The Beachcomber Daily - Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011

The new issue is out and FREE at many fine locations on the Emerald Coast, including Publix supermarkets! 30A Songwriters Festival coverage, Fourth Annual Beachcomber Music Awards ballot, Best of 2011, and much more!

Merry Christmas to everyone in Beachcomberland...

ART
Arts and Design Society Exhibits at the Fort Walton Beach Library through Dec. 31. www.artsdesignsociety.org.

Holiday Anthology at Full Circle Gallery, Fort Walton Beach, through Dec 24. www.fullcirclefwb.com.

Saramae Dalferes and Arlenne Newsome Exhibits, Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach, through Dec. 31. (850) 267-2809. www.youseemore.com/walton.

CHRISTMAS
Twelve Nights of Lights at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 6/7/8 p.m. www.baytownewharf.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Lynn Chesser, Ricky Workman, Roxanne Anderson, Vladimir Jimenez, Keke Morgan, Judy Lewis, Charlie Piver, Dave Murzin, Howard Hughes, John Kellas, Adrienne Goolsby

ICE SKATING
Baytowne on Ice!, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 5-10 p.m. Kids 12 and under skate one hour before opening. Just $10 for 90 minutes on the ice! Ice skate rental, $2. (850) 687-1978. www.baytownewharf.com.

LIVE MUSIC
The Red Bar, Grayton Beach. Forrest Williams Band, noon. (850) 231-1008. www.theredbar.com.

Beal Street Bottle Club, Fort Walton Beach. Mobile John. (850) 642-2221.

Cuvee Bistro, Destin. Space Junkie, 8 p.m. (850) 650-8900.

Harry T’s, HarborWalk Village. Flash Flood, 8 p.m.-midnight. (850) 654-4800.

SUNRISE
6:40 a.m.

SUNSET
4:51 p.m.

The Beachcomber Daily - Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

The new issue is out and FREE at many fine locations on the Emerald Coast, including Publix supermarkets! 30A Songwriters Festival coverage, Fourth Annual Beachcomber Music Awards ballot, Best of 2011, and much more!

ART
Arts and Design Society Exhibits at the Fort Walton Beach Library through Dec. 31. www.artsdesignsociety.org.

Holiday Anthology at Full Circle Gallery, Fort Walton Beach, through Dec 24. www.fullcirclefwb.com.

Saramae Dalferes and Arlenne Newsome Exhibits, Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach, through Dec. 31. (850) 267-2809. www.youseemore.com/walton.

CHRISTMAS
Twelve Nights of Lights at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 6/7/8 p.m. www.baytownewharf.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Kim Ulrich, Matt Titus, Patrick Rosser, Theresa Omohundro, Kevin Boyle, Kathy Lynn, George Kane, Justin Britt, Jeff McCall, Candie Mitchell

HAPPY HOUR
Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreath.com.

John Wehner’s Village Door, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 8:30 p.m. www.TheVillageDoor.com.

Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar, Destin Commons, 5-7 p.m. FREE appetizer buffet at the bar. (850) 424-7172.

ICE SKATING
Baytowne on Ice!, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 5-10 p.m. Kids 12 and under skate one hour before opening. Just $10 for 90 minutes on the ice! Ice skate rental, $2. (850) 687-1978. www.baytownewharf.com.

LIVE MUSIC
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, Destin. Black Eyed Blonde, 9 p.m. (850) 837-1913. www.ajsdestin.com.

Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin. Jim Couch, 5-9 p.m.; Wes Heath & the Whiskey Band,  9 p.m.-1 a.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreath.com.

John Wehner’s Village Door, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, The Dream Band, 9 p.m. www.TheVillageDoor.com.

The Red Bar, Grayton Beach. The Red Bar Jazz Band, 6 p.m. (850) 231-1008. www.theredbar.com.

Seagar’s, Hilton Sandestin Beach. Ray Hitchell, 6-9 p.m. (850) 622-1500. www.seagarsdestin.com.

Beal Street Bottle Club, Fort Walton Beach. Mobile John. (850) 642-2221.

Compass Rose, Valparaiso. Coconut Radio, 6 p.m. (850) 389-2125.

Cuvee Bistro, Destin. Space Junkie, 8 p.m. (850) 650-8900.

Harry T’s, HarborWalk Village. Flash Flood, 8 p.m.-midnight. (850) 654-4800.

La Botana, Seagrove Beach. Chris Alvarado, 7 p.m.

Nightown, Destin. The Helvetica Effect. (850) 837-7625.

Tuscany Italian Bistro, Destin. David Seering, 6:30 p.m. (850) 650-2451.

MOVIES
Cameron Crowe’s “We Bought a Zoo” opens. With Matt Damon.

SUNRISE
6:40 a.m.

SUNSET
4:50 p.m.

The Beachcomber Daily - Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

The new issue is out and FREE at many fine locations on the Emerald Coast, including Publix supermarkets!

ART
Saramae Dalferes and Arlenne Newsome Exhibits, Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach, through Dec. 31. (850) 267-2809. www.youseemore.com/walton.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Susan Tonovitz, Tim Wheeler, Nikki Johnson, Marrisa Battle, Becky Brodbine, Beth Sanderson, Karen Sommers, LaRue Allegretto, Ashley Sukalski

HAPPY HOUR
Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreath.com.

John Wehner’s Village Door, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 8:30 p.m. www.TheVillageDoor.com.

Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar, Destin Commons, 5-7 p.m. FREE appetizer buffet at the bar. (850) 424-7172.

ICE SKATING
Baytowne on Ice!, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 5-9 p.m. Kids 12 and under skate one hour before opening. Just $10 for 90 minutes on the ice! Ice skate rental, $2. (850) 687-1978. www.baytownewharf.com.

LADIES NIGHT
Louis Louis, Santa Rosa Beach, 5 p.m.-close. (850) 267-1500.

LIVE MUSIC
Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin. TBD, 7-11 p.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreathdestin.com.

The Red Bar, Grayton Beach. The Red Bar Jazz Band, 6 p.m. (850) 231-1008. www.theredbar.com.

Sally’s Backside, Blue Mountain Beach. Redd’s Big Christmas Show, 7-9 p.m. (850) 267-2016. www.reddsings.com.

Seagar’s, Hilton Sandestin Beach. Ray Hitchell, 7-9 p.m. (850) 622-1500. www.seagarsdestin.com.

Beal Street Bottle Club, Fort Walton Beach. SpeakTuMe Poetry feat. Niger Hoffman. (850) 642-2221.

The Boathouse Oyster Bar, Destin. Rusty Hammerstrom, 6:30 p.m. (850) 837-3645.

Cuvee Bistro, Destin. Space Junkie, 8 p.m. (850) 650-8900.

Harry T’s, HarborWalk Village. Flash Flood Duo, 7-11 p.m. (850) 654-4800.

La Botana, Seagrove Beach. Chris Alvarado, 7-10 p.m. (850) 231-0716.

Pandora’s, Grayton Beach. Steenos w/Franko “Washboard” Jackson, 8 p.m.-midnight. (850) 231-4102.

Tuscany Italian Bistro, Destin. David Seering, 6:30 p.m. (850) 650-2451.

The Beachcomber Daily - Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011

***The nominees for the 4th Beachcomber Music Awards will be announced LIVE at the Shed BBQ, Destin, at 4 p.m. Don’t miss!!!***

ART
Saramae Dalferes and Arlenne Newsome Exhibits, Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach, through Dec. 31. (850) 267-2809. www.youseemore.com/walton.

CHRISTMAS
Twelve Nights of Lights at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. A festive light show set to music. www.baytownewharf.com.

EATS
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, Destin. Country Fried Steak Wednesday “just like Sandy would make it...two sides.” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (850) 837-1913. www.ajsdestin.com.

La Famiglia Italian Ristorante, Destin. $2 wine and 20 percent off liquor all day. (850) 424-5795. www.lafamigliadestin.com.

Marie’s Bistro, Blue Mountain Beach. Lunch 11-2, dishes start at $8. Dinner, 5 p.m., dishes start at $12. (850) 278-6856. www.mariesbistro.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Jamie Kirk, Debi Jacobs, Judy Roane, Martin West II, Sean O’Beirne, Michael McElvy, Debbie Howard, Corey Herbert, Annie Palacios, Ann Jones, Brendan Hough, Carol Wolowsky, Chris Morris, Andrea Soltis

HAPPY HOUR
Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreath.com.

John Wehner’s Village Door, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 8:30 p.m. www.TheVillageDoor.com.

Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar, Destin Commons, 5-7 p.m. FREE appetizer buffet at the bar. (850) 424-7172.

ICE SKATING
Baytowne on Ice!, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 5-9 p.m. Kids 12 and under skate one hour before opening. Just $10 for 90 minutes on the ice! Ice skate rental, $2. (850) 687-1978. www.baytownewharf.com.

LIVE MUSIC
Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin. Martha’s Trouble in the Events Plaza, 6-8 p.m. FREE! www.baytownewharf.com.

Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin. Chris Alvarado, 7-11 p.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreath.com.

The Red Bar, Grayton Beach. The Red Bar Jazz Band, 6 p.m. (850) 231-1008. www.theredbar.com.

Seagar’s, Hilton Sandestin Beach. Ray Hitchell, 7-9 p.m. (850) 622-1500. www.seagarsdestin.com.

Beal Street Bottle Club, Fort Walton Beach. Jam night and open mic auditions. (850) 642-2221.

Christiano’s, Santa Rosa Beach. Sean Dietrich. (850) 267-2185.

Compass Rose, Valparaiso. Wayne Hall, 6 p.m. (850) 389-2125.

Cuvee Bistro, Destin. Space Junkie, 8 p.m. (850) 650-8900.

Pandora’s, Grayton Beach. Forrest Williams Band, 9 p.m.-midnight. (850) 231-4102.

Shorty’s, Grayton Beach. Andy Durand, 7-10 p.m. (850) 468-0417.

MOVIES
Ricardo Trogi’s “Canada” at Destin Library, 7 p.m. FREE screening presented by the Friends of the Destin Library. For mature audiences. (850) 837-8572.

The Beachcomber Daily - Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011

ART
Saramae Dalferes and Arlenne Newsome Exhibits, Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach, through Dec. 31. (850) 267-2809. www.youseemore.com/walton

BOOKS - NEW RELEASES
Harold Bloom - Till I End My Song: A Gathering of Lost Poems

John Gribbin - Alone in the Universe: Why Our Planet Is Unique

W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV - Covert Warriors

Raymond Khoury - The Devil’s Elixir

Robert Kirkman - The Walking Dead, Volume 15: We Find Ourselves

2012 Standard Catalog of Firearms: The Collector’s Price and Reference Guide

Stuart Woods - D.C. Dead

EATS
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, Destin. Pork Chop Tuesday “smothered in mushroom gravy ‘n 2 sides!” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (850) 837-1913. www.ajsdestin.com.

Marie’s Bistro, Blue Mountain Beach. Lunch 11-2, dishes start at $8. Dinner, 5 p.m., dishes start at $12. (850) 278-6856. www.mariesbistro.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Kristie Anderson, Roger Conner, Russell Sconyers, Jennifer Miller, Demetrius Fuller, Andy Battaglia, Brittanie Lemieux-Vincent, Culley Blackstock, Andrew Davis

HAPPY HOUR
John Wehner’s Village Door, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 8:30 p.m. www.TheVillageDoor.com.

Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar, Destin Commons, 5-7 p.m. FREE appetizer buffet at the bar. (850) 424-7172.

ICE SKATING
Baytowne on Ice!, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, 5-9 p.m. Kids 12 and under skate one hour before opening. Just $10 for 90 minutes on the ice! Ice skate rental, $2. (850) 687-1978. www.baytownewharf.com.

LADIES NIGHT
Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar, Destin Commons, 9 p.m.-close. Ladies drink FREE! (850) 424-7172.

LIVE MUSIC
The Boathouse Oyster Bar, Destin. Howlin Jack, 6 p.m. (850) 837-3645.

Hog’s Breath Saloon, Destin. Flash Flood Duo, 7-11 p.m. (850) 837-5991. www.hogsbreath.com/destin.

The Red Bar, Grayton Beach. The Red Bar Jazz Band, 6 p.m. (850) 231-1008. www.theredbar.com.

Sago at the Palms of Destin, Destin. Space Junkie, 6-10 s.p.m. (850) 351-0500. www.spacejunkie.net.

Sally’s Backside, Blue Mountain Beach, 7-9 p.m. (850) 267-2016. www.reddsings.com.

MOVIES - NEW DVD RELEASES
Blackthorn, Colombiana, Dolphin Tale, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, Straw Dogs (2011), Warrior

MUSIC - NEW RELEASES
Common - Dreamer the Believer

Philip Glass, et.al. - Glass: In the Penal Colony

Alexander O’Neal - My Gift to You (Reissue)

Maurizio Pollini, et.al. - Pollini: 20th Century (Box Set)

Young Jeezy - TM 103 Hustlerz Ambition

Sunday Jam with Blue Lew's Groove at the Shed BBQ, Destin

Nora Wixted-Hogue writes:

Hi, y'all!
I know it's been quite awhile since I wrote a "blurb" but here goes one!

Our last Jam at the Cabana Cafe, June 5th, was truly bittersweet. So very many friends and musicians came out to say good-by...and being the girl I am, I got a little teary. We had been there for 3 years and it was tough to leave but it was time...

Since then, Shawn Shackelford, our drummer, has been working with Cadillac Willy and jamming at Tisa's in Niceville. Jim Remsberg has been playing bass with his band "Second Nature" in lots of places. Lew and I were lucky enough to get to way-up-state New York and do a few fireside jams with my family and friends at our yearly reunion. Now, all of a sudden, it's the middle of August! Time flies, yes she does!

But now, we are SO proud and excited and happy to announce that the Sunday Jam is back on!!! Due to the efforts of Chris Manson and the folks at The Beachcomber, we have been invited to hold the Sunday Jam every week, at The Shed BBQ and Blues  Joint in Destin!!! Meggin McPhee, the wonderful manager, and her staff have made us feel so incredibly welcome and we have a HUGE STAGE (remember how many times I said we needed a bigger one?) and a fabulous soundman - Robert - mixing all the music from the front of the "room"! It is a big step up! And, because of the new location, we've had alot of new jammers come by and lots of our favorites, too! Here's a rundown of the first 2 weeks:

On August 7th, our first jam at the Shed, Jim, Shawn, Lew and I were hugging all over each other! Kinda like the "Blues Brothers" - "we're getting the band back together!" - we so missed jamming! The deal with us is that all our music is spontaneous - even if we've played the songs before - they never turn out the same way twice! The musical communication is so darn tight that we can anticipate and react to whatever comes along! Way cool!
We were joined by Scott Noble - definitely an "old" fave - and got the first set rocking right away! A young man, Martin (don't know his last name) came up to play drums and was he so fine! He was visiting from California and truly was a treat! We tried to get Chris Manson to get in front of the mike with his harmonica - but NOOO! He just jammed away from hi front row seat - as did Michael Loftis on Flute - one of these days, they'll be the Stars of the Show! Shawn's father - Ted (we call him Teddy Bear) sang a couple of great songs and Ike Bartley joined in on Sax. We were having so much fun!!! My only complaint was that the songs were too short! I could have done that all night long!!! A lady named Cindy got down on the tanbourine and Doug sang and played bass, too! The audience loved every minute of it! They were dancing (yes, my friends, the Shed has a real live dance floor!!!) and singing along...it was just a great night!

And then...Last Sunday was even better!!! Scott Noble and Butch Blasingame were both there playing electric guitar with us in the first set. Drummer Ed Jones finished up the set with us and, damn, we have some great drummers around here! Then Wes Herndon, a new friend, played acoustic guitar and sang some Springsteen and more doing a fine solo. He would join us later on some back-up vocals, too. Then, it was time for the Jersey Seals!!! Yes, the "I love those Guys" Jersey Seals!!! Aaron (guitar), Joey (drums) and Kevin (keys) were still in town before going off to college this week so we were so lucky to have them! Their bassist, William, had already left for his first year at Auburn, so Jim Remsberg channelled his inner child and held on the bottom! I just love those guys and we wish them excellent times in school! They promised to be back on breaks so we look forward to those jams! The next group to sit in was "Homemade Soul" with Curtis on keys and singing and Tray on drums! Now these two are incredible!!! So much soul and sound - even tho' there were only 2, the "whole band sound" was happenning! If you ever hear of them playing - GO SEE/HEAR!!! They promised to be back next week - I surely hope so! If we're lucky, here on the Gulf Coast, we'll be hearing alot from them! An absolute MUST! We didn't really didn't take a break again...just a couple of "shifting seconds"...When Susy, a friend of Scott Noble's, got up and played eletric guitar and sang with the band. She's got a great voice! She had been at one of the jams last summer and it was great to have her back! She and Scott have been involved in a recording project - we'll keep you informed on their progress! Josh McClusky played guitar with us and Doug came back on bass and vocals. We had two young men sit in at the end of the night playing guitar but I don't know the names! Hope they come back next week because I'd love to be able to tell you who these young talents were! Shack's Dad, "Teddy Bear" got up and sang, too! Talk about talent runnung in the family!!! I know I didn't get the time line correctly but the deal is, IT WAS ONE EXCELLENT JAM!!!

And let me say this about Robert - the sound man - well, he came up and jammed on a couple of songs with us and he is one helluva drummer, too!!! So downright funky that he bruised butts! Yes he did!!!

The Joint was Rockin', the Music was HOT! and a nice cool breeze was blowing in off the harbor. Who could ask for anything more?

EXCEPT GREAT FOOD!!! Lick yo' fingers and slap yo' Mama BBQ!!! It makes it tough to sing with all those delicious smells from the kitchen going on!

The Shed is a totally family-friendly, casual atmosphere kinda place with a sweet bunch of folks, eager to please, working for them. Even if you can't make the Sunday Jam, be sure to get to the Shed and enjoy!!! They've got a full bar, extensive wine list and lots of TVs so you don't have to miss any FOOTBALL!!! And I'm happy to say that I can see the Upstairs Bar TV from my place behind the Keys onstage so I can Keep up with my beloved Saints! (who won the first pre-season game against the 49ers and look REAL GOOD!!!)

All my love and Thanks to Chris from the Beachcomber, Meggin and the gang from the Shed, the guys in the "groove" and all the musicians who came to jam!!! We'll be at it again next week, 6ish Beach Time! Come on in and hear some wonderful music, eat the best BBQ, drink, dance and be merry at The Shed BBQ and blues Joint! See you there!

Live Large, Laugh and Love Alot, and Make Music Any Way That You Can!

Love, Nora

ABC's Good Morning America Names Destin in 10 Most Beautiful Places

The City of Destin, along with the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council (TDC), encourages everyone to tune in this week to ABC’s Good Morning America as it names Destin as one of the 10 Most Beautiful Places in America.
 
GMA will likely air the Destin segment during tomorrow morning’s show. However, it could be Thursday or Friday as the countdown continues throughout the week.
 
Destin Mayor Sam Seevers says, “This is incredible news and now the rest of the country will see just how beautiful our city is. And, it doesn’t stop with aesthetics. The most wonderful people in the country live right here. I am so proud to call Destin my home.”
 
The contest began with GMA’s request for anyone to submit a picture of their most beautiful place in America. Producers sifted through thousands and concluded with Destin in the top ten. The winning photo was of a signature sunset over the Destin Bridge at Harry T’s.
 
GMA came to Destin to film the special segment last week with correspondent and world-renowned chef Emeril Lagasse. The show interviewed the TDC’s public relations associate, Nicole Scott, to speak on what makes Destin so special.
 
“Destin is a very unique place in that it is still a secret place to some. It still has that casual small-town feel with southern charm and hospitality. It’s no surprise that it is ranked within GMA’s Top Ten, but it is still extremely flattering to have such recognition,” says Scott.
 
GMA has requested everyone to cast their vote within the Top Ten. Please take a few moments to cast your vote for Destin! Please click on the following link to view and vote! http://abcnews.go.com/gma