News Briefs - June 25, 2011

Santa Rosa County Health Department to offer free HIV testing

In observance of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), the Santa Rosa County Health Department will be offering free HIV testing June 27, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Milton Clinic. 

All testing is strictly confidential and anonymous testing is available.  Appointments are encouraged but not required.  Both the blood test and Orasure (oral swab) will be offered. 

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call the Santa Rosa County Health Department’s Milton Clinic at (850) 983-5200.   

Destination Archaeology Resource Center Opens New Exhibit

The Destination Archaeology Resource Center (DARC) announced the opening of a new museum exhibit inside the “Roadtrip Through Florida Archaeology” gallery on June 22. The temporary exhibit titled Florida’s Fishing Ranchos: A Legacy of Cuban Trade will be on display throughout the summer. DARC is located at the bottom floor of the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) Coordinating Center at 207 East Main St. in downtown Pensacola next to The Fish House. The exhibit is open Monday-Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free.

Synopsis of Florida’s Fishing Ranchos exhibit: back in was January of 1959 during the second decade of the Cold War. A triumphant revolution led by a lawyer named Fidel Castro and a medical doctor named Ernesto Guevara soon altered the trade relations between Cuba and the United States for the next half century – and nearly brought the Cold War to an abrupt, cataclysmic halt during the Cuban Missile Crisis a mere three years after guerillas stormed the Presidential Palace in Havana.

Yet, beforfe the infamous nuclear standoff and Marxist inspired revolution, trade between Cuba and the land of Florida lasted for hundreds of years. Fishermen from Cuba found the waters on Florida's southwest coast productive and markets in Havana made trade opportunities between them profitable. By the 19th century Cuban fishing ranchos on Florida’s Gulf coast were occupied year round and they formed deep connections with other cultural groups living in the state. This exhibit is about this legacy of trade and the fishermen who formed these unique communities.

Gulf Islands National Seashore Announces Stargazing at Fort Pickens

Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Dan Brown announced that stargazing programs will held on July 22, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, and Oct. 21 from sunset to 10 p.m. at the Battery Worth Picnic Area at Fort Pickens Area.  Weather permitting, volunteers from the Escambia Amateur Astronomers' Association will set up several telescopes for public viewing of the stars, planets and constellations. Superintendent Brown encourages everyone to visit the Seashore to join us for our stargazing program.  The program is free; however, there is an $8 entrance fee to the Fort Pickens Area.  For additional information about this program or others offered at the Seashore, call the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at (850) 934-2600 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/guis.

FDOT to hold public information meeting on US 98 Resurfacing Project

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public information meeting regarding proposed improvements to State Road 30 (US 98) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to the Gulf Breeze Zoo entrance in Santa Rosa County, Florida.  The meeting will be held June 30 from 5 - 6 p.m. at the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, Soundside Campus Community Life Center, at 4115 Soundside Drive in Gulf Breeze. This meeting will allow citizens an opportunity to preview the proposed design, ask questions, and /or submit comments concerning the upcoming project.

Proposed improvements include resurfacing the existing travel lanes, minor drainage work, bicycle/pedestrian, and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accessibility improvements.  This project does not require right-of-way acquisition. 

Maps, drawings and other information will be display. FDOT representatives will be available to explain proposed improvements and answer questions. There will be no formal presentation or public testimony period. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.

Blood donors are needed

Northwest Florida Blood Services announces elevated need for blood types: B Negative, O Negative, O Positive and A Negative.  Blood donors with any of these types are asked to help build the supply of blood needed for patients in local hospitals. Currently, there is an increased need for these blood types. Blood donors are asked to come to the centers located Pensacola at 1999 East Nine Mile Road from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and 2209 N. 9th Avenue from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. In Ft. Walton Beach at 405NE Racetrack Road from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Eligibility requirements: 16 years old with parental consent, weigh 110 pounds, picture ID and be in good health. Actual draw time is 5 to 7 minutes. Donors receive a wellness check, free cholesterol screening and will learn blood type.

Call 850-473-3853 for information and check the website at www.nfbcblood.org.

Green-Up Extends Crepe Myrtle Sale

Green-Up Santa Rosa has announced it will extend its Annual Crepe Myrtle Sale through the end of July. Crepe Myrtles are considered one of the hardiest, drought tolerent trees throughout the south. They bloom all summer and grow fast. One-gallon plants are $5.99, three-gallon plants are $9.99 and seven-gallon plants are $19.99. Colors include red, pink, white and lavender.

Green-Up is a program of the Santa Rosa Clean Community System and proceeds go toward public plantings within the community. Currently, they are working on the new innovation recycling station in Milton and the beautification of a new recycling drop site in Pace. For more information, call 623-1930 or visit our web site at srclean.org.

Panhandle Community Theatre Presents LOVE LETTERS

Spend a warm summer evening in the cool comfort of Panhandle Community Theatre as they present a Readers Theatre production. A.R. Gurney’s LOVE LETTERS is a glimpse into the lifelong relationship of best friends, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace III. Through the reading of letters written from childhood into adolescence and young adulthood, on into golden years the audience relates to some of the trials and tribulations that are experienced as the characters grow up... Sarah Elhoffter and David Matthews are the featured readers opening weekend, July 8, 9, and 10. Lauren Sutton and Ed Spencer bring the letters alive on closing weekend, July 15, 16 and 17.  Friday and Saturday show times are at 7:30 with doors open at 7:00. Sunday matinees ate at 2:30 with doors open at 2:00. Seating is limited so reservations are recommended. Call 221-7599 for reservations. Love Letters contain language which some might find offensive. The theatre is located at 4636 Woodbine Road in Pace.

Gene Chizik to Sign Book in Pensacola

SEC Conference and National Championship winning coach Gene Chizik will be at the Pensacola Barnes & Noble on July 9 from 10 a.m. - noon  to sign copies of his new book “All In: What It Takes to Be the Best.” Filled with never-before-told stories from Chizik’s controversial coaching career—from his highly contentious departure from Iowa State and his heavily criticized appointment at Auburn, to his historic 2010 championship run, and all of the extraordinary twists and turns along the way. Coach Chizik opens up about the pivotal role his faith has played in his life and career, and shares his time-tested secrets to success, both on and off the field. All royalties will benefit You-Turn, an LLC created to help non-profits positively impact youth in the state of Alabama.

To maintain a timely event, Gene Chizik will only sign copies of “All In”. No memorabilia will be signed.

Milton Post Retirement Medical Board to meet

The City of Milton’s Post Retirement Medical Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday June 28 at 10 a.m. in the Conference Room B at City Hall. For further information on the meeting contact the City of Milton at 983-5411.