December 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 1

Gulfarium Releases Two Sea Turtles Affected by Fishing Debris
It was a smooth and joyful return to the Gulf recently for Neptune and Oz, two young sea turtles rescued and in treatment underGulfarium's Sea Turtle CARE Program. Neptune, a 15-pound Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was discovered tangled in fishing line debris by a boater in Perdido Key, in September. Though Neptune's right front flipper needed to be amputated, he healed well and responded beautifully to treatment, demonstrating the necessary skills for release such as diving underwater to eat. Oz, a 15-pound green sea turtle, was accidentally hooked at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier and brought to the Gulfarium in October. Gulfarium's veterinarians removed the hook from the turtle's tongue, but x-rays revealed an additional hook in the esophagus, which was also surgically removed. 

Three New Locally Owned Retail Stores Open in Destin Commons
Just in time for the Holiday gift giving season, Destin Commons announced the recent openings of three locally owned retail stores, Mojo Sportswear, All Dressed-Up Boutique & Gifts, and Shark Shop. Introduced three years ago by hardcore fishing enthusiasts, Tim Mossberg and his partner, Rodger Bagwell, Mojo Sportswear has quickly become the hottest brand in the marine industry. With a wide range of products, they can outfit the water sports enthusiast with stylish, yet durable and functional clothing that also performs at the highest level. Located next to Bass Pro Shops, All Dressed Up Boutique & Gifts, founded by Sonya Tindle, offers women’s, girl’s, and children’s clothing and shoes; accessories; game day apparel; custom phone cases and flip flops; and monogramming. Their eye-catching well known lines of clothing and accessories are not only fashionable and trendy, they are affordable. Do you want to see Shark Tank products in one place? Then check out Shark Shop, owned by Robert Hernandez. The store carries a wide variety of well-known innovations pitched to the Sharks on the hit TV show in one location. Shark Shop also features As Seen On TV products, as well as NCAA team memorabilia, Freakers, Southern Culture artisan food products, Grease Monkey, Air Cork wine preservers, and many other unique gift items.

AVG Celebrates Big – United Way Campaign a Great Success!
United Way CEO Ken Hinrichs and VP Resource Development Ronda Davenport join AVG to celebrate its successful annual United Way Campaign. The theme this year is Be Someone's Hero...Give Today, and that is just what they did! The check presented was for $7,982, but by the next day more was added, resulting in more than a $9,000 donation to the United Way Campaign. All the gang gathered around to pop open the champagne, draw for a prize, and present the check.   


Blue Marlin Golf Tournament Raises $16,938
Blue Marlin Realty Group hosted its third annual charity golf tournament at Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club on Friday, Oct. 23, benefitting the Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue (ECGRR).  Blue Marlin Realty Group raised $16,938, which will fund the ECGRR’s efforts of finding homes for abandoned, abused, or surrendered Golden Retriever and Labrador breeds. More than 200 members of the local community joined together to participate in the charity golf tournament as sponsors, tournament players, raffle item donors, food and beverage donors, and volunteers.