Weekend Gardening: Colorful Bedding Plants Can Brighten A Winter Day
October 27, 2013
Decreasing day length is a signal to start preparing for winter. Soon, deciduous shrubs will drop their leaves and the landscape will appear stark and less impressive. To keep the gloomy days of winter at bay, add cool season bedding plants to the landscape.
Bedding plants are those that are commonly used in residential and commercial landscapes to provide color and interest. No other group of plants can so quickly and economically create a colorful landscape.
Most bedding plants are annuals. These short-lived plants grow from seed, bloom and die within one growing season. The transient nature of annuals means that at the end of their season when they are no longer attractive, annuals are removed and replaced with new plantings.
Many flowering plants prefer a very specific season; therefore, bedding plants are classified into two groups based on the temperatures they prefer. Cool season bedding plants do best in the cold to mild temperatures of October through early May and generally tolerate typical winter freezes without protection.
According to a University of Florida/IFAS publication, bedding plants that can be added to the North Florida landscape now include alyssum, baby’s breath, calendula, carnation, dianthus, dusty miller, foxglove, hollyhock, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansy, petunia, snapdragons and violas.
Most annual bedding plants prefer to be in a sunny location. Prepare the planting beds several weeks before planting. First, remove any weeds or other unwanted plants from the bed. Next, turn the soil to a depth of about eight inches. Spread a two- to four-inch layer of compost, rotted leaves, aged manure, composted finely ground pine bark or peat moss over the bed, and then evenly sprinkle a light application of an all purpose fertilizer. Thoroughly blend the organic matter and fertilizer into the bed, rake smooth and you’re ready to plant.
Gardeners are accustomed to (and even demand) that bedding plants be in bloom when they are purchased. Some cool season bedding plants, however, will provide far superior results if they are purchased when young and before the colorful display begins.
Bedding plants are typically planted to make a dramatic statement. To accomplish that, place multiple plants of the same kind in a bed. Bedding plants generally look best and the beds will fill in better when the rows are staggered. Lay out the first row of plants spaced properly. The second row is laid behind the first row at the appropriate spacing from it, but the plants are placed between the plants of the first row so that they form triangles with those plants.
Flower beds of colorful bedding plants add a lot to the landscape but require a fair amount of maintenance to stay looking their best. Keeping beds well weeded is critical. A two-inch layer of mulch will help considerably in keeping weeds from growing, and using preemergence herbicides (weed preventers) may help in some situations. However, always plan on having to do some hand weeding.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Florida’s Prison Escape Plan
October 27, 2013
Even as the new Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger prison movie, “Escape Plan,” was making its way into theaters last weekend, Florida officials were dealing with a very real escape problem of their own. After apprehending a pair of fugitive murderers late Saturday, the state’s prison system was left dealing with the fallout this week.
With state lawmakers calling for an in-depth review of the escapes, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey said Tuesday several suspects have been “targeted” for helping two murderers escape from prison by using forged documents. But he added, “there is a way to go” in the investigation.
“There is still a lot we do not know and a lot we have yet to prove,” Bailey said during a news conference.
Bailey said the state is widening the scope of its investigation into how Charles Walker and Joseph Jenkins, both sentenced to life sentences for murder, were able to get out of the Franklin Correctional Institution.
Bailey said authorities know of at least five other attempted escapes using the same method of faked documents, including two that were in process when discovered. One of the prior attempts was by Jenkins. The attempts have occurred at the Franklin Correctional and Gulf Correctional institutions and the Pinellas County Jail.
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, who chairs the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, said he will hold a hearing on the escapes, which became national news.
Bailey said Tuesday he hopes to have new information to share before he goes in front of the Bradley’s panel in November to address the issues.
Meanwhile, FDLE and the Department of Corrections are also combing through several years of inmate records statewide to determine if other prisoners used fraudulent orders to con their way from behind bars.
On Monday, Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., issued an order that changes procedures for dealing with criminal-court documents to try to prevent any other inmates from making similar escapes.
Perry advised the Orange County and Osceola County clerks of court that “effective immediately” they must verify with a judge or judicial assistant that an order was issued before the clerk processes and transmits the order to the appropriate Department of Corrections facility.
by The News Service of Florida
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: High Time For Politics
October 27, 2013
Peer pressure from a fellow lawyer won’t be enough to get Attorney General Pam Bondi to go along with an effort to make marijuana legal in Florida for medicinal purposes.
Bondi, who earlier in the week drew a Democratic opponent as she runs for a second term, came out Thursday against a ballot initiative aiming to give sick people access to cannabis. It was a decision that could have political as well as policy implications.
PAMELA JO VS. MARY JANE
It’s approaching high noon for those who would like to keep a ballot initiative aiming at legalizing medical marijuana from getting to voters. Or perhaps from attracting voters who might be a bit more liberal in their social views — and more likely to check the boxes next to the names of Democratic nominees while joining in reefer madness at the polls.
The first strike from those opposed to the measure came from Bondi, who wrote in a filing before the Supreme Court that the ballot summary written by United for Care: People United for Medical Marijuana wrongly suggests that only people with “debilitating diseases” could get the leafy green substance.
Bondi is required to seek an advisory opinion from the high court once an initiative reaches a certain number of signatures.
“But if the amendment passed, Florida law would allow marijuana in limitless situations,” she wrote in the Thursday filing. “Any physician could approve marijuana for seemingly any reason to seemingly any person (of any age) — including those without any ‘debilitating disease.’ So long as a physician held the opinion that the drug use ‘would likely outweigh’ the risks, Florida would be powerless to stop it.”
And while it didn’t necessarily seem like a joint effort, the GOP-leaning Florida Chamber of Commerce was quick to support Bondi’s filing in a statement Thursday.
“Our Constitution is a foundational document meant to provide for our basic rights and organization of government,” said David Hart, the chamber’s executive vice president. “It should be protected and not sold to special interests trying to purchase a place in it for their ideas to be forced onto the rest of us.”
Of course, the fight against grass also brings the chamber into conflict with one of its old foils. The most prominent supporter of the initiative has been John Morgan, the television commercial star and trial lawyer who also happens to be a prominent Democratic donor and Charlie Crist’s boss.
In any case, the reaction from those who are pushing the amendment could more or less be boiled down to: Chill.
“It is not surprising that out of touch Tallahassee politicians like Pam Bondi continue to oppose compassionate health care policy in Florida,” said Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for United for Care. “Just as politicians in the Florida Legislature refused to even give medical marijuana a hearing in the 2013 session, AG Bondi wants to deny Floridians the opportunity to even vote on this issue — despite numerous polls showing that an overwhelming majority of the state is supportive of the issue.”
BONDI’S OTHER OPPONENT
But the marijuana amendment was not Bondi’s only foe this week. George Sheldon, a longtime Florida hand and former Department of Children and Families secretary, jumped into the race against Bondi with an argument that he would return “character” and “integrity” to the office.
The move had been rumored for a while: Sheldon had been considering running for the position, and last week he quit his Washington job as a high-ranking official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the agency implementing the federal health care law known as “Obamacare.”
Sheldon’s entrance into the race gives Floridians the option of choosing between an attorney general who crusaded to do away with the health law and a Democratic candidate whose boss was in charge of making it work — as long, of course, as Sheldon wins a primary that could also include House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale.
Bondi led the multi-state legal challenge to Obamacare, which was upheld for the most part by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer, and she has been a harsh and frequent critic of the law. She also supported Florida lawmakers’ decision not to expand Medicaid, something included in the law but which the high court decided was optional for states.
Sheldon tried to draw distinctions with Bondi’s focus on Obamacare.
“Taking on predatory lenders, human traffickers, and those who engage in deceptive practices is the job of the Attorney General…not working full time trying to deny health insurance to children and anyone with preexisting conditions,” Sheldon said in a message posted on his Facebook page Monday.
Sheldon said he decided to announce this week so he could drum up support at the Florida Democratic Party’s annual conference in Orlando this weekend.
Bondi will be difficult to beat. She’s raised more than $1.2 million for her campaign and a related organization. She’s also seen as a rising star in the conservative movement, frequently appearing on the Fox News Channel and campaigning in other states for Republican candidates.
“There may not be a greater contrast between two candidates in 2014 than in the Florida attorney general race,” Republican State Leadership Conference President Chris Jankowski said in a statement on behalf of GOP attorneys general. “On one hand, you have General Bondi, who courageously stood up to the Obama Administration in leading the fight against Obamacare and on the other hand, you have George Sheldon, a man who has spent years defending Obamacare and even worked for (Secretary) Kathleen Sebelius at HHS. Floridians should prepare themselves for a whole lot of excuses from Mr. Sheldon on why Obamacare’s rollout, in which he was personally involved, has been such a failure. The choice is clear — Pam Bondi deserves four more years as Florida’s top law enforcement officer.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “You don’t open a ski resort on the assumption that nobody’s going to be hurt. That’s just silly. The cost of doing business as a ski resort is you recognize there’s going to be broken legs. You don’t close the ski slope. You fund the ski patrol,” said Robert Hunter, who runs the Problem Gambling Center in Las Vegas, testifying at a public hearing of the Senate Gaming Committee about the need to set aside funds for the treatment of gambling addiction. Lawmakers are considering several options on gambling, including allowing resort-style casinos in some areas of the state.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Band Ranked Best In Class At Dixieland Showcase
October 27, 2013
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band took top honors in their class Saturday during the annual Dixieland Band Showcase at T.R. Miller High School in Brewton.
The Tribal Beat Band was named Best in Class Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, Drum Line and Band during the event. The Northview Band also received straight superiors in all categories but one and an overall superior rating.
Saturday’s event included bands from across Alabama and Florida.
Pictured top and below: The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band, rated superior and Best in Class during the Dixieland Band Showcase at T.R. Miller High School in Brewton Saturday. Pictured inset: Cory Hester, named Best in Class Drum Major during Saturday’s event.
Escambia Double Murder Under Investigation
October 26, 2013
An apparent double murder Friday night in Escambia County is under investigation.
Deputies found the victims on Washburn Street- that’s in an area between Nine Mile Road and East Johnson Avenue behind the John R. Jones Athletic Complex – about 10:30 p.m.
One victim was reportedly found slumped over in the passenger seat, while the other victim was found partially out of the vehicle.
No details on the shooting have officially been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as they continue their investigation.
Shoppers Finding Higher Prices For Poultry And Dairy Products
October 26, 2013
Shoppers are paying slightly more for food items at the grocery store compared to the first half of 2013. Higher retail prices for meat items such as boneless chicken breasts and dairy products, among other foods, resulted in a slight increase in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s latest Semi-Annual Marketbasket Survey.
The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $53.20, up $1.66 or about 3 percent compared to a survey conducted about six months ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, 11 increased and five decreased in average price.
“Several poultry and dairy product items increased in price during the second half of the year, accounting for much of the increase in the marketbasket,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist. “As anticipated, food prices have increased by about 3 percent so far during the year, which is slightly higher than the average rate of inflation over the past 10 years,” he said.
Items showing retail price increases included chicken breasts, up 61 cents to $3.93 per pound; Russet potatoes, up 49 cents to $3.18 for a 5-pound bag; bacon, up 43 cents to $4.71 per pound; whole milk, up 25 cents to $3.71 per gallon; vegetable oil, up 20 cents to $3.12 for a 32-ounce bottle; orange juice, up 19 cents to $3.47 per half-gallon; white bread, up 18 cents to $1.83 for a 20-ounce loaf; toasted oat cereal, up 18 cents to $3.09 for a 9-ounce box; bagged salad, up 12 cents to $2.83 per pound; shredded cheddar cheese, up 4 cents to $4.51 per pound; and flour, up 4 cents to $2.66 for a 5-pound bag.
These items showed modest retail price decreases: deli ham, down 68 cents to $4.71 per pound; sirloin tip roast, down 28 cents to $4.35 per pound; ground chuck, down 5 cents to $3.69 per pound; apples, down 4 cents to $1.59 per pound; and eggs, down 2 cents to $1.82 per dozen.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Anderson said.
Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $53.20 marketbasket would be $8.51.
Tate’s Winning Season Continues
October 26, 2013
After winning a tough game against Crestview last week, Tate traveled again to Okaloosa County to play Fort Walton Friday night. The game was a defensive battle, but Tate dominated on both the offense and defense in the fourth quarter to win 24-13.
Tate started out their first series by trying to go for it on fourthand short, but was unable to get the first down.
Fort Walton took possesion on Tate’s 21 yard line after the turnover on downs. Tate’s defense faced a big test early and held Ft Walton to just a field goal to make the score 3-0. That would be all the scoring in the first quarter, as the defenses for both teams proved to be strong.
In the second quarter, the Aggies’ Taylor Brown intercepted a Vicking pass and returned it for a touchdown. Tate took the lead 7-3. Tate again fumbled the ball deep into their own territory and Fort Walton recovered. The Aggies’ defense was up to the challenge again and held the Vikings to just three points. Tate still held a 7-6 advance. Fort Walton scored late in the second quarter on a 20 yard run to lead at the half 13 – 7.
The second half would be all Aggies. Tate’s defense would not allow the Vikings to score any more points for the night.
Tate’s Dylan Mancuso kicked a 40- yard field goal in the third to make the score Tate 10, Fort Walton 13. Early in the fourthquarter, Sawyer Smith scored on an 18ard run to regain the lead 17-13.
Later in the fourth, Diamonte Thompson intercepted a Viking pass and would run it all the way back for a apparent touchdown. But Tate was penalized for holding and the touchdown was nullified and the ball was brought out to the 20 yard line. A few plays later, Tay Samuel ran it in for another Aggie touchdown.
Tate’s defense faced many challenges during the game and held strong throughout. There was only one series that the defense were not able to stop the Vickings and allowed a touchdown. The two field goals that Fort Walton scored were on offensive turnovers deep in Aggie territory and the defense kept them from scoring a touchdown.
Tate improved their season record to 7-2 for the year. Tate has a bye next week before facing Escambia High on November 8th at Emmitt Smith Field at 7:30 p.m.
Walton Tops Northview
October 26, 2013
Turnovers certainly hurt the 1A Northview High School Chiefs Friday night in their 20-12 loss to 4A Walton on the road in Defuniak Springs. And then there was the whistle-happy referee.
“It really was two evenly matched teams,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said. “I don’t think the final score was a true indicator of how the two teams played.”
The Chiefs were plagued by turnovers, with three interceptions and two fumbles.
A pass to a Chief in the end zone was batted up and then caught by a Brave, resulting in a defensive touchdown. And during an 80-yard punt return by Neino Robinson for a touchdown, a referee attempting to call a penalty for a block in the backfield inadvertently blew his whistle, calling back the TD.
“Overall, our offense played well; our defense played well,” Wheatley said. Offensively, the Chiefs earned over 330 yards Friday night, about 175 in the air and 160 rushing. The Chiefs scored on a 1-yard dash from junior Ladarius Thomas and 19-yard pass from Daulton Tullis to senior Neino Robinson.
Now, the Chiefs are turning 100 percent focus to next Friday night in what will be their biggest regular season game as they host the undefeated Baker Gators in a district matchup.
“We are ready,” Wheatley said Friday night. “I saw the effort in our guys tonight. We’ll practice hard and work on improving. But we are ready.”
The Northview Chiefs (3-4, 2-0) will host the Baker Gators (8-0, 2-2) with kickoff set for 7:00 in Bratt. Northview’s Senior Night activities will precede kickoff.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge
Jay Beats Cottondale
October 26, 2013
The Jay Royals beat The Cottondale Hornets Friday night 39-28 in a non-district game.
Tate Upton was 7-for-14 for three touchdowns and 169 yards. Braden Cross gained 168 yards for the Royals.
The Royals (4-4, 0-2) will host the Freeport Bulldogs (0-8, 0-2) next Friday night in Jay in district matchup. The Royals will wrap up regular season play the following Friday night as they host Maclay of Tallahassee in Jay.
Pictured: The Jay Royals beat Cottondale Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Michele Gibbs, click to enlarge.
Abundance Of North Escambia Fall Festivals, Events Planned
October 26, 2013
A wide variety fall festivals and other events are scheduled for this weekend and next week in the North Escambia area:
Molino Library Parade, Trick or Treat
The Molino Branch Library will host a Not-So-Scary for Little Goblins story time and parade at 4 p.m. on Monday, October 28 for children ages 0-5. Beginning at 6 p.m. and in conjunction with the Mid-County Historical Society, the library will be hosting their 1st Annual “Trick-or-Treat Down a Spooky Museum Street” with a special guest visit from the Florida Garrison 501st Legion. Enjoy stories and songs and some silly theatre presented by staff. This event is for children ages five and up and their grown-ups.
Mexican Dinner For Molino Park Elementary
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will host a Mexican Dinner on Wednesday, October 30 from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Eat in or take out during this time. Cost is by donation with proceeds going to Molino Park to help with replacement of electronic equipment. (850) 587-5294.
Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
Allen Memorial United Methodist Men’s Pumpkin Patch is now open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The pumpkin patch is located on Highway 29 at Neal Road, just north of the paper mill.
Molino Community Fall Festival
A Community Fall Festival will be held Thursday, October 31, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God Church located on Highway 29 in Molino. Come join the churches of the community for a fun-filled evening of games, candy, great food and fellowship.
Century Library Program
The Century Branch Library will have their Halloween program on Thursday, October 31 at 5 p.m. There will be ghost stories and lots of goodies for little goblins. Everyone is invited to attend and wear their costume.
Beulah Chapel Fall Festival
Fall Festival, Thursday, October 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the Beulah Chapel Assembly of God at 2311 Highway 4A. Food, games, bounce house and more.
Trunk Of Treat
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 S. Hwy. 95-A, Cantonment will host Trunk or Treat from 6-8 pm Thursday, October 31st in the church parking lot. Children are invited to trick or treat free from trunk to trunk. There will be music provided by our DJ and a hay ride. Chili and refreshments will be also be available.
Cottage Hill Fall Festival
First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill will hold their community wide Family Fun Fall Festival on Thursday, October 31, from 6 – 8 p.m. There will be an inflatable bounce house, lots of carnival booths with lots of candy, face painting, hayrides, cake walk, chili with all the fixings, hot dogs, desserts, and drinks. Everyone welcome and everything is free. More info: edavidson@cottagehillbaptist.net or (850) 968-2357.
Living Truth Fall Festival
Living Truth Church will hold their Fall Festival on Thursday, October 31, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the church, located at 8897 Byrom Campble Road. Admission is free and there will be lots of food and games.
Century Care Fall Festival
Century Care Center will hold their annual fall festival, October 31, beginning at 4 p.m. There will be games prizes, food, a give away basket drawing, and a haunted house. Everyone is invited to attend.
Arts and Crafts Festival, Car Show
Pine Forest United Methodist Church will hold their 24th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival and Car Show on Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Live music by Nashville artist Ron Jeffers. Activities include over 130 arts, crafts & other vendors, food, homemade baked goods, and a holiday luncheon. Free admission. Free parking. Door prizes. 2800 Wilde Lake Boulevard. (850) 944-0170. Proceeds for community ministries. www.pineforestumc.org.
Walnut VFD Fish Fry
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department 44th Annual Catfish Fry will be held Saturday, November 2 from 11 a.m. until 2 pm. At the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Catfish fillets or grilled chicken, hush puppies, baked beans, cole slaw, homemade bread, cakes. $7 per plate. Door prize drawing at 1 p.m. Baked goods and live auction.
Dogwood Park Fall Festival
Dogwood Park Baptist Church will hold their annual old fashioned peanut boil and fall festival on Saturday, November 2, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at 3301 Highway 97. Lots of boiled peanuts, bounce house, live music, horse rides, games and more. Everyone is invited to attend.
Pictured: The Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch on Highway 29 at Neal Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.