Farm Share’s Story and Their Upcoming Free Food Distribution

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Founded in 1991 with the goal of eliminating food waste, Farm Share has grown to accommodate community hunger. Did you know that most large groups collecting food donations from the public charge a per-pound “shared maintenance fee?” This means local churches, soup kitchens, and more must pay up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year! Farm Share gives food to their recipient agencies without fees of any kind which helps agencies that cannot afford the maintenance fees as well as small, grass-root organizations.

This Saturday, January 16th from 7 a.m. CST to 10 a.m. CST, Farm Share is having a Free Food Distribution event at Rise Institute in Tallahassee. This is a FREE event that will be held at 1200 W Tharpe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303-4608, United States. 

Visit the official Farm Share website HERE for more other food distribution events, how to volunteer, how to support, and to donate!

Crafternoon Tea in Dothan!

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The Dothan Houston County Library System will be hosting their monthly Crafternoon Tea event tomorrow, Wednesday, January 13th. Starting at 3 p.m. (CST), January’s craft will be sewing-based. This is a free event that has been adapted to the safety standards encouraged against COVID. This month’s sewing project is a prepackaged project with instructions to take home. The packet will also include the tea of the month, and instructions on how to brew it! 

PLEASE NOTE: (1) packets available while supplies last and (2) packet pick up is at the WESTGATE BRANCH only! For more information or to connect with people to share your finished project with, visit the event page on Facebook by Clicking Here!

 

 

 

College Football Championship

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Today is the college football championship game between Alabama and Ohio State! The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST. Looking for somewhere to watch the game? If you’re close to Pensacola, visit the Coastal County Brewing Company to enjoy interesting beers, home-style comfort food, and a giant big-screen TV! If you wear your team’s gear, you will be rewarded for your team spirit with special pint discounts. Please note that doors open at 4 p.m. and there is a maximum occupancy in effect due to COVID. If you live closer to Tallahassee, consider visiting The Brass Tap in Midtown to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. There will be endless food and drink options but please note that the Tap will continue to follow social distancing guidelines. 

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day

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National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is an annual event occurring on January 10th that encourages consumers to keep up with scheduled maintenance and improve the energy usage of their homes. Did you know that Florida’s energy prices are on the high side for the United States? Florida residents pay an average monthly electricity bill of $126.44 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s 13% higher than the national average of $111.67(source). If you’re looking to lower your energy bill, consider some of the ideas and suggestions below:

  • Check seals on windows, doors, and appliances; a bad seal allows energy to seep out.
  • Fix leaky ductwork.
  • Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature; set the fridge to 38 degrees and the freezer to 0-5 degrees. These temperatures keep your food fresh without stressing out your fridge. 
  • Take shorter showers; did you know that taking just two minutes off your shower time can cut your water usage by five gallons?!
  • Replace your showerhead; choose a water-efficient alternative to reduce your water usage by up to 2,700 gallons per year. Look for a WaterSense label(certified to meet efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency). 
  • Don’t wash clothes in hot water; use either cold or eco-warm (if your machine has the option).
  • Fix leaky faucets.
  • Adjust the temperature on your water heater; most water heaters have a standard-setting of 140 degrees. Lowering it to 120 degrees can reduce water heating costs by up to 10%!
  • Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
  • Ask your utility providers about discounted rates.
  • Swap out your lightbulbs; save up to $75/year by swapping out the bulbs in your most-used light fixtures with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that bear the Energy Star label.
  • Install dimmer switches.
  • Use smart power strips.
  • Give your thermostat a nudge; set your thermostat back 10-15 degrees when you’re asleep/away from home. Hate changing the thermostat? Consider a programmable thermostat to do the work for you. 
  • Do an energy audit; this allows utility providers to identify additional ways to reduce your energy usage.

 

Jackson County Extra Food Day

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Attention Jackson County residents! Innovative Charities of Northwest Florida is having a mobile food distribution event today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is FREE to Jackson County residents, and will not count against the normal monthly food allotment. The event will be drive-thru only to encourage safety, and there is a limit of one box/bag per household. Please be aware there will be someone directing you to where you should park. After parking, please open your trunk and DO NOT get out of your car; volunteers will be by to take care of you.

Check out Innovative Charities Facebook page to view their address, RSVP for the event, and more! Click here. 

Dry Winter Skin? Today is the Day for You!

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National Winter Skin Relief Day is an annual event that encourages individuals to consider how their skin is handling the harsh winter weather. Created by the makers of CeraVe Skincare, it is celebrated on January 8th and works to bring awareness to all the extra attention winter skin needs to stay healthy. Winter weather is indicative of dropping temperatures and moisture in the air decreasing. When moisture is lower, skin tends to suffer. Especially with wind chill! So how can you help protect, heal, and pamper your skin?

  • Avoid the temptation to take long, hot showers; heat strips skin of its natural oils and causes inflammation. This inflammation causes skin cells to swell up, and they then dry loose and poorly, leading to cracks in the skin. Take lukewarm showers instead; you get the warmth you cherish without causing damage to your delicate skin. 
  • Avoid harsh cleaners and DON’T scrub! Harsh cleansers mess with the pH balance of your skin, further drying it out. Scrubbing can cause additional surface damage, and irritate your skin if you’re particularly sensitive. Instead, use cleansers that are all-natural or at least contain a minimum amount of harsh chemicals like perfume (often labeled as ‘parfum’). Allow the natural lather of bar soaps like oatmeal or tea tree (amongst MANY others) to do the work so you don’t scrub your skin raw.
  • Post-shower, allow your skin to air dry if possible, or pat your skin dry with a soft towel. DON’T rub or scrub the towel over yourself; it will cause more irritation and inflammation. Post-drying is also the best time to put on moisturizer or lotion; be sure to keep the bathroom door closed so the humidity produced by your warm shower doesn’t escape.
  • When dressing for winter weather, wear layers! The layer against your skin should be made of natural fibers like flannel or cotton. This will keep your skin from being irritated by the rubbing of multiple layers, and assist with wicking away any sweat to keep from breaking out in heat rash or other skin irritations. Layers not touching your skin should be heat-trapping or more effective against cold weather.

Looking for a low-cost DIY recipe that will take care of your skin regardless of location? Try the recipe below to make a natural Epsom salt body butter:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut oil or shea butter
  • 2 tsp Epsom salt
  • 1 – 3 drops essential oil of your choice (not required)

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Apply a thin layer to your skin by massaging in circular motions. Be sure to store the remainder in an airtight container! 

National Cuddle Up Day

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Today is National Cuddle Up Day! Since January typically has some of the coldest days of the year, this annual event is a great way to stay warm and reap the various health benefits of cuddling. Whether you are cuddling up to a human companion or a pet, there are numerous benefits! Check them out below, and then get to cuddling up on this cozy winter day:

  • Cuddling releases oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that makes us feel good emotionally AND helps reduce pain. Additionally, it helps reduce the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, stress, and anxiety.
  • Cuddling is a great tool for conveying positive physical touch. Physical touch is incredibly important for communicating trust, commitment, safety, and reassurance. 
  • Cuddling also releases dopamine, a hormone that can improve memory and focus. 

Basketball Game: Go Bulldogs!

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The Marianna (FL) girls’ varsity basketball team has a home non-conference game today. They will be playing against Crestview (FL) today at 6:30 p.m. If you are unable to see the game in person at Marianna High School, there will be an HD live stream of the game offered by Shadow Sports. Good luck to the Bulldogs!

Click Link to Watch: https://rebrand.ly/HsGirlsBasketball

Trade-A-Tree

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The non-profit Keep Pensacola Beautiful is hosting Trade-A-Tree today, January 3rd, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Looking to get your LIVE holiday tree out of the living room? Take it down to the parking lot of the GCE/KPB building at 2001 N. Palafox Street. Your tree will be recycled, FOR FREE, into mulch. Additionally, you will receive a Live Oak tree to plant along with instructions. This is a wonderful opportunity to go carbon neutral and create a more sustainable holiday tradition. 

Keep Pensacola Beautiful is partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation, and they’ve worked hard to help make this program possible. Additionally, there will be hot chocolate and hand sanitizer available (will products last!). Please be sure to wear your mask, and hope to see you there. If you want more information or to RSVP, visit Keep Pensacola Beautiful’s event page HERE. 

Driving in the Fog

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Recently, the Panhandle has seen some thick fog. Here are some tips for driving safely in thick fog.

  1. LEAVE EARLIER: Allow extra time to reach your destination so you are not rushed and driving aggressively. 
  2. LIGHTS: Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on. Use fog lights if you have them. Don’t use high beams.
  3. SLOW DOWN: Don’t speed; arrive alive.
  4. DISTANCE: Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
  5. LINES: Stay in the proper lane.
  6. FOCUS: Put down the phone.

Stay safe out there everyone!