Local Singer Appears Tonight On Finals Of NBC’s ‘The Sing-Off’
December 20, 2010
A local singer’s group is one of four finalists on NBC’s a cappella singing competition series “The Sing-Off” tonight.
Adam Chance Ray, who performs as Adam Chance, sings bass for the six-member Street Corner Symphony. The group is one of four to make it through the preliminary rounds for the chance to appear live for tonight’s show; the show started with 10 a cappella groups competing for a $100,000 prize and a Sony Music recording contract
Chance (pictured), who was born in the Florida Panhandle, currently resides in Tuscaloosa, but still has numerous relatives in the Atmore and Jay areas.
The members of Street Corner Symphony are from all over the Southeast United States and call Nashville their home base. The group was formed in May of 2010 for the sole purpose of competing in The Sing-Off.
“We met right before we had to get things together for the show,” Chance said.
Street Corner Symphony’s music is described as “laid back southern soul” with a rich heritage in gospel music. Chance is the only one of the six members that is not the child of a preacher.
Returning celebrity judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Nicole Scherzinger will critique each performance, narrowed down the finalists to the top four groups competing for America’s vote.
A behind the scenes NBC interview with Street Corner Symphony is below. Adam Chance is on the far right.
Pictured top: Street Car Symphony members (L-R) Jon McLemore, Adam Chance, Jeremy Lister, Mark McLemore, Richie Lister, John Martin. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Democrats Push To Dump FCAT; Republicans Want More Exams
December 20, 2010
Florida Democrats are continuing this week to propose dumping the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test as their Republican counterparts continue to put more emphasis on standardized exams.
Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, has filed HB 71, which would discontinue the FCAT and at the high school level, replace it with the High School Competency Test, which would require passage to graduate from high school.
Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, is proposing terminating the FCAT for students in grades 9 through 12, but requiring that students in 10th grade take the Pre-SAT or the ACT’s Explore and Plan exam. Bullard’s mother, Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, has filed senate companion legislation to her son’s proposal.
Escambia Offers Recycling Camp For Kids This Week
December 20, 2010
Escambia County Recycling Operations will host a Recycling Camp this week to give children a learning experience in recycling.
The camp will be offered Tuesday, December 21st, through Thursday, December 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The camp will be held at the Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment. The cost of the camp is a donation of one pair of new or gently used shoes to be given to Soles4Soles.
Activities at the camp will include tours of the Perdido Landfill and Recycling Center, arts and crafts with recycled materials, and games that focus on recycling and reuse. Campers should wear clothes that are appropriate for outside play. They also need to bring a lunch, snack, and drinks. Please try to pack a zero waste lunch, which means reusable containers.
The event is sponsored by the Division of Solid Waste, Recycling Operations. For more information or to preregister, call 937-2160.
Molino’s Kart King Finishes Season With 3 State Titles
December 19, 2010
Molino’s kart racing king Jarrett Parker recently finished his season with three state titles, 16 wins, 12 pole positions and 43 top five finishes out of 55 starts.
At the recent O’Reilly’s Indoor Kart Nationals, Parker had four top 10 finishes — third in FH Heavy, fifth in Jr. Lite, ninth in Junior Animal Heavy and tenth in Junior Pro.
He was involved in one of the many wrecks that occurred during the two-day event. Parker had no where to go and hit the kart of Nich Thrash, flipping Thrash completely over. Thrash walked away with just a minor knee injury. Parker’s teammate, Dee Paschal of Georgia, was involved in a serious wreck in his last race and was hospitalized.
“Thankfully our prayers have been answered and Dee was released from the hospital and is supposed to be resting back at home in Georgia.” Parker said. “The races were with out a doubt some of the roughest driving I have seen.”
Parker offered thanks to several people as he wrapped up the 2010 season.
“A big thank you to my dad. Many thanks to Dustin Dowdy of Dowdy Motorsports who helped wrench on my kart all weekend long. And to David Lynn, thank you for your help in our pits Saturday. I have to thank Mrs. Stacie Campbell for everything she does for our group at this event, Southern Speed. Thank you especially to Dee Paschal and Mark Bowers for all of your support throughout the year. I am very thankful,” he said.
Parker drives a Tod Miller powered 2010 Phantom Seraph and pits with MB Motorsports. Jarrett Parker, a sophomore at Northview High School, is the son of Scott and Tammy Parker of Molino.
Pictured top: Molino’s Jarrett Parker (second from right) in the Winner’s Circle at the O’Reilly’s Indoor Kart Nationals. Pictured inset: Parker (right) in action. Pictured below: Jarrett Parker. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Churches Plan Special Christmas Services, Events
December 19, 2010
Here is a look at upcoming special Christmas services at area churches:
- Highland Baptist Church in Molino will hold a Christmas Candlelight Service, Wednesday, December 22 at 7 p.m.
- The First Baptist Church of Bratt will present “The Youth Christmas Play”, on Wednesday, December 22 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend in the church Family Life Center.
- Christmas Eve Services Lessons and Carols, December 24, 7 and 11 p.m. with Candlelight Communion at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 South Hwy 95A, Cantonment. (850) 937-0001.
- The First Presbyterian Church will celebrate a Christmas Even Candlelight Service on Friday, December 24 at 6 p.m. Everyone welcome.
- Grace Fellowship in Atmore is offering a free Christmas meal to be delivered to homes in the Atmore are between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. Meals are limited.
Cold Tonight, Sunny Monday
December 19, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 68. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming west.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 30.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Another Escambia Fire Means 12th Red Bulb In Safety Campaign
December 19, 2010
There are now 12 bulbs representing residential fires in Escambia County in the “Keep the Wreath Green’ fire safety campaign.
On Saturday at 4:36 a.m., a fire was reported in the 1000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Firefighters arrived at 4:42 a.m. and found heavy fire coming from two windows of the home. The cause of the fire was determined to be from an electrical problem in a bedroom outlet. The fire caused damage to the apartment of origin and the neighboring one. Firefighters from Osceola, Myrtle Grove, West Pensacola and Bellview responded to the fire.
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department will continue the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign throughout the holiday season. This year, the seventh year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 30 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, the Central Office Complex on West Park Place, all 18 primary county fire stations, seven stations within the City of Pensacola, Cordova Mall and one mobile display. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
To help citizens stay safe and “keep the wreath green”; Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department have daily holiday safety tips. The tips for December 19 and 20 are:
- Dec. 19 – Children should be taught that matches and lighters are tools for adults. These items should be kept out of sight and away from the reach of children. Children should tell an adult if they find them lying around. Curious children cause numerous fires using these items every year.
- Dec. 20 — Teach every member of the family what to do in case their clothes catch on fire. Remember to: STOP, don’t run; DROP to the floor; cover your face with your hands and ROLL till the fire goes out. Finally cool burns with cool water and call 911 for help.
Century First Baptist Church Youth Spread Christmas Cheer
December 19, 2010
The Youth Department of Century First Baptist Church spent a recent Sunday afternoon spreading good cheer. Six teens stayed after the morning worship service and wrapped 34 gifts to be given to the children in Century’s Head Start Program.
“I was surprised at their organizational skills,” said Youth Leader Leslie Gonzalez. “Without any direction, each one of them took a job and this overwhelming task was completed in record time.”
For months the Century First Baptist Youth have collected empty toilet paper rolls and sugar free candy for a service project to benefit the Century Care Center. They stuffed the cardboard rolls with candy and wrapped them to look like giant pieces of candy. Afterward they walked the halls of Century Care Center and handed these out to residents, nurses and even a few visitors.
The Youth offered their thanks to chaperones Rene’ Bunch, Carrie Bryan and Cesar Gonzalez for their help and encouragement, and Kelly Gunter for her collection efforts for the Century Care Center candy project, and the entire congregation for their contributions toward the gifts and candy.
Have news from your church? Email your information to news@northescambia.com
Pictured: (Bottom, L-R) Emily Taylor, Kristen Gunter, (second row) Beverly Blackmon, Megan Bryan, Sara Grace Gunter and (top) Tristan Williams. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Best Ever Carrot Cake
December 19, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Best Ever Carrot Cake”, a 60 year old recipe with just the right amount of everything.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Do you have a great Christmas recipe to share? Email it to news@northescambia.com
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.