Shabby Chic Shopping in PCB

June 23, 2021

The Treasure Box by C&M
1711 Thomas Drive, PCB | (850) 249-1388
The Treasure Box is just that, over 5000 sq. ft. of treasures. There is literally something for everyone here where shabby meets chic. We offer a variety of shabby chic furniture, decor, yard art, and so much more. We are more than just a retail store, we take it to the next step: the customer can ask for custom signs, sea life from wood, and even custom furniture colors. We offer a line of paints to choose from and take great pride in all of our work. We are a husband-wife team that has been best friends and worked side by side for over 25 years. We also perform a live Facebook video every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to offer even our customers that live farther away an informed shopping experience. We even offer shipping on most products.

Looking for a one-of-a-kind, friendly, locally owned, and operated design destination? Look no further than The Treasure Box. Come by and see or call us today.

Not Too Shabby
12805 U.S. Highway 98 E., Inlet Beach | (850) 608-9911
nottooshabbybymarisolgullo.com
Not Too Shabby has really been on the move lately. They have been voted 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 best furniture and accessory store. Their flagship store has been in Miramar Beach for 10 years. To help service the east side of 30A and PCB, they have recently added a second store at 30Avenue in Inlet Beach. As well as providing custom-built furniture, bedding, upholstery, accessories, lighting, and of course, original art by Marisol Gullo, the 2017 artist of the year, they have now added interior design and remodeling services. Marisol and Tony Gullo, owners and operators, decided it would be a great idea to offer interior design to help their customers with very special and specific ‘coastal contemporary’ and ‘coastal chic’ designs. Marisol and Tony also have a very extensive background in construction, so adding the remodeling aspect to their business was a “no brainer.” Stop in their new location and see what amazing interiors they have. Ask about their free interior design consultation and start bringing the coast and elegance into your home.

Turtle Girls Market
7930 Front Beach Road, PCB | (850) 775-4101
turtlegirlsmarket.com
Welcome to Turtle Girls Market, where you can “Get Your Turtle On.” Our store offers the best shopping experience on the beach! With over 8,000 sq. ft., we feature over 50 vendors displaying coastal décor, upcycled furniture, antiques, jewelry and much more! We are also an Elite Dixie Belle Paint retailer and offer paint and resin classes.

Turtle Girls Market (TGM) was founded five years ago by Laurie Berger, a local resident since 1992. We started with a mere 9 vendors, and persevered through Hurricane Michael, several tropical storms and a pandemic! We are thankful to still be here, growing our family and doing well.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Bring pictures of your work and anyone can sign you up on our waiting list. For paint and resin classes call (850) 774-4101. We are here to help.

Salty Mermaid Marketplace
7829 Front Beach Road, PCB | (850) 238-8830
saltymermaidmarketplace.com
Salty Mermaid Marketplace is a coastal lifestyle store like no other! We have an amazing selection of art, jewelry, yard art and outdoor concrete, apparel, furniture, décor, gifts, and of course, those mystical mermaids. You can find the cutest beach wear and accessories in our boutique and the most adorable items for those little mermaids and pirates in the children’s boutique. After you find the perfect outfit for you and your beach babes, you can find a stunning selection of salty treasures to make your home a coastal paradise or the unique find to take back home. Come visit us today and shop the largest collection of unique mermaid items on the beach in a creative and inspiring environment that feels like you are home. You will be greeted with a friendly hello and leave as family.

“Quite possibly the coolest store on the beach!”

Maison 30A
16810 Panama City Beach Pkwy., PCB | (850) 775-1227
www.maison30a.com
Tactile is the first word that comes to mind when visiting Maison 30A’s furniture show rooms on Panama City Beach Parkway. From the cool, smooth edge of the industrial-chic cement dining table to the rough-hewn feel of the hand-carved teak sculptures and occasional tables, everything at Maison 30A is intended to be touched and experienced.

Christopher Bailey, owner and designer, began re-purposing industrial elements into furniture in 1997 in San Francisco, California. He has remained dedicated to industrial furniture design for residential or commercial projects. Using raw materials such as steel, cast iron, reclaimed aged wood, rivets, and mechanical elements, Chris handcrafts each piece into functional and stunning furniture that fits well in the modern home, loft or office.

The Salt Shed Home & Garden Center
22601 Panama City Beach Pkwy, PCB | (850) 249-5457
thesaltshed.net
The Salt Shed Home & Garden Center sprouted up in 2018 as a family-owned business. We opened on the west end of the beach as a shop for home décor, plants, and soap. We have grown into so much more and continue to add new items! In the back Garden Center, we offer a variety of unique outdoor plants to choose from, including air plants, succulents, and staghorn ferns. We also carry fruit trees, landscape plants, soil, and garden supplies to help with your gardening needs.

Inside our relaxing shop, you’ll find plants blooming in every corner and local vendors displaying shabby chic and antique designs. Enjoy local Kombucha as you explore a wide variety of clothing, soaps, candles, honey, and excellent gift shopping ideas. We have the perfect houseplants for any light conditions or for the novice/advance plant person. Stop in and find the perfect houseplant or possibly the rare plant you have always been looking for.

More Than Meets the Eye

June 20, 2021

Eddie Summers, Operations Team Leader, Beach Mosquito Control District

Mosquito control is not just about a person driving a spray truck. Behind the scenes, there are many technical aspects to conducting mosquito control operations. One technical aspect involved is the use of a livestream database and GPS tracking technology. This article will highlight a few aspects of the software used by Beach Mosquito Control District to help Fight the Bite!

BMCD uses a local and online-based software system called Map Vision developed by Leading Edge, Inc. This database system tracks, monitors, and stores a vast array of data from (1) surveillance data, (2) source habitats, and (3) product usage. This data is essential to planning control strategies for responsible & effective mosquito control. This data input by technicians is stored and ready to be used in real-time by technicians in the field.

The software is enhanced by real-time GPS targeting technology. Specifically, this portion of the software is essential to operations for multiple reasons. First, technicians can see immediately when a service request comes in to be worked. BMCD does the utmost to respond quickly to service calls received by the taxpayers of the district. Second, the system displays previously geocoded mosquito breeding habitats, with the ability given to the technician to add new sources on the fly, and third, real-time GPS tracking monitors activities which assists and ensures technicians operate safely on the road. This monitoring includes speed monitoring and time-stamped activity. BMCD’s technicians often go off the beaten path into heavily wooded or swampy habitats. Time-stamped activity not only promotes efficiency but also assists in keeping the technician safe while performing fieldwork. If a technician has not checked in or moved in some time, someone will be able to locate their position to make sure they are not hurt. GPS real-time tracking also creates a means of accountability. The software system helps the technician during adult mosquito control spraying operations by guiding them through the specified areas they are tasked with treating. The application system works in conjunction with the GPS to ensure the correct speed is maintained, and proper amounts of product are applied in accordance with the product label and federal law. The system has built-in safety & efficiency features to shut off automatically if the designated speed range is not maintained. A technician’s entire treatment mission can be reviewed through the map interface to ensure areas were treated as planned, and vehicle operation is within appropriate parameters.

The software system has multiple administrative tools. Technician’s work efficiency, time usage, and relevant work notes can all be reviewed for better productivity. The system also provides real-time tracking of inventory based on daily product usage by the technician. The system is key for accountability in the district’s entire mosquito control efforts. BMCD is inspected regularly by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services officials to monitor the district’s product usage and is operating properly within the law. This system, along with the professional staff, helps Beach Mosquito Control District accomplish its mission.

Tails And Tales 2021 Summer Reading Program At Bay County Libraries

June 24, 2021

This year’s Summer Reading theme is “Tails and Tales” for the Northwest Regional Library System (NWRLS). All summer virtual programs and in-house activities are free of charge. Recorded programs will release on the specified date/time through the Bay County Public Library and Panama City Beach Public Library Facebook pages or the Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel. Pre-register for Zoom programs by visiting the event details online through www.nwrls.com or email sburris@nwrls.com for the registration link. A variety of programs are available for all ages.

Summer breaks from school can cause a student to lose up to one month of instruction. The NWRLS locations aspire to help students prevent the ‘summer slide’ by providing a variety of engaging, educational programs that encourage discovery. Summer Reading allows children to maintain their reading skills during summer break and foster a love of reading through the public library. Library cards are free for residents of Bay, Gulf and Liberty County. Each library card holder can check out up to 20 items at a time. Summer is a great time to read for fun while keeping up reading skills! Our library staff can also provide reading recommendations for all ages.

GCSC Athletics Announces New Head Baseball Coach

June 24, 2021

Gulf Coast State College is pleased to announce that they have made an offer to Coach Younger to become the new Head Baseball Coach pending further employment verification. Coach Younger will begin work immediately to assist with the recruiting efforts for the 2022 baseball season.

Tyler Younger has an extensive coaching background, which gives him a unique perspective on the challenges that face student-athletes. Coach Younger joins us from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, and has also made coaching stops at Gulf Coast State College, Bradley University, USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, and NC State University.

For additional information, contact Mike Kandler at mkandler@gulfcoast.edu or (850) 769.1551 ext. 3897.

Giving Hope Through Music: Stevie Monce

June 24, 2021

By Brittany Kirke

Country artist Stevie Monce has followed his voice all the way to the beaches we call home. What brought him here?

Born in Ohio, Stevie grew up moving around and spent his school years playing soccer. He received sports scholarships for college but Monce decided he had another path that he wanted to follow, and that path was music. Music helped him discover his voice. Monce thanks his mother for instilling in him a hard-working sense of ethics. As a single mother who raised three kids, he admires her the most. He stated that he was “painfully shy growing up and wouldn’t talk much in the hallways at school,” but seeing what music can do for people allowed him to really open up and share his voice with the world.

Monce moved to Nashville in 2009 and lived there for 11 years following his dream of playing sold-out shows for the masses. He previously had a deal with Mucho Love Music but is currently signed with Penny Publishing, going on three years now. He fondly remembers playing with Florida Georgia Line, Love and Theft, Zac Brown, and several other country artists. With distinct rock n’ roll influences, his music adds a southern flair that captivates his audience, allowing him to establish a sound of his own. His stage presence is exhilarating, and you’ll be singing along with him in no time.

After touring for 10 years, Covid brought everything to a screeching halt and that is how Stevie’s journey to the panhandle began. Stevie quarantined with none other than Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles on Dog Island; they caught their own food to enjoy with their families. It was during this time that Monce said he “fell in love” with the beaches and the community he had moved into saying “it almost become a ritual” to dig his feet in the sand and listen to the water.

But Monce is on a mission to spread the joys of music to every corner of the earth. Before Covid happened, Monce was invited to Tijuana, Mexico by a non-profit called Hope Song to play for patients at the C.H.I.P.S.A. Cancer Treatment Center. He fell in love with it and discovered his passion for playing them his music and telling them stories about how he wrote the songs. He was then asked to be a partner with the non-profit and would spend six months at a time in Mexico. He spoke on how Hope Song is a “big part of [his] life” and that it has allowed him to see how much music can help people mentally and physically.
“The tears of hope, the pain relief, and the simple organic joy” that it brought to the patients is something that he will never forget. This experience, he says, truly shaped him into the man that he is today.

Since then, he has been working on several new projects that he is looking to release in the next year or so. You can catch him locally at The Salty Goat every Tuesday and Dat Cajun Place every Saturday, among other venues. He will also be playing a show in West Salem, Wisconsin with Lee Brice in September, and a couple of other venues with Love and Theft in July. So, keep an eye out for it and follow him on Facebook and Instagram @steviemonce for more information.

Flooring Depot Expands its Footprint

June 24, 2021

By Shannon Salisbury, Director of Marketing, Flooring Depot of Panama City

Flooring Depot of Panama City does it again! Driven by their commitment to providing customers with incomparable service, an extensive product selection, and solutions for customers’ flooring needs, Flooring Depot’s latest expansion—a new premier flooring supply store-branded Coastal Flooring Supplies—focuses on all things flooring supply-related, including tools and installation products and accessories! The addition of Coastal Flooring Supplies allows a comprehensive solution for flooring needs, including residential and commercial products and tools to proudly serve homeowners, builders, contractors, property managers, multi-family and DIY sectors!

Following in Flooring Depot’s impressive footsteps, Coastal Flooring Supplies provides the largest selection of in-stock, quality flooring tools, supplies, and installation products and accessories in the Panama City/Bay County, FL area. They’re committed to supporting customers and servicing their needs with quality products from the top flooring supply manufacturers, such as Mapei, Schluter, and Roberts.

Coastal Flooring Supplies’ friendly, professional, and knowledgeable staff is always eager to offer solutions for all flooring supply needs. In fact, they take pride in providing the best customer service and dedication to professionalism in every aspect of the business, while curating the finest selection of flooring tools and materials available. Their experienced team goes above and beyond for each customer in order to make certain they have everything they need to get the job done.

In addition, Coastal Flooring Supplies exceeds Bay County customers’ expectations by offering phone/call-ahead, email, and online ordering, as well as convenient, early opening hours (6:30 a.m.) and a Monday – Saturday schedule. Local customers get the supplies they need when they need them! They’re the only local flooring supplies provider to offer early-bird and Saturday hours.

From Flooring Depot of Panama City’s monumental product selection in their beautiful, organized and expansive showroom; their spacious warehouse that stocks the largest selection of flooring products in Bay County; their extensive service offerings, including financing options and in-house installation technicians; convenient in-store, in-home, and virtual appointments via Zoom and FaceTime; to their latest expansion with Coastal Flooring Supplies, it’s easy to see Flooring Depot’s vision, determination and commitment to offer comprehensive flooring solutions to the local Panama City/Bay County, FL area.

Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, contractor, property manager, or DIYer, Flooring Depot of Panama City and Coastal Flooring Supplies has you covered for all your flooring needs. Their skilled Flooring Specialists and associates are happy to assist with inspiration, design direction, FREE in-home estimates, financing, and installation, while offering the largest product selection and prices to match any lifestyle—even if your personal style or flooring project requires budget-friendly options.

Flooring Depot of Panama City invites you to visit their extraordinary showroom and their premier flooring supply store, Coastal Flooring Supplies, both in Panama City, for all your flooring needs.

Stay tuned for flooring tips-trends, fashions, and favorites in future Flooring Depot articles! To learn more, visit Flooring Depot of Panama City’s website, flooringdepotofpanama.com.

Know Your Pro: Go Solar/Stay Local with Sundew Solar

June 24, 2021

Going solar is a term that has become all too synonymous with door-to-door salesmen and out-of-town corporations trying to capitalize on Florida’s reputation as “The Sunshine State.” Sundew Solar is proudly breaking the barrier on big business by becoming the first completely locally owned and operated solar company in Bay County. After Mike Weber of MK Weber Engineering, a local structural engineering firm, saw the need for a small-town source for solar power in our community, he teamed with his childhood friend, Aric Bowen, to begin offering a trusted solar solution to locals interested in going green.

Aric and his family made the recent move to Panama City all the way from Illinois after becoming so passionate about the opportunity to help the community through Sundew Solar. With a background in construction and commercial sales, he has navigated the startup of the company with ease, all while endeavoring to establish lasting relationships throughout Bay County through Chamber events and local connections.

Though the idea of going solar can seem like a daunting endeavor, Sundew has set itself apart by establishing itself as a truly trusted source for knowledge on going green through solar panels. For an estimate, it’s as easy as dropping by their office on 23rd Street with a recent power bill and your address; a custom quote can be generated within one hour of stopping by. Through a solar energy system, an average-sized single-family home can expect to save around $60,000 in power bills over 25 years, which is also the equivalent of 25,312 gallons of gas and 247,739 pounds of coal.

Stop in to speak with Aric or schedule an in-home consultation to see how much money you could save by going solar and to learn more about their in-house financing options.

Design and Culture: Hurry Up and Wait

June 24, 2021

It has been an interesting year for construction and design in our area. If you are rebuilding your home from Hurricane Michael, building a home, or doing a remodel at this point, you already have experienced some sort of delays, price increases, or inventory availability. Windows, doors, appliances, cabinetry, tile, flooring, furniture, lighting, rugs: the list goes on for items that are backordered, delayed, had pricing increases, or are indefinitely out of stock. There is good news though. Small businesses in our area like Granite Plus and 13 Hub Lane are savvy, and constantly searching for new resources.

At Granite Plus, we have experienced delays with custom cabinetry, and it continues, but we can prepare our clients for this. Custom cabinetry used to take four to six weeks for delivery, but now it’s up to 13 to 15 weeks. In the past, cabinetry was ordered once drywall went up but we are working closely with contractors and clients to be able to order cabinetry in a timeline that will work for their project. We are ordering at earlier stages of construction to ensure our clients still get cabinets once they are ready. Along with our two custom cabinetry lines, DuraSupreme, based out of Minnesota, and Trucabinetry, which is based in Alabama, we have added two additional cabinet lines that have a faster turnaround time. Our newest line, Northpoint Cabinetry, can be onsite in five business days from the order date, which is very exciting. Their selection consists of all wood cabinets, and dovetail construction with soft close doors; they’re available in white, grey, and espresso. We expect lead times for custom cabinetry to go down towards the end of the year, but for now, if you need custom cabinets in the fall, plan to get started as soon as possible. For countertops, there have been only minor delays in natural stone and quartz.

The same time frame goes for furniture, lighting, rugs, etc. but the interior designers at 13 Hub Lane work closely with their clients. They will guide you through this climate and help you find some in-stock options to keep your project on time. They offer free design services and you can also shop from your home at 13hublane.com.

Gods and Generals By Jeff Shaara

June 24, 2021

Book review by Jack Smith

If you are a fan of historical novels, you could do worse than reading Jeff Shaara. Jeff is the New York Times best-selling author who finished his father Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer-winning trilogy on the Civil War. His father’s novel, “Killer Angel,” was completed with Jeff’s “Gods and Generals“ and “The Last Full Measure.” Only filmmaker Ken Burns and historian Shelby Foote provide the same insight into the men who actually fought. Shaara depicted the emotional drama of soldiers fighting old friends while actually describing the battles and their outcomes. “Gods and Generals” covers the events leading up to the war, including General Lee’s disillusionment with the Confederate bureaucracy. In 2003, “Gods and Generals” was made into a film starring Robert Duvall and Jeff Daniels. Jeff Shaara has produced fifteen New York Times bestsellers and over thirty novels dealing with The Revolutionary War, World War I, World War II, and Korea. His newest book deals with the Battle of Midway.

Vision + Hearing Loss May Double Alzheimer’s Risk

June 20, 2021

Mild sensory loss also strongly linked to dementia risk.

By Beth Howard, AARP

Declines in hearing or vision have been linked to dementia in the past, but combined losses in these two senses are associated with a greater risk of both dementia and Alzheimer’s — even if the impairment to both senses is relatively minor. That’s the takeaway from studies reported on at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019 in Los Angeles.

In one study released today, researchers from the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle explored the connection between sensory impairment and dementia among a group of more than 2,000 people age 75 and older. Participants, who were cognitively healthy at the start of study, were followed for seven years.

The study showed that people who were either visually or hearing impaired had an 11 percent increased risk of developing dementia overall and a 10 percent greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease specifically. But having both hearing and vision loss put individuals at a much greater risk for cognitive deterioration.

“People with combined vision and hearing impairments had an 86 percent increased risk for all cause dementia and a more-than-two-times increased risk for Alzheimer’s dementia,” says Phillip Hwang, a doctoral epidemiology student at the University of Washington and lead author of the study.

As Hwang explains, before this latest research was released, most studies had focused on a single sensory impairment. “But a greater proportion of older adults experience more than one sensory impairment as they age. We wanted to understand the effect of having multiple sensory impairments on dementia.”

The study wasn’t designed to determine if sensory impairment leads to dementia or if it is just an early sign of mental decline. But researchers have some clues. When they looked at people with mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, they found no significant association with failing senses.

“That suggests that sensory impairments are a risk factor for dementia,” Hwang says. “It’s possible that treatment of sensory impairments could potentially help modify or reduce the risk of dementia.”

Boost Your Brain Health With Staying Sharp
Another study presented today, from the University of California, San Francisco, took a similar approach to studying the connection between impaired senses and dementia.
Investigators tested the senses of hearing, vision, touch and smell in 1,810 people ages 70 to 79 who were free of dementia at the start of the study. They followed them for about 10 years. Dementia was identified through hospital records, prescriptions for dementia-related medications and tests of brain function.

Researchers found that lower scores on measures of the four senses combined were associated with a higher incidence of dementia. Significantly, even mild sensory loss was strongly linked to dementia risk.

“Most of the older adults in this sample do not have severe levels of sensory impairments,” says study author Willa D. Brenowitz, a postdoctoral researcher at UCSF. “Yet we still find strong associations between multisensory impairment and increased risk of dementia as well as faster rates of cognitive decline.”

Although the data don’t fully explain the link between impaired senses and dementia, Brenowitz theorizes that the loss of key senses could cause individuals to become more socially isolated, contributing to cognitive changes. Sensory impairment could also reduce stimulation to the brain with the same effect. Or inflammation or other cardiovascular processes might underlie both the sensory loss and reduced brainpower.

“This research is in the very early stage, but the main implication is that we should be paying more attention to sensory impairments and evaluating what mechanisms may explain their link to dementia,” Brenowitz says. “At this stage we don’t know how sensory impairments affect the development of dementia.”

Whether diminished senses cause or just accompany dementia, the research could lead to better patient care. “Either way, there’s potential impact,” Brenowitz says. “If sensory impairment is an early indicator of dementia, these impairments are easily measurable and could eventually help to develop a screening tool for dementia.”

If dementia is a consequence of sensory impairment, identifying and treating it, such as correcting hearing loss with hearing aids and auditory training, could help lower the risk of mental decline. “If there is a causal link with dementia, it offers promise for intervention,” Brenowitz says. “There is a lot of potential in this to improve quality of life for older adults.”

https://www.aarp.org/health/dementia/info-2019/alzheimers-vision-hearing-loss.html

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