August 2016



30a.news

Beach Bonfires on 30A — Everything You Need to Know

By Susan Vallee Think you’ve got this whole 30A beach thing down? Well, let’s see … you’ve cheered the sunset ringing of the bell at Bud & Alley’s, you’ve sipped mimosas while grooving to Dread Clampitt at The Red Bar and you’ve YOLO’d your way across Western Lake … but have you experienced the magic of a bonfire on the beach? When you combine the fun of a campfire (s’mores, cuddling and shared laughter) with the dramatic beauty of the beach at night, it becomes an experience that is hard to top. Cool sand between your toes, the warmth of a roaring fire, the sound of waves crashing in front of you while burning embers float upwards towards the sky — it really is an extraordinary experience. Book your beach bonfire now.   Of course, the only thing better than enjoying a beach bonfire is not having to haul all the chairs and coolers down to the beach, setting up the fire pit, and then cleaning up the ensuing mess in the dark. 30A has plenty of companies willing to come down to the beach and set one up for you — and they know how to do it right. You can even add s’mores to your evening of fun — great for kids and adults alike. Who doesn’t like to roast a good marshmallow? If you’d rather do it all yourself, it’s not hard to obtain a permit from the South Walton Fire District. Cost is $50. Visit their website for more info. WARNING: Fines for a not properly permitted or executed beach bonfire range from $200 to two months in jail, so make sure you understand the rules and regulations before setting out on your own. Book your beach bonfire here now or visit this page for more information about permits and regulations. SUSAN VALLEE has been writing about the beauty and quirkiness of 30A for longer than she’d care to admit. A transplant from Atlanta, Susan loves the small-town feel and tight-knit local community here. Susan is the author of Meet Me on 30A. Read More


30a.news

Watching 99L storm closely

MIAMI, Florida – NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami, – a legitimate weather source – issued a Tropical Weather Outlook at 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2016, due the presence of a tropical wave that could become a Tropical Storm  and impact U.S. Gulf Coast states. The […] Read More



30a.news

FRIDAY: Don’t Miss CVHN’s Hurricane Party at Bud & Alley’s

Bud & Alley’s will host the 12th Annual Hurricane Party on Friday, September 23, benefitting Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc. The party runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and includes entertainment by 4 Barrel Funk. Along with the amazing views, food, beverages, dancing and fun that Bud and Alley’s is famous for, the event will also feature a live and silent auction. “The Hurricane Party goes back to the very beginning of Children’s Volunteer Health Network”, said Executive Director, Zach Billingsley. When the Founding Members of CVHN were planning the very first fundraiser for the organization back in 2004, hurricane evacuations threatened the success of the event. The event organizers personally called the invitation list asking people to come back into town for the Hurricane Party. The community showed up in a big way raising more than $40,000 and the name stuck. Now in its 12th year, the Hurricane Party has become a must-attend event for locals and visitors of the Emerald Coast. Listen to the story and learn more in this 30A Radio exclusive: “We are so pleased to be hosting the Hurricane Party benefiting CVHN again this year at Bud & Alley’s,” said Dave Rauschkolb, owner of Bud & Alley’s. “We are drawn to this cause because the heart of this organization is about enriching children’s lives.  Providing free, essential health and dental services to uninsured and under-insured children lessens suffering and builds stronger, more productive and happy children in our area.  Together we can make a tremendous and meaningful difference for these children. Please join us for this important event.” The evening festivities will build up to a live auction where exclusive trips, private dinners with local chefs and more create a bidding frenzy each year. All proceeds from the event go to CVHN, which spends 94 cents of every dollar on its programs that help kids in Walton and Okaloosa counties to sustain the CVHN mission for their three major programs: a 34’ Mobile Dental Clinic that visits local elementary schools and other local charities, a network of volunteer providers and the CVHN Dental Clinic located in Santa Rosa Beach. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with heavy creole hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are limited and will be $100 in advance and $125 day of the party. Guests will be able to purchase tickets online or by phone beginning August 1st. For more info on sponsorships, or to purchase tickets, visit cvhnkids.org/hurricane or contact Amy at 850.622.3200 ext. 101 or admin@cvhnkids.org. Read More


30a.news

Storm Invest 99L Tracking and Update

https://www.facebook.com/WaltonCountyEM Latest on Invest 99l Visit our weather tracking satellite and radar page  HERE     Here is the latest on Invest 99L. A little good news. The system has become less organized and the chances of development have slightly decreased. We are not out of the woods […] Read More