Search results for

The Gulf Coast Whale Festival brings environmental education and fun to Pensacola Beach on April 27. Life-sized models of Gulf whales will be on display, courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute. That includes a model of the Rice’s whale—one of the world’s rarest and most endangered animals.

Educational exhibits and activities tell the story of Gulf whales and local marine life, and a puppet parade led by Birds of a Feather showcases the ecology of the Gulf. Sweet sounds will flow from the Casino Beach Pavilion with live music by Pensacola singer-songwriters, and a special performance by New Orleans musician Cory Diane combines the calls of Rice’s whales in the Gulf of Mexico with a musical score.

“We’re excited to launch the Gulf Coast Whale Festival and bring awareness to and celebration of the whales and other natural riches of the Gulf of Mexico,” said Christian Wagley, Florida/Alabama Organizer at the nonprofit Healthy Gulf.
One of the organizations leading educational activities at the Festival is the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, where students are continuing their years of work around Gulf marine life.

“My students are really excited to share our work on marine mammals, especially Rice’s whales,” says Charlene Mauro, director of the Center. “We’ll have an inflatable whale to visit, and hands-on activities to make it fun and informative.”

The Whale Festival comes at an exciting time for whale lovers on the Gulf coast, as the Rice’s whale was identified as a new species of whale just three years ago.

"The first exciting news is that there’s been a newly discovered species of whale from the Gulf of Mexico, the second breaking news is there’s a new festival to celebrate this discovery and bring what we know to the public in a very family friendly event to help educate the public about this new species, " says James (Buddy) Powell, Chief Zoological Officer & Executive Director, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute.

Space for vendors interested in sharing environmental and marine life education is available for free, but space is limited. Small grants are also available to nonprofit organizations to enhance their educational materials on Gulf whales. To apply for a small grant and/or booth space please contact Christian Wagley at gulfcoastwhale@gmail.com or follow the registration link here: https://shorturl.at/goz59

Event sponsors are Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council and Healthy Gulf. For more information: https://healthygulf.org/get-involved/gulf-coast-whale-festival/

Experience "Carmina Burana," the thrilling 20th-century musical juggernaut by Carl Orff, when the Choral Society of Pensacola presents two performances, one on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 pm, one on Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 pm, both in the University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

For this epic work, conductor Peter Steenblik, who serves as the Society’s artistic director and as the director of choral activities at the University of West Florida, has combined singers from the Society and UWF to create an impressive chorus of 160 voices. Soprano Sheila Dunn, tenor Christian Sanders, and baritone Jack Chandler will sing the challenging solos, pianists Hyunjoo Kim and Meredith Stemen will perform on two nine-foot Steinways, and six percussionists, under the leadership of Matt Greenwood, will employ a huge battery of instruments to round out the forces for the most spectacular concert of the Society’s season.

The text of Orff’s masterpiece is selected from about two dozen poems included in a medieval collection labeled Carmina Burana (Songs of Beuren) after its discovery in the Bavarian monastery of Benediktbeuern. The powerful opening, “O Fortuna” (O Fortune), is likely to be familiar to most people through its use in dozens of films, television programs, and commercials. The songs that follow that outcry against the caprices of Fortune express a wide range of moods as they explore the delights of spring, the joys and sorrows of love, and the sensual pleasures of bed and bottle. Although the performance will be in Latin and Middle High German, projected English supertitles will ensure that the audience understands every word.

"Carmina Burana" is presented in association with the University of West Florida's Dr. Grier Williams School of Music.

An annual community event that continues the tradition that began with the chautauqua movement a 150 years ago. This year's theme is Florida Pioneers in honor of Walton County's Bicentennial.

The event kicks off with a free opening ceremony event at the amphitheater at the lake yard. Then stay to enjoy adult beverages in the tavern, yard games, food trucks, and music from the Walton County and North Okaloosa Community Bands.

There are plenty of free living history exhibits around the lake yard on Friday and Saturday. There will be a farm-to-table dinner Friday and Saturday night with live entertainment sponsored by Dirty Hand Farm.

Living history sessions begin at 9 AM Friday and Saturday. Some of our featured speakers include Sam Carnley, Bruce Cosson, Brend Rees, Lizzy Wilson, and

There will be a living history tea will guests may meet Harriet Beecher Stowe portrayed by Jan Tournquist. Winnie the Pooh will make an appearance, be available for some photos, and read a story.

There will be cornhole competitions. Living history exhibits by the Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, T-Mobile (phones over the past 100+ years), and pioneer families. Dulcimer workshops, watercolor workshops, swing dance workshops. Live entertainment. So many fun things to do.

Ocean Hour is a nonprofit, volunteer led organization based in the Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Northwest Florida.

Ocean Hour volunteers meet to clean up trash and debris near local waterways. Current sign-in time is 8:45 AM with cleanup lasting until 10 unless otherwise noted. Sunday sites begin at 08:00 AM and last one hour.

All ages are welcome. All supplies are provided. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring your own refillable water bottle and sun protection.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to director@oceanhourfl.com.

Join us for an afternoon of piano music to benefit the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 2:30pm - 4:30pm for a fundraising concert "Just Bobby" van Deusen.

Tickets may be purchased at the door. To reserve a table of 8, please contact 850-449-0523.

Ashes To Go
Event Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Location: Ace Hardware
1560 S Highway 29,
Cantonment, FL 32533
Contact: Vivin Welch
+1 (850) 449-3627


CANTONMENT, FL - Need to do Ash Wednesday in a hurry? Several churches are offering outdoors imposition of ashes to help people start Lent today, even without leaving their cars.

St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Rev Deacon Rachel Iversen says they will be on the porch of Ace Hardware Cantonment just across from Tate HS next to the BurgerKing and Winn Dixie off of Hwy 29 from 9 am until 11 am., offering ashes to observe Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.

"This is for people on their way to work - it’s a window of opportunity," Iversen said. "People can pull up, we’ll have a guided meditation, a prayer on a bulletin. They can read the prayer, prepare mentally and spiritually. If they want to pray, we’ll pray with them."

It has been our experience that people receive ashes on their foreheads and prayer from clergy in robes while sitting in their cars. Some people just want to pray. Some are overcome with emotion and cry as they roll down their windows.

The drive-through concept welcomes people who have never observed Ash Wednesday before. They don't have to be churchgoers, Iversen said. "There’s no stipulation - wherever you are in your spiritual journey," she said. "If they’re curious, they can experience the ashes. It’s a spiritual experience. If people want a time of prayer, repentance and reflecting on their own mortality, we want to let them know that the call to turn and focus on God is present anywhere."

"We make a shape of the cross with ashes on the forehead and say what the ancients said, ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’ It’s a wonderful reminder of our mortality but the grace of it all too.”

Iversen said they will hand out sheets with answers to frequently asked questions about Ash Wednesday, such as "Do I have to wear the ashes all day?" "Only if you want to," Iversen said. The ashes are worn as a sign of penitence.

"The church is called to take the church out to the streets.

"We are going to dress like clergy so people know we are fulfilling that role," Iversen said. "If I we were out there in blue jeans people wouldn’t know we were ministers."

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day penitential period of Lent, leading up to the celebration of Easter, which will be observed March 31 in most churches.

Ashes to go is an outreach ministry of St. Monica’s Episcopal church located at 699 SR-95A. There will be an indoor Ash Wednesday service at 6 PM with readings, homily, Eucharist and imposition of ashes.

###
Viven Welch, Communications Minister
St. Monica's Episcopal Church
699 S. Highway 95-A
Cantonment, FL 32533
850-449-3627

The Gulf Coast VA Health Care System, in partnership with Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), will host a PACT Act enrollment and benefits event, Saturday, April 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Pensacola VA clinic.

This event is open to the community. Veterans and families do not need to sign up or register to attend.

The Veterans Enrollment and Benefits Fair is being held to educate and inform gulf coast area Veterans about the PACT Act and to provide onsite services to include VA health care enrollment, toxic exposure screenings, VA claims assistance, Vet Center services, and more. Attendees will also have opportunities to meet with state and local political representatives and Veteran Service Organizations.

Please contact Carla Thomas, carla.thomas@va.gov or 850-530-8747, or Jason Boatwright, jason.boatwright@va.gov or (850) 912-2213, for more information.

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, signed into law in Aug. 2022, expanded Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. To learn more, please visit: www.va.gov/pact

Ahoy mateys! Join us on a voyage across the solar system, where you landlubbers will learn the ways in which pirates used the planets and stars to navigate the Seven Seas. Avast, ye scallywags, to learn which planet was the most helpful to pirates, which one would trick them, and which one is full of craters named after sailors. We’ll sail past Neptune, the god of the sea, and his mermaid moons, and learn fun facts about Billy Bowlegs and his crew. We’ll end our voyage by sailing through the constellations and sharing stories of the mythical creatures and monsters that lie just under the waters, waiting for you scurvy dogs to find them. Savvy? Pirate costumes encouraged! Recommended for ages 5+

Our Planetarium is an inflatable dome. Guests sit on cushions on the floor of the planetarium to view the show. Space is limited; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended for this reason. On Planetarium Night, please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled showing. In case of no-shows/late shows: reserved spots will be released at show time to make space for the next party.

Shows begin at 6 and 7 pm and last approximately 45 minutes.

Don't miss the preshow, included with your reservation! Our planetarium preshow begins at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. During, your family can discover and learn about various space explorations, space facts, and more from our local experts at the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association.
Seating is limited and very popular. We encourage purchasing your tickets in advance, as this is a first come, first served event. Please call 850-664-1261, stop by the Science Center, or use our online ticketing option to purchase your tickets.

Our planetarium is sponsored by FPL

Members, join us for this special free event! Meet our newest animals at a Creature Feature, check out Chemistry Corner, and play on the sciPad. Enjoy light snacks and loads of fun!

Schedule of Events
• sciPad open from 5-7 p.m.
• Chemistry Corner open from 5-6 p.m.
• Creature Feature with some of our newest Animal Ambassadors from 6-6:30 p.m.

Spaces for all activities available on a first come, first served basis.

This event is open to current Science Center members ONLY. To join, visit ecscience.org/membership

Heartbeat Safety Presents: Infant & Child CPR/AED/Choking Training

REGISTER HERE: www.heartbeatsafety.org/classes

Participants in American Red Cross Infant & Child CPR/AED/Choking Training courses gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to recognize and respond to emergency situations until EMS arrives.

Students learn proficient CPR, prevent choking, and how to effectively utilize an AED for both infants and children.
The American Red Cross issues certificates for students who successfully complete this course, valid for 2 years from the date of the class.

Classes are $135 per person and are open to anyone 12 years and up.

REGISTER HERE: www.heartbeatsafety.org/classes
LOCATION: Empathic Practice, East Hill, 2701 N 12th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32503

Email hello@heartbeatsafety.org with any additional questions!