All-American July 4th Cookout Cost Down Slightly
July 4, 2017
A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $55.70, or $5.57 per person. The cost for the cookout is down slightly (less than 1 percent) from last year.
“As expected, higher production has pushed retail meat prices down,” said AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton.
Competition in the meat case is making grilling for July 4th even more affordable for consumers this year, Newton noted.
“Retail pork prices also declined in 2017, largely due to more pork on the market and ample supplies of other animal proteins available for domestic consumption. Lower beef prices are most likely putting downward pressure on pork prices,” he said.
AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.
With regard to drivers behind the moderate decrease in dairy prices, Newton said, “We continue to see stability in dairy prices because of the improving export market. Chocolate milk will be a little more affordable this July 4th, in part because some retailers are promoting it as a sports recovery drink superior to other sports drinks and water.
He also noted the retail price of American cheese has declined due to very large inventories and a lot of competition in the cheese case.
Newton said retail dairy and meat prices included in the survey are consistent with recent trends and are expected to continue to be stable.
Commenting on watermelon prices, Newton said, “Although U.S. farmers continue to increase watermelon production, consumer demand has also increased, contributing to higher retail prices.”
Farm Bureau members in 25 states served as volunteer shoppers to check retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average., That figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said.
Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $55.70 marketbasket would be $8.74.
How To Properly Display The American Flag
July 4, 2017
This Fourth of July all across the country, people will show their love for America by displaying flags along streets, hanging them from porches, and proudly carrying them in parades and festivals. Old Glory will be everywhere. But did you know there are official rules on properly displaying the U.S. flag?
The infographic above (or click here to enlarge) and the information below based on Federal Flag Code can help you show respect for the flag as you celebrate America’s 241st birthday:
- When: You can display the flag outside from sunrise to sunset. If you want to fly it after dark, it will need to be lit. Don’t fly the flag during inclement weather, unless it’s an all-weather flag.
- On the porch: The union of the flag–the blue section with white stars–should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When the flag is suspended from a rope on a pole extending from a house, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
- On the wall or the window: When the flag is displayed on a flat surface like a wall, the union should be at the top left.
- On the street: The flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, so make sure it’s hoisted at the proper height.
- At the office: Suspend the flag vertically with the union to the observer’s left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north when entrances are to the east and west, or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.
- On a vehicle: The staff should be fixed firmly on the right side of the vehicle. Do not drape the flag over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or a boat.
- Half-staff: During periods of mourning, it’s common to see the flag flying at half-staff. Only presidents can proclaim such periods for a national remembrance. Governors can also declare mourning periods at a local level. In some cases, heads of federal agencies can order the flag flown at half-staff on grounds under their supervision. Traditionally, states and local governments follow the president’s proclamation during a period of national mourning.
Take care of your flag. Many dry cleaners will clean U.S. flags for free during the months of June and July. Store your flag in a well-ventilated area. If it gets wet, make sure it’s completely dry before storing it. If the flag is damaged or worn out, it should be burned and disposed of with dignity.
County Officials Offer Tips To Stay Safe For The Fourth
July 4, 2017
Escambia County wishes residents and visitors a safe, fun July Fourth with friends and family, and reminds everyone to follow these tips to make the most out of their holiday. Remember: If you spot a brush or wildfire or if someone is injured, call 911.
Fireworks
- Remember, most fireworks are illegal in the state of Florida. It is unlawful for any person to set off fireworks without a permit. A good rule of thumb is if it flies or explodes, it is not legal in Florida. Using illegal fireworks is a first-degree misdemeanor and is a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. The State Fire Marshal’s approved sparkler list can be found here.
- The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals.
- Never give fireworks or sparklers to small children, and always follow the instructions on the package.
Fireworks and Pets
- July Fourth can be a frightening time for pets. Make sure your pets are safe at home and secured indoors during the holiday, especially when there are fireworks.
- Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. In only a matter of minutes, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems or even death. A stressed animal can also cause major damage to the interior of your car.
- Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
- Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
- Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
- If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
- Keep pets away from fireworks, open fires and matches.
- Encourage your pet to “go” before fireworks begin by taking your pet for a walk. If your pet becomes frightened, this can help prevent toileting accidents.
- Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
- If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is appropriate for your pet.
- Keep all of the following out of reach of your pets: alcohol, lighter fluid, sunscreen, citronella, mosquito coils, and other insect repellents not labeled for pets.
- Glow sticks and fireworks are not safe for pets. Unused fireworks can be dangerous if ingested.
Grilling Safety
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
- Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
- Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
Beach Safety and Rip Currents
- Check before you go and follow the posted beach condition flag warnings. Beach conditions can be checked at PensacolaBeachLifeguards.com and on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook page.
- Regardless of your swimming level, never swim alone, and always swim near a lifeguard.
- If in doubt, don’t go out.
- Know how to escape from a rip current.
- Learn how to break the grip of the rip, which can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
- Be sure to wear and reapply sunscreen often and drink plenty of water. Remember that alcohol, sun and swimming do not mix.
Fourth Of July Closures
July 4, 2017
Here is a look at Fourth of July closures and trash schedule changes around the area:
CLOSURES
Closed on Tuesday, July 4:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Area Transit administrative offices
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office
- Escambia County Animal Shelter
- ECAT will only operate the following routes on Tuesday, July 4: 59 Express (Saturday schedule with the last trip departing Naval Air Technical Training Center at 8:35 p.m.), Route 64 Beach Jumper (full Saturday schedule) and the Pensacola Beach Trolley (regular schedule). All routes will resume regular service Wednesday, July 5.
- Perdido Key Landfill
- West Florida Public Libraries (all branches)
- Town of Century offices
- Town of Jay Offices
- City of Pensacola offices
- Flomaton city offices
- Atmore city offices
- All Santa Rosa county offices
- All Escambia County, AL offices
TRASH
ECUA residential sanitation customers will experience schedule changes to their garbage, recycling, bulk, and yard trash pick ups. Collections scheduled for Tuesday, July 4, werr made on Monday, July 4.
Motorcyclist Injured In Cantonment Accident
July 4, 2017
A motorcyclist was injured in a crash with a car Monday morning on Highway 29 near A-1 Small Engines in Cantonment. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Wants You To ‘Arrive Alive’ This Fourth Holiday
July 4, 2017
The Fourth of July is considered one of the busiest travel holidays of the year. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) urges everyone to use caution when traveling on Florida roads this weekend for a safe and enjoyable Independence Day. The DHSMV urges motorists to make sure their vehicle is road-ready, buckle up and never drive impaired.
The DHSMV offers the following driving safety tips for this year’s Fourth of July weekend:
• Always buckle up. A seatbelt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature.
• Designate a sober driver and never drive impaired. Remember, even one drink increases the risk of a crash while driving. Do not let anyone who has been drinking get behind the wheel, including you.
• Check your tires before you take a trip. Properly maintaining and inspecting your tires before a long trip is a key step in keeping your family safe while traveling. Motorists should check to ensure their vehicle has proper tire pressure and inspect tire tread before driving to avoid potentially fatal tire failure and rollover crashes.
• Stay focused on driving and do not drive distracted. Distracted driving is extremely risky behavior and focused attention on driving helps to prevent crashes.
• Travelers should use caution when traveling through an area with low visibility, especially at night.
• Call *FHP (*347) to report drunk drivers, traffic crashes, stranded or disabled motorists or suspicious incidents on the road.
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Sunny And Dry For The Fourth
July 4, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Independence Day: Sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Schedule Of Local Fireworks
July 4, 2017
Here’s a guide to public or non-profit Fourth of July Fireworks shows across the North Escambia area:
Sertoma — Downtown Pensacola
For the 28th year, area Sertoma organizations are once again coordinating and hosting the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Tuesday, July 4th at 9:00 pm.
There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, in Seville Square to include a free Children’s Area with inflatables, pony rides, rock climbing wall, “meet and greet” with characters, face painting, and much more. There will also be a variety of arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and live entertainment on the Bayfront stage in the afternoon. There will also bee a Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon. New this year is the free Pensacola Symphony Orchestra concert at Hunter Amphitheater in Community Maritime Park at 7:30 p.m. This live orchestra concert will be broadcast to speakers along Bayfront Parkway and to Wahoos Stadium.
The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay at about 9 p.m. synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7.
Poarch
Patriotic songs in Wind Creek Amphitheater, fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
East Brewton
East Brewton will celebrate Tuesday, July 4, with a fun-filled day beginning at 9 a.m. at Fort Crawford Park and ending with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Plastic duck race at 6 p.m.
Riverfest, Milton
Riverfest will be held Tuesday, July 4 in Milton. Festivities include the annual Firecracker Bike Show at 9 a.m., a Freedom Car Show at 9 a.m., a Children’s Activity Area, annual Great Mill Town Duck Race at 5 p.m., live entertainment at 5:30 p.m., a Veteran’s Salute at 6:30 p.m. and karaoke at 7 p.m. The day will end with a fireworks display over the Blackwater River at dark.
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores will celebrate with a fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The fireworks will be shot from the end of the fishing pier.
Pictured: The annual fireworks show was held Saturday night in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Monday Game To Montgomery, Win Series 4-2
July 4, 2017
After clinching the series the previous evening, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the series finale to the Montgomery Biscuits, 13-5, in front of a sold-out Blue Wahoos Stadion. It’s the 12th time the team has reached the 5,038 capacity.
The game Monday got so out of hand for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos that they inserted second baseman Angelo Gumbs in as pitcher for the first time in his professional career.
Gumbs, who Pensacola manager Pat Kelly reported threw 96 mph in high school, begged his coach to let him pitch. After abusing his bullpen in the six-game series with the Montgomery Biscuits, Kelly decided to allow him to throw the ninth inning with Pensacola trailing, 13-5.
Gumbs, who threw his fastball in the low 90s Monday, gave up one run on one hit and struck out one batter. He waved his hat in the air as he walked off the mound to the dugout.
“He’s been bugging me all year,” said Kelly, who last allowed a position play to pitch when veteran Ray Chang did against the Mobile BayBears July 5, 2016. “He was really excited about going into the game.”
Montgomery seemingly took out its frustrations of losing 13 of 17 games at Blue Wahoos Stadium dating back to 2014 by scoring 13 runs on 13 hits. Leading the way for the Biscuits was red-hot hitting first baseman Dalton Kelly, who clubbed two home runs — the first Montgomery player to do that this season. The 22-year-old, who was drafted in the 38th round, was called up Tuesday from the High-A Charlotte Snow Crabs.
The left-handed hitting Kelly crushed a two-run home run to left field in the third inning and then belted a solo shot over the 400-foot sign in dead center field. For the series, Kelly was 13-27 (.481) with three home runs and seven RBIs. In 69 games and 236 at bats with Charlotte, Kelly had just two home runs in the Florida State League.
“I told the coaches I thought Kelly would be a pretty good hitter,” said Pensacola’s Kelly, who is no relation. “I guess, I was right. He went to dead center. That’s impressive. There haven’t been a lot. Maybe one or two that I can remember.”
Both teams used five pitchers in the three hour, six minute game. Plus, Pensacola was forced to use relievers Domingo Tapia and Alex Powers as starters in the series, since it lacks a proven fifth starter on its current roster.
Kelly said starter Keury Mella — who has yet to win a game at home — lost his cool in the third inning when he gave up four runs.
The first two runs for Montgomery in the third inning scored when Andrew Velazquez, crossed the plate after Pensacola’s Mella bobbled the bunt by right fielder Nathan Lukes and then threw the ball over Gavin LaValley’s head into right field for two errors on the play.
Lukes then scored the second run for Montgomery on Senzel’s errant throw on a bunt by second baseman Riley Unroe. Mella pitched four innings, allowed seven hits, gave up five runs, one earned, walked two, struck out five and gave up two homers.
Besides Kelly’s two homers, Velazquez and first baseman Joe McCarthy, the Tampa Bay Rays No. 19 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, both launched balls out of the park.
“The third inning was key,” Kelly said. “Mella threw the ball away and he got shook.”
Pensacola benefited from a home run by left fielder Tyler Goeddel to lead off the fourth inning. It was his second this series and his fourth for Pensacola. The Cincinnati Reds top prospect, third baseman Nick Senzel, smashed a two-run homer to left field in the eighth inning. He was 3-4 on the night with three RBIs and is now hitting .306 in the Southern League.
Kelly said that pitcher Rookie Davis, a starter for the Blue Wahoos last year, is scheduled to pitch Wednesday in the five-game series against the Biloxi Shuckers. He was 1-2 in five starts for the Reds before going down with a back injury.
Pensacola dropped to 5-6 in the second half of the Southern League season and the first half South Division champions are 45-36 overall.
FDOT Suspends Construction Activities Through The Fourth
July 3, 2017
To promote safety and reduce congestion over the 4th of July Holiday weekend, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is suspending normal construction activities on all major roads in Northwest Florida. There will be no lane closures on the state road system until after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 5.
If an emergency situation occurs during the upcoming holiday weekend that requires a lane closure, repairs will continue until that lane is reopened to the traveling public and all safety related issues that impede the traveling public have been addressed.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the holiday, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect and drivers may encounter construction workers and reduced speed limits. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and online at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area.