Weekend Weather
July 7, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Light west wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Market Offers Produce, Other Items Including Canjos
July 7, 2012
The Market at St. Monica’s will be open Saturday in Cantonment with lots of fresh produce and more.
Visitors to the market on the first and third Saturdays of each month have come to expect a wide variety of produce — there’s almost always tomatoes, many kinds of peppers, sweet corn, squash and more. But the market also offers baked goods, free range eggs, arts and crafts and items like soap, shampoo, and shampoo bars from goat’s milk.
There’s also Walnut Hill-made benches, tables and more from sycamore, oak, walnut and cedar.
And canjos. Canjos started as banjos made from tin cans, but now they have evolved into beautifully hand-crafted instruments made from oak, poplar and walnut.
Concessions are also available, including all-beef hotdogs, sno-cones, popcorn, cold sodas and bottled water.
The Market at Saint Monica’s will be held from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church, located at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Pictured: A handcrafted “canjo” available at the Market at St. Monica’s in Cantonment. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Holds Storm Supply Tax Free Weekend
July 6, 2012
Most places in Alabama will observe a 2012 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday through Sunday with no tax on certain severe weather preparedness supplies.
Atmore and Brewton will not take part in the sales tax holiday, but Flomaton and most Baldwin and Mobile counties cities will.
Through midnight Sunday, the event means no sales tax on storm prep items up to $60 each, including:
- Batteries (excluding auto or boat batteries)
- Cellular phone batteries and chargers
- Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two way radio, weatherband radio or NOAA weather radio
- Portable self-powered light source, including battery powered flashlights, lanterns, or emergency glow sticks
- Tarpaulin
- Plastic sheeting
- Plastic drop cloths
- Other flexible, waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tiedown kit
- Duct tape
- Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings
- Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
- Non-electric can opener
- Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
- Self-contained first aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Gas or Diesel fuel tank or container
Portable generators and power cords up to $1,000 are also tax free during the event.
In future years, the event will be held beginning the last weekend in February.
For more information, click here.
Showers, Thunderstorms Today
July 5, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Guide To Area Fireworks Shows
July 4, 2012
Here’s a guide to public Fourth of July Fireworks shows across the North Escambia area:
WEDNESDAY
Sertoma — Downtown Pensacola, Sponsored by NorthEscambia.com
For the 23rd year, Sertoma organizations will coordinate and host the fireworks display over Pensacola Bay on Wednesday, July 4th, at 9:00 p.m.
There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:30 pm, in Seville Square to include a FREE Children’s Area with inflatables and pony rides, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and live entertainment on the gazebo stage beginning at 11:00 a.m. There is also a hot dog eating contest at noon.
Starting at 4 p.m., there will be live music on the Bayfront Stage, featuring Crosstown Band, followed by Bad Habits at 6:30. The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay at about 9 p.m. synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7.
Sponsors for the program include NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 1620, WEAR 3, Publix, Escambia County and the City of Pensacola.
Jay
The Town of Jay and the Jay Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Wednesday, July 4 with a fireworks show set to begin around 9 p.m. at Bray-Hendricks City Park. Food vendors and arts and crafts vendors will be on hand. There will also be a kids’ fun center with a large slide and bounce house. Admission to the park is free. No pets.
East Brewton
The Fort Crawford Commission will celebrate Wednesday, July 4, with a fun-filled day beginning at 9 a.m. at Fort Crawford Park and ending with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Bay Minette
The City of Bay Minette will host a fireworks show on Wednesday, July 4, beginning around 9 p.m. at the Bay Minette Intermediate School.
Riverfest 2012: A Celebration of Freedom
Riverfest will be held Wednesday, July 4 in Milton. Festivities include the 11th annual Firecracker Bike Show at 9 a.m., a Freedom Car Show at 9 a.m., the Treasure Island Children’s Activity Area at 1 a.m., the sixth annual Great MillTown Duck Race at 5 p.m., the Acoustic Project at 5:30 p.m., a Veteran’s Salute at 6:30 p.m. and karaoke at 7 p.m. The day will end with a fireworks display over the Blackwater River at dark.
Fireworks over Pensacola Beach
Fireworks are over Santa Rosa Sound, just offshore from Quietwater Beach. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. Best views from the Portofino Boardwalk or Quietwater Beach. The trolley will operate on its normal schedule from 4 p.m. to midnight, running from the Fort Pickens entrance to Portofino.
4th Of July Closings
July 4, 2012
The following will be closed Wednesday in observance of the Independence Day holiday:
- City offices in Century, Flomaton, Jay, Atmore, Pensacola
- Escambia County (Ala. & Fla.) offices
- Santa Rosa County offices
- Florida state offices
- All federal offices
- West Florida Library branches, including Century
- Santa Rosa County libraries, including Jay
- University of West Florida, Pensacola State College closed
- Retail windows at the U.S. Post Office will be closed, and there will be no mail delivered or collected, except for Express Mail.
- ECAT buses will run only limited service for: Route 59 Express, Route 64 Beach Jumper, Beach Trolley
- Wednesday’s ECUA route was picked up on Tuesday.
Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
July 4, 2012
Safety is an important consideration when operating a grill. Improper use can cause a fire or explosion. Keep the area around a lighted grill clear of combustible materials, and never use a grill in an enclosed area such as a sheltered patio or a garage. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that may catch fire. The cooking grids should be cleaned after every cookout. The last thing you want to do is cause someone to become ill due to improper cleaning or unsafe food preparation practices.
Wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds before starting to prepare any foods, and wash your hands again if you do anything else—change a diaper, pet an animal, or blow your nose, for example. Cover any cuts or sores on your hands with a bandage, or use plastic gloves. If you sneeze or cough while preparing foods, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and turn your face away, or cough into your sleeve. Always wash your hands afterwards.
Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Most food-borne illness-causing bacteria cannot grow well at temperatures below 40°F or above 140°F. Thaw foods in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Never leave foods out at room temperature.
Keep everything that touches food clean. Bacteria can hitch rides around your kitchen on all sorts of things—plates and cutting boards, dirty utensils, dish rags and sponges, unwashed hands.
Never chop fresh vegetables or salad ingredients on a cutting board that was used for raw meat without properly cleaning it first. If possible, keep a separate cutting board just for the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and fish.
Wash cutting boards thoroughly with hot soapy water, and then sanitize with a solution of household bleach and water.
Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices from coming into contact with other foods during preparation, especially foods that will not be cooked. Wash all utensils and your hands with hot soapy water after contact with raw meat.
Marinate meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator in a covered, non-metal container. Throw away any leftover marinade.
Grill food to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to assure correct doneness of the food being grilled.
Safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Poultry (whole, ground, and breasts): 165°F
- Hamburgers, beef: 160°F
- Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks, roasts and chops):
- Medium rare: 145°F
- Medium: 160°F.
- All cuts of pork: 160°F.
Hold meat at 140°F until served. Use a clean platter for transferring cooked meat from grill to serving table.
Summer is the time for getting together with friends and family and cooking outdoors. Make your outdoor grilling experience safe and enjoyable.
For further information regarding food safety and other related topics, go to the University of Florida’s Solutions for Your Life website: http://www.solutionsforyourlife.com.
Dorothy C. Lee, CFCS, is an Extension Agent II, Family & Consumer Sciences with the Escambia County Extension Service. Reference: Safe Food Handling Fact Sheet, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Series.
‘A Capitol Fourth’ Live On WSRE TV 23 Tonight
July 4, 2012
This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 236th birthday, as A Capitol Fourth welcomes a new host, Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron.
Hot off another winning season as host of the hit TV series “Dancing With the Stars,” Bergeron will lead an all-star cast in a patriotic evening of unrivaled musical performances, topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation.
The multi award-winning event will feature acclaimed Broadway and television star Megan Hilty (“Smash”); singer-songwriter Javier Colon (winner of “The Voice”); R&B superstars Kool & the Gang; four time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly; plus a tribute to Team USA honoring the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, A Capitol Fourth airs live in HD Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 7:00-8:30 p.m. on WSRE 23 before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.
A Capitol Fourth has truly become America’s favorite Independence Day celebration and a cornerstone of PBS’ annual programming line-up, as evidenced by the ratings. During the 2010-2011 season, A Capitol Fourth took the top prize, for the second consecutive year, as the number one rated program in primetime. A Capitol Fourth reached more than 11 million viewers.
“What an honor to be in the nation’s capital for America’s biggest birthday party,” said Bergeron. “Hosting A Capitol Fourth enables me to celebrate two things I’m a big fan of — America and PBS!”
The 2012 broadcast of A Capitol Fourth will include two unique segments:
- A rousing and patriotic send off to Team USA as they head to the London 2012 Olympic Games, featuring current and past U.S. Olympians as well as members of the U.S. Paralympic team; and
- A musical tribute to beloved American legend Gene Kelly, in celebration of his 100th birthday, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra performing a medley of Hollywood classics, including Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris.
Offering viewers extended coverage of the fireworks display, A Capitol Fourth will capture the stunning pyrotechnics from every vantage point with 20 TV cameras stationed around the city — including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument and across the Potomac River. The show will be capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” with live cannon fire provided by The U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now a Capitol Fourth tradition.
Also participating in the event will be The Choral Arts Society of Washington, along with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, the Quantico Marine Corps Band, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.
Hot, Slight Chances Of Rain
July 3, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Independence Day: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
North Escambia ECUA Customer? Take Out The Trash Today
July 2, 2012
Trash pickup days are changed this week for most North Escambia ECUA customers due to the Fourth of July holiday on Wednesday.
ECUA residential sanitation customers scheduled for collection on Tuesday will have their garbage, recycling and yard trash picked up on Monday. Collection for Wednesday customers will be on Tuesday. The collection routes for July 5 and 6 will remain on their regular schedule.
For more information, call ECUA at (850) 476-0480.