Issuu

Escambia River Electric Cooperative

J U N E 2016

EREC’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide Take time to learn how to keep your family and home safe before, during and after a storm. See page 4.

Cut Summer Power Bills PAGE 8 Steps to Restoring Power PAGE 28 n

Escambia River

Manager’s Message Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124. HOW TO CONTACT FLORIDA CURRENTS

Have a problem receiving your edition of Florida Currents? Utility members should contact the local utility office listed on the back cover. Nonmembers should contact Ruralite Services, 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124; (503) 718-3717; email info@floridacurrents.com. Subscription services: Nonmember subscriptions $12 (U.S.) per year; $25 (foreign) per year. Prepayment required. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for first issue. Be sure to identify which local edition you want to receive. Order online at www.floridacurrents.com. Extra copies: $2 each, prepayment required. Supply is limited. Identify edition, month and year. Contact Ruralite Services. Reprint permission: Direct all requests to Ruralite Services. MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

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Be Safe Around Generators Summer is upon us, bringing backlineworkers making repairs. yard barbecues, water fun, vacation • Hire a licensed electrician to getaways and the onset of hurricane install a transfer switch to connect season. We don’t have to dread the the generator to your home’s circuits season if we make preparations to or wiring to prevent backfeeding. ensure our family will be safe if • Plug appliances directly into disaster strikes. generators. In this edition, you will find ways • Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated to prepare your home and famextension cords free of cuts and with ily for a hurricane. We urge you to three prongs. Overloaded cords can Clay R. Campbell take the time to make your emercause fires or equipment damage. gency plans now to keep your family safe. • Ensure your generator is properly At Escambia River Electric Cooperative, the grounded. safety of our employees and members is a pri• Never overload a generator. It should be ority, and we have an outstanding safety record. used only when necessary and only to power Despite precautions we take for employees and essential equipment. members, sometimes during an outage the very • Turn off all equipment connected to the people we are there to help unknowingly put generator before shutting it down. our lives—and theirs—in danger. • Keep the generator dry. Operate it on a Portable generators used to sustain consum- dry surface under an open structure. ers when power lines are down can prove fatal • Keep a fully charged fire extinguisher to workers and members when used impropnearby. erly. For the safety of your family, neighbors • Never fuel a generator while it is operating. and EREC employees, please follow these • Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when using electric generators: instructions for safe operation. Never cut cor• Never connect a generator directly to your ners when it comes to safety. home’s wiring or regular household outlet. It We encourage you to protect the well-being can backfeed along power lines and electrocute of your family and those who come to your aid anyone coming in contact with them, including during outages. n

Inside

June 2016 Vol. 5, No. 8

Thwart Thieves This Summer 14

Take steps to protect your identity, home and vehicle before hitting the road. Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Travel Journal 20 Festival Roundup 22 Parting Shot 30

Your utility pages: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32

JUNE 2016

Escambia River

EREC’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide Heed these tips to help keep your family and home safe

Photos courtesy of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative

June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, with the peak storm threat from mid-August to late October. Florida has had an extraordinary run of more than 10 years since its last hurricane impact (Hurricane Wilma in 2005)—the longest hurricane-free streak for the Sunshine State in records dating to 1851. Wilma was the last Category 3 or stronger hurricane to make landfall along the U.S. mainland, also the longest such streak dating to the mid-19th century. As El Niño disappears, the odds shift toward a more active Atlantic hurricane season in 2016. Escambia River Electric Cooperative wants you to be prepared. Help keep your family safe with this handy hurricane-preparedness information. Before the Storm Be prepared. Put together an emergency plan and communicate it with all family members. Learn your community hurricane evacuation routes. Know the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you prepare for the storm surge and any tidal flooding.

A teddy bear sits atop collected remains following Hurricane Charley. 4

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Cover all windows with storm shutters or boards, clear loose and clogged rain gutters, and bring all lawn furniture and toys indoors. Prepare an emergency kit: • Area map. • Camera. • Bottled water (one gallon per person per day; stored in sealed, unbreakable containers). • Non-perishable, high-energy packaged and canned foods (for at least three days). • Manual can opener and utility knife. • Disposable plates, cups, utensils and paper towels. • Battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries. • Change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes. • Bleach and hand-washable clothes detergent. • First-aid kit and a two-week supply of prescription medications and vitamins. • Ice chest and ice. • Pet food and supplies. • Non-electric clock. • Booster cables for the car. • Blankets or sleeping bags. • Credit cards, cash and traveler’s checks. • List of family physicians and important family information (style and serial number of medical devices, such as pacemakers). • Photo identification with address, family records, medical records, insurance policies and warranties. • Personal hygiene items. • Supplies for the elderly, disabled or infants (disposable diapers, powdered milk). • Charcoal, lighter fluid and waterproof matches.

Stages of Development

In the days following traumatic disasters, such as Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, crews from across the country came to help rebuild Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s damaged system. With their help, power was restored more quickly than EREC alone could have done.

• Portable outdoor camping stove or grill and fuel. • Plastic trash bags and sealable plastic bags. • Mosquito repellent and sunscreen. • At least two pots and plastic storage containers. • Change for vending machines and pay phones. • Full tank of gas in your car. • Lamp or lantern with fuel supply. During the Storm Listen to the radio or TV for information, if possible. Avoid using the phone, unless there is an emergency. If instructed to do so, turn off utilities. Otherwise, keep the refrigerator thermostat on the coldest setting and keep the doors closed. If it is not necessary to evacuate, find the safest place within your home to ride out the storm. The

safest place is near the center of the house in small, enclosed rooms such as hallways or closets. Lie on the floor under a sturdy object such as a table and put your arms over your head for protection. Stay away from windows, spacious rooms and top floors. If advised by authorities to evacuate, heed their warning. Follow these guidelines to protect your home and ensure a smoother return: • Board up glass exterior areas of your home such as windows, French doors, etc. • Turn over and tie down outdoor objects too large to move, such as a picnic table. • Unplug appliances except the refrigerator and freezer. Continues on page 6

Tropical wave: The earliest development of a tropical depression.

Tropical depression: An organized area of low pressure with sustained winds of 38 mph or less.

Tropical storm: A storm system with sustained winds of at least 39 mph (when a storm reaches tropical storm status, it is given a name).

Hurricane: Sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

Hurricane Intensity Scale Category 1: Minimal, 74 to 95 mph winds. XX Category 2: Moderate, 96 to 110 mph winds. XX Category 3: Extensive, 111 to 130 mph winds. XX Category 4: Extreme, 131 to 155 mph winds. XX Category 5: Catastrophic, winds exceeding 155 mph. XX

JUNE 2016

Escambia River

EREC’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide Restoration updates are sent to these sources: Radio WTJT 90.1 FM WTGF 90.5 FM WMEZ 94.1 FM WKSJ 95 FM WRKH 96.1 FM WWSF 98.1 FM WYCT 98.7 FM WMXC 99.9 FM WJLQ 100.7 FM WTKX 101.5 FM WXBM 102.7 FM WABD 104.1 FM WPFL 105.1 FM WKNU 106.3 FM WYCL 107.3 FM WPNN 790 AM WRNE 980 AM WEBY 1330 AM WBSR 1450 AM Television WEAR TV 3 WKRG TV 5 WALA TV 10 WPMI TV 15

Continues from page 5

• Remove objects from walls such as pictures, and

move furniture away from doors and windows. • Take pictures or video of your home and property for insurance purposes. • Store valuable items up high if flooding is possible. • Know in advance where the nearest shelters are, and alternate routes to get to them in case of detours. • Lock your doors and windows. • Make arrangements for lodging for your pets; you will not be able to take them to shelters. After the Storm Stay away from dangling power lines. Report them immediately to EREC. Watch for downed lines, fallen objects and weakened walls, bridges or sidewalks. EREC’s Customer Response Center provides an efficient method of reporting outages. When you call (877) OUT-EREC or (877) 688-3732, your outage is reported right away. The outage system automatically knows your name and address by accessing your telephone number in EREC’s database, allowing the dispatcher to quickly send crews to your area. This electronic method of reporting outages is

Newspapers Atmore Advance Atmore News Pensacola News Journal Press Gazette Tri-City Ledger Online NorthEscambia.com NorthSantaRosa. com Emergency Operations Centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties also receive EREC restoration updates. 6

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Mother Nature exhibits the force of her winds during Hurricane Ivan, snapping a power pole and bringing down lines.

Steps to Restoring Power Step 1: Transmission lines. These lines supply power to one or more substations. XX Step 2: Substations. A substation outage affects a large number of customers. XX Step 3: Main distribution lines. Each line serves a portion of customers from each substation. XX Step 4: Tap lines. These lines serve small groups of customers from the main distribution lines. XX Step 5: Individual services. These lines serve single residences. XX

See page 28 for an illustration of this process.

especially effective in the event of widespread damage from a hurricane. Outage information is reported quickly and efficiently, so EREC crews are able to restore the power faster. EREC’s outage restoration policy is to make repairs that will restore service to the most people in the least amount of time. Power must be restored in a specific sequence because individual services cannot receive electricity until all previous steps are completed. At the earliest possible opportunity, service is restored to agencies that protect life and property, such as hospitals and fire departments. Any situation posing an immediate danger also is addressed as quickly as possible. Those who depend on electricity to operate lifesupport systems should notify EREC before an emergency. These accounts are given a critical status. However, individuals should make plans for alternate sources of power or alternate lodging in the event of an electrical outage. Communicating restoration updates after a hurricane is not easy. Some stations may be off the air, programs and locations on the dial may be altered, and there is so much information to be aired that it can be difficult to know when or where to listen. EREC urges you to keep a list of information sources before a storm hits so you know where to tune in for the most up-to-date details. If you have Internet access, go online to www. erec.com. Call EREC’s toll-free number, (800) 2353848, for the most recent recorded update. For ready access, clip out and post the list of media outlets listed at left. n

Keep It Safe

Be Alert to Avoid Lightning Strikes Did you know lightning can strike even if it is not raining? Lightning strikes kill 55 to 60 people a year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. More than 400 people are hit by a bolt each year. However, if you prepare before an outdoor event and know how to protect yourself, you can keep your family safe from lightning. Follow these tips from NOAA: • Plan ahead. Just as you have an emergency plan for fires and weather events such as hurricanes, form an action plan for lightning. Choose a safe shelter, and time how long it takes to get there. • Check the weather. A simple forecast can tell you whether you should delay outdoor activities to avoid a dangerous situation. • Look to the sky. Dark skies, whipping winds and lightning flashes are all signs you should take action. • Seek shelter. As soon as you hear a rumble of thunder, head for a safe place. A car or an enclosed

structure—one with plumbing and wiring—is best. Open-air shelters, sheds and covered porches often are not safe places. Avoid tall trees that stand alone, towers, poles, metal fences and other conductors of electricity. Keep out of open areas so you are not the tallest object in a field. • Wait it out. Leaving safe shelter too quickly makes you vulnerable to lightning strikes. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before you head back outdoors. • Avoid corded phones and appliances. If you are indoors when a storm hits, do not use corded phones or appliances. Lightning can travel through your home’s wiring. Water is a great conductor of electricity, so do not take a bath or shower. If someone near you has been struck by lightning, call 911 immediately. If necessary, a certified person should begin CPR right away. The victim will not have an electric charge and is safe to touch. n

Don’t wait until you see a flash of lightning to seek shelter. Head to a safe place as soon as you hear thunder.

For more information on how to stay safe in a lightning storm, visit www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov. JUNE 2016

Escambia River

Use Energy Wisely

Cut Summer Power Bills for Free

The quickest way to lower your energy costs is to conserve. Here are eight simple tips to help you save energy this summer: • Give your stove a rest. A microwave uses two-thirds less energy than your stove to cook and heat food. Other energysavers: grilling outdoors or enjoying cold, healthy soups and salads as the main course. • Load the dishwasher. It uses less water and less energy to heat the water than washing dishes by hand. Deselect the “heated-dry” option to let your dishes air-dry, and you will save even more. • Keep the refrigerator full. A full fridge uses less energy than a partly empty one because the cold food prevents it from warming up too fast every time you open the door. • Inch up your thermostat. If you dress in light clothing and turn off your ceiling fans while the air conditioner is running, you will be comfortable at 78 F. You will save 1 to 3 percent on your cooling bill for every degree you move your thermostat higher than 72 F. • Run the dishwasher, pool pump, and washer and dryer after dark. It is most expensive to use electricity when everyone else is using it. In most areas, that is after work and dinnertime. • Maximize the benefits of energy use. Run the dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer only when they are completely full.

Grilling outdoors can help save energy this summer.

• Unplug the refrigerator in your garage. A half-empty, out-of-date refrigerator trying to keep items cold in a hot, uninsulated garage is one of your home’s biggest energy hogs. • Replace the filters. Change air-conditioner filters monthly during the summer. n

Update Older Appliances to Save Time, Improve Efficiency Hand-churning ice, sugar, cream and fruit into your favorite summer ice cream has a certain charm, especially if it evokes memories of hot July afternoons spent with Grandma blending the sweet treat. Grandma did not have an electric ice cream maker. If she had, the two of you could have devoted 20 minutes to dessert-making instead of all day. Electric versions of old-fashioned cooking tools make meal preparation much faster and easier. It is worth considering an investment or two. The microwave oven is a top time-saver at dinnertime. It steams, bakes, melts and reheats two to five times faster than on the stove or in a conventional oven. A pressure cooker can simmer a stew in

JUNE 2016

half an hour instead of two or three hours on the stove top. A high-speed blender with blades sharp enough to chop ice can turn fresh, crunchy ingredients into soup in fewer than two minutes. Pricier models can even heat the soup so you do not have to warm it up on the stove. An induction cooktop sends heat directly to the pot rather than transferring it through stove-top coils. Handheld blenders let you whip and puree food right in the pot on the stove. You do not need to transfer your ingredients to a bowl on the countertop. Programmable appliances such as coffeemakers allow you to preset them so they turn on and off at the same time

Pressure cookers can put a delicious meal on the table quickly without heating up the kitchen. every day, saving you from stumbling to the kitchen the minute you get out of bed. Washing machine and dryer settings on newer models let you presoak now and wash later, without resetting controls. Permanent-press and steam-fresh settings work better than ever to deliver wrinklefree clothing right from the dryer. n

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. Plans and Services require purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time setup fee of $35. Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone and the activation fee (or setup fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. There are no additional fees to call GreatCall’s U.S.-based customer service. However, for calls to a GreatCall Operator in which a service is completed, you will be charged 99 cents per call, and minutes will be deducted from your monthly rate plan balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. ©2016 GreatCall, Inc. ©2016 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

Bodybuilder Fit for Life By Kathy Sympson

Postcards From Florida

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

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ll Bi Photo by Bi

In 1923, Alfred B. and Louise Maclay purchased property in Tallahassee for their winter home, establishing an ornamental garden that features a brick pathway, a secret garden, a reflection pool, a walled garden and hundreds of camellias and azaleas. In 1953, the gardens were donated to the state. 10

JUNE 2016

Reinhard Swolana casts a knowing eye at the lifters at Keys Fitness in Marathon, nodding acknowledgement when he sees good form and offering help to those in need. The trim and fit 77-year-old with a German accent stands out in the gym he has frequented more than 35 years. He has instant credibility. In 1958, at the age of 19, Reinhard won the Mr. Berlin competition. Two years later, he beat out 130 competitors to win the inaugural Mr. Germany bodybuilding competition in Munich. An interviewer misspelled his last name as Smolana, which he maintained in bodybuilding and gym circles. Reinhard had top finishes in a number of other events, including Mr. Universe-Europe. His last came in 1999, at the age of 60, when he won his third Mr. Germany title. Inducted into the Deutsche Hall of Fame for bodybuilding in 2010, Reinhard still takes his weight training seriously. However, he greets and chats with everyone at Keys Fitness as he moves through his routine. The 20-somethings are especially in awe. “Man, look at him,” they say. “He’s in his 70s and he’s still cut!” Reinhard got to Marathon accidentally in 1979 when

he and his wife took a wrong turn at the Miami Airport and ended up at Golden Image—a new gym in town. He put on a demonstration at the grand opening in exchange for use of a condo. Reinhard enjoyed the area so much he bought his own place and spends about five months every winter in the Keys. He lives in Munich the rest of the year. Born and raised in Berlin, Reinhard was introduced to sports and fitness early in life. His father, an amateur boxer, had him doing 100 sit-ups a day when he was 5 years old. He played soccer and boxed in high school. Reinhard discovered the world of bodybuilding at age 18 when he spotted an American soldier at a local swimming pool with “a good build, a really good build,” Reinhard says. “I asked him, ‘I’d like to be like you. What do I have to do?’” The soldier told him he trained at a boxing studio and used dumbbells in a small room at that gym. The trainer turned out to be Austrian Leopold “Poldi” Merc, eventually a Mr. Universe winner. It was only the second bodybuilding studio in Germany, and seemed to cater to American clients. “No Germans knew about it,” Reinhard says, noting he was Merc’s first German student. “He trained me good.” Reinhard trained at least six hours a day—typically in

Reinhard Swolana in 1960, the year he won the inaugural Mr. Germany bodybuilding championship. Photo courtesy of Reinhard Swolana

three two-hour sessions—and did 1,000 sit-ups every day. He worked as a carpenter, “but I was thinking always that I’d like to be a trainer and have a gym,” Reinhard says. After winning Mr. Germany, he became wellknown and popular in Munich. He found a small space and set up a little gym. Equipment was nonexistent. “I got some help from a welder,” says Reinhard. “I had all the ideas to make benches and dumbbells.” Reinhard continued to compete and rack up titles, including third place, Mr. Apollo, 1961; second place, Mr. Universe-Europe, 1962; class winner, Mr. Europe, 1963; third place, Mr. UniverseEurope, 1964 and 1965; and fifth place, World-Universe powerlifting competition for

Reinhard, now 77, works out for two hours four days a week. Photo by Kathy Sympson

bodybuilders, 1966. That marked the end of his career in open class competitions, although he returned to senior class events in the 1980s. Steroids came on the scene about 1965, and a lot of bodybuilders used them. “I saw it and I didn’t like it because my doctor told me it’s not healthy,” Reinhard says. Instead of competing in the new world of bodybuilding, Reinhard focused on his gym—which became a mecca for bodybuilders—and a career training others. He produced a number of champions, including 12 Mr. Germany winners and Franco Columbu, twice named Mr. Olympia and the winner of numerous bodybuilding and powerlifting honors. His best-known protégé may be Arnold Schwarzenegger,

who travelled from Austria as a teenager to meet Reinhard. He wanted to compete, but had no support. Reinhard says he raised money to send him to London for a Mr. Universe amateur event, where he placed second. Although Schwarzenegger worked at a competing gym, Reinhard says they often trained together and remain friends. When Reinhard opened the largest gym in Germany in 1972, Schwarzenegger—who had just launched his acting career in “Hercules in New York”— was his guest. Reinhard returned the favor, participating in a made-for-TV documentary on Schwarzenegger, “The Man behind the Muscle.” Although retired from competitive bodybuilding, Reinhard retains a strong

competitive spirit. He golfs, swims and plays tennis. Reinhard says he will not golf without a small bet for something like chicken nuggets. He also does a two-hour workout about four days a week with “light weights.” “When you get older, you need a little caution,” Reinhard says. Reinhard says he has not eaten red meat in 40 years, always controls his portions and considers weight control important. “I help people work out the right way, and I am turning on the young people to stay healthy,” Reinhard says.

Arnold Schwarzenegger sought out Reinhard, at left, when he was a teenager. They remain friends. Photo courtesy of Reinhard Swolana

The young lifters he counsels today may not realize it, but when he was their age, Reinhard already was an international champion. n JUNE 2016

Dancing

In Air By Liesel Schmidt

Above, Mark Aaron spins off the wall and floats in mid-air at the Parthenon in Nashville. Photo by Garret Callout

JUNE 2016

Mark Aaron is a free spirit—outgoing, confident and naturally energetic. The 34-year-old aerialist from Pensacola knows how to play, and is eager to share his passion for the physical art form that has captivated him for two decades. An active child, Mark was curious and adventurous enough as a teenager to ignore comments from his peers and embrace gymnastics—in his own way.

Rather than enrolling in a class, Mark did things the way many boys do. He just went for it. “When I was about 14, I was watching TV, and I saw this person do a backflip,” Mark says. “It really just made me want to try it. So I did one in my living room, and then later that week, I taught myself how to do a back-spring and a back-tuck.” Seeing their son’s enthusiasm and natural ability, Mark’s parents took him to a local gymnastics center, where he could learn proper techniques and get

instruction under the watchful eye of coaches. Despite a short attention span, Mark says gymnastics became a lasting passion that evolved into a love of all things acrobatic. “You definitely have to learn to endure ridicule for participating in a sport that’s considered to be a girls’ or a women’s sport, but it’s so interesting,” he says. “Every little half twist and every little position builds on itself, so some of the simplest-looking things can take years to learn and perfect.” Rather than sticking with traditional gymnastics, Mark jumped into acrobatics and aerial arts. Using both silks and lyra—a metal ring designed to be suspended in the air and support several thousand pounds of weight—he has become stronger, more agile and more artful. Mark hopes that as he learns, he can teach others the sport that keeps his heart moving. “I see it all as a continuum—health and movement being such an integral part of one another,” says Mark, who has experience as a personal trainer and recently graduated from nursing school. “The things that I do as a gymnast and an acrobat, I don’t view that as abnormal. Maybe most people don’t do it, but I really think it’s something that they should try. We should all be playing and having fun the way we do when we’re kids, and trying to improve ourselves beyond what we’ve come to expect.” He says agility and flexibility are invaluable, even in the realm of everyday movement. “When you lose your range of mobility, even performing daily tasks can become challenging and possibly dangerous, so what I focused a lot on with my clients was building their strength and improving that range of mobility,” Mark says. He is certified to instruct gymnastics and acrobatics, and has trained people whose own sense of adventure brought out a desire to flex some muscle and fly through the air. “It’s amazing to see what you can do,” Mark says. “With silks, you can sit in them and hang upside down in them and climb up and down. You can be as graceful as a dancer. With lyra rings, things are a little easier to move and manipulate because it’s a solid ring of metal. You suspend it, just like you would with one of the silks, from a tower or a tree or something, and you move through different body positions and hand positions. You could be hanging from the bottom or perched up on top. “It’s an incredibly intense workout, and the bruises are unreal. It definitely makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something after you do a set on the lyra, and you’re really going to feel it the next day. I hated it at first because it’s this thin metal ring

that digs into everything, and after having been used to using silks—don’t get me wrong, they’re soft, but they can still cut you and bruise you and burn you from the friction—but the lyra is guaranteed to bruise you the first time.” Although it may sound brutal, it is beautiful, inspiring and sometimes even emotional, Mark says. “You can convey a thought and a message and a story in a routine,” he explains. “People can see that, even though you’re not using words. It’s all out there in the performance for people to see and watch. It can make you lose yourself.” Mark shares his moves in scheduled and unscheduled performances. “I’ve been officially invited quite a few times to perform downtown during Gallery Night, both on my own and as part of a small team,” Mark says. “I love getting out there and inspiring people to move and learn about an art form that really isn’t common.” n

Mark hangs upside down in the silks at Plaza de Luna. Photo by Kate Garland

Mark uses a lyra ring near the fountain at Plaza Ferdinand in Pensacola. Photo by Mark Aaron (using a GoPro) JUNE 2016

Thwart Thieves This Summer Take steps before hitting the road on vacation By Amy Higgins

First Aid Kit Necessities A fall, burn or illness can occur at any time or place. Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle and make it readily accessible—not packed under luggage. Check it regularly, and replace outdated items. The American Red Cross recommends a family of four have: XX Two absorbent compress dressings, 5-by-9 inches XX 25 adhesive bandages, assorted sizes XX One adhesive cloth tape, 10-yards long, 1-inch wide XX Five antibiotic ointment packets XX Five antiseptic wipe packets XX Two packets of 81 milligram aspirin XX One blanket XX One breathing barrier with oneway valve XX One instant cold compress XX Two pair of large non-latex gloves XX Two hydrocortisone packets XX Scissors XX One roller bandage, 3-inches wide XX One roller bandage, 4-inches wide XX Five sterile gauze pads, 3-by-3 inches XX Five sterile gauze pads, 4-by-4 inches XX Oral thermometer (non-mercury/ nonglass) XX Two triangular bandages XX Tweezers XX First aid instruction booklet XX Hand sanitizer XX Insect repellent XX Cotton swabs

JUNE 2016

Setting off on a road trip can be an adventure—one you hope to talk about for years to come. While not all road trips go off without a hitch, being mindful of those with bad intentions can protect you, your family and your belongings. Becoming a victim of theft thwarts plans to relax and make the trip memorable for all the right reasons. Don’t be an easy mark: Safeguard your vehicle, identity and home, and enjoy the many things you set out to do this summer.

Vehicle Theft Your vehicle is usually close by when you are on a road trip, so the idea that it could be stolen probably is not a concern—but it should be. Think of how often your vehicle is unattended: at rest areas, convenience stores, historical sites or amusement parks. If your vehicle is stolen, your vacation could be wrecked in an instant. And it is not just the vehicle itself. On a road trip, often your car is full of personal necessities that can lure thieves. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, auto theft peaks in the summer, with most vehicle thefts occurring in July and August. “Wherever your car is parked—whether at a hotel, in a gas station parking lot or even at your own home—you need to take precautions, especially during warmer weather,” says Troy Sandberg, a security expert. “Leaving your windows cracked, even slightly, can be an invitation for theft.” To avoid becoming a victim of vehicle theft this summer, he says to: • Identify possible threats. “There are a variety of items that are attractive to thieves: electronics, gas, metal and even the car itself,” says Sandberg. “Take a look at your car and note if any of the above are easily accessible.” Parts of a vehicle can be dissected and sold for scrap, including catalytic convertors and tires. • Secure your vehicle. Park in well-lit areas. Keep your windows rolled up and

doors locked at all times when away from your vehicle. If you have an alarm system, use it, even if you plan to leave the vehicle unattended for only a short time. • Keep a watchful eye. If you plan to leave town without your vehicle, inform your neighbors or property management and ask them to report suspicious activity around your home and vehicle. Keep your belongings out of sight, and never leave your keys in your vehicle. “Any pedestrian traffic after dark should be treated with indepth observation,” Sandberg says. “People walking in groups or less populated parts of a property can be a cause for concern.” Home Theft It is unnerving to know your home is vulnerable while you are away. According to Farmers Insurance, every 10 seconds an American home is burglarized—and you don’t need to be wealthy to tempt thieves. Homes with high-tech electronics and jewelry are targets, but all modern conveniences can lure in robbers, including televisions, computers and cameras. When away from home, Farmers Insurance says to take these precautions: • Suspend delivery or make sure mail and newspapers are picked up. • Arrange to have your lawn mowed. • Ask a neighbor to park a car in your driveway. • Put lights, TV and stereo on timers that turn on and off randomly. • Do not advertise your absence with notes or announcements on voicemail, email, Facebook or Twitter. • Turn off your telephone ringer. • Consider installing a motion detector on outside lights. Identity Theft According to the Javelin Strategy & Research 2016 Identity Fraud Report, identity fraud affected 13.1 million consumers in 2015, with $112 billion stolen in the past six years. While many financial institutions and businesses protect customers when

An Emergency Car Kit

information has been compromised, consumers are still affected. Becoming a victim of identity theft while on vacation—especially if far from home—can be traumatic. To safeguard your identity when traveling, Kiplinger suggests: • Inform your credit card company of your travels, especially if you will be out of the country. Financial institutions are cracking down on unusual spending behaviors. Your account could be frozen if your company identifies spending activity outside your normal region. • If you receive an alert about suspicious activity on your cell phone, do not call the number provided or reply by text. This has become a common practice for

thieves. Instead, call the number on the back of your credit card. • Rid your wallet of unneeded credit cards or other personal information, such as your Social Security card, and store them in a secure location. Only keep items in your wallet that you will need on vacation. Make copies of those items to use if your wallet is stolen. • Keep your hotel room clear of personal information when you are not there to keep an eye on it. • Be careful using your laptop, the hotel computer and ATMs, which can be rigged with devices that read your personal information. • Check accounts regularly to ensure you are the only one accessing them. n

It could be a dire situation if your vehicle breaks down or severe weather leaves you stranded. Assemble an emergency car kit to keep your family safe until help arrives. The American Red Cross and Allstate Insurance suggest you include the following items: XX Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries XX Blanket XX Booster cables XX Fire extinguisher, 5-pound, A-B-C type XX First aid kit and manual XX Bottled water and nonperishable, high-energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter XX Maps XX Shovel XX Flares XX Tire repair kit and pump XX Matches and survival candle that can burn for several hours XX Toilet paper XX Hand sanitizer XX Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss XX Plastic tablecloth XX Trash bags XX Baby wipes XX Bar of soap in a zip-top bag XX Disinfecting wipes XX Feminine protection XX Box of tissues XX Zip-top bags in various sizes XX Water XX LED flashlights and/or headlamps XX Rain ponchos XX Emergency radio XX Duct tape XX Tarp XX Multipurpose knife XX Sunblock XX Whistle XX Pepper spray XX Entertainment items such as books, card games, a pencil and notebook.

JUNE 2016

In theâ€‚ Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Watermelon is the star ingredient of colorful skewers that also include marinated chunks of pork.

Grilled Food Fabulousness Grab Dad a cool drink, then put him in charge of running the grill

Grilled Pork and Watermelon Kabobs 6 tablespoons brown sugar 6 tablespoons soy sauce 6 tablespoons diced red onion 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme Pepper to taste 1 pound boned, lean pork chop, cut into 1-inch cubes, approximately 40 pieces 32 1-inch watermelon cubes 16 to 24 half-inch zucchini rounds 16

JUNE 2016

16 1-inch pineapple chunks, fresh or canned 24 1-inch yellow or orange pepper chunks (about 3 to 4 peppers) Cooking spray Sesame seeds for garnish

Combine sugar, soy sauce, onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, thyme and pepper in a mixing bowl. Pour into a resealable bag and add pork pieces. Seal bag; mix thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, turning bag periodically. Remove pork from bag and reserve marinade. Thread five pork pieces, four watermelon cubes, two or three zucchini rounds, two pineapple chunks and three peppers on each of eight skewers, alternating the order. Courtesy of National Watermelon Promotion Board

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad With Chipotle Vinaigrette Chipotle Vinaigrette 1/3 cup corn oil 2 cloves garlic 2 teaspoons canned chipotle in adobo sauce 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/4 cup half and half 1/4 cup cilantro

Salad 8 cups bite-size mixed salad greens 2 cups sliced, grilled chicken 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch strips 1 cup frozen corn, thawed

Cayenne pepper sauce adds a kick to grilled burgers. 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions 4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered lengthwise 2 small avocados, sliced 1/4 cup red onion slivers 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise 8 ounces shredded Mexican-style cheese

Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Arrange lettuce on a large serving platter or individual plates. Arrange each salad ingredient in horizontal or diagonal rows across the top of the lettuce. Garnish with cheese and serve with vinaigrette. Courtesy of Mazola

Spicy Crunch Burger 11/2 pounds ground beef 6 slices American cheese 6 hamburger or kaiser rolls, split 6 tablespoons Frankâ€™s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce 12 slices bacon, cooked 1 cup crispy fried onions Lettuce and tomato, optional

Form ground beef into six burgers. Grill burgers over high heat until juices run clear (160 F internal temperature). Top each burger with one slice cheese,

Top salmon with a tasty marinade made with a few simple ingredients.

and cook until cheese melts. Arrange burgers on rolls. Top with hot sauce, bacon, onions, lettuce and tomato. Courtesy of Frankâ€™s RedHot

Grilled Flank Steak With Grapes and Blue Cheese 2 pounds flank steak Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 11/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon chopped shallot 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 8 cups watercress, trimmed 1/2 cup blue cheese 2 cups red grapes, halved

Heat grill to high and oil grates. Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. In a blender or food processor, combine vinegar, shallot, mustard and olive oil to make dressing. Season with salt and pepper; puree until smooth. Grill steak until it reaches 130 F for medium-rare, about 6 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine watercress, salt, pepper and enough dressing to coat.

Thinly slice steak across the grain and transfer to a platter. Top with watercress, cheese and grapes. Serve with additional dressing. Courtesy of California Table Grape Commission

Grilled Salmon Teriyaki 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup pineapple juice 3 tablespoons corn oil 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon minced garlic 11/2 pounds (4 pieces) fresh salmon fillets

Combine soy sauce, juice, oil, ginger and garlic in a shallow dish. Reserve 1/2 cup for later use. Add salmon, turning to coat. Cover and let stand 15 minutes. Remove salmon from marinade and discard any remaining marinade. Grill over medium heat, turning once, about 5 minutes on each side, until salmon flakes easily with a fork. While salmon is cooking, transfer reserved 1/2 cup marinade to small saucepan. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Boil until reduced. Serve salmon fillets drizzled with reduced marinade. Courtesy of Mazola JUNE 2016

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Snappers, Selfies and Photo Bombs There is a time and a place for everything. Most of us have heard this since childhood. Photography is a powerful tool for capturing emotion and stirring hearts into action. Just as the camera can bear witness and reveal the world’s harsh realities and injustices, this magic little box also can be a fun and wonderful toy for children who never grow up. In fact, at a time when it seems images of tragedy and terrorism dominate the news, it is more important than ever to make time to laugh and have fun with photography. For the most part, photojournalists are pranksters. More than once I have set down my camera or left it in my car only to find “unsavory” pictures made with it by fellow photographers. For many photojournalists, humor is a way of coping with the painful things in life that we see and document. Snappers I am reminded of a group of very talented photographers

David LaBelle photo bombs filmmaker Ken Burns during a function at Kent State University. Photo by Bob Christy

in Kentucky who take the edge off photographing the hard news of the day by shooting fun snappers. Until I taught at the University of Kentucky, I had never heard of snappers. But I soon found myself swept up in this entertaining game played by many of the state’s photographers. Professionals paid to document people and events also were dedicated to capturing snappers—humorous photographs of fellow photographers, usually in awkward or embarrassing moments.

David LaBelle is an internationally known photographer, teacher, author and lecturer. He has worked for newspapers and magazines across the United States and taught at three universities. He grew up on a frog farm in rural California, roaming the creeks and hills with his coon dogs. Many of the lessons he learned during those magical boyhood years have been applied to photography and teaching the essence of this art form. For more information, visit www.greatpicturehunt.com.

JUNE 2016

I soon learned each photographer was as dedicated to getting a funny shot of a colleague as they were of documenting the events they were paid to cover. Photo-Bombing Another relatively new term is photo-bombing—the art of jumping in the background of somebody’s picture uninvited. Though prankster photographers have done this for years, this practice had no official name until cell phone cameras. Since I had not tried photobombing anybody since the advent of digital photography, I decided to let my hair down, so to speak, and join in the fun during a university function. I asked a friend to get ready because I was going to photo bomb Ken Burns, the famous filmmaker. Childish for sure, but it still makes me laugh when I look at the picture.

Photo Selfies A relative to photo-bombing is the ever-popular selfie. There are more selfies shot today than any other type of pictures. It seems no experience is complete without a selfie to validate it. In a world that feels like it is growing crueler and more selfish by the year—and where it seems we have become overly sensitive and lost our sense of humor while trying to be politically-correct—having fun with selfies and photo bombs can be a nice diversion from reality. Yes, there is a time and place for everything, including a time to put the camera away and truly be present in the experience. But lest you be swallowed in the grief of the day, try having a little fun with your camera and yourself. Love and laughter are strong medicine. n

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Naturally Wonderful, Part 1 Wonder is in the eye of the beholder, but start exploring the Sunshine State’s 65,755 square miles and you will see they are chock full of wonders: from the Florida Keys and its fascinating undersea coral formations to the Kennedy Space Center, and from one of the world’s largest freshwater springs to the Skyway Bridge. In this first of two installments, we take a look at three Florida wonders. Tune in next month for three more. An Engineering Marvel The Overseas Highway (www. fla-keys.com/highway.cfm) links the jewel-like islands of the Florida Keys for 113 miles from Miami to Key West. First built by Henry Flagler as the Florida East Coast Railroad in 1912, it was damaged by a hurricane in 1935. Several years later, highway construction began. It included 42 bridges; 37 were widened in the early 1980s. The longest is Seven Mile Bridge, which connects Marathon to Little Duck Key. Follow the Overseas Highway south and you will end up at the Zero Mile Marker for U.S. 1 in Key West. It is a great spot for photos. Man’s Romance With Space During the heyday of the Space Race, the eyes of the world

focused on Kennedy Space Center (www.kennedyspace center.com) in Merritt Island. During its 60-year history, the complex’s milestones have included the launch of the first manned space flight, the take-off of man’s exploration of the moon and the lift off of numerous shuttle missions. Get a true taste of adventure where high-tech interactive exhibits, hands-on displays and thundering IMAX films recreate man’s romance with space. Visit the Rocket Garden, meet an astronaut and take a journey to Mars. Bus tours take visitors past the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pads. Plan your visit around a launch date. The center’s home page has a countdown clock for upcoming launches. Explore the Deep Escape underground to Florida Caverns State Park (www.floridastateparks.org). Open for public tours, these dry caves in Marianna present breathtaking and dramatic views of underground natural wonders. See stalactites and stalagmites—the “tites” hang from the roof; the “mites” come up from the floor—massive flowstones and draperies created from slowly dripping limestone, and coolwater streams. The limestone

Florida native Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who specializes in travel, gardening, personality profiles and feature writing. The avid traveler also is a photographer and accomplished sailor. Her website is www.pamelakeene.com.

JUNE 2016

Kids and adults enjoy the Journey to Mars simulators. Photo courtesy of the Kennedy Space Center

formations have been theatrically lit to enhance their magnitude and beauty. Travel Tips Become an angel on earth. Travel to Volusia County and pose in front of the DeLand Wings, created in 2014 by local artist Erica Group in an alley near downtown. Word has gotten out and made the painting—a lifesized set of feathery white angel wings—one of the most sought-after places in town for portraits. From brides to pets, couples to kids, the pictures are appearing on Facebook pages and are expected to go viral. It even has its own Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ delandwings. The Instagram is #DeLandWings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently provided statistics for a CNN story about sunscreen use. Fewer than 30 percent of all women apply sunscreen regularly. The figure for men is fewer than 15 percent. In addition to using sunscreen, here are tips to protect your skin from harmful rays: • Avoid being outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. • Wear protective clothing. Many stores offer lightweight clothing with UV protection. • Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face. • Protect your eyes with sunglasses. • Apply sunscreen every two hours. n Send a travel tip or a photo and story about your favorite Florida wonder to info@floridacurrents.com.

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

Include Your Upcoming Event Want to share a family-friendly event with the readers of Florida Currents? Please send details to info@florida currents.com. Include the date, town, times and a way for readers to register or get more information. Please submit the item at least 60 days before the event (due to press deadline). If you own rights to a highresolution photo promoting your event—perhaps from a past year—please include it along with photo credit information. Thank you.

June 3, Pensacola Beach Stargazing Meet Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association volunteers and Fort Pickens Park staff at the Battery Worth Picnic Area at 7 p.m. for a night out under the stars. Get a close-up view of celestial objects and learn more about the night sky. Telescopes will be available for use. (850) 934-2600

June 3, Pensacola 67th annual Grand Fiesta Parade Catch some beads and enjoy as beautiful floats parade along Spring and Garden streets at 6:30 p.m. www.fiestaoffiveflags.org; (850) 433-6512

June 3, Pensacola Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie Community Maritime Museum hosts a free, family-fun night watching “The Good Dinosaur.” The show begins at 8:15. Watch from your car or the grassy lawn. www.pensacolamartitimecommunity park.com

June 3-5, Sugarloaf Key 23rd annual Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament Anglers contend for more than $35,000 in cash prizes and awards in open, ladies and youth divisions in the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce event. A $20,000 prize is awarded for the largest dolphin exceeding 50 pounds. Photo courtesy of University of Florida IFS

Ninth Annual Youth Field Day Students ages 8 to 18, parents and youth leaders are invited to a learning expo and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Range Cattle Research and Education Center. The five structured learning stations are Harmful Internal Microscopic Bugs and Shot Placement, Pasture Management and Rotational Grazing, Caught on Camera: Monitoring Florida’s Wildlife with Game Cameras, Livestock Handling and Career Explorations with UF-CALS. The goal is to excite students about agriculture and science, reveal future opportunities in those areas, and foster a love of learning that promotes agriculture and good stewardship in this and future generations. Space is limited, and registration is required. The cost is $12 before June 21, or $15 the day of the event. For more information, visit www.rcrec-yfd-2016.eventbrite.com, email ona@ifs.ufl.edu or call (863) 735-1314 ext. 204

JUNE 2016

www.lowerkeyschamber.com; (800) 872-2411

June 4, Pensacola Centennial Imports Boat Parade More than 25 marine vessels set sail from the Pensacola Yacht Club at 1 p.m. and make their way to the Quietwater Boardwalk on Pensacola Beach, where the group will be met for the DeLuna Landing ceremony. www.fiestaoffiveflags.org; (850) 433-6512

June 4, Wellborn 23rd annual Blueberry Festival “Celebrate the Red, White and Blue” is the theme of the event featuring blueberry treats, entertainment, children’s amusements, and arts and crafts vendors. The day begins at Andrews Square with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., includes a parade and ends at 3 p.m. Admission is free. www.wellborncommunityassociation. com; (386) 748-1618

June 4-August 7, The Keys Florida Keys Guitar Festival Classical and jazz guitar virtuosos are featured at concerts in three communities: Marathon, June 4-5; Key Largo, July 2; and Key West, August 5-7. Tickets are $25. www.floridakeysguitarfestival.com

June 11, Sebring Saturday Night Cruise See classic cars, listen to live entertainment and enjoy food from 5 to 8 p.m. at the downtown circle. www.sebringcruise.com

June 11, Panama City 10th annual Panhandle Women’s Expo Join thousands of women and the American Red Cross to honor local women entrepreneurs and small businesses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Panama City Hall. Enjoy entertainment, free health screenings and a silent auction. (850) 832-2599

June 15, Islamorada “Immerse Yourself! Diving in the ’50s” Rick Ford of Dive a Mark V is the featured speaker at a free lecture at 7 p.m. at the History of Diving Museum, MM 83. www.divingmuseum.org; (305) 664-9737

June 16-19, Pensacola 46th annual Bill Hargreaves Fishing Rodeo Sponsored by community leaders and businesses, the tournament at Grand Lagoon Yacht Club awards cash prizes for 27 categories of fish in the open division and 31 categories in the junior division. Tickets are free for juniors 12 and younger, and $40 for the open division. www.billhargreavesfishingrodeo.com; (850) 607-7569

June 17-19, Palmetto Bradenton Boat Show Browse dozens of new boat lines, shop fishing gear and attend the Captain Joe Fishing School for hands-on learning from the experts beginning at 10 a.m. daily at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Admission is $5. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Parking is free. www.bradentonboatshow.com; (727) 894-3644

Photo by Niki Butcher

Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial: A Photography Exhibit Join renowned black-and-white photographer Clyde Butcher on Thursday, June 2, as he shares his adventures and experiences the past 50 years photographing and creating the exhibit Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial, which runs through August 28 at the Keys History & Discovery Center, MM 82, Islamorada. Butcher shares stories of his travels with his wife, Niki, to photograph wilderness areas unique to America and stunning photos of parks ranging from the swamps in the Everglades, which he is shown photographing above, to the mountains of Montana. Hear about the spiritual bond Butcher has with natural places and feel his sense of oneness with the land. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the presentation at 6 p.m. and a book-signing to follow. The cost is $25 for non-Discovery Center members, which includes admission to the center. Reservations are recommended. For more information, email info@keysdiscovery.com or call (305) 922-2237. June 18, Key West Swim Around Key West The 12.5-mile swim clockwise around Key West is open to all age groups. Individual swimmers and relay teams can compete. The route takes swimmers through the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, ending where they began at Higgs Beach. www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com; (305) 809-3562

June 18, St. Augustine 7th annual Battle of Bloody Mose Fort Mose Historic State Park hosts activities to commemorate the 1740 battle between the British and Spanish from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Multicultural re-enactors and volunteers present living-history demonstrations and interpretations. www.floridastateparks.org; (904) 823-2232

June 18-19, Sebring Heartland Triathlon Swim in the clear, spring-fed waters of Lake Jackson. Ride on the smooth, fast bike course on the open roads north of Sebring. Run the historic downtown Sebring circle to the finish line. Kids ages 6 to 15 compete in two divisions Saturday and adults have sprint and Olympic divisions Sunday.

June 24-25, Chipley 60th annual Watermelon Festival Country music and watermelon reign supreme at the Ag Center, along with arts and crafts and food vendors. Saturday activities begin with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Shrine Club. The parade is at 10 a.m. and the watermelon auction is at noon.

June 25, Pensacola Dodge Brawl The double-elimination dodgeball tourney beginning at 11 a.m. on the arena floor of Pensacola Bay Center features teams of six to 10 adults playing for bragging rights and money for local charities.

www.panhandlewatermelon.com

June 24-26, Marathon 2nd annual Super Boat Grand Prix Offshore powerboat racing events are held along a course parallel to the Marathon shoreline near the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge. Enjoy free admission to view the boats and meet drivers and crews at the Race Village dry pits and wet pits.

June 25, Chipley 38th annual Hot to Trot 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and the event starts at 7:30 a.m. CST at the Washington-Holmes Technical Center off Highway 90. The mostly flat course is on paved roads. The cost is $15 for the 5K and $10 for the fun run. Prices increase $5 after June 15. Watermelon is available at the gazebo at the end of the race.

www.superboat.com; (305) 296-6166

(850) 547-2244

www.heartlandtri.org

June 19, Osprey Orienteering Workshop Enjoy the great outdoors and learn how to use a compass during the event at 9 a.m. at Oscar Scherer State Park. Registration opens one month before the event. Space is limited and is on a first-come basis. www.floridastateparks.org; (941) 483-5956

www.pensacolabaycenter.com

JUNE 2016

Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

11 Outdoor Uses for a Bandana Bandanas are a lightweight, versatile outdoor necessity. Not only can they make a fashion statement, they also have dozens of practical uses. Here are 11 of the most notable ones: • Head cover. Buff. Do-rag. Whatever you call it, a bandana can keep the sun off of your head and junk out of your hair. • Signal flag. Also great for marking things, such as trails, hazards or rally points. • First-aid gear. Use as a bandage, tourniquet, sling or makeshift ice pack. It also works for binding a splint. • Cleaning cloth. A bandana offers hundreds of cleaning uses. Wash your face, wipe your gear, clean a wound, wash dishes, clean your glasses, blow your nose—you get the idea. • Coffee filter. Separate the grounds from coffee by pouring it through a bandana. Also, use it as a salad spinner, a pasta strainer or a water prefilter. • Sweatband. Cotton fabric works best. Roll it up and tie around your head to keep sweat out of your eyes.

Fabric and color are two things to consider when shopping for an outdoors bandana. Generally, you want an eye-catching color, such as red or orange, since the bandana may be used as a marker or signal flag, and because it makes it harder to lose. Cotton is a good, allaround fabric choice, due to its light weight and comfort. Cotton also is very absorbent, which comes in handy when used as a drying cloth, cooling wrap or sweatband. Photo by Tarik Kizilkaya

Bandanas also work great as wristbands to keep hands dry when using trekking poles. • Cooling wrap. A bandana soaked in water and tied around the neck provides a refreshing treat on a hot day. • Pot holder. Protect your hands from burns while handling hot pots or pans on a stove or over a campfire. • Face mask. Wear it over your nose and mouth to protect against wind, sun, smoke and dust. • Tinder. A dry, cotton bandana can be torn and “fuzzed” to create firestarter. Use this as a last resort, only if other fire-starting materials are not readily available. • Cordage. Use a bandana for binding things. For additional length, tear it into strips and tie them together.

Many of Curtis Condon’s fondest memories involve outdoor adventures with friends and family, whether fishing with old school buddies, backpacking in the mountains of the Northwest with his sons, or bird watching along the Gulf Coast with his wife. He feels fortunate having the opportunity to write about the outdoors and other subjects for more than 30 years.

JUNE 2016

Florida Tops List of the Most Family-Friendly Places to Boat and Fish Many of you may read that headline and think, “Duh!” How could it not be the most family friendly, given all of the state’s opportunities for boating and fishing. In fact, five of the top-10 boating spots in the United States are in Florida. They are Everglades National Park, Bahia Honda State Park, Blue Springs State Park, Kissimee State Park and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. For a complete list of the top-100 family-friendly places to boat and fish in the U.S., visit www.takemefishing.org.

It just takes a few minutes to sharpen them yourself or pick up new ones at the sporting goods store. • Spin on a fresh spool of line. This is especially prudent if it has been months since you last replaced it. • Take along a thermometer. Water temperature is an important factor. An accurate read allows you to predict hatches, and find cooler water in summer and warmer water in colder weather.

Sweat the Small Stuff It’s easy to overlook the little things. They don’t take much time or effort—and don’t seem significant—but they can make a big difference. Here are three “little things” you might consider before heading out to your favorite fishing hole next time. • Keep hooks sticky sharp.

Got a Tip or a Whopper? Send us your favorite outdoor tip, photo or story. If selected for publication, we will send you $25 for onetime use of the item. When sending a photo, identify people and pets, and tell us the story behind it. Email your submission to info@ floridacurrents.com. 

What Day is It? June 4: National Trails Day June 18: Go Fishing Day June 18: Picnic Day June 25: National Catfish Day

Escambia River

A Word About Water

Pump Up Pool Savings

A swimming pool provides the perfect summer retreat. But who wants it to be a wallet drain? A pool is equipped with an energy guzzler: the pump. The bigger the pump, the higher the power bill. Make sure your pool uses the smallest pump possible. Variable-speed pumps offer savings. A knowledgeable pool supply or service firm can help you choose a proper pump for your pool, taking into consideration its size, filter and piping. Greater savings come from decreasing pump operation time, no matter the pump size. Keep drains clear of debris, or your pump must work harder to circulate water. Find a proper balance for backwashing the filter— the process of filtering and disposing of dirty water. Too much wastes water. Too little strains the pump. Here are truths to common myths that lead to extra pump time and wasted energy: • You do not need to run your pump each day to keep chemicals mixed. Circulate while adding chemicals and they will stay mixed. • Your pool will not be dirty if you do not run your pump to constantly clean debris. Try running it six hours or fewer a day, as suggested by the U.S. Department of Energy. If the cleanliness is not to your liking, increase filtration time by 30-minute increments until you are satisfied. If six hours works well, try decreasing filtration time to find a balance with energy efficiency. To keep debris down without running your pump overtime, use a skimmer to manually clean the water. Try running your filter for several short periods during the day rather than allowing debris to pile up after one long, continuous filtration. • Your pump does not need to run continuously

Medically Essential Service

to keep algae at bay. Proper chemical balance and brushing down pool walls are the best algae fighters. Make sure your pool is not needlessly draining energy dollars. You will have a prime poolside spot to relax in afterward. The relief you see on your power bill will be well worth the effort. n

Brush down pool walls and keep the chemicals properly balanced to keep your pool clean without needing to run the pump continuously.

Find more ways to save energy around your home at www. erec.com and www.TogetherWeSave.com.

It is the policy of Escambia River Electric Cooperative to handle members with specific medical needs with special care. If you or a member of your household are medically dependent on electric-powered equipment that must operate continuously, please contact the EREC office. The cooperative will provide you with information

and forms that need to be completed by your physician and returned to our office. The information enables EREC to maintain its outage notification list and provide the quality service needed by members with special medical needs. Contact the office Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thank you.

JUNE 2016

ESCAMBIA RIVER RURAL SERVICES

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Service not available in all areas. Minimum 24 month commitment term. $7.50/month equipment lease fee monthly service fees and taxes apply. Nonstandard installation may result in additional charges. Equipment must be returned upon cancellation of service to avoid unreturned equipment fees. Actual speeds will vary. Use of the Exede service is subject to data transmission limits measured on a monthly basis. For complete details and the Data Allowance Policy, visit www.exede.com. Exede is a registered service mark of ViaSat, Inc. Check exede.com for promotional offers in your area.

JUNE 2016

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J U N E 20 1 6

Escambiaâ€‚ River After a Major Power Outage

Steps to Restoring Power Step 1.

Transmission towers and lines supply power to one or more transmission substations. These lines seldom fail, but they can be damaged by a hurricane or tornado. Tens of thousands of people could be served by one high-voltage transmission line, so if there is damage here, it gets attention first.

Local Substation

Transmission Substation

Step 2. A utility may have several local distribution substations, each serving

Local Substation

thousands of consumers. When a major outage occurs, the local distribution substations are checked first. A problem here could be caused by a failure in the transmission system supplying the substation. If the problem can be corrected at the substation level, power may be restored to a large number of people.

Step 3.

Main distribution supply lines are checked next if the problem cannot be isolated at the substation. These supply lines carry electricity away from the substation to a group of consumers, such as a town or housing development. When power is restored at this stage, all consumers served by this supply line could see the lights come on, as long as there is no problem farther down the line.

Restoring power after a major outage is a big job that involves much more than simply throwing a switch or removing a tree from a line. The main goal is to restore power safely to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible.

JUNE 2016

The major cause of outages is damage caused by fallen trees. Thatâ€™s why most utilities are involved in ongoing right-of-way maintenance programs. While restoration priorities differ by utility, repairs generally follow a plan similar to this one.

Step 5.

Sometimes, damage will occur on the service line between your house and the transformer on the nearby pole. This can explain why you have no power when your neighbor does. Your utility needs to know you have an outage so a service crew can repair it.

Area enlarged: The consumerâ€”not the cooperativeâ€”is responsible for having damage to the service installation on the building or the meter pole repaired. Your co-op cannot fix this. Call a licensed electrician. Other Co-ops

During a major outage, neighboring utilities help one another by providing line crews, equipment and supplies to assist with restoring power.

Tap Line

Local Substation

Step 4.

The final supply lines, called tap lines, carry power to the utility poles or underground transformers outside houses or other buildings. Line crews fix the remaining outages based on restoring service to the greatest number of members.

Report your outage to the cooperative office. Employees or response services use every available phone line to receive outage reports. Remember, a major outage can affect thousands of other customers. Your co-op appreciates your patience.

Co-op Office

Tap Line

Individual households may receive special attention if loss of electricity affects life support systems or poses another immediate danger. If you or a family member depend on life support, call your cooperative before an emergency arises. When a significant outage occurs, your co-op will fix your problem as quickly as possible, or will call to let you know to seek shelter elsewhere.

DANGER! Stay clear of fallen lines.

Illustration by Katherine Fowler, Carolina Country (North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives)

JUNE 2016

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Take a Seat

You never know what you might encounter when paddling around Callaway Bayou. These two seemingly abandoned chairs sitting on a little piece of sand jutting into the water offered an invitation to take a break and dangle both feet in the water while enjoying the view. “I found it both lonely and inviting,” says Kelley Rogers, who captured the scene from her kayak. —Kelley Rogers, Panama City We always are looking for photos to feature in Parting Shot and Postcards From Florida. We pay $25 for one-time use. Please send your best shots (must be a minimum 1,000 KB file size), along with the story behind the photo and information about where it was taken. Include your name and mailing address (for payment purposes) to photos@floridacurrents.com.

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Escambia River Electric Cooperative Inc. www.erec.com Jay office P. O. Box 428 Jay, FL 32565 (850) 675-4521 (800) 235-3848

Walnut Hill office 4950 Highway 99A Walnut Hill, FL 32568 (850) 327-4122

Office Hours 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday

Staff Clay R. Campbell, General Mgr./CEO Faye Diamond, Mgr. of Administration/CFO Wesley Scott, Mgr. of Corporate Services Alex Scanlon, Mgr. of Engineering Derek Bridwell, Mgr. of Information and Communication Technology Sabrina Owens, Mgr. of Marketing Earl Youngblood, Mgr. of Operations Sonya Dooley, Dir. of Finance Nick Jackson, Dir. of Member Services

Trustees Escambia County James E. Hall Ernie Hester J. D. Powell Sam Walker, Vice President Gary Wiggins Santa Rosa County Mickey Diamond Rick Hunsucker, President Ed Kelley Radford Locklin Jr., Secretary/Treasurer Dale Westmoreland The board of directors meets at 5 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Jay office, except each May, when it meets at the Walnut Hill office.

For Power Outages: Call (877) OUT-EREC or (877) 688-3732

JUNE 2016

We Really Need Your Help Please update your phone number as soon as possible You have an important part to play in helping Escambia River Electric Cooperative restore your power. EREC’s outage system uses caller ID to quickly identify your account and service location, but it only works if the co-op has your correct phone numbers. No phone number means slower response and repair times. When you call to report an outage, the cooperative’s automated computer system matches your phone number with your service address. It then references the database to determine which equipment all current outage reports have in common. This allows EREC to determine the location of the outages faster and dramatically decreases power restoration time. Don’t wait. Please update your phone number with EREC before a storm hits. • Call our office at (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848. Give our member service personnel your correct phone numbers. • Go online to www.erec.com. Click My Account and then Account Profile. Click on your account, press continue, then make changes to the phone numbers listed. Finally, press submit. Do this for each account you have with EREC. • Write your phone numbers on your EREC bill stub. Return with your payment. n

Keeping You in the Loop … Tree-Trimming Locations During June, Escambia River Electric Cooperative right-of-way crews will trim trees and clear vegetation from power lines on roads in the Munson area: Amos Cabaniss, Frank Pittman, Norman Riley and Environmental Center. Thank you for giving crews and their equipment space to work safely and keep yourself out of harm’s way.

Important Account and Payment Information When you call EREC with a question about your bill, please have your account number ready for our member service personnel. This allows us to serve you in the most efficient manner possible. Your bill is due and payable upon receipt. Payment may be made by mail, online at www.erec.com, at one of our collection stations, at our convenient night depository at the cooperative office or in person at the cooperative office. We ask that you allow five days for mail and delivery to ensure we receive your payment on time. Your electric service is subject to disconnection if payment is not in the office by the collection date, even though you may have mailed the payment. Accounts not paid within 15 days after date of bill will receive reminder notices showing the account will be disconnected if not paid. Return check charge is $25 or 5 percent of the check, whichever is higher.