Need A Job? Census Bureau Needs North Escambia Employees; Learn More Tonight
March 23, 2009
The U.S. Census Bureau will hold a recruitment meeting at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino at 7 p.m. today.
The Census Bureau is currently hiring temporary employees to assist with next year’s census, but work will begin later this year.
Pay generally begins at $11 an hour for up to a 40 hour week.
A valid driver’s license is required for most positions. Additionally, the potential Census Bureau employee must pass a background check, be a U.S. citizen, pass a written test of basic skills and have a valid social security number.
Census Bureau hires locally because local residents are knowledgeable about their neighborhood and familiar with the community, its residents, and its local customs, according to their web site.
Tonight’s meeting will take place in the Aldersgate Café. Attendees should bring their social security card to the meeting.
Baptist Hospital Seeks Volunteers In Atmore And Jay
March 23, 2009
Baptist Health Care is recruiting volunteers at area facilities, including the hospitals in Jay and Atmore.
Community members interested in helping others are encouraged to contact their local Baptist Health Care facility. Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital, Atmore Community Hospital, Jay Hospital, Baptist Medical Park – Navarre, and Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile have open volunteer positions. Opportunities to help improve the quality of life for Baptist Health Care patients and community members vary from administrative needs to information desk and greeters.
Studies show that people who stay active and volunteer tend to live longer and are physically and mentally healthier, according to Baptist.
To learn more about how you can become a volunteer at any of the Baptist Health Care facilities, call Nancy Greathouse at (850) 434-4935 or visit eBaptistHealthCare.org.
Drew’s Field Dedicated
March 22, 2009
A tragedy that touched a community and turned into a dream became a reality Saturday morning with the dedication of Drew’s Field in Walnut Hill.
Two year old Drew Marlow and his dad Danny Marlow died in a January 2008 accident on Highway 97. Drew’s Field was named is his honor, bringing wee ball to the Northwest Escambia Little League for the first time ever.
“He loved to play ball with his dad,” Jessica Cloud, one of the people instrumental in making the field a reality, said Saturday morning. “He would hit the ball off the palm of Danny’s hand and take off running. Oh how he loved to run!”
The first three attempt at in vitro conception were unsuccessful for Danny and his wife Cyndi. But on the third try, they were successful. The embryo was rated as on a “3″, when typically only those rated as a four or five survive. Drew beat the odds and was born a happy healthy child. For that reason, Danny wanted his little boy to wear jersey number “3″ during his first game.
Saturday morning, Drew’s number 3 jersey was at Bradberry Park, in a glass case on a memorial board surrounded by tiles written by loved ones in his memory. As Drew’s Dream Team prepped to play their first wee ball game on the field, Cyndi Marlow Wendt stood alone behind the field looking quietly at that number 3 jersey in the glass box.
“It is Cyndi’s prayer that that you cherish every moment spent watching your child play on Drew’s Field as it represents her dream of seeing her little boy play ball,” Cloud said at the dedication ceremony.
For a photo gallery form the first-ever wee ball game at Drew’s Field, click here.
To read our story about Drew’s Field from last week, click here.
The Drew’s Field organizers offered their thanks to many local people and organizations for making the field a reality:
- NWE Board of Directors - for agreeing to build Drew’s field
- Ruritan Club – for their donation and support of the project
- Buddy Bartlett – clearing, leveling, and erosion control
- William Wendt, Jason Ging, and Larry Cook – layout of field and laying sod
- Saye Erosion Control and Sod – donating sod
- Richard Beck and Andrews Sod – discount on labor to lay sod
- Solutia – monetary donation
- Poarch Creek Indians – donation of fence
- Century Dept. of Corrections – labor for fence installation
- Bondurant Ace Hardware in Century – discount on materials
- Drew’s PaPaw (Richard Marlow) – spreading topsoil and clay
- Drew’s Pa (Danny Wilson) for help with materials during fencing
- Academy Sports – gift card for equipment
- Bratt Elementary PTA — bleachers
- Ronnie Cloud aka BBQ Man - preparing fund raiser sandwiches and those who purchased
- Everyone who contributed to the yard sale, or donations at the bank
- Volunteers that worked a a yard sale
- NorthEscambia.com for their continued coverage
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union for bank account
- Pensacola Pelicans for donating auction items
- All family and friends for their love and support.
- Michelle and Alan Purvis for building shadowbox frame
- Preferred Materials for donating concrete for dugouts
- Archer Western for pouring concrete
- Sandy Brown for hours of volunteer work
- Pam Brown for assistance with labor crews
- and “most of all Jessica Cloud for organizing everything”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Consolidated Escambia Government Bill Clears First Florida House Committee
March 22, 2009
The Florida House bill filed by State Rep. Greg Evers that, if approved, would led to the formation of a commission to study the consolidation of the governments of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County has cleared its first House committee
The Military and Local Affairs Policy Committee cleared the bill Friday afternoon, and the bill had its first reading in the Florida House late Friday afternoon. The bill has been referred to two other committees — the Finance and Tax Council and the Economic and Community Affairs Policy Council. It has not yet made the agenda of either group.
If the bill is approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, a consolidation study commission will be formed in Escambia County.
Once a consolidation plan is created by the study commission, it is to be submitted to the Escambia County Commission, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century for action before submission to the Escambia County legislative delegation by January 15, 2010. Once approved by the legislature, the plan would presented to Escambia County voters.
Century, Pensacola and Escambia County will not be required to pay for the commission, under the house bill, but they will be required to provide clerical, technical and legal assistance to the commission.
The commission, to be appointed by July 1 of this year, would include up to 25 members from various groups in the county.
The commission will include:
- Five members appointed by the Escambia County Commission, with one member being appointed from each district
- One member appointed by the Century Town Council, with that member being a resident of Century
- Two members appointed by the Pensacola City Council, both of them being residents of Pensacola
One member will be appointed by each of the following groups:
- NAACP
- Escambia County Taxpayer’s Association
- League of Women Voters of Pensacola Bay Area
- Pensacola Young Professionals
- Pensacola Ministerial Alliance
- Escambia County Farm Bureau
- Home Builders Association of West Florida
The president of the University of West Florida will appoint one member with expertise in local government matters. The sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, clerk of court and supervisor of elections will each appoint one member.
The chief judge of the First Judicial Circuit will appoint two Florida Bar members with legal expertise in local government matters.
One member will be appointed by the Escambia County School Board, and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will appoint a member.
A special advisory committee on public safety will be appointed under the house bill, consisting of the following or their designee:
- Escambia County Sheriff
- Pensacola Police chief
- Escambia County Community Corrections Bureau
- Escambia County Public Safety Bureau Chief
- Pensacola fire chief
- Escambia County Medical Director
- chairperson of the Escambia County Fire Services Advisory Board
- Police Benevolent Association of the City of Pensacola
- Police Benevolent Association of Escambia County
- Chapter of of the International Association of Firefighters of the City of Pensacola
A special advisory committee on economic development will be appointed, including members appointed by the following groups:
- Pensacola Junior College
- Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
- Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce
- Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board
- Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce
- local chapter of the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce
- Florida’s Great Northwest
- Town of Century Chamber of Commerce
- Walnut Hill Ruritan Club
- Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce
An advisory committee on health care will be appointed by:
- Baptist Health Care
- Sacred Heart Health System
- West Florida Hospital
- Escambia County Health Department
- Escambia County Medical Society
Click here to read the entire bill (pdf format).
Spring: March Tips For Your Flowers, Shrubs, Lawn And Garden
March 22, 2009
Now that spring is here and the outdoors are turning green again, it is time to begin thinking about working in your outdoor areas in North Escambia and surrounding areas. From flowers, to tree and shrubs to lawns, the Escambia County Extension Service offers some great tips for the late March through April time period:
Flowers
- Begin planting colorful annual flowers such as ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, asters, baby’s breath, begonia, calendula, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, dusty miller, gaillardia, geranium, hollyhock, impatiens, marigold, nicotiana, ornamental pepper, pentas, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sweet Williams, torenia, verbena, vinca and zinnia.
- Caladium bulbs are extremely sensitive to cold soil so there is no advantage to planting early. Purchase caladiums while there is a good selection, but wait until late March or April before planting them in shady beds.
- Begin watching roses for black spot fungus disease (small black spots on the leaves that quickly worsen). Control it by spraying every seven to ten days with a fungicide. Call your local Extension Office for recommended products.
Trees and Shrubs
- Finish pruning summer flowering shrubs such as althea, hibiscus, abelia, oakleaf hydrangea and oleander.
- Delay pruning azaleas, camellias, spiraeas, gardenias and other spring flowering shrubs until after flowering is complete.
- Prune any cold weather-damaged plants only after new growth appears.
- If needed, fertilize shrubs and small trees with a slow release fertilizer. A good general-purpose landscape fertilizer is a 15-0-15.
- Mature palms should receive an application of granular fertilizer. Use a special palm fertilizer that has an 8-2-12 +4Mg (magnesium) with micronutrients formulation. Apply one pound of fertilizer per 100 sq ft of canopy area or landscape area.
- Pick up all fallen camellia blossoms and remove them from your property. This practice helps to prevent petal blight next season.
- Prune ornamental grasses. For more information visit the online publication, “Considerations for Selection and Use of Ornamental Grasses,” at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP233 or call you local Extension Office for a copy.
- Evergreen and semi-evergreen trees such as live oak and laurel oak shed most of their leaves during March and early April. Make plans to recycle these leaves on your
property by composting or using them as mulch in vegetable, flower and shrub beds.
Vegetable Garden
- In mid-March, plant vegetables such as bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, southern peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes and watermelon.
- Sweet potato plants (slips/draws) can be set out April through June.
Lawns
- Removing excessive accumulation of leaves from the lawn will increase the effectiveness of fertilizer and pesticide applications.
- If a pre-emergence lawn herbicide is needed to control summer weeds, it should be applied in early March or when day temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees F for 4 to 5 consecutive days. Make certain to choose one that is safe on your type of grass. Call your local Extension Office for a recommendation.
- Wait until early April to fertilize lawns. If fertilized too early, they often respond with yellow spots of iron chlorosis. Use a slow release nitrogen product with a 3-1-3 ratio
(like a 16-2-16) or a 1:0:1 ratio such as a 15-0-15. - Service the lawn mower by sharpening the blade and adjusting the cutting height for your type of grass.
- Anyone considering establishment of centipede grass from seed should hold off until the soil warms up and stabilizes above 70°F.
- Spring dead spots may be present. Before treating these areas, get a diagnosis. Treat, if necessary, and then patch these areas before weeds invade the bare spots. Sodding, plugging or sprigging helps them to fill in quicker.
Photo Galleries: NWE Opening Day, First Day Games, Wee Ball
March 22, 2009
Saturday was opening day for the Northwest Escambia Little League.
For a complete photo gallery from opening ceremonies, click here.
For a complete photo gallery from opening morning games, click here.
For a photo gallery form the first-ever wee ball game at Drew’s Field, click here.
Pictured top: Opening Day ceremonies for the Northwest Escambia Little League. Pictured middle: Pitcher Mallory Ryan winds up for the Northwest Escambia Sandy Sansing team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Birth: Savannah Leigh Gilmore
March 22, 2009
Benjamin and Rachel Gilmore are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Savannah Leigh Gilmore. Savannah was born on February 8, 2009 at 12:56 pm and weighed 8 lbs and 10 oz. She is the granddaughter of Glen and Jean Wiggins and Elton and Missy Gilmore and the great granddaughter of Pattie Stone and the late George Stone, Ouida Wiggins and the late Billy Wiggins, and Mattie Lou Sheffield.
NorthEscambia.com is now proud to offer free birth and wedding announcements. For more information, email news@northescambia.com. Announcements will ordinarily appear on our Features page.
Play Ball! Ball Season Open In North Escambia; Drew’s Field Dedicated
March 21, 2009
Play ball!
Saturday was opening day for Northwest Escambia Little League at Bradberry park, and it marked the dedication of Drew’s Field.
Sunday morning, NorthEscambia.com will have well over 100 photos from opening ceremonies, the dedication of Drew’s Field and lots of exciting ball action from several games. Make sure you check back Sunday morning for NWE coverage from NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Winning Streak Comes To An End With Loss To Catholic
March 21, 2009
An eight game winning streak came to an end for the Northview Chiefs Friday night with a painful district loss to Catholic High School.
The Crusaders downed Northview 13-3 Friday night in Bratt.
The Chiefs are now 8-3 on the season. They were scheduled to play two on the road in Mobile Saturday, but their afternoon game has been canceled.
Northview will travel to St. Paul’s in Mobile Saturday for a single game starting against St. Paul at 11 a.m.
The Chiefs were originally scheduled to play Washington County, Ala., at 1:30, but that afternoon game has been canceled.
Click here for more photos from Friday night’s game. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard.
Pictured above: Senior Patrick McPherson at bat for the Northview Chiefs Friday night in Bratt. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Another Sweepstakes Scam Letter Delivered To Local Resident
March 21, 2009
A local woman received a $4,750 check and the promise of a $125,000 prize in a sweepstakes when she check her email Friday, but she soon realized it was nothing more than a scam.
She told NorthEscambia.com that the check was in Friday’s mail, but it all sounded too good to be true to the resident that lives between Bratt and Byrneville.
The letter promised that she had one second place in a drawing, and that was worth the $125,000. The $4,750 check was included for her to pay $3,785 in taxes, the letter said. The letter instructed her to call a telephone number that appears to be a cell phone in Montreal, Canada. A person at that number was to instruct her how to pay her taxes after depositing the check.
The letter included the logos of Wal-mart, Sears, Kmart and TJ Max. It had a Canadian stamp.
The local woman tells us she called the Better Business Bureau and was told that the letter was a scam, and she was warned to not cash the genuine-looking check because it would bounce.
“I know that these are some very hard times,” the local woman wrote to NorthEscambia.com “So many people are hoping for a break in life and would most likely fall for this scam in a heartbeat and end up so much worse off than before the letter and check arrived in their mailbox. ”
The scam is very similar to one that cost at least six North Escambia residents thousands of dollars in late February. Read that story here.
Pictured above and below: The check and letter received by a local woman Friday promising her big sweepstakes winning. The Better Business Bureau told the woman that the whole thing is a scam. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com.
