Beachgoers and vacationers reported seeing "large dark objects" floating past the Navarre Beach Pier on Dec. 29, raising concerns of possible pollutants floating up on the beach. However, it was discovered upon further investigation that the dark objects floating in the Gulf were actually sea grasses stirred up during recent winter storms.

For the second time, the Navarre Community Emergency Response Team is holding what it calls “The Amazing Chase,” this time on Jan. 22, 2011. Teams of two-to-four individuals over the age 12 — one must have a driver’s license — will compete for prizes in an event similar to television’s “Amazing Race.”

Each team will be given clues; the answer to each clue is a local business. Teams solve the clue, drive to the business and pick up a card. Once all businesses have been visited, teams head to the final destination, the Navarre Elks Lodge. The Amazing Chase begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Holley Navarre

Senior Center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane, Navarre.

The team with every card that finishes in the least time wins $500. The remaining team with all cards and the best mileage wins $200. A third prize of $100 will be awarded to the remaining team with the most cards and the second best mileage.

“This is our major fund raiser and we need your help to make it a huge success,” explained Ray Yantch of Navarre C.E.R.T. “Come join the fun.”

He added there will be an “Amazing” awards party following the Chase at the Elks Lodge, which will include more prizes, a 50/50 raffle, live music by Steve Hall and discount food and drinks. The Elks Lodge is located at 2002 Elks Way in Navarre.

The cost is $10 per team member if registered by Jan. 8, and $15 per person after that. Registration forms are available online at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by contacting Bill Crouch at 791-3886.

Last week, Santa Rosa County announced the locations of five recycling sites where residents can dispose of their live Christmas trees. The trees must be taken to the site by Monday, Feb. 28. Residents are asked to place trees in the designated area identified by signage and not in front of the recycling containers. The sites include:

• Tiger Point recreation area in Gulf Breeze, east of WalMart
• Quintette recycle area at the Five Points Intersection
• Gulf Power recycle area on East Spencer Field Road
• Clean Community System on Park Avenue
• Jay Transfer Station on Transfer Station Road

The trees will be chipped and offered as free mulch at Clean Community System in Milton at a later date to be announced.

In addition to announcing the sites for tree disposal, county officials urged residents to not cut up and burn their trees in a home fireplace, as burning evergreens release tar and creosol, which can ignite and cause a chimney fire.

Residents are 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 list of all of Santa Rosa County’s recycling points and accepted materials can be found online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/recycle.

Navarre may be almost a continent away from Hollywood, but that doesn’t mean that the movie-making industry doesn’t have roots in the sandy shores of Santa Rosa Sound.

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