Gymnastics Team Performs At The Library; Summer Reading Series Continues
July 16, 2015
The Pensacola State College youth gymnastics team flipped, tumbled and entertained during a display Wednesday at the Century Branch Library and Thursday morning at the Molino Branch Library.
The Summer Reading Series at the West Florida Library will continue as follows:
Magic with Russell Davis
This humorous magician uses tricks and comedy to encourage a love of reading.
- Tuesday, July 21, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, July 21, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 22, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 23, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Superhero Wrap Up Party
Celebrate a super summer with crafts, face painting, snacks and prizes.
- Tuesday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, July 28, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 29, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 30, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 30, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
All programs are free for children of all ages.
Pictured: The Pensacola State College youth gymnastics team at the Century Branch Library Wednesday morning. Reader submitted photos by August Whorff, click to enlarge.
DCF Offers Summer Water Safety Tips
July 11, 2015
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is reminding parents to take extra precautions to keep their children safe.
“We can’t forget the importance of safety when it comes to our youngest family members,” DCF Deputy Secretary David Fairbanks said. “Drowning remains a leading cause of death for children in our communities. You can never be too careful around water.”
In Florida, 41 children have died so far this year from drowning. Of those who have tragically passed away, 68 percent were under the age of three. These deaths are 100 percent preventable. There should always be a responsible adult present when a child is engaging in water activities.
DCF urges parents and caregivers to keep “Eyes on the Kids” at all times when children have access to water. Lengthy conversations, texting and phone calls create distractions that should be avoided while children are swimming or near water. A responsible adult should be designated as a “Water Watcher” at all times.
Often times a child slips away undetected in family pool when several adults are present. Supervision, pool barriers and emergency preparedness, such as learning CPR, are crucially important.
Oh How We Love Our Blue Angels
July 11, 2015
The Blue Angels took to the skies over Pensacola Beach Friday, along with other military and civilian acts, in air show dress rehearsal for Saturday. The official 2015 Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon Saturday, with the Blues taking to the skies at 2 p.m.
Have Blue Angels pictures to share? Email news@northescambia.com, visit us at Facebook.com/NorthEscambia, or follow @northescambia on Twitter.
Pictured top: Cousins wave to Fat Albert Friday (Leigh Ann Beck photo). Inset: Kaylie McCall enjoys the Blues Friday afternoon (Kirsten McCall photo). Below: A Blue Angels selfie (#BlueAngels). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: The Blue Angels Take To The Skies
July 10, 2015
The Blue Angels took the skies for a practice show at Pensacola Beach Thursday.
On Friday, the Blues will rehearse with the military and civilian acts that also perform in the Saturday air show. The rehearsal begins at noon, and the Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m. The official 2015 Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon Saturday, with the Blues taking to the skies at 2 p.m.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Library Summer Reading: Percussion Extravaganza
July 9, 2015
Mark Seymour brought his interactive percussion extravaganza to the Century Branch Library Wednesday and the Molino Branch on Thursday, encouraging children to believe in themselves.
The Summer Reading Series at the West Florida Library will continue as follows:
Pensacola State Gymnastics
This PSC youth gymnastics team will flip, tumble and entertain in a display of athletic fitness at its finest.
- Tuesday, July 14, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, July 14, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 15, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 16, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 16, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Magic with Russell Davis
This humorous magician uses tricks and comedy to encourage a love of reading.
- Tuesday, July 21, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, July 21, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 22, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 23, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Superhero Wrap Up Party
Celebrate a super summer with crafts, face painting, snacks and prizes.
- Tuesday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch, Big Lagoon State Park
- Tuesday, July 28, 3:30 p.m. – Westside Branch, held at the Main Library
- Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m. – Century Branch
- Wednesday, July 29, 3:30 p.m. – Main Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, July 30, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch, Auditorium
- Thursday, July 30, 3:00 p.m. – Tryon Branch, Meeting Room A
Pictured: Mark Seymour’s interactive percussion extravaganza at the Century Branch Library Wednesday. Reader submitted photos by August Whorff, click to enlarge.
Registration Event Scheduled For Danceworks Classes
July 9, 2015
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held Monday in Byrneville.
The registration will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, July 13 at the Byrneville Community Center
Ballet, tap and jazz classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 108 for girls ages 3 and up. This year, classes for ages 3-8 will be based on age, while classes for dancers over age 9 will be based upon level. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas. She is also the coach for the Northview High School Dance Team.
For the class schedule, click here. For further information or questions email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
Pictured: The Heather Leonard’s Danceworks Spring 2015 recital at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Down And Dirty: Teachers Learn About Soil
July 8, 2015
The University of Florida IFAS Soil Science Department offered a one-day, Teach the Teacher International Year of Soil Workshop for educators Tuesday at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay.
Teachers were able to learn about soils and how to relate the information back to their students. The workshop covered topics including Soils and Civilizations, What is a Soil, Water Retention and Movement in Soil, Soil is Living, and Soil Protects the Environment.
Pictured top: Andrew Williams, NRCS soil scientist, shares how to classify soils and making soil surveys. Pictured inset: Trent Mathews, Santa Rosa NRCS DC, explains soil layers in a pit. Pictured below: Teachers learn about soil during the Teach the Teacher International Year of Soil Workshop for educators Tuesday at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino, Walnut Hill Fire Volunteers Train With Lifeguard Helicopter Crew
July 7, 2015
The volunteer members of the Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue held a joint training meeting Monday with the crew of Lifeguard 1 behind the Molino Fire Station. The Lifeguard air ambulance is based in Santa Rosa County, but often responded to calls in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Georgia Church To Offer Youth Revival For Century Teens This Week
July 5, 2015
Rivertown Church from Columbus, GA, will return to Century for their fifth community outreach this week.
Rivertown will conduct a daily Youth Revival Sports Clinics at the Century Business Center Monday through Thursday for teens aged 13 and up, followed by a free dinner and worship at the Abundant Life Assembly of God. Participating teens will also be a part of the music video “No Compromise” which was written and will be filmed exclusively for Century.
The schedule of events will be as follows:
Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
July 4, 2015
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.