Solari Wins Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech Contest
August 23, 2013
Northview High School senior Courtney Solari won the 2013 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech contest Thursday afternoon in Molino.
She will present her speech at a Farm Bureau county meeting on September 19 and then move on to the district and state competitions.
Students between 14-18 years old were invited to take part in the contest, delivering a speech about five minutes long on the topic ““Over the past 500 years, how has technology influenced Florida agriculture?”
“Changes in…technology here in Florida have been occurring since the first European settlers introduced Native Americans to new practices and livestock. The Native Americans quickly adapted to these practices, and Florida agriculture has been changing ever since,” Solari said in her speech.
“Technology has helped increase production of many crops, while also diminishing the production of others. These advancements in agriculture are all in an effort for Florida farmers to produce more food while utilizing less land and protecting the environment. No matter how many changes occur though, one thing will remain consistent. Florida agriculture will continue to grow and thrive throughout the future as it has for the last 500 years,” she said.
The 2013 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech contest was sponsored by the Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, in collaboration with Escambia County Extension, EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Escambia County Women’s Committee.
School Board Honors Northview FFA’s Best In State Program
August 22, 2013
The Northview High School FFA was honored by the Escambia County School Board for having the top Fresh From Florida Food Advocacy Program, formerly known as the Food for America Program, in the entire state.
The Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program is an educational program focusing on agricultural literacy in elementary schools and communities. It is a program developed to assist FFA members and all agricultural education students in leadership skill development as they reach out to youth, peers and their entire communities by sharing the world of agriculture.
Planning began in the fall of 2012 with FFA members setting goals and establishing working committees for the spring 2013 event. Through the efforts of 100 FFA members and community support, approximately 1,000 mostly elementary level students participated in agriculture awareness through hands-on exhibits and activities. Exhibitors included the
Florida Department of Agriculture, Escambia County Extension Agency, Florida Forestry Service and many other outside agencies.
In addition, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read agriculture-related books to students.
The Florida FFA Organization has honored Northview High School FFA Food for America program at the state level multiple years.
Pictured: The Northview High School FFA was honored by the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night for having the top “Fresh from Florida” program in the state. Pictured top: Northview FFA President Courtney Solari, 2nd Vice President Haylee Weaver, Vice President Courtney Weekley, Parliamentarian Mitchell Singleton, past-present Jessica Baldwin; Supertindent Malcolm Thomas, NHS FFA sponsor Perry Byars, board member Linda Moultrie, board member Bill Slayton, (back row) board member Jeff Bergosh, board member Gerald Boone and board member Patty Hightower. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Map Shows Where The Power’s Out
August 22, 2013
Gulf Power has a new online map to provide customers with real-time information on power outages.
The new interactive map gives you a quick view of the Northwest Florida area and the ability to zoom down to where you live. Small triangles show where the power’s out and if you hover over them with your cursor, a pop-up window provides more information, like the estimated time of when the power will be restored.
The pop-up window tells you how many customers are affected and whether a Gulf Power crew is on the way, or already on location making repairs.
“Studies across the country show customers want this type of information from their utility,” Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “This map, which is also accessible via mobile devices, provides estimated times when customer’s power will be restored. It’s an important tool that offers customers a new way to get information about outages, restoring power and storm information as well.
“Customers can see the outages on the map, but you can also report that your power is out or check on the status of restoring your power,” said Smith.
To view the live online map, customers should visit MyGulfPower.com.
GED, Adult Ed Classes Offered In Molino
August 21, 2013
GED and adult basic education classes will be offered at the Molino Community Center in September.
Registration for the classes and TABE testing (test of basic education) will be held Tuesday, August 27 at 6 p.m. in Room 123. Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the same location beginning September 3.
For more information, call (850) 516-4451 or (850) 587-5334.
Back To School Photo Gallery
August 20, 2013
Thousands of area students headed back to class on Monday. We asked NorthEscambia.com readers to submit back to school photos, and we received hundreds.
Click here for a photo gallery.
We regret that we are unable to run all of the photos.
Pictured top: Fourth grader Kasen Sawyer with his teacher, Kim Ryan, at Bratt Elementary School. Pictured below: The “Atallah Bunch” – Adrianna, Madeleine, and Ayden attend Byrneville Elementary; Trystan attends Bratt Elementary; and Tryniti attends Molino Park. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Mini, Junior Dance Team Clinics Planned
August 19, 2013
The Northview High School Dance Team will hold dance team clinics for elementary and middle school girls.
The Mini Dance Team clinic is for elementary school students, grades K-5. And the Junior Dance Team Clinic is for middle schoolers in grades 6-8.
The clinics will be held Saturday, August 24 from 9 a.m. until noon in the school gym. A practice may also be held on Wednesday, August 28 from 4-5 p.m. on the track in the Northview stadium. The performance will be at the Northview Chiefs home football game on Friday, August 30.
Registration forms will be sent home from area schools and select private dance classes. Or, click here to download and print a registration form.
The clinic price is $30, including a t-shirt and snack.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Retired Firefighter Kimberl Celebrates 90th Birthday
August 19, 2013
One of the oldest living retired firefighters in Escambia County celebrated his 90th birthday over the weekend with a trip by a fire station.
Charles Kimberl retired as a battalion chief for the Pensacola Fire Department on the last day of 1982. Kimberl and Mabel, his wife of 66 years, have seven children, 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren — many of whom live in the Molino area.
Pictured: Charles Kimberl (third from left) along with (L-R) Lieutenant Nathan Edler, Firefighter Josh Szeliga, Interim Chief Matt Schmitt, Captain Rick Simmons, Firefighter Ben Gilmore, and Firefighter Neil Jones. Elder and Jones are Kimberl’s grandson-in-laws. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hero Lost: War Takes Husband From Her Life, Anniversary Photos
August 18, 2013
In a photograph from their November 2011 wedding in Pensacola, Marine Corps Sgt. Bradley Atwell smiles while gingerly wiping away the tears of his new wife, Danielle, as she looks deeply into his eyes.
Almost two years later, Danielle was back in Pensacola, but the resulting photographs are far different.
The 23-year-old is dressed in black, and the youthful innocence and joy have been replaced with loss and pain. Brad is absent, replaced by a picture in a frame, his wedding ring, dog tags and a folded American flag.
Both collections of photographs were taken by Florida-based photographer Melissa Thurber, a former Army combat medic and Iraq veteran, and shared with Stars and Stripes as a tribute to Brad. Atwell was killed in September as he heroically confronted 15 heavily armed Taliban fighters who breached the wire at Camp Bastion in southwestern Afghanistan and destroyed more than $200 million worth of aircraft.
The images are a moving reminder of the price paid by service members and their families during more than a decade of war.
“I think they’re beautiful,” Danielle Atwell said of the new photographs. “I would prefer anniversary photos but I don’t really have that choice, so I’m glad to have had the pictures done to honor Brad there.”
Pictured top: This summer, Danielle Atwell returned to the pavilion in Pensacola where she and her Marine husband were married in 2011. Pictured inset and below: The 2011 wedding day for Sgt. Bradley Atwell and his wife Danielle in 2011. Pictured bottom: Danielle Atwell hugs the flag from her husband’s casket at his grave at Barrancas National Cemetery aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola recently. Photos by Melissa J. Thurber for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Used with permission from Stars and Stripes. © 2013 Stars and Stripes.
From Ramps To Reefs – Program Set For Main, Molino Libraries
August 18, 2013
The free program “From Ramps to Reefs” , will be held at the Main and Molino libraries.
The first program will take place Thursday, August 22, at 6 p.m. at the Main Library branch, 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola. Hosted by Escambia County Marine Biologist Robert Turpin, the presentation will include the relationship between waterways in and around Escambia County.
A repeat presentation will occur Monday, August 26, at 4 p.m. at the Molino Branch, 6450 Highway 95A.
This free program is offered by the West Florida Public Library in connection with the Discover Earth: A Century of Change traveling exhibition, focusing on local earth science topics such as weather, water cycle and ecosystem changes, as well as a global view of our changing planet. The traveling exhibition will allow library patrons to understand how Earth’s global environment is effected by the local environment of all exhibition host communities.
The traveling exhibit, which will visit 10 libraries throughout the U.S., is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Exhibit partners include the American Library Association, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the National Girls Collaborative Project. Discover Earth is supported through a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Pictured: The Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 18, 2013
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- 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.