NAVARRE — Local University of Kentucky alumni are celebrating their newly minted club status with a June 22 barbecue and beach party.

Member Libbi Crowe said the group, which has members from across the Panhandle, has been unofficially meeting for awhile, but that it was important to become an official club to garner support from the university.

The alumni club is open not only to graduates, but to fans. It will offer joint memberships for people who live with members.

The best part of the club is “being able to get to know other people,” Crowe said.

The party will get started at noon and will continue until 5 p.m. at the Dolphin Pavillon at Navarre Beach. The presentation of official club status will occur at 1:30 p.m. Officers for the club will also be announced then. 

Barbecue will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring a side dish to share and drinks for themselves. No glass containers or pets are allowed at the park.

People should RVSP to Crowe at 582-7261 or by email at libbi.crowe@gmail.com if they plan to attend.

For more information about the alumni association call 589-257-8905.

Baytowne Adventure Zone and Sunrise Marine are kicking off the first annual “Chip for Charity-Baytowne Boat Giveaway.”

The summer-long promotion will officially open this weekend at Baytowne Adventure Zone in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Local business owners Russ Scott and Phil Foss have partnered for this summer-long promotion to attract both locals and visitors to the area. “Chip for Charity” will benefit Horizons, The Arc of the Emerald Coast and one lucky winner taking home a boat.

The mission of Horizons is to serve people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities (autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy) and transition them from “disability to capability.”

“This charity happens to have a special place in my heart,” said Scott, “My son is autistic and benefited from the services at Horizons as a child. As he enters adulthood, I know he will be looking to Horizons for other services that will assist him with gainful employment, and living a more independent life.”

With a small donation, anyone over the age of 18 has a chance to “Chip for Charity.” Anyone getting a hole in one will be entered in the drawing to be held in August. The prize boat is a 2012 Chaparral H20 18S, complete with a Mercruiser 3.0L motor, and a 2012 Bear trailer, all donated by Sunrise Marine.

“The great thing about this promotion is that everyone wins” said Tresha Brown, merchant manager at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. “Horizons will fund some much needed services for people with disabilities and we will attract new visitors to experience our hidden gem.

"With a variety of eateries, a diverse and fun shopping destination, nightlife, and fun and exciting activities for kids of all ages, guests will experience a true summer staycation atmosphere and have a chance to win a boat.”

Horizons is an affiliated chapter of The Arc, a non-profit organization that provides programs and services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Okaloosa, Walton and South Santa Rosa Counties.

Complete programs and services can be found at www.horizonsfwb.com.

The promotion takes place at Baytowne Adventure Zone, located inside The Village of Baytowne Wharf, at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.

For more information on the boat promotion, or to follow your status on the leaderboard, check the official Facebook pages for Baytowne Adventure Zone, Sunrise Marine, or Horizons.

SANTA ROSA BEACH—The Emerald Coast Theatre Company made a splash last Thursday when it opened it’s second interactive children’s show.

“The Adventures of Andy the Angler and Captain Clyde” pits Captain Clyde and Andy the Angler against each other to determine the “Best Fisherman on the Emerald Coast.”

In the show, members of the audience are recruited by the two fishermen to compete in various games like reeling in the “Big Catch” and singing with the cast.

“The best part is watching guests of all ages joyfully interact with the characters as they visit the iconic places of Baytowne Wharf” said Lanier Motes, the Event Manager at the village of Baytowne Wharf.

The shows are held every Thursday at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at 9100 Baytown Blvd.

For more information, call at 850-687-1637 or visit WWW.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.

DESTIN — As Texas natives, David Larraga and Sam Sanchez are bringing the flavors of the Southwest to Destin as the owners and operators of the In The Bag food truck.

"We wanted to be able to share what we love," Sanchez told The Log. "Just being able to bring these flavors to this area is really cool."

Slinging made-from-scratch tacos at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 98 and Airport Road in the old Destin Diner parking lot, In The Bag offers a carefully planned out menu with simple, but delicious tacos.

The four "signature" items all draw inspiration from what Larraga, Sanchez and their wives, Tristen and Bobbie like to eat themselves, whether it's the "956," the "Novia," the "Cuatro," or the "Sissy bowl."

The 956 features diced steak with cilantro, diced onions, sliced avocado, caramelized onions and queso fresco on a corn tortilla. Larraga said that 956 is the area code from where he grew up in Texas. The Novia, which means girlfriend, was created by Sanchez's wife and packs marinated chicken, shredded cheese and guacamole into a flour tortilla.

The Cuatro is Sanchez's signature creation and combines steak, guacamole, sour cream, queso fresco, and pico de gallo. The Sissy Bowl is served sans tortilla and offers up shredded lettuce, steak, refried beans, guacamole, diced onions, salsa, queso, and pico de gallo.

"There are only three meats on the menu, but they are so flavorful," Larraga told The Log. "They are all marinated for at least 3-4 hours."

Both the salsa and the guacamole at In The Bag are old family recipes, which Larraga and Sanchez say means a lot to them to be able to share with the public. All of the food in the truck is made from scratch, and made fresh each day.

Whatever items are not used get taken home at the end of each day, and the team starts new.

In The Bag has taken its operation from Scenic Hwy. 98 in Walton County to the inaugural Blazefest concert in Niceville, as well as the parking lots of both Nightown and The Swamp.

They purchased their food truck, which was an old Snap-On tools truck, in January and completely retrofitted the inside into a mobile restaurant. It's complete with sinks, plenty of storage, a refrigerator, charbroiler and a flat-top griddle.

"We completely tore it apart," Larraga said, adding that they spent almost 18-hours-a-day for a month straight perfecting the truck.

"It has everything we need," Sanchez said.

In The Bag is open daily from 12-6 p.m., or later depending on business, Monday through Saturday. Find them on Facebook and Twitter, or on the web at www.inthebagtacos.com.

Any service personnel, whether it's military, police, or firefighters, receive a 50 percent discount. Also, if you mention you saw this story in The Log, the team will give you a free drink with your meal.

With the summer season ahead of them, Larraga and Sanchez say they are looking forward to offering hungry Destinites and visitors a taste of home with every taco they sell.

"Our philosophy is to do one thing and do it well, if not better than everyone else," Sanchez said. "We want to make the food that we would like to eat."

CRESTVIEW — The revived Friday downtown farmers market’s added evening component of featuring live music and box dinners has had a ripple effect on Main Street businesses.

Friday afternoon, downtown shoppers paused to inspect fresh produce and baked goods ranging from Napoleons to artisan breads. Nearby, a Swiss sausage maker offered an array of European-style wursts.

That night, live music was added to the mix for the inaugural Evening Farmers, Artisans & Music Market. The Yellow River Winery and Wine Bar sponsors both markets.

Resident Audrey Milcarek said the activity spilled over to other downtown venues. As people packed into Java Journey Connection for improv night, others visited downtown restaurants and peeked in shop windows.

"It was wonderful," Milcarek said. "Melissa's Sidewalk Cafe was there, the wine was flowing and it was real nice. I went across the street and got Dozer (a therapy dog) a present from Pawsitively Scrumptious."

"This is great," Crestview resident Carlee Pohl said. "Usually downtown is dead on a Friday night."

"Downtown was a really nice place to be on Friday night," Milcarek said. "It was a happening place."

The farmers market re-opened in April, continuing a traditional curb market begun in the 1970s.

Space is available free of charge to vendors who grow produce.

Want to go?

The Evening Farmers, Artisans & Music Market is 6-8 p.m. Fridays at the corner of Woodruff Avenue and Main Street.

The Main Street Farmers Market is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays at the same location.

Admission is free. Call 546-6274 for details.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

NAVARRE BEACH — Three organizations are looking to expand services and increase environmental awareness and education on Navarre Beach.

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an awareness tour for area business leaders to see and learn more about the services offered by the Marine Science Station, Sea Turtle Conservation Center and the Marine Science Sanctuary. All three organizations are in the process of planning, and in one case about to start construction on, major expansions.

Of the three organizations, the Marine Science Station has arguably the most elaborate expansion plans.

For the past five years, instructors the Marine Science Station have taught specialized marine science classes inside a renovated former camp ranger station. The science station sees about 8,000 students and parents a year, but director Charlene Mauro said they could double that with more size.

“We’ve outgrown our space,” Mauro said. “Everyday we have tours come in. ... We could do master naturalist programs, we can do kayaking programs. There’s a need for it.”

Mauro announced plans to build a new 9,000 square foot facility to the north of the existing building that will feature a 5,000 square foot of exhibit space for different marine life from the Gulf of Mexico, 2,000 square feet of additional classroom space and land for some outdoor classroom areas.

Although the Marine Science Station does allow tours at certain times, they’re not always available to keep the public separated from the students. The new building, to be called the Gulf Coast Discovery Center, will all more access to the public, while allowing the organization to expand their class offerings for both students and adults.

The new building has an estimated price tag of $2.9 million and Mauro has applied for RESTORE Act, BP and other grant funding and is seeking donations from the public.

Mauro said the outdoor pavilion and classroom space could be finished within three months and the Gulf Coast discovery Center could be completed within a year of when the funding is secured.

The Sea Turtle Conservation Center has not even officially opened their doors yet, but is finalizing plans to add a 1,000 square foot expansion to its existing building to the south of the Marine Science Station. That would nearly double their current size and give them space for a main exhibit pool that will be populated by sea turtles than cannot be returned to the wild because of their injuries.

The conservation center is designed to promote the protection of sea turtles through both rescue, rehab and releasing turtles, but also educating the public.

“We think (the conservation center is) going to be great for tourism,” said Cathy Holmes, project director for the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. “We think it’s going to be great for the community. We know it’s going to be great for sea turtles.”

Holmes said the center recently signed a contract with a local building and they expect to start construction on the expansion in the next month. Once completed, they will start housing live sea turtles there and they are set up to perform emergency surgeries on the turtles as needed.

The Marine Sanctuary committee deployed its first artificial reefs last year, a group on the sound was deployed in May and the gulf reefs were deployed in September. The committee is now working on the next phase of its marine sanctuary plan which would expand its current gulf reef and build a new reef structure about one mile off shore in about 60 feet of water.

In addition to the new reefs, Mike Sandler with the Marine Sanctuary said their next phase includes building more dune walkovers to the beach and washdown stations so people can clean off their scuba gear and kayak equipment. The project is estimated to cost $1.8 million.

Sandler said the organisms that grow on the reef structures filter the water.

“As a scuba diver, there are selfish reasons for wanting these reefs, and for our local economy as a tourist destination, these reefs provide an amenity that attracts tourists to our area,” Sandler said. “But the bottom line is the environmental contribution to protect and enhance our oceans and waterway.”

WANT MORE INFO? For more information or to donate to the Marine Science Station, Sea Turtle Conservation Center or the Marine Science Sanctuary, go to each organization’s website, navarresciencestation.org, navarrebeachseaturtles.org and navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com.

Contact Daily News Business Editor Dusty Ricketts at 850-315-4448 or dricketts@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustyRnwfdn.

ALYS BEACH — The Sixth Annual Digital Graffiti Festival promises to wow guests and invigorate their senses with new interactive exhibits, performance art, a lounge overlooking Lake Marilyn, and a world renowned DJ on June 7 and 8.

In addition to digital artwork of 23 finalists projected onto the white walls of Alys Beach, guests will enjoy California native and aerialist Lesley Vaughn as she performs with fluidity, beauty, and power in the air. Attendees may also stand in the projection of Shantell Martin, previously featured at DG2011 and recently on Jimmy Kimmel, and become part of a larger than life installation.

View a gallery of last year's display >>

Foodie Dietrich’s will offer gourmet sandwiches while Sweet Henrietta’s will cater to the sweet tooth. Late night snacks like firecracker chicken and braised short rib gravy over crispy fries will be offered at Caliza Pool.

The Cathead Lounge will be the perfect spot for cocktails and an electric view of the town from the top of Lake Marilyn on the north end of Alys Beach.

Central Park will be the hub of more fun in the form of Lite Brite Jumbo, an exhibit that will incite childhood nostalgia, and Cosmo Pod, a projection augmented sculpture in the form of a large dodecahedron constructed from reclaimed molded packaging foam on a wood structure.

A digital projection from the interior illuminates and animates the form. Both installations debuted at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Other wow factors will be nestled along the path to the architecturally-acclaimed Caliza Pool where guests will dance Saturday night away to the dynamic music mixing by DJ Wizz Kid with special guests John and Katie Gaiser, VJs who mix and manipulate video live and on the spot.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: Friday night’s Gallery Stroll will allow guests to interact with the artists in a more intimate salon-style setting with the Caliza Pool offering cocktails at a cash bar in a relaxed atmosphere.

The festivities will continue on Saturday night with VIE Magazine’s Meet me at the Red Carpet at Fonville Press from 6 to8:30 p.m., then the festival gates open and the evening ends with the highly anticipated party at Caliza Pool.

TICKETS: DG2013 festival tickets are now available at digitalgraffiti.com and at Fonville Press in Alys Beach while quantities last.

Adult tickets are $50 for Friday night and include an official t-shirt; $100 for Saturday night which includes an official Digital Graffiti t-shirt and Tervis tumbler.

Children’s tickets (12 and under) may be purchased at $20 for Friday night only, and include a t-shirt. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

WHERE TO STAY: Interested guests should visit alysbeach.com to book a courtyard home rental on site, or call 1-866-732-9276.

Alys Beach offers gorgeous beach homes for vacation rentals so guests can experience the luxurious side of small-town beachside living on a short-term basis. Vacation rentals range from three to five bedrooms and from around 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.

Or guests may book their rental for Digital Graffiti directly with official lodging partner Sandcastle Escapes and receive $10 off their Friday night event ticket and $20 off Saturday night ticket.

Offer limited to two discounted tickets per room reservation and by calling 1-866-626-4208 or visiting sandcastleescapes.com to make reservations.

ABOUT DIGITAL GRAFFITI: Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the world’s first outdoor projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to create original works that are then projected across the town’s iconic white walls. digitalgraffiti.com

ABOUT ALYS BEACH: One of the most beautiful new towns in the world, Alys Beach is located on Scenic Highway 30A in Florida's panhandle, along what The New York Times said "may be the best beach in the continental U.S."

The resort town's extraordinary architectural vision drew inspirations from both Bermuda and the family courtyard homes of Antigua, Guatemala. When complete, Alys Beach will be home to 900 villas and courtyard homes, as well as restaurants, parks, shops and other resort amenities.

Alys Beach is the first Fortified...for Safer Living® community in the world, and all homes are built to Florida's Green Home Designation Standard. For home sales or vacation rental information, please call 866-481-8387 or visit alysbeach.com

SEASIDE — Grilled cheese is all grown up at this Seaside Airstream eatery. There are no frills here, unless you count the oozing deliciousness pressed between two thick slices of bread.

The food The Meltdown’s menu features a standing list of gussied up grilled cheeses with a chef’s special that rotates daily. I’ve sampled a few of the regulars over the years including the meatloaf melt and the brown bag ham and smoked gouda. The meatloaf melt was a pretty heavy meal in itself with melted mozzarella, meatloaf, marinara, ham and swiss on thick slabs of sourdough. Other standards include the classic American grilled cheese (American cheese on Texas toast), the three-cheese grilled cheese ( gouda, cheddar, gruyere), grilled pimento to which bacon can be added, grilled aged cheddar, mozzarella, tomato and basil (prosciutto can be added), goat cheese, prosciutto, arugula and tomato, brie and bacon on cranberry walnut bread, and the smokin’ turkey (jack cheese, smoked turkey, bacon, avocado and Albuquerque sauce). I picked up a special one recent afternoon that happened to be Gouda Vibrations. This sandwich had gouda, provolone, ham, bacon and tomato pressed between thick sourdough. What I like about these sandwiches is that they are thick, yet all the cheese still gets melted thoroughly. The Meltdown puts up their specials on their Facebook page. Recent chef specials include the provolone, prosciutto, soppressata, hard salami, brown bag ham and olive tapenade; the muenster mushroom melt (mushroom duxelles, caramelized onion, muenster and smoked provolone, Italian parsley); and the grilled Buffalo chili mac, which is Jim's famous Buffalo chili piled on top of housemade mac and cheese and grilled on sourdough. If a sandwich isn’t all you want, the Meltdown also serves a roasted tomato soup, soup of the day and chips. They also serve up a “Little Meltdown” for the kids, which is an American grilled cheese with the crust cut off, of course.

The atmosphere Strolling through Seaside, you can’t miss the line of vintage Airstreams serving a range of options. The Meltdown is in the middle, and you step up to the window to place your order. Sodas are in a cooler and the menu is prominently displayed on the side of the trailer. When your order is ready, they’ll call your name, and you can take your meal to the beach, or sit at one of the nearby picnic tables and watch the crowds stroll by.

The service At first I didn’t see the chef’s special and had already ordered something else. I asked the woman inside if I could change my order, and she did with no hesitation. My food came out fast and hot.

A final taste Any cheese lover will want to venture over to 30A and check off the Meltdown’s menu as they eat their way through these sandwiches.

Quickbites

The Meltdown on 30A 2235 East County Road 30A, Trailer C Santa Rosa Beach 850-231-0192

Hours Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Handicap accessibility Fair

Reservations Not necessary

Price range $4 to $9

Payment Credit cards accepted

VALPARAISO — People take different paths to find their dream job.

Some people know from a young age what they want to do. Others can find their careers almost by accident.

Dave Mason bought the Valparaiso branch of Space Walk in November 2008 from original owner Bob Wimmer. Mason said he became involved in the business by luck, but he has since grown it into one of the most successful Space Walk franchises in the country.

“I didn’t know anything about a bounce house other than you get in there and jump,” Mason said. “I learned a little bit more about it, did some research and said, ‘This sounds like it might be something fun to do.’ ”

When Mason purchased the business, the local Space Walk had 37 inflatable bounce houses, slides and other play sets available for rent. Today, it has more than 50, and recently was recognized as the fifth largest Space Walk operation in the country out of more than 240 other franchises.

All the franchises in the top four and many ranked lower serve areas with more than 1 million people. Mason’s service area population is about 320,000.

Mason said good customer service has been one of the keys to success.

Space Walk also tries to keep its inventory fresh. There are 15 bounce houses, 15 water slides — one of them 22 feet tall and 65 feet long — and other items such as obstacle courses.

Mason said the equipment ranges from smaller pieces designed just for kids to larger ones that adults can use.

“We try to update two or three times a year with new inflatables,” Mason said. “This time of year, we try to update and increase our water slides. We have 14 water slides that can be used by kids and adults. Towards the fall, we start looking at new dry units to add.”

Mason said Space Walk offers residential and commercial rentals, and rents regularly to local schools and churches. Customers can pick up the inflatables themselves or have them delivered.

Before customers can pick up an inflatable, the Space Walk staff will teach them how to set it up, stake it down, roll it up when they’re finished and how to use it safely.

To help accommodate Mason’s other job as a culinary teacher, Space Walk is open from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. When school is out, Space Walk is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Contact Daily News Business Editor Dusty Ricketts at 850-315-4448 or dricketts@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustyRnwfdn.

DESTIN — Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort had announced the launch of its summer Facebook contest, "Where In the World Has Your Sandestin T-Shirt Been?", inviting fans to post photos wearing their favorite Sandestin logoed t-shirt.

The contest winner will receive a complimentary Sandestin vacation.

The contest, held now through July 31 on Sandestin’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sandestin, invites guests to post images from around the world with captions showcasing their Sandestin logoed t-shirt. During this time, fans of Sandestin will vote for their favorite picture.

The fan picture with the most votes will be announced on Aug. 15. The winner will receive a complimentary Sandestin getaway, including a two night stay, golf for two and a gift basket from Sandestin’s Exclusive Retail Shops.

“The idea of our contest came from a loyal resort guest, Bruce Morris,” said Sara Becnel, director of retail for Sandestin. “Like many of our guests, Mr. Morris and his family have visited Sandestin for more than 20 years and during this time Mr. Morris has acquired several of his favorite logoed t-shirt – so much that he wears them regularly back home in Texas.”

Sandestin logoed t-shirts can be purchased at the Sandestin Clothing Company, located on Sandestin’s 2,400 acre resort. Shirts can also be purchased online at www.sandestingear.com.

To learn about summer deals at Sandestin visit www.sandestin.com/deals or call 866-91-BEACH for availability and pricing.

FORT WALTON BEACH — An Interactive lightshow at the Fort Walton Beach’s Art Walk and Entertainment Night is being used to raise money for victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

Artist Aron Altmark will be showcasing his Interactive Light Art in Downtown Fort Walton Beach on May 17 to benefit victims of the bombing.

Two bombs exploded during the Boston marathon April 15 killing three and injuring 264. Some of Run With It’s customers were among those at the run that saw the devastation caused by the bombing.

Valerie Wenzel, co-chair of the Downtown Fort Walton Beach Merchants Association, said the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing will have to deal with the effects of the bombing for the rest of their lives and that everyone at the Downtown Fort Walton Beach Merchants association and Run With It wanted to help.

Altmark will be showcasing his work at the event using a projector and an Xbox Kinect to project images of members of the audience onto a wall where they will be able to create different patterns depending on how and where they move, Altmark said.

He has been working with interactive light art for about three years. Altmark has a background in theatre, dance and opera. He said that most forms of art have a fourth wall that separates the audience from the art, but interactive light art dose not.

Altmark’s interest in the charity event came from an experience he had in Birmingham, Ala., doing a similar charity event for the Red Cross.

“That’s when I realized art can be used for more than entertainment,” Altmark said.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will be the backdrop for the Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour this month as hundreds of cyclists venture through Northwest Florida.

The weekend bicycle event, May 17 through May 19, is designed for all road cyclists.

Participants will get an opportunity to soak in a scenic bike ride alongside pristine beaches including a rest stop in Seaside and also enjoy post-ride activities and mechanical support.

For more information or details call 267-6168. Visit www.SandestinBicycleTour.com for details.

The bicycle event benefits Alaqua Animal Refuge, an independent, non-profit organization located on Florida’s Emerald Coast that advocates the general welfare and humane treatment of animals by providing shelter, prevention of pet overpopulation and adoption services.

Receive a discount on your tour entry as well as special room rates when you book a package at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Call 800-622-1038 and mention promo code BIKE13.

SEAGROVE – Sunny skies, warm weather and no crowds make it a great time for locals to gather and enjoy their town before the summer season begins.

Inspired by this sentiment, 30A.com and NatureWalk at Seagrove have teamed up to invite all area residents to attend the 30A Day Street Party on Saturday, May 18th from noon to 6 p.m.

Calling it the ‘Locals Last Stand’, the free event will feature live music by popular local bands Dread Clampitt, Forrest Williams and Cadillac Willy.

“We enjoyed a very successful Spring Break, and now we’re all busy preparing for another record-setting summer,” said Mike Ragsdale of 30A.com. “The party at NatureWalk gives us one last opportunity to celebrate before our summer guests arrive.”

The event will be held at NatureWalk at Seagrove, one of South Walton’s newest master-planned communities developed by Kolter Homes. In addition to live music, the celebration will include a free shrimp boil, ice cream and food trucks with treats for purchase, prizes, giveaways and much more.

“NatureWalk is a fantastic, family-friendly addition to the 30A community, and we felt throwing a locals party would be a great way to say thank you for the amazing reception and interest we have received,” said John David Sullivan, sales executive and co-owner at Beach Properties of Florida, the marketing representative for NatureWalk at Seagrove.

“We look forward to spending a fun day with everyone that supports and is a part of 30A.”

The 30A Day Street Party will kick off with the music of Dread Clampitt from noon to 2 p.m. Forrest Williams will take the stage from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by Cadillac Willy from 4 to 6 p.m. The free shrimp boil will be available from noon to 2 p.m. with food and ice cream trucks arriving in the afternoon with additional refreshment for purchase.

Guests are invited to bring chairs, coolers and make themselves at home for a festive day of complimentary entertainment (don’t forget hats, umbrellas and/or sunscreen).

Chances to receive prizes and giveaways will be held throughout the day. The entrance to NatureWalk is accessed via Sandgrass Boulevard, off of County Road 395 S. The 30A Day Street Party is open to the public and free of charge.

Learn more about the celebration by following 30A.com and NatureWalk at Seagrove on Facebook or by visiting www.facebook.com/events/335126703256403.

SANDESTIN — From accessorizing celebrities like Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Jessica Alba and Ellen DeGeneres to mining for exquisite gems in Africa and Turkey, luxury jewelry designer Erica Courtney has an impressive list of accomplishments.

Named “One of the Top Three Jewelry Designers in the World” by United Brands, Courtney will be making a personal appearance at McCaskill & Company on May 16, 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Meet the designer and view her renowned Drop Dead Gorgeous collection, seen regularly on red carpets and Hollywood’s elite. Courtney’s style is glamourous, romantic and girly. She tirelessly travels the world to source the most precious, coveted and unique gemstones.

Favoring socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes, Courtney chooses recycled metals, eco-friendly processes and ethically obtained gems, even observing “green” mining for rare Zultanite firsthand.

Her slogan, “Always Gorgeous, Glamorous and Green" reflects this approach.

Though jewelry design was not her first career, it was her true calling.

Thirty years ago, Courtney was a young single mother without a financial future. In 1984, she began designing on a whim, embellishing sunglasses and watches with Swarovski crystals.

Over time, the Erica Courtney® collection evolved into fine jewelry, inspired by the undeniable glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Today, her line is one of the most recognized and successful fine jewelry brands in the industry. Her pieces have been featured in publications including W, People Magazine, The Knot, US Weekly, Indesign, Life & Style, Bride, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.

Bill and Elizabeth Campbell, owners of McCaskill & Company look forward to her visit. “As a person, Erica is fun, dynamic and passionate,” Elizabeth said. “As a designer, her pieces are nothing short of show stopping. We’re proud to share her collection and even more excited to invite guests into the store to meet Erica personally. It will be a treat for us all.”

As an added bonus, Sarah Carolyn, located next to McCaskill & Company, is hosting a trunk show featuring Claudia Lobao.

For more information visit ww.mccaskillandcompany.com or call 850-650-2262.

Parents magazine has named America’s 10 Best Beach Towns. Whether you’re looking for a day trip destination or a weeklong respite, Parents’ list provides the perfect combo of land and sea.

This summer, Parents has designated family vacation hotspots that deliver all the ingredients for a magical stay: pristine ocean, beach safety, and a boatload of inland fun.

As a bonus, despite their paradisiacal locations, the 10 Best Beach Towns are affordable –no hotel room starts at a higher price than $289 per night, and several come in below $200.

Introducing the 2013 Parents 10 Best Beach Towns in ranked order:

1. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 2. Coronado, California 3. St. Pete Beach, Florida 4. Falmouth, Massachusetts 5. Cape May, New Jersey 6. Amelia Island, Florida 7. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 8. Kamuela, Hawaii, The Big Island 9. Gulf Shores, Alabama 10. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

“Successful family vacations are about finding a balance,” says Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents. “If you find a spot that has something for everyone, you know you’ve struck gold. This year, our picks have it all: beautiful beaches, great dining, activities for all ages and interests, and all without breaking the bank.”

Upload images of your favorite sandy spot to Parents’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest pages using the hashtag #ParentsBest. Your selection may appear in an upcoming Parents 10 Best Beach Town list!

Methodology Parents compared the nation’s beaches using the Natural Resources Defense Council’s water quality reports, focusing on low rates of water contamination and beach closings, and narrowed down its list to the top 100 beaches based on water quality.

After ensuring water safety by eliminating any beaches without lifeguards on-duty, Parents reviewed the number of public restrooms, changing areas and beachside amusements like nature activities and playgrounds.

Those towns without an extensive list of inland activities for families were omitted. Finally, the editors culled the site’s accommodations to provide a range of wallet-friendly lodging and entertainment options for families.

For more information and to view an exclusive video of the 2013 Parents 10 Best Beach Towns, visit Parents.com.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Este es el restaurante de su abuelo, which is to say El Abuelo Café on Eglin Parkway is your grandfather’s restaurant, if you take the name literally.

Fans of Latin-Caribbean fare will have no problem translating the Spanish and English menu into a delicious dining experience, and diners who’ve never ventured south of the Mason-Dixon in the world of cuisine will become world travelers.

!La comida es excelente!

The food El Abuelo offers a full lineup of appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, salads and desserts, most with a Puerto Rican flair.

One menu staple is the plantain, a banana-like fruit that can be mashed, sliced and fried into various dishes like mofongo, a Puerto Rican culinary institution made with fried plantains, crispy pork rinds and garlic.

Start your cruise through the menu with an appetizer, like El Jolgorio, a mixed plate of mini-fritters, or Nachos Boricuas (fried green plantains, pico de gallo, sour cream, lettuce and shredded chicken), Puerto Rican garlic bread, Chicharron de Pollo (fried bits of chicken seasoned Puerto Rican style) and for the brave, Cuajito con Guineitos – seasoned pigs ears with boiled green bananas and sauce.

Entrees consist of steak in its various forms, pork chops, chicken and seafood like red snapper. They come with a side, or two with certain dishes, and a salad. Choose from homemade French fries, white or yellow rice, a small serving of mofongo, onion rings, beans, or macaroni salad for your side.

Fritters fall under their own heading on the menu. They are made with either potatoes, green bananas or cassava root that has been mashed and filled with yummy goodies like beef, crab meat, even fish! One option – Sorullo de Maiz con Queso – is a cheese-filled fried cornmeal stick.

Abuelos also serves a complement of sandwiches and burgers – Puerto Rican-style, of course. Try the chicken wrap, Media Noche (a midnight refrigerator raid made up of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayo and mustard), and the Cuban (roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayo and mustard).

Get your burger on a croissant (the El Frances), or immerse yourself in all things Puerto Rican with the El Borincano (beef, ham shredded roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayo, and mustard on Puerto Rican bread).

Salad options include El Abuelo, a green-leaf salad with fried plantains and topped with your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp, a pico de gallo and shrimp salad, or chicken salad. For dessert choose flan, bread pudding, cake (of the day) or Delicias de Coco – sweets made from coconut.

El Abuelo also serves beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, fruit drinks, coffee and hot chocolate. For the kiddies, there’s Nya’s Special – white rice, beans and a fried chicken drumstick – or Alexier’s Special, mashed potatoes with Abuelo-style chicken.

They can also get chicken fingers, hot dogs, or fish sticks served with fries and juice.

A basket of fried and salted plantains with dipping oil arrived at our table as we pondered the menu. The plantain “chips” are much thicker than a potato chip, and because the plantain is a low-sugar variety of banana, it tastes somewhat like a potato, the texture a tad more firm.

For my entrée, I chose the Rey David Special, a grilled skirt steak with white rice, beans and a salad. The steak was flavorful with a nice outer sear.

The beans were served in a bowl, but that didn’t last long – I poured them directly over my mound of rice. The side salad was one of the better ones I’ve tasted, with green, leafy lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onion and topped with salad oil.

My dining companion chose the Bistec Emapanado, a Puerto Rican-style country-fried steak, which also came with beans, rice and a side salad. The steak crust tasted deliciously different – just enough to let you know you weren’t eating in Kansas anymore.

The atmosphere El Abuelo is clean and colorful, with brightly painted walls that reflect all the colors of the Caribbean.

Latin music plays in the background, effectively masking traffic noise from Eglin Parkway, although it can get noisy inside with everybody talking and laughing.

You can park behind the restaurant or in a lot near Emerald City Gymnastics.

The service Our server was new, so there were a few small lapses. But a manager and one of the more experienced servers checked on us, so we didn’t lack for anything.

A final taste El Abuelo provides a nice alternative to more conventional palates, with authentic Puerto Rican food served at reasonable prices in a fun atmosphere.

If you’re tired of a corporate version of ethnic food, you’ll want to give this restaurant a try.

QuickBites:

Restaurant: El Abuelo Cafe

Location: 326 Eglin Parkway N.E., Fort Walton Beach

Telephone: 850-226-8048

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Handicap accessibility: good

Children’s menu: Yes

Reservations: not necessary

Price range:

Appetizers: $1.99-$12 Main Dishes: $7.99-$17.99 and up Sides: $2-$6 Fritters: $1.50-$2.75 Mofongo: $8-$18 Hamburgers: $5.99-$8.49 Sandwiches: $6.99-$7.50 Salads: $6.99-$8.99 Desserts: $2.99-$3.99 Beer, wine: $3-$7 Coffee, tea, drinks: $2-$2.99 Children’s menu: $5.99

Payment: major credit cards

DESTIN — Pandora’s Steakhouse of Grayton Beach has released their daily music schedule for May 2013.

Featuring local favorites as well as regional acts from as far as Chicago, Pandora’s spring lineup will continue to be the highlight of the exciting and unique nightlife scene of 30A.

Pandora’s also offers a late night menu, featuring hand-tossed pizzas, house made sliders, and other selections for guests to indulge in from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

All entertainment begins at 9 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and is free and open to all guests at least 21 years of age.

All live entertainment acts are as follows*:

5/8/13 Mike Dillon Band 5/9/13 Forrest Williams Band 5/10/13 The Funky Project 5/11/13 Tony Vegas 5/12/13 Heritage 5/14/13 Treehouse 5/15/13 Forrest Williams Band 5/16/13 Hotel Oscar 5/17/13 Boukou Groove 5/18/13 Owsley Bros. & DJ Michael Disciple 5/19/13 Red Rocket & the Special Needs 5/21/13 Zack Rosicka Project 5/22/13 Forrest Williams Band 5/23/13 Dread Clampitt 5/24/13 Cadillac Willy 5/25/13 Forrest Williams Band 5/26/13 Blue Ribbon Healers 4/27/13 Jam Rock Reggae 5/28/13 Saluda 5/29/13 Forrest Williams Band 5/31/13 Call the Law  

DESTIN — The Emerald Coast Theatre Company is presenting its first show at Harborwalk Village, “Pirate Pete and the Case of the Missing Fisherman.”

The show takes the audience on an interactive voyage to some of the most popular spots in Destin on a hunt for Fisherman Fred.

Children may be recruited onstage to aid Pirate Pete and his crew while audience members participate in songs, dances, and cheer on the action.

This is a free, interactive, family friendly show open to people of all ages. Show times are this Saturday May 11th at 4 p.m. and the following Saturday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheatre at Harborwalk Village.

SANTA ROSA BEACH – La Playa Bar & Grill opened earlier this year with big shoes to fill. They opened in the popular location at the corner of 30A and CR 393 that was occupied for many years by South Walton favorite The Smiling Fish Cafe.

The food La Playa’s menu emphasizes food from the Caribbean, but they make it their own. For example, the Cuban sandwich has the pork, ham, Swiss cheese and dill pickle slices you expect. But in the La Playa version horseradish grain mustard stands in for the traditional yellow mustard. The sandwich was not my grandmother’s Cuban sandwich, but it was delicious.

Among the appetizers some are good options to share, while others are definitely a single serving. Mussels Chipotle featured plump and tender mussels in a flavorful broth that gets a slight kick of heat from chipotle chile. Because of the salt content of the broth it is best when soaked up with the bread that is served with the dish.

Key Lime Ceviche is a one-person starter. Served in a glass, my portion included a shrimp, three mussels and two pieces of fish in a tangy tomato and citrus cocktail.

Salads at La Playa are particularly good. While it wasn’t particularly Caribbean, the La Playa was excellent. Arugula was dressed with a nutty tasting vanilla brown butter vinaigrette. Cabrales blue cheese, roasted pears and candied walnuts rounded out this meal-size salad that can easily be divided as a starter for two.

Chicken, shrimp or fish can be added to any salad.

At La Playa, your meal can be a casual sandwich, or a more upscale entrée. My favorite sandwich was the Cuban, but I also enjoyed the Jamaican Jerk Barbecue sandwich. It included tender pulled pork, spicy sweet sauce and tangy slaw.

Sandwiches come with a choice of fries, sweet potato fries or fresh fruit. Definitely go with the fruit. The fries are inconsistent, but the fruit is fresh and tasty.

Seafood entrees include seared scallops with spiced rum butter sauce, fried whole fish over saffron risotto and Puerto Rican standard mofongo topped with shrimp creole sauce.

Pork makes another appearance on the menu with pulled pork served with spinach, a Johnny cake and Hoppin’ John. Beef is featured as a filet served with purple potato hash and chimmichurri sauce.

A menu for kids offers chicken fingers, fish bites and grilled cheese. Children’s meals come with a choice of fruit or fries.

Dessert options when we visited were cheesecake and Key lime pie. The pie proved to be a classic rendition of the Florida favorite. It had a nice crust and the filling had the right balance of tart and sweet.

La Playa has a full bar and a good selection of beer and wine. The variety of red and white wines by the glass make it easy to pair a different wine with each dish.

The atmosphere La Playa’s best attribute is its location. There are three dining options, and each is different in character. One area is the former location of a wine bar with subdued lighting and lots of wood. Another indoor dining room is bright and cheerful, with glass all around.

The large patio area is the best place to sit. Chairs are tall and much more comfortable than much outdoor seating. There is a slight view of the water, and you definitely get the feel of being near the beach. Many tables have umbrellas, and heaters are placed around the patio to permit comfort on cooler days and nights.

The service La Playa is a very new restaurant, and that occasionally shows in the service. On one visit there were minor issues that were corrected by other servers. On another visit the service was exemplary.

A final taste La Playa has its own identity. The restaurant is in its infancy, and has some things to work out. However, good food and a friendly face can be found there, and it will be interesting to see how La Playa grows.

QuickBites

Restaurant: La Playa Bar & Grill Location: 37 Town Center Loop, Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach Telephone: 660-1618 Hours: Every day, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Handicap accessibility: good Children’s menu: yes Reservations: not accepted Price range: Starters, $12 - $15 Salads, $10 - $14 Entrees, $20 - $28 Children’s menu, $8 Payment: major credit cards