Photos: Century Care Center Clowns Around
August 10, 2011
There was a lot of clowning around caught on camera recently among the normally professional staff at Century Care Center.
The residents and staff celebrated National Be a Clown Day with a special visit from Lady Butterfly — also known as Faye Gandy, the daughter of a former Century Care Center resident. She painted faces, created balloon art for the residents and just generally clowned around.
Pictured top: Century Care Center residents recently enjoyed National Be a Clown Day. Pictured inset. Faye “Lady Butterfly” Gandy creates balloon art for the residents. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Orientation Schedule Announced For Escambia Schools
August 9, 2011
Orientation, and elementary open house, events have been scheduled at schools in Escambia County as follows:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Orientations:
- Bratt — Pre-K and Kindergarten, August 18, 9-11 a.m.; grades 1-5, August 19, 9-11 a.m.
- Byrneville — K-5, August 19, 9-11 a.m.
- Jim Allen — K-5, August 19, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Molino Park — Pre-K, August 18 9-10:30 a.m.; grades K-5, August 19, 9-10 a.m.
For other orientation events at elementary schools in Escambia County, click here.
Open House:
- Bratt — September 8, 6:30 p.m.
- Byrneville — TBA
- Jim Allen — September 8, 6-7 p.m.
- Molino Park — September 8, 6:30 p.m.
For other open house schedules at elementary schools in Escambia County, click here.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Middle school orientations are scheduled for August 18 at 10:30 a.m.
HIGH SCHOOLS
High School Orientation will be held Thursday, August 18 at 9 a.m., and schedules for upperclassmen may be picked up the same day between 1 and 2:30 — with the following additions and exceptions:
Northview High School upperclassman may pick up their schedules on August 17th during the following times: seniors, 8:30 a.m., juniors, 10:00 a.m., and sophomores, 1:30 p.m.
West Florida will hold orientation on August 13th at 9 a.m. Ninth graders get their schedules at that time. Juniors wills pick up schedules at 10 a.m.; sophomores at 1:30 p.m.. Also, at 6 p.m., seniors will participate in a Parent Night where they will get their schedules and other information pertinent to their senior year.
Pine Forest High School ninth grade orientation is scheduled for August 11, 2011, 1-3 p.m.in the gym. There will be a wealth of information for both parents and students including a tour of the campus, dress code fashion show, and more.
Washington High School freshman orientation is August 10-11. Upperclassmen textbook and schedule distribution by alpha groups will occur on the 18-19th. Parents should receive information via newsletter. A new student orientation will be held on August 18 from 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe During The Hot Summer
August 8, 2011
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering tips to keep your pets safe this summer:
From unpredictable weather to unusual routines, household animals are exposed to all sorts of hazards during June, July and August and your pets are counting on you to keep them safe.
Do not leave pets in the yard without plenty of shade and water. Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat.
Also, never leave your dog, cat or any other animal friend alone in a car. The inside of a car can heat up very quickly—even with an open window. When it’s 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows opened slightly, can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes. After 30 minutes the vehicle becomes a deadly 120 degrees. Cracking the windows provides an insignificant effect on both the rate of heating and the final temperature.
Recognize the symptoms of animal heatstroke:
- Heavy panting
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
- Glazed eyes
- Lack of coordination
- Vomiting
- Excessive thirst
- Profuse salivation
- Unconsciousness
If your pet exhibits any of the symptoms, immediately move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Gradually apply ice packs or cold towels to the animal’s head, neck and chest or slowly immerse it in cool (not cold) water. Let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Then take it directly to a veterinarian.
If you see a pet in a parked vehicle or penned and/or tethered without sufficient shade and water – call your local law enforcement or the Escambia County Animal Control Office at (850) 595-0097.
Stay cool near the pool. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool or body of water—not all dogs are expert swimmers.
Other tips for keeping animals safe include, avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for animals. Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.
From hurricanes to floods, we’ve seen the devastation severe weather has brought to pets and their families. Develop an evacuation plan well ahead of time in case you’re forced from your home in an emergency.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipes: Sweet (And Cold) Summer Delights
August 7, 2011
Making homemade ice cream and cool treats for friends and family is a sweet way to celebrate summer – and it’s easier than you might think. Scroll all the way down the page to see all four recipes — Fresh Fruit Ice Cream, Pineapple and Chipotle Ice Pops, Orange Cream Granita and Creamy Latte Pops.
Orange Cream Granita
(pictured at top of page)
Ingredients
- 3 cups orange juice
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
Preparation
- COMBINE orange juice, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, orange peel and rose water, if desired, in large bowl; mix well.
- POUR into 9-inch square baking pan. Cover and freeze just until edges are frozen, about 1 1/2 hours. Using a fork, scrape frozen granita toward center to break up ice crystals. Pat mixture evenly into pan. Cover and freeze. Repeat every 30 minutes until granita is firm, about 4 hours.
Serves
Yield 4 cups
Preparation Time:
15 minutes
Fresh Fruit Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pureed or mashed fresh fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, bananas and raspberries
- Food coloring
- 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream
Preparation
- COMBINE sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl; stir in 1 cup pureed fruit and food coloring, if desired. Fold in 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream (do not use non-dairy whipped topping). Pour into 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or a 2-quart freezer container; cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm.
Serves
Yield about 1 1/2 quarts
Preparation Time:
10 minutes
Pineapple and Chipotle Ice Pops
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple in pineapple juice, undrained
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
Preparation
- PLACE pineapple in food processor. Cover and process until pureed. Combine pureed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, pineapple juice, lime juice and chile powder in large bowl; mix well.
- SPOON into 8 (4 oz.) plastic ice pop molds or 10 (3 oz.) wax-coated paper cups. If using paper cups, insert wooden craft stick into the center of each cup. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours.
Serves
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Preparation Time:
15 minutes
Creamy Latte Pops
Ingredients
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Folgers Classic Roast(r) Instant Coffee Crystals
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preparation
- BRING sweetened condensed milk to a boil in medium saucepan, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, about 15 minutes or until very thick.
- ADD milk, cream and coffee crystals slowly to saucepan on low heat, whisking until well blended. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- POUR 1/3 cup cooled mixture into each of 12 (3 oz.) disposable plastic cups or 12 (3 oz.) ice pop molds. Freeze until partially frozen, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Insert wooden craft sticks. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours or overnight.
Serves
Yield 12 pops
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
TIP: To release from ice pop molds, dip quickly into warm water.
Preparation Time:
10 minutes
Photos: Bratt Church Celebrates Youth Sunday, Country And Western Banquet
August 7, 2011
The First Baptist Church of Bratt recently held a Country and Western Banquet to wrap up a Youth Day event.
Over 160 people attended the banquet sponsored by the Youth and College/Career classes at the church. After the meal, the classes performed the play “Summer in Cricket County”.
The banquet followed Youth Day for Sunday school and morning worship. The church’s young people took on various jobs in the church for the day, including teaching Sunday school, leading music, singing the special music, and a message delivered by Lauren McCall.
Minister of Music Tim Hawsey invites other young people to join the group. Call the church at (850) 327-6529 for more information.
Pictured: Scenes from the youth Country and Western Banquet recently at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Submitted photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Birth: Gracelyn Savanna Bolen
August 7, 2011
Andrew and Meghan Bolen of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, along with big brother Gabriel, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Gracelyn Savanna Bolen.
Gracelyn came into the world on July 29, 2011, at Wolmack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. She came into this world at 8lbs 2 oz and was 19 inches. Gracie’s father is currently deployed to Baghdad, Iraq.
Paternal grandparents are Rae and Ruth Bolen of Byrneville, Florida.
Gardening In The Summer Heat
August 6, 2011
When the heat index is well over 100 degrees even avid gardeners are reluctant to work in the landscape. August is a difficult month on both gardeners and plants. So here are a few tips to help you and your garden survive the heat.
To ensure your bedding plants survive, use plants that love the heat. During hot, humid summers some bedding plants will suffer which will cause them to be routinely replaced. Bedding plants that tolerate this extreme weather include coleus, celosia, gaillardia, marigolds, nicotiana, pentas, portulaca, salvia and zinnia.
Don’t over fertilize your lawn. One of the three main ingredients in most fertilizers is nitrogen. Nitrogen makes plants green, but it also makes them grow, especially the lawn. If the lawn turns an off-green, yellow color in the summer, green it up with some iron. Like nitrogen, iron also greens up plants, but does not cause them to grow. Iron will make your lawn look healthy again and it will help to keep your mowing duties to a minimum.
Think about creating a shade garden. Not only do shade gardens provide us with cooler places to garden they also require less care, including less water and less fertilizer. For a list of shade loving landscape plants for North Florida, review an online UF/IFAS publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG252.
Mulch is a very important element in the landscape. By using an efficient amount of mulch (2-3 inches deep) in planting beds and around trees, it will reduce weed growth, prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation and keep the soil cool under intense sunlight. Fewer weeds in the landscape results in less work outside in the hot weather.
Practice efficient irrigation. Some plants require more water than others. Getting the right amount of water to plants is critical. Too much or too less can affect their health. Too much water can lead to disease problems, particularly in lawns. Too little water will cause the plants to slow growth or decline. Usually normal summer rains are enough for most plants; however, if dry periods persist, then supplemental irrigation may be necessary.
Insects can be particularly problematic at this time of year. They’ve had all spring and summer to increase their numbers. Careful, regular scouting for insects is a must. And don’t wait to treat if a problem arises.
Take prompt action to keep the insects from damaging your plants excessively.
Don’t forget about your own comfort in this weather. Working outside in hot weather places extra stress on the body. Gardeners working outside may lose up to 2 quarts of water each hour. To prevent dehydration, drink water before, during and after working outside. Drink before you’re thirsty and drink cold liquids because they are absorbed by the body faster. If you choose liquids other than water, make sure they contain only a small amount of sugar, as it slows down liquid absorption by the body.
Work in your garden in the early morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and stay in shady areas as much as possible. Follow the shade in your landscape as the sun moves across the sky. Leave areas as they become sunny and move into areas as they become more shaded.
Since we will tend to work in the cooler early morning and evening hours, don’t forget to apply a mosquito repellent. Wear a hat, loose, comfortable clothing and use sun screen. Also, take frequent breaks and try not to stay outside in the heat for extended periods.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
WXBM Names Marty White’s New AM Partner
August 6, 2011
Radio station WXBM has selected Lindsey Marie Addison to partner with longtime local radio personality Marty White on “Your Hometown Morning Show”, anchoring the market leading radio station 102.7 WXBM.
Lindsey Marie, a graduate of Pace High School and the University of West Florida, was one of over two hundred applicants to try out as White’s partner.
“For almost two decades, ‘Your Hometown Morning Show’ has been the top morning show in Pensacola and with the addition of Lindsey Marie, we have no doubt that trend will continue. This is a rare opportunity and we couldn’t be happier to find someone in our own backyard to partner with Marty,” David Cobb, WXBM station manager said.
“I am overjoyed, and blessed to be joining the WXBM team,” Lindsey Marie said. “This has been a dream of mine for many years, and to finally see that dream being realized is amazing. I am humbled and so grateful for the support from my family, friends, and our listeners. I could not do this without you all, and I can not wait for you to wake up with Marty and me in the mornings!”
“I’ve been around a while and have worked with some talented people” said Marty White. “Lindsey Marie is talented, sharp, fun and she is real! She’s funny, too. Folks are gonna like her and they’ll like waking up with our show.”
The “Your Hometown Morning Show” airs from 6-10 a.m. each weekday on WXBM 102.7 FM.
MANNA Names New Executive Director
August 6, 2011
The board of directors of MANNA announced today that DeDe Flounlacker will join the organization on August 15 as their new executive director.
““DeDe will bring great experience and compassion to MANNA. She was the unanimous choice of the board,” said Brent Lane, board president.
Flounlacker brings over 25 years in non-profit and volunteer management to MANNA, including vice president of membership services for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Ronald McDonald House.
“Thanks to the amazing support of organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, individuals and volunteers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, MANNA has been able to serve those in need for nearly 30 years,” Flounlacker said. “While thousands were helped last year through our services, we have seen an increase in demand for food this year and expect that demand to continue to grow. As demand grows, so will our organization by expanding our partnerships and collaborations with the public and private sectors.”
MANNA is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through Manna Pantries, Manna Food Gardens and Manna’s Volunteers and Providers.
Gulf Power Working To Keep Those Air Conditioners Humming
August 4, 2011
This week’s high temps and heat indexes are causing air conditioners to work overtime along the Gulf Coast, and Gulf Power Company says they are prepared for record electric demands.
“We work hard to anticipate additional demand from our customers in the summer,” Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “Through careful planning, we forecast demand years in advance to provide ample, reliable electricity for our customers. That includes planning for future power plants and other facilities. And, as part of Southern Company, we work with Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power to help ensure we have sufficient capacity.”
The utility can generate 2,659 megawatts of electricity on its own and purchase more electricity if necessary from sister companies and neighboring utilities. The all time peak record occurred in August of 2007 when Gulf Power customers demanded 2,634 megawatts. This year’s peak summer demand of 2,432 megawatts was reached on July 2, however a new summer peak is expected this week.
“What this means is our customers are buying more electricity to stay comfortable in the summer heat,” said Rogers. “About half of the electricity a customer consumes during the summer is for air conditioning.”