The Circuit - Dining Guide 2021 by PCB Chamber of Commerce

THE CIRCUIT Dining Guide FIND YOUR FLAVOR IN OUR NEW 2021 RESTAURANT DIRECTORY AROUND TOWN COMMUNITY LEADER UPDATES

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WE'RE HERE! Savings and service await you at your GEICO Local Office — right here in Panama City!

850-785-0538 1314 North Tyndall Parkway, Panama City geico.com/panama-city

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Homeowners, renters, and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2021. © GEICO

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

Thank you for Voting Us Best Cosmetic Dentist in Best of Bay 2020

Award Winning Cosmetic Dentistry & Customer Experiences w w w. P C B D e n t i s t . c o m (850) 502-8122 309 Richard Jackson Blvd #102 Panama City Beach, FL 32407

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90 Day Protection against COVID-19 Business & Residential

(850) 358-3242 service@3pamerica.com @3pamerica w w w. 3 p a m e r i c a . c o m 2356 Frankford Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405 4

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THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

PEPPER CRUSTED TUNA

& BLEUD BLACKN SALA E CHICK

RAW OYSTERS

KEY WEST SHRIMP

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The Circuit D E P A R T M E N T S & F E AT U R E S

22 22 Dining Guide / Restaurant Directory 31 Sharky's Refreshes Signature Hut Using Native American Technique

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

11 From Tiffiney Carter

message from the President/CEO

AsK the Doctor

34 A New Treatment, A New Hope

12 From Kristopher McLane

air & sea

15 News from Tyndall Air Force Base & Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division

business spotlights

18 The Latest Updates from Businesses in Bay County

features

20 America's Top Model Is Serving Up Fierce Food & Craft Cocktails

20 8

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36 37 38 39

see & be seen

November 2020 Business After Hours November 2020 Friday At The Beach January 2021 Friday At The Beach January 2021 Dual Business After Hours with Walton Area Chamber

committees

40 IdeaCamp 42 Ambassadors 43 Ambassador Spotlights

36 around town

44 City of Panama City Beach, Mayor Mark Sheldon 44 Bay County Board of County Commissioners, Griff Griffitts 45 Gulf Coast State College, Dr. John Holdnak 45 FSU Panama City, Dr. Randy Hanna 46 Bay District Schools, Bill Husfelt 47 Bay EDA, Becca Hardin 47 Visit Panama City Beach, Dan Rowe 48 CareerSource Gulf Coast, Kim Bodine

membership

50 Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings 53 Letter from Your Chamber Rep 54 New + Renewing Members

Steak | Seafood | Sushi | Dessert | Cocktails Private Rooms & Full-Service Catering Available Firefly Restaurant & Lounge at the Shoppes of Edgewater Panama City Beach, Florida

850.249.3359 | fireflypcb.com

Coming Soon Photography by Richard Lombard

We Are Covid Protected WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 9

ON THE COVER Our cover photo for this edition showcases one of the many

luxuries we have here — being able to enjoy fresh, delectable, mouthwatering dishes on the white sugary sands of the world's MEMBER FDIC

most beautiful beaches. Pictured is Schooners' 8 oz. Grilled Lobster Tail with Lemon and Drawn Butter, served along with one of your favorite side dishes. Loved by many locals, Schooners has

Starter Home? Same Home? Dream Home? Your Loan.

been deemed "The Last Local Beach Club" on Panama City Beach. Photo provided by Schooners.

The Circuit EDITORIAL TEAM

Publisher

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

Executive Editors Creative/Design Production

Mortgage • Refinancing Construction Financing Visit trustmark.com/mortgage to learn more.

Tiffiney Carter

Panaprint

Advertising Sales Distribution

Tiffiney Carter, Kristopher McLane

Shannon Richmond

Lewis Advertising

Airman 1st Class Anabel Del Valle, NSWC PCD Public Affairs, Robert Piper, Jan Waddy | The News Herald, Steven Stokes, MD

Contributors

The Circuit Magazine is designed and produced by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. All information in this guide is believed to be correct at time of production; the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. All unsolicited manuscripts become the property of the publisher and will not be returned. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ©2021 The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce 309 Richard Jackson Boulevard, Suite 101, Panama City Beach, FL 32407 Phone: (850) 235-1159 | Fax: (850) 235-2301 | www.PCBeach.org 10

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2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Board JEFF DIBENEDICTIS MATT GRIFFITTS CATHERINE COLLINS PAUL SCHREINER JOSEPH SORCI

Board of Directors SHAY CATRETT MARVIN COLLEY ALLEN COTTON TRAVIS CRISP LEE ANN LEONARD ROBYN EVANS BRAD GRIFFIN JEREMY HINTON SAKE IRFAN RYAN MULVEY JORDAN ROSENAU SKIP STOLTZ JIMY THORPE

BAYSOLUTIONS Beach TV Beef 'O' Brady's Counts Oakes Resort Properties/LSI Pier Park/Simon Malls By the Sea Properties Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center Innovations FCU Gulf Power Sharks Tooth/Clubs by Joe

The St. Joe Company Dominos A Superior Air Conditioning

Honorary Board RAMON DUVALL DR. RANDY HANNA BECCA HARDIN DR. JOHN HOLDNAK PARKER MCCLELLAN DAN ROWE JOHN SKAGGS MARK SHELDON

Beachside Fellowship Florida State University Panama City Bay Economic Development Alliance Gulf Coast State College NWFL Beaches International Airport Visit Panama City Beach Naval Support Activity Panama City Mayor, City of Panama City Beach

CHAMBER STAFF KRISTOPHER MCLANE JENA LILES SHANNON RICHMOND LYNSIE SISK TIFFINEY CARTER MISSY HOLMES

President/CEO Chief Financial Officer Vice President, Director of Membership Director of Marketing & Events Director of Communications & Design Business Support Director

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR As a result of rescheduling annual events to prevent the spread and help flatten the curve on COVID, we have decided to remove the 'entertaining' aspect from this edition of The Circuit and change it to our "Dining Guide" issue, with the focus primarily on our restaurants. Last March, I completed my very first "Dining & Entertaining" issue of The Circuit magazine. As excited as I was making that particular publication, I can't quite say that it came in very useful to anyone at the time as COVID-19 swept the rug right out from under our feet. In Panama City Beach, we have a special relationship with food and dining. This past year, our love affair with food took on an entirely new meaning, as many of us turned to curbside pick-up and having our dinners DoorDashed to our front steps. We watched closely as restaurants transformed by adopting new ways to bring their best to hungry customers while keeping their heads above water. The struggles that our restaurants overcame have undoubtedly made them stronger. Kudos to all of the hardworking restaurant owners, managers, waitstaff, delivery drivers, chefs, bartenders, and everyone else behind the scenes! Our restaurants, bakeries, ice cream and coffee shops have been back to normal (mostly) for a while now, and I couldn't be any happier. We have such an abundance of great dining options and cuisines to try out, and being able to get out and enjoy great food with good company and cocktails while soaking in the beauty of our famous Gulf sunsets is a pastime I don't ever want to give up again. So, whether you are looking for fresh seafood, a taste of Italy, Mexican cuisine, Cajun fare, or fine dining, our membership is the best place to find it all! For a complete list of our restaurant members, visit our Dining Guide on page 24. Learn which restaurants are waterfront property, offer pet-friendly outdoor seating areas, and more. It doesn't matter whether you are a visitor or a local looking to find that special place to dine; we have plenty of restaurants to dive into, fall in love with, and check off your list. I hope this Dining Guide leads you to that perfect spot. Cheers!

Tiffiney Carter

Tiffiney Carter Director of Communications & Design Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 11

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO The Panama City Beach Chamber has had a busy start to 2021 with the release of two issues of The Circuit and events returning. We are seeing a huge increase in membership activity and interest in upcoming events, which are selling out quickly. Although a lot of our big events will take place the second half of the year, we remain optimistic and very hopeful about connecting the membership once again at those events soon. The Beach Chamber just released the very popular 2021 Annual Guide to Bay County, Florida with tons of visitor and relocation information. That issue of The Circuit is what our Chamber uses throughout the year to promote the entire membership and our community to those visiting, moving to Bay County, or doing business here. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop by to get a copy of this beautiful publication. Spring is officially upon us, and that means visitors are coming in to support our number one industry in Bay County. The Dining & Entertainment issue of The Circuit ties in perfectly for locals and

those visiting our area looking for great food and fun upcoming events. This issue traditionally has a large entertainment focus, but COVID has impacted accurate event details at the time of print. Look for additional information in the upcoming issue—including a new PCB Chamber event for the whole community to get involved in! In the meantime, our restaurant members have some great articles in here about what they are serving up. We also have a dining guide with added food truck listings to help make your breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections a little easier. As our Chamber continues to grow and support our community, I want to thank our 2021 Chairman, Jeff DiBenedictis from BancorpSouth Bank, for his leadership and guidance so far this year. Our goals are to grow the membership, support the community, revive our events, and give back in 2021. This is going to be a great year for Bay County, Florida and the Panama City Beach Chamber. As always, we appreciate the wonderful support from our 1300 members!

Kristopher McLane, President/CEO Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

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A I R & S E A | tyndall air force base

RECRUIT YOUR NEXT HIRE Connect with qualified candidates. Job postings Applicant screenings Skills assessments

careersourcegc.com

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NOTHING ‘PLANE’ ABOUT TRAINING THE WORLD’S FUTURE F-22 PILOTS

BY A I R M A N 1 ST C L A S S A N A B E L D E L VA L L E 3 2 5 T H F I G H T E R W I N G P U B L I C A F FA I R S

CAPTION: (Above) A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor with the 325th Fighter Wing flies over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, out of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 10, 2020. Tyndall one of the few Air Force bases with direct access to the EGOMEX, making it the perfect host for large scale exercises and training missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany Price)

he 325th Training Support Squadron is responsible for training the world’s F-22 Raptor pilots, a type of instruction that doesn’t end in a regular classroom with pen and paper. “Our simulators replicate actual combat situations that will be seen upon graduation,” said Robert Hinkle, the 325th TRSS director of operations. “We can go from simple training missions like take-off and landing, to complex fighter maneuvers. It is our job to make sure they are confident in their tasks before they make it out to the flight line.” Before the students go to the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base for their first real flight, there is plenty they must demonstrate proficiency in with the 325th TRSS. The training F-22 pilots accomplish at Tyndall involves learning systems with a weapons and tactics trainer and completing missions in a simulator. “The 325th TRSS is the first stop for any pilots that are going to be flying an F-22,” said Lt. Col. John Cummings, the 325th TRSS commander. “Every single F-22 pilot has come through this squadron at one time.” The four-month academic and simulator course mandates 380 hours of academic instruction and 45 simulator missions to prepare pilots for the reality of operating the fifth-generation fighter. According to Hinkle, it is the physical effects of flying an F-22 that can’t be mimicked in training. “The greatest difference between real flight and the simulator are the sensations like fluctuating heart rate,” said Hinkle. “Flying an airplane

is an athletic event, there is a lot of stress physically and mentally. That is the only thing we can’t replicate in the simulator.” Hinkle added that the 325th TRSS can actually do more realistic combat training missions in the simulator than in the actual airspace. In addition to pilot training, the 325th TRSS also monitors all of the Gulf ranges and Tyndall’s airspace. “Essentially from Destin all the way down to Tampa is the size of the training ranges we operate in,” said Cummings. “On a daily basis, we fly missions in that airspace while the Tyndall Enterprise Live Mission Center monitors the aircraft in real time. This allows us to talk on the radio with pilots and provide guidance in the air-to-air fighting missions that we do.” The 325th TRSS is unique in that it is made up of mostly civilians, many who continue to a part in F-22 pilot training after years of service. “Mr. Hinkle teaches the flight control system and he knows the engineers who designed it,” said Cummings. “When something interesting is happening with the aircraft out in the fleet, they will turn to us for our expertise because of the time our instructors have had teaching these classes. They are some of the most knowledgeable people on the F-22 and its systems that you will find.” With the knowledge and experience of the 325th TRSS instructors, Tyndall continues to develop the world’s most dominant F-22 pilots and project unrivaled combat air power. WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 15

A I R & S E A | naval surface warfare center panama city division

U.S. NAVY OPENS GULF COAST TECH BRIDGE NETWORK B Y N S W C P C D P U B L I C A F FA I R S The U.S. Navy’s acquisition chief announced the establishment of

The Gulf Coast Tech Bridge spans an area from Tallahassee and

to enable greater collaboration with non-traditional partners and

collaboration of three Navy commands serving as the region’s

the Gulf Coast Tech Bridge Dec. 9 - the latest effort by the Navy develop partnerships that will make the sea service stronger.

“Today’s Tech Bridge additions are a symbol of the Department of

Panama City to Stennis Space Center and New Orleans. It is a super connector, tying together regional government, industry and academia to solve the Navy’s challenges in coastal regions.

Navy’s momentum to rapidly deliver capabilities into the hands

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD),

Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition.

and Oceanography Command (NMOC) are leading the Tech Bridge,

of our Sailors and Marines,” said Jim "Hondo" Geurts, Assistant

“There is nothing more exciting than seeing the speed and transition

of technology that dramatically accelerates capability, and improved

the Naval Research Laboratory South and the Naval Meteorology which spans a unique, vibrant region across four states.

development processes – this allows our Navy and Marine Corps to

“The Tech Bridge is focused on the future, growing coastal science

advantage. I look forward to seeing these Tech Bridges serving as

expanding strategic partnerships,” said Holly Gardner, director of

provide the U.S. with the ability to adopt and scale its asymmetric

a ‘front door’ for emerging tech to work more seamlessly with the Navy.“

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and unmanned vehicle development, hosting industry events and Strategy & Engagement at NSWC PCD and Gulf Coast Tech Bridge

Director. “The Gulf Coast Tech Bridge’s focus areas are: coastal

sciences and technology, assured maritime access and operational meteorology and oceanography.”

The Bridge leverages innovative prototyping and contracting mechanisms, including NSWC PCD’s expeditionary warfare Other Transactional Authority as well as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology

Transfer programs. Additionally, the group benefits from a premier testing environment on the Gulf of Mexico as well as direct fleet support.

“The Navy has a vibrant and successful science and technology ecosystem and a world-class exercise continuum,” Rear Adm.

John Okon, commander, NMOC. “Embracing the Navy’s innovation culture is critical and this Tech Bridge will act as an opportunity for our Sailors to assess military utility of

emerging technologies in relevant environments and within the context of priority operational scenarios.”

Each Tech Bridge is supported by the Naval Agility Office

(NavalX) to seed early efforts until they are able to stand

alone with local partners. The Bridges partner with start-ups, academia, corporations, small businesses, non-profits and

private capital. Additionally, they serve within the growing ecosystem of Department of Defense innovation groups,

providing NavalX greater collaboration capability with Defense Innovation Unit, National Security Innovation Network, U.S. Army Futures Command and others.

Since the establishment of Tech Bridges last year, the initiative

has harnessed collaboration and creativity to address naval

concerns and capabilities. Over the past year, NavalX has expanded the number of locations across the United States, including the Gulf Coast, and the United Kingdom to 15.

Notable successes in the past year include funding $45

million in projects to solve naval problems; awarding

more than $2 million in prize challenges to non-traditional

industry partners; sponsoring $37.5 million in SBIR targeting

maintenance and sustainment; and helping to distribute over $800,000 to COVID-19 response efforts.

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B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T S | featured chamber members

516 PROJECT

G U LF C OA ST CA R D I O LO GY (GCRMC)

516 Project is on a mission to Build Access to Hope. 516 Project volunteers, partner churches, and contractors work together to build wheelchair ramps and provide home repairs for those in need.

Gulf Coast Cardiology is pleased to be able to serve you and the community here in Panama City Beach with heart health needs. Originally established in 2014, Gulf Coast Cardiology has grown from having two doctors and one physician assistant to now having four doctors and five mid-level providers.

Founder, James Roberson, started 516 Project five years ago as a ministry to share the love of Jesus and meet physical needs. At 516 Project, we want to be a light to the community. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they would see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 516 Project started from a simple idea to help people and share Jesus. From that first workday in November 2015, our desire has been to serve with a passion and love that can come only from Christ. Our volunteers make a life-changing and eternal impact for so many people.

As a volunteer-operated organization, getting involved is easy: Pray - for the families we serve, our volunteers, and leadership team. Volunteer - sign up to help. You don't need to be a professional contractor. There are opportunities for all skill levels as well as nonconstruction opportunities. Donate - our work is funded through donations that allow us to purchase materials and other needs to serve the families we help. Please consider joining our monthly donor team, the Light Keepers. For more information, please go to www.516project.org.

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Our physicians include Dr. Davis, who studied medicine at Louisiana State University; Dr. Labroo, who studied medicine at the University of Illinois; Dr. Le, who studied at the Medical University of South Carolina; and Dr. Shah, who did his medical residency at Duke University. With offices conveniently located in Panama City, Panama City Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach, we are here to help you take control of your heart health.

Gulf Coast Cardiology is an affiliate of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center. Together, we bring you the highest quality of care by providing you with both interventional and diagnostic services, including: • Stress Test • Echocardiogram • EKG • Heart Catheterizations • Stents • Angiograms • And more Whether you are new to the area or have been here for several years, we would like to help you achieve better health. Call us today at 850-872-3939 to schedule an appointment, or visit us online at www. gulfcoastcardiologist.com to learn more about how we can help you fight heart disease.

JETSURF PCB ACADEMY

R O YA L E S C A P E R O O M S

JetSurf PCB has brought the newest and fastest-growing watersport in the USA to Bay County!

"What is an escape room, and why should I check it out?" These are usually the first two questions that pop up when you hear about escape games for the first time.

Locally owned and operated by a water enthusiastic family, passionate about sharing the opportunity to shred across the water anytime - no boat or waves necessary. Jetsurf boards weigh less than 45 pounds and can easily be carried to the beach, dock, bay, any remote or public spot perfect for a ride. Your water adventure has never been easier. JetSurf PCB is an official JetSurf USA Academy able to demo and deliver the ideal board to a new owner as well as provide service and maintenance to current board owners.

An escape room is a room equipped for a real-life quest game. It is entirely worth the visit because playing the game is such a unique experience. "OK," you will say. "Now I can at least imagine, what is an escape room adventure? But why do you say 'unique'? It is only a game after all". Yes, this is a realistic simulation, and that is what makes it so interesting. How does it work?

JetSurf is the world’s leading brand for motorized surfboards. Founded by Martin Sula, an internationally respected racing engines designer and Jetsurf Factory Race Team member, actively participating in the MotoSurf World Cup. MotoSurf racing is the youngest globally recognized watersport in the United States, only being introduced in 2013.

To escape the room, you need to act as if you are in the actual extraordinary situation. At the same time, there is no risk at all. You are encouraged to manipulate objects and search for hidden clues along the way and have 60 minutes to solve the puzzle and get to freedom. You cannot lose, as there are no consequences, but when you win, it is your real win!

As an official academy, JetSurf PCB offers this adventure to anyone wanting to experience the thrill. Certified JetSurf instructors will take the time to demonstrate the operation of the board and the best techniques to ride. Instructors stay with riders to ensure success in jet surfing and are capable of helping any new rider master JetSurf!

Tackling an escape room is a way to abstract from ordinary life, take a break from it, and become closer with your friends, family, or colleagues. It also helps to prove your brain skills and is just flat-out fun! It's relatively inexpensive to play, and you will feel like you have had a real adventure, traveling back in time between worlds and centuries.

Visit JetSurfPCB.com to schedule the next unforgettable ride of your life.

Generally, the price is from $29.99 to $49.99 per person (when you buy a combo deal with axe throwing), and there may be 2-12 people playing together. For more information, check us out at royalescaperooms.com, or call us at (850) 249-2805.

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IS SERVING UP

fierce food craft cocktails BY ROBERT PIPER

hen Whitney Thompson won cycle 10 of

him while the restaurant was closed, but then the mandates

the TV show America’s Next Top Model,

kept coming in.”

she never could have imagined that

she would someday be in the restaurant industry. Thompson spent several years after her win modeling all over the world for companies like Forever 21, Covergirl, Italian Vogue, Target, and many more! All of that came to a halt when she fell in love with chef Ian Forrester. “We were living in London at the time because that’s where my largest agency was based. Once Ian proposed to me, I was suddenly really annoyed when I would book a job in places like South Africa, Australia, or Singapore, where I would have to leave him for weeks at a time. I decided to retire from modeling and move back to America to start the next chapter of our lives.” said Whitney. After

hanging

Beach and saw how businesses were open and thriving. “One of our friends (James Meadows, a pilot, and entrepreneur) has owned property here for a long time. He had always wanted to be in the restaurant industry and when he saw that Fishale was for sale, he proposed that we move our restaurant to Panama City Beach instead of waiting for Tennessee to reopen. It was a no-brainer for us,” said Whitney. Together, Whitney, Ian, and James opened Craft 850 on Front Beach Road. Chef

Ian’s

specialty

has

always been fine dining. He worked under 2 Michelin star

her

heels,

Whitney and Ian opened two restaurants outside of Nashville, Tennessee. They owned and operated their businesses for 7 years. Everything was great until COVID hit. Whitney shared that “The governor demanded the closure of all restaurants. Initially, our plan was just to reopen when the mandates were lifted. We had a three-monthold baby at the time, and we were happy to spend time with 20

The Forrester’s decided to take a vacation to Panama City

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chefs before starting his first restaurant with Whitney. His favorite cuisine is Asian fusion, but he encourages his chefs at Craft 850 to think outside of the box and tries not to stifle their creativity. With options like CBD-fed duck, pistachio-crusted elk, bison tomahawk steaks, and ostrich filets, it is apparent that the chefs at Craft 850 are not afraid to take chances on exotic cuisine. They also have incredible fish tacos, hot wings,

and New Orleans macaroni. Whitney says, “It’s important to us that everyone feels welcome in our restaurant. Whether you are having a few beers with friends or celebrating an anniversary, we want you to feel welcome here.” Craft 850 also caters to those with dietary restrictions. For example, their crab cake and shrimp and grits are naturally gluten-free, and they even have vegan fish tacos and amazing cauliflower wings. “Everyone deserves to eat good food, even if they have allergies or unique lifestyle choices,” states Chef Ian. Not only does Craft 850 have more beers on draft than anyone in Bay County, but they also feature an extensive wine collection and some of the rarest liquors in the world. Whitney attributes the impressive selection to her partner, James, and their bar manager, Logan Franks. Whitney says, “We had so much trouble finding good staff members in Tennessee. We expected the same in Florida and have just been blown away by the talent that has come through our doors. Our general manager, Tuan Nguyen, is my righthand man. We feel genuinely blessed to be in Panama City Beach.” If you want to sip on a smoked old fashioned, a glass of South African Pinotage, or a local beer, you will not be disappointed at Craft 850. Pair it with one of their local seafood dishes or exotic game for the perfect night out, but you’ll want to hurry - the menu rotates seasonally and is based on sourcing locally as much as possible. You will never have a dull meal at Craft 850! WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 21

DININGGUIDE

DRestaurant Directory D The Gulf Coast is familiar territory to find some of the freshest seafood in the country, but Northwest Florida offers much more than that when it comes to dining. Whether you are looking for the fabulous flavors of Caribbean cuisine, the comfort of hearty Southern food, or the powerful punches of Cajun fare, you can find it all right here in Bay County. Bon Appétit! O U T D O O R S E AT I N G

ALICE'S ON BAYVIEW

1000 Bayview Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 640-4516

ANGELO'S STEAK PIT

9527 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 234-2531

ANGRY TUNA SEAFOOD COMPANY 701 Pier Park Drive, Suite 155 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-4632

ANOTHER BROKEN EGG

11535 Hutchison Blvd. Suite 100 Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-2007

BACK BEACH BARBECUE

19714 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 249-0822

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W AT E R F R O N T

FINE DINING

BACK YARD BURGERS

10260 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 235-1576

BAR 72 – SHERATON BAY POINT 4701 Bay Point Road Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 235-6978

P E T - F R I E N D LY

ALSO HAS A FOOD TRUCK

BARRACUDA BEACH

6628 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 249-3343

BAYOU ON THE BEACH CAFE & OYSTER BAR

11115 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-3478

BAREFOOT HIDEAWAY BAR & GRILL

BEAU'S

BAREFOOT ON THE BAY BAR & GRILL

BEEF ‘O' BRADY'S

15405 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 249-2031

1201 Beck Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 215-3061

BAREFOOT ON THE BEACH BAR & GRILL

11073 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-2442

2304 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 775-1828

11226 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 739-4647

BELLA ROMA TUSCAN GRILL 11535 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-1340

Bayou onWWW.PCBEACH.ORG the Beach Cafe & Oyster23Bar

Wicked Wheel Bar & Grill

BILLY'S OYSTER BAR & CRAB HOUSE 3000 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 235-2349

BOON DOCKS RESTAURANT

14854 Bay View Circle Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 230-0005

BRICKS & BARLEY PIZZA

8721 Thomas Drive, Suite A Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 775-1677

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

701 Pier Park Drive, Bldg. C Suite 100 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 236-0325

C-LEVEL GRILL

8014 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 233-3564

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CAFE THIRTY-A, INC.

CARRABBAS ITALIAN GRILL

CAHALL'S DELI

CHICK-FIL-A — PANAMA CITY BEACH

3899 E. Scenic Highway 30A Seagrove, FL 32459 (850) 231-2166

416 W. 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 769-7739

CAPT. ANDERSON'S RESTAURANT & WATER FRONT MARKET 5551 N. Lagoon Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 234-2225

CAPT. JACK'S FAMILY BUFFET 8208 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 236-8555

CAPT. JACK'S FAMILY BUFFET – FRONT BEACH ROAD 12628 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 234-6457

13820 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 230-4522

11428 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 234-9540

CHRISTO'S SPORTS BAR & GRILL 2903 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 708-1878

CICIS

493 Richard Jackson Blvd. Suite 523 Panama City Beach, FL 3240 (850) 249-4400

CRAFT 850

7715 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 640-1410

D I N I N G G U I D E | continued

CULVER'S OF PANAMA CITY BEACH

DOMINO'S PIZZA

GULF COAST BURGER CO.

DAT CAJUN PLACE

DOMINO'S PIZZA

GUTHRIE'S CHICKEN

DREAMERS RESTAURANT AND BAR

HANG FIVE

DICK'S LAST RESORT

EDWARDS FINE FOOD & WINE

HOOK'D PIER BAR & GRILL, LLC

DICKEY'S BARBECUE PIT

FIREFLY

HOOTERS

DIEGO'S BURRITO FACTORY AND MARGARITA BAR

FLIP FLOPS POOL BAR AT SHERATON PANAMA CITY BEACH GOLF & SPA RESORT

HOUSE OF HENRY IRISH PUB

11501 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 324077 (850) 249-0709

2705 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 588-5314

DEE'S HANG-OUT

529 Richard Jackson Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-4264

16210 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 588-0631

100 S. Pier Park Drive Suite 125 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-2458

6209 Sunset Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 238-8741

272 S. Highway 79 West PCB Store Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-3030

9528 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 234-3030

1136 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 588-8355

66 Main Street Rosemary Beach, FL 32461 (850) 231-0550

535 N. Richard Jackson Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-3359

4114 Jan Cooley Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 236-6076

10031 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 775-1312

7905 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-5160

15005 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 502-5555

16201C Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-8232

12709 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 230-9464

461 Harrison Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 481-1602

HUNT & GATHER RAW BAR & PUB DIEGO'S BURRITO FACTORY AND MARGARITA BAR

15514 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 249-7373

DIRTY DICK'S CRABHOUSE

9800 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 230-3425

DOMINO’S PIZZA

2439 Thomas Drive, Suite 900 Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 249-3001

GEORGE'S AT ALYS BEACH

30 Castle Harbour Drive Alys Beach, FL 32461 (850) 641-0017

7942 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 270-3326

J. MICHAEL'S RESTAURANT GOLDEN CORRAL BUFFET & GRILL 105 E. 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 872-9090

GUADALAJARA MEXICAN GRILL 8730 Thomas Drive, Suite 1108 Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 235-3300

3210 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 233-2055

JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS

15750 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Unit 240 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 588-5309

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 25

D I N I N G G U I D E | continued

JIMMY JOHN'S

MARCO'S PIZZA

LACO-LATIN COASTAL KITCHEN

MARGARITAVILLE

100 Pier Park Drive, Suite 105 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 230-6301

10343 E. County Highway 30A Seacrest, FL 32461 (850) 231-4021

LA CREMA TAPAS & CHOCOLATE 38 Main Street Rosemary Beach, FL 32461 (850) 534-3004

LONGBOARDS RESTAURANT & BAR 8746 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 500-7873

LONGHORN STEAK HOUSE

15721 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-4980

LORRIE MORGAN'S SPICY HOT CHICKEN COOP

9902 S. Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 900-2442

16818 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 249-9888

16230 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-7870

MIKE'S CAFE & OYSTER BAR 17554 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 234-1942

MISSION BBQ

508 E. 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 304-2140

MONTEGO BAY

437 Richard Jackson Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 233-6033

NEW YORK PIZZA & GRILL

600 Pier Park Drive, Suite 105 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 708-3355

1236 Beck Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 F (850) 784-6633

LOS RANCHEROS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

11208 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-5195

LOS RANCHEROS MEXICAN GRILL & BAR 111 W 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 249-5195

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

2810 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 588-8244

PATCHES PUB & GRILL

4723 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 233-8879

PAULA DEEN'S FAMILY KITCHEN 601 Pier Park Drive, Suite 103 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 200-0825

PELICAN'S BAR AND GRILL AT THE SHERATON PANAMA CITY BEACH GOLF & SPA RESORT 4114 Jan Cooley Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 236-6000

PESCADO SEAFOOD GRILL & ROOFTOP BAR

74 Town Hall Road, 4B Rosemary Beach, FL 32461 (850) 213-4600

PINEAPPLE WILLY'S NICK'S SLICE OF BROOKLYN

LOS ANTOJITOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

PAPARAZZI GOURMET DELI

13528 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 708-3177

9875 S. Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 235-0928

POMPANO JOE'S SEAFOOD HOUSE OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE 861 W. 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 784-9649

OUTLAWS BAR-B-Q

6804 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 215-3335

PANERA BREAD

101 Bluefish Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-6325

16202 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-1790

RIB CRIB

532 N. Tyndall Parkway Callaway, FL 32404 (850) 215-4122

RUNAWAY ISLAND BEACH BAR & GRILL

14521 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 634-4884

SALTWATER GRILL

SHUCKUM'S OYSTER PUB & GRILL

TEXAS ROADHOUSE

SALTY GOAT SALOON

SISTERS OF THE SEA & THE DIVE BAR

THE BACK PORCH SEAFOOD & OYSTER HOUSE

SANDBAR SEAFOOD AND BBQ JOINT

SLIM CHICKENS

THE BRITISH EATERY

SCHOONERS

SLIM CHICKENS - LYNN HAVEN

THE GRAND MARLIN PANAMA CITY BEACH

10952 E. County Highway 30A Suite 1 Inlet Beach, FL 32461 (850) 231-9410

SONNY'S BBQ

THE PANCAKERY OF PCB

SHAKA SUSHI AND NOODLE BAR

10616 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 588-6795

11040 Hutchinson Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 230-2739

13006 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-6010

275 S. Highway 79 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 249-7200

5121 Gulf Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 235-3555

SHADES BAR & GRILL

13625 U.S. Highway 98 East Suite 5 Inlet Beach, FL 32461 (850) 909-0030

SHANE'S RIB SHACK

10100 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-8111

SHARKY'S BEACHFRONT RESTAURANT

15201 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-3882

SHRIMP BOAT RESTAURANT 1201 Beck Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 785-8706

15614 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 235-3214

3901 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 233-0334

300 W. 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 640-1586

2915 Hwy 77 South Lynn Haven, FL 32444 (850) 441-3736

2240 Highway 77 Lynn Haven, FL 32444 (850) 763-5114

15660 Panama City Beach Parkway Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 236-7448

16220 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-1750

280 S. Arnold Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 851-9050

5323 N. Lagoon Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 249-1500

13800 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Suite 110 Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 588-5077

SUNRISE CAFE & BAKERY

SURFSIDE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT

16990 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-3060

TACO BELL ON THE BEACH

559 Richard Jackson Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 234-7008

TAZIKI'S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE 15463 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 257-5695

TIDES RESTAURANT AT SHERATON PANAMA CITY BEACH GOLF & SPA RESORT 4114 Jan Cooley Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 236-6000

TRIPLE J STEAKS & SEAFOOD 2218 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 233-9514

UNCLE ERNIE'S BAYFRONT GRILL & BREW HOUSE 1151 Bayview Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 763-8427

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 27

D I N I N G G U I D E | continued

WHATABURGER

HERSHEY'S ICE CREAM & COFFEE

WICKED WHEEL BAR & GRILL

MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY/GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES

11749 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 230-2508

10025 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 588-7947

ZAXBY'S

9960 Hutchison Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 233-6000

8815 Thomas Drive, Suite A Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 708-1840

9956 Hutchison Blvd., Suite 100 Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 234-9999

PINK PELICAN

543 Richard Jackson Blvd. Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 249-5576

KRISPY KREME

465 W. 23rd Street Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 747-0097

THOMAS DONUT AND SNACK SHOP

19208 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 234-8039

COFFEE SHOPS

NEWBY'S BREW AND BOOZE HOUSE

CURLY CREAM ROLLED ICECREAM 101 Bluefish Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 588-8571

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

3723 E. County Highway 30A, Suite 9 Seagrove Beach, FL 32459 (850) 420-4566

WAFFLE QUEEN CAFE

Serving the Bay County Area (602) 332-8589

Serving the Bay County Area (850) 624-9911

KONA ICE OF PANAMA PARADISE Serving Bay & Walton Counties (850) 567-5057

STARBUCKS

PINCH A TAKO

THE POUR COFFEE HOUSE

SPORTS TO GEAUX

15463 Panama City Beach Parkway Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 851-8187

12902 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 234-3084

4200 W. Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 999-3357

Serving Bay & Walton Counties (850) 520-0429

CATERING BAKERIES

ICE CREAM & FROZEN TREATS

SWEET HENRIETTA’S BAKERY AND COFFEE

I ROLL LUMPIA

7800 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 230-5549

DOUGHNUTS

748 W. 15th Street, Suite B Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 890-8169

FOOD TRUCKS

ZOËS KITCHEN

15620 Panama City Beach Pkwy. Suite 200 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-1993

COOK GIRLS' BAKERY

BUTTERMILK SKY PIE SHOP 700 Pier Park Drive, Suite 115 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 708-3208

CAKES BY RICCA

Serving the Bay County Area (850) 640-8884

CATERED BY CARLA

Serving the Bay County Area (862) 266-3650

PERSONAL CHEF MI’RO CATERING Serving the Bay County Area (850) 866-9318

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 29 Schooners

For 30 years, Panama City Toyota has helped you go wherever life takes you with the area’s largest selection of stylish, dependable Toyota cars and trucks. Come see us soon!

959 W. 15th Street • panamacitytoyota.com

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

F E A T U R E | sharky's beachfront restaurant

BY JAN WADDY | THE NEWS HERALD

"not to this scale," he said. On Wednesday morning, he pulled himself up to the eighth row as he worked on the Sharky's tiki.

Chuck Unkle, who helped build Sharky's original tiki about 30 years ago, was joined by Seminole Tribe of Florida representative Norman "Skeeter" Bowers and his group.

'Stewards of the Land'

reshly cut palm fronds from 15,000 Sabal palmetto trees were cut over the weekend before they were hauled to Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant, 15201 Front Beach Road, by last Monday night. The next morning, the process began to replace the palm fronds on the palapa using a traditional Native American technique and was set to wrap up last Friday.

"Tiki building is part of the culture. By doing this, it brings it back. It's important for our people," Bowers said. "From my view, this particular tiki is eye-catching." Unkle, who runs Waikiki Tiki, has built tiki huts throughout the U.S. and even in other countries — from back yards to movie sets. "I've worked hand in hand with tribal members for 30-plus years," Unkle said. "This bar has created a draw for the beach." Unkle also was involved in the previous redo at Sharky's. The first set of palm fronds were on 15 years, with the last set being replaced just over a decade ago. "We only had four or five helping the first time," recalled Unkle, adding people would come off the beach to help and "work for beer" when it was being built in the '80s. "Four tikis were built back in the day between Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Mexico Beach, and this one. This was the biggest." The center post of Sharky's tiki stands at 76 feet and goes down in the ground "roughly 16 feet," Unkle said. "It was a hard dig. The original structure had feeders that came off of it to attach to a stage that was here." Bowers has built other tikis with tribal members before, but

"It's not just a structure; it has a bond," said Unkle, who sees coming back to Panama City Beach as a reunion with old and new friends.

All of the palm fronds were cut from Sabal palms, also known as cabbage palms, growing at the Seminole Tribe's Brighton Reservation. Located on 40,000 acres outside Okeechobee, the reservation also is home to cattle ranching. "I live in the heartland of Florida, now taken aback seeing this much ocean," said Bowers, as he sat in a chair on the sand between Sharky's and the Gulf of Mexico. Unkle said more palm fronds had to be cut than initially intended, "because the cows started eating them." "It's about being stewards of the land," Bowers said. "Palm fronds are cut off the land, but the center still has a heart. You can cut most fans and leave the center, and eight months (grow) new leaves. A year and a half later, you can go and cut from the same tree." Once the palms are cut, the build has to take place in less than a week before the palm fronds start to dry out. "When they're still green, they're easy to handle, easier to lay down, they fold and are waxy. They don't crack," Bowers said. As many as 40,000 palm fronds were used on Sharky's tiki. The palm fronds will stay bright green for about two weeks, then slowly turn into a lighter tint during a year-long process before the tiki hut is completely brown.

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 31

Photos by Mike Fender | The News Herald

Native American Technique

While not every palm frond is going to make it onto the hut after being cut, the Native American technique for the process helps preserve most of the fronds. The palm fronds first have a nail attached to the branch by a wooden stick. This traditional technique of using a stick rather than a hammer helps keep the palm frond from being damaged. The process is done in such close proximity to the hand that a hammer's handle also would be too far back. The nail basically gets pushed straight down. The palm frond is pre-nailed so that nobody is trying to balance the palm and nail while in the air on the wooden structure, and it speeds up the process. "By the time they are loaded and gathered up, you handle each one about nine times," Unkle said. "You need to be doing 1,000 palm fronds in an hour." A hammer is used to secure the palm frond and nail into the structure. By only using a hammer during this phase, damage to the palm fronds is limited.

Tiki Strength

The wood ribs of Sharky's tiki hut are only 8 inches apart, rather than 16 inches as many tiki huts are spaced today. This allows for twice as many palm fronds. Because all of the closely-knit palm fronds face down, rain doesn't even get through during a typical rainstorm. Sharky's tiki hut also has been able to withstand hurricaneforce winds, even as other buildings didn't, because the wind goes up through the tikis and out through the palm fronds and when the wind stops, the palm fronds go down. Since the wind goes through the tikis, pressure doesn't build up.

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

For more than three decades, Sharky's tiki has had a frontrow seat to hurricanes, including the Category 4 Hurricane Opal in October 1995 and Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2018. "After Hurricane Opal, this was the only thing standing here. The rest of the beach was gone and the hut was still here," Unkle said. When Hurricane Michael hit, it wasn't the wind, but rather objects that were flying through the air that hit it and caused damage.

Tradition

"I grew up doing tiki huts at ceremony grounds — four days and four nights, we'd sing Indian songs," said Bowers, 53. The Seminole tradition spans more than a century. "It goes all the way back to the Seminole Wars in the 1830s," said Bowers, who said the huts were initially built because the Seminoles were fighting the U.S. military on the run. "The structures they built were temporary, for shelter from the rain and sun. That was the beginning of tiki huts; it evolved into a business." Bowers still builds the simple temporary version that harkens back to the original "chickee" (Seminole word for "house") — palmetto thatch over cypress wood frame — structure for annual events, such as Thanksgiving, at the reservation. "It's very simple with legs in ground. We cut 'v' out and set crossbond and don't peel the bark back," Bowers explained. But their permanent tikis continue to serve as examples of the Seminole's sound engineering.

FRESH SEAFOOD CHOICE STEAKS GOOD TIMES OPEN AT 4 PM DAILY SPECIAL DISCOUNTS 4-5:30 PM DAILY

11040 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach, FL www.saltwatergrillpcb.com

RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL

The Grand Marlin features seafood so fresh we print our menus daily to take advantage of the local catch. Come for mouthwatering dishes, Island Cocktails, relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful views!

For reservations call 850-249-1500 5323 N. Lagoon Dr.| Panama City Beach | Serving Dinner Daily | Sunday Brunch 10-2 WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 33

A S K T H E D O C T O R | a new treatment, a new hope

A new treatment, A new hope. BY STEVEN STOKES, MD

CANCER. It’s a touchy subject, and when someone hears that word, it immediately sparks panic. A million questions go running

through one’s mind. The biggest and most important

question – what’s next? Finding the right doctor and

for detecting the early signs of cancer so you can treat it as soon as possible. Regular screenings may help doctors

identify abnormal tissue or precancerous cells, even before you have symptoms.

treatment is pertinent.

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, apprehension

Bay County has had a rough time over the last few years.

demic can bring additional worries when you are facing

Hurricane Michael created an uproar of chaos for every-

one. Right when our town seemed to be mending itself

can set in. Undergoing cancer treatments during a panuncertainty.

back, Covid-19 broke out and we entered a world-wide

Radiosurgery is a new treatment procedure now available

system.

method of delivering a very concentrated dose of radiation

While healthcare has in fact changed, the care has not

important? Some of the most common cancers are lung,

pandemic. These events have had a toll on our healthcare

declined. In fact, the area has enhanced the cancer care throughout all of the chaos. A lot of people feel like they

need to stay home and avoid doctors’ offices, hospitals,

in Panama City. This is not actual surgery, but instead a

precisely to an area of cancer in the brain. Why is this

breast, and kidney cancer. Many times, a cancer of the lung, breast, kidney, or melanoma will spread to the brain.

and put off other forms of self-care due to being afraid.

In the past, if surgery was not an option, there were only

ignore their health issues. It is important not to ignore

treat the brain. This type of treatment was not adequate

doctor and getting regular cancer screenings is important

was fatal, usually within six months.

Though they are correct in trying to stay safe, they cannot

modest doses of radiation that could safely be given to

symptoms that may require medical care. Seeing your

to eradicate the cancer. The cancer would then regrow and

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

experiencing prolonged survivals that previously were not possible. Previous patients and their families were forced

to leave town to receive this life-saving cancer treatment. It is now offered in Bay County and can give patients and families a bit more relief knowing this is available as a local treatment.

Cancer can feel overwhelming but knowing there is

advance care to our local area is one less burden during these uncertain and stressful times. I understand the

fear surrounding Covid-19, but I want the community to

know that we are all taking proper precautions to protect everyone. It is important to continue to see your providers, especially to schedule regular cancer screenings and if you have any symptoms that may require medical attention. I

am here to help educate and support the community in any way that I can.

About the Doctor Now, with new local equipment, we can destroy the cancer by safely avoiding the normal brain while precisely giving a high dose of radiation. This is a painless, non-invasive

procedure that usually requires a total of three outpatient treatments for about twenty to thirty minutes each.

Following the radiosurgery, patients should undergo an MRI diagnostic screen every three months to ensure no

new areas of cancer are appearing in the brain. If new areas

Steven Stokes, MD

of cancer appear, then another course of radiosurgery can

Dr. Stokes is Board Certified in Radiation Oncology. Dr.

have approved this procedure as the treatment of choice.

he has served on the Board of Trustees at the University

Provided the cancer outside the brain is in remission

Dr. Stokes can be reached at Florida Cancer Affiliates,

be performed. Medicare, Medicaid, and all major insurance

with surgery and or chemotherapy, patients are now

Stokes attended Auburn University and for over 24 years, of South Alabama, including as Chairman of the Board. 850-763-0036, 2100 State Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405.

Ask the Doctor is contributed by the physician members of the Emerald Coast Medical Association. Our mission is: "Empowering Physicians to Promote the Highest Quality Patient Care." If you are interested in learning more about their organization, please visit www.emeraldcoastmedicalassociation.com. WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 35

See & Be Seen BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Los Antojitos Mexican Restaurant | November 5, 2020

For all event photos, visit our Facebook: 36

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

www.facebook.com/pcbeachchamber

F R I DAY AT T H E B E AC H Capt. Anderson's Event Center | November 13, 2020 JASON CROWE

PRESIDENT, FL. COAST DIVISION NMLS # 416015

JASON MOREHOUSE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT NMLS # 653120

TY JOHNSON VICE PRESIDENT NMLS # 1597521

CHRISTY COULTHARD ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT NMLS # 791088

SARAH OJEMANN LOAN OFFICER NMLS # 1867768

THE BANK THAT KNOWS

COMMUNIT Y

MEMBER FDIC | EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

Photos by MainBPhotography For all event photos, visit our Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pcbeachchamber WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 37

S E E & B E S E E N | continued

F R I DAY AT T H E B E AC H Capt. Anderson's Event Center | January 15, 2021

For all event photos, visit our Facebook: www.facebook.com/pcbeachchamber

For all event photos, visit our Facebook: 38

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

www.facebook.com/pcbeachchamber

D UA L B U S I N E S S A F T E R H O U R S Distillery 98, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, 30a TV | January 28, 2021

For all event photos, visit our Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pcbeachchamber WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 39

IDEACAMP INSPIRE • ENERGIZE • IGNITE B Y LY N S I E S I S K

IdeaCamp is a great opportunity to network amongst other local

July 28th, August 25th, September 29th, and November 10th. We’d

businesses in a “Think Tank” format. Not only will you get a chance

love to have you join us. And remember, there is no cost to PCB

to make connections, taste great food, and hear from top-notch

Chamber members, so get involved today!

speakers, but you will also have the chance to ask questions in business and let others know what’s working for your industry.

Do you have a topic idea or speaker recommendation? OR are you looking to be apart of the IdeaCamp committee where you can help

We were happy to kick off the new year with our first IdeaCamp of

us create an experience to learn, engage, and expand life and other

2021 at Harley-Davidson Panama City Beach. For this event, we gave

businesses? Contact Lynsie@pcbeach.org.

all attendees the floor with an open forum discussion. Members from all different business backgrounds were able to ask other members for advice on things like social media marketing, hiring

W H AT I S I D E A C A M P ?

IdeaCamp is a forum to inspire, energize, and ignite the community

during COVID-19, and more.

through sharing, connecting, and cultivating of open-minded

Keep an eye out for the announcement and registration for our

experience to learn, engage, and expand your life and your business.

upcoming IdeaCamp events on March 31st, April 28th, June 30th,

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

discussions supporting the free flow of ideas. IdeaCamp creates an

C O M M I T T E E U P D A T E S | ideacamp

PA R K WAY

D E N TA L A S S O C I AT E S

Let us help make your

dreams come true!

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Specializing in James Hardie, Color Plus, Vinyl Exterior Siding, Board & Batten, & Shake for Residential & Commercial Customers.

850-249-0309 Proudly serving Bay County residents since 2007! #850Strong | PCB Chamber Member | FL: RG291104057

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C O M M I T T E E U P D A T E S | ambassadors

AMBASSADORS REPRESENT YOUR CHAMBER BY JAMES CLEMENS

HOA & COA BANKING to fit your organization’s needs

Looking to improve your cash flow? We can help! • Lockbox Solutions • Business Checking • HOA/COA Cash Management + Earn Interest • Property Improvement & Repair Loans We Ambassadors of the Panama City

businesses are expanding the products and

Beach Chamber of Commerce love seeing

services they offer and adding on to their

businesses open, grow, and thrive! We

buildings.

believe that every successful local business is a win for our local economy and for each

But time is flying and the new year is off to

of us as we shop for products and services.

a rousing start!

Over the past couple of months, we

Be ready! Spring will soon be upon us, and

ambassadors

outdoor activities are set to launch all across

dozens of events designed to help local

Bay County, Florida. Sunshine, friends, and

businesses thrive in our community. We’ve

family – don’t miss a minute!

attended

ffbf.com | 850.257.0231 Panama City Beach

have

grand

been

opening

involved

celebrations,

ribbon-cuttings, conferences, seminars, and

And if you’d like to meet two of our great

more. It’s been a thrill to see how many

Ambassadors, read on as we present the

new ventures are starting up this year. It is

first two featured Ambassadors for 2021!

also exciting to see how many established

THE CIRCUIT March/April 2021

C O M M I T T E E U P D A T E S | ambassador spotlights

AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHTS

JON POWERS

JOEY KIRKLAND

Assistant Project Manager, The Highland Group

Agency Owner with Goosehead Insurance

Jon is a great Ambassador for our community. The energy he

Joey is a cheerful insurance professional who loves helping

brings with him is contagious. At work, Jon brings projects

people figure out their insurance needs. As the owner of

to life with The Highland Group, a local General Contractor

Goosehead Insurance, Joey is in his zone. We appreciate his

working on some impressive projects across North Florida.

contributions to our local business community and the PCB

Maintaining high standards is what Jon is all about. We

Chamber of Commerce. When you think of that fun name

send a big Thank You to both Jon and The Highland Group!

– Goosehead – think Joey Kirkland Insurance in Panama City

Outside of his work, Jon lives a vibrant life, powered by his

Beach.

warm, energetic personality and his love for family and friends. He likes to relax by spending time outdoors, sometimes at one

When Joey spends time away from work, you can find him

of the local golf courses. If you see him out and about, be sure

relaxing in the backyard for a family cookout, all day sizzlin’.

to say hello!

That does sound pretty Florida-perfect when we think about it. When you need a friend in the business, give Joey a call!

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A R O U N D T O W N | community updates

city of panama city beach

MARK SHELDON M AY O R

Panama City Beach has much to offer both locals and visitors alike. Our residents appreciate the fact that there is much to do here – beautiful beaches, great shopping, incredible entertainment options, and fine dining with a smaller-town atmosphere. Our tourists come and return year after year for the same reasons. Without a doubt, part of the overall experience that is Panama City Beach is our world-class dining. This is a great place to enjoy a fabulous meal and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a great place to slow down and savor a variety of food – from fresh seafood to mouth-watering steaks and a wide range of ethnic dishes.

Our beach really is our greatest amenity and one that we want to preserve, along with our wildlife and nesting sea turtles (for the sake of our environment), and great for the quality of life for future generations. In addition, the City is home to numerous entertainment and amusements – from miniature golf and go-carts to a water park and other attractions. The City also has more than 30 miles of walking and biking trails at both the Panama City Beach Conservation Park and Gayle’s Trails. Frank Brown Park, a City facility, is home to an Olympic size heated pool that is open year-round. The park also hosts numerous youth and adult sporting activities throughout the year, as Panama City Beach has gained a large share of the sports tourism market.

Dining here runs the gamut from casual to white tablecloth. The beach has food to satisfy every palate and fit any budget. Our restaurants work hard to give you a great dining experience. We encourage you to support all of our restaurants – whether national chains or locally owned.

Numerous special events and concerts are held each year, attracting car, boat, motorcycle, and music aficionados. The free outdoor Summer Concert Series starts in June this year, and we look forward to hearing both local and regional artists and musicians. In May, there will be an outdoor live theatre for the first time ever.

When it comes to entertainment, your options are many, and they all start on the world’s most beautiful beaches. A day of sun and fun can include lounging all day with a good book, a beach volleyball game, letting your pooch enjoy the water at our Dog Beach, fishing at one of the two piers located in the City limits, or jet ski rentals and parasailing. You can do a helicopter charter over the water or grab your kayak, surfboard or paddleboard and enjoy the waves.

We look forward to seeing you in Panama City Beach this spring and summer. Enjoy all the city has to offer and if there is anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please reach out.

bay county board of county commissioners

If you have concerns or questions that you would like Mayor Sheldon to address, email Communications Director Debbie Ward at debbie. ward@pcbfl.gov.

PHILIP "GRIFF" GRIFFITTS CHAIRMAN, DISTRICT 5

After putting 2020 behind us and with COVID-19 infections on the decline and vaccinations increasing, the Bay County Board of County Commissioners is excited about the future. We are continuing our efforts to ensure that anyone in Bay County who wants a vaccine can get one when they are eligible and that anyone who needs a COVID-19 test is able to get one quickly and at no cost.

from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020. It’s an opportunity for citizens to learn more about the various county government departments that serve them.

And, in an effort to ensure continued governmental transparency and accessibility to the public, we are also announcing the availability of two publications – the 2020 Annual Report and the 2021 Budget Summary. The Bay County Strategic Plan will be updated and available as quickly as possible. These documents aim to comprehensively provide citizens with information about our efforts over the past year, how money is being spent in the current fiscal year, and where the county is headed.

Finally, the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan will serve as a roadmap for upcoming initiatives that will help determine how future budgets are allocated. The plan enumerates the specific steps the county will take to meet its adopted long-term, enduring goals of ensuring safety, providing effective services, maintaining our values, preserving our environment, and building a healthy business climate.

The 2020 Annual Report provides extensive information about county departments and programs, but more specifically, it highlights milestones reached throughout the course of the last fiscal year that ran

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The 2021 Budget Summary condenses complex budget information in an effort to make it accessible and understandable for the general public, with a goal of succinctly communicating where the revenue that funds Bay County government comes from and how it is expended.

Please email County Manager Bob Majka at bmajka@baycountyfl. gov to request a hard copy of the books, offer any feedback on the publications, or provide suggestions on how Bay County can better serve its citizens. The documents are also available online at baycountyfl.gov.

gulf coast state college

DR. JOHN HOLDNAK PRESIDENT

As we enter year two of the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven’t been to a movie theater in almost a year, and many of my favorite restaurants and hangout spots have substantially reduced their hours of operation or closed altogether. However, like most of you, I have found safer outlets and opportunities to appreciate the fine and performing arts in our region. I continue to look for and enjoy new or expanded culinary and hospitality experiences and activities in the area that have managed to conform to safety and social distancing requirements. At Gulf Coast State College, we’ve doubled down on our responsibilities as this community’s college has maintained safe venues and programs to allow our students of all types to practice their trades and polish their skills. Over the last year and on into the foreseeable future, we’ve provided access to musical and theatrical student performances in a variety of adaptive ways – allowing for reduced audiences in our performance venues, utilizing outdoor spaces in creative ways for live performances. Broadcasting or livestreaming all of our events has become the “new normal” as we

fsu panama city

manage the safety of our performing students and those who enjoy their talents. After last year’s stellar performances by athletes on all of our sports teams, only to see some competitive seasons cut short and all post-season play eliminated, we’ve really focused this year on trying to maximize the number of games in which our athletes can compete. In order to do so, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions related to game attendance by our very loyal sports fans. However, we’ve made arrangements to broadcast, live-stream, or delayed broadcast every single competitive event held on campus by all five of our athletics teams, at no cost to our fans, until such time as we can safely and effectively manage the audiences in our sports venues. Consequently, Commodore fans have even greater access to watching and following local, high-quality championship sports than ever before. Life is very different these days in a COVID-19 world, but we’ve all found ways to make it work. With creativity, an open mind, and a little exploration, we can still find fun and safe ways to express ourselves, show our support, and enjoy the talents and abilities of those around us. At Gulf Coast State College, we are proud to play our part.

D R . RA N DY H A N N A DEAN

Over the last year, many lives have been lost. Americans have struggled, and all of us have been changed forever. At the moment I am writing this, over 470,000 people have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. alone. Our community has not escaped this heartache, having lost some of the most amazing individuals to this horrible disease. We all have a lot of work and a lot of healing to do. Here at FSU PC, we know we have an obligation to help more students in this area receive a postsecondary degree and reach their dreams. We will continue to work hard to play our role in both areas. In response to the pandemic, every member of the FSU PC team stepped up to the plate to help provide virtual accommodations to students, and the results have been remarkable. Student retention rates have remained just as strong as prior to the pandemic. In fact, FSU reported a 95% freshman to sophomore retention rate, one of the best in the country. Late last year, we announced and implemented the FSU PC Promise Scholarship, providing that students with a combined family and individual AGI of $50,000 or less or who are Pell Grant eligible will receive free tuition, considering they meet residency requirements and participate in community service. Our mission is to ensure that finances are never a burden to receiving an undergraduate degree in Northwest Florida. We are so appreciative of donors like The Chapman Family Foundation, The St. Joe Community Foundation, Larry and Pam Perry, and other anonymous donors who have made this possible.

Always looking ahead, we continue to move forward with new and exciting advancements on our campus. Just outside my office window, I can see the daily progress on the massive 400-bed student housing project expected to be completed in August 2021. The $23 million project is a public–private partnership with Florida State University, Zimmer Development Company, and Asset Living. Years in the making, the facility will soon be open to both FSU PC and Gulf Coast State College students. With our ever-expanding programs, this project will bring access to our campus like never before. On the first of February, we received word from our accrediting body that our application to offer a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree through the College of Applied Studies was approved. A successor of FSU PC’s Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia will be the first doctoral program at FSU PC. The first members of the class will start this summer. Beginning in fall of this year, FSU PC will offer its newest bachelor’s degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree, which falls under the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, will provide instruction in the fundamental areas of public health, including epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences and biostatistics. Graduates from the program will find opportunities as public health professionals for nonprofit organizations, state and federal government agencies, private health care corporations, as well as health care facilities. The degree also prepares students for graduate study. As we look back on a year of unimaginable suffering, it is important to recognize that the future is looking bright. As always, thank you for your continued support of Florida State University Panama City. WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 45

A R O U N D T O W N | community updates

bay district schools

B I L L H U S F E LT SUPERINTENDENT

As your Superintendent, I cannot advocate for (or against) the upcoming referendum to add one mill to your property taxes for our schools, but I can provide you with some facts regarding the “why” behind the request. And the short version is – we desperately need money for salaries for employees. Our base student allocation from the state (the amount provided to educate each student) has risen a paltry 3.7% since 2008. No doubt, your expenses and mine have risen FAR more than that in the past 12 years. After the hurricane, as you know, housing became more expensive in our community and the pandemic has presented families with additional financial challenges. Our employees deserve more money, they need more money, and we just can’t wait any longer for state funding that may or may never happen.

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1. Increase salaries for all employees (except the Superintendent and School Board members). 2. Provide charter schools with their fair share of funds. 3. Offer a full day of pre-k for qualifying students; numerous studies tout the lifelong benefit of starting school ready to learn. 4. Continue our extensive mental health outreach for students and

5. Continue to supplement state-provided funds for safety so we can maintain or enhance the security of our schools. There’s never a good time to ask for a tax increase, BUT there’s never been a better time for our community to show their support for public education. The pandemic-prompted school closures made “teachers” out of many parents, and most, if not all, quickly realized what an incredible job our dedicated employees do each day. I’m actually somewhat amused by the news reports of all of the school districts and states farther north that are struggling with how to OPEN their schools right now. Our educators have been on the job since August and they are, in my opinion, true heroes, second only to our first responders and members of the military who continue to be front-line heroes. The educators and support employees of Bay District Schools are invested in the academic success of our students, and they have dedicated their lives to the younger generation. This referendum offers the community an opportunity to support them in return.

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One mill in property taxes equals an additional $100 on each $100,000 of assessed property value, which is equal to $8 a month. If all property owners were contributing, one mill could raise $18 million a year for four years. These funds would be used to:

staff, which is scheduled to come to a close after current grant funding runs out this year.

Welcome Spring

Branch Manager

It was amazing this year that the Governor’s budget included a significant amount of money for raises for our beginning teachers. Those teachers received a decent raise to adjust their salaries to a minimum of $43,500, but there were no significant raises for everyone else. There were no significant raises for our veteran teachers, our bus drivers, our classroom paraprofessionals, our maintenance experts, our school counselors, our media specialists, our custodians, our office staff, or our administrators.

Please vote on or before April 20th, 2021. You can get more information about voting locations from https://www.bayvotes.org/ Election-Info/Future-Elections. Stay safe and God Bless!

bay economic development alliance

Throughout 2020 the Bay Economic Development Alliance (Bay EDA) and Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) partnered with local manufacturers to establish the Gulf Coast FAME Chapter in Northwest Florida. The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) is a national work-study program that develops global entry-level multi-craft maintenance technicians. It is through the collective efforts of multiple community partners, including but not limited to Trane Technologies, Gulf Coast State College, Bay EDA, and CareerSource Gulf Coast, the Gulf Coast FAME Chapter was established. The Gulf Coast FAME Chapter strives to ensure that our local industry continues to recruit the talent needed to support operations. In 2010, the first FAME Chapter was established in Kentucky to support local manufacturing operations. From there, chapters have grown to over thirty locations throughout the United States. Recently, FAME was recognized by the Brookings Institute for the impressive participant success after graduation. Their study found that FAME graduates earned 63% more than non-FAME graduates who had similar education experiences and similar careers. For the Gulf Coast FAME Chapter, founding companies include Trane Technologies, Berg Pipe, Merrick Industries, Eastern Shipbuilding, ACMT, EPS, Maritech Machine, and others. Over time, this program

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BECCA HARDIN PRESIDENT

is designed to create a pipeline of broadly trained individuals who can transition to full-time employment upon graduation. For participating companies, this program will become a critical pipeline for attracting skilled talent into their advanced manufacturing operations. The program recruits students and pairs them with a sponsoring company to complete a two-year apprenticeship program. During the program, students receive formal classroom training two days per week and work onsite at their sponsoring company three days a week. Participants in the FAME program can be recent high school graduates, military members transitioning to the workforce, or individuals looking to move into a new career path. The FAME program is designed to give students hands-on experience while also providing formal educational credentials. The program has focuses on professional presence skills, lean manufacturing acumen, as well as formal technical capabilities. Gulf Coast FAME is currently recruiting students to participate in the first cohort. The starting cohort of students are being recruited throughout Spring 2021 and will begin the FAME program in Fall 2021. Interested students should visit the Gulf Coast State College website at www.GulfCoast.edu or contact Garrett Wright at Garrett@BayEDA.com for additional information.

DAN ROWE PRESIDENT & CEO

Location, location, location makes Panama City Beach the best destination to live or visit year-round. But it’s the sunshine, sunshine, sunshine that offers Panama City Beach many opportunities to celebrate the Real. FUN. Beach all year long! Our perfect spring temperatures allow us to pack our weekends full of festivals, food and fun! Whether you’re attending the Seabreeze Jazz Festival or testing your taste buds at our fourth annual UNwineD event, we look forward to showcasing some of our destination’s boldest flavors and innovative blends for our visitors and locals to enjoy. Visit Panama City Beach is excited to announce the return of UNwineD, a premier two-day culinary festival held in Aaron Bessant Park, presented in partnership with Southern Living. Taking place June 4th-5th, the fourth annual event will feature craft beer, wine and spirits from around the world in addition to mouth-watering creations from some of the area’s leading chefs like delicious bites from “Top Chef” winner Kelsey Barnard Clark.

Bring your lawn chair and blankets and enjoy live music throughout the park! Moving into 2021, Visit Panama City Beach found it important to continue telling our community’s story of healing and recovery following Hurricane Michael, moving forward with events and entertainment for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Continuing a tradition that started in 2019, a portion of the tickets sold to our UNwineD event will go to the United Way of Northwest Florida and World Central Kitchen. We found it fitting to give back to the organizations that have helped our area throughout this past year, and what better way than at our favorite event. Whether you are interested in a taste of PCB, a sip of a fun cocktail, or ready to jam out with your closest friends, we can’t wait to host you this June! For more information about UNwineD, June 4th and June 5th, please visit our website at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined. Tickets are on sale now!

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 47

A R O U N D T O W N | community updates

careersource gulf coast

KIM BODINE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We recently held the 34th annual Bay County Job Fair in February. For the first time, we, in a partnership with seven other organizations, decided to make the event virtual. This decision was both exciting and nerve-wracking. What if the virtual platform did not work? What if no one wanted to participate in the new web-based format? What could go wrong—and how could we prepare in advance against what could go wrong? These were the questions we contemplated and addressed as our team worked through the planning stages of the event. The Bay County Job Fair is the largest recruitment and hiring event in Bay County and has carried that reputation for some time. We wanted the 2021 event to keep everyone safeguarded against COVID-19 exposure while maintaining the same level of excellence for which the Bay County Job Fair has been known for the past 33 years. It was a bold new path and it resulted in approximately 130 employers and 568 jobseekers participating virtually to make connections for employment. Indeed, it was a first for us as well as many of the participants, but I am more than pleased with the overall success of the event. Feedback from partner hosts, employers, and job seekers has been positive. It is one of the few benefits of the virus that we have been forced out of our comfort zones to explore new and innovative ways of

achieving our goals. Employers and talent are still facing heightened risks and concerns associated with the pandemic. Although change can take more thought and feel unsettling, there are times when it is necessary. Now more than ever, it is important to be open to such changes that will best support your organization and your personnel. We, like all of you, are hopeful that the vaccine will protect our most vulnerable and give individuals the confidence they need to safely return to the workforce. Already, we are seeing our unemployment rate decrease getting closer to those pre-COVID-19 rates. We are hopeful for a strong tourism season and in working with the Bay EDA we know that new companies are taking a look at Bay County for their next site often. Pandemic or not, business is pushing forward, in many cases using modified ways of getting the job done. CareerSource Gulf Coast will continue to work together with its partners to keep our support and services available and accessible. This community has a history of strong partnerships. Let us continue to work together, outside of our comfort zone, to do what we need to in order to overcome the lasting effects of the pandemic. Whether you are a job seeker, an employer, or someone interested in skills training, let us know how we can support you. CareerSource Gulf Coast operates offices in Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties. To connect with the office nearest you, please visit our website at careersourcegc.com, or contact us at customerservice@ careersourcegc.com. In compliance with the Steven’s Amendment; please go to careersourcegc.com for more information.

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Grand openings The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Ambassador Committee welcomes the newest members of the Beach Chamber. If you haven't scheduled your business' Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting, or Ground Breaking, contact our Director of Membership, Shannon Richmond, at (850) 235-1159.

6 50

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12 WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 51

G R A N D O P E N I N G S & R I B B O N C U T T I N G S | continued

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A LETTER FROM YOUR CHAMBER REP As a member of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, you are part of a family! A family made up of small business owners and large corporations, with the Chamber acting as your platform to work with and support the community while enhancing your business. Whether you are a new member or established, your Beach Chamber can be an amazing resource for you if you make the most of what we offer.

Attend a 12@12 Luncheon in our Boardroom (this is a new member orientation that will introduce you to other new members on a more personal level). If you have not been to one, make sure to ask for an invite!

So, now that you are a member of the Beach Chamber – what's next? (This can be a refresher for our seasoned members as well).

Schedule a Grand Opening or Ribbon Cutting; this is an excellent opportunity to meet several of our members and let them know who you are and what you do.

Joining the Beach Chamber was a smart move! You have joined the most active Chamber, whose common goal is to keep the economy and quality of life in our area healthy and prosperous. Now it's time to make sure you know what some of your benefits are so that you can take full advantage of your membership. Our members find that the more time they invest in their Chamber, the greater the benefits of membership are to their business. Connect at Chamber events to build relationships with other members. Get that face time! We host many events for you to choose from, like Business After Hours, Friday at the Beach, IdeaCamp, and many more!

Keep track of upcoming events with our weekly e-blast - the Beach Buzz, Facebook, and Instagram.

I always enjoy sitting down with our members to discuss their Chamber benefits. If we have not done so already, let's schedule a time to discuss ways we can help your business grow! Here's to Connecting the Dots!

Shannon Richmond

Shannon Richmond shannon@pcbeach.org (850) 890-8069

Join a committee like Ambassadors, Leads group (we now have expanded to two groups, one in town and one on the beach), or our young professional group, HYPE! (Helping Young Professionals Evolve).

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 53

N E W + R E N E W I N G M E M B E R S | October 27, 2020 - February 15, 2021

NEW MEMBERS 516 Project, Inc.

G & W Construction Services, Inc.

Reinhart Foodservice LLC

850 Redevelopment Fund, LLC

Gilly Rose Baking Co.

Rib Crib

A.B.A. Roofing & Construction

Highland Finance – Micah Henderson

Roberta Ramsey

Amanda Willingham Staging & Interiors Bay to 30A Realty – Becca Hartwell, Realtor Blue Ocean Custom Signs Blue Sky Express Car Wash, LLC Bluewater Commercial, LLC – Angela Branham Boardwalk Benefits LLC (Colonial Life) Bodywork at Zen Carter Maintenance and Repair, LLC Catered by Carla Cigna Medicare Advantage Compassionate Love Home Care Cook Girls' Bakery Counts Real Estate Group Commercial Division – Chris McCall Craft 850, LLC Curly Cream II, Inc. Cybersmetrics Defender Title & Escrow Agency – 30a Office Eduplace Recruitment Agency EnSec Pest & Lawn Epic Photo Co. First National Bank Fishnchik Creative Fletcher Surveying and Engineering

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HireQuest Direct Impact Promotions

Seagrass Village Memory Care Seasons Lifestyles

J Warren Development

Simply DeBest Pizza dba Domino's Pizza – Thomas Drive

Keller Williams Success Realty – Donna Hampton

SJ Cleaning and Organizing Services

Kentucky Orthopedic Clinic

Solar Energy Solutions

Lazer-It Printing & Engraving

SoulPsi, LLP

Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Paint

Sports to Geaux

Metcalf & Company, LLC MOORING Construction + Restoration Myers Aviation, LLC Norm – Jodi Asbell Realty, LLC Orangetheory Fitness

Stuart Jackson Sunbelt Rentals Sweet Henrietta's Treats and Coffee The Blind Co. FLA, LLC The Bruner Law Firm

P.H. Mudd & Associates

The Dream Team/Republic State Mortgage

Palm Pilates Studio

The Karma Shack, LLC

Panama City Adventures

The Lawrence Group at Keller Williams Success Realty

Panama City ER Paul Davis Restoration of the Central FL Panhandle Paula Deen's Family Kitchen PCB Picnics Pink Pelican Preferred Environmental Solutions Progress Bank Quality Electrical Service, Inc. Recovery Bay Center, LLC

The Powder Room Shooting Range & Training Center The T-Shirt Professor, LLC Uniti Fiber Waterside Chiropractic WAVESOFLUXURY.COM WHYSDOM World Sports League (WSL) World Stone and Design, LLC Zachary A. VanDyke, PA

R E N E WA L S 1 Year

T-Mobile – Callaway

Beau's

Aflac – Sandy Boswell, Agent

Team MVP, LLC powered by EXP Realty

Bullseye Digital Marketing

Dickey's Barbecue Pit Dumpster Service, LLC Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance My Happy Ass Life Red Road Remodel and Gutter, LLC Reroof America Contractors Storage Pups The Real Estate House Panama City Beach – Renae Brown

2 Years Allstate Ins. – Nancy Ramsey Ins. Agency Aqua Pro Water Systems Artisan Construction Co., Inc. Chick-fil-A Panama City Beach Parkway Coastal Cars and Carts Coastal Wildlife Removal FIRE DOG Simply Smarter Connectivity Gulf Beach Properties Hunt & Gather Raw Bar & Pub Infinity Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. Magnolia's Flowers MSC Industrial Supply P & P Heating and Cooling Specialists, Inc. Pro-Am Sportz Sinclair Construction Stump Grinding By Steve

The Morgan Law Group, P.A. TPR Environmental Wisefly Auto Glass Zuma Painting Services, LLC

Flip Flops Pool Bar at Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort Gulf Beach Weddings Horton Outdoor Advertising Mobile Communications

3 Years

Nibbs and Associates Realty

Answer Marketing, Inc.

Pelican's Bar and Grill at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort

Burg Law Firm, P.A. CiCis City of Lynn Haven Cotton Counts-Oakes Resort Properties EffecTV Kanner and Pintaluga, P.A. Kenny Strange Electric, Inc. Lisa's Resale Gone Upscale Mission BBQ Optimal Life Party Pix Supreme Lending The Anti-Aging Clinic of Northwest Florida

Regency DRT Property Restoration Simply Granite, LLC Southernista Fashionista Sunniland Roofing Supply The Pancakery of PCB TIDES Restaurant at Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort Turnkey Vacation Rentals Watercrest Owners Association Inc.

5 Years 30Avenue Art Construction of NW FL, LLC

The Salt Shed & Company

City Produce

Think Real Estate – Panama City Beach

Coastal Sun Realty

Universal Contracting of Florida

4 Years Ascension Sacred Heart Beach ER Bar 72 Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort

Holiday Golf Club SouthernCAT, Inc.

6 Years GNS Embroidery & Screen Printing Montego Bay

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 55

N E W + R E N E W I N G M E M B E R S | continued

State Representative Jay Trumbull West Bay Property, Inc.

7 Years BancorpSouth Bank

The Morris Law Firm VIP Resort Properties, LLC

8 Years Beach Art Group

Carpe Diem 365

City of Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation

DSI Security Services

Hare Taylor, LLC

Edgewater Crossings

MDM of Bay County

Omega National Title, LLC

Mr. Trash II, LLC

Patches Pub & Grill Roussos Air Conditioning Runaway Island Beach Bar & Grill Smith & Associates Property Management of Bay County, Inc. Superior Residences of Panama City Beach

9 Years Carpe Diem Community Solutions Classic Carpets Plus Color Tile Community Bank Georgia Tech Research Institute Joey Kirkland Insurance, Inc.

Nichols & Associates of Bay County, Inc. Whataburger

10 Years Bay County Alzheimers Alliance, Inc. G. Miles Interiors, Inc. Island Air Express LLC Panama Beach Time Coastal Casuals Snelling Staffing Services

11 Years Animal Care Center Barry Tate Herbafex Southwest Airlines WFSU

12 Years Bayou on the Beach Cafe & Oyster Bar Emerald Coast Dale Carnegie Training Hidden Lagoon Super Racetrack and Golf, Inc. Ironman Florida Military Media, Inc.

13 Years Beach Beginnings Weddings & Events Emerald Coast Urgent Care Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate

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Ron Jon Surf Shop

Counts Real Estate Group, Inc.

Shimmering Seas Jewelry & Gifts

Dewberry Engineers, Inc.

Buffalo Wild Wings The Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry The UPS Store 6067 Troy University – Panama City

Emerald Coast Regional Council GulfView Properties VRI/Landmark

18 Years

Nations Real Estate

25 Years The Eye Center of North Florida Gilmore Resorts/Driftwood Lodge WestRock

Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast

26 Years

19 Years

27 Years

14 Years

Buddy's Seafood Market

Kedrick Cerry, Inc.

Bay Education Foundation

Panama City Beach Senior Center

28 Years

SETCO Services, LLC

Cox Pools

St. Bernadette Child Development Academy

Culligan Water Services

20 Years

WOW Business

Toys for Kids Foundation

American Red Cross/Central Panhandle Chapter

30 Years

15 Years

21 Years

Beltone Hearing Center

Bay County Board of County Commissioners

Tuffy Auto Service Center Zaxby's

The Clemons Company, Inc. Country Inn & Suites First Choice Physical Therapy Maharaja's Snowbirds Gulf Coast

Fowhand Furniture FSU Panama City

16 years Beachside Resort Panama City Beach Comfort Suites

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay

Gulf World

City of Panama City Beach

31 Years

Sam's Club

Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort

Sea Side Villas Condominium, Inc.

34 Years

24 Years

Pineapple Willy's

Florida Linen Grease Pro, Inc.

WWW.PCBEACH.ORG 57

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