VBS Continues At Area Churches
June 11, 2009
Vacation Bible Schools are underway at a number of churches across the North Escambia area this week.
For a list of VBS events in the area, click the “Events” tab at the top of the page. If you would like to submit photos from your VBS, email them to news@northescambia.com
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church sent us these photos, and the following info:
Bible School is underway at Ray’s Chapel. A big thanks to EREC for bringing the train for fun rides. Among other things the kids, big and small have enjoyed animals from the zoo, a water slide turned powder slide and great bible lessons. You still have time to join the fun 5:30-8:00 PM through this Friday!
PS DONT TELL THE PREACHER’S WIFE HE WAS KISSING ANOTHER !!!!!!!
Pictured above: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Pastor Nathan Brown at the church’s VBS this week. Pictured below: More scenes from the Ray’s Chapel VBS, including the EREC “train”. Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Juan Sebastián de Elcano Departs Pensacola
June 10, 2009
After an estimated 13,000 people toured the Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, she headed out of the Port of Pensacola late Tuesday afternoon. Many NorthEscambia area residents were among those that toured the ship during its week stay in Pensacola.
The Elcano and its crew of 300 sailors were in Pensacola for the 450th anniversary celebration of the city as well as the 60th anniversary of the Fiesta of Five Flags.
Pictured above and below: The Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano departs Pensacola Tuesday afternoon. Submitted photos by Brenda Kahalley of Molino for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kids Learn About Funny Money At Century Library
June 10, 2009
The secrets of money were unlocked Tuesday as the summer reading program continued at the Century Branch Library.
In the “Funny Money Reading Fun” program, Dorothy Lee with the Escambia County Extension Service shared her know-how and secrets such as how to read a dollar bill and why there is a pyramid. Children of all ages had fun playing games and learning all about money.
Next week, the summer reading series will continue at the Century Branch Library with “Kids Can Cook”. The free program will be at noon next Tuesday, June 16. For more information, contact the library at (850) 256-6217.
Pictured: Children learn about money Tuesday afternoon during the summer reading series at the Century Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teacher To Be Hired To Ensure Community Involvement At Bratt And Ernest Ward
June 8, 2009
The Escambia County School District is hiring a teacher on special assignment to help ensure that parents and the community are as involved as possible at Ernest Ward Middle and Bratt Elementary schools next year.
It is all part of the plan to make sure the consolidation of Carver/Century K-8 into Ernest Ward and Bratt goes as smoothly as possible.
“We are using stimulus money to hire this person to help with community involvement at Bratt and Ernest Ward,” Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told NorthEscambia.com. “A big part of the program will be to help Century residents participate in the schools.”
When Thomas announced the closure and consolidation of Carver/Century, there were concerns expressed by many Century area residents that they and their children would not be able to become involved in their child’s school.
According to the job description for the position, the person hired will be a certified teacher that will:
- provide leadership in transition activities
- serve as a liaison between families, various committees, departments and agencies as requested by the principals
- assist the principals in the development, preparation and a process of data collection, needs assessments, satisfaction surveys and other activities
- assist the principals and office support personnel in the preparation of calendars, fliers, newsletters and registration packets
- coordinate and facilitate partnerships with civic groups, business partners, mentors and volunteers
“We will see if we get results and the position is beneficial before we continue it next year,” Thomas said. “We will see if it increases parental involvement.”
Northview Honors Teacher, Volunteers Of The Year
June 8, 2009
Teacher and volunteers of the year at Northview High School were recently honored.
Bill Welch was named the Senior Volunteer of the Year for NHS. Bryan Colburn was named Adult Volunteer of the Year. Micah Byars was named the Student Volunteer of the Year, and Sasha Blackburn was named the Teacher of the Year.
Pictured above: (L-R) Bill Welch, Bryan Colburn, Sasha Blackburn and Micah Byars were honored recently for their service to Northview High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Are You Ready For DTV? Digital TV Transition Date Is Friday
June 7, 2009
The long awaited switch to digital television is Friday. In North Escambia and the immediate surrounding area, 15,776 free $40 coupons for converter boxes to prepare for the June 12 switch have been ordered.
If you do not have a digital ready television and have not installed a digital converter box, your TV will stop working after the transition on Friday if you do not have cable or satellite. The government was handing out $40 coupons to anyone that asks to help purchase the converter box, including replacement coupons for those that allowed coupons they had previously ordered to expire.
Here is the breakdown of how many coupons had been ordered in the North Escambia and surrounding area, as of the first week of June:
- Century, 32535: 1,490
- McDavid/Walnut Hill, 32568: 1,199
- Molino, 32577: 1,252
- Cantonment, 32533: 4,343
- Jay, 32565: 1,477
- Flomaton, 36441: 920
- Atmore, 36502-4: 5,095
While those watching satellite or cable television, or those with digital tuner TV will not be required to connect a converter box in order to continue watching their favorite broadcast stations, a converter box would be required in order to watch TV when the satellite or cable system was not working.If you do have cable or satellite television, having a DTV converter box may open up programs that you are unable to watch on local stations. WKRG channel 5 is currently running classic television programs . Channel 15, WPMI, is running a weather station “WeatherPlus” on station 15-2. If you like public television, a converter box will get you not only the normal public TV stations 23 and 42, but also five additional public TV stations on the subchannels for WSRE and WEIQ. (Each digital station may have more than one channel. For instance, WSRE 23 on a normal analog TV become three stations…23-1, 23-2 and 23-3… with different programming on a digital box).
In order to get on the waiting list for a $40 converter box coupon from the government, visit dtv2009.org or call 1-888-DTV-2009. The boxes sell at retail from about $40 to $70. They can also be ordered from several retailers online with the coupon.
If you still have questions, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has three events scheduled in Escambia County this week to provide more information and allow persons to apply for coupons in person. The FCC events will take place at
- The Bayview Senior Center at 2000 East Lloyd Street Tuesday from 10:30 until 11:3o a.m.
- Radio Shack, Cordova Mall, Tuesday from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m.
- Bands On the Beach, Pensacola Beach, Tuesday from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.
Here is more information from the dtv2009 web site:
On June 12, 2009, all full-powered television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, as required by law. To assist U.S. households with this historic transition, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to help Americans continue receiving over-the-air television after June 12, 2009.Why is television going from analog broadcasting to digital?
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires broadcasters to broadcast only in digital after June 12, 2009. Digital television promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up some of the nation’s airwaves for use by emergency responders.
What is the significance of the June 12, 2009 digital TV transition date?
If households receive television programs over-the-air using “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna, they must take action to continue using their analog TVs after June 12, 2009. Consumers have three options, which include 1) buying a converter box that will plug into their current analog TV, 2) buying a TV with a digital tuner or 3) connecting their analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service.
How can the public obtain a $40 coupon toward purchasing an eligible converter box?
All U.S. households are able to request, on a first-come, first-served basis, up to two, $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of a certified converter box. Converter boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $70, however, it is a one-time cost with no monthly service charges. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed.
For more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, or to apply for coupons, visit www.DTV2009.gov or call toll free 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009). The hearing impaired may call the TTY number 1-877-530-2634 for information in English, and for information in Spanish, consumers can call TTY number 1-866-495-1161. Consumers can also request and submit a coupon application by mailing PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208 or by faxing 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
Where can the public buy a coupon-eligible converter?
Coupon-eligible converter boxes are only available at certified stores and online retailers where televisions and other consumer electronics are sold, as well as by mail-order. When the coupon is mailed to you, it will include an insert with a list of nearby, participating retailers. You can also go online at www.DTV2009.gov, enter your zip code, and locate participating retailers on a map.
What can the public do to plan for the transition?
Now is the time to identify whether any TV in your home is analog and receives over-the-air programming through “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before June 12, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. It is important to know your options and make sure your family, friends and neighbors are aware of whether they need to take action before the transition date. The important thing is that no one is left in the dark on June 12.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Presents Scholarship
June 7, 2009
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently presented a scholarship to Clint Fillingim of Barrineau Park.
Fillingim is a lifetime member of the Barrineau Park Historical Society and a graduate of a West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. He also received a Bright Futures scholarship and Cum Laude awards.
He performs with the musical group Chapel Strings at the Barrineau Park Community Center, various churches, nursing homes and prisons.
Pictured above: Nita Berry presents a Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship to Clint Fillingim recently at West Florida High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There’s Still Time To Tour The Juan Sebastián de Elcano
June 7, 2009
Today is the last day to tour the Spanish Navy’s training tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano at the Port of Pensacola. The Elcano and its crew of 300 sailors are in Pensacola until Tuesday for the 450th anniversary celebration of the city as well as the 60th anniversary of the Fiesta of Five Flags.The free 20 minutes tours will be Monday from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m.
The tall ship is named after Juan Sebastián de Elcano who sailed with Magellan on his first circumnavigation of the globe, and then completed the circumnavigation after Magellan’s death during the voyage. The Elcano was launched on March 5, 1927. It is the official training ship for Spanish Midshipmen of the Spanish Naval Academy and has sailed more than 1.5 million nautical miles on 77 cruises, 10 of which have been around the world. Considered to be a “floating embassy,” the ship’s presence in foreign countries and ports has enhanced Spanish foreign policy across the globe. This is the ships sixth visit to Pensacola since 1959.
For more photos from Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click here.
Pictured: The Juan Sebastian de Elcano in Pensacola. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For even more photos, visit www.mikenewtonphotography.zenfolio.com.
Blueberries Are Ready At Area U-pick Farm
June 6, 2009
The blueberries are ripe for the picking this weekend at A & N Blueberries in Molino.
Sweet, plump, perfect-color blueberries are just $1 per pound at the u-pick farm that has become a North Escambia tradition.
“They are sweeter than the blueberries you find in the stores,” Sarah Miller of A & N Blueberries said. “Plus it is just a fun atmosphere to bring the family to pick. We even have some families that will bring a lunch and have a picnic.”
“I love blueberries. I love blueberry jam. Blueberries on toast, on bagels,” she said. “Blueberries are just good.”
The blueberry farm sits on about six acres, with rows and rows of trees nearly two decades old. Miller and her husband Eli purchased the farm from his grandparents this year. The blueberries are top quality, good enough that Apple Market and other stores in Pensacola sell A & N Blueberries.
Sarah said that now is the time to pick blueberries for the freezer, and freezing blueberries is easy.
“You go straight from the farm to the freezer; you don’t even wash them first,” she said. “You wash them after you take them out of the freezer.” She said blueberries frozen fresh from the farm can last for a few years in the freezer. Fresh blueberries, she said, will remain at peak quality for about five days.
The blueberry crop is expected to be available until about July 1. The farm will also have watermelons in about two weeks.
In addition to the u-pick blueberries for $1 per pound, A & N also offers pre-picked blueberries for $3 per pound, and fresh blueberry jam.
A & N Blueberries is located on Suncrest Lane, just off Sunshine Hill Road about a half mile north of Molino Road. Click here for a Google map. A & N Blueberries is open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to dark.
Pictured top: Sarah and Eli Miller pick blueberries at their A & N Blueberries farm in Molino. Pictured inset and below: Farm-fresh blueberries at A & N Blueberries in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flush! An Ode To Toilets: Library Kicks Off Summer Series
June 4, 2009
The Century Library kicked off its summer reading programs Wednesday with “Flush! An ode to toilets” — complete with all the necessary sound effects from Charlie “The Sound Guy” Williams.
“How’d he do that,” one child repeated over and over as Williams made the sounds of flushing toilets, chainsaws, airplanes and more.
The Century Branch Library will continue its summer series as follows:
- June 9, Tuesday, 12:00: Funny Money
- June 16, Tuesday, 12:00: Kids Can Cook
- June 23, Tuesday, 12:00: Beau Broomall, magician. West Florida’s favorite local magician will delight and surprise with magic tricks galore.
- June 30, Tuesday: No Program
- July 7, Tuesday, 12:00: Tuffy the American Quarter Horse
- July 14, Tuesday, 12:00: Color-wheel creations. Get messy with finger paints then celebrate your art with ice cream.
Pictured above: Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams reads “Flush: An ode to toilets” at the Century Branch Library Wednesday afternoon. Picture below: Williams’ created a lot of a laughter during his library program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
