BBB Looking For Exceptional, Ethical Businesses For Torch Awards
March 23, 2015
The Better Business Bureau Foundation serving Northwest Florida is looking for businesses and charities to participate in its 10th annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics program. Businesses may self-nominate or be nominated by others.
The Torch Award publicly recognizes businesses and charities that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical manner.
BBB Accreditation is not required to enter; however, applicants must be physically located within the 14 county service area of BBB|Northwest Florida. Charities must have participated in BBB|Northwest Florida’s Charity Review Program within the last two years.
All nominees will be contacted by BBB for an on-site visit. This provides an opportunity for entrants to showcase the ways they incorporate ethics and integrity into their business practices.
Along with the Torch Award, BBB Foundation will award the Customer Service Excellence Award to individuals who go above and beyond in their customer service activities, as well as the Student Ethics Scholarship provided to high school students who demonstrate leadership, community service and overall personal integrity.
The application deadline for all awards is March 27. For more information, or to make a nomination for the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, visit nwfl.bbb.org/TorchAward.
Panhandle Equine Rescue Awarded $4,200 Grant
March 23, 2015
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $4,200 grant to use towards a barn for additional hay storage.
The grant was awarded by 400 Paws, a group with a missing to raise funds for qualified non-profit animal organizations; to educate the community regarding animal welfare; and to emphasize the need for financial assistance within local animal shelters and rescue groups.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Math A Thon Raises Money For St. Jude Children’s Hospital
March 23, 2015
Almost 40 students from Molino Park Elementary School recently participated in the St. Jude Math-A-Thon for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sponsors donated money to student who completed math projects, allowing the students to gain valuable math experience while helping others. Molino Park raised a total of $880 for St. Judes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hours Changing At Escambia Animal Shelter
March 23, 2015
The Escambia County Animal Shelter at1 200 West Fairfield Drive will change its hours of operation, effective April 6.
Currently the Shelter is open from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. After the change, the shelter will be open Tuesdays-Fridays to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and opening Mondays (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for intake of stray animals only.
The proposed changes will increase the hours available to the public for turning in stray animals, alleviate staffing issues and improve customer service by increasing the number of employees available during the hours the shelter is open to the public.
The change to Saturday’s hours is in response to the trend of significant traffic reduction after 3 p.m. Opening earlier will encourage the public to visit the shelter on Saturdays knowing they still have time to do other things in the afternoon.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Animal Shelter directly at (850) 595-3075.
All Abuzz About Bees
March 22, 2015
A “Bee Field Day” was held Saturday, part of a beekeeping short course being offered this month by the UF/IFAS Extension Panhandle Agriculture Team. Participants were able to learn personal protection, how to start a smoker, proper handling techniques, queen identification and honey extraction during the hands-on experience. Class participants will lean about pests and diseases next week. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former NBA Star, College Group Team Up To Clean Up Cantonment Park
March 22, 2015
A former NBA star and a student ministry from Kansas teamed up recently to perform community service projects in Cantonment.
Wayne Simien, who was on the Miami Heat’s 2006 NBA championship team, joined the Kansas University student Ministry group Called to Greatness, Pensacola Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization team, the Cantonment Improvement Committee and numerous area residents on a variety of projects.
Nearly 50 volunteers worked to paint the pavilion and picnic tables at Carver Park, create a community garden, plant trees and more. The projects centered around a planned Community Resource Center, which will be located in a renovated modular building that Escambia County donated to the Cantonment Improvement Committee. The building, once is fully operation in a few months, will serve as headquarters for the CIC from its location in Carver Park. Modifications and alterations for accessibility are currently underway, and the resource center should be fully operational in the coming months.
“Called to Greatness’ presence here quickened efforts to give this deserving community a stronger chance of recognizing their dream of an operational Community Resource Center in the immediate future,” said Jon Potrzeba, Habitat’s community outreach coordinator. “To have such a passionate group of college students volunteer with the neighborhood revitalization energizes everyone involved.”
The Neighborhood Revitalization team works to fulfill the mission of Pensacola Habitat through clean-ups, revitalization construction, community development and other efforts. For more information contact Pensacola Habitat for Humanity at (850) 434-5456.
New Walmart Store Taking Applications For 95 Jobs
March 22, 2015
Looking for a job? Walmart will hire up to 95 people for their new store this morning.
The new Walmart Neighborhood Market is currently under construction at 9201 Pine Forest Road. At about 44,000 square feet, it’s much smaller than the 200,000 square feet of a Walmart Supercenter.
Walmart is accepting applications from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at a temporary hiring center at 2115 West Nine Mile Road, Suite 12. Applications can also be submitted online at careers.walmart.com.
Many of the new employees will be hired in April to begin work stocking the store in May.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
March 22, 2015
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
For more photos from select games, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Dead, Two Critical After Munson Crossroads Crash
March 22, 2015
One person was killed and two were critically injured in a two-vehicle crash at the Munson crossroads east of Jay Saturday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 22-year old driver of a 1999 four-door Hyundai was northbound on Munson Highway and failed to yet right of way by entering Highway 4 and the path of a 2006 Ford driven by 26-year old Nicholas Kotona of Jay. Kotona attempted unsuccessfully to avoid the collision; his pickup rolled several times following the crash
The driver of the Hyundai was pronounced deceased at the scene. Their name has not been released pending notification of next of kin by the FHP.
A passenger in the Hyundai, 22-year old Javier Calderon-Hernanadez of Milton, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Kotona was also transported to Sacred Heart in critical condition.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of an ongoing Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigation.
Weekend Gardening: Daffodils Signal Spring
March 22, 2015
Few plants seem to signify the freshness of spring quite as well as daffodils. The name “daffodils” is derived from “addodell” a variant of Asphodel (a plant of the Asphodelus genus.) In historical documents and the common language of 16th century Europe, the term “daffodil” referred specifically to the wild daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus.
The derivation of the Latin narcissus is unknown. It is frequently linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, who was rumored to be so obsessed with his own reflection that he died while gazing at himself in a pool of water. From the location of his death sprang the narcissus plant. Another Greek myth finds Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, lured to her doom by the God Hades while picking a narcissus. Therefore the plant is perceived as a symbol of vanity in some Western culture.
Others attribute the plants’ name to its narcotic properties. One translation of the Greek name is “I grow numb!” All narcissus species contain the alkaloid poison lycorine, mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves. Members of the Amaryllidaceae family contain unique types of alkaloids. They are responsible for the poisonous properties of a number of the species. Of the 200 different chemical compounds found in this plant family, at least 79 of them can be found in narcissus.
Daffodils are a popular potted plant for cut flowers, but also make attractive naturalized ground covers in gardens and around trees, providing color from the end of winter through late spring. If the narcissus blooms on Chinese New Year, it is said to bring wealth and good fortune throughout the year. The flower color varies from white through pinks and yellows to deep reddish-orange with multiple petal forms. Hundreds of cultivars are available.
Planting dates vary according to geographical location, but bulbs are usually planted in the fall when the soil is cool. Daffodils grow well in full sun or light shade, with the blooms lasting longer when protected from the noon day sun. When selecting a location for planting, it should be noted that the individual flowers will face the sun.
Pre-chilled bulbs should be planted in 6-8” deep holes with a tablespoon of slow release fertilizer added to the soil directly under the bulb and with 4-5” of soil covering the bulb. Watering throughout the winter will be necessary if rains are infrequent. After flowering, the daffodils need to be fertilized and watering should continue. The foliage will naturally turn yellow and die as stored food is restored to the bulb.
Division, transplanting and collection for forcing potted plants can be done after all the foliage has declined. To force Daffodils to bloom at varied times in a container the dried bulbs will need to be stored at a 45° F temperature for 4-6 weeks prior to being placed in the sun to grow.
The bright, cheery Daffodil flowers are beginning to bloom now and will continue as Easter approaches, reminding us that spring really is coming.
Email Sheila Dunning at sdunning@ufl.edu.
Photos by Matthew Orwat for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.