With hurricane season upon us, evidence of preparation surrounds us. Tree trimmers contracted by local electrical utility companies have been removing trees, branches and other vegetation "too close" to power lines, which has concerned many homeowners.

To prevent power outages, the federally approved Vegetation Management Reliability Standard, FAC-033-2, requires utilities to manage vegetation growth along the path of power lines to prevent contact. A minimum clearance of 14 feet between trees and transmission lines in the right-of-way must be maintained at all times to achieve service reliability and public safety.

Florida Statute 163 grants an electric utility an easement or right-of-way on private property to build and maintain electric power lines. Vegetation maintenance allows for mowing vegetation within the right-of-way, removal of trees or brush within the right-of-way and selective removal of tree branches extending within the right-of-way by the electric utility personnel, licensed contractors or International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborists.

The choice of how to trim trees and manage vegetation growth near a power line — by pruning, herbicides or tree removal, for example — is primarily made by the electric utility, subject to state and local requirements and laws, applicable safety codes and any limitations or obligations specified in right-of-way agreements.

An individual may contact the utility company to obtain a copy of his or property’s right-of-way agreement.

Sometimes, it appears that excessive vegetation has been removed. Remember, utility companies must maintain the appropriate clearance "at all times."

For example, power lines sag in the summer as they expand from rising air temperatures and heavy use. In addition, wind and future growth must be considered when determining where to prune. Electric utilities usually prune or remove vegetation to a distance greater than the minimum clearances to account for these factors.

Tree trimming around power lines may seem like a local issue, but vegetation growth also affects interstate transmission lines.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that electric utility service interruptions annually cost businesses and communities tens of billions of dollars. Tree contact with transmission lines was the leading cause of the August 2003 blackout that affected 50 million people in the Northeastern United States and Canada.

That particular blackout prompted Congress to pass the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which led the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish the Vegetation Management Reliability Standard.

If Northwest Florida experiences a storm, remember that tree and branch clearing provides faster access for first responders, line repair crews and other emergency service personnel.

As you watch preparation work in progress, think about where you will plant a tree. Ensure it can reach full maturity without threatening power lines — which would require "ugly pruning."

Sheila Dunning is a Commercial Horticulture Extension agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Storm season comes with tree trimmings

CRESTVIEW — Dawn Onuffer seeks support to bring her baking dreams to November’s 46th annual Pillsbury Bake-Off in Las Vegas. The Crestview resident is a semifinalist in the national competition.

The contest

Onuffer's Hot Pink Raspberry and Cream Cake recipe is one of 60 entries in the "Simple Sweets and Starters" category. Three other contestants, from Miami, Tampa and Melbourne, represent Florida in the category. The top 34 contestants with the most votes will receive an expenses-paid trip for the chance to win a $1 million grand prize.

"This is the mother of all baking contests," Onuffer said. "We will bake our recipes for the judges and they will select the top three finalists."

The second and third finalists win $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, according to the contest website. The top three finalists can choose from sponsor General Electric’s kitchen appliances. 

Four other $5,000 prizes will go to participants who present particularly creative recipes.

Onuffer — who expects to know voting results by July 4 — said she already knows what she’d do if given the ticket.

"I have never been out west … If we go I would like to take the family to see the Grand Canyon," she said.

Standout competition

"I just like to experiment (in the kitchen)," Onuffer said. "I just throw things together; that's just how I cook.”

However, she said, “I enjoy baking more so than cooking."

Onuffer — who has entered several baking contests in the last decade — participated in the Bake-Off four times before becoming a semifinalist in last year's Orlando competition.

"It was a cookie with a cream cheese, coffee-flavored topping," she said of her Cappuccino Toppers.

This year’s cake entry requires flour, eggs and sugar. Per contest guidelines, the recipe includes Pillsbury products,including hot pink vanilla-flavored frosting and the company's self-rising flour.

Click here for Dawn Onuffer's Hot Pink Raspberry and Cream Cake recipe>>

After a half-hour preparation time, the cake takes one hour and 40 minutes to bake. The result is a creamy, vibrant dessert.

“It’s the only pink recipe online (on the contest website) … it stands out really well," she said.

Want to vote?

Visit http://bit.ly/159LsOa to vote for Dawn Onuffer's Hot Pink Raspberry and Cream Cake recipe. Deadline is 11:59 a.m. June 27.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview woman vying for national baking contest (RECIPE)

CRESTVIEW — The Friends of the Arts has announced it will not fund repairs for a donated Wurlitzer electronic organ currently in Warriors Hall.

The organization will not maintain the instrument due to its condition and age, President Rae Schwartz said in an email. The decision followed a commissioned evaluation of the organ.  

"While we were at the evaluation, the professional told us that most groups now use a digital organ, which this is not," Schwartz said.

The 1970s instrument was unstable and couldn’t be easily moved for various uses, a Friends statement said.

Sharon Jackson donated the organ to the city. It had been wrapped in plastic and rested on the family's covered front porch.

“Friends of the Arts appreciate the donation of the organ as a gesture of support for the arts and for the hall; we thank the donor for her consideration in doing this,” Schwartz said on our Facebook. “Unfortunately, the outcome is not what we would have hoped, but we do appreciate the opportunity to serve our city and its citizens.

City clerk Betsy Roy said the issue would be brought before the city council at a future meeting.  

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Friends of the Arts decides against organ maintenance

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library’s Music at the Library series will raise a notch on June 25 when classical guitarist Jeff Bianchi continues his summer concert tour in the Hub City.

The Friends of the Library is underwriting Bianchi's appearance during his tour of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Wisconsin and Georgia.

"We got a great deal on his performance fee," reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said. "He has a friend who lives in the Crestview area so he's not charging us for hotel and travel expenses."

The Upstate New York native began performing at weddings and cafes while in his teens.

After performing at the Rantucci International Guitar Festival and the nationally recognized Ithaca Guitar Festival, Bianchi took a break from classical guitar to tour with country music performers Young Guns and Chace Roberts.

Returning to solo performances, he toured Georgia in 2009 and undertook his first cross-country tour in 2010. National tours followed in 2011 and 2012, including the National Old Time Fiddlers' Competition in Idaho.

Bianchi's Crestview concert will feature music by Leo Brouwer, including several melodies from Cuba, Issac Albeniz and Jose Luis Merlin's 1952 "Suite of Memories."

In addition to rousing Catalan melodies, Bianchi will demonstrate his virtuosity with several Renaissance and Baroque selections.

"I am very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to perform for a new audience," Bianchi said. "I have always enjoyed visiting new places while introducing people to the classical guitar.

"Having the opportunity to play in Crestview will be a wonderful addition to my summer touring schedule.

Want to go?

When: 6:30 p.m. June 25

Cost: Free

Where: Crestview Public Library

Notes: CDs will be available for purchase. See www.velvetguitar.com for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Classical guitarist includes Crestview on summer concert tour

BAKER — Nathan Chessher and Julia Cadenhead want Okaloosa County residents to know that Creek Indians’ presence here preceded widely circulated dates.

"We didn't just fall off the turnip truck," Chessher, author of the new book, “Creek by Blood,” said. The Crestview resident, a descendant of the tribe, explores the area’s rich Native American culture in the book’s pages.

"Nearly everybody in this part of the country has some Indian (heritage) within them,” Chessher said.

That, in part, is due to the tribe’s longevity in this area.

"(The book) documents the fact that there were indeed Native Americans here before 1800; that wasn't always known in this county," Cadenhead, the book's editor, said.

Early faith

The Creek Indians’ participation in primitive churches was a significant part of their presence here, Cadenhead said.

Non-native settlers fought and killed Indians who did not appear on a church roster, which indicated they could assimilate to mainstream religion.

"Creek peoples in this area and south Alabama joined the primitive church for a reason," she said. "They were a Christian people and their spirituality was pure, but they also needed to be protected and they needed to fit in."

One place of worship that offered such protection was the early incarnation of Yellow River Church in Baker, Chessher said.

"Indians established that church (in 1836) as a refuge," he said.

A photocopy of the church’s roster appears in the book.

The book also explores many area families’ histories, Cadenhead said.

Conception

Friends, family and history lovers surrounded the collaborators on Thursday evening at Baker Block Museum. There, the pair signed copies of the book, which represented several years of work.

Throughout his life, Chessher has compiled knowledge of Creek Indians. He has visited several historical sites in Florida, collecting information and artifacts, many of which are on display at the museum.

"I'm not bragging, but I know the subject upside down and backwards,” Chessher said.

Cadenhead, who called the publishing process a year-and-a-half “labor of love,” convinced Chessher to write the book.

“I figured I better get it down (on paper) or it’s going to die with me,” he said.

Now that it’s written, the pair hope Okaloosa residents will explore the book and learn more about local history.

"I hope people will read it and feel encouraged about who they are and what may or may not have been in their past," Cadenhead said.  

That seems to be happening, if book sales are an indication.

"I was only expecting to sell four or five (copies), but we have nearly sold 50," Chessher said.  

FYI

What: "Creek by Blood" by Nathan Chessher

Cost: $20

Available: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays and the third Saturday of each month

Where: Baker Block Museum

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New book explores Okaloosa County's Creek Indian heritage