August 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 2

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Rates Among Florida’s Best for Patient Experience
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast received a 5-Star Hospital Rating based on the latest quarterly results from the nation’s only standardized patient satisfaction survey. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) utilizes star ratings to make it easier for consumers to choose a hospital and understand the quality of care it delivers. The HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey is a publicly reported survey to measure patients’ perceptions of their hospital experience. The survey presents patients with questions based on 11 measures and includes topics, such as how well nurses and doctors communicate with patients, how responsive hospital staff are to patient needs, how clean and quiet hospital environments are, and how well patients are prepared for post-hospital settings.
 
Sacred Heart to Host Community Education Classes in August
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is offering community education/support group opportunities throughout August, including stroke support groups, classes in diabetes management and tobacco cessation, and seminars on financial matters and healthy living. The hospital also hosts a monthly blood drive by OneBlood, including wellness checks for participants. Upcoming opportunities include the following:
Aug. 13 – Diabetes Self-Management Class
Aug. 19 – Blood Drive
Aug. 25 – Alzheimer’s Support Group
Aug. 26 – Spine Surgery & You

For details, visit http://www.sacred-heart.org/CommunityEducation/.
 
Discover Roads Less Traveled
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College announces the fall session of its award winning eco-tourism initiative, Discover Roads Less Traveled: Eco-Adventures of Walton County. Cool off this fall with an outdoor adventure! Led by local experts and professional naturalists, Discover Roads Less Traveled offers visitors and local residents opportunities to explore, discover, and experience the rich biodiversity that has branded the panhandle of Florida, specifically Walton County, extraordinary. For details, visit www.BasinAlliance.org and click the “Eco-Tours” tab.
 
The Market Shops Announces Bloody Mary Festival to Benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast
The Market Shops will host the inaugural Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Sinfonia Gulf Coast on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 12 – 3 p.m. Attendees will enjoy unlimited tastes of 15 of the Emerald Coast’s most creative and innovative Bloody Marys made with Cathead Vodka and served by the finest restaurants and bars in the panhandle. Competing restaurants include Bijoux Restaurant & Spirits,Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, Bud & Alley’s, DIG eatery, Great Southern Café, Louis Louis, Mama Clemenza’s, NOLA Boiling Company, Signature Catering of 30A, Stinky’s Fish Camp, Sunset Bay Café, The Beach House, The Bowery on Thirty-A, The Craft Bar, and The Perfect Pig. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Tickets may be purchased atwww.TheMarketShops.com.
 
Belk Offers Chamber Members 20% Off
Belk has long been a champion of the Chamber of Commerce’s pivotal role in the economic vibrancy of our community. In appreciation of your year-round efforts, Belk would like to recognize your hard work and present an all-day savings pass for all Chamber members. Plan a visit to your local Belk on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and enjoy a special day of savings. Click here for details.
 
Destin Commons Dash 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk 
Gather a group of friends and join 100.3FM “The Ticket” Sports Network’s Destin Commons Dash 1-mile fun run/walk and 1-mile relay around the perimeter of Destin Commons on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 8 a.m. The event will raise funds for local charities through Destin Commons’ Coins For A Cause program and also mark the kick-off of the football season, so come dressed to impress in your favorite football team fan gear. Visit http://www.Active.com to register on-line for $15 per person. Or register at the event for $20 per person starting at 7 a.m. For further information visit www.DestinCommons.com.
 
Seaside Repertory Theatre Presents Show to Benefit Children’s Advocacy Center 
The Seaside Repertory Theatre is donating 20% of its ticket sales to Jeannette Andrews’ “Perceive” magic show at 8 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 22, to the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC). In this one-of-a-kind magic for the 21st century performance experience, Andrews will present both interactive pieces of magic and illusions choreographed to music. She was a 2014 Escape to Create Artist in Residence in Seaside, the only magician world-wide to have been named to an artist in residence position. Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased on-line at http://lovetherep.com/magic-for-the-21st-century-with-jeanette-andrews/.
 
State Funding for Building Homes for Heroes 
Governor Rick Scott highlighted $1 million included in the “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” Budget for Building Homes for Heroes, a non-profit organization that builds or modifies homes and gifts them mortgage-free to injured veterans and their families. The funding provided by the state will allow the organization to build a record number of homes for disabled veterans in Florida this year.  At a recent celebration, Gov. Scott also awarded 58 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award for their service to Florida and the nation.
 
Two More Agents Win Cruise with World Impact Real Estate
Debra Kirk and Shannon Wade Henley and their spouses are going on all-expense paid cruises, compliments of World Impact Real Estate (WIRE). They are being rewarded for their tenacity and determination in wanting to excel during the last contest promotion. Kirk has been with WIRE since July 2014, and Henley has been with the firm since August 2014. 
 



Children’s Advocacy Center Therapy Dog Receives Top Honors
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) has a furry staff member named Riley who helps kids every day. Riley is a therapy dog who recently earned the highest designation of THDD by the American Kennel Club (AKC). That means Riley has completed 400 therapy visits with kids dealing with abusive situations. Therapy dogs who have earned the AKC Therapy Dog™ title are not service dogs; they are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings, such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. From working with a child to visiting a senior, therapy dogs help improve the lives of others.
 
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Awarded BBB® Torch Award 
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Foundation serving Northwest Florida recently awardedNewman-Dailey Resort Properties the prestigious “Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics” in the category for business with 50+ employees in District II—Okaloosa and Walton County. The ninth annual Torch Award program recognizes businesses and charities that insist on exceptionally high standards of behavior. This year Newman-Dailey is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, along with its second Torch Award recognition in eight years. 
 
United Way Loaned Executives Visit Children in Crisis
The United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Loaned Executives visited Children in Crisis (CIC) during their annual orientation and training day.  The Loaned Executives are from organizations and business all around the counties.  These specially selected volunteers will be the front-line contact for the community United Way Campaign.  The goal this year is to raise $1,335,000 to support local charities and their on-going missions of providing services to those in need in the local area. This is an increase of 9% from last year’s goal.
 
AT&T Donates $4,000 to United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties
For more than 60 years, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have been strong supporters of the United Way both at the national and local levels. Today, AT&T continues this legacy of support through a contribution of $4,000 to United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties.  In 2015 alone, AT&T gave $5.17 million to 550 local United Ways across the country. Seen here, Ray Walker (right), AT&T regional director for external affairs, presents the check for $4,000 to Ken Hinrichs, president/CEO of United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties.
 
CBA Begins Second Year of Habitat RX Program
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Longleaf Alliance, will begin the second year of the Habitat Rx invasive plant removal program in South Walton County for interested property owners to improve local habitat and restore plant and animal biodiversity. Invasive plants disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems by out-competing beneficial native plants, diminishing biodiversity, and reducing food sources and habitat for native wildlife and insects. For more information, including enrollment forms and invasive plants brochure, please visitwww.BasinAlliance.org and click on Habitat Rx under the “Restoration” tab.