[[{“value”:” By Danica LaFaire Before they ever walk in, your customers have already decided. Spring Break is coming whether we are ready or not. If you’re a business owner, you can feel it. The conversations are shifting. Attention to detail is back in the room. Customer experience isn’t just a buzzword this year—it’s strategy. Because here’s the truth: Just because it’s built… doesn’t mean they will come. We have to earn it. And earning it starts before a customer ever opens your door. The Purchase Begins on the Sidewalk Picture this: You walk up to a restaurant. The windows are streaked. There are cobwebs in the corners. The entry glass hasn’t been touched in weeks. You haven’t even looked at the menu yet — but your brain already has. You may still go inside. But instead of ordering the fresh catch or the chef’s special, you play it safe. “Maybe I’ll just get the chicken strips.” Why? Because the brain is wired to look for signals of safety and quality. Cleanliness is one of the fastest indicators we use to assess whether something is trustworthy (Journal of Environmental Psychology). The mind starts building a story long before a transaction happens. Now imagine the opposite. You walk up to a storefront that is bright. Inviting. The glass is spotless. The entry feels intentional. There are no red flags firing in your brain. Instead of scanning for problems, you’re thinking: “I can’t wait to see the menu.” “I want to try that... Read More

 [[{“value”:” One of the Gulf Coast’s most anticipated music events is gearing up for another unforgettable year as the 14th Annual Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam returns May 28–31, 2026, at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach. Recently named by Billboard as one of “The 10 Best Country Music Festivals,” the four-day celebration promises chart-topping performances, themed nights and a high-energy coastal vibe that continues to draw fans from across the country. Headliners Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and Riley Green will lead a lineup of more than 20 artists performing across the Country On The Coast experience. The festival has seen tremendous momentum in recent years, selling out with crowds of 30,000 the past two years and earning recognition as the No. 1 festival in Music Festival Wizard’s Top 50 Most Popular Fests In The World 2024 – Voter’s Choice poll, along with top honors among beach music festivals in 2025. A Star-Studded Lineup The festival kicks off Thursday, May 28, with Keith Urban headlining alongside Treaty Oak Revival, Wyatt Flores, Cooper Alan, Walker Montgomery and Gannon Fremin. Friday night brings powerhouse vocals from Chris Stapleton, joined by Marcus King, Jackson Dean, Brent Cobb, Cole Goodwin and Hueston. Saturday’s high-energy lineup features Riley Green, Koe Wetzel, Ole 60, Josh Ross, Ashland Craft and Hannah McFarland. The weekend wraps Sunday, May 31, with genre-blending superstar Post Malone, plus Muscadine Bloodline, 49 Winchester, Elizabeth Nichols, Them Dirty Roses and Skeez. Theme Nights Add Extra Fun Beyond the... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) invites audiences for the year’s first Comedy on the Boulevard, a one-night comedy showcase taking place at 7 p.m. on March 12 at ECTC’s theatre located in Grand Boulevard. Featuring some of the Southeast’s most entertaining stand-up comedians, this event promises an evening packed with big laughs, quick wit, and entertainment. Hosting the evening is ECTC favorite Jason Hedden, fresh off his recent turn as Monsieur Bouc in Murder on the Orient Express. March’s Comedy on the Boulevard will be headlined by Nathan Wallace, a standout comic known for his high energy and crowd-pleasing humor who traded being a plumber in for comedy. Rounding out the lineup is Holly Ballantine, whose relatable storytelling have earned her a growing fan base across the region. Together, the trio brings a dynamic mix of comedic styles, ensuring there’s something for everyone. “Comedy on the Boulevard is all about bringing people together for a fun and relaxed night out,” said Nathanael Fisher, Producing Artistic Director of ECTC. “We’re excited to continue to showcase great comedic talent while giving our community a chance to experience something different on our stage.” Comedy on the Boulevard is proudly supported by presenting sponsor, BlueWater Oral Surgery Center. ECTC’s 2025–2026 season is made possible with generous support from Grand Boulevard Town Center, St. Joe Community Foundation, Visit South Walton, Howard Group, and Jerry and Alice Zich. To make a tax-deductible donation, become a VIP or sponsor, or learn more about Emerald Coast Theatre... Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Lori Leath Smith Okaloosa County has completed 2,000 feet of living shoreline along the Choctawhatchee Bay at Ross Marler Park on Okaloosa Island, marking a major milestone in shoreline protection and coastal restoration. The multi-year project utilized a cost-effective, nature-based solution designed to mitigate erosion while enhancing the coastal ecosystem surrounding Veterans Park and Marler Park. “This unique landscape is home to so many species that we need to protect,” said Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel (District 2). “This living shoreline will supplement their success, the health of our bay and extend the life of these wonderful parks.” Living shorelines are natural or nature-based solutions that protect coastal areas from erosion while supporting habitat and improving water quality. Unlike traditional hard structures such as seawalls or riprap, living shorelines use native vegetation, oyster reefs, coir logs, and other natural materials to stabilize shorelines. These systems work with natural coastal processes by absorbing wave energy, trapping sediments, and providing essential habitat for fish, crabs, and birds, while also enhancing nutrient filtration, carbon storage, and overall ecological health. The living shoreline approach was significantly more cost-effective than traditional shoreline barriers and aligned with the parks’ intended use by visitors while prioritizing preservation of the surrounding natural environment. “Projects like these involve a team from multiple departments in the County,” said Okaloosa County Vice Chairman Drew Palmer (District 5). “I want to thank the engineers, project managers, coastal scientists and grant specialists who worked together to complete this project and ensure... Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Helen Petre Yes, we are! Winter has been cold and dreary, even though there was no snow this year. While wishing for warm weather, I read a book about  Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan and their solution to the coal strike. I empathize with the cold, wet, mine workers.    I am grateful that I am not a coal miner and I do not live in 1902. In 1902, in the middle of the coal strike, Roosevelt had a state dinner for the King of Prussia to celebrate his new yacht.  None of them had any idea things were not going to end well for Prussia or Germany, so they all had a great time being rich and spending money. World War I dissolved Prussia and the poor king was not a king anymore, however the state dinner was a fabulous success. They ate terrapin and ice cream,  and Edith Roosevelt decorated the dining room with Smilax species vines (those briar kind of vines that grow up trees and everywhere). Smilax is the reason they make those jeans with the extra layer of jean on the front legs so foresters, and other people who crash through the brambles, don’t tear their jeans to shreds. Edith strung the vines from the chandeliers and light fixtures,  and everywhere she could around her husband’s stuffed bears, elk, bison, and moose heads. The state dinner was in February, so there was probably nothing else green in DC, however I think Edith is... Read More

 [[{“value”:” The Person Behind the Music, the Moments, and the Magic By Lori Smith I’ll admit it — when I first sat down to write this, I smiled. Once upon a time, before publishing deadlines and page counts, I was a DJ myself. I know the rush of reading a room, the quiet pressure of timing it just right, the invisible responsibility of holding a moment in your hands and not dropping it. So, when I say that Zoran Subotich gets it, I mean that in the deepest, most professional, been-there way. For more than 30 years, Zoran has been the steady heartbeat behind thousands of celebrations across the Emerald Coast — from barefoot beach weddings on 30A and Destin to elegant military galas, mitzvahs, milestone birthdays and reunions that people still talk about a decade later. Four counties. Thousands of events. And somehow — no missed cues, no awkward silences, no stressed brides. That doesn’t happen by accident. Zoran doesn’t just plan parties. He engineers memories. Through his company, Celebrations By The Sea, Zoran offers a truly full-service approach — the kind that allows couples and families to relax and stay present in the moment while he quietly handles the flow behind the scenes. His services include: DJ and professional emcee services Full event planning and coordination Licensed wedding and event officiating Ceremony and reception direction Lighting and atmosphere design Timeline creation and flow management Multilingual hosting and announcements All of it is tailored. All of it intentional. And... Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Kathleen Edge, Publicity & Website Chair Green Thumb Garden Club’s Junior Gardeners Program was started in 1993 by then-President, Margo Yourick.  The 2025/2026 program at Butler Elementary School is in its fifth year, with 40 fourth and fifth-grade students participating this year.  The program includes class time as well as hands-on projects with five teaching teams.  Recently, the students learned that all plants, including Spanish moss and air plants, do not need dirt to grow.   Early Spring planting included potatoes and onions along with strawberries.  The Junior Gardener program is supported by eight GTGC members, two Butler teachers and one support person, plus a student’s father who helps with cultivation and fertilization of the raised beds. GTGC is very appreciative of all Junior Gardeners program volunteers. March’s member meeting is on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Westwinds Conference Center in Sandestin.  Jeff Talbert, Coastal Dune Lakes project leader at Deer Lake Park, will update attendees on the current state of and future plans for the precious Panhandle Dune Lakes as well as his work at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  Yellow fly kits will be distributed by Walton County Mosquito Control District. The April 15, 2026, Member meeting program, also at Westwinds Conference Center,  is Farm-to-Table focused on sourcing local food.  There will be a Bake Sale with proceeds benefitting scholarships and other GTGC charities.  Members are asked to bring their favorite sweets to support the effort. The Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc., located in Walton County, Florida,... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Grab your bunny-eared best friends to celebrate Dog-Harmony’s 11th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza, a canine-only Easter egg hunt and social, on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. This beloved doggie social tradition invites families to enjoy an evening of community fun and a comical, action-packed canine egg hunt. Dog-Harmony Founder Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, says, “Doggie EGGstravaganza offers an entertaining family experience that helps fund our non-profit’s therapy dog team program in hospitals, schools, and libraries, and Paw Pantry, which aims to keep families in need together through donations of pet food and supplies.” With a $20 pre-registration per pup (or $25 on the day of the event), each registered dog will receive a souvenir bag for the race to collect nearly 1,000 colorful eggs containing sniff-worthy treats scattered across the greens. Separate egg-hunt areas for dogs, split by weight (over and under 35 pounds), ensure a fair competition. Dog-Harmony requests that families not use retractable leashes or apply prong, choke, or shock collars at the event. Attendees can also enjoy a costume contest with prizes awarded for the top 3 best “bunny” ensembles, delicious JC’s Gourmet served with libations, pup-approved Davis Dog Treats, music curated by DJ Diamond Dan, and a fabulous silent auction sponsored by local businesses. Spring Into Event Sponsorship Early sponsors include JC’s Gourmet, Davis Dog Treats, Destin Flooring America, Theresa Felton, REALTOR®, Elevate Next, and the Polakoff Group with Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. Grand Boulevard serves as the... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Northwest Florida Beaches International  Airport (ECP) has once again surpassed its previous record-breaking passenger numbers in 2025 by serving over 1,937,000 passengers. In 2025, the Airport served 1,937,224 passengers, a 3.10% increase over its 2024 total of 1,878,945. Since opening in 2010, ECP has consistently increased year-over-year passenger volume, with daily nonstop and seasonal flights to destinations served by American,  Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines. “Our Airport was built as an economic driver for the Region. We’re 15 years young, with  4,000 developable acres, a global air traffic network, and developable sites near a  10,000-foot runway. As business grows at the Airport and throughout the region, we’re seeing travel well beyond tourism, and it’s reflected in the numbers,” stated Airport  Board Chair Mark Sheldon. On January 9, Airport officials announced their Terminal Expansion project during a ground-breaking ceremony. Sheldon believes the expansion will only broaden ECP’s horizons. “The expansion will enhance the passenger experience from check-in, the passenger holding areas, an expanded baggage claim, and three additional gates to accommodate more airline partners. We’re preparing for our continued and future  success.” The post Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Continues  Record-Breaking Growth Trajectory  appeared first on South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information. “}]]  South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information  Read More

 [[{“value”:” Caring & Sharing of South Walton for the Spring Fashion Show, presented by Emerald Coast Hospice, on Sunday, March 29th, 2026, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The much-anticipated event promises an afternoon of fun, fashion, and community support, featuring a fashion show, lunch, music, a silent auction, a photo booth, and much more. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m., with guests being greeted by a complimentary welcome drink. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle, shop the boutique, and place bids on silent auction items before the ballroom opens at 12:30 PM for lunch and the fashion show. “The Caring & Sharing Fashion Show is not only an exciting and unique event, but it also raises awareness in the community about our neighbors in need,” said Mary Catharine Miller, Board President of Caring & Sharing. “I’m proud, not only as the Board President, but also as an active volunteer.” Volunteers and supporters of Caring & Sharing will walk the runway, modeling outfits made entirely of items donated to the Caring & Sharing Thrift Store. These featured pieces, along with additional thrift store clothing items, will be available for purchase at the on-site pop-up boutique, specially curated for this event. “In my five years as a volunteer and board member with Caring & Sharing,” said Miller. “I’ve witnessed this event grow year after year. It’s been exciting to see its continued success and to watch our guests enjoy themselves while supporting such a meaningful cause.”... Read More