[[{“value”:” Spending the Christmas holidays on 30A or South Walton? You’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate around the Emerald Coast! Night of Lights at Baytowne Wharf Now-Dec. 31 Enjoy a festival light show in The Village of Baytowne Wharf. There will be three dazzling shows on the Village Christmas Tree and Event Plaza at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. baytownewharf.com Baytowne On Ice Now – Feb. 8 Dust off those skates and get in the winter spirit at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice. For those visitors who miss the cold and ice, our seasonal ice rink is the perfect opportunity to share some of your favorite holiday traditions. Ice rink is open October 31st – February 8th. Hours vary daily. Skaters must be at least 3 years of age and fit into appropriately sized skates. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by a parent or adult family member. baytownewharf.com Village of Baytowne Wharf Holiday Concert Series and Visits with Santa Dec. 11 & 18 Visit with St. Nick and share your holiday wishlist! Visit Baytowne December 11th and 18th from 6-8 p.m. for a Holiday Concert and Visits with Santa. PLUS, Visit with Santa from 5-7 p.m. during Tuba Christmas Dec. 14th! baytownewharf.com Grand Boulevard Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides! “Rock Around The Christmas Tree” Music Revue! Photos With Santa! Now-Dec. 28 Enjoy complimentary carriage rides while soaking in the Coastal White Christmas Lights and Festival of Trees display. Seasonal sounds provided by Emerald Coast... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Join us on Thanksgiving weekend in Panama City Beach as we set the stage for the most magical month of the year! Thanksgiving Thursday may be the time for turkey, but that weekend, Santa Claus is coming to town! Beach Home for the Holidays waves goodbye to fall and sets the stage for the most magical month of the year. Aaron Bessant Park serves as the site of carol-themed concerts, s’mores, Christmas tree lighting, an appearance by Santa, and activities for the kids. Schedule: Friday, November 29 3 p.m.: Campfires, S’mores & Santa’s Village Open 3:30 p.m.: Holiday Movie 5:15 p.m.: The Nutcracker by The Panama City Ballet 5:55 p.m.: The Lighting of the Christmas Tree 6 p.m.: Headliner: Home Free 7:30 p.m.: Fireworks Saturday, November 30 3 p.m.: Campfires, S’mores & Santa’s Village Open 4:15 p.m.: Holiday Movie 6 p.m.: Panama City Symphony Orchestra Home Free Any Kind of Christmas Tour Experience the magic of the holidays with the all-vocal country group Home Free, as they bring an unforgettable evening of incredible harmonies, mixing Christmas classics with Nashville-dipped pop hits and timeless country standards on their “Any Kind of Christmas” tour. Having captivated audiences worldwide, Home Free has racked up nearly 600,000 album equivalents globally, embarked on major international tours, and amassed over 750 million views and 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube. Taste of Country hails them as “Country music fans’ favorite a cappella group.” Make Your New’ Year’s Plans: New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop Presented by... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Grand Boulevard at Sandestin announced an impressive line-up of events for this holiday season. Included this year are Grand Boulevard’s signature holiday celebrations, the popular Hometown Holiday Parade & Coastal White Christmas Holiday Celebration, and numerous festive, family-friendly activities. These events are open to the public at no cost. The schedule will include the return of the crowd-pleasing Festival of Trees which has been expanded to 18 custom decorated trees. Festival of Trees is an enchanting charitable tree decorating contest held on National Day of Giving. Other complimentary holiday events include professional photos with Santa, free rides on elegant horse drawn carriages and the exciting “Rock Around the Christmas Tree” musical performances by the Emerald Coast Theatre Company. Grand Boulevard Holiday Schedule of Events: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd, 5 PM HOMETOWN HOLIDAY PARADE & COASTAL WHITE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION The Grand Boulevard Town Center will be awash in tens of thousands of brilliant white lights, bringing a magical spirit to the Boulevard. Coastal White Christmas officially begins with the unveiling of the holiday lights and an expansive celebratory parade down the Boulevard featuring South Walton High School Marching Band, Butler Elementary Orff Ensemble, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Dog-Harmony, Destin High School, Boy Scout Troop # 562, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles, Grand Boulevard Tenant Costume March and the arrival of Santa Claus! Enjoy faux snow while getting complementary photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, refreshments and strolling throughout the Boulevard, taking in the... Read More

 [[{“value”:” SEASIDE Institute has announced speakers for the 2025 SEASIDE Prize. These dynamic individuals will join us February 7-9, 2025, as we honor the career achievements of Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson.   Dolores Hayden Dolores Hayden is professor emerita of architecture, urbanism, and American studies at Yale University. She is the author of many award-winning books including Building Suburbia: Green Fields and Urban Growth, 1820-2000 (Pantheon, 2003), A Field Guide to Sprawl (W.W. Norton, 2004), and Redesigning the American Dream: Gender, Housing, and Family Life (W.W. Norton, 2002). Devaki Kesh Devaki Kesh is an architect and urban designer who is passionate about vernacular and local architecture, public space design, conservation, and form-based codes. She is an Associate at Principle, an award-winning planning, urban design, and development firm committed to creating authentic places for human-oriented environments. She received a master’s degree in urban design from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from RV College of Architecture. Marina Khoury Marina Khoury is an expert in sustainable urban redevelopment, regional and master planning, transit-oriented developments, and form-based codes. Khoury has worked on the design and implementation of projects in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe and the Middle East including ground-breaking new codes around the world that mandate resilient urbanism. Marina serves on the Expert Committee of Global Forum on Human Settlements (UNEP-GFHS) International Green Model City (IGMC) Initiative, under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Becky Nicolaides Becky Nicolaides is a historian specializing in American cities, suburbs, and metro areas. She earned her doctorate in American history... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Surf Brigade just wrapped up its fall class in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where a team of veterans spent five weeks learning to surf together. Surf Brigade, a non-profit organization founded by veterans for veterans, harnesses the healing powers of the ocean and the camaraderie of surfing to address the unique challenges faced by those who have served. Through its 5-week evidence-based surf therapy program, Surf Brigade is helping veterans redefine their purpose, write their narratives, and build a supportive community along the stunning Emerald Coast. The Program: More Than Just Surfing Surf Brigade’s program is not solely about riding the waves; it encompasses a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Each week, veterans participate in group discussions facilitated by licensed professional counselors, focusing on three critical challenges: Defining Your Purpose: Transitioning from military to civilian life can leave veterans feeling adrift. Through guided conversations, participants explore their passions and values, helping them reconnect with their sense of purpose. Writing Your Narrative: Every veteran has a unique story, often filled with experiences that can be difficult to articulate. The program encourages veterans to share their journeys, fostering self-reflection and personal growth while reinforcing the importance of their experiences. Finding Your Community: Isolation is a common struggle for many veterans. Surf Brigade aims to cultivate a sense of belonging by connecting participants with others who understand their journey. This community aspect is crucial for ongoing support and camaraderie. Surf Therapy: A Unique Healing Approach At the... Read More

 [[{“value”:” From Susan Benton, 30aEats.com My father has made sausage balls for Christmas morning as long as I can remember. I often wonder why he did not get recipe credit for this amazing comfort food as he has been making them for 50 + years! Sausage balls are wonderful for tailgating and a delicious cocktail appetizer, but most of all as a breakfast snack on Christmas morning. The ingredients are simple and the prep and cleanup are easy. If selecting regular sausage, then add about 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. I prefer to grate my own cheese rather than buying pre-shredded, as I do not like the caking ingredients used in packaging. I also prefer not to use low-fat cheddar as it does not melt well and the sausage balls will be dry. You will be surprised at how quickly they disappear! Ingredients: 1 lb. ground hot breakfast sausage 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups Bisquick baking mix 3 tablespoons water Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine sausage, cheese, and baking mix using hands to mix well. Only add water if portions of the mix are too dry, and just drops until it gets to the consistency where you can roll into 1 to 1.5-inch balls. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 18-22 minutes (depending on your oven) until golden brown. Remove and cool on rack or parchment paper. Quickly move to sealed container or Ziploc storage bags. These keep for up to... Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Lori Leath Smith, Publisher You know that saying, “Not your mama’s [insert something here]”? It’s often used to describe things that are modern, edgy or reimagined. But at Pies & Provisions, that idea is beautifully portrayed. Here, you want exactly what your mama used to make. It’s a joyful celebration of everything comforting and nostalgic—pies, desserts, honey and more that bring back the warmest memories of home. Pies & Provisions lovingly honors the timeless traditions, flavors and care that make you think, “Yes, this is my mama’s.” When you add a little Texas tradition to that recipe, you get an irresistible mix of love and flavor, perfect for warming any heart. Founded by a mother-son duo, Julie and Ryan Robinson from Texas, Pies & Provisions in Santa Rosa Beach brings together family, passion and a commitment to quality. Their handcrafted pies are made with natural ingredients—a throwback to simpler times when everything tasted like a hug from someone you love. Ryan Robinson, co-founder, put it beautifully: “Our vision for Pies & Provisions was simple – to share our love for pies with the community and create moments of joy and indulgence,” said Ryan Robinson, co-founder of Pies & Provisions. “We believe that every pie should not just taste delicious, but also evoke memories and emotions. Pie has always been more than just dessert for us—it’s a connection to our past, a way to share joy with others.” I recently had the chance to visit Pies & Provisions and... Read More