Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Grand ReOpening & The Ten Commandments
Ribbon Cutting: Noon
Guided Tours: 1:00-5:00
Movie: 6:00
winners & losers winners losers
MICHAEL KOHLER The Escambia County Commission Chairman demonstrated exceptional leadership in opposing Scott Yenor's appointment to the UWF Board of Trustees. Kohler, a UWF graduate, crafted compelling arguments in a letter to Sen. Don Gaetz, who chairs the Committee on Ethics and Elections, after the commissioners voted to draft at their March 6 meeting. He highlighted UWF's achievements and the potential damage that Yenor's controversial views could inflict on the university's reputation and our economy. The chairman outlined specific concerns that reflect his deep understanding of UWF's importance to Northwest Florida. Kohler noted the area's conservative values while standing firmly against extremism that could harm the university's mission. The letter's respectful yet resolute tone set an example for civic leadership in defending local institutions.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA HEART BALL On March 14, event chairs Rob and Jenny Rushing hosted a Gatsby-era celebration at The Sanctuary in Pensacola, raising $240,938 for the American Heart Association's cardiovascular research and public health initiatives. Following dinner by Classic City Catering, community members shared personal stories demonstrating the AHA's local impact across knowledge, equity, discovery and advocacy. The evening featured Caretakers of the Torch: Ronnie Faria, Samantha and Larry Kuhn and baby Noah Linville, who thrives today thanks to AHA-funded research, despite being born with a heart defect.
PENSACOLA MESS HALL The hands-on children's museum deserves recognition for its recent Extreme Precipitation workshop, which engaged teens and adults in addressing real-world climate challenges. By transforming complex scientific concepts into an interactive planning simulation, the MESS Hall created an opportunity for teens to understand the difficult decisions communities face when confronting extreme weather events. Its innovative approach—having participants balance stakeholder needs, environmental concerns and limited resources—provided lessons in civic engagement that our community needs. The program was created by Arizona State University's Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes, Museum of Science-Boston, National Informal STEM Education Network, Northeastern University and SciStarter, with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Bear Family Foundation provided the local support.
JOEL RUDMAN The former state lawmaker's resignation has cost the City of Milton dearly. Days after winning reelection last November, Rudman (R-Navarre) announced he would run for the First Congressional District seat when Rep. Matt Gaetz stepped down after being nominated by Trump for Attorney General. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis shellacked Rudman, 33,554 to 5,083. His Florida House District 3 seat has remained vacant during the current legislation session, leaving the City of Milton without anyone to advance their funding bills. The city had three key funding requests: $500,000 each for Locklin Lake restoration and the Blackwater riverwalk and $1 million for its wastewater treatment plant. They will have to wait until next year, unless Gov. DeSantis offers them some grant money.
GREENPEACE
The environmental group suffered a crushing defeat when a North Dakota jury ordered it to pay Energy Transfer over $660 million in damages. The verdict found Greenpeace liable for its actions opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline construction nearly a decade ago. The penalty could bankrupt the organization, marking a significant setback for environmental activism through direct action campaigns by allowing corporations to use courts as weapons against opposition. Greenpeace maintains the lawsuit threatens First Amendment rights to peaceful protest and free speech, but Energy Transfer views the outcome as justifiable accountability for actions that went beyond protected speech.
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
The industry nearbankruptcy narrative has begun to crumble as HB 1551 advanced with strong bipartisan support (16-1) in the Florida House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee. The legislation's balanced "loser pays" approach restores fairness to consumers while exposing insurance companies' allegedly deceptive practices. Despite industry warnings of market collapse, lawmakers remain skeptical after discovering insurers claimed $432 million in losses while funneling $1.8 billion to affiliates. Rep. Ashley Gantt aptly compared the situation to "Scooby-Doo," with insurers revealed as the true villains beneath their mask of victimhood. Even Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky acknowledged regulatory oversight failures. House Speaker Daniel Perez's pivot toward consumer-friendly reforms has put the industry on notice.
Mike Kohler / Photo Courtesy of myescambia.com
Joel Rudman / Photo Courtesy of myfloridahouse.gov
outtakes
By Rick Outzen
UNITED BEHIND UWF
I've covered countless community gatherings in my years publishing Inweekly, but last week's town hall for the University of West Florida was something entirely different. The standing-room-only crowd that packed into the first floor of the SCI Building didn't just attend a meeting—they answered a call to arms.
When I first broke the story about Gov. DeSantis and his Board of Governors appointing eight new trustees to UWF's board in January, my investigative instincts kicked in. None of the names were local. Qualified Pensacola leaders who had applied were passed over. The pattern matched exactly what we saw before the hostile takeover of New College in Sarasota two years ago.
Would our beloved UWF be next? My research and reporting over two months told me that it very well could happen.
What I couldn't have predicted was how our community would respond. The March 18 meeting brought together a cross-section of Pensacola. Young students sat and stood alongside retirees. People introduced themselves to neighbors they hadn't met before sharing their concerns.
Belle Bear, matriarch to one of our area's most respected families and a significant UWF donor, spoke from her heart. "This isn't just a university. It is a place where dreams take shape, futures are built and leaders are made."
Former Mayor Jerry Maygarden pointed out that 53% of teachers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are UWF graduates. He saw that statistic as evidence of how deeply the university is woven into the fabric of Northwest Florida. Business leaders like Quint Studer explained the economic impact of UWF as a "talent incubator" that feeds our local workforce. Dr. Lusharon Wiley detailed how the university creates pathways for success. Former Trustee Chair Suzanne Lewis outlined metrics showing UWF's remarkable improvements under Dr. Martha Saunders' leadership.
Perhaps most powerful was Domani TurnerWard, a current graduate student. Turner-Ward's demeanor, passion and eloquence in describing what's at stake for students reminded all of us that we're fighting for—those who will build our community's future.
As a journalist, I've investigated when powerful interests try to impose their will on local
communities. Some communities fold under pressure. Others rise up and defend what matters to them. Tuesday night showed me which kind of community Pensacola is.
Let's be clear about what's happening. The new trustees, most with no connection to Northwest Florida, are being installed to advance an ideological agenda. Trustee Scott Yenor, now chair of the board, has a documented history of hostile statements toward women in higher education and the workplace. Trustee Adam Kissel, the Academic Affairs Committee chair, has written extensively about dismantling traditional university accreditation—the very system that ensures a UWF degree holds value.
This isn't about conservative versus liberal politics. It's about whether our university should serve our community or become a laboratory for ideological experiments. It's about whether decisions affecting UWF should be made by people who understand and care about Northwest Florida or by outsiders with their own agendas.
When I first shared my findings about the backgrounds of these new trustees, I worried our community might feel powerless against the political machine in Tallahassee. What I witnessed instead was a community finding its voice.
Over this newspaper's 25-year history, our city has rallied during hurricanes and economic downturns. We know how to weather storms together. This political storm threatening UWF will test us in different ways, but Tuesday night showed we have the collective strength to face it.
I've often quoted the late civil rights icon John Lewis, who advised us to "speak up, speak out, get in the way, get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble." Pensacola knows how to make good trouble when necessary.
This fight is just beginning. The confirmation hearings for these trustees haven't been scheduled yet. President Saunders still leads the university. UWF continues to excel in performance metrics. We have time to make our voices heard.
I've never been prouder to call this place home. Whatever happens next, the town hall proved that the people of Northwest Florida will not stand silently by while their university is used as a political pawn. And that, more than anything, gives me hope. {in} rick@inweekly.net
By Rick Outzen
GOAL: PROFESSIONAL SOCCER IN PENSACOLA
Imagine professional teams from Pensacola playing against the best United Soccer League (USL) teams in North America. Improbable? Yes. Impossible? Not anymore.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves recently announced that the city entered into an exclusive agreement with the USL to explore bringing men's and women's professional soccer teams to downtown. The one-year agreement comes at no cost to taxpayers, and USL will spend about $200,000 to gauge the market.
"I believe the USL's strong interest and willingness to invest significant capital into this exploration in Pensacola is a testament to our growth, our city's trajectory and our people," Reeves said. "Our citizens are passionate sports fans, and the great success of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Pensacola Ice Flyers show that our residents, visitors and active duty military members see Pensacola as a sports town."
Founded in 1986, the USL is the largest pre-professional and professional soccer organization in North America, operating multiple leagues at varying levels of competition. On the men's side, the USL includes its premier Championship League, followed by League One and League Two. The women's side features the Super League and W League. The league invests in young people through its USL Academy and USL Youth initiatives.
Pensacola is too small a market for the men's Championship League, but a spot in League One is viable, which creates a possibility for promotion to play against the best in the top league.
On March 19, the USL announced a supermajority of club owners voted to implement a promotion and relegation system similar to that used by European leagues. The USL is the first professional league in the U.S. to adopt the global model, creating a three-tiered men's professional soccer system. Teams earn promotion to a higher division or relegation to a lower division based on their performance during the season. A million hurdles must be cleared before a Pensacola team can compete for USL supremacy. First, there is the tiny matter of being
awarded a team(s) in the first place, followed by decisions about who the ownership group will be and where the team(s) will play.
"What we look at when we enter into these partnerships are cities that are continuing to grow in population in sports fans and facilities, and even in tourism," said USL Commissioner Steven Short. "As our team continues to work with the city over the next year, we're going to dive into a lot of different topics."
Short cited Greenville, S.C., Statesboro, Ga., Antelope Valley, Calif. and Spokane, Wash., as similar markets to Pensacola. Each city fields teams that play in League One. Pensacola is perhaps an even better market than those, considering the demographics of the region.
"We know that there are a lot of residents moving to Florida," Short said. "We know that sometimes they come from markets with existing teams or don't. What we're looking at is providing access to the game, whether it's a fan, a player, a future executive or someone in the city that just really wants to support the city and get behind it."
OWNERSHIP
To own a League One team requires an ownership group capable of signing about a $5 million check for expansion fees. Who in Pensacola has that kind of capital and passion about soccer?
Attorney Justin Witkin.
Witkin is the president of the Pensacola Futbol Club and owns four semi-pro teams: the Pensacola FC1559 men's senior and academy teams and the Pensacola FC1559 women's senior and academy teams. His semi-pro teams will willingly take a backseat to the USL teams, which he regards as the pinnacle of soccer in the region.
"It's a culmination of what we've worked towards for a long time," said Witkin, who has been involved in discussions with the mayor's office and USL. "There are a lot of pieces that have to fall into place, but at the end of the day, I certainly hope to be part of the conversation. It would be awesome."
Witkin plans to speak to Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer and pick his brain about owning
a professional team. Studer said, "The whole challenge Is not the team; it's the place to play. I could own a minor league team, but it wasn't reality until I had a stadium here. The biggest challenge will not be local ownership. It'll be the finances of building a stadium."
Studer fought vigilantly to secure bonding for Blue Wahoos Stadium. He and his group announced plans for the stadium in January 2005, withstood vigorous opposition from a vocal minority, won a referendum and finally opened the stadium in 2012.
STADIUM
The Blue Wahoos' success should make a downtown soccer stadium an easier sell to the public. Short said, ideally, a stadium would seat 5,000-10,000. Where exactly a stadium that size could be built in Pensacola is unclear.
DeeDee Davis, CEO and owner of NAI Pensacola Commercial Real Estate, said the vacant Pensacola Technology Campus is one possibility. Since its infrastructure construction through a $2 million federal grant in 2012, the PensacolaEscambia Development Commission remains in search of a developer to deliver an economic boom to the region.
"What a waste to see that tech park sitting there like an abandoned field," Davis said.
The drawback of the tech park is that the field would run east to west causing issues with sunlight in players' eyes. The old ECUA sewage treatment property wouldn't have that problem, but it's owned by Studer, who has the site under contract with two developers to build 605 residential units.
Another ideal location for a north-to-south facing field is off Bayfront Parkway near the Florida Power & Light building, but the city would need to acquire the property.
The challenges of identifying and acquiring property are minor compared to the actual task of funding stadium construction. Construction costs for Blue Wahoos Stadium were around $24 million, equivalent to about $33 million today.
"Ultimately, this is where Mayor Reeves' office is going to be super important and City Council," Witkin said. "There are city assets. How do they
want to get behind it? There are tools in the toolbox as far as tax relief. There are some parcels where I could see it coming together."
A team will likely be awarded and begin playing before a stadium is built. Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park could serve as a shortterm location. Pensacola Futbol Club plays its games there. Another possibility is the Pensacola State College soccer complex, which is under construction.
Studer said the Blue Wahoos Stadium could serve as a temporary home. It meets the seating minimum requirement of 5,000. However, the stadium has two significant drawbacks. The field would run east-to-west, and its artificial turf increases the risk of a ligament injury, according to the National Institutes of Health.
When questioned about possible stadium options, Reeves said, "It's way too early to speculate on what would or wouldn't be feasible in terms of a short-term solution or permanent solution."
Reeves envisions a multi-use facility that hosts soccer and football games, festivals, concerts and other marquee events to give citizens a proper return on investment. He said, "Clearly, the facility would not be one that would only be used the nights per year that the soccer team's playing."
According to Reeves, renovations to the Bay Center remain the No. 1 priority over a potential multi-use stadium. The Escambia County Board of Commissioners has agreed in principle to a bond issue for the Bay Center and the construction of an indoor sports facility. The indoor sports facility's location has yet to be determined.
Reeves believes this is an ideal time to explore a multi-use stadium and its possible impact on the region.
"It's a good ingredient to throw in to talk about what's got the most viability and the best return," Reeves said. "This is certainly a better conversation to have today than it would be a year or two years from now as we try to outline the long-term vision of the rehab or construction of facilities downtown. So I would say it's coincidental timing, but very, very good timing in that aspect." {in}
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Pensacola
Tallahassee
Santa Rosa Beach
Destin
Thank You
Thank you for helping turn on the light for our journey to be an Early Learning City
DANA SUSKIND AWARD
Amanda Davey RN, BSN
Assistant Patient Care Manager
Labor & Delivery / OBECC
Ascension Sacred Heart
Only 50% of children in Escambia County are ready for kindergarten. We want to change that.
A decade ago, a staggering 42% of children in Escambia County were not kindergarten-ready. While we’ve made progress, with readiness rates now at 50%, a critical challenge remains: Half of our children still enter school lacking the essential fundamental skills needed for academic and social success. This preparedness gap significantly impacts their ability to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
John A. List, a noted economist at the University of Chicago, argues that to predict the future of a community the key item is the percentage of children who are ready for kindergarten.
We are grateful to the SCI Board, volunteers, community sponsors, partners and vendors who came out to Light Up Learning on March 6th to support SCI’s efforts to ensure every child is ready for kindergarten. Together we can make a difference!
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Kelly Reed
Global Learning Academy
If you would like more information on building brains, visit: www.studeri.org info@studeri.org
SHOUT OUT
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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VENDORS
• Blue Wahoos
• Kent’s Special Events
• Tap The Coast
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• Kelly’s Creations of Pace
• Bubbly Balloon Events
• Light Bright Events
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• Sweet Blessing Pastries
• Sign Works
• Kelsei Frazier Photography
• Pensacola Latin Dance
• Relevant AV
• Red Iron Design House
• Buggyworx
• Gulf Breeze Chick-fil-A
• Dlux Printing
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• Global Learning Academy
• Pensacola Children’s ChorusAinsley Cramblet
• Pensacola
Fire Department
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• Peter & Katrina Mougey
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• Energetic Wellness
Studio
Thank you for printing the Light Up Learning program
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The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Photos by Kelsei Frazier Photography & Local Pulse
400 people attended a Save UWF town hall meeting to discuss recent appointments to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. Community leaders, business executives, former trustees and students gathered to voice concerns about what many described as a politically motivated takeover of the university's leadership.
The controversy began on Jan. 6 when the governor's office announced five new appointees to the UWF Board of Trustees, none of whom were local candidates despite qualified local applicants. This followed three similar appointments from the state Board of Governors in December.
Speakers at the event drew parallels to New College of Florida, where similar board appointments in January 2023 led to the immediate firing of the college president. "UWF can be New College. What they did at New College, they want to do here," sources were quoted as saying, suggesting this could be part of a national template to reshape higher education.
Of particular concern is the election of Scott Yenor as board chair. The new appointees voted as a bloc (8-5) to elect Yenor, who previously stated at the 2021 National Conservatism Conference: "We need to de-emphasize our colleges and universities. That's essential to making progress on family matters."
UWF graduate student Domani TurnerWard expressed concern about Yenor's views, describing them as "objectively misogynistic, racist and antisemitic."
Another appointee attracting concerns is Adam Kissel, who now chairs the Academic Affairs Committee. Kissel reportedly specializes in "watering down accreditation," which would expand federal student aid to private and religious institutions that don't qualify under current standards.
Multiple speakers highlighted UWF's significant value to Northwest Florida: 53% of all teachers in Escambia and Santa Rosa County are UWF graduates; 56% of UWF students come from local communities; UWF graduates earn the high-
est starting salaries among Florida state university graduates; the university ranks sixth among Florida's state universities; and UWF has been named a top 10 public regional university by U.S. News & World Report.
Quint Studer emphasized UWF's role as a "talent incubator," noting that most employees at his companies are UWF graduates. Former Board of Trustees chair Suzanne Lewis detailed the university's achievements under President Martha Saunders' leadership, including UWF's ranking as number one in the state for graduate earnings.
Turner-Ward described the impact on students: "As a student, I have seen my peers reeling from these events; female students feel less safe and less welcome. Many students from all demographics are angry and confused. I have even spoken with several prospective students who have canceled their enrollment."
The town hall concluded with former State Rep. Debbie Ritchie urging attendees to take action by contacting key officials, particularly State Sen. Don Gaetz, chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee; writing personal notes expressing why UWF matters; and signing the petition at saveuwf.com.
She told the crowd, "We want you to communicate to the people of influence who can make a decision about the future of not only our university but also our community."
For more information, visit saveuwf.com.
BCC OPPOSES YENOR The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has formally opposed Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointment of Scott Yenor to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees.
The March 14 letter, signed by Commission Chairman Michael Kohler, urges the Florida Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections to reject Yenor's confirmation, citing concerns about his public statements and lack of connection to the university.
"The stakes could not be higher as this appointment threatens the future of UWF and the
surrounding community," wrote Kohler on behalf of the commission.
Yenor, a professor at Boise State University in Idaho, has reportedly never visited the UWF campus. Commissioners highlighted his controversial statements about women, non-Christians and racial minorities as fundamentally incompatible with UWF's mission and demographics.
The letter specifically references Yenor's position that "men, and only men, should pursue higher education and careers" as particularly troubling for a university with a 60 percent female student population led by President Martha Saunders.
Commissioners expressed concerns about potential antisemitic statements that run counter to UWF's longstanding relationships with Jewish donors. These donors include the late Fred Levin, who funded the Askew Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies and donated his $8 million home to the university, and the Bear Family Foundation, which contributed $5 million to the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business.
The commission is concerned about the potential consequences if Yenor is confirmed, including an estimated 25% enrollment decline within five years, a reduction in female faculty and administrators, the elimination of archaeology, sociology, humanities, and arts programs and negative economic impacts on local businesses.
"West Florida is a stalwart bastion of conservative thought, but our residents feel betrayed by the unexpected effort to foist Mr. Yenor upon us," the letter states. "We solicit your support in our mission to Save UWF."
A DIFFERENT DEMOCRAT
With the April 1 special election approaching, Democratic candidate Gay Valimont is making her final pitch to voters across Northwest Florida's First Congressional District.
This isn't Valimont's first congressional campaign, but it's certainly different. After running against Matt Gaetz in 2024, Valimont found herself back on the campaign trail just eight days after his resignation triggered a special election.
"After Matt resigned, it was eight days later and I was in Puerto Rico licking my wounds from the last election, and my phone blew up," Valimont shared during her interview with Inweekly.
The campaign sprang back into action, securing petition signatures over the Thanksgiving holiday in just 10 days.
The biggest difference this time? "I'm not running against Gaetz," Valimont said, adding that her fundraising success has dramatically improved, allowing her campaign to reach more voters through advertising, digital outreach and door-knocking efforts.
Personal tragedy has cemented her ties to District 1. In 2020, Valimont lost her 44-year-old husband to ALS and her 8-year-old son to a terminal brain tumor. These experiences shaped her perspective on healthcare and strengthened her commitment to the district.
"I'm never going to leave this district because every corner of it reminds me of my child and my
family," she said. "When they send me to Washington, I'll go there, do my job, stand up for us, and then come home."
What are voters telling Valimont? "Groceries are too expensive, homeowner's insurance is too expensive," she said.
Valimont positions herself as a Democrat who can work across the aisle, drawing from her upbringing with a Republican father and Democratic mother. "The National Party has nothing to do with me," she stated frankly, acknowledging the Democratic Party's messaging problems.
"At this point in our politics, we've got to put partisan hate aside and get to work," she emphasized. "I'm a Democrat, but that doesn't mean people that vote for me have to be a Democrat."
Valimont's campaign operates around the clock, with 60 canvassers knocking on doors. Her message is simple for undecided voters: "Come out and talk to me if you're not sure."
SPECIAL ELECTION GUIDE
The special election to fill Florida's 1st Congressional District— which Matt Gaetz vacated during his failed attempt to become U.S. Attorney General—is Tuesday, April 1.
Candidates on the Ballot
•Republican Jimmy Patronis: joinjimmy.com
•Democrat Gay Valimont: gayforcongress.com
•No Party Affiliate Stephen Broden: facebook.com/stephen.broden.1
Voters can also write in one of three candidates: •Richard Dembinsky (no website)
•Stanley Gray: facebook.com/stanley.gray.5895
•Stan McDaniels: the1manstan.com
Early Voting
Early voting is an option through Saturday, March 29. Registered voters can cast their ballots from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at any of the following locations:
•Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 S. Palafox St.
•Main Library, 239 Spring St.
•Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A, Molino
•Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Ave.
(Replacing Ashbury Place)
•Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
•Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway
•Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
•Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St.
•Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500
N. Century Blvd., Century
•UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway
Vote By Mail
Mail-in ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, so be sure to get yours in the mail as promptly as possible. Once it's in the mail, you can use the "Track My Ballot" tool to chart the progress of your ballot from the mailbox to the SOE office. Go to escambiavotes.gov/ track-my-ballot to learn more.
Voting Election Day, Tuesday, April 1 First, find your assigned voting location. This is based on the address you registered to vote with (because you already registered, right?). We recommend visiting escambiavotes.gov/precinctfinder to find your polling location easily.
On election day, go to the polls between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Bring photo identification, and you should be good to go. Any questions? Visit escambiavotes.gov.
MORE WIND JOBS GE Vernova and RWE have partnered to supply 109 onshore wind turbines for two West Texas projects. GE Vernova's Pensacola facility on Scenic Highway will manufacture the turbines, with deliveries starting later this year. The Pensacola plant supports hundreds of advanced manufacturing jobs, with approximately 20% of workers being military veterans.
Once operational, these projects will boost RWE's U.S. wind capacity to over 1 gigawatt, generating enough electricity to power more than 85,000 Texas homes and businesses annually. The economic impact spans multiple states, creating hundreds of full-time construction jobs in Texas while supporting Florida's manufacturing sector.
"We are pleased to support a leader in the wind industry and appreciate RWE's confidence in our business, our technology and our team," said Scott Stalica, executive director of North American commercial operations for GE Vernova's onshore wind business.
The partnership, finalized across two quarters in 2024, grew out of both companies' commitment to American energy independence. Kevin Kroll, chief operating officer of RWE Clean Energy, said, "RWE's investments in West Texas symbolize our strong commitment to local energy production and strengthening manufacturing and supply chains in the United States through partnerships with great American companies like GE Vernova."
This collaboration adds to GE Vernova's global onshore wind portfolio of approximately 56,000 installed turbines generating nearly 120 gigawatts of capacity, demonstrating how corporate partnerships can advance decarbonization while boosting local economies in Texas and Florida.
RECORD TOURISM Pensacola's beaches and historic downtown continue to draw millions of tourists, with visitors now struggling to find parking during peak times.
Visit Pensacola recently celebrated Florida Tourism Day by announcing record-breaking figures for Fiscal Year 2024. According to data collected with Downs and St. Germain Research, the Pensacola area attracted 2.54 million visitors from October 2023 through September 2024, a 2.3% increase from the previous year.
While Florida saw tourism surges during FY 2021 and FY 2022 due to lenient COVID-19 measures, numbers began declining statewide in 2023. However, Pensacola defied this trend, dipping only 1% before rebounding to set its new record.
"Our peer destinations aren't seeing that," said Visit Pensacola Executive Director Darien Schae -
fer, referring to competitors like Orange Beach/ Gulf Shores, Fort Walton Beach/Destin and Panama City Beach.
The record tourism resulted in $22 million of tourism development tax collections, up 2.1% from the previous year. Other highlights include $1.3 billion in direct spending, $2.01 billion in economic impact, 18,700 jobs supported and $513 in local taxes saved per household.
Visit Pensacola's $6 million marketing campaign generated $111 million in local impact and $1.94 million in earned media. Their website attracted 3.8 million users, while their social media channels engaged over 300,000 followers.
Despite this success, Schaefer noted a significant challenge: the lack of conference center space limits group visits. "If we want to bring 1,000 people here, we don't have the space," he explained. County commissioners are considering Bay Center renovations, with one proposal including a 50,000-square-foot event center and a 26,000-square-foot ice rink at an estimated cost of $104 million.
CITY UPDATES In his weekly press briefing, Mayor D.C. Reeves provided updates on key projects and celebrated several community achievements. The briefing focused on development progress, transportation enhancements and notable accomplishments by local organizations and individuals.
The mayor will recommend a three-month option extension for the Valencia project at Maritime Park's Parcel 7 to the Pensacola City Council. All principal terms for the hotel development have been agreed upon, with parking being the final detail to resolve. The project needs approximately 80 additional parking spaces to reach the required 180 spaces.
"We're not giving out extensions to options just for the sake of doing it," Reeves said. He anticipates presenting a lease with firm deadlines to the Council before the extension expires.
Several downtown projects are progressing well: The Tempo (by Hilton developers) at New World Landing awaits only DEP approval for contamination issues before beginning demolition, and the Tristan Hotel project continues "full steam ahead."
Contour Airlines began service to Pensacola International Airport on March 22, with direct flights to Muscle Shoals. The mayor expressed hope that this new carrier might expand service similar to Breeze Airways, which recently increased Tampa flights and added a Raleigh route.
The GL 52 Series hosted the inaugural Pensacola Cup in Pensacola Bay last week, bringing approximately 150 crew members and support staff to the city. For information on the results, visit gl52series.com/florida-2025/.
Mayor Reeves recognized two PPD officers: Lieutenant Amy Parsons, the first woman from PPD to graduate from the FBI National Academy at Quantico, and Officer Heather Mallett, named 2024 PPD Officer of the Year for her work as Washington High School's resource officer. {in}
SPRING BREAKOUTS THINGS TO SEE, HEAR AND DO THIS SEASON
Spring break might have come and gone, but that won't stop us from making the most of the current season and all that comes with it—like the return of Bands on the Beach and Wahoos baseball.
To help you do the same, we've put together the ultimate local spring to-do list, complete with festivals, outdoor events and concerts.
FEELING FESTIVE
Upcoming festivals
Pensacola VegFest
March 29 pensacolavegfest.com
Books by the Bay March 29 facebook.com/booksbythebayfestival
Pensacola Bloody Mary Festival March 29 pensacolabloodymaryfestival.com
Fred Levin Way Fest April 13 fredlevinfest.com
Earth Day Pensacola April 19 earthdaypensacola.com
Pensacola Crawfish Festival April 25-27 fiestapensacola.org
Pensacola Beach Crawfish Festival May 2-4 bamboowillies.com
Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Fest
May 10 pensacolabeachchamber.com/art-wine-festival
Gulf Coast Culture Fest May 31 facebook.com/gulfcoastculturefest
IT'S A DATE
A few more standout spring happenings to mark on your calendar
Ballet Pensacola's "Don Quixote" March 28-30 and April 4-6 balletpensacola.org
Saenger Theatre 100th Birthday Celebration April 2 and 6 pensacolasaenger.com/100
Blue Wahoos Home Opener April 4 bluewahoos.com
Pensacola Little Theatre's "A Cabaret of Curiosities" April 12 pensacolalittletheatre.com
Record Store Day April 12 recordstoreday.com
Underoath at Vinyl Music Hall April 16 vinylmusichall.com
Lunar Vacation at The Handlebar April 19 thehandlebar850.com
Independent Bookstore Day April 26 indiebound.org/independent-bookstore-day
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Season Finale May 3 pensacolasymphony.com
Soulja Boy at Vinyl Music Hall May 7 vinylmusichall.com
Save Ferris at The Handlebar May 14 thehandlebar850.com
GET IN A ROUTINE
Reoccurring events worth making a regular thing
Bands on the Beach
Every Tuesday, April 1-Oct. 28
visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happening-bands-on-beach
Cinemas in the Sand
Select Friday nights, now-Oct. 10 visitpensacolabeach.com/cinemas-in-the-sand
Palafox Market
Every Saturday palafoxmarket.com
Pensacola Arts Market
Every second and fourth Saturday at Cordova Square
Every first Friday and third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten facebook.com/pensacolaartsmarket
Gallery Night
Every third Friday gallerynightpensacola.org {in}
Bands on the Beach / Photo Courtesy of SRIA
Arts & Entertainment
art, film, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...
Cowgirl (and Cowboy) Surf
gosh, a bass player, exactly what
The musical match first met and played for another band in San Diego then relocated to Colorado, where they started Snake and the Rabbit in 2020. Brett and Lee are tight-lipped about their band name origin, but they hint at it with their shared love for Chinese food.
In 2022, they followed some of Lee's family to Pensacola—a location that conveniently rounded out the rationale behind their 2024 album title "Cowgirl Surf."
"We wanted to touch on being from San Diego. We surfed there, and come full circle, we live in another beach town now," Brett said. "It touches on the fact that we use single-coil Fender guitars, which is very popular in surf music. We play out of Fender amps; that's
The "Cowgirl" part alludes to Lee's family and her outlaw country
"In high school, even in San Diego, she was in [agriculture], so she is a true cowgirl at heart," Brett said. "And I used to ride horses, so the whole cowboycowgirl thing has been vital in our relationship and our branding since the beginning."
"I grew up in a rodeo town," Lee added. "One of my uncles was a barrel racer, and so I went to a lot of rodeos growing up, and I grew up surfing, too … I'm very influenced by those twangy sounds and surf rock music and a lot of reverb— heavy on the reverb."
"I think living in Colorado, too, has a little bit to do with that, because you're out in the wild countryside—God's country, if you will."
While most of the album was written while living in Colorado, the song "Good Gally Sally" was
going through with somebody else, and maybe they can connect with that and it helps them in some way."
The two collaborate on songwriting, but Brett admitted he writes one song for every 20 Lee writes.
"I do write a lot," Lee confessed. "In my spare time, that's all I really do is sit here and perfect my craft and try to write songs that are better than my last songs. If I didn't get the words out properly the first time, I'm definitely going to keep trying to get the right words on the next one."
Brett handles much of the instrumentation, previously playing up to four instruments in one set. But since moving to Pensacola, they've had backup from guitarist Ed Adams (formerly The Victrolas) and drummer Chicken (Ben Loftin & The Family).
"If you listen to anything that we put out on Spotify or Apple Music or whatever, all that stuff we recorded, I'm playing drums, guitar, the keys, five guitar, bass," Brett said. "I'm engineering everything."
The pair is proud to be in their DIY independent artist era, but they wouldn't turn down some recognition from a record label. Their current goal is to perform the Southern circuit more frequently: Nashville, Tenn., Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala.
"Our goal is to just continuously hit the road with bigger and better bands," Brett said. "There are lots of good bands in this area that are blowing up, and we are very fortunate to be in the right mix."
"It is very niche music, and we're just trying to find the people that are going to connect with us and support us," Lee added.
While naturally, there are challenges to being romantic partners and bandmates, it's worth it.
"At the end of the day, we're partners, and we're in it," Brett said. "So any challenge that does come, I'd rather have the love of my life on the other end of some tough business decisions, than some other person from a label or an agency or something like that." {in}
vibed over a shared love of emo and rock groups like Blink-182, The Dead Weather, The Rocket Summer, Death Cab for Cutie and guilty pleasures … err, Dashboard Confessional. But their own Americana music stems from a style loved by Lee's family.
"She was an emo kid, but her whole family plays bluegrass and country music, and my favor-
men's side. She was the first girl to pick up a guitar, she said. Their clan gets down to the likes of Hank Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Alan Jackson, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Johnny Cash.
"[Brett] was probably one of the first guys I was serious about, and he brought a bass guitar—he also plays upright bass," Lee said. "All my family was so excited. They're like, 'Oh my
"I was stuck here during Hurricane Sally, and was here for like a week after I was supposed to be," Lee said. "I wrote 'Sally' because it was the scariest experience I ever had, and I still moved here after being in a hurricane. That's pretty crazy. I write based on my experiences, and I feel like I go through everything for a reason—and that's to just share what I'm
SNAKE AND THE RABBIT AT THE BURROW
WHAT: An outdoor show in the biergarten
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 28
WHERE: The Burrow, 1010 N. 12th Ave.
COST: Free
DETAILS: snakeandtherabbit.com, @snakeandtherabbit
Snake and the Rabbit / Photo by Grant Tyson, The Southern Creative
a&e happenings
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER FOR FURRY FRIENDS Now through Saturday, March 29, you can bid on gift baskets, gift certificates, art and mommy-and-me treat baskets. Auction is located at the Happy Dog Resort, 1401 W. Cervantes St. For more information, contact SOS program at sossaveourshelters@gmail.com.
PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY FUR
BALL The annual Fur Ball is 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at the Pensacola Yacht Club, 1897 Cypress St. For sponsorship or ticket information call (850) 450-8958 or email furball@pensacolahumane.org.
WSRE WINE AND FOOD CLASSIC WSRE
PBS Wine & Food Classic is Saturday, March 29, on the main campus of Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Enjoy Walkabout Tasting featuring local chefs serving Creole-inspired cuisine and the music of Corey Ledet Zydeco from 7-10 p.m. in the WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio. Tickets are $65. VIP tickets are also available, which include the Crescent City Soirée on the college's Morette Sky Terrace at the Bear, Jones, Moore, Reeves Center from 6-7:30 p.m. Visit wsre.org/events for event details and to purchase tickets.
ART OF FASHION: SANDS OF TIME Fundraiser for Covenant Care. Event is Thursday, April 3 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are $125 and available at choosecovenant.org/ art-of-fashion-2025.
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Ani-
mal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Beef 'O' Brady's, 1 New Market Street, Cantonment. The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. 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
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 poptop 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) 7233390 for details.
ARTS & CULTURE
THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON PenArts presents the inspiring story of one woman's life and how she impacted the future for all female astronauts. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27; Friday, March 28; Saturday, March 29; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at The Gordon
Community Art Center, 306 N. DeVilliers St. Tickets are $20 and available at penarts.org.
PENSACOLA QUILTERS GUILD QUILT
SHOW Check out quilt, fabric and sewing machine vendors, auction baskets, quilt demonstrations and a boutique with items made by the members of the guild 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, March 28 and 9 a.m.-4 pm. Saturday, March 29 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway. Admission is $10 a day or $15 for a twoday pass. Admission is $5 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger. More information is at pensacolaquiltersguild.org.
INTRO TO CYANOTYPE PRINTING WORK-
SHOP In this introductory workshop, students will learn how to coat their very own cyanotype paper and make contact prints using found or brought objects, plants or photo negatives. Event is 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Cost is $40 for PMA members and $45 for non-members. Details at pensacolamuseum.org.
PENSACOLA BALLET PRESENTS: DON
QUIXOTE Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays, March 28 and April 4; Saturdays, March 29 and April 5; and 1:30 p.m. Sundays, March 30 and April 6 at Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $25-$50 and available at balletpensacola.com.
STILL RISING Choral Society of Pensacola event is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at the University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway Bldg. 82. Tickets are $10-$25 and available at choralsocietyofpensacola.org.
MARCH MEWVIE NIGHT: MOANA Visit Coastal Cat Café 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 28 to watch "Moana" with adoptable kitties. Cost is $32 per person and includes a two-hour visit with the kitties, free popcorn, hot chocolate or hot tea. Bring your own blankets and pillows. Tickets at coastalcatpcola.com.
BOOKS BY THE BAY Bestselling author Julie Cantrell and award-winning screenwriter Paul Sinor headline the list of nearly 100 authors participating in Books By the Bay Festival held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at Museum Plaza, 120 Church St. To sign up for the screenwriting workshop, reserve a space or volunteer, visit the website booksbythebay.info.
WORLD BALLET COMPANY PRESENTS: THE GREAT GATSBY Show is 6 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information are at pensacolasaenger.com.
WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION AT ODD
COLONY Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St., and FemFest invite you to a free event with a special beer and can release, Flour-ish Pizza Food Truck, craft and vintage market, photo booth and goodies from Craft Bakery and Black Cat Vegan Bakery. Event is 12 p.m. Sunday, March 30. There will be a panel discussion at 1 p.m. and a DJ Hale set from 2-4 p.m. Details are at facebook.com/oddcolony.
SAENGER THEATRE GRAND REOPENING
Ribbon cutting and theatre tour is 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details at pensacolasaenger.com.
CECIL B. DEMILLE'S THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Watch the 1923 silent film 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Free and open to the public. Details at pensacolasaenger.com.
ARTIST TALK AND BOOK SIGNING Join PMA for a free artist talk and book signing with Ben Depp on Friday, April 4. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the talk begins at 6 p.m. Details at pensacolamuseum.org.
BLUE MORNING GALLERY: SPRING
FLING The latest Blue Morning Gallery exhibit is Spring Fling with featured artists Jan Hoffman, Mark Schmitt and Kathy Stewart. The gallery is located at 21 S. Palafox St. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
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 is on view through Friday, April 4, at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for hours.
JIMMY RHEA: TO BE DEFINED Pensacola Museum of Art exhibit featuring mixed-media work by Jimmy Rhea that juxtaposes historical icons with contemporary culture is on view through June 1 at PMA, 407 S. Jefferson St. For museum hours and details, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
IN YOUR FACE: PORTRAITS BY GILA RAYBERG Mosaic portraiture by Gila Rayberg. On view through Sept. 7 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details at pensacolamuseum.org.
THE MEMBERS SHOW PMA Members show is on view through June 1 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details at pensacolamuseum.org.
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 View an exhibit by 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 are 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.
a&e happenings
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 AMERI-
CAN 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 equip -
ment 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 happens 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
SOUNDBITE DINNER WITH CHEF NICK AND DAN LOVELOCK Fine dining meets live music, where each course is paired with a specially chosen Beatles song, Dinner is 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
GERMAN FLAVORS COOKING CLASS
Class is 5-8 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Ste. C. Cost is $60 per student. (Adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com.
SANGRIA AT SUNSET Enjoy rooftop views, tapas, sangria and live entertainment from Ballet Pensacola 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at on the rooftop of Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. This event is for ages 21 and older. Tickets are available at balletpensacola.org.
BIG DOG DAY AT CCB Bring your dog to Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road 1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Details at coastalcountybrewing.com/events.
PENSACOLA BLOODY MARY FESTIVAL
Event is 12 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Tickets and information at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
DABBLING IN DESSERTS Cooking class is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Ste. C. Cost is $60 per student. (Ages 10 and older). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com.
TROPICAL LUAU IN THE BIERGARTEN
Event is 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Admission is free; however, a $35 ticket provides a food option from Conchitas Catering. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.
SIP AND BLOOM Design your own bouquet with Moon Drop Flower Company 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.
HANDS ON PASTA COOKING CLASS Class is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $80 and available on Eventbrite.
ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS Atlas Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 Barracks St. with Odd Pelican Beer Company. Cost is $30 per person. Seats are limited. Call (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com for reservations.
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 located at 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
FREE POOL Free pool all day at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. SIN Night begins at 1 a.m. Visit mugsjugsbar.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.
TRIVIA NIGHT AND SIN Trivia is 9-10:30 p.m. Mondays, and SIN is 11 p.m.-3 a.m. at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
for more listings visit inweekly.net
free will astrology
WEEK OF MARCH 27
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Ancient Rome's emperor Julius Caesar undertook a radical move to fix the calendar, which had become increasingly inaccurate as the centuries passed. He added three months to the year 46 BCE, which as a result was 445 days long. I'm thinking that 2025 might seem equally long for you, Aries. Your destiny may feel like it's taking forever to unfold. April fool's! I totally lied. In fact, I think 2025 will be one of your briskest, crispest years ever. Your adventures will be spiced with alacrity. Your efforts will be efficient and expeditious. You may sometimes be amazed at how swiftly progress unfolds.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Guilt and fear are always useless distractions from what's really happening. Right? April fool's! The fact is that on rare occasions, being anxious can motivate you to escape from situations that your logical mind says are tolerable. And guilt may compel you to take the right action when nothing else will. This is one time when your guilt and fear can be valuable assets.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): The German word "Flüsterwitze" means "whisper jokes." These jests make taboo references and need to be delivered with utmost discretion. They may include the mockery of authority figures. Dear Gemini, I recommend that you suppress your wicked satire and uproarious sarcasm for a while and stick to whisper jokes. April fool's! I lied. The truth is that the world needs your outspokenness. Your ability to call out hypocrisies and expose corruption— especially with humor and wit—will keep everyone as honest as they need to be.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): In the lead-up to the Paris-hosted 2024 Summer Olympics, the iconic Eiffel Tower was repainted gold. This was a departure from tradition, as the usual colors had been brown on the bottom and red on the top. The $60-million job took 25 painters 18 months. I recommend that you undertake an equally monumental task in the coming months, Cancerian. April fool's! I lied. In fact, I do hope you undertake a monumental task—but one that's more substantive than changing the surfaces of things. Like revisioning your life story, for example—reinterpreting your past and changing the way it informs
By Rob Brezsny
your future. I think you are ready to purge inessential elements and exorcize old ghosts as you prepare for a re-launch around your birthday.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): When I worked on the Duke University grounds crew years ago, I did the work I was assigned as quickly as possible. Then I would hide in the bushes, taking unauthorized breaks for an hour or two, so I could read books I loved. Was that unethical? Maybe. But the fact is, I would never have been able to complete my assigned tasks unless I allowed myself relaxation retreats. If there is an equivalent situation in your life, Leo, I urge you to do as I did. April fool's! I half-lied. The truth is that I think you should be a little less extravagant than I was—but only a little—as you create the spaciousness and slack you need.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): In his film "Fitzcarraldo," Virgo director Werner Herzog tells an epic story. It includes the task of hauling a 320-ton steamship up a hill and over land, moving it from one river to another. Herzog could have relied on special effects to simulate this almost impossible project, but he didn't. With a system of pulleys and a potent labor force, he made it happen. I urge you to try your equivalent of Herzog's heroic conquest, Virgo. You will be able to summon more power and help than you can imagine. April fool's! I half-lied. While it's true that you will be able to summon more power and help than you can imagine, I still think you should at least partially rely on the equivalent of special effects.
Let's make these bats your power creatures. The astrological omens say it's time for you to argue more than you have ever argued. April fool's! I was not entirely truthful. The coming weeks will be a good time to address disagreements and settle disputes, but hopefully through graceful means, not bitter arguing.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Unlike many modern poets, Scorpio-born Alice Notley rejects the notion that she must be part of any poetic lineage. She aspires "to establish or continue no tradition except one that literally can't exist—the celebration of the singular thought sung at a particular instant in a unique voice." She has also written, "It's necessary to maintain a state of disobedience against everything." She describes her work as "an immense act of rebellion against dominant social forces." I invite you to enjoy your own version of a Notleylike phase, Scorpio. April fool's! I lied. In fact, I encourage you to enjoy a Notley-like phase beginning May 1. But for now, I invite you to be extra attentive in cultivating all the ways you can benefit from honoring your similarities and connections with others.
SAGITTARIUS
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Researchers discovered that Egyptian fruit bats engage in extensive communication with each other while nesting in their roosts. Surprisingly, they talk about their problems a lot. In fact, they quarrel 60 percent of the time. Areas of disagreement include food allocation, positions within the sleep cluster and males initiating unwanted mating moves.
(NOV. 22-DEC. 21): The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test that many American high school students take to prove their worth to colleges. The highest possible score is achieved by fewer than one percent of test-takers. We might imagine that earning such a premium grade must guarantee admission to any school, but it doesn't. During one five-year period, for example, Stanford University rejected 69 percent of applicants with the highest possible score. I'm sorry to predict that a comparable experience might be ahead for you, Sagittarius. Even if you are your best and brightest self, you may be denied your rightful reward. April fool's! I totally lied. Here's my real, true prediction: In the coming weeks, I believe you will be your best and brightest self—and will win your rightful reward.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The visible part of an iceberg is typically just 10 percent of its total size. Most is hidden beneath the sea's surface. References to "the tip of the iceberg" have become a staple metaphor in many cultures, signifying situations that are not what
they seem. Of all the zodiac tribes, Scorpios are renowned for their expertise in discerning concealed agendas and missing information. The rest of us tend to be far less skillful. April fool's! I fibbed. These days, you Capricorns are even more talented than Scorpios at looking beyond the obvious and becoming aware of the concealed roots and full context.
Let's make these bats your power creatures.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): In the coming weeks, I advise you to be like the 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. She lived in quiet seclusion, corresponding through letters instead of socializing. She seemed content to write her poems all alone in her home and be unconcerned about trying to get them published. April fool's! I lied. Here's my real horoscope: now is a highly favorable time for you to shmooze with intensity at a wide range of social occasions, both to get all the educational prods you need and to advance your ambitions.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Some systems and situations improve and thrive in response to stress and errors. Indeed, some things need strain or irregularity to be fully healthy. For example, human bodies require a certain amount of stress to develop a resistance to infection. In reading the astrological omens, I conclude you now need stimulation like that. April fool's! I lied. Here's the truth: August of 2025 will be a great time for you to harvest the benefits of benevolent stress. But for now, your forte will be the capacity to avoid and resist stress, confusion and errors.
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What's the best prank you could perform on yourself? {in}
freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2025 Rob Brezsny
news of the weird
BAD BEHAVIOR A team of nine scientists at the Sanae IV research station in Antarctica have been upset by the behavior of one of their group, the BBC reported on March 18. The team left South Africa on Feb. 1 to spend the Antarctic winter at the station, but on Feb. 27 one person was accused of a physical assault. Another team member wrote an email describing the "deeply disturbing behavior" and an "environment of fear." Since then, the South African environment ministry said it "immediately activated the response plan in order to mediate and restore relations at the base." The alleged perpetrator has "willingly participated in further psychological evaluation, has shown remorse and is willingly cooperative." In addition, that person has written a formal apology to the victim, the ministry said.
THE PASSING PARADE It wasn't a robe or a phone charger left behind in a room at the Pine Rivers motel in Cheboygan, Michigan, on March 14, the Detroit Free Press reported. Instead, when the cleaning crew arrived at the room, they looked under the bed and found Wally, "a real friendly gator." The motel manager said he'd had no idea that the alligator was one of the guests in the room. He called the guest, who said he was "taking Wally to elementary schools and showing him to children," but when he got up that morning, he couldn't find the reptile and assumed he'd gotten out. "You couldn't really miss it," the manager said. "It's about 3 feet long." The owner drove back from Detroit and picked up Wally that evening.
CULINARY CREATION Jordi Roca, 46, chef and owner of the Michelin three-star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, has created a "lit" dessert that'll set diners back $362, the New York Post reported on March 12. For the pricey confection, Roca extracts the "essence" of old books by spreading their pages with "deodorized butter and (letting) it rest overnight so that it is impregnated with the smell of an old book." Then he removes the butter with a spatula and dissolves it in alcohol, which evaporates and leaves "the perfume of an old book." Roca borrowed the process, called enfleurage, from the perfume industry. The resulting "liquor" is dropped onto a pudding and adorned with petals of torn pages of the book. If dessert is a book, eat on!
I AM NOT DEAD YET In Kardzhali, Bulgaria, the Arda Kardzhali soccer team observed a moment of silence for their fallen former teammate, striker Petko Ganchev, 78, on March 16. Unfortunately, the BBC reported, Ganchev was in fact alive and well. Ganchev said he returned home as the match was beginning, and his wife greeted him crying in the yard: "Petko, Petko, they announced on TV that you have died!" Ganchev said, "When I heard the terrible news, I poured myself a small brandy. ... So many people called me—relatives, friends ... The situation was not pleasant, but in the end we have to be positive." A statement from the club read: "The management of PFC Arda would like to express a huge apology to the former
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
Arda player Petko Ganchev and his relatives after the club received wrong information about his death. We wish Petko Ganchev many more years of good health and to enjoy the success of Arda."
AMERICANS ABROAD A couple of American tourists visiting Dublin, Ireland, for St. Patrick's Day felt the wrath of the Irish after they tried to stiff a carriage driver, The Irish Sun reported on March 19. A video from the scene shows the driver chasing the two men after their horseand-carriage ride. When he catches the men, he whips them with a stick and demands, "Pay me now." After several more strikes with his whip, one rider pulls out his wallet and says, "I have money. I understand, I understand." But even after he's been paid, the driver whips them a few more times, to which one replies, "I'm sorry. We learned our lesson."
PERSPECTIVE The Associated Press reported on March 19 that Muslims in Jakarta, Indonesia, are taking advantage of a service offered for free by a charity during Ramadan. Amil Zakat National Agency is providing tattoo removal services to give practicing Muslims a chance to repent. Teguh Islean Septura, 30, first got tattoos when he played guitar in a band. But now, he said, "I want to improve myself by moving closer to God. God gave me clean skin and I ruined it, that's what I regret now." Roughly 700 people have signed up for the service this year.
KARAOKE RAGE In the wee hours of March 15 in Clearwater, Florida, Aaron Jablonski, 34, was REALLY hoping to treat patrons of the Overtime Sports Bar to some karaoke, The Smoking Gun reported. So when he found out the machine was out of order, Jablonski left the establishment, "upset about the music." Outside, a 26-year-old man tried to calm Jablonski down, but he produced a Glock 9mm pistol from his waistband, pointed it at the man and then fired off a round, witnesses said. When police arrived, Jablonski still had the gun—a problem, since he had previously been convicted of battery on a law enforcement officer. He was arrested for aggravated assault and felon in possession of a firearm, with bond set at $40,000.
LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS An unidentified man in northeast Philadelphia was nearly electrocuted and suffered third-degree burns on March 19 as he tried to steal copper wiring, WPVITV reported. When he broke into a transformer box and cut into the live high-voltage wiring, he knocked out power to about 1,500 homes and businesses nearby, police said. "The victim is in critical condition with burns to his face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms and hands," police reported. The day before, another copper thief suffered similar burns and actually caught fire. {in}
