Want to know what's up in the Beaches of South Walton, in the Panhandle of Florida? You've come to the right place. We cover it all - Events, Dining, News, Real Estate, Photos, Area Info ...and everything in between. We're hyperlocal. We inform, educate & entertain. We update daily.
This season, several of the contenders hail from Florida making VIE’s coverage of the show that much more exciting. Cloutier has already selected some of her favorites and invites readers to give their input on all aspects of the competition.
South Walton Restaurant News Roundup
The People of 30A is a "growing compilation of friendly and diverse people who help make this special place a home" by the extraordinarily talented photographer Shane Carter of the dynamic duo Marla & Shane Photographers.
Visit Shane's website at http://www.MarlaandShane.com. He can be reached at 850-217-9367 or via email at shane@marlaandshane.com.
[click to enlarge]
Laura Granberry, co-owner, Simple Designs, Seaside, FL
"Artist, graphic designer, gallery owner... Kind, creative, easy going, fun...
I could go on for days! It is my pleasure to call her a friend." - Shane Carter
This Week's Call For Artists One of the unique things about South Walton is the amount of artists that reside here. Just drive down Scenic Hwy 30A to get a first hand look at the creativity of the community found around every turn. There are also many art-inspired events and classes. Here is an open "Call to Artists":
Women's Self-Defense Class is being offered at Grayton Beach Fitness Saturday, March 20 Paul Hunter, owner of Grayton Beach Fitness [MAP], announced that they will be holding a Women's Self Defense Class on Saturday, March 20, from 930-1130AM, to empower women to protect themselves and fight back against crime. Cost is $15 (free to members of Grayton Fitness). To reserve your spot, please call 850.231.7075.
(left: poster from 2004)
SEASIDE is calling all artists to join in a competition to produce the official artwork for the 20th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival, November 4-7, 2010. As well as a $500 award, the winning artist’s design will be featured in all festival marketing materials from advertisements to brochures, T-shirts to posters.
Artists of all mediums are encouraged to submit their original designs. Artwork should be thematically related to the Seeing Red Wine Festival and embody the look of Seaside and/or recognizable icons. Abstract designs are encouraged. Judges of the competition will be comprised of Seeing Red event committee members. Judging criteria will also include viability of sales potential. Entries should be appropriate for replication.
Submission Requirements
■■ Let The FCAT Begin >>
■■ A SCAM WARNING: Just in time for spring break >>
■■ Investigators recover remains of plane from Gulf (PHOTOS) >>
■■ Updated: Some residents worry after nearby stunt plane crash >>
■■ Updated: Airport construction strike averted >>
■■ Thousands take to the street in Seaside race (PHOTOS) >>
■■ RESTAURANT REVIEW: Gravel Road brings goodness to new location >>
■■ WCSO Prepares for Spring Breakers >>
■■ South Walton County man takes fight against offshore drilling to Facebook >>
■■ Children’s Volunteer Health Network opens doors in South Walton >>
■■ St. Joe reveals timetable on West Bay, gears up marketing >>
■■ Dangerous stretch of Highway 98 causes another accident >>
■■ Quit Smoking Now! Free Classes at Walton County Health Dept. >>
■■ Walton, Santa Rosa counties approve 2010-11 school calendars >>
■■ WHERE'S THE BEACH? New boardwalk on Scenic Gulf Drive brings mixed reactions >>
The People of 30A is a "growing compilation of friendly and diverse people who help make this special place a home" by the extraordinarily talented photographer Shane Carter of the dynamic duo Marla & Shane Photographers.
Visit Shane's website at http://www.MarlaandShane.com. He can be reached at 850-217-9367 or via email at shane@marlaandshane.com.
[click to enlarge]
Morgan Lemly, Perspicacity, Seaside, FL
"Sweet, friendly, outgoing, helpful, fun loving... everyone loves Morgan!
You gotta see her dance!!! :)" - Shane Carter
Looking for things to do this week? What events are happening around South Walton? Catch some music? Sunday Brunch? Yoga and fitness classes? We sort through all the information for you so you can easily and quickly plan your week - and get outside to enjoy paradise! Here are this week's Highlights. And be sure to check out the *NEW* South Walton COMMUNITY Events Page & the South Walton Event Calendar for the full skinny on what's happening in town.
Are you following us on Facebook? No? You are missing out on tons of real time information updates, news, event reminders, local chatter, and more. Join us today >> HERE.
Event Highlights This Week in South Walton .......
| When What Where Cost More |
Tuesday, March 9 from 330-430PM Artist of the Year Reception for local artist Michael McCarty Walton County Courthouse Annex on Hwy 331S Join the The Walton County Tourist Development Council for a reception honoring the 2009 artist of the Year, Michael McCarty. Michael's commissioned artwork, "Twenty Six Miles of Paradise," is a large, vibrant reflection of life along the Beaches of South Walton. Questions? 850-267-1216. >> More info. |
| When What Where Cost More |
Wednesday, March 10 from 6-8PM Wednesday Night Concert Series Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Village Events Plaza Free Full event information - map & directions >> GO |
| When What Where Cost More |
Wednesday, March 10 @630-9PPM Live model figure drawing class studio b at Alys Beach $15 Full event information - map & directions >> GO. |
| When What Where Cost More |
Saturday, March 13 at 2PM 3rd Annual 30A St Patrick’s Parade Begin at Gulf Trace, ending at Gulf Place This year, the parade has a new route, with gathering near Gulf Trace (not Gulf Place) on the north side of 30A, proceeding along 30A westbound to end at Gulf Place. The “Best Parade Entry” judges table will be in front of Johnny McTighes in Blue Mountain Beach. The activities will continue after the parade at Gulf Place from 3-6PM - live music by the 23 Highlanders Bag Pipers, Irish Dancers performance, and a leprechaun hunt for kids. Link >> 30AParade.com. |
| When What Where Cost Details |
Sunday, March 14 from 6-730PM Benefit Concert for Muscogee Indian Nation The Chapel at Crosspoint on 393 The Muscogee Indian Nation of Bruce, Florida have fallen on very difficult times. Join the David Seering Trio for a benefit concert in their honor. Tickets are $25; all proceeds to benefit Muscogee Indian Nation. Questions? 850-267-3146. |
| MORE > |
See even MORE Community Events happening HERE and on the Calendar of Events! |
Live Music around Town .......
On Link ♥, we celebrate those who have embraced the potential and
power of the Internet, social networking, and social media. Here you'll find
links to websites, blogs, and other online spaces owned and operated by
locals and local businesses up and down the Emerald Coast.
♥ Paradise Taxi "Paradise Taxi serves these beach communities of south Walton County Florida, 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
♥ SellingSand.com "Scott Cobine, REALTOR, specializing in real estate in Grayton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Seagrove Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Seacrest, ..."
♥ CRUSH Wine Bar in SEASIDE, Florida on Facebook - "Part of the Harbor Restaurant Group family of restaurants, which includes Destin Chops 30A and Marina Cafe, Crush promises to meet high expectations of delicious food and hip, sophisticated atmosphere!" (CONTINUED BELOW)
Advertise here! ■ ■ ■
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♥ Hibiscus Guesthouse Weddings and Events on Facebook "Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse is now opening its Inn and grounds to host your Wedding or Special Event"
Just A Miscellaneous FUN & HELPFUL Link
♥ Fav4.org "A simple website to set as your browser's default start page featuring links to 4 of your favorite websites."
And Don't Forget About This Link ...
♥ South Walton CONNECT "Find It. Sell It. (for free!), blog and blab, unite with like-minded folks, upload photos and videos, and more!"
*UPDATES BELOW*
Federal Aviation Administration personnel from Birmingham, Alabama are arriving in South Walton County to take over the crash investigation of a single-engine aircraft which went down in the Gulf of Mexico at 12:36 this afternoon.
The World War Two era AT6-Texan crashed about a mile offshore from Topsail Hill Preserve State Park off South Walton County. The plane would then sink. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by numerous local, state, and federal agencies: the U.S. Coast Guard; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission; Walton Fire-Rescue; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Dive team.
Late this afternoon, divers were able to locate the aircraft with its two occupants inside. The male pilot and his female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies sent to the First Judicial Circuit Medical Examiners office in Fort Walton Beach for an autopsy. The release of the victims’ names is pending notification of family.
The FAA will coordinate efforts to retrieve the plane from the Gulf of Mexico, and will conduct its investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
Related Links: YOLO Board of Santa Rosa Beach recently announced the dates and locations of the 2010 South Walton county, Florida YOLO Board Stand Up Paddle Series that will kick off on May 13th at Eastern Lake.
The race series consists of male and female division four-member teams along with a new Elite Co-Ed Team division (3 guys, 1 girl) of experienced paddlers competing in a series of five relay races that will take place from May to August at various area locations.
Race paddlers vie for the champion title "2010 YOLO Board Cup Series" to be awarded after the final race in August. A new addition to the 2010 series are three 'Family Day' competitions scheduled throughout the season that allow family members to compete as teams in lighthearted, fun-filled races designed for all ages.
"Each year the race series seems to grow and evolve and we felt the Family Day races would be a nice addition to the more competitive division races," explained Jeff Archer, co-founder of YOLO Board. "We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and enthusiasm that has come from the local community in support of our brand. It's this unique grassroots energy that has helped YOLO Board distinguish itself among the other SUP brands as a respected leader in the industry, not only because of the quality and diversity of our products but because of our continued SUP community-building efforts. We're looking forward to seeing many familiar faces as well as new ones out on the water this season."
Scheduled race dates (weather permitting) are:
♥ ♥ ♥ Deja Vu Boutique Deja Vu Boutique, with locations in SEASIDE and Pier Park (in Panama City Beach), sells fashionable, hip, fun {and affordable!} women's dresses, blouses, shoes, bags and jewelry for every fashion diva.
Deja Vu Boutique
ShopWithDejaVu.com
♥ ♥ ♥ FirstFlorida Bank FirstFlorida Bank combines experienced and expert banking professionals with a community-minded approach to business. From simple banking transactions to complicated real estate deals, you can count on us to provide what you need, when you need it. At FirstFlorida, you are never an account number; you are our neighbor. Each day we are here to give you our best. We are your bank.
FirstFlorida Bank
FirstFlBank.com
♥ ♥ ♥
VIE people + places Magazine VIE is a French word
meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE Magazine sets itself apart as a
Northwest Florida regional, high-gloss publication focusing on human
interest stories and celebrating the “people and places” of the region
spanning Pensacola to Apalachicola.
VIE people +
places Magazine
Read the current
issue online
Follow VIE on Twitter & Facebook
♥ ♥ ♥ Jacqueline Ward Images
Maternity, infant, child, family, weddings and fine art photography for
all of life's love stories. Based in Santa Rosa Beach, smack dab in
between Destin and Panama City, JWI concentrates portrait sessions along
this stretch of the Florida Panhandle ... and also in Cape San Blas,
Apalachicola and St. George Island.
Jacqueline Ward
Images
JacquelineWardImages.com
4821 Highway 98 West,
Unit 106, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
850-267-1000
Follow
Jacqueline Ward Images on Facebook
Cornerstone
Marketing & Advertising, Inc.
TheIdeaBoutique.com
114
Logan Lane, Grayton Beach, Florida, 32459
(850) 231-3087
♥ ♥ ♥ Dune Allen Realty Since
1958, Dune Allen Realty has managed exceptional vacation rentals on the
breathtaking gulf coast of Northwest Florida, Florida's Panhandle,
acclaimed for its endless white sand beaches and crystal clear emerald
waters.
Dune Allen Realty
BeautifulBeach.com
5200
W. Scenic Hwy 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Reservations
888.267.2121
Follow Dune Allen Realty on Twitter
and Facebook
♥ ♥ ♥ Sinfonia Gulf Coast Sinfonia Gulf Coast is committed to entertaining, educating and inspiring the community through imaginative and innovative musical programming. Their goal is to enrich and expand the traditional orchestral experience through unique artistic disciplines and collaborations, enhancing this region's cultural vitality.
Sinfonia
Gulf Coast
SinfoniaGulfCoast.org
850.267.1478
Follow
Sinfonia Gulf Coast on Facebook.
♥ ♥ ♥ The Merchants of SEASIDE, Florida The Town of SEASIDE is a gulf front
community located on Scenic Highway 30A between Destin and Panama City
Beach, Florida. Founded in 1981, this renowned New Urbanist town is the
flagship cultural center of The Beaches of South Walton. Seaside has
over 400 homes and cottage rentals, and more than 50 specialty retail
shops and restaurants. Seaside’s thriving town center includes civic,
cultural and educational institutions; a public charter school, an
inter-faith chapel, a repertory theater and The Seaside Institute.
The
Merchants of SEASIDE
SeasideFL.com
Street Map of SEASIDE, Florida
(850)
231-5424
Follow The Merchants of SEASIDE on Facebook
♥ ♥ ♥ Beach to Bayou Property Inspections Beach to Bayou specializes in providing service to local neighborhoods in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties including. By limiting their service area they can better serve their clients and provide quick response times when scheduling inspections.
Beach to
Bayou Property Inspections
BeachToBayou.com
Office:
(850) 231-3313, Toll Free: (866) 830-8686
♥ ♥ ♥ Kitchen Garden Books & Antiques At Kitchen Garden Books & Antiques, sell old volumes of all sorts - used, rare, antiquarian & out-of-print. Buy old volumes, especially pre-WWI. Search old volumes - free book searches - "If I don't have it, I'll find where it is!" Research old volumes - for students, writers & researchers. Talk old volumes any time, any day.
Kitchen Garden Books &
Antiques
OnFoodandHistory.com
24357 US Hwy 331 South,
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
850.622.1077
♥ ♥ ♥ Pizza By The Sea Voted "Best Pizzeria in South Walton" for two straight years as well as
"Best Kid-Friendly Dining in South Walton" for 2009, Pizza By The Sea
uses only the finest selection of tomatoes, herbs and spices to go in to
their sauce, and the mozzarella they have chosen is quite simply the
best available.
Pizza By The Sea
PizzaByTheSea.com
88
Watercolor Way (Highway 395) in WaterColor Crossing, Seagrove Beach,
Florida 32459
850-231-3030
Follow Pizza By The Sea on Twitter and Facebook
The People of 30A is a "growing compilation of friendly and diverse people who help make this special place a home" by the extraordinarily talented photographer Shane Carter of the dynamic duo Marla & Shane Photographers.
Visit Shane's website at http://www.MarlaandShane.com. He can be reached at 850-217-9367 or via email at shane@marlaandshane.com.
[click to enlarge]
Justin Gaffrey, artist, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
"You can see Justin's work at World Six Gallery in Rosemary Beach. Or, for a
truly mind blowing experience, stop by his Blue Mountain Beach
gallery/work space. Sensory overload... It's amazing!" - Shane Carter
March Modern Lit Bookclub at Sundog Books in SEASIDE, Florida Come join fantastic discussion the third Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at Sundog Books in the SEASIDE, Florida Town Center [MAP] The next group will meet March 17 to discuss "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" by Dai Sijie.
About the book: In this enchanting tale about the magic of reading and the wonder of romantic awakening, two hapless city boys are exiled to a remote mountain village for reeducation during China's infamous Cultural Revolution. There they meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinses translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, they find transit from their grim surroundings to worlds they never imagined.
Questions? Visit Sundog Books or call 850-231-5481.
Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach March Events and Programs From home landscaping, to floral arranging, to several community outreach programs, The Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach is a very active group. Regular meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May. Here are the scheduled meetings and activities for March 2010:
Check out the NEW South Walton Community Event Page, too!
■ Friday & Saturday, March 5 & 6 at 9PM
Dread Clampitt Weekend at Bluz Bar & Grill Bluz Bar & Grill is kicking off Spring Break 2010 with a Dread Clampitt Weekend. Live music, food and drink specials all weekend. >> Directions.■ Friday & Saturday, March 5 - 6 @730PM
Seaside Repertory Theatre's 3rd Annual Rep Intern Winter Production
Rep's Meeting Hall Town Theatre [MAP] ; $10.
>> Full Info.■ Friday, March 5 from 5-8pm
► First Friday ArtWalk at SEASIDE
Ruskin Place at SEASIDE; Free
Full event information - map & directions >> GO.■ Saturday, March 6 from 8AM - 2PM
2nd Annual South Walton Montessori Academy Yard Sale
South Walton Montessori Academy
>> FULL INFO.■ Saturday, March 6 @9AM - 1PM
Saturday morning SEASIDE Farmer's Market
Seaside Town Center [MAP] >> INFO.■ Saturday, March 6 from 8AM - noon
Haz-Mat collection day for South Walton county, Florida
South Walton Mosquito Control District Headquarters on Hwy 393N
>> FULL INFO.■ Saturday, March 6 @9PM
2010 Karaoke Talent Quest Final Contest
Top This!/Karaoke Kafe at Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin [MAP] >> Starting at 9PM, finalists will compete for prizes. Questions? (850) 424.5322.■ Sunday, March 7 @ 7AM
► Annual SEASIDE School Half Marathon & 5K Run
Scenic Hwy 30A THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Check out the lane closure information for Sunday >> HERE.
■ Weekend live music venues, Sunday brunch and church services >> here.
Are you friends with us on Facebook? No? You are missing out on tons of real time information updates, news, event reminders, local chatter, and more. Join us today >> HERE.
■ Advertise
here! ■
The energizing sounds reminiscent of Vintage Hollywood Cabaret and Big Band will fill the air on Tuesday, March 23 as Pink Martini with lead vocalist China Forbes takes center-stage in Sinfonia Gulf Coast's Gala Event: An Evening in Vintage Hollywood featuring Pink Martini at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island [MAP].
The venerable and well-traveled ensemble of twelve joins Sinfonia Gulf Coast for an explosive evening of amazing music. Having shaken up the music world in their debut in 1994, Portland, Oregon-based Pink Martini has been featured around the globe from the Cannes Film Festival to LA’s Disney Concert Hall to Singapore. You may not even know that you are familiar with their oeuvre considering that their music has been featured on compilations from Starbucks, commercials for Volkswagen, Lexus and in top-rated TV dramas such as “The West Wing,” “The Sopranos” and films such as “Nurse Betty” and “In the Cut,” just to name a few. (continued below)
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Advertise
here!
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Continue reading "From the ART Scene - Renowned "Pink Martini" band in concert March 23" »
