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on This is an unbiased, free, and confidential place to go for help with Medicare. Shine is a grant program of the federal administration for community living and is administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in partnership with the state’s elven Aging and Disability Resource Centers. You can call 1-800-963-5337 for more information.
on Last week was National Boating Safety Week. The Safe Boating Campaign is a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating, encouraging boaters to always wear a life jacket while on the water. It’s tempting to not wear a life jacket while on the water, especially on nice days. You want to get some sun, you think you’ll get too hot, or you think you’re a strong swimmer. But whether you’re going fishing or just enjoying a ride on the boat, there’s never an excuse to not wear a life jacket. Accidents happen in an instant. Make it a habit. Always wear a life jacket. Boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and passengers not only have a life jacket, but wear it at all times while boating.
Drowning was the reported cause of death in 77 percent of all boating fatalities. Of those, 84 percent were reported as not wearing their life jackets. Two-thirds of drowning victims are good swimmers
Here are the most common excuses with the top five reasons to wear a life jacket.
1. “I have life jackets on board.” Having life jackets on board the vessel is not enough. Accidents happen too fast to put on a stowed life jacket.
2. “I’m a strong swimmer.” Even a strong swimmer needs to wear a life jacket. During an emergency, clothing can become heavy or waterlogged while in the water.
3. “It’s too hot and doesn’t look cool.” Old-fashioned, bulky orange life jackets have been replaced with new styles, like inflatable life jackets that may resemble a pair of suspenders or a belt pack. These are much cooler in the warmer weather.
4. “It gets in the way.” There are life jacket styles available for any recreational water activity – fishing, water sports, hunting, paddling and more. There are even styles for pets!
5. “Nothing is going to happen to me.” Face it, accidents happen. Boating can be a fun, safe and enjoyable activity, but when the “Wear It!” message is ignored, the consequences can be grim.
on The 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday has been passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor DeSantis. This sales tax holiday begins on Friday, May 29, 2020 and ends on Thursday, June 4, 2020. They are predicting this hurricane season to be a sever one.
During this holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. However, the sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.
A few items that qualify are: reusable ice (reusable ice packs) ~any portable, self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) ~Candles ~Flashlights ~Lanterns ~any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers ~Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries) ~Coolers and ice chests (food-storage; nonelectrical) ~Bungee cords ~Ground anchor systems ~Radios (powered by battery, solar, or handcrank) ~Two-way weather band ~Ratchet straps ~Tarpaulins (tarps) ~Tie-down kits ~plastic sheeting ~plastic drop cloths ~and other flexible waterproof sheeting and for $750 or less: Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage.
For more information click: https://floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep/Pages/default.aspx
on Businesses across the country are reopening and in Panama City Beach a summer staple has opened its doors to visitors. Shipwreck Island Waterpark is located at 12201 Hutchison Boulevard in Panama City Beach. The operating schedule and hours varies from the spring, to summer, to late summer, mostly based on the school calendar. You can check for changes by clicking here: www.facebook.com/shipwreckisland.
The Zoom Flume waterslide was the genesis of Shipwreck Island Waterpark when its opened in 1976. Over the next five years, The Raging Rapids and bumper boats were added. Beginning in 1983 the Zoom Flume and Rapids were merged into a unique tropical themed waterpark filled with attractions for family members of all ages. The twenty-acre park features lush landscaping, a professionally trained aquatics staff, and is one of the most hospitable attractions in all of North Florida. The usual broad selection of burgers, pizza, hotdogs, salads, barbeque, wraps, funnel cakes, ice cream, and frozen drinks is also available. Pepsi products and beer are also sold. Prices vary with age and height. For more information you can call 1-800-538-7395 or 850-234-9873 ext 310 to reserve your date by phone.
Have fun, stay safe, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
on Memorial Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May to remember those who lost their lives in the course of performing military duties to their country. The long weekend marks the start of the summer vacation season. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, and was first proclaimed by General John Logan on 5 May 1868 to honor the soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Decoration Day was observed in 17 states in 1868. Maine became the first state to declare a legal holiday for the day in 1874, followed by Massachusetts in 1881. Other northern states followed. By the end of the Great War (World War I), Memorial Day was a legal holiday in most northern states and a handful of southern states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and North and South Carolina (though the day was marked on different dates in these states). The holiday became popularly known as Memorial Day by the late 19th century and its scope gradually expanded to remember the deceased veterans of all the wars fought by American forces. With the passage of the holiday act in 1968, Memorial Day was given the floating date of the last Monday in May across the country starting in 1971.
The state, as well as most cities and towns, will recognize Memorial Day this year in a virtual format to maintain social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic but still allow for the public to honor members of the military who made the ultimate sacrifice. Temperature highs are expected to be in the mid 80s over the weekend with mostly sunny skies. Socially distancing orders remain in effect.
We celebrate freedom, but we remember the cost. Thank you, to all our veterans and their families.
on There’s hundreds of coastal towns in America, but it’s this small beach community in the Florida panhandle that takes first prize. This is the second time Grayton Beach State Park has been named the top beach in America. The last time was in 1994. Dr. Beach Leatherman, a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University, who has been ranking the nation’s beaches for 30 years says Grayton Beach is his top beach of 2020 here in the United States. It’s an award that goes back 30 years. Leatherman says he gives bonus points for beaches where smoking is banned and that are staffed with lifeguards.Grayton Beach State Park won the list’s top spot — even without a smoking ban — based on its sheer beauty. Beyond the sand, it has crystal clear emerald water, fresh water ponds that are a geological rarity and towering dunes that are unique along Florida’s 1,350 miles (2,170 kilometers) of coastline.
The Walton County Tourist Development Council is helping more people see the natural beauty of Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill State Park by paying admission fees between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In addition to the beach, the trails and canoe and kayak launch are open. While there are currently some restrictions at the nearly 2,000-acre (809- hectare) park because of the coronavirus outbreak, it is open. Groups larger than 10 are not allowed and the park is controlling capacity to allow for social distancing. Cabins and camping are temporarily closed. In normal times, the park attracts 500 to 1,000 people during peak summer days. But with 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) of beach and plenty of trails.
Located at 357 Main Park Rd in Santa Rosa Beach this is a great place to visit. Click below for more information or call (850) 267-8300.
on Yesterday was Pac-Man’s 40th birthday. Born on May 22, 1980, PAC-MAN immediately rose to meteoric popularity, first in video game arcades, then through an array of branding and entertainment appearances. With a brand recognition rate of 90% around the world, PAC-MAN’s image is one of the most recognized on the planet and is as strong as ever as he enters his 40th year of entertaining fans of all ages.
Pac-Man (or Puck Man in Japan) is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the USA by Midway, first released in Japan in 1979. Immensely popular from its first release through today, Pac-Man is universally considered as one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games.
The game is played by eating all the fruits on the stage, while avoiding the ghosts. In 1983 the game introduces a new character, “Mil.” The playful Mil moves around the screen to move the fruits away from Pac-Man. The game is unique in that it doesn’t have any Power Pellets. In turn, Pac-Man can retaliate by eating special powerup items such as the Boss Galaxian and Rally X icons.
on World Biodiversity Day is a United Nations-sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth; the healthier an area’s biodiversity, the healthier the ecosystem – which includes not only the animals and plants but also the people. Although it was originally introduced in 1993, it went through rebranding in 2000 and each year now has a theme. This year’s theme is Our Solutions are in Nature, and is focused on encouraging solutions to a host of issues that are interconnected: the climate crisis, economic issues, political problems, and more. Essentially, this date focuses on nature-based solutions for the betterment and protection of all life on Earth.
on BURN BAN LIFTED FOR JACKSON COUNTY. The ban burn put in place by the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners last Tuesday, May 12 has been lifted according to Jackson County Fire Rescue Chief Charlie Brunner. Rain has been sufficient with staffing in place with State of Florida Forestry Department is sufficient to cover the area they are assigned. As with any burn requiring a permit, please make sure you have your permit and use caution when burning.
on Did you know sea turtles have a season they are most active? May 1st to October 31st is the most active season for sea turtles. When you go to the beach please remember to leave only footprints, knock over your sandcastles, fill in any holes, and if you go at night no flashlights. Any time you see a sea turtle you should know they should never be touched.
A few interesting facts about sea turtles:
~They do not retract into their shell
~Green sea turtles are named for the color of their fat layer
~Female sea turtles return to the same beach to lay eggs using magnetic “clues”
~Baby green sea turtles are carnivores and transition to eating seaweed as they grow older
~The actual lifespan of green sea turtles is unknown
~The sex of turtles is determined by the temperature of sand, cooler the sand the more males
The oldest known sea turtle fossils date back about 150 million years, making them some of the oldest creatures on Earth. Just for some context, dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. Green sea turtles can stay underwater for up to five hours, but their feeding dives usually only last five minutes or less. Sea turtles have glands that help to empty excess salt from their eyes, making it appear as though they’re crying, but not to worry, they’re just doing some spring cleaning. Have you ever seen a sea turtle?
