Inweekly Nov. 30 2023 Issue

TWINNING

W IT H TH E W AT SO N TW IN S

Independent News | November 30, 2023 | Volume 24 | Number 47 | The Watson Twins / Photo by Elizabeth O. Baker

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winners & losers

outtakes

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news

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6, 7

I worry about that a lot.

buzz

happenings

a&e

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Joshua Encinias, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Dakota Parks, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

contact us info@inweekly.net

Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2023 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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winners & losers

Carolyn Shearman / Photo Courtesy of Lakeview Center

Isaac Lopez / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County

winners

losers

CAROLYN SHEARMAN Lakeview Center

has named Carolyn Shearman, M.Ed., its director of acute services. She will oversee Lakeview Center's central receiving facility (CRF), which is planned to open in 2024, as well as the crisis stabilization unit and addiction receiving facility for its detox program. The CRF will be the newly designated entry point for adults living in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who need a Baker Act screening. Shearman and the CRF team will help ensure a smooth continuum of care from crisis support to the appropriate communitybased care, outpatient treatment or residential program based on individual needs.

SAMANTHA MITCHELL The Davisville Community Center has been well-loved over the years, with a long, rich history in the north end of Escambia County. When Escambia County Facilities Management Department requested a quote to repair the building, Maintenance Technician Samantha Mitchell asked her supervisor if she could take the lead on the project and complete the work in-house instead. He agreed, and Mitchell assembled a team of county staff. The project began in May 2023 and wrapped up by the end of July 2023, at a total cost of approximately $5,000, saving the county $25,000.

NICKLAUS HEATH & SID WILLIAMSHEATH The Gulf Breeze's couple home was

showcased in Southern Living's Holiday issue.

The seven-page spread highlighted their cottage and what it means to live, love and celebrate in Northwest Florida. Nick is a dentist and partner at Gibson & Heath in Gulf Breeze. Sid is the CEO of the Pensacola Little Theatre.

UWF CENTER FOR CYBERSECURITY The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity received a $1.5 million contract from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to expand the CyberSkills2Work program, an intensive cybersecurity training program. The training will be provided online at no cost to approximately 360 participants. It will include technical training and industry certifications to prepare 160 participants as cyber defense analysts, cyber defense infrastructure support specialists, system administrators and industrial control systems threat analysts.

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ISAAC LOPEZ The former Flomaton Police De-

partment lieutenant has been convicted of drug trafficking after an investigation involving law enforcement from two states and the DEA that culminated in Molino. Three years ago, Lopez was arrested after arranging a narcotics deal for methamphetamine from an Escambia County Sheriff's Office investigator. The arrest report stated he arrived on Dec. 7, 2020, at a predetermined location near the ECSO precinct in Molino and accepted the two ounces of methamphetamine from the undercover officer. The cellphone used by Lopez to arrange the meth deal belonged to the Town of Flomaton, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson. As a result, Lopez was charged in Alabama for felony use of an official position or office for personal gain. Lopez entered a plea to one count of trafficking in methamphetamine 28 to 200 grams and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He was sentenced to 10 years in state prison, including a seven-year mandatory minimum on the drug trafficking charge.

CHRIS JANKOWSKI The chief executive of Never Back Down, the super PAC aligned with the presidential campaign of Gov. Ron DeSantis, resigned on the eve of Thanksgiving following internal strife among DeSantis allies, The New York Times reported. Jankowski departed as the PAC's leader a week after two other leaders nearly came to blows during a strategy meeting. Jankowski served as the executive director of the REDMAP Project at the Republican State Leadership Committee, which developed the strategy that gave control of state legislatures in the 2012 Congressional elections and a 33-seat margin in the 113th Congress. In a written statement, Jankowski said, "Never Back Down's main goal and sole focus has been to elect Gov. Ron DeSantis as president. Given the current environment, it has become untenable for me to deliver on the shared goal, and that goes well beyond a difference of strategic opinion."

WE ARE PERDIDO On Monday, State Rep. Alex

Andrade announced he would not file a local bill to place the question of Perdido's incorporation on the 2024 ballot. He cited that significant changes needed to be made to the proposal before he can bring it to the Florida Legislature. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

NOT SURPRISED This year, we've had two surprises that weren't really surprises—Baptist Hospital's abandonment of its old E Street campus and Escambia Children's Trust's problems holding its grant recipients accountable.

In June 2019, Baptist CEO Mark Faulkner announced the hospital's relocation to Brent Lane and its $650-million investment in a new campus. He assured the public the healthcare system would keep clinical services at its E Street location, and Baptist would "remain a vital part of the community where it was founded."

The press release stated, "The E Street campus will be redesigned as a hub for an expansion of vital community-based services that are more efficiently and effectively provided outside the conventional hospital setting."

In May 2022, Baptist officials announced their redevelopment vision with much fanfare after more than three years of research, community discussions and input from urban planning experts. Its survey of those within walking distance of the E Street campus said they placed a priority on healthcare over affordable housing for the redevelopment. The vision committed that Baptist would ensure there would be a solution for healthcare that meets the needs of the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Baptist VP Jennifer Grove told the Pensacola City Council, "We are fortunate that we have access to the data for patients, how they access our services there, and ultimately to receive what sort of services. So absolutely, we will ensure not just that we will serve them just over two miles up the street, but that there will be an appropriate healthcare solution for the needs of the immediate neighborhood within this redevelopment vision as well."

This past September, we learned those were lies. Baptist leadership hoped no one would remember the press releases, speeches and community input sessions. They either believed the public would be dazzled by their new stateof-the-art facilities or wouldn't care about fibs told to the Black community.

But Inweekly did ask about what medical services Baptist planned to leave at E Street.

Grove said, "We, Baptist, are not going to have medical clinical services here following the November 30, 2023

move. We have team members staying, but they're not clinical."

Baptist had offered an old building prone to flooding to Community Health Northwest Florida but had no plan B when Community Health rejected it.

Fortunately, Baptist still may have to face its commitments because it needs the City of Pensacola, Escambia County and the Florida Legislature to bail it out. The healthcare system has no plans on how to pay for the demolition of its old hospital and needs someone to pick up the $18 million tab.

The Escambia Children's Trust had more than $16 million in its checking account and had a burning desire to get money into the hands of providers serving Escambia County children.

We worried about accountability and how the Trust would track nonprofits that rarely have had to report measurable outcomes. We had seen how poorly the first grant recipients had performed when they received funds to bridge the summer learning gap in July 2022.

When staff asked the Trust board to approve $5.85 million for a wide range of outof-school time programs, we worried about the providers' credentials and their ability to meet the goals outlined in their proposals.

Very few of the proposals offered plans to show empirical data to prove how much their programs made a difference in the lives of their participants. We suggested the after-school programs should be measured by similar supporting documentation, such as report cards and test scores, before and after.

Rather than putting out broad requests for proposals, we suggested the Trust target specific needs as shown in its Needs Assessment report and invest in more modest pilot programs with experienced providers. The successful pilots could then be expanded to other parts of the community.

Instead, we have a hodgepodge of programs and possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid for salaries, travel, equipment and materials with very little accountability and measurable outcomes. The mess may take months to clean up.

Sadly, these "surprises" have become major disappointments. {in} rick@inweekly.net

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DREAMING TO FLY

Capt. Victor Glover / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County

By Rick Outzen General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., Southern Youth Sports Association (SYSA) and County Commissioner Lumon May hosted the Black Aviators Network and young Black aviators from area bases for Aviation Community Day at Legion Field. Children from the SYSA and the East Pensacola Rattlers, Pensacola's two innercity youth sports associations, got to meet and interact with these inspirational heroes.

"We had over 67 Black aviators who came to Pensacola, and we decided to just bring them out to the community and allow them to meet the children down at Legion Field on Friday, Nov. 10, to kick off Veterans Day weekend," Commissioner May said. "There are only 200 Black aviators, and they came to inspire the next generation of young people that we have in our urban core. This is the first time that's ever happened."

The Black Aviators Network (BAN) was founded in Pensacola in 1982 to provide mentorship and advice to minority student naval aviators. It is an informal group of active duty, former, retired and reserve aviators who work with the National Naval Officers Association and U.S. Navy leadership to track the progress of minority students and identify systemic 66

impediments to their success in the training program. The group's focus is to provide timely career advice in the field of aviation to those who seek it, as well as a forum for lifelong networking and mentorship.

"All of these guys have served at NAS Pensacola once upon a time," May said. "Typically, they would just go visit a school, but they said they wanted to come out and work with the children. We brought a couple hundred of our young people out from Attucks Court, Morris Court and Shantytown—young people who would never, ever get the opportunity to meet a pilot; let alone a fighter pilot."

He continued, "Most of my kids didn't know what a fighter pilot was, but these men took time to talk to them about air traffic control, aircraft mechanics, about what it takes to become an admiral. We had a lot of the retired aviators that came out. I think, all together with active and retired, we had over a hundred African-American aviators just standing outside, walking around, playing with paper planes and holding other contests with children."

CAPT. VICTOR GLOVER

The Aviation Community Day honored special guest Capt. Victor Glover, who made history as the first Black astronaut to live longterm aboard the International Space Station in

2021. Glover has been selected to pilot NASA's Artemis II lunar mission in 2024.

Following commissioning, Glover began preflight training in Pensacola and completed his advanced flight training in Kingsville, Texas, earning his wings of gold in 2002. He was assigned to the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-34 and completed the final deployment of the USS John F. Kennedy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed, he completed a Space Systems Certificate from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).

Glover was then selected as the U.S. Navy's exchange pilot to attend the Air Force Test Pilot School. During the one-year experimental test piloting course, he flew more than 30 aircraft in the U.S. and Italy. During his more than two decades in the U.S. Navy, Glover has accumulated 3,000 flight hours in more than 40 aircraft, more than 400 carrier arrested landings and 24 combat missions.

In 2013, NASA selected him as one of eight members of its 21st astronaut class while serving as a legislative fellow in the U.S. Senate.

He completed Astronaut Candidate Training, including scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training.

SpaceX Crew-1 and Expedition 64 (Nov. 15, 2020-May 2, 2021) was the first postcertification mission of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft—the second crewed flight for that vehicle—and a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. He also served as the flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 64. Glover completed 168 days in orbit and participated in four spacewalks.

This past April, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced the four astronauts who will venture around the moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence on the moon for science and exploration. Glover was named the mission's pilot.

"The Artemis II crew represents thousands of people working tirelessly to bring us to the stars. This is their crew, this is our crew, this is humanity's crew," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at the press conference. "NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Hammock Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, each has their own story, but, together, they represent our creed: E pluribus unum—out of many, one. Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers—the Artemis generation."

The approximately 10-day Artemis II flight test will launch on the agency's powerful Space Launch System rocket, prove the Orion spacecraft's life-support systems and validate the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space. It builds upon the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission

completed in December 2022, sets the stage for the first woman and first person of color on the moon through the Artemis program, paving the way for long-term human exploration missions to the moon, and eventually Mars.

LEGION FIELD

The Aviation Community Day began with a military helicopter landing on Legion Field.

During the event, Capt. Glover presented Commissioner May with a distinguished set of Naval Astronaut Wings and an emblematic flag that had been ceremoniously flown aboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 64/65.

"Capt. Glover talked to kids about how our country needs them to become the critical thinkers and problem solvers of tomorrow," Commissioner May said. "He said you can be more than an astronaut—what a challenge and what an encouraging word to give to a little kid.

You could see the inspiration in their eyes."

He continued, "Our goal always has been to get role models in front of the kids. Many of these kids see athletics as a path, and we've had a small group become professional athletes. But this event showed them if you apply yourself in school, do your math, do your sciences, those can lead to something more."

"Capt. Glover talked to kids about how our country needs them to become the critical thinkers and problem solvers of tomorrow."

Lumon May Commissioner May said the event was one the children will remember for the rest of their lives. It also demonstrated the Black community's connection to the military.

"We're very fortunate to have Keith Hoskins, a Blue Angel, who has settled Pensacola," he said. "But to have an astronaut come and spend three days in our community was just an awesome opportunity. We are the Cradle of Naval Aviation, and we have launched the careers of so many of these Black aviators. We have people in the Pentagon, White House and NASA. To me, it was just an awesome experience."

Commissioner May added, "When we talk about tourism, military and economic development, I'm struck by the impact of having hundreds and hundreds of people come back to Pensacola for Veterans Day weekend—people who all have overachieved and have done great things. They all love coming back to Pensacola, and they love inspiring the next generation of youth to go and do even more."

The commissioner also gave special thanks to the Black Aviators Network, General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., the East Pensacola Rattlers and the Southern Youth Sports Association for supporting the event. {in} inweekly.net

THE PRICE OF DAILIES' DECLINE

By Tom St. Myer Imagine driving the interstate without fear of a police officer pulling you over. Your foot might push down on the gas pedal just a little harder.

Now imagine elected officials governing with no journalists monitoring their actions.

Would they follow the letter of the law or cut corners and play fast and loose with the rules?

It's safe to say some would cross the line.

Fortunately, the absence of journalists is not an issue in Pensacola, where newspapers, TV stations and radio stations hold officials accountable.

But it is the case in more than 200 counties in the U.S., according to research by the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.

Its annual "State of Local News Project" identified another 228 counties at an elevated risk of becoming news deserts in the next five years. Most of those counties are in high-poverty areas in the South and Midwest and serve

November 30, 2023

communities with significant Black, Hispanic and Native American populations.

Overall, more than half the counties in the U.S. have no local news source or only one remaining outlet, which is typically a weekly newspaper. So, what happens in counties without news outlets? Research indicates corruption surges, government spending rises, government borrowing increases and civic participation declines as the number of candidates running for office and voter turnout plummets.

Medill visiting professor Penny Abernathy said the loss of local news outlets, particularly in underserved communities, poses a crisis to our democracy.

More than 130 newspapers closed or merged this past year, and the newspapers staying open are, in many cases, operating with skeleton crews. The nation has lost two-thirds of its newspaper journalists since 2005. Some outlets that refer to themselves as newspapers do so without any journalists and simply regurgitate others' reporting, according to Tim Franklin, who directs

the Medill Local News Initiative and serves as the John M. Mutz Chair in Local News.

"The local news crisis is actually even worse than the news desert problem because of ghost newspapers," said Franklin, who spent 32 years at prominent newspapers including the Baltimore Sun, Indianapolis Star and Orlando Sentinel.

He continued, "We did a spot check of 70 Gannett and Lee publications across the country and found about three dozen of them don't list any local journalists at those publications. …

We don't have hard numbers, but we estimate there are more than 1,000 ghost newspapers across the country, which are essentially providing little to no local news coverage."

That is a staggering number, considering only about 6,000 newspapers remain, of which 4,000 are weeklies.

The decline in newspapers dates back nearly 30 years to the rise of the internet. Flush with advertising dollars, newspapers provided their content online for free throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s. Advertising dollars eventually slowed, though, and newspapers became more dependent on subscriptions for revenue. The shift to digital subscriptions met resistance from a public use to free consumption. The resistance still exists among those generations.

"When the history of this era is written, I think that's going to go down as one of the major blunders," Franklin said. "The thinking at the time was that local digital news would be kind of like local radio. Local radio is supported via advertising, not through subscriptions like printed newspapers were at the time, so I think the thought was, 'We'll generate enough ad revenue off digital that it will support the work.'"

About 80% of the budget for local newspapers just a decade ago came from advertising.

Today, more than half the revenue for most newspapers comes from selling copies or subscriptions. Franklin said newspapers are pressured to produce quality digital content with skeleton staffs. He questions how many of the 4,000-plus weeklies will be able to transition to a digital product that satisfies customers.

"One of the things that keeps me up at night is, 'Are those weeklies going to have the techno-

logical infrastructure and capacity to make this pivot to digital in a way that's relevant and helpful to people in their communities?'" Franklin said. "And will they have the money to invest in technology to make this transition to digital as well? I worry about that a lot."

The Medill report indicates about 550 digital-only local news sites, but they are primarily in metropolitan areas. The number of local digital startups roughly equals the number that have shuttered.

So how do people who live or will live in news deserts gather information? Cable news is one source, but that comes with repercussions.

Franklin attributes our hyper-partisan society to a reliance on cable news.

Another option is social media. Communities in news deserts often rely on Facebook or other social media groups to report and gather information. The credibility of that information is dependent on your trust in the provider.

"Look, it's great that people want to participate in civic activities online and in social media, but the problem with a Facebook group is you don't have a professionally trained journalist who is fact-checking information, who is interviewing sources, who is checking documents, who is checking clips, who can put that commentary in Facebook groups under the microscope and vet it," Franklin said. "What that leads to is more misinformation and disinformation that's getting out into the community. We have kind of a growing cancer of disinformation and misinformation in this country."

Disinformation and misinformation will only spread if news outlets continue to die. Franklin said local news organizations serve as the glue or fabric that helps knit a community together. Take away the local news organization, and in some ways, you take away the community's identity.

"They're writing about neighbors and local schools and little leagues and community events and the kinds of things that make people feel connected to their community," Franklin said. "When you don't have journalists covering those things and writing about those things, I think you lose a sense of community, and there's a sense of disconnectedness that sets in. I think that's already setting in, in large parts of the country." {in}

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the once-daily newspapers, and others.

Owens has told the media the information was given to him anonymously.

Inweekly asked Bergosh if he or anyone questioned former IT director Bart Siders about how the data could have been downloaded undetected off the servers under his supervision. Siders resigned in August 2022.

This past summer, the county asked the FBI to investigate the matter.

"I believe (Siders) has been spoken with by the agents looking into this," Bergosh said. "I personally spoke with him. I was very disappointed. I've known him for 20 years.

He and I coached together; our kids play ball together. He told me unequivocally that he had no idea how it happened. I'd like to be a guy that takes him at his word."

The commissioner continued, "My understanding is when he was approached by law enforcement, he got a lawyer. So, I don't know what to think, and I don't think a lot of us will know what to think until we are able to read the report, which is classified confidential right now until the U.S. attorney gets done looking at it and makes his determination whether or not he has enough to prosecute."

Baptist Hospital's former campus /Photo by Tim Bednarczyk

FINDING A VISION Mayor D.C. Reeves has called a community meeting to help shape the vision of the future for the Baptist Hospital's former campus in the West Moreno District Legacy Campus.

In an email to community leaders, Reeves wrote, "If done right, we could help set in motion a project that improves the quality of life for so many, including options with housing, education, safety, workforce development and more. These types of transformational projects are taking place around the country, and I believe that this is a vital opportunity for our city to do it right."

Baptist Hospital set aside no funds to demolish the old hospital and its medical towers after it moved to its new $650-million campus on Brent Lane. The hospital has offered to gift the land to the City of Pensacola if Mayor Reeves and his team can get about $18 million from the state for demolition. To help secure funding, the City needs to have a vision for the site.

The mayor invited James Lima and Gerry Barousse to make presentations 8:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Bayview Community Center.

Baptist hired Lima of JLP+D to do a lot of the visioning work in recent years, and he 88

brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the old campus, what the surrounding community has to say about the project and tons of context.

"Before we started discussing the future, I thought it was important as a community to lay out where we stand and what we know today," Mayor Reeves said. "Baptist is partnering with the city to bring James in to discuss his findings, reports and thoughts on the project."

will discuss what a purpose-built community is and its benefits. More than 120 communities have come to visit their project. He will discuss what they have done at the Bayou District Foundation in New Orleans and how he thinks that model can be applied here at the Baptist Hospital Campus."

RSVP is required to attend. Contact Alex Smith at AlexSmith@cityofpensacola.com with an RSVP and any questions.

"These types of transformational projects are taking place around the country, and I believe that this is a vital opportunity for our city to do it right." D.C. Reeves

PERSONAL DATA LEAK Escambia County

Barousse developed the Bayou District Foundation in New Orleans, an impressive community with housing, education, and services that was built on the site of a former public housing project.

"I had a chance to tour the site, and Gerry is familiar with our project," Reeves said. "He

has filed suit against Jonathan Owens, an aide to former County Commissioner Doug Underhill, Alexander Arduini, and Gannett, owner of the Pensacola News Journal, seeking recovery of electronic data files and associated physical storage devices containing approximately 60,000 lines of text messages from the personal cellphone of County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.

In early 2022, the commissioner had trouble with his cell phone and asked the county's IT department to help retrieve the data so he could preserve the information considered to be public records. Someone stole the data off the county's server and gave it to Owens, who then passed it on to attorneys suing the county,

SHOTSPOTTER The Escambia County Sheriff's Office has implemented its ShotSpotter Technology system, a stateof-the-art program that detects gunfire in specific areas. Sheriff Chip Simmons and the Pensacola Police Department partnered in asking the Florida Legislature for the funds to launch the state-of-the-art system in a six-mile area that crosses both agencies' jurisdictions. Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, and Rep. Alex Andrade, RPensacola, sponsored the bill that successfully got the $850,000 appropriation for a two-year subscription to the service.

"We've had ours up for about two weeks now," said Sheriff Simmons on "Real News with Rick Outzen" on Tuesday, Nov. 21. "We've had about 17 shots that were detected, but they all seem to be in backyards and shooting into the ground and that sort of thing."

He continued, "The technology is going to integrate well with our Real-Time Crime Center, which we should have up probably in the middle of January. The room itself is up, and we're waiting for some of the technology to come in and to get that up and running. We're going to have a couple of people from the Pensacola Police Department that are going to be embedded with us. So, this is a true collaboration, probably like we've never seen."

CONNECTING YOUTH TO JOBS As the City of Pensacola prepares to build two more hangars for its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) campus for ST Engineering at Pensacola International Airport. Erica Grancagnolo, the City's economic and neighinweekly.net

borhoods development director, and her staff have begun reaching out to area youth to get them involved in training programs for the MRO program.

Last February, Pensacola State College and ST Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding to open an Aviation Maintenance Training Academy at the airport. The academy will train the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals (AMP).

"This is the reason why you do economic development, because you need to create jobs for your young people," Grancagnolo said. "This is what's going to make this project important and impactful for our community."

"This is the reason why you do economic development, because you need to create jobs for your young people." Erica Grancagnolo She continued, "In my office, we have a gentleman named Kelsey Powell. The previous mayor hired him as a community liaison to work with at-risk youth. We're transitioning that to a workforce position. He's taking his connections with these kids, their families and the schools, and he is connecting that with ST directly."

Most youth have no idea what an AMP mechanic is or what the wages are for the job.

Grancagnolo said, "We're connecting those dots, and we're going to expose those kids to this training opportunity. Pensacola State College is an excellent partner to help make this a reality."

TEACHER PAY RAISES On Nov. 15, Escambia County Public Schools, the Escambia Education Association (EEA), and the Union of Escambia Education Staff Professionals reached an agreement to improve salaries for the 2023-2024 school year.

The agreement commits to a 3% raise for all teachers, a performance payment and an ESE Self-Contained supplement. The Ed. Support employees, except school board operators, will receive a 1% COLA, and eligible employees will receive a 2% step roll. The school bus operators' hourly rate will increase from $16.14 to $17.61.

Other select employee groups will receive pay grade increases, and two supplements were also added. Visit escambiaschools.org/laborrelations for specific details.

The school board extended a $1,000 Recruitment and Retention bonus to be paid in two $500 installments to the employees of both bargaining units. The first of these payments is scheduled to be deposited on the last day of school before the Winter Holiday break.

Over the next few weeks, the unions will advertise and deliver ratification packets and ballots to each work site. The union votes will likely occur the week of Dec. 11, and the school board will approve the agreements on Monday, Dec. 18.

November 30, 2023

BRIGHT IDEA Mayor D.C. Reeves praised his grant writers, Joel Hollon and Kevin Boyer, whom Inweekly recently featured (Inweekly, City Game-Changers, 11/23/23).

"It's the one decision that makes me look way smarter than I am," he said. "They've brought in $72 million in a matter of eight months or so. It's not just finding a grant and applying for it when you see how robust these applications are and how much information you need."

The mayor continued, "There's a reason not every city does it as aggressively, because it's a lot of work. So, to have two people that wake up every morning trying to figure out how to get these things across the finish line, it takes someone who's collaborative. I mean, you've got to kind of poke the shoulder of a lot of people around this City that are working on day-to-day operations and say, 'Hey, I need this information.'"

The information Hollon and Boyer gather for the grant applications also helps the mayor when he makes presentations to state agencies.

Reeves said, "When it's time for us to hit the road and go to Tallahassee and advocate and talk to leadership in these different organizations, I have the data to make sure that we have a chance to be most successful."

He added, "That formula has really, really worked for us and certainly has helped us punch above our weight class up here in the Panhandle."

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HELP WITH HOMELESS COUNT The Point in Time (PIT) count and Survey is an annual event providing a snapshot of homelessness in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The data collected during this event helps secure funding for vital resources, informs policy at federal and local levels and guides how our community allocates resources.

Service providers and volunteers are planning to canvass "known locations," such as shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, as well as camps across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties during several days the week of Jan. 22-28, 2024.

Opening Doors Northwest Florida is asking organizations to join the 2024 PIT count. If you accept this invitation, they will deploy trained volunteers to survey your customers and assign a site leader to each location. Or you may have your volunteers/staff members trained to complete the surveys.

Surveys take an average of 5 minutes per person. You can find the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/XCWDQB7.

Opening Doors wants to cast a wide net and asks for those who work with homeless individuals to be sure we don't miss anyone. Counts can significantly increase a community's ability to take action toward ending homelessness.

CRA PAUSE The City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency has temporarily paused the acceptance of new Residential Property Improvement Program (RPIP) appli-

Tired of suffering from droopy eyelids? Uplift your eyelids with the once daily eye drop, Upneeq. Call now to schedule your appointment with the eye care specialists at Terrezza Optical: 850-434-2060 9

cations in all districts to allow the program to transition to a new management software and address excessive wait times in some districts.

Due to the large influx of applications, a new software system known as Neighborly will be employed to manage program applications and data more efficiently beginning in early 2024. Once the new software has launched, the application cycle will reopen for districts with estimated wait times of two years or less. Districts with estimated wait times exceeding two years will remain closed and reopen once wait times are reduced to two years or less.

At this weekly presser, Mayor Reeves said the CRA has a nine-year waiting list for the Eastside CRA. "We've got a new software system that'll help manage our applications a little bit better, and that'll start in early 2024. Once we have that going, the application cycle for the districts that have wait times of two years or less."

The CRA's Residential Resiliency Program will not close and remain open through the transition period and any RPIP closures. During periods of closure, interested property owners can also sign up to be notified when the cycle reopens by completing the registration form on the CRA Programs page. To learn more, visit cityofpensacola.com.

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY The

Association of Fundraising Professionals West Florida Chapter proudly announced recipients of the 2023 National Philanthropy Day awards hosted at the Museum of Commerce.

The honorees were Health & Hope Clinic for Outstanding Faith-Based Organization, Teresa Burgess for Outstanding Champion of Diversity and Inclusion, UWF Student Ambassadors for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz for Outstanding Business, Brooke Potrzeba for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, Theresa Gail May Foundation for Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation, Darrell Gooden for Outstanding Philanthropist, Blaise Moehl for Outstanding Fundraising Professional and Lewis Bear, Jr. for Legacy Award posthumously.

National Philanthropy Day is designed to celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of giving, volunteering and charitable engagement within our community.

OPIOID ABATEMENT FUNDING SURVEY Escambia County's Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board wants public input on how to spend the funds from the National Opioid

Settlement. The board asks you to complete a survey by the end of Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Complete the survey online at rb.gy/h8539o or print it and email your answers to homelessness@myescambia.com. Surveys can also be completed and dropped off at the Escambia County libraries and community centers.

Funding is intended to be used for programs that will benefit the community. The four main categories identified to help address the opioid epidemic are criminal justice, harm reduction, prevention and treatment and recovery.

REMINDER Escambia County invites the pub-

lic to the Beulah Master Plan Design Charrette on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Beulah Senior Citizens Center, 7425 Woodside Road.

The two-day charrette will allow county staff and Sigma Consulting to engage with citizens further and learn more about planning for Beulah. From 6-8 p.m. Dec. 5, Sigma Consulting will hold a short presentation followed by activities designed to provide Sigma with residents' preferences for design improvements to the Beulah Master Plan. From 1-5 p.m. Dec. 6, Sigma will use an open design studio format to quantify and consolidate data collected from

the previous day. A presentation will follow the open design studio from 6-7 p.m.

A U.S. Department of Treasury grant funds the Beulah Master Plan under the RESTORE Act program.

BUZZ HISTORY Five years ago: Pensacola

Mayor Grover Robinson asked Blue Wahoos and Studer Properties co-owner Quint Studer to head his transition team. The new mayor asked the public to provide input on our strengths and weaknesses as a city. The transition team included Connie Bookman, Michelle Salzman, Rev. Isaac Williams, Kristie Tobias, Christian Wagley, Sena Maddison, Brian Wyer, Drew Buchanan, David Peaden, Bruce Vredenburg and Julie Sheppard.

Studer asked D.C. Reeves and Walker Wilson to help coordinate the effort.

Ten years ago: Eighteen months after the Vince J. Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park opened, the city had a problem with the retention pond at the park. The liner had floated to the surface, forming a mud island. Hatch Mott MacDonald, the engineering firm hired to be the Community Maritime Park Associates representative for the park's construction, agreed to study what caused the problem and assess whether it was a design or construction issue. {in}

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WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 6

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

Twinning

By Savannah Evanoff

The Watson Twins / Photo by Elizabeth O. Baker

They call it twinergy.

They play the same music on guitar, and they sing the same lyrics—and they do it at the same time on the same stage. Chandra Watson, one-half of the musical duo The Watson Twins and the mirror image of her identical twin sister Leigh, said when they're on stage, they are "super synched up."

"It is really fun to just have a connection with Leigh in that way," Chandra said. "We really just get each other. So there's a lot of times where it's unspoken and instinctual, just how we sort of float in between the music and in between the harmony parts."

Many siblings are close, and a lot of bands have siblings in them, Chandra said. Being twins is "one degree closer," she said.

"We've never really been alone," Chandra said. "Since the moment of conception, there's been two of us."

The Watson Twins' intertwined musical November 30, 2023

destiny began at age 9 when the two started harmonizing in church choir. They grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.

"Before we even really knew what we were doing, we were just doing it," Chandra said. "So it definitely just came very naturally to us. And then when we started writing music and performing our own music, we built on that, just being in tune with one another. Of course, over the years, it's become sort of a signature sound for us."

But before they collaborated on original music, they wrote it separately. Many people ask why.

"I think the honest truth is, as a twin, you also end up sharing a lot of things," Chandra said. "You're sharing a car, you're sharing a room, you're sharing toys, you're sharing parents. So I think when it came to songwriting, that was very, very personal experience."

The two dabbled individually in introspective indie-rock music. They also channeled their

synergistic vocals as backup singers for the likes of Jenny Lewis and Butch Walker—also the Grammy-nominated producer of their latest album.

"It was like, 'Wow, all of these people over the years have included us in their music because of who we are together as the Watson twins, and maybe we should try that; maybe we should try collaborating in that way,'" Chandra said. "Other people are inviting us into their world. Maybe we should explore that world, in our own music."

In 2018, the twins released "Duo," the first record in which they co-wrote every song. Their ability to be transparent was an asset.

"Even though it's a very supportive environment, we can also be honest like, 'Hey, I think we can do this better,' or 'Let's tweak that lyric,' or 'I'm not really feeling the direction of this,'" Chandra said. "We can say those things and be open and honest about it, because there's obviously a lot of trust involved. And so we

had a good time doing that with 'Duo' and then when it came time to start working on 'Holler,' our new record, we were like, 'Well, let's do that again and just take it one step further.'"

That step further started with a crowd favorite called "Two Timin'"—a track that never quite fit into their previous albums.

"It's kind of a honky-tonk fun, joyful song," Chandra said. "I often will joke with the crowd about that one, saying, 'If you don't understand what this song is about, come see me at the merch table.' It's not about dancing. Let's put it that way."

The now Nashville-based twins set out to write an EP around the song and ended up spitballing an entire album that dropped in June. It was "like the fire hose got turned on," Chandra said.

Many of the songs have playful Southern titles, such as the title track, "Honky Tonk Heart" and "Southern Manners." "Sissy Said" was inspired by a memory in a theater lobby after a show.

"This woman came up to us and she was like, 'Oh, y'all are twins,'" Chandra said. "She was like, 'What's your name?' And I was like, 'Oh, I'm Chandra.' And then she goes, 'What's sissy's name?' I thought that was so funny.

We've always called each other sis or sissy, but that's when it really became a thing where we just died laughing … The vibe and feel of it was inspired by Bob Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm.'"

And because the sisters had spent so much time writing thoughtful and reflective music prior, they wanted the messages of "Holler" to be simple and fun, Chandra said. This light-hearted theme also came in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; they wrote the record they needed to hear, she added.

"We were just ready to shift gears and sort of lean into something that felt a little bit more carefree and more about really just the live sense of the band in the room," Chandra said.

"So we recorded it all live, and that was a different approach for us. I think that really comes through on the recording as well. You can feel the energy in the room."

You can feel the twinergy, too. {in}

THE WATSON TWINS

WHAT: The Watson Twins on tour supporting The Wood Brothers WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. COST: $31 DETAILS: thewatsontwins.com, vinylmusichall.com 13

a&e happenings

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

WREATHS OF JOY The Arc Gateway provides

several programs and services that help adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities reach their full potential. During the holiday season, Arc Gateway has two fundraisers to help support those programs. One is the Wreaths of Joy, a silent auction of wreaths celebrating all seasons and holidays. At the Wreaths of Joy Gala, you can see the creations up close and enjoy an evening of great food and performances—all for a great cause. This year's theme is "What a Wonderful World" celebrating cultures around the word. The gala is 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1 at the Hadji Shrine, 800 W. Nine Mile Rd. Tickets are $250 and are available at wreathsofjoy.org. Also, this season is the Tree of Lights, where you can honor someone, or the memory of someone, by adding their name to the tree for a suggested $25 donation. A tree lighting ceremony will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at Cordova Mall (by Dillard's), 5100 N. 9th Ave.

SANTA PUB CRAWL Drink and be merry and

feel no guilt at the Santa Pub Crawl starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox. All of the proceeds benefit not one, but three nonprofits including Toys for Tots, St. Jude Children's Hospital and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. A VIP party will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Registration is $35—a toy valued at $10 or more is also suggested. Learn more at orileyspub.com.

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 414 1

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.

PENSACOLA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY THIRD ANNUAL GALA The Third Annual

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Gala is 5-9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2. This formal event features a cocktail hour, three-course meal, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment at the Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. Tickets are available at pensacolahabitat.org/phfhgala.

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. 9th 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.

CALL TO ARTISTS

JAZZ PENSACOLA'S JAZZFEST POSTER Jazz Pensacola invites fine artists and graphic

designers to submit renderings for the official 2024 Pensacola JazzFest poster.

The commission is $500. The Jazz Pensacola Board of Directors will consider all renderings and make a selection. Initial drafts are due by Jan. 31, 2024. If selected, the completed submission deadline is Feb. 28, 2024.

The poster design should reflect the deep, rich and diverse jazz music heritage of Pensacola and communicate a sense of place. Submissions should conform to a vertical orientation using a ratio that will fit with margin on a final poster size of 18 inches wide by 24 inches high.

All content must be the submitter's original creation and must be unpublished. The submitter must have all rights to images and graphics used in the final artwork and during the design process. The poster must include the name of the festival: 2024 Pensacola JazzFest.

Rough drafts or sketches can be submitted, but, if selected, the final art must conform to the submitted draft or sketch. Substantial deviation from the submitted sketch or draft will result in forfeiture by the artist of the cash prize and the selection of a new winner by Jazz Pensacola.

Submissions must be in low-res (72 ppi) JPEG format and emailed to info@jazzpensacola.com. There is no limit to the number of entries by a single artist. Each entry must include the artist's name, address, email and phone number.

The selected artist is responsible for the preparation of the art for high-resolution reproduction. The artist will be contacted following the selection process and receive technical specifications for the production file.

ARTS & CULTURE

PENSACOLA WINTERFEST Enjoy free, live

performances and schedule holiday trolley tours in downtown Pensacola now through Christmas. Take part in holiday fun at Winterfest Plaza, 223 S. Palafox. To schedule a trolley tour, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.

EAST HILL BUSINESS 2 COMMUNITY EXPO East Hill neighbors and the entire commu-

nity are invited to a special evening of connection and discovery at the Association's first Business 2 Community Business Expo 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 at Bayview Community Center, 2001 E. Lloyd St. Visit myeasthill.org for more.

CHRISTMAS MESSIAH Pensacola Choral Society's performance is 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 and noon Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Cathedral of Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St. Tickets are available at choralsocietyofpensacola.org.

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW Arts and crafts vendors, bake shop, and

concessions are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave.

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE The 2023 Lighted

Boat Parade will set sail from Sabine Marina in Little Sabine Bay at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, do a loop, wind its way around the Santa Rosa Sound/ Boardwalk area and circle back to Sabine Marina.

HOLIDAY MOVIE WEEKENDS AT NAVAL MUSEUM Watch holiday movies on the big

screen at the National Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. Ste. B. "Polar Express" will be shown at 2 p.m. Saturdays Dec. 2, 9 and 16 and "Home Alone" will be shown 2 p.m. Sundays Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Tickets are $10. Cookies and cocoa will be provided.

GERMAN WINTER MARKET Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave., pairs up with Pensacola Arts Market for a special artisan market with bratwursts, pretzels with beer cheese, lots of beer and lots of Glühwein. Markets are 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 17. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.

HOT GLASS COLD BREW First City Art

Center's Friday Hot Glass Cold Brew is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at 1060 N. Guillemard St. The theme is holiday pajama party. Wear your comfiest holiday gear. Tickets are $5-$35. Visit facebook.com/firstcityartcenter for details.

SEX N' THE CITY: A SUPER UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY Show is 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $52-$62 and available at pensacolasaenger.com.

STANDUP COMEDY AT VINYL MUSIC HALL See Mo Alexander and a lineup of other

comics 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20-$30 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS Clear skies permitting, telescopes and binoculars will be set up to capture views of the moon, planets and other celestial objects at Big Lagoon State Park 4-10 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2 at 12301 Gulf Beach Highway. All participants must enter the park prior to sunset.

The front gates will be locked at that time.

MISS FLAWLESS AT LARGE PAGEANT

See who is crowned at the next drag pageant 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3300 N. Pace Blvd.

Tickets are $20. Pay via Cash App at $flawlesspageant. For more information, email taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

EAST HILL MAKERS MARKET Enjoy an

afternoon of holiday shopping, food trucks, kids' activities and more 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Cordova Square Park, 1101 N. 12th Ave. Visit myeasthill.org for details.

AN EVENING WITH SEAN OF THE SOUTH Author Sean Dietrich will host an evening of storytelling and music 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 at The Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox St. Event is a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Get your tickets at bbbsnwfl.org.

CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST Pensacola

Children's Chorus annual Christmas concert with showtimes 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

MARY GUTIERREZ & DEBRA STOGNER POETRY READING AND BOOK SIGNING

Event is 6-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 at Open Books, inweekly.net

a&e happenings 1040 N. Guillemard St. Visit facebook.com/ openbooksbookstore.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola

Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers the second Saturday of every month.

The next date is 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market

every Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m featuring local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. This month they are also hosting additional holiday markets on Wednesday evenings from 4-8 p.m. through Dec. 20 at Plaza Ferdinand for more chances to shop local. 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 Investiga-

tion 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.

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.

November 30, 2023

ROLL-CALL: 2023 ART AND DESIGN FACULTY EXHIBITION The Art Gallery at UWF presents "Roll-Call: The 2023 Art and Design Faculty Exhibition" on view through Dec. 8. The Art Gallery is located at 11000 University Parkway Building 88.

Visit facebook.com/tag82uwf for details.

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS The next Atlas Beverage Class is Thursday, Dec. 7 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St., with classes at 5 and 7 p.m. Cost is $30 plus tax. Reservations are required. Call (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com to reserve your spot.

INSPIRED BY PLACE EXHIBIT RECEPTION

SANTA PAWS & PINTS Enjoy drinks and

Inspired by Place brings together the work of four photographers (Todd Bertolaet, Don Clark, Mark Alan Francis and Roland Miller) who have collaborated in their academic and artistic endeavors for more than 30 years. The exhibit is on view through Dec. 15 at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, 1000 College Blvd.

SUDDENLY AMERICAN: A MEETING OF HERITAGE AND COUNTRY This exhibit looks

at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territory to an American region, which formally occurred in 1821. Florida's embattled history dates back much farther than 1821. From refusing independence during the American Revolution to wanting its own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The U.S. eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida. The Adams-Onis Treaty, debated and initially agreed upon in 1819, resulted in Spain ceding control of East Florida to the U.S. At the same time, Spain also agreed to give up all claims on West Florida, in essence giving the entire Florida territory over to the U.S. Ratified in 1821, the treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America. This exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of History through December. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

MUTTS & MIMOSAS Join Wolfgang Pen-

sacola 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway, for dog paw painting and food and drink specials. Visit facebook.com/wolfgangparkandbrews for details.

DECK THE HALLS WITH JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE Dine at Jackson's Steakhouse,

400 S. Palafox, on select days and enjoy a holiday performance from Pensacola Opera.

Events are 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Call (850) 469-9898 to make your reservation or visit jacksonsrestaurant.com.

CAST IRON STEAK NIGHT WITH CHEF EDWARD LORDMAN Interactive cooking

class is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $23. Reserve your spot at facebook.com/bodaciousshops.

HOLIDAY BAKING SERIES: CHRISTMAS TREATS OF THE WORLD Three-part cooking

photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Live music is at 2:30 p.m. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

GREEN THUMB WINE TASTINGS Join Green Thumb Wines every first Friday of the month for a free wine tasting 6-8 p.m. at 9 E. Gregory St. For more information, visit greenthumbwines.com.

SATURDAY SIPS ON THE SIDEWALK Stop

by Green Thumb Wines, 9 E. Gregory St., every Saturday for wine selections. Visit greenthumbwines.com for details.

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. 9th 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.

JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE FRIDAY LUNCH SERVICE Jackson's Steakhouse, 400

S. Palafox St., is now open for lunch service 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. Chef Irv Miller has created a new lunch menu, which includes selections of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, featured plates and hand-selected steaks. Visit jacksonssteakhouse.com to see a full menu.

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.

BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for Bar Bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

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.

series class is 5-7 p.m. Dec. 5-7. Learn to make Indian Christmas cake, cranberry cream cheese babka, and croquembouche. Cost is $150 per student. For details and tickets, visit facebook. com/pensacolacooks.

TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowl-

HANDS-ON SUSHI ROLLING Sushi making

TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS

101 with Chef Summer is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Cost is $23. Reserve your spot at facebook.com/bodaciousshops.

edge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

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. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

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

MARAUDA Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $25 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

LEANNA FIRESTONE Show is 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $24-$28 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

THE PROPHECY SHOW: THE MUSIC OF TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Show is

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $55-$85 and available at pensacolasaenger.com.

STEELN' PEACHES: AN ALLMAN BROTHERS REVUE Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2

at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20-$45 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

FLYING RACCOON SUIT, GOODWIN RAINER, HOPOUT, KARATE LITERATURE Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at The

Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $12$15 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

THE WOOD BROTHERS Show is 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $31 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

THE DWARVES, RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS, HIRS COLLECTIVE, PAUPERS GRAVE

Show is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $20-$25 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ Visit Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music on select days.

•Tuesdays: Greg Bond 5:30-8:30 p.m.

•Thursdays: John Wheeler 6-8 p.m.

•Saturdays: Glenn Parker Band 6:30-10 p.m.

•Sundays: Curt Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

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is a 300-lap super late model stock car race held annually at the Five Flags Speedway a half-mile paved oval track. Catch the races Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3. Pits open 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

Located at 7451 Pine Forest Road. Tickets and information available at 5flagsspeedway.com/ snowball-schedule.

USO RUNWAY 5K All registered participants receive an event t-shirt, race bib with timing and a medal. Race is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 from Pensacola International Airport, 2430 Airport Road. More information is at https:// runpensacola.com/event/runway-5k.

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.

CELEBRATE THE GULF Join Healthy Gulf for a hands-on education event 11:30 a.m.-5 pm.

Saturday, Dec. 2 at Red Fish Blue Fish, 5 Via de Luna Drive Unit B. A portion of sales at the restaurant will benefit Healthy Gulf. Learn more at facebook.com/healthygulf.

GOAT YOGA AT GARY'S BREWERY Class is

for ages 8 and older. No yoga experience is necessary. Class is 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Get tickets and more information at facebook.com/garysbrew.

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS The Pensacola Ice Flyers 2023-24 season home games are held at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are available at pensacolabaycenter.com.

Upcoming dates: •7:05 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 •7:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 PUBLIC SKATE Ice skating sessions are available through April at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are $12-$15. Season passes and group rates available at the box office or by emailing sjette@pensacolabaycenter.com.

Upcoming dates: •9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 •9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 •1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 BIKE PENSACOLA DECEMBER SLOW RIDE The December Slow Ride is 10 a.m. Sat-

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.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues Soci-

night 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.

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

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodi-

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

Wednesdays. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.

ous Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday 616 1

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.

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 Karaoke starts at 9 p.m.

Sunday at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.

FITNESS + RECREATION

56TH ANNUAL SNOWBALL DERBY The

Snowball Derby presented by Bayou Fox Hooters

urday, Dec. 9, starting from Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. and will go along Gonzalez Street. For more information, visit facebook. com/bikepensacola.

YOGA WITH MARNI AT HA-YA Visit HaYa 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 of every month. A free fish dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. with the seminar beginning at 7 p.m. and typically lasting about an hour. Visit facebook.com/hlsseminar for details. inweekly.net

a&e happenings 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.

FREE YOGA CLASSES AT COMMUNITY HEALTH NORTHWEST FLORIDA Com-

munity Health Northwest Florida offers free yoga classes to people ages 18 and older. No experience is required. The classes are led by Justin Nutt. Visit facebook.com/healthcarewithinreach for more information.

Schedule: Mondays 10-11 a.m. Community Chair Yoga at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. Desoto St. Tuesdays 10-11 a.m., Gentle Movement at Palafox Two, 1380 N. Palafox St. Wednesdays 10-11a.m., Community Chair Yoga at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. Desoto St. Thursdays 10-11 a.m., Gentle Movement at Palafox Two, 1380 N. Palafox St. Fridays 10-11 a.m., Community Chair Yoga at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. Desoto St.

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 at thewayyoumove.us.

November 30, 2023

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.

FREE YOGA IN THE PARK Breathe Yoga and

Wellness Center will offer free yoga throughout 2023 as a part of its Wellness in the Park Series.

One-hour outdoor yoga classes will be led by Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center at 9:30 a.m. the first Sunday of every month at Bayview Park. The next date is Sunday, Dec. 3.

FREE PILATES IN THE PARK The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department and PURE Pilates presents free one-hour outdoor Pilates classes at 10:30 a.m. the third Sunday of every month at Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St. The next date is Sunday, Dec. 17.

PENSACOLA PARKRUN The Pensacola

Rec Plex North Parkrun is 7:30 a.m. Saturdays.

The weekly timed 5K run or walk takes place at the University of West Florida and is open to everyone, regardless of fitness level. For more

information, visit facebook.com/rpnparkrun or email recplexnorth@parkrun.com.

YOGA CLASSES AT EVER'MAN Beginner

Yoga with John is 10 a.m. Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.

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

KID-FRIENDLY

SCIENCE SATURDAYS AT IHMC IHMC's

popular monthly science enrichment series has sessions slated for the science of the mind, game design, healthy wetlands and more.

Programs for grades 3-4 are 9-10:30 a.m. and grades 5-6 are 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Each session is led by an IHMC researcher or community scientist. Visit ihmc.us/life/science_saturdays for details.

•Dec. 17: Illusions, Dr. Toshi Miyatsu

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) 4261156 or email lewilliams@myescambia.com.

STEM PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY The National Flight Academy of-

fers a lineup full of fun STEM-based programs for kids this fall, which are now open for registration. "Adventures" is a one-day program that introduces fourth- and fifth-grade students to STEM, with topics ranging from flying drones to navigating through hurricanes. The program is offered 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call for availability.

"Deployment," the NFA's flagship program, is a six-day, five-night deployment for seventh-12th grade students. Attendees live aboard the virtual aircraft carrier Ambition, a 102,000-square-foot, four-story structure. The Deployment program envelops them into life as a Naval Aviator aboard a modern aircraft carrier. Missions progressively become more challenging throughout the week as the AXPs advance their aviation science skills as well as their communication skills. Christmas Break Deployment dates are Dec. 11-16 and Dec. 18-22. Deployments begin at noon Sunday and end at noon Friday with a graduation ceremony in the National Naval Aviation Museum's Blue Angels Atrium.

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

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free will astrology WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): As a child,

I loved to go to a meadow and whirl around in spirals until I got so dizzy, I fell. As I lay on the ground, the earth, sky and sun reeled madly, and I was no longer just a pinpoint of awareness lodged inside my body, but was an ecstatically undulating swirl in the kaleidoscopic web of life. Now, years later, I've discovered many of us love spinning.

Scientists postulate humans have a desire for the intoxicating vertigo it brings. I would never recommend you do what I did as a kid; it could be dangerous for some of you. But if it's safe and the spirit moves you, do it. Or at least imagine yourself doing it. Do you know about the Sufi whirling dervishes who use spinning as a meditation? Read about them at tinyurl.com/joyofwhirling and tinyurl.com/sufispinning.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Your power creature in the coming weeks will not be an eagle, wolf, bear or salmon. I don't advise you to dream of being a wild horse, tiger or crocodile. Instead, I invite you to cultivate a deep bond with the mushroom family. Why? Now is a favorable time to be like the mushrooms that keep the earth fresh.

In wooded areas, they eat away dead trees and leaves, preventing larger and larger heaps of compost from piling up. They keep the soil healthy and make nutrients available for growing things. Be like those mushrooms, Taurus. Steadily and relentlessly rid your world of the defunct and decaying parts—thereby stimulating fertility.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Gemini novelist

Geraldine McCaughrean wrote, "Maybe courage is like memory—a muscle that needs exercise to get strong. So I decided that maybe if I started in a small way, I could gradually work my way up to being brave." That is an excellent prescription for you: the slow, incremental approach to becoming bolder and pluckier. For best results, begin practicing on mild risks and mellow adventures. Week by week, month by month, increase the audacious beauty of your schemes and the intensity of your spunk and fortitude. By mid-2024, you will be ready to launch a daring project.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Cancerian neurologist and author Oliver Sacks worked with people who had unusual neurological issues. His

By Rob Brezsny

surprising conclusion: "Defects, disorders and diseases can play a paradoxical role, by bringing out latent powers, developments and evolutions that might never be seen in their absence." In not all cases, but more often than seemed reasonable, he found disorders could be regarded as creative—"for if they destroy particular paths, particular ways of doing things, they may force unexpected growth." Your assignment is to meditate on how the events of your life might exemplify the principle Sacks marvels at: apparent limitations leading to breakthroughs and bonanzas.

My heart sings as I listen to your heart singing in response to new attractions.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): I am falling in love

with how deeply you are falling in love with new ways of seeing and understanding yourself. My heart sings as I listen to your heart singing in response to new attractions. Keep it up, Leo. You are having an excellent influence on me.

My dormant potentials and drowsy passions are stirring as I behold you waking up and coaxing out your dormant potentials and drowsy passions. Thank you, dear.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo journalist Sydney J. Harris offered advice I suggest you meditate on. He wrote, "Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." I bring this to your attention because now is a favorable time to take action on things you have not yet done—and should do. If you put definitive plans in motion soon, you will ensure that regret won't come calling in five years. P.S. Amazingly, it's also an excellent time to dissolve regret you feel for an iffy move you made in the past.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): In contrast to false stereotypes, Medieval Europeans were not dirty and unhygienic. They made soap and loved to bathe. Another bogus myth says the people of the Middle Ages believed the Earth was flat. But the truth was, most educated folks knew it was round. And it's questionable to re-

fer to this historical period as backward, since it brought innovations like mechanical timekeepers, moveable type, accurate maps, the heavy plow and illuminated manuscripts. In this spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to strip away misconceptions and celebrate actual facts in your own sphere. Be a scrupulous revealer, a conscientious and meticulous truth-teller.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Scorpio poet John Berryman said, "To grow, we must travel in the direction of our fears." Yikes! I personally wouldn't want to do that kind of growth all the time. I prefer traveling cheerfully in the direction of my hopes and dreams. But then I'm not a Scorpio. Maybe Berryman's strategy for fulfilling one's best destiny is a Scorpio superpower. What do you think? One thing I know for sure is that the coming weeks will be an excellent time to reevaluate and reinvent your relationship with your fears. I suggest you approach the subject with a beginner's mind. Empty yourself of all your previous ideas and be open to healing new revelations.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Sagittarian poet Nina Cassian said, "I promise to make you so alive that the fall of dust on furniture will deafen you." I think she meant she would fully awaken the senses of her readers. She would boost our capacity for enchantment and entice us to feel interesting emotions we had never experienced. As we communed with her beautiful selfexpression, we might even reconfigure our understanding of who we are and what life is about. I am pleased to tell you, Sagittarius, that even if you're not a writer, you now have an enhanced ability to perform these same services—both for yourself and for others.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): "Some-

times I get lonesome for a storm," says Capricorn singer-songwriter Joan Baez. "A full-blown storm where everything changes." That approach has worked well for her. At age 82, she has released 30 albums and is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She has recorded songs in eight languages and has been honored by Amnesty International for her work on behalf of human rights. If you're feeling resilient—which I think you are—I recommend you, too, get lonesome for a storm. Your life could use some rearrange-

ment. If you're not feeling wildly bold and strong, maybe ask the gods for a mild squall.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Science educator Neil deGrasse Tyson tells us water molecules we drink have "passed through the kidneys of Socrates, Genghis Khan and Joan of Arc." The same prodigious truth applies to the air we breathe: It has "passed through the lungs of Napoleon, Beethoven and Abraham Lincoln." Tyson would have also been accurate if he said we have shared water and air that has been inside the bodies of virtually every creature who has ever lived.

I bring these facts to your attention, Aquarius, in the hope of inspiring you to deepen your sense of connectedness to other beings. Now is an excellent time to intensify your feelings of kinship with the web of life. Here's the practical value of doing that: You will attract more help and support into your life.

Now is an excellent time to intensify your feelings of kinship with the web of life.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I am saying a

prayer for you. I pray to the fates that you will not accept lazy or careless efforts from others. You won't allow their politeness to be a cover-up for manipulativeness. I also pray you will cultivate high expectations for yourself. You won't be an obsessive perfectionist, but will be devoted to excellence. All your actions will be infused with high integrity. You will conscientiously attend to every detail with the faith you are planting seeds that will bloom beautifully in the future.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Read inspirational insights about your astrological sign in my new book: bit.ly/astrologyreal. {in}

freewillastrology.com

newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2023 Rob Brezsny

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inweekly.net

news of the weird WAIT, WHAT? The Saucon Valley School District in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, and The Satanic Temple have come to an agreement, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Earlier in 2023, the district had banned the temple from using its facilities at Saucon Valley Middle School to host the After School Satan Club (motto: Educatin' With Satan). But on Nov. 16, the district agreed to cover the temple's attorney fees and give the club the same access to facilities as "comparable groups." However, The Satanic Temple noted that they do not run the clubs in districts where there are no Christian-based religious programs; since the district's Good News Club appears to be defunct this year, the After School Satan Club will be on hold.

LET THIS BE A WARNING TO YOU Office Christmas parties are on the horizon, so take this cautionary tale to heart: Alana Bechiom filed a lawsuit last week in Los Angeles Superior Court over a Christmas party that went very sideways last year at a San Pedro, California, Taco Bell, where she worked at the time. KTLATV reported that Bechiom's manager invited her to the potluck staff party, and Bechiom brought a bowl of guacamole. When she arrived, she said, she realized her manager had "covered the windows of the restaurant with wrapping paper" and had covered the lobby cameras. She noted that the supervisor had provided alcohol and some staffers were "overserved." After stepping outside for a moment late in the evening, Bechiom returned to find a co-worker "having sex with his wife in front of everyone at the party"; the wife was also kissing the manager and another female co-worker.

Bechiom said she ran out of the restaurant but went back in to get her guacamole bowl, where she found the manager and co-worker vomiting, one in her bowl. Bechiom reported the incident to Taco Bell, and the manager and co-worker were fired, but since then she's been threatened and had her car windows shattered. Bechiom said she has suffered "actual, consequential and incidental financial losses"; her lawsuit names Taco Bell and the franchise owner, who she said "did nothing about the threats." Taco Bell says they "take these claims very seriously."

•Angela Presti of Parma, Ohio, was so excited to bring home her first real Christmas tree and decorate it with her daughter, WKYC-TV reported. But a few hours later, she noticed her face was swollen and "My cheek was hot and itchy," she said. "My tongue, I felt like I could swallow it, except I couldn't swallow and my throat started closing and my breathing was wheezy." Presti called her dad, who rushed her to the emergency room. She said medical staff weren't surprised that it might be the tree; about 7% of the population suffers from Christmas Tree Syndrome, caused not so much by the tree itself as the mold that grows on it in the sales lot. Presti's doctor suggested she go back to an artificial tree.

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

SUPERNATURAL According to the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, a number of "witch bottles," created to deter evil spirits, are washing up along Gulf Coast beaches, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on Nov. 20. The bottles are part of old-school spell casting; they contain objects including iron nails, rusty pins, hair and urine. Jace Tunnell of the institute thinks the bottles originate in the Caribbean and South America. "I've found around eight of these bottles and never opened one. I have five of them on my fence in the backyard since my wife won't let me bring them inside," he said. Tunnell said the bottles are intended to "draw in and trap harmful intentions directed at their owners."

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Three unnamed men were taken into custody in St. Louis, Missouri, on Nov. 16 after accidentally locking themselves in a city jail known as the Workhouse, KSDK-TV reported. The Workhouse, a medium-security lockup, has been empty for more than a year; the trespassers had to call 911 after getting themselves trapped inside. After being sprung, they were arrested for property damage, burglary and stealing.

MYSTERY SOLVED Residents of Tees Valley in Northeast England have been flummoxed by about 1,000 small blue balls that have washed up on their beaches since mid-November, Metro News reported. The bright blue orbs are made of a rubberlike substance, and many people believe the appearance has to do with storms and strong currents disturbing a deposit of balls on the seabed. As it turns out, the balls are called Taprogge balls, after their manufacturer, and they're used to clean the local power station's pipes. Sometimes they get released into the sea, but station officials say there's been no release lately. "They do this every week, they go through with the balls. It's a closed system and the balls shouldn't escape," said Jacky Watson from the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. "They are natural and will biodegrade but are still a hazard. We put the word out locally if people found the balls, they could let us know."

INEXPLICABLE Tapacio Sanchez, 35, wasn't even a guest at the La Quinta Inn in Naples, Florida, when she started taking out her aggressions on the fire suppression systems there on Nov. 18, WINK-TV reported. Managers at the hotel asked Sanchez to leave the premises, but instead she tampered with the HVAC circuit breaker, ripping out internal wiring, and damaged eight sprinkler heads. Next, Sanchez took off for the Olive Garden restaurant next door, where she was discovered in the restroom with a dog (not hers). Police said she was speaking gibberish. She was arrested; the dog was returned to its owner. {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2023 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com November 30, 2023

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Independent News | November 30, 2023 | inweekly.net