1. real estate

November–December 2014
Now online at theseasidetimes.com
It’s a Jolly Holiday
The season is packed with family-friendly events to put you in the holiday spirit
By Wendy O. Dixon
This holiday season looks to be
packed with events celebrating
the most wonderful time of the
year. Locals and visitors welcome
the holidays with events for the
entire family beginning during the
Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
From the ballet that launched a
national holiday tradition, handchosen local and regional dancers
and the Alpharetta Dance Theatre
will perform the third annual
showing of The Nutcracker, based
on the critically acclaimed Russian
ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved
score. The dazzling story has introduced audiences to one of the
most magical ballets of all time,
and the performance in Seaside is
expected to be just as breathtaking. The performance will be held
Saturday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. in the
Seaside Amphitheater.
Don’t miss the Holiday Farmers
Market Wednesday, Nov. 26, from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the amphitheater, where a variety of local vendors will feature fresh produce,
baked goods, dairy products, native plants and even some special
holiday treats. Friday, Nov. 28,
grab your blankets and head down
to the amphitheater for a holiday
edition of Central Square Cinema
Seeing Red
The 24th Annual Seeing
Red Wine Festival comes
to Seaside
By Wendy O. Dixon
Bottles of reds and whites are
arriving daily, just waiting to be
uncorked, as the 24th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival is fast approaching.
Beginning Nov. 6 and going
through Nov. 9, Seeing Red, in partnership with the Destin Charity Wine
Auction Foundation (DCWAF),
is part of a four-day wine event
held at various locations along
the Emerald Coast. The festivities
extend to tastings with featured guest
winemakers, dinners, and reserve
wine tastings. Through DCWAF, the
Santa will visit Seaside during Turn on the Town, one of Seaside’s many holiday festivities. Photo by
Kurt Lischka for SoWal.com
event will benefit Northwest Florida children in need.
Wine lovers will be treated to a
new wine experience this year, as the
Wine Project, Seaside’s
new, private-label collection of handselected wines, makes its debut. Exclusive to Seaside, wine enthusiasts
may choose from among their favorite varieties including sauvignon
blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, cuvée
and red zinfandel.
This family of wines was handpicked by Seaside founders Robert
and Daryl Davis to appeal to the continual interest and demand from patrons and visitors for the best-tasting
and highest-quality wines.
Kokomo Winery owner and winemaker Erik Miller just completed the
harvest, bottled the last of the cabernet and is eager to show his wines in
Seaside. “And it’s an opportunity for
people to put a face with the wine
label, to learn about how it’s made,”
on the lawn in Central Square.
The featured movie is “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell.
Holiday events continue Saturday, Nov. 29, beginning with the
weekly Seaside Farmers Market
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Later that
day, take your spot along 30A for
the annual South Walton Christmas Parade. This Seaside and 30A
tradition begins at 4 p.m. in front
of Seagrove Plaza. Residents and
visitors share in the glory as participants march 1.5 miles down
Scenic Highway 30A from Seagrove decked in their Christmas
best on festive holiday floats. The
parade ends in Seaside as visitors
welcome Santa Claus to town in a
horse-drawn carriage.
The celebration continues with
Turn on the Town, hosted by the
merchants of Seaside, at the conclusion of the parade as Santa and
Mrs. Claus take the stage in the
amphitheater. Santa, master of
ceremonies for the evening, will
invite all of the kids to join him in
front of the stage for a sing-along
before magically brightening up
the town. “Ho-ho-ho, I have been
very busy reviewing all the names
on the nice list, which is growing in leaps and bounds this year,”
Santa laughs. “The elves and I
have completed final preparations
Jolly Holiday cont. page 10
The annual Seeing Red Wine Festival is a hit for wine lovers and Seaside lovers alike. Photo by Kurt
Lischka for SoWal.com
he says. “I really think the Seaside
folks who visited the winery like our
small production because it’s all encompassing. We harvest it, ferment
it and barrel age it all in one place.
As Seaside embraces a farm-to-table
approach to food, we’re really a farmto-glass winery.”
The festivities kick off Thursday,
Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. with the Vinter’s
Dinner at Bud & Alley’s restaurant,
Seeing Red cont. page 10
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Bicycle
Study
New Fitness
Studio
Passion for
Fashion
Meeting
Ali
Organic
Eats
Wine
Profile
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November–December 2014
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November–December 2014
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November–December 2014
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Happenings About Town
Editor’s Letter
As we approach the end of 2014, The Seaside Times has much to celebrate.
For starters, I’d like to congratulate our graphic designer Scott Camp,
as well as our talented team of writers and contributing photographers, on
another year of excellence.
Mark Schnell, our urban design columnist, travels the world studying the
designs of cities and towns, and shares with us his findings on good and poor
urban planning. Tennis columnist Tracy Townsend shares his tennis tips with
wit and humor, and Diane Dorney shares the latest goings on at the Seaside
Institute, educating us on the benefits and philosophies of New Urbanism.
Food columnist Susan Benton and wine columnist Karen Granger have the
culinary and wine wisdom to encourage me to try something new in Seaside
at each meal.
And our contributing photographers – Kurt Lischka for SoWal.com, Jack
Gardner, Brandan Babineaux and Chandler Williams for Modus Photography,
provide the exhilarating photos you see in each issue.
In addition, we continue to hear from you, dear readers, about the content. I hope you enjoy our newest
addition – the Seaside-themed crossword puzzle. Our writer and crossword expert Laura Holloway does a
swell job of finding interesting nuggets about Seaside to include in the puzzle.
Check out our website (www.theseasidetimes.com). There you can see a flip-book version of each issue for
your laptop or mobile, see more photos and find links to our advertisers. We also started a Facebook page,
and appreciate you checking us out, liking us and sharing us with your Facebook friends. Or you can email
me ([email protected]) with feedback, photos, story ideas or just to say hi.
As we enter this holiday season, my wish for you is that you delight in your family, friends and festivities.
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!
Wendy O. Dixon
Editor
[email protected]
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Executive Editor
Pam Avera
®
Editor
Wendy O. Dixon
The South Walton Christmas Parade puts everyone in the holiday spirit! Photo by Kurt Lischka for
SoWal.com
Designer
Scott Camp
Contributing Writers Photography
The Seaside Times
is published six times a year.
To subscribe, send your name, address, and
check or money order to:
The Seaside Times
P. O. Box 4730
Seaside, Florida 32459
Susan Benton
Wendy O. Dixon
Diane Dorney
Laura Holloway
Karen Granger
Eric Pate
Mark Schnell
Casey Tindell-Trejo
Tracy Townsend
Susan Benton
Laura Holloway
Kurt Lischka for
SoWal.com
Modus Photography
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and join our community.
One year subscription:
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Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Seaside Community Development Corp.
Lori Leath Smith
(850) 231-6179
[email protected]
Send Letters or Photos to the Editor:
The Seaside Times
P.O. Box 4730
Seaside, FL 32459
[email protected]
(850) 387-6822
Advertising deadline for
Jan/Feb 2015 is Dec. 5, 2014
For more information about ad rates contact Wendy O. Dixon at
(850) 387-6822 or [email protected]
November–December 2014
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T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
URBAN DESIGN
Speed Limits and the Limits of Speed Traps
By Mark Schnell
I’ll begin with
a public service
announcement:
The speed limit
on 30A in the vicinity of Western
Lake has been
reduced to 25
miles per hour.
This happened
some time ago, but we are obviously
a community with plenty of visitors,
so this is bound to be news for somebody. Tourists: you’re welcome.
According to several sources, this
speed limit was lowered in order
to increase safety at the Western
Lake bridge where the road is directly adjacent to the multi-use trail
(a.k.a. “the bike path”). Pedestrians
and cyclists are so close to moving
auto traffic that the county decided
to take action. Their first move was
to lower the speed limit, but the ultimate intention, as I understand it,
is to build a separate bridge for the
trail. However, that bridge has not
been built yet.
The existing bridge is not well designed, so this sounds like a reasonable plan. But I hope they will construct the new bridge soon, because
— to paraphrase noted lead foot
Sammy Hagar — I can’t drive 25.
I’m kidding, of course. I can and
do drive 25 (“I swear, officer”), but
I admit that I’m having a hard time
with it in that specific area — and
I’m not alone. I’ve seen several people get tickets from a state trooper,
which until recently was a relatively
rare sight along 30A. I’ve even set
my cruise control to keep my speed
in check. When I do this, traffic inevitably stacks up behind me thanks
to drivers who are going much faster. I’m not sure, but for some reason
I don’t think those drivers behind
me are waving a friendly hello to me.
Why do people drive so fast
through this area? Certainly many
people are still in the habit of driving at the previous speed limit. But
I think there’s much more to it: we
tend to drive at whatever speed feels
right for the given situation, and that
entire environment signals that it’s
okay to drive faster than 25. There are
no intersections, driveways, parking
spaces, curbs, medians, street trees,
buildings, etc. In fact, there’s nothing but a lake and a road, so people
feel free to hit the gas pedal.
Speed limit signs and state troopers are fighting an uphill battle in a
case like this, because they are really just two of the many clues that
we subconsciously process when
we drive. The vast majority of those
clues are cheering on your inner
Formula One or NASCAR driver.
Another local example of this phenomenon is on Highway 98 in the
vicinity of County Road 393. The
speed limit drops in rapid succession from 65 to 55 and finally to 45
for westbound traffic. Sure, there are
more intersections and driveways in
this area, but there’s almost no difference in the actual road design.
Once again, it doesn’t feel like you
need to slow down because the road
doesn’t offer enough reasons to slow
down. The main thing that tells you
to slow down is the speed limit sign,
and that’s simply not enough: people
tend to drive in the range of 55 to 65
miles per hour in this 45 mile per
hour zone. I’m not opposed to this
speed limit, but the engineers are
fighting human nature when they
don’t change the road design in order to lower speeds. It makes for an
effective speed trap, though.
On a side note, this area of Highway 98 includes a sidewalk built directly adjacent to the traffic lanes, so
let’s hope that officials don’t see fit to
drop the speed to 25. I’ll never adjust
to that, and I don’t need anyone else
“waving” at me. I’d just like people to
start building in a reasonable buffer
between the road and sidewalk.
But there’s at least one place in
South Walton where you see most
drivers, including myself, actually
slow down to an appropriate speed:
Seaside. A few years ago, I stood with
traffic engineer Rick Hall, who very
discreetly pointed a small radar gun
towards 30A traffic. We watched as
drivers slowed down as they passed
from Seagrove into Seaside. This is,
of course, by design. The intersections, driveways, parking spaces,
street trees, buildings, street lights,
crosswalks, pedestrians, and yes,
even the speed limit signs, all signal to drivers that they need to slow
down — and they generally do.
The parallel parking is one of the
main reasons people slow down
through Seaside. Drivers are constantly reading the road for those
clues, and they know when they
see parallel parking that someone
might pull in or out of one of those
spaces at any moment. But the
parallel parking does even more
than that: it provides that muchneeded buffer between moving vehicles and the pedestrians and cyclists
on the sidewalk. I encourage you to
try it sometime: walk down the 30A
sidewalk through Seaside and then
walk the same sidewalk in other areas where there is no buffer. Tell me
which one is more comfortable.
(And there’s one more reason to
love parallel parking: it provides,
well … parking. From what I hear,
that’s in high demand throughout
the 30A corridor. With all of these
positive features, someone tell me
again why don’t we have more parallel parking in South Walton?)
There are places on 30A where
people should be able to drive relatively fast, and there are places
where they should slow down. It’s all
a matter of designing for a speed appropriate to the surroundings, and
designing for pedestrian and cyclist
comfort at all auto speeds.
Unfortunately, you can’t cite “road
design” to get out of a ticket in one of
our local speed traps. But you might
feel just a little better knowing that
you were speeding in a place that
was (unintentionally) built to encourage it. c
Mark Schnell is an urban designer
based in Seagrove Beach. His firm
Schnell Urban Design (schnellurbandesign.com) offers a wide range
of services, from designs for entire
communities to parks to houses. He
also offers walking tours of Seaside
by appointment. To schedule a tour,
contact Mark at (850) 419-2397 or
[email protected].
Tours cost $20 per person (cash only)
and last approximately two hours.
Tours are given in conjunction with
the Seaside Institute.
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November–December 2014
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
November–December 2014
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T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Growing Pains
GETTING AROUND
30A traffic is a sign of maturity
By Eric Pate
What makes 30A unique? Why
not spend your time on Front
Beach Road in Panama City Beach
or Harbor Boulevard in Destin?
The beach is the same so there
must be another reason why
South Walton can see more than
three million visitors per year.
The biggest difference between
30A and surrounding beachfront
communities is design. Panama
City Beach and Destin have been
designed primarily for the car
while 30A accommodates the car,
but is also designed for people.
This difference must be considered an asset and the area’s main
strength by locals and those in
local government, if the unique
build and natural environment of
South Walton is to be preserved
for future generations. As 2014 comes to a close, citizens of 30A will reflect on the
large number of visitors of the
past summer and begin to make
preparations for the next. One of
the largest impacts of such large
groups of visitors on 30A is traffic. At times traffic volumes can
reach frustrating levels for many.
This frustration has led some to
make the accusation that 30A has
become a failed roadway. This label can be problematic as it entails
that action must be taken immediately to allow cars to travel faster. It’s not the roadway that has
failed but conventional suburban
standards placed on traditionally
designed communities that cause
friction for many.
Efforts to increase parking and
vehicle speeds along 30A can be
detrimental if we value the unique
nature of 30A. South Walton is at
a crossroads. Should we design
for the automobile, a constantlyav ailable-f re e- parking-e ver y where approach that has produced
Panama City Beach and Destin,
or should we take care to provide
the facilities that help people get
around that respect the context of
the built environment? Providing
free parking for peak volumes will
dismantle the bicycle culture of
30A and lower the quality of our
communities.
The immediate future of transportation along 30A will be multifaceted. 30A must be shared by
cars, bicycles, pedestrians, and
community shuttles. By sharing
30A, some modes will not be given free reign in influencing street
design as they have in conventional suburban communities across
the country. A successful shuttle
service is in everyone’s interest.
The community at large must
make an effort to promote the existing shuttle services next summer. Routes should be promoted
as often as possible by making
them visible. Posting routes in
restaurants, bars, shops, and in all
rental properties is an important
role that the community can play
in supporting the service. With
an extended route servicing all of
30A, congestion can be alleviated.
Another important intervention
would be the installation of parkand-ride lots along Highway 98
with shuttle service to 30A, which
would allow visitors to leave their
vehicles outside of the 30A corridor. As the shuttle service is
strengthened, the formalization
of the stops along 30A should be
facilitated through encouraging
mixed-use development in the
vicinity. These transit nodes can
be served by a variety of informal
transit options such as peso cabs
and pedi-cabs. This effort will
help to preserve regional natural
assets while embracing our network of unique pedestrian-friendly communities.
The regulatory tools to achieve
this vision are already in place.
The progressive land use regulations of Walton County are well
known and should be a point of
pride for our community. Efforts
to create a valued region characterized by a balance of conserva-
Bike racks fill up quickly in Seaside, prompting people to park bikes on vacant grass on either side of
the town center. Photo by Eric Pate
During the summer, 3,000 cyclists could be on Seaside each day. Photo by Eric Pate
tion lands and unique communities of the past should be revisited
and brought to the forefront of the
discussion of what South Walton
can become. The South Walton
Conservation and Development
Plan of the mid-‘90s should guide
future development and form the
framework of future county planning efforts.
During my time working here
in Seaside as an intern for the
Seaside Institute over the summer, I have been impressed by
the strong conviction of residents
to play an active role in shaping
their community. This is due to
the pride felt by residents in the
community and a desire to ensure
a common positive vision for the
future. Watching the communities of 30A mature over the years
has instilled a strong emotional
attachment for me with the area.
I hope to bring the lessons I’ve
learned working here with me as I
complete my degree in Urban and
Regional Planning at the University of New Orleans and further
into my professional career. It is
evident that the communities of
30A have been presented with a
valuable opportunity to continue
to embrace traditional design, an
opportunity that too many other
communities have failed to act
upon. The opportunity to preserve our truly unique and valued
region is a position that we can all
stand behind. c
Editor’s Note: The complete Bicycle Management Study by Eric
Pate is posted on the Seaside Institute’s website at http://seasideinstitute.org/resources/
Page 8
November–December 2014
FITNESS
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Believe Studio offers a broad range of fitness classes
By Wendy O. Dixon
If your New Year’s resolution is to
embrace a healthier lifestyle, Seaside’s
newly open yoga and fitness studio is
just in time. Under ownership of Michael Magruder and Eric Isham, Believe Studio on Quincy Circle is ideally designed to help you cultivate a
routine that focuses on overall health
and longevity, offering yoga, dance,
Barre and fitness classes for adults
and kids, and locals as well as visitors.
Yoga was the genesis of the class offerings. Both athletes, Magruder and
Isham turned to yoga to help with muscle recovery and found it was exactly
what their fitness routines needed.
Magruder, an Ironman triathlete,
was struck by a car while training for
the swim-bike-run event. He turned
to yoga for rehabilitation. “When
I came to on the side of the road,
I was in pretty bad shape with a lot
of bumps, bruises and a bad concussion,” he explains. “Afterwards, I was
living with lower chronic back pain
and a good friend of mine who owns
a yoga studio suggested I come to her
class. Fast forward six months and
yoga had changed my life.”
Isham also turned to yoga when he
was injured. “I had developed shin
splints from running and cross training,” he says. “I needed to find a low
to no impact workout. Yoga was the
perfect fit, and I loved it from day one.”
Through the men’s mutual interests, they determined a fitness studio
would be a fun entrepreneurial endeavor. And Believe Studio quickly
broadened its services to include a
wide variety of fitness classes.
The studio offers yoga for adults
at all fitness levels. In addition, Jodi
Lyn Magruder and Kimberly Isham, both certified yoga instructors,
teach afternoon classes aimed at
kids with a Kids Karma yoga class.
“We found a solution for the children that attend Seaside School and
that have to wait to be picked up at
4:30,” Magruder says. “We can fill
that hour time slot with an activity
that is healthy and positive teaching
a younger generation.”
Also new, a Mommy and Me class.
“And yes, the babies will be a part of
the class,” Magruder says. “You will
be amazed how quickly they pick up
down dog.”
Barre classes are also offered.
“Barre is a very controlled and isolated muscle movement that incorporates a fixed ballet bar on the wall,”
Eric Isham says. “Barre workouts rely
mainly on your own body weight for
resistance and the moves challenge
your core stability and balance.”
Dance classes are taught Monday
through Saturday. Classes include
kids dance, jazz and ballet.
Fitness classes include high-intensity interval training (HIIT), core
conditioning and Latin dance-inspired aerobics. “And all classes are
available for one-on-one training,”
Magruder adds.
Monthly, yearly, family and corporate memberships (for Seaside merchants) are available, allowing clients
to attend all the classes they want.
Believe Studio’s yoga classes are designed for all fitness levels. Photos by ModusPhotography.com
The partners also bring a fresh
look to the studio, utilizing the talents of designer Erika Powell from
Urban Grace Interiors in Santa
Rosa Beach to redesign the place.
The studio has a modern beachside
feel to it with light creams, azure
blues, reclaimed wood and accents
of chrome, creating a transformative atmosphere in which guests
can relax.
“We are bringing a world-class yoga
and dance studio to complement the
world-class destination of Seaside,”
Magruder says. “We offer classes
for everyone, regardless of your age
or experience. We have such a diverse team of talented instructors–
we welcome you to try them all.”
For membership information
and class schedule, please visit
TheBelieveStudio.com. c
November–December 2014
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T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
The Nutcracker comes to 30A Radio Returns with
All-New Format
By Wendy O. Dixon
The Alpharetta Dance Theatre
is putting in the final rehearsals
for its performance of The Seaside
Nutcracker, based on the critically acclaimed Russian ballet set to
Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. This
year’s performance promises to
be one of the Thanksgiving and
Christmas holidays’ most anticipated performances.
From the ballet that launched a
national holiday tradition, handchosen local and regional dancers
and the Alpharetta Dance Theatre
will perform the dazzling story
that has introduced audiences to
one of the most magical ballets of
all time, and the performance in
Seaside is expected to be just as
breathtaking.
Seaside founder and patron of
the Arts, Daryl Davis invited Alpharetta Dance Theatre, whose
dancers perform all principal
roles, to perform the first Nutcracker in Seaside in 2012. Now,
with this year’s performance, The
Seaside Nutcracker has become
an annual holiday tradition.
The Seaside Nutcracker will
be directed and choreographed by
www.seasidefl.com
Rose Barile, an honor graduate of
Juilliard School and former prima
ballerina with the Atlanta Ballet.
New this year, the performance will
feature Act I in addition to Act II.
“Our goal for the Seaside Nutcracker is to entertain, educate,
and connect with our community in one of the most beautiful and classical art forms,” says
Seleta Hayes Howard, Seaside
Nutcracker Ballet Mistress. “This
year was particularly exciting, as
we held our first open auditions
for dancers in our area. We had
a wonderful turnout with dancers
from many of our surrounding
schools.”
Hayes Howard says the idea
behind open auditions was to be
inclusive of local talent, since the
event is for the community and
the auditions, training, and performance opportunities help local talent advance in their dance
goals. “It’s every ballerina’s dream
to dance in the Nutcracker,” she
says. “We are so fortunate to have
the dedication of Ms. Barile, our
director, and Mrs. Davis, our
patron, who are committed to
providing the best cultural performance opportunities for our
community.”
The one-time performance is
scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22,
2014. The performance will be
free and open to the public. c
Contributed by 30A.com
The long-running 30A Radio
station (www.30Aradio.com) is back
online following a brief summer
break. The station’s all-new digital
format is available 24 hours a day
and features Gulf Coast-inspired
music, as well as 30A event news,
beach updates, activities, dining
info, local personalities, original
shows and more.
“Fans can listen to 30A Radio at
home, the gym, the office, in their
car or even out on the beach with
our free 30A mobile app,” said General Manager Cory Davis, a 20-year
radio veteran. “The new format features a unique mix of beach music,
southern rock, country, reggae, and
original tunes by local musicians.
We’ll also announce an exciting lineup of original shows over the next
few weeks.”
Established in 2007 by Seaside
Neighborhood School, the volunteer-run 30A Radio station went
off the air in May when the school
needed space for classroom expansion. Several volunteer DJs asked
30A.com to help save the concept.
“30A Radio has been an important
and authentic part of our community for years,” said 30A’s Mike Ragsdale. “We look forward to introducing new fans to what’s become
known locally as ‘The Voice of 30A.’”
Ragsdale served as a volunteer DJ
at the station for two years, and he
said that his children loved taking
radio classes while attending school
at Seaside. Over the years, the company has supported many of the
school’s fundraising events, including the Seaside Half Marathon & 5K
Run.
“30A Radio will now reach a
much larger audience,” said Davis,
noting that 30A’s free mobile apps
have been downloaded over 60,000
times, and the 30A Facebook Page
has nearly 300,000 fans. “But even
though we’re expanding our reach,
we want 30A Radio to remain locally
authentic.”
Listeners worldwide can now
tune-in to 30A Radio at 30Aradio.
com, 30A.com, and through 30A’s
free iPhone, iPad and Android
apps. c
Page 10
DOWNTOWN
November–December 2014
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Jolly Holiday
Continued from page 1
at the toy shop and assembly is at
full speed ahead. Also the reindeer
are busy getting in shape for the
flight that magical night by playing all the reindeer games. Mrs.
Claus and I look forward to seeing
many of the children in Seaside in
the coming weeks!”
Then, the countdown begins in
unison to “Turn on the Town” and
exactly on cue, the magnificent
24-foot tree lights up; all of downtown Seaside is illuminated with
bright, holiday lights. Following
the lighting, bring your camera
for photos with the jolly ole elf
from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Make plans to be in Seaside in
December as the merchants bring
back the popular Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performing the
Holiday Pops concert under the
stars Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m. Bring
your lawn chairs and blankets and
allow the sounds of the season
to remind you of all the magic of
the holidays. “Highlights include
‘Frozen’ and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ with noted actor Joseph Tomko. Other holiday
music, Christmas carols, and (of
course) Leroy Anderson’s perennial favorite ‘Sleigh Ride’ will
round out the program,” says Peter Rubardt,
Pensacola Symphony
music director.
Then roll in New Year’s Eve at
the seventh annual Countdown
Seaside: A New Year’s Eve Celebration Dec. 31. Experience a
spectacular, family-friendly party
featuring live entertainment, kid’s
art projects, street performers
and a memorable finale. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. c
NOVEMBER
Seaside Farmers Market - Saturdays
(9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Seaside Nutcracker - Saturday, Nov. 22
(5 p.m.)
Holiday Farmers Market - Wednesday,
Nov. 26 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Holiday Movie Night: “Elf” - Friday,
Nov. 28 (7 p.m.)
South Walton Holiday Parade – Saturday,
Nov. 29 (4 p.m.)
Turn on the Town - Saturday, Nov. 29
(5-8 p.m.)
DECEMBER
Seaside Farmers Market - Saturdays
(9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
First Friday ArtWalk - Friday, Dec. 5
(5-8 p.m.)
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Holiday
Pops Concert - Saturday, Dec. 20 (5:30 p.m.)
Photos by Kurt Lischka for SoWal.com
New Year’s Eve Celebration - Wednesday,
Dec. 31 (6 p.m.- midnight)
Seeing Red
Continued from page 1
using Seaside’s new wine label,
Wine Projthe
ect. To reserve tickets, call Elijah
Shelly at (850) 231-1846 or email
[email protected].
Friday brings the Al Fresco Reserve Tasting at 6 p.m. in Seaside’s Lyceum Lawn, featuring an
elegant evening of delicious hors
d’oeuvres and wines paired perfectly by celebrated local chef, Jim
Shirley, all complimented by jazz
music from Grapevine.
The Grand Tasting, from 1 to
4 p.m., takes over the streets of
downtown Seaside, with an extensive array of tasting tents featuring highly sought after wines from
around the world, live music, food
stations from top local restaurants, and the opportunity to pur-
chase wine on site. Sunday wraps
up the weekend with a Celebration of Bubbles, as sparkling wine
enthusiasts explore Champagne,
Cava, Prosecco and more.
PARK AND RIDE
Guests can take the shuttle to
and from Seaside for the event.
The Seeing Red Wine Festival is
offering free parking to all guests
at Publix at WaterColor Crossings
on County Road 395. Guests can
access this lot by heading south
on 395 from Highway 98 and follow the signs. Trams will run continuously from 11a.m. to 7 p.m.,
allowing guests the opportunity
to arrive early and stroll through
Seaside and stay late for dinner
following the event. c
in
partnership
with
would like to thank sponsors of
November–December 2014
Page 11
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Passion for Fashion
MERCHANTS
Deja Vu helps every woman feel beautiful
By Laura Holloway
Brundidge, Ala. has a population
of 2,036, and yet there’s something
about this small Alabama town that
inspires greatness: two professional
football players, a former Oklahoma
governor, a founder of a national fraternity, and in recent years, a new
power player in fashion. Even though
Brundidge is far from the runways of
New York and Paris, Stephanie Carter
found inspiration from her Southern
roots to create a collection of unique
fashion pieces that find their place
in closets around the country. Today, the labels Jacque + Janis, Judith
March, Missy Robertson and Deja
Vu assure the wearer comfort, fash-
Deja Vu owner Stephanie Carter. Photo courtesy
Stephanie Carter
ion and the freedom to choose originality in their everyday wardrobes.
The Deja Vu store in Seaside always
draws a crowd, and for good reason:
every woman wants to feel beautiful,
and the clothing inside delivers.
Carter’s designs found their origins in college, more specifically in
the task of a class project. The coveted ‘game day’ look quickly gained
in popularity, and before long, she
was selling her designs at sorority houses and country clubs. While
Carter did start modeling in high
school, she quickly found her interest was more focused on the design
and business aspects of the fashion
industry, and her knack for memorable pieces put her on the fast track
to retail success. After sell-outs at
the West Indies Market in Rosemary Beach, she was encouraged to
open a storefront, which she did in
Seacrest. A store in Pier Park soon
followed, and then in March of 2009,
Deja Vu opened its doors in Seaside.
More Deja Vu stores came in the
following years, in Key West and
Fairhope, Ala.
The success of the Deja Vu clothing line inspired the Judith March
collection, which combines “Southern class with [a] West Coast bohemian vibe, distinguished by its
one-of-a-kind prints and classic,
easy-fit bodies.” Many of the pieces
pay homage to Southern pride, with
sayings of “Sweet Home Florida,”
or even just turning classic college
The Judith March collection, sold at Deja Vu. Photo by Laura Holloway
football logos into feminine, attractive designs for game day clothing.
The overwhelming positive response to these collections, along
with the unique quality of Carter’s
designs, which expertly mixes classy
with flirtation, attracted Missy Robertson of Duck Dynasty, who contacted Carter to discuss partnering
on a clothing line. The Missy Robertson collection was born of this
union, combining Carter’s keen eye
for popular Southern fashion with
Robertson’s desire to take the line
to a more mature crowd, including
a longer hemline in the designs.
The Jacque + Janis collection followed suit, “with intricate details, innovative compositions and a down-
to-earth vibe.” The line pays homage
to the fashion icons who came before, creating an unusual partnership
between the 1960’s rocker (see: Janis
Joplin) and the classic look of the
Jacque O’s of the generation.
“I believe in fashion there are no
rules anymore,” Carter says. And her
words are reflected on the feeling you
have wearing a design from her shop.
The Deja Vu store in Seaside is a favorite for both visitors to Seaside and
the locals of 30A. Carter attributes
her collections in part to advice from
her mother, who told her, “You should
dress how you feel ... what’s most important, you wear what makes you
feel confident that day.” c
Page 12
November–December 2014
PERSPECTIVE
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
How Muhammad Ali Earned His Rent on Earth
By Casey Tindell-Trejo
For the 2014 Cooperative Coffee’s annual general meeting in
Louisville, Ky.’s Muhammad Ali
Center, Dan Bailey, owner of Amavida Coffee & Tea, took me, along
with fellow employees Johnny
Shine and Colt Austin, to represent Amavida, a Coop Coffees
member. As an icebreaker, we were
instructed to write an interesting
fact about ourselves and, unbeknownst to the rest of us, Dan had
it easy; he had a connection to legendary prize fighter Muhammad
Ali that just had to be shared.
As we sat motionless, surrounded by paintings and memorabilia
of Ali, we were told a short tale of
great courage and love, two qualities that he is known for. As Dan
tells it, his parents, Desmond and
Joy Bailey, were living in Iraq in
1990 at the beginning of the Gulf
War. On Aug. 1, a mere day before
Iraq invaded Kuwait, their home
camp was surrounded by machine gun em-placements, a move
to strategically target American
workers. Two months later, Saddam Hussein released Joy with the
rest of the women and children to
be transported to Jordan and make
their way back to the United States,
but the men were forced to remain
captive. Hussein then placed the
hostages in strategic locations
across Iraq to ward off American
attacks, essentially using the men
as human shields. Desmond, the
manager of an American-owned
industrial complex in Iraq, was
moved to Bagdad. Joy recalls upon
hearing the news, “I knew something was happening and that my
husband may never make it back.”
Nov. 22, 1990, Muhammad Ali
traveled to Baghdad with former U.S. Attorney Gen. Ramsey
Clark. With the help of Ali’s incredible popularity and prestige
in the Muslim world, they hoped
to negotiate the hostages’ release.
Despite criticism from American
media, Ali managed to meet with
Hussein, free the remaining 15
American hostages, and fly them
home to the United States by Dec.
2, 1990. Desmond Bailey was one
of these men.
Upon hearing Dan’s story, our
host Mike Mays of Louisville-based
Heine Brothers’ Coffee asked Dan
to follow him outside the room,
because there was someone who
wanted to meet him. Muhammad
Ali was staying at the center with
his wife Yolanda and greeted Dan
with a fist bump. Dan was able to
thank Ali for freeing his father,
give him another fist bump, and
take a priceless photo with him. As
Dan walked away from a meeting
he thought he would never have,
Muhammad Ali’s famous grin
followed him out. Ali once said,
“The service you do for others is
the rent you pay for your room on
Earth.” If this is true, Muhammad
Ali, then you’ve earned yourself a
penthouse suite. c
Amavida Coffee & Tea owner Dan Bailey meets with Muhammad Ali, who helped free some American
hostages in Iraq in 1990, including Bailey’s father. Photo courtesy Dan Bailey
Instagram.com/seaside_newtownoldways
www.seasidefl.com
November–December 2014
Page 13
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
VISITORS BUREAU
Visitors Bureau helps you have the
ultimate visitor experience
Seaside is best known for the simplistic elegance of the New Urbanism design principles.
And the partners of the Seaside Community
Development Corp. — Cottage Rental Agency,
Homeowner’s Collection and Sunburst Luxury
Collection — have the variety of homes to meet
any vacationer’s needs, whether you want a cozy
one-bedroom romantic retreat or a luxury resort
hotel experience with concierge service.
With amenities aplenty, the Seaside Visitors
Bureau partners plan to ensure guests at Seaside
have all they need to enjoy their vacation. By
Our Featured Properties
Sunburst Luxury Collection
Firefly
2094 E. County Hwy 30A
Firefly is pure, simple and elegant. The beachfront “Honeymoon
Cottages,” are the perfect setting for a romantic retreat,
honeymoon, anniversary or birthday. Designed for two people
and perched perfectly behind the primary dune along the Gulf of
Mexico, each cottage is furnished with a comforting neutral palette
and has beautiful beachfront views from the second floor.
Sunburst Beach Vacations
(866) 310-5718
SunburstCo.com
Cottage Rental Agency
Now and Then
201 Smolian Circle
Every Now and Then, you discover the perfect place to kick back
and relax. One of the most beautiful, grand homes in Seaside, this
lovely cottage includes a spacious floor plan and six themed bedrooms, each with private bath. On the first floor you’ll find a warm,
inviting living room and dining room open to a furnished front
porch, a fully-equipped country-style kitchen, a powder room, a
double accessible bedroom and bath, as well as a king bedroom
with a separate shower and Jacuzzi tub. Upstairs, there is a large
family room, four bedrooms and an outdoor loggia. On the third
floor, you’ll enjoy the quaint study with a small library of books,
and the fourth floor Tower Room showcases breathtaking 360-degree views. The overall amount of refreshing spaces this cottage
provides is exceptional, from the common space interiors to the
decks and all the way up to the tower room.
Cottage Rental Agency
877-811-5440
www.CottageRentalAgency.com
Homeowner’s Collection
Waterstar
45 Central Square Unit A-2
4 BR, 2.5 BA
This spectacular four-bedroom condo in the heart of Central
Square offers phenomenal views of the Seaside Amphitheater and
the blue waters of the gulf. Upon entering through the lobby you
will take the elevator that opens directly in to the foyer. Twelvefoot ceilings in the foyer showcase a sloping round wall. Facing the
gulf front you have an open, modern floor plan that offers hi-def
TVs, gas fireplace, iPhone/iPod ready sound system throughout,
walk in steam shower, and five bikes with every rental. There is a
relaxing alcove overlooking the event lawn and leads to an outside
terrace with custom built furniture. Beautiful artwork can be found
throughout the home.
Homeowner’s Collection
(855) 411-1557
HomeownersCollection.com
renting a cottage through one of the Seaside
partners, you’ll be assured you’re getting the right
cottage for your stay in Seaside.
Visit Seasidefl.com/vacation/rentals
Page 14
November–December 2014
MAP
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
November–December 2014
Page 15
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Shopping, Dining and Services
Albert F’s Fashion, Arts & Accessories
Located in Seaside’s lovely Ruskin Place,
Albert F’s is the place to find ladies casual
fashion, art by local talent & beach chic
accent jewelry and accessories.
800.974.5203 / www.albertfseaside.com
email: [email protected]
Fired-Up Pottery Painting
A fun, friendly place where you can paint
your “art” out on over 500 unique pottery
pieces. Great for birthday parties, bridal
showers, girls’ night out, and corporate
events.850.231.3211
www.firedupseaside.com
Amavida Coffee & Tea
The one-stop shop for Fair Trade Coffee,
Fair Trade Organic Tea plus coffee and
tea accessories. 850.231.3539
www.amavida.com
The Fitness Fetish
Fun & friendly family sport & beach shop.
“Life is Good” products, sports apparel,
swimwear, footwear, beach stuff and cool
gifts. 850.231.5000 / www.fitnessfetish.com
Amoré by the Sea
An eclectic shop full of treasures.Turkish
pottery, dough bowls and ironwork. Antiques, furnishings, local art and jewelry.
That’s Amore’!
850-231-0337/ Amorebytheseside.com
Focus
A little boutique portrait studio by the
beach where fun memories are made.
Focus also features fabulous gifts, frames
and custom jewelry. 850.231.1842
www.carlettawatkins.com
An Apartment in Paris
Come inside and experience the perfect
collection of original art, home furnishings, accessories, gifts, jewelry and clothing. 850.534.0038
www.anapartmentinparis.net
The Art of Simple Downtown
Brimming with home accessories, candles,
unique finds and rare bath and body
lines ... browse, linger, be inspired and
leave with a happy find from the store
that has everyone buzzing with delight.
850.231.6748
www.theartofsimpleonline.com
Barefoot BBQ
Barefoot BBQ specializes in hormonefree, steroid-free, antibiotic-free beachside BBQ in a retro, tiki style atmosphere.
850.534.0313
Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar
Thin crust, wood fired pizza, antipasto
bar, salads & more. Italian wines and beer
and a full bar available. Located right
on the beach next to the Obelisk tower.
850.231.3113 / www.budandalleys.com
Frost Bites
Hawaiian shaved ice, homemade frozen
custard, fresh squeezed lemonade and
cold drinks. Also available for birthday
parties, weddings and special events.
252.452.3013
Great Southern Café
New-fashioned southern cuisine. Fresh
seasonal vegetables, seafood, aged beef.
Enjoy the “Littlest Oyster Bar” for fresh
oysters. Beer, wine, cocktails. Breakfast,
lunch & dinner. 850.231.PEAS (7327)
www.thegreatsoutherncafe.com
It’s Heavenly
Authentic, delicious gelato, hand-folded
and dipped ice cream. Enjoy shakes, sundaes, cookies and strawberry shortcakes.
Gourmet LavAzza Italian coffees and
espresso. 850.231.2029
www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
The Justin Gaffrey Studio
Visit the Justin Gaffery studio gallery
and enjoy Justin’s contemporary works
mixed with his classics. A flowerful treat!
850.231.0279 / www.justingaffrey.com
Bud & Alley’s Restaurant &
Roof Top Bar
A Seaside tradition on the Gulf since
1986. Sunsets on the roof-deck are a
daily town ritual. Fresh, regional, coastal
cuisine served daily for lunch & dinner.
850.231.5900 / www.budandalleys.com
La Vie Est Belle
Featuring designer Wendy Mignot, the
originator of the Tahitian and Fresh
Water Pearl and Leather Jewelry collection. Largest collection of ancient coins
& shipwreck coins in the southeast.
850.231.4692
www.lavieestbellegallery.com
Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar
Authentic border tacos, burritos & fun.
Offering a full bar featuring over 40
speciality Tequilas. Dine in or take out.
Located roadside next to Bud & Alley’s.
850.231.4781 / www.budandalleys.com
The MeltDown on 30A
Gotta have grilled cheese sandwiches and
soups. Serving traditional and speciality
grilled cheese sandwiches.
www.meltdownon30a.com
Central Square Records
An independent record store specializing
in CDs, new & used vinyl, record players,
guitar strings & accessories, Jittery Joe’s
Coffee, unique gifts, cards & more. Located above Sundog Books. 850.231.5669
www.centralsquarerecords.com
Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudge Works
Homemade fudge, kid’s candy and Yobe
Yogurt, America’s newest taste sensation.
Homemade fresh-squeezed lemonade is a
refreshing thirst quencher. 850.231.4770
www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Deja-vu on the Beach
Offering affordable trendy clothing with a
sophisticated urban eclectic style.
Apparel, jewelry, shoes, bags and
accessories. 850.534.0710
www.shopwithdejavu.com
Duckies Shop of Fun
Calling all kids and kids at heart! Duckies
carries hundreds of items to put a smile
on your face. We’ve got toys, clothing for
kids, gifts, beach gear and so much more.
850.231.4800 / www.shopduckies.com
Mercantile
Mercantile carries goods for men and
women that are time-worn, weathered, a bit western and where possible
– eco-friendly and American made.
850.213.0010 / www.shopmerc.com
Modica Market
Your exclusive grocery deli market in
Seaside. Breakfast, lunch and beach foods
to go. 850.231.1214
www.modicamarket.com
Newbill Collection by the Sea
Gallery of Contemporary American Art,
fine craft, original paintings, photography, folk art & garden sculptures. Best
selection of handcrafted jewelry on the
Gulf Coast. 850.231.4500
ONO Surf Shop
Latest styles swimwear, footwear, lifestyle
clothing, surfboards, boogie boards, skim
boards & accessories.
850.231.1573 / www.onosurfshop.com
Off Season Hours through Feb. 28: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Restaurant Hours through March 31: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Per•spi•cas•ity
Open-air bazaar featuring bohemian
beach styles. Must have pieces for the
ultimate Seaside escape.
850.231.5829 / www.theseasidestyle.com
Pickles Burger & Shake
Home of Grass-fed beef burgers, corndogs, chicken fingers and famous fried
pickles; Hand-cut double-fried French
fries with special seasonings; and doublerich hand-made milkshakes. Enjoy cold
beer, wine and daiquiris. Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. 850.231.5686
www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Pizitz Home & Cottage
The luxuries and necessities for simple,
comfortable, relaxed Seaside living. Custom orders available.
850.231.2240 / www.theseasidestyle.com
Raw & Juicy
Offering organic juices and smoothies,
raw food and organic beach snacks. Sea
Turtle Flashlight filters and merchandise
available here. 850.231.0043
www.rawandjuicylife.com
Seaside Beach
Casual Seaside fashion and accessories
for men and women. “bare feet & sandy
floors rule” in this Seaside lifestyle store.
850.231.4193 / www.theseasidestyle.com
Seaside Classic
Classic collection of Seaside clothing,
accessories, books & prints. The flagship
store for Seaside style.
850.231.2497 / www.theseasidestyle.com
Seaside Kids
The original children’s store at the beach.
Fun fashion, toys and must have accessories. Seaside logo wear for kids.
850.231.1733 / www.theseasidestyle.com
Shimmering Seas Jewelry
Elegant sterling silver, gold, diamonds,
pearls & many more shimmering jewelry
collections and unique gifts.
850.231.5100 / www.shimmeringseas.com
The Shrimp Shack
A walk-up steam seafood shack on the
beach with peel & eat shrimp, lobster
rolls and shrimp rolls plus fresh oysters served raw, steamed or baked.
850.231.3799
www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Snap Tweens
Apparel, footwear, jewelry and gifts that
are just right for pre-teens. Unique fashion and designers that both parents and
kids will enjoy. 850.231.3800
www.snapkids.net
Sóng
Serving southeast Asian-inspired, street
food-style dishes from fresh local products, the menu is about creative simplicity, integrity and flavor. 850.502.9797
Sundog Books
An eclectic selection of books, greeting
cards & gifts for all ages. 850.231.5481
www.sundogbooks.com
Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs
Serving up the best hot dogs on the
beach! We serve 5 different dogs that are
bursting with flavor & they have no antibiotics, hormones, nitrates, nitrites, filler
or junk. They are dogs gone good!
850.231.0802 / www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Willow+Woods
An exclusive boutique for both men &
women designed to cater to all your fashion needs - fun & flirty for her, relaxed &
casual for him. 850.231.0433
www.willowchicboutique.com
Services
Believe Studio
Yoga and fitness studio offering yoga for
adults and kids, dance, Barre and other
fitness classes.
www.TheBelieveStudio.com
Beach Ready Spa
A unique blend of medical spa & holistic
wellness center. Highly trained technical
staff is available to provide you the products and services to treat both internal
and external signs of aging.
850.468.0925 / www.beachreadyspa.com
Seaside Transit Authority
Bike Rentals
The official rental bike provider of Seaside, Florida. Seaside Transit Authority
offers custom designed rental bikes for all
our Seaside guests and visitors. A variety
of rental items available include unisex
bikes, mens bikes, boys and girls bikes,
tag-a-alongs, tandems, kids trailers and
cargo trailers. 850.231.0035 www.seasidetransitauthority.com
Cottage Rental Agency
877.811.5440
Earl Bacon Insurance Agency
850.369.0161
Florida Haus
850.231.3100
Johnson Rice & Co., LLC
850.231.0158
Neighborhood Title Company
850.231.5178
Post Office
850.231.2220
Trustmark ATM
Located next to The Art of Simple
and Sundog Books
Seaside Commercial Properties
850.231.6106
The Seaside Institute
850.231.2421
Seaside Interfaith Chapel
540.760.5477
Seaside Neighborhood School
850.231.0396
Seaside Tennis
850.231.2214
Seaside Swim and Tennis Club
850.231.2284
Seaside Repertory Theatre
850.231.0733
Surgical Care Affiliates, LLC
205.545.2572
For your vacation planning and
reservations in Seaside.
Seaside Visitors Bureau
www.seasidefl.com/vacation/rentals
Rental service for beach chairs,
umbrellas, kayaks and more.
Cabana Man
850.231.5046 / www.cabanaman.com
Licensed Real Estate Broker.
Seaside Community Realty, Inc.
Dedicated to the exclusive sales of
Seaside properties since 1983.
850.231.2201 / www.seasidefl.com
Take us with you!
You can download the latest map and list
of places to shop and dine at
theseasidetimes.com/SSTShopandDine.pdf
Link to any of our advertisers.
Visit us at www.theseasidetimes.com
Page 16
November–December 2014
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
CALENDAR
November/December Calendar of Events 2014
November
24th Annual Seeing Red Wine
Festival; Thursday – Sunday,
November 6-9 – Seaside
Set during one of the prettiest
seasons on the Emerald Coast,
this festival will feature hundreds
of wines from around the
world. Wine enthusiasts stroll
through tasting areas, sampling
a wonderful selection of wines.
Each setting also features worldclass music. Tastings with
featured guest winemakers,
dinners, and reserve wine tastings
are all part of the festivities.
“First Friday” ArtWalk
Friday, November 7, 5-8 p.m. –
Ruskin Place & Central Square
Enjoy live music and view beautiful
works of art and artist demos at the
galleries and shops of Ruskin Place
and select
Central
Square
merchants.
Seaside Farmers Market
Saturdays, November 1, 15, 22,
& 29*, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Seaside
Amphitheater
Get your pick of fresh produce,
baked goods, dairy products, native
plants and other unique offerings
during our market on Saturday
mornings. Find local specialties
that will help sustain our growers.
Enjoy special cooking demos and
activities sure to liven up your
morning. Held behind Raw & Juicy.
* - There is no market in Seaside
on November 8 due to the Seeing
Red Wine Festival.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Saturday, November 22, 5 p.m. –
Seaside Amphitheater
Join local and regional area
dancers and the Alpharetta Dance
Theatre of Atlanta, Ga., for the
third annual performance of the
ballet that launched a national
holiday tradition, the Nutcracker,
based on the critically acclaimed
Russian ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s
beloved score. Don’t miss this
special event!
Central Square Cinema –
Holiday Movie Night
Friday, November 28, 7 p.m. –
Seaside Amphitheater
Enjoy the start of the holiday
weekend with a holiday movie
under the stars
featuring the
Christmas
classic – “ELF.”
Turn on the Town
Saturday, November 29, 4 p.m. –
30A & Seaside Amphitheater
Combine the small-town
atmosphere of a beach community
parade, throw in a dash of Santa
Claus, and mix with the official
lighting of a remarkable town
on Florida’s Emerald Coast, and
you have the perfect makings to
kick off the Holiday season in
beautiful Seaside. The parade
begins at 4 p.m. in Seagrove Beach
and proceeds west to the town of
Seaside. At 5 p.m., it’s party time
in the amphitheater with holiday
festivities and of course pictures
with the jolly-bearded one. Soon,
the master of ceremonies asks all
the kids to the stage to sing to the
crowd of smiling faces, and after a
few verses of jingle bells, the count
down begins in unison to “Turn on
the Town.”
December
“First Friday” ArtWalk
Friday, December 5, 5-8 p.m. –
Ruskin Place & Central Square
Enjoy live music and view beautiful
works of art and artist demos at
the galleries and shops of Ruskin
Place and select Central Square
merchants.
Seaside Farmers Market
Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20,
& 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Seaside
Amphitheater
Get your pick of
fresh produce,
baked goods, dairy
products, native
plants and other
unique offerings
during our market on Saturday
mornings. Find local specialties
that will help sustain our
growers. Enjoy special cooking
demos and activities sure to
liven up your morning. Held
behind Raw & Juicy.
Holiday Pops Concert
Saturday, December 20, 5:30
p.m. – Seaside Amphitheater
Don’t miss this special holiday
pops performance from the
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
guaranteed to get everyone into
the holiday spirit!
Countdown Seaside! A New
Year’s Celebration
Wednesday, December 31,
7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. – Seaside
Join your friends and family
in Seaside for this magical
evening to welcome in 2015!
We are thrilled to present THE
DIRTY GUV’NAHS in concert
with special guest MamaDear.
Do not miss these incredible
performances that will have you
dancing all night long. Plus, we
will have activities for children,
street entertainers, and fireworks
at midnight over the Gulf of
Mexico. The perfect way to usher
in the new year!
DATES, TIMES, & EVENTS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WITHOUT NOTICE.
Please refer to SeasideFL.com or
facebook.com/SeasideFlorida
for event details.
Events are made possible by the
A&E fee collected by members of
the Seaside Arts & Entertainment
Corporation. Events are free & held
in the Seaside Amphitheater unless
otherwise noted.
November–December 2014
Page 17
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
INSTITUTE
to Host the Richard H. Driehaus Prize
Jury in November
By Diane Dorney
Each year, the Richard H. Driehaus Prize jury travels together to
a city of architectural significance
to select an architect who has
greatly influenced the field of traditional and classical architecture.
This group of six has convened in
places like London, Washington,
D.C., Buenos Aires, New York
City and Chicago where they have
spent time exploring the city’s urban fabric together while contemplating potential architects for the
next year’s Driehaus Prize. This
year, the jury will meet in Seaside
Nov. 8 and 9 for this same purpose.
Established in 2003 in conjunction with the University of Notre
Dame where the awards are presented annually in the spring, the
Richard H. Driehaus Prize honors,
promotes and encourages architectural excellence that applies the
principles of traditional, classical
and sustainable architecture and
urbanism in contemporary society
and environments.
Richard H. Driehaus, the founder
and chairman of Driehaus Capital
Management in Chicago, established the award program through
Notre Dame because of its reputation as a national leader in incorporating the ideals of traditional and
classical architecture into the task
of modern urban development.
The panel of jurors is comprised
of an all-star cast of architecture-related professionals: Adele
Chatfield-Taylor, President of the
American Academy in Rome; architecture critic Paul Goldberger
and author Witold Rybczynski;
world-renowned architects Léon
Krier and Demetri Porphyrios; and
Seaside founder, Robert Davis.
While in the Panhandle, the
group will tour Seaside, Rosemary
Beach, Alys Beach and WaterColor, hold meetings at the Rossi
House and have dinner at Bud &
Alley’s.
In addition to the Driehaus
Prize, the jury also honors another individual each year with the
Henry Hope Reed Award for notable contributions to the promotion and preservation of classical
art and architecture. Together, the
$200,000 Driehaus Prize and the
$50,000 Reed Award represent the
most significant recognition for
classicism in the contemporary
built environment.
The winner of the 2014 Driehaus Prize will be announced in
December.
#SeasideFL_
Past Winners:
Pier Carlo Bontempi (2014)
Thomas H. Beeby (2013)
Michael Graves (2012)
Robert A.M. Stern (2011)
Rafael Manzano Martos (2010)
Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil (2009)
Andrés Duany and Elizabeth
Plater-Zyberk (2008)
Jaquelin T. Robertson (2007)
Allan Greenberg (2006)
Quinlan Terry (2005)
Demetri Porphyrios (2004)
Léon Krier (2003)
Page 18
ABOUT TOWN
Seaside’s new wine label, The
are exclusively available in Seaside.
November–December 2014
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Wine Project, launched its collection of wines Aug. 29, 2014. The wines
Seaside’s celebrated chefs featured perfectly paired dishes for each wine from the SEASIDE® Wine Project. Photos by Wendy O. Dixon
Sally and Dan Bailey and Casey Tindell-Trego
Pam Thompson, Michael Granberry, Makenzie Carter and Erica Pierce
Charlie Modica, Kelli Castille, Heavenly Dawson and Jim Shirley
November–December 2014
Page 19
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
’Tis the Season to Adjust Your Tennis Game
By Tracy Townsend
It’s fall, and
the weather in
Seaside is great
for tennis. Winter is just around
the corner. The
temperature has
dropped,
and
the breeze is
blowing. Even
Tracy Townsend
the sun doesn’t
have that same intensity. And the
days are shorter, too. All of this will
affect your tennis game.
Remember that the cooler
temps require a longer warm up.
It takes most of us a little longer
to get going when the mercury
drops. Be sure to go through the
tennis swing completely to stretch
everything out to prevent injury.
Strings will break more often, and
really cold weather will change
the bounce of the ball.
The wind blowing the leaves
around also blows the tennis ball
around. Wind is one of the biggest
influences on the flight of a tennis
ball. Embrace it and learn to use
it to your advantage. It helps the
speed of the ball when it’s behind
you. It helps the spin of the ball
when you are hitting into it. And it
will keep the ball in or blow the ball
out when it gusts or swirls across
the court. You should always know
which way the wind is blowing to
make needed adjustments.
In addition to the reduced intensity, the sun also hangs lower in the
sky this time of year. It seems to
be right in your line of sight more
since it is not high in on the horizon like it is in the summer. The
sun is also a huge influence on you
and your opponent. Changeovers
keep the sun from being unfair to
one player or the other, but the
player who handles the sunny side
best seems to fair better at the end.
Adjustments will have to be made
to your toss, and sometimes your
stance, to prevent the blinding effect the sun can have.
Shorter days mean night play
is needed from time to time, too.
Lights make the ball look different
and also cause sight issues when
playing at night. Even the night air
seems to affect all aspects of your
tennis game. It feels moist, and the
balls seem to get heavier.
We are fortunate to live in such
a great climate for fall and winter tennis. Look at the weather
in other areas of the country and
be thankful you have the opportunity to play all winter outside.
And most days here in Seaside
are sunny. Oh, yeah, that can be
a problem. What a great problem you have here for your tennis
game! See you on the courts. c
TENNIS
Tracy Townsend is a resort Tennis
expert and his company, 30A Tennis, manages Seaside Tennis on
behalf of the Seaside Community
Development Corp. You can reach
him at [email protected] or call
(850) 231-2214. For news events
and court conditions, find Seaside
Tennis on Facebook.
Pro Shop Hours:
Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday-Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Eye-Opener Clinic:
Monday-Thursday 9-10 a.m.
Round Robin:
Friday-Sunday 9-10:30 a.m.
Players for the Food for Thought round robin held in September raised enough money to fill 1,200 backpacks of food. Photo by Jacqueline Ward
November–December
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2014
November–December
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T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Under the Oaks
FARMERS MARKET
Twin Oaks Farm offers fresh organic goodness
By Wendy O. Dixon
Chickens and ducks, geese and
hogs, donkeys and sheep, and
cats aplenty roam freely on the
lush green pasture, enjoying the
Florida sunshine and soy-free organic feed. Their paradise is Twin
Oaks Farm, the area’s only certified USDA Organic farm, set on
94 acres in nearby Bonifay, in operation since 2008.
Run by owner Renee Savary,
along with a staff of two, the farm
raises heritage chickens, ducks,
geese, sheep and pigs on the pasture the old fashioned way, she
says — by putting in long hours
no matter the weather. “It’s a lot
of work — 15 hours a day, seven
days a week,” she says. “It’s also a
lot of trial and error, and it’s getting better with the years.”
In doing it the old fashioned
way, Savary says there are two
things she cannot do — cheap and
fast. Her Thanksgiving turkeys,
for example, take months to mature. “Turkeys grow slowly and
we care about the wellbeing of
the birds,” she says. The birds will
be around five months old this
Thanksgiving.
Twin Oaks is the only certified
USDA Organic and soy free farm in
the area. The apiary, which houses
colonies of bees, ensures the bees
can build strong hives by providing
ample forage. Most importantly,
she says, they provide them an ad-
Fresh from the farm goodies from Twin Oaks Farms. Photos courtesy Renee Savary
equate supply of their own honey.
“The first year we do not harvest
the honey at all,” she says. “The
second year, we only harvest in the
spring and then let the bees build
their reserves for the winter.”
The farm is committed to organic practices, the cultivation of nongenetically modified vegetables
and fruits and the breeding of heritage livestock in an effort to support their conservation. The farm’s
production is small and authentic.
Fresh preserves, flavored butter, herbal vinegar and chutney
are produced right on the farm
with the freshest ingredients using fruits found only in Florida,
as well as certified organic evaporated cane juice. Glass jars filled
with the naturally sweet goodies
are topped with decorative cloth
tied with straw, making an ideal
holiday gift. New flavors this year
include strawberry pinot noir and
fig chocolate. Or try the ever-favorite strawberry rhubarb, pear
butter or any of more than a dozen
flavors. For the holidays, Savary
even offers free gift-wrapping.
A farm tour, held in conjunction with the annual regional tour
in October, offers a closer look at
what they do. There, visitors can
see the Rhode Island Red hens,
which produce the No. 1 eggs in
the country, according to the Cornucopia Institute Eggs Score Card.
The gentle Gulf Coast sheep,
ducks, geese, turkeys and donkeys
roam freely on the pasture and are
always ready for a photo op. At
the bistro, Under the oak, guests
can savor some delicious organic
farm-produced food.
With another new year approaching, this is the perfect time
to embrace the farm-fresh, organic, real-food life, and you can start
with the Seaside Farmers Market
and Twin Oaks Farms. c
Editor’s Note: To reserve a turkey, contact Renee Savary at Twin
Oaks Farm, (850) 547-5636, [email protected] or in person at the Seaside Farmers Market. The turkeys will be delivered
to the market the Saturday before
Thanksgiving.
November–December
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2014
November–December
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21
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Page 22
November–December 2014
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
WINE
Here’s to the
Wine Project
By Karen Granger
Seaside’s exclusive new wine label ranges from light and zesty to
full-bodied and complex, making
it easy for you to find a new favorite. Seaside teamed up with Kokomo Winery in Sonoma County to
bring these beautiful wines to the
beach. I had the privilege to taste
these wines and here are my notes
to help you choose which bottle
to open first.
2013 Sauvignon Blanc-Timber
Crest Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
This beauty is light gold with
hints of green in the glass. Aromas of lemon grass and guava
jump out with a supple round
mouthfeel that is becoming more
prevalent in California sauvignon
blancs. The suppleness is balanced by a zippy acidity making it
a great food wine.
2012 Chardonnay-Peters
Vineyard, Russian River Valley
This wine has a rich golden hue
with notes of vanilla and orchard
fruits. If you can imagine how
fresh peaches poached in a sweet
cream taste, you can imagine
what this wine is like. Elegant and
full-bodied, this typifies Sonoma
chardonnay.
The
Wine Project, exclusive to Seaside. Photo by Wendy O. Dixon
2012 Pinot Noir-Russian
River Valley
The pinot noir has a very complex nose starting out with earth,
mushroom and wet stone. On the
palate it displays cherries, plum
and spices. It has a long finish
with a lively acidity that dances on
the tongue.
2012 Zinfandel-Dry
Creek Valley
This lighter style zinfandel has
a bright garnet hue with cherries
and berries on the nose. Most zin-
fandels are big, bold and jammy.
However, this light take on the
varietal still contains all the holiday spices, but features fresh fruit.
Think of it as your go-to-beach
barbecue wine.
2012 Cuvée-Sonoma County
The cuvée is a masculine wine
showcasing Bordeaux and Rhone
varietals. With aromas of flint,
leather, cigar box and pepper,
cuvée is a full-bodied wine with
great structure and balance.
Note: Due to limited availability,
I was unable to taste the Grenache
rose; it will be available again with
the next vintage. c
Karen Granger is a Sommelier who
has poured wine in Chicago, Ill.,
Columbus, Ohio, and previously
designed wine lists in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
www.seasidefl.com
November–December 2014
Page 23
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
FOOD
The
Wine Project Collection Pairs
Well With Local Cuisine
By Susan Benton
An exciting concept was brought
to life last month
when
Seaside
founders Robert
and Daryl Davis,
in collaboration
with winemaker
Erik Miller, created a new family of wines called the
Wine Project.
It is Seaside’s private label, for
which the Davises hand-selected
the varietals with help from Seaside’s food and beverage consultant, Clark Wolf, and Modica
Market owner, Charlie Modica,
who flew to Sonoma, Calif., visiting several wineries.
The Davises ultimately selected Erik Miller’s Kokomo Winery,
making the decision based on
requests from locals and visitors
alike, seeking high quality and
great tasting wine. “The idea of
Seaside began with the notion of
reviving traditions deep rooted
in the history of the Florida Gulf
Coast,” Robert Davis explains.
“The dream was of a place that
would maintain a high degree of
quality and character seamlessly
tied by a common sense of community. Similar in vision, Kokomo
Winery is rediscovering and reviving traditional techniques of
growing grapes and making wines
that are deeply rooted in the terroir of Sonoma, just as Seaside
has rediscovered and revived Gulf
Coast architecture and community building.”
Miller takes no shortcuts. “We are
a small production technique winery and the relationships with growers allow the winery to produce and
offer wines that are as individual and
special as the vineyards from which
they were born,” he says.
Also special is that Kokomo
Winery continues to gain more
90+ ratings and gold medals with
each anticipated release, and pairs
so well with coastal cuisine. This
fall, Miller will be a guest vintner at Bud & Alley’s Vintner Dinner to kick off the Seeing Red
Wine Festival, Nov. 6-9, and the
Wine Project wines
will be featured during the fourday festival held in partnership
with the Destin Charity Wine
Auction Foundation.
Available by the glass or bottle exclusively from Seaside merchants,
wine enthusiasts can choose from
popular varieties including a sauvignon blanc, a crisp chardonnay,
pinot noir, cuvée and a light, red
zinfandel, with a portion of the proceeds raised from sales benefitting
The Seaside Institute.
Currently, Modica Market, The
Shrimp Shack, Bud & Alley’s,
Great Southern Cafe, Amavida
Bud & Alley’s jumbo lump crab cakes pair well with The
Coffee & Tea and Sóng all carry
Wine Projthe new
ect label. I reached out to a few of
the restaurants to get the first hand
news on what was selling the best
with their menu presentations.
Over at Sóng Food Truck on
Airstream row, the chardonnay is
selling the best and pairing very
well with their Thai Green Mango
& Papaya Salad with Gulf Shrimp
showcased on the menu. I also
found this dish so refreshing and
flavorful.
General Manager Grant Hill of
Bud & Alley’s says, “You have got
to try the red zinfandel with our
chocolate tarté, it is amazing. The
sauvignon blanc is really nice with
the scallop ceviche and customers are giving rave reviews to the
chardonnay paired with our fresh
jumbo lump crab cakes!”
At Modica Market, the lunch
menu changes weekly, as do the
deli food selections daily. They
are seeing bottle sales with all the
offerings, but especially the pinot
noir where patrons can sit on the
patio and enjoy a glass with their
meal. The cuvée is also quite nice
to take home with one of Charlie Modica’s hand-cut-to-order
steaks.
Lynda Miller, manager of The
Shrimp Shack says, “ We have sold
so many of our warm water lobster rolls with the chardonnay. It
is a winning combination!”
Whatever your reason for visiting, lingering or dining in Seaside
this season, plan to sip and savor
a glass from the new
Wine Project collection. c
Susan Benton is the go to resource
for foodies visiting Pensacola to
Panama City Beach. She is a food
and travel journalist with published articles and photography
Wine Project’s chardonnay. Photo by Susan Benton
in many local, regional and national publications. Her website is
30AEATS.com where she writes
about the secrets of Gulf Coast food.
celebrates the holidays
Across:
2. lawn game played with mallets
3. famous Russian ballet set to the music of
Tchaikovsky (2 words)
6. Seaside’s emerald waters are part of the Gulf
of____________?
9. Seaside’s neighborhood bookstore
10. nationally acclaimed 30A artist who paints rich
textures with acrylic paints, Justin ________
11. founded in 1982, this organization sponsors a wide
variety of performing and visual arts, literary
events, and educational programs throughout the
year, The Seaside _____________
12. Tahitian and fresh water pearl and leather jewelry
collection shop (4 words)
13. Pensacola Symphony Orchestra holiday
performance, ________ concert (2 words)
15. annual lighting of Seaside’s holidays lights
(4 words)
18. the color of all picket fences in Seaside
19. number of unique pavilions along Seaside’s beach
Down:
1. time-worn, weathered, and ‘a bit western’ clothing
store
4. New Year’s Eve party at the Seaside’ amphitheatre
with live music and fireworks (3 words)
5. 30A airstream snow cone shop (2 words)
7. Seaside beach provider of umbrellas and
chairs (2 words)
8. band playing on new year’s eve in seaside, The
Dirty __________
9. apparel and accessory store just right for the tween
in your life (2 words)
14. Seaside shop carrying toys, clothing for kids and
ladies, beach gear and gifts for the young at heart,
______________ Shop of Fun
16. Seaside’s most Western street
17. Seaside is part of this county in Florida
For answers, visit
www.theseasidetimes.com/crossword2