Inweekly Dec. 22 2022 Issue

in review

winners & losers

KALEB NOBLES The University of West Florida has named the Clemson University Offensive Development assistant the second head football coach in program history. Under Head Coach Dabo Swinney, Nobles assisted with the quarterbacks and wide receivers, all game preparation and planning, along with various game day duties for the past two seasons. He spent three seasons on Coach Pete Shinnick's UWF staff from 2017-2020 as the quarterbacks coach for the Argonauts and was named the co-offensive coordinator in May 2020. As a student-athlete, Nobles spent four seasons at Valdosta State from 2012-2015, appearing in 23 games with six starts as a freshman and sophomore. In 2016, he transferred to UWF and helped provide immediate leadership and focus to the upstart program. He led the Argonauts to a 5-6 overall record and threw for 3,058 yards with 28 touchdowns.

TAXIE LAMBERT The Pensacola mother turned the unimaginable sorrow of losing her daughter to make a difference in other girls' lives. Eleven-year-old Desirea Sierra never made it past her fifth-grade formal because she lost her life to domestic violence at the hands of her father in April 2000. Lambert has launched Project Formal through her 4EVR Dez Foundation so that every girl will have the opportunity to go to her prom. Lambert and her family have solicited businesses and the community for new and likenew after-five and formal dresses. High school counselors have recommended girls to the charity, and Project Formal has already collected over 400 dresses.

NICK GRADIA Escambia County Fire Rescue proudly announced that the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office recognized Lt. Gradia as the recipient of the 2022 Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year award at the Fire Service Awards earlier this month. Lt. Gradia began his fire service career in 2004 as a volunteer with Escambia County Fire Rescue and transitioned to a fulltime firefighter in 2008. During his professional career, he has risen through the ranks to become lieutenant. "Lt. Gradia works hard and puts in the extra effort in all aspects of his job and as the I.A.F.F. local president," said ECFR Fire Chief

Jason Catrambone. "This is a well-deserved recognition for his efforts, not only for ECFR but the fire service as a whole."

PENSACOLA

BEACH LIFEGUARDS

The American Heart Association recognized four Pensacola Beach Lifeguards—Taylor Busbee, Jacob Wilson, Aiden Morgan and Kelly Kennedy— for their heroic actions when a citizen was experiencing a medical emergency while on Pensacola Beach. On Oct. 8, a Pensacola Beach patron was experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency when the four lifeguards sprang into action. With the use of an automated external defibrillator and equipped with the knowledge of CPR, the lifeguards were able to resuscitate the beachgoer, effectively saving their life.

ESCAMBIA TOP TEACHER FINALISTS The Escambia County School District has named its top five Teacher of the Year finalists. They are Anna Harageones of A.K. Suter Elementary, Gary Horne of Washington High School, Melanie Johnson of Kingsfield Elementary School, Angela McFarland of West Florida High School and Allison Roberts of Success Academy. Superintendent Tim Smith said, "Our teachers persevere in their instructional efforts against incredible odds. They prepare each student for the future—as they are the future. These top five educators exemplify the very best in the district. We hope you will join us in congratulating these outstanding educators."

LIVING SHORELINE Escambia County recently announced a $10.93 million award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's National Coast Resiliency Fund for the construction of the Magazine Point phase of the Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline Project at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The project will construct approximately 33 acres of emergency marsh and 5 acres of oyster reef breakwaters and provide natural recruitment for 25 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation. In addition, implementing natural infrastructure solutions along Magazine Point will protect the U.S. Navy's 500-foot vessel exclusion zone and training facilities for 5,000 enlisted Navy and Marine Corps trainees.

We refused to be Grinches during the holidays and offer you another all-winners version of your favorite column. We will reload for 2023 after a few egg nogs.

Kaleb Nobles / Photo Courtesy of UWF

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

My first Outtakes for 2022 focused on several news stories that we felt needed to be watched throughout the year. Some were resolved without much fanfare, while others faded away quietly.

BATTLE FOR HOLLICE T. WILLIAMS PARK

At the beginning of the year, Hollice T. Williams Park was a campground for the homeless. We wondered if the relocation of the campers could be done peacefully. Fortunately, it was, but the city and county are still wrestling with long-term solutions for the homeless. One hiccup was the complaints concerning the Safe Outdoor Space Camp, operated by Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola (REAP) and located on Moreno Street behind Baptist Hospital.

Mayor Grover Robinson worked with REAP to make management changes and improve the housing and sanitary conditions at the campground. The site is regularly inspected by the city, and the city council has asked for an independent audit of its finances before any additional funds are given to the organization.

BYE, BYE BAPTIST North Hill and the West Moreno communities were worried about the future of Baptist Hospital's old campus after the hospital moves to its new facility on Brent Lane. In June, Baptist revealed its vision aligns with community needs that had surfaced through a series of input meetings with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Baptist revealed a master design plan for prospective developers that would include workforce housing and mixed-income developments. They also proposed the city buy the historic Kupfrian House and surrounding property for a city park.

Last week, the city council approved a Local Government Area of Opportunity and committed $460,000 to Paces Foundation and Soho Housing obtained state funding to build attainable housing and senior housing on 10 acres of the campus.

COUNTY MAYOR REFERENDUM As Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno built his management team and replaced his predecessor's flunkies, the cry of changing county government died. Hardly anyone mentions adding more commissioners or electing a county mayor, except for maybe at a few downtown cocktail parties.

The dispositions in the legal battle between the Board of County Commissioner and County Clerk Pam Childers over the commissioner's 401(a) retirement plan have been completed. Myra Van Hoose tried to make the plan an election issue in the District 4 race by 28 percentage points.

GAETZ & SEVENTH GRADERS We ended 2021 with the seventh graders at Creative Learning Academy trying to get Congressman Matt Gaetz to come on their Pensacola People's Podcast. The students had interviewed several local political leaders but couldn't get the "firebrand" to face their questions and prove that he is smarter than a seventh grader. Rather than face the students, Gaetz did a series of "tours" of his district that had limited audiences and few opportunities for the questions. He won anyway.

GULF POWER HEADQUARTERS The rumor was Florida Light & Power wanted to unload the headquarters of the utility company formerly known as Gulf Power that sits on 13 acres overlooking Pensacola Bay. Some tentative offers were made for the five-story, 250,000-squarefoot office building but none interested the utility giant.

Meanwhile, FP&L has opened its checkbook and written several sizable checks for local charities, including $35,000 to Escambia County Public Schools to help fund the Grants for Excellence Program and $250,000 to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. Also, the utility has lured J.T. Young to return to Pensacola and serve as vice president and general manager of FP&L Northwest Florida. Young had left Gulf Power to be the CEO and president of Memphis Light Gas and Water in 2018.

PUBLIC EDUCATION In January, I questioned whether we are ready for the upcoming Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Bay County leaders had already begun meeting to avoid cutbacks at Tyndall AFB. We are still waiting for someone to take the lead here. Reopening NAS Pensacola for locals and tourists to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum would be nice, but there are other issues facing the base that we need to help address. {in} rick@inweekly.net

By Rick Outzen

The Escambia Children's Trust held another marathon meeting, and once again, few people left satisfied. The Trust staff—Executive Director Tammy Greer and Program & Performance Director Kim Krupa—has yet to come up with a grant review process that most of the board and many of the community's children's service providers believe is fair.

The Trust is funded with property tax dollars and tasked with using those dollars, about $10 million annually, for additional early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health and wellbeing services, including afterschool and summer enrichment programs.

On the Dec. 13 agenda, the board was asked to approve 13 grant proposals, totaling $4,348,473, for out-of-school time providers. Nearly a third of the meeting was spent listening to the parents, students and tutors of the James B. Washington Education & Sports program, which fell less than a point short of being recommended. But others also voiced their concerns.

FLAWED PROCESS

Carolyn Appleyard, who volunteered as the Trust's executive director until Greer was hired, encouraged the board to reject the funding recommendation as presented. She believed that most of the audience came to the meeting because the proposers were not allowed to speak and answer questions when the grant committee reviewed the proposals.

"We're all anxious to get the money working, but it's critical that it be done well," she told the board. "I don't know how many responses were expected when issuing a three-year funding opportunity, but to make these decisions quickly without a chance for clarifications is a mistake and has long-term implications."

Appleyard continued, "As things are laid out now, there's not another opportunity for out-ofschool time funding for three years. As you can see from the spreadsheet notes, reviewers did have questions. Line items like transportation,

building renovations, partnerships and collaborations were treated inconsistently. There were many questions and conflicting information the reviewers were not allowed to hear from the proposers."

The YMCA and Escambia County Neighborhood Human Services' proposals scored higher than six of the grant committee's recommendations. YMCA board chair Jodi Dubose explained that their proposal was for a collaborative project with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lakeview Center to provide an after-school program that involves literacy, mentoring and mental health. She talked about the chaos at the four-hour grants committee.

"Nearly half of that time was spent entering missing reviewer scores, correcting discrepancies in budget figures on the proposal summary sheet and doing administrative tasks," she said. "We recognize that the Trust is new to this work. However, the real discussion didn't begin until everyone had already been gathered for two hours. Second, the process did not allow for clarification of the factual issues on the proposals."

The failure to allow the proposers correct misstatements hurt the process. Dubose said, "The committee referenced the multiple vans we requested when we only had one van in our budget. Our proposal was to serve four sites in year one and then expand to seven sites in years two and three. But the committee consistently noted only four sites. The committee called our program new, but each component of our program is tested, embedded, and the YMCA Reads literacy program is currently operating at West Pensacola Elementary School, which was detailed in our grant proposal."

She added, "We submitted the proposal as a collaboration specifically because collaborations were strongly encouraged, but at your grants workshop, the committee expressed concerns about our sub-grants to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lakeview, indicating that we were requesting a lot of money without specification."

Dubose pointed out the inconsistencies in how the panel treated the proposals. "Some applicants were given significant latitude while others weren't. One applicant's lack of clarity on the number of children being served was unclear,

and assumptions were made. In other cases, they weren't. Construction costs were considered differently. Geographic service area was a plus for some, and yet several recommended projects planned to serve the same schools. One project is from a New York City Agency that prompted 15 minutes of discussion and yet was recommended for full funding completely."

Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz questioned the staff's decision to hold off asking for legal documentation, tax information and financial reports until the board approved the recommendations.

Greer said she planned to collect three years of audits, IRS 990 forums, state annual reports, IRS determination letters and any monitoring findings, but not during the review process. "We were going to collect them just for those who were recommended for funding so that we didn't have to collect them on all 37 if we didn't need them. And it's done both ways with other CSCs (Children Service Councils)."

KICKED BACK

After the public comments, the grants committee chair Tori Woods praised her committee for doing a great job reviewing the grants. "Everyone that participated and read those hundreds of pages of grants and scored them, I believe we did the best that we could."

However, she made a motion to postpone the vote on the recommendations to let her group further review the proposals.

Board chair Stephanie White agreed with the motion, citing the lack of public comment, no site visits or verification of information in the proposals and the overall inconsistencies in how the proposals were treated.

"You can go through the spreadsheet that's attached to the agenda, and there's question after question," White said. "Just like several of you have said that it was just inconsistent. But I believe a lot of the organizations that did not receive funding would've actually received funding if they had been asked to clarify. A lot of those that did receive funding, probably wouldn't have received funding if they were given a chance to clarify how they were going to get kids to the certain organizations and get things around."

She added, "The budget items, there were some that were given the full money, even though they were asked to do the budget later. Others, they didn't make the cutoff because of budgetary problems. It was very inconsistent."

She admitted some providers might not be able to provide the data. "That's not going to happen quickly for a lot of these organizations. So we didn't want to hold up their applications because if we had required that as part of the application, as part of what they had to email in to us, it could have held some up because then they wouldn't have passed technical review if they had left something off."

While she appeared to be open to the board's suggestions, Greer defended the review process.

"We've got to have a process. Is the process perfect? No. Is it a vetted process? Yes. Is this something that other children's services and other government agencies use? Yes. I did not make this up. This is something that has been tried and true," said the executive director. "So I just wanted to say that you absolutely can, as the board, per our policy as it already stands, recommend that this go to site visits or interviews. You can also say that you want things collected; you just need to direct the staff to do that. So I just wanted to put that out there."

After the meeting, White told Inweekly that the issues with the grant review process were "growing pains." The board chair said, "There were some staff issues that need to be addressed that we're working through, but it was definitely the right decision not to fund the organizations at this time."

White added, "Everyone has the right heart, and everyone has the right motive. And so we will get there." {in}

DESANTIS VS. COVID-19 VAX Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a grand jury to investigate "wrongdoing in Florida" related to the COVID-19 vaccinations. He also announced a state probe into cardiac-related deaths following vaccinations against COVID-19 and the creation of a committee to "oversee the medical establishment."

"I'm announcing a petition with the Supreme Court of Florida to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate any and all wrongdoing in Florida with respect to COVID-19 vaccines. And we anticipate that we will get the approval for that," DeSantis said. "That will be something that will be impaneled most likely in the Tampa Bay area. And that will come with legal processes that will be able to get more information and to bring legal accountability for those who committed misconduct."

The petition seeks an inquiry into pharmaceutical companies, their executives and "medical associations or organizations involved in the design, development, clinical testing or investigation, manufacture, marketing, representation, advertising, promotion, labeling, distribution, formulation, packing, sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administration or use of vaccines purported to prevent COVID-19" infections, symptoms and transmission.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement would serve as the primary investigator for the grand jury. However, the petition said any law enforcement agency in the state could be called upon for the probe.

On the day of DeSantis' announcement, the Commonwealth Fund published a new modeling study that showed that without COVID-19 vaccines, the U.S. would have seen four times more deaths from the pandemic virus, nearly four times more hospitalizations, 1.5 times more infections and an additional $1.5 trillion in medical bills since December 2020.

The researchers from the University of Maryland, York University and Yale University determined COVID-19 vaccination prevented 3.25 million deaths, with a 95% confidence interval of 3.1 million to 3.4 million. Averted hospitalizations were estimated at 18.6 million, with a confidence interval of 17.8 million-19.35 million. The model estimated a

dodge of 119.85 million for infections, with a confidence interval of 112.7 million-127.1 million.

The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation founded in New York in 1918. It supports independent research on health care issues and awards grants to improve health care practice and policy.

JONES VS. STATE The Florida media reported that former Democratic congressional candidate Rebekah Jones signed a plea deal admitting guilt in a pending criminal case alleging that she accessed a state computer system without authorization.

On WCOA, Jones described the agreement as a deferred prosecution agreement. The state will not take the case to trial if she pays the Florida Department of Law Enforcement $20,000, the State Attorney's Office $100, performs 150 hours of community service at a minimum of 13 hours per week, sees a licensed mental health professional for a minimum of one hour per week and not get re-arrested for two years.

She said the media portrayed the allegation of the possession of Florida Department of Health records incorrectly.

"I possessed on my OneDrive Cloud storage a roster of contacts and former coworkers, as described in the offense charge," she said. "So that basically means when they raided my house and were only supposed to be looking for evidence of a supposed text message, they went through all my cloud storage drives, found a contact roster that I had received by the state, via email, no fewer than three times, and said, you're not supposed to have this anymore."

As part of the agreement with the state, Jones said, "That is what I admitted that I possessed. I did not say I got it illegally. I did not say I had no right or reason to have it, just that it was in my possession."

Earlier this month, Big Mouth Media announced the upcoming launch of the Miss Informational podcast with Rebekah Jones in a tweet. Jones told Inweekly that she will have a website that will "fact check bad media stories." Stay tuned.

OLF 8 INFRASTRUCTURE On Thursday, Dec. 15, Escambia County received Triumph Gulf Coast's approval of its request for up to $14.2 million Thursday to build a road and other infrastructure at the county's Outlying Field 8 (OLF 8). Escambia County will front the first $3 million for the project, and Triumph will reimburse the county once construction begins for the first job-creating tenant of OLF 8.

FloridaWest, the county's economic development authority, has a possible tenant in the wings. The proposal referenced Project Sapphire, which is expected to bring 338 new jobs with average wages of $53,556 to a new manufacturing/warehouse located on 43 acres of OLF 8. Stay tuned.

CHADBOURNE HOME Valerie's House, a nonprofit in Pensacola with the sole mission of helping children grieve the death of a family member,

will expand into a new home thanks to the generosity of the Chadbourne Foundation.

The Chadbourne Foundation, under the leadership of Caroline and Brian DeMaria, donated $500,000 after getting to know the mission by knowing participants who benefited from attending support groups at Valerie's House in Pensacola. Valerie's House-The Chadbourne Foundation Home for Grieving Families will be located at 904 E. Gadsden St.

"With a proven track record of implementing their mission of 'no child grieves alone,'" said foundation president Caroline DeMaria, "the Trustees of The Chadbourne Foundation believe our sponsorship of the new permanent location is a good fit for our philanthropy and a sound investment in our community."

The Chadbourne Foundation Home for Grieving Families is the first free-standing location in the region, with its sole mission to offer ongoing grief support for children and adults at no cost to families.  Valerie's House is not a formalized counseling center but a community and a platform for grieving families to come together and help each other through the grieving process.

Valerie's House is based on a national model and helps children share, connect and build bonds with other kids their age. The program uses a variety of art, music and journaling activities.  The vision of Valerie's House is that no child will grieve alone.

Valerie's House Pensacola founder Crista Brandt, whose own mother died when she was 11 years old, said the new home will allow the organization to help many more grieving children in a warm and inviting environment.

"We are very grateful for The Chadbourne Foundation's generosity and their belief in our mission," Brandt said. "This new home will be a game changer in how our community can help families heal after a death in their family, and it is a dream come true for our families."

Valerie's House expanded into the panhandle in late 2020 with Brandt's leadership and, in less than two years, has helped more than 100 children and their families find connection and healing in one of their various peer support groups.

"When I was 11, my mother lost her battle with cancer. I didn't know anyone that had a parent die or understand what I was dealing with," Brandt said. "I held in my pain, making it much worse for my family. Our mission is to ensure no child ever has to grieve alone in our community."

Valerie's House Pensacola has been utilizing the Big Brothers Big Sisters building off Creighton Road since opening in 2021 but has quickly outgrown the space.

"We know grieving families need to be together and to have a place where they know they can be themselves and heal without judgment," Brandt said. "That's exactly what this home will be for our families. We are excited for the future."

If you would like to get involved with Valerie's House Pensacola's new location, including volunteering, decorating and room sponsorships, please reach out to Crista Brandt at crista@valerieshouse.org.

BUSH HUMOR On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Christ Church held a book signing event for its former pastor, Dr. Russ Levenson. His book, "Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush," covers his experiences with the Bushes, who were active members of St. Martin's, Houston, where Levenson is the rector.

In an interview with Inweekly publisher Rick Outzen on WCOA, Dr. Levenson talked about the former First Lady's extraordinary humor, frankness and thoughtfulness.

"There's a whole chapter on their humor," said Levenson. "Barbara had these two little dogs, BB and Minnie. They were cute and obnoxious, and BB had gotten in a bad habit of biting almost anybody who came to the house, even the Secret Service."

He continued, "One day, we were over visiting with the President and Bar. We had a good visit. We would usually pray together. We would share communion. And, my wife, as she often did, leaned over to kind of kiss the president on the cheek, which was often the way we started. They were very affectionate and said, 'I love you' all the time to one another. When my wife leaned over and gave him a little kiss, at that point, BB bit her right on the leg. Barbara goes, 'Oh, my goodness, I can't believe this happened—BB bit the pastor's wife.'"

The First Lady repeatedly asked to see the bite, and finally, Laura Levenson relented. Levenson recalled, "My wife pulls up her pants suit, and yeah, there's a nice little hole there and blood coming down. And Barbara goes, 'I'm just so sorry about that.'"

The next morning, his wife found a large orchid with a note at the front door of their home. "The note written in Barbara's handwriting said, 'Oh, dear Laura, I'm so sorry about the bite, but you just look good enough to eat.'"

REBIDDING BROADBAND

The Escambia County Commission thought it had moved a step closer to bringing high-speed internet services to homes and businesses in north Escambia County when it approved having staff work out a memorandum of understanding with Escambia River Electric Cooperative on Nov. 28.

However, Cox Communications filed a formal protest against the award. The communications giant claimed the proposals from EREC and other companies were invalid because they did not include the originally specified area north of 10 Mile Road. For that reason, Cox contended it should get the contract because its proposal scored higher than EREC's in a county selection committee ranking.

Commissioners, however, altered the requested service area at the Nov. 28 meeting because they felt the EREC proposal would better serve the unserved and underserved residents of North Escambia.

Under their proposal, EREC requested $6 million from the county toward a $24 million project to provide fiber internet to over 4,000 homes and businesses and a fiber ring connecting about two

dozen county facilities. The first homes could receive service as early as next summer.

The Cox proposal asked the county to provide $16.3 million to construct a 132-mile fiber ring to 44 county facilities and provide fiber internet to 2,514 underserved households. Their proposed timeline was 18-36 months to complete the residential portion, with 36 total months needed to ring the county facilities.

Rather than fight Cox's protest, the county has decided to rebid the contract. The new solicitation is to provide highspeed broadband from Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road north to the Alabama state line. The county is also seeking an estimated 104 miles of fiber to serve 40 county facilities in the geographic region. It will put up to $10 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the project.

District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry told Inweekly that the new solicitation, which closed on Thursday, Dec. 22, was done to avoid a long delay fighting the protest with the hope of delaying the project for a month or so.

"After spending some time with Administrator Moreno and County Attorney Alison Rogers, the timeline to dispose of a protest, regardless of the merit, can draw out to be a lengthy

timeline," said Commissioner Barry. "My real responsibility is to try to be an effective representative for my friends and constituents and bring that service more so than just trying to prevail and be right in an instance."

HOLLICE T. WILLIAMS PARK PATH The City of Pensacola announced a $637,060 funding award from the Florida Department of Transportation for a multi-use path at Hollice T. Williams Park, which will provide enhanced connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians and serve as a safe off-road transportation facility for the surrounding community.

"This is an exciting project to enhance connectivity between Hollice T. Williams Park, downtown Pensacola and surrounding neighborhoods," Mayor D.C. Reeves said. "We are continuing to work toward creating a safer and more connected city for bicyclists and pedestrians, and I'm glad to see FDOT setting aside funding for important projects like this in the city of Pensacola."

The .47-mile path will run from East Jordan Street to East Blount Street in Hollice T. Williams Park. The path is a critical component of the adopted Hollice T. Williams Greenway Framework

Plan and part of the RESTORE-funded design work underway through a partnership with Escambia County.

The funding has been included in the FDOT District 3 Tentative Work Program for the Fiscal Years 2024-2028, which must be submitted to the Governor's office, Legislature, Department of Economic Opportunity and Florida Transportation Commission for approval. The estimated construction start date for the Hollice T. Williams multi-use path is the fiscal year 2026.

A WEDDING FIRST For the first time since the cemetery's establishment in 1876, St. Johns hosted a wedding in its Gatehouse chapel on Saturday, Dec. 17, for Sophie Houser and Wesley Odom.

St. Johns is one of Pensacola's most historic cemeteries founded by masons of Escambia Lodge No. 15 F&AM. The cemetery contains the largest and most diverse number of gravestones and monuments in Northwest Florida. Annually, there are memorials and picnics to celebrate and remember those buried within the grounds.

Houser and Odom have a special place in their hearts for the hallowed grounds. It is the

place where they met, began their courtship, volunteer and plant flowers near loved ones' graves.

Houser is an art teacher with the Escambia County School District and even painted the mural in the chapel where they were wed. Odom owns an investment advisory firm, Armada Advisors, and a tour company, Go Retro.

LEFEVERS STEPS DOWN Last week, Sara Lefevers, president and CEO of The NISSI Project (Network of Immediate Services for Survivors International), announced her resignation, effective March 1, 2023.

The announcement came a month before the organization launches full operations of its Survivor Service Center during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

"This fight is not for a few; it's for all of us," said Lefevers in a written statement. "Each of us has a different role to play and a different mission to carry out. The establishment of this needed service was mine. I've accomplished it; now it's time for me to get out of the way so the next person can fulfill their mission."

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by reaching out to the NISSI Board of Directors at team@thenissiproject.org after Jan. 1. An official job posting will be listed at that time. {in}

year in review

If you're anything like us, you're probably experiencing a combination of seasonal stress and year-end fatigue right about now. It makes sense, too, because 2022 has been a long, weird year—so weird, in fact, some of you might not even want to rehash it. Luckily for you, we went ahead and did the homework for recapping the past 12 months so you don't have to.

From fun stuff, like Harry Styles' total takeover of pop culture, to not-so-fun stuff, like the ongoing debate around reproductive rights, here's a look back at the year in headlines.

national stories that dominated news cycles throughout the year.

INFLATION

Americans felt the effects of inflation rates continuing to rise in 2022. U.S. Labor Department data reported the inflation rate rose to a high of 9.1% in June and stayed above 8% for the majority of the year. The 9.1% interest rate marked the highest in the U.S. since December 1981 (10.3%). Citing persistent inflation, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates six times in 2022. The high interest rates led to a spike in rates for any industry that relies on financing including auto and mortgage loans and credit cards. Mortgage rates are at a 16-year high, home equity lines of credit are the highest in 14 years and car loan rates are at 11-year highs according to bankrate.com Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride.

WAR IN UKRAINE

Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine in February, and to this day, the war continues with no end in sight. Earlier this month, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said the conflict "may be a lengthy process" and warned of a possible nuclear war. A day after Putin made those comments, the U.S. announced plans to send a $275 million package of aid to Ukraine to strengthen its air defenses and vowed to stop Iran from aiding Russia with drones. The U.S. has sent Ukraine about $20 billion in military aid under the Biden adminis -

trade sanctions on Russia. In 2021, U.S. exports to Russia totaled $6.4 billion and U.S. imports from Russia totaled $29.7 billion. Due to sanctions, exports are projected to be one-third that total and imports half in 2022. Increased gas prices in the U.S. have resulted from the war.

SUPREME COURT RULING ON ABORTION

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade by a 6-3 vote, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Justice Samuel Alito wrote on behalf of the majority. Alito said that the 1973 Roe ruling and subsequent high court decisions reaffirming Roe were "egregiously wrong," the arguments "exceptionally weak" and so "damaging" that they amounted to "an abuse of judicial authority." Abortion is now banned in 13 states and restricted in Arizona, Florida and Georgia. A study by JAMA Network reported that people on average spent 100 minutes traveling to abortion facilities in September, compared to an average of 30 minutes before the Dobbs decision.

CDC RELAXES COVID-19 GUIDELINES

In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed COVID-19 guidelines. The CDC dropped the recommendations that people quarantine themselves if coming into close contact with an infected person and stay a minimum of 6 feet away from others. Instead of

quarantining, the CDC changed its recommendation to wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and test on the fifth day if exposed to the virus. The relaxed guidelines came two and a half years after the start of the pandemic.

STUDENT LOAN DEBT CANCELLATION

In August, President Biden announced a student loan forgiveness plan. About 26 million Americans applied for the loan relief before court rulings stopped the administration from being able to accept new applications. A federal appeals court put a nationwide injunction in place temporarily barring the plan from taking effect in response to a lawsuit brought on by a group of six Republican-led states. To further complicate matters, about nine million Americans who applied for the program mistakenly received emails from the Department of Education in November stating they had been approved for up to $20,000 in forgiveness. The Biden administration extended the pause on student debt repayments, originally scheduled to resume in January, until as late as June 30, 2023, to allow borrowers time while legal challenges move forward.

HOUSE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION ON CAPITOL ATTACK

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol held a series of public hearings and is expected to present a final report this month. Committee chairman Bennie Thompson said the panel is likely to make criminal referrals. A criminal referral is symbolic because the committee lacks prosecutorial powers. The committee will potentially issue a criminal referral to former President Donald Trump. He was subpoenaed by the panel in October, but he refused to testify.

FBI RAID ON TRUMP'S HOME

In August, FBI agents raided former President Donald Trump's home at Mar-a-Lago. FBI agents discovered four dozen empty document folders marked "CLASSIFIED" during their raid and another 42 empty folders marked "Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide." The Department of Justice is investigating Trump for the removal of those and other government documents from the White House when he left office in January 2021. Earlier this month, the DOJ asked a federal judge to hold Trump or his office in contempt of court because of his failure

to comply with a subpoena demanding all classified documents in his possession.

DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 in September after the longest reign in British history and longest verified reign of any female monarch. The Queen ruled the British monarchy for 70 years, and her reign spanned 15 prime ministers beginning with Winston Churchill. Her tenure included reconstruction in the aftermath of World War II, the transition from empire to Commonwealth and the end of the Cold War. An estimated 90 world leaders and hundreds of dignitaries, including emperors and sultans, attended her state funeral. Her son, King Charles III, ascended the throne, and Prince William became heir to the throne.

MORE MASS SHOOTINGS

Following a record 690 mass shootings in 2021, the United States is on pace for its secondhighest total in 2022 with 626 as of Dec. 11, according to data compiled by Gun Violence Archive. A shooting qualifies as a mass shooting when at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter. In November, mass shootings claimed at least 24 lives and injured nearly 40 others across seven states, including six dead at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Va., and five dead in a shooting rampage at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado.

MIDTERM ELECTIONS

The Republican Party ended two years of complete Democrat control of Congress by winning enough House seats in the midterm election. Republicans now control the House 222-213. All 435 House seats were up for grabs. Republicans fell short of their bid to take complete control of Congress as Democrats gained a Senate seat and now hold a 51-49 majority. Elections in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada took days and in some cases weeks to determine the fate of the legislative branch.

LOCAL MATTERS

What

ATTAINABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE

A shortage of "attainable" or "affordable" housing dominated local headlines throughout

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2022. The housing market skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. The median price for a single-family home rose to $300,000 in the spring, an increase of about $80,000 from 2019. Former mayor Grover Robinson prioritized the shortage of attainable housing for low-income families. Initiatives included the Attainable Housing Infill Program. The program uses city-owned and Community Redevelopment Agency properties within city limits to build affordable units available for income-qualifying families. Rising interest rates stymied the housing market in the latter half of the year, though, and new Mayor D.C. Reeves inherits a changing landscape. Reeves is prioritizing rentals to address the housing shortage. The median monthly rental price for a single-family home is $1,497 according to the Pensacola Association of Realtors. In November, Baptist Health Care and the city held a joint press conference to announce plans to turn the West Moreno Street campus into 214 affordable housing units.

PENSACOLA ELECTS NEW MAYOR

Political newcomer and Pensacola native D.C. Reeves captured 51.3% to win the mayoral race in August. The entrepreneur campaigned on addressing the shortage of attainable housing in the city and easily beat his three challengers in the Republican primary. Jewel Cannada-Wynn finished a distant second with 19.97% of the votes. Reeves went unchallenged in the general election. After his victory, Reeves formed a 29-member transition team that spent about two months preparing him for office by developing a report on 12 focus areas. The transition team called on Reeves and his staff to create a strategic plan for the city. That will entail working closely with a city council that includes two new members. Attorney Allison Patton unseated incumbent Ann Hill in District 6. Former Councilman Charles Bare regained his District 2 seat by beating Char Powell in a runoff. One seat changed in the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. Retired Navy Captain Mike Kohler won the District 2 seat vacated by Doug Underhill.

ETHICS COMMISSION VOTES TO

REMOVE UNDERHILL FROM OFFICE

Doug Underhill completed his second term as District 2 county commissioner in November—but not before the Florida Commission on Ethics asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to remove him from office and impose a $35,000 fine. The commission voted 6-1 in favor of his removal after finding him guilty of multiple violations, including releasing confidential documents to the public without authorization. Lewis Bear Company Vice President David Bear is among those who filed complaints against Underhill. He opted to not run for re-election and his term concluded without a ruling from DeSantis.

RECORD YEAR FOR TOURISM

Pensacola further cemented its reputation as a tourist destination with a record number of visitors. Visit Pensacola reported 2.5 million total visitors for Fiscal Year 2021-22, up 1.1% from the previous record set in FY 2020-21. Total room nights rose by three-tenths of a percentage point with 2,461,500. Direct spending totaled about $1.3 billion, an increase of 4.4% from FY 2021. The economic impact from tourism in -

creased by 3.9% and totaled over $2 billion. A record amount of traffic on Pensacola Beach contributed significantly to those numbers.

BANNED BOOKS IN SCHOOLS

A Northview High School teacher and Escambia County School Board Chair Kevin Adams called for the removal of over 100 books from school libraries until they could be reviewed by a committee. The teacher compiled the list based on books she considered inappropriate due to sexual language and graphic drawings. The school board responded by voting in favor of a book ban policy in which schools removed challenged books and put them in a restricted section until review committees made a final decision. Public outcry led to the school board changing the policy to allow books to remain available while under review unless challenged for pornographic content or violation of Florida statute. Inweekly partnered with Open Books to provide Escambia County Public School students free copies of any books banned by the school board.

HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT

Pensacola stumbled through transitioning the homeless population to shelters after closing the encampment beneath Interstate 110 in January. Hundreds of homeless people stayed at the I-110 camp. Some of the homeless population relocated to Safe Outdoor Space Camp, operated by Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola and located on Moreno Street behind Baptist Hospital. Complaints about unlivable conditions, harsh treatment of campers and money spent on the wrong programs persuaded the Pensacola City Council in September to place a moratorium on funding the homeless camp until an independent audit is completed. Council members previously approved $100,000 in city funds to be spent at the REAP camp. City code enforcement officers visited the camp and cited a long list of violations that were later addressed. REAP originally established the camp as a temporary site until the completion of shelters such as Max-Well and Bright Bridge.

SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

On the heels of 11 schools grading out as a D or F in 2021-22, two Escambia County Public Schools began transitioning to new models. Warrington Middle School earned its ninth consecutive grade of D or F, and the Florida State Board of Education ordered that Warrington transition to a charter school by the 2023-24 school year. Only Charter Schools USA offered its services and plans to submit an official charter application in January. Warrington is built for 1,200 students but is educating fewer than 600 this school year as parents who live in the school zone opted to send their children elsewhere. Pine Forest High is transitioning to a Community Partnership Schools™ model with Children's Home Society of Florida, Community Health Northwest Florida, Escambia County School District and the University of West Florida serving as partners. The same four community partners transitioned C.A. Weis Elementary to a community school in 2016 and oversee its operations. Pine Forest is located in the 32526 ZIP code, a growing area on the west side of Pensacola that is currently without a health center.

You didn't think we'd forget the music, movies and meme-worthy celebrity moments, did you?

BEYONCÉ'S "RENAISSANCE"

Before it topped every "Best Records of 2022" list, Beyoncé's seventh studio album was the soundtrack to the summer and gave us all a reason to return to the dance floor. 16 reasons, really, but who's counting? And it's probably safe to assume "Renaissance" will be a gift that keeps on giving in the new year, too—as fans continue to hope for visuals, a tour announcement and a big night at the Grammy's in February for Beyoncé and the "Renaissance" team.

HARRY'S HOUSE PARTY

For most of 2022, especially the late summer months, it really did feel the world in general was Harry Styles' house and we were all just living in it. From the release of his stellar third record "Harry's House," to his sold-out Love On Tour residences, to the shit show that was "Don't Worry Darling," he was pretty much a daily presence in most of our feeds.

"MIDNIGHTS" MADNESS

This October, Taylor Swift proved she can still walk into a room and make the whole place shimmer, as per the lyrics of her hit song "Bejeweled" from her 10th studio album "Midnights." Spotify briefly crashed when it dropped. And she broke all sorts of records with the album—like moststreamed album in a single day in Spotify history—and she occupied all top 10 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 in a week. Her upcoming Eras Tour broke records, too, but it was overshadowed by a Ticketmaster fiasco so epic it resulted in a fan-fueled lawsuit and a looming Justice Department investigation.

THE YEAR OF THE SLAP

It happened in early 2022, but somehow, we're still talking about when actor Will Smith walked on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face at the 94th Academy Awards. The slap came after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife's—Jada Pinkett Smith—bald head, which she shaves because of hair loss caused by alopecia areata. Everyone had an opinion. Slo-mo videos and memes ensued, and ultimately, Smith was banned from the Oscars gala and other Academy events for the next decade.

WE'LL MISS YOU, BETTY WHITE

Everyone hoped and secretly thought American actress and comedian Betty White would live forever. It was a true loss when she passed on the last day of 2021. We're including it this year because we didn't then, and, hello, she's a "Golden Girl" who will forever be missed.

HAVE YOU (AMBER) HEARD

Perhaps the most talked about and intensely watched court case of the year—and maybe the

decade—was Johnny Depp's riveting libel case against ex-wife Amber Heard. Their dirty laundry was aired for everyone to see. Depp walked away with $15 million in damages, and viewers of the televised debacle walked away with a whole lot of gossip material.

CONGRATS JON BATISTE

Jon Batiste left the Grammys with a lot of hardware. He took home five awards, including Album of the Year for "We Are."

THE NEED FOR SPEED

"Top Gun" fans were finally rewarded with a long-awaited sequel to the original movie. "Top Gun: Maverick" brought back Tom Cruise as Lt. Pete Maverick, this time alongside Goose's son, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (played by Miles Teller). It gave people a reason to swarm movie theaters again, becoming Cruise's highest-grossing domestic debut after raking in $100 million opening weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DRESS

In true Kim Kardashian fashion, she took vintage clothing to the next level at The Met Gala, wearing the original dress Marilyn Monroe wore to JFK's 1962 birthday party where she famously sang "Happy Birthday." And no surprise, it sparked a bit of backlash, some saying she set a bad example by losing an unhealthy amount of weight to squeeze into the dress, some saying she damaged the iconic dress and others saying it should've never been borrowed from Ripley's Believe It or Not!'s Orlando location in the first place.

TWITTER MELTDOWN

In October, Elon Musk officially bought Twitter, and, of course, it's been utter chaos ever since. From losing advertisers and employees to banning celebrities and potentially charging money for "blue checks," it's hard to know what any given day will bring for the platform. But most users are ready for it to basically disappear at any moment.

BENNIFER FOREVER

Bennifer fans were elated when Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reignited their early 2000s romance in 2021. Now they're hitched. They tied the knot in Vegas first and then celebrated again with a more elaborate ceremony later. Bennifer forever ... probably. {in}

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss

James Caan

Irene Cara

Aaron Carter

Coolio (Artis Leon Ivey Jr.)

Jean-Luc Godard

Gilbert Gottfried

Estelle Harris

Taylor Hawkins

Anne Heche

Leslie Jordan

Naomi Judd

Angela Lansbury

Andre Leon Talley

Jerry Lee Lewis

Ray Liotta

Loretta Lynn

Meat Loaf (Marvin Lee Aday)

Christine McVie

Olivia Newton-John Nichelle Nichols

Sidney Poitier

Queen Elizabeth II Ivan Reitman

Bob Saget

Ronnie Spector

Joe E. Tata

Takeoff (Kirshnik Khari Ball)

Stock Market Losses?

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

Beyoncé's "Renaissance"

Arts & Entertainment

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

Painter for the People

By C. Scott Satterwhite

While skating professionally, Stanton also played in several bands, becoming a mainstay in the Pensacola punk scene, including being a founding member of arguably Pensacola's most influential band, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb. After leaving Pensacola, Stanton helped form Causey Way and later Pilot Scott Tracy with his wife, Tracy, both bands on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records.

Somewhere in the journey, Stanton grew the persona Panhandle Slim, and a new path was forged that brought him to the eye of many—from multiple politicians, including U.S. presidents, to everyday people, especially in his hometown.

Slim repertoire. Even Johnny Cash has made it to yard signs.

Nonetheless, the political and topical events have brought this Pensacola native's work to a broader audience that would've been almost unimaginable when he began painting as a hobby.

"It's hard to top a painting of Jimmy Carter's English teacher ending up in Jimmy Carter's hands," said Stanton, "and then on the wall of his house."

He continued to reflect on where his paintings have landed. According to Stanton, "Tom Petty's daughter has a painting I did of her dad. Supreme Court Judge Thurgood Marshall's wife put a painting I did of Thurgood Marshall up in their church in Washington, D.C."

Stanton recently posted a picture of Spike Lee holding a painting he did of Fannie Lou Hamer. The famed director told Stanton he was going to hang the painting in his Brooklyn home and invited him to see the portrait. Stanton described this as "a moment I'll never forget."

"I grew up in [Pensacola] at a time where it was common for women's health care clinics to be bombed and health care providers to be shot," said Stanton. "I saw the hypocrisy firsthand. I've told folks in Georgia who think politics is dirty in Georgia, politics and folks in Florida are ruthless with their games."

"Georgia is tame compared to Florida," remarked Stanton. "However, Georgia almost caught up with Florida with that Herschel Walker versus Raphael Warnock foolishness."

Besides his political paintings, Stanton's memorial paintings bring him the most fulfillment. An example would be that after the 2019 terrorist shootings at Naval Air Station, Stanton created portraits for the three U.S. Navy sailors killed. The Pensacola Museum of Art later exhibited these works on Veterans Day the following year.

For anyone questioning if Panhandle Slim is having a moment, drive up to Georgia and look around. Yard after yard still have signs displayed with his artwork for Raphael Warnock or Stacy Abrams—at least in the Democratic-leaning neighborhoods. Go back two years, yards across the country—including here in Pensacola—had countless Biden/Harris signs made by the Pensacola-raised artist. For an artist whose normal medium is found wood, his profile is pretty high.

Fashionable to say the least, Panhandle Slim signs were all the rage with certain local politicos. Many were happy to share their politics but also their support for a hometown hero.

To write the entire resume for Panhandle Slim, AKA Scott Stanton, would take another article (which we've actually written before at this newspaper), so consider this an elevator pitch. Stanton grew up in Pensacola where he learned to skate and became a professional skater, recently nominated to the Florida Skateboard Hall of Fame.

Known for his distinctive portraits—often with inspiring, profound or funny quotes—Panhandle Slim is easily one of the most prolific artists in the United States. After all, there are few artists whose paintings are as likely to be hanging on your local tavern as well as in a museum, much less in your living room or in the front yard. His art remains topical, relevant, accessible and personal. These are four qualities few artists could consistently boast, but this is the case with Panhandle Slim.

Without any doubt, Panhandle Slim is a painter for the people.

When choosing his subject, he's often moved as much by the person as by what that person said. In an interview with the artist, Stanton offered insight into his process.

"By painting folks from the past, it is a bit of a mirror to show that folks have been dealing with extremely hard things long ago," said Stanton. "We are not alone in our struggles at this very moment."

Though his current spotlight appears to be political, the vast majority of his work is less partisan. Pop culture figures such as Nina Simone, Dolly Parton and Mister Rogers, as well as Outkast's Andre 3000 and the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain are common subjects in the Panhandle

Stanton's movement into politics, however, was gradual at first, but later "we went full force for the 2020 election and Georgia made the difference."

Though Stanton's paintings have always held social and political commentary, the 2020 election inspired the artist to use his unique style to help sway the election. Born outside of the political machines, the Panhandle Slim signs were created and distributed by a grassroots movement. People waited in line to get a sign from the artist himself, as well as many of his distributors, as the campaigns grew.

"I created the art, but we had a great team of folks getting the signs printed and out in people's hands across Georgia," said Stanton. "The manager from REM contacted me and he got billboards for [Democratic senatorial candidates] Warnock and Ossoff with my art on it. The same grassroots thing happened with Biden and Harris signs with my art, but that took place across the USA."

Of course, all of these candidates won their elections. He did the same for Warnock's 2022 senatorial campaign, even having the candidate join him for photos. Like in 2020, Warnock won his election.

Stanton said that he decided to step into political art because his "heart was in it" and "because art is too important not to be pushing change."

"In many ways, I could say growing up in Pensacola made me do this," said Stanton. "I saw long ago that politics is a game of folks trying to control other folks for their own profits and faux morality. It seems like one side is fighting for folk's rights and dignity and another side is trying to take away folk's rights and dignity as they parade as moral folks who simply love family and the fetus."

Following the murders of nine African American worshipers in Charleston, S.C., in 2015, Stanton was moved to show his support for the families through his art. He immediately painted portraits for each person murdered, drove from his home in Georgia to the Mother Emanuel AME church in South Carolina and left the paintings as tributes.

According to Stanton, "several family members later reached out to me, and we have become close friends since."

Stanton did the same thing this November, after the shootings at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colo. Initially, he created a painting of Richard Fierro, the army veteran who subdued the shooter during the attack.

"His daughter loved the painting and reached out to me," said Stanton. "After communication with her, I ended up creating a painting of her boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance. Raymond lost his life at that shooting in Colorado Springs. It was meaningful for me to create that painting for her."

Preparing for another art show and sale in Pensacola in advance of the holidays, Stanton expressed gratitude that he'd been able to reach so many people through his art. "I am extremely thankful for all the paintings I get to create and all the individual experiences they bring to my life and others." {in}

PANHANDLE SLIM ART SHOW AND SALE

WHEN: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23

WHERE: The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. COST: Free to enter, but art is individually priced

DETAILS: @panhandle_slim_

HOLIDAY EVENTS

FREE ON-STREET PARKING DOWNTOWN

Fees for city-owned, on-street public parking (designated by teal blue signs) will be waived on Dec. 23-25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

WINTERFEST TOURS Downtown Pensacola is again transforming into a winter wonderland. Reserve seats on special themed tours including the Scrooge Tour, Polar Express Tour, Grinch Tour as well as Santa and Grinch photo ops and preshows for the public to enjoy. For tour information and reservations, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.

BLUES CHRISTMAS The Blues Society will celebrate "Christmas Blues" every Monday at 7 p.m. throughout the month of December. The Blues Society will fill your ears and spirits with the glorious gift of Christmas Blues at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

WINTER SOLSTICE AT ODD COLONY Celebrate Winter Solstice surrounded by candlelight at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox with the release of Shadow Self [Baltic Porter] and Yule Log Cake by Craft Bakery. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

HOLIDAY RAMBLE Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox, partners with two of our favorite local businesses to procure a night of holiday jingles and decadent treats. Eric from Revolver Records will be spinning a custom collection of Holiday vinyl classics all evening and Chef Jordan from Craft Bakery will be in house to pair some treats with seasonal beer releases Friday, Dec. 23 from 4-11 p.m. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

HOLIDAY DREAMS: A SPECTACULAR HOLIDAY CIRQUE! Watch a special holiday cirque show with holograms, lasers, BMX daredevils and more, Monday, Dec. 26, at 7 p.m., at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets start at $44. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for details.

BIERGARTEN MOVIE NIGHT Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, located at 208 Newman Ave., is hosting a movie night Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 6-8 p.m., with a showing of "Elf." More information at facebook.com/garysbrew.

NOON YEAR'S EVE PARTY AT LAGUNA'S

Can't stay up till midnight? Celebrate the New Year at Laguna's, 2200 Via de Luna Drive, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with a family-friendly event featuring live music, a noon-year countdown and a celebratory toast.

BOUJ YEAR'S EVE 2023 Get dressed up for a fancy night of champagne, drag shows, live music, aerialists, tattoos and more at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. General admission is $149. VIP tickets are $199. Visit facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco for details and ticket info.

PHASES OF FUNK NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENT Ring in the New Year with Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox, with the Phase of Funk. Free admission with beer releases, DJ @13ravo and complimentary saison and champagne pours at midnight. Party is from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Visit facebook.com/ oddcolony for details.

PSO CELEBRATES THE NEW YEAR Pensacola Symphony Orchestra's annual NYE Concert is Saturday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m., at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets start at $23. Visit pensacolasymphony.com for details.

KREWE OF GATSBY GIRLS SPEAKEASY BALL AND CHARITY EVENT

The Gatsby Girls invite you to come have a Roaring Good Time ringing in the New Year with the band Unfortunate Sons. Black tie required and 21 to attend. All proceeds go to Honor H.E.R. Foundation of Northwest Florida. Party begins at 9 p.m. at Hilton Pensacola Beach, 12 Via de Luna Drive. Visit kreweofgatsbygirls.com for details and tickets.

FELICE ANNO NUOVO AT ANGELENA'S

Four-course fixed-price dinner with optional Italian wine pairing. Meal is $100 and wine pairing is $35. Reservations can be made at (850) 542-8398 or online at angelenaspensacola.com. Angelena's is located at 101 E. Intendencia St.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE FISH HOUSE

Make your reservation for a New Year's Eve dinner at Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. Seatings are at 6 and 9 p.m. for a fixed-priced five-course menu with wine pairings. Walk-in service will be available with the standard menu. Make reservations by calling (850) 287-0200. Visit fishhousepensacola.com for details.

NEW YEAR'S AT JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox, will have New Year's Eve features in addition to its regular menu. Hoppin' John will be served at midnight. Make your reservations at (850) 469-9898.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT FIVE SISTERS Five Sisters, located at 421 W. Belmont St., will have a special menu in addition to full dinner menu and live music from Cat Daddy Blues from 8-11 p.m. Walk-in service only. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for details.

NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS ON PENSACOLA BEACH Say goodbye to 2022 by watching fireworks over Pensacola Beach at the stroke of midnight. Local beach businesses and chamber members can donate to future NYE fireworks by contacting Meg Peltier at meg@ visitpensacolabeach.com.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ESCAMBIA COUNTY ANIMAL WELFARE TO OFFER "HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS" ADOPTION SPECIAL The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is offering a "Home for the Holidays" adoption special now-Dec. 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, heartworm 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 at The 5 Barrel Brewery, 121 S. Palafox, dates are 6 p.m. Dec. 27. $10 for 10 rounds. Proceeds go to help local animals. You must be 18 years old to play. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

ARTS & CULTURE

WHAT'S SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINEMA ART PCA is located at the Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. "Glass Onion" is at 1 p.m., Dec. 23-25. Classic films are available for free through the PCA website. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for more information and the latest showtimes.

309 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Julia Arrendondo is the current 309 Artist in Residence. She is an artist entrepreneur who recently concluded her MFA at Columbia College Chicago. Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Julia is heavily influenced by the small, family-based businesses she grew up around. Formally trained in printmaking and specializing in artistic forms of independent publishing, Julia founded Vice Versa Press and Curandera Press as her entrepreneurial debuts. Having launched QTVC Live!, a DIY home shopping channel, in January 2020, Julia is now collaborating with moCa Cleveland on six brand new episodes. Will there be a Pensacola series of QTVC Live! episodes? Stay tuned by following 309 on Facebook.

PANHANDLE SLIM ART SHOW The Handlebar will host a sale of art by Pensacola's own Panhandle Slim from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. Location is 319 N. Tarragona St. Stop by, meet the artist, and buy some of his paintings. First come, first served. The show is open to public and all art is for sale.

AND MISS FLAWLESS PAGEANT

MISTER/MR.

The Second Annual Mister/Mr. and Miss Flawless Pageant will be held 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 at the WAV Event Center, 511 S. Palafox. VIP Tables for (seating of six) is $150. General admission tickets are $20 via Cash App: $flawlesspageant. For more information. please contact Taize' via email at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS BRIDAL EXPO

Visit Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, to see the best from local wedding professionals. See displays, samples and more. Admission is $10 cash only. Visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

LA VIE BOHÈME Pensacola Opera presents an opera/musical mashup at The Cabaret, 101 S. Jefferson St., 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/pensacolaopera for details.

TABLE TALKS AT THE TRUST Join the Historic Trust for a monthly lunch and learn series on the third Wednesday of the month at the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, located at 117 E. Government St., from noon-1 p.m. The program is free—just bring your lunch and enjoy a casual opportunity to learn about a variety of topics. 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.

VANDALS TO VANGUARDS On view at the Pensacola Museum of Art, located at 407 S. Jefferson St., the Vandals to Vanguards exhibition explores the evolution of pop art and street art through works from the museum's collection and loans from local collectors. Exhibit on view through Jan. 8. 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 Pensacola, 117 E. Government St.

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

territory over to the United States. Ratified in 1821, the treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America. On view at Pensacola Museum of History through Dec. 23. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

CELEBRATE! 50 YEARS OF THE GREAT GULF COAST ARTS FESTIVAL This exhibit explores the incredible story of the volunteers who keep the festival alive. Through the past five decades, 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 February 2023.

TEXTILES OF THE TIMES: REGENCY ERA DRESS

WINTER SOUPS LUNCH & LEARN Learn to make cozy winter soups at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox, Tuesday, Jan. 10, from noon-1 p.m. Tickets are $40. Visit bodaciousshops.com for details.

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

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

LIVE MUSIC

THE SPONGES The Sponges will be playing The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St., 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. Bring a toy for Gulf Coast Kid's House to get a discount on your ticket. More information at thehandlebar850.com.

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 historical documentation of stores known to have operated on Palafox, inside this recreation of a seamstress shop visitors will be able to explore the dress of yesteryear. On view at the Pensacola Museum of History through June 2023. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

TWELFTH NIGHT AT JACKSON'S In celebration of the Twelfth Night, Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox, will be offering special features for dinner service Thursday, Jan. 5-Sunday, Jan. 8, with special features including Oysters Rockefeller soup, Miko's king cake and a special king cake cocktail. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for details.

A CELEBRATION OF TRUFFLES Once again, Angelena's, 101 E. Intendencia St., is pleased to offer a special dinner celebrating truffles. The dinner will be held in the main dining room on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 6 p.m. Seating is $250 per person. Seating for the Celebration of Truffles dinner is limited. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (850) 542-8398.

COOKING FUN-DA-MENTALS: KNIFE

SKILLS Learn cooking knife skills with Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave., 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5. Cost is $50 per student. Visit facebook. com/pensacolacooks for details.

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS The January Atlas Beverage Class is Thursday, Jan. 5, at 5 and 7 p.m., and features Brown-Forman Distillery. Class is $20 per person. Seating is limited. Make your reservations by calling (850) 287-0200.

LADIES NIGHT OUT: COOKING WITH

WINE Class is Friday, Jan. 6, from 7-9 p.m., at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $50 per person. Visit facebook.com/pensacolacooks for details.

VINO MAGNIFICO The next Vino Magnifico is Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 5:30 p.m., at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox. Tickets are $15 per person. Attendance is limited and reservations are required. Make yours at vpauls.com.

JAZZ BY THE BOOK Join Joe Occhipinti and the Jazzabouts at the Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 1-3 p.m., for classic jazz favorites.

GOATWHORE, HERAKLION, DREAD, MODOWN Show is at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St., 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.

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

GARY-OKE Sing your heart out at Gary's Brewery and Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave., every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

PENSACOLA

PICK NIGHT AT ODD

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

MONDAY

NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE

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

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE

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

FITNESS + RECREATION

SALSA LATIN NIGHTS Sandcastle Entertainment presents "Salsa Latin Nights" Friday, Dec. 23, at 10 p.m., at Cactus Cantina, located at 22 S. Palafox. The simulcast will air live at 11 p.m. on sandcastleradio.org.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE Ring in 2023 with our Polar Bear Plunge. Head to Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna Drive, at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 1, and plunge into the Santa Rosa Sound at the annual Polar Bear Plunge.

POLAR BEAR DIP Flora-Bama's annual Polar Bear Dip is at noon, Sunday, Jan. 1, located at 17401 Perdido Key Drive. Those who fully submerge get a free draft beer and New Year's lunch of ham, black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread.

CITY OF PENSACOLA ANNOUNCES 2023

FREE YOGA IN THE PARK The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department will continue its partnerships with Pensacola fitness businesses Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center and Pure Pilates Studio to offer free yoga and Pilates classes to citizens throughout 2023 as a part of its Wellness in the Park Series. Onehour outdoor yoga classes will be led by Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center on the first Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at Bayview Park. One-hour outdoor Pilates classes will be led by Pure Pilates Studio on the third Sunday of every month at Community Maritime Park. The next date is Sunday, Jan. 1.

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS Games are played at the Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are available at iceflyers.com.

Upcoming home games:

•7:05 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

•7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27

•7:05 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30

PUBLIC SKATE Pensacola Bay Center hosts public ice-skating sessions October-April. All public skate sessions last one hour. Sessions typically occur on the weekends and after Ice

Flyers Home games. Capacity is limited for each session, so get your tickets early.

Upcoming times:

•2-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22

•9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

•2-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26

•9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27

•2-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28

•2-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29

•9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30

PENSACOLA PARKRUN The Pensacola Rec Plex North parkrun is 7:30 a.m. Saturdays. The weekly timed 5K run or walk takes place at the University of West Florida and is open to everyone, regardless of fitness level. For more information, visit facebook.com/rpnparkrun or email recplexnorth@parkrun.com.

YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Beginner

Yoga with John is 10 a.m. Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Funky Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Tuesdays. And Vinyasa Yoga Flow is 6 p.m. Thursdays. All classes at Ever'man, 327 W. Garden St. For a full calendar of events, visit everman.org.

KID-FRIENDLY

PARENT AND ME PRESCHOOL CHEFS

Class is for ages 4 and 5, 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $39 for one parent and child. Visit facebook. com/pensacolacooks for details and tickets.

TEENS ONLY: THAI FLAVORS Cooking class for ages 13-17 on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 5-7 p.m., at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $45 per student. Visit facebook.com/pensacolacooks for details.

STEM PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY

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

"Adventures" is a one-day program that introduces fourth- and fifth-grade students to STEM with topics ranging from flying drones to navigating through hurricanes. The program is offered daily, Monday-Friday,9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for availability.

"Cruises" is designed for students ages fifth12th grades as an introduction to the National Flight Academy's flagship Deployment program. For three days, students stay overnight and learn a variety of topics including meteorology, aerodynamics, mathematics, bathymetry, physics and more. Tuition for the three-day overnight cruise is $475 per student. A minimum enrollment requirement of 36 is needed in order for each session to run. 2023 Cruise dates are Feb. 15-17, Feb. 17-19, March 10-12, March 17-19, March 24-26, March 31-April 2 and April 14-16.

"Deployment," the NFA's flagship program, is a six-day, five-night deployment for seventh-12th grade students. Attendees live aboard the virtual aircraft carrier Ambition, a 102,000-square-foot, four-story structure. The Deployment program envelops them into

life as a Naval Aviator aboard a modern aircraft carrier. Missions progressively become more challenging throughout the week as the AXPs advance their aviation science skills as well as their communication skills. Christmas Break Deployment dates are Dec. 11-16 and Dec. 1822. Deployments begin at noon on Sunday and end on Friday at noon with a graduation ceremony in the National Naval Aviation Museum's Blue Angels Atrium.

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

BEANSTACK: 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KIN -

DERGARTEN

Enjoy reading 1,000 books with your little ones with West Florida Public Libraries. Log reading and earn badges all along the way. Bond with your child and inspire literacy along the way. A book a day is 365 books in a year, 730 in two years and 1,095 in three years. For every 100 books, you can claim at prize at the library to claim a prize.

How to participate:

Register for the challenge on the West Florida Public Libraries' Beanstack, either on the mobile app or at mywfpl.beanstack.org.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 22

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Aries author Eric G. Wilson has written a book that I might typically recommend to 40 percent of the Aries tribe. But in 2023, I will raise that to 80 percent of you. The title is "How to Be Weird: An Off-Kilter Guide to Living a One-of-a-Kind Life." According to my analysis of the astrological omens, it will make sense for you to stop making sense on a semi-regular basis. Cheerfully rebelling against the status quo should be one of your most rewarding hobbies. The best way to educate and entertain yourself will be to ask yourself, "What is the most original and imaginative thing I can do right now?

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): One of your potential superpowers is cultivating links between the spiritual and physical worlds. If you develop this talent, you illuminate the ways that eternity permeates the everyday routine. You weave together the sacred and the mundane so they synergize each other. You understand how practical matters may be infused with archetypal energies and epic themes. I hope you will be doing a lot of this playful work in 2023, Taurus. Many of us non-Bulls would love you to teach us more about these mysteries.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Here are fun and useful projects for you to cultivate in 2023— 1. Initiate interesting trends. Don't follow mediocre trends. 2. Exert buoyant leadership in the groups you are part of. 3. Practice the art of enhancing your concentration by relaxing. 4. Every Sunday at noon, renew your vow to not deceive or lie to yourself during the coming week.

5. Make it your goal to be a fabulous communicator, not just an average one. 6. Cultivate your ability to discern what people are hiding or pretending about.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): In 2023, I hope you will refine and deepen your relationship with your gut instinct. I will be ecstatic if you learn more about the differences between your lucid intuition and the worry mongering that your pesky demons rustle up. If you attend to these matters—and life will conspire to help you if you do—your rhythm will become dramatically more secure and stable. Your guidance system

will serve you better than it ever has. A caveat— Seeking perfection in honing these skills is not necessary. Just do the best you can.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Psychiatrist and author Irvin Yalom wrote, "The question of meaning in life is, as the Buddha thought, not edifying. One must immerse oneself into the river of life and let the question drift away." But Holocaust survivor and philosopher Viktor Frankl had a radically different view. He said that a sense of meaning is the single most important thing. That's what sustains and nourishes us through the years: the feeling that our life has a meaning and that any particular experience has a meaning. I share Frankl's perspective, and I advise you to adopt his approach throughout 2023. You will have unprecedented opportunities to see and know the overarching plan of your destiny, which has been only partially visible to you in the past. You will be regularly blessed with insights about your purpose here on earth.

en—a mere 7%! At least that's more than the four females represented in 1855's first edition. Let's take this atrocious injustice as our provocation for your horoscope. In accordance with astrological omens, one of your assignments in 2023 will be to make personal efforts to equalize power among the genders. Your well-being will thrive as you work to create a misogynyfree future. Here are possible actions: If you're a woman or nonbinary person, be extra bold and brave as you say what you genuinely think and feel and mean. If you're a man, foster your skills at listening to women and nonbinary people. Give them abundant space and welcome to speak their truths. It will be in your ultimate interest to do so!

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): To prepare you for 2023, I'm offering you wisdom from mythologist Michael Meade. Of all the signs in the zodiac, you Scorpios will be most likely to extract riches from it. Meade writes, "Becoming a genuine individual requires learning the oppositions within oneself. Those who fail or refuse to face the oppositions within have no choice but to find enemies to project upon. 'Enemy' simply means 'not-friend'; unless a person deals with the not-friend within, they require enemies around them."

Dream Sequence." It will provide guidance as you dive further than ever before into the precious mysteries in your inner depths. Hesse addressed his "good ardent darkness, the warm cradle of the soul, and lost homeland." He asked them to open up for him. He wanted them to be fully available to his conscious mind. Hesse said this to his soul—"Just feel your way, soul, just wander about, burrow into the full bath of innocent twilight drives!"

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Cardiovascular surgeon Michael DeBakey lived till age 99. He almost died at 97, but was able to capitalize on an invention that he himself had created years before: a polymer resin that could repair or replace aging blood vessels. Surgeons used his technology to return him to health. I am predicting that in 2023, you, too, will derive a number of benefits from your actions in the past. Things you made, projects you nurtured, and ideas you initiated will prove valuable to you as you encounter the challenges and opportunities of the future.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): As a young woman, Virgo-born Ingeborg Rapoport (1912–2017) studied medicine at the University of Hamburg in Germany. But in 1938, the Nazis refused to let her defend her PhD thesis and get her medical degree because of her Jewish ancestry. Seventy-seven years later, she was finally given a chance to finish what she had started. Success! The dean of the school said, "She was absolutely brilliant. Her specific knowledge about the latest developments in medicine was unbelievable." I expect comparable developments for you in 2023, Virgo. You will receive defining opportunities or invitations that have not been possible before. Postponed breakthroughs and resolutions will become achievable.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Of the 2,200+ humans quoted in a 21st-century edition of "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations," 164 are wom -

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): "I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best," declared Sagittarian opera singer Maria Callas (1923–1977). Many critics say she was indeed one of the 20th century's best. The consensus is that she was also a temperamental prima donna. Impresario Rudolf Bing said she was a trial to work with "because she was so much more intelligent. Other artists, you could get around. But Callas you could not get around. She knew exactly what she wanted and why she wanted it." In accordance with astrological omens, Sagittarius, I authorize you, in your quest for success in 2023, to be as "difficult" as Callas was, in the sense of knowing exactly what you want. But please—so as to not undermine your success—don't lapse into divalike behavior.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): To inspire your self-inquiry in 2023, I have chosen a passage from Herman Hesse's fairy tale, "A

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I decided to divine the state of your financial karma. To begin, I swirled a $10 bill through the flame rising from a green candle. Then I sought cosmic auguries in the burn patterns on the bill. The oracle provided bad news and good news. The bad news is that you live on a planet where one-fifth of the population owns much more than fourfifths of the wealth. The good news is that in 2023, you will be in decent shape to move closer to the elite one-fifth. Amazingly, the oracle also suggests that your ability to get richer quicker will increase in direct proportion to your integrity and generosity.

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What circumstance in your life is most worthy of you unleashing a big "Hooray!"? Testify! newsletter.freewillastrology.com {in}

news of the weird

WHO KNEW? In June 2023, people in South Korea will suddenly become younger, the BBC reported. On Dec. 8, the South Korean parliament voted to switch from two traditional methods of counting age to the more widely recognized international method for official documents. Currently, Koreans are 1 year old at birth and then gain another year on the first day of each following year. An alternate method has them at 0 upon birth, then adding a year each Jan. 1. So, for example, someone born on Dec. 31, 2002, is 19 years old using the international method. But under Korea's traditional methods, they might be 20 or 21 years old. One member of parliament said the change would reduce "unnecessary socio-economic costs, because legal and social disputes as well as confusion persist due to the different ways of calculating age."

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Phoenix police officer Christian Goggans, who had been assigned to home duty, took advantage of the situation by dedicating more hours to his porn career, KOLDTV reported. Goggans is facing an internal investigation after he allegedly traveled back and forth to Las Vegas while on the clock to produce and star in pornographic videos. He posted the films to a public Twitter page using his "stage" name, Rico Blaze (which has since been made private). A Phoenix PD public information officer said Goggans' work-from-home assignment required only that he call in once daily.

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK Someone aboard the USNS Yuma, a Navy transport ship moored on the Greek island of Crete, is having a superior bathroom experience, thanks to the installation of the Bio Bidet BB-1000, The Washington Free Beacon reported on Dec. 12. At a cool $553, the BB-1000 offers a heated seat, blow dryer, remote control, deodorizer and an "effective enema function," which a retailer called "the absolute strongest spray pressure of any electronic bidet seat on the market." The Military Sealift Command confirmed the purchase but declined to offer more details.

PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM US In Japan, a phenomenon known as rojo-ne—literally, sleeping on the road—is once again becoming a hazard as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and people are out partying more, reported The Guardian. The number of deaths of snoozing partiers has nearly doubled in Tokyo compared to last year, police say, and they're worried that the impending endof-year celebrations will only add to the problem. Officials have also asked taxi drivers and others to drive with their high beams on and slow down.

ANIMAL ANTICS A live nativity scene in Carolina Beach, an island community about 140 miles southeast of Raleigh, North Carolina, was missing its cows on Dec. 4, the News & Observer reported. The two cows escaped their pen at Seaside Chapel around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, police explained, and were apparently so determined to get away that they ended up in the Cape Fear

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

River. Carolina Beach police were joined by state park rangers and a K-9 with special herding skills as they hauled the soggy bovines back to shore.

BRIGHT IDEA A homeowner in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, was puzzled when he discovered five bullet holes in the siding of his house, along with another in his son's bedroom window, the Grand Forks Herald reported. Police were summoned, and they questioned a next-door neighbor, Michael James Powers, 76, who readily admitted that he'd been shooting at a squirrel that was on his bird feeder; as he put it, "Well, that's war." Powers was aiming from his own bedroom window, and said it wasn't the first time he'd shot at squirrels. He offered to go talk to "the other guy" and make it right, but officers had something different in mind: They arrested him for reckless discharge of a firearm. When Powers told his wife he was being arrested, she responded, "Well, I told you."

IT'S A MYSTERY Residents of South Tampa, Florida, are shaking their heads, trying to discover the source of "a deep, vibrating bass sound" that's been occurring on Saturday evenings for months, Fox13-TV reported. "You can feel it when your head's down on the pillow," said Abbi Reynolds. People have posted on social media, saying that their "windows are literally rattling" and "it reverberates from neighboring tall houses like an echo chamber." But Tampa police can't locate the source, either. They've checked with the local Air Force base and cruise lines, neither of which are responsible for the noise. Resident Zach Reynolds and others want to get to the bottom of it, trying to triangulate the noise and station people in different areas to suss out the culprit.

POLICE REPORT Anthony Thomas Tarduno, 48, saved the Hernando County (Florida) Sheriff's Office the trouble of investigating after one of their patrol cars was set on fire on Dec. 7 in Spring Hill, Florida, WTSP-TV reported. As officers looked over the scene, Tarduno walked up and confessed to being the arsonist, saying he "had been drinking at a bar ... and decided he'd like to set it on fire." Tarduno placed a bag of garbage under the patrol vehicle and used a lighter to set it ablaze, police said. Tarduno admitted to detectives that when he gets drunk, he does "stupid things."

EWWWW Muscle Shoals, Alabama, experienced a thunderstorm on Dec. 10 that brought more than lightning and heavy rain, WHNT-TV reported. The city's utility board manager, James Vance, said lightning struck controls at a sewer pump station, which allowed almost 2,000 gallons of sewage to flow into the streets of the Camden Cove subdivision. The sludge eventually flowed into a stormwater retention pond, and utility crews were able to clean up the mess. {in}

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