South Walton county, Florida & Scenic Hwy 30A - SouthWaltonScene.com™

Hip Happenings, Local Gossip & Other Notable News in South Walton [April 30, 2011]

Saturday morning Seaside Farmer's Market is ramping up for the season again!  Don't miss it every Saturday from 9AM - 1PM  --> Info.

South Walton Wal-Mart is getting prepped to open!  --> Read about it.

Turtle Fest at Gulf Place is happening TODAY, Saturday April 30 from 1 to 6 p.m..  Art, music by Chuck Lawson ( 1 to 3) & The Forrest Willams Band (3 to 6), and lots of interactive activities for everyone.  Location info.

FACEBOOK LIKES - Check out these online spaces to "LIKE" on Facebook:

• Bud & Alley's Restaurant in Seaside
• Andy Saczynski's Art
• Allison Craft Designs
• Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
• Kim Pall - 30A Style
• Seagrove Village MarketCafe
• Ophelia Swimwear
• One Thought

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Local brewski --> 30A Brewing Company is coming to South Walton!  --> Info.

30A Studio opens in Grayton Beach --> Read about it.

Area drought fuels fire risk. --> Read about it.

Recycle!  TWO new services are now offered in South Walton county: Blu-Binz Curbside Recycling and SoWal Recycle.  Cool!

Health Brief  --> Info.

In The News -->

Walton County commissioners finally divorced themselves this week from a controversial proposal to regulate short-term rentals, apparently because they have irreconcilable differences — with the basic ideas of freedom. Continue reading.

Do you Flickr?? Share your pics of South Walton on the "South Walton Through The Lens" Flickr group! --> Info.

South Walton on the 'Net -->

• Exclusive: Northwest Florida Road Trip (Florida Travel & Life)
• Alys Beach (Mr. Call Blogs)

From the BUSINESS Scene - SHOP FOR A JOB! Silver Sands parnters with Jobs Plus to fill hundreds of available positions

Silver Sands Factory Stores launched its series of “Shop For a Job” on-site festivals last week and they will continue for the next three Wednesdays as over 65 designer companies hire for multiple positions.

Hundreds of jobs are currently available, from part-time sales and stock ssociates to full-time managers for all experience levels, offering competitive pay, flexible schedules, generous store discounts and other great benefits.

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From the BUSINESS Scene - Zoo Gallery, Bentley's on the Bay, Source 27 and The Premier Property Group

The Zoo Gallery Now Open in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin The Zoo Gallery is now open in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.  The store, which opened in its original location in 1979 in Fort Walton Beach, is famous for their eclectic and colorful gifts, accessories, jewelry and art. The owners, Chris and Roxie Wilson, also create much sought-after original tee-shirt designs each year that are collected by their customers.

“I think Grand Boulevard is a great blend of stores and restaurants; it’s a good fit for us,” said Roxie Wilson. “This space was meant for us.”

The new store is larger and able to carry more merchandise and lines, though the original premise of blending art and unique offerings remains foremost. The new store also carries wearable art, books, greeting cards, hand-crafted furniture, pottery and specialty gift items.

From the South Walton BUSINESS Scene - News from Hilton Sandestin; Dr. Bawa & Associates; Porath & Associates, P.A.

The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is proud to announce that Gary Brielmayer has been promoted to General Manager from his role as Manager of Hotel Operations at Northwest Florida’s largest full-service beachfront resort hotel.

In his new role, Brielmayer will oversee all areas of the distinguished 598-room property, including its award-winning spa, Serenity by the sea, and AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, as well as manage approximately 500 employees and 60 directors and managers.

Brielmayer has been a longtime team member of the Hilton Sandestin Beach, having joined the hotel as its Director of Restaurants in 1998, and then having been promoted to Assistant Director of Food and Beverage, and later Director of Food and Beverage, prior to becoming the Manager of Hotel Operations in 2006.

He may be reached at 850-267-9500 or at gbrielmayer@hiltonsandestinbeach.com.

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Dr. Nitin Bawa has returned from Orlando, Florida where he attended the conference of the Institute of Integrative Medicine.  Integrative Medicine is the attempt to integrate holistic and natural therapies into every day medicine. Integrative medicine does not seek to replace traditional medicine with alternative therapies but seeks to utilize the best aspects of both sides.  

Local Chatter - February Art in Public Places, A+Art Venue Opens in Santa Rosa Beach and more.

February Art in Public Places: The Walton County TDC and Friends of Coastal Branch Library present the February 2011 Art in Public Places exhibit, featuring artist Peggy Jones.  Each month, this partnership brings new, distinct exhibits to the public through displays at the Coastal Branch Library.

Peggy creates paintings and collages in impressionist and abstract styles, mixing abstract and realism as much as possible.  She uses acrylic paint and mixed media such as found objects, papers, gels and paints to produce pieces that range from surreal and whimsical to composite and somber.   Peggy describes her work as being “all over the color wheel,” and acknowledges that her work varies with her moods.

Painting from her little studio on Eastern Lake, she credits travel, family, friends, teachers, music, museums, literature, nature and religion for helping her find inspiration. Peggy's work will be on display at the Coastal Branch Library in Santa Rosa Beach [MAP] through Feb 28.

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New South Walton Exhibition Venue - A+Art - Announced for Local Artists

Foodie News You Can Use - Big changes coming to Santa Rosa Beach Club on Scenic 30A

Santa Rosa Beach Club, founded in 1969, is changing.  This March, the Beach Club restaurant will reopen with a whole new look and name.

“The golf and beach club is adapting to the economic climate. We have the best view of the Gulf of Mexico, and our facilities need to match that. says Jim Shepherd, acting General Manager. Most people in the area don’t know the club is open to the public. Our new plan aims to change that.”

Around Town - Sinfonia Gulf Coast Mobile App; 2011 Sacred Heart Blood Drive; New business opens in Grand Boulevard

There's an app for that too! Sinfonia Gulf Coast now has a FREE mobile app.  The Sinfonia Gulf Coast App is the easiest way to follow Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Now you have access to Sinfonia Gulf Coast's music anytime, anywhere.  Get concert and ticket information and news from Sinfonia, watch videos, write comments and reviews and more.  Click HERE for more info and to download the app.

From the HEALTH Scene Save a life - Donate Blood. Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast has partnered with Northwest Florida Blood Services and will be hosting a blood drive each month at the hospital [MAP]. According to the Northwest Florida Blood Center, there is an elevated need for O+, O-, A- and B- blood types. All blood types are welcome, but there is a significant need for those listed. on blood donation, please contact Northwest Florida Blood Services at (850) 862-4216.

Foodie News You Can Use: "V" Restaurant at Hotel Viridian to open this February

The much anticipated Hotel Viridian, located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Hwy. 30-A and 395 is currently under construction and nearing completion of phase one of the two-phase project.

The hotel’s name, “Viridian,” draws its inspiration from and pays homage to the blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico.  The single-story 6,700-square-foot restaurant “V,” with plans to open doors to patrons in February 2011, will be the first phase completed with the hotel portion coming soon.

“This project has been in the making for over five years. My partners and I consider it a beacon of hope for the community—and a true blessing that we’re able to see our vision realized,” said co-owner and seasoned restaurateur George Hartley.

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Around Town! College Entrepreneur Invitational; CVHN's Christmas Party a success; Call for vendors.

Students to compete in 850 Business Magazine’s College Entrepreneur Invitational Teams of college students from across Northwest Florida will meet in Miramar Beach Friday to pitch their plans for starting a new business in the region — and compete for the $5,000 grand prize in 850 Business Magazine’s College Entrepreneur Invitational. 

The event will be held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa on Friday, Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.  Judging will begin at 9 a.m.  Winners will be announced in the afternoon during a dessert reception.

Besides taking home cash to give wings to their business plan, the first place winners will also be given a chance to pitch their idea in a meeting with local venture capitalists.

Congrats to Kevin Moran of Seagar's Prime Steaks & Seafood in Sandestin!

Kevin Moran, general manager of Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, located at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, was recently awarded the designation of Certified Wine Specialist by the Society of Wine Educators.

Prior to receiving the certification, Moran was tested by the society for his academic knowledge and mastery of key elements regarding wine. The society reports only 51 percent of those who take the exam receive a score that merits certification.

"We're honored to have Kevin at the helm of our award-winning restaurant and are tremendously proud of his accomplishments in the industry," said Robert Kamm, president and CEO of Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, which manages the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. "There are only 3,600 individuals in the world who hold the Certified Wine Specialist distinction. Kevin’s inclusion in this elite professional group provides yet another testament to the excellence in service for which Seagar's is known."