BuzzWorthyitems of note
Mike Sutton, president and CEO of
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and
West Pasco Counties, is celebrating
the completion of its 700th home. The
organization is a driving force advocate
for affordable homeownership in
our community since 1985. Habitat
homeowners demonstrate a need for
adequate shelter, an ability to pay back
a zero interest loan and to partner
with Habitat by investing 350 to 450
hours of sweat equity into building
the home. Habitat is supported by
sponsors. To become a community
partner or support in their efforts, go
to habitatpwp.org.
Michelle Detweiler has been
appointed the new CEO and president
of PARC Inc., a leading provider of
opportunities for children and adults
with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. She will succeed Karen
Higgins to lead and grow this
organization that sees over 800
individuals. Mark Myers, chair of
PARC’s board of directors, believes
Detweiler will help PARC strengthen
partnerships develop strategic alliances
and expand their programming reach
in Pinellas County, thus taking PARC
to the next level. Detweiler is a former
PARC board member and served
as its chief operating officer. She is
committed to PARC as was her father
Bert Muller, who served three decades
as the president of PARC and was
instrumental in shaping this nonprofit
that was formed 65 years ago. Michael
Bice and Jenny Hasbun have also
joined the PARC board of directors.
Providing advocacy and recognizing
capabilities, PARC is located at 3190
Tyrone Blvd. N. in St. Petersburg,
(727) 345-9111. PARC’s mission is to
provide opportunities for children and
adults with developmental disabilities
to exercise their independence and
experience life to the fullest.
Kelly Hackman has expanded her
New Port Richey businesses as she
and her husband Bryan add the
Coastline Salt Room to their
White Heron Tea & Gifts and
Cotee River Brewing Company.
Coastline is located at 5426 Main St.
in New Port Richey, (727) 834-1019,
and offers halo (dry salt) therapy
for people including those with lung
problems such as asthma, bronchitis
or coughs, along with hydro
massages for de-stressing.
66 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Sheri Heilman, chair of the nonprofit
organization Ocean Allies, founded the
group in 2018 to provide guidance and
a certification program for businesses
to make eco-friendly changes, such as
eliminating single use plastic products
and ramping up recycling. As the
owner of Beachcomber restaurant
on Clearwater Beach and Bobby’s
Bistro, she knows businesses can
make decisions that are good for the
environment. Ocean Allies is taking
a hands-on approach to the beach’s
litter problem. Heilman’s Beachcomber
restaurant was the first business in
Clearwater to be certified “Ocean
Friendly.” She wants to ensure people
think about what should be thrown
away and what should be recycled.
Pesticides and trash from inland areas
as far away as 100 miles from the coast
can also affect the ocean. For more
information, contact Ocean Allies at
oceanallies.org.
GRAM
Christine
Renc-Carter,
curator at
St. Petersburg
College’s Leepa-
Rattner Museum
of Art in Tarpon
Springs, introduced
surrealistic artist
Louis Markoya
at the opening
of the exhibit of
his work at the
museum, which
continues through
February 6, 2022.