Visiting Family Over The Holidays? Five Tips For Keeping The Peace
November 24, 2016
by Samantha Grenrock, UF/IFAS
With the election behind us and the holidays ahead, many are probably wondering how to avert conflicts at upcoming family gatherings — events that are often already a source of stress, no matter the year, says a human development expert with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
“The increase in togetherness with family members during the holidays can be wonderful, but being with people you don’t normally see for extended periods of time can only increase the likelihood of clashes,” said Heidi Radunovich, associate professor of family, youth and community sciences and UF/IFAS Extension program director for UF Engagement.
For those apprehensive about spending the holidays with family, Radunovich has these tips for making the visit go more smoothly.
1. Agree to take hot button issues — political or otherwise — off the table. “Just because you are related doesn’t mean you share the same world view. While these differences can be ignored most of the time, prolonged periods in close quarters mean different opinions will eventually get voiced,” Radunovich said.
“If there are hot button issues family members know exist, and people simply can’t see eye to eye on them, it can be helpful to set ground rules and agree that those topics won’t be brought up,” she said. “Keep in mind that you can love someone even if you don’t like their views on particular topics.”
2. Make plans as a group and consider individual needs. “Deciding where and how to spend the holidays can set off arguments and lead to hurt feelings,” Radunovich said. “Make sure that people are part of the planning and agree to how things will go.” Topics to discuss ahead of time may include food preparation, travel plans and how you will handle family traditions, she said.
3. Don’t feel the need to do everything as a group. “Expecting everyone to be together all the time can be stressful for all involved, so allowing opportunities for the group to break off to do separate activities can help,” Radunovich said. “For example, set aside activities for children that can allow grown-ups the option of watching sports, reading a book or doing something else on their own.”
4. If conflicts do arise, stay calm. “It’s a lot easier to have a productive discussion if everyone is calm. If you or other family members get into a fight, do what you can to keep or regain everyone’s composure before moving forward,” said Radunovich.
“Regaining composure may mean removing yourself from the situation for a while. You can try leaving the room, going for a walk, listening to music or engaging in some other soothing activity,” she said. “When you come back, it will be easier to see one another’s points of view, and come up with creative solutions and compromises.”
5. Don’t expect perfection. “We can put pressure on ourselves to make the holidays perfect. When our unrealistic expectations don’t come true, this can lead to stress and frustration,” Radunovich said. “There are already a lot of stressors associated with the holidays that can tap out our resources for coping, making it harder to deal with even minor stressors. Keep in mind that the goal is to enjoy your time together, and avoid trying to cram in too many events, or making every meal or event perfect.”
Warm Thanksgiving; Chance Of Rain Next Week
November 24, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thanksgiving Day: Isolated showers. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Traffic: Emergency Lane Closure For Highway 29 At Nine Mile Road
November 23, 2016
Motorists traveling southbound on U.S. 29 will experience an emergency closure of the inside lane as they approach the 9 Mile Road overpass until 2 p.m. Wednesday as crews perform repairs to a damaged impact attenuator, also known as a crash cushion. Construction activities are weather dependent and might be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Partly Sunny And Warm Today
November 23, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunny And 70’s Today
November 22, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Delays Today Off Nine Mile On Navy Federal Way, Foxtail Loop And Bell Ridge
November 22, 2016
Traffic on Navy Federal Way, Foxtail Loop and Bell Ridge Drive will be intermittently reduced to one lane Tuesday until 10 p.m. as crews make repairs to the pavement. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Another Freezing Night In Store
November 21, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Two New Century Council Members To Be Appointed
November 20, 2016
Monday night, the Century Town Council is expected to name a new member and set a special election for two of the body’s five seats.
In late October, council member Annie Savage passed away. Her term on the council does not expire until January 2021 — she had recently been re-elected without opposition to her seat. During their regular meeting Monday night, the remaining council members will appoint a temporary replacement until a special election can be held for a permanent council member.
A second seat on the council will also become empty on January 2. Council member Ben Boutwell was forced to resign his seat effect January 2 when he ran for mayor during the recent election. That bid was unsuccessful.
In January, the council will appoint a temporary successor for Boutwell until a special election can be held. According to town officials, Boutwell could be appointed as his own successor, if the council so desired.
Monday night, the council will consider a resolution setting both special elections for the same date in order to save money and increase voter turnout.
The Century Town Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at the Century Town Hall. All meetings are open to the public.
Pictured top: Century council members (L-R) Gary Riley, Ben Boutwell, Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Ann Brooks and the empty seat of Annie Savage, marked with a black ribbon at a recent meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Freeze Warning Sunday Night: Lows In The Upper 20’s
November 20, 2016
There is a freeze warning in effect from late Sunday night through Monday morning. Sensitive outdoor vegetation and animals should be protected. There is also a fire weather watch in effect; all outdoor burning is discouraged.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Molino Community Thanksgiving Service Set For Sunday Night
November 20, 2016
Multiple churches in the Molino area will come together Sunday night for the annual Molino Community Thanksgiving Service.
The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church, 6240 Highway 95A North, Molino The service will focus on unity, the Church and Thanksgiving. A covered dish fellowship will follow.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Pictured: Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.