Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council Holds 2nd Annual Golden Eagle Award Event Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council presented the 2nd Annual Gold Eagle Award to Chris Moore at a fundraising event late April. This award honors an Eagle Scout for distinguished service in their profession and community for at least 25 years after attaining the level of Eagle Scout, among other accomplishments. Moore is a Bay County native. Upon his return to the community after retiring from the United States Navy, he joined General Dynamics IT in 2012 as the Director of Operations, Senior Program Manager, and Site Lead. Moore currently volunteers his time in the community as a Bay County School Board Member, President of the Navy League, and Vice President for Citizens Oversight Committee for Infrastructure. “This award is unique and strives to honor an individual from Bay County who is exemplary to our community. This event is critical to raising the necessary funds to help more youth in Bay County participate in the Scouting program. Chris Moore is very deserving of this honor, and we hope the proceeds from this event will help us have the necessary resources to help guide more youth in our community to be like Chris,” says Greg Voyzey, Scout Executive and Chief Executive Officer. Mother’s Day Get-away on the Forgotten Coast By Isabella Riquezes Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and we’ve planned a fun-filled weekend for her along Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Florida’s Forgotten Coast is... Read More

  By Pam Anderson A recent article by NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP, states that their new Recreational Fishing Data and Survey Standards will promote data quality, consistency, and comparability across the Marine Recreational Information Program’s national network of recreational fishing surveys. The For-hire and Commercial industries have been collecting their fishing data for years and that is why their seasons, and opportunities to catch and keep more key species of fish like red snapper, have increased over time.It feels like an infringement on our freedom or rights to limit access to a public resource with all the excessive rules. But as in many things, like hunting, there must be rules to keep these prized species abundant. We have looked to the Gulf States to implement their own data collections in recent years in an effort to compare what NOAA scientists were saying about the status of the stock. Large differences were found between State and Federal data, which has apparently caused NOAA to improve its data collection process. Even private anglers, like us For-hire anglers who don’t like change, don’t want a data collection program to take away from the fun of the sport. We get it! For Florida’s anglers, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted the State Reef Fish Survey for saltwater anglers which is quite easy to use. For more information on saltwater fishing in Florida go to https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/. Time will tell if the new NOAA plan will work better for private... Read More

  By Ed Offley Another major highway construction project is on the horizon for Panama City Beach and Bay County residents. State highway officials have announced a formal study for the possible widening of U.S. 98 from the Bay-Walton County line to SR 79 in Panama City Beach.After evaluating a number of alternatives, the Florida Department of Transportation has revealed a “preferred alternative” that would largely mirror ongoing construction phases for U.S. 98 from Mandy Lane at Pier Park to the Hathaway Bridge: widening the east- and westbound roadways from two to three traffic lanes, constructing an elevated grass median, sidewalk and additional shared-use path, as well as intersection improvements. This project also calls for the replacement of the existing Phillips Inlet Bridge over Lake Powell to accommodate the wider roadway. If funded by the Florida Legislature, the project would comprise the final roadway improvements to U.S. 98, which has struggled with severe traffic congestion for years. Currently designed for a capacity of 45,000 vehicles each day, the four-lane U.S. 98 corridor on the “island” has often experienced peak traffic exceeding 80,000 vehicles per day. FDOT is already proceeding with three other widening phases for U.S. 98. Construction of the initial 2.34-mile segment, running from Mandy Lane to Nautilus Street, is scheduled to begin in May. A second segment will run 2.3 miles from Nautilus Street to Richard Jackson Boulevard. It is currently budgeted at $31 million. The final phase – a 3.9-mile stretch of the highway from Richard Jackson... Read More

  By Sharon Michalik, Director of Communications, Bay District Schools Retirees often dream of more “downtime” and less activity in their golden years, but that’s not the vision of some new residents of the Margaritaville neighborhood in Panama City Beach. Margaritaville, a retirement community built by the St. Joe Company, has a group called “Memory Makers” who are determined to make as many unforgettable memories as possible. And part of that plan includes a very active commitment to the students and staff at neighboring West Bay Elementary School.More than 75 Margaritaville residents have been involved in West Bay Elementary School since the school year began and both residents and school officials hope to continue to expand the partnerships. “Many volunteers are retired educators,” explained West Bay Principal Deniece Moss. “But whether they are former teachers or not, they all know the value of relationships and they understand that all students benefit from the addition of trusted adults in their lives,” she added. Memory Makers volunteer Monica Thomas recently spoke about the partnership and its importance. Thomas, a retired teacher herself, explained that volunteers were critical to her success in the classroom. “I could not have done without volunteers in my classroom, and the kids love when you come, and you can just give an extra hand. So I know how I benefited from it, and I want to give back,” she explained. Moss said the Memory Makers are trusted adults the children can look up to. “They know how to... Read More

  By Gabby Champagne Welcome to beautiful Panama City Beach, where summertime is upon us and the beaches are eagerly awaiting the arrival of its many guests. With a number of fun in the sun events to participate in over the next several months, the Panama City Beach Chamber, in partnership with Gulf Coast Jam, is excited to announce the annual Jam on the Coast 5K presented by Visit Panama City Beach, which will take place on Saturday, June 3. This family-friendly event is the perfect addition to the lineup of Gulf Coast Jam weekend. Come and enjoy the beach, jam out to some phenomenal country music artists, and claim a medal all within the same day. With its start and finish line located at the entrance gates to Gulf Coast Jam, runners will take to the 3.1-mile course along the fairgrounds of Frank Brown Park and Gayle’s Trails. All runners will receive a moisture-wicking shirt, a finisher medal, and an exclusive $10 off coupon for Gulf Coast Jam merchandise. Thanks to our local food sponsor, Rudy’s Bar-B-Q, breakfast tacos will be served after the race, making it the perfect event for the avid runner or the family just looking for a good time. You may register online at pcb5k.com or at Packet Pickup on Friday, June 2, at Dave & Buster’s by 6 p.m., if slots are available. We hope to see you there! The post Come Jam on the Coast June 3! appeared first on PCB Life |... Read More

  The Bay County Public Library Foundation is organizing a Book Drive May 1 –19 to restock the Foundation’s Free Library on Wheels (FLOW) and FLOW Book Boxes. The Book Drive is open to community members to donate new or gently used children’s book titles that would be appropriate for preschool age to 8th grade students at any of the drop-off locations. These titles will be collected and then distributed free of charge to Bay County children throughout the upcoming year. The Foundation’s primary goal is to help encourage the love of reading and promote literacy, one book at a time. Popularly requested titles from the school-age students include Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey, New Baby Sitters Club graphic novels and chapter books, and anything by Raina Telgemeier. Picture books are always a great addition for early readers and family read alouds! Book Drive Drop-Off Locations: • Bay County Public Library, 898 W. 11th Street, Panama City • The Law Offices of Sam K. Zawahry, 227 Harrison Avenue, Panama City • Little Mustard Seed, 437 Harrison Avenue, Panama City • Panama City Beach Public Library, 12500 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach • Parker Public Library, 4710 2nd Street, Parker • St. Andrews Publishing Museum, 1134 Beck Avenue, Panama City The Bay County Public Library Foundation’s mission is to promote literacy and provide cultural enrichment that enhances the Bay County libraries and strengthen the... Read More

  Prominently Perched on the Shores of St. Andrews Bay, Villa Chimera Inspires the Imagination. From Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of FloridaImagine an opening sequence through the gun barrel. 007 stands watchfully on the regal balcony of Villa Chimera overlooking the Venetian estate and the waters of St. Andrews Bay. The 1964 Aston Martin is parked in the driveway in front of the marble fountain, the mythological Chimera, a fire-breathing, three-headed monster foreshadowing the larger-than-life villain to come. Moneypenny and Q enter the scene through the opulent foyer underneath a crystal chandelier to arrange a top-secret meeting in the study. Throw in an epic sailboat scene on the bay, an extravagant party with lavish guests and double agents, and some high-speed chases and you have the makings of a riveting James Bond film set on the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. With its authentic European design and architecture, the Villa Chimera evokes an imperial aura. Inspired by the classic Palladian villas of the Veneto in Italy, this residence was years in the making from planning to construction and boasts an architectural integrity and authenticity rarely found in modern construction. There’s simply no other home like it in Bay County. With just one step through the columned front porch into the soaring foyer, it is immediately evident the meticulous amount of detail and care poured into every element of this masterpiece home. Says listing agent Amin Delawalla of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida, “In my many years representing... Read More

  By Dr. Richard Chern, M.D. If you haven’t heard already there is a new weight loss medication available at a reasonable cost. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist which means it activates the GLP-1 receptor. Still confused? It doesn’t matter. It has several important actions in the body. Semaglutide ultimately helps your body lose weight by improving the regulation of sugar levels and insulin levels in the body. If this sounds like a medication for diabetes instead of weight loss then you would be correct. This class of medications was developed to improve diabetes. Astonishingly, in studies, many of my patients lost significant weight. In fact, up to 30% of their body weight. And, much of the weight stayed off after stopping the medication. This medication also slows the stomach. Food stays in the stomach longer so you feel full longer. And your stomach gets full faster so you eat less. These medications help people lose significant weight and you lose weight without feeling hungry! Sounds like magic, right? I have been seeing patients for over 30 years. I have seen so many weight loss drugs come on and go. This is the first time I have ever been excited to tell people about a weight loss medication. So how is it possible this medication is available? Well, this medication was initially Ozempic. The FDA allows a new medication to have a patent, or monopoly, on the medication for many years. They say this gives the company enough time... Read More

  Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) will be offering many summer camp options for children this summer. Dance, sing, act, or be behind the scenes in one (or more) of these fantastic summer camps. Many of the camps are being held at ECTC in Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach, but there are a few options in Seaside, Panama City and Defuniak Springs. Payment plans are always available. More information on the camps and registration is available at emeraldcoasttheatre.org/summer-camps. The Mini Player Camps (Ages 5 – 7, rising Kindergarteners) are designed specifically for the youngest players. These camps focus on activities that allow students to explore acting, singing, and movement in an energetic, nurturing environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. These one week camps are held Monday-Friday (with the exception of the Disney Dreams Camp which is Tuesday-Friday) from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. with a final performance on the last day of camp. Tuition is $225. Mini Player Camps are held at ECTC in Grand Boulevard. • May 30 – June 2 – Disney Dreams • June 5-9 – Adventures in Wonderland • June 12-16 – Willy Wonka • June 19-23 – Dr. Seuss • July 10-14 – Frozen Dreams There are four Summer Camps for 2nd – 5th graders. Tuition varies depending on camp. Payment plans are always available. • Alice in Wonderland – Tuition $285 – June 5-9 (ECTC at Grand Boulevard), June 12-16 (Gulf Coast State College – Panama City), June 26-30 (Florida Chautauqua Theatre, Defuniak Springs). • Camp... Read More