Local Gossip and Gab in South Walton [February 25, 2010]

■■  Ann & George Hartley, owners of several local restaurants, emailed to clarify that they are not associated with the new store, Snappy Turtle, going in next door to Seagrove Village Market. From Anne, "I have been asked a jillion times if we are doing the shop next to the Seagrove Village market where the bank/ church used to be.  We are not associated with it….. it’s totally separate from us."

Additionally, any rumors you may have heard about another Hartley restaurant are, well, rumors. Again, Anne has to say, "...Hotel Viridian (is) beginning it’s Phase ONE and that is to be a single story restaurant on the corner of 395 and 30A.  That will not be a Hartley restaurant…The clearing on Grove and 395 is merely for parking since the 395/ 30A parking will be taken away."  Thanks, Anne and George for the updates!

■■ Who won? Sandestin Wine Festival Wine Competition Winners Announced In late January, over 40 wine aficionados gathered together to judge the over 400 wines in 60 categories for the 24th annual Sandestin Wine Festival competition.  See who won >> Here.

■■ Donna Burgess Gallery is moving Help local artist Donna Burgess celebrate the move into a new gallery space at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP] next to Fusion Glass Art Gallery on March 12 from 5-7pm. 

■■  Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach welcomes new General Manager, Jaie O’Banner

■■  Ann & George Hartley, owners of several local restaurants, emailed to clarify that they are not associated with the new store, Snappy Turtle, going in next door to Seagrove Village Market. From Anne, "I have been asked a jillion times if we are doing the shop next to the Seagrove Village market where the bank/ church used to be.  We are not associated with it….. it’s totally separate from us."

Additionally, any rumors you may have heard about another Hartley restaurant are, well, rumors. Again, Anne has to say, "...Hotel Viridian (is) beginning it’s Phase ONE and that is to be a single story restaurant on the corner of 395 and 30A.  That will not be a Hartley restaurant…The clearing on Grove and 395 is merely for parking since the 395/ 30A parking will be taken away."  Thanks, Anne and George for the updates!

■■ Who won? Sandestin Wine Festival Wine Competition Winners Announced In late January, over 40 wine aficionados gathered together to judge the over 400 wines in 60 categories for the 24th annual Sandestin Wine Festival competition.  See who won >> Here.

■■ Donna Burgess Gallery is moving Help local artist Donna Burgess celebrate the move into a new gallery space at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP] next to Fusion Glass Art Gallery on March 12 from 5-7pm. 

■■  Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach welcomes new General Manager, Jaie O’Banner

■■  Ann & George Hartley, owners of several local restaurants, emailed to clarify that they are not associated with the new store, Snappy Turtle, going in next door to Seagrove Village Market. From Anne, "I have been asked a jillion times if we are doing the shop next to the Seagrove Village market where the bank/ church used to be.  We are not associated with it….. it’s totally separate from us."

Additionally, any rumors you may have heard about another Hartley restaurant are, well, rumors. Again, Anne has to say, "...Hotel Viridian (is) beginning it’s Phase ONE and that is to be a single story restaurant on the corner of 395 and 30A.  That will not be a Hartley restaurant…The clearing on Grove and 395 is merely for parking since the 395/ 30A parking will be taken away."  Thanks, Anne and George for the updates!

■■ Who won? Sandestin Wine Festival Wine Competition Winners Announced In late January, over 40 wine aficionados gathered together to judge the over 400 wines in 60 categories for the 24th annual Sandestin Wine Festival competition.  See who won >> Here.

■■ Donna Burgess Gallery is moving Help local artist Donna Burgess celebrate the move into a new gallery space at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP] next to Fusion Glass Art Gallery on March 12 from 5-7pm. 

■■  Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach welcomes new General Manager, Jaie O’Banner

■■  Ann & George Hartley, owners of several local restaurants, emailed to clarify that they are not associated with the new store, Snappy Turtle, going in next door to Seagrove Village Market. From Anne, "I have been asked a jillion times if we are doing the shop next to the Seagrove Village market where the bank/ church used to be.  We are not associated with it….. it’s totally separate from us."

Additionally, any rumors you may have heard about another Hartley restaurant are, well, rumors. Again, Anne has to say, "...Hotel Viridian (is) beginning it’s Phase ONE and that is to be a single story restaurant on the corner of 395 and 30A.  That will not be a Hartley restaurant…The clearing on Grove and 395 is merely for parking since the 395/ 30A parking will be taken away."  Thanks, Anne and George for the updates!

■■ Who won? Sandestin Wine Festival Wine Competition Winners Announced In late January, over 40 wine aficionados gathered together to judge the over 400 wines in 60 categories for the 24th annual Sandestin Wine Festival competition.  See who won >> Here.

■■ Donna Burgess Gallery is moving Help local artist Donna Burgess celebrate the move into a new gallery space at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP] next to Fusion Glass Art Gallery on March 12 from 5-7pm. 

■■  Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach welcomes new General Manager, Jaie O’Banner

■■  Ann & George Hartley, owners of several local restaurants, emailed to clarify that they are not associated with the new store, Snappy Turtle, going in next door to Seagrove Village Market. From Anne, "I have been asked a jillion times if we are doing the shop next to the Seagrove Village market where the bank/ church used to be.  We are not associated with it….. it’s totally separate from us."

Additionally, any rumors you may have heard about another Hartley restaurant are, well, rumors. Again, Anne has to say, "...Hotel Viridian (is) beginning it’s Phase ONE and that is to be a single story restaurant on the corner of 395 and 30A.  That will not be a Hartley restaurant…The clearing on Grove and 395 is merely for parking since the 395/ 30A parking will be taken away."  Thanks, Anne and George for the updates!

■■ Who won? Sandestin Wine Festival Wine Competition Winners Announced In late January, over 40 wine aficionados gathered together to judge the over 400 wines in 60 categories for the 24th annual Sandestin Wine Festival competition.  See who won >> Here.

■■ Donna Burgess Gallery is moving Help local artist Donna Burgess celebrate the move into a new gallery space at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP] next to Fusion Glass Art Gallery on March 12 from 5-7pm. 

■■  Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach welcomes new General Manager, Jaie O’Banner

No stranger to locals, visitors and fine dining enthusiasts, many will recognize a familiar face on their next visit to Caliza Restaurant!  Jaie brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to Caliza's team. He served as managing partner of Trattoria Borago in Grayton Beach, and more recently, as General Manager of Fish Out of Water, a restaurant that achieved the AAA 4 Diamond award. As General Manager, Jaie maintained that AAA 4 Diamond status for years, was awarded a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and was highlighted as the best performing outlet in the Noble House portfolio in regard to revenue, revenue management, and guest satisfaction. He has also personally attained Level One certification through the Guild of Master Sommeliers.

■■ Congratulations to Shane Reynolds of Color Earth The video series he produced in 2009 for Beach Properties of Florida won a Gold ADDY Award in Video Promotions as well as Best of Show at the 2010 ADDY Awards Gala last weekend. If you haven't seen them yet check out his award-winning series >> Here.

■■ Volunteers needed at the Annual SEASIDE School Half Marathon & 5K Run The Seaside School Half Marathon and 5K will take place in 2 weeks, on Sunday, March 7th. More than 3,000 runners and their families will be staying in the area and organizers need about 300 volunteers to make this annual event successful.  Unfilled volunteer opps are still open for a few hours on the morning of March 7th, from about 645-10AM to give out water and man intersections along the race course. All volunteers get a free tee.  If you're interested, please email Jessica Duggan at jessicaduggan@msn.com.

■■  Congrats to Jacqueline Ward Images, Sweet Bay Prints and Poor Truman Creative Serivices on the grand opening of their fabulous new digs at 4821 Highway 98 West, Unit 106 on Hwy. 98 in Santa Rosa Beach!  Check out the Grand Opening photos >> HERE.

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