Gulf Power Offers Hot Weather Energy Savings Tips
June 21, 2011
Gulf Power company is offering some tips for the summer heat — tips that can save you money whether you are a customer of Gulf Power, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Alabama Power or Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
Set your thermostat and leave it
During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest user of electricity. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer electricity bill.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 10 percent more electricity.
- Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
- Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.
Energy Select
Energy Select is an advanced energy management and efficiency program that can help you save money and energy.
You get
- A thermostat you program for comfort and savings
- Online Programming- You can now program your Energy Select thermostat from any computer with internet access.
- A special rate that features four different prices based upon the time of day, day of week and season. And, because the price you pay is lower than the normal rate 87 percent of the time, you can choose to buy electricity during lower priced periods which saves you money and energy.
- A meter that talks to Gulf Power
- FREE installation
Insulate
- Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
- Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.
- Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.
Kitchen
- Whenever possible, cook a lot of meals at the same time. This uses less energy than when you cook each meal separately.
- If you’re baking, avoid opening the oven door. This lets out 20 percent of the heat. Use a cooking timer instead.
- Use pots and pans that match the size of the burners on your stove. This allows more heat to the pan and less heat will be lost to surrounding air.
- Try to use the range instead of the oven. Better yet, turn on the microwave or use a pressure cooker. Both use less power than a standard electric range.
Refrigerator
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.
- Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.
Dishwasher
- Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun goes down to avoid adding heat to your house.
- When using the dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.
- Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher so you don’t have to rinse them. If they need rinsing, use cold water.
Lighting
One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off lights that aren’t in use.
- Use fluorescent lighting or CFLs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. And they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent lamps, for the same amount of energy.
- Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.
- Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.
- Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.
Customers can call 1-877-655-4001 or visit www.gulfpower.com for summer money-saving tips. Customers can also do their own Energy Check Up online — a 5-minute EZ Check Up or more detailed 20-minute Full Check Up is available to help identify low cost and no cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative also offers many other money saving energy tips at www.erec.net.
For The Birds And Bees: It’s National Pollinator Week
June 19, 2011
This week goes to the birds and the bees – and to all of the other pollinators that keep our world growing and productive. June 20-26 is National Pollinator Week, and its intent is to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators to plants, animals, and humans.
As pollinators gather nectar and pollen for their survival, they are responsible for the reproduction (the production of fruits, seeds, nuts, etc.) of 70 percent of all flowering plants and two-thirds of crop plants. This ecological service is worth $14.6 billion annually in the United States, quite a chunk of change for this diverse batch of insects, birds and mammals.
Unfortunately, many of the world’s pollinators are at risk. Studies have shown that about a third of the nation’s managed honeybee colonies are lost each year, a trend that has held steady for the past five years. Pesticides and other toxins have also reduced the number of butterflies and other crucial pollinators.
But it’s not all gloom. An army of agencies and nonprofit groups have assembled to help restore and protect pollinator populations. And there are things you can do in your very own yard to help pollinators flourish.
First, you can incorporate pollinator friendly plants into your landscape. A diverse planting of mostly native plants is typically best. By diverse, we mean use of flowers with different shapes, colors and times of bloom. Natives include beardtongue, coreopsis, black-eyed susan, native sunflowers, purple coneflower, beebalm, tropical sage, and milkweed.
You can also provide nesting sites for bees, called bee blocks. To make a bee block, start with preservative free lumber and drill holes 3/32 to 3/8 inches in diameter. Holes should be spaced 3/4 inches apart, and they should only be open at one end.
Avoid using pesticides. While pesticides kill those pesky bugs, they take out a lot of beneficial bugs, too. Explore non-pesticide options when protecting yourself and your plants. Planting certain plants can ward off unwanted bugs or attract those good bugs to ward them off for you.
You can also promote pollinator habitat in your community. Greenspaces like parks and golf courses can provide valuable habitat for pollinators. As urbanization continues to deplete natural lands, these green spaces can serve as sanctuaries for pollinators. Encourage your local leaders and golf course owners to use landscaping and pesticide management best suited for pollinators.
Roadsides are another resource for helping pollinators. American roadsides have 10 million acres of land that could be ideal habitat. Ask your local and state highway officials to plant or allow native vegetation to colonize roadsides, creating an aesthetically pleasing vista for motorists as well as helping pollinators.
USDA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recognize the importance of pollinators. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack designated this week as National Pollinator Week as a way to honor pollinators, “which provide significant environmental benefits necessary for maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems,” Secretary Vilsack wrote in his proclamation. The NRCS promotes pollinator habitat in its cost-share programs, which gives landowners incentives to establish nectar corridors and pollinator nesting habitat.
Pollinators on the Web
For information on NRCS programs, visit www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov.
For information on pollinators, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/pollinators .
For a copy of NRCS’ “Be Kind to Pollinators” brochure, call 1-888-526-3227.
For information on National Pollinator Week, visit www.pollinator.org.
Some other helpful sites are www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/ and www.abfnet.org.
Joshua McElhaney is a District Conservationist with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He works in the Molino (Escambia County) Field office. For additional details contact the Escambia County, FL USDA NRCS office at (850) 587-5404 ext. 3. Located at 151 Hwy 97, Molino (Escambia County Farm Bureau Building).
Weekend Gardening: Watering Wisdom
June 18, 2011
Dry weather is persisting across much of the South. Below normal rainfall and record-breaking heat is taking a toll on local landscapes. Because of Florida’s sandy soils, drought-sensitive plants may experience water stress after only a few days without rain or irrigation. Because water is a valuable resource, it’s crucial that irrigation be delivered properly to ensure plant health and conserve water.
How often we need to water varies, depending on such factors as temperature, rainfall, humidity, season, plants and light intensity. Proper watering is a function of applying the right amount of water at the appropriate times. It is important to get water to plant roots efficiently and effectively and to keep the moisture in the root zone area.
Irrigation Frequency
Many gardeners tend to water lightly every day during dry weather. Light frequent watering doesn’t get the water deep into the soil. Because roots only grow where there is adequate moisture, this practice results in a shallow root system.
Shallow-rooted plants are unable to tap reserves of water deeper in the soil and are prone to drought stress in even brief dry periods. Eventually, your plants become dependent on you to water them constantly.
Established trees and shrubs typically do not require frequent irrigation. For established plants, apply enough irrigation to wet the soil at least 8 to 12 inches deep rather than light amounts that wet only the surface. Deep watering provides water to a larger portion of the root system. A thorough watering should not be necessary for established landscape plants more often than once a week.
University of Florida guidelines call for watering lawns on an “as needed” basis. Lawns that are in need of water will show specific signs. These signs include the leaf blades folding in half, the grass showing a blue gray tint or your footprints remaining visible long after being made.
How Much To Water
To irrigate thoroughly, enough water should be applied to penetrate about 8 to 10 inches into the soil. Applying ½ to ¾ of an inch of water to medium-textured soils generally will accomplish this.
To figure out how long to leave your sprinkler on to apply the recommended amount of water, first, place several empty cans in the spray pattern of the sprinkler. Turn on the sprinkler and check the time. When about a ½ inch of water has accumulated in most of the cans, check the time again. That’s how long it takes your sprinkler to apply a ½ inch of water – and about how long you should leave it on to thoroughly irrigate an area.
The best check of how thoroughly an area has been watered is to go back about 15 minutes after watering and dig into the soil with a trowel. Find out if the water penetrated deep into the soil. Check several places. This procedure also works to calibrate an installed irrigation system or hose-end sprinklers.
In some situations, such as on slopes and heavy clay soils, the water may need to be added more slowly to reduce runoff. It takes water longer to penetrate heavy clay soils than light sandy soils. Run the sprinkler on for 10 to 15 minutes and off for 15 to 20 minutes until you’ve applied a ½ inch of water.
When to Water
Water early in the morning. Less water is lost to evaporation and wind drift in the morning because of cooler temperatures and less wind.
Final Thought
In the long run, organic matter in landscape beds helps to maintain soil moisture. For best results, mulch all landscape beds twice a year. Pine straw and pine bark are excellent mulches along with hardwood mulch.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Photos: Summer Reading At Molino Park Elementary
June 16, 2011
The Molino Park Elementary School library was open Wednesday for students to enjoy reading and a little fun.
About 30 students enjoyed guest readers, blueberry pancakes, arts and crafts, and more.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The library will be open again June 29, July 13, July 27 and August 10 for Molino Park students. The library will be open from 9 a.m. until noon. On June 29, students are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue for the Fourth, and August 10 will bring a back to school summer surprise.
There will be guest readers each day, along with activities related to the stories that are read. Parents and students can check out books, and students can take Accelerated Reader tests.
For more information, contact the school at (850) 587-5265.
Parents are required to stay with their children, and books that are checked out are due back August 10.
Pictured: Students enjoy summer reading — and blueberry pancakes — Wednesday morning at the Molino Park Elementary School library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: GCA & NRA Hold Annual Awards Banquet
June 13, 2011
The Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association (GCA and NRA) held their 18th annual awards banquet this weekend at the Langley Bell 4-H Club Center.
The following awards were presented before a crowd of about 140 people:
- Allie Vidak — 2011 Show Heifer of the Year
- Tyler Vines — 2011 Show Steer of the Year
- Tyler Knowles — 2011 4-H Spirit Award.
- Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham and Mick Breault — 2011 Breeder of the Year Award.
- Ashley Cunningham — 2011 Grand Champion Steer, 2011 Grand Champion Heifer presented by the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured top: The 2011 Show Heifer of the Year award is presented to Allie Vidak (left) by Allison Meharg and Sharon Meharg. Pictured below: The breeder of the year award with Scott Cunningham, Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham, Mick Breault, and Jack Livingston. Submitted photos by Jerry Marbut for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Airman Helps With Japan Earthquake Relief
June 12, 2011
The son of a North Escambia area man didn’t know what to expect. He’d seen pictures of the devastation on television and in the newspapers, and he knew he had to help, but how? It didn’t take long for him to find out.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason T. Wintersteen (pictured), son of Jay Wintersteen of Santa Rosa County, was one of more than 20,000 U.S. military men and women, who have provided assistance in support of Operation Pacific Passage. The operation provides the authorized voluntary return of military family members from Japan in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11. Operation Tomodachi provides humanitarian assistance and recovery operations to the people of Japan.
Operation Pacific Passage has airlifted more than 7,000 passengers and more than 400 pets via military and commercial aircraft from various locations in Japan, and Operation Tomodachi has resulted in more than 400 missions being flown, more than 2800 tons of cargo, and more than 400,000 pounds of fuel delivered. Military members are also assisting in the cleanup of communities and airports.
“I supported the Noncombatant Evacuation and Repatriation Operations and airplane missions going north to Sendai to help with relief efforts,” said Wintersteen, who is assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Yokota. “I also provided electrical support for multinational support agencies during their deployment in support of Operation Tomodachi.”
While nothing can totally prepare service members with the training they need to handle a disaster of this magnitude, the fact that they must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice has come in handy during this operation.
“This is the first time that I have been involved in a humanitarian mission of this scope,” said Wintersteen, who graduated from Rutherford High School, and the University of Maryland University College in 2009 through the military extension program.
Operations of this type are very important because they further demonstrate the longstanding and close working relationships that the United States has developed with many countries around the world over the years.
“This type of operation is important because Japan is one of our closest allies. They would do the same if we experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude,” said Wintersteen.
Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friendship, in the Japanese translation, means helping friends. For Wintersteen and the others, it has become more like helping family.
“Being involved in this operation made a big impact on me,” said Wintersteen.
Pictured top: Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conduct a countermeasure wash down on the flight deck. Sailors scrubbed the external surfaces on the flight deck and island superstructure to remove potential radiation contamination. Ronald Reagan is operating off the coast of Japan providing humanitarian assistance as directed in support of Operation Tomodachi. Pictured bottom inset: Airmen from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 730th Air Mobility Squadron pack and secure a pallet of relief supplies inside a cargo warehouse at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Pictured below: Houses lie in ruins in the Miyagi Prefecture after the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11 in Japan. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recipes: Sundae Funday
June 12, 2011
Every week needs more Sundaes. Celebrate a great meal, a special occasion, a terrific day or just up the “cool factor” of any gathering by scooping up one of America’s favorite treats. Makeover this all-American dessert with easy to create recipes that promise to add a “cherry on top” to the experience. Get inspired and dip into these creative combinations.
(Scroll down to see all five recipes.)
S’Mores Dippers
Description
No campfire is needed for these s’mores.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup marshmallow crème
- 1 teaspoon half-and-half or milk
- 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon red, white and blue cookie sprinkles
- 4 Blue Bunny Champ! Chocolate Swirl Mini Sundae Cones
Preparation
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine marshmallow crème and half-and-half. Microwave on High 20 seconds or until mixture just starts to puff; stir until blended. Cool for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and colored sprinkles; stir. Dip cones into marshmallow mixture then into graham cracker mixture. Serve immediately. Additional cones may be used to use the remaining graham cracker and marshmallow mixtures.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Recipe tested in a 1250-watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Strawberry-Kiwi Passion Sundaes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
- 1 medium kiwi, peeled
- 2 Blue Bunny Personals Premium Double Strawberry Ice Cream
- 4 teaspoons chopped white chocolate
- 2 teaspoons sliced almonds
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine strawberries, sugar and orange peel, gently mix.
- Slice kiwi lengthwise into quarters then slice into bite-sized pieces; gently fold into strawberries. Set aside 10 minutes to form juice.
- Top each Personal with half the strawberry-kiwi mixture. Sprinkle each with 2 teaspoons white chocolate and 1 teaspoon almonds. Serve immediately.
Serves
Makes 2 servings
Sand Bucket Sundaes
Description
This make-ahead dessert is great fun for summer parties or family desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Blue Bunny Caramel Praline Crunch Frozen Yogurt
- 1/2 cup butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
- Gummy sea-shaped candies, optional
- Sea shell-shaped chocolate candies
- 2 small pails or buckets (about 2 cups in size), washed
Preparation
- In each bucket, layer 1 cup frozen yogurt, 2 tablespoons butterscotch-caramel topping and 2 tablespoons cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. Repeat the layers ending with graham cracker crumbs.
- Dessert may be eaten immediately or frozen at least 1 hour. If eating immediately, decorate with gummy and chocolate candies. If freezing, decorate just before serving.
Serves
Makes 8 servings
Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae
Description
Chocolate lovers will adore this sundae topped with a white chocolate-raspberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 3.5-ounce bar high-quality white chocolate, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup fresh raspberries, divided
- 4 1/2-cup scoops Blue Bunny Chef Duff’s Premium Triple Chocolate Cake Ice Cream
Preparation
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine half-and-half and white chocolate. Microwave on High, 30 seconds; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Heat an additional 10 seconds if not melted. Cover and refrigerate until thickened to a medium sauce, about 50 minutes.* (Recipe tested in a 1250-watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.) Gently fold in 1/4 cup raspberries.
- Place ice cream into 4 serving bowls. Top each with a scant 2 tablespoons white chocolate-raspberry sauce and about 4 fresh raspberries.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
*If sauce thickens too much during refrigeration, re-warm slightly in microwave, about 10 seconds.
Campfire Sundaes
Description
Your children will have fun making their own campfire desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 chewy chocolate chunk granola bars
- 4 1/2-cup scoops Blue Bunny Premium Peanut Butter Panic Ice Cream
- 4 tablespoons butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping
- 16 pieces candy corn
Preparation
- Cut granola bars in half lengthwise then in half widthwise, forming 4 pieces.
- For each sundae, arrange 4 granola bar pieces on a small plate to form “wood logs.” Top with 1 scoop ice cream, 1 tablespoon butterscotch-caramel topping and 4 candy corn “flames.” Serve immediately.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Birth: Annabelle Auburn Lynd
June 12, 2011
Sgt. and Mrs. Brian and Kitty Lynd of Fort Stewart Georgia are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Annabelle Auburn Lynd. Annabelle came into the world on April 24, 2011, at Winn Army Community Hospital in Ft. Stewart Ga. She weighed 6 pounds, 2.3 ounces and was 19 inches long. Her grand parents are the late Al Proffitt and Penny Proffitt of Flomaton and John and Carol Southard of Puyallup, WA. Welcoming her home was her aunt Brandy McCurdy and her favorite cousin Robert McCurdy.
Photos: Byrneville Elementary School Field Day Activities
June 11, 2011
Just before the end of the year, Byrneville Elementary School held their annual Field Day.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Students took part in the long jump, football throw, Frisbee relay, sponge relay, obstacle course and tug-o-war. Top scorers were named for a boy and a girl in each class:
- 5th grade: all tied at 7.25 feet — Savana Nielsen, Logan Walters and Logan Hanks
- Levins 4th grade: Patti Lynn Brock 6.5 feet and Colby Graham 6 feet.
- Gilmore 4th grade: Olivia Porter 5.75 feet and Seth Killiam 7 feet
- 3rd grade: Payton Jackson 6 feet and Ian Gifford 6.5 feet
- 2nd grade: all tied at5.75 feet — Heather Knowles and Peyton Sheets
- 1st grade: Taylor Levins 5.75 feet and Cody Adams 6.25 feet
- Dawson Kindergarten: Briana Dunsford 5.5 feet and Jamarkus Jefferson 5.75 feet
- Barbarree Kindergarten: Aleigh Thorn 4.25 feet and Ryder Nolen 4.75 feet.
Pictured top: Top Byrneville Elementary Field Day long jump winners Savana Nielsen, Logan Walters, & Logan Hank. Pictured below: Tug-o-war was one of many events at the BES Field Day. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Blueberries
June 11, 2011
Blueberries are ripe for picking. So take the kids on an adventure and enjoy the freshness of local produce by visiting a u-pick farm. U-picks allow visitors to harvest their own fresh fruits and vegetables.
U-pick produce is grown in your own community and is crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. With fewer than one million Americans now claiming farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middleman and get full retail price for their food – which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.
U-pick blueberry farms are scattered throughout the North Escambia area. Contact your local Extension Office for u-picks in your area.
Every farm is a bit different. Some have more relaxed rules, others more strict. But at all the farms, remind the kids that plants are living things to be cared for and respected, not abused. The farmer feeds his family and pays his bills from the well-being of these plants! So here are some general farm guidelines:
- Follow all rules posted by owners at their picking locations.
- Look for the check-in and check-out areas. Note whether you will be charged according to weight or volume.
- Health codes usually require no pets in the fields.
- Always call in advance to find out if the fruit/vegetables you want are available, to get directions, to check their opening and closing hours and to ask if children are allowed.
- Walk in the rows, don’t step on plants! Some farmers frown on stepping across rows, even if you do it carefully.
When you arrive at the farm, take some time to explain to your kids how to identify and pick ripe fruit. Select plump, full blueberries with a gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn’t fully ripened. White and green colored blueberries will not ripen after they are picked. Unripe berries should be left on the bush because then they will turn into ripe berries for you to pick when you bring your friends back in a couple of weeks time.
The general rule when it comes to blueberries is “the bigger, the sweeter”. A fully ripe blueberry should easily come loose from the plant. If it takes any appreciable pressure to pick them, the berries aren’t fully ripe. It is best to pick blueberries by gently rolling each one from the cluster with the thumb into the palm of the hand. When picking is done this way, the berries that aren’t ripe will not come loose.
Once picked, don’t place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn’t form. Don’t wash the berries until just before using to prevent berries from becoming mushy. Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.