your connection to the beach - Panama City Beach Chamber of
Transcription
your connection to the beach - Panama City Beach Chamber of
The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce your connection to the beach going green 11 Green Things To Do in Panama City Beach 8 Ways to Green Up Your Life 1 New Nature Center on the way PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 50 PANAMA CITY FL BANKING CENTER REAL ESTATE CORNER GRAND OPENINGS AROUND TOWN MEMBER NEWS CALENDAR OF EVENTS November/December 2007 Vol 2 Issue 6 www.pcbeach.org The Circuit November/December 2007 3 VISIT “The Good Life” ON FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST You’re Invited To Our Summer OPEN HOUSE Open Every Day Thru August, 9a-5p M-Sa. and 10a-4p Sun. Majestic Beach Towers - Panama City Beach 10901 FRONT BEACH ROAD The Pearl - Navarre Beach 8499 GULF BLVD. he Emerald Co ling T ast l e S (850) 233-8977 www.majesticbeachproperties.com MAJESTIC BEACH P R O P E RT I E S , L L C Multiple Listing Services REALTOR ® 4 MLS ® AGENTS: If you are looking for a new position with a great company and want to sit on some impressive projects, give us a call. 10901 Front Beach Road • Panama City Beach, FL 32407 • Fax (850) 233-8870 • Toll Free (866) 216-0940 The Circuit November/December 2007 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY The Circuit November/December 2007 5 FIREFLY N estled in the Shoppes at Edgewater, Firefly is Panama City Beach’s newest fine dining experience. Come relax in a tranquil, stylish environment and sample delicious fare from Chef Shelley Cooper’s creative menu. Home of the $9.95 Seafood Platter The Lighting of a New Era in Fine Dining Daily Lunch Specials starting at only $5.99 with choice of 2 veggies FIREFLY - MENU SAMPLES “Best Lunch on the Beach!” Jumbo Lump Crab Sweet Roasted Corn, Shaved Vidalia Onion, Grape Tomatoes, Green Goddess Seared Rare Tuna Citrus Soy, Wasabi Ginger, Chili Mustard, Sesame Melon Salad Seared Grouper “In The Sac” with Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf in a Butter Poached Lobster Sauce Bacon Wrapped Gorgonzola Stuffed Pork Chop with Red Skin Potato Hash Handmade Angel Hair Shrimp Elfo with Mushrooms, Chardonnay & Asiago Homemade Pizzas ~Asparagus, Bacon, Brie, Fontina, Truffle Oil ~Steak & Mushroom with Boursin & Cheddar Key Lime Icebox Pie Gingersnap Macadamia Crust, Mile High Meringue, Warm Coconut Cream “Tini Tuesday” $5 Stoli Martinis. Live Entertainment Thursdays and Saturdays with the Regular Guys. Open nightly from 5:00. Reservations recommended; appropriate attire appreciated. Shoppes at Edgewater, 249-FFLY (3359). 6 The Circuit November/December 2007 The Circuit November/December 2007 7 c h a i r m a n‘ s r e p o r t W The Greate r Panama C ity Beache s Chamber of Commer ce your conne ction to the bea ch dining out IN PANAMA CIT MEMBER NEW S AROUND TOW N GRAND OPEN INGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Y BEACH Don’t Miss BUSINESS EXP Tuesday, April O 24th at Boardwalk Beach Resor t The you March/April 2007 Gre ater Pan r co nne ama City Bea che s Ch a mbe r of Com mer ce Vol 2 Issue 2 www.pcbeach.or g going green 10 ctio n to the bea ch Green PanamAdventures in a City B each 8 Ways to Up YourGreen 1 New Life N Center on theature way BANK ING CE NTER ESTA TE CO GRAN RNER D OP ENIN GS AROU ND TO WN MEMB CALE NDAR ER NEWS OF EV ENTS REAL Novem ber/De cember 2007 Vol 2 Issue 6 www.p cbeach .org Are You Connected to the Beach? Advertise your business in The Circuit! 2008 Spotlight Schedule: JAN/FEB Chamber’s Annual Report MAR/APR Special Restaurant Guide MAY/JUN Shopping & Things To Do JUL/AUG Resorts and Real Estate SEP/OCT The Science of Wellness hen I first heard that the theme of this Circuit edition was ‘Going Green,’ I thought it was going to include articles about how to make more money. Or possibly an article about Leprechauns. Or maybe even a story about how vacationing in Panama City Beach makes the neighbors jealous. It turns out that the last thought, about vacationing in Panama City Beach, is not far off base. On a different note, I am sad that this is my last Chairman’s report. It has been an exciting year as Chairman, and I have had fun at the helm. I think we’ve made a lot of positive changes at the Chamber, and have set the course for future years. Speaking of Leprechauns, your incoming Chairman, Al McCambry, will do an excellent job, and I know the Chamber will fair well under his leadership. You’ll read in this issue about the Audubon Center as well as some areas of natural beauty in Bay County. In addition, there will be some ideas about how we can all make changes in our life to live more ‘green,’ and places we can go to have ‘green’ adventures. With eco-tourism a rising segment of the tourism industry, we can’t afford to be left behind in this area. Be sure to let your friends borrow this issue if they don’t have an issue of their own. This raises a question. Is re-gifting a form of recycling? If so, I am a professional recycler! The Chamber Board is having a planning retreat at the end of November to finalize the program of work for next year. If you have any ideas or suggestions about what the Chamber could do differently or better, please email President Debi Knight or me. president ‘s report D uring the latter part of November, your Board of Directors will be attending a planning retreat to focus on current challenges that face this community and region every day. Finding solutions to increase our workforce, attainable housing, transportation needs, CRA and continuing education are just a few items that will be discussed. Promoting and marketing our region is also a key factor for the development of our community. Your city and county representatives are spending endless hours making decisions that will change this community forever. On the same note, I want to say what an honor it has been working with NOV/DEC Going Green Call Bethany Edwards for rates and information at (850) 235-1159. 8 David Powell The Circuit November/December 2007 Thanks again to all of you for your support of the Chamber. Since I will have some extra time on my hands starting in January, if you need me, I’ll be at my office planning a ‘green’ adventure! Debi Knight your Chairman, David Powell. David took on a great deal of responsibility in a short period of time, with vigor, commitment, determination and leadership. Going through our second Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber is a major undertaking. For over seven months your staff, board of directors and committee volunteers worked on budget, finance, governmental affairs, marketing, policies, procedures, short term and long term goals for your chamber of commerce. I am proud of everyone’s hard work, dedication and commitment to the best business organization in the Southeast. Let’s keep making a difference. The World is Tipping Green The Audubon Center at West Bay will provide a destination for visitors to Bay County and a learning center for the local community. Turn to Page 16 for more information. Since 1947 The Gift of Dance Learn Social & Ballroom Dancing -Private & Group Classes -Wedding Programs Enjoy the Benefits of Dancing -Exercise in a friendly environment -Enjoy social interaction Succeed with Our Unique System of Teaching -Developed by Fred Astaire himself -Taught by our certified instructors aaaaa Open Monday – Friday, 12-9 pm Gift certificates available (850) 873-6269 No partner necessary 2401 Ruth Hentz Ave. Banking solutions for more than 100 years. 7522 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach 230-9800 3400 Marriott Dr. Bay Point 234-2375 220 W. 19th St. Panama City 913-9832 12216 Panama City Beach Panama City Beach 233-1878 Member FDIC The Circuit November/December 2007 9 The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce 2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman of the Board David Powell, Peoples First Community Bank Past Chairman Russ Smith, Towne of Seahaven Incoming Chairman Al McCambry, Knology Treasurer Rick Dye, Regions Bank Secretary Philip Griffitts, Jr., Sugar Sands Beach Resort EDC Chairman Deborah Hunt, Peoples First Community Bank Legal Council Steven L. Applebaum The Board Mike Abney, Prudential Shimmering Sands Carol Bell, ID’s and More Karen Blackerby, Magnum Capital Robert Carroll, McNeil Carroll Engineering Mack Carter, Shuckum’s Oyster Pub, Another Broken Egg Anthony Dubose, Coastal Community Insurance Agency Wes Grant, Travelodge John Hamati, Marriott’s Bay Point Resort Fritz Hoehne, Comcast Cable Lewis Howell, The St. Joe Company Terri Hugghins, Vision Bank Lee Ann Leonard, By The Sea Resorts Doreen Morgan, Century 21 Commander Realty Gayle Oberst, CFT Pyramid Lisa Powell, Hombre Golf Club Bill Sherr, Labor Ready Skip Stoltz, Countrywide Home Loans Bob Zamboni, Zeebest McDonald’s 10 your connection to the beach N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R CONTENTS Membership Features 16 The Audubon Center at West Bay A Green Come True... 20 8 Ways to Green Up Your Life 22 11 Green Things To Do In or Near Panama City Beach 34 34 35 36 Events 8 8 12 12 15 25 27 28 Friday at the Beach 29 Calendar of Events 29 After Hours 34 Leads Group Around Town 30 Community Update 30 Gulf Coast Workforce Board 30 Local Government Update 2 0 0 7 Grand Openings Membership Report New and Renewing Members Member News In Every Issue Chairman’s Report President’s Report Banking Center Real Estate Corner A Few Minutes With... Dining Out Biz Spotlight Cover photo by Tyler Finklea The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce 415 Beckrich Rd., Suite 200, Panama City Beach, FL 32407 Phone: (850) 235-1159 Fax: (850) 235-2301 PCBeach.org CHAMBER OFFICERS President/CEO Senior VP Marketing & PR Director of Operations VP Membership Services Membership Services Web Manager Research/Communications Membership Accounting Mgr. Information Specialist Receptionist Information Specialist Debi Knight Marta Rose Beth Oltman Skip Alford Tyler Finklea Jessica Summers Bethany Edwards Jena Kimmel Bertie Reynolds Joyce Kidd Gloria Mallory EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Marta Rose Creative Director Marta Rose Advertising Sales Beth Oltman Bethany Edwards Production Boyd Brothers Printing Distribution Allegra Print & Imaging, Errands Galore Contributing Mayor Gayle Oberst, Writers Kimberly Bodine, Bay Solutions, Jessica Summers Panama City Beach is full of natural beauty to explore and enjoy. Turn to Page 22 to learn 11 Green Things To Do in and near Panama City Beach. Photo by Tyler Finklea. The Circuit November/December 2007 The Circuit November/December 2007 11 Together We Can Make A Real Difference B B&T, Branch Banking and Trust Co., is the nation’s 12th largest financial holding company with over $127.6 billion in assets. Although we offer all the security and services of a large regional bank, that doesn’t mean we have to act like one. In fact, we have been operating as a family of community banks since 1872. BB&T keeps the authority to respond to local needs right where it belongs, in the hands of our local employees. After all, who could know the needs of people in Panama City better than people who’ve chosen to make City Executive Brian Robinson this their home? We offer full-service commercial, retail banking, and mortgage services. For example, our OnSite Deposit product allows you to deposit your checks virtually anytime from anywhere. Or consider the advantages of choosing our BB&T Merchant Service as your single service provider for credit card acceptance and better payment processing needs. You could also engage our Payroll Services, where we provide affordable, high-quality payroll processing solutions that can be customized to your specialized needs. Additional financial services include: investments, retail brokerage, corporate and consumer finance, insurance, international banking, leasing, and trust. BB&T is a proud member of The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber, and is engaged in this exciting and dynamic community. Please join us in Bay County’s future by supporting the Chamber’s efforts. Together we can make a real difference in the quality of life for our employees, our customers, and all who call Panama City and Bay County home. If this sounds like the kind of banking relationship you’d like to have, we hope you’ll stop by soon and let us get to know you. Or better yet, give us a call at (850) 636-2980 and we’ll come see you. Let Dunn Realty Put Their Experience to Work for You Corner B anking Center Real Estate D unn Realty at Panama City Beach Inc. has been doing business in Bay County since 1990. Initially, dealing primarily with property management and vacation rentals, Dunn Realty began expanding into the Real Estate Sales Market in 1994. Today, Dunn Realty manages approximately 250 homes, condos, apartments and multi-family units across Bay County. We have exceeded $60 million in real estate sales over the last three years. Dunn Realty is family owned and operated. Emily “Deta” Dunn is a licensed Real Estate Broker, and she established Dunn Realty at Panama City Beach Inc. in 1990. Deta currently works primarily with Administrative and Property Management Services. Gary D. Dunn is also a licensed Real Estate Broker and he joined Deta in the family business in 1994. Gary’s primary focus is working From left: Gary D. Dunn, Emily “Deta” Dunn, Robin with sales, Dunn Hicks. both residential and commercial. Robin Dunn Hicks is a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate. She began working with Dunn Realty in September of 2004. Robin works with Property Management services and sales. Whatever your Real Estate needs, Dunn Realty at Panama City Beach Inc. will put their experience to work for you. The sales team can assist you with buying or selling Real Estate. Whether you are looking for a Property Manager, or looking for a long term rental property, Dunn Realty can assist you. In addition, Gary D. Dunn and Robin Dunn Hicks have both obtained their Community Association Management (C.A.M.) License. Deta, Gary and Robin have formed a C.A.M. Partnership: Dunn Association Management, Partners, LLC. In addition to the Real Estate Sales and Long Term Property Management, we provide Community Association Management services. Dunn Realty is located at 16500 Panama City Beach Parkway in the Pier Plaza building. Contact Dunn Realty at (850) 235-0146, or visit www.dunnrealty.com. 12 The Circuit November/December 2007 www.NevesMedia.com BEFORE ANYONE NOTICES YOU FORGOT TO ROLL OUT A NEW YOU FRESH I D E A ... SHOULD CALL! 850/215-4170 NevesMedia A Full Service Media Development Company The Circuit November/December 2007 Production | Design | Print | Development 13 You’ve Found Your Beach... We’ll Help You Finance Your Beach House! At Vision Bank, we believe that finding the right mortgage should be easy. That’s why our Mortgage Loan Specialists have developed hassle-free products that Advertise your business in THE CIRCUIT your connection to the beach will insure that financing your dream is as easy as a day at the beach. Visit one of our convenient locations to find out how to best finance your dream home, and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying life on the Emerald Coast. Locations Panama City Beach 850.636.4944 Beckrich Road 850.636.7940 Panama City 850.522.4000 St. Joe Beach 850.647.3337 Port St. Joe 850.229.8226 Santa Rosa Beach 850.622.2370 Wewahitchka 850.639.2222 Destin 850.269.1709 www.visionbankfl.net 14 The Circuit November/December 2007 10,000 issues all over Panama City Beach, every other month Call (850) 235-1159 for Rates & Information Now 2007 reserv holid ing fo ay se r the ason ! A great party starts with a great location. Book your holiday event with the area’s most distinguished host - the Convention Center at the Boardwalk Beach Resort. From corporate Christmas parties to intimate weddings, the spacious facilities provide a wealth of options to enhance any meeting or event. Also available is the White House on St. Andrews Bay, Watercrest Condominium, and coming soon, Laketown Wharf. All great locations that will serve as the life of the party. Contact us today to discuss your options and availability. Your next event will be nothing short of a grand success. R oya l A m e r i c a n H o s p i t a l i t y S a l e s & C ate r i n g | 8 5 0 - 2 3 0 - 4 6 8 2 | w w w. G e t Away to t h e G u l f. c o m The Circuit November/December 2007 15 The Audubon Center at A Green Com 16 The Circuit November/December 2007 OUR CULTURAL & West Bay ENVIRONMENTAL e True... HERITAGE On January 31, 2007, the National Audubon Society and The St. Joe Company announced a partnership to create a world-class, state-of-the-art Nature Center in Northwest Florida which will celebrate and explore the area’s habitat and wildlife, and showcase efforts to restore the area’s native pine flatwoods ecosystem. BY MARTA ROSE, WITH EXCERPS FROM LA FLORIDA ANO 1539 BY ST. JOE PHOTOGRAPHS BY LINDA MACBETH, ED BLAKE, TYLER FINKLEA & EDDIE SUMMERS O n October 21, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto crossed the Apalachicola River into Northwest Florida. There he beheld a landscape that looked nothing like the Panhandle we know today. What DeSoto saw he thought strikingly beautiful. He called it La Florida, Spanish for “flower.” He found the land accessible -- flat and open and easy to cross with his phalanx of men, horses, pigs and provisions. The diaries of his men detail the hike; there was no hacking through a thicket as you might imagine, it was more like a stroll in the park. Imagine seeing Northwest Florida as it was on that day, first wave ashore, before all the Europeans arrived and centuries of practical progress dramatically changed the landscape. Imagine returning the land to its roots, before logging roads and pine plantations and agricultural ambition, before technological trial and error altered and hemmed and hacked at native design. Audubon of Florida and The St. Joe Company are making a radical proposition. Together, they want to restore 41,000 acres around West Bay to the condition in which DeSoto found it. Talk about habitat restoration. Following is an excerpt from St. Joe’s white paper concept, “La Florida Ano 1539.” How will it happen? How do you roll back time 500 years? You begin by determining what DeSoto saw, and, then, oh-so slowly, meticulously returning the land as closely as possible to that primal condition. It’s a long journey almost as daunting as DeSoto’s. The pine trees 500 years ago were not the slash and loblollies you see today. They were, instead, fire-loving longleafs, with bouquets of needles designed to protect their buds from lightning fires that sometimes burned for weeks. A single tree might be targeted by thousands of lightning bolts a year, and some of those strikes inevitably kindled fires in the pine needles and grasses. Photo by Linda Macbeth The longleaf and lightning were, essentially, codependents, keeping the forest floor groomed and untangled. Flora and fauna that survived the fires thrived because of them. Wiregrass, for instance, could not reproduce without the lightning. The Circuit November/December 2007 17 GOING GREEN The trees spaced themselves far apart. The Marine Corps has its few good men. A longleaf forest had its few good trees; the ones that grew tall from patient, deep taproots and could live for five hundred years. And those sparsely spaced pines, two hundred feet or so apart, allowed a flowering forest floor, almost meadow-like in appearance. The wildflower tableau changed with every season. Pitcher plants, goldenrods, sundews, bladderworts, butterworts, orchids, blazing stars, rush featherlings, sunflowers, golden asters, camphorweed – an endless list, a kaleidoscope of color. DeSoto’s exploration, of course, opened the door for settlement, development, a network of roads. It opened the door for progress, and the inevitable enterprises that follow, with commerce that requires wood, and lots of it. Trees became another crop, planted in rows, often in altered, marginal lands that in the past would have been too wet for pines. As houses, paper mills and fire towers went up, the number of fires went down. Lightning fires went the way of the buggy whip. There was human control. The forest was forever changed. In the absence of the fires, a sunless thicket of bramble and briar filled in the small spaces left between the row trees. There was no room, or sunlight, for the wildflowers and birds and tortoises and lizards. Many varieties of plants and seemingly inconsequential wildlife – the scarab beetle, tineid moths and Florida mice – began to disappear. the WBPA, an environmental destination for visitors to Bay County and a learning center for the local community. While an exact site for a nature center has not yet been chosen, the location will likely be on land off of Highway 79 facing the west side of the bay. Audubon Centers are designed to provide educational, nature-based and hands-on experiences to people of all ages and to influence the uses of ecosystems where they are located. While all Audubon Centers share some common elements and the common goal of bringing people and nature together, each is specific to its location. The Audubon Center at West Bay will celebrate and explore the cultural and environmental heritage of Northwest Florida with education, research and stewardship programs focusing on the area’s habitat and wildlife. Serving as a gateway to the larger West Bay Preservation Area, the multi-functional center will highlight the unique landscapes of St. Andrews Bay and showcase efforts to restore the area’s native marsh, aquatic and woodland ecosystems. To that end, the Audubon Center will include a demonstration project that allows visitors to see first-hand the process of restoration. A Nature Center provides the opportunity to create a focal point for the West Bay Preservation Area, an environmental destination for visitors to Bay County, and a learning center for the local community. An entire ecosystem all but vanished, and restoration will take place slowly, one discovery, one step, one day, at a time. We are the explorers this time. The end result should be satisfying, and dramatic. The Audubon Center at West Bay: A Green Come True In December 2004 the Bay County Commission passed an historic largescale, long-term land use plan for northwestern Bay County. The 75,000acre “West Bay Sector Plan” was the result of more than two years of work, dozens of public meetings and hundreds more informal meetings and consultations with experts and officials as at all levels of government. The sector plan, now part of the Bay County Comprehensive Plan, contained an entitlement for a “nature center.” At the time the entitlement was included in the plan, local leaders believed that someday a nature center could provide the public access to a portion of the West Bay Preservation Area (WBPA). This area comprises approximately 41,000 acres -- nearly 66 square miles – of important watershed and habitat surrounding West St. Andrew Bay – one of the nation’s most biologically diverse estuaries. The area includes 33 miles of shoreline and an additional 44 miles of buffers along creeks and tributaries that feed the bay, such as Crooked and Burnt Mills Creeks. The flatwoods and marshes found in the West Bay Preservation Area function as an important filtering system that protects water purity and maintains a healthy environment for many species of fish, wading birds, shore birds, water fowl and other aquatic life. Today, Audubon and St. Joe believe that this entitlement, if properly utilized, will have a significant long-term positive impact on Bay County and Northwest Florida. It will provide the opportunity to create a focal point for 18 The Circuit November/December 2007 While future planning will determine specific programs and activities, early concepts include both passive and hands-on nature-based activities, all with the purpose of connecting people to the land. The many possibilities include visual arts, exhibits, hiking and water trails, bird watching platforms, scenic overlooks and interactive programs. The Center’s design will be consistent with National Audubon Society standards and programs. The Audubon Center at West Bay will include 66 square miles of important watershed and habitat, 33 miles of West Bay shoreline, and 44 miles adjacent to creeks and tributaries. Acreage includes a variety of ecosystem areas and an IBA Audubon-designated Imported Bird Area for migratory birds. The Audubon Center at West Bay will operate as part of the national network of Audubon Centers employing professionally trained staff and community volunteers. It will be designed to appeal to diverse audiences, including Northwest Florida residents, students, and visitors from around the nation and the world. The Center will connect people with nature by introducing them to the region’s diverse habitat and wildlife. Audubon Centers are investments in the communities in which they are located. At a time when travelers are seeking more meaningful experiences, the Audubon Center at West Bay will provide a unique destination for people visiting Northwest Florida. Audubon and the St. Joe Company are reaching out to residents, educators, donors, conservationists, local institutions, government leaders, and others to identify partners and participants in the planning process. The costs of building and operating the Audubon Center at West Bay are considerable. Leadership gifts for the Center’s capital campaign are being identified at this time. For information on how you can become involved, contact Linda Macbeth, Project Manager Audubon Center at West Bay, at (850) 865-8411 to receive updates and participate in planning activities and other events. GOING GREEN Photography of the West Bay by Ed Blake, The Landscape Studio, Mississippi. The Circuit November/December 2007 19 GOING GREEN 8 WAYS TO GREEN UP YOUR LIFE From this summer’s “Live Earth” events to last year’s An Inconvenient Truth, the call to action grows louder: It’s time to take responsibility for saving the planet. Consider these small changes that have a larger impact when consistently practiced. BY JESSICA SUMMERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY TYLER FINKLEA, EDDIE SUMMERS, SKIP ALFORD, THOMAS LEE 1. In The Car As urban sprawl increases, people are on the road for longer, and driving more. At the pace of most American’s lives, people are hardly waiting a moment to arrange a carpool or take the bus. Try carpooling with neighbors and friends who head in the same direction each morning, or simply carpool with your spouse or family member. The bus schedule is easy to find: visit Baytowntrolley.com. If your situation doesn’t allow for these options, remember that driving the tires off that SUV that seats 10 is obviously not a green option. If you can, take a smaller car for longer trips or your daily commute. 2. In The Home We all remember Mom or Dad chastising us for leaving the lights on when we were a kid. This practice is more relevant now than ever. Be sure to turn off lights, ceiling fans and other appliances that can run without our conscious acknowledgment. Buying appliances that display the Energy Star label is another way to combat energy waste. Talk to your power company about an energy audit, to find ways you can cut back on your usage, as well as your monthly bill. Try participating in a rotating watering schedule in your neighborhood. Your city hall can give you more information. Also, if you install sprinklers (especially timed systems), make sure you are not watering your lawn during storms or rainy weeks. In a similar effort, ceasing the use of pesticides on your outdoor plants protects the health of your family and prevents toxic run-off which contaminates city water supply. 4. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” While it may have become somewhat of a cliché, it still rings true today that informed and responsible consumers make an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. Reduce waste by buying in bulk. Reuse plastics by refilling bottles and using plastic grocery bags as waste can liners, litter box liners or informal tote bags. Recycling can often be the most difficult of the three. Try creating a simple dividing bin area in or outside your kitchen to easily divide materials before pick-up or drop-off. Dealing with unwanted clutter or old furniture in your home? Visit Freecycle.org to find your local Freecycle forum where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure – plus the taker will actually pick it up rather than you having to haul it to a landfill. 3. In The Yard Water has become a precious resource, and one that is most often taken for granted. Few people realize that lawn care accounts for the largest portion of water used in a normal household. 20 Photographed by, from top: Eddie Summers, Tyler Finklea, Skip Alford, Eddie Summers, Tyler Finklea. The Circuit November/December 2007 GOING GREEN 5. In the Pantry 7. At the Polls Agricultural methods in the US have finally taken their toll on our environment and our way of life. You can do so much good by just purchasing wisely at your local supermarket. Buying USDA Certified Organic foods promotes growers who do not use toxic, non-degradable chemical pesticides on the food and food components which pollute our land and water, and food supply (including animal products). You can also read product labels to find items that use sustainable energy practices in their factories and humane animal stewardship, which both promote a healthy environment. You may find that many organic manufacturers practice all three. Political candidates in the 21st century know they must address environmental concerns and issues in their platform. Although hotly debated, environmental protection policies affect everyone. Educating yourself and voting accordingly is one of the biggest things you can do to improve your community and your family’s future. 6. In your Office Your purchasing power extends farther than just the grocery store. Encourage your office to reduce paper usage by relying on email, recycling, and buying office supplies containing at least 10% post-consumer waste. These supplies are usually only slightly more expensive, and make a big statement to your customers and employees that your company is a caring, aware and socially involved one. 8. Travel Green There are an increasing number of hotels and resorts that are taking measures to be greener. You may have already seen hotels that, unless you specifically ask for it, do not wash bedding on a daily basis during your stay. You don’t wash your sheets every day at home; why should you while on vacation? Some national hotel chains are using energy-saving common technology like motion activated hallway lighting and solar powered golf carts, while others are going a step further with green event planning and LEED Certification (Leaders in Environmental Engineering). For more information on green living and upcoming green events, contact the Chamber at (850) 235-1159. The Green Revolution Friends of St Andrews Bay (BEST), FSU and others are coming together to promote the First Annual 33 Days of Green community event consisting of seminars, speakers, sales and special promotions. 33 Days of Green begins with Go Green on the Emerald Coast on February 20th, 2008, a day-long workshop for developers, general contractors and others in the construction industry. A luncheon and seminar at Gulf Coast Community College will feature Dr. Jennifer Languell of Trifecta Construction Solutions (Trifectaconstruction.com). The Bay Green Expo on March 22nd at Gulf Coast Community College will educate the community on living Greener, building Greener, and ways to minimize resource consumption. This expo will feature vendors displaying the use of Green products and possibilities. The Green Tour on March 23rd will take participants to see real life examples of how some people make living Green a part of their everyday lives. For information and sponsorship opportunities, visit Baygreenexpo.com and Baybest.org. The Circuit November/December 2007 21 GOING GREEN 1. Gayle’s Trails. 2. Frank Brown Park. Hike, bike, in-line skate or skateboard for fitness and leisure on Gayle’s Trails greenways and trails. The trailhead is located at the corner of Hwy. 79 South and Hwy. 98. Plan a family picnic at the park’s Under the Palms Playground; take your dog to the play area; take your child or grandchild fishing at the Youth Fishing Pond; sign up for an Environmental Education Fieldtrip at the Community Center. Call Frank Brown Park at 233-5045 for more information. 3. 11 GREEN THINGS TO DO IN OR NEAR PANAMA CITY BEACH 4. Aaron Bessant Amphitheater. Listen to music outdoors at a Pier Park Concert Series event during the summer season at Aaron Bessant Amphitheater. Call Pier Park at 236-9974 for a concert schedule. 5. St. Andrews State Park. Swim, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak or canoe at St. Andrews State Park. The park also includes two fishing piers, a jetty and boat ramp for ample fishing opportunities for anglers. Call the park at 233-5140 for more information. 6. Camp Helen. Located west of Panama City Beach just inside Bay County, on U.S. 98 at the west end of the Lake Powell bridge. From 1945 to 1987 the camp was a company resort for employees of an Alabama textile mill; some of the buildings are now 22 The Circuit November/December 2007 7. PCB Aquatic Center. Swim and dive year-round at the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center. Call 236-2205 for information on membership, swimming lessons and corporate fitness plans. 8. Kayaking is a wonderful way to exercise, get outdoors and view nature, wildlife, fish, or just relax after a hard day at the office. Call Brad Stephens at Sunjammers Watersports at 235-2281 to plan your expedition. Try Birding! There are numerous spots on Panama City Beach where a multitude of bird species can be spotted, either in the greenways or on the shore. At St. Andrews State Park two nature trails wind through a rich diversity of coastal plant communities -- a splendid opportunity for birdwatching. Call St. Andrews State Park at 233-5140, or visit Floridabirdingtrail.com for more information. being restored. Natural areas range from coastal dunes and salt marshes along the Gulf to freshwater wetlands and sand pine scrub along the lake. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking and fishing – both freshwater and saltwater. Call 233-5059 for more information. Photo by Thomas Lee 9. View From The Sky. Take a scenic helicopter ride over the Gulf; view Panama City Beach and St. Andrews State Park from the sky. Call Panhandle Helicopter at 230-2080 for more information. 10. Pines & Ponds of PCB. Opening in 2008, the 3,000-acre area situated between Hwy. 79 and Wild Heron will contain dirt trails ideal for walking, hiking and off-road biking, and will be a birdwatcher’s paradise. Gayle’s Trails connects Pines & Ponds at the west end of the beach to St. Andrews State Park on the east; both nature parks contain an abundance of wildlife including osprey, eagles, deer, wild hogs and raccoon. 11. Ironman Triathlon. Hosted by The Friends of St. Andrews State Park, this event takes place November 1st thru 5th (Thursday - Monday). The running portion of the Ironman Triathlon takes place from 8:00 am to sunset within the boundaries of the park as well as the local community. Park entrance fee is waived for participants. Call 233-5164 for more information. Printing in Paradise ...and helping to keep it that way. Allegra Print and Imaging is committed to providing high quality print services without sacrificing the quality of our environment. As a local business involved in and supporting our community, you are more than our customers ...you are our friends and neighbors in a beautiful coastal ecosystem. We want to keep it that way and do our part for the community by reducing waste and recycling. . . . . . . We use vegetable based inks and recycled paper. We separate and recycle our scrap paper and cardboard packing material. We recycle our digital toner cartridges. We collect and recycle our metal printing plates and film. We provide digital proofs to use less paper and reduce the need for you to travel. We are your local print provider and offer local deliveries to reduce the environmental impact of out of state shipping and individual travel. 2505 West 15th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 | 850.747.9000 7902 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32407 | 850.234.6101 The Circuit November/December 2007 23 Let us help you write your success story At Peoples First, we recognize that communities prosper when residents accomplish their personal goals. That’s why our banking centers are far more than just transaction centers. We’re committed to really getting to know you so that we can better help you realize your aspirations – be they educational, financial, professional or even recreational. Trust your dreams to the Peoples First team and experience the close personal attention you’ll receive only at a true community bank. David Powell Market Leader Sherry Bruening Asst. Manager Edgewater Dorothy Bechtold Manager Beach Kate Baldwin Asst. Manager Beach The best bank in the neighborhood. Edgewater Banking Center Beach Banking Center 415 Beckrich Rd. 234-7010 9001 Front Beach Rd. 234-7456 www.peoplesfirst.com &.2%"-" "$-"/../-+(((+*$/%" ,-&./&*" .%+-"(&*" ./+,,&*$ +*(3/+!&,/%"&-%"!.&*/+ /%" ++( ("*2/"- This is Lake Merial **-"+#+-/%2"./ (+-&!'*+2*#+-&/. !&./&* /&1"0*.,+&("!*/0-( #"/0-"./%&.('".&!" +))0*&/3&.)&*0/".-")+1"! #-+)/%" (+$+# +*./*//-# &$%23 '""-&( 24 The Circuit November/December 2007 Dining Out ? n i a P Neck by Marta Rose Lowback Pain? Headaches? a? algi y m ro Fib Fatigue ? Do you suffer endlessly from any of the above conditions? Have you tried everything and still can’t find relief? Uncle Ernie’s on historic St. Andrew’s Marina I visited Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill & Brew House on a warm evening in early fall. My friend and I elected to sit upstairs on the balcony facing the marina, and the sun setting in the sky provided a magical, colorful backdrop to the evening. A local musician entertained us with soft acoustic guitar music, and we sat back, relaxed and sipped our mango mojito and pomegranite martini as a warm breeze passed through. Such is a typical evening at Uncle Ernie’s, the perfect place to go enjoy the “local color” of Bayside living in Panama City. From its cool collection of martinis to its eclectic ensemble of appetizers, fresh seafood and fish, pasta dishes and salads, Uncle Ernie’s pleases the palate in a big way! We started our meal with Uncle Ernie’s AwardWinning Crab Cakes topped with grilled shrimp and honey mustard...succulent, moist and meaty. Chef Geier’s Homemade Smoked Tuna Dip with tortilla chips is among the best I’ve had, and the Coconut-Pecan Shrimp were delicious. It’s easy to go overboard on the starters, and Uncle Ernie’s has many good ones, including Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Thai slaw and sweet chile sauce, Sauteed Garlic Parmesan Oysters, Stone Crab Claws, Homemade Oyster Stew and Black Bean Crab Spread served with garlic flatbread. Among the fresh seafood selections at Uncle Ernie’s are shrimp, sea scallops, grouper, stone crab claws, tuna, soft shell crab and catch of the day. I tried one of the House Specials and absolutely loved it, the Scallops Florentine: sea scallops on a bed of fresh spinach topped with crab and shrimp in a creamy Imperial sauce... surrounded by grilled portobello mushrooms. My friend tried the Italian-influenced Capellini a la Lucia with Fresh Mozzarella: angel hair pasta lightly sauteed in olive oil with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil and fresh mozzarella, topped with shrimp and scallops. Uncle Ernie’s also has a collection of satisfying salads that are appropriate for your main course, such as the 8 oz. Ribeye Steak Salad, the New Orleans Spicy Fried Shrimp Salad, the authentic Italian Insalata Roma, the Fajita Chef Salad, and a very fulfilling Spinach Salad with Bronzed Chicken and fresh mushrooms, red onions, hard boiled eggs, Mandarin oranges and pecans, served with a tangy honey mustard dressing. If relaxing with a cocktail is what you have in mind, Uncle Ernie’s Super Sexy Martini menu has some treats in store! Love Juice is hard to beat, with its infusion of tropical nectars from mango, melons, guava and passion fruit. The refreshing Mary Jo, a simple concoction of Malibu rum with peaches, pineapple and cranberry, is satisfying, or try the more decadent Red Velvet - raspberry vodka and Chambord swirled with Bailey’s, chocolate liqueur, raspberry sauce and cream - for later in the evening. Uncle Ernie’s is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 9:00/9:30 pm. Call (850) 763-8427 for more information. Ready to have your restaurant reviewed? Call Marta Rose at the Chamber, at (850) 235-1159. Are you tired of taking pain medication? My name is Dr. Jon Sherman and I have very specific programs to finally relieve these conditions that are interfering with your everyday activities. These systems are fast, aggressive, and most importantly - EFFECTIVE. My clinics offer a friendly and relaxing atmosphere geared towards patient comfort and healing that you will not experience anywhere else. The hardest part of your care at my office is just picking up that phone and making that first appointment. So, take action now and call now for your FREE consultation to see if one of my programs can finally relieve you of your discomfort. (850) 249-WELL (9355) www.pcbpainrelief.com The Circuit November/December 2007 25 OVER GRAND PANAMA RESORT 25,000 SWIMSUITS! Hutchison Boulevard, Panama City Beach Another Broken Egg Cafe When it comes to breakfast or lunch, we offer a totally egg-ceptional experience! Great Food… Affordable Prices Warm & Inviting Atmosphere (850) 249-2007 26 The Circuit November/December 2007 Beach Scene 10059 HUTCHISON BLVD, PCB, FL 233-1662 t h g i l t o p S z i B C CYber SYtes: What You See on the Net Yber SYtes, the area’s largest website design firm, began modestly in 1995 right after Hurricane Opal. The company’s first venture was to create two Internet Cafes, one at (then) “Panama Java” and another at “The Bayview Cafe.” Company founder David Goldflies (and former Allman Brothers band member) notes, “It turned out Internet Cafes weren’t that good of an idea at the time ... but the contacts made through that first venture proved invaluable.” As more and more people began to use the Internet, businesses began inquiring about placing their business online, and so CYber SYtes began designing, hosting and supporting websites. Around that time, Cindy Klauss from the Fort Walton Beach/Destin area was introduced to David by a mutual friend after Cindy expressed an interest in learning about the Internet. This meeting turned into a potent combination, with David’s artistic and technical skills being complemented by Cindy’s background in accounting and writing. By 1998, CYber SYtes had grown enough that it was time to become incorporated, and it became CYber SYtes, Inc, a thriving Web Development Company. The first big breakthrough came when the company was hired to design Sandestin’s first website. CYber SYtes’ founder David Goldflies. CYber SYtes is a supporter of the arts in Panama City. Goldflies participates in musical theater at the Kaleidoscope Theater in Lynn Haven and current performs (on Bass Viol) with the new “Panama City POPS” Orchestra, Bay County’s local orchestra. Now, with over 500 clients, CYber SYtes has grown in ways unimaginable from its beginning. Says Goldflies, “As the Internet has grown, so have the demands on businesses to place their products and services online. That is what we do day in and day out at CYber SYtes.” In 2006, CYber SYtes was awarded the contract to build and maintain The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce’s new website. The requirements were a more modern look, easy to update, easy to use, and improved search engine rankings. As of the time At At Thanksgiving Thanksgiving we we pause pause to to count count our our blessings: blessings: The The freedoms freedoms we we enjoy enjoy in in this this great great country; country; Its Its opportunity opportunity for for achievement; achievement; The The friendship friendship and and opportunity opportunity you you have have shown shown us. us. For For all all of of these these things things we we are are deeply deeply thankful, thankful, Our Our best best wishes wishes for for aa Happy Happy Holiday Holiday Season. Season. Your BAYSOLUTIONS Team www.baysolutions.com (850) 763-4332 of the writing of this article, a Google Search for “Panama City Beach” places the Chamber website at #1. This is in part due to CYber SYtes’ evolving strategies to improve the site’s search engine rankings along with the trust and support of the Chamber’s staff, which has allowed this powerful association to help local businesses and visitors to the area. As the Internet continues to grow, the future looks bright for CYber SYtes. Check out their websites at cysy.com. Need Help? Errands Galore www.errandsgalorepc.com 271-4840 Business Documents Packages Courier Services Groceries Dry Cleaning Meal Delivery Prescriptions Plants / Floral Gifts / Seasonal Shopping General Merchandise Auto Parts Rental Equipment ...and more! LICENSED BONDED INSURED The Circuit November/December 2007 27 Friday at the Beach with Paris Janos of WJHG News Channel 7 ® November 9, 2007 7:30-9:00AM Edgewater Beach Resort Guest Speaker: Linda Macbeth, Audubon of Florida Sponsored by Wilson-Miller A residential preserve on West Bay December 14, 2007 7:30-9:00AM Marriott Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa Guest Speaker: Seclusion Bay Sponsored by Call the Chamber to RSVP at 235-1159 Celebrate Northwest Florida’s Environmental Heritage T The ultimate getaway, RiverCamps® on Crooked Creek is a 1,500 acre community carefully nestled in a secluded wooded preserve along the sparkling waters of Crooked Creek, and the spectacular 18,000 acre expanse of West Bay North on Hwy. 79 right on Hwy. 388 drive 2 miles For Sales Information Call 850.636.7777 www.rivercamps.com © 2007 The St. Joe Company. “JOE,” “St. Joe,” “RiverCamps” and the “Taking Flight” design are service marks of The St. Joe Company. The availability of St. Joe property (through any of its affiliates or subsidiaries) is subject to change without notice. Access to this property is prohibited without the express consent of St. Joe or its agency. The above shaded drawing of the State of Florida is provided to depict only the general location of the property being advertised herein and is not intended to represent either the holding of The St. Joe Company or its affiliates nor any specific lands being offered for sale by The St. Joe Company at this time. St. Joe makes no representation, warranty or guarantee as to any particular use or development allowed on any particular property, rather all properties are subject to federal, state and local governmental rules and regulations governing land use, permitting, building and zoning requirements and restrictions and may be subject to covenants, conditions and restrictions of St. Joe. This does not constitute an offer to sell real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or other advance qualifications of real property is required. Maps shown are not to scale. Void where prohibited by law. Equal Housing Opportunity. 28 he feature presentation at Friday at the Beach on November 9th will be theAudubon Center at West Bay. Linda Macbeth, project manager at Audubon of Florida, will describe the state-of-the-art nature center, on its way within the next 24 months, which will celebrate and explore the cultural and environmental heritage of Northwest Florida. The center will also promote education, Randy Curtis, Executive Director of the Airport Aur e s e a r c h thority, gave an update on the airport’s relocation and stew- project at the October 12th Friday at the Beach. ardship programs focusing on the area’s habitat and wildlife, and showcase efforts to restore the area’s native ecosystem. This event is sponsored by Knology, Wilson-Miller and First National Bank of Northwest Florida. Also at the November 9th Friday at the Beach will be Dr. Haley, principal of Arnold High School, describing the “Learn to Earn” movement whereby students seeking part-time employment will be required to show their school attendance records to the potential employer. Several years ago Dr. Haley did extensive research on the subject, and found that Japanese schools implement this in their school systems, with the idea that a student who Above: Paris Janos and Jody Har- has good school attendance will have good job attendance. less of Beach Care Services get Quacky at Friday at the Beach on October 12th. Below, from left: Chairman David Powell, Mayor Gayle Oberst, Randy Curtis, Incoming Chairman Al McCambry and President Debi Knight. The Circuit November/December 2007 At Friday at the Beach on December 14th the developers of Seclusion Bay, a collection of “Old-Florida-style” residences on St. Andrews Bay featuring fractional ownership, will lead the program at the Marriott Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa. Seclusion Bay will sponsor this event. . Calendar of Events November & December 2007 November 6 Tuesday 9:00 am Panama City Hall County Commission Meeting December 4 Tuesday 9:00 am Panama City Hall County Commissioner Meeting November 6 Tuesday 12:00-1:00 pm Trustmark Bank 12@12 Luncheon December 4 Tuesday 12:00-1:00 pm Trustmark Bank 12@12 Luncheon November 8 Thursday 12:00 noon Peoples First Bank Executive Board Meeting December 6 Thursday 12:00 noon Peoples First Bank Executive Board Meeting November 8 Thursday 6:00 pm City Hall Annex City Council Meeting December 11 Tuesday 9:00 am City Council Chamber TDC Meeting November 9 Friday 7:30-9:00 am Edgewater Friday at the Beach, featuring Linda Macbeth from Audubon of Florida December 11 Tuesday 5:30-8:30 pm Breakers Restaurant After Hours Holiday Party November 13 Tuesday 9:00 am City Council Chamber TDC Meeting November 20 Tuesday 9:00 am Panama City Hall County Commission Meeting November 20 Tuesday 5:30-7:30 pm Visual Arts Center After Hours Mixer: ethos & efish November 22 Thursday 2:00 pm City Hall Annex City Council Meeting November 27 Tuesday 9:00 am City Council Chamber TDC Meeting November 27 Tuesday 10:00 am Airport Board Rm Airport Authority Meeting November 27 Tuesday 3:00 pm Vision Bank EDC Meeting December 28 Wednesday 10:00 am-5:00 pm Marriott Board Planning Retreat December 12 Wednesday 3:00 pm Vision Bank Board Meeting C H A M B E R AfterHours Tuesday, November 20, 2007 ethos* & efish Visual Arts Center 5:30 to 7:30 PM *culture, civilization, urbanity; Refreshments catered by efish. 19 E. 4th Street, Panama City (corner of 4th and Harrison Ave.) December 13 Thursday 6:00 pm City Hall Annex City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 11, 2007 December 14 Friday 7:30-9:00 am Marriott Friday at the Beach, featuring Seclusion Bay Breakers on the Beach 5:30 to 8:30 PM Holiday Party December 14 Friday 10:00 am Airport Board Rm Airport Authority Meeting December 18 Tuesday 9:00 am Panama City Hall County Commission Meeting December 18 Tuesday 3:00 pm Vision Bank EDC Meeting December 27 Thursday 2:00 pm City Hall Annex City Council Meeting 12627 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach Events Open to Chamber Members & Their Guests R.S.V.P. to Bertie@PCBeach.org or Joyce@PCBeach.org The Circuit November/December 2007 29 AROUND TOWN Updates on Community, Workforce, Governmental Affairs & Military Community Update Mayor Gayle Oberst, City of Panama City Beach The City Council recently voted to allow dogs on the beach in a special area set aside for them. The 400 feet of beach is west of the Dan Russell Pier and will be marked with signs as a dog-friendly area, furnished with waste disposal units, and patrolled by volunteers and city staff to insure that all rules are adhered to. The City is continuing its efforts to clean up Front Beach Road and is presently going through the legal process to demolish two existing buildings. Some 20 properties on the Front Beach Road have been requested to demolish or renovate and of those, five have voluntarily been taken down. The City is working with The St. Joe Company on the Breakfast Point DRI, and construction of the K-8 school, which is scheduled to open in fall 2008, is progressing rapidly. The Audubon Center site has been finalized, a director for the center employed, and plans are being drafted. The trail system will allow for walking and biking to the Center, which will be located on the Bay. Simon Properties is putting in infrastructure and has already locked in several anchor stores. That area will be developed after Pier Park, the area located east of Aaron Bessant Park/Pier Park Drive. Stay tuned for exciting grand openings ceremonies and events at Pier Park; they should begin the end of 2007. HALO to Advance Careers in Healthcare Kimberly Bodine, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Workforce Board The Gulf Coast Workforce Board (GCWB) is launching a new program designed to meet the healthcare employment needs of the region. The program is called HALO (Healthcare Advancement Ladder Occupations), and will provide industry recognized training for new and existing healthcare workers. Through the program, the GCWB anticipates serving approximately 245 participants, with 230 projected to receive job placement and/or advancement in the healthcare sector. Dan’s Barbeque on the west end was destroyed by fire and the owners have decided to build a new full service restaurant from the ground up. The restaurant “Salty Sue’s” will be much larger and feature a lounge area with entertainment. Many questions have been asked about the building on the Parkway just east of Summer Breeze. It is a cigar/beer/wine shop, and is scheduled to open soon. A Mexican restaurant is planned next door. The retail area between Alf Coleman Street and Home Depot continues to grow. Construction has begun on the restaurant TGIF, and plans for an American Best Mattress building and Best Western motel have been reviewed and work should begin soon. While not in the City limits, a new Hooters and Burger King are planned on Thomas Drive across from the Navy Base. The program takes a multifaceted approach by focusing on recruitment, advancement and retention. Youth and first time job entrants will be recruited to the program and given skill assessments, training, and assistance with job placement. As part of the program, Bay Medical Center will host a “nurse camp” in which 40 youth will be exposed to a real world look at the work of a nurse. In addition, the program will advance and retain workers already employed in healthcare positions. Through the use of job coaches at Bay Medical Center and Gulf Coast Medical Center, career advancement and retention strategies will be developed for each HALO participant. Under this component, the HALO project will assist in the production of LPNs, RNs and other clinical staff as well as help in the retention and advancement of existing non-clinical staff. In October, the public was treated to a special screening at the Grand Theatre of the movie The Jane Austen Book Club. The screenwriter / director Robin Swicord graduated from Bay High and grew up on the Beach. She was present to introduce the movie, autograph posters, answer questions and meet with old friends. Pier Park West, which is the area directly across from Frank Brown Park, is moving forward. The HALO project is a part of the GCWB’s Business Employment Solutions & Training (BEST) initiative. This initiative has been funded for the past three years by a grant from Workforce Florida, Inc. The funds are used to upgrade the skills of employed workers and assist new and low income workers in gaining the skills needed to advance in their career paths. The purpose behind BEST is to develop local 30 The Circuit November/December 2007 training solutions to meet the needs of the local business community. Local Government Update Bay Solutions Bay County • The Commission approved leasing a vacant lot on McKenzie Avenue for additional parking for the Bay County Courthouse. • The Commission has secured financing to construct the County Administration facility and to rebuild and extend (by 500 feet) the County pier. City of Panama City Beach • The Council unanimously approved water and sewer rate increases within the City of Panama City Beach. For one thousand gallons of water, the rate will increase from $2.08 to $2.64. Of the fifty-six cents increase ($2.08 to $2.64), fifty-five cents goes directly to the County for their recently approved rate increase. Sewer rates will increase from $1.64 to $1.84 per thousand gallons. • The City Council passed an ordinance requiring sexual predators to stay 2,500 feet away from any schools, daycares, parks and playgrounds. • The Council approved the annual stormwater assessment at the same rate as last year. • The Council appointed Keith Curry to the Planning Board. • The Council agreed to draft a resolution to encourage the State to continue the dog fly control program. • The Council voted to draft a resolution to create a marked area of the beach west of the pier where dog owners can bring their dogs. The marked section of the beach will be open from sunrise to sunset each day and dogs are required to be on a leash. The resolution creating this pilot program will be considered by the Council at the October 11 meeting. Panama City – Bay County Airport • The Airport Authority raised the parking rate from $0.50 to $1.00 per half hour. The daily parking rate increased from $6 to $8. • Airport officials anticipate that the new 150space parking lot at the existing airport will be completed by the end of the month. • The Airport Authority announced that it approved a contract to sell the current airport site to Community Airport Redevelopment, LLC. Will You Be Next? Set Sail for the Best Christmas Party Ever Aboard the Lady Anderson Dining Yacht Now Booking Holiday Parties through New Year’s Eve Call for individual and group information & pricing (800) 360-0510 ladyanders@aol.com www.ladyanderson.com With Two Locations to Serve You: Lady Anderson Cruises at The Captain Anderson Marina 5550 North Lagoon Drive Panama City Beach (850) 234-5940 BEACH 11205 Hutchison Blvd. (850) 233-2111 CITY 1344 W. 15th Street (850) 872-1955 The Circuit November/December 2007 31 ROGER PARRY Panama City Lender 2624 Jenks Avenue, Suite A Panama City, FL 32405 Phone: 850.872.9415 Member FDIC www.vanguardbank.com Cosmetic Vein & Laser Center … of the e Emeralld Coast 12238 PANAMA CITY BEACH PKWY., PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA “Invest in something you will be wearing every day for the rest of your life” Skin… Face… Legs… External Beauty… Internal Peace SPECIALIZING • • • • • • • IN: NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF VARICOSE & SPIDER VEINS ENDOVENOUS LASER TREATMENT (EVLT) LASER PHOTOREJUVENATION FOR AGE SPOTS & SUN DAMAGE BOTOX & RESTYLANE LASER HAIR REMOVAL DERMATOLOGIC CONSULTATIONS MICRODERMABRASION & CHEMICAL PEELS Using Scie ence & Sop phistication to help people e look & feel beautifull inside and out. 32 The Circuit November/December 2007 Dr. Kimberly Moskowitz, MS, MD MEMBER, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHLEBOLOGY MEDICAL DEGREE: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY RESIDENCY: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL PHLEBOLOGY/ VEIN TRAINING: AMERICAN VEIN INSTITUTE HARVARD’S BRIGHAM & WOMEN’S HOSPITAL 850.233.0264 WWW. FLORIDAVEINDOCTOR . COM you have a choice with hospice care Hospice is a specialized form of home healthcare for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Hospice care can be provided in the home, hospital, long-term care facility or assisted living facility. At Emerald Coast Hospice, our focus is on living. Through compassion and teamwork, our expert staff creates a kind, caring atmosphere for patients and their families. We offer a full range of services, including: • Skilled nursing services available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week • Spiritual support and volunteer programs • Pain and symptom management • Medical social workers • Bereavement program • Home health aides • Reimbursed by Medicare for more information please contact us at 877-717-7357 We accept patients for care regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, being a qualified disabled veteran, being a qualified disabled veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other category protected by law, or decisions regarding advance directives. #1883 The Circuit November/December 2007 33 GRAND OPENINGS and Re-Openings, Groundbreakings & Beautifications To schedule a ribbon-cutting call Skip Alford at 814-4292 Antonio’s Bakery & Cafe, 8/29 Team Cellular, 8/30 Gift Basket Designs, 9/13 Thomas Lee Photography Thomas Lee Photography Romancing With Stones, 9/19 Mellow Mushroom, 10/3 Envy, 9/20 Gayle’s Trails, 10/11 Thomas Lee Photography, 9/27 David’s Sno-Balls, 10/18 MEMBERSHIP REPORT Skip Alford & Tyler Finklea Member Services W ith more than 80 countries visiting our Chamber website each month since the announcement of the future Regional Airport, we are excited about the potential of our already dynamic beach town. Whether you are new to the Chamber this month, or have been a member for a decade, it’s easy to feel the energy in the air. The New and Improved Monday Morning Report that we generate with Constant Contact software has allowed us to get in touch with our members regularly...and with style. Be sure to let us know if your email address changes so you can continue to receive up-to-date emails of Chamber events and news. We would also like to let you know that Leads Groups will now be meeting only once a month with email interaction between meetings. Leads Group A will meet the second Thursday of every month and Leads Group B will meet the first Wednesday of every month. You will continue to get your email updates on these meetings. As always, if you need Skip or myself please contact us via phone or email. Tyler Finklea 34 The Circuit November/December 2007 Thomas Lee Photography Labor Solutions Re-Opening, 10/24 LEADS GROUP The Chamber’s two Leads Groups meet once per month to share business leads and information. The groups are industry specific and allow just one of any profession to avoid conflict. Please join us: LEADS GROUP A meets at the Boatyard, 5323 North Lagoon Dr., every second Thursday of the month at 12:00 Noon. Erven Sewell (850) 784-0032; esewell@copyproductscompany.com. LEADS GROUP B meets at the Boatyard every first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 Noon. Jared Jones (850) 303-1989; jared. jones@knology.com. New Members “That Seattle Girl” Residential & Professional Cleaning Another Broken Egg Audubon of Florida Bay Families with Dogs, Inc. Beach Buddies Linen Service Bella Flora @ Carillon Coastal Impressions, Inc. Coastal Janitorial Services Coastal Palms Village Custom Vacations Dairy Queen Dippin Dots (Magic Ice Cream, Inc.) Errand Runners Errands Galore Executive Office Furniture, Inc. Fuller Insurance, LLC Ginger Silva, Realtor Golden Nail Handyman, Etc. Grace Episcopal Church Hadley & McLeroy PLLC Henkle Law Firm Hidden Dunes Condominiums House of Grace Maternity Home Hutchison Beach Elementary Jim Free Realty Kaleidoscope Theatre Lancaster, Kirk Maharaja’s Panama City Beach Rentals Pregnancy Resource Center Pure Water, Inc. Quiznos Sub South Beach Tan System Laundry Management Team Cellular The Celebration Place TLM Marketing Treasure Island Resort Rentals, Inc. Whitman, Elizabeth Wiggins Auto Parts, Inc. NAPA Renewals Alexan Back Beach/Trammell Crow Residential - 1 Alisa Stone, Realtor - 1 American Express - 1 Bell Signs - 1 CRA Cottage Rental Agency - 1 D.R. Horton - 1 Dooley Mack Constructors of NW FL, LLC - 1 Emerald Coast Answerfone - 1 Field Day, Inc. Pool Services - 1 FSU-PC - 1 Irene & Company - 1 Liza’s Kitchen - 1 Minchew Enterprises - 1 Pacesetter Personnel Service - 1 The Fudge Factory/D&L Enterprises of Bay County - 1 Women’s Civic Club of Panama City Beach - 1 Beaches Construction Company, LLC - 2 Carillon Beach Rentals - 2 Grand Residences By Marriott Bay Point - 2 GulfCrest Condominiums - 2 GulfView Properties - 2 Interspace Airport Advertising - 2 Irby Electric Express - 2 Island Breeze Realty & Management - 2 Leeshore Realty, Inc. - 2 McInnis Builders, LLC - 2 Mixon Properties Resort Rentals, Inc. - 2 Pac & Stac of Laird Street - 2 Pinnacle Port Realty Corp. - 2 ResortQuest Central Reservations - 2 Ripley’s Believe It Not Museum - 2 Vacation Resorts (Landmark Holiday Beach Resort) - 2 WBIF - TV RTN Network - 2 Aqua Condominiums - 3 Carillon Beach Institute - 3 North Florida Safety Council - 3 Rupert’s Cleaners - 3 Joey’s Java Juice - 4 Joni’s Beach Rentals, Inc. - 4 Kernan, Ben - 4 Paul Brent Designer, Inc. - 4 Surfside Storage, Inc. - 4 AT&T Advertising & Publishing Corp. - 5 BaySolutions - 5 Calypso Beach Cafe & Sports Grille - 5 Coldwell Banker - 5 Davis Appliance On The Beach - 5 Doctors Laboratory, Inc. - 5 Dunn Realty at Panama City Beach - 5 EmeraldCoast.com - 5 Golf Depot, Inc. - 5 Law Offices of Chris Patterson - 5 Metabolic Researc Mortensen, Keith - 5 Panama City Beach Rotary - 5 Sallie Mae, Inc. - 5 Sandcastle Designs, Inc. - 5 Stroud, Thomas - 5 UCI Communications - 5 Vance, Harris (Zeke) - 5 White Sands Development Realty, Inc. - 5 Emerald Coast Guide Online.com - 6 Haines, Jr., Charles Fred - 6 Hidden Dunes Condominiums - 6 Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union - 6 Burg Management Company - 7 Covenant Hospice - 7 Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 7 Hampton Inn at Panama City Beach - 7 Papa John’s Pizza /R & L Enterprises - 7 Tillie’s Properties - 7 Marriott Legends Edge at Bay Point - 8 The Storage Center - 8 170 Condos at Regency Towers - 9 BankTrust Bank - 9 CFT Pyramid - 9 Glass Center, Inc. - 9 Paddock Club Apartments - 9 Panama City Downtown Improvement Board - 9 PBS&J - 9 Beach Tower Resort Motel - 10 Healthsouth Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Hospital - 10 Donald F. Nations Real Estate - 10 TRIPLE “J” Steakhouse/Vittles Inc. - 10 Zooworld, Inc. - 10 Aquatic Realty/Aqua Vista - 11 Gregory W. Goodreau D.M.D. - 11 Neighborhood Press - 11 Source One Flooring - 11 State Attorney, Steve Meadows - 11 Trustmark National Bank - 11 Leitz Office Products - 13 PMI Employee Leasing - 13 Publix Super Markets, Inc. - 13 Advanced Eye Care of Bay County - 14 Comcast Cable - 14 Hombre Golf Club - 14 Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Public Affairs Office - 14 Panama City - Bay County International Airport - 14 Pompanos Restaurant - 15 The Shores Homeowners Association - 15 Buffalo Rock Pepsi - 16 Bid-A-Wee Mini-Storage - 17 Ebro/Washington Co Kennel Club - 17 Marriott Bay Point Resort - 17 Moonspinner Condominiums - 17 Palmetto Motel - 17 Seachase Management - 17 Wendy’s - 18 See Publications, Inc. - 20 The Circuit November/December 2007 35 MEMBER NEWS ited businesses have agreed to live up to our Standards for Trust. Our Standards for Trust focuses on how businesses should treat the public – fairly and honestly in all circumstances. BBB Accreditation is an honor; not every company is eligible. Sunjammers Kayaking is a wonderful way to exercise and get outdoors, and one of the best ways to view wildlife, fish, or just relax after a hard day at the office. Panama City and the surrounding areas offer some of the country’s top kayaking. There are countless creeks and springs just north that make for a great day or afternoon trip. Kayaks are very stable; flipping a kayak is more work than actually kayaking in the newer style kayaks. Hobie Cat took kayaking to the next level when they introduced the Hobie Mirage line of kayaks. These kayaks can be pedaled, paddled or even sailed! Sunjammers Watersports has everything you need to get on the water, and also offers lessons, trips, and sales from the industry’s top kayak manufactures. Visit www.sunjammers.com or give Brad Stephens a call at (850) 235-2281 and ask what they can do to help you explore beautiful Northwest Florida. Start With Trust Your Better Business Bureau is introducing a new energized Brand, in touch with today’s consumers and marketplace issues and more focused on advancing marketplace trust than ever before. It used to simply be a good idea to do your homework before doing business with a company. Now it’s a necessity. Today’s savvy consumers want control, security and confidence in their choices, and know the importance of doing business with a company that has made a public commitment to doing what is right. This is where your BBB steps in. BBB’s Start With Trust campaign reminds consumers that there are measurable and accountable standards for trust in the marketplace. All BBB accred36 BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. The core of who we are has not changed – trust, integrity, honesty, reliability. For nearly a century BBB has been the “go to” organization for marketplace trust issues, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. New Executive Chef for 30 Degree Blue Bay Point Marriott Resort recently promoted Sous Chef Jason Morgan to the position of Chef De Cuisine for the resort’s signature restaurant, 30 Degree Blue. gus in an apple-balsamic reduction sauce. Seafood lovers can enjoy a delightful broiled red snapper with crimini and scallion risotto served atop wilted Belgian endive and watercress in a tarragon Beurre blanc sauce. 30 Degree Blue offers a dining experience beyond measure for anyone who has a flair for great food and a fun, exciting atmosphere. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday - Saturday, with bar service beginning at 5:00 pm and dinner service at 6:00 pm. On-line reservation requests should be made 48 hours before the desired dining date, at www.30degreeblue.com. For same day reservations, please call (850) 236-1115. Walk-ins are always welcome. Carpet One Floor & Home Goes Collegiate Carpet One Floor & Home at 2804 West 23rd Street in Panama “Creativity is the drivCity has a full line of ing force behind all the Chef Jason Morgan of 30 Degree Blue college logo carpets dishes I create,” says and welcome mats. Morgan. “Friends, John Shepard, President of Carpet One Floor & family and traveling have influenced my take Home, says “All college logos are available. Colon cuisine. I love to mix it up with a little lege-level education is an important part of our French, Italian, Mediterranean and Southern community’s growth. We’re really excited to get American. No matter the flavor – I am a fan of to talk with people about their favorite schools.” good food!” Shepard received the National Community SerChef Morgan’s culinary career began when he vice Award for his work with Toys for Tots. His attended The French Culinary Institute in New store was recognized from among 1,000 other York City, graduating in December 2004. Since stores for its service to the community. then he has gained experience working at several New York restaurants. “We are delighted to have Jason serve as our executive chef for 30 Degree Blue,” said John Hamati, Vice President of Operations for Bay Point Marriott Resort. “With his particular culinary skills and creativity, Jason will help take our restaurant to an even higher level. His new items on the menu have received wonderful comments from our guests.” Some signature items guests can discover on the menu include an oven-roasted Muscovy Duck served with saffron roasted new potatoes, red wine poached Carpet One Floor & Home carries a full line of college logo peaches and prosciutto-wrapped aspara- carpets. The Circuit November/December 2007 MEMBER NEWS Lighting The Way Once in a generation there is a chance for a community to build something together. Something that will live beyond them, serving as a visual identification of a place and a time. Thomas Lee Photography furnishes each event with two photographers. Included for all of his clients is a DVD which serves as a slideshow with background music for TV viewing, and as an archive with hi-resolution pictures suitable for printing. He also places his clients’ event pictures on a private website, for the clients’ friends and family to review. The Panama City Lighthouse, located on the Panama City Marina, offers the community a chance to indelibly put their family’s name on a paver that will form the foundation of the A Paul Brent watercolor of the new Thomas has been a member new addition to the marina. Panama City Lighthouse. of The Greater Panama City There are a limited number of Beaches Chamber of Comlarge pavers available for individuals and busi- merce since 2002, and quickly became active as nesses, and a nice supply of $50 pavers for in- a Beach Ambassador. He pictorially documents dividuals, honorariums, grandkids, parents and grand openings, beautifications and other Ambasgrandparents, etc. The sale of these pavers will sador events, then uploads them for public viewfund the project with no additional need for help ing to www.BeachAmbassadors.com, a website from taxes, city or county funds, or any addition- which he and his brother, Bobby, maintain. al source of funding. For more information, visit ThomasLeePhotogThe Coast Guard has supported the project and raphy.com, or call Thomas at (850) 814-0385. will provide the beacon that will be visible five to seven miles Covenant Hospice out into the gulf. They are exSeeks Mask Pacited about having a new USCG rade Sponsors sanctioned navigational aid in Covenant Hospice is seeking St. Andrews Bay, and have ofsponsorships for its Sixth Anfered their wholehearted support nual Mask Parade Exhibit of the project. Please visit Panand Gala. This is a great opamaCityLighthouse.com for portunity for local businesses information on how you can get and individuals to participate in involved. Photographer Thomas Lee a unique and highly publicized fundraising event. learn more about the event and sponsorship levels, visit www.covenanthospice.org or call (850) 785-3040. Bowyer-Singleton Announces Grand Opening of Beach Regional Office Bowyer-Singleton & Associates first opened in Orlando in 1972, and has been a consistent leader in providing professional engineering and surveying services throughout Florida for the past 35 years. Staffed with 225 of the most talented professionals in the industry, Bowyer-Singleton provides expert services in Land Development Planning & Design, Transportation Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and Surveying & Mapping. Since 2001, Bowyer-Singleton has established regional offices in West Palm Beach, DeLand, Ocala, St. Augustine and, most recently Panama City Beach. For the past six years, Bowyer-Singleton has ranked among the nation’s “Top 500 Design Firms” in the Engineering News Record (ENR). The Panama City Beach office staff includes five registered professional engineers and land surveyors, averaging over 15 years of experience. Unsurpassed quality products and services, an experienced local staff, and our use of advanced technology distinguish them in their industry. For more information call (850) 233-6950 or visit www.bsacorporate.com. Thomas Lee Photography It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. They preserve moments, memories, emotions... and in many ways, they celebrate our connection to the Divine. Since childhood, Thomas Lee has celebrated life through a photographer’s lens, taking pictures for family and friends. Now, Thomas Lee Photography specializes in event photography such as corporate or charity functions, weddings and sporting events. He has been the Official Photographer for the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons’ Ball for the past two years, and recently photographed the First Annual Sacred Grounds Wine & Food Festival at St. Bernadette’s. Auctions of masks painted by celebrities and local artists, dining, entertainment and dancing are all part of The Mask Parade Gala, which will take place at the Edgewater Beach Resort on March 22, 2008. Masks will be displayed from February 29th – March 21st at participating downtown businesses. Join us for a walking tour of the exhibit from 3pm – 5pm on Feb. 29 beginning at the Visual Arts Center. Event proceeds benefit Covenant Hospice, a not-for-profit organization that serves approximately 1,200 patients daily and provides comprehensive, compassionate care to patients and loved ones facing life-limiting illnesses. To Emerald Coast Hospice: Giving a Whole New Meaning to “Quality Time” The benefits of Hospice care are no longer a secret. The medical community now acknowledges the need for specialized and compassionate end of life care for all individuals. It is with this in mind that Emerald Coast Hospice reminds you – all Hospice care is not the same. The skilled nursing staff at Emerald Coast Continued on Page 38 The Circuit November/December 2007 37 MEMBER NEWS Continued from Page 37 Sharon & Gregory Yordon Nationally Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences A Difference Worth Hearing About! BELTONE, A Leader in Hearing Aid Technology FREE Hearing Evaluations. Consistent care, almost anywhere with Beltone’s largest network of hearing care centers in the nation. Repairs and service on almost all makes and models. Belcare, the most competitive followup care program of its kind. We also have assistive listening devices, hearing aid accessories and fresh batteries. Financing available (with app. credit) Hospice works collaboratively with preferred physicians to structure a plan of care unique to individual needs. Home health aides provide dignified personal care and assistance with daily activities in a variety of settings. Social workers and chaplains strive to help families with many of the emotional, spiritual and financial issues that sometimes accompany a major health crisis. These disciplines combined with dedicated volunteers comprise an unparalleled interdisciplinary team. The services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and on-call staff are the same friendly faces you already know and trust. Emerald Coast Hospice provides medical supplies to families in the home, long term care facility or assisted living facility, and they do not bill for services. Funding is provided by Medicare, private insurance and donations. Services are available to individuals who are medically qualified, regardless of the financial situation, and Emerald Coast Hospice respects the choice of the family when determining which pharmacy or medical equipment company is right. Remember, when quality of time becomes more precious than quantity of time, ask your doctor about Emerald Coast Hospice. For more information, call (850) 769-0055. The trailhead begins at the northern end of Frank Brown Park next to the Youth Fishing Pond. It features paved trails with picnic tables, landscaping for shade, bike and vehicle parking areas, restrooms, small picnic pavilion, and kiosk with trail mileage information and directions. Activity areas are planned at various points along the system. These public recreation areas will include outdoor classrooms for school environmental education fieldtrips, bird watching and wildlife observation areas, and access to swimming and fishing in the gulf across Aaron Bessant Park at Pier Park. By providing public access to some of these pristine locations, future generations will learn about and appreciate the natural gifts that have been given to those who call Bay County home. The City of Panama City Beach is working with other coastal counties of the panhandle to establish a Northwest Florida Coastal Trail System that will extend through Gulf, Franklin, Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, and Escambia counties. The joint efforts of neighboring cities and counties have allowed the trail system to come to life. For more information on Gayle’s Trails, contact the Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Department at (850) 233-5045. Gayle’s Trails Now Open On Thursday, October 11th, the long-awaited ribbon cutting for Gayle’s Trails took place on Panama City Beach. Whether walking for fitness, biking for recreation, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of northwest Florida, residents and visitors will now have the opportunity to enjoy greenways and trails at the beach. New Beach Location Every Tuesday morning through the Summer in Bay Medical at the Beach, 11111 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Call (850) 763-0801 or (877) 608-4327 for appointment 2633 Highway 77, Suite A Panama City 38 For the past four years, the City of Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Department has received grants to fund over 4.5 miles of recreational trails. Gayle’s Trails was named after Mayor Gayle Oberst for years of support while maintaining a vision of our future trail system. Funding to build at Frank Brown Park was provided through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP). In addition, the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) Enhancement grant will now add 3 miles of multi-use trails from Panama City Beach Parkway north along highway 79 to Pine Log State Forest. The Circuit November/December 2007 City Manager Richard Jackson breaks in Gayle’s Trails on October 11th.