Coast Gas Prices Vary Dramatically (And Yes, It’s Most Expensive In North Escambia)
October 3, 2011
Gas prices across the Gulf Coast vary dramatically — with some stations selling gas for barely over three bucks a gallon while others are nearly four dimes higher.
Some stations in Mobile on Sunday were down to $3.01 a gallon, while that same gallon of gas was $3.39 in Century; $3.37 in Cantonment, Atmore and Brewton; and as low as $3.24 in Pensacola, according to GasBuddy.com.
With continuing weak demand, fuel prices in the United States are expected to continue to fall, AAA Auto Club South said Sunday.
“Economic news is not looking good in the long term and we can expect the market to react to every piece of economic news that comes from the U.S. and Europe in the short term,” said AAA spokeswoman Jessica Brady. “Gas prices continue to decrease as oil prices retreat below $80 a barrel and this trend is expected to continue for quite a while, unless positive news unexpectedly hits the market.”
The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.42 per gallon, reflecting an 8-cent decrease from last week. Florida’s average price of $3.39 also dropped 8 cents since last week, respectively.
Pictured above: A gallon of regular unleaded was $3.39 in Century on Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Voters: Obama Doesn’t Deserve Second Term
October 3, 2011
Voters in Florida give President Obama a 57 percent disapproval rating in a new Quinnipiac University poll, the worst Q-poll result for the president in any of the states where it does surveys.
Obama would lose to Republican Mitt Romney 47-40 percent and is statistically tied with Rick Perry, the poll found.
The one small consolation for Democrats — while Romney could beat Obama in Florida today, and Perry is even with him, it’s Perry who leads the GOP field, with 28 percent to Romney’s 22 percent. Perry leads Romney comfortably at 31-22 percent if Sarah Palin stays out, the poll found – if Palin runs and splits the conservative votes with Perry, however, his lead is smaller at 46-38.
Florida voters say Obama doesn’t deserve a second term by a 53-41 percent margin.
“Gov. Rick Perry has the lead – and the momentum – among Florida Republicans, while former Gov. Mitt Romney can point to a better general election showing,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
By The News Service of Florida
Dig Pink Volleyball Matches To Benefit Breast Cancer Awareness
October 3, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes will take part in a Dig Pink volleyball match this week to raise breast cancer awareness.
Dig Pink is an organization raising awareness for cancer through volleyball. A hospitality room will be available for survivors and cancer survivors will receive free admission to the games.
The Dig Pink event will take place Thursday, October 6 with the junior varsity playing at 5:00 and the varsity playing at 6:00 at Northview High School in Bratt.
Pictured top: The Northview Lady Chiefs varsity volleyball team. Pictured inset: Action from last year’s Dig Pink matchup between Northview and Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Extension Service Schedules Annual Green Thumb Festival
October 3, 2011
Escambia County Extension Services will hold the annual Green Thumb Festival on Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Extension office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Local master gardeners will discuss and demonstrate gardening techniques that will enhance fall and winter gardens. Special features will include demonstrations on butterfly gardens, raised beds, pruning and planting. The festival will also consist of a plant clinic, activities for the kids and the McGuire’s Pipe Band.
Master gardeners and local vendors will have plants and garden accessories available for purchase.
For more information contact Beth Bolles at (850) 475-5230 or email bbolles@ufl.edu.
New Budget Year Begins, $371 Million For Escambia, $5 Million For Century
October 2, 2011
Saturday was day one of a new budget year for Escambia County and also for the Town of Century.
For Escambia County, the total budget is $371.3 million. That’s down $6 million (1.6 percent) from the current 2010-11 budget of $377.3 million, and down $87.5 million (19 percent) from five years ago. Property tax rates are below the rolled back rate. [Read more...]
For Century, the 2011-2012 budget is up almost $1.7 million from last year — thanks to $1.9 million in grants. The $5,032,816 budget includes grant income and expenditures of $1,913,000. The grant funds are from state and federal sources — not local revenue or taxes. There will be no increase in ad valorem taxes in Century this year to meet this year’s budget. [Read more...]
Thousands Attend Jay Peanut Festival (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2011
The 22nd annual Jay Peanut Festival attracted thousands to the Gabbert Farm this past weekend.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For more than 20 years, the Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast — showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people over two days.
The event included the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. There were more than 150 vendors in all.
The Jay Peanut Festival was also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Pictured top: Tens of thousands of peopled visited the Jay Peanut Festival on Saturday. Pictured inset: A Jay Volunteer Fire Department member serves up boiled peanuts. Pictured below: Bruce Byrd of YardenArt in Milton displays planter/party coolers made from recycled tires and rims Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
18 Middle School Students Named Take Stock in Children Scholars
October 2, 2011
Eighteen seventh grade students have been introduced as the newest Take Stock in Children scholars. Take Stock is a statewide program that operates locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
The students will receive a Take Stock in Children four-year tuition scholarship when they graduate from high school, as long as they maintain good grades, have a record of attendance and display good citizenship, as well as remaining crime and drug free. Donations from community businesses, organizations, individuals and foundations are used to purchase scholarships using matching funds from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. The program includes weekly meetings at school with a community mentor.
The newest Take Stock in Children scholars are Legacy Byers and Juliana Cunningham, Bailey Middle School; Tristan Helfritz and Meghan Hermance, Bellview Middle; Si’Miah Johnson and Selena Williams, Brown-Barge Middle; Alston Wiggins, Ernest Ward Middle; Deonna Lewis and De’Aja Woods, Ferry Pass Middle; Ashley Frye and Sue Ann Tucker, Ransom Middle; Jervae Cannon and Darin Rudolph Redick, Warrington Middle; Quadell Evans, Kaitlyn Negron and Maria Silva, Woodham Middle; and Taylor Lopes and Krislyn Yoakum, Workman Middle.
Dobson Takes Eighth In Disney Half Marathon
October 2, 2011
Matt Dobson of Jay finished eighth overall in the second annual Disney World Wine & Dine Half-Marathon Saturday night at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.
Dobson, 42, finished the 13.1 mile course through Walt Disney World in 01:19:42. First place went to Anton Van Zyl of Fort Lauderdale with a time of 01:13:14.
Another area runner, Steve Harris of Pensacola, finished 19th overall with a time of 01:26:07.
There were more than 12,500 runners that took part in the night course, which began at 10 p.m. Eastern.
Dobson, a graduate of Jay High School, holds the distinction of being the only American to win the Disney World Marathon Championship with a first place finish in 2004. He finished the 2004 Boston Marathon 49th overall out of 20,000 runners and was the 16th fastest American.
Last year, Dobson finished the inaugural Disney World Wine & Dine Half-Marathon in second place.
Homemakers Craft Flower Pens For Molino Park Teachers
October 2, 2011
The Molino Homemakers made flower pens at a recent meeting to present to the teachers at Molino Park Elementary School.
Club member Terri Brown explains how to make your own flower pens as demonstrated by club member Frances Cheney:
- Depending on how many pens you would like to make will determine how many bouquets of flowers to buy.
- Ink pens and green floral tape will also be needed.
- Cut the tops of the flowers off leaving about 3 inches of stem below the flower.
- Approximately nine inches of floral tape will be used to wrap the flowers to the pen.
- Starting at the top, place flower against the pen and start wrapping the stem with floral tap until the stem is covered.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be October 5 . Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Pictured top: Flower pens created by the Molino Homemakers Club for teachers at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Molino Park teacher Rachel Venable with her flower pen. Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Time To Plant Those Fall Vegetables
October 2, 2011
The slightest hint of fall is in the air. But this doesn’t mean that the vegetable gardening season is over. Fall is an excellent time to grow cool-season vegetables.
Florida is unique in that we have multiple growing seasons. There is something that can be grown in the vegetable garden all year round. Knowing which vegetables to grow during which season is the key to having a successful harvest.
In the summer, gardeners are somewhat limited in the different types of warm-season vegetables that can be grown and will survive the heat. Now with cooler days approaching, we have a much wider selection of cool-season vegetables to plant.
In September many vegetables can be planted in the garden including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions and radish. In October, you can plant Chinese cabbage, spinach and strawberries.
These vegetables are best started from transplants but many can be direct-seeded. If you seed them directly into the soil, keep the ground moist while it’s still warm to give them a good start. Keep them well watered if you transplant, too. The later you start, the smarter it becomes to transplant to cut the time to maturity. Preparing the garden properly is as important as selecting the right plants.
Choose a sunny location. Most vegetables perform poorly in shade. An area that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day is best. Some vegetables such as broccoli, collards and spinach will tolerate partial shade. Avoid locating your garden near hedges or trees. They not only create too much shade but also compete with the garden for moisture and nutrients.
Locating the garden near the house will make it easier to periodically check the garden for insect pests and disease. And, it is easier to keep an eye on the garden for larger pests such as birds, squirrels and rabbits. Closeness to the house will make it convenient in tending to the garden chores.
Locate the garden near a water supply so it can be watered as needed. You’ll get only moderate results if you try to grow a garden without supplemental irrigation.
Of course, it’s important to prepare beds properly before planting. To do that, clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches, and spread a 2-inch to 4-inch layer of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost) over the tilled soil. This helps to maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth.
Mix the organic matter thoroughly into the soil. Turn the soil by digging with a shovel, garden fork or a tiller until the materials you’ve added are evenly distributed in the soil. When using fresh organic amendments, it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before planting your transplants or seeds.
By this time of year, insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations. Insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are commonly seen. Since insect and disease pressure often is greater in the late summer/early fall than in the spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed. Contact your local Extension Office for control recommendations.