ARC Gateway provides job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Your donated Mardi Gras beads are sorted and packaged by adults in the ARC Gateway program to be sold to area krewes for future parades.

You can drop off your extra beads at the WXBM studios in Pace during business hours. Donated beads may also be dropped off at ARC Gateway on 12th Avenue in Pensacola or for a location near you call 434-2638.  MORE

Assistance Needed to Keep Elderly Warm

Council on Aging of West Florida is seeking donations of small electric space heaters, blankets and funds to help the elderly avoid the serious health problems that can result from exposure to the cold. Heaters and blankets can be dropped off at any location of Council on Aging of West Florida, 875 Royce Street in Pensacola, 5341 Stewart Street in Milton, 132 Mintz Lane in Cantonment and 6025 Industrial Blvd in Century. Also at Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce at 409 Gulf Breeze Parkway and Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce at 8543 Navarre Parkway. Only new items can be accepted. Financial donations can be sent to Council on Aging of West Florida, PO Box 17066, Pensacola, FL 32522-7066 or made online at www.coawfla.org. Seniors in need of a heater, blanket or other assistance should call 432-1475.

Christmas Tree Disposal Sites

Santa Rosa County residents can dispose of their live Christmas trees until Saturday February 28 at five recycling areas throughout the county. Please place trees in the designated area identified by signage. Do not place trees in front of the recycling containers. Trees can be disposed at Quintette Recycle Area at the Five Points Intersection, Gulf Power recycle area on East Spencer Field Road, Clean Community System on Park Avenue and Tiger Point Recreation Area in Gulf Breeze just east of Wal-Mart.

Citizens are urged not to cut up and burn their tree in a home fireplace. Burning evergreens gives off tar and creosol, which can ignite and cause a chimney fire. Residents are also reminded that recycle areas are not disposal areas for furniture or household garbage that is not sorted recyclable material. Santa Rosa County recycle sites accept glass, metal, plastic containers, paper and cardboard. A map of all of Santa Rosa County’s recycling points and accepted materials can also be found on the county’s website at santarosa.fl.gov/recycle

Based on recent statistics we are losing WW II veterans at the rate of 1200 per day. Emerald Coast Honor Flight honors our local veterans by flying them to Washington, DC to reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans along with other veterans that may be terminally ill. Donations and volunteers are also needed. MORE

The Northwest Florida Blood Center is now offering Online Appointment Scheduling for donors to help raise the blood supply for our area. Blood donors may click on the blood center’s website at www.nfbcblood.org and schedule an appointment online for whole blood, double red cells, platelets and plasma donations. Appointments can be made for the following locations: 1999 East Nine Mile Road, 2209 North Ninth Avenue in Pensacola, 4490 East Highway 90 center in Pace and the Racetrack Road center in Ft. Walton Beach.

Fun things to do, vacation rentals, local coupons, plus a complete schedule of local events you don't want to miss. Here's what's happening along the Emerald Coast from Pensacola.com! More