Oil spill cleanup is under way

Oil spill cleanup is under way at many beaches along the Gulf Coast, and beach-bound travelers are keeping a close eye on coastal conditions.

Here are some of the latest updates from destinations affected by the oil disaster:

Florida’s Emerald Coast

Oil cleanup Coast, beach-bound conditions.

Here disaster:

Florida’s Coast

Small weekend, bureau. ” removed, spotted,” bureau’s website.

The area, Destin, Island, visit.

” white-sand emerald-green clear. addition, strong, water,” said.

Destin ” Sam” few, unusual.

” balls, we’ll few. That’s Mexico, said.

Beachgoers usual, said.

Pensacola Key, Florida

The fishing, Bureau.

The afternoon. Florida-Alabama Key, said. advised.

Mike McHugh, contributor, video Beach. ” Johnson’s in. 4:30 p.m., gone. balls, [they] find,” wrote.

James Amerson, iReporter, tracking oil Pensacola. Beach, inches, said.

” stuff, old, [on] sands,” iReport.com.

The precautions. ” [the Administration], person, up," said.

Gulf Seashore, Florida

All open, website. Tuesday, Florida, Key. areas.

Health spill.

Gulf Beach, Alabama

In Alabama, Shores, Morgan. open. sightseeing, Bureau.

The fishing.

Grand Isle, Louisiana

Oil coast, emergency website.

Grand beach, website.

Natasha Combs, iReporter, observe efforts.

" military. [hazmat] suits. beach, pools," said.

But what if your plans fall through or, in the aftermath of an exuberant Christmas, you’re looking to save a little money without sacrificing romance?
You don’t have to look any further than your own home.

A house can be more of a romantic retreat than a fancy restaurant or resort spa, say interior decorators. And it’s not just the obvious places, such as the bedroom, that can help set the stage for romance. Unlikely spots such as the living room, dining room, outdoor patio and even bathrooms can easily, and inexpensively, become love nests.

“Overwhelmingly yet subtly indulging all of the senses and setting a mood — that’s the essence behind creating the enhancing experience of a romantic space or retreat,” says Tamera Massey, an architect and interior decorator with offices in Seaside and Tallahassee.

These spaces must be crafted with intimate attention to detail, Massey says, mixing the mystery and excitement of romance with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
Rose petals on the bed are for amateurs, these decorators say. To really transform a room into the ultimate romantic retreat, you must indulge all five of your senses: taste, smell, sight, hearing and sound.

It’s not always the obvious choices, such as red walls, that decorators consider romantic. A newly single woman who owns a 5,600-square-foot home in Shalimar chose one main color to decorate her home: white.

Destin-based Kelly Porter-Smith, her interior designer, says it evoked the “clean slate” the divorcee was looking for.

“We created a cocoon effect,” Porter-Smith says, with a variety of textures to help break up the monotony of white, such as thick frieze carpet.

If you don’t have the time or money for a take-it-down-to-the studs renovation or custom-built home, there are simple, inexpensive tricks that homeowners can use to achieve a romantic atmosphere. Adjusting the lighting, adding a few decorative touches, and focusing on sentimental themes are some of the recommendations decorators have for heightening romance.

Christmas in February

Treat Valentine’s Day decorating with the serious attention given to other holidays, such as Christmas, says Cara McBroom, a Miramar Beach-based interior designer with Lovelace Interiors.

“On Feb. 1, we should do the same thing to lift our spirits,” McBroom says. “One easy way to do this would be to save all the simple red Christmas decorations.”

Red vases, candle holders, a red velvet table runner can be salvaged for Valentine’s Day, she says.

“You want long-lasting decorations you can set out two weeks prior to the big day.”

McBroom says the five senses are used in Christmas decorating and can also be used in February.

“At Christmas we have cinnamon candles, earthy pine trees, holiday music, sparking lights, cookies and candies, and a variety of textures under the tree.”

Do the same thing in February, McBroom advises. Stock candy dishes with chocolates, play love songs, rent chick flicks, burn rich candles with scents such as chocolate, and decorate with textures like silk and velvet.

“This is a great time to bring out all the crystal you were given when you got married, for a little glitz and glamour,” she says.

The Right Light

Just as Realtors preach “location, location, location,” interior decorators tout “lighting, lighting, lighting.” When designing a room for couples, decorators say using soft lighting is important.

If you have dimmers, now is the time to use them, McBroom says. Aim for flexibility with your light choices, Porter-Smith adds. In a bedroom, have overhead lighting as well as lamp lighting.

Then there is the obvious choice: candles. If it’s for a special day, drape the room with candles, using different sizes and shapes in order to achieve a staggered look.

Light the corners of a room, or putting accent lights on art, is a less expensive way to set the mood. A more expensive option for homeowners is installing dimmers so the mood can be instantly changed with a single button. Make sure any lighting changes also add convenience, she says. For instance, don’t install lighting that requires crawling out of bed to flick off a switch; instead, use remote controls or have a switch near the bed.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Arranging a room around a specific theme, beyond Valentine’s Day, is effective.

For couples, celebrate your love by taking a walk down memory lane, with photos, mementos, music and art that evokes a favorite vacation or honeymoon locale.

On the wall could be art or a photo of Venice and its abundant gondolas gliding down a canal. On a table could be photos from the trip of you and a loved one kissing at a piazza, posing in front of the Coliseum in Rome, or twirling spaghetti in Florence.

Scented candles, soft music, candies or chocolates on a nearby table — all can add a splash of romance to a room. Depending on how far the theme is taken, wine could be offered from an Italian vineyard, the music could be Pavarotti, and the candles could be hand-dipped from Florence.

If you’re after a more permanent transformation, go for glamour by hanging a Venetian chandelier, which is more conventionally seen in dining rooms but can be placed in a bedroom for a romantic effect. To invoke the luxurious lifestyle of European royalty, shop for an ornate four-poster bed draped in Italian silk, with matching dressers with solid bronze or gold handles.

With the workday pressure gone, it puts you in the mood for romance because you’re in vacation mode, relaxed and comfortable. Think about what made a good resort or hotel experience and try translating this in your own home, decorators say.

Hotels are great resources for romantic settings because they don’t contain the typical bedroom clutter. There are no books, no messy nightstand and no misplaced furniture. Hotels offer simplicity, and many are designed to emphasize romance over other practical needs, with bigger beds, whirlpool baths and hammocks on balconies.

“One design essential is a great bed,” Porter-Smith says. “Start out with a good mattress and bed linens. No polyesters — it has to be natural fibers.”

One big no-no? Using your bedroom, or any other romantic retreat such as a living room, for “double duty.” Don’t put gym equipment or an office desk in a bedroom, Porter-Smith says.

“You could create a more harmonious space if you just keep it as a place for relaxation.”

Soft Touch

Don’t forget about one of the most important senses — touch. Decorators say soft, inviting fabrics such as velvet and silk are key to setting the stage for romance. This extends from the window treatments down to the type of rug or carpeting, sofa, bedding, and tables and chairs.

While modern furniture might appeal to you aesthetically, designers say to watch out for sharp corners and stiff furniture that may look great but not feel so good.

If a homeowner has wood floors, place a soft rug on top of it to add warmth. Or choose carpeting such as a long-haired California Berber.

In the bedroom, go with sheets or comforters that are soft to the touch.

In the dining room, just using linen napkins, or having chairs with a smooth texture such as suede, can help soften the room. Use a table centerpiece that is inviting to the eyes, nose and fingers, such as roses, an orchid or lilies.

Beyond the Bedroom

Bedrooms aren’t the only place in a home that can be transformed into a romantic retreat. With the right decorative touch, practically any room can have a seductive appeal.

Backyards are sometimes overlooked but can be the perfect spot for romance.

If you have a pool or whirlpool, use floating candles with waterproof candleholders. Tiki torches along the perimeter of your backyard provide a gentle glow. And if your backyard offers some privacy, try setting up massage tables with aromatic oils.

Living rooms or family rooms can also be transformed into a romantic hideaway. Many of these rooms have televisions, which offer the opportunity to settle into a cozy couch and watch a romantic movie. Don’t ignore the rooms that have good views of a nearby lake or park.

These transformations need not be temporary, decorators say. The best part about turning your home into a romantic retreat is that you don’t need the excuse of Feb. 14 or the pressure of the right dinner reservation to achieve the spirit of Valentine’s Day, or any day of the year.

Perhaps you’ve seen him riding down the side of U.S. Highway 90 wearing a kilt and asked yourself, “Who is that guy and what is he thinking?”

He goes by the name Rob Roy McGregor, and he is riding his bike to help raise environmental awareness and save the world’s rain forests.

McGregor’s journey began in Orlando in January 2009 at the 32nd Annual Scottish Highlands Festival. The cultural anthropologist and father of four set off on a journey throughout Florida to spread his message.

After pedaling nearly 1,000 miles across the state, McGregor ended his ride on Feb. 7 in his hometown of DeFuniak Springs.

“I am biking and creating art to draw attention to our most critical global problem created by our daily decisions,” he says. “The current focus of my bike ride and art exhibition is global climate change.”

McGregor is currently riding across his ancestors’ hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, and working on a new exhibit, “The 13 Acacia Trees of Life Art Project.”

“The tree of life in art has been a mystical concept alluding to the interconnectedness of all life on our planet,” McGregor says. “In Egyptian mythology, it is said that Isis and Osiris emerged from the Acacia Tree of Saosis, the Egyptian tree of life. In the Hebrew/Christian bibles, the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were both made of acacia wood, and the burning bush was an acacia tree.”

When completed, 13 acacia trees built completely from construction waste will be put on display for the exhibit. The acacia trees, one of the last remaining traces of the fading rain forests, serve as a metaphor for the degradation of an entire ecosystem.

McGregor recently talked with us about his passion for the globe.

ECN: Where did you study anthropology?

RM: I graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in ’97 with a B.A. in liberal arts from the school of anthropology. I study how our culture lives. I study corporate culture and see how our material culture drives our spiritual culture. Our spiritual culture can be seen in our art.

ECN: What kind of bike do you ride on the tour?

RM: Right now I am riding a German mountain bike that I bought from Common Wheels, Glasgow, which saved me on the Rob Roy Challenge more than once. In Florida I rode a Giant 24-speed tour bike.

ECN: Do you prefer to ride a mountain, road or hybrid bike?

RM: I prefer a hybrid for Florida flats. When in Scotland, I use a mountain bike with lots of gears. The hills here are intense and Scotland is home to the best bike trails, routes and courses I have ever seen.

ECN: What is the most detestable action against nature in your opinion?

RM: I am most disturbed by roads.

ECN: What is the most amazing thing you’ve seen on tour in Florida?

RM: The tree I photographed out in front of the Frazier Museum in West Palm Beach. It was beautiful and the roots created rooms like a house. I thought to myself … I could live in this tree.

ECN: Do you have any relation to Scotland’s famous Rob Roy McGregor?

RM: Yes, through my mother, who was a Campbell. McGregor was an alias — his real last name was Campbell. My father is a McGregor.

ECN: What are your future plans?

RM: I am really thinking about making my next bike tour start in El Salvador and then biking down to Brazil into the rain forest. I am praying about it. I also want to bike in the Middle East, Russia and China eventually.

For the past 27 years, Dr. Jenny Fortune has worked as a veterinarian at the Niceville Animal Clinic. Her last name is misleading, in that she doesn’t make a fortune caring for animals, but she is collecting a lot of good karma. 

Through the years, Fortune has seen thousands of animals come through her clinic. Many are surrendered because, for one reason or another, their owners can no longer care for them.

In early 2008, a family came to see Fortune with a blind kitten. But they weren’t looking to help the cat; they were looking to rid themselves of this helpless animal. They were looking for a “perfect” cat, and one without the ability to see just didn’t cut it. 

At the same time, Fortune worked with a girl that was deaf. She was looking for her own “perfect” cat.  So Fortune put the two together. A young girl, who couldn’t hear, paired with a cat that couldn’t see. Together, they would help one another. And a “perfect” match was made.

“She fell in love with this cat and they bonded so much more because he takes the time to listen to her,” says Fortune. “They bonded so dramatically that it always impacted me. That was the beginning of the idea.”

The “idea” was to find happy homes for special needs animals.

And Fortune found the perfect facility, just down the road in Destin.

“I had a clinic that was underutilized, so I turned it into a shelter for these special needs animals that are un-adoptable. We spay, neuter, we clean their teeth,” she says. “If an eye needs to come out, we take their eye out. Sometimes I do orthopedic surgeries.”

And so, Frogs to Dogs was born. The name is appropriate in that it’s a home for animals that, for lack of a better word, are different. But different is all in the eye of the beholder, and what some see as an imperfect animal, others see as the perfect pet.

For example, there’s Eddie Scissorhands, the shelter’s de facto mascot. He’s a small, black, border collie who is missing his front feet. Eddie was found on the streets of Pensacola; someone had cut off his ears and tail. He could barely walk and couldn’t hear, but he was the perfect dog to represent Frogs to Dogs.

“You can tell they did it as a small puppy and you can tell he was used to moving around without feet. These animals came to me four months old and were coping with whatever issues there were. He didn’t have front feet so he did the best without them.”

There’s also Rue the cat. Her feet were deformed in the womb and non-functional, so she hopped around like a kangaroo. 

There are blind dogs, deaf dogs and cats with their paws pointed backwards. They are all welcome here. And all made to feel like they are just as normal as any other animal.

“These are animals that wouldn’t stand a chance at a regular shelter,” says Fortune.

But why does this North Florida veterinarian spend so much time with these animals? It’s not to make a fortune. In fact, she’s spending a fortune to keep the clinic up and running.

“My rent is $3,600 dollars per month,” she says. “We have one paid employee that gets about $1,600. Financially, it’s huge. But it’s the right thing to do and somewhere along the way, someone will come around and have the backing. I wanted to make it as pure as I could without the bureaucracy. It’s me and the animals and we place them from death’s doorstep into the community.”

Not every animal can come into the clinic. The facility is about 3,000 square feet and you’ll see anywhere between 10 to 25 animals on site at any given time.

“We have some rules. They have to be small and sweet. I won’t take anyone that bites,” she says. “I do turn dogs down if I don’t feel they are appropriate. I just got three pugs in, one has an eye issue, the other two are fine. We don’t necessarily take only special needs animals.”

But Fortune doesn’t give the animals away either. While she’s not in this to make money, she still wants to make sure the animals end up in a good home where they will be loved.

“We usually suggest at least $100,” Fortune explains. “To get them into an adoptable position costs between $400 and $600. It’s not to recover money, but so the owner has a bond. If you give animals away, they don’t take as good of care of them. It’s a screening-out process.”

Word is starting to get out about the clinic. Folks from as far south as West Palm Beach and as far north as Georgia have stopped by to adopt a pet. In the past year and a half, Fortune says they’ve adopted out close to 300 animals. That includes animals brought to her Niceville clinic, those brought to Frogs to Dogs in Destin and others she rescued during Hurricane Katrina. 

Yes, this same woman who works full time in Niceville, runs a clinic for special needs animals and has a husband and five children, still found the time to drive to Louisiana to rescue animals.

“There are people who like to help people and people who like to help animals,” she says. “During Katrina, I went to New Orleans and I got 115 animals out of the Lower Ninth Ward in my truck and drove back with them and did it again three weeks later. I saw how you have the bureaucratic response. The Humane Society had their nice, neat place and then you had the people who were rescuing them out of houses. It’s a pure charity, because the longer a charity is there the more layered they are in bureaucracy. I wanted to do something that is direct and help out as much as I could.”

But what about the future? Not many people can afford to spend thousands of dollars every month and expect to stay afloat.

“I don’t mind not making money, that’s not how I do it. But I can’t continue to put $4,000 of my own money into it. We’re going on a year and a half. I’m horrible at fundraising, I’d love to have someone help us out and say we’ll find someone. We are a nonprofit and it’s tax deductible. I can talk to a bunch of people and be effective, but I don’t have the time to canvass the streets. I’m hoping that somebody will step forward as a fundraiser to take us under their wing, a grant writer, maybe just the rent taken care of, but the rest I’ll cover. If I can’t get the rent, I’ll have to close it down.”

Let’s hope not. Fortune’s tenacity and love for injured animals is built on hope — hope for a decent life for even the smallest creatures, and a hope that her community will help

As of  April 16th 2010 ALL Puppies are gone

Thank you for your interest

If you would like to send us deposit on male or female weimaraner  puppy or to request more info please use this contact form:
[contact-form]

Click here to see Weimaraner Puppies at play

Available Silver Males and Females are both $450

If you would like to come and visit us in Freeport, Florida, when Pups are at least 6 weeks old and pick your baby out, that would be fine.

At this point we are taking $200-$300 deposit ( explained bellow) to confirm and hold puppy for you. The deposit is non-refundable. Which means that if you change your mind after you send it, you will loose it. If we change our minds or for some reason your puppy becomes unavailable you will get 100% money back.

For deposit we take personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks or for a faster confirmation, paypal. Balance due at the pickup is in Cash only.

We do prefer that you came to pick your puppy, although we could arrange to meet you part ways (up to 100 miles) at no extra cost to you but with larger deposit.( $300) Which again, will be deducted from the final payment that will be due at the pickup of your Puppy.


If you decide to get puppy from us,here how it works:
Write back to confirm your intentions along with:
1) full name
2) address where puppy will live with you,
3)your contact telephone #,
4) have you ever had a Weimaraner before?,
5) if answer to above is NO, why have you decided to have one?.
Basically, we just wanted to be sure where would our puppy find new and safe home because they are family members to us.

Right after we confirm the above, will let you know where to send the deposit.

What will happen next?

Puppies will have their dew claws and tails docked first week after they are born .

During course of the first 2-4 weeks puppies will have their first nail clipping, stitches removed
from tail, first and second deworming, they will also receive first set of shots.

They will be ready for pickup around March 15th 2010. At which time
they will have all necessary shots and vaccinations.

About Bolek and Sally:
Both parents live with us and were raised together. Both registered with CKC ( Continental Kennel Club )

Sire Bolek

Bolek  is a gorgeous representative of the Weimaraners, will turn 4 years on June 13,2010.
Born in Georgia, very active,athletic and playful, he loves human
companion and gets very well with other dogs. He is our older child

Dame Sally

Sally, the Mama, has her birthday coming up on February 6th . This one is more calm, very sweet and attached to me, the both follow us around the house all the time and no matter if we live for an hour or be gone all
day, Bolek and Sally will greed us by the door as if they have not seen us
for months.

Let us know if you have any questions, 770-318-0800

info (at) delphindesign.com

]]> http://atd.agranite.com/emerald-coast/puppies-for-sale/weimaraner-puppies-for-sale-in-freeport-florida-32439/feed/ 0 http://atd.agranite.com/emerald-coast/living/run-with-chi/ http://atd.agranite.com/emerald-coast/living/run-with-chi/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:22:44 +0000 agtile http://atd.agranite.com/emerald-coast/?p=520 Learning to Align Body and Mind Can Take Your Running Routine to a New Level

A relatively new concept of running has trained and beginning runners thinking differently when putting one foot in front of the other. “ChiRunning” combines the inner focus and flow of tai chi with the power and energy of running. This technique is meant to make the sport of running more comfortable and can prevent further injury.

Danny Dreyer, author of “ChiRunning Pain-free Marathon Training Program,” created this practice based on his study of tai chi with internationally renowned tai chi masters and his own 35 years of experience racing in ultra-marathons.
“I came up with the concept after taking my first tai chi class in 1998,” Dreyer says. “I had been a successful ultramarathon runner, but the addition of tai chi principles in my running movement sparked the idea that this was something worth developing.” Dreyer has written several books on ChiRunning, conducts workshops all over the United States and has certified training programs for those who want to become a ChiRunning instructor. “The basic principles of ChiRunning involve good posture, which most runners don’t have,” he says. “We use a lot of the principles of body alignment and relaxation used in tai chi. Posture is key to becoming an efficient runner and is a prominent principle in tai chi.” For instance, the “column position” teaches to set your pelvis forward and walk with your feet in front of you. Another common mistake among runners is not running flat-footed. In a mid-foot strike, runners should land flat-footed, letting gravity pull them forward. This method can help runners prevent shin splints, which are common when runners push off with their toes. When practicing ChiRunning, runners are instructed to listen to their bodies and pay attention to using the appropriate muscles. That means working the deep abdominal muscles, leaning forward while running and keeping feet pointed straight. Also, runners studying ChiRunning need to learn good cadence. Instructors recommend counting how many times your feet hit the ground in a minute. You don’t have to run faster, but be sure to pick your feet up. For people who don’t want to run, there is an alternative to ChiRunning. ChiWalking also was created to blend walking with the inner focuses of tai chi. It emphasizes proper biomechanics including good posture, loose joints and relaxing the muscles of the arms and legs. The technique also has five steps walkers need to keep in mind:     1.    Get aligned.     2.    Engage your core.     3.    Create balance.     4.    Make a choice.     5.    Move forward.
Like its sister program, ChiWalking makes walking easier on the body by eliminating the aches, pains and discomfort of walking incorrectly.

ChiWalking and ChiRunning also address another need of the body. Letting your body “go with the flow” sounds easy but is actually one of the more difficult habits to attain, because people’s bodies aren’t naturally taught to relax. This can be overcome by tapping in to your body’s reflexes; instead of tensing up, just keep your body in control. Think of it as running or walking down a hill. Instead of naturally breaking with your feet, just let your body roll down the hill.

To learn more about the ChiRunning and ChiWalking programs, or to find instructors in the Emerald Coast, visit chiliving.com or chirunning.com. Most instructors are willing to travel to various locations, and you can always find Danny Dreyer’s books and DVDs at local bookstores. See also Destin Yoga

It’s no secret that the Emerald Coast has staked its claim as one of the top culinary wonders of the world, with numerous renowned chefs now living and working in the area.

But in the heart of the Panhandle, there is a different sort of food service program that soars far above average expectations.

The motto of the dining facilities team at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach is “Excellence … Our Standard, Not Our Goal.” It’s the passion behind this motto that recently won them the coveted Hennessy Award, recognizing the team’s commitment to provide quality service and food to customers.

The prestigious honor is the oldest military food service award, established in 1957 to recognize the best of the best within the Air Force. According to the award criteria, “an operation must exhibit sustained excellence in food service management, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation, training and safety” in order to merit the honor. The award is named after the late John L. Hennessy, a hotel and restaurant executive who served on presidential advisory boards to aid in the improvement of military food service.

Dave Mickler is the dining facility director who led the award-winning team, most of whom are now deployed overseas. Although his humility would never allow him to admit it, Mickler is known by his colleagues as the “godfather of United States Air Force food service.” After all, this is his seventh time to lead a team to the Hennessy — five times while working at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Okaloosa County and now twice at Eglin.

The accolades are impressive, but Mickler is adamant about one thing: “The Hennessy is never won by one person … it’s always won by a team effort.”

Enduring two intense days of judging was no easy feat. A four-person team composed of military personnel and civilian travelers arrived in February, and from 5:30 a.m. to midnight both days, a checklist of 150 items was evaluated, including the 17-plus specialty themed meal programs served throughout the year at Eglin. In April, Mickler received the long-awaited news.

“I was super-happy when I found out we won the award,” he says. “It just proved that all our hard work paid off, and it’s recognition that our team has really done an outstanding job.”

In addition to being recognized as the top food service program in the Air Force, one airman in particular stood out to the judges for his culinary expertise and enthusiasm. Staff Sgt. Wendell Bowles II won the John L. Hennessy Travelers Award for being “the most outstanding food service person of the year.”

Because of his deployment to Iraq, Bowles was not able to travel with Mickler and some of the staff in May to receive the two awards at the National Restaurant Association Food Service Convention in Chicago. However, he did receive a $1,000 scholarship to be used toward furthering his education in the food service industry. Bowles also was awarded a week-long course of study at The Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, Calif.

After serving 26 years in the Air Force, Mickler retired as a chief master sergeant but continued utilizing his food-service training background as the restaurant manager of the Eglin Officers’ Club for three years, followed by a stint as dining facility director at Hurlburt Field for nine years. In 2005, he made another move to Eglin. And within a year, the base received the Hennessy for the sixth time.

Part of Mickler’s passion is to dispel the idea that military food service positions aren’t as rewarding as service as a bomb loader or jet mechanic — his career field isn’t one that most high school graduates voluntarily sign up for at the recruiting office. However, many people are surprised to learn that the Air Force does not have “chow halls” but rather embraces a modern, restaurant-like style, which may include an Internet café or a wall of flat-screen TVs.

“It’s not just about the food … it’s a full dining experience,” Mickler says. “A lot of these young folks are here for the first time away from home, and we try to make this like their home, where they can sit down and enjoy a relaxing meal. You’re only as good as the last meal you served! We have a lot of them that come back, and we get compliments from all branches of the military. That makes you feel like what you’re doing is rewarding.”

After serving 500,000 meals a year — about 2,000 per day — and with a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate, members of Mickler’s team grow to truly love what they do and, in return, learn that they are just as appreciated and needed as the next airman.

“What we try to do is keep the job interesting,” Mickler says. “It’s not like the old days when I came in the ’60s and we were thrown in the dish room and told not to come out, and we didn’t see the kitchen for a year. Now, these young folks are coming in and given an opportunity to be managers right off the bat … When they find out they are coming into food services, they don’t always like it, but I would say within a short period after they get here, they see the benefits.”

To continue efforts to boost morale in the military food industry, both local bases have taken advantage of the “Chef to Chef” program created by Kim Wintner, the chairman of the Destin Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. The program introduces airmen to some of Destin’s finest chefs for mentoring opportunities that encourage them to pursue a career in the food industry after their military duties are fulfilled.

“Each of our towns that surround the two bases, and Destin, is known for its top-notch chefs and restaurants, and we saw an opportunity to do something a little different,” Wintner says. “A lot of times, the chambers deal with the officer corps of the military, and in this case, we decided to focus on the lower-ranking airmen. We went to this group of folks who don’t often get great recognition for the job they do — they are not the people you see in the paper getting a Purple Heart.

“Our connection was we have this great asset, and it matched up to the folks that work on the two bases in very tough jobs,” Wintner says. “We thought the chance to meet great chefs would be beneficial to all concerned, and it was very much a win-win situation.”

Twelve chefs have participated in the year-old program, but Chef Tim Creehan, owner of the Beach Walk fine-dining restaurant in Destin, played a pivotal role in interacting with the young military chefs. His passion for the culinary arts and natural teaching talents were a perfect match for Mickler and his staff. Creehan also was named an honorary commander of the 96th Air Base Wing in March because of his integral role in the program, as well as to provide him with an opportunity to learn more about the Air Force and its day-to-day operations, particularly in the food service area.

On three occasions, airmen traveled with Creehan and his staff to various functions and worked side by side for 12- to 15-hour days. In return, Creehan visited Eglin to meet with Mickler’s staff for more mentoring and helped with an opening reception for the Hennessy judges.

“It was a very rewarding experience for me and my staff, and we absolutely took something away from the program,” Creehan says. “Their level of respect, their level of discipline and their level of education is at such a high standard, and it just reminds us of how it’s so easy to get lax and not do certain things.

“Their uniforms are pristine and their equipment and tools are in perfect condition, and everything they do is by the book — and that’s the way they have to do it,” Creehan says. “I think what we took away is that sometimes we are able to cut corners and take a shortcut, but they can’t. The standard is very, very high, and I think it’s important to always remember that and see that.”

Creehan acknowledges that every airman he worked with would have an “instant career” in food service because of the thorough training that puts him or her ahead of just about anyone entering the industry. Creehan also wouldn’t hesitate to participate in future programs.

“They have a foundation and background that they could go anywhere,” he says. “I think they all have a future if they want one. I loved giving back to the community, and I was honored to be asked and will never say no to any request they would have for me. Any way I can ever help, I’ll be there, because the payback is tenfold.”

Hurricane Ivan changed Claudia Espenscheid’s life forever. The strongest storm of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season destroyed her home in Gulf Breeze, and her family found itself homeless. She quickly pulled herself up by her bootstraps, heading straight to a local bait and tackle shop, where she bought her first rod and reel. Far from where she is now as president and CEO of Fishin’ Chix, her only goal at that time was to fish to feed her family.

Espenscheid had moments of immense desperation and fear after life as she had known it had been turned upside down and inside out.

“Standing in line for food, water and ice … the National Guard patrolling the neighborhood and protecting us from looters,” she recalls. “Wal-Mart was closed. The schools were closed. (I was fearful) that another disaster could be lurking around the corner to take out all of Pensacola, all of Florida. We were getting pounded by a relentless barrage of storms.”

At times Espenscheid felt the world was coming to an end and that she needed to learn some basic survival skills.

“I really didn’t have many (survivor skills), other than my credit card,” she says.


Espenscheid says she had never before faced a scenario in which something as simple as putting food on the table was in doubt. Fishing helped her feel empowered and confident that everything would be OK.

Fortunately, the family’s concern for food ended when they moved into her mother’s home in Pensacola while their home was being restored. Espenscheid could then focus on recovering from the trauma through fishing.

“The joy of immersing ourselves in the outdoors and in fishing with my girls was truly just taking off, helping us mend the emotional scars from the disaster,” says the single mother of two.

Espenscheid was born in Berlin of German parents. The family immigrated to the United States when she was 5 years old and lived in Montgomery, Ala. Although she spoke only German at the time, she promptly adapted to her new surroundings.

“I quickly learned English and pretty much never stopped talking,” she laughs.

After attending college at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Espenscheid transferred to the University of Alabama, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in speech communication.

She held a job in consumer product goods with Quaker Oats, where “I was selling grits and oatmeal all over L.A. (Lower Alabama).”


Espenscheid moved to Pensacola in 1989 for a pharmaceutical sales job and earned a masters in business administration from the University of West Florida. Right up until Hurricane Ivan devastated that area, she worked as a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch.

“After Ivan, there was a lot of post-traumatic stress with all of us,” she says. “My clients were dealing with very difficult issues from the storm. It was hard to talk to people about investments at a time like that.”

At that moment, Espenscheid made a decision to change her life and career. After doing some research, including state fishing-license demographics, she saw that one-third of them were issued to women. Her real-life experiences learning about fishing equipment and fishing to provide for her family exposed her to a whole new world.

With her marketing background, Espenscheid thought more women would be interested in fishing — and that those already in it should have tournaments and products that focus on women. Espenscheid says that when she first started Fishin’ Chix, “it was refreshing.”

“In the financial business, you hear the word ‘no’ a lot of the time,” she says. “When I was starting up Fishin’ Chix, I heard ‘yes’ immediately and ‘Yeah, I want to do that, sounds like fun.’ It was the complete opposite of what I had been used to.”

Remembering those initial fishing trips with Fishin’ Chix puts another smile on Espenscheid’s face.

“They were fantastic because it was so amazing combining this newfound passion for fishing with the camaraderie of newfound friends,” she says.

Being new to the sport, Espenscheid had a lot to learn about fishing. So she made sure she learned from the pros. She met Capt. Wes Rozier, an experienced fishermen of the Emerald Coast, who not only has been a great teacher but also a passionate supporter of her organization.

You learn how to do things correctly from the start,” Espenscheid says about fishing with professionals such as Rozier. “And for me, there is much less frustration when I inevitably mess up by tangling the line, losing the fish or whatever, because within minutes they have me back on task.”

Today, after four years at the helm of Fishin’ Chix, which is based out of Gulf Breeze, Espenscheid has a women’s fishing organization that spans across 20 states and has almost 1,000 members.

“It’s a sisterhood,” she says. Although the core states are Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, Fishin’ Chix members also come from Alaska, Kansas, Texas, Michigan, New York and the Carolinas. Founded here off the Gulf of Mexico, the focus is mainly saltwater fishing. Espenscheid says Fishin’ Chix is “for women, their daughters, family and friends.”

So what do her daughters — Katarina, 13, and Isabella, 11 — think of what she has done?

“They think Fishin’ Chix is awesome, and they love telling me that all their friends think I am the absolute coolest mom,” she says. Her girls enjoy traveling to tournaments and trade shows with their mother. Katarina, her teenager, just got a new camera and wants to eventually do all the company’s photography and manage retail sales. About her youngest, Isabella, “she just wants to win the tournament!” Espenscheid says.

The 2008 Fishin’ Chix Grand Champion winning prize was a sport fishing trip to Cebaco Bay, Panama, in Central America. The women who won the trip were the three winners of each of the 2008 Fishin’ Chix Events. There are seven species categories in each tournament and then a Grand Champion. These Grand Champions and Panama trip prize winners were the overall best from 2008’s Sandestin, Pensacola Beach and Gulf Shores, Ala., tourneys. Included in the prize package is the airfare, accommodations, meals and a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience.

The party gets a chance to fish for black marlin, sailfish and dorado. This year’s trip included representatives from Sport Fishing magazine, who were covering the event for an upcoming feature story.

“The food is great and the people that run the tour are wonderful,” Espenscheid says. “It’s the ultimate girl’s fishing trip.”

The next big fishing event for Fishin’ Chix will be held at Harbor Docks in Destin on Saturday, Aug. 1. Regular and new sponsors are lining up, along with two charities important to Espenscheid: Covenant Hospice and Guy Harvey’s Ocean Foundation. This year’s Pink Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo in Destin is expected to have more than 120 women anglers. Each angler pays a set price of $125, is a member of Fishin’ Chix, and either has her own boat or charters with other women. About half of the women use their own boat, and the rest are arranged on a charter.

“We are expecting a lot of mothers and daughters to come out for a great day of fishing and fun in Destin,” Espenscheid says.

The charities Fishin’ Chix support represent things near and dear to Espenscheid’s heart — children and fishing. She has been a board member of Covenant Hospice in Pensacola for the past six years, where she found out about an unfunded children’s program.

“When you think of hospice, you think ‘end of life,’” Espenscheid says. “People and the state of Florida didn’t realize children need hospice care too. I also wanted my own daughters to learn about charitable work, and this seemed like a good opportunity to get them involved.”

Through her business with Harvey, Espenscheid has also learned about his Ocean Foundation.

“We are just in the beginning of what I hope will be a great alliance with Guy Harvey’s Ocean Foundation,” she says. “Funds generated by this organization support research on the effects of overfishing, especially of sailfish, marlin and other endangered species.” She adds that 100 percent of the profits from Fishin’ Chix tournaments go to charity.

In addition to the great charity work done through Fishin’ Chix events, the two other parts of the business are membership and Fishin’ Chix Fashion. Not only has Espenscheid’s Web site been busy, but she has made a number of retail partnerships to cast more of her Fishin’ Chix ladies’ fishing attire to her base. Early on, she noticed that there wasn’t much out there for women who fished to wear.

“You could not find anything stylish in the stores that catered to the industry,” she says.

Espenscheid has branded the series of three tournaments along the Gulf Coast the “Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo Series.” The event posters and T-shirts include original artwork by world-renowned fishing artist Guy Harvey. Espenscheid writes her own copy for the Fishin’ Chix clothing and accessories. Along with the colorful pink Fishin’ Chix logo, you’ll see shirts that read “Reel Woman,” “Fishing Goddess” and “I’m the one that got away.”

When Espenscheid is asked for tips on favorite fishing sites and lure techniques, she responds with a smile, “I use the lucky pink Fishin’ Chix Lure.” A few years ago, a Pensacola artificial reef manufacturer made a special Fishin’ Chix pink reef in honor of her group.

“It was sunk just off Pensacola Beach, and I think that is a great place to fish,” she says.

Capt. Rozier, a seasoned fisherman whose family goes back 10 generations in Pensacola, has been involved with Fishin’ Chix for nearly five years.

“I realized that the women (who join these events) have a tremendous yearning to learn how to fish,” he says. “(The quality of the tournaments) is as good or better than anything I’ve seen in 25 years. I’ve been around women all my life. My wife and two daughters fish.”

Rozier’s daughter and wife have won in various species categories in Fishin’ Chix tournaments, which he says are all about fun, fellowship and, of course, fishing.

“I like to talk. And with the men’s events, it’s quiet and competitive,” he says. “But it’s even more of a pleasure to fish with women.”

Rozier explains that with women, it’s not about the size of the fish.

“It could be a 3-footer or a 12-foot fish — what matters to them is it’s a fish,” he says. “With women’s fishing, it’s a family thing.”

Three years ago, Capt. Cindy Jones, a fourth-generation Destin native, became a member of Fishin’ Chix. A licensed boat captain for 30 years, she received an unexpected gift in 2007. Her sister, Cathy Jones, also a licensed boat captain, was the Grand Champion of the Pensacola Beach Fishin’ Chix tournament. Cathy Jones gave her trip prize (also to Panama) to sister Cindy for her birthday.

“It was my 50th birthday, and what a great adventure I got,” she says. Cindy Jones had been on fishing trips to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska and Havana, Cuba. But this trip, she says, ranked among her favorites.
Cindy Jones, whose family owned East Pass Marina in Destin, now works mainly as a guide for fishing parties from Apalachicola to Destin.

“I work the deck, rig the bait and put the line out,” she says. She enjoys “coaching the reel” and meeting all the women eager to fish. Her daughter, Anna, she is proud to say, was, at 15 years old, a winner in the 2008 Fishin’ Chix tournament in Sandestin. Jones’ favorite fish to catch is speckled trout; for her sister, Cathy, it’s cobia.

As for Fishin’ Chix, Jones says, “I hope it’s around forever and ever.”

A few other fishing groups for women have spawned throughout the country. The Carolina Lady Anglers, Reel Women Fly Fishers in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Delaware Valley Women’s Fly Fishing and Georgia Women’s Fly Fishing groups all are popular among women.

The International Women’s Fly Fishing association was established in the United States in 1996. In that same year, Casting for Recovery (CFR) was started. CFR is a charity supported by these groups that promotes mental, physical and spiritual healing for breast cancer survivors through small, relaxing, educational fishing retreats. CFR sponsored events have helped cancer survivors throughout the country, as well as in Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland.

Espenscheid sees the future of Fishin’ Chix and women in fishing becoming more popular each year.

“Currently, 29 percent of women hold fishing licenses nationally versus 71 percent of men,” she says. “And about 25 versus 75 percent here in Florida. That’s millions of women. My goal is to expose as many people to this exciting world. It’s a sisterhood and a family.”

Acupuncture, a Drug-free Alternative for Pain Management, Has Been Around for Centuries. Is It a Valid Therapy? And Is It Right for You?

Acupuncture. The term reminds many people of their first dreaded experiences with another kind of needle — the kind used in childhood vaccinations, which were likely painful and more than a little frightening. So when considering the notion that needles can decrease or eliminate virtually any ailment, those same people often are skeptical.

However, although childhood fears may have created boundaries in their knowledge of medicine and wellness, many people eventually do find themselves exposed and enlightened to the world of Chinese medicine — and more specifically acupuncture. The verdict: It’s not about pain.

After 5,000 years, how has this ancient Chinese practice managed to outlive centuries of ideologies and medical theories? The answer lies in the deep, intricate web of metaphors, balance, wisdom, and the consistency of the human body. Acupuncture is not only a natural healer; it’s a phenomenon in the world of technical and sophisticated medicines. Somehow, after thousands of years, this ancient doctrine has integrated itself into our everyday lives and continues to grow among generations of open-minded and ailing individuals.

Considered a “new alternative” medicine, acupuncture is believed to be effective because it naturally stimulates the nervous system and chemicals in the brain. Advocates say that the body’s energy or life force, called qi (pronounced “chee”), can be affected and balanced based on high and low concentrations, which are more commonly referred to as yin and yang. The theory states that the mind, the body, and the universal forces of yin and yang work collaboratively to keep a continual balance.

A key tenet of Chinese medicine is that the body contains numerous points along a “meridian” in which energy is released. Acupuncture, then, helps to maintain the balance and flow of that energy within the body.

Tiny needles are inserted into the skin along these various points to treat health issues such as cardiovascular disorders, neurological and psychological disorders, respiratory system disorders, and any disorder of the eye, ear, nose or mouth. In addition, herbal supplements are often provided to further bring the body back into balance and alignment.

Drew Smith, doctor of oriental medicine at the Tortoise Clinic in Destin, which is the oldest Chinese medicine and herbal facility in Northwest Florida, explains that acupuncture is about the relationships and tendencies of the body.


“There is never a separation between the mind and the body,” he says. “It is a continuous flow of energy in which acupuncture simply points the body in the direction that it already wants to go.”

According to Smith, major ailments respond well to Western medicines, but there is a need to combine both Eastern and Western practices for optimum health.

“Acupuncture has different terminology, but it is based on natural terms, not biomedical terms,” he says. Based solely on natural causes and cures, acupuncture, combined with herbal supplements, offers patients a natural pathway to wellness and wellbeing.

Martha Kay, a patient of Smith’s, vows that acupuncture has become a major part of her overall wellness, treating everything from major knee pain to sprained ankles and toes.

“Acupuncture has definitely kept me from having surgery, but I believe that repetition is key to feeling better and staying better over a long period of time,” she says.

Dr. Stephen Henry, of Henry Chiropractic Clinic in Destin, says that 10 percent of his customers come in for acupuncture.

“I can see that people are now taking more responsibility for their health,” he says. “They are more aware of what their body is saying, and they are paying attention. Because of the instant result of acupuncture, with no sign of side effects, military groups are working to bring in more acupuncture specialists for use in combat. It’s a fast and effective way to alleviate pain or stress without the side effects that regular medicine could have. It’s a fascinating new wave in the military medical field.”

Dr. Paul McLeod, regional campus dean at the Florida State University Regional Medical School campus in Pensacola, says there is no doubt that acupuncture works on some patients.

Such was the case with Frank (some last names are being withheld to protect patients’ privacy), a Santa Rosa Beach resident, who was diagnosed with hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. Told by his medical doctor that his liver would only last another two years, Frank refused to undergo transplant surgery and sought the expertise of Smith at Destin’s Tortoise Clinic. Astonished at the results, he has never looked back.
“My future looked grim before I started with Chinese medicine,” he says. “I was tired, weak, and had flu-like symptoms. Dr. Smith gave me hope.”

Given about two years to live by his physician, Frank says that acupuncture has kept him alive four and a half years longer than what was originally expected, with absolutely no side effects.

“I feel like a completely different person, and my doctor said it’s a miracle,” he says.

Most medically trained professionals find it difficult to accept the legitimacy of acupuncture. However, when Mary, a nurse from Alabama found that her lymphoma would soon require her to undergo chemotherapy, she took the word of her friend and gave it another look.

“I have been absolutely astounded,” she says. “After the first six months of acupuncture treatments and herbal tea, my IgM number (which measures the amount of natural antibodies in the blood) dropped 500 points. After another six months, it lowered an additional 700 points. Being a nurse, I have seen it all — and this is fantastic!”

“There is definitely something to it,” says Florida State’s McLeod. “Traditional medical doctors cannot explain it, but is doesn’t change the fact that there are patients who see results.”

Duly noted. In the world of bigger, better, newer and more convenient, one must question the validity of a form of medicine that is so ancient and at the same time so modern. When it comes to wellness of the mind, body and soul, there is something to be said for centuries of studied and practiced Chinese medicine. For many, it’s a simple choice: Be healthy, be well, be natural. Try yoga in Destin

Now it wasn’t so much the idea of the natural stone as such but the fact that my husband was insisting on travertine tile: what on earth was that?
I turned to a professional husband and wife team, the owners and contractors of Delphin Design ( www.delphindesign.com ), to assist me with this particular project. This couple, were introduced to me by a close friend of mine who had contracted them to re-tile her kitchen.
My friend was so thrilled with the result and the way they had managed the project that, when she found out I needed somebody to tile my bathroom she suggested I contacted them at Delphin Design.
With the help of my husband I came up with the list of questions I could use when I met with Arthur and Agata.

Q: What is travertine tile?

A: Travertine tile is a durable natural stone that has been historical used in buildings like the Roman Coliseum. Buildings such as this prove the long lasting durability of this beautiful floor tile.

 Q: But what is travertine?
A: It is a natural stone that is closely related to both limestone and marble. It is actually formed by underground water sources. This water is really rich in minerals – these build up into the stone that is used in travertine tile. The end result is a very dense but smooth stone that is noted for its durability.

Q: What travertine colors are available?
A: Most common travertine is naturally and beautiful shade of cream, but depending on place of origin( Turkey, Italy, Iran ) it can also be beige, brown, yellow, red, gray or pink. Each tile has unique color variations because of the way it was formed.
Look of the tile can be also changed by the way it was processed. A honed finish is sanded to appear matte, while a polished travertine tile is polished until it shines. There are other options available such as the size: square 4×4 to 24×24, rectangle 8×16 to 16×24, patterns: versailles pattern or as we call it French pattern and edge profiles: chiseled, cross cut or pillow edge.

Q: What about stone care?

A: We will seal your tiles to protect them from damage. Because the tiles are so durable, a good sealant is really all you need. You can damp mop the floor as you usually would.
Optionally we can use stone enhancer which will bring out deep colors of the stone.
By the end of the meeting, I knew that travertine was the only choice. The tile itself would last forever; I mean the coliseum is still around. It gave me a lot of confidence to believe the stone tile would last longer than my thirty year mortgage.

 I ended up have Delphin Design do my travertine tile installation and what a wonderful choice – Arthur and Agata were an absolute find: a true jewel. They transformed my ordinary bathroom into a convivial and tranquil space that is a true joy to spend time in. The whole remodeling experience went smoothly, from start to finish – no hiccups anywhere along the line. I was absolutely thrilled – it was almost as if Agata could read my mind. She identified key elements to
revitalize my bathroom such as simple designs that featured beautiful glass accents – something I knew would reflect my personality perfectly. Agata offered to help with shopping for materials and we visited a number of retail outlets that sold tiles.
Finally we located Destin Home Deport where, to my absolute surprise and delight, travertine was in stock. Not only that, but our expectations were fulfilled in the range of color and quality available – and, when I realized the killer price of less than $3 per square foot was well within my budget: well, I was sold and so were the tiles! We tagged one crate and thereon discussed the job schedule. The travertine tiles were ours and the work was on. As I mentioned earlier, the whole job went well and everything was totally straightforward. I have to admit, though, that prior to the start of the project there were two potential problems that I simply could not get my head round. The first was my two precious Weimaraners that usually had a free run of the whole house during the time I was at work. Now, during the bathroom alterations I envisaged both dogs to being confined to the guest bedroom when I wasn’t around.
The other problem was my concern at leaving my house in the hands of strangers:should I take a full week off work? In the end I discussed my concerns with Arthur and Agata who were immediately able to put my mind at rest on both counts. When Arthur and Agata offered to walk my dogs, while I was at work, I found the relief astounding.
I found that I trusted Arthur and Agata so much that, at the end of the project, when they asked me what color grout I would like I was amazed by my reply: without hesitation I told them “whatever you think is good in there. I trust you guys”. What better recommendation for Destin Tile Company can I give than that? They have proved themselves to be experienced professionals in every way. Their work is clean, top quality and very creative, showing enormous attention to detail. Everything was just perfect. An unexpected bonus was the new friends I made while planning our new bathroom – even my Weims seem to miss them as well! Best of all, my beloved husband will be coming home in two weeks and I am so excited! I just can’t wait for him to come home and see our new stone sanctuary – to experience the tranquility from this beautifully revamped bathroom.
If you are considering a new bathroom or shower, or have in mind remodeling a tile surface, I can honestly recommend a family business that I guarantee you can trust.
Every project comes with warranty on labor. For more details contact Delphin Design LLC, 850-4620-6506, www.delphindesign.com  – they are in my special book: even if you are not yet ready to renovate, my advice to you would be to take note of their contact details and put Arthur and Agata in your own special book for when you are ready to call them.

Adopting a “green” lifestyle usually brings to mind taking eco-friendly steps such as improving how you heat and cool your home or choosing a more fuel-efficient vehicle. However, you also can minimize your impact on the planet by maintaining your lawn with products that promote a more environmentally sound way of life.

Last year, members of our Test Drive Team decided to try their green thumbs at lawn care. Our mission was to determine if organic weed-and-feed products could produce vibrant, lush, pest-free lawns that matched up against other lawns treated with synthetic chemicals.

We created three separate test areas on a one-acre parcel of land on which we tried three organic lawn products: Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fish/Seaweed Blend 2-3-1 Fertilizer, Nature’s Turf 8-1-9 Complete Organic Lawn Fertilizer and the Cockadoodle Doo 4-Step Organic Lawn Care Program. Our test site had been chemical-free for more than two years.

After all was said and done, our top test product was Neptune’s Harvest. It was easy to mix, simple to apply with a standard liquid sprayer, and provided the greenest, most weed-free yard of all the organics. The blend of fish hydrolysate and seaweed ensured a complete fertilization program in one bottle.

We followed the package directions, mixing 1 quart of concentrate with sufficient water to cover 2,000 square feet, and fed the test plot monthly from early spring to the end of July and again in late October. The results were significant: The centipede grass flourished and stayed a brilliant green well into December. A gallon of the Neptune’s Harvest Fish/Seaweed Blend 2-3-1 costs $37.99 and is available online at greennationgardens.com or by calling (866) 496-2540.

Running a close second was Nature’s Turf 8-1-9.

This is a granular variety that provides key nutrients and enlivens biological activity in your lawn. This product is especially healthy for the sandy soils of the Emerald Coast. The 8-1-9 in its name indicates a high level of nitrogen (the first number), a low level of phosphorus (the second number) and an acceptable level of potassium (the third number). Since our 2,000-square-foot test plot was low on organic matter, we broadcast 24 pounds of Nature’s Turf at monthly intervals from April to October. We noticed significant greening of the test plot by the end of June, as well as minimal weed growth. A 50-pound bag of Nature’s Turf 8-1-9 runs $39.95 and is available at extremelygreen.com.

Coming in third in our organic performance trials was the Cockadoodle Doo 4-Step Organic Lawn Care Program. Step One is a pre-emergence organic herbicide labeled “Super-Premium Organic Weed Control.”

We applied this product when soil temperatures reached 55 degrees — late February in the Emerald Coast — using a rotary spreader at the rate of 45 pounds for our 2,000-square-foot lawn. Thirty pounds of Super-Premium Organic Fertilizer was applied 60 days later. In early August, we again applied the weed-control product. In late October, we broadcast the fertilizer, feeding our lawn over the winter and saturating it with vital nutrients, which jump-started early spring growth. Our centipede plot did well with this four-bag program, but the substantial cost and storage requirements resulted in its lower ranking. The Cockadoodle Doo 4-Step Organic Lawn Care Program runs $139.99 and can be ordered from purebarnyard.com/cockadoodledoo or by calling (877) 873-6742.

Compared to another nearby site that had been treated over the same time period with a well-known chemical-based product, our test lawns fared well, though they weren’t quite as lush or as green. In our testers’ opinions, however, the tradeoff of a healthy and safe yard is more than enough reason to recommend that any gardener should consider these planet-preserving products.

You’ve heard the term “staycation”? While many people are actually staying at home, others plan their vacation at a nearby location, reducing travel expenses but still taking a break from the daily routine.

An assignment to spend a night at the Henderson Park Inn, a romantic bed and breakfast on the beach in Destin, was my chance to experience the staycation phenomenon, but with an upscale twist — a suite ranges from $349 to $539 per night.

When innkeeper Ryan Olin suggested we come for the whole weekend to experience all the inn’s amenities, I thought, why not? Staying in B&Bs is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the local scene. The hosts are up to date on the best places to visit; whether you are looking for a specific type of restaurant, shopping or entertainment, there is ample time to talk with the staff about their favorite things to do — and they love to share.
All-Inclusive Inn Caters to Guests
Arriving at the Henderson Park Inn, a beachside bed and breakfast, my first thought was that someone from New England had built an inn to remind them of home. But whether returning from a walk on the beach or a day of sightseeing, the Henderson, with its turrets and rough-hewn siding, was a welcome vision.

Located at the quiet end of Scenic Highway 98 as it dead-ends at Henderson Beach State Park, the inn provides a secluded haven for its guests. With 30-plus rooms and no children allowed, it is a restful and pleasant spot for adults to enjoy.

Everyone there emphasized the adults-only aspect of the inn. Olin said that even during the busy July Fourth weekend when the roads are clogged with cars and the beaches packed with tourists, the private beach in front of the inn is never crowded.

On our arrival Friday afternoon, front desk receptionist Renee Phillips provided a tour of the main building and the grounds. The inn promotes its all-inclusive status, and every amenity she pointed out emphasized the attention paid to the wants and needs of guests.

We were encouraged to return to the dining room at 5 p.m. for complimentary beer and wine during the inn’s happy hour.

Olin said that over the years, he has learned that the happy hour is a special event that gives guests a chance to get acquainted. Some couples develop friendships as their vacation progresses, spending time together on the beach and going out to dinner in the evenings. Many schedule return visits at the same time each year.

“They may not see each other any other time, but when they come back here, they renew their friendships,” Olin said.

When the weather is warm, happy hour is held at the tiki bar on the back deck. However, as it was January and a bit blustery when we visited, we were happy to discover that we would gather near the cheery fireplace in the sitting area where there was room to visit with the staff and other guests.

The bright and airy dining room was the location for breakfast, as well as a place to visit each afternoon for lemonade and freshly baked cookies. And although there was a coffee maker in our room, coffee was available in the dining room all day.

A scrapbook in the sitting area supplied current menus from local restaurants for dinner ideas and also provided information on water sports, golf courses and local attractions.

Guests could select a DVD from the nearby shelves if they planned to stay in. Bikes and kayaks also were available for guests who wanted to cruise the bike path or try out the water for an active day in the sun.

One of the highlights for my husband was the fully stocked community refrigerator. Peeking inside, he almost swooned at the sight of Snickers bars on one of the shelves. A variety of chocolate bars, sodas and bottled water are replenished throughout the day. One staff member joked that keeping it filled was practically a full-time job in the summer when guests grabbed the bottled water and soft drinks before heading out to the beach.

A Bottle of Wine and …
The elegantly furnished inn provides the comforts many of us would love to have on special occasions, such as the bottle of wine, bunch of grapes and long-stemmed red rose all tastefully arranged on a tray on the bed that greeted us as we entered our suite.

There are several categories of rooms ranging from the Junior to the Executive Suite, with one identified as the Presidential Suite. We were ensconced in one of the most popular suites in the inn, a corner room that provided amazing views of the beach from the balcony, especially the sunsets, setting the scene for a relaxing and peaceful weekend.

From the four-poster, king-size bed with plush pillows, duvet and comfortable mattress to the oversized bathroom with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries and whirlpool tub, all of the luxuries made a great first impression.

And even though a gathering storm brought thunderous surf, that somehow soothed me as I luxuriated in the chaise lounge reviewing the local newspaper for weekend happenings.

Staying in an area we were familiar with made it easy to judge the responses to questions such as “What should we do today?” or “Where’s a romantic spot for dinner?”

We listened to all of the suggestions at happy hour and offered some of our own. New Yorkers Nick and Maura Balaban, celebrating their 10th anniversary, wanted to experience jazz music. We all agreed that the wildly popular Red Bar restaurant in Grayton Beach would make for a great first dinner at the beach. We headed to the Gravel Road restaurant that night to enjoy the great food and ambiance.

Checking Out the Area
With fresh-cut fruit and a vast array of juices at breakfast, there was ample opportunity to eat healthy at the Henderson, but the warming trays filled with cheese grits, bacon, sausage and sausage gravy made it hard to resist those sinful foods. There also were freshly baked pastries, including scones and biscuits, available buffet style. We enjoyed a ham and cheese omelet — the chef makes breakfast to order, including omelets, scrambled eggs and Belgian waffles — while we planned our day.

I was thrilled when Tamee Gaddin, who was working at the front desk Saturday morning, suggested a drive down Scenic Highway 30-A, the popular beach road in South Walton, as the perfect first day excursion.

She has even written a guide for guests to use as they travel down the road.

The Balabans hopped on bikes and headed to Sandestin, another suggestion from Gaddin. Several guests were off to 30-A after breakfast, but we wanted to experience something a little different, so we asked for another option. I was a little surprised that she didn’t mention nearby Destin Commons, which offers shopping, dining and movie-going opportunities, until I realized that many of the shops and restaurants in the complex are chain stores and the inn’s staff was looking to provide visitors with experiences that were unique to the area.

Olin said they direct guests to popular local places rather than have them visit the more obvious tourist sites. Whether it’s dining at locally owned and operated restaurants or visiting artist-owned galleries, they want their guests to discover the best that the area has to offer.

To get a feel for a part of the Emerald Coast we had not visited in a couple of years, we headed west toward Emerald Grande and HarborWalk, a new entertainment center at the base of the Destin Bridge. It was a bit lower on Gaddin’s list but still a pleasant outing for many vacationers.

When we discovered the restaurants Commander’s Palace and Pat O’Brien’s, with the preponderance of New Orleans-based restaurants, I jokingly wondered if we had driven a bit too far. Since Hurricane Katrina, some of the New Orleans residents who took refuge in this area and were welcomed with such hospitality decided to relocate here and bring their businesses, especially restaurants, to our community. We have been blessed to become home to restaurants such as Fire, once based in Louisiana, while others, like Commander’s Palace and Pat O’Brien’s, have opened a second location in Northwest Florida.

While touring HarborWalk, the rain arrived and the temperature dropped, and we abandoned our tourist trek for the warmth of our suite. The inn provides gourmet box lunches, and while picking up our pre-ordered meal, we grabbed several of the fresh-baked cookies, selected a couple of DVDs and hunkered down for the afternoon.

Dinner Is Served
That cold and rainy Saturday night as we headed out to Camille’s at Crystal Beach for dinner, I wished there were an on-site restaurant for our convenience. The Henderson staff sought to provide every service, so much so that guests don’t need to leave the facility, except for dinner. Now, with the addition of BeachWalk Cafe, an upscale restaurant that relocated to the inn and opened March 1, they can stay in for dinner as well. With that addition, guests won’t have a single reason to get in their car until it’s time to leave.

Heading back home to do laundry and prepare for another work week, we agreed that it had been the perfect staycation, one that gave us the chance to relax and recharge. And isn’t that what a vacation — whether at home or far away — is all about?

Amenities:
• 24 hour on-site check-in
• Located on a quiet section of Scenic Highway 98, next to Henderson Beach State Park
• Close to Destin Commons and the Mid-Bay Bridge
• Private terraces/balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico (except Honeymoon Suite)
• Complimentary beach service and beach towels for use on site
• Cable TV, DVD players and DVD check-outs
• Wine and grapes in rooms upon arrival
• Rooms with mini-refrigerator come stocked with bottled water
• Small conference room for weddings, board meetings and other activities
• Free high-speed Internet access
• Some rooms equipped with fireplace
• Full breakfast and boxed lunches included
• Beer and wine happy hour
• Suites available
• Private baths (most with whirlpool tubs)
• Golf privileges and preferred rates at nearby Kelly Plantation
• Community refrigerator stocked with beverages and candy bars
• Adults only

Nearby Restaurants
Seasonal hours, call to confirm

Camille’s at Crystal Beach
2931 Scenic Highway 98, Destin
(850) 337-8860
Lunch: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. daily
Dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 5–10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 5–11 p.m.
Reservations recommended.
camillesatcrystalbeach.com

Gravel Road Restaurant
50 Uptown Grayton Circle, Grayton Beach
(850) 534-0960
Lunch: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Dinner: 5–9:30 p.m.
gravelroadrestaurant.com

Restaurant Fire
55 Clayton Lane, Grayton Beach
(850)-231-9020
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
Dinner: starts at 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday
Sunday Brunch: starts at 11 a.m.
restaurantfire.com

It was a long weekend from school. My roommates and I were so excited! We had rented a beach house in Destin, Florida and being that Destin photography was our major course of study, we packed up our camera gear and were ready to explore this beauty for ourselves that we had marveled at on television and in books.

As we came off I-10 toward Ft. Walton Beach, we knew the type of experience we would soon have. It was like being back in time to a simpler life in the old days of Florida. We took photographs of fishing shacks and houses that seemed to have been there forever.

We were then on the most beautiful stretch of beach I had ever seen. Immediately I knew why this was called the Emerald Coast.
The beaches had the whitest sand that looked like grains of sugar! I have been to other parts of the state, to other beaches, but none so hypnotizing. It felt like it only belonged to me and my friends. It was clean and unspoiled and devoid of crowds. The waters were blue-green with gentle surf, and we found them a pleasure to photograph.

 Could this really be as good as all the pictures by the famous photographers in all those magazines?
The photographers we learned so much from in our class? It was all that and more. The next few days we spent relaxing, taking plenty of photographs of course. We learned how to use underwater cameras in some of the clearest waters I have ever gazed in. The wildlife beneath the Gulf was as colorful and unique as on dry land. We spent our evenings using our tripods taking dramatic photographs on brilliant sunsets and feasting on some of the freshest seafood around.

 We all took some of the best work we ever did back to school with us from this trip. Other classmates were amazed at our photographs, and we encouraged them all to take a trip and see Destin for themselves.

A rising musical talent, Destin’s Reed Waddle has always had an ear for music. Growing up along the Emerald Coast, his family was a musical one; the 26-year-old remembers with a laugh, “My father made me learn the guitar whether I wanted to or not.”

Waddle’s first release, “Rush In,” came out in 2002, and even though it was homemade, it quickly caught the attention of 14 major labels. Seven years later, after graduating from the University of Florida, Waddle has met with enough success to transcend the moniker of “local talent.”

In 2007, he was chosen among 20 finalists from more than 25,000 contestants in the “American Idol” Songwriter Competition. Currently, Waddle can be heard on satellite radio and conventional stations all over the country. His latest album, “Piece by Piece,” came out in the summer of 2008, and he followed it up with a 15-state tour in the fall.

None of this success has gone to the musician’s head, though.

“An artist gets inspiration from anything around him, but the place where you come from is always going to shine through,” Waddle says. He doesn’t seem too concerned with those trying to package his sound and label his music country, pop, indie or Americana either, saying plainly, “I just write songs.” A quick listen to his heartfelt and emotionally packed sound will confirm that.

Sample songs and more information are available on his Web site at reedwaddle.com and at myspace.com/reedwaddle

Don’t choose a photographer that merely takes usual snapshots. Go for a Recommended Destin photographer that will treat your wedding photos as if he or she were snapping pictures of their own wedding

All women and girls dream of that magical day when they are joined in matrimony with their true love. Some even have their weddings planned before they even have a prospective groom in the picture! Floridian girls from Destin have the benefit of choosing a beach wedding photographer for their special day and many take advantage of that fact.

The Romance and Magic of a Beach Wedding

Pledging your vows and love to the one you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with while the sun sets on the horizon and the water sparkles like a jewel can’t get any more romantic. The sea breeze will ruffle your gown as you taste the salty tang of the sea upon your lips. The sand will feel cool and soft on your feet if you choose to go barefoot as you gaze into the eyes of the man with who you will spend the rest of your life.

Planning a Wedding at the Beach

There are so many details a bride must take care of when she plans her wedding. What food to serve, how many guests to invite and choosing a band or a DJ. There are flowers to select and of course her wedding gown. To document the event you will also need a photographer and Destin has a wide selection of beach wedding photographers from which to choose. The photography is an important aspect of a wedding whether it is on the beach or not and finding a Destin photographer with flair and talent is a must.

Choosing Destin Wedding Photographer

When it comes to the photography at your wedding, though price should be a consideration it should be a small one. You want a photographer with a proven track record of taking gorgeous pictures that you can reminisce over for years to come. So how do you pick a photographer from Destin Florida that specializes in beach wedding photography?

There are many wedding photographers in the Destin area that you can research. If you have married friends, you can ask which photographer they used and ask to see their wedding album. You can also visit various Destin photographers in the area that specialize in beach wedding photography. Ask to see portfolios to make your decision easier.

Some wedding photographers can provide you with wedding photography that is creative and original or you can opt for a traditional photographer. The photographer that documents your special day should be able to capture those fleeting moments such as tears of joy on the face of the bride as she joins her groom at the alter, the joy on the happy couple’s faces as they dance and enjoy their wedding reception as well as unexpected moments that will thrill and surprise you when you see the photos.

Don’t choose a photographer that merely takes usual snapshots. Go for a Destin photographer that will treat your wedding photos as if he or she were snapping pictures of their own wedding. When you begin your research for beach wedding photographers in the Destin area inquire how long they have been in business and don’t be shy about asking for references. After all, the beach wedding photographer you choose will be the one capturing the memories of your special day. Disappointment with the job they have done cannot be undone. Wedding pictures can’t be retaken if you are not satisfied with the results so be sure to choose wisely and research thoroughly until you find the perfect Destin photographer that will provide you with photos that you will cherish and pore over for all the years of your marriage.