Inweekly May 9 2024 Issue

Shop for Mom Bodaciously

This year, treat mom to a bodacious selection of the finest wines, cheeses, premium olive oils, or balsamic vinegars. Take her out for a delicious breakfast or lunch, topped off with a cup of locally-roasted coffee, or sign up for a great culinary experience together.

winners & losers

winners losers

SACRED HEART PENSACOLA The Ascension hospital earned a spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grade A from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization that grades almost 3,000 general hospitals throughout the U.S. This is the seventh consecutive A for the hospital, spread out over the last three and a half years. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program exclusively based on hospital prevention of medical errors, infections and injuries. Sacred Heart Pensacola is one of 231 hospitals in the U.S. to earn seven consecutive A's and one of only 29 hospitals in Florida to achieve this feat.

ELIZABETH S. CALHOUN The University of West Florida's first female graduate from its chemistry department, Elizabeth S. Calhoun, has made a significant contribution to the future of industrial careers. Her generous donation of $150,000 has established the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Endowment for Industrial Careers and named the Elizabeth S. Calhoun Analytical Lab. This endowment will benefit undergraduate chemistry majors in UWF's Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, with a special focus on supporting women and Pell-eligible students. Calhoun's successful career of more than 35 years in the chemistry industry, particularly her role as international director of environmental health and safety for Celanese Corp., is a testament to the potential this endowment holds for future generations.

LIFEVIEW GROUP VETS Indexes has designated LifeView Group a VETS Indexes 3-Star Employer for 2024, recognizing the organization's commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing and supporting veterans and the military-connected community. LifeView Group's Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is a nationwide team providing jobs and training for people with significant disabilities, including war-wounded veterans. Its FamiliesFirst Network offers child welfare services to help military families finalize adoptions of children in foster care. The Lakeview Center has a range of behavioral health services available to veterans and their families, including outpatient counseling, psychiatry, crisis care, treatments for substance misuse and 24/7 residential programs. Currently, 160 veterans work at LifeView Group sites across the country.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor ruled that two authors and a student can pursue First Amendment claims against the Escambia County School Board over the removal of the children's book "And Tango Makes Three" from library shelves. The board had sought dismissal of allegations by the book's co-authors, Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, and a student identified by the initials B.G. The judge refused to toss out claims that the board violated the authors' right to freedom of expression and the student's right to receive information. Judge Winsor dismissed similar allegations against Lake County school officials because the district reversed a decision on restricting access to "And Tango Makes Three."

JOSEPH MALDONADO Songwriter Vince Johnson won the dismissal of a copyright infringement lawsuit by Joseph Maldonado, also known as Joe Exotic or "Tiger King." Johnson wrote many of the songs that became popular through the "Tiger King" TV series, but Maldonado wanted people to believe he had written or performed the songs. Maldonado's claims were quickly dismissed with prejudice by the federal judge. The ruling left a breach of contract dispute between the parties concerning ownership rights over certain songs in which Maldonado had previously demanded $8 million in damages. In a court-assisted settlement, Johnson retained exclusive ownership over songs he had written and owed no money to Maldonado. Shutts & Bowen LLP represented Johnson pro bono.

NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA Gov. Ron DeSantis may want to spend millions reinventing the liberal arts college as a conservative bastion, but the college's workers will be unionized. On May 1, AFSCME announced New College of Florida workers had voted 100% unanimously to recertify their union with a nearly 75% turnout. In a written statement, AFSCME Florida Administrator James Spears, Jr. said, "The AFSCME family is proud of the job these members did to stand up and speak out on behalf of their union rights and beliefs on a campus that has seen so much negativity over the past few years."

Photo Courtesy of Ascension Sacred Heart

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

A MATTER OF TRUST

On Thursday, May 2, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners canceled a public hearing to discuss the Escambia Children's Trust's request to keep $1,134,025 that Florida law states should have gone to the county's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) districts. The Trust wanted an exemption so it wouldn't have to fork over the money and not pay an estimated $450,000 annually to CRA districts.

In 2020, Escambia County voters approved a half-mil property tax to fund the Trust for 10 years. The money could be spent on additional early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health and wellbeing services. As of Feb. 29, the Trust had more than $24 million in cash.

In deciding whether to grant the exemption, the statute requires the commissioners to consider the fiscal and operational impacts on the CRA districts and the Trust. The board must also determine how the Trust's programs benefit the CRA districts and fit in the approved community redevelopment plan for the designated CRA. The commissioner also must consider the impact of the exemption on incurred debt and whether such exemption will impair any outstanding bonds that have pledged tax increment revenues to the repayment of the bonds.

The problem is the Trust cannot provide measurable outcomes for all the programs it has funded and has agreed to support for another year. It reports in vague generalities filled with impressive buzzwords. Providers, parents and students give emotional anecdotal testimonials to cloud the accountability issue. However, independent, verifiable data is scarce.

The Trust operates without public accountability. Board members can do whatever they want with the $10-plus million taxpayers give them every year, and no one can remove them from office. While some programs, such as YMCA Reads, can show concrete wins, the board has had some expensive failures, such as Urban Development Center (UDC), which spent nearly $30,000 monthly offering afterschool services in Century for about 30 kids before the board cut them off.

The Trust board members seem to care about Escambia County children but need

more expertise to evaluate requests for funds. The proposals approved for UDC and 15 other providers were taken at face value without background checks or analysis of the programs' viability. Triumph Gulf Coast has economist Rick Harper and other experts review all proposals. The Triumph board only sees the ones that pass their analysis. The Trust has only its staff and program committee.

The Trust awarded UDC a $397,556 grant to provide job development in Century for 250 children ages 11-18. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has only about 356 children. Its area schools are among the best in the county. It isn't difficult to see why UDC only had 30 participants. Yet the review committee chair, Tori Woods, lauded the hard work of her committee.

As I write this column, we still don't have a final report for the first year on all out-of-school programs that the Trust has already renewed for another year, $4.66 million. For each program, we need to know how many children were served, how much their grades, school attendance, and discipline improved, and data on the other goals in the contracts. The information needs to reference independent sources for verification purposes.

Unfortunately, the Trust hasn't been trans parent. Its policy, finance, program and execu tive committees met last week. The committee agendas are posted on the website, but there is no supporting documentation.

For example, the finance agenda included a review of the financial statements for the month ending March 3 and the tentative annual budget, but neither were attached. The finance committee minutes weren't helpful: "The Com mittee reviewed the Financial Statements for the month ending March 31, 2024," and "Ms. Abrams shared the Tentative Annual Budget."

$2,800,000 • 7.8 acres New wetland survey April 2023! 3283 Gulf Breeze Pkwy by Publix at Tiger Point and Tiger Point Park Drive. Access from Hwy 98 and Tiger

The other committee agendas and minutes are just as obtuse. The documentation may be uploaded to the board's May 14 agenda before this issue hits our racks, but the public will have been kept in the dark for almost two weeks.

The Trust board makes it hard to trust them, but do they care? They can do almost anything they want with the $100 million coming to them. {in} rick@inweekly.net

'STRIVE TO THRIVE'

By Tom St. Myer

During his campaign for mayor in 2022, D.C. Reeves promised a long overdue strategic plan for the City of Pensacola. His promise is coming to fruition in the form of a 10-year strategic plan he expects to unveil by the end of the year.

"Ultimately, the deliverable is to help us have a strategic vision for the city, and that's something we haven't really had," Reeves said.

The mayor said he primarily relies on data, staff input and knowledge to determine what is best for the city. His predecessors, Grover Robinson IV and Ashton Hayward, operated in a similar fashion. Reeves said a strategic plan will shake up the process, with community alignment guiding decisions.

The city will partner with urban design and strategy firm Gehl Studio Inc. to craft the strategic plan process, "Strive to Thrive: 2035." The process includes citywide engagement, focus groups and research into its strengths and opportunities. The plan will ultimately cast a vision for the next decade and set goals and priorities for the city.

VISIONING SURVEY

The city has launched the Strive to Thrive: Pensacola 2035 Visioning Survey, an online public

survey to provide input that will shape the comprehensive vision for Pensacola. Anyone who lives, works or visits Pensacola is invited to participate.

The survey lasts through July 31 and invites the public to share their perception of Pensacola and what its future should be. The project team will take the survey results and then identify priority goals and initiatives to make Pensacola a more equitable, livable and resilient city. Historic Preservation Planner Adrianne Walker is heading the project team for the city.

The survey asks responders a series of questions including describe Pensacola today, how they want Pensacola described in 10 years, what themes the city should consider for its 10-year vision and what is the most critical issue the city must address in the next decade.

Reeves mentioned public safety, affordable housing and homelessness as issues he expects responders to cite in the survey. He said those issues will undoubtedly be part of the strategic plan and will be shaped by the survey responses.

"There might be 55,000 different opinions on how we should attack housing. What we really need to dive in on is how we get there," Reeves said. "Homelessness is another prime example. You won't find one Pensacolian who won't say that's an issue, but how they describe it and their solutions are drastically different."

The mayor said the city will aggressively market the survey, with the intention to come as close as possible to 55,000 responses. The

vision to unite the city around the priority goals and aspirations for the next 10 years."

Muessig described Pensacola as a unique city with its historic core located so close to the beach. Its beautiful ecology and tree cover impressed her during her visits to the city.

Downtown left a similarly positive impression on her. Muessig mentioned the possibility of replicating the walkability and urban quality of downtown in other parts of the city. Other areas to address include childcare, education and workforce development.

"Something that has really cut across the different conversations is a need to focus on education for youth and workforce opportunities for youth and young families," Muessig said. "We want Pensacola to be a place people can thrive in all ages of life, but there

Muessig said 10 years is a relatively small window for a strategic plan, but she considers Pensacola ripe to accomplish a significant amount in that time frame.

Gehl offers expertise in the fields of urban design, master planning, strategy and city planning. The firm addresses global trends with a people-focused approach, utilizing empirical analysis. The firm operates out of offices in the Denmark capital of Copenhagen, New York City

city plans to host a public open house 4-7 p.m. June 26 at City Hall to let the public share ideas in-person with city staff and the Gehl team. The project team will attend events throughout the summer, too, and ask citizens to fill out surveys.

Planned events include the third annual Juneteenth on June 15 and a Gallery Night or two on yet-to-be-determined dates.

"When you do surveys, the first to fill out surveys are those who are more engaged in city politics," Reeves said. "Our goal is to get the people who might not otherwise fill it out. We want to hear from young people, we want to hear from all genders and all races. We want the true matching subset of what our community is, not just the first 100 or 1,000 people who fill it out."

Gehl already conducted a policy analysis, exploring attainable housing, active mobility and economic development among other topics. The urban design and research consultancy found Pensacola to be a city without a true identity.

"Pensacola is growing and has numerous plans from the tapestry of public and private stakeholders that shape this city, yet, from our research, we haven't found a unifying vision of what Pensacola aspires to," said Anna Muessig, Gehl team director.

She continued, "We feel privileged to support a process to understand the common threads that tie this city together and, together with private and public stakeholders, develop a

"What I like about Gehl is they've done projects at every scale from cities smaller than Pensacola to New York City and internationallybased," Reeves said. "I like the versatility in which they have provided expertise in processes like this."

The mayor expects a "deliverable" strategic plan for the city to be completed by the end of the year. He promised the plan will be concise and include actionable steps.

"I've been very intentional about pointing out that what's not deliverable is some 100-step process for the next 10 years," he said. "Less than half the battle is the plan. It's the implementation that counts."

The strategic plan will lay the foundation for the city, but the mayor acknowledged that unforeseen circumstances will inevitably occur. Reeves noted the COVID-19 global pandemic stalled the last strategic plan process.

Pensacola bounced back from the global pandemic smoothly compared to other parts of the country, but what if the city formulated a 10-year strategic plan in the height of COVID? That plan would already need to be updated. The mayor said with the city moving in a positive direction, now makes this the perfect time to lay the groundwork for the next decade.

"We're on a great trajectory, but you don't start working on your strategic plan when things aren't going well," Reeves said. "This is an opportune time."

To access the survey, visit pensacola2035. mysocialpinpoint.com. For questions, email strategicplan@cityofpensacola.com. {in}

SIXTH BLAZER ACADEMY CLASS On April 30, families, friends and Escambia County Sheriff's Office celebrated the completion of the sixth Blazer Academy class as Sheriff Chip W. Simmons presented the young men with their certificates at a graduation ceremony held at First Baptist Church of Pensacola. After the ceremony, the graduates had a celebratory dinner at The Global Grill, where they made a toast to completing the academy and their futures.

"It was just a good turnout," Sheriff Simmons told Inweekly. "And then, we walked all the way from First Baptist Church to Global Grill. It was great to see the pride in the kids' faces. First of all, they looked like a million bucks. And then secondly, people along Palafox applauded them as they walked by."

The Escambia County Sherriff's Foundation finances the Blazer Academy program, which averages 30 kids in each class. Sheriff Simmons has a female academy starting in June and will accept applications for a male academy later this summer.

"I think that the value here in having it at the sheriff's office or having law enforcement teaches that we know what we've done," Simmons said. "We could talk about our experiences, but we can also talk about what we've seen."

He continued, "Hassan Hills' story is perfect for us, certainly a story for me because he and his wife were sentenced to life in prison for drugs, and then two presidents intervened and commuted his sentence. He could still be in jail right now, but instead, he's at our Blazer Academy talking to these kids about mistakes that he's made along the way."

Hills told the students his first mistake was getting caught by a young Pensacola police officer named Chip Simmons, Simmons said. At Global Grill, Hills passed around a copy of his arrest report.

"I just shake my head at where he's come from. If you had asked young Chip Simmons, the young narcotics officer who was eager to save the

world, if he would be sharing a stage with this drug dealer, I would say you're crazy."

The sheriff understands he might not reach every kid in the Blazer Academy program but wants to try.

Sheriff Simmons told kids at the Global Grill celebration that they could make a mark in this community, he said. "From now on, for the rest of your life, you can't say no one's ever told you that you can't succeed, because I have."

He added, "The Blazer Academy is designed to tell them they can succeed."

LION STEPS DOWN Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., announced that board chairman Fred Donovan, Sr., has transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus after 60 years of running one of Northwest Florida's premier engineering firms. He will maintain an advisory role, offering mentorship to BDI's leadership team.

"Baskerville-Donovan has been very good to me. I am honored to assume the role of chairman emeritus," he said in the press release. "We have built a dynamic organization; I look forward to supporting the company's continued success and working closely with the leadership team to advance our corporate identity and objectives."

Fred Donovan, Sr. began working at the firm in 1964 and has been a driving force behind Baskerville-Donovan's success for many years. He has steered the company through significant growth and transformation throughout his tenure as chairman and CEO, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner to clients across the region. Donovan's commitment to community service has become a defining value at the firm and has been recognized by many organizations and charities over the years. In 2018, he was inducted into the Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering Alumni Hall of Fame.

Baskerville-Donovan is a multi-discipline engineering and mapping consulting firm founded by Russell Patterson in 1927, and Donovan stepped in as CEO when Bill Baskerville handed over the

reins in 1965. The firm's four regional offices manage more than 200 infrastructure projects in 11 countries and multiple states.

Fred Donovan, Jr. has assumed the duties of board chairman. With extensive experience in the engineering sector, he has been a valuable asset to the board, previously serving as vice chairman since 2014. In 2022, Keith Hill stepped into the position of CEO, under whose leadership the company has witnessed notable enhancements in performance, capabilities and overall leadership culture.

Regarding Fred Donovan, Sr., BDI board member Glenda Hood said, "His progressive contribution to economic growth across the state has had a huge impact on the opportunities for growth that Florida now enjoys. He has been a tireless advocate for communities and business—as always, I look forward to continuing our long-term relationship."

In 2001, the Pensacola News Journal listed Fred Donovan, Sr. among the area's top 20 leaders. The first Inweekly Power List ranked him 13th in June 2007. He was a driving force in the Pensacola Chamber for decades. He served on Baptist boards from 1983 to 2010, with many years as chairman or vice chairman.

DISTRICT FIVE NEWS On WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen," Escambia County Commission chairman Steven Berry discussed the successful execution of a lease with International Paper (IP) for its golf course, which has been closed since 2017. The county will lease the 68 acres for five years, with the lease payment starting at $5,000 and increasing 5% annually.

"It is important to IP leadership that we maintain some historical relevance to the golf course, so we've got a full 18-hole disc golf course that's going to be out there with a 1.75-mile walking track," Barry said. "Hopefully, we'll get a lot of community use along with a nice playground and a pavilion, and that's just what we're looking at unrolling in the first phase to get those things started. It's a great thing for that community."

The District 5 commissioner also mentioned the new Carver Park Community in his district. Last year, the county commissioner allocated $1.6 million of RESTORE funds for a pre-manufactured modular building like the one placed at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park.

"The Carver Park Improvement Committee has been doing such a good job for better than 10 years now," Barry said. "They've been working out of what was a BP testing modular unit. If they can be successful and deploy the kind of positive impact that they've had on that community out of that very, very small footprint, then out of a 3,200-square-foot building, I think they're going to be able to really change a lot more lives and have a lot more positive impact."

The county commission is waiting on a feasibility study for a multi-use facility at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park. The consultants visited the park last month and looked at undeveloped property east of the main field.

"I expect them to have a full-on presentation for the board during the first meeting in June," Barry said. "I think it will show that our community has a market for an indoor facility that would host basketball and volleyball tournaments. There's a huge demand for it."

He added, "One of the issues that I'm proud of is the facility will be very close to three public schools in the area, and we've got full buy-in from Superintendent (Keith) Leonard. The school district's excited about the potential use of the facility, and there's a tremendous need amongst our public schools."

MORE DIVERSITY

Twenty years ago, the City of Pensacola struggled to find a viable business strategy for the financially struggling Port of Pensacola. Ideas such as transforming warehouses into a maritime museum and a cruise ship accommodation were considered but were abandoned after Hurricane Ivan.

Today, the port is thriving and has diversified its operations, according to Port Director Clark Merritt. "We have a nice balance of cargo activities that are very robust with our long-term tenants like CEMEX and Martin Marietta (Materials) and, of course, the GE Wind products. They really are our bedrock of support at the port on the maritime commerce side."

The diversity comes with the addition of American Magic, Portside Pickle and the University of West Florida's mechanical engineering lab. Merritt shared more is planned for the parcel between American Magic's headquarters and The Fish House, but the site has challenges.

"We are waiting on the environmental reports," he said. "I'm fairly confident, based on years of talking with people, that there's not some big plume under the port, unlike in other areas of Pensacola; this report will confirm it."

The port director also noted the current construction environment faces increased interest rates and high construction costs. Despite the challenges, the port is exploring opportunities to create more jobs and economic growth by tying future developments to the support and spinoff of American Magic.

"Once we get the (environmental) reports and make sure that there's nothing down there, we're going to look at some sort of conceptual plan to bring those high-tech businesses that might piggyback off of American Magic to that area," Merritt said. "We're going to concentrate on that first, and then maybe send the word out through commercial real estate brokers, et cetera, to put a full-court press on to see what interest is out there."

CONTINUUM MEMBERSHIP The Continuum of Care (CoC) wants members. The CoC is a two-county group that focuses on reducing homelessness and is currently undergoing reorganization to align with the federal strategy and plan. Last month, Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, the lead agency, held a meeting to solicit CoC members.

Photo Courtesy of Escambia County Sheriff's Office

Since September 2023, a governance charter committee has been working on a new charter and organizational structure for the CoC with Pensacola Housing Department's (HUD's) help. The goal is to involve the entire community in addressing homelessness, with transparency in meetings and encouraging community participation.

Pensacola City Councilwoman Allison Patton serves on the committee. She said, "The meeting was the first step in forming that membership body and formalizing it because we really have not had a formal membership roster. The membership will be the core group that votes on the charter once it's completed, and it should be done in the next few months."

She described the new charter: "We have a technical assistance person from HUD who's been helping us through the charter process and how we're doing things in our community. And so, out of that is going to come a pretty clear document that's going to assign roles and responsibilities. A leadership council will be established. It will be the new CoC board, for lack of a better description. There are assigned and appointed roles and elected positions."

Patton encouraged any interested business, nonprofit or individual to seek membership. "Do not think about the CoC as a group of nonprofits that are in this work and should be making these decisions. It's really the entire community that needs to be involved."

To apply for membership, visit bit.ly/3ufphti.

TSA RELATIONSHIP According to Airport Director Matt Coughlin, the eight new TSA workers at Pensacola International Airport should improve service levels after the agency's staffing and training struggles have increased wait times for months, causing some travelers to miss their flights. The security workers were added after Mayor D.C. Reeves wrote a letter to our congressional delegation asking for help with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Coughlin appreciated the TSA's challenges but said, "At the end of the day, we need to advocate for our airport and our customers. I really appreciated the mayor and his efforts."

The airport director stressed he appreciates his relationship with the agency. "I have a great relationship with the federal security director over in Jacksonville, and he understands our struggles ever since we put the new equipment in. But if he can't provide the expected level of service, then we have to elevate that. And that's what we did, and it seemed to work out really well."

He added, "They understand the issues, and they want to be better too. I'm glad they came to the table with that help."

Coughlin also confirmed Southwest Airlines' decision to cut service to several airports around the country would not impact Pensacola. Additionally, the contract for Hangar Three has been awarded to Roy Anderson Corp. for $72.7 million, with work expected to start soon. The hangar will be able to accommodate wide-body jets, and ST Engineering already has clients lined up for

work to be done. He added that the current two hangars are very busy.

"What's interesting was I flew out of Pensacola on Saturday, and I looked over there. Not only were their hangers full, but they were working on aircraft outside on the ramp," Coughlin said. "I counted at least nine jets over there. That's pretty incredible."

ENERGIZING PENSACOLA ENERGY

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation held a press conference in Pensacola City Hall to award Pensacola Energy $10.1 million to replace unprotected bare steel mains with polyethylene pipe throughout the City of Pensacola and Escambia County.

Pensacola Energy Director Darryl Singleton pointed out that the natural gas utility, the oldest in Florida, has replaced 88 miles of cast iron piping. "We started in 2015 and replaced it all with polyethylene. We said, 'Hey, what's the next target? Bare steel.'"

He continued, "We have started an aggressive program where we're trying to work to replace bare steel. We do some of it in-house every year. We were very thankful for this grant, which is going to let us knock out roughly 15 miles of it pretty quick with a contractor. We're really thankful for the grant money."

STAMP OUT HUNGER

Organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the largest oneday food drive in the country. Food collected by letter carriers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties stays here, helping to feed those struggling with food insecurity.

Residents can participate by leaving nonperishable food donations at their mailboxes Saturday, May 11, for their letter carriers to collect. Donations will benefit local food banks and pantries in both counties, helping to ensure families in need have access to nutritious food.

"People right here in our Northwest Florida community—your neighbors and mine—are struggling every day to put food on the table. They do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy healthy groceries for their families," said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna Food Bank, Inc. "The Stamp Out Hunger food drive makes it possible for Manna and many of the area's food pantries to feed thousands of children, senior citizens, veterans, families and individuals in need in the months to come."

Residents are encouraged to leave a bag of healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned fruit in 100% juice, canned mixed vegetables, canned chicken, canned tuna, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), peanut butter and/ or dry beans. Do not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.

Last year, Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers collected 190,853 pounds of food from generous residents, providing more than 219,862 meals. For more information about the local Stamp Out Hunger food drive, visit uwwf.org/soh. {in}

the Museum Gala

FRIDAY • MAY 17

Just like we have every year for the last 24 years, we're asking all of you to play favorites and vote in our Best of the Coast poll.

That means all of your most important opinions—like who really makes the best cookies in town—are finally going to be heard.

And don't worry if you can't get through the full ballot in one try. Voting is open through May 21, so you can take it one section at a time. You can also vote online if that's more your style—at inweekly.net. {in}

Or vote online at inweekly.net • Now-May 21

community, media & culture

Best Nonprofit

Best Charity Event

Best Place to Work

Best Boss

Best Community Leader

Best Rising Leader

Best Politician

Best Advocacy/Activist Group

Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Best Day Trip

Best Annual Event

Best Food Event

Best Parade

Best Regular/Reoccurring Event

Best Free Thing To Do

Best Neighborhood

Best Public Park

Best Pet-Friendly Park

Best Playground

Best Palafox Market Vendor

Best Makers/Craft Market

Best Reason to Attend a Blue Wahoos Game

Best Reason to Attend an Ice Flyers Game

Best Youth Sports/Rec Program

Best Dance Studio

Best After-School Activity

Best Summer Camp

Best Place for a Birthday Party

Best Local Celebrity

Best TV Station

Best Radio Station

Best Radio Personality

Best Morning Radio Show

Best Podcast

Best Website/Blog

Best Business or Person to Follow on Social Media

Best Way To Get Cultured

Best Art Gallery/Museum

Best Artist

Best Author/Writer

Best Photographer

Best Music Venue

Best Band

Best Concert/Concert Series

Best Theatre Production

Best Comedian

services

Best Hair Salon-Pensacola

Best Hair Salon-Gulf Breeze/Pensacola Beach

Best Hair Salon–Milton/Pace

Best Hair Stylist

Best Hair Colorist

Best Barber Shop

Best Men's Hair Stylist

Best Day Spa

Best Massage

Best Massage Therapist

Best Pedicure

Best Manicure

Best Hair Removal

Best Facial

Best Esthetician

Best Skin Care Overall

Best Bank

Best Credit Union

Best Financial Advisor

Best Accounting Firm

Best Residential Real Estate Agency

Best Commercial Real Estate Agency

Best Real Estate Agent

Best Boutique Hotel/Inn

Best Hotel–Pensacola Beach

Best Hotel–Pensacola

Best Apartment Complex

Best Architecture Firm

Best Law Firm

Best Attorney

Best Insurance Agent

Best Vet

Best Dog Groomer

Best Dog Training

Best Pet Boarding

Best Construction Company

Best AC Company

Best Landscaping

Best Interior Designer

Best Custom Picture Framing

Best Tattoo & Piercing Studio

Best Tattoo Artist

Best Special Event Space

Best Party Decor

Best Mobile Event Service/Experience

Best Caterer

Best Florist

Best Portrait/Family Photography

▶rules

•No photocopies or faxes will be accepted.

•Vote in at least 15 categories. Ballots with fewer than 15 categories completed will not be counted.

•Ballots must be postmarked by May 21, 2024.

▶mail your ballot to Best of the Coast c/o Inweekly, PO Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591

▶required info

Name

Email

Best Tailor/Alterations

Best Car Wash/Detailer

Best Auto Service Shop

Best Green Business

Best New Business

health

Best Gym

& wellness

Best Personal Trainer

Best Boutique Fitness Studio

Best Yoga

Best Yoga Instructor

Best Pilates

Best Fitness Classes

Best Fitness Instructor

Best Bootcamp

Best Weight Loss Program

Best Running Club

Best 5K

Best Place to Walk/Run

Best Place to Ride a Bike

Best Hospital

Best General Care Physician

Best Chiropractor

Best Dentist

Best Endodontist

Best Orthodontics

Best Pediatrician

Best Mental Health Professional

Best OB/GYN

Best Optometrist

Best Dermatologist

Best Plastic Surgery

Best Physical Therapy

Best Pharmacy

Best Walk-In Clinic

Best Cannabis Dispensary

retail

Best Car Dealership

Best Bicycle Shop

Best Boutique

Best Men's Apparel

Best Women's Apparel

Best Children's Apparel & Gifts

Best Accessories

Best Thrift Store

Best Athletic/Outdoor Store

Best Furniture/Home Décor Store

Best Antiques

Best Vintage Shop/Seller

Best Maker/Artisan

Best Gift Shop

Best Place to Buy Greeting Cards/Stationery

Best Bookstore

Best Comic Book Store

Best Toy/Collectable Store

Best New Store

Best Jeweler

Best Surf/Skate Shop

Best Nursery/Plants

Best Hardware Store

Best Computer/Tech Store

Best Music Gear/Instruments

Best Record Store

Best Liquor Store

Best Wine Shop

Best Wine Tastings

Best Grocery Store

Best Place to Buy Produce

Best International Food Market

Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Shop

weddings

Best Place to Propose

Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring

Best Ceremony Venue

Best Reception Venue

Best Officiant

Best Bridal Store

Best Place to Rent a Tux

Best Bridal Make-up Artist

Best Wedding Hair Salon

Best Wedding Hair Stylist

Best Wedding Planner/Coordinator

Best Wedding Photography

Best Photobooth

Best Wedding Videography

Best Wedding Band

Best Wedding DJ

Best Wedding Caterer

Best Wedding Cake

Best Wedding Florist

Best Wedding Rentals

Best Wedding Party Transportation

Best Place to Buy a Wedding Gift

Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner

Best Place for Out-of-Town Guests to Stay

restaurants

Best Restaurant Overall

Best Restaurant–Downtown

Best Restaurant–Cordova Area

Best Restaurant–East Hill

Best Restaurant–North Pensacola/ Nine Mile Road

Best Restaurant–West Pensacola/Perdido Key

Best Restaurant–East Pensacola Heights

Best Restaurant–Gulf Breeze

Best Restaurant–Pensacola Beach

Best Restaurant–Milton/Pace

Best New Restaurant

Best Bakery

Best Breakfast

Best Brunch

Best Lunch

Best Food Truck

Best Greek Cuisine

Best Mexican Cuisine

Best Italian Cuisine

Best Cajun Cuisine

Best Chinese Cuisine

Best Japanese Cuisine

Best Thai Cuisine

Best Indian Cuisine

Best Vietnamese Cuisine

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cuisine

Best Sushi

Best Gluten Free Options

Best Seafood

Best Steakhouse

Best BBQ

Best Soul Food

Best Wine Menu

Best Original Menu

Best Chef

Best Up-and-Coming Chef

Best Wait Staff

Best Waiter

Best Waitress

Best Coffee Shop

Best Barista

Best Outdoor Dining

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant

Best Takeout/To Go

Best Restaurant for a Date

Best Restaurant for a Birthday Dinner

Best Restaurant for Sports Fans

Best Late Night Eats

Best Restaurant to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Best Gone-But-Not-Forgotten Restaurant

food

*List the specific menu item if applicable

Best Uniquely Pensacola Dish

Best Cup of Coffee

Best Cold Brew

Best Latte

Best Iced Tea

Best Juices/Smoothies

Best Pizza

Best Steak

Best Burrito

Best Taco

Best Soup

Best Deli

Best Bread

Best Sandwich

Best Chicken Salad

Best Burger

Best Hot Dog

Best Appetizers

Best Pastries

Best Breakfast Dish/Menu Item

Best Grits

Best Donuts

Best French Fries

Best Fried Chicken

Best Wings

Best Oysters

Best Salads

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Dish

Best Desserts

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Gelato

Best Cakes/Cupcakes

Best Cookies

Best Original Menu Item

Best Lunch Specials

Best Weekly Special

Best Cooking Classes

Best Food Manufacturer

Best Beverage Manufacturer

Best Mobile Beverage Service

bars, drinks & nightlife

Best Bar Overall

Best Night Club

Best Bar–Downtown

Best Bar–Cordova Area

Best Bar–North Pensacola/Nine Mile Road

Best Bar–West Pensacola/Perdido Key

Best Bar–Pensacola Beach

Best Bar–Milton/Pace

Best New Bar

Best Drink Specials

Best Day Drinking

Best Drink Menu

Best Daiquiris/Frozen Drinks

Best Bushwacker

Best Bloody Mary

Best Mimosa

Best Martini

Best Selection of Wine

Best Margarita

Best Signature Drink

Best NA Drink Options

Best Brewery

Best Selection of Beer on Tap

Best Bar Staff

Best Bartender

Best DJ

Best Drag Performer

Best Sports Bar

Best Sports Team Club Headquarters

Best Neighborhood Bar

Best Pet-Friendly Bar

Best Hotel Bar

Best Bar With a View

Best Bar Ambiance

Best Bar for Games

Best Trivia Night

Best Karaoke Night

Best Bar for Live Music

Best Bar Food

Myths Around Shelters and Visible Homelessness Jon DeCarmine

Jon DeCarmine founded the Grace Marketplace in Gainesville, FL, which serves as a low-barrier shelter and one-stop location for critical services aimed at ending homelessness. This has led to a 40% decrease in the number of people living on the streets in Alachua County.

Jon DeCarmine has recently been hired by the city of Pensacola to provide realistic options to address homelessness here.

How can Pensacola craft a shelter solution that fits our community?

Attend this free presentation in person or watch a live stream on the Pensacola News Journal Facebook page.

Monday, May 13 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Fish House Craft Beer Fest

May 15 thehandlebar850.com

Poets in the Punkhouse May 16 309punkproject.org

out Music Fest. And because nothing says "new season" like a packed calendar, here's a round-up of this summer's best local happenings.

Festivals & Annual Events

Gulf Coast Culture Fest

May 11 gulfcoastculturefest.com

Hangout Music Fest

May 17-19 hangoutmusicfest.com

P3 Comedy Fest

May 24-26 facebook.com/p3comedyfest

Grand Fiesta Parade

May 31 fiestapensacola.org

The Watson Family Foundation

Third Annual Juneteenth: A Family Reunion for the Culture June 15 watsonfamilyfoundation.com

Pensacola Beach Air Show July 13 newsairshow.com

Arts, Culture and Live Music

The 70th Annual Members Show Now-May 25 pensacolamuseum.org

PSO in the Park May 11 pensacolasymphony.com

309 Punk Project's Night on the Tracks May 11 309punkproject.org

Opera Al Fresco May 11 and June 18 pensacolaopera.com

Broadway in Pensacola: Pretty Woman May 13-14 pensacolasaenger.com

Lift Every Voice May 18 choralsocietyofpensacola.org

Pensacola Vintage Collective Block Party May 19 facebook.com/pensacolavintagecollective

Trixie Mattel at Memorial Weekend Pensacola May 25 johnnychisholm.com

Rent June 7-23 pensacolalittletheatre.com

Sex N' The City A (Super Unauthorized) Musical Parody June 16 pensacolasaenger.com

Glory of This Reunion July 20 thehandlebar850.com

Boys Like Girls July 21 vinylmusichall.com

Heights, Thursday and Anberlin Aug. 10 thehandlebar850.com

Reoccurring Events

Bands on the Beach visitpensacolabeach.com

Every Tuesday through Oct. 29

Bands on the Blackwater facebook.com/miltonflorida

Every Friday through June 14

Palafox Market

palafoxmarket.com

Every Saturday

Pensacola Arts Market facebook.com/pensacolaartsmarket

•Every first Friday and third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten

•Every second and fourth Saturday at Cordova Square

Gallery Night Summer Dates and Themes

gallerynightpensacola.org

•May 17 Navy Days

•June 21 Prismatic

•July 19

Palafox Chalk Walk

•Aug. 16 Car Show {in}

Photo Courtesy of Hangout Music Fest

Trixie Mattel / Photo By Jon Sams

Photo Courtesy of The Watson Family Foundation / By Mo Roberts Photography

Arts & Entertainment

Stirring Up the Melting Pot

By Sydney Robinson

Local filmmaker and community organizer Calvin Griffin will bring back his spring festival Gulf Coast Culture Fest for its fourth year, and this time, he hopes it will be bigger and better than ever.

Griffin was inspired to create Culture Fest after witnessing moments of unity during local protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, he said.

The unjust killing that spurred protests nationwide reached the Pensacola activist scene. Hundreds converged at The Graffiti Bridge each day for weeks on end to hold vigil, stand in solidarity and call for justice.

"I was one of the photographers out taking pictures [during the protests], and in the midst of everything going on, you have so many different people from different backgrounds and different cultures really just coming together despite the circumstances and taking a stance of justice and unity," Griffin said.

Griffin was inspired and felt there must be a

way to bring that harmonious clash of cultures into the future, in a space built more for joy than grief.

"It felt like a lot of people from different backgrounds were having conversations with each other and getting to know each other in the midst of everything that was going on," Griffin said.

Culture Fest was born from that spark.

"Different cultures really express themselves through art—whether it be music, dance, poetry, theater, opera, fashion," Griffin said. "I wanted that to be what Culture Fest was about."

Festival attendees can expect to enjoy food from local vendors representing a variety of cultures from soul food to Vietnamese fusion, and BBQ to ceviche. Participating food vendors include Bang'n Bowls, KJ's Fried Chicken, Conch Sabroso, Taste The Rainbow, Sweet Love and more.

"It's a real melting pot," Griffin said. In addition to food vendors, a variety of

small businesses, artists and makers will also be set up to sell their wares at Seville Square, under the shade of oak trees.

Throughout the day, there will also be performances at the gazebo, such as belly dancing from Saraab Belly Dancers, classical music on string instruments from Pensacola String Academy, the R&B stylings of "G," yoga by Yoga Ro, opera excerpts from Pensacola Opera and even a second line from 9th Avenue Brass Band.

After the heat of the day passes and the sun begins to set, the second half of the festival will take over: #FilmsForTheCulture Film Fest. It's a showcase of short films from filmmakers both locally and across the globe.

As a filmmaker himself, Griffin feels a special connection to the local film community.

This year, the festival will showcase 11 short films projected onto an inflatable screen. While some filmmakers are Pensacola-based like Matt Durant and Sade Correll, others submitted work from as far away as Hong Kong, Texas and Virginia.

When Griffin first hosted the event a few years back, it was the only event of its kind in

"When I started out doing films, I submitted films to the Mobile Film Scramble," Griffin said. "For me, it was important just being able to go and see my work on the screen and see audi -

At that time, Griffin felt local filmmakers had no opportunity to screen their work in Pensacola and were sending their works to other cities and states instead.

"I wanted to provide the same opportunity that was provided to me," Griffin said.

In just three years, Griffin says he has seen the local film scene transform and feels that his screenings played a part in inspiring new film -

"To my amazement, I have had a lot of people who submitted that were first time filmmakers and who have now gone on to become really involved in local films," Griffin said.

Since Griffin's first film fest back in 2021, the selection of local film screenings has grown and several other local organizers are hosting film festivals and local showcases.

"It has really grown over the course of the last five or so years, where people are just really out creating," Griffin said. "As a filmmaker, I love to see other people's projects and people just going out and just doing what makes them happy and what they're passionate about. It's a

GULF COAST CULTURE FEST

WHAT: An annual event featuring art, music, dance, food trucks and more

WHEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 11

WHERE: Seville Square, 311 E. Government St.

COST: Free to attend

DETAILS: gulfcoastculturefest.com

#FILMSFORTHECULTURE FILM FEST

WHAT: A local film festival screening sponsored by Gulf Coast Short Film Fest

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11

WHERE: Seville Square, 311 E. Government St.

COST: Free to attend

DETAILS: facebook.com/ gulfcoastshortfilmfest

Photo Courtesy of Gulf Coast Culture Fest

Come to Deluna Flowers for your Mother’s Day Floral needs … We Deliver!

3516 W. Navy Blvd. Pensacola, FL 32507

(The former Sleepy Hollow Florist ... Just inside the city limits)

Phone: 850-466-5315

Email: delunaflowerspensacola@gmail.com www.delunaflowers.com

a&e happenings

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

THE BIG GOWN BALL Collect special occasion clothing and gowns for women and girls in need 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Tastings, silent auction and awards for best dressed participants. Details are at facebook.com/garysbrew.

RAISE THE WOOF ADOPTION EVENT Paws

Crossed adoption event is 5:30 Friday, May 17 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details are at facebook.com/garysbrew.

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

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART SCREENING

"Ordinary Angels" will screen 1 p.m. Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at Pensacola Cinema Art, 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10. Details are at pensacolacinemaart.com.

5 LESBIANS EATING QUICHE Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, Friday, May 10, Saturday, May 11, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12. Tickets are $18-$25 and available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

COMEDY SHOW FEATURING HILLIARY

BEGLEY AND PETEY SMITH MCDOWELL

Stand-up comedy show is 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at 201 E. Wright St. Tickets are available at club27comedy.com.

PENSACOLA CHILDREN'S CHORUS:

SHOWTIME Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

OPERA AL FRESCO Live performances from Pensacola Opera artists is 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Seville Square Park. Details are at facebook.com/pensacolaopera.

NIGHT ON THE TRACKS

The next Night on the Tracks is 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11. The multivenue event will include an art show at 309, live music at End of The Line, an art market, magician and more. Details are available at facebook.com/309punkproject.

GULF COAST CULTURE FEST Gulf Coast Culture Fest is a two-part festival composed of a large variety of entertainment, vendors and food trucks 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 11 in Seville Sqaure. Following the event is #FilmsForTheCulture Film Fest, which is a community wide short film festival starting at 8 p.m. For more information about Gulf Coast Culture Fest, including the full entertainment lineup and schedule of events, visit gulfcoastculturefest.com.

PENSACOLA BEACH ART & WINE FESTI

-

VAL Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce presents the 15th annual Art & Wine Festival 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 11 on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. Tickets are $40 and available through Eventbrite. More information is at pensacolabeachchamber.com/art-wine-festival.

PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

BRIDGERTON BRIDAL SHOWCASE Bridal fashion showcase, regency era cocktail menu, watch party and more is 5-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

GALLERY NIGHT The next Gallery Night is 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 17 in downtown Pensacola. This month's theme is Pensacola Navy Days. Details are available at gallerynightpensacola.org.

CINEMAS IN THE SAND Movies start at sunset on select Friday nights at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. The next movie "The Parent Trap" (1998) on Friday, May 17. Details are available at facebook.com/visitpensacolabeach.

LIFT EVERY VOICE The Choral Society of Pensacola presents a celebration of Black composers spanning five centuries 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Cokesbury Church, 5725 N. Ninth Ave. Tickets are $5-$25. Discounts are available for groups, seniors and military. Tickets are $5 more the day of the event. Purchase tickets at purplepass.com.

NAVY DAYS "NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM"

GALA Event is 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, May 17 at Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. The National Naval Aviation Museum plays host to this black tie/service mess dress affair featuring special guest speaker Admiral Harry Harris USN, retired. Tickets are available at bigtickets.com/e/pensacola-navy-days/a-nightat-the-museum-gala.

NAVY DAYS PARADE Gather along Pensacola's waterfront for the Navy Days parade featuring miliary equipment, squadrons, Sailors of the Year, bands and drill teams, with the support of many of Pensacola's best Mardi Gras Krewes. The parade starts at Veterans Memorial Park 9:30 a.m. Satur-

day, May 18 and ends at Community Maritime Par, where there are family-friendly activities, food trucks and tours of Navy vessels until 3 p.m.

BROADWAY LIGHTS DANCE CENTERTANGLED ADVENTURES Show is 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Saenger Theater, 118 S. Palafox St. Details are at pensacolasaenger.com.

SILENT BOOK CLUB AT BODACIOUS Sundays are for quietly reading at Bodacious Bookstore & Café, 110 E. Intendencia St. Join the Silent Book Club 10-11 a.m. every Sunday. 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

a&e happenings

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.

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.

SYNTHESIS BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS EXHIBITION Exit show for UWF Department of Art and Design is on display through May 10 at The Art Gallery, 11000 University Parkway in Building 82.

PHOTO SHOPPE: A PHOTOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION Quayside Gallery exhibition featuring work from seven different artists is on view through May 12 at Quayside, 17 E. Zaragoza St.

THE FLUIDITY OF PERCEPTION Enjoy an exhibit from Chris Gustin and Nancy Train Smith in collaboration with the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society. The show is on view through May 17 at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd.

LOVE LETTERS TO URSA MAJOR: WORK BY KELLY ANNE MUELLER Enjoy a solo show from Kelly Anne Mueller, Best in Show from the 2023 PMA Members Show. Exhibit is on view through May 25 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

PMA MEMBERS SHOW The 70th annual Members Show is on view through May 25 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

CHAMPAGNE TASTING WITH PALMER & CO. Enjoy an exclusive Champagne Palmer tasting experience 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at The District Lounge in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.

MOTHER'S DAY SIP AND SHOP MARKET Night market is 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St. Visit facebook.com/ perfectplainbrewingco.

MOTHER'S DAY BLOSSOMS & BITES Create a Mother's Day bouquet with gourmet snacks and sweet treats 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox. Tickets are $25-$35 and available through a link at facebook. com/bodaciousshops.

LADIES NIGHT OUT: GARNISHING Learn the art of garnishing with Pensacola Cooks 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 10 at 4051 Barrancas Ave. Details at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

CRAWFISH BOIL AT GARY'S BREWERY

Cub's Crawfish is 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Details are at facebook.com/garysbrew.

850 FOODIE FESTIVAL More than 80 food vendors and live music is 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway.

A MOMENT FOR MOM WITH CELEBRITY

CHEF MARK PHILLIPS Four-course meal and cooking demonstration is noon-2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Court of DeLuna, 116 E. Gonzalez St. Tickets start at $80 at Eventbrite.

MUGS & JUGS BIRTHDAY BASH Celebrate the 16th anniversary of Mugs & Jugs with bingo, drink specials, free hot dogs and cookie cake 9 p.m.-midnight Saturday, May 11 at the bar, 12080 Scenic Highway.

MOM OVERBOARD MURDER MYSTERY

SHOW Mother's Day brunch and show is 11 a.m. Sunday, May 12 at Seville Quarter's Heritage Hall, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.

VINO MAGNIFICO Sample five wines and meet with fellow wine enthusiasts and novices alike 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox St. Details are at vpauls.com.

COOKING WITH CHEF IRV MILLER This month's theme is Flavors of Springtime. Classes are 5 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St. Cost is $55 a person. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing jessica@goodgrits.com or calling (850) 686-3149.

HANDS-ON CHARCUTERIE CLASS Make your own charcuterie board 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $65 and available through the link at facebook. com/bodaciousshops.

COOKING CLASS AT ANGELENA'S Visit Angelena's, 101 E. Intendencia St., for a cooking class celebrating La Sagra del Limone. The dinner will be held in the Garden Room 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Tickets are $125 plus tax per person. Seating is limited. Reserve your spot by visiting angelenaspensacola.com or calling (850) 542-8398.

FOOD ART: CHARCUTERIE CLASS Charcuterie class with Pensacola Cooks is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at 4051 Barrancas Ave. Details and tickets are available at facebook.com/pensacolacooks.

a&e happenings

SIP AND DIP AT SIR RICHARD'S Enjoy premium tequila paired with chips and dips 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Sir Richard's, 2719 E. Cervantes St. The event features Avión Cristalino, Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Anejo, Tequila Ocho Plata, and Herradura Reposado. Cost for the event is $45. Tickets are available at sirrichardslounge.com.

BRIDGERTON BRUNCH Regency era brunch is 11 a.m. Sunday, May 19 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $50 and available at facebook.com/bodaciousshops.

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 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.

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.

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.

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 AT WISTERIA 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

BANDS ON THE BEACH Weekly concert series is 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Upcoming shows: May 14 is The Modern Eldorados. For details, visit visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happeningbands-on-beach.

ST. CHRISTOPHER'S CONCERTS St. Christopher's Episcopal Church invites you to a free outdoor concert on the church lawn 6-8 p.m. Thursdays through May 23. Bring your own lawn chairs, snacks/dinner and beverages. Concessions are available. May 9 is The Blenders. May 16 is NOBIUS. May 23 is The Lads. St. Christopher's Episcopal Church is located at 3200 N. 12th Ave. Visit scpen.org for details.

BLUES ON THE BAY The Modern Eldorados will play Blues on the Bay 6 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Community Maritime Park, 351 Cedar St. Details are at facebook.com/bluesonthebaypensacola.

JOSH TAYLOR BENEFIT SHOW Show is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are available at thehandlebar850.com.

a&e happenings

GATECREEPER, CREEPING DEATH Show

is 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are available at thehandlebar850.com.

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 9

•The Flavors 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 10

•Glen Parker 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 11

•Curt Bol 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 12

•John Wheeler 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14

•John Wheeler 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 16

•Harrison Avenue 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 17

•Glen Parker 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 18

•Curt Bol 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 19

DIRTY HONEY Show is 8 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $29.50 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

GREATER GULF COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL

Enjoy a music festival with a wide variety of performances including Mass Kunfuzion, Golpe Latino, Kirk Jay and more. The festival is 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Hwy. Tickets are $25 and available at ggcmusicfest. eventbrite.com.

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN THE PARK Live orchestra music is 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Big Lagoon State Park Amphi-

theatre, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway. No admission to the show, but donations are accepted to enter the state park.

CLUTCH Show is 7:30 p.n. Sunday, May 12 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $35 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

REVERAND HORTON HEAT WITH SURFRAJETTES Show is 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $20-$25 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

FROM WITHIN SHOWCASE Show is 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $25-$30 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT CALVERT'S Listen to live music 5-8 p.m. Sundays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. May 12 is Stormfolk. Visit facebook.com/calvertsintheheights for details.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY

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

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE

QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday night at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Govern-

ment 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 at 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

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. Thursday, May 9

•6:05 p.m. Friday, May 10

•6:05 p.m. Saturday, May 11

•4:05 p.m. Sunday, May 12

OCEAN HOUR WEEKLY CLEANUPS Ocean Hour Pensacola hosts weekly cleanups 7:45-9 a.m. Saturdays. On Saturday, May 11 the sites are Bruce Beach, and Chimney Park. Follow Ocean Hour at facebook.com/oceanhourfl for more details and locations.

BIKE PENSACOLA SLOW RIDE The next Bike Pensacola Slow Ride is 6 p.m. Friday, May 10 leaving from Ride More Bicycles, 59 E. Gregory Blvd. Visit facebook.com/bikepensacola for details.

ISLAND FIGHTS 83 Island Fights 83 show begins 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are available online at pensacolabaycenter.com.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

free will astrology

WEEK OF MAY 9

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): When my friend Jessalyn first visited Disneyland as a child, she was smitten by its glimmering, unblemished mystery. "It was far more real than real," she said. "A dream come true." But after a few hours, her infatuation unraveled. She began to see through the luster. Waiting in long lines to go on the rides exhausted her. The mechanical elephant was broken. The food was unappetizing. The actor impersonating Mickey Mouse shucked his big mouse head and swilled a beer. The days ahead may have resemblances to Jessalyn's awakening for you. This slow-motion jolt might vex you initially, although I believe it's a healthy sign. It will lead to a cleansed perspective that's free of illusion and teeming with clarity.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Keizoku wa chikara nari is a Japanese proverb that means "To continue is power." I propose you make that your motto for the next four weeks. Everything you need to happen and all the resources you need to attract will come your way as long as your overarching intention is perseverance. This is always a key principle for you Tauruses, but especially now. If you can keep going, if you can overcome your urges to quit your devotions, you will gain a permanent invigoration of your willpower.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Do you believe there are divine beings, animal spirits and departed ancestors who are willing and able to help us? If not, you may want to skip this horoscope. I won't be upset if you feel that way. But if you do harbor such views, as I do, I'm pleased to tell you they will be extra available for you in the coming weeks. Remember one of the key rules about their behavior: They love to be asked for assistance; they adore it when you express your desires for them to bring you specific blessings and insights. Reach out, Gemini. Call on them.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): I'm taking a gamble here as I advise you to experiment with the counsel of visionary poet and painter William Blake (1757–1827). It's a gamble because I'm asking you to exert a measure of caution as you explore his daring, unruly advice. Be simultaneously prudent and ebullient, Cancerian. Be discerning and wild. Be watchful and experimental. Here are

By Rob Brezsny

Blake's directions: 1. The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom, for we never know what is enough until we know what is more than enough. 2. If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise. 3. The pride of the peacock is the glory of God. The lust of the goat is the bounty of God. 4. No bird soars too high if it soars with its own wings. 5. Exuberance is beauty.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Cosmic energies are staging a big party in your astrological house of ambition. It's a great time to expand and intensify your concepts of what you want to accomplish with your one wild and precious life. You will attract unexpected help as you shed your inhibitions about asking for what you really want. Life will benevolently conspire on your behalf as you dare to get bolder in defining your highest goals. Be audacious, Leo! Be brazen and brave and brilliant! I predict you will be gifted with lucid intuitions about how best to channel your drive for success. You will get feelers from influential people who can help you in your quest for victory. P.S. The phrase "your one wild and precious life" comes from poet Mary Oliver.

You will attract unexpected help as you shed your inhibitions about asking for what you really want.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Is it possible to be too smart for your own good? Maybe, although that won't be a problem for you anytime soon. However, you may temporarily be too smart for some people who are fixated on conventional and simplistic solutions. You could be too super-brilliant for those who wallow in fear or regard cynicism as a sign of intelligence. But I will not advise you to dumb yourself down, dear Virgo. Instead, I will suggest you be crafty and circumspect. Act agreeable and humble, even as you plot behind the scenes to turn everything upside-down and inside-out—by which I mean, make it work with more grace and benefit for everyone concerned.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): In my fairy tale about your life in the coming weeks and months,

you will transform from a crafty sleuth to an eager explorer. You will finish your wrestling matches with tricky angels and wander off to consort with big thinkers and deep feelers. You will finish your yeoman attempts to keep everyone happy in the human zoo and instead indulge your sacred longings for liberation and experimentation. In this fairy tale of your life, Libra, I will play the role of your secret benefactor. I will unleash a steady stream of prayers to bless you with blithe zeal as you relish every heart-opening, braincleansing moment of your new chapter.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): In the coming months, I will encourage you to keep deepening and refining the art of intimacy. I will rejoice as you learn more and more about how to feel close to people you care for and how to creatively deal with challenges you encounter in your quest to become closer. Dear Scorpio, I will also cheer you on whenever you dream up innovations to propitiate togetherness. Bonus blessings! If you do all I'm describing, your identity will come into brighter focus. You will know who you are with greater accuracy. Get ready! The coming weeks will offer you novel opportunities to make progress on the themes I've mentioned.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): You could offer a workshop on the perks of wobbliness. Your anxious ruminations and worried fantasies are so colorful I almost hesitate to tell you to stop. I'm wondering if this is one of those rare phases when you could take advantage of your so-called negative feelings. Is it possible that lurking just below the uneasiness are sensational revelations about a path to liberation? I'm guessing there are. To pluck these revelations, you must get to the core of the uneasiness.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): During the last 11 months, life has offered you unprecedented opportunities to deepen and ripen your emotional intelligence. You have been vividly invited to grow your wisdom about how to manage and understand your feelings. I trust you have been capitalizing on these glorious teachings. I hope you have honed your skills at tapping into the power and insights provided by your heart and gut. There's still more time to work on this project, Capricorn. In the coming

weeks, seek out breakthroughs that will climax this phase of your destiny.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau declared, "We need the tonic of wildness." Amen! In my view, you Aquarians especially need this sweet, rugged healing power in the coming weeks. Borrowing more words from Thoreau, I urge you to exult in all that is mysterious, unsurveyed and unfathomable. Like Thoreau, I hope you will deepen your connection with the natural world because it "it is cheerfully, musically earnest." Share in his belief that "we must go out and really ourselves to nature every day. We must take root, send out some little fiber."

I

hope you have honed your skills at tapping into the power and insights provided by your heart

and gut.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I have four questions and homework assignments for you, Pisces. 1. Is there a person in your inner circle who is close to ripening a latent talent that would ultimately benefit you? I suspect there is. What can you do to assist them? 2. Is there a pending gift or legacy you have not yet claimed or activated? I think so. What would be a good first step to get it fully into your life? 3. What half-dormant potency could you call on and use if you were more confident about your ability to wield it? I believe you now have the wherewithal to summon the confidence you need. 4. What wasteful habit could you replace with a positive new habit?

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What's your favorite subject to fantasize about? {in}

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

news of the weird

CREME DE LA WEIRD The latest plane failure story—about the emergency slide that fell off a Boeing 767 leaving JFK Airport last week—gets a "whodathunkit" follow-up, the New York Post reported. On April 28, the slide washed up right in front of the beachside home in Belle Harbor, Queens, of Jake Bissell-Linsk, who happens to be the attorney who filed a federal lawsuit against Boeing after the Alaska Airlines door blowout in January. Belle Harbor is about 6 miles southeast of JFK. "I didn't want to touch it, but I got close enough to get a close look at it," Bissell-Linsk said. He said a Delta Airlines crew arrived a few hours later and threw the slide into the back of a truck. "We haven't decided if the slide is relevant to our case," he noted.

ANIMAL ANTICS The large animals are restless lately. On April 28, four zebras made a break for it from a trailer at a highway exit in Washington State, The New York Times reported. Kristine Keltgen was hauling them to her petting zoo in Anaconda, Montana, when the latch on the trailer became loose and the zebras "bolted out." Police officers and volunteers headed up the effort to corral them, but David Danton of Mount Vernon, Washington, was a ringer: Danton is a former rodeo clown and bullfighter. He and his wife happened to be driving by and stopped to help. "It was kind of divine intervention," Danton's wife said. Danton built a makeshift chute leading to a horse pen on a nearby farm. "It's just about being quiet, working them gentle and not getting excited," he said. As of May 2, one of the zebras was still on the lam, but Keltgen was sure it would be found.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF AIR TRAVEL Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight from Washington, D.C., to Phoenix on April 25 were delayed by about 90 minutes after their flight had to make an unplanned stop in Oklahoma City, Simple Flying reported. While AA's official statement called the problem a "mechanical issue," social media reports indicated that the toilets became clogged, and the plane had to land for maintenance. One traveler posted: "I was on this flight. Apparently, the lavatory tanks were NOT emptied from the previous LAX to DCA flight the night before."

TOURISTS BEHAVING BADLY Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, "is a town built on tourism," said Michie Motomochi, the owner of a cafe in the city. So it says a lot that the town began constructing a large black screen on a stretch of sidewalk that is a favorite spot for viewing and photographing Mount Fuji in the distance. The Associated Press reported that construction began on April 30; the screen will be 8 feet high and 65 feet long. "I welcome many visitors," Motomochi said, "... but there are many things about their manners that are worrying," such as littering, crossing the road in traffic, ignoring traffic lights and trespassing. The town has reportedly tried other tactics—signs in multiple languages and security guards—to no avail.

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED Ashley Class of Charlotte, North Carolina, was stumped by her toddler's

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

reports of monsters in the wall of her bedroom, NPR reported. For months, Saylor told her mom she could hear something, but Class chalked it up to the stress of a new baby in the house. She and her husband deployed "monster spray" (water) and pretended to look for the monsters. But finally, Class called a pest control specialist, who went into Saylor's room with a thermal camera. "It lit up like Christmas," Class said. "It was floor to ceiling." Behind Saylor's wall was a 100-pound honeycomb and about 50,000 bees, which the beekeeper removed. But not before the bees had done tens of thousands of dollars in damage. "It's been a nightmare," Class said.

A HARD ACT TO SWALLOW Parashuram, 38, a convict in a Karnataka, India, prison, acted quickly to hide his smuggled-in cellphone when guards raided his cell in early April, The Indian Express reported. Instead of stashing the contraband in a pillowcase or toilet, the convicted murderer serving a life sentence swallowed the phone. When he started complaining of stomach pain, he was transferred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where doctors did an ultrasound. On April 25, he went under the knife to remove the phone, which was stuck at the entrance of the small intestine. The phone had been inside Parashuram for 20 days when it was removed; the prisoner recovered from the surgery and was returned to his cell.

NEWS YOU CAN USE Attention Tornado Alley dwellers: On April 30, as violent storms were coursing around the Midwest, two "rare" versions were detected near Loveland, Oklahoma, Fox Weather reported. Meteorologist Stephen Morgan acknowledged that "some strange things" popped up that night. Turns out, more than 98% of tornadoes spin in a counterclockwise direction. But that night, two tornadoes—technically called anticyclones—were found to be spinning clockwise. Morgan said the anticyclonic tornado "rotated around what you could call a 'normal' tornado. What we saw ... was very rare." The anticyclones are typically smaller and weaker than cyclonic storms. There were no reports of injuries in the area.

SURPRISE! When David Loop of Sierra Pacific Furbabies, a feline rescue organization in California, found a box dumped in front of their office in April, the attached note explained that the "kitten" was found "in Mt. Rubidoux hiking path." But when he opened the box, Loop said instantly, "I'm pretty sure this is a bobcat kitten." Sure enough, Newsweek reported, when Loop contacted a local wildlife center, they thought the bobcat kitten was 3 to 5 weeks old. The furball has been transferred to a wildlife center where it will hang out with other bobcats and eventually be reintroduced to the wild. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2024 Andrews McMeel