GIVING BACK

From Publix to Photoshoots: ‘Pickles the Cat’ stars in new 2024 calendar

Pickles the cat, famous for greeting customers outside a Publix grocery store in Fort Walton Beach, is now living indoors. But fans can still see the feline regularly in a new 2024 calendar.

• Photos taken by Pickles’ caretaker, Mike Sullivan, and admirers will appear in the calendar, including her Publix “employee of the month” picture. 
• The calendars are scheduled for printing in October, with advertisements sold to cover production costs.

Calendars will sell for $20 each, with all proceeds going to Save Our Cats and Kittens (SOCKS), a nonprofit dedicated to finding forever homes for homeless, abandoned and neglected cats and kittens.

“Thank you all for the love and support you have given Pickles the past few years,” Sullivan said. “You can continue that love by buying a Pickles calendar, and it will support a great organization.”

• Those interested in placing an ad can email SOCKS volunteer Lorrain Lynn Whetstone, who is coordinating the calendar, at lorrainelynnwhetstone@gmail.com.

SOCKS aims to change Okaloosa County laws to benefit community cats like Pickles. The change would allow trap-neuter-return programs, a scientifically proven method of reducing the number of stray cats, according to Whetstone.

In TNR, cats are trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies and returned to their outdoor homes. While under anesthesia, a small part of their ear is “tipped” – the universal sign a cat has been sterilized.

TNR drastically cuts the stray cat population and problematic behaviors like spraying, yowling and fighting, advocates say.

According to SOCKS, hundreds of U.S. cities and counties, including nearby Escambia County and Crestview, Florida, have ordinances allowing TNR.

THINGS TO DO

Destin Commons to host ‘Halloween Haunt’ family event with costume contest and prizes

Ghosts and ghouls of all ages are invited to haunt Destin Commons on Friday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. for the shopping center’s annual Halloween Haunt event.

This year’s Halloween Haunt will feature trick-or-treating at retailers, face painting, a photo booth, arts and crafts stations, and a professional chalk artist creating spooky sidewalk art that kids can add to with their own chalk drawings.

• Costume contests for both kids and adults will take place with prizes awarded in multiple categories.
• Event attendees can also test their estimating skills by guessing the number of pumpkins on display for a chance to win a prize.

Destin Commons invites everyone to dress up in creative costumes and enjoy bewitching activities, photo ops, and trick-or-treating.

The event is free and open to the public.

PUBLIC WORKS

Okaloosa County to celebrate completion of 11.6-mile Reclaimed Water Pipeline

Okaloosa County will celebrate the completion of an 11.6-mile reclaimed water pipeline with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Mullet Festival site in Niceville.

• The new pipeline will allow residents and businesses to use reclaimed water, or treated wastewater, to irrigate their lawns instead of drilling more wells into the aquifer, according to the county.

“We are proud of the work performed by our Water and Sewer Department and are excited for the positive environmental and economic impacts this will have for the Niceville area communities,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “This is another example of the county working smarter to use resources that already exist for the betterment of the residents.”

The southern portion of the pipeline begins at the Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility in Fort Walton Beach. It continues through the Eglin reservation with an eastern terminus near the Mullet Festival site in Niceville. It will primarily provide supplemental reclaimed water to Niceville, with Valparaiso and Eglin Air Force Base as future possibilities.

This interagency, regional project was led by the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department with funding through the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and county capital improvement funds.

• The total cost was $12.8 million.

Okaloosa County began this partnership with Niceville and Eglin in 2014, when the three parties agreed on the concept and executed an initial agreement. County crews began installing the 20-inch purple pipeline in 2021.

The county says that other areas of Florida have seen success in water sustainability by using reclaimed water. Some other benefits include reducing potable water use, decreasing fertilizer application and ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective water supply.

FOOD+DRINK

City Food Hall in Destin announces new theme nights and coastal-themed bar menu

City Food Hall in Destin Commons is introducing new themed nights, special events, and a brand-new coastal-themed bar menu.

• Military Mondays will honor active-duty military personnel and veterans with their first drink free, accompanied by an all-day happy hour.

• For Tequila Tuesdays, patrons can enjoy $3 off tequila pours, $6 house margaritas, and $4 Modelo bottles.

• Whiskey Wednesdays will feature $3 off whiskey and bourbon pours, as well as $8 whiskey and bourbon craft cocktails.

• Ladies Night on Thursdays features a variety of $5 Tito’s martinis including Lemon Drop, Cosmos, Espresso, and French Martinis.

• Football fans will find great specials on Saturdays and Sundays during NFL games.

Music bingo starts Oct. 23 and will run Mondays from 5-8 p.m. Participants can win prizes as songs and artists are called out instead of numbers. Run Destin Night starts the same evening at 5:30 p.m. in collaboration with the local running group.

• Karaoke kicks off Nov. 9, with performances every Thursday night from 5-8 p.m.

City Food Hall also unveiled a new coastal-themed bar menu. Signature cocktails include the “Sunsets in Destin,” “Not Your Papa’s Daiquiri” and “Salty Air Margarita.”

“City Food Hall has always been about creating a vibrant, inclusive space that offers more than just fantastic food,” said Kenzie Motai, Chief Operating Officer for City Food Hall. “Our themed nights, special events, and the new bar menu are designed to provide a well-rounded dining and entertainment experience that our patrons will cherish.”

A MESSAGE FROM ERA AMERICAN

ERA American’s “trick-or-treating” food drive happening all of October

Residents across Northwest Florida can help brighten the holiday season for those facing food insecurity by donating to ERA American Real Estate’s food drive now through Oct. 31.

ERA American agents and staff will collect canned goods, dry goods, cooking oils, peanut butter, jelly, bottled water and juice to distribute to organizations across the communities they serve. No glass containers accepted.

“For some members of our community, the most frightening thing they face is food insecurity,” said Catherine Gauthier, ERA American Real Estate. “Now through October 31, ERA American Real Estate will be “Trick-or-Treating” to make the start of the holiday season a bit less scary by gathering non-perishable food items.”

Most needed items include:

• Canned goods like vegetables, fruits, soups, tuna and chicken
• Dry goods such as pasta, rice, cereal, granola bars, stuffing and mashed potatoes
• Cooking oils
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Bottled water and juices

Local residents can arrange pickup of donations by connecting with their ERA American Real Estate advisor or drop off items at any ERA American offices. Donations will be gathered through Oct. 31 to maximize impact during the holidays.

Join ERA American Real Estate in their effort to spread holiday cheer by donating to local families in need this season. Even small donations make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

TRAFFIC

Highway 98 signal retiming completed in Destin, expected to improve traffic flow

The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a comprehensive traffic signal retiming project along a 6.63-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 98 in Destin.

• The retiming is anticipated to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce fuel consumption during peak tourism season, according to a report presented at Monday’s Destin City Council meeting.

The study conducted over the past year aimed to optimize traffic signal coordination and progression along the busy corridor, while minimizing delays on side streets at intersections.

According to the report, Destin currently services an average of 374,000 vehicles per week within the retiming project area during the Peak Season.

FDOT retimed signals at the following 22 intersections on Highway 98:

• Stahlman Avenue
• Pedestrian signal between Stahlman Avenue and Palmetto Street
• Pedestrian signal between Palmetto Street and Marler Street
• Pedestrian signal between Marler Street and Melvin Street
• Benning Drive
• Beach Drive
• Main Street
• Gulf Shore Drive
• Palm Street/Sandprint Drive (future signal)
• Pedestrian signal for Big Kahunas Water Park
• Pedestrian signal west of Gulf Terrace Drive
• Airport Road
• C.R. 2378 (Scenic Highway 98)
• Indian Bayou Trail
• Henderson Beach Road
• Triumph Road
• Matthew Boulevard
• S.R. 293
• Crystal Beach/Legendary Drive
• Regatta Bay Drive
• Tequesta Drive

FDOT also retimed the signal at S.R. 293 and Commons Drive adjacent to Highway 98.

New coordinated signal timing plans were implemented during peak season for weekday mornings, weekday middays, weekday afternoons, weekends and off-peak periods.

• According to FDOT’s calculations, the optimized signals will save around 5,500 vehicle-hours and 20,000 gallons of fuel per week along Highway 98.

Ryan Scott, Destin’s City Engineer, said the signal optimization is now complete and should help reduce congestion during busy tourist times. 

FDOT did recommend that the city re-stripe the southbound thru-lane of Gulf Shores Drive at Highway 98 to a shared left-turn/thru lane due to the new split phase signal operations.

Councilman Dewey Destin asked if the city would be able to monitor the impact of the retimed signals. Scott said data collection from this past season is finished and the new timing plans are in place. The city will continue to monitor to see if there are any additional changes that can be made, in addition to the next tourist season.