Molino ‘Day Of Hope’ Provides Free School Supplies, Groceries, Haircuts And More
August 17, 2014
A free “Day of Hope” provided free school supplies, food and an encouraging word Saturday in Molino.
Hundreds of people lined up outside Victory Assembly of God Church on Highway 29 to wait for a backpack, groceries and free haircuts. Church members met with each attendee and offered prayer and words of encouragement for the upcoming school year.
“It turned out to be a very big day,” Victory Assembly Pastor Jeff McKee said. “We have been able to help a lot of people.”
The church also provided a free lunch for attendees.
Pictured top: Just a few of the hundreds that lined up for free school supplies and free groceries Saturday at Victory Assembly in Molino. Pictured inset: Picking out a free Hello Kitty backpack. Pictured below: Getting a free back to school haircut. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Showband Offers Preview Show
August 15, 2014
After a summer of hard work, the Tate High School Showband of the South held a Preview Night Thursday at Pete Gindl Stadium for parents and friends. This will be a big year for the band; in addition to Friday night performances, the Showband is headed to the 2014 Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Photo by Paula Cawby for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Blessed School Year: Prayer Walk Held At Molino Park Elementary
August 14, 2014
The annual back to school Prayer Walk was held Wednesday evening at Molino Park Elementary School. Students and adults from Highland Baptist Church prayed for the Lord’s blessings on the upcoming school year.
Prior to the prayer walk, volunteers worked to clean up the school grounds.
Pictured: A student prayer walk Wednesday evening at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Coming Soon: Fall Tomato School
August 14, 2014
UF/IFAS Extension Gulf Coast Small Farms & Alternative Enterprises will present “Fall Tomato School” beginning next month. The evening workshops are intended for farmers who are interested in learning about small farm tomato production.
The course will combine lectures with hands-on activities with a course notebook at the West Florida Research & Education Center in Jay. The school will include topics such as transplanting, varieties, nutrition, diseases, staking, insect scouting, harvesting, storage and marketing. Classes will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on September 2 and 23, and October 7 and 28. The cost is $20 per class or $60 for the four-course series, payable at the first session.
To register, or for more information, call the UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa Office at (850) 623-3868.
Free Farm Share Food Giveaway Planned For Saturday In Century
August 13, 2014
A free food giveaway will be held Saturday in Century.
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, the AmeriCorps Coalition of Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties and Farm Share will host the free food distribution event for residents of Century and Florida residents North Escambia area (including Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino, Cantonment and Jay) on Saturday at The Habitat Building (former middle school) at 150 East Pond Street. (This is a change of location from the originally announced Showalter Park.)
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will continue while supplies last or until noon. Assisted by volunteers, Farm Share will distribute fresh produce, water and canned foods for up to 300 families in need. All participants must have a valid photo identification.
Pictured top: Volunteers help distribute food during a previous Farm Share event in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
West Florida Library’s Bookmobile Back In Service
August 13, 2014
A bit of good news today for residents that don’t want to make the trek all the way to their nearest library — the West Florida Library Bookmobile is back in service. The Bookmobile had been out of service since July 21.
The Bookmobile makes regular stops throughout Escambia County. Anyone with a West Florida Library card may visit the library on wheels and check out books, CDs, and DVDs from the selection of thousands on board. Patrons may also reserve materials online to be picked up on the Bookmobile’s next stop. Materials may be returned to the Bookmobile or to any library branch location.
Library card applications are also available from the Bookmobile driver.
The Bookmobile schedule below, provided by the West Florida Library, shows stops for the remainder of the year. Click the schedule to enlarge and print.
Robin Williams’ Death Shines Light On Suicide, Depression
August 13, 2014
As details emerge about the reported suicide of actor and comedian Robin Williams, family members and friends acknowledge he was suffering from a long battle with depression. Many Florida families suffer the same anguish, and suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the state.
Betsey Westuba, who chairs the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, said she hopes Williams’ death serves as a reminder to help people who may be suffering from depression.
“It’s a biological disease,” she said. “Just as we have bodily diseases, we have brain diseases – and, so often, people don’t want to acknowledge that.”
Last year, more than 2,800 Floridians committed suicide, or about eight people a day. It is the second leading cause of death for people ages 25 to 34.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has help available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255. Warning signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts include a sense of hopelessness, apathy and extreme changes in behavior.
Westuba said she has a family history of depression, and a brother who committed suicide in 2007.
“Remember that there are many, many people that go through depression, but they are able to get through it,” she said. “We can help to teach each other skills. We need to educate each other.”
Mental-health experts recommend reaching out to people who may be suffering from depression. She said pets sometimes lift the spirits of those who are depressed, and making future plans may help provide them with a sense of hope.
by Florida News Connection
Molino Day Of Hope To Offer Free School Supplies, Groceries And More Saturday
August 12, 2014
A free “Day of Hope” will offer back to school supplies and more this Saturday in Molino.
The Day of Hope will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God at 1895 Victory Road, just south of Barrineau Park Road on Highway 29. The event will offer free groceries, haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, a kids zone and a hot lunch. Items are available while supplies last, rain or shine. No identification is required.
Expert: School Can Be A Real Headache For Some Kids
August 12, 2014
Going back to school after summer break can be a literal headache for some Florida children.
Dr. Nick DeBlasio with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Pediatric Primary Care Clinic says about 10 percent of school-aged children and more than 15 percent of teens experience periodic headaches. He says dehydration is one of the most common causes of those headaches, especially as the weather is still hot, kids are active, and it isn’t as handy to get a drink of water at school as it is at home. He notes, however, another cause of headaches is a lack of sleep.
“During the summer, everything’s a little bit more carefree and bedtimes tend to be a little later,” says DeBlasio. “Then, boom. All of the sudden you’re getting up early to go to school. So a lot of kids have really decreased sleep, especially the first few weeks of the school year.”
Skipping meals can also be a trigger. DeBlasio suggests relieving a child’s headache pain with water or an electrolyte drink and over-the-counter ibuprofen. He says maintaining a regular eating and sleeping schedule and keeping children well-hydrated can prevent headaches.
DeBlasio adds the stress of new classes, teachers and schedules can cause headaches as well. For some children, it may also be the sign of a vision problem.
“Typically that tends to be the kid who will say, ‘The board is a little bit blurry’ or ‘I’m straining to see the board,’” says DeBlasio. “That comes to light more in the beginning of the school year, when the kids are suddenly more in a structured environment.”
The pediatrician says most headaches in children are not a cause for alarm, but there are a few instances that signal the need for additional investigation.
“If you notice weird symptoms like waking up in the middle of the night with headaches, vomiting due to the headaches, headaches that get better immediately after vomiting, or an increase in frequency of headaches,” DeBlasio cautions, “that’s definitely something to talk to your pediatrician about.”
DeBlasio adds it’s important to note ibuprofen should not be taken more than three times a week. Greater frequency may cause rebound headaches.
by Stephanie Carson, Florida News Connection
Students: Enter The 2014 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech Contest
August 12, 2014
The Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County Extension, EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Escambia County Women’s Committee, will hold the 2014 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech contest on Thursday, September 4, at 4 p.m., at the Farm Bureau Building at 153 Highway 97, Molino.
The topic of this year’s speech is “Food security is an important issue to the people of the United States. How can Florida Agriculture continue to provide quality solutions for the future?}”
The speech time limit is five minutes for each personally crafted speech. Competitors must be at least 14 years old and not over 18 years old on or before September 19, 2014, and must be a resident of Escambia County, Florida, but do not need to be a member of Farm Bureau.
Judges reserve the right to ask questions not to exceed more than three minutes per contestant. The winner of the county contest will be asked to compete in the district contest. Escambia County Farm Bureau will help with the cost of transportation to the district meeting, and if the Escambia County contestant wins the district, Escambia County Farm Bureau will also help defray part of the cost to attend the state competition.
Anyone wanting to participate must contact Katrina Sanford at (850) 587-2135, by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, to schedule a time for the competition. To access the application and more information, along with resources that can be used for the speech contest visit www.floridafarmbureau.org.
Pictured: Nort hview student Courtney Solari placed second in the state last year in the Florida Farm Bureau Speech Contest. She is pictured with Northview FFA Alumni President Angus Brewton (left) and Escambia County Farm Bureau President Jimmy Cunningham. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.