July 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Seven to Judicial Nominating Commissions
Recently, Gov. Rick Scott announced three re-appointments and four appointments to four Judicial Nominating Commissions. His nomination for the Fourteenth Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission is Brandon R. Burg, 33, of Panama City. Burg is an attorney with Harrison Sale McCloy. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning July 1, 2016, and ending July 1, 2020.




Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Releases Rehabilitated Sea Turtle, "Harriet"
A 105-pound Loggerhead turtle named Harriet has been rehabilitated and was released back into the Gulf of Mexico today, Tuesday, July 14, 2016 by the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center. Harriet, a female Loggerhead sea turtle, arrived at the center in early May. Her carapace was covered in red and green algae, and her body condition was extremely emaciated. Diagnostic blood-work showed she was slightly anemic. She was initially given antibiotics, iron, vitamin B, and fluids. Harriet passed her swim test and was able to dive, rest, and walk along the bottom in addition to surfacing for normal breaths and began eating in the middle of May. As she gained strength preparations were made for her release.
 
First Partners Bank Welcomes Baker to Northwest Florida Operations
With its latest expansion into Florida, Chris Baker has joined Birmingham-based First Partners Bank as branch manager of the Destin office. In this role, Baker will assist in growing and developing the Destin office and servicing the needs of business owners and consumers in the surrounding area. Baker attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He joins First Partners after three years as branch manager for SunTrust Bank, located in Destin and Watercolor. 

City of Destin 2017 Business Tax Receipt Renewal Period
The 2017 local Business Tax Receipt renewal period began July 1. Businesses MUST renew their business tax receipts by Sept. 30, 2016, to avoid late fees. To renew your local Business Tax Receipt by mail, send checks to the City of Destin, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin, FL., 32541, or you can renew in person at the Destin City Hall Annex located at 4100 Indian Bayou Trail between 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 7 a.m.-noon, on Friday. Contact the city’s Building Division at (850) 837-4242 or emailbtr@cityofdestin.com with any questions.

Father Daughter Princess Ball Benefits The Arc of the Emerald Coast
The Arc of the Emerald Coast received funds as the beneficiary of the recently held Annual Father-Daughter Princess Ball, hosted by Emerald Coast Hospice and Superior Residences on May 27. The Annual Emerald Coast Father-Daughter Princess Ball, which was held at the Niceville Community Center, was attended by more than 100 fathers and daughters.  Seen here are (left to right) Melita Brantley, senior solutions director with Superior Residences; Amanda Curtis, Emerald Coast Hospice account executive; Sarah Price, executive director with Superior Residences; Sherry Richardson, Emerald Coast Hospice clinical specialist; Donna Tashik, The Arc of the Emerald Coast community development director; and Gayle Vann, The Arc of the Emerald Coast community development coordinator.

Olive Garden Serves Dinner to CIC Kids
Olive Garden Restaurant of Fort Walton Beach gave the children living at the Children in Crisis(CIC) Neighborhood a real treat this week.  Olive Garden staff members Melissa Saczynski and Sheena Russell served a wonderful Italian dinner will all the trimmings, including dessert, to about 50 CIC children and 10 house parents. Seen here, Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, thanks Scazynski and Russell.  Also pictured (left center) is Kim Kurth of Insurance Zone, who coordinated the dinner and spearheaded a food drive for the CIC pantry.