From Ramps To Reefs – Program Set For Main, Molino Libraries

August 18, 2013

The free program “From Ramps to Reefs” , will be held at the Main and Molino libraries.

The first program will take place Thursday, August 22, at 6 p.m. at the Main Library branch, 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola.  Hosted by Escambia County Marine Biologist Robert Turpin, the presentation will include the relationship between waterways in and around Escambia County.

A repeat presentation will occur Monday, August 26, at 4 p.m. at the Molino Branch, 6450 Highway 95A.

This free program is offered by the West Florida Public Library in connection with the Discover Earth: A Century of Change traveling exhibition, focusing on local earth science topics such as weather, water cycle and ecosystem changes, as well as a global view of our changing planet. The traveling exhibition will allow library patrons to understand how Earth’s global environment is effected by the local environment of all exhibition host communities.

The traveling exhibit, which will visit 10 libraries throughout the U.S., is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Exhibit partners include the American Library Association, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the National Girls Collaborative Project. Discover Earth is supported through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Pictured: The Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Ernest Ward Middle Has New Student Drop Off Area And Time

August 18, 2013

The Ernest Ward Middle School student drop off area and times have changed due to construction on the campus.

The earliest student drop off  time will be 8:45 a.m. only for students that eat breakfast and 8:55 a.m. for all other students.

Persons dropping off students will enter from the first gate on the corner of the campus on Highway 99A. Students may not exit their vehicle until the 8:45 a.m. time if eating breakfast, or 8:55 a.m. otherwise. Vehicles will then exit through the front parking lot to Highway 97.  Students will be picked up in the same manner each afternoon.

No one is allowed behind the green construction fence for any reason.

NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.

School Bus Routes; Traffic Laws

August 18, 2013

School begins Monday in Escambia County, with over 300 yellow buses back on the road.

To locate your child’s bus stop and pick up/drop off times, click here.

A reminder about Florida traffic laws when you approach a bus:

Weekend Gardening: August To Do List

August 18, 2013

Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:

What to Plant

  • Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
  • Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
  • Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
  • Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
What to Do
  • Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
  • Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
  • Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
  • Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
  • Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
What To Do Every Month
  • Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
  • Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
  • Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
  • Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.

Wahoos, Braves A Washout

August 18, 2013

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Mississippi Braves scheduled for Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was canceled due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up as the Braves and Blue Wahoos do not meet again this season.

Fans with tickets to Saturday night’s game can use their ticket for any of the final five 2013 regular season home games, subject to availability for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person at the Blue Wahoos Ticket Office.

The Wahoos now hit the road for a six-game series with the Huntsville Stars starting on Sunday afternoon at 4:03 p.m. Carlos Contreras (1-2, 3.12), Saturday’s scheduled starter, will now get the call on Sunday against Huntsville’s Drew Gagnon (4-6, 5.51).

Sue Hartfelder

August 18, 2013

Sue Hartfelder, 64, passed away August 16, 2013, in Milton. She was a native of Pennsylvania but was a long-time resident of Pensacola and most recently of Milton. She received her undergraduate degree from Bloomsburg State College in Pennsylvania and her graduate degree from Bradley University in Illinois. From 1983 untiil 2001 Sue worked as a speech pathologist in Pensacola area schools and since 2001, was employed as a speech therapist at Bagdad Elementary School in Santa Rosa County. Her hobbies included gardening, making preserves and especially Jalapeno jelly. She had a special love for children and had a unique ability to relate to children of all ages. Those who love her valued her kindness, generosity, and her abundant energy.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and June Dieffenderfer.

She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Bill Hartfelder (USMC-Ret); three sons, William ‘Burke’ (Kate) Hartfelder III, Rick (Casey) Hartfelder and Greg (Yuka) Hartfelder; six grandchildren, William ‘Will’ Burke Hartfelder IV, twins April and Hayley Hartfelder, Taylor High, Riley High, and Makoto Hartfelder and many friends and former students.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 21 from 12 p.m. until services begin at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Reverend Clyde Knights will officiate. Burial will follow at Coldwater Creek in Milton.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Weekend Shopping: School Supply Lists

August 18, 2013

School starts Monday, August 19 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here are the school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in Escambia County, plus the North Escambia area schools in Santa Rosa County.

(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)

North Escambia Area Schools:

Complete Escambia County Lists:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Birth: Carter Ray Wells

August 18, 2013

Carter Ray Wells was born July 16, 2013, at 1:18 to parents Brandy and Jeffrey Wells of McDavid. He weighed seven-pounds, 11-ounces and was 20 inches long.

He maternal grandparents are Anthony (Georgia) Watts of Seminole and Carrie ( Rufus) Evans of Brewton. Paternal grandparents are Jerry and Brenda Wells of McDavid. Carter  was welcomed home by big brother Ashton and big sister Justina.

Wet Weekend Forecast; Flash Flood Watch In Effect

August 17, 2013

There is a flash flood watch in effect until 7 p.m. Saturday. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
  • Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
  • Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
  • Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
  • Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
  • Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
  • Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
  • Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
  • Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
  • Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
  • Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.

Tuff Times: Burglars Strike Thrift Store That Benefits Homeless Animals

August 17, 2013

A burglary is under investigation at a Cantonment thrift store that benefits homeless and orphaned animals.

The burglary was discovered Friday morning at the Tuff Times Thrift Store on Neal Road, just off Highway 29. Owner Amanda Gifford said hundreds of dollars worth of items were stolen and the store was damaged by thieves. The thieves ransacked an area until they found, and stole, the video surveillance equipment.

She said the thieves entered the store by busting out a window air conditioning unit.

“I work extremely had to keep my prices very low to give the community a little place to shop that’s inexpensive, and I also use the funds to turn around and help homeless and orphaned animals in the community. It’s just a shame that there are people out there that would even steal from a second-hand store,” Gifford said.

The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.  Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Pictured top: The Tuff Times thrift store in Cantonment. Pictured inset: A sign posted in front of the business warns of surveillance cameras.  Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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