Member News

Cultural Arts Alliance Artistic Faculty Public Reception
Enjoy work by the masters who are instilling confidence and skills in new emerging artists. Professors Steve Phillips, Lyn Rackley, and Jb Cobbs have been selected to be represented at this magnificent show at the South Walton Campus of Northwest Florida State College. Please join us for our public reception at the South Walton Campus of Northwest Florida State College on Jan. 27, from 5-7:30 p.m. This innovative exhibit is part of the A+ Art Series, a program of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County in collaboration with Northwest Florida State College.

SOLD by Destin Business Brokers!
Mulhollows Bistro 215 was recently sold by Brett Bianca of Destin Business Brokers. New owners Dan and Tracy Pearsall are seasoned restaurant professionals who have brought a re-energized menu and atmosphere to this well-known establishment, and we wish them continued success. Destin Business Brokers is a locally owned and operated brokerage that over the years has helped many business owners and entrepreneurs buy and sell local businesses. Please contact Brett Bianca at 850-460-4380 or brett@destinbusinessbrokers.com if you have an interest in buying or selling a business.

Snowbirds Say Thank You for Door Prizes
The Destin Snowbird Club would like to thank all chamber members who have generously supported our door prize committee this season. We were warmly greeted by over 300 in our annual door prize drive. Next year, we will make some changes in our communication strategy. We hope to communicate by email rather than postal delivery. For those who would like to partner with us next year, please respond to destinsbprizecommittee@gmail.com. Our membership is well on its way to our target of 2000 members for this season! Again, thank you to all for such a warm welcome and your support as we return to the Destin area and our “winter homes.”

Local Real Estate Market Ends 2011 On High Note
Short sales, foreclosures, distressed properties, investment properties, condos, detached single-family homes, townhomes – what do they have in common? They were all a part of the local residential real estate market in 2011. In another banner year for real estate along the Emerald Coast, total residential units sold in 2011 increased by 24 percent over 2010, according to data from the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR). A total of 5,290 residential units were sold last year; 4,266 sold in 2010. The total number of units sold is the highest since 2005, one of the infamous boom years in real estate in the last decade.

NWF State College Hosts Community Open House Feb. 4
In a first in more than 20 years, Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) will host a free Community Open House on the college’s main campus in Niceville from 12-3 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 4. The Open House, which is part of a week of events centered on the grand opening of the college’s new 75,000 square foot Student Services Center, will feature the entire campus and a host of free activities, tours, faculty seminars, program demonstrations, art exhibits, baseball games, a free-throw contest in the college’s basketball Arena, and more. There will also be door prizes, including the chance to win an iPad and other giveaways. Visit www.nwfsc.edu.

Call to Artists
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance announces a call for artists and crafters for the 5th annual Family Fun Arts Fest, which will be held on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Henderson Beach State Park. Vendors that register by March 30 receive a 10% discount. Vendors must apply by April 30. Vendor forms are available online at www.okaloosaarts.org/event.htm click on form or email abaty@okaloosaarts.org for more information. For more information go to www.okaloosaarts.org.

Start Your Fashion Career at Private Gallery
Do you have a passion for fashion and a desire to share that passion through customer service? So do we! Private Gallery at the Destin Commons is now accepting applications for the Spring and Summer. If you would like to join our Sales Team, we are seeking Part-Time Associates. Please fill out an Application and send to: Destin@ShopPrivateGallery.com. Application available at www.ShopPrivateGallery.com.

Shelter House Presents Carrabba’s Italian Grill Cooking Class
Learn how to prepare some of your favorite Italian dishes. Led by Chef Paul and the talented Carrabba's Italian Grill staff, this class will equip you to impress your friends and family with your own Italian feast. Join us for a fun and relaxing afternoon of cooking demonstrations and food samples. The $40 registration also includes a glass of wine and recipes to take home! The class will take place at Carrabba's Italian Grill on Friday, Feb. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seating is limited. Proceeds from this event benefit Shelter House. For more information, call (850) 243-1201.

Dine...Dance....Cruise....Romance!
Cruise aboard the Solaris on Feb. 11, from 6 – 9 p.m., or Feb. 14, from 7 – 10 p.m., and enjoy a special three course meal. The cost is $150 per couple, which includes the cruise, meal, and life entertainment! Upgrade your package. For $212 per couple, receive a bottle of Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne and an appetizer. The boat docks at Baytowne Marina. For reservations, please call (850) 650-2519.

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Do you have special business information you would like to share with all Chamber members and our website visitors? Please send your exciting news, which can be about an upcoming event or other timely information, to news@DestinChamber.com. Only Chamber members are allowed to post news, each news item has to be less than 100 words, only one item per member is allowed each week, and Chamber staff reserves the right to reject or edit postings that do not meet the requirements. All news items are due by Friday for posting the following Monday. The link to this page will be sent out in our weekly Tuesday Talking Points email, and the news item will remain on the website until the next Monday’s posting. We will not keep an archive of these pages, and no photos, logos or general business descriptions will be posted. Also, member news items will only be published once.