Downtown Crowd, March 2023

As I write this, it’s the end of February and the weather outside is absolutely perfect—sunshine and warmth with a cool spring breeze. March brings us the first official day of spring and this couldn’t make me happier. The change in the weather makes me excited to get outside and start enjoying some of my favorite activities again—a stark contrast to spending my winter days in hibernation.

Luckily, there’s plenty to do in the springtime in Pensacola, and March kicks off the season with a bang. From cycling the downtown streets with Bike Pensacola to the return of VegFest at the Community Maritime Park, there’s no shortage of fun to be had this month. For this issue, we’ve brought you details on Bike Pensacola and their monthly community Slow Ride events, the complete scoop on the upcoming VegFest event, updates on the potential expansion of Palafox Market and more.

As always, I hope you enjoy this month’s issue and until next time, Cheers!

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DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing. Offices located at 21 E. Garden St., Ste. 205 Pensacola, FL 32502

Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. All Right Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2023

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5 Questions With Creatives

Darby Beth, Groovy Garden Glass

Stained glass artist Darby Beth designs and creates retro-style stained glass art that catch both the eye and the sun. Inspired by design elements of the 1970s, some of Beth’s pieces take the shape of popular 70s motifs like flowers and mushrooms, and other designs depict intricate scenes like sunrises and spiritual displays. A majority of her pieces feature hues of mustard yellows, burnt oranges and browns, with bright pops of avocado green that are a midcentury lover’s dream.

Beth is the owner of Groovy Garden Glass, where she sells her stained glass pieces online and in-person. You can find Groovy Garden Glass at the Blue Moon Antique Mall on West Navy Boulevard in Pensacola. Her booth is always stocked with her latest pieces, with new creations added each week. Beth also takes commissions. To view more of Beth’s work or contact her for a commissioned piece, visit @groovygardenglass on Instagram or groovygardenglass.bigcartel.com.

Let’s start with you telling me a little bit about yourself and your educational background.

I am originally from Indiana, where I was born. My family moved to Pensacola when I was only a few months old. Although I grew up here, I spent my high school years in Indiana until I graduated and moved back to Pensacola. I’m an entirely selftaught artist with no college education, only a few high school art classes.

What medium would you consider your work to be and how long have you been interested in this specific medium?

I work in the medium of stained glass art, which can also be considered “painting with light.” I’ve always admired stained glass windows anywhere I’d see them. As I began searching for a new medium to implement some of my ideas, I was seeing even more inspiration online and decided to give stained glass a try.

Can you take me through your creative process and describe what all goes into creating one of your pieces?

To create a stained glass piece I start with drawing a digital pattern on my iPad. Once the

design is finished, I print out two copies. One to use as a template and the other to cut and use as a stencil. Next, I pick out what colors of glass I’m going to use for my piece. Each piece of the project is traced onto its color of glass and then cut with a scoring tool and a pair of running pliers. Once all the pieces are cut, I use a grinder to smooth the edges. Next, I wrap the edges of each piece in copper foil tape and place each piece in their correct spots on the template. Before I solder the piece together, I apply liquid flux which helps the solder stick to the copper foil. Then I’ll solder the entire piece and wash the piece with soap and water. Depending on the size, pieces can take anywhere from a few hours to days of constant work.

Your work appears to be inspired by 1970s designs and decor. Can you tell me about this retro influence?

My artistic vision has always been inspired by vintage design. I think I was influenced by my mom who loves thrifting and everything 70s. When I was a teenager, she would always come into my room with something vintage from a yard sale and say, “Do you want this? It’s from the 70s,” haha. Eventually my room was filled with a bunch of antiques like the rest of the house.

Can you tell me about the different types of stained glass pieces you create? What are some of your most popular pieces?

Most of the pieces that I make are just decorative suncatchers, but I also enjoy making more functional things like candle holders, wind chimes, plant stakes, and night lights. Some of my most popular pieces are definitely anything bee or bat related. I always get requests to do bees and honeycomb pieces.

I work in the medium of stained glass art, which can also be considered ‘painting with light.’

This is a family friendly event to kick off your Easter weekend celebrations. Bring out the family and everyone get their run on!

Proceeds for the 2023 JB5K Run & Walk will enable Trinity Presbyterian Church to support the following local and international mission projects:

• Living Waters for the World

• Send 56-Uganda

• Teach to Transform

Hosted by:

• Jicamarca Peru

• UKirk Tallahassee

• Trinity Youth Outreach

April 8th April 8th

For registration and event details, visit

JellyBean5K.com

Timed run & walk | Untimed youth race & fun walk | Strollers & dog walkers welcome

Awards for the recognized finishers are the famous Homemade Easter Cakes provided by the Trinity Presbyterian Woman’s Group.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Get Your Veg On!

Pensacola VegFest Returns to Community Maritime Park

Pensacola VegFest is back for its fifth year of bringing the best vegan foods and vendors to the Pensacola community. Each year, the festival is home to a variety of local and traveling food trucks, restaurants, chefs, artists and vendors of all types.

This year, VegFest returns to being hosted at the Community Maritime Park in downtown Pensacola. In previous years, the festival was primarily hosted at the Maritime Park. However, in 2022 organizers had to relocate to Pensacola Beach due to the park being damaged by Hurricane Sally.

“We are so excited to be back at Maritime Park, it’s our favorite venue and provides the best views Pensacola has to offer,” Pensacola VegFest President, Whitney Hancock said. “This year we are bringing in new vendors and more chef demonstrations, along with a ton of new festival merchandise.”

One of the most anticipated vendors participating in this year’s VegFest is Slutty Vegan, an Atlanta-based Black-Owned burger restaurant chain. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of burgers, sandwiches, chicken and shrimp—all 100 percent vegan, of course!

Slutty Vegan has grown to become quite the popular chain throughout Georgia, and has even expanded into Alabama and New York, creating a total of seven open locations and three soon-to-open. Slutty Vegan has some of the most in-demand vegan junk food on the market.

“We are so excited to have Slutty Vegan at the festival! We worked hard in getting them to come to Pensacola, honestly over a year in the making,” Hancock said. Despite being a popular restaurant, Slutty Vegan does not often travel to festivals away from its brick-and-mortar locations. However, the restaurant will be packing up its food truck and paying a visit to Pensacola VegFest.

“Festivals are not what they [Slutty Vegan] do, but we offered beautiful beaches and a warm welcome, and they are so excited to see what Pensacola is all about! Pensacola VegFest has a solid reputation in the vegan world and if past festivals are any inclination, I think they will be pleasantly surprised with how amazing our community is,” Hancock explained.

Slutty Vegan is not the only popular restaurant that will be in attendance; there will also be a variety of widely known and locally known spots dishing out their best vegan food at the festival. Other widely known vendors include Vuture Food and Southern Fried Vegan. Some of the local vendors include Plant-Based Wellness Con Sabor, who will be serving up delicious vegan street tacos, and Moody Mocha, who will bring an assortment of vegan and gluten-free bakery items.

According to Hancock, more vendor announcements are to come. “We are working with a few other amazing vendors so be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on what we are doing,” she said.

Another new aspect of this year’s VegFest is the addition of a tiered ticketing system. VegFest has created a V.I.V (very important vegan) ticket tier, which comes with several perks including free parking, a tote bag, a t-shirt, two raffle entries and a goodie bag filled with samples, coupons, and products from vegan brands.

“The VIV Tickets are something new we are trying this year. We have partnered with big-name vegan brands to send us samples, coupons and more,” Hancock said. “We specifically reached out to the vegan brands that we know and love and wanted to share that with our friends who attend Pensacola VegFest.”

V.I.V tickets start at $25, whereas standard entry to the festival is $5. V.I.V tickets are limited, with only 100 tickets available.

No matter which ticket you go with, VegFest attendees will get to experience some of the best vegan cuisine, chef demonstrations, live music, and shopping at vegan and eco-friendly vendors, all while admiring the wonderful views of gorgeous Pensacola Bay.

The day is jam-packed with so much fun, even a non-vegan would enjoy it!

“We are not only here for people who have already chosen this lifestyle (we started the festival for us), but also for people who are curious,” Hancock said. “We say this every year and this is still our focus—veganism is not just about eating salads or some plain raw vegetable, it is about good food, good people, and caring about our bodies, home, and our animals. Through food, people build connections, knowledge, happiness, and trust. We bring good food to the area just for that purpose and in doing so we make such a huge difference in both our home and in the bigger picture.”

Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eater looking to try something new, Pensacola VegFest will impress you and your taste buds. The 2023 Pensacola VegFest is scheduled from 11 am to 6 pm on March 25 at Community Maritime Park (301 W Main Street).

To stay up to date with new vendors and festival activities, check out @PensacolaVegFest on Instagram and Facebook. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolavegfest.com.

We are so excited to be back at Maritime Park, it’s our favorite venue and provides the best views Pensacola has to offer. "

SUBMISSIONS DUE BY March 1 , 2023

Explore the City on Two Wheels with Bike Pensacola

The freedom and excitement you feel while riding a bike are unlike any other mode of transportation.

Whether you enjoy leisurely riding with friends or use your bike to commute on a regular basis, there’s something thrilling about using a bicycle to explore the streets of your own city. It’s not only an efficient and fun way to explore all that Pensacola has to offer, it also allows you to take in your natural surroundings and gain a truly immersive perspective on the city.

From the scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico and slow rides through quaint neighborhoods, to white-knuckling down wooded off-road trails, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to explore that provide a wonderful way to get closer to nature while also discovering some of the area’s hidden gems.

Thanks to the diligent work being done by local organizations like Bike Pensacola, the cycling culture in Pensacola is improving. Established in 2015 by local biking enthusiast, environmental advocate and Bike Pensacola Executive Director, Christian Wagley, Bike Pensacola is a coalition of bicyclists, bike clubs, bike shops and other organizations working to improve conditions for bicycling in Pensacola.

In addition to offering information on bicycle laws and other tips to help keep rides safe and enjoyable, Bike Pensacola hosts a monthly group Slow Ride event, which is held on Saturday afternoons. For this free community event, the public is invited to gather at a designated location near the downtown area for a fun leisurely ride among friends.

The event, Wagley said, has helped boost cyclist confidence and raise awareness of how beautiful and bikeable the downtown area really is.

For each Slow Ride, all participants, as a group, will leisurely bike their way through different areas of the city. Each ride is anywhere from five to six miles and lasts about an hour. The pace is very leisurely and no one gets left behind.

Every ride features a different route, and Wagley believes one of the event’s biggest draws is that it exposes people to parts of the city or other areas that they have never been to or considered learning about before.

The first ever Slow Ride was held in May of 2015 with a group of just 17 people, and has since, quickly grown to the most popular ride in town.

According to Wagley, the leisure side of the sport has taken off way more than the competitive side, but he welcomes it all. Part of the reason for this shift, he explained, is various infrastructure changes that have been made to make the roadways safer for cyclists and pedestrians, including changing Palafox to a two-way street.

Wagley has been biking everywhere in Downtown for close to 20 years and is thrilled about the community acceptance of the bike-curious lifestyle.

“People who participate in that will talk to people around them and that’s how cultural changes happen,” Wagley said. “That’s how biking grew in Pensacola and that’s how it will continue to grow.”

Wagley said the initial idea for the event came from a conversation between himself and his friend Tim Bustos.

“We got to talking and determined that there was a need for a group to host rides and advocate for a safer and more pleasant city for cycling,” Wagley explained.

Wagley and Bustos called some of their friends, made a Facebook event page and a handful of people met at a downtown surf and skate shop. The following month, they held a second Slow Ride, with even more people in attendance.

By July, Wagley said, there were 45 to 50 people and by August, the event had grown to include nearly 150 people. From there, things have been rolling ever since, with the rides now drawing crowds and police escorts to monitor and help keep riders safe from fast-moving traffic.

“The first Slow Ride was on a Friday night ride with a couple of dozen friends. Within a few months, it grew to 150 people, which told us that this was something that the community very much wanted,” Wagley recalled.

Although the Bike Pensacola Slow Ride event evolved from humble origins, it has grown to become one of the most popular outdoor leisure events in the city, now drawing close to 300 riders each month.

Join Bike Pensacola for the most popular ride in town. The next Slow Ride event is tentatively scheduled for April 29 at 10:30 am. Riders will meet at Malaga Square located at 1000 East Blount Street in East Hill. A kid’s Slow Ride will happen before that at 9 am. For April, Bike Pensacola will host a children’s Slow Ride at 9 am, just prior to the main ride event.

The event is free and family-friendly and no reservations are required. Self-propelled or electricassist bicycles are welcome. Children 16 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Cyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet by law, including those in bike trailers. The Pensacola Police Department will escort riders to keep them safe from moving traffic.

For more information on Bike Pensacola and upcoming Slow Ride events, check out @BikePensacola on Facebook, call (850) 687-9968 or email bike@pensaolacan.org.

Scan the QR code below for details on the Experience Pensacola Bike Loops developed by Bike Pensacola. These routes follow low-traffic city streets to help you have the best biking experience.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

Fitting Your Bike Frame:

1. Straddle the bike and stand in front of the seat.

2. Lift the front and rear wheels off of the ground until the bike frame touches you.

3. If it is a road bike, there should be 1 to 2 inches between the tires and the ground. For a mountain or hybrid bike, there should be 3 to 4 inches between the tires and the ground.

4. Another way to test the fit of a frame: When you’re sitting on the bike and one pedal is pushed all the way down, there should be a slight bend in your knee.

Road bikes: If the bike has a traditional straight top tube that is parallel to the ground, you should have approximately 1 inch of clearance between the ground and tires when you lift the bike as you’re straddling it.

Mountain bikes: When you lift the bike, you want 2 inch minimum clearance between the tires and the ground. If your bike has full suspension, it’s okay to have less initial clearance (1 to 2 inches) because the suspension compresses under your weight once you sit on the bike.

Hybrid bikes: If your hybrid bike is a city commuter, use the road bike guidelines. If it’s a beach cruiser or a step-through style, you don’t really have to worry about standover height. Most of these have steeply sloping top tubes that let you step over easily and put your feet flat on the ground when seated.

Source: REI.com

SPRING BOOK SALE $1

Palafox Market South

The Popular Outdoor Market Eyes Expansion

As we heAd into MArch, the officiAl countdown to spring begins Spring brings warm weekend brunches and Saturday morning trips to the Palafox Market. For more than 15 years, the Palafox Market has been a shining gem in our community for locals and visitors alike.

Today, the Palafox Market continues to thrive and has grown to include nearly 150 local vendors selling everything from fresh produce, live plants, flowers and baked goods to local meats, handmade soaps and candles, antiques, collectibles and more.

The market’s tremendous growth has recently prompted the need for more outdoor space in order to accommodate both the crowd and the extensive waiting list of local vendors wanting to participate in the weekly market.

In an agenda conference on February 6, newly elected Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves and other city officials kicked off efforts to officially expand the Palafox Market into neighboring

Plaza Ferdinand aiming to cultivate a stronger, thriving small business community in Pensacola.

Plaza Ferdinand, located off Palafox Street between East Government and Zaragoza streets, is a historical monument known for setting the scene of the 1821 transfer of Florida from Spain to the United States. Over the years, the plaza has served as a lovely, green space to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of historic Pensacola. However, following a festival that left the plaza damaged in September 1987, the City Council passed a city ordinance restricting the use of the plaza with the purpose of preserving its beauty and rich history.

Reeves made the case to council members that it is possible to preserve the history and beauty of the park while also using it as an asset to make the city more economically and culturally vibrant.

“You’re walking between two different markets and you’re stopping in other places along the way,” Reeves said. “It can have a catalytic effect on our vibrancy downtown, as well as all the help to small businesses.”

On February 9, the Pensacola City Council unanimously approved the first official reading of an ordinance that would allow the Palafox Market to expand to Plaza Ferdinand, allowing for up to 80 additional small business owners to sell their items each Saturday at the downtown market.

Reincorporating the plaza into a more active location for community events would draw in more foot traffic and create an even larger small business community within its walls. If the Palafox Market extends into Plaza Ferdinand, the extension will mark a significant change to the multi decade-long dormant life of the plaza.

The market’s expansion would be able to accommodate up to 80 vendors, alleviating the heavy list of businesses waiting in anticipation to partake in the market’s hustle and bustle of serving the local community.

Mayor Reeves, an entrepreneur himself, describes the Palafox Market as a great “pilot program” for those just beginning to navigate the world of small business. When talking with people who are taking the first steps to becoming an entrepreneur, he likes to ask, “have you started at the Palafox Market?” Having been a business owner in Pensacola himself, he boasts the benefits of vending at the Palafox Market; it’s a place to test products, figure out what is working and determine what needs to be improved.

According to Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) Executive Director Walker Wilson and Mayor Reeves, there is a waiting list in excess of 60 vendors looking to participate in the Palafox Market. Expanding the market from its current location at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza to include a neighboring site at Plaza Ferdinand could increase the market’s revenue by about 80 percent.

“I think, at the end of the day, we also have 60 people that want to have small businesses. We say we want to help small businesses and help cultivate entrepreneurship, economic development, things like that. I think this presents a great opportunity for us,” Reeves explained.

With the first reading of the proposed ordinance changed approved, this change and the interlocal agreement with the DIB will move to a second reading at a later date, where it will then be voted on for final approval.

Be sure to stop by the Palafox Market hosted on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm in the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox Street, between Chase and Gregory streets. For the latest updates on the Palafox Market’s potential expansion, visit cityofpensacola.com. For more on the Palafox Market, visit palafoxmarket.com or follow @PensacolaPalafoxMarket on Facebook and Instagram.

Dead to Me

Seasons 1-3 Streaming on Netflix

Starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, this Netflix gem recently returned for its third and final season. Darkly comedic at times and heartbreaking at others, each episode leaves you wondering what this duo will get themselves into next. Show creator Liz Feldman captures one of the most authentic and relatable portrayals of friendship I’ve seen on TV in a long time—aside from being deeply rooted in murder and deception.

I’ll admit, the premise of the show didn’t sound very interesting to me at first, but I love Applegate, so I gave it a chance. From the very first scene, when shortfused Jen Harding (Applegate) tries to fend off her well intentioned, but quite annoying neighbor who stopped by to drop off a “sorry-for-your-loss” lasagna, it was clear that this was going to be my kind of show. It’s not until the two beautifully flawed protagonists Jen and Judy Hale (Cardellini) share their first interaction during a grief circle meeting for those mourning the loss of a loved one, that the show (ironically) comes to life.

The final season is full of laugh-out-loud moments and picks up right where the Season 2 finale left off. There are so many gasp-worthy plot twists, developments and revelations that drive this story to its finish line. Applegate and Cardellini bring the series to an emotional and wildly unpredictable close for this bingeable dark-comedy.

Severance

Season 1 Streaming on Apple TV+

Imagine a world in which you can have the perfect work-life balance. You can go to work and accomplish all of your tasks, but not bring home a single memory from the workday. The catch is, all of your decisions are being dictated by someone you hardly know—yourself.

This is the confusing reality for the characters in Severance. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, this psychological thriller details the dystopian world of four macrodata refinement employees that work for a company called Lumon. These employees have one strange thing in common; they have all agreed to undergo “severance,” a surgery that separates their work life and personal life. Severed employees feel as though they are stuck in a cyclical existence; when they leave Lumon for the day, they do not recall anything that occurs once they leave. Instead, they just recall getting on the work elevator and then coming right back up.

Throughout the course of each episode, Lumon’s severed employees battle the confusion of being strangers to themselves, while also enjoying the stressfree feeling of not remembering the workday. It should be noted that Severance is not the type of show to throw on in the background, but it is a binge worthy show that will keep you hooked if you watch carefully.

Wednesday

Season 1 Streaming on Netflix

After a spell of expulsions for dropping vats of piranha into the pool during swim practice, Wednesday’s (Jenna Ortega) parents, the notorious Gomez (Luis Guzmán) and Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) Addams, send her off to their alma mater, Nevermore Academy, which serves as the premier academy for all outcasts: vampires, sirens, gorgons and the like.

At her new school, Wednesday meets her new roommate, Enid (Emma Myers), an incandescent werewolf that represents the Glinda to Wednesday’s Elphaba. Enid shows Wednesday around the school Mean Girls-style, introducing each supernatural clique. Although Nevermore is supposed to be a haven away from the “Normies” in the small town of Jericho, Wednesday—at first to her own pleasure—finds herself feeling like an outcast among the “Outcasts.”

Soon after enrolling, a murder outbreak causes Wednesday to take on a Veronica Mars-outcastdetective role, complete with real-time narration, creating a larger rift between her and her classmates and teachers, as most are her suspects—all the while trying to control her newly gained psychic ability.

This adaptation of Charles Addams’s comic is part horror story, part murder mystery and primarily a coming-of-age tale with high school drama and hints of the macabre. It may not be for the die-hard Addams Family fans, but Wednesday may be for those who like something a little more casual and spooky.

MARCH COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Ice Flyers Schedule and Theme Nights

March Home Games and Theme Nights at the Pensacola Bay Center. Games start at varying times. For tickets and information, visit iceflyers.com.

March 11: Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers; Rebrand Night

March 12: Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers; Friends & Family Day

March 24: Evansville Thunderbolts vs Ice Flyers; Dino Race Night

March 25: Evansville Thunderbolts vs Ice Flyers; Military Appreciation Night

March 26: Evansville Thunderbolts vs Ice Flyers; Friends & Family Day

Night on the Tracks

March 4

Night on the Tracks is a multi-venue arts and music event that is newer to the Pensacola event scene. The second installation of the event will take place on March 4 beginning at 5 pm. There will be three live music performances and two art exhibits as part of the event across seven different venues in Old East Hill. These venue include Doc’s Hop Shop, Waterboyz, End Of The Line Cafe, 309 Punk Project, The Handlebar, Pensacola MESS Hall, and From the Ground Up. In addition to the live performances and art, there will also be shopping and food. Join Pensacola’s art community in a fun Night on the Tracks! For more information, visit facebook.com/ events/615254090428180.

On Your Feet - The Story of Gloria Estefan

March 7 & 8

ON YOUR FEET!, the exhilarating original musical based on the extraordinary life of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husbandand-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan, features a book by Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Alexander Dinelaris and a score made up of some of the most loved and iconic songs of the past quartercentury including “Rhythm is Gonna Get

You,” “Conga” and “Get On Your Feet.”

Having begun in Chicago in the summer of 2015, ON YOUR FEET! made its Broadway bow that November, played for two years, and received seven Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, three Drama League Award nominations, and a Tony Award® nomination for Best Choreography. Now the show will be held at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre for two nights, March 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm each night. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger. com

The 46th Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K March 11

The 46th Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Run is the Largest 5k Prediction Run in America! Crossing the finish line is just the beginning, come for the run, stay for the party. Your registration fee includes a McGuire’s Run shirt and the best postrace party around. Your registration also includes the best Post-Race party around, with live entertainment, Irish Fare, Irish Wakes, Bud Light, McGuire’s Red Ale and Soft Drinks. The race starts at 9 am. The race will be hosted at McGuire’s Irish Pub, located at 600 E. Gregory Street. To register, visit runsignup.com.

Bodacious Kids Camp: Spring Break Edition

March 13-15

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Are the kiddos home for spring break and not sure what to do? For three days, the talented staff at Bodacious will engage your future chef to learn basic kitchen fundamentals, in a fun environment. Over the three days of camp, campers will learn the skills needed to be successful, safe, and creative in the kitchen with a fun inspired twist! Skills taught will include basic prep skills and knife skills (when applicable). The Bodacious Kids Culinary Camp (Ages 8 to 12) is from 9 am to 12 pm from Monday to Wednesday. The camp will be hosted at Bodacious Shops located at 407 South Palafox Street. For registration and more information, visit eventbrite.com.

The Addams Family at Pensacola Little Theatre

............................................................March 17 - April 2

Join the Pensacola Little Theatre for a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done

before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on a fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. The Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 S Jefferson Street. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Pepper at Vinyl Music Hall

Lost in the 50’s: Sock Hop

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March 21

For Pepper, two decades have gone by in a blur, filled with soundchecks, encores, album releases and sold-out shows stretching from the California coastline to the UK mainland. Along the way, Pepper has sharpened its own “Kona dub-rock” sound— a blend of reggae, alternative rock, island rhythms, and punky spirit— while also building a community of fans and likeminded bands. Now Pepper will be bringing their sound to the walls of Pensacola’s own Vinyl Music Hall. Pepper will be stopping by Pensacola on March 21 as a part of their “20 Years of Kona Town” tour. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. Tickets start at $25. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

O’Riley’s March Madnezz Fundraiser

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March 25

On March 25, O’Riley’s Irish Pub will be hosting a “March Madnezz” fundraiser in Downtown Pensacola to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast. This special event will feature tons of fun including a live and silent auction, free food and drinks (while supplies last), bar games, and streams of the NCAA March Madness Elite Eight games. The event will last from 4 pm to 7 pm. O’Riley’s Irish Pub is located at 321 S. Palafox Street. Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information, visit orileyspub.com/orileys-downtown.

UWF Women in Leadership Conference

March 30

The annual UWF Women in Leadership Conference educates the next generation of business leaders destined to positively impact the state of Florida. This conference resonates with well-established career women and those just beginning their careers. Remarkably successful women, including CEOs from across the state, share their stories through inspiring speeches and panels dedicated to both personal inspiration and practical application. The conference will be held at the University of West Florida from 8 am to 5 pm in building 76A, room 224. For more information, visit uwf.edu/cob.

March 25

The Centre For Excellence of Pensacola is hosting its first fundraiser of 2023, “Lost in the 50’s : Sock Hop.” The Sock Hop is a fundraising event for The Centre 4 Excellence of Pensacola to fund for Jamie’s Mom’s House, which is an organization who helps those who have lost someone they loved through the opioid crisis, and the A.W.A.R.E Initiative which is taking part in the fight against human trafficking. This family friendly event features a classic car show, DJ, limbo contest, 50’s trivia, raffles, silent auction, classic 50’s diner food, and more. The event runs from 5 p to 9 pm and is being hosted at 8851 Lewis Street. For tickets and more information, visit centre4excellence.org.

Chelcie Lynn at the Saenger Theatre

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March 26

Chelcie Lynn is a comedian, actress, and internet personality extraordinaire. She started building a fan base in 2014 when her sketches featuring her alter ego, Trailer Trash Tammy, went viral. Her videos have since gained hundreds of millions of views across the internet and have launched her career on-screen and in comedy touring. She was named one of Variety’s Top 10 comics to watch in 2021. Her inaugural stand-up comedy tour, The Tammy Tour: One Trailer Park At A Time, sold out in 2021. Now Lynn will be stopping in Pensacola at the Saenger Theatre for an unforgettable night of comedy. The show begins at 8 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Navy Federal 5K

April 1

Whether you run or walk, everyone is invited to participate in the 2023 Navy Federal 5k. Join us on April 1 as we celebrate the 13th annual Navy Federal Credit Union 5K in downtown Pensacola. Early registration is open now through March 18 at a discounted rate of $18 for adults and $15 for youth, ages 5-13. Children 6 and under can also participate in the Sammie Sprint, a free quarter-mile race around Plaza Ferdinand. Participation in this event benefits the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, which funds projects and programs. This event will also benefit the Santa Rosa Education Foundation. The race starts at 8 am at Seville Quarter. For registration and more information, visit navyfederal.org.

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

CNP VISITS NETC PENSACOLA

Training Systems Division as part of the Navy’s Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) initiative. RRL is designed to provide Sailors the right, modernized training at the right time in a Sailor’s career, and in the right way.

Cheeseman addressed NETC staff and local triads during an all hands call in NASC’s auditorium. He communicated the vision for the CNP 2023 Strategic Design. The top priority is personnel readiness, and in regard to the MyNavyHR services for Sailors, he stated that, “We will unburden Sailors so they can focus on their mission. We must take care of them and do this right.” He also provided insight into force management and development within our Navy, placing emphasis on putting Sailors first, reaffirming to the audience, “What we do matters, what all of you do matters.”

A key part of the Strategic Design aligns with NETC’s mission to provide steady and effective training through programs supporting the street-to-fleet model, developing civilians into properly trained Sailors who can execute their jobs at the highest levels of excellence.

Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman visited Naval Air Station Pensacola and Corry Station on January 26. During his first visit to Pensacola, he met with personnel from Naval Education Training Command (NETC) domain assets, to include Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC), Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit (NORU), Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA), Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC), Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC).

“We are extremely thankful for Vice Adm. Cheeseman’s visit to our NETC Pensacola learning sites,” Rear Admiral Pete Garvin, commander, NETC said. “Fleet readiness starts here as we refine Sailors into highly skilled, operationally effective and combat ready warfighters who are capable of winning the wars of tomorrow.”

During the visit, Cheeseman Aviation Rescue Swimmer training, toured training facilities, and interacted with a Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS) 3D® simulation. MRTS 3D® is an example of modernized, on-demand training delivery, developed by Naval Air Warfare Center

Following the all hands call, Cheeseman joined Sailors from all four local commands for lunch, then spoke with the newest additions to the recruiting force at NORU. Notably, this was the first time that NORU has hosted any Chief of Naval Personnel.

Cheeseman concluded his visit with a trip to CIWT and IWTC on Corry Station. There, he toured facilities and engaged with Sailors and leadership within the Information Warfare communities.

NETC’s mission is to recruit and hire talented civilians, deliver training and education to transform civilians into Sailors and distribute accession Sailors to the fleet to maximize readiness and ensure mission success; to provide specialized training and educational tools to advance the personal and professional development of Sailors throughout their career; and serve as sole claimant for individual training and education and as the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command on training and education related matters.

For more information about NETC, visit the command’s website at netc. navy.mil/ and follow the command’s social media on Facebook at facebook. com/NETCHQ and Instagram at instagram.com/netc_hq.