Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Science Spot for Tots

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The Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida is currently holding a series of Science Spots for Tots. Located in Tallahassee, the Discovery Center welcomes all ages to the class although they are geared towards the 2-5 age group. However, the activities are adaptable so children of many ages/abilities can learn and participate. Entry to the event includes day admission to the museum! The event typically runs from 11:30am to12:30pm EST. 

The cost for members of the museum is as follows: $5 for the 1st child and $3 for each additional child. Non-members pay $6 for the 1st child and $3 for each additional child. For both purchases, one accompanying adult is free. The next available class is the February 28th Push & Pull event. However, there will be a number of events until the end of April:

  • March 7th – Light & Shadow
  • March 14th – Sound
  • March 21st – Growing/Animal Babies
  • March 28th – Materials/Things We Use
  • April 4th – Ants
  • April 11th – Spiders
  • April 18th- Rocks
  • April 25th- Backbone Bonanza

Great Oaks Historic Site

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Great Oaks is a Greenwood Historical Site. It’s an Antebellum style mansion built in 1860 for Hamilton Bryan’s mother. The house was originally erected on the 5,200 acre plantation owned by Elijah Bryan, Hamilton’s father. The home slowly fell into disrepair until Bryan desendants eventually sold the home to the Claude-Reese family. The family restored the home between 1961 and 1965; the home is built almost entirely out of heart yellow pine. It stands as a tribute to the era is was built in and is supported by the Jackson County Historical Commission. 

The After Dark Market

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The After Dark Market is happening tonight at Floriopolis! Located in Historic St. Andrews, the market will open at 7pm and run until 11pm EST. This is the sixth After Dark Market; there will be art, oddities, and great performers. 

Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page HERE. 

Securing a Mortgage While Self-Employed

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You can still become a homeowner while being self-employed. There are programs that take self-employed incomes into consideration and work to make the process achievable. One such program is the Bank Statement Program by Cross Country Mortgage LLC. This program allows potential homeowners the opportunity to qualify for a mortgage without some of the income documentation that is typically required. They offer loans up to $3.5M while accepting supplemental income and personal or business bank statements.

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

Wondering if this particular program would benefit you? Reach out to Cross Country Mortgage LLC today! Not sure Cross Country Mortgage is right for you? Not ready to reach out to a company to get a mortgage but know it’s in your future? See the list of tips below for things to focus on that will benefit your future mortgage endevours: 

  • Maintain a low Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio – increase your income and reduce your debt! You want your DTI to be below 50%. Calculate your DTI by adding up your monthly minimum debt payments and dividing the total by your monthly pretax income.
  • Maintain or raise your credit score; credit lenders want to see a low credit utilization ratio. Find your utilization ratio by dividing your balance by your credit limit. 
  • Make sure to keep your personal and business expenses seperate to create a clear distinction and a favorable application profile. Keep expenses seperate by maintaining different bank accounts, credit cards, and financial documents. 

Seawalk Music Festival

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Event Lineup - Click to EnlargeThe Seawalk Music Festival is coming to Jacksonville Beach this weekend! This two-day festival will take place at the Seawalk Pavilion on February 25th and 26th. There will be a variety of musical guests as well as vendors, so come prepared for a fun day of friends, music, and food on the oceanfront. The festival is FREE for everyone; please bring money for food, beverages, and artisan vendors. The event runs from 12-8:30pm on Saturday and 12:30-7:30pm on Sunday. To learn more, visit the festival website HERE. 

National Wine Day

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Wine has been a staple in human culture since its invention in 7000 BC. So it’s no suprise that there’s a National Wine Day! Celebrate with a glass of your favorite wine today. Consider visiting one of the local wineries below (click on the location to visit winery websites):

Panama City Beach Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

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The Panama City Beach Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is this weekend. Come by Aaron Bessant Park this Saturday and Sunday from to enjoy food, drinks, friends, and more! The 6th Annual Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival will be open to the public from 12pm-5pm with VIPs getting access at 11am. Event ticket prices vary according to the package you purchase, but General Admission is $5 online and $10 at the gate; kids 10-years-old and younger get in for free.

The festival will include over thirty of Florida’s most popular food trucks, over 50 national, regional, and local craft beers, lawn games, music, and family fun. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the sunny Florida weekend. Please be sure to bring cash and card to purchase food, drinks, and other goodies provided by artisan vendors. For a complete list of participating food trucks, beers, and artists, please visit the Facebook event page HERE or visit the official website HERE. 

 

Panhandle Stompers

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Looking for something fun to do Wednesday nights? Miss going out dancing? Join the Panhandle Stompers at the Blue Moon Bar and Grill in Lynn Haven on Wednesday nights to learn dances ranging from beginner to experienced. The Stompers welcome all skill levels and all ages! Lessons are free but they do accept tips. Janene Epperson, the founder of the group, says that “Panhandle Stompers is a line dancing/ couples country western dancing group,” that dances to country, pop, rock, hip hop, and many other genres of music.

Epperson also offers private dance lessons. She, and/or the Panhandle Stompers, will also come to parties and other events. Learn more by visiting the Panhandle Stompers Facebook page HERE or call 850-597-1661.

Valentine’s Day

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

While the exact historical origin of Valentine’s Day is unclear, it is known that it derives from Christian and ancient Roman traditions.

Some might recognize the moniker of ‘Saint Valentine’ but did you know that there are three distinct saints that go by Valentine recognized by the Catholic church? It is unclear which of the three saints is the direct origin of the annual holiday but that hardly matters. The importance of Saint V is that his historical figure is featured in stories that are overall tragic while emphasizing “his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and—most importantly—romantic figure.”(1) 

Historical evidence indicates that the Catholic church might have introduced Valentine’s Day to combat the prevalence of the pagan festival, Lupercalia. A fertility festival celebrated on February 15th, Lupercalia was a celebration of the Roman god, Faunus, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.  Combined with the romantically tragic backstory of figurehead Saint Valentine, the erasure of the Lupercalia created an annual celebration of romance, fertility, dating, and affection. 

African-American History Festival

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Coming soon to Apalachicola – the 20th Annual African History Festival hosted in Franklin Square! From February 17-19th, the Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H’COLA) will be celebrating Black History Month with the annual festival. H’COLA was founded to support the community, and their festival helps celebrate local African-American history along the Gulf Coast. They invite locals and visitors to enjoy this family-friendly event. The event will feature live entertainment, artists, craftsmen, vendors, children’s activities, history, education, health, and wellness.