Category: COVID-19

Veg Out Food Festival

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The Veg Out Food Festival is happening this weekend, Saturday, July 16th from 12 – 8 pm. The event is free to the public and f local artisans and restaurants. Veg Out Food Festival includes music, vegan and vegetarian eats, local crafters, local growers, and more. Held by The Fuzzy Pineapple at 1205 S. Adams Street, it is a family and pet-friendly event. Please note that there will be limited parking at the event location; however, roadside parking will be within a few blocks by walking, biking, or bus. Come out for a pleasant afternoon of fun, art, and food! 

For more information please visit us online here or register for the event here. Enjoy and share the fun using #TFPSHOP on your favorite social media sites!

COVID-19: The event is safe and secure for guests and businesses. Social distancing will be practiced. Masks are mandatory to attend. Sanitation stations will be available on site. The Fuzzy Pineapple says “Please, let’s be considerate of everyone’s health and safety.”

Fernandina Beach Pride

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After a two-year hiatus due to Coronavirus, Fernandina Beach will be hosting its second annual Pride Parade and Festival. The event will be held on June 11th from 10 am – 6 pm. Fernandina Beach Pride will kick off with the parade before hosting a plethora of other fun activities. There will be live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and more! Come down to Central Park, Fernandina for a fantastic day celebrating the local and surrounding LGBTQ+ community!

Learn more by visiting the official event website HERE.

Walton County Real Estate Boom

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Real estate continues to be a hot commodity in Walton County as more vacationers and visitors to the area move here full-time in the wake of Covid-19. The area is expanding fast and available housing is rapidly depleting. The public school system is an added bonus for families moving into the area; Walton County offers a high level of education and activities that would normally be indicative of private schools. The 2020 U.S. Census Bureau reported that Walton County’s population is over 75,000. 

Bay County Audobon Society: Local Field Trip

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Today at 7:30am, there will be a local field trip held at Majette Park by the Bay County Audobon Society. Interested in birding? Native plants? Photography? Just getting out and stretching your legs? This field trip has something for everything!

Please note that trips are subject to weather and last-minute changes. Additionally, due to COVID, facemasks are recommended while in close contact but may be removed once members spread out more than 6 feet during the walk. See their Facebook page, electronic newsletter, or Meetup page for up-to-date information; alternatively, call Ron Houser at 850-774-9733.

Notify County Agencies About Special Needs

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West Florida Electric Cooperative is helping to spread the word about the Special Needs Registry Shelter Program. This is a program designed to provide hurricane or disaster related evacuation assistance for those without other alternatives. However, it is super important that you renew your enrollment in this program annually! The Registry Program allows for emergency responders to prepare for disasters and other emergencies, and for the needs of the community to be accounted for during times of trial. If you or someone you know has a condition greatly affecting eyesight, hearing, spech, walking, breathing, or a mental illness that can impact these senses, please contact your local emergency management agency to register. Learn more about the program at the Florida Health website here. 

Free COVID Tests

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Americans can start ordering free COVID-19 tests as of January 19th. Supplies are limited to four tests per valid residential address. The test(s) ship within 7-12 days of ordering. No doctor’s order or prescription is required to get the tests, nor is any payment card information. Place an order on the federal website covidtests.gov or through the United States Postal Service website.

 

Welcome Home Blue Angels!

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The Blue Angels are returning to their home base for the winter after spending the last few months traveling and performing across the country. The Homecoming Air Show will begin at the Naval Air Station Pensacola on Wednesday, followed by Thursday’s dress rehearsal, and then the weekend shows. Due to Covid restrictions, the air show was moved to Pensacola Beach. The Homecoming shows on Friday and Saturday will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a detailed itinerary, head to the official Visit Pensacola website. Public and paid parking will be available. 

Veterans Fair

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The GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club is partnering with the Chipola Civic Club to host the 7th annual Veterans Day Program. This Friday, November 5th, all veterans are invited to come down to Madison Street Park for the fair. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., veterans will have the opportunity to receive information from a selection of vendors. Additionally, a sausage dog lunch will be available for free while live music is performed by the Charlie Basford Band. Door prizes will be passed out at the end of the program. 

*Masks and social distancing are encouraged

Florida Panhandle Hospitals

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There are a number of hospitals and emergency rooms in the Florida Panhandle, but the top three are as follows:

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare
  • Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital (Pensacola). Phone (850) 416-7000. Address: 5151 North 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504. Website. 
  • Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (Tallahassee). Phone (850) 431-1155. Address: 1300 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Website.
  • Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital (Panama City). Phone (850) 769-1511. Address: 615 North Bonita Ave, Panama City, FL 32401. Website.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve

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Seacrest Wolf Preserve was founded by Cynthia and Wayne Watkins in Chipley, 1999. It is a non-profit dedicated to wolf and wildlife conservation. The preserve has experienced enormous growth over the years and is now a large organization focused on education and conservation. The preserve is home to 30 wolves (Gray Wolves, Arctic-Type Wolves, and British Columbian Wolves) as well as a variety of small native species such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.

Seacrest offers an unforgettable, educational experience where visitors encounter wolves face-to-face. Not all 30 wolves living at the preserve are approved for this special experience. Seacrest Wolf Ambassadors are those special wolves that have experience and enjoy interacting with human visitors as they learn important scientific information about this amazing keystone species. There are several different types of educational tours offered but reservations must be made beforehand. Due to Covid precautions, they are currently offering only the VIP Tours, Mondays – Saturdays.  

​Visit their official website for more detailed information, or call (850) 773-2897.