Leslie Cagle is a single modern woman. She moved here from Birmingham, Ala., in 2005 and was having trouble with decent social encounters.

“I would say there are not a lot of ways to meet people. The social scene is the clubs or the Fish House on the deck,” said Cagle, 30, who was searching for an alternative way to meet men and friends.

Pensacola has many perks, but its limited social scene is a problem.

Thanks to some innovative Pensacolians, Cagle, and single women all over the area can meet potential mates or friends while having fun, contributing to the community or just getting into shape.

Bella Magazine gathered some suggestions for a getting back in the social scene after finding yourself suddenly single.

HEART CERTIFICATION, ANYONE?
Disillusioned with the bar-scene, Cagle discovered a great alternative for meeting men: Pensacola Young Professionals group. This organization, dubbed simply PYP, is not a singles group, but it is filled bright and talented men and women in her age and social bracket.

“I thought it would be a great way to meet people and get involved,” she said. “I have met males and a lot of strong professional women.”

“There is a good mix of singles and married people between the ages of 21 to 40,” said Member Services Coordinator Summer Burdick. “I have made good friends by being on the board.”

The 200-plus member organization allows you to earn a personal credential in humanity and community development. And it is perfect for the young professional who wants to make a positive change in the community.

This group is for anyone who is a professional but there is a yearly membership fee of $100, said Burdick, 24.

Aside from expanding her social network, Cagle said the group helps her “make a difference” in Pensacola.

So far, the group has held homebuyer seminars and adopted the Everwood community among other community-driven programs. They will have a membership and blood drive meeting 5:30 p.m. July 10 at the Cathedral of Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St.

To join Pensacola Young Professionals, contact the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce or Summer Burdick at 850-438-4081.

SOME IMPERSONAL EXCHANGE
If you’re seriously on the hunt for a mate, try the Pensacola Singles Line. While it will help meet new men, it’s more like a shot in the dark. You create a voice profile and somebody will get in contact with you. There is no screening process, and you may encounter a few psychos and a few sane people: You just never know.

If this is not for you, then Internet dating as offered by cupid/ predating.com is a lot more structured. The Web site allows you to meet singles and sign up for speed dating at Zea’s Restaurant at 605 E. Gregory St. in Pensacola.

“It is a very classy way to know if there is chemistry or not,” event coordinator Tammy Doverspike said. “Also, unlike most dates, six minutes into the [date] you get a new partner.”

This arrangement can be a delight, if your date turns into a dud. You get your feet wet without a formal commitment. And you can enjoy different personalities.

Men rotate the 10 tables of women throughout the night in a private room, which is tailored to be romantic without being a breeding ground for stalkers and rubber-neckers. Speed-daters discreetly keep score on each other and later look up the person online when they get home.

“We had a couple of weddings already in 2006 and not just from the speed dating,” said Doverspike, 37. “Women on the Web site have also found their mate on the Internet.”

Each month has a different age group between 25 and 55, so if you miss your age group you have to wait at least a month for your next age event.

The next event is July 31 at 6:45 p.m. at Zea’s Restaurant for ages 35 to 45. To sign-up, you can visit cupid/
predating.com or call Doverspike at 850-934-6092.

The Path to his heart
If the idea of a private grading system is too much for your first dating experience, join a club that combines meeting people with an activity.

McGuire’s Running Club gives your love-muscle a work out every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Headed by Les Roberts, the running club boasts 1,086 members, of all ages and from different walks, of life who are long-distance runners or walkers of a 3.19-mile route that starts and ends at the restaurant. Some great perks for being with the club are a free buffet, a free T-shirt after the sixth run, and your beer is discounted to $4. You can sign up by visiting the Web site at mcguiresirishpub.com and click on McGuire’s Run Club.

For a more relaxed approach to fitness socializing, try Seville Quarter Milers. There is no signup but Special Events and Marketing representative Susi Lyon said, “You show up and you can run. I know a lot of friendships have formed that may lead to romance.”

The runners and walkers of this group range from 24 to 65. They meet outside of Seville Quarter at 5:20 p.m.

Both groups give you a choice to go the distance or go back and order some sustenance after a mile or two.

If you are not into running, Pensacola Singles Sailing club is also a great way to learn to sail and meet new people. They take sailing trips and have fish fry parties. Visit the Web site at pensacolasinglessailingclub.com.

YOU NEVER KNOW
Monica Chambers, a Pensacola resident who returned to her hometown after 13 years, returned to the club scene after trying all sorts of avenues to meeting men, including speed dating.

“I tried the speed dating, and I have not met anyone I want to spend the rest of my life with yet, but you never know who will be the right one,” said Chambers, 34, an account executive with WALA Fox 10 TV.

“The (singles scene) has kind of gotten better,” she said. “I go to Bamboo Willie’s (on Pensacola Beach), and there is a good mix of ethnicities, different ages and all kinds of people.’’

In the meantime, friends are constantly setting her up with guys, and she is glad.

“I make connections. It is all about making connections, and you never know who knows who,” Chambers said.

With these great options for single life, you can choose to either never be single again or have fun being single.

If you tire of the singles scene altogether, there is nothing wrong with curling up with a good romance novel.

TIPS FOR GETTING BACK INTO THE SINGLE LIFE

- Make sure your body language is saying what you want it to say.
- Accept all safe invites, and make sure someone you know knows where you are going for the night or who you will be with.
- Take separate cars in case he turns out to be a jerk, and you need to leave quickly.
- Keep an open mind.
- Don’t lead someone on intentionally or unintentionally.
- Have fun.
- Be yourself.
- Opening lines never work, but conversational topics always do.
- Don’t be afraid to buy the first drink.
- Don’t be afraid to let him chase you.
- Don’t forget to find out about your date as well as letting him know a little something about you.
- Compliments are easy and simple and can be lavished without restraint.
- Be adventurous but safe.
- Don’t be afraid to flirt.
- Don’t get hung up on Mr. Right or even Mr. Right Now, just enjoy yourself.