Chief Spirit: Cheerleaders, Dance Team Photo Gallery
October 5, 2014
For a photo gallery featuring Northview’s cheerleaders and dance team, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Time To Plant Those Fall Vegetables
October 5, 2014
by Santa Rosa Extension
The slightest hint of fall is in the air. But this doesn’t mean that the vegetable gardening season is over. Fall is an excellent time to grow cool-season vegetables.
Florida is unique in that we have multiple growing seasons. There is something that can be grown in the vegetable garden all year round. Knowing which vegetables to grow during which season is the key to having a successful harvest.
In the summer, gardeners are somewhat limited in the different types of warm-season vegetables that can be grown and will survive the heat. Now with cooler days approaching, we have a much wider selection of cool-season vegetables to plant.
In September many vegetables can be planted in the garden including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions and radish. In October, you can plant Chinese cabbage, spinach and strawberries.
These vegetables are best started from transplants but many can be direct-seeded. If you seed them directly into the soil, keep the ground moist while it’s still warm to give them a good start. Keep them well watered if you transplant, too. The later you start, the smarter it becomes to transplant to cut the time to maturity. Preparing the garden properly is as important as selecting the right plants.
Choose a sunny location. Most vegetables perform poorly in shade. An area that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day is best. Some vegetables such as broccoli, collards and spinach will tolerate partial shade. Avoid locating your garden near hedges or trees. They not only create too much shade but also compete with the garden for moisture and nutrients.
Locating the garden near the house will make it easier to periodically check the garden for insect pests and disease. And, it is easier to keep an eye on the garden for larger pests such as birds, squirrels and rabbits. Closeness to the house will make it convenient in tending to the garden chores.
Locate the garden near a water supply so it can be watered as needed. You’ll get only moderate results if you try to grow a garden without supplemental irrigation.
Of course, it’s important to prepare beds properly before planting. To do that, clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches, and spread a 2-inch to 4-inch layer of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost) over the tilled soil. This helps to maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth.
Mix the organic matter thoroughly into the soil. Turn the soil by digging with a shovel, garden fork or a tiller until the materials you’ve added are evenly distributed in the soil. When using fresh organic amendments, it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before planting your transplants or seeds.
By this time of year, insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations. Insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are commonly seen. Since insect and disease pressure often is greater in the late summer/early fall than in the spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed. Contact your local Extension Office for control recommendations.
Kamryn Brock Named Northview Homecoming Queen
October 4, 2014
Kamryn Brock was name the 2014 Northview High School Homecoming Queen Friday night. Other members of her court were First Runner-up Kendall Cobb, Second Runner-up Jessica McCollough, Freshman Maid Hannah Mascaro, Junior Maid Jadlyn Agerton and Sophomore Maid Morgan Myrick.
Pictured top: 2013 Homecoming Queen Anna Fischer crowns Kamryn Brock as the 2014 Northview High School Homecoming Queen. Pictured below (L-R): Freshman Maid Hannah Mascaro, Junior Maid Jadlyn Agerton, First Runner-up Kendall Cobb, Queen Kamryn Brock, Second Runner-up Jessica McCollough, and Sophomore Maid Morgan Myrick. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Pre-K Students Learn About Fire Safety
October 3, 2014
Pre-K students at Jim Allen Elementary School learned about fire safety Thursday morning, thanks to the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. The “B-watch” crew from the station’s Engine 4 — Lt. Chapman, firefighter Diamond and firefighter Schwarz — conducted the safety program. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Names Homecoming Court; Plans Parade, Lunch, Pep Rally
October 2, 2014
It’s homecoming week at Northview High School, culminating Friday with a parade, the naming of class maids and homecoming queen, and football against the Jay Royals.
The parade will line up on the campus of Bratt Elementary School beginning at noon. The parade will begin at Bratt Elementary at 1 p.m. and end with a pep rally in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at Northview High. (The general public should not enter the Bratt Elementary campus.)
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a BBQ pork sandwich, chips, dessert and drink.
Friday night homecoming festivities will begin at 6:00 Friday, with game kickoff set for 7 p.m.
A silent auction will be held during the game near the home concession stand for three NHS JV All American Cheerleader who are raising the money to attend the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade. Items include a hotel getaway.
Pictured top: Northview’s 2014 Homecoming Court (front, L_R) junior Bethany Reynolds, junior Jadlyn Agerton, freshman Bailee Hinote, freshman Jerni Crabtree, freshman Hanna Mascaro, senior Kamryn Brock, sophomore Morgan Myrick, (back, L-R) sophomore Peighton Dortch, sophomore Mallory Gibson, junior Brianna Taylor, senior Morgan Ward, senior Kendal Cobb, senior Jessica McCullough and senior Teamber Moorer. Pictured below: Seniors Kamryn Brock, Kendal Cobb, Morgan Ward, Jessica McCullough and Teamber Moorer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Apply Now For Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program In Escambia County
October 2, 2014
The Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications in Escambia County for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program.
“Invasive cogongrass spreads quickly and aggressively and can cause long-term problems if left untreated,” said State Forester Jim Karels. “In addition to reducing the productivity and value of forests and rangelands, it can greatly increase the risk and severity of wildfire.”
Cogongrass is an invasive, non-native grass, which occurs in Florida and several other southeastern states. Cogongrass infestations negatively affect tree regeneration, growth and survival, as well as wildlife habitat, native plant diversity, forage quality and property values. They also increase the risk of wildfires and alter fire behavior.
The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program is offered for non-industrial private lands in all Florida counties. It provides reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost to treat Cogongrass infestations for two consecutive years.
Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2014 may apply through October 3. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2015 may apply from October 6 through February 27, 2015.
To learn more about this program and obtain an application form, contact the Escambia County Forester in Molino at (850) 587-5123 or visit www.FloridaForestService.com. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. This program is supported through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
Pictured: Invasive cogongrass in bloom. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woodfin Wins District Farm Bureau Speech Contest, Headed To State
September 30, 2014
Allison Woodfin of Molino won the 2014 District Farm Bureau Speech Contest recently in Crestview. She advanced to the state competition at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach in October.
Students age 14-18 were invited to participate beginning at the county level by delivering a five minute speech on the topic ““Food security is an important issue to the people of the United States. How can Florida Agriculture continue to provide quality solutions for the future?”
In her speech, Woodfin said, ““Florida’s government at the state and local levels must support farmers and ranchers throughout the state to insure that Floridians have access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food.”
Woodfin is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club and is a student at West Florida High School.
Pictured: Allison Woodfin, winner of the 2014 District Farm Bureau Speech Contest held recently in Crestview. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UF/IFAS Moves Closer In Quest For Peanut That Won’t Cause Allergic Reaction
September 30, 2014
A University of Florida scientist has moved one step closer to his goal of eliminating 99.9 percent of peanut allergens by removing 80 percent of them in whole peanuts.
Scientists must eliminate peanut allergens below a certain threshold for patients to be safe, said Wade Yang, an assistant professor in food science and human nutrition and member of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
If Yang can cut the allergens from 150 milligrams of protein per peanut to below 1.5 milligrams, 95 percent of those with peanut allergies would be safe. It’s challenging to eliminate all peanut allergens, he said, because doing so may risk destroying peanuts’ texture, color, flavor and nutrition. But he said he’s using novel methods like pulsed light to reach an allergen level that will protect most people.
Yang, whose study is published online in this month’s issue of the journal Food and Bioprocess Technology, cautioned that he has done peanut allergen experiments only in a laboratory setting so far. He hopes to eventually conduct clinical trials on animals and humans.
Dr. Shih-Wen Huang, professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics and Head of the Pediatric Allergy Clinic at UF Health, is familiar with the UF/IFAS research. Huang outlined more steps in the peanut allergen research.
“I am pleased to see their work is progressing well,” Huang said. “However, more challenges are waiting until the final products are accepted from the public, especially the patients with peanut allergies.”
Two years ago, Yang was using his technique on peanut extract. He’s now testing it on the peanut itself. In his 2012 study, he removed up to 90 percent of the allergic potential from peanut protein extracts.
“This process proves that pulsed light can inactivate the peanut allergenic proteins and indicates that pulsed light has a great potential in peanut allergen mitigation,” Yang said.
About 1.9 million people, or 0.06 percent of U.S. residents, are allergic to peanuts, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Reactions can range from skin rashes to anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. Currently, the best way for those allergic to peanuts to stay safe is to avoid them, according to the NIH. Many people carry epinephrine injectors that help offset their allergy symptoms until they reach a hospital.
Pictured: Wade Yang, left, an assistant professor in food science and human nutrition at UF/IFAS, used pulsed light to remove 80 percent of the allergens from a whole peanut. By doing so, he moves closer to his goal of eliminating 99.9 percent of allergens in peanuts. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Exoskelton Created In Escambia County To Be Featured On Discovery Channel
September 29, 2014
An upcoming segment of The Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet program will feature a new exercise exoskeleton developed by researchers at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Pensacola.
Called the Grasshopper, or Hopper, the device was designed, built and tested as part of a NASA-funded project exploring the use of robotic exoskeletons for microgravity exercise. Because the Hopper uses motors instead of gravity to create the load on the user, the device is suited for use on space missions. Exercise in zero-gravity conditions is critical to maintain muscle strength and bone mass.
The Hopper is designed to replicate the effect of squat exercise with free weights, and its associated loading on the body. To test this claim, the Hopper was brought to EXOS, a leader in integrated performance training, nutrition and physical therapy for professional and elite athletes, the military and innovative corporations.
The IHMC team is led by Senior Research Scientist Peter Neuhaus. Members include Research Associate Nick Payton and student interns Travis Craig and Jeremy Gines. Noraxon, a company specializing in evidence-based biomechanics, provided sensors and technical analysis to compare exercise using the Hopper versus use of free weights.
The Daily Planet segment was filmed at IHMC and the EXOS center in Gulf Breeze. The shows host, Lucas Cochran, was instrumented with the Noraxon sensors and coached by an EXOS specialist on how to properly perform the squat motion, both with free weights and while strapped into the Hopper. The data showed that his muscles and heart responded in very similar fashion while using either the Hopper or the free weights. In addition, Cochran reported that the Hopper was more comfortable than free weights for a similar weight.
The Daily Planet segment will air late October 2014.
Pictured top: IHMC Senior Research Scientists Peter Neuhaus, right, works with Lucas Cochran, left, during testing of the IHMC exoskeleton Grasshopper during filming of the Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet program. Pictured inset: Cochran works out in the IHMC exoskeleton Grasshopper. At left is Stefan Underwood from EXOS, Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Homecoming Parade Entry Deadline Is Tuesday; Homecoming Meal Available
September 29, 2014
The sixth annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade is Friday, and the deadline for entries is tomorrow.
The parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by Tuesday.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 for more information.
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a BBQ pork sandwich, chips, dessert and drink. Call in large orders by Wednesday to Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 if 10 or more meals are desired. Meal prepared by Archie’s Catering Services.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 3 against the Jay Royals.
Pictured: The 2013 Northview High School Homecoming Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
