Pensacola Symphony To Present ‘Beethoven & Blue Jeans’
December 28, 2014
Don’t miss the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s Beethoven & Blue Jeans concert on Saturday, January 10th at 8 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre. Come wearing your best denim for a blend of upbeat symphonic music!
The PSO will perform eight short pieces sure to entertain one and all. Filled with high-energy and festive music, the program consists of pieces by Charles Ives, Leonard Bernstein, and most certainly Beethoven. Yet, there is so much more to anticipate. Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic, will be featured on two pieces that were written exclusively for him. One of them, by Enrique Crespo, will be receiving its world premiere performance at this concert.
Alessi’s performance is not one to be missed. Maestro Peter Rubardt explains, “Every now and then an instrumentalist comes along that redefines what is possible on an instrument. They develop new techniques, new sounds, even new equipment, and in the process they change how future generations play and write for the instrument. Joe Alessi is one of those players.”
The evening is packed with even more spectacular music, including a brilliant arrangement of Leonard Bernstein’s award-winning musical, West Side Story. The original musical is about the story of star crossed lovers from opposing street gangs in the slums of Manhattan. Rollicking dance numbers, like “Mambo” and “Cool”, contrast the music’s dramatic ending. Even if you aren’t familiar with the story-line, it provides great entertainment and a wealth of memorable melodies. Closing the concert will be Charles Ives’ Variations on America, a unique piece featuring alterations of a familiar traditional American song. It’s an electrifying ending to a fantastic night of live orchestral music.
There will be a special matinee dress rehearsal for the concert beginning at 2PM. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Palafox entrance of the Saenger Theatre. Starting at 7PM, Dr. Larry Reed will present Classical Conversations. It’s a chance to “go behind the scenes” and learn about each piece of music, as well as the opportunity to interact with the evening’s guest artist. The event is free with your concert ticket.
Tickets are on sale now and start at only $22. Call the PSO office at (850) 435-2533 or order online at www.pensacolasymphony.com
Have A Holiday Food Prep Question? UF/IFAS Can Help
December 28, 2014
Do you have holiday food questions? Call the UF/IFAS Extension Holiday Food Hotline at 850-888-2412. No question is too big or too small. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until January 1. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2014 In Photos: January
December 27, 2014
Today, we begin a look back at the year 2014 in photos with a look at January:
A record ice storm struck Escambia County in January, bring almost everything to a complete standstill.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep in Cottage Hill, arrested two, issuing 55 violations and removing 15 tons of trash and debris.
A redevelopment plan was approved by the Escambia County Commission for blighted areas of Cantonment.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King was honored with a program in Century, including a performance by the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church Youth Choir.
A new four-cent tax went into effect in January in Escambia County for mass transit.
Over 100 gallons of crude oil was spilled into the Escambia River from Quantum Resource Management’s processing facility near Jay.
In Atmore, residents held their annual MLK Day Parade.
Century began a series of community meetings leading up to the creation of an economic development plan later in the year.
Escambia County cut several large oak trees in order to pave Enon School Road, sparking protest from a few area residents.
A CSX train derailed during an ice storm, with 23 cars coming off the tracks behind the McDavid Sawmill. A health alert was issued for Fletcher Creek as a massive cleanup effort began.
Retired NFL player Leigh Torrence spoke to students about healthy exercise at Tate High School.
After a community meeting at the McDavid United Methodist Church, it was announced that the McDavid Post Office would remain open, but with reduced service hours.
A grand opening was held for the new Molino Museum inside the Molino Community Center.
The annual Miss Ernest Ward Middle School pageant was held. Second Runner-up and Appearance Award winner was Ashlan Kaile Harigel, Jr. Miss EWMS and Physical Fitness Ward winner was Jerni Lee Crabtree, People’s Choice winner was Kally Lee White and First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality was Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline.
Arbor Day was celebrated in January, with area residents receiving free trees at the Molino Community Center.
Interim County Administrator George Touart passed away. Flags at county buildings, such as the Molino offices of the Escambia County tax collector and property appraiser, were lowered to half staff in his honor.
An armed robbery at the Family Dollar store in Davisville left the clerk with minor injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Airman Brianna White Graduates From Basic Military Training
December 27, 2014
Air Force Reserve Airman Brianna D. White graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
White is the daughter of Margaret A. White of Atmore.
She is a 2013 graduate of Escambia County High School, Atmore.
Christmas Recycling Workshop For Kids Next Week At The Landfill
December 26, 2014
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management will host a Christmas Recycling Workshop on Tuesday, December 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill at 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment. The workshop is open to participants 5 to 8 years of age.
The workshop will include a tour of the landfill, arts and crafts using recycled materials and games that focus on recycling and reuse. The cost of the camp is one pair of new or gently used shoes to be donated to Soles4Souls. Participants should wear clothing that is appropriate to play in and be worn outside, and bring a brown bag lunch, snacks and a reusable water bottle.
For more information on this workshop or other events at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill, call (850) 937-2160.
Florida’s Youth Smoking Rate Reaches An All Time Low
December 26, 2014
New data released by the Florida Department of Health shows that fewer youth in Florida are smoking cigarettes than ever before. In 2014, only 4.3 percent of Florida’s youth, ages 11 to 17, are current cigarette smokers.
There are 59 percent fewer youth cigarette smokers in the state than before the Tobacco Free Florida program launched in 2007. This represents a decrease from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 4.3 percent in 2014.
“Tobacco Free Florida is a nationally renowned program that has set the bar for how other states can reduce cigarette use among young people,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The state’s steady and significant reduction in youth smoking is saving lives and money, and creating a healthier, tobacco free generation.”
The new data from the 2014 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey found that:
- 7.5 percent of high school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 51.6 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among high school students was lower than the national average of 12.7 percent in 2013,[1] the most recent equivalent national survey
- 2.3 percent of middle school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 65.2 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among middle school students was similar to the national average of 2.9 percent in 2013,[2] the most recent equivalent national survey
In 2006, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment requiring 15 percent of the state’s tobacco settlement fund be used for a comprehensive tobacco education and use prevention program. In 2007, the funding was used to launch Tobacco Free Florida, which is managed by the health department. Tobacco Free Florida’s efforts are supported by community interventions at the county level and a statewide media campaign driven by powerful advertisements that demonstrate the dangers and real-life consequences of tobacco use, encouraging more and more youth to never begin.
A Look Back: Century Christmas In The 1930’s
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past for the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and what is now Century.
In the top photo, Mr. James H. Jones is seen giving out presents to Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. employee children in the 1930’s. By the 1940’s, this practice had been discontinued, but Mr. Hauss always sent some families a tin of dates from California. The company always seemed to be interested in keeping families together and satisfied, although when it came to the job, it was hard-nosed about making sure the workers gave a day’s work for a day’s pay.
The picture below depicts a scene in December 1936 from one of the logging camps in the woods where races were mixed on the job, despite the attitude towards segregation. Here you see two of the bosses, Fred Gilmore and Mr. Luke Earl (with glasses), a somewhat beloved woods foreman, and a group of workers and children observing Santa Claus as he holds a little boy at their Christmas gathering. Several of the children are clutching their little bags of goodies, probably candy and some trinkets, that Santa had passed out earlier. It’s not know what purpose the wash pot, if any, played in the festivities.
Photos courtesy the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (top) and Photo by Fischer (bottom) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Spread Christmas Cheer
December 25, 2014
The students of the Camp Fire USA Century Learning Center recently visiting the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center to spread Christmas cheer with carols and Christmas cards for the residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Look Back: Ernest Ward High School Christmas Past
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past at Ernest Ward High School, with a peek into the pages of the 1955, 1971 and 1988 yearbooks. Click any of the images to enlarge.
Below: The 1955 Christmas Pageant at Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “In Celebration of Christmas”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “Christmas Present And Future”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: Christmas 1971, Ernest Ward High School.
Special thanks to Sherri Stallworth and Delaney Reynolds, EWMS Yearbook staff, for their research in finding these photos. Photos courtesy Ernest Ward Middle School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 25, 2014
Here are some family time favorites for this Christmas Day.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
Crock Pot Candy
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.