Published on December 4th, 2008
Pensacola’s not a big city, population-wise, but it’s spread out over a large area that’s more car- than pedestrian-friendly. So it’s nice to see that visitors now have a more eco-friendly option for exploring the historic “City of Five Flags”: pedicabs.
The Pensacola News-Journal reports this week that the city welcomed its first pedal-powered taxi service this fall with the launch of Foot Taxi. The business offers eight pedicabs in a service area that encompasses most of the old downtown area, including many of the city’s popular nightspots and restaurants.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on August 8th, 2008
Who could possibly find anything bad to say about eating locally? After all, what’s the downside to dining on wild blackberries, dandelion greens, home-grown tomatoes and fresh-caught alligator snapping turtles?
Wait, what was that last one again?
Well, here in this corner of Northwest Florida I call home (and they don’t call it the “Redneck Riviera” for nothing), that’s a discussion that’s been raging this week. Seems a family from Jay, an inland (i.e., far from the touristy beaches) community, recently caught a 100-pound alligator snapping turtle … and decided to eat it.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on August 1st, 2008
(This is another installment in this week’s “Walk This Way” series on walkable neighborhoods in the U.S.)
Pensacola’s a unique town, as far as both Florida and walkable communities are concerned. Tucked into the northwest corner of Florida, the City of Five Flags is so close to Alabama, it’s often treated not as if it’s part of the Sunshine State but L.A. (as in, “Lower Alabama”).
While it sometimes seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of Florida towns, Pensacola does have a lot going for it, especially in its historic and compact waterfront downtown area. With numerous ancient live oaks and buildings often reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter (Pensacola is equally old and went through waves of Spanish, French and English settlers), downtown Pensacola is a kind of walker’s diamond in the rough.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 13th, 2008
Northwest Florida (the Panhandle) is an ecological gem. One of the only regions in the world to have coastal dune lakes, which is where both salt and fresh water mingle, there are dozens of wildlife preserves watching everything from marine life to wetland habitats in the area. (I was fortunate enough to be there this week while the sea turtles were hatching.)
In turn, the residents of the region have an immense appreciation for their local environment. Which makes it no surprise that they are holding their 3rd Annual Cottages for Kids auction this November to promote healthier environments for their children.
The program brings together talented builders and architects from around the world to design and build eco-friendly, non-toxic playhouses to be sold in support of the Children’s Volunteer Health Network, which provides immediate medical access to uninsured and under-insured children in the area. I volunteer for CVHN on their advisory board and work very closely with the Cottages for Kids program and am astounded at what they have been able to accomplish in the area relying on volunteerism. In just four years, they have helped over 500 children and booked nearly 2000 appointments with the help of local residents and medical professionals.
The program is still taking applications from builders, architects and anyone who wants to lend a helping hand. Visit their website for information on getting involved with this year’s event to be held at Rosemary Beach.
Image of the PinWheel Windmill by Thurber Architects and Curacao LLC from CFK 2007, courtesy of Moon Creek Studios.
Published on June 21st, 2008
Two groups of Pensacola kids are off to Washington, D.C., after taking top honors in the National Energy Education Development Program (NEED). Among the achievements that helped get them there: s’mores baked in a solar oven and Blackout Wednesdays in which students turned off classroom lights and relied on sunlight instead.
The Suter Energy Savers, a team of fourth-graders at Suter Elementary School, won at the elementary level for their work on 28 conservation projects in all. Their efforts included collecting $200 worth of recyclables, distributing flyers at area coffee shops urging customers to switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs and making s’mores in a solar oven.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on June 1st, 2008
Does man-made technology, whether in the form of mobile telephones or backyard pesticides, pose a threat to our health and well being? That’s the subject Doug Phillips plans to explore during a June 3 program at Ever’man Natural Foods in Pensacola, Florida.
Phillips, a naturopath and former dentist, will discuss the health effects of electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, computers, microwave ovens and other devices, as well as the hazards posed by rocket fuel, pesticides, herbicides, solvents and other chemicals in daily use.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on May 12th, 2008
Why does the argument that businesses should do more to reduce pollution and protect the environment often boil down to the issue of jobs vs. nature? Advocates of green living around the world are increasingly making the argument that green business is good business, and that clean energy and other green sectors actually generate jobs. Too often, though, many businesses still aren’t buying it.
Environmental-minded residents of the Perdido Bay area at the Florida-Alabama border have been fighting that battle for years. The conflict in this case: the economic interests of International Paper, which operates a paper mill in the Florida town of Cantonment, vs. the lifestyle- and nature-oriented interests of the area’s residents.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on April 21st, 2008
L
ooking for Earth Day activities in Florida? Following are some of the events scheduled in communities across the state:
In Pensacola, the University of West Florida (UWF) will host a day of environmental symposia at the University Commons Auditorium. Among the topics speakers will tackle: “The Gulf Coast Main Ecosystem Partnership: A Story in Large Landscape Management,” “Small-Scale Wind Turbines: A Joint UWF/University of Florida Study” and “Climate Change: Facts, Fantasies and Solutions.” Following Mike Papantonio’s keynote address on “The New Art of Fighting Back,” attendees will be able to view a screening of the film, “Sacred Planet.” All the programs are free and open to the public.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on April 16th, 2008
One of the most beautiful trees in the Deep South is undoubtedly the live oak: its thick trunk, twisting branches and wide canopy evoke romantic images of “Gone With the Wind” allees, and its strong, sturdy nature lets it survive and thrive for hundreds of years, droughts, hurricanes and fires notwithstanding.
The only thing that really seems to threaten these stately oaks is, of course, people … development in particular.
Fortunately, more people are choosing trees over development, or — at least — over over-development. And the trees have won at least a partial victory in the northwest Florida city of Pensacola, whose old historic center is graced with many majestic Southern live oaks.
Read the rest of this entry »
Pensacola’s not a big city, population-wise, but it’s spread out over a large area that’s more car- than pedestrian-friendly. So it’s nice to see that visitors now have a more eco-friendly option for exploring the historic “City of Five Flags”: pedicabs.
