Emerald Coast Florida

 [[{“value”:” By Lori Leath Smith Okaloosa County has completed 2,000 feet of living shoreline along the Choctawhatchee Bay at Ross Marler Park on Okaloosa Island, marking a major milestone in shoreline protection and coastal restoration. The multi-year project utilized a cost-effective, nature-based solution designed to mitigate erosion while enhancing the coastal ecosystem surrounding Veterans Park and Marler Park. “This unique landscape is home to so many species that we need to protect,” said Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel (District 2). “This living shoreline will supplement their success, the health of our bay and extend the life of these wonderful parks.” Living shorelines are natural or nature-based solutions that protect coastal areas from erosion while supporting habitat and improving water quality. Unlike traditional hard structures such as seawalls or riprap, living shorelines use native vegetation, oyster reefs, coir logs, and other natural materials to stabilize shorelines. These systems work with natural coastal processes by absorbing wave energy, trapping sediments, and providing essential habitat for fish, crabs, and birds, while also enhancing nutrient filtration, carbon storage, and overall ecological health. The living shoreline approach was significantly more cost-effective than traditional shoreline barriers and aligned with the parks’ intended use by visitors while prioritizing preservation of the surrounding natural environment. “Projects like these involve a team from multiple departments in the County,” said Okaloosa County Vice Chairman Drew Palmer (District 5). “I want to thank the engineers, project managers, coastal scientists and grant specialists who worked together to complete this project and ensure... The post Living Shoreline Enhances Choctawhatchee Bay appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

 [[{“value”:” By Helen Petre Yes, we are! Winter has been cold and dreary, even though there was no snow this year. While wishing for warm weather, I read a book about  Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan and their solution to the coal strike. I empathize with the cold, wet, mine workers.    I am grateful that I am not a coal miner and I do not live in 1902. In 1902, in the middle of the coal strike, Roosevelt had a state dinner for the King of Prussia to celebrate his new yacht.  None of them had any idea things were not going to end well for Prussia or Germany, so they all had a great time being rich and spending money. World War I dissolved Prussia and the poor king was not a king anymore, however the state dinner was a fabulous success. They ate terrapin and ice cream,  and Edith Roosevelt decorated the dining room with Smilax species vines (those briar kind of vines that grow up trees and everywhere). Smilax is the reason they make those jeans with the extra layer of jean on the front legs so foresters, and other people who crash through the brambles, don’t tear their jeans to shreds. Edith strung the vines from the chandeliers and light fixtures,  and everywhere she could around her husband’s stuffed bears, elk, bison, and moose heads. The state dinner was in February, so there was probably nothing else green in DC, however I think Edith is... The post Pine Pollen and Smilax: Ready for Spring? appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

 [[{“value”:” The Person Behind the Music, the Moments, and the Magic By Lori Smith I’ll admit it — when I first sat down to write this, I smiled. Once upon a time, before publishing deadlines and page counts, I was a DJ myself. I know the rush of reading a room, the quiet pressure of timing it just right, the invisible responsibility of holding a moment in your hands and not dropping it. So, when I say that Zoran Subotich gets it, I mean that in the deepest, most professional, been-there way. For more than 30 years, Zoran has been the steady heartbeat behind thousands of celebrations across the Emerald Coast — from barefoot beach weddings on 30A and Destin to elegant military galas, mitzvahs, milestone birthdays and reunions that people still talk about a decade later. Four counties. Thousands of events. And somehow — no missed cues, no awkward silences, no stressed brides. That doesn’t happen by accident. Zoran doesn’t just plan parties. He engineers memories. Through his company, Celebrations By The Sea, Zoran offers a truly full-service approach — the kind that allows couples and families to relax and stay present in the moment while he quietly handles the flow behind the scenes. His services include: DJ and professional emcee services Full event planning and coordination Licensed wedding and event officiating Ceremony and reception direction Lighting and atmosphere design Timeline creation and flow management Multilingual hosting and announcements All of it is tailored. All of it intentional. And... The post Know Your Neighbor: Zoran Subotich appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

 [[{“value”:” By Kathleen Edge, Publicity & Website Chair Green Thumb Garden Club’s Junior Gardeners Program was started in 1993 by then-President, Margo Yourick.  The 2025/2026 program at Butler Elementary School is in its fifth year, with 40 fourth and fifth-grade students participating this year.  The program includes class time as well as hands-on projects with five teaching teams.  Recently, the students learned that all plants, including Spanish moss and air plants, do not need dirt to grow.   Early Spring planting included potatoes and onions along with strawberries.  The Junior Gardener program is supported by eight GTGC members, two Butler teachers and one support person, plus a student’s father who helps with cultivation and fertilization of the raised beds. GTGC is very appreciative of all Junior Gardeners program volunteers. March’s member meeting is on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Westwinds Conference Center in Sandestin.  Jeff Talbert, Coastal Dune Lakes project leader at Deer Lake Park, will update attendees on the current state of and future plans for the precious Panhandle Dune Lakes as well as his work at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  Yellow fly kits will be distributed by Walton County Mosquito Control District. The April 15, 2026, Member meeting program, also at Westwinds Conference Center,  is Farm-to-Table focused on sourcing local food.  There will be a Bake Sale with proceeds benefitting scholarships and other GTGC charities.  Members are asked to bring their favorite sweets to support the effort. The Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc., located in Walton County, Florida,... The post Green Thumb’s Junior Gardener Program is Growing at Butler Elementary School appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

 [[{“value”:” Grab your bunny-eared best friends to celebrate Dog-Harmony’s 11th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza, a canine-only Easter egg hunt and social, on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. This beloved doggie social tradition invites families to enjoy an evening of community fun and a comical, action-packed canine egg hunt. Dog-Harmony Founder Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, says, “Doggie EGGstravaganza offers an entertaining family experience that helps fund our non-profit’s therapy dog team program in hospitals, schools, and libraries, and Paw Pantry, which aims to keep families in need together through donations of pet food and supplies.” With a $20 pre-registration per pup (or $25 on the day of the event), each registered dog will receive a souvenir bag for the race to collect nearly 1,000 colorful eggs containing sniff-worthy treats scattered across the greens. Separate egg-hunt areas for dogs, split by weight (over and under 35 pounds), ensure a fair competition. Dog-Harmony requests that families not use retractable leashes or apply prong, choke, or shock collars at the event. Attendees can also enjoy a costume contest with prizes awarded for the top 3 best “bunny” ensembles, delicious JC’s Gourmet served with libations, pup-approved Davis Dog Treats, music curated by DJ Diamond Dan, and a fabulous silent auction sponsored by local businesses. Spring Into Event Sponsorship Early sponsors include JC’s Gourmet, Davis Dog Treats, Destin Flooring America, Theresa Felton, REALTOR®, Elevate Next, and the Polakoff Group with Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. Grand Boulevard serves as the... The post Hop to Dog-Harmony’s 11th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza on April 3 appeared first on 30A Breaking News.