July 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

5th Annual Kid’s Catfish Tournament
Nick’s Seafood Restaurant of Freeport will hold the 5th Annual Kid’s Catfish Tournament on Saturday, July 25. The tournament is specifically designed with the young water enthusiast at heart, offering a new boat, trolling motor, and safety equipment to the overall winner.  From every entry, $5 will be donated to waterway education in the local school systems via the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance’s Grasses in Classes and Dunes in Schools environmental education programs. The Catfish Tournament activities will include Fish Weigh-Ins, Mullet Toss, CBA Water Steward Pledge, and Awards Ceremony. For more information about the Nick’s Kid’s Catfish Tournament and the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance’s involvement, contact Sarah Davis at (850) 585-7926 or daviss26@nwfscc.edu.
 
Florida Chamber Awards Rep. Matt Gaetz with Distinguished Advocate Award
As Chairman of the House Finance and Tax Committee, Rep. Gaetz led the effort in the Florida Legislature to secure a $400 million tax cut package, despite the impressive challenge the state faced in filling a gap in health care coverage for low income Floridians. Rep. Gaetz took the Florida Chamber’s recommendations and crafted a plan that will help lower the cost of doing business and the cost of living for all Floridians. The final tax package included four Florida Chamber priorities, including a reduction in the communications services tax, an increase in the research and development tax credit, a sales tax holiday for back to school, and an extension for companies currently receiving tax credits located in an enterprise zone. For details, visit http://www.flchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/Distinguished-Advocate-Award_RepGaetz.pdf.
 
City Parks & Recreation Department Offers Bevy of Activities
From flag football and softball to theatre camp and big truck day, check out all of the programs from the City of Destin’s Parks & Recreation Department.
 
Twin Cities Hospital Recognized as Fit-Friendly Company for Second Consecutive Year
The American Heart Association recognized Twin Cities Hospital on Wednesday, July 15, as a Fit-Friendly Workplace for the second consecutive year.  Designed to be a catalyst for positive change in American business, the Fit-Friendly Companies Recognition Program identifies employers who champion the health of their employees by creating physical activity programs within the workplace.  The Fit-Friendly Companies Program is helping improve the health of Americans by focusing on activities that are convenient, easy, and free.   
 
HealthSource South Chiropractic Help CIC Children
Dr. Shawn Leatherman, Dr. Sarah Leatherman, Dr. Len Fabian, and the staff of HealthSource of Fort Walton Beach South Chiropractic donated $430 to Children in Crisis to help the kids living at Children in Crisis (CIC).  Thanks to the generous donations from the “Got Pain Program,” customers and staff helped the children have a little extra to get ready for the school summer vacation. Seen here are Jamie Aylstock, Fabian, Leatherman, and Laura Kenny of HealthSource, presenting the donation to Ken Hair (center), president and CEO of CIC.
 
Getting Things Done and Making a Difference
AmeriCorps NWF Environmental Stewards is now taking applications for the 2015-2016 program year. AmeriCorps is a component of the National Service Network. Its goal is to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to help meet communities' critical education, public safety, environmental, and other human needs. AmeriCorps is often referred to as the "Domestic Peace Corps." AmeriCorps members gain an opportunity to make a big difference in their lives and in the lives of others. 
 
The local AmeriCorps team serves Okaloosa and Walton counties by working hard to protect and restore our precious natural resources. Winner of 2014’s Florida AmeriCorps Program of the Year, NWF Environmental Stewards partner with Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) to provide a workforce that helps to implement and enhance important environmental programs. For more information, visit www.nwfsc.edu/community/AmeriCorps.
 
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Seeks Artists for Festivals 
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is now accepting applications for the Adult Collaborative Exhibit component of the 20th annual Festival of the Arts, on Oct. 24-25, at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Artwork should be of an artistic caliber associated with a juried fine art show. Artists selected to show in the Adult Collaborative Exhibit can display and/or sell up to three pieces of artwork. Collaborative artists are in the running for $600 in cash award prizes. The competition is open to the first 20 eligible applicants entry fee is $30 per person for up to three pieces of art.  The application deadline is Thursday, Sept. 24. To receive an application, contact Deb Nissley at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at (850) 650-2226.
 
Blue Marlin Realty Group Announces Expansion & New Director of Operations  
Blue Marlin Realty Group announces the expansion of its real estate and vacation rental company with the purchase of an office on Scenic Highway 30A. Located at 4987 County Highway 30A in Seacrest, the new location will serve as an office for Blue Marlin Realty Group realtors and a check in location for vacation rental guests. The local community is invited to celebrate the Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting and reception on Tuesday, August 4, at 4:30 p.m. 
 
With the expansion of Blue Marlin Realty Group, Manual Vargas has been hired as director of operations, overseeing both the Destin and 30A offices. Originally from South Florida, Vargas was brought up around rental properties in Miami and Orlando. Vargas’s real estate background includes five years as a community association manager (CAM) at a large homeowner'​s property and five years as a real estate broker in Orlando and Destin. Prior to his work as a CAM, Vargas was a professional photographer with ABC News in Orlando with assignments from Hawaii to Paris, including six months in Marbella, Spain. After discovering Destin while visiting his brother in Pensacola, Vargas bought a home with his VA Bill.