Students Attend Rural Electric Tour In Washington
June 26, 2011
Three North Escambia area students represented Escambia River Electric Cooperative during the annual Washington Rural Electric Youth Tour.
Taylor Byrd from Northview High School, and Caristyn Golden and Meredith Owens of Jay High School were among 1,500 youth leaders representing electrical cooperatives from 41 states during the week-long tour. Byrd and Gold were winners of the EREC Youth Tour contest held annually for juniors in the EREC service area, and Owens was the Florida Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour winner for children of cooperative employees.
During the trip, the trio met with Congressman Jeff Miller and visited the U.S. Capitol where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Day Program, they had an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the history of electric cooperatives and their importance to the communities they serve.
Bryd, Golden and Owens also visited the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials; and Arlington National Cemetery. They had the opportunity to relax on the Potomac River during an evening boat cruise and visit many other places of interest. Youth Tour delegates also attended the opening night premier of “Wicked” at the Kennedy Center.
Pictured above: (L-R) Meredith Owens, Taylor Byrd and Caristyn Golden at the World War II Memorial during the Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Chili-Rubbed Pork Chops With Grilled Pineapple Salsa
June 26, 2011
Bring new inspiration and variety to your weeknight meal planning by adding pork to your shopping list. Most cuts take minimal preparation time and the savory flavor pairs well with almost any ingredient you already have in your kitchen, as well as your family’s favorite side dish.
One of the most versatile cuts is the perennial favorite, the pork chop. From bone-in to boneless, it tastes great stuffed with peppers, topped with pineapple (see recipe) or straight off the grill brushed with sweet-and-sour sauce. Here are a few tips to spur some inspiration for you:
- Experiment with spice. Sweet and smoky is a tried and true combination that can be perfected with so many variations. Try smoky paprika or chipotle alongside sweet cinnamon or brown sugar for a rub, marinade or sauce that is sure to please.
- Think fruit. Pairing pork with fruit enhances the natural sweetness and maximizes flavor. You have heard of pork chops and applesauce, but why not try peaches, pears or strawberries to take your dish from traditional to inspirational?
- Take it to the grill. Your favorite recipe might recommend cooking your chop in the oven or in a skillet. Instead, fire up the grill to get a nice smoky flavor.
Chili-Rubbed Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Serves 4
4 pork bone-in rib chops, about 3/4-inch thick, trimmed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Pineapple Salsa*:
3 slices pineapple, cut crosswise about 1/2-inch thick, trimmed OR 3 slices canned pineapple, drained
1 jalapeño pepper, halved lengthwise, seeds and veins removed
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt, to taste
In a shallow bowl, combine chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Sprinkle both sides of pork with spice mixture.
Prepare a grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill pork until internal temperature reaches 160°F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Grill pineapple (if using fresh) and jalapeño until lightly charred, two to three minutes per side. Remove chops from grill and let rest five minutes.
Meanwhile, dice pineapple and finely dice jalapeño. In a medium bowl, combine pineapple, jalapeño, and lime juice. Season to taste with salt.
*Or substitute any store-purchased fruit salsa.
Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 180; Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 50mg; Sodium: 470mg; Carbohydrates: 10g; Protein: 20g; Fiber: 1g
Weekend Gardening: Gardenias And Hydrangeas
June 25, 2011
Hydrangeas and gardenias are two of our most beloved shrubs in the South. They are revered for their flowers and are planted in large drifts throughout Northwest Florida.
Gardenia shrubs are evergreen and produce shiny, dark green leaves. They are known for their waxy, creamy white flowers. The flower’s aroma, adored by many gardeners, is powerful and pleasant.
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs and produce coarse, light green leaves. Their large leaves will fall off after a freeze. Although you are left with bare sticks during the winter, the summer blooms are well worth the winter bareness. While there are many different types of hydrangeas, the mopheads are probably the most recognizable. Their large inflorescences are usually blue on acid soil, pink on alkaline soil and a dirty white on neutral pH soil.
Even though these shrubs are different in many aspects, the one thing they have in common is when they “set” their flower buds. Both shrubs develop flower buds on old (mature) wood of the previous year and open in early summer of the following year. Flower buds are formed at the terminal end of stems and, if not killed by cold or removed by inappropriate pruning, provide the showy floral display the next year.
The best time to prune gardenias and hydrangeas is after they finish flowering for the season. Pruning them at the incorrect time of the year, such as winter, will remove the flower buds.
Your pruning program should be purposeful. First, remove all diseased, weak and dead wood. It will be important to disinfect your pruning equipment after removing suspect branches. Pruning shears, loppers and saws can be dipped in a weak bleach solution to prevent spread of disease between plants.
Once all the problem branches have been removed, then think about thinning the plant. Shrubs are often thinned to reduce a top-heavy appearance or to open up a dense canopy. To thin, simply remove some of the oldest branches by pruning them down to the ground. Remove about a quarter to a third of the branches, selecting the oldest ones for elimination. When thinning, take care not to damage the nearby younger stems and foliage.
Next, cut back branches that are excessively long. Prune back to a lateral branch that is six to twelve inches below the desirable plant height, removing no more than a third of the stem. Cut each branch separately to different lengths with hand pruners. This will maintain a neat informal shrub with a natural shape. Plants sheared into various geometric shapes produce a formality not suitable for many modern, natural landscapes. Making pruning cuts down inside the canopy instead of on the outside edge will also hide unsightly pruning cuts.
Within the last several years, reflowering hydrangeas have found their way into the marketplace. Reflowering hydrangeas produce an initial flush of flowers followed by sporadic flowering or later flushes of flowers in the same growing season.
Endless Summer® Hydrangea is a reflowering hydrangea. It is very forgiving and will not suffer if left unpruned or pruned at the wrong time. In fact, young, recently planted shrubs are best left alone. Unlike other hydrangeas, your Endless Summer® will bloom on both old and new wood, branches that grew last year and the new branches from this year. Another unique feature is that this hydrangea will continue to set buds and bloom throughout the season. Deadheading, or removing the spent flowers will encourage continual blooming.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
UWF Uncovering 1740’s Spanish Mission In Molino
June 24, 2011
A major archaeological dig is underway this summer in Molino, as evidence of a 1700’s mission and even a 6,000 year old artifact have been uncovered.
“It’s amazing that this is right here in our own backyard,” said undergraduate archaeology major Phillip Mayhair (pictured left), a 2008 Northview High graduate that lives just a few miles away in Barrineau Park. “It was amazing that they found this right here in Molino.”
The Mission San Joseph De Escambe was established upriver along the Escambia River — which, along with Escambia County, actually took its name from the mission near Molino. The Apalachee Indian settlement with about 75 residents is well documented, according to archaeologist John Worth. It was established in the 1740’s. A Franciscan missionary was stationed by the Spanish at the village along with 15 members of a Spanish cavalry unit until about 1757.
The village was led by Apalachee Chief Juan Marcos Fant until it was destroyed during a Creek Indian raid on April 9, 1761. The village and the church were at least partially burned during the raid. Following the raid, the residents moved down the Escambia River to what is now downtown Pensacola.
The Mission was uncovered in 2009 by the UWF archeology students under the leadership of professor of Worth, who spent years digging through historical records before the actual digging in Molino began.
Now, the UWF students are digging on a private lot not far from the Molino Boat Ramp and Fairgrounds Park. They are uncovering period artifacts from the Mission, as well as items thousands of years old (like a 6,000 year old spearpoint) and other bits of more modern-era Molino history.
“Clearly, this was the site of the Mission San Joseph De Escambe,” Worth said. “It’s a near pristine site; it’s never been plowed or really disturbed all of these years.”
The Missions settlement is believed to have included a Spanish missionary church and a small Apalachee Indian village.
While the walls have deteriorated over time and appear to the casual observer to be nothing more than darker soil, two summers ago UWF students found almost 40 wrought iron nails in their original positions. In what was called an “amazing” find, students uncovered a wrought iron nail still embedded in piece of wood, the remains of a beam or post where the nail was hammered about 250 years ago.
“So far, we have not found the church,” Worth said. “We would really like to discover it.”
Coming up this weekend on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll take a more in-depth
look at the items found at the archaeological site in Molino.
Editor’s note: The Mission historical site is located on private property and is not accessible to the general public.
Pictured: UWF Students work to uncover the 250-year old Mission San Joseph De Escambe not far from the Escambia River in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Team Surveys 1800’s Steam Launch Found In McDavid
June 24, 2011
A research team from the University of West Florida confirmed Thursday morning that the old boat pulled from the Escambia River over the weekend was, in fact, a steam launch from about the late 1800’s.
Archaeologist John Bratton and students from the University of West Florida took a look at the boat this morning and found that the surviving wooden structure is in remarkably good shape.
The steam launch is once again submerged in the Escambia River near McDavid. Bratton and his team recovered a few small pieces of wood to determine its type and to learn how to best preserve the boat if it’s ever removed from the river for display in a museum.
For earlier NorthEscambia.com stories about the discovery of the steam launch and detailed photos of the boat out of the water –
- McDavid Mystery: Steamboat Pulled From the Escambia River (6/19)
- Expert: McDavid Mystery Steamboat Appears To Be From 1800’s (6/21)
Pictured: A UWF Archeology research team surveys a 100 plus year old steam launch on the Escambia River near McDavid Thursday morning. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Students Attend State FFA Convention, Receive Awards
June 23, 2011
The Northview High, Tate High and Ernest Ward Middle FFA chapters attended the 83rd Florida FFA State Convention and Leadership Conference last week in Orlando.
Nearly 4,000 members and guests were challenged at the event to move forward with a sense of pride for agriculture, service to their community, and leadership for the FFA organization.
Students attending from Northview High School were: Courtney Solari, Stpehaine Solari, Brittany Thompson, Devin Bell, Dillian Crutchfield, Layne Purvis, Allyson Bullard, Jessica Baldwin, Allie Vidak and Lydia Weaver.
Students attending from Ernest Ward Middle School were: Haley Brown, Bethany Reynolds, Haylee Weaver, Allison Woodfin and Miranda Vidak.
Three North Escambia students received the coveted State FFA Degree, the highest honor bestowed on any regular member of the Florida FFA. Recipients were Stephanie Solari and Allie Vidak from Northview High, and Emily Higdon from Tate High.
Four Florida FFA members were announced as finalists in the Agri-Entrepreneurship Education Program, which is designed to increase the amount of entrepreneurship being taught in local agriculture programs across the country. The Agri-Entrepreneurship Award honors FFA members who have recognized a market opportunity that was overlooked by others and conceived a plan to pursue that opportunity. Honored from Northview High school were Charles Rolin and Allie Vidak.
The Northview High School FFA was one of five 2011 Chapter Cooperative Award finalists. The award measures how active a chapter has been in cooperating with other organizations and agencies within their community, along with teaching cooperative business principals.
Northview High was also honored as a one of Florida’s Premier FFA Chapters. The award recognizes superior achievement by chapters in both agricultural education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas which include alumni and community partnerships, financial planning and public relations, along with recruitment and other FFA activities.
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School FFA. Pictured inset: Allie Vidak and Stephanie Solari received their State FFA Degrees. Pictured below: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two K-9’s Purchased With Community Donations
June 22, 2011
Residents and businesses in Santa Rosa County have stepped up and help their Sheriff’s Office purchase two near K-9’s. In late March, NortheEscambia.com and other media outlets published a request from the Sheriff’s Office for help in replacing aging K-9’s.
“The community participation was astounding,” said Sgt. Scott Haines, public information officer. Donations totaled about $31,000 in just six weeks.
Two K-9’s were purchased to replace “Gero” and “Banja”. Gero” suffered a career ending injury in March that required him to be retired at nine years old. “Banja” was required to be retired for health related issues at eight years old.
The new K-9’s are:
“Rocky” (assigned to Deputy Roman Jackson) replaced K-9 “Banja”
“Rocky” is a three-year old Belgian Malinois. Rocky is “titled”, meaning he has had extensive training prior to coming to the SRSO. Rocky was imported to the United States from Belgium. Prior to coming to the SRSO, Rocky was a police service dog in Kure Beach, North Carolina. He was also certified in patrol work, narcotics, and tracking by the United States Police Canine Association. Rocky was the 2010 Region 2 USPCA Champion.
“Kaz” (assigned to Deputy Andy Magdalany) replaced K9 “Gero”
“Kaz” is a 14-month old German Shepherd. Kaz was imported from Belgium. He is considered a “green” dog with no prior training, but has all of the genetic “drives” or superb qualities to be an excellent candidate for police work, according to the SRSO.
Both dogs are taking the 400 hour FDLE K-9 course to become ready to patrol the streets of Santa Rosa County.
Expert: McDavid Mystery Steamboat Appears To Be From 1800’s
June 21, 2011
We are learning a little more about the possible steamboat pulled from the Escambia River near McDavid over the weekend.
“It does look like a late 1800’s steam launch,” Dr. Della Scott-Ireton, director of the Northwest Region of the Florida Public Archaeology Network said after viewing the photographs on NorthEscambia.com. (Click here for our weekend story.)
She said it appears to have a been a screw-driven vessel, powered by steam, not a paddle-wheel boat, as evidenced by the photos. For a photo gallery from the discovery, click here.
“This appears to be a locally significant find,” she said. “We don’t have preserved examples of these in Florida, but we know they existed from photographs in the state archives.” None of those photographs are of steam launches on the Escambia or other rivers in the area.
Archeologists were make plans Monday to document and preserve the vessel that now sits on a sandbar near a McDavid boat launch. The vessel was discovered and pulled from the river Saturday by a local family — a move Scott-Ireton advises against.
“If you find something, let the experts document it,” she said, adding that removing historical artifacts from Florida’s rivers may be a felony despite good intentions. However, no one is expected to face any charges whatsoever in connection with the McDavid find.
The boat has since been returned to the water awaiting investigation by archeologists.
Pictured top: A hole for a steam-powered screw can been seen in this photo. Pictured inset: Another look at the vessel. (NorthEscambia.com photos.)/ Pictured below: Examples of other steam launches in Florida — the first photo show a typical steam launch in the 1880’s in Tarpon Springs, Florida; the second photo shows the steam launch “Princess” between 1880 and 1890 on Rice Creek near Gainesville. (Courtesy the State Archives of Florida).
Gulf Power Offers Hot Weather Energy Savings Tips
June 21, 2011
Gulf Power company is offering some tips for the summer heat — tips that can save you money whether you are a customer of Gulf Power, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Alabama Power or Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
Set your thermostat and leave it
During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest user of electricity. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer electricity bill.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 10 percent more electricity.
- Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
- Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.
Energy Select
Energy Select is an advanced energy management and efficiency program that can help you save money and energy.
You get
- A thermostat you program for comfort and savings
- Online Programming- You can now program your Energy Select thermostat from any computer with internet access.
- A special rate that features four different prices based upon the time of day, day of week and season. And, because the price you pay is lower than the normal rate 87 percent of the time, you can choose to buy electricity during lower priced periods which saves you money and energy.
- A meter that talks to Gulf Power
- FREE installation
Insulate
- Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
- Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.
- Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.
Kitchen
- Whenever possible, cook a lot of meals at the same time. This uses less energy than when you cook each meal separately.
- If you’re baking, avoid opening the oven door. This lets out 20 percent of the heat. Use a cooking timer instead.
- Use pots and pans that match the size of the burners on your stove. This allows more heat to the pan and less heat will be lost to surrounding air.
- Try to use the range instead of the oven. Better yet, turn on the microwave or use a pressure cooker. Both use less power than a standard electric range.
Refrigerator
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.
- Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.
Dishwasher
- Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun goes down to avoid adding heat to your house.
- When using the dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.
- Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher so you don’t have to rinse them. If they need rinsing, use cold water.
Lighting
One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off lights that aren’t in use.
- Use fluorescent lighting or CFLs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. And they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent lamps, for the same amount of energy.
- Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.
- Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.
- Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.
Customers can call 1-877-655-4001 or visit www.gulfpower.com for summer money-saving tips. Customers can also do their own Energy Check Up online — a 5-minute EZ Check Up or more detailed 20-minute Full Check Up is available to help identify low cost and no cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative also offers many other money saving energy tips at www.erec.net.
For The Birds And Bees: It’s National Pollinator Week
June 19, 2011
This week goes to the birds and the bees – and to all of the other pollinators that keep our world growing and productive. June 20-26 is National Pollinator Week, and its intent is to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators to plants, animals, and humans.
As pollinators gather nectar and pollen for their survival, they are responsible for the reproduction (the production of fruits, seeds, nuts, etc.) of 70 percent of all flowering plants and two-thirds of crop plants. This ecological service is worth $14.6 billion annually in the United States, quite a chunk of change for this diverse batch of insects, birds and mammals.
Unfortunately, many of the world’s pollinators are at risk. Studies have shown that about a third of the nation’s managed honeybee colonies are lost each year, a trend that has held steady for the past five years. Pesticides and other toxins have also reduced the number of butterflies and other crucial pollinators.
But it’s not all gloom. An army of agencies and nonprofit groups have assembled to help restore and protect pollinator populations. And there are things you can do in your very own yard to help pollinators flourish.
First, you can incorporate pollinator friendly plants into your landscape. A diverse planting of mostly native plants is typically best. By diverse, we mean use of flowers with different shapes, colors and times of bloom. Natives include beardtongue, coreopsis, black-eyed susan, native sunflowers, purple coneflower, beebalm, tropical sage, and milkweed.
You can also provide nesting sites for bees, called bee blocks. To make a bee block, start with preservative free lumber and drill holes 3/32 to 3/8 inches in diameter. Holes should be spaced 3/4 inches apart, and they should only be open at one end.
Avoid using pesticides. While pesticides kill those pesky bugs, they take out a lot of beneficial bugs, too. Explore non-pesticide options when protecting yourself and your plants. Planting certain plants can ward off unwanted bugs or attract those good bugs to ward them off for you.
You can also promote pollinator habitat in your community. Greenspaces like parks and golf courses can provide valuable habitat for pollinators. As urbanization continues to deplete natural lands, these green spaces can serve as sanctuaries for pollinators. Encourage your local leaders and golf course owners to use landscaping and pesticide management best suited for pollinators.
Roadsides are another resource for helping pollinators. American roadsides have 10 million acres of land that could be ideal habitat. Ask your local and state highway officials to plant or allow native vegetation to colonize roadsides, creating an aesthetically pleasing vista for motorists as well as helping pollinators.
USDA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recognize the importance of pollinators. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack designated this week as National Pollinator Week as a way to honor pollinators, “which provide significant environmental benefits necessary for maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems,” Secretary Vilsack wrote in his proclamation. The NRCS promotes pollinator habitat in its cost-share programs, which gives landowners incentives to establish nectar corridors and pollinator nesting habitat.
Pollinators on the Web
For information on NRCS programs, visit www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov.
For information on pollinators, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/pollinators .
For a copy of NRCS’ “Be Kind to Pollinators” brochure, call 1-888-526-3227.
For information on National Pollinator Week, visit www.pollinator.org.
Some other helpful sites are www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/ and www.abfnet.org.
Joshua McElhaney is a District Conservationist with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He works in the Molino (Escambia County) Field office. For additional details contact the Escambia County, FL USDA NRCS office at (850) 587-5404 ext. 3. Located at 151 Hwy 97, Molino (Escambia County Farm Bureau Building).