Author: Debbie Roney Smith

World Diabetes Day

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New figures from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas reveal that 537 million adults around the world are living with diabetes. That means 1 in 10 adults live with diabetes!

This year’s theme for World Diabetes Day is Acess to Diabetes Care. Despite it being a century since the discovery of insulin, many afflicted individuals do not have consistent access to it and other fundamental components of diabetes care. This must change; if not now, when?

Visit the official website of World Diabetes Day here for more information, or head straight to this link to pledge your support to this cause! 

Jazz for Justice: Foo Foo Festival

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The annual Foo Foo Festival is reaching its conclusion! Tomorrow is the annual concert fundraiser, Jazz for Justice. This annual concert fundraiser will help close out Foo Foo Festival; funds raised will go to LSNF (Legal Services of North Florida). The event will feature jazz artists Tuba Skinny and the New Breed Brass Band. Come down to Seville Quarter to enjoy live music for free from 1-7 p.m. tomorrow!

Florida Panhandle Sea Turtles

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Did you know that three of the five species of sea turtles found in the Gulf of Mexico nest on Pensacola Beach? In fact, 90% of sea turtle nesting in the United States happens in the Sunshine State! Between 40,000 and 84,000 nests are dug on Florida beaches by these amazing ocean reptiles every year. Pensacola Beach is especially prolific in loggerhead nesting, although green turtles and Kemp’s ridley turtles also nest in the area. The nesting process lasts from March to October; help keep turtles safe by watching where you step, avoiding nests that are marked off, cleaning up after yourself when you visit the beach, and keeping lights off the beach after dark to keep from confusing hatchlings trying to make it away from land to the sea. 

Super Girl Surf Pro Contest & Festival

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Tomorrow is the first day of the Super Girl Surf Pro Contest & Festival! This is a three-day festival that celebrates women’s action sports while focusing on female empowerment through social, athletic, cultural, and business opportunities.

The surf contest will be held at the Jacksonville Beach pier. The Festival Village at the Sea Walk Pavilion will be occurring simultaneously. The Village will feature live music, family-friendly activities, an ALL-FEMALE DJ competition, women’s beach soccer, women’s volleyball tournaments, free fitness/dance classes, and celebrity speakers. Additionally, there will be a beer garden and the possibility to get autographs from pro surfers. The best part is that all activities are FREE. Come down to Jacksonville Beach to take part in this festival from November 12th-14th! Visit the festival’s website here for detailed itineraries and more information on available activities. 

Stamped Film Festival: Foo Foo Festival

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From November 12-14th, Foo Foo Festival is hosting the Stamped Film Festival at the Pensacola Cultural Center. Starting at 5 p.m. on November 12th and ending with a family day on November 14th, this event focuses on LBGTQ films and creators. The highly vetted films will feature content that can vary from PG-Mature with the aforementioned ‘Family Day’ on November 14th. “Family Day” includes films that are suitable for all ages, a series of children’s activities from face painting, balloon art, and kids snacks.

While the show itself is free, reservations are required as seating is limited. Visit the Stamped Film Festival event page here to RSVP to this amazing event! Additionally, you can view trailers for the featured films, see a specific film lineup by day, and more. 

Fun Florida Population Facts

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Today’s blog brings you three fun facts about Florida’s population: 

  1. Florida ranked as the third most populous state in 2019. (United States Census Bureau)
  2. Approximately 950 people move to Florida on average per day. 
  3. Florida is ranked as the second-fastest growing state in the United States. (ISG World Miami Report)

Great Gulfcoast Art Festival

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Today is the last day to score one-of-a-kind holiday gifts at the annual Great Gulfcoast Art Festival. Over 200 artisans will be displaying their creations: pottery, jewelry design, painting, woodworking, glass, sculptures, and more will be available. Other festival highlights include live music, food, performances by local dancers and folk groups, craft demos of traditional trade skills like blacksmithing and spinning in the Heritage Arts Area, and the Student Art Show. Visit Seville Square Park in Pensacola today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy the last day of this amazing Art Festival. 

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

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The 37th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival is underway! From November 4 – 14th, over 200 performers will be performing at 20 different venues along the Florida & Alabama Gulf Coast. Some highlights include Dean Dillon, Rick Carter, Tess Frizzell, and Bridgette Tatum. A few of the panhandle local venues are the Flora-Bama Central Church, the Southwest Branch Library, Hub Stacy’s, and The Point Restaurant (all located in Pensacola).

Visit the Festival website to view the complete list of venues, the performer schedule, and more! Can’t make it to any of the venues? The Festival has created a Spotify playlist featuring a number of hits that will be played live for your continual enjoyment.

 

Seafood Festival in Apalachicola

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Today and tomorrow, visit Battery Park in Apalachicola for the Florida Seafood Festival! The festival includes more than delicious seafood; there will be live music, food competitions, blue crab races, a blessing of the fleet, and the 5K Redfish Run. Music will be provided by country artists Dante Bowe and Drew Parker. Admission is free. Pets are not welcome unless they are service animals. Visit the Florida Seafood Festival website to see a detailed schedule of events, join any of the competitive events, and more!

Son et Lumiere: Foo Foo Festival!

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Part of the Foo Foo Festival, Son et Lumiere is a sound and light 3D projection show. A free experience for all ages, it will occur every 30mins from 7 – 9:30 p.m. on November 4-7th. The show is a digital projection on the old Escambia County Courthouse; it is a visual spectacular designed to mix history and technology. The show depicts scenes, people, optical illusions, and imagery from the last 200 years to create an interactive, modern experience. Visit the Son et Lumiere event page here for more information on the history of the concept, event details, and more.