Relic Of The Past: Florida Removing Motorist Aid Call Boxes
December 1, 2013
Those motorist telephone call boxes along Florida’s highways will mostly be a thing of memory.
The state Department of Transportation is removing all but a few of the 2,752 push button call boxes from along its highways as personal cell phones have reduced the need for the roadside phones.
“With cell phone use it was decided to save the department some money,” said DOT spokesman John O’Brien.
The removal, estimated to cost around $200,000, has already started.
By not having to maintain the system, including the interconnecting consoles at Florida Department of Highway dispatch offices and base stations, the state is expected to save $1 million a year.
The move will leave Pennsylvania and Hawaii as the only states that offer roadside motorists call boxes.
The boxes were installed in the early 1970s, back at a time when those seeking police, medical or automotive aide would have otherwise had to hoof it or hitch a ride to the closest businesses or residence with a pay phone.
However, for more than a decade the use of the boxes has been on a steady decline, falling from 56,674 calls in 1998 to 22,051 in 2004 and 7,807 in 2012.
“There’s been a dramatic decline in usage over the years,” O’Brien said. “The technology is antiquated and we’re doing a lot of stuff with ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems programs) and the Road Rangers.”
ITS is a fiber optic system of traffic cameras, overhead message signs, microwave vehicle detectors, travel time sensors, road and weather information sensors, and highway advisory radios that is in place along 1,259 miles of interstate and turnpike. Work began this week putting the system in place in the northwest, along a section of I-10 and U.S. 231, at a cost of $24 million.
Along I-10, from the Alabama line to Jacksonville, the calls have dropped from 3,571 in 2004 to 1,143 last year from 464 call boxes.
Century Decks Out For Christmas With Pole Decorations
December 1, 2013
Century is all decked out with Christmas decorations along North Century Boulevard. Last year, the town bought 42, 50-inch Christmas wreaths with energy saving LED bulbs and 24-inch bows.
The wreaths were ordered from Dixie Decorations in Montavello, Ala., for $15,047, while the bows were purchased from a local business for $3,918. It also cost the town $2,734 to have Gulf Power wire three poles that previously did not have electricity for three of the wreaths.
Pictured: Lighted wreath decorations adorn nearly four dozen utility poles along North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Holiday Giving: Shop Wisely For A Reputable Charity
December 1, 2013
Millions of Americans have ventured out to big and small retailers in search of the best deal for their holiday gift giving, and experts advise them to have the same diligence when it comes to picking their charity.
According to AARP, older Americans are more likely to receive charitable solicitations than any other group, and not all requests are legitimate, warns Doug Shadel, author of AARP’s “Outsmarting the Scam Artists.”
“There’s a lot of charitable solicitations going on out there that really tug at the heartstrings, whether it’s disabled veterans or anything having to do with disasters, and so you really just got to be careful about that,” he cautions.
Shadel advises seniors and others to be cautious of charities whose names are similar to better-known organizations.
You can also request written information, avoid cash gifts and ask for a receipt.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud every year.
You can check to see if a charity is registered in Florida by checking with the state’s Division of Consumer Services.
Shadel also says to ask the person requesting the donation more about how the donations are used and how much goes to operating costs versus the actual cause it claims to serve.
“A lot of times, charitable solicitors will try and get you into kind of a heightened emotional state around their charity,” he explains. “The best way to avoid that is at the beginning of every year, come up with your own charitable giving plan.”
Area Christmas Parades Begin (With Parade Schedules)
November 30, 2013
The Jay Christmas Parade Saturday morning was the first of many parades in the North Escambia area this Christmas season. Here is a complete look at area parades:
December 7 — Flomaton Christmas Parade
The Flomaton Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 7 with a route through the downtown area.
December 7 — Molino Christmas Parade
The 11th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m. The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark where Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls. Donations such as toys and non-perishable food can be dropped off at Fran’s Diner. The parade rain date will be Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 p.m.
December 12 — Century Land To Lake Parade
Century will hold a Land to Lake Lighted Boat Parade on Thursday, December 12 at 5 p.m. The parade will begin on Front Street, travel to Jefferson, Pond Street and West Highway 4, ending at Lake Stone.
December 13 — Poarch Christmas Parade
The Poarch Creek Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin on the Poarch Creek Reservation at the Wellness Center (gym) and end at the PCI Health Department Building.
December 14 – Brewton Christmas Parade
The Brewton Christmas Parade will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. The parade will travel from Forrest Avenue in East Brewton, across the Mildred Street Bridge to St. Joseph Street to Belleville Avenue.
December 14 — Atmore Christmas Parade
The Atmore 2013 Twilight Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will follow its traditional route from the Atmore City Hall, down Main Street, to Lindberg Avenue and ending at Escambia County High School. Over two dozen floats are entered, along with several bands and numerous other groups. Parade participants should be at the Atmore City Hall by 4 p.m.
December 14 — Chumuckla Redneck Parade
The Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 14 at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at the Cotton Gin on Chumuckla Springs Road/Gin Road, cross Chumuckla Highway and end at Salter Road. More than 250 units are expected along the 1.5 mile parade route.
December 14 — Pensacola Christmas Parade
The Pensacola Christmas Parade will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 14 in downtown Pensacola. Featuring local bands. Parade begins at Spring and Garden and travels through downtown.
Pictured top: Santa arrives during the 2012 Atmore Christmas parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Heintz Named To All-State Band
November 30, 2013
Tate High School senior Noah Heintz will represent Escambia County in January as the All State Band performs in Tampa. Heintz was the only 11th or 12 grader in Escambia County to make the auditioned band. Heintz is a top academic student at Tate with a 4.85 GPA and was recently named the October Student of the Month. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Camp Fire Kids Celebrate Thanksgiving With Feast
November 28, 2013
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center held a Thanksgiving feast this week for children and their parents. The daycare’s children, dressed as Pilgrims or Native Americans, held a program before the meal, singing songs and using sign language to ask everyone if they they were ready to eat before enjoying a full Thanksgiving meal.
Handmade toilet paper roll turkeys proclaimed some of the items that the children are thankful for, including moms, dads, siblings, other family, teachers, toys, God, pets and food.
Submitted photos by Pam Townson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Turkey Time: Extension Service Offers Thawing Tips
November 27, 2013
It’s Thanksgiving, time for family and friends to gather and give thanks. And time for cooks to ponder the correct way to prepare their turkey.
Today, we are taking a look how to make sure your turkey is properly thawed with tips from Dorthy Lee, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the Escambia County Extension Office.
Following four simple food-handling practices—clean, separate, cook, chill—will ensure a delicious and safe meal.
Frozen turkeys should be thawed—at a safe temperature— prior to cooking. There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey — in the refrigerator at 40°F or less; in cold water; and in the microwave.
Frozen Turkeys
Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.
Keep frozen until you’re ready to thaw it.
Turkeys kept frozen in the freezer should be cooked within one year for best quality.
Thawing Your Turkey
In the Refrigerator (40°F or below)
Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen. When thawing in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey.
4 to 12 pounds = 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds = 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds = 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds = 5 to 6 days
In Cold Water
When thawing in cold water, allow 30 minutes per pound and change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze. Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound.
4 to 12 pounds = 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds = 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds = 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds = 10 to 12 hours
In the Microwave
When thawing in the microwave, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and plan to cook the turkey immediately after thawing because some areas of the turkey may become warm and begin to cook during microwave thawing.
For more information, call the Escambia County Extension office, (850) 475-5230.
Featured Recipe: Sweet Potato Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake
November 27, 2013
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are featuring recipes on NorthEscambia.com this week. Today’s featured recipe, from columnist Janet Tharpe is a Sweet Potato Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake.
Ernest Ward Names November Students Of The Month
November 26, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their November Students of the Month. They are (pictured L-R) Isaac Armstrong, seventh grade; Jarrod Davison, eighth grade; and Brandon Berry, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Miracle League Fry Your Turkey
November 25, 2013
Want a fried turkey but afraid to try it yourself? Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you on Wednesday, November 27, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there is still time to make an appointment.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs.
Appointments are encouraged. Call (850) 476-1650 to schedule your time.