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LOVE LOCAL
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar to celebrate 40 years with National AJ’s Day
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, a longstanding fixture on the Destin Harbor, is set to commemorate its 40th anniversary with the inaugural National AJ’s Day on Sept. 27.
- Since its inception in 1984, AJ’s has grown from a small trailer shucking oysters on the Destin Harbor to four locations along Florida’s Emerald Coast. These include the original AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar on Destin Harbor, AJ’s Oyster Shanty on Okaloosa Island, AJ’s On the Bayou in Fort Walton Beach, and AJ’s Grayton Beach on 30A.
The establishment has become known for its fresh seafood, live entertainment and connection to local fishing culture. AJ’s also offers water activities, adding to its appeal as a coastal destination.
Alan Laird, AJ’s founder and owner, attributes the restaurant’s success to a simple philosophy. “My philosophy has always been, you’ve got to have enough to make people want to go there, to eat there, to stay there, to come back there, and to tell their friends to go there,” Laird said.
Over the years, AJ’s has served multiple generations of families, becoming a tradition for both locals and tourists. The restaurant features a variety of live entertainment, including one-man acoustic shows, duos, and full touring bands.
The National AJ’s Day celebration will be held at the original Destin Harbor location. The event will feature live music throughout the day on the outdoor Tiki Village and Jumbotron Stage. Grammy-nominated band Fastball, known for hits like “The Way” and “Out of My Head,” will headline the festivities.
- As part of the celebration, AJ’s will offer special 40-cent menu items rotating hourly, allowing patrons to sample some of the restaurant’s popular dishes.
AJ’s has maintained strong ties to Destin’s fishing heritage. The restaurant serves as the permanent headquarters for the Destin Fishing Rodeo weigh-ins each October and displays fishing memorabilia throughout its Destin location, including buoys, antique outboards, and fish mounts from notable local fishermen.
In addition to National AJ’s Day, AJ’s Destin hosts special events throughout the year, such as ‘Tribute Tuesdays’, featuring national touring Tribute bands covering some of the greatest eras and bands in music history.
For more information about National AJ’s Day and other events, visitors can check AJ’s online calendar or Facebook page.
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A MESSAGE FROM ERA AMERICAN
ERA American Real Estate’s VIBE Team wins national marketing award
ERA American Real Estate’s marketing department, known as the VIBE Team, has been awarded first place in the 2023 Company Marketing Excellence Award by ERA Real Estate.
- The award recognizes the team’s effective use of ERA’s brand tools and positioning in their marketing efforts. VIBE, which stands for Visibility, Identity, Branding, and Engagement, consists of four full-time staff members who serve over 100 ERA American agents.
Tony Lombardo, CEO of ERA American Real Estate, said, “About 24 months ago, we really endeavored to do something different that maybe hadn’t been done in the real estate industry. Rather than put signs out there or help agents get things into MLS, to really reimagine ourselves as an agency here to serve our core customer- our agents.”
The VIBE team is responsible for helping ERA American agents enhance their real estate presence through custom graphic design, social media management, website development, brand resource training, and more. They developed ERAEverything.com as an agent resource center to serve as a central point of communication and order fulfillment.
Catherine Gauthier, Realtor and head of the VIBE Team, explained, “Our goal when we started back in August 2022 was to make it as easy as possible for agents to get what they need from our department to enhance their real estate vibe. We’ve crafted an online resource center (ERAEverything.com), where our agents can go to make requests for custom projects, order signage, get their marketing materials, as well as enroll in our brokerage services, and get anything else that they might need.”
In addition to managing ERA American’s brokerage marketing objectives, the team’s work encompasses a wide range of services for its agents:
- Jonelle Lewis focuses on creating cohesive imagery that speak to an agents individuality while also ensuring they identify as ERA American agents and manages order fulfillment for marketing assets.
- Deborah Holbrook manages the ERA American’s website platform, which allows for customization and sharing to agent websites as well as assists agents in growing their businesses by overseeing their databases and ensuring agents’ are connecting with their prospects and customers regularly.
- Rachelle Wyatt offers individual agents social media management and runs the agents’ direct mail campaigns. She also manages brokerage events including the annual gala and the mid-year ERA American educational event.
The VIBE team’s efforts have transformed the company’s service delivery in creative design, website builds, social media and empowering agents to tell their story and the brokerage story in new and compelling ways.
“We’re endeavoring to do something that I’ve never seen anyone do before. To create a full service marketing agency under the roof of a real estate company, it gives our agents a competitive advantage,” Lombardo concluded.
This innovative approach to real estate marketing has not only earned ERA American Real Estate national recognition but has also provided their agents with unique tools and resources to better serve their clients and grow their businesses.
GIVING BACK
Harbor Docks Charities to host 29th Annual Take-A-Kid-Fishing Day
Harbor Docks Charities is set to host its 29th Annual Take-A-Kid-Fishing Day on Sunday, November 3, 2024, providing 300 children with a free day of fishing in the waters around Destin.
- The event, which has been running for nearly three decades, aims to give local children, including those who may not often have the opportunity, a chance to fish in the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay.
Participants will board some of Destin’s charter boats, accompanied by off-duty law enforcement officers and firefighters from Destin and Fort Walton Beach, as well as other Harbor Docks Charities volunteers.
The fishing trip is open to children aged 7 to 13. Reservations are required and will be accepted starting Tuesday, October 1, until all slots are filled. Parents can make reservations by calling Harbor Docks at 837-2506 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The event will take place in two shifts, with the first group of approximately 150 children signing in at 7 a.m. and boarding at 7:30 a.m. The second group will sign in at 8 a.m. and board at 8:30 a.m. Each fishing trip will last about four hours.
- Participants will receive breakfast, a t-shirt, a rod and reel, and a family fish fry. The organizers remind attendees to be aware of the daylight saving time change on the day of the event.
Teachers, first responders, and firefighters interested in volunteering or chaperoning are encouraged to contact Jackie at Harbor Docks for more information.
GIVING BACK
Realtor sponsors free entry for first 400 Choctaw students to football game against Niceville
Mack Bowman of ERA American Real Estate is continuing his support for local students by sponsoring free admission to an upcoming high school football game.
- The first 400 Choctawhatchee High School students will receive free entry to Friday’s game against Niceville High School, courtesy of Bowman and ERA American Real Estate.
“This is not just a donation, this is a continuation of commitment to supporting the youth in our community to grow, learn, and flourish,” Bowman said. “These kids are the future, don’t leave them behind.”
To take advantage of the offer, students must present their Choctaw Student ID at the entrance. The school expressed gratitude for the gesture, stating, “Thank You Mack and Linde Bowman for this generous donation. One Tribe. Go Big Green!”
This is not the first time Bowman has supported his alma mater. In October 2023, he sponsored free admission for 400 students to attend Choctawhatchee’s homecoming game. That event was also tied to the Alayna Bowman Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which honors Bowman’s late sister.
Bowman, a 2015 graduate of Choctawhatchee High School, has consistently shown his commitment to ensuring students have access to extracurricular activities.
The highly anticipated Indians vs. Eagles game will kick-off at 7pm on September 20, 2024 at the Joe Etheredge Stadium.
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POLITICS
State Rep. Rudman appoints Keri Pitzer as new legislative aide
State Representative Joel Rudman has announced the appointment of Keri Pitzer as his new legislative aide for Florida House District 3.
- Pitzer, a resident of northern Okaloosa County and a military spouse, brings local experience to the role. Rep. Rudman emphasized her understanding of the district’s priorities and needs, particularly noting her connection with the area’s agricultural community.
“As a military spouse and a resident of the northern end of the district, Keri understands the priorities and the needs of our constituents,” Rudman said. “She has the trust of our farmers, and she looks forward to helping the good people of District 3.”
Pitzer expressed enthusiasm about her new position, stating, “I am excited to begin this new chapter as the Legislative Aide to State Representative Joel Rudman, MD. This is an incredible opportunity to continue serving the people of north Okaloosa and Santa Rosa at the State level, working on issues that deeply matter to our community.”
Her office will be located at the Northwest Florida State College campus in Crestview.
Pitzer is no stranger to local politics. In August, she ran for Okaloosa County Commission District 3 in the Republican primary, narrowly losing to Sherri Cox by 14 votes after a recount.
In her new role, Pitzer aims to leverage her experience and passion for public service. “I look forward to using my experience and passion for public service to help bring about meaningful change, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work, listening, leading, and supporting the people of District 3,” she said.
BUSINESS
‘Deplorable’ Shalimar drug house to be demolished, redeveloped after years of community concerns
A property that has long been a source of concern for residents and law enforcement in Shalimar is set to be demolished and redeveloped, marking the end of a years-long struggle to address crime and public health issues at the site.
- The property at 34 9th Avenue, which has been the subject of numerous complaints and law enforcement actions over the past several years, was recently acquired by residential contractor Jared Larimer, owner of JNL Solutions. Larimer plans to clean up the property for a future build of a new single-family residence on the lot.
This development comes after years of efforts by local officials, law enforcement, and community members to address ongoing problems at the property, which had become known as a hub for drug activity and other criminal behavior.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, who has been involved in addressing issues at the property throughout his tenure, expressed relief at the latest developments.
“All good things come to those who wait,” Aden said. “Unfortunately, the community had to wait a long time. But we do truly believe that we can now see the sun shining through the clouds that they’ve had to live with for the last five years plus.”
The property at 34 9th Avenue has been a persistent source of trouble for the community. According to Sheriff Aden, in the past five years alone, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has responded to 266 calls at the address, ranging from welfare checks to reports of drug activity, prostitution, and other criminal behavior.
- The issues at the property have not been limited to criminal activity. Neighbors and county officials have long complained about code violations, including accumulated trash, abandoned vehicles, and unsanitary living conditions.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has conducted multiple operations at the property in recent years, including a major raid in January 2023 that resulted in 13 arrests. However, addressing the ongoing issues at the site proved challenging due to various factors, including homestead rights that limited the county’s ability to take action.
Sheriff Aden described the conditions encountered during law enforcement operations at the property as “deplorable,” noting that officers had to wear hazard masks due to the unsanitary conditions and pest infestations.
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