pensacola grand mardi gras parade
winners & losers winners losers
ED MEADOWS Florida State University's Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research & Education (InSPIRE) has announced the addition of Dr. Meadows to its advisory council. He has served as Pensacola State College president since 2008. Under his guidance, PSC is currently developing a facility at Pensacola International Airport for a new Associate of Science program in Airframe and Powerplant technology. Additionally, Dr. Meadows oversees an on-campus collaboration with LIFT Technologies to enhance opportunities in advanced manufacturing, technology and research for students. His appointment comes as part of FSU's broader regional initiative to strengthen workforce development through partnerships with local colleges.
CAROL CARLAN At the third annual AlltogetHer Conference 2025, the PSC Alumni Association donated $13,500 to the Carol Carlan Legacy Leadership Endowed Scholarship at Pensacola State College. The check was added to Carlan's initial $12,500 donation to establish the $25,000 endowment. To make an immediate impact, Carlan and the Alumni Association contributed an additional $1,000 each to support students in need during the current semester.
BRANDT & SAMANTHA HENDRICKS The Jay couple placed in the top 10 of the American Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture competition. They are third-generation farmers of Hendricks & Son Farms; they grow cotton, peanuts and hay and raise direct-to-consumer beef cattle. The couple served on the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group and are active Farm Bureau members. The award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities.
UWF NURSING The program topped the state and national averages for 2024 by wide margins, as 97.67% of its graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses on their first attempt. UWF Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates surpassed the national average for firsttime pass rate by over 20 percentage points and exceeded the state mark by over 10 points. For the first two quarters, UWF School of Nursing graduates posted a 100% pass rate, the second-highest percentage in the state university system.
EPA The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the renaming of its Gulf of Mexico Division to the Gulf of America Division, in accordance with President Trump's executive order. Established in 1988, the Gulf program is part of EPA's Great Water Body programs. The watershed encompasses drainage from 31 U.S. states and Mexico, spanning 1,630 miles of U.S. coastline. The Gulf region's fisheries are among the most productive in the nation, ranking second in commercial fishing volume nationally. Through the newly renamed Gulf of America Division, EPA pledged to continue facilitating voluntary, nonregulatory approaches and public-private partnerships, but we still know what gave Trump the authority to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
GOLF IN STATE
PARKS
With legislation being considered to prevent building golf courses, resort lodges and pickleball courts at state parks, Gov. Ron DeSantis has denied the existence of controversial plans to develop Florida state parks, despite documented evidence from August 2023. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had officially announced the "Great Outdoors Initiative," which included such developments at nine state parks. DEP social media later briefly outlined the plans. The announcement sparked significant bipartisan opposition, particularly regarding three proposed golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. DeSantis now claims this was merely "a bureaucrat's memo" that was leaked to create a "narrative." A DEP employee later reported losing their job after sharing the plans with the media. Either way, state parks won't be adding golf courses any time soon, we hope.
TESLA The Financial Times reports Tesla sales in Germany dropped 59% in January compared to the same month last year. Its share of the electric vehicle mark went from 14% to 4%. In the manufacturer's other valuable European markets, its sales in France were down 63% in January, while registrations of new Teslas in Norway fell 38%. The two main reasons are believed to be the introduction of the new Model Y and the disapproval of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his meddling in politics, which is not appreciated in Europe.
Ed Meadows / Photo Courtesy of Pensacola State College
2/28 Krewe of lafitte illuminated parade downtown pensacola | 7:30pm
3/2 krewe of wrecks beach parade pensacola beach | 2pm
3/4 fat tuesday celebration seville quarter
the 2025 pensacola mardi gras season presented by grand parade opening ceremony sponsored by inc
FACES
outtakes
By Rick Outzen
THE BLOG TURNS 20
In February 2005, I started a blog without realizing how to use it effectively. Reporters nationwide, including those at the Pensacola New Journal, had them, but only a handful were having any impact. Little did I realize that ricksblog.biz would still be making waves two decades later.
During its first year, I would post something once or twice a month without much fanfare, but by 2006, platforms like Blogger, WordPress and LiveJournal made blogging accessible and multimedia-rich. Alternative weeklies were using blogs to break into daily news coverage, but I didn't figure out how until I attended the annual convention of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies in Little Rock, Ark.
Arkansas Times editor Max Brantley had made his weekly newspaper's blog a must-read statewide. His posts on Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's travel expenses, campaign finance disclosures and acceptance of gifts while in office got Brantley blacklisted. The Huckabee administration dropped the Arkansas Times from its media list, which received e-mail notices of news releases and press conferences, because the paper's blog alleged favoritism with government contracts. Finally, pressure from national media forced the governor to relent.
not published with the articles. The key was giving readers something extra. Brantley shared, "When we did, we saw our website hits go through the roof."
$2,800,000 • 7.8 acres
New wetland survey April 2023! 3283 Gulf Breeze Pkwy by Publix at Tiger Point and Tiger Point Park Drive. Access from Hwy 98 and Tiger
The breakthrough for Rick's Blog was the fight over Community Maritime Park. Save Our City leaders had successfully defeated a referendum for a festival park and auditorium on the vacant Pensacola Bay property across from Pensacola City Hall three years earlier. They planned to use the same playbook—letters to the editor and viewpoints in the daily newspaper and airtime on WCOA's "Pensacola Speaks"—to defeat the maritime park.
Opponents Charlie Fairchild, Councilman Marty Donovan and retired UWF professor C.C. Elebash had no answer to the blog, which constantly exposed their misinformation. The referendum passed 56% to 44%.
has helped us meet our mission of maintaining an informed, connected and empowered community.
Many thought the blog would fade after the vote, but it didn't. Rick's Blog played a key role in investigating the murders of Bud and Melanie Billings, which led to a profile in the New York Times and several documentaries. My coverage of the BP oil spill for The Daily Beast and the blog garnered even more national attention.
At the Historic Arkansas Museum's fish fry, I met Brantley. Over beers, we discussed his blog because I had attended his panel discussion earlier in the day. He said, "A blog is a way for weeklies to become dailies. It pushes the boundaries of interactivity. You must have fresh content constantly."
As dusk turned to night, we moved to a nearby dive bar. I wanted to know the secret to making a blog have an impact. Brantley said, "Rick, you have to post three times a day, every day. Post everything you hear, read or that someone sends you. Eventually, you will break a big news story no one else has, and readers will flock to you."
He emphasized timing, recommending posts before 8 a.m., around 11 a.m., and around 5 p.m. His blog drew a lot of attention by posting additional information that the daily newspaper often referred to in its stories but
Today, over 26,200 posts later, Rick's Blog still has a following. When locals talk about it, they often simply refer to it as "the blog." I have augmented its influence by using Facebook, X, Threads and other social media platforms to promote the posts and connect with more readers. We post many of our interviews on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts to engage people further.
Thanks to the blog, I have become a better writer and learned how to build a story so readers can understand how the dots connect. It has helped us meet our mission of maintaining an informed, connected and empowered community. I try to provide context to the many issues facing us, such as Gov. DeSantis' appointment of Boise State professor Scott Yenor to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees.
Many of our readers have followed me on this journey for the past 20 years. Thank you for your encouragement and constructive criticism. It continues to be fun. {in} rick@inweekly.net
715 S Palafox St.
5,700 SF / $25 PSF (Annual) Downtown Pensacola Waterfront on Palafox with Parking! 2 story building available. Deck on Palafox Marina (dock not included). Excellent condition. Ready for occupancy.
ANALYSIS: DESANTIS, YENOR & UWF
The changes at UWF may follow a documented pattern seen at other institutions. At North Idaho College, similar ideological shifts led to a near-loss of accreditation and significant institutional instability. In Florida, New College's transformation under DeSantisappointed trustees provides a recent blueprint for rapid institutional change.
"They find winnable battles first and hone their skills there. Take over these small places and then a little bit bigger and then a little bit bigger," said Heath Druzin, creator of the podcast "Extremely American."
He added, "These guys—far-right activists, Christian nationalists—they have the will to do it. They are determined, and they are patient."
The stakes extend beyond campus boundaries. UWF's role in workforce development and regional economic growth could be affected by shifts away from professional programs. The institution's successful performance metrics and community partnerships may face challenges.
"The cloud of controversy that we now have over us, I'm concerned about," said trustee Susan James, a UWF professor and Faculty Senate president, during the board meeting. "We have an absolutely amazing university that has excelled in so many ways."
Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank that has provided personnel and an intellectual framework for his reshaping of Florida's educational landscape.
This relationship has culminated in the recent appointment of Scott Yenor, a Boise State professor, to the University of West Florida's Board of Trustees. The appointment and subsequent 8-5 vote installing Yenor as chair connects several influential conservative organizations and signals potential dramatic changes for UWF.
Yenor brings controversial views and powerful connections to his new role. As a Washington Fellow at The Claremont Institute's Center for the American Way of Life and a Society for American Civic Renewal (SACR) leader, he represents a convergence of far-right educational and political movements.
The Claremont Institute's influence on DeSantis's administration has been far-reaching. During his first year, the governor banned critical race theory in public schools, championed the expansion of school choice, banned instruction that could make individuals feel "guilt" or "shame" based on their race or gender and expanded parents' ability to object to books and have them reviewed for potential removal.
CLAREMONT CONNECTION
After being sworn into office for his second term in January 2023, DeSantis began to overhaul New College of Florida and remake the small liberal arts university into a conservative bastion. He appointed three trustees—Christopher Rufo, Matthew Spalding and Charles Kesler. Both Rufo and Spalding were senior fellows at the Claremont Institute. Kesler is a Claremont
coalitions, with his office in Tallahassee. The announcement came weeks after Claremontaffiliated trustees fired New College of Florida's president and began to dismantle its DEI initiatives. Both Claremont and Yenor praised DeSantis' leadership.
And the governor stepped up his attacks on Florida's universities. He defunded diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education. The governor pushed to align the core curriculum to "the values of liberty and the Western tradition" and mandated that general education courses "not promote ideological indoctrination."
His efforts pleased his think-tank buddies. Political observers noted that Yenor and the Claremont initially saw DeSantis as a more competent and ideologically aligned leader compared to Donald Trump. However, as DeSantis's presidential campaign faltered, Claremont shifted its support back to Trump and helped draft Project 2025.
Two years later, Yenor is the UWF Board of Trustees chairman with a mandate of "ensuring Florida's institutions of higher learning are focused on classical academic subjects and truth, not progressive ideology," according to DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin.
For institutions like UWF, the ideological shifts could mean significant changes in curriculum and governance. The classical education model, as interpreted by the National Christian movement, emphasizes traditional liberal arts within a conservative Christian framework while de-emphasizing modern social sciences.
Local stakeholders have expressed concern about the appointment of out-of-state leadership. During the chairmanship vote, UWF trustee Alonzie Scott argued, "One of the key things of
tion, retention and graduate salaries, UWF has flourished under President Martha Saunders's leadership. The institution plays a crucial role as an economic driver for Northwest Florida.
YENOR'S VIEWS
However, Yenor's documented views on women in education and the workforce suggest significant changes may be coming. In a 2021 speech, he characterized career-focused women as "more medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome than women need to be," particularly criticizing those in "mid-level bureaucratic jobs like human resource management, environmental protection and marketing."
These views could impact signature UWF programs like the Women in Leadership Conference and women-focused STEM initiatives. The university's current leadership structure, including President Saunders, may also face scrutiny.
Also of concern is Yenor's involvement with SACR, a secretive, men-only organization founded in 2020. SACR advocates for Christian nationalism and what members term a "national divorce" concept.
Perhaps most striking is the connection to the "Red Caesar" theory, promoted through Claremont channels. This framework envisions replacing constitutional democracy with authoritarian leadership, specifically a "Christian Prince" figure emerging after constitutional collapse. As Casey Wheatland, a Claremont fellow and New College of Florida professor, wrote, "Any sober observer who has not decided against the possibility in advance will acknowledge that rule by strongman is one eminently possible outcome of our current downward trajectory."
As UWF faces this transition, questions remain about how Yenor's leadership might affect the university's existing programs and role as a regional economic engine.
For Northwest Florida, the stakes are high. Thanks to Triumph Gulf Coast, UWF and Pensacola State College, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have seen their economies diversify and grow over the past decade. The City of Pensacola is poised to become the "Sailing Capital of the United States" with the Center for Maritime Excellence and UWF's Watercraft and Vessel Engineering (WAVE) program at the Port of Pensacola.
The intersection of local educational needs and economic development with these far-right national political movements creates challenges for UWF's academic mission and our region's future. Similar transformations at other institutions have shown that the impact of these changes can extend far beyond campus boundaries, affecting community relationships, economic development and the broader educational landscape.
As more people question Yenor's views and his path toward the UWF Board of Trustees, Gov. DeSantis has tried to distance himself.
"I'm not familiar with that. I mean, obviously, I think if you look at the state of Florida, we probably have a higher percentage of women enrolled in our state universities than we do men, and that's probably grown under my tenure," DeSantis said during the Jacksonville press conference on Jan. 13. "But what I don't like is cherry-picking somebody saying this and then trying to smear them."
After seeing how Yenor and the Claremont Institute have influenced so many of his policies, the governor's denial doesn't ring true. UWF and our community is being sacrificed for others' political agendas. {in}
SALZMAN VS. DESANTIS
Speaker Danny Perez has appointed Rep. Michelle Salzman of Cantonment to lead the water programs work group that will review line-item vetoes from the current 2024-25 budget Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last year. Like most members of the Florida Legislature, Salzman endorsed DeSantis during the GOP presidential primary.
The water programs group is one of four established by the Speaker that will review vetoes on budget issues concerning human services, justice services, water programs and libraries, cultural and historic preservation.
Rep. Mike Redondo will manage human services, Rep. David Smith will oversee justice services, and Rep. Susan Plasencia will lead libraries and cultural preservation initiatives.
Salzman's workgroup combines members from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee—including Reps. Jon Albert, Robin Bartleman, Yvette Benarroch, and Meg Weinberger—with representatives from the Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee: Dean Black, Bill Conerly, Debbie Mayfield, Jim Mooney, and Debra Tendrich.
This structured review process emerges amid heightened tension between the Legislature and Governor DeSantis following his decision to veto 30% of the Legislature's operating budget—a $57 million cut affecting critical operations. In an unprecedented move, lawmakers have already overridden DeSantis's veto of their operational funding, marking the first such override in his governorship.
Speaker Perez has directed Salzman's group, along with the other groups, to systematically evaluate vetoed appropriations for potential reinstatement. These reviews will be integrated into every Floor Session leading up to the 20252026 House Budget deliberations, reflecting the Legislature's determination to assert its constitutional role in Florida's budget process.
OLF-8 DEADLINE UNCHANGED On Feb. 6, the Escambia County Commission engaged in a lengthy discussion about how to proceed with negotiations for the sale of the OLF-8 property,
ultimately voting to honor their original 30-day negotiation period with Beulah Town Center, LLC, while leaving the door open for other potential buyers.
In early January, the commissioners unanimously approved beginning negotiations with Beulah Town Center to develop the 540-acre OLF-8 property in the Beulah community adjacent to the Navy Federal Credit Union campus. The board also mandated that the DPZ Master Plan for the property be included as a deed restriction. The DPZ Master Plan includes 271 acres for a light industrial district, 61 acres for residential and 47 acres for a mixed-use center.
Commissioner Steven Barry initiated the discussion by noting that the county had received a new offer from another interested party earlier that day. He suggested having county staff review proposals from any interested developers, including Beulah Town Center and potential offers from Jim Wilson Associates or Tri W.
"I don't see the harm in asking them to put a little bit of staff time into identifying what the issues may be," Barry said, emphasizing this wouldn't affect ongoing negotiations with Beulah Town Center.
Commissioner Mike Kohler expressed concern about deviating from the board's previous commitment to a 30-day exclusive negotiation period with Beulah Town Center, which ends Feb. 9. "I just don't like to go back on my word," he said.
Will Dunaway, attorney for Beulah Town Center, clarified that his client is awaiting a redlined version of their purchase agreement from county staff. He noted that Beulah Town Center has submitted two purchase agreements during the negotiation period and is ready to continue discussions once they receive feedback.
Commissioner Steve Stroberger opposed entertaining other offers at this time, warning it could hinder progress with Beulah Town Center. "This is the definition of gridlock," Stroberger said. "We have something here that we can be voting on."
After considerable debate, Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger made a motion to complete the initial 30-day negotiation period with Beulah Town Center and then proceed to consider any other offers that come in, with staff briefing the commission on those proposals at future meetings. The motion passed 4-1.
On Feb. 7, Beulah Town Center, LLC withdrew its offer. Commissioner Stroberger told the daily newspaper that his fellow commissioners didn't "make it fair" for the developer. "The whole thing was a sham," he said.
AGRICULTURE AGENDA Florida Agriculture
Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced legislation aimed at strengthening the state's agricultural sector while expanding consumer protections across multiple industries.
The comprehensive bill addresses several key areas of concern for Florida's agricultural community, with a particular focus on protecting farmers and ranchers from what the officials describe as discriminatory lending practices.
"This legislation is a strong step forward to defend Florida's agricultural industry and the hardworking farmers, ranchers and growers who fuel our economy," Commissioner Simpson stated during the announcement. "By standing up to overreach and ensuring our agricultural community thrives, we are preserving our state's heritage and safeguarding its future."
A central component of the legislation involves returning control over solar farm placement to local governments while establishing tax incentives for dual-use facilities that combine solar energy production with active agricultural operations. The bill also proposes a voter referendum on the complete exemption of tangible personal property taxes for agricultural classifications.
The legislation extends beyond agricultural concerns, incorporating several consumer protection measures and emergency preparedness initiatives. The provisions include the creation of an "Honest Services Registry" for charitable organizations that operate without funding from foreign countries of concern and new regulations prohibiting the mislabeling of plant-based products as "milk" or "meat."
Educational initiatives in the bill provide specific protections for 4-H and FFA programs. The legislation would prevent local zoning laws from restricting agricultural facilities on school property, ensuring the continuation of these agricultural education programs.
The bill also addresses several public safety concerns, including the creation of a state felony for stealing checks from mailboxes and closing loopholes related to the sale of psychedelic mushrooms. Additionally, it streamlines the process for concealed weapon licenses and mandates clear price marking on all retail items.
With Simpson being mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2026, the legislation's broad scope touches on everything from environmental policy to consumer protection. It will be interesting to see how Gov. DeSantis treats the legislation if it gets through the Florida Legislature in the upcoming session.
VOTE-BY-MAIL HELP Florida's election supervisors want to change state law requiring voters to renew their vote-by-mail requests after participation plummeted in last month's special congressional primaries.
In the Congressional District 1 primary to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz, requests for voteby-mail ballots fell nearly 90% compared with the same race last year, supervisors told the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee (chaired by Sen. Don Gaetz) on Feb. 4. The district saw requests drop from 98,343 in last year's general election to just 12,392 in the special primary.
In Congressional District 6, voting to replace former Rep. Mike Waltz, requests fell by about 75% in Lake County. While nearly 14,000 voters requested mail-in ballots for the November election, only about 3,300 renewed their requests for the recent special election primary.
The steep decline stems from a 2021 law
passed by Republican lawmakers requiring county elections supervisors to delete vote-by-mail requests every two years instead of every four years. The election supervisors have asked that validated voters who receive a vote-by-mail ballot be allowed to check a box on the return envelope so they can receive future vote-by-mail for the next two-year election cycle.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender supports this solution. "We're asking that there be a way that voters could check a box on the envelope to renew their request for vote-by-mail ballots—instead of me having to send out a postcard, them calling us and redoing it," Bender explained. "They've already been verified, and we know that they're a live voter because they're returning their ballot."
Dave Ramba, executive director of the Florida Supervisors of Elections, highlighted widespread voter confusion about the process at the committee hearing. "These voters three months ago were seeing vote-by-mail ballots for the November election," Ramba said. "We've gotten a lot of complaints about people asking, 'Why didn't I receive one in January? Three months ago, I got one for the presidential—now we're doing a congressional special, and we're off the list automatically.'"
HOUSE DISTRICT 3
Eight Republicans and one Democrat have qualified to run in a special election to replace former state Rep. Joel Rudman, who resigned to run in a Congressional District 1 special election but lost in the Jan. 28 primary.
The Republican candidates are Nathan Boyles, Hayden Hudson, Rena McQuaig, Wade Merritt, Shon Owens, Joshua Sik, Cindy Smith and Jamie Lee Wells. The lone Democrat is Dondre Wise.
House District 3 includes parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. The Republican primary in House District 3 will be held on April 1, with the special general election on June 10.
MORE DIRECT FLIGHTS
Pensacola International Airport announced two major new destinations with Breeze Airways: nonstop service to Raleigh, N.C. and continuing to Providence, R.I. starting in April 2025.
"This is a tremendous win for Pensacola," said Matt Coughlin, Pensacola International Airport director. "The addition of Raleigh and Providence to our route map is a game-changer, providing greater access to the Southeast and Northeast. We are pleased that Breeze has added these two fantastic destinations, which will have a meaningful impact on our local economy, tourism and business community."
"Breeze started flying from Pensacola in June last year and we're thrilled to add these new routes to our existing service to Norfolk and Tampa," said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways' founder and CEO. "With Breeze's brand of comfort, convenience and affordability, we look forward to continued growth from Pensacola International."
The new service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning April 30, with fares
Michelle Salzman / Photo Courtesy of myfloridahouse.gov
starting at $49 one way. For more information or to book tickets, visit flybreeze.com.
Pensacola International Airport also announced a new seasonal nonstop route to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals, Ala., with Contour Airlines. The service kicks off a new partnership with Contour Airlines and will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, March 22 through Aug. 2. Contour will become the ninth airline operating at Pensacola International Airport. Fares start at $99 one way. For ticket information, visit contourairlines.com.
POINT-IN-TIME COUNT
Local organizations and volunteers are gearing up for the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, an initiative to assess and address homelessness in the community. The count will mobilize trained volunteers across shelters, transitional housing facilities, and street locations to gather data about individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
"The PIT Count is more than just a census; it's a comprehensive effort to understand the scope and nature of homelessness in our area," explained the organizing committee, Opening Doors Northwest Florida. "This data directly influences funding allocations and shapes policies aimed at preventing and ending homelessness in our community."
The two-day count will begin with surveys at shelters and transitional housing facilities on Wednesday, Feb. 26, followed by outreach to individuals at service locations and street settings on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Opening Doors has implemented a comprehensive preparation strategy, including distribution of specialized survey forms and detailed area maps; implementation of safety protocols and privacy guidelines; coordination of volunteer placement; and awareness-raising social media and outreach campaigns.
For information on PIT 2025, visit openingdoorsnwfl.org.
PERDIDO KEY DEMO GARDEN Escambia County will host three volunteer workdays this spring at the Perdido Key Coastal Demonstration Garden, 15500 Perdido Key Drive. The workdays will take place Fridays, Feb. 21, March 28 and April 25 from 9-11 a.m. Workdays are open to the public and are opportunities to become familiar with native species and gardening techniques, including how to care for and maintain coastal species.
County staff will provide all necessary tools and equipment. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle. All ages are welcome, although volunteers under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian onsite for the duration of the event. Volunteers should register in advance at spring2025gardenworkdays. eventbrite.com. There is no cost to register.
The Perdido Key Coastal Demonstration Garden was installed in 2021 with funding provided by the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary Program's Community Grant Program. The garden highlights native coastal species and
exhibits various landscape techniques suited for the barrier island. All plants are approved for use under the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan and provide benefits to native wildlife and pollinators.
For questions regarding the garden or workdays, the public should contact Samantha Pitts at smpitts@myescambia.com. For more information about the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan, visit myescambia.com/pkhcp.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
The City of Pensacola will hold a public workshop from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to receive feedback from the public on a major update of the city's Land Development Code (LDC). The meeting will be held in the Hagler Mason Conference Room at Pensacola City Hall, 222 Main St.
The LDC governs zoning, development review, subdivisions, parking, landscaping and more, shaping how our city grows and evolves. Residents, property owners and any other stakeholders who regularly use the LDC are encouraged to share their opinions at this public event.
The city will also host an open house the following morning from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the same location to entertain additional questions and comments. Visit the project website at inspire-engagement.com/pensacola-ldc to learn more or review the project schedule.
CIVICCON CivicCon will host Rebekah Kik, an urban designer who joined the city of Kalamazoo in 2014 as the city planner. She is now the deputy city manager and leads the city's Strategic Vision—Imagine Kalamazoo 2035. She will discuss how even small zoning changes can have big impacts and how to encourage new development without gentrifying.
The free CivicCon presentation is from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, at the Wesley Abbey Building of First United Methodist Church. She will also lead a small group workshop from 7:30-9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. at Maritime Place. Email Eduardo Lara at elara@civicconversations.org to be added to that meeting.
STRONG MOMS On Feb. 4, the Florida Department of Health and Department of Children and Families announced additional wraparound support for life, from pregnancy and beyond, with the launch of Strong Florida Moms.
This new initiative further supports Florida women through motherhood and provides expanded resources on Father First, where dads can seek trusted information and vital resources on fatherhood.
Strong Florida Moms and the expanded resources on Father First will provide a wide variety of information and resources tailored to meet the needs of Florida families. These include what to expect during and after pregnancy, health care provider resources, information on child developmental milestones and answers to many of Florida moms and dads' questions about parenting. Visit strongflmoms.com. {in}
Things We Lov e (Right Now)
We decided once again to use Valentine's Day as an excuse to declare our love in big, bold print for some of our current favorite people, places and things. We know this isn't a "traditional" way to celebrate this holiday, but anyone who doesn't agree that love comes in a variety of shapes and forms hasn't eaten the right chicken sandwich yet.
Nolita's Parlor & Eatery
@nolitas_softserve
This new and evolving eatery from the MI SU Street Food team has a lot to love—including a super-special fried chicken lunch menu on Fridays and Saturdays, killer cookies and soft serve coming this spring.
Yellowjackets
@yellowjackets
Season 3 premieres on Valentine's Day, so plan your night accordingly.
It's Ottessa, Bitch
ottessathisottessathat.substack.com
If your Valentine is a literary girlie, we suggest you skip the flowers and give them a subscription to Ottessa Moshfegh's new(ish) Substack instead.
PSL-Central Gulf Coast
@psl_cgc
If you want to stop doomscrolling and join the resistance offline, our local chapter of the Party for Socialism & Liberation is a great place to start.
Cowboy Carter
@beyonce
We loved this album long before it won AOTY, and we can't wait for the victory lap (aka the tour).
Good Day Darling
@gooddaydarlingcafe
We've got nothing but love for this East Hill cafe and its always fresh menu (especially the smoothies).
SOS Deluxe: LANA
@sza
The gift that keeps on giving—thank you, SZA.
One of Them Days
@oneofthemdaysmovie
While we're at it, thank you again, SZA (and Keke Palmer and Issa Rae, too) for giving us the best buddy comedy
in years. And maybe the best "Hot Ones" episode ever during the press tour.
Paw-di Gras
@wolfgangpensacola
Get ready for puppy love overload at this adorable annual Mardi Gras event happening this Sunday, Feb. 16, downtown.
Lemme Say This
@wonderymedia, @hunterh, @peytondix
This hilarious podcast, hosted by Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix, is a perfect listen for anyone who loves to be a pop culture hater.
Betty's on Belmont
@bettys_on_belmont
Valentine's Day or not, we're always showing love to Betty's.
A Different World
@netflix
Just in time for a V-Day weekend binge, all six seasons of the iconic sitcom are now streaming on Netflix. {in}
Arts & Entertainment
Mercury Canaday's Art Family
By Sydney Robinson
seeing what I can create, because I have come a long way," said Canaday. "Since I am self-taught, it's very cool to see how far I've come. I work with a lot of different mediums. It's kind of just whatever I want to do, honestly."
That list includes original paintings, 3D art like potion bottles, and pieces made from organic materials to create what Canaday calls "fairy decor" like moss-coated lanterns and mirrors.
The limit, it seems, does not exist for this young artist. In the future, Canaday hopes to expand their art to include woodworking, welding and 3D sculpting.
"I would like to open up, like, an actual store and sell my art there, and sell local artists' things as well."
Anyone who has spent time browsing art has experienced the moment when a certain piece speaks directly to you—and it's that special connection that excites Canaday as an artist.
Artists who participate in festivals can often struggle with unexpected weather, difficult customers, poor attendance and a host of other variables that can be discouraging. It's through the support of other artists that many find a reason to return.
"Markets can be hit or miss, and it can take a while to build up an art business, but when you have other people around you and we're struggling together, it just inspires you to have that sense of community and knowing that you're not alone, we're in it together," said Canaday.
In addition to their "art family," Canaday is grateful to their husband for his support.
"He has been extremely supportive. He went to all of my first markets, and then eventually it's like, 'alright, little birdie, you can fly,'" said Canaday.
Mercury Canaday, an artist originally from St. Louis, Mo., moved to Pensacola three years ago where they dove in to a close-knit arts community and worked up the courage to start their small business, Quiet Meadow Art, in December of 2023.
making art for as long as I remember. But after working job after job, I wanted to find a career in something I truly loved and that made me happy," said Canaday.
Canaday's art is for sale daily at Sisi's Store Sucks, and they often pop up at Pensacola Art Market.
Canaday brings an entrepreneurial spirit to their art business, working toward short term
ket, and I now have 24 prints, plus originals," said Canaday. "So it's just really cool to see how far I've come in just a year."
In addition to increasing their inventory, Canaday is taking this growth period as an opportunity to experiment with different mediums.
"I really enjoy drawing and painting and
"The majority of my pieces have meaning to them, and it's when people look at them, they are able to feel what I put into the canvas," said Canaday. "I try to make my art relatable, and so a lot of people can see those messages that I put into my art and connect with it."
By connecting with their art, Canaday inspires others to take the same creative path they're headed down.
"I've had a few different people come up to me and say that I'm the reason that they started vending and that they started selling their art, and it makes me truly happy that I'm able to inspire people," said Canaday.
Canaday has found an art family among their fellow vendors, creatives who are able to lean on and learn from one another.
"I call them my art family. It's like another family, and I'm truly grateful to be a part of it."
"I'm very grateful for him. If he wasn't here, it definitely would have taken a lot longer for me to go on this path," said Canaday. "I don't doubt that I would have still ended up here; I just think it definitely would have taken a lot longer without his support."
Canaday also cites their mom as another major supporter.
"My mom has always been my number one inspiration," said Canaday. "It was just us for a while and she was literally a wonder woman. She worked full-time, took care of me and was in college."
"We've come so far and she has always been an amazing support system. She's always encouraged me to follow my dreams," said Canaday. {in} MERCURY CANADAY'S
Mercury Canaday / Courtesy Photo
a&e happenings
be 18 or older to play. For more information, visit facebook.com/animalalliesflorida.
ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD
VALENTINE'S DAY EVENTS
HEARTS & HUES Celebrate Valentine's Day early with bites, sparkling drinks and a display of artwork from Sally T. Miller and Erica Dukes available for purchase 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at The Brent Lofts, 15 S. Palafox St. 10% of sales will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice. Details at facebook.com/thebrentlofts.
GALENTINE'S AT CELESTINE BED AND BREAKFAST Enjoy gourmet bites with wine pairings, create a wine bottle bouquet and take home a bottle of prosecco. Event is 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at 514 N. Baylen St. Details at celestinebedandbreakfast.com/events.
GALENTINE'S DAY AT CASINO BEACH
BAR & GRILLE Barbie-themed Galentine's Day with trivia, themed cocktails and more starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Casino Beach Bar & Grille, 41 Fort Pickens Road.
GALENTINE'S SUSHI ROLLING NIGHT Grab the girls and learn to make your own sushi 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at The Loft, 2 Intendencia St. Tickets are $75 and include the class and your own rolling mat. Participants will also get 20% off at Rusted Arrow Mercantile during the event. Get your tickets at rustedarrowmercantile.com.
VALENTINE'S MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
Solve a mystery this Valentine's Day. Event is 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15 at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $65 and include a choice of two entrees. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.
SINGLES SCIENCE NIGHT In this interactive adult program, participants will team up with fellow science enthusiasts to tackle exciting math, engineering and science challenges that encourage collaboration, problem-solving and maybe even a spark of connection. Event is 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Pensacola MESS Hall, 418 E. Wright St. Tickets are $30 and include admission, access to regular MESS Hall exhibits, themed activities and drink tickets for adult beverages. Light refreshments will also be available. For details, visit pensacolamesshall.org.
VALENTINE'S DAY WITH AGAPI Enjoy a special surf n' turf Valentine's dinner, along with
able 4-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at Agapi, 555 Scenic Highway. Reservations only. Call (850) 813-LOVE to make yours.
VALENTINE'S DAY AT 86 FORKS BAR +
TABLE Enjoy Chef's special: braised short ribs at 86 Forks, 11 S. Palafox St., Ste. B. Seatings are available from 4 p.m. to midnight. Make your reservations by calling (850) 607-7336.
UNE SOIREE D'AMOUR Enjoy a five-course French wine experience 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at Celestine Bed and Breakfast, 514 N. Baylen St. Make your reservation by calling (850) 426-4032.
VALENTINE'S DAY AT GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS All Great Southern Restaurants will have special menus. Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St., will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. with a special Valentine's Day menu. The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St., will have lunch service from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner service from 3 p.m. on with a special menu and Pensacon decor. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., will be open for lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with dinner service following. The Valentine's menu will be available through Sunday, Feb. 16. Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St., will be open Valentine's Day 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch service and dinner service beginning at 5 p.m. The Valentine's menu will be available through Sunday, Feb. 16. Reservations are required; make yours at jacksonsrestaurant.com. Angelena's Italian Ristorante, 101 E. Intendencia St., will be open Valentine's Day 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch service and dinner service beginning at 5 p.m. The special menu will be available Saturday, Feb. 15. Reservations can be made at angelenaspensacola.com.
BE MINE BURLESQUE The Sapphic Stage presents Be Mine Burlesque. Show is 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. For ages 18 and up. Tickets are $10 at thehandlebar850.com.
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal
Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Scenic Hills Country Club, 8891 Burning Tree Road. The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. The full bar and restaurant offer special adult beverages just for bingo nights. You must
DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women, as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.
ARTS & CULTURE
PENSACOLA OPERA'S ROCK THE RUNWAY
Pensacola Opera's musical fashion-fusion fundraiser is 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $150 and include VIP seating, swag bag and two drink tickets. Details and tickets available at pensacolaopera.com.
IHMC LECTURE: WEARABLE DEVICES THAT EXTEND HUMAN HEALTH, PERFORMANCE AND TEAMING Lecture from Dr. Tim Broderick. Event is 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at IHMC classroom, 40 S. Alcaniz St. Lectures are free. Register at ihmc.us/life/evening_lectures/ pensacola-lecture-series.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF UWF Theatre Department presents the classic "Fiddler on the Roof" 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 14 and 21 and Saturdays, Feb. 15 and 22 at UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bdg. 82. Tickets are $16-$20. Visit uwf.edu/cfpa for details.
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS Pensacola Cinema Art will have screenings of the Oscar nominated short films 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Saturday, Feb. 15, Sunday, Feb. 16 at PCA, located in the Studer Community Institute, 220 W. Garden St. Cost is $10 cash donation. For more information, visit pensacolacinemaart.com.
MORNING AT THE MUSEUM AT NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM "Morning at the Museum" at the National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd., includes a Chickfil-A breakfast, presentations from the Museum's curatorial staff and a movie in the giant screen theater. Guests also have the chance to win prizes. Doors open at 9 a.m. and presentations begin at 10 a.m. Tickets are $20 each. No admission for children under 4. Purchase tickets at navalaviationmuseum.org/tickets. Dates include Feb. 14, Butterfly Journey; Feb. 21, Cities of the Future; Feb. 25, Jerusalem; Feb. 28, Desert Elephants.
PENSACON Pop culture convention featuring celebrity panels and photo-ops, costume contests
and more at venues including Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola Cultural Center, Rex Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Commerce and the De Luna Event Space. The convention is Friday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 16. For tickets and information, visit pensacon.com.
PIRATES OF LOST TREASURE MARDI GRAS FLOTILLA
The Pirates of Lost Treasure will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a grand Mardi Gras Flotilla 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Meet at the Holiday Harbo basin by 10:45 a.m. The theme for the flotilla is "Pirate Tales." The cost to register your boat is $40. For more information, contact David Legendre at (504) 452-6750 or Jimmie Sue Walters at (850) 525-1975.
CRAFTY AFTERNOON ZINEMAKING WORKSHOP Make your own zine or bracelet at this event hosted by Mapping Trans Joy. All materials will be provided with refreshments from o.g. lola's. Event is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at 309 Punk House, 309 N. Sixth Ave. Free admission.
LET THE GOOD TIMES FLY SNOWBIRD
SOCIAL
The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce and Santa Rosa Island Authority will host a Mardi Gras-themed "snowbird social" 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Crabs on the Beach, 6 Casino Beach Boardwalk.
THEATER COMES TO PENSACOLA: THE TIVOLI HIGH HOUSE AND PENSACOLA OPERA HOUSE Hear the story of how theater came to Pensacola: from dancing, gambling and theatrical performances to the famous and infamous attendees and performers including a notorious gunslinger—all ending in a coin toss. Event is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Voices of Pensacola, 117 E. Government St.
GALLERY NIGHT: FORKS & FRAMES A foodie-themed Gallery Night is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 in downtown Pensacola on South Palafox St. For details, visit gallerynightpensacola.com.
ALTON BROWN: LIVE Event is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information available at pensacolasaenger.com.
RISING TIDE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN
DEPP
This exhibition is part of Ben Depp's ongoing project documenting the rapidly shifting landscape of Southern Louisiana. Depp has been flying above the bayous and wetlands of Southern Louisiana in a powered paraglider for 10 years, photographing the visual clues that tell the story of this place and its destruction. Exhibit on view through Friday, April 4 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for hours.
71ST ANNUAL YOUTH ART FOCUS The Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St., in partnership with the PMA Guild and Escambia County Public Schools, is proud to present the 71st Annual Youth Art Focus exhibition, showcasing artwork from across the Escambia County School District. The exhibition serves as a celebration of the strong artistic achievements of K-12 students and their teachers. Exhibit is on
a&e happenings
view through Feb. 23. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for hours.
KINGS AND QUEENS OPEN MIC COMEDY
Try your hand at stand-up comedy or watch others perform 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Tuesdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 Cervantes St. Details are at sirrichardslounge.com.
SILENT BOOK CLUB AT BODACIOUS
Sundays are for quietly reading at Bodacious Bookstore & Café, 110 E. Intendencia St. Join the Silent Book Club 10-11 a.m. Sundays. Details are at facebook.com/bodaciousbookstore.
THE BRENT LOFTS ART EXHIBIT Exhibit of Sally T. Miller, abstract painter, and Erica Dukes, travel photographer inside The Brent Lofts, 17 S. Palafox St. Exhibit will be on display through March 30. Details at facebook.com/thebrentlofts.
PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meetings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information.
BTB COMEDY Watch live standup comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.
COMEDY SHOWCASE AT SUBCULTURE
BTB Comedy presents a comedy showcase the first Thursday monthly at Subculture Art Gallery, 701 N. V St. Follow facebook.com/pensacolasubculture for updates.
SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.
PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook. com/downtownpensacola.
CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.
SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside Pensacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.
AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner hap -
pens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with real ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. After your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.
FOOD + DRINKS
FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ CELEBRATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH During the month of February, Five Sisters Blues Café will celebrate Black History Month featuring dishes inspired by Black culinary innovators. From Feb. 10-16: Leah Chase, Queen of Creole Cuisine; Feb. 17-23: Edna Lewis, Grande Dame of Southern Cooking; and for the entire month: John Young, Buffalo's Wing King, and Nathan "Nearest" Green, the original Jack Daniels. Find more info at fivesistersbluescafe.com.
PENSACON DRINK AND DRAW Drink and draw with some Pensacon guests 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. There will be a few different rounds including but not limited to an Artist Choice, suggestions from the audience and a Round Robin where every artist will have five minutes to work on the same piece of artwork. You can also put your Star Wars knowledge to the test at themed trivia. Details at facebook. com/perfectplainbrewingco.
FARM-FRESH PASTA COOKING CLASS
Bodacious cooking class 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $80 and available on Eventbrite.
LORD OF THE RINGS AT ODD COLONY
Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St., gets in the Pensacon spirit transforming the brewery into the Shire with beer releases, treats and Bilbo's Birthday Party during Pensacon weekend. Bilbo's Birthday Party is Saturday, Feb. 15. Details at facebook.com/oddcolony.
BORDEAUX WINE DINNER A multi-course wine dinner prepared by Chef Daniel Watts 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets available at Eventbrite.
THE FISH HOUSE CELEBRATES PENSACON
Visit The Fish House for "Harry Potter" themes and drink specials including The Goblet of Fire, Veritaserum, Butterbeer and our newest addition–the Amortentia Love Potion available FridaySunday, 11 a.m.-until.
PENSACON AT O'RILEY'S IRISH PUB
O'Riley's Irish Pub, located at 321 S. Palafox St. will celebrate Pensacon weekend with SpongeBob Square Pants-themed events and drinks including a Krabby Patty Smash Burger. Visit orileyspub. com for more information.
PENSACON AFTERPARTIES AT SEVILLE
QUARTER All Pensacon passholders have free admission to Seville Quarter throughout the convention weekend Feb. 14-16.
a&e happenings
PENSACOLA CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE FEST Enjoy treats from food trucks and vendors at Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. Tickets available at apexshowsandevents.com/2025-chocolate-%26-cheese.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PAIRING Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road, celebrates its third annual Girl Scout cookie pairing event 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. Details available at coastalcountybrewing.com/events.
DAYTONA 500 WATCH PARTY Race fans can gather at Seville Quarter in Apple Annie's, 130 E. Government St., for the watch party beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16.
SUNDAY FUNDAY: BRUNCH AND BUBBLES Cooking class is 12-2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at Pensacola Cooking Class, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Ste. C. Cost is $60 per student (adults only). Registration closes 24 hours prior to class. Sign up at pensacolacooks.com.
LUNCH AND LEARN: GRANOLA Learn to make your own granola 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $35 and available at Eventbrite.
COOKING WITH CHEF IRV MILLER: LOCAL FAVORITES Learn to cook with Gulf Coast ingredients. Two class times available at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Jackson's Steakhouse,
400 S. Palafox. Cost is $55 per person. Reservations are required. Make yours by emailing marthaanne@goodgrits.com or call (850)777-0412.
ITALY V. SPAIN WINE DINNER Enjoy four courses and eight wines with hosts Juston Takacs and Jeremy Agricola 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Drift, 41 Fort Pickens Road. Details available at driftpcola.com.
BLIND WINE TASTING WITH RANDY HAMILTON Event is 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $45 and available on Eventbrite.
NAPLES TO NAPA: A FOOD AND WINE
EVENT Join Chef Ian Gilette and wine expert Matt Nichols for a special wine dinner 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Angelena's Italian Ristorante, 101 E. Intendencia St. Cost is $100 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (850) 542-8398 or visiting angelenaspensacola.com.
MARDI GRAS CUISINE Cooking class is 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Ste. C. Cost is $100 per couple. Registration closes 24 hours prior to class. Sign up at pensacolacooks.com.
MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to close Mondays, guys can play free darts and enjoy $6 craft tallboys. There are more than 150 craft beers to choose from. Wisteria is lo -
cated at 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern. com for details.
FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SIN NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S SIN Night is 11 p.m. to close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA NIGHT AND SIN Trivia is 9-10:30 p.m. Mondays, and SIN is 11 p.m.-3 a.m. at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.
BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
DOUBLE MONDAYS AND SIN NIGHT Enjoy
Double Mondays 8 p.m.-midnight and SIN Night 11 p.m. to close at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
75-CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75-cent oysters 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.
MUSIC BINGO Test your music knowledge 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Wisteria, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Take
part in half-price bottles of wine and $5 canned cocktails. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
POKER NIGHT AND BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for poker at 6:30 p.m. and bar bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LUNCH AT THE DISTRICT The District Steakhouse, 130 E. Government St., is open for special lunch seatings the third Friday of the month. Enjoy a $5 martini or house wine. Seatings are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Details are available at districtsteaks.com.
DOLLAR NIGHT Enjoy Dollar Night 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for trivia nights 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 50 E. Garden St. Visit perfectplain. com/upcoming-events for details.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night is 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub. com for details.
a&e happenings
SIN NIGHT AND KARAOKE Karaoke is 9 p.m.1 a.m. and SIN specials are 11 p.m.-3 a.m. at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS
Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.
PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA Get deals on pitchers 8 p.m.-midnight at O'Riley's Tavern. Trivia is 9-11 p.m. Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night with a DJ starts 8 p.m. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA UNDER THE TREES Trivia is 6 p.m. Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT
Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at 208 Newman Ave. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.
FEISTY FRIDAY NIGHTS Drink specials start 8 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge. com for details.
TGI FIREBALL FRIDAY Drink specials are all day Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
WEEKLY SATURDAY BRUNCH Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SHAMROCK SATURDAY Shamrock Saturday is 9 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool all day and play bar bingo 9-11 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN
Partake in brunch specials, full café menu, espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. Ninth Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin. com for details.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AND KARAOKE O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., hosts brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. Karaoke begins at 8 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE Sunday Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays
at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.
LIVE MUSIC
ZULU, LIE, KNIFE WOUND, NO SURRENDER Show is Wednesday, Feb. 13 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.
MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE Show is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.
VISION VIDEO, GRAVE CHORUS Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.
STEINWAY/BÖSENDORFER PIANO
CELEBRATION The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music presents the Steinway/Bösendorfer Piano Celebration 3 p.m. Feb. 15th. The concert will be held in Rolfs Music Hall at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 82.
CANE HILL, MUGSHOT, FOX LAKE, WEEP -
ING WOUND Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.
PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: BOND AND BEYOND PSO performance with guest vocalists Chloe Lowery and Ron Bohmer 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.
FEELS SO CLOSE: EDM GOLDEN ERA
PARTY Show is 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at vinylmusichall.com.
ELVIS IN PERSON STARRING MATT STONE
Elvis impersonator show 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.
JAZZ IN THE QUARTER Jazz Pensacola presents local musician and instructor Doug Holsworth and his quartet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 at Phineas Phogg's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Cost is $12 for Jazz Pensacola members and $15 for non-members.
AMERICAN AQUARIUM Show is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $25-$30 and available at thehandlebar850.com.
BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.
SCHISM: TOOL TRIBUTE BAND Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.
PALOMINO BLOND, HIGH, LAZY CHAIR Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10-$15 and available at thehandlebar850.com.
GASOLINA: REGGAETON PARTY Show is 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.
AGENT ORANGE Show is 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.
LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS Enjoy live music at Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St. Glen Parker Band plays 6-10 p.m. Saturdays and Curt Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.
PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD
COLONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook. com/oddcolony for details.
TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE
QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads on Tuesday nights at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Sing your heart out 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern. com for details.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY
Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook.com/ garysbrew for details.
KARAOKE AT THE HANDLEBAR Karaoke is 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.
KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Wisteria Tavern hosts karaoke 7 p.m. Wednesdays at 3808 N. 12th Ave. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.
WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN
BREWING CO. Take part in musical bingo 7 p.m. Thursdays at Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St. Free admission. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
KARAOKE NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S
Bring your singing talents Monday and Thursday nights at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Festivities are 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
HAPPY HOUR LIVE MUSIC AT O'RILEY'S
Drink specials and live music are 4-7 p.m. Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
for more listings visit inweekly.net
free will astrology
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Love requires stability and steadiness to thrive. But it also needs unpredictability and imaginativeness. The same with friendship. Without creative touches and departures from routine, even strong alliances can atrophy into mere sentiment and boring dutifulness. With this in mind, and in accordance with astrological omens, I offer quotes to inspire your quest to keep togetherness fertile and flourishing. 1. "Love has no rules except those we invent, moment by moment." —Anaïs Nin. 2. "The essence of love is invention. Lovers should always dream and create their own world." —Jorge Luis Borges. 3. "A successful relationship requires falling in love many times, always with the same person, but never in quite the same way." —Mignon McLaughlin.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In celebration of the Valentine season, I suggest you get blithely unshackled in your approach to love. Be loose, limber and playful. To stimulate the romantic and intimate qualities I think you should emphasize, I offer you these quotes: 1. "Love is the endless apprenticeship of two souls daring to be both sanctuary and storm for one another." —Rainer Maria Rilke 2. "Love is the revolution in which we dismantle the prisons of our fear, building a world where our truths can stand naked and unashamed." —Audre Lorde. 3. "Love is the rebellion that tears down walls within and between us, making room for the unruly beauty of our shared becoming." —Adrienne Rich.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): To honor the rowdy Valentine spirit, I invite you to either use the following passage or compose one like it, then offer it to a willing recipient who would love to go deeper with you: "Be my thunderclap, my cascade of shooting stars. Be my echo across the valley, my rebel hymn, my riddle with no answer. Be my justbefore-you-wake-up-dream. Be my tectonic shift. Be my black pearl, my vacation from gloom and doom, my forbidden dance. Be my river-song in F major, my wild-eyed prophet, my moonlit debate, my infinite possibility. Be my trembling, blooming, spiraling and soaring."
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert wrote, "The universe buries
By Rob Brezsny
strange jewels deep within us all." One of those strange jewels in you is emerging from its hiding place. Any day now, it will reveal at least some of its spectacular beauty—to be followed by more in the subsequent weeks. Are you ready to be surprised by your secret self? Are your beloved allies ready? A bloom this magnificent could require adjustments. You and yours may have to expand your horizons together.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): In 2025, the role that togetherness plays in your life will inspire you to achieve unexpected personal accomplishments. Companionship and alliances may even stir up destiny-changing developments. To get you primed, I offer these quotes: 1. "Love is a trick that nature plays on us to achieve the impossible." —William Somerset Maugham. 2. "Love is the ultimate outlaw. It won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is sign on as its accomplice." —Tom Robbins. 3. "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. Yet each day reveals new constellations in our shared sky." —Emily Brontë.
tive to them. "You are the keeper of my wildest storms, the green shoot splitting the stone of my silence. Your love wraps me in galaxies, crowns me with the salt of the sea and fills my lungs with the language of the earth. You are the voice of the rivers, the crest of the waves, the pulse of the stars. With every word you speak, you unweave my solitude and knit me into eternity."
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Among its potential gifts, astrology can raise our awareness of the cyclical nature of life. When used well, it helps us know when there are favorable times to enhance and upgrade specific areas of our lives. For example, in the coming weeks, you Scorpios could make progress on building a strong foundation for the future of love. You will rouse sweet fortune for yourself and those you care for if you infuse your best relationships with extra steadiness and stability.
one is different, and each one is beautiful." —Maggie Reyes.
Are you ready to express your affection
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Psychotherapist Robin Norwood wrote that some people, mostly women, give too much love and kindness. They neglect their own self-care as they attend generously to the needs of others. They may even provide nurturing and support to those who don't appreciate it or return the favor. Author Anne Morrow Lindbergh expressed a different perspective. She wrote, "No one has ever loved anyone too much. We just haven't learned yet how to love enough." What's your position on this issue, Virgo? It's time for you to come to a new understanding of exactly how much giving is correct for you.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Are you ready to express your affection with lush and lavish exuberance? I hope so. Now would be an excellent time, astrologically speaking. I dare you to give the following words, composed by poet Pablo Neruda, to a person who will be recep -
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): I want you to be moved by intimacy and friendships that buoy your soul, inspire your expansive mind and pique your sense of adventure. To boost the likelihood they will flow your way in abundance during the coming weeks, I offer you these quotes. 1. "Love is a madness so discreet that we carry its delicious wounds for a lifetime as if they were precious gems." —Federico García Lorca. 2. "Love is not a vacation from life. It's a parallel universe where everything ordinary becomes extraordinary." —Anne Morrow Lindbergh. 3. "Where there is love there is life. And where there is life, there is mischief in the making." —my Sagittarius friend Artemisia.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Every intimate alliance is unique, has its own rules and shouldn't be compared to any standard. This is a key theme for you to embrace right now. Below are helpful quotes. 1. "Each couple's love story is a language only they can speak, with words only they can define." —Federico Fellini. 2. "In every true marriage, each serves as guide and companion to the other toward a shared enlightenment that no one else could possibly share." —Joseph Campbell. 3. "The beauty of marriage is not in its uniformity but in how each couple writes their own story, following no map but the one they draw together." —Isabel Allende. 4. "Marriages are like fingerprints; each
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Borrowing the words of Aquarian author Virginia Woolf, I've prepared a love note for you to use as your own. Feel free to give these words to the person whose destiny needs to be woven more closely together with yours. "You are the tide that sweeps through the corridors of my mind, a wild rhythm that fills my empty spaces with the echo of eternity. You are the unspoken sentence in my every thought, the shadow and the light interwoven in the fabric of my being. You are the pulse of the universe pressing against my skin, the quiet chaos of love that refuses to be named. You are my uncharted shore."
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Love and intimacy and togetherness are fun, yes. But they're also hard work—especially if you want to make the fun last. This will be your specialty in the coming months. I've assembled four quotes to inspire you. 1. "The essence of marriage is not that it provides a happy ending, but that it provides a promising beginning—and then you keep beginning again, day after day." —Gabriel García Márquez. 2. "The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret. But those who follow the art of creating it day after day come closest to discovering it." —Pearl Buck. 3. "Love is a continuous act of forgiveness." —Maya Angelou. 4. "In the best of relationships, daily rebuilding is a mutual process. Each partner helps the other grow." —Virginia Satir
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What's the most outrageously loving act you could engage in? {in}
freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2025 Rob Brezsny
news of the weird
THE NEIGHBORS In Seminole County, Florida, Alan Davis, 69, is famous for all the wrong reasons, ClickOrlando reported. Davis' unsightly property has been the bane of his neighbors' existence for 25 years, and this year, as he celebrates the anniversary of his first county code violation, he's added another element: a 6-foottall fiberglass representation of a human butt. Also in his yard: stacks of scrap metal, steel drums, rusted appliances, tarps, junked vehicles and towering weeds. Davis calls the yard a "political protest" against the county government. "I pile it up intentionally to aggravate them," he said. As of mid-January, Davis owed the county $5.4 million in fines, with more accruing every day. "I'm not going to pay it," Davis said. "I do what I want on my property." Twice, the county has paid to haul away thousands of pounds of junk, but Davis just starts collecting again. "Freedom has a look. This is what it looks like," he said.
UNEXPECTED GUEST On Feb. 4, a guest at the Boulevard 17 hotel in Vlissingen, The Netherlands, returned to her room after taking her dog for a walk and found a gray seal taking a nap on the floor, NL Times reported. "Fortunately, she didn't try to touch it," said Valentijn Damen of the hotel ownership group Pier 7. "She walked up to the restaurant to get help." The Zeeland Animal Welfare Foundation responded, and with assistance from the Sea Animal Rescue Team Netherlands RTZ, they put the seal in a basket and removed it to the beach. Officials said gray seals "look for a place to rest and sometimes lie in the middle of the terrace or on the road."
SMOOTH REACTION
Things got heated at a Wingstop restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Jan. 28, The Smoking Gun reported. Carnael Irene, 19, who worked at the location, told police that two customers—one a minor—became "loud and disruptive," and one of them pushed a container of straws off the counter. Irene responded by throwing ranch dressing at them before she went to the kitchen and returned with a bucket of hot grease, which she also threw at the victims. She was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated child abuse, both felonies.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF AIR TRAVEL On Feb. 3, Gloria Omisore of Lagos, Nigeria, was traveling through Nairobi on her way to Manchester, England, when things went a little sideways. Omisore had planned a stopover in Paris, News.com.au reported, but as she checked in, Kenya Airways staff informed her that she didn't have the correct visa to enter France. They offered an alternative route straight to England, but Omisore wasn't having it—she flew into a "check-in rage" during which she argued with gate attendants and threw three used sanitary napkins at them. "You will provide me a sanitary towel," she screamed. "I will speak with the minister of finance in Nigeria,
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
you will see." An attendant shouted back, "Call the president of Nigeria. You will not fly on the Kenya Airways." "We strongly condemn such conduct," Kenya Airways said of Omisore's tirade. "Our employees deserve to work in a safe and dignified environment." Omisore was deported back to Nigeria.
SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED In Douglasville, Georgia, a routine traffic stop on Jan. 29 resulted in a perplexing mystery, Atlanta News First reported. Douglas County Sheriff's officers pulled over an unidentified driver who had a dead body in the passenger seat. The deceased, 21-year-old Malachi A. Mitchell, was allegedly meeting the driver to sell him a gun, Mitchell's mother said, although police say the investigation is ongoing. After questioning the driver, who was cooperative, detectives let him go.
UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Ashton Mann, 23, of Kearns, Utah, was arrested after shooting his unnamed friend in the chest, WAFB-TV reported on Feb. 4. On Feb. 2, police were called to a home where they found an unresponsive male. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Mann told detectives that he and his friend had smoked weed earlier in the evening and started talking about and handling two handguns. The victim told Mann that he could dodge a bullet; while Mann said the guns were unloaded, after about six rounds of the "game," one discharged and struck the victim as he tried to "jump out of the way." Mann was expected to be charged with felony manslaughter.
SIGN OF THE TIMES Pennsylvania State Police are working to track down the perpetrator of a crime that's no yolk ... or joke. The Associated Press reported that on Feb. 1, 100,000 eggs were stolen from the back of a trailer in Antrim Township, and no leads have come in. "In my career, I've never heard of a hundred thousand eggs being stolen," said Trooper Megan Frazer. But then, egg prices have rarely been so high. "We're hoping that somebody knows something," Frazer said. That would be eggs-cellent.
THE PASSING PARADE The Harvard Crimson reported on Feb. 6 that a man has repeatedly paraded through the Comstock Hall dormitory on campus wearing nothing from the waist down. Students have seen him entering bathrooms and wandering around the floors. Resident dean Monique A. Roy said the halfstreaker "did not appear to be a resident." She urged students to keep their room doors closed and locked. "The entire staff is totally doing their best to get to the bottom of this, make sure it stops, make sure we're all safe," said student Chelsea J. Bohn-Pozniak. Totally. {in}
From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2025 Andrews McMeel
