Inweekly March 5 2026 Issue

winners & losers winners losers

ASHLEE HOFBERGER Chairing a county commission meeting is a little like herding cats. Ideas and viewpoints come from several directions, and the chair must maintain civility, allow the public to speak and conduct the county's business in an orderly fashion. It's often a trial by fire for first-time commissioners, especially in our contentious political atmosphere. During the Feb. 19 board meeting, Commissioner Hofberger swiftly had security remove an individual who persisted in making racist comments that drew boos from the audience. Hofberger instructed staff, "Get him out and whatever we can do to suspend him from coming back; I want that done, too, so check that out."

TRINITY BARNETT Escambia County Public Schools (ECPS) selected Trinity Barnett as the 2027 ECPS Teacher of the Year, recognizing her outstanding contributions to students and the teaching profession. Barnett, an art teacher at Blue Angels Elementary School, has earned praise for creating a classroom environment built on creative engagement, joy and genuine care for every student. Her dedication to fostering students' artistic development has made her a favorite among both students and families. Beyond her classroom, Barnett serves as a mentor to new and veteran teachers alike, strengthening the Blue Angels Elementary team as a whole. She will now represent Escambia County as a candidate for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year.

DR. JAMES ANDREWS A dozen of Alabama's top healthcare leaders have been selected for the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. This year's inductees include worldrenowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. The Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame was founded in 1997 to recognize people, living and dead, who have made outstanding contributions and provided exemplary healthcare service in the state. Their contributions must distinguish him or her from the mainstream of others working in the field. Dr. Andrews has pioneered work in sports medicine, especially knee, shoulder and elbow ligament injuries. He helped found the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham and the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze.

PYRO-CHICKEN Escambia County Fire Rescue (ECFR) has blamed a chicken for a fire last month near the Escambia County 4-H facility in Molino. The blaze started in a chicken coop and spread to several bales of hay, creating thick smoke in the area. Northescambia. com reported that ECFR's investigation determined the fire was started by a chicken knocking over a heater in the chicken coop. "No poultry was harmed during the fire, although approximately 20 hay bales were lost," said an Escambia County spokesperson. The chicken coop was destroyed. The chicken's name was not released.

JAE WILLIAMS Attorney General James Uthmeier's press secretary, Jae Williams, orchestrated a failed pressure campaign against Pensacola Rep. Alex Andrade by mobilizing pro-life groups across Florida with false claims that Andrade was cutting their funding, and even suggesting protest sign slogans. His effort unraveled in a matter of hours as pro-life leaders discovered Andrade's committee proposed no cuts. When the Tampa Bay Times began asking questions, Uthmeier's deputy chief of staff, Jeremy Redfern, flatly denied Williams' involvement. However, he was forced to reverse course when he was shown the email. Redfern then tried to redirect the story toward Andrade's law firm, which represents Planned Parenthood in ongoing litigation with the state. That spin failed, too. No protesters showed up at the committee meeting.

RICHARD MCCULLOUGH

The Florida State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend President Richard McCullough's contract by three years. McCullough's base salary is $1.25 million annually, and he received a $500,000 bonus after his evaluation. Great for him, but his university's sports debt has grown to nearly half a billion dollars during his tenure. According to a recent report by Sportico, Florida State University closed Fiscal Year 2025 with $437 million in athletics-related debt, a $200 million increase from the prior year. In 2020, a year before McCullough took over, FSU's athletics debt was only $17 million. Let's hope this won't be mirrored in UWF President Manny Diaz's football push.

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

GRAND JURY ADDRESSES HOPE FLORIDA

The investigative team at the Florida Trident last week broke significant news concerning one of Florida's most troubling political scandals, which has ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier. A grand jury has returned a presentment in the Hope Florida Foundation investigation, and someone appears to be working hard to keep it hidden from the public.

The Leon County grand jury convened last October to investigate the diversion of $10 million in public funds to the Hope Florida Foundation. Florida Trident is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. Its award-winning journalist, Michael Barfield, reported that the grand jury has completed its work and produced a formal presentment.

The problem? That presentment remains confidential while a legal challenge plays out behind closed doors.

HOPE FLORIDA CONTROVERSY

The Hope Florida Foundation is a nonprofit created to support First Lady Casey DeSantis' signature welfare initiative. In October 2024, the foundation received a $10 million "donation" tied to a legal settlement between the State of Florida and Medicaid contractor Centene. Florida had accused Centene of overbilling Medicaid by $67 million.

Rather than those funds benefiting Florida taxpayers, the Hope Florida Foundation wired two $5 million grants to nonprofits that ultimately funneled most of the money into Keep Florida Clean, a political committee formed to fight a 2024 ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana.

The central figure in this story is James Uthmeier, now Florida's attorney general. Uthmeier chaired Keep Florida Clean while serving as Gov. Ron DeSantis' chief of staff. DeSantis appointed Uthmeier as attorney general just weeks before the controversy became public in April 2025.

Pensacola state legislator Alex Andrade spearheaded the Florida House committee investigation, and he has publicly accused Uthmeier of wire fraud and money laundering. He forwarded his findings to State Attorney Jack Campbell, who then convened the grand jury. Both DeSantis and Uthmeier deny any wrongdoing.

HIDE & SEEK Barfield submitted public records requests seeking a copy of the grand jury present-

ment and any related court filings. The State Attorney's Office for the Second Judicial Circuit responded by invoking confidentiality exemptions under Florida law. That response tells us something critical.

As criminal defense attorney and public records expert Andrea Flynn Mogensen explained to the Trident: "If no presentment or court filings challenging it existed, there would be no responsive records to withhold and no need to invoke an exemption grounded in grand jury secrecy."

In other words, the presentment exists. Someone has challenged it. And the public is being kept in the dark.

Under Florida Statute 905.28, a grand jury presentment relating to an individual, when not paired with a criminal indictment, remains confidential while a legal challenge is pending. A review of online court records found at least three sealed case numbers in Leon County during the relevant time period. Multiple calls and emails to DeSantis and Uthmeier seeking comment went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Rep. Andrade sponsored HB 593 to prevent future settlement funds being diverted to third parties. HB 593 would make diversion of settlement funds an official crime, require written notice to legislative leaders within 10 days and bar officials from using their roles for political fundraising.

The Florida House unanimously passed the bill, but its future in the Florida Senate is uncertain.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Ben Wilcox, Executive Director of Integrity Florida, was critical of any effort to hide the grand jury presentment. He told Barfield, "Hiding the findings of the grand jury only exacerbates the problem and causes the public to lose even more confidence in their government."

The Florida Supreme Court addressed the importance of grand jury transparency nearly five decades ago, writing that "implicit in the power of the grand jury to investigate and expose official misconduct is the right of the people to be informed of its findings."

The grand jury has spoken. Floridians deserve to hear what it said.

For the full story, including the detailed legal analysis of Florida's grand jury statutes and what they mean for this case, visit the Florida Trident at floridatrident.org. {in} rick@inweekly.net

$715,000

Top-floor, end-unit, two-story condo 2 bedroom, 3 bath, close to pool

MIKE PAPANTONIO'S NEW THRILLER EXPOSES A DARK TRUTH

Papantonio's series featuring Nicholas "Deke" Deketomis, the tenacious, complex trial lawyer at Bergman-Deketomis who has become something of a folk hero for readers tired of watching powerful institutions escape accountability.

This time, Deke and his team take on Phoenix Industries, the corporate parent of Camp B, a Florida juvenile facility where a guard has murdered teenager Trayvon Clapper. When Trayvon's mother walks through the doors of the law firm seeking justice, she sets in motion a legal battle that will force Deke to confront not just a corrupt industry but the darkest corners of his own past.

their money through U.S. banks, those things have a resolution. This does not."

That sense of urgency permeates his latest legal thriller. The book plunges into an industry that has largely escaped mainstream scrutiny, even though abuse, exploitation and death have been documented for generations.

DOZIER SCHOOL FOR BOYS

Papantonio traces the roots of the problem back to the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Fla. The reform school operated from 1900 to 2011, not far from Pensacola. Dozier became notorious for unmarked graves, sexual

abuse and a building locals called "The White House," where boys were beaten and sexually abused as punishment.

The school's history of institutional brutality and racism influenced Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel "The Nickel Boys." Florida created a dedicated compensation program for survivors of abuse at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and a related Okeechobee school, funded at $20 million and signed into law in June 2024.

For 110 years, judges funneled boys—many of whom had committed only minor infractions, such as skipping school or stealing hub caps—into Dozier, partly because the state benefited from the facility's farm operations, brick production and other labor. The children paid the price.

"And there were stories of judges being pushed to put these kids in Dozier," Papantonio said.

What makes "A Death in Arcadia" timely and chilling is that Dozier was not an isolated case. The abuse that defined that institution, Papantonio argues, is alive and well inside a corporate-run version of the same system. In the novel, Phoenix Industries owns and operates a network of juvenile facilities across the country, with executives at the top fully aware of the abuse occurring within their walls and willing to do whatever it takes to keep it buried.

Enter Congressman Bob Minds and his associate, Skyler Bannock, a pair of Washington fixers who serve as Phoenix's political cover. When the Bergman-Deketomis lawsuit threatens to crack the company's carefully maintained facade, Minds and Bannock deploy every tool at their disposal, including bribery, intimidation and even murder. Much of their dirtiest work is done by Skyler's brother, Midas, a villain Papantonio describes as almost metaphorical in his menace.

"He's almost a symbol for what was happening by management," Papantonio said of the character. "I love Midas because you don't know whether to hate him or admire him by the time the story's over."

The book opens with gut-punch immediacy—guards betting on the outcome while forcing juveniles to fight bare-knuckled, targeting the weakest kids for the worst violence. Papantonio

is clear that these scenes are not invented for shock value.

"I'd like to say I just did that as an attentiongetter," he said, "but no, those stories are there."

REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES

Among the real-world figures whose experiences informed the novel is Paris Hilton, whom Papantonio interviewed during his research. He sat down with Hilton, who has been public about her harrowing experience in multiple residential treatment facilities as a teenager, to understand how this industry ensnares not only impoverished or neglected youth but also children of wealthy, well-meaning families.

"Whether it's Paris Hilton, who was victimized horribly in four different institutions, or whether it's just the run-of-the-mill kid who gets in a little trouble and is thrown into these institutions," Papantonio said, "this crosses every demographic."

But perhaps what separates "A Death in Arcadia" from Papantonio's previous work is the emotional depth it brings to Deke. The investigation into Camp B pulls Deke back into memories of his own childhood, when he moved between families, carefully navigating a path that kept him out of the foster care system. His best friend, Bucky Carlton, was not so lucky. He wound up in a facility like Camp B and never came out. Deke has carried that guilt, which is rooted in the belief that his own advice ultimately cost Bucky his life, for decades, never sharing it with his wife or children.

"Deke rejects Arcadia, not because Arcadia was bad to him, but because of the guilt and the memory of costing the life of his close friend," Papantonio said. "The whole process through the book is him discovering what he's really upset about."

Deke's emotional journey reflects something real in its author. Papantonio, like Deke, was raised by multiple families and stayed out of the foster care system through tenacity and the goodwill of those who took him in. That shared biography gives the novel a weight that Papantonio's other books, as gripping as they are, haven't quite carried.

"Writing the book was a little cathartic," he admitted. "I just love Arcadia. I couldn't wait to get to the end, where Deke comes to terms with how wonderful this little place is. But 'A Death in Arcadia' means a lot of things. It's not just the death of Bucky Carlton. It's the death of ideas. It's the death of the guilt Deke felt the entire time."

"A Death in Arcadia" debuted on March 3. It can be read as a standalone novel or as the latest chapter in the Deketomis series, which includes "Law and Disorder," "Inhuman Trafficking," "Suspicious Activity" and "The Middleman." For those willing to confront what this country has done and continues to do to its most vulnerable children, Papantonio has written a book that is both a page-turning thriller and a moral reckoning.

As Papantonio put it: "It's entertaining, it's definitely a thriller—and it's informative."

To learn more about Papantonio's legal thrillers, visit mikepapantonioauthor.com. {in}

RETURN THE JAIL Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons believes the county jail belongs under the sheriff's office, and he has the experience to back it up.

Simmons told Inweekly that the current county-run model is the wrong structure for the detention operations and that transferring control back to the sheriff would improve supervision, accountability and employee treatment.

The sheriff said, "There's a reason most counties understand it is a law enforcement function, and we need an individual with law enforcement expertise to be the decision maker."

Simmons brings firsthand knowledge to the debate. He began his career as a corrections officer, worked 12-hour shifts at the jail and later served as chief corrections officer during a turbulent period when he was the county's assistant administrator. That background, he said, gives him a clear-eyed view of what the facility needs.

The Escambia County Commission is moving forward with repairs to the jail's long-documented structural problems, which Simmons views as a necessary first step before any transfer of control can be seriously discussed. But he cautioned that a transition would be far more complex than it might appear.

"Can it be done? Of course it can be done," he said. "I just think there needs to be a lot of conversations about that."

Simmons noted that the last time the jail changed hands, the process took the better part of a year and left lingering operational issues. In 2013, Interim County Administrator George Touart convinced the commissioners to assume control of the jail after Sheriff David Morgan requested a significant budget increase to meet the U.S. Department of Justice's demands. A year later, the Central Booking and Detention Center exploded, killing two prisoners. County officials

failed to report and address a natural gas leak in the facility's flooded basement.

Simmons noted that any new transition would need to carefully account for HR, benefits, facilities management, financial reserves and staffing, including the road camp, which he said should be included in any deal.

The biggest wildcard, Simmons acknowledged, is the proposed referendum to eliminate the property tax on homesteads, which will be placed on the November 2026 ballot. The change would squeeze county budgets and make absorbing the jail's costs politically difficult, regardless of which model commissioners prefer.

JOE PATTI LAWSUIT

Mayor D.C. Reeves says the city may be closing in on a settlement in its legal dispute with Joe Patti's Seafood during an appearance on the "We Don't Color On the Dog" podcast. The city filed legal action against Joe Patti's Seafood after years of failed negotiations over a stormwater easement on the property.

Reeves said both legal teams have been actively engaged and that his position has always been to find a solution that works for both parties. "There might be some daylight in trying to come to some agreement before we have to get into bickering back and forth legal proceedings."

He acknowledged the complexity of the situation, which involves multiple layers of family ownership and easement rights, but expressed confidence that a resolution is possible without prolonged litigation.

SAILING BOOM Mayor Reeves has recently addressed SailGP's purchase of the Danish race team, ROCKWOOL, and what it means for American Magic's operations at the Port of Pensacola. He said the physical footprint at the port, including American Magic Performance and Innovation

He continued. "It's been an honor to work with you guys to learn alongside you, and I appreciate all the work you guys have put in to trying to instill still some character and portions of what we're tasked with doing as legislators, like oversight and accountability and follow-through."

The Pensacola state lawmaker and his committee challenged the DeSantis administration on several fronts, most notably the Hope Florida Foundation scandal.

"Accountability starts with us," said Andrade, who has chaired the committee for two years. "I hope that if you've seen a theme in my commentary, if we identify a failure outside of the legislature, there comes a point where we have to assess whether or not the instructions that we give, which is a core function of our role, are followed."

Andrade added, "I know I only have a few more weeks here before I turn out, but hopefully you guys can continue to build on that and do a better job than I could have in the last few years. I'm excited to see what everyone here achieves. So thank you."

Center (Warehouse 10) and Warehouse 9, which American Magic is now retaining permanently due to manufacturing demand, will remain unchanged in the near term.

The mayor noted the substantial economic impact of Pensacola becoming the official training headquarters for the SailGP league. With 13 teams, each carrying approximately 20 crew members required to train for at least a week in Pensacola, the ripple effects across local hotels and restaurants are significant.

"You do 13 teams times 20 people times seven days in our community, staying at hotels, eating at restaurants—just even that part is valuable," Reeves said.

He noted that the Andrews Institute and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition could position Pensacola as a comprehensive off-season destination for elite sailors worldwide. Reeves added that a potential SailGP developmental "minor league" could bring additional racing activity to the area.

Reeves hinted that the sailing story isn't finished. "I don't think we're done with sailing surprises and monumental things that will continue to happen within this industry and within this group in the coming weeks."

FAREWELL Last week, Rep. Alex Andrade's Health Care Budget Subcommittee held its final meeting of the 2026 session. In an emotional speech before adjournment, he thanked the House staff and his committee.

"It's been sincerely a privilege to work around you, alongside you, learn from you the past two years. It's been an immense blessing," Andrade said. "I don't know, as committee members, if when you were assigned this committee about a year and a half ago, if you expected what you got for the past two years as far as our experience."

LEY ON TARIFFS On Feb. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6–3 decision, struck down most of President Trump's recent "global" tariffs, holding that he exceeded his statutory authority by using emergency powers to impose them.

Inweekly reached out to Emily Ley, founder of stationery company Simplified. On April 1, 2025, the 42-year-old Pensacola business owner emerged as the face of the anti-tariff movement when she filed the first civil complaint against President Donald Trump and his administration. Ley has paid $1.2 million in tariffs since 2018.

"I'm having a good old day," Ley said. "This morning, I actually forgot the ruling was coming out today, and then I got a text from a friend with the news being shared, and I was thrilled."

Her case is in the Court of International Trade and has been stayed under the assumption the Supreme Court ruling would determine it. Ley said, "Ours is not closed yet. We will 99.9% be found the winner. I'm thrilled, relieved and really proud to have been part of something like that."

She is interested in refunds for the tariffs that she has paid. "My attorneys told me there's nothing stopping refunds. Of course, they're not going to do that until their hands have been forced." Ley said, "We're pulling invoices and getting all the details of what we have paid since February of last year. We're in the process of figuring that out. We'll definitely seek a refund."

President Trump has since imposed a 10% tariff on many imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a move no other president has ever taken. He has talked about raising the tariffs to 15%, which is the maximum rate under Section 122. The new tariffs can only stay in place for 150 days, unless extended by Congress.

SPORTS HALL OF FAME Blue Wahoos owners Quint and Rishy Studer have formally asked the City of Pensacola to lease the city-owned property at 101 West Main Street, which formally housed Pensacola Sports Association.

The Studers see the spot as a place to honor Pensacola's rich sports history. It could have retail space to sell sports apparel and merchandise not only for the Blue Wahoos but also the Ice Flyers, American Magic, SailGP, UWF and Pensacola State College. The building could serve as a downtown visitor center, too.

"In 2005, urban planner Ray Gindroz recommended a visitor center downtown," Studer said. "Twenty-one years later, we feel this site can include information from the Downtown Improvement Board on what is happening downtown."

The building could be the perfect fit for a Pensacola Sports Hall of Fame. In March 2004, the Pensacola Sports Association held its annual awards banquet. Its keynote speaker was LSU football coach Nick Saban, fresh off his national championship title after defeating Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Boxer Roy Jones was named pro athlete of the year, and Fred Levin was inducted into the Pensacola Sports Hall of Fame.

Levin began talking with the Pensacola Sports Association and county officials about having a physical building to house the Hall of Fame. He put together a committee and began formulating ideas. One, reported by PNJ reporter Bill Vilona, called for life-size mannequins of Pensacola's sports stars, along with touchscreen videos of their feats. A fundraiser was discussed, but Hurricane Ivan struck a year later.

During the Community Maritime Park debate, Rev. Wayne Woodard, president of Pensacola Dream Achievers, proposed building a $5 million sports museum to honor acclaimed Escambia County athletes at the park.

Woodward held a press conference at Levin's office in August 2006. "Escambia County has been blessed with such a unique gift in that we have so many people who developed into worldclass athletes, and their talent needs to be showcased. That's what we're going to do."

That initiative also failed to gain traction, but the Sports Hall of Fame is worth discussing again.

HANDS-ON

LEARNING

The University of West Florida Center for Behavior Analysis has established a new internship partnership with Escambia Westgate School, bringing specialized behavioral support to one of the region's most unique educational facilities while creating handson training opportunities for UWF graduate students pursuing Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification.

Westgate is an Escambia County public school serving pre-K through high school students up to age 22 with varying exceptionalities. It houses the Lacey A. Collier Snoezelen Complex, one of the largest multi-sensory therapeutic environments in the nation. Opened in 2005, the 11,000-square-foot facility includes immersive themed rooms—a polar room, space room, jungle room and magic room—designed to provide calming, multi-sensory stimulation that helps students regulate emotions and increase engagement in learning activities.

The internship program integrates future BCBAs at the facilities offered at Westgate and encourages collaboration among experienced

personnel uniquely qualified to support these children from different professional perspectives.

Dr. Leasha Barry, director of the UWF Center for Behavior Analysis, said the partnership leverages the strengths of both institutions. She said, "The Snoezelen complex was specifically designed to encourage engagement through curiosity as well as relaxation or leisure, offering a unique opportunity for children and those who support them using behavior analysis in this context."

UWF applied behavior analysis graduate student Kelsey Jordan began interning at Westgate to earn supervisory hours to count toward BCBA certification while supporting valuable services at the school. Jordan, a former teacher, works alongside speech and occupational therapists, teachers and aides to support individualized pro grams and foster a safe learning environment. The internship allows her to translate classroom learning into practice while strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.

"Westgate's Snoezelen learning environment is ideal for collaborating with educators and therapists to incorporate ABA methodologies and help students thrive," said Michelle Lambert, associate director of the Center for Behavior Analysis. "Kelsey effectively draws on her teaching experience to build strong relationships with teachers, administrators, aides and therapists at Westgate."

To learn more about the Center for Behavior Analysis, visit uwf.edu/centers/center-forbehavior-analysis/.

DEADLINE EXTENDED

Escambia County is now accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides an opportunity for Escambia County youth ages 1624 to receive paid work experience this summer.

Online applications are available now at myescambia.com/syep. The deadline to submit applications has been extended to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. Please note that incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Qualified youth who are accepted into the program will be able to work up to 30 hours a week at $14 per hour, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector's Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.

The Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program aims to help local youth gain valuable on-the-job experience while working toward their future career goals. Program participants will have the opportunity to learn a variety of practical job skills, along with workplace etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.

Last summer, over 200 youth participated in the program, working in county departments. Limited positions are available. To see the program's requirements, visit myescambia.com/syep. For additional information, please call Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3927 or (850) 595-1620. {in}

Plants Roots in Pensacola

By Dakota Parks

For many families in Pensacola, support just got a little closer to home.

With the launch of PFLAG Pensacola, longneeded resources are now available to LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and allies throughout the city and across Northwest Florida.

At the center of that effort is Lee Poteat, who was brought on as the chapter's president after relocating to the area in 2025. Before moving to Pensacola, Poteat and his husband lived in Rome, Ga., where they were deeply involved with their local PFLAG chapter. The organization was a cornerstone of their community—a place to find connection and chosen family.

"When we moved here, one of the first things we did was look for a PFLAG chapter," Poteat said. "When we couldn't find one, it was really disappointing because we loved that connection and the support PFLAG offers."

That absence set off a chain reaction. After mentioning the lack of a local chapter to leadership in Georgia, Poteat was connected by a regional director to four Pensacola women who were already trying to start a chapter but were running into roadblocks.

"They had the passion and the heart, but none of them had experience with PLFAG or knowing exactly what was needed to get the chapter off the ground," Poteat explained. "I met with them and gave them some tips and ideas to help, and they asked me to be president and take their reins and run with it. I was happy to fill that role because I knew how much the Pensacola community needed PFLAG."

From a Parent's Sign to a National Movement

To understand the significance of a PFLAG chapter opening locally, it helps to understand where the organization began.

PFLAG was founded in 1973, originally known as "Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays." Its roots trace back to New York City in

the early 1970s, when the mother of a gay activist, who had been brutally beaten, publicly stood up for her son.

After writing a letter to the New York Post defending him, she was asked to march alongside her son in the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, held one year after the Stonewall uprising. She carried a handmade sign that read, "Parents of Gays Unite in Support of Our Children." The message resonated instantly. Other parents, families and friends who wanted to protect and advocate for their loved ones, but didn't know how, found each other through that moment.

friendly events, casual meetups at restaurants and game nights designed to create fear-free spaces where people can relax and simply exist as themselves. Importantly, no membership is required to attend meetings, activities or events.

Over the decades, PFLAG evolved alongside the LGBTQ+ movement. Today, the organization goes simply by PFLAG, reflecting its broader mission. It now includes all members of the LGBTQ+ community alongside allies, families and friends.

What PFLAG Pensacola Will Offer

Those pillars shape everything PFLAG Pensacola is building locally. According to Poteat, the goal is to create a safe, inclusive space where people can find understanding, resources and community not just in Pensacola, but across Northwest Florida.

Support takes many forms. The chapter will host adult support group meetings the first Monday of each month, facilitated by Poteat himself. Those meetings will focus on challenges connected to coming out, identity and how being LGBTQ+ can impact relationships with family, friends and larger communities. Participation is intentionally flexible. Attendees are never called on or pressured to speak. Some may choose to share their stories while others may simply listen.

"You don't have to share to be there," Poteat explains. "This is your space to get out of it what you need."

Beyond structured support groups, PFLAG Pensacola plans to host adult outings, family-

Education is another major focus. Through workshops like safe space training, PFLAG Pensacola will partner with local organizations, businesses and community groups to provide practical guidance on inclusivity. These trainings offer a place to ask questions people may be afraid to voice elsewhere—from understanding terminology to learning how to respond with grace when someone comes out.

"We want people to feel comfortable learning so they can advocate and speak up as allies," Poteat said.

PFLAG's website also connects members and community to a wide range of resources, including guidance on being a better ally, finding affirming healthcare, supporting LGBTQ+ children and grandchildren and accessing advocacy tools.

Advocacy in a Critical Moment

Advocacy may be the most urgent piece of PFLAG's work. Poteat points to escalating legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, particularly those targeting transgender people and trans youth, as one of the most pressing issues facing the community.

"These laws are not just disappointing and heartbreaking; they're dangerous," he says. "Trans youth already struggle transitioning. This is not something that they're doing for fun. This is who they are, and to not be able to get the care that your body is requiring is devastating. Governments should never be allowed to determine if you can be who you are or not."

Nationally, PFLAG provides tools and resources to help community members engage directly in the legislative process, including organizing transportation alongside Equality Florida

to Tallahassee during Florida's legislative session, providing contact information for elected officials and making advocacy as accessible as possible. Locally, PFLAG Pensacola plans to partner with other LGBTQ+ organizations to organize and collaborate.

"We put all of that information together for you, so you don't have to do the digging," Poteat says. "You can just be the voice."

Looking Ahead

While the chapter is starting with adult support groups, the long-term vision is expansive. By 2027, PFLAG Pensacola hopes to offer support groups for teens and allow additional groups for parents, seniors or other specific communities to grow organically based on local needs.

Those who want to deepen their involvement can become members of PFLAG Pensacola for $15 for college students, $20 for individuals or $30 for a household. Membership connects supporters to national PFLAG resources, including exclusive trainings, advocacy alerts and educational materials while also helping fund vital local programming and broader advocacy efforts at both the state and national levels.

Ultimately, Poteat says, the work comes down to visibility, safety and belonging. By listening to one another and meeting people where they are, PFLAG Pensacola aims to create a ripple effect offering dignity and respect not only to those who attend meetings, but to those who may be watching from the outside, unsure if it's safe to step forward yet.

"This gives people a place to belong," he says. "Sometimes, that makes all the difference." {in}

PLFAG Pensacola pflag.org/chapter/pensacola instagram.com/pflagpensacola pflagpensacola@gmail.com

Arts & Entertainment

"Insert Band Name Here" used to be their actual band name. But now, they've got another name to insert: Mourning Glories.

Besides, the double entendre will look better as a festival headliner.

Mourning Glories—a post-gaze band composed of Pensacola natives Mary-Cathryn Cavazos (guitar and vocals), Jake Still (guitar and vocals), Mitchell Dupre (bass and vocals) and Alex Taylor Gibson (drums and vocals)—isn't afraid to set big goals like headlining a festival. But they're starting with some short-term goals like getting established in the Pensacola music scene, dropping an EP and going on tour (all while DIYing their own merch at the kitchen table with a crowd of friends, of course).

While admittedly they all have different personalities, music unifies them.

"We're all very passionate people about music and we all love it differently, but I think the way that we combine the love that we have for music has just managed to turn into something that's bigger than any one of us," Gibson said.

"The biggest feedback we get when we play is that we look like we're having fun, and truly we are," Cavazos added. "I think all of us, except for maybe Alex, get really bad stage fright. Once we get up there and we start playing, any squabble we may have had at practice about how to play a certain piece or what the setlist should be or

what the lyrics should be in this one line, it just goes out the window. And it's all in the name of just enjoying what we do."

The group started with Gibson and Dupre, who have known each other since school. They jammed in a shed to kill the time during the Covid shutdown, originally inspired by the likes of The Cure and My Bloody Valentine. But adding Cavazos and Still changed their sound, warranting a rebrand.

"As we added members, more brain power entered the fray," Dupre said. "We had [Cavazos] with her own personal music tastes, inspirations like Paramore and more pop punk-y stuff too. And then the same thing whenever we swapped out our other guitarist for [Still]. He's more of a metal guitarist guy, so he implemented a lot of different flavors … We just took all of our different respective sounds and went that shoe-gaze direction with them, while still keeping them individual and having a different, not entirely shoegaze sound."

Hence the genre "post-gaze," Gibson explained.

"It borrows [from] a bunch of genres," Gibson said. "Of course, we already said shoegaze, but post punk, art rock and Midwest emo stuff—more like bands like The Smashing Pumpkins or American Football started to get thrown in there. But no matter how inspired you get by music, you can never sound like your inspiration—so don't try to. Let it

go its path, and if you like it, that's what matters."

Cavazos remembers being nervous to jump into an already established band, she said.

"I basically told them, 'I'm gonna write what I feel, what I want to write, and take it or leave it,'" she said.

"We've liked it so far," Gibson chimed in. Cavazos wrote lyrics and sings lead on two songs for the EP. One is their most pop-punk song and opener, "Psycho."

"I wrote that song after a very unhealthy and somewhat detrimental friendship that just needed to end on both sides," Cavazos said. "But I learned a lot through that friendship, and one of the things I learned was that if you don't learn to forgive and forget and just let bygones be bygones, then sometimes you can become your own worst enemy."

Many of the songs are a team effort, with one writing lyrics and the others creating the music around it—like the song "Sometimes." The music was written before Cavazos even joined.

"I had been wanting to write this song for my friend who had passed away in a car accident in 2019, and nothing felt like it was enough to honor her," Cavazos said. "Then I heard the instrumental they were playing, and I was like, 'This is it.' … The song is about wanting so badly to speak to someone you've lost to death and not knowing if they can hear you or respond, and the feelings that come with that."

Gibson wrote "Mag II" in the wake of that song, prefacing that he has borderline personality disorder and attachment issues that come with it. The lyrics stemmed from his poem "Magnolia."

"The song started to spring out whenever there was a long silence from somebody I was really close to, and eventually things fizzled out," Gibson said. "The song really is just reflecting over how I handle rejection, the sensitivity to it, but also learning to counteract that as well, and to not hold any animosity toward a person, despite the challenges that can come with a mental health issue like that … it was good closure for myself."

Still wrote the final song on the EP, "The Pier."

"It's a very melodramatic, atmospheric song, maybe even cathartic," Still said. "I don't want to spoil what it's about, but sort of about introspection into things you regret doing, but that you still look back on with fondness for some weird reason. It's definitely our most grandiose track, and we're hoping it's the song that gets the most tears."

Mourning Glories was as precise about the music and lyrics as the EP's name, "Liberosis." Gibson read the definition: "The desire to care less about things, to figure out a way to relax your grip on your life and hold it loosely and playfully, keeping it in the air like a volleyball with quick and fleeting interventions bouncing freely in the hands of trusted friends always in play."

"That just struck a chord, because a lot of our songs have a sadder tone to them, but they do have a deceptively higher energy despite the lyric contents," Gibson said. "Overall, the unifying feeling is a desire to not be so caught up in the weeds with yourself, and I just felt like that word encapsulated it really beautifully—and also it was an expansion of my vocabulary."

While the EP isn't out yet, you can still catch Mourning Glories live or preview the songs on YouTube in a video titled "MOURNING GLORIES - Live at The Handlebar - May 10, 2025." In the video, they perform in flower crowns—an homage to their name and the Roman Empire's flower festival called Rosalia.

"A lot of that is about remembering the dead, but remembering that you're still living, and carrying forward this idea that life is ephemeral, and you should savor every bit of it," Cavazos said. "That's where the flower motif comes from: yes, flowers are pretty and then they die, but new ones bloom again. We've really embodied ourselves with the idea of flowers, bones, things like that, that remind us. It's like a memento mori, but it's still beautiful." {in}

MOURNING GLORIES

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NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

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 ADOP -

TION 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.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

EMERALD COAST WRITERS KICKS OFF SEARCH FOR FIRST-EVER EMERALD COAST YOUTH POET LAUREATE Emerald Coast Writers has launched the Emerald Coast Youth Poet Laureate program, inviting passionate young poets ages 13–19 to apply. This opportunity is open to teens who reside in one of the following counties: Escambia (FL and AL), Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Fort Walton, Bay, Baldwin or Mobile. Applicants should be enthusiastic about reading and performing their poetry for an audience and giving back to their community. Applications open in late March and close on April 10. Applicants will submit five poems and a resume highlighting community involvement and civic service. Finalists will be eligible to compete at the regional level and could potentially apply for the next National Youth Poet Laureate. ECW will host a virtual workshop on March 10 at 7:30 p.m.

to answer questions and help build poetry portfolios and resumes.

ECW's current Northwest Florida Poet Laureate, Asia Sampson, will attend to share his poetry and offer inspiration. Registration is required, with a recording available for those registered and unable to attend.

The commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 3, at 5 p.m. at the Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. For more information and future updates, visit emeraldcoastwritersinc.org.

To learn more about the National Youth Poet Laureate program, visit: youthlaureate.org.

ARTS & CULTURE

KISS ALL THE TIME, DISCO OCCASIONALLY: LISTENING

PAWTY Coastal Cat Café, 1508 W. Garden St., will host a listening party 7 p.m. Friday, March 6. Tickets are $20. Details at coastalcatpcola.com.

SIX: THE MUSICAL (TEEN EDITION) The pop musical takes the Pensacola Little Theatre stage 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7, Thursday, March 12, Friday, March 13; Saturday, March 15; and 2:30 p.m. Sundays March 8 and 15. Tickets are $15-$40 and available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

GALLERY TALKS: OKLAHOMA! Enjoy a short performance and lecture from Pensacola Opera 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7 at the Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details at pensacolaopera.com/events.

IMPROVABLE CAUSE The next Improvable Cause show is 10 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

GARDEN PARTY AT QUAYSIDE GALLERY

Exhibit featuring artists Ellen Holland Manual Rivas at Quayside Gallery, 17 E. Zaragoza St. On view through March 30. Details at quaysidegallery.com.

LONG AFTER DARK: STORIES WITHIN THE COLLECTION Curated for this exhibition are pieces that form a visual chronicle of place, history, culture and community. It is on view through March 8 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for details.

PENSACOLA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

LECTURE SERIES Join PAS for its next lecture featuring faculty from the UWF Department of Anthropology. The lecture is 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd. Details are at pasfl.org.

DRAW TOGETHER DRAWING CLUB Starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. A free event that is open to all ages and skill levels—supplies provided.

2026 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE The University of West Florida's Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for

Leadership will host the 12th annual Women in Leadership Conference on March 12 at the Pensacola campus, 11000 University Parkway. The conference will be offered both in person at the UWF Conference Center on the University's Pensacola campus and virtually. Register online at uwf.edu/lbjcob/community-outreach/ women-in-leadership.

PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS: RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA!

Performances are 7 p.m. Friday, March 13 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and details at pensacolasaenger.com.

2026 PENSACOLA FILM FESTIVAL Pensacola

Cinema Art will host the Pensacola Film Festival March 13, 14 and 15 at 220 W. Garden St. Details at pensacolacinemaart.com.

TAGGED EXHIBITION The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida presents "TAGGED," an annual juried exhibition open for submission to all UWF students. The exhibit will run from March 5-12, with an opening ceremony and awards presentation on March 5 from 5-7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway. Visit uwf.edu/tag for details.

FABULOUS FORGERIES Artel Gallery's current show "Fabulous Forgeries" is on view through March 27. Featured artists: Carlotta Succi, SN Dabson, Marjorie Kitchen and The Paint Out Artist Group. Located at 223 S. Palafox St. For more details visit artelgallery.org.

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 is on display through May 1 at the Switzer Gallery at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Details are at visualarts.pensacolastate.edu.

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 and 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 non-members 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 stand-up 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.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART FILM SCREENINGS Pensacola Cinema Art screens multiple films most weekends at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10, and payment is cash only. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for their complete schedule.

PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market is 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.

LIVE MUSIC

WUWF'S RADIOLIVE The next RadioLive is 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5 with Kray Van Kirk, Rupert Wates and Galen Martin + Crutches at the Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. Tickets are $10 and available at radiolive.org.

WAYNE HANCOCK AND THE VICTROLAS Show starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS Show is 7 p.m. Friday, March 6 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details at vinylmusichall.com.

LETDOWN., BLAME MY YOUTH, LUCHIANO AND YOUTHYEAR Show starts at

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6 p.m. Friday, March 6 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

LIVE GOTH NIGHT FEATURING CVNTTEETH, COME TO RUIN, GRAVE CHORUS AND L.U.S.T Show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 2 Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performance featuring UWF Singers and Choral Society of Pensacola 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets available at pensacolasymphony.com.

EXHUMED, OXYGEN DESTROYER, NO / MAS, FOGCRAWLER AND SUSPECT TERROR Show starts at 6 p.m. Monday, March 9 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

VIOLINIST SHANNON THOMAS The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music presents the Rolfs Music Hall Artist Series at UWF featuring guest violinist Shannon Thomas 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9. Details at uwf.edu/cfpa.

SHWAYZE AND NOTHING SHORT OF PURE Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

DISCO, ALWAYS: A HARRY STYLES

DANCE NIGHT Starts at 9 p.m. Thursday, March 12 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Party & Disco & Dance all night long with us as we celebrate Harry's new record. Our DJ will be spinning Harry, 1D and more dance floor favorites. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

RITUAL 6: GOTH/INDUSTRIAL NIGHT

Starts at 8 p.m. Friday, March 13 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. A goth/industrial dance party with the best goth, industrial, darkwave, EBM and post-punk tracks around. More info available at thehandlebar850.com.

KORN AND LIMP BIZKIT TRIBUTE SHOW

FEATURING DEUCE, COUNTERFEIT, FLUXE AND ROB PEREZ Show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14 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 COLO -

NY 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 in-

strument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE QUAR-

TER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads on Tuesday nights at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

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 COURTYARD 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.

FOOD + DRINKS

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS The next Atlas

Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5 with Asesinato Tequila. Cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required. Call (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com for tickets.

CHEF SHOWCASE 2026 Chef showcase 2026 will take place 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 6 at the Sanders Beach Ballroom, located at 913 South I St. Event is a semi-formal evening featuring 18 of Pensacola's top chefs, each presenting signature tastings for guests to enjoy. Tickets are $75 per person benefitting Pensacola Dream Center ministries. For details, visit pensacoladreamcenter.org.

CULTURES COOK: AUTHENTIC INDIAN Cooking class is 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 6 at Pensacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Ste. C. Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/ classes-and-events.

EAT, DRINK AND BE IRISH St. Patrick's Party at Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Rd. with specialty brews, Irish food specials, live music and more. 12-10 p.m. Saturday, March 7.

CHUMP CHANGE Mini school carnival at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. benefiting local teachers. Limited release soda from Big Jerk Soda, bake sale, pizza and more. 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Details at facebook.com/oddcolony.

FUNDAMENTALS: SUSHI SKILLS Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Pen -

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sacola Cooks Classroom, 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Ste. C. Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/ classes-and-events.

EIGHTH ANNUAL GIRL SCOUT COOKIE AND CRAFT BEER OR WINE PAIRING

Taste four beers or wine paired with four Girl Scout cookies 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Tickets are $20 plus fees and available at Eventbrite.com. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.

9TH ANNUAL I SANG IRISH KARAOKE AT PERFECT PLAIN AFTER THE MCGUIRE'S RUN Event is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St. Enjoy karaoke, jello shots and green beer. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

FLORA-BAMA BOOZY SPELLING BEE Event

is 5-6 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. Contestants can sign up the day of the event.

VINO MAGNIFICO Sample five wines and mingle with other wine enthusiasts 5:30 p.m. March 10 at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox St. Cost is $20 per person. Reservations are required. Make yours online at vpauls.com.

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER Atlas Oyster House and Executive Jason Hughes present a family-style oyster dinner event with special guests Grayson Bay Oyster Co., and Pensacola

& Perdido Bays Estuary Program. The event is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12. Cost is $65 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com.

VEGFEST AT GARY'S BREWERY Vegan food trucks, live music, vendors and more every second Sunday from 12-5 p.m. through May 12 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.

DOWNTOWN HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Drink specials and laidback 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.

MARTINI MONDAYS AT DOROTHY'S

Martini menu with specialty prices at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.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., 5–9 p.m. Mondays 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.).

TRIVIA AT DOROTHY'S Play trivia 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. It's free to play, and prizes are up for grabs. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

75-CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75cent 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 Steakhouse, 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.

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SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT AT DORO -

THY'S Reverse happy hour from 9 p.m.-midnight with other specials Wednesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com 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. Wednesdays 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.

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.

KARAOKE AT DOROTHY'S Karaoke begins 8 p.m. Thursdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

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.

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA Get deals on pitchers 8 p.m.-midnight at O'Riley's Tavern. Trivia is 8 p.m., and 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.

THEMED DANCE PARTIES Visit Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Fridays for themed dance parties with DJ Brody P 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUAR -

TER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., on Fridays for 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. Fridays 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 Saturdays, 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.

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free will astrology

WEEK OF MARCH 5

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Many ancient cultures had myths that explained solar eclipses as celestial creatures eating the sun. In China, the devourer was a dragon. A frog did it in Vietnam, wolves in Norse lore, and bears in several Indigenous American legends. In some places, people made loud noises during the blackout, banging drums and pots, to drive away the attacker and bring back the sun. I suspect you are now in the midst of a metaphorical eclipse of your own, Aries. But don't worry! Just as was true centuries ago, your sun won't actually be gobbled up. Instead, here's the likely scenario: you will rouse an appetite for transformation that will consume outdated ideas and situations. Whatever disintegrates will become fuel for new stories. You will convert old pain and decay into vital energy. Your luminous vigor will return even stronger.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Maybe you have been enjoying my advice for years but still haven't become a billionaire, grown into a potent influencer, or landed the perfect job. Does that mean I've failed you? Should you swap me out for a more results-oriented oracle? If rewards like those are the dreams you treasure, then yes, it may be time to search for a new guide. But if what you want most is simply to cultivate the steady gratification of feeling real and whole and authentic, then stick with me. PS: The coming days are likely to offer you abundant opportunities to feel real and whole and authentic. Take advantage!

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): In 1557, a Welsh mathematician invented the equals sign (=) to avoid repeatedly writing the words "is equal to." Over the next centuries, this helped make algebra more convenient and efficient. The moral of the story: some breakthroughs come not from making novel discoveries but from finding better ways to render and use what's already known. I'm pleased to say that you Geminis are primed to devise your own equivalents of the equals sign. What strengths might you express with greater crispness and efficiency? What familiar complications could you make easier? See if can find shortcuts that aid productivity without sacrificing precision.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): One benefit of being an astrologer is that when I need a

By Rob Brezsny

break from being intensely myself, I can take a sabbatical. My familiarity with the zodiac frees me to escape the limits of my personal horoscope and play at being other signs. I always return from my getaway with a renewed appreciation for the unique riddle that is my identity. I think now is an excellent time for Cancerians like you and me to enjoy such a vacation. We can have maximum fun and attract inspiring educational experiences by experimenting. I plan to be like a Sagittarius and may also experiment with embodying Aries qualities.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): In Scandinavian folklore, there's a phenomenon called "utiseta." It involves sitting out at night in a charged place in nature, like a crossroads or border. The goal is to make oneself patiently available for visions, wisdom, or contact with spirits and ancestors. I suspect you could benefit from the equivalent of a utiseta right now, Leo. Do you dare to refrain from forcing solutions through sheer will? Are you brave enough to let answers wander into your midst instead of hunting them down? I believe your strength is your willingness to be still and wait in a threshold.

"My client is not in a hurry," he meant that his client was God. I invite you to borrow this perspective, Libra. See how much fun you can have by releasing yourself from the tyranny of urgency. Grant yourself permission to concentrate on a process that might take a long time to unfold. What a generous and ultimately productive luxury it will be for you to align yourself with deep rhythms and relaxing visions! I believe your good work will require resoluteness that transcends conventional timelines.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): The ancient Chinese philosophical text known as the Tao Te Ching teaches that "the usefulness of a cup is in its emptiness." A vessel full of itself can receive nothing. Is it possible that you are currently so crammed with opinions, strategies and righteous certainty that you've lost some of your capacity to receive? I suspect there are wonders and marvels trying to reach you, Scorpio: insights, inquiries, and invitations. But they can't get in if you're full. Your assignment: temporarily empty yourself. Create space by releasing cherished positions, a defensive stance, or stories about how things must be.

the path forward that doesn't need a perfect sign, a final push, or fate's permission slip.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): If you're anything like me, you wince as you recall the lazy choices and careless passivity that speckle your past. You may wonder what you were thinking when you treated yourself so cavalierly, pushed away a steadfast ally, or let a dazzling invitation slip by. At times I feel as if my wrong turns carry more weight in my fate than the bright, grace-filled moments. Here's good news for you, though. March is Amnesty Month for all Aquarians willing to own up to and graduate from their missteps. As you work diligently to unwind the unhelpful patterns that led you off course, life will release you from the heavy drag of those old failures and their leftover momentum.

Nothing appears to happen for a while, and then everything happens at once.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): You are a devotee of the sacred particular. While others traffic in vague abstractions, you understand that vitality thrives in the details. Your attention to nuance and precision is not fussiness but a form of love. I get excited to see you honor life by noticing all of its specific textures and rhythms! Now, more than ever, the world needs this superpower of yours. I hope you will express it even stronger in the coming months. May you exult in the knowledge that your refusal to treat the world carelessly or sloppily isn't about perfectionism but about respect.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Architect Antoni Gaudí spent over 40 years designing Barcelona's Sagrada Família cathedral. He knew he wouldn't live to see it finished. It's still under construction today, long after his death. When he said,

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): The Yoruba concept of ashe refers to the power to make things happen. It's the life force that flows through all things, and can be accumulated, directed, and shared. Right now, your ashe is strong but a bit scattered, Sagittarius. You have power, but it's diffused across too many commitments and half-pursued desires. So your assignment is to consolidate. Choose two things that matter most and fully pour your ashe into them. As you concentrate your vitality, you'll get more done and become a conduit for blessings larger than yourself.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): What's holding you back? What are you waiting for? A nudge from destiny? A breaking point when you'll be compelled to act? A hidden clue that may or may not reveal itself? It's my duty to tell you this: all that lingering and dallying, all that wishing and hoping, is wasted energy. As long as you're sitting still, pining for a cosmic deliverance to handle the hard parts, the sweet intervention will keep its distance. The instant you claim the authority to act, you'll see it clearly:

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): In systems theory, "critical points" are moments when long periods of small changes gradually accumulate, and then suddenly erupt into a big shift. Nothing appears to happen for a while, and then everything happens at once. Ice becomes water, for instance. I suspect you're nearing such a pivot, Pisces. You've been gathering strength, clarity, and nerve in subtle ways. Soon you will be visited by what we might call a graceful, manageable explosion. The slow, persistent changes you've been overseeing will result in a major transition.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Experiment with this principle: take only what you need. {in}

freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com BrezsnyAstrology@gmail.com © 2026 Rob Brezsny

news of the weird

QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENT Gregory Saxton, 35, of New Virginia, Iowa, interviewed for a deputy position with the Warren County Sheriff's Office, which included a pre-employment polygraph screening, KCRG-TV reported on Feb. 23. During the screening, Saxton admitted that he had viewed child pornography on the dark web. On Feb. 19, investigators executed a search warrant for Saxton's phone, and he was arrested at his home and charged with 13 counts of possessing child pornography. [KCRG, 2/23/2026]

HERO Reuters reported on Feb. 24 that during the first half of a football match in Zeytinburnu, Turkey, a ball kicked high into the air struck a seagull that happened to be flying by, knocking it to the ground. Istanbul Yurdum Spor team captain Gani Catan rushed to the fallen bird and began CPR on its little chest—which worked! The gull began to move, and Catan took it to the medical staff on the sideline for further care. While his team lost the match, Catan had no regrets. "Helping save a life is a good thing," he said. "This was more important than the championship." [Reuters, 2/24/2026]

MYSTERY UNSOLVED The Rockingham (North Carolina) County Sheriff's Department announced on Feb. 20 that it had located a woman who went missing in Virginia on Dec. 9, 2001, Cleveland19-TV reported. Michele Hundley Smith, now 62, kissed her kids goodnight and left her home to do some Christmas shopping around 8:30 p.m. She was not seen again. Detectives said they had "received new information" about her and made contact with her, but Smith requested that her whereabouts remain a secret. Netflix, are you getting this? [Cleveland19, 2/22/2026]

THE TECH REVOLUTION Kaiya Reel of East Hollywood, California, ordered food for delivery, KTLA-TV reported on Feb. 22, but the Coco robot device that brought her dinner ran into some problems (literally). Reel said she was inside her home when she heard a commotion outside; "I came out here and found the Coco in my garden. It had got my fence caught up in its wheel ... then just drove away with the fence attached to it," Reel said. "I chased after it and looked like a total crazy person." The company that runs the Coco robots is going to reimburse Reel for the damage to her garden; apparently, it's not Coco's first rodeo with deliveries going amok. One ran into an ambulance, and another knocked over a parked motorcycle. [KTLA, 2/22/2026]

NEWS YOU CAN USE The Nantucket Current reported on Feb. 19 that the island's occupants are having a MUCH BETTER time than you are, at least if wastewater data are your gauge. Eight months' worth of readings show that levels of cocaine in Nantucket's sewage are three times higher than the national average. Interestingly, levels of other drugs, such as meth and fentanyl, are lower than the national average. Nantucket Police Chief Jody Kasper

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

said her department is focusing on illicit drugs in general, not just cocaine. "They have made a dent, but we certainly understand that the narcotics industry is the supply and demand industry, so that we need to stay on top of it," she said. [Nantucket Current, 2/19/2026]

OVERKILL The Pocono (Pennsylvania) Mountain Regional Police are looking for Sean McDermott—no, not the former Buffalo Bills coach, but a resident of a townhouse in Pocono Pines who is suspected of starting a fire that spread to other units. WPVI-TV reported that on Feb. 23, a witness said McDermott, 36, set multiple small fires in his own home to try to kill spiders. He allegedly had a small smoldering fire on his floor and placed a loveseat over it. The witness said he tried to put out the fires, but McDermott kept setting more. They left the scene, and when they returned it was fully engulfed. McDermott escaped in a UHaul and is still at large. [WPVI, 2/24/2026]

RECURRING THEME When a 12-year-old in Monroe, North Carolina, missed the bus to school on Feb. 18, he made the obvious choice to just drive himself. The Charlotte Observer reported that a Monroe police officer made a traffic stop around 8:30 a.m. and discovered the middle-schooler behind the wheel. A school resource officer from Monroe Middle School transported the boy to school "without further incident," officers said. The state's social services department is following up with the family. [Charlotte Observer, 2/19/2026]

THE CONTINUING CRISIS Drivers of two vehicles waiting at a stoplight in Omaha, Nebraska, on Feb. 24 suddenly found themselves staring at the sky, KETV reported. An SUV and a pickup truck suddenly fell into a sinkhole several feet deep; neither driver was hurt, but the SUV driver needed help from bystanders getting out of the hole. Omaha Public Works said the sinkhole was caused by an underground pressurized water leak. [KETV, 2/24/2026]

THE LITIGIOUS SOCIETY In a lawsuit filed on Feb. 19, Dennis and Patricia Swartz are seeking $150,000 in damages—each—from an incident in February 2025. The Independent reported that the couple were dining at LongHorn Steakhouse in Madison, Tennessee, when a "decorative object" (a large set of antlers) fell from the wall above them and struck them both. The lawsuit alleges the object was "improperly and inadequately secured to the wall of the premises" and the owner of LongHorn, Darden Restaurants, was negligent. The suit does not outline the Swartzes' injuries, but says they have suffered lasting "mental anguish" and "severe personal damages." [The Independent, 2/24/2026] {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2026 Andrews McMeel

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