Ted has a chat with Casana Fink, Miss Florida 2024 | |
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Click on event below to register NOW for our Upcoming Chamber Events.
Don't forget to apply your discount, Click here
(Discount only applies to First Friday Coffee, Nothing But Networking, & Business After Hours)
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First Friday Coffee: Special Location for September ONLY: Destin FWB Convention Center | |
Upcoming Committee Meetings: Are you seeking opportunities for professional development and personal growth. Come to one or all nine of our chamber committees to see what the buzz is about! | |
Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more! | |
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The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol would like to remind you:
Don't forget your red light when walking on the beach at night. Our nests are hatching and hatchlings are starting their new journeys out in the open ocean. But first, they have to make it to the water. The hatchlings use the moonlight to help guide them to the water. White lights on the beach are going to distract them and prevent them from safely making their way to the water. Using a red light at night is much less harmful. Sea turtles don't see the red light the same way we do and are a lot less distracted by it. If you come across a nesting sea turtle, a sea turtle nest, or hatchlings on the beach, please call our Sea Turtle Hotline 850-461-2885.
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It's fitting that the best vacation destination has the best website. Kudos to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach team for winning a U.S. Travel ESTO (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations) award for Destination Website.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach was honored at ESTOs award ceremony for Destination Website, DestinFwb.com. The "Destiny Awards" recognize U.S. Travel destination members for excellence and creative accomplishment in destination marketing and promotion at the local and regional level; and foster the development of imaginative and innovative destination marketing promotion programs and activities.
Learn more at https://www.destinfwb.com/
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𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 i𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 (𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐂)
𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳 31, 2024
AHAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners and the Fort Walton Beach City Council on issues related to affordable housing in Okaloosa County, including the development of recommendations to address impediments, create incentives or support expansion of affordable housing opportunities within the local area. Meetings are held no less than quarterly. Appointees will serve a three-year term, beginning immediately upon appointment.
The minimum requirements for this appointment are outlined in section 420.9076, Florida Statutes, and by BCC policy. The County is currently soliciting applications from citizens who meet one of the following categories:
• A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
• A citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to s. 163.3174. If the local planning agency is comprised of the governing board of the county or municipality, the governing board may appoint a designee who is knowledgeable in the local planning process.
• A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
• A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
Citizens who wish to be considered for appointment to the AHAC should go to https://myokaloosa.com/citizen-councils/home to review the Policy, Complete an Application Packet and begin the Background Check process.
Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM, Thursday October 31, 2024 via email to citizencouncils@myokaloosa.com or via mail to BCC Citizen Councils, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 100, Shalimar, FL 32579.
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FOREIGN MILITARY STUDENTS VISIT CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH (photo note: Councilman Allegretto is in center in white shirt)
The City of Fort Walton Beach recently hosted a group of international military students who dropped by City Hall to learn more about local government.
The group of two dozen students represented U.S. ally nations including Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, The Netherlands, Romania, South Korea, Tanzania, Ukraine and others.
They were taking part in training at the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence in Fort Moore, Georgia through the Army’s International Military Service Office.
Rose Spencer, field studies program manager with the International Military Student Office, said that part of the program’s training experience is learning about the United States and its various forms of local, state and federal government.
“We show them the American lifestyle,” said Spencer. ‘The culture and values. Today we’re here to learn about local government.”
City Councilman Nic Allegretto gave the group an overview of the city and talked about the many reasons people choose to live in Fort Walton Beach. He also talked about how the city is governed and managed as well as detailed some of the services the city provides to its residents.
Thanks to Councilman Allegretto for representing the City of Fort Walton Beach!
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NEW LIBRARY MANAGER TAKES THE REINS AT FORT WALTON BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY (photo note: Kimberly Ball (left), Karen Graham (right)
In August we bid farewell to outgoing Library Manager Kim Ball and welcomed Karen Graham to the City of Fort Walton Beach.
A Missouri native, Graham comes to the Fort Walton Beach Library from the DeSoto (Missouri) Public Library, where she served as director for more than 3 years. Prior to that she worked at the Jefferson County (Missouri) Library for almost four years and also taught language arts at Festus (Missouri) High School for 26 years.
Karen and her family have vacationed in the area for years, so she was already familiar with the City of Fort Walton Beach.
“I’m super excited,” said Karen. “I have visited this library many times over the past five years, so it felt like coming home.”
If you see Karen around the library, please welcome her to the City of Fort Walton Beach. Kimberly will be taking a job with the new Publix grocery store in Destin. We wish her all the best in her new job.
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NEW FORT WALTON BEACH GOLF CLUB MANAGER
The City of Fort Walton Beach welcomes Jacob Hill as the new Manager of the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club. Hill takes over the position from David Trimm, who retired at the end of July.
While Hill is new to the position, he’s not new to the area or the game of golf. Before joining the City, he served as General Manager of the Shalimar Pointe Golf Club. Prior to that he was Head Golf Pro at Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club and before that worked as 1st Assistant Golf Pro at the Shark’s Tooth Golf Course in Panama City Beach and the Pensacola Country Club.
Hill played on the South Walton High School golf team all four years and also competed in both the Daily News Junior Classic and Miracle Strip Invitational golf tournaments held at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club.
“It’s been cool getting to play in those tournaments, then watching some of the kids I’ve taught play in them, and now managing the course,” said Hill.
In his short time there, Hill has relaunched the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club Facebook page and has some other changes in the works.
“We’re going to try to get the driving range open later at night,” said Hill. “And we’re going to have merchandise, shirts, hats, divot tools, ball markers, that will feature the new logo available in the check-in area.”
You can keep up with the news at the new Fort Walton Beach Golf Club Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564357177927
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Stay Connected with the Okaloosa County School District: Two Essential Apps
Are you staying informed about the latest news from the Okaloosa County School District? Parents and guardians can easily access their student's schedule, grades, and attendance by downloading the FOCUS App. Additionally, stay updated with school and district news, events, documents, and emergency notifications through the OCSD Apptegy App. Both apps are available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit www.okaloosaschools.com.
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Okaloosa County School District Announces Graduation Dates for the Class of 2025
Mark Your Calendars! The Okaloosa County School District is thrilled to announce the graduation dates, times, and locations for the Class of 2025. For those unable to attend in person, we’ve got you covered—these special events will be live-streamed. Stay tuned for streaming links, which will be available in May!
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Community Comes Together for Students: Nine Schools, 90 Volunteers, and 540 Volunteer Hours
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Florida Power and Light, and Hurlburt Field Air Force Base join forces to spruce up local schools
In a display of community spirit, 90 dedicated volunteers successfully prepared nine schools in the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The collective effort, totaling 540 volunteer hours, underscores a strong partnership between the district and local organizations, ensuring an enriched educational environment for students.
Volunteers from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Florida Power and Light, and Hurlburt Field Air Force Base were instrumental in various projects, including setting up classrooms, maintaining facilities, landscaping, and organizing educational materials. Read more...
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An online must-attend for small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the funding options available for your local business. Don't miss this chance Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. for an hour to connect with industry experts, ask questions, and help secure financial support for your business. Reserve your spot, and join your Florida SBDC at UWF online for a conversation on building bridges to opportunities in the world of small business financing. https://tinyurl.com/connect-to-cash | |
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Okaloosa Saves Selected To Receive Savings Champion Award
by National Savings Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 14, 2024
Washington, D.C: Okaloosa Saves has earned the 2024 America Saves Savings Champion award, an honor explicitly reserved for organizations who effectively and actively promote saving strategies during the annual America Saves Week campaign.
Okaloosa Saves is one of 18 organizations honored with this distinction out of more than 4,600 participating organizations of America Saves Week, which took place April 8 – 12, 2024 as part of Financial Capability Month.
Read more...
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