A MESSAGE FROM STEP ONE

HerScan breast cancer screenings at Subaru Fort Walton Beach

Subaru Fort Walton Beach is partnering with HerScan, a mobile breast ultrasound screening company, to provide affordable and convenient breast health services to local women.

• On Wednesday, Oct. 25, HerScan will bring its state-of-the-art ultrasound technology to Subaru Fort Walton Beach for breast screenings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The $285 screenings aim to complement women’s annual health visits by using ultrasound to detect cancer early. According to HerScan, its technology paired with analysis from radiologists can identify breast abnormalities at a 97% rate in dense breast tissue, whereas mammograms alone often detect less than 50% of cancers in dense breasts.

“We are proud to partner with HerScan to provide this vital service to our community,” said Maureen Bierman, Marketing Director at Step One Automotive Group. “Our goal is to empower women with proactive breast health management and offer them access to state-of-the-art breast ultrasound screenings.”

HerScan’s breast ultrasound screenings will be conducted by skilled professionals says Subaru Fort Walton. Appointments can be scheduled through the HerScan website.

Schedule your HerScan Breast Ultrasound appointment today.

THINGS TO DO

‘Really Rad Weekend’ gaming convention returns to Okaloosa Island

Gaming enthusiasts can celebrate their love for retro and modern gaming when “Really Rad Weekend” returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach November 11-12.

• The annual event started about eight years ago when Joe Alonzo and his friends decided to create a local gaming convention. It was previously called Emerald Coast Con. 

This year marks the second year it has been rebranded as Really Rad Weekend, which was a huge success in 2022. 

“This year we wanted to make things a little smaller, a little more personal, and a lot more RAD!” said Alonzo, owner of Rad Bar and Rad Junk in Fort Walton Beach.

The convention will take place at The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island. All proceeds will benefit Fresh Start of the Emerald Coast, a local nonprofit. Alonzo said what makes the event stand out is its intimate, laid-back vibe.

• “Everybody gets some time to play games and hang out, and it’s a much more intimate convention versus being crammed onto a floor where you can’t move,” he said.

Festivities kick off Saturday morning where attendees can look forward to panels, meet-and-greets, tournaments, a curated vendor hall, and a retro gaming museum. Special guests include YouTube gaming personalities like Kelsey Lewin, John Riggs, Nintendrew and more.

The $1,000 main event Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament is back, along with cash prizes for Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 1, and other popular fighting titles.

The event’s cosplay contest is going to be bigger than before with their panel of veteran cosplayers choosing the best of the emerald coast to win $1000 in cash and prizes. 

“Really Rad Weekend is more like a vacation, and that’s the point,” explained Alonzo. “Come to the beach, hang out, play some video games but also be involved with something that is not only for a good cause, but it’s a good time.”

Passes can be purchased online at ReallyRadWeekend.com. Tickets start at $15, with weekend passes starting at $30. There are also VIP weekend passes available. Kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult ticket.

PARKS+REC

Okaloosa County tables Lake Vivian dredging plans in Shalimar after opposition from homeowners

The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners tabled two interconnected agenda items related to maintenance dredging of the Lake Vivian channel at its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, after vocal opposition from local residents.

The first agenda item considered a draft ordinance to create a Lake Vivian Channel Maintenance Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU). The MSBU would levy an initial assessment on surrounding homeowners beginning in fiscal year 2024-2025 to fund future dredging projects estimated around every 10 years.

The initial MSBU assessment aimed to raise $120,000 towards a $180,000 dredging budget by charging 22 homeowners and the county park property. The county’s share was set at 11 units, or one-third of the total cost, because it owns the Meigs Park boat ramp on Lake Vivian. 

• Homeowners would cover the remaining two-thirds or $120,000.

At $120,000 over 10 years (plus any tax collector fees), the MSBU would charge each unit $633.36 annually or $52.78 monthly.

The second agenda item sought approval to re-permit and allocate $180,000 to dredge the channel now. It also requested authorization for staff to execute the dredging project if bid costs came in within budget.

According to county documents, the channel requires maintenance dredging every decade or so after storm activity and drifting sands clog the passage from Meigs Park and surrounding docks to Lake Vivian and Choctawhatchee Bay.

• The county has historically funded the full cost of maintenance dredging here for over 25 years, most recently spending $76,000 in 2008. It proposed doing so one last time before initiating the MSBU.

However, waterfront homeowners have seemingly spoken out against the MSBU terms with a petition that was mentioned during public comments at Tuesday’s meeting. According to one resident who spoke at the meeting, 14 of the 22 homeowners have signed a petition opposing the terms. 

It seems there were some apparent misunderstandings or confusion among homeowners about the previous terms and proposals that had been discussed over the past 2 years.

• Some homeowners were confused as to why they would pay the same flat rate regardless of their individual lake frontage, since some have more frontage than others. The county explained the benefit is the same regardless of frontage size.
• There was confusion over why the Lake Vivian estimate was different from a Fort Walton Beach dredging estimate. The county explained that each location differs based on amount of material, timing, frequency, and other cost factors.
• Some homeowners thought the prior offer was to cover 2/3 of all costs including future dredging. But the county said that offer was only for one-time capital costs (such as jetties), not recurring dredging costs.

In response, the commissioners unanimously agreed to table both items.

“It appears based upon a petition that is being presented that the neighborhood doesn’t like it,” said Commissioner Nathan Boyles. “If the neighborhood doesn’t want it, we have a lot of priorities in this county.”

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, whose district includes the area and who has been working Deputy Administrator Craig Coffey on this, said she was disappointed homeowners rejected what she felt was a fair offer.

“It is not fair to ask the citizens of Okaloosa County to pay for waterfront property for others, but I hate to see this go away, because what’ll happen is, your lake will fill in,” said Ketchel. 

• “We have worked very hard to get to this point,” she added. “If I owned a waterfront home there, at $50 per month, I would do it because my house value would go way up. But if it fills in, it’s going to go down.”

With no action taken, the county will not move forward with the MSBU or funding the dredging project. Homeowners around the lake would need to privately finance any future dredging once the channel silts up again.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

October 19 – 7th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival – View

October 19 – Jeweled Wooden Wall Crosses – $45 – View

October 19 – Bubbly Baytowne – Free – View

October 20 – Open Studio Glass Art – $25 – View

October 20 – Super Sew Day – Free – View

October 21 – Saving With Soul Adoption Event at Pet Supermarket – Free – View

October 21 – Clay with a Purpose – $25 – $30 – View

October 21 – Flying Needle Quilt Guild Boutique – View

October 21 – Treats for My Boo – a Kimberbell 1-Day Embroidery Event – – View

October 21 – Honoring Our Heroes – 9/11: America’s Response – View

October 21 – Sip & Science: Mystery at the Museum – $20 – $30 – View

October 22 – Guided Sound Meditation Chakras Journey in Destin! – $25 – View

October 24 – Homeschool Kids Club @ Create! – $18.50 – View

October 24 – Rollerballs with Robin – $5 – View

October 24 – Sew Happy Tuesday! – Free – View

October 25 – Open Studio- Creating Mixed Media Blocks – $22.00 – View

October 25 – ADSO Monthly Luncheon and Guest Speaker – $15 – View

October 25 – UNPLUGGED feat. Erin Enderlin – – View

October 25 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View

October 26 – SmartBank Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – View

October 26 – 8th Annual Barktoberfest – View

October 26 – Planetarium Special Feature: Spooky Secrets of the Stars – $10 – $12 – View

SCHOOL

Niceville 5th grader honored by Gov. DeSantis for essay on Hispanic grandfather’s journey to America

A Niceville 5th grader was recognized by Gov. Ron DeSantis last week for her essay honoring her grandfather’s journey to America and his family’s extensive military service.

Norah Hall, 10, was one of just fourteen students statewide who received prizes as part of DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month contest. This year’s theme was “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heroes and Their Contributions to Freedom.”

• Winners (including Norah) received a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

In a personal essay, Hall said she was born at Eglin Air Force Base in 2013. She attends James E. Plew Elementary and seeks “academic excellence,” earning good grades through hard work. Hall described her “unique talents” in writing, art, dance and passion for continual growth.

Even at 10-years old, Hall already has plans to attend the Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College. She then aims to pursue advanced degrees, possibly up to a doctorate. Hall wrote that she may become a gemologist, architect, indoor/outdoor designer or fashion designer. But notes that she has many interests and ideas to still explore.

• “When I was 3 years old, I came home with rocks in my pocket from the daycare playground,” Hall wrote. “I continue to collect rocks, gems today that are rare.”

In her 500-word contest essay, Hall paid tribute to her Hispanic grandfather, Oscar Valenzuela Sr. He moved from Juarez, Mexico to Laredo, Texas at age 12 speaking only Spanish.

“In August 1977, at the age of 20, he became an American Citizen, to stay with his family, being sworn in at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,” Hall wrote.

Soon after, Valenzuela Sr. traveled to Wichita, Kansas where he met Hall’s grandmother, Dolores Valenzuela. “Abuelo was still learning to speak English,” Hall noted. This August, the couple celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

The Valenzuelas had five children, four of whom joined the U.S. Armed Forces. Hall’s mother, Juliet, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1999-2004, including a tour in South Korea.

• “For me, a hero is an ordinary individual who always perseveres during challenging times,” Hall wrote. “My Abuelo is a hero because he never gave up, teaching himself to read, write English, and start his own business in Florida.”

Hall said her grandfather became a Floridian in 2017. She recalled fond memories of him telling her stories and playing games.

“When Abuelo came to America he became a ‘Seed’ for a Tree that grew to positively impact almost every aspect of American Life through his children,” Hall concluded. “Abuelo’s Children of this Tree became servants for our Great Nation! The accomplishments they achieved benefitted not only for Floridians, but our entire Nation.”

Norah’s parents could not be more proud her daughter.

“She’s our only child and I’ve always put in 150% as a mother to help guide her and prepare her for our world,” said Juliet Hall. “She’s thriving and excelling in all she touches. So this essay contest was just another opportunity for her to pour her heart into. Norah gives 200% when she sets her mind to any task and does her best.”

During her visit to Governor’s Mansion last week, Norah was not only joined by her parents, but also her grandparents. The family was able to tour the Governor’s mansion for 90-minutes where Norah even did cartwheels in the backyard.

“Norah’s Abuelo (Grandpa/my father) was so honored after he read her essay it literally brought tears to his eyes,” recalled Juliet Hall. “Tears of joy and also probably nostalgia from when he was a 12-year-old boy entering America.”

Okaloosa Superintendent of School Marcus Chambers was “incredibly proud” of Norah on her achievement.

• “This recognition is a remarkable achievement for Norah,” he told Get The Coast. “She is an outstanding representative of Okaloosa County and the Panhandle, and our school District is incredibly proud of her.”