Martin Luther King Jr.~January 20th

Debbie Roney Smith on

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday falling on the third Monday of every January. This year Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 20, 2020, marks the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. King was assassinated in April 1968 on a motel balcony in Memphis. On Nov. 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill marking the third Monday of every January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King was born on Jan. 15, 1929. The holiday was approved as a federal holiday in 1983, becoming the first federal holiday honoring an African American. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. The Corporation for National and Community service has been charged to lead this effort for the last quarter century.

A few things you may not know about MLK.

~The civil rights activist was born Michael King Jr on January 15, 1929. ~When Martin Luther King Jr received a Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence, he was just 35 years old, the youngest man at the time to do so. ~The civil rights leader was arrested 29 times and assaulted four times. ~From 1957 to 1968, King traveled over 6 million miles and spoke over 2,500 times. ~King was awarded 20 honorary degrees and was named ‘Man of the Year’ by Time magazine. ~There are approximately 900 streets named after MLK in the US, and over 70% in Southern States. ~His mother was also murdered by a gunman.

 

 

Save the dates~5 free-entrance days to National Parks in 2020

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The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced that there will be five free-entrance days in America’s national parks in 2020. Those dates include:
Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Saturday, April 18 (the first day of National Park Week, as well as National Junior Ranger Day)
Tuesday, August 25 (National Park Service’s Birthday)
Saturday, September 26 (National Public Lands Day)
Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)
There are more than 400 national park units in the U.S., with 110 of them charging between $5 and $35 to visit. But on these five days, you can enter any park at no cost. The waiver doesn’t include camping fees, boat launch fees or transportation fees.

“Fee-free days inspire people to experience the natural beauty, history and heritage we all share,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, the charitable partner of the NPS. “They remind us that across our 419 national parks, there is something for everyone, and all are welcome to explore.”

Will you go to a National Park this year?

Florida is #1 in Uhaul entering the state

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U-Haul has ranked the top 50 growth states of 2019, with Florida boasting the largest net gain of one-way U-Haul truck customers to establish a new No. 1 growth state for the first time in four years.

Growth States are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state versus leaving that state during a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-way U-Haul truck-sharing transactions that occur annually.

Florida greeted the largest number of U-Haul moving trucks entering its borders versus exiting them, establishing a new Number 1 growth state for the first time in four years. Florida, which ranked second to Texas from 2016-18, bested the Lone Star State for growth this past year, according to U-Haul data analyzing US migration trends for 2019.

Mashawy in Marianna

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Mashawy is a family-owned fine dining restaurant serving the freshest Mediterranean-Greek-American fusion cuisine next to the golf course at 3297 Caverns Rd Marianna, FL. 850-526-1578. Hours are: Monday: Closed, Tuesday-11:00AM – 8:00PM, Wednesday-11:00AM – 8:00PM, Thursday-11:00AM – 8:00PM, Friday-11:00AM – 10:00PM, Saturday-11:00AM – 10:00PM, Sunday: 11:00AM – 6:00PM. The services they provide are meals, wedding receptions, birthdays, and party hosting. And they are also now offering live music on the 1st and 3rd Friday each month from 5pm to 10pm.

http://mashawygrills.com/

Oyster Cook-Off~January 17th&18th

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Apalachicola Oyster Cook-Off this Friday and Saturday, January 17th and 18th. All proceeds go directly towards paying for the brand new fire truck they were able to purchase a few years ago, due to this sole fundraising event. This is the 10th year for this annual event. It features a silent auction, oysters galore, shrimp, smoked mullet, hot dogs, local beer, live music, kids’ activities, dancing performances and a 5k run. Well mannered pets on a lease are welcome. Friday it is from 6pm to 8pm then the live music gets started at 8pm. On Saturday at Riverfront Park the 5k starts at 8am.

Blue Tarps~available on Amazon Prime

Debbie Roney Smith on

The film Blue Tarps is finally available to watch via Amazon Prime. If you are a prime subscriber its FREE to watch! They are asking people to leave reviews and give feedback on the films Prime page.

Blue Tarps: This is Over Six Months After Hurricane Michael Documentary. The summary on Amazon Prime says “Six months after Hurricane Michael ripped through one of the poorest areas of Florida, federal and state governments have sent in little help. Middle class families struggle to keep roofs over their heads, while poorer families in rural areas live in tents and damaged homes. Some live without electricity or running water.” Producers:
Carrie Hunter, Austin Hermann, Matthew Wilkins, Anna Marie Lawrence, John Wyche. Studio: Sea Hunter Films, LLC

 

Free trees~2 locations~January 16th

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Two free tree giveaways going on this Thursday, January 16th. The other tree giveaways have run out of trees very quickly so if you plan to go get there early. Details under each photo. A few reasons to plant a tree: improve air quality, increase property value, beautify your property and your neighborhood, and improve your mental and physical health.

They are partnering with Florida Forest Service to offer an Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at there office on Thursday, January 16th. Located at 2728 E. 14th St in Panama City. All trees will be in 1 gallon containerized seedlings. Species available: Live oak, red maple, southern magnolia, bald cypress, tulip poplar, white oak, crabapple, mayhaw, and chickesaw plum Distribution will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until all trees are claimed. Estimated end time is noon, but may end sooner. UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.
9am till the trees are gone at the Sneads Ball Park on Legion Road. The trees are first come first serve and they also are 1 tree per person.

 

Jan 13th~A Rally For Public Education

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On January 13th at 1:30pm a rally for public education is being planned to happen in Tallahassee at the Capital. Thousands of public education stakeholders and supporters will “Take on Tallahassee” on January 13th — the eve of the 2020 legislative session. Florida’s parents, educators and community supporters will carry their message straight to lawmakers’ doorstep, rallying in front of the Old Capitol to demand improved funding for students and schools, fair pay for all education employees, and an end to the misguided policies that have led to the over-testing of students and the loss of local control in our districts. January 13 Schedule:
9:00 am to 1:00 pm — Buses arriving from across the state at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center (505 W. Pensacola St.).
12:30 pm — Feeder marches begin from FAMU and FSU
1:30 pm — March from Civic Center to Florida’s Old Capitol
2:00 to 4:00 pm — Take On Tallahassee Rally at Florida’s Old Capitol (400 S. Monroe St.)
10:30 am to 4:30 pm — Trolleys will shuttle between the Civic Center and the Capitol for those needing assistance

Sign up to attend or get more information at the link below.

https://feaweb.org/issues-action/january13/

Jan 12th~free shopping in Fountain and Freedom Ranch is having a grand opening

Debbie Roney Smith on

January 12th has a few things going on. Below are 2 of them. Hope you get to enjoy your weekend! Freedom Ranch will be hosting this every other Sunday and you must be signed up for the free riding lessons by 10:45am on the morning you plan to go.

This Sunday, January 12th from 1 PM – 3 PM Save The Closet will be in Fountain on Highway 167 giving away free clothes to those who need them. They promised to reschedule and thanks to the efforts of individuals within the Fountain community they are making it happen! Please share this with your friends and family and if possible offer someone a ride. The trailer is FULL of beautiful clothes! ***RAIN OR SHINE*** This is a Fire Dept. located on the 2nd dirt road directly behind The Dollar General, on the same road as the community center just opposite corner.
Freedom Ranch is having a grand opening on Jan 12th at 11am. For free horseback rides you must be signed up by 10:45 am. All ages welcome and they plan to do this every other Sunday. Free lunch provided. For more information call 850-270-8024. Located in Marianna on Whitfield Lane. On FB on the Freedom Ranch page under about it says “Our mission is to reach out to those who are still struggling with the effects of hurricane Michael. We use rescue horses as a tool to relate to the struggles that people may be facing in life.”