July 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 4

MKAF Announces Winner of 2016 Festival of the Arts Poster Contest
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) has named Kathleen Broaderick of Miramar Beach the 2016 Festival of the Arts poster contest winner. Recognized as one of Northwest Florida’s premier fine art shows, the Festival of the Arts, produced by MKAF, is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year on the Emerald Coast. This year’s 21st annual event is set for Oct. 29-30, at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. This is the first year Broaderick has entered the MKAF’s Festival of the Arts and her first-time try at the annual Poster Art Contest. Broaderick’s winning art entitled “Bonita” is an oil painting inspired by observing daily events of the local Emerald Coast lifestyle, specifically the color and excitement surrounding lucky anglers hauling in the day’s bounty on the docks of the Destin harbor.

SimpleHR Makes Top 100 Best Companies List
SimpleHR was recently named one of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For. The annual Best Companies list is featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine. One hundred companies are ranked in small, medium, and large employer categories. To participate, companies, or government entities had to employ at least 15 workers in Florida and have been in operation at least one year. Companies that chose to participate underwent an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The process also included a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. 

ECCAC Collecting School Supplies for Abused Kids
It’s almost back to school time and the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Centers (ECCAC) in Niceville and DeFuniak Springs want to make sure kids are ready. Both centers are collecting back to school supplies for the abused children receiving services by the organization. More than 600 children per year receive these services at no cost to their families. Items being collected are backpacks, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, highlighters, folder, rulers, and spiral and three ring notebooks. These items can be dropped off at either center by Aug. 19. For more information, or to arrange pickup of larger donations, contact Chelsea at chelsea@eccac.org, or call 850-833-9237 x256.

Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology Opens PCB Location
Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is pleased to announce the opening of its fourth Emerald Coast office in Panama City Beach, on Aug. 1. Jessica L. Clark, M.D., FAAD, the first female dermatologist to serve Bay County, will be the primary physician at Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology located at 12139 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, Florida (850) 500-3376 [DERM]. She is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and specializes in adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatology.  

Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Releases Three Rehabilitated Sea Turtles At One Time
Rehabilitated Loggerhead sea turtle Sandy and Green sea turtles Green Bean and Brocc were all released last week at Henderson Beach State Park by the Gulfarium CARE Center. Sandy had arrived at the Gulfarium CARE Center in May having buoyancy problems in the surf near Surf Dweller on Okaloosa Island by a kayaker. She began diving on her own at the facility just a few weeks ago and was deemed releasable. Juvenile Green turtle Green Bean was found by Destin Snorkel in late June at the East Jetty of Destin Harbor with fishing line embedded in front right flipper. Additionally, a fishing hook was located in the mouth, and fishing line was loosely wrapped around the neck. She was nursed back to releasable status by the CARE Center. Brocc was caught at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier in late June with a hook in the front left flipper and corner of the left cheek. These items were removed by the team, and the animal quickly improved.

Register Now for Fall Courses at NWFSC Professional & Continuing Education
Visit www.nwfsc.edu for a full list of available fall professional and continuing education courses at Northwest Florida State College.

Murals Completed in Okaloosa County Administration Building
Local artist Elia Saxer has completed two murals in the Okaloosa County Administration Building (OCAB). One is dedicated to Okaloosa County’s history in celebration of its centennial year in 2015, coinciding with the grand opening of OCAB. The other themed mural is the Emerald Coast emerald waters, Florida, and fauna. The County encourage everyone to visit the Okaloosa County Administration Building and see this art in person where it comes to life. The artwork is located in the main entrance foyer. For more information, call or email Citizens Information Line at 311 and visit www.okaloosafl.com.   

Okaloosa Recycling Offices Awarded Household Hazardous Waste Program of the Year
The Okaloosa County Recycling Office was selected as the “HouseholdWaste (HHW) Program of the Year,” by the Florida Chapter of the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA). The North America Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) is a professional organization dedicated to pollution prevention and reducing the hazardous constituents entering municipal waste streams from households, small businesses, and other entities that may be exempt from local, regional, or national regulations. Seen here are (back row, left to right) Commissioners Trey Goodwin, Vice Chairwoman Carolyn Ketchel, Chairman Kelly Windes, Nathan Boyles, Wayne Harris, and County Administrator John Hofstad. The award recipients (front row, left to right) are Chauncey King, hazardous materials technician I; Jay Shartz, hazardous material technician II; Jason Autrey, public works director; and Jim Reece, recycling coordinator.

United Way Visits Children in Crisis
The United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties staff and 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 2016-17 campaign helps support 40 local charities like Children in Crisis and its on-going missions of providing services to those in need in the local area.