THINGS-TO-DO

ABWA hosting Trivia Night event to raise funds for local student scholarship

On Saturday, March 12, from 5-7pm, the American Business Women’s Association will host a Trivia Night at the Emerald Coast Science Center in Fort Walton Beach.

The mission of the ABWA is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

The funds from Trivia Night will be used to not only support their mission but also for a scholarship for a local female high school student heading to college in the fall.

The event will feature:

• 50/50 raffle
• Raffle prizes and prizes for the trivia champs and
• Snacks and beverages will be included

For those who are under the age of 21, tickets will be $20. For 21+, tickets will be $25. With your tickets, two drinks will be included.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

GIVING BACK

Step One Automotive to donate vehicle to one local family in need

During the month of March, stop by any Step One Automotive Group locationand get your vehicle appraised by their dedicated acquisition team and register to win $2,500.

• There will be two drawings: March 15th and March 30th.
• Your chances of winning could be as good as 1-in-1000.

Then on March 31st, in partnership with the United Way, Step One will donate one of the vehicles taken-in on trade to a local family in need.

Here’s how it works

Your vehicle must be appraised at a Step One Automotive Group location between March 1st and March 28th 2022 by 7pm CST. Customers must fill out an entry form on site to be eligible to win the $2,500 prize.

The drawings will be held in Florida and Georgia on March 15th and March 30th for a total of 4 drawings throughout the month. 

• Entries will be divided based on location and dates submitted into one of those four drawings for one chance to win during the month of March 2022.

Entries for the family in need vehicle winner will be submitted by the United Way and their partner organizations in Florida and Georgia based on their existing outreach programs. 

Step One Automotive Group does select the entries for the vehicle drawing.

Click here to learn more

NOT AGAIN

Man allegedly robs bank in Fort Walton Beach, attempted robbery of another

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department arrested a man for Attempted Armed Robbery and Robbery after two banks were targeted on Thursday afternoon.   

At approximately 2:01 p.m., Fort Walton Beach police officers responded to First National Bank and Trust located at 29 Eglin Parkway NE, regarding an attempted armed robbery. 

The male suspect entered the bank and presented a note to the teller demanding money. The male had an electronic weapon concealed in his clothing at the time and sparked it in an apparent attempt to get what he wanted. The teller was unable to fulfill his request and the suspect fled the scene. 

While officers were investigating the first robbery, a second bank robbery was reported at the United Fidelity Bank, located at 135 Perry Avenue SE, in Fort Walton Beach. 

• The same suspect entered the bank and presented a note demanding money. 
• He fled from the bank with an undisclosed amount of money and was wearing different clothing at the time.

Later yesterday evening, an alert Fort Walton Beach PD Patrol Sergeant located the suspect in the lobby of the Quality Inn located at 322 Miracle Strip Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach. 

• He was wearing clothing similar to that of the robbery suspect and possessed the same color mask worn in the second robbery at the time he was arrested. 
• Evidence recovered during the investigation of both robberies has linked the suspect to them. 

These cases are still under active investigation. The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding these robberies to please call Detective Eric Boucher at 850-833-9546 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-8477.

SPRING BREAK

Spring Break festivities aRRRe in full swing at Al’s Beach Club & Burger Bar 🏴‍☠

The not-so-Spring weekend weather won’t stop Al’s Beach Club from launching their full weekly events schedule.

• The outdoor restaurant on Okaloosa Island will kick things off this Monday with pirate shenanigans, featuring a live show every Monday with Captain Davy & The Crossbones on stage from 5-8pm.

“Al’s is the hub of all entertainment for The Boardwalk, with something new each night of the week,” says Misty Rae Ruthrauff, Director of Marketing for the venue. “If you haven’t seen the pirate show, I highly recommend, even as an adult. Captain Davy and his crew sprinkle in some adult humor throughout the show and you’ll catch yourself laughing just as much as the kiddos.”

🎥Every Tuesday, Al’s Beach Club hosts a free movie on the giant inflatable screen set up on the beach just behind the property.

• Grab some dinner (or sno cone treat) and layout a large blanket for the fam.
• Each week features a new family-favorite film with complimentary views of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Here’s next week’s movie!

“There’s something magical about watching a movie on the sand and catching the sound of the waves in between the piping audio,” added Ruthrauff. “Tuesdays have become a favorite night for both visitors and locals. We’ll run the movies from now through August, with a new movie each week, so be sure to check out the lineup to mark the dates of your favorite flicks!”

There’s live music daily on the Al’s stage and continues into the weekend. With serenades from local artists like Jamel Boast and Robbie Paynter, country-rock from Trest Richerson, and dance-party cover bands on Friday and Saturday nights, there’s something for all ears. 

Check out all the food, fun, and family entertainment at www.alsbeachclub.com

Bring on Spring Break 2022! ☀️

FOOD+DRINK

TOP 10: Most popular menu items at Café Bienville in Niceville

This local Niceville coverage is made possible thanks to Realtor Lisa A. Norton! Support those who support our local news coverage!

Café Bienville in Niceville, Florida is a local favorite that specializes in breakfast and lunch, and offers a unique selection of hearty, southern-style menu items. The café is owned by Matt French who has 35-years in the restaurant business.

What started out 11 years ago on Bayshore Drive, Café Bienville has called 777 E John Sims Pkwy home for the last 4 years.

We stopped by to chat with Matt and see what his most popular menu items are!

“The café gets its name from French explorer, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, who founded New Orleans,” said French. “Bienville can loosely be translated to ‘nice-ville, well-ville, or good-ville’”.

• This is certainly welcoming and in-theme with Niceville community.

If you’re not familiar with Café Bienville, they have everything from salads with house-made dressing to desserts such as scones, beignets, and bread pudding. They also offer 8 signature sandwiches, 6 unique burgers, and all-day breakfast.

• For sides they have house-made hummus and veggies, homemade sweet potato chips, coleslaw, and homestyle potatoes. And to finish things off, a large selection of speciality beverages that include 19 specialty lattes and 31 syrup flavors.

A common theme at Café Bienville is the mention of “home-made” and “house additions.” Matt gave an example of how much effort goes into their food, which allows their cuisine to stand out against an everyday menu option.

“You can get a chicken sandwich anywhere, but not like this,” he said. “This is a slow poached chicken pulled off the bone, seasoned, heated in a housemaid chicken broth, with Rosemary infused olive oil and house-made herb mayo on the sandwich. It’s not just mayonnaise out of a jar and chicken out of a can, it’s got a little bit of love put into there.”

Thinking you can’t have the sandwich due to gluten? Think again!

All of their bread can be substituted for either large portabella mushrooms or a gluten-free bun.

“The great thing about this gluten-free bread is that it actually tastes like bread,” he said. “A lot of the gluten-free options, they taste like cardboard, they crumble, fall apart and they’re just not good options so people don’t like them. But we tried this one and we’re kind of astonished.”

Of all the items on the menu, click here to see the most popular according to Matt.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do this weekend

March 10, 2022 – NWFSC Dual Enrollment Info Session – View

March 10, 2022 – Sip & Paint with Pat Roberts – View

March 11, 2022 – Pensacola Ice Flyers Game – $5 – View

March 12, 2022 – First Farmers Market of March! Downtown FWB! – Free – View

March 12, 2022 – McGuire’s 2022 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run – View

March 12, 2022 – Saturday Market and Strawberry Treats – View

March 12, 2022 – Maxine Orange X Malalalux Boutique Pop Up – View

March 12, 2022 – Beauty & The Beast 2022 – View

Plan ahead…👇

March 15, 2022 – Friends of the Destin Library to Host Independent Film Series – Free – View

March 15, 2022 – NVision / Afterdusk Live – View

March 15, 2022 – Movies on the Beach – View

March 17, 2022 – Open Gallery Night for Real Estate Agents – Free – View