Earth Overshoot Day 2023

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Earth Overshoot Day is being observed today, August 2. This is an incredibly important day for all of us to reconsider our way of life and the usage of natural resources. Started by Andrew Simms, Earth Overshoot Day was designed to track the ecological resources and services humanity used from nature. Renewable resources need time to renew. If humanity’s usage rate is higher than the renewal rate, then we are over-exploiting the resources without allowing them time to renew themselves.

Earth Overshoot Day (also known as E.O.D.) is a calculation based on resource use and the earth’s regenerating capacity; by calculating the ratio and multiplying it by the number of days in a year, we will get a value known as the E.O.D. Every year, the date comes sooner and sooner. Humanity is over-utilizing the Earth’s resources and putting not only the future of humanity in danger but the future of the Earth itself. Learn more by visiting the EOD website HERE. 

Wheelchair Accessible Beach

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Visit Panama City Beach partnered with Bay County to buy two new beach wheelchairs and a walker. They were purchased as part of the “Fun. For. All.” campaign; the campaign is designed to promote accessibility in Panama City Beach.

The walker and wheelchair are free to use and can be found at the M.B. Miller County Pier. Bay County Parks and Recreation Division Manager Vincent Martin said, “All they have to do is come up to the County Pier and request a unit if it’s available. They would sign a waiver obviously releasing that unit out there so they can use it for the day.” Visitors have reported that the equipment is easy to use. Stephanie Williams, a visitor from Tennessee, stated that she, “tested it out on the sand, and there was ease of movement.” 

However, the program is just beginning. The individuals behind the program want to see more accessibility equipment brought on board. Did you know that 12.1% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs? Three accessibility tools are a drop in the ocean. Bay County and Visit Panama City Beach are working to install more Mobi-Mats while also working to secure the funding necessary to buy more wheelchairs and walkers.

Mobi-Mats provide a more stable walkway than trudging through the sand; these are useful not only for the disabled but also for young toddlers, individuals pulling carts, and more. Please note that if the walkways are congested, capable individuals should move aside for those with disabilities. 

 

Fort Clinch Candlelight Tour

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Amelia Island’s historic Fort Clinch is hosting candlelight tours this August. Fort Clinch has unique architecture that features narrow ‘underground’ passages, spiral staircases, and old bunkhouses. The tour will be led by nothing but candles so you can experience a more accurate, historical atmosphere as you tour the fort with an expert guide. The candlelight tour begins 30mins after sunset; reservations are required. Come early to enjoy a gorgeous sunset on the Atlantic coastline. Learn more or reserve your spot by clicking here. 

Coastal Cat Cafe

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Pensacola’s first and only cat cafe has officially found a location to set up; they anticipate opening sometime in 2023. Coastal Cat Cafe’s future physical adoption location will be 1508 W Garden Street. The owners aren’t sure when this year the location will open but are firm in their community goal “to collaborate with local city and county shelters to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome adoptable cats.” Keep up to date by CLICKING HERE to visit their Facebook. 

Don’t Miss Beyond Van Gogh

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Beyond Van Gogh is coming to Pensacola this August! From August 5th to September 9th, visit Building 6 at the Pensacola Interstate Fair to immerse yourself in the world of Van Gogh. More than 300 of his works will be projected during this limited exhibit; the art will be rendered in more than 4 trillion pixels over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space. The exhibit will be truly immersive, spanning the floors and ceilings. The works are not simply rendered copies of the still paintings but living art, bending and moving to capture the life Van Gogh impeded in his works. The exhibit will be accompanied by a modern soundtrack of music and recitations of Van Gogh’s own letters. Learn more by visiting the Beyond Van Gogh website (click here). 

Wildflower Summer Shop-n-Sip

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GypsyWillow is hosting a Wildflower Summer Shop-n-Sip event this Wednesday, July 26th. From 6-8pm, there will be poetry, shopping, flowers, and fun! There will be in-store specials, snacks, drinks, and special guests. Special guests include:

  • Nicky Holta, local intuitive and QHHT Practitioner
  • Britt Matthews Gonzalez, author of “We are All Wildflowers” poetry collection
  • Bohemian Funk, local creatives focusing on the beauty of the natural world

Learn more by visiting the event Facebook page HERE. 

To Sell or Not to Sell?

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A new report from real estate experts at Los Feliz, Realtor.com, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Florida has the highest rate of new home listings in the country; there are 248 active listings per 10,000 homes.(1) Florida has gained an estimated 2.7 million new residents since 2010, making the state the 3rd most populous after California and Texas. “Florida’s economy and lifestyle continue to attract people who want to live and work in the Sunshine State,” says 2023 Florida Realtors® President G. Mike McGraw, a broker-associate with RE/MAX Central Realty in Orlando.(2) 

The Florida Panhandle is experiencing a boom in listings, an increase in the average price of those listed homes, and a significant amount of commercial construction creating a strong demand for available homes by buyers. 

Illuminights at Jacksonville Zoo

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The Jacksonville Zoo is hosting Illuminights once again! From now until August 11th, visit the zoo on Fridays to enjoy the twilight hours with the animals as they wind down to sleep. After dark, the magical lightscapes set the garden paths aglow. The lightscapes are interactive; this year’s special highlight is Starry Night. The show features meteor showers and twinkling stars. There will also be an interactive laser show, acrobatic performances, Glow Party, animal stilt walkers, DJ, and a live band. Please note that all the animal exhibits close at 8 p.m. Visit the Jacksonville Zoo website to learn more by clicking here. 

Naval Aviation Museum is BACK OPEN

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The National Naval Aviation Museum is back open! It closed to the general public in the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The Museum is home to more than 4,000 artifacts and over 150 lovingly restored aircrafts. The selection includes aircraft representing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. There are also cockpit trainers, flight simulators, and a large-screen, 4K theater experience. Visit July 25-26, August 1, 16, 22-23, or the 29th to enjoy the Blue Angels. Blue Angels demos include practice flights and an autograph session. Learn more by visiting the NNAM website here. 

 

Museum Collections Revealed

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The Museum of Florida History and Florida Historic Capitol Museum is hosting a special event to showcase special works. The Unseen: Museum Collections Revealed will be held only on July 20th and August 17th. The special events will give guests a one-hour private tour featuring works usually not displayed to the public. The tour will also show guests the behind-the-scenes of museum curation: see how items are collected, processed, and cared for. These tours are open to only 10 guests per date; advance registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot.