‘A Capitol Fourth’ Live On WSRE TV 23 Tonight
July 4, 2011
A Capitol Fourth, the live PBS broadcast of America’s favorite Independence Day tradition, will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country’s best-known musical names topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. The event will air live in high-definition on WSRE TV 23 from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our service members around the world on the American Forces Network. An encore presentation of the live program will immediately follow at 8:30 p.m. on WSRE.
Offering viewers extended coverage of the fireworks display, A Capitol Fourth will capture the stunning pyrotechnics from every vantage point with twenty TV cameras stationed around the city – including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument and across the Potomac River. In celebration of America’s 235th birthday, the show will be capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by The U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery.
Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star line-up that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self-titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; Rock ‘N Roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. Also participating in the event will be The Choral Arts Society of Washington, along with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, the U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.
Consistently one of the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade, A Capitol Fourth became the top-rated program in primetime on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. “It’s a tremendously uplifting feeling as hundreds of thousands of Americans join together on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, singing the National Anthem as the National Symphony Orchestra plays,’” said executive producer Jerry Colbert. “As we watch the nation’s capital light up with fireworks, it helps us forget our differences and remember that we are all Americans. I can’t think of a better place to celebrate our freedom and the nation’s birthday.”
Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
July 4, 2011
Safety is an important consideration when operating a grill. Improper use can cause a fire or explosion. Keep the area around a lighted grill clear of combustible materials, and never use a grill in an enclosed area such as a sheltered patio or a garage. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that may catch fire. The cooking grids should be cleaned after every cookout. The last thing you want to do is cause someone to become ill due to improper cleaning or unsafe food preparation practices.
Wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds before starting to prepare any foods, and wash your hands again if you do anything else—change a diaper, pet an animal, or blow your nose, for example. Cover any cuts or sores on your hands with a bandage, or use plastic gloves. If you sneeze or cough while preparing foods, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and turn your face away, or cough into your sleeve. Always wash your hands afterwards.
Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Most food-borne illness-causing bacteria cannot grow well at temperatures below 40°F or above 140°F. Thaw foods in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Never leave foods out at room temperature.
Keep everything that touches food clean. Bacteria can hitch rides around your kitchen on all sorts of things—plates and cutting boards, dirty utensils, dish rags and sponges, unwashed hands.
Never chop fresh vegetables or salad ingredients on a cutting board that was used for raw meat without properly cleaning it first. If possible, keep a separate cutting board just for the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and fish.
Wash cutting boards thoroughly with hot soapy water, and then sanitize with a solution of household bleach and water.
Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices from coming into contact with other foods during preparation, especially foods that will not be cooked. Wash all utensils and your hands with hot soapy water after contact with raw meat.
Marinate meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator in a covered, non-metal container. Throw away any leftover marinade.
Grill food to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to assure correct doneness of the food being grilled.
Safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Poultry (whole, ground, and breasts): 165°F
- Hamburgers, beef: 160°F
- Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks, roasts and chops):
- Medium rare: 145°F
- Medium: 160°F.
- All cuts of pork: 160°F.
Hold meat at 140°F until served. Use a clean platter for transferring cooked meat from grill to serving table.
Summer is the time for getting together with friends and family and cooking outdoors. Make your outdoor grilling experience safe and enjoyable.
For further information regarding food safety and other related topics, go to the University of Florida’s Solutions for Your Life website: http://www.solutionsforyourlife.com.
Dorothy C. Lee, CFCS, is an Extension Agent II, Family & Consumer Sciences with the Escambia County Extension Service. Reference: Safe Food Handling Fact Sheet, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Series.
Featured Recipe: Yankee Doodle Dandy Treats
July 4, 2011
Looking to spend some time with the kids in the kitchen? Yankee Doodle Dandy Treats are a fun, easy and patriotic way to celebrate.
The recipe is not only easy, but it also lots of fun. It’s terrific for a “just-because” snack or as a sweet way to finish off a family picnic. And kids of all ages can help – from pouring and stirring to dipping and decorating, there’s something everyone can do.
Yankee Doodle Dandy Treats
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 package (10 ounces, about 40) regular marshmallows OR 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal OR 6 cups Kellogg’s® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate morsels
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- Red-, white- and blue-colored sprinkles
Preparation
- In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
- Add cereal. Stir until well coated.
- Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Crosswise cut in half, forming two 9 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles.
- Meanwhile, in small saucepan melt white chocolate morsels over low heat, stirring frequently. Stir in oil. Add powdered sugar, stirring until combined. Add water. Stir until smooth.
- Spread chocolate mixture over one cereal rectangle. Top with second rectangle. Sprinkle with red, white and blue sprinkles, pressing lightly into cereal mixture. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Cut into 3 1/4 x 1-inch strips. Best if served the same day.
Serves
Servings 18
Preparation Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour
4th Of July Closings
July 4, 2011
The following will be closed Monday in observance of the Independence Day holiday:
- City offices in Century, Flomaton, Jay, Atmore, Pensacola
- Escambia County (Ala. & Fla.) offices
- Santa Rosa County offices
- Florida state offices
- All federal offices
- West Florida Library branches, including Century
- Santa Rosa County libraries, including Jay
- University of West Florida, Pensacola State College closed
- Retail windows at the U.S. Post Office will be closed, and there will be no mail delivered or collected, except for Express Mail.
- ECUA offices
- ECAT buses will run on Monday, but they will follow a Saturday schedule
- There will be no change in ECUA garbage collection.
Local Youth ‘Converge’ On Pensacola During Camp That Served
July 3, 2011
About 200 youth walked into a Pensacola Walmart last week, scattered throughout the store and stood frozen like statues for 30 seconds. “What if happened just like that? Are you ready for Jesus to come back?” they then said in unison.
The youth were part of a church camp called “Converge” which brought youth from across the area together to spread the Gospel and serve the community.
For a photo gallery, click here.
After leaving Walmart, the youth formed a line — like a huge centipede — and made their way through Best Buy and Cordova Mall telling strangers “Jesus loves you”. And, like a giant conga line, mall patrons joined in along the way.
Dozens of the teens were from the North Escambia area. Youth from the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Highland Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church and Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church all took part in the inaugural weeklong Converge camp headquartered at East Brent Baptist Church.
A big part of the weeklong camp was about service to the community. The students took part in a Habitat For Humanity build, spent hours collecting food for the Manna Food Pantry, ministered to patients at Nemours Childrens’ Hospital, helped at the homes of elderly community members, and helped with a golf tournament to help pay bills for the family of a child with terminal cancer.
During the hot summer week, the students walked door to door for Manna, collecting over 2,000 canned food items.
The students also gathered during the week for Backyard Bible Clubs for study.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton, Century Celebrate The 4th
July 3, 2011
The area’s fireworks demonstrations got underway Saturday night at Hurricane Park in Flomaton.
The show was sponsored by the town of Flomaton and Century along with the chambers of commerce in each town. It marked the first organized public fireworks show in either town in several years. Plans call for another show to be held next year somewhere in Century.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos from the Flomaton/Century fireworks show, click here.*
Pictured top: Fireworks Saturday night in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
*Reader photos by Carrie Bryan, Mandi Kinley, Jacke Johnston and others for NorthEscambia.com.
Photos: Farmer’s Market In The Running For America’s Favorite
July 3, 2011
The Market at Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment returned Saturday. The market is in the running for the 2011 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest presented by American Farmland Trust.
The Market is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until noon with a variety of locally grown produce and other merchandise.
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s event, click here.
Voting in the 2011 America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest will continue through August 31. To vote, click here. After voting, American Farmland Trust will solicit a donation to protect American Farmland. Donations are not required to vote.
The Market at Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church is located at 699 County Road 95-A South in Cantonment.
The market will be open again on July 16.
Pictured: Scenes from Market at Saint Monica’s in Cantonment Saturday morning. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Forecast
July 3, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Independence Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%
4th Recipes: Patriotic Pops, Ice Cream Sandwiches
July 3, 2011
The Fourth of July calls for a carefree party, with good friends, fab food, fun and fireworks – a real star-studded holiday celebration.
Patriotic Pops cut into star shapes definitely say “Happy Fourth of July.” Decorated in red, white and blue icing, red licorice and colored candies, these easy-to-make crispy rice treats are a favorite for both youngsters and the grown-ups. The kids can lend a hand to help decorate by placing the candy pieces on the stars.
Add a taste of nostalgia for the child in all of us with Ice Cream Sandwiches – everybody loves ‘em. Homemade brownies and buttery vanilla cookies, sandwiched with the ice cream flavor of your choice are a cut above ice cream truck offerings. Give them the flair of the Fourth by rolling the edges in patriotic sprinkles and sugars. Or, dip part of the sandwich into melted candy melts and decorate with sprinkles for a fun and festive finish.
(Scroll down to see both recipes.)
Patriotic Pops
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups crisp rice cereal
- 24 8-inch Cookie Treat Sticks
- Red, Blue and White Cookie Icing
- Red and blue candy-coated chocolates
- Red licorice
Preparation
- Spray Star Cookie Treat Pan and rubber spatula or wooden spoon with vegetable pan spray.
- In large saucepan, melt butter. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until melted. Remove from heat and add cereal; mix well. Press into prepared pan; insert cookie sticks. When cool to touch, remove from pan. Repeat with remaining cereal mixture. (If mixture becomes hard to work with, microwave at 50% power 30 to 60 seconds to soften.)
- Outline treat as desired with Cookie Icing; add candy and licorice. Let dry at least 1 hour.
Serves
Makes about 2 dozen pops
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Cookies
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract, orange extract or ground cinnamon (optional)
Preparation
- Brownies: Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray Ice Cream Sandwich Pan with vegetable pan spray.
- In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with chocolate chips. Whisk in sugar, eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add flour mixture; stir until just combined. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter into each pan cavity, spreading evenly.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted at an angle toward center comes out clean. Immediately remove to cooling rack; cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Vanilla Cookies: Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray Ice Cream Sandwich Pan with vegetable pan spray.
- In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Whisk in sugars, eggs, vanilla and, if desired, other extract or cinnamon; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix until blended. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter into each pan cavity, spreading evenly.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted at an angle toward center comes out clean. Immediately remove to cooling rack; cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
- To Assemble: 1 quart ice cream, any flavor
- Assorted Patriotic Mix Sprinkles and Red and Blue Sugars
- White Candy Melts, melted (optional)
- Scoop about 1/4 cup ice cream onto smooth side of half of the brownies. Top with remaining brownies, pressing gently. If desired, roll edge of sandwiches in sprinkles or sugars. Wrap and freeze immediately.
- Or, dip a portion of the sandwich in melted candy melts; add sprinkles and sugars. Freeze 5 minutes to set, then wrap and freeze until ready to serve.
Serves
Makes about 12 ice cream sandwiches
Library Of Congress Traveling Exhibit In Pensacola
July 3, 2011
A special Library of Congress traveling exhibit-mounted in a customized 18-wheel truck will be on display in Pensacola through Monday, sponsored by the West Florida Public Library.
The 1,000 square foot exhibition will outline the history of the Library, including Thomas Jefferson’s role in re-establishing the Library, when he provided his personal book collection to the nation after the burning of the U.S. Capitol in 1814.
The display will include high-quality facsimiles of many of the Library’s top treasures including the 1455 Gutenberg Bible, a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams and the 1962 drawings for the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world.
The “Gateway to Knowledge” exhibition will bring information about the millions of resources in the Library’s unparalleled collections to small towns and rural communities across America.
The “Gateway to Knowledge” will be in Pensacola , at Fountain Park just south of Seville Square in the parking lot adjacent to Bayfront Parkway between Adams St. and S. Alcaniz St. The exhibit is free and will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
The trailer expands to three times its road width, and visitors will enter from a central staircase to find several areas of museum-style exhibits including a welcoming multimedia display and computer terminals displaying Library of Congress websites.
This year’s Gateway to Knowledge exhibition debuted at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2010. Photo courtesy Library of Congress, Tom Fontana, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.