Category: Community Announcement

The Artists’ Guild

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The Artists’ Guild of Northwest Florida will meet at the Historic 1st National Bank Multi-Use Facility today from 11 am-3 pm. The Artist Guild is a nonprofit visual and performing arts group focused on education, support, events, and community economic growth throughout Northwest Florida. They will be discussing the 2024 Gallery installations, events, and community workshops. All community members are welcome.

Learn more about the Guild and future meetings (held the second Saturday of every month) by visiting their website HERE. 

Jackson County Isn’t Growing

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While Florida is ranked as the eighth fastest-growing state in the United States, Jackson County is ranked as the ninth fastest-shrinking county in Florida. Jackson County is not only not growing, it is actively losing population. While Florida’s population grew by 14.5% from 2010-2020, Jackson County’s population declined by 4.5%.(1)

Florida itself is benefiting from the movement of industries and individuals from other states while Jackson County has failed to experience any significant inrush. The County has an abundance of natural resources, land space to accommodate affordable homesites, an above-average school system, and a highly-rated hospital. Community leaders are looking to create an action plan to draw new families, businesses, and individuals into the area. 

Jackson County Calls for Citizen Engagement

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Jackson County is proactively addressing the challenges of flooding and its impact on our critical infrastructure with the initiation of a Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. The County is calling for citizens to partake in the process. There will be three separate in-person meetings held to hear from the community from individual residents to businesses. The goal is to share collective insights to develop strategies for mitigating current and future flood risks. 
These meetings will include experts ready to discuss flood-related challenges, respond to inquiries, and gather valuable community input to shape a resilient Jackson County. Click on the image to enlarge and view meeting details and more. 

Walmart’s Sensory Hours

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Walmart’s across the United States and Puerto Rico are implementing semi-permanent sensory hours. The hours will take place every day from 8-10 a.m. Depending on how things go, these hours could become permanent. 

Sensory hours are designed for those who are easily overwhelmed by external stimulation. During as typical Walmart visit, highly-sensitive individuals have to handle an influx of stimuli including stranger’s conversations, accidental touch, bright overhead lights, store music, and more. This can cause irritability, stress, agitation, insomnia, loss of focus, overwhelming feelings and thoughts, and anxiety. Some individuals even experience physical symptoms such as tight, itchy skin or buzzing nerves. 

Covenant Care Presentation on Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Debbie Roney Smith on

Covenant Care is hosting an educational discussion on the Presentation, Progression, and Planning for someone with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. The event is free to anyone in the community; they ask that you reserve your seat so they can properly prepare. The event will start with a Meet and Greet at 5:30pm and be followed by a Buffet Style Dinner starting at 5:45pm.

The Presentaiton will begin promptly at 6pm. It will be led by Dr. Steven Spence, a member of the Internal Medicine Associates of Jackson Hospital and Medical Director of Covenant Care. The event will be held at the Rivertown Community Church in Marianna. For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact either:

Jennifer Griffin; (850) 209-8008; jennifer.griffin@choosecovenant.org

Chelsea Dickinson; (850) 209-7799; chelsea.dickson@choosecovenant.org

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. 

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. 

 

Back to School Bash

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Emerald Coast Hospice is hosting a Back to School Bash. There will be free school supplies for kids of all ages: pencils, crayons, backpacks, and more! The event will begin at 1pm and run until 3pm or while supplies last. Come to 3015 Jefferson Street in Marianna next Friday, July 21st, to participate. 

Bay Point Billfish Open

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The Bay Point Billfish Open starts this Wednesday, June 28th. The total prize money is expected to exceed $1 million this year. The payout for the largest blue marlin caught is expected to be $75,000 for first prize. There will also be Catch and Release categories for all billfish species. The fishing competition will also include live music, food and drink, an in-water boat show, and marina parties. Visit Point South Marina in Panama City Beach from June 28th to July 1st! Visit the event website here to learn more! 

Graceville Announcement

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Graceville Public Works will be picking up vegetative debris next Thursday, June 22 AND Friday, June 23. They ask that you place your vegetative debris right next to the street right of way for easy pick up. These dates are for vegetative debris ONLY. If you have construction debris, it can be taken to Public Works from June 15-17th for Amnesty servicing.