One of the top trends in interior design for paint, tile, countertops, cabinets, furniture, and more is a finish that is referenced in many different ways, but “matte finish” is probably the most common name. When discussing natural stone countertops, it is a honed or leathered finish. Quartzite, a natural stone, is in high demand right now due to its beautiful characteristics, but many of the slabs available are polished. It is not well known that fabricators can have these slabs and any natural stone honed or leathered. The next time you are out shopping for your new countertops and find the perfect slab but it is polished, ask your local fabricator about having it honed or leathered. I have been asked if this changes the stone, but honing or leathering the slab does not change the stone’s characteristics such as durability or porousness. These processes have been around for years, honing most commonly done to Calacatta marble or Carrara marble due to their soft properties. We have recently honed White Oblivion Quartzite, White Santorini Quartzite, and Matarazzo Supreme Quartzite all of which are all stunning. If you prefer quartz countertops and are interested in a matte finish, check out Cambria, Caesarstone, and Silestone quartz, all available at Granite Plus. If you plan on a matte quartz finish, I recommend planning ahead as many of these colors are special order which often means longer wait times. Cambria refers to this finish as a matte finish. All of their colors... Read More

  By Paul Bonnette It is the oldest arcade in Northwest Florida. Known for its friendly service, great food, and fun games and prizes, Fun-Land has been an iconic attraction on Panama City Beach since 1950. For visitors and residents alike, Fun-land has been a stopping point for those wanting a cheeseburger and a trip down memory lane. With over 100 different games to choose from including classics such as Ms. Pacman and Galaga, pool tables, and of course some of the newest games on the market, this family-owned business has it all. Despite the ever-changing landscape of our city, Fun-Land remains one of the last surviving iconic landmarks of old Panama City Beach. Over the years, Fun-Land has survived hurricanes, tornadoes, and a global pandemic, staying true to its goal to provide a fun atmosphere for every member of the family. For General Manager Ginny McDavid, Fun-Land is all about family. She’s worked at Fun-Land for over two decades, and her husband Joel McDavid was the General Manager until his passing. Now she’s continuing his legacy. “I’ve been here for 22 years, McDavid explains. “We used to come in and play Ms. Pacman before he used to work here, and we just really loved the place. We came in one day and talked to the owner, and he ran it until he passed away, so it was offered to me and I took it on. I know it would have pleased him.” For visitors and residents alike, Fun-Land has... Read More

  By Paul Bonnette For over two decades, Todd Herendeen has been a staple of the Panama City Beach entertainment scene. He’s performed at Gulf World Marine Park, Holiday Inn Resort, Boardwalk Beach Resort, Days Inn, and The Breakers. Known for his high energy, toe-tapping music, residents and guests alike flock to the Todd Herendeen Theater for his tribute to the legends of Rock and Country show. Having worked with some of music’s biggest stars such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, John Michael Montgomery, Daryl Singletary, Trick Pony, Gretchen Wilson, and many more, Todd brings Branson-style entertainment to Panama City Beach. Todd Herendeen is no stranger to the stage. Having performed from Las Vegas to Nashville, Todd has opened for national acts such as Foreigner, The Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, and B.B. King. This career in performance wasn’t an obvious outcome during his childhood years in the Midwest. “I grew up in Northeast Indiana, a little town called Garrett, Indiana,” Herendeen explains. “I was more into sports, although I liked music but in Indiana, you’re a basketball player. When I got out of high school, I went to Trade School and it was there that I got the musical start. In the shop, we had our radio on the oldies channel and [would] sing along to all the artists. Some of the guys started to say that I sounded a lot like Elvis. So they entered me into a little talent contest. I had never [sung] for... Read More

  By Julie McConnell, UF/IFAS Extension In Bay County you are never very far from a body of water. In addition to creeks, springs, the Gulf of Mexico, and five bays, some areas also have a high water table. As gardeners, you probably only think about water in terms of applying it to plants, but have you ever considered what impact we may have on water availability and quality? How you design and manage your landscape can affect water resources, but there are research-based guidelines that can help minimize negative impacts. This program is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program and is the foundation of UF/IFAS Extension horticulture outreach. In addition to protecting water quality and quantity, FFL methods also help gardeners by reducing maintenance requirements and lowering the incidence of pest and disease outbreaks. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ teaches Floridians how to work with the unique climate, soil, and other landscape challenges we face. The nine FFL principles with brief descriptions are listed below: Right Plant, Right Place – choose site appropriate plants rather than trying to manipulate the environment. Water Efficiently – amount, timing, and application method are important steps for efficient watering. Fertilize Appropriately – understanding plant nutrition needs and how they use fertilizers are keys to effective fertilization. Mulch – conserve water, reduce weeds, and moderate soil temperature with proper mulching. Attract Wildlife – landscape diversity attracts wildlife which can minimize pest populations. Manage Yard Pests Responsibly – properly identifying pests and understanding the lifecycle make treatments more successful.... Read More

  Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Introduction By Audrey Linta, CEO/Owner of Boho Beach Souls My name is Audrey Linta, and I come from a 28-year medical background. My husband, Jason Linta, is a retired Air Force Firefighter of 24 years. We are the owners of a new small-family business named Boho Beach Souls in Panama City Beach. We opened our specialty shop on June 29, 2023. Boho Beach Souls style has a free-spirited aesthetic that mixes different cultures and artistic expressions into a modern eclectic style. It has an emphasis on organic elements, products from nature, natural healing, wellness, and self-care. We have many wellness items to assist consumers in their self-care, comfort, and wellness regimens. Our goal is to enhance everyday life by incorporating products and items that bring relaxation, calmness, and happiness. Quality of life is so important with all the challenges of mental and physical health in this ever-changing world we live in. Most products are vegan, soy, organic, and all-natural. We sell items like essential oils, candles, teas, journals, salves, elixirs, massage items, home essentials, affirmation jewelry, and more. Our shop was an idea we came up with to have passive income at all times as we travel every three months to Philadelphia for Jason’s terminal cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland, a very rare disease. Understandably, it became very challenging for me to keep a job with corporate America. We see our self-care and wellness shop as an opportunity to raise awareness... Read More