PRIDELY ~ FL PANHANDLE

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TOP 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Next International Trip

OVERPACKING OVERSPENDING

NOT ENOUGH RESEARCH CARRYING VALUABLES

NOT NOTIFYING THE BANK

Whether it’s your first international trip or your fifth, traveling is all about discovering the unknown. It’s no surprise that there can be problems along the way. Extra planning and learning from these common travel mistakes can help you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying.

Mistake #1 is overpacking - too many packed items can be hard to organize and be uncomfortable to travel with. Mistake #2 is overspending - sticking to a realistic budget and leaving room for unexpected expenses is always best.

Mistake #3 is not doing enough research - it’s always safe to do extra research when traveling abroad including weather, laws, and international costs. Mistake #4 is carrying valuables with you while exploring - pick pocketers are notorious for targeting tourists, so keep your valuables locked away safe in your hotel if possible. Most importantly, mistake #5 is not notifying your bank of your international travel plans - otherwise, your debit or credit card may be blocked due to “unusual activity” unfortunately if you don’t do this ahead of time.

Restaurants

McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin

Irish pub grub delivered with ales brewed in copper kettles, plus live music most nights.

33 US-98 E, Destin, FL 32541

Phone: (850) 650-0000 | Web: mcguiresirishpub.com

The Oar House

Tiki-roofed setting for American fare paired with views of Bahia Mar Marina & occasional live tunes.

1000 S Pace Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32502

Phone: (850) 549-4444 | Web: oarhousepensacola.com

Bayou Joes Marina & Grill

Unpretentious waterfront restaurant offering Southern-style breakfast & fried seafood platters.

112A E 3rd Ct, Panama City, FL 32401

Phone: (850) 763-6442 | Web: bayoujoes.com

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Los Antojitos Mexican Restaurant

Long-running cantina serving Mexican favorites like tacos, fajitas & margaritas with a festive vibe.

1236 Beck Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401

Bonelli’s

Warm, family-owned Italian locale known for hearty homestyle entrees & desserts.

1217 N 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32501

Thai Tanic Restaurant

Snug, unfussy Thai restaurant dishing up spicy curries, noodles & other traditional fare.

107 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541

Chow Time Grill & Buffet

Spacious, no-frills restaurant featuring a huge selection of allyou-can-eat Asian fare.

2343 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Panama City, FL 32405

Jackson’s Steakhouse

Refined venue offering premium steaks, chops & wine in a highceilinged room dating to the 1860s.

400 S Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32502

Crackings

Longtime family-owned restaurant specializing in homestyle breakfast, brunch & lunch dishes. 979 US-98, Destin, FL 32541

The Place Downtown American staples, sports on TV & a jukebox offered in easygoing surrounds with a full bar.

429 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32401

V Paul’s Italian Ristorante

Casual bistro offering traditional Italian mains such as chicken piccata & lasagne, plus a full bar.

29 Palafox Pl, Pensacola, FL 32502

Feb 11

PCB Mardi Gras & Music Festival

Experience Mardi Gras beside the Gulf Coast’s white-sand beaches at the PCB Mardi Gras & Music Festival. The event always takes place the weekend before Fat Tuesday and alongside the Krewe of Dominique Youx’s great Mardi Gras at the Beach parade. There is entertainment for all ages, and the festivities include live concerts, street fairs, parades, costume contests, float tours, and the Kidz Zone. Learn more at mypanhandle.com.

Feb 20

Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K

The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K weekend kicks off in delicious style. This annual showcase of South Walton’s unforgettable culinary style is a must-do for anyone interested in getting the most out of race weekend. Rain or shine, our guests are able to sample culinary delights from the area’s top chefs and restaurants while enjoying live music and the company of fellow racers and local foodies. Learn more at runseasidefl.com.

Jun 2

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jelly

The event’s main goal is to promote love and acceptance of diverse communities in our area. The event began in 2019, and attracted over 2,000 people making it the largest pride event within a 100-mile radius. The event will feature over 50 local vendors, live musical acts and a drag show. Learn more at mypanhandle.com.

June 11

Bay Pride

The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jelly welcomes today’s best country artists to the emerald waters of Panama City Beach. For years, festivalgoers have spent sunny days lounging on the beach while jamming to their favorite tunes. The 3-day event usually takes place on Labor Day weekend for a final summer bash on the Florida Gulf Coast. Learn more at visitpanamacitybeach.com.

FOUR TIPS to help you boost your retirement savings

1. CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR 401(K)

If you happen to have the benefit of a traditional 401(k) plan through your employer, you may be able to contribute pretax money. This can be a huge advantage to your retirement savings plan.

2. OPEN AN IRA

It is a good idea to establish an individual retirement account (IRA) to help invest in your future. You can do either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Take some time to research both options and see what’s best for you.

3. AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGS

A good idea to help you increase your savings even more is to set automatic payments each month. This will help you grow your money without even having to think about it.

4. SET A GOAL

Understanding and planning ahead of time how much you may need in the future not only can help you better understand why you’re saving, but it also can make the process more rewarding.

6 Most Profitable Blog Niches

Making money online with a blog has never been easier.

There are so many areas you can explore when developing content for a blog. Making a profit from doing this is definitely possible, but it is essential to make sure you are creating high-quality content to help you monetize. Here are some quick tips and ideas to help you get started.

1

Don’t overestimate the value of digital marketing in today’s businesses.

SEO, email campaigns, social media, and influencer marketing are just some of the broad range of strategies used in digital marketing.

2

Digital Marketing Blogging for Profit

There are many valuable ways to write and help people make money online.

Some of these blog topics include freelance writing, working as a virtual assistant, and even starting your own online business.

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Sep 30

SandJam Music Fest

SandJam Music Fest is one of Panama City Beach’s largest spring events. The hottest alternate rock bands on the planet gather on the sparkling white sands of Panama City Beach for the 3-day bash. Music lovers from around 40 states and multiple foreign countries party all weekend. Learn more at nusicfestivalwizard.com.Enjoy delectable foods of all types cooked fresh onsite. Learn more at treasurecoast.com.

Oct 3

Pirates of the High Seas Fest

If you’ve dreamed of being a pirate, the Pirates of the High Seas Fest lets you share that love with your family. The Columbus Day weekend event brings you lots of family-friendly activities around Panama City Beach. Pier Park and the Grand Lagoon host the festivities. The fun includes live music, parades, costume contests, and epic sword fights. Learn more at visitpanamacitybeach.com.

Nov 12

Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Automobile Show

The biannual Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Automobile Show is an open-air museum featuring thousands of vintage vehicles. Find your favorite classic automobiles and discover other hot rods, muscle automobiles, trucks, and speedsters you never knew existed. Aaron Bessant Park hosts the event and welcomes automobile enthusiasts of all ages to view the timeless vehicles. Learn more at westendpcb.com.

Dec 31

New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop

The New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop draws more than 40,000 people to the shores of Panama City Beach. Pier Park closes to traffic as joyous revelers dance to live music, watch fireworks, and spend time with their loved ones. Learn more at visitpanamacitybeach.com.

THE CENTER

The mission of the Gulf Coast LGBTQ+ Center is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, intersex, queer, non-binary, and questioning population of the Gulf Coast by providing activities, programs and services that create community; empower community members; provide essential resources; advocate for civil and human rights; and embrace, promote and support LGBTQ+ cultural diversity.

GULFCOASTLGBTQCENTER.ORG | 850-640-0196

PFLAG NICEVILLE

PFLAG Niceville serves the LGBTQ+ community in our region. We have people join us from Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Pensacola and beyond! Our core program is a monthly support meeting which is open to all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies of the community (friends and family members are welcome to join!). Each meeting covers a range of topics provided by attendees and facilitators. We welcome you to join us!

PFLAGNICEVILLE.COM

SPLASH BAR FLORIDA

DJs spin hot club music at this gay-friendly nightspot with dancing, drink specials & drag shows. Come check us out!

SPLASHBARFLORIDA.COM

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Health

& Fitness

Online fitness classes have become more and more popular over time.

There are many areas of fitness content to include such as workout videos, fitness courses, and one-on-one training sessions.

4

Finance & Investing

People are constantly seeking ways to manage their money better.

You can help people manage their money wisely in ways like saving for retirement or making the right investments.

5

Food Recipes

People love to learn about quick and easy meals and diets.

Getting creative with this is the fun part as you can put own twist on popular dishes or share innovative recipes.

6

Self Care

There are so many beneficial topics to create content on inlcuding routines, stress management, mindfulness, and journaling.

Now more than ever, people are tapped in to their mental wellness.