‘A Capitol Fourth’ Live On WSRE TV 23 Tonight
July 4, 2011
A Capitol Fourth, the live PBS broadcast of America’s favorite Independence Day tradition, will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country’s best-known musical names topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. The event will air live in high-definition on WSRE TV 23 from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our service members around the world on the American Forces Network. An encore presentation of the live program will immediately follow at 8:30 p.m. on WSRE.
Offering viewers extended coverage of the fireworks display, A Capitol Fourth will capture the stunning pyrotechnics from every vantage point with twenty TV cameras stationed around the city – including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument and across the Potomac River. In celebration of America’s 235th birthday, the show will be capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by The U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery.
Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star line-up that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self-titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; Rock ‘N Roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. 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 U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass, 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.
Consistently one of the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade, A Capitol Fourth became the top-rated program in primetime on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. “It’s a tremendously uplifting feeling as hundreds of thousands of Americans join together on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, singing the National Anthem as the National Symphony Orchestra plays,’” said executive producer Jerry Colbert. “As we watch the nation’s capital light up with fireworks, it helps us forget our differences and remember that we are all Americans. I can’t think of a better place to celebrate our freedom and the nation’s birthday.”
4th Of July Closings
July 4, 2011
The following will be closed Monday 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.
- ECUA offices
- ECAT buses will run on Monday, but they will follow a Saturday schedule
- There will be no change in ECUA garbage collection.
Weather Forecast
July 3, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Independence Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%
Library Of Congress Traveling Exhibit In Pensacola
July 3, 2011
A special Library of Congress traveling exhibit-mounted in a customized 18-wheel truck will be on display in Pensacola through Monday, sponsored by the West Florida Public Library.
The 1,000 square foot exhibition will outline the history of the Library, including Thomas Jefferson’s role in re-establishing the Library, when he provided his personal book collection to the nation after the burning of the U.S. Capitol in 1814.
The display will include high-quality facsimiles of many of the Library’s top treasures including the 1455 Gutenberg Bible, a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams and the 1962 drawings for the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world.
The “Gateway to Knowledge” exhibition will bring information about the millions of resources in the Library’s unparalleled collections to small towns and rural communities across America.
The “Gateway to Knowledge” will be in Pensacola , at Fountain Park just south of Seville Square in the parking lot adjacent to Bayfront Parkway between Adams St. and S. Alcaniz St. The exhibit is free and will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
The trailer expands to three times its road width, and visitors will enter from a central staircase to find several areas of museum-style exhibits including a welcoming multimedia display and computer terminals displaying Library of Congress websites.
This year’s Gateway to Knowledge exhibition debuted at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2010. Photo courtesy Library of Congress, Tom Fontana, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fireworks Begin Tonight With Century/Flomaton Show
July 2, 2011
A weekend full of fireworks shows and other events for the Fourth of July begins tonight with the first organized show in years in the Century and Flomaton area.
Here’s a look at the weekend’s events:
Saturday, July 2
Flomaton/Century
The towns of Flomaton and Century, along with their chambers of commerce in each town, will present a fireworks shop Saturday night at dark. The show will be at Hurricane Park on Highway 31 in Flomaton — directly across from Flomaton High School. Bring a blanket or chair. There will be no entertainment prior to the event.
Pensacola Beach
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will host fireworks from the Gulf Pier beginning at 10:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4
Jay
Independence Run at 8 a.m. Monday at Bray-Hendricks City Park. 5K entry fee is $20; 1 mile fun run is $10. All entrants get a t-shirt, awards to be presented. Live entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks show at dark.
East Brewton
Horseshoe tournament, waterslides for the kids begin at 4:00 Monday, and there’s a duck race at 6 p.m. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Food and drinks available all day. Fireworks at 9:30. All events at Fort Crawford Park.
Poarch
The Poarch Creek Indians will host a fireworks show Monday night at on the reservation. Entertainment will begin on stage at Arrow Head Park at 7:30 followed by the fireworks show at 9:00.
Sertoma, Downtown Pensacola
For the 22nd year, area Sertoma organizations are once again coordinating and hosting the largest Fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Monday, July 4th, 2011, at 9:00 pm. There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:30 pm, in Olde 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 am, with a Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon! Starting at 4:00 pm, there will be live music on the Bayfront Stage, featuring Mass Kunfuzion, followed by August Body at 6:30. The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay, synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country FM 98.7. For a schedule of events, go to www.pensacolasertomajuly4th.org
Pensacola Beach
4th of July begins with The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Rosa Island Authority sponsoring a Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza in the skies above Santa Rosa Sound. The show, begins at 9 p.m. and will feature 472 explosive shells! WXBM Your Country 102.7/Soft Rock94.1, will be broadcasting live from Portofino Boardwalk and simulcasting patriotic music. For more information, go to www.visitpensacolabeach.com.
Milton
Riverfest 2011 “A Celebration of Freedom”, 4th of July 4 celebration kicks-off at 9 a.m. Enjoy a day of family fun events! The 10th annual Firecracker Bike Show, the Freedom Car Show, a children’s activity area, The Great MillTown Duck Race, LIVE entertainment and Fireworks starting a dark. Historic Downtown Milton – North and South Willing Street & Riverwalk Area. For a schedule of events, go to www.srcchamber.com.
Bay Minette
Fireworks begin just after dark behind Bay Minette Intermediate School.
Lightning Leaves 75 Homes Without Power
July 1, 2011
About 75 homes in the area of Gobbler Road were without power Friday night, apparently due to a lightning strike. Escambia River Electric Cooperative restored power to the area within about an hour.
Lightning Sparks Highway 168 Brush Fire
July 1, 2011
Lightning sparked about a one acre brush fire Friday evening near Bratt.
The fire was reported about 7:15 p.m. about 100 yards into a wooded area off Highway 168 near Wiggins Road. The fire was reported contained about 8:05 p.m.
There were no structures damaged by the blaze.
The McDavid, Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. The Florida Division of Forestry was also dispatched to create a line around the fire using a bulldozer.
Complete List: Public Fireworks Shows
July 1, 2011
Here is a list of public fireworks shows and other events this weekend in the North Escambia area.
Saturday, July 2
Flomaton/Century
The towns of Flomaton and Century, along with their chambers of commerce in each town, will present a fireworks shop Saturday night at dark. The show will be at Hurricane Park on Highway 31 in Flomaton — directly across from Flomaton High School. Bring a blanket or chair. There will be no entertainment prior to the event.
Pensacola Beach
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will host fireworks from the Gulf Pier beginning at 10:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4
Jay
Independence Run at 8 a.m. Monday at Bray-Hendricks City Park. 5K entry fee is $20; 1 mile fun run is $10. All entrants get a t-shirt, awards to be presented. Live entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks show at dark.
East Brewton
Horseshoe tournament, waterslides for the kids begin at 4:00 Monday, and there’s a duck race at 6 p.m. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Food and drinks available all day. Fireworks at 9:30. All events at Fort Crawford Park.
Poarch
The Poarch Creek Indians will host a fireworks show Monday night at on the reservation. Entertainment will begin on stage at Arrow Head Park at 7:30 followed by the fireworks show at 9:00.
Sertoma, Downtown Pensacola
For the 22nd year, area Sertoma organizations are once again coordinating and hosting the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Monday, July 4th at 9:00 pm. There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:30 p.m, in Seville Square to include a free Children’s Area with inflatables and pony rides, arts and crafts, food vendors and live entertainment on the gazebo stage beginning at 11:00 am, with a Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon. Starting at 4:00, there will be live music on the Bayfront Stage. The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show at 9 p.m. over Pensacola Bay, synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7 FM.
Pensacola Beach
Fourth of July Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. on Santa Rosa Sound off Quietwater Beach.
Milton
Milton’s Riverfest includes a bike show from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., a car show 10 a.m. until noon, a children’s activity area from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the North Riverwalk Gazebo, entertainment at North Gazebo beginning at 5:30, karaoke at 7 p.m. at the South Pavilion and fireworks over the Blackwater River at dark.
Bay Minette
Fireworks begin just after dark behind Bay Minette Intermediate School.
Fourth Weekend Forecast
July 1, 2011
Our Fourth of July weekend forecast is summertime business as usual with hot days, muggy nights just slight chances of rain.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Independence Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Florida School Grades To Be Released Today
June 30, 2011
School grades will be released this morning by the Florida Department of Education for elementary and middle schools.
Each school is given a grade based primarily upon student achievement data from the FCAT. The grades are designed to communicate to the public how well a school is performing relative to state standards.
School grades are calculated based on annual learning gains of each student toward achievement of Sunshine State Standards, the progress of the lowest quartile of students, and the meeting of proficiency standards.
NorthEscambia.com will post the school grades for the schools in the North Escambia area later this morning.