Inweekly May 30 2024 Issue

Natalie Allgyer

winners & losers winners losers

EMERGENCY CARE PARTNERS Modern

Healthcare has selected Emergency Care Partners (ECP) as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. "We greatly appreciate the recognition of the team culture and success at ECP," stated ECP CEO Bill Yarbrough, CEO. "We have a unique private practice model that stresses the local relationship our physician groups have with the health systems and communities that we live in and serve.

AMY BENDER Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Amy Bender, wife of Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender, to Florida's Judicial First Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. She is senior counsel and assistant general counsel at Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP. Bender earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and her juris doctorate from the University of Georgia. Bender's term ends July 1, 2027. Judicial Nominating Commissions select nominees to fill judicial vacancies within the Florida court system. She replaces State Rep. Alex Andrade, who requested to step down because the commission often met when he was in Tallahassee for legislative work.

1955 PENSACOLA JAYCEES ALL-STARS

This all-Black team went to the Little League State Championship in August 1955 in Orlando as Northwest Florida's regional champions. They won the regional title by forfeit because none of the all-white teams would play them. The Pensacola Jaycees were shut out by the Orlando Kiwanis. However, the game was a landmark civil rights milestone because it was the first time in Little League history that an all-Black team played an all-white team in the segregated Deep South. The Jaycees coaches were Nathaniel Black and Fred Hicks. The players were Freddie Augustine, Pesslean Brye, Percy Boykins, Clyde Charlie, Cleve Dailey, Robert East, Admiral LeRoy, Jr., Harim McFarland, Richard Morris, Jr., Willie Preyer, Wille V. Robinson, Phillip Stewart and Willie Stromas. A historical marker honoring the team was dedicated at Community Maritime Park on May 23.

NAUSSANY INVESTMENTS & PRIVATE LENDING,LLC

The company dropped plans to auction off Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis after a Tennessee judge blocked the foreclosure. Naussany Investments claimed Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' daughter, had used Graceland as collateral for a $3.8 million loan from the company, which she had not paid back before her death last year. Elvis' granddaughter, Riley Keough, claimed documents the company used to evidence the loan used forged signatures. Her argument was supported by a Florida notary public listed in the paperwork saying in an affidavit she had never met Lisa Marie Presley and didn't notarize her signature. The Jungle Room stays in the Presley family.

LIVE NATION

The Department of Justice and 30 state attorneys general, including Florida AG Ashley Moody, announced a lawsuit against the ticketing giant on antitrust grounds. Live Nation illegally abused its monopoly power in live ticketing following its 2010 acquisition of Ticketmaster, according to the lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York. They argue Live Nation leveraged Ticketmaster's exclusive contracts with concert venues to maintain a monopoly in the live entertainment industry, allowing them to "freeze innovation and bend the industry to their own benefit." Live Nation directly manages more than 400 musical artists and owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America. Live Nation replied, "We will defend against these baseless allegations, use this opportunity to shed light on the industry, and continue to push for reforms that truly protect consumers and artists."

CENTURY EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

Apparently, the handbook is more of a suggestion than a firm policy for Town of Century employees. It states that unused vacation time is forfeited by the end of the year. When Gas operator Billy Johnson submitted his two weeks' notice, he wanted pay for vacation time he never used. He received it because Mayor Luis Gomez told Johnson he could carry over 88 hours of vacation in an email last October.

Graceland / Photo by Connor D. Ryan / shutterstock.com

Bill Yarbrough / Photo Courtesy of Emergency Care Partners

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

BIG BOY LIVES

By far, readers' favorite character in my Walker Holmes novels is the protagonist's chocolate Labrador mix, Big Boy. They may be ambivalent about Holmes, the owner and publisher of the Pensacola Insider, but they are attracted immediately to Big Boy.

There was a Big Boy, and he was very similar to the fictional version. When my father-in-law died in 2005 after a long battle with cancer, we were given his dog—who received his name because he was the runt of the litter and so small he was often mistaken for a Lab puppy.

I am not a dog person, not even a pet person. I don't dislike animals, but I am not good at caring for myself, much less a dog weighing less than 40 pounds. Fortunately for Big Boy, the Outzen women, who, thanks to years of training, scolding and caring for me, are experts at caring for others. The dog flourished under their love.

Big Boy slept in their beds, greeted all their friends and wore the silly costumes they put on him. He met them at the door with his wagging tail when they came home from school and work. The dog patiently waited up for them after their dates and parties. Big Boy loved and was loved.

The dog rarely barked and communicated by shaking his collar and through a series of sneezes. He had a "Timmy is in the well" expression that the girls understood—whether it meant "let me outside," "get me more food" or sit with him on the couch.

Putting Big Boy in a crate when we left the house never entered our minds. One of us always had the dog with us—unless he was in the backyard, had accomplished a secret Houdini maneuver and somehow escaped. When he did make the "Great Escape," we would find him on the front stoop waiting to surprise us. He never told us where he had been.

Big Boy inserted himself in my life, too. He was my companion on my morning walks. When

$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

I had on my running shoes on, Big Boy knew we were going walking and would break into the "happy dance" at the front door. Together, we covered most of Gulf Breeze in the wee morning hours. Most of the walks were spent with him stretching the leash to its capacity.

He was the star of the Inweekly office, visiting staff members' desks for love and possible treats. Big Boy would sit on the couch next to my desk. When someone came to see me, he would move to give the visitor room to sit. If the guest didn't pay him sufficient attention, the dog would place his paw on their leg, signaling it was OK to pet him. We took turns taking Big Boy on walks downtown, and the little dog strolled like Pensacola royalty.

The last three months of his life weren't kind to the dog, who was over 14 years old, about 70 years in dog years, or 270 years in newspaper publishing years. He rarely jumped on the couch to sit with the girls and their dates. He no longer made it up the stairs to sleep with them. His walks were shorter and more tiring.

In November 2010, Big Boy had a stroke. He recovered, but we all knew the end was near. He collapsed in the backyard in early January. Big Boy had acute renal failure. The dog improved after spending two days at the animal hospital, but it didn't last.

Big Boy no longer wagged his tail. He wouldn't eat, drink or go outside. He was ready to call it quits. While the Outzen women were at school and work, I picked up Big Boy for the last time and carried him to the animal hospital to be put to sleep. I kissed Big Boy, said goodbye and left him there.

My books "City of Grudges" and "Blood in the Water" have helped to keep his memory alive. I enjoy writing about him, and it's rewarding to hear how others have come to love him, too. {in} rick@inweekly.net

A CONVERSATION WITH FRED DONOVAN, SR.

ing with Gov. Graham for a group of 14 local leaders, including County Commission chair John Frenkel, Jr., County Administrator Ron Kendig, Mayor Vince Whibbs, and City Administrator Steve Garman. Gov. Graham endorsed the civic center and committed to putting money in the budget to expand the University of West Florida to a four-year college.

After Hurricane Ivan struck Pensacola in 2004, Donovan helped the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority find the funds to relocate the Main Street Sewage Treatment Plant away from downtown Pensacola. The storm surge had overrun the plant, sending sewage into homes and businesses.

"Downstairs, you'll see a certificate one of the ECUA board members gave us for helping them find the funding to move the plant," Donovan said. "But we had to move it, but it was a bigger deal than armoring it. You could armor it for about $60 million, but moving was in the $350 million range."

Once again, the BDI CEO worked his magic. He shared, "U.S. Senator Bob Martinez asked how relocating the sewage plant was his problem. We found the minutes of a council meeting where an EPA official told the city council in the 1960s that the best location for the plant was on Main Street. Sen. Martinez said, 'I guess it is our problem.' And we got the funds to move the plant in the central part of the county."

FINDING QUINT

tus. Inweekly sat down with him in his office, filled with plaques, souvenirs and scrapbooks honoring his years of community service. His stories gave insight into how Pensacola has grown over the past six decades. These are just a few of them.

CHASING MONEY

When Donovan graduated from Georgia Tech, he had his choice of engineering jobs. He decided to work with Dupont's construction division in Kinston, N.C.

After a couple of years, the Pensacola Catholic graduate wanted to come home to Pensacola but had little luck finding a job. Most of the large engineering jobs went to firms with local marketing representatives, but the home offices in Atlanta, Jacksonville and other big cities handled the actual engineering.

"Finally, I ran into Bill Baskerville. He was by himself with a bookkeeper in Gulf Breeze and had taken over a firm that Russell Patterson started," Donovan said. "Russell Patterson had passed away, and his estate approached Bill to take over the company. When I went to work there, he couldn't afford to pay you. I told him it would be a huge pay cut, but I just wanted to return home."

Patterson designed the three-mile bridge over Pensacola Bay and the bridge to Pensacola Beach. When he died, he had started construction on the Navarre Beach Bridge. Baskerville worked for Southern Prestressed Concrete and was asked to take over Patterson Associates

His first big job was helping create the Pace Water System in 1967. "Baskerville said about a hundred people in Pace need water. They had formed a board, but we had to find the money. That was my first opportunity chasing money, and we found it with the Farm Credit Administration."

The Pace Water System became the first of many utility systems for the firm that eventually became Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. (BDI).

"Back then, I began to realize that you need to have a decent relationship with elected officials," Donovan said. "You couldn't just be an engineer cranking out numbers. You had to be able to help people find a way to build their system."

THE RECIPE FOR INVOLVEMENT

As BDI grew, so did Donovan's community involvement. He served on multiple boards for several years, including Baptist Health Care, Greater Pensacola Chamber, Florida Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Power Company.

He explained how his involvement began with an invitation from attorney M.J. Menge, the Junior Chamber of Commerce president. Menge asked him to chair a committee to develop a master plan for Pensacola's waterfront. The final document included creating Bayfront Parkway and a mixed-use development on Pitts Slip.

"We went down to the City Hall, which is now the Pensacola History Museum and presented to Mayor Barney Burks and the city council," Donovan said. "They liked everything we proposed, except for moving the Port of Pensacola."

The Junior Chamber wanted to move the

the Pensacola Chamber president. At the time, chamber operations were handled by an executive director, and non-paid community leaders served as the president and board chair. Donovan took over the presidency when Addison stepped down in 1981.

"I've worked with some of the most wonderful people you'd ever meet in your life. Our engineers are bright and care about the community." Fred Donovan, Sr.

As chamber president, Donovan helped Escambia County find funds to build a civic center.

The City of Pensacola had donated 14 acres near downtown at the end of Interstate 110, and the county needed Escambia voters to endorse a two-cent tourist development tax to pay for the facility's construction in 1980.

"Bob Graham was the governor. And one day, Graham took me out of earshot of everybody outside by the old Capitol building and said, 'OK, now if I push this tax, and if that helps build the Civic Center, I want you to promise me you're not going to do any of the engineering on it,'" Donovan recalled. "And I said, 'That's a deal. I won't do that.'

In other words, he thought it would be just terrible for him, politically, for somebody pushing it to get any work because of it. That was a smart move."

The following year, Donovan set up a meet-

Another impactful moment Donovan mentioned occurred in 1995. Donovan was elected board chairman of the Baptist Health Care system, and the hospital's patient satisfaction was in the lower 18th percentile.

"We knew we had to do something about that," Donovan said. "Who's number one in the nation? It was Holy Cross, and this guy, Quint Studer, was running it. We brought him down a couple of times. And then, finally, we hired him and made him the president of Baptist Hospital Inc."

What impressed Donovan was Studer didn't want a corner office in Baptist Tower with the other senior leaders. He put his office in the basement next to the cafeteria.

"He had plate glass windows so employees could see inside this work area," Donovan said. "When they walked by, he would tap on the window, bring them in and ask them what he could do to make the hospital better. They made recommendations, and Quint would make it happen."

Patient satisfaction rose to 99%. Employee turnover dropped from 30% to 12%, and the hospital added $1.8 million to its bottom line.

As he wrapped up the conversation before heading to his beach house, Donovan talked about the company he built and its future.

"And it's still strong here. I've worked with some of the most wonderful people you'd ever meet in your life," he said. "Our engineers are bright and care about the community. This company's in great hands." {in}

Fred Donovan, Sr. / Photo Courtesy of Baskerville-Donovan, Inc.

EXTRAS

June 13, 2024 8:00 am - 12:15 pm

The Rex Theatre, Downtown Pensacola

Unlearn & Relearn:

3 Steps To Unlocking The Keys To Mental Wealth

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS TRAINING:

• Identify and challenge limiting beliefs that hinder personal and professional growth.

• Gain practical tools to prevent burnout and cultivate mental wealth.

• Interactive role-playing exercises, mimicking real-world scenarios, including boundary-setting.

'EXTREMELY ACTIVE' HURRICANE

SEASON The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is likely to be extremely active, according to the U.S. government's official seasonal outlook released May 23. The agency's forecast is the most aggressive hurricane season outlook National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has ever issued in May.

NOAA's outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans June 1-Nov.30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, 10% chance of a near-normal season and 5% chance of a below-normal season. NOAA forecasts a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, eight to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including four to seven major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 and with winds of 111 mph or higher). Forecasters have a 70% confidence in these ranges.

The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity because of a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Niña conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation.

"Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today," said Erik Hooks, the deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail. Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow."

NOAA has two new tools for forecasting hurricanes. The Modular Ocean Model, or MOM6, will be added to the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System to improve the representation of the ocean's key role in driving hurricane intensity. Another model, SDCON, will predict the probability of rapid intensification of tropical cyclones.

NOAA's new generation of Flood Inundation Mapping will provide information to emergency

and water managers to prepare and respond to potential flooding and help local officials better prepare to protect people and infrastructure.

In partnership with the National Hurricane Center, NOAA's Weather Prediction Center will issue an experimental rainfall graphic for the Caribbean and Central America during the 2024 hurricane season. The graphic forecasts rainfall totals associated with a tropical cyclone or disturbance for a specified period.

To follow storm activity online, visit nhc. noaa.gov.

SALES TAX HOLIDAY

The 14-day sales tax "holiday" on storm-related items runs June 1-14. It is part of a wide-ranging tax package (HB 7073) lawmakers passed in March, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed May 7.

During the tax holiday, consumers will not have to pay sales taxes on items ranging from battery packages to portable generators. A second "holiday" for the same items will be held for 14 days starting Aug. 24, ahead of the midSeptember peak of the season.

State economists have projected shoppers' savings during the two periods to be $80.2 million, cutting state revenue by $63.3 million and local government revenue by $16.9 million.

The preparedness tax holiday was first introduced in 2006 in response to the destructive storm seasons of 2004 and 2005. The Legislature has approved it every year since 2017, and as of 2022, pet supplies and medicines have been included in the holiday.

For the list of tax-free items, visit floridarevenue.com/disasterprep.

LIFT PENSACOLA

FloridaWest EDA and Pensacola Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) announced LIFT has selected Pensacola State College (PSC) for the Florida satellite of its advanced manufacturing institute.

The $21 million project is possible through economic development partnerships and collaboration with PSC, Space Florida and Triumph Gulf Coast. FloridaWest and the PEDC solidified part-

nerships with PSC and Space Florida to help recruit LIFT and requested the $6 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast. PSC will provide the site, and Space Florida will give the conduit financing to construct the facility.

As part of the agreement, LIFT will employ 36 people over the next five years, pay an average wage of $113,000, and generate an estimated $32 million in new federal and industry research.

Founded in 2014 in Detroit, LIFT is a nonprofit, public-private partnership that operates as a technology accelerator. It harnesses materials science, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and training to move technologies from concept to commercialization.

The advanced manufacturing technology center being built on the PSC campus is expected to be an asset for growing manufacturing in Escambia County and throughout the region.

"They'll be working on next-generation materials," said Danita Andrews, FloridaWest's chief development officer. "We have learned that LIFT is considered a sandbox as well as a connector for training and the research that they do. We are extremely pleased about this project coming to Pensacola. We feel it's going to elevate our advanced manufacturing capabilities and assist in potentially attracting more manufacturers to the area."

LIFT's next-generation materials research will support aerospace, defense, automotive, ship-building and advanced manufacturing and help expand the existing manufacturing in our region. LIFT will also be a catalyst for developing advanced manufacturing talent and technology skills in Northwest Florida.

LIFT CEO Nigel Francis said, "There is no doubt that innovation is 'place-based,' which means we not only plan to use the support of our existing ecosystem to support Florida manufacturers and academia, but we plan to develop an engaged ecosystem of local manufacturers and help advance their technologies toward commercialization."

Triumph Gulf Coast chair David Bear believes the company fits Triumph's mission of diversifying and building Northwest Florida's economy. "LIFT is developing technologies for the future and developing the next generation of advanced manufacturing talent, enhancing our economy in the Panhandle with outside research dollars being spent in our community."

Pensacola State College President Dr. Ed Meadows is excited about LIFT's arrival on campus. "Having worked with LIFT to deliver its Operation Next advanced manufacturing certification program to veterans and other students in the region, we know the value a manufacturing innovation institute can bring to the region and the state."

TURN DOWN THE MUSIC

At his May 21 presser, Mayor D.C. Reeves said the focus on reducing noise violations in downtown Pensacola reaped several citations and arrests over the first weekend of the off-duty officers enforcing the ordinance.

The citation breakdown included 25 exhaust violations, six loud music noise violations, and one drifting/stunt driving citation. Four arrests were

made—one had an outstanding felony warrant from Escambia County, two unregistered vehicles and one habitual driving with a suspended license. Also, three warnings were handed out.

"The data points show that we've got an issue," Mayor Reeves said. "I appreciate our ramped-up enforcement and DIB's partnership with it. I think this is yet another element of the ecosystem of a fast-growing downtown."

AIRPORT UPDATE

The mayor mentioned Pensacola International Airport set a record with 11,600 passengers Sunday, May 19, and then exceeded it Monday, May 20, with more than 12,000.

"The wait times average around six and a half minutes, as measured by TSA, and a maximum of 13 minutes," Reeves said. "I don't know that we'll set the record every day, but we continue to stay busy. We expect it to increase rapidly as we get into the summer season."

He expressed appreciation for the Jacksonville TSA office TSA. "They continue to keep us updated on what they're doing. They notified us on Monday that they've got seven new TSA agents trained who are not part of that force that came in. We are ramping up staffing with four ready to go, and three will need a little more training."

On May 23, the Pensacola City Council accepted a $2.2 million public transportation grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to build a remote parking lot on Tippin Avenue, just north of Francis Taylor Blvd. The city will match the grant with $2.2 million for the Airport Capital Improvement Fund. The project will create 434 new asphalt parking spaces to help meet the increased parking demands experienced by the Pensacola International Airport.

SHIP COMMISSIONING

The U.S. Navy will commission USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), an amphibious transport dock, on Sept. 7 at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

The naming of LPD 29 honors U.S. Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for the heroism he displayed after his ship was attacked by kamikaze aircraft in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he led efforts to battle a blazing fire on his ship and rescue injured sailors. LPD 29 will be the first of its name.

Richard M. McCool Jr. is co-sponsored by Shauna McCool and Kate Oja, granddaughters of the ship's namesake. As the co-sponsors, McCool and Oja lead the time-honored Navy tradition of giving the order during the ceremony to "man our ship and bring her to life!" When the commissioning pennant is hoisted, Richard M. McCool Jr. becomes a proud ship of the fleet.

This ceremony has been observed by navies worldwide and by our own Navy since December 1775, when Alfred, the Continental Navy's first ship, was commissioned at Philadelphia.

USS Richard M. McCool Jr. will be the Navy's 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.

Amphibious transport docks transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by em-

barked Landing Craft Air Cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.

DEPUTY SECRETARY VISITS

Victor B. Minella, Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security, met with the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station leadership on May 15.

Cmdr. Christopher Dumas, executive officer, and Cmdr. Pete Manzoli, commanding officer, IWTC Corry Station, gave him an overview of the information warfare training provided by CIWT and IWTC Corry Station staff. They discussed the development of the Cyber Warfare workforce and plans for a new cyber training facility on board IWTC Corry Station.

Additionally, he was briefed on CIWT's efforts to expedite the development of the information warfare training curriculum and integrate the Defense Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial Agency tradecraft into existing courses.

Deputy Secretary Minella also spoke to IWTC Corry Station students about the important role they play in the information warfare community.

"Your training and discipline are going to be highly relevant in the information warfare community, Intel, Cryptology, and Cyber," Minella said. "You are the face of warfare moving forward."

CIWT trains more than 26,000 students annually, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. It also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians and officers in the information warfare community.

SUNDAY'S CHILD FINALISTS

Sunday's Child, a member-based philanthropic group in the Pensacola Bay Area, promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality by awarding grants to significant charitable and economic initiatives. Recently, the organization announced its 2024 Grant Cycle finalists. The finalists were selected after a thorough vetting and site visits by Sunday's Child members.

"We are so pleased to announce nine deserving organizations from within our community," said Jacey Cosentino, the Sunday's Child president, in a written statement. "Each has a shared passion for making everyone feel included and welcomed."

The nonprofits and their projects vying for one of six grants in the amount of $20,000 are:

•Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers: "Barkery Booms!"

•Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida: "Equipment and Assistive Technology for Independence Program."

•Feeding the Gulf Coast: "Wellness on Wheels."

•First City Art Center: "Hear Me + See Me: Sunday's Child Inclusion Stage."

•Golden Elite Track and Field Club: "Van Expansion Project."

•Hope Above Fear: "Empower."

•Pensacola Children's Chorus: "Uniformly Inclusive."

•Pensacola Habitat for Humanity: "Pensacola Pride Build."

•ReadyKids: "Ready Readers."

Funding for the grants comes from Sunday's Child members. Since 2014, Sunday's Child has raised more than $1 million for local charities in the Pensacola Bay Area. The 2024 membership drive raised $120,000, allowing the organization to award six grants of $20,000 each to 501(c)3 nonprofits in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality.

Sunday's Child members will select the six grant recipients and their projects from among the nine finalists at its annual meeting June 30. For more information, visit sundayschild.org.

TAKE

STOCK SCHOLARSHIPS

Take Stock in Children and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation awarded $315,000 in scholarships at the "Graduation & Unsung Hero Celebration" on May 17.

The event celebrated 23 graduating seniors, who were awarded four-year tuition scholarships and a laptop computer. It also recognized our students' volunteer mentors and scholarship donors.

The 2023 Take Stock in Children graduates are: Escambia Virtual: Hana Scully; Escambia High: Ralynn Durant, Kaley Mastrianno, Keyonte Smith, Jayla Stallworth; Northview High: Allyson Jones, Dequan Shabazz.; Pine Forest High: Amiya Rudolph, Chaeli Lackey, Chancellor Washington; Tate High: Kaylee Emmons, Eliana Howington, Quentin Lewis-Wright, Nancy Mendez-Rostro, Alex-Marie Tartarilla, Malachi Williams; Booker T. Washington High; Jaden Allen, Ariyanna Cunningham, Brogan Dougherty, Kaitie Johnson, Elizabeth Mendiola; West Florida High: Jessica Hatton, Bailey Poston.

In 1995, Take Stock in Children was established as a nonprofit in Florida, operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. The program offers a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to break the cycle of poverty through education. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school, and comprehensive services continue through high school, including support for their transition into college. Participants receive a college scholarship, a caring volunteer mentor and college readiness skills. Scholarships are funded through a unique public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased each year.  Nick and Nathan Gupta founded the program that donated the laptops. Walton Buckley currently coordinates the programs.  Donations come from businesses, community organizations, family foundations and individuals.

For more information, contact Sally Lee, Take Stock in Children coordinator, at (850) 469-5458 or slee@ecsdfl.us. {in}

BUILDING UP & BUILDING BACK

After two decades of vegan cooking, and nearly two years of renovation, End of the Line Café is partially unveiling its new space with an art show by Pensacola's favorite folk artist Panhandle Slim. The show is a fundraiser for the artist, who lost his studio in Savannah, Ga., in a tragic fire, and will be the first event in the new space.

The event on Saturday, June 1, will do a few things. First and foremost, the show will raise money to help rebuild the artist's studio. Second, and maybe more important to local foodies, it will answer a big question: what is going on with End of the Line Café?

Since its opening in 2002, End of the Line Café has been sometimes called the "little restaurant that could." During the café's first five years, the restaurant faced all sorts of trouble—from municipal parking issues with the city followed by two massive hurricanes. Later years saw many ups and downs, namely a global pandemic that killed millions and sunk a number of restaurants. Despite great loss, the little vegan café by the railroad tracks continued unabated and navigated all the troubles thrown its way.

End of the Line Café Shares Expansion Sneak Peek & Hosts a Fundraiser for Panhandle Slim

By C. S. Satterwhite

The biggest challenge for the café's continued success, however, has been trying to grow within the confines of a small space originally designed as a laundromat.

When the café first opened, by way of taking over the space of the beloved coffee shop Van Gogh's, the first all-vegan restaurant in Pensacola faced a major hurdle—it had no kitchen. The first step towards making a restaurant that served more than bagels and deli wraps was the purchase of a small George Foreman grill at a local thrift store. A 1980s "snack master" came next, followed by several crock pots that helped increase menu options. Eventually, a skinny oven was found that expanded the baking capabilities of the café.

Used appliances and thrift scores were how the End of the Line Café grew its menu and its reputation organically, as the sign outside states, into "one of the best vegan restaurants in the South." Over the years, the café has attracted superstars like Miley Cyrus and Joan Jett, along with a growing number of vegan-curious customers. As the café's popularity rose, the greatest obstacle continued to be working within the four walls provided.

BUILDING UP

"We needed more space," said Jen Knight, owner. "We needed more seating."

After nearly two decades, Knight seized an opportunity when the space next door went on the market. She immediately went to work and began creating her dream kitchen. Through massive renovations, she was able to connect the two spaces, all the while working on one side until the other was ready.

Unfortunately for Knight, the renovations took longer than expected.

Diners passing the café were puzzled by the presence of giant dumpster outside, followed by a giant shipping container that stayed for over a year. "It practically killed business," Knight said.

Finally having the newly expanded and renovated space about to open is not only a dreamcome-true for Knight, but also customers who've wanted to see what has been behind closed doors for over a year.

Even as the café's expansion comes closer to full completion, Knight sees the growth as part of a process. "It all happened in baby steps."

Continuing with the childhood analogy, the mother of a pre-teen described the café's life cycle. "When we turned 16, [the café] got a food trailer, and I got my driver's license. Then, at 18, it kind of moved out, in a way." Now that the café is over 21, "We got a liquor license," Knight said. "I've been thinking about this. We both went into that age-appropriate stage of our lives together."

One of the hallmarks of the new space is a giant outdoor mural of co-founder Kent Stanton. The mural was created by Stanton's brother Scott Stanton, otherwise known as Panhandle Slim, as a tribute to his brother who died in 2020.

Stanton's brother was not only a co-founder of End of the Line Café, but also the person who gave the café its name. During the café's early days, Stanton's brother was always present making coffee in the morning or helping with punk shows in the evening.

Having an art show in the space that his brother helped found makes Stanton "feel great."

"As always, I look forward to seeing old friends who share stories and love for my brother and meeting new people who share stories about how Kent means so much to them."

The art show will be a combination of paintings

shop The Curb will be open, and 309 Punk Project

an experience he described as "surreal." Another highlight in his career happened recently when award-winning director Ava DuVernay wrote the foreword to his 2023 book "Art for Folk," published by 309 Punk Project. "That was also surreal."

"I could go on and on about surreal moments I've been rewarded [with] because I simply paint on wood and get out and meet people," Stanton said.

Knight, who couldn't say enough good things about her friend, is also thankful to host Stanton's show.

"To have it here means a lot to me." Knight said. "It's the first thing that's on the walls."

Looking at the newly renovated space, which is the same space that holds so many of her memories of friends and family, the longtime business owner reflected on the moment.

"It feels like that's supposed to happen. It feels like family. I think that's the kind of warmness Scott and his art bring."

to the public. Full-bar, expanded seating and new menu choices are coming for everyone who has been wondering what has been happening to the now not-so-little café by the railroad tracks.

"I just hope they're happy with it," Knight said. {in}

END OF THE LINE CAFÉ SNEAK PEEK & PANHANDLE SLIM BENEFIT

WHAT: Solo exhibition and fundraiser for the artist, previewing the expanded café space

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1

WHERE: End of the Line Cafe, 610 E. Wright St.

COST: Free to attend, but the art will be for sale

DETAILS: @eotlvegans, @panhandle_slim_

Join us for our fourth-annual Pride festival to celebrate and uplift the LGBTQIA2S+ community!

Saturday, June 15, 2024 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Pensacola Interstate Fair Expo Hall

• Support LGBTQIA2S+ and ally artist vendors

• Enjoy a variety of performances

• Gather with all ages in a sober environment

Learn more at pensapride.org

Sponsorships available! Email contact@pensapride.org

/PensaPride @pensapride contact@pensapride.org

happenings

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

MEWVIE NIGHT AT COASTAL CAT CAFÉ

Watch "Lilo & Stitch" with feline friends 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St. Tickets are $32 and includes twohour admission to the cat café, complimentary popcorn, coffee, tea, etc. More details are at coastalcatpcola.com.

SEA TURTLE BABY SHOWER More than 20 organizations will partner for a hands-on educational event celebrating sea turtles 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 1 at Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Admission is free, however a $5 donation to Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center enters you into a drawing to be Pensacola Beach Sea Turtle Queen.

MOVIES IN THE PARK Watch "The Marvels" at the Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St. Movie begins at dusk on Saturday, June 1.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WOMEN

BUILD YARD SALE Shop for a good cause with lightly-used or new goods including home items, books, electronics, clothes and more. Food trucks will also be on site. Event is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 1 in the Habitat ReStore parking lot, 6931 N. Ninth Ave.

WSRE AMAZING KIDS DAY WSRE PBS will host the second annual Amazing Kids Day for families affected by autism 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 1 at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd. Admission is free.

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 be 18 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

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 at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens at 10 a.m. and 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

FOOD, FILM, FRIENDS From the Ground Up Community Garden and Healthy Gulf presents a screening of "Gentle Giant: The Mystery of the Gulf" 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 31 at the Community Garden, 501 N. Hayne St. Bring a dish for the potluck.

GRAND FIESTA PARADE Catch beads and catch the Fiesta Parade 7 p.m. Friday, May 31. Road closures begin at 3:45 p.m. For information, visit fiestapensacola.org.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART SCREENINGS

"Which Brings Me to You" will be screened 1 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. Pensacola Cinema Art is located at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are a $10 cash donation. Details are at pensacolacinemaart.com.

PRIDE KICK-OFF POETRY OPEN MIC The Pensacola Queer Poets will host a poetry open mic 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Pensacola Liberation Center, 701 N. V St.

FIESTA BOAT PARADE Watch boats set sail decorated for Fiesta 1 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at Plaza de Luna.

MARGIE SHORTT DANCERS: ONCE

UPON A TIME Dance recital is 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox St. Details at pensacolasaenger.com.

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues, and the Cowsills perform 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at Saenger Theatre, 118

S. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.

EAST HILL MAKERS MARKET SUMMER

EDITION Market is 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at Cordova Square Park, located at the corner of North 12th Avenue and East Gonzalez Street in East Hill. More than 50 vendors will be on site. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit myeasthill.org.

BODACIOUS BIBLIOPHILES BOOK CLUB

The book club will meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at Bodacious Bookstore, 116 E. Intendencia St. The book discussion will be "The Wives" by Simone Gorrindo.

'RENT' Pensacola Little Theatre presents the Tony-Award winning musical "Rent" at 400 S. Jefferson St. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays June 7, 14 and 21; 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 8, 15 and 22, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, June 9, 16 and 23. Tickets are $10$38 at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

LA BELLE PERFORMING ARTS Two performances: "Best Day Ever" is 6 p.m. Friday, June 7, and "Rapunzel" is 6 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets for shows are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

ACRYLIC PAINTING CLASS WITH JACQUELINE SULLIVAN Learn "Dynamic Depth & Dimension" with Golden-certified teaching artist Jacqueline Sullivan. Classes are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 10-14 at Framing by Design, 4718 N. W St. Cost is $560. Sign up at paletteproductions.net.

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.

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. 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 at 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 held 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 actual 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. Following 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.

a&e happenings

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

BODY, MIND, SPIRIT MARKET AT EVER'MAN Local vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, speakers and more come together 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the first Saturday of the month at Ever'man Downtown, 315 W. Garden St. This is a free indoor and outdoor event with door prizes, entertainment and children's activities. For a vendor table, call (850) 941-4321 or go to empowermentschoolhouse.com.

FOOD + DRINKS

CULTURES COOK: THAI FLAVORS Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 30 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $60 per student. Details and registration link are at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

PROHIBITION ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT THE WELL Celebrate The Well's anniversary 4 p.m. Friday, May 31. Events carry on through June 2 with live music and a drag brunch. Tickets are

$15-$50 and available through the link at facebook.com/thewellpensacola.

CRAVIN' ASIAN: SUSHI SKILLS Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $60 per student 13 and older and $45 per student ages 6-12. Register via the link in the Facebook event at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS The next Atlas Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 Barracks St. Cost is $30 a person. Reservations are required. Make yours by calling (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com.

SIR RICHARD'S BIRTHDAY OYSTER BASH

Celebrate Sir Richard's Public House's 58th anniversary with oysters. They are available to purchase in orders of half dozen or full dozen 2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at Sir Richard's, 2719 E. Cervantes St.

GREEN THUMB WINE TASTINGS Join Green Thumb Wines for a wine tasting 6-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month at 9 E. Gregory St. Cost is $15, which can be applied to a bottle purchase of your choice. For more information and tickets, visit greenthumbwines.com/collections/events.

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.

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.

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.

MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to close on 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.

GAMER/JACKBOX NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S

Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.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.

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.

BAR BINGO Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for 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 on the third Friday of the month. Enjoy $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.

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

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.

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.

a&e happenings

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA O'Riley's Tavern hosts trivia 8 p.m.-midnight Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.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.

TRIVIA AT SIR RICHARD'S Flex your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN

Enjoy free pool and play bar bingo 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details at orileystavern.com.

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ

Visit Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music on select days.

•John Wheeler 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 30

•Cat Daddy 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 31

•Glen Parker 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 1

•Curt Bol 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, June 2

LIVE MUSIC AT CALVERT'S Listen to live music 5-8 p.m. Sundays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. Visit facebook. com/calvertsintheheights for details.

NIRVANNA Nirvana tribute band will perform 7 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at vinylmusichall.com.

FRIED GREEN FRIDAY, PANHANDLE

PIRATES, CREMRO SMITH, SOUNDS BY DUTY DELUNA Show is 7 p.m. Friday, May 31 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com

TAYLOR'S VERSION: SWIFTIE DANCE PARTY Show is 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are available at thehandlebar850.com.

LIVE BAND KARAOKE Sing with a live band

7-10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. There is no charge. Visit facebook. org/oddcolony for details.

BLUES ON THE BAY Goldmine will play Blues on the Bay 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at Community Maritime Park, 351 Cedar St. Details are at facebook.com/bluesonthebaypensacola.

RADIOLIVE Show is 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6 with Certainly So, Adam Wright and The New Quintet at the Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. Tickets are $10 and available at radiolive.com.

JAZZ PENSACOLA JUNE JAM The next Jazz Pensacola June Jam is 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, June 3 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Details are at facebook.com/jazzpensacola.

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 QUAR-

TER 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 at 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave., hosts karaoke 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 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.

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.

SUNDAY KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS

Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Sunday at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar. com for details.

FITNESS + RECREATION

SONIC SOUND EXPERIENCE FOR SEA

TURTLES Sound vibes for sea turtles and beach meditative sound healing is 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Park Easy on Pensacola Beach. Admission is free, but registration is required. Register on Eventbrite.

BLUE WAHOOS GAMES Take in a baseball game at the Blue Wahoos stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. For single, group or VIP tickets, visit bluewahoos.com.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES:

•6:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 4

•6:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 5

•6:05 p.m. Thursday, June 6

OCEAN HOUR WEEKLY CLEANUPS

Ocean Hour Pensacola hosts weekly cleanups

7:45-9 a.m. Saturdays. Follow Ocean Hour at facebook.com/oceanhourfl for more details and locations.

a&e happenings

PINOT AND PILATES Visit Pure Pilates for an invigorating Pilates class at 407 S. Palafox St. and enjoy a selection of wine and cheese from Bodacious. Class is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Tickets are $35 and available on Eventbrite.

FREE YOGA IN THE PARK WITH BREATHE

YOGA Enjoy a free, one-hour outdoor yoga class with Breathe Yoga 9:30-10:30 a.m. the first Sunday of the month at Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St. The next date is June 2.

BIKE NIGHT Bike Pensacola presents Bike Night 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 6. Community bike ride starts 6 p.m. leaving from Emerald Republic Brewing Co., 1414 W. Government St.

YOGA UNCORKED AT 5ELEVEN Yoga classes

Tuesdays are 5:30 p.m. at 5elevent, 511 S. Palafox St., with Disko Lemonade running the yoga class. Register for the class at diskolemonade.com.

YOGA WITH MARNI AT HA-YA Visit Ha-Ya Wellness for integrative yoga with Marni 10 a.m. the first and third Saturday of the month at 4301 Spanish Trail Road. Visit facebook.com/asherandbeeapothecary for more information.

HOOK, LINE & SINKER MONTHLY FISHING SEMINAR SERIES Hot Spots Charters hosts a monthly free fishing seminar held at Flounder's Chowder House, 800 Quietwater Beach Road, on Pensacola Beach the first Monday every month. A free fish dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. with the semi-

nar beginning at 7 p.m. and typically lasting about an hour. Visit facebook.com/hlsseminar for details.

FREE YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Take a free yoga class at Ever'man, 327 W. Garden St. Visit everman.org for full calendar of events.

LIVE JAZZ AND SWING DANCING From

6:30-11 p.m. the first Friday of each month, enjoy a live band for dancing Lindy, Foxtrot, East Coast and West Coast Swing. This is a fun, friendly atmosphere with lessons for all levels, no partner required. Location is at The Way You Move Dance Studio, 918 Winton Ave. The cost is $15. More information is at thewayyoumove.us.

WEST COAST SWING DANCE Join the fun

6:30-10 p.m. Wednesdays for $5 and 6:30-11 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month for $10. All levels welcomed; no partner required. The Way You Move dance studio is at 918 Winton Ave. More information is at thewayyoumove.us.

BALLROOM, LATIN, SWING DANCE From 6:30-11 p.m. the second Saturday of each month, enjoy a mix of music for all dancers. All levels welcomed; no partner required. The Way You Move dance studio is at 918 Winton Ave. The cost is $10. More information is at thewayyoumove.us.

PENSACOLA PARKRUN The Pensacola Rec Plex North Parkrun is 7:30 a.m. Saturdays. The weekly timed 5K run or walk takes place at the University of West Florida and is free and open

to everyone, regardless of fitness level. For more information, visit facebook.com/rpnparkrun or email recplexnorth@parkrun.com.

YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Beginner

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

KID-FRIENDLY

FLIGHT ADVENTURE DECK SUMMER

CAMP This National Aviation Museum Summer Camp will offer rocket launching, building gliders and watching the Blue Angels practice. Dates are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday on June 3-7, June 10-14, June 24-28, July 8-12 and July 15-19. Registration is available at ultracamp.com.

BODACIOUS BAKESHOP SUMMER

CAMP Camp for ages 5-7 and runs 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday on June 3-7 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $280 for the week. Visit Eventbrite to register.

GALACTIC CHILD YOGA SUMMER CAMP

Enjoy a summer camp for kids ages 5-12 with Stacey Vann. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 10-June 14 and July 8-July 15. Program fee is $150. Location is 3208 E. Gonzalez St. Contact Stacey Vann for details at (850) 572-6562.

SUMMER CAMPS Enjoy summer programs to promote healthy lifestyles and build learning skills, attitudes and behaviors. Camps are Monday-Friday, June 10-July 14 for ages 5-13 at various locations and times. Cost is $75. Scholarships are available. For more information, call (850) 426-1156 or email lewilliams@ myescambia.com.

BROWNSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER

PERFORMING ARTS CLUB For ages 8-18, this club is an opportunity for all aspiring actors, dancers, singers, rappers and musicians. The club meets at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St. For more information, contact Leroy Williams at (850) 426-1156 or email lewilliams@myescambia.com.

BEANSTACK: 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN Enjoy reading 1,000 books with your little ones through West Florida Public Libraries. Log reading and earn badges along the way while bonding with your child and inspiring literacy. A book a day is 365 books in a year, 730 in two years and 1,095 in three years. For every 100 books, you can claim a prize at the library. Register for the challenge on the West Florida Public Libraries' Beanstack, either on the mobile app or at mywfpl.beanstack.org.

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free will astrology

WEEK OF MAY 30

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Welcome to the future of your education, Aries! Here are actions you can take to ensure you are exposed to all the lush lessons you need and deserve in the coming months. 1. Identify three subjects you would be excited to learn more about. 2. Shed dogmas and fixed theories that interfere with your receptivity to new information. 3. Vow to be alert for new guides or mentors. 4. Formulate a three-year plan to get the training and teachings you need most. 5. Be avidly curious.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Poet Emily Dickinson was skillful at invoking and managing deep feelings. One scholar described her emotions as being profoundly erotic, outlandish, sensuous, flagrant and nuanced. Another scholar said she needed and sought regular doses of ecstasy. Yet even she, maestro of passions, got overwhelmed. In one poem, she wondered "Why Floods be served to us in Bowls?" I suspect you may be having a similar experience, Taurus. It's fun, though sometimes a bit too much. The good news is that metaphorically speaking, you will soon be in possession of a voluminous new bowl that can accommodate the floods.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): All of us periodically enjoy phases I call "Freedom from Cosmic Compulsion." During these times, the fates have a reduced power to shape our destinies. Our willpower has more spaciousness to work with. Our intentions get less resistance from karmic pressures that at other times might narrow our options. As I meditated on you, dear Gemini, I realized you are now in a phase of Freedom from Cosmic Compulsion. I also saw you will have more of these phases than anyone else during the next 11 months. It might be time for you to get a "LIBERATION" tattoo or an equivalent new accessory.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Bold predictions: 1. Whatever treasure you have lost or are losing will ultimately be reborn in a beautiful form. 2. Any purposeful surrender you make will hone your understanding of exactly what your soul needs next to thrive. 3. A helpful influence may fade away, but its disappearance will clear the path for new helpful influences that serve your future in ways you can't imagine yet. 4.

By Rob Brezsny

Wandering around without a precise sense of where you're going will arouse a robust new understanding of what home means to you.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Denmark's King Canute IV (1042–1086) wasn't bashful about asserting his power. He claimed ownership of all the land. He insisted on the right to inherit the possessions of all foreigners and people without families. Goods from shipwrecks were automatically his property. But once, his efforts to extend his authority failed. He had his servants move his throne to a beach as the tide came in.

Seated and facing the North Sea, he commanded, "Halt your advance!" The surf did not obey. "You must surrender to my superior will!" he exclaimed, but the waters did not recede. Soon, his throne was engulfed by water. Humbled, Canute departed. I bring this up not to discourage you, Leo. I believe you can and should expand your influence and clout in the coming weeks. Just be sure you know when to stop.

I believe you can and should expand your influence and clout in the coming weeks.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo-born Irène Joliot-Curie craved more attention than she got from her mother, Marie Curie. Mom was zealously devoted to her career as a chemist and physicist, which is one reason why she won Nobel Prizes in both fields. But she didn't spend sufficient time with her daughter. Fortunately, Irène's grandfather Eugène became his granddaughter's best friend and teacher. With his encouragement, she grew into a formidable scientist and eventually won a Nobel Prize in chemistry herself. Even if you're not a kid, Virgo, I suspect there may be a mentor and guide akin to Eugène in your future. Go looking! To expedite the process, define what activity or skill you want help in developing.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): I have a fantasy that sometime in the coming months, you will slip away to a sanctuary in a pastoral paradise. There you will enjoy long hikes and immerse yourself in

healing music and savor books you've been wanting to read. Maybe you will write your memoirs or compose deep messages to dear old friends. Here's the title of what I hope will be a future chapter of your life story: "A Thrillingly Relaxing Getaway." Have you been envisioning an adventure like this, Libra? Or is your imagination more inclined to yearn for a trip to an exciting city where you will exult in high culture? I like that alternative, too. Maybe you will consider doing both.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Instagrammer @sketchesbyboze advises us, "Re-enchant your life by making the mundane exciting. You are not 'going to the drugstore.' You are visiting the apothecary to buy potions. You are not 'running an errand.' You are undertaking an unpredictable adventure. You are not 'feeding the birds.' You are making an alliance with the crow queen." I endorse this counsel for your use, Scorpio. You now have the right and duty to infuse your daily rhythm with magic and fantasy. To attract life's best blessings, you should be epic and majestic. Treat your life as a mythic quest.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): I invite you to invite new muses into your life in the coming months. Give them auditions. Interview them. Figure out which are most likely to boost your creativity, stimulate your imagination and rouse your inspiration in every area of your life, not just your art form. Tell them you're ready to deal with unpredictable departures from the routine as long as these alternate paths lead to rich teachings. And what form might these muses take? Could be actual humans. Could be animals or spirits. Might be ancestral voices, exciting teachings or pilgrimages to sacred sanctuaries. Expand your concept of what a muse might be so you can get as much muse-like input as possible.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The Japanese have a word for a problem that plagues other countries as well as theirs: karoshi, or death from working too hard and too much. No matter how high-minded our motivations might be, no matter how interesting our jobs are, most of us cannot safely devote long hours to intense labor week after week, month after month. It's too stressful on the mind and body. I will ask you to monitor yourself for such proclivities in the coming months. You can accomplish won -

ders as long as you work diligently but don't overwork. P.S. You won't literally expire if you relentlessly push yourself with nonstop hard exertion, but you will risk compromising your mental health. So don't do it!

Identify which creative outlets are most likely to serve your long-term health and happiness.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Typically, human fertility is strongest when the temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit. But I suspect you will be an exception to the rule in the coming months. Whether it's 10 below or 90 in the shade, your fertility will be extra robust—literally as well as psychologically and spiritually. If you are a heterosexual who would rather make great art or business than new babies, be very attentive to your birth control measures. No matter what your gender or sexual preference is, I advise you to formulate very clear intentions about how you want to direct all that lush fecundity. Identify which creative outlets are most likely to serve your long-term health and happiness.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Here's a key assignment in the coming months: Enjoy fantasizing about your dream home. Imagine the comfortable sanctuary that would inspire you to feel utterly at home in your body, your life and the world. Even if you can't afford to buy this ultimate haven, you will benefit from visualizing it. As you do, your subconscious mind will suggest ways you can enhance your security and stability. You may also attract influences and resources that will eventually help you live in your dream home.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What would you most like help with? Ask for it very directly. {in}

freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2024 Rob Brezsny

news of the weird

FIELD REPORT Groundskeepers at the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison were tasked with removing some invasive plants from a tulip bed on May 16, the Associated Press reported. It seems someone planted cannabis amongst the blooms, according to Shelby Ellison, a botanist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "It was just a large number of plants for it to be anything accidental," she said. She was unable to determine whether the plants were marijuana or hemp; marijuana is still illegal in Wisconsin.

NEWS YOU CAN USE Are tacos sandwiches?

Martin Quintana, 53, has hoped to open a second The Famous Taco location in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a few years. However, businesses in the development he was eyeing are limited to "sandwich bar-style restaurants whose primary business is to sell 'made-to-order' or 'subway-style' sandwiches"—so Quintana was shut out. He sued, the Associated Press reported, and on May 15, Superior Court Judge Craig Bobay laid down the law: "(T) acos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches." Quintana said the new location should be open in two to three months.

•At the Krefeld Zoo in Germany, Jan, a Linne's two-toed sloth, celebrated his 54th birthday on April 30, making him the oldest living sloth in captivity—ever, United Press International reported. Zookeepers said Jan, who regularly sports a silk robe and cravat, is in terrific health and, as proof, he just fathered his 22nd offspring.

INEXPLICABLE Police in Pasadena, California, arrested Art Leon Berian, 63, on May 16 after an investigation revealed he had been setting off explosions in his neighborhood, KABC-TV reported. Berian is believed to be responsible for more than 150 unidentified booms over nearly two years, police said. Most happened in the middle of the night, but while collecting evidence, police heard a loud explosion and saw a white BMW drive through the resulting cloud of smoke. Evidence from that explosion was found in Berian's car. No injuries have resulted from the bombs; Berian is charged with three felonies, and bond was set at $1.5 million.

•A 45-year-old man identified as Omar B. was located in a neighbor's house in Djelfa, Algeria, after being missing for 26 years, Gulf News reported. Omar disappeared in 1998 during the Algerian Civil War; his family assumed he had been kidnapped or killed. His captor, a 61-yearold doorman, was taken into custody after he tried to flee; Omar told officials on May 14 that he couldn't call out for help "because of a spell that his captor had cast on him." Omar is receiving medical and psychological help.

POLICE REPORT The Escambia County (Florida) Sheriff's Office, on the lookout for David Jerome Jackson, 31, found him in a heated situation on May 17, the New York Post reported. Jackson was wanted for a March 15 shooting in Pensacola. "After an extensive search," police said, "deputies ... finally discovered Jackson, folded, not so

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

neatly inside a remarkably small dryer drum. He was pulled from the dryer one limb at a time." Jackson is being held on $120,000 bail at the Escambia County Jail.

RECENT ALARMING HEADLINE "Priest Accused of Biting Woman During Communion," Click Orlando announced on May 23. On May 19, an unnamed woman attended Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in St. Cloud, Florida, where she attempted to take Communion. Father Fidel, however, allegedly refused to give her Communion bread because he said she had not confessed her sins. The priest said the woman pushed him and grabbed the tray of Communion bread, which is a no-no, and "the only way he thought to extract her from it was to bite her arm," according to police. The priest has not yet been charged.

THE PASSING PARADE Have plans for June 8? If you're free, head on down to Ocala, Florida, for the fourth annual Great Florida Bigfoot Conference. Click Orlando reported that the gathering will include "an all-star lineup of Bigfoot researchers, investigators and authors ready to interact with fans," along with exclusive merch for sale. You might even want to get in on the "Share Your Experience" forum, where you can relate your personal Bigfoot encounter stories. Organizers recommend buying tickets in advance.

AWESOME! Cicadas are definitely in the news this summer, but the one Kelly Simkins discovered on May 20 in the Orland Grassland near Chicago is literally one in a million, People reported. Simkins, the owner of Merlin's Rocking Pet Show, was hunting cicadas to feed to her reptiles when she came across one with blue eyes. Most of the vociferous bugs have red eyes. "I just thought it was unique," she said—and she was right. Dr. Gene Kritsky, dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, said the picture of the blueeyed insect from Orland Grassland is one of only two he has seen this year so far. He said the cause of the different-colored eyes is unclear.

•Winemaker Andreas Pernerstorfer of Gobelsburg, Austria, was renovating his wine cellar in early May when he came across an unexpected find: a number of huge bones, which were later identified as being from at least three Stone Age mammoths. "I thought it was just a piece of wood left by my grandfather," Pernerstorfer told the BBC. "Then I remembered that in the past my grandfather said he had found teeth." Researchers from the Austrian Archaeological Institute have been excavating since the discovery. The bones are believed to be between 30,000 and 40,000 years old. Eventually, they'll end up at the Vienna Museum of Natural History. {in}

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