Century Branch Library To Celebrate One Year This Afternoon
March 25, 2008
The Century Branch Library will celebrate its first year with an open house at 2:00 this afternoon.
“I’m very excited about what we have done in a year,” Librarian Patricia Rigel told NorthEscambia.com. “We continue to get new people using the library all the time.”
During the year since the Century Branch Library opened its doors, 815 new borrowers have received library cards in Century. Rigel estimates that 1,800 to 2,100 people use the branch every month. Of those people visiting the library, about 340 per month on average use the library’s computers.
The popularity of the computers has led to a decision to offer beginning computer classes at the Century Branch Library, she said. Classes are expected to being by May.
This public is invited to attend this afternoon’s open house at 2:00 at the Century Branch Library. The library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured above: Children enjoy a recent children’s program at the Century Branch Library. Pictured below: The library under construction.
Pipeline Safety Meeting Tuesday Night
March 25, 2008
A pipeline safety awareness meeting will be held Tuesday night in Pensacola, and you are invited if “you put a shovel in the ground or operate any time of excavating equipment”.
At least two pipelines transverse the North Escambia area, as indicated by the map pictured above.
The free program will be held tonight at 6:30 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 4810 West Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
“Whether it’s a natural gas, petroleum or water pipeline, a break can cause considerable property damage. In the worst case, breaks can result in injuries and even deaths,” a press release says.
The program will include a free buffet dinner. It is sponsored by Energy Services of Pensacola, Genesis Pipeline USA LP and Gulf South Pipeline Company LP.
At the program, key points will include:
- Who to call to locate pipelines in the area
- State and federal laws governing excavation around pipelines
- Indicators of a pipeline break and release
- How to recognize a pipeline emergency
- Proper first response guidelines to follow if a pipeline incident occurs
For more information, call (800) 982-8752 or email sarah@pipelinegroup.com.
Many Special Services Planned In North Escambia This Easter Sunday
March 23, 2008
Numerous services commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ will be held across the North Escambia area today and Sunday
There will also activities all weekend at the Green Acres Farm in Davisville. Click here for that story.
Molino Area
- Grace Valley Baptist Church: Spring Revival starting Easter morning 10:30 a.m. Pastor Noah Broughton from Somerset, Kentucky, will be with us Sunday, 10:30 am
and 6:30 p.m. and March 24-28 7:00 p.m. More info? 587-5787 - Aldersgate Methodist Church: Easter morning worship at Aldersgate at 8:30 and 10:30.
- Victory Assembly of God: Easter morning worship service at 10:30.
- CrossFaith Church: 10:00 Easter Sunday morning worship, children’s Easter egg hunt during morning service.
- Highland Baptist Church: Easter morning service at 10:45. Easter egg hunt during Sunday School for Toddlers-Fifth grade at 9:30.
Walnut Hill/Bratt Area
- First Baptist Church of Bratt: Easter Services, Sunday morning at 10:30 following Sunday School at 9:15 (no 8:30 service). The Worship Choir will perform the Easter musical “I’ve Seen Jesus”.
- Walnut Hill Baptist Church: Easter Cantata will be presented during 11:00 worship service.
McDavid Area
- McDavid United Methodist Church: Easter service starting at 9 a.m. with Sunday School after the morning service. During our morning service we will also baptize one into the kingdom of God. Everyone is welcome to come and meet God who will accept you just as you are.
Century Area
- First Baptist Century: Easter morning worship services will be held at 10:45 Sunday morning.
Pictured above: Community Easter Sunrise Service this morning in Molino.
Theatre Group This Afternooon At Century Library
March 20, 2008
The Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth will perform the Tortoise and the Hare at the Century Branch Library this afternoon at 3:30.
Aesop’s fable is given a fun updated twist in this new musical. Bunny Hare always wins every race, so how will Thomas Tortoise be able to compete. The famous sports reporter Howard “Crow”-sel will be there to call the play by play in this fantastic fable.
ACT For Youth is dedicated to bringing the art of theatre to children and families. Their mission is to create performances, workshops, and educational programs that inspire and encourage discussion, according to the group’s website.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at 256-6217. Admission is free.
Happy National Agriculture Day
March 20, 2008
Today is National Agriculture Day, and the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers along with the Escambia Farm Bureau directors will present FOCUS, Farmers Offering Consumers Untold Savings, outside the Escambia County Governmental Center Complex from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
This first-ever event will feature agricultural exhibits, farm equipment, and produce from area growers to educate citizens on locally produced agricultural goods and raise awareness of the industry in Escambia County. Representatives from the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers, Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Escambia County IFAS Extension Services will be on site to answer questions and educate citizens on the “untold savings” of having agricultural producers of food, clothing materials and timber in our community.
“Consumers take the relatively low cost of food, clothing, and lumber for granted and assume that the money that they spend goes directly to the farmer,” said Libbie Johnson, Escambia County agriculture extension agent. “Most consumers and elected officials are not fully aware of the amount and variety of agriculture that we have in this county and how agriculture benefits all.”
Have A Pizza Today, Help Molino Park
March 20, 2008
Participating Domino’s Pizza will donate a portion of their proceeds today to Molino Park Elementary School. In order for Molino Park to receive credit from your purchase, you will need to fill out a form available from your Molino Park student or from the school office. Then simply turn in the form to the store or delivery driver.
Snow Tonight Or Saturday AM? Maybe, But It Will Be Colder
March 7, 2008
The National Weather Service says there is an ever so slight chance of snow across the North Escambia area tonight. Yes…snow. But most likely, it will be a light, scattered rain event. If it does snow, only just a little accumulation is possible, the weather service says. But further to our north, say Evergreen to Montgomery, the chance of snow with some accumulation is much more likely.
Here is our official National Weather Service forecast:
Tonight
A chance of rain, mixing with snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.Saturday
A slight chance of rain and snow before 8am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 51. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
A freeze warning is in effect for tonight and a freeze watch for Saturday night. That freeze watch is likely to be upgraded to a freeze warning for Saturday night.
The above graphic from the National Weather Service shows the snow potential area for tonight.
Escambia County Looks To Cut Jobs, Reduce Expenses
March 5, 2008
With the passage of Amendment 1, Escambia County is facing a budget shortfall of about $12 million beginning with the new fiscal year that starts October 1. The county commission will hold a workshop Wednesday to address where those cuts will happen, with the primary focus being on possible job and salary cuts.
In addition to the $12 million shortfall, Director of Administrative Services Jean Kassab says in a county memo that the county is facing a $1 million subsidy requirement for the county’s emergency medical services department, another $1 million needed next year to keep ECAT’s public transportation afloat and a loss estimated at $900,000 in sales tax revenue due to a declining economy.
“To that end preliminary guidance has been given to all departments that included the elimination of primarily vacant positions, the movement of filled positions from one program to another and/or general reductions in programmatic expenses. This step, if effective, will result in the elimination of about 23 positions and the movement of an additional 4 positions to non-General Fund programs,” Kassab’s memo to commissioners says.
“The next step is to further reduce payroll through early retirement buyouts and program consolidation. If further steps are necessary after these, programs at the bottom of the prioritization list will be reduced or eliminated. If these reductions/eliminations are not sufficient, then global reductions such as pay decreases or cost shifting of benefits will be needed,” the memo continues.
An early retirement plan will also be considered. The plan will provide a financial incentive to take an early retirement for employees that are at least 50 years old or have at least 30 years of qualified service (25 years for high risk employees).
At today’s commission workshop, commissioners will also look at prioritizing funding among county departments, looking for possible ways to cut dollars from the budget.
NorthEscambia.com will have coverage of today’s meeting posted Thursday morning.
New Cantonment Post Office To Be Named For Molino Man Today
March 1, 2008
The new Cantonment Post Office will named in honor of a Molino man at a special ceremony Saturday afternoon. The post office will be named the “Charles H. Hendrix Post Office”. Mr. Hendrix retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Postmaster of the Cantonment Post Office with 37 years of service.
“Charles Harold Hendrix was a man of service. He dedicated his life to the Lord, his family, and his community,” Congressman Jeff Miller said. “On behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to thank Mr. Hendrix for his many years of public service.” Miller sponsored the federal legislation required to name the post office. It was signed by President George Bush on November 30, 2007.
Born and raised in Molino, Florida, where he met his wife of 55 years, Barbara. They had three children Chuck, Rusty, and Cheryl. Charles was a member of Highland Baptist Church, where he served as the church treasurer, chairman of the board of deacons, and as a Sunday school superintendent. He was a charter member of the Molino Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as fire chief, assistant fire chief, and secretary of the department’s board of directors.
Mr. Hendrix was also a member of the Cantonment Rotary Club for 44 years. He served as president and was an active member of the Club Service Committee. Mr. Hendrix passed away last October at the age of 75.
“Charles Hendrix proved himself not only an outstanding Postmaster, but a strong community leader, dedicated father, and loving husband,” Miller said. “I can think of no better way to honor this highly respected, admirable man than to dedicate the Cantonment Post Office in his name.
The ceremony will be held at 2:00 this Saturday at the new Cantonment Post Office on Highway 29.
Finals Of Northview’s Got Talent Program Tonight
March 1, 2008
Move over American Idol, because Northview’s Got Talent, and tonight the big winner will be named in the talent competition.
The six finalist for the Northview’s Got Talent program have been named:
1. Cordaryl Lowery — Dance
2. Sarah Killam and Chelsea Sims — Dance
3. Allie Bryan — Singing
4. Harrison Whitehead — Comedy
5. 12 Gates — Band
6. Carley Hetrick — Singing
The final round will take place at 6:00 Saturday night in the Northview theater. All proceeds benefit the Northview Performing Arts Program.
Pictured above: The band “12 Gates” performs at a preliminary round of the Northview’s Got Talent program.