Category: Services

AAA’s Holiday Season: “Tow To Go”

Debbie Roney Smith on

If you find yourself consuming too many adult beverages during the upcoming holidays, AAA wants to give you a free tow. The company is working to keep impaired drivers off the road with its ‘Tow To Go’ program. AAA will send a tow truck to an impaired driver and transport them and their vehicle to a safe place within a 10-mile radius for free. The service is available to anyone in Florida, not just members.

However, AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said it should be used as a last resort. “Please before you party, make sure that you have your plan in place, identify a designated driver or ride-sharing service. Have all of that planned out before your first drink,” Jenkins said.

The service will be available on Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year (January 1st). ‘Tow To Go’ starts at 6 p.m. and runs through 6 a.m. the next morning.

To use the service, call (855) 286-9246.

Veterinary Medicine

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Today is the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, an annual occurrence meant to encourage a strong veterinary sector that can protect animal and human health and welfare. To celebrate this event, today’s blog is a community highlight of the local veterinary clinic Critter Care of Blountstown.

Critter Care is a full-service animal hospital that handles both emergency treatment cases as well as pet patients in need of routine medical, surgical, and dental care. Dr. Carla Hubbard, the veterinarian on staff, has years of experience treating serious conditions and offering regular pet wellness care. The atmosphere of the office is friendly and helpful. If you have a beloved animal companion, consider entrusting their healthcare to Critter Care. 

Friends of Chipley Animals

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Bradley Cooper, a currently available Bulldog mix (as of 11/27/2021)

If you live in Chipley or surrounding areas and love animals, consider joining the Friends of Chipley Animals Facebook page. The page is run by volunteers of the Chipley, FL shelter but is not a reflection of the shelter itself. Many of the animals listed on the page come from surrounding counties but are all located in Chipley at the time of their posting. Dogs and cats are only kept 5-7 days so if you see an animal that interests you, please call them right away (the number is listed on their page). The Friends of Chipley operate Monday through Saturday 9:00 am until 12:00 noon CST.

Additionally, they are in URGENT need of volunteers to visit the shelter to take pictures and get descriptions of pets to post to the website. The hours for volunteers are between 9 am and 12 pm CST. If you are interested in helping in-need animals get adopted, please call the shelter for more info. 

Small Business Saturday

Debbie Roney Smith on

Small Business Saturday is an annual holiday that celebrates small businesses and encourages consumers to shop locally at independently-owned businesses. It was founded in 2010 by American Express, and has grown into an event that rivals Black Friday and Cyber Monday – both annual shopping holidays that put big conglomerates over locally-owned businesses. Small Business Saturday draws attention to the importance of small businesses on local and national economies. This year it is more important than ever to support this annual event; small businesses were hit hard throughout the pandemic and are still closing at an alarming rate! Meanwhile, big-box retailers are seeing record-high sales and have been for well over a year. So visit town today, get started on holiday shopping, and support your community! 

Wreck Capital of the South

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that Panama City Beach is one of the most visited dive destinations in Florida? PCB offers a plethora of diving sites for both experienced and non-experienced divers. Commonly referred to as the “Wreck Capital of the South,” PCB is home to the best dive beach along the Emerald Coast. Peak diving season is April through September. The moniker “Wreck Capital” comes from the numerous famous wrecks found in the Gulf of Mexico that are accessible in Panama City Beach. A few of these wrecks include the 110ft Grey Ghost, a 160ft freighter named Chippewa, a 441ft World War II liberty ship, and the 220ft S.S. Tarpon, a World War II tug boat. 

Florida Caverns State Park: Update

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It’s been three years since Hurricane Michael destroyed over 90% of the Florida Caverns State Park canopied forest. Luckily, the community has rallied around the park and major progress has been made toward repairing the devastated land. Thousands of tree saplings were donated to replace those lost, and debris cleanup is still underway. Currently, the campground and river access remain closed to the public. However, a large portion of the park has been reopened: the Blue Hole swimming area, the multiuse trails, and even the caves themselves!

Utilizing the surface-based lighting and electrical system to illuminate the cave to create a state-of-the-art LED lighting system, guided cave tours are once again being offered. This new, energy-efficient system helps protect the light-sensitive ecosystems in the cave and allows visitors to see cave formations more clearly – all without needing a flashlight!

For more information on the guided cave tours or to RSVP, visit the Florida Caverns State Park website. 

Happy Birthday Black Dog Cafe!

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Congratulations on 24 years of female-owned excellence, Black Dog Cafe! The Cafe is giving back to celebrate their birthday today, November 1st, by offering a free coffee when customers bring in a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Black Dog is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers a wide selection of coffee, drinks, pastries, and frozen treats; everything is sustainably and locally sourced. Some come out to Lake Ella today to enjoy the lovely weather, great drinks, and do some good for the community!

Second Harvest Food Bank accepts donations of non-perishable food items, and would like to draw attention to their most needed items:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Protein Foods
  • Dairy/Dairy Alternatives
  • Canned Meals (ex: soups, chowders, and chili)
  • Nutritional drinks (ex: Ensure, Boost)
  • Baby Food
  • Non-food Items (ex: diapers, toiletries)

Visit their official website here to view a detailed list or learn more about the organization. 

The Great Pupkin Match!

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The Animal Service Center of Tallahassee is having its first event in almost two years this Saturday! With over 90 adoptable dogs, Tallahassee Animal Services is hosting an outdoor adoption matchmaking event. The Great Pupkin Match will have meet and greet tents, music, food trucks, giveaways, and a cute festive photo station! Come out and find the love of your life from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday. If you would like to save time, you can fill out an application to pre-approved HERE. 

 

Medical Marijuana in Pensacola

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Dr. Michelle Beasley

Dr. Michelle Beasley is a Board Certified Physician serving Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola. She has been serving the area for over 15 years and holds both a Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Medicine from The University of West Florida. She is currently accepting new patients for compassionate care; if you are looking to start treatment with medical marijuana, consider Dr. Beasley. If you are looking to switch providers, she offers a discounted initial assessment price of $49! To get in contact with Dr. Beasley, click here to visit her online portal – you will be able to make an appointment online or call her office.