Okaloosa County News Release - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

New FREE Program Benefits Citizens Impacted by Oil Spill

Master Money Mentors Available Through Extension Office

A new University of Florida (UF) program will help struggling families get free one-on-one help with their household finances. UF, County Extension offices in Okaloosa & Walton Counties are adopting the new Master Money Mentor program, and have trained 14 new mentors who are ready to help people who may need some information, help, or a person who can be a mentor to them.

"Locally, many people are trying to manage in tough economic times, due to the oil spill or the longstanding economic recession, leaving citizens stressed over money, jobs, and issues resulting from current economy," said Okaloosa County Extension Agent Elaine Courtney. "This fits well with our current Okaloosa Saves," initiative already in place. For more information, contact:

In Okaloosa County: Elaine Courtney 850-689-5850

Walton County: Kendra Zamojski 850-892-8172

"While every family's financial picture will be different," says Michael Gutter, an assistant professor in family financial management at UF, "I expect money mentors to help in three important areas: assisting families as they make spending and savings plans, helping them analyze their credit behavior and limit debt, and pushing families to be proactive with lenders when problems arise."

Bank of America-Florida gave $100,000 for the program, said Bank President Mike Fields, because one of the company's priorities is providing access to financial literacy programs in underserved and rural communities. Organizers expect to have mentors paired up with families starting September 1st.

Natural Awakenings August 2010 Issue

The August 2010 Natural Awakenings issue has info about School and Healthy Snacks for Kids.

Click here for the August 2010 Issue of Natural Awakenings

Biophilia Center Award

Architects of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Receive Top Honors

at 2010 Design Awards

Freeport, Florida - The designers of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at
Nokuse Plantation received the 2010 AIA Design Award. Wallrapp Architure
and Interior Design and pv+r accepted the award Friday, July 16 at the
Lion's Eye Institute in Ybor City Tampa, Florida. The design awards drew 54
entries this year and approximately 180 attendees were present to witness
the presentation of 15 awards of merit and honor. The awards were juried by
award-winning Fort Lauderdale architects.

The facilities and infrastructure of this year's AIA Design Award were
designed taking into consideration the mission of the Biophilia Center,
which encourages conservation, preservation, and restoration of biodiversity
and promotes sustainable balanced ecosystems. Buildings consist of an
auditorium, nature center, and classrooms that house interpretative exhibits
about wildlife, insects, plants, and other aspects of local native
communities. Extensive nature trails curve through areas undergoing
ecological restoration on the nature preserve. The facilities were built to
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Standards. The
standards were met by the designers through such design considerations as
the orientation of the buildings, use of energy efficient lighting and low
volatile organic carbon or VOC (non-toxic) paints, retention and
conservation of water, and incorporation of recycled construction debris.

Receipt of this award exemplifies what students, educators, and
conservationists have to say about their unique learning and teaching
experiences at the Center. Charles Pattison, President of 1000 Friends of
Florida said about a recent visit "What a magnificent facility! You have
created a shining example for the kind of setting that promotes the learning
experience for which E.O. Wilson has dedicated his life."

Contact: Christina Scally
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Director
850-835-1824 office
850-217-2173 cell
www.eowilsoncenter.org

Okaloosa County News Release - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

"Focus on Okaloosa" airs Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays on Cox 6.

Informative Show on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill's Local Impact

"Focus on Okaloosa," the monthly county television show, airs Mondays at 10:00 a.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Public Safety Director Dino Villani, Lt. Commander Dale Vogelsang, USCG and Dr. Karen Chapman will provide information on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and its impact on our area.

"Focus on Okaloosa" can be viewed at scheduled times on Cox Channel 6 and anytime if you have Cox Digital Cable, On Demand. To watch Cox on Demand, select Channel 1, FREE Zone, Cox 2 & 6 local, Government and Okaloosa. According to Cox, it takes about a week to get meetings and shows uploaded On Demand.

If there is a topic you are interested in or have questions you would like addressed on the show, please call Kathy Newby, 850-651-7270.