Blog Archives

The Visual & Performing Arts Division of Gulf Coast State College presents An Evening with Henry Cho on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 7:30 pm.

Henry Cho is a clean standup comedian who has made multiple appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show and CBS’s The Late, Late Show. His work can be heard daily on Sirius XM, Blue Collar Radio, and Pandora Radio. He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry. On February 11, 2023,
Cho was the first comedian in 50 years to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

The performance will take place in the GCSC Amelia G. Tapper Center for the Arts, located on the Panama City Campus. Comedians Aaron Weber and Jason Hedden will also be performing. This event is sponsored by Panama City Comedy, Wewa Films, Beachy Beach Real Estate, and Louis Columbus Photography.

Tickets for the show are $25 each with the proceeds benefitting the Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Fund through Gulf Coast State College Foundation. Tickets can be purchased online at gulfcoast.edu/arts. For more information, please contact Jason Hedden at (850) 890-4560 or [email protected].

The 2023 Panama City Beach Summer Concert Series starts in June and will be moving back to Thursday nights! Come enjoy free music at Aaron Bessant Park, every Thursday night during the summer from June 8 – August 10. There’s something for everyone from Blues and Southern Rock to Country and Alternative. The concerts are from 7:00 – 9:00PM. and several food trucks will be on site. This is a family-friendly event so bring your own chairs, snacks, and a cooler so you can sit back and relax to the music in beautiful Panama City Beach. Don’t forget this events are also dog friendly!

Schedule of Bands with Genre:
June 8 Dave Jordan and the NIA (Roots Rock Americana)

June 15 The Rusty Wright Band (Blues)

June 22 Loud Planet (80’s Rock)

June 29 A Brother’s Revival (Southern Rock)

July 6 The Coppertones (New Grass)

July 13 Anthony Peebles (Alternative)

July 20 The Will Thompson Band (Variety)

July 27 Natalie Brady (Country)

August 3 Sons of Saints (Party Rock)

August 10 The Lee Boys (Sacred Steel)

On June 3, Panama City Beach and Ripken Baseball, the leader in youth sports events, will host a free one-day community clinic for youth baseball players. Fueled by Gatorade, the event will welcome co-ed players ages 6-14 for a 3-hour clinic at Publix Sports Park, Panama City Beach’s premier sports tourism and recreation venue.

Known for providing the best baseball experience in youth sports, Ripken Baseball aims to provide a Big-League experience for players, coaches and their families. The free clinic will begin with a dynamic warm-up, and feature Ripken Baseball coaches covering a range of topics at instructional stations including hitting, infield, outfield and throwing.

“We are thrilled to host this free community clinic for young athletes ahead of the Ripken Select Tournament, which will be taking place from June 4-9 at Publix Sports Park,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “With these exciting events, we look forward to offering the perfect mix of baseball and beautiful beaches for players and their families.”

Availability for the Panama City Beach Youth Clinic is limited. For more information and registration, please visit: https://bit.ly/3MqGB9Y.

To better meet the needs of all travelers, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for passengers to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent, such as autism, PTSD, or hearing loss. A Sunflower-branded product discreetly informs Airport staff and airline crew that the wearer may need extra assistance while traveling.

ECP staff anticipates the program will be implemented early this summer. Soon, passengers with hidden disabilities will be able to request a free Sunflower lanyard, pin, button, or other identifier at ECP. Passengers who are already in the program will be welcome to wear their own Sunflower product if they already have one.

“Here at ECP, we strive to make all passengers feel comfortable and confident,” said Parker W. McClellan Jr., A.A.E., ECP Executive Director. “By partnering with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we are enhancing accessibility for all passengers. Our staff will soon be trained to easily spot passengers wearing the Sunflower and provide them with additional support.”

There is no qualifying list of hidden disabilities. If a passenger has a hidden disability and feels like they would benefit from wearing a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower product, ECP encourages them to do so. Once the program is in place, passengers should also continue to coordinate with their airline and/or TSA Cares for accommodation arrangements.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program was pioneered in 2016 at the Gatwick International Airport in London. The program has since been implemented globally by organizations across sectors including transportation, retail, finance and education. Awareness of the program continues to grow in the United States, where it has been adopted by approximately 80 airports. See the list of participating airports here.

“We are delighted that ECP is joining the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network,” said Paul White, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower CEO. “By introducing the Sunflower throughout the airport, ECP is complementing their accessibility to support passengers with non-visible disabilities. Sunflower wearers travel for many reasons, and the knowledge that they will receive support when needed increases their confidence to travel.”

Globally, 1 in 7 people live with a disability. While some experience visible disabilities, many others have a non-visible condition or experience a combination of both visible and non-visible conditions. These disabilities can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual and auditory. They can also be respiratory or include chronic health conditions like arthritis and diabetes. With these diverse access needs in mind, it is important for businesses serving travelers to try to improve accessibility within their public spaces.

“We have seen the tremendous success of the Sunflower program at other airports around the world,” said McClellan. “It is important we bring the program to ECP to ensure that passengers with hidden disabilities have an enjoyable travel experience.”

According to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, a Sunflower lanyard or other identifier is a visual cue that helps people to acknowledge the daily barriers faced by someone living with an invisible disability. A sunflower design was selected because it represents positivity, strength and growth. For more information about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, visit https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/us/.

The National Association of Home Builders announced that it has named Bay Building Industries Association as a Grand Award winner as part of the 2022 Annual Membership Awards.

The HBA was selected in its size category as the association with the nation’s highest Numerical Increase and Percentage Increase for 2022.

“On behalf of the BBIA board of directors and our full membership, let me express what an honor it is for our local association to be recognized on a national level. The board and leadership teams we have in place care deeply about our industry, but more importantly about our community,” Marty Perrett, 2023 BBIA President said. “I firmly believe that Stacy Watson, our association’s Executive Officer, is the best EO in the nation. A large part of our recent growth is the fire and passion she has for our community as well as our local associations involvement on the State level. The energy is high, and the future is bright for the BBIA.”

NAHB’s Grand Awards honor local and state HBAs that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in membership growth and retention. These awards are given to the top association from each group size in several membership categories including numerical increase, percentage increase, annual retention rate and highest increase in Affiliate members.

“An NAHB Grand Award represents Bay Building Industries Association’s commitment to its members and creating a welcoming community for all,” Judy Dinelle, 2023 NAHB Membership Committee Chairman said. “NAHB recognizes local organizations for their outstanding achievements in member recruitment and retention each year to celebrate their success as we strive to serve everyone in the home building industry.”

Bay Building Industries Association’s recruitment and retention efforts included several strategies, including community engagement, partnerships with local organizations, and membership networking events. These efforts helped foster a strong sense of community and attracted new members to the organization.

If you are interested in investing in the Bay Building Industries Association, please contact Stacy Watson, Executive Officer, at 850-890-8554 or visit their website at www.BayBIA.org for more information.

Learn more about the National Association of Home Builders and the Grand Awards here.

Bay District Schools, Panama City Beach Police Department and the Central Panhandle Associations of REALTORS® are pleased to announce a partnership to sponsor a series of training workshops for parents and students in middle and high school. The event, titled “Parents Against Predators,” aims to provide valuable information on online safety and raise awareness about potential online dangers.

The workshops will be held at two locations, Arnold High School on Tuesday, May 2nd and Mosley High School on Thursday, May 4th. The training sessions will be conducted by Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez, who has extensive experience in investigating online crimes and is committed to educating the community on online safety.

During the workshops, attendees will learn how to monitor their child’s online activity, identify dangerous apps on devices, and how students can spot a predator. The workshops will feature simultaneous presentations for parents and students, providing a comprehensive approach to online safety. They are geared toward middle and high school aged students and their parents.

The Central Panhandle Associations of REALTORS® is sponsoring a pasta dinner for all attendees, making this a great opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while learning about online safety. The training is free, and no RSVP is required.

“We are excited to support these important training workshops for parents and students,” said 2023 CPAR President Jennifer Ledesma “These workshops will provide valuable information on how to keep kids safe online.”

“We are proud to support this initiative and bring awareness to online safety. Predators are out there, and parents are the front line in stopping them” said Central Panhandle Associations of REALTORS® CEO, Debbie Ashbrook. “Our association is committed to supporting the communities we serve, and we believe that education is an essential part of that commitment.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about online safety and protect your family from online predators. Join us for Parents Against Predators on May 2nd and May 4th at Arnold High School and Mosley High School, respectively. Dinner will be served at 5:30 and the presentations will follow. Event details are online at www.cpar.us/predator OR contact Bay District Schools Phone: (850) 767-4100 Email: [email protected]

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Bay Chapter is back and, with Gulf Coast State College, we invite you to join us on this beautiful spring evening, April 25 at 5:30 PM Central Time.

The Charles Hilton Center for Advanced Technology and Hospitality Management is the spotlight for this celebratory FREE event. Join us on the rooftop of the Charles Hilton Center for music, drinks, and food!

Learn about the Culinary program from our Students and Associate Professor and Chef, Paul Ashman. Catch a stunning sunset as we meet new and old friends in Bay County who are supportive of the hospitality industry.

Donations to further the Chapter and build scholarships for the hospitality program are accepted at the door.
No cost – To register, please click here.

Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC) is proud to welcome pain management specialist Dr. Andrew Dec, D.O, M.Sc. to its Center of Excellence in Panama City. This builds upon the current services that already include Sports Medicine, Foot and Ankle, and Pediatric Orthopedic physicians.

A board-certified, fellowship-trained physician in interventional pain medicine, Dr. Dec originally hails from Michigan. He completed his fellowship at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, later becoming the medical director of the Schneck Pain Center in Seymour, Indiana. While there, he also taught as a professor at the Marian College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis.

“Dr. Dec’s experience demonstrates TOC’s long-standing commitment to working with high-level experts in specific areas of orthopedic care. Our physicians are fellowship-trained, as specialization matters. Many of them also teach throughout the United States, as Dr. Dec did,” said CEO Michael Boblitz. “We have a strong relationship with local physicians, who often refer patients to TOC for the toughest procedures. Just six months after opening our Panama City clinic, I’m proud we can continue to deepen our commitment to this community by bringing another
deeply-skilled physician. We believe in ease of access so needs are met quickly, efficiently and with expertise with TOC now serving over 240,000 patients each year across 10 offices throughout North Florida and South Georgia.”

In joining TOC, Dr. Dec said, “TOC has a strong reputation for excellence. I believe in leading strong teams that are wholly focused on patient care and a great atmosphere that pushes for high standards. In getting to know TOC, I resonated with their values. They’re committed to lower costs, higher quality, and accessibility. They believe their patients deserve excellence. I love that. I also love the Panama City community. This is an incredibly beautiful town. We’re blessed with a lot of natural resources and the people are wonderful. My wife and I are excited to make this our home for our family.”

Prior to opening, several thousand patients each year would have to drive from the Panama City area to TOC offices up to 2 hours or more away. The addition of Pain Management is a part of a much broader agenda to improve access to “local” Orthopedic services in the greater Bay County region. In July, TOC will introduce another expansion with the addition of a Joint Replacement surgeon with Spine and Hand specialists coming soon. “We are working hard to respond to the Community’s desires to reduce the overall cost of care through the very best physicians, and our wide range of services that includes North Florida’s first and only walk-in Orthopedic Urgent Care Center called TOC Now,” said Boblitz.

TOC Panama City is located at 2011 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32405 and can be reached by calling 850-691-4188, or by scheduling appointments online at www.teamtoc.com.

About TOC
The orthopedic providers at TOC are highly trained and focused on specific sub-specialties. With over 225,000 annual patient visits that span across 9 regional locations, 100+ physicians and advanced practice providers, we offer orthopedic specialists in sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, hand, wrist and elbow, foot and ankle, hip preservation, joint replacement and spine care. In addition, we offer non-operative pain management specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and behavioral therapists, TOC physicians serve as the Official Team Physicians of Florida State University athletics, Florida A&M University athletics, and Tallahassee Community College athletics. Our entire team works together with one goal in mind, to help get you back to feeling better so you can lead an active life. For more information visit www.teamtoc.com.

A2Z Specialty Advertising, a leading promotional products and advertising company, is proud to announce its 25th anniversary in business. Since its founding in 1998, A2Z has been dedicated to providing innovative marketing solutions and high-quality promotional products to businesses of all sizes.

Over the past 25 years, A2Z has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses looking to increase their brand visibility and market share. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to customer satisfaction, A2Z has helped countless clients achieve their marketing goals through creative and effective advertising strategies.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating this milestone anniversary,” said Debbie Bruce, President of A2Z Specialty Advertising. “It has been an honor to serve our clients over the past 25 years, and we look forward to continuing to provide top-quality promotional products and advertising services for many years to come.”

As part of its anniversary celebration, A2Z Specialty Advertising will be offering special promotions and discounts to its clients throughout the year. In addition, the company is launching a social media campaign to better showcase its products and services and to connect with its customers.

“We are excited to grow our social media presence, which will help us better serve our clients and reach a wider audience,” said Donna Montalvo, General Manager. “We believe that our dedication to innovation and customer service will continue to set us apart in the competitive promotional products and advertising industry.”

A2Z Specialty Advertising invites its clients and partners to join in its 25th anniversary celebration and to take advantage of its special promotions and discounts throughout the year. For more information about A2Z Specialty Advertising and its services, visit a2zdestin.com or contact Paul Montalvo – Director of Operations at [email protected]/850-865-2808.

About A2Z Specialty Advertising: A2Z Specialty Advertising is a promotional products and advertising company based in Destin, Florida and covering, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties. Founded in 1998, A2Z has been providing creative marketing solutions and high-quality promotional products to businesses of all sizes for over 25 years. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to customer satisfaction, A2Z has become a trusted partner for businesses looking to increase their brand visibility and market share.
For more information, visit a2zdestin.com.

The Visual & Performing Arts Division of Gulf Coast State College presents “Second Nature” by Donald Martin. The works in this exhibit share a common theme and use predominately black-and-white imagery, with most of the images including linoleum block prints.

Through deft use of line and value, Mr. Martin creates intricate compositions that are dense yet dynamic. The theme is nature, particularly close-up views of plant forms that are recognizable and abstract. These images represent a complex and tangled world where plant forms are often engaged in a collective struggle for space and light – a metaphor for the present state of the natural world.

Donald Martin is a Professor Emeritus at Flagler College. Over his forty-plus-year career, he has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions. His illustrations have appeared in over twenty national and international publications, and his work is part of many public and corporate collections.

Exhibit timeline: Friday, February 3 to Friday, March 3, 2023; Amelia Center Gallery (AC112)
Opening reception: Friday, February 3, 2023, from 5pm–7pm CST
(Mr. Martin will give a gallery talk during the reception)
Gallery hours are Monday–Thursday, 10am–6pm; Friday, 10am–4pm
Admission is free and open to the public

For more information, please contact Pavel Amromin at [email protected] or (850) 872.3886.