Great Florida Smiles & Orthodontics recently added MLS Laser Therapy to its practice, growing its reputation as a leader in dental technology in our community. MLS, or Multi-wave Lock System, is a technology that uses a patented combination of wavelengths to either relieve pain or promote accelerated healing. And the best part, MLS Laser Therapy can be used on patients during routine dental procedures to reduce pain.
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center’s Walton County construction site is making great progress in Defuniak Springs, Florida. The Pierce Family Children’s Advocacy Center, named after Jim and Tammy Pierce in honor of their generous $1 million donation, is slated to open in Spring 2016. To date, $2.1 million has been raised and/or pledged towards the $3 million capital campaign.
To kick off their fifth year, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) along with 2,300 third and fifth graders established salt marsh nurseries at local schools in Okaloosa and Walton counties. During the course of the 2015-2016 Grasses in Classes Program, CBA will implement 21 programs and establish 63 saltmarsh nurseries.
You'll be happy to feed a parking meter at Destin Commons for a premium parking space and for a great cause. With a focus on the local community, Coins for a Cause program gives the proceeds from the parking meters to local charities.
Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) has been awarded two grants totaling $13,560 that will assist in the rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. The Institute at Gulf World Marine Park serves as the premier facility in Northern Florida that provides short and long term rehabilitation to sea turtles as part of its collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Food For Thought Outreach expects to serve over 1,200 students each week through its backpack program during the 2015-2016 school year - a significant 56% increase from last school year’s 770 students enrolled in the program. Every month, Food For Thought sends over 50,000 food items out to help battle food insecurity in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Add the year-to-year growth to the increased demand for assistance from Food For Thought’s summer outreach programs, and that can empty a warehouse very quickly.
Governor Rick Scott has selected Chef Jim Shirley to represent Florida at the 12th annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off. The New Orleans event highlights America’s best seafood communities and chefs from around the country., is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2015.
A juvenile female bottlenose dolphin was found stranded on June 28 on the beach near Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach. The dolphin was rescued and taken to Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) for testing and treatment.
The dolphin is still in critical condition and being treated by GWMI staff veterinarian Dr. Staggs at the Institute. It appears that the rough surf caused salt water and sand got to enter into the blowhole causing aspiration pneumonia. This was not the cause of her stranding but a complication from the beaching process.
Café Thirty-A created the Lucky Dog Martini almost a year ago to raise money for Alaqua Animal Refuge, a local non-profit no kill shelter that serves Northwest Florida. One dollar from every Lucky Dog sold goes to support Alaqua.
For the captain and crew of Cotton Patch, the 13th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC) was anything but unlucky. Lance Hill from Orange Beach, Alabama labored for almost six hours on Friday afternoon before reeling in an event record 899.6-pound blue marlin. The record billfish was measured at 134-inches with a girth of 74-inches to earn Team Cotton Patch first place and a payout of $195,277 for a tournament that doled out more than $1.5 million in winnings. The Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is the host venue for the event which took place June 17-21.
