[[{“value”:” Old Florida Fish House Weekdays For over a decade, Old Florida Fish House has proudly featured local live music. Catch artists playing inside the coveted bar and lounge area as well as in the large outdoor dining space situated among the palm and oak trees under the twinkling lights next to Eastern Lake throughout the week. Dueling pianos are every Thursday. Don’t miss: Christmas Carolers Dec. 20, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Visit www.oldfloridafishhouse.com for more info. FOOW Live Music Fridays and Sunday Brunch  Enjoy live music on Friday nights, as well as Sundays for Brunch, featuring bottomless mimosas at FOOW – Fish Out of Water. The Gulf-front restaurant invites you to enjoy delicious dining paired with live music. Visit foow30a.com. AJ’s Grayton Brunch and Live Music AJ’s is the place to be to celebrate all things Sunday Funday in Grayton Beach! Come for brunch starting at 11 a.m., and stay for the live music and dancing. Have a mimosa or go all in with their famous Build Your Own Bloody Mary bar. Join in the fun on Karaoke Night starting at 8 p.m. every Thursday night (also Prime Rib Night). Check ajsgrayton.com for live music throughout the week. Shunk Gulley Shunk Gulley is a premier location on 30A for live music, bringing in artists from around the Gulf coast and beyond. Whether you just want to relax to indie guitar players or upbeat party songs, the talented musicians know the vibe of the area. Visit www.shunkgulley.com. Red Fish Taco Live music... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Seasoned real estate professional and entrepreneur Robert Weil to guide the brand’s next chapter in 30A Beaches region Engel & Völkers Florida today announced that Robert Weil has acquired the franchise license for Engel & Völkers 30A Beaches. A longtime resident with a proven record of success in the 30A market, Weil brings more than a decade of experience, an MBA from The George Washington University, and specialized training from the KARRASS School of Effective Negotiating to the role. His vision is to expand Engel & Völkers’ luxury presence along Florida’s Emerald Coast while cultivating a collaborative and mentorship-driven culture among advisors. “To be both a broker and a business owner is a calling,” Weil said. “After more than 30 years of visiting and 14 years living and working in the 30A area, the opportunity to lead Engel & Völkers 30A Beaches felt like the right next step. I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration and mentorship in real estate, and this is a chance to foster that culture while raising the bar for service, professionalism and integrity in our market.”  Weil has already secured the brokerage’s location at 43 Cassine Way, Suite 101 in the heart of Seagrove Beach. Seagrove Beach is central to 30A, in close proximity to its most popular neighborhoods. The space is now being built out to reflect Engel & Völkers’ iconic shop concept, with a grand opening celebration planned upon completion. Weil, a licensed real estate professional since 2012, brings more than a... Read More

LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The new Liberty County Jail and Sheriff’s Office is now complete. And soon it will become operational, with staff and inmates moving in. Dozens of Liberty County residents showed up Friday to check out the new complex. Before they went in, sheriffs officials cut the ribbon and raised the flags […] Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Gueary Clendening How is it that Geese fly south in the winter? Who gives them instructions for the trip? Why can an ant carry 50 times its weight, the equivalent of a 180-pound man carrying a full-grown cow? It seems to me God is in the business of making the impossible happen! In Luke’s gospel, we are given the story of a young lady named Mary, who is visited by an angel; She’s told she would give birth to the Son of God. It’s found in Luke, chapter one, verse thirty-four through thirty-eight. Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby? I’m a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; So the baby born to you will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative, Elizabeth, has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she is already in her sixth month, for nothing shall be impossible with God.” God’s timing is always perfect! Elizabeth’s pregnancy was used by God to encourage Mary to believe that God would fulfil His promise. Another impossibility happened to me personally. On May 2, 2024, I made an appointment for my annual appointment with my cardiologist in Pensacola, Florida, for May 8, 2025. During the first few days of May, in the week before my appointment,  I began to suffer extreme pain... Read More

 [[{“value”:” The Ladies of Distinction of Walton County honored Walton County Democratic Women’s Club President Karen McGee at their Annual Banquet on Nov. 8, 2025. Ms. McGee was given a Certificate of Achievement for services done within the Black community. The post WCDWC Bestows Honors at Annual Banquet appeared first on South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information. “}]]  South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information  Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Helen Petre Welcome to fall! It is time for us humans to break out the blankets and jackets, but what do our wild animals do to prepare? Fortunately, they have everything they need to stay warm. In the fall, most animals start eating a lot. They need to add a layer of fat to keep them warm and provide energy to sustain them through the winter when there is little food. The Florida black bear, Ursus americanus floridanus The Florida black bear is the only bear in Florida. There are about 4,000 in all of Florida, but only about 120 in the western Panhandle, mostly in Eglin. They prefer dense undergrowth in scrub oak ecosystems, swamps, and flatwoods. One was seen in Grayton Beach State Park recently, and it was not small. Should we be worried about large, dangerous animals while walking in the woods or on the beach? Probably not. As with all wildlife you encounter in their habitats, give them room and do not try to interact with them. If you are hiking in an area that is bear habitat, make noise. If the bear hears you, he will most likely move away from you. Bears mate in the summer, but the eggs do not implant until November, and then, only if the female has gained enough weight. The cubs are born in January as tiny, helpless things weighing less than a pound. Females feed and protect them denned in the saw palmetto understory until spring.... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Westonwood Ranch Receives $400,000 State Funding for New Life Skills and Job Training Center Funding, championed by Rep. Shane Abbott and Sen. Jay Trumbull, will also support a broader initiative to bring affordable supportive housing for young adults with developmental disabilities to Northwest Florida. Westonwood Ranch has been awarded $400,000 in State of Florida Appropriations through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Westonwood Ranch plans to utilize this transformative investment to fund and support the construction of their new life skills and job training building. This expansion marks a major milestone in Westonwood Ranch’s mission to provide meaningful learning and employment opportunities for individuals with developmental differences. The new facility will serve as a hub for vocational training, independent living skills, and hands-on workforce readiness programs. It is also a vital component of a broader project addressing a critical need in Northwest Florida — the development of affordable, supportive housing for young adults with developmental disabilities. By expanding its resources, Westonwood Ranch will be able to prepare more participants for success in both personal and professional environments, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives. Westonwood Ranch extends its deepest gratitude to Representative Shane Abbott (R–District 5) and Senator Jay Trumbull (R–District 2) for their leadership and advocacy in securing this funding. Their steadfast commitment to expanding opportunities for individuals with developmental differences has been instrumental in moving this project forward. “I am proud to support Westonwood Ranch and their mission to empower individuals with developmental differences through education, training, and... Read More

 [[{“value”:” United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC) is honored to receive a generous $50,000 investment from Forever Warriors, powered by Step One Automotive Group, in support of Mission United, a program serving active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, and their families. This funding comes at a critical time as recent challenges have created heightened needs across our community. In this first month of partnership, UWEC and Forever Warriors hosted a drive-through food distribution with the Hurlburt Field First Sergeants and allocated more than $10,000 in emergency financial assistance to help military families cover essential expenses. One recipient shared the impact of Mission United, stating, “We are profoundly grateful for their essential support. Their financial assistance came at a critical moment for an Airman who was grieving the loss of a family member and welcoming a new baby, all while being the sole provider for his three children and veteran partner. (This) aid provided a much-needed sense of security, allowing him to focus on his family; a testament to your dedication to our military members.” 1 of 5 Mission United connects military-affiliated individuals with critical resources when other funding is unavailable. Support has included emergency assistance, mental health services, housing support, and employment or career transition assistance. Since its launch in 2023, the program has served more than 5,000 service members and veterans across Okaloosa and Walton counties. “We are deeply grateful to Forever Warriors for stepping forward when our military families need it most,” said Kelly Jasen, President & CEO of United... Read More