Area Meals On Wheels Wins Subaru Grant, Needs Facebook Likes
December 19, 2010
The Huxford SAIL Center in Escambia County, Ala., recently won $500 from the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA)/Subaru Share the Love grant program.
The winning essay describes how the members of the congregate meal site have helped others and are now entering the next phase of the holiday competition – which relies on getting the most Facebook users to “Like” their story. Winning that portion of the contest could earn this Meals On Wheels program up to an additional $500.
The money comes at a critical time for the Huxford Meals On Wheels program and the more than 140 other grant winners nationwide. The country’s economic downturn has made it more difficult to raise money to continue feeding or assist them in the purchase of a new van for meal delivery and recreational purposes.
“These Meals On Wheels programs share love every day by bringing food and companionship to America’s hungry seniors,” said MOWAA president and CEO Enid Borden. “For the third year in a row Subaru has generously included Meals On Wheels in its Share the Love Event. We want the world to read these stories and find out more about what these amazing Meals On Wheels programs do every day to ‘Share the Love’ in their communities.”
According to Huxford SAIL Center manager Bernice Ashcraft (pictured), the center can certainly use the grant.
“The van that we are presently using is a 1995 model, in poor running condition with very high mileage,” she said. “Huxford SAIL Center is in dire need of transportation.”
To read the Huxford SAIL center essay and “Like” it on Facebook, click here.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Trades Sleigh For Fire Trucks In McDavid, Century
December 19, 2010
Santa traded in his sleigh Saturday for a big red fire truck as he visited many boys and girls in neighborhoods across North Escambia. Both the Century and McDavid volunteer fire departments gave the Jolly Old Elf a ride as he visited with dozens of children, listening carefully to those last minute wish lists.
Pictured: Santa travels through the McDavid area Saturday morning visiting with children. The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department has provided the Santa escorts for about 20 years. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Next Door Neighbor Charged With Bratt Business Burglary
December 18, 2010
Less than 12 hours after a Bratt convenience store was burglarized, a man that lives directly behind the store was behind bars for the crime.
The Bratt Crossroads Mini Mart (the former Cooper’s Grocery) was burglarized sometime between Thursday night and early Friday morning. Store owners found the front door of the business busted-in and several items including cigarettes and medications missing when they arrived to open the store Friday morning.
Within a couple of hours, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office had developed a possible suspect — and they did not have to go very far to find him.
A man who lives in the house behind the store, Eric Eugene Newell, 22, of 4821 West Highway 4 in Bratt, is charged with the burglary of the store and a nearby vehicle. He was questioned by deputies Friday morning, but they were unable to locate the items taken from the store.
Tips led the deputies to Atmore by midday Friday, where the Atmore Police Department assisted the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office in searching a vehicle in the parking lot of a business in the town’s industrial park. Inside the vehicle, which belongs to a relative of Newell, deputies found most of the items reported missing from the Bratt store. The items were allegedly hidden in the vehicle by Newell without the relative’s knowledge. The relative was not charged and not was considered a suspect in the crime.
Newell was picked up mid-afternoon at his West Highway 4 home, behind the store, and transported to the Sheriff’s Office precinct in Century where he confessed to deputies that he had committed the crime.
Newell was charged with two felony counts of burglary, on felony count of larceny, one misdemeanor count of larceny and misdemeanor criminal mischief. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday night where he was being held with bond set at $8,500.
Pictured top: Deputies investigate an overnight burglary at a Bratt business. Pictured inset: The front door frame was busted during the burglary. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Nearly 2,000 Lose Their Jobs In Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 18, 2010
The latest job numbers released Friday show nearly 2,000 people lost their jobs in one month in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as the unemployment rate jumped about one percent in both counties.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped a full percentage point— up from 10.5 percent in October to 11.5 percent in November. That represented 1,422 people losing their jobs, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 16,213 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.9 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded a jump in unemployment— from 9.4 percent in October to 10.2 percent in November. Santa Rosa County lost 571 jobs during the period, with a total of 7,301 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.8 percent.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County, Ala., held held steady at 10.6 percent from October to November, representing 1,521 unemployed. Last year’s unemployment rate for the same period in Escambia County was 12.5 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate inched up in November to 12 percent, despite seasonal jumps in tourism, healthcare and retail hiring, as the state continues to be otherwise mired by slow construction and lackluster real estate markets. The rate, up from 11.9 percent in October and 0.4 points higher than a revised November 2009 figure, comes as business groups prepare to pay higher unemployment compensation taxes beginning next year and weather other expenses that may be hindering their desire to fill positions.
The 12 percent rate puts Florida back where it began the year. The jobless rate hit 12.3 percent in March, before edging back down.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 9.0 percent in November, inched up from October’s rate of 8.9 percent but was below the year-ago rate of 10.9 percent.
Rep. Broxson Gets Committee Assignments
December 18, 2010
House Speaker Dean Cannon on Friday released the list of House committee assignments as members gear up for hearings that will begin last month. The Winter Park Republican had already made public his choices on chairmen and vice chairmen of the chambers 33 committees and subcommittees.
Doug Broxson, whose District 1 includes North Escambia and northern Santa Rosa, was appointed to the following committees:
- Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee
- Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee
- K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee
- Finance & Tax Committee
- Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee
Creative Gardening Gift Ideas
December 18, 2010
Still don’t have a Christmas present for your favorite gardener? Take heart, there is still plenty of time to find, or make, that perfect “green” gift.
Many gardeners don’t think of their landscapes as just plants in the ground. To the knowledgeable landscape designer, the landscape is a series of rooms; rooms that may require decoration.
Garden art can be anything from the whimsical garden gnomes, functional obelisks or metal sculptures.
Garden obelisks can serve many functions. In addition to providing interest during all four seasons, they can act as beautiful focal points in the garden. They can make your garden look as if it was designed by a professional.
In a flower garden, they provide support for plants such as climbing roses, flowering vines and many other climbers and twiners. In the edible garden, many types of fruits and vegetables, such as various types of beans, can be grown on obelisks.
Obelisks come in many different sizes and shapes. Common shapes include tall, rounded or oblong forms, rectangular forms, and pyramids. Most vining plants will take to any shape. Choose the shape that is pleasing to you and blends in with your garden design. Obelisks can be made from a variety of materials including cedar, copper and wrought iron.
Furthermore, if you are an avid recycler, there are plenty of materials just laying around that can be made into a functional obelisk with a minimum amount of skill and time. Take a look on the internet and you will find plenty of help in fashioning a home-made creation.
A “growing” trend is metal garden art. Metal garden art can be fun, playful or even classical. It can be used to create a focal point in the garden or to brighten up a dull spot. From small garden stakes, to colorful wall art, to sculptures small and large, the possibilities are endless. With so many materials to choose from and so many artists working in the field you will be sure to find at least one piece to add color and character to your yard.
Again, if you are an avid recycler, you will be able to find many pieces made from recycled metal. Recycled steel drums or tanks, discarded bicycle or tricycles, old car parts, these all provide the raw materials for the creative eco-artist.
Copper is widely used in metal garden art because it is beautiful, durable and adds elegance to any garden. If allowed to oxidize it will age gracefully to a natural weather worn green patina. It can also be preserved with a clear coating to maintain its bright, shiny look. Copper sculptures, wall art and garden stakes add a touch of class to any decor.
For a classic look add a bronze garden sculpture. Bronze sculptures have been around for thousands of years. They remain popular today because they are classic, timeless and will last for generations.
Whatever your taste, classic, contemporary or just playful, garden art will warm your heart even on the coldest winter day.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat’s Hat Raises Money For Manna Thanks To Elly Saye From Jay
December 18, 2010
The Manna Hat Auction conducted by Cat Country 98.7 raised a record $1,250 for Manna Food Pantries in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties thanks to a lady from Jay.
Last year the Cat Country 98.7 Manna Hat raised $540, but this year’s bid from Elly Saye from Jay was more than double that amount.
“I feel privileged to have won this auction. I would like to thank Cat Country for doing this to help the Manna Food Pantries. I am making this donation in the memory of my father in law David E Saye who went to be with the Lord on October 29, 2010. He loved to give and help others. I will finish with a Merry Christmas to All, and find it in your heart to do something for someone needy this holiday season,” Saye said.
Country artists like CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton helped out by autographing the special hat that was put on the eBay auction website this week. ACA Artist of the Year Carrie Underwood, a second time signer, said, “it is a great way to help feed the hungry”. The hat was signed by other big names like Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bently, Brooks and Dunn, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and more. The signatures were personally gathered by morning show host Brent Lane, who said, “the artists all signed it enthusiastically”.
“Cat Country 98 7’s mission is to help our community in every way that we can. All the artists who were involved in this should be applauded for their contributions as well,” said Cat Country owner Dave Hoxeng.
One hundred percent of the auction proceeds will be donated by Cat Country to the Manna Food Pantries before Christmas.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
BBB Warns Of Five Common Holiday Giving Mistakes
December 18, 2010
Every holiday, billions of dollars are donated to worthy causes and now more than ever charities need the support of donors to help those who are struggling. The Better Business Bureau wants to help donors avoid five common mistakes to help maximize their dollar in these tough economic times.
“With so many people out of work and in need, it’s extremely important that you maximize the impact your holiday donations have by avoiding the common giving mistakes,” said Norman Wright, president and CEO of the BBB Northwest Florida. “A smart donor takes a hard look at a charity’s programs, finances and governance before making a donation. While almost all charities have the best of intentions, not all organizations meet standards or are well managed.”
The r BBB recommends that donors avoid these common mistakes when donating to a charity this holiday:
Assuming that only “low overhead” matters. How much money a charity spends on the actual cause—as compared to how much goes toward fundraising and administration—is an important factor, but it’s not the whole story. A charity with impressive financial ratios could have other significant problems such as insufficient transparency, inadequate board activity and inaccurate appeals.
Failing to do your research before you give. Even good friends may not have fully researched the charities they endorse, so don’t just take their word for it. Expertise is available. Go to www.bbb.org/charity to verify that a charity meets the BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Succumbing to high-pressure, emotional pitches. Giving on the spot is never necessary, no matter how hard a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor pushes it. The charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.
Assuming that the charity wants any item you donate. Worn out, unusable or unwanted donated goods cost charities millions of dollars each year because the organization has to bear the cost of tossing the unacceptable donation. If you have questions about an item’s acceptability, call the charity and ask.
Mistaking a charity’s identity. With so many charities in existence, their names can blur in a donor’s mind and similar-sounding organizations are common. Be sure you know which charity you’re supporting and that it’s not a case of mistaken identity.
Donors can check out BBB evaluations on local soliciting charities for free by calling (850) 429-0002, (800) 729-9226 or online at bbb.org.
Eight Homeless After Escambia Fire
December 17, 2010
Eight people are homeless after an overnight fire damaged two Escambia County homes.
At 1:31 a.m., a fire was reported in the 4300 block of Erress Boulevard. When firefighters arrived they found a heavy fire in the rear of two of the row houses. The fire was quickly spreading throughout one of the homes and was spreading into the attic of the other.
The fire, declared under control at 2:49 a.m., caused major damage to one home and moderate attic damage and smoke damage to the other one. An investigator from the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office determined an electrical problem in the rear of the house was the cause of the fire.
The American Red Cross was called to assist eight people from the two damaged homes.
The fire marked the 11th red bulb representing a residential fire in Escambia County’s “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
Quarter Million Dollar Roof Replacement For Ernest Ward Middle Gym
December 17, 2010
A nearly quarter million dollar roof replacement is on the way to two buildings at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The roof of the school’s gym and a small adjacent building will be replaced at a cost of $227,515 by Edwards Roofing of Pensacola. The Escambia County School Board was expected to approve the project at their December 14 regular meeting, but that meeting was postponed until January due to the lack of quorum.
The replacement roofs will have a standard 15-year warranty. The school gym was constructed in 1978. The smaller adjacent brick building, which housed a weight room and coaches’ offices, was constructed in 1955.
The project was one of many recommended by a district-wide roof survey that was conducted in 2009. The total $364,076 project set for school board approval also includes roof replacements on buildings at Workman Middle School ($23,826), A.K. Suter Elementary School ($33,980) and Oakcrest Elementary ($78,755).
Pictured: The roof on the gym at Ernest Ward Middle School is slated for replacement. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.