Have Extra Fruit On Your Trees? Donate It To The Needy
November 14, 2013
Have a fruit tree on your property with way too much fruit for you? The volunteer group Yes We Can Pensacola wants your donations as the group prepares to begin its annual fruit picking.
For the past six years, the independent group has harvested over 36 thousand of pounds of fruit in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to be donated to area food banks and soup kitchens, including Manna Foods and Favor House in Pensacola.
The group has picked a wide variety of citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes and tangerines from local residents. Yes We Can Pensacola volunteers will continue to pick fruit into February.
If you are interested in donating fruit or volunteering, contact group coordinator Anna Houghton at (850) 748-0616 or email annabhoughton@gmail.com.
Pictured: Tangerines growing in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
EWMS Winning Exhibit: Seeds Of A Great Nation
November 12, 2013
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA won first place in the Pensacola Interstate Fair’s exhibit booth competition.
The winning theme was “Agriculture and FFA: Seeds of a Great Nation”. The focal point of the exhibit included the United States Great Seal which was created by arranging seeds, cotton, grass rope, wood, paint, glue and other agricultural products and byproducts.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Is It A Cold Or Fall Allergies? Tips To Help Florida Kids
November 12, 2013
Runny, stuffy or itchy noses, sneezing, coughing, fatigue and headaches: all can be symptoms of both allergies and colds. And when it’s a small child suffering, it can be hard to figure out the difference.
According to Dr. Michelle Lierl, a pediatric allergist, parents should look closely for the minor details. She said children with allergies to such things as leaf mold or outdoor fungal spores are more likely to have itchy noses, throats and eyes than those with a cold, who will generally just not feel well.
“They may run a low-grade fever, they may feel just kind of sick and achy, and they have more sore throats,” the doctor said. “And they’ll have nasal drainage and nasal congestion, but not so much itching of the nose and eyes.”
For seasonal allergies, Lierl said a daily antihistamine, such as Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec, or a prescribed nasal steroid spray are the best options. If it’s a cold, Tylenol or ibuprofen can help a child feel better. She also recommends talking to a pediatrician about having children screened for environmental allergens.
Lierl said taking allergy medicine throughout the season is important to prevent allergy symptoms, such as swelling and mucus build-up, from turning into something worse.
“That can stop up the sinuses and develop into a sinus infection, or it can stop up the middle ear and evolve into an episode of ear infection,” she warned. “So, keeping the nose open and less congested does help to prevent those secondary infections.”
When it comes to fall allergies, prevention is also important. She noted that allergy season is tough for asthma sufferers, and November is one of the worst months.
“We have higher rates of admission to Children’s Hospital for asthma attacks than at any other time of the year,” Lierl recalled. “So, it’s important for the parents of children with asthma to be especially careful that their children do not miss any doses of their regular asthma medication.”
She recommends keeping windows closed, changing air filters, and having children wash their hands and faces after being outside. And while it is fun, jumping into piles of leaves is off limits, because it can trigger an allergy attack.
by Stephanie Carroll Carson, Florida News Connection
Century Care Honors Veterans
November 12, 2013
Century Care Center honored their veteran residents on Monday.
Billy Bray, Ed Clemmens, Glen Dunaway, Larry Irwin, Paul Louvierre, John Rutherford, Johnny Tobert, Winford Johnson and Elbie Pugh. Each received a pin and certificate from Commander Ericl Steib of Jay.
Residents also held memorial for Eunice Ward, and honored the service of volunteer James Sexton who retired from the U.S. Air Force with 21 years of service.
Pictured top are veterans (L-R) Billy Bray, Ed Clemmens, Glen Dunaway and Larry Irwin. Pictured inset: The Northview High School NJROTC. Pictured below: Veterans Paul Louvierre, John Rutherford, Johnny Tobert and Winford Johnson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Honors Veterans
November 11, 2013
Northview High School held their annual Veterans Day program, honoring veterans in the North Escambia area.
The guest speaker for the program was Gary Welch, an Army Veteran who served in Vietnam and a retired Northview teacher. The program also included a special “Old Glory” presentation by the Northview High School NJROTC, and a White Table Ceremony that represents the never-ending hope for the return of MIA soldiers.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: What To Do During November
November 10, 2013
Here is your November gardening calendar from the University of Florida/IFAS Extension:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: Create a display of fall colors with cool season plants. Some to try are pansy, viola, and chrysanthemum.
- Bulbs: Bulbs to plant this month include amaryllis, crinum, and daylily. Plant Lycoris (spider lily) in partial shade. Plants will produce foliage in winter and beautiful red flowers emerge in late summer.
- Herbs: Continue planting herbs from seeds or plants. A wide variety of herbs like cooler, dryer weather, including cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, sage, and thyme.
- Vegetables: Continue planting cool season crops such as beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, kale, and lettuce.
What to Do
- Citrus: If freezing temperatures are predicted, protect small citrus trees by watering well at least a day before the freeze. You may also use covers that extend to the
- ground for protection.
- Scale on ornamental plants: Now that temperatures are lower, use dormant oil sprays to control scale insects on trees and shrubs.
- Irrigation: Plants need less supplemental watering in cooler weather. Turn off systems and water only if needed.
- Flowering Trees: Taiwan cherry is an ornamental cherry suitable for north Florida. Late winter will bring pink buds so consider planting one now.
- Birds: As you prune your plants during the cooler months, make a small brush pile in the back of the yard for birds.
- Camellias: Add some of the new cultivars for bright spots of color in winter. Disbudding, or removing some buds now, will insure larger blooms later.
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.
Blue Angels Back In Local Skies
November 10, 2013
The Blue Angels performed a flyover Saturday at Naval Air Station Pensacola to mark the end of the team’s 2013 season and the beginning on the 2014 air show season. Many fan favorite formations, such as the Delta Flat Pass (pictured top), were part of the flyover. Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald and Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terrence Siren for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Celebrates Veterans
November 10, 2013
The Town of Century held a Veterans Celebration at the Nadine McCaw Park and Veterans Wall on North Century Boulevard.
Guest speakers included Congressman Jeff Miller and Chad Smith, a Northview High School graduate who told the veterans in attendance that he is joining the Air Force and will honor their legacy.
Special entertainment was provided by the Byrneville Elementary School Chorus, featuring first grader Maddie Mae Driskell.
Pictured top: Fourth and fifth graders of the Byrneville Elementary School Chorus perform at Century’s Veterans Celebration. Pictured inset: Northview High School graduate Chad Smith speaks to veterans. Pictured below: Congressman Jeff Miller poses for a photo with veterans in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Bluegrass Artist Working on First Album: Free Concert Tonight
November 9, 2013
A local bluegrass artist is working on her first solo album release.
Amanda Cook has been with the group High Cotton for seven years now, frequently performing at local venues like the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night. And now she’s ready for her own album, heading to Nashville in January to finish recording the vocals. The album is a mix of contemporary and traditional bluegrass.
Cook said her love of bluegrass came from Mile Blanton, her dad and another member of High Cotton.
“It’s in my blood so to speak. He’s played bluegrass for most of my life. Bluegrass music is my pick of genre because of the legacy and tradition of the music. Acoustic music just goes to the soul. You feel every vibration of sound and with that emotions are carried much further,” she said.
The first single from the album will likely be “One Stop Along the Road”, she said.
“It’s in perspective of a woman loving a restless world traveling man and being one stop along his road. She loves him and offers to be there whenever he passes through her town and then in the end she asks him to take her along,” Cook said.
The album is expected to be released in April of next year as both a CD and as a digital download on iTunes.
“My love of music has spanned my lifetime. I’ve always loved to sing. Now that I play three different instruments (mandolin, bass and guitar) and am part of a band is just the ultimate thrill,” Cook said. “My decision to go forward with a solo project was one of determination. I want to be able to at least say that I tried to put myself out there and maybe, hopefully be able to do what I love as a career.”
A benefit to help Cook fund her album was held Saturdaynight at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Spotlight On Walnut Hill Crude Oil Facility And Its Economic Impact
November 8, 2013
During a Thursday morning site tour, leaders from the Escambia Countyarea along with state officials from Florida and Mississippi got a firsthand look at the positive economic impact Genesis Energy L.P. (Genesis) has made on Walnut Hill and surrounding communities.
Genesis commenced operations at the Walnut Hill Crude Oil Rail Unloading Facility, one of the largest crude oil unloading stations in the region, last August and is on track to receive its 100th unit train in early December.
Oil arrives by rail from states like North Dakota to the facility that fronts Corley Road near Arthur Brown Road. The property was chosen because it is at the intersection of an existing crude oil pipeline and the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway. From the location, crude flows to refineries along the Gulf Coast, including a Shell facility near Saraland, Ala.
For a photo tour of the facility, click here.
A crude oil pipeline from Jay rises to the surface at the facility. The flow from oilfields in the Jay area is cut, and the crude from the Walnut Hill train is injected into the pipeline. The process is simple enough, but it is controlled by a sophisticated computer system that monitors the operation and allows for an instant stop in the event of any problem.
“Walnut Hill is the largest crude oil rail unloading facility in the region. The facility enables Genesis to deliver crude oil from domestic shale plays to local refining markets. We have the capabilities to unload 75,000 barrels of oil per day. We are extremely proud that the local community is involved and is playing an integral part in making this operation a success,” said Genesis Rail Services Director Neal Bjorklund.
The Walnut Hill site has a 100,000 barrel storage tank in service and a second 100,000 barrel tank under construction.
Genesis is expanding its terminal in Natchez, Miss., using the state-of-the-art design of the Walnut Hill Facility. Representatives from The Mississippi Development Authority, Natchez, Inc. and advisors to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant attended Thursday’s tour as a fact-finding visit. Century Mayor Freddie McCall and local staff representatives from the offices of Florida Representatives Clay Ingram and Mike Hill were also in attendance, as were representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Pensacola area Chamber of Commerce. Genesis representatives presented the Walnut Hill Rail Unloading Facility as an example of the company delivering substantial economic benefits with minimal impact to the environment.
Genesis created 20 full-time positions through the Walnut Hill Rail Facility. These employment opportunities provide full health benefits and 401k matching contributions for retirement. Genesis expects to create additional jobs over the next five years, providing long-term economic benefits that generate revenue for the surrounding community. Company officials estimate an 10-15 indirect jobs were created by the facility through construction and rail operations.
“We strive to operate a business that protects the environmental integrity and the safety of the communities where we are located,” said Steve Nathanson, President and COO of Genesis. “We don’t just want to employ local workers – we want their workplace and the community they live in to be a safe, healthy place.”
For a photo tour of the facility, click here.
Pictured: Steve Perrigin, Genesis operations manager, explains how crude oil flows through the Walnut Hill Rail Facility Thursday. Pictured top inset: Crude oil is offloaded from trains and injected into a pipeline to Gulf Coast refineries at the facility. Pictured bottom inset: Perrigin explains the facility can be controlled on-site or remotely from Houston. Pictured below: Visitors are dwarfed by a second 100,000 barrel oil storage tank under construction at the facility. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
