Join us for Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves’ 2026 State of the City Address.
CivicCon, in partnership with the City of Pensacola, is hosting this event featuring Mayor Reeves as he shares an overview of key city initiatives, recent accomplishments, and updates on Pensacola’s strategic plan.
This event is free and open to the public and will also be live streamed on the Pensacola News Journal’s Facebook page at facebook.com/pnjnews.
Thursday, Feb. 5
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS The Pensacola Ice Flyers announced their fourth sellout of the 2025-26 season, with 8,082 fans at its Wiener Dog Race Night at the Pensacola Bay Center. Wiener Dog Race Night has become one of the franchise's most popular promotional events, combining professional hockey with family-friendly entertainment. The announcement continues a strong attendance trend for the minor league hockey franchise, which previously sold out its first two games during $5 Nights promotions earlier this season. The third sellout came in December for Military Appreciation Night. Owner Greg Harris praised the community support, saying the consistent sellouts demonstrate excitement around Ice Fly -
Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (CAPC) has appointed LaTasha R. Harris as Head Start Director. Harris began her CAPC career as Family Engagement Coordinator before advancing to Deputy Director in 2024. She brings over 15 years of experience in child welfare and early childhood education to the position. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UWF and a Master of Science in Management-Health Care Administration from Troy University. Harris is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at Nova Southeastern University, with anticipated graduation in May 2026. Harris serves as President of NSU's Graduate Student Government Association, sits on the board of the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and is Vice President of West Flori-
The nonprofit has reacquired the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Escambia County, bringing nearly $100,000 in new funding to strengthen its volunteer services. United Way of West Florida had administered the program locally for 12 years before Council on Aging reclaimed the grant it originally sponsored prior to 2013. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve as Meals on Wheels drivers and provide other support services for older adults. CEO Josh Newby said, "RSVP volunteers strengthen our current programs and further our mission by engaging active older adults in roles that give them great-
Florida's State Board of Education reports critical teacher shortages in seven subject areas, with nearly 12,000 exceptional student education courses and 8,900 English courses taught by uncertified instructors during the 2024-2025 school year. The annual report identifies high-demand fields, including math and science. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas cited student behavioral issues as the primary challenge for teacher recruitment and retention, urging administrators to better support classroom educators. While state officials maintain this isn't a formal teacher shortage declaration, veteran teachers expressed frustration during public comment, noting that new hires often leave within two years for higher-paying careers.
MENT At least 31 people died in ICE custody in 2025, marking the highest death toll in two decades as President Trump's mass detention policies strain an already troubled system. The deaths nearly tripled from 11 in 2024, surpassing the previous peak of 20 during the 2020 COVID outbreak. The only comparable crisis occurred in 2004, when 32 people died during the Bush administration's immigration crackdown. Immigrant rights advocates warn fatalities will continue rising as detention facilities struggle with overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. Amnesty International and the ACLU have documented poor food quality, extreme temperatures, inadequate medical care and sanitation failures. The Trump administration's restrictions on congressional oversight visits have intensified concerns, contributing to an impeachment push against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Florida's Supreme Court voted 5-1 to end the American Bar Association's three-decade role as the state's sole law school accreditor, marking a significant victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis and his minions who have accused the ABA of imposing "woke ideology" through diversity and inclusion requirements. The ruling, led by Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, allows alternative accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, though the ABA remains the only federally-approved programmatic accreditor currently. DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier praised the decision, following Texas's similar move earlier this month. The decision reflects broader efforts to reshape Florida's educational accreditation landscape beyond law schools.
By Rick Outzen
In 2019, community leaders promised this time would be different. Unlike previous efforts that produced magnets and bumper stickers, Achieve Healthy EscaRosa (AHER) would survey residents, develop data-driven plans and actually improve health outcomes. Six years later, the surveys are done, the plans are published and the dashboards are live.
The health problems? Still here—and in some cases, worse.
In 2022, AHER produced its first needs assessment report and hired the University of West Florida Haas Center to develop the Achieve Dashboard, "a free, easy-to-use tool that allows users to better access and understand the metrics that demonstrate the challenges and opportunities our community faces."
The alliance produced a Community Health Improvement Plan for 2023-2025 with six priorities and strategies for each:
1. Healthcare Access would focus on improving access to quality healthcare through a geographical pilot project targeting the north end of both counties. The plan involved engaging grassroots community leaders, identifying service gaps, creating resource guides, conducting listening sessions with residents and implementing solutions based on community feedback.
2. Mental Health would improve collaboration among entities addressing mental health access, treatment and prevention, particularly through the Northwest Florida Mental Health Taskforce. The primary strategy involved creating an interactive process map showing all mental health resources and services, to be published on the Achieve Dashboard.
3. Substance Use would target reducing opioid overdose deaths by increasing awareness of substance use and prevention resources. Key strategies included developing social media toolkits for faith-based and community organizations, expanding engagement to 75 community stakeholders by 2025 and recruiting 93 faith-based organizations to share prevention messaging.
4. Food Insecurity would improve collaboration and coordination among organizations addressing food access issues in both counties. The main objective was to bring together various food programs and task forces under the AHER Food Insecurity Subcommittee.
5. Healthy Community (Overweight/ Obesity) would work to reduce chronic disease impact through healthy lifestyle messaging campaigns. The plan included provider-specific cam-
paigns about physical activity guidelines and asynchronous social media campaigns promoting healthy lifestyle resources to priority populations.
6. Child Well-Being would increase participation in child abuse prevention programs, specifically the Know Child Abuse and Child Safety Matters programs.
AHER released the 2025 Community Needs Assessment report last February without fanfare. The report validated that the six priorities were on target, and while substantial progress was made on collaboration and coordination, the same core health issues persist.
Residents have persistent difficulty accessing mental healthcare, primary care and dental care, especially among the unemployed and uninsured. About 29% of residents still find it hard or very hard to obtain regular screenings.
The Northwest Florida Mental Health Taskforce has improved collaboration and coordination, but residents and leaders continue to experience mental health access as a primary unmet need.
Substance abuse remains a top concern, though it dropped from the top three perceived health issues to sixth. Escambia's overdose death rate is 47 per 100,000, compared to the state average of 31, and white residents are 1.6 times as likely as Black residents to die from overdose.
Food pantries have expanded, but residents still report affordability of healthy food as a major barrier to healthy living. Adult obesity rates remain above the state average in both counties—Escambia 35%, Santa Rosa 31%, Florida 28%. Obesity and "culture of unhealthy living" are now the top perceived health problems, and lack of exercise has moved up to the third most concerning behavior.
Child abuse is no longer in the top three behaviors of concern, dropping from third to eleventh, possibly reflecting some progress. However, disparities in child mortality, infant mortality and child poverty, especially for Black children, remain significant.
Assessing needs provides meaningful benchmarks for our community's healthcare system. Six years of data collection, dashboard development and coordination meetings have improved collaboration among institutions, yet health outcomes for residents remain stubbornly poor.
The question our community faces is whether AHER will remain a compliance exercise that satisfies regulatory requirements, or whether these institutions will commit to move from measuring problems to actually solving them. The next threeyear cycle will reveal which path they choose. {in}
By Tom St. Myer
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance revealed "Project Britain" to the public by distributing a press release with the pertinent details on Jan. 8. Field International Group, a global engineering and manufacturing firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, chose Escambia County for its new United States headquarters and manufacturing operation.
Field International provides precision engineering, tooling and ground support equipment for the aerospace, transport, energy and medical industries. The company promises to invest $8 million in capital expenditures and create 50 new jobs with an average annual wage of $80,000. Field International is considering a second phase of the project that could generate an additional $12 million and 50 jobs at similar pay.
This is clearly a financial boon for Escambia County. But why Escambia? What about Escambia stood out among fierce regional and national competition, and who confidentially played roles during the eight-month courtship? Inweekly sought answers to those questions.
The courting of Field International Group began in April in Atlanta. Florida's Great Northwest, an economic development agency based in Niceville, sent its director of business intelligence, Shane Chadwick, to the MRO Americas (an aviation conference). Field International sent representatives to the same conference. The company sought the ideal location to expand its operations into the United States. In addition to the U.K., the company currently operates in India, China and Singapore.
Chadwick began the dialogue with Field International representatives, selling Northwest
Florida as the cradle of aviation and a hub for aerospace. Field International identified Atlanta, Cincinnati and South Carolina as potential locations, but Northwest Florida intrigued the group enough that conversations with Florida's Great Northwest continued after Chadwick returned from the conference.
"One of our missions is to market the region across the world," said Florida's Great Northwest President and CEO Jennifer Conoley. "We listen to the company and figure out what their needs are and then package it as a regional option."
Florida's Great Northwest contacted the region's economic development agencies in May about the prospect of being the site for Field International's U.S. headquarters. Bay and Okaloosa County put together attractive packages, too, as Escambia competed regionally and nationally for the company location.
FloridaWest CEO Chris Platé sold Field International on an Escambia workforce development pipeline that includes Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida and George Stone Technical College.
"Labor is one of the scariest pieces," Platé said. "To make them feel comfortable in that sense is tremendous."
Platé said the PSC aviation airframe mechanics program impressed the Field International group. The program prepares students with the skills necessary to inspect, service, repair and overhaul various airframe systems and components, including aircraft structures, hydraulics, electrical and electronics, flight controls, landing gear, brakes, aircraft instruments and cabin envi-
ronmental systems. In April, PSC broke ground on a 34,000 squarefoot facility for the program.
"The assets they have with the new [aviation mechanics program] facility gives the company the confidence they'll find workers in the future," Platé said. "There's a pathway that starts with PSC's AMP program and then works its way up to leadership, engineers, and that's obviously going to be UWF."
Platé began contacting realtors in June in search of a property with 30,000 to 35,000 square feet suited for manufacturing and office space. His communication with realtors began taking shape and a few properties emerged as candidates by July, when company representatives arrived in Northwest Florida.
The Field International contingent toured facilities throughout the county. One of the properties in the NAI Pensacola portfolio soon rose to the top. Jones Flooring previously occupied the property at 3890 Pasco Street.
"We showed the property and how we could do exactly what they were looking for," said Cameron Cauley, president of the NAI Pensacola property management division. "It just so happened that it had about 5,200 [square feet] turnkey space for offices and 36,500 for manufacturing."
Field International is leasing the property with plans to build a 100,000 square foot facility in the county within the next three years. Cauley declined to provide the lease agreement terms, but NAI Global listed the lease rate at $10.50 per square foot on its website.
Cauley said the property being gated and possessing a high level of security served as added selling points. Additionally, a 24,000 square foot warehouse on the property is available for sales and distribution or sales and receiving should Field International choose to expand its footprint.
The Field International contingent left a favorable impression on Cauley.
"I was kind of astounded by the group," he said. "It's a remarkable group of people—some of my favorite clients I've ever dealt with."
The company representatives felt the same about Pensacola, and Florida's Great Northwest passed the baton to FloridaWest to close the deal.
"Clearly, when we got their feet in our sugary white sand, they loved the area, but they fell in love with the greater Pensacola area," Conoley said. "They loved everything about it."
Next came financial incentives to seal the deal, and that meant bringing the county into the
fold. Information about the project slowly trickled to County Administrator Wes Moreno and the county commissioners out of respect for the Field International power brass.
"They knew just general information," Platé said. "We didn't want to expose confidentiality, but we wanted to keep them in tune to the project and where it was."
Platé meets with Moreno and General Counsel Alison Rogers every two months. At their meeting in September, he broached the topic of Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption, or EDATE.
In the 2022 general election, Escambia County voters approved a 10-year EDATE exemption. The exemption allows county officials to offer tax breaks that encourage economic development projects, such as Field International establishing its headquarters in the county.
Only Navy Federal Credit Union and Southtowne Apartments currently benefit from EDATE. The county forgave over $3.5 million in taxes through EDATE during the 2025 fiscal year. Platé sought to make Field International the third to benefit from the tax breaks.
"He came in having a discussion about EDATEs and then another meeting where he came in specifically to talk about Project Britain," Moreno said. "There wasn't a lot of detail. He was still holding a lot to his chest. All he said was we have a project named Project Britain that will bring in 50 jobs with an $80,000 annual salary."
Platé said everything fell into place by the end of November. Moreno agreed to propose that the county commission adopt a resolution of support for an EDATE for Field International for up to 10 years. The final touch came the same day FloridaWest distributed the press release, when the county commissioners unanimously approved the resolution. County commissioners Ashlee Hofberger and Steve Stroberger declined to comment for the story.
Florida's Great Northwest initiated the relationship, and Escambia County stakeholders sealed the deal in what Conoley described as a win for the entire region.
Conoley said now that its headquarters is secure, Field International is in discussions with other machine shops in Northwest Florida about future projects.
"For our region, it literally is the rising tide scenario," Conoley said. "Good things happening in Pensacola lifts boats for all of Northwest Florida."
Mark Booker, CEO of Field International Group, put the collaborative effort into perspective with his statement in the FloridaWest press release.
"The county's strategic location, business climate, corporate assets and skilled workforce align well with our growth objectives in the North American market," Booker said. "The level of coordination and support provided by the local community and economic development partners has been world-class and was very instrumental to our decision." {in}
falo Rock Company officially opened its new 352,800-square-foot distribution facility in Mil ton last week, marking a significant economic development win for Santa Rosa County with promises of 150-200 new jobs and relocation of 200 existing positions.
The 47-acre Santa Rosa Campus, located in the Northwest Florida Industrial Park off Interstate 10, will serve as a regional distribution hub for the company's Dothan, Mobile, Panama City and Pensacola franchise sales centers.
"This campus represents a monumental phase in Buffalo Rock's long-term growth strategy and a major step forward for our Gulf Coast operations," said Wayne Wisdom, the company's senior vice president and chief business operations officer. "By choosing Santa Rosa County, we've built a facility that allows us to serve our customers faster, operate more efficiently and position our company for continued growth."
Santa Rosa County Commission Chair Colten Wright celebrated the project as validation of the county's economic development efforts. "This is exactly the kind of project we work every day to bring to Santa Rosa County. Buffalo Rock's investment strengthens our industrial base, brings high-quality jobs to our community and reinforces our reputation as a premier destination for growing companies."
Construction began in September 2023 as part of Buffalo Rock's broader infrastructure initiative. Over the past five years, the company has added 1.3 million square feet of facilities and invested $230 million across its distribution footprint.
Regional Vice President Trent Davidson said the facility was designed with employee safety and technology integration as priorities. "Every detail of this campus was built with safety, employee experience and technology in mind to support long-term growth."
The company is actively hiring to support operations at the new facility.
E-BIKE CRACKDOWN Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the city is preparing regulations for electric bicycles while the Florida Senate advances legislation to study the issue statewide,
to examine state laws and recommend improvements. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, underwent significant revisions after stakeholders raised enforceability concerns.
"As we know, it's been a fad for a lot of reasons," Truenow told committee members. "They're causing more and more problems."
The amended legislation calls for a task force composed of law enforcement representatives, e-bike industry members and other stakeholders to collect accident data and submit recommendations to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles by fall. The bill still proposes speed restrictions for e-bike operators, with Truenow initially suggesting a 10-mph cap on sidewalks, trails and pathways.
At his Jan. 15 press conference, Reeves said Pensacola is focused particularly on Class 3 ebikes capable of reaching 28 mph, citing a recent incident involving youth on an e-bike at Cordova Park.
"At some point, what's the difference between that and a slow motorcycle or a dirt bike?" Reeves said. "Technology has now clouded our judgment between something that moves at 30 miles an hour, close to 30 miles an hour, and something that we would all agree would need to have a license plate, a license to know the rules of the road."
The mayor said the city is considering requiring at least a learner's permit for Class 3 ebike operators, arguing that permit holders have basic understanding of traffic rules that young riders lack.
"If you've been given a learner's permit for driving, you at least have a basic understanding of the rules of the road and that an 11-year-old or a 12-year-old wouldn't have," Reeves explained.
Any Pensacola ordinance would require City Council approval and consultation with the police department on enforceability. Reeves did not provide a specific timeline but emphasized public safety as the priority.
"Job number one is public safety, period," he
stated. "We will not put fun for an 11-year-old over
ordinance in October prohibiting owners from modifying engines to exceed 30 mph. St. Johns County launched a safety awareness campaign in August partnering with their sheriff's office and school district.
SUPER PODCAST Escambia County Superintendent Keith Leonard appeared on the "(We Don't) Color on the Dog" podcast to discuss the school district's historic graduation rates for the 2024-25 school year.
"For the last school year, we just received our graduation rates for each of our traditional and non-traditional high schools. And for last year, our graduation was raised by 5.3% to 89.5% overall," Leonard said. "I'm old school math. So for me, I round up. That's at 90%, which is, I think, maybe the highest it's ever been here in our county."
The achievement is even more impressive at the district's traditional brick-and-mortar high schools— Pensacola, Escambia, Pine Forest, Northview, Tate and West Florida—where graduation rates reached 94%, meaning more than nine out of ten students are earning diplomas.
Leonard emphasized that the gains extend across all student demographics. "We're making wins in every type of student," he said. "When you look at the federal guidelines for minority students, you can see those gains that we are making here in our school district for all students, which is what our community expects. And for that matter, it's what I expect."
The district is also reporting significant midyear academic progress. Progress monitoring data shows math scores running seven to eight percentage points ahead of last year's performance at the same point in the school year.
"We're seeing bigger gains that have been made from Progress Monitoring 1 to Progress Monitoring 2 this particular year," Leonard explained. The district tested all students before winter break to ensure teachers could begin the second semester with clear data on student performance.
However, challenges remain. The district continues to face teacher recruitment difficulties, particularly in math, science and special education. Approximately 275 of the district's 2,700 teachers are teaching out-of-field or are alternatively certified.
"We've got to get more people going through colleges and universities, colleges of education, because this is a profession that's worth saving," Leonard said. He praised the state's efforts to streamline certification processes while maintaining quality standards.
Leonard defended the teaching profession. "I can tell you, for me, there's no better profession than being a teacher. We've got to convince our community and our citizens to go back to the confidence level that they used to have in public education and public educators… go back to the days where they were saying, '… If that's what [the teacher] said, that's what you better be doing.' We've got to get back there."
He added, "We're not there yet, but I love our 2,700 teachers and the effort that they put forth day in and day out."
The Escambia Children's Trust approved a $585,685 grant to New World Believers based on a financial audit that may not comply with Florida law, raising questions about oversight of public funds.
To receive the final year of funding for its H.O.O.P.S. mental health program, NWB submitted its 2024 Form 990 tax return, audit report and liability insurance certificate on Sept. 9. The Trust approved the grant at its December meeting.
The problem: the audit wasn't conducted by a certified public accountant.
Justina Royster of Reliable Tax & Financial Services performed the audit, stating she "conducted the audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing." However, a local CPA consulted for this story confirmed that Florida law requires financial statement audits to be performed by Florida-licensed CPAs.
"In Florida, you must be a certified public accountant licensed in Florida to perform official financial statement audits, as only CPAs are licensed for this specific assurance service, especially for government, nonprofits and other entities legally required to have audits," the CPA explained.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants requires audits to follow "auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America," not international standards.
Additionally, while Royster's audit letter referenced a Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Financial Position and Notes to the Financial Statements, NWB founder Rodney Jones only submitted a "Statement of Activities" and "Statement of Financial Position" to the Trust.
The grant was suspended earlier this month—though for unrelated reasons involving Rodney Jones being removed from the program due to a Department of Juvenile Justice investigation. Pensacola Police arrested him on Jan. 22 on an outstanding warrant for sexual battery,
Florida Statute 794.05(1), which is for unlawful sex with certain minors.
NEXT GENERATION Escambia County has launched Next Generation 9-1-1 Core Services, which includes location-based routing, a feature that directs 9-1-1 calls to the nearest public safety answering point based on the caller's precise location.
"Next Generation 9-1-1 modernizes the way we respond to emergencies in Escambia County," Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said. "With enhanced call routing and improved location data, we are expanding access to emergency services while strengthening our ability to respond during everyday emergencies and large-scale disasters."
Next Generation 9-1-1 provides emergency dispatchers and first responders with access to significantly more data. Motorola's location-based routing has been shown to reduce 9-1-1 call transfers by up to 50%, minimizing delays caused by misrouted calls.
This capability is especially critical during large-scale incidents and natural disasters, when emergency call volume may rapidly increase. If a public safety access point becomes overwhelmed or inoperable, enhanced call routing allows calls to be quickly rerouted, ensuring uninterrupted access to emergency services.
"Motorola's call routing technology gives us new ways to better protect the people we serve," Interim Emergency Communications Chief Mark Carter said. "For example, geofencing allows us to manage large annual events like the Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show more efficiently by deploying alternate call routing during peak times. This ensures emergency calls from thousands of visitors are handled quickly and effectively."
To learn more about Escambia County Emergency Communications, visit myescambia.com.
PELICANS RETURN Houston Astros manager Joe Espada and New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will return to Pensacola on Feb. 6 for a community forum celebrating their journey from independent baseball to Major League dugouts.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced Tuesday that "An Evening with Joe and Carlos: From the Pensacola Pelicans to Major League Managers" will take place at the Brownsville Community Center from 6-7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
Espada and Mendoza were teammates on the independent Pensacola Pelicans in 2004 and 2005, sharing both an infield and a host family. The Pelicans' success helped pave the way for Blue Wahoos Stadium's construction and affiliated professional baseball's arrival in 2012.
"In December at the winter meetings, they shared with me how much they loved Pensacola," said Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer, who formerly owned the Pelicans. "While it was a long shot with spring training starting, I invited them to return so our fans could express appreciation."
Espada, a Puerto Rico native who attended the University of Mobile, enters his third year managing the Astros after winning a World Se -
ries championship as the team's bench coach. Mendoza, from Venezuela, is entering his third season with the Mets after serving as Yankees bench coach from 2018 to 2023.
Retired WEAR sports director Dan Shugart, who covered both players during their Pelicans tenure, will moderate the forum.
Admission is free but tickets are required. Fans can reserve tickets at bluewahoos.com or call (850) 934-8444.
OF HOPE Tennis players can now register for the first ForeHands of Hope Doubles Tennis Tournament, a two-day charitable event supporting Hands of Hope Medical Mission. The tournament runs 3-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. Registration costs $150 per doubles team and includes tournament play for two players, dinner on March 20 and lunch on March 21.
All proceeds benefit Hands of Hope Medical Mission, a nonprofit working to expand access to orthopedic care for underserved populations locally and internationally. Founded in July 2022, the organization is co-led by Dr. Steven Kronlage, an orthopedic hand surgeon, and Dr. Chris O'Grady, an orthopedic surgeon.
The mission delivers high-quality orthopedic care through collaborative partnerships, community outreach initiatives and strategic resource management, focusing on areas where such specialized medical services are most needed.
Tournament organizers encourage interested players and potential sponsors to act quickly as spots may fill up for this first-time event. Questions about registration or sponsorship opportunities can be directed to Carroll Papajohn at carroll@handsofhopemedicalmission.org.
Additional information about Hands of Hope Medical Mission's work and impact is available at handsofhopemedicalmission.org.
Contractors Inc. (CCI) will be holding its third and final project information meeting for interested subcontractors and suppliers for Lot 5-Maritime Park from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2. The company will construct a 247-unit apartment complex and a 147-key Reverb by Hard Rock hotel at Maritime Park in 2026.
The meeting will provide an overview of the project elements, such as construction trades, scheduling and logistics and will highlight participation opportunities. This meeting is intended for interested subcontractors and suppliers in Escambia and Santa Rosa County communities—though interested subs and suppliers throughout the greater Florida and Southeastern U.S. are encouraged to attend. CCI anticipates final bidding with plans and specifications to begin in late January.
The Feb. 2 meeting will be held at Maritime Place, 350 W. Cedar St., first floor. For additional information, please email ccipensacola@cciwi. com. To learn more about Corporate Contractors, Inc. (CCI), visit cciwi.com. {in}
Corporate Contractors Inc. (CCI) will be holding a Project Information Meeting for interested subcontractors and suppliers for Lot 5-Maritime Park. A 247-unit apartment complex and 146-key hotel including a 325 space parking podium to be constructed at Maritime Park in 2026. The meeting will provide an overview of the project elements including construction trades, scheduling, logistics and highlight participation opportunities. This meeting is intended for interested subcontractors and suppliers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Countycommunities – though interested subs and suppliers throughout the greater Florida and southeastern US are encouraged to attend. CCI anticipates final bidding with plans and specifications to begin in late January.
Additional informational meetings will be held on the below dates from 8AM-10AM:
Monday February 2, 2026
Meetings will be held at: Maritime Place- 350 West Cedar St. (1st FL) Pensacola, FL 32502
For additional information, please contact CCIPensacola@cciwi.com
To learn more about Corporate Contractors, Inc. (CCI), visit cciwi.com
If you think the library is just for borrowing books, you're missing out.
West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL) have become some of the most versatile public spaces in our community—part classroom, part creative studio, part community center, and yes, still a great place to find your next read.
"Our vision is to be the heart of our diverse community, and we are proud to provide a welcoming and inviting space where everyone is welcome to learn, discover, create and connect," said Interim Library Services Director Christal BellRivera. While reading remains central to the mission, she added that each of the system's eight locations offers opportunities to learn new skills, attend events and befriend other patrons.
From STEAM programs and makerspaces to meeting rooms and used bookstores, the library's reach extends far beyond the shelves.
"The library system is so much more than a place to check out a book," said Kathy McCartan, president of Friends of West Florida Public Library. "Community members can learn to sew, use a 3D printer or even shop for used books that directly support library services."
Several WFPL locations, including the Pensacola, Tryon, Southwest and Bellview branches, feature bookstores operated by the Friends of West Florida Public Libraries. These stores allow patrons to purchase books at a low cost, with proceeds directly benefiting library programs and services. The group also hosts several large community book sales each year.
For patrons like Lachlan Woodson, the library has become an affordable creative center. They make full use of the makerspaces to assemble zines and create buttons and bookmarks for their book club.
"I love our public library system so much. It's really the perfect place to spend an afternoon writing, cutting up old magazines and pasting them into a little booklet," Woodson shared. "In 2025, I made a zine of some of my poetry at the library that now sells at Open Books. The low price of copies at the library makes it one of the most affordable ways to access zine culture."
So whether you're looking to learn something new, get creative or simply spend time in a welcoming third space, your library card unlocks far more than you might expect.
By Dakota Parks
Ever fallen down an ancestry rabbit hole at 2 a.m.? WFPL makes researching your family history easy—no DNA kit required. With your library card, you can access major genealogy databases including Ancestry Library Edition, FamilySearch, HeritageQuest and Virtual Pedigree.
For deeper research, the Pensacola Library houses extensive local history collections, including historic newspapers dating back to the 1820s, city directories, maps, obituaries, marriage records, funeral home records and delayed birth certificates. One-on-one genealogy appointments and regular workshops are also available along with staff assistance to help locate specific items or guide the process.
Your library might be the most affordable art studio in town.
Several WFPL branches function as full creative hubs, offering hands-on tools and makerspace equipment for beginners and experienced creators alike. Depending on the location, patrons can access sewing machines, embroidery machines, longarm quilting machines, laser engravers, vinyl cutters, drawing tablets and large-format printers. Whether you're learning to quilt, repairing clothing or experimenting with digital design, the library provides space, tools and assistance without the overhead of buying expensive equipment.
Makerspace resources are available through a mix of drop-in activities, scheduled programs and appointment-based equipment use. Patrons interested in learning or reserving equipment can contact library staff directly for scheduling.
Yes, the library has 3D printers, and they're not just for tech experts. Through its makerspaces, WFPL gives patrons access to 3D printing technology that can be used to create everything from art pieces to practical household items. Alongside the printers, patrons can use professional design software such as Blender and Fusion 360 to bring ideas from concept to reality. Library staff are available to guide users through the process, answer questions and help first-time makers feel comfortable experimenting.
physical media collection, including DVDs, Blurays and CDs. From classic films to documentaries and albums across genres, your library card gives you plenty of entertainment options—no paid streaming subscription required. The downtown branch even has an entire room dedicated to jazz that houses approximately 1,500 books, CDs and movies in the genre.
Your library card works just as well on your couch as it does inside the building. Library patrons can access digital entertainment through the Libby app, which offers eBooks, audiobooks and magazines directly to phones and tablets.
L ibraries are also hubs for connectivity. With eight WFPL locations and a packed monthly calendar, you can take a class or join a club nearly any time, with offerings that range from art classes to STEM and maker-focused programs.
WFPL's club options include Adult D&D, LEGO Club, doodle art, cookbook club and several monthly book clubs featuring popular fiction and graphic novels. Extra copies of book club picks are always available, and clubs meet at WFPL branches.
L ooking to spice things up in the kitchen or grow your own food? The library can help with that too. The Seed Library, available at all WFPL locations, allows patrons to grab seasonal seed packets for free. Meanwhile, Southwest Libraries' Spice of the Month Club delivers a new culinary adventure each month, complete with a pre-measured spice, information on its origins and easy recipe ideas. Just stop by and take a kit home.
B efore heading to the mechanic, stop by the library. WFPL provides free access to ALLDATA
grams, diagnostic information and step-by-step repair instructions for thousands of vehicles. Even if you don't plan to fix the car yourself, it's a handy source for understanding repairs and costs.
Your library card unlocks powerful research tools without steep subscription fees. Patrons can dive into databases for careers, job searching, business planning, legal forms, health, history and academic subjects. Students, job seekers and entrepreneurs alike can access the same resources used by universities and professionals.
Every WFPL branch offers free public computers, Wi-Fi, scanning services and printing, along with staff assistance for technology questions. For those seeking to sharpen their digital skills, the library provides tech classes and one-on-one support to help patrons navigate devices and confidently use digital resources. For younger users, WFPL provides Launchpads, preloaded learning tablets with educational apps that promote literacy, creativity and academic development.
L ibrary cards unlock local history and culture. Patrons can check out a Pensacola Children's Museum Admission Book from the children's catalog at the Pensacola Library, Bellview, Molino or Tryon branches of WFPL.
These special books provide free admission for seven days to the Pensacola Children's Museum as well as all museums in the Historic Pensacola Village. After your visit, the admission book is returned to the museum and then back to the library for the next patron—making it a shared community resource. {in}
Don't have a library card? That's an easy problem to fix. Visit mywfpl.com/borrow/ card for all the information needed to get one. You can also find a complete list of branch locations and operating hours at mywfpl.com/visit/locations.
By Dakota Parks
were deemed national security threats. Concurrent with the anti-Communist Red Scare, this government-led moral panic forced thousands of LGBTQ+ federal employees out of their jobs, shattering careers, families and lives, often followed by the threat of arrest. What unfolds onstage is part comedy, part cautionary tale— an exploration of love, fear and the elaborate performances required to survive when the truth is dangerous.
"I love stories that use comedy to reveal the truth, and I love stories that use history to show us what has changed, and, perhaps more importantly, what has not," said cast member Laynie Gibson.
Gibson plays Norma Baxter, who, alongside Bob Martindale, works as a federal employee tasked with identifying homosexuals among the government's ranks—despite the fact that both
and it doesn't take her long to see that there is no real difference between herself and the people being vilified around her."
Gibson prepared for the role of Norma by exploring the character's emotional world, including her frustration with constant self-monitoring, her pragmatism as a federal employee and the ever-present danger of living authentically during the rise of McCarthyism.
"I feel intensely empathetic toward Norma's frustration with self-censorship and the pressure to perform for the comfort of other people," Gibson said. "While I have had the privilege of living authentically in my personal and professional lives for some time now, I have known the pain of hiding or questioning where and with whom I was allowed to be my authentic self. Norma is my age, and we share many qualities, but while preparing I often had to remind myself that the
today, amid nationwide rollbacks of DEI programs, tions on gender-affirming care, renewed challenges to marriage equality and sustained attacks on transgender rights.
Director Renee Jordan explained that these undertones are precisely why plays on this theme are important.
"What I find to be the most powerful tool in times like these is storytelling," Jordan said. "Audiences are filled with all walks of life, so it's a way to get people in the door, no matter what their political opinions are, and get them to watch life unfold for someone that's different than they are. Art, storytelling and plays are some of the best ways to reach people who you can't reach with normal conversations about hot-button topics. It reminds people what happened during this time and how that absolutely cannot be repeated."
Both Jordan and "Perfect Arrangement" take cues from 1950s slapstick comedies like "I Love
Lucy," with Jordan using precise lighting and sound design to give audiences the sense of being in a live studio audience. Jokes are accentuated with laugh tracks, applause marks key entrances and a few playful product placements even appear throughout.
"I'm constantly trying to remind the audience the exhaustion of how quickly these characters have to be completely different people in the blink of an eye," Jordan noted. "Whenever we have characters on stage that are not aware of the situation, or in on the joke, the lights are really bright. Then, when anyone leaves the stage and we see real life again, those lights will be warmer. The lights are really showcasing the flip of the switch and keep our audience moving through it."
When thinking of standout moments from the show, Jordan points to a line that captures both the stakes and the humanity of the story.
"There is one line in act one that always gives me chills," Jordan said. "There's a conversation [about] photos that they can't keep displayed around the house, because it would destroy the image. Maury McNeil, who plays Millie Martindale in the show, says, 'They're a reminder of who we are.' Those photos are a reminder of who we are, that wants to hold on to what's precious to you, even in the face of arrest, death, violence. It's beautiful."
Both Gibson and Jordan hope audiences leave the theater reflecting on the lives of others. Gibson wants viewers to consider not only their own safety, but also how they can support and protect community members in today's world who are vulnerable to similar targeting and unable to hide in plain sight.
"You don't know what people are dealing with. The faces we see when people smile or the faces we see on social media, those are not always showing what's happening underneath," Jordan said. "Having grace for your fellow man is the only thing that's going to get us through our [inability] to see past our own biases and our own rosecolored glasses that we all have. We have to take those off to see full humanity and to know when to give grace, comfort and support." {in}
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 8
WHERE: Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. COST: $25
DETAILS: pensacolalittletheatre.com
PENSACOLA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WOMEN BUILD KICKOFF Join Women Build 2026 at their open house inside one of the Habitat homes built during Women Build 2025. Stop in any time between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6229 Louisville Ave. Event is free, but RSVP is encouraged at secure. qgiv.com/for/womenbuildopenhouse2026/ event/2026womenbuildopenhouse/.
GULF COAST KID'S HOUSE ADULT SEXUAL ABUSE RECOVERY GROUP Gulf Coast Kid's House will host a 12-week therapy group for adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. The group will be led by Nancy Hagman, M.Ed, LMHC alongside GCKH therapists. The group meets 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays Feb. 3-April 28. Participation is free and childcare is provided. Visit gulfcoastkidshouse.org for details.
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Beef 'O' Brady's, 1 New Market St., Cantonment (on Nine Mile Road near Pine Forest Road). The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. For more information, visit facebook. com/animalalliesflorida.
ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD
DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also has clothing. Food donations needed are 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.
PERFECT ARRANGEMENT A Studio 400 production. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Saturdays, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7; 2:30 p.m. Sundays Feb. 1 and 8. A Thursday performance is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
GRAND OPENING AT REVERIE FINE ART COLLECTIVE X JOY HODGES DESIGNS
Grand opening celebration is 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 at 200 E. Garden St. Details at facebook.com/reveriefineart.
JANUARY MEWVIE NIGHT: WICKED FOR GOOD Watch "Wicked for Good" with adoptable kitties at Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St. 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30. Tickets are $32 per person and can be purchased at coastalcatpcola.com.
BRIDGERTON BASH Sir Richard's is celebrating season 4 of the Netflix series "Bridgerton." Wear your best costume and enjoy music from DJ Calyx 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30. Located at 2719 E. Cervantes St.
5TH ANNUAL PAW-DI GRAS WolfGang
Pensacola presents the eighth annual Paw-di Gras 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 on Garden Street in downtown Pensacola. Proceeds from the event will benefit Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare with a parade, costume contest, rainbow bridge memorial, craft beer, cocktails, food and live entertainment. Details at wolfgangparkandbrews.com.
JANUARY BOOK CLUB: THE HANDMAID'S TALE Join Coastal Cat Café for a cozy evening talking about books and cuddling adoptable cats. Cost is $20. The book club will discuss "The Handmaid's Tale" 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at 1508 W. Garden St. Spots are limited. Secure yours at coastalcatpcola.com.
CLOSING EXHIBITION WITH ANNA
KOHLWEIS 309 Punk House Artist in Residence will present her work from her monthlong residency with acoustic songs, sounds and poetry 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 at 309 N. Sixth Ave. Details at facebook.com/309punkproject.
PIRATES OF LOST TREASURE MARDI
GRAS FLOTILLA The flotilla departs 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 from Holiday Harbor Marina with a celebration at FloraBama, 17401 Perdido Key Drive.
HEROES OFF DUTY COMEDY TOUR Show is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information at pensacolasaenger.com.
BERT KREISCHER: PERMISSION TO PARTY
Showtimes are 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information at pensacolasaenger.com.
THE MUSIC MAN Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday, Feb. 5 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and info at pensacolasaenger.com.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO: VALENTINE'S
EDITION Visit Coastal Cat Café 5-5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 for a round of bingo and then spend time with adoptable cats at Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St. Cost is $18 per person and tickets are available at coastalcatpcola.com.
PENSACOLA CINEMA ART FILM SCREEN-
INGS Pensacola Cinema Art screens multiple films most weekends at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10, cash only. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for their complete schedule.
ARCHIVE PRESERVATION PARTY Help
309 file old punk flyers and posters 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at 309 S. Sixth Ave. Details at facebook.com/309punkproject.
DEBÍ TIRAR MÁS FOTOS: LECTURE AND DANCE PARTY Join 309 Punk Project 4-7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 309 S. Sixth Ave. for an educational lecture and dance party celebrating Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos, just one day before his historic Super Bowl halftime performance. Go into the show with a deeper understanding of the history, culture and sociopolitical commentary that make this album a modern masterpiece. Details at facebook.com/309punkproject.
IMPROVABLE CAUSE The next Improvable Cause show is 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $10 and available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
2026 SECOND LINE TUESDAYS Join the Second Line celebrations on Palafox Street during Mardi Gras season. Upcoming dates are 5 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 10 starting outside Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, 123 S. Palafox St. Details at pensacolamardigras.com/events.
A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY: STORYTELLERS, TRICKSTERS AND FORTUNE TELLERS The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida presents "A History of Photography: Storytellers, Tricksters and Fortune Tellers." This exhibition is viewable in The Art Gallery at UWF's Center for Fine and Performing Arts (Building 82) through Thursday, Feb. 5, with a closing reception on Feb. 5 from 5-7 p.m. Details at uwf.edu/cfpa.
CHOICES YOU MAKE Currently on view at Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox St. through Feb. 13 featuring artists Mary Cooper Portera, Destiny Doss, Carlotta Succi and Nicolas Crogh.
MICHELLE JONES: SEVEN SISTERS Inspired by Greek mythology and the jungle-like landscape of the Gulf Coast, Michelle Jones presents lush, vividly colored landscapes using mixed media. Exhibit on display through May 1 at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Details at visualarts. pensacolastate.edu.
THRIFT STYLE New exhibit at Pensacola Museum of History explores the reuse of feed sacks to make clothing and other household objects. View the exhibit and explore the museum, located at 330 S. Jefferson St. Details at historicpensacola.org.
FIRST FRIDAY AT BLUE MORNING GALLERY Visit Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox St., 5:30 p.m. every first Friday of the month for a reception with wine, live music and occasional artist demonstrations. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION
LECTURES Learn Pensacola/Northwest Florida history through interesting, informal lectures every other Tuesday at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The lecture starts at noon and lasts one hour. Lecture cost is $5 for nonmembers and is free to members. Lunches are $12. For reservations, call (850) 380-7759.
PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meetings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of
the month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information.
BTB COMEDY Watch live standup comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.
SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.
PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox streets at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/ downtownpensacola.
CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.
SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside Pensacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.
AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with real ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. After your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.
GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANT WEEK
Visit Great Southern Restaurants during Winter Restaurant Week Jan. 26-Feb. 1 with three-course offerings for $33 starting 5 p.m. nightly. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for menus and more.
RAMEN NIGHT Ramen night with Globetrotters Street Food 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Details at facebook.com/oddcolony.
VALENTINE'S CRAFTS & DRAFTS Make DIY wood signs at Coastal County Brewing Co., 3041 E. Olive Road. Class is 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Cost is $30. Reserve your spot by visiting coastalcountybrewing.com/events.
ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS: JOHNNIE WALKER SCOTCH Classes are 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. Tickets are $30 per person and includes beverage tasting and paired appetizers. Seating is limited. Reserve your tickets by calling (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com.
DINNER AND AN ARIA Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St., presents a special dinner with performances from Pensacola Opera's Jan Miller Studio Artists. Two dinner seatings: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. Make your reservation by calling (850) 469-9898. Visit jacksonsrestaurant. com to view menus.
FUNDAMENTALS: KNIFE SKILLS Cooking class is 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite C. Cost is $60 per student. Sign up at: pensacolacooks.com/ cooking-classes
VALENTINE'S CHARCUTERIE BOARD
CLASS Cooking class is 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Suite C. Cost is $75 per student. Sign up at: pensacolacooks.com/cooking-classes.
BUNNIES AND BEER YOGA Cuddle baby bunnies and enjoy a glass of beer, wine, cider or seltzer at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. Tickets are $24.92 and available on Eventbrite.
DOWNTOWN HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Drink specials and laid-back vibes are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every weekday throughout the entire Seville Quarter complex with $2 off all liquor drinks and $1 off all beer and wine. Must be 21 or older. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.
MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to close Mondays, guys can play free darts and enjoy $6 craft tallboys. There are more than 150 craft beers to choose from at Wisteria, 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
BAR BINGO AT SEVILLE QUARTER Bar
Bingo is 8 p.m. Mondays at Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Drink specials include $2.50 Miller Lite bottles and $3.50 Bomb shots. Bingo is free to play with prizes, giveaways and bar tabs up for grabs for winners. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.
FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
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.
MONDAY NIGHT SPAGHETTI SESSIONS
Visit V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox St. every Monday from 5–9 p.m. for live music and spaghetti and meatballs from the Monday night menu.
DOUBLE MONDAYS AND SIN NIGHT Enjoy
Double Mondays 8 p.m.-midnight and SIN Night 11 p.m. to close at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every Tuesday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Night, featuring all martinis from the menu for $10 from open to close (4-11 p.m.).
75-CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75-cent oysters 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.
MUSIC BINGO Test your music knowledge 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Wisteria, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Take part in half-price bottles of wine and $5 canned cocktails. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
POKER NIGHT AND BINGO AT O'RILEY'S
Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for poker at 6:30 p.m. and bar bingo 8-10 p.m. Tacos are on special Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LUNCH AT THE DISTRICT The District Steak house, 130 E. Government St., is open for special lunch seatings the third Friday of the month. Enjoy a $5 martini or house wine. Seatings are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Details are available at districtsteaks.com.
DOLLAR NIGHT Enjoy Dollar Night 8 p.m.midnight Tuesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for trivia nights 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 50 E. Garden St. Visit perfectplain. com/upcoming-events for details.
LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER
Get on your feet with a social Latin dance—no partner required—and Latin music 7-9 p.m. every Wednesday at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Drink specials and music from DJ DavidC continue after the dancing. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night is 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Food trucks are on site. Details are at orileystavern.com.
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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.
COLLEGE NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER
College night is 8 p.m. Thursdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Ages 18 and older are welcome. Free beer pong tournament begins at 10 p.m. Drink specials include $2 bar drinks, $3.50 Fireball shots for ages 21 and older. Cover is $5 for ages 21 and older and $10 for ages 18-20. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
Changing a life starts with you
Foster parents provide loving homes to some of the most vulnerable in our community. When you become a foster parent through Lakeview Center, our specialized team is here to support you on this rewarding journey.
Start your foster care journey at eLakeviewCenter.org/foster.
SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT
AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music are 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.
PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA Get deals on pitchers 8 p.m.-midnight at O'Riley's Tavern. Trivia is 8 p.m.; SIN Night starts 1 a.m. Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays is 7-9 p.m. at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
POOL TOURNAMENT Pool tournaments begin 8 p.m., and Tequila Night is 8 p.m. to midnight Thursdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night with a DJ starts 8 p.m. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA UNDER THE TREES Trivia is 6 p.m. Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT
Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at 208 Newman
Ave. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUAR-
TER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. every Friday with cold drinks, hot food and great vibes in the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter. Happy hour begins 11 a.m. Fridays with drink and food specials.
SEVILLE QUARTER'S FLIP MY QUARTER
Seville Quarter is flipping the script—and a few quarters—with its brand-new happy hour promotion, Flip My Quarter, 6-8 p.m. every Friday throughout the Seville Quarter entertainment complex. When you order a domestic draft beer, well liquor cocktail or house wine, tell the bartender to "flip my quarter." When they flip it, call it in the air. If you call it right, your drink is free.
BIG BEER NIGHT Drink specials are 8 p.m.midnight, and SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Fridays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
FEISTY FRIDAY NIGHTS Enjoy a DJ 9 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
TGI FIREBALL FRIDAY Drink specials are all day Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. SIN Night starts at 11 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
FISH FRY FRIDAY Half off fish n' chips is 11 a.m.4 p.m., and live DJ is 9 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
JAMESON SPECIAL Enjoy $5 Jameson Irish Whiskey all night Saturdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER From 8 p.m.-midnight every Saturday, members enjoy $3.50 Crown & Drown cocktails at Phineas Phogg's inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
WEEKLY SATURDAY BRUNCH Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SHAMROCK SATURDAY Shamrock Saturday is 9 p.m., and SIN Night starts 11 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
B.A.R.E. NIGHT (BAR AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE NIGHT) Sunday nights at Seville Quarter belong to hospitality industry. Head to End O' the Alley at Seville Quarter 7 p.m. every Sunday for B.A.R.E. Night. Not a member yet? Stop by and sign up for your B.A.R.E. Card, and start enjoying the benefits immediately.
FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool all day and play bar
bingo 8 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN
Partake in brunch specials, full café menu, espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. Ninth Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin.com for details.
SEVILLE SUNDAY BRUNCH Sunday brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Palace Café and Courtyard inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. with soup and salad bar, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, mimosas and champagne specials. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
SUNDAY BILLIARDS Rack 'em up in Fast Eddie's Billiards Room at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with drink specials and a laid-back, air-conditioned atmosphere.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AND KARAOKE O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., hosts brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. Karaoke begins at 8 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE Sunday Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.
SIN NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S SIN Night is midnight to close Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
KARAOKE AND SIN NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S Karaoke is 9 p.m.-1 a.m., and SIN Night is 1 a.m. to close Mondays and Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
ON AIR LIVE BAND KARAOKE Live out your rockstar dreams 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., hosted by Craig Stahl. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Karaoke is 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
KARAOKE AT SEVILLE QUARTER Karaoke is nightly Wednesday-Sunday at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Enjoy drink specials and a no-judgement zone where everyone is welcome to the mic. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
KARAOKE AT THE HANDLEBAR Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.
KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Karaoke starts 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.
WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
SUNDAY KARAOKE WITH KJ NICK Sunday
Funday karaoke is 8 p.m. Sundays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S DOWNTOWN Karaoke is 8 p.m.-midnight Sundays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Details are at orileyspub.com.
KARAOKE AT MUGS & JUGS Karaoke is 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
FLOZONE Show starts at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
REVEREND HORTON HEAT FEATURING NIK FLAGSTAR AND HIS DIRTY MANGY
DOGS Show starts at 6 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
MOZART MADNESS Show is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, 500 N. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasymphony.com.
GARY CLARK, JR. Performances are 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday, Feb. 5 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information available at vinylmusichall.com.
GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA AT NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM Performance is 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 with a pre-show
cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. at the National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. Tickets are $50-$65 and available at naval-aviation-museumfoundation.idloom.events/the-glenn-millerorchestra-2026.
TRIPTIDES Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
INCANTATION Show is 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information available at vinylmusichall.com.
PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS ICON: THE VOICES THAT CHANGED MUSIC PSO performance featuring Broadway vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and info at pensacolasymphony.com.
EMO RAVE Show is 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.
MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE
QUARTER The Blues Society of Northwest Florida brings blues to Florida 7 p.m. Mondays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Food and drink specials start at 8 p.m. Details are at sevillequarter.com.
PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY
Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.
TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE
QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads on Tuesday nights at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.
ROSIE O'GRADY'S DUELING PIANO SHOW
Watch the famous dueling piano show 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Rosie O' Grady's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Doors open at 7 p.m.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY
Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.
VIBE IRIE REGGAE: LIVE IN THE COURT-
YARD Enjoy Vibe Irie Reggae band 4-10 p.m. Sundays at the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.
LIVE MUSIC AT CALVERT'S Listen to live music 5-8 p.m. Sundays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. Visit facebook.com/calvertsintheheights for details.
for more listings visit inweekly.net
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In 1953, Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first climbers to trek to the summit of Mount Everest. They both said later that the climb down was as important and challenging as the ascent. The lesson: achievement doesn't end when you reach the peak. Aries, you may be nearing or have just passed a high point of effort or recognition. Soon you will need to manage the descent with aplomb. Don't rush! Tread carefully as you complete your victory. It's not as glamorous as the push upward, but it's equally vital to the legacy of the climb.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Aurora borealis occurs when highly charged particles from the Sun strike molecules high in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to glow. The display that looks like gorgeous magic is actually our planet's invisible magnetic shield and upper atmosphere lighting up under the pressure of an intense solar storm. Dear Taurus, I think your life has a metaphorical resemblance. The strength you've been quietly maintaining without much fanfare has become vividly apparent because it's being activated. The protection you've been offering and the boundaries you've been holding are more visible than usual. This is good news! Your shields are working.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): "Nothing in excess" was the maxim inscribed on the ancient Temple of Apollo at Delphi. "Moderation is a chief moral virtue," proclaimed the philosopher Aristotle. But I don't recommend those approaches for you right now, Gemini. A sounder principle is "More is better" or "Almost too much is just the right amount." You have a holy duty to cultivate lavishness and splendor. I hope you will stir up as many joyous liberations and fun exploits as possible.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): When sea otters sleep, they sometimes hold each other's paws to keep from drifting apart. This simple, instinctive act ensures they remain safe and connected. I suggest making their bond your power symbol for now, Cancer. You'll be wise to formulate a strong intention about which people, values and projects you want to be tethered to. And
By Rob Brezsny
if sea otters holding hands sounds too sentimental or cutesy to be a power symbol, you need to rethink your understanding of power. For you right now, it's potency personified.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): To be healthy, we all need to continually be in the process of letting go. It's always a favorable phase to shed aspects of our old selves to make room for what comes next. The challenge for you Leos is to keep showing up with your special brightness even as parts of you die away to feed new growth. So here are my questions: what old versions of your generosity or courage are ready to compost? What fiercer, wilder, more sustainable expression of your leonine nature wants to emerge? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to stop performing the hero you used to be and become the hero you are destined to become.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): The Haudenosaunee people practice "seventh-generation thinking": making decisions based on their impact seven generations into the future. You would be wise to incorporate the spirit of their visionary approach, Virgo. Here's the problem: you're so skilled at fixing what needs urgent attention that you sometimes neglect what's even more important in the long run. So I will ask you to contemplate what choices you could you make now that will be blessings to your future self. This might involve ripening an immature skill, shedding a boring obligation that drains you, or delivering honest words that don't come easily. Rather than obsessing on the crisis of the moment, send a sweet boost to the life you want to be living three years from now.
unseen allies are rearranging the flow of fate to help you grow into the beautiful original you were born to be. Do you dare to be so confident that life loves you?
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Psychologist James Pennebaker did studies showing that people who write about traumatic experiences for just 15 minutes a day show improved immune function, fewer doctor visits and better emotional health. But here's a key detail: the benefits don't come from the trauma itself or from "processing feelings." They come from constructing a narrative: making meaning, finding patterns and creating coherence. The healing isn't in the wound. It's in the story you shape from the wound's raw material. You Scorpios excel at this alchemical work. One of your superpowers is to take what's dark, buried, or painful and transform it through the piercing attention of your intelligence and imagination. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to do this.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): In Jewish mysticism, tikkun olam means "repair of the world." This is the idea that we're all responsible for healing what's broken. But the teaching also says you're not required to complete the work; you're only asked to not abandon it. This is your message right now, Sagittarius: you don't have to save everyone. You don't have to heal everything, and you don't even have to finish the projects you've started. But you can't abandon them entirely, either. Keep showing up. Do what you can today. That's enough. The work will continue whether or not you complete it. Your part is to not walk away from your own brokenness and the world's. Stay engaged.
saying: grow. You're allowed to grow. You don't have to earn it. Just grow.
Keep showing up. Do what you can today. That's enough.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): In ecology, there's a concept called "keystone species." This refers to organisms that have a huge effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Remove them, and the whole ecosystem shifts. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe you are currently functioning as a keystone species in your social ecosystem. You may not even be fully aware of how much your presence influences others. And here's the challenge: you shouldn't let your impact weigh on your conscience. You don't have to sacrifice yourself as you carry out your service. Instead, ask how you can contribute to the common good while also thriving yourself. Ensuring your well-being isn't selfish; it's essential to the gifts you provide and the duties you perform.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Are you open to the idea that new wisdom doesn't always demand struggle and strain? In the days ahead, I invite you to move as if the world is deeply in love with you; as if every element, every coincidence, every kind pair of eyes is cheering you forward. Imagine that generous souls everywhere want to help you be and reveal your best self. Trust that
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The Talmud teaches that "every blade of grass has an angel bending over it, whispering, 'Grow, grow.'" I sense that you are now receiving the extra intense influence of your own guardian angels, Capricorn. They aren't demanding or threatening, just encouraging. Please tune into their helpful ministrations. Don't get distracted by harsher voices, like your internalized critic, the pressure of impossible standards, or the ghost of adversaries who didn't believe in you. Here's your assignment: create time and space to hear and fully register the supportive counsel. It's
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I foresee a dose of real magic becoming available to you: equivalent to an enchanted potion, a handful of charmed seeds, or a supernatural spell. But owning the magic and knowing how to use it are two different matters. There's no promise you will instantly grasp its secrets. To give yourself the best shot, follow a few rules: 1. Keep it quiet. Only share news of your lucky charm with those who truly need to hear about it. 2. Before using it to make wholesale transformations, test it gently in a situation where the stakes are low. 3. Whatever you do, make sure your magic leaves no bruises behind.
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Is a wounded part of you finally ready to heal? Do it! {in}
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THE PASSING PARADE (LITERALLY) On Jan. 14, as Spaniards gathered for the Official Carnival Groups Competition in Cadiz, 12 men dressed as scientist Stephen Hawking performed a choreographed musical number in motorized wheelchairs, the New York Post reported. The men were wearing wigs and outfits typical of the disabled genius, who died in 2018 of ALS, as they performed. "Don't be offended, this is just for laughs," said Miguel Angel Llull, who wrote the lyrics to their songs. After the competition, the group planned to donate the dozen wheelchairs to ALS patients in need. "They are real chairs that cost us 400 euros each," Llull said.
RECENT ALARMING HEADLINES Police in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, wrapped up a monthslong investigation with the arrest on Jan. 6 of Jonathan Gerlach, 34, who was accused of robbing graves in the Mount Moriah Cemetery & Arboretum. The Reading Eagle reported that Gerlach was caught red-handed as he returned to his car from the cemetery carrying a "burlap bag, crowbar and other assorted items." In the bag were "human remains to include two mummified remains of small children, three skulls and other assorted bones," the arrest affidavit states. Gerlach later admitted to stealing about 30 sets of human remains from the cemetery, some of which were in his basement, while others were in a storage unit. Authorities haven't determined what Gerlach was doing with the remains. He faces a total of 574 criminal counts and is held on $1 million cash bond.
•Bus passengers traveling from New York City to Washington, D.C., had a memorable ride on Jan. 19, Fairfax Now reported. The driver was supposed to take passengers from Penn Station to Union Station and Dupont Circle, but instead, he dropped everyone at the Vienna Metro station after police intervened. One passenger said the driver was going really fast and wouldn't listen to reason; "he screamed that he doesn't get paid enough and is refusing," the passenger said. When representatives of the bus company tried to call him, he repeatedly hung up and told passengers he "has family to go home to and doesn't have time to stop in D.C." "I'm the captain of this ship," he said. Passengers stranded at the Metro station were picked up by another bus and refunded their bus fare.
IRONY Spending too much time staring at your phone? Olivia Yokubonis would like a word, the Associated Press reported on Jan. 18. Using her screen name, Olivia Unplugged, Yokubonis urges people to stop their mindless use of social media. "People will comment and they'll be like, 'Oh, it's ironic that you're posting.' And I'm like, 'Where else am I supposed to find you, Kyle? Outside? You're not outside. You're here,'" she said. Yokubonis actually works for a screen time app called Opal, which people use to "reclaim their focus."
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
"It's a fine line and a balance of finding a way to be able to cut through that noise but also not adding to the noise," she added.
UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT As a boat captain in the Florida Keys, Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, is well-placed to (allegedly) find huge amounts of cocaine just floating in the sea. So it was no surprise that Picariello had the goods; his mistake was in selling a kilogram to an undercover officer from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. According to CBS12-TV, Picariello was arrested on Jan. 19 after meeting with the cop, whom he told to bring a cooler to "make it look like he was getting fish." He also bragged he had another 100 pounds of cocaine for future buys. Officers also found $8,000 in cash and a handgun. Picariello faces three felony counts.
THAT'S CREATIVE On the morning of Jan. 13, a woman in Nassau, New York, found a stray dog, WNYT-TV reported. She took the dog to a veterinarian, who noticed that a GPS monitoring device had been attached to the dog's collar. But the dog wasn't a criminal: The ankle bracelet was assigned to Lamont Alexander Holmes, 47, of Albany, who had been charged with felony possession of a loaded weapon and was scheduled to appear in court that morning. Holmes is still on the lam; no word on the pup.
WE'RE GONNA NEED A NEW CATEGORY ...
Another robot bites the dust. On Jan. 15 in Miami, a food delivery robot met its ignominious end on a Brightline train track after becoming stuck, Fox5Atlanta reported. Witness Guillermo Dapelo took video as the train struck the robot. "I was walking my dogs ... and that's when I saw the food car standing on the train tracks," Dapelo said. RIP.
GOALS For the low, low price of $250,000, you can be one of the first to reserve a room at a luxury moon hotel, The Philippine Star reported on Jan. 21. GRU Space, a startup founded by Skyler Chan, hopes to deploy the hotel to the moon by 2032. It will be built on Earth. "The hotel offers views of the lunar landscape and Earth, along with ... surface experiences including Moonwalks, driving, golfing and other activities," GRU claims. The first hotel, which is expected to last 10 years, will be an inflatable habitat. After that, a more permanent and expanded facility will be placed. "We live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary before we die," Chan said. GRU believes likely customers will include adventurers, couples looking to honeyMOON in an exotic locale and recent spaceflight participants. {in}
