Ray’s Chapel To Honor McDavid VFD
April 13, 2008
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church would will hold their first ever McDavid Volunteer Fire Department Appreciation Day this morning during their 11:00 worship service. VFD history and accomplishments will be chronicled, individual volunteers recognized, presentations made, and lunch will be provided for all after the morning service.
Renaissance Fair, “Taming of the Shrew” Today At Northview
April 12, 2008
The English Department at Northview High School will hold The Renaissance Fair at the school on Saturday afternoon from 2:00 until 6:00.
“The fair will be full of thrilling activities for all ages: face painting, costume contest, sack races, obstacle course, jousting at the dreaded Barbarian Pit, perhaps a trip to the daunting gallows and other activities,” said Raja Atallah, NHS 10th grade English instructor. Turkey legs and other “scrumptious foods” and drinks will be available.
The senior class will perform William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” twice during the event, at 2:00 and 5:30.
Admission will be free for birth to pre-kindergarten , $2 for kindergarten to fifth grade and $5 for sixth grade to adult.
Pictured above is the cast of “Taming of the Shrew” back row (L-R) Bianca Harrington, Matt Zisa, Andrea Byars, Phill Mayhair, John Harold and Josh Holder. Front row (L-R): Sandie Sanders and Kalyn Vaughan. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Enjoy A Little Free Fishing Today
April 6, 2008
A free fresh water fishing weekend will continue across North Escambia today, with no fishing license needed for Florida residents or nonresidents.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages families to enjoy all the pleasures of fishing in Florida this weekend.
The FWC has designated the weekend of April 5 and 6 as Free Fishing Weekend. Both residents and nonresidents can fish in public fresh waters across the state without a license. All other fishing rules apply (see MyFWC.com/Fishing).
“The FWC is proud of our state’s recreational fishing heritage and designation as Fishing Capital of the World,” said Bob Wattendorf, special projects coordinator for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “More people fish here than in any other state, and more tourists come here to fish and spend their money than anywhere else in the country, according to a recent national survey by the U.S. Census Bureau.”
With Florida’s 7,700 public lakes and 12,000 miles of fishable rivers and canals, opportunities for families to reconnect with nature and share quality time together are abundant.
The FWC also is offering a special five-year freshwater fishing license bonus program, which kicked off on April 1. This promotion provides an extra incentive to anglers in the form of free tackle, publications and fishing accessories that add to the convenience and cost savings already associated with a five-year license. Matched with the priceless memories created from family fishing experiences, the FWC makes this a deal difficult to resist. Five-year licenses cost $79, plus up to $5.23 in convenience fees, depending on where licenses are purchased.
The first 3,000 customers to upgrade to a five-year freshwater fishing license after April 1 not only will save from $6 to more than $20 in fees, but also receive a free bonus package by mail with samples, magazines and coupons from fishing-related companies. Some of the items offered include free hooks from Daiichi and Owner and lures from Culprit and Berkley, plus a coupon for free sunglasses from Penn, a Larchy dehooker and a lure retriever mail-in coupon, with handling fee.
In addition, innovative products – like Worm-glo by Sure Life, a fluorescent worm feed – will also be a part of the package. Several publications, including Florida Wildlife magazine, will provide information about safe, fun and successful fishing. Other package inserts include a Polk County Lakes Map and coupon book, and coupons from Bass-Online, Canoe Outpost, e-Angler, Disney Fishing, Gambler Lures, Ladies Let’s Go Fishing, Mage Eyes and Ocean Waves.
Fishing license fees are used only for fish and wildlife conservation purposes and are a major source of funding for conservation programs, from habitat restoration to fish stocking and fishing-access enhancement. Since a resident freshwater fishing license costs just $17 for an entire year, it is already an outstanding recreational value. The average angler takes 17 trips a year, so that is approximately a dollar per trip that typically lasts four to six hours.
Five-year licenses are available online at MyFWC.com/License and via the toll-free phone number, 1-888-347-4356. In addition, they may be purchased at any license agent, such as retail stores that sell fishing supplies and bait-and-tackle shops or at local county tax collectors’ offices. Even if your current license hasn’t expired, you can order a five-year license now and have the effective date for the license set for 60 days after the purchase. The package typically arrives in three to four weeks, without you or the agent having to do anything else.
For information about local fishing opportunities, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Forecasts. You can verify the offer is still in effect and that you will be one of the first 3,000 by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing/5yr-2008.html, where you can also see all of the contents. The offer ends when 3,000 five-year licenses are sold.
Pictured above: Fishing on the Escambia River near Century.
The Zinghoppers In Century Today For Free Show At Library
April 4, 2008
The Zinghoppers are coming to the Century Branch Library Friday afternoon at 2:30, with big fun for all kids.
The Zinghoppers blend upbeat music, dynamic and playful lyrics, slapstick comedy and humor, along with important “edutainment” elements designed for the audience’s age group, the Zinghoppers are high energy fun!.
This upbeat show features a band of “animal friends”: Penelope The Possum (lead singer, bass), Coconuts The Kangaroo (drums) and Olo The Donkey (guitar). They are accompanied by their friend Conductor Jack (ukulele) who drives the Happy Train and joins the band on stage.
Entertaining children in an inspiring world where imagination will take them on amazing adventures, the Zinghoppers encourage kids to explore the world around them through music, movement and laughter – and they won’t even know they’re learning.
The characters in the Zinghoppers are like any group of young friends learning to develop positive relationships with each other. The show also reflects the importance of family and friends to preschoolers. While the animals in the band aren’t necessarily related, they act very much like siblings and they love and care for each other. Expressive movement is both vital to and loved by preschoolers whether it be through dancing or role-playing. The Zinghoppers include these elements. Also, children love to laugh at funny visual situations. Our characters reflect this: they too love to laugh and there is a significant amount of humor in the show.
The Zinghopper show is for children ages one to eight. For more information, call the library at 256-6217.
Good Spring Break Weather Today
April 3, 2008
A beautiful Spring day is on tap for North Escambia today after some morning fog clears. Mostly sunny skies and an afternoon high of 84 are expected. There is a slight 20 percent chance of rain by late afternoon, but most people in the area will not see rain.
The Friday rain chance jumps to 40 percent. There is a 60 percent chance of rain for Friday night, and 50 percent on Saturday. The rain is expected to be gone by Sunday, with a sunny Sunday high of 82.
Pictured above: A North Escambia area wisteria bush in bloom.
Need Something To Do With Your Little Spring Breakers In Molino Today?
April 2, 2008
If you need something to do to occupy your kids on this Spring Break Wednesday and you are in the Molino area, a good book from the Bookmobile might just be your answer.
The West Florida Public Library Bookmobile will make the following stops today in the Molino area:
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Molino Substation: 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
- Victory Assembly of God: 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- Family Dollar Store: Highway 29, Cantonment: 3:00 until 4:30 p.m.
This Thursday is Bookmobile maintenance day; the Thursday stops will be next week in Davisville, McDavid and Barrineau Park.
John McCain In Escambia County Wednesday
April 2, 2008
Republican presidential candidate John McCain will be in Escambia County this afternoon. He will be speaking in the gym at Pensacola Junior College at 3:45 this afternoon. The event is open to the public, with the doors opening at 3:00.
The stop is part of McCain’s five day “Service to America” tour. He began that tour Monday in Meridan, Mississippi, at McCain Field, named after his Navy admiral grandfather. Yesterday he was in Arlington, Virginia, were he attended hight school. Wednesday brings to Pensacola where he prepared for his military service and Arlington, Virginia, home of the U.S. Naval Academy.
This visit to Escambia County is McCain’s second of the campaign; he was in Pensacola back on January 22.
Today Is Last Day To Pay Your Escambia Property Taxes
March 31, 2008
Today, March 31, is the last day to pay your real estate and tangible personal property taxes without a penalty. All unpaid taxes will become delinquent at midnight tonight.
A penalty of three percent for real estate and one and a half percent for tangible taxes will be assessed beginning tomorrow, according to Janet Holley, Escambia County tax collector. As of one week ago, over $47 million in county taxes remained unpaid…that’s 17% of the entire tax roll.
Payments will be accepted without penalty if:
- mailed with postmark of March 31
- made on the tax collector web site by midnight March 31
- made on the after hours automated (800) 601-1055 phone line by midnight March 31
- left in a 24 drop box at any tax collector office, including Century and Cantonment, by midnight March 31
You may check the status of your taxes and pay online at escambiataxcollector.com or by phone at (800) 601-1055. For more information, call the a tax collector’s office at 438-6500 ext. 252.
The Century office is located in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard and is open today from 8:30 until 5:00.
The Cantonment office is located at 470 South Highway 29 in the old Winn Dixie shopping center. It is also open today from 8:30 until 5:00.
Blood Drive Now In Walnut Hill
March 31, 2008
A blood drive is going on today the Walnut Hill Farm Supply at the corner of South Highway 99 and Highway 97.
The Northwest Florida Blood Center Bloodmobile will be open until 12:30 this afternoon.
Donors must be in generally good health, and:
- At least 17 years of age
- Must bring picture ID
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
- Free of infection, fever or flu symptoms, for 3 days
- No cancer within the last 5 years
- No antibiotics within the last 48 hours
- No tattoos within the past 12 months
- No chest pain, heart disease, heart surgery (Requires written physician release with diagnosis)
- No history of viral hepatitis
- Cannot have lived in France for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present
- Cannot have lived or visited in the UK for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 to 1996
- Cannot have received a blood transfusion in the UK between 1980 and the present
- Military personnel (current and former), and their dependents, who spent time in military bases in northern Europe during 1980-1990, or southern Europe during 1980-1996, for 6 months or more
- All military personnel (active & reserve) that are returning from Iraq, are deferred for a period of 1 year after the last date on location in that country.
For more info, call 473-3853 or visit the Northwest Florida Blood Center website at www.nfbcblood.org.
Learn About Getting A Habitat For Humanity Home Tonight In Molino
March 27, 2008
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity will be hold an orientation seminars for prospective homeowners at 7:00 tonight at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino.
Habitat for Humanity hopes to build six homes for deserving people in the Molino area, with the first Habitat family possibly moving into their new home by Christmas. And you can learn how to get a Habitat home tonight at a meeting in Molino.
Janet Westlake, Habitat’s volunteer in charge of church relations, told NorthEscambia.com that the first house, the “Methodist House”, will be a joint project of Aldersgate, Cottage Hill, Allen Memorial, Lathram Chapel, McDavid and Farm Hill United Methodist churches.
“We are using church groups to sponsor building the first house in Molino,” Westlake said. “Six Methodist churches will together pay to build this house.”
A Habitat home is not a free handout; home recipients must have the ability to repay a small mortgage payment each month. That money goes into the program to build future Habitat homes.
Qualification is based upon three primary criteria: the ability to pay the mortgage, the need for adequate housing and the willingness to partner with “sweat equity” of 300 hours of volunteer time in the construction of their own home or in community service with another community organization. Income guidelines are in the table to the left.
For more information on Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, visit www.pensacolahabitat.org or call 434-5456.
The homes will be located on donated lots on Schaag Road off County Road 95A in Molino.
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian ministry whose purpose is to build homes and improve communities in partnership with low and very low income families in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.