Annual Fiddler’s Convention Today
July 19, 2008
The 29th Annual South Alabama Fiddler’s Convention is today in Atmore.
Musicians and singers will compete for cash prizes up to $1,000 in various categories like fiddlers, vocal groups, bands, dobro, banjo, guitar and mandolin. An exhibition will be held for dulcimers and bass fiddles to see if there is enough participation to add the instruments to a future convention.
The contest started at 2:00 this afternooon. Admission is $9 for adults and free for children under 12. The event has moved this year from the high school to Rachel Patterson Elementary School at 1120 West Craig Street in Atmore.
BBQ plates will also be available.
The event is sponsored by the Atmore Rotary Club, with proceeds going toward the club’s Academic All-Stars Program that honors high school students that maintain A and B averages during the school year. The awards are presented to students from Northview High School, Escambia County (AL) High School, Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School. Last year, 36 Northview students were honored.
Pictured above: Will Fink performs at last year’s Atmore Fiddler’s Convention. Fink won the fiddler category. Photo courtesy Atmore News.
Meet The Democratic Candidates Saturday At Fish Fry
July 19, 2008
Saturday is your chance to meet the Democratic candidates for local offices at a North Escambia fish fry.
The Democratic Party of Escambia County invites you to meet their candidates this afternoon.
The two democratic candidates for sheriff, Samuel Lucas and Larry Scapecchi are expected to attend. District 5 Escambia County Commission candidates Jim Barnett and John Hartman plant to attend, as does Tony Henderson, candidate for public defender.
The fish fry will be held at the Wiggins Lake Pavilion at 5140 Wiggins Lake Road in Walnut Hill from 4:00 until dusk.
There is a $6.00 suggested donation for the fish plate with all the trimmings. The public is invited. For more info, call the Democratic Party of Escambia County office at 475-9755.
Two Churches To Hold Men’s Breakfast Meetings
July 19, 2008
Two Molino churches will hold their monthly men’s breakfast meetings this Sunday morning.
Aldersgate United Methodist Men will meet for breakfast Sunday morning at 7:15. All the men of the community are invited to attend for a hearty breakfast and great fellowship. The meeting is in the Aldersgate Cafe at 6915 Highway 29 North, Molino.
Highland Baptist Church Brotherhood will have their monthly Breakfast Sunday morning at 7:00 in the church fellowship hall. You are invited to hear Rev. James Hughes give his testimony and enjoy a great breakfast. The church is located at 6240 North Highway 95A in Molino.
Have an announcement for your church or civic organization? Let us know about it by sending an email to news@northescambia.com
Free Movie Tonight: “Facing The Giants”
July 18, 2008
A free community movie night will be held tonight in Century.
The Century Blue Ribbon Committee will present “Facing the Giants” tonight at 6:30 at the New Life Baptist Church in the old Century High School on Hecker Road.
Facing the Giants is an action-packed drama about a Christian high school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure.
In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach.
Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field.
When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage. What transpires is a dynamic story of the fight between faith and fear. Facing the Giants is a powerful experience for the whole family inspiring viewers to live with faith, hope, and love.
The movie “A Walk To Remember” will be shown next Friday night at 6:30.
Red Flag Warning Today
July 15, 2008
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for today for the North Escambia area.
The warning is in effect from noon today until 7:00 tonight.
Afternoon relative humidities were forecast to drop below 35 percent after noon and then return above 35 percent by 7:00 tonight.
A red flag warning means that dangerous fire weather conditions are either occurring now… or likely will occur. A combination of low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential. Outdoor burning should be restricted.
Pirates At The Library Today
July 15, 2008
Ahoy, Matey! Enjoy pirate-themed arts and crafts and stories at the Century Branch Library on Tuesday, July 15 at noon.
It another exciting installment of the Summer Reading Series at the library. It’s fun for kids of all ages, and it is free! Call the library at 256-6217 for more information.
Crossroads In Concert Sunday In Molino
July 13, 2008
Crossroads will be in concert in the 8:30 and 10:30 services Sunday morning at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino.
Crossroads is Kristen Sorrells, Lyndi Hardy and Brad Adkinson. They have been together just over a year, and they were quickly singing at churches across Santa Rosa County and a few churches in Alabama and Escambia County, Florida.
They have performed at the 100th Anniversary of the Southern Baptist Association, Relay for Life in Mobile and at a recent company celebration at Solutia.
Brad is a member of First Baptist Church in Milton and is employed with Solutia. He and his wife Mindy have two children. Lyndi and her husband Robbie are members at Pine Terrace Baptist Church in Milton. Lyndi is also a teacher at Milton High School. Kristen and her husband Phillipp are members at Pine Terrace Baptist Church. They have three children, and she is a stay at home mom.
Aldersgate is located on Highway 29, just south of Highway 97 in Molino. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Submitted photo.
Hacker Hits Escambia Tax Collector Site
July 13, 2008
The Escambia tax collector’s web site was defaced by a hacker on Saturday, and now the site is down.
The text on the site and all of the links were replaced by the text “hacked by mOsted (Turkish) No War”. The statement appeared repeatedly on the site.
By late Saturday afternoon, the tax collector’s office had taken the site offline, making local tax information unavailable to the public.
According to an internet seach, such hacks are typically random in nature where the hacker used an automated process to look for vunerabilities with the code that makes up a web site.
The tax collector’s web site is hosted by Escambia County on the same group of servers that serve other county web sites.
Computer hacking can be a felony under Florida law, but most hacks such as this one originate in a foreign country.
Visit Any Florida State Park For Free Today
July 13, 2008
Today is your chance to visit any Florida stare park for free. All state parks will waive admission charges all day today.
To celebrate July as Recreation and Parks Month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation & Parks is encouraging family-friendly,outdoor recreation with the launch of its “Family. Friends. Fun. Campaign” to reconnect children and families with nature.
Some of the state parks in our area include: Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola, Perdido Key State Park on Perdido Key and Florida Caverns State Park (pictured above) near Marianna
Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association has designated July as Recreation and Parks Month. To celebrate this designation, Florida is waiving admission to all state parks today.
“Recreation and Parks Month is an excellent time for family and friends to visit a state park and experience …the Real Florida,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “State parks provide a multitude of activities that promote mental and physical well being.”
The Family. Friends. Fun. Campaign is hosting events in state parks that appeal to individuals and families of all ages and interests this July during Recreation and Parks Month. On Sunday, July 13, entry into all 161 state parks will be free, providing an opportunity for everyone to head outdoors and experience Florida State Parks.
“Without the encouragement of parents and friends, children are less likely to play outdoors and gain exposure to natural resources and nature-based recreation,” said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “Establishing a healthy relationship with nature during childhood is a valuable habit that will benefit individuals and society as a whole for years.”
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 161 parks spanning almost 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beaches.
From swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle re-enactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.
For more information about Florida State Parks and activities scheduled for July 13 and throughout Recreation and Parks Month, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. For more information on the national initiative to connect children and nature, visit http://www.childrenandnature.org/.
Pictured above: The Florida State Caverns Park near Marianna. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels shows this weekend
July 11, 2008
A large number of North Escambia residents are expected to attend the Blue Angels air show Saturday at Pensacola Beach.
The world-famous Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, will be joined by an exhilarating line up during the main event on Saturday. It kicks off shortly after noon with Julian MacQueen in his amphibious Grumman Widgeon G-44 and culminate with The Blue Angels taking to the sky at 2 p.m.
Following is a complete line up of events:
12:05 p.m. Water in front of show area is cleared for safety precautions
12:25 p.m. Julian MacQueen’s Grumman Widgeon G-44
12:30 p.m. Coast Guard Search & Rescue (SAR) demonstration, HH-65 Dolphin
12:45 p.m. Vortex Aerobatics, Pitts Eagle hybrid
12:55 p.m. Gary Ward’s MX2
1:05 p.m. AeroShell Aerobatic Team, AT-6 “Texan”
1:20 p.m. Swimmers are allowed back into the water for 20 minutes
1:40 p.m. Water is cleared again for final part of show
1:50 p.m. Fat Albert, C-130 Hercules
2:00 p.m. Blue Angels, F/A-18 Hornets
If you plan to attend the Pensacola Beach Air Show, you are urged to arrive early. For your convenience and to help alleviate traffic congestion, Pensacola Beach will provide trolley service from 9 a.m. until midnight Saturday between Casino Beach and the Fort Pickens gate. Motorists are asked not to block emergency access locations, bike paths, sidewalks or medians. Park in a marked spot or off the roadway, but do not extend into traffic lanes.
Plan on being at the beach all day, not just for a couple of hours for the air show, event organizers say. Remember to drink plenty of water, and wear sun protection such as a sunscreen with a high SPF, hats and long-sleeve shirts.
For more information, contact the Pensacola Beach Visitors Information Center at (850) 932-1500, toll free at (800) 635-4803. All information is subject to weather conditions and can change without prior notice.