August 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

Increase Your Community Awareness with Leadership Okaloosa
Would you like to enhance your Okaloosa County knowledge? Join Leadership Okaloosa, a nine month experience designed to enhance your leadership skills and provide community awareness. Hosted from September to May, participants receive classroom training by certified instructors and are given opportunities to interact with various key community leaders throughout the process. For details, click here or contact Jamie Moncure, Costa Leadership coordinator, at Moncurej@nwfsc.edu or (850) 729-5253.

Should Your Indoor Air Quality Be Tested?
The indoor air quality is the most important thing in your home. A Superior Air Conditioning Company created this video to show people that in just a few steps it can assess and help homeowners to improve their home's indoor air quality, reduce allergens that affect you and your family's health. Click here to see the video.

Have You Seen LOPIFIT - The Electric Treadmill Bike?
The Lopifit bike is an innovative and a totally new way of moving and exercising. The electric assist in combination with the adjustable multi speed gears boosts the riders walking pace to speeds equal to or greater than a regular bicycle. The bike is propelled by a 350W Samsung lithium Ion battery, which turns the treadmill while you walk. The battery will generate power for a typical rider to get 30 to 50+ miles per charge, making the bike a viable form of local commute transpiration. The rider chooses the gear/speed they want reaching speeds of 4 to17 MPH. Lopifit also provides fantastic low physical impact high cardio high calorie burn exercise. For details, visitwww.lopifitus.com. 


Newman-Dailey Announces 2016 Second Quarter Top Producers 
Shannyn Stevenson (left) was recognized as Top Sales Agent and Jerry Bielawski was recognized as Top Listing Agent for the 2016 Second Quarter in Newman-Dailey Resort Properties’ Real Estate Division. Licensed for more than 17 years, Stevenson specializes in luxury real estate properties, rental investments, and second homes. Her commitment to her clients has provided her with great results. Bielawski has consistently been a leader within Newman-Dailey’s Real Estate Division and has been awarded the yearly top sales/listing agent five times in the last nine years. Following a rewarding career with Dow Chemical in sales and marketing, Bielawski moved to Destin and brought his proven dedication and loyalty to his clients. 

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Announces Two New Team Members
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is excited to welcome two new team members. Meredith Horn, director of marketing and communications, and Andy Horn, supervisor of marine mammals, both have extensive professional backgrounds within the zoological community. 

"The pair have a combined investment of nearly 14 years advocating for conservation and inspiring millions to respect wildlife," said Patrick Berry, general manager of the Gulfarium. "This commitment and expertise will bring great strength to the Gulfarium's mission to connect guests with the marine world."

U.S. News & World Report Names Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Among Best/High Performing in Heart Failure 
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center has been recognized as one of the best hospitals for 2016-17 in Heart Failure by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings, now in its 27th year, help guide patients to hospitals that deliver outstanding care across 25 specialties, procedures, and conditions. The Best Hospitals methodologies include objective measures, such as patient survival, the number of times a given procedure is performed, infection rates, adequacy of nurse staffing, and more.

“We are delighted that Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is ranked as a High Performing hospital on a national level. However, it’s even more comforting to the people in our community to know they have comprehensive, high quality, and compassionate heart care close to home,” said Mitch Mongell, CEO of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

Passengers at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport Reach All-Time High
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is experiencing tremendous growth. July reports are in with a 29 percent increase in passenger traffic for the month compared to July 2015. Passengers reached an all-time high with 101,528 travelers through the airport. Overall, passenger numbers are up almost 13 percent, which represents the highest year-to-date growth in the region.

CVHN Announces Its 12th Annual Hurricane Party
Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant will host the 12th Annual Hurricane Party on Friday, Sept. 23, from 6:30 – 10 p.m., with all proceeds benefiting Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc. (CVHN). Entertainment will be provided by 4 Barrel Funk. Along with the amazing views, food, beverages, dancing, and fun that Bud and Alley’s is famous for, the event will also feature a live and silent auction. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, visit www.cvhnkids.org/hurricane/sponsor. For event details, please visit www.cvhnkids.org/hurricane.

Okaloosa Saves Recognizes 204 Savers and “Teach Children to Save” Winners
Six winners were drawn from the 204 entries with deposits totaling $23,167.82 in the Teach Children to Save (TCTS) program, orchestrated by local financial institutions, and the University of Florida, Okaloosa County Extension. The six winners received $50; however, all 204 are winners for making deposits and beginning a life-long commitment to saving.  Event sponsors includedBancorpSouth Bank, Beach Community Bank, Eglin Federal Credit Union, First City Bank, and PenFed.  

Children in Crisis Gets Keys to New Foster Home
Architect Jamey Mattern with DAG Architects and Damian Curtis, owner of D. L. Curtis Construction, presented the keys to the Ty Pennington memorial family foster home to Ken Hair,Children in Crisis (CIC) president and CEO, and Kitty Johnson, past chair of the CIC board of directors. CIC will cut the ribbon on this family foster home designed to keep brother and sister sibling families together, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 3:30 p.m., at the CIC Children's Neighborhood located in Fort Walton Beach.  The entire community is invited.

CAA Announces Foster Gallery Fall Rotation
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to announce that 15 artists were chosen to exhibit their original work in The Foster Gallery’s Fall rotation, Aug. 29 through Nov. 19. The artists are Susan Alfieri, Kathleen Broaderick, Carol Ann Cain, Donnelle Clark, Clint Eager, Hayley Green, Marisol Gullo, Sharon Long, Mark Messerly, Shelley Minchew, Melanie Moore, David Oman, Marian Pacsuta, Kathleen Schumacher, and Julie Vanover. Selected by jury, all artists are members of the Cultural Arts Alliance and each will exhibit six to ten pieces of work in their own section of the gallery. For more information, call (850) 622-1775 or visitwww.culturalartsalliance.com.
 
Dare Devil Society Offers Contest for $150 Giveaway
Do you have a special event with family and friends that your willing to share with our community? Dare Devil Society will pick one winner to receive a $150 Gift Card for your next event with us. To submit your event, visit www.daredevilsociety.org, visit the Contact page, and submit your information, including at least a 1-paragraph description. Pictures are encouraged. Submissions are accepted until Friday, Sept. 23, at midnight.

Donation Drive to Benefit the Louisiana Flood Victims
Visionary Destin will be hosting a supply fundraiser to be held at the Palms of Destin for the victims of the flood in Louisiana on Saturday, Aug. 27. The goal is to fill up an 18-wheel semi truck with as much as possible. Make a donation and enjoy complimentary lunch, starting at 11 a.m., and happy hour prices all day in its restaurant. For details, visitwww.facebook.com/events/1397481096934940/.