overwhelm yourself.

From party invites to shopping lists, it really is the most wonderful and most busy time of the year.

But even amid all those things you have to do, there's tons of great stuff happening you should want to do—like taking in a hockey game and maybe going ice skating after.

To help you make the most of what's left of the year, we put together this list of musts.

We tried to cover a lot of bases and not leave anybody out—including folks who don't really "do" holidays. So whether you're in the market for shopping markets, live music or wine tastings, we've got you covered. {in}

Glazed Eyes* live 1 See at The Handlebar

local, even last minute 10 Shop at Palafox Market

the date 19 Save for Dolly Day 2024

get a gingerbread latte cookie 2 And from Make Ends Sweet

Pensacola Arts Market 11 and @pensacolaartsmarket

a Festivus juice 20 Get at The Daily Squeeze

Friday, Dec. 22 @glazedeyesfl

(they'll be set up at The Handlebar during the show) @makeendssweet

3

Catch a hockey game Dec. 23, 26 and 30 pensacolaiceflyers.com

Pearl & Horn 4 Visit at its new location starting Thursday, Dec. 21 pearlandhorn.com

5

The Handlebar x Sauce Boss 12 and Christmas Market

@thehandlebar850, @saucebossburger

13

Try a Fa-La-La Flight at Mrs. Jones Cold Brew coffee bar @mrs.jones_coffee

sure you browse the books 14 Make from The Idle Reader while you're there too @theidlereader_bookstore

Celebrate "Beachmas" with holiday movies on the deck at Laguna's Beach Bar and Grill Dec. 21-23 lagunaspensacolabeach.com

an eye out for "Lana" 6 Keep @sza

7

Saturday Dec. 23 palafoxmarket.com

Try a sandwich at the A Mano Panino soft opening happening through Sunday, Dec. 31 @amanopanino

something new 8 Sip at Green Thumb Wines Christmas tasting event Friday, Dec. 22 or bubble party Friday, Dec. 29 @green_thumb_wines

it out 9 Dance at the Gasolina: Reggaeton Party

15

Check out Odd Colony's Holiday Ramble featuring a listening party curated by Revolver Records, dessert and beer pairings by Craft Bakery and a DJ set by 13RAVO Saturday, Dec. 23 oddcolony.com

a movie date 16 Plan to see Timotheé Chalamet in "Wonka" wonkamovie.com

happening Friday, Jan. 19 at Alga Beer Co. @algabeerco

thedailysqueezepcola.com

Buy yourself a gift 21 and make sure it's something your future self will thank you for—like a ticket to see Keith Sweat in February pensacolabaycenter.com

a Hangout Music Fest pass 22 Or before the 2024 lineup drops in January and they sell out hangoutmusicfest.com a candy cane cookie 23 Enjoy from Itsa Cookie @itsacookiebakery

ahead for New Year's Eve 24 Plan one suggestion—The District's "Great Gatsby" themed party Sunday, Dec. 31 districtsteaks.com *For more with Glazed Eyes, turn to page 15.

Beyoncé 17 Or in "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé" before it leaves theaters at the end of the month beyoncefilm.com ice skating 18 Go at the Bay Center

Dec. 21, 23 and 27-31 pensacolabaycenter.com

Friday, Dec. 29 gasolina.us, vinylmusichall.com

December 21, 2023

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inweekly.net

WEEK OF DECEMBER 21-27

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

Youthful Innocence

By Savannah Evanoff

Glazed Eyes / Photo by Andrew Velasco

Glazed Eyes' debut album "Holding Out On a Dream" might feel familiar—and that's kind of the point.

Robert Goodspeed (guitar) explained that the Pensacola rock band—composed of CJ Castillo (vocals/guitar), Taylor Thornton (bass), Mac Carpenter (drums) and Jake Goodspeed (guitar)—all gravitate and share a mutual love for a specific collection of '90s bands. He rattles off The Goo Goo Dolls, Gin Blossoms, Matchbox Twenty—along with a subset of more emo and punk leaning groups, such as Knapsack and Jimmy Eat World.

"The idea, I think, for the album as a whole is we want to capture nostalgic feelings of youthful innocence," Goodspeed said. "I think there's moments all of us can relate to, where it's like our first memories of being exposed to music and the way you start to identify as a music fan. And for us, this kind of era of it—and a little bit more modernized version of that—we want people to feel like we're influenced by them, but not trying to be them."

The members have all been separately in bands together at one time or another, performing everything from '80s hair metal to punk, but never all together … until now.

And while Glazed Eyes was born in 2018, Goodspeed explained the project was placed on the backburner because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They started recording the full-length album in June of 2022, and the timetable was again delayed—this time for a good reason, the interest of Sunday Drive Records.

"Because the label caught wind and was interested in wanting to put it on vinyl and evDecember 21, 2023

erything, that was what kind of slowed us down a little bit—but we're really happy that they slowed us down, because it was a really cool opportunity," Goodspeed said.

Goodspeed isn't totally sure where their band name, Glazed Eyes, originated.

"When we were starting to do this, we were like, 'Let's do like a band name that has some kind of food or mascot homage so we can put that on everything," Goodspeed said. "The idea at first was we'd probably put doughnuts on a lot of stuff. And then we're like, 'No, then we'll just be the doughnut band.' But then we liked the name, so it kind of stuck."

The name is multipurpose though, Goodspeed said.

"Obviously if your eyes are glazed, it kind of means you're having a good time," Goodspeed said. "But also if your eyes are glazed, you might just be hungry for a doughnut. We like the multipurpose thing in a lot of the lyrics, too. (Castillo) will say that a lot of it is, we don't know if we're singing about an ex-lover or maybe a lost pet or something like that. I feel like by being a little ambiguous, it opens the door for people to feel a certain way about the songs that they might be able to relate to it a little bit more than if it was to be something more personal."

One of the group's favorite tracks is their first single, "Way Down," which was nearly a "throwaway song," Goodspeed said.

"When we first wrote it, we didn't fully think it through; it was kind of a demo that had lived on from another idea," Goodspeed said. "We had it and we wanted to use it to kind of fill the set.

And then all of a sudden, we changed the bridge, and it just became—I don't know—just a really popular singalong type song that we didn't really think was possible in the early renditions of it."

The following track, "Eddie's Song," is an homage to Castillo's best friend growing up, who recently died.

"It's a song about growing up and going out and going to shows with him and everything," Goodspeed said. "And just again tapping back into those old feelings of when you first are exposed to music scene and music in general and how it makes you feel then. Hopefully when you listen to it, you start to feel that way again and feel rejuvenated by going into shows and checking out new bands and everything. I think a lot of times people get kind of stuck listening to the same songs on repeat, and I'm also guilty of that.

So it's always good to find something that makes you re-excited about it again."

When it comes to songwriting, Goodspeed admits they're almost too agreeable—the band talks every day and loves to hang out even when they're not playing music. But it works. "(Castillo) is what I feel like is lightning in a bottle," Goodspeed said. "There's some times where he has a really, really solid idea and it just comes to him out of thin air, and I'm just like, 'We have to keep going with this, because what you have is really good.' And rather than just kind of settling on an ending, I feel like what we can always do together is come up with the best version of what that idea in a flash can be sometimes."

The album cover depicting a desert standoff was done by Ty Cummings, who performs in lo-

cal bands Surrounder and Box Cutter. It's a semi re-rendered image of a real cellphone photo Goodspeed took years ago while driving through New Mexico.

"One of the bands I used to tour with, it was my first time ever driving through the desert and just kind of being totally isolated," Goodspeed said. "There's no cell service and you're just scanning through the AM radio stations to try to find something that feels decent to listen to. Then you just end up looking at the road like, 'Well, I'm just gonna tune out and just be one with the desert.' And all of a sudden, just like somewhere in New Mexico, I just drive past this thing, and I'm just like, 'What is going on?' … I took a picture of it while I was driving, and I'm like, 'This would be really cool to use some day,' then that's what ended up being the album cover, which was that little moment in time of my life."

The group made a concerted effort to incorporate as many of their friends in every step of the recording process and making of their first album.

"We wanted to have a lot of different perspectives on it," Goodspeed said. "I think you can get so lost in focusing on it just as one person, but by having a lot of different other people and different other says in it, it kind of brings it to a level you wouldn't have expected."

The record release event Friday, Dec. 22 at The Handlebar will feature bands they've enjoyed playing with over the years, Goodspeed said. It was the perfect timing for a show, because Carpenter will be in town from Baltimore, Md., for the holidays.

"We want it to be a Christmas gathering of sorts," Goodspeed said. "I think Kaitlyn from Make Ends Sweet is going to make some festive holiday flavored cookies, and we'll probably do something like cheap entry or some kind of drink if you wear a Christmas sweater or a Santa hat or something, just create a little bit of a holiday atmosphere. It's like your extended family, right?

Like everyone's here that you're friends with or that you recognize from some point in the past … we want people to come out and have fun and hear our album live for the first time." {in}

GLAZED EYES

WHAT: Glazed Eyes with Heavy Kid, Color the Void and Kairo WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. COST: $5 in advance, $10 at the door DETAILS: @glazedeyesfl, thehandlebar850.com 15

a&e happenings HOLIDAY EVENTS

PENSACOLA WINTERFEST Enjoy free, live

performances and schedule holiday trolley tours in downtown Pensacola now through Christmas. Take part in holiday fun at Winterfest Plaza, 223 S. Palafox. To schedule a trolley tour, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.

BLUES CHRISTMAS The Blues Society will

celebrate "Christmas Blues" throughout the month of December. Performances are 7-9 p.m.

Mondays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

BLUE MORNING GALLERY MEMBERS HOLIDAY SHOW Visit Blue Morning Gallery

through Dec. 24 and check out unique art, including holiday ornaments and art, priced right for giving. The gallery is located at 21 S. Palafox St. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.

BEACHMAS: CHRISTMAS MOVIES ON THE TIKI DECK Laguna's Beach Bar and Grill,

460 Pensacola Beach Blvd., will show Christmas movies on the tiki deck starting 4:30 p.m. the weekend before Christmas. Watch "A Christmas Carol" on Thursday, Dec. 21, "The Polar Express" on Friday, Dec. 22 and "The Grinch" on Saturday, Dec. 23. Visit early and join in "Adventures with Santa" noon-2 p.m. before movies.

GLOWTOWN CHRISTMAS CONCERT This

holiday concert with free admission and refreshments is 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at Apostolic Global Church, 4317 N. Palafox St.

MUGS & JUGS WINTER DECK PARTY Get

your photo with "Bad Santa," decorate the bar Christmas tree and get a free hot dog when you order a Bud Light draft. The fun takes place 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Mug & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON AT THE DISTRICT

The District, 123 E. Government St., is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. For reservations, call (850) 332-5224 or visit districtsteaks.com.

JIM BRICKMAN'S A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

Live holiday concert featuring Chrissy Metz is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets start at $40 at pensacolasaenger.com.

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MERRY HOLIDAY MARKET Visit The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St., for last minute shopping with local vendors including Garden Street Vintage, Obsolete Heat, Itsa Cookie and more. Market is 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23.

COASTAL COUNTY UGLY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY Don your tackiest

sweater and visit CCB, 3041 E. Olive Road, for seasonal brews, live music and other CCB treats 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. Visit coastalcountybrewing.com/events for details.

HOLIDAY RAMBLE AT ODD COLONY

Enjoy a dessert and beer pairing, a special collection of holiday tunes selected by Revolver Records, MI SU Street Food Truck and dance party 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

PCKIDS/TEENS JR. CHEFS: COOKIES FOR SANTA Pensacola Cooks Class for ages 6-17 is

1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Class is $45 per student.

Register through the link at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

LAGUNA'S NOON YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Can't make it to midnight? Party during the day at Laguna's, 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd., 11 a.m.2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, with family-friendly activities including a beach ball drop at noon.

A three-hour wristband is required to join the party, which gets you access to ropes course, zip rail, go karts, mini golf and more. Visit lagunaspb.com for details.

LIBERATION PENSACOLA GOODBYE 2K23 Liberation Pensacola hosts a night of lights and lasers, drag show and live DJs including Gwety Mernans, Brody, and B.T. Wubz. Doors open 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at Pensacola Subculture, 701 N. V St. Tickets are $10-$15. Visit Liberation Pensacola on facebook for details.

NEW YEAR'S JAZZ BRUNCH Start New

Year's Eve with a jazz brunch at Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 31. This special New Year's event includes BBQ braised short ribs in addition to the regular menu. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for details.

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES THE NEW YEAR Pensacola

Symphony Orchestra performs music of piano men from Elton John to Ray Charles and Billy Joel with special guest pianist and vocalist Tony DeSare. Show is 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets start at $24 at pensacolasaenger.com.

BOUJ YEARS EVE 2024 Get dressed in your

finest attire and enjoy a night of decadence with champagne, a drag show, live music, stilt walkers, aerialists, airbrush tattoos and open bar at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Tickets are $199. Purchase through the link at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

PHASES OF FUNK NYE CELEBRATION

Ring in the New Year with a funky party featuring DJ Hale Dance Party, beer releases, OG Lola's Food Truck, complimentary saison and champagne pours at midnight at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Admission is free. Details at facebook.com/oddcolony.

NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER AT SALT Enjoy an exclusive tasting menu with four courses Seatings begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31 at Salt, 12 Via de Luna. Meal is $90 with an optional wine pairing for $40. Find more information and learn how to make a reservation at facebook. com/saltpensacolabeach.

NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL TASTING MENU AT UNION PUBLIC HOUSE Union

Public House, 36 E. Garden St., is open Sunday, Dec. 31 Cost is $125 per person with a $60 optional wine pairing. Reservations only makes yours by emailing office@unionpensacola.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER SPECIAL AT SEVILLE QUARTER Start and end your New Year's

Eve at Seville Quarter with two seatings Sunday, Dec. 31. Early bird is $60 at 6 p.m. and evening seating is $70 at 8 p.m. Free general admission to clubs with dinner reservations. Call (850) 4346211. Seville Quarter is located at 130 E. Government St. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

COASTAL COUNTY NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION Ring in the New Year at

Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road, with gourmet charcuterie, fresh sushi, and

30-plus house specialty brews and wine-based cocktails, and live DJ. Tickets are $50-$125.

Visit coastalcountybrewing.com for tickets.

SOBER CRUISE Ring in the New Year with a

fireworks cruise around Little Sabine. Departure is 11:15 p.m. sharp. Details and reservation at friskyboattours.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT 200 SOUTH Visit 200 S. Palafox St. with music from DJ Dr0ne, midnight balloon drop, and drinks and food from 200 South bars. Party is 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.

Visit blendlounge.com/entertainment for details.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS AT SEVILLE QUARTER Ring in the New Year at

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. The membership package is $80 and includes 2024 Seville Quarter membership. Dance package is $20 and includes access to all rooms in the main complex at Seville Quarter on New Year's Eve. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT FISH HOUSE Enjoy a fixed-price five-course meal with wine pairings at Fish House, 600 Barracks St. Seatings are at 6 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. To make a reservation, call (850) 287-0200 or visit opentable.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT ANGELENA'S Cel-

ebrate the New Year with a fixed-price fourcourse meal with an optional wine pairing. Cost is $125 with $45 option for Italian wine pairings.

Reservations can be made by calling (850) 5428398 or book online at angelenaspensacola.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT ATLAS Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barrackst St., will be open for dinner service 5-10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. For a menu of offerings, visit greatsouthernrestuarants.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE Enjoy a special New Year's dinner at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St. with dinner service beginning at 5 p.m. Complimentary Hoppin' John will be served to anyone stopping in. For dinner reservations, call (850) 469-9898 or visit jacksonsrestaurants.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS ON PENSACOLA BEACH The Pensacola Beach skies come

inweekly.net

alive on New Year's Eve at midnight over Santa Rosa Sound along Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.

Visit pensacolabeachchamber.com for details.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE Start 2024 with a dip in the Santa Rosa Sound for the annual Polar Bear Plunge noon to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1 at Paradise Inn, 21 Via de Luna. Registration begins at noon. Cost is $15 per person and receive a t-shirt, or $10 registration without t-shirt. Registration is $5 for kids in fifth grade and younger.

Follow Pensacola Beach Chamber on Facebook for weather updates.

CALL TO ARTISTS

CUBED 2024 Pensacola Museum of Art invites all artists to submit their mural ideas for a chance to participate in Cubed 2024. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.

Artists must be available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, for the public live painting event. Additional painting days are March 1-3 (additional days may be available if needed). Selected artists will receive a $500 stipend. Each artist will be working on one side of a cube (8ft x 8ft space) in the UWF Historic Trust Museum Plaza. Cubed Mural Paintings will be on display for one year.

For more information and details on how to submit, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

ARTS & CULTURE

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART "Maestro" will be screened at Pensacola Cinema Art 1 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23 inside the Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are a $10 cash donation for all films.

Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for details.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers the second Saturday of every month.

The next date is 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Caba-

ret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small

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

MESSAGE FROM OUR PLANET Message

From Our Planet brings together 19 software, video and light-technology artworks from 18 international artists working at the forefront of digital and electronic art. The exhibition proposes media technologies, from vintage devices to cutting-edge digital algorithms, and offer distinct ways for artists to communicate with future generations. Themed like a global time capsule, the group of artworks reflect the artifacts and ambitions of contemporary life.

December 21, 2023

Exhibit on view through Jan. 7 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

PERDIDO Through photographs, lo-fi projec-

tions, found-objects and paintings, Perdido explores the artist's changing relationship with Florida's Gulf Coast. Artist is Richard McCabe.

Exhibit is on view through Jan. 20 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

GREEN THUMB WINE TASTINGS Join

Green Thumb Wines for a free wine tasting 6-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month at 9 E. Gregory St. For more information, visit greenthumbwines.com.

SATURDAY SIPS ON THE SIDEWALK Stop

by Green Thumb Wines, 9 E. Gregory St., every Saturday for wine selections. Visit greenthumbwines.com for details.

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

SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live

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

music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.

JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE FRIDAY LUNCH SERVICE Jackson's Steakhouse, 400

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

SECOND TUESDAY THEMED TRIVIA Visit

TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS

Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com. for more listings visit inweekly.net 17

free will astrology WEEK OF DECEMBER 21 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Aries educator Booker T. Washington advised us, "Do the common thing in an uncommon way." That's a useful motto for you in the coming months. If you carry out ordinary activities with flair, you will generate good fortune and attract excellent help. As you attend to details with conscientious enthusiasm, you will access your finest inner resources and exert constructive influences on the world around you. Be thorough and unique, persistent and imaginative, attentive and innovative. Adore your chores in 2024.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Taurus

philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) was among the smartest people who ever lived. As is often the case with geniuses, he believed in the supreme value of liberty for all. He was a feminist long before that word existed. Like another genius, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, he thought that "individuality realized is the supreme attainment of the human soul, the master-master's work of art. Individuality is sacred." I nominate Mill to be a role model for you in 2024, Taurus.

This could be a time when you reach unprecedented new heights and depths of unique selfexpression and liberation. P.S. Here's a quote from Mill: "Eccentricity has always abounded where strength of character has abounded; and the amount of eccentricity in a society has been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor and moral courage which it contained."

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Emotionally and spiritually, you will ripen at a robust rate in 2024. Your intelligence will mature into wisdom in surprising and gratifying ways. Harvesting rich lessons from long-smoldering confusions and long-simmering mysteries will be your specialty.

P.S. Some of you Geminis joke around and say you never want to grow up. But I hope you minimize that attitude in the coming months.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Indigenous people study the intelligence of animals and incorporate it into their own lives. If you're game to do that in 2024, I suggest you choose elephants as a source of teaching and inspiration. Have fun studying and meditating on their ways! Here are a few facts to get you started. Problem-solving is

By Rob Brezsny

one of their strengths. They are experts at learning how to get what they need and passing that knowledge on to their offspring. They seldom suffer from sickness, but if they do, they often self-medicate with plants in their environment.

Elder females are the knowledge keepers, retaining inner maps of where food, drink and other resources are located.

You draw inspiration from your sheer persistence and relentless inquiry.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Writer Janet Champ

speaks about the joy of locating "the big wow, the big yesyesyes." It happens when you find something or someone you regard as "better, greater, cuter, wiser, more wonderful than anything you have ever known." I'll be lavish and predict you will encounter a big wow and yesyesyes like this in 2024. Will you know what to do with it? Will you be able to keep it? Those possibilities are less certain, but I have high hopes for you. For best results, cultivate a vivid vision of how the big wow and big yesyesyes will benefit others as well as you.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): In 1916, most

women in the world could not vote. Many men considered women to be inferior—lacking in courage and initiative. It was the Dark Ages. That summer, two sisters named Augusta and Adeline Van Buren rebelled against the stereotypes by riding their motorcycles across America. Roads were poor, rain was frequent and police arrested them many times for wearing men's clothes.

Male-dominated media derided them, with one newspaper criticizing their escape from "their proper roles as housewives." I nominate them to be your role models in 2024, no matter what gender you are. It will be a favorable time to transcend conventional wisdom, override decaying traditions and be a cheerful rebel.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): For hundreds of

years, European nations stole land and resources from Indigenous people all over the world.

Among the thefts were art, ritual objects, cultural treasures and human skeletons. Museums

in the West are still full of such plunder. But in recent years, some museums have begun to return the loot. Germany sent back hundreds of artifacts to Nigerian museums. France restored many objects to the African country of Benin.

Let's apply this scenario as a useful metaphor for you in 2024, Libra. Is there a part of your past that was hijacked? Your memories appropriated or denied? Your rightful belongings poached, or your authentic feelings infringed upon? It's time for corrections and healing.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): I suggest we

choose the brilliant Scorpio physicist and chemist Marie Curie (1867–1934) as your role model in 2024. She is the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different fields. She managed to pursue a rigorous scientific career while raising two children and having a fulfilling marriage. Being of service to humanity was a central life goal.

She grew up in poverty and sometimes suffered from depression, but worked hard to become the genius she aspired to be. May the spirit of Curie inspire you, dear Scorpio, as you make dramatic progress in expressing your unique soul's code.

Would you pursue a path that made you more successful in one way but less successful in another?

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): In

my fairy tale about your year ahead, I see you searching for treasure. It's not a wild and wandering exploration, but a diligent, disciplined quest.

You are well-organized about it, carefully gathering research and asking incisive questions. You ruminate on the possibilities with both your logical and intuitive faculties. You meditate on how you might make adjustments in yourself so as to become fully available for the riches you seek.

Your gradual, incremental approach gives you strength. You draw inspiration from your sheer persistence and relentless inquiry. And it all pays off by the second half of 2024.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): "All the things I really like to do are either illegal, im-

moral or fattening," quipped Capricorn author Alexander Woollcott (1887–1943). Since he was never arrested, I conclude he didn't get to enjoy some of the activities he relished. Was he immoral? Not exactly, though he could be caustic.

Offering his opinion about a famous pianist, he said, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with Oscar Levant that a miracle couldn't fix." The good news for you, Capricorn, is that 2024 will be mostly free of the problems Woollcott experienced. You will be offered an abundance of perfectly legal and moral enjoyments. They may sometimes be fattening, but so what?

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Author Augusten Burroughs is a devoted urban dweller.

He says, "When I get a craving for nature, I turn on TV's Discovery Channel and watch bear-attack survivors recount their horror." Martial arts master Morihei Ueshiba had a different perspective. "Mountains, rivers, plants and trees should be your teachers," he advised. "Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks." I recommend Ueshiba's approach to you in 2024, Aquarius— not Burroughs'. Here are my predictions: 1. You will have no dangerous encounters with nature.

2. You will learn more than ever from the wild world. 3. To the degree that you wander in the outdoors, your spiritual life will thrive.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): A study done

at Union College in New York found that being fraternity members raised students' future income by 36%, but lowered their grade point average by 0.25 points. Would you make a similar trade-off, Pisces? Would you pursue a path that made you more successful in one way but less successful in another? I suspect you will encounter unusual decisions like this in 2024.

My job is not to advise you what to do, but to make you alert for the provocative riddles.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What activity do you enjoy but rarely engage in? Resolve to do it more in 2024. {in}

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news of the weird CREME DE LA WEIRD The Kyiv Post reported on Dec. 13 that Russia's security service, the FSB, has released its 2024 propaganda fundraising calendar, and it's a doozy! The front cover features "art" of an improbably ripped Vladimir Putin giving his best sultry stare while leaning on a big, black compensator vehicle. Meanwhile, the apocalyptic November image depicts an FSB special forces soldier standing before the U.S. Capitol while drones and helicopters attack it. Is this a popular holiday gift in Russia?

Who knows. The bigger question: Why does the FSB need to fundraise?

WEIRD SCIENCE Gatorland in Orlando, Florida, can boast a fascinating new resident: a leucistic white alligator, born on Dec. 7, CNN reported. The female gator is believed to be one of only eight in the world and the only one born in human care. She was hatched along with a normal-colored brother of the same size (about 19 inches long). "Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator," the park said. They have bright blue eyes, as opposed to albino gators, which have pink eyes.

The public is invited to vote on a name on the park's social media sites.

•Scientists at Northwestern University in Chicago have created teeny-tiny VR headsets for laboratory mice, Sky News reported on Dec. 8, so that they can experience the freedom they will never have. The Miniature Rodent Stereo Illumination VR has two lenses and two screens to give the little dudes a realistic 3D picture of ... aerial threats, like an owl coming in for a meal.

The goggles help the mice "engage with the environment in a more natural way," said lead scientist Daniel Dombeck.

CRIME REPORT In Louisville, Kentucky, a bronze statue of President Abraham Lincoln has been seated on a rock, overlooking the Ohio River, since 2009, the Louisville Courier Journal reported. But Lincoln's top hat, which rested at his side on the rock, disappeared sometime at the beginning of December. The sculptor, Ed Hamilton, suspects the hat was stolen: "It was anchored down into that monolith rock," he said. "I don't know what they could have used, maybe some more manpower or some crowbars. Bring the hat back, because you can't wear it," he warned potential thieves. Police and park officials are investigating.

BRIGHT IDEA An unnamed 22-year-old man from Taiwan was detained on Dec. 5 at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok after he was found to be transporting two Asian small-clawed otters and a prairie dog, Metro News reported. The man had the animals stuffed into three separate socks and taped into his boxer shorts; security officers became suspicious about the large bulge below the man's waistband. They believe he purchased them at a market in the city. The animals were taken to the Wildlife Conservation Office; the smuggler

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

was arrested. "We will catch anyone who tries to take animals on planes," a Thai customs department spokesperson said.

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED Cops in Genoa, Italy, were stumped by a drug-trafficking case in their city, BNN reported on Dec. 1—that is, until they noticed a large number of bald and beardless men visiting a local barbershop. Investigators initiated surveillance and searched the shop, where they found 100 grams of cocaine, precision scales and packaging materials.

They also found hashish at the barber's home and evidence of ongoing communication with inmates in a Genoa prison. The 55-year-old barber is awaiting sentencing at the Marassi prison.

AWESOME! The Burnside Shelter in Portland, Oregon, hit the jackpot earlier in the year when workers discovered a pair of gold sneakers at the bottom of a donation bin, United Press International reported. Turns out, the Air Jordan 3 kicks were commissioned by Spike Lee for him to wear at the 2019 Academy Awards—and they're valued at more than $10,000, according to Sotheby's. The auction house will donate 100% of the proceeds, expected to be as much as $20,000, to the Portland Rescue Mission, which operates the shelter. Bidding continues through Dec. 18.

WAIT, WHAT? Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava was arraigned on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles federal court after a bizarrely uninterrupted trip from Denmark to L.A., the Associated Press reported. The Russian flew in November without a ticket, passport, visa or seat assignment.

Flight crew members told investigators that he wandered around the plane and switched seats while talking with other passengers. When U.S. Customs and Border Patrol searched his belongings, they found "Russian identification cards and an Israeli identification card," court documents outlined. Ochigava gave a variety of explanations, including that he hadn't slept in three days and wasn't sure how he got through security in Copenhagen. A trial is scheduled for Dec. 26.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL On Dec. 9, as first responders were assisting a person "experiencing an altered mental state" in Columbia County, Florida, Stanley Williams, 35, hopped into the waiting ambulance and drove away, ClickOrlando reported. But officers didn't have to chase him down—Williams drove to the sheriff's office operations center and stopped near the main entrance, where he was arrested and taken to a hospital for examination. Williams faces grand theft and evading law enforcement charges. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2023 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com December 21, 2023

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