Northview Class Of 2013 Holds Baccalaureate Service

May 27, 2013

The Northview High School Class of 2013 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.

“Never forget that it matters to God what you do with what you have,” guest speaker Bro. Glenn Webber said during the student-led and organized program. The program included scripture, prayer and music provided by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble and students.

“Take time to appreciate what you have before time forces you to appreciate what you had,” Webber told the graduating seniors.

Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2013 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at the school.

Pictured: The Northview High School Class of 2013 Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Recipes: Flavorful, Festive and Fun

May 27, 2013

Memorial Day is often synonymous with a backyard barbecue to kick start the summer. You can have a delicious, grill-inspired meal ready in 45 minutes or less with these fun, flavorful recipe ideas.

With mouthwatering grilled beef, high-quality ingredients like canned tomatoes and bold bursts of flavor from lime juice, chimichurri and barbecue sauces, your Memorial Day menu is sure to be a memorable hit.

Get your grill sizzling with recipes like Lime-Marinated Flank Steak with Stuffed Poblano Peppers and Chimichurri Steak Wraps. And don’t forget a refreshing salad to complete your grilling holiday menu. Spicy Barley and Black Bean Salad is a fast option with a flavorful twist – perfect for your Memorial Day table.

(Scroll down to see all three recipes)

Ingredients

  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Ro*Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 beef flank steak (about 1-1/2 pounds)
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 can (15 ounces) reduced-sodium or regular black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 medium poblano chili peppers (about 4 inches long)
Toppings
  • Toasted shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds), crumbled queso frescos and lime wedges (optional)

Preparation

  1. Drain tomatoes, reserving juice for marinade. Set aside diced tomatoes with green chiles.
  2. Combine reserved tomato juice, 1/2 cup cilantro, lime juice and olive oil in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1/3 cup marinade for rice. Place beef steak and remaining marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or as long as overnight, turning occasionally.
  3. Combine rice, reserved 1/3 cup marinade, diced tomatoes, black beans and remaining 1/4 cup cilantro in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Set aside.
  4. Cut slit lengthwise down 1 side of each poblano pepper to create pocket, leaving stem and tip intact. Make another small crosswise cut just below the stem to form T-shaped opening. Remove and discard seeds and membranes, being careful to keep peppers intact. Spoon rice mixture evenly into peppers. Wrap each tightly in aluminum foil to seal.
  5. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak in center grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange peppers around steak. Grill steak, covered, 11 to 16 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill 16 to 21 minutes) for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally. Grill peppers, covered, 25 to 30 minutes (20 to 25 minutes on gas grill) or until peppers are tender and filling is heated through, turning occasionally.
  6. Carve steak across grain into thin slices. Remove peppers from foil. Serve peppers with steaks and toppings as desired.

Serves
Makes 6 servings

Total Time:
45 to 50 minutes

Marinate Time:
6 hours to overnight

Ingredients

Chimichurri Sauce
  • 1 cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Steak Wraps
  • 4 medium whole wheat tortillas (8 to 10-inch diameter)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
  • 12 ounces grilled beef steak, cut into slices

Preparation

  1. Place parsley and garlic in food processor or blender container. Cover; process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar and salt; process just until blended.
  2. Spread each tortilla evenly with Chimichurri Sauce, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge. Top with equal amounts spinach, bell pepper slices and beef slices on top two-thirds of tortilla. Fold bottom of tortilla up over filling. Fold right and left sides to center overlapping edges; secure with wooden picks; if desired.

Serves
Makes 4 servings

Total Time:
15 to 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quick cook barley, uncooked
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 can (15 ounces each) whole black beans, drained, rinsed
  • 2 cans (10 ounces each) Ro*Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions, white and green parts
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Preparation

  1. Cook barley according to package directions; drain if necessary. Place barley in large bowl.
  2. Add corn, garlic salt and pepper; toss to combine. Add black beans, drained tomatoes and onions.
  3. Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Serves
Makes 4 servings (1-1/2 cups each)

Total Time:
25 minutes

Cottage Hill Boil Water Notice Lifted

May 27, 2013

A precautionary boil water notice that was issued Friday for a portion of the Cottage Hill Water Works system in Cantonment has been rescinded.

The broken water main was repaired, and a bacteriological survey was completed that shows the water to be safe to drink. For more information, contact Cottage Hill Water Works at (850) 968-5485.

Blue Wahoos Drop Another One

May 27, 2013

The Blue Wahoos were unable to hang on to two separate leads as Pensacola dropped their eighth straight with a 6-4 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field on Sunday night.

The Blue Wahoos put two runs on the board in the first inning with a sacrifice fly by Ryan LaMarre that scored Bryson Smith from third, and an RBI single from Tucker Barnhart scoring Theo Bowe from second. The Lookouts were quick to respond getting a solo home run from leadoff man Rafael Ynoa in the bottom of the frame. Chattanooga tied it when Angelo Songco homered in his first at bat with the Lookouts in the bottom of the second.

In the fifth, Pensacola reclaimed the lead on a bases loaded walk to Barnhart that forced in Smith. A batter later, the Wahoos got another run when reliever Luis Vasquez balked to bring home Bowe. Again, Chattanooga answered. The Lookouts scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth against Wahoo starter Josh Smith to go in front 5-4. The big blow was a two-run double by Yasiel Puig, giving him six RBI for the series. He scored the go-ahead run later in the inning on a base hit from Ozzie Martinez. The Lookouts added some insurance with a run in the seventh off Wahoos reliever Drew Hayes.

Smith (L, 3-5) was finished after six innings and took the loss. He struck out six batters in the game, but the five runs he allowed were the most since he gave up five to Mobile in his second start of the season back on 4/10. All four Blue Wahoos runs were charged to Lookouts starter Steve Smith. He was finished after 4.1 innings and didn’t qualify for the win. Vasquez (W, 3-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen. He worked 2.2 innings and struck out four. He allowed both inherited runners to score. They were charged to Smith. Yimi Garcia (S, 10) pitched the final five outs for Chattanooga to record the save.

Bryson Smith was the bright spot in the Blue Wahoos order with a 2-for-4 game. He added a pair of runs scored.

Pensacola will look to snap their eight game skid and avoid the first five-game series sweep in team history on Monday night in Chattanooga. The Blue Wahoos will turn to RHP Tim Crabbe (2-3, 2.88) against LHP Michael Thomas (1-0, 1.23). First pitch is slated for 6:15 p.m. CT at AT&T Field. Following the game, the Blue Wahoos will return home to open a five-game homestand with the Jacksonville Suns.

story by Kevin Burke

Resident Holds Home Invasion Suspect At Bay With Shotgun

May 26, 2013

A Brewton man  held a home invasion suspect at bay with a shotgun early Sunday morning until deputies could arrive and make an arrest.

The suspect, identified as 20-year old Glenn Phillips of East Brewton, was allegedly walking along Travis Road about 2 a.m. when he came to a house, kicked in the door and entered, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert.

A dog inside the home cornered Phillips, giving the resident time to retrieve his shotgun and call 911. The victim held Phillips on the floor with the shotgun until deputies arrived and arrested Phillips without incident.

Lambert said Phillips was not armed.

Phillips was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a charge of burglary.

Photos: Dancing At The Movies

May 26, 2013

Dozens of performers delighted hundreds of people  Saturday night during the 18th annual Heather Leonard Danceworks recital at Northview High School.

“Dancing at the Movies” featured dance performances with favorite movie songs, like the “Beauty and the Beast” theme song, “Woody’s Roundup” from Toy Story, the Footloose theme song, “Glory Days” from The Incredibles, “Touch the Sky” from Brave and “Footloose”.

For a Facebook photo gallery, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Woman Injured In Highway 4 Bratt Crash

May 26, 2013

One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle wreck Saturday morning in Bratt.

The accident happened on West Highway 4 just east of North Highway 99 about 11 a.m. The elderly female driver of an eastbound Geo Prizm apparently lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a couple of culverts before sliding across the roadway.

The driver was transported by private vehicle to an area hospital.  The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the woman’s name and condition, have not been released.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Wildfire Prompts Road Closures, Evacuations

May 26, 2013

The second major wildire in as many days shut down a portion of southwestern Escambia County Saturday, forcing the temporary evacuation of several homes.

The brush fire consumed about 80 acres in all in the area of Blue Angel Parkway and Highway 98. Homes along Aleron Avenue, Rudder Lane, Foster Mills Lane and Rustic Road were evacuated for several hours. Residents were able to return to their homes by nightfall.

An emergency shelter was set up at the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, but no one needing shelter showed.

There was no structure damage from the fire reported.

Pictured top: A Florida Forest Service helicopter dropped 300 gallons of water at a time on a wildfire in southwestern Escambia County Saturday afternoon. Pictured below: The fire consumed about 80 acres and forced evacuations of several homes. Reader photos by Kim Spring for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Is Your Church Having VBS?

May 26, 2013

Now is the time to submit your Vacation Bible School announcements to NorthEscambia.com so that we can include them on our events page and let everyone know.

Email your VBS event details to: news@northescambia.com

Please try to submit your information as far in advance as possible.

Featured Recipe: Bold Burger Stars During Grilling Season

May 26, 2013

Today’s featured recipe from food writer Janet Tharpe is a bold burger with kicked up toppings.

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