Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
July 4, 2012
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.
‘A Capitol Fourth’ Live On WSRE TV 23 Tonight
July 4, 2012
This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 236th birthday, as A Capitol Fourth welcomes a new host, Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron.
Hot off another winning season as host of the hit TV series “Dancing With the Stars,” Bergeron will lead an all-star cast in a patriotic evening of unrivaled musical performances, topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation.
The multi award-winning event will feature acclaimed Broadway and television star Megan Hilty (“Smash”); singer-songwriter Javier Colon (winner of “The Voice”); R&B superstars Kool & the Gang; four time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly; plus a tribute to Team USA honoring the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, A Capitol Fourth airs live in HD Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 7:00-8:30 p.m. on WSRE 23 before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.
A Capitol Fourth has truly become America’s favorite Independence Day celebration and a cornerstone of PBS’ annual programming line-up, as evidenced by the ratings. During the 2010-2011 season, A Capitol Fourth took the top prize, for the second consecutive year, as the number one rated program in primetime. A Capitol Fourth reached more than 11 million viewers.
“What an honor to be in the nation’s capital for America’s biggest birthday party,” said Bergeron. “Hosting A Capitol Fourth enables me to celebrate two things I’m a big fan of — America and PBS!”
The 2012 broadcast of A Capitol Fourth will include two unique segments:
- A rousing and patriotic send off to Team USA as they head to the London 2012 Olympic Games, featuring current and past U.S. Olympians as well as members of the U.S. Paralympic team; and
- A musical tribute to beloved American legend Gene Kelly, in celebration of his 100th birthday, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra performing a medley of Hollywood classics, including Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris.
Offering viewers extended coverage of the fireworks display, A Capitol Fourth will capture the stunning pyrotechnics from every vantage point with 20 TV cameras stationed around the city — including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument and across the Potomac River. The show will be capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” with live cannon fire provided by The U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now a Capitol Fourth tradition.
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 Quantico Marine Corps Band, 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.
Federal, State And Local Officials Applaud RESTORE Act
July 4, 2012
Local, state and federal officials gathered on Pensacola Beach Tuesday to celebrate the passage of the RESTORE act. Passed by Congress last week, the RESTORE act, which was part of a larger transportation measure, earmarks 80 percent of water pollution fines BP is expected to pay for restoration efforts in Gulf States, which bore the brunt of the damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.
“To be able to have the money stay here in Northwest Florida is very important. We know that the oil spill was ongoing a lot of the money that was dedicated to helping people through the process was used all over the state of Florida where the biggest damage was done in Northwest Florida. That’s not going to happen again,” Congressman Jeff Miller said at a Pensacola Beach press conference.
Once money is allocated to the local area under the federal act, it will be up to local governments to decide how to spend those dollars.
“The idea of this money is to use it for things we will invest in the future both for infrastructure projects and other things either environmental or economic that will move us forward,” County Commissioner Grover Robinson said.
The bill is awaiting President Barack Obama’s signature. It’s not clear exactly when local Gulf Coast communities will see their first payment.
Pictured top: (L-R) Escambia Commissioners Wilson Robertson and Grover Robinson, Congressman Jeff Miller, Santa Rosa Island Authority Director Buck Lee and State Rep. Doug Broxson during a news conference Tuesday on Pensacola Beach to address the RESTORE act. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Abe “Pap” Barge
July 4, 2012
Deacon Abe “Pap” Barge, departed this life on June 28, 2012, at a local hospital. He was born October 2, 1938, in Oak Hill, AL, to the late Ike and Eula Barge.
He was preceded in death by two brothers; Willie James Barge and Joe Cephus Jones, Sr. Deacon Barge was the longtime owner and operator of Palafox Service Center where he provided excellent automotive service to his loyal customers. He was an active member of Englewood Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 18 years, Hattie Jenkins Barge; his children, Abe Lionel Barge, Shelton, CT; Deborah (Richard) Flores, Shelton, CT; Charles R. Barge, Angola, Africa; Terrence (Michele) Barge, Glenside, PA; Barbara Barge-Young, Atlanta, GA; Emma Woods, Pensacola; seven siblings; Julia Jenkins, Ruby Barge, Arthur (Verdelle) Barge, Ann (Ivy) Brooks-Marshall, Ike (Annie) Barge, Diane Hicks, Minnie (Delarian) Pogue; all of Pensacola, 16 grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Katie Lee Jenkins of Cantonment; three step-sons, Charles Morgan, Barry Edler, and James Lett; six brothers-in-law, LV (Carolyn) Jenkins, Clarence Jenkins, Jerry (Josey) Jenkins, Cleveland (Elizabeth) Jenkins, Tommie (Sig) Jenkins, all of Pensacola, and Ollie Jenkins of Geneva, AL; two sisters-in-law, Alice (Calvin) Williams and Theresa (Randy) Hilton, both of Jacksonville; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, love ones, and loyal customers. He also leaves to cherish his memory, his “own special Angel”, Deacon Delarian Pogue. He was his caretaker, his friend, his chauffeur, and his fiercely devoted brother-in-law. He was at his side when he became ill and was holding his hand when his soul took flight on Thursday, June 28, 2012.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Englewood Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Larry C. Watson officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Joe Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may call at Englewood Missionary Baptist Church at 1100 West Scott Street from 10-11 a.m., Thursday, July 5, 2012.
Smell Of Smoke Prompts Store Evacuation
July 3, 2012
The Davisville Family Dollar was evacuated and temporarily closed this afternoon due to the smell of smoke.
Employees of the store at 11200 Highway 97, near the Alabama state line, reported an electrical burning smell inside the building about 3:40 p.m. Firefighters determined the source of the smell to be an overheated computer battery backup system that was plugged up but not in use.
The store reopened for business a short time later.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department responded to the call.
Picture: The smell of smoke prompted the evacuation of the Family Dollar in Davisville Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Residents: Garbage Pickup As Usual On The Fourth Of July
July 3, 2012
According to the Town of Century, Allied Waste will pick up garbage as usual on Wednesday July 4 for residents within the town limits.
For more information, contact Allied Waste at (251) 809-0800.
Driver Charged After Crashing Into Century Convenience Store
July 3, 2012
A Flomaton man was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol after driving his car into a Century convenience store Monday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 22-year old Troy Anthony Smith attempted to park his 1993 Buick Century in front of the store at 8130 North Century Boulevard. As a female passenger in the vehicle walked inside, the Smith hit the gas pedal rather than the brake for unknown reasons. The car jumped the curb and plowed through double glass doors and into the store.
There were no injuries. Smith removed the car from the store prior to the FHP’s arrival.
Smith was charged with careless driving, no proof of insurance, and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Cantonment School Bus Wreck
July 3, 2012
There were no injuries when a Cantonment woman rear-ended a loaded school bus this morning in Cantonment.
The school bus driven by 50-yar old Carla Stromas of Molino was stopped for a railroad crossing about 7:20 a.m. on County Road 97 near Muscogee Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the bus was then struck from the rear by a 2003 Ford Windstar driven by 57-year old Luis Martinez.
Stromas, Martinez, and bus passengers 62-year old Mary Smith of Barth and seven students from Cantonment ranging in age from 6-19 were not injured.
Martinez was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
Alabama Man Dies As Result Of Traffic Crash
July 3, 2012
An Alabama man has died as a result of injuries he sustained in a Monday morning traffic crash.
Alabama State Troopers said 24-year old Robert Marcus Powell was eastbound on Highway 31 near Abrams Road, about six miles east of Atmore, when he collided nearly head-on with a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jonathan Criswell, of Ray City, Ga.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free Powell from the Corolla after the crash. He was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Bay Minette, Ala., and then airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile where he later passed away from his injuries.
Criswell and passengers in both vehicles were not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured: One person was seriously injured in this two vehicle crash Monday morning in Canoe, Ala. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hot, Slight Chances Of Rain
July 3, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Independence Day: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 40%.