Community Briefs 2-25

Local 30A restaurant under new management/partnership

Crush Wine Bar, 25 Central Square in Seaside’s Town Center, has announced that Kevin Moran has joined Harbor Restaurant Group as a managing partner of Crush. Moran will be responsible for handling management, staff development and customer relation’s efforts as well as overseeing the daily operations of the restaurant.

Kevin is a well-known veteran restaurateur

With more than 30 years experience in the hospitality industry, Moran, previously general manager of Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, was awarded the designation of Certified Wine Specialist by the Society of Wine Educators and is one of the regions only certified sommeliers.

The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. (for refreshments) 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (full menu) and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Sunday Bottomless Champagne Brunch.

Seaside Neighborhood School

The Seaside Neighborhood School is accepting applications for its governing Board of Directors who serve a three-year term on a volunteer basis.  Resumes should be mailed to the school at PO Box 4610, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 or brought to the school’s main office at 10 Smolian Circle in Seaside.  The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. March 23. New board members will be elected at the April Board meeting. Call 231-0396.

New assistant director at Biophilia Center

Paul Arthur has been named assistant director at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. For those who know Arthur, they are not surprised. He is a certified teacher and past Cub Master, full of energy and passion for environment.

With a bachelor's degree from Birmingham-Southern, Arthur has a wide range of experience from owning a moving company to writing children's poetry.  If you have had the pleasure of chaperoning one of the schools participating in the programs at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, then you have seen how he energizes the students.

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s Director, Christy Scally, believes Arthur’s people skills will be an asset to the Center’s development.

New 30A Shirt to benefit Alaqua

30A.com introduced its 2012 line of 30A-branded lifestyle products recently, including a special “Life Shines Dog” T-shirt design that will raise money to help support Walton County’s Alaqua Animal Refuge. Official 30A products are currently sold in 25 retail locations throughout South Walton.

“Ten percent of all profits from our new ‘Life Shines Dog’ T-shirts will be donated to Alaqua this year,” said 30A.com’s Mike Ragsdale. “They’re going to be a big seller.”

Walton County Sheriff’s Office launches new website

The Walton County Sheriff's Office recently unveiled its new website, www.waltonso.org, where citizens and visitors can find the latest information regarding WCSO operations. 

“Ensuring the safety of our citizens and visitors is our primary mission,” said Captain Audie Rowell. “The website development team continued the agency’s commitment to excellence by providing our county with an easily accessible resource to connect with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.”

The new website is an easily navigable community tool designed to provide the public with the latest press releases, social media updates, and safety and crime prevention information. Citizens can also sign up for civilian courses, request public records and obtain employment applications.

 Other features of the website include an image gallery, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, WCSO division information and community links to outside resources such as the state’s Florida Offender Alert System.  

Fletcher to represent Walton County

Jennifer Fletcher was recently award the title 2012 Walton County’s Miss Heart of the USA Ambassador.

Fletcher, the daughter of Mrs. Dru Davis of Freeport, will enjoy a fun filled year of making appearances and being involved in her community on behalf of the Miss Heart of the USA Organization. Look for her as she participates in events in your local area.

Fletcher will be representing Walton County at the 2012 North Florida State Miss Heart of the USA, where she will compete for $2,000 in scholarship money.

Winner’s of the 2012 North Florida State pageant will advance to the Miss Heart of the USA Nationals in Orlando, Florida, where they will have the opportunity to compete for a $5000 Supreme Beauty Scholarship.

The Miss Heart of the USA pageant began as a food drive for a rescue mission whose pantry was low and blossomed into a National Pageant Program that has distributed over 750,000 nonperishable food items to nonprofit organization, collected toys for Toys for Tots, and even collected and distributed much needed baby items for a Women’s Hope Center.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming part of our program, contact the State Office at 334-684-6051 or visit www.missheartoftheusa.com for complete information. You may also contact our office if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or booking a queen for a special appearance or volunteer opportunity.