Latest news with #Natoli
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
104 year old business owner's legacy courses through Downtown Panama City
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Tucked between downtown Panama City's renovated storefronts and decades-old facades, sits Collectibles Etc. The man behind the counter is proof that time can sometimes stand still. At 104 years old, John Natoli still comes to work every day, greeting customers, dusting off memories, and sharing his love for beautiful things in his store. It's like his business, Collectibles Etc., is frozen in time. However, John has lived his life like a man in motion. U.S. Postal Service unveils new delivery vehicles and upgraded facility He started his journey working at a stockyard in Jersey City, then found his voice in media working for a radio program called 'The Answer Man.' That led him to ABC Paramount's record company. He eventually made his way west, settling in Arizona until 1976, when life brought him to Panama City. 'Came to town looking for a location to do a flower shop. We found the building next door, opened it Bay Flowers Etc. And we were lucky as hell,' Natoli said. The shop was extremely successful. However, 10 years of hard work took a toll on John and his partner Fred. He said they were worn out and ready for a new adventure. 'At that point, we always had the business right next door, 318. And we always had this place for storage. So when we got rid of the flower shop, it rented out, you know, to somebody we opened this as collectibles,' Natoli said. As successful as Bay Flowers was, John noticed the shop's gift section was also doing big business. 'If somebody wanted a birthday thing for their daughter. Well, why do just a thing of flowers? Why not incorporate a doll, so we got into that sort of thing. So I made use of the collectibles that way,' Natoli added. After more than 10 years, Collectibles Etc has been a downtown Panama City staple. The opera and theater lover said his only regret is the possibility he won't see the Martin Theater reopen. Northwest Florida Airport celebrates 15 years of exceptional service and growth 'I strongly regret and hate the fact that the powers that be have not got the Martin Theater landmark back after eight long years, eight long years. I don't regret anything. I was an optimistic person, which is why I'm probably still around. But that is the only thing I'm sorry not to have,' Natoli said. John's one piece of life advice? 'Don't get old. Do not get old. It ain't worth it,' Natoli said. John said he has no plans to retire soon. In fact, he said he doesn't make many plans at all. As he sees it, he's not just preserving the past, he's proving that purpose doesn't retire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Sunrise host Nat Barr weighs in on smacking debate as Queensland pushes to outlaw the violent act
Sunrise host Nat Barr has backed calls to make smacking kids a crime, amid a push to outlaw the violent act and wider use of corporal punishment against children in Queensland. The proposed legal change is backed by 100 health and welfare experts including The Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Bravehearts. The Queensland Law Reform Commission is reviewing Section 280 of the criminal code which provides a defence against assault charges for parents, carers, and teachers who use 'reasonable' corporal punishment. QLRC proposes giving children the same legal protections from assault as adults, or limiting the defence to parents 'using minimal force'. The proposed law will ban any use of punishment that injures a child, including the use of wooden spoons or belts. It will also criminalise any force applied to a child's head, face, or neck. Under the proposed reforms, 'force used in anger is not for the purpose of correction or discipline'. Barr, herself a mother-of-two, said: 'The old arguments of 'we were hit as a kid', it doesn't really wash now. We didn't have seatbelts either.' The compulsory wearing of seatbelts was only made law across Australian states in the early 1970s. Barr was joined in Thursday's discussion by Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, who both backed the ban. 'My view has probably changed or softened on this,' Zempilas said. 'As a parent, when the kids were in nappies, a little tap on the nappy, which is quite thick, I thought was OK. But I must admit, I'm rethinking that now, and the act of that violent-looking act. 'I think it comes down to the force. But this is the problem, isn't it? How do you judge what the right or wrong force is and what is acceptable and what is not? 'So, I understand this conversation. I think my view is probably changing and in 10 years or so, when smacking is banned altogether, we'll probably look back and go 'can you believe you used to be able to smack kids?'.' Barr then asked Natoli about her opinion. 'Let's be real here. We're talking about hitting that is either to the head, face or neck, or that leaves an injury so that's how they're defining it for this legislation,' Natoli said. 'I think that as a society, when you've got really credible organisations such as Braveheart or the Daniel Morcombe Foundation behind this, then we do need to listen. 'As a parent, on a personal note, I deeply regret that on the rare times when I did really lose control and I smacked my children, that wasn't out of clear discipline. It was out of frustration. 'So, I think that as a society, we have moved on, and we need to make it a clear message that violence is not the answer, violence is not OK. 'I think this is actually where we need to go as a society.'
