Birds on a Pier, Events, and Car Talk

Good morning, Pensacola. Last week we started a monthly feature on an adoptable dog and cat. This week we start a January section on Car Talk. The new year often brings talk of finally getting those car repairs done or considering the purchase of a new vehicle. We have these same plans in our household and wanted to get some help from our go-to guys, David and Drew. You will find them under Car Talk this month.

In today’s line:

— The Bay Line Crew

Thumbnail photo courtesy of the State Archives of Florida, Image DC020083.

New Fishing Pier Update - I was watching a video from a local fisherman (VitaminDee TV) that had a construction update, interview, and images of the fishing pier on the Pensacola side of Three-Mile Bridge (Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge at Wayside Park).

The old pier is currently being demolished with a new pier of similar design expected to be completed by 2027. The project includes a fishing bridge 150 longer and 4 feet wider. The bridge will also include overhead and lighting similar to its neighbor bridge. The project is $22.8 million and funded by county and FEMA dollars.

January Birds - Here are the most-sighted birds in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties this month. Whether you are a birder or just looking in your backyard this month, the top three birds you will spot are:

Escambia County - 1. Chipping Sparrow, 2. American Goldfinch, 3. Northern Cardinal

Santa Rosa County - 1. Chipping Sparrow, 2. Mourning Dove, 3. Northern Cardinal

Cooking Classes - Local cooking classes got my attention this week. Bodacious Shops has a class January 13th, Let the Good Times Roll: Tortellini Pasta Class. A biscuits class they had planned for January 8th has been canceled (bummer). Pensacola Cooks Commissary and Classroom also have two classes in January with Everything Pie Crusts on the 18th and Families Cook: Pizza Making on the 25th. Last week we talked about ways to get active, maybe that’s why I am hungry.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

Line Dancing - January 8 - Andy D’s in Pace - Lessons begin at 6:30pm and open floor begins at 8:00pm.

Happy Moo Year 2026 - January 10 - at The BarnYard in Pace - Family-friendly New Year’s celebration at The BarnYard in Pace featuring barnyard animals, carnival-style games, live entertainment, food, and music. The event lasts three hours, costs $10 for ages 3 and up (2 and under free), and takes place at 2541 Renfroe Rd, Pace, FL.

SnowFall Winter Party - January 10 - Court of De Luna Downtown Pensacola - Celebrating the anniversary of last year’s heavy snowfall, the SnowFall Winter Party highlights Pensacola's art, business, and EDM communities by bringing them all under one roof and creating an immersive, winter experience. The 10,000 sq. ft. venue will be transformed into an interactive and multi-room winter walkthrough.

Palafox Market - Saturday Morning - The weekly Palafox Market continues Saturday morning downtown with local produce, baked goods, and handmade items. It’s an easy way to ease into the weekend and support local vendors.

Ice Flyers - Home Games Continue - The Ice Flyers are back at the Bay Center January 17, 18, 30, and 31 with additional games. Local hockey is loud, fast, and surprisingly fun even if you’re not a big sports person.

Saenger Theatre - January Shows Ahead - Pensacola Symphony Orchestra on January 10th (Beethoven and BlueJeans). Mid-January brings Black Jacket Symphony performing Pink Floyd’s The Wall on January 15, and ABBA Mania on January 17. These themed shows tend to sell well and are easy date-night or group picks if you like familiar music with a live-concert feel.

MLK Day Weekend Events – Jan 17–19
Community MLK celebrations, parades, and service events are being announced now. Expect road closures and larger crowds downtown that weekend.

Kids & Kritters Parade – Jan 24 (Pensacola Beach)
The family-friendly parade featuring pets and community groups returns later this month and usually draws a big turnout on the beach.

Milton Mardi Gras Parade – Jan 31
Santa Rosa County’s Mardi Gras season ramps up with the Milton parade and after-party. A good option if you want a parade experience without downtown congestion.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

With David and Drew from East Bay Automotive

The new year will have a lot of us thinking about purchasing or repairing our vehicles. We wanted to bring you our go-to guys for car questions - David and Drew. This week they discuss tips for finding a quality repair shop.

“One thing we always tell customers is that there’s a difference between a mechanic and a technician. A technician doesn’t guess or throw parts at a problem—they diagnose it. Through years of repairs and warranty work, technicians learn common issues and weak points on specific makes and models, which helps fix the right problem the first time. Find a repair shop that hires technicians, not merely mechanics.

We also believe recommendations should be based on research, not guesswork. Some shops make shotgun suggestions without looking deeper. As a CARFAX-certified shop, we review a vehicle’s service history so we’re not recommending work that’s already been done or isn’t needed. That helps us make smarter, more accurate service recommendations.

Every vehicle that comes through our shop receives a courtesy 32-point inspection at no charge. We walk customers through what we see and prioritize concerns instead of overwhelming them with a long, blanket list of repairs.

A good shop earns trust through word of mouth. The best compliment we get is when customers send their friends and family our way. Strong reviews and long-term relationships matter because our customers are our best advertisement. Get a recommendation, then check with Google, and actually stop in or call.

Finally, a quality shop should stand behind its work. That’s why many repair facilities don’t install customer-supplied parts—we can’t guarantee the fit, quality, or warranty. Independent shops like ours can compete with dealerships by offering nationwide warranty coverage, while still providing honest, community-focused service. You can get the same level of warranty from a quality independent shop as the dealerships service department.”

If you have any questions, or need advice, give David or Drew a call at (850)-665-4302. They would be happy to see you or your vehicle. Visit - East Bay Automotive

Jan 7 and 9 – Live Music @ Bounce Beach (Pensacola Beach)
Bounce Beach continues hosting free live music most nights this week. Jordan Chase will be playing on the 7th and 9th. Sets usually start early evening and are good for casual drinks with a beach view rather than a full concert commitment.

Jan 9 – Live Blues & Covers @ Five Sisters Blues Café
Five Sisters continues its regular live music rotation with blues-forward and classic cover bands. Early evening start makes it easy to pair dinner with music.

Jan 11 – Candlelight Concert: Queen vs. ABBA
Sunday evening at the Museum of Commerce, this candlelight concert blends string arrangements of Queen and ABBA hits. It’s a quieter, sit-down option if you want music without a bar setting.

Feb 4 and 5th – Gary Clark Jr. @ Vinyl Music Hall

Apr 1 - Santana: Oneness Tour 2026 at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Thanks for being here. We appreciate you taking the time to read the Pensacola Bay Line today.