[[{“value”:” Holiday Pops Spectacular, Toast ’n Jam: Broadway Holiday the “Calla-way,” and the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra Winter Concert highlight the 20th anniversary season Sinfonia Gulf Coast continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary season with festive performances that promise to fill the holidays with harmony, heart, and community spirit. From a glamorous Broadway brunch to a full orchestral spectacular and a showcase of young talent, these concerts capture the joy of the season and the magic of live music. Get in the holiday spirit Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center with the Holiday Pops Spectacular! This beloved annual community tradition features the full Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra, talented vocalists, and a lineup of holiday favorites ranging from timeless classics like Winter Wonderland and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas to contemporary hits such as Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) and Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You. The concert also features spirited performances by Studio6 Twenty5, the Holiday Chamber Chorus, and other surprise guests. Tickets range from $40 to $75 and are available through the box office or online. 1 of 5 Rounding out the holiday celebrations is the annual Sinfonia Youth Orchestra Winter Concert on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m. at Fort Walton Beach High School. This free community event showcases all ensembles of the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra—including Sinfonietta Strings, Intermediate Strings, Symphonic Orchestra, and the After School Beginning Strings students—from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Each year, this... Read More

 [[{“value”:” A winter student music recital holds a kind of magic that sets it apart from any other performance of the year. As the season brings a sense of reflection, celebration, and togetherness, these recitals become more than just musical showcases; they transform into heartfelt gatherings that highlight growth, creativity, and community spirit. One of the most special aspects of a winter recital is its timing. Occurring near the end of the calendar year, it serves as a meaningful milestone for students. Months of practice, perseverance, and learning culminate in a single evening where they can share their progress with family and friends. The cozy, festive atmosphere of winter enhances this moment of accomplishment. Decorations, soft lighting, and even a touch of holiday music add to the warmth and wonder, creating a setting where both performers and audiences feel connected and inspired. The music itself often takes on a distinct character during winter recitals. Seasonal pieces, whether traditional carols, classical works, or modern songs with wintry themes, help capture the mood of the season. Performing these familiar melodies invites audiences to participate emotionally, often evoking nostalgia and joy. For many students, it’s also an opportunity to explore different genres and styles, broadening their musical horizons while celebrating the diversity of seasonal traditions. Equally important is the sense of community that blossoms at a winter recital. Parents, teachers, and fellow students gather not only to listen, but to encourage and celebrate each other. Younger students look up to older performers, finding... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Skip the Shipping Stress: 20+ Thoughtful Finds Discovered Right Here on the Emerald Coast. By Danica LaFaire, Fish Window Cleaning  The holidays always seem to move faster than we do. One minute we’re planning ahead, and the next we’re thinking, “Wait… I still need a gift.” The good news? Some of the most meaningful last-minute gifts aren’t ordered online — they’re discovered right here at home. When we shop local, we invest in the Emerald Coast, support families, and strengthen the small businesses that give our communities their personality and heart. At Fish Window Cleaning, we have the unique perspective of seeing the Emerald Coast community and its vibrant businesses up close every day. It’s honestly the best part of the job! We love being part of a community filled with incredible local shops and creators. Here are just a handful of places that make last-minute gifting both easy and genuinely enjoyable. Jewelry, Boutiques & Apparel Klara Haloho — Destin: Known for her signature freshwater pearls and simple, elegant designs, Klara’s pieces feel timeless and meaningful. Kiss the Sky Boutique — Destin: A lively, uplifting boutique full of colorful apparel, accessories, and personality-filled finds. A Christmas to Remember — Destin: A seasonal wonderland of ornaments, décor, and festive treasures — perfect for sentimental gifts. Ophelia Swimwear — Sandestin: A beautifully curated swim and resort wear boutique for the beach lover or traveler in your life. Path of Grace Thrift Store & Boutique — Miramar Beach: A thrift boutique with... Read More

 [[{“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”:” 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