COASTAL RESOURCES

Lionfish Restaurant Week expands to Valparaiso, showcasing 8 restaurants with unique lionfish dishes

Destin-Fort Walton Beach is gearing up for the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Restaurant Week, scheduled from May 12th to May 20th. This event, initiated by Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach in 2019, allows food enthusiasts to sample delicious lionfish dishes at various featured restaurants throughout the area. 

• Local chefs will use their creativity to highlight lionfish in innovative ways, raising awareness about the invasive lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Lionfish, an invasive species, can reduce fish populations and damage reefs by more than 90%. The Northwest Florida region has been identified as having the highest density of invasive lionfish globally, as reported by researchers. To combat this issue, restaurants in Destin and Valparaiso are working together to promote the consumption of lionfish.

“We partner with different restaurants in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, and we provide them with lionfish filets at no cost,” says Alex Fogg, Okaloosa Coastal Resource Manager. “We allow them to prepare lionfish in a bunch of different ways, and each restaurant is a little bit different, so it’s a nice variety.”

Although lionfish are venomous, they are not poisonous and can be safely consumed, offering a delicious and unique culinary experience for adventurous diners.

• Fogg adds, “Restaurant week would not be possible without the Emerald Coast Open, the Pre-Tournament, and all of the divers that are going out and harvesting lionfish to donate them to the event.”

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to dine at one of the participating restaurants during Lionfish Restaurant Week. 

• May 12: Boathouse Landing (Valparaiso)
• May 13: Harbor Tavern
• May 14: Dewey Destin Harborside
• May 15: Crab Trap (Destin)
• May 16: La Paz
• May 17: Harbor Docks
• May 18: Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
• May 20: AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar (Destin)

The event will also feature guest judges from around the county who will sample the dishes and rank the restaurants on presentation and education about lionfish. One restaurant will be crowned the 2023 winner. 

• Last year, Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer won with Chef Al Massa’s Pan Seared Florida Lionfish with black forbidden rice, melting zucchini ribbons with a chardonnay shellfish butter. 

Be sure to order lionfish and savor the unique flavors while supporting a vital cause for the Gulf of Mexico and our local marine ecosystem.

SCHOOL

Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation hosts inaugural Spring Pickleball Smash for schools, seeks sponsorships

The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation is hosting its inaugural Spring Pickleball Smash for Schools, an action-packed weekend-long tournament, to raise much-needed funds for educational opportunities and scholarships for students within Okaloosa County. 

• The highly anticipated event will take place from April 28-30 at the Mooney Tennis & Pickleball Courts in Fort Walton Beach.

The Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to supporting and extending educational opportunities for students in Okaloosa County. 

The Spring Pickleball Smash aims to raise funds to cover the cost of additional scholarships, support the Okaloosa Teacher Grant program, and promote overall student success through other initiatives. 

One of the Foundation’s primary focuses is the Take Stock in Children scholarship program, which currently provides two-year college scholarships and one-on-one mentoring for sixty academically deserving high school students from low-income families. 

• Funds raised for the program are matched dollar for dollar by the Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program, doubling the impact of any local contribution.

Click here to learn more and also how you can help this event!

BUSINESS

Timberview Helicopters to resume commercial operations out of Destin Executive Airport

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved an operating agreement with Timberview Helicopters, allowing them to resume commercial operations out of the Destin Executive Airport. 

• The move follows a ruling by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this year, which found that the county had discriminated against Timberview on economic grounds.

The vote took place following an Executive Session during a Special Meeting at the Okaloosa County Administration Building. Commissioner Nathan Boyles made the motion to adopt the operating agreement, which was seconded by Carolyn Ketchel. 

• However, Boyles noted that the decision was not one that brought the commission any joy. “It’s complex, and litigation is ongoing,” he said. “And I think that’s an important note to make.”

In August 2021, the county terminated Timberview’s operating agreement at Destin Executive Airport, citing concerns over the impact of helicopter operations on safety, tourism, quality of life, and military missions. 

Timberview challenged the decision in a Part 16 Complaint with the FAA, arguing that it was discriminatory and violated Grant Assurance 22, which states that airport sponsors must make the airport available for public use without unjust discrimination to all types of aeronautical activities, including commercial activities.

On February 21, 2023, the FAA ruled in Timberview’s favor on one claim of economic discrimination, giving the county 30 days to either appeal or submit a corrective action plan detailing how it plans to eliminate “unfair and unjust discrimination and revoke unreasonable access and flight restrictions on Timberview and other users.”

• During Thursday’s meeting, Airport Director Tracy Stage confirmed that they have the FAA’s letter of authorization, certificates of insurance for all aircraft, and a county contract.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel expressed hope that Timberview would be “good neighbors” going forward. 

• “Going forward, we have to remember that we’ve done everything we can possible,” she said. “No matter what the outcome is here, I will go forward in faith and hope that Timberview will be good neighbors.”

There was no specific timeline given as to when Timberview would resume commercial operations at Destin Executive Airport.

TRAFFIC

Overnight lane shift planned for I-10 eastbound in Crestview next week

The right lane of I-10 eastbound, between mile markers 52 and 53 in Crestview, will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 until 6 a.m. Thursday, April 20, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. 

• Crews will temporarily shift I-10 eastbound traffic slightly to the south, onto the newly constructed travel lanes, so that work may continue on the new I-10/Antioch Road interchange. 
• The speed limit on this segment of I-10 will remain 60 mph.  

The $73-million construction effort is adding a new I-10 interchange approximately 2.6-miles west of State Road (S.R.) 85 and east of the County Road (C.R.) 4 overpass (Antioch Road). Also included in the effort is widening Antioch Road to four lanes between Arena Road and P.J. Adams Parkway.  

The new I-10 interchange will be signed “Exit 53” and provide an alternative route for the heavily traveled S.R. 85 corridor. In addition to relieving traffic congestion, the new interchange will improve Okaloosa County evacuation and emergency access routes and enhance regional economic  development opportunities.  

• The interchange construction is tentatively estimated for completion in mid-2025. 

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. 

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

April 14, 2023 – 36th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – $85.00 – View

April 14, 2023 – Drive-in Laser Light Show presented by 100.3 KROCK [3-Day Event] – – View

April 15, 2023 – JunkFest at DeFrance Antiques – Free – View

April 15, 2023 – Painting a Heron in Acrylics at Artful Things Niceville – $30 – View

April 15, 2023 – Crawfish Boil at Uptown Station – – View

April 15, 2023 – Military Family Appreciation Day – Free – View

April 15, 2023 – 36th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – $95.00 – View

April 15, 2023 – CALM Annual Fundraiser Dinner – – View

April 17, 2023 –  Pirate Show  – Free – View

April 18, 2023 – Homeschool Science Fair – $7 – View

April 18, 2023 –  Movies On The Beach: “DR. SUESS’ THE LORAX”  – Free – View

April 19, 2023 – C.A.R.E.ing for Turtles – $15 – View

April 19, 2023 – Wednesday Night Concert Series | Tribute Series – Free – View

April 20, 2023 – Bubbly Baytowne – Free – View

April 20, 2023 – Concerts in the Village: Post Modern Jukebox – – View

April 21, 2023 – Musical Echoes Native American Flute & Art Festival – Free – View

April 21, 2023 – Trivia Night – $10 – $12 – View

April 21, 2023 – Dance Facets – $15 – View

April 22, 2023 – ECWR 3rd Earth Day Celebration – $7.00 – View

April 23, 2023 – Spring Clean Up Dive – Free – View

April 23, 2023 – 3rd Planet Brewing – Spring Vendor Fair – – View

April 23, 2023 – SOCKS Kitten Shower: April Showers Bring May Meowers – – View

ART+CULTURE

‘Heron Hunt’: Take 20 selfies with the new heron sculptures in Okaloosa for a chance to win $1,000

Are you ready for an exciting adventure around Okaloosa County with the chance to win $1,000? Look no further than the “Heron Hunt,” sponsored by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic.

• The herons are part of an initiative by Okaloosa Public Arts (OPA) to raise awareness of the arts in the community and showcase local talent. OPA chose the heron as the symbol for the project because of its prevalence throughout the area, from the inland rivers and lakes to the beaches and bays.

The herons were designed by 20 local artists, who were chosen from a pool of entries through a thorough review process. In February, the herons were unveiled and scattered throughout southern Okaloosa County.

Dr. Scott Smith wants to raise more awareness throughout the community about the herons and encourage residents to get out and go see them. 

To help with this, Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic is hosting the “Heron Hunt” where one lucky participant will win $1,000. Participants have to take a selfie with each of the 20 Herons and then upload the photos to getthecoast.com/heronhunt.

“The goal of the Heron Hunt is to get people excited about exploring their local community and discovering the amazing art and nature that surrounds us,” said Dr. Smith. 

The contest will start on April 15 and end on May 26, 2023, with the winner randomly selected and announced during the Concerts at the Landing event in downtown Fort Walton Beach.

• “We are thrilled that the Heron Hunt is shining a spotlight on our local art scene and natural beauty,” said OPA President Pam Folse. “We hope it encourages more people to explore our community and appreciate the amazing talent we have here.”

The Heron Hunt is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to get outside, explore the community, and take a selfie with all 20 herons. So grab your phone, bookmark the map, and start hunting for those herons!

Click here to download a map of all of their locations.