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.
■■ Sterling Resorts acquires leading 30A rental management firm >>
■■ Peoples First facing merger, sale or takeover >>
■■ State economists updating Fla. revenue estimate >>
■■ PC Christmas parade Saturday; road closure announced >>
■■ Christmas comes to Destin >>
■■ A Walton County Christmas >>
■■ South Waltoner helped make history and take down The Wall >>
■■ Seaside remembers Woodie Long in retrospective exhibit >>
■■ Winding road puts Cuvee Beach back on the market >>
■■ Driver speeds past deputy, clocked at 116 mph in FWB>>
■■ Tornado hits Eglin >>
Continue reading "Latest News Headlines & Links from around the Emerald Coast" »
Live Music? Sunday Brunch? Art & Theater Events?
Wooo - it's Friday, folks. And that means it's time to start planning your weekend at the beach! We make it easy for you to do just that, so you have more time to get on out and enjoy paradise! Here are the Hip Happening Highlights this weekend.
And for the full skinny on what's happening in South Walton this weekend, don't forget to check the Calendar of Events.
► First Friday ArtWalk at SEASIDE >> Enjoy live music, view beautiful works of art and artist demonstrations at the galleries and shops of Ruskin Place [MAP] and at select locations in Central Square. Questions? (850) 231-5424.
► Live Music & Entertainment Around Town >> See all the venues around town here
► More events >> GO
Alys Beach announced that it will host the third annual Digital Graffiti festival on Saturday, June 12, 2010. Digital Graffiti is the world's first outdoor projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to project original video art onto the resort town's iconic white walls and rooftops.
See information from previous Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach festivals >> here
"No where else does the architecture of an entire community become a canvas for digital art," said Florida's Governor Charlie Crist. "Digital Graffiti embodies the innovation and originality that Florida prides itself on supporting."How exciting! 30A.com tuned me in to the FABULOUS news that Frommer's, the popular travel guidebook series and one of the bestselling travel guides in America, has named "Florida Panhandle Beaches" as one of the Top 12 Destinations in the world in 2010!!
Check out the other Top Destinations we share this accolade with!
Here is a blurb of what they had to say,
"From Destin to the west, where you can hire a fishing or sailing charter, to the smattering of National Seashores as you move east, there's really something for everyone. Seaside's planned community is so "perfect" it was the setting for the The Truman Show, yet you'll also find old-school Florida towns with funky shops, tiny hotels, pristine beaches, and the perfect cottage to rent." >> Read full article
I feel we are witnessing a "tipping point" for our area in terms of mainstream exposure, thanks to the consistent and big budget marketing efforts of the St. Joe Company, the county TDCs, Coastal Vision 3000; and the many other businesses and entities up and down the Emerald Coast over the last decade. Throw in the national and international media coverage about the construction of the new airport - the first airport to built in the states in over 20 years - and I think we are about ready to see a huge improvement in our areas economic health thanks to a robust spike in tourism. We are, first and foremost, a tourist driven economy. Cross your fingers it will trickle down into the real estate and construction sectors sooner than later! Because, have no doubt whatsoever, at some point ... it will.
Exciting!
South Walton resident Brian Connell of Seashore Construction emailed me earlier in the week asking if I could confirm a rumor circulating that singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus was in South Walton.
It was confirmed this morning by Amavida Coffee on Facebook who posted this update on their fan page,
"Miley Cyrus paid us a visit at Amavida Rosemary last Monday. Nice crew and she fancies white Mochas."
Welcome to South Walton, Miley! Hope you have enjoyed your time in our slice of paradise! Come back and see us soon!
Related Links:
Popular Torchlight Film Series continues this Saturday, December 5 at WaterColor Resort This Saturday, December 5, as part of the successful on-going film series presented by FSU’s Film School and the St. Joe Community Foundation, Seaside, Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach, the WaterColor Boat House [MAP] will play host to the Torchlight's Emerging Filmmakers Program, presented by Paul Cohen, director of The Torchlight Program. The audience will screen three short films created by new writers and directors whose work is regarded as exceptional by film industry professionals. Admission is free of charge. Questions? (850) 534-5000.
SCHEDULE: 7:00 pm Cocktail Reception (cash bar) and 7:45 pm Screening and Discussion
Valerie Scoon, former Director of Development for Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Pictures and whose credits include The Great Debaters and Beloved, will moderate a discussion with the filmmakers after the screening. Ms. Scoon mentored all three filmmakers through the creative development process of their films.
Launched this past October and continuing for a full year, The Torchlight Program began screening exciting contemporary feature films in partner communities, and has brought in guest filmmakers and cinema experts to talk about film. The idea was first hatched in a meeting that Frank Patterson, dean of The Film School, had with Robert Davis, Seaside’s founder and the father of the New Urbanism design movement, as well as leaders of the St. Joe Community Foundation.
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2nd Annual SWFD Family Elf Ride down Scenic 30A from 1-3PM is happening this Sunday, December 6 The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) will be hosting the 2nd Annual Elf Ride Down 30A on Sunday, December 6, 2009. Children and parents should meet at the Seaside, Florida Post Office at 1PM and everyone will bicycle or walk to the South Walton Fire District Station 2/WaterColor (approximately 1.5 miles) on Hwy 395. Please bring a toy (wrapped) and labeled with “boy” or “girl”, age and toy description to benefit the Angel Tree, which SWFD also hosts at Station 3/Headquarters.
► New South Walton campus of Northwest Florida State College opening for Spring Semester 2010 Attention education seekers! Northwest Florida State College is opening it's brand spanking new South Walton campus in January! Located at 109 Greenway Trail, right off of HWY 331 South [MAP], construction on the new facility began in 2007 and has four classrooms, a lab, and an auditorium seating up to 200 people. Both college credit classes and personal enrichment courses will be offered in the new location. There are several classes being offered in January - visit www.nwfsc.edu to enroll online or onsite enrollment will be offered beginning on Jan. 4. Questions? (850) 267-2888.
► No weather damage reported in Walton county According to the WCSO, there have been no reports of injuries or structural damage due to the frontal system in advance of a cold front moving in from the west. Beginning around 6:15AM this morning, Walton County’s Emergency Operation’s Center received calls on several minor issues including a tree lying across the road on Walton County Road 181, about two miles East of Highway 83 north of DeFuniak Springs. In addition, a downed tree caused several traffic delays on Forest Shore Drive in the Sandestin area in South Walton County. Earlier this morning there were reportedly two places under water near the intersection of State Highway 2 and U.S. 331, a few miles south of Paxton. The Walton County EOC reports that all the issues have been handled, and county work crews continue to monitor the roads and bridges looking for any obstructions or damage.
