September 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

First Partners Bank Expanding to Florida
First Partners Bank plans to expand its presence to Florida. The Birmingham-based bank recently received approval from the Alabama State Banking Department to open a new loan production office in Santa Rosa Beach. The office will be located on Highway 30A West. First Partners, formed in 2007 as SouthCity Bank, has seen significant growth in recent years and was recently ranked as one of the top banks in the metro area by Banks Street Partners in a study that considered the overall performance of each bank.

Covenant Hospice Needs You as a Volunteer
Covenant Hospice is seeking individuals who are interested in making a difference in the lives of patients and families and in supporting the organization. A volunteer training workshop will be held on Monday, Sept. 21, and Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church-Crestview (599 8th Avenue). The workshop is free and open to the public. Interested volunteers will need to attend both days and lunch will be provided.  To register or for more questions, please call (850) 863-6165.

Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta Slated for October 10
Get your ducks in a row and plan to attend the fifth annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta benefiting the Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Guild. On Saturday, Oct. 10, approximately 3,000 ducks will begin their race across the Lagoon at the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Prizes will be awarded to the owners of the first ducks to cross the finish line, including a $5,000 first place prize! For details, visit www.emeraldcoastduckregatta.com.
 
Call to Craft, Antique & Art Vendors for Annual Christmas Festival 
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida announces its “Call to Craft, Antique & Art Vendors” for  annual Yule of Yesteryear - Christmas Festival on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  For an application and to reserve a 10x10 space, visit www.Heritage-Museum.org or call (850) 678-2615.

Heather Green Joins Newman-Dailey Resort Properties’ Real Estate Division 
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Real Estate Division welcomes Realtor Heather Green to its rapidly growing team of agents. A native of Atlanta, Green studied finance and real estate at Georgia Southern and Georgia State universities. She began her real estate career in Atlanta in 2008, working with a local commercial sales and leasing company. In 2009, she relocated to Florida to be closer to family and quickly earned the Rookie of the Year award with Wyndham Vacation Ownership, where she continued to exceed company goals throughout her six-year tenure. Green joins the team of licensed real estate agents specializing in buying and selling in South Walton and Destin. 

Mopar Car Show Helps Children in Crisis
Hundreds of community car enthusiasts attended the recent “Mopar Car Show” held at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach.  The event was a unique opportunity to relax and have a little fun, while raising funds to help feed and clothe the children living at the Children In Crisis (CIC) Children’s Neighborhood. Seen here, Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, receives a check for $1,500 from Brian Jones, Howard Ng, SSgt. Timothy Barnes, and TSgt. JT Toney.

Is Your Website Poisoning Your Business?
Websites have served many rudimentary purposes over the last few years. They’ve served as bulletin boards, address books, libraries, and just pretty, flashy things to look at. All of that is fine, and websites can still serve those purposes, but their main purpose should go far beyond that. Websites have the capability to excel your business to infinite levels, but their purpose lies all in how you use them. How should your website be building your business? We’ve boiled it down to a few main points… Click here to continue reading Infomedia’s blog.

Arc - Accomplishments Bring Rewards to its Clients
During the last year, The Arc of the Emerald Coast has rebranded from Horizons of Okaloosa County; added Santa Rosa County to its family of services; received $180,000 from the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation; benefitted from other organizations and events, such as the United Way of Okaloosa-Walton County, Pandora's Invitational Golf Tournament, Emerald Coast Father Daughter Princess Ball, Emerald Coast Poker Run, and more; and hosted its own events, including Burning Up The Beaches, Annual Blueberry Bash in Milton, and Murder Mystery Dinner with Act4Murder.

World Impact Real Estate is a Family Affair
Paul Shorey and his wife Donna are originally from Mobile.  Paul first came to Destin when he was a little boy with his parents.  When he and Donna got married they started the tradition of coming to Destin with their family.  They loved the area so much they both knew that the Emerald Coast would one day be their home.  In 2003 they made the leap with their three children and wished they had moved here sooner. Paul has more than 20 years in sales and marketing, and Donna has a background in sales and photography.  Real estate was a natural fit for the both of them. Their son Blake was a born entrepreneur.  He has always wanted to work and even as a little boy he was the one who would wash the cars in the neighborhood and even had his dad make him business cards when he was only eight years old.  So when Blake wanted to get his real estate license at age 20, they hoped he would want to be a part of their team at World Impact Real Estate ….and he is! You may reach Paul at (850) 699-7397, Donna at (850) 246-0571, and Blake at (850) 687-3240.

ECAR to Treat Wounded Warriors to Day of Fishing
Join the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR) at the Destin Harbor to honor wounded veterans at its third annual Soldiers on the Water event on Saturday, Sept. 19. More than 125 wounded Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Guardsmen will be treated to an all-day fishing and feasting experience.  The event will include a fishing tournament, featuring awards for ‘biggest catch’, ‘most catches’, and ‘smallest catch-of-the-day.’  For details, visit http://www.emeraldcoastrealtors.com/wp-content/sdaolpu/2011/01/SOW-2015-media-release.pdf.

Blue Jean Ball: A Great Gatsby Soiree
Throw on your glad rags and get ready for a swell time at the 9th Annual Blue Jean Ball – A Great Gatsby Soiree, benefiting Covenant Hospice on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., at the Crestview Community Center. Regular and VIP tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.eventsatcovenant.org/bluejeanball.

4th Annual Walk Her Way Draws Record Crowd
More than 220 men, women, and children put on high heels and took to the streets of Rosemary Beach earlier this summer for the largest Walk Her Way yet.  Now in its fourth year, the Rosemary Beach Foundation event brought awareness to domestic violence and raised $30,000 for Shelter House and Rosemary Beach Foundation. Walk Her Way is not just a fun walk. It also carries a serious message about respect and healthy relationships with a display of Shelter House’s Clothesline Project, a touching exhibit that allows adult and child victims of domestic violence to tell their story through words and art, at the start and finish lines. 
 
Dunkin’ Donuts Helps Children in Crisis
Seen here, Ken Hair, Children In Crisis (CIC) president and CEO, and Lauren Walls, CIC volunteer and events director, receive a $2,909 check from Bryce Dewitte and Gerrod Nicola representing Dunkin’ Donuts and Purple Square Management.  The donation will be used to feed, clothe, and support the at-risk children living at the CIC Children's Neighborhood.